A/N: Happy New Year! Here's the next chapter. It's another flashback, as always. It's short. Very short. More of a teaser, really. Hehe. But don't worry; the next chapter is coming soon…after I do a few hours of physics homework, a psychology project, a few more hours of calculus homework, and a packet on the executive branch of the federal government…oh, and read Anna Karenina. Damn my holiday procrastination. Ah well, enjoy!
Note: Sorry I couldn't do the email notifications this time. Fanfiction.net is giving me difficulties and it took me two days to post this chapter at all. I can't get into my reviews so I don't know who to notify.
Warning: This chapter contains (gasp!) consumption of alcohol! Run children, run away! It also contains (double gasp!) violence! If you're not scared off yet, then continue reading.
Chapter 8: Flashback – Assassin
March 2nd, 1979:
Germanus held on tightly to the toilet seat as he vomited. When his stomach was emptied he slipped down onto the floor and fell into a drunken sleep.
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March 3rd, 1979:
He woke up to the feel of a soft towel wiping his face. Germanus opened his eyes and immediately regretted it as the harsh lighting of the bathroom drove needles into them. "Ugh," he groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Anna?"
"Of course. Who else would be here to save your hung-over ass? Point your head the other way, if you don't mind. Your breath smells putrid."
"What time is it?" he asked, staggering to his feet.
"An hour until the meeting. You need a shower. Take off your clothes, they have booze all over them anyway."
"Right in front of you?"
Anna huffed. "As if I haven't seen you naked before. This is becoming far too routine for my liking. Get into the shower. I've already asked a servant to bring in some clean clothes for you."
"Could you talk a little softer? My head is really pounding."
She leaned in close. "Shower," she whispered softly, "NOW!"
Germanus jumped at her shout. "What on earth was that for? My head, ouch…" Not wanting to risk her wrath any further, he stripped out of his clothes and turned on the shower.
"Honestly," she grumbled to herself. "You'd think we were an old married couple."
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"Germanus, we have to talk," she said, barging into his rooms. He was sitting on a chair by the fire, his feet propped up as he read a book.
He turned to her in surprise. "If it's about this morning, I truly am grateful for your help."
"It's not just about this morning," she said. "It's about three nights ago, and a few nights before that, and a few before that. You can't solve your problems by drinking them away. I know you're depressed but that doesn't give you license to destroy yourself."
"I know I had a bit too much to drink last night…"
"A bit," she scoffed. "Please. I know this is about Severus-"
"Severus? Why would it be? I haven't seen him in years." He was paying very close attention to a word on the page of his book. He couldn't seem to read past it.
"I don't know why I put up with you. I really don't," she shook her head. "I'm not about to spend the next hour prying something out of you that you already know. You've been going slowly downhill since he left and we both know it, so let's cut the bull for once, shall we?"
"You really ought to take lessons in more ladylike speech," he commented.
"Germanus…"
"I've taken a hard stance on the Voldemort issue. You know that. I've done as much as I can. I've sent our international forces to England to assist the Aurors. It's just…it…" His book fell to the ground and he covered his face with his hands. "Merlin, Anna, I just don't know. No one's seen him since he left Hogwarts."
"He'll turn up, you have to believe that," she said.
He laughed. "Severus or his corpse?"
"Don't say that."
"Why not? He does that, you know – Voldemort, I mean. He sacrifices his own followers on occasion for his Dark rituals. I read all about it in his dossier. Perhaps Severus has already drawn the short straw."
"You act as if you're the only one who's hurting!" she cried. "You didn't even know him! I did!" She stalked out of the room and slammed the door.
"But you weren't the one who drove him to his death," he spoke into the empty room.
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"Wake up."
"Eh? Go away, Anna, I'm fine," Germanus grumbled, turning over in bed.
"I'm not Anna and you're not fine. Get up."
Germanus opened his eyes. He knew that voice. He tried to get up but he was tangled in the covers and ended up rolling onto the floor. It was too dark in the room to see clearly, but as he disentangled himself and stood up he was able to make out a shadowy figure on the other side of the bed.
"Severus?" he whispered, his chest constricting so tightly that he could barely speak.
"No, the tooth fairy. Stupid old fool."
"You're alive," he stated, wonder apparent in his voice.
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"
"I was worried."
Severus snarled. "I bet you were. You know, Germanus, you're an odd man. Everyone is so concerned about your personal safety, and yet you haven't even bothered to change your wards since I left. Awfully stupid of you, wouldn't you say?" Severus slowly stalked around the bed toward him. "Having those amateur wand-wavers guard you at night is fairly stupid, too. I've had a better challenge from unarmed muggles."
Germanus was beginning to see where this was going. Not only that, but his wand was on his nightstand, by the other side of his bed. Even if he had it, he didn't think he could do anything. Not to Severus, surely.
"You've been a tremendous nuisance to my master lately. Sending those troops out to help the Aurors…what a naughty brother you are. My master has sent me with a message for you."
Germanus was close enough to his brother to see the twisted smirk on his face as he raised his wand. No amount of alcohol could make him feel as sickened as he did at that instant.
"Exoculo!"
Germanus' screams of agony only served to enhance the sound of Severus' laughter.
