Chapter Twenty-Three: Masking the Angel

Severus' first reaction towards the Potions Mistress sitting before him was amusement. She was a squat, ancient-looking woman, with short curls of white resting over tanned skin and deep, brown eyes that were narrowed with age. It was her hands that caught his attention. Small and gnarled, most of her fingers were bandaged at the knuckles. He was impressed. His aunt had been fond of saying you could tell how good a Potions Master was by his hands, and judging by this woman's worn and calloused fingers, Snape could tell she was damn good at what she did. He smoothed out his cloak, put on his best smile, and stepped forward.

            "Madam Vargas?"

            Nicanora Vargas looked up from what she was writing, took him in, and burst into laughter. "Dios mio, yo pregunta' por un hombro pero el mandron un nino."

            "I'm sorry?" Snape asked, frowning. Spanish was among the most common languages at Hecate because of its location near the Mexican border, but he had never fully mastered the language. However, he could tell from her tone and what little he knew that Vargas was not pleased with him. "Do I offend you?"

            "Not at all." Vargas snickered, placing down her drink. "It's just that when Valentine said he had found an assistant for me, I was expecting someone older."

            Snape frowned. "He told me you needed help with Poisons…I wasn't looking to be someone's assistant."

            "Well, that's something Valentine would do, isn't it? Let me explain. I'm Professor Vargas, of Holms College of Apothecary. I work in research and development. Most of my work involves experimental drugs."

            "You're a medic?"

            "No, but it's a pretty neat title, isn't it? Not to mention it gives me an excuse to work with potions all day. I know it doesn't sound like much, but there's nothing quite like the simmering of a cauldron, or truly understanding the delicate powers of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind and ensnaring the senses. I can bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper to death…but I need someone to help me. Someone who knows his way around a cauldron and can learn to keep his mouth shut."

            "Silence is a virtue I've mastered."

            "Good lad." Nora nodded. She sipped her drink and smiled at him. "Can you harvest poison from belladonna and oleanders?"

            "Of course I can. Belladonna can be harvested straight off the plant. If you want oleanders to be poisonous, I'll have to brew the leaves. Of course, if you're planning on adding something like mandrakes to the water, it'll make the oleander useless, but and bitter. I hear it makes a great dreamless sleep tonic though."

            "You know your stuff." She nodded. "I'm impressed. So, can you tell me what important brew comes out of potatoes?"

            Snape frowned, searching his mind for the answer. He shook his head. "No…I don't know. What?"

            "Vodka." She smiled, patting his shoulder. "The job's yours if you want it. I trust Valentine to deliver what I want."

            "Thanks…I, um…thank you," he said.

            "Valentine said you were looking for a new life. I can offer a job, and that's always a good start. I'll see you first thing on Monday." She picked up her books, bowed to him once more, and walked out the door. Severus watched her go, about to leave himself when he felt a hand touch his shoulder. He glanced back and groaned. "Silas? What are you doing here?"


            "What else would I be doing?" Malfoy slid into the seat beside Snape. "I'm spying on you. So how'd it go?"

            "You knew?"

            "Of course I knew. Valentine told me." Silas motioned to a waitress. "Two teas, and I'll have the lemon chicken. He'll have the…"

            "I'll take the same," Snape ordered. He turned his attention to Silas. "You're a bastard. Do you know that?"

            "Yet you still love me?"

            "Was there ever any doubt? You know I'm madly in love with you."

            "My, my. What will Jackie think?"

            "Actually, she might be a little turned on."

            "Enough! I'm getting hungry." Silas winked. "What about the meeting with the Potions bitch? How'd it go?"

            "Oh, fine, fine…" Severus began softly. He smiled smugly. "You are looking at the newest Potions Master at Holms College of Apothecary."

            "Sev is going back to school? The meal's on me, for the world's going to end!" Silas shouted, slapping his leg. He smiled at Snape. "I'm proud of you, I really am. And here, I'll even give you a gift." He reached into his pocket, milling around before finally pulling out a small woman's wedding ring and handing it to Severus. "Here."

            "Aw, isn't this a little sudden though? What will Narcissa think?"

            "Shut up."

            "Whose is this anyways?"

