Serpens stood there, in the middle of London surrounded by muggles as he just stared at the empty red telephone box.
Come on. Just walk in there. You're never going to get anywhere standing out here. Swallow your pride and go ask Potter for a job. He thought to himself bitterly as he reached for the door of the box. Harry had become the Auror he so wanted to be straight out of school. No surprise there. He did murder his father, the greatest dark wizard of their time. Serpens closed the door behind him and let out a low sigh, grinding his teeth as he picked up the phone and dialed the number that would take him underground.
He hated that he had to resort to this. But it was the first step. The first step in succeeding where his father failed. He watched as the streets of London disappeared, his thoughts still wandering. He wondered if Potter had any clue at all about where his true allegiances were at the Battle of Hogwarts. He shook the thought from his head. If he did he would be rotting in Azkaban right now. The box stopped and he opened the door, stepping out into the crowd of witches and wizards fumbling about their day.
He shoved his hands in the robes of his pockets and kept to himself. He hated every one of them. Being content with hiding and keeping themselves a secret for the sake of muggles. Muggles. They could squash them like the vermin they are in mere seconds and yet here they are, underground as to not attract attention.
Disgusting. Kept repeating over and over in his head. He had his head down and his eyes on the floor, but remaining aware of everything around him. He stepped into the crowded elevator where he felt eyes on him. He glanced over in the corner to see a small blonde haired hair boy with wide bright eyes. His face was more round than Serpens sculpted features but wasn't chubby, just had a more soft cute look to it. He recolonized his face, a Hufflepuff that was in his year in school. He couldn't remember the boy's name, but then it didn't matter. He wasn't a piece on his chessboard, so he never paid attention.
His eyes went back down to glare at his boots. He wondered how many of his former classmates he would run into here. From what he had heard they had all flocked to the Ministry with Potter. Serpens couldn't help but grin. As much as it pained him to run to Pillock Potter for a job he just kept reminding himself that here he was, a dark wizard just like his father going to trick the head of the Department of Magical Law. Again. He hadn't talked to any of them for a month after the battle. Even then he hadn't even talked. Convincing the ministry he was under an Impero curse was not easy. Especially when they kept him locked in a room with no windows, barely fed him, and used the Crucio curse on him every chance they got to try and make him admit it was of his own accord. He cringed at the memory. He was never the same after that. With each passing day in that hell, his mind only delved deeper into the darkness that surrounded him.
After he was released all of his "friends" had come to see him. To talk to him. But as they hugged him and cried, trying to comfort Serpens in such a dark time, he stood there. Not uttering a word. Not even looking at any of them. He walked away and didn't look back. They had tried to reach out to him over the years. Even sent him birthday cards every year. But this would be the first time they would be seeing him in eight years.
Serpens was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard the voice announce that they had reached the second floor, Serpens stepped out, along with the small Hufflepuff boy who scurried away from Serpens quickly. He rolled his dark eyes and just continued until he saw it. The office door that read -
Harry James Potter Head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement
There it was. Here he was. Finally taking the first step into becoming even more than his father was. A proud exciting moment. So then, why was he so nervous? He scoffed at his thought and brushed it off of his shoulder. He stood tall and confident, giving two sharp taps on the door with his knuckles. He waited a moment before opening the door when he heard the familiar voice on the other side tell him to come in. His eyes fixed on Harry the moment he walked into the office, who was still focused on his paperwork. After a few moments of silence, Harry looked up from his paperwork. He looked the same, except for the bags under his eyes. The round glasses only accentuated them. Harry stood up from his chair, the look of surprise plain on his stupid face.
"Serpens.. what.. wow how are you? It's been too long. Come in. Have a seat." Harry said, motioning to one of the very comfortable looking chairs in front of the desk. Serpens took in a deep breath.
Let's see if I still got it. He thought to himself. His composure changed drastically from intimidating and cold to friendly and welcoming. He smiled at the man before sitting down in the chair.
"It has been far too long. I apologize for not responding to any of your attempts to reach me. I just needed time. Who knew it'd be eight years." He gave an awkward laugh and rubbed the back of his head.
"No, it's okay. We all figured that you would come to us when you were ready. That.. was a hard time on all of us. But what you had to endure afterward would have driven any of us into solitude." Harry commented as he sat down. Serpens stared at him with genuine surprise. Did he know? Of course, he knew. He became an Auror while he was still in that wretched cell. He could see the pity in Harry's green eyes when he spoke of that time. It made Serpens want to punch his glasses right into those pity filled eyes. Instead, he just gave a smile.
"I'm so lucky to have such understanding people in my life. You seem to have done well for yourself. I know this is what you've wanted to do since we were in school." Serpens said, obviously wanting to change the subject. Harry caught on quickly and nodded.
"Yes. As much as I enjoy being able to make real change within the Ministry; I miss being out in the field. Now it's all paperwork and meetings. But what can I do for you? I'm afraid I don't have much time for a social visit."
"Well then luckily this isn't a social visit. I need a job. I've tried blending into the muggle world, but now I'm ready. I wish to become an Auror and begin the three-year training program." He said simply. Harry stared at him. Serpens honestly didn't know what to expect from Harry. At one point he could calculate all of them, how they would react, how they would respond, how he could manipulate them. He had been away from them for so long he no longer knew them, not really. But relief swept over him when he saw the smirk across Harry's face. He knew that he still had him fooled. It took everything he had not to start laughing maniacally.
"I thought you'd never ask. I've seen you in action. You would make a fine addition to the force." He opened one of the drawers on the desk, reaching his whole arm in there, much further than it looked like he should have been able to. Serpens gave a small sigh. He missed being surrounded by magic. Harry put some papers in front of him.
"Just fill those out, of course, they're just a formality, I know you'll get into the program. After that, you'll be summoned to test your abilities in battle, again just a formality. After that, you'll be assigned a partner for the rest of your training." Harry said excitedly. What was he so happy about? Serpens couldn't wrap his brain about why his joining would bring Harry such joy.
"Understood." He said, standing up and collecting the papers. "Thank you so much for this Harry. You won't regret it." Serpens took Harry's hand in a firm handshake before walking out of the office. As soon as he was out of sight he couldn't help the sinister smile that spread across his face. His chest was tight with excitement. After all his planing. All his waiting. It was finally happening.
He was finally going to pick up his father's work once more. He wouldn't fail like his father did for one simple reason. His father may have been charming but he felt nothing. He was numb. But Serpens felt things with his entire being. No matter how dark those feelings were. His ambition surpassed even his fathers because of moments like this. The pure joy he felt at thinking of taking down the muggles. Ruling over the Wizarding world. The thought of crushing them under his boots brought goosebumps to his pale skin.
They didn't stand a chance.