Chapter Fourteen

The Other Bishop

Monday morning found Corey swarmed with curious students, crowding around his side of the table at breakfast while he picked at his meal, barely having enough time to eat with all the questions that were being thrown at him.

"So they're holding him in Azkaban for a few weeks, so what? I mean, that doesn't mean he's guilty," Corey said, sounding irritated. "Professor Snape wouldn't kill anybody short of self-defense. They've got the wrong man, is all."

"But they must have quite a bit of evidence on him if it was enough to want to hold him in Azkaban. They don't put just anyone in there, you know," Perry pointed out. "Everyone knows he has a short temper, maybe he just snapped."

"Professor Craw says he didn't do it. If Craw says he didn't do it, he didn't do it," Corey said, poking at his sausage.

"What's going to happen to Defense class, are we going to be excused from it for awhile?" Gail asked hopefully.

"Of course not, Dumbledore hired a substitute, I heard," Doug said. "As if they'd let us get out of things that easy."

"Any idea who?" she asked, looking expectantly to Corey, who shook his head.

"All I know is they're supposed to be following Snape's lesson plan, so don't expect any easy breaks," he said.

"Mr. Willowby?" The students all looked up to see Professor McGonagall walking over. Students shifted in their seats and away from him, suddenly interested in their breakfasts. Corey looked up at her, wondering what he'd done now, while she glanced thoughtfully at the crowd around him, deciding not to comment. "Mr. Willowby, might I see you in my office during your free period?"

"Professor, I swear I wasn't anywhere near the…" several students suddenly jumped on him at once including Doug who stuck a piece of toast in his mouth.

"Here, try the lime marmalade, isn't it great?" Doug said nervously, staring at him warningly. McGonagall frowned at them thoughtfully for a long time.

"I was just about to say, no you're not in trouble for anything, but now I'm not so sure," she said, gazing at them suspiciously. Corey quickly managed to swallow the piece of toast.

"I'll be there as soon as I get out of class, Professor," Corey promised. Giving them all one last searching look, McGonagall walked away.

"So much for setting up the ramps and going Snow-brooming today. I can't set them up by myself, and Taylor has an afternoon class," Doug said.

"Maybe it won't take long," Corey suggested. "I wonder what she wants to talk about?"

"Probably a lecture on not to talk about your Dad's case and whatnot," Aelfred suggested.

"No, we already had that talk," Corey said, poking at his breakfast again. "So what else did you guys want to ask me about, anyhow?"

The Defense class wasn't quite sure what to make of their substitute, and nearly all of them were instantly reminded of their grandmothers. This dotty looking old witch with the bright mauve dress couldn't possibly be their teacher, could it?

"Class, my name is Madame Belle," Audi said with a grin. "Normally my title is Auror, but I'm going to be your Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor until Professor Snape gets back."

"You mean if he gets back, don't you Madame Belle?" Victor Greisley said. Essie turned around long enough to glare at him.

"No, dear charming boy. I always say what I mean. I have been told that last week you had just taken a test on fear based creatures and failed miserably. Well that happens, we all have our good and bad days. So I'm going to do you all a favor. After you pass up all the corrections, I'm going to let you take the test again. The catch is, if you miss any, I get to pick one of the ones that you missed and you're going to have to face one to pass your midterm. Of course, if you get them all right, you won't have to worry about it," she said cheerfully.

"You can't be serious! You really expect that anyone would let you get away with pitting students against these vicious sorts of creatures for real?" Greisley said again.

"Better in a controlled environment than out in the wild, and I'll have you know I already cleared it with Snape and Dumbledore. So if I were you, I'd take one last moment to look at those corrections he made you do and pray you remember them before the good Doctor Sagittari and I head out to round us up some creatures." While the class was busy trying to decide if she were serious or not, Audi glanced up to notice Jennifer standing by the door and smiled at her.

True, her style wasn't anything like his, Jennifer mused, but the content and method of getting through to the students was something he definitely would agree with. Even still, there was something odd about not seeing him there… slamming down books and 'volunteering' students for demonstrations. At least she could tell him with a certainty when he asked that his students were not going to fall behind.

As she walked down the hall, she heard her name called and turned around to see Hermione hurrying towards her.

"There you are, I thought you had a class," Hermione said.

"I have an early double on Monday mornings," Jennifer grumbled, "so I have a long lunch. Why, are you looking for me?"

