Swept From the Past

Chapter 47: Harry's Spring Ball -- part three

Severus entered the Great Hall and frowned. What was Lupin doing close to Burns? He was a werewolf! A dangerous beast! He could bite her! And what were they talking about? Severus wished he could hear their conversation. He stayed close to the doors of the Hall to observe them better without being seen.

After several minutes, Lupin stood up. He held out his hand to Burns, as if asking her to dance. Burns hesitated, but she took his hand... and shook it. Then Lupin left.

But... what was Burns holding in her hand? A little note?

Severus was furious. How dare the werewolf give love letters to HIS Katarina? His fists clenched.

Fortunately for Severus, the werewolf appeared to be leaving the Great Hall. The Potions master waited for Lupin in the corridors. When the werewolf passed the doors, Severus confronted him.

"Lupin!" he hissed.

The werewolf turned around with a surprised expression on his face.

"What did you say to her?" Severus snarled. "And what did you write to her? I saw her read the note you'd given her!"

"It's none of your business," Lupin replied.

"She's MY pirate girl," Severus whispered under his breath, "Find yourself another one!"

"Severus," Lupin retorted, "you're ridiculous. I've never seen Katarina that way."

Severus screwed up his eyes.

"So she allowed you to call her Katarina?" Severus hissed. "Tell me immediately what you said to her!"

Lupin considered him for a moment.

"I said that she should give you another chance," Lupin responded, "or at least listen to you. Because without her, you are not much. Because you love her."

Severus raised an eyebrow. What had Lupin just said?

"Why did--?" Severus asked.

"Why did I say that?" Lupin interrupted. "Because only you can save her. And because it's true, isn't it? Isn't it?" Lupin insisted. He stared at the Potions master with a firm look.

Severus didn't reply.

"Do you love her?" Lupin queried again. "Enough of your damn pride, Severus! There are only two ways to reply to this question: Yes or no. So?"

"Yes," Severus whispered under his breath.

"I didn't do it for you," Lupin said. "You don't deserve her. But I want her to live. I'd do anything for that. I want to see her smile again. So you'd better do something quickly or I might bite you!" Lupin left.

Severus was puzzled. So Lupin had tried to help him? Hmmm... That biting threat didn't please him though...

Burns was in the Great Hall. One way or another, he had to talk with her and tell her the truth. He entered the Great Hall again. A rush of jealousy flooded him. Alphonso was asking Burns for a dance.

***

Professor Burns stared at Alphonso, who had asked her for a dance -- slow, of course. He was looking at her expectantly. She regretted saving a dance for him.

"Later," Burns replied. "I'm still tired."

Disappointment clouded Alphonso's face. He nodded and left.

Burns sighed. She felt as if she had used him, like Snape had used her. But things were different. She and Alphonso were not together and would never be. She had only asked him to go to the Ball with her because she had feared a trap from the Headmaster. She had expected Dumbledore to insist that every teacher have a partner. She and Snape would have been alone, so they'd have been paired together. It was out of the question. And she had explained her reasons clearly to Alphonso.

"Dear," a woman's voice said, "That is an interesting man we have here."

Sybill Trelawney sat beside Burns. The odd woman peered at Alphonso through her big round glasses.

Burns frowned. What was that odd woman doing here? Didn't the music and all the agitation of the Ball disturb her Inner Eye? And why had she taken the closest seat to hers?

"You can have him if you want," Burns replied boringly.

"Denial and stubbornness are two of the most recurrent characteristics in your astral theme," Trelawney responded. "Why don't you give that good-looking man his chance? You don't know what you are missing, my dear girl."

"Tell me," Burns said ironically.

"Your sign is Cancer, yes?" Trelawney replied. "A sign focused on family. Needs to find someone protective, who would take care of--"

"I don't have any family," Burns interrupted. "And I don't need to be protected."

Stupid woman. Why didn't she mind her own business instead of saying nonsense?

"Denial and stubbornness again, my dear," Trelawney continued. "But my Inner Eye predicts a very happy life if you make the right choice. That man is completely under your spell. He could give you all the safety that you nee--"

"Fascinating," Burns cut short. "And what about the violent death your Inner Eye had seen for me at the beginning of the year?"

Trelawney seemed to be at loss for words.

"I knew it," Burns said. She laughed. "You'd better remember all the predictions you make to people!"

"Violent death is one of the possibilities," Trelawney replied. "A happy life is the other."

