1975

Chapter Seven - The Breaking Point

It takes a great deal of nerve to ignore death stares from one's students. Professor Vindictus Viridian had that nerve. He was in a happy mood. The previous evening, Dumbledore had announced to the school that Frank Longbottom had resigned his post as prefect.

"Anything wrong, Mr. Snape?" he asked Severus, singling out his face as one of the more hostile.

"No," said Severus.

"Very well. We'll begin in on the Unforgivable Curses. I know you've all been eagerly anticipating this. I think it only fair to explain to you once again that you shan't learn how to use them on each other. Not only will I not be teaching such dark magic, it takes a good deal of skill to perform them." Viridian pulled out his wand and struck a familiar pose, ready to show off.

"How did you learn the Unforgivable Curses, sir?" asked Melania Frost.

Viridian ignored the question. "I will be demonstrating the Imperius Curse first." His eyes glittered as they searched the class for a victim. "Miss Jorkins."

Florence's stomach gave a lurch. Viridian had picked her because she was his best student. Any other teacher would like his best student, but Viridian took her high marks as a personal insult. She knew he would make her do something degrading.

"Imperio!" He paused a second, then his eyes fixed on Rolly beside her. "Kiss Wilkes."

There was a gasp from the students. Rolly froze in the midst of scribbling out the latest scene of his epic adventure.

It was over in a second. Rolly was in shock. Florence had buried her face in her hands. She was sobbing.

"You see how overpowering the Imperius Curse is?" began Viridian.

"Professor, that was completely uncalled-for," snapped Julian. The others gasped. Julian never talked back to teachers.

Viridian only smiled. "Really, Miss Tierney? I suppose you think yourself qualified to criticise my teaching methods. No wonder Longbottom thinks you'd make a good prefect."

"I'll take that as a compliment," said Julian shortly.

"You'll leave this class," shot back Viridian. "Make sure not to trip on the threshold on the way out."

Julian left without a word, her face white, but her head held high and proud.

"This has gone past tolerating," Rodolphus said, once they'd left the class.

"Well, what would you suggest doing?" said Florence snappishly.

"Putting Viridian under Imperius," answered Alison lightly. "That's my ultimate goal at least."

Kenneth wrinkled his brow. "I didn't think you were allowed to use the Unforgivable Curses on people. There's time in Azkaban for Imperius. We should tell the Aurors about Viridian."

"Nice thought, Rolly, but won't work," said Florence fondly. "There's an exception for the Hogwarts curriculum. Of course."

"We need to become Aurors and identify Viridian as a suspect," Severus whispered to Alison. She nodded.

Without saying a word, they let the others walk on ahead of them. "Lovely new law," he added once they were out of earshot.

She shrugged. "Nothing more than we expected. It shouldn't affect us."

"Not here," agreed Severus. "But we won't be here forever. There's no room to walk a line anymore. Longbottom basically accused me of being a Death Eater when I argued with him before Christmas."

"He would," said Alison. "He's becoming an Auror, right?"

"Aren't you?"

She shrugged again. "I'd like to. But you know they mostly draw from the old trustworthy families."

"You agree the future doesn't look good for either of us?"

"I agree. I don't really know what to do about it. Except walk that narrow line as best as I can. I'm not going to drop the Dark Arts out of fear of Crouch."

"You can't walk a narrow line."

"Do you think I need you telling me that? Do you have suggestion?"

"Yes, I do," said Severus quietly. "I think we should look to making some alliances."

"Find a patron, you mean. There's nothing I'd like better. But no one wants us. And we're friends with all the wrong people. Rodolphus is the best positioned friend we have and the Lestranges are on the outside looking in these days when it comes to power."

"We'll find powerful friends. We are Slytherins."

"Yes, I do agree."

Severus made to reply, but paused at the sound of racing footsteps down the corridors. Seconds later, James Potter and Sirius Black burst around the corner.

Since Alison and Severus had heard Kenneth's account of his Christmas holidays, they had been half-dreading, half-anticipating this meeting. From the immediate flush on Black's face, it appeared that he had been as well.

"Do you own the floor there, Snape? Or will you let us pass?" asked Black.

"In a second," Severus replied. "We need to sort out some things."

Black's hand moved to his wand. "Yes?" he asked.

