Swept From the Past

Chapter 8: Lost memories

A week later, the whole school was gathered in the Great Hall at breakfast, when hundreds of owls flew in the room. They delivered letters and packages to the impatient students. Some of the birds bumped into the full plates and scattered food all around.

"I have some news from Charlie!" said Ron, when he read the name of the sender.

Pigwidgeon was flying around him. The owl was so excited that it dropped feathers onto Neville's plate. Unfortunately, the boy didn't notice. He took a big mouthful of the eggs, bacon, and feathers mixture and choked. He coughed violently. That scared Pigwidgeon, who panicked. The owl flew faster without knowing where it went. It charged into Neville and flew very fast around him. The boy moved his arms to protect himself. Without meaning to, he swiped the owl with the back of his right hand. Pigwidgeon landed on its back on the floor a few feet away.

"Pig!" exclaimed Ginny. She quickly went to the unconscious bird and picked it up.

Neville finally calmed down and stopped coughing. His face was red.

"Pig is fine," said Ginny. "I knew that would happen!" She sighed. "Are you all right, Neville?"

"Yes," the boy replied. "But I don't like feathers."

"That bird is really stupid," said Ron. "By the way, what was I saying before Pig disturbed us?"

"You were talking about Charlie," replied Harry. "How is he doing?"

"He's fine," Ron replied. "He says that Norbert has become the biggest dragon of the whole colony. Hagrid will be happy to hear this. And..." Ron stopped talking and burst into laughter.

"What?" asked Harry.

As an explanation, Ron gave him the letter. Harry read it and laughed too. Hagrid would always be Hagrid.

"What happened?" asked Ginny.

"Well," Harry said finally, "Charlie says that Hagrid sent Norbert a letter."

"Who did you say he sent the letter to?" asked Hermione, her eyes wide open.

"To Norbert..." replied Ron. He burst into laughter again.

"To Norbert?" repeated Hermione. "Norbert? Norbert the Dragon? But... how did he think Norbert would read it?"

"Charlie says that nothing was written on the envelope," responded Harry. "Just the address and Norbert's name. They had no idea who to give it to. They were looking for a guy. That's because Norbert was renamed Sirocco. They finally opened the letter and discovered who Norbert was. Fortunately, Charlie remembered his old name."

"Even if he remembered, it doesn't change anything," replied Hermione. "Norbert can't read!"

"But Charlie did," replied Ron, out of breath. He laughed so hard that his face had turned red. "He knew it was important for Hagrid, so he read it to Norbert! In the letter, Hagrid had written how much he missed Norbert. It was like a love letter. Charlie says that everyone made fun of Hagrid when he read it."

"I hope Hagrid doesn't expect a reply from Norbert," retorted Hermione. "Sometimes, I don't understand Hagrid's mind."

Harry smiled. Hagrid would be happy to know that Norbert had got the letter. The boy promised he would tell Hagrid the good news after his Care of Magical Creatures lesson.

"Otherwise, there's nothing special," continued Ron. "Charlie says that he'll probably come back home for Christmas this year. And... yes... he says hello to everyone. Oh, Harry, maybe you'll be able to come with us for Christmas too!"

"I don't know, Ron," replied Harry, unconvinced. "I don't think Dumbledore will let me go. With the return of Voldemort... oh, stop it, Ron!" Ron had made an ugly grimace. "It won't be easy," Harry continued. "And with the war... it's safer for your family not to have me for Christmas."

"But, Harry, you can't spend Christmas alone!" retorted Ron. "Mum won't accept it! You're like a member of the family!"

"Ron," retorted Harry, "you know I'd like to come with you. But I'm not... quite normal... I'm dangerous for your family. Last time, I thought I was a snake! I don't know what could happen this year. Maybe it would be ok, but it could be dangerous. We can't be sure your family won't be attacked because of me!"

"Don't be so pessimistic, Harry," replied Hermione. "I'm sure Dumbledore will do something for you this year. He'll find a solution! He won't let you spend Christmas alone."

