Chapter Twenty
Guests for Yule
The gutters of Baker Street were overflowing when the Snapes arrived home, walking through deep puddles to get to the stairs leading to the front door.
"What a mess! I bet all of my herbs in the back are ruined," Jennifer said as they stepped inside. "Do you suppose the tree is alright?"
"I'm certain a little rain won't hurt it," Severus said.
"This is hardly a little rain," Jennifer said. The other four, who had gone over to the fireplace to make sure all their trunks had arrived, stopped and looked thoughtfully over at the worried glances exchanged between their parents.
"How about some coffee?" Severus said. "Do you suppose Mercy got our message?"
"I'm sure she did. I should go see where they all are," Jennifer said, heading to the kitchen while Severus' eyes flicked over to the footlockers.
"Seals, Aurelius?"
"All still in place," Aurelius nodded, glancing over the wards over the locks.
"Good, take them upstairs," Severus said.
"I don't suppose I can go out once we're unpacked?" Alex asked.
"Pushing your luck already, are you?" Severus said in a low voice. "Very well, but only for a few minutes, if you don't mind?"
"Right," Alex quickly agreed, enchanting her trunk to walk up the stairs in front of her. Aurelius followed with a shake of his head, and then the other two followed soon after, shrugging at each other as they went upstairs.
Severus lit the fire in the front room and turned up the gaslights in the hall before stepping into the kitchen to find Jennifer distractedly pouring coffee beans into the top of the machine.
"The yard is an absolute mess," Jennifer sighed. "It might as well be a swamp."
"I'll work on draining it in the morning," Severus promised. "Hello, Mercy, any problems?"
"None worth noting, sir, except the basement is a bit damp, sir," a chipper Elf voice said from somewhere around them. "Welcome home, sir!"
"A bit damp? I'm afraid to think what that means," Jennifer said. "Didn't you stock the potion shelves before we left?"
"Yes, I had better get down there now and see what the damage is," Severus said.
"I wonder what the Muggles think about all this strange weather?" Jennifer murmured, debating on whether or not to try the television. Of course, she had tried to find the news before on occasion, only to see something incredibly silly on instead. Pushing the button on the coffee machine, she decided to get Alex to help her when suddenly Alex hurried down the stairs in her slicker. "What in the? And just where are you think you're going? And in the rain, no less!" Jennifer exclaimed.
"Oh! Um. Father said I could?" Alex said hopefully. In the time it took for Jennifer to blink, she was out the door. Exasperated, Jennifer turned and prepared to storm down the basement stairs to confront her husband but found him sitting on a step halfway down with his head in his hands. Sighing softly, Jennifer sat beside him, looking at the four inches of water on the floor. Fortunately, the bottom of the potion shelf was still eight more inches above the waterline, but it was still a very disconcerting sight.
"I guess Rasputin and Descartes have to sleep in our room tonight," Jennifer said thoughtfully, Severus' gloomy expression not changing. "Welcome home, Severus." Severus made a face at her but put his arm around her, staring at the occasional glint of light off the dark water below.
It took Severus and Jennifer the better part of the following day to get the house in order again, but that was only the beginning for Jennifer, since she had to get ready for the upcoming holidays. It was not long after she began to drag out some of the decoration boxes that she realized there was a definite absence of children in the house. Feeling annoyed, she went down into the basement to find Severus staring at a home manual on waterproofing charms.
"Where on Earth is everyone? I was going to send them for garland only to find the rooms empty!" Jennifer said.
"Alex went to the Ministry, Aurelius went to your father's house with Stock, and the other two are visiting Sirius, I believe," Severus said, marking his place before he looked over to her. "I was planning to go to St. Mungo's myself after I finished this so that Sirius would have the opportunity to launch death threats at me again. I can bring them home and stop at the market for you on the way if you'd like."
"No, I suppose it can wait until tomorrow," Jennifer sighed. "I'm sure they will be around during baking day."
Severus watched thoughtfully as she went back up the stairs, frowning slightly. There was little doubt now it was going to be a very tough holiday for Jennifer.
That fact became even more obvious just before breakfast the next day as she began to set up the kitchen. Alex was the next one out of bed, heading for the coffee pot as if she had drank coffee every day, despite the fact that Jennifer had never seen her drink it before.