Severus followed suit, grasping his own wand within his pocket. Long experience had taught him that while he was more knowledgeable about spells, Black drew faster. Still, he had Alison to back him up. "Did you really think you could mess with Avery and not with me?" he asked in his best threatening tone.

"Mess with Avery?" Black asked, his voice unnaturally high. "Has it ever occurred to you that you bunch have messed up Avery beyond repair?"

"By not torturing him?" Alison retorted. A confused look appeared on Potter's face, but he said nothing.

"Kenneth Avery was my best friend before Hogwarts," replied Black coldly. "And now look at him. A snivelling coward who has no mind of his own, who follows your every whim. Awfully useful to you, Snape, but you've ruined him."

Severus's face turned completely white. "Name the time and place, Black. Name it, or I will kill you here in this corridor!"

"Tonight at midnight. In the trophy room," said Black without hesitation, as though he'd thought it out beforehand. But then, he probably had. "James, you'll be my second."

"What the hell are you fighting about?" asked Potter, bewildered.

"I'll be Severus's second," Alison added.

All three of the boys stared at her in amazement. "Right," said Black, his glare turned a grin. "I'd love to see the look on Lestrange's face when he hears that, but..."

"Mind your own business," snapped Alison.

"Sirius, what is this all about?" insisted Potter. "I'll be your second, of course, but I'd like to know."

"Yes, do explain it to him," said Alison. "In detail. Every single sordid detail. I'm sure Potter would love it." She pulled her cloak close around her and began walking towards the History of Magic classroom. With a thin-lipped smile on his face, Severus followed her

"If another person insinuates that I belong to Rodolphus Lestrange, I will not be responsible for what happens," snapped Alison as he caught up with her.

"I won't insinuate anything of the sort," promised Severus. "Lovely, wasn't that?"

"You mean, 'We were just torturing him for his own good?' Remind me to kill Pettigrew once you're finished with Black," said Alison.

Rodolphus, waiting for them near the classroom door, overheard the last words. "You can't kill Pettigrew all by yourself!" he protested. "It's really not fair, leaving us out like that."

"I'm going to fight a duel with Black," Severus told him tonight." The moment he said the words, he was surprised to feel his insides go all wobbly. He'd felt so strong challenging Black.

"Good," said Rodolphus appreciatively. "I'll be your second."

"Alison's already volunteered," said Severus.

"Alison? But...Witches don't generally second in duels, you know."

"Since the dawn of time, Rodolphus?" she asked drily.

"Pretty much.... Actually, though, it's probably better you than me. It'll restrain Potter from turning it into an out-and-out brawl."

"Potter couldn't resist trying to smash in your face, could he?" agreed Alison. "These Gryffindors." Shaking her head, she went into the classroom.

"Isn't..." began Rodolphus.

"She marvellous?" finished Severus for him.

"No, not that at all." A shadow passed over Rodolphus's face. "I'll tell you later, but..."

Potter and Black were coming up the hallway.

"Let's go inside, shall we?" said Rodolphus.

It took them a few seconds to register the scene inside. Professor Binns was standing in front of the class. He was pearly white and transparent.

"Sit down, Mr. Leroy. You too, Mr. Stokes." For once, the class did not snicker.

"Sir, are you all right?" asked Florence.

"Certainly, Miss Jenkins," said Binns irritably. "Could you all open up to Page 512 of A History of Magic?" He put his hand down on the desk and it slid through the wood. Sybill screamed, launching the class into chaos.

"Go for Professor Dumbledore now, someone," ordered Julian desperately.

"I'll go." Lupin was already half out the door.

"Mr. Lipton, you will sit down. Cease this disturbance in my class, all of you!"

"You don't even care that you've died?" shouted Florence.

Sybill fainted onto the floor and Lupin escaped in search of Dumbledore.

"Really, this is completely unnecessary," Binns was saying as Lupin returned with the Headmaster. Black and Potter, whom Lupin had met on his way out, trailed them. "Headmaster, perhaps you can aid these young people in settling down."

Dumbledore looked half way between laughing and crying. "I think, Eadric, that you should come with me," he said gently.

"I don't see why that's necessary," said Binns stiffly.

"I think it is. If you'll oblige me. You see, I'm supposed to go to London this afternoon and there are several things I would like to discuss with you before I go."

"Very well," said Binns. "We will be reviewing Chapters Fourteen and Fifteen next class," he announced, then departed through the wall.