"A solution?" Harry said sadly. "Better than sending me back at the Dursleys'? No, I'd rather spend my holidays alone at Hogwarts. At least, it would feel like home. I would be safe. Don't worry. And I think Dobby will keep me company..."

"Oh, look!!!" Seamus interrupted suddenly. "Professor Burns has received a Howler!"

"What?!" said Ron, Harry, and Hermione at the same time.

"A Howler?" repeated Ron. "I thought that only students received Howlers in Hogwarts!"

"She'll have to open it in front of the whole school or it will explode!" Hermione said. She looked shocked.

Professor Burns was seated at the teacher's table, like she always did. She wore an impassive expression on her face and had the letter in her hands. No one talked at the table, intrigued. Professor Burns opened the letter. A very loud voice came from the Howler. It was Minister Fudge's:

"CAPTAIN BURNS!!! I AM SCANDALIZED BY YOUR ATTITUDE! YOU DELIBERATELY ACT AS IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT! FIRST OF ALL, YOU HAVE THREATENED THE EMBASSADOR OF THE GOBLINS, ALTHOUGH YOU KNEW THE GOBLIN PROJECT WAS A DELICATE MISSION. SECOND, YOU HAVE BROKEN THE ARMS OF JONATHAN LODGE, THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MYSTERIES, BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED TO SIRIUS BLACK!!! THIRD, I'M AWARE THAT YOU HAD A CERTAIN ARRANGEMENT WITH THIS DANGEROUS CRIMINAL..."

The Howler hadn't the time to deliver the whole message. From the first words, Professor Burns had stood up to leave. However, when the message mentioned Sirius Black, she stopped in her tracks, visibly dumbfounded. She stayed immobile several seconds in the middle of the hall. Then, she turned back to face the Howler.

"Shut up!" she shouted.

She waved her right arm in a sharp movement, opened her hand, and extended her fingers, still covered by her gloves. A yellow light came from her palm; and the Howler caught fire. Then, Professor Burns snapped her fingers and disappeared with a Crack.

The whole school was bewildered. There was a big, heavy silence. Then the students began chattering and the Great Hall was soon filled with agitation. Everyone wondered what had happened.

"I can't believe it!" said Ron, visibly astonished. "I can't believe it!" he repeated. "She used magic without a wand! She burned a Howler! And she did it without a wand!"

"You can't Disapparate within Hogwarts!" added Hermione. She looked both impressed and shocked. "It's... it's impossible!"

Harry was bewildered too, but for another reason. Fudge had mentioned Sirius. Burns wanted to know what had happened to Sirius... And she had an arrangement with him! What sort of arrangement? And why had his godfather never talked to him about that?

"How did she manage to do that?" repeated Ron. "How did she use magic without a wand?"

"So what?" asked Harry, deep in thought. "Isn't it common for wizards to do this?"

"You don't understand, Harry," said Hermione. "Making glasses explode, blowing up your aunt, all that is common to wizards. Ok, not to all wizards, but you know what I mean! Take Neville for example. Everyone in his family thought he was a Squib. But when he fell from an upstairs window, he used magic and bounced into the road.

But what Burns did now..." continued Hermione, "she used a powerful curse... Howlers can't burn like that. They either speak or explode! And she didn't utter a word. And she... she Disapparated without saying anything, and she did it in Hogwarts!"

***

A few hours later, when the sixth years came back from their Care of Magical Creatures class, Professor Burns was still the main subject of discussion. Harry had been so disturbed about Sirius that he had forgotten to talk to Hagrid about Norbert.

"Have you seen what she did?" exclaimed Neville, holding Trevor in his hands. "It was so impressive!"

"Neville, watch out!" bellowed Hermione, who noticed he was squeezing Trevor too much in his enthusiasm.

"Oh, sorry Trevor," Neville apologised. "I didn't mean to..."

"I can't understand how she did it into Hog--"Hermione said.

