Twenty-Seven

Jennifer Under Wraps

Attempting to avoid Severus even in a school the size of Hogwarts was no easy task, but somehow Jennifer managed to get through to Friday without crossing his path, making sure every mealtime was planned with someone else. Most of the lunches she spent with Zoë and Morfinn going over their project as well as taking care of all of the mice, something that both of them seemed quite willing now to help out with. That Friday lunch, however, Zoë had planned study time with Gretchen, and after a brief stop in the staff room to nibble at a pumpkin butter sandwich, Jennifer found herself wandering up to the library door.

Zoë, Mandria, and Gretchen were huddled at one of the smaller tables with books strewn about it, sometimes talking and giggling more loudly than Librarian Boulderdash would normally like as they attempted to teach Gretchen more English. Gretchen, in the meantime, was writing a letter to her friends back home, while Zoë attempted to get across some of the things she thought she ought to put in by using English, Latin, with even a few Norwegian and German words thrown in when she knew them to get her point across. Mandria, it seemed, had learned some basic Norwegian of her own, but even between them they obviously had their weak moments. Every time it got to the point where none of them understood anymore they seemed to break down into giggles rather than get frustrated. Not too far away, Alex sat with Aurelius and Stock looking over at them as if she were going to burst at any moment, with only her brother's constant reminder that she had a test that afternoon keeping her from going over there and intervening.

Jennifer chuckled softly to herself and shook her head with a smile, deciding to stay and watch to make sure her daughter didn't get involved. But after she had stood there a while, she felt a presence behind her and looked up to see Severus standing behind her gazing in as if he too had been there for some time.

"I don't suppose Dumbledore would approve if Alexandria mysteriously lost her voice?" Jennifer murmured.

"Don't worry. Aurelius is under strict orders to keep her out of it unless Gretchen directly asks her for help," Severus said quietly back. "How they can make any progress with all that giggling I have no idea."

"Progress? Severus, Zoë finally has a true friend at Hogwarts now, I'd say that in itself is huge progress," Jennifer said.

"Yes, albeit that we literally had to import one," Severus said dryly. "The language barrier is still a problem, of course, but the fact that Zoë is actively working on improving communications with the girl will help build a stronger bond, I think."

"Not to mention start her on the road to trusting people again," Jennifer said.

"Well, don't plan to give up your time with her yet," Severus warned.

"Oh, don't worry about that, Severus, she's working on a project for me that's going to give her opportunity to speak with me any time if she needs it," Jennifer assured him but then smiled again. "Look at her! If it wasn't my own niece I swear I wouldn't believe it's the same girl that stepped into school this year, or even two and a half years ago. You know, I admit there have been times in the last few months that I felt you were being overly hard on her, but you were what you needed to be with her, I know that now."

"So, might that mean you are no longer quite so upset with me?" Severus asked in a low voice. Jennifer sighed softly.

"Severus, I…"

"No, don't," Severus said, quickly cutting off her apology. "You were right to be angry. It was something you should have heard from your father or myself, and I had much more opportunity to speak of it so it is I who owe you an apology. And I don't know about you, but I would very much like to work this out. I'm not at my best when we're at odds, in fact I can say with certainty that I would do anything if we could just skip these little bouts of not speaking all together because I find myself spending every free moment wondering how to fix it and wondering if you've cooled down enough to attempt it."

Jennifer gazed at him sympathetically.

"I do have a rotten temper," Jennifer admitted apologetically.

"And one that surpasses even mine at times," Severus said softly, "but I hardly hold it against you. In fact, I might even be inclined to say after almost eighteen years of experience that there's nothing that can put a chronically overbearing man in his place like being married to a beautiful woman with a fiery temper."

"You're not overbearing to me, Severus Snape," Jennifer whispered lovingly.

"Precisely my point. I wouldn't dare to be," Severus murmured back, glancing up at the students beginning to pass, glancing curiously at them on their way from lunch to their classes. "Let's have dinner in the rooms tonight so we can talk?"

"Severus, it's Coven Night. I did promise Hermione I wouldn't miss this one," Jennifer said.

