The Yule Ball - Part Two

Held aloft by the gambolling crowd of students, Professor Flitwick was bodysurfing across the dance floor when Luca, Georgina and Penelope entered the Great Hall. They caught sight of the diminutive wizard escaping from a sea of legs, relieved that his feet had made contact with solid ground.

Gone was the well-mannered frivolity of the estimable Yule Ball; within a few bars of the Weird Sisters' drums and bass guitar, the icicles adorning the ceiling were in danger of melting from the flow of rampant adolescent hormones. The threesome became giddy with excitement as they threw their hands in the air and bounced their way into the centre of the crowd. Red-cloaked Durmstrang boys danced with enthusiastic Hogwarts and Beauxbatons girls, captivated by the flamboyant all-male band.

As the first song ended to screams of adoration, Luca noticed one of the Nordic boys glancing his way, and to Luca's delight, the boy returned a coy smile. He lost sight of him when the next tune exploded into life, and he became encircled by the horde of students. Luca danced with Georgina and Penelope until the young man slipped into view again, surrounded by a group of girls enraptured by his dance-floor prowess.

Georgina, it seemed, hadn't missed a beat. By the end of the second song, she had traversed the dance floor, led the gorgeous young man back to their group and introduced him to Luca. His name was Nikolai, and he had been gifted with short, dark wavy hair and compelling blue eyes. He stood just a tad taller than Luca.

Over the delirious roars of the crowd, he shouted, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Luca!" They shook hands a little longer than necessary, and Nikolai flashed him a devastating smile which carried a hint of mystery.

Penelope yanked Luca's head out of the clouds with an elbow in the ribs, and then the blonde Ravenclaw stepped forward and bellowed, "Penny!"

Nikolai took her hand, kissed it politely, and then quickly stuffed his hands in his pockets. Georgina slipped Luca a sly smile. Bagpipes launched the next tune, and before long, Luca and Nikolai were carving their own space on the dance floor, to the claps and cheers of an admiring audience.

Georgina and Penelope were sharing a discreet nudge and wink at Luca's antics, acknowledging the obvious chemistry shared by the two boys, when Alicia reappeared, looking as though she'd been wandering around in a daydream. Penelope squeezed her hand, and Alicia awakened, her eyes sparkling with a smile of pure joy.

The girls noticed she had returned without Brent Armstrong, and they began to wonder what had become of her date. Alicia beamed at the sexy lead singer and was soon moving her hips seductively to the music. Whatever had happened to Alicia seemed to have unleashed something previously repressed, and in a short time she was holding several male students in her thrall.

Luca made the most of the distraction, whispered a suggestion into Nikolai's ear, and steered him out of the Great Hall into the cold, snowy night air.

Even though Nikolai was a year older than Luca, he was much less experienced. The young man was shaking with nerves as Luca took him by the hand and walked away from the castle, towards the footpath which led to the Gamekeeper's hut. Arriving at one of the huge stone monoliths, Luca cleared its base of several inches of snow and was about to lay his cloak on the frozen ground when Nikolai pushed him against the frost-covered block, his lips urgent and hungry.

What followed was fast, fervid and mind-blowing. Having been sexually frustrated for the entire school term, Luca was appreciative and responsive, and also glad that he'd taken Nikolai to one of the remotest places in the castle grounds. Afterwards, they slouched on Luca's magically-warmed garment, with Nikolai's red cloak wrapped around them.

Feeling peacefully contented for the first time in months, Luca was intrigued by the mesmeric young man lying in his arms, whose naivety seemed almost child-like. He wondered how he had managed to overlook him before tonight. The Durmstrang boy seemed a contradiction: handsome yet awkward, intense but also inhibited, and eager whilst in some ways constrained. Luca considered this conundrum whilst the thin bluish light of Nikolai's wand glimmered in the freezing night air, illuminating the pleasing contours of his face.

"Vot is it like for you at Hogvarts?" Nikolai whispered into Luca's neck.

"What do you mean?"

"How is the students and teachers getting on vith you?"

"Fine. Why?"

"But, you are... gay?"

"Oh, you're asking if I get picked on... No, not really. Not anymore. When I first came out, I got the usual jokes about the poof from Hufflepuff, but that was all."

