"Did you find her?" Severus asked on the first floor of the Central Library.
"No!" Gong Saiyi answered from the second floor. "I think she may have already left. Apparition isn't forbidden here."
Severus glanced at the surrounding bookshelves and the pipes of the pneumatic delivery system.
"What about that friend of yours?" Gong Saiyi asked.
"We're going to the next place," Severus said.
"I think you can handle her on your own," Gong Saiyi said. "I'm going to see my brother."
Severus did not answer.
"You want me to stay?" Gong Saiyi asked.
"You can go," Severus said.
"I'll come find you when I'm done." With that, Gong Saiyi Apparated.
Severus took out the communication crystal, but did not hurry to use it to contact anyone.
"I know who you're thinking of." Albus Dumbledore's voice sounded behind Severus. "You're thinking of that boy."
"I'm thinking of no one." Severus put away the crystal and said coldly, "Why do you keep pestering me? Why don't you go find Grindelwald?"
"Are you wondering whether Napoleon truly forgave Josephine?" Dumbledore asked. "If Pomona returns one day, can you truly forgive her?"
"You and Grindelwald separated because of Ariana," Severus said. "I won't let the same thing happen between us."
"You know, everyone keeps telling me not to trust you," Dumbledore said. "But I still chose to trust you, Severus."
Severus gave a false smile. "Then why didn't you tell Minerva about our plan?"
"I think you know why." The old fool spoke sorrowfully. "I thought you might have learned a lesson."
"What lesson?" Severus spun around angrily, but there was no one behind him.
"Don't forget your oath," the old fool said.
"What else do you want me to do?" Severus said furiously. "You took everything from me!"
"You said it yourself: