A Mortal Enemy

By: Ezzie

Updated: 8/8/2002.

Many many many thanks to my dedicated beta reader, Sarah, who battled through natural phenomenon and parental interference to help me get this out!

Chapter 3: An Offer

Kara woke the next morning and found Snape's side of the bed empty. He had no doubt slept less than well the previous night and left for Dumbledore's office early. She crawled out from under the covers and consciously realized she was naked when her feet hit the stone floor. Since they had begun making love, Snape insisted on sleeping without clothes. Apparently it was a habit he had put on hold for her when they were just getting to know one another. And now, if she attempted to sleep with clothes on in his presence she always found herself naked anyway when she woke. Last night was no different. Kara had slid underneath the covers fully clothed, and now she was walking through his dark bedroom completely naked.

The wooden panel that covered the secret passageway to her quarters jumped to life as she spoke the password. Kara showered, dressed and headed down for breakfast. Today she would spend the morning showing Harry his new study rooms and stressing to him the importance of secrecy. There were also the discussions she needed to have with him about his classes, his housemates, and of course, Quidditch.

Both Snape and Dumbledore were missing from the breakfast table. Ginny only looked half awake and Ron and Hermione were arguing about something to do with the Apparation test they would be taking in a few days. Kara had tasked everyone except Harry with learning the difficult skill as a way to keep them preoccupied over the summer. She suspected that Harry had been helping Ginny study and could probably pass it himself if he needed to. Kara half wondered how Hermione was doing on her Animagus studies. McGonagall had been back for over a month and had been working with her for close to eight hours a day. She would have to ask Minerva about it later.

Kara glided into the Defense classroom an hour after breakfast to find Harry meditating.

"Meditating? So early?" she asked as the door closed and locked it behind her. Meditating was something Harry was required to do daily as a way of keeping his mind clear. However, he usually reserved the afternoons for this task.

"Ron was snoring unusually loud last night and I hardly got any sleep."

"I see. Well no matter. I don't suppose we will get much done before lunch anyway. Your new study room is prepared. Get up. Follow me."

He did so, rather gracefully, she thought for someone who had slept so little. They walked in unison down to the dungeons, past Snape's office and to the portrait of Eliza.

"This is Eliza. She's rather talkative; try to ignore her. Behind her is the portal to the Chamber. You must use your Inner Focus to open it, but the spell is not difficult. Portalis Aperire. Try it."

He did, and failed at what were apparently several tries. Eliza kept interrupting his train of thought.

"Eliza, I'm trying to concentrate. Can you be quiet? I promise to come back and chat later," Harry said to her.

"So sorry dear."

The portrait swung open minutes later and he stepped into the crypt-like corridor. His eyes were wide open as she led him down the hall, around the sharp corner and to the wooden door. He seemed to have taken her lecture on enclosed spaces seriously the previous year. He was studying his surroundings intensely as if he expected to have to duel here someday.

"Go on in," she said, encouraging him.

He pushed the door open with one of his delicately sculpted hands and stepped inside.

"Whoa." Harry's head shot around and up to the ceiling quickly as he took in the scenery.

"Notice a lack of loose objects," Kara began instructing. "I would suggest keeping the room clear of them. There is a small sitting room off the side behind the statue of Hecate to leave your things in when you come to study. There is also a bathroom in there."

"What's that in the middle of the room?"

"A pyre, for warmth. You can light it if you want. I'm sure you remember the spell."

He nodded and pulled out his wand.

"No. You will not use that in here," she reprimanded. "With your mind."

"We haven't covered that yet," he protested.

"I'm sure you remember the spell, do you not Mr. Potter?" Kara said in a harsher tone.

Harry gave her a frustrated look, but walked down into the middle of the room and began to concentrate hard. For the first few moments, the air in the room was very still and then a slight breeze came up. Kara silently conjured herself a comfortable pillow to sit on and took up a seat on one of the stairs. She waited patiently as Potter stared at the pyre and repeated the Incendio incantation in his mind.

Eventually a small flame burst within the pyre and then grew to a raging fire that filled the room with warmth.

"Excellent," Kara said as she conjured another velvet-covered pillow out of thin air for him to sit on.

"Professor McGonagall and I have come to agreement on your timetable for this year." A piece of parchment levitated towards him. He spent a few minutes looking it over.

"What about Divination?"

"I doubt that Professor Trelawney could teach you Divination beyond what you're naturally capable of. From what Professor McGonagall tells me, you don't have a tendency to enjoy her predictions of your death anyway."

He smiled at her slightly.

"Now about Quidditch..." she began.

Harry's eyes shot open wide. Kara realized he hadn't considered the possibilities he wouldn't be able to play.

"Professor McGonagall has refused to allow me to halt your Quidditch practices - not only for the benefit of your House but also for your own sanity. Therefore you will still be allowed to play and to practice..."

His eyes lit up.