"So... nobody opposes you?" Nikolai's voice was disbelieving.

"Opposes? No. Or if they do, they don't have the nerve to say so. Of course, it helps that Dumbledore's gay. Not that it's widely known... But he wouldn't stand for that kind of harassment."

"Your Headmaster is like you?" Nikolai's eyes were wide with shock.

"Yes." Luca looked at his companion earnestly. "Why do you ask?"

Nikolai sighed sadly. "I am vishing it vos the same at Durmstrang."

Before Luca fully understood the implication, Nikolai's lips had found him again and they became engrossed in another long, heated embrace.

At the other side of the castle, Professor Snape scoured the perimeters for trysting couples, blasting apart rosebushes and feeling increasingly agitated. Karkaroff trotted at his side, pestering him with oblique references to his Dark Mark, testing Snape's patience to the limit of endurance.

Knowing Karkaroff had blown the whistle on dozens of Death Eaters, Snape could understand the man's current predicament, but he remained wholly unsympathetic; Karkaroff had squealed about Snape's own affiliation to the Council of Magical Law, and although this had done nothing to alter the course of Snape's life, he knew the transmogrified Durmstrang headmaster to be utterly untrustworthy.

"I really don't see what there is to fuss about, Igor.*" Snape told him curtly, nearing the corner of the winding pathway. The snow under his feet compacted with a pleasing muffled sound.

His auditory experience was ruined by Karkaroff's insistent undertones. "Severus, you can't pretend this isn't happening! It's been getting clearer and clearer for months, I am becoming seriously concerned, I can't deny it...*"

"Then flee," Snape replied, barely caring. "Flee, I will make your excuses. I, however, am remaining at Hogwarts.*"

They rounded the corner and jettisoned another young couple from a dense rosebush whilst also upsetting a herd of buzzing, living fairies. The Potions master was on the verge of capturing the vacuous creatures and cutting off their wings for his next Potions lesson, when he caught sight of the very reason he needed to remain at the school: Harry Potter.

Lily's son and his red-headed sidekick were ambling along the pathway, eyeing the professors suspiciously. Snape almost lost his temper.

"And what are you two doing?*" he snapped. In the corner of his vision, he saw Karkaroff twisting his ludicrous goatee around his finger once more.

Snape wouldn't have lasted two seconds as a triple agent if his body language were as transparent as Karkaroff's. Should the Dark Lord return to corporeal form, the security of Snape's world would alter irrevocably, and he would have to stage a web of deceit more complex than any which had gone before. By comparison, Karkaroff's dilemma seemed almost trivial.

"We're walking," Weasley said tersely. "Not against the law, is it?*"

"Keep walking, then!*" Snape growled and pushed past the two boys, wishing he could tell Karkaroff to take a walk, too. Unfortunately, the Durmstrang headmaster was stuck to his side like Bubotuber pus.

Snape pulled the hood of his cloak over his head, and the two men walked further away from the castle, checking nooks and crannies for signs of rule-breaking and secret rendezvous. They searched the snowy grounds in silence; their last verbal exchange seemed to have mollified the Death-Eater blabbermouth. Before long, Snape noticed a bluish glimmer in the distance and headed towards the wandlight, wondering what clandestine activities they were about to thwart.

He was not prepared for what he was about to witness.

"Mostovoi!" Karkaroff shrieked, hoisting a young man up by the collar and dragging him away from his companion.

Sitting on the ground was a dishevelled sixth-year boy, who, moments earlier, had been in a passionate embrace with the Durmstrang student. Luca Caruso gasped at the sight of the two professors bearing down on them, and he looked helplessly at his erstwhile suitor's agonised expression.

Snape found himself lost for words, but Karkaroff was all over Nikolai Mostovoi like a Niffler on a cache of Galleons.

Nikolai stumbled as Karkaroff shoved him forcefully away, as though touching the young man would somehow contaminate him.

"P–professor K–Karkaroff!" the young man stuttered, the blood draining from his already pale face.

"Mostovoi!" Karkaroff snarled. "You are a disgrace to my school! What do you think you are doing with this... this... boy?"

"I – I – I'm sorry, Professor! I – I vosn't thinking straight... I..."

