Chapter Six – Dinner and Port
Dinner at Muggworth Manor was an event never to be missed if that could be avoided. Between being apothecarians, herbologists, and purveyors of fine teas and herbs, the family sense of 'taste' was honed to near perfection. Their chef was renowned throughout the wizarding world, and had contributed many of the recipes currently in use at the Tea Shoppe, as well as deriving benefit from the generations before.
Jenkins served each course with funereal courtesy, despite Wilfred and Draden's frequent bouts with suppressed giggles. Katrina actually had to glare at them more than once, with a severe, "Boys... please!" as she fought her own smile. Actually, it did her heart good to see these responsible men, nearing serious middle age, so relaxed with one another and family that they could revert a bit to boyhood. Out in their real worlds, each had to carry a load of dignity and respect, with others depending on their judgment for their safety or even their lives. It was very nice, she thought, to keep a safe place for them, where they could just relax.
Even "poor Severus", as Katrina thought of him, could relax here, though she never had to scold him. Snape had gained such control over his expressions and voice that only his eyes betrayed laughter if he wanted to hide it. This was one of the few places she knew he had ever been truly happy. Here, and at Hogwarts. As a teenager, Wilfred had sometimes succeeded in bringing Severus here on holiday in the spring and winter. Here, there was only merriment and light when Wilfred was home on holiday. Severus had seemed rather pathetically grateful, though very awkward trying to express gratitude, for simple Christmas gifts or treats. She had a feeling he did not come from a very loving home. She was always happy to see him here.
He was telling them about one of his students, as they ate their soup.
"He's a positive menace, I tell you," Snape chuckled. "You should recruit him when he graduates, Dread. Put him in some 'Ministry of Blowing Things Up', and send him to somewhere you want destroyed."
"Sounds interesting, Snap," Draden smiled, "what's the name of my would-be protoge?"
"Finnigan... Seamus Finnigan," Snape replied with a shudder. "I must admit, few things frighten me. But watching Seamus Finnigan enter Potions Class frightens me each and every session. I ask you, have you ever known anyone who could explode water? He's been known to ignite one of Professor Flitwick's ostrich feathers just attempting levitation. The boy doesn't even need a cauldron or flame. His wand is sufficient. Giving him access to my dungeon laboratory is like throwing dynamite into a bonfire."
"You're kidding, right? He hasn't really ignited water?" Wilfred looked a bit aghast.
"Only exaggerating slightly. It was not 'water', it was 'pumpkin juice'. And he did not 'ignite' it, he detonated it. It exploded with searing heat, soot, and smoke."
"What was he doing, just looking at it?" Wilfred laughed.
"I believe he was wand-waving at it, attempting to transform it to rum, in the middle of the Dining Hall one morning," Snape answered, finishing his broth, and leaning back as Jenkins solemnly removed his bowl.
"So... how is he doing in potions?" Dread asked.
"I haven't decided yet. He passed last year, without successfully turning in a single assignment potion. I've actually watched him follow every single step properly, and seen every project blow up. It's a bit of a mystery really. I dare not fail him, or Minerva will send him to me for extra work and tutoring. I'm afraid he'd kill me. As it is, I throw a containment spell around his cauldron every time, to save him and other students. Even first years work with reagents they do not need to 'wear' for the rest of the day."
"Hmmm," Wilfred pondered. "A bit of rage, you think, Mother?" he looked inquiringly at Katrina.
"Sounds like it may be," she smiled. "But given the age group it's so hard to tell. It's like poltergeists, dear Severus. I suspect the explosive effect will wear off with time and puberty. He may be adjusting to using a wand for the first time also. Just give it some time, and I'm sure he'll gain better control."
"I hope so, Katrina," Snape smiled. "If he doesn't kill us all first", he thought aloud, though much under his breath.
"And speaking of poltergeists, old friend, how is my favorite troublemaker Peeves doing these days?" Draden asked.
Snape grimaced, "Oh, don't remind me. He's every bit as annoying as ever, thank you. If anything, he's worse. Nothing like a couple hundred adolescents to energize an annoying spirit. He and Filch engage in nearly daily battle, punctuated only by the moments they conspire together against students. At least he stays out of my dungeons."
"How do you manage that, Sev? I thought he enjoyed throwing things about in all the instructors' offices at least once a year?" Draden asked.
"He skips the dungeons now," Snape responded, settling in to enjoy his wonderful entree of roast lamb with new potatoes, sauteed vegetables, and Wilfred's fine wine.
"Why... does he skip the dungeons now?" Draden asked, sensing a good story.
"Because five years ago, I waited for him to violate my sanctum, and set containment spells on all his exits. I then immobilized him and stuck him into a bottle, stoppered and charmed to hold him. I set his bottle on the class laboratory supply shelf for one full day, letting him watch all that was happening totally unable to move. At the end of his 'detention', I released him with the warning that if I caught him there again, I would bottle him and use him as an ingredient. He seems to have taken the warning to heart. I've not seen him down my stairs again."
"I've got to be getting out to Hogwart's soon," Draden said, a look of remembrance in his eyes, and a slight smile on his face. "I need to see my favorite gameskeeper."
"Hagrid?" Snape looked up in astonishment. "You're going to come to see Hagrid?"
"Oh, yes, Sev," Draden replied. "He is one of my favorite contacts. I often send him young creatures to 'foster' for me, raising them until I know what to do with them. There are tremendous advantages to being a half-giant with a heart as big as your shoe size. He's really the kindest person I know. Well, present company excepted, of course," he smiled at Katrina and Jason.
"But... but... Hagrid is such an... er..." Snape struggled for a word that would not seem rude. Defeated, he just took another bite of dinner instead of going on.
"Well yes, Severus. Hagrid is definitely not the sharpest knife in the drawer. But it really doesn't matter. He is truly excellent at what he does. He taught, and still teaches me, to be honest, a great deal about dangerous creatures. He seems to connect with them on a level that I have never attained. I suspect he has secrets in that Forest that he's never even shared with ME. And he was the most faithful and stalwart encourager I had as a student, other than you and this family. Who, do you imagine, allowed me to handle half the creatures I used for my NEWT thesis? The 'professor'?? Hardly!" Draden finished with a snort.
"And speaking of NEWTs, by the way, how was your summer trekking with Hogwarts honors students, this summer?" Wilfred guided the conversation to his parents, as they carried the stream through the end of the main course.
"So it was a very successful expedition, and your students did very well indeed," concluded Jason.
"Jenkins," Katrina spoke to the almost-hovering butler, "I think we'll have dessert and coffee in the sitting room. And there will be three more guests coming for dessert." She turned towards the table once again. "I have a bit of surprise, at least for a couple of you," she nodded at Draden. "Shall we all repair to the sitting room?"
All rose, and she led the way.
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A/N: Please Review! I would love to hear what you think of Jenkins, and this point of view for Professor Snape. Constructive criticism always welcome. I am interested in your ideas, suggestions and speculations. Thanks -- Mort.