Swept From the Past

Chapter 29: The Spring Ball -- part one

The following day, Severus was busy finishing a potion for Lupin in his office, when someone knocked at the door.

"Come in," Severus hissed. He hated being bothered when he was brewing a potion.

Dumbledore entered.

"Severus," Dumbledore said, "may I speak with you?"

"Headmaster," Severus replied, "can I have just one minute? The potion is almost finished. The colour is going to change, and it is a very delicate part of the process."

"Take your time," Dumbledore replied. He conjured a chair. "A new sort of Wolfsbane Potion, I suppose?" he asked.

"Yes," Severus responded. "I think that if Lupin drinks it regularly, his state will stabilise."

"That is good news," Dumbledore replied.

The colour of the potion changed progressively. When the brew was ready, Severus extinguished the fire under the cauldron. "The potion is ready," Severus said. "I will bring it to Lupin in the afternoon."

He turned to the Headmaster. "What did you want to talk about?" Severus asked.

"Two years ago," Dumbledore said, "we held a Yule Ball at Hogwarts. Of course, the circumstances of this Ball were special along with the Triwizard Tournament. But I would like to organise another Ball this year. A Spring Ball."

"A Spring Ball?" Severus repeated, surprised. What had Dumbledore planned? The Spring Balls had stopped ten years ago, when a fight between the Slytherins and the Gryffindors had erupted in the Great Hall. And today, suddenly, Dumbledore decided he wanted to organise a Spring Ball? Was it another trick from the Headmaster? No, Dumbledore wouldn't dare...?

"A Spring Ball." Dumbledore nodded.

Severus raised an eyebrow. Of course, Dumbledore would dare to do this. The old man was up to his usual tricks. Just like at the beginning of the year, when he had failed to inform Severus that he had hired Burns.

"Why?" Severus asked coldly.

"Because the Yule Ball was a success two years ago," Dumbledore replied. "And because it is the only opportunity for an old man, like me, to dance. I really enjoyed waltzing with Madame Maxime. I felt like I was twenty again." He paused. "The Spring Ball is the perfect occasion for a man to invite someone he likes."

Did Dumbledore expect Severus to invite Burns? Severus frowned.

"And the perfect occasion for a woman to decline the invitation," Severus replied. "Or to kill the person who asks."

"Why are you so negative, Severus?" Dumbledore asked.

Why? WHY??? Severus couldn't believe his ears. Burns had almost slit his throat a few months ago. She had threatened him, insulted him, yelled at him. All right, she had saved his life too, but Severus didn't know her real motivations. She would never go to the Ball with him. Even an imbecile would have understood that. Even Longbottom would have got the point.

"Just an idea," Severus hissed. Dumbledore's plans didn't matter. They would fail. With Burns, everything always failed.

"You must try again," Dumbledore replied. He looked serious. "You know her. Find her weakness. If you want to save her--"

"If I want to save her," Severus interrupted, "I have to convince her to trust me. But she won't trust me. Never again. She thinks... I don't even know what she thinks." Severus lowered his head. "If I were her, I wouldn't trust either. How could I find a way to--?"

"You are the only one able to help her," Dumbledore replied. "This is what I learnt from Grindelwald. Certain links cannot be broken. Professor Burns... is lost in her own shadows. She is surrounded by pain, sorrow, and anger. You must find the way to help her. Do not give up now."

"I will not invite her," Severus replied sharply. Did Dumbledore think it was easy to be rejected all the time by the woman he loved? To always feel like an idiot?

"Think of it," Dumbledore said, smiling slightly. "You have time. The Ball will be set at the end of March." Dumbledore went to the door and left.

Severus wondered why Dumbledore was such a sadistic man. Maybe Burns was right when she said he was insane?

Severus returned to his apartments. He would bring the potion to Lupin later. For now, he just wanted to check his keepsakes. He was sure he had kept something linked to the Spring Ball. Actually... yes, there was a photograph. A photograph of Katarina... and Black. It came from an old edition of The Hogwarts Gazette. Severus grimaced. He remembered the first time he had seen it...