"Enough!" shouted the Headmaster. "I have seen and heard enough!" Karkaroff snatched Nikolai's wand and pressed the illuminated tip into the boy's chest. "You know the punishment for this!"

Real fear crossed Nikolai's face now. Luca leapt to his feet, his wand at the ready.

"You're not going to hurt him, Professor Karkaroff!" Luca warned. "He's done nothing wrong."

"Nothing wrong?" Karkaroff repeated incredulously. "You really are priceless, aren't you? You disgusting little freak!"

Luca's eyes narrowed dangerously, and he raised his wand directly at Karkaroff's face, sparks issuing from its end.

Snape finally intervened. Stepping forward, he shielded Karkaroff and flicked Luca's wand away. "Put it down, Mr Caruso. No-one's going to get hurt."

"But he's going to torture Nikolai!" Luca's voice sounded shrill.

"No I am not, you stupid boy!" Karkaroff spat. "Mostovoi knows the punishment for fraternising with other... boys..." He said the latter word with undisguised distaste and then turned to face his student. "Expulsion!"

"What?" Luca almost screamed.

"You heard me, Nancy-boy. Nikolai Mostovoi will be expelled from the Durmstrang Institute!"

With that, Karkaroff dragged Nikolai away into the darkness, leaving Snape's black eyes staring into Luca's shocked face.

"Sir," Luca began. "I'm so sorry; I didn't know..."

"That Professor Karkaroff is a homophobic despot?" Snape finished for him.

Luca swallowed. "Is he really going to expel him?"

"I expect so."

"Oh, God."

"There's no point praying to your deity, Caruso. That boy's magical career is about to end in tatters. If you want to help him, give me your wand."

"I beg your pardon, sir?"

"Give me your wand, and I shall attempt to intercede."

"But, how?"

"It will cost you thirty House points and a detention with Mr Filch."

Luca groaned. "Filch? Really?"

"Yes. There is no time for indecision. Give me your wand now, or stand by and watch your friend be expelled in disgrace."

Luca handed over his wand without further delay. Snape aimed at the ground and executed a graceful swish. "Confundo!"

"What's that for?" Luca asked, bemused.

"Wait for me here, Mr Caruso."

With a dramatic billow of long black robes, the Potions master left Luca standing in the dark. The frozen monolithic stone was his only solace.

Half an hour later, Professor Snape retraced his steps to find Luca Caruso waiting for him in total darkness, shivering in the cold night air. At least the boy had sense enough to follow my orders, he thought.

Luca was huddled in the shelter of the ice-covered stele, wrapped in his cloak, conserving as much body heat as possible. Snape realised he'd left the boy without his wand, and his dress-robes would have provided little comfort from the freezing conditions. He considered that House points might not need to be deducted after all.

"P–professor!" Luca stuttered.

"Mr Caruso," Snape intoned.

"W–what happened?"

Snape handed Luca his sequestered wand, gesturing that he should accompany him back to the castle. Luca fell into step at his side, quickly casting a Warming Charm upon himself.

"Mr Mostovoi has escaped expulsion," Snape informed him.

Luca heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Professor Snape."

"But he shall be sent home tomorrow morning, never to return to Hogwarts."

The sick feeling in Luca's stomach returned, although not as pronounced as before. "But that's not fair, sir!"

"Consider it the best possible outcome. Professor Karkaroff would have hung, drawn and quartered the boy, if left to his own devices. Suffice it to say, Mr Mostovoi will now be punished for letting his defences down and finding himself in a compromising situation."

"How do you mean, sir?"

"I performed Prior Incantato on your wand, demonstrating that you had Confunded Mr Mostovoi into accompanying you outside, leading the Durmstrang headmaster to surmise that you had taken advantage of him."

Luca's jaw dropped at the implication.

"That's not what happened! I'd never do such a thing!"

"I should hope not, Mr Caruso."

"So why did you...?"

"It was necessary to provide Mr Mostovoi with an alibi of sorts, so he could escape the not-unreasonable assumption that he is gay."

Luca kept pace in silence for a few moments.

"It's hard to believe that someone can be punished so severely just for their sexuality, sir. Can Karkaroff get away with such blatant discrimination?"

