A/N: What's up everyone? Wow-I'm thrilled with the responses I'm getting.
Keep it up with the feedback, guys! Well, here's Chapter 7. I hope you all
like it! Once again, if you have any ideas or suggestions, feel free to
email me at LadyDrake33@yahoo.com. I WILL get back to you. Once again, I'm
flattered by all of your nice reviews..and I would feel better if you wrote
some more. It might prompt even faster updates! * wink * * nudge * :D
~~
There was no place like Rome. Ha ha ha. After thinking that, Severus had a bizarre image of clicking red shoes, and shook his head to banish the thought. Definitely not something sane people took the time to think about. He was, believe it or not, excited--in Rome, they would occupy an actual inn. With solid floors, decent fireplaces, and real beds. He especially missed real beds. Those cots weren't exactly comfortable.
He had been something of a legend in the countryside, but now he was glad to return to the anonymity of city life. The Kumpania would only need his services for their own purposes now--in Rome, there were carnivals to be had and unsuspecting tourists to be robbed. Of course, Severus had no desire to participate in the robberies after his bad experience with pickpocketing. He'd probably never try anything of the sort again. Besides, the children were the best at it. One child would gaze adorably at an affluent-looking passer-by, distracting him with some story about being lost or looking for a dog, while his partner in crime would sneak up from behind and rob the fellow blind. Brilliant, really. Severus felt a bit bad for the tourists, but that was what they got for coming to a foreign country and not even minding their own wallets.
Because Gypsies had connections everywhere, they were soon comfortably ensconsed in an inn located in one of the shadier areas of Rome. Severus was thrilled because until Spring most of their days would be spent wandering the city as they saw fit. He had a desire to see Rome again, especially the Sistine Chapel. And the Vatican. And just thinking about Italian cafes made his mouth water and his mind become preoccupied with an irrational need for coffee.
It didn't stop him from wishing he was home. As much as he enjoyed this beautiful European city, he knew that both he and Hermione were patiently waiting for their ordeal to be over.
Roux had been oddly silent since Severus' successful treatment of Vesh. Even the Gypsy King's animosity could not keep the rest of the Kumpania away from him any longer. Severus had only been alone with Roux once since then, and although not many words had been said, much had passed between them. Severus had been on one of his solitary walks, and met Roux among the trees doing much the same thing.
"It's dangerous out here, you know," Roux had commented, with seeming nonchalance.
"Indeed--you never know what sorts of creatures are out there."
"Or what sorts of people," Roux remarked. "You could meet anyone out here in the forest. Someone could kill you and leave your body for the wolves-- and no one would ever know where you went. They'd wait, and wait, and wait...and you'd never make it home." Severus had unconsciously reached into his sleeve, and was already considering the very real possibility of an attack from Roux. He was now even more of a threat than he had been before. It was obvious that the comment was intended to communicate just that. He couldn't help but think that no one would be waiting for him, anyway.
"Just remember that," the Gypsy King had growled before stalking off in the direction from which he came. Severus had just sighed with relief and whispered to no one in particular.
"I will."
~~
Albus just knew he was on the right trail as he roamed the Italian countryside, tracking down leads that could very possibly lead to Severus. There had been no body, after all--in fact, there was no evidence whatsoever so point to the conclusion that Severus Snape was dead, save for his mysterious disappearance and prolonged absence.
One thing was confusing Albus, however--why did all of the rumors about this man (Severus?) include a female companion, a wife actually, with cinnamon hair? Severus was not the type of man who ran off, got married, and then roamed the countryside impressing people with his herbal remedies. If it was Severus--and Albus found himself desperately hoping that it was-- the Potions Master would definitely have some explaining to do. A lot of explaining. The hope that so powerfully seized Albus whenever he heard any hint at his Potions Master's existence terrified him. If he failed to find Severus, the disappointment he'd feel could be unbearable.
~~
Severus sat in the tavern that occupied the lower floor of the inn and thought. Something about Atani's behavior had been bothering him. The man was always watching him intently--Severus could feel it even in that moment. It was a look Severus was familiar with, as well. It reminded him of Lucius Malfoy's expression when he was planning some wild raid on a muggle family. Or maybe the chilling determination in Voldemort's eyes, which intensified as he came up with plan after plan detailing the demise of Harry Potter. He wanted to shudder, but didn't. To shudder would reveal that he was nervous about something, and weakness was not allowed for Severus at the moment.
Hermione didn't seem to notice the man's predatory nature, however, and she and Atani happened to be getting along swimmingly. Severus wondered why she seemed to trust him so easily.
'Because the bastard isn't after her,' his mind replied dryly. 'It's you they all want. At least someone wants you for something.'
