Chapter Twenty
"To a new ally," Lucius pronounced with satisfaction, holding his glass aloft.
She doesn't seem to be allied with either of us, was the potion master's first thought. "To your success," intoned Severus, touching the fine goblet to his old friend's. The tinkling of crystal was lost on him, wounded as he was by having to look Malfoy in the eye so soon after he had likely taken Alex again. What had he done with her? Where had he touched her? Had her mouth tasted as much of his flesh as it had his own or had he dominated her, as was his custom? He had no understanding of the value of a lover like Alex. He could do nothing but corrupt her, break her, and destroy all that she was. Damn all nobles and their graces! Damn Lucius and his ability to enchant with a glance! Alex never stood a chance.
Yet, she did seem to be doing something covert, something having to do with Lucius and his son. She had obviously not been completely won over. Of course, she would reveal nothing of her plans to Severus. He had torn away from her any reason to ever trust him again, practically shoving her into the hearth after she finished talking to Dobby, which she had insisted on doing in his office, out of earshot. And that ridiculous elf wasn't talking either.
She was out of his life for good, no longer a distraction, no longer a liability, no longer a spark of exhilaration in an otherwise sullen and solitary life. But sharing her with Lucius was not an option.
"---to teach her how to take orders as well as you do, Severus." Snape snapped out of his reverie as he realized Lucius was speaking again. Oh, shut up, you overstated, prosperously wealthy twit. "She has to learn humility in the face of her superior, and I can't wait to teach her," Lucius added with a wicked grin.
I'm sure she'll take to that like a cat to water. "Has she not been respectful of you?" Severus questioned, realizing that he'd be expected to join in the conversation. "I feared her willful nature might be a problem."
"Oh, it's not a problem. I shall greatly enjoy breaking her." Lucius actually licked his lips at the thought. It was revolting. "She needs to learn that refusing me is not an option."
Snape's wandering attention was refocused in an instant. 'Refusing you?' How to ask delicately? "I wasn't aware that she had the capacity."
Lucius sat back with a scowl. "Neither was I. It was my own doing, though I can hardly believe I'm admitting it. I moved too quickly."
"And she said 'no?'"
"She said 'no.' I made certain to give her a lesson in respect before I left, though I wish now that I had just taken her and been done with it. I had planned to consummate our alliance last night and bend her to my will at last. Our master's timing was--- unfortunate."
Severus experienced the complicated shift from elation to horror to regret and back to elation in the blink of an eye. Though his disciplined expression never changed, his mind was reeling from the shock. Lucius had never actually taken her. Why that was so important, why it left him feeling so vindicated, he didn't know and didn't wish to guess. His revulsion at having the taint of a man like Lucius on his lover was illogical; nevertheless, it had been the deciding factor in his decision to remove her completely from his life. Of course, that wouldn't matter to her. His last chance had passed this morning. She wouldn't be coming back.
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"Simon, you've really outdone yourself. I'm completely overwhelmed." Alex passed her associate a bulging bag of gold and he weighed it with an expert hand.
"That's quite a bit more than twice the price, Miss Borgin," he said, pocketing the payment. "Thank you."
"You're worth it."
"And, you're desperate. I can see it in your eyes." He leaned in a bit closer, bringing with him the smell of clean sweat. "Is there anything I can do to help you?"
"You've helped enough, Simon. These tricks are going to save my life, especially this," she said, lovingly fingering the bottle of black liquid in her hand. "I don't think I would've thought of this. It'll make things much more simple."
"Well, that's what tricks are for."
Alex stood and wrapped her surprised associate in a quick hug. "Thanks, Simon." She released him and stepped back. "I'd better start getting ready." He nodded and began to leave. "Wish me luck on my last great heist!"
Turning back, he gave her an curious look. "So, you're really out after this? You're going to walk away from the thrill?"
"Simon, I've had enough thrill these past few weeks to last me a lifetime. After this, I'm most definitely out."
He nodded his great head. "Good luck, then."
He was out of earshot when she whispered a "thanks," still contemplating the bottle in her hand.
"Alex." The voice came from behind her and she nearly dropped the precious container in shock, but her hand closed instinctively around it before it slipped from her fingers. She did not bother concealing her anger when she turned to find Severus Snape's head in her fire. After the hell he'd put her through, if he had caused her to drop that bottle---
"You chose a hell of a time to show up, Severus. I'm leaving in a few minutes. Whatever it is, it'll have to wait."
He seemed completely unperturbed by the brusque treatment. "I won't keep you. I merely wanted to give you this." A tiny bottle was held out through the flames, and Alex took it from his long fingers, noting that it was filled with a crystal-clear liquid.
