The Patronus Charm
A letter from the ministry told Leonor to get the potions for the examination on the first working day of the new year. Leonor felt still sick on her way to the visitor's entrance. New Year's Eve finished with an enjoyable party. There was some headache involved and a sour feeling in the stomach. But it had been worthwhile. Leonor refused to resolve everything with a healing draught and better excused her pale face with a regular cold.
There were three vials with different liquids, each of them exceedingly toxic. It was her task to develop the antidote until July. The vials in her pocket made her uneasy. What if she wouldn't succeed? Her thoughts travelled back to Hogwarts. Snape was the only person she knew and not involved with the examination committee. Richard and everybody at St. Mungo's was bound to refuse any help. Leonor wouldn't ask anyway. The witch damned that Hogwarts was the only hope of help in case needed. She had to find the solution herself.
Leonor was back at Hogwarts in the second half of January. Two venoms had been identified. It would only be a matter of time to develop the antidote. The third venom made issues. She couldn't detect the ingredients completely. She hoped for some time to browse the library or to catch Snape.
XXX
Severus patrolled the corridors. It was a full moon again. He had been busy with the Wolfsbane Potion for a couple of days and Lupin had been overly friendly on receiving it. Severus couldn't trust him, not yet, maybe he never would. What would happen if Lupin forgot the potion or didn't take it in time? It would be blamed on him, but he couldn't force Lupin to drink. The Marauders had always been careless about the essential and got away with it until Potter couldn't hide Lily.
There was light in the staff room. The door stood ajar. Severus watched and leaned against the door frame. Scott sat in a chair; her head supported by the left hand. The right hand with a quill was moving lazily on a piece of parchment. She looked frustrated and forlorn. The light from the hearth cast a red glow on the dark hair. Severus watched the woman in silence. Her face was lit by the small wand light. Leonor wasn't stunning at first glance. She was silent and smart. Severus could hardly ignore her and swallowed the mild attraction.
Leonor suddenly looked up, surprised about his presence. Her smile met the eyes. It was genuine. Lily never looked at him like this in school, never again since talking about dementors in the woods near the river.
"Good evening, Severus! Am I the one breaking curfew tonight?" said Leonor friendly.
He smirked and nodded an unspoken question towards all the scrolls of parchment around her workplace. Leonor's smile faded, and she moaned, "I'm supposed to correct the essays and return them to the students, but I struggle with the exam classes. Lupin wants me to correct them per ministry rules."
Severus moved towards the table, taking one essay from the pile and looking at the book in front of her. Lupin left her apparently without enough explanation of the examination standards. He took the chair next to Leonor and said with gritted teeth, "Did Lupin give you any guidelines on how to mark it?"
"Not much, only the book. Maybe I should leave it for today and re-read it tomorrow. There's no paragraph or chapter on Defence Against the Dark Arts. I wonder if the assessment depends on the task?"
Severus said nothing and scanned through the papers. Scott had marked them correctly and given hints to the students for improvement. She commented in case of missing details and there was an overview for each essay about the expected content to receive full marks.
"You've to mark by the exam standards for charms or theoretical work. There's another standard for practical exercises," said Severus and flipped to a page in the appendix of the book. "The grading as theoretical work will work for the fifth and sixth-years. The essays of the seventh-years are to be marked as charms. Should we start?" Severus looked at her. Leonor looked back and nodded in disbelief.
She was obviously tired and must have worked several hours to get all the papers graded. "Have you had dinner, Leonor?" he asked softly and was surprised how easy her first name came to his lips.
"No. I'd just like to finish some of them. The remaining can be done tomorrow."
Severus took one essay out of the pile and put it in front of Leonor. He waved his wand and a silver tray with sandwiches appeared instantly. Severus started to explain. Sometimes they grinned about some funny wording of the students or got lost in a discussion about the subject itself. Leonor helped herself with the sandwiches and got a shrewd smirk from Severus.
"Severus, I think we are done for today. I can do the rest tomorrow. There's something else I'd like to ask." Leonor considered his eyes. They were deep and dark. She got lost in them without being the wiser about the man.
"The castle must have some secret passageways. I found one. I'm sure you know more. Can you give me a walk through the castle? The students are faster on the seventh floor than me, it's embarrassing."
"I'm on duty tomorrow," said Severus with a grin, noticing her little wrinkles around the eyes and the grey in the brown hair. "Nine o'clock at the entrance!"
Leonor packed in silence and sent all the parchments with a spell to her room. Both left the staff room closing the door with a small thud. Dumbledore was standing in the corridor. He was wearing a crimson silk nightgown with gold embroidered moons and stars. He chuckled, and it was almost as if he eavesdropped on the conversation in the staff room.
"Good evening Professor Scott! Would you allow me to call you Leonor?" said Dumbledore with a twinkle at Severus.
"Of course, my pleasure," said Leonor.
