They were having a quiet breakfast, when someone knocked at the door. Severus put down his fork, and reached for his wand. He opened the door from his place, and answered :
« You may come in. It’s open. » while dicreetly keeping his wand in hand. He had no idea who wanted to bother them this early in the morning.
The door was pushed. A familiar shape went through the entrance.
« Draco. » The boy was a man, now. It seemed to have been ages.
-Uncle Severus. How have you been? »
-He’s been fine. » answered Suneko with her morning voice.
-He’s been in a coma for two years, you know, after having been bitten by my grand-mother. Then, he’s been through one year of rehabilitation. And he’s back on his feet, thank you very much. » Draco Malfoy’s jaw dropped. Severus coughed :
-Draco, I give you Aethelind Gaunt, whom you may also call Suneko… »
-The name I’ve been raised with. You had guessed he wasn’t dead. You took your time paying him a visit. » she remarked throwing a sharp look at Draco.
-He was worried about you, Severus. No, they’re not mad at you for betraying my uncle. His mother and him understand. His father’s just… Confused. And, hum… Draco Malfoy, is it? Yes, he really was your friend, all along. He was just mad at my uncle. And… »
-Are you done reading people’s minds, Suneko?! » Severus growled, while shielding.
-I haven’t had my morning coffee, yet. Can’t help it. » Draco was very red. Severus pointed at her with a very annoyed gesture of his hand, and explained :
-Every day. » She looked at her watch, took one last gigantic bite at a sausage :
-I have to get ready, or I’ll be late. » before whooshing to the bathroom. Severus looked at a bewildered Draco :
-She is less intrusive when she’s had her coffee. I promise you. Do sit. »
Severus had re tranfigured the pouffes back into sofas for practical reasons. With those and the little table, the living room looked practically normal. Draco sat down, and took the coffee he was served gingerly.
-Oh, Merlin. That was pretty annoying. »
-What is left to say, right? Haven’t we already been told everything. »
-I’m glad to see you’re well. So, you’re really living with the Niece. » Severus sipped his coffee.
-She seems to enjoy not having to pay a rent. »
-How is she like? »
-As you’ve seen. Strange. Well meaning. » Draco gulped.
-They say she’s like… »
-She’s a maledictus, like her grand mother, yes. But I’ve never seen her turn. That means she has her curse under control. We intend to go around the world for her apprenticeship. We’ll find a way to keep it that way, I hope. »
-Do you care about life? At all? »
-Enough to be glad she saved mine. »
-HE LOOKS UP TO YOU, SEVERUS! » screamed a voice from the bathroom. They both laughed.
-YOU’LL BE LATE! » answered Severus.
-TAKE YOUR COFFEE TO GO, AND SHOO! » He shook his head :
-Unbelievable. »
A few minutes later, she was back from the bathroom, with her usual two buns and two braids hairstyle, and a bag on her shoulders.
« See you tonight. Warn me if you’re going to be late. And eat properly, today. »
And she apparated away.
« I understand why you didn’t give any news. » commented a smug looking Draco.
-You were busy. »
-Obviously, draco. Rich young ladies do tend to be irresistibly attracted by middle class men twice their age. We’re just friends, of course. Don’t get any ideas »
-A very concerned friend indeed… »
-You mean : very bossy. »
-Hum… I’ve heard you had quite a number of lady friends, back in the day. » Draco smiled while grabing a scone.
-It wouldn’t be illogical. Still would make more sense of your betraying the Dark Lord than the reason the rumors say… I heard you betrayed us in the name of some mudblood. » Severus sighed. So, they were going to have that conversation. Weren’t they?
