Viper
Chapter 8: Present and Past
"Hello Goff"
"Hello Viper, it's been a while"
A man in his forties, dressed in impeccable dark green robes stepped out from behind the tree where he'd apparated.
He was of moderate height and had a good, solid build for someone his age. He carried himself with dignity, his slightly rounded face set in an all business mask that Viper was quite familiar with.
"It has. So what is it that you need me for Dealer?"
The man looked Viper up and down as if trying to verify that it was indeed the same boy. He did look slightly different wearing wizard robes.
"Perhaps we should talk somewhere safer"
Viper nodded.
"And warmer. It's freezing out here"
Goff smiled a little but it was a tight smile that told Viper that this meeting wouldn't bring good news.
"The house elves have a wonderful lunch ready for us at my home if you're interested"
"Lead the way" was all the slytherin said and took one end of the offered crow's feather.
The portkey whisked them away with only a slight 'whoosh' and they landed in an empty room that Viper guessed was in one of the many buildings surrounding the mansion itself.
The mansion was huge by any standard and was located somewhere in Ireland. It was called "Crow's rest" and the land it included was over a hundred acres. The manor itself was quite old and impressive and an ancestral home. Everything in it – from the great double oak doors of the front entrance to the high ceilings and simple but atrociously expensive decorations in the form of Picasso, Renoir and other master's paintings to the especially imported Egyptian cotton sheets and towels in the rooms screamed of old money. There must have been a whole squadron or two of houselves taking care of the household aside from the human servants who were the only one's Viper had seen before.
Aside from the servants there was of course the security. The mansion was probably better guarded than the Queen and the Royal Palace together. Now Harry wondered if the guards were all wizards or if there were muggles among them.
They passed a couple of patrolling men with AK's in one hand who saluted loosely to Goff and continued on their rounds. Viper recognized one of them as a man who Sow had had dealings with before. He was a mercenary. Viper's eyebrows lowered in a frown. Goff wouldn't hire Dogs unless there was threat near by. Really near and ready to tear heads off.
Their footsteps echoed on the marble of the corridors as they walked trough the entrance Hall and to the dining hall where servants hurriedly took care of their comfort.
Viper and his host both ignored them as they did their job.
"It was quite a shock to learn that Viper, Sow's protégé, was in fact Harry Potter – savior of the wizard world" started Goff looking speculatively at Viper.
"It was, even for me"
"You didn't know?"
"You are familiar with the story of how I went to live with Sow. You know I was not aware of my original family's identities"
Goff "hm-ed" and sipped from the glass of red wine one of the servants quickly filled for him.
"I still can't quite imagine Harry Potter I've read so much about and the Viper I know as one and the same person"
"Then don't. Just because I have another name doesn't change who I am"
Goff "hm-ed" again looking at Viper like he was trying to read him like an open book.
"While that is true it changes your situation severely. Things will be getting heated sooner rather than later and you are going to be in the heat of things on more than one front… " he said but it seemed to have a double meaning to Viper who leaned back in his chair and threw a pointed look out of the French doors to where two guards could be seen on their posts.
"So I've noticed. Would you please cut to the real reason why I'm here Goff?"
Goff paused then nodded.
"Very well, I am interested in knowing whether you plan on continuing Sow's previous line of work"
Viper's brows arched before he could catch the expression.
"You do realize that despite appearances I am eleven-years-old?" he said eventually as if talking to a slow child.
"It has never stopped you before"
"True but I had Sow to be the 'public face'. You damn well know I would not be able to get any good deals for a few years more"
"Of course but I am ready to make you an offer if you would consider it" Goff sounded dead serious.
Viper didn't even try to stop his eyebrows from climbing again.
"I don't think it is the best time for such offers Goff. I'm in school" his lips tugged but he didn't let them form the sneer that was pushing to surface at the mention of Hogwarts" and incidentally right under the famed Albus Dumbledore's crooked nose. I believe you've heard of him?"
"Oh I have. More than I would want to know but I have"
Viper smirked.
"Not too fond of the old man then?"