Dumbledore smiled benevolently on the shocked students. "I think I'll give you the morning off after that experience. Professor Binns will be all right, Miss Trelawney. And after this, I think a bit of chocolate wouldn't go amiss." He reached into a deep pocket and produced a bag of Muggle sweets. "Here you are," he said, handing them to Lily Evans. "Distribute them fairly."

Sybill Trelawney, who had been lying on the floor and doing her best to get Lupin's attention, moaned loudly once Dumbledore left, then half opened her eyes to gauge Lupin's reaction. He was taking a sweet from Lily Evans, unaware of her agonies.

"It's horrible," cried Sybill. "Death - death - just as I foretold."

"You did predict Professor Binns would die, didn't you?" said Julian with interest.

"Yes, I did." Sybill sat up a little. "I envy you your happy ignorance, Julian, but I have dreaded this moment for months."

"You've dreaded the deaths of half the staff," Evan pointed out.

"Evan," said Rodolphus There were rules after all. One didn't publicly mock one's housemates.

"She's a right idiot," snapped Evan. "Predicting our deaths and true love for herself!"

Sybill broke down into sobs.

"Evan Rosier!" said Kenneth sharply, taking hold of his arm. Rolly grabbed Evan's other arm and they marched him out of that classroom. Severus and Rodolphus followed swiftly behind.

"It'll be all right, Sybill? Do you want a sweet?" Florence awkwardly asked.

Back in the boys' dormitory, an unpleasant scene unfolded.

"Evan, what you did..." began Rodolphus. He stopped, as if not sure exactly what to say.

"You dragged that girl's reputation through the mud," said Severus coolly. "The whole school will be gossiping about it by lunchtime."

"But she's pathetic!" complained Evan. "Everyone knows that."

"So, you're encouraging them?" asked Kenneth.

"Giving those Gryffindors, giving that Lupin a reason to mock her?" said Severus fiercely.

"I... Rolly?" Evan said grasping for support.

Rolly sized Evan up. "I can't believe you did that," he said after a few seconds. "I just can't believe it."

Their faces were cold and unforgiving. "I see," said Evan slowly. "I was wrong." He sat down on his bed. He knew what he faced. He had betrayed House Slytherin and there would be consequences. He could look forward to several days of no one speaking to him or noticing his existence. Already, as the others and returned to their own easy conversation, the loneliness weighed on him.

"Severus," said Rodolphus quietly. "Would you lend me an ear about something?"

"Yes?"

"It's about my parents partly. I had a horrible Christmas break and I feel like I'm going to go crazy keeping it all inside. I will if you don't listen attentively." He gave Severus a small grin.

"Tell me then," said Severus.

Rodolphus hadn't seen trouble ahead when he first arrived home. His parents had welcomed him back warmly. He'd been happy to be with his family again. After dinner, however, his mother, his older brother, Rabastan, and his Aunt Hannah had gone to look at pictures of his aunt's holiday to Italy and he and his father had been left alone.

"I heard a rumour from Augustus Rookwood," began his father lazily. "That you've been rather preoccupied with a Muggleborn girl lately. Rookwood, of course, was saying it only out of friendly concern for the family," he ended sarcastically.

"I'd be pleased if Mr. Rookwood would..." began Rodolphus.

"He's telling me the truth, though, isn't he?"

"Yes sir," said Rodolphus sullenly. There was no point in arguing with his father. He knew that from years of experience.

"You know what I think."

"Yes sir."

"Rodolphus, I suppose it's to be expected. You're almost sixteen and I'd actually rather it be some Mudblood than a girl with a family to deal with. So, do whatever you need to with her."

He had not expected this. His face burned as his father continued, "However, for the sake of the family reputation, something to which you seem entirely oblivious, a few guidelines. Do not make it public. Privately, you can do what you want, but I don't want to hear any more tales from Augustus Rookwood. Secondly, I'd rather you not get her pregnant. There's enough half-bloods about without my having to support one. Look to that."

Blood was throbbing in Rodolphus's temple. In his mind's eye, he could see Alison flicking her dark hair out of her face, and in his ears, he could hear his father's cool, heartless advice to use and her discard her.

"Do you understand?" he was asking.

"Yes, sir," said Rodolphus. He understood all too well.

