Swept From the Past

Chapter 16: Lupin's spell - part one

The following day, Severus, the Headmaster, and Professor McGonagall were in Dumbledore's office. A meeting of the Order had been held on the previous night. Contrary to most of the people who came, Severus didn't worry for Lupin. He found it difficult to care about the werewolf who almost killed him when he was sixteen. But he knew the sooner Lupin would be safe, the sooner Burns would be safe. Safe... not really, but at least, she would stop searching for the werewolf.

"I feel helpless," Professor McGonagall said. She sighed. "We have so little information about what happened to Lupin."

"Don't worry Minerva," the Headmaster replied. "I am sure we will learn more soon."

"But," McGonagall retorted, "Alastor said they found traces of blood in front of the door to Lupin's flat. What if he is badly wounded? We must do something."

"As you said," Dumbledore responded, "we have so little information. No one knows where he was taken. For the moment, we can't do anything more than wait."

"I don't understand Professor Burns' attitude, Headmaster," Severus said. "When she saw Lupin in Grimmauld Place, she ignored him. She said she didn't know Lupin, that she would kill him if he insisted. And yet, she was shocked when she learnt about his kidnapping. And now, she's doing her best to save him. Why does she have such a contradictory attitude? I know she remembered Lupin when she saw him a month earlier." Why did Burns push Lupin away? Maybe because he reminded her of her past?

"Indeed Severus," Dumbledore replied, "Professor Burns remembered Remus. But I suppose keeping him at a distance is an attempt to protect herself."

"But," Severus continued, "Burns seems to have memory troubles. She said in class she couldn't brew the simplest potion. Of course, she's not the most brilliant Potions maker of the century, but I know her abilities. And she managed to get her Auror diploma. Because of her preparation, she must know more about Potions than most of people. Then why did she forget?"

Severus didn't know what to think. There was no one more complicated than Burns. What an irritating woman!

Dumbledore sighed. "I can't tell you, Severus."

"Headmaster," Severus said with irritation, "I want to know w--"

Someone knocked at the door. Severus didn't finish his sentence. He glared.

"Come in," the Headmaster said.

Professor Burns entered and went directly to Dumbledore.

"Do you have any new information about Lupin?" she asked the Headmaster.

"Nothing conclusive, I fear," Dumbledore replied. "What about you?"

"See," Burns replied angrily. She took a few sheets from the pile she held in her hand. "Lupin was seen in the Alps yesterday at a quarter past twelve; in Germany at half past twelve; and in Ireland at a quarter to one. There are piles of information like that. Sometimes, Lupin was seen in several places at the same time"

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Professor McGonagall. "Your sources can't be reliable!"

"No," Burns replied, "they are. I think it's a trick. An Illusion Spell. The Death Eaters want us to lose our bearings. Meanwhile, we lose time. We don't check where we should check."

"Do you think... he's still alive?" Professor McGonagall asked. She whitened.

"Yes," Burns replied. "If he was dead, I would know it. Like I knew for Sirius."

Black! Severus' eyes flashed.

"Those Illusion Spells..." Burns said, "A clever diversion. They want us to search for him, but not at the right place. The perfect bait."

"I don't understand," Severus said. "You need a special licence to produce an Illusion Spell. And even if you have one, you can't do it more than ten times. Not to mention the time limit."

"According to our dear Winfred Pamblery, honorary member of the Ministry, and occasionally patron of all sorts of brothels," Burns said ironically, "a lot of special licences have been issued these last months. I've a list. By an extraordinary coincidence, the names of several suspected and released Death Eaters appear on the list. I think there are enough licences for them to keep the illusion going for two miserable weeks, Professor Snape." She pouted.

Severus didn't like the way she was making fun of him again. But he preferred to ignore her attack.

"I suppose that Lupin's kidnapping has something to do with Potter?" he hissed. "The Dark Lord probably expects the boy to search for him. May I suggest we keep an eye on him? Just in case?" He didn't want Burns to reproach him, if something happened to Potter.

"Do you think Potter knows about Lupin?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"Well..." the Headmaster said, "we can expect anything from him."

"Master Potter surely knows," Burns replied quietly. "The Potter's genes."

Severus raised an eyebrow. For once, he concurred with Burns' assessment. Potter was the portrait of his father. An insufferable boy, who kept searching for trouble.

