Chapter Three
Skin Deep
Jennifer was still picking at her breakfast distractedly the next morning well after the four kids had gone to the attic to talk and her father had retreated to the living room. Severus, however, was taking his time with his coffee and the morning Daily Prophet, watching her thoughtfully out of the corner of his eye.
"Jennifer, why don't you ask Mercy to make you something else if you're not up to eggs today," Severus suggested at last.
"No, it's not that. I guess I'm just not all that hungry," Jennifer said, but then noticed that Severus' fixed gaze never left her. "I'm just tired from all that business last night, that's all."
"Any luck remembering your dream?" Severus asked in a low voice.
"No, not really," Jennifer said, grabbing a scone at random from the plate and nibbling on it.
"Well, perhaps we should put off our trip to Diagon Alley another day," Severus mused.
"Oh, but this is the first day all the kids have had off in awhile, and I promised we'd all go shop for Corey's birthday," Jennifer protested. "I was hoping to spend some time in the study this morning, but I suppose I should go through their closets to find out what they need. Aurelius needs a whole new wardrobe, I know."
"Speaking of which, perhaps we should call Alexandria down and get that talk over with," Severus suggested.
"Yes, perhaps you're right," Jennifer agreed, putting down the scone and pushing the plate away as if to get up.
Just then, a loud rumbling noise from outside made the house tremble, and not long after four sets of feet could be heard running down the steps. Growling, Severus got up and stormed towards the door. Jennifer sighed and followed behind, knowing exactly what to expect as they made their way to the curb.
Passersby stopped and stared at the man and teenaged boy climbing off the motorcycle dressed all in black leather, watching them take off their helmets curiously. Strangely enough, it seemed to completely take their attention away from the Snapes standing there in their outlandish clothes completely.
"What do you think you're doing? I thought I told you never to bring that contraption here again!" Severus snapped angrily at Sirius Black. Beside him, Zacchius Black rolled his eyes, grinning at his cousins who were doing the same.
"Ah-ah-ah, you'll draw a crowd," Sirius grinned shaking a finger mockingly at him.
"I'll draw a crowd! And just exactly what are you doing with that chrome monster that puts out more noise than a flight of dragons? Not even Muggles find those stupid things respectable!" Severus snapped.
"Father, did you know that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had a motorcycle?" Alexandria quipped. Severus turned and stared at her, while Sirius was giving her the thumbs up behind Severus' back.
"Into the house, all of you!" Severus snarled. Zack quickly joined them as they went back up to the attic. "And that goes for us too. We're causing a scene." Of course, nobody saw them enter the house, for it was not even there. "And I would prefer it if you would not use that mode of transportation getting here again. Everyone knows you ride a motorcycle and it could out our home location."
"Like anyone is going to notice another motorcycle in London," Sirius said irritably. "Really, this paranoia of yours is getting out of hand, don't you think?"
"Sirius, I'm afraid Severus is right this time," Jennifer sighed.
"What do you mean, 'this time'?" Severus squinted at her.
"If you are going to bring it, I'd prefer you'd bring it to the back where it won't be seen. We really can't afford anyone finding this place right now," Jennifer explained.
"Why? Someone after you I don't know about?" Sirius asked, looking between them.
"Amadeus Longbottom is out of jail, for starters," Severus said in a low voice.
"For starters?" Sirius said, blinking at him. "That's a pretty big 'for starters!'"
"Come on. Perhaps we'd better go talk in the study," Severus suggested.
"Good idea," Sirius agreed seriously. "Because I have something important to speak to the two of you about as well."
Zacchius made himself comfortable on the old armchair in the attic as the others piled onto the cot.
"So what brings you to town today? School shopping? We're doing ours this afternoon," Alexandria asked.
"It's actually a lot more serious than that, no pun intended," Zack said. Andrew and Alicia grinned at each other. "He wanted to talk to Uncle Severus about Zoë. See, she's coming back to Hogwarts this year."