"Professor Karkaroff can do whatever he pleases. He is the Headmaster; he sets and enforces the rules. You must know already that Muggle-borns are refused entry to the Durmstrang Institute?"

"Yes, I knew that sir, but I thought..."

"That Karkaroff's prejudices didn't extend to sexuality?"

"Um, yes, I suppose so, sir."

"Then it is time for you to wake up and smell the Veritaserum, Mr Caruso." Snape stopped walking, halting them just outside the extent of the castle's illumination. "Hogwarts is a model of tolerance and discretion compared to some of the other wizarding schools."

Luca assimilated this information slowly, admiring the Professor's masculine silhouette contrasted against the chiaroscuro of the castle lights.

"You would do well to value your liberty and appreciate your freedom." The professor's tone darkened as he continued, "Others are not so... fortunate."

Professor Snape dropped the hood of his cloak, preparing to re-enter the castle. Luca was lost in the subtext of what had been said and felt unable to reply.

"Detention with Mr Filch, seven o'clock tomorrow evening in the caretaker's office. Do not be late."

"I'll be there, sir."

Snape nodded once and set off towards the Great Hall.

"Oh, and sir?" Luca called.

Snape turned mid-step.

"Thank you, sir."

The Potions master waved his hand in dismissal and stepped into the glowing luminosity, sweeping away like a black spectre and disappearing from sight.

"Where've you been, lover boy?" Georgina hooked her arm through Luca's and led him towards the drinks table. "What the hell? You're freezing cold!"

"Freezing cold and thirstier than a Grindylow," Luca said as he helped himself to a large glass of punch, glugging the contents down and pouring himself another measure. "Merlin, there's no alcohol in this stuff either," he grumbled.

Georgina frowned. "Move over," she said, jostling him to one side. "Looks like I'm going to have to serve myself yet another drink. Perhaps I should have found myself a gallant Gryffindor to keep me topped up for the evening..."

"I hear Percy Weasley is available."

"Very funny, superstud."

"Don't, Georgie. It's been a disaster."

Luca's sorrowful expression caused Georgina to take him by the hand and guide him to an empty table in the corner of the Great Hall. "I saw sexy Snape a moment ago, just ten seconds ahead of you. He seemed quite... chuffed with himself." Georgina paused, tracking Luca's reaction. "Well, perhaps not chuffed, but he'd stopped looking like he'd sucked on a wasp."

"We had a little... chat," Luca said. "Actually, he was as kind and considerate as I've ever known him."

"Sounds interesting," Georgina coaxed. "What did you talk about?"

"Sexuality." Luca almost smiled when he saw her expression.

"No, never! You didn't... ask him?"

When Luca snorted, Georgina let out the breath she'd been holding.

"No, I didn't ask him. But Snape seems very... sympathetic... You might even say sensitive. He understands what it means to be gay."

Georgina's eyes widened. "So you're saying..."

"I don't know what I'm saying. I just know that he really helped me out tonight."

"Helped you with what?"

Luca sighed. "Oh, it's such a mess. Karkaroff and Snape caught me and Nikolai making out. Nikolai's been sent home in disgrace, but it would've been much worse if Snape hadn't intervened."

After a detailed description of the events, Georgina leaned back into her chair and cast her eyes around the room. "We'll have to nip any rumours about Nikolai in the bud. People are bound to talk."

"Yeah, but what if they talk about me? What if word gets out that I Confunded him?"

"But that's not true!" Georgina exclaimed.

"That won't stop the gossipers," Luca said glumly.

Georgina gave his hand a squeeze. "I shall personally apply the Tongue-Tying Curse upon anyone who breathes a word against you, and I won't let the Durmstrang gang muddy your reputation, even if it means I have to Imperio Karkaroff."

"Professor Moody would be proud of you," Luca commented.

"You bet." Georgina flashed him a smile. "So, anyway, enough turmoil. What was he like?"

"Who?"

Georgina slapped him on the arm. "Nikolai, you nincompoop."

Luca smiled suggestively. "Hotter than a Hungarian Horntail."

She bit her lip. "Spill! All the details. Was he a virgin?"

"If he was, he isn't now."

"Luca! You jammy git!"

