Chapter Twelve

Games of All Sorts

It had taken Jacqueline a while to pick out a dress she liked. It took her even longer to try and pin up her hair, especially with Mark impatiently knocking every now and again to remind her the reservation time. Finally, he pounded.

"Jacqueline, the cab just called up! We're going to miss it," Mark complained.

"Oh, don't be such a grouch. Tony isn't about to leave us," Jacqueline said, finally coming out and satisfied that Mark had stopped to stare. "So, how do I look?"

"Exotic," he answered and she blinked at him.

"Well, I hope you meant that in a good way," she said, glancing at her floor-length red dress in the mirror. She had picked it out of a catalog along with several more casual outfits when she had gotten her first check, deciding that she couldn't stand what was in her closet any longer.

"You look beautiful in everything," he smiled, helping her with her coat. "Although I'm still not sure why you insisted on a specific cabby when you called."

"Tony is a regular at the café. He gives us business all the time, it's only fair I return the favor," Jacqueline said.

"I've never met anyone quite as attached to their job as you are, especially a minimum wage one," Mark chuckled, following her down the stairs. "There's no future in it. You're their only full time employee, so there's no room for advancement. Maybe I can talk Erascus into letting you get a job somewhere near where I work. I'm sure I could get you in answering phones somewhere…"

"Answering phones?" Jacqueline said with a frown. "You mean talking to people on that thing when I've never even seen them in person?" she shuddered slightly. Mark opened the cab door and let Jennifer scoot in.

"Well, you could at least think about it," Mark said, getting in behind her and nodding to Tony.

"Le Café Rouge, I know," he smiled, glancing in the mirror. "You look nice tonight, sweetie."

"Thanks, Tony. Any news?" Jacqueline asked. Mark sat back in his seat with a sigh.

"Nah, they still haven't caught that guy behind the robberies uptown, and I hear the fourth quarter reports look bleak. But then I guess you knew that, eh, Mr. Ghent?"

"Tony doesn't miss much," Jacqueline smiled. Mark nodded politely.

"You learn how to pay attention when you're on the road a lot, whether it's protecting your back from the customer or keeping people from hitting ya…" he said, suddenly laying on the horn as someone tried to cut him off while he was cutting off someone else. "New York gives a new meaning to the word defensive driving."

When they got to the right curb, Mark couldn't seem to get out fast enough, quickly paying Tony and hurrying to get the other door to let Jacqueline out.

"Are you always so clammy around people you don't know?" Jacqueline asked.

"What was I going to say? He already knew where we were going," Mark shrugged. "He's just a cabby."

"No he's not, he is a friend," Jacqueline said, waiting a moment as Mark went up to the podium to give them his name. "You know, I've never noticed before, but you don't seem to ever talk to anyone. Don't you have any friends or acquaintances you ever want to visit, or call, or ask over?"

"Well, I used to have acquaintances that called all the time. Fortunately, I paid them all off," Mark said dryly, taking her arm as they were shown to their seats. "Besides, I have you to talk to. This is nice, isn't it?"

"Surely you talk to someone about something other than money, besides talking to me I mean," Jacqueline said.

"I sometimes talk to Erascus about you," Mark admitted, "but then that seems to have its drawbacks."

"Oh come on, Mark. I did say I was sorry," Jacqueline said quietly. "And I do mean it, although I still think you overreacted. Who are you loyal to anyhow, me, or that horrid psychiatrist you hired?" she asked, looking at his expression curiously. "Or perhaps it's only to your pocketbook?" She blinked with surprise after she realized what she said, and so did he, staring at her in a particularly strange way that she wasn't sure she liked at all. "I'm sorry! I'm not sure what just came over me."

"I think it's time you took your last daytime pill and we should just try to relax and enjoy each other's company for a change," Mark said. Blushing slightly at his attempt to brush off the comment, Jacqueline reluctantly took her medicine. "Aren't you going to look at the menu at all?"

"No, I'm pretty sure I already know what I want," Jacqueline said, watching the frown deepen as Mark looked at his own menu. "Have you been here before?" she asked, hoping he'd sense her offer of help. But before he could comment, the waiter came over and smiled warmly.

