Chapter Twenty

The Fifth Victim

Although there was still daylight left in the late afternoon, the area around the White Mark seemed dark indeed; especially with all the cloaked patrons that gathered in small groups outside the Pig's Pannage murmuring suspicions among themselves. Jennifer and Severus arrived to see the Mark floating above the bar. Immediately they went up to the door, the Enforcer standing guard gazing at them thoughtfully before stepping aside to let them in. Chairs were tossed about the drab inn, and the photos and paintings on the wall were chattering, snarling and sneering in response, while on the far end a group was gathered at the open door to the back room. Alastor Moody, as intent on his surroundings as ever, was the one who noticed them come in and walked over to them.

"Who was it?" Severus asked in a low voice.

"Culwch," Alastor said in a low voice.

"Culwch?" Jennifer repeated with grief, sitting down.

"They're sending for Cynn Brogan now. I had Audi go along to help since she knew his temper. This is going to have a very rippling effect, Severus. Culwch was well known," Alastor said.

"Yes, and there can be no doubt who did it this time," Severus said in a low voice.

"Don't be so sure," Alastor said dryly. "You do know your father-in-law was in here earlier?"

"But that was hours ago," Jennifer said.

"Not to mention he was with an Auror and a student," Severus said.

"Yes, I know, but he did have a few words with Culwch, and none favorable," Alastor said.

"Since when does my father have any favorable words for anyone?" Jennifer said curtly.

"Yes, I know that and you know that, but Thomas hasn't been in this area in since the Hog's Head burnt down and to have hinted that anyone in here had been doing favors for Death Eaters is bound to draw attention. It also doesn't help the fact that Tonks dropped your father off at home an hour ago… just about the time that Culwch went to the back room and didn't come out," Alastor informed them quietly.

"He's not allowed to Apparate nor can he do it without detection, nor even use the floos without notice. He's hardly going to come back here," Severus said.

"Yes, but you must remember that Thurspire thinks that Thomas has some special way of getting around no one knows about," Alastor murmured. "You know, it may make things easier between the Aurors and the Enforcers if that little matter were cleared up."

"No," Jennifer said, so sharply that both of them looked at her in surprise. "I'm sorry, but I won't allow it. I won't have my daughter put in danger because that idiot can't see the obvious."

"It's not just him, Jennifer," Alastor said. "The public is eating this up. Quite a few of them are convinced that Thomas is either doing this himself or have taken on a protégé to do it for him. And although you and I both know how ridiculous that is, the pressure on the Minister to do something to placate the public is growing. If they don't arrest him, we may be looking at a full Wizard Council inquiry. If that happens, they will force us to take him in."

"Only if a majority votes against him," Jennifer said, sounding a bit shaky again. "I don't want anything said about how he got to Sudan."

"I agree," Severus said with a nod to his wife, putting a hand on her shoulder. "There must be some other way to shift the public focus onto who is really behind this, Moody."

"How can we, when the Ministry isn't ready to declare their own suspicions," Alastor said. "And that's technically all we got right now, suspicions. That and five corpses."

"And six deaths," Severus mused, but Alastor shook his head.

"Five, actually," Alastor said grimly. "Lunette Vallid believes that Baylor may be still alive, and very much on the loose." Severus stared at him, stunned by that admission, but his blood didn't truly run cold until he glanced at his wife who was gazing the floor and noticed that she hadn't reacted at all.


Dumbledore watched as Severus paced back and forth across the floor of his study, leaning back slightly in his chair with his hands crossed.

"She knew, Dumbledore, she knew, but she didn't say a word," Severus muttered after it had been going on for a while.

"Yes, I know," Dumbledore sighed. "I had a similar conversation about it with her myself and she definitely didn't react as I would have expected." Severus stopped in his tracks.

"You spoke to her about this before? She had already heard it from you?" Severus asked starkly.

"Severus, she knew then. You are right, she has known it all along," Dumbledore assured him.

"And just when were you going to tell me about this?" Severus snapped.

"Please, Severus, do try to calm down, although I don't blame you for being worried," Dumbledore said quietly. "It happened when you were off after Zoë because of that zoo incident, and you have been nothing but busy since then, I haven't really had a chance. In fact, I dare think your schedule over the last few years has become as hectic as mine."

"Well, it also doesn't help that you're always canceling our lunches, either."

"I am sorry, Severus. Things come up in my schedule as well. But right now, I assure you that Jennifer's behavior is definitely at the forefront," Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "Besides this event, does anything else come to mind that she's been doing that's been odd?"

Severus paced a few more times before he stopped and considered it, pacing again.

"There have been a lot of times over the last couple of months that she's done something I might have considered odd for her to do…very small things that by themselves seem trivial. But there are so many of those…that is why I've been on edge, wanting to question her…and yet every time I do…"

"She lashes out, yes," Dumbledore mused.

