Dark blood- Diagon Alley visit
So in the last chapter we saw Severus and Albus brew the potions for the venom and also the failed attempt to cover Sev's eyes. Will he be caught out? Will Harry find out? And what does a certain strange man have to do with it?
As always, your reviews, follows and even favours make all the difference to me! Please tell me what you think about this chapter!
I am also really curious to know what your theories are concerning how (if at all) Severus gets found out! I am SO CURIOUS SO TELL ME:D
Anyway thankyou and enjoy the chapter;)
"Do they actually think we have no idea of how to get to the great hall or is this just Minerva's way of messing with us for being late?" Servine whispered as the house elf, Delfy practically pulled him and his father down the stairs.
"Hush now Servine! We are about to enter the hall. Try to look a bit more...hmmm presentable. Perhaps a smile even?" Albus was twinkling again even if it was with green eyes.
Servine glared and whispered back. "Not bloody likely. I still have to wear these ridiculous sunglasses. If they come off and people see-"
"Servine do not worry so much. No one will see your eyes and we will change them back as soon as we get the chance. Just try to appear neutral"
"But Albus, with my eyes returned to normal, the only actual difference is my hair which is now waist length. If people see, they Will work it out. I actually look no different if you remove the eye factor and glasses"
"Shhhhhh, we have arrived at the hall now. I'll sort them out later just before we leave to get new wands"
They opened the doors to the grand hall and were greeted with the friendly faces of the six pupils, Hagrid, Poppy, Pomona, Sybil and Minerva all who were seated around a table in the centre of the room as well as a grand feast. Minerva smiled and nodded for them to join the rest. She stood up as they sat down on either side of her.
"Everyone, it is with great pleasure that I announce our two new teachers of Defence and potions. Alder and Servine Slade!"
The other teachers smiled and nodded happily. Minerva introduced all of the teachers to them which made Servine want to scoff. It wasn't long however, before Servine was in deep conversation with Pomona and Hagrid about the properties of herbs. He couldn't remember the last time he had sat with them and just talked especially after he became headmaster for the dark lord. Then the question on sunglasses came from out of the blue.
"So why re' you wearin' sunglasses indoors?" Hagrid was curious.
"I have a headache and the glasses help by dimming the light" he answered back with surprising vitality for someone like him. It must be Hagrid's influence. The half giant is very energetic.
Or maybe you are just happy.
Servine snapped his head around to look at Alder. Why was he speaking to him through legilimency?
What are you talking about? And why are you using legilimency on me?
Albus grinned. I am using legilimency because your emotions are very easy to read at the moment. They are practically calling out. And as for what I am talking about, it's not Hagrid's influence. You are just feeling happy.
What the hell? I come back here and within a matter of days the shields I spent years building up have been broken. This is why we shouldn't have come back!
Severus, stop overreacting you seem to be doing that alot of the time these days. Happiness is not a bad thing. And it certainly isn't weakness. Enjoy yourself, you've earned it child.
Servine was silent for a moment but then gave a small smile at Alder and Alder smiled back. A cough brought his attention elsewhere though. Potter coughed up and looked at him. Servine nodded but Harry just looked at him. Again the boy was watching him as if he were a tiger about to pounce. In fact most of the students were watching him. Could they see his eyes? With great effort Servine looked the other way which just so happened to not go unnoticed by a certain tea leave reader. Then suddenly, said tea leave reader pointed at him and stood up while gasping in a very dramatic way. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her. Minerva asked." What is it Sybil?"
The strange woman then shouted and put a hand to her head.
"You! My inner eye tells me you are confused! Your spirit yearns for more but you restrict it! You also hide a deep secret...wait I...yes it's coming to me...yes"
Servine tried to keep his expression calm but swallowed down his fear. She couldn't know, could she?
Then She pointed at Alder.
"You as well! You are both hiding something of great importance!"
Alder had the sense to close his mouth. Servine practically gaped at her. Was she actually on to them? He could only hope the rest didn't believe her.
"That's enough Sybil. You shouldn't spin your prophecies here especially on their first day"Minerva ushered for her to sit down but she remained stubborn.
" You, Servine! You must be careful, for there is danger in your life and your past will return to haunt you! You must be prepared!"
He had had enough. She wasn't stopping and if she actually did have some inner eye information come to her about his past, then she could blow his and Albus' cover. He stood up and shouted.
"How dare you!? Take your damn tea leaves and leave us alone!"
"Severus! Don't speak to Sybil like that!" Alder had stood up.
Servine's eyes widened as he stared at Alder. Alder stared back with the same face. Everyone stared at them both.
"Did...did you just say...Severus?" Harry asked Alder in a quiet voice.
Servine decided he would play risky otherwise people might realise. But he was a Slytherin who happened to be a spy. He could turn this around. He turned on Alder and pointed. "Father! Have you no respect for the deceased headmaster! Did you just call me Severus? That is their old headmaster whom they are mourning!"
Alder, shocked as he was, caught on. "I am sorry if it sounded like that. I did not mean to be disrespectful. Although I am certain I said Servine." He tried to look as apologetic as possible. All the faces at the table had saddened considerably including his own as everyone sat back down. Servine muttered an apology to Sybil who accepted it but watched him carefully for the rest of the meal.
