Chapter Twenty-One

Something Lost, Something Gained

The next few days before Christmas were unusually harmonious on Baker Street. Jennifer was often out with Mark and Lunette as she took him on a tour of both sides of London, often coming home to a full house as the children were still trying to stay on their best behavior. They in turn spent a lot of time helping their father with his Flux tests along with the twins, who spent much of the day there to stay out of their mother's way while she went back and forth to St. Mungo's.

Now that Severus was certain that the telepathy tester did work, each one was measured, although he was not surprised at the results. Alexandria, Aurelius and the twins all reached the 'exceptional range' for telepathic, while Andrew and Alicia had a more natural but very strong leaning towards instinctual, or empathic abilities. But all of them were quite intrigued by a new device that Severus unwrapped; a prismatic globe on a stand much like a crystal ball would have.

"I have this on loan from Mr. Wallace, a group charm developer, who uses it for research. It works similar to a Flux Meter, but it gauges an individual's tendency towards particular magic strengths. It simply writes down a line of numbers of different skills, which I then translate from this scroll. He assures me that it is an accurate read; but I suppose we shall see, since I am fairly aware of your natural tendencies already. Zoë, let's start with you and Zack first. You will be casting a series of basic spells at the globe, which will simply absorb them and send out a reading," he explained, slipping on his spectacles. "Very well, let's start."

The rest of them watched with interest as Zack cast each spell with perfect wand precision, then waited intently along with him as Severus went over the numbers and made some marks on the scrolling paper the magical machine spat out at him.

"So?" Zack asked impatiently.

"You are strongest in wild magic, secondary in white, and your strong areas are item manipulation and transfiguration," Severus said.

"Yeah, I knew that," Zack snorted. "Too bad it has little to do with what I'm planning on working towards after next year."

"What's that?" Alexandria asked curiously.

"Paranormal Psychology," Zack said, and Zoë snorted.

"He wants to be a ghost shrink. Like ghosts need shrinks."

"I can name a few in the castle who could use one, including one professor," Aurelius said. Severus glanced up and frowned at him. "What? I didn't mention any names."

"Never mind that there's only one ghost professor," Zoë said with amusement, glancing at her wand. "Do I have to use this?"

"I would prefer an accurate reading if you don't mind," Severus frowned, gesturing to the globe. "You need to use the exact same methods for it to be a valid test." Sighing at the inconvenience, Zoë ran through the spells and then once again everyone waited for the results. "Wild magic, followed by dark, strengths in transfiguration and hexes… now why am I not surprised?" he said dryly, Zoë grinning at him in response.

He was also not surprised when Alicia favored Dark, Wild, enchantments and item manipulation, Andrew Ancient, Light, transfiguration and charms, and Alex Light then Ancient, charms and enchantments. But nearly all of the children were quite surprised when Aurelius' main magic was Wild instead of Dark, which turned out to be secondary, although no one blinked when Severus named curses and countercurses as his strengths.

"I would have thought for sure those two would have been reversed considering you always had a knack for it," Alexandria admitted.

"Still, that does give us a full deck, doesn't it?" Andrew put in, looking at the others. "Not only do we have different houses but different strengths as well."

"But we've always known that, really, haven't we?" Alicia said.

"True," Alex said, "although up until now I never realized how curious it was…what are the odds that each of us would be so different and still come from the same parents?"

"It's no accident," Andrew decided. "It was Fate."

"Let's not get carried away, Andrew," Severus said with a frown, finishing the last line of the recordings before folding them up. "Your mother and I alone decided how many children and when to have them, Fate had little to do with it."

"I doubt either of you decided for me to be rescued by an ancient goddess," Aurelius pointed out, "or that Leanan Sidhe to attack Aunt Anna when she was carrying Alicia, or whatever else must have happened to mess up Alex and Andrew."

"I blame what happened to me on our parents," Andrew said, sounding slightly amused. "But what's to say that Fate didn't play a hand in it anyhow? I mean, I know we make our own decisions, Father, but don't you ever feel like things work out too well for it to be pure chance?"

"I agree," Alex said with a nod. "I mean, I can't possibly think meeting Ben after all this time could have been just a coincidence. And what about how you met Mother? I've heard both of you say on occasion if the two of you had met at any other time it probably wouldn't have worked so well, let alone meeting at all."

