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As the journey wore on, Harry had had a lot of time to think about their situation. It helped that Aurelius was being quieter than usual; in fact, he was a lot calmer and more collected than Harry would have expected him to be under such trying circumstances. Still, it was obvious that their guard, at least, didn't seem to be particularly fond of the idea of hurting them, and their fame, it seemed, was winning them a slight advantage. Harry had never been one to press that advantage, but now was hardly the time to let his aversions get in the way of making some sort of progress.

"So tell me," said Harry, as casually as if he were sitting across the table from someone at the Leaky Cauldron, "have you lived in the islands long?"

"Most my life," Asterson shrugged. "My par'nts brought us up here during the terror…you know, the first time you killed him," he said, Harry nodding and forcing a smile.

"So you didn't go to Hogwarts?"

"No, Durmstrang…closer to us and farther from trouble. Besides, it helps up here to know a few northern languages, don't you see."

"Yes, I see. Did the others go to Durmstrang as well?"

"Naw, Pole went to a small school up on Westray, I imagine Erikson did as well. 'Tho my parents went to Hogwarts, just like you, Mr. Potter," he grinned.

"Strange, I thought perhaps one of you might have gone," Harry said. Jennifer, still listening from her corner, had thought so as well. The Dark Forest wasn't an easy place to get around in even for someone who knew it, so how could any of them possibly get through that area if they had never been there? "Perhaps this leader of yours went to Hogwarts?" Harry said, confirming he had come up with the same reasoning as she had.

Asterson laughed outright at that and didn't answer, but a chill went through Jennifer as she read his face, and she wondered if she might not be in trouble after all. But before she could come up with a plan, the boat began to slow until there was a mild jolt as it came to a stop. Asterson casually leaned back then, trying to see out one of the deep windows, and waited patiently as there was a scurry of footsteps coming back to the main cabin. A moment later they turned to see a small, gnarled green figure in a fine wool coat leading Pole and Erickson in.

"A Goblin, of course, who better to lead a gold ring," Aurelius said.

"Not only a gold ring, a counterfeiting ring," Harry said. "I have a feeling that our friend here got a hold of some Gringott's coin plates. And don't I know you from somewhere?"

"Oh, I know you both, Potter, Snape," the Goblin said, his nostrils flaring strangely. "But before I introduce myself, my nose is telling me we have another guest on board."

A flash came from the corner, but the Goblin had already begun to turn and the spell only grazed his arm, instantly turning it to stone. Not one cry of pain did he let out as he went charging towards where he knew she was as the others took out their wands, wondering where to strike. But they had little reason, for the Goblin was many times stronger than the witch, and after a quick scramble was able to dust off enough of the powder to see her face while still having her pinned.

"Why, if it isn't Professor Craw, coming to the rescue again, I suppose?" he snarled.

"Beowulf. I always knew you were no good," Jennifer growled back.

"Of course, Grendelbane's brother! I knew I knew him from somewhere," Harry said.

"It'll be a short acquaintance, I assure you. Such a tragic end to an illustrious career, to die of a simple boating accident, although I'm sure you'll be remembered well," Beowulf said distastefully. "You would have been better off leaving it be. I doubt many would shed tears over a girl everyone thinks is a siren, thanks to this dim-witted companion of yours."

"What do you mean, she wasn't?" Aurelius barked.

"Well, I suppose now that she's dead it doesn't matter what she was, does it?" Beowulf said, waving it off. "Now how about telling me where your father might be hiding before I use this handy new stone arm your mother gave me to crush her head in?"

"We came here alone, Beowulf," Aurelius said.

"He's right, I arrived later to bail them out of jail," Harry said.

"Oh really? Is that correct, Truth-Seeker?"

"If he did manage to follow us, I guarantee you that you will know it before you succeed in laying a hand on me," Jennifer said, gritting her teeth.

"A guarantee I will be happy to challenge," he snarled, raising his arm.

"Has anyone noticed how loud the waves have gotten?" Charlie Pole asked out of the blue. The Goblin checked only momentarily at the peculiar, seemingly trivial comment and growled angrily, moving to finish his blow.