"He'll surely try something to help Lupin," Burns said. "Professor Dumbledore, maybe you should have a little chat with him. That wouldn't be great for my reputation if Potter was killed under my guard. Imagine the headlines in the papers: 'The second defeat of the Emerald Star: Today, the Boy who lived was killed, although he was protected by Captain Burns.'"

What was she playing at? As if she cared more for her reputation than for Potter. Did she really think she would deceive them with her argument? And what about this Emerald Star? Severus felt irritate. "What is that Emerald Star you keep talking about?" he hissed.

Burns took an object from her robes and held it out to him. It looked like a telescope.

"What is it?" Severus asked. He was suspicious.

Burns rolled her eyes. "That's a detector of cretins," she said. Severus' jaws clenched. "What do you think it is, Professor Snape?" Burns asked. "That's a telescope. A magical telescope. You want to know what the Emerald Star is? Look through the window with that, and you'll see it."

Severus took the telescope and went to the window. He put the instrument to his eye and gasped. A gigantic flagship floated in the air above Hogwarts. From where he was, Severus could only see its hull and a part of its sails. A big, black flag with skull and crossbones flew on the top of the mast.

"That's a--?" Severus asked.

"Yes, that's a ship," Burns replied. "My ship."

"Is it invisible?" Severus questioned.

"Obviously," Burns replied ironically. She took her telescope back. "But I can make it visible whenever I want. It obeys my wishes."

So that was what she inherited from Grindelwald? Severus understood better what Dumbledore had said.

"I thought the Emerald Star had sunk!" McGonagall exclaimed.

"Well, technically, it did," Burns replied. "It waited very quietly for me in the depths of the oceans. My 'grandfather' arranged for the Emerald Star to stay intact after his death." She paused. "He should have called it The Emerald Malediction. That's what our power is."

"It's not a malediction, Professor Burns," Dumbledore replied. "It was done for the good of Hogwarts."

"For the good of Hogwarts, maybe," Burns retorted. "Not for mine. My real mother was murdered because of it. My real father was killed because he was with her. As for me... there's no need to explain anything. You already all know the story, don't you?" she stared at Severus disdainfully.

His heart sank. He gulped. Yes, he knew.

***

Two days later, Harry went to the library to find Hermione. He came from Dumbledore's office.

"So?" Hermione asked.

"Dumbledore told me about Lupin," Harry responded. He felt relieved in a certain way, that Dumbledore told him the truth. But in another way, he felt irritated. Dumbledore hadn't made him come just to reveal what had happened. He had forbidden him from trying to save Lupin. It was not proof of trust. It was a warning.

"What did he say?" Hermione questioned.

"Nothing more than what we already knew," Harry replied. "Lupin's been captured, and I must not leave Hogwarts. If I have strange dreams, or if anything curious happens to me, I must inform Dumbledore immediately. He refused to tell me more about Lupin. He said I didn't have to worry about him. That everything would be all right."

"You look sceptical, Harry," Hermione said. "But Dumbledore knows what he has to do. I'm sure he'll find Professor Lupin."

"Things never turn good!" Harry exclaimed. "And I can't do anything for Lupin! My father would have never let his friend down! Sirius would have never--"

"Harry," Hermione interrupted. "We already talked about that. Sirius would have wanted you to obey Dumbledore. You're right. You can't do anything for Professor Lupin. You have to accept that. Don't forget Professor Burns wants to find Professor Lupin too."

Harry sighed. "I'm glad I'm not playing in the next Quidditch match," he said. "I wouldn't have been able to find the Golden Snitch. I'm too confused."

"With all these events, I had completely forgotten about the match!" Hermione replied. "When is it set?"

"Saturday," Harry replied. "Slytherin versus Hufflepuff."

Ron entered the library and sat at Harry's table. Hermione didn't say a word. She put her books in her bag. Then she stood up and left, a furious expression on her face. Ron stared at her, puzzled.

"What up with her?" Ron asked.

Harry wondered the same thing. Hermione's attitude was strange. Of course, she didn't appreciate Ron's last comment on the Kissing Lipstick, but Harry felt there was something else. But maybe that was just him. After all, Hermione was Hermione. And Ron could be irritating sometimes, especially when it was about Viktor Krum.

"I don't know," Harry replied. "But I think you crossed the line with your comments on Krum."

Ron snorted. "Do you mean Vicky?"

"Ron," Harry said, "the Triwizard Tournament finished a year and a half ago. You don't have any reason to dislike Krum."

