The Ties That Bind

The Ties That Bind

Part 1, The First Rise

By Laura ([email protected])

Chapter 7: Loss of Innocence

Good:

Rohan Figg (mc): Soon becoming one of the top Healers in the world, Rohan has a specialization in healing from dark magic spells. He attended Hogwarts and was in Gryffindor.

Virginia Longbottom: Frank's mother. She is an Unspeakable at the Ministry of Magic.

(There is a Mrs. Breamer here as well, but that's just to fill space so far. I have no plans for her whatsoever...as of yet. I don't imagine I will either.)

Have fun!

"So how has school been going?" Michael asked his son. They sat at a table in the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade, eating lunch.

Severus gave a shrug. "Alright, I suppose. I...uh...I tried out for the Quidditch team," he said before quickly adding, "I didn't make it though."

Michael, his attention intent on his son, nodded. "That's too bad," but to Severus' surprise, there was absolutely no disappointment in his voice. "What position did you try out for?"

"Beater." Severus wasn't about to go into the story of the try-out, so he said, "Rabastan Lestrange, the boy who did make Beater, is helping me practice so I can possibly take over Jeff Rin's position in two years."

Michael nodded, but Severus suddenly realized what he said by the look that passed over his father's face. Severus took another bite of his lunch before swallowing, then saying, "How are things going at the Ministry anyway?"

"As well as can be expected," Michael said quietly before changing back to the previous subject. "I never tried out for the Quidditch team. I was never that proficient on a broom."

Severus gave him a surprised look and couldn't stop the words that came out of his mouth, "I thought you were good at everything."

Michael gave him a sad smile. "I wish," then he gave Severus a peculiar look as he added, "but there are some things I definitely could be better at."

When all Severus did was look back at his empty plate, Michael asked, "Christmas is tomorrow. Are you excited?"

Severus shrugged but gave his father a small smile.

"Let's take a walk," Michael said suddenly. He paid for the meal, and he and Severus left. They made some small talk until they were out of the town and on their way back to the castle.

"Severus, I've put this off for long enough," Michael said seriously. "I've got to tell you something."

At the tone of his voice, Severus wasn't sure he wanted to hear it, so he said, "You've only put it off for three days, so I guess I can forgive you."

Instead of the chuckle Severus was hoping for, his father frowned. "I've actually put this off for 12 years."

Now Severus was sure he didn't want to hear it. "It's nothing bad, is it?" he pleaded quietly.

Here, Michael seemed to lighten up a notch. "In a way, no. In a way, it has the potential to be."

Severus remained quiet after that. Better to get this over with.

Michael stopped unexpectedly and looked over by the lake. "Let's sit down," he said and led his son over. They sat by the edge of the lake, the farthest side from Hogwarts. They sat side by side, Severus crossing his legs kid-style, Michael stretching his long legs out. He leaned back on his hands, but instead of talking, he just looked over the lake for a long time.

Finally, Severus spoke. "Okay, though I'm not sure I want to hear it, say it anyway because the suspense is starting to kill me."

Michael threw his son a small smile before looking back over the lake, then at his feet.

"Severus, it's about where you come from," his father paused before asking, "You know both my side of the family and your mom's side are pure blood families?"
Severus nodded.

"Well, my side has a sort of special history. You see, your great-great-great-and so on-grandmother was Rowena Ravenclaw," here, Michael looked at him, but it was only to look at Severus' still face, his jaw hanging slightly from its hinges.

Michael smiled. "Say something, Severus."
He started to say something, then stopped, then tried again, but stopped and looked out at the lake.

Michael looked back over the lake as well. "I know it's something I should probably have told you a long time ago, but it...well, it's just something that doesn't come up in regular conversation--"

"Jessica Ziners told me who she was."

Michael quieted for a good minute before he asked, "She did?"
Severus nodded.

"About how--"

"She has to protect the heirs of Hogwarts. Yes, she told me all of that."

Michael nodded but didn't say anything more.

Severus turned to his father. "But why didn't she tell me that I was one of the people she had to protect?" When his father remained silent, Severus concluded, "Or maybe she doesn't know."

"She knows," Michael said. "She didn't tell you because she can't tell anyone who the heirs are. She's physically incapable of doing so. She can't even name the heir that she may be protecting the other three from," Michael paused before he added, "Which, I assume, is probably the greatest irony of them all.

Severus took a long time before he nodded. "Makes sense though."

Michael nodded.

After another minute of silence, Severus asked, "How does she know who the heirs are?" He looked at his father.

"According to what Jessica's mother told me, they have a feeling in the pit of their stomach. It's not a bad feeling...more of a warm one I think she said, sort of a tingling."

A pause, then Severus inquired, "Do the heirs get the same feeling when they look upon the Mighty Blood?"

Michael threw his son a half grin. "Well, in a slight way, yeah, but, in your case, it might be something more."

"What more could it be?" Severus asked, not seeing what his father meant.

Michael looked back at the lake and shrugged. "She's a pretty girl," he said. Michael's rich laughter filled the air when Severus smacked his arm.

* * *

Despite the horrible Christmas break they were having, Jessica had to smile at Casey. They were sitting at the kitchen table doing their homework. Casey went to get a glass of milk but walked around the kitchen on his tiptoes. It was pretty much the way they had to be since coming home. Everything was setting their father off. They had each received two beatings apiece since they had gotten home a week ago. They weren't grounded however, for which Jessica was thankful. As long as they kept out of Dad's hair, they were going to be fine Jessica hoped...well, they couldn't stop the beatings, but maybe at least they could stay out of their rooms during the day.

They hadn't seen hide nor hair of Uncle Danny all break, which confused the siblings. Even today - Christmas Day - there was no sign of their uncle. This was part of what had their father in his eternal bad mood. Something was going on in the Department of Magic...and no one knew what it was. Uncle Danny wasn't the only one suspiciously absent. Riley Haderson and the rest of the Dark Operators, the Head of International Magical Cooperation Zeckaroy, the two assistants to Uncle John - Grens and Lemore, and Uncle John were all M.I.A. No one had seen them at all in the past week and a half. Jessica and Casey hadn't even heard anything since they arrived home a week ago.

Andorra Dumbledore had made a few appearances, but Jessica guessed that was for the reporters' sakes. The reporters hadn't picked up on the missing Dark Operators as the reporters didn't really know that they existed , but the disappearances of Grens, Lemore, and Uncle John - being the assistants to the Secretary of Magic and the Secretary of Magic himself - had caused something of a small uproar - an uproar that probably wouldn't remain small for much longer.

Suddenly, Jessica and Casey heard a distinct *pop*, announcing an arrival in Father's study, which was two rooms and a hallway away from them. In the deadly silent house, they could pick up their father scrambling out of his chair.

Tom, Jessica heard Casey in her head.

She glanced at her brother and nodded. Tom hadn't shown up at the house during Christmas break while Jessica and Casey had been around, but they knew he had in their absences, and the siblings felt that Tom was greatly contributing to their dad's mood. The thing was that Jeffery had slipped a thing or two while he yelled at Jessica two nights ago before he threw her across the room and gave her some Strickiomus' across the face, and now Jessica wondered if there was something on top of the mysteries at the Department that was making their father more horrid than ever. She had a feeling Tom was what was the matter to an even bigger degree than usual.

Jessica got up and walked silently out of the kitchen.

Jessica!!! Don't!!!

She glanced at her brother and nodded towards the study. I've got to. What we don't know can kill us. We've got to find out what else is going on. Jessica had turned back around and continued towards the study, but she could almost hear Casey's mental groan. It was but a second, and he was walking beside her. When she glanced at him, he said in her head:

We're family, and we stick together.

Jessica smirked at him before they crept down the short hallway past the living area. There was a medium sized glass statue sitting on a small table just before the door to his study, but she and Casey were able to hear what went on in the study from the farther side of the statue so they didn't have to work the task of getting to the other side unseen.

"It says what?" Tom growled.

"I don't know when she did it," Dad whined, "but she did it, and it's rock solid. I can't get to Madeline's money."

There was a pause, then, "Well, who can get to her money?!"

"Daniel is the guardian until Jessica and Casey are of age. They then split it fifty-fifty."

"As her husband, I would imagine..."

"No, Master, I'm sorry. She wrote it in the will. If Daniel dies, then it is to pass from one person to the next. And it specifically states that the money is never to go to me. Or you."

"What happened to the will we had her write?!" They heard Tom blast something at the end of his sentence.

Their dad whimpered, leading the kids to believe the blast must have hit somewhere near him. Father finally managed to answer, "This one was written at a later date, witnessed by a witch and wizard from Maine." Another blast had their dad whimpering again.

"Well? Who witnessed it?!"

"Two of Molly Weasley's cousins," their dad practically whined in fear. "They're both Americans, and one is a wizarding lawyer. It's all legitimate. I checked it in every possible way, even if John could overturn it. But it's completely legal and binding."

Another few blasts then a quiet but nonetheless deadly voice, "Is that it over there?" Tom walked somewhere.

"Yes, it is, Master," Jeffery whimpered.

"Well, let's just destroy it," Tom said.

"There are other copies."

"How do you know?!" Tom roared.

Their dad took a second before he answered very quietly. "Molly Weasley showed me her copy and told me that there were more."

"You talked to that whore about this?!"

Both kids outside the study could feel their blood heat on that one. Tom had never taken to Molly and Molly had definitely never taken to Tom, and, though both suspected that he did so behind their backs, they had never heard him talk about Molly in this manner before. It angered both of them. But they kept their positions and continued to listen.

"I had to," Jeffery started, seeming only a fraction stronger but still very scared, "When I tried getting the money two days ago, five years after her death like we planned, and the bank told me no, I had to find out why. She gave me that copy, then produced another one and said that there were more like it, sitting in hiding places around the world, ready to become public if I ever find some other way to take out Madeline's money."

"She's a lying whore. We'll just kill the bitch, her husband too because he's a bumbling idiot. Kids, if they have them yet, they'll die as well," Tom said matter-of-factly. There was silence before Tom yelled, "Crucio!" But he let up a second later. "What is it now?!"

When Jeffery managed to speak again, he said in a quiet, nervous voice, "Molly said that if she were to die, that the world would know."

"What's that suppose to mean?!"

When Jeffery didn't answer, he got a few Strickiomus'.

"She thinks she has protection from me?!" Tom said, but everyone listening knew he was talking to himself. "She thinks that letting a few measly people know who I am will stop me?!" There were a few blasts around the room before Tom continued, but this time his voice was softer, almost calm. "Soon, Molly Weasley, the world will know who I am, and they will be so terrified of me, they will be afraid to speak my name. When that time comes, Molly Weasley, I dare you to defy me again..."

There was another long pause, save for Jeffery's soft whimpering. Suddenly Tom said, "Jeffery," his tone was almost cheery, "this was written August 9, 1962, after Madeline submitted to you."

Submitted to him? Casey asked in her head. She ignored him and continued to listen carefully.

"Uh...ye...y...yes, I-I know that, Master, but it was only a few days after. It...it...it didn't take full ef-ef-effect until a week after she s-s-s-submitted, M-m-m-master. She still had almost full effect of her magical powers."

"Yes, I know that you imbecile! That's how she put that fucking cloak in place! We went through this when it happened! But that only lasted for three days afterwards! This was six days afterwards!"

"Her p-powers di-did start to lessen, M-master, b-but her mind was still...completely hers, M-master."

"You told me," Tom yelled, "that you had her under lock and key the entire time after that first runaway incident!"
When Jeffery didn't respond, he earned himself another Cruciatus, but this one was a lot longer, and probably a lot more painful. Tom finally let up. While their father recovered, Tom said, "Now to my news. I have someone in place in case your children decide to talk, someone other than who is at Hogwarts. I do not want your children to know about this one. It's someone in place close to the Dark Operators, someone to kill your brother-in-law and that idiot Haderson. Andorra Dumbledore as well just because the whore pisses me off. If the children talk, they die."

Damit, was Casey's growl in her head.

"As soon as any of those expendable nitwits show their face," Tom said, referring to Jonathon Ziners, Grens, and Lemore, "I want them at my doorstep before they take their next breath." Tom growled. "I swear you should never have recruited those three. They're a trifecta of idiocy."

