Chapter Thirty-Five

A Rock and a Hard Place

Eben watched as Mari came back in her sitting room, dressed in a tasteful black dress but with her hair pinned with a comb to make it look more feminine despite its short length.

"So you're still going to the exposition game with Crumb?" Eben asked, looking up from his reading homework.

"Yes, well, you heard Father. He doesn't want any lengthy family disruptions over this, or unnecessary ceremony. To be honest, I'm quite surprised that he let all of you come home in the middle of a school week," Mari said.

"Aunt Blair was concerned with how it might look if we didn't come home, but we're only staying until tomorrow," Eben said. "I'm really worried about Wally. He's in a bit of shock and I don't know if he truly understands that his mother isn't coming back. He's the same age as I was when we lost ours."

"I'm sure Aunt Blair will make sure he's properly taken care of, you know how she is about propriety and maintaining the appearance of 'doing the right thing,'" Mari said, mimicking her voice.

"I can't make up my mind which is worse... someone who pretends to care about us, or someone who doesn't even attempt it," Eben said.

"At least Aunt Blair gives us a bit more freedom," Mari said, searching for some black gloves. "Which is a good thing, because if Father had his way, he'd have me trying to make progress with that horrid Earwig that is twice his age right now."

"Earwig," Eben smirked.

"Yes, that's been what I've been calling him in my head, please don't repeat that," Mari said. "Horus Crumb is stiff, dull, and full of himself, and in some ways reminds me of Aunt Blair in the way he thinks, because his thoughts are solely on furthering his own ambitions by expanding his roles in society... his position on the school board was his way to get himself one step closer to a higher position within the Ministry."

"That sounds more like father than Aunt Blair," Eben frowned.

"Perhaps a mix of the two," Mari said with a sigh. "But at least he's a better choice than that slimy, filthy-minded Earwig."

"I don't want to see you with either one of them," Eben said firmly. "I certainly don't want to see you with a vile wretch, but I also don't want to see you with someone interested in a strategic marriage either. Father chose Delilah because she was beautiful and had a frail mind that he could easily control, and now that she's dead, his only concern is how to find a decent nanny for our newborn brother and how annoying everyone's condolences are. He's not remorseful in the slightest, despite being married to her for sixteen years. I can't stand the thought of you being married to someone with that level of indifference."

"I'd rather be treated with indifference than malice. It's the best I can hope for," Mari said, putting on her earrings. "You know as well as I do that as much as we wish it were otherwise, our lives are not our own. If I can improve my situation and still meet Father's goals, I will, of course. But I need to be realistic about my expectations. Once you graduate, you'll need to do the same thing yourself." Eben frowned, thinking about it.

"No, I don't think I will," Eben said. Mari turned to him with a frown. "I'm sorry, Mari, but I have no intention of being under Father's thumb all of my life, especially after everything he's done."

"Please don't talk like that, you're scaring me," Mari scolded him.

"So? You're scaring me," Eben replied. "I don't want you to settle for some guy who doesn't care about you just on the basis that you think he'll hurt you less. In fact, I don't want you to get married at all, not if that's what it means."

"I'd also like to stay alive, if it's all the same with you," Mari said. "Besides, even if I do get married, there's always the possibility of getting out of it down the line, through accident or design."

"Then you'll be no better than Father. The idea is to end this cycle, not to perpetuate it," Eben said sternly.

"I don't have time to get into this any further," Mari said, grabbing her coat. "I think spending so much time in that school surrounded by Snapes has gone to your head, Eben. Once you graduate and have to return to the Maxen life full time, you'll wake up from all of those delusions you've telling yourself and have to face the real world," she said, then stepped outside to let her Aunt know she was heading out.

Eben slumped back into his chair with frustration, wondering if there was any way to get through to her. But then, if he did, wouldn't he simply be putting her life in jeopardy all over again? But wasn't it already in a way?

The soft sound of two quick notes on a violin string got Eben looking up towards the paintings in the room, and he stood up and shut the door before inspecting them more carefully.

"Where are you?" he asked at last, and the Rogue Painting stepped out from behind a standing rock, jutting out in the painting of a lonely moor. "I suppose you heard all of that. I really don't know what to do. How can I save my sister from this horrible fate?"

"I do not have the power to change Fate; I can only offer you choices," the Rogue Painting signed. "But the choice I have in mind will not be easy. There is a way to save you and your sister from your current path, but it is hard and requires much sacrifice, which is why I wanted to speak with you alone first."

"Fine. Name it," Eben said resolutely.

The next morning, Blair had all of the children line up, looking them over as they stood in their school uniforms, or in Wally's case, his best outfit for the day.

"Alright, everyone! Let's practice what I taught you! Eben, let's start with you. I shall play the concerned outsider," Blair said. "Welcome back, Eben. I am sorry for your loss."

"Thank you. She was a very good mother, and we'll all miss her," Eben recited.

"Yes, but next time try to do it with a more sincere expression, not a look of disgust," Blair advised, and someone in the middle, Broc perhaps, sniggered. "Cadha, now you."

"Thank you. She was a good mother, and we'll all miss her," Cadha repeated with a confident smile.

"Culver?"

