Chapter Fifteen

Messy Rescues

It was pitch black in the Dark Forest now, and yet somehow Aurelius found he could see… or perhaps sense… the natural path in front of him, leading him farther in and over the muddy terrain. The rain was finally slowing to a drizzle; a drop of water glistened strangely as it touched the surface of his otherwise dark and normal wand. Perhaps he only imagined that his wand had glowed, he mused. He was dreadfully cold and quite soaked through now, and definitely out of sorts. He was sure he had veered from the straight line he had originally tried to keep as he walked away from the camp, but something was steering him in a different direction, and every now and then, he could sense… or was it see… a shimmer of light.

As the path started to dip, Aurelius began to hear the sound of splashing water and finally saw what had compelled him further into the Dark Forest. For limping beside the small brook was a young Unicorn stallion, attempting to get a drink. Cautiously Aurelius approached, the Unicorn seemingly unaware of his presence. Aurelius had noticed the limp immediately, and remembering he still had his Chest Cloak on, drew out a hooded lantern and lit it, cursing himself for not having thought of it sooner. The moment it was lit, he found himself holding his breath again. Streams of silver blood fell from deep gashes on the Unicorn's front quarter, legs, and face, and the tip of his horn had broken off, while his back and hind quarters had strange red welts that was obviously causing him great anguish.

"Poor brute, what happened to you?" Aurelius asked, wincing in sympathy as he reached out to him, afraid of causing him any more pain. "I've never seen marks like these before," he said, and then awkwardly realized that the Unicorn probably didn't understand him. And yet the stallion did seem to be paying attention to him now, its head slowly swinging to the side to see Aurelius better. Perhaps the Unicorn understood him after all? "I've only got one phial of healing salve on me, strictly for emergencies of course, but if this isn't an emergency, I'd like to see what is," Aurelius went on. "Sagittari is the one to see, really, he could tend your wounds a lot better than I can, but you won't make it back on that leg. Let me see what I can do with it, and maybe we can get you some real help."

The Unicorn watched Aurelius as he took his potion wallet from his inside pocket and somehow managed to wrestle the cork out with his icy fingers. The stallion kept perfectly still as Aurelius poured the salve over the wounds and gently rubbed it in. As the numbness and prickles of his own hands began to subside, Aurelius was quite convinced that the potion was working for the Unicorn as well.

"All right, I think perhaps we should try to move now, not that I suppose you actually understand me," Aurelius said awkwardly, the Unicorn watching him intently. "Come on, it's this way... at least, I think so," he coaxed, cautiously putting a hand on the Unicorn's neck to try and lead it.

But suddenly the Unicorn's neck jerked back and his nostrils flared, backing up into the water as it stared into the darkness, making a rather frightening whinnying noise.

"Don't do that! You'll hurt yourself more! What is it?" Aurelius demanded, taking his wand back out and picking up his lantern. He held it up in the direction that the Unicorn seemed to be gazing at, and became momentarily paralyzed as a giant monster with silver-stained claws and a lion's head began to emerge from the brush. Its skin was blood red, eyes yellow and glinting, and as it stopped to growl threateningly at the sight the Unicorn, Aurelius caught sight of its giant scorpion tail.

"Manticore!" Aurelius screamed as it charged, the Unicorn bravely stepping in front of them with its horn down, ready for a last stand. "No, it'll kill you!"

Pushing his way to the Unicorn's side, Aurelius cast a spell as the Manticore leaped towards them, while the Unicorn stabbed at the beast with its broken horn trying to push it away. But the spell that Aurelius had intended to cast didn't happen at all; instead, a beam of white light burst from his wand and at the beast, propelling him backwards into the water while blinding it. Its tail whipped angrily about, and its claws swiped viciously towards the Unicorn still in front of it. Aurelius cried out, scrambling back to his feet and aiming for its claws.

"Aurelius, no! Hit the tail!"

Following the sounds of the screams, Conner had finally managed to find him. A blast of sticky sap burst out of his wand, slamming into the Manticore's stinger and sticking it to the tree. Immediately the blinded monster became distracted, having to use all of its strength to free its tail once more. It shook its head fiercely and blinked its eyes, for the Unicorn had begun to slash them with his horn. But the Manticore's claws had finally hit their mark and the poor Unicorn fell at its feet with a whinny.

"If we can manage to pin its tail, we can defeat it! Keep trying to distract it without getting too close!" Conner yelled.

