Downside of Aging Potions - Chapter Twelve

"Where do we go; nobody knows?
I've gotta say I'm on my way down
God give me style and give me grace
God put a smile upon my face."
-Coldplay, God Put A Smile Upon Your Face

"With a Mudblood?" The man with the snake face asked his informer.

"Yes, My Lord. His student, even." Lucius reminded Voldemort with glee. Voldemort sat down in a tall Blackwood chair and stroked his barely-there chin.

"This could be... good. You say it was the girl who hangs on Potter, yes?"

Lucius nodded, "Yes, My Lord. But he-"

"If he gets close to her, he gets close to Potter. And if he gets close to Potter," Voldemort hissed with a grin, "I get close to Potter."

The blonde-haired man considered this, "I suppose, My Lord. But, she is also his student. Certain precautions must be taken if he were to 'see' her in secret."

"Of course, Lucius. That's why you are going to explain to him. Tell him the worst will happen should he fail to accomplish bringing her to me."

"What, exactly," Malfoy asked with a sly grin, "is the worst, My Lord?"

Voldemort 'tsk'ed and produced an even more sly grin, "What would be the fun in telling him?"

"Of course, My Lord." Lucius bowed and exited the chamber.

!

"Hey, Sloan!" A voice drawled from behind him.

He rolled his eyes and turned around, "What?"

The mocking face of Draco Malfoy stood behind him with Crabbe and Goyle. "Granger isn't with you?" He asked.

"Does it look like it?" Snape sneered.

Malfoy took a step, "You know, if I were you, I would be more cautious of me. You don't know what I am capable of." He said dangerously.

Snape gave a snort of laugher and looked away.

"Something funny? Think I'm no match for the no-last-name Mystery Man? Well then, let's test your skills. Tonight. The Astronomy Tower. Come alone." Malfoy turned and walked away.

Snape rolled his eyes. How fucking corny.

He walked into the Library and decided to browse the shelves aimlessly.

He tried distracting his mind from the duel he might have tonight. He wasn't paying attention and accidentally ran into someone.

"Oh sorry," he apologized, and then added, "Oh, it's you." The glum voice of Mr. Weasley.

"Sorry about that." He apologized and tried to continue walking.

"Where's Hermione?" Ron asked.

Snape sighed, "She was in her room, the last I saw her."

"You've been in her room?" He demanded wide-eyed, enraged.

"Don't get too excited, what's the big deal?" He put his hands in his pockets.

"I haven't even been in her room." He said resentfully.

"Good for you, now if you don't mind-" He started but stopped when Weasley asked, "What were you doing in her room?" He challenged.

It was now that Snape realized they had a few people staring at them.

"Do you have nothing better to do then to question me constantly?" He asked lazily.

"Changing the subject. This should be good, what were you doing with her?" Ron demanded.

Snape was furious now. He was tired of this and this was only his first day. As a student, that is.

Why couldn't these nosy Seventh years keep to themselves? Times hadn't changed, but he really wished they had.

He could have said a million things to piss Weasley off, but he assumed the half truth would suffice.

"What was I doing with her? I was comforting her since her friends have turned against her. Not to mention the entire school, who's been spreading rumors about her." He said quietly and dangerously. Weasley's courage wavered.

"We haven't turned against her-" He tried to respond, but Snape didn't want to hear it.

"I have better things to do, Weasley." He said aristocratically. Snape made for an exit, hoping he wouldn't run into anymore damn children on the way.

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