"A happy life?" Burns grimaced and snorted. That woman was really mental. There was no happy life for her. There had never been.

"Yes, dear," Trelawney said, irritation in her voice. "You have lots of love in your astral theme. This man is meant to be with you. Forget about Sirius Black. Forget about your failure with Gilderoy Lockhart. That was the past. Follow my advice and you'll--"

What? Gilderoy Lockhart AGAIN? Burns screwed up her eyes. Enough was enough!

"Sorry," Burns snapped, "but I've never dated Gilderoy Lockhart. And Alphonso is really not my type. I prefer to die a violent death!"

Trelawney's eyes opened wide.

"But as I said," Burns continued mockingly, "you can have him if you want. He was born in December. Maybe your astral sign will fit with his?"

"I know he was born in December, my dear," Trelawney said, a smile of satisfaction on her face. "End of December. A Capricorn."

"Almost," Burns replied. "Beginning of December."

Trelawney's smile faded. "A Sagittarius?" she said. She looked disappointed. "Strange. Very strange..."

"Yes, definitely," Burns replied, rolling her eyes.

"My Inner Eye perceives something else," Trelawney added.

"Yes?" Burns asked, containing herself. Would Trelawney stop bothering her?

"This man is the object of many women's affections," Trelawney said. "Pay attention to him now or he'll go away with one of them. Definitely."

The Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher burst into laughter. Alphonso was dancing with Madam Hooch. The teacher seemed to enjoy his company judging by the way she danced with him. She clung to his chest as if she were glued to it. Many girls were staring at them with envy.

"No need to have an Inner Eye to notice that," Burns replied. "It's not Divination! It's observation!"

Trelawney probably felt insulted, since she stood up and left.

A minute later, Snape took Trelawney's vacated seat.

"So," he said, "you got rid of your partner?" He uttered the word 'partner' disdainfully.

"I was tired," Burns replied without looking at him. "I gave him permission to dance with other women. And it's none of your business."

How dare he come and provoke her again? Did he think that the kiss had made her weaker? That he had power over her? He was wrong.

Snape didn't reply. Burns felt his eyes lingering over her face.

"Dance with me," Snape said suddenly. "The next slow one."

Burns stared at him and frowned. Dancing with her? In front of the whole school? What was he playing at? He was looking at her with a warm and determined stare. Full of hope. Full of desire. A... bewitching stare.

She turned her head to look away and bit her lower lip. What was she thinking? Snape manipulated her, making her feel... No! She didn't feel anything. She couldn't feel anything. Snape's tricks wouldn't work on her. She was stronger than that! Her heart ached.

"Certainly not," she retorted, taking a gulp of Firewhisky. "And you can't dance anyway," she continued ironically. "Potions masters don't dance. They brew Potions, punish students, and occasionally break girls' hearts. But they don't dance."

"Do you feel it?" Snape asked.

"Feel what?" Burns snapped, still looking away.

"The pain," Snape replied. "Each time you reject me, you hurt yourself."

She cast a quick glance at him. He had a satisfied smirk on his face.

"Rubbish," she retorted.

"Why don't you look at me straight in the eye?" Snape asked. "What do you fear?"

"I fear nothi--" she replied.

"Don't you, little liar?" he whispered under his breath. "Even Grindelwald's granddaughter has her weaknesses."

Her weaknesses. He was doing his job as a Death Eater perfectly. Burns squeezed the edge of the table hard between her fingers.

"I know what you think," Snape continued. "And to prove just how wrong you are, I offer you a deal."

A deal? What sort of deal? What was this new trap of his?

"Here we are," Burns replied, turning to him. "The servant of Voldemort wants to make a deal. So what it is? I agree to being tied to a wall, while you steal my powers?"

Snape took a sudden intake of breath. What an actor. Burns rolled her eyes. If she hadn't known Snape, she would have thought her comment had hurt him.

"Nothing like that," Snape said. He moved forward on his chair. "I offer you the truth."

The truth? The truth about what? How she'd been tortured? How he'd used her? She already knew it!

"No, thanks," Burns snapped.

"Choose the way you want it," Snape continued softly. "Veritaserum or Legilimency. Or both. No lies. Just the truth. I'll not close my mind to you."

Burns was confused. Why did Snape want to use these methods? He wouldn't be able to lie. What... Wait a minute. He had spoken of a deal. What did he want from her?

"And what would you want in exchange?" Burns asked sardonically.

