« My dear friend,

I do hope this letter finds you well. It has been so long. Lately, I heard you were still alive ! I was absolutely flabbergasted ! Everyone had all lost hope, I’m afraid. But here you are, and myself, Minerva, Sybil, Poppy, Pomona, Filius, Rubeus, we are all so very delighted ! I heard mister Potter fell off his seat from the shock, when he learned. You know, he had a portrait of you hung in the director’s office, after the war. He insisted so much, Minerva had to give in… »

At this point, Severus had to look up from the letter, and sigh. What a fool that boy was. Embarrassing. He read on :

« Had to give in. It will remain there, of course, unless you really mind. After all, you did replace our much regretted late Albus in your time. So, it makes sense.

Now, I must say : I heard you’ve been in good shape for months, even got a new job, and you didn’t think about warning anyone ! Minerva is as thrilled about the good news, as she’s livid. You will never hear the end of it ! You have to make it up. We miss you, you rascal ! You can’t stay hidden from us forever !

Well… I’ve got the perfect occasion for you ! You can’t say no. I’ve planned a little social gathering, next friday night. You know the place. You have to come. I do remember you tend to avoid these types of events, but you won’t escape us, this time. Socialising is like a muscle, don’t you think? You do need to train to get better at it. Everyone is looking forward to see you there. The spy who defied You-Know-Who ! You forged yourself quite a reputation ! You won’t have a moment for yourself, just saying. You risk to be assailed with questions.

Incidentally, I believe we all have a young lady to thank for your survival. I should very much like to meet her. You know I do enjoy surrounding myself with brilliant young people, and they say she is brilliant. She does have a terrible name to carry, not mentioning the rumors… But she’s also been forging herself a reputation, in Saint Mungo’s. They say she’s an earnest young lady, quite intense in her studies, always about work, work, work. I heard you two were getting along quite well. I’m sure she will make many other friends, when she decides to. But you have been a bad influence, haven’t you? You need to bring her along. This will just not do.

My friend, your welcoming committee is on the ready. You’ll get an earful from Minerva. But not only. I ordered some red elf made wine, for the occasion. Your favorite. Mister Potter, who keeps dodging my invitations, will even honour us with his presence. Would you believe it?

Answer this note, will you? I’ll be waiting. We’re looking forward to be seeing you.

Your friend, Horace. »

Severus sighed. This was embarrassing. He had kept more or less to himself for quite some time, indeed. He had been worried about his fellow former death eaters, of course. He had felt safer hidden. But he had also just let time pass by, busy with his new life. And to tell the truth, the last thing he had wanted to do was come back to Hogwarts. Too many bad memories. For years, back then, he had wanted to leave that damned school, as a matter of facts. But he had nothing against his former colleagues, of course. Minerva had been fun to tease and gossip with. Rubeus had been clumsy, but always well meaning. Pomona brewed to nicest wand made beer. But Hogwarts would always be haunted by the shadow of Albus Dumbledore, to him. And with the shadow of the old man lingered the shadow of the Dark Lord. He’d been stuck between the devil and the blue sea, chained by his promises, chained by guilt and fear for years. No. He was not exactly nostalgic. But he would have to answer, wouldn’t he?

« Dear Horace,… »

What was he going to answer now? I like you all, but i’d rather not, regards? It would be difficult to avoid this awkward situation, after all this time… He didn’t want to come across as cold.  He had rather liked his collegues. They hadn’t been too bad. He would come, of course. And he would be expected to bring along Suneko. She’s going to love being stuck in an unknown place full of unknown people, Severus thought with an ironic smile. Ha. At least, he wouldn’t suffer alone. He gave it a thought… Let’s see if i can drag someone else into my misery, shall we? The more, the sorrier. Let’s do this. He took back his quill.

« Dear Horace,

I hope everyone is alright, back at the old castle. Your letter sounds like your usual self. Must i conclude you managed to keep your sanity intact, despite having your space daily invaded by hordes of children? At least, your little slytherins must be somewhat civilized, unlike Minerva’s little gryffindor savages. Tell me : i dare hope our house did win the cup, these last few years. After all, no Potter has been around to be annoying to the detriment of our seeker’s focus!

Talking about which : our former seeker came to visit me, the other day. Draco Malfoy is a fine young man. Did you know he intended to run a rejuvenating balneum? Luxurious, of course. You know the Malfoys. He’d love my friend Sune… »

He crossed Suneko’s birth name to avoid creating confusion.

« My friend Aethelind to participate in his business or even to provide potions, but his project doesn’t seem to be healing oriented enough for her. For now. You know the boy is persistent. She might end up changing her mind. Aethelind’s a bit shy. She will be happy to see a boy she already knows at your little social gathering, I’m sure. I’ll carry her to Hogwarts like a sack of potatoes if I have to, of course.

See you all there, old friend.

Severus. »

---

Oh, dear. The whole Malfoy clan had turned up into the house right after Draco had received his invitation. Of course, they had made a huge fuss about the whole thing, and had flooded Suneko and Severus with advice. They had dragged them into ridiculously expensive shops, claiming it would be rather suitable if Severus were presentable, for once. Thankfully, they had also judged Suneko to be below their fashion standards. And frankly, Severus thought, sharing his annoyance had been helpful. It would be a long, long, tiring night.

There were few windows alit in the old castle. The grey stones seemed to be asleep in the twilight. Understandibly so : the students were supposed to be in their common rooms, at this time of night. Severus, Suneko and Draco were standing in front of the heavy door. They were all nervous for different reasons. Severus because of disagreeable old memories difficult to shake even after all this time. Draco because, though this gathering was not the club, exactly, it was the next best thing. He did hope to somehow mend his family’s reputation. Suneko because she wasn’t fond of crowds.

« You’re shiny. » noticed Severus, looking at Suneko.

-You’re very equipped, jewelry wise, aren’t you? Nice necklace. » 

-Are you looking at my breasts? »

-What breasts? » Suneko pinched him. Severus smiled.

The great door opened.

« This is it, my friends. » Draco said. Severus patted him on the back.

-This is not a final oral exam. »

The boy was wearing his special worried proud pout.

The common hall was huge. Bigger than he remembered. That was because the thousands of students had not been invited to the party. It had been rearranged to welcome a smaller crowd. Tables had been gathered in the corners with canapes, and drinks were being served on platters by elves. Severus knew many of these people. It felt strange. Severus was at least grateful to notice that nobody was throwing themselves in his arms. Instead, people were keeping a kind of polite safe distance.

Severus soon came to understand that they were looking at Suneko with a cautious side eye, and at Draco with a little glint of contempt. That made Severus angry. How dare they? Most of these people had taken no side. They had been carefully bidding their time to see who was winning. They had even been ostensibly licking the boy father’s boots if it brought them privilege. They were in no position to judge anyone, now. But there were whispers :

« What’s he doing here? »

-That’s Malfoy, isn’t it? »

-He’s got some nerves. »

-And with Snape, too. I thought Snape had been on Dumbledore’s side during the war. Why would he show up with a Malfoy, now? »

-Who knows what side he’s ever been on, this one. »

-The bloody war hero. Please. »

-It sure doesn’t give him a good image. »

-Snape was paid, perhaps. »

-You know what they say. The Malfoys always land on their feet, like cats. »

-And is that the Snake Girl? »

-She’s small. Not very pretty. »

-They say she’s a maledictus. »

-If that’s the case, she’s dangerous. They should lock her up, I think. »

Suneko was starting to hiss. Draco was ivory white. Severus was wearing his blank face. He wasn’t very good at showing emotions. Even pretense. Right now, it was a gift. How dare they? How rude of them. Had they come all this way to deal with all these side eyes and whispers? What had been the point of even bothering? He didn’t care about any of these people, as a matter of fact, and he felt like throwing a couple of jinxes here and there for good measure. But he wouldn’t.

« Were those your friends? » Suneko commented.

-No, hardly. I’ve been acquainted to some of them. Some of them were working with Draco’s father, back in the day, I believe. »

-It’s rude to whisper behind someone’s back in their presence. »

-Oh, but they’re so agreeable. Aren’t you socially demanding. »

…

« I mean : his father has been in Askhaban. Like : since when did Hogwarts welcome litteral criminals? » whispered someone.

-And litteraly no one cares about your opinion. » snapped Draco to the person in question.

-Selwyn, is it? What was that you were saying, again? » Severus added.

-Please, enlighten us. » the person began to stutter. Suneko was staring hard at them.

-Speak louder, or don’t speak at all. You see : Severus and I believe in second chances, especially for people who happened to show good will. We also tend to believe it would be wrong to blame an offspring for the mistakes of their elders. Don’t you think? »

A heavy silence was starting to fall on the room. The quiet, icy voice of the Niece had shushed the whispers. She certainly had reasons to wish for her family’s past to be forgotten.

« Otherwise, it would be fair to look into everyone’s family tree. How’s yours, Selwyn? » the greying man had turned pale. And mute.

-Everyone has a past, I’m sure. » Severus commented appeasingly, grabbing a drink.

Draco was passably upset, and Suneko was throwing severe glances around the great room. But not everyone’s blood had frozen in their veins, a pleasant background music was hanging in the air. The candles were flickering softly in the moonlight. And you could perceive a faint scent of the delicious canapes. Severus took Suneko and Draco by the shoulders and moved forward. Perhaps, the evening could be saved.

« Let’s move on to the tables. » he suggested.

For a time, no one came to them.

« You do have a face. » Severus teased Suneko.

-I thought you were hair on legs. »

Suneko’s hair had been pulled back in an intricate ornate bread, and her usual bangs had been pushed away. It gave a whole new shape to her delicate face. She looked at him sideways, and stuck her tongue. That made Draco smile, a little.

They had a drink, and dived into the canapés. The food was delicious. The wine was sweet with a touch of bitterness and an undertone of nuts. Severus had relaxed a bit, away from disagreeable prying eyes, in the corner. Draco, Suneko and him were silently wondering if they would be left to themselves, when they heard a familiar voice :

« Draco. It’s been too long, my friend. »

-Good to see you, Blaise. »

-Professor Snape. »

-I’m not a professor, anymore. » muttered Severus.

-They say you’ve been a hero. » said Zabini with a mocking edge to his voice.

-Hardly. » Severus was embarrassed.

-More like : twice a fool, really. »

-He has. » Draco felt smart enough to say. Severus was starting to blush. No, he hadn’t. And anyway, it was a conversation he clearly did not want to have. Zabini smirked. He turned to Draco, and changed subjects.

-How have you been? » he asked throwing a little side glance at Suneko.

-Quite well. I’ve obtained an Excellence Award from the Gold Keeping departement as well as a certificate from the Healing Institute last year. I’m working on a certificate from the Wizarding Citizen Recovery and Basic Survival Regulations departement, these days. I wish to open my own establishment, you see, and I need all the proper authorizations. »

-You mean to open a hospital? »

-No. I plan to invest in a rejuvenating balneum. You wouldn’t believe the preciseness of the norms attached to this kind of activity. But sorry. I’m being rude. May I introduce you to my good friend Aethelind Gaunt? Aethelind, please meet Blaise Zabini. We were together at school. »

-Nice to meet you. » Suneko drew out her hand, and smiled pleasantly. Zabini shook it.

-The famous snake girl. I’ve heard so much about you. »

-She would love to bite you to be true to her reputation, but she’s quite busy with these canapes, at the moment. » Severus said. Zabini did not seem traumatized by the joke.

-They say you’re also in the healing business. »

From there ensued a long and tedious conversation about the different types of potions, and poultrices, and powders, and otherwise healing related products, and source material quality, and commercial scale in which Suneko ended up convinced that she did actually need to delegate the distribution to a specialized professional (namely, possibly mister Blaise Zabini himself). Severus’s attention was on the brink of drifting off, when he heard :

« And do you make any love potions? »

-Love potions hardly have anything to do with the healing business at all… » frowned Suneko.