"Good morning! Coming to lend a hand?" Jennifer asked cheerfully. Alexandria paused a moment as if slightly surprised by the question.
"Well, maybe for a few minutes," Alex said diplomatically. "Actually, I was hoping to head back downtown today. Did you hear that they're inviting Muggles to the Ministry Ball this year? Well, Muggles that know about us, of course."
"Wait a minute, Alex, I seem to recall our invitation saying they were having it on Christmas Eve this year," Jennifer frowned. "In fact, I know it is since that's the reason your father and I decided not to go."
"Oh, I don't expect the two of you and the others to go," Alex said quickly, glancing at her father in the doorway who in turn was wondering what he was walking into. "But you know, Mother, it'll be easier for me to get placed in the Ministry next summer if I have a chance to touch base with other departments."
"She has a point, Jennifer," Severus put in as he poured his coffee. Jennifer stared at him in surprise, realizing with annoyance that she couldn't read him. "In fact, perhaps we should all go," he went on. Alex whipped her head around to look at her father, a flash of terror in her eyes. "We can show our own support to the changes put in place with the BELA movement which encourages this sort of thing, since it also eliminates the need for using the Obliviation Curse. Besides, that way we can still spend the holiday together."
"I'm sure everyone already knows what side you support," Alex protested. "Really, there's no reason to trouble yourselves over a silly little ball… I won't stay late…"
"No, your father's right, Alexandria, we'll all go," Jennifer sighed. "Especially since you need to go. I really wouldn't want you to spend Christmas Eve alone. Besides, it's hardly like I had anything planned for that night yet, since everyone's coming over for Yule this year."
"Then I can't go out for Yule?" Alexandria frowned. Jennifer put down the bowl she had just fished out of the cabinet and stared at her.
"No you certainly will not! You are lucky right now that your father was here to stick up for you, or you wouldn't be going to the ball either," Jennifer said irritably. Severus simply sat down at the bar and drank his coffee.
"Thanks, Mum," Alex said, painfully forcing a grin on her face before turning towards the bar. "Thanks, Father," she added with such a sarcastic edge that Jennifer couldn't help to blink in bewilderment as she watched Alex leave the room.
"Just why do you suppose did she say it like that?" Jennifer asked. Severus shrugged, sipping his coffee again.
"Out of the icebox, Andrew," he said casually a few moments later, causing Jennifer's attention to waver off of him as she grabbed a long-handled spoon. But Andrew had quickly gotten himself out of range was she swiped the empty air with it.
"Just for that, Andrew, you can come out and take care of breakfast! I have enough to do without worrying about what you're getting into!" Jennifer scolded.
"Oh, all right," the voice of Andrew said and he then appeared, getting into the icebox again. "I don't suppose you would let me go to Shelly's for Yule? Her family is throwing a big Mistletoe gathering party if the rain clears up…"
"No, you cannot! We're having family over and I expect everyone to stay here and help," Jennifer said, growing grumpier by the minute.
"Really? Who all is coming?" Andrew asked curiously.
"Your cousins will be here, and Corey and Rose if she's feeling up to it and hasn't had the baby yet. Even Father and Fleur had the gall to accept the invitation. Don't you want to see them?"
"Sure," Andrew shrugged, tapping his wand against the pot to give the water a head start boiling. "Of course, I'd also like to watch Shelly climb trees."
"Just poach the eggs, Andrew," Severus sighed disapprovingly.
"Honestly! Am I the only person here who wants a family gathering this year? I think the rain and the strange weather in general has dampened everyone's Christmas spirit!" Jennifer declared, looking over the springerle molds and making sure she found them all. But before Severus could make any sort of comment, Aurelius walked in.
"No breakfast yet?" Aurelius inquired.
"You could start on the toast," Jennifer snapped.
"It's all right, I've got it, Mum," Andrew insisted as bread hopped out of the box and onto a tray and knives began to merrily butter them.
"I'll set the table," Aurelius said amiably. "By the way, is there any reason I can't go to Stock's house for a few hours on the first of Yule?"
"That does it!" Jennifer said, throwing down the molds and wiping her hands off angrily. "I'm not going to spend my day working in the kitchen for something none of you want to do any more!" she said, storming into her bedroom and slamming the door behind her. Andrew and Severus turned and sighed at Aurelius.
"What did I do?" Aurelius scowled back defensively.
