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. »

Severus Snape was finally back home. It was awfully late, or rather, it was starting to be early. He was exhausted.

« You look awful. » said a quiet, raspy voice. Severus was startled. After half a second of blank, he just answered :

-Oh, thank you for your insight. It’s the perfect conclusion to this long day I’ve just had. »

-Long day AND night. It’s two in the morning, Severus. What took you so long? »

-Oh, right. You mean : the safe inspection of your deadly coffers at Gringotts was supposed to take, what? Five minutes? I’m not through a fourth of the first one, so expect it to take ages. When to think about how parsimonious your uncle was… Like he was collecting coins for the shiny quality. You’re welcome, by the way. It’s ridiculous, being this rich. Oh, that, and I was pursued by vampires. »

-They scared you. I’ll kill them. »

-Vampires are dead, already. That’s why they’re called ‘undead’. » Severus was actually generally preoccupied. He was back, out and about, and now the news would be spreading quickly. He wondered whom it would be spreading to. Was he safe? He wasn’t quite sure.

-Well, I’ll kill them. Again. » Severus smiled.

-Just their luck. Keep your fangs at rest, girl. They were irritating. Not hostile. »

-What did they want with you? » Severus sighed. He could already hear his friend’s enthousiasm.

-They came from a… Distant uncle who’s dying. They were looking for an heir. »

-Coffers? »

-No. Just some ruin, Merlin knows where. » The girl was quick. She gasped :

-Land? »

-Apparently. »

-That’s GREAT! »

-Of course, except they’re linked to the land, which would make me their new « master », which would mean I would have to feed them, regularly. » Suneko sobered up :

-Take the land, stab the vampires. Problem solved. »

-Magical contract. I’m not sure they’re that easy to deal with. »

-Hum. That is a drawback. »

-Isn’t it? »

-Would it have to be your blood? »

-Would you give yours? »

-I did share some of mine, when you were dying, a few years back. » Severus didn’t know what to say. She had never told him that.

-No idea of the quantity needed, and every month is a bit much. »

-We should still visit. »

-Perhaps. »

All the while during this conversation, Severus had been distracted : he couldn’t help but noticing a few decoration changes. In fact, he could hardly recognize his living room. Plants had been placed all around the bookshelves. The sofa had been replaced by crawling, twisted tree branches, and by a couple of pouffes casually displayed. There was a sort of mini stone grotto, in a corner. It was awfully warm. And there was, of course, the little detail of the dozen snakes, crawling around. Suneko noticed his gaze, and simply commented :

« I brought a few friends. Do you mind? »

-I mean : thank you for asking me now. »

-You were away. And I was bored, and worried sick, by the way. »

-Hence the snake party. Who doesn’t need a boa to tea? » Severus wasn’t fond of snakes (understandibly). But she was around, and he knew he was pretty safe. Still.

-Don’t just stay there standing. Sit. »

-Oh thank you for your hospitality in my own home. That’s so sweet. » He was glad he was home, though. Even with the swarming mess on the floor. So, he did.

Severus froze and looked down, as he felt one of her « friends » slowly curl around his leg.

« Pedro wants a better view. » Trays with snacks and drinks appeared on their knees.

-Now, he wants some of your duck. » she translated, while feeding a couple of her other « friends » by hand. Severus was starving, but he didn’t want to displease the heavy venomous mass of fangs and scales perching on his shoulder, so he decided a bit of his dinner was a worthy sacrifice. He heard a happy hiss;

-He likes you. He said : this is cosy. »

-‘Cosy’ must be the snake word for ‘chaos’. »

-Oh, shut up. »

At that point, Severus saw the whole scene from outside himself, and felt the uncanniness of it. The change of decoration out of the blue, the reversed hospitality behaviour, the carpet of snakes all over the floor, climbing up his legs « for a view ». The Dark Lord had turned his snake friend Nagini, into an extension of himself. She had turned the whole place up side down to make them feel at ease. She had never done that before, he mused. It’s almost like she was the one who were starting to feel comfortable with me. The idea made him feel fuzzy and warm, inside. On the other hand, his feelings were mixed. It didn’t exactly feel cosy to see all of these snakes crawling around his feet. He still had bad dreams about Nagini.