"What is this?"
"It is my most potent poison. Death comes instantly for the one who consumes it."
"Are you suggesting I poison someone?"
"I'm suggesting you drink it if your plan fails."
"What??!!"
"Let the Death Eaters have their way with you for a single day, and you'd beg me for it." His voice took on an uncharacteristic tone of gentleness. "Whatever your endeavor, I hope that you succeed. If you do not, drink the potion. It's completely painless. Do not let Malfoy take you alive."
Instantly, her anger dissolved into the haze of an unfamiliar emotion. He knew. She gave him a small smile that didn't reach her frightened eyes. "That bad huh?"
"Worse than you have ever imagined, I'm certain. The Dark Lord, in particular, will not appreciate your betrayal." Black eyes darted to the side for a moment. "I have to go."
In an instant, the flames were empty once more. Alex placed the bottle on a table, trying not to think about the risk she was taking, and unable to put aside the one thought that bubbled up over all the others. He cares.
That was a few minutes shaved off of her schedule, though. She'd have to move quickly, now. According to the information she received from Dobby, Draco and his father always dined together in the manor on the weekends at seven sharp. She checked the clock and forced her breath to remain steady.
Five thirty. Now or never.
She slipped out of her clothes and into a loose-fitting ensemble of black trousers and shirt. From the bag that Simon had brought, she produced a pair of lightweight boots. Slipping into them, she noticed that they automatically conformed to the shape of her feet, just as Simon had said they would. Tentatively, she stepped out across the stone floor. Complete silence even when stepping heavily. Thank you, Simon!
She slipped her wand into the specially-fitted pocket on the thigh. Once in place, it could only be removed by her own hand. After her hair was pulled into a tight braid, she began packing the few supplies she'd need into her pockets. Traditional-looking lock picks enchanted to slide easily into and around the most stubborn lock. They also cast a red glow if the lock was poisoned or otherwise trapped. Next, a potion which briefly enhanced speed and stamina, a standard with most thieves; you never knew when you'd have to run like hell. As she was really bad at apparating, especially when hurried, this was a necessity for Alex. Gloves enchanted to grip any surface went into the back pocket. A red-sealed scroll was tucked carefully, with shaking hands, into the empty left pocket. A few smoke pellets designed to choke, but not poison, a dagger coated in an instant sleeping draught on her belt (thanks for the tip, Malfoy), two plain silver rings, and most importantly, the tiny black bottle and it's green companion. After a moment of absolute dread, she added Severus' gift, a silent acknowledgement of how nasty this could get.
She wiped the sweat from her face with an equally damp hand, availing her little. Calm down, Alex. It's no different from any other job. Relax. But, it was no use. She was a complete wreck. Just get going, girl. It's the anticipation that's killing you. Hoping her own advice could be trusted, she concentrated on the directions Dobby had given her and disapparated with a crack.
Instantly, she was on high-alert, wand out, crouched down and taking in every detail. Or, at least, that was how she pictured herself. Truthfully, her wand was about to fall from nerveless fingers, she was crouched out of habit, and her breath was more like a pant in her ears. OK, girl. You took on this man when the advantage was completely his and survived. He's off-guard, possibly unarmed, and in the company of his greatest weakness. Now, get going!
The cave was exactly where Dobby said it would be, just a few feet ahead and almost completely concealed by a huge oak. There was just enough room for a house elf , or a really small woman. Even so, it was a tight squeeze. Chuckling as she wedged her body into the gap, she made a mental note to go easy on Nina's muffins. Of course, she might never see Nina again or Simon--- or Severus.
Severus Snape. There was just no figuring that man. One minute, he despised you, the next minute he had his tongue down your throat. Now, he's suggesting that I poison myself, and I can't help but be flattered. I doubt that he'd give the means for a painless suicide to someone he cared nothing for. She sighed, picking her way through thick cobwebs and over roots, wand held out before her, illuminating the path. Obviously this passage hadn't been used in quite some time. That was a good sign, another point for Dobby. He really was the only one who knew of this tunnel. If she survived this, she planned to buy him more socks than he could wear in a lifetime.
After what she calculated was about an hour of a steady ascent, she realized that she had grown completely calm and focused on the task ahead. It was a welcome insight, and came just as she rounded a corner to be met by a stone wall with an opening even smaller than the one behind the tree, barely more than a crack. Alex rolled her eyes. Dobby had underestimated her size. Damn.
Never one to give up easily, though, she immediately began struggling to pull out the stones surrounding the hole, and as her notorious luck would have it, a few on the bottom and sides shifted. She had pried them loose in just a few minutes. So far, so good. Almost into the manor with only a bruised finger and a few scraped knuckles. You're doing fine, Alex.
