Emma scratched her nose absentmindedly as the sun tickled it. She leaned back against the tree trunk, her eyes gliding across the pages of her book.

"When do you want to go for dinner?" Severus asked her, but the words barely registered.

She hummed in agreement, her eyes not leaving the page.

Severus scoffed. "You're not even listening."

She waved her hand dismissively, shushing him, as she leaned forward and peered at the passage in her book.

"Come on, Em, I'm hungry!"

"I've got it," she whispered, rereading the passage for the third time. "I think I've got it."

"Got what?" he peered over her shoulder at the page, eyebrows knotted in confusion.

Jumping to her feet, she snapped the book shut. "I've figured out the combinations! Follow me!"

Emma was already halfway to the double doors of Hogwarts Castle when her best friend finally caught up with her.

"Emma, wait! What are you on about?"

"The combinations!" she exclaimed. "I kept looking for ways to change Protego Maxima, because it's so much stronger than the normal version, right? But I don't need to do that! Protego Maxima is much too large a shield to use in duelling and the shield doesn't need to be that strong in a duelling situation. I just need a Protego that goes in all directions."

"Right..." said Severus. "And?"

"And I think I know how."

She bounded up the stairs two steps at a time, arriving before long at the empty classroom only they ever used. She pulled out her wand and turned to face him.

"Protego Ubivo." She swished her wand in a circular motion above her head. A slither of white mist escaped, fading instantly. But it was a start.

Encouraged, she tried again, trying slightly different motions every time. Until finally a fully formed shield, pristine like a pearl, wrapped all around her. She let out an elated laugh.

"Go on, then," she said to a baffled-looking Severus. "See if it works."

He raised his wand and shouted, "Rictusempra!"

The spell hit the shield, only to explode against it, sending a spray of pinkish light in all directions.

"You did it," said Severus, gaping in awe. "You actually did it."

It was cold that Saturday. The trees were naked, all their leaves dropped and dead by now. The sky was clear, yet the sun nowhere to be seen. As she pulled her thick winter robes tighter around herself, Emma wished she'd worn an extra sweater underneath.

Perhaps it was the cold, or the fact that she walked alone this time, but the way to Hogsmeade seemed much longer today. She made her way straight to the Three Broomsticks, shaking off her coat as she stepped inside.

The fireplace in the little pub was lit, bathing the place in warmth. Jordan sat in the middle, on a table big enough for six, waving her over. Emma took a deep breath to drown the nerves out and sat down opposite him.

"Hi, Emmy! It's great to see you. I knew you'd come," he said, smiling brightly, as if the precious time they ran into each other in Hogsmeade never happened.

Did you? I wasn't even sure myself. Emma forced a smile back. "Of course. Your letter was very convincing."

He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry about your aunt. How are you holding up?"

"I've been better," she answered honestly.

"You could probably use a drink." He waved Rosmerta over and ordered two butterbeers.

"Thank you, that's nice of you. So, uhm... You said you knew something about my aunt?"

He grabbed her hand in his and she had to fight the urge to pull away. Be nice. Be nice or he won't tell you anything.

"I was at the end of my shift when she was brought in," he said softly. "You have to understand, there was nothing we could do."

"I understand." The healers would have done everything they could to try and save her. There was no doubt in her mind about that. She paused when the two butterbeers were brought over. As soon as Rosmerta walked away, she continued, "I understand. Please, tell me what happened to her."

His thumb caressed the back of her hand, to her utmost annoyance. "It was awful. There was so much blood." He shook his head.

Emma wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but he didn't seem... quite sad enough. The corners of his lips tugged upwards, as if he was trying to stop himself from smiling. She swallowed the upcoming bile down. Just a little longer. He'll tell me soon.

"Blood?" she croaked out.

Jordan nodded. "I've never seen anything like it." He hesitated, before adding, "Are you sure you want to know? It was quite gruesome."

"I need to know," she said, before he'd even finished his sentence. "The Ministry won't tell me anything. I need to know what happened to her, Jordan, please."

Jordan basked in the feeling of being so important. Now unable to hide his smile, he continued, "I don't know what spell it was. But it looked like she'd been cut many, many times. She had lacerations all over."

Emma's jaw dropped. "L-lacerations?"

