The Potion Masters' Apprentice
Chapter One:
The Headmasters' office was dark, as per usual during the summer holidays. Dumbledore stood in the center of his office, glancing at his pocket watch. It was fifteen past midnight, Severus would arrive any moment.
Dumbledore took the muggle photograph from his pocket and stared at it, smiling. In the oddly still photo was a young girl whom looked like she was in her late twenties. She had astonishing blue eyes, a soft angelic face, full light pink lips, and hair whiter then Dumbledore's beard.
Standing next to the young girl was a seventeen year younger Dumbledore, smiling serenely. Albus was shaken from his reverie, "You called for me, Albus?"
Severus Snape stood at the threshold of Dumbledore's office. His silkily calm voice echoed through the dark room. "Ah, Severus…yes I called you here because I have a small task…" Dumbledore walked towards the tall, lanky man in his black robes.
He handed Severus the picture he had in his hand, "I need you to go into muggle London and find this girl… last I've heard she works at a…gentleman's club on the outskirts." Severus' eyes narrowed at the muggle made photo.
"And, might I ask, who is the girl?"
"She is an old friend of mine, Severus. She will be The Order's greatest asset against Voldemort." Albus smiled fondly.
"Is she a part of The Order?" Severus asked, his voice doubtful as he looked at the photo.
"She is a vampire, Severus. Actually…she is more than just a vampire… I am hoping that Voldemort isn't after her just yet…"
"Why would he be after her…? There are plenty of vampires out in the wizarding world." Severus was puzzled. The girl in the photo looked attractive, yes, and you couldn't tell she was a vampire at all.
"She is different, my boy…" Albus laid a hand on Severus' shoulder, "But, all in good time, all in good time…"
Severus narrowed his black eyes slightly, "How am I going to be 'collecting' this… vampire?"
Dumbledore chuckled and held out a tightly sealed piece of parchment, "With this port key. This will take you to the back of the gentleman's club at which she works. Once inside you must ask for Absinthe, although she can be easily spotted…She has white hair and bright blue eyes. After you find her you must speak with her in private and tell her Voldemort is back and that the Order needs her. Then give her this parchment and await her answer."
Severus gave a curt nod, placing the photograph of Albus and Absinthe into his pocket.
"You might want to change into muggle clothes, Severus." Dumbledore smiled serenely eyeing Severus' black robes.
With a grimace, Severus flicked his wand and was now in decent muggle attire; consisting of a simple black t-shirt, black jeans and black trainers.
"Not much of a change, Severus." Dumbledore chortled and held out the parchment towards the man still clad in black, "Oh, and Severus…please try to be kind, Absinthe is rather peculiar and hard to deal with when you are a stranger. So tread lightly and after your chat meet me at 12 Grimmauld Place."
With a small nod Severus took the parchment from Dumbledore and instantly felt that familiar tightening feeling as he was transported through port key.
He landed on the pavement like a cat, agile and smooth, he tucked the parchment into his back pocket along with his wand. Severus ran his fingers through his tousled black locks before looking around. He was in an alleyway and he could hear the low rhythmic thumping of the gentleman's club behind the brick walls.
Severus walked down the alleyway towards the streetlights, he stealthily made his way around the bouncers and through the entrance without being seen. Once inside Severus straightened up and glanced around.
Having not been to a gentleman's club since Lucius took him to one in his early years, this seemed very different. The women were scantily clad and very vivacious. At the wizarding gentleman's club the women were dressed rather modestly compared to this.
Severus glanced around, looking for long white hair. The club was about as big as half the Great Hall and was filled with cheering drunken men and nearly naked women. There was a long catwalk in the center of the room and two smaller ones on either side. There were poles at the end of each catwalk along with a small circular stage meant for dancing. On the two smaller catwalks were two women already dancing flirtatiously earning woops from the drooling muggles at the edge of the each stage.
Severus grimaced at the lack of self-control these muggles possessed as he scanned the room for anyone that could offer assistance. He spotted a bouncer near the center stage and glided towards him, "Good evening, I need to have a moment with Absinthe."
The gruff looking bouncer arched an eyebrow, "Abby, aye… that'll be 400 pounds for a private moment."
Sighing, Severus pulled out the muggle money and handed it to the bouncer, "You will get her for me?"
Counting the money, the bouncer nodded, "As soon as she finishes her bit." He motioned to the center stage, "She's the one every man in this place has been waiting fer." He gave Severus a toothy grin, "She is a beauty… Once she finishes I'll take you to one of the private rooms."
Severus nodded and looked around again. He noticed the walls were painted a dark crimson and the stages were lit up in a similar color. Some of the muggles were sitting with girls on their laps, others were standing with their eyes either glued to the two women dancing or to the center stage.
All of a sudden the lights dimmed, and a spotlight lit up the center stage illuminating a well-dressed man with two very pretty women draped around him giggling and smiling. "Ahem, gentleman… it's time for the girl you've all been excited for!"
Almost every man stood to attention and moved towards the center stage, causing Severus and the bouncer to be nearly flushed against the edge of the stage. Severus shifted uncomfortably, he had full view of the glittering silver pole in front of him.
"Gentleman, I give you… Absinthe!" The man said with a flourish, scurrying away with his women as someone started to play an unfamiliar song that Severus could tell was rather… inappropriate? Catcalls could be heard whilst the thumping rhythm played as a girl made her way to the stage, silky white tresses flowing elegantly down her spine.
She was fair with piercing blue eyes and full lips painted blood red. Severus took her in, blinking slowly as she walked down the catwalk, hips swaying seductively. She was clad in leather. A tight leather corset that barely covered her top half, a tiny black skirt that revealed far too much backside for Severus to be comfortable with, and thigh high laced up black leather stiletto boots.
Her eyes roamed the room as a smirk played upon her lips before she wrapped her hands around the dance pole. She peered down and their eyes locked for a split second. Severus froze as he felt a small prod against his mind shields. He narrowed his eyes at the girl, but she was already dancing away on the pole.
Her body glided up and down like a gymnast. She moved with agility and grace as she grinded and moved against the cool metal of the dance pole. Everyone was cheering and she was the center of every single person there…except one.
She stole swift glances at the man clad in black whom was watching her with interest… but not the kind of interest she was used to. She ran the tip of her tongue up the cool metal, making sure her backside was exposed before temptingly licking up and caressing the dance pole like a lover. She grinded and moved and showed off her assets, without revealing too much.
It didn't even feel like an hour by the time she had to stop. Money was being feverishly thrown her way as she bowed, grinning as she strutted away making sure to give the man clad in black a flirtatious wink.
Once off stage Max, a bouncer that was always good to her strode up. "Abby, I got a guy that wants some 'private' time with you." She grinned at Max and gave him a wink, "Should I change?" Max shook his head and motioned towards one of the private rooms.
"He's a bit different… go easy on him, Abby." Max chuckled and sauntered away. Taking in a deep breath the girl walked purposefully towards the private room.
(A.N. Please review! Or comment/favorite/follow if you're interested to see what happens next! :D Disclaimer I don't own HP just Absinthe!)