            "I think her name was Kara… or was it Tara…" Silas frowned. "You know, I think it might have been Mara."

            Snape laughed. "Forced or willing?"

            Silas gave him an innocent smile. "It's not nearly as fun when the woman says yes, Severus."

            "You're a bastard sometimes, Silas. One day you're going to take the wrong man's woman."


            "But today isn't that day," Silas announced, lifting his tea towards Severus in a toast. "Eat, drink, and be merry!"

            Snape laughed. "For tomorrow you die!"

            Silas winked at him. "Keep that ring.  It's a memento of one of my conquests."

            Snape twirled the ring in his hand. It was a simple diamond solitaire, plain compared to most wedding rings he had seen, but engraved on the inside was a message to a Sara from someone named Brant. The band was tarnished from age, and Snape wondered briefly what was running through Sara's mind at this moment. It was probably the same things his own victim, Kaleigh, must have thought after he raped her.

            But no, he corrected himself. Silas never raped anyone, nor had he. Rape wasn't the word used in their circle. There were many terms used in jest about the deed, but rape was never one.

            Just like sin and crime weren't used.

            Snape put down his drink suddenly and looked out the window. He wasn't like them, he told himself. What happened with Kaleigh that night had been a one-time deed. He was not being changed by the Death Eaters. He was still an Auror…

            "You know, Severus…" Silas' interrupted his daydream. "Now that you work at Holms, you might want to open up Akel Dama again."

            "What?"

            "I said, it's time you opened Akel Dama up," Silas repeated. "It's time you gave up the past."

            Snape grimaced slightly. All of his uniforms, and the clothing and belongings of Billy, Dahlia, and Dora, were still packed up and waiting at Akel Dama for him to go through. He hadn't dared go near the house, treating the boxes as he did his memories, hoping that they would go away if he ignored them long enough. "I haven't left Hecate. I'm just…"

            "I know, I know." Silas nodded. "On sabbatical."

            "Besides, I haven't had the strength to pack up."

            "It's about time you do. It's time to enjoy the pleasures of your fall."

            "There you again," Severus joked. "Who said I fell?"

            "Everyone already knows it, Severus, even if you don't. Now come on, I'll help you pack."

            "No, I want to do it alone."

            "But I can help move it along."

            "Like you helped move my falling along?" Snape asked playfully. He would let Silas believe what he wanted to. Severus knew what was in his heart.

            "Exactly like that," Silas cooed. He leaned over and patted his friend's thigh. "Let me at least keep you company. Akel Dama's a big house, and I haven't seen Babbitt in years."

            "And I can't talk you out of it?"

            "Not a chance." Silas smirked as the food arrived. "Now let's eat. I have some last minute meetings with Riddle, but I'll meet you at Akel Dama later this evening. I've got a surprise for you."

            "A surprise?"

"Yes, and trust me, you won't believe your eyes."


            A town surrounded Hecate Compound, and although it was almost entirely Muggle, it was a proud protector of its wizarding school. Most Muggles that lived in Mage's Weir paid little attention to the robed visitors that appeared in the town from time to time, although shops and restaurants were known to give discounts to these visitors. They viewed their Aurors as silent guardians, and therefore held the same loyalty and respect for them they would normally give to police or the army. The Aurors were both humbled by it and relieved that there was one place they could go to feel remotely human.


            And at places like the barbeque pit Sick Dick's, everyone felt at home. Old Dick, a retired Auror himself, was a gracious host. He welcomed each guest personally and knew most by name. He remembered birthdays, weddings, all the gossip, and about anything else under the sun that was uttered in his place. The walls were filled with pictures, trinkets (including discarded wands), and messages to Dick. He was known to give out free food to women he thought had a cute butt, or some other piece of anatomy. He was not above the dirty joke or lingering hand, and as long as his wife didn't see him, he could get away with it. It was all in good fun after all. Inside this old, fading building, joy could be enjoyed in relative peace.

            Which is why so many Aurors flocked to it these days.

            Sydney was sitting at the head of the table, with Amissa on his right and Jude on his left, followed by Sky next to Jude and, beside Amissa, Ari, with Jean Andre at the foot of the table. Plates full of food were spread across the table, no one bothering to be content with just what they ordered. Everyone was drinking (expect Sydney, who was nursing tea), and laughter filled the room as the friends basked in each other's company.