***

Hogwarts, February, Severus' seventh year.

Severus stared at his issue of The Hogwarts Gazette. Among the names of the couples attending the Ball were the words that he had most feared:

Sirius Black/Katarina Burns

Severus gasped. So Katarina had accepted Black's invitation?! This was the most awful day of his entire life. Black had won. The bastard had taken her from him! Black was so conceited. His moving image on the photograph provoked Severus. Black had a large grin on his face, and Katarina's hand was in his. She even smiled. Severus' heart tightened. His jaw clenched. He had a lump in his throat. He had asked her to go to the Ball with him. She had accepted, and then... Why hadn't he shut up? Why the hell hadn't he kept his big mouth shut?

Severus was about to tear the photograph to keep only Katarina's image, when he stopped. What if the picture was enchanted? That damn Frank Longbottom used to cast spells on the photographs. Severus had discovered it by chance, when he had read an article on James Potter. As soon as he had torn it, the whole image had disappeared. It hadn't bothered Severus when it was about Potter. But he didn't want Katarina's image to disappear. He wanted to keep that photograph and stare at Katarina each time he wanted to. But... Why did that damn Black have to spoil the picture!

Severus removed the photograph from The Hogwarts Gazette. The article on the couple of the week made him sick. He folded the image in two, to keep only Katarina's image in front of him. But he was not satisfied. Grinning Black was still there, behind the piece of paper where Katarina's image was smiling. Severus could feel Black laughing at him and savouring his victory. Severus frowned. He picked up The Hogwarts Gazette, chose a page at random, and drew on one of the uninteresting photographs. The image didn't disappear. Severus smiled sadistically.

"What a nice smile you have, Black," he said, unfolding the photograph of the couple of the week. "Tut, tut," he continued, painting some of the boy's teeth in black, "too many teeth. But not very nice ones. I think you should go to the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey would be able to cure your expanded ears," he added, drawing big, devil ears on Black's head. "And your purulent spots," he went on. When he had finished transforming Black's image into the monster of the week's, he folded the photograph in two again.

Then he turned back to Katarina's picture. Severus wanted to kiss her image. No, he wanted to kiss Katarina. He wanted to feel as comfortable as Black on the photograph. To be more tender with Katarina, and tell her... But they had broken up, because of him.

Maybe he could try... to repair the damage? They had an extra Potions lesson today. But when he entered the Potions classroom, Katarina wasn't there. He anxiously waited for her. Then he understood she wouldn't come. Severus realised she would never come back. He stood up and left, sadder than ever.

When he entered the Transfiguration's classroom later, he saw that Black was seated beside Katarina, in Evan's place. Black spoke with her animatedly, and Katarina appeared to listen to him attentively. Black's right hand leant on her arm. Severus was infuriated. How dare Black touch her? His eyes flashed. Severus wished Katarina's Mudblood friend would arrive soon. Black would be forced to give her place back.

Several minutes later, Potter entered the class with Evans.

"Sirius," Evans said, "You're in my seat."

"Don't you want to change places with mine?" Black pleaded. "I heard somewhere that Spring Ball couples have to stay together until the Ball!" He winked. Then he turned back and met Severus' stare. David Callaghan and Severus were at the same table. "Hey, Snivellus!" Black yelled. "Are you going to the Ball with Callaghan?"

"Are you going to the Ball with Potter, Black?" Severus replied sharply. Bastard!

"Have you heard that, Prongs?" Black said. "I thought I heard a slime ball speak!"

Potter laughed. "Yeah Padfoot," he replied. "Hey Snivelly! Did you manage to ask a girl to go with you or will you bring your mother?"

Most of the class burst into laughter, even a few Slytherins. Severus smirked. Again, he was humiliated. He noticed that Katarina didn't laugh, but she didn't look at him either. She just seemed to ignore him. That was worse than the humiliation he was living now.

