Clap your hands and praise out loud
Mrs. J.K. Rowling who wrote about
Harry Potter and his crowd
And owns the lot, please don't sue or shout
Andolyn
Into the night
"North, you said?"
Snape nodded, rubbed his hands and his left forearm.
"How far North."
"All the way to Scotland North."
"That's all the way -way- too far for tonight."
"What do you mean."
"I've had a long day and I'm tired. If I fall asleep behind the wheel, I'll crash the car and be more deadly than any of those things behind us."
The tall man smiled that tiny smile again. "If you trust me, I can take over."
"Trust you? I would not trust you to walk me to the other side of the -road-, let alone to be my chauffeur."
"That is not quite what I meant." Snape waved his wand over the dashboard and said in a clear voice "Momentum Hogwart!"
The wheels of the car immediately started moving, without the engine or headlights coming on, silently, quickly, far faster than speed limits would allow.
"Wow." Was all Ari said.
"Relax. The spell will take the car where it needs to go."
"Relax? I'm driving a god damn Herbie* for crying out loud and you are asking me to relax?"
The wizard gave her a blank stare.
Ari just put up her hands and gave in.
"Never mind- but is our destination a logical one?"
"Under the circumstances."
"Would the men that attacked you and Harry think like that? Like if we can expect them to pop out of the woods somewhere along the road."
"You are being paranoid."
"And you're worried."
Snape sighed and said with a sneer: "There is no safety until we are at our destination. Satisfied?"
"There are no quicker ways than by car? I mean, broomstick, flying carpet? Something like that?"
"There are no roads through -my- world that are currently unmonitored. Besides," he said wearily, pinching the bridge of his nose with thumb and forefinger, "there is the embargo on flying carpets-" He bowed his head and his long, somewhat greasy looking hair hid his features from Ari.
"Right. Off cause. Excuse me, I just- forgot all about that one."
Snape's shoulders moved conspicuously.
"My, am I mistaken or did you really nearly laughed?" Ari asked kindly.
Snape's head came up and his glittering eyes met hers. But the face was a careful blank again.
"You have questions."
"You have an explanation."
"Ah- but you've already made conclusions."
"Which are probably the wrong ones, and would be far easier for you if I'd take them for truth. For my own good and protection wise."
"Potter and I are wizards."
"My- I'd never guessed that about you and -Harry-."
Snape tried to settle himself again in the car. But he still could not find a comfortable space for his legs. His arm seemed itchy, he unconsciously kept rubbing it.
Ari smiled at the squirming mage.
"Allow me." she said and pulled a handle at the side of the chair. It slid a back a little, giving Snape some more space and much needed comfort.
"Thank you-"
The word -again- was not spoken, but it hung in the air for a while.
The car left the city for the highway, uncaring for traffic lights and passing trucks and other traffic left and right. Nobody seemed to notice.
"You know, if you'd like to travel inconspicuously-"
"Than what?"
Snape was rubbing his arm again. He was definitely -not- all right and very tired.
"Never mind. We could stop at some hotel, you know. Get a good night sleep and all."
"I don't have much currency on me- Besides, as I stated before, we won't be safe until we are at our destination."
"So should we not be travelling in a way that attracts less attention!"
"Were not attracting attention."
Ari stared out of the window and looked away. Well, Snape was right at least about the attention bit, none of the cars they passed seemed even to notice them.
"I mean- well, you've put a charm on this car and we're going in a logical, expected direction- Won't we stand out a mile to your enemies?"
"Perhaps, but they won't try anything as long as we are in the middle of traffic. And in spite of the hour, there always seems to be enough of that."
"But, could we not go to some safe house in London? I mean-"
"Woman- will you please -shut up-!"
"No!" Somehow Ari felt a bit childish in defying him. She turned to Snape again and touched his brow. It felt too warm and a bit clammy. He flinched and pulled back."
"What was that for?"
"As I feared, you're running a temperature. I doubt if you are thinking straight."
"I'm quite alright, thank you," came the sarcastic answer.
"No- you are not."
"Oh stop this nonsense!"
"What's with the arm."
"It itches."
"Clearly. Are -you- wounded anywhere?" Ari realised something. "You are not suffering from diabetes, are you?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Well, you are not looking too healthy and Harry asked me for candy- I thought you might be running low on sugar or something?"
"As said- I am quite all right!"
"No, you are not!"
Snape sat up now, a dangerous look glowing in his eyes. Ari smiled sweetly at him.