"Stop blushing then, and we'll go and take a look at those Italy photographs," said his father laughing.

The memory of it even now chilled him.

"I haven't a monopoly on parent problems, I see," said Severus, once Rodolphus had finished telling the story. "What did you do with the book?"

The book was a mildewed volume that Rodolphus had found in his room detailing contraceptive charms.

"Burnt it!" said Rodolphus. "I mean, really..."

"You are keen on Alison, though," said Severus. "To state the obvious."

"Obvious to Augustus Rookwood," said Rodolphus bitterly.

"Cynthia probably told him. She's Hogwarts's chief gossip, after all."

"Lovely Cynthia Rookwood of Hufflepuff. How I would like to smash her nose," said Rodolphus.

"Rodolphus, such Muggle sentiments! "

"I can't help it."

"Rodolphus, it'll work out all right. You can go on falling in love under our noses. We don't mind... much. And I think it's time for lunch, so you can stop scowling at me."

Lunch was a miserable affair. No one was talking to Evan, Sybill still looked ready to break into tears any minute, and Kenneth and Julian were squabbling over politics.

"Bagnold knows exactly what she's doing," Kenneth was saying. "My Dad works for Magical Games and Sports and he says..."

"Bagnold does not run the Ministry," broke in Julian. "And if you don't know that, I don't even know why we're having this discussion."

"Where did you learn this? Do you work at the Ministry?"

"It's common knowledge that Crouch is in control," said Julian.

"Stop it," said Rolly. "No politics at the table, please. I'm getting a head-ache."

This plea was taken as a signal for Julian and Kenneth to turn on Rolly.

Several minutes of bickering later, they were interrupted by Ludo Bagman. "Longbottom's asked for you to shut up," he said cheerfully. "So, I'd do it, if were you."

Down the table Frank Longbottom was glaring at them.

"Is he a prefect or something that he can boss us around?" asked Julian snappishly.

"Right, I'll tell him that," said Ludo grinning.

The look on Frank's face as Ludo relayed the news was priceless. For a second, he frowned, then a smile appeared on his face, a smile that could be described with no other word than evil. He jumped up from the bench and walked down the table to join them.

"You're absolutely certain power rests in authority, Tierney?" he asked, his smile charming but dangerous.

Julian looked a little disconcerted. "It should at least," she stammered. "We have every right to discuss politics at the table, Longbottom."

"Not any more you don't, Tierney. Under the circumstances, I'm declaring emergency regulations. No more of this talk, or you'll have to deal with me."

"What do you mean by that?" she asked.

"Feel free to find out. But," and he lowered his voice, "Do remember that Crouch's son is sitting at this table, as well as many other Ministry kids. I'd keep my opinions to myself under the circumstances. Besides, you're completely wrong about the Crouch-Bagnold dynamic."

"Was it just me or was Longbottom getting a bit flirty with you there?" asked Melania, as he walked away.

"It was just you," said Julian through clenched teeth. "Why didn't he go after Rolly? He was making twice as much noise."

The rest of the afternoon passed in hurt feelings, resentment, and general boredom. All in all, Evan was happy to get away from his unfriendly friends and to comb the library for a good book. Nothing serious. Life was too depressing these days for serious books.

He had always prided himself on his hearing and he had overheard Severus and Rodolphus's conversation. Cynthia Rookwood was forever making trouble for them. He'd seen her at the Hufflepuff table at lunch, doing a cruel but accurate imitation of Sybill Trelawney, and although part of him wanted to laugh, he realised that Severus and the rest had been entirely right about the damage being done to Sybill. Someone ought to do something about that Rookwood girl.

He walked to the other side of the stack and froze. Cynthia Rookwood was sitting at a table three feet away, surrounded by stacks of books, several rolls of parchment, and broken quills.

"What do you want, Rosier?" she asked irritably.

Getting over his shock, he strode forward to the table. "I want you to stop your malicious gossip about my friends."

Cynthia looked startled. "Leave me alone, Rosier!" she said.

"No, I will not leave you alone. Do you know how much damage your poison tongue has done to other people?"

Unexpectedly, Cynthia broke into tears.

"Stop crying," said Evan harshly. He couldn't think of anything else to say. He looked around uneasily to see if anyone was about to spot them. Making girls cry in the library would not be good for his reputation.

