Chapter 34

If Severus had been in Potter's place, he was certain he would have chosen death rather than attending the stupid Ball. Unless Lily had been with him, of course, then he would have braved any humiliation that she required from him. Or so he liked to think. The truth was probably that he would have refused to attend either way, and that he naively would have hoped for Lily to stay behind with him. Not that she would have ever had. Lily had loved to dance, and she had definitely been a people person.

So, considering that, it was really unbelievable that Minerva McGonagall of all people had managed to make him attend and even dance with her. Sure, Severus had done it under coercion, but until not so long ago he was certain no threat would have been enough to drag him to a stupid dance floor in front of a bunch of dunderheads. That woman was going to completely ruin his reputation and blow up his cover, he just knew it, she hadn't even bothered pretending that she wasn't enjoying herself by torturing him. Severus should have obliviated her along with Potter.

If it had been for him, he would only have stayed long enough to make sure Potter made an appearance with a proper date. Which he had done, mercifully, although it had surprized Severus to see him with the Weasley girl. He had expected Granger, but Granger had gone with Viktor Krum, if his eyes hadn't failed him. How the hell had the insufferable Know-It-All ended up with a famous Quidditch player? And what had she done with her hair?

Miss Weasley had been more easily recognizable, but the sight of her had only made Severus uneasy. He had long concluded that the girl was made of the same stuff than the horror twins, so he was always wary of her. So far he hadn't caught her at anything, but in his experience females were far more cunning and careful when doing mischief, so for all he knew she might be running a secret underground business for illegal potions or whatever. What was with the Weasleys? He had had all the children as students, and except for the Percy one —who had been annoying in his own way— all the rest had been pains in his ass.

He shuddered to think of the possibility that Potter might grow close with a potential third twin. Her influence might turn him even more reckless and defiant. Just when he had thought the brat was free from the other Weasley moron! Although the last Severus had seen before escaping the Great Hall had been Potter and the girl yelling at each other, so perhaps nothing would come out of it.

He very much preferred to spend the evening outside and alone. Away from the irritating music, and from the sight of people laughing, and of course well away from that annoying old cat. At first it had been quiet out here, in the empty garden and under the stars. Now it was plagued with silly couples hiding under the bushes, but that was just as well. Severus welcomed the chance to take points from lustful students or even hand out detentions if the offenses were scandalous enough.

He had been having a good time until Igor caught up with him.

"What do you want?" he snapped before his former colleague-in-darkness could mutter a greeting.

"Is that the way to greet an old friend?"

"You're just a bad memory, Igor. What do you want?"

"I've been wanting to talk to you since I arrived. You have been avoiding me."

"How clever of you. It's not good for me to be seen with you, especially not with Moody around. The man imagines a conspiracy in every shadow, and he has had his bloody eye on me since the year started."

It really was tricky to handle his Death Eater cover when that crazy Auror was truly out to get him.

"He watches me too. He's distracted now, though. I saw him inside, dancing." He glanced at him with a mocking smile in his lips, although his eyes were cold as usual. "I saw you dancing too, Severus."

Thank you very much, Minerva.

"I lost a bet," he said with an unconcerned shrug. "If that's all you had to say, I would rather see the last of you."

"There's no need to be so hostile," protested Igor. "We used to be good friends."

"Friends don't sell each other out," snapped Severus.

They made a pause when he caught another couple in a state of considerable disarray and had to sort out their punishments. He sent the girl straight to Poppy just in case. Handling a school full of hormonal teenagers was hard enough in normal circumstances, clearly a ball had made things much worse.

"I was desperate," said Igor once they were alone again. "I'm sure you can understand that. You were protected, anyway, there was no harm done."

There was resentment in Igor's tone, and Severus rejoiced in it. Knowing that Igor had spent a considerable time in Azkaban because he hadn't been able to use Severus' name to negotiate an early release would never cease being deeply satisfying. Even if what Igor had actually deserved had been a really painful traitor's death.

"I'm not interested in your excuses, Igor," said Severus coldly. "And also not in your company."