-Well, Draco… You did meet the Dark Lord, after all. Was he not everyone’s best friend? He surely showed us all the recognition and esteem that we deserved for our faithfulness? He had the most respectable families in England swear him fealty. He had promised them greatness. He did deliver, now, surely? And it’s not like most of your uncles and aunts had to die in his name? Did they? And it’s not like some of you had to lose their impeccable reputation? And it’s not like he would have destroyed all of those fine people solely for his own personal gain? Would he? » He exhaled again, and regained his composure. He’d been all heated up, inside. Tense :
-I really lost faith in the Dark Lord when your uncle Regulus died. How could anyone still believe in him after his death, I will never know. Did you notice? None of the wars the Dark Lord ever launched us into has served any cause. I think he just enjoyed seing all of your great families lose all prestige in his name. I reckon he needed to punish you for being purer than himself. Spending time with the likes of Greyback? Ending up in Askhaban? Draco, we were all held hostage. You pure bloods were just too proud to acknowledge that. The last straw was when he threatened to kill my childhood friend. I’ve hated every second I’ve worked as a spy. But there was no other way out of the Dark Lord’s grip. Not that that cold blooded hypocrite Dumbledore gave me, or anyone anything in return either, for the record. » A deep silence fell on the room. Draco was looking down, all confused.
-Your… Childhood friend. The mudblood? »
-Herself. »
-But my parents were… »
-Yes, yes. Your parents were my friends too, of course. They were very helpful, back in the common room. They did show me around, and they did give me advice about how to deal with my bullies. You can have several friends, you know. You do get to choose. I lost that one when I joined, of course. »
Your parents told me to stand up for myself. Severus thought quietly. Which i did. Lily Evans stood up for me. Of course, it did have a price : i was expected to hide behind her skirts, like the poor little victim i was supposed to be. Poor little sulking Severus, with his sad story. This way, she got to be my savior. How charitable… It wasn’t what I wanted to be for myself. For her. I wish she’d fought with me, not for me. But either way, she’s the only one who ever drew out her wand on my behalf, against those four little shits. So, i had to fight in her name, too. She deserved it.
« So, she wasn’t your friend when you joined Dumbledore. Did you join because Potter… »
-Oh, come on, now! Don’t talk to me about Potter! Everyone in their right mind hates him! » Severus interrupted. Draco had to work on his insecurities. Anyway, it was complicated. The boy was frowning, trying to make sense of the whole story.
-You thought the Dark Lord was going to come for you, next. »
-That was my point, earlier. He did end up coming for everybody. » Severus felt like changing subjects.
-Since we’re mentionning death threats and other unpleasantries, how are our former friends? Has anyone talked about murdering me, lately? »
-I’m not sure about everyone, but father helped arrest quite a number of them, after the battle of Hogwarts. That’s why we have been pardonned. Aunt Bella and Scabior were killed. Vincent… Was burned. » Draco had to stop talking. He winced.
-I’m sorry. »
-His father is in Askhaban. So is Gregory’s. I… I don’t speak with Gregory, anymore. » Draco sniffed.
-What happened? »
-After the battle, well… Pansy and him, they… »
-Merlin, she’s stupider than I thought. »
-You don’t say. Anyway. The Carrows had managed to escape, but they were found. Uncle Rodolphus and uncle Rabastan… Well everyone is either dead or in Askhaban, except… Antony Dolohov is elusive. He didn’t even come back to us once. I think he’d understood father would betray our former companions early on. Augustus Rookwood was pretty enraged the last time we saw him. He threatened to kill us for what we did. He decided to come for you, first. We weren’t sure you were alive, then. That was almost right after the battle of Hogwarts. He’d disappeared for a time, and then, he was found dead, about a year and a half ago. We immediately thought about you, of course. Who else? Gave us hope. Apart from Dolohov, Greyback is the only one on the loose, that we know of. » Amazing what you can do when you’re in a comatose state, thought Severus. Rookwood dead… He feared there was another explanation. Just a hunch.
-What was Rookwood’s cause of death, again? » Draco frowned.
-Poison. » Now, Severus was certain.
