Happy New Year, Everyone!
dstone 12 Welcome to the party!
As I promised shortly before New Year… Please review!
Of course, HP is still not mine.
This chapter has a twin, and I'm preparing to upload that too soon.
Chapter 5. Endless duties I.
All anyone could hear – if there was indeed anyone to listen – from a forsaken, tiny backyard of an abandoned house at Cokeworth was a strange, silent sound between a swish and a pop before a vicious curse word. The next minute a backdoor opened with a creak, then shut with force, and the neighbourhood was silent again, unlike the house, which was shaking with the wizard's fury what the wards luckily close inside the walls.
"Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn it!" – Snape summarized, rushing through his dusty kitchen, kicking the chairs aside, and shoving the table to the wall with such force it crashed.
"Blast it!" – He shouted. Entering his living room, he attacked the coffee table sending it into the bookshelves, and jolted some stacks of books on the floor. "Blast them all!" – He kicked his armchair – "All the… bloody… stupid… idiotic… good-for-nothing… bastards…" - every word another push on the bookshelf, one more kick into a pile of books, a toss on the furniture – "Morons! Goddamned crazy… incompetent… useless little…" – the rest of his opinion lost in an inarticulate roar when his already tattered robe got caught on something and tore off completely.
He pushed his way to his study corner and his desk, and meticulously smashed every movable object to the walls and floor, burning in white rage. He was beyond now voicing his frustration, and the destruction didn't seem to ever stop until, with a move of his wand and a voiceless curse, he blasted the hidden staircase, and it collapsed to his feet.
"Why me again?!" – He cried out against the eddying dust and brick-powder and turned into the bathroom, leant heavily on the sink. "Anyone could have killed that berk good long years ago…" – he whispered, shaking his head and suddenly saw his reflection in the mirror. The wizard looking back at him was wild with anger and horror, dirty in all aspects and helplessly panting.
He tore the bathroom cabinet off the wall and threw it out of the door. The crash assured him that the offensive mirror broke into thousand pieces on the corridor's floor. He felt a faint satisfaction before the dark mark on his left arm ignited.
"No…"- Snape shook his head frantically – "not now… I can't now…" With his control shattered and his precious mind running a mile a second, cold, mortal fear consumed him on the prospect of seeing the Dark Lord. "He's going to kill me." – He whispered with conviction and leaned back on the sink, hiding his face in his palms.
After a long silent moment, most feelings emptied from him, and Severus found disturbingly easy to accept this fate. Most of those he grew up with were either on the other side already or serving the Dark Lord. Both those who cared about him were over that line… and maybe he could see them… His mother he didn't anticipate talking to, although she perhaps would be nice to see; if Eileen had ever had a comforting, soft side, she kept that for someone else, but maybe Lily… the real Lily… would she talk to him? Would she finally forgive him? The dark mark's call became frenzied while he realized there was one significant change his passing would mean. He could not finish what he swore to do. There may not be a person on this world he felt as devoted to as the wolf to his mate, but he'd be damned if he risked facing Lily again, only to be told off. Severus opened the tap and let the cold water shock him back to reality.
He cleaned off the traces his escapade left and dressed in another piece of his usual attire while his thoughts were running through the memories of the past two weeks.
The Dark Lord wanted a report and a report he would get. The Order of the Phoenix's members were mostly well known, so there would be no harm done showing them. He carefully concealed young Weasley and the joke of an Auror, Tonks. Neither of them belonged there previously. As for the Dark Lord already seemed to know about Hagrid's journey, he may reflect on it by showing Dumbledore's concern. He filed through his memories about the time he spent at Hogwarts and decided to keep his potion-making at the forefront while concealing his solitary evening by the lake. And most of his own journey to the north.
He stopped the memories to show his utter failure by the first evening and let his mind relive the wish to return and apologize for his that.
There.
He could move the conversation about Filch and Binns as if it was following his return. Dumbledore was called away; he didn't need to apologize, now, did he? He adjusted the memory to conceal his friendlier feelings and highlighted his ruminations about the double standard McGonagall exercised about using the library after curfew.
A pensive would have come handy, but there was no use of futile wishes. Hopefully, what he could offer was colourful enough to hold the Dark Lord's attention, so he would not bother uncovering these minor adjustments…
Snape ran through his now well-ordered memories and put on his occlumency shields, lifted his head high and with a defiant glint in the eye walked outside the wards and Apparated to an abandoned street-corner in Little Hangleton.
