Author's note:
I knew I was going to screw myself one day for not reading Books 1 to 4 for a long time. Thanks Riley Alicia, for pointing out my horrendous mistake. It would be embarrassing if I had gone on writing 'Weaseley'. So now, all the 'Weaseley's are changed to the correct 'Weasley's.
As for Toots, no Saerelle, that wasn't a mistake. It was a friend of mine who wanted to make a cameo. So there it is.
Chapter 10 should be coming out soon.
Thanks all.
***
Chapter 9: In which Severus walks into the snake's mouth (reposted)
[Draco,
The potion is ready. I shall call on you in two hours.
Severus Snape.]
Severus sighed and tossed the laconic message to Potter who was lying on the grass outside Hogwarts, trying to project a calm image. The young wizard gave it a cursory glance.
'That's it?' Potter raised an eyebrow.
'It'll do.' Severus answered curtly, 'I'm to help him, not entertain him.'
'Shouldn't you er. . . make it more convincing?'
'Draco will not want to be bothered with the details of how the potion is made. That's what he's using me for. I could address the issue more prettily,' Severus acknowledged, 'But it'll all be the same. I do not add unnecessary flourish to my words.'
'I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper in death.' Potter intoned deeply, failing quite miserably in mimicking Severus' dark sardonic impressions.
At Potter's thinly veiled grin, Severus corrected himself, 'At least, under tense circumstances, and you might want to drawl on the words "fame" and "glory" more. Also, pause briefly between phrases. It adds to the suspense.'
'It's positively weird to hear you give me tips in intimidation.' Potter said bemused.
Severus said silkily, 'Admit it. You've always wondered how I do it. Speech is an art form, though lamentably few people appreciate it.' He seized the distraction to push his worries aside and to stretch time as much as possible.
'Ha ha.' Potter whistled for a school owl to bring the message to Draco. 'How long do you need to prepare?'
Severus pretended to consider, 'Well, I need to decide on my wardrobe. One has to look presentable in front of a maniacal enemy. It instills in you bravado. Then I'll take a bath and splash myself exuberantly with perfume so that you know where I am in the mansion. Oh dear, I think it'll take more than two hours.'
Potter snorted predictably.
'I take it you're not amused by my sudden flight of imagination.'
'Oh, assuredly Professor,' the Boy-Who-Lived retorted, 'Here comes Ron.'
Unlike Potter who grew rapidly to become someone Severus could at least call levelheaded, Weasley seemed doomed to be locked in thirteen-year-old frame of mind in an aging body. Not that it was surprising. Of course, initially, Potter was still a self-pitying wreck especially when Black died, but the boy was forced to shoulder several burdens and responsibilities that made him mature.
Seeing Weasley scowl at him did not irk Severus. He was usually quite tuned off to childish grudges and overly charged testosterone. Weasley had shown his disapproval for far too long to affect him. Even if Weasley had reluctantly agreed that he belonged to their side during the war, after it, Weasley's negative feelings for him had returned. Now, his scowl deepened when he beheld his friend talking amicably to him. That lad possessed the most transparent face he had ever come across. Then again, he was a Weasley. Goodness knew how many of them had their education in Hogwarts.
'How did it go?' Potter asked Weasley.
'Dumbledore insisted that I should stay here.'
'He's right. That last experiment you did caused too much damage to your physical strength.'
'He just doesn't want me to get into the action. He thinks I'll bungle it. What did he call it? Hot-headed ways.'
'True.' Severus could not help saying.
Weasley glared at him, 'Don't need to be a wisecrack. I'm not your student anymore and I don't have to take your remarks quietly. To think I whooped after graduation when I swore I'd never see you again.'
'My dear Mr. Weasley, you wound me with your unkind words.' Severus rejoined nastily.
'We're here to help save Hermione, and the others as well,' said Potter irritably, 'So stop it the both of you. . . Hey! Are you done with exchanging greetings?'
One older head of black hair and one younger head of carrot hair turned and snapped at him, 'Yes!'
Severus shut his eyes momentarily as his jaw twitched vaguely in amusement. To be lectured by Potter. . . well, certainly he did not expect it.
Weasley, however, had no such sense of humour. He threw something into Severus' lap with more hostility than was called for. 'There's the gadget. And don't say it won't work because it's done by clumsy, little me. I won't jeopardise this rescue mission.'
