Chapter Fourteen
Into the Storm
Aurelius had just come down the main stairs when the students were let out of the Great Hall, calmly leaning on the railing as he watched them pass through chattering excitedly. At last Conner and Stewart appeared and Aurelius stepped in front of them, looking up at the two larger students as if he were more than their equal.
"There you are. Where were you, Thorny, and the others during dinner? Out making trouble?" Stewart asked.
"Really none of your business, actually," Aurelius said. "I'd like to talk to you about this afternoon, Donovan."
"Not now, Aurelius. You may not be aware of it but Dumbledore told us to go straight to our house rooms, and I suggest you do the same," Conner said, walking around him.
"So you're that scared that something's going to happen if you don't? I always knew you were the superstitious type," Aurelius taunted him. Conner stopped short and turned around.
"I am not afraid of anything. I am merely following orders, and you're still a wart."
"You're not afraid of anything? Not at all? Care to prove it?"
"What are you getting at, Snape?" Conner said impatiently.
"If you're not afraid of anything, you wouldn't be afraid of spending Halloween night in the Dark Forest, would you?"
"Conner, I don't think…"
Conner put a hand in front of Stewart.
"So that's your game, is it then? Do you really think I'm that stupid? You'll just turn me in for going in there to make Gryffindor lose points."
"And maybe you're just looking for an excuse not to go because you're afraid. That's all right then, at least I can tell Xavier he's right and you are a coward. Have a safe and comfortable evening," Aurelius said evenly.
"You think I'm going to let an undersized first year bug like yourself try to manipulate me?" Conner snapped.
"Oh, no, of course not, Donovan. I merely wanted to see if you planned to back up the words you spoke today or if you were going to eat them. Now I see that you've just decided to choke on them instead," Aurelius sneered.
Conner paused as a group of students passed them. He counted to ten as they passed, turning his attention to Aurelius again.
"Fine. I shall. But you'll come with me," Conner said.
"What?" Aurelius said with surprise.
"Well, it'd do no good me going in there alone, because if I came out in one piece, you'd just tell me that I probably faked my way out of it. Besides, if I take you along, I know you won't tell on me. You won't have the opportunity to tell on me to tank our house points, because you'd lose house points yourself. I'll meet you behind the hut in an hour, and don't forget your cloak. It's raining, you know," he added with a nod.
Stewart didn't say a word. He merely looked between them before following Conner towards the Gryffindor rooms. Aurelius wasn't surprised to hear him whispering fervently to Conner a moment later. Aurelius then turned down the stairs to his own rooms, taking every short cut he knew to get there.
Jennifer hurried back into the hospital wing with a tray of translation potions in her hand, distributing them to the others before taking one herself, heading to the back room where Sagittari was looking over the minimized Fomorian.
"Their anatomy is nearly identical to giants," Sagittari said quietly to Dumbledore. "He is tired, stressed, and perhaps a bit undernourished, but otherwise in good health."
"Greetings, Magus, I am the headmaster of this school, Professor Albus Dumbledore. What brings you to the school?" he asked.
"I knew nothing of a school. I was merely using my sense of smell to track down a former adversary," Magus said, glancing over warily at Severus. "I was unaware that he might be hiding among children."
"Professor Snape is a teacher here, but if you would like to lodge a complaint, I'd be happy to speak with you about it," Dumbledore said. Severus stared at him.
"I am here to seek help against a common enemy," Magus said. "One who has spoken his name often."
"And why should I help you?" Severus said acidly. "You attempted to poison me!"
"You stole the Cauldron from my people," Magus snarled.
"It was not yours to begin with," Severus pointed out. "Your people murdered a professor… a professor from this school, and stole it from him!"
"That event took place hundreds of years ago!" the Magus snapped.
"That does not mean it was yours to claim!" Severus retorted.
"Please, let's not quarrel over this," Jennifer said. "Severus is alive and well and the Cauldron is where it needs to be. If the Magus is here for help then we must help him. After all, we had already decided to help the Fomorians before he showed up. I don't see how him being here would give us any reason to back down now."
"Solid reasoning from the woman who first imprisoned my mind," Magus said coolly.
"I had no choice," Jennifer said quickly, avoiding Dumbledore's thoughtful gaze. "What's important now is finding Ciardoth. How were your people taken, Magus?"
"A stranger came to walk on the island who had no ship to carry her nor were our spells able to stop her. We went to investigate and force her to leave, but she offered us something if we allowed her to stay… something we once held and was lost to our people. It was one of the many precious things lost when we left our first home. The offer was too irresistible, so we let her stay. She stayed for a season, perhaps longer, but she grew more restless even as we grew more restless about the failed return of our missing scout who went to find it. Then the stranger left, only to return during the season of storms this year.
"We should have been more wary. Our hatred of strangers was proven justified on that day, for she didn't come alone but with a pack a cloaked demons that sapped our spirits and made us susceptible to her evil spells," the Magus said.
"Dementors," Severus said grimly.