With that, Tom left with a *pop*.

The kids stayed in place as they listened to their father's panting. He was in a lot of pain, they could tell just from his laboured breathing. It was about five minutes later when he stood up and let out a slew of curse words. Jessica and Casey decided it was now time to retreat.

And, of course, that's when Casey tripped over the untied shoelaces of his right shoe, fell into Jessica, causing her to fall into the glass statue, and causing that to fall before it shattered into a million pieces. Jessica didn't have to see her father to know that he came out to check what was going on.

* * *

Severus and his father were on their way to the Great Hall for Christmas Dinner when two people entered the school. It was James Potter and his mum. As the two Snapes slowed down, Severus glanced at his father to see him give the newcomers a curious look.

Mrs. Potter looked up in surprise at Michael Snape before saying, "I've been trying to get in touch with you, Michael."

"Me? Why?" He asked.

Mrs. Potter glanced at Severus then her own son. Both boys were looking very perplexed.

"Why don't you both go to dinner, boys," she said in a soft, pleasant voice, "We adults will catch up in a bit."

Severus glanced at his father to see the man nod. Both Severus and James went to the Great Hall, but when their parents seemed satisfied enough that they were going to disappear, both boys started walking incredibly slow.

"Marcus is going to be doing something," Brittany whispered loudly, "and everyone involved so far is sure it's going to have some international repercussions."

"What?" Michael asked hurriedly.

"Removing the Ziners chi--boys, get in the Great Hall now!"

Both boys finished the trek quickly. As they walked to the table, they glanced at each other, and in a rare moment that Severus was sure would never happen again with this boy, they shared a look. It was confused but now incredibly worried.

Severus wasn't sure if he was surprised or not to see a number of chairs more at the table than Severus had been expecting just five minutes ago. There was enough to accommodate all the teachers; Severus; his dad; the two Hufflepuffs, one Ravenclaw, and one Gryffindor that had all stayed here during break; plus 10 more, one that James Potter was filling right now.

So Severus was also sure that he wasn't surprised when Sirius Black came into the Great Hall soon after that. Severus was only a few chairs away from James, so, despite the murmuring from a few of the teachers, he could hear Sirius say, "What's going on?" to James. James just shrugged at him.

"All I know," James replied, "is that when I woke up this morning Dad announced we were going to be eating Christmas dinner here. Mom and I were to come straight here, but he had to go somewhere and pick up two friends, he said. It's all very weird."

Sirius nodded. "Yeah. This morning my dad gets an owl, and afterwards he nods towards my mum and says, 'It's happening today. He's set it up, and he's going to take them to Hogwarts for protection.'"

Both boys shared a disturbed look just as Michael Snape, Brittany Potter, Malcolm Black, Amelia Black, and two people Severus didn't recognize came in.

As they sat at the table, Dumbledore smiled brightly at the couple that was unknown to Severus. They were somewhat young, Severus noticed. Both had red hair and freckles. The man seemed a small bit nervous, but the woman looked like she was on a mission.

"Molly, Arthur," Dumbledore said. "I'm glad you could make it."

They both returned Dumbledore's smile, but the woman spoke. "Thank you so much, Professor, for helping out."

Dumbledore just merely nodded at her.

"Okay, let's start the feast," Dumbledore said once everyone was settled.

Nevertheless, none of the children missed the tension that filled the room thickly after that statement. Something was going to happen before they were done eating, Severus knew.

He just didn't know what.

* * *

Daniel looked up from the press statement that Andorra had preliminarily prepared. Riley walked into the room, followed by Mark and Drea.

"Did Grens talk?" He asked.

"Sang like a fucking canary," Riley said, and no one could miss the satisfaction in his voice. "We've got names and a few hide-outs here in America, plus two bank accounts. Other than that, he said Voldemort doesn't trust him with much more."

"And knowing Grens like I do...well, at least now like I do..." Mark started.

"Yeah, we got to know him pretty well during interrogation, didn't we?" Drea asked the other two with a smirk. They chuckled.

"Anyway," Mark continued, "knowing Grens is an idiot, I can't wait until we catch one of Voldemort's more capable minions. I don't imagine Grens being that important, and he seemed to know a lot of things for being an idiot."

"Leave it to you guys to see the fun side of this," Daniel said without a smile. "If Grens knew a lot for being an idiot, then that means that Voldemort has a much bigger network than we were anticipating before we arrested Grens this morning."

Suddenly, Marcus Potter pushed his way into Andorra's office. When they saw it was him, the three Dark Operators parted the way.

"Marcus," Riley said, "we've got some intel for you on Voldemort. John Ziners had quite a bit of info on places in the UK."

However, Marcus only merely nodded at him. "Daniel, I need to talk to you," he said.

Daniel gave him a curious look before he noticed Marcus held something rather tightly in his right hand.

"What's that?" He asked.

Marcus looked confused a moment before he noticed where Daniel's attention had gone to. He held his fist up and waved the parchment at Daniel. "It's about this." Marcus glanced at Andorra and the Dark Operators, as if suddenly realising they were still here. He looked back at Daniel. "I need to talk to you alone."

Daniel gave him a long look before saying quietly, "Let's go to the Dark Operators' office." Marcus nodded and followed Daniel out, not noticing the worried looks he got from everyone in that office. Everyone but Andorra that is, who just looked worriedly at Daniel, wondering how he was going to react.

Once they were in the quiet, empty office of the special force team, the door shut, Marcus told Daniel to sit. The younger Auror leaned against Riley Haderson's desk, which was right in front of Daniel's, and crossed his arms.

"Daniel," he started off, and then stopped. Daniel had never seen the Auror so seemingly perturbed about something.

"What is it, Marcus?" Daniel asked. He nodded towards the parchment. "Is it that?"

Marcus took a minute before nodding. "Yeah, it is." He started to hand it to Daniel before stopping, which puzzled Daniel even more. Marcus started and stopped a few times before he finally settled on, "Daniel, I think that Jeffery is abusing Jessica and Casey."

Daniel shook his head. "I know he's a bit harsh, Marcus, but that's not abuse."

"I'm not against a parent being harsh, but I have reasons, not to mention witnesses, that believe he has crossed the line. I hate to do this, Daniel--"

"Marcus," Daniel got up and shook his head as he started towards the door. "I know you have honourable intentions, but--"

"I have more than honourable intentions," Marcus burst out, getting frustrated. He knew that this wasn't going to be easy, but, as his friend, Marcus felt that he had to drive this point home with Daniel before he took a step towards Jeffery Ziners. "I have Adam Rin's and Andorra Dumbledore's signatures!"
This stopped Daniel and had the older Auror turning towards Marcus. "You have what?" He asked in a low, threatening tone Marcus had heard uttered only twice before by him, and both in the presence of and to bad guys.

Marcus thrust the Order of Removal at Daniel. "I am going to remove the children whether you want me to or not." Daniel grabbed the order and read it. "I just thought because of our friendship I would tell you first. I know I started this out bad, but I didn't know how to..." Marcus trailed off when Daniel just shook his head.

"You don't understand, Marcus. You don't understand a lot. The first thing you don't understand," Daniel said, handing Marcus back the order, using a cheerful voice that frightened Marcus more than the threatening tone, "is that the children would have told me if something was going on, or at least I would have noticed it. The second thing you don't understand is my family. We've always had a magical ability more powerful than the average witch or wizard. We've had to be closely monitored and strictly disciplined by our parents. I am sure that some of the things my mother did as punishment to Madeline and myself would curl your toes."

"I understand more than you think," Marcus said quietly and darkly. But he didn't elaborate just yet, even when Daniel shook his head.

"No, I don't think you do, Marcus, and I don't think you ever will. There is just something about the Montgomery family--"

"I know," Marcus said, again quietly.

"You have no idea, Marcus--"

"I understand more than you think I do," Marcus replied, this time a little louder.

Again, Daniel shook his head. "I know you think you do, Marc--"

Frustrated, tired, and mad at everyone assuming what he knew - first Ignatius Malfoy, then Barty Crouch, then the newspapers, now Daniel - Marcus blurted out, "I'm the heir to the Gryffindor line! I understand more than you think!"
Daniel didn't respond. He didn't even flinch.

Marcus rubbed the area above his eyes in a frustrated gesture. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to tell you that. I've been having the month from hell." Marcus shook his head before looking back up at Daniel. "I do know that, as Mighty Bloods, you have to be closely monitored and closely disciplined. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with that. What I am saying is that I've always wondered if there was something more to what Jeffery does to those kids. I wasn't sure something was wrong until Molly Weasley's husband Arthur came to me with something unusual Molly had seen."

Daniel looked away. "What was it?" He asked. His voice was soft, almost sad.

Marcus explained what Molly had seen upon walking in on Jessica in the bathroom that day almost a year and a half ago, and he also explained his own research into the injury of a brandishing iron. Marcus followed that up by Albus Dumbledore and Lily Evans' suspicions.

When Marcus finished, Daniel remained silent, finally causing Marcus to add, "You know I wouldn't upset Jessica's or Casey's life if I didn't believe there was a damn good reason to."

Daniel, who was still not looking at him, nodded. "I know that," he whispered.

"And I would rather have done something than nothing," Marcus said.

"Which is something more than I've been doing," Daniel said softly, his voice breaking at the end.

Marcus looked at Daniel a very long time before saying, "Well, you can do something now."

Daniel looked up at Marcus at last, a questioning look in his eyes.

"Jeffery is more than likely not going to let us take those children easily. It will help if I have someone to back me up."

"If Jeffery is hurting Jess and Case, he'll need someone to back him up," Daniel said as they started out of the office. "Where are we taking them after here?" Daniel asked. "I assume you have something set up other than my place, having been unsure of whether or not I would support you." The older Auror sounded as though that offended him.

"Hogwarts. I have the legalities worked out with Headmaster Dumbledore and Malcolm Black, who's a school governor. Both will back me up if and when needed." Marcus took a Christmas ornament out of his pocket, "Got Rightman from the Portkey office to set this up. It'll take us to Hogwarts, where my family's waiting, as well as Black and his family, and I got the Weasleys there as well, just to make the kids feel even safer. I was thinking that maybe you could come along too, if you want."

Daniel nodded. "I will."

When they walked out into the main area, Andorra was there, talking to Riley. She looked questioningly at them. Daniel didn't notice, but Marcus did. He nodded to her. She gave him a grim smile and returned the nod before going back to Riley. The young man looked perplexed.

Marcus and Daniel started the trek out of the Department of Magic and up to the house on the hill.

* * *

"Come into my study," he growled before wiping at the blood on his nose with a handkerchief.

Jessica glanced at Casey only to see her brother staring fiercely at the shattered statue. When they entered the study, Jeffery went to pick up something that Tom had blasted off a shelf. While he did that, Jessica, who had stopped next to her brother in front of their father's desk, glanced down. There was some blood there. She looked up and glanced over her dad. The sleeve of his robe was damp, and there was some blood on his hand. She glanced at the blood on the ground again. She was standing over where he had been kneeling to his master.

Suddenly, Jeffery turned to his children. "What have I told you time and again?" he growled.

Neither child answered.

"Eavesdropping is forbidden! Time and again, I have to punish you for it," at 'you', he looked specifically at Jessica. "This time," he growled, his dark eyes still on his daughter, "the punishment will have to be irreversible, just to be a constant reminder to you the consequences of your disobeying me!"

Even before he looked elsewhere, Jessica knew. She gasped. "NO!" She screamed when his gaze swung to Casey.

"I have decided," he started raising his wand. "It is too late."

Not thinking, Jessica reached behind her for the wand she had stuck in the back of her pants before coming out of the kitchen. Her fingers had barely grasped it before Jeffery turned his wand on her and screamed, "Expelliarmus!!" She flew backwards and skidded a few feet on her bum as her wand flew away from her. Jeffery caught it before turning his wand back on Casey. "Accio Casey's wand," he said quickly. Casey didn't have time to think as his wand flew out from a similar spot in his pants.