« Do you want to see something fun? » she said playfully.

-Why not? » what did she have in store exactly?

She let out the softest hiss he had ever heard, and a tiny whitish snake slid from her sleeve.

« This is Noodle. Most of my other friends are wild. They come and go. But this one is a clinger, so she’ll be likely to be hiding up my sleeve like a living bracelet everywhere I go. »

-I’ve never seen her. »

-Of course. She hides, mostly. »

-What type of snake is she? »

-A flat head. Pretty, isn’t she? »

-Irresistible. »

-Well… She is more than just a lovely face. She’s also an incredible actress. Do you want to see? »

-The suspense is killing me. »

She looked at the little reptile, and hissed what seemed to be instructions. The reptile in question was intently listening to her, in a fixed, attentive position. Pedro and the other snakes had finished their dinner, and were back on the floor. Some had found their way to the little grotto, and were ready to doze off. His tray was taken away, and hers was emptied of all of its content.

Suneko let Noodle slide on the now empty platter, and stretched out her hand. A paper knife lended in it.

Then, she cleared her throat, and recited emphathetically :

« Begone, foul children eating monster! For I am the great hero Harry Potter, come to save the world! I shall cut thy infamous head, and make a necklace out of your teeth! Fear me, evil beast! »

To which Noodle answered with furious hissing, and twisting, and fake biting. Suneko lifted a little finger, and a paper bird appeared out of nowhere, and brushed the little serpent’s head. Noodle was now obviously twisting in fake agonizing pain. Finally, Suneko brandished her paper knife vehemently to the ceiling :

« And now, die, secret horror of the deep! The world is safe, at last! I demand it! »

After which she touched her little friend with the paper knife lightly. Noodle let out a pathetic last hiss to express her fake suffering, and let herself fall on the tray in a dramatic dying scene.

« Impressive. » Severus had to admit.

He’d been chuckling all along. A wicked idea had just crossed his mind, actually :

« The children would like it. » he grinned

-What children? »

-Weasley’s of course. We could make an exceptionnal event or two at the shop. I’m sure they would appreciate the show. The bravest of them could even take part in it. Some would definately want to play Harry Potter with a real living snake. Gryffindors or future gryffindors, likely. »

-I’m not sure. That would be a lot of people. »

-Oh, come on. You work in a hospital. If she’s always with you, she must be used to people. »

Suneko was quiet, intently looking at him.

« What? » he snapped, feeling under scrutiny.

-Why do you insist? »

-I think it would be a good idea. For the kids. »

-Why do you even care about the kids? I thought you hated them. » She noticed with a witty smile.

-Will you stop it, now? »

-Never mind. It’s late. We should go to bed, anyway. Whatever you did with it. And, hum… Suneko? »

-Yes? » He hardly dared asking the question.

-Your… Eye colour was starting to change, when you were angry, back in Saint Mango’s. » About to choke that woman to death, he omitted to say.

-Oh, that? That’s nothing. »

-You were just turning, I guess. Nothing to worry about. » She sighed with an expression of sad resignation, and explained :

-I only risk to turn when I’m threatened. It’s not too bad if my eyes just turn purple, anyway. I’ve seen it on my mother. It’s just… If my eyes turn red… Run. »

-And sweet dreams to you too… » She hissed something under her breath, and shook her shoulders, looking down :

-He’s scared of me, like all the others. » His heart thumped. He lifted her chin :

-I want my Defense Against the Dark Arts shop. And I want you to settle your apothecary shop too. I want us to meet the best specialists to get proper aprenticeship, and earn ourselves quite a reputation. So yes, I want you to keep your snake under control, because you couldn’t heal anyone without hands. I’m sure we’ll find ways. And I’ll make do with… » he vaguely showed his new living room decoration.

