Resfeber: A mixed feeling of fear and anticipation before travelling.
"Welcome to Odense, Viktor, Severus, I hope you both had a pleasant trip." The Danish MLE Officer Kasper Norgaard greeted Viktor and Severus in the friendly, casual air customary of his Danish compatriots as they stepped out of the Floo. It was clear to Viktor how irritated Severus was every time he heard his given name from the lips of a stranger, or even Viktor himself. His brow would furrow, nostrils flare, and he would draw a single, sharp breath. It was priceless.
"We did, thank you very much. Thanks also for organizing the rest on such short notice." Viktor shook hands with his colleague, and Severus did so, too, with as much of a smile as he could muster. Viktor hadn't been to the Danish MLE before, but the place had a cosy, welcoming air, as he would expect from a workplace decorated by Danes. It was hardly bigger than a large cottage. The room where the Floo was located looked like a living room, with pastel-coloured sofas, a soft, curly carpet and a small dining table on which several newspapers lay. A gooseneck kettle, coffee pot, and a basket full of fruits kept each other company at the coffee corner, and potted plants big and small gave the whole place a fresh, homey look. Viktor could immediately imagine working there. Kasper of the bushy blond beard inquired if they required refreshments, and led them to his office. There were two desks facing each other, each with a new computer, phone, and plenty of family photos. He summoned two chairs for Viktor and Severus, and handed Viktor a folder.
"These are the documents for the rental car you requested. You can just drop it here before you leave, I will return it later. The second officer, Josefine, has been patrolling the area last night and this morning, and will meet you at the address."
"Are there only two of you?" Severus interrupted, surprised, "and what about this "car"? I am perfectly capable of Apparating at that distance, and I can take you side-along as well, Viktor, if you are not so inclined."
Kasper chuckled, "Of course not, two would be way too few. We are three people, in fact," he grinned, "our third colleague is on holiday. With three-hundred-fifty-something witches and wizards scattered all around Denmark, it is more than enough. We are a peaceful folk. As for the car, Amelia Jensen lives in a non-wizarding area, like most Danish witches and wizards. That area has not been cleared for Apparition and is not connected to any Floo network, either. We don't have any Obliviators, and try to fly under the radar as much as we can. A car will be much more practical. I am sure Viktor is an excellent driver, don't be scared."
Snape almost darted from his seat, but put his butt firmly back down after a split second. Viktor drowned his urge to laugh in a big gulp of water.
"This is all very kind of you, Kasper, thank you very much. I assume you have spotted no unusual activity during your patrols?"
"No, no, all is well, so far. Since we told her about your inquiry yesterday, Amelia has been rather stressed, which is understandable. She and her daughter are planning to leave Aarhus for a family visit soon, I think it will be good for both of them. She has been through a lot."
"You speak as if you know her." Snape's feathers were still visibly ruffled as he fixed his tie.
"Three-hundred-fifty people, remember? We all know each other, more or less. There are a few recluses, of course. Not everyone is fond of other people." He smiled at Severus with a mischievous glint in his eye. Viktor took this as the cue to end the banter and be on his way. Kasper led them to a turquoise Mini Cooper in the car park. He looked at Viktor apologetically.
"I am sorry, Viktor, this is what I was able to acquire yesterday after you called. I didn't know that you are so tall."
Viktor shrugged, it would be fine. It wasn't a long drive anyway. He adjusted the seat and the mirrors, while Severus waited outside, eyeing the car as if it were a dark artefact.
"Any time now, Severus?"
Severus did not grunt or oppose, instead, he squared his shoulders and settled into the passenger seat like one who has finally gathered the courage to take a plunge into a cold lake. As Viktor entered the address into the GPS navigation system and slowly drove out of the car park, he still didn't seem very relaxed.
"Do you drive, Severus?"
"Not on this side of the road." Viktor saw him wince slightly with the corner of his eye as a car passed by on the opposite lane. So that was why. Viktor had never driven in England, but guessed he would feel similarly if he did. He decided to distract him with some harmless small talk. But what would be the fun in that?
"I have talked to Draco Malfoy recently. He seems to be a very successful Potions Master. He said that you were his inspiration for studying potions."
"Why did you visit Draco?"
Viktor sped up to join the highway, so he didn't reply straight away. Severus was watching the tiny animated car on the navigator screen rather than looking at the road.
"Was it about the case?"
Viktor nodded, "Not directly but, yes. I have heard that he is working on a cure for the victims, and was wondering if he has any idea what the weapon might be."
"And did he?"
"If he did, he didn't tell me."
"Have you been following the British politics in the past decade?"