            "To success," Sky Falls shouted, raising her glass. "Get on her and stay on her!"

            Jude lifted his glass. "To luck!"

            "To hope!" Jean called, drinking his brandy.

            "May all those things find us." Sydney stood, raising his glass. "And may we be in good health when they do."

            "And may it find Severus, wherever he's at," Amissa added.

            There was the briefest silence at the table before Jude leaned over to Ari. "Come on, Angel, give us your toast!"

            The woman looked up, smiled, but shook her head, causing the people at the table to groan.

            "Come on, Ari!" Sydney prodded. "Give us your toast."

            "Is that an order?" she asked.

            Jean lifted his drink. "It's a strong suggestion."

            Ari met his eyes thoughtfully, her face showing no emotion. She shook her head and picked up her drink. "L'Chaim," she whispered, tilting the glass. "To life."

            Sky took a drink. "Amen."

            Jean reached over and patted Ari's shoulder, bringing her closer to him. Jude flinched visibly at the sign of closeness between the two Kaga and rose suddenly, pulling his cigarettes and walking outside to enjoy a smoke. Ari pulled away from Jean's embrace and followed Jude.

            Amissa frowned. "What do you think that was about?"

            "Jude has an…interest in Ari." Jean grimaced. "Has for a while, even when Alex and her were a couple."

            "You seem kind of jealous about that," Sky noticed. "Any reason?"

            "That's none of your business," Jean said, sounding angry.

            "Besides," Amissa interjected in a soothing voice, "she loves Severus."

            "That's what I'm afraid of." Jean was staring pass Amissa. "She loves him so much it's killing her."

            "What are you talking about?"

            "She was never sent after the vampires. She went looking for them."

            "Into a vampire nest?" Sky exclaimed. "Why on earth would she…"

            "Because," Jean said, inhaling deeply, "she was looking for Reiner."

            "Alex's uncle? Why would he be important?"

            "Because if Severus was planning on disappearing, he'd make sure he took care of loose ends," Sydney muttered. "Devil take it all…Why didn't I see it?"

            "See what?" Sky asked. "What's going on?"

            "Before Billy died, the case we were working on…We were trying to uncover a possible link between the Death Eaters and Daniel. Malachi thought that the vampires had somehow united with Voldemort, and during the course of the investigation the names of some of Alex's old schoolmates came up. He was…He didn't take it well." Sydney shook his head. He looked angry with himself for not seeing it sooner. "Ari said Daniel had been wiped out…Damn it!"

            "What?"

            Amissa paled, leaning back. "Severus must have gone on his own quest to clean out the vampire nest. He probably traced the vampires back to the Death Eaters."

            "That's what Ari was counting on," Jean supplied. "She was trying to follow the trail. I've been in touch with Dumbledore." He ignored Amissa's heated look. "He says Ari's been tearing up the underworld trying to find any whisper of Severus' location. Before she was attacked, she had a tip about a bar in Calais that Death Eaters were known to frequent. She was on her way to the bar when Isaiah and the others attacked her. She barely survived…Some guy named Diego pulled her out of it."

            "So you were right," Amissa said, burying her head into Sydney's shoulder. "She's killing herself looking for him."

            "Worse, I don't think she'll ever stop looking for him," Jean said softly. He brought his drink to his lips and let it rest there. He felt a responsibility to his fellow Kaga, but there was so much more to it than that. He cared for her, and it pained him to see her destroy herself like this. He shook his head. He wouldn't let Ari damn herself to hell for one man.

            Even if it meant he had to go into hell to stop her.


            Severus picked up the coat and held it at arm's length to examine it. Each time an Auror served non-combat duty, he was expected to wear his Class A uniform: a full-length navy coat that was tailored to his body, over trousers of the same color and black, polished shoes. Severus had hated that uniform because it was painfully hot to wear, especially during the summers, but now he felt a little naked without it.