Luca laughed, knowing she wouldn't begrudge him, despite her envy.

"Sometimes I feel like I'm the only virgin left at this school," Georgina said wistfully.

"I wouldn't say that," Luca replied. "I'm fairly sure Alicia is as pure as the driven snow."

"I stand corrected," she bit back. "I'm one of two virgins left at this school."

"You realise that if I swung the other way, I'd only have eyes for you, love."

"Oh, yes. That makes me feel loads better."

"Sweet Merlin, I would never have pegged you with self-esteem issues." He rolled his eyes, leaned over and whispered in her ear. "You're what, all of seventeen years? That's much too young for a mid-life crisis, my dear."

"You're not helping."

"Georgie, you're sporting a great set of tits and have an arse to die for," Luca remarked. "Trust me, you're a drag queen's wet dream."

"Truly?"

He nodded his head, eliciting a grin from her. "I love you, too, darling."

"You'd better." He grasped her about the waist and led her towards the main floor. "Now shut up and dance with me, you virgin tart."

The Weird Sisters started a slow number; Georgina clasped his hand and wrapped her arm about his shoulder.

"So, what do you think about Viktor Krum?" Luca asked.

"Well, he's a lovely dish. Tall, dark and brooding," she replied. "Sort of like our dear professor – minus the biting sarcasm, rich voice and undeniable masculine grace."

"You forgot the billowing."

"Ah, yes. How could I have forgotten the billow? It's one of his most distinguishing features," she said with a sigh.

"Utter bullocks! We all know his most distinguishing feature is his nose."

"You are such a cad." She giggled.

He twirled her around and abruptly pulled her back to his chest. "You know what they say about noses." He wagged his brows suggestively. "The man must be hung like a centaur."

"I thought that was just a myth?"

"Let's just say that some myths are rooted in truth," he replied. "Now our dear professor bears three spectacular indicators of an impressive todger: he has long, elegant fingers, what appears to be an impressive shoe size and a distinguished conk."

Georgina buried her head in Luca's shoulder in an attempt to stifle her laughter. "I cannot believe we're actually discussing his dick."

"My love, if there's ever a part of anyone's anatomy that deserves to have odes composed in its honour – besides your succulent breasts, that is – it's definitely Snape's manly bits."

"You're going to go there, aren't you?"

"You know me all too well, Georgie." He pulled her close, nestled his face alongside her ear and salaciously murmured, "There was a Potions master of exceptional merit, who was blessed with a massive todger along with the ego to bear it..."

To the casual observer, Luca and Georgina seemed to be a couple happily caught in the early stages of love. Perhaps they were, to a certain degree, as their behaviour was a testament to the strength of their friendship. The couple continued to swirl around the dance floor, oblivious to a set of eyes watching them curiously from the shadows.

"Dear Merlin, can you imagine a younger Snape?"

"Can I ever?" Luca replied with an exaggerated leer. "The mere thought sends my heart, amongst other things, racing."

"It's too bad we can't play out our academically-inspired fantasies upon Viktor."

"And, why ever not?" he asked. "If we were to dress him in elevated boots, black robes and cast a Silencing Charm to hide that heavy accent, he'd be a rather convincing substitute."

"Don't bother," she said. "He apparently tried to show some interest toward Alicia, but after that little Quidditch debacle she wouldn't take the bait. Besides, he decided to chase after Potter's little frizzy-haired friend."

"The swot? Oh, that's bound to be interesting. I bet he doesn't get lucky tonight," Luca replied with a laugh.

The last song of the evening came to an end, and Luca led her off the dance floor while the room thundered with applause.

"Well, speak of the devil." Georgina nudged Luca and tilted her head towards one side of the Entrance Hall.

There stood Viktor Krum, alone, having already bid Hermione Granger goodnight. As they made their way towards him, Viktor turned and cast Georgina a broad, slightly goofy smile.

"Hello, Viktor!" Georgina greeted him with a fond hug and then introduced Luca.

Viktor nodded politely, saying, "I haff observed you and Georgina carry yourselves very vell on the dance floor."

"You noticed," Luca replied with a smirk. "Our families are close friends, and as a result we were forced to endure formal dance lessons together during childhood."

