Chapter Thirty-Six

On the Defensive

Andrew shook his head in disbelief as Zoë and Zack turned to the book of rules and regulations again, wondering what stunt to try next.

"It has to be dramatic," Zoë insisted.

"Yes, but daring," Zack put in. "I'd like to at least be remembered well, you know."

"And something that will without a doubt land us out the door, or at least me," Zoë said, flipping through pages.

"Zoë, why don't you just talk to your parents?" Andrew pleaded. "Every time the two of you pull a stunt, our points tank! Please, we've only a few more months left this year; I'd like to see us make some respectable points by the end. It's bad enough we're going to be in fourth place."

"Actually, it's worse than that," Halbert said. "According to records, we set the lowest points record in Gryffindor history for this time of year. A record set by your brother Corey, by the way, who ousted a record by the Weasley twins…"

"Thanks, Halbert, I think you made the point," Andrew said. "Zoë, Zack, I'm serious. There's enough going on without the two of you trying to blow up the Potion lab and turning all of McGonagall's familiars into peacocks. Not to mention that blundered attempt where you set Professor Weasley's hair on fire."

"That one was an accident," Zack protested.

"So this is where my Prefect Handbook went!" Rose, Conner, and Stewart stepped over to them, Rose immediately snatching the book out of Zack's hands. "You are intentionally sinking this house!"

"Well, with any luck, we'll be out of the way soon enough and you can do whatever you want in your stinking sinking house," Zoë said, making a face at her.

"That's what you think! While the two of you were down here plotting your next feat, the upper classmen were having a meeting. You both can now consider yourselves under house arrest. From now on, you'll have an upper classmen escorting you everywhere you go outside of the houserooms until the end of school," Rose informed them. "Stewart and I have also arranged to have our stuff moved into your dorm rooms. We will personally be keeping an eye on the two of you in the house rooms, and we'll also personally make sure that the only thing you take in the classroom is your finished homework, books, and any equipment needed for the class. Anything else will be confiscated."

"You can't do that! You don't have the authority!" Zoë barked.

"Besides, no one's allowed to switch dorm rooms without Professor McGonagall's permission," Zack added.

"I know," Rose said. "We got her permission. Conner?"

"Right," Conner said. Suddenly he jumped between the two of them and forced his way between them, smiling almost maliciously as he looked behind them. "Hi. Got any homework to do? By the way, I suggest neither of you try anything on my watch. Since you two aren't going home this weekend, I have to stay and babysit you two during the Hogsmeade trip."

"I don't believe this. I'm Owling Dad," Zoë said, taking out a piece of paper.

"Knock yourself out," Conner said. "But the two of you snot-nosers aren't going to take our house for granted any more. From now on, the house doesn't work for you. You work for us. So cry your spoiled little heart out to dear Mummy and Daddy all you like. Starting today, we're playing by a whole new set of rules."

As Alex, Aurelius, and their friends stepped off the bus that last trip to Hogsmeade before the big spring crunch, they couldn't help but be surprised over the change in décor. Banners, signs, streamers and ribbons were on every single shop and building, declaring support for either Rummert or Draco Malfoy, many with pictures of the two candidates. Some of the pictures who were positioned right next to each other by opposing neighbors. The posters took turns insulting each other while offhandedly making unfavorable comments of the other's views on any given topic.

"Vote for me because it's time for a change in policies. I will update laws that haven't been changed since the Dark Ages," Malfoy said.

"Dark Ages, fah! If he had his way, he would burn the entire establishment and start over! Talk about anarchy!" Rummert proclaimed. "What we need right now is stability."

"Well that would leave you out then, wouldn't it, Rummert," Malfoy sneered.

"Radical!" Rummert scowled.

"Conservative coward!" Malfoy smirked.

"Please! Let's get inside! I'm getting it from all directions!" Alex protested.

"I agree, let's go to Honeydukes," Rose said.

"I bet it's quieter in there than it is in here," Mandria said.

"I don't know," Stock said as Aurelius waved the girls on. "I think Rummert sounds brilliant."

"I thought he was behind in the polls," Heph said.

"Just for now," Stock assured him. "He's planning a big smear campaign a week before the election that should turn some votes from what I hear."

"And how much money does Galewind have involved in this?" Aurelius inquired.

"Only enough to insure he wins," Stock said curtly.

"By the way, when's the new broom due out? Before the summer season, I hope?" Heph asked.