            He smiled at the uniform, folding it with all the crisp precision and respect he had been taught it was due during boot camp. He sighed, placed it in the wardrobe, and continued with the next. He had worked quickly and deftly, putting away the uniforms, and half fearing that touching such a tangible symbol of his past life would bring back doubts of his current mission. He had already broken down a few times while packing Dora's clothing away. He didn't think one child, so small and so simple as Dora, could possibly have touched him so but she had. She, her father, and her mother had opened up a new world to Severus, one where he had been a brother, husband…


            And father.

            When Dora was with him, he wanted nothing more than for her to understand she was not his child, and now all he longed for was to hold her one last time.

            "I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you, Dora," he whispered, before going back and picking up the last of his uniforms. "But I won't fail next time."

            It was a pitch-black uniform, worn during combat duty, a long coat that looked like it'd be better suited on a Jesuit priest than on a soldier.

            He must have picked up it too quickly, because as he turned away something metallic fell from a pocket, clattering on the floor. He turned back and stared at the ring.


            His wedding band.

            He crossed the room slowly, eyeing the silver band carefully. He leaned down and picked up the ring, holding it between his fingers. It was white gold and engraved on the inside with a Bible verse, Psalm 91:11.

            "For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all of your ways." He recited it from memory. He smiled, ruefully. "Ari…"

            The Kaga had given him the ring on the eve of his 'marriage' to Dahlia. He had kept in a hidden pocket of his uniform, over his heart. He closed his eyes, clutching the ring in his palm. She had been called Angel long before he had come into her life, and indeed, a union between the great Morning Star and his own guardian Angel seemed fitting. And why not? Both of them had been, in every way, angelic warriors- both of them had been beautiful and deadly, impassive and passionate.

            He sighed, looking away. He missed her, but couldn't do anything about that. Not now. Not yet. He took comfort in her strength, knowing that despite his pain and longing, she would remain as steadfast to her post as ever.

            And one day, when he returned, she'd be waiting for him.


            "He's in love with an angel," Silas whispered to the woman beside him as they approached the gates of Akel Dama.

            The cloaked figure never faltered and when she spoke, it was in a cool voice, devoid of any emotion. "Most saints are like that."

            "You'll have to fix that."

            "I don't think I'm the right person for this, Silas. You should leave it to Jacqueline. This is her arena, not mine."

            "Severus has Jackie in his arms, and that's fine, but he's a fool who believes in ideals and, above all else, hope. To destroy that, I need to appeal not to his ideals, but to his desires…and who does he desire more than you?"

            Melanie Reyes pulled down her hood and took in Akel Dama for the first time. As school-aged lovers, Severus had often spoken of the home's beauty and the future they would have together. Now she could see he wasn't lying. She brought her eyes to the main doors and thought about the man inside the house.

            As a boy, he had been utterly entranced by her. She possessed a darkness he understood, and in turn he was tender to her, something she never before experienced. She went to Hogwarts for the sole purpose of gathering information on the people there, but through that mission she allowed herself Severus. She loved him, in every way possible for her to, but that had not been enough for her to stay when Lord Voldemort had beckoned her back to his side.

            Because as much as she cared for Severus, she loved Voldemort more.

 
            And now she was being used to damn Severus. Nobody knew of Silas' plan to use her to keep Severus with the Death Eaters, not even Jackie. She had only agreed because of some vague, lingering attachment to the man inside this house. She wanted to see him again, but she didn't know if that was because she still loved him or because she was just curious about what had become of the child she had known.

            "I know how he feels for you, still," Silas was saying. "You will be his undoing."

            "And he will be yours," Melanie whispered softly, mostly to herself. She took a step towards the house, frowning. "Your time at Voldemort's right hand is at an end."

            "That's a bit much, don't you think?" Silas laughed, crossing his arms. "You're forgetting that he's an Auror, Mel. His own code will never let him rise to a position of power among the Death Eaters."

            "And you're forgetting that he hates, and that's really all he'll need to replace you. You see, Silas, you have cruelty, but no art, no reason or cause. He has both cruelty and cause, and he'll destroy you."

            "And what could he possibly hate enough to destroy me?"

            "After all this?" she murmured. "Himself."

