The next day found Snape sorting out the problem of the new blood replenisher. He had read over the recipe for the replenisher and he was quite confident in his ability to make it. He just needed the ingredients, some of which were expensive. He could afford them, but not many apothecaries would be happy to do a mail order for them. He had a feeling setting foot in Diagon Alley again would be a bad idea and Hogsmeade was straight out.
He was going through his older potions magazines, attempting to find a biquarterly issue. Those listed all the apothecaries and their highlights. It would mention which ones would mail order expensive ingredients. Or volatile ones.
He had finally found one when he looked up at a knock on his door. That should in all theory be impossible, as his wards had not alerted him that a muggle or wizard had approached. He frowned at the mystery and stood up to open the door. He did not like mysteries, especially sudden ones. They were dangerous, unwelcome, often surprising, and he didn't like surprises either. He closed the magazine he had literally just opened, marking it with the recipe and set it under three others. He grabbed his wand and held it behind his back as he walked to the front door. The door squeaked on its hinges as it opened a crack and he looked through.
And he came face to face with Lucius Malfoy raising his hand to knock again. Oh, it didn't look like Lucius, no one would suspect the man with his hair in a ponytail wearing a blue suit was Lucius. He was even wearing glasses. Everything but actually hiding his face, he was too proud for that. The notice-me-not charm didn't hurt, nor the fact that he was without his ever present cane, but he was standing on his steps, smelling of fine ice wine and decidedly not welcome.
"You're a hard man to reach Severus. I've sent owls, tried your floo, attemp-"
Snape snarled at his pomp and swung the door open all the way. "How did you avoid my alarms Lucius? They should be going off right now." Said Severus as he stepped aside to let the man in. It didn't matter if the man was welcome or not, it wouldn't do for him to be seen. Two men, one an ex Death Eater and one an accused Death Eater, meeting? No, it wouldn't do at all to be seen.
The erudite man strutted in and looked around with an air of indifference, Snape knew otherwise.
"I keyed myself into one of the base wards last time I was here." He said, walking into the sitting room. Snape cursed and made a mental note to check that. He followed the unwelcome guest and leaned against the door frame, arms crossed. He was sure his relaxed pose offered no comfort to the man, in fact he hoped it was disconcerting.
"While I would never say no to your company Lucius, I am quite curious as to why you're here?"
"Can't I just visit an old friend?" Lucius said as he looked around the sitting room. The look of mild disgust was well conjured, hiding his interest in the papers on the table, the quill next to the parchment and envelopes. The magazines. Lucius was looking for something.
"Lucius, you wound me. We've known each other for years and I thought we were at least past posturing and prevaricating in private. What do you want?"
Lucius gave a very slight pout that made Snape snort lightly in amusement. "You know how much I enjoy it though, Severus." Said the man as he turned his attention away from the magazines, unable to examine anything more closely without being obvious, or sporting very poor manners. It was such an interesting dance they had to follow, the purebloods.
Snape just rolled his eyes at Lucius' antics and Lucius gave a false very put upon sigh. "Very well. I heard that there was an incident at the school and wanted to see if you were ok."
"You mean if I was in an exploitable state." Huffed Snape.
His guest smiled. "That too. But my son is starting next year and I would like at least one person I trust there. One who isn't liable to eat him as well." Said Lucius as he walked past the list of ingredients, sending a surreptitious glance at them on his way to look out the window with the false pretense of checking to see if he had been followed. He had not. He wouldn't have come in if he even thought there was a chance.
Snape swallowed, thankful he was taking this opportunity to order some ingredients that he was out of here, the list could point to a dozen or more potions at this point. He mentally scolded himself for leaving it out while he had remembered to put the recipe away. Still, Snape raised a brow and ignored the second half of that comment. "Since when have you trusted me?"
"Severus, you know trust is… a strong word. I have 'trusted' you for a long time. I trust you to make potions when I need them. I trust you to make decisions that will benefit the both of us, as well as the Dark Lord. I trust you with many things, but my son?" Said Lucius as he fingered a dusty curtain with distaste. He looked up, his eyes hard, full of promise. "I trust you with him because you are quite literally the only option." The unspoken threat of what would happen is Snape broke that trust flashed in his eyes briefly before vanishing.
Snape smirked. "Ah, desperate times. However, your fear is foolish, and a bit late. I've been tutoring him for years Lucius, I could have killed him many times over."
"I was always nearby then. Now?" Lucius looked him directly in the eyes, a dangerous thing against a known legilimens. A show of trust perhap? "What happened, Severus? I'm getting rumours of a potions problem, poisoning, amortentia, you going insane. Teachers chased you through the school according to some. I am actually concerned." The man did genuinely seem concerned, though he doubted it was for his well-being. Most likely the thought that if he was sacked or killed there wouldn't be a 'proper' teacher with the right 'ethics' at the school. Or if he was not sacked, a fear that Draco could be in danger depending on what the problem was.
"You're just digging for information, and doing so poorly. Very poorly in fact. Are you well?"
Lucius rolled his eyes. "I'm not trying to be subtle. I can look for facts while I am concerned for a friend, and the wellbeing of my son." Said the man with a shake of his head.
Snape bit back that he was decidedly not his friend. It wasn't strictly true. They were as close to friends as two Slytherin Death Eaters could be. Ones whose loyalties were to other people and things first. Lucius would put his family first every time. Severus well, his loyalties lay with Dumbledore and his vows, his guilt. Everything else had to be mutable, for both of them.
This man in front of him, they had a rapport of sorts. But behind that was the knowledge of each other's imminent betrayal. Lucius would throw Snape away if it meant saving his family, and that he had left him to fend for himself multiple times. For Lucius it was probably the fact that he was fairly sure Snape would happily eat him, and the uncertainty that he'd survive it. He knew Snape held grudges, but also knew he himself was currently untouchable as long as he had any way to make sure his death became a problem for Snape. He most certainly made plans, Snape knew this.
So yes. They were 'friends'.
The man wanted information, and he was not going to leave without something. "Fine. But I must say you are a fool to come here without knowing the situation; you are very lucky that I ate recently, Lucius." Snape held back the smirk as he heard the man's heart quicken slightly, despite his cool demeanor. "There was indeed a potions fiasco, as in my current meal potion is now unusable, it no longer satisfies me. That is not the official story of course."
"Yes, Dumbledore's official announcement was rather vague. So then what are you eating?" Said the man trying to maintain that veneer of disinterest and calm when he well knew his heartbeat was betraying his nervousness.
"Right now? Whomever I want. When I return, that is what I am currently working on. I'll spare you the details."
"Can I assist?"
Snape shook his head. If he asked Lucius to procure him ingredients the man could easily have someone look up what potions they would make, and then he might eventually figure out that some of them related to a blood replenisher. He did not want the man finding out any information that could lead him to the fact that he was getting donations from his colleagues. In fact he should lead the man off the scent of the list he left out. "There is nothing to assist in yet. I've just started listing ingredients used in any and all blood related potions, as well as some I've run out of. I haven't even begun to figure out what I actually need. It is entirely theoretical right now. I am, however, on edge and in hiding. My colleagues for Some strange reason do not trust me out on my own. They want me back at the school where they can monitor my progress, or subject me to their own solutions." He spat out with distaste and annoyance that was very real.
"You're hiding at your house? That seems rather foolish. Haven't they checked?" Said Lucius, stepping away from the window.
"Why? Who would be stupid enough to go to their own house if they wanted to be in hiding? I am playing a double bluff."
"They would be even less likely to check at the manor." Lucius offered. It was an obvious ploy to have him close and get more information. This was just formality almost, something to throw him off. He'd be saving his true intentions, his tricks, for later, if there were any.
"Ah yes, and be caught in my former ally's house after I kill him and his family in a fit of hunger. I am quite eager to be sent to Azkaban. It will give me a chance to find out if I do indeed have a soul, I repeatedly hear my students say that I don't." He said, standing up straight with a sneer.
"Narcissa and Draco are on vacation in Versailles." Lucius replied, far too used to Snape's sarcasm to be disturbed by the contents of it.
"Lucius, did you just come because you were lonely?" Snape taunted with a smirk.
