The Black Lake

Leonor woke by a message for an early visit in the headmaster's study. Dumbledore apologized for the early call but explained Flitwick's concern as unnecessary. All students would enjoy the beautiful summer instead and the defence classes were cancelled. The worries about Lupin had been explained by an 'unexpected event' leading to the painful transformation into a werewolf last night. Lupin would recover over the weekend.

Leonor did not mind. She preferred some days off before the exam period at St. Mungo's to finish the Gringotts assignment. Dumbledore engaged her in various questions about her internships in France and Romania, an interest he had never shown in the past months. Leonor left his office with a peculiar feeling and stopped at a window in the seventh floor. The lake stretched like a mirror between the Scottish mountains. The light so bright dipping the bluish grey into various reflections of the sun. Owls circled the sky before heading in different directions delivering the news to families and friends.

"The letters of the parents will arrive soon. The headmaster will need to find a new teacher for the next year," said a drawling voice behind Leonor.

"Good morning. Have the news already spread?"

Severus grinned smugly, and Leonor couldn't hide a small grin as well.

"I leave soon," whispered Leonor. She considered the tired man's eyes, deep tunnels, unfathomable as always. It didn't unnerve her anymore, and she suddenly knew all that mattered was there; deep inside and would swim to the surface if it was necessary. Leonor liked teaching the children. The job at Hogwarts had been pleasant, the contacts interesting and promising, but it had been Severus to make a difference coming out of the shallow small talks. Their acquaintance retreated from publicity into a more profound relationship. Severus would solve the issue with the treasure chest. There was no doubt, she trusted in him. In a loss of words, she walked to her private room; busying herself to keep the focus. The ancient rusty key from Filch lay on the table. Leonor attached an already prepared note to it and hexed it to Filch's dungeon with a lazy wave.

"He still hands out keys?" Severus filled the door frame glancing into the room.

"Yes, he gave me a key, but I assume most teachers prefer their own protective enchantments in a house full of sorcerers, so do I."

Leonor placed a disillusionment charm over her bag and vanished it as well.

"Will you find the invisible suitcase, or do you need some help?"

"Yeah, it took me a while to send it precisely to the drawer in the bedroom. I used to trip over it in the hall, but I improved," responded Leonor with a half-grin. "The muggles notice flying objects very suspiciously and neighbours are often very observant meddling with the business of others."

"Will you have breakfast?"

"No. I've said all my goodbyes yesterday and don't want to repeat myself."

"Would you join me for a morning walk?" said Severus in a low voice. Leonor focused her favourite professor swiftly. His gaze wandered from curious observation of the room to the floor. It had been Leonor's wish to walk around the lake, and she had silently hoped to not walk alone.

"Why not?" answered Leonor reassuringly.

Leonor followed Severus down the moving staircases into the fresh morning. They almost collided with some Gryffindors rounding a corner on the third floor. Severus shot them a contemptuous look. The students looked anxious after the billowing cloaks until the swishing of fabric melted into silence.

Leonor and Severus were alone at the lake. The wind was asleep, and nobody could tell if the Merpeople were awake or not. The branches of the aged trees hung deep over the shoreline, and the water shone in the golden sunlight of the rising day.

"Dumbledore asked me this morning about my travel through Europe. Does he plan a language class? He was interested in my French and the skills of Slavic languages," said Leonor conversationally.

Severus frowned but said nothing. He continued briskly along the banks and ducked supple under the low branches; as if already being late for an appointment.

Leonor tried again to catch a glimpse of the beautiful view and to savour the bright morning. She walked deliberately slow and called jokingly, "You should have mentioned bringing my jogging pants. I thought we go for a stroll and not for a run!"

Severus stopped at least fifteen yards away. He turned to face the entrance of the castle carefully. Leonor followed his view. Students stood in the courtyard and Severus vanished quickly into the trees at the boundary of the Hogwarts Grounds.

"You like to make a mystery out of things, don't you?"

"No, but I don't want to be seen with you!" Severus emphasised the last word with a sneer, waiting for Leonor to catch up with him. They walked through the undergrowth of the thicket until the mountains reached the lake and created a natural borderline.

Leonor panted for breath and felt the blood rush through the veins. Severus showed some colour on his cheeks too but grinned at her.

"We are leaving Hogwarts Grounds." Severus turned and walked along the stone. He stopped at a ledge covered in ivy and started to remove the plants without cutting them off to free a gap in between the rocks. He lit his wand and entered cautiously to call Leonor only moments later.