-Any traces of teeth on the body? » he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
-No. The body looked remarkably intact, I heard. Apart from its dead quality. » Severus exhaled. She hadn’t been eating human flesh. There was still a chance to help. He was grateful for that much, at least. Draco gasped :
-You wouldn’t think… »
-It’s not too bad. »
-No one was eaten. »
-You really want to save her… »
-How would you feel about a new Nagini? »
-You’re living with the potential new Nagini. »
-Or perhaps, I’m living with a friend who happens to own seven coffers at Gringotts. »
-Cursed coffers. »
-Working on it. »
-You’re a madman, uncle Severus. You’ll need professor Slughorn to get the help you want to seek. Has he invited you to the Club, yet? »
-No news. »
-He will. » Draco got up, and patted Severus on the shoulder, before heading for the door. He turned back to him before going through the threshold.
-You send him our regards, for me. »
There weren’t many magical places around London where a former death eater might be hiding. Thankfully, not many of his former friends were left to threaten him. But whoever was still on the lose would have to be dealt with. And soon. Of the two specimen of human waste there was left on his heels, only one person had had the means and will to keep poisonning the Longbottoms for decades. Dolohov, of course. He would be the first Suneko would want to chase. And Severus knew he had to find him before her, for safety’s sake. It was time to take a stroll down Knockturn Alley.
The streets were narrower than Diagon’s. The familiar smell of gutter and sulfer was lingering. The buildings needed a facelift. The cracked pavement was sprinkled with muddy puddles and littered with broken vials of obscure potions. The place rieked of dark magic. The dirty kind. The inelegant kind. The kind that no Malfoy and no Black should have had to deal with. Severus put his hand in his pockets, and reached for his wand. Around this turning point, he knew, an unsavory crowd was lurking. The night was falling. Black hooded figures would soon be completing a whole set of illegal transactions, hidden in the corners. Predators, that could smell a stranger a mile away. But he was no stranger, was he? They knew who he was. Dolohov would be warned soon enough. He had to stay alert. Things would get out of hand. Quickly.
« Severus Snape. Welcome back. My friend. » sussurated a disagreeably familiar velvety voice. Deep, dark eyes, high cheekbones. He had hardly lost any of his beauty. That made him even more irritating.
-I’m sure you missed me. »
-Obviously, I did. Of all the sociopaths I was forced to spend time with, you’ve always been my favorite. » Dolohov chuckled.
-A charmer. You’ve always been. Pleasant surprise, I must say. I thought you were dead. »
-Many did. »
-Hadn’t you been bitten by Nagini? » Severus showed his neck :
-Hardly a kiss. »
-Hum. That’s a pretty scar, you’ve got there. Too bad she didn’t finish the work. »
-Ladies are my weakness. »
-Aren’t they? I did hear the rumors. You came back for more, I see. Need a little help dying? »
-Your fangs aren’t big enough, for me. » Dolohov drew out his wand, and grinned :
-I do hope it’s a challenge. I like it, when people defy me. »
It was a narrow and dark street. Not ideal for fighting. The ill famed crowd had deserted the door frames, and had gathered at the windows, instead, for a safe view of the show. Severus could hear faint laughter and cheers. Some of them were probably betting. The odds did not seem to be in Severus’s favour, for now. Dolohov’s attacks were relentless and agressive. Light was flashing, doors were bursting, and Severus had to move backwards for an efficient counter offensive. That was enough. Severus was not going to let Dolohov corner him on his territory.
« What did those walls ever do to you? » he asked, dodging yet another blow. Let’s see how he handles me on the roofs, he thought before levitating.
A few of the roof tiles gave way and slipped down, as he landed. He listened to them falling on to the messy pavement. Comfortable was not exactly the word to describe the situation. But it would do. For now.
« What are you running from, now, loverboy? I thought my fangs weren’t big enough. »
-If I killed you, right now, where would be the fun? »
-You’re like you were with the ladies, aren’t you? All words, and no action. » Severus dodged yet another killing curse, and reciprocated.
-Missed. Just like I said. Quick enough, i guess, but bound to be a disappointment. »
-The ladies never complained. What are you mentionning my love life for? Are you interested? » Dolohov lashed out at him again. Severus jumped from tile to tile. The man was fast. And strong. But mad. Playing the long game was not his forte. At some point, he would tire. That’s when it would be time to strike.
