Snape was a talented duelist. He had been in many wizarding duels, some formal, some informal, and most with his life on the line. His life had been determined by the fate of such duels—and yet he had never duelled like this, full of rage and fear and anguish, when the person opposite was so openly wounded and grieving. He had never duelled someone he wasn’t comfortable killing. Looking at his wife, brimming with pain, quivering with anger, he hesitated. Just for a moment. 