-This mess. »

---

The morning light had been starting to seep through the window. Severus Snape hadn’t exactly been sleeping well. His conscience had turned on and off, in between bad dreams populated by Nagini, and other objects of his worries. Now, he was grateful for the day to come, and its various distractions. He was about to get up, when his face was attacked by a braid, coming from the ceiling. He screamed in surprise.

« What’s wrong? » said a worried, sleepy voice. He had to breathe in and out, before answering :

-Suneko, what… Are you doing… In my room, on the ceiling? » Up there, she had installed a bar, where she was casually hanging.

-You were screaming, last night. I came to make sure you were alright. It was just a nightmare, and I didn’t want to wake you up. So, I just decided to stretch, for a bit, and then be on my way… I must have fallen asleep. »

-Upside down. On the ceiling. »

-As you can see. Breakfast? »

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?!  »

-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. »

-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. »

-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? »

-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. »

-I’m familiarizing myself with the products. I am new, here, after all. »

-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. »

-We’re never going to get out of the shop, now, are we? » Severus retorted with an ironic little bow.

-Suit yourself, mister Weasley. »

-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. »

-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. »

-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. »

-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! »

-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? »

-Ask Snape. »

-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 caracteristically 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. 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. 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 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? » 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. 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. »

He was finally getting some freedom of movement, now. He hadn’t managed to move much without a strengh potion for months. It had been infuriating and humiliating, at times, to not have full control over his own body. He had needed her help, even with the potion, in the beginning. The first few weeks, he had cried his heart out, all day, everyday, from the moment she had been out for work until her return. He had cried for everything. His current state. The people he’d lost. His past. Had he ever taken the time to mourn, before almost dying? Unlikely. Then of course, he had dried his tears, whenever he had heard the door open, and she had pretended not to notice his red eyes. It had been helpful, he’d found. The way she had done her job relentlessly, and unemotionally. And progress had shown. At last.

After weeks of frustration and despair, he had ceased weeping and started reading. His mind had needed distraction, refreshing. Now, he clung on the project he’d made to make his healer’s coffers safe. He clung on the hope to be useful to her when he would be ready. And of course, he found motivation in the insane challenge : he would have to outsmart the Dark Lord himself, to go through of all his little traps, and survive them. He would have to be really skilled for that. So, he re-read all of his defense against the dark arts books, and all of his old notebooks, with all of his tricks, and his private spells, conceived out of spite, out of anger, out of fear, when he’d been alone and idle. And he took notes. And he remembered. It was keeping him buisy.

When she was back from work, he observed her. He had to remind himself that she was nothing like her uncle. He clung on the little details : the gap between her teeth, the scars on her delicate hands. He hadn’t asked questions. People generally liked to talk about themselves, if you listened hard enough. She didn’t. But it was informative to see her cook (often overly spicy noodle soups), and care about his progress. It was enough to see her always crushing herbs, and having potions on the stove. Her actions showed how hard she was trying. He had, of course, comments to make about her potions, and she would swear in parselmouth under her breath when she would get annoyed. And she was eating all the time. As tiny as she was. She didn’t like being made fun of, but he couldn’t help it. It did help to observe. To get to know her. It did help to notice how she didn’t seem too egotistical or intimidating. For all that was worth.

He heard the click of the door, and straightened up.

« Good evening. How was your day? »

« Long. It’s beginning to be dragon pox season. »

And of course, she was right. It was late. He just hadn’t noticed the time.

She laid her coat on a chair, and casually threw a large and thick black book on his knees. Severus brushed the dusty cover with his thumb. The title was : Diving into the shadows by Karta Junksher himself. He gasped. It was an ancient dark arts classic. It was rare.

« So you don’t get too bored. You seem to like this sort of thing. »

-Where did you get it? »

-I borrowed it from the archives of the ministry. They shouldn’t notice, if I put it back in a few days. »

-How did you get in? » No one was allowed into the archives of the ministry without authorization, in the first place.

