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Chapter 20

Getting away hadn't been easy. Meetings had been scheduled at the Ministry and his attendance was expected. His absence would cause raised eyebrows but he had been summoned and obedience was imperative. He waited impatiently in the drawing room, hoping that this impromptu meeting was not going to take too long.

'Good morning,' a glacial voice said behind him.

He shook involuntarily, as a blast of cold air hit the back of his neck. He turned to face the tall, blonde figure and bowed his head.

'You summoned me?'

'Yes, l did.'

'Do you know how dangerous it is for me to come here? Do you have any idea of the risk l am taking?'

'Shut up!' drawled the voice. 'I'm not up to your snivelling.'

The other man bit his lip but gave no retort. 'So what can l do for you Mr Malfoy?' he eventually said.

Lucius Malfoy invited the man to sit, while he paced the room for a few moments before speaking.

'There's a student at Hogwarts called Eleni Devon. I trust you remember her.'

'Yes, of course l do.'

'It's uncommon that l make misjudgements,' continued Malfoy, 'but l should have had her terminated years ago. But stupidly I believed that if she were left to languish in some orphanage, she'd pose no problem. However that meddling old fool Dumbledore, has brought her to Hogwarts.'

'Surely you cannot blame me for that. Was it not l that put pressure on the other headmasters to have her expelled?'

'Of course l remember,' snapped Malfoy, 'but all that accounts for nothing now because she's at Hogwarts and sources tell me that she's recovered her memory.'

The other man visibly paled. 'I did not know but even so, surely she wouldn't be able to indentify…'

'No,' said Malfoy, poking at the logs in the fireplace, crackling away, 'she wouldn't. However my friend, she is at Hogwarts and l know that Dumbledore will go to any lengths to uncover any clue she has in her subconscious, of our identity. And if that were to happen, I'd be arrested, as would many of those of our Master's inner circle. Undoubtedly we'd be given the Dementor's kiss. Think of what would happen to our Master's power base, if his closest followers were executed.'

The other man shuddered at the thought of the Azkaban and of the Dementors. He had seen first hand the Dementer's kiss being administered and remembered the prisoner's screams, as his soul had been vanquished.

'I don't know what l can do,' he said.

'Order Dumbledore to expel her.'

The man almost laughed. 'You know Dumbledore won't listen.'

'Then threaten him with everything you've got,' said Malfoy, his eyes glinting with malice. 'After all if the parents were to be informed about Miss Devon's unsavoury past, he might find Hogwarts suddenly empty of students.'

'Dumbledore is stubborn, I can assure you that he won't listen.'

'Try anyway.'

'What about Snape? Couldn't he get rid of that girl?'

Malfoy's laugh was humourless. 'I'm afraid that in this matter, Snape is no friend. He has too many personal agendas where that girl is concerned. Go to Dumbledore and if you don't succeed, l will need to lure Miss Devon away from Hogwarts and deal with her myself.'

'Very well.'

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

None of the passersby noticed the black shrouded figure suddenly appear in the shadows.

'Alohomora,' he murmured.

Snape listened to the door click open but was hesitant to enter the shop. Instinct told him something was wrong. For one, Borgin's shop was in darkness, usually there was at least one lantern shining at the window and there was a peculiar but familiar smell, emanating through the open door. He lifted his wand and carefully stepped into the shop.

'Lumos,' he whispered, before almost being overcome by the stench. It was like a dead carcass, had been left to rot in the sun. He swiftly drew an oxygen spell around him and was relieved by the burst of clean, sanitary air.

It didn't take Snape long, to find the cause of the stench. Much of the flesh had dropped away from the torso but the face had been left intact. Snape looked at the sightless eyes and the mouth opened in a silent scream. He had no doubt that the man had not died an easy death.

'Well Borgin,' he said to the corpse, 'you should have known better than anyone. A death eater pays dearly for his mistakes.' Snape gave his wand a slight twirl, producing a fireball, which he let drop onto the body. Instantly it caught fire and was destroyed. As much as he had never liked Borgin, the man deserved some dignity, rather that being feasted upon maggots while slowly rotting away.

