Chapter Two

Alex and Company

It was a beautiful morning, so after a nice heavy breakfast and a quick gnome toss around the yard, Alex decided to conduct that day's lesson outside and underneath the crabapple tree. Subjected to the eleven-year-old's attempts at teaching history, the tree soon fell asleep. Its loud snores intermittently interrupted Alex's lesson and caused her brother Aurelius to sneer and her other two siblings Andrew and Alicia to break into fits of giggles.

"So, the Magna Charta is important not only because it spread power throughout the aristocracy, taking away supreme rulership from the king, but also because it laid foundations for a justice system based on trial and representation," Alex said, trying very hard to ignore the tree.

"Why did he sign it if he knew he was going to lose power?" Alicia wanted to know.

"Weren't you listening? They forced him to do it. You know what pushovers Muggles are," Aurelius told her.

"I must have missed that with all the snoring," Alicia said just as another loud snore sounded through the air. "Perhaps we ought to move?"

"Nonsense, it's lovely here. It sets the mood," Alex said. The pink blossoms around them were rather pretty, but the other three weren't exactly sure it really set any mood for learning anything. "Yes, Alicia, many people think he had had too many drinks that night."

"Only one too many," Aurelius said. "The one with the charm potion in it."

"Don't be silly, there's no evidence there was any of our sort there," Alex said, waving him off.

"Of course there was. We had this lesson in Stoddard last year. He was charmed."

"Well, this is the book I'm reading from, and this one says he was plastered."

"Do you think maybe they just threatened to kill him?" Alicia asked hopefully.

"Really, it's not all that important, is it? All that matters is he signed it. Right, Alex?" Andrew said, hoping to end the argument that was ready to erupt.

"That isn't our normal history book," Aurelius said, squinting at her suspiciously. "Where did you get that rubbish?"

"It isn't rubbish. See? Medieval and Renaissance History in the British Isles. It's hardly any different from –"

"Half a moment! That… that is a Muggle book!" Aurelius accused her. Alex stuck her nose in the air, pulling her book closer to her so he couldn't grab it out of her hands.

"So? What's the matter? Are you afraid of learning history from a different point of view?" she asked him challengingly.

"You're supposed to be reading us things that will help us in normal schools! I mean, of course I can tell the difference, but you want these two to start believing that rot?" Aurelius demanded.

"Really, please, it doesn't matter how it happened," Alicia insisted. "Please go on, Alex." The tree let out another snore.

"Well, I'm not going to listen to this anymore," Aurelius decided. "I like my perfect marks and I'm not going to taint my mind with this rubbish."

"I'll tell Mum and Father you're skipping out on lessons," Alex warned as he got up.

"I'll tell them you're pretending to be a Muggle again," Aurelius threatened.

"I am not pretending to be a Muggle. I'm only trying to broaden your horizons."

"I think you're just succeeding in broadening the empty space between your ears."

"You'd better stop while you're ahead, Rel. After all, I'm getting my wand this year," Alex warned, a spark in her eyes.

"Not like you even deserve a wand considering your attitude about magic! And if you do ever try to use it on me, rest assured I'll make you stick it up your…"

"I'd like to see you try it!"

"You know, I'd stop fighting if I were you, really," Andrew suggested.

"Butt out, Andrew," both of them snapped.

"All right. But don't say I didn't warn you," Andrew said calmly.

"You know, I didn't hear anything about you getting perfect marks in school. You didn't even get to sit at the front of the class your last year…"

"Some people have better things to do than kiss up to the teachers."

"What? Like reading paperback Muggle romances in the middle of fundamental math?" Aurelius sneered. "Watch, she'll be trying to read those to us next," Aurelius said, clapping his hands together and batting his eyes. "John! Martha! Don't leave me John! But I must, Martha! I must get on an aeroplane and crash so you can be free to marry Abel!" Alicia covered her mouth to hide her giggle while Alex grew bright red. "What utter rubbish! Almost as bad as that stuff you write in that diary of yours."

"Um… Alex, Aurelius…" Andrew tried to interrupt.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHAT I WRITE IN MY DIARY?"

"You know, all that 'search for true love' dribble and the bit about wondering if you were adopted," he sneered at her. "Not to mention your going on and on about Ben being the most fascinating Muggle you've ever met. But don't worry; I haven't given anybody the copies I made of it. Yet."

"Why, you little…"

It wasn't a moment after Alex grabbed Aurelius and tried to force him to the ground when someone grabbed the back of her collar. She felt herself floating a foot off the ground, while the same thing was happening to Aurelius in front of her, his face turning white as a sheet when he saw their father step between them with a dangerous glint in his dark eyes.

"And just what are we fighting about this time?" Severus asked.