A short walk, and Severus Snape was in the Death Eater's den, greeted by Narcissa Malfoy to his surprise and escorted into a dark room with a long table. He felt others' presence but could not see anyone but the Dark Lord and his malevolent snake.
"Finally, Severus, where were you passing your precious time?" – The hissing voice sounded nearly kind, but it was impossible to miss the threat.
Snape descended on one knee. "I apologize, my lord" – he began humbly – "I did not dare to risk your interests with my haste." He felt the skilled Legilimens' touch on his mind even while talking, and with fake reluctance, he let the curious touch enter his mind. He showed the carefully prepared memories of his discussion with McGonagall, like that was the last thing he did.
"Seems you had fun, haven't you, my servant" – the cruel voice persistent in its fake kindness – "but you must have known what you earn by testing my patience."
Severus swallowed but obediently bowed his head. "I am your faithful servant, my lord. I accept my punishment willingly." He waited with his head hung to his chest and emptied his mind completely. However, the wait seemed too long. Carefully Snape peeked up to see a perverted smile on the Dark Lord's ruined face. He scanned the side of the room like he was to threaten someone else.
"See?" – The Dark Lord hissed – "See, you cowards? This acceptance of my ruling his fate makes Severus my favoured servant. This is what I so thoroughly miss from you!" A female voice replied so quiet in her fear Snape could not recognize the words. "Stand in front of me and face your judge!" – The hissing voice ordered, and Snape needed all his willpower to forgo gasping in his shock. A woman dressed only in intricate black lace emerged from the shadows and stepped within reach of the long pale arms.
"You know each other, do you?" – The Dark Lord's attention suddenly turning back on him, Snape nearly winced. He should have known better than hope to hide all his surprise and a too strong pang of guilt. "Why would you feel the need to apologize to this woman? Talk!"
Snape pulled up the only image he could show without unravelling his recent betrayal, no matter if it was humiliatingly personal… "I could never learn to like her husband." – He commented aloud.
"Oh, you lustful git!" – The Dark Lord laughed with malicious glee. "Do you still want her?"
The woman eagerly nodded with fear in her eyes; she would agree to anything at this point only to escape, Snape suspected, but he had a part to play, so he shook his head.
"She cannot worth my attention if she disappointed you, my lord."
"Don't you flatter me, Severus, that's never been your way!" – Voldemort spat the words – "You're more curious than you dare to show. Now come closer, darling" – he turned to the woman – "and confess for all of us to hear." The Dark Lord's long arm encircled the laced body, and he observed carefully both his preys' reactions.
Snape's was mild disgust, which he tried to at least to temper, and a sudden fear of getting thrown in company with the temptress of his youth. He did everything to conceal that. About the last thing he needed in his life now was a witch like Iris… but she already spoke in a weak, trembling voice:
"I had no faith in you, my lord… I proved myself a coward and tried to hide…If it was not for my husband, I would still be in hiding. I didn't respond when Lucius called us… But I did serve you in the port, I tried to right my error! I would do anything now if you just give me a chance, my lord, I beg you…! I so regret…"
"What do you regret?" – Voldemort interrupted.
"That I… I had no faith?" – Iris tried.
"Pathetic liar!" – The Dark Lord grabbed her by the arm and pushed her on Snape. "You only regret Lennier found you and made you curse some idiot into obedience to save you from my wrath. That's not enough to prove yourself to me!"
"Severus, please, help me!" – She whispered frantically in his ear, clinging on him like on life itself. It was too much. He shoved her on a chair and recalled the disgust he felt earlier when the snaky arms held her trembling body. He let his disgust radiate through his mind for a few seconds, then recalled the memory he prepared about Dumbledore and Hagrid. The image of the headmaster's letter must be interesting enough to turn this situation around!
"A traitor has no friend among us!" Voldemort pronounced with satisfaction. "Severus, let's return to worthier topics! Do you have something to report?"
Now Severus Snape was finally in his element. He relayed the second part of Dumbledore's letter and the first day of his journey with a bow, then proceeded, showing the Order's meeting's edited version.
"I would like to go back to learn more about them moving the boy. If the blood-wards don't defend him, you may have a chance again to destroy him, my lord."
"Not just yet…" – Voldemort mused – "I have different plans in motion."
"May I know more about them, my lord, to serve you better?" Snape cautiously enquired.
