Chapter Two

A Sense of Impending Doom

It was nearly time for dinner when Alexandria arrived home, tip-toeing past where her grandfather was sitting near the television and hurrying into the dining room where Alicia and Andrew sat at the already set table watching the clock. Their mother was busy making coffee in the kitchen; for even on the nights that Mercy, the head House Elf cooked, Jennifer always made her own.

"Hullo, everyone! It's so good to be home! I spent almost the entire day today in the IMC…you do know that the IMC is, don't you?" Alex said.

"The department of International Magic Cooperation," Alicia and Andrew recited boredly.

"Of course, I would rather work in the Muggles Office," Alex said wistfully. "But they simply just can't do without me over there!"

"Well, they are going to have to soon enough," Jennifer said, showing them the letters in her hand and then passing them out.

"Please tell me I don't have to sit in class with Aurelius this year!" Alex said before she even worked it open.

"I really have no idea! Now that you're a sixth year, there's no guarantee you'll even sit class with your classmates if you have something you need conflicting with it. I did hope that you'd take another year of Potions and Transfiguration before you gave it up," Jennifer admitted with a sigh.

"But I have to take up journalism!" Alex protested. "And Professor Weasley thought that Symbolism might be useful because it talks about all the different meanings."

"You could take Ancient Runes like me," Andrew suggested.

"I couldn't even if I wanted to," Alex shrugged. "Professor Omega says that since everything appears to be English, it'd be pointless for me to try and learn how to decipher them. And this is my first year in independent study in Muggle Studies, so that's going to be fun. I get to pick pretty much what I want to research and all I have to do is turn in a paper every semester."

"Just don't wait until the last minute to do them," Jennifer sighed with exasperation, handing Andrew and Alicia theirs.

"Where is Aurelius, anyhow?" Andrew asked.

"He went to Stock's for the evening," Jennifer said. "And while I'm thinking about it, Alexandria, I think tonight might be a good time for us to have a little talk." Jennifer glanced up as Severus came in, nodding to her in agreement.

"What about?" Alex asked curiously.

"After dinner," Severus said, glancing at the clock as it chimed the hour. Immediately Thomas came in and took his seat, losing little ceremony in turning over his cup and reaching a cover off one of the dishes, holding it up for Jennifer. Sighing in irritation, Jennifer took them, tossing them in the kitchen as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

"Just how do you drink that stuff with a meal? It's positively indecent," Thomas said. "Not to mention it'll keep you up all night."

"You drink what you like and I'll drink what I like," Jennifer snapped.

"Might I have one as well, if you don't mind?" Severus said. Jennifer beamed at him and brought him a cup over as well.

"You don't have to humor her all the time you know," Thomas glowered.

"Of course I do. It's all apart of that marriage business, although I admit it can be inconvenient at times…"

"Would you like this on the table or on your lap?" Jennifer asked dangerously.

"See what I mean?" Severus said. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," Jennifer chuckled putting it beside him as she sat down. "So how was work, Alexandria?"

"Oh, splendid! I actually got to talk to the Ambassador for the South American Community of Wizards. He's an Amazon Witch Doctor, here to talk to the Ministry about the conservation of rare magical plants in the wild. He was supposed to talk to Neville Longbottom about some of his work trying to develop strains of plants that can be more easily grown in greenhouses, but he didn't show up," Alex said.

"How strange, that's not like him to miss something as important as that," Jennifer frowned.

"Jennifer, you're talking about someone who couldn't even remember what his next class was unless he wrote it on the inside of his cuff," Severus said.

"Oh, honestly, Severus, that was years ago! I imagine you weren't exactly graceful as a youth either," Jennifer scolded.

"Perhaps not, but definitely more so than you were on a broom," Severus said calmly. Alicia and Andrew held back giggles.

"Trust you to bring that up again!" Jennifer said, putting down her fork.

"Well, Rolanda did bring it up first," Severus mused.

"Oh, no, don't you dare bring her into this," Jennifer warned him.

"You know, in retrospect, I probably should have gotten you the automatic with the safety belt," Severus decided, not looking up from his plate.

"That's it," Thomas said, glaring at them before tossing his napkin down. "I can't possibly digest anything with the two of you behaving this way! Aren't the two of you tired of each other yet? I'm eating in the living room," he declared, taking his plate with him.

"Well don't get mad at me, it was him doing it," Jennifer protested.

"You were as well," Severus said, taking another bite.

"I was doing no such thing!" Jennifer said.

"Mum, you were rather egging him on," Alexandria grinned.

"I don't get it. What's all the fuss about?" Alicia asked, glancing at Andrew who was also grinning. Alex rolled her eyes.

"Alicia, if this were the cave man days, the man interested in you would need a charmed club the size of a house to get you to notice him," Alex declared.