"We've heard it, Hermione..." Ron interrupted. "We already know that it's impossible to Disapparate in Hogwarts. It's in Hogwarts, a History. You've been telling us since third year!"

"Well, Ron, how can you explain that?" Hermione replied.

"I can't explain it!" Ron retorted. "I don't know how she did it! Maybe you should ask her next time! Maybe she used a spell which is not explained in your bloody, boring books!"

Hermione snorted and left. Harry saw she was angry. He looked at Ron reproachfully.

"What?" Ron asked Harry. "She's impossible!"

"You know what?" Seamus said to Harry, Ron, and Neville. "My mother told me that Captain Burns killed ten Giants in the mountains seven years ago without weapons. She didn't even have a wand. I guess she used her powers to destroy them, like today!"

"Ten Giants?" asked Ron. "That's amazing! I heard that only one Giant was hard to fight, so... ten! Whaw! I can't believe it!"

"My father didn't either," replied Seamus. "Dad nearly collapsed, when Mum shown him a picture of a Giant. Of course, it was a long time ago, before I was born, just after she told him she was a witch. But when she told him this anecdote about Captain Burns three years ago, I remember he was very impressed!"

"Of course, he was impressed, Mudblood!" retorted Draco, who had overheard the conversation. "Muggles are impressed by their own shadow!" The blond boy laughed, along with his two stupid and fat mates, Crabbe and Goyle.

"Oh, shut up, Malfoy!" Harry exclaimed.

"Are you talking to me, Potter?" Malfoy replied. "I guess you are interested in Mudblood's stories! By the way, Granger is not here? I saw a bushy-haired creature wandering in these parts, but it was probably a dog!" He laughed again.

"If it was a blond dog, it was probably your father, or your mother!" Harry retorted. "Is Blondie visiting you?" he added.

Draco's snigger disappeared.

"You, Potter!" he said. "One day, you'll pay for that!"

"For what?" Harry answered. "For your hair cut? I'm not responsible for that!"

"You wouldn't be so proud, if you knew who Burns was," said Draco, as if he knew something Harry didn't.

"And who is she?" Harry asked, perplexed.

"Oh, you don't know, Potter? You don't know she was your mother's best friend? I guess she didn't want to tell you! I suppose she doesn't want to take care of you now! Like when you were a baby!" he added. He laughed again and left the corridors.

"What?" Harry queried, distraught.

***

Harry left his friends to return to the Gryffindor Common Room. He was agitated and couldn't go to his next class. Fortunately, Hermione had an hour break, and he met her before she went to the library. He confided in her.

"Harry, Draco was probably joking," Hermione said gently.

"What if he wasn't?" he answered. "What if Professor Burns was my mother's best friend? Why didn't she tell me?"

"I don't know, Harry," replied Hermione. "It's difficult to believe that!"

"Hermione, you know she knew Sirius," Harry retorted. "You even know he went to the Spring Ball with her... So I guess we can believe that Burns was close to my mother. I just would like to know... why... how... I just would like to know the truth. I'm a bit confused. And Sirius... why didn't he tell me anything about her?"

"Harry, I think that the best way to know is to ask Professor Burns," Hermione replied. "Tomorrow, after the Defence Against the..."

"That's what I'm going to do!" Harry interrupted. "And I'm going to do it now!" He stood up.

"Harry, wait..." Hermione said. "I don't think you should do it now! You can't tell her that--"

"Stay here!" Harry replied without listening. He had made up his mind. He ran to Professor Burns' office.

He knocked at the door several times, but no one responded. When he pushed the door, it opened. Professor Burns had left without locking her office. The first thing Harry saw when he entered was that three Pensieves stood in the left corner of the room. He approached and something caught his attention. In the first Pensieve, he saw a fleeting image of his mother, when she was about his own age. He didn't hesitate and dunked his head into the receptacle.

