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Mistress Slytherin

Chapter 2

Damian worked quietly over the many cauldrons that had been placed throughout the room. Some of them were still in base form sitting in the glass cauldrons by the door, they would take three days to brew before they were ready for the second phase, the ones in the front were the ones that needed his attention right now. These cauldrons were far larger than the glass ones but required less heat only simmering gently. Various scents filled the air making it heavy and dense, if any one else happened to wander through they would find themselves in a state of emotional shock in less than thirty seconds. However Damian was no ordinary wizard by far and this was one of his chosen arts, he remained unaffected as he stood by the first and began to carefully ladle the liquid brew into the first of the moulds. He worked calmly allowing his magic to pour out from him freely and into the cauldrons while he continued to pour into the moulds. He'd finally perfected his art over the summer and the results were ones he had to say he was quite proud of. He hummed lightly as he worked his mind whirring over possibilities; eastern magic, combined with a natural empathy for plants and a healthy interest in potions allowed him this. Finally he emptied the first cauldron and set the moulds under a charm that would slowly and steadily cool the temperature.

It had been four days since Snape had been called out to a death eater meeting, four blissful days that had allowed Damian to do what he needed to do in order to keep his power at an average level.

The wards had been helpful enough greedily sucking in his magic like a vortex while telling him in quite an annoyed way how Dumbledore rarely fed them any more. In turn he'd assured them that he would be by to feed them when he could, he was likely to hit his magical majority soon anyway and he would be hard pressed to hide that.

And of course there was this, his own personal hobby that was slowly but steadily filling his vault at Gringotts. Witches and wizards were willing to pay a pretty penny for something that worked subtly like these did.

Candles, no one seemed to realize just how many floated around them at any given moment. Light one of the lavender ones and add it to the room and calm will settle and provide an ideal setting for arguments and business transactions to take place. Light one of the orange ones in the working place and energy will keep them moving all day.

The list went on. They were his art, all the emotions that he would rather keep from clouding his mind and magic could be poured into a potion and given to someone who needed it. Of course there were the other brews, the more dangerous brews that he was saving for an opportune moment but as far as anyone knew these candles were relatively harmless.

He glanced at the boxes in the far corner warily.

Anger, hatred, and resentment.

Violence, bloodlust, jealousy.

Fear.

His collection of these was growing by the day. He'd sold a few of the fear ones to interrogators in the ministry and already he'd had to clean up a few messes where his candles were being used where they weren't meant to be used. It had made him decide to covet these carefully and keep them safely tucked away in Gringotts where his vault was steadily beginning to ooze a miasma of negativity that was warding off even the goblins.

He had a plan though that he would soon put into action. He just had to wait for an opportune moment.

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"Professor?" He said quietly as the others moved to get out of the classroom as quickly as they could. Snape glanced up and his scowl turned calculating.

"What is it?" He snapped. Damian smiled faintly as he reached into his bag and pulled out the tin of tea placing it on the man's desk.

"I noticed that your hands seemed stiff recently sir." He said glancing back as the door shut behind the last of the students. "This will help heal nerve damage." He said quietly before turning his gaze back to the professor who had opened the tin with a cautious gaze and carefully inhaled his gaze flickering with intelligence. No doubt he would have a full list of what was in the tea in an instant. Dark eyes glittered as they shot toward him.

"I recognize this brew, hard to get one's hands on because of how selective the seller is. How did you come by this?" He demanded an instant later. Damian hid a smile at the hunger in the man's eyes.

"Quite easily actually sir, I've known the person who makes it since I was a child. He trusts my judgment in distributing it from time to time." He said calmly. He'd only ever spoken to Snape irregularly and dropped the shy, hesitant, bumbling act he wore around others. "Of course it helps that he admires your work as a potions master sir." He added with a tilt of his head in recognition. Dark eyes gazed at him silently for a long moment.

"And what exactly is it that your friend would like in return for such a gift?" Snape said cautiously. Damian smiled and pulled out his second gift- a soft black leather journal with Snape's name in silver on the front.

"Correspondence." He said with a nod. "This is one of a two-way journal. He doesn't like many people sir, but he admires your work. He won't require you to talk constantly since he is a recluse but he would like to hopefully form at least an informal bond with you. In return he is willing to provide things like these teas." He said gesturing towards the tin. Snape looked cautious but accepting as he set aside the journal.

"I accept, of course I would have him understand that these are troublesome times and my wariness is not meant to offend." He said with a nod. Damian nodded in understanding.

