Chapter Twenty-Eight

Tests and Results

Stock watched with his class around Professor Craw's worktable, where she had taken a fleck of the compound and put it into a tray and then labeled it, following the same procedure with two other brooms she had, each one tied with a colored ribbon to keep them apart.

"It has often been said that the majority of detective work is done in the lab," Jennifer said with a smile as she pulled out some testing agents. "That's one of the reasons that Potions is an important class for those of you thinking about going into law enforcement." Heph looked around dubiously, not seeing one face that looked enthusiastic about the idea.

"Today we're going to work on determining what different substances are in a foreign compound. This may be a bit trickier than it sounds, for as you know, some test potions can have rather unpleasant effects if trying to test something it isn't made for…using an acid tester on a base potion and the like. So, the first order of business then is to determine what type of compound it is before going further, and then using a stabilizer of some kind to keep the substance from breaking down before we're finished. Probably since this is a wax substance, a stasis rather than crystallization would be better. Now, as you can see I have taken three samples… one is George's broom, who received the first broom off the line," she said, smiling at him. "The next is Xavier's, who received his as a part of the broom promotion Mr. Malfoy conducted, and the third is a broom I purchased this morning. So what I am doing is seeing if the same formula was used for all three. But our main goal today is to determine what in this formula is making Shelly sick to see if it's anything that can be prevented. As you can see leaning on the cabinet over there, I've bought a handful of brooms, so I want each table to take one back with them and use your sample knife to scrape some polish into the tray. You need not worry about being as careful as I have… those brooms will either be sent to the Quidditch BI League or disposed of, depending on the outcome."

"The BI League?" Stock repeated with alarm.

"Oh, don't worry, George, that's only if it contains certain magical ingredients that are illegal with the League Commission, and I'm sure Galemaster wouldn't intentionally have done that. You see, quite a long time ago, magic components associated with flying speed, such as fairy dust and powdered horse feather, were used very liberally on brooms. And what you did was during a match when you needed a burst of speed, you rubbed the broom, causing a chemical reaction that caused the broom to go faster," she explained. Quite a number of the Gryffindor students suddenly fixed their eyes upon Aurelius. "But under the wrong circumstances, such as a lightning storm, the brooms could take off unexpectedly, causing injuries. It also has a bad effect on the quality of the wood, and will eventually break it down, which means a possibility of them snapping in flight. That is why, along with general loss of broom control over time and the lack of fair play, that the commission banned them. I've been informed by Madame Brittle, however, that such a rule was never added in school regulations… although I have a feeling that may change in the near future," she said with amusement. "Now, everyone start with your acidic tester on your sample and then put it into stasis. After that, I want you to get out your notes on substance breakdown so we can choose which tests will have the least impact and go from there."

It was a tedious but fairly routine set of tests… simple enough for the third years but difficult enough they had to truly concentrate on what they were doing. Jennifer whipped through each of her three samples, taking notes on each one, satisfied with the similar results. Finally she finished with a nod to herself before walking through the class, wandering more slowly through the Slytherin side of the room.

Suddenly Stock sighed and sat back in his seat, Jennifer coming over and looking at his results thoughtfully, giving him a sympathetic smile.

"Looks like they're going to have to make a few changes to the formula," she said quietly. "But actually, considering how expensive fairy dust is, it'll probably reduce the cost per broom dramatically."

"If it survives the scandal," Stock muttered. Jennifer patted him gently on the shoulder before walking to her desk. She made four copies of her results and quickly labeled them and put them into envelopes, giving Stock his broom back and the other to Aurelius to return to Xavier as she let the class go for the day. Glancing at the envelopes, she went over to her familiar stand, nudging Dodger first.