"Aurelius, I need not tell you that the situation this holiday is quite explosive, so I would prefer that you and your siblings put extra effort at humoring your mother and staying close at hand," Severus said.
"Why, what's up?" Andrew asked.
"We're all going to the Ministry Ball for one thing," Severus said calmly. Aurelius whistled.
"Well, that's living life dangerously, isn't it?" Aurelius replied.
"Why? What could be so bad about going?" Andrew asked curiously as he began dishing the eggs.
"I suppose it is time you and Alicia were updated," Aurelius decided. "Time for a meeting, I think."
"After breakfast," Andrew insisted, checking on the toast in the oven.
"Good, then I shall briefly check on your mother and then join you," Severus said in a low voice, putting his cup in the sink.
"You will?" Andrew said, growing even more curious. "This must be a bigger family crisis than I thought."
Severus' attempt at reasoning with Jennifer did nothing to improve her mood, especially with him going on about how it was only natural as the children got older that they would want to do other things. Perhaps he was right, she frowned in the mirror at herself, but holidays were for family, after all. Why was it she was the only one that seemed slightly interested? Perhaps it really was the weather, she brooded, looking out the window. Never had she longed for the biting winds and heavy snows of winter as she did in that moment. Without it, the entire world seemed very wrong.
Not even an hour later, while she was still staring at the ceiling of her room with a mirror in her hand, a spicy smell drifted by Jennifer's nose, getting her attention. Curiously, she cracked open the door and heard voices and noises coming from the kitchen. She went to investigate, stopping short in surprise when she saw the room was bustling with activity. Andrew was busy sliding a tray of simply decorated gingerbread in the oven, while Aurelius worked to organize a stack of baskets and prep ingredients for the others, looking over Jennifer's baking list. Alicia was busy molding the springerle biscuits, looking over the pictures on each one critically, while at the bar sat Severus Snape, making a show of supervising while actually absorbing the headlines in the Daily Prophet.
"I still think these pictures would look better with a bit of color," Alicia complained.
"No," Severus said, glancing unbendingly at her from over the edge of the paper and his spectacles. "You are to simply follow the instructions on the list you found."
"Even the part where I'm only supposed to make five dozen?" Alicia challenged him.
"No, that you can ignore," Severus decided.
"Well, what's all this?" Jennifer asked at last. "What did you do, hang them up by their toes again?"
"I believe they're getting too old for that sort of persuasion," Severus said, looking behind him as he heard the front door close. Alexandria came in a moment later with a pine garland around her neck like a bolo and a paper in hand.
"London Times, Father," Alex said. "Rel, come help me with the tree."
"All right," he said without arguing, putting down the baskets.
"Mum, where's the box with all the Christmas candles?" Alex asked.
"In the attic, I think," Jennifer said, still looking between them all suspiciously. "I'll go get it."
"That's all right, I can manage. Why don't you just relax and put your feet up," Alex suggested as she walked back out.
"Put my feet up?" Jennifer repeated with disbelief. "Severus Snape, what exactly are you up to?"
"I am reading the paper to see what the Muggles think of the weather," Severus said unconcernedly. Exasperated with his answer, Jennifer shooed the other three out and took over the baking.
"That is not what I meant and you know it," Jennifer said, grabbing her apron. "What exactly do you have on them that they're willing to go through this sort of lengths to try and appease me?"
"What makes you think I have anything on them?" Severus asked evenly.
"Because I can't read any of you, for one thing! Including you!"
"Jennifer, it is less than a week until Christmas. Is that really all that extraordinary?" Severus asked. Jennifer frowned, but didn't bring it up again. "It appears that the Muggles believe the weather is caused by a shift in the Gulf Stream because of a strange cool down effect in the northern Atlantic… something to do with greenhouse gases."
"Greenhouse gases? What is that?"
"Something to do with industrial pollution, I believe," Severus said. "Interesting, isn't it, how the Oracle's own explanation is rather close to this one?"
"I was wondering where I heard that before," Jennifer said, looking away from the ovens. "In fact, the Oracle's reports have been strangely accurate compared to the Prophet, haven't they?"
"My guess would be they're not using a Weather Predictor at all," Severus agreed, and then frowned at something else on the page. "Jennifer, do you happen to recall what time the sunset last evening?"
"Hm? No, not really…not that anyone can tell with all the rain every afternoon anyhow," Jennifer said. "Why?"
