Chapter Three

The Fall of Twilight

Jennifer was awakened from her nap by a kiss, smiling happily as she looked up at Severus, who was gazing at her intensely.

"You had better get moving. You have an order meeting soon, you know," Severus told her, making the lights come up. Jennifer got a good look at him and sat up with a frown, noticing the burns on his hands and face, white with freshly applied balm.

"What in the world happened to you?" she asked.

"I had a bit of an accident in the lab," Severus admitted. "Fortunately, I was able to contain it mid-explosion with a time delay spell that'll disperse the gas out harmlessly over a long period of time. It's all right now, but I really need to get a seal put on that room," he sighed, standing up.

"What are you talking about? We had an explosion seal put on the lab when we first bought the place," Jennifer said curiously. Severus quickly blinked then turned away, but not quite quickly enough. "You moved the lab? I don't understand."

"Perhaps it'd be better if I just showed you," Severus decided, handing over her Merlin robes. "It was supposed to be your birthday present, but I suppose it is just as well you found out a week early. Now perhaps you can actually have time to enjoy it."

Jennifer threw on her robes, looking at Severus skeptically. True, she didn't mind being underground as much as she used to, but she didn't particularly like it, either. Severus ignored the look, impatiently waiting for her to put on her shoes and jewelry before leading her out of the bedroom and immediately opening the basement door. Jennifer paused to latch back the door, but after seeing her stall, Severus grabbed her hand.

"There's no need for that anymore," he frowned at her. "Come on."

"Shouldn't we turn the lights up?" Jennifer said, nervously following him down the dark stairs.

"Not yet," Severus said. "Sirius and I have been working on this for months. I suppose it's surprising that you didn't find out about this sooner."

"I can't see a thing and I don't know what you're talking about, but you know how much I hate enclosed spaces," Jennifer said chuckling nervously.

"Yes, which is why we built this," Severus said. Suddenly the lights came up, and Jennifer stared in amazement, for the large basement had been turned into a giant family room. A fire burst to life in the sea stone fireplace, instantly warming the cool basement air, while several plush chairs encircled it and beautifully woven rugs were spread in different directions across the floor. Behind the stairs where Severus' rickety desk and cot had been was a cozy nook filled with books and a corner-hugging sofa, and there was even a gated play area off to one side with a small chest of toys and plenty of crawling room. Next to the fireplace, a door was set into the carved stone, and Jennifer couldn't help but peek inside to find a short step leading down to a short corridor with two doors, which Jennifer supposed went to the new lab and a small work room.

As she was taking it all in, Severus strode across the room to the front wall where a large curtain covered the entire length. Pulling on a rope he opened it, and Jennifer turned to feel a breeze on her face and came to take a closer look. The entire wall had been cut away from the cliff that the house was resting upon, and Jennifer stared in amazement as she stepped out and found herself standing on the edge of the cliff and looking out onto the ocean, the sky filled with color from the setting sun.

"Don't worry, the balcony is charmed so that none of the children can wander out on it," Severus told her, looking out. "But that doesn't mean you can't step out if you like. If you look to the left, you'll see that we're not far from the ladder down to the water," he said, watching her carefully but her amazed expression hadn't changed. "I know how you felt about the cottage, but even you have to admit it was getting a tad crowded up there, and I seriously doubted that you'd let me take out the garden to expand. But vertically we have all the room we could possibly need between the cliff and the ocean. You can still easily hear what's going on in this room whether you're in the lab or the kitchen. My only question is, do you feel you'll be comfortable enough to use it?"

"Why, I don't feel like I'm underground at all!" Jennifer said, taking a breath. "What a fantastic view! And what a very lovely room!"

"The decor was more Anna and Carol's doing," Severus grudgingly admitted. "But I hadn't had time to finish the spells on the lab after Sirius put it in, and I was going to be damned before I'd pay him for something I could do myself. I'd show it to you, but it doesn't have a window yet and it's a bit of a mess at the moment."

"Severus, this is absolutely the most thoughtful gift you've ever given me," Jennifer said, gazing at him lovingly, "Well, except perhaps this," she added, pointing at her ring.

"I'm glad you like it, because I think I would have a hard time returning it," he said expressionlessly. Jennifer chuckled at him.

"Hey! Mom's in the basement? Does that mean we can use it now?" Corey called from upstairs.

"Sure, come on down," Jennifer said before Severus had a chance to say no. Pretty soon they found themselves invaded as Corey came down to raid the game shelf and Carol put all the babes in the pen, Alex immediately inspecting the toy box for toys she thought she had lost. Carol then opened a drawer in one of the small tables in between two of the chairs, taking out her knitting. "Everyone's in here and it doesn't feel crowded at all," Jennifer said in amazement. "I suppose that means there is room for one more?" she added slyly to Severus as she went back up the stairs.

