Oh, he’d never been a saint. Nor had he ever pretended to be. But the bitterness had been receding for a time, these last few years. After all, he’d been buisy recovering from the war, and building a life for himself. Somehow, it was good to be back. Snivellus had just resurfaced. Someone had to do the dirty work. Or… If putting bullies right back into place was dirty, dirty was going to happen. And shamelessly.
« Welcome back, you ugly fool. » he thought with a wry smile, as he put on a black shirt in front of the mirror.
« But I’ve got some muggle to visit, first. »
Having spent three years recovering from Nagini’s bite suited him well, he thought. Before the bite, he hadn’t been aquainted to mirrors, that much. He’d been so used to be called out for his appearance, that he’d just avoided them. He’d focussed on his academic prowress. He’d tried desesperately to prove himself. Then, he’d been living at a time of war, a second after the next, living of work, and guilt, and rage, and dread. So no, he had not been sleeping well, eating well, let alone cared for his own clothes, or hair, in any way. But recovering Severus had not been called names. Had not been looked at up and down. Had not been whispered at, behind his back. He’d been cared for, and respected. Another handy thing : he had not had to kill anyone, directly or undirectly. Had not had his life at stake. Or his mind. That was a pretty efficient beauty tip, that. Recovering Severus could choose his own job, and mind his own business, and therefore, eat better, sleep better, groom himself regularly, exercise. And as a consequence, the Severus Snape presently in the mirror looked significantly healthier. Quite tolerable a sight, as far as being himself could go.
Severus was not judgemental like a gryffindor. But he decided that a little judgement could not hurt, every so often. The consideration of Suneko’s struggles was mixing up with his memories of himself, having been given hell for over committing to studies and reading too much. You couldn’t be that stupid, though. Attacking a maledictus, no less! And for a borrowed book, please! Sometimes, people’s stupidity was so blatant you had to take it personally.
But before visiting the main course of idiocy, he had to have an apetizer. He had precautions to take. He didn’t want to hear word spread about Severus Snape apparating at Saint Mungo’s to hex healers. He had to take on another shape. He knew whose. He had longed to meet that lovely friend, longed to have a little face to face with her for years, decades. The occasion was too good. A perfect pretext. And total freedom. No strings attached. No chains.
4 Private Drive. So that was the adress. The very boring house was a shade of browning beige. Not one flower on that freshly lawned grass. Severus had observed for a while to figure out a way to catch Petunia Dursley on her own. He wanted to see her face, as she powerlessly watched his intrusion of her private space. He wanted her to sweat. The bathroom would do. Now. It would soon be the right time to apparate.
« Long time no see, huh, muggle. » he thought to himself, neglectfully running a hand through his hair.
« I bet you missed me. »
And whoosh he went.
« Hello, Pet. »
The expression of utter shock and horror on that famished ostrich’s face was well worth a thousand galleons. He quickly threw in a locking spell and a muffliato on the room with a wave of his hand. He added a spell to prevent her from ever being able to pronounce his name again.
« You!… But you… Y… »
-Dead. Absolutely. I’m a ghost come to hunt you, Pet. Oh, well. Bad weed never dies. You know what they say. »
She was at a loss for words. She tried to get out of the room, but of course, couldn’t.
« You wouldn’t try to slip away from me so soon, now, would you? We hardly met. We have so much to catch up on. » Her jaw clenched.
-What do you want, Snape? »
-But only to meet my favorite neighbour, Pet. Lily’s darling little sister. First, for the enjoyment of her sweet compagny, and then, because she would, of course, never deny me, should I need her help. » She got very red.
-Help you?! What for? You must be mad! Here you are, breaching into my house, into my very own bathroom! Do you think I don’t see you trying to intimidate me? But I won’t get intimidated by the likes of you! Whatever you think I’ll give you, keep dreaming! Over my dead body, you frea… »
-Oh, do say my favorite word. Please. I beg you. » growled Severus drawing his wand from his pocket.