"There's something I need to show you," Hermione said. Jennifer looked over at her serious face, seeing that it was important.

"Alright, lead the way," Jennifer said. "Something about your class?"

"Well, sort of. It's about the chessboard, actually," Hermione replied, leading her down the hallway. "A couple of my students went in this morning to study it when they noticed that one of the pieces moved over the weekend."

"Did you find out which student did it?" Jennifer asked.

"No, a student can't have done it, it's spell-locked to stay in that position unless a professor changes it. But I'm thinking there's more to it than that," Hermione explained. "I think the piece might have moved on its own." Jennifer looked at her curiously and followed her into the room, stepping onto the chessboard so she could get a better look at them.

"Interesting, it rather looks like the Hogwarts shield, if the Slytherin corner wasn't quite so bare," Jennifer mused after a moment.

"Well, one of the reasons it is bare is because the piece that changed was in that corner," Hermione said, taking out a piece of checkered paper where they were marked off. "Do you see that black bishop between the two black rooks on A2? That's the one that was up in the Slytherin corner before. But now it's here, behind four towers."

"Four towers, four walls… are you sure it moved this weekend?" Jennifer asked.

"I'm positive, I had students in here Friday night," Hermione insisted.

"A Slytherin moved behind four walls, that means, this bishop…"

"Must be Severus," Hermione finished with a nod. "I wish I could get with Bedivere O'Laren about it, but he doesn't seem to be in his painting."

"Have you tried asking Professor Dusthorn?"

"She's not in her painting either," Hermione said, walking around near the two bishops. "Who do you suppose the other bishop represents? Your father, maybe?"

"Maybe," Jennifer said, "After all, he was a Slytherin too, and he's in Azkaban as well. Have you figured out who any of the other pieces are?"

"No, not yet, but I can't see that Severus would be on here and you aren't, so if I'd hazard a guess, I'd say you were the black queen in the Ravenclaw Quarter," Hermione suggested. "But one thing that was always odd about this board is there's a missing king. Such a significant piece missing must mean something."

"Hermione, if you'd hazard a guess to where the King would go in the pattern, where would it be?"

"Well, assuming it's somewhat symmetric, I'd think it'd go on the other side of those four pawns opposite the white king, and then all you'd have to do is move the Queen up to take the other corner," Hermione said. Jennifer looked at it for a long time.

"Perhaps we're looking at this the wrong way. I think this symbol is actually operating on several different levels," Jennifer said thoughtfully. "What if the four houses themselves here represent something? What if this isn't about the houses so much as it's about the four magic types?"

"Or the four Sentinels," Hermione said. Jennifer looked thoughtful again.

"Do you suppose O'Laren would have put himself on the board?" Jennifer asked. "After all it was his message."

"If he did, he'd definitely put himself on the Gryffindor side, being his apprentice and all," Hermione said.

"And Dusthorn the Hufflepuff side." Jennifer agreed. "And, if that is true, that'd also explain who the other person in Azkaban is."

"Icarus Ravenclaw," Hermione nodded.

"And it also would mean the missing King is Janus Craw," Jennifer said. "And if I would hazard another guess, that even though Janus was the sentinel of Dark, I think that missing piece also represents the fact that there's no Ancient Sentinel. And if they're actually connected, it might be trying to tell us that the Sentinels can't be fixed until this board is fixed and these four are all where they're supposed to be, wherever that is."

"I think that part is obvious at least," Hermione said, opening her arms out across the board. "They're all supposed to be at Hogwarts."

"Oh, no," Jennifer said, sitting down. "But that includes Icarus! Please tell me we're not going to bring that horrid spook here!"

"Don't panic, we're just reading symbols, remember? We don't even know if what we're guessing is right," Hermione reminded her. But Jennifer glanced at the chessboard silently for a moment, before sighing.

"It's right," Jennifer muttered, turning around to leave the room. "But that doesn't mean I have to like it."

Icarus slipped partially through the wall and peered into the cell, watching as Severus paced the room like a caged panther. He stopped long enough to scribble a note at the table that was there; adding it to a growing stack of letters then began to pace again. After a moment, Icarus faded the rest of the way in and Severus paused to look at him before beginning to pace again.

"Oh, it's you. I wondered how long it'd take you to show up," Severus said.

"Sorry, I've been in a depressed mood and have been in the crypt for several days. I came the moment I heard. But what are you doing here, exactly?" Icarus asked, hovering beside the wizard as he paced.

