Chapters 151-160

New Spells

Madame Dubois thoughtfully regarded the young wizard who slouched in the wingback chair. The casual posture was clearly just an act. There was nothing relaxed about the dark circles under his eyes, or the random nervous gestures that left his black hair thoroughly messed up from forking his fingers through it.

‘So what did you do during the last week?’ Harry Potter asked.

‘I’ve been working with Madam Pomfrey and Healer Mugwort on a counter-curse for the leeching spell,’ Claire replied and poured herself some coffee, although her stomach wouldn’t approve. Ten days of long hours, little sleep, and hard work were taking their toll. Still, in spite of the dire circumstances, Claire had to admit that she enjoyed working at Hogwarts. For a school-nurse, Pomfrey had an excellent grasp of advanced medi-wizardry; Mugwort’s skills proved just why St Mungo’s was internationally renowned as a hospital and research facility; and Professor Weasley might just be the best curse-breaker she’d ever encountered.

‘And?’

Dubois raised the mug of coffee to her lips and took a soothing sip before she explained, ‘We haven’t been able to break the curse, but we have discovered a way to contain it—with a second tattoo, on the other arm, in the shape of the rune Eihwaz. It will counteract the curse and slow it down. Right now we can’t stop the process, but in time even that may be possible. However, there’s no telling when that will be. Or what will happen when the perpetrators realise that their spell has been contained.’

‘So we still have to go beyond the Veil.’ Harry sighed.

She narrowed her eyes. There was a glint in those famous green eyes that made her think Harry Potter was not exactly devastated that the plan hadn’t changed. Secretly she wondered if it was a case of a young Auror going stir-crazy after growing up on adventure and adrenaline, or if there were other—and darker—issues involved. ‘Mr Potter, if you don’t mind the question—why did you support the idea to include Miss Petrel in the team so vehemently? Professor Snape did not like that at all.’

The young man frowned and fidgeted. His answer was evasive. ‘Se—Professor Snape doesn’t like me at all. He thinks I’m just like my father: a reckless, careless Gryffindor.’

Claire decided to prod a little. She raised a challenging eyebrow. ‘And are you?’

The young Auror studied her for a moment before he replied, effectively answering her question before he’d said a word. The wry smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth let her know that he was fully aware of that. ‘Sometimes, I guess. Look, I don’t like putting lives at risk. But I’ve had to learn the hard way that this is not always possible. Sometimes it’s necessary. People have risked their lives for me and were ordered to risk their lives for me for as long as I’m alive.’

‘So now it’s your turn to do that?’

‘What?’ Harry exclaimed. ‘NO! Do you think I want to give an order that puts a child’s life at risk? That’s wrong. It was wrong then, it’s wrong now.’

That did not sound like the reaction of a young hero thirsty for new adventures.

‘But?’

‘I want to do whatever is necessary to ensure that he gets back alive,’ the young wizard muttered. He appeared to be very interested in the pattern on the office floor now.

Claire’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but she kept her next question as cool and neutral as she could, especially since she was aware of just who was silently waiting just outside the door. ‘Who?’

‘Snape,’ Harry replied. ‘It’s pretty clear that he must go, no matter who else could or would go. And he wants to go alone, because he’s convinced that he’ll die there. But you see, I can’t let that happen. I…I owe him. He’s risked his life for me and for everybody else way too often already. He deserves to live and to live happily. And Hermione, too.

‘What you said about the power of three made sense to me. And Minerva’s test proved that Alina is not only a Necromancer, but also very powerful.’ Harry sighed before he straightened his shoulders. ‘Alina’s life is already at stake because of that tattoo. And as an Auror and a member of the Order it ismy duty to try and get together the team with the best chances of success.’

After a pause, Harry turned towards the door. ‘Why don’t you come in, Severus?’

For a moment the room was silent, then Claire heard a muffled snort, and the door opened. Snape sneered at Harry. ‘Not only a reckless and careless Gryffindor, but also too sentimental for your own good. Tut tut tut.’

Harry smiled faintly. ‘Not everyone can be a careful, calculating Slythern who always keeps a cool head.’

A black eyebrow flicked upwards. ‘Flattery will get you nowhere with me. You should know that by now.’ Then Snape turned, indicating the bandolier he wore over his frock coat. ‘I brought the bells as you requested. What can I do for you?’

‘During the experiments with the tattoos I’ve developed a spell that may show us if there is a connection between the leeching spell and the portrait paralysis. It’s an adaptation of “Vim Magicam Revelio”, but it requires the caster as well as the object of the spell to enter Death.’

Snape frowned. ‘I’m not sure if that’s a good idea, Madame—you must be aware that I’m not registered as a Necromancer yet.’

‘Oh, naturellement! I almost forgot.’ Claire smiled. ‘Your headmistress told me about certain…bureaucratic difficulties concerning your registration. Here.’ She picked up a scroll from the desk and held it out to him. ‘French registrations are valid according to the multilateral registrations agreements signed by all member states of the ICW. It will be forwarded to your Ministry in due time.’