Chapter 132: A Strategic Approach
{A/N: Here's Another Update...To Whom It May Concern...I make no apologies for Snape being a death eater in fact most of my work deals with him loathing himself and the subsequent torments of his checkered past, I simply went down an unused avenue with already terrible people not becoming the martyrs the canon made them out to be. Lily herself had written Sirius depicting her own transgressions against her former friend, James only pursued Lily because Snape was interested in her and everyone knowns Pettigrew is a vile spineless coward, Lupin is a nonchalant cur and Sirius is obsessed with Severus Snape and James Potter respectively to the point of fixating on them. If you wanted a story where canon terrible characters are the best possible then this isn't that tale. Lily isn't so much of a whore as she is a foolish girl with delusions that need addressing. Lupin was kind to her and around which lead to a potential affair, Snape was never her choice for a life partner and so the means of breaking the bonds without the death eater excuse had to be more practical and still within the realm of magic so to speak. The point was that if Voldemort had not existed would half of these people be the shining examples they are today and would Severus be as hated as he is? The tale is merely an exploration of the nature of the characters when there was no one to shift the blame of their own less than savory behavior on. Hopefully this gives you a better understanding of the tale. -S.S.}
My Thanks To All My Readers And Reviewers...Enjoy-S.S
Snape's Office, Diagon Alley, Wizarding World...
Severus Snape had been quite baffled to find himself sitting at his desk when Lucius Malfoy entered with none other than Peter Pettigrew trailing behind him. With an arched brow, Snape looked up from his recently delivered stack of parchment and noted the seemingly aged former Gryffindor student. Peter approached him, hat in hand with a vastly unusual look filed across his rat-like face. He had been quite different from the cowering lad that trailed behind James Potter and Sirius Black all those years ago at Hogwarts. Lucius seemed to be quite interested in how this little interaction would take place himself as he made his way over toward his desk. The remaints of a casual conversation still echoed in the distance as he attempted to gauge Snape's level of attention.
"Step lively, Mr. Pettigrew." said Lucius directing the rat-faced man. "You will of course need to deal with Severus when it comes to the new post for resident book keeper."
Snape's attention had gone back to Pettigrew in an instant as he could hardly believe what he'd been hearing.
"You are looking for employment...here of all places?" he asked letting down his quill and splashing a bit of the black ink across the exposed wood of his desk.
"I..." stammered Pettigrew as shame filed across his face. "I wasn't privy to the books at my old job and word is they are going under steadily I'm afraid...I seek gainful employment where ever I can find it."
Snape looked over at Lucius for a few moments noting that he'd been studying his reacion with a quiet intensity.
"Have you brought anything to showcase your credentials?" he asked in a seemingly bored tone.
Pettigrew cautiously handed over his resume and awaited what Snape had to say to him.
As Snape looked it over, he'd been quite impressed with Pettigrew's work ethic. More so than he could ever have imagined. It seemed the spineless coward of his youth had not been without his intellect in some capacity.
Lucius continued to watch them curious as to how it would play out after all these years. Pettigrew's Gryffindor Courage had been enough to see him past the door but would it stand up to the unwavering scrutiny that had been Severus Snape's vindictive nature?
Much to the surprise of both Pettigrew and Lucius, Snape handed back the resume and got to his feet.
"Well as it so happens, we could use a man of your expertise." he said. "But know that if I see the slightest indication that you are not as done with your past idiocy as you appear, you will be thrown out on your arse so fast it'll make your head spin."
Pettigrew nodded grateful for this chance to prove himself with such an infamousy high rising and stable group of businessmen.
"Thank you, Severus." he said pleased to have good news for a change. "And for what it's worth...I apologize for my behavior when we were attending Hogwarts...I was just..."
"Trying to fit in." finished Snape knowing full well the reason for the cowardly Gryffindor's antics in the past. "You were quite the spineless little whelp back then Peter, but at least you've grown one over the years...now run along wormtail you're due back here first thing in the morning."
Peter nodded thanking Lucius briefly before taking his leave of the gentlemen.
Lucius watched him go and made his way over toward Snape's desk.
"So...you've gone and hired him." he said with something of a smirk filed across his handsome face. "One more means of sticking it to Potter?"
Snape said nothing as he turned his attention back to his work. He had a lot to get done before making the adjustments to his schedule to be there for Petunia and the children before his inevitable trip to Hogwarts. He was going to be the new Potions Professor after all and he needed to make sure he had everything well in hand.
Lucius made the journey back to his own desk more than a bit annoyed that Snape had chosen to ignore his question but having something of an inkling that he had infact hired Potter's friend in a bid to get back at him. No matter the case, he knew things were going to get a lot more interesting with Pettigrew around.