"Thanks, she was a good mum, and we'll miss her," Culver said.

"I love that serious expression. It adds some authenticity," Blair complemented.

"I think Culver actually does miss her," Bonnibel informed her mother.

"Good, then it'll look more real. Bonnie?" Blair asked.

"Thank you, she was a wonderful aunt, and we're really miss her," Bonnibel said, laying it on thick.

"Very nice, adding the word wonderful was also a nice touch. Moira?"

Eben sighed with irritation, watching as his aunt went down the line, finally getting to Wally, who burst into tears.

"Oh, dear. Zelda, do you suppose you could at least get him to say thank you?" Blair pondered.

"Isn't crying the appropriate response, especially at his age?" Eben said tersely.

"Yes, I suppose you're right. They'll simply overlook it. Let's just work on teaching him how to hold his handkerchief and blow his nose properly," Blair decided. "Alright, everyone! Let's have breakfast, and then we'll take you back to school!"

"Aunt Blair, may I go ahead to school early?" Eben asked. "I have some homework I'd like to turn in and I have a very early class today. Mari already said she'd drop me off since she needs to do some dress shopping anyway."

"Yes, very well! Just don't forget to mind your expressions! Come along to breakfast, everyone else!" Blair said, shooing them towards the dining hall.

Eben hurried back up the stairs to Mari's room to see her sitting at the mirror with her cloak on.

"That isn't your Chest Cloak, is it?" Eben asked.

"No, but it feels odd not to have anything on me but what I can carry in my pockets," Mari complained.

"You heard the Rogue. Anything else would raise too much suspicion. I have the Chameleon Powder..." there were a couple of violin notes, and the two of them looked up to the painting of the moor.

"It is time," the Rogue signed. "You should go at once."

"Yes, alright, let's go," Eben said.

"Thank you, Rogue," Mari said. The painting simply nodded, stepping behind the standing stone once more.

Mari and Eben stepped out of the Villin Mansion and all the way to the curb. But instead of Apparating to Hogsmeade, the two of them Apparated in the exact opposite direction. Using the powder to disguise their approach, the two hopped the fence and raced over to Stone Henge, feeling the tingle of magic as they hurried into the Twilight Arc. Standing there with his hat pulled down against the misty rain was Albus Dumbledore.

"So you are the two passengers I was asked to bring?" Albus said.

"Yes," Eben replied, and Albus nodded solemnly in acceptance.

"The way is difficult. You must stay near me and have your hand on the chain at all times to keep from falling astray. Once we're across, we'll be near Merlin's house, and he will take it from there. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I am ready," Mari said firmly.

But even as Eben nodded, he realized that he didn't feel as ready as she did. As they watched the portal slowly appear, it hit him how final of a solution this was... a one way door, that would surely save them from their family forever. It was a place their father couldn't reach them, and where they could live a better life, make their own choices, and seek out someone who might care about them, and that they could care about in return...

"Very well! I'm going to need your hands for this first part! Shall we?" Albus offered, holding out his hand to Mari. He grasped it firmly, and then Mari offered hers to Eben.

At the last minute, Eben backed away, shaking his head and firmly holding back his tears.

"I can't go," Eben admitted.

"What, are you insane? You have to go now, things have gone too far! Father will kill you for working against him!" Mari snapped at him. "Don't get cold feet now! Anything is better than here!" she said, offering her hand again.

"I know it is, but that's exactly why I can't. Someone has to be here for our other siblings, Mari. Someone has to care."

"Eben, all of the staff of Hogwarts cares," Albus replied. "I'm certain that any one of them would come to the rescue if they knew how bad things were for all of you..."

"It's a lot more complicated than that, else we'd have chosen some other way," Eben said.

"Exactly, which is why it's important for you to come with me now," Mari told him firmly.

"I'm going to stay and look after the others. I want to try to give them the gift we were given, Mari. A choice," Eben said.

"But Father will be on you in a minute if you stay... a second if you go back to Hogwarts," Mari warned sternly.

"I am going to go back to Hogwarts, but first I'm going to go talk to Aurelius Snape," Eben said. "I just get the feeling I can trust him with this. He's helped me before, maybe he'll help me again."

"A very good choice for a confidante," Albus agreed. "Aurelius understands what it's like to be between a rock and hard place."

"Then that's where I'll go, because I've decided to take the hard road," Eben said, turning to his sister. "But you must leave now, Mari. I need to know you're out of harm's way so I can concentrate on saving the others."

Mari broke away from Albus' grip just long enough to give her brother a tight hug.

"You care too much!" she scolded him.

"I know, but what can I say? I think it's because our mother loved us," Eben said with an apologetic smile.

"Eben, it may be some time before you hear from us because traversing the portal is long and time travels more slowly there," Albus informed him. "But the moment that I arrive, I shall send a message along, letting you know we arrived safely."

"Thanks, I'd very much appreciate that," Eben said.

"Aurelius Snape's house is Secret Kept, so I suggest going to the Auror Department at the Ministry if you want to meet him away from the school," Albus suggested.

"It's alright, he already gave me one of his mirrors," Eben said.

