A/N: This chapter is for RainbowWhisper, who thinks she might know who is who and what is what. :)
I forgot to mention this, but Trip looks like a young Christian Bale.
Thank you all for the reviews! Reviews feed the muse! I'd love to hear some of your theories, as well as your constructive criticism. Hearing what you have to say lets me know how I'm doing with keeping the truth tight, while still giving you enough clues to try to figure out what's going on. I want to make sure it's all balanced! :)
If anyone is interested in being a Beta reader for this story, please let me know! I'm looking for one. I also intend to go back to other chapters to improve the flow and correct errors.
Cheers, enjoy!
Harry had a sinking feeling as he made his way with Shackbolt, Jones, and Biggins to the Leaky Cauldron. According to the innkeeper, Trip had left for Diagon Ally early that morning. Harry, Jones, and Biggins strolled around to find Trip, while Shackbolt stayed behind to avoid attraction.
It didn't take long. Trip was sitting outside of the newly opened Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, right next to the small memorial for Florean. He was eating a bright pink concoction in a bowl while he glanced around Diagon. He looked incredibly young, younger than Harry remembered. It had to be the fact he was wearing Muggle clothes instead of his wizard robes. Charcoal dress slacks, with a white, button-down shirt tucked and secured with a black leather belt, peeked through a black, wool coat with the collar popped high. And on his feet were...bright red Converse.
"Harry!" he called out as they walked up to him. "Imagine seeing you here!" He looked pleasantly surprised. "Ice cream break?" he asked with Sirius' smile.
Harry instinctively smiled back. "A bit chilly for ice cream, isn't it?"
Trip shrugged, smile widening a bit. "I have an infamous sweet tooth, and this looked too good to pass up. Besides," he added cheerfully. "It seems to be warming up, Spring'll be here soon, won't it?"
"I don't know why an ice cream shop would be opened now anyway." Jones muttered sourly. Biggins, however, looked like he wanted to buy a treat himself.
Trip glanced around Harry. "Friends of yours?"
"Something like that." Harry said carefully. "Look, I've actually come to get you...the minister would like to meet you."
Trip's eyes shot up. "Me? Really?" His brow suddenly furrowed. "I hope I haven't caused any trouble by barging in on you the other day, Harry. Everything ok?"
It was Harry's turn to shrug. "I have no idea."
Trip pushed out of his seat, taking a bite of the pink stuff before tossing the rest in the bin. "Let's not keep him waiting then." He sobered a bit as they led him back to the Leaky Cauldron.
"The minister has a room to meet you in." Jones said as they entered the inn. "This way." They climbed the staircase and Biggins knocked on the door to their immediate left.
"Come in." called Shackbolt.
They all four entered, Harry first, followed by Trip, Biggins, and Jones. "Minister, may I introduce Regulus Black." Harry said, stepping to the side.
Trip smiled, but it was guarded. "Minister, this is certainly a pleasant surprise. What can I help you with?"
"Please," Shackbolt said, "Have a seat." He motioned to the chairs by the blazing hearth with a sweep of his hand. "Thank you for coming, Mr. Black."
"Please, call me Trip."
They all sat. Trip looked comfortable, but the guarded smile was still on his face. "I hope I haven't caused any trouble by dropping in on Harry yesterday."
"Oh no, not at all." Shackbolt said easily. "I just like to take precautions...we didn't know of any other Blacks, and I'm sure you can understand what a surprise it was to learn about you."
Trip's smile widened slightly, sharper this time. "Of course, minister. Anything I can do to ease your mind?"
Shackbolt tipped his head. "Perhaps you can explain what brings you to Britain, and why we didn't hear of you before now."
Trip explained everything he already told Harry. However, he wasn't as keen or friendly as he had been yesterday. Shackbolt said nothing for a few moments, clearly mulling over what Trip said. "What took you so long to come to Britain then?"
"Am I in trouble, minister? Have I broken a law?"
"No."
"Then I see no need to answer your question." Trip's smile sharpened further. "My timing is my own. I don't need to explain it to anyone." Before Shackbolt could reply, Trip stood up and turned to Harry. "Harry, thank you very much for your kind offer, but please don't worry about bequeathing the Estate to me. I don't want to cause problems."
He turned back to Shackbolt. "Good day, minister, it was nice meeting you." As he walked to the door, Shackbolt stopped him.
"Mr. Black, you know I could detain you, don't you?" Shackbolt's face had reddened.
Trip turned sharply on his heel. He was smiling, but there was no mirth in it. "I'm sure you could make up some bogus suspicions or charges and detain me, minister...if I wasn't an employee of the American Department of Magic, that is. Then it could get very messy. Are you willing to make an international incident out of never hearing about me before?" His smile broadened as he mock saluted, then turned and left the room.
