Destiny of Souls

Chapter 5: The Official Return

Halloween came and went uneventfully. Kara didn't make much of it. Durmstrang never had great feasts in honor of the holiday and living in France for eighteen years had separated her completely from celebrating it. The tension between Kara and Professor Snape was mellow. After the incident in his laboratory he stayed far away from her as if she carried some wretched disease. He still attended her class once a week for approximately ten minutes each time. The last week of November she took advantage of this to break the silence between them.

They had just finished advanced blocking mechanisms and were now combining that with dueling in small places. It was tricky business. If you blocked a charm in a small room it could bounce off and hit you. Sometimes wining a duel meant watching the walls more than your opponent.

"Today we will be practicing some advanced dueling techniques."

The Slytherins went into fits of chatter.

"Silence! Now, as you know we've been discussing blocking techniques. However, in small spaces, blocking techniques can do more harm than good as the spells bounce off the walls."

They took notes. Snape glided in on time. He had his arms crossed and seemed to be clutching his left forearm.

"I will need a volunteer to help me demonstrate the potential pitfalls of dueling in closed spaces. "

Several students raised their hands. Malfoy was one of them and as much as she'd like to zap him a few times with a Stunning Spell, she had a better prospect in mind.

"Professor Snape, I enlist you as volunteer number one."

The class turned around and pockets of whispering erupted from the class. He just glared at her. These were Slytherins. He couldn't say no.

"Everyone stand up and move to the back of the room. Take your things with you. Hurry up," she snapped coldly.

Snape walked towards the front of the room with a puzzled look on his face.

She feigned a spell to move all the desks and then conjured a large transparent box in the center of the room her wand waving around in the air and her lips moving, but it was her mind doing all the work.

When she was finished it resembled an octagon shaped boxing ring with solid see-through walls that reached the ceiling. It had a small opening through which the contestants could enter. The students were clearly impressed.

"File in around the box. That's it."

She leaned into him and asked quietly as the students settled themselves. "You do have your wand with you?" It was a sarcastic and mocking question.

He nodded and glared at her apparent amusement at this game.

"And you are familiar with dueling?" she asked in a mocking tone, knowing what his answer would be. He didn't have to say it.

"I will agree to this only if we restrict the spells we use. I have a class to teach in an hour and I have no desire to teach it from the Hospital wing or my grave," he said nearly speaking in a whisper.

"I promise, no Inner Focus, and we'll limit it to harmless charms. I want to demonstrate blocking spells not how to humiliate your opponent," she said casually.

"Humiliate? Professor Lynch, I do not lose duels. Humiliation is not a concern of mine." He was wearing a very wicked sneer.

She made her way through the opening and he followed her in. His eyes immediately began surveying the room and he took out his wand.

She used her wand to conjure a door to cover the opening. From the inside, it did not resemble a clear box at all. The walls were lined with stone bricks of all shapes and you could not see the students peering in. Small torches were situated around the walls to provide light. They could have easily been dueling in a dungeon.

She pointed her wand to the wall and moved her lips. In her mind she cast a spell that would enable sound to pass through the walls.

"When you enter a room such as this, always survey it. Note any abnormalities in the walls, items such as chandeliers and furniture; and never take your eyes off your opponent."

They were standing face-to-face, wands out ready to strike.

"When we begin, I am going to attack Professor Snape first. He will block my spell and my next concern will be to immediately shield myself. This will protect me not only from my own spell but also from his next attack. Professor Snape, when I say Finite Incantatum we will stop," she said.

"Ms Parkinson, will you please count to three after Professor Snape and I bow to one another?"

"Yes Professor" Pansy replied.

"And now we bow," she said looking Snape in the eye.

They both bowed, but it was more of an exaggerated head nod as they kept their eyes on one other.

"One.. Two.. Three.."

"Expelliarmus!" she cried, as she knelt down slightly and pointed her wand up at Snape.

As expected he cast a blocking spell and the sparks from her wand flew at an up angle and bounced off the ceiling back down at her.

"Finite Incantatum!"

