Chapter Fifteen

Consequences

It had been a while since Jennifer had such a memorable evening. And even when it was over and it was finally time to slip back up to their rooms, Jennifer barely felt the pain. Perhaps she was finally starting to become more desensitized, she mused as she walked into the bathroom. She took out a small phial hidden behind her set of perfumes and drank it down, and then waited for the painkiller to work before daring to step in the cold shower.

As she came out, she stared at herself in the mirror and at all the wounds she had accumulated, frowning as she recalled where she had gotten each one. But it was then that she noticed several small fresh bruises that hadn't been there before, realizing with some alarm where they had come from, for they had come from the time she had spent with her husband that night. She stared numbly at them in surprise and horror at the thought that such small love bruises would never disappear, and in panic reached for the cream, desperately covering them to make them go away; then the shoulder, her face, the paper cut, the knee scrape, the ankle and the hand, methodically going about each one until the last covered was the very mark that Malfoy gave her at the beginning. With a swoop of the hand she covered it as well, staring almost mindlessly in the mirror as she waited for the cream to dry and her skin to take on a more normal appearance. At last she stepped out, smiling weakly at Severus who sitting up in bed with his arms crossed, drumming his fingers.

"So much for a quick shower," he chided her.

"Well, you know I always want to look my best," Jennifer said flirtatiously as she walked over and he pulled out the sheets for her.

"I agree that you do look your best," he said back, gazing at her as she slipped in bed. "Much cheaper outfit too."

"Now if I could only find something to accessorize it with," Jennifer laughed as he turned over and put an arm around her, propping his head up.

"Will I do?" he asked.

"Aren't you even the least bit tired?" Jennifer chuckled at him, pulling up the blankets.

"If only we had not gotten interrupted," Severus muttered, snuffing the candles out with a wave of the hand.

"I know, I thought Boulderdash was going to catch us for sure," Jennifer chuckled, curling into him. "I felt I was going to faint for a moment when it looked as if he was going to walk down the entire length of the aisle to put that book away, I was sure we were in for it."

"I knew we should have gone to the Restricted Section," Severus murmured.

"Yes, but there aren't any rugs in that section."

"Good, less chance of carpet burn."

"More chance of splinters though," Jennifer teased, stifling a yawn. "Besides, there's a game tomorrow."

"Yes, and everyone is going to be there. Which reminds me, did I tell you that your father asked Dumbledore's permission to come as well?"

"Did he?" Jennifer said, unsure on how she felt about that.

"He wants to see Aurelius play. I assume he'll be accompanied, of course, since he's outside of London."

"Aurelius again! Andrew's playing too," Jennifer frowned. "I hate how Dad dotes on him!"

"Well, he is the team captain now and a Prefect, so I think for once Thomas deserves a bit of leeway," Severus said. "Besides, with everything going on it'll give us a chance to see how he's doing, and perhaps give you a chance to see if he has any clues to who may be behind it. He may not be willing to say any suspicions, but he may think of them."

"True," Jennifer said softly, feeling a bit uncomfortable. "Who do you suppose is behind it, Severus?"

"Hm, someone who knows your father well enough and hates him enough to do something like this. I wonder who that might be," Severus said dryly. "Could it possibly be just a coincidence that Malfoy disappeared just before this all occurred, and signed his company over, leaving himself free to do as he likes? Malfoy is definitely a part of this somehow, although I still find myself wondering what Ciardoth's part is in all of this."

"Nothing's really happened that in any way proves that she has returned," Jennifer said softly.

"I know, and yet all the same, I know she has," Severus whispered. "The cloud I've felt over me has not gone away but steadily increased since the night I first sensed her presence. It is only a matter of time I think before she reveals herself again."

The two of them became quiet after that, but long after Severus drifted into sleep, Jennifer still lay awake deep in thought. He was definitely making some good guesses. She remembered fondly of how he had somehow put all that business together last year…what a mess it had been! And yet with a bit of help from Harry and some crafty Auror-style detective work, Severus had done what no one else could and solved several murders related to her father's mine. Could he, she wondered, figure it out on his own, even without her input? A glimmer of hope shone through when she realized that she hadn't thought of that before. He could figure it out on his own! Perhaps she couldn't hint to help him or even confirm it if he did, but would that truly stop Severus from finding out? Leaning against him, Jennifer felt a little safer than she had a moment ago. Perhaps he would at that, Jennifer smiled, finally falling asleep.


