Chapter Seven

On The Spot

When the strange knock came to the door, Severus looked up from his work, rolling his eyes in complete exasperation when he saw who it was.

"Oh, not you! Thurspire, what are you doing here? Actually, whatever it is, I don't care. I've been accused of enough in the last few weeks, thank you, so whatever you want to say, take it to Dumbledore," Severus said irritably, turning back to the scroll on staff policies he was studying.

"Actually, he's the one that told me to come to you," Thurspire said, ignoring Severus' growing annoyance at that. "And for the record, I'm not here to accuse you of anything."

"Really. Well, there's a first time for everything, I suppose. Do you mind? I'm frightfully busy," Severus said. Thurspire craned his long neck a bit to peer at what Severus was reading until Severus rolled it up and glared at him.

"Severus, why don't you just have the boy take a test of the board's making that you had nothing to do with? If he's half as brilliant as his grandfather, which I suspect he is, he'll prove once and for all you had little to do with it," Thurspire suggested.

"He shouldn't have to prove anything," Severus snapped angrily. "If it had been any other student in his year it wouldn't have been an issue at all."

"Probably true," Thurspire admitted.

"No probably about it. It's as wrong as you acting against Jennifer when she first arrived because of what Thomas was mixed up in with your father," Severus snapped at him. Thurspire gazed at him fixedly.

"Was I or was I not at the house burning last year?" Thurspire said evenly. "Or was that business about getting this all behind us solely for Thomas' benefit?" Severus sighed and turned back to the scroll, attempting to ignore him. "Besides, I only meant to help. You have to admit it would get the heat off of you."

"I have been accused of worse," Severus said. "I merely don't want him dragged further into the mess. Now if all you came here for was that bit of 'advice', I really think you ought to leave."

"Actually, it's about something entirely different, Severus," Thurspire said, leaning on the chair beside him. "I want to know what theories you have on Ciardoth's abilities of late and if she may be connected with this sudden 'blinding' effect on seers and others with second sight."

"Hardly anything new," Severus said, distractedly waving at the chair. Ederick sat down quickly as if half afraid he'd change his mind. "When we were first beginning to realize just who and what Ciardoth was six years ago, Icarus happened to mention that there was a strange haze over events that happened to him during this time period. And the centaurs stated more than once then that she was not in the stars."

"Well, I can understand why that happened if she truly is not supposed to be here," Ederick said. "But that does not explain recent events. Very reputable wizards with the gift have suddenly begun to draw a blank, including your adopted son's sister. She hasn't even been able to manage a weather report."

"I'm well aware of her current situation," Severus said.

"Then perhaps you have some theories for what is causing it?" Ederick prompted again.

"Only by assuming a lot of things we're not certain of yet. For example, I may assume that Ciardoth had something to do with this, directly or indirectly, but we do not know it for a fact. Right now we know too little to make any suppositions or rule anything out…unless you know something I don't. But considering you're willing to come to me, I would conjecture the Ministry has no more clue what this is than I do," Severus said.

"Perhaps," Ederick said expressionlessly. "But there is a very urgent need for some sort of conjecture. Something other than the most obvious worst case scenario, of course." Severus glanced up then, raising an eyebrow.

"Which is what, in your opinion?"

"That all the predictions that the majority of them have been professing over the past year are actually coming about," Ederick said seriously. "That perhaps they don't see anything because there isn't anything to be seen. Many of them are beginning to believe that the world as we know it really is about to end."

Severus gazed at him for a very long time before speaking.

"Do you often listen to prophetic doom-saying, Thurspire?"

"Well, no of course not, however…"

"Nor do I, or any other type of prophetic nonsense. Perhaps there are times when such things should be taken as a warning to be cautious, but I prefer to be cautious at any rate. Perhaps there are those out there who will be much better off having those silly predictions, astrologers and so forth silenced for awhile. They may even realize that destiny is determined by one's choices not by the draw of a card or the moving of a needle," Severus said bluntly.