"No!" The Dark Lord's thin lips moved to a cold smile. "Don't be nosy, Severus, this you'll have to wait out like everyone else. But you may be present when Lucius returns."- He graciously added.
Snape bowed low.
"Now off with you all! And Severus!"
"Yes, my lord?"
"You served me well this time. You'll have the honour to punish this witch the way you choose."
Snape bowed low again and thanked the gift. He grabbed Iris by a shoulder and motioned her to follow Pettigrew and Narcissa out of the room.
The corridor seemed crowded by four people's presence, or was it just his distaste of two-thirds of the company gathered there? Snape could not tell, but he thought he saw a drop of saliva glistering at the edge of the rat's mouth as he watched the lace-dressed witch with obvious intent, and he felt Iris clinging to him still like to the last straw of help - any kind of help - in a way that made him want to run. Narcissa's silent superiority saved his sanity, not for the first time, but better not dwell upon that either…
"If you try to escape, I will have to hunt you down," he warned Iris and pushed her closer to Pettigrew. "Close her up for me, but don't you dare to touch. She's rightfully mine." –He reminded the rat and felt some relief when they walked up the stairs. "Where is he?" Snape finally turned to Narcissa Malfoy, obviously asking after her husband.
"I must not tell you. I need to stay to hasten his return."
"Is Draco well?" – Severus asked, driven more by politeness than concern. The witch nodded with a grateful smile. She touched his hand lightly, searching his face with curious eyes, but Narcissa was too decent to voice her question. Both looked up the stairs.
"Can you talk about what Lucius wanted by calling Lennier?"
"I shouldn't, but you may find out yourself. He has now a different task, but recently he visited all the old friends of the cause."
Snape's eyes narrowed in concentration as he tried to do the maths here… Lucius had to find funds for the Dark Lord's plan. He and Nott were both assigned with recruitment. Old friends of the cause… those were the elders of the first circle, the friends of the cause… only they died. The Nott family hardly had remaining relatives in Britain… and their circle of acquaintance… "Has he called over the French to invest here?"
Narcissa smiled, contented with his understanding.
"I told you I must not tell."
Snape nodded. "When will he return, Cissy?"
"Not soon. I'm sure you may go."
Their hands were still touching, hanging by their sides. Now he caressed her fingers lightly, and Narcissa replied with a short nod. It was enough. If the Dark Lord doesn't call him, she will let him know of the meeting. He might not have many friends, but he earned some trust over the years.
This time Snape Apparated to Spinner's End with a silent pop and a calm demeanour. The Dark Lord would soon call him again, so he should tidy up things in- and out without losing focus. First of all, he prepared a well-deserved meal. Maybe not more than canned soup and beans but more than berries and sprouts, and he ate with all the enthusiasm of a man starving for a week. He repaired the staircase, the bathroom cabinet and all the belongings he could. Then he tidied the rooms and cleaned most of the dust while his mind worked on the recent developments.
Letting his guilt for killing a man show – even if he was as inhuman and dangerous as Lennier, even if he did it in defending himself and the cause –, was a severe mistake. A mistake he could not afford. Although it shone a light on a significant change: this was the first time he'd lied to the Dark Lord to save himself and not to conceal what Dumbledore deemed necessary. It was also the first time he had to kill since he asked for the headmaster's help. One stupid slip and he was down the hill…
Guilt was a weakness a Death Eater could not allow, and letting anyone know about Lennier's untimely appearance and consequential demise was precisely the thing Severus Snape could not allow. No one could know, not even Lennie's wife, but punishing the lecherous witch for trying to flee this madhouse was something he was also reluctant to do. Another weakness in Death Eater terms. He understood he had to prove his own loyalty by dealing with her traitorous thoughts, and the Dark Lord's gift to have his way as he wished with her was a double-edged sword.
Maybe he could find a way… to give Iris a purpose, a job to prove herself somewhere at the periphery of the Order… closely supervised… The dark mark ignited on his forearm before he could finish the thought.
Snape pushed himself from the kitchen table and walked out to Apparate. No disrespect this time. He entered the dark room with that bloody long table shortly before Avery and Macnair arrived. Narcissa stood at the far side of the table, next to her husband. Crabble, Goyle and Pettigrew, with their back to the room. Severus walked up to them, greeting all wordlessly and took his appointed seat two chairs under Lucius. Close second until the Lastranges arrive… The room was well-occupied by now, but silence persisted. Disturbing the quiet in the Dark Lord's presence has never been a good idea.