"I met him." Shackbolt said, sparks flying with irritation. "And guess what? He's a Black."
"What?" Severus asked, his eyebrows shooting up. "Impossible."
"He has a very convincing story. Seems he descended from Casius Black, the great-uncle of Sirius. Casius was a squib. Regardless, he looks just like Sirius. Personality similar to his too."
"Well, did you question him?"
Shackbolt's face soured. "I tried...he dropped that he was a part of the American Department of Magic. I contacted them. He's an Auror. I can't touch him. Not without good reason. This is getting out of hand. The boy looks no older than 17! How was he made Auror?"
"This doesn't make any sense."
"Keep on Odessa."
"And what about Potter? What about the cloak and wand?"
"He still has them. If that's what Black wanted, he's failed. Harry's on his guard now, and so are we. It wouldn't make sense to make a move for them now."
There was a soft knock on Severus' door. "I need to go." Before Shackbolt could respond, Severus extinguished the fire. When he opened the door, a very anxious looking Odessa stood before him.
"Hi Severus...can I come in?" she asked, wringing her hands. Before he could answer, she brushed by him and into his chambers. Severus stepped to the side and raised his hands.
"Sure...come right in." he said dryly. He shut the door and turned toward her, but she was already sitting by the hearth. "Is...everything alright?"
She blinked as if coming back to the present. "Oh, yes, I'm fine, I'm fine." But her eyes were baleful as she stared up at him. "I...I came to apologize, for this morning...it was terribly inappropriate. I'm afraid I let my emotions get the better of me."
Severus took a seat stiffly. "Emotions get the better of you? What does that mean in reference to the incident this morning?"
She blushed pink. "You remind me of...of someone. And I'm afraid the familiarity made me rash and I forgot myself. I am sorry."
Severus tipped his head and narrowed his eyes. "Your lover?"
She looked down, her blush deepening. "I plead the 5th."
"What?"
"Nothing...just an American expression. It means I'd rather not talk about it."
"I see." He would rather not talk about it either. Being compared to Voldemort didn't appeal to him, nor did these weak feelings of hers. But this the breakthrough he had been waiting for, wasn't it? Surely it was, but he didn't like it. It was awkward, unnatural, pathetic, and incredibly uncomfortable, especially with the dreams he'd been having. Pretend she's Lily. his inner voice whispered. What would you do if she were Lily? You want to be free, don't you? Do whatever it takes.
Besides. This was all pretend. He wasn't the only one pretending either. Odessa loved Voldemort. Not him. All the affection, concern, and friendship from her was nothing but a ploy. And he wouldn't discover what it was all about if he didn't play along. But could he pretend to be smitten with Odessa? If he could kill Dumbledore without a hitch, this should be a cake walk.
Taking a deep breath, he leaned forward in his chair. "Odessa." he said gently, his face softening. He carefully took one of her pale hands into his, resting the pair on her thigh. Her hands were warm to his cold ones, her pulse jumping at his touch (she was terribly convincing, even he was impressed). She looked up at him, her rosy mouth slightly open in surprise.
"...Severus? What-"
"I need to move on." he interrupted quickly, afraid he'd miss his chance. As his mask fell into place, a sudden anxiety rose in his chest, similar to the one he had when he feared Lily would leave him forever. "I know that I said that before, about Lily, and yes, I have lied to you about it, but...each day I realize more and more that we're alike, you and I." he lied smoothly, naturally. "I've lived a singular existence for most of my life, real friends being almost nonexistent. I'm not adept at sharing my feelings, or even my life, with anyone else."
Odessa swallowed as his grip tightened on her hand. Her breathing became heavier. "Severus, I-"
"No, just listen." he said, his other hand coming up and resting on her partially bare shoulder. It was warm, and she didn't flinch at his cold touch. "I know what the ministry wants, and I have a job to do, it's true...but you're not guilty, so there is nothing for me to find. I've come to accept the ministry's scheme as a way for them to have a hold on me forever. But," he add, his hand sliding up her shoulder and embracing her neck in a caress. "That doesn't mean I can't try to make a decent life out of it."
She blinked again, as if trying to waken from a dream. "What is it you want?" she whispered, putting her free hand on top of their clasped hands in her lap.
"What you want." he said silkily. "A chance to see if maybe we can be more than friends. Perhaps we can comfort each other in our grief."