-Nevertheless, yes we do. » counter argued Severus. Suneko and the two young men looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

-What? Just because I’ve been a professor doesn’t mean I’ve never had a life, you know… »

And thus, he was dragged against his better judgement into a very long, and detailed, and somewhat embarrassing conversation about the ethics of love potions, and the different possibilities available, suitable for different ages, and the limits imposed by the wizarding law for which beverage, and it was a nightmare.

« Your own recipes? »

-I’m a creative man, mister Zabini. Incidentally, I’m sure our friend Aethelind, here, would be able to put together appropriate antidots, wouldn’t she? That would be your domain of expertise? » Suneko nodded with a little pout seeming to mean : challenge accepted.

-I’m looking forward to discussing this further. As for the the prices… »

-They should really be thought through together in a formal meeting with miss Gaunt’s financial councellors. » purred Draco with a predatory smile. The self confident and determined set of his jaw was hiding the subtle worried glint in his eye. Zabini patted him on the back.

-If I knew their name, I wouldn’t be surprised. »

Oh, Merlin please spare us the conversation about the state of the market… thought Severus with a big internal sigh.

« Financial councellors, huh. » Suneko just commented when Zabini had left.

Unfortunately, this conversation also had to take ages. Luckily for Suneko, Lucius Malfoy had taken a step back from the ministry since the war. He’d chosen to work independently, and anyway the new financial team of the ministry had been way too incompetent…

« Politics is tedious. » agreed Suneko compassionately.

Draco was just about to convince her that beauty potions were actually all about health (she was getting tired), when a young man approached them :

« How do you do? May introduce myself : my name is Felix Rosier… »

The air was getting a little thick around Severus and his two young friends. Little by little, new comers were timidly approaching to shake hands with the attraction of the evening. Severus noticed that somebody’s spying in times of war had much less appeal to the curious than the mysterious foreigner and the impressive amount of gold lying in her coffers. He was amused at his own tiny pang of proud disappointment, and laid back, quietly observing the scene.

Since the growing little group was mostly made up of boys and men, the conversation drifted towards quidditch, which Suneko dared calling a boring game. This caused an instant uproar in the party. Severus had to precise :

« She can’t fly. »

-Yes, I can! »

-She bumps into trees. »

-I mean, they generally take so much space! »

-Then, you should learn. I could teach you. » offered Draco.

-I’m pretty good, you know. » 

-You always lost. » said a familiar, annoying voice.

-Potter. » growled Draco. And Severus was glad to see that some things didn’t change.

-I’ve heard that you were fast enough, but that Draco was technically better than you. But they say you had a strategy where you would annoy him so much he lost concentration. » Suneko commented innocently.

-That’s what they say, is it? I wonder who said it? »

-Someone objective, I’m sure. » Severus smiled.

-Good to know that at least, you didn’t lose your bad faith. » a stern voice had been resonating from a distance.

-Minerva. »

-He survived and told no one, and now, he hides behind the canapes. »

-The food is pretty good. »

-Move along. You’re expected. »

Severus patted Suneko on the back, and followed his former collegue. In the distance, he could hear the conversation resume :

-Quidditch is not this boy club they want to make you think it is, you know. » Ginny Weasley was saying.

-She’s not bad. I’m pretty sure she could give you flying lessons. » Potter was trying to have the last word. 

-You mean she s better than you? »

-I like her. »

As Severus was dragged along, the conversation was drowned by the background noises of the party.

…

Ages later, Severus managed to escape the ambush of his former collegues. His head was throbbing. They had pressed him about the last few years, of course. They had wondered whether or not he would ever come back to Hogwarts. He wouldn’t even have to teach potions. Finding a decent Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had been quite difficult, lately. Not many people had the right qualifications. Severus was quite done with living in a boarding school. He did like children much better with his own private space, and at a reasonable distance. Never in a thousand years… He had thought without saying. Instead, he had mentioned his current job, and his project to work independently as a shop keeper and as a consultant.

His former collegues also had asked him questions about the new heir of Slytherin. Suneko was obviously making everyone curious. They had all been impressed when he had told them that she was really a maledictus. Only Hagrid had been disappointed when Severus had said he had actually never seen her turn.

Horace had asked quite a lot of questions about her character and their ambitions. He was going to talk to her soon enough, and she would doubtless have her seat in the club. The good news was that Horace had connections. The ministry would probably allow them to acquire Spinners End soon. They would meet the best Defense Against the Dark Arts and healing masters to hone their skills.

« They’re not easy people to deal with. » Horace had warned.

-They will not spare you. » Severus had schrugged.

-She’s as stubborn as she’s ambitious. And you know I’ve met worse. »

Their project was getting concrete. Severus would have been excited, if he hadn’t still been skeptical about it. If life had taught him anything, it was that nothing was certain.

Severus looked around the common room. The crowd was getting quite dense… They had cast a music spell. Draco was not difficult to find. He was surrounded by quite a number of courtiers. Persuasion had been a Malfoy ability for generations. Right now, he looked like his father in the old days. Severus pondered about how easy it was to make friends, and lose them, and find them back, as soon as a the wind turned. Suneko was nowhere to be seen. Severus was wondering where she was, when Draco caught his eye, smiled, and waved in some direction. Severus’s gaze followed, and found her dancing in a corner of the room, with George Weasley. His heart sank a little, and he felt a little ridiculous. Likely digestion, anyway, he reasoned himself.

She shoved her way back towards him, all flushed, and giggling. George Weasley followed :

« Hi there, Severus. Your friend is a terrible dancer. » 

-No, I’m not ! »

-You kept stomping on my feet. »

-That’s because your feet were in the way. » 

-The point is to avoid them, though. »

-I’m not scared of feet . »

-That’s why you attack them. »

-None sense! I have killer dancing skills! » 

-Do you mean : feet killing? »

There was a muffled sound and a foul smell. Someone nearby had just thrown a dungbomb at her. 

-WEASLEY! » Suneko yelled.

Fred Weasley looked immensely proud of himself. And somehow, the world seemed to be back on its feet.

That’s when Severus realized her eyes were starting to have a purple glint. She must be tired. He thought. I’m not the only one who doesn’t like crowds, much. She needed some space. He had to take her away.

« Come along. » he said, gently taking her by the shoulder.

-You don’t know Hogwarts, do you? Let me give you a tour of the place. »

Instead, he just apparated them near the lake.

« That was a short tour. » she noticed.

« Why did you bring me here? « 

-Because you’re a fragile little woman, of course. You clearly needed space and quiet, away from the Weasleys. » she smiled.

-You mean : you. » And as a matter of facts, he had needed a little break from the crowd too.

-Do you want to go back? »

-I don’t mind being here. »

-I thought you wouldn’t. »

He materialized a table cloth that he lay on the grass for them to sit on. The night air was sweet for the season. The moonlight was dancing on the ripples of the lake, far into the distance. He cast a few bluebell flames for a little extra light which he placed around, right above them, as they were sitting. It was strange, sitting here in silence under the gentle breeze. It was different from home, where they were always so busy, book reading, notes taking, potion making. Severus realized that she probably knew him better than he did her, and that was a little disturbing.

« You’re worried. » he just mumbled to the water.

-You’ve been worried since the day I met you. I can’t know for certain. You’re so secretive. But I think… You didn’t end up in England by chance. I think you’ve been running from something. That’s why you left Li. »

She just sighed, looking at the water.

« And I’m guessing… You hope they won’t find you. Whatever they are. Whatever it is. I wonder what you did. »

There was a heavy silence. Severus felt stupid for even tackling the subject.

« You don’t have to tell me. »

Without a word, Suneko made a vague gesture with her hand, and an image appeared. The woman pictured was an intriguing exotic beauty. Lean, a lost aloof expression on her fine features, almond eyes, sun kissed. She was wearing a very tight, leatherly dark blue dress with snake skin patterns. Severus wondered why Suneko had projected her, who she could be. Until he understood.

« Nagini. » Suneko nodded.

-Did you know she had been taken away from her home and used as an attraction in a circus? When she fell in love, the man who had gotten her pregnant abandoned her to follow some dark wizard. She ran to Li, and had to abandon her own daughter herself when she felt she would no longer be able to stay human. » Suneko waved her hand, and the picture disappeared. Another took her place. The next woman had similar features, with a slightly paler skin. Her eyes were a vibrant lilac. She was wearing a dark red dress, and her silky hair were adorned by golden pins. Her expression was grim.

-Your mother. »

-Her name was Hydra. She would have been called Barebones, the bloodline says, if my grand mother’s lover hadn’t been a coward. My progenitor made her lose her place as a high ranking courtesan, and of course, he left her when she got pregnant. She lead a miserable life, until I had to end her. » Suneko didn’t need to project the next picture.

-And you. » he could see her now, pale in the moonlight, the features, the cheekbones, the posture. A subtle aroma of jasmine was floating in the air, mixed with her natural scent.

-I had a few good years, after my father took me in. But then, some day, when i was plucking some plants for the shop, I was abducted and sold to the palace. I worked there for a time as a servant. » she sighed.

-Until I caught someone’s eye. My least worst option was to run away, again. That’s what I did. Sometimes, you just have to be, for things to happen. »

-Did they hurt you? » Suneko shook her head.

-Forcing women is not his kind of game. He’s a powerful man. He likes to use his natural charm and his subtle legilimens skills to have his way with women. He can generally do anything he wants with them. »

-It didn’t work on you. »

-I was tempted, for a time. Wanted to believe he was sincere. Give him the benefit of the doubt. Until I investigated. »

-What did you find? »

-A man is what he does, not what he says. »

-You could have just said no, and stayed. »

-Powerful men don’t know the meaning of the word. They live for the chase. Anyway, he’s not the kind of man you want to upset. »

-He moved on to someone else now, I’m sure. You’re a free woman. » she laughed. A joyless, bitter laugh.

-Not in my world, no. There is no such thing as a free woman. I’m a Li citizen anyway, and technically, I belong to the palace. They’ll find me, some day. Probably. »

-What if you just stopped? »

-Being a woman? »

-Being a Li citizen? »

-How would I do this? »

-Your heritage already gave you an official recognition and a new name. You could change names, again. Become English. »

-How do you just become English? »

-I don’t know, marriage? » she let out an exasperated sigh.

-With which husband? »

-What a puzzle, isn’t it? There is litteraly no available man in you vicinity. What about me? »

-You would marry me. » Her skepticism was vexing.

-For your enormous fortune, of course. » He sighed.

-Forget it. »

-You mean : I would be free from Li, and you would be rich… » She mused.

-Listen : that was just a silly idea. I’m sure you could find a suitable betrothed any second, right there in the great hall, if you set your mind to it. Or you can dwell in your anxious misery, if you wish. Your choice. » She stayed quiet and thoughtful for a while. Then, she said in a husky voice :

-What if I wouldn’t… Or… Or couldn’t… »

-Oh, come on! » Severus had to cut her briskly.

-I thought about something purely administrative. I would cheat on you, of course. You could divorce soon after. You wouldn’t have to do anything. But if the idea disturbs you maybe, go out there, and find someone more suitable for you. And thank you, by the way. I feel so desirable. » Severus was flushed and tense, now. Vexing was way too soft a word for this Conversation. Why had he gotten into this? That’s what I get for letting my mouth work independently from my brain, he thought bitterly.

-My coffers would be yours, your land would be mine. » She had this annoying playful clever tone.

-The ruin and the vampires. All of it. » She gasped.

-You accepted it, didn’t you? Hope the price isn’t too high… We’ll have to visit. If the land is fertile, it might well be worth my hand. »

-Are you a healer, or a herbologist ? »

-You’d cheat on me. »

-Yes. »

-They’d survive. » The tone was dry.