"Fine, I'll distract it," Aurelius muttered and put away his wand, not completely trusting it anymore. Instead, he swung his lantern at it, taking a swipe at its head. "Here you, you stupid thing! Try to pick on something your own size!" Aurelius shouted angrily.

"I said don't get too close, you fool!" Conner shouted.

But Aurelius was not about to let the Manticore finish the Unicorn off, continuing to beat at it with the lantern while dodging its claws. Quickly Conner turned his attention to one of the trees beside him as the tail rose to strike, but as he cast his spell to fell the tree, the Manticore hit its new victim like a snake, and Aurelius, too, dropped to the ground.

Then there was a loud crack as the severed tree came down, snapping branches from other trees as it came crashing down on the Manticore's tail. The Manticore screeched out in pain, its attention focused on a futile attempt at freeing itself instead of its fallen victims.

Conner hurried over to Aurelius who was lying on his back, quickly pulling the boy's shirt up. Aurelius moaned softly, too weak to stop him. In fact, he felt quite dizzy and nauseous.

"You've been stung pretty bad. I told you to stay away from it, you idiot!"

"Couldn't let it… Unicorn…"

"It's done for, Rel, and you will be too if we don't move fast. Rel, don't fall asleep on me," Conner said worriedly, smacking him across the face. Odd, thought Rel. He hardly even felt it. "Rel, stay awake, you hear me? You're a Slytherin, you're supposed to be stubborn! Besides, you don't want to die at the feet of a Mudder, do you? Come on, Rel!" Conner shouted and shook him. But Rel didn't hear him, and he really didn't care. All he wanted to do was sleep.


Aurelius awoke to the sight of a pair of blue sapphires in rings of gold, floating on a cloud of white. It took him a couple of blinks to realize what he was really seeing were a pair of intent eyes, gazing at him from behind a pair of spectacles.

"Good morning," said Dumbledore with a smile. "And a very pretty morning too. Amazing how a good rain can lead to such bright days."

"How is he?" Aurelius said hoarsely, trying to sit up. Dumbledore gently nudged him back down again.

"Conner is fine. I gave him permission to sleep in, and asked Minerva to pass him on his Defense test. Under the circumstances, I think he passed it without even taking it," Dumbledore said with amusement.

"I didn't mean Conner," Aurelius said making a face. "The Unicorn. What happened to the Unicorn?"

"Ah, yes," Dumbledore said, his gaze turning even more thoughtful. "Doctor Sagittari has gone into the forest to look after him, although what I'm going to do with three absent professors I have no idea. I will not lie to you, Aurelius. Pali has been severely injured and I do not think he will ever be the same. But he is a very spirited Unicorn, rather like you in that way," he added looking at the boy from over the rim of his glasses. "Perhaps he will recover over time."

"Pali?"

"The constellation of centaurs in the Dark Forest have a very deep connection with the herd that lives there, and have for as long as I can recall. Each spring they give the new Unicorn foal names to identify them; many times the same names that they give the stars. Of course, I only learned the name of this one last evening, when the centaurs alerted Sagittari that there were individuals in the forest that they thought should not have been there, and I wholeheartedly agree with them. Things could have gone much worse, and I'm so glad they did not. I cannot imagine any deed more terrible than telling your parents that something happened to you while they were gone."

"What? You mean my parents aren't here?" Aurelius said in surprise.

"If they were, do you not think they would be chomping at the bit to get in here?" Dumbledore asked.

"They would be demanding to know exactly what I was doing, thinking, and how dare I scare, embarrass, or otherwise annoy them by doing something like this," Aurelius said disdainfully.

"If they didn't do that, they wouldn't be your parents," Dumbledore winked, standing up. "I'll let Madame Pomfrey know you're awake and let your sister know she may visit now."

"But the Unicorn… if it's staying in the forest, how am I ever to see it again? I mean, only to check up on its progress," he explained quickly. "Out of mere curiosity, of course. I did save it, after all."

"If I'm not mistaken, Aurelius, you did much more than that," Dumbledore said solemnly. "But you need to get your breakfast, and I do have quite a bit to do. I may even have to teach if I don't send out a few owls."

"Then you're not going to ask me about what we were doing in there?" Aurelius asked.

"Well, not until you've had the opportunity to figure that out yourself," Dumbledore said. "Oh, and, do expect some response over this incident from the leader of your house, since this falls under his and Professor McGonagall's duties to deal with. I shall speak with him, or perhaps I'll send a note to his office first thing tomorrow. Too much to do to write it today, I'm afraid," he mused, walking out the door.

