Savior of Darkness

Chapter 2: A Charmed Existence

Light and color slowly seeped back before my eyes, and the air knocked out found its way back into my desperate lungs. I gasped and shrank back against the wall, feeling sweat pouring out of me. I saw...I'd seen... I don't know what. An old man and two young boys, a dim-looking dandy and a young girl lying on the ground, eerily still. I tried to sort it out, but it was as if a fog had filled my mind, blocking even the slightest bit of information from coming forth. Yet somehow the room felt familiar, and instinct told me to get away, far away, from these creatures.

The old one approached me. There was nowhere for me to go, so I stayed down. My face involuntarily composed itself to the best of its abilities. It was the greatest defense I could think of, though its success I doubted with every beat of my pounding heart.

~*~

Albus slowly approached... he didn't know quite what to call what was before him. Part of him wanted to label the crouching, stunned sight an it. A creature that couldn't be fully understood nor trusted. Most of him felt like this. Yet, there was another part that stubbornly refused to be blinded to what appeared on the outside; a frightened-looking child, in absolute terror and confusion, whose whole past was most likely ripped from him. A terrified creature, who was now bravely trying to cover up any crack that might be used against him. A child who's instinct was building up walls instead of reaching out. A child whom he remembered quite well, and quite painfully.

A child Tom Riddle.

He had never forgotten Tom. He doubted anyone could. By far Tom had been the most brilliant student Hogwarts had ever had. Decidedly the most cunning mind he had ever encountered. One that Albus had never felt sure about how to handle. In that respect, Tom was the biggest regret of his life. Though where exactly he had gone wrong he wasn't sure. He had been told that Tom wasn't his fault, and he believed that. Intellectually, he knew that. Tom had made his choices. He had been dealt a dire hand, but ultimately his life had been his creation. Albus knew that.

Tom hadn't wanted his reaching hand. Whatever guidance he had tried to offer him had been met with that calm stare, its penetration reaching no deeper than the surface.

But had he offered the wrong things? He had never quite been able to warm up to Tom, though he had tried with all his being to mask that. There had always been something about the bright but shielded boy that had made him uneasy. Had Tom always sensed his apprehension, his guardedness? As much as he hated to admit it, Slytherins always had to earn his trust more so than other students, a prejudice that somewhat remained to this day, he was ashamed to say. Had he never given Tom the full acceptance that he longed for? He had been younger than, oh, yes. His patience and wisdom, if he could call it that, had not always been there at his fingertips. He hadn't had the experience he now did. He was a very different person than he had been fifty years ago. Part of that change was because of Tom - this unreachable boy. He had grown since then.

Or was this now his own ideality, his own ego in a way, which felt he could have changed the seemingly inevitable if he'd been then as he was now?

Now. What was now? What was he dealing with?

He knelt down before Tom. Brilliant blue eyes were directed back at his. A cold color, but one at least human. Albus' first instinct was to try and calm him. "There now. It is all right." A wary gaze was his response. Albus tried again. "Can you remember anything?"

The eyes searched him, blinking as droplets of sweat slid into them. They searched every aspect of his face, before a soft voice answered. "No. I don't." The voice cut Albus short. It had the slightly accented cadence that it had possessed long ago, when Tom had first come to Hogwarts. Before he had polished it up, going from an orphaned dialect to prim intellectual. That change hadn't taken long, and it had been so slight that most had never noticed Tom's original accent. But Albus had.

Right then Tom looked so distraught, even through his façade, that Albus instinctively reached for his shoulder. When he did so, Tom violently recoiled. The reaction was so abrupt that Albus immediately stopped. He frowned, pondering this act. It had been so quick that it seemed instinctual. Carefully, intentionally, he drew his hand back, trying again with words. "Do you remember your name?" Again, the boy shook his head, eyes cautious. He had drawn his knees up to him protectively. Albus persisted despite the lack of response. "How about the name Tom Riddle. Does that mean anything to you?"

