Chapter Four

All the Houses of Hogwarts

It had been a bit easier leaving home this year, for although Jennifer already begun to miss her children, the routine that they had established over the years had helped to ease the anxiety. She knew that she would see them at least every weekend even when she couldn't pop in during the week. And after the events during the meeting, she was also anxious to get back so that she had a clearer view of what was going on. The newspaper's reports had been disturbing of late; apparently the Arc wasn't the only thing that seemed to be failing. All across Britain, hidden portals and otherwise Muggle-protected areas seemed to flicker and waver, even to the point that Muggles were having to be constantly Obliviated and escorted out of Diagon Alley. It was a good thing they hadn't managed to get into Knockturn yet... Jennifer couldn't help but shudder at the thought. There were definitely some places hidden that were more dangerous for Muggles than others.

But Jennifer knew that Dumbledore would have some ideas about what was going on, and as Minerva met them at the gate, she was unusually eager for their pre-term meeting with him. He was sitting deep in thought behind his desk when they arrived, staring at the paperwork in front of him as if not really seeing it. But when they walked in, he stood up and greeted them both with a smile, gesturing for them to sit.

"Welcome back Severus, Professor Craw. I'm so glad you've returned," he said as Jennifer got settled in the red high-back chair, Severus taking his normal position leaning against it. "I suppose you've both been following what's been going on since the Twilight Arc failed."

"Following it, yes, understanding it, no," Jennifer admitted. "Surely it's not true what they're saying. Surely it's an exaggeration that magic is failing."

"The spells that use Ancient magic do seem to be failing, at least," Dumbledore replied, "and it is putting our secrecy on the line. If this continues to progress at the rate it is going, we will no longer be hidden at all by Christmas."

"Then perhaps we should begin converting ancient spells into conventional magic before they have time to get any worse," Severus said.

"We cannot convert all of them. Some of them lie in the very core of what they were cast upon, the magic woven into materials before they were created. If those sorts of items begin to fail, I don't think there is much we can do to restore it. And there is also no guarantee that if Ancient Magic ceases to work properly that it won't affect the other disciplines. We must find out the cause of the disruption as soon as possible, or the world as we know it will cease to exist." Dumbledore said solemnly.

Jennifer looked up at Severus worriedly. Severus had look of disbelief on his face. What was this going to do to the school if it was failing? Would it just cease to exist? How would she survive without magic? Would potions fail as well? But before she could fall into a true panic, Dumbledore put up his hand, gaining her attention back.

"And yet, just as when Voldemort threatened us all and we still performed our duties, so we must carry on even in this crisis. I understand these events may have very grave results, but we must also consider our students and the school. As such, we will conduct business as usual and hope that a solution comes to light," he continued. "Professor Craw, I want you to keep a careful eye on the students anxiety levels in this crisis. Make sure everyone is getting the help they need even when they're putting a brave face on it. Severus, I want you to take a closer look at the security spells within the school, most of which are based on Ancient Magic techniques. See what you can do to reinforce them," he said, and Severus nodded. "Also, the Cauldron is now in Jennifer's office and I have added extra protection surrounding it, so do not be too surprised if you run into my wards. I'm afraid that I also had to take the Disapparation exception off in that room, Professor. You both will have to use the usual means to get out of the school now."

"Yes, sir," Jennifer said. After all, it hadn't been put there for her use at all, but for Severus when he had to leave the school discreetly. She was quite sure it had only stayed as long as it had because of her claustrophobia, which had slowly been getting more tolerable as time went on.

"I'd be grateful if you would send me updated copies of any experimentation work you conduct with the Cauldron. I believe that Salazar was actually onto something when he conducted experiments with the Cauldron in potion making, and perhaps we can find a way to utilize it wisely to benefit the school and anyone else who has need of it. But if for one instant you notice its power waver, come get me or send me an express owl no matter where I'm at," Dumbledore said seriously. Jennifer could tell he was worried as much about Gryffindor's Sword and the Spear as well as the Cauldron itself. Jennifer nodded.

"As for the upcoming school year, I'm sure you both know what you're doing. I've asked Francis Pyther to come again to restore the paintings on the stairwell, so he will be in and out. I trust you'll make him feel welcome," Dumbledore said, glancing at Severus, who grimaced. "I've also given him permission to teach an art class once a week as an extracurricular credit. He's already proven to be a capable teacher from subbing History, and I truly think it'll help the students to have another outlet to express themselves. Jennifer, your guest speakers in your Items class were a great success last year. Do you plan to continue that again this year?"

"Yes, sir. I'm going to try," Jennifer nodded.