Odessa's beautiful eyes watered slightly. "I'm glad I impulsively kissed you this morning then." She gave a small laugh, a tear streaking down her face. "You're so closed off, I thought I'd never have the chance to tell you how I admire you...and yes, I do admit, even fancy you."
Severus' smile was convincingly genuinely. "I'm not used to being open...but considering you're the only person I really talk to or spend time with, I hope you feel reassured."
She laughed again in spite of the tears, and it was brighter this time. She threw her arms around his neck. He embraced her around her waist and, finding it a slightly awkward position, did what he would have done were she Lily. He pulled her into his lap, half cradling her against his chest.
"Is this alright?" he asked. She was a surprisingly comfortable fit against him. Her body was so warm and soft, he felt the chill in his bones fading away.
"Yes." she whispered, nuzzling his neck. "What about you?"
Severus closed his eyes. Lily. His let his hand drift from her waist to her clothed thigh, caressing it through the fabric as he leaned his head slightly on top of hers. "Yes." he whispered back. His hand trailed back up her thigh, then her arm to her face. He cradled her face with his hand, his thumb caressing her cheek.
She sighed. "I haven't felt this...this relaxed and comfortable...even happy...in a long time."
He had to admit, neither did he. In fact, he couldn't even remember a time when he was this comfortable and happy. It was false, simply a charade, but unlike all the other lying and pretending he had done in the past, this felt good. "I feel the same." he murmured.
Her hand snaked from around his neck, to his chest, and inside his robes. She eagerly caressed his chest and over his shoulders. His heartbeat sped up. "What are you doing?"
Odessa lifted her head enough to whisper in his ear. "I just want to feel you." She pressed a soft kiss on his ear, sending a shiver of arousal down his spine. It was then he realized he had a raging hard on. It had become such a second nature reaction around her that he hardly noticed it happening anymore. Thankfully, she didn't seem to feel it beneath their layers of clothing.
She continued to press soft, teasing kisses on his ear, making him shudder in pleasure. Lily, it's Lily. Severus' hand moved from her face to trailing into her hair. He grasped a firm handful at her nape and pulled her back enough to twist his head and press his mouth to hers.
It was awkward at first, but as Odessa kissed him back, he fell into a natural pattern. Lily. Severus used the hold on her hair to angle her face to kiss her better, taking charge. Their kiss was increasingly becoming open mouthed, until he tentatively slid his tongue against the seam of her lips, begging entrance. She automatically opened to him, their tongues intertwining shallowly. She tasted so sweet, he never wanted to stop kissing her.
Severus felt her hands roaming through his hair, felt the heady sensation of lust make him light headed, felt the roar of blood in his ears as his heart pumped furiously. His cock was enlarged to an almost painful degree, begging for attention, and all he could think about was how much he wanted her. Needed her.
Their kissing gradually deepened further, becoming more persistent and urgent. As Severus' hand trailed from the grasp on her hair to her clothed breast, Odessa suddenly pulled away a few inches and stared, slightly dazed, into his face.
Her eyes were unfocused, she was heaving as if she just ran a race, her hair looked slightly disheveled, her fair skin was flushed pink, and her lips were swollen from his kiss. She never looked lovelier...but it was a reminder that she wasn't Lily.
Severus swallowed. "I'm sorry, I-"
Odessa shook her head slightly, then looked disoriented for doing so. "No, no, it's alright...I just...I got carried away a little." She gave a soft laugh. "We shouldn't...we shouldn't move so fast." She tried to push herself up, but almost immediately fell back into Severus' lap.
She laughed again. "I'm afraid I'm love-drunk...could you...?"
"Of course." He had no idea what that was, but he tried to stand up with her, holding her steady so she wouldn't fall again, yet he found himself, too, disoriented and unsteady on his feet. She laughed when she saw his face.
"Yes...that's love-drunk. All the hormones rushing through your system and making your body act like you've had too many glasses of wine." She carefully stepped away from him, smoothing the skirt of her simple dress. When she gazed back up at him with a smile, her entire face seemed illuminated. "I should go." she said softly. "But see you tomorrow at breakfast?"
"Undoubtably..." Think, Severus, think...Lily. "...and perhaps we could venture into Hogsmeade tomorrow evening for dinner?"
Odessa's smile widened a bit. "I would love that."
He returned her smile, feeling the warm, unfamiliar sensation of happiness spreading through his being. It was just as if Lily had said yes to him. It was working. "Excellent."
Odessa caressed his arm as she brushed past him to the door. "Sweet dreams." she said radiantly. She was about step through the entrance when he pulled her back by the elbow and, without warning, placed a sweet, lingering kiss on her mouth.
"Of you." he whispered in her ear.