"Well, I guess there have been some setbacks recently, but I've been assured the next line will be running by the end of the school year," Stock said. "So where to first?"

"Zonko's?" Heph said. "We still need to strengthen our lead over Hufflepuff, you know, and I think my sister's starting to weaken."

"Yeah, sounds good," Aurelius said, "But first I could use a butterbeer."

"So could I," Stock agreed. "Come on, Heph, my treat."

"Well in that case," Heph grinned, the three of them veered towards the Three Broomsticks. Aurelius slowed when he saw some familiar faces heading in the same direction, but before he could come up with a reason for a detour, old Eliza Dimple spotted him, calling out his name.

"Aurelius Snape! Why look at you, as handsome as ever! Goodness, it looks as if you've actually grown since Christmas, haven't you?" Eliza said proudly.

"Well, no, actually, but thanks," Aurelius said uncomfortably, well aware that both of his friends were snickering a bit.

"Bless him, he's so sensitive about his height, but don't worry about it, you'll catch up. Oh, but I'm on my wait to meet Father Pachem and some other Haveners for an early lunch. Care to join us?" Eliza asked.

"Thanks, but we have shopping to do. Wizard stuff, you know," Aurelius said.

"Oh, of course. Well, feel free to stop by if you get done early," Eliza said cheerfully, waddling past them and going into the Three Broomsticks.

"Shut up," Aurelius said before either of them had a chance to comment. "Come on, let's shop. We don't want to associate with a pub that lets in that sort."

"Too right you are," Stock agreed, the three of them turning back down the street.

As always, Stock was more than liberal with his money, and Heph especially took advantage of it, suggesting everything on a whim and coming out of each shop with more than they could carry. Aurelius was tired of being a lackey, and by late afternoon was looking for his sister, hoping for an excuse to get away from the others until he spotted Alex heading towards Corey's shop. Perhaps he still might have considered it if he hadn't noticed his mother and father going that way as well.

"Let's take a break, my arms are getting tired," Aurelius complained.

"Don't you want to go to Toby's?" Heph asked.

"No, not really. There isn't anything I'd want to buy anyhow. Come on," Aurelius said, leading them back the other way.

"Where are we going? I don't remember anything being down this way," Heph said.

"At least there are more Rummert signs in this section," Stock commented with a grin as they headed down a side street.

Jennifer, who had happened to look behind her, stopped short when she noticed the three boys heading out of the main shopping area.

"What?" Severus said.

"You don't suppose they're heading towards the Pannage, do you?" Jennifer asked. Severus followed her gaze, squinting slightly.

"Yes, more than likely. They're having a rally for Rummert tonight, you know. Considering he's Stock's counselor, it's hardly surprising, is it? Nothing to be concerned about; Aurelius has a clean glass in his cloak if he ends up ordering anything," Severus said. "Are we going in or not?"

"Perhaps we should stop by the Pannage as well," Jennifer suggested.

"And be labeled as Rummert supporters? Over my dead body. In," Severus ordered, nudging her forward.

But as Jennifer came in the busy shop, she quickly found her attention on Corey, who seemed to be trying to manage the front of the store himself despite a steady line of students waiting to have their kits refilled.

"Corey! Where are your clerks?" Jennifer asked, hurrying towards the back before Severus could even begin to protest.

"They're just on break," Corey assured her, watching in exasperation as she grabbed a list from his hand. "You're going to make a habit out of this, aren't you?" he asked accusingly. Jennifer merely smiled and turned to the shelves, so Corey shook his head and turned to the next list.

"Well, don't expect me to get into that mess. You're the one who let both your clerks go to break at the same time, so you deserve what you get," Severus said, inspecting some of the bins cautiously.

"Thanks, Dad," Corey said, not entirely sarcastic. "So why are you two so late? I take it Professor Dumbledore didn't talk you into officially chaperoning," he said wickedly.

"Weasley got the honor this time," Severus said. "Is this your best dried white root? It looks like it's still last years."

"It is," Corey admitted, filling up the last bottle for the Ted Gaffney, thanking him as he accepted his coin. "Witolf and Neville Longbottom both are having trouble because of the excessive rain. I had to order from America, but it should be here in a week. A lot of the early stock was affected, I'm afraid. Some of it is water damaged, even molded. In fact, it's been hurting business."

"Really? You seem to be doing better," Severus said, glancing at the newly built shelving units in the front of the store, no longer made out of crates.