"Let's just say he's giving me hell of a headache with some of the laws he's passed in the Wizagemond. He likes to put that nose of his in other people's business a bit more than it's healthy"
Viper was looking at him trough narrowed eyes as the man sipped his wine. There was something amiss with him, something…distant, as if his mind was elsewhere.
"What's got you so desperate that you're willing to tickle the sleeping dragon Goff? I haven't been in the wizard world long but even I know you don't mess with the old coot unless you've got a pack of hell-hounds on your ass"
Goff leaned back in his chair, his face becoming just a bit older.
"In my case I do. The Amons are on the warpath Viper"
A wicked smirk tugged on the young slytherin's lips.
"I see then why you would be contacting an underage killer who's last work was killing off a good-sized portion, if I do say so myself, of the Amons. You must be out of options Goff"
The other man sighed. Goff was usually very composed and for him to be so anxious was a sign of some serious trouble - the kind that came with capital letters in bright red paint and an exclamation mark at the end.
"I'm not, Viper, but I want it to end as quickly and as quietly as possible" he sounded wearier with every second
Viper took a good look at the man he'd known since he was a kid, if he had indeed ever been one in the normal understanding of the word, and simply nodded.
"I'll do what I can"
He'd already had Evan Amon on his to-die-list and hadn't really needed the excuse Goff was so generously provided and the potential pay-off to do it.
"But tell me Goff what did he do to have you coming to me?"
Despite everything Goff was more than capable and had more than enough resources to wipe out the Amons if he put his mind to it. There would be blood running in rivers down the streets if that happened but it had never bothered Goff, he'd done it before when he'd wiped out Dawson's bunch. And then there was the fact that Viper wasn't known to make a death easy on someone who'd angered him and it was a well known fact that Evan Amon was due for a very long and torturous death at his hands. The Amon head must have done something terrible to cause Goff to contact Viper for the job.
The older man suddenly stood and made his way to the fireplace, his wineglass in his hand. Viper followed lagging behind a little to give the obviously distraught man some space. He might be heartless but he knew tact.
"Jenny is dead Caesar" the man's voice didn't quiver as he informed the boy behind him of his eldest daughter's murder.
"I'm sorry" and the slytherin did mean it. She'd been a much respected arts dealer and her father's right hand.
"Thank you. The funeral will be Wednesday but I don't suppose you'd be able to make it…"
"Oh don't worry, I'll be there. Jenny was one of the only people in the business that I respected and a valued partner to me and Sow; the least I can do is pay my respects for the last time"
"You know what you're doing" Goff didn't bother arguing and let the boy judge" Be here at nine am Wednesday. The funereal will be in the ancestral crypt here at 'Crow's rest'"
"I'll be here. Shall we talk about details then?"
"Yes, it would be better to talk then. A few of my associates would attend so I'd be able to consult them too"
So Goff had called him without checking with his partners in crime. His daughter's death must have hit him really hard.
"Good. Now I think I'll be going before I am missed"
"There is a port-key waiting in the hall for you"
"Thank you for your hospitality Goff and I'll see you Wednesday. Goodbye"
"Goodbye Caesar"
It was a shame he had to miss lunch but the atmosphere wasn't very welcoming anymore.
&&&
Viper was back in the castle by two and spent the afternoon in his room working on his schoolwork as his mind was already busy making plans for Evan's death.
A thousand gruesome and gory ways of dealing his revenge on the man who'd had Sow shot listed off in his mind in a neat list to pick from when the time came.
But aside from pleasure there was business. There were so many details to work on. Would he catch him while he was outside? Would he kill his family as well? If he did decide to kill his wife and eight-year-old daughter than he'd have to make adjustments to his plans but it did sound right – Evan had taken Viper's only family so it was only fair he watch his own die before Viper finished him off, not to mention Goff might appreciate the justice in such an act.
Then there was the fact that after taking care of the Amons they'll have to clear out the underlings. He guessed Goff and his partners would give him some men to work with on that. He already had a list of people who worked for or were involved with the Amons and some connections that would help him get them without a massive manhunt. The stir would be minimal and would blow away quickly with a few strategically placed bribes to the media and police that again would be Goff's work.
And he'd be able to exercise. Viper grinned into his Charms homework his quill pausing on the parchment. The little episode with the gryffs and in the forest the other day had been nice but not nearly satisfying and scaring kids wasn't very fun after the fist few days. His quill started again.