As Jeffery set the two wands behind him on the desk he said, "Thank you, Jessica, for reminding me to do that. My mind seems to be elsewhere today..." he trailed off.

Jessica pushed up quickly, despite the complaints of her now pained thighs. "A lot elsewhere, like usual," she growled as she started determinedly towards him. She wanted his attention. Maybe if she made him angry enough, he would forget about their eavesdropping, forget about Casey...

"Stupid girl," he growled before, "Strickiomus!"

Jessica's face flew to one side, but she continued her advance.

"Impedimenta!!!" She stopped moving. "Strickiomus!" This was at her side and knocked her over. It also knocked the Impediment Jinx off, but that didn't matter as she got a series of Strickiomus' all over her body. Jeffery finished off with slamming a Strickiomus so hard across the side of her head that the resulting slam of her head on the floor knocked her out cold.

"I really wish she was awake to see this, but oh well," Jeffery muttered before he said to Casey, "Say hi to your mother as you depart this world the same way she did."

Casey finally reacted, but his lurch to run was cut short when his father yelled, "Crucio!"

* * *

Marcus and Daniel were halfway up the hill when Marcus spoke again. "Are they going to be home?"
Daniel shrugged. "I haven't been able to see Jess or Case since...the arrests. It's been so busy, and I've been meaning to," Marcus could hear the guilt. "I was going to try to see them tonight..."

Daniel trailed off and stopped his movements. Marcus stopped as he saw the same thing that had caught Daniel's attention.

But the young Auror didn't want to believe it...

* * *

Jessica didn't know how long she was out, but it couldn't have been for more than two or three minutes because when she opened her eyes, her father was still performing the Crucio on Casey. Jessica was slow in her movements, not wanting him to realize she was awake, but still aware that she didn't have a second to lose.

Thankfully, Jeffery was turned slightly towards the door, Casey on the floor before him. Jessica's heart leapt with fear when she saw that her brother wasn't moving. She could see that grotesque cuts were starting to crack open on his arms, which meant there wasn't long for his mind...or his life.

Jessica quietly stood up, biting back several groans. Blood smeared her hands, and she was sure it smeared her face as well. There was also a damp spot high up on the left side of her forehead. But none of this mattered to her right now.

Jeffery never turned as his daughter stood up. He was too into the spell. That would be his mistake.

Jessica felt calm as she stuck out her left hand, though she could feel her heart beating wildly. She knew once she spoke, she would have to be quick. This was the moment, and as she looked at Casey on the floor, she knew she had to be ready.

She felt the power flow to her fingertips as she flexed them towards Father's desk. "Accio wand!" She called. The wand flew to her hand as Jeffery stopped the curse curiously. She reared back her wand as he started to turn. "Slowmia Capila!"

Contrary to the Impediment Jinx, this was guaranteed to slow the person to a crawl rather than run the risk of stopping them completely. For some reason Jessica wanted to know that when she did this, her father wouldn't be completely helpless. Just really, really slow.

Because she knew the next curse would be the hardest.

She reared back her wand, not even sure at that moment that she could say it...and mean it...but when her wand came down to point directly at her father's heart, she saw her brother's still body again...

And yelled...

* * *

It was a flash of green light. Daniel and Marcus took off in a dead run.

Marcus hadn't been sure what he thought he would see upon reaching the study in the house, the room Daniel said the light had come from, but Marcus was pretty sure what greeted him when they reached the room wasn't what he had been expecting.

The first thing was Casey Ziners. He was lying perfectly still not seven feet from the door. He was wearing brown, bloodstained trousers and a dark blue t-shirt with dark wet spots. The skin on his arms was starting to crack open.

The next thing was Jeffery Ziners. He also lay perfectly still, about five feet from his son. There was some blood crusted on his nose and some recently dried stuff that had streaked part of his hand, but Marcus suspected that neither of these had to do with the reason he was still. Marcus was pretty sure Jeffery was dead.

And the last thing was Jessica Ziners. She was standing up about five feet from her father. She stood slightly hunched, her breathing erratic, her wand and her wand arm hanging loosely at her side. Her face was covered in blood and a few lacerations, and she was bleeding from an injury on part of her head. Her eyes though didn't see the intruders. They still lie on her father.

Daniel quickly kneeled and checked Casey's vitals. "He's still alive," Daniel breathed. Marcus knew that that wasn't to inform him but the exclamation of a grateful uncle. As Daniel tended to the severely injured 11-year old, Marcus started towards Jessica. He stopped by Jeffery however and kneeled to check the man's vitals. Dead.

Marcus, still kneeling on the floor by Jeffery, looked up at Jessica. Her eyes, dark blue, remained on her father. She stood completely motionless, except for her chaotic breathing.

"Jessica," Marcus said quietly, cautiously.

No response.

Marcus, still near the floor, came slowly closer to the young girl, but there was no movement until he got within touching distance. She jerked and stepped back, her wand starting towards a defensive motion automatically.

"Jessica, it's just me, Marcus Potter," he quickly said.

She stilled again, but her wand stayed up, ready. She looked at him, but Marcus knew she still wasn't seeing him.

"It's okay," he said quietly, daring to take another step closer.

She looked back at her father, then at Marcus. This time Marcus was almost positive she saw him. She again looked at her father as she whispered. "I did that."

"It's alright," Marcus said. "Let's go to Hogwarts. Madam Pomfrey will take care of your cuts, and then we'll figure out where to go from there."

Jessica looked back up at him, the blue in her eyes becoming even more pronounced. She then glanced at Casey.

"We'll take him to Hogwarts too," Marcus said without even looking behind himself. "But we've got to leave now because he needs help."

She nodded and started walking towards Marcus. She stopped though when a number of people ran into the study. When Marcus turned, he discovered all of the Dark Operators and Andorra Dumbledore. When they scanned the site, there were several types of reactions, but Marcus was thankful they were all quiet. He had a feeling any type of loud noise right now would startle Jessica. Glancing at the girl again (who now stood stock-still as she stared at the newcomers), Marcus realized she was in shock. He didn't know what would happen when it wore off, but whatever would happen, Marcus knew, would not be a pretty sight. They had to get Jessica out of here before that happened.

"Jessica," Marcus said. It took about a minute for her response to come. She turned her head. In front of her face, he slowly put his hand on her shoulder. "Let's go," he said quietly.

Daniel looked up from attending Casey. He glanced in surprise at his team and his boss before he looked at Jessica. "Oh, Merlin," he breathed as he crawled up to her. Everyone in the room got an even bigger shock as Jessica backed away in fear.

Not hesitating, Daniel said, "Jesse, honey, it's me. It's okay. It's your Uncle Danny." Daniel glanced at his brother-in-law before looking back at Jessica. "You're safe now," he whispered.

"It's a nice illusion, isn't it?" Jessica said so quietly that only Daniel and Marcus heard. "Safety is an illusion."

Marcus glanced at Daniel's face to see the man give his niece a weird look before he said, "Your brother's hurt. Let's go to Hogwarts. It's safe there. You know it is." Daniel looked at Jessica in silence for a second before he glanced at Marcus. "Can you carry Case? I'll carry Jessica."

Marcus nodded, grabbed the Christmas ornament out of his pocket, and went over to grab the 11-year old. As he did that, Daniel turned back to the doorway. "Guys, it's a crim..." Daniel glanced at his niece briefly before amending, "it's a scene here. Treat it like one. We're going to Hogwarts."

Andorra and Riley were the first to catch their bearings. Riley came forward and started examining the area around the desk. Marcus was sure he started there because it was behind Jessica, and therefore she wouldn't see him. Andorra went over to check Jeffery's vitals.

Daniel picked Jessica up, who went rather limp when he did that. Andorra spoke as Daniel and Marcus, both with kids in their arms, started towards the door. "I'll come and check on the kids when everything gets underway here," she said.

Daniel nodded at her and turned to head with Marcus out to the hall to use the Portkey (not under the watchful eyes of everyone). It was when Jessica's eyes caught something behind Daniel that she snapped.

As she started what was about to become an almighty struggle for Jessica's life, Marcus made quick work of getting all their hands on the ornament.

* * *

All through the meal, Severus noticed James and Sirius pass curious looks to each other. The conversation at the dinner table could not get any more phoney, Severus thought. The adults were trying to pretend that they all just happened to decide Christmas dinner at Hogwarts was a good idea, and it was only a mere coincidence that they all decided this.

The only person that acted as though nothing was the matter was Dumbledore, who acted his casual self with the mere exception of the looks he exchanged with Brittany Potter, whom, Severus noticed, had seemed to get more anxious as time wore on and kept glancing at the Christmas tree near the entrance of the Hall.

But then it happened. What everyone appeared to be waiting for. It was just after the dinner plates had been cleared and dessert had been served. Everyone was dishing up what they wanted when Marcus Potter and Jessica's overly tall uncle appeared out of a Portkey that was located on the tree. Each man was holding a kid, kids that Severus quickly saw were both injured quite badly.

In Danny's arms was Jessica, who was thrashing about and screaming incoherently at the top of her lungs. She seemed oblivious to the blood that covered her face and spots on her body. Suddenly, though, Jessica grabbed at the front of Mr. Potter's robes, right above a young boy's limp body. Danny pulled her back, but more towards the wall, where she saw an opportunity. She pushed her feet against the wall, sending her uncle flying onto his rump, a thud echoing in the room. Despite the fact that the fall had to be very painful, Danny kept his hold on Jessica. That is when Severus (and everyone else in the room) saw that she had her wand. At this point, the adults seemed to snap out of their shock. When Dumbledore and McGonagall stood up, they blocked Severus' view for a minute, but he could figure out what went on from what he heard.

"Ava--"

The words became muffled. When Dumbledore and McGonagall moved, Severus saw the muffled noise was because Danny had put a hand over Jessica's mouth. Despite that, her wand was still pointed at her own heart.

Danny suddenly roared in pain, but he kept his hand over Jessica's mouth.

"Somebody subdue her!" He yelled. Jessica unexpectedly lunged towards the door, causing Danny to turn to keep his hold on her, successfully putting Danny between Jessica and the teachers.

Jessica was however able to struggle completely free for a second and started again, "Avada--"

Danny lunged on her again, startling her into a momentary silence.

Severus himself suddenly snapped out of his own trance and, not quite knowing what he was going to do, he got up and walked around the table just as Professor Rum and Professor Dumbledore were both starting forward to attempt to help. Severus knew it would be too difficult to help without accidentally injuring Danny. Every time Jessica was in place for a spell from one of the professors, she was able to spin around too suddenly and quickly, placing Danny as her human shield.

The teachers didn't see him right away, which allowed Severus to bypass them and place himself next to Danny without incident. Severus heard his father say his name, but he ignored him.

"Jessica," Severus said quietly. She stopped struggling momentarily. Severus knelt near her face, which was presently getting smooshed against the ground. He held out his hand and brushed it against the still damp blood streaking down her cheek. When her eyes looked up at him, they were blue and defeated.

Severus put his wand to her forehead and said, "Selavia," putting Jessica into a Bewitched Sleep.

When Severus stood back up, he noticed that everyone was silently staring at him. He looked back at Mr. Potter and noticed who was in his arms. It was Casey, and he and the front of Mr. Potter's robes were covered in blood. "What's wrong with Casey?" He asked worriedly as Danny got off Jessica.

Mr. Potter didn't answer him directly but rather turned to Madam Pomfrey. "He needs help right away. We're not sure what Jeffery did to him, but I'm guessing from the injuries it was the Cruciatus Curse."

Madam Pomfrey was quick to snap to attention. "Bring him to the Hospital Wing, Mr. Potter," she said before glancing at Danny, who had picked up his niece again. Severus noticed that the uncle's hand was bleeding profusely, and he was being careful of using the palm side to directly hold Jessica. "Bring her too, Mr. Montgomery, as well as yourself."

Mr. Potter and Danny, children in hand, followed her out. They were followed by the unknown couple, as well as Mrs. Potter, Mrs. Black, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor Rum. Professor McGonagall stopped Severus from following.

"That was a very dangerous stunt you pulled, Mr. Snape," she admonished.

Severus gave her a scathing look. "I wasn't trying to pull a stunt, Professor."

