Chapter 8:

The Prince

The Ministry of Magic is at a loss: no sign of progress in the investigation of the Buckingham Palace massacre

The identity of the witch who committed the massacre of muggles at Buckingham Palace Square last Wednesday, which has recently been nicknamed "The Masked Witch" remains a mystery. The Ministry of Magic reports today: "There is no sign of progress in locating the murderer."

"The only detail we know for certain is that the murder was carried out by an ancient wand," says a source in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement t. "Since it is definitely not in our current records. The Wizengamot has been trying to legislate a law that will force wizard families to disable the wands of the deceased, so they would not pass from generation to generation. It could prevent cases such as this."

It it too early to say whether the murder had been carried out by a supporter of the Dark Wizard He- Who- Must- Not- Be- Named. Nonetheless –

"Can you believe that?"

Severus looked up from the newspaper. A young wizard who was waiting outside the office of the Head of the Department of International Magical Trading Standards was the speaker. Severus realized, with some annoyance, that he was reading his paper over his shoulder.

"Everyone want themselves a piece of pure- blood meat recently eh? When there's a crime the pure bloods are the first to be blamed, like we were a bunch of uncontrollable monkeys and not the highest rank of wizards..."

Severus hummed in agreement and returned to his paper, hoping that this would indicate that he wasn't interested in small talk while waiting.

But the bored stranger didn't give up. "Not to mention that not all pure bloods support He- Who- Must- Not- Be- Named..."

"That's true," Severus mumbled, trying to concentrate again.

"I'm Travers. Eddgar Travers," the wizard introduced himself.

"Severus Prince."

"Nice to make your acquaintance. Are you waiting for an interview with Mr. Avery?"

"I am."

Travers smiled brightly, showing a row of yellow teeth. "So it seems we're competing for the same job, eh?"

"I'm not competing with anyone for anything. I got an offer from Mr. Avery's son, that's all."

As expected, this statement made the other man feel threatened. His smile widened in a clear gesture of competitiveness. "You must be a very talented wizard, then."

"Some may say so."

Travers laughed coldly. "A modest guy."

"Mr. Travers," the secretary called from behind the oak counter. "Mr. Avery is ready for you."

Travers kissed the pendant on his neck for luck and entered. Severus got a quarter of an hour of silence before he came out again, looking pleased.

"It's going to be tight competition. Good luck, my friend" he told Severus with a mocking salute and left.

"Mr. Prince," the secretary called, "You may go in."

Severus rolled the paper, tucked it under his arm, took the folder containing his score sheets, and went into the office of the Head of the DIMTS.

Mr. Avery was a large wizard, who must have been quite muscular in his youth, but now became fat in areas that were once solid. He had a broad face, tanned and open, hawk- like eyes, narrow and clear as his son's, fair thin hair, combed back and groomed, and a small pale scar in the center of his lower lip.

"Take a sit," he said to Severus in a matter-of-fact tone, turning a few parchment on his desk.

Severus did as he said. The Head of the Department's desk was enormous, made of black wood with white viens, its legs shaped like those of a dragon. The walls of the room were covered with old-fashioned wallpaper in the likes of an ancient world map, with mermaids, monsters, and merchant ships moving lazily over the white waves. Display cabinets displayed a variety of antique stone and ivory objects decorated with precious gems. Severus knew for sure that the value of any such object there would easily make him rich.

"My son recommended you, but in another name," said the Head suddenly, not raising his eyes.

"I've changed my name since graduation," Severus said. "As an adult wizard, I took advantage of my independence to strengthen my connection to my mother's side of the family."

"And your mother is..."

"She was Eileen Prince."

"I don't recognize the name."

Severus didn't offer a reply. He had the feeling that Mr. Avery wouldn't have been interested if he had bothered to tell him who his mother had been.

"Well, Mr. Prince," he said suddenly, looking up and staring straight at Severus. His eyes were cold and intelligent, uncompromising. "Tell me why you think you deserve this job."

"My performance at school – "

"I don't care about your performance at school. Go on."

Severus gathered his composure, not going to let the man's arrogant attitude stand in his way.

"I'm hardworking," he said. "I'm determined. When I do something I do it in the best possible way, in every aspect of my life. Personal affairs and desires never stand in my way. I have mastered many fields of magic, especially Charms and Potions, but also – "

"Your knowledge is meaningless to me."

"This is only a measure of my ability to learn, to memorize and to internalize. I can learn any profession and take on any task. I'm never afraid to take responsibility for my choices and actions."

Mr. Avery didn't even blink as he listened to him. Severus finished making his point and stopped himself from saying any more. He waited for Mr. Avery's response. He didn't expect the response he received.

"You're hired. Miss Rookwood will give you the details."

Severus' legs took him out of the office, but his head still didn't realized completely what had happened. Outside he met Avery Junior, flirting with Miss Rookwood behind the counter.

"Snape," he said as a greeting when he saw him. "How was it?"

"He hired me." His voice sounded strange, as if it belonged to someone else.