"It would be better than bringing a Mudblood," Severus replied.

Potter's amused expression changed into fury. "Filthy greasy git!" he bellowed. "We'll settle this later!"

"No problem," Severus replied, "I'm waiting for you, Potter!"

"Calm down, mate," Black retorted. "He's just jealous! No girl will ever go with Snivelly to the Ball! Except if it's Hallowe'en!" They laughed again.

It hurt. Severus couldn't forget that he'd lost Katarina. That she would go to the Ball with Black.

"You're wrong, cousin," Narcissa said. "I agreed to go with Severus to the Ball."

Everyone stared at her. Severus frowned. What? Narcissa agreed to go with him? But he hadn't even asked her! What was that supposed to mean? Severus knew Narcissa would have never said that gratuitously; and certainly not to prevent him from being humiliated! He cast a quick glance at Katarina. She stared at Narcissa, like the other students. Severus didn't know if she had been bothered by that or not.

"But if I were you," Narcissa continued, "I would be disgusted to go with Burns to the Ball! Our family deserves better than this filthy girl!" she said disdainfully.

Severus felt angry, but he didn't show it. Katarina didn't react.

"You'll see--" Black snarled. He raised his wand.

"What is going on here?" the voice of Professor McGonagall exclaimed. Black lowered his wand quickly and went back to his place. McGonagall stared at him reproachfully. Then she went to her place, sat, and started the lesson. At the end of class, Narcissa Black went to speak to Severus.

"Professor Blazy told me what the Dark Lord wants from you," she whispered.

Severus frowned. So Blazy had revealed his mission to her?

"My dear cousin is a difficult obstacle," Narcissa said. "To get rid of him, you need to go to the Ball. With all the distractions, it will be easier to make Burns drink a Love Philtre. But to go to the Ball, you need a partner. That's why I offered to go with you. Once you're there, you'll have to trap Burns by yourself. Not my problem anymore. You'll probably manage to make her drink it, she's so stupid!" Narcissa giggled. "I know how awful that mission for you is! Seducing her? I'm glad I'm not a boy!" She grimaced.

Severus snorted. "Yes, I feel sick," he replied. He always said nasty things about Katarina when someone talked about her. No one must know about his feelings for her, especially since he had been given his mission. "But don't you have a partner already?" he asked. Severus thought she had already accepted to go with David Callaghan, or Jeremy Smith, or some other guy.

"A few boys asked me, but I hadn't made up my mind until just now," Narcissa said amusingly. "I don't really care about being the queen of the Spring Ball. That's for children. I prefer to serve the Dark Lord's wishes. That's greater! Anyway, I will dance with any boy I want. After all, I'm not forced to dance with you! This is just a little trick!"

What a nice way to ask him to go to the Spring Ball with her! Severus repressed a snort. He didn't want to go to the Ball with Narcissa either, but he couldn't refuse.

***

The Potions master caressed Katarina's image. Once again, he felt that sensation of something missing. He wanted to kiss the picture, to kiss the real Katarina Burns, and to tell her... But he had lost her again, and it was his fault. For fifteen years, they could have been married instead of being separated.

Severus shook off his thoughts and looked at his watch. It was time to bring the potion to Lupin. Severus reluctantly put the image of Katarina in the drawer, hoping that they would be together again, one day.

***

Remus Lupin was seated on a chair in his cage. He was alone. Miss Linsay had left the room to take rest. The effects of the potion lasted longer now, so Remus knew he would not transform into a werewolf for a couple of hours.

The door opened. Severus Snape entered. He cast a suspicious stare at Lupin, as if he expected to see him as a werewolf.

"Lupin," Snape hissed. "I came to bring a new potion for your disease." He made a grimace of disdain.

"Thank you," Remus said politely. He paused. Then he cleared his throat, ill at ease. "Er," he continued, "I know that I am... indebted to you."