"I realize that, but it was very dangerous. She was hysterical. She could have killed you then killed herself."

"I don't think she would have killed me, Professor, hysterical or not. She only meant herself, and I believe that I might have stopped that for now."

"Minerva, it's done and over with," Mr. Black said. "The boy and Ziners are both still alive. Let's move on."

Before McGonagall could respond, Severus felt a hand on his other shoulder. He turned to see his father.

"Come on, Sev," he said. "Let's go wait up outside the Hospital Wing for news."

Severus nodded matter-of-factly, and the two Snapes took off, followed by Mr. Black, Sirius, James, and then the rest of the professors.

* * *

Daniel was numb. The men waited while Madam Pomfrey, Molly Weasley, Amelia Black, and Brittany Potter tended to the kids. Outside the Wing stood Arthur Weasley, Marcus Potter, Gary Rum, and Albus Dumbledore. They were all quiet.

Finally, Daniel broke the silence. "How long have you suspected, Arthur?"

Arthur jumped before almost saying 'what' then biting back. He was silent a minute before he said, "We...uh...we started wondering shortly before Madeline's death."

"Why didn't you say anything to me?" Daniel asked, his voice still so low it was hard to hear him, even in the silent hallway.

"We weren't...we weren't even sure something was going on. We only had suspicions. Then, with Madeline's death...we didn't want to upset things even more with an allegation we thought for a long time to probably be false. We didn't stop wondering...but we probably didn't want to believe it as much as you don't right now."

Before Daniel could reply, Michael Snape, Malcolm Black, the children, and the rest of the professors all came up the steps. Daniel looked at them and became silent, returning to stare at the ground

"How are the kids, Marcus?" Malcolm Black asked.

"Don't know for sure yet, except that Jessica's physical injuries seem recoverable from...we're not so sure about Casey," the last was finished off in a whisper.

Malcolm gave a brisk nod. Though he was more an efficient man rather than one dragged down by emotions, everyone did notice that he was concerned about the kids.

"How about you, Daniel?" Malcolm asked, looking at the hand Daniel now had wrapped in a bandage.

"It's alright," he shrugged. "Just a little bite." Though Daniel could tell that those that had seen the blood pouring out from his hand earlier didn't believe his brush-off.

They waited in silence for a number of minutes before Malcolm asked, "What happened exactly?"

"We don't know yet except that Jeffery Ziners is dead, and we think that Jessica Ziners did it..."

Marcus became silent when they heard a few sets of brisk footsteps making their way up the stairs and then down the hall to the Hospital Wing. Everyone turned to see Ignatius Malfoy making his way down the hall, flanked by a now constant set of Aurors that were to act as his protection.

"Potter!" Malfoy called. "What on earth happened?! I just received word that Jeffery Ziners is dead, and both his children have vanished. There are witnesses upon witnesses that put you at the scene, and I'm not sure I can protect you again--"

Marcus would have responded if his jaw had not dropped at the sheer audacity of what was about to come out of the Minister-in-acting's mouth. It was Malcolm that cut him off.

"Shut up the hell up, Malfoy," he growled loudly. "A child in there," he pointed towards the Hospital, "is on the brink of life and death. We do not need you out here shouting like a lunatic."

Ignatius seemed about to refute the point before it sank in. He glanced at the ward before looking back at Malcolm. He decided though to turn back to Marcus.

"I'm getting reports," he hissed loudly, "that it was either you that killed Jeffery, Montgomery here, or one of the children. As your boss, I expect to know--"

"There was abuse going on in the home. I received permission to try to take care of the situation before you became Minister. I checked. Everything is legal and within my rights as the third in command of England's Magical Law Enforcement to have continued my investigation without your knowledge," there was a deadly tone in Marcus' voice that only got darker as he spoke.

Ignatius stood quietly for a long time. He was much taller than Marcus was and tried to glare the Auror down. He had no such luck. Finally, he said, "I demand to speak with Miss Ziners," and started towards the Hospital Wing. Danny started to cut him off, but he needn't to as a voice sounded from down the hallway, one much more effective at stopping the Minister and his two Aurors than any blockade Daniel's body could have been.

"You enter that ward, Mr. Malfoy, and you will get a demonstration as to why I am the most feared Magical Law Enforcement Officer in America."

Everyone turned to see Andorra Dumbledore walking up, a lethal look upon her pretty features. Ignatius stopped a moment and glared at her, seeming to have every intention to scare her down, but the look on her face gave him a momentary pause, one in which Andorra stepped through with language he would understand.

"According to the International Warlock Convention of 1908, those kids are still citizens of the United States and under my jurisdiction. And according to your own laws, the only people in the country of England that have absolutely any authority whatsoever over the Ziners children are the staff of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, who do not need to heed a word the Ministry says."

Ignatius turned to Dumbledore and looked about to say something, but stopped himself when Albus looked ready to receive it. He turned to Malcolm, which Marcus would think later was probably just as dangerous a choice.

"As a school governor, you see the dangers raised to the other students with potential murderers sitting in their Hospital Ward. These children should be taken into custody."

No one noticed the look Rum gave Medley and no one equally noticed the young man's avoidance of it.

"Save your breath, Malfoy. I am acting upon the authority of all the school governors that the children have permission to stay here. I can produce a decree if you so want," Malcolm pronounced the last words very tersely.

Ignatius finally decided to brave Albus. "Headmaster Dumbledore," he said his voice tense with anger. "You sure see the danger these kids pose..."

"Every child with a wand is a danger, Minister," Albus replied in a quiet, unruffled manner. "It is not the wand that makes them dangerous but rather the mind. I have full confidence that whatever happened in the Ziners' home back in America was merely a child trying to save her brother's life, and, in my opinion, that is a quality that should be admired rather than feared."

Ignatius was the one to become ruffled. He threw his grey-eyed glare back on Andorra, "I demand to speak with the Secretary of Magic! This instant!" he yelled, starting to advance on her.

Andorra never once flinched. "You are," she responded.

Ignatius stopped dead, looking incredibly puzzled. So did everyone else in the hallway except Marcus, Daniel, and Albus.

"But..." Ignatius started.

"Eight days ago, Jonathon Ziners was arrested for treason, leaking information, assisting in murder, and assisting in torture. So were George Lemore and Rick Grens, his assistants. The heads of all the departments voted me in as acting secretary."

A taut silence filled the room then, only to be broken by Madam Pomfrey's entrance into the hallway. She glanced around at the people for a half a minute before she looked at Dumbledore. "Sir, a request if I may..."

Albus nodded.

"Can someone go fetch a young man at St. Mungo's, a Healer named Rohan Figg? He's a smart young man. After he graduated here, he studied extensively with the Aurors to heal people from many of the spells dark witches and wizards use. He has an extensive knowledge on injuries from a Cruciatus Curse."

Dumbledore nodded, but Stephen Medley spoke up for the first time. "I'll go and get him," he said and left without another word to the group.

"How are they?" Daniel asked.

Madam Pomfrey looked at him before glancing down then around the curious faces of the group, pointedly ignoring Malfoy and his two goons.

"Physically, Jessica will heal. She has a number of lacerations on her body. I believe that they are from the Strickiomus Jinx. The injury on her head I think is from it hitting upon a blunt object. Overall, she will heal and survive."

When she stopped, Marcus asked, "And Casey?"

"I don't know yet, Mr. Potter," she said quietly, starting to turn around. Daniel grabbed her arm though.

"Madam Pomfrey, can I ask you to do something without you questioning it?" Daniel asked so quietly that Marcus, Dumbledore, and Arthur were the only ones beyond Madam Pomfrey that heard.

She gave him a confused look before nodding. "If I can..."

"Move Jessica closer to her brother. Put them in the same bed if you have to. It should help Casey heal."

Though the confused look was still there, she nodded. "When we finish putting ointment on Casey's lacerations, I will see if I can," she said before going back into the ward.

Daniel ignored the looks he got when he turned back around.

Ignatius started back down the hallway, his goons in tight tow, but he stopped when he was even with Andorra. "This isn't over, Dumbledore, not by a long shot. I will not have two murderers sitting in the prestigious Hogwarts on my watch." He took off.

Once he was gone, Andorra fairly rolled her eyes. "Is he joking, or is he delusional?" She asked to no one in particular. "Does he really honestly think I'm afraid of him?"

Everyone chuckled.

"How is everything going back in the States?" Marcus asked Andorra.

"I appointed Riley Haderson head of the investigation. The evidence in the house is pretty much an open and shut case. We're going to have to get the rest from the kids," she replied, causing Daniel to look up.

Andorra gave him a grim look. "I'm sorry, Daniel, but just because they are who they are does not mean we can treat them differently." She turned to her brother. "Albus, with your permission, and yours too, Mr. Black," she said with a glance at Malcolm, "if I am going to be able to allow these kids to attend the rest of the school year (something I think would probably be better and safer for them), I'm going to have to put them under a house arrest. I will need to appoint 24-hour supervision to stay in the school. They won't have to follow the kids around, but rather to check on things occasionally." She looked specifically at her brother again. "Albus, it's possible to apply the Home Arrest Jinx for both Jessica and Casey in Hogwarts, isn't it?"

He nodded.

"Then I'll do that so they don't have Aurors constantly on their tails...with both of yours' permissions of course." She looked between Albus and Malcolm.

"I'll have to talk to the other governors on that one," Malcolm said. "I'm not entirely certain they will remain helpful after they find out what happened."

Andorra nodded before glancing at Albus. "I'll have to ask the teachers," he said.

Again, Andorra nodded before saying, "If not, I will have to take the children into custody back in the States."

Silence ensued that declaration.

* * *

"I'm looking for Rohan Figg," Stephen Medley said to the Welcome Witch behind the counter.

"You and everyone else," she growled. "He doesn't do house calls--"

"Stephen Medley?" Came a laugh behind Stephen.

Stephen turned to his old housemate with a small smile. Rohan Figg and he had been in the same year at school, both in Gryffindor. Rohan was a tall man, as tall as Stephen was, with a dark complexion, dark hair, and dark eyes. Stephen remembered him as being an extremely smart fellow with a rich sense of humour.

"Good to see you, Rohan," he said, the grimness of his mission coming over him again. "You're needed at Hogwarts. A student's been injured."

Without hesitating, Rohan beckoned Stephen to follow him to his office. "Just let me grab my bag." They started down a long hallway. "What happened to the student?" Rohan asked.

"I'm not sure of the exact situation, but I'll tell you what I know. It's an 11-year old boy named Casey Ziners. We have reason to believe it was the Cruciatus that injured him."

"Spider-web-like cuts?" Rohan asked as they entered his messy office. He reached beside his desk to grab a small black bag.

Stephen nodded. "Yeah. I'm guessing they're all over his body as his clothes were soaked in blood."

"How about his arms?" Rohan asked as they started back down the hallway.

"From what I saw, it looks as though the cuts were just beyond his elbows."

Stephen didn't like the look Rohan threw at him as they exited the hospital.

* * *

Riley Haderson showed up with Mark Halmer but both seemed reluctant to walk into the fray. Daniel spotted them however and waved them forward. Riley walked the distance cautiously.

"Can I see Jessica's wand?" He asked.

Before Daniel could respond, Marcus handed over Jessica's wand, which had been sitting in a pocket of his robes.

Riley gripped it tightly before looking at Andorra then Albus. "Is there a room we can use for a few minutes," Riley nodded towards Mark, "one that will give us some privacy?"

Albus nodded and showed him to a room down the hall. As the Headmaster walked back after shutting the door, Stephen and another man came up the stairs, one Marcus recognized as Rohan Figg, a young man soon becoming a world-renowned Healer. The man nodded towards Albus.

"Hello, Professor."

"Hello, Rohan," Dumbledore greeted warmly, but there was no mistaking the worried note to his voice.

"The boy in the ward?" Rohan asked and started towards it when Dumbledore nodded.

It was a few minutes after Rohan disappeared when Riley and Mark came out of the room down the hall. Riley looked at Daniel as though to speak of his findings but remembered the situation at the last minute and reluctantly turned to Andorra.