Igor sighed and waited while Severus unloaded part of his frustrations on another pair of lovebirds that really should learn to conceal better if they were going to be doing that.

"It's getting clearer, Severus," he said in an anxious, hushed voice a few minutes later. "Darker. And lately also..."

"I have one of my own, Igor, in case you have forgotten," he cut him off. "I can see it and feel it without your help."

It was true that the Mark was much more clearer and darker than it had been over the summer. It still wasn't as it used to be, but it definitely looked... healthier. Lately it had also began to send jolts of pain of variable degree, which really was concerning. It wasn't yet the burning of a summoning, but Severus was certain that the Dark Lord was doing it on purpose to keep everyone on edge.

Although at least in one occasion he was pretty sure that it had been an involuntary gesture. The night after the first task. That had been the first time the Mark had hurt in any way since its reappearance, and no doubt it had had to do with the Dark Lord's fury when receiving the news about Harry Potter not dying in the task and killing a dragon. Severus definitely would not have wanted to be close to his former master when that particular owl arrived.

"What do you know, Severus?" asked Igor after another silence.

"Why would I tell you, of all people, if I knew something?" asked Severus with an icy tone. What do you know, Igor?

He was yet not sure if Igor knew anything at all, which was really annoying. His behaviour was that of a frightened Death Eater considering to flee if the Mark burned, but that might be just an act. Of course Igor was a dead man no matter what he did, but in his desperation he might have been persuaded to believe that a pardon was possible if only he proved himself useful. It was extremely likely that it had been Igor the one to confund the Bulgarian Minister and interfere with the damned Goblet, although that didn't necessarily mean that he knew much. The Dark Lord might have made use of him, but it would be ludicrous to think that he trusted him with anything.

Had Igor been contacted personally? That was hard to believe. Was he, at least, reporting everything Severus said or did? Had he somehow confunded Potter? Or was there some other Death Eater inside Hogwarts? Moody had checked the entire staff, just in case, and Dumbledore was confident that the judges were all who were supposed to be, but they clearly were missing something.

Severus was really tempted to use Legilimency on this poor excuse of a Death Eater. He wasn't sure he would be able, though. He had already tried tonight to approach Bagman in hopes of extracting the egg clue directly from his weak mind, but the Goblet had stopped his steps. It might be possible to use Legilimency on Karkaroff if it weren't to extract Tournament-related secrets, but that seemed unlikely. Even if it were, Severus would not risk it, knowing that the Dark Lord would be disappointed if he did.

His previous master had always enjoyed playing with his subjects, and Severus had a feeling that he was currently playing with Severus more intently than with anyone else. And of course he would be expected to play along. It was actually kind of fun, if one could put the terror aside.

He had played the game most of the summer, from the moment his Mark had reappeared and he had decided to resume his spying role (or, more exactly, accepted that he didn't have a choice) until the moment he had come back to Hogwarts. To his deep relief and slight disappointment, he hadn't received a personal visit from the Dark Lord at Spinner's End, but he had received multiple other visits. His former rank had made him very popular amongst Death Eaters, apparently, as well as his position by Dumbledore's side. Most purebloods had made the visit with plain distaste on their faces and casting cleaning charms on everything muggle they touched, but they had rang the bell anyway. Except Lucius, of course.

Soon Severus had found himself in an extremely delicate situation that had required all his cunning and Occlumency abilities to navigate. Some, like Macnair and Nott, had clearly been sent by Lucius to test Severus' waters. Others, like Avery, didn't trust or tolerated Lucius and had seemed to be favouring Severus as the most likely Death Eater to be contacted by the Dark Lord. There had been those who had wanted his opinion about the viability of running for their lives or chopping off their arms, and of course a few who, despite not daring to say it or even think it too loud, had been clearly hoping Severus would put in a good word for them with Dumbledore. Handling all those different approaches without giving himself away had been hard, tricky work.