Almost immediately she wished she hadn't.

For it seemed to her that no longer than it took for her head to feel heavy, a chill went through her that she couldn't shake. Suddenly she found herself once again standing in the dark, dusty mansion and wishing she had worn a robe to bed. There was very little moon that night, and the wind that howled through the large building felt and smelled like ice and snow to her. She was in what must have been a study, but there were Muggle electric plugs in the walls and hanging from the ceiling. She stared at them in bewilderment, even more puzzled as to where she was than before, when she felt a cold hand turn her around, and she found herself in a different part of the house altogether and was tossed front first onto the floor.

From the shoddy polish on the otherwise bare dusty wooden floor, she guessed that she was in a dining room, and again she felt the presence of fear that didn't seem to come from anything specific. But then she heard several sets of footsteps, and saw a pair of black boots step up in front of her.

"So, I see that someone is pushing her luck today," Lucius said, his voice as cold as steel. She felt herself being pushed even closer to the ground, unable to turn her head and see who else was in the room. "Consulting another Dark Wizard on curses," he tsked at her. "Hypothetically of course. Do you really think I'm a fool?"

"How do you know about that?" Jennifer snapped, gritting her teeth.

"I know everything you do," Lucius sneered. "From your attempts to try and potion up a cure, to every wound you have striven so hard to hide…" he said, slapping the back of her shoulder with his cane making her involuntarily cry out. "Oh, did that hurt? Even that foul little episode in the library didn't pass my attention… unfortunately," he added with disgust. "And just how long do you really think you are going to be able to keep that sort of thing up before you can't stand it anymore? As I'm sure you're aware by now, it's only going to be a matter of time before you run out of effective pain killer options. She does have amazing tolerance for pain, though. Probably her father's doing. I wonder how much it'd take for her to go into shock?"

"Oh, I'm sure you wouldn't let it go that far, would you? Because then everyone would figure out for themselves what's going on and the game would be up then, wouldn't it?" Jennifer said.

"I see as usual that you're still not listening to what is told to you," Lucius said with a cruel smile. "This game only ends when you are dead. It doesn't matter if you don't want to play by the rules, you still will. If you don't, it means only those around you will suffer. Well, not that they won't anyway, really."

"You can't touch them either," Jennifer said defiantly. "Severus would know you were behind it, and he'd realize my curse is gone. It's an empty threat, Lucius."

"I said those around you would suffer. I never specified your family… all the same, thank you for the reminder. So, I see you're of the opinion that Severus will figure this out without your help? Well, perhaps he will, but by the time he does it will be too late for you. Ciardoth has already seen it, and she has little reason to lie about that. Now, let's see, where was I? Hm, I think you owe me at least two deaths… one for seeking 'advice' from Weasley, and one from Hexendaas, although I'm sure I can dig up other discrepancies for a third. As it so happens, I had a request from a loyal servant of mine for me to arrange a couple of deaths. They're better off dead, really, trust me, they were never meant to recover. And I know just the person to carry it out, too," Lucius said, grabbing Jennifer by the hair and pulling her head up to see two robed figures with their faces covered. But between them was a man that she knew since her first years of teaching when he was but a student. "Tell her how eager you are to kill your parents, Neville."

"They are evil, and they must die," he murmured in a low voice.

"No! No, you can't do this!" Jennifer cried out, feeling herself forced down again. "Neville, fight it! Fight it with everything you've got!"