"I can see you all returned to our long-time habits." – Voldemort began graciously reflecting on them slipping back in a nearly fifteen-year-old routine in a blink of an eye. "Did you miss me, Narcissa? You never say…"
"I feel gratified by seeing you among us again, my lord" – she gave her answer as straightforwardly as she could without telling an outward lie.
"You are uncomfortable." The Dark Lord kept his tone mild. "However, your husband seems confident. You have nothing to fear. You will find yourself in your true element when your sister returns to us with my other followers from Azkaban."
"I thank you, my lord," Narcissa whispered, letting her eyes fall, and Lucius caressed her hand under the table. Snape filed away the scene to examine it later.
"It should not be that hard!" Knott boldly interjected. "With the attacks in Kent, we've already persuaded the Ministry to replace some of the Dementors. They are sure now that Black is out there!" – He snickered.
"Are you ready to celebrate then?" The Dark Lord asked back with a voice still mild despite the threat everyone felt behind the words.
"Not yet, my lord." – He came back to his senses. "I'm only glad we managed to do our part." Knott looked at Avery for support, but he only nodded with averted eyes.
"True, this time," Voldemort affirmed. "Things are going yet surprisingly smoothly. What do you think, Severus, will our luck persist?"
Knowing that most had no chance to hear the report he gave to the Dark Lord "mind to mind," Snape cautiously began:
"I would say it is more than luck, my lord; the Order is preoccupied with the boy. They are guarding him night and day even with the blood-wards intact. Dumbledore is concerned by the tale-bearers in the Ministry. It seems he reached out for the support of magical creatures, but he is yet to hear about his messengers. I would like to examine this further."
"Don't bother!" Voldemort cut in. "Thank Lucius, we have an excellent source of information also from the Ministry and our ranks."
"Thank you, my lord. I do what I can." Malfoy bowed his head with evident satisfaction, but Snape knew he must not let another take all the credit when he was called to report. These meetings always had their particular pattern, and this was his time – and chance – to prove his worth.
"Sure" –he agreed. "Like all of us. Although the Order is nothing like it used to be. They are having a hard time recruiting, and their lines are sorely gapped. The youngers have not yet the potential to fill in for their martyrs, so they have to make with the settled and easy. None ready for a fight."
"You mean like Black?" Lucius offered, ready to hand his quip back.
"Oh, yes, a wanted convict even for the muggles must surely be a worthy opponent!" Snape returned the thee without a thought.
"Nevertheless, we should get to him" – the Dark Lord told them both – "and reward Pettigrew for his earlier services. As soon as one of you is finally able to offer him to me."
"My lord, the coward never leaves the Order's Headquarters, and I am no secret-keeper to share the whereabouts."
"Blast it, Sev; if you can't take his head, take me with you, and I'll do it. I've never liked this secret-bullshit anyway…!" Goyle cried out, losing his composure. The big boy could never focus attention while sitting at a table, and the discussion made him anxious again.
"Learn your patience!" The Dark Lord rebuked. "We all learned in the hard way how these charms work, haven't we, Peter?" he glanced at Pettigrew, but the pathetic little rat could only tremble at the sudden attention. "It is your turn, Lucius." Voldemort carried on. "I suppose you do have the end of the tale. Offer it to our Severus, will you?"
"Yes, my lord." Malfoy bowed again, now a little deeper, partly to annoy Snape, whom he knew to hate these formalities to an extent. "Rochester proved to be a good choice. He works close to Weasley and heard a young Auror sharing a concern about the half-giant's route. Some Tonks. We are yet to learn more about her. She was distressed to hear the tale at the Auror's department and asked Weasley for advice. I managed to send two ministry workers after Dumbledore's pet half-giant. Hopefully, they'll prove to Fudge that good old Dumbledore's conspiracy goes far above our circles and now threatens to turn all kinds of dangerous half-breeds and magical creatures against us. The French connection offered me Lennier's support as proof of their alliance and assured me that my troopers got good handling as soon as they crossed the Channel."
"Is that all?" Voldemort asked like Malfoy's machinations were not utterly thought out; he didn't fail the challenge.
"Actually, I also hope that we may ride the Minister's paranoia over the half-breeds. I've made the acquaintance of Fudge's new undersecretary. As unpleasant as the witch is, I'm sure even Dumbledore will find her intrigue challenging. Fudge is considering sending her to Hogwarts."
