“Did you enjoy it?”
“There’s none I didn’t enjoy here. Why would I suddenly meet with an exception? After almost six years?”
“That is right. They know their craft.”
“Does he always deliver it personally?”
“Dobby is a caring Elf. He has grown fond of me. So yes, mostly he does, even if he doesn’t prepare it all alone. Anything for afters? Marl makes the best stewed pumpkin.”
“Oh, no, thanks.”, Ginevra laughed. “I’m full to the brim.”
“You have no idea what you are missing,”, he smirked when a bowl of said dessert appeared before him.
“I miss Harry.”
“Whom you tell.”, Severus sighed.
“And Luna. And Hermione. Even Ron, blimey.”
“It is no crime to miss one’s siblings. No matter how much of a pest they could be.”
“I wonder where they – ”
“The last notice I got from Hermione was a week ago, actually. They are changing places as good as they can. Those Snatchers – are – everywhere – ”
“Any positive news?”, Ginevra threw in before he could think too much of what he had gotten to know in the Entrance Hall.
“Well, she meant that Harry refused to let her cut his hair ever since she made him `look like a porcupine´ for Hallowe’en when she had to cut more and more because she didn’t manage to get a good shape.”, Ginevra could laugh again, which visibly cheered him up as well, but he continued murmuring after some quiet seconds. “I wouldn’t want mine that short either, to be honest. According to her description, no one would be able to differ us from behind now if he wore slightly higher heels. She also wrote that she went for buying shampoo under Polyjuice Potion because Ron kept annoying them with complaints about him `going for the Snape-look´.”
“What?”, she chuckled, and he couldn’t hold himself either this time.
“He is so tactful sometimes,”, Severus grinned to his half empty bowl.
“Oh yes. Gentle like a Mountain Troll. But how can he know about that anyway. He’s blessed with Dad’s hair.”, she brushed her own in thoughts.
“That isn’t any in my case. There indeed is a porcupine line in my family tree, and that, combined with my mother’s waves; and then Lily’s also thick mass; would make us top candidates for a Stand-Off award, if such was ever given by that crappy Witch Weekly. I am glad that there is a cure which saves time. Though the itching can be horror sometimes.”
“So that’s why you called Sirius the bigger snivelling simp of the two of you, when he complained about fleas again.”
“If I planned on effectively cursing someone for a lifetime, I would wish them my hair.”
“Sure. And Hermione and I would definitely win the women’s cups. God – are we actually talking about hair?”, moaned Ginevra.
“It appears so, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah. Say, what’s that dialect of yours, actually? I mean, I didn’t hear much of it, but it sounds like a mix of Scottish, Cockney and a whole lot of crap.”
“Tha’s pretty much wha’ it is,”, he meant and drained the juice in one go.
“But it’s terrible! Some doesn’t even make sense, when you analyse it!”
“’En dun’.”
“What?”
“Dun’ analyse when ye think it doesn’ make sense at all, Hermione.”, Severus winked, but received a huff. “An’ since when ’ave ye found it wise ter analyse me dialec’?”
“Quite some time ago already.”, Ginevra puffed. “I’m not so sure how wise it is and you might be right about her influence, but that’s exactly what I meant. Like `to´ or `for´, for example! Sure, a lot of people say it crappy, but adding a rolling r is just – ”
“I dunno wha’ ye go’ ter complain ’bou’ tha’. ’T’s completely normal fer me.”
“Yeah! For you!”, she laughed. “So that’s easier for you than the way you speak with everyone? Like you do in class for example?”
“Be far, yes, a lo’ easier. After all I grew up wit’ it. So naturally, it’s far less complicated fer me ter speak. Ye migh’ no’ ge’ tha’ impression, bu’ it’s ’ard ter no’ drif’ inter tha’, as ye call it, mix o’ crap.”
“And I don’t really get how you can speak it that fast.”, Ginevra slowly shook her head. “How can anyone possible teach their children to speak like that! Yes, don’t give me that look. It’s really been me who just said that, not Hermione.”
“Me mother did a good job learnin’ me ter speak – ah, normal as well,”, he chuckled, “An’ I wun’ deny it brough’ me further in life. ’T’s go’ certain advantages when people can keep track o’ at leas’ ’alf o’ wha’ ye’re throwin’ at ’em.”
“And then you do it by using tons of words an eleven-year-old can’t possibly understand, making all first-years feel like they’re the least valuable creatures walking this planet.”
“Ah well,”, he scratched his neck, “Sum’ say, such resides in tha pas’; sum’ child’ood tragedies I never go’ ter come ter terms wit’, an’ maybe they’re righ’ – I’d been readin’ far too much I now know I shouldn’ ’ave read.”
“Oh, for sure, it’s all the books’ fault.”, she curled her lips, trying to keep a straight face.