"I've been supplementing my income," Corey admitted, taking the order Jennifer who looked at him curiously, a grin suddenly came to her face as she read it. "Teaching."

"You?" Severus said dubiously.

"I know, ironic considering I felt like I couldn't get out of school fast enough," Corey chuckled.

"Yes, I know some teachers who felt the same way about you," Severus said expressionlessly. Corey smirked at him.

"Well, I think it's marvelous," Jennifer said, taking the next order. "And the place looks great, Corey."

"It should, I've been putting every knut I can spare back into the business," Corey admitted.

"Don't leave yourself too thin," Severus warned him as Jennifer headed to the back again. "One never knows when another calamity will leave you closed again."

"Don't worry. I've been taking a few precautions," Corey assured him, ignoring his dubious look as he went to cut some fresh Gnomeknuckle. But when he got too close, the plant lashed out at him, making jump back a bit as he went to try again. Then he heard soft laughter in front of him. He looked up in surprise to see a girl in Gryffindor robes in front of him with curly blonde hair and rosy complexion, and he found himself wondering why she seemed so familiar. "Did I do something funny?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, it was rude of me to laugh. Want me to show you how my grandfather does it?"

"Your grandfather?" Corey repeated in confusion.

"You just need to cap all the knuckles except for the one you're going to trim," she went on. From behind her, Mandria watched the exchange curiously, while Alex seemed strangely intent. "Here, I'll show you," Rose went on, taking a clean handkerchief out of her pocket. "Have some scissors?"

"I know where they are," Alex said, leaning over the counter and grabbing a pair. Rose quickly made a small cone, using a tap of magic from her wand for adhesive before slipping it over the most aggressive of the knuckle stems causing it to immediately calm down.

"This is why they're called Gnomeknuckle, you know," Rose told the girls behind her. "They look like little caps, don't they?"

"Now why didn't Sprout ever teach us that?" Mandria said.

"I expect she wanted us all to learn the hard way," Alex said ruefully.

"I'm sorry, have we met?" Corey asked. Severus, watching the exchange with a frown, found himself taking over at the counter as Corey completely forgot what he was doing.

"Oh yes, many times," Rose smiled. "In fact, I remember when you used to come into my grandfather's store when I was little. I'm Rose Bailey."

"Oh, one of Witolf's granddaughters! I remember now, you were the one that I r… I mean, you were the one always clinging to Ashley's skirts, weren't you?"

"She's my mother," Rose smiled.

"Well! You've sure… changed," Corey said, quickly helping her cap the others, mimicking her movements.

"You haven't," Rose said with a grin, tying the last one off. "There, I think you'll have better luck with it now."

"I think you're right," Corey said, snipping off the knuckle. "Is there any way I can return the favor?"

"Oh, no, I get all my herbs from grandfather. He'd be heartbroken otherwise," Rose said with a grin. "I'm just here with Alex and Mandria."

"Oh, I see," Corey said. "Well! Nice meeting you again then," he said, holding his hand out to get his sister's list. He turned back towards the register only to find Severus standing beside it, eyeing Corey strangely. "Something wrong, Dad?"

"I merely think it's odd that someone with perfect recall could suddenly be so absent minded when it came to someone he has met before," Severus murmured in a low tone so no one else could hear.

"She didn't look like that before," Corey whispered back.

Severus began to say something but then decided against it, merely shrugging it off before he turned back to finish the order in his hand. But Corey didn't immediately return to his position. Instead he walked into the stockroom, letting the door shut behind him before he took something out of his pocket. He stared at the worry stone for a moment before taking a deep breath and putting it away, realizing that it hadn't told him anything he hadn't already figured out himself before he had even stepped in to check.

It was just as students were beginning to gather to head back to Hogwarts that Alex started looking around for her brother. He and his friends certainly weren't in the group of students waiting there and talking.

"Where do you suppose they might have gone to this late?" Alex murmured in annoyance.

"Honeydukes, maybe? This really is the only time one can actually breathe in there," Rose suggested.

"Perhaps Stock dragged them off into the sport's shop to show how none of the brooms there right now are as good as his again," Mandria smirked.

"All right, let's go check both," Alex said.

"Fine, but let's not miss the bus okay?" Mandria sighed.

"Don't worry, we have another way back if we need to," Alex reminded her.

