Dressed as One a Wolf will Betray a Lamb
Severus, impersonating once again the famous Scottish Toxicologist, was sneaked into the hospital by a very smug-looking Fiddler, wearing her most oversized white coat over his habitual black garments, and with his hair pulled up in a ponytail. Fiddler had had the time of her life giving him a thorough makeover, and oddly enough, he had not felt like spoiling her fun. Probably because she'd finally given in and allowed him to bathe (with her as a mandatory presence in the bathtub, he had admonished evilly), and it had been quite a long time before they could summon enough energy to step out of the tub and get dressed.
He looked at her as they walked down wide halls and tile stairs, and he mused with a rather pleasant lurch that he was getting quite addicted to Doctor Fiddler Greene. She had waken his long-time-asleep libido, and he didn't seem to be able to control it. Not that he wanted to, anyway, specially since she was so delightfully responsive— He quickly smothered that train of thought for he knew it would lead him to a dead-end situation just now.
They had reached a wide iron door with a huge symbol in black and yellow, which oddly reminded him of a Triskelion, and he stared at it wondering if he should consider it a good omen. He laughed at himself and watched Fiddler press a doorbell and slide a card on a little juncture on the side of the door, which buzzed loudly and opened automatically.
"Go on", Fiddler said. "Just don't touch anything or they'll freak".
Severus nodded curtly and stepped inside, following Fiddler into a bright, enormous room full of trays, tilting light bulbs, and odd-looking black boxes with shimmering screens that showed confusing tables, graphics and tridimensional spirals.
"Oi, Nazi!", a white-coated man with pencils on both his ears yelled at Fiddler. "Whatcha doin' down here?"
"Hail, Mulligan", Fiddler retorted. "Oh, you know, just enlightening the ignorants…"
"Nazi?", Severus asked, unable to help it.
"Eia, that's what we call her", Mulligan clarified. "Either that or General. Ever seen her walk? She looks like she's gonna execute someone!".
Mulligan cackled heartily and then looked at Severus unblinkingly, realising they hadn't been introduced.
"Oh! Sorry. This is Professor Snape from Cardiff University. Doctor in Toxicology", Fiddler said quickly.
"My pleasure", Mulligan assured, shaking Severus' hand profusely. He bowed courteously in response.
"Mulligan", Fiddler went straight to the point. "I am starting a protocole with Professor Snape as my tutor, and I would appreciate your help".
"What's it about?"
"A certain genetic mutation which reacts positively faced with Potassium Cyanide".
"Positively?", Mulligan seemed doubtful. "As in how?".
"As in presenting enhanced cellular breathing and total lack of free radical production, thus resulting in almost absent apoptosis".
Mulligan's mouth hung open.
"Do you have proof of that?", he asked excitedly.
Fiddler handed him the autopsy report, and Mulligan grabbed it as a Knight of Camelot being presented with the Holy Grial. He perused the carefully typed papers for quite a while and then he hissed.
"This is but one case".
"We could have had eight more, but unfortunately, no post-mortem examination was conducted on those subjects. I was, however, able to perform an autopsy on a 38-year-old caucasic male yesterday, although I am sure he didn't have this particular mutation. But anyway, that's not the point, what I want you to do is―"
"To find out what exactly this mutation involves and if there is a way of correcting it", Severus cut in, surprising Fiddler, fully wrapped up in his character.
Fiddler's jaw fell open. Not even her could have done it better.
"But why would you want to do such thing, for Heaven's sake?", Mulligan wailed. "Such mutation, if anything, it's a blessing! Imagine it's potential as a biological weapon! It could be somehow hard-coded into military personnel and such―"
"Now's the Nazi inside you speaking", Fiddler said derisively. "Just try to find out what's within this mutation and whether is it recently induced or congenitally acquired".
"How am I supposed to do that?"
"Oh, I don't know! You're the expert, aren't you? Aren't there special biological markers that show if any change in the cell is recent or not? Or, if anything, you could try and induce that very same change on cultured cells, once you've isolated the altered DNA chain…"
Mulligan eyed her thoughtfully.
"Why on Earth did you stay up there with the Blades and Eternists? You're wasting your mind there".
"Because cells don't say 'thank you, doctor', and bring along a live rooster to the ER as a proof of their gratefulness… Catching it was a real sport", Fiddler said gleefully.
"Yeah well, cells don't sue you ,either", Mulligan answered moodily. "I'll see what I can do. Have you got some samples I can work with?"
"Lavery's got them downstairs. They've been specially packed".
"I didn't expect less from you", Mulligan said.
Fiddler did that mocking bow with which she usually thanked compliments and said:
"Thanks. Now, Professor Snape and myself are taking our leave. We still got much to work on. When can I expect some results?".