-Do I want to know? »

-And you’re welcome. »

After dinner, they walked by the river. The air was soft on the skin. There was a faint smell of dust and mould, in this part of town, but the breeze was fresh enough, once you got used to it. The grass looked pityful on the little alley. But it was quiet. And it was home. It had always been.

« So, you’re stealing from the archives of the ministry, now? »

-I didn’t steal. I borrowed. Serves them right for not providing a student proper ressources. »

-You mean : the Healing Institute of London for Dedicated Academics does not have a library? »

-As a matter of fact, it does. A poor excuse of a library it is. I read all there is to read there. I needed more in depth material. It was frustrating. »

-How did you not get caught, though? » he was genuinely interested. She dismissed him with an embarrassed, vague gesture, unwilling to talk about it.

-Do you want me to bring that book back, now, then. »

-No, no. By all means. I’ve been wanting to look into that book for ages. I’m not the one who took the risks. And what if I don’t want to hand it back at all? » She shoved him gently.

-I don’t think so. You’re not doing this to me. »

He was walking with a cane, now. She was hardly helping. No potion, either. He was pleased with the progress he’d made. Soon, he would be able to work again. It wasn’t like he rejoiced having to look for a job, after years of convalescence, but he was frustrated with his life at the moment. And he was getting restless. It was not exactly funny to be stuck in Spinner’s End. He wasn’t a social person, much. He was not a fan of crowds, or noise, or bright lights, or the outer world in general. But he did feel that he needed to put himself in motion. He was not going to spend the rest of his days in idleness and isolation.

« You’re doing well. You’ll be back to work in no time. » It was like she had been reading his mind. He checked his inner defenses. She had, possibly.

-Yes, I will. » Though, what work, he had no idea.

-Do you miss Hogwarts? »

Not really, he realized. He had been teaching for decades, and he hadn’t been that fond of the job, to be honest : the agreeable moments when he had felt useful had been scarce. Most of his career had been about worrying for the boldest daredevils, getting frustrated about the overall immature laziness, getting annoyed at the insolent ones. Sleepless nights running after whoever was in the mood for mischief. And running errands for Dumbledore, once in a while. And reading miles and miles of boring scrolls full of basic mistakes, and grammatical errors. And the constant hubbub. No. The last thing he wanted, at this point, was to be surrounded by children. Let alone live with them. But then, what could he do, now?

« You don’t. » that wasn’t a question.

-So, you won’t be teaching anymore? »

-I might apply down Diagon Alley. »

-They might be hiring there. »

-As a former potion master, I’m sure you could find a place at Slug and Jiggers Apothecary. Or perhaps, at that joke shop, the Weasley Wizards Weezes. »

-Why would I work in a joke shop? » Not in a million years.

-I hear they have a Defense Against the Dark Arts section. They might appreciate your expertise. »

-In a joke shop? Why would they sell Defense Against the Dark Arts devices in a joke shop? That makes no sense! » He was intrigued by the information.

-And who would they sell their devices to? Children? I dare hope not! »

-Probably to aurors. »

-Aurors would get their working tools from a joke shop. »

-Apparently. »

-Is this even real? »

-The rumor has it. »

This must have been one of their jokes. But he would have to come and see. Silence lended on the scarce patch of grass like cotton.

« Do you still intend to go look into those coffers? » she asked tentatively.

-I do. As promised. » He would. There was no doubt about it.

The air felt a little heavier, now that he had to think about the Dark Lord, again. He had to. He would have no choice. He would have to remember. Think like him, even.

« We might get rich, then. »

« Might » was the right word. She surely would be, if he survived the ordeal. There was no guarantee. And even supposing he would manage making her coffers safe, she would certainly end up deciding there was no « we ». He was not hanging on her promise. He wanted to do it because he needed an aim, a challenge. Something to focus on to avoid thinking. So he had decided that he might as well focus on something he had some skill for. It was still better than having no purpose whatsoever. He guessed it was also his little way to posthumously defy the dark Lord.