-That’s good news. I wouldn’t have to change too often. » Had she just sounded jealous? That made Severus feel a little better.

-You would have to promise me not to spend all my heritage away, though. »

-With all the ladies I would have to impress? » She pinched him. That made him smile.

-Jerk… We’re really doing this, aren’t we? »

-Your apothecary is on the right track. You’ve already have business partners. Everyone knows about it. »

-And your shop. »

-Of course. »

-I mean : it’s going to work. It’s happening. »

-Hope so. Surely. » Severus knew he would put in the work, if she really financed him. Of his potential success he wasn’t quite as certain.

-It’s getting real, isn’t it? »

Severus clicked, and a dish full of Suneko’s favorite spicy noodle soup appeared out of thin air, and landed on the table cloth. She beamed :

« How did you know I was hungry? »

-You’re always hungry. » She leaned towards him close in such a way that he thought the noodles would go to waste, and teased :

-I wouldn’t mind a new citizenship. » He blinked.

-Did you just boop me? »

Severus Snape had just about reached Spinner’s end. It was night time. He was cold. He tried to light up a cigarette, but somebody had banished cigarettes from his life. Invisible house elves were involved in this shady business. So, the cigarette disappeared. She was so annoying. He thought about how convenient a cigarette might have been, after this long, stressful day between saint Mango’s and Gringrotts. Somebody had an unhealthy obsession about health, really.

As he was walking, a tight knot appeared in his stomach. He wasn’t sure why. The alley was empty. But for some reason, his instinct was telling him that he was not quite alone. And he didn’t exactly feel in the best company. He crossed the little river. The turpid waters were moving slowly, in the gentle breeze, and glistening in the moonlight. He rolled his eyes thinking about his young friend praising the charm of good old spinners end. An eerie kind of beauty, girl… Really. He went through the passage that led to the main lane, facing the old factory. The main tower stood there, as always, ominous in the deeper darkness. He turned his back on it, as his house was somewhere at the end of the alley. He was almost there. And yet, the knot in his stomach grew tighter, still. He put his hands in his pockets, and reached for his wand. Something was definately lurking. He would have to be quick. He could almost smell the danger.

He looked around. Turned. There was no breathing, no footsteps, no friction of fabric to be heard. Not one sound. And yet, a human shape was detaching itself from one of the shadows of the abandonned houses. It looks human, he thought. But it felt terribly wrong. Whatever that thing was, it was cursed. He let out his wand without a word. The second it seemed to make a motion, he stroke. The curse hit, and… Nothing happened. The shape then moved supernaturally fast in his direction. It looked male. Its face was hollow, its eyes red, and its greyish skin was clearly dotted with traces of decay. The corners of its discoloured lips rose in a twisted smile, that showed yellowish pointy canines. No. That couldn’t possibly be a vampire. Vampires were scarce. They were discreet, ever since they had almost been extinct, to the point where a Society for the Tolerance of Vampires had been created. Wild vampires were not supposed to exist. Not in here. Still, this being looked exactly like one. And not the kind of vampire meekly sucking on blood flavoured lollipops in Honeydukes under the protection of the STV. Severus Snape tried to strike again. Nothing.

« What are you? What do you want? » He was keeping his voice and demeanor steady, but the unease was growing, he had to admit.

-A bit of politeness, finally. » the thing said.

-You cannot curse me, I’m afraid. I am already dead. » He had a foreign accent. Eastern Europe, possibly.

-Anything can be cursed. Even zombies and inferni. So can you. I’d advise you to avoid getting closer. »

Severus didn’t have time to react, when it threw itself at him. In a split second, he was pushed on a wall, and teeth were about to sink into his neck, when he managed to throw a fire spell. This time, the rogue vampire squeeled as it burned. When he saw the fire extinguish itself way too quickly on the burning, rotten skin, Severus knew that it was time to run. And he did.

« RUDE! » roared the infuriated, half burned, undead, as it threw itself at him again.

Quite filled with his survival preoccupations, Severus Snape hardly realized that another silent human shape had just emerged from the darkness. The undead froze, in the middle of his attack, and frowned, as a feminine voice resonated.

« You have a familiar face. » That one looked like a blonde, woman in a white dress. It had the most disturbingly pale, ivory skin. Its hair were tighed in a bun. It stank like death itself. Its eyes were red, and ancient. Cold sweat was running down Severus’s spine. He hadn’t felt this uneasy in a while. The feeling came right from his guts. These things were dangerous.

-I don’t think we’ve already met. » Severus proceeded to burn the lane to repel the beasts. The flames grew high in front of him. The first undead hissed out of frustration and pain. Then its red eyes grew wide with recognition.

-I know you! »

-No vhay. » the female was crossing her arms.

-I hate to say I told you so… »

-You love to say it. »

-Vhell… Someone has to be a little sensible vhen someone else never listens, and runs after people fangs first. »

-Yada, yada, yada… Look at me, I’m so civilized, ner, ner ner… How do vhe make sure if vhe don’t bite, genious? »

-Vhe look at zher portrait, Dobri! Zher eyes are just right! Forgive my little brozher, he’s a savage. » she told Severus, before turning to her brother again :

-Look, he got the wrong idea, he’s burning everyzhing, now! »

-It’s easy to look like a portrait. »

-Master Odrog protect us… Zhen, vhe talk! Like any ozher sentient being! Are you a Prince? You have to be a Prince. » she asked Severus directly.

-No, I’m not. »

-Hah! »

-I’m Severus Snape. »

-Zher half blood! » the female told her brother triomphantly.

-Untrue! He’s dead! You’re supposed to be dead! » Severus was tired, and scared, and upset.

-Well, I’m stronger than I look! » he snarled, while summoning a fire ball into his hands.

-Interesting. » the male mused, raising a surprised eye brow.

-Who sent you? »

-Easy, easy… Hold your horses, zhere. Vhe’re not going to hurt you. Young people are so easily vhorried. Do not burn zher neighbourhood, just yet. »

-What do you want from me? »

-If my little brozher had been a little civilized, he vhould have explained zhat our master, mister Engaram Prince, is currently dying. Vhe have been instructed to inqvhire about his family, scattered across zhe vhorld, to discuss zhe tedious matter of zher master’s heritage. You might vhell be zhe only suitable heir, now ! I zhink you should come visit, mister Snape. Zher master doesn’t have much time, left. » Severus’s careful expression had just gone through several micro changes, as the vampire was saying all this. He didn’t feel the same way about his pure blood family than in his youth. There was no hope to belong, no crave for legitimacy, left. Only anger. He nodded coldly :

-What is it to me? I suggest you go look for other Princes, then. As you now know, I am no Prince. My mother was disowned for marrying a muggle. She too died alone. So, why should I care? Your master would not approve of me, anyway. My blood isn’t pure. I need no heritage. I can make my own money myself. »

-Humans and zheir principles… Zhere is no such zhing as a pure blood. Only heazhy bloodlines and power. »

-I suggest you tell that to your master. There was such a thing as a pure blood when her family abandonned my mother. » The undead trampled with impatience.

-Vhell… He’s a dying man. And vhe’ve been looking all over zhe vhorld. And zhese last generations have not exactly been very… Prolific in terms of children. And people are so instable, zhese dayz. Alvhays needing to travel. And zhere haz been vhars all over zhe place. » Severus was wearing his impassive face. They should not have disowned mother,then, he thought to himself.

-What kind of heritage? » he couldn’t help but wonder aloud.

-Vhell, a castle… »

-A ruin, I suppose, if no one came flocking to your master’s death bead. » The female sighed. She hadn’t denied Severus’s supposition about his potential heritage. He figured he was right. But thinking about Suneko’s project, and just for curiosity’s sake, he had to ask :

-Is there land, at least?

-zhat, zhere is, mister Snape. Zhat, zhere is… »

-You mean : there’s nothing else. »

-I mean zhat it’s quite enough, mister Snape. »

-Oh, is it? What’s so special, about it? » the vampires looked annoyed.

-Let’s just say zhat vhe are attached to it. »

Severus thought about this for a while. Attached, were they? More like bound to it. Else, why would they have needed to tend to an old man, in a ruin. And they needed to find an heir, for some reason. A « master ». And the last one they had in store was dying.

On the one hand, the land was available, and could be useful to his friend. He could possibly gain extra revenue from it. On the other hand… Would that land trap him too? There was a magical prize, to this heritage, wasn’t there?

« What’s the catch? »

-Vhe are zher catch, mister Snape. » the female answered reluntantly.

-You mean : I would be bound to you, and I would have to pay. With blood, of course. » the male looked down with a strange little smile, while the female shrugged with an embarrassed expression.

-How much blood? »

-Just vhonce a month. You vhould survive for as long as vhe could keep you. »

-That doesn’t answer my question. »

-My brozher means it vhould not be in our best interest to drain you. »

-Still, the price sounds high enough, for a ruin, and a little land. No wonder no heir is to be found. » The female threw up her hands. She gave him a little black cardboard square.

-Vhave zhis card if you vhant to visit zher castle. Zher master doesn’t have much time, as I said. Hopefully, you vhill be a little bit sensible. »

With this, the undeads disappeared into the night, out of thin air.

Oh, he’d never been a saint. Nor had he ever pretended to be. But the bitterness had been receding for a time, these last few years. After all, he’d been buisy recovering from the war, and building a life for himself. Somehow, it was good to be back. Snivellus had just resurfaced. Someone had to do the dirty work. Or… If putting bullies right back into place was dirty, dirty was going to happen. And shamelessly.

« Welcome back, you ugly fool. » he thought with a wry smile, as he put on a black shirt in front of the mirror.

« But I’ve got some muggle to visit, first. »

Having spent three years recovering from Nagini’s bite suited him well, he thought. Before the bite, he hadn’t been aquainted to mirrors, that much. He’d been so used to be called out for his appearance, that he’d just avoided them. He’d focussed on his academic prowress. He’d tried desesperately to prove himself. Then, he’d been living at a time of war, a second after the next, living of work, and guilt, and rage, and dread. So no, he had not been sleeping well, eating well, let alone cared for his own clothes, or hair, in any way. But recovering Severus had not been called names. Had not been looked at up and down. Had not been whispered at, behind his back. He’d been cared for, and respected. Another handy thing : he had not had to kill anyone, directly or undirectly. Had not had his life at stake. Or his mind. The dreams, the flash backs had become less vivid too. That was a pretty efficient beauty tip, that. Recovering Severus could choose his own job, and mind his own business, and therefore, eat better, sleep better, groom himself regularly, exercise. And as a consequence, the Severus Snape presently in the mirror looked significantly healthier. Younger, even. Quite tolerable a sight.

Severus was not judgemental like a gryffindor. But he decided that a little judgement could not hurt, every so often. The consideration of Suneko’s struggles was mixing up with his memories of himself, having been given hell for over committing to studies and reading too much. You couldn’t be that stupid, though. Attacking a maledictus, no less! And for a borrowed book, please! Sometimes, people’s stupidity was so blatant you had to take it personally.

But before visiting the main course of idiocy, he had to have an apetizer. He had precautions to take. He didn’t want to hear word spread about Severus Snape apparating at Saint Mungo’s to hex healers. He had to take on another shape. He knew whose. He had longed to meet that lovely friend, longed to have a little face to face with her for years, decades. The occasion was too good. A perfect pretext. And total freedom. No strings attached. No chains.

4 Private Drive. So that was the adress. The very boring house was a shade of browning beige. Not one flower on that freshly lawned grass. Severus had observed for a while to figure out a way to catch Petunia Dursley on her own. He wanted to see her face, as she powerlessly watched his intrusion of her private space. He wanted her to sweat. The bathroom would do. Now. It would soon be the right time to apparate.

« Long time no see, huh, muggle. » he thought to himself, neglectfully running a hand through his hair.

« I bet you missed me. »

And whoosh he went.