Snape appeared to be thinking for several seconds. "I want you to tell me what you really saw in the Mirror of Erised," he said finally.

"No!" Burns spat. It was out of the question. How humiliating!

"What?" Snape replied softly. He smirked. "It must be very embarrassing if you react that way. Was it that naughty between us?"

"Oh," Burns replied, surprised. "Certainly not!" She felt colour rise on her cheeks.

"Tut tut," Snape said silkily, "it seems that we have hit something, haven't we?"

"Oh, no," Burns responded, shaking her index finger at him. "We haven't hit anything. Anything. And there's no we. No we at all. Just an I, who will go in this direction," she said pointing to her left, "and a you, who will go in that one," she added, pointing to her right.

Bloody Hell! What was going on with her? Why did she panic that way?

"A you and I together in the Mirror of Erised," Snape continued.

"No," Burns replied, irritated.

"Was the experience satisfactory?" Snape asked as if he hadn't listened to her.

"Definitely not," Burns hissed.

Snape raised an eyebrow. He smirked again.

"So it was that good?" he continued. "Interesting..."

Snape had really crossed the line. Burns was infuriated.

"Oh, Bloody Hell!" she exclaimed. "It was just a bloody kiss!"

Snape raised an eyebrow. Burns realised too late what she had said. Snape's upper lip curled.

"Are you talking about our ardent kiss in the Room of Requirement," he asked silkily, "or about what you saw in the Mirror of Erised?"

"The Room of Requirement," Burns hissed. It cost to her to mention that room -- which was admitting their kiss --, but the mirror reference was much more humiliating.

"So you saw us kissing in the mirror," Snape said softly. He looked jubilant.

Damn! Why hadn't she shut up?

"No," Burns replied, trying to repair her mistake. "I mentioned a kiss. I didn't say who was kissing whom."

"But we both know who it was," Snape replied.

"Me and Alphonso," Burns said quietly. "And he appears to be a wonderful kisser."

But her comment only made Snape sneer.

"We both know who it was," Snape repeated with a look of satisfaction. "In my deepest desires we are kissing too," he added silkily.

Burns didn't reply. She glared at him. They were kissing in his deepest desires? What a liar! And he expected her to believe him? If she had mentioned the other awful thing she had seen in the mirror, would he have dared to make the same response?

"So," Snape continued. "I guess we have a deal?"

"What?" Burns asked, not remembering what he was talking about.

"Our deal," Snape said. "You fulfilled your part of the deal, so I must fulfil mine. Choose the moment."

Burns kept silent. Did she want to enter Snape's mind? Not really. She didn't want to know how many mistresses he'd had when they were together. How much he'd laughed at her with the other Death Eaters. To feel his delight when she'd been tortured. It would be too much.

Then Lupin's words came back into her mind:

'But what about you?' he had written. 'There's a way for you to know the truth about your history with Seve... 'no, Snape,'' she corrected in her mind, 'and you won't take it? Give him a chance to explain himself. I'm not talking about forgiving, but about knowing the truth. What do you have to lose?'

Burns was confused. Knowing or not knowing? Would it make any difference? What would it bring her, except more suffering? Could she risk witnessing Snape's memories, when she didn't even want to remember her own? Did she want to feel his disdain for her?

"Are you afraid?" Snape asked.

Burns came out of her thoughts.

Snape looked at her with concern. At least, with what seemed to be concern. But he was a great actor. Burns frowned.

"I don't open my mind to everyone," he said. "Aren't you a little curious?"

What did she have to lose after all? Maybe she'll learn more about Voldemort's plans?

"All r--" she said.

"Captain," Alphonso's voice interrupted.

***

Severus waited for Burns' response. If she agreed to read his mind, she would see how wrong she was about everything. She would know how much he loved her. But Burns was a stubborn woman. If she refused, Severus didn't know what he would do next. That deal was his last chance.

He could read on her face that she was confused and terrified.

"Are you afraid?" Severus asked. How could he make her understand that she didn't need to be so scared?

Burns stared at him and frowned. Merlin, she didn't believe him. She thought he had planned a trap!

"I don't open my mind to everyone," Severus said to reassure her -- at least, to try to. "Aren't you a little curious?"

Severus saw determination in her eyes. She had made her decision.

"All r--" she said.

"Captain," Alphonso's voice interrupted.

WHAT? Severus was furious. He felt all his muscles tense. Burns was about to accept the deal! Alphonso, that awful prat, had spoiled everything! Severus wished he could twist the cretin's neck.