Georgina flashed a smile at Luca which bore an unspoken request. She knew Luca would instantly decipher her intent – years of friendship had oiled the wheels of non-verbal communication.

Luca nodded briefly and said, "Goodnight to you both, and Happy Christmas!" He then embraced Georgina and whispered in her ear, "I expect all the juicy details tomorrow!"

As Luca headed for the stairs, Georgina turned her attention towards Viktor. "It's been such a pleasant evening. Won't you be a dear and escort me back to my House?"

"It vould be my pleasure," he replied.

Viktor offered her his arm, and she readily accepted. They slowly made their way towards the dungeons engaged in light banter.

"There is von thing I haff yet to understand," Viktor said.

"Oh, what would that be?"

"You are vithout doubt von of the most attractive girls at Hogvarts." His mouth curved in a brief smile. "Vhy is Luca the only male I haff seen you vith tonight?"

Caught by surprise, Georgina blushed at the compliment. "In all honesty, I'm not quite sure how to answer that. It's just happens to be the way things turned out."

He softly chuckled at her response. "Sveet Georgina, you seem to haff every boy at this school chasing you."

It was Georgina's turn to laugh. "They may glance my way on occasion, but I'd hardly refer to that as chasing."

"I haff a secret to tell." He lowered his voice to a stage whisper, leaning his head towards hers as they walked. "Ve look at girls like von views dessert. Some are pleasantly sveet, like a simple biscuit served vith tea. Others are pretty, like iced petit fours, but they lack substance. A few are decadent – like rich chocolate truffle."

She snuggled closely against his arm while giving him a coy glance. "Pray tell, which category do I fall under?"

In a swift motion, Viktor captured her in his arms and spun into a darkened alcove before she had a chance to react.

"You, my dear, are the epitome of decadence." He cupped her face in both hands. "Pure. Rich. Decadence."

Before she could respond, his lips pressed down adamantly upon hers. Her mouth slowly began to soften as he caressed her cheeks with his thumbs. Viktor slid one hand around her neck, and he raked his fingers through her hair. As he ran his tongue along the seam of her lips, she gasped. He slipped his tongue between her slightly parted lips and drew her body closer as he wrapped his arm about her waist. He was able to elicit a small moan from her, and he deepened the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning into his body without thought. Her knees seemed to give way, and she hung onto him.

It was much too easy for Georgina to lose herself in the fantasy that she was in her professor's arms. As his kisses became more heated, his hands began to explore her body and she was utterly lost.

"Georgina, I haff never vanted a girl like I vant you," Viktor murmured hoarsely against her temple.

Her reverie was broken by the sound of his voice. His fingers brushed across her nipple before she realised he had worked his hand beneath the bodice of her gown. She gasped at the compromising position in which she found herself, acutely aware she was out of her depth.

"Your body is nothing but delicious curves," he said, palming her breast and gently squeezing it.

"Please stop," she managed to stammer. As she attempted to pull away from him, he pressed his full length against her body, effectively pinning her against the wall.

"Sveet Georgina," he crooned in her ear. "Close your eyes and relax." His free hand ran down the length of her thigh and began lifting the hem of her dress. Georgina momentarily stiffened before she began pushing and thrashing in earnest. She managed to break free, wheeled about and ran from the alcove, with Viktor following close behind. He managed to reach out and grasp her arm, only to be met by the end point of her wand.

"Georgina." He sighed heavily, raising his hands in supplication. "I am sorry. So terribly sorry!" He ran his hand through his hair in exasperation and cursed beneath his breath.

"You are nothing more than a toad-licking scoundrel!" she indignantly spat, unaware of the tears streaming down her face. She inwardly berated herself for stupidly succumbing to an adolescent fantasy, all the while verbally casting aspersions on the propriety of Viktor's parentage.

"Do I detect a problem, Miss Smyth?"

The rich, smooth drawl visibly startled both students.

A keen observer, Professor Snape stepped into view and assessed the scene before him with a cool, albeit calculated detachment, noticing Georgina's dishevelled appearance and angry stance in contrast to Krum's guilty and apologetic deference.

Drawing a deep breath, Georgina momentarily closed her eyes in an attempt to regain her composure. "No, sir. I believe Mr Krum and I have come to a mutual understanding," she icily bit out.

