Swept From the Past

Chapter 22: Professor Blazy

Harry was on the way to his common room. He'd had enough. Why did everyone hide things from him? Snape and Burns? How could it be possible? Burns had chosen Snape instead of Sirius? Snape?

When Harry reached the common room, Hermione was waiting for him.

"So, Harry?" she asked.

"It's true," Harry responded. "She married Sirius. But the thing is... Do you remember in first year when we thought that Snape had been sent by Voldemort, and it turned out to be Quirrell?"

Hermione nodded.

"Well, now..." Harry continued, "we thought Burns dated Sirius, but it was really Snape."

"What?!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Yes..." Harry replied. "They were engaged..."

He told Hermione what had happened in Burns' office.

"Snape and Burns were engaged?" Hermione gasped. "But what happened?"

"I don't know," Harry said. "They wouldn't tell me."

Hermione frowned. "It means I was completely wrong," she said. "My theories were wrong!"

"Thanks for worrying about your theories, Hermione!" Harry replied sharply. Hermione should be upset for Sirius, not for her damn theories!

"Calm down, Harry," Hermione replied.

"It's just..." Harry said. "It's Snape... and Burns. And... she's dying! I just... don't understand anything. Why? Why did she date Snape?"

"Harry," Hermione responded. "You can't control such things. Girls aren't obligated to fall in love with... the most famous boys in the school." Hermione paused. She blushed slightly. "And Snape seems to be in love with her."

"That's not what Burns said," Harry retorted.

"Burns has suffered a lot, Harry," Hermione replied. "You remember the shape her Boggart took? And according to what you said, Burns tried to commit suicide because Snape broke her heart. We don't know what happened.

"If only I could ask Lupin," Harry complained. "I want to know. How? When? Why?"

"I don't know," Hermione replied. "But we'll try to find out."

***

The following day, Professor Burns was in her office. Cooky had brought her an old box. Something from her youth. Katarina's old things. She thought she'd left this behind in Burns Manor along with the rest of her past. Professor Burns inspected its contents. A few letters, one or two joke props from Zonko's, several photos... probably objects Katarina liked. Among them was an old edition of the Daily Prophet. A photograph of a blond man and a dark-haired woman appeared on the front page. Her parents.

"The Burnses, new victims of Death Eaters?" she read on the front page. She didn't continue. She didn't care about that rubbish the Daily Prophet had written. She just stared at the photograph. It had been a long time since she'd seen pictures of her parents. She hardly remembered the last time she'd seen them alive. Probably on Christmas in her fifth year at Hogwarts. Probably...

Her parents had been savagely murdered. That was the reason she had decided to become an Auror. 'You're too tender to hunt for people,' her father had said, when a thirteen-year-old Katarina Burns had first shown interest in a career as an Auror.

Captain Burns snorted. "Too tender..." Certainly not yet. '...And Aurors are excellent in Potions,' her father had said. Well, that was not true. Aurors needed to pass their Potions exams, that was all. Now, Captain Burns had succeeded. She was a very powerful Auror, ready to take revenge upon those who had taken everything from her.

Burns remembered the pain she had felt when she had learnt of her parents' death. She hadn't wanted to talk about it. During the summer holidays, she had reached her sixteenth birthday alone in Hogwarts. She had no close family to take care of her. No legal guardian. No place to go, except her parents' manor. Dumbledore had decided she would stay in Hogwarts with her house-elf until Katarina Burns was of age. He had said she would be safe there.

Burns stood up and went to her Pensieves. Her sixteenth birthday... a long time ago.

***

Hogwarts, July, after Katarina's fifth year.

Katarina lay on her bed and reread the letter Remus had sent her for her birthday:

"Dear Kat,

I would have wanted to write something funny for your birthday. But I can't think of anything funny to say. As far as I remember, we have always known each other. Mum says it's since we were three, but I hardly believe her.