A cold wind was blowing underneath the waning moon. Severus had just reached a platform. He was more steady, now. He didn’t risk to get cornered, nor did he risk to slip and fall down.
Perfect, thought Severus. Well, my friend. This is where you die.
He stood, wary, and focused on the power assembling into his palms. There was a tingling sensation down his fingertips. He had never felt this ready to kill someone.
« I never understood what the Dark Lord was seeing in you, half blood. You were unworthy of his attention. »
-And yet, he trusted me more then you. Funny old world. Jealous? »
-Jealous of what? Of your obsession about some uninterested mudblood? How did it feel like, hiding under Albus Dumbledore’s robes? In her name? And never getting her, anyway? »
-Like being on the winning side, my friend. »
-Look at you : what a mouth you have. Yet, all you do is run. Well, try running, now. »
A long series of whooshing sounds joined the chorus of the wind. And suddenly, a dozen black hooded figures were standing all around.
Shit. Severus wanted to be desesperate. He wanted to be angry. He wanted to be terrified. The reptilian part of his brain wanted to take over, but not now. He needed all his wits about him, all his magic, if he wanted to survive. Because he knew for a fact that he was not going die. He felt the power in his stomach, like a wave, a tide that was rising, rising, rising. Of course, Dolohov was not going to play fair, now. Was he?
« You see, halfblood, I’m not the only one you annoyed over the last few years. » sussurated Dolohov with a content little expression.
-The death of the Dark Lord has been… Slowing down business, here, in Knockturn alley. I’m not sure it was wise, ratting out on your friends to old Dumbledore. »
-What friends do you mean? Were we friends? Your current companions seem to suit you well. Seems to me Knockturn alley is the rightful place for you. Though, of course, Askhaban would be even better. Again, I mean. »
Dolohov’s lazy little smile started to dwindle. Purple light reached the tip his wand, as the hooded figures started to advance towards Severus.
« Do you know, your mudblood won’t be waiting for you in the after life? You won’t be loved. Ever. And you’ll be gone. For good, this time. » There was a general snigger from the menacing shapes closing in.
Severus’s power felt dense, solid, tight like lungs needing to exhale. He had no precise spell in mind, so he just focused on the sensation. This was different. Normally, he would have been overthinking, feeling sorry for himself. He would have tried to contain the inner monologue and the panic rising. Contain. Enclose. Hold. Not this time. His usual mechanisms seemed to have shut down. His magic was going to do its own thing. What do I have to lose? he thought. In my position, I might as well decide to trust it. So, he closed his eyes, and breathed in.
That’s when he heard it. The music. Or rather, surely, he knew for a fact that it was playing in his mind. It could not possibly have been otherwise. Firstly, because the air wasn’t vibrating madly all around. And secondly, because that was muggle music. Electricity with a voice. He hadn’t heard it in a while. Living with Suneko had meant having no magic free space. Having no magic free space had meant no possibility to use his old muggle device. But the rumbling felt real enough. The metalic scritches. And the growls. When he’d been alone at Spinner’s end, when he’s played his music, the tension had just mellowed. It had been home, made sound. His mind had cleared. Just like it was clearing now.
No one has cursed me, yet, he noticed with a sort of curious detachment. Strange.
He raised his head, and nodded : Oh, that’s the explanation.
The world had next to frozen. Not quite the world, but those people, out there, around him, on this roof. Dolohov, the black hooded figures, and the light of the curses spilling out their wands, too. Pretty much everything in his vicinity was aggressively trying to reach him… In slow motion.
At this pace, the fight was easy. If one could call it a fight. He hummed and nodded rythmically, as he lazily deflected the curses glued to the frozen air with the tip of his wand.
My turn, now. The curse to launch was obvious. Simple. Efficient. And popular, a life time ago. You couldn’t go wrong with classics, after all.
