Muggle Sang the Blues

Chapter 1

The Blue Village Vanguard

And in conclusions ladies…. and gentlemens…" There was a soft round of applause, and a whisper of amusement in the small jazz club as the host spoke to the guest over a mic. A few couples were hand in hand, dancing slowly. The deep maroon lighting splashed down on the floor from over head lamps, they would fade away into mixed colors of gold, fuscia, and deep blue.

There were four men upon the stage. The Paris Temperance, they were smooth….great composers of the greatest songs written by Pee Wee Russell., Jelly Roll and Dice of Dixieland. American artists of course but Severus didn't care, because the blues were universal. He sat alone in his quiet little corner. Sipping his cocktail beverage. There was one side of him he had always loved about being half muggle. It was the music…..

He loved the sweetness….the soulfulness… the classic and swinging sound of the trombone….the romantic sounds of a jazz band. Billy Holiday, in Lady Sings The Blues. The solo entrance when the main line of a perfect song….faded out to the melody of the piano. The bass…the drums. That city slicking creole bump that flowed through his mind when J. Roll Morton's tunes fill this smoky room.

It was the truth and he no longer wished to hide or deny it anymore. He'd ran from the truth of being half-blooded all his life. For as long as he could remember, and for what? The only woman he had ever truly loved in his life, was long gone thanks Tom Riddle.

Tom, that's right! he call that scum by his true name. Damn him! Shouted the liquor now flowing through Snape's veins. Severus knew he was lucky to be alive after that two faced psycho tried to kill him off.

"I say that the night must continue…we've started this road for you boys and girls…and we don't plan to give up now…" the heavy voice of the club owner came from on stage as he grabbed the microphone and introduced the next song. The spot light hit the stage and the room spun into a place of cool hard bopping ragtime, the speakers surrounding it filled it in a thousands directions

The Blue Village Vanguard, a old favorite spot for Severus. He had secretly come here for years. He was, V.I.P, golden member and always granted this table any night, no matter how busy or packed the spot was. Same corner, same single lamp light on his table, a tiny red one, with mini gold tassels around the shade. He joined in when the audience clapped in a round of applause.

He was wearing a black crowned fedora, it's brim curved just above his right eye, and black suit, white shirt, no tie. He looked like a aristocrat, right from an old time, Kid Clayton film. These were the nights he would fold up his cloak and cape, dismiss his potions, and hide away his wand.

Yes, when he was here….there were no troubles, no demands, no worries and best of all…no magic! Well, none other than the magic of the sound… of the bands…the magic of the flavor, from a chill glass, of scotch on the rocks.

A young waitress stepped to his table wearing their usual getup. A white tuxedo top with red bow tie, black low cut shorts and fishnet pantyhose. " Um…ok let's see…you're the gold customer for table number two." she said "Hello, my name is Hermione Granger and I will be your server for this evening sir. Can I offer you another drink?"

Severus snapped his head up when he heard the name, looking straight into the face of the girl he had taught for nearly seven years. She was slim, and fitted the attire perfectly. She looked nervous, and hadn't looked at her guest. No, instead, she was chewing the pen top and pondering over her next drink order.

"Another scotch please Ms. Granger." His voice was low, and musky. He looked head on at her wondering why was the brightest student he'd every had the pleasure of teaching, waiting tables, in a London night club. Maybe, he should have gave her more homework. "Kill the ice on this one." he said.

"No ice." she repeated back and shifted her weight so that she could readjust her tray. She made a mark on her memo pad. "and will you be needing anything else sir? Olives? masachio cherries? Or peanuts?"

"Neither thank you." he pushed his empty glass out towards the end of the table and she reached out to retrieve it.

"And would you like a new ashtray sir?" She then looked at his face and her eyes grew wide.

"I don't smoke…."

"Professor!" She squealed over the saxophone playing.

He gave a shy smile, which was another one of those things he had denied himself for so long. But this was going to be his life from now on. He never again would live his life serving anyone, or answering to anyone again. The musician on stage started a new tune. "Yes, but don't tell the local's, or they may cancel my membership. Then I'd have to force Draught of Living Death on you." he said trying to sound like the old Snape, but failing.

"What are you doing here!….here! Oh sweet heavens! Its soooo good to see you." she said and dropped her tray with a clatter onto his table and leaned forward to hug him tightly.

"Whoaaa!….for goodness sake Ms. Granger." he had to brace himself, when she dropped down so suddenly, with another squeal, nearly knocking him off his chair. It was the instant before the room started another round of applause as the classic sounds of "Dancing in the Sky" tickled into a swing.

She looked up into his mature eyes and then slowly with humility dancing around in hers, she gave him a dazzling smile. "Its so wonderful to see that you're ok." said Hermione as she put a small hand on his shoulder. "Wow! You look brand new!" she smiled again "…and so dressed up, if Harry could see you now he'd never stop talking about it."

"Let's just hope this remains between us...I like not having to worry about running into anyone here." He said. And the red curtains opened on stage, nearly eight artist picked up the pace. The bass was the starting point and layed the tempo for the others to follow. The bass player was in the rear center of the stage, keeping time with his solo piece. The overhead lights changed in tune to the music...slow…then faster…and steady with the trombone.

"Yes of course I wouldn't dream of telling a single soul…oh but you must let me tell Harry! And Ron!" she insisted merrily "They're gonna die laughing."

"I see I'm still the punch line to a few inside jokes." he said turning the conversation a bit awkward.

"What ...no ...no nothing like that Professor it's just that...well look at you!" she made a playful turn with her head and place her hands upon her hips. "If I was twenty years older….." she smiled playfully.

He blushed.

She picked up her tray "Oh! Hey I have to get to the other guest." Hermione said loudly so she could be heard over the noise of the crowd.

"Alright." he said. His tone was unusually friendlier than she ever remembered when she was his student. He repositioned his hat so that the brim was right.

"But I'll come back in just a spell. Promise! Scotch right!"

"Sure."

"…and… kill the …ice."

"You got it…" he said "Hot as bat piss."

"Hot as…what-!" she laughed at his statement and turned to leave, looking back once in amusement. She pushed back a chair as she passed an empty table and she went back towards the bar. His eyes followed her, with her little walk as if she were a music note in time with the song. There wasn't a male eye in the place that wasn't on her. She was the new girl, the new hire and looking so grown up with her cocktail garments molding to her curves and slim waist.

He tore his eyes from her, as she leaned over the bar top to pick up a bottled beer for another near table. His thoughts were sailing above his head, twirling, twisting, higher and higher...perhaps he would skip that last drink.

He pushed some muggle money on to the table beneath the lamp. It was a bit more than normal. He had no idea why Hermione needed to bust tables but he wouldn't leave without tipping her nicely.