Chapter 35:

A/N: Thanks for all the reviews!

~Severus Addicted

Remus sighed as he trudged behind Severus. It had been four hours since Remus saved Severus from the snake and they were both starting to become tired and thirsty. They both took off their robes but still the heat was unbearable. "Where could they possibly be?" Remus huffed as he tried to shield his eyes from the blaring sun.

Severus rolled his eyes, "Oh I don't know... It's not like this dessert isn't big or anything."

Remus snarled at him, "I don't need your sarcastic, smart-ass remarks, Snape!"

"I don't need your stupidity, Lupin." Severus snapped back.

Remus glared at Severus' back as he continued to follow him through the unknown, "You know, you should be glad I saved you from that snake! I thought all snakes were your friends... You are a Slytherin after all."

Severus nodded his head, "Oh but I am grateful for your heroic deed, Lupin. I am just not grateful for your annoying presence and stupid questions. Also, just because I am a Slytherin does not mean all snakes are my "friends". If I locked you in a pen with a hungry lion do you think it would be your friend, Lupin?" Severus turned to give Remus a knowing look.

This caused Remus to go silent much to Severus' happiness.

Nymphadora raised her wand up when she saw a figure slowly coming into her view, she quickly slid behind a boulder and peeked out around the side so she could watch the figure but when she looked out no one was there anymore. Confused, she slowly made her way out from her protection of the boulder to get a better view so she may be able to see where the figure went.

Suddenly a red flash flew at her just missing her shoulder. When the flash hit the ground the sand erupted in an explosion making thousands of sand particles fly through the air. She quickly turned with her wand at the ready only to come face-to-face with a black-masked man. Before she could respond the mysterious man snatched her wand from her hand and snapped it in half. In an attempt to get out of his grasp she kicked him between his legs making him fall to his knees on the dessert floor. Knowing now might be her only chance to get away she ran as fast as she could.

The man jumped to his feet and watched her run away, "You can run... But no one can hide." The man chuckled before spinning on his heels and disappearing.

When they made it back into the castle they found out that first period just let out so Draco and Harry quickly made their way to second period; History of Magic.

Harry sighed as he lowered himself into his seat beside Hermione and Ron.

Hermione quickly turned on him and snapped, "Where did you run off to? You do know how much trouble you will get in when you run into your Grandmother again later, correct?"

Harry rolled his eyes and muttered, "Nice to see you too, Hermione."

Ron smiled softly, "Are you alright, mate? I was about to run after you but McGonagall was highly scary..."

Harry nodded his head, "It's alright, Ron. I understand. I'm okay, Draco talked to me about it."

Ron threw Draco a thankful smile in which Draco returned casually before turning back to his conversation with Crabbe. "Well, that's good. I'm glad you at least had someone to talk to."

Before Harry could continue with his conversation with Ron, Professor Binns floated through the chalk board saying, "I want everyone to hand their essays to the front of the classroom. Once you have that done, please turn to page 578 in your books."

Harry sighed as he shook his head at Seamus who looked back to see if he had his essay to hand in.

Seamus smirked and shook his head as he turned and handed his essay up to Neville in front of him.

Professor Binns floated over to collect all of the essays then counted them and stared everyone down, "I have two missing essays, who did not hand in their essays?"

Slowly, Harry and Ron raised their hands.

Professor Binns rolled his eyes and said, "Why am I not surprised?"

"Because you're a ghost, there's nothing you can be surprised about anymore." Harry muttered darkly under his breath.

Hermione elbowed him in the ribs and glared at him fiercely.

"This is what? The third time in a row for you, Mr. Snape? I do have to say that I am rather disappointed in your lack of responsibilities, Mr. Snape. Detention tonight at 7, do not be late. Mr. Weasley, seeing how this is only your second time forgetting to do your essay I will leave you go with a warning, do not forget again." After throwing them both a glare he turned back to his chalk board to begin the lesson for the day.

Harry sighed and slid down in his seat, "'I do have to say that I am rather disappointed in your lack of responsibilities, Mr. Snape'" Harry mocked bitterly in a whisper so he wouldn't get into more trouble then he already was in.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him and shook her head.

Ron smirked then laid his head down on the tabletop and closed his eyes for his hour-long nap.

Hermione glared at Ron and muttered, "And this is why you're failing History of Magic."

Ron ignored her and continued to attempt to sleep.

Harry pulled out his notebook to begin doodling making Hermione huff in frustration. Harry smirked and continued to draw anyway.

When the bell rang for class to be over the Golden Trio plus Draco made their way to the dungeons for Potions class.

"Who do you think will be teaching while your father is gone?" Hermione asked as she pulled out her book from her backpack.

Harry shrugged, "Who cares?"

Hermione sighed, "I do. What if we have some stupid teacher who comes in and kills us all?"

Harry smirked, "Wouldn't be the first time a teacher tried to kill us.."

Ron smiled and nodded his head, "He's got a point, Hermione."

Suddenly the door burst open revealing a stubby old lady wearing a stuffed fox around her shoulders like a scarf, "Everyone put your books away, we won't be needing those worthless things anyway."

Hermione looked at the lady in horror but did as she was told and slowly placed the book back in her backpack.

Ron smiled at Harry, "I like her already..."

Harry nodded in agreement.