Aurelius knew full well the real reason why Professor Dumbledore didn't want to do it that day. In fact, he remembered growing up how they all used to dread when their father's birthday fell on a weekend.

"Professor Dumbledore!"

Conner Donovan nearly knocked into him as they met in the doorway at the same time. Dumbledore quickly turned him around with a firm arm and a smile, walking them down the hall.

"Rel's all right, isn't he? Did you get to him in time?"

"He's all right, Conner. And you were supposed to be resting," Albus reminded him.

"I know. But I had to know he was all right. After all, it was my fault he was in there," Conner said somberly.

"Truly so?" Dumbledore asked casually.

"Well, to be honest he can be a real pain in the rear sometimes, Professor, but I shouldn't have let my pride take over and give in when he dared me like that. After all, I'm older and I know better than that."

"Truly so," Dumbledore decided thoughtfully.

"I know I haven't been exactly a model student either. And the fact of the matter is that I was the one who cast Ribbit Rain that started all of this. I'm hoping that whatever reprimand you have in mind , that it'll be given to me and not to Rel. I think he's already learned his lesson the hard way."

"Truly so," Dumbledore agreed.

"So then, I suppose I have a lecture coming at least," Conner conjectured.

"No, I think I've heard enough. But I'm sure Professor McGonagall will want to speak to you about it," Dumbledore said, glancing down the hall to see her approach as the rest of her Transfiguration class let out.

"Yes, of course, Professor," Conner said, walking solemnly up to where she stood beside the classroom door. "I expect you'll need to assign me to a detention, Professor McGonagall. I can go wait outside your office until you have the time."

"Oh?" Minerva said, glancing at Dumbledore. "Yes, go right along in. I'll be there shortly," she said with a stern look on her face.

The look, however, melted the moment that Conner was out of view, turning instead to intense curiosity as she joined the Headmaster as he walked towards the stairs.

"Might I inquire exactly what you said to him, Professor? I haven't seem him fall that quickly into line since the day he was Sorted."

"Truly so," Dumbledore said.


How exactly they got there, Jennifer was not quite sure, for the magic that the Magus used to move the three of them didn't seem to translate to what they knew of magic. "Bending the air" was the best explanation they got from the Magus…but what it appeared to Jennifer was that they took a step forward and landed in another place entirely. She found herself standing in a light fog at the base of a shadowed, curiously ridged hill that seemed to loom menacingly over them in the twilight. A dark spike seemed to jet out from the top, perhaps an old building standing guard alone over the green expanse around it. Jennifer gazed at it thoughtfully before finally turning to look at the others.

"Where are we?" she asked quietly.

"We are in the south of your dry land. My people are underneath in caverns that stretch beyond the maze within the mountain," the Magus said.

"I believe she was looking for something more specific," Severus said, gazing at the hill with an enigmatic expression on his face. "And if I am not mistaken, we are at the foot of Glastonbury Tor."

"Glastonbury Tor!" Jennifer said in mixed surprise and awe, finally recognizing the hill for what it was. "Great stars! All those Muggle legends about fairy folk moving underground because of human's treatment of them… they must have meant the goblins all along! Not to mention all of the stories of explorers finding their way in and coming out over a year later raving mad…"

"And Arthur was said to have come here as well, challenging the 'gods' underneath," Severus mused. "Of course this was also another sight called 'Avalon' by some. Perhaps this was a gateway at some point as well."

"I hope the Glastonbury Arthurian Witches Society don't hear about this," Jennifer said. "Considering how long the Ministry has been denying there was anything to it? Oh, they'd never hear the end of it."

"We have more important things to worry about than politics right now," Severus pointed out.

"Follow, we must go on foot now," the Magus said solemnly. "I cannot bend the air from this point, for there are enchantments at work."

"Wonderful, that means we probably can't Apparate either," Jennifer muttered.

In the darkness they worked their way around the base following the ridges of a maze, walking in complete silence as if reluctant to disturb the somber solitude of the tower. The soft sound of a bell tolled from somewhere in the surrounding countryside, and Jennifer paused to look over at her husband.

"Don't even say it," Severus warned her softly, falling behind a bit so not to be overheard.

"It's not the end of the world, you know, turning fifty," Jennifer whispered lovingly.

"I'll remember that when you turn forty," he warned again, nudging her ahead.

"You don't look it, you know… what I mean is, your appearance hasn't changed all that much since I met you, except perhaps you fighting to have your hair long only to have something always happen to it."

"You and your cola experiments…" Severus grumbled.

"Well I did say I was sorry," Jennifer protested, growing quiet as the Magus squinted back at them impatiently. "And I do mean it, you haven't changed much."

