Many thanks to wabun-ahnung for the corrections !
That evening, Pearl went up Sighs Street with enthusiasm. Partly because it was pleasantly warm for November but especially because she finally had a date. Joyful, she climbed the hill without noticing the declining girls who were descending irretrievably towards their ruin and entered the shimmering oasis of lights that sparkled on the street section called High-cobble.
Dazzling in her tiny white dress with a long translucent skirt, her blonde hair gracefully raised on the nape of the neck, she proudly walked on endless heels which gave her a dream figure. Besides, her hasty step indicated that she was not available.
The wizards who wandered around in search of a good deal sent her interested smiles but she ignored them. These guys looked down on her when she was at their service but they drooled like ghouls when they couldn't have her anymore. Pffft. It was always like that. And that was also the reason why she made a small detour through the High-cobble, in order to drive up her rate.
Swaying between the increasingly elegant girls of the Sighs Street, she paraded between the well-kept buildings, the graceful colonnades and the shiny windows to the border of her kingdom where, separating the good grain from the beautiful gems, a stone arch jerked from one sidewalk to the other.
It was a pedestrian crossing which had no concrete use other than perching the ladies high up. Girls had a beautiful view from above and the gentlemen a beautiful view from below, which also earned it the name of Petticoat Bridge. Beyond was the heart of the Sighs Street, the famous "Center", the most prestigious red light district in England and to cross this bridge, all the street witches were ready to sell their soul and without question, the last bit of what was left of their virtue.
- Look at that, girls! Seems someone has an appointment!
Between Mary and Dora, a woman of stunning sensuality displayed a mischievous smile. Surpassing everyone with a good head, the witch was dressed in a sparkling green dress. Her black curly hair made her a pretty head which highlighted her beautiful face made up with grace.
- Vanessa! cried the delighted woman.
- Pearl! My darling!
The witch left her end of the sidewalk to jump towards her, stretching out her arms. They kissed, avoiding touching their cheeks so as not to spoil their makeup.
- So? How was Scotland?
Vanessa raised her chin with a precious air.
- Ah my dear, if you knew ... They are barbarians! Real savages, she said, flapping her lashes like it was unacceptable. It still hurts everywhere.
She displayed a delighted smile.
- I absolutely have to go back!
Pearl laughed. Vanessa's long tongue was one of the few trans to be tolerated on the High-cobble and it was not for nothing. She was beautiful and above all, we could not help, but to fall in love with her no matter what.
- What about you. You are splendid! she said admiringly.
"I have an appointment," said Pearl, playing the indifferent.
- Not true! Already?!
Maternally, Vanessa touched her cheek with her perfect nail.
- I knew it. When I saw you coming I immediately said, "This little one will go far. She will go to the Center ". Right girls?!
- I heard nothing at all, said Dora to annoy her.
- Pffft. They are as deaf as a post, said Vanessa with a discouraged gesture. And this meeting? she said, suddenly excited. Who is it? Can we know?
Pearl crossed her arms.
- Sorry but I don't want to have it stolen, she said with the air of the one who was not fooled.
- By who? Me?! said Vanessa pretending to be incredibly insulted. I could never do such a thing!
She seemed to be dripping with sincerity but on the question of delighting the customers of her friends, she had quite a dashboard and boasted proudly of all who wanted to hear it.
- Yes of course …
- What? said the sulfurous witch innocently.
Pearl smiles. Vanessa had only been gone for three days but it had seemed weeks to her. Without her the Sighs Street lacked laughter, extravagance and good conversations.
- I really have to go. I will be late. See you after, promised the young woman who fled, blowing a kiss in her general direction.
She turned onto Treasure Avenue, telling herself that in reality her date was not very exciting. An ugly man who had a phobia of makeup. The kind of guy Vanessa Long-Tongue wouldn't want. But who needed to know? After all, she insisted that he reserved a room in a hotel that was not as crappy as Bert's house this time around. It would make things more bearable.
She moved away a little from the Sighs Street then apparated in front of the Magic Lantern. The establishment was located on a discreet street which included only a few shops closed at this hour. Its gray facade cut out of small windows was nothing extraordinary but the Lantern was quite highly rated and in the neighborhood. It was a good place for discreet encounters.