"Oh, but that's wonderful!" Alicia said brightly, and then frowned. "But why don't you seem happy about it? I thought you missed her being around last year."
"I did, and in some ways I still miss her, at least the way she used to be," Zack said, slumping back in the chair. "She's changed so much. She's gotten much more reckless…"
"How in the world could she have gotten more reckless?" Aurelius asked dryly.
"Yeah I know, right?" Zacchius agreed, unoffended. "You know, I don't really blame Mom all that much for letting her go back. They do have better schools in a way…"
"What do you mean they have better schools?" Aurelius frowned. "Hogwarts is the best wizard school in the world, everyone knows that."
"Well, yeah, if you're talking about magic only," Zack agreed. "But except for Whitebridge and the Salem Institute, most wizard schools in the States don't work like that. You go to a normal school during the day, then in the afternoon you're loaded onto a bus and you go to a regional wizard school… they call it a vocational school to those that aren't in 'The Know,' and then you have a couple classes a night in that. There's a ton of homework between them…well, maybe not as much as Hogwarts gives, but awful close."
"So wizard students only work on it a few hours a day?" Aurelius said disapprovingly. "No wonder there aren't many decent American wizards. When do you have any time to practice?"
"Well, the week is actually just for magic bookwork like memorizing spells and stuff, we actually only practice actual magic during the weekends. That's when they do stuff like Quidditch and other sports too. Anyhow, during your senior year you take something similar to the OWLS here, and then after that if you want you can go to a sort of two year college to specialize in a magic skill and take your wizardry level tests."
"They have to go two more years than we do?" Alex said, not liking the sound of that at all.
"No, you don't have to, only if you want to go into a magic field," Zack sighed. "Most magic folk out there work in normal everyday jobs. They have to take both regular and magic classes, because out there, things are pretty decentralized unless you work for the magical branch of the government or you're in a magic run charity group. You can't really tell the Muggles from the wizards…well, I suppose you could if you knew where to look…I'd think half of all specialty book shops and a tenth of all twenty-four hour convenient stores have a wizard clerk of some sort, especially in San Francisco," Zack chuckled.
"That sounds fantastic!" Alex said.
"It sounds positively horrifying," Aurelius said. Andrew and Alicia didn't say anything, but privately they couldn't help but agree with their brother.
"Mother thinks it's a more balanced society," Zack sighed. "But what she didn't account for was Zoë. See, our cousins aren't magic, they really had no way to keep up with her. Even when they tried to discipline her, she'd act all forgiving then sneak out the moment she had a chance. I guess she actually flunked a couple of her magic courses because she argued with the teachers on the right way to do things, and her normal school work wasn't much better. Of course, Mom didn't have a clue things had gotten that bad until we went to pick her up for the summer. But Zoë had snuck off, so she decided to pack Zoë's room, and… really, I'm not quite sure what it was in there, but I swear I've never seen Mom that mad ever, and she gets pretty mad at Dad sometimes. In fact, it started an argument between them as well they had to take to the bathroom, and I don't know what was said but neither one of them came out happy. Next thing I know, Mom's gone off to find her and Father's gone to send an International Tube to Dumbledore.
"Zoë completely ignored me when she got home," Zack murmured. "And then she got real sick and jittery and Dad asked me to just stay away from her and stop bugging her. But I wasn't bugging her… I was just trying to find out what was going on. She doesn't ever want to eat, she's constantly fighting with Mom, and any time Dad tries to interfere, Mom jumps his case. It's a mess, really, one big row after another. This morning's episode was inspired by whether or not Mom was going to let her wear black lipstick or not. That's why Dad decided to take me for a ride. He knew I needed a break from it as much as he did."
"Sounds like you've been having a pretty rough holiday," Andrew agreed.
"If only it wouldn't get any rougher," Aurelius murmured, and Zack frowned at him.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Because Father and I have come to the conclusion that last night Ciardoth escaped the trap we put her in, and she's back," Aurelius said.