"When I was thirty five I looked fifty. Saying that I look no different isn't saying much," Severus said with a shrug.

"Why do you suppose we've changed so little?" Jennifer asked thoughtfully, thinking back to Danny's teasing her.

"This is not the time or the place," Severus said again, frowning at her slightly as he strode to catch up with the Magus. He had stopped at what appeared to be a dead-end or a turnabout in the maze. At first Severus noticed little, but as the Magus ducked and stepped forward, he saw that the grass covering that portion of the hill suddenly gave like a cloth drape, allowing him to pass. Glancing at each other, Severus and Jennifer followed behind.

Darkness immediately closed around them, and while Jennifer struggled to quickly get a lantern lit with a short spell, Severus took out some paper, enchanting the pen and paper to map as they went. The Magus made no move for a light, only looked at them with bewilderment until both of them were ready.

"I cannot guarantee the path I choose will be the right one," the Magus warned.

"As long as we can find the way back out," Jennifer said firmly.

"I've already seen to that," Severus nodded.

"It isn't wise to travel with light in here, nor to cast spells unnecessarily. The creature will hear us coming," the Magus said.

"I'm not going to be down here in the dark," Jennifer said firmly. "And for your information, this light is charmed. It can only be seen by those who were around at the time that it was lit. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get this over with."

"And what great spell do you plan to cast to put the creature on her heels, daughter of none?" Magus asked. "I highly doubt the tricks you used against a people caught unawares will work against a woman who suspects every shadow and anticipates every move."

"We may not be able to do anything. We're here to gather facts, and I'm sorry if you don't approve, but we're doing the best we can," Jennifer snapped. "You're the one who asked for our help. Now it's time to shut up so we can see how we can help." With that, Jennifer turned and strode ahead, holding the light well out in front of her.

"Spirited, isn't she?" the Magus queried, loud enough so Jennifer could hear. "Reminds me of my own daughter's mother. Not that we've been together for many years."

"I won't bore you by asking you about it," Severus said dryly, having no intention of exchanging any sort of personal trivialities with the Fomorian. Up ahead, Jennifer had stopped at a four-way intersection, allowing the Magus to take the lead again, frowning impatiently and forcing herself not to look at the ceiling.

"Well, I'm curious. Why aren't you together?" Jennifer asked, trying to keep her mind off of her surroundings as they started down a twisting corridor.

"My work as Magus often kept me from my personal affairs for long periods of time, and I am a man dedicated to my work," Magus said solemnly. "It did not help that her work often conflicted with mine. We spent more time arguing over our duties than we did over any problems at home before the end."

Severus grimaced, mentally groaning to himself as he caught sight of Jennifer's face. Why did she have to go and relate everyone else's problems with theirs? He had little doubt that at that very moment she was doing exactly that, and avoided her gaze by stepping out of the light.

"Perhaps you should have been careful to keep those two parts of your lives separate," Severus suggested irritably.

"To do so would be an injustice to both parts of my life. I cannot be two people, nor do I intend to try. But all is well. Both my daughter's mother and I are productive and content with our lives now, and our daughter scorns neither of us. What more can one ask for than to have a child grow up and not resent you?" The Magus asked with obvious amusement.

"A question we'll be exploring soon enough," Jennifer sighed. She paused in confusion, lifting her light higher and frowning. "These corridors are all beginning to look alike. I swear we've passed here before."

"We've been taking nothing but direct turns since we've been in here," Severus said calmly.

"How far from the entrance do you suppose we are?" Jennifer asked, chalking the stone for her own peace of mind.

"Jennifer," Severus cut in before the Magus could answer. "Could you take out another lantern so I can see the map properly?"

The ploy worked to distract Jennifer, who quickly handed over her own lantern while fumbling with her cloak for another one. This was a bad idea, Severus thought, wondering what Dumbledore was thinking for sending her down here. Severus could have easily scouted down here by himself, leaving both the Magus and Jennifer behind and been safer for it. Sighing again, Severus glanced over at the map to justify his claim for needing more light. A second later, he realized something wasn't right and glanced over it again, and then snatched it out of the air to take a closer look. The corridors and walls drawn on the paper were crossing each other! He frowned, knowing that shouldn't be possible, knowing for certain that right behind him was a corridor and not the wall the map was showing.

"Is something wrong?" Jennifer asked, and Severus immediately dropped the lamp away from his face.

"No. But I am going to lead, if you don't mind," Severus said, pushing ahead of them.