"He knows this already, which is why he wanted to make you an offer through me. The Vermont family has publicly stated their intent to side with neither the dark lord nor Albus Dumbledore; we are quite put off of Lords in general at the moment." He said easily.

"Yet you have not sworn neutrality either." Snape said knowingly. Damian smiled thinly.

"There will be no way to remain neutral in a war like this one sir I think you know this." He said feeling a thrill in the knowledge that Snape had seen through his loopholes.

"And I doubt you would tell me which direction you lean in if I were to ask either hmmm?" Snape said cautiously. This wasn't good Snape couldn't be suspicious of him.

"The person who made that tea holds you in highest regards professor and in turn you have my respect as well. You have nothing to fear of me and can even count on my families' aid should you request it. I have absolutely no interest in harming you." He said honestly allowing the man to see with his own eyes just how serious he was about this. Snape nodded slowly and gazed at him for a moment longer before smirking.

"I wonder Mister Vermont- you see I was not graced with good looks in my birth, so perhaps my view is biased, but I cannot help but wonder why anyone would want to hide the way you do. You're certainly aesthetically pleasing under all those charms and those glasses." He said squinting slightly. Damian felt his breath hitch in his throat. Did Snape just- but no he couldn't have. He smiled faintly.

"When someone assumes you to be insignificant, average in many ways and without the draw of beauty, they are more likely to speak freely around you and without reservation. You would be surprised what people say around me without even acknowledging my presence. The assumptions of others are my gain." He said with a tilt of his head. Snape's eyes glittered in a way that he'd come to learn meant that he was amused and slightly impressed.

"Very good Mister Vermont, ten points to Slytherin." He said with a nod. "I think that even I might have fallen for your subtlety a time or two, bravo. I must endeavor to keep from falling for that trap again." He said leaning back in his chair with only a slight wince. Damian allowed his expression to tighten a little bit even as he hid his concern.

"I believe professor that I aught to inform you that the man who made your tea has a vested interest in your wellbeing, his ideology is that true genius is a rare thing. He will want to alleviate any pains you might have, I expect that he will send other of his goods as your correspondence continues." He said carefully. He knew this man's pride; he knew that Snape wouldn't take kindly to charity. "I say this because I don't want you to take offence by this but rather I urge you to take advantage of it." He said diplomatically. Snape narrowed his eyes slightly in thought before nodding slowly.

"I seem to remember you following me for a time, was that at his instruction as well?" He said carefully. He wanted to know how long this had been going on. Damian fought a smile.

"That was my own curiosity, a game of sorts. You were the most competent of the professors I followed though I must admit he might have picked up on my own respect towards you as an opponent in my game." He said feigning a thoughtful expression.

"Yet you gave up rather quickly." Snape said with a smirk. Damian smirked inwardly.

"Getting caught and losing house points was garnering unwanted attention." He said with a shrug. Snape nodded in understanding.

"You know of course that you won't be able to remain hidden forever." He said solemnly. Damian's smirk fell.

"Of course, but I have all my bases covered sir, my family would not suffer the loss of their only remaining heir." He said feeling hallow. Snape frowned slightly and nodded.

"No I'm certain they wouldn't, however as your head of house you should know that I intend to help those Slytherins who seek help in this war that is brewing." He said seriously. Damian felt pride well up inside him.

"Of course sir, thank you for your reassurance." He said bowing his head low.

"Good, now go lest you take up my entire free period." The man chided amusedly. Damian smirked at the shooing motion before bowing slightly again and slipping out of the room his steps feeling lighter than when he'd gone in.

That night Snape saluted him from the head table a steaming cup of tea in hand. Damian felt his lips twitch slightly and nodded minutely in response before anyone could see the motion. It would take several more cups of tea before his plan was ready to be put into motion but for now he could at least celebrate this small victory.

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Dear Tea maker (for that is unfortunately all I know you by),

I wished to express my gratitude for your gifts; I must admit quite humbly that your tea has had a far better effect on my damaged nerves than any of my potions. I have of course heard rumors of your goods; Lucius Malfoy especially has vouched for their quality on several occasions. I did not think to assume that you would sell them to someone of my reputation however or I would have requested some sooner. I can understand the hesitance, as a potions master I too must always be conscious of the consequences of some of my creations.

I wonder however if you would indulge me in your reasoning for wishing this correspondence? Your friend made it clear that you are not prone to reaching out this way and I cannot recall any transactions between us.