"Leonor, I hope Severus didn't interfere with your plans for the evening by telling his sentiments about Professor Lupin and Sirius Black? If so, I must intervene that it was the best for the school to have Remus amongst us this year."
Leonor coughed a little, hiding her swelling rage behind it. Severus had gone rigid and Dumbledore was evidently amused.
"No, not at all. Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape — have a good night!" Leonor left for her quarters with a curt nod acknowledging both men.
Leonor entered her room still agitated. Lupin annoyed her. Why couldn't he tell about the examination standards in more detail? There was some relation to Black and Dumbledore too. Dumbledore's blurry remark made her furious too. She never considered the story about Sirius Black much. Whatever Black, Lupin, and Snape had in common shouldn't be any of her concern. Why was Snape the opponent of everybody? Leonor took a deep breath of the night observing some creatures above the forbidden forest. She was too tired to continue the brooding and closed the window to fall asleep quickly.
XXX
The first students walked loudly along the seventh floor chatting and laughing animated. Leonor woke slowly. The noises far away and the rays of the morning light still hidden behind the curtains. It was already late and almost time for teaching. Leonor dressed and flicked her wand to call for breakfast. She had liked at least a cup of coffee or tea and waited. An aged house elf appeared with a tiny pop and a deep bow.
"Mistress Scott, you called Hattie?"
"Yes. Is your name Hattie? You keep my room neat and warm?" The elf bowed again, and the creased skin wobbled on the cheeks. A clean tea towel was wrapped around the middle of the elf. She must have seen generations of students and teachers.
"I'd like to have a bread roll and a coffee."
The elf snapped his fingers before the last syllable had trailed off. A tray landed on the rickety coffee table next to the sofa. Leonor shoved the roll into her mouth and sipped the hot coffee.
"Thanks, Hattie, since when are you at the school?"
"Many, many years. Hattie serves the third headmaster of Hogwarts." The elf made a curtsey and smiled proudly.
"Are you working for the kitchen or other Professors too?"
"Oh yes, Hattie works for other Professors, too. Hattie is bound to keep its master's secrets, also Mistress Scott's secrets. Hattie is not a common kitchen elf, no, no."
Leonor considered the elf a while. Hattie appeared frail, but vivid despite the age and enthusiastic in telling about her important work.
"Hattie, for whom else are you working? Who assigned you to me?"
"Professor Dumbledore asked me to take care of Mistress Scott. Hattie has been mourning that there is so little work to do. Hattie cares for the Slytherin House. Serving the Professors and students if requested."
"So, you've been helping Rose before Christmas?" asked Leonor and Hattie nodded eagerly. "Are the Slytherin students' kind?"
Hattie hesitated and looked down tightening her towel. Leonor gave her a commanding look.
"Hattie is very proud of working for the ancient House of Slytherin. Professor Snape doesn't allow the students to be rude. He says that it's a waste of time to talk to an elf and that it's better to study instead." Hattie bowed and retreated warily. Leonor gave her an encouraging smile and the elf left the room.
XXX
The morning went by quickly. Leonor returned all the essays and used the lessons for repetition. She was looking forward to lunch. The hearty meals were delicious, and Leonor enjoyed it with the short-term assignment. The Great Hall was busy, and the staff table fully occupied. There was a free chair next to Professor Hagrid.
"Professor Hagrid, how are you?" asked Leonor. She heard of the hippogriff and Malfoy's effort to get the beast killed and to denounce the school. She had met Lucius Malfoy at the ministry. Father and son were much alike. Hagrid looked sullen and it was very easy to get him to talk.
"He's a good hippogriff. He's done nothing he shouldn't have done," grunted Hagrid and drained the glass of wine and shot some furtive glances towards the Slytherin table. "The students don't like me teaching, cannot do nothing interesting. Harry and Ron and Hermione hold on to me and help with the project, studying Flobberworms, yep."
"You are breeding thestrals?" said Leonor changing the subject.
"Yep, a fine herd it is — the only trained in Europe. Dumbledore allows them to move the carriages. They'll find every way." Hagrid's mood improved in an instant and Leonor placed the question nagging her thoughts since talking to Hattie.
"Is Professor Snape the only teacher who's been in Slytherin?"
Hagrid continued his lunch and emptied the next goblet.
"Yes, think so. Dumbledore isn't very fond. Most have been involved with You-Know-Who. Guess the school just needed a Head of the House Slytherin. Don't know why else Dumbledore should have vouched for him at the trial," said Hagrid and bit his lips, "—oh you know nothing from me." He stood almost knocking off the chair and left grumbling to himself. Leonor sighed. She had almost guessed sharing an elf with Snape.
The afternoon was reserved for the advanced classes. In absence of Lupin's instructions and the ongoing presence of Dementors at the school gates, it was inevitable to practice the Patronus Charm. A Patronus was beautiful and innocent. There was no danger in case it went wrong. Leonor relaxed and allowed the students to enjoy the variety of animals. Her assistance was only required to encourage those students without strong happy memories and a non-corporal Patronus. The Slytherins were mostly reluctant to practise, but once asked the Patronus was usually powerful. All other houses indulged in sending the silvery white forms across the room when the door opened, and Professor Snape entered the classroom. The animal shapes vanished in shock of the students. Snape scanned the scene, saying, "May I have a word, Professor Scott?"
"Students, please return to your seats and copy down the essentials of the Patronus from the book," called Leonor with a strong voice before turning to Professor Snape. "What can I do for you, Professor?"
Snape's voice was barely perceptible. The students watched the pair carefully.
"Scott, the riot carries down the corridors. You should take points if somebody cannot behave. Or may I suggest using a silencing charm next time practising carnival?"
Leonor considered the classroom forcing the students to mind their own business. It must have been very noisy. She didn't like the thought of luring Peeves into here class nor other teachers. There wasn't much for an answer and Leonor was glad that Snape had entered and nobody else.
"Thank you. I'll remember the silencing charm. Did other teachers complain?"
"No, but there's no guarantee they won't."
Severus looked her straight in the eyes and down her dark green robes before he continued with a superior tone, "We meet as appointed, warm clothes are appropriate."
Leonor stared back and answered, "Naturally." Severus relaxed and turned obviously relieved to the door.
A Slytherin stopped Professor Snape with a question and a taunting grin towards Leonor. But she was too far away listening in. Snape's expression was fathomless when he spoke quietly, "Dementors won't survey your family tree nor explore your good deeds before sucking the soul from your body. I presume you are working hard to master the spell."
His gaze shifted from the Slytherins to the students of the other houses. He pointed his wand at Leonor, and she mirrored the reflex. A graceful silver doe burst off Severus' wand. The doe walked slowly down the aisle between the students. A fox waited motionless at the other end fixing the deer with a stern hunting desire.
XXX
The solid oak gates in the entrance hall were already closed; the full moon and its frosty night safely locked out. A little breeze in the hall had faded. Leonor was dressed in warm leggings, a long cashmere jumper, knee-high boots and a thick travelling cloak. The hourglasses with the colourful gemstones sparkled in the dim light. She looked at the emeralds with the afternoon in her mind. Severus presence silenced every class. But the jolt watching the doe moving on towards the grey fox was meaningful. All students watched in awe, probably all for their own reason. The doe's moves were restrained and almost tender; fragile and strong at the same time awaiting the fox to strike; a successful demonstration.
Severus appeared from the dungeons with his wand raised and checking the security measures of the gate.
"Have you got your notepad, Scott, to copy everything down?" said Severus with a mocking undertone.
"Hope you show mercy, Snape," said Leonor emphasizing his last name. "Brains are working slowly in January, aren't they?"
"If you say so, Doctor Scott! Or do you prefer Healer Scott instead?"
"I prefer to begin, Severus!"
The tour through the castle was more than interesting. Leonor was impressed and breathless. She saw the house elves in the kitchen and was served with mulled wine. Not even Snape refused it despite showing his cold demeanour. Hattie had been overly friendly. The Slytherin common room was great and comfortable, safely secured by a pure-blood slogan. It had something of an old elegant manor house with a very personalized touch. Snape wasn't allowed to enter the other common rooms but explained the rules for admittance. Several passages and stairs were hidden behind tapestries or paintings. But the most useful were a few narrow staircases between the different floors. The staircases were hidden behind invisible doors and locked by spells.
"Is Dumbledore aware?" Leonor asked.
"Likely."
"You told him?"
"Should I have done?" Severus shrugged.
"I don't know. I mean, it seems we always meet. Hattie is my house elf too."
Severus frowned at Leonor and went into the trophy room hiding an aggrieved look. "Another elf can be organized if Hattie isn't good enough."
"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that, Severus," said Leonor apologetically. "She's brilliant!"
Severus nodded and continued briskly to lead the way up to the Astronomy Tower. The night was pale and clear. The grounds laid magnificently in the white moonlight. Leonor walked around the railing taking in the view into every direction. The height reinforced the wintery breeze and not even the travelling cloak could prevent Leonor from feeling cold. She had just watched the thestrals again when a warm breath touched her hair. Severus' arm embraced her shivering shoulders with his cloak from behind. A wave of his wand raised the temperature but couldn't stop the biting wind.
"You watch the thestrals?" Severus asked. He closed his eyes to identify the flowery scent of Leonor's perfume. She hadn't drawn herself apart and continued to observe the winged horses thoughtfully. He would have liked to slip his hand to the woollen pullover. It brought back the memory of a soft blanket with similar looks from his early childhood; it provided warmth in the nights without heating until it was ragged and holey and lost. He was grateful for today. Leonor was here. Nobody could take away the moment.
"I never saw so many thestrals before. I am able to see them, Severus. You see them too, don't you?"
"Yes."
They left the tower without speaking. Leonor thanked Severus and retreated to her room. She slept quickly with the certainty to dream of tonight for a while. It had been easy to accept the closeness of a man as never before.