Chapter Seventy-One

The Caretaker of Hogwarts

When John finally woke up, his head hurt and one of his shoulders was wrapped tightly. He weakly put his other hand to his head and painfully opened his eyes. Next to his bed sat Severus Snape, and he realized he was in the back rooms of St. Mungo's.

"You're not St. Michael," John murmured. Severus sneered at that.

"Sorry," Severus replied. "How are you feeling?"

"Terrible," John admitted. "I suppose the Liquid Mercy must have run its course."

"Some time ago, yes. You've been in here nearly a week," Severus explained, giving him a potion off the side table. "You just missed Mitch by an hour. We sent him home with Sirius, Anna, and a Sleeping Potion. The doctor came to me a bit ago and told me that you would be waking soon, so I persuaded Alex to let me sit with you."

"Does she know, then? About our arrangement and all?" John asked.

"No, she knows nothing about that, and I'm not sure she really needs to. Agent or not, you were on leave and our arrangement had nothing to do with the Ministry. Besides, you know as well as I do that she has other Agents planted in there, and I'm more concerned with the safety of the school and its inhabitants... including you," Severus replied.

"Aye. Thank you for getting me out of there, Professor," John sighed.

"Well, my part in the actual rescue itself is messy and complicated, and it nearly didn't go off as planned. You're very lucky to be here," Severus admitted. "I do need to make a bit of a confession at this point, because the truth of the matter is that we very nearly lost you, and if we hadn't given you an Elixir of Life just after you fell, you really would have been attempting to con your way into those gates by now."

"I understand," John replied with a gentle nod.

"You'll also be glad to know that the Debt Curse seems to have fallen off of you, nor are any other curses on you at the moment," Severus said. "But we need to be careful and make certain you don't fall back into debt by mistake. How did the plan go?"

"Brilliantly, Professor," John reported with a soft smile. "It didn't take long for them to get frustrated and wondering what all I was up to. I've been accumulating Information Credits for days now and have a healthy stash of them, as well as enough regular Odd Jobs credits to easily pay three release debts and excuse all further work obligations."

"Good, those may come in useful if we have to buy anyone else out of there," Severus replied.

"Aye, of course," John agreed.

"As for the Information Credits, we'll talk more about those when you've recovered. I hope you kept an accurate count... by no means do I want you to bleed them dry when you're ready to divulge your information. Let me know when you get to the halfway point and keep the rest as a buffer for yourself to be safe. I don't want you to take on any unnecessary risks, you've already done your fair share. You mean too much to your family and your Hogwarts family and I personally don't want another night of tossing and turning worrying over how you are doing. So please do us all a favor and don't get into debt again," Severus told him sincerely.

"Ah, Professor, I'm in debts a plenty. It is simply that the debts I still hold aren't the ones that can be paid back. They can only be honored," John replied solemnly.

"You know perfectly well I wasn't speaking of those sorts of debts. I have a fair share of those myself," Severus replied, getting up. "I'm going to let Carol and the medical staff know you're awake. By the way, you can call me Severus, you know." John blinked at that.

"Thank you kindly, but I'd never take liberties as that. I might forget myself while I'm working," John said, Severus raising an eyebrow slightly. "After all, it isn't as if I'm a fellow professor or anything. I'm just the caretaker." Severus sighed with exasperation at that, shaking his head at him.

"John, you have never been 'just the caretaker', not from the moment you took the job," Severus informed him. "Feel free to take some extra time off to spend with Mitch once you're better; your job isn't going anywhere. I can always meet you at the Black Mansion if you want to report to me there. Either way, I'll be looking forward to your return."

"Thank you, Professor," John replied.

Shrugging off the fact that John didn't seem interested in dropping the title, Severus slipped outside. By the time Carol came in a moment later, there were tears on John's cheeks.

"John! Oh, my dear cousin! Are you hurtin' then? Are you in pain?" Carol said when she saw his state, sitting on the side of the bed and looking for the potion only to find that he had already drank it.

"I'm grand. 'Tisn't tha sort of pain, cousin," John reassured her as she dried off his cheeks protectively.