“Yep, it’s all ’bou’ tha readin’ matters.”, Severus sang childishly. “Books make people’s brains go fuzzy. Better be addicted ter all sor’s o’ drugs at tha age o’ twelve already. Makes tha world look far more beautiful.”
“He’s been taking drugs as a child?”, Ginevra understood whom he was referring to without having to ponder much.
“’E’s been fed wit’ ’em.”
“That explains a lot,”, she sighed mournfully but did indeed catch the look he gave her right when a certain consideration popped into her mind; she decided to dismiss it. “Did you catch any news of Luna lately?”
“No. No’ a single. Bu’ Draco mean’ tha’ if she was dead, we’d surely know firs’.”
“Er – ”
“’E did no’ explain more, bu’ Luna’s ways o’ thinkin’ are diff’ren’. Though no’ so diff’ren’ from mine sum’times an’ I think I know wha’ Draco seems ter believe she’s done. We’ll know, I am certain. So fer now, we shouldn’ worry ’bou’ ’er.”
“Okay.”, Ginevra noted deflated. “Draco said you want him to go home for Easter but he doesn’t really like the thought, after what happened at Christmas. Will you go with him for the summer holidays?”
“It is indeed a temptin’ though’, bu’ I shouldn’. There’s so much tension between Draco an’ Lucius an’ they ’ave ter solve ’eir problem on ’eir own. I meself dun’ like tha though’ o’ intervenin’ more.”
“So where else will you go? New York?”, Ginevra chuckled.
“Naturally ’e told ye. Bu’ no, definitely no’ New York. I know wha’ ye mean though. It’ll be anuther place qui’e likely, an’ yes, wit’ tha same people, bu’ no’ New York.”
“And Draco will accept your decision?”
“’E’ll ’ave ter, I’m afraid. I ’ope ’e’ll ge’ ter understan’ why I wish ’im ter go. Narcissa gave me notice tha’ Lucius’s never been worse. ’E desperately misses ’is son, o’ course, an’ seeks refuge in alcohol. Las’ summer already, ’e accused me o’ ’avin’ stolen Draco from ’im.”
“That’s a cruel thing to say – ”, the girl’s eyebrows narrowed.
“Tha’s Lucius’ way ter express failure.”, he sighed. “An’ if Draco doesn’ go voluntarily, I fear I see no ’ope fer ’im ter ever recover. Bu’ Draco knows o’ ’is mother’s strength an’ ’is feelin’s towards ’is father ’ave switched so drastic’lly wit’in a year tha’ I see ’ardly any chance fer reversal. ’E’s gotten ter acknowledge wha’ Lucius ’asn’ o’ ’imself. Draco’s grown up an’ noticed ’is father’s flaws. Bu’ rather than tryin’ ter understan’ ’is position, rather than tryin’ ter fergive Lucius, ’e’s locked ’is shutters an’ clung ’imself ter me. Lucius does no’ understan’ tha’ I offered Narcissa me ’elp, fer ’im rather than Draco at firs’. As much as Draco used ter believe I relished in ’is father’s fall from tha ranks while ’e ’ad no idea tha’ tha Dark Lor’ ever preferred me over Lucius, as much Lucius does believe now tha’ I ’ave imposed meself on Draco under tha disguise o’ wishin’ ter ’elp. ’E’s jealous tha’ I’ve go’ a better relationship wit’ ’is son than ’e ’as.”
“Have you been jealous of Sirius?”
“No.”, Severus answered honest to her conclusion. “I was really glad tha’ Harry ’ad found sum’one. I still canno’ fergive meself fer ’avin’ been as prejudiced towards Sirius an’ accused ’im o’ bein’ a traitor as everyone else ’ad.”
“I can’t really imagine what it was like for Harry to watch him die – ”
“’E nearly died wit’ ’im. Harry was born inter a ’orrible family, if no’ tha wors’. ’Ere were times when I ’ad no doub’ tha’ we’re seriously cursed.”
“So that’s why you protect me – ”, for a moment they only stared into one another’s wet eyes. “You don’t want him to suffer the same like you did – ”
“Yes, tha’ is why.”, he nodded mournfully and his teardrops weren’t capable of saving one of them from falling anymore. “An’ ’cause I really like ye.”
~~#~~
“You know, I don’t want to do this just for the sake of it.”, with a smack, the bud splattered its juice all over his thick clothes, the cloth he had bound around his nose and mouth and the safety goggles he wore. “Oh shit – ”
“Careful! Careful, Mr Malfoy!”, Madam Sprout moaned over the table, but he wasn’t the only one to be decorated with the bright blue substance. “You are supposed to collect it, not paint yourselves. Concentration, please.”
“Sorry, Ma’am.”, he replied.
“That’s rich. I mean, look at her.”, Hannah mumbled, completely clean so far.
“Yeah. She’s not better, honestly.”