"Valiant as the sentimental attempt may be, I really don't think it's going to work, Jennifer. I've actually been working on him for months. He never was much of a socialite, and as long as alchemists kept getting their shipments, why would they be concerned? It's a fitting end to a pair of Aurors that were a pain in the backside in my predecessor's days. Speaking of backside, I think it's time for another set of reminders, one for each life I take for your insolence, and one life I will take as a reminder," he snarled, a lashing spell striking her back with such great force as to feel like a heavy whip. Involuntarily she cried out in pain, so angry at herself for doing so she held her breath during the second and the third, closing her eyes at the end. "Ready to wake up again?" he asked mockingly. "Well, let's give the boy time to get up to the room first, shall we? And I would advise you not to mention anything about this "dream" to your husband. Everything you do, regarding the curse or not, will have consequences. And the more you push, the more will feel the wrath of the new Dark Lord."


Opening her eyes in terror, there could be little mistaking the sharp pain in her back, dashing to the bathroom before Severus had a chance to truly awaken. She quickly closed the door, locking it behind her as she sank to her knees, unable to hold the tears back anymore.

Severus had rolled over when she had gotten up, not fully understanding there was anything wrong until he heard the lock snap. He blinked awake, lighting a candle and glancing at the clock. It had been years since either of them had bothered with locking the door…to hear it was so out of character that Severus got up, knocking gently upon it.

"Jennifer? Are you all right?"

"Actually, I'm not really feeling that well," Jennifer admitted after taking a moment to let her tightened throat relax. "I'm sure it's just all that silly candy at the banquet. I'll be fine in the morning," she said, glad she didn't have to look at him when she said it.

"Would you like me to get you something?"

"No, I… think I'm just going to take another shower and I'll be out again," Jennifer said.

"All right," Severus frowned, leaning against the door, lost in thought. "Are you certain you don't need any help?"

"Oh, go to bed, Severus!" Jennifer cried out with frustration, turning on the shower before sitting on the floor again.

Feeling a bit helpless and not liking it one bit, Severus retreated to his study long enough to get a book, having little intention of going to bed without knowing she was all right. Time crawled by as he tried to read. Even worse she took her normal maddeningly long time in there. It was almost to the point where he was about ready to go over and blast the lock off when her hand appeared out of the door and her wardrobe opened, a nightgown leaping into it. A moment later she came out dressed, her face a bit ruddy and eyes red, folding her arms in obvious discomfort. She laid down then with her back to him, not wanting to look at him. Sighing softly, Severus laid a gentle hand on her back to try and comfort her. Immediately she was up again.

"I'm sorry. Laying down made it worse. I think I'm going to sit up and have some soothing tea," Jennifer said quivering a bit. "Please go to sleep, Severus, I'll manage."

"Jennifer, I don't know what's going on, but if it's anything I've done…"

"Oh, no, Severus," Jennifer sat on the bed again and gazed at him adamantly. "You have been nothing but wonderful to me, even though at times I know it seems I'm blind to it. And I know it may seem sometimes like I don't have faith in you either, but I do, now more than ever," she said, kissing him gently, achingly aware that his worried gaze never left her as she went into the next room.


The next morning Severus peered into Jennifer's sitting room to find curled up asleep on her front, not looking any better than she had the night before. Gently he covered her with a blanket, brushing a hand against her to check her temperature, careful not to wake her. Frowning slightly, Severus went to his own sitting room and set up his small personal lab considering what to make for her when there was a knock. He opened it curiously to see Danny standing there, her face pale and so stricken with grief that Severus was immediately alarmed.

"What is it?"

"There was an incident at St. Mungo's hospital," Danny said softly, holding out a folded note. Quickly Severus took it and read it, his face growing even paler than hers as he read it. "Dumbledore's left you in charge. They've already left, Severus, but Dumbledore mentioned that the Quidditch game is up to you, either way I'm here to help."

Severus paused, reading it over again, before turning to her.

"Well, technically this wouldn't in any way have anything to do with the operations of the school," Severus said in a low voice. "Nor do I think he would have any reason to come here. However, if you could double check and make sure all the Port Armbands are working and the room is set up…"

"I'll go ahead and do that now," Danny agreed.

"Very well, I'll be down as soon as I have a moment to speak with Jennifer and see to our guests," Severus said. She nodded and he closed the door, pausing for only a moment before heading back in to her side, gently touching her back.