The sparks disappeared mid-air and both she and Snape relaxed. He looked disappointed they had stopped.

"Now that was a very simple example. Notice the use of Finite Incantatum. If you do not end the spell, or immediately redirect it, the sparks might continue to bounce off the walls several times before dying out. It depends on how much power you have behind it. Professor Snape and I will now duel until the other one is disarmed to better demonstrate this. Hopefully we will not have to resort to creative methods," she smiled at him.

She could hear the students fairly excited about the prospects of just that happening.

"Please count for us again Ms. Parkinson after we bow."

They bowed their heads.

"One.. Two.. Three.."

It was like being back at school again. They both shouted spells at each other for quite some time. Often she was able to duck them, jump to avoid them or redirect them back at Snape. At one point he had levitated to the ceiling and was able to deftly maneuver around her spells as they bounced off the ceiling back at her.

She could hear the cheering of her students outside rooting for their Potions Master. They were no longer using simple spells. He had no doubt assumed she had not dueled in some time and was underestimating her. Cries of "Stupefy" from Kara towards the ceiling could be heard followed by numerous "Serpensortia" cries from Snape as hundreds of tiny snakes began to slither at her feet.

The students were now chanting "Snape Snape Snape".

"That dirty rotten...." she thought to herself. She figured the snakes weren't poisonous and since she'd have to point her wand at them to make them disappear they would have to continue to slither around her legs. "Now would be a great time to be a Parselmouth." She thought.

She ducked, made a quick move to the side of the small room and cast a shielding spell. She then levitated up to meet him quickly and yelled "Petrificus Totalus". He was able to shoot towards the ground again dodging her spell and before she could make out where he'd gone to he was beneath her as he yelled "Expelliarmus".

Her wand floated out of her hand as she hit the ceiling. She came hurling towards the floor. Instinct in full effect forced her mind to slow her down. To the students it appeared as if she fell the full 20 feet and slammed hard into the ground, but she landed soft as a pillow.

She felt him put a hand under her arm and pull her up. The snakes disappeared.

She smiled at him.

"Excellent play Professor Snape. Snakes?"

"My favorite," he replied as a slight, almost joyful smile crossed his lips.

The students cheered at the top of their voices.

He handed her wand back to her and she used it to open the door once again.

When she came out she found Professor Dumbledore standing there clapping along with the students.

"Excellent dueling skills Professor Lynch. You nearly had him there!"

"I doubt that Headmaster." She blushed as she looked at Snape quickly.

When the students had quieted down she paired them off and they each took turns in the box. Dumbledore pulled her and Snape outside classroom, closing the door, as Crabbe and Goyle went at each other. She knew as well as Snape and Dumbledore did that they couldn't possibly know enough to hurt each other.

"What is it Headmaster?" she asked.

"I am afraid I have some bad news. Voldemort has just been spotted entering the Ministry building in London. I must go there," Dumbledore replied, a very sad look on his face.

"I am leaving the school in Minerva's capable hands. Classes are to continue as planned. Severus, we're going to execute the plan as we talked about." He said, turning to Snape.

"I will need someone to cover the Potions classes for the rest of the day, and perhaps longer if necessary unless you want to cancel them." He said calmly, no hint of fear or anger in his voice. It was as if he was prepared for this.

"I was hoping Professor Lynch could help us out there."

Kara looked at Snape, awaiting his approval. There was nothing on his face to indicate he had a problem with this.

"Certainly I can do that Headmaster. I will need to know, of course what material you are covering."

"I will find you before I leave," Snape said shortly.

"Excellent. And I would like to leave any problems with Slytherin in your hands as well Professor Lynch."

She looked at Snape again. No trouble in his eyes.

She nodded "Of course."

"I will have McGonagall announce it this evening then. I need to ask you not to mention this to any students."

Kara was trying to remain calm but noticed her legs shaking beneath her as if she were cold or extremely frightened. A shiver ran through her and she visibly shook. Snape shot an uncharacteristically concerned look at her. She took a deep breath to regain her composure.

"I must make sure Crabbe and Goyle haven't killed one another."