She climbed up the landing, mentally preparing for the next steps. The thing with ugly wizards was finding something that she liked. A beautiful wearing of head, pretty eyes or even a vague elegance. Except that if her memory was good, this guy looked like an old mop. With luck she might be able to fantasize about the shape of his eyebrows. And even, she hadn't noticed if they were pretty.
She walked through the door and found herself in an austere entrance with white walls and well-polished woodwork. Behind the counter, a witch with drawn hair and rigid posture scribbled on a parchment. She looked up and looked indifferently at her exciting outfit.
- Next time go around the back, she said, looking again at her paper.
- Oh. Of course. Sorry.
The matron shrugged without looking up and Pearl took the small hallway without further ado. She went upstairs and reached the agreed door. She replaced a wick in her bun and then knocked on the door which opened immediately.
The wizard she remembered was soaked, skinny, hunched over and all folded in on himself. His stringy hair stuck to his head, revealing the skin of the head. His cheeks were hollow and his little piggy eyes were the color of mud.
The man who had just opened it was much taller than she remembered. He was thin but not skinny, his head was up and his shoulders were wide enough to give him a certain stature. His long black hair, thin and straight was a bit neglected, but at least it was thick enough that you couldn't see through it. His cheeks were hollow but they highlighted a fairly virile jaw. The aquiline nose gave him a certain presence while his eyes were jet black.
Pearl raised an incredulous eyebrow. We had gone from a mop to an acceptable wizard. Surely we could deduce that this guy was a bit like a cat. He was proud but if he had the misfortune to get wet, he turned into a wreck.
The street witch gave him an engaging smile that was not returned. Snape, far from being overwhelmed by his grace, remained dumb with surprise. Finally, he opened his mouth.
- Your hair! he said with such a tone that it looked like she had just committed a crime.
- What?
- It's not like the last time, he said shocked.
She gave him a charming smile.
- Do not worry. I'm here to fulfill all your desires, she whispered, grinning.
His smile faded.
- As long as you ask nicely! she said scathingly.
He lifted his chin and stared haughtily at her.
- Can I enter or not?
He pushed himself reluctantly, looking suspicious.
For sure he was a very friendly client. That hadn't changed.
She entered the room and looked around. Impeccable white walls. A ceiling decorated with woodwork. A solid bed covered with a clean comforter. A desk on whom we had taken the trouble to put a new candle and a charming little blue armchair in a corner. It was perfect.
The unnamed man crossed his arms, looking at her with a sour look.
The message was clear. She had better take care of her hair or he was going to make an attack. The last time ... Hum … What the hell was the color? It was two weeks ago something like this. One rainy evening, but she didn't remember her hair.
"Your hair was red," the wizard reminded her.
- Of course. Where was I…
She pointed her wand at the blond locks that turned red in an instant.
- You see? Everything is fine, she said sarcastic.
- Detach them.
It was surely his way of saying that he appreciated all the efforts she made to please him. Sighing, she removed the bobby pin that held her bun and her long hair tumbled over her shoulders. She tried to place them a little but after a bun, it was an impossible mission. So he would pay for the services of a make-up off scarecrow. He had it coming.
-They're different, he said, frowning.
- It's the kind of thing that can happen when you don't bother to warn me in advance, she said kindly.
- Place them.
But damn, we were not in a hair salon here! She sighed abruptly.
- I'm not here to play magic hair. It's that or nothing.
He was silent for a moment then he rummaged in his pocket. Condescendingly, he threw a galleon who joined the two who were already on the table.
- Style your hair like the last time.
No kidding, he had fixed ideas.
- Well. Since you take it like this...
- And remove your make-up.
He was so charming that it was a real pleasure to satisfy him. She went into the bathroom and immediately realized that the most essential item was missing. That Bert the grunt forgot to put mirrors in his rotten motel was possible but here the thing was unthinkable. She returned to the bedroom as Severus sat in the chair waiting for his wish to be fulfilled.
- Did you make the mirror disappear? she asked incredulously.