"Yes, you say that, but really, Severus, I think you're only fooling yourself if you think we should just leave this," Thurspire said icily. "I know for a fact that Essie Brim has used her ability more than once to save your life and your children's lives. In fact, I dare think your family wouldn't be here without it. And even if you do want to deny that, I would make this argument. Had it been any other magical gift that was just snuffed out of existence, no matter what it was, you would be more than willing to stick your nose into this. Well, fine, wash your hands of it as easily as you always try to wash your hands of me. But this isn't about us. This isn't about the fact we hate each other, or even about your stubborn everyone-else-is-inferior-to-your-intellect attitude. This is about the fact that life as we know it may very well be on the line and this is merely a symptom that worse things are to come. I came to you only at Dumbledore's insistence that you are supposedly the expert in the subject, so I suppose you only have yourself to blame for what happens if you choose not to cooperate. Just remember that by doing so you're leaving it in my hands," Thurspire said crisply, watching Severus' facial expression change at the idea. "You know where my office is if you change your mind," he added as he walked out of the office.

Severus gazed over at the large frame on the wall, but it was currently empty. Pushing away his work and glancing at his watch, he decided to go help Jennifer in the lab to cool off for awhile.

As Jamie thundered onto the Hogwarts express to find Joanie, the four Snapes calmly put away their things and peered in each car looking for people they knew. The sound of sneezing alerted Alicia and she quickly found where Morfinn and Phoebe were sitting, while Halbert's deepening, bellowing voice attracted Andrew's attention. Alex joined Zoë, Zack, and Gretchen, while Aurelius strode directly up front towards the Prefect car, taking only a moment to nod at Slytherin on his way passed them.

Aurelius knocked briskly and waited for the door to open. Stella Bulstrode, the new Slytherin Prefect, nodded respectfully to him and let him in. Immediately he went over to the ornate table in the center of the room and raided the nuts before glancing around at the four, long, overstuffed couches that lined two walls, nodding stiffly to the other Prefects already there. Shelly Meadows, the sixth-year Gryffindor, was chatting companionably to Ralph Waldo, the seventh year who had taken over for the Ravenclaw Prefect. Seeing that Mary earned the window seat, Aurelius nodded to her respectfully.

"Meyers. Head Girl this year, I see?" Aurelius said.

"Yes, and boy was my brother furious about it," Mary said with an enigmatic smile. Aurelius couldn't help but sneer slightly at that.

"I suppose he would be. Still, perhaps he'll have a chance in a few years," Aurelius shrugged at her. Stella frowned at Aurelius, obviously not in favor of the idea. "I suppose since the Gryffindor couch is near the window, Gaffney got the other spot," he said, not too thrilled with that realization. Seeing the look of distaste on his face, Shelly beamed all the more.

"I think he's going to make a great Head Boy. At least, better than last years."

"No offense to Ravenclaw, but anyone is better than last year's choice," Aurelius said, Ralph looking uncomfortable. Archer had not been a popular Head Boy, and often had disappeared any time it looked as if he had to make a decision about anything.

"So, you have an owl this year, Snape? What happened to your snake?" Stella asked, waiting for him to get settled on the velvet forest green couch before sitting down herself.

"Oh, I still have Achilles. I've just been taking care of Fluke for Dumbledore since…well, he was Auror Belle's," Aurelius explained, lifting up the cover on his cage to check on him. Stella frowned slightly. "He really hasn't gotten over it yet, so I'm supposed to try to get him used to the castle so he can join the regular post fleet there."

"I've been reading about it in the paper," Ralph said with a nod. "From what I hear you were awful lucky to have come out of it with just a concussion."

"I'm surprised you didn't try to take her on yourself, especially considering you told us you've had dealings with Ciardoth before," Stella said.