Since my parents and I have moved out, fours years ago, I have realised that we were far more than just neighbours. Who, except your parents, would have allowed a (you know what I mean) to play with their young daughter? And who, except you, would have shared my secret and never revealed anything to anyone?

Considering my own shock, I understand how badly hurt you must feel. You have the courage of two Gryffindors at least, but you aren't alone. You know you can confide in me or in Lily. Just owl us. I promise I will come any time through the Floo Network, if you ask me. No matter what Dumbledore would say.

You lost your parents, but you still have a family as long as I'm here. A brother, who will always take care of you.

I wish you a not-too-sad birthday.

Take care, Kat,

Remus.

P.S. Cooky wrote that you hardly ate. You must eat or you'll fall ill."

Katarina's eyes were full of tears. It was the first time Remus referred to himself as a brother. Of course, she had always seen him that way, but... A wave of emotion had come over her. This letter meant so much to her! As usual, Remus had found the perfect words to move her. And the perfect gift: a photograph of the both of them when they were children.

Katarina laid Remus' letter on top of Lily's. She sniffed and wiped her wet face with a handkerchief. No crying. Not during daylight. She would let her tears drop later, before going to bed, as usual.

She heard a knock on the window. An owl delivered something for her. She opened the package. It contained a book, a box full of chocolate, and a kind little note:

"From Masters Prongs Petrificus and Pink Padfoot. We hope that the chocolate of peace will help you to feel better. Happy birthday!

Kisses..."

Katarina smiled slightly. James Potter and Sirius Black. That was very nice from them. After all, they weren't very close. It was a kind, touching gesture to show they really cared for her.

***

The memory ended. Professor Burns returned to her desk. A small object in the bottom of the box caught her attention. A black button. Who did this belong to? Again, Burns moved to her Pensieves...

***

Hogwarts, July, after Katarina's fifth year.

Katarina was wandering alone in the Park. It was dinner time, but she didn't care. She wasn't hungry. She put her hands in her pockets and kept walking without knowing where she went. Her hand played with a small, round, flat object in the bottom of her right pocket, an unconscious habit she had taken since the beginning of the summer holidays. Suddenly, she stood still, realising her nervous tic. She lifted her hand and saw the object that was squeezed between her fingers. A button. Severus' button.

It had fallen on the ground the day Sirius had hit Severus with his fist. Katarina had picked up the button and had put it in her pocket, before bringing Severus to the Hospital Wing. She had forgotten about it since.

Severus... Katarina wondered why he had helped her. And why hadn't he used the Memory Charm on her? Malfoy had ordered him to do it. She had heard him before she fainted. Maybe she could ask him, one day?

Severus was someone she hardly understood. He was always lonesome, very secretive, and definitely not popular. He was just... Severus Snape. The mystery boy. Katarina often heard Sirius Black and James Potter say awful things to him. They always tried to curse him. Sometimes, Severus attacked them too, but he usually waited for them to be separated. Katarina wondered how those stupid attacks had begun. Probably because James and Sirius wanted to be funny and show the other students they were powerful. That was easy to choose Severus as their whipping boy. Even the Slytherins seemed to dislike him. Everyone cheered when he was cursed. Everyone but Katarina. And Lily, because she was kind and polite. And Remus, because he thought that was not his problem.

All right, Severus was not the nicest boy ever. But Katarina didn't feel he deserved to be mistreated all the time. So what if he wasn't popular? He was cleverer than most of the students. Maybe his hair was greasy, but it was probably not his fault. Katarina's dark-brown hair was dry, and she knew how difficult it was to moisturise. Thank God for good, nutritive capillary creams! And about Severus' looks... well, Katarina didn't find him especially ugly. She was rather disgusted by Crabbe, Goyle, or Lestrange. They were big, hairy boys who looked like gorillas. Goyle stank, which was not very attractive.

Katarina sighed. She didn't know if she would one day pierce Severus Snape's protective shell.

***

Burns snorted. "If I had known," she said out loud, "I would have encouraged Sirius and James to mistreat Snivellus!" Then she put her memory back in the Pensieve.