"As pleasant as your company is Severus, no, I did not. You are a horrible conversationalist when it comes to anything not related to magical theory or spy work, and you are a worse host. I mean, you haven't even offered me tea." Said the man with disdain covering up an amused smile.
"Lucius, I haven't had much food in this house for years. Well, I could count right now. Care to step in my fridge?" He said with as nonchalant an air as he could.
"Not really. I've seen the muggle contraption, I doubt I could step anywhere." Said Lucius, maintaining a straight face as if he was quite serious and unaware of the threat.
That was one thing about Lucius he liked, the man was witty. He could spar with him verbally for a long time, as only a Slytherin could. Right now though, this conversation had gone on for a bit and he was getting antsy with the opportunity in front of him. It was tempting. Especially with his long unfulfilled vendetta against the man. He stood and dusted off his frock as if wiping the last statement away. He looked Lucius in the eyes and nodded, starting a new topic.
"As I'm in hiding I need to know who you told you were coming."
"No one. Except Narcissa."
Snape raised a brow, doubtful. "You told no one but your wife…" asked Snape as he looked Lucius in the eyes for the truth. He briefly dipped in, gently. It was the truth. Lucius blinked and shook his head, snarling. He was just good enough to notice. Snape was an amazing occlumens, but nowhere near as good a legilimens as his two masters. To just slip in unnoticed by anyone with training, to just know when someone was lying. He could on occasion tell when someone with no training was lying, especially if their mind was organized, but only occasionally. He was getting better though, it would be easier if he had someone to practice with.
"I gave you no permission to look into my mind!" Lucius scowled.
"Just finding out if you were being truthful."
"Why is that important?" Said his guest, quickly recovering his calm demeanor. It was 'unseemly' for a pureblood to show such extreme emotions, to let anyone know he had been bested or upset, put off kilter.
Snape smiled and the temperature in the room seemed to drop three degrees. He stood up straight, standing in the middle of the doorway, blocking off the one exit.
"Because the only person you told of your whereabouts cannot verify when you arrived, and you no doubt took a circuitous route. Your house elves can't verify the correct time either. You're a fool."
Lucius stood up and sneered back at him. "Are you threatening me, Severus? You really think I'd come here unprepared?!"
"You came into my home looking to find ways to manipulate me in my weakened state, it's only fair I return the favor. Now, will you refrain from ruining what is left of my life by telling no one I'm here, or am I putting you in my fridge?"
"So it has come down to threats then." Said Lucius as he rubbed his fingers together, ready to grab his wand at a moment's notice. Not that he'd be fast enough. No, Lucius' strength lay in his political heft, his silver words and ability to navigate society.
"Don't pretend half of what we say isn't thinly veiled threats, Lucius. I am fairly certain that it is the basis of our entire friendship."
Lucius paused and then showed a genuine smile, a rare sight for someone who wore so many masks. "You're most likely not wrong, it's why I enjoy your company after all."
Gods he was torn. He really did enjoy their verbal sparring matches, but it was such a pity he couldn't kill the man. Or at least temporarily maim him. Or eat him. Painfully. Snape hated complicated relationships. Of course, those were the only ones he had. He held grudges against Lucius. For bringing him to the Dark Lord, for leaving him after his first crucio, for being cruel when he died the first time. However, the man was congenial, he offered help when he could now, when it wouldn't affect his family. He dug for information and favors and his rates were high, but he usually kept to his word. He had never actively hurt Snape himself directly, not when he could help it.
He was also a self absorbed bigot. And most definately xenophobic. Speciesist as well. But, Lucius was friends with him, a vampiric halfblood.
Yes. He was friends with Lucius because the man was as big a hypocrite as himself. He was friends because he had to keep up appearances. He was friends because of their shared past. The man was constant reminder of far too many things he didn't want to be reminded of. Especially right now when his shields were weak. Especially when the man smelled like ice wine. Deliciously expensive ice wine. He paused. His thoughts were going in circles, that was not good. He needed to finish this up quickly.
"So, do you promise not to tell anyone?" He asked.
"Who would I tell? I doubt any amount of information I gave your colleagues would ingratiate me to them." Said Lucius with a smirk.
"True. Still, I would have your word." The man acted like a demon or fae, aka a beaurocrat. If he didn't explicitly agree or say it, it didn't count. Lucius nodded and turned to look out the window at some movement. By the heartbeats Snape could hear it was a muggle couple taking a walk. He regarded his guest. With Lucius' hair up he could see the veins through the man's pale skin. Pulsing, tempting. So easy to slice open.
Snape let out a breath he hadn't been aware he was holding when Lucius turned his head back and the veins on his neck were less directly in his line of sight.
"Very well. I promise I won't make anyone aware of your current whereabouts until I get permission from you."
Snape nodded. "Thank you. Now. I must ask you to leave."
"Why? You don't seem to be actively doing anything, and I am a tad bored." Said the man, looking around the room like he was just making a point and not snooping and taking note of every book or magazine out.
Snape gritted his teeth. Calm, he was calm. The man was high profile, he couldn't just kill him, no matter what he threatened. Not without far more planning than he was capable of right now. More importantly he didn't have the time. It would take time to cover up the deed. Remove all magical traces of his travel. Trace what route he took. Make sure no one had seen him on the way, obliviate them, put other memories in their place if necessary. Remove any contingency plans set to activate upon the man's death at the manor and his numerous bank accounts. Without a valid reason, he couldn't kill the man. It was best he left before he forgot that.
"And I am more than a tad hungry. If you want to stay and help with my problem, I will help with yours. Most likely by proxy."
"I thought you said you ate recently?" Said Lucius looking up from a magazine he had picked up. He still had that calm disinterested demeanor.
"Last night. I have not, however, eaten anything today."
"I see. Well, I continue to remain selfish when it comes to my blood."
"Then take your leave, or you will not have a choice."
"Come Severus, I doubt your willpower to be so weak, nor your mental acuity. You know what would happen if I vanished and it was known I had visited here. There would be an investigation. You can't risk that with your… condition."
Snape snarled internally. Outwardly he smirked and shook his head. "You're not wrong, but I don't have to kill you. You might even enjoy it." He said sleekly, knowing it would make the man uncomfortable. Lucius was quite straight.
"Perhaps we shall find out another time." He said as he tossed down the magazine as if the comment was an offhand last minute thought. "Will you be by for Draco's birthday?"
"If I have a solution by then I will consider it." He would not. Consider it that is. He'd send the boy some high quality potions tools he would be able to show off in class and leave it at that.
"And if you truly need help you'll call on me?"
"If I think I can afford the price, maybe."
"What makes you think I'd ask for payment?"
"Things are rarely ever free with you Lucius. Now, if there isn't anything else?" He said and stepped out of the door frame. Lucius nodded and walked past him toward the front door. Snape clenched his hands to stop them from reaching out and grabbing the man's throat.
"There is not. Keep me updated." He said as he opened the door and stepped through.
"I'll consider it." Snape said and closed the door with a wave and locked it. He immediately set to work checking the base alerting wards, proximity alarms and protection wards. Nothing. He then checked the muggle alerting and repelling wards. He found Lucius' signature attached to the main lattice via the repelling one, which made sense, Lucius was most definitely repelled by muggles and vice versa. Sneaky, not putting his signature on the main lattice or the wizard detection wards, but making his a node between it and another ward, very sneaky.
He took the muggle repelling charm down and recast it, augmenting it against tampering as well. He spent a good hour or two augmenting all of them against tampering. Only when he was done did he sigh and finally sit back down in his chair.
Fucking hell. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he shook his head. Fucking Lucius Malfoy. Merlin, why did he have to come by now? Thank the gods he had eaten yesterday. Thank the gods he had enough willpower to not just murder the man for his meddling. For his existence being a constant reminder of how he became a Death Eater. Murder him for the fact that Lucius had pretended to be a friend and recruited him for his own prestige. Had used his desperation for acceptance to manipulate him. That the man had only acted as a friend in private, defending him against other ingrates once the Dark Lord had accepted him. But only after.