Burns turned to her second-in-command. He grinned at her. Then he bent his head, took her gloved hand and kissed it.

Severus clenched his fists very hard. How dare that git kiss Burns' hand? Who did he think he was? Prince Charming? A flick of Severus' wand and that Casanova would be transformed into a gigantic slug!

Alphonso made a circular movement with his left hand. A red rose appeared in his palm -- a Muggle trick, of course, since Severus noticed the rose was in his sleeve.

"For a beautiful lady," the git said. Then he brushed the petals of the flower against her right cheek. Burns appeared to be surprised, but she didn't say anything. Then the prat pinned the stem in her hair.

Severus became mad with jealousy. Such intimacy was unbearable to witness. His eyes opened wide. No words could describe his rage.

"How dare you?" he hissed, standing up suddenly and glaring at the prat. He knew he was being observed -- most of the girls had witnessed Alphonso's little scene with Burns -- but he didn't care. He was too furious for that.

"Will you dance, this time?" Alphonso asked softly. He looked at Burns with a devouring stare and ignored Severus.

"Sure," Burns replied, smiling. She stood up.

Severus gasped. Burns didn't want to dance with Alphonso, the Potions master was sure of it. She had never seen the git in the Mirror of Erised. Her deepest desire was to kiss Severus. Only him. Dancing with the prat was just a new game to hurt the Potions master. It worked. He felt humiliated and betrayed.

"You're cruel," he snapped, throwing a painful look at her. He felt she was trampling on his aching heart with no remorse.

Burns' smile faded. A fleeting expression of guilt passed over her eyes. She blinked as if she was trying to get rid of it and cleared her throat.

"I... saved a dance for him," she replied. Was it emotion in her voice? Her response was not really an apology, but... Severus had felt his reproach had affected her.

Alphonso didn't seem to have noticed anything. He grinned at Severus as if he had won a wonderful prize and took Burns' hand. He led her to the dance floor.

Severus didn't remove his eyes from her. Then he realised that most of the students' stares were fixed on him. He glared at them. Fine! Now the whole school knew that he was in love with Burns! But there was worse: The whole school had seen her pushing him away for Alphonso! He had never been so humiliated! He couldn't stay one minute more in the Great Hall, witnessing the woman he loved dancing with someone else. He left, his heart heavier than ever. Alphonso had made him lose his only chance to make up with Katarina.

***

Harry was on the dance floor with Ginny. The music had slowed down, and Harry felt very awkward. Dancing slows was difficult. He didn't know where he should put his hands and found it difficult to move in rhythm. His body had turned so stiff that he wondered if someone hadn't petrified him. Of course, if he'd been petrified, he would have fallen on the floor rigid as a board, instead of being rigid as a board in a standing position.

"Maybe you should relax," Ginny said. "Don't you like dancing?"

"It seems that it's the dancing that hates me," Harry grumbled. "I'm worse at it than Ron."

"Oh, no," Ginny replied. She giggled. "No one can dance worse than Ron. It's just that you... really look tense. Do you find the Ball annoying?"

"No," Harry responded, half-lying. The Ball itself was not annoying. But dancing like a rigid board was really awful.

Someone jostled Harry's back. "Hey, Potter," Malfoy's drawling voice said, "did you swallow a hallstand or did you just put your Firebolt up the wrong place?"

Of course, there was always a Slytherin around to make nasty comments at the perfect time. Harry was upset.

"Just ignore him," Ginny said. "Malfoy came with Pansy Parkinson. He should shut up!"

"Yeah," Harry replied. Going with Parkinson was worse than having no sense of rhythm. It was even worse than eating slugs...

"Whaw," Ginny exclaimed suddenly. "Look at Snape!"

Harry followed Ginny's stare. Snape was standing behind a table. He faced that man, Alphonso, and glared at him. Harry had never seen him so enraged. Snape seemed to be ready to curse the man right there.

But why? Harry wished he could hear the conversation, but the music was too loud. Anyway, if he'd been close to the table, he probably wouldn't have heard anything.

Alphonso was leaning over the table, speaking with Burns. Harry wondered why Burns and Snape had sat close to each other. But he knew why Snape was so furious. Judging from the memory Harry had seen in Burns' Pensieve, and Snape's usual reactions of envy towards James and Sirius, Snape was the jealous type. And the boy remembered his own feelings each time he heard Ginny speak about Alphonso. So... Snape seeing his ex-fiancée speak to another man -- a man with a Veela Charm... Ouch! Alphonso had better not wander the corridors alone.