Avery clapped him on the shoulder. "I though as much. When father decides he wants someone for the job he never waits too long. I think he decides whether he's going to hire someone or not once he steps into his office... Anyway, I suppose we'll see you a lot around here now?"

"I guess."

"You won't regret having taken my offer, Snape."

"The name is Prince."

Avery chuckled. Severus stared at him, and he tried to hide the grin behind his hand. "Sorry... But if you don't mind, I'll keep calling you Snape. That name suits you much better."

Severus ignored his last words and turned to the secretary for the necessary details.

"You will be Mr. Avery's personal assistant," Miss Rookwood said. She was a young witch with neat blond hair and glasses that rested on a small nose. "You need to be here at seven o'clock tomorrow and wait for Mr. Avery, and he will give you tasks. According to his daily schedule you will know when you will be needed at the office every day. My advice is to arrive as early as possible every morning, because you don't know when he'll decide to come. That's what I do."

"You should listen to Kattelyn," Averiyinterjected, winking at the secretary. "She's the only one here who knows what she's doing."

Miss Rookwood blushed, lowering her eyes shyly. "You flatter me, Mr. Avery..."

"I'm going to have lunch with some friends from Slytherin," Avery told Severus. "You coming?" Severus agreed. He had nowhere else to go anyway. "What about you, Kattelyn?"

"Sorry, Mr. Avery, I have to work. Maybe another time?"

"I'll take you on that. Say hi to your brother for me."

"I will, Mr. Avery. Goodbye. See you tomorrow, Mr. Prince..."

They met Wilkes in the Leaky Cauldron.

"There's a man we never thought we'd see again," Wilkes said as Severus put his paper on the table and sat down. "We hadn't heard from you since school ended. What are you doing today?"

"Snape started working for my father in the DIMTS," Avery interrupted. "Personal assistant. Nice, isn't it?"

"I've heard it's an excellent job, if you can keep it," Wilkes said. "They say it's demanding."

"After I'll do it they'll say other things about it."

The other two laughed. "This is that Snape we know!"

Severus didn't bother to tell them that he had changed his name.

"I'm starving," Avery complained. "Can we order already?"

"I thought we'd wait for Evan and Malfoy," said Wickles.

"You know Evan is buried to the neck in the Sports Department, and Malfoy is too deep up his own arse," Avery said, signaling the innkeeper. "Since he'd been accepted to the Circle – "

"Avery!" Wilkes hissed, glancing around. His gaze focused on Severus. "You know it's forbidden to – "

"What can I get you boys?" The innkeeper appeared beside them, and that was the end of it. They ordered and waited for him to leave.

"Come on, Snape is one of us," said Avery lightly.

Wilkes tried not to look at Severus, as if he thought that if he wouldn't look at him he wouldn't be able to hear him. "He isn't... You know..."

"No, but he agrees with us. And he's not stupid."

"You exaggerate the secrecy of your organization," Severus said. "Every wizard with his head on his shoulders knows exactly who is on which side."

"Let's not talk about it here," Wilkes said nervously.

Avery seemed to disagree, but before he could say anything the door opened and his attention shifted elsewhere.

"Well, well, look who's here..."

Barty Crouch Junior was standing in the doorway, arranging his robe with typical nervousness as he scanned the dining hall for a vacant spot.

Avery signaled to him. "Crouch! Over here!"

"What are you doing?!" Wilkes hissed.

"Offering him to sit with us. What's crawled up your arse today? Relax."

Crouch hesitated of a moment, then began to approach. "Would it be all right if I sat here?" he asked. "The rest of the tables are taken."

"Of course, Barty, sit down. We haven't seen you around recently."

"Yes... I was very busy in the office. I work with my father, you know... He isn't the most easy- going employer..."

"No, I suppose he doesn't make it easy for you. But we hoped you wouldn't cut yourself off from your friends because of work."

Severus picked up the hidden meaning of his words. Crouch also seemed to have realized because he looked a bit nervous. "Of course not. I do what I can..."

The food arrived, and Crouch ordered. They talked about the English Quidditch Cup while they ate. When they finished, they payed and go ready to go back to the Ministry. Outside the heavy August skies showered a gloomy rain of late summer, and the dinning hall was dimly lit.

"My father and I are having a little social gathering on the tenth of September," said Avery as they prepared for the trip by Floo. "I hope all of you could come."

Wilkes and Crouch confirmed their arrival at once.

"What about you, Snape?"

Lily's wedding was going to be on September 10th, as was written on the enchanted invitation sent to him by owl, were colorfully painted bells swung and rang and white petals fell softly.

"I have a previous commitment," he said.

"Too bad," said Avery, examining Severus in his father's hawk eyes. "My father will be very disappointed if you won't be there. He doesn't accept anyone to work that easily – he probably sees something in you. I think you should reconsider."

Severus wasn't stupid, and Avery's hints were clear.

"I'll make an effort to be there," he said, knowing exactly what was going to be the nature of that so called gathering.