"Now that's quite enough, Alexandria," Jennifer scolded with a frown. "If you're done, why don't you three go finish your reading?"

"But you said you had something you wanted to talk to me about," Alexandria said.

"Oh, yes, I suppose we should get that over with," Jennifer said, glancing at Severus who was still eating. "Shall we warm up our coffee and head to the study?"

Just then there was a knock at the door, and Jennifer stared at it curiously.

"Would someone else get that?" Thomas shouted from the front room.

"Fine! Fine! I'm up anyhow!" Jennifer said with exasperation, walking over to the door. But the moment she opened it she suddenly fell to her knees, and Andrew who had been on the way up the stairs yelled out, calling everyone else to the door.

"Malfoy! Malfoy! There's a Malfoy at the door!" Thomas boomed, and Severus quickly stopped him from getting closer and forced him to calm down.

"It's the Minister of Magic, Thomas," Severus said firmly. "Get a hold of yourself! Jennifer, what's going on?"

"I'm sorry, Severus," Draco said slowly in a rare moment of apology that even put Severus himself off guard. "But I thought it would be better if you heard it from me, and I'm afraid she saw it in my face before I could get a word out. Amadeus Longbottom has been released from prison and at last report was attempting to return home."

"I see," Severus finally got out in a voice barely above a whisper before turning to Jennifer. "Since you've seen the importance in telling us personally, then I think it best to inform you that if he ever approaches one member of my family, he will be dead before he has the chance to walk away."

"I expected no less, which is why I've already had someone draw up the necessary restraining order forms. They're at the Ministry whenever you want to sign them," Draco said in a low voice.

"Thank you, but right now we really have no reason to have even the smallest amount of faith in the justice system," Severus said coolly.

"Fair enough," Draco said with an expressionless nod. "After all, we're in a system that lets serial killers walk free," he said, glancing at Thomas, who growled angrily in the back of his throat. "But that is changing, Severus. Maybe not quickly enough to suit you, but it is. And for the record, I must warn all of you against attempting to take any actions on your own. If you do, you have only yourselves to blame for the consequences." No one commented, gazing at him in silence. "Well, good night. If you need assistance, come to the Ministry first," he suggested, before turning and heading down the stairs, disappearing to into the fog.

"And what? Fill out paperwork that means nothing? Pixie foot around with that dolt Thurspire only to be accused of whatever it is we went there to report?" Thomas snapped angrily as Severus closed the door.

"There's little we can do about it tonight in any case," Severus said. "I think everyone should probably settle into their rooms, do some reading and get some rest. I need to go get Aurelius," he added, glancing at Thomas.

"Jen-girl, why don't you come sit with me in the living room until Severus gets back," Thomas said as Severus swiftly exited, coaxing her in with an arm. But although Thomas meant well, he had no idea he was doing more harm then good, for every moment Jennifer sat in front of the set her thoughts trailed back to Jacqueline.


Severus wasted little time and minimal ceremony getting Aurelius back, but the living room was empty, for both Jennifer and then Thomas returned to their rooms. He spoke softly to Aurelius about it as he walked him to his room, peeking in at the others who had already settled in unable to concentrate on reading, tossing and turning worriedly. As he turned back down the stairs, Severus could hear Thomas pacing in his room. He slipped down into the basement then, heating up some Subtle Slumber and pouring it into two mugs, completely unsurprised to see Jennifer still awake. She was busy giving treats to and petting her elderly fruit bat Ratfly, talking to him softly all the while until she noticed Severus standing there holding a mug out to her.

"Do you think they're together?" Jennifer murmured as she took it. Severus didn't have to ask to know she was talking of Lucius and Amadeus.

"It's possible," Severus admitted in a low voice. "But let us not worry about that yet. Being forewarned is forearmed, and we definitely seem to be forewarned this time."

"That doesn't make it any easier," Jennifer said, sitting on the bed with a haunted look on her face.

"Finish your brew," Severus suggested quietly as he lay down beside her. "I'm sure things won't look so bleak when you've had some rest."

"As strong as this is, I'm not sure it's going to help," Jennifer murmured as she finished it off and crawled in beside him, leaning on his shoulder in an attempt to feel safe. "He came so close to destroying us," she said softly. "He nearly succeeded in separating us forever."

"Perhaps, but he didn't. And he never will," Severus said softly.

"What makes you so sure of that?" Jennifer asked. Severus sighed and turned over on his side so he could look in her face.

"Do you honestly believe after everything we've been through that anyone could truly be capable of separating us? You and I both have walked through personal hells to keep it from happening on countless occasions, and I assure you that nothing anyone could do could keep us apart forever," Severus assured her.