"Are you sure?" Zack frowned.
"Well, we didn't actually see her or anything, but… I'm sure," Aurelius sighed. "We dreamt about her. Essie saw her too… she came here soon after we woke up and was worried about Mum, but we checked on her and she seemed alright, although a bit disoriented. She had a nightmare too, but she says she didn't remember it."
"You make it sound like you don't believe her," Zack said.
"I don't. Mum never was a very good liar. I think it's more likely that something scared her about it and she didn't want to worry anyone with it," Aurelius said.
"That would be like her," Alex agreed. "Do you think Ciardoth, I mean, said something to her in a dream? And maybe that's what Essie was picking up?"
"I don't know, it's possible," Aurelius mused. "If so, I hope she at least told Dad about it."
By the time Jennifer and the rest of her family had started for Diagon Alley that afternoon, she was quite relieved to get out of the house. Severus had not left her alone all morning, despite attempts to get him to work on his projects in the basement or go to the study to read. There, she knew they were going to have to split up to prevent the trip from taking all night. Much to her surprise and annoyance, her father decided to go along as well, but a warm welcome was waiting for them as they stepped out of the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron.
"All right, we're going to do something a little different this year," Jennifer said, gazing at the group. "Andrew needs the seam lowered on his robes, and Aurelius needs new ones, so I am going to take the boys around. I have lists of the jumpers and socks and things you need, girls, so the two of you will go with your father to get Alicia's equipment," Jennifer said. "Then we'll meet up at the bookshop, break for lunch, and make sure everyone's found everything for Corey's birthday and if not, tackle that problem, all right?"
None of the four looked very enthusiastic about the parent they were with, and Thomas, pondering which group to go with, made a safer decision.
"You know, I think I'm going to get a brew first," Thomas said at last and waved. "I'll meet up with you at the bookstore."
"All right," Jennifer sighed. "Try to stay out of trouble!"
"I'll keep an eye on him, Jennifer," said the bartender as he ladled up Thomas' brew and set it in front of him.
"Thanks, Tom," Jennifer winked at him, heading towards the back.
"Traitor," Thomas muttered, taking a drink of the brew.
Except for the bartender himself, none of the local crowd that he deemed worth talking to seemed to be there, but as Thomas glanced at the clock he realized it was probably too early. Musing that he had at least a half an hour before he had to head to the Alley, Thomas let himself relax, giving his soul attention to the mug and the bartender, listening disinterestedly in the local gossip while confirming to Tom with a simple nod that he heard about Amadeus.
"So he truly is out then," Tom said in a low voice. "And he's back in the country?"
"That I don't know," Thomas grunted, deciding to concentrate more upon his brew. As disinterested as he was normally at the local gossip, he was much less interested in offering anything to add to it.
"I myself heard that he was back," Doris said, the old woman nursing a drink that looked as if it was much too strong for her. Thomas couldn't help but wonder how many liver replacements she was up to. "I heard he talked to Culwch himself up at the Pannage looking for Lucius. As if Culwch has allowed Lucius in since he wand sliced Culwch's favorite painting last spring," she snorted. "Do you suppose they're together, Thomas?"
"If Amadeus is with him, then he deserves what he gets," Thomas grunted.
"And we all know what you mean by that," Doris said, and Thomas said.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but whatever it is, don't put words in my mouth. It's bad enough you've got nothing better to do than be an insufferable gossip, you don't have to try and make it up," Thomas said curtly. Doris blinked and looked at him indignantly, excusing herself. Grinning evilly, Tom filled his cup again. "So Culwch finally got smart and threw him out after all these years, eh?"
"And wait until you hear wait painting it was that Lucius sliced up," Tom said, still grinning.
"Tom, what would I care about which painting? I haven't been in the place in thirty years, even if I did care much for art," Thomas grunted at him.