Atani's seeming determination to get close to Hermione unnerved Severus, as well. It was an interesting situation, to say the least. But for now, there was nothing he could do about it except exercise the utmost caution. Severus sighed, leaned back, and waited for the puzzle pieces to click into place.
~~
There was no place like Rome. Ha ha ha. After thinking that, Severus had a bizarre image of clicking red shoes, and shook his head to banish the thought. Definitely not something sane people took the time to think about. He was, believe it or not, excited--in Rome, they would occupy an actual inn. With solid floors, decent fireplaces, and real beds. He especially missed real beds. Those cots weren't exactly comfortable.
He had been something of a legend in the countryside, but now he was glad to return to the anonymity of city life. The Kumpania would only need his services for their own purposes now--in Rome, there were carnivals to be had and unsuspecting tourists to be robbed. Of course, Severus had no desire to participate in the robberies after his bad experience with pickpocketing. He'd probably never try anything of the sort again. Besides, the children were the best at it. One child would gaze adorably at an affluent-looking passer-by, distracting him with some story about being lost or looking for a dog, while his partner in crime would sneak up from behind and rob the fellow blind. Brilliant, really. Severus felt a bit bad for the tourists, but that was what they got for coming to a foreign country and not even minding their own wallets.
Because Gypsies had connections everywhere, they were soon comfortably ensconsed in an inn located in one of the shadier areas of Rome. Severus was thrilled because until Spring most of their days would be spent wandering the city as they saw fit. He had a desire to see Rome again, especially the Sistine Chapel. And the Vatican. And just thinking about Italian cafes made his mouth water and his mind become preoccupied with an irrational need for coffee.
It didn't stop him from wishing he was home. As much as he enjoyed this beautiful European city, he knew that both he and Hermione were patiently waiting for their ordeal to be over.
Roux had been oddly silent since Severus' successful treatment of Vesh. Even the Gypsy King's animosity could not keep the rest of the Kumpania away from him any longer. Severus had only been alone with Roux once since then, and although not many words had been said, much had passed between them. Severus had been on one of his solitary walks, and met Roux among the trees doing much the same thing.
"It's dangerous out here, you know," Roux had commented, with seeming nonchalance.
"Indeed--you never know what sorts of creatures are out there."
"Or what sorts of people," Roux remarked. "You could meet anyone out here in the forest. Someone could kill you and leave your body for the wolves-- and no one would ever know where you went. They'd wait, and wait, and wait...and you'd never make it home." Severus had unconsciously reached into his sleeve, and was already considering the very real possibility of an attack from Roux. He was now even more of a threat than he had been before. It was obvious that the comment was intended to communicate just that. He couldn't help but think that no one would be waiting for him, anyway.
"Just remember that," the Gypsy King had growled before stalking off in the direction from which he came. Severus had just sighed with relief and whispered to no one in particular.
"I will."
~~
Albus just knew he was on the right trail as he roamed the Italian countryside, tracking down leads that could very possibly lead to Severus. There had been no body, after all--in fact, there was no evidence whatsoever so point to the conclusion that Severus Snape was dead, save for his mysterious disappearance and prolonged absence.
One thing was confusing Albus, however--why did all of the rumors about this man (Severus?) include a female companion, a wife actually, with cinnamon hair? Severus was not the type of man who ran off, got married, and then roamed the countryside impressing people with his herbal remedies. If it was Severus--and Albus found himself desperately hoping that it was-- the Potions Master would definitely have some explaining to do. A lot of explaining. The hope that so powerfully seized Albus whenever he heard any hint at his Potions Master's existence terrified him. If he failed to find Severus, the disappointment he'd feel could be unbearable.
~~
Severus sat in the tavern that occupied the lower floor of the inn and thought. Something about Atani's behavior had been bothering him. The man was always watching him intently--Severus could feel it even in that moment. It was a look Severus was familiar with, as well. It reminded him of Lucius Malfoy's expression when he was planning some wild raid on a muggle family. Or maybe the chilling determination in Voldemort's eyes, which intensified as he came up with plan after plan detailing the demise of Harry Potter. He wanted to shudder, but didn't. To shudder would reveal that he was nervous about something, and weakness was not allowed for Severus at the moment.
Hermione didn't seem to notice the man's predatory nature, however, and she and Atani happened to be getting along swimmingly. Severus wondered why she seemed to trust him so easily.
'Because the bastard isn't after her,' his mind replied dryly. 'It's you they all want. At least someone wants you for something.'
Atani's seeming determination to get close to Hermione unnerved Severus, as well. It was an interesting situation, to say the least. But for now, there was nothing he could do about it except exercise the utmost caution. Severus sighed, leaned back, and waited for the puzzle pieces to click into place.