It took some maneuvering, still, to manage to slide between the wall and the crates in front of it. Holding her breath and wriggling like an eel, she just managed to work her way to the end of them and fully into the damp cellar where she paused to whisper a quick cleansing spell. It was going to be hard enough, facing Lucius. She'd be damned if she'd do so looking like something the cat dragged in.
Eyes scanning the room, she noted that it was exactly as Dobby had described it, unchanged in the two years he had been gone.. The lack of commotion ensured that he had also been right about this room being unwarded. The kitchen would be up the spiral staircase, three doors down on the left. She checked her watch; quarter to seven. Perfect.
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Leanne had been chosen to serve in the Malfoy household for her physical attributes rather than her domestic ability, she realized. With the mistress of the house away, Mr. Malfoy was certain to become restless for companionship, and it would be her duty and pleasure to serve him upon request. After all, when she returned to her friends with the news that she had been taken into the bed of the most handsome nobleman in England, she would be the envy of all of them. Until then, she had duties to tend to which were not so pleasant. Cooking dinner and serving it for Lucius and that brat of a son was one of them. Lucius' wandering hands she didn't mind in the least, but if she had to fend off that boy-child one more time, she might just be forced to---
She never finished the thought, instead falling limply into the arms of Alex Borgin.
Nice work, Alex thought, returning the blade to it's sheath. I barely nicked her. Dragging the maid to the wall and sliding the kitchen island in front of her sleeping form, she slid the silver rings from her pocket, fitting one over the inert girl's finger, and the other over her own. The change was instantaneous, uncomfortable, and more than a little disturbing as she stared down at her likeness, now limp on the cold floor. So, that's what I'll look like when I'm dead, she mused, and violently shoved the thought from her mind before it could make her ill.
Rising quickly, she nearly overbalanced from the weight of her now-ample bosom, and staring down at the cumbersome, rounded protrusions, she wondered how she could have ever envied well-defined women. These were the most awkward things she'd ever had to deal with. Were they even real? She was tempted to check since she had such convenient access to the body, but decided that it was just too weird. She may occupy the maid's body, but that didn't make it hers.
The drinks and food were thankfully already laid out on a tray, no more preparation was required. Just one last ingredient to make everything complete. The red wine was Lucius' and the pumpkin juice of course belonged to Draco. "Sorry about this, kiddo," she mumbled with genuine regret as she emptied the black liquid into the glass, and watched as it disappeared into the juice without a trace. With one last deep breath, Alex lifted the tray and sauntered into the dining room where Lucius and his child were waiting.
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PPP(): I'm so happy that you're enjoying the story, and I'm relieved that you see where Alex is coming from. Lucius and Severus are just too tempting to be allowed!
Intel Ewok(): I'm thrilled to hear that my story isn't cliché! I've read some really good 'Severus settles down for life' stories, but they're difficult for me to fathom. I love the fantasy while it's there on the screen. It's wonderfully romantic, but I just don't buy it. Keep reading.
Rycca: That was the sweetest beginning to a review I've ever seen! I'm still glowing! And, I love your drivel. Poor Sevvie! Don't slap him. He's hurt, he's confused, and he's a complete ass by nature (ok, maybe just a little slap for that). None of these things can be helped. As for Dobby, I've always wondered why more people don't ask for his help concerning Malfoy. Maybe Hermione's right, and no one has any consideration for house-elves, even when it would be to their advantage. I'm thrilled that you're enjoying the story, still. I check every night to see if you've reposted chapters 20 & 21 on your fantastic work, but alas! not yet. I wait with abated breath.
silverfey: Alex is very childlike. Sadly enough, it's the only thing she has in common with your truly. If you're unsure, allow me to assure you that you LOVE Lucius, you adore him, you want to join the dark side just for his sake---- OK. Sorry. Enough of that. It's a bad habit. And yes. I'm very serious about a Sevvie plushie!!! Oh, the desire! The ache! Do you know where I can get one?
Fleur K: Hi, again! I feel for Severus, too. The poor guy really has a tough time of things. I think of him every time I listen to the song 'Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want' by The Smiths. It's like Severus' theme song! Or, at least it is when I'm writing. I agree that Lucius is sexy, too sexy to be real. Sometimes, I don't believe my own eyes. I'm glad you're still reading. Thank you!
Slate One: If you're out there, I'm sorry if I was too hard you. I was offended because one of your remarks was uncalled for and hit way too close to home. I realize now that you couldn't have known how it would hurt me. Miss you. By the way, this one is a 'cliffie,' but I'm not sorry.