The eyes went out of focus momentarily, and then closed. A shiver overtook the boy, but Albus didn't dare reach for him again. He waited in silence, as did the whole room, for Tom to come back. The effort seemed painful, if his strained brow was anything to go by. When he reopened his eyes, they were more clearly guarded. "I feel that I know it. And that I don't want to."

Albus sucked in his breath. The look...the look! He wanted to tell Harry to run. To tell everyone to scatter, and get away from this... person. Except -Tom looked like he wanted nothing better than to run away as well. He had been honest about his dislike, that much seemed evident. And Albus could rarely remember Tom being anything but evasive.

Drawn back by Tom's voice, he heard the boy ask, "Is that who I am? Do you know?"

What could he say? Albus looked around, realizing the futility of this act. There was no help, no guidance here. He sighed and then said simply, "I am not exactly certain." Honesty was not a bad brick to begin the bridge with Tom.

Tom looked crestfallen at that, and a hint suspicious. He cocked his head to one side, as he had always done in the past, and asked slowly, "But I know you, don't I? Am I right?"

Albus internally gave a snort that was half laughing to cover up a shred of surprise. Surprise, and uncontrollable amazement. He should have known the spell wouldn't knock everything out of Tom. Perhaps it was because Gilderoy had used Ron's broken wand. Maybe it was simply because Gilderoy himself had done it, and an Obliterated Gilderoy at that.

Or it was because Tom Riddle was too powerful for a simple charm to work fully... or forever. How long was there before it all came back? Was there enough time?

"Professor?" Harry! He'd nearly forgotten about the others. He turned to Harry, seeing the boy's flush. Breathing deep, Albus gave him a calming smile he didn't feel.

"It is all right, Harry. Your interruption is anything but. I must ask you to do something for me now. Is that possible?" Harry nodded eagerly. He would be hungry to do something, anything to help. Harry would wish to regain some shred of self as he knew it. Dumbledore reached up and patted him. "Harry, go and find Madam Pomfrey. Ask her to awaken Professors Snape and McGonagall and have them come here. Can you do that?"

It was as if he had been given the task of defeating the Lebon Green Dragon. Nodded swiftly, Harry took off down the darkened halls. After seeing his shadow retreat, Albus turned back. Ron was still clinging to Ginny. The sight tore him apart. He wanted to go to Ron, and to all of the Weasleys. Molly and Arthur were waiting in his office for him to return with news. His heart was given entirely to them, but his wary mind was fixed on Tom sitting beside him. And on Gilderoy, who was busy turning on all the faucets and cleaning himself up. Someone would have to look after him, as well. Albus sighed, wishing there were many more of himself.

"Is she all right?" Tom's voice broke into his thoughts and surprised him. He spun his head round quickly, searching Tom's face. Tom's face blanched from the scrutiny, and the walls were drawn over his eyes again. Albus wished that, with all of his experience, he could draw Tom's shield off without deflecting his own. At face value, there was nothing wrong with his question. It had been a small inquiry, and seemed genuine and harmless enough. But he simply could not trust Tom - could not trust anything he said or did or even thought. Even a simple statement he had to ground out and question if there was an ulterior motive. But that was to be expected, he told himself. His students came first, and this boy wasn't his student. Was he?

"No, Tom. She is not." He answered simply, watching Tom's eyes graze over her with a cool intensity that was impossible to read.

He then turned back to Albus and replied, "My name is Tom, then?" It could have been a defensive response, in reaction to the mistrust Dumbledore had exhibited. Feelings of fault crept their wormlike way into ensnaring his mind.

No, Albus thought irritably. Why should he give Tom the benefit of the doubt? He had been right about Tom before. Dippet, Binns, and all of the other professors Tom had had never questioned him, with catastrophic results. Albus alone had stood, defying that appearance of perfection. Now, when his school was at risk, he could not afford to hand out trust. He knew this. Yet all he felt now was guilt -

"You should go to him," Tom nodded in Ron's direction. "I think he needs you."