He had had to be careful not to do or say anything that could have been considered treacherous by the Dark Lord, but at the same time not to reveal critical information about Dumbledore nor himself nor other Death Eaters. He had needed to be seen as loyal to the Dark Lord, but in an ambiguous way so he would still have the trust of those who weren't so very loyal. To appear to give room to disloyal people approaching him as Dumbledore's proxy, while making it seem as if he had actually been gathering information for the Dark Lord about his subjects' loyalties. He had needed not to be doubted as a true Death Eater just as he wasn't doubted in his position of trust next to Dumbledore.

In a word, he had had to give the appearance of someone whose true loyalty could only be unravelled by the Dark Lord himself. That was what the Dark Lord would expect of him, since anything short of that would be useless as a spy.

Severus had been really looking forward to coming back to Hogwarts after that stressful summer. Now he wished he could go back to Spinner's End and have nothing to worry about beyond an imminent visit from his previous master.

"I am becoming seriously concerned," insisted this particular coward now. "I can't deny it —"

"I really don't see what there is to fuss about, Igor," said Severus curtly. "You can flee when it burns, if that is your wish. I, however, am remaining at Hogwarts."

He blasted a rosebush apart as they turned a corner, two dark shapes emerging from it.

"Ten points from Ravenclaw, Fawcett," he snarled. "And ten points from Hufflepuff too, Stebbins!"

He looked up from the latest bush and stopped abruptly. He had caught sight of Potter and the Weasley girl on the path ahead. They were walking with butterbeers in their hands, not touching each other in any way, but still Severus felt the impulse to snap at them.

"And what are you two doing?"

The girl looked at him defiantly.

"We're walking," she said shortly. "Not against the law, is it?"

Definitely a bad influence. Damned Weasley genes. Although he was pretty sure that their defiance came from the Prewett side of the family. Only Molly Weasley's Weasleys were pains in the ass.

"Keep walking, then!" he snarled. As he brushed past them, however, he took a good look at the boy's face.

He froze.

Potter was hurt.

If Severus had not already had his Occlumency in full strength due to his interaction with Igor, he was certain he would have out right panicked at the sight of that bruise. The brat even had a broken lip, and it was obvious that it had bled not long ago. To be sure, it was a minor injury, nothing like being spiked by a Hungarian Horntail, but it was the first injury that Potter received or that Severus saw since he had sworn his Vow. And it didn't look healthy at all.

A hundred frightened and angry thoughts crossed his mind in what felt like a fraction of an instant.

Why couldn't the boy go through life without getting into trouble all the time? Severus had only left him alone one hour inside the castle, surrounded by at least fifteen qualified wizards, including Moody and Dumbledore, and he appeared with a messed up face?

Would Severus drop dead now? He hadn't known about the injury, so it wouldn't be fair if he were penalized for it. But he knew now, and he still wasn't doing anything. Would he be spared if he rushed forward to heal him? How long did he have?

Don't kill me yet! he mentally implored, directing his entreaty to Magic itself or to whatever cosmic entity might be in charge of supervising the fulfilment of Unbreakable Vows. I'm on it!

He fully intended to heal the boy, but he needed a little time to do it in a way that didn't completely ruin his cover. Was it too risky not to do it at once? Perhaps. But Severus wasn't ready yet to give up on any of his ambitious goals. He would keep the brat alive, and he would also maintain both his covers, and his reputation, and if possible he would not die in the process.

"What the hell happened to your face, Potter?" he snapped, careful to leave fear out of his voice. Just a little time! He glanced at the girl. Last time he had seen her, she had been yelling at Potter with a dangerous expression on her face, and he wouldn't put it past her to punch him. After all, Severus had seen her in multiple occasions smacking her brothers or that Creevey boy. He sneered. "Let me guess, you got hit by a girl."

It was hard to tell who glared more angrily at him, Potter or the Weasley girl.

"It wasn't a girl," the boy said hotly. "And it wasn't my fault."

Severus narrowed his eyes at him. He had no doubt this was Potter's fault somehow. It always was, although the brat of course never thought so.

At least Severus wasn't dead yet. Had the Vow truly taken?

"Why didn't you go to the Infirmary?" he demanded. "Merlin forbid famous Harry Potter walk around with a less than photographic face."