"May I ask you to follow?"

Leonor lit her wand as well and entered through the entrance into a sparse lit passageway. A little light came from above through the crack in the rocks. The crunching pebbles echoed loudly between the walls. The passage was winding and after a while neither entrance nor exit visible. Leonor felt slightly apprehensive and sighed in relief when Severus said, "We are almost there, give me your hand and stay close to the wall."

Water was trickling down the rock, the ground slippery and wet. The passage became once more very narrow and then opened into a small sunlit bay. The cove was lined by the mountains. Coarse-grained sand and polished pebbles at the shore changed into a short velvety green towards the rocks. A single birch tree stood majestically in the middle. The sun enthroned above the Forbidden Forest and on the opposite side of the lake. The bay was sheltered from wind and the temperature comfortable warm.

Severus left Leonor surprised at the mouth of the passageway striding purposefully to the single tree. Leonor walked to the water. The castle was not visible from here, the high rock shielded the view. The water nudged invitingly at her feet. Leonor threw a flat stone across the water, but it skipped only twice before it sunk making circles on the still surface. Leonor turned after a while towards the shadows of the birch. Severus leaned against the speckled trunk with drawn-in knees, playing with some blades of grass. He did not look up when Leonor joined. Leonor sat down in a reasonable distance and whispered, "Thanks, it's a wonderful place. Do you come here often?"

Severus answered with a shake of his head.

"Does anybody else know it? It doesn't look like, there are no tracks."

Severus shrugged. A deep line appeared between his brows. He looked much older than minutes before with the lightly reddened cheeks.

"I discovered it at the end of my third year and never met anybody. The first years drive past with the boats, but it's dark and nobody can see it. Hagrid goes fishing from time to time, maybe he stopped here with a boat to help some creature," said Severus. "We've got to talk, Leonor, about Gringotts. What have you found out, you haven't agreed on anything with them yet, have you?"

"No, I've agreed on nothing, and the goblins didn't push either. I heard about Catherine Isabella Greengrass and her tragic love story. Per the legend, she fell in love with a wizard disdained by her family. She died doomed after the end of their relationship."

"Right, I think she was Cathy. Where did you hear the story?"

"From Ollivander, I had my wand checked, but this was all he knew."

"It has been passed on that the wizard was an ancestor of the Ollivander family. Greengrass and Ollivander despise each other since that time. They never liked each other much. Catherine has been characterized as a gifted witch, well-known at Hogwarts, a fair and beautiful woman with all possibilities of a great future. She rejected her family's wish to meet other young men and was stubborn to only marry Ollivander. Her family agreed finally to meet the guy, but Ollivander decided differently. He left Catherine behind pregnant and relocated to America together with Catherine's childhood friend. The child was never born. A couple of years after her death a brother of Catherine published a book."

Severus handed a thin booklet to Leonor. The author was Armandus Greengrass and it was dedicated to his beloved sister. Leonor leafed it through.

"She has invented curses?"

"Yes, so-called empathic-curses. It's a rare branch of the Dark Arts. Breaking the curse means to live through the memories and pain of the enchanter. Empathic curses are usually tremendous, physically or mentally. The creators are sensitive and past hope to solve their issues; often used by ill-fated wizards feeling unjust about an incurable disease. The book reads like written by a female. I assume Armandus is not the real author, only the publisher."

"Where did you find it? It's not from the Hogwarts library."

"The origin does not matter. Read the bookmarks!" Severus continued to play reflectively with the blades of grass and stared across the lake. From time to time he watched Leonor preoccupied with the book. Their eyes met when Leonor finished reading.

Severus gave her a haunted look. "You understand, don't you? It's not worth the money."

Leonor spoke quietly, "I've to do the seventh trial. It is in the contract. I'm only free after I tried seven times. It's in the fine print for private clients; I refused to believe initially. Severus, the last spell I tried was 'Alohomora'. I was angry because nothing was successful before, and I was tempted by something very easy. It set the curse to work and I fainted with the painful memory of Cathy Greengrass. Not every life is an eternal love story with many smart kids. I've accepted it for myself, and I will never have or wish for anything that the blond woman couldn't bear to have lost. I'm prepared to go through."

Severus groaned. "You have to convince the Goblins to bring the treasure chest to a place where the cursed souls of Catherine and the unborn child can escape and release their pain. The Greengrass family lives in Yorkshire and Cathy was found dead between rocks in the sea below some cliffs. Go alone; don't allow the Goblins to follow you."