"Yes, but how do we explain to everyone else how we got back?" Rose pointed out. "Come on, the sport's shop is closer."

"Do you suppose your brother might have gone back early?" Mandria asked. "Maybe even with your parents?"

"Well, I know if he'd done something wrong and was taken back, someone would have told us by now," Alex admitted. It didn't take long to figure out they weren't in the sport's shop, and Honeydukes turned out to be nearly completely empty…with the exception of Professor Snape himself, who stood near the door with his arms folded and an exasperated expression on his face while Jennifer grabbed a quick supply of frogs and licorice. Alex immediately grabbed them and ducked behind the building. "I think it's safe to say he's not in there."
"Well, I think we ought to tell them," Rose said. "If nothing else, they'll be able to tell us if he went back early or something."

"No! We can't do that! We might be getting Aurelius in trouble!" Alex hissed.

"Maybe your brother needs to get in trouble," Rose said. "Something needs to shake him up."

"I'm not telling on my brother!"

"But what if something's happened to him because of all this sneaking about he's been doing? What if he's gotten kidnapped or he's in serious danger?" Rose said.

"You know, ever since you've become a prefect…" Alex stopped mid-sentence when Mandria hissed, pulling them further back. "What?"

"I saw an eerie shadow and looked over to see a cloaked figure slipping behind a building," Mandria said. "He kept looking behind him, as if he didn't want to be seen."

"Well, don't just stand there, let's go see what's going on," Alex said immediately. Mandria shrugged a bit but followed, pausing to look behind her when Rose hesitated. "I promise if it has nothing to do with what Aurelius has been up to, we can go find my parents."

"Well, all right," Rose sighed, and caught up. "But if you're wrong, it'll probably cost me my position, you know."

Mandria led the way at first until they finally caught up with the cloaked figure, Alex then cautioning the others to slow down. But the figure must have seen something, for he straightened dramatically and looked around before continuing at a more hurried pace, slipping down an unlit side street.

"Maybe we should get our wands out," Mandria whispered.

"Never get your wand out unless you're prepared to use it," Alex whispered back.

"Now you're starting to sound like your father," Mandria said back.

"Wait! I don't see him anymore," Alex said as they came around the corner.

They stood there a moment puzzledly until Rose yanked her sleeve as a cloak figure actually passed behind them, heading further on. Alex frowned. How did he get over there? But as the three of them doubled back, Alex soon noticed that he was not the only figure; three different figures in darkly colored cloaks slipped into what looked to be a dilapidated pub.

"It's the Pig's Pannage," Rose said. "You don't suppose he's in there?"

"It wouldn't be the first time," Alex said. "Come on."

"Hang on, we can't go in there like this, we'll stick out like a green thumb," Rose said, pulling out her wand, transforming their jackets into long hooded cloaks. "Now we can go," she said, pulling the hood over her head.

The other two did the same, and Alex couldn't help but feel a growing excitement as they slipped inside of the dark, rather smoky pub. A huge crowd was inside standing around in groups as if after a long meeting. One, Alex realized, was Counselor Rummert himself, who boldly stood hoodless in the crowd along with several men wearing Ministry robes.

"I understand your concerns," Alex heard Rummert say in a low voice. "But as the laws stand at the moment, they are within their rights. As far as the current Ministry is concerned, it is merely a town issue and should be handled locally."

"And it will be," said one of the voices in a whisper. "But what will prevent it from happening again? The laws have grown much too lenient in this matter."

"Oh, I agree, of course. That is why I supported the original disbanding of Haven's Bluff, and why I also believe, considering the margin of support, that further restrictions will be more than supported by the current Council," Rummert said.

"Good," the voice said. "But don't be surprised if we give the Council even more reason to step into the matter. For their own protection," the voice said, his gloved hand gesturing towards the bartender.

Excusing himself from a lone, thin figure at the bar, the man went over to the back door and opened it. A great deal of those standing there began to move to the back room, while Rummert and his aids excused himself after a couple more handshakes and left. Alex chewed on her lip a bit, wondering if she would risk following when Mandria leaned over to her ear.

"That man at the bar… I think that's the same one we saw on the main street," Mandria whispered. Alex looked at him thoughtfully, but then glanced around. Where was Aurelius? It was hard to tell with everyone sitting down, but she didn't see anyone standing who was possibly small enough, nor did she recognize his cloak among the others. No, she was quite sure the mystery to all of this lay in the back, so daringly she snuck over just before bartender closed it, her friends close behind.