"You-you," sobbed Cynthia, "You horrible... I c-can't even do these Transfiguration problems, and I'm going to fail, and then you c-come after me."

"How are your problems with Transfiguration my fault?" asked Evan.

"I'm going to fail and then my father will kill me," continued on Cynthia without paying any attention. It seemed she'd been waiting a long time to find someone to unload her problems to and Evan was as good a target as any.

Evan reflected that Cynthia was probably right. It was commonly assumed that Augustus Rookwood had been none too pleased by his daughter's sorting into Hufflepuff. Could anyone blame him? It must have been a nasty shock for the ex-Ravenclaw to say the least.

"I've memorised every rule and I just can't do it," Cynthia was complaining. "It doesn't make any sense."

Evan took a deep breath. "Of course it won't. You can't just memorise rules. You have to understand how it works." He picked up the Transfiguration textbook.

Cynthia stared in surprise as he opened the book to the first page.

"Do you even understand the basic concepts of Transfiguration?" he asked.

"Of course I do," said Cynthia. "We learnt them in first year."

"You mean you memorised them in first year," said Evan, sitting down on the table. "Do you understand them? Look, I'll explain...."

* * * * * * * * * *

Supper was livened up by Dumbledore's announcement that there would be a bonfire and fireworks on the grounds. The wobbly feeling in Severus's stomach, however, would not go away.

"I think that I'm quite likely to throw up on Black's shoes," he calmly told Rodolphus

"That doesn't matter," said Rodolphus nonchalantly. After all, he wasn't the one fighting the duel. "He's a good dueller, but your hexes are so much more advanced. He won't expect one of them. Turn him inside out or something and then throw up on his shoes."

"Severus, we'll get you an anti-nausea draught." Alison glared at Rodolphus. "And I think you should get some rest."

"Pomfrey won't let me stir out of the hospital wing if I have to take a potion," said Severus. "And I wouldn't trust my life to your potion-making. Or mine for that matter. Or any of us except Florence. Maybe."

"Florence," called Alison across the table. "Would you make us an anti-nausea draught?"

"Go to the hospital wing," said Florence. "What do I look like, a walking apothecary? I'm going outside tonight like everyone else."

"I'll tell her about the duel," said Alison quickly.

"No, don't bother," said Severus. "I know just who to ask." His eyes flitted towards where the second years were sitting.

* * * * * * *

"I can't believe you don't know how to make an anti-nausea draught," said Barty Crouch, placing the cauldron on Severus's desk in the fifth year boys' dormitory. "They teach that in first year."

"Meander never tested for it," said Rodolphus defensively. He could hardly believe they were asking a thirteen-year-old to make a potion for them. Severus, however, had insisted that Barty was amazingly good at potions and that he wouldn't turn them in if he figured out why they wanted it.

"It's nice of you to miss out on the fireworks for Severus's sake," said Alison, who was stretched out on Kenneth's bed and quietly contemplating a plot to steal his mattress, drag it to the girls' dormitory, and replace it with hers.

"I'm not allowed outside," said Barty flatly. "They're afraid I'd be kidnapped."

"From Hogwarts?" said Alison in alarm. "Do they really think that could happen?"

"Dumbledore doesn't. He thinks that the students will be fine as long as they're under supervision. But my father disagrees. So, as a result, Narcissa and I will be cooped up indoors the rest of the year. And the staff will spy on us all the time now. You know my father..."

"Actually, I don't," said Alison amused.

"Right," said Barty, as if he couldn't quite understand this. "Well, he gets what he wants generally."

"Including the Unforgivables," said Severus coolly.

"Yes," agreed Barty. "Including the Unforgivables." He paused for a second. "I don't know what you think, but if I end up dying for my surname, I hope the Aurors use Cruciatus on the culprits."

"No one's going to die," said Rodolphus sternly. "Hogwarts is secure."

"For now." Barty continued to stir the draught thoughtfully. "And my father is doing everything to keep it that way. Including authorising the Unforgivables."

"How do you think they'll be using them?" asked Rodolphus.

"Your guess is as good as mine," said Barty with a slight smile. "I know you're trying to pump me for information, but I don't know anything." He paused. "Cruciatus, though, can break memory charms and Imperius."

"It's torture," said Alison.

