The Beginning

Severus stared sleepless at the ceiling of his bedroom. He mastered to block Leonor from his thoughts and emotions. He wished it first and failed; he trained and succeeded. The last piece of preparation for Voldemort was completed. The last task of the tournament started soon. He was ready. Thinking the forbidden word gave a strange encouragement, but it wasn't time to say it aloud. Would Voldemort choose to return and kill Potter at once? Thoughts about strategy and tactics crossed his mind but strayed to a pair of dark eyes framed by brown hair. Locking the feelings improved with every new trace of sentiments. The real Severus spoke another goodbye and buried the pain on a graveyard of the worst memories. He forced himself into a restless sleep. The final competition of the tournament brought clarity after a year of wary waiting.

XXX

Severus watched the maze concentrated. Now and then he glanced over to the medical tent and his cautious gaze met Leonor's look too often. When they met briefly in the entrance hall the previous day she asked if he got cold feet after the guild's celebration. He brushed her off with a casual sneer while she grinned nervously. She never wanted to beg for a man, but she did. Now she glossed over the details of her weakness and pulled herself together. She had to; there was no other way. Leonor watched Severus distraught. It was even obvious from the distance.

Faint red sparks emitted above the dark green walls. Suddenly there was movement and Hagrid exited the maze from the other side hidden by the medical tent and invisible to the cheering crowd. Leonor gave Severus a severe look before turning hurriedly into the entrance to check what happened. Severus guessed that at least one of the foreign champions needed treatment. The Hogwarts audience didn't notice. Nobody saw the red sparks above the high hedges. All cheered for their own favourite, but Severus had a gut feeling the winner would be a Hogwarts champion. Nobody would know until the game was over.

XXX

A piercing pain shot through Severus' forearm. He closed the eyes, counting the seconds. The Dark Lord's summons cut the current concentration and the fragile peace of the past fourteen years into pieces. The call appeared strong and eternal. Severus' hand moved instinctively to the wand. He searched Dumbledore, but the headmaster considered the maze. Severus stood up to find a way through the crowd. Karkaroff moved in the other direction. Their looks met for a split-second and the coward blasted a free passage through the students. The girls and boys fell over confounded like dominoes without knowing the origin. Karkaroff passed the entangled mass of bodies quickly. Severus remained behind; looking at the Hogwarts headmaster who knew nothing of Voldemort's return yet. At least Potter and Digory were still in the maze; Severus wanted them outside the hedges, safely. Neither Hagrid nor McGonagall gave an alarm. Delacour, Krum and the medical staff waited meanwhile outside watching the audience, their expressions stern, but at least everything appeared to be alright.

Karkaroff's mess made it even harder to move forward, but forcing a passage attracted too much attention. The way down the stands took minutes and it felt like years. When Severus set a foot into the half-round arena, the two boys landed hard on the ground. There was something wrong. They arrived from somewhere else not from inside the maze. Cedric was unmoving. Dumbledore stood shocked and tried to separate Harry from Cedric's body. Cedric was dead and Alastor Moody grinned strangely satisfied walking out of the maze and leaning against the enormous green hedge. The cheering crowd stopped abruptly when the terrible news settled; screams pierced air and nerves. Alastor walked the shaken Potter away while Dumbledore tried unsuccessfully to calm the crowd. Minerva and Severus reached the headmaster a moment later after pushing hard against the onlookers. Dumbledore instructed them immediately to follow. They were stopped by questions and panic. It needed all strength and a little magic to get on. Still, it lasted long until the trio rushed uphill towards the castle.

Dumbledore appeared infuriated. "A port key transported Potter and Diggory to the place where Voldemort returned. The traitor transfigured the goblet; the real Alastor would keep Potter at my side. A port key matches the blue light in the maze seen by Hagrid." The headmaster suspected obviously Moody — one of his closest companions throughout the year! The one to keep an eye on Potter turned out to be a turncoat.