"Miss Dumbledore," Riley said and nodded down the hall. Andorra joined the men as they made the trek once again. Marcus watched as the three conversed but nothing could be told by the seasoned Aurors. Like good Aurors, they rarely showed a lot of emotion in public.

When the three finished, Riley and Mark left, and Andorra came back down the hall and asked to speak with Daniel privately.

It would be many hours before Marcus discovered what was said between Daniel and Andorra, and even more time before Rohan would emerge from the hospital ward with a verdict, one that no one would like.

* * *

It was going onto eleven p.m., three hours after the children were brought to Hogwarts. Rohan Figg was still in the Hospital Ward with the children, only having emerged twice, once to send an owl, the second to receive the package that the owl had brought back. Madam Pomfrey, Molly Weasley, and Brittany Potter were with Rohan and the kids. Arthur had went back to take their kids from his parents.

James had gone home with the Blacks, who secured promises from those at Hogwarts to notify them once they had news on the condition of the children, whether it be medical or legal. Andorra Dumbledore had decided to go back as well, securing a similar promise as the Blacks.

Marcus, who was still prowling the halls of Hogwarts, decided to walk to the Hospital Wing, only to discover Daniel sitting outside the Hospital on a chair.

"How are the kids doing?"

Daniel looked up at him, startled, before shrugging. "I don't know yet." Daniel resumed staring at an undetermined spot before him.

"Mind if I join you?" Marcus asked.

Daniel shook his head. "That's fine."

Marcus conjured a chair next to his friend before sitting. After a time sitting in silence, Marcus spoke.

"Why did you ask Madam Pomfrey earlier for the kids to be near each other?"

Daniel glanced at Marcus and seemed as though he were about to deny it before remembering what the Auror had revealed earlier this evening, a time that seemed ages ago for both. "With the Mighty Bloods," Daniel said quietly, "the siblings have a connection. Part of this connection is that the siblings almost feed off each other's power. While Jessica, being the elder, gets more, Casey does get a bit himself. When one is hurt--"

"Being near their sibling gives them a little bit more strength to heal," Marcus put together.

Daniel nodded. "Exactly."

The two lapsed in to a few moments more of silence before Marcus asked another question.

"Molly Weasley is Jessica's Godmother, right?"
Daniel nodded.

"How did that happen? Having a friendship with either Jeffery or Madeline seems an odd thing for a woman that has to at least be ten years their junior."

The Auror's shoulders moved in a shrug again. "Molly was a friend of Maddie's. They hit it off when they met. After graduating Hogwarts, Madeline and Jeffery stayed in England a few years. They went through some rough times those first few years of marriage. That's when Madeline decided to take up Gary Rum's offer."

"As his assistant," Marcus said, knowing because he had been a student then, just 15 when he had met the warm Madeline. She had been such a contrast to the dark and angry Potions Master, and it had amazed him (and the rest of the school) that the two were actually friends.

Daniel nodded. "Molly started attending Hogwarts five years after that I believe. Molly was horrible at Potions, so Madeline tutored her. The two hit it off right away." Daniel paused a long moment before saying quietly, "I think Madeline told Molly things that she never even told me."

Daniel stopped but seemed to be in such deep thought that Marcus remained silent. Finally, Daniel said, "They're going to charge Jesse with premeditated murder."

The dramatic shift in topics, along with the even more dramatic announcement, left Marcus momentarily speechless.

"Riley's a good Auror, so I guess I should trust his judgement, but..." Daniel shook his head. "This is Jesse. I can't imagine her...why didn't she ever tell me?"

Marcus thought a long time before responding. "That's something you need to ask Jessica, but I suspect it was because she was scared of her father."

"There were times when it was just me, her, and Casey. Their father couldn't hurt them then. Why didn't they tell me then?"

A sudden memory popped into Marcus' head. He had been in the file room one day, looking up a man suspected of being a Voldemort affiliate when he had seen a file marked, 'Ziners, Jeffery.' These files he had been looking in were dossiers compiled on people suspected of performing dark magic illegally. The name, though he had heard the suspicions, had surprised him. Probably because the children didn't seem the type. Only the man himself did. However, being under the watchful eye of the guard, Marcus didn't dare pick the file up as he so badly had wanted to.

Maybe Jessica couldn't speak to her uncle because, even if their father was prosecuted and sent to prison without ever being close enough to touch a hair on their heads, there was someone still out there to get revenge for him. Marcus hadn't thought about that before. He had thought removing the kids and bringing them to Hogwarts would make them feel safe enough to talk...thinking about it now, if things had worked out differently, they might never have talked--

They still might not.

Suddenly, several thoughts careened into Marcus' head, but he had not time to examine a one as the door to the Hospital Ward opened.

"Mr. Montgomery, can I speak to you alone for a minute?" Rohan Figg asked, his face unreadable.

Daniel nodded and immediately got up to follow Rohan back into the Hospital Ward.

* * *

It was ten minutes later when Rohan stepped back into the hall to speak with Marcus and who else the Auror had gathered at Rohan's request: Professor Dumbledore and Professor Rum.

"Jessica will heal physically. Mentally is another story that we will deal with tomorrow morning when she wakes."

"And Casey?" Marcus asked.

Rohan looked down as he paused. He looked back up however to respond. "He's another one we cannot be sure of until he awakes."

"Your assessment however?" Gary asked.

Rohan shook his head slightly. "I'm afraid that I will be utterly amazed if he's coherent when he awakes. With his size, taking the Cruciatus for as long as he did, I don't think his mind possibly could have handled it. I'm surprised there is still a heart beat."

"But this is only your assessment?" Gary questioned.

Rohan nodded. "I consent that I could be wrong, when the boy awakes...whenever that might be...he could tell me his own name and birth date, as well as other things but I don't want to get your hopes up. I've seen people with fewer injuries from a Cruciatus not come out of it."

Albus sighed. "But until then, we won't know for sure." The Headmaster turned to Marcus. "I suggest you go home and get some sleep, Mr. Potter. You will have a very busy day tomorrow, I am certain."

Marcus nodded in agreement.

"I will, but now, as well as morning, I will check on the children."

After bidding bye, he went into the Hospital Ward to do as said, and then fetch his wife.

Dumbledore turned to Rohan, but before the Headmaster could speak, Rohan held up his hands. "I'm going to St. Mungo's first to set up a schedule for some Healers I trust. I want someone here around the clock. Not that I don't trust Poppy, but there are two kids, and that's twice the trouble." Rohan gave a small smile to Albus. "And then it's home I go...until morning that is. I have some training in psychology, and I'm guessing when the girl awakes, that might be of use."

Albus nodded and the two professors bid the Healer farewell. Albus then looked at Gary.

"Don't tell me to get some sleep because you know I haven't slept well in almost thirty years."

Albus merely nodded. "I was just going to tell you not to stay in the Hospital Ward all night."

"I was actually planning on making some potions to kill pain. They might come in as much use as Mr. Figg's training in psychology."

"Make sure you get rest though as I imagine Miss Ziners' trust of you might make you even handier than psychology and pain killing potions."

Gary sighed.

* * *

It was an ugly site. Two horrible stories, same day news. But one was meant to counteract the other.

Andorra had moved up the news release of Jonathon Ziners' arrest by one day in order to counteract the story of Jeffery Ziners' murder. However, knowing that the reporters might seize on the opportunity that both major stories were interrelated because of the family connection, Andorra made a deal with the reporters that if they were to keep the stories separate, preferably with Jeffery Ziners' story on a page other than the front, they would get some interviews for the story on Jonathon Ziners.

And it happened the way Andorra had wanted it to. The headline on the front page of the Daily Prophet and The Times, America's main magical newspaper, both read in big, bold print something to the effect of "Treason at the High Levels." Jeffery Ziners' murder was on page two.

* * *

Jessica didn't want to open an eye. She hurt like the devil, and it was this that assured her that the last time she remembered being awake wasn't a nightmare.

She felt a warm pressure next to her, and instinctively, she knew it was Casey. Still keeping her eyes closed, she listened and heard a slightly wheezy noise, confirming that Casey was still temporarily breathing.

Jessica decided that it was time to face the music. She opened her eyes then shut them quickly at the viewing of light. Her hand quickly reached up and rubbed her eyes.

"Oh, forgive me," she heard a male voice. "I was just trying to see your brother's cuts better."

The light dimmed, and Jessica was able to open her eyes again. She blinked when they still stung. "It's the potion that you got this morning," the man said again, but Jessica still couldn't see him. "Do you remember waking up?"

In response, Jessica shook her head.

"It's to be expected. You were in a lot of pain."

Refraining from responding with 'I still am,' she said instead, "Who are you?"

"Rohan Figg. I'm a Healer from St. Mungo's."

Jessica was finally able to focus in on the man when he stood over her. He was tall and darker-skinned, as though he were very tanned. He had dark hair, dark eyes, and was giving Jessica an intent look that annoyed her.

"Still at Hogwarts, right?" she asked in attempt to hopefully distract him from dissecting her, something he looked like he was going to do any second now.

Figg nodded.

Jessica all of a sudden felt a need for her wand. Then she remembered what she had done yesterday before...Severus...had put her into a Bewitched Sleep. She had been about to kill herself because...because she had finally done it. She had killed him. Her father. He was dead. And she had done it.

He had said it once. One day she would realize that this was the path she was meant to take, so she might as well accept it sooner rather than later. But, no, her mind had screamed. She was not like them. She was not a killer like Father or like Tom.

But she was now. And she needed to end that.

Jessica sat up and looked around for her wand.

"What is it?" Figg asked.

"My wand," she said, her voice sounding dry.

He handed her a cup of water.

"My wand?" she said again, not taking a sip.

Figg gestured towards the cup of water, and assuming that he wouldn't answer her until she did as ordered, she took a sip of water before saying, yet again, "My wand?"

Figg shook his head. "You'll get it back in due time," he said.

That's what they do, Jessica thought to herself, when someone is dangerous. She was dangerous. To them, of course.

Jessica looked around for her brother's wand.

"His is with yours," Figg answered as he picked up a file off the end of the next bed. Jessica assumed it was hers.

No mercy, she thought. That's what they did to the criminals.

Jessica suddenly looked at her brother. His eyes were still closed, his glasses gone. She reached for his hand and lifted the whole arm up upon grabbing it. She ran her hand down the forearm, lifting at the sleeve of his hospital gown, causing it to drop completely. There were ugly cracks running the length of his upper arm, causing Jessica to swallow as a memory flashed through her head. She stopped it and glanced at her brother's other arm.

"Is he going to be alright?" Jessica asked, not looking away from Casey.

When Figg didn't answer, she turned her head towards him to catch him quickly go back to her report as though he had been too engrossed to hear her.

Jessica didn't get time to confront him as Uncle Danny walked into the room.

"Jesse," he said, his voice filled with relief as he started towards her. Her tensing caused him to slow however, and, instead of embracing her as he probably would have done, he just took a seat on the chair next to Casey's bed, the chair closest to Jessica's side. Jessica didn't look at him until he didn't speak. He was giving her a weird look. It had concern, but it also had confusion. Jessica looked back at her feet.

* * *

"I've got to ask her."

"So soon?" Came Daniel's exasperated response.

Rohan sighed again. "Yes. It's best not to let it sit silent in her for a long time. The sooner she talks about it, the sooner she can deal with it." For the first time since their conversation started, Daniel looked about to give in. Rohan continued quickly, "No Aurors in there. I'm not the Ministry. I just want to help her deal with it. The Aurors, the Ministry, the Department, and the newspapers are all going to ask her, which is something we cannot help. The sooner she deals with it with someone who wants to help, the better she'll be able to handle the others."

After a long pause, Daniel finally nodded. He wasn't looking directly at Rohan as he said, "Fine, but don't expect her to say much. She's too much like her mother." Daniel gave a fond smile to the air on that note before frowning darkly. "Thinks she can handle the world alone, on her own two shoulders. She won't want help."

Rohan nodded. "But all we can do is try," he said diplomatically.

Daniel concurred, glancing at the young Healer. "Yes, all we can do is that." He nodded towards the Hospital Ward. "I'll wait out here if you need me."