"One of us could be killed," Jennifer pointed out.

"And I don't have to tell you how many times they've tried and not succeeded," Severus said gently.

"It only takes once, Severus."

"It won't happen if we're not ready to go," Severus said, shaking his head but not letting his eyes leave hers. "And I myself have full intentions of spending many more glorious years putting up with your schemes and attempts to jump head first into everything and all the other little annoyances that comes with being with you," he said, Jennifer's expression quickly changing. "If only to get a glimpse of your exasperation with me in those green eyes of yours. I'm not going to let anything come between us, Jennifer, no matter who it is trying to cause it. It is not we that need be worried about Amadeus Longbottom. Rather, Longbottom ought to be more worried about us," Severus said, laying back down beside her and pulling her close. Soon the two of them fell asleep, the potion lulling them into a peaceful state despite the growing tension in their minds.

But even as strong of a potion as Severus had made couldn't stop what was disturbing his sleep forever. As the hour grew later and later, the tension turned to anxiety and an anticipation of sheer dread, like a victim preparing to be executed waiting for the blade to fall.

Then, a crack of intense lightning flashed in his mind and he woke from sheer terror and sprang out of bed, his heart thumping wildly as he looked around while Jennifer still lay curled up completely oblivious to it. He hurried to the window, but outside the night seemed soft and foggy with no sign of thunder. Was it from a dream? Subtle Slumber tended to suppress dreams, he mused, wondering if he hadn't fouled up the batch somehow. The idea of laying back down seemed wrong to him for some reason. Remembering the restlessness of the children, Severus decided to satisfy his own peace of mind by checking on them.

Even as he made his way up the stair, Severus noticed a dim light coming from the direction of their rooms, and as he made his way to the top he could see it was coming from a narrow opening around Aurelius' door. After a quick glance to make sure the others were asleep, Severus gently pushed the door open. Aurelius instinctively jumped when he saw the movement, barely keeping a hold of his familiar Achilles who was coiled upon his lap.

"Don't tell me you've been awake all this time," Severus said softly.

"I had a nightmare," Aurelius admitted reluctantly, petting his snake.

"Oh?" Severus said with interest, walking further in and pulling around the chair at Aurelius' desk.

"No, it was nothing really," Aurelius shrugged.

"And yet you're up in the middle of the night," Severus said. "So perhaps you should humor me."

"It was stupid, really. I just felt like I was lost in a dark fog, trying to find a way out," Aurelius said. "And then I saw a tiny hole with a light coming out of it, so I began to chip at it… it seemed to take forever, but I finally got it big enough to crawl through. And then I heard a big bang of thunder and woke up in a sweat. I had this weird feeling like I wasn't alone, so I grabbed Achilles, but he says he didn't sense anything but… well, fear coming from me," he admitted sheepishly. "You don't think it had anything to do with her, do you?"

"I'm not sure," Severus said softly, unwilling yet to admit that the same thought had crossed his mind the moment he woke up. Just then, a strange wave went through him, leaving him momentarily light headed, as if something dark surrounding him had drifted away.

"What was that?" Aurelius asked nervously.

"What did it feel like to you?" Severus asked.

"Like a heavy weight lifting off my head," Aurelius said. "And yet part of me didn't want it to lift. Strange."

"I felt that as well," Severus said. "Followed by a sense of impending doom."

"Yes," Aurelius whispered.

"I taste fear downstairs," Achilles hissed.

Immediately, Severus hurried out of the room and down the stairs, Aurelius grabbing his night robe and following quickly behind. Just then there was a very fervent rap on the door, and in complete surprise, Severus glanced at the hour before hurrying to the door, unsure of what to expect. Fingering his wand he opened it to see Essie standing there in a long hooded purple cloak.

"Aunt Jennifer's in danger!" Essie said as she walked in, and Severus turned right around and headed for the bedroom, the other two right behind him. But strangely enough, although Jennifer's face was anything but peaceful, she was still fast asleep.


It had started out as nothing more than what appeared to be a strange dream.

Jennifer had found herself wandering in a large dark mansion that seemed somewhat familiar to her, although she was sure she had never been there. It terrified her, more than anything else she could imagine, but she wasn't sure why. There were no ghosts there, and yet there was the smell of death in the air… a fresh death, at that. Jennifer shuddered, unable to escape the chill of the mournful house, when she heard a man scream, followed by a cold woman's laugh. Without any true desire to do so, she found herself searching for the voices, following down a long staircase towards the front door. Something papery crinkled under her feet, but it was too dark to tell what it was. Carefully she opened the door, and found herself pulled forward, everything going black in front of her as something suddenly grabbed her hair in a bundle and pulled her head up, icy fingers on her chin and against her cheek.

