Wishes

By: Airelle Vilka

Chapter 21 Staff Meeting

Harry Potter had already disappeared from view as Airelle and Snape walked back towards the school. "So, who is it?" she asked impatiently, her face laden with worry. If it was another student—or Neville, even—

"Delilah," said Snape shortly.

"You mean, Delilah Haze? But she's—"

"In the infirmary, not awake yet," he finished. "Looks like our friend attempted to finish her off for good."

She gasped. "Did—"

"As far as I know, no, he did not succeed. However," added Snape, and his look was deadly serious, "you know what this means."

Airelle's dark eyes narrowed to slits. "He's still in the school."

"Maybe, maybe not. It is unlikely…perhaps he's gone back to the Forbidden Forest… or somewhere else…"

Airelle knew what Snape was thinking – maybe Sirius Black had betrayed Dumbledore's trust? Why wouldn't he, if he was responsible for the death of the Potters in the first place? She bit her lip and joined the other professor in silence as they briskly ascended the steps to the main entrance.

"We must inform the Headmaster to send a dispatch to check Hogsmeade as soon as possible," Snape finally muttered. They were walking through a corridor now. "Perhaps the attacker went into hiding there."

"Do the students know?"

"Not yet, at least. We'll find out as soon as we get to the staff room."

Airelle suddenly squeezed Snape's arm. "This spells real trouble for us," she said quietly. "Will we know what to do if we come face-to-face with him?"

Snape did not look at her. "Like you said… you're a big girl. I trust you not to do anything foolish."

There was a long silence before she replied. "Will do."

The staff room was an old paneled room with dusty chairs and a wardrobe on the far side. Most of the professors were already assembled there, including McGonagall and Dumbledore. Professor Sprout was in the corner, trying to comfort a hysterically sobbing Madame Pomfrey. Airelle stopped staring for just long enough to sit in her chair, next to the wardrobe. Then she resumed surveying the scene.

Dumbledore looked extremely grave as he addressed the congregation. "Are all the students in their common rooms, being overseen by the prefects?"

McGonagall nodded, looking pale.

"Good. Now…someone," continued Dumbledore with a nod of acknowledgement at the Head of Gryffindor, "has entered the school and tried to kill Ms. Delilah Haze."

There were only a few gasps; most of the people assembled already knew why they were there. Somewhere in the corner, Madame Pomfrey tried valiantly to stifle her sobs.

"Is the school secure?" asked Dumbledore.

"Yes, Headmaster," said Professor Flitwick, who was clutching his wand nervously. "Professor Lupin and I swept-checked it for Dark Magic and found only remnants. There is no trace of the attacker."

Speaking of Professor Lupin, thought Airelle, glancing around the room, where is he?

Her vision had not deceived her; Remus Lupin was missing. Airelle caught Snape's eye and he did not look pleased at all. Lupin had disappeared the night of the Yule Ball, too. Airelle was beginning to have serious doubts about the Sirius Black issue. But Lupin--he couldn't…

"I expect you all to be on guard, nevertheless," said the Headmaster warningly. "This is not a time to be hesitant."

"If I might have permission to speak, Headmaster," said Snape from his chair, and Airelle looked in his direction. Was he going to announce his suspicions?

"Go ahead, Severus," said Dumbledore gently.

"Thank you. I would advise a more thorough check, both of the school and Hogsmeade. I have reason to believe that the attacker may have found another way into Hogwarts from the village."

"Certainly, Severus," was the reply. "I shall send volunteers as soon as this meeting is over."

"What exactly happened?" asked Professor Sinistra cautiously, and Dumbledore settled back in his chair.

"Since Poppy is in no condition to speak, I shall—"

"Wait," came a voice from the corner. Everyone turned to see Madame Pomfrey let go of Professor Sprout and walk towards the center of the room. "If I may be so bold," she said shakily, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief, "I would like for them to know the whole thing."

"Of course, Poppy," said Dumbledore, "do what you will."

"Thank you, Headmaster," she sniffed, and settled down in a cushioned seat next to Hagrid. All eyes were on her as she looked up and spoke. Airelle's stomach tightened. Why did she have to be away talking to Harry when this occurred? She'd planned to visit the hospital wing that afternoon—perhaps she could've prevented this…

"I was working on a magic salve in the infirmary," began Madame Pomfrey slowly, re-living the memory, "when I heard a sound from the patient room. At first I thought it was my imagination, but then it came again. It sounded like the opening and closing of a door." She paused, and the room held its breath. "Then, I grew upset, thinking that someone had entered without knocking, perhaps a student. And," –she half-laughed miserably—"you know how I am about visits. Ms. Haze needed her rest; she was showing signs of good progress, even though she was still unconscious. I stomped into the room, ready to yell at the person—"

Here, she trailed off, breaking into sobs again. Hagrid clapped her shoulder with a huge hand, and Airelle sank down in her chair. This was bad. Even Snape looked disturbed.

