Chapter 4 – The Public Response
The Wizarding Child Welfare Officer known as Martin, had just finished work and after reading the article in The Daily Prophet himself he received Minerva's owl, and then decided that his day wasn't finished and grabbing up some floo powder out of the container on the Mantle, he flooed straight to Hogwarts.
"Good Merlin." Albus said as Martin came through the fireplace. "You have come rather quickly in response. Have you also come with information about Jenny's situation and what happened to her? l hope."
"We have made some inquiries but till all the facts and details are checked into It would be inadvisable for me to say much. Needless to say there is other concerns raised now that Miss Rita Skeeter has made everyone in the wizarding world aware of the baby having been brought here to Hogwarts. "
"I'd like to know how that snoopy woman got hold of the information to begin with along with that photograph. I should have noticed her following us or taking the picture if she was anywhere nearby. The flash of the camera would have given her away." snarled Severus as he was worried for Jenny's safety considering the few howlers that had arrived as he was leaving the great Hall. He just had to trust the wisdom of the two witches to keep her safe untill he returned. A thought occurred to Seveus and he admitted, "Then again as for noticing the camera, it is possible that a concealment charm obscured the flash and after all my mind was totally on the baby."
"Not sure till it is investigated but you could be right as it is possible that Rita and her photographer were already hidden nearby under concealing charms (Notice-me-not). They may have seen Albus and you at the Leakey Cauldron and was curious as to what both of you where up to as you did enter the muggle side of London. They would have followed you to the store then decided it was too good an opportunity to do a story on Dumbledores 'unfortunate' addiction to the muggle sweets as opposed to proper wizarding sweets."
"Hey, I'm not addicted... I just like... er, enjoy their flavour." protested Albus as his hand strayed toward the pocket where the tin of lemon sherbets rested.
"We know, Albus, we know how much you enjoy them." Dilys Derwent's portrait called out, "You enjoy them enough to get a bakers dozen worth."
"On occasion we have seen you bring back large economy sized tins at that!" one of the other portraits revealed with a wink at the Child Welfare Officer.
Martin grinned at seeing the pouty frown Albus aimed at the portraits, then said, "Okay lets get back to the topic at hand. It isn't too hard to imagine Rita Skeeter's delight when she saw a better story in the making when Severus didn't go in with you, Albus but chose to wait outside and go down the alleyway? She may have thought the Potions Master was up to something nefarious."
"Of course, how could I have missed it? That should have been quite obvious." Severus rolled his eyes. "My evil reputation precedes me."
"You were a misguided youth but evil? No Severus. If that was true Jenny would not have been left in your care." Martin assured the younger wizard. He tapped his chin thoughtfully with his index finger as he thought a moment before continuing. "Rita Skeeter does love to add sensationalism in her reporting, that woman is a menace yet I'm not too sure how this story may help or hinder the ongoing investigation, l don't know, but lets leave that topic for now and go on to another that is more pleasant. how is little Jenny Wren doing?"
Albus looked much like what a proud Great Grandfather would, as his chest puffed slightly and he said, "Jenny is doing fine, Poppy and Minerva are keeping an eye on her for now. Come to the great hall, you must be hungry if you came here straight from the office."
"Yes Thank you Albus that is a generous offer and l will accept it gladly. I take it you are handling the situation well Severus."
'As well as can be expected, sir. Jenny has managed to put up with me for one day so far, and," He cast about to see if any of the portraits where actually listening in and scowled at the portrait of Phinius Black who smirked back, " l must admit it I had enjoyed looking after her." Severus said simply without expanding too much on details.
"Good, Good, glad to hear it' Martin boomed out. 'Let us now proceed to the Great Hall, and you can tell me how everything is going, now that the story about you and baby Jenny has leaked out".
Wondering a moment if Martin was fishing for more detailed information, Severus looked over at him and said; " I think you will see for yourself when we get there"
''Oh, Oh, that sounds almost ominous to me'' replied Martin in a joking manner as they entered the great doors and stopped suddenly as they saw with amazement, that there where now parcels and letters piled high all over the place with even more owls flying in and out of the Great Hall.
