All the Time in the World

Chapter Eight

Harry was on his edge during Snape's class. He saw Snape giving him curious glances every now and then, and he tried to keep his mind blank. The last thing on earth he needed was for Snape to find out what was happening.

It was nearing the end of the class when Hermione raised her hand. Harry held his breath. Snape could ignore Hermione. He'd done it before. He might do it again.

Snape seemed to hesitate. Then he said, "Yes, Miss Granger?"

His tone made it abundantly clear that she was wasting his time.

"Sir, I was wondering if you could tell us anything about the Absque amore spell?"

Snape stilled. The classroom went even quieter if such a thing was possible. Out of the corner of his eyes, Harry saw Draco Malfoy looking at Hermione, his gaze sharp.

"And where, Miss Granger, did you hear about this spell?" Snape was speaking slowly.

"I found it mentioned in a book from the restricted section, sir." Hermione looked unconcerned. "And I was curious to know what it was."

"It is dark magic, Miss Granger," Snape paused. "Very advanced. And also banned. The ministry is very strict about such spells."

"Surely the ministry can't object if a student wishes to have information on that? I'm not asking you to teach me how to cast it, professor. I'm just asking what it does and what, if any is the countermeasure for that."

Harry stifled a gasp of surprise. He could see Snape's lips thinning in anger. But he seemed to control himself.

"It is a dark spell which removes the capacity to love from the subject," he grated out. "The subject becomes incapable not only of love, but all softer emotions like pity, compassion, kindness and mercy."

There seemed to be a sneer in his voice.

"And is there any counter curse for this, sir?" Hermione's voice was steady.

"No," said Snape. "The curse has an inbuilt proviso. If the subject ever experiences selfless love, the curse can be broken and the subject shall be free to experience all the-ah- normal emotions."

The sneer was quite pronounced now.

"But when the curse prevents the subject from experiencing love, then how is it possible for him to feel that?"

"That I do not know, Miss Granger, having neither used nor been subjected to that curse." Snape sounded dismissive.

"I wouldn't be too sure of that," muttered Harry under his breath.

Snape's eyes turned to look at him before flicking back to Hermione. "And now, I suggest, we turn our attention back to the lesson."

There was an edge to his voice now and Hermione wisely did not persist.