It was then that boat suddenly lurched up from the prow and water began to gush into the cabin with intense force as they all began to slid screaming to the lower side with everything not tied down pelting after them.

"Aurelius!" Jennifer cried out in fear and ended up getting a full spray of water in her mouth. But her son and Harry were still tied up!

She looked up in a panic in time to see that the magic field around them was somehow still holding the water out, but that was all the time she had before the surge of water enveloped her. Struggling through the debris she tried to force herself to the surface only to hit her head against the top of a wall.

Suddenly a hand came from around her and something was popped in her mouth. A familiar sensation came over her then and after an uncomfortable moment, she breathed. Gillyweed! She turned then to try and swim back to the magic field, but the hand on her arm was insistent, pulling it across towards the weak light above them.

Reluctantly she followed and pushed her way through the cabin door, still having to kick her way upwards until at last she reached the surface. Quickly she spat out the Gillyweed and waited to breathe normally, exhaling deeply before finally looking around. That was when she realized she was the only one there, and had somehow surfaced far out from the island.

But before terror could truly sink in, bubbles appeared under the surface and there was a splash beside her as Asterson and Erikson foundered up, spitting out pieces of Gillyweed themselves. Seconds later and two more splashes revealed Harry and Aurelius, and Jennifer called out to them in obvious relief to see they were both all right. At last Charlie Pole emerged, spitting out his piece and looking around at the others.

"I couldn't get the Goblin," he rasped as his voice recovered. "The stone arm pulled him down. It was too murky for me to cast a spell and my potions were ruined, not that I mind not being able to save him all that much."

"Lucky enough you brought all that extra Gillyweed," Jennifer commented.

"I had a feeling it would come in handy," he agreed. "Now, let's see, where did I put that…"

"Wait a minute! Don't tell me that's you, Severus?" Harry said, stunned.

"Well, who the devil else carries that much of any spell component?" Severus asked casually, twisting a bit in the water until he pulled out a toy raft.

"Professor Snape! But where is Charlie Pole?" Asterson asked in amazement.

"Oh no you don't, Dan," Aurelius said at the same time, grabbing a hold of Erikson who was contemplating a fast Apparation out and clipping him with some earth-bonding cuffs.

"Charlie Pole is already safely in jail, where I'm sure you two will soon be, Dan, for accessory to murder and you, Asterson, for charges relating to burglary and counterfeiting," Severus said as he tossed up the tiny yellow raft which quickly expanded into one that could easily accommodate them all. "I suggest that everyone get on the raft as quickly as possible, for if I'm not mistaken, we are about to have visitors."

"Visitors? Out here?" Jennifer asked, accepting his hand up.

"You don't think I was the one who nearly drowned us all, do you?" Severus asked seriously. Before Jennifer could think up a reply, splashes came up around them and she looked up to see the awesome sight of several Fomorian giants looming over them as they stood upon the surface of the water. "You could have given me ten more minutes," Severus complained in annoyance.

"You were taking too long," the Fomorian in the center shrugged. "We have retrieved the erring Goblin and will be taking him back to face our own form of justice. You may tell the Ministry that."

"I'm sure someone will," Severus said.

"Good. Then we will leave these cold, filthy waters. Farewell," they said, immediately disappearing into the water.

"You're welcome," Severus said in a low, dry tone.

"Cold filthy waters?" Asterson said indignantly.

"Right now I agree with them," Severus said. "I think we've done enough damage here for one night. Shall we head home?"

"Just a minute, Severus, I have a few questions to ask," Harry said.

"So do I, actually…" Aurelius said, but stopped short when he saw Severus take out a completely dry book from his pocket. "Fine. Anyone know how to pilot this thing?"

"As a matter of fact," Jennifer said, giving Severus an enigmatic smile before turning a crank to hoist up a simple pole and sail in the center. "Get ready for a fast trip, for I guarantee you I'm as eager to hear how all of this fits together as you are."

"How about just one question?" Harry compromised. Severus simply turned the page.