It was a full two minutes before Madame Pomfrey composed herself again. Then, she said, "When I walked inside, my voice stuck in my throat. There was—a figure… right in front of Ms. Haze's bed. It wore a black cloak with a red hood… and I didn't see the face. Its wand was pointed at Delilah's prone form. There had been no words spoken, so I knew it had not hurt the girl yet… but I was frozen with fear. Before I could do anything… it… it saw me. And, the wand was suddenly pointed at me." Another pause. "I'll never forget the surge of hatred that spewed from this person… even without the wand… it was dreadful. And a second later—he… he said, 'Avada Kedavra.'"

Airelle gulped, and several of the other professors flinched. The Killing Curse… but then, how did Madame Pomfrey survive?

"He would've killed me," said Pomfrey. "He really would have. After all, he did say the words, and I knew I was going to die then and there, the only witness. But… but then, I felt something soft at my…at my chest…" She broke off again. "My poor… poor Irja…"

Airelle knew the name. Irja was Madame Pomfrey's pet Kneazle, a devoted cat-like creature.

"She… she jumped in front of me right before the curse hit… and it hit her instead. She died…died to save me."

"And then," said Dumbledore, "you drew your wand."

"Yes," she replied. "The figure was apparently in shock, and ran out just as Irja hit the floor. I couldn't stop him."

"Is Delilah well?" asked Snape. His eyes were narrowed and glittering.

"Oh…oh, yes, she is. He did not have a chance to kill her, thank heavens."

The room was drenched in silence. No one seemed to know what to say. One of their own had come too close to death, right inside a supposedly safe place. This was too much for Airelle, and she gripped the knob of the wardrobe she was sitting next to, for lack of doing anything else with her hands.

And it was then that she felt it.

Something was inside the wardrobe.

Airelle's first thought was to jump up and swing the door open. If it was the attacker—but who'd be stupid enough to hide in a wardrobe? Then again, this room was old… maybe he thought the teachers would never check here… Or what if it was a boggart or one of those dark-dwelling creatures?

She glanced around. No one, apparently, knew of this predicament. The inside of the wardrobe had shifted very slightly, just enough for her hand to feel it. Everyone else was too far away from Airelle's chair, and did not see anything.

"So," Dumbledore continued as Airelle wondered frantically what to do, "it is understood that everyone is to follow emergency procedure this weekend and all next week. Cancel evening activities, and also… more guards should be put in the corridors."

"What shall we tell the students?" someone asked, and Dumbledore paused thoughtfully.

"This time, I do not want a panic. This person is not after just anybody. Tell the students that evening activities are cancelled for next week because of a spell gone awry. Until we can fix it, it is not safe to go out at night. By that time, we will check Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. And one more thing… Minerva…"

"Yes, Albus?" asked McGonagall, looking worried.

"I want you, and all of you, to keep an eye on Neville Longbottom especially," said Dumbledore. "As I said earlier, this attacker is not after just anybody. He wants to silence Delilah Haze… and it is possible that he may go after Mr. Longbottom, since he is the other person who has encountered the attacker at the Yule Ball. I leave that job to you, Minerva… and also, " he added, turning in the direction of the wardrobe, "to you, Airelle, since most of Mr. Longbottom's academic pursuits involve Illusions. You spend extra time with him, and that is why I ask you to watch him. Is that clear?"

"Crystal, Headmaster," nodded Airelle, not letting go of the wardrobe knob.

"Excellent. We shall get started right away. Rubeus, will you…"

At that, Dumbledore began to address the individual professors, and his voice was lost to Airelle, who was still trying to figure out what to do about the wardrobe. She had desperately wanted to speak with Dumbledore about Sirius Black, but this current problem stuck in her mind and demanded undivided attention.

Finally, she decided, Better to be safe than dead, and was just about to point her wand at the doorknob, when she heard a whisper.

Airelle lowered her wand. There was no mistaking that voice.

Slowly, the professors began to file out. Snape threw a brief look at Airelle before leaving with Dumbledore. She motioned him to go on, and find out as much as possible. She'd be fine. Hopefully.

The door closed after a while, leaving Airelle alone with the wardrobe. Pursing her lips, Airelle stepped back noiselessly and waited.

Ten minutes passed before something in the wardrobe shifted again. And then—

"Think they're gone?" whispered a voice.

"I don't hear anything, do you?" said another one.

"Nope."

"Thank God, I thought we were done for."

"Just your crazy idea to walk into the staff room and play matchmaker for teachers!"

"But that was an accident! It's not my fault they had to come in here and we had to hide! I must say, though, I TOLD you Snape and Professor Vilka look sweet together! Did you read the paper today?"