She became very pale, and very quiet. He smirked :
« I thought you would be aware of your situation, here. But since you’re stupid, I’ll explain : you are so very lucky the dark Lord didn’t win the war, muggle. Even you, wizard hating lot have been protected. The ministry considers you’re weaklings, I suppose. You’re not even capable of proper hate. And bless your heart, you don’t know what we’re capable of. So, yes, the dark Lord is dead. But so is Albus Dumbledore. He won’t come to your rescue. Your nephew is also not here to save you, is he? That leaves just you and me. I’m here in my own name, no great man to muzzle me. And right now, your safety may depend on your attitude, Pet. I’m so tempted to kill you. You’ve no idea. »
He noticed with some satisfaction that she was slightly shaking. He went on.
« No more comment? Good. See, I’m a gentleman. I never touch a woman’s hair without a warning. »
She was now looking horrified, and shaking violently :
« I will never allow you to touch me, you filthy…! » she had no time to finish her sentence. He burst out laughing.
-Did you mean to say that out loud?? I’m not that desesperate, Merlin’s beard! »
Then, he flicked his wand, and a few hair left Petunia’s head to fly right into a little vial that had just slipped out of his pocket. He caught the vial with a satisfied smile.
« That wasn’t so bad, now, was it? »
Petunia Dursley looked confused.
While he was at it, Severus thought he could right some wrongs. He decided he was in the mood to be confrontational.
« By the way : I read a very interesting book about your nephew. It’s called Harry Potter : a tragic childhood, by Rita Skeeter. You really didn’t like the boy, did you? Oh I hated him to guts, too. I wanted him expelled. He was so insolent. Just like his father. But you… You underfed him and made him live in a cupboard didn’t you? »
Severus wished he’d known, back in the day. He had sympathized with the boy more, when he’d read the book. Turned out they had something in common. But knowing this years after Hogwarts, was too late. Skeeter haden’t exagerated, this time. Dursey’s silence and the stiffness of her jaw was a pretty obvious confession.
« You told him his parents had died in a car accident. You deliberately hid from him the fact that he was a wizard. Huh. I knew you were petty, but I didn’t know you could be that cruel. Talk about jealousy and frustration… »
-How dare you judge me! We raised that fr… Child! He was imposed on us by the way. We did everything we could to make him normal… » She winced and bended down.
Normal like you? He’d thought. He’d been through this kind of education. He knew all too well what kind of a person he was dealing with. He’d heard it all, before. The same excuses. And he knew the truth : She’d just been trying to feel less weak, as many muggles did. She’d dealt with the anomaly. Rang a bell, didn’t it? So, the cruciatus curse had escaped his wand automatically.
« This one is for me. » he declared calmly.
At the second cruciatus curse, Petunia Dursley fell on her knees.
« This one is for the boy. » His dark eyes were now deeply despiseful.
At the third cruciatus curse, she yelled her heart out, crowling.
« This one is for Lily.«
The hospital was made of high walls and grey bricks, thick, and dark, and wintry, like a prison. It was getting late, and the streets were empty. The healer in question was on a smoking break at the corner of the main door. Her name was Regina Blazen. Her square, red face was frozen in a perpetual pout. She was squinting hard, as though there was some riddle she didn’t quite understand in the pattern of the streets. Her hair were stale and a greyish blond. Even from afar, she looked neglected and grumpy. Severus Snape was hiding in a phone cabin across the street. He reluctantly drank from his vial of polyjuice. He grimaced at the bitterness. Petunia Dursley tasted as awful as she looked. Soon enough, of course, his body changed. He had to tighten his belt, and the shirt around his hips. Huh. Being Petunia Dursley for a night. Wasn’t that a dream come true. Anyway, it was amusing at the same time. Let’s do this, he thought to himself. A swine for a swine. He breathed in and crossed the street.
« Hello, there. » he said.
« Ugly building. Is that a prison? » The woman had a faint surprised expression. Then, she threw in a strange, pinched smile.