Ron turned red and grumbled. Then he stood and left too.

Harry realised Ron was behaving as strangely as Hermione.

***

The following Saturday, the students gathered on the Quidditch Pitch stands. Severus went to the Slytherin section. He saw with stupefaction that Burns was seated there on the highest stands. She stared at the pitch, a murderous expression on her face. Severus went in front of her. He wanted her to notice his presence. He took the seat beside hers, at her right.

"So," he said ironically, "you have decided to join the Slytherin supporters, Professor Burns?"

"Been forced, is the most appropriate term, Professor Snape," Burns hissed. Her features were hard. "Professor Dumbledore said it would be more prudent if I sat in the Slytherin section." She snorted. "I don't know what you and the Headmaster are playing at, but I will not be manipulated!"

"I had nothing to do with that," Severus retorted. "Professor Dumbledore neglected to inform me that you would be here."

Burns didn't reply.

Madam Hooch stood in the middle of the pitch. The players of the two teams mounted their brooms. Madam Hooch whistled. The game started.

Severus didn't pay attention to the Quidditch game. He knew the Slytherin team would win anyway. The game was only interesting when it was against Gryffindor. Severus always hoped to see Potter falling from his broom. Irritating, famous Potter Junior. Exactly like his father, triumphant with his Golden Snitch in his hand. Pathetic Potter.

Now, all his thoughts were turned to Burns. For the last several days, she had looked angrier than usual. She had taught the rudiments of fencing to the sixth years. One of those ruffians from her pirate crew had assisted her. When they had given a real demonstration, she had disarmed him very quickly. There was a ferocity in her manner of fighting. Severus could feel her fury. He knew that was linked to Lupin's kidnapping. Burns hadn't found where he was yet. Her rage intensified each day.

Severus cast Burns a quick glance. She looked ill. She shook from head to foot. After twenty minutes, she took a little flask out of her cloak. Firewhisky again!

He disapproved of the alcohol abuse, but he had understood why Burns needed it. Dumbledore had said that 'the Flamma Dracontii had warmed her heart and had allowed her temperature to rise up a little.' The Firewhisky had the same effect, except it was not a dangerous poison. Since Burns didn't know how to make a potion anymore, the Firewhisky was probably the best remedy she had found. Severus didn't know why her skin was so frozen. But for several days, he had thought of something. He had a theory on what could help her. Something more effective than alcohol or poison. But how could he test his theory?

Burns was about to drink it, when the Slytherin team scored. The enthusiastic supporter sitting in the front of Burns made an awkward movement. He jostled her. Her little bottle dropped from her hands and fell to the ground. All its contents splattered. She gasped and looked alarmed. She doubled over and shut her eyes. She clenched her jaws, as if she suffered a lot. She breathed quicker. Her left hand clutched her breast in pain.

The Potions master watched at the Quidditch game and remained as impassive as he could. The Slytherin Beater hit the Bludger in the direction of the Hufflepuff's Seeker. The Seeker was knocked and fell from his broomstick. Every spectator stood, except Severus and Burns. A few whistles were heard all around the pitch. The Slytherins clapped.

Without turning to Burns, Severus seized her right arm firmly with his left hand. He felt her muscles contract, but she was too absorbed by her own pain to react. With his other hand, he slowly removed her black, leather glove. Then he gripped her cold, right hand in his left one. His fingers entwined with hers. Severus covered their joined hands with a part of his black robes. Burns tried to shake her hand free, but she stopped finally. After a few minutes, Burns' breathing slowed down. Her pain seemed to decrease, and Snape felt that her hand warmed up a little. At the end of the match, Burns looked better, although her eyes were still shut.

As expected, the Slytherin Team won the match against the Hufflepuffs. Snape let go of Burns' hand. He stood up and left without a word. He knew Burns wouldn't want to speak to him. But he also knew that his theories were right. She didn't need Potions or Firewhisky to warm up, she needed physical contact.

***

Several days passed. Harry was pleased to leave the stifling atmosphere of the castle to go to his Care of Magical Creatures class. He kept thinking of Lupin. He saw each day come and end with great anguish. The fatal moment approached, the evening of the full moon. In just a few hours, Lupin would transform into a werewolf somewhere. And without the Wolfsbane Potion, Lupin would suffer. Harry didn't feel well. He had heartache all the time, and could hardly stay in place. When he was in class, remaining motionless on his chair was a real torture. Harry felt he wasted his time. But he couldn't do anything more than waiting. Walking outside calmed his nervousness a little.