Snape then wrapped his black cloak around him and apparated back to Hogwarts and to advise Dumbledore of what he had found.

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

'He looks positively venomous,' hissed Ron, between his half closed mouth, as they filed into Potions.

Everyone exchanged a quick glance and some even dared to take a perfunctory glance at the angry Potion's Master, standing at the front of the room, arms folded, glaring down at them.

'Great,' groaned Harry, 'this is going to fun. Wonder how many points I'm going to lose today?'

'Silence,' barked Snape. His mood had in no way disturbed his astute hearing. 'Now hurry all of you and get to your seats.'

Everyone swiftly obeyed, even Malfoy, who in the past days had lost much of his cocky swagger.

The Gryffindors exchanged more glances. Snape looked like he was ready to plunge a knife into someone.

Eleni felt Snape's black eyes sweep over her, as she took a seat next to Hermione. Much to Eleni's relief, Hermione's had seemingly forgiven her for informing Dumbledore about seeing her that day. But she knew that Hermione, as well as Harry and Ron, were waiting for her to tell them the entire story of her past. But she was hesitant about talking, afraid that she'd lose them as friends. The thought made Eleni smile. Friends. She had never had friends and knowing that there were people around her, who cared, gave her a warm glow.

'Something amusing Miss Devon?' asked Snape from the front of the class.

Eleni's face went scarlet. 'Um, no sir,' she mumbled.

'Everyone open your books to page 121,' said Snape, striding down from his desk. 'Not that it's unusual, but for the most part, your last essays were most disappointing. Therefore today we are going to brew an intellect stimulate, useful for those of you of below average intelligence.' Neville Longbottom cringed under Snape's mocking stare. 'Now the ingredients are in front of you. Begin. And then tonight, after taking your potion, you will all redo the essay and present it at class tomorrow.'

Snape glared, as muttered groans swept through the classroom.

Eleni studied the ingredient list before beginning. It was strange being in Potions, knowing that her mother had once taught the subject and had been Snape's teacher. Yet Snape had been right that night. With no memory of the past, she had lived in a room with the shutters firmly down and bolted. But now that she knew who her parents were and what they had accomplished, the shutters had been flung open.

Since the discovery, she had performed diligently in every single class, now no longer just someone from an orphanage with no past but someone whose parents had been professors before becoming Aurors.

'Miss Devon,' said a low, silky voice from behind her shoulder. 'Are you planning on doing some work or do you intend spending the rest of my class daydreaming?'

Eleni looked up startled. 'No Sir,' she said, putting the first batch of ingredients into her cauldron.

'Five points from Gryffindor.' He then turned to glare at Harry, Ron and Hermione, who were looking at him. 'And five points from each of the dynamic trio, for not minding their own business.'

For the rest of class, no one dared raise their head, concentrating on their potions but wishing the end of class would hurry up and arrive. And when it did come, there was a mad scramble to get out as quickly as possible.

'A word Miss Devon,' said Snape, as she was almost through the doorway.

Eleni clutched her school bag close, as she made her way to where he was standing. Snape stood glaring till the last student had left and then turned to Eleni.

'I've spoken to Professor McGonagall about the night you left the hospital wing,' he began, as he took a seat, 'and she agreed with me, that despite your actions being understandable, we cannot condone behaviour such as sneaking around after curfew, no matter the reason.'

Eleni swallowed and looked at him. His glare had lessened but only marginally so. 'So,' he continued, 'we've agreed that l am to give you detention for the next five evenings.'

Eleni nodded mutely.

'Therefore l expect you here tonight, eight o'clock sharp. Do l make myself clear?'

Eleni nodded again. She had expected worse.

'Good,' he said. 'Now dismissed.'

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

Eleni spent the rest of the afternoon in the library with the others, buried deep in parchments and books. It almost seemed that the teachers had somehow plotted to make it a week of hell for the fifth years. Even Hermione had complained about the amount of homework they had been given. Her face was almost invisible behind the piles of books she had surrounded herself with.

However Ron was staring morosely into space and Harry was making a paper broom out of his parchment.

'Shouldn't you two be studying,' said Hermione, from behind her pile of books.