He found himself in a class, the same class he was studying in, the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. A black-haired teacher was writing something on the board. The students were taking notes. One could just hear the sound of their quills on their parchments. Lily and Professor Burns were seated at the same table on the left. Harry noticed that Burns didn't have her scar. James and Sirius were at a table on the right and Peter Pettigrew was at the table behind them. There was no sign of Lupin. Snape was at the back of the class.

So Malfoy was right, Burns and his mother were best friends. Harry approached his mother's table.

"Do you see S this evening?" Lily wrote on an old, tired piece of parchment.

Harry stood behind their table and leaned over to read.

"No. Full moon." Burns answered under the question. "Others will realise that something's wrong... And have map..."

"Had forgotten about map," Lily replied on the parchment.

"Miss him..." Burns added.

Sirius turned round and winked at her. Harry noticed that Snape smirked when he saw Sirius' sign.

"Not very discreet..." wrote Burns.

The memory stopped. Or rather, it changed. Harry saw Professor Burns and her mother walk in the corridors. He didn't know why, but this vision looked extremely familiar, as if he had seen it before.

Harry followed them. When he turned the corner, he knew why. A long way ahead, there was a student he knew very well, a student who had become a Potions master. Snape was immersed in his exam papers and apparently had no fixed idea of where he was going. Harry knew he had returned to the day of Snape's worst memory. Obviously, this memory and the previous one were totally different. Harry realised that the first memory occurred at a later time, since everyone looked older in it.

Burns and Lily chatted animatedly. They spoke about the exam questions and compared their answers.

"Oh, God..." said Burns. "I can't believe I'm through with Potions now!" she exclaimed. "I've worked very hard this year, because Dad wanted me to have a very good mark. But I don't think it will be good enough to continue another year! And Professor Lazy wouldn't help me!" she complained.

"Why don't you start by calling him professor Blazy?" Lily laughed.

"Because he's a lazy stupid git who hates me!" Burns replied. "Honestly, why can't we have a nice Potions master, cool and handsome?"

"Because then he wouldn't be a Potions master!" retorted Lily, who laughed again.

"Oh no, that's true," replied Burns. "I guess that would be a Quidditch player with a Golden Snitch in his hand! Oh, pleeeaaaase, James, could you kiss me, I'm dying of love for you!" Burns added quickly, laughed and ran fast.

"Kat!" Lily replied angrily. "I'll take care of you, if I catch you!" She ran after her.

Harry had to run, too. Soon, the girls went to the water's edge, where Lily caught Kat. They almost fell, Lily tickling Kat who laughed until she had tears in her eyes.

"Stop it!" pleaded Kat.

"All right," said Lily.

Kat wiped her tears. "Why don't you tell James you fancy him?" she demanded. "You know he always tries to impress you!"

Harry listened intently. Did his mother really fancy his father? Sirius and Lupin had told him so, but he wasn't quite sure that was entirely true.

"I hate when he tries to impress me!" replied Lily, shocked. "I think that habit ridiculous!"

"Maybe you find it ridiculous," retorted Kat, "but you should admit you still fancy him. And you should admit that if he acts like that when he sees you, that's because he also fancies you!"

"I don't fancy James Potter, and James Potter doesn't fancy me!" responded Lily.

"I saw the way you looked at him," replied Kat. "Come on, admit it! Tell me what you feel for him! You know I won't tell anyone!"

"Not even Remus?" asked Lily.

Harry frowned. Remus? Why would Burns reveal something to Remus Lupin? Was she friends with him? Or else? Harry felt confused.

"Not even Remus," Kat responded firmly. "I promise I won't tell anyone. We can make a magical pact, if you want! We did it once, remember?"

"There's no need to," replied Lily. "I believe you, Kat."

"So?" Kat asked, with an expecting stare.

Harry also stared at his young mother. His heart pounded. What was she about to say?

"You're right," Lily confessed. "I have a... a tiny, little crush on James Potter."

Harry had stopped breathing. He sighed. That was good news, she didn't hate him.

"A tiny, little crush?" Kat repeated. She looked really unconvinced.