Snape returned a short fifteen minutes later. He entered the room and beckoned her out. She had left Tracey Davis and Millicent Bulstrode in the dueling chamber.

She closed the door as she left and silently put a detection charm on it to make sure no one was eavesdropping.

He handed her a book. She glanced through it briefly. It had lesson plans for the next two weeks in it. Simple antidotes for second years and some more complicated transfiguration potions for sixth years.

"Anything else I should know?"

"Keep an eye on Neville Longbottom. He has destroyed more cauldrons in his five years here than I have in my entire life." There was malice in his voice and slight fear in his eyes. "And keep an eye on my private stores. Ingredients tend to end up missing."

Neither of them spoke for a few moments.

"And Slytherin?"

"The password to the Slytherin common room is Jimblenut. I would make sure to meet with the two Slytherin Prefects after dinner. Be firm with them. If I were you I would also take station outside the door to the common room after curfew. Once word gets to the students of what is happening there will be ruckus. Enforce the curfew. Dole out detention freely. I have made some notes in that book on my trouble students. McGonagall is aware and if they should become too much she will be capable of dealing with the situation."

"Very well."

"If I am not back by Saturday, make enough Wolfsbane potion for four doses by 7pm. I, or the drinker, will arrive prior to sundown to retrieve it from you. If he comes, he will come to the laboratory."

"The students will not be alarmed?"

"He is a former Professor, no they will not."

"Very well."

They stood in silence for a moment. All those questions they had the first night, still unanswered. The fear was showing in her face. Where was he going?

"Be careful. Whatever it is you're going to do."

"Concern? You shouldn't be concerned." He had a confused look on his face. It was very atypical for a Dark Wizard to show concern. It was out of character for her.

She considered being lighthearted. Joking about wanting a dueling rematch, but decided it would only serve to mock whatever important mission he was going on.

Her eyes darted down the hall quickly. Abandoning all pretenses she put one hand on his right arm and said, "Sometimes it doesn't matter what we shouldn't do, it only matters what we should." She reached up and gave him a kiss on both cheeks - it was a custom in France she had become used to. She turned towards the door and disappeared behind it without looking at his face for a reaction.

* * *

Ten minutes later she floated into the Potions classroom with fifth year Slytherin and fifth year Gryffindor. Snape had made a few special comments about this in his notes that she had a chance to briefly look at.

"Watch Malfoy, Potter and Weasley closely. They constantly provoke one other. Separating Potter, Weasley and Granger is a wise idea if they begin acting up. Neville Longbottom: I cannot convey in writing how seriously this boy needs to be monitored. Keep antidotes of whatever you're working with around in large quantities."

The Slytherins were still chattering about the dueling practice when she entered the room. She glided to the front closing the door behind her.

"Professor Snape has been called away and I will be teaching this class until he returns. Open your books to page 312. We will be continuing with the lesson on Class B poison antidotes." She barked.

"Called away?" Malfoy spoke up." He was just here twenty minutes ago! I saw him!"

"Mr Malfoy, no level of curiosity on your part is going to interrupt this class so I suggest you allow me to continue. If you have... special concerns..." yes, she accused Malfoy of concern. "I will address them later."

She peered at their faces to make sure everyone comprehended this. Someone was missing. "Where is Harry Potter?" she asked the class.

"Professor Lynch, he became ill in Divination and had to go see Dumbledore." Ron Weasley spoke up.

Divination? Potter? And why didn't he go see Madam Pomfrey? This was certainly strange.

"Very well. Moving on."

She lectured for a half-hour on the proper way to mix the ingredients. None of the Slytherins protested her style so she assumed that it was near to how Snape taught.

When they began working on their own she sat in Snape's chair behind his desk. It was huge compared her own classroom chair. She felt like a small child sitting at the desk and not an esteemed Potions Master. She stood for the rest of the period, overlooking the students. Fits of muffled giggles erupted from the back table. She glided silently to the back of the room and behind them.

"I am so excited there is going to be another Yule ball! I hope Seamus asks me."