All four house tables where being hidden by the onslaught of gift bearing owls who despite whatever they carried in, were given treats and drinks of water before being sent away with little cards of thanks for the kindnesses and generosities shown.
Martin noted that the Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall and Mediwitch Madame Pomfrey were almost buried in correspondence, which was generated by the story in the paper while Jenny was sleeping in the carriage that was presently hovering safely in the air away from the intense activity while being watched over intently by a small House Elf who was dressed like a miniature Nanny Elf.
"Oh my, l didn't think it was going to be this much reaction to the story." Martin was stunned as he gazed about while they walked towards Minerva and Poppy. Martin glanced into the carriage at Jenny and said, ''She looks good. l was right at least in leaving her here at Hogwarts."
It was almost a miracle as the outpouring of unconditional love from so many well- wishers and concerned wizards and witches kept coming . There where even Owls whose Letters and parcels came with the recipient listed simply as 'The Hogwarts Baby'.
It was hard for Severus to fathom but somehow Skeeters article had generated a very unusual outpouring of generosity and love for the abandoned baby shown in gifts of money, outfits and toys which outweighed the Howlers that where being intercepted and destroyed a soon as they where removed from the owls legs.
It occurred to all of them that it didn't matter to what house the baby could end up belonging to. She suddenly became the Hogwarts baby, not only that but surprisingly, she had now somehow become the darling of the Wizarding world.
"This is utterly fantastic!" Martin said as he picked up a nice little stuffed dog that had a piece of parchment attached to a tiny collar with a childs scrawl written on it and read it out loud.
"Mummy said I could send Ruffus who will play nic musick wen the babby is lonely." He smiled at the scrawled name written below and then took the parchement off and placed the little stuffed dog into the carriage. "
"Aww the heart of a child for another is a wonderfull thing to behold." Martin said as Albus placed his aged hand upon the overworked Social Workers shoulder and said, 'Sit down and get some supper into you Martin, it looks like is going to be a busy night for all of us."
Pointing his wand at his throat Albus cast the Sonorus charm and then spoke, "Thank you everybody for helping with getting this situation under control to the best of your abilities. Please stop what you are doing for now as the House Elves have been patiently waiting to serve supper plus they have prepared extra snacks for us to nibble on throughout what may well be a very long night. Since there is not as much room left to place the platters from which we normally help ourselves - tonight all you need to do is request the meal that you desire and it will be provided "
At that moment the Parcels and stacks of letters that were piled on the staff table magically shifted, leaving just enough room to have the plates, mugs and utensils appear before the hungry witches and wizards, filled with the meal they each requested.
Martin also sat down at the staff table and helped himself to some supper as well as he could what with the parcels etc. scattered around on and under the table.
Albus and Severus looked around, after they also found space to sit and made room to have Jenny's carriage hover nearby Severus while they ate their meal.
'Great Merlin what has happened here, and this is just after one day. Severus exclaimed as he did a face palm. "Luckily she is too young to understand what is happening."
"Do you understand ?" Martin asked as he noticed how overwhelmed the Potions master seemed.
Temporarily too overwhelmed to even glare, Severus replied. "That is simple. Somehow Jenny has touched a chord of generous sympathy among the populance and my hard won nasty reputation is most likely going down the drain fast thanks to that article and picture."
'Never mind for now Severus we all are going to be mighty busy answering the mail and figuring out what to do with all this generously given stuff." replied Minerva as she looked at the four rows of house tables that had likewise been filled with the generous gifts. "I can't help but wonder what was written in that article that caused such a response."
"Could be the photograph. Jenny and Severus' eyes were so expressive. " Albus pondered, "And a child who could elicit such a tender response from our Severus..."
"Tender?" The Potions Master snorted at the thought. "Your one to talk."