"Bonsoir, monsieur et madame! Can I offer you an aperitif?"

"Vous avez pastis?" Jacqueline inquired.

"Mais oui, Madame!" the waiter answered in kind, and soon Mark found himself watching the exchange with a completely blank expression on his face. After a moment, she excused herself.

"What sort of entrée did you want, Mark?" she asked.

"What did you order?" He asked with the same lost look on his face.

"Um, pastis, olive canapés and escargot on mushroom caps to start, and I'm having the chicken Roquefort. Do you need me to order the wine? And how do I know all this?" Jacqueline wondered.

"I'll have the filet mignon," he said, glad he recognized something on the menu. He nodded to him, and she immediately suggested the Bordeaux de Pomerol. It was obvious to both of them as the waiter left and silence settled in that it was going to be another long night.

Sitting at a small table near the wall, Severus was thinking the exact same thing when he saw them bring out the milky ninety-proof liquor, pastis. Surely she didn't order that. Then again, the man she was with hardly looked any more like he knew what he was doing than Severus had in the Kingler's café the day before. Jacqueline, however, seemed quite comfortable with her surroundings. Severus couldn't help but wonder at that, sipping his translation potion-tainted water so he could better understand what was going on. But it wasn't until the waiter bringing the canapés appeared that Jacqueline asked him a question that gave Severus a glimmer of hope, making him strain to hear the conversation that followed.

"Mark," Jacqueline said, helping herself to a mushroom, "my parents weren't American, were they?"

"Well, I would think that would be obvious, considering tonight," Mark agreed.

"Well not exactly, because I've had several people recently tell me I had a British accent," Jacqueline said. "And I just asked the serveur about my accent while speaking French, and he thought it sounded British too."

Mark took a long drink of the pastis, coughing a bit in surprise and waving off her concern.

"I think your mother was British. Your father was French. I believe you told me you moved here when you were young, very young," Mark said. "Who was talking to you about your accent?"

"Oh, just some people at work," Jacqueline said, sipping her drink carefully. "I suppose that does explain a lot, doesn't it? What did they do for a living?"

"What did they do?" Mark said. "I'm… I don't think you ever mentioned it, actually. You didn't like to talk about them much after they died."

"Oh," Jacqueline said with a frown. "How sad. I mean, I would want to think if anything happened to me I'd be well remembered, and not just buried like something painful to think about. And here I am, and I can't remember even that."

"Have some more of that pastis stuff," Mark recommended. "It's really not that bad, once you get used to it."

It was just after the wine tasting that Mark had to take his first restroom break. Jacqueline shook her head at him as he left; knowing all too well he had drank the pastis too fast. Severus, however, had already made up his mind to ensure himself a perfect evening by quickly pulling out another phial from his collection and slipping it up his sleeve. The moment Mark made his exit he moved, walking almost casually passing the table as if he hadn't recognized her at first, excusing himself as he went behind her chair.

"I beg your pardon, it's Jacqueline, isn't it?" Mycroft said, looking at her as if trying to place her.

"Professor Doyle!" Jacqueline said with surprise as he turned and gave her a slight bow. In the process, he knocked into her wine cup but managed to grab hold of it before it spilled, apologizing insistently while Jacqueline tried very hard to keep a straight face. "Are you alright? Come here often?"

"I have never been here before, but so far I have been enjoying its charm. You look quite enchanting tonight. Dinner engagement?" he inquired.

"Yes, would you like to join us?" Jacqueline said brightly.

"No, I wouldn't think of intruding, but thank you," Mycroft said quickly. "It was nice to see you, Jacqueline. Perhaps I'll see you again sometime at Kingler's if you're still there."

"Every evening but Fridays," Jacqueline said as he nodded to her with a thin smile before heading back to his table. Jacqueline suddenly wondered if she ought to have told him that. Had she come off too forward? Maybe she should have just said yes, perhaps? She was still thinking about it when Mark returned looking a bit rosy cheeked but otherwise all right.

"There you are," Jacqueline said, shaking her head at him. "Good thing I didn't choose a white wine. It'd have been warm by the time we ate."

