Gerhart's eyelids twitched, but he did not open them. The shorter man took a silver needle from his pocket and pricked Gerhart just above the upper lip. Gerhart's body suddenly sprang up like a fish flung from the water onto land. His mouth hung open as he gasped for breath. His eyes were wide, his pupils unfocused, and it took several seconds before they slowly contracted and focused.
He saw the two Aurors looking down at him with the same disgust they would show trash. He pressed his lips together, making no attempt to plead his case. His fingers clawed at the flagstones, his nails breaking as blood seeped from his fingertips, yet he did not complain.
"Get up." The taller one's voice was quiet but heavy, so heavy it seemed to come from underground. He bent down, grabbed Gerhart by the arm, and hauled him off the floor. Gerhart's legs were limp and could not support him, so he slumped against the taller man. The shorter man moved to his other side and seized Gerhart's other arm. The two of them supported him between them as they headed toward the alley entrance. Gerhart's boot soles scraped across the ground with a harsh squeal, like nails on glass. He did not struggle.
Severus Snape walked ahead. His pace was unhurried, but every step was steady. He crossed the dungeon corridor and came to a fireplace, took out some Floo Powder, and tossed it into the flames. The fire changed from green to orange, then from orange to red. He waved for the Aurors to go first. The shorter Auror led Gerhart into the flames, with the taller one following behind. Trapped between the two men, Gerhart's body curled into a ball and spun amid the fire before vanishing. Snape entered