12

Your enemies

PRO. SNAPE :" I swear to you Headmaster, I had nothing to do with this...outrage."

PRO.DUMBLEDORE : " Calm down, calm down...Severus, there is no need get defensive. We are not asking what happened, or why...only that you might find a solution."

PRO. SNAPE : " Why bother? Perhaps he wants to spend the rest of his life looking like a cheap Valentine."

PRO. DUMBLEDORE :" Severus..."

PRO.SNAPE :" Yes...headmaster?

PRO.DUMBLEDORE: " As amusing as this is...and satisfying to your ego, no doubt; I believe the time for fun is over. We have to know whether or not the wolfsbane potion is still working, or was it rendered powerless by any...tampering?"

PRO. SNAPE: " The fact of the matter is, Headmaster, that by my calculations...were he going to transform at all he would have done so by now. Whatever happened to the potion between the time it left my hand, and the time he drank it, has either strengthened the power of the wolfsbane potion, or has indeed paralyzed the lycanthropy."

PRO. DUMBLEDORE: "Well, this is delightful! "

PRO.SNAPE: " Which part of this farce is delightful?"

PRO.DUMBLEDORE: "Why, dear boy, THE fact that you have inadvertantly discovered a method for halting a werewolf's transformation's entirely. "

PRO. SNAPE: " But-"

PRO. DUMBLEDORE: "I know...there are some startling side effects...but I believe with a little research into the matter, you can easily...polish it up some? "

PRO. SNAPE: "But Headmaster, you don't understand!I cannot possibly imagine what might have happened that..."

PRO. DUMBLEDORE: "That what?"

PRO. SNAPE: "Wait a moment..."

PRO. DUMBLEDORE: Is something the matter...Severus?

PRO. SNAPE: Could you excuse me Headmaster? I believe I may have in mind exactly the cause which is to blame for this...prank."

PRO. DUMBLEDORE: I thought you might. Severus...

PRO. SNAPE: Yes...Headmaster?

PRO. DUMBLEDORE: This is an important discovery.It could save lives. Not just Remus'. but many many lives. It is a very grave, and important issue...and I am positive that the persons who can work together and who can perfect this potion, would be in line for a very special award. Do you understand?"

PRO. SNAPE: "I do..."

PRO. DUMBLEDORE: "Excellent, I knew you would. And Severus, no illegal curses, no hexes, no threats. Try to simply be..."

PRO. SNAPE: "Be what?"

PRO. DUMBLEDORE: "Charming."

PRO.SNAPE: "Charming?"

PRO.DUMBLEDORE: "Yes. Maybe even friendly. You're a brave man, surely you can face the Weasley twins, armed with at least a half smile. After all, the Order of Merlin is worth it...right?"