« Hello, Pet. »

The expression of utter shock and horror on that famished ostrich’s face was well worth a thousand galleons. He quickly threw in a locking spell and a muffliato on the room with a wave of his hand. He added a spell to prevent her from ever being able to pronounce his name again.

« You!… But you… Y… »

-Dead. Absolutely. I’m a ghost come to hunt you, Pet. Oh, well. Bad weed never dies. You know what they say. »

She was at a loss for words. She tried to get out of the room, but of course, couldn’t.

« You wouldn’t try to slip away from me so soon, now, would you? We hardly met. We have so much to catch up on. » Her jaw clenched.

-What do you want, Snape? »

-But only to meet my favorite neighbour, Pet. Lily’s darling little sister. First, for the enjoyment of her sweet compagny, and then, because she would, of course, never deny me, should I need her help. » She got very red.

-Help you?! What for? You must be mad! Here you are, breaching into my house, into my very own bathroom! Do you think I don’t see you trying to intimidate me? But I won’t get intimidated by the likes of you! Whatever you think I’ll give you, keep dreaming! Over my dead body, you frea… »

-Oh, do say my favorite word. Please. I beg you. » growled Severus drawing his wand from his pocket.

She became very pale, and very quiet.

« I thought you would be aware of your situation, here. But since you’re stupid, I’ll explain : you are so very lucky the dark Lord didn’t win the war, muggle. Even you, wizard hating lot have been protected. The ministry considers you’re weaklings, I suppose. You’re not even capable of proper hate. And bless your heart, you don’t know what we’re capable of. So, yes, the dark Lord is dead. But so is Albus Dumbledore. He won’t come to your rescue. Your nephew is also not here to save you, is he? That leaves just you and me. I’m here in my own name, no great man to muzzle me. And right now, your safety may depend on your attitude, Pet. I’m so tempted to kill you. You’ve no idea. »

He noticed with some satisfaction that she was slightly shaking. He went on.

« No more comment? Good. See, I’m a gentleman. I never touch a woman’s hair without a warning. »

She was now looking horrified, and shaking violently :

« I will never allow you to touch me, you filthy…! » she had no time to finish her sentence. He burst out laughing.

-Did you mean to say that out loud?? I’m not that desesperate, Merlin’s beard! »

Then, he flicked his wand, and a few hair left Petunia’s head to fly right into a little vial that had just slipped out of his pocket. He caught the vial with a satisfied smile.

« That wasn’t so bad, now, was it? »

Petunia Dursley looked confused.

While he was at it, Severus thought he could right some wrongs. He decided he was in the mood to be confrontational.

« By the way : I read a very interesting book about your nephew. It’s called Harry Potter : a tragic childhood, by Rita Skeeter. You really didn’t like the boy, did you? Oh I hated him to guts, too. I wanted him expelled. He was so insolent. Just like his father. But you… You underfed him and made him live in a cupboard didn’t you? »

Severus wished he’d known, back in the day. He had sympathized with the boy more, when he’d read the book. Turned out they had something in common. But knowing this years after Hogwarts, was too late. Skeeter hadn’t exagerated, this time. Dursey’s silence and the stiffness of her jaw was a pretty obvious confession.

« You told him his parents had died in a car accident. You deliberately hid from him the fact that he was a wizard. Huh. I knew you were petty, but I didn’t know you could be that cruel. Talk about jealousy and frustration… »

-How dare you judge me! We raised that fr… Child! He was imposed on us by the way. We did everything we could to make him normal… » She winced and bended down.

Normal like you? He’d thought. He’d been through this kind of education. He knew all too well what kind of a person he was dealing with. He’d heard it all, before. The same excuses. And he knew the truth : She’d just been trying to feel less weak, as many muggles did. She’d dealt with the anomaly. Rang a bell, didn’t it? So, the cruciatus curse had escaped his wand automatically.

« This one is for me. » he declared calmly.

At the second cruciatus curse, Petunia Dursley fell on her knees.

« This one is for the boy. » His dark eyes were now deeply despiseful.

At the third cruciatus curse, she yelled her heart out, crowling.

« This one is for Lily.« 

---

The hospital was made of high walls and grey bricks, thick, and dark, and wintry, like a prison. It was getting late, and the streets were empty. The healer in question was on a smoking break at the corner of the main door. Her name was Regina Blazen. Her square, red face was frozen in a perpetual pout. She was squinting hard, as though there was some riddle she didn’t quite understand in the pattern of the streets. Her hair were stale and a greyish blond. Even from afar, she looked neglected and grumpy. Severus Snape was hiding in a phone cabin across the street. He reluctantly drank from his vial of polyjuice. He grimaced at the bitterness. Petunia Dursley tasted as awful as she looked. Soon enough, of course, his body changed. He had to tighten his belt, and the shirt around his hips. Huh. Being Petunia Dursley for a night. Wasn’t that a dream come true. Anyway, it was amusing at the same time. Let’s do this, he thought to himself. A swine for a swine. He breathed in and crossed the street.

« Hello, there. Ugly building. Is that a prison? » The woman had a faint surprised expression. Then, she threw in a strange, pinched smile.

-No, ma’am. T’s a hospital. »

-Oh, dear. And people come here on purpose? »

-They have to, you know. T’ what we do, save lives. They don’t have a choice. »

-Oh, I see. So you’re caring for the weaklings and the left outs. You’re the one in prison. » Regina Blazen chuckled.

-Oh, ma’am! T’s not that bad! People, they need to be taken care of. ‘s what we do. »

-I wouldn’t have the patience. » And sure enough, he didn’t lie.

-The job’s got its perks. It’s rewarding, when you do this right. »

-Oh, please. This is a litteral germ factory. Not mentionning the occasional curses, I’m guessing most of them basic. »

-I’m gonna pretend you didn’t just say that, ma’am. » the woman replied with an amused half smile.

-Let me guess : you’re senior, here. »

-That’s right. Regina. Blazen. You are? » The woman stretched out a sweaty hand. Severus shook it.

-Call me Petunia. »

-So. Missis Blazen. As a senior healer, I suppose you’re burdened with the task of… Tutoring? » he wanted to get her to talk about Suneko to make his point, of course. And she noticed. He hadn’t been that subtle.

-Oh, I see you want to talk about the Niece. »

-Yes, ‘s a matter of fact, she does work here… For some reason. » she was puckering her nose, as she was saying this.

-You don’t seem to like her much. »

-Oh,that one. She’s a strange girl, I’m tellin’ ya. I wouldn’t believe a word they say about her, if I were you. These four lives she presumably saved, after miraculously appearing from Li. Sounds like lies, to me. This couple and this joke shop person were just lucky. And have you heard about Severus Snape? No? That’s because he must be dead, somewhere. » she sniffed with contempt. That made Severus smirk. Dead indeed…

-The things people will say… There’s been whole articles about that black clad freak being a romantic spy, longing after some dead mudblood. Harry Potter’s own dead mum, would you believe that nonesense? » Severus kept a blank face, while clenching his fists. Would hexing be enough? he thought to himself. This one might well deserve a downright curse. But he kept quiet.

-And now, we’re supposed to believe that stuck up young girl is some genious healer come to save us all. Come on, is she, though? Or did she just run about spreading fables to big herself up? And they say she’s filthy rich, too. I mean : why’s she obsessed about playing healers, instead of spending her money, somewhere? Like mind her own business? Why’s she making everyone waste their time? I mean : shoo, girl, grown ups are working, here! » »

-Would you rather she were a dark witch, then? » Regina Blazen’s rant had just been cut short by this simple question.

-I’m sure she would show some skills. It’s in her blood, after all. What do you think? » The woman’s face froze, in a puzzled pout, then lit up, as she doned that pinched smile again :

-Oh, you! You had me, there! You’re on Santa’s naughty list, I’m sure! »

-You’ve no idea. »

Severus had drawn his wand out of his pocket. Still looking at the woman’s eyes, he pointed it at her throat, and threw in the most vicious slug vomiting charm he could. It was not as satisfying as a proper curse, but curses took a toll on you, and Regina Blazen wasn’t worth the energy. So, this one would do. The woman collapsed with a delightful expression of pain, and shock, and horror, as she started to expell the slimy things out of her throat.

« You’re not pretty enough to be that stupid. »

-You would think someone as rich as Aethelind Gaunt would have friends, now, wouldn’t you? »

When she could stand back up, he depulsoed the woman unto the door, and half stupefied her to look into her mind for further information. How far had she dared go?

The legilimens spell penetrated the woman’s mind in a way probably nothing else ever would. Flashes of her life appeared to Severus, as she was trying to get herself free from his grasp. Boring. Boring. Boring. Severus was so unimpressed. She was far from the employee of the year herself, and was regularly scolded by her superiors, so, she liked to take it out on the interns. She deeply disliked Suneko, because she was obviously gifted, and not as meek as she wished. She had stupidly decided to take her silence as a sign of weakness. She had tried to get her to break down, demean her, disrespect her, gossip about her, yell at her, sabotage her, unsuccessfully. She was trying to be dreaded by being controlling, and petty, and mean, and she was failing. Pathetic.

And then, of course, there was her way to treat her patients. She was all smiles and compliance when her superiors where in the vicinity. But she thought she was in her little kingdom, when she was alone with one of her charges. She chose which she would care for, which she would brutalize or purposefully neglect. She selected her least favorite interns for the unsavory aspects of the job.

But there was more. Something she was trying to hide. And failing. Again. What was she doing to this couple? Their faces rang a bell… That memory, here… Whatever she was doing in it, did not look like standard procedure. First of all, because sweets were not customary food served in healing premices. Second of all, what was she injecting in them? And what was in the lady’s eye as she was more or less forcibly fed? Defiance? Dread? Severus recoiled, as recognition hit him, and turned his guts : this couple were Frank and Alice Longbottom, slender, and weak, and about a century older. Who had she been poisonning them for? Who? Someone was getting her bribed. Who was it?

And here stood Regina Blazen, breathless, shook by the intrusion. She was worth a curse, after all, he decided. He spat at her face, as she collapsed, screaming.

« What you did. Don’t you think I’ll be the only one to know. » And as he depulsoed her once again to the door, he added :

-Envy is a sickness. Get well soon »

And apparated.

---

He was walking on the dark alley leading to his home, thinking. He would definately tell Suneko about the events of the evening. That filth who described herself as a healer dared to threaten his friend for a mere borrowing of books from the ministry, while she was plainly ill treating her patients, poisoning them for… Who was behind this? He hadn’t quite managed to aprehend? One of his former death eater comrades, probably. Someone clearly had to tell that woman off to the ministry. He was sure Suneko would be delighted to do it. What was even in the potion she injected inside those sweets? Severus, of course, had a few ideas. But they would need to be studied.

He was so annoyed. He reached the door, and slamed it open.

« You look furious. Did you kill her? »

-No. It wouldn’t be worth being sent to Askhaban for the likes of her. But I have information that might be of interest to you, dear, should she dare trying to threaten you again. »

-What did you do to her? »

-Oh, nothing much. A little hex here or there. And a legilimens spell, mostly. »

-And what did you see? »

-You would know if you weren’t shielding yourself. »

-I know. But all that chit chat in people’s heads gives me head aches. I would rather not have to unshield in public. YWhat did you see? »

-Well… She’s terrible at her job, and generally detestable. »

-Goes without saying. »

-Have you… Ever tended to Frank and Alice Longbottom? »

-Had to bathe them once or twice. Poor things… » Thinking about the couple seemed to make her sad.

-Have you ever seen her give them sweets? »

-Sweets? Hell, no! In their state? They might swallow them all wrong, or something. And so unhealthy, too. No one in their right mind would give quasi catatonic patients sweets. »

-She does. And she’s injecting some potion in them. I saw it. » Suneko froze in shock.