Before Albus could even think about how he wished to respond to that, Harry reentered the room. Following him were Severus, Minerva and Poppy. All of them were breathless with exertion and nerves. Upon seeing Tom, all of their eyes widened. Albus could see the memories of years pass through some of them. Minerva recovered quickly, with only a slight mouth drop. But Poppy actually let out a squeal. Fear rooted them, for they all knew the future of Tom Riddle, even if the one here recalled not even his past.

Severus instead turned to stone, with his right hand tightly clenched over his left arm. He didn't look like he quite recognized Tom, but Albus sensed suspicion. Albus looked at him questioningly, his eyes hinting at the mark. The dog tag, the Voldemort branding of cattle. Severus made a slight shake of his head to signal he felt no pain, and quickly dropped his hand. Albus nearly smiled sadly. He knew Severus well now, and his arm definitely hurt. But, now was not the time to deal with that.

Feeling the need to act before the gaping silence became more noticeable, Albus said, "Minerva, please see to Ron and his family." The portrait of Ron and Ginny sagging drew eyes and breaths. Minerva immediately jumped into action. Upon seeing the sight, she hadn't even falter. She wouldn't have, Albus knew. But seeing her act like the former pupil, current comrade, and close friend he knew brought renewed strength to Albus. Minerva had immediately gone to Ron, as did Poppy. Bending, Minerva gently extracted Ginny from Ron's arms. Pulling out her wand, she quietly said, "Mobilicorpus!" Ginny's still body rose, shining gray in the bright overhead light. Whispering to Ron, she guided both him and the body of his sister from the room.

Albus then turned to Poppy and said, "Poppy, please escort Professor Lockhart to the infirmary. Harry, go with her and make sure Gilderoy doesn't prove to be in the way of things."

"Excuse me!" Lockhart burst in huffily, but Harry yanked him along.

Finally, Albus turned to Snape, who was looking on silently and impassively. Albus stood up and walked over, gently blocking Snape from Tom. "Severus, I must ask you, please escort Tom here to the infirmary. I will be along very shortly."

He could see Snape had a thousand questions, but didn't push. Albus leaned in and whispered to him, "Severus, do not let him out of your sight. Gilderoy Obliviated him--"

"Of course he did," Snape couldn't help inserting.

"For all we know, that saved a few lives," Albus responded, and then submitted to Snape's raised eyebrows. "However unintentional that good end was."

"I strongly suspect that is the only way that man could do something proper," Snape interjected, and they shared a small smile that was as inappropriate as needed.

A glance over his shoulder at Tom found the boy still sitting on the cold floor, drawn into a ball with an odd half-smile on his face. Making a decision that tightened his chest, Albus said, "I am afraid to say, the pain you deny in your arm is indeed most likely linked to this situation - to him." Albus didn't have to motion to Tom. Snape's gaze went to the boy of their own accord, then back to Albus as Albus continued. "Apparently, the past has most efficiently caught up with us. Severus, that is Tom Riddle..."

Severus still did not seem to fully grasp the subtleness of Albus' words. Lowering his voice further, hating to use the phrase but realizing its prudence in the current situation, Albus finished with, "I believe you would recognize him in fifty years, as You-Know-Who."

Blood did not visibly freeze, but at that moment, Albus could swear he felt it had in Severus' veins. Discreetly grasping Severus' arm, Albus whispered firmly, "Supposedly his memory is gone."

Severus's eyes back stared into his. "Supposedly."

Albus nodded, reflecting the hesitancy back. "That is what it appears." Realizing with relief that Severus would not rashly move to attack, Albus released him.

A long moment passed, where Severus did not let Tom out of the corner of his vision. Albus could sense the tension in Severus' muscles beneath his cloak, and also the steady control Severus had learned to counter-act such emotional responses. Finally folding his arms, fists still clenched, Severus said, "Well, there is only one way to see, really, isn't there? At least to be more certain."