"Karkaroff fled when the Dark Mark burned," said Severus to the headmaster and deputy headmistress. Minerva looked surprised, but Albus just nodded. A strange realization came to Severus' mind. The behaviour of Moody made sudden sense. The mistrust against Slytherins created the best shield to be trustworthy in the eyes of staff and students. Moody won Potters credit by transfiguring Draco into a ferret. What if searching the potions classroom and private chambers weren't ordered by Dumbledore? What if the encounter with Potter sitting on the trick stairs wasn't by coincidence? Dumbledore had been fooled; Severus and all the staff members too; even Voldemort's 'faithful' followers! Who spent a year in Hogwarts to deliver Potter to the Dark Lord? Nobody knew that person yet! It was a masterpiece of a cheat. Luckily Potter's achievement escaping the Dark Lord remained once again greater! Severus couldn't deny there was more to the boy than met the eyes. Not even Granger saved his neck with a quick read in the library, not this time.

XXX

The corridors of Hogwarts stood silent and abandoned by any noise. Nobody knew what happened; just that Cedric Diggory's life ended tragically. Professor Sprout took care of his parents as good as possible. Professor Flitwick lead the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors into the towers of the castle. Leonor escorted the Durmstrang boys and the Slytherins into their dormitories. The shock suppressed every word despite the thousand questions about the cruel end of a loved boy and an international tournament.

Leonor paced in front of the hospital wing. An invisible barrier kept her away from touching the handle. She listened to the subdued voices. Fudge spoke, Dumbledore, Severus — she couldn't make out the words, but the argument was hard to overhear. At least she found Severus! Fudge left without paying attention to Leonor, but the spell barrier still secured the door. She waited near a window, watching the dishevelled clouds on an early summer day. Her hands brushed over the warmed-up stones, but couldn't feel the soothing gift of the sun. The last bit of a red sunset gave way to the darkness. She had to return to the foreign students to check how they coped with the situation. Durmstrang would be in need of an adult tonight; Karkaroff disappeared and was not seen when everybody left the Quidditch pitch in eerie silence interrupted by heart-breaking sobs. You-Know-Who had returned.

A black dog exited noiseless through the large hospital door. Leonor almost missed it lost in heavy thoughts, but the animal with the soft paws waited at the top of the stairs until she turned to look into the black beady eyes. The dog gave a curt, suspicious bark. Leonor just nodded knowingly and the dog bolted quickly down the stairs and through the large main gate into the yard and out of sight. She never met Sirius Black again when treating Remus, but inside she felt him present.

Was Severus' help still needed here? Had Potter been hit by a dark curse? An evil charm put Victor and Fleur out of action; there had been somebody else in the maze; the spell was not on the list of obstacles listed by the ministry. As much as Leonor hoped Dumbledore persuaded Severus to stay safe in the castle, she knew that Hogwarts would be his prison. Karkaroff chose the only possible option if a return to the dark service was impossible. She thought hard about an escape to Argentina. They could go together, just the two of them as a pair. Would Severus agree? He wouldn't! He would be a coward in his own eyes. Leonor looked again strained towards the closed infirmary. Her heart missed a beat when the door opened releasing a black figure.

Leonor made a few steps forward and whispered, "Severus, are you alright? Is Harry fine?" She tempted to take his hands and to brush over the pasty cheeks. The black hair and eyes gave today an even heavier contrast to the always pale face. Severus brought his wand forward and an invisible shield stopped Leonor from walking closer. They locked eyes and Severus' hard features softened a bit when he spoke quietly.