"Alex is teaching us out of a Muggle book!" Aurelius yelled quickly before Alex could say a word. "Please tell her she has to use a real history book! I'm not going to listen to that nonsense. It will ruin my perfect marks!"

"It's not nonsense, it's just a different point of view! And Aurelius has been making copies of my diary!" Alex shouted back.

"And how, exactly, is he able to read your diary?" Severus asked. Alex stared at him in surprise. "If you're not smart enough to ask your mother or I to put a simple charm on the paper so only you can read it, you deserve to be copied. Where did you get the book?"

"I borrowed it from Mr. Weasley."

"Then return it. Reading Muggle literature is one thing; going against your schooling and attempting to pass it on to your siblings is quite another. I think I will be instructing the summer lessons from now on," Severus said. Alex suddenly fell to the ground as he turned his attention to Aurelius. "I'll also be conducting a search of your room the moment we get home to determine the existence of any copies of anything you might have on any family member. Afterwards, you and I are going to have a very long talk about where your loyalties are. If I hear one more word about any spying or attempted blackmail of anyone inside the family, I will tell your mother," he warned, dropping him as well. Aurelius picked himself up and dusted himself off, still glaring at Alex. He knew better than to think his father was joking. Their mum had a very dim view of even the hint of family disloyalty, and Aurelius knew it.

"And Andrew," Severus added, noting the sheepish grin appearing on Andrew's face. "No more attempts at warning your siblings when you're not personally involved. It's getting a trifle old."

"Yes father," Andrew said, earning glares from both Alex and Aurelius. Alicia pretended not to know any of them, scribbling in her sketchbook with a stencil.

"Well, don't just sit there. I have no intention of spending any more time than necessary here," Severus said impatiently. The four of them followed behind him as he turned back towards the house.

A grubby looking gnome, sitting just under the hedge, suddenly squeaked in fear as Severus approached, running and jumping over the fence rather than get in his path. Ignoring it completely, Severus stepped inside, the children not far behind.

"Don't worry, you just have a good time in Egypt," Jennifer was saying with a smile to a shorter, cheerful-looking woman with fading red hair. "I'm sure he won't mind looking after things for a few weeks. Gosh, I'll be so glad when they're all… oh, there they are," she chuckled, turning to them with a warm smile. "Good morning! Been behaving yourselves, I hope?" she asked, ignoring the very dubious expression her husband was giving them as they quickly assured her that they had.

"They know better than to misbehave with me watching. Not that they're ever too much trouble," Molly added with a smile. Aurelius was glowering at her after having had one too many disagreements with her enchanted rolling pin, but the other three were smiling. "I'm sure I'll be seeing all of you when we get back from Egypt."

"Drop an Owl Post if you hear anything more about what we were discussing earlier," Arthur added from where he stood beside the door. "Brown will be here, and Percy knows I want to cooperate fully in this matter, so if they need anything…"

"I'm sure Headmaster Archibald will be grateful for that, thanks Arthur," Jennifer replied with a gentle nod as they walked over to the fireplace, holding out a small bag of powder.

The four children each took a small handful of the Floo Powder, already experts at how to travel with fire and smoke along the Grate highway. It was a quick if not rather dusty way to travel, and before long the four of them found themselves in the front room of a small sea-side cottage.

The Broom Closet, as it was now lovingly referred to, was actually quite a bit larger on the inside than the outside. The original cottage was still there; comprising of a small living room filled with bookshelves next to an open kitchen and a modest master bedroom. But there was also one extra story above ground and three stories below with the children's bedrooms and bathrooms, the family room, Severus' study and a very large potion lab. Books could be found on shelves in nearly every corner of the house, even in the wall-enclosed garden where there was a water-proofed bookcase on its small shaded patio.

Normally after coming home, the four children would quickly disperse on the heels of their parents, rushing to find something to do before something was found for them. But mutual curiosity about what they had overheard had caused the four to linger, and all of them were present when their parents stepped out of the hearth.

"So what was it that Professor Archibald wanted?" Andrew asked. Severus and Jennifer exchanged looks.

"He just wanted some outside opinions on a cursed item, that's all," Jennifer said quickly. "Nothing you need to be concerned about."

"What did it do?" Aurelius asked with interest.

"I don't recall Professor Archibald ever asking us for your help as well," Severus said curtly. "Now, go do something productive until lunch."

"But we already had our lesson," Alicia protested.

"Then go do something unproductive," Severus said with a frown.

"Yes, why don't you go outside and play for awhile," Jennifer agreed. Alex brightened, grabbing a book off the shelf and opening the door for the others as they filed out. Jennifer chuckled softly as she closed the door behind them. "Well, you can't blame them for being a bit curious. They're too bright not to be. They are Snapes, after all."

