Chapter Fifty-One

Holiday Surprises

Quintin stared at the shaking hatbox suspiciously, looking back over at his mother who was very much encouraging him to open it. Finally he managed to get the lid off and saw a black top hat with something black inside. He stood up and pulled it out skeptically, then stared into it, nearly putting his whole face in it before he suddenly got kicked in the mouth by something furry.

"It's a bunny!" Quintin finally realized, and pulled the squirming black mass out of the hat and hugging it while his father warned him to be careful.

"His name is Ebony. Do you like him?" Jennifer asked.

"I love him! Is he mine?" Quintin asked.

"Yes, but that means you need to take care of him, clean his cage and hat, feed and water him and so on," Jennifer said. "We will help you until you get it down pat, but after that, he'll be your responsibility, do you understand?"

"Yes I do! What time do I feed him and water him and clean up after him?" Quintin asked.

"When he needs it," Severus replied. "Having a schedule for a pet is a good idea, Quintin, but don't expect him to cooperate with it. There will be times when he needs your attention whether it's 'cleaning time' or not."

"Are you sure he's old enough to handle that?"Andrew asked. "You made the rest of us wait until we were teenagers."

"Yes, I know, but Ebony is rather special, and he'd already started to grow on me. I just couldn't resist," Jennifer admitted with a smile. "He's a descendant of my very first familiar, a rabbit named White, and he has a very similar personality as well. He's very friendly and tolerant of big hugs," she said with an amused smile. She heard a hiss and looked around to see that Rasputin had lumbered up from the basement to inspect the new smell in the house.

"What is that? Is it for me?" Rasputin asked curiously.

"It most certainly isn't," Severus hissed back.

"Look, Rasputin! I got a bunny!" Quintin declared, showing Rasputin the rabbit.

"It looks like it's for me," Rasputin decided. Severus suddenly jumped up, making Jennifer and Andrew look up curiously.

"Be right back, I need to convince Rasputin that Ebony isn't food," Severus said. Quintin gasped, holding his bunny protectively again.

"Surely that won't be that hard. He learned to accept Houdini," Andrew chuckled.

"Yes, but Houdini was a lot bigger, a lot faster, and he wasn't sleeping in the same room with him," Severus pointed out, carrying his familiar off. It was just then that Leu came down the stairs, watching curiously as Severus tried to put Rasputin in the basement before stepping into the front room to show off his new wetsuit.

"Well? How does it fit?" Jennifer asked with a smile. "Not too snug?"

"No, it's just right. It seems to have a few charms on it, too. It's silvery rather like Diana's, and there's a bit of a shimmer to it," Leu noted.

"Yes, it has charms to make it puncture proof, to protect you from chemical stings, and some charms to help repel sharks, but don't you dare take that one for granted, Leu, it's by no means foolproof," Jennifer said.

"I understand," Leu replied. "I don't suppose there are any speed charms on it?" he asked hopefully.

"Absolutely not! That'd be quite dishonest," Jennifer said so fervently that Leu blinked at her. "If you want to beat Diana, you'll have to do it on your own."

"I don't want to beat Diana! Diana wants me to beat Diana," Leu protested. "I wish she'd just go out with me without that whole competition nonsense."

"Watch your language," Severus said, coming up behind him. He paused to inspect the suit before stepping back into the living room.

"Fine, then I'd prefer it. Very, very strongly," Leu said firmly.

"You can always give up, you know," Severus said calmly, sitting down.

"I'm not going to give up on the only girl who's actually shown any interest in me," Leu replied. "Besides, we've been competing for so long now, it'd be nice to stick with it long enough to beat her at swimming just once, you know? I'm going to go change." Andrew watched him go and shook his head critically at that.

"That doesn't bode well, does it?" Andrew asked, and his father gazed at him questioningly. "If all he's doing it for is trying to appease her because she likes him. It doesn't sound like it's really going anywhere. They really haven't been communicating at all."

