The Last Sanguimagus

Severus was in the middle of adding a single pinch of dried Artemsia leaves to the potion when there was a sudden knocking at the door. "Come in," he said loudly, intent upon watching the colour shift. The door opened and closed, and he stirred the solution three times precisely before he turned toward his visitor. Let it not be Silas, he thought to himself. Perhaps I should have pretended that I wasn't in...

Sarah stood there, one hand clutching the back of a chair. "The r-remedy," she said in a rather odd tone of voice.

"Yes?" he said, curious. "Three drops, twice daily. You didn't take more, did you?"

"No," she said. She was shaking badly. "I took th-three drops before d-dinner. And now...I can't sleep...I can't s-stop s-shaking--"

He cursed. "Sit down," he ordered. She did so slowly. "Are you absolutely certain that you took only three drops?"

"Yes, I am n-not in the habit of overdosing," she said with a touch of anger. She swallowed hard. "I c-can't sleep. I c-close my eyes and th-the images..."

"You are, however, describing exactly the symptoms of an overdose," he said, frowning. He thought hard for a moment. "I had made an allowance because you are rather underweight," he said. "But then again, your blood level is low...perhaps three drops was a bit much..."

"A b-bit much?" she said, looking upset. Her shaking was becoming more pronounced.

"I did not think that your poor health would interfere so dramatically with the potion," he said, walking briskly to one of the cabinets. He chose two bottles and walked back to her, keeping an eye on the simmering brew in his cauldron. "Here," he said, holding out the vials. "One is for the trembling, the other is Dreamless Sleep."

She let out a humourless laugh. "Dreamless Sleep?"

"You find something humourous about it?"

She reached up with a shaking hand to take the other vial. "The dosage?"

"The entire vial," he said. He was curious. "You don't want to take the Dreamless Sleep?"

She gulped down the remedy and set the empty bottle on the desk. Within a few moments the trembling was reduced visibly. "Thank you," she breathed.

"It will allay the nightmares," he said, holding out the other potion.

"No, but thank you," she said, beginning to stand up.

He was confused. "This is a simple way to insure that you will sleep--"

"I have not received good results with that potion in a number of years."

"Ah," he said, remembering. "I have nothing to offer you, then."

She nodded and turned to leave.

"About the next treatment..."

"Yes?" she said, stopping to look at him.

"Would you be available Friday night?"

"Yes."

"I am brewing a new variation," he said. "I have added Re'em blood at the end of the first simmering stage and changed the timing of several of the key ingredients..." Seeing her blank look, he hastened to his conclusion. "I believe that the solution will remain stable now."

"Stable..." she said uncertainly. "Meaning..."

"Meaning that this Friday may well be the last application."

She somehow managed to look uncertain and yet somehow hopeful at the same time. "You think so?"

"I think that I have reason to be optimistic."

"Really," she said. "I hope that it does not disappoint."

"Friday, then."

"Yes." She closed the door behind her.

He turned his attention back to the cauldron containing the antidote. He was not quite finished with the first test run, but he had a strong feeling that it was going to be a success.

***

Hermione was awake, and looked much like her usual self, complete with book in hand. "Madam Pomfrey says that I'll be able to return to the dormitory tonight," she said.

"That's good," said Harry. "You won't miss any classes."

"Yes, I really can't afford to take any time off, with N.E.W.T.s being so close..."

Ron looked confused. "They're next year!"

"They're only the most important test we'll ever take!" said Hermione. "You should be more worried about them, considering that you'd like to be an Auror."

"Did Pomfrey tell you anything about that hex?" asked Harry.

Hermione frowned. "She said it was Dark Magic." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "I thought it might be blood magic, but it isn't. It's apparently a curse they...the Death Eaters used to use often." She absently put the book aside. "Did Professor Tanner..."

"She's back," said Ron. "We saw her at dinner."

"Is she all right?"

"Seems fine," said Ron, shrugging. "I'd love to know how she got away."

"I would, too," she said, frowning.

"I wonder if she used blood magic," mused Harry.

"Did you feel anything unusual?" asked Hermione.

"Well...my scar hurt." He thought for a moment. "It was warm for a little while."

Hermione looked determined. "We need to get a sample of that potion. He brewed it at least twice, just before the weekend. He might brew it again this Friday."

"Aw, no, Hermione," said Ron.

"I don't want to get caught," said Harry.

Hermione looked upset. "We need to find out if she is in league with Death Eaters. She could be Voldemort's servant, Harry."

"I don't think so," he said resolutely. "She made this amulet to block Voldemort. I don't think that she would have done that if she was really on his side. And she told us she wasn't a Death Eater, don't you remember?"

"That could all be a ruse," argued Hermione. "She could be just waiting for an opportune moment."

"Why don't you like her?" asked Ron.

Hermione turned red. "I never said I didn't like her! I just don't trust her."

"Why not?" asked Harry.

"She's...don't you understand it? She kills things to do blood magic!" She took a deep breath. "Sanguimagi kill wizards and magical creatures to work their spells. That amulet...something died to make that amulet. Every time I see it I wonder..."

"I think she uses blood," said Harry slowly, "but I don't think she kills people for it. And if you're that worried about it, let's ask her."

"As if she would tell the truth," said Hermione exasperatedly.

"If she really was that dangerous, Dumbledore would never have allowed her to teach here," said Harry stubbornly.

"He's right," said Ron. Hermione did not reply.

***