-What potion? »

-I’ve no idea. »

-Sounds like poisoning. »

-Looked like it to me. »

-But they’re our patients… »

-Indeed. »

-It’s unprofessional! »

-To say the least. »

-What for?! »

-Someone is paying her, I think. » Suneko sobered up, cold, terrible, all of a sudden.

-Who? »

-Couldn’t see. » Suneko was outraged. More outraged about it than about the threats and petty bullying she’d had to deal with, Severus noticed.

-I’ll find out. » She said quietly, red hot anger glowing off her like forged steel.

-She’s going down. Trust me. »

---

Suneko was marching, determined, towards the stern, grey building. Severus had decided to follow her to make sure she would not kill anyone. She deserved better than Askhaban. He also had convinced her to call the auror department as well as Frank and Alice Longbottom’s son, who was directly concerned. At long last, she had agreed. The more witnesses, the safer.

Unfortunatly, mister Potter of the auror department and young professor Longbottom (now, apparently) had decided to take their time, and his seething, hissing friend was walking back and forth, restless, in front of the building. Severus decided to start a conversation to keep her busy.

« We should, hum… Travel, when I’ve delt with your coffers, I think. » he started tentatively.

-What for? » she snapped.

-When you’ve succeded in your HILDA exams, we should go around the world, to meet the best healers, and complete your apprenticeship. »

-You want to heal my so called ‘curse’. » She looked at him up and down warily. You want to heal my so called ‘curse’. » She looked at him up and down warily. And sure enough, Severus had had the safety of the humanity of his friend in mind, lately, indeed. He had to improvise.

-Of course not. »

-But as you happen to borrow books from the ministry illegally to complete your education, it seems the Healing Institute is frustrating you, isn’t it? »

-That’s because I don’t need those stupid exams. I know my job, already. »

-I know you’ve received training back in Li, of course. Hence the frusration. But your lovely collegue would have had nothing to threaten you with, if you hadn’t been at least a little curious, would she? What if you deserved better than whatever the Healing Institute had to offer? What if you could afford it? When I manage to unlock your coffers, you’ll acquire all the books in the world, if it takes your fancy. You’ll meet the best mentors. And become the best in your field. » And possibly you’ll also deal with your curse, in the process. Severus thought without saying it.

-And you would meet the best Defense Against the Dark Arts practitionners, too. »

-You get my drift. » Indeed. He hadn’t thought about it, but as a matter of fact, becoming a better Defense Against the Dark Arts practitionner himself would also probably be helpful. After all, nothing wrong with doing a little research. And selfishly speaking, nothing wrong with meeting his own heros, if he could, one day, either.

-What about my apothecary? And your shop? »

-We’d hire competent employees to handle them while we’re away. They would report to us, and reach out to us, if need be. We’ll need to delegate anyway, if we want to grow big. » Suneko sniffed. She didn’t like the idea. But this conversation had hijacked some of her murderous energy.

« Are you sure about this? » Severus nodded. She was talking, of course, about Regina Blazen’s guilt.

-In her head. I’ve seen it. »

-She’ll need to have serious justifications. »

-What justifications? Don’t enter a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. »

Sudenly, a whoosh sound was heard, followed by a worried and angry :

« What happened to my parents? »

-Mister Longbottom. » Another whooshing sound.

-Snape. »

-Potter. »

-What did happen to Neville’s parents? » frowned The-Boy-Who-Was-Always-Tense.

-Potter. Meet Aethelind Gaunt. »

-Hello. » Harry Potter looked at her up and down.

-You must be the Niece. »

-Boy-Who-Lived. »

-What did she do? »

-She works here. »

-Oh, don’t we all just get along, when we start off by being rude? » Severus interviened.

-What have you been up to? » Harry Potter snapped at him.

-Ron says you’re working at their shop, now. You didn’t bother to give anyone any news. »

-Like I owed anything to you. » Potter crossed his arms.

-We thought you were DEAD. »

-Well… EXCUSE me for having been bitten by a giant snake. And how are YOU even alive, by the way? I’m not the one who comes running after danger wands first EVERY TIME. Am I? » Suneko looked at them, back and forth, with an intrigued frown on her face.

-Are you two related? »

-NO! » They both instantly yelled in a perfect chorus. Suneko threw up her hands :

-Okay… » Neville Longbottom cleared his throat :

-What. Happened. To my parents? »

-We believe they were poisonned. » Neville Longbottom’s jaw dropped. His face lost all colour.

-How are they? » Harry Potter’s expression was now fully collected and professional.

-We believe they have actually been regularly poisonned for more than two decades, since their arrival at saint Mungo’s. » Suneko looked down in shame.

-The trauma they’ve kept from their agression should not have left them in that state. They should at least have made some progress, since they’ve been in the hospital’s care. I should have known something was wrong when I visited them. »

-Who did it? » Neville Longbottom’s voice was white, and sharp, and cold as steel. He’s matured up quite a bit since the last time I saw him, Snape noticed, a little intimidated.

-We can find proof. That’s why you’re here. » Suneko breathed in, out and instructed :

-OK, everyone, please keep quiet. »

Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom looked at each other with puzzled faces. They could understand she was trying to do something, but the aim of this long silence was unclear. At long last, she winced a little, opened her eyes again, and said :

« Got her. Second floor, Daisy room. » she held her hands:

-I can apparate you there. » Harry Potter frowned :

-How exactly did you locate her? »

-It’s called legilimancy, Potter. » scoffed Severus, trying not to appear too impressed by the strengh of his friend.

-Keep up. »

The Daisy room was all white and yellow, with cheerful, sparkling undertones. It contained a dozen beds, in which patients were softly moaning in pain. It had a strange, acrid smell.

« Dragon burns. » Suneko explained.

Regina Blazen was tending to a patient in the far right corner of the room. She was wearing Saint Mungo’s customary green robes and was turning their back at them, but her figure was unmistakable. She turned around as soon as she heard Suneko’s comment, looked at her up and down, and snapped :

« Gaunt. What’s wrong with you? You’re late, you’re not wearing your uniform, and you brought visitors in the Daisy room? They’re not s’posed to be here, you know that. » her eyes then rested on Neville Longbottom :

-Oh, morning mister Longbottom. ‘s not your usual visit time. I’m not sure your parents are ready, yet. Have you asked the reception? No? You should have. Or I reckon she should have, instead of bringing you to a restricted area.. ‘s not professional, that, Gaunt. »

-And she brought quite a crowd in here, too. I see you came along, this time, mister Potter. How kind. Forgive my intern. ‘s not the right room, now, clever girl. And who’s this one?  » she frowned at Severus.

-He looks a bit like… »

-Severus Snape, back from the dead. Morning to you too, ma’am. » Severus held his hand, and she shook it, somewhat taken aback. Since they were all staring at her, she started shifting uneasily.

-What can I do for you? » she asked.

-If you don’t mind, we would love you to bring us to mister Longbottom’s parents. Now. » explained Severus. She looked at them suspiciously :

-I’m tending to dragon burned patients, at the moment. But I’m sure the reception could help you find your way to the right room, if our little genious can’t. »

-Won’t take long. »

-What’s the rush? » Harry potter had casually drawn out his wand, and was waving it absent mindedly tip down :

-Humour us. » She turned to Suneko angrily, then thought better of it, and tried to sound collected :

-You didn’t need me to help them out, Gaunt. Or are we in a lazy mood this morning? Asking the reception about the Longbottoms and bringing those gentlemen to them was pretty basic work. Besides, you’re s’posed to… » Suneko hissed :

-Oh, shut up. » Regina Blazen blanched a little.

-I’m your superior. I will tell you off for your attitude this morning. »

-I’m not impressed. Now, get us there, already. »

Frank and Alice Longbottom were being bathed by one of the interns when the group appeared in their common bedroom in the closed isle.

« I told you now was probably not a good time. »

-Leave. » Suneko simply told the other interns. She sounded so cold and directive that they obeyed immediately.

-Well… Here they are. Same as usual. Except, naked. » The nervous woman tried to apparate away herself, but Severus stupefied her.

-Nice try, miss Blazen. » He lifted her up to put her in an upright position. He looked at Suneko who was producing a pensieve from a shoulder bag.

-Will you do the honours? »

Suneko took out her wand, and partially unstupefied the woman, whose eyes grew wide with panic, as she realized her situation. Suneko sighed with a bored little expression :

« It’s going to be easy. »

-She’s loud. »

She brought the pensieve to the nearby bed, and almost stuck her wand to the woman’s face. Regina Blazen grunted. Liquid light spilled from Suneko’s wand. She poured it in a tube that she had levitated out of her pocket, and approached the bed.

-Mister Longbottom, you might want to be the first to see what miss Blazen did to your parents. »

Neville Longbottom was the first to put his head in the stone basin. It did feel a bit strange, standing next to him, waiting for him to return, but Severus knew exactly what he would see. He could picture the boy’s anger in advance, and he felt sorry for him.

« What does he see, do you think? »

-His parents being poisonned. She injects a potion in sweets that she’s making them eat. That’s why their health hasn’t been improving, we think. »

-So, you really think that they could get back to being themselves, some day? »

-Ask a healer. » sighed Severus. He thought not.

-They will never quite recover. » confirmed Suneko.

-They will always be more or less dependant. They will be burdened by nightmares, and their magic will be forever maimed. But… I believe they will at least be able to recognize their own son. I believe some of their older self should come back to the surface. I will see to it, at least. » she added with a determined expression. She groaned in frustration.

-I should have known. Of course, they did go through terrible pain, and trauma, but their state was not normal. I should have guessed. I didn’t pay enough attention »

-What potion was it, and what did it od to them, exactly ? »

-We’re unsure. »

-We would need samples to analyse it, so as to make sure we find the right cure. But the certain thing is that it stuck them into this catatonic state. I also believe that miss Blazen, here was working for someone else. Though I am not quite sure for whom, yet. »

-Let’s make sure we find out. » Suneko’s voice was icy cold, and cutting like goblin steel.

Severus didn’t quite like the tone of her voice. It didn’t seem to be merely reflecting a hope to find the culprits. It rather sounded like a threat, followed by a determination to find them herself.

« We will. » And find them quickly. Severus thought.

When Neville Longbottom retrieved his head from the pensieve, he was flushed, and mute and trembling with rage.

« I’ll go in there myself. » Potter informed the woman with a cold but quiet professional tone.

-Just to see the evidence presently at my disposal. And then, I think we’ll be on our way. »

-Wait! » said the woman. But Potter turned to Longbottom.

-We’ll find out who she did it for, and then, trust me, she’ll pay a little visit to Askhaban. »

-She fasified it! This… This evidence is all fake! That… That cursed foreign scum!… » said the panicking woman who had regained the ability to speak. Severus smirked.

-Even if the facts disagree, I am impressed by your confidence. »

Severus frowned as the woman started to gurgle. Suneko’s arm was extended, and her hand was tense, launching a vicious strangling spell. Her eyes were changing colour.

« You’re a healer. This is not what you do. » he reminded his friend, as she hissed.

-We will punish her. » added Potter with a sensible tone, drawing his wand.

-Come, Suneko. » Severus went on. His friend grunted in frustration, and released her collegue.

-Just you dare lying again. »

They all sighed with relief.

« Don’t waste your time pursuing the likes of her. You’ve got work to do. Remember? »

Frank and Alice Longbottom had both been covered by a bath towel, but they were still starting to quietly tremble with cold, in the background. Suneko turned to them, accioed fresh clothes from a drawer, and said in a surprisingly soothing voice :

« We will dress you up, now. Alright? You need to look nice for your son, who came to visit you. Let’s get these pants on, first, mister Longbottom, shall we? » Then, she showed the frozen Regina Blazen with her chin to their son :

-Make sure she doesn’t go away. You can check the evidence anytime, Boy-Who-Lived. I’m not going to kill her. » She called disdainfully. Then, she turned back to Neville Longbottom :

-When I get samples of the potion, I’ll be able to define an efficient recovery strategy. I’m pretty sure I know how I’ll proceed to get them. »

-The candy wrappers. »

-You collect them. »

Harry Potter had been diving his head in the pensieve. It took him only a few minutes to get back from it.