"Yes," Severus whispered under his breath. "I should probably ask you one or two Galleons for my services. But it would ruin you." He smiled sadistically.

Remus frowned. He had never liked Snape. Remus had only tolerated him because of Katarina.

"There are many ways to ruin a man," Remus replied.

Snape had become an old bat living in the dungeons, brewing potions and terrifying students. Dumbledore said that the Potions master hardly left the castle, except when he was sent on missions. He had buried himself in the shadows of Hogwarts. A self-punishment, perhaps? It was not as if Snape had ever been sociable. But he had become a very lonesome man. Severus was a wreck since Katarina had left him.

Severus' smirk disappeared. "Which means?" the Potions master asked.

"Nothing," Remus responded quietly.

"Any visitors since you've been locked in this cage, Lupin?" Snape hissed.

Snape had hit where it hurt. Katarina hadn't visited Remus.

"A few," Remus replied. "Thanks for asking."

"Anyone human?" Snape asked ironically.

"Not today," Remus replied, smiling pleasantly.

Snape arched an eyebrow. "I'll leave the potion here," he snapped. He put the potion on Miss Linsay's desk. He took a few steps to leave. "By the way," he continued. "If Professor Burns comes to visit you, could you tell her that..." He stopped. Then he turned to Lupin and smirked. "Oh, I had forgotten that she will not come to visit you. Have a nice day, Lupin." He left.

Remus stared at the closed door and frowned.

'Bastard,' he heard the echo of Sirius' voice in his mind. "I couldn't have said better, old mate," Remus uttered.

How could Kat have fallen in love with Severus Snape? The git had only made her cry. Remus calmed his sudden anger. Actually, that was not entirely true. Snape had made her happy too.

Sometimes, Remus was very mad at Snape. He knew that the Potions master was partly responsible for the deep changes in Katarina. That she'd had to pay the price for Snape's mistakes. Because of that, Remus had lost his little sister. But he also pitied Snape, who had to live with remorse.

Remus' anger faded a little. The Potions master had lost the only person that had truly loved him. He was an unhappy man.

Remus sighed. So many people had suffered because of Voldemort...

Dumbledore opened the door and entered. "Ah, Remus," he said. "I have just met Severus on the stairs. Where did he put the potion?"

"On the desk," Remus replied.

"Fine," Dumbledore said. "I hope you will be entirely cured in time for our Spring Ball." He winked.

Remus frowned. "Did you really do it?" he asked. "I thought you were kidding, when you talked to me about that. Do you realise what it will do to Katarina? The memories it will bring back for her?"

"That is precisely what I hope," the Headmaster replied. "Katarina buried so many things over the years. No matter where she hid her past, in herself or in her Pensieves, she must dig it up. It is a difficult process. And she will not do it alone."

"Are you sure I can't do anything?" Remus asked.

"Absolutely sure," Dumbledore replied. "It is not about you. It is not about Sirius. It is about her and Severus."

"How reassuring," Remus said sarcastically. Severus Snape had to use psychology? With Kat, who had become very dangerous and even pushed Remus away? Good luck...

"I think it is," Dumbledore responded. "Severus will do anything for Katarina. Love is a mysterious and powerful thing. The best protection someone can own." The Headmaster paused. "Severus must find the courage to repair his mistakes. His redemption will come from Katarina, if she forgives him."

"If she forgives him," Remus replied.

Mr. Grammi entered the room, interrupting the conversation.

"I think it is potion time, Remus," Dumbledore said, smiling.

***

Later that day, Remus lay on a cover. He had changed into a werewolf again, but he had remained as a man longer than usual. It was too early for the potion to reach its potential. But the results of the first attempt were very encouraging.

Remus thought of the Spring Ball. He wondered if Dumbledore wasn't making a mistake. Katarina would probably be furious. She would see right through Dumbledore's attempts to get her back together with Snape.