"Is it because of what that terrible circus did to you? I'm quite sure all those injuries were not from the fall itself," Carol said accusingly, fishing for information.

"Aye, but that wasn't what I was thinkin' about either," John admitted. "I was thinkin' about all I'd like to say to the Professor one day, that I don't have the courage to... about how I see him as the father figure I'd yearned for without even knowing I e'er needed one... or how much I wish my father'd been half the man he is. Maybe then I'd not have had such a terrible road when I was young. But I can't tell him that."

"I'm sure it shows up in your loyalty and respect for him, John," Carol said with a gentle smile. "And like as not, there will come a day when you're ready to tell him."

"No, I don't think there will," John said, shaking his head solemnly. "If I could have, I would have already done it. I would have done it not five minutes ago, so I know I never will. But then, now that I'm reassured that I'll probably be the Caretaker of Hogwarts for quite some time indeed, I suppose I'll have plenty of time to show it all the same." Carol smiled at him, kissing his forehead and keeping him company until the doctor finally came to check on them.

Mirage paced the Seer's wagon as she tried repeatedly to get a clear image in her pool.

"It is no use," the Seer said at last. "No matter how many times I attempt it, I cannot seem to bring up any information about the man in the brown cloak. It is almost as if he shouldn't exist at all. Some powerful force must be protecting him somehow."

"I don't like unknowns in my circus," Mirage growled. "Fine! Let's put that problem aside for now. See if you can find out about John. Does he still live?"

"That I am certain of," the Seer confirmed. "But they have him somewhere out of reach. If I look forward on his fated path, I see him walking the halls of Hogwarts once more."

"Snape must have had something to do with that rescue. He left when that Darkness Spell was cast," Mirage said.

"True, but he could not have cast it himself in the stands, or we would have seen it. It originated from outside the tent, but that too is a blur. I see a figure in a Concealment Cloak casting it from the road," the Seer said. Mirage growled.

"I never should have sent those invitations to have them witness his death! Somehow they must have figured out what those invitations were for and orchestrated a rescue," Mirage said.

"That does make sense, but truly, it is of little consequence," the Seer said calmly.

"I do not share that belief, regardless of what you see in that pool," Mirage snapped. "His death was meant to be an example to the rest of the circus, to remind them of their place, and now whispers about his rescue have spread among the entire circus!"

"True, but in this case, I'm not so certain his death would have been treated as a warning," the Seer mused. "He was well liked among the troupers, and they could have seen him as a martyr, which would have been just as dangerous. Either way, it doesn't seem to have changed Fate in the slightest. Before the last day ends, the war will begin. So instead of wasting time on this one little minnow, we should be preparing to net the bigger fish."

"I understand your point of view, my mistress, I simply do not agree. Whether Fate is still in our favor or not, I have long learned never to trust humans. The fate of my family and the family of my blood brother was destroyed due to a single human. And since that time, I have lived among the humans for generations upon generations, and I know that allowing him to escape without consequence would be much more damaging than you realize," Mirage snapped.

"Well, then, give Spanx permission to take his compensation... but do be a dear and wait until after he's corralled the guests of honor for the finale before you let him off his leash," the Seer requested.

"So be it," Mirage said crisply. "And the meantime, I think I'll cull some clowns so that no one here gets any ideas."

"If that's what makes you feel better," the Seer said unconcernedly as Mirage left the room.

Tolliver had a lot of burials Sunday night, but he was certain that John hadn't been one of them. The next day, while he was hard at work sculpting more ferocious beasts at Mirage's request, the rumors of what happened spread in a voracious whisper that went through the camp. By the time the sun came down and he got his dinner, practically everyone was talking about it.

"Let's try not to speak of it, Belinda, as hard as it might be," Tolliver told her when they sat down at one of the outside tables. "Hammerbite told us that Mirage is quite livid and was telling Hardy in the office that there'd be hell to pay for anyone he found that was spreading rumors about it. I for one do not want anyone burying me in the garden."