"Ok, maybe it's just a little more than a little crush... It's a... an average crush."

Harry felt better and better.

"An average crush?" Kat continued with a laugh. "That's not what I saw! I saw a very, big crush, from the both of you!"

"All right, all right," Lily replied finally. "I feel... what you said for James."

Harry grinned. So Sirius and Lupin were right. He felt very happy.

"Well," said Burns, "this confession is worthy of a biscuit!"

She pulled a box full of biscuits out of her bag.

"Did you make them?" asked Lily. She looked suspicious.

"Of course I didn't!" Kat exclaimed. "Cooky made them!"

Harry didn't understand anything. Was Burns American? Cookie? A cookie made biscuits? That was strange. Harry was reminded of the first time he had met Wood. Cookie was probably the name of someone.

Lily took one of the biscuits and ate it.

"You definitely didn't make these!" She laughed.

Harry heard a few voices behind him. Several girls called and joined Lily and Kat. After a few minutes, they took out their textbooks and studied for their Transfiguration exams.

Harry waited. He saw that James, Sirius, Lupin, and Peter had arrived and sat under the tree, like in Snape's memory. Harry guessed that the future Potions master was settled on the grass not far away, absorbed in his OWL paper. Harry watched the boys again and saw a change in Sirius' attitude. He had seen Snape. Sirius and James stood up. They were going to attack Snape. A few seconds later, Snape was disarmed and hexed.

Harry saw the scene from the point of view of the girls, so he couldn't hear the conversation as well as he could the first time.

"Lily," said Burns, looking up, "they're doing it again! Please, do something! You're a Prefect! You know it's not good for relations between the Gryffindors and the Slytherins!"

"All right, all right," said Lily. "But if he calls me Mudblood again, you'll do it by yourself!" They both stood up.

Harry couldn't believe his eyes. Burns had asked his mother to help Snape? Burns? The same Burns who humiliated Snape in front of his students? It was unbelievable.

Harry followed them.

"Why do they always attack him?" Kat asked.

"Because they hate him," Lily replied. "That's all."

"Even if they do, they don't have the right to be that mean," Kat retorted.

Harry was dumbfounded. Who was the girl with his mother? Was it really his future Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher?

They finally reached the place where the boys were. Many students had gathered there. Most of them laughed.

Snape struggled, helpless, unable to get up. Sirius had used the Impediment Jinx on him, and he lay panting on the ground. Snape swore and tried to defend himself with spells, but since his wand was a few feet away, the hexes he uttered were ineffective. James and Sirius had fun. Harry's father hexed Snape. He choked with the pink soap bubbles caused by the Scouring Charm.

"Leave him ALONE!" shouted Lily.

"All right, Evans?" said James. His voice had suddenly changed. He looked as if he would have liked to impress her. He wore a self-confident smile on his face and unconsciously stood more upright.

"Leave him alone," Lily repeated, disdainfully. "What's he done to you?"

"Well," replied James, "it's more the fact that he exists, if you know what I mean..."

Many of the surrounding students laughed.

"Always thinking you're funny," she said with a smirk. "But you're just an arrogant, bullying toerag, Potter. Leave him alone."

"I'd consider it if you go out with me," James replied. "Maybe I'd never lay a wand on old Snivelly again."

"That's blackmail!" exclaimed Lily.

"I thought you'd like that," replied James. "I know it's your dream to go out with me!"

Ouch! Harry understood why his mother had refused the invitation. James wasn't very subtle. Lily grimaced.

"I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid!" she retorted.

"Bad luck, Prongs," said Sirius. He turned back to Snape. "OI!"

He didn't have time to react. Snape had retrieved his wand and injured James. But James uttered a spell quickly, and Snape immediately flew in the air, upside-down. His robes fell over his head to reveal skinny, pallid legs and a pair of greying underpants.