"Good, I can't wait to see who you come up with," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. "I may have even a suggestion or an old acquaintance or two I may dig up if you like. Severus, I would like to see you expand Defense a bit to include some of what you teach in sparring."

"I'm not certain what you mean, sir?" Severus frowned.

"In sparring, I have noticed that you tend to give them quite a few options… what the best response is, then what the next best response is and so on, giving them more choice based on precisely what the opponent is doing. However, in class you have been focusing on the best solution. Don't be so hard on them if the student offers a working solution even if it isn't the textbook answer. As I've heard you say before, the mind is the best Defense, so encourage your students to come up with their own solutions," Dumbledore suggested with a slight smile. Severus made a face but nodded slowly. "Good. Then I guess that is all for now."

After deciding to check on the Cauldron first, they made their way down the back stair, not speaking for a while. Jennifer glanced up at him as she entered the classroom, but didn't get any clues to his thoughts in his expression.

"Do you think that Ancient Magic really is dying?" Jennifer asked quietly.

"No, I don't, and you shouldn't either," Severus said calmly. "You of all people should know Physical Arts rule number one; energy cannot be created or destroyed."

"Well, matter isn't supposed to be created either, but the Cauldron seems to be doing it," Jennifer reminded him, opening the door. A rather large niche had been added across from the fireplace, and there sat the Cauldron. It was filled with bubbling porridge, even though no flames were under it.

"Actually, I doubt it truly is matter in a classic sense; rather, it is magical energy manipulated to retain some of the properties of matter to provide a vessel for its spell, sustenance, in this case. That also explains why it's so easy to manipulate into potions, for potions truly are just physical vessels for spells, maintaining the spells integrity through its natural properties," Severus pointed out, sitting down next to the Cauldron. "The source of power is the spell, and the energy came from that the spell's caster, plus a self-sustaining element, probably earth in this case, although how he could have possibly managed the endless effect, I have no idea."

"We've forgotten so much about the ancient ways," Jennifer sighed. "How can we ever find a cure when we don't even really understand the patient?"

"This is all my fault," a soft voice said from behind them. Jennifer turned to see the ghost of Icarus Ravenclaw hovering near the door, looking even more somber than usual. "In my haste to destroy all that I loved, I did not even think of the consequences of not having named an apprentice."

"You did what you thought you had to do," Severus said seriously, not looking up. Jennifer didn't respond.

She had never understood why her husband so willingly supported the ghost for his actions, killing himself and his family in hopes to stop there ever being an heir of Slytherin. He had failed miserably, for his missing half-brother had survived to carry on the line, and Icarus' actions had condemned him forever. Jennifer couldn't help but think Ick got what he deserved. Severus, on the other hand, was strangely supportive. Jennifer supposed it probably had a lot to do with Severus' turbulent past and the things he had witnessed under the hand of the very man Icarus was trying to stop. In a way the two were a lot alike, although Jennifer was quite certain that Severus would never put his family on the line because of a vision of the future like the ghost had.

"The other three and I will do everything in our power to help if you need us," Icarus said softly, turning around. "Welcome back," he added as he disappeared through the wall.

"Is it just me, or did it sound like he expected us personally to try and do something?" Jennifer said, gazing at the wall with slight irritation.

"Are you going to try to tell me that you're not planning to try?" Severus asked knowingly. Jennifer gazed at him and didn't say anything, knowing that Severus would treat any sort of denial as further confirmation.


Corey and Essie pushed their carts towards the platform, following the brisk pace of their Aunt Rebecca who was looking around nervously at the people to make sure nobody else was watching. She yelled for Essie to hurry up as the girl stopped to check on her new cat familiar to make sure she was comfortable in her cage. Queenie looked back at her with apparent disinterest.

"At least you got to spend the money you earned over the summer," Corey sighed, nodding at the cat. "Mom made me start a bank account and put all my money in the bank."

"I didn't earn thirty-five galleons, either. I'm lucky to have earned thirty-five sickles," Essie said dourly.

"You didn't have to work five days a week though, and let me tell you those goblins are slave drivers!" Corey said before Aunt Rebecca stopped in horror and hushed them.

"You know better than to talk about such things in public! That'll do, now don't embarrass me!" Rebecca said, finally getting to the right platform, looking around nervously as she gestured them to go on.

"As if anyone ever pays attention," Corey said with exasperation, giving his cart a good shove and running towards the pillar. He pushed his way through and smiled when he finally saw the train sitting at the station. A moment later Essie appeared, the same joyous glow on her face that he had.