"The six of you are here to help provide data on the Flux Effect, not to prove or disprove the existence of Fate," Severus said, attempting to reel them in.

"Was that a dodge?" Alexandria challenged daringly.

"That was a, 'let's get back to business so you can get back to enjoying your holiday,'" Severus said firmly, and pointed them towards the next device. But Alex couldn't help but be somewhat suspicious, wondering what his answer might have been. She may have been rather surprised, in fact, to learn he didn't know the answer to that any more than they did.

Severus didn't finish the last of his numbers until the morning of Christmas Eve. After a quick breakfast, he spent most of the day looking them over to find them all consistent with his theories and began to outline his follow-up, using his first paper as a reference to make sure he didn't overstate anything.

It was just about the time the light in the basement began to dim and he began reluctantly thinking about getting ready for the Ministry ball that he heard muffled shouting from somewhere above. Reluctantly he went down the hall to find out that the squabbling coming from the front stairs, so with a sigh he ascended them knowing that he was quite probably walking into something he really didn't want to get into.

"There is no way I'm going to wear that thing! I don't like it!"

"You are not going to go to a Christmas ball looking like you are ready for a funeral, Alicia! Take off that mourning gown and put on something more festive! You could at least try this one on…"

"There is nothing wrong with wearing black to a ball, Mother," Alicia said stubbornly.

"There is on Christmas!" Jennifer retorted. "Now take off that black thing at once or you won't be going."

"Does this mean that I should stay home as well?" Severus inquired from the doorway. Jennifer flinched slightly, quickly regaining her composure.

"Well, that's different. And your dress robes do have a bit of gold on them. Besides, I went to a lot of trouble getting a dress for her. She could at least try it on…"

"It's burgundy! I don't look good in burgundy!" Alicia said. "I'm not wearing it! Besides, you're letting Andrew and Aurelius wear black too."

"They're boys!" Jennifer said with exasperation.

"I am not going to be a victim of a double standard! If they can wear it, I don't see why I can't!" Alicia said, not budging.

"She does have a point, Jennifer," Severus said calmly. "I myself see nothing wrong with the dress she is wearing, even if it does make her seem a bit pale. However, I am certain that if you ask her once more to change it, she gladly will."

Alicia's lips thinned noticeably as she watched the silent exchange between her parents, afraid for a moment that her Mother wouldn't back down. But after studying Severus' face for a very long time, Jennifer frowned with frustration.

"Fine, have it your way then. Go on and show up looking like a haunted ghost if that's what you want," Jennifer said irritably, turning quickly for the door so she wouldn't have to see Alicia's triumphant grin. Severus glanced at his daughter with a frown that spoke volumes. Alicia knew he was not particularly happy with her causing waves tonight. But without a word, he followed behind Jennifer, knowing it was more important now to calm her down.

"It is true, I think…what you have said before," Severus said as he followed her down the stairs. "Growing pains really are contagious."

"Severus, don't start," Jennifer snapped, then lowered her voice as she reached the bottom. "I went along with your decision, didn't I?"

"I merely believe that as long as they're properly covered and following the dress codes when at school, we really don't have the right to criticize their style choices any longer…especially clothes they bought with their own coin."

"Well, she looks terrible, and I still think there's more to this sudden change in her than just artistic license," Jennifer went on grumpily.

"And I think that someone is finally beginning to realize that she is quickly losing control of her children as they begin to take greater control of their own lives," Severus said quietly.

"Well, like it or not, they still have to listen to us until they get out of school, and that goes double for Alicia…she is still very young and has a lot to learn. Even you have to admit she's rather naïve for her age, despite everything that goes on in this family," Jennifer said, stepping into the bedroom.

"True enough," Severus said thoughtfully, "and perhaps in some ways because of what goes on in this family. Still, it won't be very long at all before even she will be ready to head off for her own future, whatever that may be."

"Then the last of the goals we set for ourselves when we got married will be reached," Jennifer said softly, staring in her closet without really looking. "What do we do then, Severus?"

"Set some new goals, I suppose," Severus said, rubbing her shoulders in attempt to comfort her. Jennifer let out a long sigh, turning her attention back to getting ready.