'I did not say anything Weasley,' murmured Severus blandly. 'You're too sensitive.'
He received another glare but before Weasley's temper flared, Potter remedied the situation by saying, 'It's bound to work. Ron's a superb maker.'
'Thank you,' Weasley was somewhat mollified. He looked sternly at Severus, who was instinctively aware that in that split moment, both shared the same priority.
'Don't screw this up,' Weasley said in a tone that could not be disputed.
Severus nodded contemplatively and stood up, 'That settles it. I shall collect other required items before we meet again. Excuse me.'
As he left for his office, he did not hear the following conversation between the two friends.
'Will he really save Hermione?'
'Ron, you know he will. There are lives at stake.'
'He hates her.'
'No, he doesn't.'
'No,' Ron said in a rush of bewildered comprehension, 'he doesn't. Harry, is there something you're not telling me?'
'Ron.'
Ron shook his head, 'I can't help thinking. . . maybe that's why I take refuge in treating him as the bad guy. I mean, I didn't think, didn't want to think. . .' he looked at Snape's retreating back. 'He's. . . different in this mission. More. . . something,' He turned back to Harry who was looking at him mildly. 'Can it. . . Ah well.' He shrugged and walked to the castle. Harry followed him.
Some time later, Severus was walking toward the mansion feeling more than a little tensed. If everything went smoothly, it should be over in less than an hour.
'Welcome again Professor!' Draco approached him. 'I was so glad to see your note. How well our little collaboration is.'
'I have the potion, but I believe I should have a form of guarantee,' Draco viewed him with suspicion, 'as to my safety of course.' Severus added with sudden inspiration, 'You see I know my weak position here, being surrounded by four able wizards.'
Draco's expression cleared and he smiled complacently, 'Ah, you will not be harmed Professor.'
'I want to have your partners within sights Draco. To guarantee that I will leave unscathed.'
'So anxious Professor?' Draco sighed, 'Balabus will want your apology for disturbing him in his experiments, but I daresay he'll be interested to study the components of the potion.'
Damn.
'Isn't he specialised in Charms?'
'A wizard can excel in more than one area, can't he? You, as everyone is perfectly aware, are astounding in Defence Against the Dark Arts. Pity Dumbledore doesn't see fit to let you teach it.'
Severus played along and schooled his expression into one of long-suffering defeat, 'Another weakness of mine to show how much I want it.'
Draco patted his arm. Using the internal Floo network, he called on his three accomplices.
'Excellent.' Balabus strode to Severus, 'May I see the potion please Professor?'
Severus took the bottle out carefully. He watched as Balabus uncorked it and sniffed at the contents. Discreetly, he stole his hand into his pocket.
This had better work.
Balabus' face twisted into a sneer.
Damn.
'This is not. . .'
Severus switched on Weasley's gadget and chaos ensued.
It was not possible for four to overcome the might of six more powerful witch and wizards, especially when they were taken by surprise and three of the attackers were Aurors. Yet the four had the advantage of being familiar with their surroundings.
A whirling sound reverberated throughout the room when the gadget began functioning. In an orchestrated move, Potter, Lupin, Moody, Toots, and Fletcher apparated around the five of the previous occupants and surged forward. Severus quickly switched the gadget off to prevent the group from disapparating.
Draco screeched with rage and drew out his wand. Years of lack of training and practice caused his skills to be the weakest amongst the four of them. Crabbe and Goyle made it up with their crude physical strength and sheer brutality and it took Lupin's, Toot's and Moody's combined efforts to subdue them.
Potter and Severus, meanwhile, were fighting Balabus. Potter swore when Balabus hit him with a hex that cut across his cheek causing it to bleed profusely. Severus cast his own hex that was skillfully blocked by Balabus.
'You can't escape!' Potter shouted.
'Yes?' Balabus spat, 'Let's see me try!'
He flung open a door, and dragged in Hermione. Locking her in his arms in front of him, he pointed his wand at her heart.
Galvanised at this unexpected turn of events, everyone became rooted in his or her individual spot.
Balabus smiled placidly.
'Let's see me try.'
~***~
Author's Note:
Got a yahoo domain where I keep fanstuff. Not much there yet, just some pictures and fanfic that can be found here too. It's a precaution in case fanfiction.net gets hung up or something. Hopefully, I can get my fanart posted soon.