"You-Know-Who is back. Potter survived nearly uninjured. The real Alastor Moody was locked in a trunk. Barty Crouch Jr fooled us all. His father used the Imperius to keep is son under control. The house elf felt sorry and helped Barty Crouch Jr to fight the curse and turn the tables. I didn't recognize him with the coloured hair and after all the years. He tortured the muggles and caused the mayhem at the world cup. He transfigured the cup into a portkey. That was what Hagrid saw in the maze, the blue light of an active port key. Crouch stole the Polyjuice all year. Potter even gave him the map and it informed him of everything. That's how he recognized his father on the grounds. He suspected the old man to tip off Dumbledore about the whereabouts of his son and killed him right in the forest." There was a heavy silence. The truth sunk in slowly. Mistrust hadn't done any good this year; it almost killed the alliance between the headmaster and his spy. "Fudge is a fool to turn Dumbledore down for being Minister for Magic; though I thank him for killing Crouch. It makes it easier to return to the Dark Lord without him spilling information." Subtle emotions run like shadows across Severus' face before he lifted his chin.

"What will you do, Severus?" pleaded Leonor. "What happens to you?"

"Promise to keep yourself safe! Don't get in my way!" Severus spoke even quieter. The words were barely audible. A coldness vibrated in the velvety deep voice and froze Leonor inwardly. The hooked nose and the lines of the wizard's face stood out against the pallor. Despite the obvious fear, he looked more mature. Severus straightened himself. The greenish sallow complexion of his face left slowly while Leonor waited still anxious in a ten-foot distance. The lanky black hair obscured the unfathomable mask, and he was gone. He was ready. The shield charm faded only when his steps echoed across the yard. Leonor run back to the window to see the black billowing cloak walk across the bridge into a dangerous night. She only wished the Dark Lord spared Severus and admitted him back into the circle of faithful followers. It represented the only ticket to survival.

XXX

The cool air of the early night sent a breeze through the corridors. Leonor stood still near the window. She had not tried again to enter the hospital wing and watched the spot where Severus' black robes vanished. She didn't move and had no clue how much time had passed when an angry voice startled her.

"Nothing better to do than staring out of the window?" Professor McGonagall addressed the younger witch with a frown. Leonor found no retort. Of course, it looked as if she was lazy. Her mind was blank. The wrinkles on McGonagall's face were deeper than ever. Leonor's scowl travelled from the frowning deputy headmistress to the headmaster. He looked older than usual, nevertheless, his eyes held a spark of triumph. An unexpected sight of satisfaction danced behind the milky blue eyes.

"The ward was locked," answered Leonor finally. McGonagall snorted deflating a mix of fear and disbelief towards the younger colleague before walking hurriedly downstairs without another word. Leonor sensed that Minerva mistrusted her attitude. The situation had not improved since setting a foot to Hogwarts for an interview. All the politeness in between had been washed away with the return of dark the dark power.

"Don't take it personally," answered the headmaster and his gaze followed the emerald green robes with the traditional Scottish pattern. "She's not herself right now."

"We are all not ourselves tonight," replied Leonor coolly. "I'll check with Madam Pomfrey for the most urgent things to do and return to Durmstrang afterwards; Karkaroff left the students behind."

"Very well. I like to have a word please before you leave the castle. You can floo from the infirmary to my office." Dumbledore turned in thought and walked gracefully upstairs with his hands clasped behind his back.

XXX

Alastor Moody and Harry Potter were fine — if 'fine' was the correct word after all the mental and physical strain. Alastor appeared balanced; his experiences prepared him for the worst. For Harry, it would be much more difficult. Luckily the total exhaustion would go away soon; the mental pain would remain. Leonor knew it would fade too, but a trace clung to the soul forever. Not even time killed it. No child in Harry's age should be able to see thestrals. No potion made it undone. Leonor stroked the sleeping boy's cheek. Poppy thanked her for neutralizing the dark spell on Victor and Fleur. She was concerned that Harry and Alastor suffered from another hidden curse and asked to double check their health and Leonor did in silence. A red-haired family waited patiently behind a room divider to give space to the healer. They had not been introduced, but the resemblance to Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron and Ginny was obvious.

"They need sleep and will be fine by tomorrow physically or at least soon," said Leonor answering Madam Pomfrey's look. The Weasley's gave also a sigh of relief.