-No, ma’am. T’s a hospital. »
-Oh, dear. And people come here on purpose? »
-They have to, you know. T’ what we do, save lives. They don’t have a choice. »
-Oh, I see. So you’re caring for the weaklings and the left outs. You’re the one in prison. » Regina Blazen chuckled.
-Oh, ma’am! T’s not that bad! People, they need to be taken care of. ‘s what we do. »
-I wouldn’t have the patience. » Severus replied. And sure enough, he didn’t lie.
-The job’s got its perks. It’s rewarding, when you do this right. »
-Oh, please. This is a litteral germ factory. Not mentionning the occasional curses, I’m guessing most of them basic. »
-I’m gonna pretend you didn’t just say that, ma’am. » the woman replied with an amused half smile.
-Let me guess : you’re senior, here. »
-That’s right. Regina. Blazen. You are? » The woman stretched out a sweaty hand. Severus shook it.
-Call me Petunia. »
-So. Missis Blazen. As a senior healer, I suppose you’re burdened with the task of… Tutoring? » he wanted to get her to talk about Suneko to make his point, of course. And she noticed. He hadn’t been that subtle.
-Oh, I see you want to talk about the Niece. » she chuckled.
-Yes, ‘s a matter of fact, she does work here… For some reason. » she was puckering her nose, as she was saying this.
-You don’t seem to like her much. » he noticed inocently.
-Oh,that one. She’s a strange girl, I’m tellin’ ya. I wouldn’t believe a word they say about her, if I were you. These four lives she presumably saved, after miraculously appearing from Li. Sounds like lies, to me. This couple and this joke shop person were just lucky. And have you heard about Severus Snape? No? That’s because he must be dead, somewhere. » she sniffed with contempt. That made Severus smirk. Dead indeed…
-The things people will say… » she went on rolling her eyes.
-There’s been whole articles about that black clad freak being a romantic spy, longing after some dead mudblood. Harry Potter’s own dead mum, would you believe that nonesense? » Severus kept a blank face, while clenching his fists. Would hexing be enough? he thought to himself. This one might well deserve a downright curse. But he kept quiet.
-And now, we’re supposed to believe that stuck up young girl is some genious healer come to save us all. Come on, is she, though? Or did she just run about spreading fables to big herself up? And they say she’s filthy rich, too. I mean : why’s she obsessed about playing healers, instead of spending her money, somewhere? Like mind her own business? Why’s she making everyone waste their time? I mean : shoo, girl, grown ups are working, here! » »
-Would you rather she were a dark witch, then? » Severus wondered. Regina Blazen’s rant had just been cut short by this simple question.
-I’m sure she would show some skills. It’s in her blood, after all. What do you think? » The woman’s face froze, in a puzzled pout, then lit up, as she doned that pinched smile again :
-Oh, you! You had me, there! You’re on Santa’s naughty list, I’m sure! »
-You’ve no idea. »
Severus had drawn his wand out of his pocket. Still looking at the woman’s eyes, he pointed it at her throat, and threw in the most vicious slug vomiting charm he could. It was not as satisfying as a proper curse, but curses took a toll on you, and Regina Blazen wasn’t worth the energy. So, this one would do. The woman collapsed with a delightful expression of pain, and shock, and horror, as she started to expell the slimy things out of her throat.
« You’re not pretty enough to be that stupid. » he grinned.
-You would think someone as rich as Aethelind Gaunt would have friends, now, wouldn’t you? »
When she could stand back up, he depulsoed the woman unto the door, and half stupefied her to look into her mind for further information. How far had she dared go?
The legilimens spell penetrated the woman’s mind in a way probably nothing else ever would. Flashes of her life appeared to Severus, as she was trying to get herself free from his grasp. Boring. Boring. Boring. Severus was so unimpressed. She was far from the employee of the year herself, and was regularly scolded by her superiors, so, she liked to take it out on the interns. She deeply disliked Suneko, because she was obviously gifted, and not as meek as she wished. She had stupidly decided to take her silence as a sign of weakness. She had tried to get her to break down, demean her, disrespect her, gossip about her, yell at her, sabotage her, unsuccessfully. She was trying to be dreaded by being controlling, and petty, and mean, and she was failing. Pathetic.