"How about this morning? What time did you get up?"
"Around five, I believe…"
"And when did the sunrise?"
"I don't know, seven'ish, I suppose. Really, Severus, I don't know, I was busy. Does it matter?" Jennifer asked.
"I'm not sure," Severus mused, then shrugged. "It could be nothing… and yet… here we are on the verge of the winter solstice, and yet it truly does seem in many ways to be the beginning of September."
"I know," Jennifer sighed, then shook her head. "This is no freak of nature season, even those who doubt Ciardoth is the cause must now realize it's more than just that."
"I am quite certain it is her," Severus said, getting some notepaper to send out some Owls. "It is the question of how she might be doing this that worries me the most."
Just as the Yule Log was put in place, Zoë and Zack knocked upon the front door, and not long after came Corey and Rose. Immediately, Jennifer began to fuss over her being a week overdue already, insisting on making her as comfortable as possible despite her protests.
"I'm never going to have this baby if it's too comfortable to come out!" Rose laughed.
"He or she will come when he or she is ready," Jennifer said. "Are you hot? Perhaps I should open some windows."
"It's going to be even hotter if you're still going to light the Log tonight," Zack said.
"Of course we shall. Alex, why don't you get everyone some cool drinks?" Jennifer suggested, opening the front windows anyhow. She paused at the last one, staring out with furrowed brows before walking over to the front door again.
There was really no doubt who it must have been, but all the same when everyone looked up they had to do a double-take when they saw Fleur Craw, for instead of her long flowing platinum hair she had a long fluffy crown of white feathers descending into the back of her dress.
"Bonjour, everyone! Oh, Rose! I'm so happy you made it!" she said brightly and sat down beside her while Thomas stepped over behind her.
"I bet she isn't," Thomas smirked. "Late, eh? A Craw wouldn't dare to be late…"
"Oh, Thomas!" Fleur scolded with exasperation. "Please pay little attention to him. He is just nervous about becoming a father again."
"A Craw is also never nervous," Thomas said flatly. Jennifer rolled her eyes.
"So you say! But wait until I begin to molt," Fleur teased him with a twinkle in her eyes. "What lovely decorations, Jennifer! Very festive!"
"Never mind all that, where is the remote?" Thomas asked, glancing around.
"It doesn't matter, Dad, that thing isn't working right now," Jennifer said testily. "Now, why don't you come sit down? We'll be lighting the Log soon."
But Thomas paid no attention to his daughter. Instead he inspected the television with a critical eye before taking the plug and putting it back in the wall. Then he made a cursory look around and raised a finger as if reaching a conclusion. Striding into the kitchen, he cautiously pushed a button on the microwave and took out the remote hidden within it and then went back into the front room, turned a chair around, and clicked the contraption on contentedly.
"Well, isn't that just lovely?" Jennifer seethed.
"So! Are you hoping for a girl, or a boy?" Fleur asked Rose quickly.
"Well, when I first found out, Essie told me she thought it was going to be a girl," Rose said with a smile, "but we would be happy with either, of course!"
"Oh, of course! Thomas and I feel the same…although, I must admit we are being hopeful that it is a boy," Fleur said wistfully.
"Yes, I hope so too. I would hate for another girl to have him as a father," Jennifer said icily. "Or were the two of you planning to put her up for adoption and try again?"
"I think I better see what's keeping Father," Andrew said in a low voice, hurrying into the hall.
"And people think our side of the family is screwed up," Zack murmured to Zoë.
"Might I ask about your…hair, Aunt Fleur?" Zoë said, ignoring her brother. "Is that uh…normal?"
"Well, of course you may ask! Veela often lose control of their human shape when expecting, Zoë, but fortunately I am only part Veela, after all. Does it look so terrible as all that?"
"I think you're as beautiful as ever, Aunt Fleur," Zack put in. Jennifer snorted softly.
Suddenly the television seemed to turn off on its own and Thomas jumped up in surprise, flipping switches, pushing buttons, and even kicking it experimentally. A moment later, Severus came in with his violin case in hand, Andrew not far behind.
"Good evening. I see things are going about as I expected," Severus said, earning a dirty look from his wife.
"Alexandria, help me get this damned contraption to work!" Thomas said, still pushing buttons.