“But she’s right, Draco. You got to grab it cautiously right behind, you see, only with two fingers. Then bend it down over the jar, and very slowly – push in the needle. If you don’t pull it out as slow, you’ll have it splattering all over. So. That’s that. You see that little drop here where I pulled? Squeeze it out from the front, bit after bit and really slow. That’s pretty much the deal. Not difficult at all. You just need a calm hand and a lot of patience.”
“Oh wonderful! Has everyone seen that? Would everybody just take a minute and see how Longbottom is doing it? Please demonstrate it again. They seem to not have seen it thoroughly past my podgy fingers.”
“Alright, Professor.”, Neville smiled under his cloth and squeezed out another, his robes and face still being as clean as Hannah’s afterwards.
“Excellent! A good hand! Twenty points to Gryffindor. And Hufflepuff, if I take a look at that jar Miss Abbot has in front of her. Great work! Carry on.”, Draco merely huffed and – failed at another, luckily not seen by Professor Sprout, who now looked along the table whether there was the possibility for more points to be awarded, but couldn’t find any in the brown and blue group.
“Yeah. Great work. Seems you’re both born for that. But what can I say,”, he bent down the next bud, “I was trained to destroy, not to groom.”, and that one burst open as well, though this time the majority of the sticky liquid landed inside the jar.
“That’s a start,”, Hannah chuckled and leaned over to kiss a part of his tight hood that wasn’t sprinkled blue. “You’ll get there, I’m sure.”
“Probably. After a decade of constant piercing and squeezing. No, but honestly, I won’t do that.”
“I thought I remember you saying it’s part of the game,”, Neville murmured, successfully three buds further.
“I did. But you have to understand. Would you send your father straight into death?”
“No.”
“There. I will trick him around if it’s bringing us further, but I won’t lead him into such a trap. That’s cruel – and sick. We’re no killers.”
“Finally you admit?”
“Hey!”, Draco hissed. “I never really wanted to kill him,”
“Okay, okay. I’ll think about it. But that’s going to need a whole different plan. Got to work that out with Ginny though. She’s better at such. Seems to be in the famil- oh crap – ”
“What’s it?”
“Hannah, would you mind reaching over and give me a new needle, please? Mine’s just cracked.”
~~#~~
“That’s awful,”, she panted as she held herself to a tree and looked down into the long trench, through between rows of trees that were crossed like askew fangs in the very huge, broad jaws of some primeval monster.
“Dun’ ge’ closer, please. Like I said, I dun’ wan’ ter lose ye ter a tunnel.”
“You said, you don’t want Harry to lose me to a tunnel.”
“Jus’ ’bou’ tha same. Ge’ ou’ there, please.”
“Okay.”, she reached up for his held out arm and he easily pulled her up. “You’re right. Sometimes you really shouldn’t stretch luck too much. It’s a miracle that it happened while we were on the walk. I never thought I’d say that, but thanks for making it compulsory. Incredible that this thing held where we dug it under the channel but that the old tunnel couldn’t cope with some rain.”
“’T’s been ’undreds o’ years ol’. I should’ve known tha’ tha explosions would make it weak. An’ it’s been too close be tha shore. We’re really lucky tha’ nuthin’ more ’appened.”
They made their way further down the trench and she spotted something faintly blue deeper in the woods, but had to concentrate too much on the ground as to bother anything that was going on in the depths of the forest. Finally they reached the trench’s end, where Severus securely helped Ginevra past the half corrie. That part was already far away from the lake, so it took them numerous minutes to reach the shore. Some grass under leaf carrying trees descended flat into the water and Ginevra startled from some movement by the roots of one of the trees closest to the water, a few of the thick roots standing into it like pipes into a well. With a slack gesture she meant Severus to stop and slowly approached the being.
Though having escaped some time ago, it seemed still used to human presence. It was easy for her to pick it up and even stroke it. By the look the toad gave her, she knew it had missed such touches. She carried it over to Severus who had sat down in the short, slightly moist grass and leaves from last year with his legs crossed. Both studied it sitting calmly in Ginevra’s hands after he had supported her down onto his lap so she wouldn’t drop it.
“Unbelievable!”, the girl aspirated. “There’s really no such thing as coincidence, is there?”
“I ’ardly think so.”, Severus chuckled and brushed his right forefinger over the animal’s head, which it visibly liked. “Ye should se’ ’im free again though.”
“Alright.”, Ginevra meant, leaned forward and sat Trevor down, upon which he immediately jumped away, into the water and swam out of sight. “Neville’s becoming more and more obsessed.”, she considered with her eyes drifting over the surface that mirrored the cloudy sky above. “He wants us to plan how we can set effective traps for you and the Carrows. His ideas are reaching a lethal level already. You should watch out.”
“Thanks fer tellin’. I’ll keep an eye open.”