And then, of course, there was her way to treat her patients. She was all smiles and compliance when her superiors where in the vicinity. But she thought she was in her little kingdom, when she was alone with one of her charges. She chose which she would care for, which she would brutalize or purposefully neglect. She selected her least favorite interns for the unsavory aspects of the job.
But there was more. Something she was trying to hide. And failing. Again. What was she doing to this couple? Their faces rang a bell… That memory, here… Whatever she was doing in it, did not look like standard procedure. First of all, because sweets were not customary food served in healing premices. Second of all, what was she injecting in them? And what was in the lady’s eye as she was more or less forcibly fed? Defiance? Dread? Severus recoiled, as recognition hit him, and turned his guts : this couple were Frank and Alice Longbottom, slender, and weak, and about a century older. Who had she been poisonning them for? Who? Someone was getting her bribed. Who was it?
And here stood Regina Blazen, breathless, shook by the intrusion. She was worth a curse, after all, he decided. He spat at her face, as she collapsed, screaming.
« What you did. Don’t you think I’ll be the only one to know. » he growled. And as he depulsoed her once again to the door, he added :
-Envy is a sickness. Get well soon »
And apparated.
He was walking on the dark alley leading to his home, thinking. He would definately tell Suneko about the events of the evening. That filth who described herself as a healer dared to threaten his friend for a mere borrowing of books from the ministry, while she was plainly ill treating her patients, poisoning them for… Who was behind this? He hadn’t quite managed to aprehend? One of his former death eater comrades, probably. Someone clearly had to tell that woman off to the ministry. He was sure Suneko would be delighted to do it. What was even in the potion she injected inside those sweets? Severus, of course, had a few ideas. But they would need to be studied.
He was so annoyed. He reached the door, and slamed it open.
« You look furious. Did you kill her? » she asked, raising an eyebrow.
-No. It wouldn’t be worth being sent to Askhaban for the likes of her. But I have information that might be of interest to you, dear, should she dare trying to threaten you again. »
-What did you do to her? »
-Oh, nothing much. A little hex here or there. And a legilimens spell, mostly. »
-And what did you see? »
-You would know if you weren’t shielding yourself. »
-I know. » she sighed.
-But all that chit chat in people’s heads gives me head aches. I would rather not have to unshield in public. You know this, silly head. What did you see? »
-Well… She’s terrible at her job, and generally detestable. »
-Goes without saying. »
-Have you… Ever tended to Frank and Alice Longbottom? »
-Had to bathe them once or twice. Poor things… » Thinking about the couple seemed to make her sad.
-Have you ever seen her give them sweets? »
-Sweets? Hell, no! In their state? They might swallow them all wrong, or something. And so unhealthy, too. No one in their right mind would give quasi catatonic patients sweets. »
-She does. And she’s injecting some potion in them. I saw it. » Suneko froze in shock.
-What potion? »
-I’ve no idea. »
-Sounds like poisoning. »
-Looked like it to me. »
-But they’re our patients… »
-Indeed. »
-It’s unprofessional! »
-To say the least. »
-What for?! »
-Someone is paying her, I think. » Suneko sobered up, cold, terrible, all of a sudden.
-Who? »
-Couldn’t see. » Suneko was outraged. More outraged about it than about the threats and petty bullying she’d had to deal with, Severus noticed.
-I’ll find out. » She said quietly, red hot anger glowing off her like forged steel.
-She’s going down. Trust me. »
Suneko was marching, determined, towards the stern, grey building. Severus had decided to follow her to make sure she would not kill anyone. She deserved better than Askhaban. He also had convinced her to call the auror department as well as Frank and Alice Longbottom’s son, who was directly concerned. At long last, she had agreed. The more witnesses, the safer.
Unfortunatly, mister Potter of the auror department and young professor Longbottom (now, apparently) had decided to take their time, and his seething, hissing friend was walking back and forth, restless, in front of the building. Severus decided to start a conversation to keep her busy.