Fortunately for everyone, Jennifer's mood had improved by the time they left for the ball. Alex was stunning in her new holly green dress, while Jennifer had found a gold dress of Minerva's she had yet to wear; she had decided after buying it that it was a bit too flashy. Surrounded by a family in black, however, 'flashy' was just what she felt she needed, letting her auburn hair hang lose for a change to subdue the effect. Alexandria, used to her mother's primping, tolerantly allowed her to tie her hair back into a curly tail, despite the fact it made her look too young for her own taste. But Alicia made a point to be scarce until it was time to leave, knowing better than to give her mother an opportunity to try and add more curls than Alicia already attempted painstakingly to tame.

They had made a point to arrive early, for Severus wanted to speak to some people himself whom he knew would be too crowded later to engage in any sort of private conversation. But none of the others seemed to mind, stepping just in the entryway to see who had arrived so far.

"Mind if I stay here and wait for my date?" Andrew asked.

"You have a date? Who with?" Jennifer asked curiously.

"Um…good question. Let me look it up," Andrew said, getting out a small appointment book out of his dress robe pocket.

"Oh great, our brother the gigolo," Aurelius said dryly.

"He'd have to charge for that," Alicia teased.

"Mum, do you mind if I go mingle?" Alex asked while Andrew was still fumbling with his book.

"Oh, very well! Go have fun, everyone, just stay in the building!" Jennifer said with exasperation, and then turned to Severus as they dispersed, wrapping a hand around his arm. "It's too bad Mark and Lunette couldn't stay for tonight. But then again, he was quite overwhelmed by everything we showed him," she grinned.

"I can imagine. Mark is rather two-dimensional even by Muggle standards," Severus murmured.

"Yes, well, I can hardly argue with that," Jennifer chuckled. "It was still nice to see him though, even if it makes me miss Isaac and the Kingler's all the more."

"Then perhaps you'll be happy to know that I've arranged for us to see them tomorrow evening," Severus said.

"Really?" Jennifer said brightly.

"I thought you might like to see them, and they wanted us to come see their new restaurant, after all."

"Wonderful! It'll be just like old times!" Jennifer said with a glowing smile, and then paused to wave at someone coming in. "Why it's Sarge! And there's Father Pachem! Father, I didn't know you were going to make it tonight!"

"Only for an hour or two," Father said with a smile. "I am glad to see you, for I have a message for you. Rose wasn't feeling up to the evening, so she, Corey, and Ashley are staying in this evening."

"Really? I hope she's all right," Jennifer frowned, glancing Severus who gazed back at her knowingly.

"I'm sure Ashley can handle anything that comes up, Jennifer, if they need us, they'll let us know," Severus said.

"Yes, that's rather what Corey said," Pachem said with amusement. "So the two of you just relax and enjoy yourselves. Ah, there's Jack Martin! I need to speak with him before the mass."

"I don't suppose Mr. Thurspire is here yet?" Sergeant Brommel inquired.

"I haven't seen him," Jennifer said thoughtfully, "although I'm sure he's probably around somewhere since he usually comes with the Minister."

"Speaking of which, I need to speak to Draco a moment," Severus said, spying him standing with his advisor, Arnie Peasegood.

"Go ahead, it'll give me a chance to talk to Sarge," Jennifer said, then turned back to him, asking about his cousins.

After a quick glance back into the entryway to make sure that impending doom was not yet descending on the Ball in the way of his daughter's boyfriend, Severus slipped over to the Minister of Magic, who broke off his conversation with his aid and nodded respectfully to him.

"Good evening, Draco, holding up under the weather, I see," Severus said.

"Well, no one has begun to panic yet, if that is what you mean," Draco said. "Except perhaps Thurspire, but then, it's Thurspire."

"Yes, where is your annoying scarecrow puppet this evening? Out catching butterflies without a net while oblivious to the dragon scorching the fields?" Severus asked casually. Arnie sniggered, but immediately stopped when he saw Draco's eyes flick momentarily onto him.

"Thurspire went to speak with Thera nearly a week ago and hasn't arrived back yet to my knowledge, although I'm certain he'll be arriving soon," Draco said.

"The Fomorians?"

"Yes, after being closeted with our astrologers for two days, he suddenly became worried about the impact of the climate changes on their city and decided to investigate," Draco said. "I'll be glad when he gets back. DeMille drives me up the wall."

"He seems quite intelligent," Severus said.