"That may be so, but you've no room to talk, Andrew," Severus said bluntly. "You have also been doing nothing but appeasing Laura since the two of you have been going out, and you have also not been doing a very good job communicating. The number of times you have come into my office this year in shock because Laura was behaving in a manner that what was different than what your imagination believed she would is proof enough of that. Right now, I'd say it's a toss up on whether or not either you succeed, and I very much wouldn't be surprised if neither of your relationships went anywhere considering the way things are going." Andrew stood up, glaring at his father icily.
"You're wrong, Father," Andrew said firmly. "I'm going to get dressed and go to Conner's house." He strode out of the room, storming up the stairs.

"Nobody wants to see my new bunny," Quintin complained when it grew quiet.

"I've a thought. Let's find out what package has his cage and we'll take him over to Alicia's house. I'm sure they'll want to see what you've got, and they weren't planning on visiting other relatives today. Alicia is home, is she not?" Severus asked for good measure, looking up at the painting of Corey in the tree. The painting nodded to him with a smile.

"That sounds fun!" Quintin agreed, and they wasted no time putting Ebony back in his hat as Quintin unwrapped the cage and they helped him get Ebony settled in it.

"Very well, march upstairs and let Leu know that we're all going to Alicia's. Be dressed and back downstairs in twelve minutes," Severus said.

"Okay!" Quintin said, marching up the stairs.

"Twelve minutes? Not ten?" Jennifer inquired.

"Yes, well, the last time I said ten minutes, he ended up tumbling down the stairs because he was hurrying too much," Severus explained. "He hasn't done it since I went to twelve."

"I see," Jennifer chuckled, and then watched as Andrew passed Quintin on the stairs and went straight out the door without a word. "I also see that you seem to have had your hands full when it comes to Andrew."

"Yes, so does Conner," Severus mused. "I saw a glimmer of potential in them during that strange Hag incident I told you about, but for the most part, it's at an impasse. To be perfectly honest, I think they were actually doing better when the two of them were fighting all the time."

"That doesn't sound good," Jennifer sighed.

"Yes, I suppose that is one of the downsides of not having you here this year. I have no doubt you would have been scheming up all sorts of ways to get them moving in the right direction by now," Severus ventured, Jennifer smiling at that. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if I found out you were doing a fair share of meddling in your friends' personal affairs at Whitebridge."

"Who, me? What an absurd idea, whatever makes you think that?" Jennifer asked, and began picking up under the tree.

"And your behavior does nothing but confirm my suspicions," Severus said, tsking at her.

"Speaking of those Hags, you were going to tell me what your new Patronus was?" Jennifer asked.

"I was going to do nothing of the sort, and your attempts at changing the subject are nothing short of obvious. I hope you didn't pair any of those poor girls with any of the three Billy Goats Gruff, have you?" Severus asked.

"Oh! Um," Jennifer began, and Severus rolled his eyes. "Oh come now, Severus. Ray isn't that bad, even Father had to admit that."

"And Frank?" Severus inquired.

"I think he might be redeemable under the right circumstances," Jennifer decided. Severus squinted.

"Surely not Asher," he said flatly.

"Uh, no. Definitely not," Jennifer admitted with a chuckle. "I might help things along when I see a spark, Severus, but I'm certainly no miracle worker."

"Really? I rather think that's up for debate," Severus said quietly. Jennifer turned to meet his gaze and then blushed at what she read from him, rather glad when she heard the boys coming down the stairs. It wasn't until they got to the Pyther's house that she realized he still hadn't told her what his Patronus was.

The Wizard's Temptation bobbed gently east of Sicily on a decidedly calm sea, and as the sun began to peek over the horizon, Jennifer could see that it was going to be a nice day indeed. A hot cup of tea warmed her hands as she watched the skyline, but she nearly dropped it when Severus crept up behind her and kissed her neck.

"Oh, Severus, really!" she whispered in a scolding time, but it seemed to do little to deter him.

"You're up quite early, all things considered," he murmured in a low tone in her ear.

"So are you," Jennifer pointed out softly.

"I woke up to an empty bed, and I was cold," Severus lamented. "And what are you doing out of it?"

"I got up to check the weather reports and plot a course for today, actually. I suppose I was just a bit too excited to sleep," Jennifer replied.

"All the more reason to come back to bed," Severus decided.

"Honestly, Severus, what a mood you're in," Jennifer scolded, but he noticed that she didn't protest when he put his arms around her.