"If someone told me three years ago that I'd be looking forward to going off to school, I'd have thought they were balmy," Essie said. "But it sure beats sheering sheep!"

"I say, what's taking Aunt Rebecca so long? She usually can't get past that thing fast enough," Corey said, suddenly worried.

"Do you think she's having trouble getting in?" Essie asked.

"Wait here with our stuff. I'll go check on her real quick," Corey said, heading back up the platform.

That was when Corey stepped through to find his aunt living one of her own nightmares, for she was completely surround by excited Muggles, including one of the conductors, standing in front of her with his hands on his hips.

"Now look, I know what you say, but I saw what I saw. Two kids disappearing in thin air right near that pillar and you standin' behind them. You had to 'ave seen somethin'.

"Children? Disappearing in thin air? Have you all gone mad?" Rebecca said, but sounding quite nervous. "I haven't the time for this nonsense! I do have to catch a train, you know."

"But we saw it," said another Muggle standing beside, and several others nodded. "Surely you can't have been blind to that!"

"Look! There's that boy again!" One of them pointed out. Rebecca turned in surprise, looking frightfully worried.

"Aunt Rebecca? Are you coming? We're supposed to be over here at platform ten, not nine," Corey said.

"Listen here, young man, how did you disappear like that? And where is your cart?" The conductor asked.

"I unloaded my things on the train over there of course," he said, pointing back at platform ten again. "I suppose I did run into the crowd, didn't I? I'm sorry Aunt Rebecca."

"Never mind that now, we best be off," Rebecca said quickly, somehow managing to work her way out of the crowd to get to Corey, putting an arm around him and making a play at walking behind the pillar to the other platform.

"Excuse me! Coming through! Scheduled Maintenance!" said a familiar voice behind them. Corey looked around to see Arnie Peasegood wearing a construction hat and coveralls. He was carrying large cones, which he set down at the feet of the crowd that had gathered. "Excuse me, sorry, we have to fix some of the bricks here before someone gets hurt. Sorry for the inconvenience," he added, stringing up the caution lines.

"Here, son, come along now." Corey looked up to see another man in coveralls with his hand held out to him. "Don't worry, ma'am, we'll make sure he gets on the platform without any more incidents."

"Well, I'd like to talk to someone about this incident, if you don't mind," Rebecca said, following them to the other side of the pillar. "I was told that no one would notice, and yet here I am…"

"Mrs. Hunt?" Minister Weasley, who was standing nearby in a plain brown suit, stepped out of the crowd with a smile. "My name is Arthur Weasley, and I'll be happy to do what I can to explain. That is, after we make sure everyone who needs to get on the train gets on the train," he smiled, nodding to Corey to follow the other man.

The man looked around as Arnie worked to put up some partition slats, smiling and waving at everyone who stopped to stare. Suddenly he shoved Corey forward and Corey stepped back to the other side and onto the platform just as the train blew the first whistle.

"There you are! What happened? I was so worried," Essie exclaimed.

"I'll tell you when we get on the train," Corey said, pushing his cart quickly over to the baggage car and hurriedly getting their bags in order. At last the two of them hopped on the train, peering in the compartments.

"Corey!" Looking up, Corey saw Doug standing in one of the doors waving them over with a grin, and the two went over to meet him, greeting him warmly. "There you are! I was afraid you'd miss the train!"

"I nearly did," Corey admitted, following him in the door.

Doug Brim was one of Corey's best friends; a thin, good-looking boy with dusty brown hair. Apparently he had a growth spurt over the summer, now several inches taller than Corey, and nearly even with the other boy in the compartment, a dark-haired Ravenclaw named Taylor Brittle. As always Taylor had his nose in a book, his thin glasses sliding down his nose as he read excerpts to his girlfriend, Danny Nelson, who waved at them with a smile. She had dark brown hair as well, and engaging violet eyes, but no one ever dared trying to steal her from Taylor. The Slytherin girl had quite made her mind up about the kind, quiet boy, and she liked being with someone who needed her instead of seeing her as competition. For in every way, Danny was a competitor, being the top student in her class, Quidditch, and Sparring (although Corey privately knew he could outmatch her in sparring if he had been allowed to participate).

But strangely enough, the two Gryffindors, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff had always gotten along quite well together, even though Essie's two year age difference usually kept her from spending as much time as she would have liked with the others.

"You wouldn't believe what I just went through! Apparently everyone saw us go on the platform, and they decided to question Aunt Rebecca about it," Corey said, Essie's eyes going wide. "If the Ministry hadn't shown up to get me and the last few students on, I don't think we would have managed to get on at all."

"Was Aunt Rebecca very angry?" Essie asked.