They hadn't seen the crouched stone statue of a tailless lizard with a hollow eye that stood in the corner just behind the door. But the stranger at the bar had, and as the bartender came back, he gave him a healthy tip as he coddled his Bloody Antoinette.

"That's quite an unusual gargoyle you have," Pyther said, sipping his drink. "Have you had it long?"

"Not really. Found that guy in the Dark Forest over near Banshee Creek on a huntin' trip. He's been really lucky for me, ugly that he is. Not only did I catch one of the biggest moonstags I've ever seen, but them centaurs didn't catch one wiff of me," he said with a wink.

"Poaching?" Pyther said, sounding slightly disapproving.

"Poaching, my eye. I'm just taking advantage of the area's natural resources. Ain't no half beast going to tell me where to hunt," he sniffed. "Anyhow, since then business has been pickin' up quite steady. I think he adds somethin' to the place, don't you?"

"Yes, I suppose, although I dare say he's upstaged by that rather horrifying painting over there."

"Oh, ya, took that out of storage after a customer request. Old Fudge had me put it away nigh near twenty years ago, but I figured considerin' the current Ministry is defunct t'ain't nobody there to object. That table's always got someone sitting at it," he said. "Like it?"

"Actually, I find it rather disturbing," Pyther admitted. "It wouldn't have been that long ago it might have been myself on that pyre. I had a close call visiting in Austria once that I care not to repeat." The bartender smirked slightly.

"I think maybe you should ask for backbone donations instead of blood for a change," he said.

"Perhaps," Pyther said with a weak but good-natured smile. "So, I don't suppose you'd want to sell the gargoyle?"

"Sell Bob?" the bartender said in surprise, glancing at the stone figure before shaking his head. "Nah, he's been good luck to me, I tell you. Why would you want him?"

"He's an interesting artistic piece," Pyther said. "Come now, Culwch, even good luck has a price, doesn't it?"

"Hm, well I suppose good luck might be getting a good price for him," the bartender mused, then finally shook his head. "Nah. I like Bob. I think I'll keep him."

"Not even for twenty galleons?"

"Not even, my fanged friend. Why don't you go and make your own, you're the artist."

"I am a painter, not a sculptor. Twenty-five galleons?"

"Nope, sorry," the bartender said. Pyther sighed, taking out a large pouch and putting it on the table, ignoring the looks that other figures around the bar were giving him. Culwch hesitated, putting down the greasy glass and very dirty towel he had in his hands. "All right. We'll negotiate," he decided.

Just then the door of the backroom opened. Slightly startled by the movement, Pyther looked over as a steady stream of people exited, barely even looking over at the bartender as they headed for the door as a group. But Pyther's question to the man died on his lips as his quick ears picked up an exchange right behind him, soft young voices that were out of place in the whispering crowd.

"Here," Pyther said suddenly pushing the pouch in front of him. "I'll be back to get him in a moment."

"Hope your not doin' what I think you are," the bartender said in a low voice. "Ain't none in that group been happy with your support o' Malfoy Junior lately. I might wonder if you was comin' back or not."

"I always wonder that anytime I go out," Pyther admitted, getting up. "Thank you," he added before pulling his hood farther down over his head and following them.

Standing in the back and quickly filing out with the rest, even Alex had to realize how way over her head they were, concentrating only on keeping track of Rose and Mandria before starting to lag behind, stepping aside as another cloaked figure came up from behind and joined the rest of the pack.

"This is crazy! What are we going to do?" Mandria hissed in a whisper.

"I agree! We need to warn someone! This is over our heads," Rose whispered back.

"You're right," Alex said, taking a breath while cautiously watching the other figures walk ahead of him. "Let's go."

Corey Willowby had already closed the shop for the night but was still in the lab when the three girls rapped on the front glass. He peered over curiously, quickly moving to open the door once Alex pulled down her hood.

"What are you three still doing out? The bus left over an hour ago," Corey said, glancing at his watch.

"It's a long story and there's no time!" Alex said. "The Haveners are in danger, you've got to… to call your friends and do something!"

"What sort of danger?" Corey asked, looking between them.

"A bunch of wizards who don't like them being here plan to make an example of them, and they're on they're way over to their houses right now!" Alex said fervently. But Corey's face suddenly brightened.

"Really? Fantastic! Let's go watch!" Corey said excitedly, closing the door behind them. "Come on! This should be good."