Immediately she sprang awake and sat up with a panicked look on her face, Severus gazing at her apologetically. A second later she recognized him and the panic was instantly gone, blinking a couple of times to get her eyes to adjust.

"Nightmare? Are you still not well?" Severus murmured.

"I… fell asleep on the couch," Jennifer said.

"Yes, I noticed. Something has happened and I've been left in charge of the castle," Severus said quietly, meeting her gaze. "I need to get downstairs. Perhaps you should see Sagittari."

"No… no, I'm fine," Jennifer said, getting up. "It's okay, I'll be down in a moment to help."

"Do not feel like you have to do this if you're not up to it. The game isn't until this afternoon, no one will say anything if you want to take it easy…"

"Severus, stop worrying!" Jennifer protested softly, kissing him. "I'll be right down."

"Very well, I accept the fact that you will be right down, because I know you well enough to know you will be if I want you to or not, but I'm not going to stop worrying," Severus told her firmly, getting up and walking out. Jennifer stood then, stiffly walking to her desk to get a potion as she watched the door close.

"Don't stop, Severus, don't stop," Jennifer murmured softly to herself.


It was still quite early when Thomas and his escort arrived for the game, which was just as well for him for he had his pick of seats in the teacher's box. Of course, he would have much preferred to sit in one of the Slytherin ones, but Severus sent word that there would be other guests there and had to settle for the center. He wore all tailored black robes as usual; but the green and silver tie around his neck and his old House pin on his lapel gave no doubt to what team he was supporting that game. Beside him sat a woman about ten years younger with very wild hair, twirling a small lock of it in sheer boredom as it changed into different colors of the rainbow.

It was then that the first of the teachers arrived, and Thomas couldn't be any less impressed when he saw Fleur Delacour at the top of the steps, pulling her hood slightly away to reveal her still masked face, pursing her lips in obvious disapproval as she went for a seat in the back. But just then, the box began to shudder a bit as something heavy was on the stairs, and Madame Maxime appeared, her eyes instantly searching for her former student, calling to her in French. Fleur hesitated and then answered, and then so did Olympe, then reluctantly Fleur got up and moved down as the headmaster sat upon the end of the bench that Thomas and the Auror were on. Fleur sat beside her, well aware that the woman next to her was staring at her. Fleur tilted her head to cover her face, but the obstinate woman leaned over to see her better.

"Excuse me," the woman said to Fleur at last. "Might I borrow your nose?"

"I beg your pardon?" Fleur said with surprise, staring at her.

"Well, you have such a nice nose," the woman explained. Thomas rolled his eyes and folded his arms over, attempting to ignore them both as the woman's nose changed to match Fleur's, touching it conscientiously to try and make sure she got it right before looking at herself in the mirror.

"Why do women think about nothing but their looks?" Thomas said critically.

"Because all men think about are women's looks," the Auror retorted.

"They all notice you. They can't help it because you always end up tripping over them," Thomas sneered.

"Mon Dieu, can you not even be civil to your own date, Mr. Craw?" Fleur said with exasperation. Thomas' eyes grew wide.

"She's not a date. She's a public disaster on loan from the Ministry!" Thomas said.

"I'm his guard," the Auror said primly, looking in the mirror again. "He's not allowed to leave London without one. I do like the nose, but it does make my mouth look too big."

"Your mouth is always too big," Thomas said.

"How do you put up with it? You should report him or… or something!" Fleur said.

"For what? Acting like a Craw?" The woman said with amusement. "It's all right, we're all used to it. As long as he's insulting you he's practically harmless, it's when he stops talking that you have to worry."

"Well, I would not put up with it, not for a moment," Fleur declared, turning and saying something to Olympe in French, and was answered back in a voice sounding strangely gentle for the large woman.

A group of voices could be heard then followed by a woman's laughter, and they looked up to see Jennifer and Rolanda come up the stairs, followed by Severus, Archibald, and Hexendaas.

"Hey! It's Tonks!" Rolanda said, going over to Thomas' guard and exchanging a hug, Jennifer following suit. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, him," Tonks said, gesturing to Thomas, then suddenly turned serious. "Everyone else got called in on the Longbottom case." Rolanda's face fell then, gazing at her.

