The Last Sanguimagus

Severus stormed into her office that evening, and Sarah was surprised to see that he was quite angry.

"You made Potter an amulet," he said, pointing an accusatory finger at her.

There was no reason to hide it if he already knew. "Yes," she said.

"You used blood to create it," he said, fixing her with angry black eyes.

"Yes."

"Potter is the reason you had to take Strengthening Solution," he said in a deceptively soft voice. "He is why you are addicted."

"Yes, among other things," she said.

He paused for a moment. "Draco told me that you were allowing Potter to have his DA meetings in your classroom, but I dismissed it as nonsense." He ran a hand through his hair. "I thought he must be misinformed..."

"No, he was correct."

"Why?"

"I have been given a safe haven here at Hogwarts," she said carefully. "I find myself in the very great debt of Headmaster Dumbledore. Hence, when he asks me to do something for him--whether it be creating an amulet, or hosting a student organisation--I find that I generally wish to acquiesce."

His expression slowly changed from anger to comprehension. "Oh," he said, and he sank down onto her couch, which proved to be quite awkward because she had never attempted to transfigure it back to its original shape. He looked at it oddly.

"Why does it matter to you that it was Potter?" she asked, somewhat curious.

Severus grimaced. "That would be a lengthy explanation, and I have no particular desire to speak of it now." He sat in silence for a moment, apparently deep in thought.

She went back to marking essays, her auto-quill obediently scratching a mark on the essay in front of her. After the third essay she finally heard the door close, and looked up to see him gone, and her couch transfigured back to its proper shape.

***

It was a beautiful morning. The Great Hall was filled with light and conversation. Sarah took a sip of water, quite relieved that she'd been able to eat half a bowl of porridge. The withdrawal remedy seemed to be working.

She'd gotten up earlier than usual, plagued by a few bad dreams. The other teachers seemed a little worried, and she'd overheard Pomona reading from the early edition of the Prophet that was delivered to her at her first breakfast every morning. Aurora and Severus were listening; Severus was frowning. He looked even more stressed than usual. There had apparently been a mysterious attack, and though the Prophet made no mention of the Dark Mark, Pomona was certain that it had come from You-Know-Who.

There was a hand on her shoulder, and she turned to look into the kind blue eyes of the Headmaster. "Happy Birthday, Sarah," he said, smiling.

"Thank you, Headmaster," she said. He followed Minerva out of the Great Hall, stopping to trade a few words with Silas, who was on his way in, uncharacteristically late.

She looked out into the Hall, noticing an early owl, who was dropping a package to one of the first years at the Hufflepuff table. She could not suppress a smile as she thought of her own first year at Hogwarts. Homesick, frightened, and lonely, she had come to breakfast on her birthday, and a Ministry owl had dropped a parcel to her containing some of her mother's tarts and a toy from her father, along with a wonderful note about life and new experiences. It seemed so long ago, yet she could still recall perfectly her delight as she read her parents' loving words.

She heard Silas sit down next to her. She continued to watch as the happy first year unwrapped his gift and showed it proudly to his House mates.

"Good morning," said Silas.

"Good morning," she murmured.

Owls descended, dropping letters and parcels among the rest of the students, and Sarah took another sip of water.

A Ministry owl was winging its way towards the head table.

That was peculiar. Most of the teachers arranged for private delivery.

In fact, it was heading directly for her.

Sarah's heart gave a painful squeeze. Surely not--

The owl dropped a letter in front of her. There was a faint click of metal striking metal. The owl flew away, and she sat dumbfounded for a moment.

It just could not be from him. But it is my birthday...and it is a Ministry owl... With trembling fingers she carefully ripped it open. Inside there was no letter. In fact, she almost thought that it was empty, until she peered further in.

At the bottom of the envelope rested two black nails. Dried blood had stained the parchment brown. The faintest scent wafted up and dissipated, but not before she recognised it.

She had to close her eyes for a moment to fight off the panic. Lucius. A simple threat. She could almost hear his cultured voice saying I know where you are. She opened her eyes, and folded the envelope up, taking care not to touch the nails. She put it in a pocket of her robes, trying to recover her wits.

"Are you interested in carpentry?" asked a thoroughly bewildered Silas. "Why would anyone owl you nails?"

She turned to look at him. "I don't know," she replied. "Perhaps as a joke." Severus was looking at her suddenly, and as her eyes met his, Silas turned to see who she was looking at.

"An odd idea for a joke," said Silas, turning his attention to the jug of orange juice and pouring himself a glass.

"Yes," she said.

"Severus? Do you know why anyone would owl nails to Sarah?" asked Silas.

"I am quite certain that Sarah's owls are of little concern to nearly anyone but herself," said Severus coldly, but there was a hint of worry in his eyes.

Silas frowned. "It is a matter of concern to all of us here on the staff," he said petulantly. "If this is the work of some prank-prone student, then it needs to be fully investigated, and lessons in respect administered. If it is something else...something more malevolent...why, then there needs to be an investigation as well. The last thing this school needs is another threat to its students." He glared at Severus. "After all, she was attacked recently, and students were hurt in the process. I'd say that not only are her owls of great concern to everyone, but that they need to be screened in order to prevent any further danger to the children here."

Severus looked angry. "Screening a teacher's private owls? One would think you were planning on making yourself High Inquisitor."

"Do you care so little for this school that you would encourage danger to enter its very front door?" bristled Silas. "Surely your misguided attraction to her does not leave you blind to her obvious capacity to bring harm to Hogwarts."

"Hogwarts does not need your protection," said Severus softly. "And I would thank you to stop making unfounded accusations."

"Don't think that I won't go to the Headmaster about this," warned Silas.

"Of course you will," answered Severus. "That's what you're best at, really."

Silas threw his napkin on his plate. "Just because I care about what goes on here--"

"What exactly are you implying--"

Sarah stood up. "Good day," she said to them both, and walked out of the hall, leaving an uncomfortable silence in her wake.

***