Once she arrived in front of the room she turned to stare at them all, "My name is Professor Kline and I will be filling in for Professor Snape while he is healing from a potions accident. Now, when I say your name I want you to simply say 'here' and then once we have attendance I am going to go over the rules for my classroom."

Harry narrowed his eyes at her when she said "my classroom".

Professor Kline lifted a brown clipboard up close to her eyes so she could read the names better, "Lavender Brown."

"Here." Lavender said in a cheery voice.

When she finally got to Harry she looked up from her clipboard to stare at him in confusion, "Harry Snape?"

Harry dropped his eyes to his hands at the look she was giving him as he said, "Here."

Silence filled the classroom for a few minutes before Professor Kline clapped her hands and turned to write on the board, "So, these are my rules. One: Do not run. Two: Do not talk. Three: Do not "horse-around". Four: Do not disrespect me. Five: Do as you are told. Any questions?"

When no one said anything she continued, "Good. Now I want everyone to keep their mouths shut while I read a few chapters to you in a Potions book I brought along today."

Groans floated around the room at the thought of being read to from a boring potions book.

Professor Kline gave everyone an icy glare making everyone go silent very quickly.

Harry rubbed the goosebumps that had appeared on his arms. Harry glanced over at Hermione's arms only to notice she too had thousands of goosebumps bearing her arm.

Harry shrugged his shoulders thinking it was just a coincidence when suddenly he noticed when he exhaled he could see his breath...

Severus sighed as he tried for the fifth time to use his wand to make water appear for them, once again his attempt failed.

Remus' shoulders slumped in defeat, "I'm so thirsty!"

"Has anyone seen Nymphadora?" Alastor asked from behind them making Remus jump in surprise and Severus to turn around and glare at him.

"You could have told us you were behind us!" Remus snapped.

Alastor rolled his eyes, "Sorry."

Severus shook his head, "No we have not seen Tonks, we have been searching for you two for hours!"

Alastor nodded his head, "Well in that case we better keep looking..."

Remus nodded his head, "Who knows where she could be..."

Severus sighed, "Any idea who is behind this?"

"I believe our unfortunate journey is the work of Abilio Sterling." Alastor told them softly under his breath.

Severus stopped in his tracks and gave Alastor a confused look, "Albus' friend?"

Alastor shook his head, "No, more like your father's acquaintance. They are by no means "friends"." Alastor told them knowingly.

Severus slowly nodded his head in understanding, "Why do you believe it is Abilio who is doing this to us?"

Alastor rummaged in his robe pocket and pulled out a pocket watch with the initials A. Scarved in the back in gold, "This is Abilio's watch, I saw him with it the one day."

Remus shrugged his shoulders, "That doesn't tell us anything, what if Abilio is also a victim?"

Alastor huffed, "Abilio Sterling is our only guess at who is doing this to us at the moment and until we find him lost out in this barren hell he will stay on my guilty list, okay?"

Remus stiffly nodded his head, "Yes, sir."

Severus rolled his eyes at Remus, "I agree with Alastor. That man always gave me the wrong vibe..."

Wind gently caressed their sun-burnt faces much to their relief. Unfortunately, their relief was short-lived when the wind grew harder and suddenly it looked as if a wall of sand was coming in their direction.

Remus' eyes grew wide at the sight and he yelled, "What are we going to do?"

Alastor was at loss of what to do and just responded with, "RUN!"

Severus and Remus did as they were told and all three Order members ran for what seemed like their lives.

Harry slowly lowered himself on the couch in the Common Room, his detention was in a half an hour. The only people who were present in the Common Room were Harry, Ron and Hermione much to Harry's relief. "Guys... Did either of you think there is something odd about Professor Kline's eyes?"

Ron shook his head, "I didn't notice anything, Mate."

Hermione slowly nodded her head in agreement, "I agree, Harry. There is definitely something peculiar about Professor Kline but I just can't put my finger on it."

Harry sighed, "Well, I think we should try to figure out what it is because we can't have another mad person running around Hogwarts."

Hermione nodded once again, "Maybe we should just tell your Grandfather, he will fix it."

Ron rolled his eyes, "And look like idiots if we are completely wrong about the lady? Hell no."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the red head and said, "So? It's better if an adult takes care of this."

Harry rolled his eyes at her as well, "Hermione, we have defeated everything that has been thrown at us. I'm sure we can handle a plump, old lady who probably can't even run."

"She has a wand you know." Hermione pointed out wisely.

Harry shrugged, "And so do we."

Hermione sighed in defeat, "Alright but if it starts to seem like it is more dangerous then we anticipated we will go strait to your Grandfather, agreed?"

Harry and Ron both nodded their heads in agreement.

Hermione stood from the couch, "Alright, Ron and I will be heading to the Library to see if we can find anything about this situation and you, Harry, need to go to your detention."

Harry sighed, "Kill me now."

Ron smirked and patted Harry's back in understanding, "Good luck, Mate."

As long and hard as they ran it seemed as if they were not getting farther away from the wall of sand that was chasing at their heels.

Thinking maybe if they just stood still the wall of sand would pass over them they stopped their running and held onto each other. Instead of the wall just passing over them it felt as if the wall was sucking them up and suddenly their feet left the ground.

Not a minute later the wall of sand disappeared and they found themselves in a cold, wet dungeon cell.

Alastor sighed, "Bloody hell..."

A/N: Thanks for reading!

~Severus Addicted