"Are you all right?" she asked in a low voice.

"Yeah, it's just…" Tonks glanced at Severus then quickly looked down, avoiding Jennifer's gaze as well. "Well, at least the suffering is over," she murmured, and Rolanda hugged her again. Jennifer looked between the two wondering what that was all about, but Tonks caught it. "Jennifer, can I borrow your mouth?"

"Oh! Sure, I guess," Jennifer said, caught by surprise, slightly embarrassed as Tonks turned back to her mirror, changing her appearance again.

"Yes, that's much better," Tonks decided, and Thomas rolled his eyes again.

"My 'usband has left as well to help look for ze herbologist," Madame Maxime commented to Tonks. "He knew ze parents and ze boy, he told me."

"Yes, the Longbottoms were a very respected family here… once," Thomas said in a low voice.

Hexendaas, who had been busy talking to Severus suddenly turned and walked over to Thomas nodding respectfully to him.

"This is Hans Hexendaas, of Durmstrang. Thomas Craw, my father-in-law," Severus introduced.

"Ah, yes, Hexendaas," Thomas said, standing and offering his hand as well. "I know the name, of course. Our families once fought together, until the wars began."

"It is a great honor to meet you," Hans said solemnly. "I see your family line has held up well."

"Not as well as I would like," Thomas admitted with a chuckle. "After all, I am the last now, being that my only child was a girl." Jennifer turned and glowered at him.

"And my brother and I are the last of mine, and neither of us are inclined to remedy that," Hans said with a sneer.

"I don't blame you. A bunch of cotton heads, all of them," Thomas grunted, offering Hans a seat beside him.

"Does that include mother as well?" Jennifer challenged him and Severus put a hand on her arm.

"Jennifer, why don't we sit up here in front with Rolanda and Alvin," he suggested quickly.

"There are exceptions to every rule, Jen-girl," Thomas said evenly, but his eyes were flashing disapprovingly at her attempting to start an argument in public.

"Alice was a very kind woman," Fleur said firmly. "One of the kindest people I have ever met!" Thomas turned to stare at her.

"How could you have possibly met her?" he asked.

"Everyone at Beauxbatons knew her, Mr. Craw. She was there nearly every day when your daughter was, often bringing us bonbons or biscuits, and she was always warm and smiling. She was a very brave woman," Fleur said. "There were not many that didn't mourn her passing."

"No, but there were a few," Thomas said, his soft voice filled with such deep grief and anger that everyone instantly felt on edge. Severus glanced at his wife, who had her eyes closed as if to shut out the world around her.

"Perhaps now is not a good time to discuss this. Things are dark enough today as it is," Severus said in a low voice.

"Severus, you know as well as I do that the darkness won't end until Malfoy is dead, cremated and his ashes scattered to the wind," Thomas said starkly.

"Even then, darkness will exist, Thomas, but that doesn't mean we have to dwell on it, any more than you need to dwell on Alice's death," Severus said firmly. The two men locked gazes then and silence weighed heavily in the air until at last the roar of the crowd around them broke it and they glance out of the box to see that the game was about to begin.

Zack finished the adjustments on the armband and then stared at it thoughtfully. This wasn't a good idea. He was sure it wasn't. And if they got caught…

The door of the supply closet opened and Zoë peered in, grinning.

"So? How's it coming?" she asked.

"It's done," Zack admitted. "The curtain holding?"

"Oh yeah. Nobody's even noticing there's an exhibit there," Zoë said wickedly. "This is going to be so funny."

"Well, maybe to you," Zack said. "But how's he going to feel? I'd be scared out of my wits."

"Exactly, that's why they call it payback," Zoë retorted, taking the armband from him.

"Can't we set it up in the Menagerie?" Zack suggested.

"No, I told you, it would miss the point. Snooty old Haagen-Dazs hates Muggles…"

"Yeah, but if this goes off, there's no way the Ministry won't hear about this…" Zack said. Zoë rolled her eyes.

