The second mission

The week went along uneventful, and I carried myself along the classes trying to muffle a smile whenever my thoughts tended to focus (and they did it constantly) on Snape being worried about me. Ok, about me and Remus. But even then.

On Friday, I was called for an evening meeting at Dumbledore's office in order to discuss the second rescue journey circumstances. Remus was there too, as well as Snape, both silent when I arrived at the circular room.

'Ah, Jane, you're here. Good' greeted Dumbledore 'take a seat. This shall be a brief discussion'. On my way to sit down on the only spare chair, I muttered a 'good evening' to Snape and then opened a broad smile 'good to see you again, Remus'. To my satisfaction, I caught a glimpse of Snape's nostrils flaring with rage. Mind you, I did like Remus. But the fact that being affectionate towards him made Snape a little angry… that was a win-win for me.

We were, this time, traveling through a portkey to Bulgaria, where we would meet, in one of the country's south provinces, the most ancient Veela dynasty of Europe. Their ruler, Ma'delyn, was already aware we would be paying them a visit. Dumbledore had found out they had hold of the long-lost Helga Hufflepuff silver dagger, which, similar to the other relics, had not only unique magical potential but also an important cultural significance to Hogwarts.

Once acquainted with all Dumbledore's instructions, he dismissed us. Before Remus or I could stand up, however, Snape spoke.

'I insist, Albus, that there's still one more matter to consider'.

Dumbledore cast a weary look at him, but, apparently concluding that Snape would not let it go, said 'Severus is worried that Remus might be affected by the hypnotizing powers Veelas have over men, what could, potentially, not only leave Jane without backup but also overburden her with the task to look out after him'.

'I probably would, if I did nothing to avoid it' Remus sounded unsurprised by Snape's misbelief in him 'obviously, I'll be protected against it'.

'I believe that settles it, Severus. Good night to you all, then'.

...

One hour later, I was already in my night gown, curled in one of the armchairs by the crackling fireplace, evaluating the last piece of homework of that week, when I heard a familiar knock.

'Come in, please'.

Snape opened the door and stepped inside. I showed him the armchair beside mine. I would have made sure to wrap myself in a dressing gown would it have been any other visiting. But if I couldn't have him, it seemed only fair he would at least have to look at what he was losing.

'Why did you accepted those tasks?' his voice was calm but carried agony within it 'Dumbledore could have picked anyone else, Jane' I had never heard him call me that. It took me a few seconds to recovery from the sound of my name resounding in his deep voice.

'I agreed to it because I wanted to. It sounded exciting' I frowned 'I hope this is not because you don't think I am capable of handling this…'

'I'm fully aware of your magical skills' he cut in 'that doesn't change the fact that it will be a witch and a wizard against hundreds of…'

'We're not going to fight' I interrupted him back 'the worst that could happen is we come home empty handed. Simple as that'.

He didn't seem convinced. Still, he stood up, as if accepting there was nothing he could do about it now. I stood up as well, meaning to walk him to the door. I was hopelessly moved by his concern. I was also mad at myself for being so soft-hearted towards him. But I would deal with myself later.

As soon as I uncurled myself from the armchair, however, I got the diversion I had intended. I watched as his eyes came slowly rising from my ankles, took a long time at my black silk night gown and finally found my trying-to-hide-my-pleasant-that-you-fell-for-it face. There was a torturing desire on the look he gave me. I accompanied him to the door.

'Good night, Professor Snape' I wished him in the most suggestive voice I could muster.

'Please…' his voice was warm and sweet 'call me Severus'.

Staying on my tiptoe for a moment, I planted a kiss on his right cheek. For a split second, he looked as if he was going to throw me against that door and rip my clothes apart. But he took a deep breath, murmured 'be careful tomorrow. Good night, Jane' and left.

...

The rescue of the Hufflepuff's silver dagger was going smoothly. The Veela ruler had agreed, after our polite request - which involved a whole pleading concerning the importance of the dagger to the school history and a huge offer of gold coins and magical goods -, that we could return the artefact to its original place.

Her daughter, however, the princess of the Veelas, was arguing against this concession.

'But mother' she was boiling 'this dagger is supposed to be one of my heirlooms!'

'Quiet, Caliste. Good alliances and peace are much more important to our people than exotic objects. What is more, Dumbledore has a good reason to want to retrieve it to the school, it belongs to their history'.

'Thank you, Ma'delyn. Be sure Hogwarts and its friends won't forget your amity' Remus stated. His magical protection against the Veela seduction was clearly well conceived, since he was in his perfect senses by my side.

'Now handle it over to them, Caliste. My decision has been made'.

Caliste strode the distance between us, trembling with rage. Although she had no clumsiness in her steps, as soon as she got near me, she stumbled.

I felt a searing pain in my left arm.

The princess had, under the pretense of trying to hold on to me so she would avoid falling, left a cut that made a semicircle around my arm, halfway between my shoulder and elbow. It was not deep, but it was aching and bleeding.

The next few seconds were a commotion.

Remus and I retrieved our wands. The princess got back to her feet, looked at my arm and started uttering apologies although her eyes couldn't hide her inner satisfaction. Her mother went mad, screaming at her guards to withdraw her daughter from the throne hall where we stood. Before any of them could act, however, Caliste voiced a last apology and quickly left the room.

Even though the fact that the girl had clearly made that on purpose left me fuming, it was just a cut, and I would not let it get in the way of our negotiation. While Remus made a tourniquet in my arm, I insisted at Ma'delyn that I understood it had been and accident, and it was nothing to worry about. She was sincerely embarrassed, something that soothed me a little. Ten minutes after the incident, Remus and I were already exchanging goodbyes with the Veelas (many of them seemed disappointed that he was not influenced by their powers) and wending our way back to the portkey that would return us to Hogwarts.

As soon as we were alone, Remus lost all his politeness and diplomacy, and I could see how really furious and worried he was.

'I mean, if they're going to depend on that princess political ability someday, that dynasty will meet its end' he lashed out, then turning his head to look at me 'are you sure you're alright? You look pale. But we're almost there and we'll be mending that in no time at the Hospital Wing...'

But the pain wasn't the problem. The cut was burning and my legs were starting to feel weak. I knew no superficial cut would do that.

I hope Severus is waiting for us again. This time I'll really need him.

'Remus. The dagger was poisoned'.