"Oh, I think y' might," Tom said, lowering his voice and leaning on the bar. "They say it was a family Heirloom… a painting of the Four Horsemen." Thomas looked up at him in surprise. Tom nodded to him and then shrugged. "Of course, whether he actually saw something that day or if it was just out of rage over his niece and the Musketeer thing, nobody knows. He's been pretty scarce since."
"Really," Thomas said, intrigued with the idea that even now Lucius was already dead, strewn about a field or in someone's back yard…Thomas sighed and took another drink, knowing very well the idea was wishful thinking on his part. He glanced at the ring at his finger thoughtfully, remembering how the missing chip from his ring lay with Lucius himself, tuned to detect each other when they were too close in range. Glancing at the clock, Thomas guzzled down his brew and had just reached for some coins in his pocket. But just as he began to pick them out, the room went silent, and Thomas distractedly played with them in his hand as he turned to see what was going on.
At the door was a figure dressed in a deeply hooded dark blue cloak, apparently female, Thomas supposed, from her slight build to her silk covered gloves, although he couldn't see her face. Well, she was hardly tall enough to be Ciardoth, he snorted, and the strangely humble but graceful way she stepped in definitely posed little threat in his mind. Feeling the weight in his hand he began to pick out a few sickles again so he could leave, although the silence behind him was quite unnerving.
"Pardon, sir," the woman said at last to a couple sitting near the door, her strangely lilting voice having a slight accent that made 'sir' sound closer to 'seer', "Can you tell me the way to Diagon Alley?"
"I can do one better, I'll show you myself," the man said brightly, his eyes glistening. Suddenly the woman sitting beside him slapped him, yanking him up by the ear.
"Find your own way, you hussy!" the witch snapped, dragging her husband off despite his protests.
Sighing softly, the woman turned then to a table with four men, quickly pulling a strand of platinum blonde hair back into her hood.
"Pardon, but can you tell me the way to Diagon Alley? Am I pronouncing it right?" She asked slowly. "You see, I just arrived here…" Each one began to talk at once and stood up at the same time, ending up not only knocking over the table but themselves as well. The woman stepped back, throwing her hands up in obvious frustration. "Mon Dieu, why are there never single women to speak to in these places?"
"Well, there was," Thomas said, the woman holding her hood in place as she turned to look at him. "But I ran her off already, and you should be grateful. She's an awful gossip. The way's in the back. I'll show you," he said, putting the money on the bar, nodding to Tom, not even turning to look at the woman as he headed through the back door and over to the wall. But apparently the woman was not much used to doors in her face, nor had she made any attempt to catch it as it smacked into her nose. Thomas rolled his eyes as he heard the bump, shaking his head as he tapped the bricks in order, hearing the door creep open behind him.
"You know, you're never going to survive here if you don't learn how to take care of yourself," Thomas said, watching as the way opened up.
"So I am beginning to learn," she said tritely. "I was not aware that so few of the English had manners. When I was last here, I was treated differently."
"Well, so much for first impressions," Thomas sneered. Mockingly he bowed and gestured that she go first, rolling his eyes when she actually did.
"Thank you," the woman said quietly. "Now might I ask the way to Flourise and Blotts, if it's not inconvenient?"
"That's Flourish and Blotts," Thomas sighed, the woman frowning at a note in her hand. "And it doesn't really matter if it's inconvenient. I can't leave you here to be eaten by the local wolves, can I? Come on, it's over here," he said, tracking right through a rain puddle and before she noticed it, the bottom of her cloak was soaked.
"Oh, my clothes!" she exclaimed, inspecting the damage. "But I have an interview in half an hour!"
"An interview?" Thomas repeated critically. "How do you expect to work here if you can't even get through a pub without causing a disaster? There, there's the bookshop, and it's usually preferable to use the door knob when trying to walk in or out of a building."
"Why, what a horrible, horrible man you are!" she proclaimed.