"What is with you? I swear I leave you alone for one year and you turn into a loser! What about what he did to me, don't you care anything about that?"

"Sure, I do. But this is a bit extreme."

"Good, then it'll be all the more effective," Zoë said, but then frowned when she saw the look on Zack's face. "Fine, you stay out of it then. But I am going to get even with him for what he did to me."

She closed the closet door as she left and he sat there for a moment, lost in thought, finding himself imagining the best and worse case scenario of the scheme. The more he thought of it, the more he was convinced the worse case was the more likely of the two, feeling himself once again torn between his loyalty for his sister and the knowledge that this practical joke was going to go very wrong indeed. Finally he got up, kicking himself for even letting her talk him into helping and wishing that Professor Weasley was there. With both she and the Headmaster out of the building, there was only one option left…and Zoë was already heading in the same direction. Running outside he let out a loud whistle and wrote a quick note as his goshawk came down.

"To Snape, Ceo, and pronto!" Zack said, the goshawk immediately taking flight, biting his lip as he watched it head towards the Pitch knowing he had sealed his fate.

After showing off in front of his grandfather by calling a tight broom formation over the teacher's stand, Aurelius' Slytherin team had made a very strong showing, despite the fact that Halbert and Andrew seemed at the best of their game, completely on top of the Bludger at all times and giving Heph and Stock a run for their money just to keep it away from the Chasers. Just a few minutes into the game, Hans frowned as the Gryffindors tossed the Quaffle up the Pitch.

"Where is Hauk?" Hans asked. "Isn't he a Slytherin?"

"Yes, but he didn't make the team this year," Severus said simply, and Hans raised his brows in response to that. "It seems Garret is doing well," he added as Meyers stole the ball back and shot it towards the other team.

"Strange that he didn't. He was the captain of the Kraken team," Hans went on. "I see Halbert got on, however." Jennifer frowned slightly at the comparison but turned her attention to the game, trying to ignore it.

"I believe Hauk made the mistake of having a disagreement with the team captain," Severus said.

"Then it's a good thing he doesn't live with his father anymore," Hans mused. "You would have had definite trouble if he had heard about it."

"Hans, would you kindly watch the game? This is no time for school politics," Alvin chided him. "The teachers don't pick the teams here, the students have a say too. Oh! Good dodge there! Wait, I think the Gryffindor girl sees the Snitch!" Shelly did seem to be moving for something, but then she pulled up short in confusion as a speeding bird flew in bounds of the pitch.

"Who let their familiar on the pitch?" Rolanda said, irritated for the interruption.

"Odd, what is that?" Hans murmured, looking at his feet, but no one seemed to notice anything but the bird heading towards them.

"It's a hawk of some kind," Alvin said, and Jennifer and Severus exchanged a grimace as they realized whom it belonged to. As it soared in, Severus put his arm out just in time for his landing, dropping off the note and crying out excitedly before taking off again.

"What is it, Severus?" Jennifer asked, wondering what could have been so important.

"Cryptic," Severus murmured privately to her. "A new exhibit at the London Zoo, try the reptile house."

"What in craters?" Thomas said, everyone staring at him in surprise as he leapt up.

"Hexendaas! He just faded away, poof!" Tonks said. "Wait, who's that underneath?"

Just then there was a flash from Severus' wrist, and he growled loudly as Tonks went to check, but Severus knew it was too late.

"She didn't do what I just think she did, did she?" Jennifer frowned, shaking her head.

"I would guess that she did," Severus snapped. "Jennifer, you're in charge!"

"Lovely!" Jennifer said as he ran down the stairs. Just then there was a roar from the crowd, and Jennifer and the rest of them looked over to see Aurelius there with the Snitch in his hand, and Shelly nowhere in sight.

"Damn! I missed it!" Thomas said in annoyance.

"Here," Rolanda said, handing him her Omniculars. "I'll get them back later. We've got to find Hans."

"If I'm right, you might as well head to the Ministry," Jennifer said with a sigh. "I have a feeling they'll be there soon enough."