"Sorry I took so long. I know it's not polite to leave a lady waiting at a table like that," Mark said.

"That's all right. A friend from the café stopped by to say hello," Jacqueline said. Mark chuckled a bit and looked at her skeptically.

"I highly doubt anyone you meet at that café of yours could afford to breathe the air outside this place let alone actually eat here," he said, taking a sip of the wine.

"Oh, Mark, don't be such a snob," Jacqueline sighed. "Everyone could use a change in pace now and then. And the food here has been wonderful so far," she added, smiling as the waiter came back up with their plates in hand.

"It gets better," the waiter promised with a wink. Jacqueline took a bite and agreed with several polite comments, while Mark nodded with a weak smile after sampling his. Jacqueline resisted the urge to roll her eyes, watching Mark closely as he reached for the wine again.

"You know, the wine is supposed to compliment the meal, not the other way around," Jacqueline said dryly.

"Jacqueline, we're supposed to be having a nice romantic relaxed meal, and you're as stiff as a board. You picked the wine, why not enjoy it? It figures that the first place we get to that you don't fall asleep and you're still not happy." Mark scolded.

Sighing, Jacqueline took a sip before turning her attention to her meal; aware Mark was talking but having very little idea about what. Curiously enough, as time went on and the wine disappeared and became refilled, her head seemed to get clearer and clearer. Mark, unfortunately, seemed to be getting farther and farther gone and barely touched anything put in front of him. By the time the fromage plate came out, Jacqueline had firmly insisted that he switch to coffee.

"Is it just me, or were we actually getting along better when we weren't going on these planned dates?" Jacqueline asked.

"I agree, it doesn't seem to be one of Erascus' better ideas," Mark said hazily.

"Perhaps we can explain it to him why we don't want to do it anymore?" Jacqueline suggested.

"No," Mark said shaking his head, looking troubled. "He won't listen. He'll just do what he always does and blame me for not trying hard enough. Ever since you've come out of the hospital, I've been by your side, given you everything you wanted, including your space, let you buy stacks of books that clutter up half a wall, even work in a greasy spoon across the street. And the more I do, it seems the more you hate me for it."

"Oh, Mark. I don't hate you," Jacqueline sighed. "We're just not much alike anymore. And you know I really think Erascus isn't helping matters. Can't we get another doctor?"

"No," Mark said shaking his hand at her. "I couldn't even if I wanted to. And I know you're unhappy," he said, ignoring the coffee she nudged towards him. "But you're not the only one unhappy, you know, you don't have to have a monopoly on it." He snorted a bit. "Whoever thought someone as beautiful as you would be so much trouble?" Jacqueline blinked at him in complete surprise.

"What in the world is that supposed to mean?" Jacqueline said. But it was obvious that an answer wasn't going to come. He didn't look well. "Perhaps we should get the dessert to go," Jacqueline suggested. "I think I'm going to go ahead and order a cab."

"Get the rest of that bottle of wine too," Mark suggested. "Maybe we can still save something of this date. We could get a few candles out on the patio, some music…"

"I think you need to go to bed," Jacqueline said sternly, handing him the pen to sign the bill.

"Alone again, I suppose," Mark said with a sigh.

"Most definitely," Jacqueline agreed, apologetically thanking the waiter who handed her a box as she somehow managed to get Mark to stand and towards the door.

Severus didn't stay long at Hogsmeade the next day, using it only to touch base with Harry before going over to Anna's house to visit Alicia and give her a new paint set. It was a ploy, admittedly, to distract her long enough that Severus could corner his sister in the kitchen while she tried it out.

"Mark says hello," he said dryly. Anna grimaced slightly at his tone, pouring them both some tea. "Any particular reason you chose not to warn me about that?"

"I didn't want you to overreact," Anna admitted. "If I thought there was anything actually going on, I would have told you. But as it was, I figured it'd be wiser for you to see for yourself rather than barging in there ready to kill him."

"Yes, strangely enough Mark Ghent appears merely to be nothing but a carefully placed pawn, and unless I miss my guess, a Muggle one who knows little of magic other than it exists. Who is this doctor I've heard them speak of?"

