Chapter Eleven

The Rescue at the Lake

As evening fell, a strange wind began to whip against the castle, windows trembling from the gusts. Aurelius waited until the others had left for dinner before pushing open the small stained glass window, waving a letter in his hand outside of it. A moment later, an owl came down and took it, and Aurelius walked to the Great Hall.

On the other side of the castle, Jennifer knocked gently on the office door before entering, gazing at her husband where he was huddled over his desk, buried in his work. Lying across a wooden box that was much too small for him, Rasputin gazed at her sleepily. The remnants of a stoned mouse was in his tongue's reach, but he was too stuffed to eat any more.

"Just how many mice did you give him?" Jennifer asked with a grin.

"Rasputin has had a very disturbing day. He deserves a bit of leeway," Severus replied.

"Well, from what I understand, it wasn't exactly easy on Morfinn Bliant either," Jennifer chuckled. "What did Dumbledore have to say?"

"He gave them the usual speech, actually, once he heard the entire sequence of events. I neither stepped out of bounds nor gave undue punishment to those involved. Sirius was positively livid that Dumbledore and Minerva sided with me. Then, since he couldn't attack my teaching style, he began telling me what he thought of my parenting skills until Anna finally dragged him out. As if he has any room to talk."

"Severus, you don't really think he would put those kids up to it, do you? Those two obviously have terror streaks all their own." Jennifer pointed out gently.

"They wouldn't have used that name unless he's been amusing them with childhood 'stories'," Severus said with irritation.

"When Anna mentioned the picture to Dumbledore, he didn't seem too convinced that they had even drawn it," Jennifer replied.

"It was in his possession, you know my policy about that. Jennifer, this is starting to turn into another professional discussion and I'd rather not right now. How is Alicia?" he asked.

"Acting like a girl crushed by the realization that one of her heroes is actually human," Jennifer said, gazing at him until he finally looked up. "She'll be all right, but the question is will you be?"

"I am disappointed that any of our children would behave as she has. Aren't you?" he asked.

"Well, yes, but everyone makes mistakes," Jennifer replied.

"You know, it wasn't all that long ago that you would have been on her faster than I would have been for something like this," he said bluntly.

"I guess I've changed more from last year than we all thought," Jennifer said. "And what's more, it's times like these when I realize how much I miss Mycroft." Severus stared at her.

"Exactly what is that supposed to mean?"

"Well, as Jacqueline, I used to spend a lot of time imagining him in a classroom, standing in front of the class… very firm but patient, with a dry wit that would not only educate but also end up endearing some of his students to him," Jennifer admitted.

"Mycroft was just a farce, Jennifer, and you know it. Simply a ruse I used to be able to save you, an image that does not truly exist."

"I know," Jennifer replied with a sigh, getting up. "But I haven't given up hope," she added, petting Rasputin lightly before heading to bed.

Alicia arrived back in the common room to find several of her classmates waiting for her and a small collection of candy, cakes and drinks set out on the table.

"What's all this?" she asked in surprise.

"It was my idea," Morfinn said with a slight sniffle. "It's sort of a cheering up party for you."

"You mean you're not sore at me for losing all those points?" Alicia said with surprise.

"Points? Points isn't what this house is about, Alicia," Marlene told her, setting her down in one of the chairs by the table. "It's about working hard and doing our best to support each other."

"Which is probably why we haven't won the House Cup in ten years," Phoebe put in ruefully, earning a chuckle from the others.

"So you're not sore at me for upsetting Rasputin either?" Alicia asked Morfinn incredulously.

"No, I know why you did what you did," Morfinn said, getting a drink and smelling it skeptically. "I found the paper you and Zoë was passing. If someone said that about my father, true or not, I would have hit her too."

"All the same, you also can't blame Snape for being mad. Things did get a bit out of hand," Phoebe grinned. "Well done getting that cloak on the lizard! I can't believe you braved that horrible spell to do it!"

"Well, the cloak was really Morfinn's idea," Alicia said. "Bad luck that at the end, Morfinn."

"Oh, that's all right. I've spent most of my life in hospital beds," he grinned.

"Do you need any help with all of that homework he gave you?" Phoebe asked.

"All the sudden I don't mind doing it," Alicia smiled. "You guys are the best! I'm so glad the Hat put me in Hufflepuff now!"