Albus felt his stomach's insides quiver. Yes, he knew he should proceed, but part of him did not want to. However, he said, "I was about to."

"I can do it, sir." Severus' voice was calm, and had immediately followed on the heels of Albus' response.

Pausing, Albus regarded him. Severus would do it. "No, Severus. I cannot allow you to do it." Albus wasn't prideful enough to think he was clearly a finer Legilimens than Severus. However, Severus' eagerness was too unsettling for Albus, for all of their sakes.

The corners of Severus' mouth tightened, and he said, "I wasn't speaking of the Imperius Curse, sir." Before Albus could say that he hadn't been thinking that, either, Severus hurried on. "Although, that would bring the most accurate results, wouldn't it? And it would be much better than sending him straight to Azkaban, right?" A pause, then slowly, painfully, he added, "It isn't like I haven't done it before." A dark expression came over his face, before he added firmly, "and wasn't that part of the reason you called for me?"

Yes. He couldn't deny that thought had tugged the corner of his mind. Not for Imperius, no, but Severus' insight and his abilities were, in part, directly formed from Voldemort. He might be invaluable here - and it might destroy him. Albus pressed a hand to his throbbing temples. "Even if it is was only used to get the truth, I could not allow it. For his sake, and for yours."

Severus dryly commented, "As though the Minister wouldn't give special permission for this."

"There are very good reasons why we have some lines drawn." The least of which was to give respect to the power certain magics held, and in so doing not abuse them. Exceptions to rules applied in harmony with respect for right, not for personal vengeance.

"You, a stickler for rules, Headmaster? What if I had his permission for it first?"

"It would not negate my abhorrence for your eagerness." Albus' voice was quiet but firm.

Severus looked piercingly at Albus, with a cunning stare Albus sometimes despised for its accuracy. "Or are you just taking pity on what appears to be an innocent child?" Then, as if realizing he had gone too far, he amended, "My apologies, sir." But Albus' mind was not on Severus' insubordination, or his remorse.

Innocent. Albus turned again, to examine Tom. Yes, he appeared innocent. Perhaps this is what Tom had needed. For Albus to trust him and therefore have a foundation upon which to truly try and help him. Would he be more inclined to break the law if it were for another student? Perhaps he deserved this burden, this wavering of the clear line between right and wrong. But then it would not be his burden alone. He certainly would not let Severus start down that path. Not again. The faults of Severus's past were failures also imprinted upon him. He always felt that way with students gone astray, like most worthy professors did. And he had not given up on Severus. Indeed, the redemption of Severus had been the undertaking of not only Severus' determination, but also of Albus' own faith. His life had been redirected, his reform had been possible. But then, Severus had never quite been a Voldemort. And he was a more skilled Legilimens.

"You know how to do it properly, Severus?"

Snape looked surprised. Still, he nodded with confidence, and a bit of shame at that confidence. "Yes, Headmaster. And it won't hurt him, if he cooperates. And I can tell if he blocks it, sir. I know when the spell doesn't take proper effect, if you pay attention to certain details. And it's a firmer leg to stand on than what we have now." Severus spoke as one confident in his abilities, as well as the outcome. All that needed was the decision of Albus to be made.

His decision. The weight of it was like an anchor. He understood Severus' reasoning. However, Albus still said, "No. I won't allow it now. In the meantime, I shall do it, coupled with your Veritaserum." He closed his eyes, caught between feeling shame and cowardice and a stubborn certainty that he was doing right.

Snape nodded, his eyes betraying nothing. "Yes, Headmaster." He then left for his potions, and Albus approached Tom. Leaning over, he said, "Tom?" Tom nodded slowly.

Taking a deep breath, he plunged on. "Tom, I - there is something that Professor Snape has to do. I want him to give you something to drink, which will make me sure that you are telling the truth. It should not hurt, and it will only last for a few moments. Is that all right?"