"That's not all. There was an incident at Minerva's today."

"Yes, Minerva wrote me about Regretta," Dumbledore sighed. Severus glared at him as he turned to pace the other way.

"Is there anything that you don't know about?" Severus said.

"Well, I don't know what's bothering Jennifer," Dumbledore said gently, taking out the map. "I see she's in her office. It seems that Aurelius is on his way to meet her."

"This time of night?" Severus frowned, stopping his pacing and coming over to see himself.

"Yes, interesting," Dumbledore said thoughtfully, getting up. Distractedly, Severus sat down to watch the map as Dumbledore took up the pacing, but stopped after only a couple of passes. "You know, if Aurelius thought she was in immediate danger, I'm quite sure he would come to one of us, or at the very least be making some move of his own."

"Perhaps, but she is not necessarily telling him everything."

"Oh, no. I am certain she is not," Dumbledore agreed. "She would not want to burden him with her problems, we both know that. But you know as well as I do that Aurelius doesn't miss much… he is like you in that way… and over the last year and a half he has began to develop his inborn talent for judging people. Perhaps I will try to get a word with him about how he feels about keeping secrets in general these days. In the meantime, the two of us will keep our vigil. The holidays are in just a few weeks now, and perhaps being home will be just what you need to get past this barricade she's put up."


A heavy snow fell that very night, and by the time classes began it blanketed the castle in several inches. The students in the castle were immediately electrified with excitement as their thoughts turned towards the holidays, and the annoyed staff did what they could to keep their minds on their studies.

Even Andrew and Alicia couldn't help but be swept up in the morale; the events at Hogsmeade suddenly seemed distant and Christmas enticingly close. But the bright mood seemed to merely pass over Alex and Aurelius as they scoured the papers, worried over what they were reading. Even Stock and Mandria had decided enough was enough with their brooding. After finishing their homework, Stock went to his room to work on mine business and Mandria headed outside to enjoy the wintry weather.

"It's literally like night and day between them," Alex said to Aurelius where they sat in the library. "The Daily Prophet is focusing on the impact that these deaths are having on their communities, but is also stating that the Ministry has not declared on official suspect."

"Yes, and the fact that Thurspire has also said that he's unwilling to rule anyone out has given the Oracle the room they need to make that decision themselves," Aurelius said grimly, showing her the newest edition. "'It must be noted that according to the Auror in charge of parolee and known serial killer Thomas Craw, he was escorted home before the incident at the Pannage occurred. It is also known that Mr. Craw did not stay at home, as he was seen at the Leaky Cauldron later that night and is rumored to have rented a room for the evening for a private dinner. Could this merely be a ploy to establish an alibi? The fireplaces in the Cauldron, it should be noted, are a part of the regular floo system, accessible to anyone with the proper key. It also should be noted that despite the location charms placed on Mr. Craw, he has been known to have disappeared on at least one occasion where the current Ministry failed to find him. One would wonder if the parole board's decision to allow Mr. Craw to run free without an escort in his own backyard is wise; especially considering how many wizards live within the London area.'"

"It sounds to me like they're trying to frighten everyone," Alex said.

"Yes, that's exactly what they're doing. People are scared, Alex, especially those that remember what happened when Voldemort was alive. They want the Ministry to do something fast and considering grandfather's past crimes, he's becoming the favorite to be nominated as the scapegoat."

"What do you suppose grandfather was really doing at the Leaky Cauldron?" Alex mused, glancing at the Oracle.

"Eating, what else? You know how often he goes there, he gets lonely and doesn't like to eat alone. This isn't the first time he's decided to rent a room out for dinner. You know the sort of friends he has, old families, some with bad reputations, and if they have even the slightest record the Ministry would come down on Grandfather for meeting them. Sounds to me like he was just being himself and in his same routine. Now that routine and his past record are being used against him, and we all know by who," Aurelius said.

"Malfoy," Alex nodded in agreement. "But why go to all the trouble? Why not just try to kill him outright?"

"Well, obviously because grandfather's only part of the agenda, and also remember he doesn't know where we live," Aurelius said. "When he's out, he's usually with someone… most the time Boltin or an Auror. Even if he wasn't, I think Malfoy is still a bit afraid of him, wand or no wand. He wants to get Grandfather in a position where he is completely helpless to do anything."

"A Craw is never helpless," Alex said proudly. But Aurelius looked thoughtful.

"Perhaps not, but we could be made to feel that way," he mused, Alex frowning at him in response, wondering what he was thinking. Aurelius folded the paper. "I don't know, just the weird feeling I've had since that dream still hasn't gone away. Anyhow, as long as the Ministry keeps looking for actual evidence instead of listening to public support, Grandfather's safe. And I can't see Minister Malfoy being the type to back down to anyone."

"I wonder what must be going through his mind right now…" Alex murmured.

