Swept From the Past

Chapter 12: Sleeping Beauty, The Quibbler, and the Snake

Severus Snape knocked on Professor Burns' door. She hadn't come to the Hallowe'en Feast. Severus had informed Dumbledore of what happened in the Defence Against the Dark Arts class. The Potions master felt an awful feeling of guilt. He blamed himself for the damage, since he was the Head of Slytherin. This time, he had no idea what Malfoy had planned. The first time, he knew the risks, although he had ignored them. But now... if he had known what Malfoy had planned, he would have stopped him. If... what a strange, terrible word.

He was sure Draco Malfoy had planned the 'trick.' However, he had no proof of the boy's guilt. But how to tell Professor Burns that he was sorry for that... and for everything?

What the hell was Burns doing? Severus knocked several times, but no one replied. Wasn't she there, or did she choose to not open the door? He wanted to apologise, and she didn't want to let him enter? Fine. He would take Floo Powder, like the previous time!

Severus returned to the dungeons, determined to see Professor Burns and have a discussion with her. When he came in his apartments, he went straight to the fireplace. He took a handful of Floo Powder and threw it into the fire. Then he stepped into the green flames, yelled "Professor Burns' apartments!" and vanished.

He entered Professor Burns' quarters. The room was shrouded in darkness. Since Burns hadn't closed the curtains, a feeble ray of light from the crescent moon came from the window. Severus took several seconds to get used to the darkness. Burns didn't seem to be there.

The Potions master knew he didn't have the right to be in her apartments. He should leave. However, he stood in the middle of the room, unable to leave. The temptation was too great. The first time, he hadn't dared enter her bedroom. He had been too furious to risk being caught by her. But now... he was more than curious. He wanted to see what it looked like. He took a few silent steps and opened the door. He entered.

Severus cast a quick glance around. Burns hadn't closed the curtains in her bedroom either. A few weapons hung on the walls: all sorts of swords, axes, and daggers, all that was sharp and pointed. Several stakes lay on her desk. Severus realised how deeply she had changed. Burns owned so many dangerous objects that brought death. She was not the sweet Katarina he knew anymore. All because of him.

Then the Potions master realised that his first impression had been wrong. Her clothes, her green cloak and her leather gloves lay on a chair, at the right of her canopy bed. Burns was there, lying on her bed.

Severus moved closer, unable to detach his eyes from her.

Burns appeared to be sound asleep. She wore a long, low-cut, satin, black night-dress, which revealed her bare neck and her shoulders. She was motionless and held a thick pillow in her arms, as if she embraced a lover.

The Potions master gulped.

"What a lucky pillow," he thought with bitterness.

He would have willingly exchanged his place with the pillow at that very moment. But she surely wouldn't have appreciated the exchange. God! She looked so peaceful now! He didn't have the nerve to wake her up. She would only yell at him and curse him. Maybe she would even kill him for that. Severus' heart tightened. He sighed and closed his eyes from the pain.

She moved her head and moaned in her sleep.

"No, don't wake up, Sleeping Beauty!" Severus thought. "Don't wake up, Kat," he repeated silently. "I want to fix this image of you in my memory; you, sleeping in that lovely night-dress, forever."

He sat on a chair and observed her sleeping, fascinated.

***

The following day, Hermione spent a few hours searching for information on Professor Burns in the Hogwarts archives. She discovered a few little things. Katarina Burns' parents had studied at Hogwarts. Charles Burns had been sorted into Ravenclaw. Joyce Williams in Hufflepuff. That was it.

Hermione decided to start with the information she had, and pieced the facts together. First, Burns' strange symptoms were probably linked to the shock she had, just like Grindelwald's. Second, all these clues about Sirius: the message written to Harry's mother, the Spring Ball, the love letter, and finally the dance. Not to mention the explanations Professor Burns had given about love. Hermione was sure they were in love with each other, but it didn't end well. Thirdly, the Boggart. The scariest thing for Burns was to see herself younger, in a bridal gown, her wrists bleeding... that was probably why she always wore gloves. The Boggart took the appearance she once had. An awful memory, Hermione was sure.