"There's not much more to do right now." Leonor looked encouraging and friendly. Nevertheless, the thoughts strayed to those preparing for the war. There was Sirius Black, clearly heading for a mission disguised as a black dog. There was the Dark Lord suffering another defeat by the Boy-Who-Lived. Furthermore, there was Severus operating as a Death Eater and hoping to be accepted again. Leonor peered hard into the grief-stricken face of Molly and Arthur Weasley. They would fight for their loved ones and brave the darkness to create light for the future.

After a heavy silence, Leonor continued to speak, "I will sleep at the ship tonight at least for a few hours. Karkaroff is gone. I'll return here once the boys have fallen asleep."

"There's no need. Visit Harry in the morning!" answered the matron gruffly. "Get all some rest now." Likely Poppy was right. The Weasley's kissed Harry goodnight before preparing to leave the hospital wing.

"Would you mind if I use your floo to the headmaster's office?" asked Leonor.

"What does he want from you?" snapped Poppy and the curious eyes of the Weasley's stared at Leonor as well.

She thought a moment and answered truthfully, "I have no clue; he just wanted a word." Poppy led her quickly to the fireplace and shouted the destination while Leonor walked into the green flames and disappeared in a swirl under mild-suspicious glances.

Leonor stepped out of the fire and vanished the ash from clothes and floor; when she looked around the circular office she was alone. Dumbledore appeared away. The witch felt like a gatecrasher and told herself that the headmaster expected the visit and would certainly block the floo for unwelcome intruders. The Phoenix roosted peacefully on a perch. Leonor watched the large bird and picked a feather from the floor. Her eyes became dreamy for a moment. The red-golden shimmer underlined the value of the precious pet.

"You can have it." The bland voice startled Leonor, but she regained composure quickly and placed the feather on the table below the bird's feet. Dumbledore approached from a narrow stair leading to an upper storey.

"Thank you. But it better remains with the bird. It's useless if not given willingly. I just picked it from the floor," said Leonor apologetically.

"Indeed. Most people would take the feather despite it and hope to use it well."

"There are not many potions using Phoenix feathers if there is any at all. I heard some wand makers use them."

"What about Phoenix tears?"

"Useless. No potion master created a useful potion with Phoenix tears for regular use. The bird decides whom to safe or not. It's only the song of a Phoenix that helps all those listening to it," answered Leonor truthfully.

"Fawkes saved Harry two years ago using the immense power to carry the load for instance." The old man watched her curiously, like measuring his opponent for a soon starting game.

"I heard about it," replied Leonor matter-of-factly. She'd occluded her mind already before entering the hospital wing. The approaching war required certain precautions and it wasn't of importance that she knew it from the potions master. The anxiety about Severus was buried deep inside, despite his recent new-found distance and the unneeded shield charm earlier. Leonor knew that close contact before occluding the thoughts risked weakening the barrier, to give too much information to a forceful intruder. Severus taught it to her.

"Please take a seat," said Dumbledore friendly. Whatever he wanted, made Leonor nervous. Tonight, wasn't a night for a small talk. He frowned at her as if sensing the tension. "You like to know the reason for the visit." The old man read Leonor's thoughts correctly; those thoughts that were placed carefully on the forefront above the hidden memories.

"I do."

"You have the same appearance as your grandmother, a few years older than I remember Eleanor from the graduation party, but still very much alike." Dumbledore just continued to speak while Leonor gazed open-mouthed at him. "Eleanor Shafiq had the same brown hair and slender figure. She was one of the best students in Transfiguration in my early years as a professor. It was a pleasure to teach her and a loss when she left the country soon after graduation. How is she?"

"When did you find it out?" Leonor fought against the truth that Dumbledore knew her real birth. It took her by surprise.

"I guessed when I saw you sitting in the very chair applying for the post. May I ask if you inherited her skills in Transfiguration?"