The man had saved him from the golden Gryffindors on occasion. Had healed him after a duel with them, or aurors. He'd learned a few healing spells from the man surprisingly. However it didn't forgive the man's greatest sins; bringing him into the fold of a cult run by a complete megalomaniacal manipulative tyrant, and leaving him to lay in filth like a starving rat when he was turned. Those, those he could not forgive. Until he had recompense for them, adequate recompense and revenge, any interaction between the two of them would always have a possibility of ending with one of them dead. After he had revenge and recompense, they would see.
He jumped up at a clinking noise. He sighed. Not that he wasn't thankful for it, but really? Again? If the students got wise too soon it wouldn't activate when he returned, if it did it would only do so with first years.
He walked over to the goblet and narrowed his eyes. It smelled strong for a student. He picked it up and smelled it again. This… Hooch? No. Surely word had gotten around? He sniffed it again, it smelled of broom polish and clothes dried by air. It was Hooch. He frowned. What was going on? Not that he wouldn't take advantage of his fellow teacher's stupidity, but he knew they weren't this stupid. Right? He was a bit torn. If they were that stupid and then he feared for the youth of tomorrow. If they weren't, that meant they were up to something. Or at least Albus was up to something. Still. It was food. And Merlin knew he could use it after that interaction.
He sipped from the cup and a slight taste of ozone had him groaning in annoyance. Ozone, not from power but from a wish to fly fast and high into the sky. It was still ozone. He hadn't had time to brew the fucking blood replenisher yet, let alone buy ingredients for it, and now his veins itched with a vengeance at the reminder of that flavor. Pure power.
He finished the cup quickly then opened the pile of books and pulled out the vial he had already had a sip from. With no hesitation he uncorked it and took a swig. He sighed in relief as the itching faded, as ozone permeated him and tingled through each vein. He wanted more so badly. He could have more, if he made the replenisher. He glanced at the clock as he replaced the vial. It was far too late to place a floo or mail order now, but he could go over the list of apothecaries and compare prices to the one he had found already.
He returned to the pile of magazines and opened the issue he had hidden the recipe in and grabbed his list, skimming pages. He couldn't concentrate. He felt wired. All that energy from the vial. Every other time he'd had a drink of this type he'd been on the move, active mentally and physically. Under duress of some sort. It seemed just reading wasn't enough.
He shook his head, annoyed at his body. An evening stroll wouldn't hurt. Anything to get rid of this antsiness, anything to distract from the painful reminder of his past. He gathered up his things: his bandolier, his wand, the bottles, a vial of blood just in case, and money, muggle. He stepped out the door, locked it with a wave, and headed out into the night air.
It was a nice night, and a quiet one. He looked up at the stars briefly and pondered the sky, ozone. Magic. Albus lived with that amount of energy in him constantly. He couldn't imagine what one slip of true anger from the man would do. Maybe that was why he was so calm all the time, the alternative was a constantly sparking wand.
He himself held quite a bit of power, he knew this from going face to face with Aurors during the first war, the fact that he was still standing now was proof. Mad Eye and he had gone toe to toe a few times, one of the breaks in his nose was due to a very close escape from the man. At least a few of the scars on the man's face had been his doing. They were evenly matched but the old auror had grievous injuries now, unlike himself. He had no doubt the man could still give him a run for his money though. As could Minerva if she actually tried, and they were on a level playing field. Their last four encounters had been on either her or his home turf as it were. And he had the advantage of extreme duplicity and lacking many of her qualms.
Dumbledore and the Dark Lord were another league though. Perhaps he could ask to duel Albus one day, it could be an interesting challenge. He'd lose, most assuredly, but he'd beaten Minerva at metaphorical chess, perhaps it was time to try and improve his skills elsewhere.
He shook his head as he walked. No. He had other things to work on. Occlumency now, dealing with rictusempra and wandless magical manipulation later. If he mastered either of those he could move onto things that were less important. He had no need to improve his martial magic, a spy that got into a fight had failed after all. He would also be fighting his own side more likely than not, or at least innocents. He honestly should practice pulling punches, although it wasn't like one could 'pull' half the spells he preferred. Well, he could practice aim, a finger as opposed to an arm or head. That would be something he could practice with Dumbledore, there was no way he could actually hit him. He couldn't practice with anyone else, the spells he actually needed to practice were not ones that he should be seen using. Maybe, maybe Minerva. Maybe. She would gloat like a Gryffindor if she won, be completely insufferable, but he'd most likely learn something. It was most satisfying after all, to know that with each loss you were actually collecting information, biding your time, waiting until you could utterly humiliate your opponent. Of course, he had already done that. It was much easier to win a game when your opponent didn't know you were playing one. Still, he had a myriad of other problems to tackle first.
He sighed and turned toward the river. He could smell it even blocks away, he had a feeling it hadn't changed. Bits of floating trash, the smell of foetid rotting microscopic animals from the marshland upriver mixing with the gutter water from the town and piss from the homeless who called that area their turf. He had played on the safer banks as a child before he met Lily, she refused to play there, even to skip rocks. However it remained a safe haven from the older teens and the children who found his hooked nose funny. It had been unbroken those days, until he had turned seven and was unable to outrun some drunk teens on his way home one night. Of course it had been broken again barely a year later by his father. Yes, years catalogued not by memories but by his injuries up until his death. He could track his life by them.
He watched as he turned and saw the river as he headed down the street. Smell and sight, in a few more blocks he'd hear it too. No other children wished to go near it, even now. Besides the smell it was quite dangerous, with hidden jagged rocks underneath the murky water that in places was quite rapid. In others, it was smooth and languid, but one had to pass by the rapids to get there, jump from one rock to another. He had not been a child who was especially adept at controlling their magic, a bit above average, not like Lily, but the one thing he could do without fail was dry the rocks so they weren't slippery. His magic had saved him from falling a few times as well. Falling and getting his clothes wet and smelling like offal would have been a sure way to encourage a beating from his father, as well as a scolding from his mother. So he didn't fall, ever.
He stopped at the bank, sloping down steeply before leveling out into rushes and brush. He looked over the stones; they were the same, as if it were just yesterday he jumped across them. White water frothing at their base as they sat hidden behind reeds unless you stood exactly where he was. It seemed so long ago, and yet… not at all. Time was an odd and cruel being that had cast him to the side it seemed, leaving him unable to move on in some cases, and numb in others. He wondered briefly if it was the same for the living, holding on to pain as if it were purpose. It had started with one person, and with each failure, each necessity to maintain his cover and life, only grew. In some cases his lack of guilt elicited that very emotion. Which as usual he locked away.
The river moved on though, the same yet new every moment. Yes, it had been a safe haven for him. The wind changed suddenly, coming from his left alongside the river. His lip curled in a predatory grin. Feral and glinting in the flickering lamplight. He turned and headed off toward the large bank and the old disused bridge for coal trains, where the wind had come from. It wasn't just his town or safe haven anymore after all, it was his hunting grounds.
He walked down the old concrete sidewalk, weeds stubbornly trying to claim space in the sparse filth that gathered in the cracks. Streetlights flickered overhead, a recent addition, or rather upgrade, from the old lanterns that were barely above head height. Where the town had gotten the money for them he had no idea. It had changed since his youth. A new bench here, some old boarded up storefronts now opened again, where a few stores of his youth had died or been remodeled by the next generation. Still, it seemed Cokeworth was also the same; filthy, dirty, decrepit and barely hanging on. It had gotten a 'new coat of paint' but it just hid the old one they had failed to remove beforehand. It would peel off eventually or be painted over yet again. It just hid the rot. The empty factory, the lack of updated housing, the fact that half the people just lived here and didn't work here, that there was no grocery just a corner store and deli. If anything was a sign it was that the train line no longer stopped here, no longer ran even. Of course there was that 'new' part of town, like a new appendage tacked on in an attempt to help. Maybe it would, maybe it would die of necrosis because it was connected to something so vile.
The aforementioned tracks stood next to him, the sidewalk having departed from the river briefly to climb up to the bridge that held them. They were overgrown, rusted and filled with litter. A relic. However, what interested him was beneath. He headed forward toward the smell of burning newspaper, week old sausage the deli had tossed, booze, and piss.