"What are you trying to do? Keep me awake?"
"My, you're catching on now, are you?"
Snape sighed. "Well, you are probably right anyway."
"And still waiting for some explanation."
"A long long time ago, there once was a very powerful bad wizard who used to kill all the little wizards and witches who did not wish to follow him. Then one day he attacked a family named Potter. The parents perished and the mother was murdered while protecting her infant son. That one." Snape pointed with his thumb behind him.
"The very bad wizard was taken out by his own spell, reflecting from the infant and was presumed dead for almost eleven years. When he surfaced again, war broke out. Since most of my people are either too stupid, gullible or frightened to believe in the return of the Dark Lord, the only safe haven for those who -do-, is a school led by the only magician strong enough to stand up to him, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. And that is where we are heading right now. End."
Ari gulped. "And no happy ever after soon in coming?"
"I doubt it."
"I take it the school you are talking about is Harry's school?"
Snape leant back again, crossed his arms over his chest, closed his eyes and grunted an affirmative.
"Than why the hell was he sent back to the Dursleys!"
Snape gave a bitter chuckle and snorted: "That is exactly the question I've been asking for the last past weeks-. But even good old Dumbledore wishes to keep up -some- appearance of normality. And keeping children over for their summer holidays does not fit the pretty picture of peace!"
"And now the boy is on the run, his family is dead- whomever came up with this bright idea has a lot to answer for!"
"Well- it's not a great loss."
"Snape, if you would not look so- like death warmed over, I'd kick you out of my car for that remark!"
He shrugged. "It's the truth. Potter might be rather shocked right now, but soon enough he will realise he's far better off without these particular relatives. And I'm glad something like this happened."
"You basterd, how dare you."
Snape turned his black eyes on her.
"Haven't you been listening at all? Most of my people do not believe anything's amiss. After tonight's occurrences they have preciously little choice. At least we will have a chance in pulling our resources now- protecting ourselves."
"With -my- people caught in the middle!"
"I'm afraid so- or at least the few muggles who know about this. They are in danger, it is true. But thank the fortunes the Dark Lord's forces are by no means strong enough -yet-, to wage an outright war. He is still forced to act covertly."
"So I have noticed from what happened tonight! Covertly indeed! My government should be warned!"
"They will be. But what can they do? Sent in tanks against magic? Panic the general populous? The following chaos would be totally uncontrollable and work only in favour of Voldemort!"
"Whom?"
"The Dark Lord."
"This is not happening."
"Well it is. And if -you- want to survive, get used to it. There are dangerous times ahead and you are heading for a places not exactly forgiving or kind towards your sort."
"Muggles, you mean. Are you wizards -that- bigoted?"
"The ones who follow Voldemort are- and many of the rest considers your kind either a threat, a nuisance or something with a little more intelligence than a chimpanzee."
"Oh brilliant! And what do you think?"
Snape fell silent for a moment or two, regarding her. Then hesitantly he answered.
"I- I think I owe you both my life, and my sanity. The beings you saved me from are called Dementors. Once, they seemed to be on our side. But what my Headmaster already expected to happen has apparently happened and they joined forces with the Dark Lord- If anything, I have to get this bit of information back to Hogwarts- do you understand?"
"Only half of it. What do those turn-coats do?"
Snape chuckled at that.
"If they get the chance, they literally suck out your soul."
"Dear god!"
"Only being near them is enough for one to be sucked dry of all happiness. Good memories evaporate." Snape sighed.
"The antidote to their influence, is chocolate."
Ari grinned again. "Now you -are- kidding me."
"No, it's true, I swear. To be completely honest, I could use some."
"Well, if we pass a gas station that is open, I'll get you some."
"Thank you."
"My pleasure."
"Hmpf."
"Don't doze off now, keep talking."
"Now why would I want to do a thing like that."
"Because I do not know how to keep this car in control, or how to act should we be attacked."
"That won't happen."
"Nevertheless!"
"Alright then! So why don't you tell me something about -yourself-!"
Ari shook her head, but started in spite of misgivings.
"There isn't much."
* This is a reference to the 1969 Disney movie "Herbie, the Love Bug" a Volkswagen, type 'bug', with a mind of his own. The car was able to act independently from human interference. The film was made as a funny feel good movie. There were about four sequels released about the car, up until the early eighties. Since Ari is in her early thirties, the reference, while driving in an enchanted vehicle, makes perfect sense to her.