"Let's concentrate on the here and now before things get out of hand." said Minerva as she let her wand slip into her hand within plain sight as she sought to forestall a debate which was possible considering the two wizards natures.
Severus stared around at the chaotic scene and said with a touch of worry and concern in his voice , "If this keeps up though, I believe it would be best if l send Jenny down to our quarters for the night along with the House Elf to keep an eye on her. "
"Yes I agree, that would be a much better solution for there will be less chance of any harm coming to her. Protection charms can only do so much."
Fortunately after being transfered to her little room in Severus' quarters Jenny Wren, along with her nanny Elf - continued sleeping peacefully, still wrapped in the cloak, which she had become so attached to in so short of time. Her elders hoped she would sleep on through the night, which from the looks of it they themselves were not going to. Luckily the House elves kept sending up pots and pots of hot apple cider, coffee and tea as the work of sorting and answering letters was keeping everybody very busy.
The Bloody Baron hovered nearby though not too close as he didn't wish to scare the tiny baby if she awoke while he supervised Peeves who was quite mischevious.
the Grey lady AKA Helena Ravenclaw, Nearly Headless Nick, the Fat Friar and a fair assortment of the other ghosts came in and out of the Great Hall looking wistfully at the activity in which they were unable to participate.
Some of the other teachers came back to Hogwarts earlier than they would have just to help out with the massive amount of in- pouring mail. Filch the caretaker; Madame Sprout, Professor Flitwick, Madame Sinistra and also Hagrid came up from his hut. Even the resident pest, Peeves helped which was amazing in it self.
It was quite something to see as Poor Professor Flitwick, who was so small he actually disappeared under a stack of baby clothes and toys, which Peeves was trying to stack along with the parcels.
"Whoops, Perfessor, yer goin' ta disappear from sight if yer stay sittin there." lifted him out then placed him a little higher onto a table.
"Thanks Hagrid." squeaked the dimulative professor as he flicked his wand at a stack of letters that was starting to tip. "Look at all them owls. Where are they all comin' from? I didn't think there was that many owls in the magical world."
"No problem Perfessor." Hagrid nodded his head as he looked up at the owls that were still coming in Droves with their various letters and parcels. "Or such generosity."
Fortunately there where those well-wishers who realised that their gift may have been duplicated by others and being practical minded, mentioned that if there is too much, to please pass their gifts on to other children in need, but in Jenny Wrens name. Martin practically wept when he saw how much care and consideration there was still in the world of magic, after all he has had to deal with some very raw and hurtful issues in his job that dealt with the welfare of wizarding children who found themselves with the child protection authorities in London.
After a few more days, the sorting was for the most part completed and one room-a rather large one at that, was set aside to store the articles of clothing and toys that they thought Little Jenny would need as she was growing up.
A special vault was opened up at Gringotts where all the generously donated money was placed in trust for her future. Severus insisted that be so as he thought it would be best that he use his own money to supply her with whatever else she needed while she was in his care.
The duplicates and extras was packed up and sent on to the offices of the child protection services and to the various orphanages known to have housed young wizarding children, all in Jenny Wren's name. Thank-you letters were written and sent off. She may not know it for awhile but hopefully as she grew up she would come to appreciate all that was done in her name.
But still there was the problem of how she got to the alleyway, and who put her there.
Martin who had go back to work was pleased, not only with his decision of placing the infant with Severus as her foster father along with Albus and Minerva as acting Grandparents in Hogwarts, but also with the outpouring of love shown by so many strangers. He vowed to double his efforts to unravel the mystery of where Jenny came from and why she was abandoned.
The Daily Prophet continued to publish articles every day about what was happening that July at Hogwarts, and the mystery of where she had come from.
It was the most intensly discussed story of the summer and the papers were not coming off the press fast enough. Everybody wanted to know how little Jenny was faring.
Authors Notes:
Thank you for all the encouraging and helpful reviews, Even the guest ones which I am unable to reply to. I enjoy reading all of them.