The curse of the jade scorpion

"No!"

"Come on Severus. It will be fun."

"With you due respect, headmaster, I do think I have more important matters to take care off than spending an evening watching a muggle magician doing things I can do myself with only a swift with my wand."

"Severus, its only entertainment. The whole staff will be there. Even Argus agreed after some persuasion. I would be very pleased if you decided to join us."

An old man who went by the name of Albus Dumbledore stood in the potions masters' office. He was wearing his half-moon glasses, a pair of blue and purple robes and a blue hat. His silver grey beard and hair had grown even longer since the last term. Albus happened to be Hogwarts headmaster and the one wizard in the world Voldemorts feared. Severus Snape, the potions master, sat in his chair behind his desk, starring up at Albus with his emotionless face. The never smiling man one might call him. He was dressed in black and his black hair was greasy as always. Though he did not want to go, he respected Dumbledore and was ever grateful for the help he was granted when the Dark Lord vanished.

"Yes, headmaster."

"Excellent. We're meeting there at eight. Here is the address. Don't be late."

Albus Dumbledore wrote the address on a little note, handed it to Severus and then left the room quietly. Severus sat in the darkness. It was his element. Only the light from a candle light brightened up his office. Jars filled with all sorts of magical creatures decorated the brick walls. Gloomy and frightening. The dungeons were hardly any of the student's favourite places, except the slytherins perhaps, who happened to have their commonroom down there.

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Severus wasn't very fond of muggles, or anything muggle related. Muggle cafes included. Still, he had, after much persuasion, agreed to attend at the show. After all, the whole staff was going. Even Argus.. So there he stood, right outside a small muggle cafe with a banner above the door that said; I Magical Margus, a magician like none before. Only tonight. Severus snorted and muttered for himself; Morons! If only they knew that real wizards do exist, then he wouldn't be fantastic any more, now would he? /I

He entered the room. It reminded much of a circus. The cafe was full of people form all over Britain who had come to see the show. They were all dressed in muggle clothing, probably because most of them were muggles. Jeans and sweaters with silly hats and stockings. An old woman patted him on the shoulder and smiled friendly at him. Her teeth was yellow and pointing in every direction, her figure was round like a ball and her clothing reviled far much more then Severus wanted to see. Severus hurried away from the horrible woman and made his way through the tables. At a table right in front of the stage sat Albus. He was unusually dressed. It seemed that wizards dressed in muggle clothing always ended hopelessly. Severus seated himself right next to Dumbledore, with Quintets Sinistra, the astronomy teacher, on his other side.

"Ah.. Severus. I'm glad you made it."

"Headmaster."

"Professor Snape." Quintessa greeted him coldly.

"Professor Sinistra." Severus replied just as cold as he had been greeted, if not even colder.

"Decided to join us did you? Professor Dumbledore seems pleased."

"So it seems."

"I didn't expect you to show. I didn't think muggle entertainment was quite the thing for you."

"It's not."

"Still you came."

"It appears to be that way, yes."

Quintessa and Severus was rarely seen having a nice conversation together. Severus was sarcastic towards most teachers at Hogwarts, and most of them disliked him, but with Quintessa it was more. Dislike was only the beginning. Whenever they was united, hate and anger filled the room. Why they hated each other so much was a mystery.

The magical Margus entered the stage, and the audience gave their applause. The muggle wizard didn't look like a wizard at all. His clothes glittered in all the colours of the rainbow and it was far from elegant. It was what muggles called entertainment. Severus snorted. "I didn't know Lockhart was let out from St. Mungo's hospital". Margus bowed. Quintessa frowned. She was quite fond of Gilderoy Lockhart and she hated when Severus gave with his sarcastic comments about him. Two beautiful young women entered the stage. They were dressed in tight green and red glittering suits. They introduced Margus and so the show began. The light was turned off, candle lights at every table was lit and two spotlights lit up the stage.

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For an hour they sat watching the muggle wizard doing all sorts of tricks. The audience was hysteric. Quintessa clapped her hands together, just as hysteric as the muggle crowd. Minerva, Dumbledore, Sybill and the rest of Hogwarts staff, except Severus and Argus, applauded after every magic trick Margus preformed. After pulling a white rabbit out of a hat (which Severus was sure that was pulled out of a hole in the table), Margus prepared for his next act. The table and the hat was removed from the stage. Margus (who didn't have a wand because it was seen as unfashionable) stood alone on the empty stage. As he spoke, the applauding from the crowed died out.