« As far as I’m concerned, I’ve got all the proof I need. » he commented with a steely glint in his crazy green eyes.

-You’re under arrest, miss Blazen. »

He launched an incarcerus spell on the struggling woman, put a hand on her shoulder, and apparated away.

Suneko was halway through helping missis Longbottom to put on her dress, when she muttered in a forcibly light tone :

« Do you know, your son is very brave? He killed my grandmother, a few years ago. It was the only way to free her from a terrible curse. I’ll be forever grateful. Her name was Nagini. »

A heavy silence fell on the room, as a hint of recognition sank into the face of the sick woman, uncertainty, suspicion, confusion, blurry dread. Her husband let out a painful moan. Suneko turned to Neville Longbottom, and observed matter-of-factly :

« Seems your parents remember her. They’re strong enough. »

-I know. » Longbottom a little trembling in his voice.

And the boy looked strong, just then. He looked like the proudest man in the world. Arrogance is a weakness, thought Severus to himself. But pride is strengh.

« I have to get changed and officially start my shift. » Suneko said.

-I’ll be right back, mister Longbottom. Severus, I believe I have an authorization to sign, for you to inspect those coffers, yes? » Severus nodded.

-Then, wait. » she concluded as she whooshed away.

There was an awkward little silence for a good few excruciating minutes. Severus really didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t seen Neville Longbottom in ages. He hadn’t been that fond of him, back in Hogwarts, and vice versa, as far as he was aware. Also, his parents were humming to themselves, in the background. It was bunglesome. Severus felt quite out of place. What to say, what to say… Finally…

« So, is she really alright, then? »

-You mean? »

-Nagini’s grand daughter. » the boy was embarrassed to ask.

-They say that she’s also… »

-Oh, you would wonder, right? I mean : she only saved my life, among others? Oh, and she only just helped prevent your parents from ingesting more poison? And dreadfully she seems to intend to help them heal? That’s the young woman you mean, is it, Longbottom? She sounds terrible, indeed! » The silence that followed was a little uncomfortable. The boy coughed.

–They say she can also turn into snake. And… Nagini… You’ve seen her… And… » Severus showed his neck, and snapped :

-Yes, I have. Close enough. »

-I didn’t mean it like that. »

-No, your intentions were pure. A gryffindor’s intentions are always pure, aren’t they? You can never beat their perfect little moral standards… She’s not Nagini. She’s my friend. She saved my life. And she’s trying to help your parents. What can you not understand? »

-But she won’t be able to stay under control forever. »

-Oh that’s what it would be about, isn’t it? Keeping her under control? »

-I mean… »

-What do you know about her abilities? She’s powerful, she’s brilliant, you’ve seen it. She’s ambitious. She intends to set up an apothecary. Not just any apothecary. The best in England. In the world, possibly. And she’s hard working. And she’s curious. And she’s rich. Rich enough to go around the world and meet the best healers there is. Rich enough to afford proper tutelage. She’s a person. Not just a beast you would need to put in a cage. She’s got dreams. Projects. Do you know anything much about maledicti? Well… We will. We’ll get advice from people a little more knowledgeable than yourself, thank you very much. » Severus couldn’t believe how annoyed he was.

-You intend to find a way to heal her. »

-No. I don’t want to heal her. I don’t want turn her into a conform, slick, proper little human. She’s a ware snake. It’s in her blood. I want her to have the means to do what she want to do, that is : be a healer. I want her to be free, even if free might mean she could get to choose how and when she wants or doesn’t want to turn. And I want her to maintain herself, for as long as she can, in order to obtain the success that she deserves. The respect. You dare think she’s a monster? You don’t know what a monster really is. You haven’t been living with one. You only met a big snake. Once. I know what I’m talking about. And I’m telling you. She. Is not. A monster. »

-I… Hope she’ll manage. »

-Of course, she will. »

Severus realized he’d never even thought about how exhausting it must have been to be her. She had to use occulmency to protect herself from other people’s minds, all day, every day. And she had to deal with their constant prejudice. Deal with people being nervous around her, when she hadn’t done anything to them. Severus could relate to that feeling, at least. That feeling had made him a death eater. She didn’t have to become the monster they all wanted her to be. Merlin knew she was trying. Trying to keep her snake at bay. All the time. Given the circumstances, she was incredibly civilized. He was proud of her.

There was something about pride. You could be proud without being vain. You could be proud, and be grounded. Pride was what you needed to keep, in order to avoid people from crushing you down to oblivion. Pride was what the Dark Lord had taken to all of these great families. One by one. To ensure their submission. Pride was what had maintained him alive, what had helped him protect his own sanity, in the midst of all of this cruelty and pain. Pride was a shield. Pride was essential to anyone’s mental health. And most importantly : pride made you particularly strong when you were proud of someone else.

Despicable uncle Fester,

I made it to my new school. It s a nightmare. We were welcomed by a giant. No one was eaten. What a waste of a giant. We crossed a dark river at night, and then, met ghosts. I ve seen scarier. I had to put on a horrible hat that screamed « Slytherin! » as soon at it was on my head. The worst thing is that people cheered. And I had to join their table. And it took ages. Everyone was so cheerful. Rosy cheeks, and merry voices. Dreadful.

They re making me sleep in a room with other girls. So, I tried to follow mother’s advice (don t tell her) : I tried to be civil. I offered them to pet Thing, and even to play with my brand new guillotine. They just pushed their bed away from mine. Thing was so upset. Oh, well. If they won t play with me, I ll play with them. I m not out of ideas.

I ll be writing to you soon.

I m very glad to be rid of you lot, and I hope you rot in Hell.

Curses,

Wendesday.

PS : I m still mad at mother and father for the summer camp, but when you got to know her, aunt Debbie was quite sweet. Still dead, is she?

…

Despicable uncle Fester,

Actually, this school isn t that bad. I thought I was going to be bored to death, but things finally seem to get interesting. This boy, Harry Potter, his whole family was massacred by a dark wizard. He s the only survivor. The dark wizard disappeared mysteriously. I can understand why he would be embarrassed if he didn t manage to kill a baby. They say that he (didn t catch his name) will rise again to finish him off. I dare hope ! I can t wait.

Meanwhile, there has been a few minor welcome distractions. Harry Potter became ustable on his broom on a quidditch game at some point. I really thought he would fall. It was a dissapointment. Someone must have been cursing him, I guess. But then, I noticed a girl who was trying to set fire to professor Snape s robes. Too bad she wasn t in my house. Too bad I was too far away to help. You know I do like fire.

Also, a troll has been forcing entry in the school. For some reason, the professors sent us to our common rooms. What do they have against trolls? Only three gryffindor kids were out there, they say, among which (guess who?) Harry Potter. These gryffindors are favored, if you ask me. They seem to be the only ones who get to have fun.

Well, see you soon for the summer holidays.

rot in Hell.

Curses,

Wendesday.

PS : Please tell grand mother to bake her filtiest eye of newt for me when I m back. All we eat here is bacon, chicken, potatoes, and cake. So unhealthy.

…

Despicable uncle Fester,

I m back in school, and already about to drink my arsenic. Thank you for my new crossbow. It will be nice to go hunting. The crossing to school was nicer than by boat. Our carriages were tracked by ghastly horses. It was as though they were bringing us to Death’s domain. Lovely.

I tried divination class. It was interesting. Our professor had so many disasters to predict. It s too bad I won t be able to participate anymore. All of these colors and sweet smelling fumes. I found the classroom overwhelming.

So far, no disaster has been happening. Well… I might be a little pessimistic : no dark wizard and no death yet, but there has been talk about a secret torture chamber hidden in the school, with a monster. There has been strange noises in the corridors, and some of my schoolmates have gone catatonic. Do not tell mother I said this, but this is the effect I dare hope to have on a man if I ever marry. Seriously, do not tell her. She would go on and on about how I m growing up, and becoming so very romantic. That would annoy me.

Give Pugsley a kick.

I m so very glad to be rid of you lot.

Rot in Hell.

Curses,

Wendesday.

…

Despicable Uncle Fester,

Oh, I m so jealous ! One little chase, and my crossbow s confiscated. These gryffindors with their friend Harry Potter, they get to stroll in the corridors without getting detention. How do they do that? It s so unfair, because I did try! And all the fun happens at night! I mean : who doesn t want to find a torture chamber with a monster? Why only them? I m so sick of their priviledge. I told so to professor Snape. He denied firmly. Said : « No, there is certainly no privilidged children in this very egalitarian school. » And then, he just added random points to slytherin, out of the blue. It was so illogical I decided he had done that as a statement. My guess is : the obvious special treatment these gryffindors have been enjoying must be a decision of the headmaster. I suspect professor Snape is slightly annoyed by this.

He s a good professor, and tolerable company. I make my cauldrons explode regularly to get detention in his class. He never fails me. It s just the most agreable place in Hogwarts. Comfortable, and tasteful. On top of that, professor Snape makes me manipulate filthy worms and crush them for potions. Favorite. Punishment. Ever.

Well, rot in Hell, now.

See you all soon for summer.

Curses,

Wendesday.

PS : sad news : I heard the poor monster was dead.

…

Despicable uncle Fester,

I thought I would be sitting in my cabin alone as usual, when this agressively colorful girl came to sit next to me. Her name is Luna. For some reason, they call her Loony. Then, Neville Longbotton (he s a gryffindor) came along. He didn t want to sit next to us. He mumbled something like : « But that s Loony and Oddams… ». And then, the sister of Ronald Weasley (he s one friend of Potters), she pushed him in. Luna was reading a magazine upside down. She s alright, now that I got to know her. You can t dislike a raving lunatic.

So I finally talked to gryffindors ! You can t go wrong with compliments, so I told Longbottom : « You re a living catastrophe. It s inspirational. » And he is. So clumpsy. I hope I made a good impression. Befriending priviledged people always comes in handy. I wonder what Potter will come up with to entertain us, this year?

Rot in Hell.

Curses,

Wendesday.

…

Despicable uncle Fester,

Guess what? A dangerous psychopath broke out from Azkhaban, and means to come for Harry Potter ! What a jolly lot, these gryffindors. It s unfair the other houses have no party of their own.

I did bump into the Boy-who-Lived, once. I said : « You ve got horrible eyes. At least, you re entertaining. » And he said : « Talking about entertainment, what did you chase Pansy Parkingson with a crossbow for, anyway? » And I said : « Girls just want to have fun. » And he smirked. See, compliments do work. Had I been in gryffindor, i m sure we would have been getting along quite well. He seems to like death.

How is Pugsley doing is school? He s been expelled for lauching bombs in class again, I expect? I don t suppose mother and father ceased being disgusting, did they?

Well, see you soon for summer.

Rot in Hell.

Curses,

Wendesday.

PS : The prisonner on the loose is being chased by interesting soul eating shadow things that invaded the school. Of course, Harry Potter seems to attract them particularly. They made him faint, once. Almost broke his neck at quidditch.

…

Despicable uncle Fester,

This year is going to be interesting. our strange, old school director decided to host a deadly competition. It s about earning a cup, after surviving terrible trials. Supposidly, you can t apply before seventeeen. But of course, yet again, there are no rules for priviledged kids. Harry Potter is in. He really wants to be at the center of all of the dangerous events. He likes death, see?

His friend, Ronald Weasley, will not participate. He s so mad about this. Giving Potter the cold shoulder. I told this grumpy red face that if he wanted trials and suffering, I would gladly help. His ears grew very red, and he sighed, passing by. I m not sure he got the message. I could really help. You know… Teenagers…

I ll write to you soon. You lot rot in Hell.