Hans had felt something put around his ankle, and had even commented upon it as he looked down to see what it was. But before he could truly investigate the armband that had been placed there the world had become a blur, and he found himself crouched within what appeared to be a room full of trees, with a curious pond in the center molded from large cobbled concrete and filled with an unhealthy looking green moss. He then heard a rather annoying tapping sound and looked to see that the fourth side of the room was filled with a curious wall of glass that he could only see movement through. Immediately on edge he cast a spell on it so he could see more clearly. A crowd of very confused looking Muggles blinked at him. Hans blinked back.

"What in the world is that, some kind of joke?" A man asked, the two kids with him staring beady-eyed at the man and then at the plaque on the rail of the glass which read; Dangerous Dark Wizard! DO NOT FEED! "What rubbish! Let's get out of here," he said, coaxing them to the next exhibit.

"Wait a minute! I saw him wave his stick! Perhaps he'll show us some magic tricks!" a boy standing to the side said, wrapping on the glass. "Hey, mister, can you do magic?"

Growling in response, Hans waved his wand at the glass again and suddenly before their eyes it began to melt; the ones nearest to the glass backing up.

"So you want to see some magic, do you?" he asked, his eyes flashing dangerously at the boy who rapped on the glass. A moment and a flash of light later, the boy was no longer there. Instead there sat a rather unimaginative but effective olive green toad.

"MAD WIZARD! MAD WIZARD!" Someone began to scream and a panic ensued in the building while those outside of it stood there perplexed.

"A mad what? Did they say a mad lizard?"

"Maybe it's a particularly dangerous sort of lizard."

Zoë sniggered from around the corner as they rushed out.

"Well, that didn't take very long," she said to herself.

"Long enough, I should think," said a strained voice from behind her. Zoë turned around in surprise to see Snape standing there looking absolutely furious.

"How do you keep finding me so quickly!" Zoë exclaimed.

"Go back to the school. Go straight to your room. Stay there until I call you. Do it now," he snarled at her.

Frowning at him, Zoë sighed and Disapparated just as a slew of Ministry workers arrived and ran in. A wizard Severus recognized as Sal Ricks from Accidental Magic immediately ordered the doors closed and then rounded up the unfortunate Muggles that had gotten in Hans' way as another man began to argue with him on what he was doing there.

"You don't think this was my idea, do you? I certainly didn't put that sign up there, and I certainly didn't put this around my ankle!" Hans said furiously shaking the armband.

"A Portband, the type you have to trigger with a spell," Sal murmured. "And it has the Hogwarts crest on it."

"Professor? Are you all right?"

Sal and Hans both looked up to see Severus standing there.

"What are you doing here?" Sal asked in surprise. "No, I have a better question, what are we all doing here?"

"Someone fastened this around my ankle!" Hans said angrily.

"Yes, I suspected it was one of our Portbands since of course no one can Disapparate out of Hogwarts. The moment you disappeared I had it traced," Severus said. "When did you notice it? Did you see who did it?"

"I felt it when we were watching the game," Hans snapped. "I was teleported there, and then Muggles began to harass me!"

"They began to harass you?" Sal repeated dubiously, eyeing a large slug. "And that's why you began turning them into cold blooded creatures?"

"They were asking for it," Hans muttered. "Especially that one," he said, pointing at the toad.

"Well, we can't keep discussing it here, they need to get this cleaned up as soon as possible," Sal said. "If you'll follow me to the Ministry?"

Severus and Hans glanced at each other as if reluctant to do so but arrived in a very packed reception area.

"Come this way, follow close. As you can see, I'd rather get this over with as quickly as possible," Sal said, several wizards watching curiously as they passed.

"What is all this about, if I may ask?" Hans said when they worked their way down the corridor.

"A couple of long term patients of our wizard hospital here were killed last night by their only son, who then disappeared," Sal said. "Nearly every Auror and Law Enforcement Officer we got is looking for him, and a great deal of his friends as well."

"That is quite a circus for such a cut and dry murder case," Hans commented.

"There's nothing cut and dry about that case," Sal said, shaking his head. "Many of his friends insist he must have under the Imperius Curse, and personally, I think they're probably right but there's no way we're going to know until we find him."

