Chapter Twenty-Two

Recovery

Jennifer walked into the Headmaster's Study, peeling off her wet coat the moment she got a chance.

"Good morning, Armando! Good morning, Sir Hat!" Jennifer told them, tossing it behind the curtain before walking over to the Sorting Hat.

"And how is little Serendipity doing?" the Hat asked.

"Much better now, thank you. The doctor doesn't even think she's still contagious, and she barely has any spots, but she has to stay until Wednesday anyway. Robert is also looking better, and his little sister too. I'm afraid Laura and Andrew are going to be at the hospital for a bit, but there are a lot of extra hands helping look after Elinor while her sister is away. She was in Severus' arms when I left, but the others have been pitching in as well, just as they should be," Jennifer reported.

"Ah family. It's either a blessing or a curse," the Hat chuckled. "It would seem in your case it's a blessing."

"Yes, although we've all had moments when it seemed like the other, but that's due to... healthy individualism," Jennifer declared. "Anyway, I haven't told you the real reason I'm here."

"Severus informed us that you were going to take over for him this weekend," the Sorting Hat said.

"That's because I told him I had a special project that simply couldn't be done at home, and fortunately for me, he was more than eager to do his part. He was feeling a bit guilty when he realized that all of the mothers left and all of the fathers stayed when the children got sick," Jennifer explained.

"Feeling left out, was he?" the Hat inquired.

"In a way, yes," Jennifer replied.

"So what is this project of yours, and what does it have to do with me?" the Sorting Hat asked.

"We're going to Canterbury, as soon as the sun goes down tonight," Jennifer explained. "I've gotten in touch with Zacchius Black, who is at the Ministry with Alex trying to make sure the correct paperwork is in order... we're going through Alex so that the file is temporarily classified. I don't mind in the slightest if the board and Ministry finds out that we're moving Godric Gryffindor's remains, but having a month's wait before it's officially filed will mean that nobody will be able to pinpoint who went along and why."

"You seem awfully confident that your going to find them," the Sorting Hat said skeptically.

"I am indeed, because we're bringing some experts," Jennifer assured him, then sat down to check the appointment book.

"Are we sure we're in the right place?" Zack Black asked.

Jennifer, who was thinking the same thing, was glad he was the one who asked the question. They were standing next to the Canterbury City Walls, and Amy Willowby was using an electric torch to read out of an old book. Sir Owain stood nearby, attempting to get a feel for the area, while Aurelius kept watch and called up a gentle fog so they didn't attract attention. "I mean, no offense, but we're taking directions from a Hat that says we're looking for a spot outside the city walls beyond the medieval church. Do you have any idea just how many medieval churches are left in this town?"

"That's a blessing, not a curse," Amy said, flipping the page. "How many landmarks do you think actually survives over a thousand years, or in the case of this wall, two thousand years? It was originally built by the Romans, after all. And while there isn't a chapel that matches his description here now, the Domesday Book says there was one at the time of the Norman conquest, and considering the difference in the land level at this point, I'm fairly sure this is where they must have come over the wall."

"Everything past the road is all developed now, even if that is the right spot," Zack said.

"But we know their remains were recovered and the knights were put in a grave together on consecrated ground," Jennifer replied. "And if it was consecrated, even if they died over there in the lowlands, they must have buried them inside the walls. I don't suppose that book has any maps at all?"

"It's a census, not a land review," Amy protested.

"Jennifer, hand me the Sorting Hat," Sir Owain insisted. "If we're close enough to the location, I should be able to track them down."

"Pass the Hat," the Sorting Hat said, and Jennifer took it off and handed it to the Necromancer, who took off his own hat and put the other on his head.

"This way," Sir Owain said.

The others followed quietly behind, putting out lights and moving as quietly as they could. They walked over a pathway that ran along the wall and then past a few history markers, scurrying across the road before stopping.

"That castle wasn't there before," the Sorting Hat commented.

"No, indeed, it's a Norman Castle, but we're in the right location, so it's quite possible that the church yard your remains in was torn down early on to make way for it."

"Blasphemous," the Sorting Hat said.

"Are we in the right spot, then?" Jennifer asked unsurely. "We're in a middle of the carpark."

"That's alright then," Amy said. "In fact, it's quite normal. You'd be amazed how many of these old cemeteries are under carparks. If you can't dig it, pave it."

"Mum, help me obscure the area," Aurelius suggested. "How long will this take?"

"Well, it depends on how deep the remains are," Amy replied. "Considering it didn't get disturbed by the construction of this carpark or any utilities in the area, it might be deep."

"It's alright, Amy. Just get me through these modern layers, and we will take it from there," Owain promised.

As quickly and covertly as they could, the team got to work. Once Jennifer was confident that they were hidden from Muggle view, she came back over to see that a large square had been cut out of the pavement. Amy had quickly gotten them to the right level and was now supervising as Zack and Owain got down on it, carefully attempting to separate the remains that needed to be placed in the charmed box they had brought.

"There are still a few pieces left," Owain warned Zack, who had paused as if he was contemplating if he had gotten them all.

"Then you're going to need to get down and find them, because there are three other skeletons mixed in, and the bones might be scattered," Zack said, lifting himself out of the trench. He rubbed his cheek, only succeeding in making it dirtier.