"Well, then, once you get back."

"It might be very late!" Jennifer protested, stepping away from the doorway.

"Forms tomorrow?"

"Uh, no," Jennifer said, but leaned into him when he frowned. "But breakfast is doable, if your appointment book is free?" she added flirtatiously.

"If it isn't, it will be," Severus said in a low voice as she moved away, watching her walk down the hall before reluctantly heading to his own classroom.

But Jennifer left with mixed feelings…glad in so many ways they weren't fighting anymore, but frightened as well. She tried to put it out of her mind as the day progressed, concentrating instead on the relaxing evening instead and hoping beyond all hope that no one would bring alcohol this time. Sighing at the implausibility at that, Jennifer double-checked the potion she was on to make sure he wouldn't have any curious effects with it. She then added another healthy layer of Invisibility Cream to herself before wrapping up her chest and putting on a casual, fairly comfortable dress and grabbed the two-liter of Coke before heading to the Three Broomsticks.

No snow had fallen that week, although it still lay on the frozen ground. The clear cold air of January froze the breaths of patrons as they hurried to get inside, and Jennifer too felt quite glad to get in and warm up.

"Good evening! How are you Jennifer?" Rosmerta said warmly to her the moment she got away from the bar with a strange smile on her face. "Doing all right, I hope?"

"Yes, fine, just cold," Jennifer grinned.

"Well, I think nearly all the others are already downstairs waiting," Rosmerta said, leading her to the back. "Everything's set up and I think you'll find it warm enough, but if you need anything, do call me," she insisted, opening the cellar door for her.

"Thanks," Jennifer said, and stepped downstairs. Danny and Hermione looked up and greeted her warmly from their places at the pentagonal table within the pentacle, while Minerva got up and went over to her, giving her a hug.

"It is good to see you. I've been worried! Goodness, Jennifer, what are you wearing?" She said with surprise.

"What? It's one of yours!" Jennifer said, double-checking her dress.

"I meant the corset," Minerva said chidingly, then lowered her voice. "Jennifer, if you need me to go up a size on your dresses, honestly, I'd think you'd tell me. One size isn't going to hurt your figure any." Blushing bright red, Jennifer let Minerva lead her back over to the table, and Jennifer glanced at the seat yet to be filled.

"So, we have Essie this week, I suppose?"

"Ah, no, actually, Winifred had a cold and she decided to stay home," Hermione explained quickly while bending over to fiddle with her bag to keep from looking at Jennifer directly.

"Anna, then?" Jennifer asked brightly.

"No, she's on another profile case. But don't worry, I found someone else," Hermione said, coming back up with her bottle of Newt Wine.

"Oh, no Hermione, you didn't. Please tell me you didn't invite who I think you did!" Jennifer said aghast.

"Jennifer, this night is about Witches having some fun and getting away from the men for awhile, and if there's anyone I know that seriously needs to get away from men for awhile, it's Fleur Delacour," Hermione said.

"If she's coming, I'm not staying," Jennifer said, getting up. Immediately protests broke out around the table.

"If you go, you'll break the star, Jennifer. You know we can't have a Coven Night with just four," Danny said.

"Come, now, Jennifer, this really isn't like you, and besides, it's only for one night," Minerva scolded.

"Just a little effort, please Jennifer. After all, she is a fellow Professor, and therefore deserves the same respect as any of the others," Hermione said. Growling softly, Jennifer sat back down.

"Fine, but don't expect me to contribute more than the bottle of soda I brought tonight."

"Well, that's too bad, because I was really hoping to hear exactly what it was that you and Severus have been fighting about all week," Hermione said. Jennifer stared at her in surprise.

"What makes you think we've been fighting?" Jennifer asked.

"Well for one thing, I've noticed that any time you and Severus aren't getting along the number of complaints that Dumbledore gets for Severus' behavior by students and parents alike quadruples," she said, Minerva attempting to hide her amusement at that. "And you have been extremely testy and reserved lately as well."

