Act XXI
101. Nature
While I was excited to see more of Severus's world, the mild apprehension of the night before had spilled over into a cup of worry. Now, more than ever, I would see what set us apart. I wondered if seeing a realm that I could never be a part of would somehow destroy the cautious, tender thing that was growing between us like the most delicate of flowers.
"We will go to the Leaky Cauldron first." He glanced at me pensively. "I will have to change my appearance for a while."
I shrugged, intrigued at the casual way he said this.
102. True Self
He tapped his wand and looked at me with watery, muddy, brown eyes set in a forgettable, middle-aged face. He was dirty blond and balding, his thick lips slightly slack. I couldn't help but recoil slightly.
"Severus?"
One pale brow arched, and from plump lips came his deep, silky voice, faintly mocking, "Ilsa?"
"Fuck, you look… awful."
Severus turned away with a bitter chuckle. "Not much difference then."
I frowned; my Severus might not be a fashion plate, but I had come to adore his dark looks and distinctive, hooked nose. This—stranger was as unwelcome as he was unsightly.
103. Faith
"With your permission, I would like to alter your hair."
I frowned, still disconcerted by Severus's voice coming from a foreign mouth.
"Just the color, temporarily. I won't harm your pretty face"
"Weeds harm the fields; vanity harms humanity. The Buddha." I squeezed my eyes shut, expecting the metamorphosis to be painful, but it was only a tingling warmth that covered the crown of my head.
When I looked in the mirror, I saw my face surrounded by limp, brown hair.
He was watching me closely with a faintly apprehensive look.
"It is rather unremarkable."
"That is entirely the point."
104. Simplicity
On our way through the Muggle shops, I spied a tiny Asian art gallery. The dingy, narrow window was lit dimly, but I could still see the three bowls that huddled together on a simple stand.
"Severus, look."
"They've been broken," he said skeptically.
"It's called kintsukuroi." I traced the edge of the jade green bowl lovingly with my eyes. "It means 'golden repair' in Japanese. They mend the broken pottery by putting gold lacquer in the cracks. It's a metaphor you know? That some things can be more beautiful and precious for having been broken."
"Metaphors are insipid," Severus growled.
105. Unwelcome
The Leaky Caldron was apparently a rather famous wizarding pub near Charing Cross Road. It looked like a broken-down dump from the front, but when Severus linked arms with me and tugged me through the door, I felt the shimmering warmth of magic.
"We are walking straight through; do not speak to anyone," he hissed.
And I shut the fuck up.
It was rather shabby and the corners were dimly lit, but the walls had a new coat of white wash recently. There were some very interesting paintings in which the characters moved like movies. It was positively charming.
A beer with lime & a bowl of potato soup for my furiously writing beta, renaid, who has met a story she likes.