"Jennifer," Severus said, following close behind her as she headed towards the front door. "Perhaps we ought to take Sagittari's advice and wait a year," he said quietly.

"Wait a year? Oh come, now, Severus. Don't tell me you're panicking because I've been a little tired," Jennifer sighed, opening the door.

"Panicking no. Concerned, yes," Severus admitted with a frown. "I seriously doubt anyone would care or notice if the schedule was off a year."

"I would notice and besides I wanted…" Jennifer caught herself. She really didn't want to tell Severus about helping Sirius and Anna just yet. "I really want to have another this year. Don't worry, I'll be fine, and it's just once more and we'll be completely done and we can then put all the nausea and backaches and swelling toes behind us." Severus nodded reluctantly, not quite sure he was ready to give in yet. "I need to go. Have a good evening."

"Have a good meeting," he said, watching her thoughtfully as she stepped off the porch and Disapparated.

It had been nearly a year since Jennifer joined the Order of Merlin, and soon her year of being an initiate would be over... not that any of the others treated her or Harry as anything but a full member. Harry, she knew, would not be there tonight as he was still on his honeymoon, but it didn't take her long once she entered the Twilight Arc to find Lunette Vallid and Dumbledore standing together, smiling at her warmly as she approached.

"Good evening, Jennifer! It's good to see you again! And well done getting back the Cauldron! I knew you could do it if anyone could," Vallid said with a smile, shaking her hand.

"Oh, I had plenty of help, believe me," Jennifer replied. "We wouldn't have made it back if it hadn't been for everyone else's efforts as well."

"Yes, but who decided who to take?" Vallid asked.

"Professor Craw did, of course," Dumbledore smiled back at her.

"All right, all right, I should know better than to try and argue with either of you, since neither of you are known for losing arguments," Jennifer chuckled.

"Good evening everyone!" Arthur Weasley said cheerfully, coming up behind Jennifer and putting an arm around her briefly as a greeting. "I say, did anyone else notice all of the Muggles on the grounds tonight?"

"They're having a Celtic faire of some sort, aren't they?" Vallid nodded with a smile.

"I thought it'd be fun after the meeting if some of us went over there. From what they're wearing, I'd say most of us would fit right in," Arthur offered.

"Sure, I'm game, sounds like fun," Vallid chuckled. "What about you, Jennifer?"

"Well, maybe for a few minutes," she said uncertainly.

"I'm afraid I have some pre-term paperwork to do, but I'm sure I'll catch them some other time," Dumbledore smiled.

"Yes, it's getting about that time, isn't it?" Arthur said wistfully. "It feels strange not having to take the kids to Diagon Alley every year. Oh well, life goes on, I suppose," he smiled, heading towards the front as they began to gather, and Jennifer couldn't help wonder what it must be like in that house with no kids in it. Of course, George was still there, and there were always any number of them visiting, but all the same she knew it must seem quiet after all those years.

Her thoughts were interrupted as everyone came to attention, and Erik smiled solemnly at them all. She was startled by the look… something was bothering him. But his mind soon turned its attention to the meeting and she lost the expression. The ghostly images of stones long fallen completed the circle, making the bluish tinted area even more serene.

"Good evening, Council, colleagues, and welcome to our summer meeting. We have a lot to cover tonight, so perhaps we'd better get started," Erik said, looking over to Witolf. "Shall we start with Ancient Business then? Glen?" The old alchemist was leaning even more on his old staff than ever as several witches and wizards respectfully gave him room to step to the front.

"Yes, yes, Ancient Business, very important subject these days, isn't it?" Glen said, his eyes bright and energetic despite his frail form. "As I'm sure many of you have heard by now, Dagda's Cauldron has been returned to us courtesy of my dear friend, Jennifer Craw," he said, glancing over at her. She smiled warmly back at him. "And it is now under her protection. But the most amazing find, perhaps even more amazing than the Cauldron itself, is that the Fomorians are still alive and well, living all of these years cut off from everything else, under the sea." A murmur went up around the Order. "They still seem to hold resentment to those of Merlin blood for his part in their decline, and I daresay they hold a grudge with other enemies as well. Their magic is of the elements, and it is still quite strong."

"But what are we to do about them? Are they a threat?" A witch named Hazel Marley asked. Glen gazed at Jennifer and other eyes followed.

"What is your opinion, Jennifer?" Erik asked gently.