"We have still quite a bit of catch up to do," Severus pointed out.

"I thought that's the whole point we went to Villahexen first, Severus?" Jennifer reminded him.

"Two and a half days does not make up for four months. Besides, you still owe me a great deal more favors, you know. Do you want to see the current tally?" he inquired.

"I'm sure you have kept an accurate count. I am just as sure as you made a point to include every little request in that total," Jennifer teased him.

"Quite possibly," he murmured. "Aren't you ready to come in yet? We have perhaps an hour before the boys are up. I'm sure the Merrows will keep us on course until then," he coaxed.

"Yes, alright," Jennifer finally relented and went inside, but then stopped just inside the saloon.

As Severus stepped in behind her, he let out an exasperated sigh to see that Leu had gotten up and had his wet suit on, looking as if he was planning to take a dive. From on top of the galley counter, Copper croaked out a warning. Leu's head whipped around towards the cabins as he had expected to see the captain's room door open. When it didn't, he turned back around again and nearly banged his head on the ceiling when he realized both of his parents were standing in the doorway instead.

"Going somewhere?" Severus asked critically.

"What are you doing up?" Leu asked in sheer surprise.

"Preventing you from attempting to go off on your own, apparently," Severus said sternly. Jennifer went over to make a pot of coffee.

"I wouldn't have gone on my own. I'd have taken one of the Merrows, of course," Leu replied. But Severus merely folded his arms and didn't say anything. "After all, it may be risky to take them with me if we go closer to shore, and I can't use as much magic if there are more tourists around. Besides, when summer gets here, I'll be doing this own my own anyway..."

"You haven't graduated yet, Llewellyn, and until then, you'll follow our rules, especially as long as you're living in our house or using our boat-"

"My boat."

"Your mother's boat, then," Severus corrected, still looking at Llewellyn. "Besides, I thought you were in no hurry to get out of school."

"I'm not. Actually, it's more than that," Leu said, dropping a flipper on the ground. "I really don't care if I get out or not. I just don't want Noah to complete his seventh year!" he snapped.

Severus glanced over at Jennifer, who met his gaze knowingly. Severus used his wand to bring the temperature up slightly and pulled out a chair to sit on.

"You know, a few years ago, I had another student who was in a similar position than what you're in right now," Severus said. "I suppose you can already guess who I'm referring to."

"Noah, who else?" Leu said with a sigh.

"Yes," Severus agreed. "He realized that if Myrtle got over the bullying that had initially chased her into the bathroom and saw herself in a more positive light, that she would be brave enough to ascend. Her past attempts to find someone to go out with her and appreciate her was actually an attempt at finding a way to do just that. And since they had been dating for some time at that point, he knew that he alone could convince her to let go that despair of being bullied, to show her that she was loved and appreciated, thus allowing her to appreciate herself."

"Yes, I know. I was there, remember?" Leu said irritably, refusing to look at him.

"But after he discovered he had this power, he didn't use it right away," Severus continued. "He struggled with it for quite some time, well over a year at least if not more, because he didn't want to lose her. He didn't want to lose her, and he couldn't bear the thought of going on after she had left, even though he knew from the start that it was what was best for her. But in the end, love won out. He set his selfishness aside and did the right thing, despite the pain that it would bring him," he continued.

"But I wonder if you realize yet that there is only one person who can help Noah to ascend, and I am the one with that power," Severus said. Leu looked over at him, startled. "I could very easily ban ghosts from participating in classroom activities... other than teaching, that is. I could also tell my staff not to humor him by marking his papers or logging his marks. After all, he hasn't been enrolled for hundreds of years, so I certainly don't have to honor it. In fact, if you would like, I could immediately sign an order upon our return to the school that ghosts are not alive and therefore have no rights as students. Therefore, since he'd never finish school, he'd remain at Hogwarts forever... well, unless another Headmaster rescinded that decision in the future, of course. However, since I have no vested interest in his staying or going other than the fact that he's your friend, perhaps I should give you the chance to decide, since you're the one closest to him," he suggested, almost as an afterthought. "So, Llewellyn, what would you have me do? Do you want me to stop it now before it's too late? I'll gladly take the fallout from Ravenclaw and Zack if that is what you truly want me to do, and I promise it will be the first thing I do upon getting back to the castle. So the choice is your hands now. Do you want me to stop this process so that he'll stay?" he asked seriously.