"Yes, well, the curiousness and all-out nosiness they get from you," Severus decided, hanging up the cloak. "The intelligence they get from me." Jennifer chuckled again, knowing full well that straight expression or not, he was teasing.

Alex wasted no time rounding up her friend Benjamin Clemmons from the house at the top of the road. He was a Muggle… but even though most Muggles were restricted by law not to know about such things as wizards and witches and flying broomsticks, Ben and the rest of the Muggle citizens of Haven's Bluff knew practically everything. In fact, it was the only known community like it in the country where Muggles and Wizard kind lived peacefully together, accepting one another as part of the neighborhood. Strangers, however, were always viewed with suspicion; the town was very protective of its secrets.

Ben, a tall thin boy not much older than Alex, would have been in the same class as she had they been if they had gone to the same school. They had been friends since they were old enough to walk to the fence and back, and they both had a shy fascination with how the other one lived. Every other day, Ben knew he could expect an invitation to hang out with the Snape children, for on those days Alex and Andrew (who had grown fond of him as well) got to choose the games for the day.

Alex led them under a shade tree just inside the Slumber Sheep farm next door, pulling out a large cap from her shirt pocket. She then proceeded to pull out several bows as and a couple of wooden swords as well. Ben watched wide-eyed in spite of himself.

"Consider this an extension of our history lesson," Alex announced, popping on the green cap. "Pre-Magna Charta England! The tyranny of King, or Prince in those days… John. Behold! Standing before you is none other than the one and only Robin Hood!" She told them, striking an imposing pose. Aurelius sniggered.

"You can't be Robin Hood. Robin Hood's a man."

"Well Robin is sometimes a girl's name too, isn't it?" Alex said defensively. "Besides, it's my game day. Unless you want to go back to yesterday's game."

"No way. Not ever again," Aurelius said. "That's the last time I ever get talked into going to the Antarctic. It's amazing we didn't all come back with frostbite! Or worse!"

"I said I was sorry," Alicia muttered. "The penguins had looked so cute…"

"Did you really go to Antarctica yesterday?" Ben asked.

"No, of course not, it's just a game," Aurelius snapped, looking at the others warningly.

"Now, let's see. I need a Little John… that'll be you, I think Ben. And Alicia, you can be Maid Marion," Alex decided.

"Does Maid Marion know how to paint?" Alicia asked brightly.

"Oh, I suppose," Alex said with exasperation.

"I've never heard anything about Maid Marion knowing how to paint," Aurelius protested.

"Well, maybe the Prince is forcing her to make reward posters of her best friend Robin since she knows what she looks like," Alex improvised. "Aurelius, you're the Prince."

"Me? Why do I always have to play the bad guy?" Aurelius shouted. "Make Andrew do it."

"I'll play anyone you want me to, Alex," Andrew said helpfully.

"Because I need a Friar Tuck, Rel. Do you really want to play Friar Tuck?" Alex asked Aurelius point blank.

"Fine. I'll be the stupid Prince. But no gallows like in that other game."

"Not likely. Remember, we got to keep you alive long enough to get you drunk to sign the Magna Charta."

"Charmed, not… and you'd better not be putting anything in my drinks or I will tell Mum!" Aurelius glared, folding his arms.

"We're short a person. We don't have a Sheriff," Ben pointed out. "Too bad we couldn't get your father to do it. He looks just like the one on the cinema."

"Father doesn't approve of these sorts of games," Aurelius said.

"He wouldn't approve of some of our other games if he knew about them either," Andrew pointed out, nodding towards Alicia knowingly. "But never mind that, where shall we start?"

"The tree here is Sherwood Forest, and the wall over there is the castle. Alicia, you go over there with Aurelius while we try and figure out a way to rescue you," Alex said, glancing at her book before huddling with Ben and Andrew.

"Do I still get to paint reward posters if you rescue me?" Alicia asked hopefully, hugging her paper close to her as Aurelius led her by the shoulder over to the wall.

"This is totally wrong, you know. Not only is Robin Hood not a girl, but why is it that there's more 'merry men' than those working for the Prince? I mean, in reality, the Prince would have had tons and tons of soldiers and they were the ones who'd have been outmatched." Aurelius said indignantly.

"But we don't have enough people for that, so we'll just have to pretend there's more," Alicia said. Suddenly Aurelius smiled evilly.

"I think I've got a better idea," he said, pulling her behind the wall.

It took a while for Alex to read enough that she was willing to make up a plan. Finally the three of them nodded and broke away and Ben hurriedly heaved himself up into the tree while Andrew stepped behind it. Alex, however, leapt to the front, putting one foot up upon a stone, tapped her hat up with the flick of the finger and slung her bow, giving the 'castle' a daring look of defiance. Up in the tree, Ben had his bow at the ready, and Andrew had found himself a very large stick, wondering if it looked threatening enough.