"Ms. Brown, ten points from Gryffindor for your giggling. I will take five more points for every giggle I hear from you from this time on."

"Sorry Professor."

Whispering from the next table over. She came closer without them knowing it.

"So what, he just fainted in class?" Hermione said leaning in to Ron.

"He fell asleep and woke grabbing his scar. Second time it's happened since we've been taking Divination. Last time..." Ron replied.

"Yah, I know. Last time You-Know-Who returned and nearly killed him. You think this means that You-Know-Who has..." Hermione said.

Great, she thought to herself, I am not allowed to tell the students but they feel free to gossip about it openly in class.

"Ahem..." She interrupted them, "Mr. Weasley, move your things to the desk up front. You will work alone on your antidote. Ms Granger, remain here and work with Mr. Longbottom." Ron gave her a nasty look, but moved.

The class finally finished without anything going too terribly wrong. Neville had nearly destroyed his cauldron again, as Snape had predicted, but Hermione was able to assist him through finishing the assignment.

* * *

She headed back to her office after class and sat down to finish reading over Snape's notes. "Just inside the Slytherin common room there is a statue of Salazar Slytherin. Do not get too close to it or the snakes will come alive and attack you. They are poisonous."

Well the Slytherins certainly were an interesting bunch.

"Avoid telling the students where I've gone or when I will return. Do not permit them to speculate and at all costs do not react to speculation."

She headed towards the Great Hall for dinner. She pulled the two Slytherin Prefects aside.

" I want to speak with the both of you in my office immediately after dinner."

"Yes Professor" both of them said with puzzled looks on their faces.

An hour and a half later they both arrived.

"Sit."

"Professor Snape, as you know from Professor McGonagall's announcement, has been called away. I am filling in for both his Potions duties and his Slytherin duties. I will oversee your Quidditch practices along with Madam Hooch and I will be responsible for enforcing House rules. I want you to know that I am going to do anything but deviate from Professor Snape's usual expectations from Slytherin. I would suggest that you not tempt my seriousness on this matter, and I hope you will encourage the rest of the House to do the same. Is that understood?"

"Yes."

"Any questions?"

"When will he return?" One of them asked.

"That is none of your concern. Now I do have one favor to ask of you." She replied quickly. Change the subject Kara.

"Yes?"

"Would you kindly give me a tour of the Slytherin common room?" She smiled kindly.

"Uh... Of course."

She followed them back to Slytherin. The large stone door opened at hearing the password. The room they entered was a dark long dungeon-like room with large green and silver tapestries hanging one some of the walls. It was spectacular. To her left was the large statue of Salazar Slytherin. Around it hung plaques and pictures of prestigious Slytherins. Quidditch cup plaques plastered another one of the stone walls. Green lanterns that hung from the ceiling illuminated the room.

Several students sat around a large table playing wizards chess and reading. Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and several other students were huddled in a corner discussing something in private. Kara had a pretty good guess as to what it was.

"Girls rooms are to the left, boys to the right."

There were two huge arches that framed staircases that descended further under the castle. Windowless rooms now doubt.

Malfoy approached her.

"What do you think Professor?"

"Of the common room? It's lovely Draco. I take it the rooms downstairs have no windows?" she asked casually making friendly conversation.

"Yes."

"Best feature then I'd say. I am not a fan of windows."

"This is the statue of Salazar Slytherin. It's great." he said as he approached it with caution. He was drawing her in to play the joke on her. She played along.

The statue came alive and 10 snakes that the statue held in its arms came alive and jotted towards her. She didn't curl back but instead with her mind executed a perfect serpent calming charm. She tilted her head as if to feign curiosity, innocence and surprise. The snakes backed away and looked at her peacefully.

She looked at Malfoy.

"That is a very nice statue -- very lifelike. Slytherin certainly was tall."

The look on Malfoy's face was a mixture of shock and confusion.

She winked at him.

"Very well. You two know where my quarters are do you not?" she directed the questions at the Prefects who nodded their heads in return.

"Excellent then. I will retire for the evening. Curfew is in one hour. I remind you that it will be enforced as always. Good evening."