I knew I was going to screw myself one day for not reading Books 1 to 4 for a long time. Thanks Riley Alicia, for pointing out my horrendous mistake. It would be embarrassing if I had gone on writing 'Weaseley'. So now, all the 'Weaseley's are changed to the correct 'Weasley's.
As for Toots, no Saerelle, that wasn't a mistake. It was a friend of mine who wanted to make a cameo. So there it is.
Chapter 10 should be coming out soon.
Thanks all.
***
Chapter 9: In which Severus walks into the snake's mouth (reposted)
[Draco,
The potion is ready. I shall call on you in two hours.
Severus Snape.]
Severus sighed and tossed the laconic message to Potter who was lying on the grass outside Hogwarts, trying to project a calm image. The young wizard gave it a cursory glance.
'That's it?' Potter raised an eyebrow.
'It'll do.' Severus answered curtly, 'I'm to help him, not entertain him.'
'Shouldn't you er. . . make it more convincing?'
'Draco will not want to be bothered with the details of how the potion is made. That's what he's using me for. I could address the issue more prettily,' Severus acknowledged, 'But it'll all be the same. I do not add unnecessary flourish to my words.'
'I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper in death.' Potter intoned deeply, failing quite miserably in mimicking Severus' dark sardonic impressions.
At Potter's thinly veiled grin, Severus corrected himself, 'At least, under tense circumstances, and you might want to drawl on the words "fame" and "glory" more. Also, pause briefly between phrases. It adds to the suspense.'
'It's positively weird to hear you give me tips in intimidation.' Potter said bemused.
Severus said silkily, 'Admit it. You've always wondered how I do it. Speech is an art form, though lamentably few people appreciate it.' He seized the distraction to push his worries aside and to stretch time as much as possible.
'Ha ha.' Potter whistled for a school owl to bring the message to Draco. 'How long do you need to prepare?'
Severus pretended to consider, 'Well, I need to decide on my wardrobe. One has to look presentable in front of a maniacal enemy. It instills in you bravado. Then I'll take a bath and splash myself exuberantly with perfume so that you know where I am in the mansion. Oh dear, I think it'll take more than two hours.'
Potter snorted predictably.
'I take it you're not amused by my sudden flight of imagination.'
'Oh, assuredly Professor,' the Boy-Who-Lived retorted, 'Here comes Ron.'
Unlike Potter who grew rapidly to become someone Severus could at least call levelheaded, Weasley seemed doomed to be locked in thirteen-year-old frame of mind in an aging body. Not that it was surprising. Of course, initially, Potter was still a self-pitying wreck especially when Black died, but the boy was forced to shoulder several burdens and responsibilities that made him mature.
Seeing Weasley scowl at him did not irk Severus. He was usually quite tuned off to childish grudges and overly charged testosterone. Weasley had shown his disapproval for far too long to affect him. Even if Weasley had reluctantly agreed that he belonged to their side during the war, after it, Weasley's negative feelings for him had returned. Now, his scowl deepened when he beheld his friend talking amicably to him. That lad possessed the most transparent face he had ever come across. Then again, he was a Weasley. Goodness knew how many of them had their education in Hogwarts.
'How did it go?' Potter asked Weasley.
'Dumbledore insisted that I should stay here.'
'He's right. That last experiment you did caused too much damage to your physical strength.'
'He just doesn't want me to get into the action. He thinks I'll bungle it. What did he call it? Hot-headed ways.'
'True.' Severus could not help saying.
Weasley glared at him, 'Don't need to be a wisecrack. I'm not your student anymore and I don't have to take your remarks quietly. To think I whooped after graduation when I swore I'd never see you again.'
'My dear Mr. Weasley, you wound me with your unkind words.' Severus rejoined nastily.
'We're here to help save Hermione, and the others as well,' said Potter irritably, 'So stop it the both of you. . . Hey! Are you done with exchanging greetings?'
One older head of black hair and one younger head of carrot hair turned and snapped at him, 'Yes!'
Severus shut his eyes momentarily as his jaw twitched vaguely in amusement. To be lectured by Potter. . . well, certainly he did not expect it.
Weasley, however, had no such sense of humour. He threw something into Severus' lap with more hostility than was called for. 'There's the gadget. And don't say it won't work because it's done by clumsy, little me. I won't jeopardise this rescue mission.'