« We should, hum… Travel, when I’ve delt with your coffers, I think. » he started tentatively.
-What for? » she snapped.
-When you’ve succeded in your HILDA exams, we should go around the world, to meet the best healers, and complete your apprenticeship. »
-You want to heal my so called ‘curse’. » She looked at him up and down warily. You want to heal my so called ‘curse’. » She looked at him up and down warily. And sure enough, Severus had had the safety of the humanity of his friend in mind, lately, indeed. He had to improvise.
-Of course not. » he replied.
-But as you happen to borrow books from the ministry illegally to complete your education, it seems the Healing Institute is frustrating you, isn’t it? »
-That’s because I don’t need those stupid exams. I know my job, already. »
-I know you’ve received training back in Li, of course. Hence the frusration. But your lovely collegue would have had nothing to threaten you with, if you hadn’t been at least a little curious, would she? What if you deserved better than whatever the Healing Institute had to offer? What if you could afford it? When I manage to unlock your coffers, you’ll acquire all the books in the world, if it takes your fancy. You’ll meet the best mentors. And become the best in your field. » And possibly you’ll also deal with your curse, in the process. Severus thought without saying it.
-And you would meet the best Defense Against the Dark Arts practitionners, too. » she mused, interested.
-You get my drift. » Indeed. He hadn’t thought about it, but as a matter of fact, becoming a better Defense Against the Dark Arts practitionner himself would also probably be helpful. After all, nothing wrong with doing a little research. And selfishly speaking, nothing wrong with meeting his own heros, if he could, one day, either.
-What about my apothecary? And your shop? » she frowned.
-We’d hire competent employees to handle them while we’re away. They would report to us, and reach out to us, if need be. We’ll need to delegate anyway, if we want to grow big. » Suneko sniffed. She didn’t like the idea. But this conversation had hijacked some of her murderous energy.
« Are you sure about this? » She said. Severus nodded. She was talking, of course, about Regina Blazen’s guilt.
-In her head. I’ve seen it. » Suneko hissed.
-She’ll need to have serious justifications. »
-What justifications? Don’t enter a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. »
Sudenly, a whoosh sound was heard, followed by a worried and angry :
« What happened to my parents? »
-Mister Longbottom. » Another whooshing sound.
-Snape. »
-Potter. »
-What did happen to Neville’s parents? » frowned The-Boy-Who-Was-Always-Tense.
-Potter. Meet Aethelind Gaunt, whom you may also call Suneko. » Severus looked at her for confirmation.
-I would much rather, actually. » Suneko confirmed.
-Hello. » Harry Potter looked at her up and down.
-You must be the Niece. »
-Boy-Who-Lived. » Suneko replied mockingly.
-What did she do? » the boy asked.
-She works here. » Suneko snapped.
-Oh, don’t we all just get along, when we start off by being rude? » Severus interviened.
-What have you been up to? » Harry Potter snapped at him in return.
-Ron says you’re working at their shop, now. You didn’t bother to give anyone any news. »
-Like I owed anything to you. » Severus mumbled. Potter crossed his arms.
-We thought you were DEAD. »
-Well… EXCUSE me for having been bitten by a giant snake. And how are YOU even alive, by the way? I’m not the one who comes running after danger wands first EVERY TIME. Am I? » Suneko looked at them, back and forth, with an intrigued frown on her face.
-Are you two related? »
-NO! » They both instantly yelled in a perfect chorus. Suneko threw up her hands :
-Okay… » Neville Longbottom cleared his throat :
-What. Happened. To my parents? »
-We believe they were poisonned. » Suneko replied bluntly. Neville Longbottom’s jaw dropped. His face lost all colour.
-How are they? » Harry Potter asked, his expression now fully collected and professional.
-We believe they have actually been regularly poisonned for more than two decades, since their arrival at saint Mungo’s. » Severus replied. Suneko looked down in shame.