"Thank you, thank you, but I assure you I've heard worse," Thomas said, glancing past her. "Now if you'll excuse me, I see my son-in-law coming, so run along and try not to break anything. Like a nail," he said distastefully, waving at Severus.
But the woman stayed there in spite of him, doing everything in her power to keep her temper. She closed her eyes a moment to block out her surroundings and took a deep breath before opening again. The man beside her completely ignored her, his attention turned to the man in black and two teenaged girls beside him, all three gazing at her curiously. Recognition took hold then on both sides, for Severus' eyes widened and in an almost panic he fumbled through his cloak, pulling out a small phial which he drank hastily before daring to look in her direction again, nodding to her.
"Why, it is none other than Professor Snape, is it not? But you have not changed a bit all of these years!" the woman said. "Surely this is the son of the professor I met as a school girl from Beauxbatons!"
"No, it is I," Severus said quickly, then drew her attention to the girls. "This is Alexandria and Alicia, my daughters…"
"Oh, I see! Professor Craw's daughters as well, are they not? But of course! Look at that hair and that beautiful face, how could they be anyone else's!" she said graciously, Alex smiling then. "You may not know this, but I was one of your mother's very first students!"
"You were?" Alex said excitedly. "At Beauxbatons?"
"Yes, of course, but she was so timid then, oh but always so beautiful!" she said.
"Yes, she is," Severus said in a strangely firm voice. "I see you've met my father-in-law…" Severus turned to gesture to Thomas but did a double take when he noticed how Thomas was staring at her, now that he had had a chance to actually look at her face. He never recalled seeing eyes quite that blue before, or hair that fair of a color without being white. Her pink lips were pursed thoughtfully as she looked him over, her eyes anything but forgiving. "Thomas Craw, this is Fleur Delacour. She was one of the students that competed at the Tri-wizard games that fateful year. Fleur, Thomas."
"Hm," she said in such a critical crushing tone that it pierced straight through Thomas' momentary loss for words. "Are you not supposed to be serving a life term for murder? But then I am probably quite mistaken!"
"I was let out on good behavior," Thomas said, refusing to look at her anymore.
"For some reason, I very much doubt that," Fleur said coolly. "It definitely wasn't because of your manners."
"Just because I refuse to pamper to the wiles that has got you to the point that you are completely helpless without them does not mean I have bad manners! You're just upset because there happens to be at least one male out here that you can't begin to beckon to your half-breed will! It disgusts me to even be talking to such ilk! Severus, tell Jennifer I went home early. I need to take a shower," Thomas declared, stomping towards the Cauldron.
"What on Earth was all of that about?" Alexandria exclaimed, Severus glancing after Thomas and shaking his head.
"I'm terribly sorry about that," Severus sighed. "I'm sure you know how it can be. Um. Just what brings you to England?"
"Oh, of course, I suppose he wouldn't mention the applicants he's taking beforehand would he?" Fleur said, rolling her eyes at herself. "Forgive me, I should have said! I am here for an interview with Dumbledore!"
"Um," Severus said, Alex and Alicia looking at their father curiously. It was not often they saw their father at a loss for words. Not only that, he looked openly worried.
A moment later, his worries were realized as Jennifer and the boys came out of the robe shop, to meet them, tilting her head curiously when she saw the hooded woman, then suddenly grew pale as she stepped up, forcing a smile on her face before turning her attention to Severus, scrutinizing him carefully. Immediately, Severus took her by the arm.
"And here she is now, the one we've been talking about," Severus said, Jennifer's look turning into a glare.
"Professor Craw…or is it Snape? Oh it is so good to see you after all this time! Do you remember me?"
"Fleur, of course I remember you," Jennifer said, smiling again although her voice sounded strange. "My, you're more beautiful than ever, and you're English is so much better! How is your sister?"