"I swear, I am never ever going to figure out this family," Mandria declared with an exasperated sigh as Corey and Alex began to half-jog down the street.

"This is going to be fun!" Corey said, taking a short cut between buildings before pulling them back behind him as they climbed the hill where the shack once stood, crouching behind part of a crumbling hearth of river stone to keep from being seen. Below them, Alex, Mandria, and Rose could see the downs, and even the shadowy edge that was Keki's Grove. But sitting on the edge of town was a collection of houses, and it was within them near a small mountain stream that most of the Haveners lived. Nearby, some of their wizard neighbors had built high walls to keep themselves apart, while others remained unchanged. Corey decided to take advantage of the high brick wall, leading the girls behind one so they could get even closer.

"If we get into trouble, head to the trap door where the old shack used to be. The passage is still open on this end, so you can hide there until this blows over," Corey told them as he crept to the end of the wall to take a peek. "Oh good, here they come now. We haven't missed it!"

"Mr. Willowby, what are you talking about?" Rose asked. Corey turned and blinked at her.

"It's Corey," Corey said, gently grabbing Rose by the shoulder and positioning her carefully so she could see as well. "Watch."

As the cloaked figures came closer, Alex, crouched down under her brother, began to hear the sound of them chanting different things, from "No Muggles in Hogsmeade!" to "Death to the Invaders!" running through the pack as they took a position beside the house closest to them.

"That's the Dimple house," Corey told them quietly.

"Oh no, poor Mrs. Dimple!" Alex said, but Corey merely grinned at her before spotting a lantern on the porch, craning his neck a bit to see better.

"Here, what's your game then?" Bart Dimple asked, a rifle in his hand.

"You do not belong here. You and your kind will leave our town at once or suffer the consequences!" one of the figures said.

"Leave my home?" said the voice of Eliza from where she stood by the kitchen window. "Not bloody likely."

"There, you got your answer. Better shove off before someone gets hurt," Bart said. The mob laughed at that as the apparent leader and several of the others got out wands.

"I always knew Muggles were stupid, but not this stupid. Do you truly mean you think you can harm us?"

"We've a right to protect ourselves from trespassers. This land is ours, bought and paid for, and if you don't get off it, well, you've been warned," said Bart.

"Yes, and so have you," the figure said. "Burn it."

As the figures stepped forward with their wands out, Bart shot a volley from his rifle into the crowd. But instead of regular bullets two hard pellets flew out, bursting into clouds of yellow powder. As others scattered in surprise, six of the figures were hit dead on suddenly began to choke and cough, the coughs sounding strangely more and more like squawks and clucks until at last five roosters and a hen appeared where the cloud dissipated.

"Treachery!" The leader boomed. "That item has been modified!"

"You'd think these Wizzies never seen Pellet Potions before," Bart said with a smirk. But as a fireball burst towards the porch, Bart had to dive in the door, the flames immediately engulfing it. Bart reappeared with a bottle in hand, smashing it within the flames and causing every flicker of it to turn into ice.

"We should go. The authorities have surely heard something of their actions," one of the others said.

"Not until we teach them a lesson on just how foolish this was!" he barked.

"I think it's not us that needs to learn that lesson," Eliza said from her position at the window, suddenly dropping a small writhing plant out the window. The figures stared at it warily now, knowing better than to expect something common.

"It looks almost like…" one of them began, and then immediately started to run. As Eliza got out a bottle and calmly poured it over the pot, the plant began to expand, and several others who had been thinking about running themselves never got the chance. Within seconds, the growth potion had taken hold and the Devil's Snare began to shoot out everywhere, landing tentacle-like choking vines into the surprised crowd with the intensity of a tidal wave, completely enveloping them. Only the first figure who ran escaped, shooting passed the group watching with such a frantic plea for help that Corey suddenly sighed and knocked him off his feet with a wave of his hand.

"What did you do?" Mandria said, frightened that the others might have seen it. But the rest of the figures were so tangled in the Snare that they couldn't even get to their wands.

"I recognized that panicked cry," Corey explained, hurrying up to the figure who was now cowering on his knees with his hands over his head. "Francis Pyther, what are you doing here?" Corey said, pulling Pyther to his feet.

"Shelter! Shelter! Before they…." Pyther stammered, looking over as the air began to pop with the sound of the Ministry Enforcers, appearing around the still growing Devil's Snare.

