Venice, Italy. It is said that it is the City of Water. It is also said that it is the City of Romance. That people who venture here almost always find love....or, romance of another kind. There also is an air of sadness here, Severus noted, as he memorized and studied some more of his Latin that he hadn't used in years. Also, just brushing up a bit on Italian. He was going to need it when he spoke with the people of Italy. There was a loud noise, laughter. The Gothic man looked up to see a couple chasing each other, smiling. Severus' mouth twitched slightly, into a smile, but it was quickly lost, as it usually does. Instead, he returned it into a scowl, and muttered under his breath, "Idiots."

He was waiting outside, and under, the arch of Septimus Severus. Dumbledore thought it was rather clever, having Severus meet someone under an arch that shared his name sake. It was, but Severus still thought it was a rather tacky joke. Because, it really was. The sky had long turned black, and the man was becoming agitated. The person who was supposed to come retrieve him, was late. He was always made to wait, and he was rather tired of it. Tired, famished and cold. He sighed, and checked his watch. Nearly eight. Where was his guide?

"Sir? Sir?" A young voice asked.

Severus turned, and met the eyes of a small.... child? How strange, and infuriating. A child was his guide?

"Operor non exsisto distraho per meus vultus , neque nec infringo. sum senior quam vultus. senior quam vos , volo. Adveho , quod operor capto exsequor." She spoke in perfect latin. He felt himself blush at what she had told him. Rather rude, actually.

Do not be distracted by my appearance, nor discouraged. I am older than I look....older than you, I suppose. Come, and do try to keep up.

He scowled at the rude female, and followed quickly. He was now curious by her though. The way she moved was quite elegant, mysterious. Her blond hair bounced behind her, her blue eyes, continued unblinking. Strange, he thought, she seemed so familiar, but still he had no thought why. She was really pretty, she noticed, but by her young look, he blushed, and shook blase thoughts from his mind. It doesn't matter anyway. It wasn't like anything good was going to happen to this damned man, anyway.

"Excuse, me, miss. But do you speak english? My Latin isn't really...ah....great at the moment. I thought I was, but I was mistaken." He asked her.

She rolled her amazingly blue eyes, sighed, and answered. "That I am. I am English, you know. I thought you would know that by now, but I guess you cannot remember a face like mine out of a crowed. And to think, we went to school together, Severus. Shame on you. I thought you were a sharp boy, but you're just like any other. You're no better than a Gryffindor, you know." and then, to piss him off even more, she smirked, the same way he does. It sent shivers up his spine.

He was right, he knew this female. She was so annoying though. How could he have known such a person? Ah....he thought....I do know Lucius Malfoy, after all. And, she's at least not stuck up, like him. She does remind him of Lucius, in a way. Blond hair, blue eyes, perfect, flawless skin. She was rather beautiful....

"Stop it," he thought insistently. Being distracted so much, he almost bumped into the small girl, earning him a cruel scowl.

"Wait here," she said, turning and walking into the door. But, turning once again, she said, "And you should keep such thoughts out of your head, sir, if you are going to stay here. The other vampires won't appreciate it much at all."

He blushed, and heard her laugh, as she left him there to wait. He observed his surroundings. It was a rather beautiful city. Lots of amazing lights and sights to see. Golden buildings, a singer and violin could be heard inside the building he was standing outside of. It made him remember his cherry-colored violin he left at home, and scolded himself for leaving something so precious there. If only he could just apparrate home and fetch it, but he figured that would be rather rude of him to do, especially in present company.

Something stirred above him, and he shuddered. A gargoyle, coming to life, a spear in hand. He looked as if he was going to impail him with it, but he wondered, if perhaps he reassured the beast it would not harm him.

"Operor non fatigo , meus amicus. Is vir adveho hic in business quod vilis vos haud vulnero." he stuttered, the words slurring slowly from his lips. Do not worry, my friend. This man comes here on business and mean you no harm.

The beast faltered, smiled evilly, and turned back into stone, leaving the man be. Severus let out a sigh of relief, just as the blonde hair female came to retrieve him. She smiled, and asked about the gargoyle, saying she was surprised that he survived, then laughed at the angry look on his face. "Come with me, Severus. And keep close. There are those here who wish your presence to be elsewhere.

Nodding, he complied, and followed the woman once again, into darkness. Unknowing to dangers that possibly lay ahead.