Shadow & Love

23* In the Middle of the War

The flames billowed Severus' cloak, ash fell on the hearthrug and Severus stepped from the fire in the headmaster's office, still elated from visiting Leonor and Eileen and strangely well rested after only an hour in Leonor's arms.

A familiar silly cackle greeted him and then he saw the victorious expression of Alecto Carrow who stood in the middle of the room with the door handle in the left hand. In an instant, he drew his magic wand and pointed it without hesitation to her chest. She flew backwards and crashed to the wall.

Amycus stood in the broken door snickering madly about his sister's defeat.

"Did I ask for a visit?" said Severus coldly turning from Alecto to Amycus who's grin froze under the headmaster's unfaltering gaze.

"There's a new slogan in the second floor," stammered Alecto defending herself breathless.

"We seek permission to punish the students now," said Amycus with a calculating and equally provoking look.

"Allow us to search the Gryffindor dormitories first. I'm sure we catch them red-handed," demanded Alecto.

"Any evidence?" drawled Severus menacingly.

"We heard footsteps on the seventh floor when the brats run for it," sputtered Alecto while her brother gazed wickedly at Severus. His wish had been denied several times already.

"I expected a bit more devotion in tracking down the scum. The traitors are mediocre children at best, aren't they?" hissed Severus threatening Alecto with his wand. "Or are you not quick enough to follow upstairs?"

"Leave her alone," smirked Amycus without really caring about Alecto. "You scold us, but you are too soft, headmaster." Amycus emphasized the last word with disdain.

"Indeed," said Severus dangerously calm and challenged Amycus with an indifferent look. "The Dark Lord wants to raise the pure-blood offspring well and in his favour. They'll all learn who's the master soon. Gryffindor's need naturally a bit longer."

Amycus continued insulting Severus by changing the topic, "I heard the healer is back. Did she let you fuck her or where have you been?"

Alecto grinned in delight and Amycus sneered as if he scored a spectacular goal.

"Since when I'm accountable to you?" answered Severus calmly after a loaded silence. Severus' thin lips twitched, and the eyes narrowed.

"Anything else?" drawled Severus intimidating.

"The Dark Lord won't be delighted hearing that you are not able to cast a Crutiatus C—", started the new DADA teacher again.

In that moment Amycus and Alecto keeled over, writhing in pain on the floor. The unspoken curse hit them unexpectedly and Severus released the spell very slowly. He was livid, his eyes mad and wild.

"Please can you repeat that?" asked Severus coldly. "I should answer to it promptly," he scoffed.

When the two Death Eaters hunched up to a pathetic position, their faces pale and shocked, Severus roared, "Leave my office! Now!" That scared them finally away. The Carrows crept panic-stricken through the door and tumbled down the narrow stairs.

Severus sent another spell after them that both tripped over their feet and landed on the hard stone. Amycus got up with a bloody nose and looked cowardly back at Severus then he run down the long corridor as fast as he could. Alecto called after her brother and followed equally frightened.

Severus repaired the broken door and heard Phineas cheer behind him for putting them to the flight. Others murmured of betrayal and breach of law. Severus didn't mind. It had been past due, and Severus felt much better now.