The hit would have to be somewhere around Christmas since it would require him to be there for more than a day or two and Christmas vacation was both far away so he could prepare and soon enough to hopefully satisfy Goff and his friends.
&&&
"You ready with the homework?"
Viper looked up from his book that was definitely not on the curriculum and looked pointedly at Draco who was sitting on his bed. The blonde had been in the common room all afternoon and had left Viper to work in peace.
"Good. How about a game of exploding snap? A few of the other boys suggested you join us and I of course agreed wholeheartedly" he smirked.
Viper thought this over then put his book down and threw on his robe. He went to his chest and opened it taking something out and put it into his pocket.
"Let's see what we can do to entertain ourselves then" he said and followed Draco the common room where part of the Hierarchy was sitting in a circle around one of the tables. Nefas gave a tiny sly smile as he saw Draco's smirk.
"Ok boys and girls" said Viper falling into a chair with is usual casual grace" I hear someone wants to play some cards?"
"Marie had a new set for exploding Snap" Nefas nodded at the girl who'd watched over the duel between Nefas and Viper that first night at Hogwarts. It turned out she hated the name Mortifernie so everyone called her Marie under the threat of castration or baldness for the girls.
Said girl lifted the cards she was expertly handling as she waited to deal.
"Hm, good for her but what do you say we play a real game? Does anyone know how to play poker?" he said giving a sharp grin.
The girl stopped playing with the cards and looked at him.
"What are the stakes?" was all she said already putting her cards away and looking at him penetratingly. It just might turn out the girl knew how to play something more than kid's games.
"I say money won't be very interesting seeing as we all have much of that"
"True. How about we make it a bit of a truth or dare then?" said Flint, the Quidditch team's captain looking at Viper.
All present found the idea appealing. They could get dirt on each other and most importantly on Caesar which overruled their lack of enthusiasm on answering some questions themselves. Besides the Hierarchy had more people and Viper had only Nefas and Draco so they could play it to their needs. The fact that to win a game where you can't scare your opponent off with a high bet meant that the best bluff or simply the one with the toughest nerves would win was an added bonus to their inner slytherins.
They nodded and Viper took that in with amusement.
"Agreed then, winner gets to call the truth or dare on the losers" he took out his stack of cards from his robes' pocket and handed them to Marie.
"Who'll put the spell?" asked Marie as she inspected them carefully" these seem ok" she said in a second.
Nefas had already drawn his wand.
"I'll put he charm"
Viper looked on and as if sensing his question Draco leaned closer and whispered in his ear.
"It's so that you can't lie or chicken out on a dare. It's not quite legal but…" he didn't need to finish the sentence.
This game could turn out to be quite interesting then.
"We play five cards, aces beat all" Marie was already dealing with ease that said she'd done that more than once before.
Viper's grin curved a little as he looked at her hands as she dealt. The girl had a future as a Mechanic but she wasn't quite good enough yet to be too fast for a trained eye like his. It wasn't that bad either. Even if he lost and chose the truth they wouldn't know the right questions to ask.
He folded on Marie's deal. Lance, a seventh-year that was at the top of the Hierarchy, won the hand.
He didn't ask any incriminating questions when she chose truth though, only warming up the atmosphere for when the real game began.
Nefas was dealing next and Viper was pleasantly surprised to see that he had someone on his side to counter Marie. Of course he wasn't sure Nefas would deal him the beast hand but at least he wouldn't give it to someone other than Draco.
Everyone aside Draco and Viper had folded and the two were left. Neither was sure whom Nefas had dealt the better hand so they sat there with their poker faces on. They lowered the cards and Viper smirked. So Nefas was smarter than your average snake.
Draco called a dare. He was to catch and shave Mrs. Norris then paint her green, feed her catnip and let her run amok.
When the laughter died down and Draco's evil grin had faded the next hand was already being dealt by Viper.
His hands moved in rapid, familiar motions and send the cards slicing trough the air and over the table into the players hands. It wasn't long before the others folded and sat back to watch the face off between Viper and Lance.