Sectum sempra…
The red light flared at normal speed, and hit the hooded figures, one by one. None of them fell, yet. But they would, Severus knew. Any time.
…
And the weight of true seconds came crushing down, brutal like a bubble burst. Silence hitting. Men falling. Blood spreading. Gut spilling. What an ugly sight to behold. Severus’s emotions came rushing back, too. Heart thumping, hands sweating. Shock. Horror. Disgust. And relief. Almost. He was still standing. It would soon be over. There was only one enemy left to strike : Dolohov…
But he had disapeared.
Shit. WHERE was he?
Dolohov was still here, obviously. He had probably used some invisibility spell as soon as his collegues had fallen. And now, he was going try and hit him by surprise. Which might well be effective. Severus looked wildly around, wary of any spell that could come his way. His nerves were stretched thin. He wasn’t sure whether his magic would ever be able to do whatever it had done a few seconds ago. He wasn’t sure how he had done it. It had just happened. And what use could it have been anyway? By now, the one person he really needed out of his way had vanished from his vision. Vexing, really. And dangerous.
That’s when he heard a scream, followed by a horrible gurgling sound. He turned around, and recoiled at the sight of this unsavory madman, agonizing in a puddle of gore. Next to him, knelt the vampire. Dobri.
« You look awful. Were you stalking me? »
-Vhe vhould razher you stayed alive, mister Snape. You’re zher only healzy heir vhe found, for now. And our master just died. »
-You just had blood. How come you look starved? » Severus wondered aloud.
-Some people’s blood is like food, to us. Ozher people’s blood is more like alcohol. In zher present case, bad vhine. » he spat disdainfully, looking at the gruesome corpse. Severus sighed, and drew a vial from his pocket.
-I suppose I owe you one, now. »
Then, he pricked his index with a little knife, held it above the vial, and watched, as blood spilled into it. The vampire looked at him, with eager eyes. Severus avoided his gaze. He didn’t like it. The hypnotized fascination of the vampire really made him feel like prey. He was prey, somehow. He just had decided to comply. For now.
The vampire drew a dozen of other vials from his pockets, and held them to Severus with a trembling hand :
« Zhis vhould be for my friends. If you vhould be so kind. »
-There’s twelve of you, then, is there. »
-Thirteen of us. At zher domain. »
-Fine. » Severus took the vials.
By the time Severus was done filling them, the vampire wasn’t trembling, anymore. And he looked more… Alive. Olive skin, high cheekbones, hazel eyes, he actually looked way better. Miraculously rejuvenated. It was impressive to behold. Severus wondered how his blood could possibly have such an effect. The vampire made a scroll appear out of thin air, and projected a drop of Severus’s blood on it :
« It vhould appear you just signed our contract, master. » it bowed with a wicked smile.
-I’m so very pleased to see you had a change of hearts. My friends vhill be thrilled. »
-I didn’t sign anything. » Severus was so annoyed. He had somehow been tricked.
-Your contract says ozhervhise. Plus, you vhillingly paid us an advance. Vhe vhill collect payment every new moon. » The vampire threw him a map.
-You may visit anytime. Vhe vhill give you zher keys vhen zher first payment is complete. »
-You tricked me. » the vampire shook his head.
-I’m just lucky you vhere attacked. And of decent character. »
-I should have left you to rot. »
-Too late, master. »
-Why the title anyway? I’m nobody’s master, am I? »
-People’s egos tend to like titles. »
-Mine rather you didn’t call me that. » The vampire named Dobri patted him on the back.
-Vhell, boy, zher good news is : vhe’re yours. Zher bad news is : you’re ours. »
And disappeared into the night.
Severus sniffed, looking at the bodies laying at his feet. Dolohov’s, in particular. He would dream about those dead for a long time too, he knew. There was only one good news. He was still standing, and Suneko hadn’t eaten anyone.
One down.
Almost killed again, and still breathing. Severus arrived home, and pushed the door. He was welcomed by a very grumpy Suneko :
« You’re late. And no warning. How rude. It’s becoming a habit. » She sniffed.
-And you reek of blood. Dolohov’s. Is it? » Severus didn’t have to say anything. She’d guessed it.
-You didn’t want me to take care of it. » And eat human flesh? No, he didn’t.
-You know, he’s the one who had paid Blazen to poison my patients. » She was seething.
-He’s dead, now. »
-How many death eaters is there left on your heels? That boy, Malfoy something, he told you, the other day, didn’t he? »
-Only one. »
-Who is it? »
-The werewolf. »
-Good. » She crossed her arms, and doned a tough little pout.
-No need for you to do anything. I don’t even intend to kill him myself. »
-What do you intend to do, then? »
-As you know, his personal little excitement was turning children. He’s the vicious kind. I’m not sure he ended up having only friends, at all. And children grow up. So, if I could just find his enemies, and lead them on his trail… »
-At full moon, I suppose. »
-You guessed it. »
-So, wolfbane. We’ll have to start gathering ingredients, and brewing as soon as possible. How many did he turn? »
Severus didn’t know if it was due to the euphoria after a brush with death, or if he had forbidden himself to even see it before, but she was quite lovely, tonight, all pouty, and doll like, and terrible in the evening light. A ridiculous lightness built up inside his chest. He didn’t even think for a second, before he leaned in, and kissed her forehead. She stood there, gawping in shock, flushed, and embarrassed. Then, she brushed a strand of his hair to the side, and she dismissed him with a frantic wave of her hand, grumbling :
« We make plans first thing tomorrow, then. You stink. Go wash. »
Fenrir Greyback would die. It would be so easy to get him out of his lair. Severus would just need to show himself as bait. The old devil had grown confident. And restless. It was funny, how people like him tended to think they were immortal. And how they really thought their actions could never have consequences.
The difficult part, of course, would be finding his offspring. There were so many. Most of them were terrified, and hiding. Some of them, were rageful enough to kill. Greyback had managed to gather a few of these, in a cult like little wolf gang. He’d trained them to track muggle children for his perverted little pleasure. The rest of the tough ones had been bidding their time, and surviving dicreetly in small packs : being a werewolf was not exactly making your life easy. They had two choices : either to hide their condition to work in a legal environment, or to choose crime, for a living. The angry ones chose crime, in general. Ending up being rejected all the time was just too humiliating.
Severus and Suneko had found an unexpected ally in their quest for Greyback’s ennemies. The old devil had bitten miss Lavender Brown, during the battle of Hogwarts. Big mistake. Who would have thought she would survive it? She’d proven stronger than she’d looked. And she was eager to help. She’d brought them the leader of the biggest clan she knew.
« So, that’s Snape. » said the broad, grubby looking boy, raising his eye brow skeptically and ostensibly ignoring Severus while talking to miss Brown.
-Good to know I’m in the room. »
-He wants us to unite the clans. » said Lavender Brown.
-Get rid of Greyback. I think he’s right. »
-You’re the spy, aren’t you? Doesn’t the old man want your head? »
-Yes, I am. And no, You’re right. He’s not exactly a friend. »
-You’re not a friend of ours, either. Why would we stick our necks out for you? »
-Because he keeps biting kids. » answered Lavender, trampling with impatience.
-Under the radar, of course. He brought his clan to muggle land to avoid being chased by the ministry. »
-You sure about this? »
-Yes, I am. The girls and I have taken some of the new pups under our wing. He bites more and more people everyday. Very few survive it. » The boy’s grim face hardened.
-The sick fuck. »
-We have to stop him. We rip his throat apart, and submit his clan. »
-His people are nut jobs. »
-They see him as a god. They’ll kneel when he’s down. »
-And what’s your plan, big girl? We corner them at full moon, is it? »
-Why not? » the boy laughed bitterly.
-Because you know what you’re doing, on full moons, stupid? We wake up the next day, we don’t even know who we killed. »
-That’s where I come in. » Severus answered. The boy turned to him, angrily.