"Is she aspiring to join our ranks?" Nott asked quickly. Snape somehow managed not to raise an eyebrow at his eagerness. Nott was assigned to recruit; clearly, his luck was thin, and he hoped for some assistance.
"I would never recommend it. The witch is an opportunist and not in a good way. She adopts any ideology that comes her way but unreliable, for she cares only about her personal gain, not ours. A useful tool but a security threat at this point. Also, she's one of the more eloquent deniers of our lord's return; I would never risk losing that."
"Leave her alone and keep an eye on her," Voldemort ordered. "Severus, if that witch indeed enters Hogwarts, you are responsible for keeping us well informed. I want no more loyal pets at the Minister's kennel than around the old fool."
"Yes, my lord."
"What about the prophecy? Have you worked out a way to get to it?"- The Dark Lord moved on.
It was Avery's turn.
"We've been working on it, my lord, but as the Unspeakables guard their corridors, we could not get to it," Avery reported matter-of-factly, but seeing the change in the Dark Lord's demeanour. He quickly corrected himself: "As it's yet. we could not get to it, yet, my lord, but I'm already working with some of them, and Lucius is also… it will not be too hard to bend one of them to our will… to your will, my lord, and there cannot be a …"
"Enough!" Voldemort hissed, "You have no idea! I expect detailed information next time. I hope you understand me very, verrrrry clear! Lucius!"
"Yes, my lord?"
"You are to assist more to this pathetic idiot. Your news is the only reason I'm not in the mood to curse him after all."
"Yes, my lord." Lucius shot a warning look at Avery before the jerk thanked the Dark Lord for getting away with incompetence.
The gathering was closing to an end. The Dark Lord called Lucius away from the table to hear out his silent report on the French investments. Pettigrew got out of the room as soon as it was moderately polite, and Avery sat in silence; Nott schooled Crabble on the next organized attacks. Goyle walked in circles in the room, alternately talking to Macnair or popping a word in Crabble's conversation, visibly glad for the opportunity to finally straighten his legs.
"Hey, Sev!" – Knott pushed him with a shoulder in a rare display of some friendliness – "You look like you still have that broomstick up in your arse; what about getting a little easier?"
"I can assure you if I ever get rid of that… broomstick, my first aim will be to feed you with it. Now, what do you want?"
Knott laughed like Snape didn't mean what he said, then waved his hand towards Crabble and Macnair, now both were talking to Avery. "We thought about letting off a bit of the steam; what do you say? Lucius agreed to get the neighbours too."
Snape contemplated the offer with narrowed eyes. He was far not in the habit of attending revels voluntarily, but neither was Malfoy and if he gets his so-called entrepreneurs… "If you want to take Avery, you'd better help him out. The Dark Lord will not tolerate an old-fashioned party without results."
"Always the stickler… all right, after then!"
Snape nodded and moved on to listen in. Goyle was now mentioning the Knight Bus, and Macnair snickered, so that must have been the big boy's job and obviously hit beside the mark… He saw Cissy slipped out of the room and wondered if she only felt out-of-place or had her husband entrusted her with something interesting… Snape silently made his way to the corridor, but Narcissa was nowhere in sight.
One more duty for the day was what he delayed despite himself, but now standing under the stairs, it seemed inevitable. Snape climbed upstairs to face Iris with a sigh – better to get on with it before he thought this through…
After the scene just a few hours ago, Snape expected to find the witch in a pathetic state, but despite all her deficiencies – or exactly because of them – Iris Dubois always had nerves! When Snape entered the dim-lit room, he found her half-laying on thick pillows, opened legs, cherry mouth, and a glorious smile on her face. Iris's hands were playing on her breasts, her fingers drawing along the intricate pattern of the black lace, and when she slowly looked up to acknowledge his presence, she kneeled up before she ran into his arms.
"I knew you would come!" – She exclaimed, clinging on to him with unfathomable enthusiasm – "You are to save me; you've never been the cruel beast like the others are! You are special; you've always been special to me!" – She trilled, and before he could turn his face away with disbelief, she pressed her lips onto his.
Snape pushed the witch away with force, but although she landed on her butt among those damnable pillows, the glee curiously never left her. With some mortification, he had to realize that albeit he could easily see through her stratagem and was repulsed by it, her machinations had an undeniable effect on his anatomy. Especially after the temptress attacked again and his touch-starved senses drank all the small caresses she placed upon his chest, all the kisses she peppered on his neck and ears. With ginger guidance, her fingertips turned his face back to her again, and she engaged him in a violent kiss.