-The trauma they’ve kept from their agression should not have left them in that state. They should at least have made some progress, since they’ve been in the hospital’s care. I should have known something was wrong when I visited them. »
-Who did it? » Neville Longbottom’s voice was white, and sharp, and cold as steel. He’s matured up quite a bit since the last time I saw him, Snape noticed, a little intimidated.
-We can find proof. That’s why you’re here. » Suneko breathed in, out and instructed :
-OK, everyone, please keep quiet. »
Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom looked at each other with puzzled faces. They could understand she was trying to do something, but the aim of this long silence was unclear. At long last, she winced a little, opened her eyes again, and said :
« Got her. Second floor, Daisy room. » she held her hands:
-I can apparate you there. » Harry Potter frowned :
-How exactly did you locate her? »
-It’s called legilimancy, Potter. » scoffed Severus, trying not to appear too impressed by the strengh of his friend.
-Keep up. »
The Daisy room was all white and yellow, with cheerful, sparkling undertones. It contained a dozen beds, in which patients were softly moaning in pain. It had a strange, acrid smell.
« Dragon burns. » Suneko explained.
Regina Blazen was tending to a patient in the far right corner of the room. She was wearing Saint Mungo’s customary green robes and was turning their back at them, but her figure was unmistakable. She turned around as soon as she heard Suneko’s comment, looked at her up and down, and snapped :
« Gaunt. What’s wrong with you? You’re late, you’re not wearing your uniform, and you brought visitors in the Daisy room? They’re not s’posed to be here, you know that. » her eyes then rested on Neville Longbottom :
-Oh, morning mister Longbottom. ‘s not your usual visit time. I’m not sure your parents are ready, yet. Have you asked the reception? No? You should have. Or I reckon she should have, instead of bringing you to a restricted area.. ‘s not professional, that, Gaunt. » she added showing Suneko with her chin.
-And she brought quite a crowd in here, too. I see you came along, this time, mister Potter. How kind. Forgive my intern. ‘s not the right room, now, clever girl. And who’s this one? » she frowned at Severus.
-He looks a bit like… »
-Severus Snape, back from the dead. Morning to you too, ma’am. » he answered. Severus held his hand, and she shook it, somewhat taken aback. Since they were all staring at her, she started shifting uneasily.
-What can I do for you? » she asked.
-If you don’t mind, we would love you to bring us to mister Longbottom’s parents. Now. » explained Severus. She looked at them suspiciously :
-I’m tending to dragon burned patients, at the moment. But I’m sure the reception could help you find your way to the right room, if our little genious can’t. »
-Won’t take long. »
-What’s the rush? » Harry potter had casually drawn out his wand, and was waving it absent mindedly tip down :
-Humour us. » She turned to Suneko angrily, then thought better of it, and tried to sound collected :
-You didn’t need me to help them out, Gaunt. Or are we in a lazy mood this morning? Asking the reception about the Longbottoms and bringing those gentlemen to them was pretty basic work. Besides, you’re s’posed to… » Suneko hissed, and spat :
-Oh, shut up. » Regina Blazen blanched a little. She stuttered :
-I’m your superior. I will tell you off for your attitude this morning. »
-I’m not impressed. Now, get us there, already. »
Frank and Alice Longbottom were being bathed by one of the interns when the group appeared in their common bedroom in the closed isle.
« I told you now was probably not a good time. » the nervous woman snapped at Suneko.
-Leave. » Suneko simply told the other interns. She sounded so cold and directive that they obeyed immediately.
-Well… Here they are. Same as usual. Except, naked. » Regina Blazen said. She tried to apparate away herself, but Severus stupefied her.
-Nice try, miss Blazen. » he purred, as she fell. He lifted her up to put her in an upright position. He looked at Suneko who was producing a pensieve from a shoulder bag.
-Will you do the honours? » he suggested.
Suneko took out her wand, and partially unstupefied the woman, whose eyes grew wide with panic, as she realized her situation. Suneko sighed with a bored little expression :
« It’s going to be easy. » she said.