Aurelius didn't really care for her tone. In fact, he'd never really cared for her. But Jocelyn Farr had had few options as a successor when she had left. The obvious choice, her sister Juliet, was only a fourth year; and rather than leave Aurelius in the lurch having to take orders from choosing a seventh year, she chose a sixth. Not that Stella hadn't pulled in her fair share of points, Aurelius knew, yet her tendency to follow Eigil Hauk's little clique had not endeared her to either one of them. But after making several compromises including agreeing to leave Aurelius as the head Prefect and promising to name Juliet as her replacement, Stella got the job. It was a decision that Aurelius even now wondered if he would come to regret over the next two years.

"Had I been given the opportunity, perhaps I would have," Aurelius answered evenly.

"Actually, I was rather wondering why you were staying there in the first place," Stella admitted. "It doesn't sound like much fun spending the summer with a pair of old washed-up Aurors. Were you working for them in some way?"

"Auror Belle happened to be my godmother," Aurelius snapped, but no one missed the way his face paled at the question. "And if I want to get away from the rest of my family for a while, it's not anyone's business but mine."

"We're sorry, Aurelius, we didn't know," Shelly said when a silence threatened to overtake the room. Aurelius merely nodded to her, but was grateful for her comment more than he let on. Before anyone could think of a way to change the subject there was a knock on the door and Stella got up to let in Mandria Shea, followed by Ted Gaffney, who looked rather smug.

"Make way for the new Head Boy, back in Gryffindor colors at last," Ted said cheerfully. Mandria and Aurelius both rolled their eyes as he strode to the window seat opposite Mary Meyers. "Sorry about the delay. Press, you know."

"Oh please, spare me," Aurelius said sourly. Ted turned and smiled wryly at his expression.

"I swear you sounded just like your father just then," he said cheerfully, putting a bag away.

"Oh, stop it, Ted, you know the press was there to hound my father," Mandria said, getting settled before turning to Aurelius again. "You're lucky you got here early. They'd have been over you like a magnet."

"Not likely. Harry Potter dropped us off," Aurelius said unconcernedly, setting Fluke's cage down and raiding the nuts again before getting out a schoolbook to glance over. "Besides, everyone knows the press will say anything against a Snape. I swear sometimes it feels like I'm a part of the royal family or something."

"We know you didn't cheat, Rel. I even told my father I didn't think so," Mandria said.

"All the same, I can see how it'd look bad," Ralph said. "Especially since your sister did above average as well."

"As far as my parents are concerned, she wasn't applying herself," Aurelius admitted. "But that's beside the point. I have been at the top of my class since the end of my second year, and I'd just as soon the governor's board would figure it out so they'd leave my father alone."

"Exactly. How many students in Hogwarts gets advanced a year in any subject, let alone take the top honors in the class?" Stella put in with a nod.

"Only that happens to be Snape's class as well, and Snape hasn't been known for his impartiality over the years," Ted said, Aurelius' eyes fixed on him. "Not that I don't think you're brilliant, Rel, but honestly, his record is against him in this and you know it, whether any of us believe it or not."

"I was not coached," Aurelius said bluntly, turning back to his book. The room fell into silence again, the only sound being that of the clacking of the train on the tracks.

"Rel, can I talk to you outside for a moment?" Mandria said at last. Sighing, Aurelius reluctantly put his book down and followed her out. She glanced around but everyone had settled into their compartments, and the sound of the train muffled their conversations. "Aurelius, look. I want you to be up front with me. I don't think my parents believe you were intentionally coached by Snape any more than I do, but are you sure he didn't, well, subconsciously help you in anyway? Advise you on what to study, or perhaps what to read over the summer?"

"Of course not, we pick whatever we want to read! Just because they make us study over the summer doesn't mean we're being coached!" Aurelius hissed angrily, glancing around conscientiously.

"Has he ever offered suggestions?"

"As a parent, yes, but what parent doesn't?" Aurelius said. Mandria sighed.

"Look, I know you're good at keeping secrets, so I'm going to tell you something despite the fact that I'm not supposed to talk about anything I hear my own parents saying. It's true they might not be able to get enough evidence to fire your father over this, but it is possible they may request that the four of you are transferred to a different school," Mandria said.

"WHAT?" Aurelius said so loudly that that Mandria tried to hush him as curious students began to peer out of their compartments. "They can't do that. They wouldn't dare!"