'I did not say anything Weasley,' murmured Severus blandly. 'You're too sensitive.'
He received another glare but before Weasley's temper flared, Potter remedied the situation by saying, 'It's bound to work. Ron's a superb maker.'
'Thank you,' Weasley was somewhat mollified. He looked sternly at Severus, who was instinctively aware that in that split moment, both shared the same priority.
'Don't screw this up,' Weasley said in a tone that could not be disputed.
Severus nodded contemplatively and stood up, 'That settles it. I shall collect other required items before we meet again. Excuse me.'
As he left for his office, he did not hear the following conversation between the two friends.
'Will he really save Hermione?'
'Ron, you know he will. There are lives at stake.'
'He hates her.'
'No, he doesn't.'
'No,' Ron said in a rush of bewildered comprehension, 'he doesn't. Harry, is there something you're not telling me?'
'Ron.'
Ron shook his head, 'I can't help thinking. . . maybe that's why I take refuge in treating him as the bad guy. I mean, I didn't think, didn't want to think. . .' he looked at Snape's retreating back. 'He's. . . different in this mission. More. . . something,' He turned back to Harry who was looking at him mildly. 'Can it. . . Ah well.' He shrugged and walked to the castle. Harry followed him.
Some time later, Severus was walking toward the mansion feeling more than a little tensed. If everything went smoothly, it should be over in less than an hour.
'Welcome again Professor!' Draco approached him. 'I was so glad to see your note. How well our little collaboration is.'
'I have the potion, but I believe I should have a form of guarantee,' Draco viewed him with suspicion, 'as to my safety of course.' Severus added with sudden inspiration, 'You see I know my weak position here, being surrounded by four able wizards.'
Draco's expression cleared and he smiled complacently, 'Ah, you will not be harmed Professor.'
'I want to have your partners within sights Draco. To guarantee that I will leave unscathed.'
'So anxious Professor?' Draco sighed, 'Balabus will want your apology for disturbing him in his experiments, but I daresay he'll be interested to study the components of the potion.'
Damn.
'Isn't he specialised in Charms?'
'A wizard can excel in more than one area, can't he? You, as everyone is perfectly aware, are astounding in Defence Against the Dark Arts. Pity Dumbledore doesn't see fit to let you teach it.'
Severus played along and schooled his expression into one of long-suffering defeat, 'Another weakness of mine to show how much I want it.'
Draco patted his arm. Using the internal Floo network, he called on his three accomplices.
'Excellent.' Balabus strode to Severus, 'May I see the potion please Professor?'
Severus took the bottle out carefully. He watched as Balabus uncorked it and sniffed at the contents. Discreetly, he stole his hand into his pocket.
This had better work.
Balabus' face twisted into a sneer.
Damn.
'This is not. . .'
Severus switched on Weasley's gadget and chaos ensued.
It was not possible for four to overcome the might of six more powerful witch and wizards, especially when they were taken by surprise and three of the attackers were Aurors. Yet the four had the advantage of being familiar with their surroundings.
A whirling sound reverberated throughout the room when the gadget began functioning. In an orchestrated move, Potter, Lupin, Moody, Toots, and Fletcher apparated around the five of the previous occupants and surged forward. Severus quickly switched the gadget off to prevent the group from disapparating.
Draco screeched with rage and drew out his wand. Years of lack of training and practice caused his skills to be the weakest amongst the four of them. Crabbe and Goyle made it up with their crude physical strength and sheer brutality and it took Lupin's, Toot's and Moody's combined efforts to subdue them.
Potter and Severus, meanwhile, were fighting Balabus. Potter swore when Balabus hit him with a hex that cut across his cheek causing it to bleed profusely. Severus cast his own hex that was skillfully blocked by Balabus.
'You can't escape!' Potter shouted.
'Yes?' Balabus spat, 'Let's see me try!'
He flung open a door, and dragged in Hermione. Locking her in his arms in front of him, he pointed his wand at her heart.
Galvanised at this unexpected turn of events, everyone became rooted in his or her individual spot.
Balabus smiled placidly.
'Let's see me try.'
~***~
Author's Note:
Got a yahoo domain where I keep fanstuff. Not much there yet, just some pictures and fanfic that can be found here too. It's a precaution in case fanfiction.net gets hung up or something. Hopefully, I can get my fanart posted soon.