Rohan nodded and turned back into the Ward, making sure the door closed behind him.

He casually walked over to Jessica's file, which was still attached to her original bed. He was very much aware of the young girl's eyes on him as he moved through the Ward. Madam Pomfrey had taken a lunch break, so, other than Casey, they were only two in the room. Rohan had already gotten the impression that the girl trusted no one, not even her own uncle, despite his own self-denial of that fact.

"Hello, Jessica," Rohan said as he glanced over her file.

"You weren't gone long enough for the greeting to be warranted," came a cold response.

Rohan threw the girl a grin and managed to fare through the frosty look the 12-year old gave him. He did end up frowning at her though.

"What did I do?" He asked, reattaching the file to the bed. He gave up the pretence of casual conversation and just looked straight at the girl.

She looked a little surprised at the direct question, but responded with, "I don't know yet. What did you do?"
Rohan gave a small smile. "You are one of those kids that compete for most detentions, aren't you?"

A ghost of smile she couldn't control was on her face but gone before she replied, "Not really. The detentions seem to find me quite frequently however."

Rohan chuckled.

She frowned even further before nodding at her brother. "The edges of his hair are greying. Why?"

"The Cruciatus does that sometimes."

"If he lives, will he go prematurely grey?" She asked this very seriously. The irony of the sentence - her brother was on the edge of life and death, and she, a 12-year old girl, was asking if he would go prematurely grey - amused Rohan. He didn't let it show however.

"Though the greying edges of his hair will be permanent, he won't go prematurely grey earlier than most people who do go prematurely grey." Rohan paused a second before asking, "Do you think it will bother him any?"

A very small smile but she never glanced at her brother, keeping her suspicious eyes on Rohan. "No. He'll probably think it will make him look regal."

Rohan smiled. He thought about sitting on the edge of the bed, but she had been so jumpy when anyone got near her, he didn't want to risk this new easy rapport.

"Are you tired?"

Jessica shook her head, but Rohan thought she was lying.

"Is your head still hurting?" He asked, giving a small nod towards the bandage on her forehead.

She shook her head again, and, again, Rohan thought she was lying. The suspicious look in her eyes got even deeper, making the brown in her eyes stand out so prominently they changed the blue colouring of her eyes almost completely.

Rohan thought it was time to get to the subject of concern, but he was at a momentarily loss of exactly how to ask the question. He thought it probably best to seem ready to back down so as not to corner a girl already feeling backed into a corner, but he couldn't seem weak otherwise the aggressive part of her personality that he sensed would walk all over him.

"Jessica, do you remember what happened yesterday?" He asked with a soft, gentle voice. Alternatively, he never wavered in looking at the girl.

She, although, did waver before looking at her feet. Rohan waited five minutes, but only in vain. She did not utter a sound. Her breathing remained even, but her eyes never returned directly to Rohan's. When he moved nearer to the bed by a step, he knew that she knew it. He sensed that Jessica was very perceptive of movements that she considered threatening. He gave her credit now that she never flinched.

But suddenly Rohan understood. She was acting weak, but she wasn't right now. If Rohan had not been around Aurors, worked with them, ate with them, lived with them, all of his adult life, he would, like most others, have been taken in by Jessica's weak movements. But whereas she had been flinching when anyone got near her, now she was not. This was the strong Jessica. It was a sign that her father never managed to break down her keenest defence - her mind. She knew how to act to get what she wanted out of other people. If she acted weak, sad, and scared, they would leave her alone for now.

But Rohan wasn't planning on backing down for a short bit yet.

"I think you do," he said. He, again, paused for a time, not really expecting a response and not getting any. "They say that an Auror's first killing is what makes or breaks an Auror. It is of the utmost importance that they talk about it with someone who understands, someone who's been there. I've had my share of Auror experience, Jessica. I've been there, done that, you could say. When you decide to talk, I'm here. You need to do it sooner rather than later though, Jessica. You are about to get a number of people wanting to know what went on, including the investigators." Rohan paused for a second before finally deciding to reveal, "Riley Haderson is investigating the case." Rohan was surprised to see her flinch at that. It was the only thing that had cracked the "weak Jessica". Rohan decided to remember that, but leave it for now. "He needs to know what happened before they put you on trial, Jessica, because they are going to have to put you on trial."

Rohan waited another good five minutes, and when he still received no response, he spoke again, and, again, his voice was soft and gentle as before. "There are a lot of people worried about you, Jessica. They are confused, and you are the only one that holds the answer. They want to understand what happened, and they want to help you get through it. They can only help when you trust them. They hold nothing against you. They do not hold it against you."

Rohan looked at Jessica before glancing at her brother. He decided to leave her alone for now.

* * *

"Hey, Professor."

Gary didn't spare the girl a look as he set the bundle of potions he had brought with him on Madam Pomfrey's desk. With the exception of the still unconscious Casey, they were alone in the ward.

"Oh, so now we decide to talk."

"What's that suppose to mean?" She asked, sounding mildly offended.

He finally looked at her when he approached the bed. He stood near the end of the bed and crossed his arms. "Apparently, you have lapsed into a silence since lunch."

Jessica looked away with a shrug. "They were asking me questions I didn't want to answer."

"So instead of telling them you do not want to answer, you stop speaking?" He replied, making sure to sound admonishing.

But she didn't back down. "What do you expect me to do? Tell them I won't answer? That would just encourage them to fight with me. Sorry, but I haven't made wit and nastiness an art form like you have. People don't look for ways around asking me questions like they do for you."

Gary raised his eyebrows at her. She just smirked back at him.

Jessica glanced away and sighed, turning very serious. "Haven't you ever done anything where you just need to think about it yourself before saying it? Something you aren't even sure you can put into words...not because there aren't words, but because it's...," her voice gradually moved to a strangled whisper, "because you're afraid to hear it, afraid of what you did, afraid you'll break when you hear it, and, at that moment, you just can't break, can't let any--"

"Yes, Miss Ziners," Gary said quietly, interrupting her because he knew that she needed to be interrupted. "But, from my own experiences, I will tell you not to wait too long, because, if you do, you may not ever be able to tell it."

Jessica looked back at her professor. "Were you ever able to say what you waited too long to tell?"

Gary looked at the girl for a very long time but finally shook his head. "No, I wasn't. I'm not sure I even remember it well."

"Too many nightmares?" She asked, and it scared Gary how, at that moment, she understood something about him. He didn't respond.

"I won't ever tell the Ministry, or the Department, or Danny, or Riley..."

"One day, you will have to, Miss Ziners. But first, practice on someone you would trust with your life," Gary advised.

And though Gary had meant for no response, Jessica answered with a self-depreciating smile. "Because, this story is your life, and you must trust them not to break it."

Gary nodded. He waited a moment, wanting to say something more, but, in the end, he smiled at Jessica. "Get better."

She smiled back, and Gary left.

* * *

Daniel woke with a start. He must have really dozed off because it took him a minute to figure out what had woken him. A little girl had crawled into his lap.

"It's okay, Uncle Danny. It's just me," Jessica said as she curled into a ball on his lap, lying against his chest. Danny started to wrap his arms around her but was halted when she grabbed his injured hand. She touched the bandage so incredibly gently that he wouldn't have known she had done it if he hadn't watched her do it.

"Does it hurt?" She whispered.

"No," he whispered back.

Then, in an action that made his breath catch, she brought his hand to her mouth and kissed the bandage.

"All better," she said, and he could hear a little girl's smile in her voice.

She brought his hand over the rest of the way and wrapped herself in his hug. They sat in silence a long time before he asked, "Are you okay, Jesse?"

He felt her shake her head, the first time she hadn't lied in response to that question since the incident had occurred.

"He's gone," Danny pointed out. "He can't hurt you anymore."

"Safety is an illusion," she said, repeating the same phrase she had said the other day in that same matter-of-fact cold voice.

As she burrowed more into his chest, he asked, "Where did you hear that?"

She took such a long time answering, he wasn't sure she would, but finally, she responded, "Why? Maybe I came up with it."

Despite himself, Danny smirked. "Well, that's funny, because I recall someone you and I have in common saying that an awful lot."

Jessica's response wasn't nearly as humoured. "But not until shortly before she died, right?"

Suddenly, everything in Danny became stone cold.

"Jessica, is there something you need to tell me?"

He heard her suck in a breath and hold it for a long time before letting it go.

* * *

I was right there, Ziners. I could have told him. I could have turned the lot of you in. I could have turned you in for knowing what you know, and I could have possibly saved my father.

For as long as Jessica lived, she would never forget the words Jeff Rin had spoken to her late that one night in the library.

But, right now, Jessica couldn't speak.

I have someone in place in case your children decide to talk, someone other than who is at Hogwarts. I do not want your children to know about this one. It's someone in place close to the Dark Operators, someone to kill your brother-in-law and that idiot Haderson. Andorra Dumbledore as well just because the whore pisses me off. If the children talk, they die.

Jessica buried her face even further into Uncle Danny. Yeah, Mom had been right. Safety was an illusion. But with Uncle Danny, for a short time, Jessica could pretend it was real. She could pretend that Uncle Danny could protect her from everything...including Tom.

"I want to protect you, Jesse," Uncle Danny said.

She decided not to answer and feign sleep instead, but her answer drifted through her mind.

And I want to you protect you, Uncle Danny.

* * *

Gary had decided to try to do some things in his office, but he couldn't concentrate, so he decided to go to the Forbidden Forest to collect some ingredients, despite the hour. He was on his way out and near the stairs when he saw Stephen starting to ascend them. Both men saw each other at the same time and stopped.

Stephen started back up the stairs without saying anything before he halted abruptly again. "You might as well come with me," he said quietly.

Without responding, Gary started up the stairs with him. They went to the Headmaster's office.

When they entered, they found Albus sitting at his desk. He looked up and was about to greet his visitors but hesitated when he saw who they were.

"This is most unusual," he murmured. "Or did you have a fight?"

Stephen gave a brief smile before his face turned grim again. "No. I invited Professor Rum up here because of his involvement in what I am about to tell you."

Albus looked at Gary to see the man's features were tight with anger. The headmaster nodded at Stephen. "Yes, Mr. Medley?"
Stephen glanced nervously at Gary before speaking. "Early last year, when I held my first detention with Jessica Ziners, something happened. The detention was finished, and I went to escort Miss Ziners to the door when I tripped over a shoelace and then my trunk. My trunk fell over and opened, releasing what both Miss Ziners and I thought at first to be a dementor. Before I could react, Miss Ziners did and released a corporeal patronus. The dementor then turned into a Bogart, one that Miss Ziners quickly took care of as well.

"All this of course worried me, considering that she, at the time, was a mere 11-year old girl. The next day, instead of going to you as I probably should have, I went to Professor Rum. He requested that I keep quiet. I promised that I would as long as Miss Ziners kept in line. I told him that if I thought for one second that she was an uncontrollable danger, or if I thought she was going to be a danger to the students at all, I would come to you.

"I know that we don't yet have all the facts of what occurred, but I thought that you should know of this sooner, rather than later."

Albus nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you, Stephen. Do you mind if I speak with Gary alone?"

Stephen nodded and made for a quick exit, but Gary halted him. "The boy might as well stay in here. If he doesn't, he'll be an even bigger nuisance than he already is."

Stephen turned around and started to come back with a retort, but stopped when Albus held up a hand. The Headmaster appeared to respect Gary's request, however, to let the boy stay in the room while Albus questioned the Potions Master about his kept secrets on the Ziners kids.

"He hasn't been the first one to notice something different about the Ziners children," Albus spoke quietly.

Gary merely nodded.

"Are they dangerous, Gary?" Albus asked.

"They could be," he replied.

The headmaster remained silent for a long time before saying, "Are you hiding them from Lord Voldemort?"

Gary glanced down in a brief second of being caught off guard before he looked up into his old friend's blue eyes. Gary finally decided on a smidgeon of truth.

"I cannot hide them from Voldemort, but I am trying to offer them a place to hide from him for awhile, a place for them to regain their strength to continue another battle during the summer with him."

"Do they know the identity of Voldemort?" Albus asked.