Curses,

Wendesday.

PS : Our new defense against the dark arts professor has a funny face. Makes me think about Lurch.

…

Despicable uncle Fester,

We ve got our first death. One of the contestants of the triwizard tournament is gone. Too bad you couldnt come along. Mother and Father were on and on : « Oh, this just like Nevermore! » Don t worry, though. Lurch took pictures.

There were dragons which almost burned the contestants. And then, they tastefully drowned their loved ones at the bottom of a lake. Thing was thrilled. He said hands down for the organization. Unfortunately, there also was a ball. They made us dance. Oh, but you know mother and father. They made quite an impression on the dance floor. Again.

Anyway, the final trial was a dark, foggy, monster filled maze. Potter and Diggory (the other contestant) decided to grab the cup together. Silly, if you ask me. But then, they disappeared. After a while, Potter reappeared, in tears, Diggory s corpse was in his arms. It was quite a moment. Potter said the dark wizard had just risen again. Clumpsy one, he killed the wrong kid. People tend to say Potter s gone mad, but that would make sense.

We ll be back home soon.

Rot in Hell.

Curses,

Wendesday.

PS : What s this darn wizard s name, again?

…

Despicable uncle Fester,

Where to begin? People are so strange. They ve been going on and on about this dark wizard, and the way Harry Potter survived him, ever since I got here. And now that he s back, they won t believe in his obvious return? Really? Harry Potter keeps on repeating that this is real, that the dark wizard killed Cedric Diggory. He already got punished by our new defense against the dark arts professor. And don t get me started about her!

She smiles all the time. Like a fat pirrhana hungry for blood. And she keeps repeating there is no dark wizard on his way to attack the school. What a kill joy she is ! Classes are boring. I mean : defense against the dark arts was pretty bad, already, and she s our worst professor yet. But that s not even the worst thing… She wears PINK ! I mean : what was the school director thinking?! We re children! Why would he DO this to us?

I had to point out that she was talking nonesense. In detention, she made me endure the sight of kitten plates all over the walls ! It was the scariest thing I had ever seen ! To avoid being an absolute monster, she made me write with a torture quill. But still. I ll never forget the kittens.

I m so glad to be rid of you lot.

Rot in Hell.

Curses,

Wendesday.

…

Despicable uncle Fester,

Who would have thought? Who would have thought I would end up having this much fun? hermione Granger (you know : the gryffindor pyromaniac friend of Potter’s) decided that enough was enough : she told Harry Potter to give a bunch of students defense against the dark arts lessons. Basically, we’re standing in a room, and throwing spells at each other.

This is totally forbidden, of course : i did tell you Umbridge was evil, in the wrong sense of the term. Well… She became the headmistress, now. She’s making new rules almost everyday. I don’t know why, but they gave our group the old school director’s name. Who cares? We throw spells at each other’s faces, and Harry potter has visions.

See you all soon for summer.

Rot in Hell.

Curses,

Wendesday.

PS : Even Draco Malfoy is getting interesting : his father is in jail.

…

Despicable uncle Fester,

I can’t believe I’m going to say that, but I miss Dolores Umbridge. Not the woman, of course, but rather the mere chaos she unleashed. Granger organizing secret reunions (she had cursed the paper we signed, did you know?). The Weasley twins showing true potential. My frankenstein monster making machine reappearing mysteriously on my bed after confiscation. Good days indeed. In the end, she was truly a good director. Inspiring to all of us.

Now, the old director is back, and life is a lot duller. I hope Harry potter will come up with something. He’s a living target, this boy. The fun might come to us. I’m hopeful, as you can see. You can tell mother. Just to make her worry.

Here’s what you can keep to yourself, however : there’s something to Draco Malfoy, these days. He stopped giggling so much, and he looks sick. It’s like he grew up since the dark wizard rose again.

Glad to be rid of you lot.

Rot in Hell.

Curses,

Wendesday.

…

Despicable uncle Fester,

In the end, Draco Malfoy was just as bored as I was. He somehow found a way to let agressive followers of the dark wizard into the castle. The upsetting thing is : how come I hadn’t thought about it myself?

There were dozens of these people. They even brought a werewolf. The adorable thing said he liked to play with children, so I chased him with an axe. It was fun. Ronald Weasley called me mental. That means : mad. He knows how to talk to girls, this boy.

Did you know? Draco Malfoy happens to have murderous tendencies. He tried to kill professor Dumbledore. He’s not as boring as I thought. But it made no sense. The school director ended up being killed by professor Snape, however. Which makes much more sense. That s just basic collegue to collegue relationship.

The funeral was decent. Almost. There were centaurs. They shot arrows, but they didn’t kill anything. They must be terrible archers.

I’ll be back soon, as you know.

Rot in Hell.

Curses,

Wendesday.

PS : Everyone is so scared since the old Dumbledore died. The dark wizard is winning over. Next year should be quite something.

…

Despicable uncle Fester,

Where the hell is Harry Potter? My arrival here was full of pleasant surprises : professor Snape is now the school director, and dark wizards are invading the place. They look foul and threatening. But no sign of Harry Potter yet. They are looking for him. Strange. Why would he hide? He likes danger so much.

He’s not the only student to have disappeared. Weasley and Granger vanished, among others. That’s too bad : they would have loved our new defense against the dark arts courses. They teach us funny spells, like the Cruciatus curse. They cast it on the students for punishment. It tickles like my electric chair. I’ll try it on Pugsley.

Longbottom and others are being rebellious, these days. They’re contradictory, insulting, and disturb the peace regularly. Of course, I’m with them.

I’ve got to go. Longbottom and I planned to annoy Alecto Carrow again. Hopefully, we’ll get caught.

Rot in Hell.

Curses,

Wendesday.

PS : Professor Snape looks like a corpse, these days. Charming man.

…

Despicable uncle Fester,

What a night ! Harry Potter came back. Apparently, he wanted to find an object of sorts he had left in the school. A pretext, if you ask me. He must have been bored, wherever he was, knowing him. He was with his two best friends.

The dark wizard finally came along to confront him, but Potter decided to remain elusive. And dead right, too. Else, where would have been the fun ? So, the dark wizard threatened to attack the school if he didn’t show up. D’ha ! We’d been waiting for years !

And then, disorder flushed in the school. Dark wizards throwing spells, monstrous spiders, giants… Now that was what i would call a last day of school to my heart. Even professor Mc Gonnagal set the school statues to rise. Impressive spell. I wonder if I could try it out ? The werewolf from last time came back. I chased him all night. He’d look quite nice, as a decoration in the living room. I will stuff him, I think. I know mother likes tasteful souvenirs.

I’m so sad that I’ve got to come back. I must admit it’s been a bunch of interesting few years. The dark wizard is dead (and even his snake, poor thing). But I’m sure Harry Potter will find other enemies to chase. Don’t tell mother, but I almost shed a tear. Hey, perhaps I will study the dark arts, next ?

See you soon.

Rot in Hell.

Curses,

Wendesday.

PS : Don’t bother going to King’s cross. I’m going to steal a thestral.

Draco Malfoy had felt the need to leave the crowd, for a bit. He was sitting in the unicorn garden. Alone. The Niece had given him a shot a felix felicis. He had taken it too. He did need it. He was inauguring Castle Regulus. All of the important people were gathered in the great hall. Everything had to be perfect : since the end of the war, the Malfoys hadn t appeared in public before this.

Mister Snape had made the right choice, in the end. He had prepared for the downfall of the dark Lord. Their downfall. He had measured his options. Asked for protection to Albus Dumbledore. Then, when he had met the dark Lord’s grand niece, the new heir of Slytherin, he had kept her to himself. He had chosen his own side. He had died with a clean name, at least. Gained a proper reputation as Dumbledore s spy. Yes, he had betrayed them. But the dark Lord hadn t been a trustworthy man.

Luyckily enough, Draco had been presented to the Niece, whose reputation was growing strong. And so, Draco had been given the opportunity to invest in this castle. He would sell her potions, and welcome the richest wizards and witches. It would become a very respectable place. A restful place. Hopefully. But then, for that to happen, he had to charm every one, to clear his reputation. His name. God, he was nervous.

They said she had brewed this felix felicis herself. It was supposed to be strong. But it wasn t working. At all. Actually, Draco Malfoy did not feel confident. He felt utterly miserable.

Oh, the evening had started just fine. All the little details were perfectly in place. Father kept dicreet, and mother tended to the guests. Professor Slughorn and his most important friends had come, to see the Niece and himself. It had all gone just fine, until he had spotted Pansy. They said she was competing against Granger for a place in the department of magical law enforcement. He hadn t had any news from her since the battle of Hogwarts. Nor of Gregory. Vincent s death had probably had something to do with this, but Draco had just found out another reason why : apparently, they were together. This was humiliating, and Draco felt stupid, and alone. Not that he had ever been that much in love with Pansy, but to leave him for Gregory!… Of course, this disagreeable feeling wasn t the worst. The worst was the memory.

The most terrible thing was the smell. It was as if it were still there, hanging, following him around like an olfactive curse. The smell, he would never forget it. The way the flames had climbed, so fast and terrible. The way they had had to run, then fly for their lives. The scream. The way Vincent had been turned to ash. To smithereens. As if he had been nothing. The feeling was back again. The feeling!… Like the cold shiver of a petrificus spell. Trapped in the memory, with the guts boiling, the difficulty to breathe, the dizziness… Why was the memory coming back now? Why was this potion not working?

« Oh god, are you alright? »

How was that lucky? Astoria Greengrass had just seen him in this… state. Now the evening was becoming perfect. She was working for Granger s campain. A pure blood, but a muggle lover. She looked pretty enough. Brown hair, eyes. Nice, simple dress. Tasteful, at least. A little skinny. He didn t know why he was even noticing.

« I am. I just needed some air. »

-Well… me too. Do you mind if I sit here? »

-Not at all. » he sighed. though he did. He didn t like to be seen like this.

-As you might know, my uncle Colibrinus is dead. »

-I ve heard. Truly sorry for your loss. »

-He d been trying to escape, and… »

She had seen the dark Lord launch his pet on her uncle. Draco hadn t seen this himself, but he had witnessed Naginis dinners countless times. He knew what she didn t say. In his dreams, he was seing these too.

« Well… Truly sorry, as I said. »

She was quiet for a while. Then, she blurted out :

« Thank you. »

-What for? »

-For not telling he was a coward. »

-Oh, any sensible death eater felt like running away, in the end, I guess. It s just… The mark made it impossible. »

He couldn t believe he had just said that! To a Greengrass! Father would have killed him, if he d heard!

« My congratulations to your uncle Gareth for his promotion as head of the department of mysteries. » he said quickly to change subjects.

-Oh, yes. He s working very hard. Very happy. » she said absent mindedly. And stared.

That was awkward. Astoria Greengrass. The sister of Daphne Greengrass. The best friend of Pansy bloody Parkingson, who was working for Hermione bloody Granger!… Merlin s beard! Could it become any worse? He couldn t believe he was alone with her. Was this really happening?

« Do you… Sometimes see Him him… In your dreams? During the day, too? Like he was there, with you? »

The dark Lord? Of course, he did. You just didn t talk about these things. He wanted to say that they should have won the war, that they deserved the greatness that had been promised, that… but he just sighed and shook his shoulders.

« You do, don t you? Why did you join him, anyway? »

-I m a Malfoy. »

-God, it s a name, not a curse! »

-Father had disappointed him, and mother had this blood traitor for a sister. Someone had to make up for these. »

-For getting caught while following one of his own stupid orders? And for personal choices other people had made? This is ridiculous! »

-You can t understand, I suppose. » Draco said coldly.

