That horrible facade was supposed to look humorous. One had to admit they had managed to make their shop visible. A huge, monstrous version of the red headed twins was putting its hat on and off with a terrible grin.
And this is supposed to be a place for children… he tought with a shrug.
I wonder how come none of them is crying.
He smirked, then went in. The place was like the brats he had known at Hogwarts. Colorful. Messy, but nonetheless full of interesting things. They hadn’t been fairing too bad, actually.
« Welcome to Weasley’s. » said a familiar voice.
« What can I do for y…? »
George, the one with the scarred ear. The boy, of course, had just recognized him.
« I need a job. » He just said bluntly.
« Nice shop. » He added to sound a little more diplomatic.
George Weasley threw an amused smile:
« I’m glad you noticed. Though if you need a job, i would expect at least a superlative. »
« With a little help, it would surely end up deserving one. But it’s alright, of course. » He mused looking around interested.
« Oh, really?! » laughed the boy.
« Nice to see you doing well, by the way. Good morning. »
Severus held his hand. The boy shook it. Even now, it was still strange to see him all grown up. He couldn’t help remembering the reckless teenager who had driven every Hogwarts professor crazy.
« And you came here to save my business. » The boy smirked.
« Would I have bothered to come in, if it had needed saving? Its got a proper reputation, of course. Though I heard there was room for improvement. »
« How so? » The boy, still smiling, looked at him up and down.
« I heard your love potions were pretty terrible. » Severus pointed.
« They’re part of our best sellers. » The boy crossed his arms.
« I’ve heard from people who know better than your clients. »
The boy’s smile froze. His eyes rolled, and then, he schrugged.
« I bet you’re interested in our Defense Against the Dark Arts section. Over here. »
He led him to the back of the shop, where more sober looking shelves had been set. He tapped on the shoulder of one of the employees. Tall, lean, red haired, that figure looked quite familiar.
-Blimey! If it isn’t Snape! » Gasped Ron Weasley.
-And good morning to you too, mister Weasley. »
-You might as well be a ghost. We weren’t sure you had even survived. You had disappeared. »
-Oh, did you need me for something? I had… You know… Lost the track of time, recovering from this. » he snapped in frustration, showing his scar. The boy’s eyes widened.
-That’s the trace of Nagini’s bite? » He was right to be impressed. The scar was ugly.
-Does it look like a hickey? » The boy frowned.
-Oh, I can see you didn’t lose your bubbly personality. What can I do for you? »
-I… Was hoping to get a job, actually. »
-Because Hogwarts didn’t want you? »
-Because I decided to apply here. » Severus avoided saying that he would not spend another decade in that school, in a million years.
-You’re interested in our Defense Against the Dark Arts section, of course. »
-What brilliant deduction skills. » The boy let out an annoying little chuckle.
-We’ll see what my brother says. Given he didn’t kick you out, already, we might try you. You’re on inventory duty tonight, if we do. Go on,and tidy that shelf, over there, now, will you? » The boy patted him on the back. Then, he leaned casually on the wall, and mused :
« Merlin’s bloody balls, Severus bloody Snape… I’ll have to tell Harry, that’s for sure. »
Severus really wanted to hex him. He didn’t like receiving orders from one of those gryffindor brats. But he would have to swallow his pride. For now.
…
« You’re taking ages. » Ronald Weasley felt smart enough to notice.
-I’m familiarizing myself with the products. I am new, here, after all. » Severus argued.
-Just make quick notes about what you see on the shelves. You don’t need to write a novel about everything. » Severus sighed, and just kept going.
-No need to go through those shelves, they’re done, already. » the boy went on some time later.
-I’m familiarizing myself with the products, as I said. » snapped Severus.
-We’re never going to get out of the shop, now, are we? »
-Suit yourself, mister Weasley. » Severus retorted with an ironic little bow.
-Not a chance, Snape. No way am I going to let you alone in the shop on your first day. »
-Then we’ll all need to have a little patience, now, won’t we? »
Severus grabbed a box of puking pastilles, and opened it to observe one of the candy shaped atrocities. He had just decided to work even wore slowly.
« Oh, come ON! » growled Ron Wealsey in despair, which made Severus smile. He did have a point to make, and he intended to make it. So, he was going to make sure there was the exact right number of pastilles in that box, right now.
A good while later, Ron Weasley had finally decided to throw up his hands, and prepare himself some tea. There was about a good dozen minutes of blessed silence, with just the noise of objects being moved around, and quill running on paper. It was sweet. It felt like those moments, back then, when he had a child in detention. Severus had hated children in a group. In classes, in corridors. They were bold, and cheeky, and scattered brained. One at a time, in his office, he had liked them a little better. Embarassed silence was the best, he reflected. But Ron Weasley was Ron Weasley.