He nodded. "The standard healing spells wouldn't work. It was dark magic. By the time we found something that worked, it was too late. She bled to death. I'm sorry, Emmy."

She yanked her hand from his grip as her breathing quickened. The image of her aunt, bleeding from a dozen different wounds, haunted her mind's eye. "Dark magic that caused cuts all over her? You're sure?"

"I'm afraid so. That means something to you?"

She rubbed her hands over her face. That's not right. That can't be right.

"Hey." Jordan gently cupped her face with his hand. "I can see you're upset. Stay with me tonight. I can't take the pain away, but I'll make you feel a little better."

Her stomach turned and she leaned forward. "Jordan, this is very important. You're not lying to me, are you? Is that really what the wounds looked like?"

He tilted his head to the side. "I would never lie to you, Emmy. You're my babe."

Emma jumped up, clasping her hand over her mouth. "I have to go." She'd already taken three steps towards the door, when she turned around and added, "Thank you, Jordan. I don't feel so good, but I'm really grateful."

A grin spread across his face, as she walked out of the pub. Her breath came out quick and ragged. Dark magic. Lacerations all over. She knew exactly which spell caused that. In fact, she was there when the spell was created.

Sectumsempra.

The cold air couldn't cool her now, as she all but ran back to the castle. She had to be alone. She had to think. What did it mean? Was there any other explanation aside from the obvious?

"Emma!"

She was barely inside the Hogwarts gates when the voice stopped her in her tracks. Her hand shot down to her wand.

"What are you doing here?"

Severus frowned and stepped closer. Unconsciously, she took an equal step back. "I waited for you. What happened? What did he tell you?"

"He told me how she died." She fought to keep her lip from trembling, but she couldn't stop the crack in her voice. "He told me the spell that killed her."

"Good. That's what you wanted, isn't it? What was it?"

Is he toying with me? The thought filled her with anger. Could he really have done this? "I think you know."

Severus' jaw dropped. "I don't understand."

Didn't he? She couldn't tell. He'd always had secrets. He was a Death Eater, for God's sake! A follower of the most powerful dark wizard that ever existed. He'd done horrible things before, she didn't doubt that, from all the stories she'd heard back then. And Aunt April... She was an auror. She hunted people like him. Perhaps it didn't matter that she was his best friend's aunt.

"It was Sectumsempra. The spell that killed her was Sectumsempra."

"Oh no..." His eyes widened, shoulders hanging.

"But you knew that, didn't you? It's your spell, after all!"

Something flashed in his dark eyes. He moved as if to step forward, but seemed to change his mind. "Emma... You don't think I had anything to do with this, do you?"

I don't. I don't think that. But what if... What if...

"Is that why you didn't want me to go?" she asked. "Because you knew what he'd tell me?"

Please tell me it's not true. Please tell me it wasn't you.

"No!"

He stepped forward. In a reflex, she flicked her wand out of her pocket and aimed it at him. "Stay away from me."

For a moment, he closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they swam with sadness. He put his hands up to show he was unarmed.

"Emma, listen to me. I have nothing to do with this. I would never hurt your aunt."

"Then who did?" she shouted. "It was your spell, Severus! If you didn't kill her, who did?"

"I don't know!" He sighed. "Your aunt hunted Death Eaters. I taught that spell to too many of them. I'm sorry, but I don't know."

Emma hesitated, wand still drawn.

He lowered his hands. "Emma, please..."

She squeezed her eyes shut. I can't... I can't... "I don't believe you."

With one last glance towards her dismayed best friend, she turned around and marched back to the castle. 

Dear Mr Scrimgeour,

My name is Emma Moore. Perhaps my aunt has mentioned me; I am April Moore's niece, but she raised me as if I was her daughter.

I understand you are currently investigating the circumstances of her death. I am very grateful for that. I hope you can find whoever did this to her and put them to justice. However, I would really like to say goodbye to my aunt and prepare a proper funeral for her. Do you have any idea how much longer

Can you give me an indication

I'm not even allowed into her house!

"Fuck." Emma scratched out the last sentence and threw her quill on the desk. She buried her face in her hands. Her groan was drowned out by a loud, "CROOOAAK."

"I know, Croak, just... Not now, okay?"