“He and Seamus already installed a fully functional bolt gun spiked with poisonous arrows behind that one tapestry by the Gargoyle. The moment you stepped into the string, it would have pushed up the tapestry and nailed you to the other wall. Spied on them from around the bent, behind a suit of armour. When they were gone for a couple of minutes, I triggered it from there. It was some really impressive construction. You wouldn’t have stood a chance. At least one of those arrows would have hit you. Draco told me he’s trying to keep him on the ground, but he seems to listen to Hannah, rather. That’s why they decided she should deliver all the messages he’s got for Neville, making it look like she came on her own account. It helps, I think.”
“Dun’ worry ’bou’ me, Ginevra.”, she had turned her back on him and sunken to his chest, whereupon he had gently wrapped his arms around her and stroked her head.
“You can’t stop me from doing so, Dad.”, Ginevra held one of his arms close and fondled his hand as well, and naturally didn’t miss the slight gasp. “You’re alright?”
“I – it’s – it’s jus’ – ”, he muttered and though she didn’t see his face, she knew he was fighting back tears and his breathing became heavy and halting. “Callin’ me – ”
“If it makes you feel better, I can just call you Severus.”, she suggested, but he held her even closer.
“N-no – it’s really – I dunno – like a – sunrise – a – an absolutely – stunnin’ – incredibly beautiful – sun– ”
He broke off in tears, his head nestled to hers as he continued stroking her and she moved her right hand up to his free cheek, gently brushing away the thick tears, firm, but tender and continuously.
Like so often, a fire burnt in the chimney to give the hall some warmth while it was pelting down with rain on the other side of the high windows. By one of them, a glass in hand, stood a tall blond man and counted the drops that ran past his eyes which were fixated on one spot. It was a white dot in some distance behind the blur, one of the peacocks that had meant to seek shelter by a hedge. Meanwhile his wife had moved her hand from his right shoulder to his cheek, but he only took another sip, showing the goblet more affection when all of his fingers enclosed it and held it to his heart.
“I can understand him, you know?”, a faintly older woman said, leaning in one of the black leather armchairs with her legs crossed, twirling her dark hair with her wand. “The Dark Lord. That he locks you two in here. But I see no reason for him to – ”
“For a moment it sounded as though you were questioning the Dark Lord’s decisions,”, her sister replied quiet, her eyes on her husband’s profile while she fondled his absent face.
“You dare to – ”, a slight shrillness drifted into her tone before she was cut off a second time.
“I merely said what it seemed like to me. No offence intended, Bella.”
“I wouldn’t advise you to offend me either,”, Bellatrix continued hollow. “It makes me mad, you see?”, she added, a little fierce again.
“Oh really? Forgive me, I had no idea how easily you get offended and rough.”
“Mind your tongue, Cissy. You’re not in the position to be snooty.”
“As far as I see it, I didn’t change my tone several times within not even half a minute.”
“Nitpicking?”
“Not nearly. After all, my affiliation with the Dark Lord has not changed over the past year. He is still as ignorant towards me as he ever was. Rather like you, if I may note, who has given her life for deepest devotion to him – just to be – well,”, Narcissa turned her face to the window so neither would see the maliciously satisfied smirk that didn’t reach her voice, “Dropped aside like a miscarriage and locked away from the world’s sight.”
“You dare to – ”, Bellatrix had leapt up, her wand pointing at her sister’s back.
“There is no need for you to repeat yourself. I understood you clearly first time.”, Narcissa remained calm. “And you don’t want to torture your own sister, do you? You already plummeted morals. Try to keep your dignity a little higher, if that is still possible.”
“She’s right; you’ve fallen quite deep.”, all three spun at him, not having noticed him standing in the open doorway until then.
“Oh look who’s here!”, cackled Bellatrix, her eyes shortly flicking to Lucius at the sound of chiming metal and breaking glass.
“Be careful – ”, Narcissa gasped when he staggered towards his son immediately.
“Has he set his toy free?”, Bellatrix sneered on.
“I’m no one’s toy.”, Draco countered grim. “Rather like you.”
A second later, his slight anger left him in a gasp. Shaking, but still firm, a pair of arms was flung around him and a hand dug into his hair, pulling his head to another, after a thick kiss found its way on his cheek. Thrown off the track, he could only stare onto the dark, wooden floor further on the other side of his father’s shoulder. He was used to the smell of the whine, but not to that. Completely petrified, he could not even return what he had never received before. It was over before he was actually aware of it, and, a firm hand on his left cheek, like it hadn’t ever been either, he stared into the glassy eyes that were slightly greyer than his, a dazzled smirk of half open lips below.
“Hi Dad – ”, he only breathed, confused by the different way his fathers’ trembling fingers brushed over his face.
“Oh is this touching,”, Bellatrix mock wailed, making Lucius’ smile freeze. “Now look at that. You care for him at last?”