"Professor McGonagall said that it was fine if I came here instead," said the brat, getting more angry by the second. "And I would really rather not risk dying, you know?"

Igor snorted at his side.

Severus was cursing internally. Minerva must have sent the boy outside hoping that he would cross his path with Severus and get healed. Was the woman trying to kill him? She should have kept the brat well away from him!

"As you can see, Karkaroff, Dumbledore's Golden Boy thinks himself too special as to show respect to his Professors," he drawled softly. "And he enjoys nothing more than to exhibit his scars or bruises. Always seeking attention and doing stupid things, just like his father."

"I can see," said Igor with cold amusement. "Cheeky."

"I don't-!" started the brat, but Severus cut him off.

"Careful, Potter. I'm still deciding whether to extend your detention."

The boy narrowed his eyes at him.

"You're going to extend my detention anyway," he snapped. "So I think I will tell you that you have no right to talk about my father and that I'm not stupid."

"I have every right. And you are stupid, Potter. I bet you won't even bother working on your clue for the next task. Do you plan to just kill anything else that is thrown in your way? Or maybe just blunder your way through, as you always do? I will be thrilled to see how that works out, without luck nor help."

Severus really was ambitious. Despite all the critical aspects of the situation, he just couldn't resist the opportunity to insult some advice into Potter. Even if Karkaroff was right there to hear. He had managed to send those lame Christmas presents to the boy (at least the owl had agreed to take flight), but he had little hope that Potter would understand what it meant or that he would be curious enough as to read about real mermaids just because.

It was really annoying to know that half the people in Hogwarts —including Potter's closest friends— were researching Merpeople and yet the boy still had no idea. Everyone in the staff was anxiously waiting for the day when Irma would walk in announcing that any champion, and particularly Harry Potter or Cedric Diggory, had finally withdrawn a book on anything aquatic.

His words seemed to have had an effect on the boy. Probably the killing part. Yes, that was the way to reach him. If only to not have to use the Killing Curse ever again, Potter would at least take his egg out of his trunk, or so one could hope. Severus decided he had insulted him enough.

"Come here, Potter," he snapped.

As it was to be expected, the boy looked at him warily and his hand even twitched, as if he craved to reach for his wand.

"I'm not going to smack you, you moron. Dumbledore will berate me for hours if I let go his pampered little prince with his face all messed up. You can go to the infirmary or come here and stay still, your choice."

He knew Potter was struggling with opposite instincts, the fear of death by Goblet versus the long established mistrust of Severus Snape. It was satisfying to know that he had managed to maintain his cover so damn well, even though right now it was proving to be an obstacle. Finally, the boy seemed to decide that it was less dangerous to approach the dungeon bat than to risk the infirmary. He glanced significantly at the girl before approaching, however, and his body was completely tense as Severus fixed his lip with a quick healing charm. When that was done, Severus retrieved a bruising balm from a pocket and handed it over.

"I trust you are at least capable of applying that by yourself," he mocked. He waited until the boy had done as instructed and given back the balm. "Detention tomorrow after dinner, Potter. Now keep walking!"

Potter glared at him one last time before taking the girl by the hand and leading her the way they had come.

Severus kept walking without paying attention where he was going. He couldn't believe that he was still alive. It was interesting to know that he could take some time to deal with injuries, but discovering that had been an unnerving affair.

"You really hate that boy, don't you?" asked Igor at his side once they were alone again. "And yet you are helping Dumbledore to protect him. How do you intend to play that out?"

"The same way I always have. Dumbledore trusts me, I would be a fool to throw away that advantage."

"Yes, definitely. But you also have access to the boy... That would be an excellent ticket back in."

Severus didn't like Igor's tone one bit. The man was desperate, no doubt he was caressing the possibility of bargaining for his life using the boy. As if that would save him from the Dark Lord's rage.

"I don't need a ticket back in," said Severus smugly. "Since I was never out, unlike you. The Goblet of Fire will take care of the brat, anyway."