Barty lifted his pale face up to hers. "Which would you rather be, tortured to break the spell or sent to Azkaban?" he demanded

"Neither," said Rodolphus. "To tell you the truth, I'm with you, Crouch. These two are a little too soft-hearted."

Severus looked stunned at having been called soft-hearted. Alison frowned.

"I'm not sure I would have decided differently either," she said. "But it still scares me."

"Avada Kedavra to kill quickly, cleanly, and probably painlessly," continued Barty softly, as if the others had not spoken.

"The Aurors already could already kill in self-defence," said Severus.

Barty bit his lips. "What if a suspect runs? Is killing him self-defence?"

"You can only kill then if it's in defence of others," said Alison. "If he's on a killing spree, for example."

"What if you know the man is a Death Eater and that he's going to kill more people if he gets away?" asked Barty.

"You Avada Kedavra him in the back," said Rodolphus. "I don't care. I'm not planning to be a Death Eater."

"The point is that the person may be innocent," said Alison. "Do either of you have a scrap of appreciation for our civil liberties?"

All three boys looked blankly at her.

"Never mind," said Alison. "What about Imperius?"

"Just as You-Know-Who is using it," said Barty.

There was a short silence.

"And that's just what they'll say they're using them for," said Severus. "We all know the true story. Cruciatus to torture, Avada Kedavra on people already in custody, Imperius to obtain confessions."

"Right." Barty's hands were shaking. "I am dumping this potion down the washroom drain if you can't keep a civil tongue in your head about my father."

"Your father's a very intelligent man," said Severus, looking at Barty intently. "And he knows he can't keep his hands clean fighting a war."

"No, you can't," said Barty.

* * * * * *

"Isn't he sweet?" asked Alison, once Barty had finished the draught, and left.

Rodolphus snorted. "Sweet was not the word going through my mind. Thirteen-year-olds aren't supposed to have thought long and deeply about the Unforgivable curses."

"I resent that," said Severus.

"Everyone knows you were a twisted little bugger at thirteen," said Rodolphus.

"Thank you very much for the compliment," said Severus, his voice cold, but his eyes glinting with amusement. "I suppose that it testifies to the strength of our friendship."

"You know it's a little pathetic that we're plotting to brew up Polyjuice if we can't even trust ourselves with a nausea draught," said Alison suddenly.

"I thought we'd dismissed that objection," said Rodolphus.

"Yes. We did," said Severus. "Not on any grounds except that we wanted to do it, of course."

"Of course," said Rodolphus. "We weren't being that mature, were we?"

"You're not thinking of pulling out," said Alison disapprovingly.

"No," said Severus. "We've put our minds to it. We'll get it done. I'm not intrinsically terrible at Potions like poor Julian. I just don't pay any attention in class."

At that moment, the door flew open and Kenneth and Rolly walked in.

"Oooohh, compromising situation!" cried Kenneth in delight, as Alison hopped off his bed. "Shall we get you a cot to sleep on? You seem to be in here all the time."

"Very funny," said Alison. "I'll get out of here before everyone else comes in."

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Near Midnight, and Alison and Severus were standing together in the Trophy Room waiting for Black and Potter to arrive.

"If they've stood us up after everything we've gone through, I'll track them down and kill them," Alison declared.

"No," said Severus absentmindedly. "They're Gryffindors. They don't do that sort of thing. They're good for that, at least." He was looking at the Quidditch Cup. "Do you think you'll finally win it this year?"

"I really think we will. Edmund Avery's already got a few cases of champagne stowed under his bed. Too bad about the House Cup, though. Viridian will never let us get close."

"Viridian would try to take away our Quidditch victories if he could. He's..." he stopped as the door of the room opened and Potter and Black entered.

"Good evening," said Alison.

Potter's face was uncharacteristically pale. "What are the rules of this thing?" he muttered. "Don't try to kill each other' had better be the first thing on the list, or I will march Sirius right out of here."

"Don't worry, James. I'll save killing Snivellus for later," said Black. "In front of an audience." Severus bit his lip, but said nothing.

"A rule against killing's a good start," said Alison. "If either of you gets seriously hurt, it's over immediately. And I don't need to say that your clogging charms are terrible, Potter, so I'll do any blood-staunching spells."

"Blood staunching?" asked Black in surprise. "That is morbid!"

Severus smiled. "This isn't a game, Black. This is a duel."