Viktor had been following the news as much as he followed the news of any other country. Hermione had left the wizarding world following the Death Eater trials, weary of the war and eager to reconnect with her parents, so he also had stopped engaging with it. Ever since he had joined the ITF, and Hermione had gone back to Hogwarts to teach, he had started to keep a closer eye. After all, although Voldemort was gone, the ideology that brought him to power still lurked, even though it had remained largely voiceless. It would take but a spark to bring it to the surface again. Still, Britain was not a party to the Pact, and therefore not within ITF jurisdiction.
"A little bit, yes."
"Shacklebolt has done a good job rebuilding after the war."
"He has."
"Too bad that purebloods have been systematically excluded from his New Britain."
"I believe Minister Shacklebolt himself is a pureblood. So are Professor Longbottom and the Weasleys. They are all very successful in their fields." Viktor had to think of the bane of his former existence, Ginevra Weasley, the star Chaser.
"Obtuseness is not becoming, Viktor. For the children of Voldemort's associates, there is no future in Britain any more. Those who could flee, did. Draco has been working very hard to make a name for himself. But it is not only hard work and diligence that determines your fortune, I am afraid."
The highway was rather busy, Viktor kept his eyes firmly fixed on the road as Severus spoke. He was used to reading people's body language and the expression in their eyes when they talked, and having a conversation with no eye contact was strange to him, especially considering that this was the longest conversation he'd had with Severus Snape in the ten odd years since he'd got to know him.
"If he does find a cure, his fortune may turn."
"Is he on your list of suspects?"
"Our list, partner. Anyone with a motive is a suspect. He would benefit from these attacks if his cure works, and he is a hero."
Severus snorted. "Well, don't you think a lot of things. What if he can't find a cure?"
Viktor hummed lightly.
"You think he already has the cure, right? And he has developed the weapon as well."
"As you said, I think a lot of things," Viktor pushed the gas pedal to overtake a truck. "I don't presume anything. We still have little evidence, and lots of questions. Is having you as a partner a conflict of interest, given that Draco is a potential suspect?" He could not have favouritism to deal with on top of all his other worries.
"Why would it be one? We have the same interest, finding the people responsible as soon as possible."
"If I may ask a question," Viktor looked at Severus with the corner of his eye, "why did you insist on being my partner?"
"Insist is a big word."
"OK, strongly advised me to reconsider my decision to not take you with me."
Viktor changed highways. Of course, the story of Severus Snape and his love for Harry's mother, who died protecting her son, was a thing of legends. He still hoped that there was more to it than just drawing parallels with his past life and Peggy Warrington's murder. Emotions rarely led to the best decisions.
"Can I be frank with you, Viktor?" Viktor wondered what he had been till then.
"I rely on it."
"For all the modern methods that you young Aurors use, or whatever you call yourself, I highly doubt that you'll be able to tackle this case on your own, and I wish to end this nasty business before it escalates any further," he declared with a bored voice.
"You think our modern methods are not effective?"
"That's correct."
"So you want to take the matter into your own hands."
"You may say so, yes."
"I thought Harry recommended you."
"We had a chat beforehand."
Viktor knew that Severus was not shy or modest when it came to his abilities as a Potions Master, or what the English called "Dark Arts". He hadn't quite expected to be declared incompetent, but wasn't surprised either. For a while, they drove on in silence.
"What do you think about the Identitarian movement?"
"Ironically, it is a muggle concept," Severus chuckled darkly, "there are many Identitarian movements around Europe nowadays. I think it is a natural reaction to the direction that the wizarding world is being coerced into, but taken to the extreme."
Viktor narrowed his eyes, "Do you think the wizarding world is being coerced into opening up to the non-wizarding world? Opening up and learning about non-magical people is the only way to prevent blood supremacy. People will fear and hate what they don't know."
"Are."
"Are?"
"Are the only ways to prevent, not is the only way."
"Oh. Sorry."
Severus looked a lot more comfortable in the car than he did in the beginning of the journey. He looked away from Viktor, at the row of trees that smudged into one another as the car sped, with a relaxed posture.
"That the wizarding world opens up to the muggle one is probably unavoidable. To do so at the pace that we are doing, a pace that was set by the new government rather than the wizarding population itself, is, however, bound to cause a reaction like the Identitarian movement."
"Isn't change like this always governed by outside forces? Governments, lobbies?"
"Perhaps, in the muggle world. There are so many of them, and so used to being herded like sheep. If you try the same in the wizarding world, and in a manner so unsubtle, it sticks out."
"The majority of the people seem to be in favour of the Minister and his policies, though."
"They do?"
"He has been elected."
"Indeed. I am sure he wishes to stay that way."
Viktor wanted to question him further, about the Minister and his intentions, the censorship of the press, Draco's candidacy, but after he took the highway exit to Aarhus, they busied themselves with following the instructions on the navigator to find the address, taking a few wrong turns and blaming each other for it. When they finally arrived, a blonde witch in her mid-forties waved at them. She was standing in front of a small house in a row of many, and pointed them to a space to park. As Viktor manoeuvred in and out of a small space between two cars, lamenting at his lack of practice, Severus was stealing glances at the Danish MLE officer.