He didn't want to sound untrusting, and it was important to him that Tom be willing. Hurriedly, Albus added, "You see, what has happened with you being here, well, it is most unusual. It will take a very powerful spell - one that will not be harmful, do not worry - but one powerful enough to see if there is something that you know that even you are not sure you are not telling us."

Even Severus, who had returned for the end of his speech, looked a bit confused at the Headmaster's explanation. Albus justified it with the realization that it had served its purpose. Whether the other two knew it or not, he was doing his best to keep them all out of danger. Albus would not force a spell upon Tom. At least, not yet. But he would not resist his nagging doubts, as he had done so many years ago. If Tom was faking, Albus's distrust would be evident but unimportant. But, if he were telling the truth, Albus stood a good chance that Tom had bought his explanation. It was hard to tell from his pale expression.

~*~

I considered my options. I could say no, try to leave, and possibly be killed. I could bolt for the door - and possibly be killed. I could lie, though I knew I might be found out and killed... Or I could tell the truth. I hadn't really lied yet anyway. "Fine," I said cautiously, and braced myself. As Snape pulled out his vial, I noticed Dumbledore moved to stand before the door. This was clever, in case I ran off. Or, perhaps it was for their protection. Since now one was before me and the other behind, there was no way for me to reach both of them at once. A flush of embarrassment swept through me for some reason, since I didn't even recall what I had done to deserve this treatment. And their faces were impenetrable, so I couldn't make sense of either of them. But I certainly felt unsettled and disadvantaged, a sensation I quickly realized I didn't take kindly to.

The man called Snape pointed at me with his wand and said, "Drink it now." I did so, and then flattened against the moist wall, an eerie feeling overtaking me. The squeezing in my chest was a bit painful, and my jaw worked on its own. My eyelids shuddered in surprise as my self-control diminished. Every instinct told me to pull and fight, but at what I wasn't sure. Sweat began to drip as Dumbledore inquired, "Are you Tom Marvolo Riddle?" He seemed quite intent upon maintaining eye contact.

"I think so. It sounds right, but I don't know how or why. I can't remember." I could have tried to fight this, but he said that it would only make it take longer. I chose to answer, some part of me snarling at the submission.

Dumbledore continued, "have you been completely honest tonight in everything that you have said regarding your memory and everything else?" I had the feeling he was doing more than just listening to my answers, though I couldn't pinpoint exactly what was occurring.

"Yes," I responded. This answer didn't seem to make him feel better either. He just sighed as Snape released me from the potion's effects by a mere wave of his wand. As I fell forward, Snape came back around. Again their voices drifted below my register, but the pale contours of their faces I drank in.

~*~

Turning to Albus, Snape asked lowly, "what are you planning on doing with him, Albus? If his memory hasn't returned yet, it still will. What, are you going to test him every hour, to see if his memory has come back and if he's lied?"

His head aching, Albus gave Severus a mild look. "I had not planned on any such thing. For now, he is harmless. His memory should not return that quickly -"

"Unless Vol --unless You-Know-Who chooses, perhaps?" Snape interjected with gritting teeth. He gave Voldemort that name not out of fear, but subtleness to the acknowledgement of Tom being present.

"No, possibly not even then. We do not really know anything yet, Severus. I will need to contact the proper authorities, and try to figure this out. It will be hard, to get people to think rationally." Dumbledore said, stroking his beard, deep in thought.

"Everyone is too guarded now, you mean." Snape nodded grudgingly. "What then? We can't just let him be, Headmaster, you know -"

Dumbledore interjected quietly. "He is Tom Riddle, Severus. But he is not necessarily that one."

Snape almost exploded. "You can't be serious, sir! You, of all people, should realize -"

"Oh, I am not a fool, Severus. But I am up for a challenge. This...rebirth... is a brilliant move by You-Know-Who, if it even is a move. But if I recall him when he was younger, and I do, very well, he never liked anyone having control over him. Someone telling him he was pure evil might drive him the other way, as much as it might entice him. I doubt that this Tom would like it any more, even if a version of himself was doing it." He turned to Snape and said very slowly, "He is not that Tom...not yet."