"I was wondering the same thing myself," Severus muttered. "Strange, there were many times I had thought I deserved to be in here for one thing or another. Ironic that it turned out to be for something I didn't do."

"That's quite an admission," Icarus said, floating a few feet away and watching him. "Although I am glad you didn't do it," he added. Severus glanced over at the ghost with a raised eyebrow. "With you here, I'm sure Jennifer will be over here all the time, and I am beginning to get the feeling she isn't very fond of me."

"She hates you," Severus said, picking up his pace once more. "And I can't say as I blame her."

"But you don't hate me, do you?" Icarus prodded.

"You're annoying, whining, self-pitying, and a complete nuisance, and I'd like it if you'd keep yourself away from my wife instead of getting her worked up all the time," Severus said with a glare. "How many times a day does post get sent out?"

"Once," Icarus said calmly.

"How am I supposed to function if post only gets out once a day?" Severus asked with frustration.

"It also gets screened, you know," Icarus said thoughtfully.

"That I am well aware of," Severus said, finally sitting down by the table and putting his head in his hand, drumming his fingers on it. "What about in-house letters? Could I get more than one letter to Thomas Craw in a day?"

"You can always ask Hinge or Boltin if they would deliver some for you, but I think the Warden would suspect you're plotting," Icarus said. "Thomas would probably lose his yard privileges again, which wouldn't really be a bad thing. I rather don't like following him up there in the light of day, it's all rather depressing if you ask me." Icarus floated over a closer to see Severus staring almost mesmerized at his wedding ring. "How is she?" he asked after watching a few moments.

"You're rather nosy, for a ghost," Severus said. He picked up a letter Dumbledore had sent him and pretended to read it.

"Of course I am. I have a lot of time on my hands and nothing to do with all of it."

"You also don't have actual hands," Severus said curtly, flipping the page over.

"True enough. I suppose by your mannerisms you feel that I have worn out my welcome for one visit. Very well, no one can say that I don't know when I'm not wanted. I will just go sulk in someone else's cell for awhile," Icarus said, pausing as he made a move towards the wall, looking over his shoulder as if expecting a reply that he didn't receive. "I will be around, and can be around, you know, if you need someone to talk to. After all, ghosts don't sleep," he reminded Severus as he floated through the wall.

"Wonderful," Severus groaned softly to himself, putting down the note and lying down. He pulled the low collar up around his neck subconsciously as he tried to get some rest.

It seemed forever before Sunday came, and Severus regretted that he hadn't grabbed his watch before they had taken his cloak. He woke up early to a darkened cell, but he couldn't get back to sleep. He went over the events in his mind, wondering if he had missed some clue that would uncover the real murderer and get him out of there sooner.

Finally the lights began to flicker on and Severus got dressed, waiting impatiently by the door until just before nine when he heard a spell being cast on the other side of the door and the latch snapping open. The head guard standing there was a burly man who didn't really look to be the enchanter type. But Adam Hinge, Severus knew, was quite a master at charms, and how he ended up in a job like this instead of something more promising was beyond him. Apparently it was beyond Hinge as well, for although he had nothing really against his job, he really didn't like it either, suspicious of everything and everyone and distrusting any sort of magic that he didn't cast himself.

"You have a visitor," Hinge said, looking him over. "Ready to go, I see?"

"Is there anything in this drab grey outfit with a higher collar on it?" Severus asked.

"This is a prison, not a fashion review," Hinge said, rolling his eyes. "Now, come on out, before I change my mind and request that you be in solitary today for acting up."

Frowning slightly, Severus stepped out and nodded to the other guards, most of which he knew from his trips to Azkaban. Most of them nodded politely in return until Hinge turned around from closing the door to give them all a horrified look at their actions, so they quickly faced the front. "This is also not a four star hotel and you're not concierges. Now get your wands out and guard the prisoner! Lawd, why do I always end up getting the raw recruits?" Hinge muttered, turning and walking down the hall.

Jennifer was glad when Severus finally appeared; apparently a bit annoyed at the choice of guards but otherwise seemed well. Impatiently she set her things on the table and went over to meet him, but as he approached she suddenly realized that the barrier that kept her from getting to her father was also now between her and Severus. It was obvious from his expression that he realized it in the same moment she had, and they stood there for a long moment, gazing at each other, both afraid the words they were thinking would betray their true feelings. Finally Jennifer slumped in the chair on her side of the field and Severus followed suit on the other, looking at her expectantly as if waiting for her to say something.