"Hail, Prince John! This is Robin Hood! Release the Maid Marion at once, or you shall have to deal with me!" Alex declared with a dramatic lilt, and gesturing with her hands.

"Who? Just you, then?" Aurelius stalled, knowing Alex would never miss a cue as he inspected Alicia's handiwork.

"Pray no! It is not just I! For my merry men are here, and if you do not surrender at once, we shall have to storm the castle!" Alex declared, taking off her bow.

"Oh, well then, commence with the storming," Aurelius said casually.

"That's it? Just 'commence with the storming?'" Alex said in her normal voice, looking somewhat irritated. "What sort of acting is that? At least put up a fight."

"If you're going to criticize me every step of the way, you play the Prince," Aurelius said, his glare appearing from above the wall. "I'm sick of playing the bad guy anyhow."

"Okay, fine, we'll do it your way," Alex said with irritation. "Well, you heard him then, let's storm the castle!" Andrew and Ben shrugged at each other and came out of their positions, following behind Alex as she strode towards the wall.

Just then, several hastily sketched drawings suddenly appeared over the wall, all drawn to resemble very mean-looking castle guards. The guards snarled at them, brandished swords and readied bows, taking a few shots at them. Paper arrows whizzed by their heads causing them to duck and finally retreat. Aurelius was laughing so hard that his side hurt as he watched the others run for the tree.

"No fair! Marion was supposed to be making reward posters!" Alex yelled.

"What? So they could turn and attack me too?" Aurelius asked. "A castle has guards, you know! You didn't think you'd just waltz in, did you?"

"So what's the plan now, Robin?" Ben asked, glaring as another sketch appeared from below standing easily on its edge as if standing on the wall.

"We need us a spy," Alex decided, looking at Andrew. "You're the friar, so you go up to the gate and state you were sent from the church to counsel the Maid Marion. Once you're in, you can throw us a rope or something so we can get Marion out."

"Very well then. I can be the hero," Andrew said, sounding as if he were trying to convince himself of that. "Just stay hidden, and I'll see if he buys it. If not, I'll send an owl or something."

"Andrew, these were Muggles, they didn't use owls," Alex said sagely. "They used pigeons."

"All right. Pigeons then," Andrew said easily, faking a limp as he approached the wall, using his stick now as a cane. The paper guards stared suspiciously at him as he approached.

"Good will and blessings for this castle and its Prince!" Andrew called out. "I have been sent by the church to counsel the Maid Marion and to make sure she is being properly treated."

Aurelius appeared again over the wall, looking nonplussed.

"Oh, all right. Let him in then," Aurelius said with apparent boredom. The guards watched with squinting eyes as Andrew climbed over the fence triumphantly. But the triumph was short, because Aurelius signaled the guards and they suddenly flew off the wall, covering Andrew in a flurry of paper.

"Here now, what's this? Bad form! That's not supposed to happen!" Alex barked.

"You don't think I missed that big nose of his sticking out from behind that tree during your pathetic storming attempt?" Aurelius yelled back from his safe spot behind the wall. "Friar Tuck, I have witnessed you in the company of the Prince's number one enemy! Therefore, you will now be taken to the gallows!"

"Hey, you said no hangings this time!" Ben protested.

"I meant I wasn't going to be the one being hanged this time. I didn't mean to imply I couldn't do it to anyone else," Aurelius said.

"Well, I'll just have to stop you then, because the bad guys never win." Alex said, taking out one of her gum arrows.

"Oh please! Sure they do! All the time! Robin never did get Prince John, did he? Bet he died in some dungeon somewhere just like Richard. John became king, didn't he? Besides, I think it's time I won the game for a change. Maid Marion, you will help me prepare the gallows!" Aurelius said.

But just then, there was a call from the house and Andrew leapt away from the guards as he recognized the word 'lunch.'

"Thank goodness, I'm starving!" Andrew declared, running towards the cottage before anyone could stop him.

"No fair! I was actually going to get to win one!" Aurelius said in annoyance.

"You wish," Alex said.

"You used the W word!" Alicia said with a gasp.

"I'm going to tell Father," Aurelius said, running to get a head start.

"I didn't mean it like that! It's just an expression!" Alex yelled helplessly. Alicia quickly picked up her sketches so she could head home as well.

"You'd better head after him, he's likely to blow it out of proportion and get you into trouble again," Ben warned Alex, handing her his bow.

"Oh, he's always getting me into trouble!" Alex declared with exasperation. "Are you joining us?"

"No thanks, I'll see you after you get done," Ben said, "I promised Mum I'd be home for lunch, my sister is visiting."

"All right then, later," Alex said with a wave, leaping over the wall and hurrying to try and beat Aurelius to the door. She hadn't seen the curious, wistful look that had come over Ben's face before she had entered the house.