"This one goes to the BI League, Dodger, and this one to Ron Weasley at the Daily Prophet, make sure it's Ron…" she added, handing the owl the letters before he soared out a small window. Jennifer then turned to the bat, waking him up gently and giving the bat plenty of time to become alert before slipping him off his perch. "Do you think you could handle two letters for me, Ratfly? One's to Danny at the Pitch and one's for Dumbledore." The bat immediately responded at the mention of Dumbledore, grabbed the letters and darted off out the window knowing that the Headmaster was likely to have something interesting in his pocket to give to the old fruit bat for his trouble.

Shutting up her office, Jennifer hurried out the classroom door, up the stairs, and into Severus' classroom where he was busy filling in a new column of numbers on a ledger.

"Took another class through the Synchronism experiment again?" Jennifer asked, gazing at the Flux meter.

"Yes, and I think I see what's happening now," Severus said, checking the point on his quill. "It seems that you and Dumbledore were right all along."

"We were?" Jennifer said curiously, looking over the numbers.

"It isn't that we are actually creating energy, it is that it works more efficiently together. It was your comment about focus that got me to thinking of it initially. There is a great deal of potential energy in everyone that we don't use and most people have no conscious access to. But in times of great pressure or stress, even the most pathetic of wizards can pull off a spell of almost superhuman magnitude," Severus explained.

"Yes, I've heard that happen with people under the influence of Defiance, caused by the adrenaline rush, I believe," Jennifer nodded. "Of course, it leaves them wiped out for days."

"It seems that when one reaches a particular level of focus, they can draw on that reserve in a way which doesn't actually drain one to use it… when someone is completely in tune with one's own power."

"Thatt makes sense, but what does that have to do with the Synchronism spell? It's only built to tune one in to the others in the group, not to one's self," Jennifer said.

"Yes, but what happens if two people who are already closely compatible are using the spell and one of them is telepathic?" Severus asked. Jennifer blinked a moment, leaning on his desk and thinking about that. "You have often looked into a mirror to see what you are thinking. In essence, I believe I became your mirror, allowing you to reach that level of 'tuning' that I spoke of."

"I think you may be onto something, and yet there are a few problems…when we cast a spell together, I'm making eye contact with the object, not you," Jennifer said.

"That is how you access your ability consciously, yes, but this is acting on a more basic level, as energy," Severus said, showing her his notation.

"There is something else, too. I don't think that power surge was only from my end. We would be contributing unequal portions to the same spell."

"Jennifer, no one has exactly the same power level, you know that," Severus said.

"Well, yes I know, but the execution of the spell remained completely balanced. So if your theory is right, it means that you have to have some telepathic ability as well."

Severus stared at her for a moment.

"My telepathic ability amounts to little more than the occasional potion I've taken when… well, the occasional potion. I am quite sure that is not the case."

"Maybe overusing the potion causes a permanent effect?" Jennifer said.

"Now you know as well as I how unlikely that would be."

"Or maybe some of that Truth Seeking of mine has rubbed off on you all of these years," Jennifer said teasingly, and then grew thoughtful. "Perhaps that night with the painting of Mallus Craw, do you remember?"

"Oh yes," Severus said quietly, gazing at her. "That is something I will always remember, with both pain and fondness." Jennifer nodded slowly.

"I know what you mean," she said softly.

"In fact, as you'll recall that's when I began to experiment with telepathy potions in the first place."

"I thought it was because you wanted to feel you were on even ground with me," Jennifer challenged.

"That too," Severus agreed.

"Well, I guess you finally have that now, since I can't read you anymore," she said, getting up and walking around.

"Let's not get into that again, shall we? Come, let's be off to lunch," Severus said, rolling up the scroll and taking it with him. The two of them hadn't been in the staff room very long before Hermione came in and Severus handed the scroll to her.

"New numbers?" Hermione said, knowing Severus better than to expect an answer as she sat beside them and unrolled it. "By the way, Dumbledore would like to see you for a few moments right after lunch, Severus."

"Hermione," Jennifer said once the younger woman had been glancing at the numbers for some time, "Is there a way to test the strength of telepathic abilities in witches and wizards?" Severus gave her a dirty look.