"Well, maybe I have been a little short tempered lately," Jennifer admitted.

"A little?" Danny grinned at her. "You've been a terror ever since we got back from vacation."

"Now, girls, girls, let's not get ahead of ourselves, we haven't even started yet," Minerva chiding them with a smile, then paused. "I think I hear the door now."

Jennifer turned with the others as a pair of light feet came down the stairs, the graceful figure covered with her long blue hooded cloak. Jennifer groaned softly at that and turned back around.

"That time of the month all ready?" Danny teased.

"You may take that off, Fleur. There won't be any men down here this evening," Minerva assured her with a smile.

"Oh, thank you!" Fleur said sincerely, carefully unbuttoning it and pulling back the hood. "It is such a trial sometimes! Oh, and I'm so happy to be here! I've always wanted to do this!"

"They don't have Covens in France?" Danny asked curiously.

"Oh, yes of course," Fleur said, glancing briefly at Jennifer who was intentionally not looking at her as she put her cloak over the back of her seat. "But I've had a hard time making female friends since I left Beauxbatons."

"Well, we are all friends here," Minerva said firmly, ignoring Jennifer's behavior. "Why, Fleur, I thought you were going to wear the new dress you got from me tonight!"

"I was going to, Minerva, but to be honest it didn't fit me quite right. I know it was cut to be a tight waist but it is a bit loose through to skirt, and I thought perhaps…"

"Oh, I see," Minerva said, glancing at Jennifer again who had turned red again. Let her think Fleur was the reason, then, Jennifer thought angrily to herself. "Come by the shop tomorrow and we'll get that fixed straight away. Jennifer can tell you that I take care of my customers, she's a real regular."

"That is exactly why I came to you! She always has such beautiful clothes!" Fleur said appreciatively, glancing at Jennifer who still had her arms folded across the table.

"Thank you, it helps to have a fantastic model to work with," Minerva said, smiling at Jennifer. But the smile was a bit thin, and had Jennifer been watching, she would have noted that her dearest friend was quickly losing her temper. "But come, let us begin! Did you bring something to drink, Fleur?"

"Oui, I brought some Chardonnay," Fleur said. "A tribute to my home."

"Oh, thank goodness it's not absinthe!" Hermione said. Danny and Minerva laughed at that as they brought out their whisky and tea as well. "Really, look at the rest of us, though, bringing the same old things!"

"I like Coke," Jennifer said defensively as she poured hers on top of the tea. "It reminds me of all the things I still want to accomplish in my life."

"I think that's a very valid reason to keep it in," Minerva agreed. "As is my tea, to old friends and the conversations it brings out."

"And my Newt Wine in honor of tradition," Hermione put in.

"And Golden Heritage, definitely the only one I have," Danny said with a bitter smile.

Everyone grew quiet a moment, Minerva stirring the brew to bind them together, then Jennifer filled each cup in from of them to the brim.

"Now then, where were we?" Minerva said. "And don't forget, no work related issues, girls."

"Actually, I think Fleur should start," Danny suggested mischievously. "I for one am extremely curious about something."

"I will try to answer if I can," Fleur said carefully.

"Well, the days you put your hood up… when that happens does that affect just the men, or does it affect you too?" Danny asked.

"Oh that," Fleur said, making a slight face. "Yes, it does affect me too, but my mother taught my sister and I meditations to control times when we're… well, not seeing anyone," she explained. "Mental disciplines that help keep the mind clear under times of heightened… stressful situations."

"Really? That's quite interesting," Hermione said, intrigued. "It reminds me a lot of Severus' study on telepathy…" Hermione hesitated then when she saw the glaring look on Jennifer's face.

"Hermione, no work," Minerva chided her.

"Does it fail a lot?" Danny asked wickedly.

"Oh! Um, sometimes if I am extremely attracted to someone under normal circumstances it doesn't work so well, which has inspired two disastrous marriages besides other mishaps," she sighed, shaking her head. "I would like to believe I have learned from all of those and matured since then and yet… sometimes it's just so hard not to fall in love, even if you don't know if it's real or not on the other end."