"Well, Lockhart's an idiot, but…hehe, he's got a point…"

"Did you hear what the teachers said? Someone tried to kill Delilah!"

"I know. D'you think it could have anything to do with—"

"Oh, just be quiet, and let's get out of here."

"I would have already, if I could unlock this stupid door…"

"Oh, it took you this long--" There was a shuffle. "Abrete!"

The wardrobe door swung open in a shower of sparks from a wand. Airelle leaned on the wall and watched calmly as two figures in student robes stumbled out of the darkness onto the floor. They barely had time to wipe the dust off themselves before they saw her and froze in horror.

"Why, Miss Patts, Miss Tylon," said Airelle, "what an interesting place to meet."

Tracy Patts smoothed her black hair and promptly said, "We're dead." Her friend Alica could do nothing but nod. Airelle crossed her arms and looked down upon the two Ravenclaws.

She did not know what made her do it. Maybe it was pity for the girls. Perhaps it was the fact that once upon a time, Airelle had also hidden in this very room from a teacher. Or maybe it was something entirely different. Whatever it was, it made Airelle say, "Go."

Alica stared at her numbly. "What?"

"Out, before Professor Snape comes back and sees you two aren't in your common room. It's not safe to be caught in these hallways late nowadays."

Tracy Patts looked shocked. "But…but…"

"On one condition," said Airelle. "Whatever you heard in this room stays here. If I discover that you have told any students about this, I will have no choice but to—"

"Yes, Professor, we get the point," said Alica hurriedly, looking like a person freed from death row. "Thank you…we'll… be leaving now." And she left, pulling the stunned Tracy behind her, and leaving Airelle alone with her thoughts and worries.

"Could you quit pacing, please? You are making me dizzy," said Snape, causing Airelle to halt in her tracks on the carpet.

"I don't understand how you can be calm in such a serious situation," she replied, crossing her arms. "I thought you'd be more worried than this!"

It was amazing how Snape could look so nonchalant while sitting shirtless in bed and holding a shot-glass full of gin. "If you wanted me to run around screaming in a panic like I'm on fire," he said, "I'm far past that age."

Airelle fought hard not to make a sour face at him. "Look, all I'm saying is… shouldn't we at least do something?"

"Such as what? Airelle, I'll confess—I believe the issue is more sinister than anything we may fathom, and shall not be solved easily. What Delilah knows may affect not just her, but the whole of Hogwarts."

Airelle finally stopped striding back and forth, and sat on the edge of the bed. "Do you think Voldemort may be involved more than he says?"

Snape nodded. "I strongly suspect he has lied to me and the others. But the question is--why? What does Delilah Haze know that is so important?"

She sighed. "Do you think we'll find out in time?"

"The only way," said Snape, "is to find the attacker and make him tell us the truth."

"Is this a time issue?"

"Maybe. What we really need is to keep our eyes open, and hope Delilah awakens before another assault occurs."

Airelle looked down onto the sheets, and sighed again. "What do you propose we do?"

"I'm thinking of the possibilities," the Potions Master replied, and drank the gin straight. "I could contact Voldemort and try to discover what he's hiding… if he's hiding anything."

"That would be too risky," said Airelle as Snape set the shot-glass on the bedside table. The candle on the Correspondence Candle-Holder that she'd given him for Christmas winked brightly, without a worry or care in the world.

"What's life without a few risks?" he asked with a rare smile that he only adopted in his bed. Airelle wasn't comforted this time; the question did not concern a laughing matter.

"It's a risk I'm not willing to take, and you are perfectly aware of it," she said sternly, climbing closer to him and throwing the sheets over them. Airelle was still dressed, but she seemed not to remember that.

Snape propped a pillow up to support himself and pulled her into his lap. "Calm yourself," he said. "I thought we had an agreement. You know I won't do anything idiotic."

"If I express a doubt right now, will you smack me with a pillow?"

"You bet."

"All right then," she said, smiling back. "I trust you. I just have to get used to this."

"Don't worry, in any case. I'm still debating on whether to bring Voldemort into this matter. I have other choices as well, ones that you don't, since I'm still technically a Death Eater."

"You're going to tell me what they are, or what?"

"Soon, but not now. I have too little information," was his response. "Will you have faith in me until then?"

Airelle scowled, even though her eyes betrayed the smile that should have been there. "You know I will, you manipulative scoundrel," she said. "If I share a bed with you, you'd think I trust you."

"That's not always the case with every couple."

"I know. But with us, it is."

"I hope it remains so… even though I know the idea of full-scale trust is still green in your mind."

Airelle grinned. "As it is in yours. But I hope so, too."

"Mm-hmm. So," he asked, tilting her chin up so she could look him in the eyes, "do I have the right to act on my notions?"