'Frankly,' said Ron, 'l rather be having a butterbeer at Hogsmeade.'

'Or out on the Quidditch pitch practicing some manoeuvres,' said Harry.

'Here, here,' said Ron. 'Who wants to waste time writing a Potions essay? It's going to take me all night to finish it.'

Well if you stop complaining and start,' said Hermione.

'He's such a miserable git that Snape,' said Ron, ignoring her comment. 'I don't know why he has to take out his foul temper on us.'

Eleni listened to the conversation but kept her head down. Yes Snape was intimidating she thought and at times horrible but despite his vicious demeanour, he had been kind to her, not to mention that he had saved her life more than once. And surely he couldn't be that bad, if her parents had befriended him.

'So Eleni,' said Ron, 'l heard him call you back. What did he want?'

Eleni turned red. 'He and Professor McGonagall have decided to give me detention for the next five nights.'

'What on earth for?' exclaimed Harry. Hermione pushed aside some books and looked at her.

'Bet you it was he that put McGonagall up to it,' said Ron.

'It's okay,' said Eleni. 'I was expecting it, you know for sneaking out of the hospital wing after curfew.'

'When did you sneak out of the hospital wing?' asked Hermione.

Eleni's face turned red. 'After you all left that night.'

'And you were caught by Snape?' asked Ron.

'Something like that,' said Eleni, wishing she hadn't said anything. She didn't want to divulge certain parts of Snape's narrative.

'Don't forget that we're still waiting to hear about your past,' said Harry. 'Every time you try to tell us we're interrupted.'

Eleni sighed, knowing that sooner or later she'd have to face the inevitable. 'Well perhaps tonight after detention.'

'We'll be waiting,' said Harry.

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

At 8.00pm sharp she knocked and entered Snape's classroom. He was at his desk, correcting papers. 

'Miss Devon,' he said, without looking up.

Eleni walked up to his desk and waited quietly while he finished correcting an essay. She winced when she saw the number of red slashes, he had inflicted on the poor hapless parchment.

'Now,' he said, when he had finished. 'Madam Pomfrey's supplies are somewhat depleted and as you will understand, this is because l have been elsewhere occupied.' He handed her a parchment with a list and opened his drawer and pulled out a thick, dusty book. 'Therefore during the following 5 nights you are to brew these potions. One a night. You'll find the list of ingredients in this book. Any questions?'

'No Sir.'

'Well then begin. I'll be in my office if you need anything.'

Normally such a task would have given Eleni a cold sweat but surprisingly she didn't feel at all challenged. If her mother had been a Potion's Master, then surely she must have inherited something from her.

And her instincts were correct. The time flew past and before she knew it, Snape was beside her stirring and testing the mixture.

'Good,' he said. 'Now label the bottles and then pour the potion into them.'

Eleni began to carefully label the bottles, aware that Snape was watching her.

'Professor Snape?' she asked.

'Yes Eleni.'

'Is it true that Draco's father is a death eater?'

Snape stepped towards her. 'Who told you that?'

'Well nobody, it's just something l heard.'

He regarded for a moment before answering. 'Yes, Lucius Malfoy is a death eater but l suggest that it's not something to be openly discussed.'

'So does he want me dead? I mean, if it was Draco who switched the potions, could his father have told him to…l mean, what would Draco have against me…' Her voice trailed off uncertain of what exactly she was trying to say. 'I don't know, l was just thinking, you know…'

And you've made an accurate assessment, thought Snape, as he looked at her.

'Let's just say,' he said, 'that you shouldn't be wandering around Hogwarts on your own.'

Eleni's bottom lip trembled at his words. 'So he does want me dead?'

'Perhaps, that's why you need to take care.'

'Does that mean that Draco's father could be responsible for my parent's death?'

'Professor Dumbledore and l have considered that possibility but as yet there is no solid evidence. But l suggest you keep it to yourself. You wouldn't want to alert anyone of your suspicions, would you?'

'No, l suppose not.'

'Well then finish up and I'll escort you back to your dormitory.'

His face had closed down and withdrawn. Eleni knew she'd get no further information.

'Oh well,' she thought, 'there's always tomorrow night.'