"Is that so?" He pulled a linen handkerchief from thin air and presented it to her. "Then perhaps it would be prudent if you lowered your wand."

Georgina slowly complied and quietly accepted the handkerchief, turning away from both men to dry her eyes. Somewhat calmer, she returned the damp cloth to the professor with a murmur of thanks.

"As this situation appears to have reached a certain degree of resolution, I suggest you return to your room, Miss Smyth."

With a curt nod, she strode down the dungeon corridor and quickly out of sight. Professor Snape then turned to scrutinize the lone young man.

"If that vill be all, Professor..."

"I don't believe you've been dismissed, Mr Krum." There was a steel edge to his dangerously low voice. He slowly circled the boy much like a predator ready to strike. "This situation has yet to be resolved to my satisfaction."

Krum stood straight-backed, eyeing the Potions master warily. As he didn't know how much the professor had witnessed, he chose to remain silent.

"Cat got your tongue, Mr Krum?" Snape continued to stalk around the international Quidditch star, baiting him to speak, and then stopped directly in front of him to look him in the eye, surreptitiously probing his mind wandlessly, hoping to catch a glimpse of what had transpired.

The Bulgarian seemed to realise his ploy and dropped his gaze to the floor.

"Assaulting a student is a very serious matter, Mr Krum. One would have thought you'd have something to say for yourself."

"I did not assault Georgina!"

Krum's eyes met Snape's again, and this time, Snape saw a flash of Miss Smyth's bodice and bosom being fondled by Krum. Any amusement he might have felt about the teenage fumble was drowned out by his fury. The Bulgarian Bonbon had obviously used his celebrity credentials to entice an attractive young woman into his lair, and Snape was not about to let Krum manhandle his way through the female contingent of the House of Slytherin.

"I wonder what Miss Smyth would have to say...? Perhaps I shall question her in the morning." Snape smirked when he observed a crack in Krum's composure. "I daresay Professor Karkaroff will be interested to hear about this little episode."

"Professor Karkaroff vill understand. I vill be excused."

"Oh, really? So certain, are you?"

"Yes," Krum replied churlishly.

"Well, we'll soon see about that. I shall meet you at the Durmstrang ship in ten minutes' time, and we will discuss this incident with your Headmaster."

Krum's features were resolute, confident that he would be acquitted.

His cockiness irked Snape. "Whatever the outcome, I assure you, if you so much as breathe upon another Slytherin female, I shall personally pack your trunk and escort you back to the Durmstrang Institute."

The Triwizard champion raised his eyebrows, nodded once, and then headed quickly for the steps out of the dungeon.

Snape found Professor Dumbledore at the top of the staircase. The Headmaster was watching the last stragglers leave the Great Hall and make their way back to their dormitories whilst humming under his breath and rustling an empty sweet wrapper in his hand. His breath smelled of mint humbug.

"Headmaster, I am glad I have found you."

"Severus, I trust you have had an enjoyable evening?"

Snape nodded brusquely without listening. "I need to speak to you about Viktor Krum."

Dumbledore rolled the toffee around in his mouth. "Durmstrang's champion? Why?"

"I have just witnessed him forcing himself upon a seventh-year girl in a deserted corridor. I don't care if he's a Triwizard champion – he must be disciplined."

"And you do not trust Professor Karkaroff to mete out the appropriate punishment... Have you informed Durmstrang's headmaster?"

"Not yet. I've sent Krum back to the ship, and I'm going to speak to Karkaroff presently. But I have doubts..."

"Doubts?"

"Yes, Headmaster. I have already witnessed the near-expulsion of one Durmstrang student due to his ill-advised liaison with a Hogwarts boy. Karkaroff is a misogynist; he won't care about Krum's behaviour... If anything, he'll applaud it."

Dumbledore scratched his crooked nose thoughtfully. "You may well be correct, Severus. It's unlikely that Karkaroff will penalise Krum with any degree of fairness. Such is the way of things."

"I have no intention of standing by whilst Karkaroff demonstrates prejudice and favouritism."

"An interesting statement, coming from you, Severus."

"I've never been a male chauvinist, Dumbledore. I do not share Karkaroff's... values."