The ground sloped with yellow grey sand and rocks on the other side of the bridge down to the right and toward the river. Tents, lean tos, quilts thrown over small shacks made of driftwood. The homeless camp. It hadn't moved an inch, the only change the people and the color of the tents and cloth. The oil barrel was in the same spot, burning newspapers and bits of wood to light up the area and cook whatever food they had managed to scrounge up. He stood at the top of the hill and looked at it, counted the heartbeats. Twelve. One very weak, no… two… No. One weak and one young. A child. He scowled. Lovely. He watched the figures around the fire and tried to decide what to do.
There were a few options. Place himself as their benefactor and have a set of eyes that reported to him, maybe feed him. The other was pay someone to join him, then let them vanish, but his face would be remembered and would only be able to do that once if he killed someone. He could sweep down, invisible and take what he wanted and leave none the wiser. He could … It didn't matter. He supposed it depended on who was down there. Besides, he could do with some simple easy manipulations after talking with Lucius.
He strolled down, faces looking up at him as rocks tumbled over each other at his uncaring steps. Heartbeats sped up, nervous at the unknown figure clad in black. One figure stepped forward, smelling of booze and watery soup. He recognized the face framed by sandy hair and peppered with freckles. He almost grinned, he smirked instead. How fortuitous. He had just been thinking about the man.
"Sanders."
"Who are you and what do you want?" Said the figure, hand on the neck of the bottle ready to fight.
"Don't tell me you don't recognize me?" He said stepping into the light of the fire. The young man, just a bit older than himself, narrowed his eyes under his cap and then stared, wide eyed.
"Snape? What the fuck you doin here?"
"Obviously enjoying the wonderful sights and memories of my youth. That is why one comes to Cokeworth, is it not?" One of the others snorted and received a glare from Sanders. "A better question would be what are you doing here? Last I saw you were head of your own little gang, going for drinks, bragging about your new job." He said as he unnecessarily warmed his hands by the fire. He looked around quickly, gathering information. Sanders had two sausages on a stick over the fire, the other four people each had half of one. Members of the so-called gang he had thought about, the one that had broken his nose, were scattered about. A few women in the background, one comforting a crying toddler. Most were sleeping.
"Company went bankrupt." Sanders snapped. Then I- None of your business!"
Snape looked at Matthews and nodded. The man still had a scar over his left cheek, still had brown hair that was far too long and now matted. Still the weak link.
"So, what happened Matthews?" He asked as Sanders spluttered.
"We… companies went under, we tried to do a protection racket, got the police called on us a few times. Got out of jail few years ago, no one will hire us."
"Ah. Pity. I'm doing quite well. I teach at a private school up in Scotland. I'm taking a week or so off for my mental health after there was a rather volatile explosion in the science lab. Repairs are ongoing." Snape smirked and looked up and down Sanders. "It seems karma really does exist."
Sanders growled. "I can still break your nose, Snape."
"I'd very much like to see you try." He said with a blank face and a timber that was the auditory equivalent of a sneer. He sighed as if sad and then shook his head. "I do believe that this group would be better off without you, or at least with someone else. If you were the leader and led them to this, can't get them out of it, you've rather failed haven't you? You obviously still take all the… perks that come with the title." He said, glancing pointedly at the sausages. He had a plan. It was surely petty revenge, dragging these men down into hell with him by offering them a choice that really had no good options, that wasn't really there at all. It was rather cruel, but they were all damned anyway, what was one more sin? He could ponder his own deficiencies when it came to morality later, as in after he was safe back at Hogwarts with his barriers intact and the addiction gone. Perhaps not even then, certainly not too often. He really shouldn't think on such things at all really, not before the Dark Lord was dead. If he pondered his failings and failures overmuch before then he would not stop, and he'd most likely spiral with guilt fighting against the fact that currently, he felt no guilt at all for what he was about to do.
The man growled and stepped forward, looking between Snape and his crew. "Don't listen to him, he's just trying to cause chaos. He's the same weak little pussy from when we were kids. I am your leader and-"
"I will give this group 300 pounds a month if you all work for me instead of him, and tell anyone who comes around that Sanders decided to ah… skip town."
"What!? How dare you! You come in here out of the blue like you own the place! What gives you the right?!" Yelled the irate leader of the woebegotten pack.
"Might makes right, as you used to say Sanders." Purred Snape with a half grin that made everyone but Sanders shudder. "Well? What do you say?" He asked the group again as Sanders spluttered in indignation.
"What- What would you be havin us do?" Asked Matthews. And wasn't that just… delicious. That they didn't ask what he'd be doing with Sanders first but what they would be doing. How telling that was.
"What you currently are. Watching, keeping eyes out. I made some enemies over the years. If you see any new faces, anyone acting or dressed oddly, explosions, odd deaths, I want you to report it. I'll provide pen and paper and a place to drop off a report and pick up the money." That would help immensely if Lucius fucking Malfoy decided to visit and sneak around again, or anyone else for that matter.
"That's it?" Asked one of the others. Snape looked at him. He sported glasses with a crack in them. They poked out from a mop or red hair, and lay atop freckles; the man could have been a Weasley if it weren't for the Roman nose. Colter, no relation to the Death Eater who fried himself on the electrical wires. The man had however held him down when Sanders had broken his nose. He was the smallest of the group, but had still weighed quite a bit more than him all those years ago.
Snape nodded. "Maybe a few other inconsequential favors, but mainly, yes. In return you get 300 pounds a month, and my protection. If anyone comes and harasses you, put it in your report, I'll deal with it."
Sanders laughed. "How you gonna do that? You don't have any pull here!"
"To have enemies one must generally either have allies or be very impressive, Sanders. I've gained a few allies along with those enemies." Said Snape as he rolled his eyes.
"The fuck type of enemy would you even have Snape? An evil hairdresser?" He said mockingly. The man was obviously trying to show he was more 'macho' than Snape, convinced any gang the man would be allowed into would be pitiful. Snape held back his sneer in favor of an unsettlingly blank expression.
"The type that kill people, for fun." Silence. Most of them seemed to be trying to decide if he was joking or not. He smirked. "It's so gratifying to watch your tiny brains try to figure out if I'm being serious or not." He drawled as Sanders fumed. "It's irrelevant really. I've said my piece. 300 pounds, my protection, I'll even throw in some food, all in exchange for a monthly report on the town, your silence on our agreement, and Sanders taking a walk down the train tracks with me, maybe some others for which I'll pay extra. If I fail to deliver, I don't get a report until I do. Do you agree?" He talked quickly so they would likely not be able to digest everything, he would surely be helped along by the testosterone laden fool as well. It was also quite enjoyable watching Sanders panic as he kept sweetening the pot. None of this would be particularly hard to deliver after all.
"What? Of course they don't!" Yelled Sanders. The others were silent and Sanders started panicking. "Guys? You know me, you know Snape, he's a pussy."
"He didn't get us into this mess. No one in a 30 kilometer radius will hire us Sanders." Spoke the third member. A big man with a thick square face and lanky but short black hair. Snape didn't know his name, the man only ever went by 'Bird'.
Sanders scowled as Colter, Matthews and Bird nodded. The last man ignored everything in favor of turning his sausage.
"What do you want with him?" Asked Colter.
"To return a life debt. Sanders and Co. left me unconscious in a street to get run over." He was only alive because he was a wizard. He'd woken as a car was about to hit him and his magic had completely totaled it. Sent it veering off the street into another car. It would have been fine except for the fact that his father had seen. Which meant he was beaten as soon as the man had closed the door behind him. His mother had intervened and stopped the beating, so his enraged father wouldn't kill him. But that was neither here nor there. He looked around at the three. "So, I've come to return the favor. And since Sanders is your leader, he should take the responsibility, like leaders do. He's the one who knocked me out after all. So… is that fair?"
The three men nodded their heads, the fourth remained impassive still. Snape raised a brow.
"Kelnaki, you've been rather quiet this whole time. This is a group discussion, so wou-"
"Leave me out of it, Snape." Said the man, cutting off the scathing comment. "I'm done bein on the other side of the law." Said the man with curly dark brown hair, a short nose, and eyes hidden behind a brown newsboy cap.