"Well, yes and no. At least, from what I read, none that are completely reliable…" Hermione got a far off look then, as if trying to remember something. "You think there's a connection to these figures, don't you?"

"Severus does, yes," Jennifer said.

"I can speak for myself well enough, thank you," Severus scowled.

"You may be on to something. Let me do a bit of research and I'll see what I can find," Hermione said, gazing at it again. "This preliminary work is fantastically detailed. When are you going to get around to writing up a proposal?"

"Proposal?"

"For publication," Hermione said.

"I hardly think anyone would be interested in my theories in anything. I am merely doing this for my own benefit and the school's." Severus grunted, taking the scroll back.

"It's not going to do the school any good unless you publish, you know," Hermione said, getting up with her sandwich in hand. "Talk some sense into him, Jennifer, please? He doesn't listen to anyone else, except maybe Dumbledore," she said, making a quick notation on the schedule board before heading out the door again.

"Speaking of which, I should probably get going since I have a class right after lunch," Severus said. "I don't suppose you have any idea what he wants to talk to me about?"

"Not this time," Jennifer said. "Unless it has something to do with banning the brooms."

"I doubt it," Severus said. "Although…" he paused then, gazing at her steadily. "I'll see you at dinner."

Jennifer let out a frustrated sigh as he left the room, pushing her lunch away virtually untouched. How could she possibly eat now, when there was so much going on that she had no idea about? Restlessly, she took care of her plate, glancing at her pocket mirror before wandering out into the Great Hall to check on the children.

Aurelius noticed her first from where he sat with Stock, a stormy look in his eyes as he and his friends got up, walking out defiantly. Jennifer sighed again. How could she blame them, considering what her findings were going to mean for Galemaster? In a way it was quite strange to her considering how Aurelius had been fighting with Stock over the holidays. But ever since they had come back after the break the three boys had become close again, acting as if nothing had happened. Well, at least he wasn't cutting himself off anymore, Jennifer reassured herself before slipping over to the Ravenclaw table. She greeted several of the upper classman and touched base with both of the prefects before walking over to where Alex was leaning over a huge book with flimsy pages.

"Well, what is this?" Jennifer asked curiously, peering over Mandria's and Alex's shoulder.

"It's a telephone directory," Alex said. "We were studying them in class. I was hoping I could find Ben in here."

"Ben would be in there?" Jennifer frowned.

"Well, his Mum would, I think, but I don't see it. I've been trying to write him but the owls don't know where he is any more," Alex explained.

"Well, he knows where you are. I'm sure he'll write and tell you," Jennifer said.

"He hasn't yet, and it's been months," Alex said. Jennifer smiled sympathetically.

"Ben has had to move on, Alex, as we all have, and sometimes that means growing apart from those you knew so you can adjust to your new home and friends. I know that doesn't make it any easier, but it's just another part of growing up, I'm afraid."

"Professor Craw!" Jennifer looked up to see Andrew and Halbert heading over to them, a paper in hand. "Did you hear?" Andrew asked, showing it to her. "That Stymphalian chick broke out of the menagerie this morning! It gnawed right through the bars!"

"Why in the world didn't they send it back to Greece? I'm sure there's a reserve," Jennifer said with a frown, glancing at the newspaper.

"They're afraid to try it until it gets older," Halbert explained. "Stymphalians have a keen sense of smell that they not only use for hunting, they use for homing. Usually, that's not a problem since by law those eggs aren't supposed to ever leave the swamp, but since this one did…"

"It sees this as its home," Jennifer said with alarm. "That means it might be heading back to the school!"

"Quite likely," Andrew agreed.

Alicia had been sitting at the far end of the table keeping Morfinn company (who still had trouble finding anyone to sit with.) But the instant she noticed them hurrying out of the room with worried faces, she ran to catch up, Morfinn following after her with a wheeze.

Jennifer turned towards the Defense classroom to see several fourth years standing outside, watching the door warily as if afraid to go in.

"Professor Craw! We… there have been noises," Ted said.