Someone knocked at the door.

"Come in," she said. Taz entered.

"Excuse me, Captain," he said. "But I thought you had to be warned..."

Taz gave her a piece of parchment and left the room. Burns read the message and frowned. Then she left her office angrily and went in the direction of the Potions class.

***

Severus Snape was correcting essays. He was writing a big, red 'D' on one of the papers. Burns suddenly entered his office, without even knocking at the door. He jumped in his seat.

"Professor Burns," he hissed, "What do you mean by this intrusion?"

"Why did you go to the Shrieking Shack this morning?" she snapped.

Severus raised an eyebrow. "This is none of your business, Professor Burns," he said. Quarrelling again? How tiresome.

"Believe me," Burns retorted, "you'd better answer."

"If you really want to know," he said, "I went to the Shrieking Shack to speak to the healers."

"Speak about what?" Burns retorted. "I warn you! If you try to do something to Lupin, you will regret it!"

"As always, you have misunderstood," Severus replied coldly. "My intentions are not what you think. I have a theory about Lupin's condition, and I wanted to share it with the healers."

"To share what?" Burns retorted. "The best way to murder him? Do you think I will let you?"

"I won't--" Severus said.

"How blind I have been," Burns interrupted. "You are exactly like your dear predecessor."

Blazy? She thought he was like Blazy?

"I am not--" Severus said.

"I heard you talk to Potter and Longbottom at their first Potions class of the year," Burns replied. "Brilliant way to humiliate them. Congratulations Snivellus!"

Severus repressed his anger. How difficult it was to keep quiet in front of her! But if he wanted her to forgive him, he couldn't let his bad temper get to him. He had made enough mistakes. He didn't know how to speak to her or how to react. How confusing! He had no control over her at all. And the taste of guilt didn't help.

"So you were spying in the class?" he huffed.

"Spying is the best way to study your adversary, isn't it?" Burns replied.

"Except that you are mistaken in thinking I am your adversary," Severus whispered under his breath. "You don't know how and why I became a Death Eater."

"How?" Burns retorted. "I don't know. But why? Because you are a sadistic bastard with a psychological disorder."

"My father was a sadistic bastard with a psychological disorder," Severus replied. "I was just a stupid boy who wanted to gain his affection. You've seen my mother. She hated me."

"Clever woman," Burns retorted.

"That's not what you said," he replied.

"I said a lot of things," Burns responded. "Stupid things."

"You've had a wonderful childhood," Severus replied. "I had not. My parents kept quarrelling and my father beat my mother."

"And you wanted to gain your daddy's affection," Burns retorted. "How touching."

"Stop being so sarcastic," Severus said. "Before you, my father was the only one who showed interest in me. When I was young, he taught me Potions and Dark Magic. That was my only link with him."

"So you decided that wearing a cute tattoo would tighten the link?" Burns retorted. She pouted.

"During the summer holidays just before sixth year," Severus hissed. "I underwent the first step of the ritual to become a servant of the Dark Lord. I did it for my father. Because he wanted it. And I saw pride in his eyes. It was the first time I felt important to someone, special."

"And how glorious is it," Burns retorted, "when you're important to someone like your father." She spat.

"I'm not responsible for what he did," Severus replied. "The burden of my own mistakes is enough. Knowing what I lost is the worst punishment th--"

"So you wore the Dark Mark as early as sixth year," Burns interrupted. "That's what I thought."

"I didn't wear it then," Severus replied sharply. "The initiation rite was just a test. Proof of my loyalty. A pact renewed. If I had understood what it meant for my future, I would never have followed in the footsteps of my father. Never."

Severus remembered when he had knelt down in front of the Dark Lord, his head bent, and had felt his powerful presence. Then he had held his left arm in front of him. He had felt a great suffering, something which hurt like hell. After several minutes, the pain had ceased. He had passed the test.