Snape sighed, raising his hands in defeat. "It would be near impossible, if you ask me. The students aren't stupid--well, the Slytherins aren't. They'll know something is going on. And there are some parts of Lord - of You-Know-Who that are just nature to him. He was a true Slytherin, and he was evil at some level. Granted, this might work for our favor as well, but whose to say we won't create another...problem...right in front of us?"

"That is why we have to proceed with the utmost caution. But even though he is Tom, these spells are complex. Voldemort would be counting on the fact that he is totally evil and corrupt, and I do not believe any human is... I just cannot believe that. It is not merely my guilt speaking. I do not trust him anymore than you do, Severus. Not yet. Nor will I act against him." A sound came from the corner of the room. At that, Albus turned back to Tom.

~*~

I saw Snape sigh, and Dumbledore followed suit, as they came towards me again. I had been straining to hear what was said, to little avail. Their voices were so hollow, I had only caught snatches of it. None of it seemed to make sense.

Where they still talking about me? It was hard to tell. There seemed to have been another name interjected, one that I couldn't make out. Their voices had dropped to an almost inaudible level, and I don't think they knew I had caught anything. They didn't even seem to remember I was there until right then, when I'd shifted to ease the spasm in my back. They both turned around, and Dumbledore leaned forward, his ever-watchful eyes locking with mine. "Are you all right?"

I nodded, and then winced. "I have a headache," I said. Dumbledore reached down, presumably to get his wand out, and I said hurriedly, "Leave it! I've had enough for one day!" Dumbledore and Snape looked at each other in confusion. Finally Snape shrugged and said, "I forgot about the sweets that you kept on you, Headmaster. I suppose he doesn't want any."

"Sweets?" I repeated. Dumbledore actually gave me a small smile at that, and offered me some. I was starving beyond belief, having literally not eaten in I don't know how long, but I trusted him about as much as I had enjoyed having the truth forced out of me. "No, thank you. Not hungry."

Dumbledore shrugged and released his pockets. They disappeared within the folds of his long robe. "Well, we should think about what to do with you. I imagine you are quite exhausted. That is a common side effect for spells of this nature, I would imagine."

Snape, standing in his old position of arms crossed complete with sneer, said, "Let one from my House take him." I saw the look of disapproval on Dumbledore's face, but Snape continued, "What, shall we have Granger, or P - another Gryffindor take him? That would be wonderful. Or the Hufflepuff prefect, stuttering the whole way? He's too smart for them. No, I think one from my House would best be suited. I will give the prefects instructions, and let them know that it is to their benefit to keep them." I detested that I couldn't tell whether Snape was being sarcastic or not.

Dumbledore remained quiet. I raised my voice and asked, "Am I to be in this Slytherin, then?"

"No." That decisive response came from the both of them. Then Dumbledore took over. "I do not think we should get the students involved, until we know a bit more of what is going on. I think he should spend the night in the infirmary, but the Weasleys will be in there I imagine. And Lockhart, dear Merlin. Must move him as well." He seemed now even older, as if years of life had been added in one moment. He finished in an almost deflated tone. "We'll figure all that out later. I need some time to think, and consult with others. Severus, perhaps you could hold him for the night? Come to me if you become aware of anything. I will try to figure how to deal with all of this."

Snape nodded grudgingly, though it seemed almost with a bit of pride. I didn't realize I was such a stimulating responsibility. Dumbledore then turned to me and said, "I think that now you should go to sleep."

I stood, making a mental note of all that I had heard. Thomas Riddle, and a Lord of some sort. The words rang through me with chilling waves. It seemed that I was connected to him in some way. Why else would he have been mentioned? Once more facing their guardedness, I also noted that I had to be careful. It seemed no one trusted me any more than I them. Focusing on the only thing I had, my sense of well-being and protectiveness fueled my motions.