"I know," Jennifer said, taking out her wand. "Stay back, everyone."

Slowly Jennifer opened the door a little peering inside. She sighed, pushing it back for everyone to see. The window had been broken out again and part of the pane was altogether missing. Beside the fireplace, just as Jennifer had suspected sat the young iron bird, letting out a loud but happy caw of greeting out of its bronze beak.

"This is not going to go over well," she murmured as much to herself as to anyone else.

"Professor Craw? Since the bird is going to keep coming back here anyhow, do you suppose I could have it as a familiar?" Halbert asked wistfully. Jennifer stared at him. "I'm certain Dad would let me have it."

"And I'm certain your m`ere would not," Jennifer said sternly. "This is a war bird. It is definitely not something an underaged wizard could control, no matter how talented with creatures he might be," she said, propping one arm with the other and putting the palm of her hand to her chin in pure resignation. "Perhaps someone should fetch Doctor Sagittari."

"We'll go get him," Andrew volunteered, nodding to Halbert before they took off towards the doors.

"I guess the Defense class has a permanent mascot," Alicia said.

"At least it doesn't have real feathers to sneeze over," Morfinn sniffled.

"I seriously doubt that Professor Snape will allow something like that in his classroom," Jennifer told them. Seeing someone coming up behind the students, Jennifer grimaced sheepishly when she realized it was Severus and Dumbledore.

"Something like what?" Severus asked suspiciously.

Reluctantly she backed away from the door so the two of them could see. Severus stared in horror and dismay as the chick cawed cheerfully, greeting him enthusiastically.

"What is that thing doing here?" Severus said in surprise, pointing at it accusingly. "I thought that went to the Tower Menagerie. What is it doing here?"

"Apparently it broke out," Jennifer said.

"I can see that!" Severus snapped. The chick cried out in complaint at his raised voice, Severus snarling in response. "Someone get that thing out of here!"

"I've already sent for Sagittari," Jennifer assured him quickly.

"It does seem to like it here, doesn't it?" Dumbledore mused.

"Professor, look at what that monster has done to my classroom!"

"It's just a baby, Severus," Jennifer said.

"Let's not get into all of that again! Stymphalian Birds are man-eaters, and apparently basilisk eaters! I am going to write to the Ministry at once and demand that that thing is destroyed," Severus said.

"The chick has done nothing wrong, Severus. Besides, it is protected as an endangered species; the Ministry cannot destroy it at a whim. I suppose they can attempt to cage it again, although I admit I am concerned at what imprisonment would do to such a free roaming beast," Dumbledore mused.

"I couldn't care less about its mental health! I am not teaching in a room with that thing! Get me another room!" Severus demanded.

"I do not think getting another room will help, Severus," said Sagittari. Still fuming, Severus looked up to see the doctor walking up with Andrew and Halbert. "As I am not completely certain that it's the room that the chick has become attached to."

Severus stared at him for a moment, and then looked at Dumbledore and back again.

"Oh, no you don't. You are not landing this thing on me! I won't take it!" Severus shouted, the chick protesting the tone of his voice again. "Oh, scream all you like! I will not be bullied by an ugly, feral, rust-magnet bird! Go find your Mum, you stupid thing, and leave me the hell alone!" he yelled, the bird complaining all the more as his voice got louder.

"Why are you so angry at it? Please stop!" Alicia said, holding her ears.

"Severus, really! Shouting at it isn't going to make it go away," Jennifer sighed.

"You're right, I'll use the castanet spell," Severus said, taking out its wand.

"Why is everyone so afraid of it? It's just a baby!" Alicia argued. Morfinn sneezed in agreement.

"Please, Professor, Alicia's right!" Halbert said. "Please don't let him do it! I'll take care of him if no one else will! He likes me! Really!"

