The Dark Lady (Severus x OC)

13. The beginning of something else

He sent it by muggle post, so as not to draw attention to himself, and then he was overcome with nerves.

A part of him told him that Hellen most likely wouldn't respond, since contacting him would only put her in danger.

Days passed by with no news from Hellen, and Severus convinced himself that he had acted foolishly, exposing himself in this way.

Bitterly, he decided that he should forget her. He would never think about her again.

***

The atmosphere in the professors' room was more tense than ever.

"The students are accompanied everywhere, but it is not enough to keep them safe. They are not even safe in the toilets," Sprout protested, after explaining Parvatil's disappearance.

"How long will it take for them to start disappearing from the bedrooms?" professor Vector asked.

The professors' alarmed looks expressed how scared they felt. It was becoming increasingly difficult to control the appearance of the runes and their effects.

"We will have to send the students home," Flitwick said out loud what everyone feared.

"Closing Hogwarts won't solve the problem," Dumbledore argued. "Disappearances spread throughout the country."

"Parents think their children will be safer in their homes," McGonagall had several letters from concerned parents in her hands. Dumbledore contemplated the situation, silent and thoughtful, before looking at the Lady.

"No news about the snakes?"

"Not yet. I have extended the search outside of England. I'm looking for them too, but I suspect they must be hidden in a place protected from magic."

McGonagall glared at her.

"Wasn't your power so great? This should not be a problem for you," the Lady stared back, amazed at the boldness of her words, but she responded calmly, looking into her eyes.

"There are powers in this world that are stronger than me. Which doesn't mean I'm going to give up."

McGonagall didn't respond, perhaps because of the warning nudge she received from Sprout. However, even she had to admit that the Lady seemed exhausted. Her posture was no longer as stiff and proud as it had been a few weeks before, and her eyes were surrounded by deep circles.

"Do you still maintain that lord Voldemort has nothing to do with it?" Dumbledore insisted, ignoring Snape's angry look.

"The Dark Lord has also ordered an investigation. Amycus Carrow 's actions have made him think that there may be several death eaters acting on their own."

"Don't you agree with that?"

She hesitated before answering. Her eyes flitted briefly to Snape, before she decided to speak.

"I don't believe the runes are originated by a human being," she confessed, and murmurs of disbelief rose around the table. "There is something about them of a supernatural nature. The way they act is very different from the magic created by a wizard or a witch."

"It's a theory to keep in mind," Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "But we must persevere in finding the students, before it is too late."

"The new location charm is almost ready," Flitwick noted. "It should be more effective than the previous one."

"Maybe we can use a Medium," Sinistra suggested, but Sprout looked at her scared.

"They're not dead yet!"