Viper was looking at Lance with a small smile seemingly not blinking. His green eyes were boring into the other who refused to back down. The reason for the high tension was that it had been decided that answering a 'bet' the one who rose up to it was giving the other the power to choose truth or dare in his place but if he folded, he chose for himself.
Finally Lance scowled and lowered his cards on the table face down.
"I fold" he said.
Viper's face didn't change but as he moved to put his own cards down he did so twisting his wrist around and slower than necessary so Lance could see the hand.
Lance swore softly but imaginatively and Viper grinned then leaned back in his chair.
As if trying to regain his dignity Lance called a truth.
"Tell me Lance, how many girls have you had sex with?" he said calmly, grinning a little as some of the present, Draco included, flushed and coughed a startled laugh.
Lance reddened and scowled deeper.
"Come on now Lance, don't be shy. We're all friends here"
Finally the spell made itself known and glaring at Viper he ground out the answer.
"Four"
"See" Viper said in a mock-comforting voice" That wasn't so hard" as the others snickered. Despite Lance being their 'superior' that didn't stop them from laughing at him when he deserved it. Of course he'd laugh at them too.
A few hours later it was Nefas who finally managed to catch him short.
"Truth or dare Caesar?"
Viper paused then shrugged.
"Truth. I know you're all drooling to get some dirt on me so…" he looked at Nefas lifting a brow in challenge. If there was one person present who could actually ask something really 'interesting' it would be Nefas.
"So kind of you to indulge" Viper snorted. The word kind and him should never be heard in the same sentence – it insulted mankind as a whole.
"What can I say I'm all hearts and kisses" if it was possible for sarcasm to occupy a physical form Viper would be the one to find a way to make it happen.
There were a few snorts of laughter and a chuckle from Draco.
"Ok then. What should I ask you?"
"Aren't you supposed to know?"
"Well, there is one thing I've been wondering...if you wouldn't mind that is. It's kind of personal…" Nefas looked at him half-seriously. He'd forget the question if Viper gave any indication for him to do so, even if it would be reluctantly.
"Fire away Nefas"
Everyone was leaning in to hear.
"I was wondering how many people you've killed?" Nefas said slowly with a slight pause before the last word then looked uncertainly at Viper.
Admittedly Viper wasn't very happy with the question but…it could work to his advantage if the Hierarchy truly feared him. As long as it didn't get to Dumbledore's ears…he looked around the present. No, no chance of that so he made sure the anti eavesdropping spells were ok then leaned in and let a creepy grin stretch his face.
"Do you want actual numbers or an approximate?"
"Ah…" Nefas shifted in his seat under the slightly psychotic look Viper had on his face" I think an approximate would be fine…"
"Well then" Viper leaned back in his chair again and paused" Let's just say that the Slytherin dorms wouldn't be enough to house them if they miraculously came to life "
There was a second in which the present caught up to the actual number before they hastily leaned back.
"What the fuck…!" Flint said eyes wide.
"You're bloody eleven-years-old! You're lying!"
Viper just waited for the exclamations to wind down. Next to him Draco was looking at his face with slight surprise but he hadn't said anything before he turned to the others present.
"It's true. The spell is working. If he had lied we'll be taking him to the hospital wing right about now"
Closing their mouths the others simply stared at him and he stared back. Their reaction had been just what he'd predicted. It was…amusing.
"But...but how!" stuttered Marie and Viper shrugged.
"One question only Marie"
&&&
"Pssst! Caesar!"
Viper looked to the side corridor and noticed a recognizable tuff of red hair and a freckled face there. Throwing a glance up and down the dungeon corridor to make sure there was no-one near by he stepped in the dark hallway and grinned.
"Why hello!"
"Ah cut the pleasantries! We have something important to tell you!" one of the two twins whispered urgently and the other nodded.
"Ok, what's the news that has you ambushing innocent slytherins on their own turf?"
The brothers snorted and couldn't hold smirks back.
"Good to know you still have your humor with you Caesar but…"
"…but we have bad news" the other twin finished for his brother.
"Someone's seen you exiting Snape's personal chambers the other night…"
Viper scowled as George trailed off and the two red-heads looked at each other. They had nearly expected him to deny the rumor.