"With the following stipulations," she added quickly. "First, it will not interfere with your Inner Focus training. Secondly, you will not use your Inner Focus at anytime during play - even if you find yourself falling off your broom. The school cannot afford to have to explain to everyone that there is a child being taught Dark Magic within the castle walls, especially since that child is the infamous Harry Potter. Do you understand?"

He nodded silently, a small look of resentment rising in his eyes.

"Lastly, this Chamber is to remain a secret. It would be unwise to tell your friends about it although I will leave that decision up to you. However, if I ever find out they've been in here without Professor Snape or myself present, I will be very unhappy. Is that clear?"

"Yes Professor."

"The entrance is charmed so that only those with Inner Focus can open it. Therefore, you should only expect to see Professor Snape or myself here; and I do not imagine he will find much cause to visit.

"When you come, wear your Invisibility cloak so that the other students do not spot you. I'm sure many of them would be suspicious if they knew you were coming down to the dungeons so often. If you need anything such as food, the House Elves will happily oblige. You can summon them using the Floo powder in the anteroom.

"Do you have any questions?"

"I don't think so Professor."

"Very well. Then I will leave you to look around and become comfortable. Do not forget to come for lunch."

"Yes Professor, and thank you... for everything," he added quickly as she moved to go.

"Thank Professor Snape. None of this was my doing."

A slight flicker of confusion swept across Harry's face.

Kara walked out of the room, closing the large wooden door softly with her mind and then proceeding out into the dungeons. Snape was in his office, writing on a large scroll, when she walked by. She crept inside his office and sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. Kara sat back and fought the temptation to stand when she realized how low the chair was in comparison to his. This was no doubt a way of intimidating students. Her arms crossed and she waited for him to finish what he was writing.

"Black will be coming just before dinner and Dumbledore will deliver the news. After he has been told, Black and I will have a discussion about the open position. I would like both you and McGonagall to be present."

"Why me?"

"Because I want you there," was the only explanation he offered.

"Very well then. I have lessons to prepare. I will see you later."

She rose and walked towards the door, but it closed before she got there. Kara quickly turned back around to see why he wanted her to stay and found that Snape had risen silently from his desk and walked towards her.

"I am sorry about last night," he said as he towered over her, just inches from her face. His dark eyes bored into her the way they had the first night they met. Breathing became difficult when her eyes shot down to his lips. They were slightly wet and inviting.

"What on earth for?" she managed to ask.

"You were prurient, and I was not."

As always he seemed to know exactly what she was thinking.

"It's quite alright. It was involuntary on my part and I wouldn't have expected you to reciprocate, considering."

He wrapped a large warm hand around the back of her neck and pulled her close to his lips. She kissed him with all the passion she had ever known and they engaged in this manner for several minutes - their tongues dancing against one another. She could taste the bitter black tea he had been drinking and it filled her throat and mind with lust. It wasn't helping her that the soft groans emitting from his throat were causing the muscles in her stomach to tighten.

"This evening. I promise," Snape said as he pulled away from her.

Kara nodded, gathered her thoughts and walked back towards the door. It opened for her magically as it had done hundreds of times before. Obviously Snape's discussions this morning with Dumbledore had gone well and he was feeling better about the situation. Perhaps the arrival of Black this evening would put him into a bad mood. Their intimacy always seemed more passionate when he was angry.

* * *

Around four o'clock, Snape stealthily entered the Chamber where Kara and Harry were sitting, discussing theory on Focusing levitation charms.

"Harry, give me a two sentence explanation of levitation."

Harry opened his mouth to speak, but then thought better of it. He pondered to himself before opening his mouth again.

"Levitation is the moving of an object against its will. It's done so by moving the invisible particles surrounding it."

"Only half correct, Potter," Snape said arrogantly from the doorway.

Harry turned quickly around as if he didn't know who had spoken the words.

"Levitation is the movement of particles surrounding an object according to their own inclinations."

Harry reluctantly nodded in agreement with him.

"Professor Lynch, my guest has arrived and we're ready for you."

"Right. Mr. Potter, proceed with what we were practicing. I will see you at dinner," Kara spoke as she rose from the step and glided towards the portal entrance with Snape.

"Has Dumbledore told him already?" she asked once they were back in the dungeons.

"He has, but he has told him nothing else."

Together, they walked towards Dumbledore's office hastily and in silence. Before he muttered the password to force the stone gargoyle aside she put a hand on his and stopped him.

"Are you doing this because you believe it is the right thing to do, or because it is what Dumbledore wants?" Kara asked.

"Both," he replied honestly as he looked deep into her eyes. Kara could hear the dialogue Snape had planned for the conversation with Black. There were heated battles being waged in his conscience. Old scars and wounds were fighting for treating Black as an enemy and the respect for Dumbledore was pushing him towards a truce. Staying true to his Dark Arts training, Snape never let any of this register on his face.