« She’s the one who healed you, isn’t she? » he said conversationally. Severus stopped for a second.
-Who? »
-The Niece. Everything went so fast, that night. I didn’t see any of it. But they say she’s the one who helped Remus and Tonks. Lucky she turned up, isn’t it? And… I mean… We almost lost Fred, so. » Ron sniffed. He looked haunted.
-They say she works at Saint Mungo’s, now. No one knows where she lives. »
-At my house. » Severus informed him.
-You live with the Niece? »
-She needed a place without a rent. She saved my life. She’s lovely. »
-Did you know she’s the heir of… »
-Oh, thanks for informing me! »
-I mean : you haven’t seen her bloodline, apparently. »
-Let me guess : she’s the heir of Salazar Slytherin. What a surprise. Mindblowing. »
-I mean : she’s the grand daughter of Nagini. » Severus’s heart skipped a beat.
-Oh. » he just said.
-Yes, oh. I’m guessing you’ve never seen her turn, or anything. You should be careful, though. She might be like… Like her grandmother. »
-Maybe. » Severus admitted flatly.
-That’s all you have to say? Maybe? You should at least tell her to find another place to live, or move out yourself, for your safety! » scoffed Ronald.
-I don’t think so. » Severus knew he would need more than a disturbing piece of information to break his loyalty.
-Do you not like life? At all? »
-I don’t know. You’re the one who went after a basilisk with your best friend when you were twelve. You tell me. »
…
A good while later, the door burst open to a frowning George Weasley :
« What’s taking you so long? » he demanded.
-Ask Snape. » his brother schrugged.
-I’m not sure he’s done counting the puking pastilles, yet. »
-I was… »
-Familiarizing himself with the products, he says. »
-Do you need to stay the night? Should I get you a mattress? And what’s this thing about the pastilles? What’s so fascinating about them? » Severus sighed, and answered with an unapologetic half smile.
-Your brother was annoying me, so I was taking my time. »
-He was writing a novel, too. Over here. » Ronald pointed to a little black notebook floating with a quill, in a corner. Severus wanted to accio it for safety, but George Weasley intercepted it first. It annoyed Severus greatly.
-Taking some notes aside the inventory book, are we? » George said as he caught it. He started going through the thin lines of Severus’s caracteristicly tight writing.
-That’s interesting. » he mumbled.
He walked towards Severus and stopped next to him. Severus expected some unpleasant joke or some otherwise disagreeable comment, and he was pouting accordingly, but the boy just looked at him very seriously, and pointed at some of the random ideas on his untidy little list.
« That’s filthy. But I like this idea, here. Do you think it could be done? »
-I don’t know. I was just… Noting random ideas. I would need to think things through more carefully, if I wanted to find… Ways to reach that result safely. »
-I like your way of thinking. This stuff could be useful. You should come to the Burrow with your notebook, some time. I’m sure Fred would like to see it… It’s all Defense Against the Dark Art stuff, isn’t it? »
-Obviously. It’s my domain of expertise. »
-One more creative mind won’t be too much. Trust me. This is a joke shop, though. But I bet you’ll get the spirit. » The boy patted him on the back. The gesture was a bit too familiar, but Severus was pleasantly surprised by his reaction. Apparently, he would be allowed to make suggestions.
-Are you done, now? »
-Quite so, mister Weasley. »
-It’s George. Please. It’s a family business. »
And to think the twins managed to build all of this without having completed their education… Severus thought. It had been so annoying to see them leave Hogwarts. What a waste of potential. And he was so annoyed that they hadn’t been in slytherin. He dared hope that at least, Granger had ended up showing a bit of ambition.
It was night time already. Severus walked thoughtfully down the main lane of his good old neighbourhood, thinking about his impressions on his first day. And about quite a heavy piece of information he had received. Merlin knew he was stubbornly principled about his loyalties, but he was potentially living with a maledictus, and what could he make of this?
First, he would have to make sure she had not been born with the curse. He did hope the boys were wrong, but apparently, she was the grand daughter of the terrible snake woman he had come to know in her monstrous shape, and dread. And unfortunately, he also knew this malediction was passed on from mother to daughter. But he could hope, perhaps… Or perhaps, he was just fooling himself. The idea was most unpleasant, of course, and he was not exactly in a hurry to reach home and bring it up. And what if she was stricken? What could he do? Thoughts turned and turned in his brain, as he tried to imagine the conversation. He would have to be diplomatic, and avoid over reacting, of course. Perhaps, he would have to find a way to be safe. But how? Showing the door to the young woman who had saved his life for no valid reason was obviously out of the question. And leaving his own home felt a little… So, what? Or perhaps, those considerations could wait. He hadn’t noticed anything suspicious, after all. Whatever he dared hope she did not have, she seemed to have it together.