"Don't bother. I paid a visit to the fuse box a moment ago," Severus said evenly, and then waited as Thomas attempted to figure out what he was talking about then went to the back of the house. He returned a moment later, clicking the remote with frustration. "That won't work either. I happen to have the fuses in my pocket. You will just have to join the family this evening, Thomas."
Jennifer beamed at Severus as Thomas turned the chair he had been sitting in back around and sat down, already looking bored in anticipation for the evening ahead. Jennifer bit back her anger at her father as she took her own seat, trying to concentrate on Severus who had walked to the fireplace. Setting down his case on the mantle he took out his wand, turning to everyone thoughtfully.
"So here we are, despite yet another year of people trying very hard to kill us," Severus began, getting a dry chuckle from Thomas in response. "And even worse, attempting to draw us apart," he continued, glancing at Jennifer. "But once again by some miracle we are still here and still growing…well, hopefully not tonight," he added. Corey, Rose and Fleur chuckled nervously. "And the fact we are here is something that I do not take for granted, nor should any of us. No matter what evil befalls the outside world and no matter what futures lie ahead for all of us…if my life was taken tomorrow, I would go knowing that over the years we have accomplished something larger than any of us have individually. And despite our momentary differences of opinion, I know that this family and its beliefs will live on as long as even one of us survives to carry on."
The children looked at each other worriedly as he lit the fire, and also noticed that lines of worry had crossed Jennifer's forehead as well despite her warm smile when she clapped and then hugged him.
"Was that a speech or a eulogy?" Zack whispered to his sister, who shrugged at him.
"Andrew, why don't you get the gingerbread," Jennifer suggested a moment later, noting their discomfort.
"And the springerle and other biscuits, if you don't mind," Severus added, opening the violin case.
"Are you really going to torture our ears again with that thing?" Thomas frowned.
"Well, it has become a tradition," Jennifer said wryly.
"Not all traditions are good, Jen-girl," Thomas said.
"Since when?" Jennifer said, gaping at him then looking at Fleur, who shifted in her seat and avoided her gaze. "I don't know whether to die from shock or if I should just take down witness names for a later date."
"Now, Jennifer, you invited him, you can at least attempt to humor him," Severus chided her lightly. Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Alexandria, answer that for me please."
"Did you invite someone else you forgot about, Mom?" Corey asked.
"Perhaps it's Essie," Alicia suggested.
"They went to Doug's mother's house," Corey said.
"Hey, Mum," Alex said, coming back in with a box. "There's a man at the door to see you. He asked me to give you this."
Curiously Jennifer took the box and turned it over, her eyes widening as she saw it was a puzzle of the New York skyline.
"Oh, no, it can't be!" Jennifer said, standing up in surprise and staring at Severus.
"Hey, Jackie," said someone behind her.
"Mark!" Jennifer exclaimed, jumping over the couch to get to the man standing there and nearly leapt in his arms in her enthusiasm to hug him. Lunette Vallid then walked up behind him, smiling enigmatically at Severus. She accepted a drink from Aurelius and found a seat as the other two quickly attempted to catch up.
"Hold it, hold it, HOLD IT!" Thomas shouted, causing Jennifer to finally back up. "Who the hell is that?"
"Oh. Um. Dad, everyone, this is Mark, whom I stayed with in New York," Jennifer explained. "Mark, the family." Mark nodded to Severus and then looked over the rest of the robed figures, trying very hard not the stare at the woman with the feathers. "Actually, I suppose this is a bit much," Jennifer realized, looking apologetically at Mark.
"Oh, no, it's okay. Judge Vallid warned me," Mark assured her, then took a deep breath. "I guess she wasn't exaggerating," he added with a nervous chuckle, grinning warily at the older wizard with the dangerously flashing eyes.
"So what you are telling me," Thomas said, "is that this is the Muggle who helped imprison Jen-girl when she lost her memory, Lunette got it in her head to smuggle him in the country, you allowed him into this house," he said, turning on Severus, "and he is being hugged by your wife, and you are okay with this?"
"Yes," Severus said. "In fact, I was the one who invited him. Care for a drink, Mark?"
Not trusting his legs, Thomas sat back down with a bewildered look on his face as he watched his daughter fuss over the man, looking more cheerful than she had in days. Behind them, Severus and Lunette shared a private smile as the children cautiously tried to become acquainted with the unexpected guest.