He knew her game; he knew she didn't mean any of this; her desperation was the only reason she seemingly gave herself to his will, and still, Iris's proficient lips were well versed to drive even the most experienced man to insanity.
The next thought came only minutes later, and it carried hot anger. He might have been green like the spring-leaves when they last met, but he's never been as simple as this! Struggling with his shockingly uncooperative body, he peeled the embracing arms off his neck and managed to grab her by the wrists, thrust her back against her pillows and instantly stepped back.
Still panting, he gathered the most of his formidable Hogwarts-persona. "Behave yourself, witch! This conduct of yours is not welcome!" If he thought this would stop Iris, he still underestimated the witch.
"It didn't seem like that to me…" – she replied with a smile on a most melodic voice, but as for he has already put the needed three steps between them, Snape's mind was finally clear. If he still had other difficulties, those were not for Iris to know.
"Whatever it seems" – he told her calmly. "I am to decide upon your fate after what you have done. You are a burden forced upon me, which is bad enough without suffering your obtruded favours."
To his great astonishment, Iris never stopped smiling; more, she moved to get closer again, continuing her lecherous game. "I will do everything you wish me to do; all you need to do is to command me."
There was a short second when it occurred to him how dizzy and compliant her words might have made his twenty years younger self… but the second passed just like those decades.
"Good to know. I want you to sit on your hands and listen to me." He commanded with his face frozen in an impassionate mask. "You have to prove your loyalty to the Dark Lord and the cause. And you have to prove it unmistakably, for I will not engage my name in your downfall."
"Severus, wait, I don't think you understand…" Iris looked frightened and pathetic for the first time since he entered the room, but it did not last long. "Severus, dear friend, you remember me… you cannot mean to force me into a war… you know me too well! Look at this!" –She gestured along her fragile body – "Does this seem like something to destroy in combat? To torture? To mutilate? I could give so much to the world… to you… to others who care about it, Severus…you've got to let me go!"
"This is exactly what I cannot and will not do, Iris. You played your game; now pay your debt. If you want to survive on your own terms, I suggest you don't betray the Dark Lord by openly defying his orders again. If you want to hold onto that dear life of yours, find a way to serve him with your talents."
Iris looked uncertain. "Do you think he would…"
"No."
"Then his distinguished champions?"
Snape rolled his eyes. "I can't see what would redeem you in those acts…"
She leaned towards him with a cheeky smile. "I show you any moment if you just let me back to you…" For her terrible amusement, he took one more step back.
"Witch, behave!" Snape warned again, but Iris only laughed.
"All right,… so some enemies to blackmail?" – She guessed. "I can provide reason! Or distract adversaries? I am a distraction. You might not react, but I swear I am to others!" This was the first time she betrayed any insecurity since Severus knew her, and it was more becoming than any plot she tried to carry out before.
"I believe you, Iris, and that's something you may use. However, you hardly know anyone in this country who is worthy of such distraction."
"What about Alastor Moody? He's an Auror from the highest ranks, is he? I heard he's friends with Dumbledore. Do you want me to destroy Moody? Would that redeem me?"
Snape contemplated his answer longer this time. He hated Mad-Eye with a passion ever since the old git tried to imprison him. It was natural enough for an Auror to try, but the visible enjoyment Mad-Eye displayed was repulsive, just like the way he behaved ever since. Still, he was a valuable asset for the Order, and his friendship with Dumbledore was too close to endangering his role… Maybe that was just the place for a witch like Iris… a role seemingly valuable enough in the Dark Lord's point of view and one that made her easy to watch for the Order. Maybe even feed her with misleading information.
"You couldn't possibly get close enough…" He tried the waters, but Iris eagerly cut in:
"I know his daughter; he's going to trust me! Severus, please, be nice, let me do this. I promise I won't forget you let me play…"
He nodded his agreement and left the room before the witch could launch her next seductive attack, this time motivated by gratitude.
Walking down the stairs, he made a mental note to inform the Order as soon as possible. As he still struggled with some of the discomforts Iris's closeness caused, he decided against returning to the others… The last thing he needed was the humiliation by his traitorous body or showing any kind of weakness in their presence. If no one else, the Dark Lord would know in a blink, and he would bear the consequences to the end of times. Damnable witch!