Kara nodded and leaned in to give him a small kiss on the cheek for encouragement. He muttered the password as she pulled away. The stone gargoyle hopped aside and they allowed the spiraling staircase to carry them into the Headmaster's office. When they walked in, Black had his head in his hands and McGonagall was sitting quietly sipping tea. It was obvious that Black was crushed by the news he had just received.

"You remember Professor Lynch?" Snape directed towards Black.

"Yes, of course. How could I forget?" He replied, looking up at the woman who was teaching his Godson Dark Magic. Kara would never forget he had also once accused her of wanting Harry dead.

Snape hurriedly walked across the room and stood behind Dumbledore's desk. Kara could hear Snape's mind debating whether or not sit in the chair. He couldn't find it in himself to actually do it.

"So what did you need to talk about Snape?"

Snape's forehead instantly tightened. The nasty tone that Sirius used erased any trepidation Snape had and he sat behind the desk in regal fashion.

"Dumbledore's replacement," Snape replied smoothly.

"And who would that be?"

"Myself, naturally," Snape said in theatrical nature as he sat back in the chair confidently. Black looked overwhelmed.

"So you brought me here to gloat?"

Kara nearly sighed. Sirius wasn't making this easy.

"You would be surprised to find that even I am incapable of gloating in the face of losing the Headmaster," Snape replied, with a calculated sadness in his voice.

This seemed to bring Black down to reality and a look of utter shock crossed his face.

"I brought you here because I have asked Professor Lynch to replace my teaching position and we will be in need of a qualified Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor," Snape continued saying, assuming that Black understood.

"Oh. Of course. I can recommend a few..."

"I was under the impression you wanted the job."

Sirius stared at him, speechless.

"Am I wrong in assuming that?"

"Of course not. I just never assumed you would consider the matter."

"I have considered it and come to the conclusion that..." Snape paused slightly, looking for something in his mind, maybe strength of will. "You would be well suited for the position."

Sirius Black's mouth fell open and he gazed in disbelief at Snape. McGonagall eyed the two men carefully, clearly amused by the cordial tone of the conversation. She gave Kara a small smile that she couldn't help but return. Snape caught them and gave Kara a very dangerous look.

"There are of course a few stipulations to employment, namely the continuation of a curriculum that Professor Lynch has been teaching. It is probably one of the best Hogwarts has ever seen. Additionally we would need to discuss some of your relationships with the present student body. And you and I no doubt have some things to... clear up."

"I would be happy to continue on with the curriculum. The students seem to share your opinion of Professor Lynch. At least the four that I've spoken to," Black said as he turned towards Kara and smiled slightly. She returned his complement with a small upturn of her lips.

"I will expect you to treat all the students fairly."

"Naturally."

"Especially the Slytherins," Snape said with meaning. "As you are aware, many of them have Death Eaters for parents and others are being actively recruited. I cannot afford to have them alienated by any of the Professors especially if we believe they are involved in illicit activities."

Black nodded his head.

"And we can speak in private regarding the other... matters."

"I have to ask Snape, aren't you going to get a lot of questions about hiring me?"

"I have been witness to numerous Dark Arts Professors at this school and it has taught me that no matter what I do someone somewhere will be unhappy."

"Yes, but none of those professors spent fifteen years as an assumed murderer."

"No, but there was Quirrell who embodied Voldemort literally, the completely incompetent Lockhart, the Werewolf, the insane Auror and the Oracle. I'm sure I will get more Howlers over my own appointment to Headmaster than I will for appointing the wrongly accused Godfather of the Boy Who Lived," Snape pointed out sharply without hesitation.

Black laughed. Snape's face grew tense. He hadn't intended for it to be a joke and clearly wasn't amused.

"Well are you going to accept or are you going to sit there and giggle at me like a teenage witch?" Snape said crossly.

Black stood up and extended his hand over the desk towards Snape. Snape rose.

"I accept. And I appreciate the opportunity."

Snape shook his hand and gripped it for several seconds before letting go.

Dumbledore strode back into his own office as if he detected the deal was signed. He spied the two men shaking hands and raised his eyebrows. Snape went to move away from the coveted chair.

"Ah no Severus. That chair is as good as yours. Do sit. I prefer to gaze upon Fawkes' lovely new plume up close up anyway."

Snape sat, somewhat timidly, behind the desk.

"There is the issue of secrecy as well. None of the students, including Potter, are to know you are coming here," Snape said as he leaned back slightly, readjusting to the chair.

"You mean you're not telling him... about..." Sirius replied.

"Alas, no. It would be unwise, and for all practical purposes unfair," Dumbledore replied.

"He deserves to know. You're the only person he's been able to really trust. I can't believe you would go without saying goodbye." There was a look of sheer panic and desolation in Black's face.

"I will be sure to say goodbye in an appropriate and discreet manner. Sirius, the boy lives with enough secrets and it would be unfair to burden him with one of this magnitude. Besides, I believe he'll find more comfort in the family of his House when the time comes."

Dumbledore refused to allow him to continue and rushed them all down to dinner before Sirius could interject any more opinions on the matter.