Most of people watching enjoyed the spectacle. James and Sirius burst into laughter. Pettigrew stayed away, but he watched the scene hungrily. In contrast, Lupin didn't raise his eyes from his book. Harry saw that Lily repressed a smile.

"Let him down!" she ordered.

"Certainly," said James. He jerked his wand upwards.

Snape fell on the ground. He stood up awkwardly and raised his wand. But he was not quick enough.

"Petrificus Totalus!" exclaimed Sirius.

Snape's arms snapped to his sides. His legs sprang together. His body became as rigid as a board.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Lily shouted. She took her wand out of her robes.

James and Sirius laughed.

"Ah, Evans, don't make me hex you," said James.

"Take the curse off him, then!" Lily replied, with a pleading voice.

"All right," James said finally. He sighed and freed Snape from the curse. "There you go," he said to Snape, as he struggled to his feet. "You're lucky Evans was here, Snivellus!"

"I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!" Snape exclaimed.

Lily blinked. She looked shocked.

"Fine," she replied. "Sort it out by yourself, Snivellus. And I'd wash your pants if I were you."

"Apologise to Evans, greasy git!" James roared at Snape, his wand pointed threateningly at his chest.

"I don't need you to make him apologise," Lily shouted, disdainfully. "You're just like him! As bad as he is!"

"What?" yelped James. "I'd never call you a... a... you-know-what!"

"James Potter," Lily replied, a smirk on her face, "the guy who thinks he's the coolest guy in the school; who messes his hair all the time to pretend he just got off his broomstick; who always plays with that stupid Snitch; who walks down corridors and hexes whoever he wants just because he wants to; I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with that fat head on it. You make me SICK!"

She turned on her heel and hurried away.

"Evans!" James shouted after her. "Hey, EVANS! Hey! What about going out with me?"

Lily didn't reply. Harry followed her.

"I'm sorry, Kat," she told her friend in an angry manner when she rejoined her, "You've seen for yourself! I can't do anything for this stupid git! Now, it's your turn, if you want to go!"

Harry watched his mother leaving with regret. It was Burns' memory. He couldn't follow Lily. Moreover, he wanted to know what would happen next. He looked at Burns. Would she help Snape? Since this memory had started, Harry didn't know what to think of Burns anymore.

Burns took a big breath. Then she stepped forward, a resolute expression on her face. Harry followed her. What would happen?

Meanwhile, James had hexed Snape again. He was hanging upside-down in the air for the second time.

"Who wants to see me take off Snivelly's pants?" James sadistically demanded.

"Expelliarmus!" Burns shouted, her wand raised. She had come from behind, so James and Sirius hadn't seen her coming.

James' wand flew in the air and fell away from him.

"Accio wand!" she continued.

"Oh, now it's Burns!" Sirius laughed. "It's Christmas Day for you, Snivelly!"

"Now, Burns, could you give me my wand back?" added James. He looked annoyed by this little interruption. "I'd like to end what I've started!"

"You wish," replied Burns.

"So I think I'll have to hex you a little," said Sirius. "You don't mind, Sweetheart?"

"You wish... Sweetheart," Burns repeated ironically.

"You know you won't win, Honey?" Sirius said again.

"A little duel to prove you're wrong, donkey?" Burns retorted.

"What do you prefer?" Sirius replied. "A fight or a kissing contest?" He looked at her languorously.

"What about a vomit contest? Now that I see you, I'm suddenly very inspired!" she replied.

"Stupefy!" Sirius shouted.

"Protego!" she yelled.

The jet of red light coming from Sirius' wand bounced back at him. It knocked into him and projected him a few feet away.

"I said he wished..." Burns simply added with an ironic smile.

"I won't let you..." James started to say, but Burns still had his wand and he couldn't do much to stop her.

"Petrificus Totalus!" she shouted.

James' body went completely rigid and fell on the floor.

"You are so impressive, guys!" she sighed and turned to Snape, who was struggling again.