Four wands, quicker drawn than their owners expected it, found their target in a split second. But only one made her collapse to her knees with a surprised scream. Panting a little, she looked at the source, in blind flight searching for her own wand which she had dropped.
“Sorry – ”, the girl moaned, her formerly free hand on her mouth with wide open eyes. “It just – slipped me – ”
“Who is this cow and who forgot to teach her manners!”, Bellatrix shrieked and collapsed with a more terrifying cry before she could heave herself back onto her feet.
“Mind your own manners.”, Draco hissed when he had lifted the curse, but Bellatrix chuckled through her panting.
“You have learned, boy.”, she grinned madly. “Yours was far better than that b-”
“Shut your mouth or I throw you out!”, gnarled Lucius as she raised at last.
“You cannot throw me out, Lucy.”, her conceited snarl was back and she slowly strutted towards the group by the entrance. “The Dark Lord will not be pleased, if you do so.”
“He’s said nothing about not dropping you in the rain.”, Draco noted.
“Don’t get arsey with me, kid. You’re not your mother.”
“As if you differed anyone you believe to be below you.”, the girl who stood in the door, mumbled with her wand still raised.
“You filthy – ”
“Easy!”, Draco did a single step away from his father and stopped his aunt in place with his wand at her throat. “Dad may not really be in the condition to kick you down the main stairs, but I might, if you insult her again.”
“Oh.”, she fake sulked highly exaggerated. “Looks like the baby has found himself a girlfriend again!”
“Exactly. And she’s my guest here. If you can’t behave in front of guests, you’ll have to leave the party.”
“And who is this little bird now?”
“Hannah.”, Draco answered coldly.
“Hannah who.”, Bellatrix crossed her arms, unimpressed by his drilling wand.
“That’s irrelevant. She’s my girlfriend. You better get used to it alr– ”
“Hannah Abbot.”, her tone and expression were as dark as Draco’s had been before she interrupted him.
“Abbot?”, Bellatrix sang. “Don’t tell me you’re the bitch of – ”
This time no scream followed the attack that made her go down. Narcissa’s hands had clapped on her mouth and Lucius instantly lost all hints of colour that had been left on his skin. Too angry to fully realise that he had been in a similar situation only some months ago, Draco stared down on his aunt, an indescribable revulsion on his face as he watched her coughing blood. Not enough, flooded with rage and disgust, he reached for her hair and dragged her outside with a strength he hadn’t known to possess, ignoring her screaming – and struggling, which only made her pain worse.
Outside, he simply pushed his foot into her back and returned to the hall as if it was an everyday thing for him to kick and let his aunt roll downstairs. Before he could close the door, she had fallen silent. He didn’t care whether she had only passed out or actually died. It didn’t even shock him that it just had been him to have done that, nor whom had watched it. Though he had an idea that if she survived, it wouldn’t end well for him. However, there was still the hope she wouldn’t remember the incident.
“What.”, he grunted at the disbelieving chuckle of his mother, robbing the knuckles of his left hand. “It’s war. She wants it, she can have it. And in case, I can still blame it on the blood.”
~~#~~
Followed by stunned eyes, the hooded man climbed the marble stairs up to the high doors. The guards were so struck to see him that they forgot about their mandatory check. But he had nothing to fear from them anyway. His long cloak fluttered over the clean, mirroring marble floor as he paced through the alameda of wood, all sorts of shining metals and gems glistening from them in the light that fell into the huge hall from crystal chandeliers and a glass cupola above. Too busy, none of the small workers looked up. So he went unstopped, straight ahead to the rear end, where he would finally arrive on one of the counters and was greeted with equal surprise as at the entrance. He returned it courtly and placed the sealed envelope right between the knobbly hands.
Those fingers carefully tore the seal with one of their sharp nails after a security check on the authenticity and pulled out the folded paper. Dark eyes, far darker than his, scanned over the writing, a little suspicious. But in the end convinced of the genuineness of the listed signatures, he lifted his head and barred two lines of pointed teeth that separated for calling a colleague in their language. That one came scurrying along and received the paper from him, taking a quick look at it himself.
“Very well, Sir, if you would follow me,”, the bald Goblin requested with his gnarling voice and led the man through one of the doors and into a cart that stood ready for them.
Cool turbulence dashed into their faces when they rushed further and further into the underground. The last time his reason for coming had been for depositing something. But now he had arrived with a greyish Mokeskin Pouch that had been lent to him for this specific job. War was expensive. Uniforms and armour needed to be manufactured, cracked or lost wands replaced, potions bought for the wounded ones. Their brewing couldn’t be requested from one single person anymore. Too many were injured. Those generously set signatures were a great help and the massive donations would be honoured, at least by one.
Deep in the underground, far away from anyone’s eyes, vault after vault was emptied, their content stored in the leather pouch, careful not to miss a single piece. All according to what had been written onto the paper above the signatures. Lastly signed and approved, by the Dark Lord – himself.