"As you will, Merlin blood. You'll have only yourself to blame then if you get us lost," the Magus said.

"I am beginning to doubt that," Severus muttered, striding ahead and watching the pen intently as it continued to draw. His pace was hurried, and Jennifer found she had a hard time keeping up, until five minutes later he stopped short again, giving her a chance to glance around.

"All right, I know we've been here before," Jennifer said, glancing at the chalk mark. "Severus, what is going on?"

"The maze is enchanted," he sighed, showing her the map. "The walls and corridors are rearranging themselves in front of and behind us. Without a key to knowing the proper movements, we cannot possibly get through it."

"But that also means we can't get out!" Jennifer said, staring at the map and feeling a weight on her head.

"Curious how it is that you got out," Severus said, turning on the Magus. "Or was it that Ciardoth let you out?"

"I have other ways of traversing other than bending air," the Magus said coldly.

"Perhaps, but probably not without being detected," Severus said grimly. "The only explanation would be if she let you go, and if I don't miss my guess, specifically to entice us into following you down here."

"It's a trap!" Jennifer said with alarm, taking her wand out.

"Welcome, Snapes," said a woman's voice, cutting through the dark corridors like a knife. Severus swung about to face the corridor, his wand out as he backed up to stand beside Jennifer as a tall figure walked into view.

"I had so hoped you would come," Ciardoth said with a wry, twisted smile. From behind her two Dementors appeared, her arms gracefully rising to keep them from charging after their hated enemies.

"I see you have finally found the means to end your misery," Severus said. "I'm sure the Dementors would be more than happy to send you out of time." Ciardoth laughed, a rather high-pitched, maniacal laugh that reminded Severus of nails on a chalkboard.

"Now? Without leaving so many painful deaths to remember me by? Do be reasonable, Snape. I have a purpose other than destruction now, and that is revenge. The two of you have the honor of being my first subjects," Ciardoth said with obvious delight. "You might as well come willingly, you can't escape your futures," she said.

"We'll see about that," Jennifer said with determination, her wand still up and ready.

But the Magus stepped in front of them with complete unconcern. Severus blinked at him, but didn't move. He had momentarily forgotten that the Magus was even there.

"I have kept my part of the bargain, creature," the Magus declared. "You will deliver the governor to me now and I'll be on my way."

"Oh, yes, that," Ciardoth said lazily. "I'm afraid there was a trivial attempt at rebellion while you were gone. Governor Astron had to be made an example of, and I'm afraid there are very little remains that I can deliver to you."

"No!" Magus said with open fury. "He was our leader!"

"Yes, and I am your leader now. If you insist on fighting me, I assure you that you will be the next to be made an example of," she warned him. But the Magus did not look in the least bit intimidated. Instead he seemed to look at Ciardoth like an erring child, unequal and unworthy, daring her to do her worst.

"Very well, Ciardoth, if you cannot keep your part of the bargain, I will not keep mine," he swore, raising his arms.

Suddenly the ground began to tremble, and the dirt and rock floor shot up around Severus and Jennifer. Severus grabbed Jennifer as the dirt and rock closed in around them and shot them upward like through the dirt like molten rock erupting out of a volcano, the rumbling earth in their way moving aside and filling in behind them until they finally burst out of the ground and emerged on the surface, halfway up the Tor.

Jennifer scrambled in a panic to free herself from the dirt, gasping and coughing for air. A moment later Severus also emerged, picking up Jennifer's wand and walking over to her, handing it to her.

"Are you alright?" Severus asked with open concern.

"I never want to do that again, ever," Jennifer declared, trembling as she poured dirt out of the pocket of her cloak.

"We are lucky to be out of there. We would have had no way of out on our own," Severus admitted.

"I can't believe that the Magus betrayed us like that, even if he didn't trust us," Jennifer said.

"No," Severus said with a sigh. "A man can only betray himself, and he did what he thought he must for his people. We were tricked, to be sure. I knew going down there was a bad idea."

"Don't you dare say I told you so," Jennifer said. "But we had better get out of here. I'm sure that earthquake will have caused quite a stir with the local Muggles, and I wouldn't want to have to try to answer them."

"Would you mind if we asked some questions, Professor?" asked Ederick Thurspire.

The two of them looked up to see a group of Enforcement officers standing with him, along with a couple of angry-looking goblins and a grey-haired old witch with folded arms, wearing a badge with the letters G.A.W.S. written over a silhouette of the Tor.

"Why do I have the feeling they're not going to listen to the answers?" Severus muttered. It wasn't long before he found out how right he was.