Harry and Ron arrived at Hagrid's hut. Hermione arrived several seconds later. She ignored Ron and he ignored her. Harry sighed. He had told Ron that Lupin had been kidnapped. He didn't want to hide it from his friend. The Headmaster's intervention had allowed Harry to find a pretext to give Ron. He wouldn't have to tell Ron all of Hermione's discoveries. Harry didn't feel proud about hiding things from Ron, but a promise was a promise. And Hermione had her reasons.

"Hullo you three," Hagrid said. He cast a quick glance all around. "Er... where are the other students?"

Harry looked all around too. Half of the class was missing. That was strange. There were a few Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs, but there were no Slytherins.

"I don't know," Harry replied.

Hagrid scratched his head and went back to his hut for a few minutes.

"Harry?" Hermione questioned. She looked worried.

"I guess they did it," Neville murmured to Harry.

"Did what?" Harry asked.

"Susan Bones told Justin Finch-Fletchley, who told Seamus, who told me--" Neville said.

"Neville!" Hermione exclaimed. She looked irritated. "What did they tell you?"

"That the Slytherins had enough of Care of Magical Creatures class," Neville replied. "They said that Hagrid was a fat lout. That he wouldn't even notice if his whole class was missing."

"In short," Hermione uttered, "they decided they wouldn't come."

"Well," Ron said, "that's not that bad. A whole hour without seeing Malfoy? I'll take it!"

Harry felt infuriated. Even if he preferred when the Slytherins were absent, he knew that would hurt Hagrid.

The lesson started. Hagrid came back from his hut with a big box in his arms.

"Sixth years," Hagrid said, "everyone gather here and look in the box."

Harry leant over it to see the contents. He wondered if that was something dangerous. Knowing Hagrid, it surely was. Harry was surprised. A brood of black fledglings lay on straw. They had short yellow beaks, red eyes, and violet wings.

"Oh, they are so cute!" Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil exclaimed.

"Yeah," Hagrid said, "we call them--" But Hagrid didn't continue. Harry raised his head, surprised by the interruption. Hagrid stared at something straight ahead. Harry turned back and gasped. There at the edge of the Forbidden Forest stood Lupin.

***

Severus Snape was seated in the Defence Against the Dark Arts class. He observed Burns teaching the fifth years. Luna Lovegood raised her hand.

"Yes?" Burns asked. "Miss Lovegood?"

"My father says you can speak to dragons," the girl said. "That it's the reason you can kill them. That you hypnotise them when you sing."

The Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher burst into laughter. "Yeah", she replied. "And after, they offer me a drink at the Three Broomsticks, and we dance salsa all the night!"

Severus would have probably been amused in other circumstances. But it reminded him of the night Burns had come back to Hogwarts completely drunk. He frowned. He cast Luna Lovegood a quick glance. What a stupid girl! Always saying nonsense!

"No, Miss Lovegood," Burns continued. "I can't hypnotise dragons. And contrary to what your father wrote about me two weeks ago in The Quibbler, I didn't kill a dozen of dragons by myself in only one afternoon. And I wasn't dressed in red either. By the way, I highly advise any of you against facing a dragon, if you wear that colour. Red angers them." She paused. "All this rubbish said about me... I think I must break the myth. Killing dragons is not the part of my job I prefer. I only did it once, not long ago. A Chinese dragon."

Lovegood seemed disappointed. Severus listened attentively. So she had only killed one dragon? According to her attitude, he had thought she had done it more often. Severus felt a little relieved. He was scared each time he imagined her facing dragons.

"There's a special technique to killing dragons," Burns said. "The dragon doesn't have to see you. You must be discreet. So forget about the 'hypnotising song.' Dancing salsa is not a good idea either," she said ironically. "You must use several spells before approaching those creatures. Otherwise, you'd be eaten. Dragon's skin is thick, except at the place where its heart beats. To kill a dragon, you have to pierce its heart, its only weakness. But when you succeed, the dragon remains alive for several minutes." She smirked. "That's the part they didn't explain in the manual."

So that was how she had succeeded in killing the Chinese dragon? Severus imagined what it had been like when the dragon had discovered her presence. He shivered.

Suddenly, a man entered the class like a cannonball. Everyone turned. Burns had a questioning expression on her face.

"Capt'n!" the man exclaimed, breathless. "He's here! Near the edge of the forest! Near to the Giant's hut!"