Leu stared at his father for a long time. He found himself thinking back on all of his memories of Noah, from the first time they had run laps in Bellamy's class, and the first time that Noah was allowed to eat at the Ravenclaw table. From the first time they had chosen to take separate classes, to when Noah, after spending so much time waiting at a library table, was finally invited into the Order of the Owls.

"No," Leu said at last. "No, of course I wouldn't keep him from finishing school, not as hard as he's worked at it, not as much as he's put his soul into it. It'd be too cruel," he said at last, Severus smiling thinly at that. "I'd never do that to him. It'd be like moving the finish line and stowing it away after someone had run a marathon, and disqualifying him on account of... nothing, really, other than my own pain at the thought of losing him." Leu began sobbing in pure grief. Severus nodded and stood up, while Jennifer came over with a hot cup of tea and a gentle hug.

"It is the right thing to do, no matter how hard it is, and we're both quite proud of you for realizing it," Jennifer told him quietly, handing him a handkerchief and then putting the cup in his hands once his face was dry again. "I have a thought, Leu. Why don't you take my camera to Hogwarts when you go back and take as many pictures of Noah and his friends as you can?" Jennifer suggested. "You can always tell the Owls that it's for the Museum project if you like... and you can pick out some of them to donate to that project. Although I also think you should pick one out to frame and send to the school to put up as well."

"You know, that's a very good idea, Jennifer," Severus said, a spark in his dark eyes. "Half of a good idea, anyway. What do you think of commissioning Alicia to come to the school and to do a painting of Leu and Noah to hang up at Hogwarts?" he suggested.

"Well, it is a good idea, Severus, but it'd be an even better idea if we could get Diana in the picture as well," Jennifer suggested brightly.

"Why do you want her in it? It isn't as if she's going anywhere," Leu said.

"Because they're your two closest friends at Hogwarts, of course. And I simply won't give permission for you to sit for a portrait unless it's all three of you," Jennifer said firmly.

"Well, I can't argue. She's head of the family, after all," Severus decided immediately, Jennifer giving him a knowing smile.

"She'd never agree to sit for a portrait, you know that as well as I do, Mum," Leu said.

"Then don't ask her about it," Jennifer replied simply. "Pick somewhere in the school that is public where it's likely that she'll wander by and converse with Alicia. I'm sure if she thinks it's her own idea to be in the portrait, she'll be much more likely to do it."

"You deserve to take that test for a psychology license too, you know," Severus commented to his wife.

"Thank you," Jennifer said with a smile, and went back to check on the coffee.

"Feeling any better?" Severus asked Leu.

"Feeling like I need a swim even more now than when I first snuck out here, actually," Leu admitted.

"What are the plans for today, Jennifer?" Severus asked, and she brought him a cup of coffee over.

"Arcadia gave me coordinates to a small island where a lot of seabirds hang out, and she thought that if there are any gannets this far east, they'd probably be there," Jennifer said. "But after Leu's done with his research, I'd like to head either to the constellation or the mainland so that Quintin isn't stuck on the boat all day. Besides, you did say something about going to the Stymphalian Reserve today."

"Yes, but that's not until later in the afternoon. One of the Wizard specialists working there agreed to meet with us," Severus said.

"Oh, so that's why you brought Descartes this trip," Leu said.

"Yes, and to make it easier to fill him up with fish for a change," Severus replied. "Jennifer, I don't suppose you finished modifying that teleport band for Descartes?"

"As you might recall, I got a bit interrupted in my attempt to finish it last night," Jennifer reminded him. "I'll have time to finish it before we get to the island."

"How far away is it?" Leu asked.

"An hour or two, depending on the wind," Jennifer replied. Leu sighed in frustration. "Long enough to get your brother up, get some breakfast and let it settle out a bit before you go in the water. And no sneaking off on your own. Severus, could you ask Kelpie and the others not to humor him without our permission?"