I moved forward, between the two who stood at my sides with hawkish eyes. My fists clenched at their secrecy. Having so little certainty about myself was terrifying, as if each step worsened my plight and control. I might have reacted more to it if I weren't so spent, emotionally and physically.

A question came to me then that brightened me enough to ask it. "So do I have a wand? Can I have it?" The brief looks of pure refusal were my answer.

"Not... quite yet," was Dumbledore's reply. Was the man certain of anything? Or was he purposely being vague? I felt even less respect for him either way from my frustration. Here I was, with no real clue about myself, and he seemed more concerned about his school. The only reason he seemed to have to keep me was for his own morality. At least Snape I could respect a bit. He seemed to want me gone, period, if his sneer was anything to go by. But then, he had given the other children the same exact same look.

Snape came around the desk and stood near me. He opened the door, careful not to make contact with me. "I will take you to my rooms. I trust you not to touch anything." Yes, I felt the trust. That was all he said as we walked down the enormous hall. I was shivering, and curiosity kept my gaze busy. The paintings moved, and oddly shaped statues and furniture abounded. Out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of someone leaving from what looked like a wall. A doorway had appeared where a picture of a man taming a lion was. It was all fantastic, bewitching and curious. I lagged behind, hoping Snape wouldn't notice so I could keep watching.

He did notice. "What are you lagging for?" He asked me sharply.

I racked my brain for a delay. "Did I know you?" I finally asked.

That forced him to halt. Eyes narrowed and intimidating, he slowly snarled, "Do you remember something?"

I shook my head in innocence. "No, but you act like it. I don't know for certain. I'm not getting anything from you." He looked very relieved at that giving something away in doing so. I then stooped to tie my shoes in a dumb but effective ruse to stall before straightening. By this time, several people were standing before the painting, but the doorway was closed. I was disappointed I hadn't been able to see inside the room. However, since I couldn't hear what they were saying, there was no need to prolong the cover. "Ready," I said.

Snape had meanwhile noticed the small group. His face twisted in an expression of resign, he muttered, "Just a moment. They are all here, of course." He strode forward, calling out to the group, "Amanda?" One of the girls turned, a calm and imperious look on her face. When she saw me, an odd twist of her mouth greeted me. I heard rustling, and saw the other people wearing similar expressions of self-satisfaction and now added puzzlement.

Snape stood before them, blocking me. "What are you all doing about? I should take ten points from you all. Especially you, Amanda. As a prefect, you should have your charges safe in the Slytherin common rooms right now."

The girl he addressed stepped forward and answered, "Forgive us, Professor. We heard the news about the Gryffindor, and that it was safe now. A small smile lit up her face. "We just wanted to see for ourselves what was going on. Purely for easing the minds of the other, less informed students."

Snape didn't seem impressed with their knowledge. "Word travels fast, doesn't it?"

"Yes, sir. We were just waiting for you, to see if it were true." She dropped her eyes in an appropriate display of shame. "I know it was against the rules, sir. I'm very sorry."

Snape snorted. "I bet you are. Now get back to your rooms." At that, all the Slytherins looked disappointed, but the stern glance Snape gave them kept them at bay. I received many curious glances though, and one student looked so hard that Snape called out, "Move faster, Mr. Malfoy." The boy then looked up and, seeing his Head of House's glare, turned and quickly caught up with his peers.

Snape turned, about to place a hand on my shoulder before remembering that I apparently carried some plague. I glowered on the inside. I did carry a plague, for all that I knew. I doubted it, though. But I was carrying something - something not too long ago. I must have dropped it. I frowned, trying to stand still, to feel the curves and textures of a memory that would not come through. As if on cue, I was given a short push, and all thought escaped. I faced Snape, but he said nothing. He simply pointed the way, and we began to move slowly down a staircase into darkness.