"Give me two weeks. Then I'll let you know. I'll gather up a special team for it".
"That would be nice. Thanks again, Mulligan".
"My pleasure", Mulligan reassured her and then bid them adieu bowing at each of them in turn: "Nazi… Professor Snape…"
And walked them to the door pompously.
"Two weeks", she said, once out. "You've got exactly that time to recall the potion's ingredients".
Severus sighed.
"It's been a while, Fiddler", he said, half reproving, half apologetically. "The original recipe is carefully kept on a rather dark book that lies within a rather dark library… Carnavon Ludlow's library, in fact".
Fiddler's skin curled. She eyed him, torn between her scientific curiosity and her deep interest in his welfare, and held back her breath as he continued:
"I will let the Headmaster know about it". He might have an ace under his sleeve… He always does".
Fiddler smiled at him as she started the engine, and Severus found himself thinking that never in his wildest dreams had he imagined he'd once go back willingly into old Carnavon Ludlow's library to get a forbidden dark book…
Led only by the half tender, half sardonic smile of a Banshee Witch.
They got home in no time (Fiddler did the driving), and as they walked through the main hall they ran into Tonks, who seemed in quite a hurry to leave the house.
"Wotcher! Sorry, can't stay and talk, all Aurors have been called— Something big's happened, mark my words…"
Severus and Fiddler eyed each other.
"Who's missing?", Fiddler asked without thinking.
Tonks stopped in midmotion.
"How did you—? Oh, of course, you read my mind".
"I didn't. I merely… deducted it".
"You mean it has something to do with those poisoned blokes?"
Fiddler nodded.
"Oh, Merlin, that's terrible… Poor Grishaw…"
"Who's he?"
"Deputy chief Auror", Tonks clarified absently.
"He nearly got expelled when his son was accused of Dark Art activities… He got suspiciously cleared off. Both of them", Severus added.
"And was his son a Death Eater?", asked Fiddler.
Severus nodded ceremoniously.
"They both were. Only they had nothing on Grishaw Senior, and he was no Crouch, either. He did everything in his power to save his son".
"Whatever happened to him?"
"I killed him".
Fiddler's surprise at Severus' calm statement was only betrayed by the slight widening of her eyes.
"On your own volition or…?"
"What does it matter?"
Fiddler considered his question for a bit and saw his point.
"You might want to tell the Aurors what we've found out, Tonks", she said at last. "And tell them as well we're working on a counteract".
"I will. I must go now. They'll hex me for being late".
And with that, Tonks went through the door and out of their sight.
They walked towards the Sitting Room absently, each lost in their own musings, and stopped dead on their tracks as a black wolf, regally sat on the Persian carpet Moira Greene appreciated so much, greeted them. It had an envelope in its snout.
"Nyx", Severus acknowledged softly.
The elegant animal glided towards them, to give its master the envelope, which Severus opened and read in silence. He sighed when he was done and handed it to Fiddler.
Dear Severus,
I have received knowledge of the recent events and I must strongly recommend the acquirement of those ingredients as soon as it can be accomplished.
I will leave the finest details to your cunning mind, but I am sure your familiar shall be of assistance.
My best regards to Fiddler; and congratulations to the both of you…
Is leor nod don eolach."
"He never misses anything, does he?" Fiddler asked, amused.
"One grows accustomed to it" Severus replied tersely. "I wonder what is it with the Gaelic Phrase, though".
"That's what I meant", fiddler smiled.
Severus raised an eyebrow at her.
"It means 'a hint is sufficient for the wise'…", she went silent for a bit and then added. "Well, I guess he also finds it easier."
"What was that?
"Well, I've always found easier to say significant phrases in foreign languages… It may have something to do with pride, at least in my case, but it was always easier so say 'go raibh maith agat' instead of 'thank you', or 'Gráim thú' instead of 'I love you…' It might be it with Albus as well".
"Perhaps", Severus agreed.
"Anyway, he wasn't much of a help, was he".
Severus shook his head.
"Of course", Fiddler continued, "I didn't expect him to lead you by the hand, but— He says your familiar would be of assistance—", Fiddler was speaking to herself. "Is there a Full Moon tonight?"
"No. Why?"
"I was thinking Remus… You know, using the Wolfsbane Potion, could break in accompanied by Nyx—"
Severus snorted.
"I do not think Lupin could manage to break Ludlow's wards as a human, let alone as a dulled Werewolf".