"I'll go ahead and do it now," Severus agreed. "And then I will see to breakfast so that you can work on that emergency teleport device."

"Yes, alright," Jennifer said, seeing the sense in that. "Leu, why don't you make sure Copper and Ebony are fed and help your brother find something to wear?"

"Yes, Mum," Leu said resignedly, picking up Copper and carrying him to the back while Jennifer fetched the device from the captain's cabin and got to work.

Just over an hour later as they began to approach the island, Quintin stared at his mother anxiously as she put the finishing touches on the harness she made for Ebony, carefully fastening it.

"There we are! All set, Quintin! Ebony should be safe from falling in now," Jennifer said, handing him his rabbit.

"We should test them when we get close to shore, just to be safe," Severus suggested, double-checking to make sure that Descartes' own teleporter was fastened properly.

"Yes, it never hurts to be safe," Jennifer agreed, then went up to the wheelhouse to see Capper at the guiding them closer. "How are we doing, Capper?"

"We have almost reached the correct coordinates and the tides are favorable to anchor close to shore," Capper reported.

"Then let's start looking for the bird colonies and coax her in. Is Kipper already on watch?"

"Yes, Captain," Capper said. "And Kelpie is working on the sails."

"I'll go help Kelpie with the change over and then I'll help you find a place to anchor," Jennifer decided and went outside. By the time they were anchored, everyone was on deck, and Leu was waiting impatiently to go in as they bobbed in a protective cove next to a rocky shore with a steep cliff face at one end, giving several different bird species some protection.

"I can see why they like it here," Jennifer said, tying her hair back further to protect it from the wind.

"Is it very deep here?" Severus asked.

"Deep enough to keep afloat even at low tide, but not as deep as all of that," Jennifer said.

"Kipper, are we visible to Muggles here?" Severus asked.

"Yes, sir, but it's unlikely any boats will come near here this time of year, except perhaps other birdwatchers," Kipper said. "Large fishing boats don't come near since this is a protected area for several species and nets are not allowed."

"Please give us a heads up on possible encroachment," Severus said.

"Aye, sir," Kipper said.

"Leu, you can go ahead in, but lets check these familiar emergency bands first," Severus suggested.

"Let's go, Kelpie!" Leu said, heading down the ladder as Kelpie dove in. He tread water for a moment to get used to the temperature before coming away from the boat. "Okay, Dad!"

Severus went inside and got Ebony, lowering him as far over the boat as he could before dropping him in the water. Quintin screamed in terror, but before the rabbit got more than its back paws wet, it was back on the deck again, attempting to shake the cold water off. Quintin ran over and picked up the rabbit, glaring fiercely at his father before stomping inside.

"Alright, we'll have to assume it works, then. Attempting to get Descartes to even try to go in the water would be a feat and I don't want you to get hurt," Severus told Leu.

"So I can go, then?" Leu asked. "I'm interested in seeing what those gannets look like underwater."

"Yes, but stay close to the cove in case I signal; it may be because there are Muggles in the area and we need to cover our tracks," Severus replied.

"Understood," Leu said and disappeared under the water.

"Some fresh coffee, I think," Jennifer decided, and went inside long enough to get them both a cup. Quintin was sitting on the cushioned bench, petting his rabbit on the head and glaring at her when she came in. "Goodness, Quintin! We did have to make sure those devices worked, no harm done. Actually, I'd be thinking the way you're petting him right now is probably more annoying to him than that experiment was. You're lucky that rabbit is so good natured." Quintin glared at her, making it perfectly clear that he was angry at her for her lack of sympathy. Sighing with exasperation, Jennifer took the cups back outside to let her son have some time to brood in peace.

"Here you are, Severus!" Jennifer said, handing him a cup.

"How is Quintin?" Severus inquired.

"Not speaking to either of us and is having a Snape moment," Jennifer said with a chuckle.

"What is this 'Snape moment' thing you're speaking of?" Severus inquired.

"He is brooding darkly," Jennifer explained. "You really oughtn't to have dropped that rabbit in front of him like that, no matter how safe it was. He's gotten quite attached to Ebony already."

