"So, a fancy masque ball?" Madam Malkin seemed very excited about the prospect as she chattered cheerfully away, Sabine standing expressionless with her arms spread straight out, like a good mannequin, as a shiny purple tape measurer recorded the distance between her earlobe and the bridge of her nose.
Meanwhile, the plump seamstress was fitting Sabine with a pair of simple, hooded black robes, the likes of which swaddled her form in a fashion appropriate of Britain. Upon originally entering the shoppe, Sabine had considered purchasing a few more sets- but those thoughts were demolished when she realized that when Madam said that she'd guarantee each fit, she meant it.
"Certainly," Miss Trefethen replied with a sigh, almost choking on the measurer- it now wanted to see how far she could stretch her mouth. "Is this really necessary?" Was the disdainful retort, to which Madam Malkin clucked her tongue. "You want to have the most flattering robes possible for your gentleman friend, do you not?"
"...Sure." I hate this store.
Chuckling at the inane chatter and exasperated sighs that issued from the back room, Severus turned from his critical examination of Madame Malkin's storefront window to view the robemaker's latest victim. The tutting seamstress bustled out of a back room, Sabine in tow. The tall woman wore a look of long-suffering, in addition to her new robes.
Madame Malkin, laboring under the vague delusion that the robes were for a fancy-dress ball, gestured to Sabine happily, showcasing her wares. The Master suddenly stopped laughing.
"What do you think?" She asked, then vanished behind a display with the look of someone who has forgotten an important detail, not waiting for a reply.
Severus eyed his colleague critically, onyx eyes checking the length and cut of the fitted black robes – to ensure they were properly made, of course. The deep jet of the new cloth contrasted startlingly with Sabine's pale skin. "Hmm." He nodded shortly in approval, then realized with alarm that he had just emitted the same satisfied purr that had awoken him from his dream the night before.
The Master cleared his throat and busied himself by counting out the necessary coins, assuming an expression of studied disinterest.
A faint hint of colour rose to pale cheeks as Ms. Trefethen stepped towards Severus, extending her arms slightly to let him observe the way the sleeves fell. Although she was sure he didn't intend it, she could not help but feel a bit wary of his opinion.
Well, it makes sense. He knows more on the subject than you, remember. If he approves, they'll approve.
"What a woman," Sabine muttered, stepping behind the slide upon which hung her green robes, and beside them her belt. Trading, then, her new set for her old, the woman was momentarily clad only in her muggle ensemble before donning the plain bottle-coloured piece and fastening it at the waist.
"Now," she began, raising an eyebrow as she looked at Sverus, "What has come over you? You're acting strangely all of a sudden."
"What a woman,"
Severus blinked. I did not say that... He realized in the next heartbeat that it was Sabine's voice that had made the comment, and that she was referring to Madame Malkin, not...
What the hell is wrong with you? He hissed at himself. His imagination quailed under the wrath of his inner voice, and fell silent. You're acting like a goddamn schoolboy, get ahold of yourself, for the love of all things holy!
He looked up from the coins, setting the proper amount on the counter and ringing the bell for the good Madame, and offered the same expression of schooled blandness. "What are you talking about?" He gestured toward her. "The robes are superb... That is, they will please my 'fellow minions,' as you put it."
Like most proprietors, Madam Malkin began her journey to the counter before the ring of the bell and after the jingle of coins. This did not stop, however, a large smile and some thoughtless babble about enjoying the new robes. When she had scuttled off once again, Sabine smiled after her, letting it fade slightly when her gaze return to Severus.
"I can't explain it, exactly. The way you looked at me a moment ago, and then the sudden removal of your attention. Perhaps I'm imagining it in my excitement, but I doubt it. If something is on your mind, I implore you to share."
Severus balked like a stubborn mule, looking anywhere but at her, which resulted on his rather thoughtful gaze falling on a dressmaker's dummy.
"It's nothing," he replied, lying through his teeth - but then again, the Master was a very accomplished liar. "I was just considering other matters that could be taken into account to ensure your safety... Purchasing those-" He gestured at the parcel that contained the now folded and wrapped robes, "Seems to carry with it a touch of finality... I don't think I'd quite convinced myself that you were coming with me."
What, the rings weren't purchased for that exact purpose? His inner voice sneered at him. He ignored it.
Suddenly, a new thought came to him, and it brought to his features a concerned expression. "Have you been trained in Occlumency?"
"I see..." Sabine examined her friend closely for a moment, before accepting his response with less than a shrug. It wasn't terribly important, at any rate. Gathering up the parcel and tucking it under her elbow, Sabine slid her other hand comfortably into the crook of Severus' arm in anticipation of quick departure.
"I had always meant to learn, and I've studied it, but it's very different to know something in theory and in practice. I suppose, now that you bring the subject up, that it would be in my best interest. Do you..."
She stopped and scolded herself for the thought: Do you know someone trustworthy? Of course Severus had experience with Occlumency, she chided herself. It was fairly crucial for his line of duty.
"That is, I assume you would like to teach me?"
Severus glanced down at Sabine's hand on his arm, then raised his gaze to her. "Yes, I believe it would be prudent." He commented. "You, of course, must select a convenient time, but I would..." He paused, and cleared his throat. "I would feel a great deal more comfortable if you had a way to guard your mind from invading forces. When you find an available moment, my services are always at your disposal."
They had reached a portion of the street marked out by a white line that was free of people... A regulated Apparition point. Apparition was safer in these locations because it helped to prevent splinching onself, or taking part of someone else to a location that person did not want any of themselves to be in.
"To Hogsmeade, then?" He asked.
"My nights," Sabine said, having followed Severus' gaze to her arm and back (did he not want her contact? He didn't object...), "are free, excluding Sundays whereupon I visit Abigail and Tarla. You may choose from those days as it pleases you; I have very few set engagements."
Then with a nod Sabine removed her hand from Severus' arm and closed her eyes, gripping her parcel lightly and taking only a moment to disappear with an almost startling POP.
Severus studied the place she had been only a moment before quizzically, frowning slightly.
But you liked her hand there, his inner voice complained sullenly.
"Shut up." He muttered, and as he was squeezed rudely through space from one location to another, he meditated that he really should stop talking to himself.