Burns hated Snape. He, however, had a strange attitude. Maybe they used to be friends? Maybe he did something to Sirius? But why did Snape tell Harry that Sirius had spoiled his whole life? Suddenly, Hermione thought of something. What if Snape was in love with Burns? What if she had preferred Sirius? What if they were about to get married? And what if... Sirius had been taken to Azkaban just before the wedding?

Hermione didn't understand one thing. Why did Burns seem to hate Snape so much? And, after all the mean things she had told him, why did he seem to love her so much?

And the most important thing of all, how on earth could she Disapparate within Hogwarts?!

Hermione was deep in thought, when someone tapped her shoulder gently. Hermione jumped and raised her head. Luna Lovegood stood behind her.

"Hi, Hermione," she said.

"Oh, hi, Luna," Hermione replied.

"Still working?" Luna asked. "Even on Saturday? Each time I come to the library, I see you. Do you live here?" she demanded. Her pale eyebrows arched questioningly, and her protuberant eyes opened wider than usual.

"I wish I could," Hermione responded.

"What about the DA lessons?" Luna demanded. She changed the subject of discussion as suddenly as she started it. But that was Luna Lovegood. She was just strange.

"Well," Hermione responded, "We talked a little about it with Harry, and we don't know if we'll continue the lessons this year. Since Umbridge left Hogwarts... You know, last year, we didn't have any real Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons. But now we have a... a good teacher," Hermione admitted reluctantly, "I think we have enough work to do."

"I thought you disliked Professor Burns?" Luna said.

"No, I... it's complicated," Hermione said. "Er... who told you that?"

"Ginny," Luna replied. "And I heard that something strange happened to Burns yesterday. Is it true?"

"Yes," Hermione responded. "She--"

"Ginny told me you inquired about Burns," Luna interrupted. She acted as if the anecdote about Burns didn't interest her. "I asked Dad, but he didn't remember her very well. He said that she was two years behind him. Dad was only interested in Quidditch. He was the Captain of the Hufflepuff Team! He told me that he had always been impressed by Harry's father. One day, James Potter caught the Snitch just in front of his nose! Dad always said that was hilarious!" Luna burst into laughter, as if she was seeing the scene in front of her eyes. "Anyway," she continued. "Dad sent me an old edition of The Quibbler."

"An old edition of The Quibbler?" Hermione repeated. Why was Luna talking about that?

"Yes," Luna responded. "Grandpa founded the journal. When he died many years ago, Dad abandoned The Quibbler, since he was too young and wanted to travel all around the world. But after a few years, he decided to take it over. Anyway, there's something written in it about Burns. But that's rather sad."

Luna took an old, yellowish paper, which smelled of dust, out of her bag.

"Here," she said, designating an article on one of the pages. Hermione read.

"THE BURNS CASE,

The truth about their murder

This past June, Charles and Joyce Burns were murdered in their mansion in Wiltshire. Their house-elf, Cooky, discovered the bodies. "Master Burns and Mistress Burns was good masters," the house-elf declared. "It is a tragedy."

Charles Burns was an influential man within the Ministry of Magic, and some people say that he had a few enemies. He had recently accused a colleague of being one of the partisans of You-Know-Who. However, Mr. Burns was unable to produce sufficient evidence to gain conviction. The identity of the accused remains confidential, pending further investigation. The Ministry of Magic is on the case. The whole Wizarding Community hopes that the truth will come out.

According to our information, the Burns' murder could be linked to their daughter, Katarina. Some sources have suggested that Katarina Burns could be the illegitimate child of Minister Kromp and the famous singer Rosanna Munchi. Those same sources allege that the Burnses, who were close to Minister Kromp, adopted his daughter. His political career would not have survived such a scandal.."

"Her parents have been murdered?" Hermione asked, shocked. "When?"

Luna turned the pages to show Hermione the front page, where the date was written.

"But," Hermione exclaimed, "she was almost sixteen!" Hermione felt terribly sad for Burns. She was around her age when she had lost her parents. That was creepy!

"Grandpa thought she was Minister Kromp's daughter," Luna said. "At that time, the Minister had a love-affair with Rosanna Munchi."