"Erascus," Anna said. "I'm surprised you haven't met him yet considering what a tight leash he keeps on her. Erascus is her psychiatrist, and definitely a wizard."

"Tall sandy-skinned man, dark hair, suit and trench coat? Face a bit strange as if it had been altered or perhaps prematurely aged?" Severus asked.

"So you have seen him?"

"Yes, but fortunately I don't think he saw me," Severus murmured. "I had a feeling he would recognize me and got out when I could."

"She definitely seems intimidated by him. He came in the night we were there, apparently angry because she missed taking her 'medicine.'"

"What kind of 'medicine'?" Severus asked with a darkened expression.

"I don't know," Anna shrugged. "I couldn't hear it all, but he told her something about it helping her dream to help her get back her memories."

"Really?" Severus said, squinting. "Then why do I suspect it's actually doing exactly the opposite?"

"I wouldn't be surprised," Anna agreed.

"I suppose I have found my next objective then," Severus mused. "I need to get a hold of some of those pills, and I think I know how to do it. But first, unfortunately, I must deal with the Quidditch game tomorrow, and all of the headaches that go with it."

Aurelius stepped up to the gate, a sudden thrill racing through him. He felt as if he had been born for this moment; a new broom in hand, and the best of the best Quidditch players in school by his side. Xavier glanced sideways at him but didn't say a word to him directly, looking instead over his head at the rest of the team.

"We have a good chance today to make an impression on Ravenclaw and the spectators, and to show that we're not to be trifled with this year. Let's make the Gryffindors aware they're not going to get an easy victory for the cup this year. Henry, do your stuff," Xavier said but then suddenly paused and pulled him slightly aside. "But try to lay off the Snape. I don't want to explain any intentional accidents to our housemaster. Got it?"

"Right. Which one is she again?" he asked.

"The gorgeous one, you idiot. The only Ravenclaw out there not wearing glasses," Xavier said, rolling his eyes before heading back up in front of the others. "No excuses for mistakes today. It's us vs. them and we are going to win. Snape, if you choke on me out there, I will personally hide your earmuffs and make sure that the Baron haunts your room every night until Halloween."

"I don't choke," Aurelius said evenly.

"Good. I'll remember that every time you let one through," Xavier said, straddling his broom and waiting for the gate to open. "Follow me out, Snape."

Finally the moment came and the crowd started to cheer, Aurelius assuming right wing position as they flew around the pitch. The two of them passed daringly close to the teacher's box where Damon and Severus sat watching.

A moment later, the Ravenclaws passed going the opposite direction, Alex waving madly and nearly losing her balance as they flew by. Severus rolled his eyes and frowned disapprovingly at her as they turned to take their positions.

"Just have fun and forget about the crowds, Alex," Kirk advised when she noticed her stumble. "It's no different than a game at Aviation Park, except without the ricocheting," he added with a grin.

Madame Brittle took center stage and let the Snitch and Bludgers loose. Alex was ready, determined to make an impression from the very start. As the Quaffle was released she was right on it, her fingertips touching the ball. But she didn't have time to get a good grasp before Xavier stole it from under her, risking a grin over his shoulder before shooting off towards the rings. Quickly she rose to join the other Chasers, leaning into her broom to try to get past him. But Xavier was the fastest flyer on his team, and it wasn't long before Aurelius heard the Slytherins break out into a roar of cheers, muffling out the scoring bell.

Aurelius waited impatiently to see who got the ball, ready for his own turn to prove himself. Finally he spotted who had the Quaffle and it was Alex, hurrying at top speed towards center. But Aurelius knew how his sister played well, and she never ever tried to throw through the middle ring. When she veered up he was ready, batting the Quaffle over to where Xavier was waiting just below. Xavier tossed the ball off to another Chaser and back towards the other side of the Pitch.

It didn't take Ravenclaw long to come up with a new game plan after a couple of tries at the Slytherin ring got quickly stopped and turned against them. Alex knew that Aurelius was used to playing one on one more than a full team, and pulled the Chasers together.