Goblins were famous for their natural greed. But it was nothing compared to that of sophisticated humans. They would pay for their greed, literally. No loss could be compensated in gold, but the bereaved were mostly poor, having had to leave everything behind which they had built up in decades of hard work. They deserved something for a living. They fought for their lives, not for pleasure. And those they fought against, were too busy with their precious war, just like the Goblins above were too busy with the treasures, so much they wouldn’t even notice that Robin Hood had paid one result of their greed a visit.
In the last vault the pouch was slipped into another along with the list of generous signatures, both hidden from the eye, from that greedy world. Goblins were famous, for their greed and their secrecy. For the second, Robin Hood was as well. Blood money. It shall return to those who lost blood. Bit by bit. The world had enough for everyone to live a good life. The only flaw, human beings were generally terrible at dividing their resources. But they would learn, brutally, that only those who gave honestly would receive honestly – and those who took with greed, would eventually be victims of their own behaviour. It was a long process of understanding and human souls went through endless numbers of shells, ever suffering from that process, but there was hope in the world, faith in the world, hope and faith of those who had learned that lesson. And that was one of the strengths of mankind, that would lastly win, lastly, on Judgement Day.
With that knowledge, that faith, Robin Hood climbed out of the cart a last time and walked back past those rows of woods and shining, glistening treasures, under the busy noses of sheer uncountable Goblins, through the high doors, past the guards and down the marble stairs, still hooded, still covered, even though it was a bright day in the Easter Holidays. His long cloak travelled over the cobbles, his face now hidden like many were these days, hidden by a scarcely shimmering metal mask. Others in such disguise, on patrol, greeted with simple nods. He greeted them back, alike.
Everyone was busy, even out in the alley that was comparatively empty now, now that it was war. Still everyone was too busy to see, whether busy with quick purchases in the few stores that were opened, or busy with fear of being caught for various reasons, justified or not.
Like a miracle, bright and shiny, the joke shop stood there and, taking the one and other glance, customers scampered in and out like mice on the run from falcons. A paper bag with apparently just little food in one hand, his wand in the other, one of the owners came walking around the corner, too busy himself as well, to see the craving look of the woman that sat on the floor by the opposite building, her grey clothes torn and dirty like her face. Nursing her weak baby, her shattered eyes pleaded him, but he didn’t see. Not until his own followed the hooded that crossed his way, followed him angrily, his wand clutched ready to strike, ready to defend himself. But what he did not see yet was, that this time, there was no reason. Nevertheless he called out, for the woman’s defence instead, spotting her only then when the hooded knelt down to her and she slid backwards with anxiety.
“Hey! Gargoyle! Get away from her!”
His wand was at the stranger’s back, but the woman’s fear transformed to confusion, when a number of small objects was pressed into her hand and pale fingers shortly but gently caressed the chuckling child’s head. She gazed up at him as he raised and turned for the ginger. Their eyes met in a brief moment. Then he walked on. No one had seen it. Too busy were the few other people in the wound alley. Through the grey clouds, a thin ray of sunlight fell, making the trumpet in the ginger’s ear glisten for some seconds, like the golden Galleons in the woman’s slack hand. There was hope.
“Hey. Gargoyle.”, he called another time and Robin Hood turned back at him. “Good luck.”
A faint nod, like he had given the others before, but much more honest, he turned another time. As faint, a smile glided onto the lingering pair’s lips as well, and they looked at one another. Then each of them went into different directions. The ginger into his shop, the woman wrapped her child and Disapparated, and Robin Hood went further down the alley.
At a crossing, he turned into the next, went down the stairs, into the even more narrow lane, past a ruin that had hardly been touched in all those months that had passed since the silver handle of a cabinet had flown across the roofs and through a window, the silver handle that hung behind a frame over a stand of bright orange crystals, up in the twins’ shop. Even fewer people were outside in the darker alley and he halted, almost unseen, but completely unbothered, in front of one of the sordid buildings. The old, part mouldy door gave in for him and he carefully climbed the creaking stairs until he reached another door among many, in a slightly better state in spite of the dust, dirt and spider webs surrounding it. His fist knocked three firm times.
Very slow, the lock clicked and the door was opened; behind, a man held up his wand with a shield conjured to his protection and though he had expected to find someone of that appearance in this door sooner or later, panic distorted his features. But it fell off at a simple act: his opponent had removed his mask.
“Forgive me, if I have scared you.”, he spoke. “May I come in?”
“O-of course, y-yes! Do come in, Sir!”
“Thank you.”, Robin stepped into the small, drab flat and finally pushed back his hood, freeing his shoulder-length bouffant hair when he had closed the door behind and it was securely locked by the other man.
“I cannot offer you too much, but a tea, perhaps? I might even have an old bottle of Scotch somewhere – ”
“No need, I am fine, thank you.”