"Finite Incantatem!" she said. Snape fell on the ground and tried immediately to get his wand back. "Accio wands!" Burns shouted before he could lay hold of it. "Sorry, Severus," she explained, "but I can't give your wand back until this conflict is over. You'll try to hex James, James will try to hex you, Sirius will reply and everything will start again... And... Oh, God, you're bleeding!" she said, alarmed. There was a small, deep gash on his right temple and blood was flowing on his face. Burns took a handkerchief out of her robes and tried to put it on his wound, but he pushed her hand back violently.

"Don't touch me!" he yelled. "I don't need help from you or your Mudblood friend!"

"Don't force me to hex you!" she replied. "With your agreement or not, I'll take care of this injury..." she said with a determined look.

Snape grimaced, but he didn't do anything when she carefully tried to sponge up the blood.

Harry felt shocked. Burns trying to heal Snape? Burns worried about him? About Snape???

"What?" said Sirius, who had woken up after having lost consciousness, "You take care of him, although I'm seriously injured?"

"You're not seriously injured," Burns replied without turning back. "It's just your damn ego I hit!"

"You didn't hit my ego!" Sirius retorted.

"I told you to leave him alone," she replied indifferently. "You didn't follow my advice..."

"You heard what he told Evans!" exclaimed Sirius, angry. "What he told you! He deserved what happened to him!"

"You didn't attack him because of what he said," retorted Burns. "You did it gratuitously!" She turned back to Snape. "That's a deep wound you have." She looked him straight in the eye while she spoke to him, as if she really felt concerned by what had happened to him. "You'd better go and see Madam Pomfrey, Severus. It could get infected..."

Harry couldn't believe his eyes. Burns had touched Snape's face when she had sponged his blood. The new Burns wouldn't have been so tender. And she wouldn't have touched Snape's face.

Snape, himself, looked surprised and even... moved. But Harry saw that he quickly managed to hide it behind indifference and disdain. Maybe that was because Burns was staring at him. But when Sirius crossed Snape's stare, the future Potions master's upper lip curled and he looked at Sirius mockingly.

"Ok, we did it gratuitously..." Sirius replied angrily. "But he deserved it all the same! His simple existence is a mistake!"

At these words, Burns turned back to face him. She looked angrier than Sirius.

"You know what, Black?" she shouted. "I guess it's your own existence which is a mistake!"

"Look at him!" yelled Sirius. "He provokes me! Hey, are you having fun, Snivelly? I promise you won't enjoy the situation in a few minutes!"

Sirius' furious expression was clear enough to prove that he felt something for Burns. And knowing Sirius, he had felt jealous of Snape when Burns had taken care of him.

"Sirius Black!" shouted Burns. "ENOUGH! Do you really want me to give you a little lesson?" She held her wand and pointed it in Black's direction. "Would you like me to erase your robes, just for fun?"

"For fun, eh?" Sirius replied. "I knew your dream was to see me in pants!"

The few people who were watching the scene started to laugh.

"Maybe you would laugh less, if I turned your pants pink!" Burns exclaimed. "You know I can do it! I could try something shiny with lace and a cute bow strategically placed in front?"

Everyone burst into laughter. Even Snape smiled slightly. Harry wondered if Burns would really hex Sirius.

"That would be very masculine, I guess," Burns continued. "Wouldn't it be, Sirius Pink?"

Sirius grimaced.

"What?" asked Burns. "Don't you like nicknames? I thought you enjoyed giving some to people?"

"That's not the same," Sirius replied.

"Why?" retorted Burns. "Because it's you? Now, it's not funny anymore, eh?" She lowered her wand and sighed. "I'm tired, Sirius," she said softly. "Tired of seeing you and James mocking Severus, tired of seeing you both hexing whoever you want. Don't you know this is war? There's no time for such childishness!"

Sirius didn't reply. He looked deep in thought.

"Now," Burns continued, "the conflict is over. Just go away, you and James. Finite Incantatem!" she said, pointing her wand to James.

"What...?" asked James, when he was freed from the spell.