"Oh! Well, if Mirage has a rule about it, you know I won't go against it," Belinda said. "My parents always taught me to stay in the rules no matter what, and I've always done it. You know, though, I really am going to miss having John around."

"Yes, I'll miss him too," Tolly agreed, and then asked her about her recent checkup.

John clenched his copy of the Oracle until his knuckles turned white. He was so angry that he had trouble hiding it when Laura came into his hospital room with a lunch tray.

"Here we go! I had Uncle Mitch send along your favorite stew, although he keeps saying that he can't wait for you to get back so he can cook for you himself," Laura said, then noticed his expression. "Is something wrong, Uncle John?"

"It's Spanx, threatening my Mitch," John said angrily. Laura set down the tray, finding herself looking at the help wanted column.

"Help wanted: Lovely new partner to play second position in a demanding circus act. Must be physically fit, flexible, and available at all hours. Includes rigorous training; high endurance recommended. Accommodations and meals provided. Four star Pastry Chefs need only apply," Laura said. "Well that was candid, wasn't it? But I thought you weren't cursed any longer, Uncle John."

"Oh, I'm not, but that doesn't mean that Spanx doesn't want revenge for my surviving that fall, and now he's making it clear who he wants to take it out on," John said worriedly, but Laura sighed and then smiled.

"Spanx is not going to get anywhere near Mitch, Uncle John. Not with the army of people we've got looking after him," Laura replied.

"And yet, despite that, I hear that Mitch constantly managed to slip off to see the circus performance all by himself, most of the time without anyone realizing he was gone," John pointed out. "He's downright sneaky when he has a mind to be."

"Yeah, okay, I heard about that," Laura admitted. "But he was only sneaking off because he was worried about you, and you're going to be released tonight or tomorrow, so he'll have no reason to sneak off anymore. And doesn't he have one of those teleport necklaces or something?"

"Aye, but he doesn't typically wear it, nor does he even listen all the time if anyone asks him to stay put, either," John replied. "Your Uncle Mitch is quite stubborn in his own right, more than most know, and there are times he uses his unassuming nature against those who don't realize he has that side to him."

"I'm sure if anyone can talk him into being more cautious it's you, Uncle John," Laura said reassuringly. "And once you're ready to head back to the castle, Uncle Sirius will be there to take your place at the Black Mansion, and for the record, he's pretty sneaky too."

"Aye," John said, then accepted his tray from her before asking about the latest Hogwarts news.

When John woke up the next morning, he found a pair of hazel eyes staring at him from a mop of brown hair that looked as if he hadn't bothered combing it that morning.

"Are you awake? Do you want your breakfast? Should I get the doctor to see if you're ready to be released? I brought you some fresh robes for the trip to the Black's house," Mitch said. "And a bag to put your other things in that you might need a bag for."

"A kiss and some tea and a potion will do for now," John protested blearily and found that Mitch was in a hurry to try to accomplish all three requests at once.

Then Mitch stepped out to find a doctor, who discovered just how insistent Mitch could be. When Mitch learned that John also had to be signed out by Alex Clemmons, he made his way to the Ministry himself, and when he learned that he couldn't simply march into the Minister of Mysteries office without an appointment, he marched over to the LE department and made such a fuss that both Thomas and Alex ended up accompanying him back to St. Mungo's.

With a swift knock on the partially open door, Thomas stepped in to find one of the doctors checking John over for any last minute setbacks.

"Excuse me, but would you please mind coming out and helping Minister Clemmons finish this man's paperwork?" Thomas said insistently. "I really don't care how he's doing at this point, we can assign him an at home nurse or doctor... whatever it takes so that I don't have to hear any more about him not being home yet from Mitch. He's worse than my daughter," he commented to John. "And I didn't think I'd ever say that about anybody. I'd cast the Toddler Curse on him, but casting on Mitch would be like casting at an injured puppy crying for his mum and I just can't bring myself to do that! Even I have my limits," he complained, John smiling at that.

"Aye, I know what you mean," John replied. "I just can't seem to win against him when he's got his back up, no matter what I try."