Remus remembered the Spring Ball they'd had in seventh year. Everything was different then. Except that Snape and Katarina had broken up...

***

Hogwarts, beginning of March, Remus' seventh year.

Remus was studying in the library with Peter and Frank Longbottom, when Sirius arrived like a cannonball.

"Longbottom!" Sirius exclaimed. "Go and get your camera immediately! I want to immortalise this moment! Katarina has just agreed to go to the Spring Ball with me!"

"Shhh," Madam Pince said. She cast him a cross stare.

Remus was dumbfounded. Katarina had agreed to go to the Ball with Sirius? Sirius?

"Ok," Frank said. "With luck, I'll manage to get your photo in tomorrow's edition of The Hogwarts Gazette. The King and the Queen of the Ball must be Gryffindors!"

From the look in Sirius' eyes, Remus saw that he was flattered. He had a mischievous expression on his face. Frank and Sirius left the library quickly.

"That's good news for Padfoot," Peter said.

"Yes," Remus murmured. For Padfoot maybe, but not for Snape. What had happened? Remus had to discover it. He stood up. "I'll see what they're doing." He left the library too. He arrived in the corridors just in time. Frank had disappeared. But Sirius was still there, talking to Katarina.

"Sirius," Katarina exclaimed, "Wait!" Suddenly, Sirius grabbed her by the hand and led her with him.

Remus ran after them. Sirius walked in the direction of the Gryffindor common room. He entered the room with Katarina. Remus entered too.

Longbottom was already there, his camera in his hands.

"Sirius," Katarina said, "I won't pose for a photograph!"

"But you have to, Kat!" Sirius replied. "Every couple that registers for the Spring Ball has to have their photo taken! Haven't they, Frank?"

"Of course," Frank replied.

Liars! Remus was about to reply something, but Sirius had already made her sit beside him. And Remus didn't really know what to say, except "Padfoot!" It would have been easier if he had known why Katarina had accepted Sirius' invitation.

"Cheers," Frank said.

Katarina turned back to the camera. She forced herself to smile. Sirius took advantage of the situation. He grabbed her hand just before Frank photographed them.

"Sirius!" Katarina exclaimed, pulling her hand out of his. Sirius grinned.

"It'll be a very nice photograph," Sirius said.

"Siri--" Katarina exclaimed.

"See you later," Sirius interrupted, leaving the Gryffindor common room with Longbottom as quickly as he had entered.

"Kat, can I talk to you for a few minutes?" Remus asked. He motioned for her to follow him into the boy's dormitory.

"Yes," Katarina replied.

They entered Remus' room. Remus closed the door behind him and cast a Silencing Spell on the empty room.

"Just in case someone tries to listen," he said. Remus sat on his bed. Katarina sat too.

"What is going on, Kat?" Remus asked.

"Nothing," Katarina replied. She avoided his stare.

"Nothing?" Remus repeated. "Did you agree to go to the Ball with Sirius?"

"I did," Katarina replied. "He asked me, so I accepted. What's wrong with that?" Remus saw tears coming in her eyes.

"What about Snape?" Remus queried in a softer voice. What had that prat done to her?

"He dumped me," Katarina responded. "We quarrelled and he dumped me."

Remus was surprised. Apart from Kat, he had never seen Snape care for anyone in seven years. He was sure the git felt something for her. So why had he broken up with her?

"Why?" Remus asked.

"It doesn't matter now," Katarina replied. "It's all right. I'm not a child. She sighed. "Remus..." she said, "please don't curse him." She paused. "You just... can't force him to love me," she continued in a whisper.

"Katarina..." Remus said, dumbfounded.

"I must go," she said. "It's all right." She ran out of the room.

No, it wasn't all right. Remus knew that Katarina wasn't feeling well.

***

The werewolf stretched. He turned three times on himself and lay on the cover again, changing his position. He remembered that Katarina had been furious, when she had seen the photograph and the article written by Frank about "the couple of the week." But it was too late. Three weeks later, the Spring Ball was set...