Who was the man talking about?

"Lupin?" Burns gasped.

Lupin? Lupin was in Hogwarts? Severus frowned. That wasn't normal.

"Yeah!" The man replied quickly. "But he looks weird. And Potter's there."

Burns' eyes flew open. "Harry!" she whispered. She blanched. "He's in danger! That's a trap! Warn Dumbledore and Alphonso right now!" Burns Disapparated immediately.

Severus felt suddenly terrified for Burns. If that was a trap, she was in danger too.

"Class dismissed!" he exclaimed. He ran out of the class, determined to reach Hagrid's hut as quickly as possible.

***

Harry gulped. He didn't expect to see Lupin in Hogwarts a few meters away from him. And he didn't expect to see him in that state. Lupin had still a human appearance, but he was not himself anymore. His clothes were covered with dirt and torn in several places. His eyes were red. He stared at Harry strangely. A stare of hate. No... a stare of hunger. Harry trembled. Lupin licked his lips, like an animal would do with its chops. Harry could see he had fangs. The boy whitened. He moved forward, but Hermione seized his arm.

"H... Harry," she stuttered. "Don't move."

A few students screamed.

"Calm down," Hagrid murmured with a soft voice. Harry heard a tremor in Hagrid's voice. The half-giant was scared. "Each of yeh step backwards," Hagrid continued as quiet as possible. "Enter the hut. Slowly. It'll excite him if yeh panic."

Lupin's body became rigid. Then his limbs shook. Harry trembled. He had seen it once, when Lupin had transformed into a werewolf in third year. But... it was impossible! It was daylight!

Lupin snarled loudly. His head and body extended. His shoulders hunched. Hair sprouted on his body. His nails transformed into sharp claws. He raised his muzzle to the sky and howled. He stared at Harry. He licked his chops again. Harry gasped. He was terrified. He understood Lupin would devour him.

The werewolf jumped on him. Hermione screamed. Harry felt he would die. He closed his eyes. He felt the impact of Lupin's bound. He heard a terrifying growl. He felt foam on his face. Then he felt another shock. Something had knocked the werewolf off of him. Harry opened his eyes again. Lupin had been repelled about ten meters away. The werewolf stood on his paws. He snarled menacingly.

A sort of blue electricity spread on the ground. Like when the Hogwarts Express had been attacked. The light stopped in a line a few feet from Lupin. The werewolf moved forward. But he stopped in front of the line and snarled louder. His muzzle approached the blue line slowly. He suddenly got a shock and jumped backwards. He looked enraged. He started to bite himself.

Harry cast a quick glance around. Then he saw Professor Burns. She stood a few meters behind him, at his right. She stared at the werewolf and uttered incantations. The blue light came from her. She stepped forward and stopped beside him. Then she signed to Harry with her left hand, motioning for him to enter Hagrid's hut.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed. "In the hut! Quick!"

But Harry didn't move. He was still shocked. Hermione and Ron helped to pull him on his feet. Hermione seized him by the arm. She forced him to follow her into the hut. Harry ran to the window like the other students, and observed what happened. He was aghast.

Lupin tried to go through the barrier. Each time he felt a shock, he bit himself. Harry felt pity for Lupin. His eyes became moist. Burns kept uttering the spell. However, she looked ill. Her left hand clutched her breast in pain. She took a bottle from her cloak and had a drink. She fell on her knees. The blue electricity ceased. Burns drank the whole bottle and dropped it on the ground. She looked exhausted. Harry was scared for her.

Lupin continued biting himself. But suddenly, he moved forward. This time, he wasn't repelled. Burns took a big breath and stood up. She repeated the incantations. A slight, blue light appeared around her. But it didn't seem powerful enough. Lupin stared at her and licked his chops. He went closer and closer to her. Less than four meters... three meters... two meters. She snapped her fingers several times. But she couldn't Disapparate.

Everyone gasped in the hut. Harry was terrified for Burns.

"All right wolfy," Burns said slowly. She looked Lupin in the eye. She stepped backwards. "I'm a little... flat. And... I forgot to take my wand. A mistake... worthy of a beginner. Give me just... a few seconds. I need... to recharge myself."

Lupin growled. Professor Burns drew her sword. Harry felt really helpless. He didn't want Burns to be killed. He didn't want Lupin to be killed!