"So he is, but he also lacks ambition. If a case can't be solved readily, he would sooner pass it on to a lower enforcer who lacks the capacity of following through simply to get it off his desk."

"So, rather, you choose someone who will chase every avenue, despite the fact his recklessness tends to get most of the people he comes in contact with enraged," Severus mused.

"Professor, if there's one thing I've learned in the past two years, it's that people are going to get offended by the Ministry's practices no matter what we do. I would prefer to get the job done, and damn the sensibilities. Public Relations can worry about that," Draco said.

"Which is probably why Percy and I find we've been working our asses off lately," Arnie said, only partially joking. "Not that I mind Ederick myself, really, and he sometimes can be quite brilliant in his own right, but Severus does have a point. Even if you are not concerned about public response, what about the fact that none of the Aurors or the Enforcers truly respect him? The truth of the matter is that as the Minister he should have easily been able to appoint someone to do this work for him, but no one would go. Granted, he'd rather be out of the office than in it, but things can't keep going on this way…he can't keep going on this way. He can't possibly keep up with the workload he's expected to do by himself. He hates the job…"

"There's no one else in the Ministry at the moment I would trust to do it," Draco snapped.

"Perhaps someone outside the Ministry then? Perhaps an Auror…"

"Don't say it, Snape, don't even waste a breath on Potter's name," Draco said. "There is no way he's going to become a Minister while I'm in charge."

"And in the meantime, poor Ederick is running himself further and further into the ground," Arnie sighed. "You know, one of these days he's going to be out on one of these missions of his and he's going to find himself in boiling water without a team to call on. You said it yourself; DeMille wouldn't stick around if Ederick goes off on one of his tangents. You need to reel him in somehow before he turns a wrong corner and gets himself killed."

"I don't think he would get in trouble on a diplomatic mission," Draco said.

"Perhaps, but the Fomorians can be quite unpredictable at times," Severus mused. "Let me know if he is still not back before tomorrow morning. I don't think he would intentionally miss Christmas with his family, so if he's not back someone should probably go looking for him." Arnie nodded in agreement.

"Honestly, Snape, I think right now you have other problems," Draco said, nodding towards the crowd. "Like what Jennifer is going to do when she sees your daughter hanging on a Muggle's arm like that."

Severus quickly turned to see that indeed Ben had arrived. Ben's hair had darkened since he had last seen him as an awkward youth, his jaw and shoulders broadened and only his eyes and odd grin seemed the same, standing half a foot taller than Alex. They looked well together, he admitted reluctantly but knew better than to dwell on it. He excused himself from Draco and searched the growing crowd until he spied Jennifer standing next to Hermione and a table full of redheads.

"Oh, there you are, Severus! Did Draco tell you about Charlie?" Jennifer asked excitedly, and Severus shook his head, glancing at Hermione who waved at him. "He's going to be taking over for the Minister of Magical Creatures and so his family is moving back to Britain in a few months."

"Now, why do I suspect that is going to lead to another Weasley invasion of Hogwarts?" Severus squinted at where Charlie and several of his children sat with Percy, Penelope and their daughter.

"Well, you're right," Hermione said with a grin. "Charlie's three youngest are transferring to Hogwarts…"

"Four Weasleys then, counting yours," Severus said, not sounding too enthusiastic about the idea. Jennifer and Hermione grinned knowingly at each other. "You know, one of these days they are going to have to open a school just for Weasleys to keep them from overrunning Hogwarts."

"Well, don't blame me, I only had one," Hermione said. "Although honestly, I would have liked to have had at least one more, but Ron didn't want more than one," she admitted.

"Yes, there aren't any hand-me-downs that way," Severus said, the look on Hermione's face betraying how close to the mark he was on the subject. "Any sign of Dumbledore?"

"He decided to stay close to the castle, what with the flooding and everything else going on. He really didn't want to leave anyone else in charge and didn't want to bother us with it," Hermione sighed. "Pomona is there helping him, though. Still, he hasn't been the same since Fawkes died. I'm rather worried about him."

"Yes, I know," Severus said in a low voice.

"Perhaps we ought to check on him later, Severus," Jennifer suggested.

"No, it's all right, let me go," Hermione said. "I will have an easier time coming up with an excuse to check in, and it's better not to let him think we're worried about him."