"Yes, Rasputin was already complaining about it before we left. I think I'm going to have my hands full when we return to the castle, those two aren't likely to get on for a while. Do you remember how long it took Rasputin before he accepted Descartes?" Severus reminded her.

"It did take a while, but to be fair, Descartes' mother did almost kill him and he can also clear out Rasputin's entire stock of mice in one gulp," Jennifer said. "I'm sure Quintin will find a way to reach a peace agreement, maybe while out playing."

"Oh, so now we have a Sir Hop to go along with Sir Hiss, is that it?" Severus asked, causing Jennifer to laugh softly.

"I would say that's a given," Jennifer agreed, taking a drink of her coffee. Then she paused, staring down in the water. "What is that?"

"Just a dead bird," Severus said unconcernedly, but Jennifer frowned.

"It looks like a gannet," Jennifer replied.

"That would make sense, considering how many of them are in the area at the moment, doesn't it?" Severus ventured, then saw how concerned she was getting. "Jennifer, there's always going to be dead birds and dead fish near the shore, you know that..."

"Kipper?" Jennifer called out. Severus sighed, realizing now that she wasn't listening. "Kipper, there's a dead gannet down there next to the boat. I don't suppose you can tell what killed it?" Kipper climbed down from where he had been perched.

"It probably just broke its neck, Captain, but I will check if you'd like," Kipper replied.

"Just broke its neck?" Jennifer repeated. "By 'just', does that mean it happens a lot?" Jennifer asked.

"Sometimes," Kipper replied. "They dive from so high up that if they don't hit the water just right, it's like hitting their head against a hard surface," the Merrow explained, then jumped in the water.

"I don't like the sound of that, Severus," Jennifer said, leaning over the boat.

"Yes, well, I suppose you do have a point," Severus admitted reluctantly, peering over the edge as well. "Perhaps it's not so common as all of that. Or perhaps we should just trust Leu. After all, it should be his decision."

"A well informed decision," Jennifer corrected, and Severus nodded at that. "So once we're done here, did you want to head to one of the main islands for lunch?"

"Well, I was thinking that perhaps we should take advantage of being in the area and paying a visit to Arcadia's constellation for lunch," Severus suggested, and Jennifer brightened at the idea. "I don't know how good their cooks are, but from what Arcadia has said on countless occasions, they are experts when it comes to cheese making, and I also know from what Sagittari told me that they would be spending this half of their holiday there, so they may already have gone over."

"That sounds brilliant, Severus! I'd love to go ahead and see it," Jennifer said. "If they don't mind us being there without the escort."

"I'm sure they won't mind us visiting even if Arcadia and Sagittari haven't arrived yet. I've been helping Wind by putting pressure on the Asia Minor Council to make sure they're not moved out of their territory," Severus replied. "In the meantime, I believe I'll let Descartes out and put some chairs on the dock now that it's starting to warm up so that we can watch Leu more comfortably."

"Fine, but first you need to go inside and apologize to your other son for trying to kill his bunny," Jennifer said.

"Very well, Jennifer. I'll be right back out," Severus said.

Jennifer leaned against the rail and sipped her coffee, knowing without a doubt that it was going to take much, much, longer than Severus thought it would.

It wasn't long after Leu came out of the water that he found his mother pointing out all of the seabirds they'd seen that morning... every one, in fact, except the Northern Gannet. She even named one or two that they hadn't seen, until he finally asked his father, and he reluctantly told him what had put her off the idea, while reiterating once again that the final decision was his.

"I just don't like the idea of you taking such a risk when there are so many other safer options," Jennifer argued for the ninth or tenth time as they trekked up the hidden mountain path. They were walking towards a remote grassy area high above many of the beautiful mountain towns surrounding it. "And we've seen many kinds of birds that can fly for long distances and handle all sorts of weather and the sea without you getting into too much trouble... like an albatross?"

"Have you seen how long it takes them to get into the air? I'd prefer a faster takeoff and a bird that isn't quite so awkward," Leu argued.

"Herring gull perhaps?" Jennifer suggested.

"I also don't want to be a common trash bird, either," Leu said. "And don't even suggest spoonbills or goony birds. I don't want a bird that people are just going to laugh at me for."