"Yes, and tell me when you feel it's necessary," she replied without flinching. "I may be pushy, but I won't pry. Promise."

"Thank you," he said. "Now, we should really get to sleep, it is very late. Don't think about this matter until tomorrow morning. We aren't going out to look for the attacker right now."

"Still…you know," she mused, fingering a strand of his long black hair, "you would not just go to bed this calmly unless you had a plan formulating in your head."

"Ah, you read me like a book," he laughed. "Why am I not surprised?"

"More like a book with the word PLAN written at the top, and everything else in a foreign language," said Airelle softly. "Merlin's beard, Lockhart was right. This is the most unlikely romance I've ever even imagined—and I'm right in the middle of it!"

"Or, currently, on top of it."

Airelle raised an eyebrow, but grinned anyway. "Remember, I don't blush anymore, thanks to you."

"Oh," the Potions professor murmured, nuzzling her neck, "such a shame, too. I remember a time when you were innocent…"

"And speaking of Lockhart," Airelle said quickly, because Snape's slender, nimble fingers had slipped inside her robes, "what are we going to do about him? I mean, of course, he cannot go on writing… nonsense--" (here, she had to smile) "–like that ghastly article in the Daily Prophet…"

Snape paused for a moment and looked thoughtful. "Hmm… I haven't considered it. Perhaps I'll send him a Silencing Curse that'll clamp his mouth shut for weeks."

"SNAPE!! We can't curse him! No matter how much he needs it," she added after a while in a quieter tone.

"Well then, what do you recommend, mm?" He pushed up suddenly, and they rolled over. The whole scenario ended with Airelle being pinned to the bed, more even by Snape's gaze than his body. It was, honestly, a no-go against the man in a staring contest. She could withstand it for a long time, but not for as long as she would've liked. In any case, who said it was a bad thing?

Airelle was just on the brink of coherent thought at this point, and tried to utter her next words very fast, before she lost it totally. "Well, I… umm, I'll think about…err…what to do…"

"Why do you always lose your sense of articulateness in such a… situation?" he asked, clearly knowing why, and enjoying the fact to the fullest.

"Keep talking, and you'll have a sudden lack of blood flow," she scowled, clutching a pillow next to them in a threatening manner. Snape, of course, gave her a dark smile and blew out the candle. Well, not actually blew it out – this time, he deliberately licked his finger and pressed it on the wick. It went out with a hiss.

Seduction, thy name is Slytherin, laughed Airelle mentally. Although didn't Snape say, earlier today, that we were going to keep our "nocturnal trysts" to a minimum? Hah.

The fireplace was nearly dead when Airelle opened her eyes. The chimes of the magical clock proved that it was the dead of night. A melancholy silence prevailed, and shadows played on the walls with the extinguishing light of the flame.

Her whole body felt raw; her forehead and neck were still torrid with lines of sweat dancing on the skin. Snape had been extremely thorough that night, so Airelle should have slept like a baby afterwards. But here she was, awake in the wee hours between midnight and dawn, staring up at the canopy. Something invisible was continuously gnawing at her.

And apparently, she wasn't the only one being bothered by it. The curtains on Snape's side of the bed were open, and the sheets were cold. He'd been up for a while…

Suddenly finding herself shivering, Airelle clutched the sheets tight around herself and moved silently to the crack in the curtains. In the dim light that enveloped her vision when she peeked out, Airelle could see a motionless figure standing on the carpet. Snape was wearing a long black bathrobe she'd never seen before. His profile faced the mini-organ in the wall, and Airelle, squinting, could see that his arms were crossed and his dark eyes were fixed on the keys.

She wanted to say something, but thought better of it. Snape was deep in his thoughts, and judging by his posture, those thoughts were anything but pleasant. He ran a hand through his curtain of ebony hair and massaged his temples, not taking his gaze off the organ. Although…Airelle doubted if he saw the instrument at all at this point.

So much for him not worrying.

To Be Continued…

A/N: So this was short. Sue me. NO, WAIT! I was joking! JOKING DAMMIT! So, review, tell me, how do you like? Do you want more battle, less bedroom? Vice versa? Anyway, I don't think there'll be anymore silk sheet scenes because we're getting to the climax of the story (NO PUN INTENDED THERE, ahem Tracy!:)), but hey, you never know. Anyway, soon it'll really get good, and mysteries shall begin to unravel. Just you wait! nasty smile Honestly, I'm an angel.

A/N #2: Anyone wanna see Harry Potter on the big screen? Well, I went to see the movie Osmosis Jones (live action was bad, animation rocked—GO THRAX!!) and the second HP trailer was one of the previews. Seeing Snape magnified 30 times on the big screen was an interesting experience, to be sure. And you gotta love that accent! :)