Her eyes found themselves looking at the cruel face of Lucius Malfoy, his cheeks strangely hollow and his face paler than ever, his white hair wild and his eyes looking as if he hadn't slept in a week. Without a word he took the back of his hand across her face hard, throwing her to the side as she dealt with the pain of in her jaw, vaguely aware of his triumphant, mad laughter in her ear; a laughter that rang with pure hatred.

"I'm sure you have no idea just how long I've been wanting to do that," Lucius said venomously. "How long I have waited for this moment… how much of my life I spent under your unforgiving thumb stealing it away with that dark curse of yours!" he said, raising his voice in anger. "But as you can see, that is no longer the case, no thanks to you. You have robbed me of everything, and I plan to return the favor. I have nothing left to pursue in the world, but I will not leave it until you have fully paid for what you did to me." He chuckled then, a strange, frightening chuckle, his eyes turned down momentarily before he looked at her again with an unfeeling smile.

"When I was young, I rather enjoyed catching butterflies. Oh, not to study them or pin them to cardboard like some foul Muggle child, but to dissect them. And they were so easy to put into stasis to keep them alive longer, I'm sure any wizardborn child could do it. Of course it horrified some as they watched me rip the wings into tiny pieces and then each leg and antennae one by one, but to me, it was all strangely satisfying. And now, Jennifer, you will be my butterfly. And just as I have had to suffer day after day under your curse… breath by breath and minute by minute, so will you under mine. From this moment on, your mortal body will no longer be able to heal any wound you contract, no matter how insignificant. Oh, you may be able to stop the bleeding or keep the wounds from spreading, after all I do want you around long enough to relish my revenge, but they will remain on your skin or under it for the rest of your life… however long that may turn out to be. And know this, pitiful little insect, that if you breathe a word or even a hint of what I have done to anyone or confirm any suspicions they might have about the curse that is upon you, the entire family which you tried to protect from me will receive this curse as well, and I have assurance that when that happens, they will be dragged before you by the power of Ciardoth herself and slaughtered piece by piece in front of you in the most painful way which she can think of."

It was then at last that the tall cold being standing behind her stepped around with a cruel smile.

"I will indeed be looking forward to experiencing the event instead of remembering it," Ciardoth said, her voice clear and almost flirtatious in tone.

"You're lying," Jennifer snapped at her unsurely. "And this is just a dream…a dream I'm going to wake up from at any moment!"

"Then perhaps I should give you a token to remember it by," Lucius said nastily, and then before she could react drew the claw from the top of his cane painfully across her forearm. "I wouldn't want you to forget what's at stake."

He laughed as she gripped her arm, gritting her teeth and wondering how she was going to get away from them, when suddenly she heard a voice fervently calling her name. Desperately she reached for it, wanting nothing if not to get out of the nightmare around her.

For a split instant as she opened her eyes and saw Severus over her, she felt perhaps it was a dream after all. But then the pain in her arm woke her up completely and she sat up to find not only Severus there but also Aurelius and Essie who were staring at her worriedly.

"It took an awful long time to wake her," Essie murmured.

"That may have been my fault. I did give her a strong potion to help her sleep," Severus said back. "Jennifer, are you all right?"

"I…" Jennifer sat up, briefly touching her arm experimentally. "I just had a nightmare, that is all. Essie, what are you doing here?"

"I was worried about you. What sort of nightmare?" she asked.

"I… don't remember at the moment. Excuse me," Jennifer said, heading for the bathroom. Essie and Severus frowned at each other puzzledly, and Severus glanced over at Aurelius.

"I'll go see about some tea," Aurelius suggested.

"Break out the chamomile, my nerves are shot," Severus said.

"Whose aren't?" Aurelius agreed, slipping out.

"What did you see?" Severus asked in a low voice.

"I heard a man scream," Essie murmured. "And then he turned, and I saw a large white face… a woman's face with golden hair…"

"Ciardoth," Severus whispered softly.

"And then her white hand reached out and grabbed hold of long auburn hair, and then I heard the man's laughter in the background… that was all," Essie said, glancing at the closed bathroom door. "I don't know... maybe I jumped the gun when I saw the hair, but it was Aunt Jennifer that came to mind… I'm sorry if I worried you."

"No, you were not the only one who experienced something tonight," Severus said. "Aurelius and I both had the same feelings as you. Your appearance here merely validated a fear of mine that has been growing since the whole thing began. Ciardoth has in fact returned."

Inside the bathroom, Jennifer had pulled up her sleeve and was busy staring at the gash on her arm, her lips and face white as she attempted to reason any other possible way it could have got there. On the counter sat the bottle of a healing potion that had been emptied on her arm a moment before, but there could be little doubt in Jennifer's mind now that the gash wasn't going to go away.