"I was not aware students knew where Snape's personal chambers were" he said
Exchanging another look the twins decided that they would discuss it another time.
"Well you see, we of the noble Lion House were panning a prank on our dear Potions Master…"
"…but we never did manage to get into his rooms or to put one on the door – too many protections, so basically…"
"…almost everyone in our tower knows where it is and I think a few of the other Houses as well"
Viper leaned against the wall and rubbed his chin. This was not good however you looked at it and was the last he needed with his planning the Amon job. It would bring too much unneeded attention.
"Who saw me and what are the rumors saying?" he asked
"So far they're not saying much and we don't know who saw you. We've asked around a bit but we ended up running around in circles"
Not good at all and considering the speed of the Hogwarts rumor mill it could turn out a disaster combined with peoples' imagination. Severus didn't have the best reputation and in fact it was a constant rumor that he was a dark wizard so Harry Potter exiting his personal chambers in the middle of the night would be…If he was prone to stress-based headaches he would be getting one at that moment.
"Um, Caesar?" Fred asked after a minute making him look up" If you wouldn't mind but why were you in Snape's rooms?"
With a wave of his hand as if swatting an annoying fly he answered making them loose some of their tension.
"Well I wouldn't be able to do potions like the one I used for the Great Hall prank if I didn't have some help, now would I?" he said seemingly absently.
It was a good explanation but it wouldn't work for the other students' over creative minds. He knew how people ticked and also knew that getting dirt on the proverbial Light icon who had already betrayed them by being in the Snakes' House would make gossipers nearly orgasmic.
"Damn" he cursed out loud" just what I need"
"Hey, don't worry man…"
"…it'd blow over"
"Yeah and by that time I bet even the Daily Prophet would be in on it. You know how little things like that grow"
The twins shared a sympathetic glance for the boy before them. They are all too aware of how little was needed for a little annoying rumor to grow into a scandal.
Finally Viper pushed off the wall his eyes hard.
"Keep your ears open and if you learn anything about who it was that saw me please tell me. Meanwhile I have some damage control to do. I hate sherbet lemons!" he snarled as he strode off leaving two red-heads to wonder what did sherbet lemons had to do with the topic.
&&&
Two days later Viper sat down in his usual seat for breakfast. He and his companions, Draco, Nefas and an interested forth year named Dawson who had joined them were discussing the pro's and con's of different blades with Draco explaining a bit more about the magical potential of certain metals and ways to heighten it using different amplifiers like particular precious or semi-precious jewels. The conversation was very interesting for all present and it soon turned into a dispute that gave Viper the opportunity to amuse himself watching Nefas and Draco as they argued about which particular combination was best. Opposite him Dawson too had chosen to observe rather than participate.
The two were engrossed in their little argument and had mostly turned out the passive two on their sides in favor of managing to eat and talk at the same time.
"Caesar?" Viper turned to Dawson as he heard the quiet voice and saw he had a slightly apprehensive expression.
"If you want me to stop them you've got another thing coming" he said with one of his usual light smirks.
Dawson smiled back and seemed a bit more at ease.
"Oh, no. I think they are quite interesting to listen to" he said still quietly
"Then what is it?"
"Well, I think you know about the rumors that have been circling around?"
His eyes narrowing Viper leaned forward on the table setting his fork down.
"Oh? What rumors?" he said his voice cool.
Dawson smiled a bit nervously and looked around to make sure no one was listening.
"There are …a few actually. About you …and Snape…"
"Really?" Viper said flatly" And what would those be?"
Dawson coughed a little but continued under Viper's penetrating gaze.
"Well, there is the one that says that he's teaching you the Dark Arts…and…there's one that says your guardian was very close friends with Snape from their Death Eater days so before he died he made him your godfather…" he talked cautiously with pauses. He stopped for a second judging Viper's stony face before continuing" And then there's the one that says you and him are…in an …intimate relationship, if…you know what I mean"
By the end of his speech Dawson was biting his lip and his cheeks were flushed.
Viper stayed silent for a moment simply looking at the nervous boy.
"That is very interesting"
"Well, you know how rumors fly…people have too much imagination"
"Hm, that they do. And what made those rumors fly?"