"That's pointed you know," Burns said to Lupin. She still stepped backwards. "A mean, mean sword," she continued. Lupin tried to bite her, but she dodged his attack. His dangerous jaws closed on empty air. Burns thrust her sword forward several times to make him step backwards. But Lupin scratched her left thigh. She screamed from pain. Then she finally managed to Disapparate.

Everyone sighed deeply. Harry was still transfixed by the fight. He heard Hermione gasp. He realised Burns had only Disapparated ten meters away. She looked deeply injured. She collapsed on the ground. Fortunately, Lupin hadn't seen her. But he turned back to the hut. Everyone screamed. The werewolf looked hungrier than ever. He ran to the hut.

Hermione pointed her wand to the window. "Solido Fenestra!" she exclaimed. Lupin hit the window with his claws, but it resisted. The werewolf disappeared from view. A few seconds later, Harry heard scratches to the door. The students screamed. Neville fainted.

"Don' worry," Hagrid said. "The door's locked. It's solid. He'll not manage ter enter." Hagrid tried to be comforting. However, he didn't look very reassured.

Harry stared at Professor Burns. She tried to get up, but her bleeding leg bothered her. Lupin kept scratching the door. Fortunately, he hadn't noticed the presence of the woman yet.

"Harry, look!" Ron exclaimed. He pointed at the window.

Harry looked in the direction Ron indicated. Harry was puzzled to see Snape. The Potions master held his wand in front of him. He slowly went around the outside of the hut. His eyes were fixed on the place where the werewolf stood. He went close to Professor Burns. He tried to help her, but she pushed his hand away.

Lupin stopped scratching the door. Harry swallowed. That meant the werewolf had seen Burns and Snape. Snape raised his wand in front of him.

"Avada--" Snape shouted.

"NO!" Burns yelled, at the same time as Harry.

She caught Snape's legs and made him fall backwards on the ground. He lost his wand.

Lupin came into view. Burns took Snape's wand. She pointed it at Lupin. "Araneum!" she shouted. A large, white web came from the wand and wound around the werewolf. The sticky substance imprisoned Lupin. Burns managed to stand up. She made a few steps away from Snape. She still pointed his wand at Lupin. The werewolf freed himself from the trap after several seconds.

Burns looked around. She stared at something to her right. Harry didn't see what it was. This time, Burns was a few meters away from Lupin. He stared at her and drooled. The smell of human blood excited his senses. Burns faced him. She slowly sidled to her right. She had a combative expression in her whole body. She didn't break eye contact with Lupin. He growled.

Snape looked terrified for her. Harry was too.

"Come here, little wolfy," she said. "You're hungry, eh? Want to have a good meal? I taste good, you know." Now, Burns stepped backwards again. She still faced Lupin. He went forward to follow her. "Good wolfy," she continued. "I have the most tender flesh you have ever eaten. Mmmm... but if you want to taste it, you'll have to catch me." After a few meters, she stopped. "Want to play with me?"

Harry heard a loud 'clap.' Then a big cage appeared around Lupin. He was trapped.

Burns kneeled onto the ground. She let Snape's wand fall. She looked exhausted. She grimaced from pain. Several men appeared around her. Harry was relieved. He didn't even wonder how these men managed to hide and place the cage. He went out from Hagrid's hut and ran to the group. He felt gratitude for Professor Burns. She just saved Lupin's life and his own.

"Good job, guys," Burns said. "Bring the cage to the Hospital Wing!" she ordered. The men went to the cage and used Levitation Spells.

Snape stood up and ran to her. "You are badly injured!" he exclaimed. He looked alarmed. He knelt down beside her.

Burns pushed him back. He fell onto the ground. She quickly took a dagger from her robes. She mounted him and put the knife under his throat. Snape looked surprised.

"You, bastard," she spit her words. "You wanted to kill him!" She was furious. "You wanted to kill him, as you wanted to kill me fifteen years ago!"

"I tried to protect y--" Snape said.

"Silence!" Burns snapped. "You don't know how long I've waited for this moment," she hissed. "You had a great fun, eh, Snivellus? Yeah, I guess that was very amusing. I think I could feed Lupin with your scraps. But your blood will surely be poisoned, as your soul is!"

"Professor Burns!" the voice of the Headmaster interrupted. Professor Burns raised her head. There was a red light in her eyes.

Burns' jaws clenched. She stared at Snape again. "Next time," she whispered. She released him. Then she snapped her fingers and Disapparated again.

***

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