Ginny was cleaning up after one night shift—tossing out the rubbish— when in the darkened alley when a black Kneazle crossed her path. She spat thrice over her shoulder (for bad omens were the law in this witchy town), but ran face to face with a group of drunk red headed wizard-teens with nothing to entertain themselves with but an empty bottle of Nettle-barb Rum and a whole lot of tongue. Apparently they had 'business' with someone in the bar. Shite . The Crooked Crone didn't serve minors, and that's all Ginny told them, so they were going to have to sort out their business elsewhere. She'd nearly found herself on the wrong end of a crooked hex when her Born-Again Potions Master and his Witch of the Night swept in and had them at his mercy.

"That asshole fucked my sister," said the shortest one flipping off Snape, practically frothing in the mouth.

"He fucked all your sisters," Ginny cried. "Get over it."

The teens argued loudly but Snape and Ginny's wands spoke louder. And three scrawny boys against a grown man and a witch with the death stare were no match for them.

"Clever, Weasley," Snape spat, with the redhead witch looking not the least bit shaken by the brawl. She knew who she was going home with, clearly.

"Sure." Ginny finished loading the bin, wiping her rotten-acidic smelling hands on her jeans. "For future reference, I don't get myself into any trouble I can't handle."

"Clearly," he snarled back and walked off.

His redhead was quite young, maybe in her early twenties. Ginny would have gagged (for comedic effect) if that wizard just didn't save her arse. Not that she really cared who he was spending his nights with. Then again, how many redheads his age were still available in Cagailshire?

-xxx-

In days, Ginny did cool her fumes and thanked Snape.

"Didn't like a bully in the best of times," he replied, looking over his shoulder as though one of those boys did get into the Crone and sought revenge. "I'd prefer if word didn't spread of my…interference."

Ginny mustered up her courage. "Are you hiding from someone?"

Snape ordered two drinks, but this time, they were his usual. He gave her the instructions: two shots of gin, Wild Cherry syrup, algae-coloring from the bottom of the Black Lake and of course, St. Germain Elderflower liqueur.

There was enough of it for the two of them. Ginny didn't usually drink on the job, but thought of it as a peace offering and took a sip and found herself feeling woozy like someone had pulled her bows and strings in her head.

"Can I trust your discretion, Miss Weasley?"

Ginny nodded, "of course."

"Then yes, I am hiding."

"I'll keep your secret," Ginny said, "I know what it's like to want to be alone."

"Can't trust anyone."

"Not even you?"

"Especially me."

"Then it's true?" Ginny said leaning in and whispering, "The Dark Lord is back-"

Snape gestured to his mouth. "All I can say is keep your eyes on the lookout and your wand at the ready."

Ginny swallowed. Snape hadn't really trusted her with his drink until today. All was fair though—caution never hurt anyone.

He ended his night with the redheaded pharmacist from the west end. Ginny's jaw clenched and heat crawled down her neck as she watched her hand crawl further down his backside. What an odd pair.