Burns stood up. Snape looked shocked. Both teachers talked. Harry would give anything to know what they said. If only he had Fred and George's Extendable Ears! Then Burns left, following Alphonso on the dance floor, her hand in his. Snape followed her with his eyes, then glared at everyone in the Great Hall and left.

Now Harry could guess what Alphonso had said to Burns. He must have asked her to dance with him. She'd agreed, which had made Snape angry.

"I can't believe it," Ginny said, her eyes wide opened. "Snape has a crush on Burns! Who would have believed it?"

"I doubt it," Harry replied awkwardly. "Snape is... Snape."

Now Harry understood why Lupin hadn't wanted to say anything about Snape's and Burns' history. Now he was in Lupin's place -- being in on the secret --, Harry felt their history was private. He felt embarrassed.

"Boys," Ginny replied. "They never see anything," she said, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, Burns doesn't seem to feel the same." She giggled. "Who could have guessed?"

"Uh," Harry responded. He didn't want to comment on the scene he'd just witnessed. If he hadn't disliked Snape so much, Harry would have pitied him. But after all, it was not the boy's problem.

"Ouch!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Oh, sorry," Harry replied, embarrassed to have stepped on her foot.

Harry gulped. Now Ginny would regret that she'd asked him to the Ball. He felt ridiculous. The boy looked around. Burns didn't look too comfortable either. She danced with Alphonso, but she appeared to be tense. Her body was stiff and her gloved hands barely touched his shoulders. She looked as pleased to dance with him as Ron was with Marietta. His charm didn't seem to affect her. Alphonso's hands wound around her waist. Burns obviously fought his embrace, keeping a distance between their two bodies. Tension was perceptible.

Suddenly, Burns pushed Alphonso away. The man stared at her with a puzzled look. He raised his right hand and touched her cheek. But he received what seemed to be an electric shock. He was projected backwards and fell on a group of students.

Everyone stopped dancing to stare at the scene, Harry included. It seemed that Burns hadn't liked Alphonso's attempts. But why had she agreed to dance with him? Probably to bother Snape or get rid of him.

Burns didn't turn around. She didn't seem to pay attention to Alphonso. She just stepped to the exit, threw the flower pinned in her hair on the floor, and left.

Madam Hooch and ten girls rushed over to Alphonso, helping him to stand up.

"I hope he's all right," Ginny said. "I can't believe Burns did that to him!" she added with anger. "I'll bring him a glass of pumpkin juice." She stopped dancing and went to the drinks, leaving Harry alone on the dance floor. She hurried to Alphonso with her pumpkin juice.

Harry sighed. Undoubtedly, his Spring Ball was a failure. He left the dance floor and went to the buffet. At least, the food looked appetising.

"Hey, mate," Ron said.

Harry spun around. Ron had a plate full of food in his hand.

"Where's Marietta?" Harry asked.

"In hell," Ron replied. "That's where I sent her. Bloody don't care about what she'll say. If she tells McGonagall that I cheated, I'll tell McGonagall that Marietta blackmailed me. I won't be the only one to get in trouble."

Harry smiled. Marietta wouldn't dare to say anything to McGonagall. Otherwise, she'd be punished as severely as Ron.

Ginny came back. She put her pumpkin juice glass on the buffet table. "He said he wasn't thirsty," Ginny said. She looked disappointed. "He left," she added sadly.

"Girls," Ron commented.

"Oh, shut up, Ron!" Ginny retorted.

"Why did you go to the Ball with Harry?" Ron replied. "You should have invited Parvati or Padma, if you wanted to talk about Alphonso all the time!"

"And you should have invited Hermione instead of asking Marietta!" Ginny replied. "For once you'd have done something clever!"

Ron snorted.

"Er," Harry said, ill at ease. "Why don't we--"

"You're bothering everyone with Alphonso!" Ron snapped.

"You made Hermione cry!" Ginny replied. Then she seemed to realise what she'd just said. She put her hand on her mouth and had an expression of shock on her face.

What? So it was the reason why Hermione had cried? Because Ron hadn't invited her? Harry had really misunderstood.

Ron didn't respond. His face flushed.

At that moment, Harry felt his scar burn like hell, as if someone cut his forehead with a blazing knife. His vision blurred and he fell onto the floor, half conscious of what was happening around him, lost in the nausea that overwhelmed him. Exhausted, he sank into darkness.

