Moody and the Maze
Leonor and Severus walked quietly down the large marble stairwells. Most figures in the paintings turned their heads and murmured. The last students crossed the school on their way back to the dormitories. The balmy breeze of an early summer evening blew into the ground floor. Severus chewed on what to do next. He would feel better if Leonor slept at Hogwarts; a safe possibility for a few remaining days only.
"Good night! Thanks for helping. It was worth a try—," said Leonor sadly and pocketed her hands into the cloak but failed to sound final.
"You look shaken."
"I'll manage. Hogsmeade is my home now."
"Sure. I can offer a good wine for a change—" Severus tilted his head and moved some dark strands behind the ears. He felt paler than usual considering Leonor's sun-kissed cheeks. Leonor shrugged.
For once, he pushed her to stay; using one of the last possibilities for a private talk. She would not like his friendship once he returned to the Dark Lord's service. Severus glanced around and checked the yard with a brief, but careful look. Everything was empty and quiet. Leonor followed him once more into the depth of the dungeons. Severus shoved her through the narrow passage behind the alcove. He looked forward to a decent fire in his private room and a glass of elfish ice wine.
Leonor spoke nothing, and Severus only gestured her to sit. A small flame cackled soon in the fireplace sending a warm light across the threadbare furniture. Severus liked it that way; simple and manageable sized, like the dormitory he once called home.
"You've got the same view to forest and lake; just a couple of storeys below."
"It's better from the upper floors or from the tower," replied Severus dryly.
"I see, neither decoration nor a view is important to you." Leonor managed a small smile.
Lines appeared between Severus' eyebrows. "I don't trust any painting in this house."
Severus handed a crystal goblet to Leonor but did not dare to sit on the sofa. He took his favourite armchair instead.
"A sparkling wine?" asked Leonor watching the fizzing beads in the elegant cup.
"Icewine. The merchant says it has a crisp taste, refreshing, and light."
"You haven't tried it before?"
"No, have you?"
"I'm not an expert of wizarding wines. Cheers!" Leonor smiled genuinely. "It's good!" she exclaimed. Severus nodded enjoying some more gulps.
"Have you any clue what happened to Barty Crouch Sr?"
"No, not really. Potter called for the headmaster but didn't want to tell a thing to me. I'm sure he was involved. He was so eager to talk to the headmaster. Dumbledore returned later with Potter, Krum, and Moody from the forest. I could see it from here. I just heard that Crouch is dead, but his body wasn't found."
"Strange, is it? Crouch's behaviour all year, the Crutiatus near his home, the missing staff member — what if Crouch was a secret admirer of the Dark Lord?"
"Crouch Sr? He was ambitious, sentenced everybody with the slightest involvement into the dark arts. I believe he knew that his son tormented Frank and Alice Longbottom, or he wouldn't have sent him to Azkaban. The Crutiatus is the signature of his son and if he was in company with the Lestrange's—"
"But his son died in Azkaban—"
"Yes."
"—and he was blond?"
"Yes, I've never seen him again after I finished Hogwarts, I hardly remember the pictures in the Prophet after the trial. But Crouch was clever despite an outside boyish innocence."
"We should give the Crutiatus potion to Dumbledore too."
"I'll see to it. I can brew enough at Hogwarts anytime required. You stay non-aligned. Use your healer status!"
"Fine, I think the guild will be able to arrange a resupply themselves."
"Likely." Severus refilled the goblets with the rosé ice wine.
"You applied for Moody's job? He has not resigned yet."
"According to your theory, he will. Dumbledore won't find a substitute, or he talks more friends into it."
"Severus?" Leonor played with the goblet and paused until the person sitting opposite looked up. "Will you visit me in Hogsmeade? Sometimes?"
Severus liked the question, but he didn't like his answer. He couldn't consider the beautiful eyes without feeling guilty.
"If the situation allows—," he replied unemotionally until he was interrupted by a buzzing crimson bird. "Dumbledore!" Severus snatched the bird and it transformed into a small parchment. The paper burned when Severus finished reading.
Severus looked alert. He retrieved a cloak and checked both magic wands.
"There's something around the maze."
"I'll come and help too." Leonor stood as well, but Severus pressed her fiercely back to the sofa.
"No need; all teachers will be out there. Finish the wine if you like, but don't leave the castle tonight." Severus exited the door without turning. It closed with a small thud.