"Yes, that's true. Knowing Dumbledore he would then do everything in his power to assure us everything was all right then tell us to go home," Jennifer said with a nod.

"Did Aurora Sinistra stay as well?" Severus inquired.

"Yes, actually. She was going to go home but changed her mind at the last minute, why?" Hermione asked.

"Haven't you noticed that…" he paused then as he saw Jennifer's eyes squinting at the crowd in a strange way, forgetting what he was saying. "Something wrong Jennifer?"

"Who's that dancing with Alexandria? He looks familiar. Is he with the Ministry? He didn't go to Hogwarts," she asked. Severus glanced up casually.

"No, he didn't," Severus said calmly. Hermione frowned at him and noted the style of his suit and tie. Instantly she decided to go check on Joanie and Ron. "I believe he works down the street from the Ministry, actually. A salesclerk from what I understand."

"A what?" Jennifer said, stepping over to try and get a better look.

"Come over here by the entrance, Jennifer, I'm sure you'll see better from there," Severus said, taking her arm.

"At least tell me his name, Severus, because I'm sure I know that boy from somewhere," Jennifer protested, trying to shrug away.

"You may know him from the house next door to our old residence," Severus said. "Since that happens to be Benjamin Clemmons." Jennifer stopped dead in her tracks, despite Severus' further attempts to get her back into the foyer.

"Oh no. No, she wouldn't possibly do what I think she's doing," Jennifer began, causing Severus to put an arm around her and get them around the corner whether she liked it or not, despite her attempts at trying to get eye contact with her Alex. But Alexandria seemed quite oblivious to her parents' behavior at that moment, her arms wrapped around Ben's neck as they chuckled about something on the dance floor. "Severus, stop herding me about! This is serious!"

"Yes, quite serious, and they are quite serious about one another," Severus said in a low voice. "And like it or not, you are going to have to get used to the idea."

"No, she knows better than this, Severus…"

"Better than what?"

"She is a Craw…"

"She is a Snape."

"Just because she doesn't carry my name, Severus, doesn't mean she's any less a part of my family!" Jennifer said, voluntarily backing further back into the cloakroom so she could raise her voice. "What do you think my Father's going to say? Do you know what happened the last time a Craw crossed the line and married outside Wizardkind?"

"As a matter of fact, I not only know, but I recall very well what happened the last time one married a half-Muggle outside the family. And, as you already know, I was there," Severus reminded her sternly. "Shall we have another Muggle burning in his honor as well?"

"Please, Severus! That's not what I mean and you know it!" Jennifer snapped angrily. "You know very well I have lots of Muggle friends. Tons and tons…"

"So you do, as acquaintances…"

"And Corey, don't forget Corey…"

"I hardly would forget our own son, would I? Although you have been quick enough to point out on occasion that he was also the son of a Squib, which makes it right in your mind…"

"Oh, how can you say that, Severus? After everything I've done for Haven and… and everything!" Jennifer said. "Besides, this isn't about me at all, it's about what's best for Alexandria!"

"That is something Alexandria is old enough to decide for herself," Severus said firmly.

"Well, someone should at least talk to her…"

"Talk her out of it you mean?"

"She is much too young to… to get into something like this! She's just hung up on her childhood fantasies of Muggles in general and I don't think she's thinking this all the way through," Jennifer said. "Honestly, Severus, what harm would it be in sitting down and discussing this with her before things go too far?"

"For one thing, I would say because they already have gone too far," Severus said evenly. Jennifer stared at him, the blocks that had been there no longer impeding her view of his face.

"Oh, no!" Jennifer said, covering his eyes with her hands. Sighing silently, Severus drew her in her arms and didn't say anything a moment as Jennifer began to sob. "How could this have happened?"

"Well, you're the one who talked me out of locking her in a tower," Severus said gently, stroking her hair. "Jennifer, I know with Mark here you've been thinking about your year in New York quite a bit, and now I wonder if you haven't had a change of heart about us…" Jennifer lifted her head, puzzled.

"What are you talking about?"

"Our discussion after you had regained your memory. I recall talking about what might have happened if one of us was born Muggle…"

"Well, frankly, Severus, we probably never would have met at all," Jennifer said.

"Yes, but what if by chance we had done so, and I had been simply Mycroft?"

"Severus, you could never be simply anything," Jennifer chuckled.