"Keep passing the ball when we get to the rings. He won't be able to follow it," Alex told them. Sure enough, a last minute pass had taken Aurelius completely by surprise, losing his first guard. The second time a ball went by unguarded, Xavier sidled up to Aurelius.

"What gives?" Xavier asked.

"We need to break those three up," Aurelius explained. "Make one of the Beaters concentrate completely on sideswipes at Alexandria, especially when she has the Quaffle. She's positively lousy at concentrating on more than one thing at a time." Xavier nodded and zoomed away to catch up with the pack.

What first appeared would be a short game suddenly came to a halt at 20-20 with no progress and no Snitch in sight as the pack went back and forth. Severus frowned and squinted. Perhaps no one else knew what had happened, but he had seen the subtle changes in plans and neither team was playing their normal game anymore. It had turned into a personal battle, and for whatever reason, the two teams seemed to be going along with it. He sighed softly, hoping the Snitch would turn up soon. Otherwise, he was sure there would be a nasty end to the stalemate.

Severus glanced over at the Seekers thoughtfully. Henry was standing by, waiting to knock anyone who got in his way. Beside him was Carey Minster, the Ravenclaw Seeker, who was notably much faster than Henry but also had trouble last season keeping his turns tight.

Henry had learned how to take advantage of his size so that when the Snitch was finally spotted he was able to push ahead, weaving to make it difficult for Carey to get by. Carey dove as the pack flew by on the way to the Ravenclaw rings, losing sight of the Snitch momentarily. But Henry hadn't, skirting right in front of the pack and making several of the Chasers pull up as he barreled through.

That was when he got his 'brilliant' idea. Keeping an eye on where the Snitch actually was, Henry ran beside it and waited for Carey to catch back up. As the pack came through again, he dove smack through the middle of them. Carey, following close behind, spun out as the Chasers broke up to avoid them. Kirk clumsily tossed the ball to Alex as he tried to avoid the collision.

Securing her arm around the ball, Alex focused in on her brother near the rings, shooting past Kirk and Carey. But she hadn't noticed that the Snitch had come up beside her, crossing her path like a terrified hummingbird as Henry moved in for the catch.

Quicker than she could react, their two brooms collided with a loud * snap * and she felt as if she were in slow motion. First, she noticed that she had let go of the Quaffle, and then began to wonder what that strange sound had been. It wasn't until she had begun to fall that she realized it had been the sound of her own broom. As she braced for the worst, something green zoomed beneath her and she landed rather painfully on top of someone's back, partially winding her. She was barely able to grab onto his arm to keep herself from falling before she was finally lowered to the ground.

"You'll do anything to make sure you get a new broom every year, won't you?" Aurelius snapped at his sister once she was safely down. A roar from the Ravenclaw side went up, but whether it was from the rescue or the sound of the bell as Kirk threw the Quaffle in the unguarded rings, Alex wasn't sure. "By the way, you owe me that goal," Aurelius said with a glare before dutifully flying back to his post.

He needn't have bothered. Just seconds after Xavier had managed to get the Quaffle back and retie the game, Henry managed to push his damaged broom in front of the very leery Ravenclaw Seeker, grasping his hand around the Snitch for a final score of 180-30. It didn't take Andrew or Mandria two seconds after that to run out on the Pitch, helping Alex to her feet.

"Are you all right?" Andrew asked worriedly.

"Yeah, but I don't think I can say the same about my broom," Alex scowled.

"You're lucky it wasn't anything else," Mandria said, waving to the rest of the Ravenclaw team as they landed on the field.

"Well we also lost the game," Alex said, glancing at the board.

"After that stunt Henry pulled, they really didn't deserve it," Kirk said, Carey wholeheartedly agreeing. "But I have to admit, if it hadn't been for your brother's quick thinking, you'd probably be in the hospital wing right now."

"Do you think they're mad at him?" Andrew asked.

"At Rel?" Alex inquired. "I think Rel is probably madder at Henry, myself."

"Who wouldn't like to be a fly on the wall on their side of the Pitch right now," Carey agreed, gazing over at where the Slytherins could be seen just beyond the entrance gate.