"Now, for my next act I will need two volunteers. How about you madam?"

The spotlight was centred on Quintessa. Margus walked over to her and handed her a hand. Quintessa smiled and entered the stage. Margus turned to Severus. "How about you sir?" Severus gave Margus one of his famous killing looks. "I'd rather not." Albus patted Severus on the back. "Severus, he's only a muggle. What harm can it do?" Albus whispered into Severus's ear. Unwillingly, Severus got on his feet and placed himself next to Quintessa who jumped of excitement. Margus turned his backs on Severus and Quintessa, and told the crowd a story.

"Many years ago an emperor in China received as a gift this precious pendent."

He held a scorpion pendent up for the crowd to see as a continued with his story.

"A jade scorpion. It was said to posses' extraordinary power. The power to darken men's mind."

He turned his attention towards Severus.

"Look at the scorpion sir, ears open only for my voice."

After giving Margus one of his famous killing looks, Severus gazed at the scorpion. Margus turned to Quintessa and gave her the same instructions.

"The surrender of the mind. They resist, but the scorpion likes resistance. What is your name sir?"

"Severus Snape." His voice was no longer cold and filled with the same anger as usual. It was dark, yes, but almost robot-like.

"And what do you do mister Snape?"

"I'm a professor at Hogwarts."

"And what do you teach?"

"Potions."

"What is your name miss?"

"Quintessa Sinistra. I'm also a professor at Hogwarts. I teach astronomy." Quintessa's voice was robot-like as well.

"So you work together?"

"I can't stand that bloody wench." Severus said still sounding like a robot.

"Take no notice to him. He's a self observed bastard." Quintessa replied.

"Enough. Sleep. Silence.

"You are now at the first level of trance, but the jade scorpion wants you to go to the deepest level. When I say potions you, sir, will instantly drop into the deepest hypnotic trance. All resistance disappear. When I say the word astronomy you , miss, will immediately drop into the deepest hypnotic trance and obey all my orders. Ready now.

Potions

Astronomy

Severus Snape and Miss Quintessa Sinistra, I now pronounce you man and wife. When I Snape my fingers you will awaken. You will not know that you were in a trance, but you will be madly in love with each other. You're on your honeymoon on a deserted island.

Are you ready? One. Two. Three. Awaken to your tropical paradise. "

Quintessa lifted her head slowly, smiling from ear to ear. Severus didn't smile, but he looked a lot less creepy then usual. His face wasn't as cold and frightening, and his eyes were less threatening. Severus spotted Quintessa by his side. Quintessa spotted him too only a second later.

"What are you thinking about?" Quintessa's voice was glad. Happy. She sounded... In love.

"You". Severus replied. Dark, but not cold.

"And?"

"What?"

"What do you think about me?"

"I think… you are looking very beautiful tonight."

"Why thank you Severus." Quintessa moved closer to Severus and rested her head on his shoulder, holding round him with her left arm. "Isn't it romantic? Just the two of us alone on a deserted island watching the sunset." Quintessa turned to stare up at Severus. "Make love to me, Severus. Right here on the beach."

"Quintessa!"

"Oh, come on. There's no one here. Just the two of us. Don't you want me?"

Severus folded his hands around Quintessa, holding her tight against his body, staring deeply into her eyes. "I've never wanted you more." He closing his eyes and bent down to kiss her. Quintessa closed her eyes to and lent towards him.

"Stop. Enough."

Margus stepped in and the two of them fell asleep again.

"Unfortunately every dream must turn to reality. When I snap my fingers you will awaken. You will have no memory at this entire event. You will return to your ordinary life as they exist, with whatever destiny awaits you. Let us all hope they are pleasant ones. Are you ready to awaken? On the snap of my fingers. One. You are beginning to come up. Two. The memory is fading completely. Three. The jade scorpion has created a miracle of love. Four. Awaken. "

Margus snapped his fingers, and Severus and Quintessa woke.

"How do you feel sir? " Margus asked Severus, pattering him on the back.

Severus sneered and gave Margus another one of his mean looks. Margus turned to Quintessa.

"What about you miss?"

"A little disappointed. I hoped you'd succeed on hypnotizing me."

"Well, I tried my best."

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