Ding ding.

The small bell on the top of the door of Borgin and Burke's chimed quietly, the large door creaking open. Severus Snape stepped inside, his hooked nose wrinkling slightly as dark hues scanned his environment. He always knew what to expect in the dark shop, but it didn't mean he was comfortable with the atmosphere. No matter how many times one visited Borgin and Burke's, one couldn't get used to the dusty surfaces, cobwebs hanging from practically every protruding item and the general murky atmosphere of the shop.

The Potions Master found himself slowly stepping through the small shop, his fingers lightly brushing over the surface of an antique table. Briefly glancing at his fingers, he then rubbed them together, allowing the dust to drop onto the floor. The shop wasn't exactly number one on Severus' top ten places to visit, however there were several reasons as to why visiting was beneficial. It kept the Dark Lord less wary of him. Of course he couldn't fully be trusted until he killed Dumbledore, but he knew that being seen in a dark artefacts shop would do well for his reputation. Not only that, but they did have a fantastic selection of books.

Not fantastic in the sense that there were many, quite the opposite in fact. There were only few books, but what books there were, were worth their weight in gold, very rare, often unseen, often with notes in them. Severus found them very useful when it came to his potion research as well as the creation of new hexes. Strolling over to the large bookcase, he tugged out a rather small, dusty book, pages loose from age.

"Good afternoon professor!" came a rather enthusiastic voice, something rather out of place for the shop. It was dark, dreary, miserable. Severus shot a glance over his shoulder, his eyebrow quirking slightly at the sight of the man behind him. He allowed his dark hues to trace over the other for a few moments, taking in his appearance. He was in his late 30s, only a couple of years older than the teacher, messy blonde hair and slight red marks on his chin from razor burn. A grin plastered across his face, he held his hand out towards the other.

"Can I help you?" Severus drawled out, slightly confused at the situation in front of him, his hand reluctantly reaching forward to shake the other's.

"Of course. My apologies," said the man. "It's just… it's been so long since I've seen you, so long indeed."

"I should say so," Severus said. "Who… are you?"

"Oh, my name is Emeric. I work here."

"Charmed."

The shop assistant smiled a couple of moments, his eyebrows furrowing as he tried to think of something to talk about.

"I didn't know Borgin was taking on workers…" Severus said simply.

"He wasn't, not originally… but with Burke's passing I actually got his room. It's rather comfy," Emeric said with a nod, gesturing upstairs. "It's been so long professor, you know, the years have actually been wonderful to you."

The Slytherin's hooked nose wrinkled slightly, shooting him a sharp, suspicious glare. "What is the cause for such flattery?"

"It's not! It's not flattery I'm just… well, being honest," he said, feeling slightly nervous, then quickly stepping forward, lightly touching Severus' back. "Well can I help you at all sir?"

"If I wanted your help I would've asked," Severus said very slowly, staring the blonde shopkeeper down. Frowning a little, he stepped back.

"Well… you do come here often, don't you?"

"Enough to get to know someone," the potions master said, quickly shutting the book in his hand. "If that's what you were referring to." He kept his suspicious glance on the man, frowning. "I will be back tomorrow. I plan to meet a good friend of mine and my Godson…."

"Your Godson, how lovely," he said happily, then leaning against the wall. "I never did congratulate you on the teaching job, you should be proud…"

"Right. Is there anything you were wanting from me? A potion perhaps? Secrets?" he said, getting progressively annoyed, leaning in towards the elder male, dark hues glaring up into the lighter ones. "Flattery really is pathetic…"

"I told you I'm not flattering you professor," Emeric replied, frustration in his voice. "I know you don't remember me. It was expected. However I'm not that low."

Severus scanned over his face, looking for something, anything to detect he might not be genuine. After a brief moment, he then sighed, looking away from the other's sincere expression. "…Then I'll just take this please."

"Two galleons," the man said, moving behind the counter, ringing the Slytherin up. Holding out his hand to accept the coins, he felt himself smile as his fingertips lightly, only briefly brushed across his hand. "Thank you, and… I will be seeing you tomorrow?"

"…Indeed," he replied, tucking the book away and giving him a curt nod. "Until then, Emeric."

"Until then Severus," he said with a small smile, watching as Severus turned on his heel, opening the door and leaving.

Ding ding.