"Well would you rather join Sanders? I seem to remember quite vividly you stealing what little food or money I had on the regular. I was willing to lay the responsibility solely on Sanders here but I'm happy to take my… pound of flesh from both of you… or all of you. I'm quite certain that the others here will not mourn your absence."
"My family might. Probably." Said Bird sadly. "But it'd be one less mouth for my wife to worry about." He paused, looking back at the woman and the toddler that had finally quieted down. The woman was in a long blue dress covered in stains. Rail thin and hollow eyed she tried to distract the toddler who was sucking their thumb and staring at the sausages on Sander's stick. She stood in front of the door to one of the two shacks that had been set up. Snape knew from his experience sneaking about that there would likely be a single mattress on the floor inside, and that was it. If Bird was ready to die so his family could have more to eat… well, perhaps the man had grown up a bit from the teen who liked to trip him if he tried to run away.
He returned his gaze to the group. Two full meals? Tempting. Five? Five would be too noticeable and lead to the entire camp vanishing most likely. Including the child. He had no interest in what he had once heard a vampire visiting the Dark Lord refer to as 'veal'. Disgusting. Two though, two would be nice.
"I'll raise my offer to 500 pounds, to be delivered by the end of the week, if I get Kelnaki and Sanders now. I'll even give you 100 of it tonight." Silence again. "Well gentleman? I do not like to be kept waiting."
The trio looked between each other and Bird opened his mouth.
"I'll join." Said Kelnaki bitterly before Bird could talk.
Snape smirked, so much for honor among thieves. Although, he shouldn't be surprised, the Death Eaters were that same. So was the ministry. So was everyone.
"Wise choice."
"Now wait a fucking minute! Don't I get a say in this?" Yelled Sanders, dropping the bottle of whiskey and the sausages as he raised his hand to point angrily at his 'friends'. Sycophants all. Bird quickly picked up the sausages, dusting them off before putting them back over the fire.
"No, that's very much the point I believe." Snape said with a small smirk. "You had the bright idea to run a protection racket in the very small town where you grew up, where gossip spreads like wildfire, and as a result, you brought your gang down with you for your poor choices."
"They followed me! They could have said no!" He protested.
"You could have listened to my idea to invest in-"
"That was a stupid idea Kelnaki!" Barked Sanders. Kelnaki frowned. He stuffed his sausage into his mouth.
"Take him." He said through a mouthful of sausage. He swallowed and coughed before continuing. He turned and waved his hand in dismissal as he walked away toward some rocks "Beat the crap out of him if you want, I don't give a shit anymore."
Snape smirked "Then you all agree? A verbal confirmation if you please."
Grunts of affirmation came from all of them, and Snape smiled as Sanders scowled and raised his fist, intent on taking out the source of this new discontent. The man had not improved his fighting skills at all since he was a kid. He still telegraphed every move, still relied on his allies to overpower and corner his prey. The fool hadn't even thought about the fact that he no longer had that backup. Snape caught the fist in his hand easily, and squeezed. Sanders screamed and the remaining three gasped and stepped back at the cruel grin on Snape's face. He pulled the man forward, his feet tripping over themselves, and hissed into his ear.
"Didn't you just hear? Your friends sold you to me. Like a pig for slaughter."
He pushed the man away and he stumbled backward, down toward the river. He tumbled down across the stones and slid to a stop near the pillars that held the bridge up. Snape sneered as the man landed on his ass.
"I'll be in the hovel your friend calls a house if you wish to continue our… discussion." Snape turned on his heel and strode up to the wide eyed woman in the door of the hut.
"I'm sure you heard everything. I'd suggest you step aside."
The woman looked him up and down and returned to his face.
"As I said before, I am not a patient man." Snape growled out. Stones clinked against each other as Sanders attempted to regain his footing. The woman nodded and stepped aside. Snape moved forward, her nod of assent enough to gain him entry to what was still technically a private residence. He pushed aside the terry cloth 'door' and smirked back at Sanders as he finally stood up and, like the fool he was, rushed toward him.
He let the curtain drop and waited to the side. Sanders came barging in seconds later, pushing the cloth out of the way.
"Snape, you got another thing-"
His words were cut off as Snape grabbed his neck and pulled him the rest of the way in. The man scratched at his hand and arm in an attempt to get away.
"I'm sorry this won't be much of a discussion, but I distinctly remember you beating me bloody if I tried to talk. Of course, we never had nice things to say to each other. I suppose I'm returning the favor, you swine." Snape glowered at the memories and snarled. "That's what you are after all, a swine. You lived like one, you were sold like one, and you'll die like one.
There was a squeak down to his right and Snape snapped his gaze to meet two pale olive eyes in a tiny head. The child had a messy mop of black curly hair like its mother. He couldn't tell if it was male or female beneath all the filth. He scowled.
"I'd highly suggest you go ask your father if you could have one of the sausages Sanders was going to eat. He won't be needing them anymore. Unless of course, you wish to-"
The child adamantly shook its head before he could finish and vanished out the door. Snape smirked and turned his gaze to Sanders. The man was still scrabbling at his hand, kicking out in an attempt to free himself.
"Pathetic. Don't you know how unwise it is to leave your victims alive to reap revenge, let them grow up?" He leaned forward. "I don't make such amateur mistakes."
He pulled the man's head to the side and relished the scream as his teeth sank into flesh. He ate quickly, covering the man's mouth after the first scream so no one would come looking. He took his revenge not just on him, but on Lucius, on the Marauders, on everyone who'd treated him like filth and led him down the path he was on. It was sweet, mixing with the taste of filthy smoke and watery leek soup, a memory of warm blankets and coffee. He reveled in it, in the man's struggles, the scent of fear, the movements that slowed to a crawl and stopped. It was all over far too soon. He sighed, the limp form hanging from one hand. How unsatisfying. He should have put up a muffliato and just allowed the man to scream.
He transfigured the man into a bone which he cast a reducto on, sending the dust into a vial and replacing it in his bandolier. He wiped his mouth with a handkerchief just in case, but he was not a messy eater usually, he had not been one tonight and the cloth came back clean. He put the handkerchief away and exited the hut as if nothing had happened.
He headed over to the fire again, aware that all eyes were on him. Bird pushed his child behind him, but they leaned around him, half a sausage in their mouth.
Snape pulled 100 pounds from his pocket in increments of 20 and handed them to Bird.
"You'll get the other 200 at the end of the week. After that, at the end of each month."
Bird took the money and pocketed it, looking at Snape warily.
"What about the body in my fucking house?"
Snape looked at him with a raised brow. "What body?"
"The fuck you mean 'what body?'" Said Bird irritatedly, glancing down at his child. The grubby little thing had obviously told Bird about Sanders 'dying like a swine'. Snape scowled, and the eavesdropping annoyance hid behind Bird's leg. "Is he just unconscious? What is your game he-…." Bird petered off, looking over Snape's shoulder.
Snape looked behind him to see the man's wife holding up the cloth door and shaking her head as she looked their way. Snape returned his gaze to Bird.
"You were saying?"
The man swallowed. "I… yeah… Sure."
"Good. The money will be in a bottle by the reeds that hide the stepping stones. Take the money, slide the report in each month. There will be fresh paper and a pen along with the money. The money will be hidden between the sheafs of paper. Now, did anything interesting happen here tonight?"
"Well, you mean besides you?" Asked Colter.
Snape scowled. "Let's try that again. Did ANYthing interesting happen here tonight? At all?"
Bird and Colter looked confused but Matthews came to the rescue. "No. No it didn't. Not besides Sanders saying he was leaving and heading off down the railroad tracks."
Snape nodded as Bird finally got it.
"Oh, yeah. Nothing interesting. Right Kelnaki?" He yelled.
"I don't give a shit! I didn't see shit! I didn't say shit! Fuck off!"
Matthews sighed. "That's his response to everything right now, so it's not out of character."
"He always did have a way with words." Mused Snape. His gaze turned serious. "And I'm sure you're aware that if ANYone says otherwise there will be more people… 'heading off down the railroad tracks'?" He looked down at the group of people who had gathered to watch.
"Yeah. Yeah of course." Said Bird quickly, once again pushing the toddler behind him.