"Severus, I don't need magical ability to do this. I must brave the grief of the woman and replace it with my own strength. Either I die by enduring the pain or the box will open. Will I be free after it or will her soul haunt me forever?"

"You may be free, even stronger if you survive, or you never sleep again. Nobody can know. Will you risk it?"

Leonor nodded sheepishly.

"Do you know how to use a Patronus charm for messaging?" asked Severus boring into Leonor's eyes.

"Yes, I think so."

"Send the grey fox to me and let me know where to find you before starting. Keep the Goblins away, do you get that? The Greengrass manor house is near Withby, but I cannot say for sure Catherine died there as well."

"Yes, I'll do."

There was a long silence; Leonor and Severus were both indulged in their own thoughts until Leonor asked suddenly and with a sad look, "Do you have to go back to the castle now?"

Severus startled a little, snatched from picturing a lethally cursed Leonor and a victorious Potter boy and feeling as the fool once again. Severus met Dumbledore early at breakfast before the first Slytherins showed up. The headmaster praised his relaxed night and left soon with the words about every man forging his own destiny. The words still echoed in Severus' ears, but there was no reason to return to the castle. Minerva and Pomona were in charge today, and he would come up with an excuse in case of any questions. He shrugged glancing doubtfully at Leonor.

"You'd like to stay another while?"

Leonor smiled at him and relocated herself to the sun, removing cloak, shoes and rolling up the sleeves. She laid flat on her back with closed eyes absorbing the sun. It had been worthwhile to bring her here; she was happy at least.

"Severus—," Leonor called, "—what did Black do to get you killed?"

"Does it matter?"

"I was just wondering why you are so nasty to Harry Potter."

Severus watched her sprawled in the sunlight. It was hard to remove his eyes from the slender body. He tried to concentrate on a buzzard circling above the lake and responded gruffly, "How is this any of your business?"

Severus hoped to shake Leonor's questions off with the answer, but she stalked unexpectedly into his direction. She cowered in front of his knees, nailing him with an intensive look. Leonor's eyes were brown, almost black like the hair. Severus saw his own reflection in it. He tilted his head avoiding her eyes deliberately but started to talk without being aware of why he trusted her.

"I knew Lupin was a Werewolf. He transformed every month in the Shrieking Shack safely lead there by Madam Pomfrey. I suspected it even before we read the chapter in the book, but I wanted the proof to be right. Black and Potter hated me from our first ride on the school train; the heroic Gryffindors, and odd 'Snivellus Snape'! I cannot explain it, but I believe Potter was jealous about my friendship with Lily. It was not just the common house rivalry. Potter was always rude to Lily, but he fancied her and pushed for a date. Potter and his gang hexed students out of poor fun. Lucius Malfoy paid attention over the younger Slytherins if he was in school. It was fun to Lucius seeing them in detention and watching a seething McGonagall to dock points from Gryffindor. In our fifth year, Lupin became prefect sanctioning all their deeds. It was always four to one and did not end until after school. Black told me how to pass the Whomping Willow, and I was stupid enough to follow the instructions. I hoped to persuade Lily having final proof of the real reason for Lupin's monthly suffering. Potter pulled me out of the passage to the Shrieking Shack, but I glimpsed the werewolf before. He saved all his friends and their little secrets till date — the unregistered Animagi, his invisibility cloak inherited to the boy, the map."

"Lupin was a prefect?"

"Yes, Lupin and Lily. Potter became Head Boy later."

"What happened after the prank; I mean did any teacher notice?"

"Dumbledore was waiting after returning from the Whomping Willow. Dumbledore made me swear to keep Lupin's secret or I would be expelled from the school. I served a rather pleasant detention with Slughorn brewing the potions for his next class. I don't know what Dumbledore told Black and Potter, likely they got one more of the countless detentions. Lupin's secret was saved, but Potter was celebrated by everybody for saving a Slytherin. Lily scolded me 'ungrateful' and defended Potter. I don't know when she understood to have a werewolf in the dormitory and that Potter saved his friends more than me."

"You talk about Lily Potter? But McGonagall was praising her as one of the brightest witches, how could she overlook it?"

Severus shrugged. "Gryffindors tend to be blind in both eyes about their friends."

"And what happened to your friendship with smart Lily?"

"It was over after our fifth year. She strictly refused any contact with me and everything involved with the Dark Arts; the rising war, Dark Magic, and Slytherin were all the same to her. I hoped she would see the fake greatness of Potter and his friends, but instead, she married him." The low voice was filled with bitterness and contempt.