XXX
The maze lay alone in the darkness. The search for an intruder returned no result. Hagrid described noises and a rare bluish gleam in the centre of the hedges. He called Dumbledore, but when everybody arrived it appeared to be untouched. Footsteps dotted certain path in and out of the narrow ways, but nothing explained an irregularity. Moody arrived later than the group of teachers. Severus contained himself hardly when the ex-Auror accused him of withholding information. Nevertheless, the snide remark was much less offending than the alarmed looks of Minerva and Hagrid. The way back to the castle annoyed Severus even more. Dumbledore insisted that Severus shepherded the Slytherins and Gryffindors instead of safeguarding the maze; a total waste of skills in Severus' eyes. The glee in Alastor Moody's lopsided eyes proofed the headmaster's decision right. Severus returned exhausted and ill-tempered into his quarters. He finished the remains of the ice wine, but it had lost its fizz. He removed cloak and belt, unbuttoned the shirt to prepare for a decent shower. When he entered the bedroom, he didn't believe his eyes. Leonor slept soundly, cuddled at one side of the bed. The feet dangled above the edge. The sleeping position looked uncomfortable like sleep overpowered a stubborn curiosity.
A shower cleared Severus' mind and transformed exhaustion into a calm state of doziness. He fished one of the cheap, mottled grey t-shirts out of the wardrobe. The creaking doors made Leonor turn, but she only shifted herself in a cushier position. Severus was too tired to experience another disappointment, he didn't like to ruin the remains of an anyway troubled night. All students met in groups, slept in teenager's rooms or tents during holidays. It was so much fun! A derisive snort escaped when the memory of Lily's vacation visits returned. He had not been part of it. Her family never allowed official visits from somebody living in Spinners End. Lily smuggled him into her home once; it broke the brittle peace with her sister soon after. Lily's regret hardened the boy's blame for explaining one more wizarding curiosity, magical postmen. The past vanished to watch Leonor's steady breathing. Severus covered her with a blanket and conjured himself another one to doze off on the other half of the large bed.
XXX
A loud "Bang!" interrupted a deep sleep. Severus and Leonor woke with a start. Severus towered transfixed above Hattie pointing the spare wand to the elf. When he noticed the harmless situation, he sank back to the bed rubbing his eyes and throwing the black stick angrily back to the ceiling high shelf.
"Hope you can explain yourself!" said Severus. His voice lacked the usual bite to sound threatening.
Hattie stood in the middle of the bedroom; the eyes covered with both hands. The door hinges shook still violently. The elf tried to speak, but only inarticulate stammering escaped the kind creature. Hattie appeared extremely old in the agitation. Leonor sat up with drawn in knees and in crinkled jeans and shirt. She wore still the clothes from the previous day; she studied Severus surprised by his quick reaction.
"Hattie, take your hands down!" ordered Leonor finally with a smile about the peculiar situation. The elf rocked on his heels, peered through the fingers. After a while, Hattie lowered the hands slowly and looked curiously around; obviously realizing that there was no secret to hide. "Why are you here?" asked Leonor encouragingly.
"Professor Dumbledore asked Hattie if Professor Scott and Professor Snape left the school. Hattie didn't know what to answer. Hattie said that she will look after the Professors and report immediately," spluttered the elf nervously and Severus grunted in return, "How late is it?"
"Breakfast is over," answered Hattie sheepishly.
"Professor Scott and I conversed about a research topic. I'll visit the headmaster later." The elf curtseyed and retreated back through the door. "Hattie, we need breakfast for two, quickly!" hissed Severus in addition. The expression of the elf brightened instantly.
Severus straightened his hair before resting his elbows on the knees and his head in both hands. He felt drained; the deep sleep signed the exhaustion; he couldn't remember to have overslept since working at Hogwarts. Leonor's soft hand touched his shoulder carefully.
"You look used up? It's not because Hattie woke us." Severus didn't answer. "What happened last night?" bored Leonor.
"Nothing. The search was useless."
"What are you worried about?"
Severus stood abruptly without looking at Leonor's concerned face. "You can use the bathroom first."
"Oh, change of subject!" Leonor disappeared amused. She glanced back through the crack of the door and grinned cheekily. "By the way, where's your fancy grey nightshirt? The one you charmed me after catching Moody and Potter in the trick stairs? I'm pleased you didn't choose the colourful night fashion of the older faculty instead; t-shirt and shorts make a sexy butt!" The door closed with an unmistakable noise. Severus just stared at the keyed bathroom.