"So's the Quidditch team," Phoebe grinned, Marlene quickly agreeing. The others laughed, helping themselves to the candy.

Alicia wasted no time in proving how right Phoebe was during the first game of the season. It was Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff, and the rest of the team couldn't help but be a bit nervous facing the well-seasoned team. Besides Alicia herself, they also had two new Beaters, the second years Ginger Davidson and June MacKay, who had made a very strong impression at try-outs by knocking Halbert Hagrid straight off his broom despite Andrew's attempts to intercede. They had made it; the boys had not, although Alicia knew that her brother was probably quite relieved of the fact. He had only tried out because his friend had talked him into it.

But in the Quidditch Pitch, Alicia felt nearly as home as she did standing by an easel, twisting out of the gate with grace and ease, attempting to focus on the sound of the crowd around her as she took her place. Beside her, Rose smiled warmly and nodded as if to wish her luck, and Alicia grinned and nodded back. The wind was cool and the sun was behind the puffy white clouds overhead, making the weather perfect for a very quick game.

From the moment the Snitch was released her eyes were on it, watching its movements as long as she could. It would turn left next, she thought, waiting impatiently for the Quaffle to be thrown out. The Snitch would want to get its fastest speed at the beginning of the game, and that was the way the wind was blowing.

As the Chasers collided, Alicia was off like a shot, completely surprising Rose from where she had been hovering beside her. But Alicia hadn't registered the surprise or the roar of the crowd. Her mind entirely focused on her goal while her instincts helped to guide her past obstacles as she dropped down two yards to dodge a Bludger and then swung wide to avoid the pack flying for the rings. It wouldn't register until much later how impressive the Gryffindor Chasers were as they soared across the Pitch to make their goal, for they wouldn't get much time to play more than that. Just as they were turning from the rings, Alicia shot through the top one and into what appeared to be an unintentional forward roll until suddenly righted herself, holding something up in her hand.

"She's got the Snitch! Less than five minutes into the game, Alicia Snape puts a stop to Gryffindors' momentous drive! Hufflepuff wins!" Called a student announcer over the roaring crowd. Alicia grinned, flying to the center of the Pitch still holding the Snitch up in one hand. Rose sat hovering with her jaw dropped, belatedly offering her a congratulatory smile. Conner and Stewart merely shook their heads in complete disbelief. Not since the days of the Finch-Fletchleys had Hufflepuff won a game. In that instant, they knew the rules had changed.

But as they began to gather, Conner noticed that it had become dark and glanced up to see the white clouds above them had turned grey and menacing. In fact, the students in the stands were growing quiet as well, feeling wary of this strange change in weather. Alicia, who had been standing near the center of the Pitch shaking hands with her teammates, turned to look at it in wonder. Just then, there was the sound of someone clapping behind her. Slowly Alicia turned around and immediately began to back away from the tall, pale, ominous woman in front of them, her icy eyes and smile focused on Alicia.

"Oh, well done, well done indeed, my dear," Ciardoth said in a frighteningly mocking tone. "How clever of you to catch the little flying ball. And how terrible it is you can not let it go."

Blinking in surprise, Alicia immediately tried to drop it only to find it was stuck to her hand, its golden color beginning to drain away as the ball began to grow darker and darker.

"What's going on?" Marlene asked.

"I don't know, but help me get it off!" Alicia said, the ball growing darker by the second as Alicia began to feel a strange tingle through her. It was then that she caught the sight of a flash mirrored in the ball and stared up at the rolling sky. "It's attracting the lightning!"

"Yes, I'm afraid you'll be cinders in no time. Such a pity that all of that talent has to go to waste. But don't worry, you won't feel much since your heart will stop shortly after the lightning hits," Ciardoth said calmly.

"Get away from them!" Danny Brittle called out as she jumped off her broom with her wand out.

"Oh, is it only you?" Ciardoth said boredly. "Really, go crawl in a foxhole and stop wasting my attentions," she said waving a hand. The ground began to rumble and out of the packed soil erupted the heads of a pack of dogs, encircling Brittle with their teeth bared. "Ah, there you are! For a moment I was afraid you would miss the fun," she tsked as Severus, Jennifer, Minerva, and Hermione ran over with their wands out. "Goodness, you look familiar. Didn't I tie you to a tree once? No?" Ciardoth said thoughtfully at Hermione. "Well, I'm sure I will at some point at least."