***

Hogwarts, end of March, The Spring Ball, Lupin's seventh year.

The evening of the Spring Ball had come. Remus was glad it hadn't been set on the full moon. He was thankful to Dumbledore for that. In a few minutes, the Marauders would leave the Gryffindor common room to go to the Great Hall.

Remus had asked Beth Reynolds, a pretty sixth year Ravenclaw to go with him to the Ball. He had been surprised when she had immediately accepted to be his partner. Peter had convinced Anita Lancaster, a skinny, blonde fifth year Hufflepuff to go with him. Of course, James went with Lily. And Sirius... Sirius finally succeeded in bringing Katarina.

The girls prepared themselves in their dormitories. The Marauders waited for Lily and Katarina. Then Remus and Peter would go and take their own partners.

"How much longer do you think they will take, Prongs?" Sirius asked impatiently. He looked at his watch.

"The whole evening, I guess," James replied. "Do you think Dumbledore will agree to postpone the Ball until tomorrow?" He yawned.

"Tomorrow?" Peter uttered. "You should say next week!"

"They're girls, mates," Remus retorted. He was seated in an armchair and read a book. At least, he pretended to read. He worried about the Ball, and about what would happen next. Remus knew this story between Sirius and Katarina would end badly. He knew Sirius, and he knew Kat. She hadn't agreed to go to the Ball with Sirius because she wanted to. Just because she thought she didn't have a choice. Remus knew she was unhappy. She was absent-minded in class. She had stopped eating. She had stopped smiling. She tried to hide her pain, but Remus saw a change in her attitude. Her face had been beaming before, but now the light in her eyes had faded. She always looked sad.

Remus knew she was not interested in being queen of the Ball, or in Sirius. Lily had told Remus that she heard Katarina cry at night. Remus sighed. Severus Snape didn't know the chance he had. According to Lily, Snape and Kat had broken up for something stupid. Something based on Snape's jealousy.

Remus worried for Katarina. He wanted to see her happy. It was more important than his antipathy for Snape. He preferred seeing her happy with the git than miserable alone. He decided he'd speak to Snape. Just to tell the Slytherin that he'd made a mistake.

"Is someone alive upstairs?" James exclaimed.

"We're almost finished!" Lily replied from the girls' dormitories.

Five minutes later, the boys heard the door open. Remus stood up. The Marauders gathered around the stairs. Katarina and Lily appeared. Katarina and Lily wore long dresses, red for Katarina, black for Lily. Their hair was raised in a high bun, and they had made themselves up perfectly. They wore nice necklaces and red earrings. Sirius and James whistled. Remus felt a little jealous of Sirius and James. But he remembered he also would have a gorgeous partner and smiled slightly.

"Eh, men," Sirius commented. "That was worth the wait!"

"Yeah," James added. "Is the weather hot today or it's just me?"

"I hope it's not the weather," Lily replied. She smiled. She descended the stairs and hung on to James' arm.

"Your opinion, Wormtail?" James asked.

"Whaw!" Peter replied simply.

"Good answer!" James said.

"May I, Mademoiselle?" Sirius asked Katarina. He offered his arm to her like a gentleman.

"Sure, Sir," she replied. She hung on to his arm too. "Isn't that too much?" she whispered to Remus. "The dress, the make-up--"

"No," Remus interrupted. "That's perfect! You're not going to class! You're going to a Ball!"

"Thanks," Katarina replied.

"Sir," Remus said to Sirius, "may I take the lady's other arm, until I have my own partner?"

"The lady decides," Sirius responded gallantly.

"It would be my pleasure, Monsieur Lupin," Katarina retorted with a smile. She raised her head like a princess and repressed a laugh. "Come on, gentlemen," she said. They left the Gryffindor common room, Katarina between Sirius and Remus.

***

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