"Come, mate," said Sirius. "I'll tell you later." He turned to Burns. "Our wands, please!" he said sharply.

"Fine," Burns replied. "Remus!" she called.

Lupin raised his eyes from his book. Then, he stood and rejoined the group of people.

"Yes, Kat?" he asked.

"Could you please take James and Sirius' wands? Since you are a Prefect, could you keep them, until you are far away from here?" she pleaded.

"All right," Lupin responded, sighing.

"Thanks," she replied. She gave Lupin the wands. "Just in case," she added, speaking to James and Sirius.

Harry saw that the boys grimaced. They obviously didn't want the conflict to be over now.

"I'll give you your wand back when they leave," she said to Snape, who stood up.

Then she looked at Sirius, James, and Snape. "The summer holidays will be here soon," she warned. "During the following weeks, if I hear that you tried to hex each other, I'll go directly to the Headmaster. Is that clear?"

Sirius stared at Burns with a soft, amused smile. Then he glanced at Snape. The Slytherin boy looked at him mockingly. A mean expression passed though Sirius' eyes. Revenge! However, Sirius smiled... sadistically.

Harry frowned. What would his godfather do? He didn't like Sirius' dangerous stare. If Harry had been Snape, he would have been scared.

"Snivellus," said Sirius, disdainfully. Then he made as if to leave. However, he suddenly turned back and hit Snape's face with his right fist. Snape fell backwards, his lip bleeding.

"Sirius!" Burns screamed.

"I warn you, Snivellus!" Sirius threatened. "Next time, you'll pay for that! I don't need a wand to correct you!"

The memory changed suddenly. Harry found himself in a room at night. He didn't know where the place was. The room was almost plunged into darkness; it was only lit by a few candles. Burns was older now, maybe twenty or twenty-one. She was bent over her desk, writing a letter. Harry approached to read over her shoulder.

"My Dear Love,

I hope that you are doing well, and that you recovered from that bad flu. I would have liked to be at your side and take care of you, instead of being locked up here. I miss you so much! I am working hard to get my Auror Diploma. This is really difficult, but I think it will be all right. I find strength when I think of you. I wish you were here to assist me. I don't know what I miss the most. Maybe your voice. I have always loved your voice, Honey, it comforts me.

I can hardly wait for the next holidays. I need to see you.

I will send you a longer letter next time. Tomorrow, I have a very difficult Potions exam and I can't fail it. I have to study, but I wanted to write to you first.

With all my love,

Your Kat."

A love letter? Burns writing a love letter? Didn't she say in class that love was an illusion? Harry was convinced she wrote it to Sirius. After all, Sirius had a comforting voice. Anyway, Harry would know soon. Burns would say the address out loud to Owl the letter.

Professor Burns squeezed the letter to her heart, her eyes shut. Then, she gave it to her owl.

"You know who it is for," she said, with a smile.

Harry swore. He tried to read the address or the person it was sent to, but he didn't succeed.

"I wish I were you," Burns said to her owl. "I have to stay here, although I would have so much liked to be with him." She sighed.

The memory ended. Harry found himself in Professor Burns' empty office. For once, he had been lucky, she hadn't come back yet. Harry's thoughts were upside-down. The person he had seen in the Pensieve was different from the one who taught Defence Against the Dark Arts. The most shocking thing was the way she acted with Snape. She had helped him, although he insulted her. And she had called him Severus. Professor Burns would have never used such a term to refer him. Snivellus was the name she had used for him, when she had been injured by the Chinese dragon. What had happened to her?

Anyway, Harry had learned two important things: Burns knew his parents and Sirius. According to the clues he had, she even dated him and was very in love with him. Now that he had seen them together in the Pensieve, he had even more questions than before. Why had Sirius never talked to Harry about her? And if Burns had been Lily's best friend, why had she never talked to Harry about his mother? Why wasn't Burns in his photo album? Suddenly, something hit Harry. What if that was Burns who had sent him the photo album for his birthday?

***

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