Chapter One

The morning dawned on Knockturn Alley as most mornings did; cold, dark, and choked with a heavy mist which seemed to cling to every surface. Too early for most of the shopkeepers to have left the warmth of their beds, there was an unsettling quiet that assailed the ears of a small figure at the base of the narrow entrance steps. "This is an ambush waiting to happen," she muttered , slipping silently into the shadows of the cramped street. A few more cautious steps led her to a storefront not too far down the dank stone walkway.

Borgin and Burks Temporarily Closed announced a conspicuously pristine sign in an otherwise filthy window. "Cleaning staff on vacation, Uncle?" she inquired of the murky glass. A slight hand reached up to touch the window and drew away an oily black finger. 'I cannot be related to this pig', she thought with a scowl. Reaching into a pocket she produced a withered, ashen hand and inserted it's extended index finger into the lock. With a small exhale, she opened the door to her new home.

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Malfoy manor was, as always, very beautiful and supremely uncomfortable. 'Why', thought Severus Snape, 'Do I not insist on his meeting me someplace less private?' He knew the answer, of course. It would drive a nail into his already prepared coffin were he to appear as though he had anything to fear from Lucius Malfoy. After all they were supposed to be on the same side.

As if on cue, the Lord of the manor slid into the extravagantly elegant sitting room and greeted his associate with what would have been an apologetic smile were it not for the playfully raised brows over mirthful eyes. Severus was disgusted. Arrogant prick. "Oh, don't look at me like that. It's not as if I killed him."

"You did kill him, Lucius. You who are so well trained cannot contain yourself long enough to extract vital information from our subject," Severus' voice reflected his great disapproval without being raised in the slightest. "Why must I always be there to stay your hand?"

"Don't take that tone with me, Professor. Merlin forbid I should drag you away from the all-important task of marking the final grades of those ridiculous children to attend to important business."

"Your son is included in that ridiculous group, Lucius, and he didn't fare very well at all this year."

"My little dragon is another matter, Severus, and I'll deal with the boy." Severus didn't want to know how. "Don't change the subject." He busied himself at an elaborate bar filling two crystal glasses with a deep red wine and handed one to Severus. "Let's drink a toast to the elimination of a stubborn adversary and a much easier task. After all, two pure-blood wizards can, I'm quite certain, find a scroll in an unoccupied building."

"The building is completely sealed, Lucius. How long did you expect that it would remain unguarded? The executor of Borgin's will has given the place over to his next of kin, an American niece who will undoubtedly allow the Ministry to buy the entire place and give the inventory to the Department of Mysteries. Between the proceeds of the shop and his savings in Gringott's which is also hers, the girl should have enough wealth to allow her to live comfortably for a long time to come.

"I had no idea Mr. Borgin was wealthy. The man lived like refuse."

"He was well-to-do refuse. Quite the miser if I'm not mistaken."

"I suppose the ministry will begin to strip the place tomorrow. We'll simply have to break in after the place is cleared out. It's hidden in there somewhere."

"Or, it's locked in a vault in Gringott's with Borgin's fortune in which case there's a much greater risk to…"

"Oh, stop it, Severus," Lucius interrupted. "I've broken into the bank vaults before. I can manage it again, particularly with your assistance." There was no question in his voice as to whether Severus would be assisting. He simply assumed, and rightly so.

"And, if the girl gets the scroll first?"

Lucius didn't bother to answer. His derisive glare told Severus all he cared to know.