"Yeah, a bit, but the Minister of Magic was there, and I think he's taking care of it. She was more miffed at them than us."

"Well it's not like it's their fault. I wonder why all the sudden they happened to notice you going in?" Doug wondered. Corey shrugged.

"I don't know, but I think I'd better tell my parents about it when we get there. Speaking of which, is your uncle still trying to get an injunction on the Beard Wand, Danny?" Corey asked.

"Yes, he wants it removed for being a public endangerment," Danny said. "You know he didn't even get angry at me that day for trying to help you. I don't know if he just didn't notice or if he was too furious at the Wand to remember it."

"Good, I'm glad you didn't get in trouble for it. I didn't either, really, although I might as well have with the talk I received afterwards about what I'm allowed to say or not say around adults," Corey rolled his eyes.

"Oh that lecture, yes, I hear it from time to time myself. What did you say to him, anyhow?" Doug asked.

"Nothing much, really! But it was fun seeing Dad pop off at him like that. Er, no offense meant, Danny."

"I'm just glad no one really got hurt," Danny said, getting out some change for the trolley. "What good does a restraining order do when they all seem to end up in the same place anyhow?"

"Do you think Queenie's going to be all right in the baggage car?" Essie asked.

"'Course, Essie, I always put Cheshire back there, she'll be fine. You fuss way too much over that cat," Corey said.

"Well I've never had a familiar before. She so much smarter than the cats I've had in the past," Essie said.

"You have a familiar too?" Doug said. "Boy, I wish my parents would give in and get me one. But they said they won't let me until I prove I'm more responsible. I'm fifteen, what are they going to do, wait until I'm twenty?"

"Your sister's had one long as I can remember. How come you haven't?" Corey asked.

"My last one ran away," Doug explained, sounding a bit grieved.

"It takes an awful lot to get a familiar to run away," Taylor said. "Maybe you should have paid more attention to it and less to the girls."

"Yes, but girls are a lot more interesting," Doug said.

"Maybe you should get a girl as a familiar then," Corey suggested.

"Please, don't encourage him," Danny smirked.

Corey was glad when they finally got to the station, stepping off the train to see Sagittari calling out to the first years. As odd as everything appeared to be in the outside world, everything at Hogwarts seemed normal. The warm cheerful lights of the castle greeted the students as they passed through the gates, and in that moment, Corey could truly understand why his parents were so dedicated to their work. Not that he ever wanted either of their jobs, Corey grinned to himself. He wasn't quite sure what job he did want now, although an alchemy field seemed the obvious choice. Still, he had years ahead of him to think of that. Right now he just wanted to enjoy being back with his friends.

As he and Doug approached the Gryffindor table, Professor McGonagall, who had been walking down the aisle towards the doors, suddenly stopped them.

"Would you mind staying a bit longer after the ceremony? I just need to speak with you a moment to get your side of what happened this afternoon," she explained to Corey. "And before you ask, no, you're not in any trouble. As hard as it is to believe, I don't think even you could be capable of that level of mischief," she assured him, continuing to go to her place beside the door.

"I don't think she has much faith in your abilities, does she?" Doug told Corey as they sat down. Corey rewarded him with a dirty look.

He then glanced up at the tables to see his Mom trying to check on him, smiling when she saw him look up. Severus was too busy talking to notice right away, nodding to him quickly before turning back to the conversation. A few minutes later, Professor Dumbledore came in, and all of the professors stood and greeted him as he took his place. Soon their attention turned to the door as they took their places and McGonagall went to bring in the first years. Corey looked them over, wondering which ones would be their new house mates as they all nervously passed by the tables. It was then that everyone turned to the Sorting Hat, which McGonagall brought out and set upon the stool.

"It was Gryffindor who chose me to be

The conveyor of your destinies

But long before the school was formed

A great wizard of mixed blood was born

The father of modern magic was he,

And his blood ran deep in founders three;

Slytherin, who those of guile and ambition did seek,

Those of courage and honor Gryffindor did bespeak,

And Hufflepuff who cared for those dutiful and true,

Shared blood with the wizard we owe so much to.

Only the true heir of Ravenclaw, pure and wise,

Has none because of a son's chosen demise.

But all who now follow will surely be,

And thus starts a new page of history.

So heed this well before you begin,

No matter which house you are put in,

That all houses are a part of the house of Merlin."

As Jennifer stared at the Sorting Hat and tried to figure out what it meant, a terrible chill creeping up her spine. It wasn't until Dumbledore and Severus' eyes turned on her in the shocked silence that followed that it finally occurred to her. The Hat was talking about Jennifer.