"I'm so glad we understand each other. If I return I'll add another 200 pounds each time you agree to send someone down the tracks. Now," He continued, hiding the statement between two banal ones. "I'll be on my way and-" Matthews coughed behind his fist and Snape stopped mid sentence to regard him. "Yes?"
"Yeah, I, we, were wondering about the food you mentioned?"
Snape smirked. "Ah, caught that offer did you?"
"Yes! We-" Started Colter but Matthews cut him off.
"Yeah, what type of food, how much, and where do we go to get it?"
"Enough for everyone, once a day, and it will come to you." Snape fired back quickly.
"How…" Started Colter again.
"A boarding school creates a lot of waste gentlemen. I'm sure I can convince the kitchen to do something besides toss it." The elves would be ecstatic. They hated throwing food out after each meal. It would be easy enough to enchant a box to fill up with the waste, a sort of vanishing box. He'd solidify 'alliances' with both of the house elves and these destitute wastes of space. It would help when everything inevitably went to shit. It always did.
"It will rot… didn't you say the school was in Scotland?" Asked Bird.
"I have ways around it. As long as you don't ask questions."
"Are you… Are you with the mafia Snape?" Asked Matthews quietly.
"Are you as stupid as you appear to be or are you just deaf? Did I literally not just say 'don't ask questions?'" He snapped fixing them with a scowl. "Do you want the food or not?" They nodded and closed their mouths like many of his students, Satisfied, he continued. "There will be a box, more of a chest, with the bottle as soon as I can set this transaction up. Bring it back and place it out of sight and the food will be in there. I'd suggest checking it around 9AM. Do not check it at night." That should make it seem as if deliveries were happening at night and allow him a quick transport under dark if necessary. He'd have to cast a fidelus on the trunk, and a preserving charm. And a charm to make sure it would only open from this side if there was food in it. Maybe another to prevent it from working if there was a living body inside. He didn't want any visitors to the kitchen. It would take a day or two to set up once he returned to Hogwarts. "If you tell anyone about the food, you will not only not get any more, you will not get anything from me, at least not anything that you will like."
Colter opened his mouth to ask a question and Snape raised a brow. Matthews slapped his hand over Colter' mouth and nodded. "Right. Not at night. I have no questions about that."
"So you agree to everything?"
The remaining three nodded, and when Snape scowled they verbally affirmed their assent, except for Kelnaki who just waved his hand. It was good enough.
Snape nodded. "Well, as Sanders was unsurprisingly unsatisfying I will be heading out. I look forward to reading your report. I hope you have better handwriting than my students, otherwise I will treat your reports as I do theirs and grade it appropriately with the money I send."
"Right, Colter will write them. He has good penmanship." Said Bird.
Snape nodded and headed out, smirking at the quiet comment from Colter about what the hell Snape meant about Sanders being unsatisfying and hearing Matthews tell him to shut up. It was refreshing to make deals with people who were so incompetent. They surely thought they were getting the better end of the bargain, they weren't. He was giving them just enough to survive and stay as they were. They could save up if they didn't spend their money on drink, which they wouldn't. And if they split the money between everyone it would take ages. If they spent it on things to make life more comfortable they were then building a home to stay in squalor. Even if they bought property and shared it they would still be under his thumb after utilities based on what he cleaned out of his father's records after he… passed away. They would have to work very hard to get out of the slightly more comfortable life he'd be giving them. They didn't even ask what 'favors' meant. What small tasks he'd be asking of them. To Death Eaters a small favor could be anything from providing a living person to 'have fun' with to watching someone's child. Between the fight and prospect of food they had also overlooked his request to send more people 'down the track'. And if they told someone about any of this the rumor mill would reach him, especially if he befriended Clara, he was certain the various bartenders and owners talked to each other. So did the drunks, like Dorfus. He was building up quite a network.
He'd have to set up Dorfus with some money, and very clearly instruct the man not to use it for liquor. Dorfus could be the one to collect the reports. Make the swap, provide paper. The man would be able to provide a new bottle each month and if he had the man set the reports in a box at his house he could have Lintals pick it up for him to put in his rooms. Or do so himself if he wanted a meal. He didn't really want the reports passing between too many hands at Hogwarts, even if it would be easier to just have his new 'employees' drop them into the vanishing chest. He also did not want to receive reports covered in food bits.
Yes, this little visit 'home' was turning into something quite advantageous.
He walked up the hill with ease and at the top continued around the bend to the store fronts. This end had been boarded up, the buildings too haunted with memories of better times to use except in the worst weather, if one could even get past the layers of wood in front of the doors and windows.
There was no one about here, and he took a chance and cast a freshening charm on himself to banish the stench of the river. He made his way around the orderly streets to the left, turning at random and looking at which houses had heartbeats, which were empty, which were falling apart. Most were inhabited, the rent and mortgage cheap in the dying town. Still, it hung on like a niffler to a coin, it refused to let go and die. He supposed he had a bit of respect for that.
He turned again and was met with more uniform buildings he knew from his youth, the differences only noticeable to one who lived here. A crack in the sidewalk, markings on the wall from graffiti that had been painted over poorly, a door that had been replaced. One could easily get lost in the uniformity of the place, a maze of sameness not helped by the street signs that had faded in many areas. Few were new and legible though, only ones that had been hit by automobiles and absolutely had to be replaced.
He breathed in, the smell of soot in the air amidst hints of people and their food. He felt a bit better since he had left the house, less tense and bloodthirsty for sure. Less wired as well, but he still felt the thrum of energy from the blood and that mild itch of irritation that was Lucius Malfoy in the back of his head. The man was a fox, sniffing out prey and taking advantage of every situation he could. He had been in the proverbial chicken coop before, preyed on by the man when he was less world wise. He had grown since then, left the coop with a bloody beak, a cockatrice mistaken for a chicken. Still, the man eluded him, a wily enemy jumping just out of reach. Never close enough to become prey. Always either out of reach politically, socially, physically, and on the rare occasions he thought of Draco at such a young age, morally. Still, Draco would probably be better off without the man. Besides the point now though, this was about himself and Lucius.
He and Lucius had worked side by side, been close enough to kill each other, and had yet to find an opportunity where they could take advantage of the other without damning themselves. Well… that wasn't entirely true. They had taken advantage of each other plenty of times, only Snape was out for revenge, or death. Ther last match had decidedly been a draw though, and yet he couldn't get the man out of his head. The smell of ice wine was a memory on the wind. Snape slowed his pace.
Was Lucius still around? No. No he couldn't be, there was no way the man would stay here a moment longer than necessary. Of course, what was necessary for Lucius? Was it necessary to find dirt on Snape? No. It couldn't be worth it to the man to stay in this 'muggle dump' that long. There was no way he'd be tailing him. Still… Snape took a deep breath, the smell of ice wine was gone. It was all in his head. It had to be. Had the wind changed and hidden the scent? No. And of course he couldn't tell if he was being tailed amidst the myriad of heartbeats on either side of him. If he was being tailed there was no way Lucius was stupid enough to stick to the sidewalk anyway. No he was alone, he'd bet on it. If he had been tailed Lucius would have stopped after his visit to the river, there was no way the man would spend any time there unless the Dark Lord personally told him to. Or his family was in danger. He took yet another random turn and found himself on the main street. He looked down it, and narrowed his eyes.
She was exactly where he saw her last. Her outfit, a skin tight dress, once again leaving nothing to the imagination. He walked towards her and she looked up at the movement. The way her eyes widened as he moved forward was a good sign most likely. A plan quickly formed, and he approached with the details swimming in the back of his head. He had the energy, he might as well use it. He certainly deserved a reward for not killing the platinum haired asshole and every single one of his childhood bullies. Besides, that last meal had ended far too soon. He stopped in front of her and he could hear her heartbeat race temptingly.
"Five hundred, correct?" Thank Merlin the exchange rate from galleons to pounds was in his favor.
"Y-yes." She said, looking up through mascara laden lashes trying to hide a multitude of feelings behind her eyes.
"Very well, I've brought a blindfold, will that be a problem?"