-What? You’ll un-wolf us? »
-He’s a potion master. » said Suneko, who hadn’t uttered a word.
-And I’m a healer. That’s exactly what we can do, yes. »
-We can’t do anything about the turning. But we can make it so you keep your head. If you trust us. You need to make up your mind quickly, though. We have a potion to brew. We’ll need to know how many people we’ll be brewing for. »
-Does it really work? How can I be sure? »
-If you need a testimony, you’ll have to ask mister Remus Lupin. I brewed for him at Hogwarts. He worked there as a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for a whole year, a boarding school, without getting caught or harming children. » the boy whistled.
-What happened to him, next? » Severus schrugged.
-The day he forgot to take his bane, I forgot I had to keep quiet about his condition. »
-Just like that? »
-Just like that. » the boy growled.
-Why should we trust you, then? » Suneko sipped her tea, and looked at the boy, straight in the eye:
-Because we need each other. We need you to get rid of Greyback, for our safety. And you need us, because we could make your life a whole lot easier. »
-You’d brew wolf bane regularly? »
-We could. »
-How do I know this one wouldn’t tell us off? »
-How do I know this one won’t be attacking children? » Severus answered showing the boy. The boy growled a little lower. Lavender Brown rested a calming hand on his shoulder.
-We could create a place for them to turn. » Suneko suggested.
-They would be given the bane, and it would all be organized for their turning. Floor levels, easy to open entries, perhaps a garden or a forest to run, and available water and meat. It would be isolated. It would give them space. It would be safe. »
– All this for one kill? Fancy stuff. There’s a number of people who would suck your dick just for the potion, man. » Smirked the boy with a skeptical face, looking at Severus. Suneko crossed her arms, and frowned. She did not seem amused.
-I figured your lady wouldn’t like the idea. »
-You’re just not my type, boy, but who am I to forbid someone to dream? » the boy chuckled.
-She’s an apothecary, not a charity fund. Fancy service, fancy price. You’re cute, and all, but you would have to pay. she’s certainly not going to lose all her fortune for you, lads. »
-The place isn’t found, yet. And for now, it’s just an idea. But we’re working on the potion. The first batch would be for free, of course, since we need your protection. » The boy thought about it for a while. Then frowned :
-Why doesn’t the Snake Girl do the kill? She could take Greyback on. Easy. »
-Wouldn’t we all want to see her eat human flesh? » Severus mumbled.
-Having him might kill me as a human. » Suneko explained quietly. Lavender Brown looked down. The boy nodded.
-Oh. »
-Losing your human self. That’s the scariest part. Always. Isn’t it? »
-You can’t say no, Kel. We have to do it. » Lavender Brown pleaded.
-We won’t set the little ones against the old man. They’ll still need their free bane. Everyone gets their due, in my clan. Get it? »
-Obviously. »
-You’d better get to work, then. The rumor will spread. Quickly. » The boy bowed to them mockingly :
-Teacher. Princess. » and vanished.
Lavender Brown gave them a thumbs up, before following.
« I’m not a princess. » said Suneko, still pouting.
-He’s never heard you snore. Honest mistake. »
He didn’t have time to see the pillow fly straight to his face.
The alpha was lurking and watching, somewhere on a hidden corner of tower bridge. It was getting late, the good moon was coming, and unsuspecting muggle tourists were walking in little groups along the fresh grass, facing the water. One of them would lag behind, he knew. There was always one.
Huh. Muggles. They basically died, of course. Almost all of them. How frustrating. The chase had never been about getting weaklings under your teeth. It had been about finding potential. Strength. Talent. It had been about creating and leading the best pack. Many of them kids had turned out to be a disappointment. Most of the survivors had not been strong enough to follow his lead. But those muggles, they were useless. They just died on you. What a waste of flesh. How boring. And the taste wasn’t the same.
Still, a wolf had to hunt. Even his pups were looking for fresh meat.