After a while the chatter picked up again, and it seemed people had forgotten about the potential slip of the tongue. As soon as they had finished, Alder and Servine excused themselves and went to the dungeons to solve Severus' eye problem.
The dungeons: lab
Servine sat on a stool in front of Alder and took off the sunglasses and closed his eyes while Alder placed his hand over Servine's eyes and said multiple spells. Servine opened them again and revealed the stormy grey that lay beneath. Alder breathed a sigh of relief.
"My Severus I was beginning to worry that they wouldn't change on their own. As it turns out, I never completed all the charms before Minerva walked in so of course they wouldn't change"
Servine breathed a sigh of relief but glared at Alder. The older wizard turned away with a sheepish look on his face. He knew he was guilty.
"Albus, you very nearly ruined everything! Had it not been for my quick thinking they would have realised the truth. Which reminds me, what are we going to do about Sybil? She clearly has her eyes on us and if she really tries she could find out"
Alder stood and held a hand up to silence his son. "Severus, if they find out it means they are MEANT to find out. We will do everything in our power to prevent it but if they are meant to know then they will. There is nothing else we can do. Now stop worrying and come with me to Diagon alley. We need new wands"
Servine ran a hand through his long hair and sighed in frustration. Albus just didn't get it. They could kill him for all the damage he had caused as headmaster for Voldemort. And he himself felt guilty for it so he would let them happily end his miserable life.
But then Minerva had been upset about him hadn't she? In fact she wished he was alive. And even Potter defended him earlier. Hmmmm I will have to see...Albus is right. If they find out then I can only hope...they have forgiven me
"You're right Albus. If they are meant to then they are meant to. We shouldn't try to change the inevitable"
Alder turned around and looked at Servine in shock. Had the boy just...agreed with him? That if they find out it isn't the end of the world? That that would be...ok? He then gave a huge smile and hugged Servine tight. "Oh Severus! I am so glad you see now! If you can accept they have forgiven you, then that is the first step to letting go of the guilt! I am so proud of you for understanding me, for trying to see!"
He let go of Severus and put a hand on his cheek while smiling and twinkling. "I am so glad, Severus. You don't realise how happy this makes me"
Severus gave a small smile in return. "You know...I feel happy too" Then he changed his smile to a smirk.
"But Albus, this doesn't mean you can start shouting out my name through the halls. Remember, I still don't want them to find out. It's only that I acknowledge that they could find out."
Albus chuckled "Of course! One step at a time." But I'll make you see Severus! In fact I may just let it slip one day, that you are in fact alive. I have faith that the truth will come out and that when the time comes, you will be glad it did.
Diagon Alley
After having purchased the wands from Olivanders they sat near Honeydukes and ate some lunch together. Servine pulled out his new wand and observed it. It was lighter and was redish brown instead of black. It had a vine like pattern on the handle and a white tip painted on the end and was cherry wood. Similar to what my mother had I suppose.
Alder's wand was white but had black flecks all the way up. It seemed very odd for Alder but still suited him especially with his new appearance.
Servine waved a tempus spell and checked the time. Three o'clock which meant he still had time to go to the Apothecary. Satisfied he tucked the wand up his sleeve and faced Alder.
"I have some ingredients I wish to retrieve from the local apothecary. I was hoping to find something that will speed up the process of brewing for the remaining seven potions left."
Alder nodded understandingly. "Very well. I wished to retrieve some books on defensive charms anyway. How about you get your potions while I look for books. We will meet here in half an hour to leave for Hogwarts."
"That sounds fine." After they finished their food they went their separate ways with promise to meet back at the same place.
Severus' pov
Merlin I don't think there are many potions that can help. Severus thought to himself as he fished through the stacks of ingredients and vials. He sighed and left to look in another shop. But just as he left the store an unfamiliar man with sandy hair in muggle clothes walked up to him and started to talk.
"Excuse me. I couldn't help but notice you're not from around here. Your name is Servine Slade is it not?"
"Yes...it is. Can I help you?" How does he know my name?
"Why yes, I have heard about you and your unmatched skill in the dark arts."He is trying to flatter me, but why?
"I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit about it?"
"Pardon?" what the hell?
"Dark magic. What do you know about it? Surely you have something you can tell me?" This feels wrong. This man has strange intentions. He feels...off.
"I apologise. I don't know anything about it." Who is this? He hasn't even introduced himself yet he wants information. And about dark magic? Does he even know what he is asking for?
"No I am fairly certain you know." then the man waved his hand as if to forget the idea. "ok never mind that. How about potions? I have heard, an intelligent man like yourself must know a good deal about potions?"
"Sorry I think you have the wrong person to ask about that. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable than I can help you?" This man is definitely trouble. And he's on to me. Why else would he ask about potions! I need to find Albus and get back to Hogwarts immediately.
He tried to side step around the strange man but he was blocked. The man laughed at him and grabbed his shoulders. Hard.
"Oh no! I think I have the right person. Don't you think so Mr. Servine...or should I say Severus?"
TBC:)