"Yeah, I know. But I think Father's right in that we need to let him and the Ministry worry about Lucius. I just hope they find him before the Oracle gets people riled up to the point they want to lynch our grandfather. By the way, Stock mentioned this morning that Goblin Financial reports that shares in the Oracle are up because of widening subscriptions," Aurelius said. "Seems Malfoy Industries is getting a good profit margin from all of this."

"Trust Longbottom to try and make a profit over other people's suffering."

"Not to mention cornering the market in a number of rare hybrid plants Neville specialized in. At least he's not getting his hands on the Pannage," Aurelius said.

"Oh, big loss there," Alex said dryly.

"Well, Culwch left it to Cynn Brogan, and I hear from some Slytherin whose relatives frequent there that after they're done with the investigation he's going to leave it closed long enough to refurbish it. He might even clean some of the glasses," Aurelius said, smiling thinly.

"I bet they break if he tries. The dirt is probably the only thing holding them together," Alex chuckled, glancing up at the clock. "Come on, it's about time for dinner."

"Good. Maybe the food will help us take our minds off all of this," Aurelius sighed, gathering the papers.

"Rel," Alex said in a soft voice. "Do you think that we're safe here? I mean, I know it would have been easy to get in the Pannage, but Azkaban, Rel…and the other prison and the hospital…"

"As long as we stay together like father said, we should be all right. Nobody in their right mind would try to take on one Snape or Craw, let alone an army of us," Aurelius said. "Besides, we're heading home soon for the holidays, right?"

"Right," Alex said as they stepped into the corridor.

As they got close to the Great Hall, Aurelius heard his name and paused to see Dumbledore walking down a side corridor, smiling warmly at them.

"Good evening, Alexandria. Looking forward to the holidays, I suppose?"

"Yes, Professor," Alex grinned.

"But not neglecting your studies, I hope," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes. "Do you suppose I could have a word with your brother?"

"Sure," Alex said reluctantly as she decided it was probably prefect business, heading on in.

"What can I do for you, Professor?" Aurelius said with a polite nod, his face instantly taking on a very serious look.

"Well, I was wondering more if I could do anything for you," Dumbledore said as Aurelius raised a brow curiously. "You and your family. You see, I know very well how much pressure has been placed upon you and your siblings over everything that has happened, and frankly, I have been a bit concerned. How are your siblings handling all of this?"

"Alexandria is a bit anxious, I suppose. Alicia's taken up talking to paintings again, and Andrew… well, Andrew's all right. Actually, he's got other concerns at the moment. Really, though, Professor, this whole in danger thing has gotten to be a habit for us," Aurelius said with a shrug.

"Yes, I suppose it has," Dumbledore said somberly. "And how are you?"

"To be honest, Professor, I don't know," Aurelius murmured. "I don't know what I would do if… well, if I had to face him again."

"What about Ciardoth?" Dumbledore said quietly.

"She doesn't scare me," Aurelius shrugged. "She could only kill me."

"So it isn't his actions, but your actions you are concerned with most?" Dumbledore asked quietly, and Aurelius nodded. "I understand, Aurelius. It makes perfect sense considering what you went through."

"Yes, that's what father said," Aurelius sighed, pausing outside the back door of the Hall.

"Ah, so you've spoken with him as well? And how is he?"

"He seems to be handling it like he always handles stuff like this, I suppose. You know Father. As long as he feels in control, he's all right."

"And your mother?" Dumbledore asked. Aurelius' frowned, gazing at the Headmaster searchingly.

"I don't know, Professor," Aurelius said at last. "Perhaps you or father should talk to her."

"She hasn't been talking to us, Aurelius, only to you," Dumbledore said, but Aurelius shook his head.

"She's not talking to me either, sir. I went to her last night because the first secret she gave me was going to get out and to get another one and… well, it wasn't very enlightening," Aurelius said, and then grew quiet.

"Aurelius, you know very well that I would never ask you to betray someone's confidence," Dumbledore said quietly. "But if you can shed any light, any at all, no matter how small you think it might be, I would very much like to hear it."

"No sir," Aurelius said at first, Dumbledore sighing and nodding with acceptance. "But perhaps I can ask you for some advice?"

"Of course you can."

"If you found yourself in a position where you were protecting someone's secret, not knowing what it is, but just as you knew that the person you were protecting was terrified of that secret getting out, you also knew the person seemed just as terrified of it not getting out…what would you do?" Aurelius asked. Dumbledore gazed at him for a long time before he seemed to consider the matter.

"I do not believe I would allow myself to get into the position in the first place… however," he mused thoughtfully when Aurelius nodded slightly to himself. "If I had no way of finding out what it was about, perhaps I would be tempted to find out why." He paused then, as if considering on whether to say more, but then suddenly turned for the door. "Have a good dinner, Aurelius."

"You too, sir," Aurelius said, wondering to himself just how to manage that before walking inside.