He sighed before shrugging. "I do not know whether they know him by another name or just by Lord Voldemort, or even if they for sure know him at all."

"But you feel they do?"

Gary lapsed into silence for a few moments before replying with, "If they talk, Albus, somebody dies." The Potions Master paused before asking, "Albus, you remember what it is like going undercover as an Auror?"

Albus nodded.

"You cannot speak for fear of your life. You wait for the moment you can get away, to tell people what you know, but you cannot do this until you are absolutely sure you will not get killed in the process...or at least before you can speak what you know."

Albus looked like he was starting to get Gary's point, so Gary said, "Now imagine all that, but with a partner you have an obvious affection for. For example, if you and Andorra went undercover together, and everyone knew you were brother and sister. They knew that to touch her, could control you. Now, even if you can get away, you still have that extra baggage. You would want to make absolutely certain that both of you could most certainly make it away without fear of death...or other just as painful things."

The headmaster nodded but didn't say anything right away. Finally, though, he said, "But they are away from that pressure when they are inside Hogwarts."

"But are they?" Gary asked. "I said it before last school year. Every child in Slytherin more than likely knows the identity of Voldemort, but it is only through Miss Ziners that we have a chance to learn it. Even in here, Albus, she is undercover in Voldemort's world, and she has the added baggage of a little brother that she does not consider expendable. I have a feeling that that was demonstrated yesterday."

"How about just examining each person she knows--," Stephen started to say, but Gary stopped him

"And what if it's someone that is in the shadows of her life, someone that no one but her, her brother, and her father saw. Voldemort might get suspicious that she might try something without her father there. I've been watching for this Voldemort in my circles, amongst my old hangouts. I've been hearing things. He might be crazy, but he's not stupid. Jessica is too valuable a tool. He's going to have her cloaked so thick in supervision, supervision beyond Jeffery Ziners, that I'm sure that Miss Ziners has no idea even to the extent of it. We start asking questions Voldemort doesn't like, and he's going to start picking off those closest to Jessica."

"We've got to include Mr. Montgomery in on this conversation," Stephen said with what Gary considered the tone of an amateur.

"Are you kidding me?!" Gary fairly shouted. "If he finds out that Jessica's father associated her with the likes of Voldemort, he'll start picking off everyone Jeffery ever associated with!"

Albus decided to intervene here. "He has a point, Stephen, and I have another. Voldemort is a shadow. He may not even have a real name now. Gary was right a year and a half ago. It is through Miss Ziners that we have a chance to get Voldemort. If we move too soon, we could scare Voldemort back into the shadows, to reform an identity, a persona, and then, for all we know, he could come, teach at Hogwarts and kill people right under our nose. He could even volunteer to help us fight Voldemort.

"We have to move carefully for now. Yes, we need to stop Voldemort. Yes, we need to stop a killing that I suspect has already started. But fighting this is going to take patience. You already know that, Stephen; being an Auror is all about being patient, a trait the other side usually sorely lacks."

"We advance too fast, the other side runs," Stephen said in a defeated tone. "We be patient, the other side plays right into our hands."

"And, in the meantime, we try to get Miss Ziners into a condition she can speak with us freely," Albus finished.

Gary sighed, "Don't expect that to happen for a long time yet."

Albus looked at him questioningly, but it was Stephen that spoke.

"Why?"

Gary looked up at both as if he hadn't realized that he had spoken aloud. He didn't seem about to expound either, but in the end, he did.

"The thing that led me to suspect of Jessica Ziners' knowledge of Voldemort was because of her knowledge of magical potions and spells. She was about eight when I started to quiz her on what she knew." Gary took a deep breath. "It was all based in dark magic. I already knew of her ability...and I knew of her father's allegiances. It didn't take me long to put two-and-two together." Gary's eyes had been skittering around the whole time he had been talking, but here he looked up, looking Stephen and Albus in the eyes individually. "She's being trained. I'm pretty sure that the aim is to make her an assassin of Lord Voldemort's." Gary didn't continue for a long time. He seemed to be gathering his words and courage before he revealed his thoughts. "With what's happened now with her father...in her mind, Pandora's Box has been opened. She's probably convinced Voldemort has succeeded.

"Right now, gentlemen, before we can get Miss Ziners into a position to speak to us, we must get Miss Ziners back. I would wager that she is the closest to the dark side as she's ever been. If Miss Ziners becomes convinced Voldemort has succeeded, she's gone.

"It's key that we do not lose this one, gentlemen, as I've feared we've already lost others. Miss Ziners is NOT the power that will stop Voldemort, but she is the one who will make sure we will hold the last card in this fight."

* * *

"Malcolm," Marcus greeted as he started down the steps to the Entrance Hall of Hogwarts. It was early afternoon.

"Marcus, I'm glad you're here. Hope you're not in a hurry," Malcolm said as he started up the Entrance Hall steps.

Marcus gave a faint smile at his assuming attitude and turned to follow his neighbour, shaking his head. "No. No hurry to get back that is."

Malcolm merely nodded.

He took Marcus to the Hospital Ward. Daniel Montgomery was just exiting, and Gary Rum, Andorra and Albus Dumbledore were outside talking.

"Glad to see you three are here as well," Malcolm said. He also nodded at Daniel, "You also, though I suspected as much you would be here.

"I just got back from speaking with the rest of the school governors."

This statement received everyone's undivided attention.

"They agreed to allow both Jessica and Casey Ziners back into school upon a number of conditions."

"What are they?" Daniel asked.

Malcolm looked at the older man. "Before I say them, you must understand that I argued a better part of the last thirty-six hours, after only six hours of sleep total in the past two nights."

Daniel nodded.

"First of all, she cannot stay in the Slytherin house until after the hearing in the United States. After that, the school governors will re-examine that decision, as well as the other restrictions they are placing on the children." When no one said anything, Malcolm continued. "Jessica will be allowed to stay in the school if a suitable place is found for her to sleep and do her homework. The governors would prefer if its entrances and exits were guarded at night.

"They also would like for Jessica to see someone on a regular basis, preferably a Healer with some training in psychology. This person is to speak an hour or so with her to assess her mental state. If she seems dangerous, she is to be removed from the school immediately until the school governors can meet and reassess the situation.

"Jessica will be allowed to remain in Quidditch as long as a school governor is able to come to supervise the game. The school governor will also have the right to remove Jessica instantly if she is seeming to become dangerous...dangerous outside the usual game that is.

"The last restriction is of course the one that will definitely require the approval of the entire teaching staff of Hogwarts, and the Headmaster as well." Malcolm nodded towards Albus at that last comment. "Jessica and Casey cannot be in possession of their wands at all while on school premises."

Andorra's voice rose above and out powered Daniel's, "That last one is the same that the Wizemgot in America is also requiring. We will be in possession of their wands."

That hold off served to make Daniel think for a moment and see the logic of the requirements. The older man glanced down before nodding silently.

"We - as in the school governors - are suggesting that Jessica's and Casey's practicals are held off until after the results of the trial. The professors must be willing at some point before the next school year to test the children on their practicals. After they have had some time to practice of course," Malcolm added with a look to Daniel.

"There is one issue then I am assuming," Marcus said. "Parents aren't going to be too keen on keeping their kids in school with Jessica."

Malcolm nodded. "That's where you and I come in."

Marcus raised an eyebrow at him. Malcolm nodded with a casual shrug. "What the hell. We're already running full speed against the tide."

Marcus chuckled before nodding at Albus. "What do you think, Professor?"
Albus glanced at Gary, giving Marcus pause. Since when had Albus Dumbledore looked to Gary Rum?

Albus looked back at Malcolm and Marcus. "I think it would be safer for the children if they stayed in Hogwarts. I will speak with the professors and give you an answer by this evening."

Having not caught on to her brother's odd behaviour, Andorra said, "Of course it will be safer, not to mention easier on me. Ignatius Malfoy will think twice before disturbing the kids when they're under Albus' protection. Not that I couldn't handle Malfoy, but I have much more important things to focus my energy on other than not killing Malfoy."

Everyone but Gary and Daniel smiled at that.

Malcolm turned to Marcus. "I suppose you and I better go recruit others."

"To do what?" Andorra asked.

Malcolm answered her. "We need to put confidence in the people that Ziners isn't dangerous, so we need people to stand up for her. If Marcus and I both come out in defence of Ziners by--"

"Very loudly," Marcus interjected.

Malcolm nodded. "By very loudly keeping our kids in school, hopefully others will follow."

"How well do you suspect that to work?" Andorra asked.

"I've already caused two parents to change their mind," Malcolm said matter-of-factly.

His remark was met with some smiles, but it was met with a question by Daniel. "What makes you think Jessica is not a danger?"

Malcolm lapsed into a silent surprise for a minute before answering. "Marcus knows her better than I do." He turned to the shorter man next to him. "Marcus, is Jessica Ziners dangerous to the other students?"

Marcus didn't hesitate to shake his head.

"Okay." Malcolm turned back to Daniel. "Sometimes, you just have to trust your friends."

The two took off.

* * *

"Marcus Potter!"

Malcolm and Marcus had just arrived at his office when they heard the voice ring through the front office area of the Aurors. The two chuckled as the area went completely silent. They entered the outer office area again to find Virginia Longbottom starting to descend on a wide-eyed Brittany.

"Gina!" Marcus called through the office, as if in greeting, but in reality, he was saving his wife from the woman "fondly" dubbed as the 'Barracuda.'

Gina looked towards him and immediately started descending on him. The only thing that kept Marcus from cowering was the fact that Marcus was use to her overbearing ways. She was one of thee very best Unspeakables in the world, her genius probably only matched by Gary Rum. And, like Gary Rum, she could always switch roles from Unspeakable to Auror. She didn't appear the Auror type, but Marcus was witness to the fact that it was a very dangerous position to be in when she was mad at you.

"Marcus Potter, I demand to speak with you this instance!"

Marcus nodded and led her to his office. Malcolm followed her in. Though not as use to her as Marcus was, there was not a lot in this world that scared or intimidated Malcolm. Fear was a weakness in Malcolm's opinion, and so he very rarely showed it.

When the door shut, Gina spoke. "What is going on at Hogwarts? Everything is pure rumour as far as I'm concerned until it comes out of the mouth of someone I trust. Malfoy is spouting off some nonsense of harbouring fugitives at Hogwarts! And what happened to Jeffery Ziners, not to mention Secretary Ziners?!"
Marcus had sat at his desk while he waited through her rant. He was leaning back with his hands behind his head when she finished.

"You better sit down, Gina," Marcus said.

Gina went to make another comment but stopped at the look on Marcus' face. She sat...well, it could only truly be qualified as a perch on the very edge of the chair.

"To make a long story short, Jonathon Ziners, as well as his two assistants, Grens and Lemore, have been arrested for treason, among other things. They found out all three were giving information to Lord Voldemort, who apparently has been wreaking some havoc over in America as well.

"In a separate incident, Jeffery Ziners was killed by his daughter, Jessica. Currently, both she and her brother, Casey, are at Hogwarts. Apparently, Jeffery was trying to kill Casey by using the Cruciatus Curse. We're not sure if Casey is going to live, and, if he is, he will most likely be insane when he wakes up.

"Jessica, it seems upon investigation, had planned to kill her father prior to the actual incident of murdering him."

"Do you think she premeditated it?" Gina asked.

Marcus nodded. "But I think she had a reason. I think Jeffery was abusing the children, and I don't think Jessica saw any other way out."

"What about telling their uncle?"

Marcus shrugged. "I don't know why they didn't. That's something we're going to have to ask Jessica, but I believe that there was probably a very good reason."

"I'm assuming that they're going to be out of Hogwarts until the hearing," Gina said.

Marcus shook his head before he nodded towards Malcolm. "He managed to convince the governors to let her stay in. There are restrictions of course."

"What are they?"
"She can't stay in Slytherin House. She'll be placed in a room, and it will be guarded at night. She has to speak with someone once a week so her mental status can be assessed. If they see her to be a danger, there will be immediate removal. She can stay in Quidditch as long as a governor can supervise the games. Again, if she seems to be a danger to the other students, there will be immediate removal. In addition, both her's and Casey Ziners' wands will be confiscated. I believe that the American Department of Magic has already seen to that.