Mrs. J.K. Rowling who wrote about
Harry Potter and his crowd
And owns the lot, please don't sue or shout
Andolyn
Into the night
"North, you said?"
Snape nodded, rubbed his hands and his left forearm.
"How far North."
"All the way to Scotland North."
"That's all the way -way- too far for tonight."
"What do you mean."
"I've had a long day and I'm tired. If I fall asleep behind the wheel, I'll crash the car and be more deadly than any of those things behind us."
The tall man smiled that tiny smile again. "If you trust me, I can take over."
"Trust you? I would not trust you to walk me to the other side of the -road-, let alone to be my chauffeur."
"That is not quite what I meant." Snape waved his wand over the dashboard and said in a clear voice "Momentum Hogwart!"
The wheels of the car immediately started moving, without the engine or headlights coming on, silently, quickly, far faster than speed limits would allow.
"Wow." Was all Ari said.
"Relax. The spell will take the car where it needs to go."
"Relax? I'm driving a god damn Herbie* for crying out loud and you are asking me to relax?"
The wizard gave her a blank stare.
Ari just put up her hands and gave in.
"Never mind- but is our destination a logical one?"
"Under the circumstances."
"Would the men that attacked you and Harry think like that? Like if we can expect them to pop out of the woods somewhere along the road."
"You are being paranoid."
"And you're worried."
Snape sighed and said with a sneer: "There is no safety until we are at our destination. Satisfied?"
"There are no quicker ways than by car? I mean, broomstick, flying carpet? Something like that?"
"There are no roads through -my- world that are currently unmonitored. Besides," he said wearily, pinching the bridge of his nose with thumb and forefinger, "there is the embargo on flying carpets-" He bowed his head and his long, somewhat greasy looking hair hid his features from Ari.
"Right. Off cause. Excuse me, I just- forgot all about that one."
Snape's shoulders moved conspicuously.
"My, am I mistaken or did you really nearly laughed?" Ari asked kindly.
Snape's head came up and his glittering eyes met hers. But the face was a careful blank again.
"You have questions."
"You have an explanation."
"Ah- but you've already made conclusions."
"Which are probably the wrong ones, and would be far easier for you if I'd take them for truth. For my own good and protection wise."
"Potter and I are wizards."
"My- I'd never guessed that about you and -Harry-."
Snape tried to settle himself again in the car. But he still could not find a comfortable space for his legs. His arm seemed itchy, he unconsciously kept rubbing it.
Ari smiled at the squirming mage.
"Allow me." she said and pulled a handle at the side of the chair. It slid a back a little, giving Snape some more space and much needed comfort.
"Thank you-"
The word -again- was not spoken, but it hung in the air for a while.
The car left the city for the highway, uncaring for traffic lights and passing trucks and other traffic left and right. Nobody seemed to notice.
"You know, if you'd like to travel inconspicuously-"
"Than what?"
Snape was rubbing his arm again. He was definitely -not- all right and very tired.
"Never mind. We could stop at some hotel, you know. Get a good night sleep and all."
"I don't have much currency on me- Besides, as I stated before, we won't be safe until we are at our destination."
"So should we not be travelling in a way that attracts less attention!"
"Were not attracting attention."
Ari stared out of the window and looked away. Well, Snape was right at least about the attention bit, none of the cars they passed seemed even to notice them.
"I mean- well, you've put a charm on this car and we're going in a logical, expected direction- Won't we stand out a mile to your enemies?"
"Perhaps, but they won't try anything as long as we are in the middle of traffic. And in spite of the hour, there always seems to be enough of that."
"But, could we not go to some safe house in London? I mean-"
"Woman- will you please -shut up-!"
"No!" Somehow Ari felt a bit childish in defying him. She turned to Snape again and touched his brow. It felt too warm and a bit clammy. He flinched and pulled back."
"What was that for?"
"As I feared, you're running a temperature. I doubt if you are thinking straight."
"I'm quite alright, thank you," came the sarcastic answer.
"No- you are not."
"Oh stop this nonsense!"
"What's with the arm."
"It itches."
"Clearly. Are -you- wounded anywhere?" Ari realised something. "You are not suffering from diabetes, are you?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Well, you are not looking too healthy and Harry asked me for candy- I thought you might be running low on sugar or something?"
"As said- I am quite all right!"
"No, you are not!"
Snape sat up now, a dangerous look glowing in his eyes. Ari smiled sweetly at him.