***

Severus Snape was walking in the corridors. He was despairing and enraged. First, Black. Then, Alphonso? There was always someone to steal Katarina from him. The bastard had seduced her in front of Severus, and Burns had enjoyed it. Kissing her hand... caressing her cheek with a rose... pinning the stem in her hair... asking her for a dance... And she had agreed, a smile on her face? It was worse than plunging a dagger into his heart! And everyone had witnessed the scene! It was so humiliating that Severus felt he would never forgive her. Being so readable... being rejected in front of the whole school for someone else... Severus hadn't felt so mortified in a long time.

Suddenly, the Potions master felt a presence in the passageway. He turned around and stopped breathing from the shock. Burns was at the end of the corridor.

What was she doing here? Wasn't she dancing with that prat, Alphonso? Did she want to humiliate Severus once again? Or... Hope grew for Severus. Had she followed him? Did she want to talk to him? His heart pounded hard in his chest.

Burns walked in his direction. She looked... strange. As if she was in a sort of trance. She looked at him without looking at him. Her eyes were expressionless. Soon, she stopped in front of him and didn't move anymore.

Severus didn't know what to think or do. Why was she here? Why was she in such a state? Was she searching for him? Was there a chance that... He didn't dare to speak. What must he do? He was anxious. What if he scared her? Tentatively, he moved forward. Slowly, he put his arms around her shoulders and embraced her. She didn't fight him. After several seconds, she put her head on his chest and closed her eyes.

Severus heard her breathe slowly. He could perceive the sound of his own heart beating. Gradually, he put one arm around her waist and increased his hold, taking her firmly in his arms.

He was confused. Strangely, his anger had faded. The feeling of being humiliated had been replaced by a feeling of hope. Burns needed Severus. She had left the Great Hall -- and Alphonso -- because a part of her needed him. Severus realised this was no time for reproaches. Burns was lost, fighting against herself. If he said the wrong thing to her now, she would go away again. He couldn't let it happen. He had to speak with her while she was in that half-conscious state.

"Katarina," he murmured.

She moaned and moved her head, still leaning against his chest, as if she was dreaming. Her arms wound around his waist. Severus was touched by her reaction. It reminded him of her unconscious embrace the first and only time they had slept together. It proved to him that she still loved him.

"Katarina," he repeated softly. "You know I need you, silly girl. And I know you need me. Give me another chance. Don't leave me again."

"You'll hurt me again," she whispered. "You kept hurting me."

Severus' heart tightened. "I know," he said. "I didn't want to, but I did. I was stupid. I was afraid of losing you, so I hid the truth from you."

"You made me drink the Love Philtre," she said.

"No," he replied.

He sighed. How could he make her understand that he had never used the Love Philtre on her?

"The Dark Lord wanted me to use it," he continued, "but I didn't. I disobeyed. At the last moment, I changed my mind... when I realised that you really cared for me. I wanted our relationship to be true."

"I've been tortured," she said with a weak voice.

Yes, she had been tortured. Because of his stupidity. If he had known...

"I tried to save your life," Severus replied. "I was mean, but it was the only way I found. I needed to dupe them. I needed time. I tried to attack Bellatrix, but Blazy disarmed me. Let me show you..."

Showing her the truth... Would she agree? Severus feared she would wake up before he could do anything.

"Captain?" Alphonso's voice called suddenly. The git appeared at the other end of the corridor and stared at Severus and Burns in each other's arms. His eyes opened wide and anger came over his face. His complexion reddened, and his mocking smile disappeared.

Severus was both pleased and bothered. Alphonso's shocked reaction pleased him. Had that cretin really thought Burns felt something for him? But it bothered Severus that the bastard had disturbed them again. The Potions master was frustrated. The hope of showing his version to Katarina flew away. So close... but so far... It hurt. He felt he was about to lose Katarina again because of that imbecile.

Alphonso pulled his wand out and aimed at Severus. The Potions master kept his left arm around Katarina's waist, not loosening his hold. He feared that she would regain conscious thought and leave. With his right arm, he reached his wand, ready to use it if he had to. Although he wanted to hex the git right away, Severus couldn't risk doing it in front of Katarina. He didn't want to break the atmosphere of intimacy that had developed between Katarina and him.

"Someone is bothering us," he whispered to her with all the tenderness he could express. "I'll ask him to leave. Then we will keep talking together, Love. You must know the truth."