"If he was under the curse, you won't be finding him alive," Hans pointed out. Sal sighed.

"It's not likely either way," Sal admitted, opening the door to his office. To his surprise, Percy Weasley and Alvin and Rolanda Archibald were already there.

"There you are! What happened?"

"A Portband around the ankle," Hans snarled. "Apparently one of the Hogwarts students decided it would be fun to turn me into a Muggle spectacle."

"He was teleported into a cage at the London Zoo," Sal explained. Hans glared at Rolanda then, who was trying hard to keep a straight face.

"This is hardly a laughing matter, Rolanda. If it was a student, I would think something like this would be grounds for expulsion," Alvin reminded her.

"Indeed, assuming that it was a student. Might I inspect the band please to see how it was altered?" Severus suggested. Sal handed it over to him.

"Of course it was a student, who else would be crawling under the stands like that?"

"Now, Hans, what motive would any Hogwarts student have to go to such elaborate lengths to trouble you? I hope you don't believe Eigil had anything to do with this…"

"Eigil Hauk! Of course not! I never had a moment's trouble with him! And he's too big to fit under the stands…"

"I assure you he does know the spell to correct that. But you are right to be skeptical. We have no reason to believe that he or any student…"

"What about Zoë Black?" Hans huffed.

"Zoë Black?" Severus repeated with a raised brow. "What motive would she have had, Hans? She was only at Durmstrang for the one night." Alvin glanced at the floor, not saying anything as Hans' lips thinned slightly. "Actually, I can point out at least one fair reason why she wouldn't have, and that's the scholarship Dumbledore has been helping her start between the schools."

"A scholarship between the schools?" Percy asked with interest.

"To help provide expense costs for students qualifying for the exchange program," Rolanda explained.

"Well I think that's a splendid idea…" Percy said, Sal rolling his eyes behind his back.

"I'm not sure I would support it myself," Hans interrupted. "I don't think I would want to encourage any of my best students to go to a school where such obvious troublemakers can so easily take advantage of school equipment, break countless laws concerning showing magic around Muggles and get away with it."

"Sir, may I point out that turning Muggles into reptiles and amphibians and such is also breaking the law?" Sal said.

"That was different. I was defending myself! I shouldn't have been put in that position in the first place! There is no doubt in my mind that that niece of yours is behind this, Severus!"

"Believe what you will, but until we have solid proof, I can hardly support any accusation. However," Severus paused thoughtfully, glancing at the Portband once more before giving it to Percy. "I do want to add for the record that I do not think Zoë Black is capable of performing such a delicate and precise change to a magic item such as this. The girl just came back from public schools in America, after all, and she's several months behind the other students in her year in all subjects. Perhaps she could have cast the masking charm or the Transfiguration charm on the exhibit... her father is in the housing business after all... but I assure you that this is beyond her ability. And I am quite certain that after your experts inspect it and gather her records you will come to the same conclusion… that is, if she's a suspect."

"So far, I haven't heard anything that's named anyone as a suspect, just a lot of supposition," Percy pointed out.

"Would you care to come to Hogwarts and inspect?"

"This isn't really my area, Severus. I'll have Thurspire send some of his men over," Percy said.

"Better yet, why not send Thurspire, so we can really put this to rest," Severus suggested. Alvin and Rolanda stared at him, and then glanced at each other.

"I doubt he can with what's going on, but I'll tell him your request," Percy promised with a sigh.

"And I will let you know if I find any solid proof on the matter," Severus said solemnly.

"Well! I suppose that's it then, for now. Being you're from another country and were put through… an unusual ordeal… I'm sure I we can overlook the toad thing this once," Percy said. "The Ministry really has its hands full with more pertinent affairs at the moment."

"Thank you," Hans said dryly. "In the meantime, I think I'm going to warn other colleagues from treading to Hogwarts lest they find themselves under the same hospitality."

"Well, ah, I suppose we ought to be getting back," Alvin said quickly. "You will have to thank the Headmaster for us, Severus. I for one had a very entertaining weekend." Hans frowned at Archibald but decided not to comment as they left the room.