"Likely not. She never mentioned it either." Leonor kept quiet about the talents more in line with father and grandfather than mother and grandmother.

"A pity. I thought you cast good disillusionment charms at least." Dumbledore chuckled lightly while Leonor moved uncomfortably in the chair. "What happened to your grandmother if I may ask?"

"She was very happy with her husband, but he died early. They had a daughter, my mother. Eleanor died in 1977, two years before my mother died as well."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Does anybody know that you are a descendant of a family on the list of the 'Sacred Twenty-Eight'? Severus Snape perhaps?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.

"No," lied the younger witch quickly. "It never had any importance to me. I just heard about that list of pure-bloods after I arrived in England".

"Good, keep it that way. I must ask you an important question tonight." Dumbledore's fingertips formed a triangle in front of his face. He was thinking.

"Lord Voldemort returned. The wizarding world stands at the beginning of another war. Harry kept him at bay, but it won't remain that way for good. It is only a matter of time until Voldemort will gain more power."

"I am not surprised."

"Very well." Dumbledore paused and scrutinized Leonor another time before he stood and paced the length of the office slowly. Leonor followed with her gaze and measured how much she could know about Severus' past or divulge about the ups and downs in their relationship.

"Have you been involved with the dark side? Have sympathizers contacted you?"

"No" Leonor decided not to mention Severus at all. He was no Death Eater to her. The Malfoy's didn't count either. She'd only been a healer to them despite the looming interest in winning her over.

"Your skills are used to fight both sides, the light, and the dark. You are bound to help in life-threatening situations." Dumbledore spoke in a calculating manner and Leonor wondered how much he noticed about her shield.

"What do you want from me?" asked Leonor impatiently.

"I want you to pass information to a secret organization, my organization fighting the evil," said Dumbledore quietly with a small sigh as if unsure about the decision to ask.

"What information do you want?"

"All information that is confided in you as a healer."

"It's against the Hippocratic oath."

"Not if you can save many lives."

"And why do you think it's useful?"

"All groups of people will seek your help. The enemy cannot be healed in publicity. Voldemort will have losses too, and he won't give his members up easily. Many of his followers died in the last war or in Azkaban later. Others fled. He has to form an army of followers first. He has to show mercy."

"If that's all." Leonor stood up from the chair.

"Do I have your word, Leonor?" Dumbledore's blue eyes pierced the dark eyes of the witch thoroughly. She just frowned at him, though it was impossible to say 'no'. The opportunity to save lives had to be seized, and Dumbledore held the power. She wondered what Severus' reaction would be.

"Yes, but only if the information will save the innocent."

"Of course. You'll receive some missive as soon as further arrangements are made." Dumbledore opened the door with the usual paternal smile as if they had agreed about nothing in the last minutes.

Leonor couldn't help to question him right away; the chance would pass otherwise. "Why didn't you tell me about my grandmother earlier?"

"I thought you knew," came Dumbledore's almost innocent answer.

"I didn't. Still, you could have mentioned it," said Leonor defiantly. "It's been the reason that you questioned so little; you employed me because you trusted my grandmother, didn't you?"

Dumbledore did not answer. His smile faded and Leonor just nodded a goodbye before moving swiftly down the spiral staircase. Her mind was already somewhere else.

She walked around the corner and entered her room. She threw floo powder into the dying embers and shouted 'Severus Snape'. But there was no answer and nothing she could do except following her duties.

Leonor exited the castle with a heavy heart; neither Beauxbatons nor Durmstrang were able to scatter the thoughts about Voldemort and what he would do to Severus. Nobody smiled in the otherwise so cheerful common rooms and Leonor found few words of solace to sound believable. Exhaustion and silence worked finally like a sleeping drug. Leonor fell asleep with the boys despite the wish to wait for Severus. Her head rested on a wooden table in the mess of the ship. Pauline cuddled next to her shoulder warming the spot reassuringly.