The sun was looming ever closer to the horizon. He stared at her, while she was looking pensively at the river. Her eyes were a striking midnight indigo blue in the warm, golden sheen of the evening. Her silken hair, bound in two buns and two braids, also had blue reflections. She wore a tattered green kimono. Overall, she looked pretty, like a living doll, petite and fragile, but with a very serious expression that made you look twice, and a sublte, undefinable, wild little something about her. It was her eyes, he thought. She broke the silence.

« I’ve never been rich, you know. »

-Me neither. »

He hadn’t done too badly, though, for one of those « awful boys of Spinners End », though. His job as a professor, had been paid better than what he could have hoped for. Even though, in the end, he had never been granted the « greatness » that had been promised by the Dark Lord. But he had learned to have very simple needs from a very young age. And he had always been more proud than materialistic. And after decades of working as an errand boy for two terrible men, much of that pride had been tamed, anyway.

« What would you do, with the money? »

That made him chuckle. It was a silly question, since he would probably never lay a hand on any of it. It was dream talk, wasn’t it? Dreaming was useless, he found. He had only ever dreamed of a future with Lily Evans, and she had always been out of reach. He had lost her altogether, ultimately. And he had dreamed of recognition and respectability, but it had never really happened. Instead, he had been used by some, and distrusted by most. Dreaming was silly. But why not pretend?

« I would settle a Defense Against the Dark Arts Shop right over here. » he smirked, showing one of the biggest buildings in the distance.

« If those Weasley brats could do it, I could certainly do it too. I would sell the auror department proper attire, maybe even help with their training, working as a consultant. And, hum… Let’s see… I would build a music studio over here, a concert room over there, hum… Oh, that would be an art gallery… »

-Hey, that project is too expensive! » She was looking at him with her arms crossed, and a half smile.

-I would need some of the money! »

-What would you do with it? » She resumed looking dreamily at the lake. Severus listened intently. She would finally say something about herself. Interesting.

-I’m a healer. That’s what I do.  » She smiled.

-You know, back home, in Li, I used to work in my father’s apothecary shop. So, I would just settle my own. I would sell the best potions, and unguents, and powders, and pultrices. And get the best ingredients. Asphodel, belladona, hellebore, mandrake, even my very own bezoars! That would be something! » an extatic smile transfigured her face. She really loved her job. Severus felt his heart pound, a little. She did look sweet, at this moment, under the sunset. She showed the factory.

-That place, over there, would be interesting to get. It’s abandonned, isn’t it? That means I could rebuy it, and reshape it into a proper working place, with spaces for potion making, and ingredient storing, and a shop, and even a bed or two, for patients who would need treatments. That would be perfect. And also, I would need a large patch of cultivable land with good soil. » she added with a determined little nod.

-What for? »

-To grow my plants, of course! Possibly, also to breed a couple of interesting magical creatures. If I’m going to open my own apothecary, I might as well do it right, and make sure I get fresh, healthy ingredients. Do you really think i would rely on external suppliers? I don’t think so! I don’t work like an amateur! » she said this with a disgusted little pout. It was amusing.

-You would do everything yourself? Top to bottom? »

-Obviously! »

-That would be a lot of work. You would need to hire people. And you would have to make people want to go to spinner’s end, if you mean to settle your business here. »

-Probably. It could work. It’s not too far from the city, and it has an eerie kind of beauty…  » she looked thoughtfully at the river.

-You too. For your business, I mean. You would need to attract clients to sell your products and your tutoring. We will need to really work on this place to make people want to walk by it. » We. She seemed serious too, for now. That was sweet.

Good luck with rehabilitating the old place, though, he thought to himself. Instead, he said :

-Guess I’ll need to work through these coffers, first. »

-True. »

Indeed, there was the tiny matter of the Dark lord’s deadly curses on his own gold.