"How easy it is to claim that now," Burns retorted. "Dumbledore has become senile. Trusting you..." she said disdainfully. "My father would have never fallen into such a trap. Blazy had managed to convince weak people too. Enough to apply for a job at the Ministry of Magic. But my father used his influence. He didn't let him reach his aim. He knew who Blazy was! And I know who you are!"

"You only have your own version of what happened," Severus hissed. "A false version!"

"I have heard enough," Burns replied icily. "Your father, Blazy, you... it's all the same. But I won't let you harm Lupin, Potter, Longbottom, or anyone else!"

"Won't you ever listen to me, stubborn girl?" Severus shouted. "What can I do to convince you? I don't want to kill Lupin, Potter, or Longbottom. And I don't want to kill you. I have never wanted to! And I will never--"

Burns turned her back to him and left before he finished his sentence. Severus' jaws clenched. How cynical she had become! Deep in him, he knew he had deserved her disdain. But he was furious to see her so stubborn. She ignored so many things about their story, and she didn't want to hear them.

She thought he was like Blazy... Severus sighed. He remembered the first Potions class they had had in sixth year and the way Blazy had humiliated her, as he always did...

***

Hogwarts, the second of September, Severus' sixth year.

Severus Snape left the Slytherin table to go to Potions class. He had noticed that Burns was missing at breakfast. Of course, he didn't care. She was still a bloody Gryffindor! She had helped him once; he had helped her once. Now they were even!

When he passed the Gryffindor table, he heard Black speak of a chocolate box the bastard had sent her. Chocolate! As if she needed to be heavier than she still was! All right, maybe she didn't look fat, but it had been difficult for Severus to lift her in his arms. At the memory of the day he had brought Burns to the Hospital Wing, Severus shivered. That was due to disgust, probably.

It's not as if he'd been thinking of Burns. Well, maybe once or twice during the summer holidays. Yes, that was it, once or twice per month... week... and maybe it was a little more often, but that was quite normal. He had nothing important to do during holidays except practising the Dark Arts, reading, or making Potions. So that was easy to think of unimportant things, like Burns! Bloody Gryffindor!

Severus entered the Potions class. Burns' was there, already seated at her place. But she looked absent-minded. Severus sat. When her friends joined her, she didn't seem to notice they were there. After several minutes, Professor Blazy entered. The Potions master was a tall, stern, and scary man. He was bald with a fringe of blond hair. He stood in front of the board and consulted his register. Suddenly, his eyes stopped on the list, as if he had seen something unexpected.

"I guess that I have been given a wrong register," he said finally. "I read the name Katarina Burns. Either this is a mistake or a bad joke?"

Everyone turned back to Burns. Professor Blazy especially disliked her. And disliked was a weak word. The first time Katarina Burns had entered his classes, it was obvious that Blazy would ruin her life.

Blazy cast the class a glance and stared at Katarina Burns. Severus saw that Narcissa Black, who hated Burns as much as Blazy, savoured this moment. Severus would have savoured it too if it had been Potter, Black, Lupin, Pettigrew, or any other Gryffindor. But, strangely, he didn't feel as happy as he should have been.

"Well, well, well, Miss Burns," Blazy said ironically. "I'm glad to see that you've lit my class with your presence. To what do we owe this honour? Did you lose your way in the corridors?"

Burns didn't reply.

"Explanation, Miss Burns!" Blazy ordered sharply.

"This is a Potions class," Burns replied coldly and briefly. "So I'm here to study Potions."

Professor Blazy's eyes became wide. Severus didn't believe it. Katarina Burns, the annoying, polite girl, responding that way to a teacher? To Blazy?

"Miss Burns, ten points from Gryffindor!" Blazy shouted. "I don't know by what sort of miracle your name landed on that list, but--"

"That is not a miracle, Nestor," the voice of Dumbledore interrupted.