Suddenly, the alpha straightened up. A familiar smell had reached his nostrils. He could hardly believe his senses. or his luck. That was a valuable prey. Finally. Some excitement, after these years on the hide. The traitor. That one would struggle. He must have been a fighter to survive until now. Keep, or kill? Friend or foe, he could be turned into someone a little interesting. Or he could just make a good trophy. Decisions, right?
The tourists were starting to be scarce, and the good moon was rising. The alpha scuttled off from under the bridge, and hid behind a tree. The traitor was literally alone on the road in the twilight. Someone was begging to have problems. Begging to be bitten.
I wish I’d met him when he was young, thought the alpha. I could have made something out of him, back then. But you couldn’t forgive disloyalty. Rotten was rotten. Come to think about it, a traitor did not deserve the Gift.
The alpha started to make his move. He walked stealthily and silently on the concrete path between the two patches of grass. He would leap, he knew, and take the traitor by surprise. He would have just enough time to enjoy the shock, the horror, the struggle. And then, the good moon would rise…
He was just about to strike, when the traitor stopped. And turned. And whistled.
Sounds of shapes apparating, shapes landing on the concrete floor, shapes scuttling from under the bridge invaded his ears. His nostrils quivered. Smells, of course. His sense of smell was getting sensitive. He knew that smell. There was a hint of human. A hint of wolf. Male and female. Fear, and bloodlust, and rage. All around. There were hundreds of them. His children.
The alpha recognized their determination, and noticed he was outnumbered. Then, he smelled some of the blood of the most faithful of his pups, and realized he was alone. And that human. He was looking at him from the first raw of the circle. Looking impassive. The alpha did not allow himself to be nervous. An alpha never was. That’s how you recognized the real ones. He had to show them they were his. He had made them. He could turn them around.
« My boys… » he said with a smile.
-So you’re finally done running away, and you grow balls to follow the lead of this… Human? What did he promise you, exactly? Respectability? Acceptance? And you believe a pathetic weakling who betrayed his own leader, do you? You’re wolf, children. You’ve got the Gift. They will never accept you. You have no place left to go. You have only me. »
There was a fleeting moment of silence. Doubt, the alpha hoped. They were doubting. They were coming back to their senses, and joining his ranks.
« How has life been, away from me? Hiding your true nature, and getting rejected anyway? Or crawling in the city’s underground and living off scraps, like cockroaches? I gave you strength. A power they could not imagine. Me! You could do much better. Under my lead… »
-You really think we’re that stupid, don’t you? » said a little voice. Who was that young girl, already? He didn’t quite recall her. He probably had bitten her alright, but he couldn’t quite remember…
-Who are you, again? »
-My name’s Lavender Brown. You bit me at the battle of Hogwarts. So we’re losing our memory, are we, now, grandpa Grey-Grey? » to his shock and horror, the alpha heard a couple of sniggers from the crowd, at the sound of the stupid surname.
-I’ll show you if I’m a grandpa! » the alpha snarled.
-I mean : she’s got a point. You’re old enough, Grey-Grey. » said a clever lad just to rub it in.
-What are you doing out there, this late, Grey-Grey? » added someone else.
-You want to lead us, do you even know where? »
The lads were clearly laughing, now. His authority was being undermined. The alpha would have to kill someone. To set an example. He really had not expected to be challenged by some blonde little bitch. Brave girl, doubtless. The others would be sobered up by her death. He growled low, and the sniggers reduced, to his satisfaction.
« The good moon is rising, little girl. » the alpha said, showing his teeth.
-Do you want to know who’s wolf is bigger? »
-I don’t know about big. » the girl replied taking a little vial out of her pocket.
-But my wolf will be clever. »
She drank from the vial. The alpha’s heart stopped when he witnessed the young wolves all around him take their own vials out, and drink the potion. It could only mean one thing.
« What’s wrong, grandpa? » said one of the boys.
-You smell of fear. »
Les pattes de mouche de la puce polichinelle 