Hattie laid out the things for breakfast when Leonor returned to the small sitting room. The old elf hummed to herself while arranging a small vase of meadow flowers. Severus observed the Hogwarts grounds through the narrow window; his hands on his back.
"The breakfast is prepared. Hattie is very proud of master and mistress. Hattie informed the headmaster. The headmaster is pleased to learn more about the research and will visit Professor Snape's office in the afternoon." The elf bowed deep, waiting for instructions.
"Thank you. You are dismissed," answered Severus curtly and Hattie disappeared with a light plop and a wide grin around the flabby cheeks. Leonor shoved some strawberries into her mouth and walked to the window. She leaned against Severus' back, embracing him from behind. The mottled grey shirt was soft and the woody bamboo note gave an intimate feeling.
"The bathroom is free but I'm reluctant to let you go," said Leonor after a while of sweet silence. "I missed you." She felt now really sorry to be sore for such a long time. The light-hearted part of the relationship blacked out with the growing threat.
"I know," answered Severus and removed Leonor's embrace. He kissed the woman's hands before turning to her mouth avidly. Their eyes where closed and gentle fingers found bare skin underneath the t-shirts. The breathlessness called for reason and Severus pushed Leonor a little away. His face was blushed and Leonor tiptoed to press one last kiss to his lips. They both apparently knew about a looming new distance while enjoying the close contact after long weeks. Leonor looked happy. When Severus changed into the black attire, it wiped the momentary easiness away.
"You want me to come to your office this afternoon?" said Leonor sitting in one of the two armchairs.
"No. I can handle Dumbledore; I prepared the Crutiatus Potion for the school stocks already."
"Good, I've still to catch up with some mail orders." Leonor considered Severus' stern expression. He ate slowly as if in thoughts.
"Please, will you take the job in Brazil?" asked Severus after finishing his plate.
"I refused the request already last year. They found another potions expert meanwhile. I didn't want to risk meeting Juan, couldn't know that the police would catch him by now," answered Leonor matter-of-factly.
Severus dropped his plate with a clank on the mantelpiece. He paced in front of the empty grate. Her decision felt like his own failure. Why couldn't it be easy for once to get a woman out of the firing line? If she would go now he could just bid farewell without hurting her more.
"There are risks in the research team too; a Russian healer infected himself fatally working with test persons. Juan personated a bigger threat to me; even more than the return of the Dark Lord. I can help to fight if I stay with you. I can help you."
Leonor hoped to persuade Severus about the decision, but Severus exhaled and glared full of hatred at Leonor. "I manage without you! I've done in the past!" He shouted the last words, some spit sprayed visibly in the sunlight coming through the narrow window.
"Severus, please! I'm worried about the future, same as you. I'd like to do something. You dislike the inaction, that Dumbledore is waiting and seeing without involving you, but I'm on your side. The assignment in Brazil lasts a year and then a new research team will take over. It's not safe forever," said Leonor with honest calm and Severus stopped pacing to resume his place in front of the window.
"There's been something in the maze; Hagrid was right. Only magic creates faint flickering lights. I wouldn't know a creature to do so and if Hagrid doesn't recognize an animal either—," answered Severus still angry. "I was unable to detect any dark magic in the maze nor could I persuade Dumbledore to let me patrol the maze when the champions finish the last task." Severus jawbone was tense and twitched from time to time.
"I know you do your best; he may need a skilled wizard to look after the audience too," answered Leonor soothingly.
"It's not the same. He wanted the best protection for Harry and the champions."
"But you did the sphinx! Don't be too tight on yourself. The sphinx will notice dark magic in the maze." Leonor almost pleaded to see reason.
With an unfathomable expression, Severus intoned coldly, "You should leave the school now. I'll come and pick you up in time before the guild's celebration." Severus handed Leonor the cloak, and she covered the muggle clothing below. He embraced her for a short moment, and she passed the door.
Leonor wondered once more about Severus changing temper. Without paying attention she bumped almost into Harry Potter at the top of the stairs. It was obvious that she visited the potions master. Only one person worked voluntarily in the dungeons. Ron, Hermione, and Harry gave her a knowing nauseated look. The man was a puzzle as much as Potter's knack to be at the wrong place in the wrong moment or Dumbledore's frequent good information about things he couldn't know. Leonor wished 'good luck' to Harry before disappearing into the bright sunny midday. She knew Severus would hide until the final task took place. She reasoned that Severus might not even join the party without the headmaster's order.