Fiddler gave him that particular look of hers that said: "you're so mean", and she suddenly frowned, her eyes going unfocused and unblinking, as they were when she was lost in her musings. She tilted her head to one side, bird-like, still looking at nothingness, and Severus felt the irresistible urge to kiss her exposed neck. As he closed the distance between them, he thought idly that it was rather strange how she managed to arouse him with the slightest gesture, and he smiled against her skin when she jumped at the feel of his lips on her neck.
"What are you thinking?" he murmured, closing his arms around her.
Something inside of him cringed at the look in her eyes, as if someone holding her was something rare. He bent his head and dragged his mouth across the taut muscles of her neck, his tongue gliding softly over her skin. With a quiet moan she finally leaned against him, her own arms crushing him to her. Severus relished in her warmth, her taste, and her scent until he remembered his previous question.
"So?" he insisted. "What were you thinking?"
"I don't think he meant it literally".
"Who didn't?"
"Dumbledore. When he says Nyx can be of use, I don't think he meant to say she'd actually help you to sneak in. I think he meant it metaphorically".
Severus raised an eyebrow and motioned her to walk along with him towards the nearest sofa. He fell into it and tugged at her hand to make her sit on his lap. He cupped her head and made it rest on his chest.
"Elaborate", he murmured.
"Well, when I read the letter I thought of a certain phrase that suits you oddly…"
"Oh?"
"Yes. 'Dressed as One a Wolf will Betray a Lamb'. I mean, I know this one cannot be interpreted literally either, but that's what you do after all…"
Severus began to shake his head, but suddenly it dawned.
"Of course. The Remembrance".
"Hmm?"
"Today is… Was Wynn's Birthday. Carnavon holds a Dark ritual of Remembrance every night today every since she died… Or so I have been told. I never attended, but I could now… Literally dressed as one of them."
"There you go", Fiddler said gleefully. "See? Two brains think better than one".
"Yes", he said mockingly. "What would I ever do without you?"
She eyed him thoughtfully.
"Well… You'd probably be more ill-tempered than you already are… I am told I seem to have tamed you a bit. And, you'd masturbate a lot as well".
"Merlin, are you lewd".
She grinned evilly and kissed him fully on the mouth.
"Prove me wrong", she challenged.
"I would not dream of it".
They kissed for quite a while, simply enjoying the taste of each other and the pleasure that act brought them.
"So, you'll go tonight?" Fiddler asked when she got her wind back.
"I shall".
"Will you be careful?"
"That is what has ensured my continued existence", he replied smoothly.
Fiddler smiled.
"What about you?" he asked.
"I am on call this afternoon, I think I will be back around midnight, the latest".
"I do not think I will be back myself by then. The Remembrance usually starts at that time precisely".
"Well, then, I'll wait for you", she said mischievously.
Severus shook his head.
"You are insatiable", he teased her.
"Me? Look who's talking!"
He caressed her cheek.
"I am going to have to leave soon. I must arrange some things with the Headmaster before actually showing up in Ludlow Manor".
She shivered in his arms, worried against her best judgment.
"Will you be all right? Given the circumstances, I mean", she added.
"I will manage", Severus said dismissively. "I told you once, she is as dead as the rest of my past".
"All right", she kissed him as a silent offer of peace and then settled her head back on his chest.
They remained a long time like that, in silence, until Severus shifted under her reluctantly.
"I must go", he said.
"How will you get there?" fiddler asked thinking about it for the first time as she got to her feet.
Apparently, Severus hadn't thought of it either, for he hesitated as he rose from the sofa as well.
"I—"
Nyx walked towards them, startling them both as they'd forgotten her presence. She nudged Severus' hand with her snout.
"Can you do that?" Fiddler asked, and Severus frowned.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Turn an animal into a Portkey?"
"I have never tried. But knowing the Headmaster…"
Fiddler laughed. Severus embraced her again and buried his head in her neck.
"I must go, then", he repeated.
"Take care".
"I will".
He kissed his way up from her neck to her mouth and applied himself there; as if it was the last time he'd kiss her.
"Oh, SHIT!"
They heard the muffled exclamation and broke apart, both blushing horribly.
"And I'd thought I'd seen everything", one of the Weasley Twins said, blatantly shocked.
"Obviously you haven't", Fiddler said smugly. She didn't relinquish her grip on Severus, and Fred and George, looking too stunned to actually manage one of their Weasley-ish replies, shook their heads and retreated.
"Well, that was embarrassing", Severus said when they'd left.
Fiddler's smile fell.
"You think?"
Severus began to nod and saw too late the various meanings of his previous phrase.
"I did not mean it that way, Fiddler".
"That's OK, I understand. Go already, I must shower and go to work", she said, a little too briskily.
Severus held her close and kissed her again, not failing to notice her hesitant response.
In fact, she had three words in the tip of her tongue, but she left them there, fearing he wouldn't say them back.