Severus turned around. The Headmaster was by the door. Blazy had obviously not seen him enter. Dumbledore had always seemed to like the girl. Claudius Snape, Severus' father, had informed his son about Dumbledore's friendship with Charles and Joyce Burns. Since they had died, Dumbledore protected their daughter.

"Headmaster," Blazy replied politely.

"Miss Burns has elected to pursue a career as an Auror. Since she has received a passing O.W.L.s result, I insist that she continue her Potions studies along with the other students who achieved the same marks." Dumbledore threw Blazy a knowing stare. He didn't give him choice.

Severus knew that Professor Blazy hated Dumbledore. Claudius Snape had informed Severus of the long history of animosity between Blazy and Dumbledore. The Potions master taught in Hogwarts before Dumbledore had become the Headmaster. He hated Mudbloods, loved Dark Magic, and was one of the most faithful servants of the Dark Lord. However, no one knew he was a Death Eater, except the other Death Eaters. Blazy's mission was to spy on Dumbledore. He was always polite with the Headmaster, although it was known that Dumbledore didn't like him either. Since Blazy taught for years at school, Dumbledore couldn't dismiss him without a good reason. Blazy would have never given Dumbledore a pretext. And Katarina Burns was a pretext.

***

Severus came back to reality. He was absolutely NOT like Blazy! Potter was an awful, little prat, conceited like his father. Potter had demonstrated his disrespect for rules and authority many times. And Longbottom was so clumsy that he would cause the entire Potions classroom to explode one day!

And Blazy was unfair with Katarina because he hated her father and... er... because she was clumsy... Severus frowned and cleared his throat. He didn't like the path his thoughts had taken.

Anyway, Blazy was a very dangerous man, respected by the Death Eaters. Severus remembered the day he had asked him to go to his office. The day he had given Severus a mission...

***

Hogwarts, end of March, Severus' sixth year.

Severus Snape stood just outside Professor Blazy's office. The boy wondered what the Potions master wanted from him. His father had told him to show Blazy respect.

Severus knocked at the door.

"Come in," Professor Blazy said. Severus entered.

"Master Snape," Blazy said. "Please, take a seat."

Severus sat silently. He felt a little ill at ease. Blazy stared at him with a confident attitude.

"First of all," Blazy said, "I would like to congratulate you for having entered the Dark Lord's service. Now you are not only the best student in my sixth year Potions class, but a servant of a noble cause. I wanted to congratulate you earlier, but I was rather busy."

"Thank you, Sir," Severus replied. He felt relieved, and proud to serve such a noble cause.

"I'm sure that you know," continued Blazy, "that I am not a fan of the Hogwarts headmaster," he said disdainfully. "Indeed, Professor Dumbledore doesn't agree with my teaching methods. He thinks that I am too severe towards Miss Burns, especially since her parents are dead. Anyway, his meaning was very clear. If Miss Burns couldn't follow an Auror's career because of her Potions' results, he would do anything to... replace me." Blazy told this last sentence furiously.

Severus raised an eyebrow. Burns was bad at Potions. Last week, her cauldron exploded. She would never pass her exam.

"That's why I want you to give her extra lessons until the end of the year," Blazy said.

Severus grimaced. What? Giving Burns extra lessons? He preferred to eat slugs!

"Master Snape," Blazy continued. "I know that you are not pleased. I wouldn't be if I were you. But I can't give Dumbledore the occasion to dismiss me. Old fool! As such, you will give Burns extra Potions lessons. Dumbledore won't be able to do anything against me if I have proof I tried to help her. As for the result, do your best!" Blazy ordered. "Even if we both know she doesn't stand a chance," he added and laughed.

Of course, Burns didn't have a chance! Severus would have liked to find it amusing. However, the prospect of teaching her made him sick. And he was forced to take up his free time to teach her something she was too stupid to understand! He promised to make that irritating, stupid girl pay for that.

"By the way," Blazy continued, "I also want you to watch her."

"To watch her?" Severus asked. Hey! He was not a nanny!