-My parents were in danger. If you had any decent values left, you would know family is everything. »

-But family should never be a curse! A name should never be carried as a weight, as a burden! They sould never had made you do this. » she looked at his arm.

-It was my choice. My honour. »

-Life is too short for honour! »

She coughed, and coughed. She seemed to have trouble catching her breath. She was so frail. He had forgotten she had a fragile health because of a blood curse. Life would be short. For her. He snapped his fingers, asking for hot mulled wine. It was good to have house elves again. He watched in silence as she drank to recover. Her features were elegant. She was agreeable to watch.

And then… It hit him. He had tried. He had fought for his blood, his honour, his name. He had faced terrible things. And the dark Lord was dead. They had lost the war. Somehow, he was all the freer for this. And, as Vincent s death came back to his exhausted mind yet again, he realized life was short. And he was tired of this dream of a perfect pure world. Tired of the whole stance, the whole thing. Tired of having to live up to his blood. The war was lost. He had given it his all. He was carrying its scars on his body and his mind. The hell with it. He was proud to be a pure blood, of course, but he didn t have to fight for it, anymore. He would leave the fight to others. The Niece wanted riches and respectability. So did he. His family was safe. The worst was behind him. He was starting a business, he was young, pure, rich, and single. And he happened to be in a garden with a young lady. Who was beautiful. And young. And single. And pure. His luck wasn t too bad, then. The hell with politics.

« Hermione Granger will win this campain, you know. Parkingson is too stupid. » she said.

He kept quiet. Listened.

« I mean… She did choose Gregory Goyle over you. That s how stupid she is. »

He had to smile. Even more so when he saw her blush.

« Then, since life is so short, i believe we should get down there and dance. » he said getting up.

As she just stared at him with her mouth open, he had to insist :

« We won t be moping in this garden all night, will we? Life can t be too short for dancing. »

This night was going to be glorious. Oh, there was Pansy s face, as he casually entered the room with Astoria holding his arm. And the guests seemed to be enjoying themselves. And the wine was good. And the hall was beautiful. Astoria was crimson red, with a lovely, wide smile, quietly making fun of him :

« Oh, how very gentleman like, mister Malfoy… That was quite polite. How very thoughtful of you… Do you have to be this perfect, mister Malfoy… »

-I m afraid I do. » he replied.

-Us Malfoys are naturally perfect. We can t help it. It s a family trait. »

And she laughed as they danced.

On the other side of the room, the niece was talking vividly. She had a doll face and very energetic manners, direct, intense eyes, and he messiest hair he d ever seen. Worn out clothes, now, in this elegant assembly. And she didn t even seem to notice! Appearances did count when ou meant to gain respectability. Draco had no clue how he would tell her this.

Astoria decided to join her friends for a moment. Draco was having a round of the great hall to see how his guests were faring, when he spotted Andromeda Tonks. She was sipping gigglewater in a corner. She looked like aunt Bella. He had never talked to that woman. He suddenly felt the urge to do it now. Only, he knew he would rather his curiosity were not spotted by the crowd. Thankfully, she seemed to feel like being alone. She was leaving the room. He only had to follow her discreetly. That s what he did. At some point, she was alone in a corridor.

« Andromeda Tonks, » he said a little more harshly than he would.

She startled, then looked at him up and down :

-You must be the son, aren t you? »

-Himself. » He straightened up.

-You look like your father. »

-Thank you. »

-That s no compliment. Your father is a cunt. »

Draco was stricken with shock

-How dare you speak about my father this way, when you put our whole family in danger! »

-Pledging your lives to Voldemort put the family in danger too. It was war. Danger was unavoidable. And your dark lord never seemed to care even about the losses of his own. »

She had dared telling his name. Unbelievable. Draco was aching to stricke that traitor with a dark spell.

-YOU caused our disgrace when you chose to marry a m… »

-A man who loved me. And not a vain fool as cold as a fish. Well, sue me. »

Draco was trembling with rage. He was going to kill her. He realized he didn t want to carry on with this conversation. There was a high risk for murder.

-How s the pup? » he said between his teeth.

It was supposed to be a slur.

-Lycantropy is only caught through the bite of a werewolf. Haven t you read your defense against the dark arts books? He s a perfectly ordinary half blood little boy. He s fine, by the way. His name s Teddy. »

-Goodness. And what age is he supposed to be? »

-Seven. »

Without knowing why, Draco felt a little relieved. But if felt so awkward. He didn t know what to say from here.

-I heard his parents died. »

-They did. » Her voice was broken.

Draco thought about his own losses. It was still overwhelming.

-I m sorry. » he just heard himself mutter.

-I heard your aunt Bellatrix is dead too. I wasn t quite sorry to hear this as she was threatening to kill us, but somehow i still cried too. She had been my sister. »

-War, and all. » Draco could just manage with a schrug.

-I hope your mother s well. »

She blurted out as she darted off through the corridors.

What the hell had just happened?

As he was walking to get back to the great hall, he was blocked by a couple of people struggling.

« Get out of here, you filthy little cockroach! »

It wouldn t do to let his employees start a scandal. As tedious as it might be, Draco had to intervene :

-Thank you. That will be all. »

He put a hand on Rita Skeeter s shoulder, and apparated. They were in one of the free bedrooms. at least, here, their conversation would be private.

« Miss Skeeter. You must have lost your invitation. »

It was a polite way to tell her she hadn t been invited.

-Fine room. » She said as she took a seat on the oaken desk near the bed.

-Thank you. I tended to the decoration of the rooms myself. » he sat down opposite her.

Obviously, the journalist s quick quotes quill was soon on the ready. Gosh. An improvised interview was just what he needed. Wasn t this damed felix felicis going to be effective?… He wanted to thow her out. Badly. But he had just opened this castle, and he realized now was probably not the time to be agressive with a member of the press. It made sense that she wanted to be part of the event. In fact, he was going to have to deal with her quite often, if this place was going to be as respectable as he wished. She looked quite worn out. It hadn t been easy to come in, had it? He snapped his fingers, and ordered tea and sandwiches.

« You re the owner of this place? » she asked with a satisfied expression.

-Miss Barebones and myself invested in castle Regulus, yes. »

-She s terribly powerful, they say. »

-Powerful, quite. But terrible, not really. »

-Your family has known… Worse, I believe? »

He sighed. And blushed. of course, she was going to talk about this.

-Your father was quite close to You-Know-Who, I recall? »

-He had joined during the first war. Had been promised greatness. But you know how it ended. »

-Your father spent time in Azkhaban. »

-He did. »

Memories came rushing back. The feeling. Tears. He hadn t been shedding one drop since the end of the war, and they had to come now. Great. Perfect timing. He had to calm down. There was a heavy silence.

-So… How was life with You-Know-Who? » she sounded both embarassed, and fascinated.

-Wonderful. » he spat.

-If you enjoy seing a snake monster eat people, dark spells all over the place, your life at stake every day. »

Draco had been bragging about his dangerous acquaintances when he was a boy, played tough to get people impressed. But then, he had had to actually meet Greyback, and the Farrows, and the dark Lord, all of them. And he had just wished his family were safe.

-The best part was the death of my best friend. » he said, breaking again.

-Anyway. » he added wiping his tears and swallowing his pain.

-The dark lord is dead. »

-You saw your best friend die? »

-Vincent Crabbe, yes. Father was friends with his father and Gregory Goyle s. We were close. See, I m an only child, so. We were practically brothers, I suppose. »

There was a blank. And then, he saw her repress a smile.

-Gregory Goyle. I heard he was with… »

-Pansy Parkingson. My ex girlfriend. »

-For how long? »

-Maybe years. I just saw them tonight. I can t know, exactly. »

-Oh, my… » she beamed.

-You must be devastated. »

That was her kind of story. The poor, broken heart of Draco Malfoy sounded more easy to sell than some gruesome tales about the war. Draco hoped she would take it on, and forget to mention father s past as a death eater. So, he indulged the journalist.

-I ve been a little overwhelmed, as you noticed. »

-Because you re still single, I believe? »

-I ve only been with Pansy. »

-Your first love? »

-Exactly. »

Truth be told, miss Skeeter wasn t hard to please.

Back in the hall, Draco had to handle another tricky situation. A drunken niece was talking about muggle rooms to a thrilled Arthur Weasley. Draco had to rush in the conversation.

« This muggle room idea is all Draco s, you know?  » she said trying to take him by the shoulder.

-He said we couldnt welcome muggle borns here, because they would certainly want to come in with their families, and we didn t have any place fit to welcome muggles. And of course, it s a brilliant idea! »

Draco hadn t meant it like this. This muggle room idea was crazy.

-I would be incapable of putting this in place, though. » he said, quite embarrassed.

-No one knows what a muggle room looks like. Come on! Be sensible! »

-I can help, of course! » exclaimed a very excited Arthur Weasley.

-Oh, I know a few friends who would be very interested in this project too! a whole muggle room! » he exclaimed dreamily.

-Molly! You need to hear this! »

Really?! As Arthur Weasley was rushing towards his wife, Draco turned to Hydra Barebones.

« You do realize we mean to attract the most wealthy families to castle Regulus. The logical thing would be to prioritize, and focus on our pure blooded customers! »

-Remember what we said? We select by money, not blood. »

-But most of our customers will come from pure blood families. Not everyone likes to mingle, you know. Trust me : you don t want to make them feel ill at ease. We ve got to build our reputation. »

-We won t force people to mingle if they don t want to. I trust you to organize the castle to our customer s needs, Draco. perfect party, by the way. Everyone is very happy. I trust you enjoy my potion? » she winked.

Her potion was working for every one but himself, apparently.

-Oh, I ve really got to set a proper spell against intruders. » she mumbled as she darted away.

She had been looking at Alberforth Dumbledore. What was he doing here? he hadn t been invited either. He was talking to a house elf :

« How s the bird? » he kept repeating. He looked quite worried.

-Alright, sir. Flying somewhere. I think it was his first burning today. »

What bird? what burning? What was this?

-He came to her a few days ago, you say? »

-Yes. And we ve no idea how to tend to a phoenix. That s why we need your help. »

A phoenix?

-Anything unusual? Has it got ashes on its feathers? » Alberforth Dumbledore looked worried sick.

-Only in our house, sir. I had warned her against letting it sleep in her closet. Burned her whole wardrobe. Poor miss Barebones ! The bird has burnt all the clothes. She was so upset. She called him a roasted chicken. I think he decided Chicken was his name. »

Chicken the phoenix?

All of a sudden, Draco realized a huge weight had been pushed off his shoulders. So. She was a green phoenix. Things hadn t been that bad. Not that bad at all.

She was brooding in a corner, with a glass of elf made wine. Draco touched her arm, and said simply :

« So, you re a Dumbledore. Oh well, I did read miss Skeeter s book about your famous great grand uncle, but you re your own person. Like me. We re paving our own path, aren t we? A name is not a curse, you know. »

Astoria Greengrass had felt a little ill at the end of the party, yesterday night. She had taken a few days off. Draco had decided to tend to her personally. And she was much better now. So Draco knew they would only have to relax and enjoy. Granger herself had offered her help with the castle. How was that possible? Draco didn t know. This potion must have been strong! Arthur Weasley and a few friends of his had planned to invade the castle for this muggle room project. Draco had given the muggle lovers the western tower. His invaders had one room. No more. The good news was that father and mother would be out shopping for a good while. They would have work to do with miss Barebones. The sun was shinning. Everyone was so helpful. Rita Skeeter s article had been published very early this morning, and owls kept coming at Draco’s bedroom window. Astoria was commenting and laughing as she was helping him tidy up his fan mail. Potter had promised to bring the little Teddy along, some day, to show how he could « kick his arse » at a quidditch game. Except Draco was quite determided to win, this time. It would be a wonderful few days. He felt like the luckiest man in the world. He would never doubt Hydra Barebone s potion skills ever again.