"I nicked a few things from the Infirmary," continued Alison. "To patch you up if necessary."

"You look happy at the prospect," commented Black lightly. Underneath his carefree manner, Alison could tell that he was scared. His hands were holding the wand a little too tightly.

"Then we'll start?" asked Alison.

"I suppose so," said Potter. "How far should they stand apart?"

"Twenty paces is the usual distance, but I think you should all get back to bed," came a voice from the door.

Frank Longbottom was standing there in his housecoat and slippers, his arms crossed, a frown on his face. "Potter, Black, back to the Gryffindor Common Room. Howard and Snape, come with me. That is, if you all want to avoid losing your Houses a few hundred points."

"Wh-who told you we were here?" said Severus, stuttering in anger.

"That really doesn't matter," said Frank. "Could we leave before..."

"Before what, Longbottom?" came another voice from behind him, a voice that chilled the bones of all five students.

"Professor McGonagall," said Frank. "I was..."

Minerva McGonagall surveyed the four would-be duellers and the Slytherin prefect. "Well, this is certainly a sight. You four," she motioned at Alison, Severus, Potter, and Black. "I would have expected no better of, but what are you doing here, Longbottom?"

"Trying to get them to bed before you found them," said Frank. "I seem to have failed."

"Indeed you have," said McGonagall. "If you knew these four were going to be duelling, you should have gone to a teacher."

"That is the Gryffindor approach, Professor."

Severus thought for a second that McGonagall was going to smile, but her face quickly composed itself. "All of you follow me."

"How does she know we were duelling?" muttered Severus to Alison.

"Oh, we've been ratted on. From both sides," said Alison. "And we tell anyone except Rodolphus."

After a half hour of Viridian ranting and McGonagall lecturing, Albus Dumbledore decided to intervene. "I think that's enough for tonight, Minerva, Vindictus," he said. "These students should return to bed."

McGonagall pursed her lips. "Very well. Black, Potter, I am taking one hundred points from Gryffindor each, and you will be serving detentions for the next month. You should count yourself lucky, considering what might have happened. Professor, I hope that you will talk to these two later."

"Certainly, Minerva," said Dumbledore, and she ushered Black and Potter out of the room.

Viridian was looking at his three Slytherins with pure malice. "Longbottom, fifty points for wandering about the school at night. One hundred points each from Snape and Howard. And, under the circumstances, Howard, I think it would be best if you were to be removed from the Slytherin house team."

"What?" shouted Severus.

"Professor!" pleaded Alison.

"You can't do that!" cried Frank.

"I think you will find that I can," said Viridian. "Now, get to bed."

Frank sighed. "Goodnight," he said with a forced smile, and left the room. Alison followed him.

"Professor, may I talk with you?" asked Severus.

"Certainly, Mr. Snape."

Viridian looked icily at Dumbledore. "I am perfectly within my rights to discipline my own students, Headmaster.

"I am aware of that, Vindictus," said Dumbledore steadily.

"Good," said Viridian and strode out of the room to make sure that Frank and Alison wouldn't burn down the school on their way back to the Slytherin common room.

"What do you want to talk about, Mr. Snape?" asked Dumbledore. "Would you like a humbug?"

Severus ignored him. "Professor, that's ridiculous. It's... it's like performing the Dementor's kiss for Apparating without a license."

"You and Mr. Black were to all appearances about to kill each other in the trophy room," said Dumbledore mildly. "And Mr. Potter and Miss Howard were assisting. I wouldn't call that trivial, would you?"

"Then how come Potter is still playing Quidditch and Alison Howard is off the team?"

"Discipline, Mr. Snape, is a matter for the individual Head of House to decide."

"What if your Head of House is a raving lunatic?" snapped Severus.

"Professor Viridian is not a raving lunatic, Mr. Snape," said Dumbledore. "He may not be the pleasantest teacher you've ever had, but he has taught you a great deal."

"That excuses his paranoid tendencies, I suppose."

"He's had a very difficult life," said Dumbledore, looking at Severus as though Severus were particularly amusing. Everyone said that Dumbledore was sympathetic to his students, but Severus had never found this the case. There was something about the man that made him want to start shouting loudly at him.

"Oh, he's a charity project of yours," sneered Severus. "I see." Without waiting for Dumbledore's response, he turned and walked out of the office. Dumbledore made no movement to stop him.