"Yes, I know the feeling, trust me," Thomas said with a grunt. "Paperwork?"

"Fine, fine! As long as someone will be with him at all times for the next forty-eight hours in case he shows signs of further head injury," the doctor said after doing a quick check on his arm as well.

"For some strange reason, I don't think that'll be a problem," Thomas said, rolling his eyes and shaking his head dramatically as he left the room, and John chuckled silently to himself.

When John arrived at the Black Mansion, it was bustling with people, mostly in the kitchen and outside as they seemed to have decided on another one of their famous barbecues for his welcome home party.

Curiously enough, it was Mitch who was the excited one, apparently wanting everything to be perfect; and much to John's surprise moved in and out of the crowded kitchen without any problem at all, asking who was bringing out what and communicating without hesitation what he wanted to bring out to the tables next. John, in contrast, was quiet and thoughtful, stepping outside to find a sunny spot to sit down as if using the sun to help him feel the warmth surrounding him.

It didn't take Conner long to notice, grabbing something at random to take outside to have a chance to go over there. For once, the rest of the family didn't comment; typically they were quick to reel Conner in when he had that look in his eye, but no one had missed the changes in John and decided that Conner deserved a bit of leeway this time.

"You all right, there, John?" Conner asked after setting his tray down and sitting in the chair next to him. "I guess this is a lot to come home to."

"Oh, not at all. I appreciate it entirely," John said sincerely. "Especially since my Mitch was so looking forward to it. I have seldom seem him so animated around so many people at once, short of his kitchen staff at work, that is." Conner looked amused at that.

"I guess he's decided that the Black family is just another kitchen staff, and considering how they all seem to pitch in when there's food involved, I think he's got a point," Conner decided.

"Aye, but I know things have been difficult for him, and he's told me in the past you were helping him. Thanks a mil for that," John said.

"That's what I'm here for," Conner said. "And since you've been nice enough to give me that segway, I hope you know I'm here for you too if you need it. It's pretty obvious to everyone you've just been through something so... if you need to talk..."

"Thank ye kindly, Conner," John said, his smile suddenly turning serious. "But right now I can only talk to Librarian Boulderdash and the Professor himself. My part in the circus may be done, but things are far from over. It'll get worse before it gets better, so... when it's all over with... if we're all still here... I promise I'll be in line with the rest who'll need your services." Conner stared at him a moment.

"Perhaps it's time I take on a partner or two," Conner said, debating it with himself.

"Not a bad idea at all," John agreed, then got up to help Mitch when he came out with three too many tartlet trays.

By the time Easter Sunday had rolled around, John was feeling ready to go to work. After spending most of the day counting his blessings in church, John got up early on Monday to get ready to head for Hogwarts, putting some last minute things in his bag. Mitch, it seemed, had already gotten up ahead of him, so he wasn't surprised to come downstairs to a quiet house with Mitch poaching some eggs while Sirius sat at the bar.

"Ah, good mornin' to you both," John said. "Are you up out of habit, Sirius, or are you going to Hogwarts as well today?"

"Both," Sirius replied. "I'm going to get you caught up on all the current projects, and teach you how to care for Spacelawn... it can be challenging the first time you try trimming it, it's a bit springy."

"Aye, that does sound challenging," John chuckled. "But you needn't stay all day. To be perfectly honest, Sirius, once you've caught me up on any changes I need told about, I'd like to get my footing on my own."

"No problem. I'll just stay until it's time for my lunch date with my wife," Sirius replied.

"Thank you kindly," John said, then turned to Mitch with a smile. "I expect you'll be going back to work now yourself, luv?"

"Oh... ah... well, not really, not until the next catering order," Mitch said. "Did you think I was on a leave of absence?" John stared at him.

"Aye, you never indicated otherwise," John said.

"Oh, well, I was using my sick days, and then when I realized how many of them I were taking, I decided to quit, and I'm so glad I did. I'm just helping Beth with catering now until Nevera and I can open that bakery and tea room. I promised I'd help Beth with Laura and Andrew's wedding. You're not worried about money, are you?" Mitch asked, putting their breakfast plates in front of them.