- Yes, he said as if there was nothing more normal.
That was the best.
- And how do I do my makeup before I get out of here? Not a lot of freaks want a natural whore !
He shrugged as if it didn't concern him.
- Figure it out.
Pearl passed close to letting him jerk off all alone with his stupid plans but she took it upon herself thinking that it would still be silly to lose three galleons despite his idiotic whims. At the very least, she had a little pocket mirror.
So she went back to the bathroom, removed her make-up, wetting her hair under the tap, then combed it coarsely with her fingers so that it curled. She wiped them dry and out of habit glanced at the mirror. She returned to the bedroom swearing inwardly.
- Does this work for you? Because I have no idea what I look like.
Sitting in his chair, he stared at her, stroking her chin.
- Your eyelashes and eyebrows, he said, vaguely pointing to his face.
- What?
- They must be red too. Dark red.
Obviously mister Noname was falling for the redheads. She transfigured herself in a carrot top then aimed for the lowest part.
- You forget the most important, she said with a mischievous smile.
He didn't seem overly touched by his attention to detail and stood up to rummage through the black leather satchel he had brought with him. He took out folded clothing and threw it on the bed.
- Put it on, he ordered.
She went over to the bed to examine the clothes and immediately recognized the uniform that the students of the local magic school wore. She sighed with relief. Finally, a normal fantasy. Schoolgirls were the classic of classics. Obviously the black dress lacked pretty shapes but in general she did not keep it very long so...
Snape crossed to the other side of the room and turned to the window to let her change.
Pearl smiles mockingly. That was nice. Turn around because the prostitute you just bought was undressing. ... What a weirdo. She dressed quickly, adjusted the red and gold tie and then placed herself in the middle of the room for a better effect.
- Voilà!
Snape turned to her. Perfectly still, he stared at her for a long time with strange intensity. No kidding, he was cute when he had that look she thought to get herself in the mood.
- So? Do you like it? she asked to get him out of his slumber.
The fingers of his right hand gently strummed against his coat and he nodded imperceptibly in agreement.
He opened the satchel from which he had taken the uniform and took out a potion manual which he handed to her. Pearl took it, thinking that he was really a bear for detail. Or else a sadomasochistic who liked to take manual blows in the face. ... Considering his quirk manners, it would not be surprising.
- Sit down and read, he said, pointing to the secretary.
What a great introduction! That was sexy. Pearl sighed, betting with herself that he wouldn't last five minutes and then he squeaked like a rat. As she settled in, he lit the candle on the small desk, blew out the other lights, and withdrew to a corner of the room where he melted into the shadow. The young woman opened the manual in front of her and began to pretend to read the boring book. Ten minutes later she was more than fed up. He was going to do something or what?
She glanced at him. Lurking in the shadows, he stared at her. It looked like a maniac hidden in a bush to spy on schoolgirls. … Really, she saw a lot of crazy people in his profession.
- You want…
- No. Read and shut up, he growled.
Obviously you should not disturb the gentleman in his perverse reveries. But at least he was not too twisted. Rather than ogle real schoolgirls, he came here and paid to pretend. Here's proof that street witches had their social value. No kidding, she deserved a medal to handle this kind of weirdo and save innocent girls.
This thought reassured her and rather than thinking in vain, she reviewed the (totally boring) basics of love potions.
Three quarters of an hour later, her foolish client returned to the window and ordered her to put her clothes back. He didn't even glance at the pretty curves he had paid for. And speaking of paying…
-It'll be four more galleons, she said, adjusting the strap of her dress. Normally for an hour I take ten but since your thing is let's say… minimalist, I charge you only half, she explained. Plus one for makeup.
He turned around and looked disgusted. Obviously, he did not remember that his outfit was so exciting.
Hon ... What a shame. The little sir wasn't happy? Maybe he thought she looked like a prostitute? He wanted an apology with that? Tssst. Anyway, no matter what you did there were always some dissatisfied and to be dissatisfied, this one broke all records from the start.
Avoiding to look at her, the unnamed man paid, took back the uniform and the manual then left without saying thank you.
A perfect boor.