"I'm afraid they could at least recommend it as a preventative measure to keep these incidents from cropping up," Mandria said in a low voice, watching him seethe sympathetically. "Just…just be aware of it, Aurelius. I can only suggest you try to be really careful this year. Even the slightest bit of favoritism towards any of you may be very dangerous, especially if it gets out of the school…and not only in the classroom, but all those dinners at Sagittari, expeditions in the Dark Forest…"

"I'm not giving up visits to Pali," Aurelius said firmly. "And I'll quit and turn Muggle before I go to another school," he swore, slipping back inside. Mandria frowned worriedly, lost in thought a moment before following him back in.

Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, leaned over his journal with a Phoenix feather quill, often pausing to think out his wording before adding it to his notes. He was so lost in what he was writing that he was not aware of anyone approaching his study until he heard the knock at the door. Gazing at it curiously, he glanced at the clock and noted the time. Taking a moment to rub his eyes, he stood, waving the doors open.

"Ah, Hermione," he said with a smile as she came in. "Everything ready for the Sorting, I trust?"

"Well, nearly, except for one little problem," Hermione said. "The paintings of Severus and Jennifer aren't staying in their frames."

"Well, you can hardly blame them for not wanting to stay in the offices, can you? Especially as dreary as Severus keeps his. You of all people know our paintings don't stay put. Even the frames seem to move themselves from time to time…" he said, squinting at the painting of Caprica Dusthorn who winked at him.

"Well, yes, I know but…I happened to observe the Severus painting stalking the Jennifer painting around the main stairwell," Hermione explained, Albus watching her steadily. "And then he caught her."

"Oh, I see," Albus said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, I don't think you've any reason to be concerned. Paintings share the personalities of their subject, as you well know, and I'm perfectly confident that once the students arrive they'll be the picture of conformity," he assured her mischievously.

"I don't know, Albus. I mean, the two of them never have carried on like that in the public eye before, either," Hermione pointed out.

"I'll talk to them if it'll make you feel better," Albus said easily. "Now, why don't you grab the Hat for me so we can head downstairs? I expect the train will be arriving soon." Albus straightened his desk, putting away the quill and journal and setting the candy dish in the drawer and pulling his appointment book over to glance at it. But as Hermione picked up the Sorting Hat off the shelf he was immediately distracted by the unusually loud protest of the Hat itself.

"Don't you dare even think of putting her in another house!" the Hat declared loudly, mimicking Hermione's voice. Hermione froze in her tracks, her face paling as she stared at it. "If you do, I swear I'll put you on Pomona Sprout's scarecrow, sprinkle you with seed, and have the birds at you until even the Headmaster wouldn't recognize you!"

Albus gazed at Hermione over the rim of his glasses. Hermione, completely horror stricken, soon felt her face grow redder and redder as she gingerly put the Hat on the desk and backed away. The Hat scrunched up as if it were glaring accusingly at her.

"Hermione, I hope you don't think I'm too presumptuous in asking, but you haven't perhaps found an occasion to come in here alone and then attempted to threaten the Sorting Hat, have you?" Albus asked with a stern smile.

"I uh…that is to say…well," Hermione said, feeling all the more uncomfortable anytime she caught the patient but intent look in his eyes. "Sorry, Professor," she finally blurted out, grimacing.

"You know, it's been a long time since I assisted with the ceremony. I believe that I will do the honors of Sorting this year," he decided, ignoring the expression on her face. "After you've brought them in, of course. We can't have the Hat going in with a biased opinion, can we? Besides," he added, gently picking up the Hat. "If Joan were placed in Gryffindor just because of your attempts, I dare think you would never forgive yourself. I only hope the Hat won't be tempted to put her in Slytherin just to spite you now."

Albus was aware of the worried look on Hermione's face as he went down the spiral stairs, a private smile playing across his face once his back was turned. Hermione took a moment to pull herself together before following behind, hearing the sound of the train whistle in the distance.