"Not at all, Mitch. I'm glad you have the sense to take some time for yourself, and I can't wait to see what comes of this bakery idea of yours," John said.

"Actually, I think it might have been Jennifer's idea originally, but it was a good one anyway," Mitch decided.

"She really doesn't stay out of anything, does she?" John chuckled.

"No, she doesn't," Sirius agreed, picking up the pace when he noticed how fast John was eating.

It was his sheer eagerness to get back that had prompted him to do so... back to the home that he never felt he would see again. As much as he loved his extra time with Mitch and the relief he felt to be back with the person he loved most in the world, a part of him still yearned to stand at the gates at Hogwarts, and get back to the job and the place he loved most in the world as well.

Sirius took out the Caretaker's set of keys and let him do the honors, taking them to the gates. John took a deep breath at the sight of it. Sirius stepped in, getting a good morning from Boulderdash and then from Aurora, who was busy jotting some notes down on her last reading for the day as the sun began to pierce the horizon. Sirius paused and looked back at John. He was taking the castle in a moment before finally stepping inside the gates.

"Welcome back, thief," Boulderdash said with a thin smile.

"Incredibly glad to be back, brothers," John said. "And how are the two of you?"

"Fine for now, don't worry," Boulderdash replied calmly.

"I will remain worried until this is over and Balder is back where he belongs," John replied firmly, then glanced over at Aurora. "Professor Sinistra, how are you?"

"Currently fine, although if this reading is correct, we're in the calm before a storm," she informed them.

"Aye, I knew that already," John said.

"I believe the Headmaster is waiting to speak with you in his study before you get started," Boulderdash ventured.

"Thanks a mil," John replied and he and Sirius walked inside and straight into the Doorlift.

Severus looked up in surprise as they came in.

"You got up here fast. I was expecting you to want to take the main staircase," Severus replied.

"I'm sure we'll be reacquainted again soon enough," John said with a smile.

"I take it you're staying with him today?" Severus asked Sirius.

"Just until lunch, then you're officially rid of me," Sirius replied cheerfully.

"I'll be sure to throw a party," Severus said evenly. "Anyway, John, I'm certain that Sirius will fill you in on the current projects... don't forget about the Quidditch Pitch."

"I already warned him about that," Sirius said with a nod.

"Also, the restriction list on items has been extended, so make sure you refamiliarize yourself with it in case students still have contraband from that last Hogsmeade trip. Curfews and security have also become stricter, so make certain you get with Jennifer at some point to go over security changes, although she'll likely 'volunteer' you to a patrol schedule if you're not careful," Severus went on.

"I don't mind in the slightest," John said with a smile. "And our unfinished business?"

"If you're ready to discuss it, you may come up for dinner at six," Severus said, making certain the journal wrote it down. "Oh, and before I forget, if you happen to find any magical items, coins, or other strange shiny things that were dropped in the corridors, please turn them in to Hermione; we've set up a lost and found in her office. We have a Niffler loose in the castle now, and there are occasions when it can pile up... especially near the Potion Lab or along the back stairs for some reason."

Sirius tried very hard to keep a straight face while John was too busy staring at Severus to notice.

"A Niffler in the castle? Why in the world isn't the creature kept out in the barn where it'd be safer?" John asked in surprise.

"A rather good idea. I'll be sure to suggest it, but I doubt it'll go over well," Severus warned expressionlessly, and Sirius decided to walk around the room to contain himself.

"I don't know what you mean by that, but surely you know a creature like that is only bound to get into trouble in a castle full of ancient artifacts such as this. It's the equivalent of the proverbial sweet tooth in a candy shop!" John said.

"Oh, yes, I know. I've experienced it first hand... nosing into every corner, investigating every single magic item, stashing it away only to be enticed by the next shiny thing that passes her nose. I've nearly driven myself mad attempting to chase her down to stop her, but I've finally decided to admit defeat. What more can I do?" Severus asked with the same stoic expression. "I've gotten myself rather attached."

