[a/n0]Trivia from last time; the legendary bard LT swore by was Xena's companion 'Lick the Alphabet' credit to Sam Kinision
[a/n]2 in a row? Well this was the original and I would've pushed it back, but since magitech's review of #70 inspired another LT appearance [up next], may as well do 3 in a row.
Harry Does Different CDLXXXIX
Lone Traveler XVI:Severus' Prophecy
"Nice to see ye olde stomping grounds at their pre-Voldie peak." The Lone Traveler muttered while wandering about. Though he knew himself to be immortal, he occasionally allowed his features to apparently age. It had value here as he could pass himself off as a late-middle-age Potter relative. To a specific question, he replied "Yes, madam, I have seen the news of Voldemort's latest outrages."
The young witch hissed in terror "Stupid old man! Don't say that!"
"Madam, one of the smartest witches I have the honor of knowing expressed it thusly 'Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself." His tone was flippant "And, if I may be so bold, while there is reason to fear him. Mostly his many minions. Being afraid to even use his invented name demonstrates a bit of yellow. Catch my drift? Have a lovely day!"
That last barb was barely heard as she fled.
The Lone Traveler shook his head in amusement. Then he caught sight of someone with whom he had not frequently crossed paths "Trelawney? I wonder." His every sense went on alert. In a trice, he was under his Invisibility Cloak and backed against a wall. Within a minute, the spy passed "Snivilus!"
"Someone there?" asked the recent Slytherin graduate. But, not as knowledgeable or suspicious as his future self, continued on after a quick look behind him.
Abcij
Completely unaware she was being trailed, never mind by two people, Sybil Trelawney made her way to the Hog's Head Inn. And up to a sixth-floor room she climbed. Knocked on a door and was admitted. Just outside the door, Severus Snape whispered an incantation causing his wand to glow blue pressed it to the wall and then his ear to the opposite end. All his actions were observed from a distance.
"Foolish bloody maid!" the spy complained as a witch came grumbling up the nearby flight of stairs. Forced to break his monitoring he stomped away.
The Lone Traveler waited until there were no witnesses then struck "Imperio!" And while certainly a gifted Occlumens, the victim did not have anywhere near the experience to resist the attacker. Knowing a room was empty, he commanded "Inside!"
"You have used an Unforgivable against a human!" the victim snarled as soon as his eyes cleared. He struggled futilely against paralysis.
The attacker laughed darkly "And who would you tell? Bones? Moody? Care to show them your slave tattoo?"
"I am no slave!" came prideful boast "And after what I report, I will be among His most most trusted!"
The Lone Traveler sneered "Oh yes, the great half-blood slave of the defender of purebloodism. Himself not even one."
"The Dark Lord- - "
Waving off the retort "Don't bother with bluster. Amazing how you lot seem to capitalize Voldie's self-proclaimed adjectives." Then mocking the young wizard's future demeanor "Oh please, master, please spare my mudblood obsession and only murder her husband and baby boy!"
"Don't call Lily that!" Severus screamed in a rage. Adrenaline fueled another wild attempt at freedom.
The Lone Traveler laughed "Why not? You did."
"You have no idea what motivates me!" was the growled retort, followed by "Who are you anyway?"
Here came a scornful laugh "Do not think to fool me into letting you free. But, very well. First Crucio! Pleasant is it not. That infant you're planning on murdering. And do not deflect by claiming you do not actually cast the spell. I am him. Your master fails. But th- -"
"Is impossible! Time travel of that deg- -"
A quick wand wave and The Lone Traveler's face became youthful "See Snivilus. The face of James Potter ... schoolboy problem. Except the eyes. Those of the mudblood. Such hate. How does it feel to know it is returned? Hate upon hate upon hate."
"My problems with Potter had nothing to do with you!" Severus roared.
To which The Lone Traveler smirked "First thing I did was a Quietus spell. Scream all you like. And I had nothing to do with your fight with Dad either. That is, until I found myself a First Year Potions student in your class. Humiliated because I didn't know NEWT level answers. Your celebrity isn't everything, is it Potter. That was what you said while you loomed over me. And that was just day one."
"Something I did NOT do!" he was getting to be more scared than angry.
Harry Potter was merciless "Regardless of being a dick to me for no reason, you were about to hand me and my parents to your scum master just to get your petty revenge. Now I could just Crucio you into a St. Mungo's bed for life. Frank and Alice Longbottom would appreciate the irony there. But then Cruciatus insanity may someday be cured. No. My suffering aside, even, Britain would be better with you under it than in it. Out the window with you Snivilus!" And before the echo of the last word faded, the victim was banished straight through the sixth floor portal.
"Fool! Wizards can disapparate!" Snape grunted against the pain of a shard in his thigh, but that was trivial.
The Lone Traveler watched as the black-clad form dropped, clothes flapping all the way to the ground, smirking "Disapparation ward, Snivilus. Sorry 'bout that." He was only a part of the Auror investigation long enough to explain the clearly marked Death Eater had attacked him. They had struggled, it was self-defense.