Chapter Four

Kate walked along the dungeon corridor, wand gripped tightly in her hand. For the umpteenth time since patrols had begun two weeks ago, she wished that she could spend the rest of the evening in the common room, but patrolling was a part of her Prefect duties, and it was especially important given the lurking evil in the magic world.

She sighed. It had been a hectic two weeks of term. The teachers were really throwing them into their schoolwork, and they seemed to have lots of homework every single night. Adding to the work were Prefect duties, and as Quidditch Captain she had even more responsibilities. At least she had a weekend coming up to try and relax in.

Kate had caught at least one person each night for the past two weeks on her patrol, and there was one night when she had caught a group of six third years. She had just sent two first years back to the Hufflepuff common room, and thankfully she was now halfway through her patrol.

A sudden chill behind her made her spin around. A Dementor...

"Expecto Patronum!" It was swept away. That was another thing she didn't like. Due to the danger facing Witches and Wizards, Dementors were guarding Hogwarts, and it was common knowledge that Dumbledore was not happy, and nor were any of the staff.

Still, mused Kate, if a Dementor saw fit to come down here, someone must be lurking.

She looked around her, and saw she was outside Snape's office. She knocked.

"Come," came the cold voice from inside. Kate pushed open the door, and walked over to Snape's desk. "Miss Johnson. Is there a problem?" A look of worry crossed his face- he knew as well as anyone, things were highly dangerous.

"Professor, I've just had to drive away a Dementor. Something is definitely wrong." Kate was a little pale. As far as she knew, this was the first time a Prefect had spotted real danger on patrol. Snape rose, and drew out his wand.

"Come. Perhaps I should accompany you on your search of the dungeon corridors."

"Of course, Professor. That would be appreciated." Kate was relieved at Snape's offer. The thought of having to wander the dungeon corridors at night after the appearance of the Dementor was a terrifying one. Kate followed Snape back out into the torch lit corridor. She gripped her wand tighter as she walked next to the tall Professor.

In silence, they walked for half an hour. Kate tried hard to keep her fear in check, but she was aware of her heart beating furiously. They rounded a corner, and Kate gasped at what she saw. A body was floating in mid air. It looked like he had been kept barely alive. Standing in the middle of the corridor, wand raised, was a hooded figure, which began to laugh manically.

"Miss Katharine Johnson..." The voice was low and chilling. "How nice to finally meet you where I can have you all to myself..."

"You will NOT touch her!" Snape pushed Kate behind him, his wand held straight out.

"Oh, Severus, please, don't be silly..." Kate could tell from his reaction that Snape knew exactly who was behind the hood. He maintained his cold stare at the figure. "Stupefy!" A jet of red light shot towards Snape and Kate. They threw themselves opposite ways, and it harmlessly went into the darkness behind them.

Snape immediately turned his wand on the hooded figure, and Kate carefully levitated the unconscious form out of the way and around the corner. Kate got blasted off her feet and into the wall behind, her wand flying out of reach. She gasped for breath, slightly dazed. Snape blasted the hooded figure halfway down the dark corridor, and lifted Kate back to her feet with a wave of his wand.

"Professor!" Kate saw the figure advancing. She looked around for her wand- it was about three metres in front of Snape's feet- too far to reach easily. Snape had seen it as well.

"Wandless magic, Miss Johnson," he hissed to her.

Well, it can't do any harm to try, thought Kate. She held out her hand. "Accio Wand!" To her very great surprise, it flew in a graceful arc and into her outstretched palm. She dived straight back into the battle, furiously firing every spell she could think of down the corridor, and neatly dodging several that were shot back at her. She still, however, acquired quite a number of injuries, some of them fairly painful.

Kate and Snape were suddenly blasted off their feet and into the wall behind them. Another spell cut into Kate like a knife, and cuts began to appear all over her. Jumping to his feet, Snape blasted the hooded figure forcefully down the corridor-again –then pointed his wand at Kate.

"Finite Incantatum." Kate relaxed as the spell ended. She wiped away the tears of pain from her face, wincing as she brushed cuts and bruises. Snape bent down, grabbed one of Kate's hands and hauled her to her feet. "Are you alright, Miss Johnson?"

Kate ignored the aching pains all over her body. "I'm fine, Professor," she answered with a look of grim determination on her face. She watched as Snape advanced on the hooded figure determinedly. She could see the effort he was taking to stay upright- he had taken spells intended for Kate, and was greatly weakened.

"Crucio!" roared the voice under the hood. The spell hit Snape squarely- he couldn't move away quickly enough. He crashed heavily to the stone floor, writhing and screaming in agony. It was bone chilling to watch.

Kate turned her wand on the hooded figure. "Expelliarmus!" cried Kate. His wand flew out of reach, and he stumbled to the floor. "Stupefy!" she shouted. He was knocked out. She turned her wand on Snape. "Finite Incantatum," she said softly. He lay still. He was barely conscious. She turned her wand back onto the hooded figure. "Incarcerous," she muttered, thin ropes tying him up.

Kate suddenly felt deeply chilled. She turned, and behind her was sweeping a crowd of Dementors. She whirled her wand at them. "Expecto Patronum!" she screamed. They were swept away, and Kate breathed a sigh of relief.