            Silas watched her as she pulled up the hem of her dress and climbed up the stairs leading to Akel Dama. Melanie was perhaps the only woman in the entire underworld that he hadn't shared a bed with, and that caused no end of pain for him. She believed herself untouchable and taunted him with her distance. Her brashness insulted him, infuriated him, and he sought nothing more on earth than to conquer her.

            But he'd have to grit his teeth, bite his tongue, and wait. She'd make a mistake soon enough, and before she even realized it she'd have nowhere to turn to but him. That is how he would conquer her. Her and anyone else who stood in his way.

            Exhaling, he threw his cloak over his shoulder and followed her up the stairs.

            Inside, time and earth had stood still. Snape had his hands resting on Melanie's shoulders and was pulling her into a long kiss. When he finally pulled away, he looked at Silas, wide-eyed and overjoyed.

            "Silas?" the young man asked. "Did you know…"

            Silas smiled at him. "Surprise."

            "Thank you."


            "That's nothing, Severus. I have another gift, from Lord Voldemort himself."

            "What?"

            Silas walked towards him, placing his arms on Severus' shoulders, much like the other man had done to Melanie. He looked deep into Severus' eyes, holding the gaze a second longer than he should have. Severus visibly flinched under the man's stare, as if emotions were beginning to swirl because of the closeness. Then Silas leaned in, mimicking Severus' earlier movements, and kissed him softly on the lips. He closed his eyes, savoring a touch that ended too quickly, as moments later Severus pulled away, a polite look of confusion on his face. Melanie met Silas' eyes with a knowing look that he ignored. He leaned in closer, pressing his cheek against Severus' and whispered.


            "Jude Remington."

            The look on the Auror's face was one of bewilderment and hurt. He took a step back, as if he had been struck.

            And there it was. The name of the man who had betrayed his squad and everything he had stood for. Alexander stared at Silas, disbelieving and stunned. He closed his eyes, feeling his anger renew itself. After a year of waiting, he finally had what he came for. The name of the traitor, of the man who had killed his family.

            It was almost too easy.

            "That's not all, Severus." Silas broke his musings. "Lord Voldemort asks me to inform you that not only does he give you the name of his mole, but the man's head as well."

            "What does Lord Voldemort get in return?"

            "You'll see," Silas assured him.

            Alexander shook his head. "How?"

            "An attack on Hecate," Melanie explained, reaching over and folding her arm into his. "It'll be a direct attack against the wing that houses your old squad. You were in charge of prisoner questioning, correct?"

            "Yes."

            "Therefore, the attack will be considered nothing more than the Death Eaters attempting a jailbreak. Jude is a tragic victim of war, and what little chaos that will follow apparently stirs something in your heart that causes you to come out of hiding and return to your squad a renewed man," Melanie continued, her soft voice winning her way back into his heart.

            Snape felt sick to his stomach and knew he had paled. He shook his head. "How…how will we get in?"

            "Jude himself has given us information on entering Hecate undetected." Silas nodded. "We'll have a window of half an hour."

            "Even with that insider information, attacking Hecate will not be the safest of plans."

            "No," Silas agreed. "Which is why it's going to be early on the day after Halloween. Six o'clock to be exact. It's…"

            "The Day of the Dead," Severus answered for him. "The only holiday Aurors really celebrate. It's a Hispanic holiday, one of remembering the dead…Most of Hecate will be closed off." He bowed his head. "The Compound will be unguarded and unprepared. They'll never see us coming."

            "So now's the moment of truth, Auror." Silas asked, "Are you in or out?"

            Severus slid into a chair, resting his head in his hands. He folded his fingers together and thought about everything.

            Hecate, for all her sins and faults, represented everything he believed in and stood for. Despite all her imperfection, Hecate was still home. His earliest memories of his life had been of Hecate, of the navy-colored uniforms and the sadness that seemed to fill the eyes of all Aurors.

            How could he attack it? Wouldn't that make him nothing more than a Judas?

            He thought of his father, Kaiser, standing bold in the uniform. How pained Kaiser had seemed at times, how sad and burdened, but never failing to do his duty.

            And that's what this was about. This was not about a building. This was about duty.

            The dedication that justice be done, even as the heavens fell.

            Looking up, Severus met Silas' eyes. "Do I get to wear a mask?"