-She’s loud. »
She brought the pensieve to the nearby bed, and almost stuck her wand to the woman’s face. Regina Blazen grunted. Liquid light spilled from Suneko’s wand. She poured it in a tube that she had levitated out of her pocket, and approached the bed.
-Mister Longbottom, you might want to be the first to see what miss Blazen did to your parents. » she said.
Neville Longbottom was the first to put his head in the stone basin. It did feel a bit strange, standing next to him, waiting for him to return, but Severus knew exactly what he would see. He could picture the boy’s anger in advance, and he felt sorry for him.
« What does he see, do you think? » Harry Potter asked him.
-His parents being poisonned. She injects a potion in sweets that she’s making them eat. That’s why their health hasn’t been improving, we think. »
-So, you really think that they could get back to being themselves, some day? »
-Ask a healer. » sighed Severus. He thought not.
-They will never quite recover. » confirmed Suneko.
-They will always be more or less dependant. They will be burdened by nightmares, and their magic will be forever maimed. But… I believe they will at least be able to recognize their own son. I believe some of their older self should come back to the surface. I will see to it, at least. » she added with a determined expression. She groaned in frustration.
-I should have known. » she scolded herself.
-Of course, they did go through terrible pain, and trauma, but their state was not normal. I should have guessed. I didn’t pay enough attention »
-What potion was it, and what did it od to them, exactly ? »
-We’re unsure. » answered Severus.
-We would need samples to analyse it, so as to make sure we find the right cure. But the certain thing is that it stuck them into this catatonic state. I also believe that miss Blazen, here was working for someone else. Though I am not quite sure for whom, yet. »
-Let’s make sure we find out. » Suneko said. And her voice was icy cold, and cutting like goblin steel.
Severus didn’t quite like the tone of her voice. It didn’t seem to be merely reflecting a hope to find the culprits. It rather sounded like a threat, followed by a determination to find them herself.
« We will. » Potter just replied. And find them quickly. Severus thought.
When Neville Longbottom retrieved his head from the pensieve, he was flushed, and mute and trembling with rage.
« I’ll go in there myself. » Potter informed the woman with a cold but quiet professional tone.
-Just to see the evidence presently at my disposal. And then, I think we’ll be on our way. »
-Wait! » said the woman. But Potter turned to Longbottom.
-We’ll find out who she did it for, and then, trust me, she’ll pay a little visit to Askhaban. »
-She fasified it! » said the panicking woman who had regained the ability to speak.
-Even if the facts disagree, I am impressed by your confidence. » smirked Severus.
-This… This evidence is all fake! That… That cursed foreign scum!… »
Severus frowned as the woman started to gurgle. Suneko’s arm was extended, and her hand was tense, launching a vicious strangling spell. Her eyes were changing colour.
« You’re a healer. This is not what you do. » he reminded his friend, as she hissed.
-We will punish her. » added Potter with a sensible tone, drawing his wand from his pocket.
-Come, Suneko. » Severus went on. His friend grunted in frustration, and released her collegue.
-Just you dare lying again. » she warned her.
They all sighed with relief.
« Don’t waste your time pursuing the likes of her. » Severus said soothingly.
-You’ve got work to do. Remember? »
Frank and Alice Longbottom had both been covered by a bath towel, but they were still starting to quietly tremble with cold, in the background. Suneko turned to them, accioed fresh clothes from a drawer, and said in a surprisingly soothing voice :
« We will dress you up, now. Alright? You need to look nice for your son, who came to visit you. Let’s get these pants on, first, mister Longbottom, shall we? » Then, she showed the frozen Regina Blazen with her chin, and instructed their son coldly :
-Make sure she doesn’t go away. » And called out disdainfully to Harry Potter.
-You can check the evidence, Boy-Who-Lived. I’m not going to kill her. » After which, she turned back to Neville Longbottom :
-When I get samples of the potion, I’ll be able to define an efficient recovery strategy. I’m pretty sure I know how I’ll proceed to get them. »
Harry Potter had been diving his head in the pensieve. It took him only a few minutes to get back from it.