"Do you speak Danish?"
Viktor finally got his small car into the parking slot. "No, I speak Swedish. But Danes normally speak very good English."
"I am sure they think so, too. Their accents are hard to understand. It's like they are speaking into a pillow."
Viktor had to laugh at that as they got out of the car. "Is it? How does my accent sound?"
"Better than it used to." Severus closed the door and offered his hand to the lady who came to greet him. She was dressed casually in jeans and a shirt, and had a kind, easy-going air about her.
"Severus Snape, pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Severus, nice to meet you. I am Josephine. I have told Amelia about your arrival and purpose. She is expecting you." The witch greeted Viktor similarly and led them to the house.
"I heard that you have been keeping watch since last night, you must be tired," Severus said smoothly. Viktor wondered if he was always nicer to women than men.
Josephine replied, smiling as she knocked on the door, "I slept over, yes. I put some intruder wards around. So far, it has been all quiet."
The door was answered by another blonde witch, looking apprehensive rather than relaxed and cheerful like the other two Danes they had met so far. Viktor was last to enter as they were tentatively invited inside. The living room reminded Viktor of the one in Warrington's house, cosy and lived-in with a children's play corner. There was, however, no child in sight.
"Astrid is with my parents," Amelia answered without being asked, probably noticing Viktor staring at the empty play corner. "I wasn't so sure what is going to happen today, so I sent her away."
"Is it just the two of you?" Viktor didn't see any signs of a male presence in the house.
"Yes, it is just me and my daughter."
It must have been hard after the kidnapping, thought Viktor, luckily she seemed to have plenty of people to support her. Josephine sat on the couch next to her apparently friend and held her hand as Amelia recited the events on the day of her disappearance. Her narrative was brief, and broken by occasional sobs of tension. Severus listened intently, nodding, his eyes full of understanding and compassion.
"Madam," he started, after Amelia finished her account, "I highly appreciate your bravery to aid us on our quest to bring the culprits of this horrid act of terrorism to justice. You surely have questions about the Legilimency. I urge you to take your time and ask all of them, so that you are absolutely free of concerns before we start."
The attentiveness that left Viktor in awe also seemed to have a considerable calming effect on Amelia. Viktor took the time to study her relaxing features. Her eyebrows were almost invisible, large blue eyes seemed just a tad too far away from each other, but her face was still very pleasant to look at.
"Will I remember?" she asked quietly, eyes rising to meet Severus' affectionate gaze.
"You may, yes. I doubt that it will be very much. I will try to bring forward some information that you may still have in store, but are not able to perceive consciously. I can also permanently remove them afterwards, should this be your wish…"
"No!" she exclaimed, and then repeated in a calmer voice. "No, I would like to keep them. I never want to be Obliviated, ever again."
Severus nodded. "Do you feel ready to start?"
As Amelia approved, Severus stood up to his impressive height, but the expression on his face was tender and his usually domineering posture was almost an untouching embrace. He drew his slender, black wand and produced two potion vials from the inside pocket of his jacket.
"I will thank you both to vacate this room and leave us alone."
"But," Josephine started, but Severus shook his head.
"This will be a difficult operation. The fewer distractions are in the room, the higher the chances of success will be. I do not wish to distress your friend any longer than necessary. So, would you please, leave."
Viktor left the room with Josephine without further need for persuasion, and closed the door behind him. For a while, they passed the time in the small kitchen with cups of coffee, experimenting with a mixed conversation in Swedish and Danish. Viktor laughed as Josephine made light-hearted fun of his prim and proper "Durmstrang Swedish", and had to tell her to slow down and articulate a few times, having a harder time understanding Danish than the native Danish speaker did understanding Swedish. It turned out that the witch had been born and brought up in Roskilde, and understood Swedish as well as any Swede. It was a good hour into their conversation, when Viktor was puzzling over some large number that Josephine had said with her weird Danish counting system, when they heard a noise from the living room. The door creaked like a seagull as Josephine opened it, and they took a peek.
Severus was on his knees on the floor. His jacket was discarded on the armchair and his wand on the floor beside him. Amelia sobbed in his arms, her head on his chest and her fingers clutching his shirt for dear life. Viktor turned to his colleague, and with a mutual unspoken understanding, they closed the door.
Hello dear readers! As I said last chapter, this was originally merged with chapter 15, but it didn't fit, so I divided it. Hence, it is a little short. I am very very busy for the rest of the month, so I may not be able to update again. See you latest in the beginning of January, and have a wonderful Christmas/New Year!