The Second Task

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Author's Note: The last section is a quote from Goblet of Fire (film).

...

The weeks passed and the second task of the Tri-wizard Tournament was quickly approaching. Snape and Madeline were both dreading it, but for very different reasons. Madeline feared that someone would be seriously injured (or even killed), and Snape worried that Harry Potter would find some way to put himself in even more peril than usual. As staff members, they had been told that the next task would involve the champions rescuing hostages from the bottom of the Black Lake. The clue for the champions was to be found in the golden eggs they had won in the first task.

Snape hoped Potter had the brains to decipher the clue, or at least the sense to enlist the help of the Granger girl. She was a great source of annoyance to Snape, but he had to admit she was exceedingly clever and was perhaps Potter's best hope of figuring out how to stay under water long enough to complete the task.

Time would tell.

....

Snape and Madeline were lying together peacefully, tangled in each other's arms as always, when they were startled by a loud clanking noise followed by an unbearable screeching sound. They both shot straight up in bed.

"Severus! What is that?"

"I don't know," said Snape, flying out of bed. "Stay here, Madeline. Don't move." He went the wardrobe, pulled out a long gray night shirt, threw it on quickly, and grabbed his wand.

"I'm coming with you," Madeline said firmly, throwing back the covers.

"No. Don't leave that bed. Do as I say." His tone was so serious and commanding that she decided not to argue. She got back into the bed.

"Keep your wand close," he said, and he swept out of the bedroom, out of their quarters into the corridor.

...

Snape was still shaking with fury when he returned. Madeline heard him enter and she came out of the bedroom cautiously, wand out. When she saw it was him, she lowered it, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Severus. Thank God," she breathed.

"My apologies, darling. I should have announced myself so you would know it was I. I didn't mean to frighten you."

"What happened? What was making that noise? Are you alright? You look... upset."  His face was drawn and even more pale than usual.

"That, my love, is an understatement."

He told her what had come to pass, fists clenched at his sides as he spoke, outrage still burning hot in his black eyes.

"The noise was caused by Potter's bloody egg.  The one from the tournament. Filch thought Peeves threw it down the stairs, but I know it was Potter under that damned invisibility cloak. I know he was there. And someone broke into my office, as well.  Broke into my personal stores. Then Moody came into the mix, with his false accusations and insinuations. Threatening me and making excuses for Potter."

"Oh, Severus! I am so sorry.  Moody has no right to treat you that way. No right to accuse you. None at all." Her heart ached for him. She reached for him, but he brushed her off and she was shocked. He had never rebuffed her before.

"Don't you see that it is my fate to be eternally mistrusted?" he spat.  "Death Eaters believe I've been under Dumbledore's thumb for the past thirteen years and everyone else believes I'm still loyal to the Dark Lord. Neither Death Eater nor Order member, yet still somehow Dumbledore's pawn and The Dark Lord's puppet. Neither black nor white. Forever gray. Trusted by none. Friendless and outcast. I am accustomed to it now, but it will be your fate as well, my girl, since you've so foolishly tied yourself to me."

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