« I’d rather you didn’t get killed, in there. »

« Don’t put yourself too much in danger. I took some time healing you. »

He stroke her hair, and thought : If she knew.

His whole body was acking. That’s how he knew he wasn’t dead. That was unpleasant. He wasn’t relieved. he was worried. Because when death had come, he had been ready; And now, he was alive. And the boy was most certainly gone. And he had failed him. Failed Lily. Failed everything. They’d make him pay, he supposed. They’d make him fit again, just to throw cruciatus curses at his face. They’d know he was a traitor. It was all over. He wouldn’t have to lie anymore at least. And death would claim him. Eventually. Sooner rather than later, if he had any way to fix this. Had the boy fought well? He was dead, wasn t he?

He couldn’t move. He heard himself moan. There was distant footsteps from a nearby room. Oh dear. He hoped it wasn’t Bellatrix. He hoped it wasn’t the dark Lord. His stomach tightened at the thought of him.

« Ah. You’re awake. » said a quiet, raspy voice.

Who was that young lady? Was she a former student? What house was she in? She was quite small. Fresh skin. Pimples. Doll face. An insanely thick, untidy raven mane. Bangs. You could hardly see her eyes, in there. Ageless. Lily’s eyes had been like green sunshine. So warm, and truthful, and refreshing. This one’s were something else. Dark. Deep. She bore them into his, and instinctively, he shielded.

« Hum… The mind doesn’t seem too bad. » she muttered to herself matter-of-factly.

« Quiet, too. That’s polite. Can you speak? »

She didn’t wait for him to respond.

« He needs a strengh potion. » She muttered to herself again.

« I’ll be right back. »

Severus winced. He didn’t like the idea of taking a potion made by such a young witch. The results could be catastrophic. But she wouldn’t give him a choice, now. Would she?

20 minutes later, he was sitting on the bed. Pale, and shaky, and weak, but sitting.

« We’ll get you to walk a bit later. Your muscles need training. Now, maybe, you can speak? »

-The… Boy… » he managed.

-Green eyes, ugly scar, looking like trouble? Yeah, he seemed to be on your mind, alot. I thought you might like this »

She produced a small box from under the bed.

The box was full of news paper articles about The-Boy-Who-lived. Apparently, he had survived. He had become an auror. He had a new girlfriend at least every week, according to miss Skitter.

Severus wanted to laugh and cry. He was flooded with relief. At the same time, he felt empty. He’d been a soldier. A pawn played in a chess board in a game of war. And the players were gone. The dark lord. Dumbledore. Even lily. He no longer had any duty towards any of them. He no longer had anyone to die for. He was back into a life that had been going on without them. How dare it?

« In case you were wondering, you were in a coma for two years. My name is Suneko. You’re in your home, in Spinner’s End. » He hadn’t asked himself the basic questions. He looked at the girl :

« Did you brew this potion yourself? »

-Of course. »

-It’s good. It’s working. » She crossed her arms, and frowned, all outraged :

-Obviously. That’s my job. I’m a healer. I know the basics. »

-Then, why am I not in Saint Mungo’s? » She sighed in frustration :

-Because they would take over as if I were some incompetent dum-dum, and you’re my patient. »

-Let me guess : HILDA student. »

-I’m a licenced healer. I just have to take this exam for administrative purposes. »

-Foreign licence. From where? »

-The country of Li. »

-Why did you come to work in England, then? » She schrugged, and vaguely waved her hand. A tray with a big bowl of soup full of noodles floated right to the bed.

-You need to eat. » she said.

-Then, exercice. You’ll exercice everyday. Gain some muscle. »

That didn’t answer the question.

He heard a faint knocking sound on the window. She opened to an owl, took the message on its paw, and then, sent it off without a word. After which, she depulsoed the message and turned back to him reproachfully :

« Why aren’t you eating? »

-You’re not opening your letter. »

-It’s the ministry, again. I think. They’ve been sending me letters and bothering me on my shift. »

-What does the ministry want with you? »

-It has something to do with the fact that some people heard me speak snake one time, and it’s the end of the world. Apparently. » Severus’s heart skipped a beat.