His mind had been racing so fast, he was almost surprised to stumble upon his own doorstep. Well. He would have to see her, now. He would have to stay calm. His heart was bumping a little too loud. Not a good start. He leaned on the door, and took a few deep breaths, before crossing the threashold.
A hissing wildling of a girl stood before him with eyes grown huge with worry :
« Where have you been? Are you alright? Did anything happen? »
-No. I’m alright. I was on inventory duty at Weasley’s » Severus replied quickly. She sighed with relief.
-I’m glad they hired you. But I was worried sick. You should have warned me. »
-Sorry about that, dear. How was your day? Sit down. Let’s have some tea. »
She nodded, and sat down. Severus was about to accio a kettle, and make the water boil, when, much to his surprise, it appeared all by itself, along with two cups, and dessert plates filled with scones.
« I signed the papers, today. » she informed him.
-For the coffers. Now, I’m officially supposed to go by that stupid name, Aethelind Gaunt. And, hum… This. Things have been appearing, since this morning. »
-Some elf, or elves, I’m guessing. If they belonged to your uncle, they must be terrified. Which would explain their being invisible. You could order them to show themselves, if it makes you feel more comfortable. »
-If they’re so shy, I’d rather they didn’t. » she bit into a scone.
-Practical. » Severus observed. He hesitated.
-So… How does it feel to bear your real name? » he inquired
-My real name is Suneko. It’s the only name I want to go by. It was given to me by Madam, and by my real father, the one who taught me everything I know. »
-Have you ever met your… Father by blood? »
-No. And I couldn’t care less about my progenitor. » She snapped, icily. She had never told him anything about her past. Suneko was a woman of a few words. Severus had never asked.
-So, you were brought up in an orphanage. »
-In a brothel. » Severus almost spilled his tea.
-And your… Mother? » he hardly dared asking. The young woman dropped her gaze.
-Needless to say, she was one of the courtesans. She’s dead, now. »
-And, you… »
-Madam wanted to me to. I ran at eight years old. That’s when my father took me in, and taught me everything he knew. » »
-I see… How… Did your mother die, if you don’t mind me asking? » She threw him a dark, sharp look :
-So, you know, don’t you? » It was time to rip the band aid off, since she had guessed :
-Are you…? » His heart sank when she sighed, and nodded. He took a deep breath, and simply let out :
-Fair enough. »
Oh, Merlin… And now, what to do? Don’t insist, he thought to himself. Don’t over react. She obviously doesn’t want anyone’s dread, let alone anyone’s pity. Keep neutral. Keep neutral. He reflected that perhaps, changing subjects would be helpful, at the moment.
« Well… Good thing you signed the papers. With your permission, I’ll soon have to peek into those coffers. And… How was work? » Her lowered gaze and tired, closed face said it all.
-I see. Looks like you had the best day ever. »
-Yeah… Just my luck. »
-What happened? »
-Remember the book I got you? »
-Junksher’s? Yes, of course. It was the best read, thank you. »
-Well… I did it again. I borrowed books specialized in my craft, of course… »
-Did you get caught? »
-My… Collegue, Regina Blazen, noticed the title of one of the books I was reading at break time. There was the ministry’s seal on it. And so, she threatened to tell me off. » Suneko let out an exasperated sigh.
-She… What? » Severus was shocked to hear that anyone had dared threaten her.
-She told me that she would inform the ministry, that they would destroy my wand, and that they would send me back to Li. I guess I wasn’t careful enough. »
-Oh, did she, now? » Severus’s anger was building up inside him.
-Hum, hum. » the young healer nodded.
-What business is it of hers, the books you read? »
-My readings are very interesting, apparently. »
-And how did you respond to this? » Suneko rolled her eyes.
-What do you want me to do? I’m the Snake Girl, the Niece, and whatever other name they give me. People are already hushing when I enter a room, taking a step back when they meet me in the corridors. The usual stuff. And I didn’t hurt anyone, mind you. I would never hear the end of it, if I ever dared lifting a finger. » She shook her shoulders in an attempt for indifference, but she sounded hurt. Severus had had his set of agreeable little surnames himself, and knew all too well how it felt to be unpopular. And that ignited his anger. Was it the reason why she had left Li, in the first place? She had never told him.
-You’re right, of course. » he just said.
-Let me hex her for you. »
-I’m not my uncle, you know. And you’re not my hitman. »
-First of all, I was a spy. Not a mere hitman. And second of all, let me rephrase my offer : hexing that murtlap scum would be my pleasure. »
Les pattes de mouche de la puce polichinelle 