The Headmaster considered this for a moment. "By all means, tell the Durmstrang Head about his recalcitrant champion, but don't expect it will achieve anything."

Snape's nostrils flared as he processed the information.

Dumbledore hushed his voice. "I assume you have talked to Karkaroff about other matters?"

"Yes," Snape replied crisply.

"Well?*" Dumbledore prompted gently.

"Karkaroff's Mark is becoming darker too. He is panicking, he fears retribution; you know how much help he gave the Ministry after the Dark Lord fell. Karkaroff intends to flee if the Mark burns.*"

"Does he? And are you tempted to join him?*"

"No," Snape replied, watching Fleur Delacour and Roger Davies walking up the stairs, and feeling grossly insulted by the question. "I am not such a coward.*"

"No," Dumbledore agreed. "You are a braver man by far than Igor Karkaroff. You know, I sometimes think we Sort too soon...*"

Dumbledore walked away, leaving Snape feeling as though he'd been kicked in the stomach. In two sentences, the Headmaster had praised him for his bravery, and then stupefied him with the suggestion that he may not be a true Slytherin. His courage might have earned him a place in the House of Gryffindor. Lily's house. The revelation was as far-reaching as it was unwelcome.

Snape strode out of the Entrance Hall and through the courtyard, lost in contemplation of the choices he had made at the age of eleven.

At half-past-midnight, the Potions master hiked back to the castle. His fists were clenched as he climbed the gradient through a fresh flurry of snowflakes, his errand having ended in failure, just as Dumbledore had predicted. Krum escaped meaningful punishment, but Snape won two concessions: Krum was not to approach or speak to Georgina Smyth during the rest of his stay, nor was he allowed to start or perpetuate any rumours which might sully the girl's reputation as a result of the incident. The outcome was far from what he'd hoped, and the injustice lined the pit of Snape's stomach with bitterness.

He had witnessed sexism in a league of its own during Voldemort's reign, but not because this brand of bigotry was instigated by the Dark Lord; the heir of Slytherin openly welcomed women into the fold and had even offered to make an exception for Muggle-born Lily Evans. The Dark Lord's interest lay purely in magical talent – what people could do for him. In Snape's experience, men outnumbered women in their ranks purely because fewer women had the requisite thirst for power.

The downside to Dark Lord's strategy was his lack of interest in ethics and morals. Death Eaters openly practiced their prejudices and persecuted those who failed to comply with their narrow-minded view of the world without fear of punishment by their leader. And so, a homophobic man like Karkaroff could get away with worse than murder and believe his behaviour justified.

Snape had seen two unfair punishments at the hands of the Durmstrang headmaster that very evening. Nikolai Mostovoi had nearly lost everything after a consensual liaison whilst Viktor Krum had almost been congratulated for forcing unwanted attention upon a girl, all because of Karkaroff's warped principles.

And so, trudging his boots through the deserted grounds and pushing his bitterness to one side, Snape resolved to find a way to regain his sense of equity.

He re-entered the courtyard which, earlier that evening, had been full of carriages, and he recalled the embarrassing incident with Alicia Spinnet. Snape was satisfied he had prevented the situation from turning ugly, by helping a vulnerable young woman escape the clutches of a smart-aleck Ravenclaw. As he passed by the spot where he had apprehended the couple, he reappraised the matter, realising he had only deducted ten points from Brent Armstrong's house because, at the time, he had not known the conceited libertine had spiked Miss Spinnet's drink with Amortentia. In hindsight, ten points didn't seem nearly enough.

Snape passed through the antechamber to find Argus Filch waiting for him inside the doorway with Mrs Norris curling around his feet and mewing at the dark cloaked figure.

"Mr Filch. Just the person I wanted to see."

"Evening, Professor Snape. What can I do you for?"

"How are you fixed for student detentions this week? I have a seventh-year Ravenclaw in desperate need of... rehabilitation. Seven evenings should suffice."

"Rehabilitation, you say?" Filch replied. "It'd be my pleasure, Professor."

---

Authors' Note:

Where we have quoted dialogue from the original Harry Potter books, we have marked it with an asterisk.

This chapter was written by Agnus Castus and rosewood.

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