"The Dark Lord has questions about her. She comes from a long line of powerful wizards," Blazy replied. "I don't think she inherited their powers, but we have to be prudent."

A powerful line of wizards? What was he talking about? Anyway, Severus wouldn't ask. There was no need to anger Blazy. But the little bitch would regret it.

***

Burns entered her chambers briskly. Hearing that stupid git talking about his awful father had angered her. So Snivellus didn't even wear the Dark Mark in sixth year? When had he received it? In seventh year probably. Anyway, he and Blazy had planned everything. And she had fallen into the trap! Burns remembered the day she had learnt about the extra Potions lessons. The brutality of Blazy and the sharp answers of Snivellus. God! How on earth had she been duped so easily?

***

Hogwarts, end of March, Katarina's sixth year.

"Miss Burns, Master Snape," Blazy said at the end of Potions class. "I want you to stay after class."

Katarina cast Lily a worried look. What did Professor Lazy want from her? She put her books quickly in her bag. She didn't want the Potions master to wait for her, and she wanted to leave as soon as possible afterward.

"Good luck," Frank Longbottom said when he left.

"That will do," Lily said gently. Sirius put a comforting arm on Katarina's shoulder and followed Lily. James cast her an encouraging look.

Katarina swallowed. She saw that Severus had a murderous expression on his face. Did he know why they had to stay?

"Miss Burns," Blazy said coldly, "It is no secret that you are the worst student I have ever had in my class."

Katarina gulped.

"As such," he continued, "I have asked Master Snape to give you extra Potions lessons until the end of the school year."

Katarina stared at Blazy, her eyes wide opened. That was why Severus looked so furious! She gasped.

"Miss Burns!" Blazy shouted. "Stop staring at me like that! You look even stupider than usual!"

"But, Professor," she said, "I don't think that Severus wants to--"

"Silence!" Blazy yelled.

Oh, God! How terrifying he was! She felt her hands shake. She knew he was a brutal man. She could feel it.

"I have already given my instructions to Master Snape," Blazy snapped. "He'll tell you all about it. Your first lesson starts now!" He gripped her right arm violently. That was painful. "And believe me," he snarled, "you'd do well to make progress." He let go of her arm, left the classroom, and closed the door behind him.

Katarina massaged her arm with her left hand and closed her eyes from pain. Damn! He had squeezed hard! Then she sighed. Her heart beat fast. She had been so scared.

"I don't want to work with you either," Severus said disdainfully.

"That's not it, Severus," she replied. "I didn't know he wanted me to have extra lessons. And I didn't think he would force you to give them to me either!"

"Well, he did!" Severus hissed. "The worst punishment of my entire life! Teaching a bloody Gryffindor, especially you!"

Katarina was pained, but she didn't reply. There was no need to. Severus was Severus. By her fault, he had been given something he considered like detention. She couldn't blame him for being furious.

"I wonder how I'll be able to teach you anything!" Severus retorted meanly. "I even wonder how you could have entered Hogwarts!"

"Hey!" Katarina replied. She couldn't accept that. "I got an "Outstanding" in my other exams! Potions and Divination are the only subjects I'm not good in! My others marks are better than yours!"

Severus snorted. "Awful, little Gryffindor!" he whispered under his breath. "That's all that we can expect from a Mudblood's friend!"

Katarina sighed. "All right," she said, "maybe we should start working?"

"That depends," Severus replied ironically. "Did you bring your first year's Potions book? But maybe you won't even be able to follow the first year's program! Too complicated for you, Burns!"

"I think the sixth year's book will do," she replied as coolly as possible.

"Maybe I should find something in that book you would be able to read," Severus hissed. "The numbers of the pages, for example?"

"Right, the number of the pages," she said, irritated. "Severus, I know you are furious with me. You have the right to be. But since you are here to teach me Potions, could you please stop that game for a minute and teach me Potions?"

"All right," he whispered under his breath. "The first thing I'd like to teach you is how to poison an insufferable, bloody Gryffindor!"

***

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