"That's interesting," Hermione replied politely. However, she didn't believe a word of it. After all, The Quibbler had reported that Sirius was a popular singer called Stubby Boardman! The adoption comment could be true, but Hermione knew that was just supposition. The only real evidence she had was the Burns' murder.

***

The following Monday, Professor Burns entered the Defence Against the Dark Arts class. No student had seen her since the Hallowe'en joke. She sat on her chair without a word. She stared at the class silently, especially at the Slytherins.

"So class," she said finally. "I guess that several people here like to make jokes."

Burns took her dagger out of her robes and started to play with the blade. She continued speaking without raising her eyes from the dagger.

Hermione felt ill at ease. She knew Professor Burns was the kind of person who would want revenge. But the fact was that the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor probably didn't have any kind of evidence.

"I must confess that I was rather amused by your joke last week," continued Burns, detached. "Very amusing! I really want to thank you. I haven't laughed that much in a long time!" Professor Burns stared back at the class. "So I suppose I should be grateful to those who were so funny!" She laughed. "But we are also reasonable people," she continued, "so I expect that the students responsible for that will confess."

No one spoke. All the students looked at each other. The innocent students had incredulous looks on their faces, although they seemed scared. The guilty ones cast quick, non-confident glances at each other. Burns' tone and attitude were too much cool. She must have been preparing something. Hermione saw that Draco Malfoy's gang didn't look as amused as they had been in the library.

"No volunteer?" Burns asked quietly. "Oh, I'm disappointed." She pouted. "That makes me sad. That forces me to... search for it myself..."

Now, every student looked terrified. Snape raised an eyebrow. Hermione felt bad, because she had heard what Malfoy's gang had planned. Of course, she didn't know it concerned Professor Burns. But what would Burns do to Hermione, if she discovered the girl knew?

Burns took her wand and turned to her right. Then she raised it. "Serpensortia!" she uttered. A long black snake shot out of the end of her wand.

A few students screamed and stood up on their chairs.

"Professor Burns," Snape exclaimed, "what the hell are you d--?"

"Shhh... Keep silent, class," Professor Burns whispered. She ignored Snape. "And don't move! That will irritate the serpent." She laid her wand on her desk. "Don't worry, he won't attack you. Accio Serpentem!" she continued. She extended her right arm and made a strange gesture with her hand. She turned her wrist in imitation of the serpent's motion. The snake moved lazily on the floor to Professor Burns.

A few students gasped. Hermione saw that Snape's eyes were wide opened. Hermione was confused. She was scared and wanted to stop watching, but she was also captivated by the scene.

The snake winded round Burns' left leg, and rose up slowly along and around her body. He rolled up around her neck and continued to her right hand. Professor Burns gripped his head.

Hermione didn't believe it. "Are you a Parselmouth?" she asked involuntarily, in a whisper of fear mixed with admiration.

"No," Burns replied coolly. "I have to warn you," she continued quietly, "never call serpents like I've done. That could be very dangerous."

She brought the serpent's head close to her face and stared at his eyes, as if fascinated. "Shhh," she hissed, "hello, my baby..."

Snape's mouth was agape.

"Is that... Dark Magic?" Ron asked slowly. He looked really impressed.

"No," Burns retorted with a smile. She took the serpent's head away from her face and turned back to the students. "That's not a question of Dark Magic; that's just a question of heat. And a question of fear. When I was young, I used to be afraid of snakes. I am not scared anymore."

A question of heat? What was Burns talking about? Hermione knew that a few serpents were sensitive to heat, but... How was it linked to Burns? Then the response hit Hermione. She remembered when Burns' tear had turned into ice. Of course! Maybe Burns' body temperature was colder than most people's! But the real question was why?

"Getting back to our main subject," Burns said. "Before the end of this hour, I will know who was responsible for that joke."

"If I might, Professor Burns," Snape said. "How can you be sure that they are in this class?" He looked ill at ease.

"Feminine intuition," Burns retorted. "And naturally, I will start with the Slytherins," she said the word 'Slytherins' very slowly and ended it in a hiss. "In fact, I will only interrogate the Slytherins. There's no need to bother the Hufflepuffs, the Ravenclaws, and the Gryffindors with that."