"Well the only advice I can offer to that is not to marry someone unless you do know the answer to that," Minerva said with a smile.

"Is that why you never got married?" Danny teased.

"To be perfectly honest, Danyelle, I never really had the desire…and with the entire school there to curb my nurturing appetite, I rarely regretted that part, either. Especially after Jennifer came along," she chuckled. "In some ways, she needed nurturing worse than the students."

"I am not sure I understand," Fleur said, gazing at Jennifer who was distractedly twisting the cup in circles upon the table.

"My mother's death left a very empty hole in my life," Jennifer said slowly, "and during a time when in so many ways I needed her more than ever before. Minerva stepped in for me, and has actually been doting on me ever since."

"Well, who else have I got?" Minerva said in complete admission.

"I think your mother would have been very proud of you, Jennifer," Fleur said with a gentle smile. "You have done very well for yourself, and you have such a wonderful family! I would do nearly anything to have a family as happy as yours!"

"Well, short of an occasional sparring match," Hermione teased. "Just what have you and Severus been fighting about anyhow?"

"Stuff in his past," Jennifer shrugged, Minerva suddenly frowning in concern. "Actually, it seems rather silly, really. We're not fighting now."

"Thank goodness. I'm sure the students will be relieved to hear it," Hermione said, Jennifer giving her a dirty look. "So you want to have a family, Fleur?" she added, quickly changing the subject.

"It's really all I've ever wanted," Fleur admitted wistfully. "But you know, I think this move here has been good for me. Perhaps I really will find what I've been looking for."

"Well, they do say third time's the charm," Hermione said, raising her glass. "And I for one wish you the best of luck."

"We all wish you the best of luck," Minerva smiled, looking pointedly at Jennifer.

"As long as you don't have to destroy anyone else's family in the process," Jennifer amended as she took a drink, the rest of them frowning disapprovingly at her but taking a drink as well. But the most uncomfortable of all was Fleur herself, and she didn't care to say more than two words about anything the rest of the night.

Severus awoke the next morning to find Jennifer sleeping at his side and found himself letting out a sigh of relief. Turning on his side, he kissed her shoulder and slipped an arm around her but then frowned in confusion even as she snuggled into him.

"Jennifer, what are you wearing?" Severus said, running his hand over her side before looking under the blankets.

"A corset," Jennifer said softly.

"A what? Isn't that uncomfortable? Just how much did you drink last night?"

"Oh, Severus, honestly! You know I never drink more than one glass of anything…"
"Did my sister come and bring absinthe again?" Severus squinted.

"No, actually, Hermione got it into her head to invite Fleur, if you must know," Jennifer said. Severus groaned and fell onto his back again, shaking his head as he looked at the ceiling. "Do you really hate it?"

"Jennifer, what am I going to do with you?" Severus asked. Jennifer curled up next to him again. "You don't need a corset."

"I probably don't need as many dresses as I have either, but you've never objected to those," Jennifer said softly. "It's just another garment."

"All right, all right, but no more wearing it to bed," Severus said with exasperation, Jennifer nodding slowly as he pulled her closer, running his hand over it again experimentally. "So, are you going to show me how to take it off?" Jennifer didn't answer right away, and then suddenly yawned.

"Actually, I'm still really tired from last night, not enough sleep yet," Jennifer said. Severus gazed at her searchingly for a moment, and then nodded.

"Sleep yourself out then, that's what weekends are for after all," Severus said kissing her. "Once you're awake again, we'll eat and have our talk. The lesson can wait until later," he added with a wicked smile. Jennifer smiled weakly back at him before settling into bed, closing her eyes despite being too worried to sleep.

But as Severus slipped into his sitting room, his eyes spotted a folded note lying under the window. Thinking perhaps it was a note from Tassels and Panning about his Snoop Chain, he picked it up read it, the contents making him stare at it with a bewildered expression. Grimacing, he glanced at the bedroom door then at the note then back again before putting it in his pocket. Scribbling a quick note and putting it in Jennifer's coffee cup, he went out into the hall.