"It's all right, Halbert," Dumbledore said, somehow managing to position himself between the doorway and Severus as he stepped to calm the children. "I would not allow anyone to do something they would decidedly regret later," he said, Severus squinting at him warily. "I'm sure you can imagine what it would be like to have one's familiar disappear. Rasputin has been with Severus since he was a student, and when you come to depend upon something always being there, whether it's a familiar or a house, or whatever it may be, it takes some time to trust again," he explained, glancing at Jennifer who had an uncomfortable look on her face. "Granted, some people take more time than others to recover, and some also need a little push in the right direction… but I suppose I'm getting off the subject. Severus, I am not about to let you do anything to that chick, especially before I speak with the Ministry and see what sort of concessions need to be made to allow us to keep it here. Sagittari, perhaps you had better make sure it hasn't injured itself trying to get in here. I imagine he doesn't realize his own limitations yet. Defense class is canceled for the rest of the afternoon, students."

"I suggest you all spend time in the library looking up your assignments. I guarantee there will be a test on today's material next time we meet," Severus snarled, the class shrinking back before splitting into different directions in an attempt to get away.

"He has had quite a long journey today. It is very lucky he didn't tire over the lake," Sagittari said as they stepped in. "They may live happily in shallow waters, but in deep water they sink like stones."

"Why don't you four run along for now?" Jennifer told Andrew, Alicia, Halbert and Morfinn.

"You will tell us what's going to happen though, won't you?" Andrew asked anxiously, glancing at Severus, who stood with his arms folded, scowling.

"I'm sure it'll be fine. Now you'd better hurry before you're late to class," Jennifer advised.

"You tricked me," Severus growled softly to Dumbledore. The Headmaster gazed at him in surprise. "You knew this would happen. That was why you wouldn't let me get another classroom when that chick first hatched! Admit it!"

"Severus, to be perfectly honest, I knew nothing of the sort. Wondered, perhaps, but knew, no," Dumbledore said, aware that Severus' eyes were trying to bore through him. "Perhaps there is some hope for Rasputin, and perhaps not. But either way, it would be impossible to replace him any more than I expect Jennifer to try and replace the Broom Closet," he said, glancing at where she stood by the door, fingering her pocket mirror absently. "The question is not whether you truly want another companion or not, but whether you need one or not. I suppose only you can answer that… but if you can't, perhaps you could try asking your family," he advised.

Severus let out a sigh of pure annoyance, scowling at where Sagittari stood pampering the bird before turning to Jennifer. But she was not looking at him. Instead, she was gazing out the window with such a distant look on her face that he came to a sudden decision.

"Fine! The bird can stay if the Ministry allows it… and if it learns how to properly use a window!" Severus snapped. "But it is not my familiar."

"Very well, Severus. I will speak to the Ministry over the matter as soon as we're finished here," Dumbledore smiled.

"I don't suppose you'd help me teach the classes about venom milking since you have the afternoon off?" Jennifer suggested.

"Fine," Severus said grumpily, gesturing for her to lead the way and the two of them headed towards the Potion Lab.

"So what did Dumbledore want to talk to you about earlier?" Jennifer asked, wishing she could read his face.

"Oh, just about a letter from the board stating that they're willing to consider our proposals for changing OWLS and NEWTs," Severus grunted.

"Really?" Jennifer said excitedly.

"They want my team to meet with the committee this weekend and speak about a summer schedule to make the necessary changes. Of course, that does mean that going abroad is going to be quite out of the question," Severus mused.

"Well, we'll just stay close to home that's all. Just as long as it's by the sea," Jennifer said.

Severus frowned but didn't say anything more as they entered the classroom. Jennifer's class eyed Severus warily while she instructed them to pass up their homework. Then she prepared for the change in agenda, pulling a rolling unit of cages up to the front of the class. He watched her carefully as she had them turn to the right section in their books and began to brief them on procedure, but he couldn't help but notice that she was not as animated as she normally was in class, and he doubted it was because of the audience. Perhaps Dumbledore was right. Perhaps sometimes one did need a push, Severus mused, hoping that she wasn't going to be angry with him afterwards for doing so.