"I brought your Sherlock Holmes and some of your other books. I know you must be going stir crazy by now, I know I would be," Jennifer said, smiling wanly. Severus nodded solemnly, knowing the truth in that. "Corey sent over some black cauldron licorice. I believe he bought it for Christmas but suspected you needed it now. He sent a letter as well."

"It had better have something in it about finishing his homework," Severus said threateningly. Jennifer relaxed a little, hearing nothing of the strain she herself was feeling.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. Minerva cleaned out one of the spare rooms in the castle and soundproofed it to give the band somewhere to practice, but that was providing they kept up with their schoolwork. Otherwise, she told them she'd confiscate the instruments until the end of the school year. I haven't heard a peep of complaint about homework from any of them this week, even Corey," Jennifer grinned.

"Audi has already got the students eating out of the palm of her hand. I don't know what you wrote her, but apparently between that and her Truth Seeking she's always got one up on them; they don't have a chance to pull anything."

"And what about you? Are you getting enough rest and eating well?" Severus asked in a tone that he indicated that he already knew the answer to that.

"It's been a rough week," Jennifer admitted cautiously. "But I swear Dumbledore must have called a safety net around me, they haven't given me much time alone, except at night," Jennifer admitted in a low voice. "Nights have been just horrible."

"Yes, I know," Severus said in the same tone, his hand tingling as he reached to the edge of the field, unable to get passed it. Jennifer had done the same, only too aware of the inch of space in between. "But then, we've been through worse times, so I'm sure we'll get through this," he shrugged. There was a knock on the open door and the two looked up to see Vallid standing there.

"Sorry, mind if I invade a moment? It won't take long," she promised, "And I arranged for any left over time I have today to be added to your time, Jennifer."

"Excuse me, Counselor, it's a nice sentiment, but you can't do that. It's against regulations," Hinge stated.

"Well, you'll have to take that up with the Warden. Boltin arranged it for me with him," Vallid told him cheerfully, sitting down and putting her paperwork in front of her.

"Well, Severus, we've got our work cut out for us on this time. Suspected theft, three counts of breaking and entering –"

"A lie, I only broke in once," Severus muttered. "The other time I was let in."

"Yes, and got Harry into a bit of hot water there too in the process," Vallid said. "The House Elves were even questioned… my guess is they'll end up on the witness stand for sure. They found that the vault was broken into, and it was empty when they searched the bedroom. Know anything about that?" Severus was quite surprised at that.

"That wasn't how I left it," he said, glancing over and looking intently at Jennifer. "I already knew the combination," he admitted. More than that, Jennifer saw, but he had left a fake copy of the tome in its place, hoping to buy time so that Fudge wouldn't have been sure who had taken it. "Were there any old tomes found there?" he asked, looking over at Vallid, who had been watching him closely as well.

"No there wasn't," she said thoughtfully, sitting back. "But there were a lot of spells cast in that room, not the least of which the Killing Curse, and, well, they were all cast with your wand."

"Impossible," Severus snapped. "I had my wand on me the entire time."

"Did you put it in your cloak? Suppose someone got in your chest at Hogwarts," Jennifer suggested.

"Not with Rasputin there. I would have found out the moment I got back," Severus protested.

"Yes, but you never got back," Jennifer pointed out, looking over at Vallid. "Harry's not in any trouble, is he?"

"Well, he's not allowed to leave the country for awhile in case anyone has questions, but other than that, there aren't any charges or anything," Vallid said. "By the way, I was able to press for an early trial and I was able to get the Magistrate to hold it before you get back from the holidays on the second of January. But as much as I'm in favor for this to be over with, that doesn't give us much time. Anna and Harry are already trying to put clues together to find out who possibly could have been able to frame Severus, but anything you can do to help, Jennifer, might make the difference here," she said with a sigh, looking straight at Severus. "I'm going to be straight with you, Severus, right now it doesn't look good. No court in the world is going to refute wand evidence like they have on you, and by your own and Harry's admission you have been in that house without permission before. Chances are they're going to dig up a lot of past skeletons to try and damage any character witnesses I might have. So I need to know what sort of things might they bring up."

Severus pulled the short collar closer around the scars on his neck as if suddenly overly conscious about them being visible.

"Ask Dumbledore," he said after a moment, turning once again to his wife. Jennifer nodded to him knowingly then exhaled loudly, a sober expression on her face.