"You fancied her too, didn't you?" Severus didn't answer.

"What's your job, saving Potter?"

Severus looked up into Leonor's eyes, surprised. "How did you know?"

"I don't know. You unlikely became a teacher saving Harry before the Potters had been killed. I guess Dumbledore 'needed a favour'? You don't like teaching the unexceptional, mediocre kids, do you?"

"I asked Dumbledore to keep the Potters save. The Dark Lord aimed at Lily to kill the boy. I overheard the prophecy of Trelawney about the 'Chosen One'. Dumbledore bound me to spy on the Dark Lord. I was already high in the Death Eater's ranks and moved further up into the inner circle after Dumbledore's offer to replace Slughorn. The Dark Lord succeeded to get somebody into a teaching post." Severus took a deep breath and said almost pleadingly, "Leonor, you are adept at Occlumency. You've to keep it secret, for your own safety. Nobody can know."

"You are a double agent? You have been cheating the Dark Lord?"

"—and his followers," added Severus calmly.

"You'll be dead first if I blab." Leonor took a deep breath as well.

"You save Potter while the Dark Lord's supporters believe you loyal to their purpose? Dumbledore's allies despise you because you've escaped Azkaban and cannot keep your temper with Potter? Even worse, Potter has no clue of your motives, Dumbledore keeps your cover by feeding Potters resentment. You are going to save a person that doesn't trust you at all. You are committing suicide, aren't you?"

Severus leaned his head back against the trunk swallowing the truth. Leonor jumped up; unexplainable rage flushed her face. His deep voice resonated in Leonor's ears.

"I need to cool off." She started running towards the water and removed the long gown with a few trained moves. She left every handicap behind at the lonely shore. The lake was cold. It would never be much warmer. Leonor shivered before she dived and swam forcefully without caring about the direction. The icy water tweaked her skin. The effort cleared the irritated mind little by little until an unknown force dragged legs and body downwards. Her head was soon under water, she was already breathless and couldn't see into the darkness of the depth, silence fell. A flash missed her nearly, but Leonor still felt like a stone dropping to the ground constantly and without return. Another flash stopped the enchaining powers and strong arms lifted her from behind above the surface. Leonor gasped for breath. Severus was furious but regained his composure first. He pulled Leonor closer with an amused smile and a low bittersweet voice before letting go of her waist.

"I suppose you don't want to be drowned by Grindylows?"

They glared at each other confused. Leonor shot him another angry look. He was still in his pants and shirt. Only the frock coat laid abandoned in the sand. They both returned with long strokes to the shore and Leonor realized the danger of swimming without a wand in a lake full of magical creatures. It was a near miss. She should be grateful, but the shame of being rescued in underwear was overwhelming. She couldn't look at Severus at all.

Severus had already dried himself and removed the dust from the coat. Leonor stood still shivering in the sun. She embraced herself blocking the cold and the weight of the terrible news. The dancing waves disappeared, and the surface was smooth and bright again. Severus sighed ill-tempered. He didn't want to be accountable for any injury or even worse. Why could she not just take her wand, get dressed and leave? She was smart enough to keep herself out of trouble. Severus transfigured Leonor's gown into a blanket. He turned Leonor away from the lake slowly. She looked wretched. Severus considered the shocked eyes while his hands motioned over her body without touching it. The silent magical warmth vanished the goose bumps on Leonor's skin. The blanket covered her shoulders and the sun would do the rest.

"We need to go," said Severus matter-of-factly.

Leonor took her wand, restored the gown and slipped into it quickly. She dried the damp hair and a transfigured wooden stick served as a comb. The serious casual self returned, and she followed Severus through the rocks. They turned towards Hogsmeade and ended soon on the wide road from the countryside into the wizarding village. The beautiful day displayed the small houses in an unmistakable gleam of light. Jackson's was surrounded by dark green hedges, the desolate state of the cottage invisible from the outside.

"You can apparate from here," said Severus impassively.

"How could you cross the Hogwarts security enchantments in your third year?" Leonor couldn't hide the curiosity.

"No unauthorized wizards or muggles can get in. All students can get out at any time; most just never try it, they would be expelled if caught," Severus answered flatly.

"Thanks, Severus, I'd like to keep in touch. I cannot give much in return or guarantee the information you eavesdrop will always be pleasant, but the incantation is not eliminated from Hogwarts, maybe it's uncommon in Europe. Circle your wand and cast 'Omnino Audio'. It's an unspoken spell." Leonor spun on the spot and was gone without a shade of noise.