"I'm glad to hear it. It reassures me that you'll soon be in safe hands," Albus said. "Farewell, Eben. I am certain that your mother is probably quite proud of you both."

"Thank you," Eben said with a sincere smile. "Farewell, Mari! I love you."

"I believe it," Mari said with exasperation, taking Albus' hand again. "Stay alive, will you?"

"Stay safe," Eben said, taking another step back as he watched Albus lead her through the portal.

Eben watched as the portal faded away, allowing him a moment to rub his eyes, wondering if he'd manage to keep them clear. As the Twilight Arc began to fade, Eben got out the mirror.

Eben arrived at his first class several minutes late but with a tardy slip in his hand. Boulderdash blinked in complete surprise, apparently not expecting him to be there yet at all.

"Sorry I'm late, Professor," Eben said dutifully, handing him the slip.

"I am sorry about your loss," Boulderdash replied.

"Thank you. She was a good mother, and we'll all miss her," Eben replied, handing over his homework before taking his seat. He got out his goblin ledger and notebook, turning his attention to the notes on the board.

It wasn't until the next morning that Severus knew that anything strange had occurred. He was just finishing his breakfast when the quill of his journal lifted up and wrote in: Official Inquiry about Ongoing Investigation with Thomas Craw, and it was written on the time line just five minutes ahead of his current time.

"Five minutes? I haven't even had time to get Serendipity downstairs yet," Severus said out loud.

"Shall I escort her down, Severus? It's only a dozen steps beyond the Doorlift in that wing," the Sorting Hat offered.

"Are you mad? Jennifer would never forgive me for that," Severus said, picking up Seren.

"I bet a hatpin that she would," the Sorting Hat said.

Severus ignored him, hurrying over to the Doorlift. By the time he was back, Thomas was sitting in the chair, testing the coffee.

"You're late!" Thomas snapped at him.

"Um, yes, sorry... just one minute more," Severus said sheepishly. "I don't suppose you might have seen a small, fluffy..."

Thomas pulled out the duck from the seat he was sitting on with an annoyed expression as he held it up.

"Yes, thank you," Severus said, stepping back out again while Thomas folded his arms and tapped his fingers against them until Severus returned. "Good morning, help yourself to some coffee, to what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked, Thomas waving off Severus' attempt to start over.

"I'm on an official investigation, actually, but first, I need to know if you did it," Thomas asked him bluntly.

"Did what?" Severus asked in confusion.

"Did you pull a disappearing act?" Thomas asked, noting immediately that Severus seemed even more baffled than he had a moment before. "Mari Maxen seems to have disappeared."

Severus blinked in surprise.

"Did she? When did this happen?" Severus asked.

"Sometime yesterday," Thomas said, his expression becoming less stern when he realized that Severus had nothing to do with it. "This is the last known place we know she stopped at, because she dropped her brother Eben off, and Aurelius checked him in. After that, she supposedly was planning on going shopping. The Investigations Department are checking different storefronts now. To be perfectly blunt, until this moment, I was convinced you had something to do with it."

"No, although I hope Aurelius is careful how he handles this with Eben in the others, they've already had quite a blow this week. Armando, arrange a meeting with Aurelius, Danyelle, Laura, Ick, Jennifer and Boulderdash. I want to touch base with them to make sure the Maxen and Villin children are getting the support they need right now," Severus said.

"Yes, Severus," Armando replied.

"I'll let you handle all of that internally then," Thomas said, getting up. "Worley is in rare form, wondering where she is. In fact, he seems a lot more upset about that than he is about losing his wife. To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't be surprised if the true story is that Mari decided to run off with someone, especially considering the type of people her family was trying to push her with. Losing her stepmother may have made her realize that it was time to get out while she could," Thomas conjectured.

"Sorry, Thomas, but if she did just manage to leave out of her own accord, I hope that you never find her," Severus said bluntly.

"Yeah, me too. I'm going to pull every resource I have to make sure this isn't foul play. But if I find no evidence of it... or if I find evidence that she left on her own, I will probably drop the case. After all, she's an adult now, whether her father wants to admit it or not. She's allowed to take off if she wants," Thomas said. "I'm going to let you handle the situation with the students here since it's delicate, but if you hear anything from them that would indicate she simply made a break for it, drop me an Owl Post."

"Of course," Severus agreed solemnly. Thomas nodded, making his way back out again.

Severus sat back in his chair and pondered the matter, his thoughts focused mostly on Aurelius and Eben. As he sat there, he suddenly heard the sound of violin strings and looked over at the Rogue Painting, standing in Albus Dumbledore's frame. Beside him, Albus wore an enigmatic smile.

"Are you back, or are you just checking in?" Severus asked his portrait.

"I have completed my task and I am ready to return to my duties," the Rogue Painting signed.

"That is good to hear, although I can't help but wonder about the timing," Severus said speculatively. "I don't suppose you know anything about Mari Maxen being missing?"

"I have no knowledge of Mari being missing," the Rogue signed resolutely. Albus, who had been watching him sign, smiled beatifically and nodded at the Headmaster in agreement.

"Oh, well, as long as she isn't missing," Severus replied, writing a quick note to Thomas before turning his attention back to school business.