"Our own magic did she employ to move us, east around murky, filthy waters and onto a rocky shore only to find ourselves driven down into dark tunnels. But I had not been taken completely unaware. Such tactics of forced servitude had been used on me before, and I had vowed then that I would take every measure to make sure it did not happen again," he said with such anger that Jennifer grew even more somber. "So before she had driven us too deep for me to lose my bearing, I fought for control of my senses and slipped away from the demons, calling the earth around me to hide my presence as my people moved even further down into the darkness. Already I had learned enough from the mad creature's ramblings to discern her intent was to force my people to use their powers over the elements to craft weapons of destruction and pit an army against those who would be her enemies."
"So what was this thing that she tempted you with that got you all into this mess, Magus? If it's dangerous we ought to know about it," Severus asked. His voice was steady, but not even the Magus missed the note of distrust in his tone.
"An item with sacred significance… an item that represents mercy and forgiveness for our people. Not something I expect you to understand, Merlin blood, since you neither have shown nor granted either, not even to yourself," the Magus said coldly.
Both Dumbledore and Jennifer recognized the growl in the back of Severus' throat and became alert, Jennifer reaching him a second quicker and putting her arm around his.
"There can be little doubt we've had our differences and grievances since the moment we came in contact with each other again after so many years," Dumbledore said. "But we know that you wouldn't be here if you didn't believe there was at least some chance of reconciliation, at least long enough to solve our mutual problem. Now, what was the item that Ciardoth tempted you with, and where did she send your scout? Perhaps we can help locate him."
"I will see that the scout is found," the Magus said firmly. "That truly is my affair alone. The item she claimed to know of was merely a small golden cup which was once filled by Hebe herself, the daughter of Zeus," he said solemnly. "When she lost her position as Winebearer, she tossed it into the sea, where it was found by my ancestors and hidden. It was said that during the great fall that caused my people to flee to the west, that as the flood waters rose that the cup caused the waters to suddenly flow backwards, allowing our people to escape." The Magus sighed and shook his head. "The cup was lost to us after that, and thought lost for over a thousand years… until this creature arrived and spoke of it with such detail that only our record keepers knew or could have known its accuracy."
Jennifer exchanged glances with Severus, knowing full well that he had reached the same conclusion that she had.
"The place she took the others to, do you think you could find it again?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes, but it is far to the south," the Magus said, struggling to his feet.
"I'll go," Severus said, glancing at Dumbledore who nodded. "Jennifer, perhaps you had better stay…"
"Perhaps not," Jennifer cut him off; slightly annoyed that he would even consider going alone. "She has enough Dementors down there to control a city of Elemental wizards."
"May I remind you then exactly how much they hate you and would destroy you on sight if given a chance?" Severus argued. "Not to mention the fact we have no idea how far underground they are."
"You're not going alone," Jennifer said firmly.
"I'm not going alone. I'm going with this thing," Severus said, glancing disdainfully at the Magus who returned it with equal distaste. "Besides, what about the school?"
"It's still my job to worry about the school Severus, at least for some months yet," Dumbledore put in. "And there will be time enough to argue later. But first, you must find out what we're up against. I expect to hear from both of you tomorrow. Good luck."
"Let's go get our cloaks, Severus, it's a miserable night out there," Jennifer said, heading for the door.
"I will walk our guest to the entrance to meet you," Dumbledore agreed with a nod. Grimacing but knowing better than to argue with the Headmaster, Severus followed Jennifer out the door.
"So it wasn't just the wine they were after," Jennifer said the moment they were out of hearing range.
"An unlikely coincidence at best," Severus agreed. "With Ciardoth's talent for seeing all events at once, it's quite possible that she saw herself with it in a future time, and since it is now missing, she may have it in her possession even as we speak."
"But what do we really know about it, except for this legend the Magus just told us about it once seeming to have some control over water? It didn't sound as if the Fomorians had any control over it, and if the masters of making elemental devices can't control it, how could Ciardoth?" Jennifer asked.
"She only needs it to control them, Jennifer. That is the only power of this cup that I'm concerned about at this moment," Severus said. "And someone ought to stay here and contact the Ministry about what we've learned. They need to know the cup's apparent significance."
"I'm sure Dumbledore will," Jennifer said. "I know exactly what you're flying towards, Severus, and I'm coming along. Besides, we have to know what's going on."
"Yes, but what can we truly do when we get there?" Severus asked quietly as they reached the Defense office.
Such a miserable rain! In fact, it was hard for Aurelius to think of anything else as he slipped out of the school. Before he had been so absorbed in the plans for the night that what he had heard concerning the feast had been completely lost to him. Now, it was only the rain that he noticed. Even with the protections placed upon his cloak, water seemed to seep from his sleeves and around his neck soaking him to the bone. As reluctant as he was to enter the dark and dreary forest, he also was relieved of the shelter of the trees as he waited at the edge, casting a quick light spell to glance at his watch.
