AN: Yes, an update! Readers, be aware this story will move at a slow pace. Mainly due to the ideas having a hard time coming out coherently without being drawn-out. I changed the summary since I'm aware people might have gotten the wrong impression. This is not Severus/Lily (romantically). It will be slash...
Chapter 2
Shivering Servants
The soles of Severus' boots made no sound as he stalked the halls, head bowed on his way to Filch's office. He kept his eyes glued to the cobble passing under his feet, not wanting to accidentally catch the eye of any of the few students wandering the halls that late in the afternoon. Filch's office, while not hidden, was not territory with which most students were familiar. The office was located in the dankest part of the dungeons, close to what rumour made out to be torture chambers.
Severus brought a hand up to his nose in order to ward off the painfully cold air. He kept a brisk pace until he arrived at his often-visted destination.
"Charms, Room 4"
Severus stared at the scrap of parchment stuck to the heavily scratched wooded door with a piece of sellotape. Severus quirked an eyebrow. Sellotape? He huffed and shifted his feet.
The fact that the much loved caretaker was not there to greet him, the lucky miscreant, indicated to Severus that his detention was being chucked to another person to deal with. It was not uncommon for teachers to pass off detention supervision to prefects. Usually detention given for misdemeanor crimes such as throwing things at Peeves or not doing homework were taken care of by prefects who would supervise the completion of menial chores or assign lines. Severus had never heard of any case where this system failed. During detention, the authority of the prefect seemed much more than when they were simply on patrol or in the vicinity.
With Filch's seemingly impossible job - one man caretaker of an entire castle - Severus was not entirely surprised that he would not be serving detention with the man. It had never happened before, but he was not surprised. However, calling someone a derrogatory name such as the one he spat at Lily Evans was no small crime. Filch was always more sympathetic to Severus' case than most others. Filch never lessened the punishment, but he did converse with the dark eyed boy as if he were another Mrs. Norris - minus the words of endearment, that is. Severus was not sure whether he preferred to endure a detention, scraping scum off the glass on the windows of the Astronomy Tower while listening to Filch natter on about the latest crime he and his beloved cat had stopped from coming to fruition or being in the presence of a student who would look down on him as he completed whatever dicated nonsense he had to complete.
He preferred not to be anywhere near anyone.
He was in no mood to deal with people. Severus was mixed up - he dared not say emotional - and incredibly angry.
Severus looked at the note again. The handwriting was unremarkable.
"Charms, Room 4."
That's all the way upstairs - somewhere.
Severus stared at the note. The sellotape was coming loose. He glanced up and down the hall. It was empty.
"House elf?" he whispered, stooping a bit. He tensely waited for something to happen. Seconds ticked by.
"Oh, sod - "
Pop!
A tiny frail-looking creature appeared in front of him, startling him a step back. Severus had to stop himself from clutching his chest. Severus had seen house elves before. The appearance of the dingy creatures never failed to intrigue him. So, he stared.
Severus often wondered about the circumstances of Filch's employment. Why was he needed if there were house elves? When Severus first encountered a house elf in his second year, he marveled at the power of the tiny cowering creature so willing to serve. Cowering. He had heard stories of the house elves from his housemates whose families were affluent enough to retain such luxuries. Powerful, yet willing to get walked on by those who could and would, house elves disgusted Severus. Cowering. The idea struck a chord in his chest.
Pathetic is what they are.
"Minnie not supposed to answer little childies." The elf batted her eyes and stared balefully at him. She pulled lightly on her floppy ears.
Severus pursed his lips into a thin line. The thing was cute.
"I require transport to Charms, Room 4," he stated. He shifted his bag slung over his shoulder and did his best to stand with the an air that demanded obedience.
"But you is a childies!" The elf opened her wide eyes wider still and took a step back.
"Are," he corrected automatically. "Are a childies - I mean child!" Severus looked down his nose at the little house elf. "I'm asking nicely. Do not make me beg."
Minnie started shaking and Severus wondered if he had somehow broken the creature. Severus checked to see if anyone was around. It would not do to be found near a house elf that seemed to be imploding.
"Um, elf..." He bent and reached a hand out towards the house elf.
Suddenly, a white light enveloped both him and Minnie, and with a pop! the corridor was empty.