Hermione watched the Slytherins. They all looked ill. The students from the other Houses looked suddenly better.

"Isn't the Slytherin House the most prestigious of Hogwarts?" Burns continued mockingly. "After all, the Slytherins are always very motivated in my class! So many questions, so many good remarks, and excellent participation! Really impressive! Professor Snape, I congratulate you! Being the Head of such a fantastic House! The honour must come back to it, really!"

Hermione stared at Snape. He looked agitated; scared, worried, and furious at the same time, as if he didn't know how to react. Hermione was sure he knew the Slytherins had made the joke, and he had looked shocked himself. He didn't say anything.

"Master Malfoy," Burns said, "since you come from an amazing Pureblood line, I think you should be the first. "

Draco jumped in his seat and turned white.

"Professor Burns," said Snape, a serious expression on his face. He stood up. "I will personally inquire about the Hallowe'en events! Be sure that if Malfoy or any other Slytherin is at fault, they will be severely punished!"

Burns laughed. "If," she said. "How clever! And what if you found something? What will they have, Professor Snape?" Professor Burns asked quietly. "A few lines to write? Or maybe several points taken from their House? That's so cute!" She pouted.

"I know how to make them confess!" Snape exclaimed. "Then I will let Mr. Filch decide the punishment!"

"Veritaserum maybe?" Burns asked. "Too easy. One drink and the truth is revealed. Not very funny. Don't you think so, Master Malfoy?"

"B... but... Professor," Malfoy stuttered. Now, he had turned green.

Hermione was anxious. What would happen to him?

"I hope he's going to throw up," Ron commented to Harry.

"Oh, no, Master Malfoy," Burns replied ironically. "I am not your teacher anymore. I am just someone who likes jokes. In fact, we are all funny people here." She laughed. "Except the snake, of course, which is just... well, a snake." Burns looked really amused. "By the way... do the snakes have a kind of humour? I just wonder." She turned back to the snake and put his head close to her ear, as if he was telling her a secret.

"Yes, my baby? Hmmm? Hmmm? Indeed!" She smiled and put the head of the serpent away. "Master Malfoy," she continued, "do you know what cutie Captain Hook just told me? That he would like to have fun with a blond ferret for a whole afternoon!"

"Professor Burns--" said Snape. But he stopped immediately, when he saw the cold look she threw him.

Malfoy looked really terrified now. He was about to cry.

"But maybe Captain Hook would like some more company?" Burns added. "I don't know... maybe... two fat bulldogs," she said while looking to Crabbe and Goyle.

Hermione jumped. Bulldogs? She met Harry's stare. Was it Burns that had changed Harry's Aunt Marge into a bulldog last summer?

"A rat," Burns continued," staring at Zabini, "a sow and a polecat," she added, watching Bulstrode and Parkinson. "And maybe a few other animals," she said, looking at the other Slytherins. She turned back to Malfoy. "So Master Malfoy, I give you a chance. Either you confess everything, your role in that trick, your 'partners,' and I let Professor Snape choose your punishment, or..." She paused a second. "Or I use Occlumency on you and I see the truth by myself," she hissed. "And, believe me, you'd do well to be innocent. Because old Captain Hook feels really lonely these days. So what do you choose?" She grinned.

"It was me, Crabbe, Goyle, Zabini, Bulstrode and Parkinson," Malfoy said in one breath.

"They are yours, Professor Snape," Burns said, smiling.

Hermione saw that Snape looked relieved. So were the other Slytherins, except Malfoy's accomplices. As for Malfoy, he almost fainted. She felt pity for him, but she also remembered the scary appearance the Boggart took, and the shock Burns had when she saw the creature. That had probably been awful for her. Worse than Malfoy felt since the beginning of the class. Malfoy was stupid. Did he really think Burns wouldn't have taken revenge? Anyway, Hermione was sure he would never try this again.

"Oh, by the way, Master Malfoy," Burns added. "If something like that happens again, I will introduce you to Mrs. Aragog. That's a giant spider, which lives in the Forbidden Forest. Or is it a Mr. Aragog?" She looked deep in thought. "Anyway, don't make me... ask you to check..."

***

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