"I…" She paused, though Snape could see she was conflicted about her hesitation. He looked her in the eyes and slipped into her head quietly. She had used a blindfold before, he watched a man using it with her, but he also brushed through many more memories of that same man not using a blindfold. Ah, so she was fine with it, but after she gained a rapport so she trusted someone not to… What was she afraid of? He searched quickly, grabbing a strand of fear and racing down it toward a painful memory of being stabbed by a man with a pen knife. He had been quite irate that she had refused to….No. Whatever the hell that was, he didn't want to see it. Quite an ironic fear considering she enjoyed Snape stabbing her in the neck with his teeth. He slipped out of her mind. She looked at him, a bit dazed but of course having no clue what had just happened. She was of course no occlumens, hadn't even felt his foray into her head.
"It won't be a problem. I will pay extra."
She perked up at that. "No, yeah, that's fine."
"Good." He said as he started walking toward her domicile.
Soon enough they were back where they had been a few days ago. He none too gently tied an opaque piece of cloth over her eyes, one conjured while her back was to him as she opened the door.
He could, in all theory, just put her to sleep and take the blood he wanted, but he'd paid 530 pounds for this, he didn't really feel like letting that go to waste, nor did he feel like robbing the woman. She needed to eat after all, and he quite liked her amongst the living, and he could hardly eat from her if she was dead. Also, it was quite a bit to pay for just blood, even if it was the flavor he'd been looking for.
"Put your hands above your head and don't move them from that spot."
"Y-yes…" she floundered. Snape rolled his eyes. She was looking for something to call him.
"Call me sir if you must call me something."
"Yes sir."
Snape curled his lip in disgust. No, that was far too much like a student. "I've changed my mind, do not refer to me. Now, can you see anything?"
"No."
Snape brought his hand down fast above her stomach where she might be able to see if she looked straight down. He stopped centimeters above her skin. No reaction. He repeated the action elsewhere. No reaction. He nodded, satisfied. Still, he turned off the lights anyway. He wasn't paranoid, he was cautious. And fuck Albus for saying otherwise every time the old man opened a new bottle of whiskey and he insisted on checking it for poison.
"Spread your legs."
She did, and he turned his attention away from the enticing view.
He conjured two bottles and set them on the floor. He had promised, with a bit of power behind the words to convince her, that he'd put the condom on, but now set it aside. He would not need it for a while, if at all. The charms he would cast for safe sex would feel similar after all, do the same thing without the noxious smell. That was if he decided he was even having intercourse tonight. He was here for a different reason.
Sanguinaccio dolce. And he would get what he needed and make sure she was none the wiser. He started by cutting the tips of his fingers and setting them on her lips. She jumped a bit at the sudden contact, but her tongue darted out and she moaned, letting him slide his fingers in.
(Explicit scene on ao3)
He played her body like an instrument, rubbing, touching, licking… biting. Suitably distracted he pulled the blood from the tempting femoral artery, distracting her with his hands and tongue. He pulled the blood into bottles, watching carefully to make sure she didn't move and disrupt the stream. Eventually, he deemed there was enough and corked the bottles, shrunk, and pocketed them before going back to the feast of sensation before him.
He laid himself down on her, noting her shivering form had found her own release at some point. He reached down and ripped open the muggle condom, pocketing the condom itself but leaving the wrapper for her to find, the charm didn't leave proof behind after all, it had done its job and had faded away. He relaxed and let himself feel her warmth beneath him.
"You were so cold at the start, but it looks like you've warmed up now."
He smirked against her flesh, thinking of the life he had taken from her. The warmth would fade quickly though, such things were not meant for him. He took a breath and stood, removing himself, and he gave her a once over to make sure there was no blood on her body. There was none. He flicked his wand and closed the cuts a bit with an episky. He hid his wand just as she removed the blindfold.
"Your money is on the dresser. Do not tell anyone about me except that I was an ordinary customer, if you must. If you see me in public, do not approach me. I may not come to you for some time."
"But-"
"Yes?" He said as he did up his pants.
"I…"
He sighed. "Do not search for me. I have no clue when I will return."
"My name is Sierra."
Snape raised a brow. "And I should care? I will not be reciprocating with mine. I do not wish to be known."
Her face fell, but schooled itself quickly. This was her job after all.
"I had an enjoyable evening." He said with a nod as he opened the door to the rest of the house and flooded the room with light. She looked ever so slightly paler. He frowned. He'd taken a touch too much. He set another piece of paper with the number 50 on the dresser. "Rest tomorrow, if you can."
She nodded, and he left satisfied that one of the better food sources he had found wouldn't die of pneumonia or some other muggle complication that could come from blood loss and cold. He headed through her rooms, noting small things. The bookshelf filled with books on cosmetics and surgery. The safe artfully hidden in the corner as an end table. The painting that was actually a painting and not a cheap reproduction, but not by anyone famous and hand framed. This was her home as well as her work place. Dangerous, but most likely unavoidable with her income if she was working under anyone. Especially in such a small town. She most likely had five or so customers and was saving up to either flee or go to school.
Thinking of her possible customers he remembered the man with the penknife. Should he place an alerting ward for violence here? It could easily be confused unless he keyed it to extremes. He didn't want to lose this food source because of some testosterone laiden male though. This was an expensive way to get food however. A very satisfying way, but expensive. Well, it wasn't like he used money to buy food, it usually went to ingredients for potions. The ward couldn't hurt, he'd decide what to do if it went off.
He stood out of line of sight of the bedroom door and took a moment to cast it. Several moments, really. Wards were complicated, layering wards even more so. He was just casting one, and an uncomplicated one at that. It wasn't doing anything other than alerting him of broken bones, blood loss, contusions, anything life threatening or with long term consequences. Wards that actually prevented such things took days, if not weeks, to cast and still often backfired drastically. Yes, the bone wouldn't break in the ward, but a slight mistake, Merlin, even a discharge of magical energy, and all the injuries that should have happened in the ward, happened as soon as one left it. He'd read horror stories about that.
After a minute he was satisfied and with a single glance back at the room, hearing her counting her money, he left.
He opened the door to the apartment and stepped into the night.
And once again came face to face with a platinum blonde dickhead he didn't want to see. He snarled, biting back curses of both types.
"Spying on me, Lucius? I thought that was my job."
The man smirked as he tapped his cane on the ground. An expensive broomstick leaned against the wall beside him, a pair of omnioculars hanging off them. Godsdammit. He had smelled ice wine on the wind, it had just been very high up.
"I was curious as to where you were eating."
He closed the door behind him with a loud click. "You mean who." He snapped. "I haven't killed one of our own yet if that's what you're asking, but I am currently sorely tempted." This was a problem. Lucius would most likely know he had left the girl alive, a quick hominem revelio would confirm it, and he would assume he was able to have intercourse without killing his partner. If the Dark Lord found out he'd be asked to join in… certain 'fun activities'. He did not want to. He'd need another excuse not to. The Dark Lord would not accept 'I like my privacy'. He most definately would not accept 'I don't enjoy rape, yes even of blood traitors and muggles.' Of course, Lucius wasn't completely sure what had happened, if he'd just fed or had sex as well.
Lucius smiled and ignored the veiled threat as usual. "Just prostitutes and bums? And paying them? Why?"
"It means they are indebted to me and it's amusing to manipulate them, as you know. Now-"
"It sounded like the woman was enjoying herself though. I assume you've gotten over your little… problem?"
Snape sneered, but inside he felt his stomach sink. He hadn't put up silencing charms or muffliato, anything. He hadn't thought Lucius would be bored enough to stick around through all of that, let alone cast a spell to hear it. The fucking voyeur. If he had seen the woman… Snape was stuck. Especially since he very much wanted to keep this woman alive. He had so few pleasures in life he had wanted at least one semi harmless vice in which he could indulge. Most of his vices were far from harmless, he had very little opportunity to indulge in the ones that were, and now that he was able to leave his partner alive he was rather loathe to give up sex again. It was one of the few pleasures that could still resemble what it had before he'd died if he wanted it to. It provided warmth and sensation through his shields that he usually let no other pleasure slip through except blood. And this man could fuck that all up. He glared at Lucius.
"According to you I have. But I'm so glad you enjoyed the show."
"I'm fairly sure…" He said, swinging his cane. "But seriously, a prostitute? A muggle one at that?"