-Severus Snape

Professor Snape,

I too am unsure of how to address you, as for myself you may refer to me as Arbutus.

I am glad to know that I was able to ease your pain; I understand that your passion is potions; the mere thought of you losing the use of your hands would have been too much to bear. As to why I have sought you out? Surely Professor Snape, you know that you are widely revered. Others may grumble and groan at you as I've seen them do, however they can't deny your brilliance and neither can I. War has taken many brilliant minds from this world Professor Snape, I would hate for it to take you as well. I am rather selective of the few I favor, and so is your student. Whoever impresses your student impresses me and visa versa it is simply the way it is, and you have impressed your student.

As for your reputation, it holds no sway over those that know better. It would be disadvantageous to both of us if you use my life's work to harm another person.

And now for a lighter topic professor, what is your favorite color? I find that I am quite fond of the color gray, it is such an ambiguous color don't you think?

-Arbutus

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Damian felt a seed of contentment grow within him as the weeks flowed by slowly. The dark lord had called only twice for his death eaters and seemed preoccupied with some grand idea or another. This left Snape to recover some of his lost strength and to heal some of the damage. Damian was only too pleased to have found a way to offer Snape his aid without doing so openly, he doubted the man would appreciate his help if he knew that it was a mere student helping him.

He had to admit though that the idea of the journal was his own weakness more than help to cover for his subterfuge. Snape was brilliant, the theories and plots that went on in the man's mind, the raw passion for his art that bled through his words inspired Damian to go to new lengths in his own work. He found himself thinking in new ways daring to believe the impossible to be possible.

Damian smiled quietly as he tied a parcel to one of the school owls' foot. His goods for the week which had filled several crates worth had been shrunk and then owled to the goblins who would store them for him. His families' goblin would then fill the orders he cleared and transfer the revenue into his vault. Goblins were excellent at keeping things hidden when they wanted to and the Vermont family had been allies to the goblins for centuries- he supposed it might also help that his family had a speck of goblin blood in them here and there. He sighed quietly as he slipped out of the owelry and down the steps; he had a goblins essay that he needed to write come to think of it-

"-not so proud now are you Malfoy!" He halted just at the base of the tower and jerked back and out of sight just in time to see Draco Malfoy fall back to the ground his face flushing with fury and indignation.

"Heard that your father barely managed to scrape his way out of Azkaban this time, I also heard that the dark lord isn't too pleased with him." The boys were circling Draco now wands drawn and gazes malicious.

He shouldn't interfere; he thought his instincts telling him not to get involved.

But then he remembered that Snape was Draco Malfoy's godfather, and then one of the boys struck out and kicked Malfoy. Indignation and disgust warred within him as he stepped out from behind the tower and cast blinding spells on the other boys so that they couldn't see him. They let out shocked cries but were too slow to react in time. In an instant he had their wands in his hand before flicking his own wand and sending them sprawling to the floor scrambling around blindly. He cast a good strong tripping jinx on their legs, turned their arms into rubbery boneless messes and charmed them silent.

Malfoy stared at him in wide-eyed shock and he lifted a finger to his lips in a quieting motion before setting their wands on the ground and placing a ward around them that wouldn't be easily broken. With a sneer he jinxed them bald and charmed the words 'I am an uncivilized brute' to circle the crown of their heads in bright colors. Satisfied with the effect he cast a strong tickling hex on them and left them wriggling as he hauled Malfoy up and dragged him away.

"I don't need your help!" Malfoy sneered yanking his arm away once they were quite a distance away. Damian debated obliviating the brat but knew that Snape probably wouldn't appreciate that very much, instead he crossed his arms and effected a scowl that probably broke whatever illusions the boy might have had about him.

"You can take credit for what happened out there." He said flatly. "It would probably keep them from bothering you again." He said ignoring the boy's fury and confusion.

"Why did you do that?" He said crossing his own arms in a more petulant manner.

"Because they were wizards who had lowered themselves to using physical means in an attempt to belittle you." He said crisply. "I have other reasons too but none that concern you." He said before absently flicking his wand and healing Malfoy's split lip. "It would be wise for you to keep from being alone in areas where the professors cannot intervene, it would be even wiser for you to learn how to properly defend yourself. As you have just seen, your father's name cannot protect you forever and I may not be so inclined to help you next time." He said with a nod. "Good day Malfoy." He added before turning away and slipping down the hall. He had an essay to write after all.