“Oh please take a seat,”, he hectically waved him to one of the two moth eaten armchairs at a scratched wooden table, the fireplace at their side, cold, empty and as dusty as the rest of the house.
“The new government does not seem to be too friendly to you.”
“I have nothing to complain. I have a roof over my head, I live.”, the man meant, nervous, when they sat down after the other had not bothered to hide from him that he cast more protective enchantments on the flat. “How can I help you, Sir?”
“You have done enough for me. I actually came to reciprocate.”
“B-but what for?”, he aspirated.
“By your present, you have done not only me a grand favour, but probably enabled my entire family to live a better life, and many others, if content of your work should effectively be used for turning our present situation into a lighter one.”
“I don’t quite understand – ”, his confused smile didn’t vanish yet.
“There have been rumours, that, like the former government banned your work for publishing texts about Dark Magic, the recent banned the rest for containing too bright – ”
“Oh partly, that is true, yes.”, he chuckled limply. “In sooth, they offered me to resume my work, if I could pay for publishing. I am a writer! Surely they must understand, that after confiscating all my work, my alls, I cannot account for any more publications! I – ”
“I perfectly see the vicious circle, Mr Bullock.”, his pale fingertips were meanwhile laid together and his legs crossed. “That is where I come into play.”
“You, Sir? Of course I know of your influence among the Death Eaters, but – ”
“I do not wish to sound like a braggart, but my influence,”, he retrieved his black pouch and reached into both in one, “Mr Bullock, is by far bigger than you or anyone, even the Dark Lord himself, might be able to imagine in their weirdest, most peculiar dreams.”, Bullock simply stared at the Gringotts sack that was sat down on the table. “One thousand Galleons, provided by none other than the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.”, his eyes popped out even more on the name.
“Mr Yaxley?”
“Mr Yaxley. I believe, it should be enough for publishing your encyclopaedia at last and legally.”
“But that is – ”, he disbelievingly brushed over his untidy beard, “Mr Yaxley?”
“As I say. But he does not want to be credited, or thanked in any way. As a secret admirer of your work, he was eager to help when I informed him that I had knowledge of your whereabouts. He merely wishes your newest book published. I have informed Flourish and Blotts. You are awaited in the course of the day for arrangements of your cooperation.”
“That is just – I – I don’t know what to say – I – ”
“Go and buy yourself some new robe.”, he stood up and strolled over to the dusty window. “You deserve it. I have ever been a defender of proper educational work, Mr Bullock. Yours shall not be in vain. Your grandchildren should be able to say that they are proud of you, especially since you were too proud to admit to them that everything has been forcefully taken away from you. No one deserves having to exclude themselves from their family because of being ashamed of having been robbed.”
“Alas, Sir, I – ”
“You worked hard for convincing people of being open minded towards all and were disgraced for your courage. If a brutal regime cannot be brought down by being fought, it has to be infiltrated. Slowly and steadily. Because, even if its head shall fall, the minions will continue and another head will grow and rise to power. You cannot get rid of any fungal infestation by simply cutting off the fungi. You will have to poison the roots, silent, unseen, unsuspicious.”, his eyes caught sight of some seriously bothering movement down in the alley, but he dissembled it. “Publish your encyclopaedia, Mr Bullock. Grant our children some thorough education.”
“I cannot – express – how much – ”, tears stood in his eyes when they followed his guest who came back.
“There is no need, Mr Bullock.”, he smiled gently and took both his trembling hands, whereupon a sort of connection seemed to have been created between them. “No need. Just take care of yourself and your family. If there is anything you need, simply send and me an owl. I will make sure that it passes the security measures unnoticed.”
“Thank you – ”, Bullock aspirated and as he shook his aide’s hands, the tears flowed down his cheeks, into his long beard. “Thank you, Mr Snape, thank you! And please send my gratitude to Mr Yaxley as well, regardless of how much he wishes to hear or not. Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure, Mr Bullock. I wish you a Happy Easter, and good luck for your further life.”
“So do I wish you! Thank you! May you be blessed!”
Severus only nodded, conjured his mask from thin air, put it on and covered his head with his hood again. Then he left, quickly. No time for running, he flew downstairs and the front door made way another time for him. The small group stood not far ahead in the lane. They had cornered and confronted the man already, bound him with an Anti-Disapparition Jinx, as it seemed, but he had conjured a domelike shield over himself, ready to resist.
“And you think that will help you?”, one of the masked snarled. “You’re outnumbered, Werewolf! No chance!”
“We’ll see, who doesn’t stand a chance. Dolohov, isn’t it? I know it’s you. That mask doesn’t make your voice more angelic. That’s for Hermione!”, he slashed his wand upwards and Dolohov fell to his knees under a horrible scream of pain when the spell hit his chest under his thick robe.