"Very likely," agreed Igor with a calculating expression on his face.

He would have to keep an eye on Igor. He didn't know what the coward would do when finally the Dark Lord summoned them all. Severus' guess was that he would flee, but no doubt he knew that he could not run forever. The best Igor could do, in Severus' opinion, was to kill himself as soon as possible. But he naively might think that he had a chance of survival if he crawled at the Dark Lord's feet begging for a painful forgiveness. And offering something valuable as return gift.

For now, Potter was as safe as he could be considering that he was a Triwizard champion. The Goblet would not allow anyone outside the Tournament to do anything that could put him out of the competition, even if it clearly was fine with anyone punching his face. The Tournament would end eventually, however, and if Potter was still alive at the end Severus was certain that someone would try to finish the job. Perhaps Igor.

"Why did you give him detention, anyway?" asked the coward after another while, breaking through his reverie.

"Just now, because he annoyed me. Until last week, for flying without permission."

Igor snorted again.

"You do know that the boy is still flying most every night, right?"

Severus grunted.

"I do. Dumbledore denied him permission, but turns a blind eye as usual, so the brat gets away with it for now."

"Viktor has taken an interest in the boy, did you know that too? They usually fly together. I tried to forbid him from fraternizing, but Viktor keeps ignoring me. Being too famous so young tends to make people... unruly."

This time Severus snorted.

"Tell me about it. Potter has gotten away with everything since he first stepped into this castle."

He pretended not to care at all about Krum and Potter flying together, but in truth it made him extremely uneasy. He had not known that. No one outside the Tournament could harm the champions, since it would be a way to help the other contestants, but what about the champions themselves? He knew they could harm and even kill each other during the tasks, at least. Was Potter in danger flying at night with the Durmstrang champion? The Bulgarian would not be the first one to take advantage of a lonely flight to eliminate some competition.

Had it been a mistake to encourage the boy to go fly on his own? It had been a difficult decision, since it went against his every instinct to indulge the brat in anything, but it really had looked as if Potter would lose his mind or do something suicidal if he couldn't find a way to blow some steam. The boy had seemed to understand the dangers of running off as well as of flying over the Forbidden Forest, and of course he was a good flier so Severus had thought it was safe enough. But if he wasn't alone up there...

"Viktor is a terrible disappointment for Durmstrang," continued Igor with a hard tone. "Not vicious nor dark at all. And he has chosen a Mudblood as his date, can you believe that?"

"I really can't," said Severus in all honesty, although bristling internally at the term. "She's not only a Mudblood, but also an insufferable Know-It-All. She no doubt will bore him to death before the night is over."

Igor's assurance regarding Krum's anti-Durmstrang tendencies somewhat assuaged him, but he still felt certain uneasiness. Dark or not, Krum was Potter's opponent, and Potter was Krum's.

Attempting to tail Potter at night would likely be an impossible task, if the brat had that bloody marauder map in addition to his Invisibility Cloak. Could his protecting job get any more complicated?

They had reached an ugly stone reindeer and Severus stopped to bring some sense to yet another couple. Well, he couldn't really blame Davies for losing his head and half his clothes with the part Veela, that girl was dangerous. Which didn't mean that the boy wouldn't get detention with Filch. He wasn't certain he had authority to punish a Beauxbatons' student, though, and apparently he couldn't do anything to break apart a champion from her date, so he just sent them both back to the castle and hoped they would not get lost again on the way.

"You really think he will forgive you, then?" asked Igor when their piece of garden was deserted again.

"As much as he might forgive anyone who failed in finding him," said Severus with a shrug. "I didn't betray any names, after all."

Igor glared at him.

"I believe you would have, if Dumbledore had nor protected you. I wonder if the Dark Lord will really be pleased to hear that he vouched for you."

Severus glanced around to make sure there was no one at hearing distance.

"The Dark Lord himself sent me to spy on Dumbledore," he said in a low voice. "He will be pleased to know that I'm still in a position to do so. You, on the other side..." He allowed himself a cruel smile. "You're a dead man, Igor. Have a good night."