000 Epilogue: which takes place before the prologue but explains everything anyway
Dear Mr. Constantine,
Strip. Hopscotch.
Your ever-patient friend
Albus Dumbledore.
Constantine read the letter over again and wondered if that old fart really thought he was going to up and cave under a tiny bit of black mail. His reputation had so many marks on it already nobody would notice another dent.
He shoved the letter in his pocket and went to the bar to ponder how best to reply. Blunt and snarky. Blunt and mean. Or Blunt and snide.
The bartender looked up and gave him a nod when he sat down. They both ignored the rhythmic tapping from outside.
"Heya John. Glad to see you free of demonic ooze for once." He set down a full glass.
John shrugged. "Stuff does wonders for the sinuses."
"Right. Hey, so how come I never see that black haired friend of your around anymore?"
"Sev? He left a while ago. Why?"
"Oh no reason, I just heard some other guys talking about him earlier. Some arrogant sons a bitches came in with this real snooty blonde guy. Sounds like Sev's got himself in trouble again." The tapping stopped at the door and started again at the window.
John's hand froze around his drink. "Oh?"
"Yeah. Did you know he had a godson?"
"No."
"He does. Kid's name is Draco. I kinda feel sorry for him."
"For…why?"
The bartender frowned and looked at Constantine strangely untouched glass. "Well because these guys figure the kid is the only way to get to Sev. He's probably in for a rough time."
John put the drink down. "I've gotta go. Save that for me." He stood up and started for the door. The tapping got louder.
"Where're ya going?"
"I've got some important business to kill."
John opened the door and grabbed the owl that had been trying to get in. "Heya Dante." he growled. "Looks like you'll be bringing that nosy old coot the answer he wants after all."
John tore a blank bit off the original letter and wrote a singe word on the scrap.
Bullocks.
THE END
Thank you for reading everyone!
Peace be in the universe and with all of you!