It had been nearly an hour, and still there was no sign of Conner Donovan. Perhaps the rain had convinced him not to try it, Aurelius smirked. Well, he wasn't going to wait for long, he decided, longing for the warm dry comfort of his bed. If the cocky over-sized mug wasn't there by five minutes past, Aurelius had every intention of claiming victory. But just as the minutes ticked by and midnight arrived, Aurelius saw a shadowed figure approaching with an odd looking humped-back shape. A lantern was lit, and Aurelius sighed as he saw it was Conner Donovan, a ragged cloak around him as he scanned the edge of the forest, finally catching the flash of the younger boy's eyes in the lantern light.
"So you decided to come after all," Aurelius said with irritation. "What on earth are you toting?"
"Just my backpack with some camping supplies. You didn't expect me to stay up all night, did you?" Conner said, holding his lantern out to lead the way in.
"You brought camping supplies? To school?" Aurelius asked.
"Well, just my sleeping bag. I had to scrounge for the rest," Conner grinned. "Found an old heavy drape in common room storage that should pass for a tent. Only room for one though… hope you brought something."
"Camping? Me? What an insanely Muggle idea! Besides, who in their right mind would sleep in there?" Aurelius said.
"I would. I have a test tomorrow," Conner said.
"I said in their right mind," Aurelius said acidly.
"Let's just go in far enough so that I can light a fire without being seen by the castle," Conner said.
"A fire? In this rain?"
"There are spells to keep a fire from going out even in this. Surely a wizardborn like yourself would realize that," Conner said glibly. "And before you start jibing me back, I'm a half blood. My father was a wizard too. What have you got against Muggles anyhow? Isn't your older brother Muggleborn?"
"He is not my brother!" Aurelius snapped angrily. "He's just a dirty fingered potion sod that my parents took pity on! I couldn't care less about him, or his whole busy-bodied backwards town for that matter. Don't associate me with that rubbish!"
"So that's it then," Conner said in a calm, quiet tone that made Aurelius even angrier. "Easier to justify hating all of us instead of just one of us, is it?"
"Shut up and stop trying to analyze things you couldn't possibly understand! You're going to attract the attention of every creature in half a mile with all your talking!" Aurelius growled, glancing around. "Isn't this far enough?"
"Getting nervous already, are we?" Conner taunted.
"Hardly," Aurelius said. "But it wouldn't do for us to get lost in here and not be able to get out in the morning." The calling of a night bird made both of them pause and listen, glancing back at each other.
"Very well, you have a point," Conner admitted, adjusting his cloak to slide his backpack off. "Did you bring anything with you?"
"Of course, it's all in my Chest Cloak," Aurelius said quickly, fishing his pockets. He had never understood why his father had always made them keep an emergency supply of food, blankets and clothing in each chest, but he was glad to have something to pull out. He also pulled out a piece of drawing paper and made a quick note that what he took out had to be replaced as soon as possible so their use would not be noticed by his parents.
But it was not long after Conner had the fire going and had set up a shelter that Aurelius began to get the prickling feeling they were being watched. Conner did not seem to notice, gulping down a steaming cup of tea before settling into his sack, curling up with his back to the rain.
"I can't believe you're actually going to sleep. Have you any idea of how dangerous this forest is?" Aurelius said.
"The fire will keep away most dark creatures," Conner said with a yawn to show his complete lack of concern. "Stay up if you like, if you're worried."
"Worry has nothing to do with it, common sense does," Aurelius said, glancing around as he thought he noticed something rustling in the shadows. What was he even doing here? He felt tricked, to be sure, but not necessarily by Donovan. Sighing in resignation but with determination to stick it out, Aurelius wrapped himself up in the blanket and sat by the fire, staring out into the darkness and jumping at every foreign sound.
A horrendous snarling noise came from behind him, and he quickly turned, wand instantly in hand, only to find it pointed at Conner. He was snoring, and quite loudly at that. Aurelius relaxed, rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"I bet Slytherin isn't the only house that keeps a pair of earmuffs under their pillows," he murmured to himself, smirking. But it was as he turned back around and was about to put his wand away that he noticed how odd it looked in the light. It was shimmering, in fact, as if it were reflecting the firelight, or perhaps even putting off a light of its own.
It was then that Aurelius heard such a rustle that couldn't possibly be anything so small as a bird. Turning to face it with his wand still out, Aurelius caught a flash of something moving in the darkness. Holding his breath and donning the hood of his cloak, he began to creep away from the light of the fire and into the shadows, the sound his only guide as he headed into the thicket.
Conner suddenly sat straight up, wide-awake and looking around, immediately sensing that something was amiss.
"Aurelius?" he called quietly, slipping out of his bag and over to the fire, walking around the edge of the camp where the light began to fade. "Rel!" He shouted louder, listening for a moment afterwards. "Where are you, you little teacher's brat? This is no time to be exploring!" But Conner could hear nothing but the patter of the rain and the wind against the leaves. "Wonderful," Conner sighed, suddenly feeling guilty for letting the first year wander off on his own. "This is not going to end well."