“Dark Magic? You use it?”, he had landed behind the group and all of them spun around while one of them was quick-thinking enough to kneel down and Disapparate with Dolohov for medical aid.
“I dun’ believe me eyes!”, laughed one of them, his accent giving him away. “You? Here?”
“Let us say, I needed some fresh air. What would be better than inhaling the pleasurable smell of Knockturn Alley?”, the others added their own laughs, though one made sure, their victim couldn’t run away with his shield by gluing his shoes to the cobbles. “Lunch break?”, however, Remus gave his laces a faint flick and tried to get out of his shoes as slow and with as few moves as possible.
“So to say.”
“Well, we might quite likely face a rare phenomenon here. It appears, London has set lunch to five in the evening? You better get back to useful work, Corban. So should all of you. Believe me as I say, I can deal with that cub alone. There are some, ah, personal issues left to be sorted out between us. You surely understand. I am certain, so will the Dark Lord.”
“And how I understand. He’s yours. Come on, guys. The puppy’s in best hands. Say farewell to the world, wolfie!”
He added an imitation of a howling wolf and with some more laughter, the Death Eaters Disapparated, leaving the two completely alone in the alley. The slightly bluish shield flickered and collapsed and a hand grabbed his before he realised that either bond had been lifted as well.
“What the – where are we? Where did you bring me? Let go of me!”
Remus struggled heavily, but Severus just pushed back his hood and took off his mask which fell to the floor with loud clattering like Remus’ wand, while pressing him against the greyish white archway between the dusty rooms. Hating himself, he did the only thing he knew to work. Clearly shocked at first, Remus resisted for some seconds, but then he gave in and returned his passionate kissing. However, his leg was ferociously pushed down when he had attempted to wrap it around Severus’ waist and Severus pulled back, panting heavily.
“Never,”, he champed with rage, “Ever, force me to do that again, you hear me?”
“Severus – what – ”
“What in blazes have you been doing in Knockturn Alley, you moron!”
“I – I just came from buying a new dress for Dora. You know, she’s really round already. I don’t think it’ll be long. But then I saw you enter Gringotts – and waited for you to come. Took you quite a time in there,”
“As if I don’t know.”, Severus huffed.
“I followed you. Why did you give that woman money? And what did you do in that house? I waited outside again, but then this pack came along – ”
“I believe, Hermione has tried to provide you all the answers to those questions months ago already.”, Remus just eyeballed him, unable to find words to negate that truth. “The Order isn’t dead,”
“You say.”, he chuckled flatly. “More than half of us are dead. And you killed – ”
“I am well aware that I had to kill our leader.”, Severus murmured, keeping up the eye contact. “But the Order, Remus, isn’t dead. Though Ted is.”, it took Remus some moments to catch that message.
“What?”, he aspirated.
“Snatchers killed him almost a month ago.”
“No.”
“He went on the run.”
“I – I – know – ”, Remus whimpered.
“But was caught. They killed a Goblin who was with him – and – ”, Severus took a deep breath, “And Dirk.”
“D-Dirk?”
“Yes. I – saw his Patronus die. So did Ginevra.”
“Ginny?”
“He sent me the message when she was around. He could just tell me what happened. He was in a similar situation like you, but in a forest. Somehow he managed to run away and send me that Patronus, but a Killing Curse hit him.”
“No – ”
“You think, I don’t know how many of us are dead? I know far more than you do.”, snarled Severus.
“And now?”, Remus breathed deeply, but it was obvious he had serious problems doing so. “What is this place here anyway?”
“I grew up here.”, at last he backed away, but unfortunately had to push Remus to he arch again because the latter’s knees had refused to carry any weight.
“Rather empty, isn’t it?”
“I emptied it. I no longer live here, but still pay the rent in case it is necessary. Completely unsuspicious. I have renewed various enchantments at the site shortly after my mother’s death and did so again, betweenwhiles. You cannot enter through the doors or windows, even when they are open. You can only Apparate inside, and only people I have brought in personally before. It has been some kind of experiment of mine and it seems I succeeded. If Tonks and you ever need a place to go, you may use it.”
“Thanks – ”, he meant slack, examining his surrounding.
“Can you stand now?”
“I think so.”
“Good. If you need something, knock on the table in the living room.”, Remus pointed on it with a clearly sarcastic chuckle. “Yes, that is a table. It’s connected to the Hogwarts Kitchens. Dobby will be pleased to serve you. Running water’s in the kitchen behind. I’m up in the shower. Hadn’t any in a week. I had to make sure Neville doesn’t overdo himself. He’s on his own, now that I sent Draco home early and Ginevra is hiding in my old office apart from lessons.”
“What?”
“I’ll tell you everything when I brought you home.”
“O-okay – er Severus?”, he stopped him on the first stair.
“Yes?”
“Mind if I used that bathroom after you?”
“If you really use it after me, no.”
~~#~~