"Students, move away, please! Off the Pitch immediately!" Minerva told them. "Hermione, make sure they get off the Pitch!"

"No-no-no, not you," Ciardoth said sweetly, the Snitch in Alicia's hand growing so heavy that it forced her to the ground. "You're not going anywhere until I want you to."

"Get away from her, Ciardoth!" Severus barked, coming steadily towards her with his wand pointed at her. Jennifer hung back, taking a few steps to one side. Ciardoth laughed at him.

"And who's going to stop me. You?" she inquired.

"Hasn't it occurred to you that you chose to appear in a stadium full of witches and wizards? I can guarantee you that all of the faculty in the stands have their wands on you now," Severus warned her.

"Any wizard who thinks they can defeat me with a stick is a fool. I control the sky with a mere thought. What do you control, Severus?"

"My destiny," Severus replied. Ciardoth laughed shrilly.

"Your destiny? You can't even control your own children. Half of them detest you and the other half are intimidated by you. Who else do they have to run to? Someone who forgot they even existed? No, I've decided that the two of you don't deserve them. They're really better off dead, you know. Besides, it would give me no greater pleasure than to have you both watch as I eliminate them one by one. Perhaps I'll start with the one that probably should have died before she was even born."

"Manus elasticus!" Jennifer, who had come up beside Alicia while Ciardoth was speaking. She pointed her wand on her daughter, a rubber glove suddenly appearing on the girl's arm as Jennifer attempted to release the ball from her hand. Ciardoth tsked again, lifting her wrist subtly. Immediately a bolt of lightning came crackling down, blasting Jennifer back as it was drawn into the small orb. Alicia winced, expecting the worst. Except for a tingle, she hadn't really felt anything, but she noticed that the Snitch began to pulse in her hand.

"Stupefy!" called a voice from behind. Ciardoth found herself knocked back slightly, staring at surprise at Albus Dumbledore. But everyone was even more stunned when they realized that was all the spell had done to her.

"Are you still here? This is not your fight, mortal," she said with a sneer.

"Be that as it may, you will not cause any harm to any student at this school while I am here," Dumbledore said calmly.

"Causing someone harm and causing someone to die can be two different things, Albus. Death can be quite painless. Wait until your friend Malfoy figures that one out," she added, glancing at Jennifer. "Perhaps that'll 'spell' the end for the Snapes. But for today, one death will be sufficient. Take a swim, little girl," Ciardoth said with a calm, unpleasant smile. A flash of light burst up around Alicia. A moment later, she was gone.

"Where is she?" Jennifer shouted in surprise as Severus reached in his cloak for his watch. A chill went through him when it didn't come into his hand. "Severus?"

"Where is she, Ciardoth?" Severus demanded his wand pointed at her. "Tell me now or I'll blow you right out of time itself!" Ciardoth laughed.

"If you knew how to do that, you would have already done so. Your precious daughter is in the lake. But don't worry," Ciardoth said cryptically. "She won't have time to drown."

Jennifer grabbed Alicia's broom, Severus barely having time to swing himself up as she kicked off at breakneck speed with the lightning flickering dangerously close.

"Let me steer!" Severus protested, barely able to keep his eyes open from her jerking, unsteady turns, veering straight for the lake. But just as Jennifer attempted to fly over, the ghost of a boy suddenly appeared in their path, pushing them back with a supernatural force.

"NO! Don't go over the lake, it's a trap!" Noah shouted. "You must get down now, Icarus says!"

"Severus! Get down!" another voice below them called, echoing from the Resonius spell. Severus peered down to see Dumbledore standing by the shore with Zoë and Zack in hand, and something was glinting around his neck.

"Do it! Jennifer, get down!" Severus shouted, grabbing the end of the broom around her.

"What about Alicia?" Jennifer protested, fighting back, but Severus knew there was no time to argue, forcing the broom to turn and head for the shoreline.

Just as they landed, an incredible blast of lightning like Jennifer had never seen before snapped out of the sky and across the lake, spreading across it in a deadly web.

"Alicia!" Jennifer, Zack, and Zoë called out at once. Dumbledore, who had been standing there a moment before was no longer there. But now Minerva was there, grabbing the two twins before they attempted to run towards the lake again. Another chilling round of laughter broke out, echoing around them as Severus quickly got to his feet, wand in hand.