"Since when do you care about what others think of you?" Severus asked him, pausing when he saw they were approaching some herds of goats and was passing around a translation potion.

"I don't normally, but I have heard people tease Pyther and Andrew about their forms, and Essie's on occasion as well. And that's not even getting into just how often everyone teases Uncle Sirius about his. I want a form that people aren't likely to tease me about," Leu said. Jennifer gave Severus an accusing look.

"As if I am the only one who does that!" Severus immediately protested.

"Leu, those are just affectionate teases, you know. Nobody really means it when they say those things. Isn't that right, Severus?" Jennifer asked dangerously. Severus simply nodded without saying anything. "Look, I know you have your heart set on it, but I just know I'd be terrified every day for the rest of my life if you picked that form."

"Mum, all of us are in danger all of the time, regardless of what Animagus form I try to learn. Isn't that right, Father?" Leu said.

"True, however, that doesn't mean we should go out of our way to invite disaster," Severus replied. "Personally, as long as you do diligent research as to the strengths and weaknesses of each considered species, I think the decision is ultimately up to you, whether it ends up being a Northern Gannet or not," he said, ignoring the look that Jennifer was giving him. "However, I will advise you not to get your heart set on one particular type of bird when you haven't weighed all of the options yet. It would be much wiser to have a broad list of possible contenders before narrowing it down, with safety being one of the considered factors in the final decision."

Jennifer frowned at his neutral stance, but then sighed. After all, Leu was eighteen now and nearly out of school, and this was an adult decision. Severus was in the right, but she certainly didn't have to like it. Perhaps there was something else that what tempt him that he wouldn't feel was silly.

"I know, how about a Stymphalian?" Jennifer suggested. Severus rolled his eyes at that.

"Jennifer, that is even more unreasonable than the Northern Gannet idea. Not only would he rust if he spent too much time in the water, he would sink like a stone," Severus said critically.

"Yes, of course you're right, that was silly," Jennifer said sheepishly. But Leu frowned, realizing from how his father had worded it that he didn't really like the idea of the Northern Gannet either. "There's a centaur, Severus," she said and walked over to a young goatherd with flowers in her hair. She was watching them curiously.

"Greetings, friend! I'm Jennifer Craw Snape, and this is Professor Snape and our family. I believe we're known to your people," Jennifer said.

"Ah, yes of course!" she said. "I am Atalanta. Arcadia is my big sister," she explained.

"Oh, how wonderful! I see the resemblance now, it's very good to meet you," Jennifer said brightly. "I don't suppose she is still visiting the constellation?"

"Yes, indeed," she said, taking a circle off of her arm and holding it out to her. "If you take this, it will help you find the way."

"Oh, a Kýklos," Jennifer recalled. "Thank you! But how do I return it?"

"If I am not back before you leave today, hand it to my sister," Atalanta said.

"Alright, I will," Jennifer promised, and then looked at it carefully for a moment, and then noticed that it seemed to reflect the sun when it was held in one direction, and yet didn't in any other. Realizing it was a part of the enchantment itself, Jennifer stepped back over to them, and with a little bit of testing, figured out how to read it like a compass. "It looks like we go this way, Severus."

"I wonder how far it is," Severus said, pondering if he was going to end up picking Quintin up before the end.

"She didn't say, really. But considering how high we are and the lack of trees on this mountain, I'm sure it's probably cloaked in some way to prevent planes and helicopters from seeing it, so it may be a lot closer than we think," Jennifer reasoned, stepping back on the path.

They kept walking along the path a while longer before she found herself veering off of it. And yet as she did so, another path appeared under her feet that was a mix of dirt and cobbled stones to keep the path from getting too muddy. But it wasn't long after she had begun studying the path under her feet that her eyes began to follow it up the path, and she smiled as a group of tall but very rustic stone dwellings, milking sheds, and animal shelters wrapped around a large circular dirt meeting area. A wide round pit with a raised stone wall to protect it from the mountain winds was in the very center, and Jennifer could easily imagine them all gathering around it for a ceremonial Constellation. Next to the path on their side of the plateia was a lovely carved fountain made to be both decorative as well as functional, with ornate stonework and clean running water that was obviously meant as a communal water source. It was even more obvious when a young filly pranced at with a water bucket, so intent on filling it that she didn't see them until she stepped up to fountain.