"What did you do to the Capt'n?" Alphonso asked menacingly, stepping forward. "Leave her alone!"

"Go away!" Severus growled. "This is a private discussion!"

Wouldn't that awful prat go? Hadn't he done enough?

"Captain!" Alphonso exclaimed. "What is happening to you?"

Burns raised her head and opened her eyes, still expressionless. Severus was afraid. She would realise where she was. She would push him away again.

Katarina turned her face to Alphonso. She extended her left arm in front of her, her fist closed. Then she opened her palm brusquely. Alphonso was projected backwards and fell on the floor. He stood up, a scared and puzzled expression on his face.

Severus was bewildered too. He hadn't expected such a reaction. So Burns considered that Alphonso was unwelcome? She wanted to stay with Severus? Alphonso, that cretin, must feel humiliated! The Potions master felt triumphant. His victory was frail, but he savoured it as much as he could. He stared at Alphonso and smirked. 'She's mine,' he thought. 'Mine.'

Of course, Burns in her conscious state wouldn't have pushed Alphonso away to stay with Severus, because she denied her feelings for the Potions master. But the person Severus Snape had in front of him now didn't deny anything. It was Katarina. The part of herself who searched for him. Who danced alone in the corridors because she'd lost him.

Alphonso bowed. "All right," he said, disappointment in his voice. "I'll do as you wish. Have a nice evening, Capt'n." He left.

Katarina put her head back on Severus' chest and embraced him again. Her eyes shut. They stayed like that for several minutes without saying anything. Severus knew that it wouldn't last, but he enjoyed every second he spent with her. For once, he didn't feel he was taking advantage of the situation. Although she was not in her usual state, Burns had come to him. He hadn't forced her to embrace him. He felt how much she had missed him.

"I wish it were real," Katarina whispered, not moving her head from his chest.

"What are you talking about?" Severus asked, confused.

"The mirror," she responded. "It looked so real, but it wasn't."

The Mirror of Erised? Severus raised an eyebrow.

"It is real," he said silkily. "Or at least it could be."

"No," she murmured. "It was just a dream. Dreams can be beautiful when you're asleep. But they die when you're awake."

"This one can start when you're awake," Severus responded softly. "I can make it real, if you allow me."

"It's too late," Katarina said. She raised her head and looked at him. She hadn't left her strange state, but her eyes looked sad for an instant.

"It's not too late," Severus replied. He looked at her straight in the eye. "We have future."

"There's no future for me," Katarina responded. "He told me."

"Who?" Severus asked. "What are you talking about?"

Her arms wound around his neck. "Grindelwald," she responded, brushing his lips with hers and smiling slightly. "He said I was going to die tonight. I can still hear him." She giggled. "His voice has the power of thunder." She paused. "Tonight, I'll be freed from my torment."

What? Severus frowned. What was that rubbish? She would certainly NOT die tonight! Severus wouldn't allow it. Katarina was just delirious. Grindelwald's voice had the power of thunder? What els... Wait a minute! What was that sound he heard? A thumping sound like the thunder or fireworks. What was going on?

"Goodbye, Severus," Katarina whispered. She kissed him passionately. He replied with the same ardour, lost in the sensation of the kiss. A kiss given willingly. But then he realised. What had she said?

Suddenly, Burns broke off the kiss and pushed him away. He lost his balance and fell onto the floor. She stared at him with a shocked expression, full of terror and anger.

"What are you doing to me, bastard?" she yelled. Severus gulped. Burns had definitely regained conscious thought. The sweet Katarina was gone.

"Nothing," he whispered under his breath. He stood up. "You came back to me. You kissed me."

"Liar!" Burns shouted. Suddenly, she stopped as if she had heard something. The thunder.

"The cannons," she whispered. "We're being attacked!"

Then her previous words hit Severus: 'He said I was going to die tonight...' He felt terrified.

"Stay here!" he exclaimed.

"Certainly not!" Burns retorted.

"Stay here, silly girl, or you'll be killed!" Severus spat. He pointed his wand at her. "I refuse to let you go. You will not die! I won't allow it!"

Burns laughed devilishly. Then she snapped her fingers and Disapparated.

Severus stared at the empty place where Burns had stood up a few seconds ago. He couldn't calm the furious beating of his heart, nor the ache in his chest. He'd just realised that it was maybe the last time he would see her alive.

***

17