"I'm not sure that we should do anything about them. They just want to be left alone," Jennifer said slowly. "It is true that they were very hostile towards us, but I dare say if they didn't have good reason to be hostile before, they do now. They're not an evil people, just a remnant of a society that time left behind. I don't think any of them would leave their city willingly, nor attempt to come after us."

"If I may, Erik," Dumbledore said beside Jennifer. "Although they see us as enemies at this point, considering what Jennifer has found about them, I think that perhaps they might be open to the right sort of contact. They may not listen to words of friendship from us personally, especially after having their prize stolen," he added, getting a slight blush from Jennifer, "but they may listen to someone from their own ancestry. I believe we should encourage a representative from the giants to the island. I have a feeling that it would be mutually beneficial for both of their societies, and may also help us bridge a friendship with them on our own down the line."

"We also may be able to learn a great deal about Ancient magic from them," Glen agreed, "and perhaps that would help us find a way to restore the balance. I believe Dumbledore's suggestion is probably the wisest action."

"A hand of friendship is better than a fist of war in any culture," Erik nodded, the rest of the council agreeing. "Let us see if we can breech this wound of eons past."

"Thank you, Erik," Dumbledore said with a nod.

"Any other Ancient Business?"

"Oh yes, Equinox believes that it would be wise for us to hand over the Cauldron. They do not believe that the school is a safe place for it, and they also claim that they found it first," Glen said, looking amused. Jennifer blinked at him.

"The school? Unsafe?" Dumbledore repeated, looking over his glasses.

"As much as I respect Norman's opinion about all this," Erik said, trying to stay solemn. "Considering they nearly got themselves killed trying to fly there, I'm not sure they have any true claim on the Cauldron... especially since it was in the possession of Jennifer's ancestor at the time it was taken."

"Of course, I'm in complete agreement, Erik," Glen nodded. "But Equinox seems to be more close-minded of late… and more disorganized, as if they fear that something is about to happen. But what they're afraid of, they're not talking about." Erik mused over that.

"Very well, I will speak with them and see if I can find out myself," Erik volunteered.

"Thank you Erik. No other Ancient Business," Glen said.

"Very well then, let's move on to Old Business," Erik said, looking back over at Dumbledore.

"Some of this is also partially Profound Business, so I beg your pardon, Francis, if I upstage you a bit," Dumbledore said, but the vampire only smiled toothily and nodded at him. "We have two new ghosts at Hogwarts who are quite significant to the school's history, Icarus Ravenclaw and Janus Craw. They have been spending the summer with two of our paintings, fellow comrades of theirs, to debate who stole, and where is the Stone of Destiny, the Lia Fál. As I remember saying last meeting, the one that was returned was proven by us to be a fake. The true one is out there somewhere yet. Harry Potter has volunteered, with the help of Ron Weasley, to search out possible locations to see if they can find it. So, if anyone else has any information about the Stone, please feel free to contact us."

"The question is, however, when we do find it and have all four parts, what do we do with them?" Erik said thoughtfully. "Legends out of prophecy seem to be popping out of everywhere. An Aethermage with all four bloods being born, and the artifacts of the Seal showing up," he said. Jennifer was slightly surprised at the obvious mention of Anna, wondering if she'd missed something. "And yet what of the one that says that all four Sentinels will be present if the Seal is ever opened? Should we blindly look for the pieces and just expect Fate to set things right?"

"I believe, Erik, that yes, we do need to find the Stone of Destiny for our own peace of mind, so that we have all parts of the Seal protected," Dumbledore replied. "For I believe that the Seal is weakening on its own for some reason, which would explain why so many creatures of Fae magic seem to be slipping through. If we do not strengthen it in some way, it may break open on its own, like a dam bursting under extreme pressure and blotting out everything in its path."

"How long do we have left, Albus?" Erik asked quietly.

"Months, Days, Hours…" Dumbledore said shaking his head. "I am not sure. I am only sure it is happening as we speak, weakening further all the time."

"We don't have years?" Erik said.

"No," Dumbledore said, shaking his head. "We do not."

"Then we must move," Erik said, looking around. "As much faith as I have in Harry, I want everyone with a spare moment to be looking for that Stone. When you find one which might be it, grab an appropriate person to test it," Erik said, glancing at Arthur who nodded. "Let's make sure that Stone is found before our next meeting."

"Thank you, Erik, I believe that would definitely be a good idea," Dumbledore agreed.

"Very good, any more Old Business?" he asked.

It was just as Lunette Vallid was stepping up to do her report on New Business that Jennifer began to notice something odd. The phantom stones of the Twilight Arc seemed to be wavering, even fading somewhat, and she kept hearing music. How strange, she mused.