When her stomach rumbled in complaint, Emma gave up. She stood up and went to grab the toad from the cupboard, but he hopped away. "Fine," she said. "I'm going for dinner. You can stay out of your cage, but try not to break the place down while I'm away, alright?"

A satisfied "Croooaaak" met her, so she slipped through the door and pulled it shut behind her.

The Great Hall was buzzing when she entered. She spotted Severus at the High Table, but he stood up the moment he saw her and took a detour past the Slytherin table before leaving the Hall. A pang of guilt hit her. She sighed and continued her way to the teachers' table.

"Are you two not on s-s-speaking terms?"

She glanced aside to see Quirinus smiling warmly at her. Severus' warnings and accusations about him shot through her mind, but his pale face and kind smile instantly drowned them out. Innocent until proven guilty, she thought, shrugging to herself. As soon as she acknowledged him, he moved up a seat to sit next to her.

"No. No, not at the moment." She shot him a sad smile.

"I'm sure it'll p-pass."

"Yeah. I hope so." She poured herself some pumpkin juice. "I've noticed something strange, Quirinus."

"S-Something s-s-strange?"

"Yes." She peered at him, her head tilted. "You only ever speak to me when I'm not on speaking terms with Severus. Why is that?"

Quirinus' face paled, as his eyes widened. "Oh! N-n-no, i-it's..." He sighed. "I may as well t-tell you. It's a tad e-embarrassing, but..." He leaned towards her. "Severus s-scares me a little bit."

Emma's jaw dropped before she burst into laughter. Quirinus grinned, a blush on his cheeks. "You know what, I can't blame you. If it makes you feel any better, you're not the only one." She nodded towards the sea of students in front of them.

They ate in silence for a moment. Quirinus was the one to break it. "I heard about your a-a-aunt. I'm sorry for your loss."

Emma's heart constricted at the thought of her aunt. "Thank you. It's been... trying. I can't arrange a funeral, because they're still investigating who did this to her."

"Still? That's taking long. It must be a difficult case."

"They're just being thorough, I'm sure." She shrugged. "But that doesn't make the wait any easier."

"What about you?"

"Me?" Emma shot him a confused look, as he leaned over conspiratorially.

"Do you have any idea who did it?" His voice had gone low, barely more than a whisper.

Emma furrowed her eyebrows. "No, of course not. I have to wait for the investigation to finish, don't I?"

"Right. Yes, of course," Quirinus muttered, but Emma's attention was pulled away to her other side.

"Evening, you two!" Charity chirped happily as she sat down. "Ugh, I've just had the longest day. A full day of teaching, plus a pre-dinner hallway patrol. I'm telling you, those sixth-years cannot stay away from the fifth floor."

"Yeah, I noticed that! What's up with that?" Emma chuckled.

"Who knows?" Charity grumbled. "They know perfectly well they're not supposed to be there. I've had a chat with them for like half an hour. It was quite fun, actually. They get to that age where you can really talk to them, you know? Like equals. They said they had a very interesting Dark Arts lesson today."

Charity leaned forward with a grin, while Quirinus sat up, startled. "Th-they did?"

"Yeah!" Charity nodded. "Something about curses? They said it was more a Dark Arts lesson than a Defence lesson."

"Oh! Well..." He chuckled, straightening his turban. "We did make quite a trip into c-c-curses today. All in preparation for next w-week, when we will delve into the defence against them. Don't tell them, but I've got the b-biggest essay of the year planned for the sixth-years."

Charity laughed so heartily, Emma couldn't stop herself from chuckling along.

"Oh, by the way, Emma, I think Severus is looking for you."

Her heart made an annoying little leap as her head shot up. "He is?"

Charity nodded, as she scooped some mashed potatoes onto her plate. "Uhuh, I ran into him just now. I think he went down to the dungeons, if you want to go find him."

Hesitation rooted her to her seat. Severus was looking for her? Why hadn't he said something when she came into the Great Hall earlier, then? But maybe, she thought, maybe he just didn't want to do this in front of the entire school. Yeah, that must be it.

Emma jumped up and with a quick and breathless "Thanks!" she rushed out of the Hall, down to the dungeons.

"Break a leg!" Charity called after her.