"Is there any way we can move the others as well?" the Sorting Hat asked. "I know they're not Hogwarts Professors, but they were his fellow knights. I'd prefer if their remains were on proper grounds and not below a carpark."

"Yes, as long as you hurry," Aurelius said insistently. "This is taking a while as it is. It'll start getting lighter soon, and you still have to put this carpark back together so that the Muggles don't notice."

"Relax, Rel. I've been a guest expert on Chrono Crew, I know all the tricks on putting these types of digs back in order in record time," Amy said.

"It won't take as long as Gryffindor's remains if we don't try to separate them individually," Zack informed them.

"Yes, alright, since we're here anyway," Jennifer said. "This city is filled with cathedrals that are most definitely not going anywhere, I'm sure we can find somewhere appropriate to rebury them."

"Thank you," the Sorting Hat replied. "I believe you have them all, Owain."

"I believe so as well," Owain said and took off the Hat, holding it out to Jennifer. "Here, take the box so I can be doubly sure we have them all. Please step over there so I can get a clear reading," he requested, and Jennifer did what he was told.

After a moment, Owain nodded solemnly and Jennifer nodded back with a smile, carefully closing the box.

On Monday morning, Rose returned, and Jennifer greeted her warmly.

"I see you're back. Is Ryan all recovered?" Jennifer asked.

"Yes, just about. Corey's taking over for the rest of quarantine," Rose reported. "I am glad to get back to work, but I just didn't feel I could concentrate on my job knowing he was sick."

"I know. I felt the same way myself," Jennifer replied. "I just took over for the weekend, and I'm going home to help out at Baker Street once Severus arrives. I'll be back on Wednesday."

"When does the daycare open?" Rose asked.

"Thursday morning at six. I believe Winnie Brim is handling the first shift," Jennifer replied.

"Great! I can't wait for things to get back to normal!" Rose said with relief. Jennifer agreed with a chuckle.

Hermione arrived next, looking at Jennifer searchingly before glancing at the Sorting Hat speculatively.

"Good morning, Hermione. What's up? Something about a letter?" Jennifer inquired.

"Yes, an odd letter that came in the Daily Prophet... is that dirt?" Hermione asked, picking up the Hat and shaking it despite his protests. A cloud of brown dust hovered in the air, and Hermione sighed. "Just what were you doing Saturday night?" Hermione asked.

"Something that's classified by the Minister of Mysteries for twenty-nine more days," Jennifer replied. "Why, did someone see something?"

"As a matter of fact," Hermione said seriously. "Ron received a letter to the editor last night stating that a Hogwarts professor took the Sorting Hat out of the castle for some unknown reason, which, it states, is against Hogwarts policy of allowing that Hat out of the school. But since it was allowed out for some unknown reason, it should also be allowed to be inspected by an expert outside of the castle."

"It was a secret mission and I was serving as an escort," Jennifer said firmly, looking over at the Hat. "I wonder how anyone knew I took it out of the castle?"

"Well, if it's classified, I can at least tell Ron that he has a good reason not to print that letter," Hermione said. "Is there anything you can tell me about it?" Jennifer smiled.

"Yes, I can. I took the Sorting Hat out of the castle so that Sir Owain could use it as a talisman to help find Gryffindor's remains," Jennifer explained truthfully. "I learned from Quintin's research that Gryffindor died in Canterbury, so I went with a team to recover them. All of the paperwork has been filed and permissions gotten, and the real reason there's a thirty day hold on the matter was because I went through the Mysteries office. I was attempting to prevent anyone from knowing what we were doing until after it was done."

"Well, apparently someone noticed," Hermione said with exasperation.

"Yes, and that worries me," Jennifer admitted, gazing at the Hat.

"So... did you find what you were looking for?" Hermione asked curiously.

"We did," Jennifer agreed with a smile. "It quite was a challenge, especially when it came to getting every last tooth and bone, and I don't think we'd have managed it without Owain. But now they're safely boxed and sealed and in the Memoriatorium."

"That's excellent news," Hermione said with a smile. "Although I'm not sure you should have risked getting every last fragment if you were that worried about being discovered, Jennifer. I mean, it's not as if Gryffindor had a ghost or any... thing..." Hermione's words trailed off. Her eyes fixed on the Sorting Hat and she gave it a very hard stare.

"Really, Jennifer. You need to work on giving away too much information," the Sorting Hat complained. "You should have known straight away that Hermione would figure it out as brilliant as she is."

The door burst open, and no one even blinked when Aurelius stormed in, slamming the door behind him.

"Mum! How am I supposed to keep this a secret if you keep letting people in on this?" Aurelius complained.

"I'm just making sure those who can keep Severus from finding out about it knows," Jennifer explained smoothly.

"I would still prefer it if the Apprentices don't find out just yet, either," Godric said sternly.

"Good luck with that. Now they know," Aurelius said, gesturing towards the paintings on the walls. Fortunately, the only Headmaster Paintings awake were Armando and Albus.

"I already guessed," Albus signed.

"I will keep it a secret in an effort to preserve the Headmaster's sanity," Armando said solemnly.

"Fine. Don't mention it in here again, Mum," Aurelius said sternly.

"Yes, alright," Jennifer said. "Don't you have recovering babies to look after?"

"I also need to recover from all of these breaches in my security," Aurelius complained, stepping back out of the room.