"Oh, she's very well, thank you! And you look absolutely stunning and have such lovely daughters! But who is that with you?" Fleur asked politely, gazing at the two boys. Both Andrew and Aurelius had stopped dead in their tracks, and was staring at her with such vacant expressions that Alex and Alicia made faces at one another, wondering where their brothers went.
Sheepishly, Severus went over to them and grabbed their collars, walking them over while clumsily both of them brushed off their robes and offered up their most charming smiles, Andrew even daring to take her hand and kiss it while Jennifer gazed up at the sky for a moment.
"This is Aurelius, our oldest boy, and the bold one is Andrew," Severus said in a strained voice.
"Oh, this one is younger? But you're so tall, and such a dashing British nose, you look so much like your father," Fleur admired, Andrew only managing to get out a squeak rather than a 'thank you.' "Hello, Aurelius, how are you today?"
"Very well, thank you," Aurelius managed to get out. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Oh, and you too! And what a lovely deep voice you have," Fleur said, lowering her own playfully, but for some reason, Aurelius didn't seem to mind it. "Do you have any more?" she asked Severus with a smile. Jennifer frowned.
"Oh, yes, our adopted son, but he's been out of the house for years now. I'm sure you'll meet him if you plan to spend any time here," Severus said, Jennifer's icy stare turning on him.
"Well, it's been a nice visit, but I'm sure we're keeping you from something or someone," Jennifer said.
"Oh, but you're right, and I must hurry or I will be late! Oh, Professor Craw Snape, what a lovely family you have, I hope you realize how very lucky you are!" she said wistfully. "I hope to see you all again soon!" she added, realizing she didn't have time left to get a book as she turned back towards the Cauldron.
"Oh, sure, real soon," Jennifer murmured in such an acidic tone that even Alicia didn't miss it. "Severus, just why were you talking to that woman?"
"Don't worry, it's all right," Severus said quickly, shaking Andrew gently to try and keep him from goggling at the woman walking away. Even Aurelius was on his tiptoes trying to see her in the crowd. "I took a potion the moment I recognized her."
"Yes, and you know those potions aren't completely effective at certain times of the month," Jennifer said coolly.
"On a full Veela, perhaps, but the girl is only a quarter Veela, after all," Severus pointed out.
"Oh, she's part Veela! That explains everything!" Alex said much too loudly for both parent's liking.
"What's a Veela?" Alicia asked.
"I don't know, but I'd sure like to find out," Andrew said, immediately getting pulled up by the collar again by his father.
"I think it's time for all of us to hit the bookstore, don't you?" Severus said dangerously. "And you may want to take a quick look in the Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures while you're at it," he advised. "Coming, Jennifer?"
Jennifer sighed resignedly and put her arm around Aurelius, coaxing him forward until they found themselves standing in the busy shop, the noisy busy atmosphere pulling the boys out of their daydreams, looking around curiously to see if they could find their friends.
"Wait! Lists!" Severus barked, handing each one out. "Remember, no repeats, unless you happen to be in the same class," he added, Aurelius smiling wanly at that, Alex glaring at him in return. Once they were off, Severus immediately went back to the Ancient Runes section, while Jennifer wandered around to see what was new. Not seeing anything in Potions, she turned to head to the front when she saw a very strange display of books surrounded by a wall of what appeared to be empty jars. She rolled her eyes at the title of the book; Madame Bently's Beauty Tips and Home Brewed Solutions and turned her attention to the jar. As she picked it up, one of the clerks came up with another load of jars, smiling at her.
"What are these? Certainly not books," Jennifer chuckled.
"It's a promotion from the Bently Bewitching Beauties company. Buy the book and you get a free sample of Bently's Invisible Cream, Covers even the worst of blemishes to restore a woman's natural beauty and give them a timeless look. Or so the add says," he added with a shrug. "Who knows what's really in it, not that you need it, Professor Craw."
"Thank you," Jennifer smiled, "But now you've got me curious to see just what is in it, I think I'll get it," she said, grabbing the book and cream, knowing exactly what to test it out on.