Viper smiled a little, being careful to make it look genuine, when he saw the boy was getting too nervous. He didn't need him thinking his answers trice before he gave them.
"Actually I don't know exactly how but I heard that one of the gryffindors saw you exiting Snape's rooms the other night…"
Nodding encouragingly Viper leaned back so as not to look threatening.
"And I guess you want to know if the rumors were true?"
Dawson looked away and began playing with some crumbs on the table.
"I wouldn't want to stick my nose in other people's business…" he started finding the crumbs fascinating.
"They're not"
The other boy looked up and it was obvious he wanted to ask more but was holding back. It was smart of him since more questions wouldn't have been welcomed.
"I…I didn't think they were"
Smiling, Viper mock-toasted him with his juice.
"I'm happy to see that there are some people in this insane school that can still separate truth from fiction"
Dawson smiled back but it seemed a little strained. He didn't believe what he'd been told unconditionally.
The lifted cup was a good way to hide a minute tightening of his eyes but Viper managed to relax again before he put it down. The fact that Dawson was so skeptical as to show it to him even as little as he did meant that the rumor was running strong and it was sure bet that the situation was even worse in the other Houses.
Somewhere around the middle of the conversation he'd become aware of the lack of heated voices next to them and knew Draco and Nefas had been listening, as well as most of the people that were in hearing range of their lowered voices. At least that way it would become known that he denied the rumors but he need to talk to Nefas and Draco later and make sure they would say the right things if someone asked them. They were obvious targets of gossipers since they were known to be close to him. In fact he'd have expected them to be under questioning already.
Another thing he'd been aware of as soon as he entered the doors was that people were throwing him glances that they considered subtle and were obvious to him. He could see anger in them, suspicion, a hint of revulsion and interest. Yes, he was very interesting. He was so different from what they'd had expected him to be that it was natural that at the fist hint of something 'spicy' going on with him involved they would jump on the chance to satisfy their curiosity – it was only human nature.
He hated humans. Nature he could live with but humans…they always made things so much worse. Perhaps that was one of the reasons why he so enjoyed removing humans from the world. It was like he was removing another problem, another thing that could complicate life further, make it not worth the fight. Or maybe it was the simple fact that he enjoyed the feel of warm human blood on is hands, the rush of adrenaline that a good fight gave him. He reveled in the smell of death - it stirred something in him that was both painful yet thrilling, nothing, not even being with Sow had even been as satisfying as that feeling.
He looked at Dawson and wondered what his blood would feel like. He wanted to taste it, see him writhe in pain as he plunged his sword in his gut…
He blinked and banished the thought as he saw the slightly scared look on Dawson's face. Feeling angry he forced a smile and bit into his toast.
He couldn't wait to meet Evan at Christmas. He'd been away from his drug too long and Evan Amos and his bunch were just what the doctor ordered.
&&&
"Mr. Potter? Please follow me."
As soon as he had seen a hard-faced Professor McGonagall approach him he'd known what was coming.
He saw the students that were around him at the doors of the Great Hall look at him with barely veiled curiosity. Most of them had probably guessed as he had the reason why he was wanted.
His eyes narrowing a little he nodded and followed the old woman up the grand staircase and pretended to be deaf to the hurried whispering that was rising trough the crowd of students who had just left lunch.
McGonagall didn't look back to make sure he was following until they reached the gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's office which moved as she said the disgusting password.
She stepped away from the entrance and looked at him over the rim of her glasses.
"The Headmaster is expecting you"
She said coolly before turning and going down the corridor.
Stepping on the revolving stairs he exhailed and tried to compose himself as not to jump the white-bearded menace as soon as he was offered Sherbet Lemons.
A/N: Sorry for not posting notes but I don't have the opportunity to do so with my shitty connection.
Ijust wanted to clear a point - when Viper says that the Slyth dorms would be enough for his victims I'm operating on the understanding that Hogwarts had about 1000 residents and a little less than 250 students in each house. Also, I know the number is too high but that will be explained later on. If you wish me to I can even make it a little flashback :)
Thank you for reading (enduring my grammar from hell) and most of all thanks you for reviewing!