"So you think you control your destinies, do you? There is nothing you do, have done, or will do that I haven't seen, Severus, and the dark days ahead of you are worse than what's behind, I promise you that," the voice said.

"Don't be so sure, Ciardoth. You do not see clearly which memory is which and you know it!" Severus shouted.

"In the past, perhaps," the voice laughed at the irony of her statement. "But that is no longer the case, and now I know that soon you will be facing your worst enemy, and I will be there to witness it. As the storm waters rise, your world crumble. And I have decided as a point of my own amusement that you will be the last one standing. Perhaps you should say your goodbyes to everyone now, while you still have the chance."

Suddenly a drop of rain fell, hissing on the ground as it hit.

"Is that what I think it is?" Jennifer murmured, glancing at Severus.

"Get everyone inside, quickly!" Severus ordered, pulling his cloak around him and Jennifer. Minerva did the same with the twins as they ran for shelter. Jennifer minimized and stored the broom as they followed behind. A huge open umbrella appeared in mid-air and Severus caught it, his gloves sizzling as the acidic rain touched them. Then the five of them ran underneath of it even as it began to eat away at the fabric. In the doorway stood Albus Dumbledore, helping them all in and securing the door behind them.

"Is everyone else in?" Minerva asked worriedly.

"Yes, Hermione was quick about her work, although I dare think you need to speak with her about it," Dumbledore told Minerva. "She believes that she would have been more useful if she had been helping to confront Ciardoth."

"She has a lot to learn about this job," Minerva sighed. "Excuse me." Dumbledore smiled sympathetically at her as she hurried towards the stairs.

"Where's Alicia? Did you take my watch? What did you go back and do?" Severus asked. Jennifer gazed at him in confusion, studying his face for a while before looking back over to Dumbledore thoughtfully. He had used a Time-Turner?

"I went back to save these two," Dumbledore explained, glancing at the twins disapprovingly. "They had gotten themselves to the lake before anyone else and would have jumped in had I not been there."

"What? Then where's Alicia?" Severus demanded again.

"Don't worry, Severus. Alicia didn't need saving. She was able to save herself," Dumbledore smiled at him, knocking gently on Pomona Sprout's office door before opening it. Alicia sat by the fire with her siblings beside her, a cup of hot cocoa in hand and a blanket around her. Her hair was still wet but otherwise she looked comfortable.

"Mum!" she said happily, putting down the cup and getting up to hug her, smiling timidly at her father who was too relieved to care about the reception. "I'm all right, really! Do you know if anyone thought to pick up my broom?"

"Broom! Worrying about your broom at a time like this!" Jennifer exclaimed with exasperation. "We thought you were dead!"

"I almost was," Alicia admitted. "If it wasn't for a stroke of luck, I would have been. That horrible Snitch sent me straight to the bottom, but fortunately I still had that potion wallet Father always makes us keep on us, and I had some gillyweed on me. I figured she meant to drown me, so I was going to just hang out at the bottom, but I was a bit worried about the hydras, and called up a light. That's when I saw it!"

"Saw what?" Jennifer asked impatiently.

"My sketchbook! It fell in when we were coming to Hogwarts over the lake. It was nearly completely ruined, of course, but it was open to my ink drawing, and although it was smudged, I could still see an outline, so I decided to chance it. The next thing I know, I found myself looking out of the ocean painting in your office, Mum. So I hopped a painting in the hallway, and then I ran into Professor Dumbledore. Boy was he glad to see me," she grinned up at him.

"You have no idea how glad," Dumbledore replied with a smile. "And I am sorry that I had to drop you off so quickly, Alicia, but I had some important matters to clear up. Speaking of which, Professor Sprout, I need to speak to you a moment about this rain. I think we're going to have a great deal of vegetation damage to deal with."

"One moment, Professor. My watch?" Severus asked again, Dumbledore looking over at him thoughtfully. "The watch with my family compass on it. Didn't you borrow it to find Alicia?"

"No, Severus, I'm afraid not. Are you sure you didn't mislay it?" he asked.

"Of course not, Professor. You know I keep it in…"

Severus suddenly bolted out of the room, racing to his office to find the door ajar. Whipping out his wand, he peered in cautiously before stepping in. But although nothing appeared out of place, it was more than evident that someone had found their way inside. In the very center of the floor was Rasputin with his eye patch tossed on the floor nearby. The poor familiar had been turned into stone.