"I'm pleased to report that several new Wizard-Muggle exchange programs that have been quite successful in the States are finally gaining some support here as well," Vallid said with a smile. "Several special departments within the Muggle society have been set up, much like the ones we have set up to deal with Muggles, but in reverse… expanding our criminal investigation resources and techniques. We owe this first and foremost thanks to Anna Hughes Black who is helping to get recognition for support groups in mixed communities, such as one started by Father Pachem in Haven's Bluff and Tyrone Flannigan in the Borough. I'm also hoping to get a doctor exchange program started as well, but I'm waiting for a friend to arrive to start that project. All of these projects, of course, are very low profile, and are likely to remain that way in the foreseeable future with public opinion about 'mixing' being what it is here," Vallid sighed, sounding slightly exasperated. "And I know that some of our own members don't feel comfortable with the pace we're moving at either. But I would at least like to see our emergency services begin to cooperate with theirs to a larger extent, because I think it will be helpful for everyone."

Dumbledore was looking at Jennifer thoughtfully, even though he didn't say anything. All right, Jennifer admitted to herself. She didn't like it. Sure, the Muggles could probably benefit from it, and she did have a Muggle friend of her own she liked to talk to of such things. But it wasn't as if they could ever use any of the knowledge they gained, and she was sure it would only cause a build up of resentment. Why bother, when things were going so well now without mixing, especially now with Voldemort out of the way? She knew that Dumbledore and some of the others thought the best way to prevent it from happening again was to integrate, but Jennifer would just as soon wait a few centuries so that some other generation had to deal with it.

"It sounds as if you are on the right track," Erik agreed with a nod. "We'll all be anticipating hearing how your progress goes within the medical society."

Jennifer found she had a hard time hearing him as the music got louder. She also noticed she wasn't the only one looking around with surprise. Just before Pyther stepped up to speak, the blue tint of the Twilight Arc suddenly faded until it was completely gone, and Jennifer found herself standing in plain view to a large group of odd Muggles in strange costumes, looking at her with the same amount of alarm as she was giving them. Tents of feathers and flowers and beads and pins and amulets with curious knots filled the area along the path, and others carried large drinks of mead and food mingled about.

The music had suddenly stopped as the Muggles stared at the sudden appearance of the oddly clad folk, and many of them began to step over to them curiously. One of them spoke something to them in Gaelic, but Jennifer hardly had a translation potion on her, quickly finding her way over to Dumbledore as the others also tried to get out of the crowd and in towards the center of the ring.

"Oh, dear," Dumbledore said.

"Look! They're Druids! Come back from the dawn of time!" one of them said.

"Double oh dear," Vallid said under her breath, looking around to where Arthur Weasley had been but he had already Disapparated. "Arthur went to get help, I think."

"We can't possibly zap them all. Even if we could, does anyone have any idea how we explain this?" Erik asked.

"They all drank too much?" Archimedes offered.

"We should Disapparate, the damage is done already," Glen suggested.

"Have you come here to teach us the ancient ways?" another Muggle woman asked Jennifer.

"I think doing that would only make things worse," Dumbledore said to Glen.

"Um, no, I just came to buy one of those lovely trinkets," Jennifer said nervously to the woman.

"Certainly! That's two pounds six, ma'am."

"It's what?" Jennifer said, realizing she didn't have any Muggle money.

"Jennifer, perhaps you should stand here on the inside of the circle," Dumbledore suggested.

"Good idea, this is definitely a lot more integration than I think I can take in one night," Jennifer said.

"This is more than even I can take in one night," Vallid agreed.

Just then there was a large commotion coming from around the faire, and Jennifer saw with relief the form of Arthur Weasley and Arnie Peasegood in Muggle plainclothes along with dozens of other Ministry workers, surrounding the party.

"Alright then, party's over. This is a police raid, someone's goin' around giving folks hallucinogens," Arnie said, trying to back them all up. "We need to detox everyone affected. Could you line up please? Let's make this easier on all of us."

Arthur walked over to them gesturing down the hill.

"We'll take it from here, you all just get down to the path and get out of here as soon as you can. Rather rotten timing for something like this," the Arthur said.

"Arthur, I realize this situation is a Ministry headache, but it's more serious than just a large Muggle cleanup," Erik said, many of the others turning to him solemnly. "In all the history of this Order, the Twilight Arc has never failed."

Arthur nodded somberly, not knowing what to say as he turned to his work. Others stepped out wearing Muggle suits as to help the Ministry, while Jennifer and the rest walked in the opposite direction, away from the commotion.

Jennifer felt a sinking pit develop within her as she walked down the hill, gazing over at Dumbledore and Vallid who both looked unusually somber. What could have possibly triggered the Twilight Arc to fail? Or was it just an omen of things to come?