Snape scowled and threw up a muffliato. "On occasion I find a muggle whose blood I enjoy. It does not happen very often, but I like hers. If she dies because of you, and I don't get to taste her again, Lucius, I will find my meals elsewhere. And you smell like very expensive ice wine."
"Well, at least I smell expensive." Smirked Lucius. "I didn't know something could smell expensive."
Snape narrowed his eyes and stalked forward. "I am serious Lucius. This is my town, the people here are mine. Play your games here at your own risk."
"An entire town Severus? Isn't that a little… costly to maintain?"
Snape scowled at the hidden meaning. Lucius' silence and lack of interference would be costly. "What do you want, Lucius?" He said, crossing his arms, wand still in hand.
"To know what is really going on."
"Basically, what I told you. My meal potion no longer works, as a result, some of the morons I work with attempted to help and it went horribly wrong. None of them were versed in potion making or vampirism enough to do anything other than exacerbate the situation. I nearly killed some of them, but thoughts of Azkaban and incineration managed to prevent that. End of story. Now, what do you really want in exchange for your silence that I've 'overcome my problem' and-"
"Why would you ever want to keep that silent?" Asked Lucius, genuinely curious and confused.
"Because, I don't want to join in any future revels our friends have. And it will be expected of me."
"But why? You're unattached, if I was still single-"
"Lucius, Narcissa doesn't give a rat's ass as long as you admit it was someone worthless and that they are dead after the fact. We both know that. You just don't like 'tainting your skin' with a muggle's. I, on the other hand, just prefer my privacy. I do not want people to know what I can do during intercourse with my blood."
At this Lucius' eyebrow quirked up, both at his crudeness and the information he had been given. Snape had his interest. "And what exactly is that?"
Snape smirked. "I'll show you, if you want."
Both of Lucius' brows raised up now, but Snape could tell he was more than a little taken aback. "Severus, I am not-"
"Wonderful, I don't want to have sexual relations with you either." He said and removed a vial from his bandolier. "I will give you this, if in return you promise not to discuss what it does, what I can do, don't spy on me again, at least in my town, leave my town alone, and continue to act with discretion in regards to my condition."
"That is quite a tall order."
"For an aphrodisiac that is so strong its trade is managed by the ministry, I'd say you're getting quite a deal. And if I find out you've used my blood for anything other than what I'm suggesting, drinking it before 'combining wand cores', your entire family will vanish. Understood?" Lucius rolled his eyes but Snape glared at him. "I am still quite serious Lucius. If I find out… in fact." He removed his wand and tapped the vial. "It will return to me in 24 hours." Just enough to make it difficult for him to use the blood for something else, but not stop him completely from using it in a more benign ritual. The truly heinous ones took much longer unless he already had them set up, which was doubtful. "Go grab a port key to Versailles and take Narcissa to bed Lucius. Drink this first."
Lucius shook his head. "I'm no fool Severus. I know what drinking your blood would enable you to do. I'd rather keep my will my own."
Snape sneered but cursed mentally and put the vial away. How the man had found that out was something he'd have to dig for later. For now he'd have to thwart him another way. He hadn't really counted on him actually using it like he intended anyway. "Your loss. You're so full of yourself I'd doubted there would be space for my will."
"I'm not going to chance it. I'm honored you'd trust me with your blood though, I-"
"I don't trust you Lucius, but it would be a very convenient excuse as to why I ate you if the Dark Lord returned." It was half joke half promise, and they both knew it.
Annoyance fluttered across Lucius' face before vanishing with the presence of another question. "Do you really think the Dark Lord will return?"
"Dumbledimwit seems to, he wouldn't have kept me on otherwise, surely you know that." Said Snape as he crossed his arms.
"I must concede that point. You're a horrible teacher."
"I'm an adequate teacher, I am a horrible person who despises stupidity. Unfortunately children are often stupid. So yes, I'm there so that I will eventually be able to return as a double agent."
"For which side?" Asked Lucius amusedly.
"I am sure the Dark Lord will be able to figure that out easily. My loyalty will be tested. What about yours? I cannot go out and search for the Dark Lord easily. I attempted briefly during the summer when I didn't think I was being watched, but what about you, do you think you'll be welcomed back?"
Lucius smirked. "Of course I didn't go and search myself. I paid someone to do it. They came up with nothing before mysteriously vanishing. But I have memories, and documents, to prove my loyalty."
Snape shook his head, but inside he was grinning ear to ear. What Lucius had just said had damned him, taken away every bit of protection he had. The fool did like to hear his own voice. The gums around his fangs itched immediately.
"It's always money and trade with you Lucius. Now, what do you want in exchange for your silence and leaving my town alone?"
"You mean your hunting grounds?"
Snape sneered and didn't dignify that with an answer. It was rather obvious.
"A favor, to be determined."
All the blood he had just eaten sunk in his gut. That was literally the worst thing he could have asked for. However, he had a card to play now, maybe. He couldn't play it outright though, he had to coerce the man into saying something he could respond to.
"Nothing at Hogwarts."
"You're not in a position to make demands, Severus."
There, now he could show his hand. For a man who proclaimed to be a master politician he was very easily led. Snape shook his head. "Of course I am. I have memories of you saying you searched for the Dark Lord to show to the Wizengamot to excuse myself of your murder. As 'Dumbledore's spy' I will surely be excused for trying to find out the truth of your allegiances. And if half your blood is on the ground and the other half missing I don't think the aurors will look too closely at a dead Death Eater."
"And when the Dark Lord returns and asks where I am?" Countered Lucius with a smirk to rival Snape's own, but Snape could see the man grip his wand tightly.
"I'll apologize profusely for my temper at your meddling."
"I highly doubt he will be so lenient about the loss of his political pawn."
"He has others in the ministry Lucius who are far less high profile. You're a distraction and a money bag, face it. And if you keep pushing me, you'll be nothing."
Lucius scowled. "And Draco and Narcissa?"
"Will be warned to stay away or find out, intimately, where you went."
Lucius' scowl deepened, one sure way to set him off was to threaten his family.
"Don't you dare touch them." He hissed. "You really think I don't have letters set to owl out upon any of our deaths if we are exsanguinated? Even halfway? Severus, do you take me for a fool?"
"I take most people for fools." Internally Snape cursed, his plans foiled again. "But I could always forgo a meal and just kill you, even if it would pain me to waste such fine fare… of course I do happen to have a blood replenisher on me. I could just spell it into your stomach and force you to let me 'save you'."
"I'd rather my blood pool on the ground than fall into your mouth, Snape."
"Pity. So now that we've thoroughly pissed each other off, and laid our cards out, can we move on? I believe we have a draw. As usual."
"I do not believe we do. You wouldn't really go to the Wizengamot, not for this. It would put you in the limelight too much. That isn't good for a spy."
Snape scowled, the man was most likely right.
"So, I still want that favor for my silence and absence from your… hunting grounds." Said the man with smug coyness.
Snape wanted to tear his throat out, he wanted to shove the replenisher into his mouth and drink as the man's heart near exploded from the effort. "Fine." He ground out. "But if I find you here interfering, there won't be a corpse to tell if it's been exsanguinated."
"Let me send you an owl and I won't turn up unannounced again."
"I'm in hiding. I'm not accepting owls."
"They will find you eventually. They always do."
"I'll feed them to my carnivorous climbing rose." He snapped back, growing tired of the back and forth. "I was having a nice evening again until you showed up and if you continue to spoil it I do not care how I will be held responsible for my actions because at least you will not be there to see the repercussions! So, please, bugger off, Lucius!"
Lucius raised a brow at his crude language, he rarely reverted to such speech patterns, and him doing so twice tonight was rather more of a warning than anything he had actually said so far.
"Very well. I'll be in touch."
"I'm sure." Said Snape with a scowl. Lucius just smiled and nodded. He picked up the broom and with a twist and a step he was gone.
Snape sighed. Gods. All his relaxation from the past hour was just gone. He turned on his own heel and headed home. He might as well look over the potions magazines again and figure out where he was going to get the ingredients from. He had angry energy to burn off and anything he might do besides reading or brewing could very well end in tragedy, because everything would pale against his want to remove a specific man's head from his body and bugger the consequences.
Gods damn Lucius fucking Malfoy.