"Bat!" Corey barked, and Pyther immediately obeyed, Corey grabbing up the wriggling creature and stuffing it in his pocket just before a blaze of sunlight burst around them from behind, bathing the entire area as all of the Enforcers joined at once to shrivel the green menace. The four of them were momentarily blinded, blinking to try to remove the spots in front of their eyes as it finally subsided. "We need to get out of here before they see us," Corey suggested, walking them back over to the wall and pulling out the bat from his cloak. A moment later Pyther was standing there again, looking quite shaky and slightly apologetic. "Are you all right?"

"Thank you," Pyther said. "What a frightening night! I don't think my heart can take it."

"I didn't think you could have a heart attack," Mandria said, getting a quick nudge by Rose.

"If anyone ever dies of fright, it will be me," Pyther admitted. "I am so terribly glad the danger is over now!"

"I wouldn't say that yet, if I were you," Corey said, hinting to the others to look behind them. Pyther yelped outright, diving behind Corey while the three girls groaned as they turned to see Severus Snape standing there, and he looked anything but happy.

"This had better be good," Severus said dangerously, looking over at Alex.

"We were looking for Aurelius! He didn't show up at the bus and I was worried! Then we overheard someone saying they were going to try to frighten the Muggles, and we went and told Corey!" Alex said.

"Yes, they did, Dad, and it's a good thing too. I'd have hated to have missed it," Corey said cheerfully, earning a dirty look from Severus.

"Aurelius came back with the rest over an hour ago. You three did not, and I am becoming quite tired of hearing you using your brother as an excuse for you to break an astounding amount of rules!" Severus snapped.

"Uh, Severus, please! It's not totally their fault!" Pyther stammered, stepping up a bit beside them. "They were covering for me, actually, they know how you feel about me. See, they were helping me find some information about your missing familiar, that's the real reason they were at the Pig's Pannage, not…"

"You were at the Pig's Pannage?" Severus said at Alex who did shrink back this time then looked over at Pyther. "You took them to the Pannage?"

"But Professor, students are allowed to go in there from what I've been told…" Rose began.

"Not after hours!" Severus snapped, and then pointed to Alex. "And you girls are not allowed to go in there at all!"

"Did you say you were in the Pannage?" Thurspire asked as he came up behind Severus. Severus rolled his eyes but stepped out of the way. "Was Rummert in there?" Alex glanced at her father for permission to speak before looking over at Thurspire.

"Yes, sir. He had a rally there," Alex said. "He didn't have his head covered like most everybody else in there, and he had some staff with him."

"Did he stay long?"

"No, not at all," Alex said. "In fact, he had some words with a gentleman and then left not long after we got there."

"Did you hear any of it?"

"Thurspire…"

"It's all right, Severus, I'm more concerned with Rummert right now than I am about why three Hogwarts students would break curfew and why it took so long for Hogwarts staff to realize it," Thurspire said. Severus glared at him.

"They were talking about Haven's Bluff and how Rummert had supported disbanding it," Alex said.

"They? Whom was he talking to?"

"I don't know, they were cloaked," Alex explained. "Rummert said something about the Council thinking that the complaint with them being here was a local problem and the other man said they'd take matters in their own hands. I think they were talking about the Muggles. Rummert left just after that."
"Yes, but it is possible he could have disguised himself and come back," Thurspire brooded as much to himself as anyone else.

"Why do you think he might have?" Corey asked.

"Because our dear Counselor Bowyer is one of the men whom we just unhooded," Thurspire said.

"Malfoy's other favorite lawyer," Severus said, squinting.

"And one of Rummert's partners," Corey agreed. But Alex looked thoughtful.

"No, I don't think he came back in," she said. "At least, no one came into the back room once the meeting started. We were the last ones."

"I don't remember anyone coming in the pub after they went in either, nor did I notice anyone joining from the streets once they left… although, three did leave the group," Pyther said.

"That was us, of course, that's when we went to get Corey," Alex explained.

"Wait a minute," Severus said sharply, frowning at them. "Are you telling me that you let them go into the back room alone? I thought you said you were with them?" Severus demanded, stepping up to Pyther who shrunk back and chuckled nervously, darting an apologetic look to the girls who realized just how utterly Corey and Pyther failed at bailing them out.

"I suppose this would be a good time to mention that I found your familiar?" Pyther said with a wan tight-lipped smile.