"Oh! Why, who are you?" she asked curiously, then saw the Kýklos. "Are you centaurs too?"

"No, we're humans... a witch and some wizards, actually..." Jennifer began.

"Humans! Wizards!" she said excitedly, galloping off. "Mother! Father! Come see the funny humans in our village!" she said, loud enough to cause several centaurs to peek curiously out their doors. It didn't take long after that before Sagittari peered out of one of the houses, and then stepped out fully so that he could be plainly seen. Jennifer grinned and hurried over to him, even offering him a hug.

"Sagittari! It's so good to see you!" Jennifer laughed.

"Yes, I see you have arrived. I wondered if you would find your way here on your own," he said.

"Atalanta gave this to us to help lead us here," Jennifer explained, showing the Kýklos in her hand.

"Severus, Leu, Quintin, you are all welcome," Sagittari added as they stepped over as well. "Come, you must be tired from your walk," he said.

"And maybe just a little hungry," Jennifer hinted.

"Why am I not surprised?" Sagittari said with amusement.

Leu had been looking around quite curiously at the buildings and at all of the centaurs that had stepped out curiously to check out their new visitors. And because of that, he was the first one to notice a familiar figure standing under the pergola next to the same building that Sagittari had just come out of. She was standing there with her arms folded and gazing at Leu with that same determined expression that she always wore.

"Diana?" Leu said, quite stunned to see her. Even Jennifer and Severus looked over with open surprise, but neither of them said anything when Leu went over to talk to her. "What are you doing here?"

"You challenged me to a race while you were here, did you not?" Diana pointed out. Leu's jaw dropped.

"Yes, but I thought you weren't... you told me that you were spending your holidays at the school this year," Leu reminded her. "Besides, I thought you turned me down!"

"I did not turn down the challenge, only your inappropriate request of my coming with you. I made my own arrangements on getting here," Diana said evenly. "And since we are both here, I expect you to honor the fact that you challenged me to this race. Well shall race somewhere in open water that the centaurs choose so that it is fair, and we will both do our best to win." Leu stared at her, having no idea on how to respond to that. He knew from experience that she wasn't about to back down, especially after somehow managing to talk Sagittari and Arcadia into taking her with them.

"I... had better go try to explain this to my parents," Leu finally said. Diana nodded curtly to him before stepping inside. He shuffled back over to them with his hands in his pockets, looking a bit embarrassed. Jennifer gazed at Leu intently, apparently very curious as to what they were talking about. In fact, it was also quite obvious that both parents had been too busy watching the two of them to do anything else. "Mum... I know Dad has that trip to the Stymphalian Reserve this afternoon and all, but are we going to be staying in the area for a bit? You see, when I told Diana where we were going on holiday, I might have casually mentioned to her that I'd race her if she were going to Greece too, and she seems to have taken it a lot more seriously than I thought she would."

"That does help explain what she's doing here," Jennifer decided with a slightly amused expression.

"So she talked you and Arcadia into taking her, did she?" Severus asked Sagittari questioningly.

"Yes, she was asking quite insistently before we left for the Solstice. We informed her, of course, that it would be inappropriate for us to take her so far without her foster mother's permission," Sagittari said. "Apparently, she drove her foster mother mad with her insistent letters about it until she finally relented and gave her permission to go."

"Oh. Well, if it was privately arranged between you and her foster mother, it's none of my business anymore," Severus decided. "As for our plans after today, I believe they were kept rather open, were they not, Jennifer?"

"Yes, I planned only to do some touring and perhaps fishing like we always do, and there's no reason we can't stay in the area to do that. Not to mention find some more sea birds for Leu to research while we're at it," Jennifer added, glancing at Leu.

"I'll consider other options when it comes to birds, Mum," Leu said, and was rewarded with a smile. "Just how much of a pain is such a race going to be, anyway?"

"I'm sure we can arrange something," Sagittari decided. "But first, let us have some lunch and a more comfortable setting."

"That sounds lovely!" Jennifer said enthusiastically, and they all followed them back in the stone house.