« As far as I’m concerned, I’ve got all the proof I need. » he commented with a steely glint in his crazy green eyes.
-You’re under arrest, miss Blazen. »
He launched an incarcerus spell on the struggling woman, put a hand on her shoulder, and apparated away.
Suneko was halway through helping missis Longbottom to put on her dress, when she muttered in a forcibly light tone :
« Do you know, your son is very brave? He killed my grandmother, a few years ago. It was the only way to free her from a terrible curse. I’ll be forever grateful. Her name was Nagini. »
A heavy silence fell on the room, as a hint of recognition sank into the face of the sick woman, uncertainty, suspicion, confusion, blurry dread. Her husband let out a painful moan. Suneko turned to Neville Longbottom, and observed matter-of-factly :
« Your parents are strong. »
-I know. » he answered with a little trembling in his voice.
And the boy looked strong, just then. He looked like the proudest man in the world. Arrogance is a weakness, but pride is strengh, thought Severus to himself.
« I have to get changed and officially start my shift. » Suneko said.
-I’ll be right back, mister Longbottom. Severus, I believe I have an authorization to sign, for you to inspect those coffers, yes? » Severus nodded.
-And you did take your day off? » He nodded again.
-Then, wait. » she concluded as she whooshed away.
There was an awkward little silence for a good few excruciating minutes. Severus really didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t seen Neville Longbottom in ages. He hadn’t been that fond of him, back in Hogwarts, and vice versa, as far as he was aware. Also, his parents were humming to themselves, in the background. It was bunglesome. Severus felt quite out of place. What to say, what to say… Finally…
« What do you intend to do, then? » the boy muttered, as if to himself.
-About? » That was a very vague question.
-About her. » the boy was embarrassed to ask.
-She’s Nagini’s grand daughter. They say that she’s also… »
-Oh, do you mean : about the young woman who saved my life, among others? The one who just helped prevent your parents from ingesting more poison? The one who intends to help them heal? That young woman? » The silence that followed was a little uncomfortable. The boy coughed.
-They say she can also turn into snake. And… Nagini… You’ve seen her… And… » Severus showed his neck, and snapped :
-Yes, I have. Close enough. » the boy gasped. Severus sighed.
-She’s not Nagini. She’s my friend. She saved my life. What can you not understand? »
-But she won’t be able to stay under control forever. »
-What do you know about her abilities? She’s powerful, she’s brilliant, you’ve seen it. She’s ambitious. She intends to set up an apothecary. Not just any apothecary. The best in England. In the world, possibly. And she’s hard working. And she’s curious. And she’s rich. Rich enough to go around the world and meet the best healers there is. And she will. Rich enough to get proper tutelage. And she will. Do you know anything much about maledicti? Well… We will. We’ll get advice from people a little more knowledgeable than yourself, thank you very much. » Severus couldn’t believe how annoyed he was.
-You intend to find a way to heal her. »
-No. » And Severus was surprised about the sound of his own voice.
-I don’t want to heal her. I don’t want her to be a proper little human. She’s a ware snake. It’s what she is. She was born that way. It’s in her nature. I want her to have the means to do what she want to do, that is : be a healer. I want her to choose how and when she wants or doesn’t want to turn. I want her to maintain herself, for as long as she can, in order to build up the success that she deserves. Get the respect that she deserves. And I don’t want anyone to dare looking at her like a monster. »
-I… Hope she’ll manage. » Longbottom let out tentatively.
-Of course, she will. Obviously. »
There was something about pride. You could be proud without being vain. You could be proud, and be grounded. Pride was what you needed to keep, in order to avoid people from crushing you down to oblivion. Pride was what the Dark Lord had taken to all of these great families. One by one. After having attracted them with it. Pride was what had maintained him alive, what had helped him protect his own sanity, in the midst of all of this cruelty and pain. Pride was a shield. Pride was essential to anyone’s mental health. And most importantly : pride made you particularly strong when you were proud of someone else.
Les pattes de mouche de la puce polichinelle 