"If I were, and you were still the witch you were when you first met me, would you have accepted an offer for a simple chat and a cup of coffee, or let it develop into anything else?" Severus asked quietly. Jennifer gazed at him for a long time before shaking her head.

"I don't know, Severus, I really don't. With everything that had been going on then with Voldemort… frankly, I think I might have been too afraid that I might put you in danger."

"And what about after he was gone?" Severus asked, but Jennifer still didn't know the answer. "If Fate had dealt us a different hand, the two of us may very well have let that barrier come between us, not knowing what we lost… no matter how much we may hope right now that we would have overcome it. Perhaps we would have overcome it… perhaps not. You are a Craw, after all," he said, Jennifer looked down.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what got into me just now," Jennifer said quietly. "I wish… I wish it didn't bug me so much."

"It's the generations of Craws behind you that is to blame, Jennifer," Severus said, handing her a handkerchief for her eyes. "And, to be perfectly honest, the influences of my own ancestors are hardly being quiet on this issue either. All the same, I would prefer that the children don't have the same ghosts haunting their decisions as we have."

"Do you suppose Dad will disown us for allowing it?" Jennifer wondered as they walked out of the closet, ignoring the curious glances passed in their direction.

"Do you suppose Fleur would allow him to?" Severus murmured back as they stepped back in and searched the room for Alex and Ben. They spotted them then over by the refreshment table, and reluctantly Jennifer walked over with him, the couple exchanging a glance of their own.

"Mum, Father, you remember Ben, right? From Haven's Bluff?" Alexandria said uncomfortably.

"Of course," Jennifer said, smiling warmly. "And how is your mother doing, Ben?"

"No idea, really. We haven't spoken since July, actually," Ben admitted, grinning uneasily despite the stunned look on Jennifer's face and Severus' slight frown. "My sister's doing well though, if the Christmas card is any indication."

"Ben and I met again over the summer," Alexandria said.

"Oh yes, I think you mentioned it once, although you never did bring it up again," Jennifer said, smiling questioningly at her.

"I am certain it merely slipped her mind, Jennifer," Severus interrupted expressionlessly. "Perhaps you should invite him over to the house sometime before you go back to school so we can all get properly reacquainted."

"Yes, how about New Year's? We can make a fresh start of things," Jennifer offered.

"Great, that'd be fine, thanks," Ben said with a nervous grin.

"Good, then we shall leave you two alone then," Severus said with a smile that seemed to indicate that he wouldn't have, had they not agreed. "Come along, Jennifer, let's go attract some unwanted attention," he said, leading her out on the dance floor.

The moment they turned, Alex hugged Ben in relief.

"Stars, I think that was the scariest moment I've ever had in my life!" Alex declared.

As Severus turned to his wife and took her other hand, he could tell that she wasn't doing much better.

"I hope I never have to go through something like that, again," Jennifer declared.

"Then I have news for you, Jennifer. We still have three more children to go through," Severus said, Jennifer groaning audibly in response as he led her around the dance floor. "I must admit, however, that you handled the situation perfectly."

"Perhaps on the outside, but inside I was reeling from what I saw in that boy's eyes," Jennifer admitted softly. "Apparently his mother wasn't any more thrilled with the idea of them being together than I was. In fact, she intentionally lost the Muggle address to the school hoping they would grow apart. That's why they're not speaking."

"Yes, I know. Aren't you glad now that you didn't go that route? We could have lost our daughter. Now we're simply going to gain…"

"Please, Severus, please don't say it!" Jennifer begged.

"Very well, I'll humor you for now. Until he proposes," he decided, causing her to scowl.

"Severus, if I didn't know better, I would think you were enjoying my discomfort about all of this!" Jennifer said accusingly.

"When I tell you the story of what she put me through later, I think you will forgive me," Severus said in a low voice, leading her around the dance floor.

But they hadn't been dancing for very long when a loud whistle suddenly reverberated through the room, the music falling silent as everyone stared in surprise at Doug Brim, standing in the doorway wearing his Musketeer colors.

"Calling all Snapes! Birthday party impending at Athos' house! I'd hurry if I were you," he added. As everyone began to talk at once, Jennifer zoomed for the door, Severus quickly gathered the rest of them and followed behind. It seemed that the night's adventures weren't over quite yet after all.