John, who was about to ask if Severus had picked up a new familiar, lost his train of thought when Sirius completely lost it, not being able to hold it together any longer. John watched Sirius laugh, wondering what he missed, until Jennifer peeked in from the back room to find out what the noise was about.

"John! You're back!" Jennifer exclaimed warmly, going over to give him a hug.

"Are you sure you're glad to see him?" Severus inquired as Sirius struggled to regain his composure.

"Of course I am, don't be silly! Why wouldn't I be?" Jennifer asked curiously.

"Because John thinks that the only way to contain Pockets is to make her sleep in the barn," Severus explained matter-of-factly. Jennifer furrowed her brows at that, and Sirius nearly lost it again.

"Oh, honestly! Stop teasing John just because he hasn't been around, and that goes for both of you," Jennifer scolded them. "And for the record, regardless of what form I'm in, I am most certainly not sleeping in the barn. Severus might be, however, if he keeps pushing his luck," Jennifer said curtly, going into the back room again. Severus smirked softly at that, then suggested the two of them get started with their day.

It didn't take long for word to get around the castle that John was back, as students getting up for breakfast caught sight of Sirius and John wandering through the halls and going over the maintenance list, and by noon, all of the Owls were talking about it.

"I'm so glad he's alright. I was really worried about him, and then he had that fall," Harvey said as they got their lunches. "I bet they were attempting to get rid of him on purpose."

"I wouldn't be surprised either, but the Oracle said that they couldn't find any concrete evidence of any wrongdoing," Hadrian replied. "The audience was too far away, and no one in the circus was willing to go against Mirage's claim that it was an accident."

"True, but they did fine them for safety violations afterwards," Kai pointed out.

"It was a slap on the hand," Charles said grumpily. "Although from what Hope wrote to me about it, Harry did tell them that the LE department would be following up on the accident, and also that they'd be sending surprise inspectors to check and make sure they kept up on all of the circus apparatuses from now on."

"So they've finally got a foot in the door?" Gloria said.

"Yeah, let's just hope they don't end up losing it," Penny replied dryly.

Boulderdash listened thoughtfully, but didn't comment on the conversation from where he sat at the worktable. He too was uncertain if the Ministry's pressure on the circus was going to turn into a good thing or a bad thing.

Harvey had something else on his mind, eating his salad quickly in hopes of catching John in the hall before his next class. But as it turned out, he didn't see them, and it was only later that evening that he learned they had spent most of the day out on the Quidditch Pitch. The next day, Harvey had a full schedule and had gotten too busy to even look. He hadn't even been thinking about it as they assembled for Orchestra I, everyone automatically pulling out their music stands and assembling and cleaning their instruments before class as they always did, chatting softly as Mr. Chance came in and took attendance, asking about a couple of students who were late from lunch. He looked up as they hurried in and was about to get on them for trying to beat the bell when he noticed John stepping into the doorway behind them.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Carnegie," Dale said curiously, wondering if something was broken he hadn't noticed yet.

"Mr. Chance," John replied with a smile. "Might I borrow your class for just a moment?"

"Sure," Dale said with a slightly confused smile.

"It's just an experiment of sorts," John explained, taking his trumpet from behind his back.

The students looked even more curious now as John played CEFG, paused a moment to look around, played the four notes again, and then waited expectantly until he noticed someone raise a horn in the brass section. It was Harvey, playing the same notes that he had and then continuing through the next few notes before stopping again. John smiled at his suspicions being confirmed, nodding at that.

"Thank you Mr. Oxford," John said with a smile.

"Just returning the favor," Harvey replied.

"It was much more than that," John informed him, then glanced over Dale. "Thank you for humoring me. I'll be going now."

"Wait a minute, that's not fair!" Dale protested with a laugh. "I want to hear the whole thing now!"

"Tell ya what... I'll make you a deal," John said. "Let me hear the students do "Dona Nobis Pachem", and I promise to play the Saints for you."

"You got a deal," Dale said, and everyone changed their music out so John could hear them play.