"After the hearing in the States, if she is not placed in prison, the governors will meet and reassess Jessica's remaining in the school, as well as the restrictions she is under.

"This is all, of course, waiting upon approval from Albus Dumbledore and the rest of the teaching staff at Hogwarts."

"Do you think that is enough?"

Marcus merely nodded.

Gina looked at Malcolm, who nodded as well. Gina turned back to Marcus. "What about pressure from the parents?"

"We expect a lot of it," Marcus responded, sounding amused at his own answer. "That's pretty much all we've heard on the way here."

"What's your plan to combat the parents? I imagine the attendance to Hogwarts will go down dramatically."

"Malcolm and I are both going to very loudly support the governors' decision. We're going to keep our children in school and will urge other...let's say, 'important and influential' parents to do so as well." And though Marcus didn't say it, Gina saw the question.

"Is she dangerous to the other students?" She asked, looking Marcus directly in the eyes.

"Not much more than her mother," he responded.

Gina gave an unusual pause and glanced down. She spoke quietly, "I asked Frank if he thought if there was any truth to Jessica Ziners murdering her father."

"What did he say?" Marcus asked when she didn't continue.

She looked back up at Marcus with a small smile. When she answered, her voice was strong again. "He asked me if I was listening to Minister Malfoy spouting off his lies again."

Marcus grinned softly.

"Who have you successfully urged so far?" Gina asked.

"Malcolm's kept two kids in school so far, but no one to create a trend as of yet."

"Well, Marcus," Gina said as she stood up again, causing Marcus to do so as well. "You may add one to your list, and this one is someone who may cause a trend."

"We can count on you, Gina?" Malcolm asked, speaking for the first time.

Gina gave him an evil grin. "Oh, yes. Truthfully," she smiled at both men, "I'm game for anything that gets Malfoy in an uproar."

They chuckled.

* * *

Jessica knew she was being frowned at from three different directions. Brittany Potter, who had come to check on her after supper at her household, was eyeing her through the door while she and Professor McGonagall spoke in the hallway. Molly Weasley, who rarely left it seemed to Jessica, was looking at her rather than her knitting. And Uncle Danny, who had rarely spoken to her since that incident last night, was watching her from his seat next to her bed. But Jessica was looking at none of them. She was watching her little brother struggle through another breath. She was still in his bed. Madam Pomfrey had finally given up trying to move her to a separate bed and magically expanded the bed the siblings were lying on.

Jessica slid down and grabbed her brother in a gentle hug, knowing he would draw upon her power to heal.

Casey, she tried again in her head. No response. Case, I don't know if you can hear me or not, if you are just too weak to respond, so I'm just going to talk. I woke up after Dad knocked me out. I did it, Case, but I don't feel nearly as good about it as I thought I would. You know what I am, Case, I am what Tom Riddle..., well, she might as get use to it she thought and altered with, Lord Voldemort. I am what Lord Voldemort wants me to be. He said it was only a matter of time, right?

Jessica knew how her brother would respond. He would deny that Voldemort was right. That she killed to save him, not for power, but Casey would be wrong. Yes, a part of her wanted to save Casey, but when she had originally thought up this plan, it had been not because of one day she might save Casey's life. She had had other reasons for planning Father's murder. One was definitely revenge for Mother. Another was because he needed to be stopped. But it was the last that she only just now realized had played right into what Tom had been working towards all along. She had wanted to show Tom she wasn't some measly little kid. She could take care of herself; she could take care of Casey; but most of all, she could take care of Father and Tom. She could play with them on their field. She thought it was to beat Tom, but by the mere act of murder, she had only done something Tom himself would have done. Not only had she gotten rid of something that was holding her down, she had done it by means that Tom adored.

Though it probably would have been better had it been death by torture rather than death by Avada Kedavra.

"How is Miss Ziners?"

The voice yanked Jessica out of her revere so fast that she nearly fell out of the bed. It was Ignatius Malfoy.

He would be here, of course, as Tom's man on the inside, probably here to send a warning.

"She'll live," came Mrs. Potter's terse response.

His response was a question dripping with sarcasm. "Do I have your noble permission to speak with her?"

"Well," but as Brittany started to respond, Jessica gave an overdramatically loud sigh, catching everyone's attention. Might as well get this over with, she thought, because the longer he waited, the more impatient he would become and the more angrier he would be when he would finally succeeded in speaking with her alone, something Jessica had little doubt he would succeed in doing.

"He can speak with me," Jessica said as she started to get into a sitting position on the bed.

Everyone looked as though she had sprouted a second head, even Malfoy.

She looked at them all evenly.

Malfoy reacted first as he gave Brittany a self-satisfied grin before sauntering the rest of the way into the Hospital Ward. Helga Breamer, the Healer on duty, bristled.

"I will only allow this visit as long as Jessica does not become upset."

"I won't, Mrs. Breamer," Jessica said on another sigh. Malfoy gave her a sudden suspicious look. Her poker face never once broke. Her eyes however did flicker to Molly as the woman stood up. The look she was giving her Goddaughter was one that asked if she needed help. Jessica had no doubt Molly would take Ignatius Malfoy to the ground if Jessica asked her to. But right now that probably wasn't the hottest idea. Jessica gave a nearly imperceptible shake of her head, and Molly backed down.

Ignatius looked at Danny as the man stood up. Jessica knew while his size sometimes embarrassed him, Danny did not hesitate to use it to scare the enemy, and, to him right now, Malfoy was the enemy.

Ignatius finally looked at Jessica, but he still glanced nervously at her uncle. Jessica bit back a smile. She knew that while they bashed Uncle Danny at their Death Eater meetings, calling him names, 'oaf' and 'stupid' being two, that they still very much feared him when confronted with him and his size.

"Can I speak with you alone, Jessica?" Ignatius asked.

Oh, like that wasn't obvious, Jessica thought, but she nodded. "You can and you may," she said. Jessica waited for Danny's response without looking at him, but she was finally forced with facing him when all that ensued was silence. He was giving her that look - that one that told her that he knew that the face value he saw in the room was a bunch of bologna. There was something else going on here, she could tell he knew.

Jessica looked away from him. "It's alright, Uncle Danny. I'll be fine." Jessica glanced across the room at Molly and nodded. "I will be."

Molly gave her a smile before she started towards Uncle Danny. "Come on," she said with a nod towards the door. She never touched him but was close enough to drag, so Uncle Danny decided that he would obey his niece on this one. He grabbed her shoulder and gave it a tender squeeze before leaving with Molly and Mrs. Breamer.

Once the door shut, Ignatius started in a low voice.

"Okay, what's up your sleeve?"

She gave him an even look. "I suppose you have a message from..." might as well remind him her position with Riddle, "my Godfather."

"He doesn't appreciate what you did," Ignatius bit out viciously. "He said you might as well take residence next to Dumbledore as the second he has his hands on you, you're dead."

That would be hard, she mused, considering he can't kill me. She knew that he would have someone else do it, but just the same, the sentence amused her.

But the more important thing right now was how to fix the current situation. She hadn't really thought about Tom's reaction. She had thought he was going to be mad, but she hadn't really considered the possibility he was going to do something about it. Well, that was stupid of her. It just went to show exactly how wrong this plan had been.

But what to do? Case, I wish you were here right now. You were always good with these last minute things.

Suddenly, a memory flashed through Jessica's head. It was of last summer. Tom had just killed a man who had been ratting on him to Marcus Potter. Over drinks, Dad had laughed heartily when Tom said, "As they say, dead men tell no tales."

And being dead, Dad would tell no one the tale, the true tale.

Inspiration.

"Why is he mad at me?" Jessica asked, bewildered. "I was doing him a favour."

"A favour?" Ignatius had definitely been not expecting that one.

"Yes. Dad was," couldn't directly implicate Uncle Danny in her lie, "...leaving notes at the Department, ratting everyone out. When I threatened to tell Tom, Father said he would shut me up. He couldn't kill me, so I suppose that Casey was the better choice in his eyes," had to downplay her affection for Casey, "...He was so hysterical that I was worried he would start on me next. I had to do something."

Instead of the disbelieving look she had been expecting, Malfoy muttered an explicative. "That's how they got caught," he growled.

"Who?" Jessica asked in utter surprise.

"Your Uncle John, as well as Grens and Lemore. That's why they've been so secretive at the Department. John and the others were arrested for treason. All three have talked and are currently waiting in an undisclosed location for their trial. Luckily, Tom wiped his name out of their memory the last time he saw them. He was worried because Montgomery seemed a little odd around them."

"Well, that's good he did that," Jessica said, her voice sounding odd even to her ears. Malfoy glanced at her.

"Oh, I'm sorry. You probably haven't heard."

All Jessica could do was stare at Ignatius.

Malfoy glanced at Casey. "Is he going to live?"
Jessica took a minute to answer that, and when she did, she had to reign herself in and school her features not to show the anger at the casual, almost dismissive way Malfoy asked that. "Don't know yet," she responded.

Malfoy just nodded. "I will go inform the Da--," Ignatius caught himself just in time and corrected, "Tom of these new developments. Good work," he said before leaving.

Jessica had to pull her jaw up when the others re-entered the room. "Everything all right, Jess?" Uncle Danny asked.

It took her a minute to give a half nod to Danny. She lay back down and held Casey again.

* * *

"Baker, Brier, Meadows, Stiller, Anderson, and Yang."

"Are you lining them up and pegging them off or something?" Stephen asked with a smirk. It was the next morning, and Marcus, Malcolm, and Stephen were standing outside the Hospital Ward.

Marcus laughed, though Malcolm didn't really look that amused.

"It's tough business," Marcus said when a silence ensued. "Trying to talk parents into letting their children re-enter a school with someone who will be put on trial for murder in a few months."

Stephen gave him a grim look. "Yes, I imagine it is. I shouldn't have made a joke." Stephen braved a look back at Malcolm. "Are they going to speak with other parents?"

"Yang, Brier, and Baker were up for talking with other parents. Meadows though said not to try Richards from Accounting at the Ministry. She said he would definitely not be up to letting his kid go to school with Ziners. He hated the father and thought he was a murderer."

"And now he thinks it runs in the family," Marcus added. When he got a curious look from Malcolm, he said, "Tims, one of the day guards from the Ministry, told me. Said that Richards is working the parents against you and me. Apparently he's going around saying that we're setting Hogwarts up for another murder in the building."

Malcolm just shook his head.

"What's going on out here? A party?" Riley Haderson asked, coming from down the hallway. He was giving them a small smile, though his mood, everyone could see, was a bit darker than the Auror usually wore. He appeared rumpled and tired. Investigating Jessica was appearing to take a toll on the man.

The three shook their heads. "No," Marcus said. "Just a little talking. How's it going in America?"

"Fantastic," Riley answered with way too much enthusiasm.

The other three gave a chuckle.

Riley nodded towards the door. "Came to visit the kids. How are things going?"

"Jessica seems to be alright," Stephen answered.

"Case?" Riley asked.

The three men shook their heads bleakly.

"Are you four about to change your addresses to the hallway outside the Hospital Ward, or will you move sometime in the very near future?" Came an even, dry voice. It was Gary Rum. He was with Albus Dumbledore, who smiled at his friend.

"We all seem to be here for a visit with the children," Riley said.

"Actually," Stephen said, "I peeked in on them a bit ago, then I ran into these guys on the way out."

The other professors nodded.

"Who took over for Mrs. Breamer?" Albus asked.

"Rohan," Stephen replied. "At about three this morning."

Albus nodded before turning to Marcus and Malcolm, but Malcolm spoke first. "I got your owl last night. I'm glad that all the professors agreed to the governors' decision."

Albus merely nodded again before asking, "How are things at the Ministry?"

"Crazy," Marcus replied quietly. "But that's to be expected. Malcolm and I, as well as Gina Longbottom, are lining up more parents each day behind the school governors' decision."

"Good, good," Albus said, but any further response was cut off when Madam Pomfrey opened the door from the Hospital Ward. The look on her face spoke volumes.

"You better come," she said breathlessly. "It's Casey."

To be continued...