-You’re a parselmouth. »

-Snakes aren’t so bad, when you get to know them. » She mumbled looking down. He cleared his throat, and put on his non judgemental face :

-So, the ministry is harassing you, because…? »

-I’m supposed to inherit from What’s-his-Name. Inherit is a nice way to put it : what would you call a bunch of deadly, cursed coffers, with unreachable gold, yourself? A heritage? I call that a problem. The ministry’s trying to get rid of it. And I would rather ignore them. »

-So, you don’t want the gold. »

-I have only one life, and it’s more precious than this gold. I’d rather keep it. »

Severus tried the noodles. They were way too spicy.

« Finish your plate, now. You’ll need strengh. I’ll get you to walk a bit, next. »

Well, thought Severus as he was ingesting that strange soup. I think I just found another way to die stupidly. He swallowed another mouthful, and let the fire in his throat quiet down a bit.

« You know, I could help with those coffers. » he offered, even though he knew it was not a good idea. She raised an eyebrow.

-Defense Against The Dark Arts in my domain of expertise, and I worked for the Dark Lord, once. I could find a way around the curses. Maybe. »

-Find a way to get back on your feet, first. Instead of talking nonesense. »

Severus Schrugged. If he was to tackle those coffers, he would have to find a strategy, anyway. It wasn’t as if they were in a hurry. Was it?

She was staring at him, as he was finishing his noodles :

« You really want to look into those coffers, don’t you? »

He didn’t answer. He definately would.

« You want your share, I suppose. » His share. He hadn’t even thought about it.

-You saved my life, though. »

-I did my job. But, you would… »

-Why not? » She crossed her arms and frowned, then threw them with a blank expression.

-I think we’re friends. Let’s make you walk, a little. I live here, by the way. »

Deadland’s King’s cross was dazzling. Real life King’s cross had never been that clean, of course. And the light… It would hurt his eyes, normally. For sure. But he did not need eyes, anymore. And it was not really King’s cross, was it? Why bloody King’s cross, anyway? And what now? Do i go by train? 

“The place represents our first significant trip. It’s metaphorical. It’s supposed to reassure us, I think.” said a voice. 

He turned around. He could not believe his ears. Or his eyes. Or whatever he could call the ghosts of his senses. Here she was. Stunning. Surreal. 

“You look like you’ve just seen a ghost,” smiled Lily. 

• Well, I’m dead too, you know. You don’t risk to scare me.” 

• You’re in between life and death, Sev.” 

• Oh, not dead, yet? I suppose it’s a matter of hopping in the train.” She threw him a sharp look. 

• You’re ready?” 

• Of course. I’ve been ready for a while, wherever that leads me.” 

There was an awkward silence. The emotional type. He knew he had to say it. 

“Lily, I’m… I’m so sorry. About your son, about everything…” 

• I know, Sev. And I know you did your best. You’ve been forgiven long ago.” 

Ghost tears were falling down his cheek. They felt realer than real. 

“But you were the worst professor in history, though. Snivellus.” interrupted another voice.  

Severus wiped his tears quickly and growled. 

“What is he doing here?” 

• Severus…” 

• No.” 

• Sev…” 

• No. This is my after life. I don’t need the likes of him in my vicinity. I just want to take my bloody train in PEACE.” 

Severus walked away from the couple angrily. 

“It took guts. What you did.” said his bully in the distance. 

Severus stopped and turned around. 

“I didn’t know.” 

• It was in the job description, you stupid.” 

• That with protecting my son, and all…” 

• He has yet to die. Haven’t you talked to Dumbledore, recently? The boy’s survival was never in his great plan.” Severus added bitterly. James Potter was closer, now. 

• My son is not going to die, just yet.” he said serenely. 

• Yeah, hold on to that thought.” 

• Neither are you.” said Lily, as James pushed him.