"What are you trying to do? Keep me awake?"
"My, you're catching on now, are you?"
Snape sighed. "Well, you are probably right anyway."
"And still waiting for some explanation."
"A long long time ago, there once was a very powerful bad wizard who used to kill all the little wizards and witches who did not wish to follow him. Then one day he attacked a family named Potter. The parents perished and the mother was murdered while protecting her infant son. That one." Snape pointed with his thumb behind him.
"The very bad wizard was taken out by his own spell, reflecting from the infant and was presumed dead for almost eleven years. When he surfaced again, war broke out. Since most of my people are either too stupid, gullible or frightened to believe in the return of the Dark Lord, the only safe haven for those who -do-, is a school led by the only magician strong enough to stand up to him, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. And that is where we are heading right now. End."
Ari gulped. "And no happy ever after soon in coming?"
"I doubt it."
"I take it the school you are talking about is Harry's school?"
Snape leant back again, crossed his arms over his chest, closed his eyes and grunted an affirmative.
"Than why the hell was he sent back to the Dursleys!"
Snape gave a bitter chuckle and snorted: "That is exactly the question I've been asking for the last past weeks-. But even good old Dumbledore wishes to keep up -some- appearance of normality. And keeping children over for their summer holidays does not fit the pretty picture of peace!"
"And now the boy is on the run, his family is dead- whomever came up with this bright idea has a lot to answer for!"
"Well- it's not a great loss."
"Snape, if you would not look so- like death warmed over, I'd kick you out of my car for that remark!"
He shrugged. "It's the truth. Potter might be rather shocked right now, but soon enough he will realise he's far better off without these particular relatives. And I'm glad something like this happened."
"You basterd, how dare you."
Snape turned his black eyes on her.
"Haven't you been listening at all? Most of my people do not believe anything's amiss. After tonight's occurrences they have preciously little choice. At least we will have a chance in pulling our resources now- protecting ourselves."
"With -my- people caught in the middle!"
"I'm afraid so- or at least the few muggles who know about this. They are in danger, it is true. But thank the fortunes the Dark Lord's forces are by no means strong enough -yet-, to wage an outright war. He is still forced to act covertly."
"So I have noticed from what happened tonight! Covertly indeed! My government should be warned!"
"They will be. But what can they do? Sent in tanks against magic? Panic the general populous? The following chaos would be totally uncontrollable and work only in favour of Voldemort!"
"Whom?"
"The Dark Lord."
"This is not happening."
"Well it is. And if -you- want to survive, get used to it. There are dangerous times ahead and you are heading for a places not exactly forgiving or kind towards your sort."
"Muggles, you mean. Are you wizards -that- bigoted?"
"The ones who follow Voldemort are- and many of the rest considers your kind either a threat, a nuisance or something with a little more intelligence than a chimpanzee."
"Oh brilliant! And what do you think?"
Snape fell silent for a moment or two, regarding her. Then hesitantly he answered.
"I- I think I owe you both my life, and my sanity. The beings you saved me from are called Dementors. Once, they seemed to be on our side. But what my Headmaster already expected to happen has apparently happened and they joined forces with the Dark Lord- If anything, I have to get this bit of information back to Hogwarts- do you understand?"
"Only half of it. What do those turn-coats do?"
Snape chuckled at that.
"If they get the chance, they literally suck out your soul."
"Dear god!"
"Only being near them is enough for one to be sucked dry of all happiness. Good memories evaporate." Snape sighed.
"The antidote to their influence, is chocolate."
Ari grinned again. "Now you -are- kidding me."
"No, it's true, I swear. To be completely honest, I could use some."
"Well, if we pass a gas station that is open, I'll get you some."
"Thank you."
"My pleasure."
"Hmpf."
"Don't doze off now, keep talking."
"Now why would I want to do a thing like that."
"Because I do not know how to keep this car in control, or how to act should we be attacked."
"That won't happen."
"Nevertheless!"
"Alright then! So why don't you tell me something about -yourself-!"
Ari shook her head, but started in spite of misgivings.
"There isn't much."
* This is a reference to the 1969 Disney movie "Herbie, the Love Bug" a Volkswagen, type 'bug', with a mind of his own. The car was able to act independently from human interference. The film was made as a funny feel good movie. There were about four sequels released about the car, up until the early eighties. Since Ari is in her early thirties, the reference, while driving in an enchanted vehicle, makes perfect sense to her.