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There was a small noise behind him and he turned; a flash of red hair and his heart skipped a beat. Severus’ eyes met hers for only a split second before he turned back to the counter. “Make that two, actually.” He amended before he really even knew what he was doing - they always used to be her favorite, and there were only two left on the plate. He paid and stepped to the side so Lily could come up to the register, watching as they emptied the plate. His eyes glittered as he turned his head back to her, looking at her fully for the first time in years. “Shame.” He said blandly, not sounding sorry at all, a bit of a smirk tinging his lips.

@lilypcttr

Though he was quite prickly, Tess found a comfort in Severus’ thorns. She didn’t have to put on her perfect pureblood tiara and mind her manners. Snape, though a follower to the dark lord, wasn’t of high pureblood society like many others. He was a half blood, and she could relax, be herself around him.  “Atât de gravă”, she purred in her native tongue, again something she could only do since her bunica and her kettle of old vultures weren’t around. Tess’s emerald eyes glanced around at the various ingredients, many cheep and harmless in nature. But the more she scanned the more wheels began to turn inside of her head. There was quite the potential here, especially with him rumored to be as talented with potions as he was. Leaning closer, so the muggleborn couldn’t hear, Tess looked up at him with a grin before speaking in a lower tone. “Shall we, how do you say, have some fun?”

There was a slight shiver that ran down his spine as she spoke in another language, and he decidedly ignored it, the way the hairs on his arm stood up being the only hint that he had been effected at all - it was lucky it was cold outside and he had on long sleeves. Severus raised an eyebrow, watching as she took in all the ingredients around her and wondering just what she could possibly mean by fun. Part of him hoped desperately that their idea of fun was the same - anything to liven up this dull night would be a welcome relief, but he didn’t want to show his hand too soon. Not in such a public display should he be misjudging. “Be my guest.” He responded vaguely, gesturing for her to take her pick of ingredients. Perhaps then he could have a clue as to where she was going with this. He was surprisingly amenable to helping her brew…. whatever it was she had in mind, but he also was curious to see what level her potionmaking was at. 

Alecto enjoyed annoying people. It was one of her favourite past times. Of course, she mostly did it when she believed that she had the upper hard. That might not have been necessarily true with Severus. But she at least felt that they were on an even playing field. So, she had no issue with coming up and annoying him. She’d say she was doing him a favour really. If she was annoying him it meant that nobody else could. And well, that was a good thing for both him, and the person that would inevitably end up at the end of his wrath.

“Mmm.” She mused a smirk on her face as she looked at him. She would usually not be seen dead at a thing like this. But she’d felt like seeing what it was about. “Maybe i just wanted to come see your pretty face.” She teased with a grin. In actual fact it had been Ivy’s pretty face she’d been coming to see, but he didn’t need to know what. “Gotta get my fix of annoying you after all”

He fought not to roll his eyes at the comment. Not very hard, granted, and he lost the battle and indeed rolled his eyes with a bit of attitude - but he tried for a split second to be more polite, at least. “I thought friends didn’t lie to each other.” He mused darkly. Truth be told, in the circles they ran in, friends likely lied to each other fairly regularly. He knew he certainly did, anyway. And while Alecto certainly could be annoying in her own way, he never seemed to really mind her company. Not that he was about to tell her that, however.

“Alright, so what did bring you out here, then?” He asked, not letting her think for a second that she had fooled him. He knew it hadn’t been him and his measly little booth just as well as she did. “I wouldn’t have expected to see you turn up at such a boring even such as this. Hell, I wouldn’t be caught dead here if I wasn’t basically ordered to.” His lip curled, not trying to hide his distaste at the current situation. 

Status ✧ Open Location ✧ Hog’s Head Inn

Peter was sat at an isolated table towards the back corner of the Hog’s Head Inn, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the cracks on his stein of butterbeer. Sometimes he just needed to be alone; needed a moment of silence where he could recharge his energy for however many days until he could get his next break. As effortless as he made it look, lying to every single person in his life twenty four-seven could become exhausting. Being afraid all the time was exhausting. The Hog’s Head Inn always felt like the better choice when he wanted to avoid the world due to it being much more unkempt than The Three Broomsticks just down the road, so Peter was taken a little off guard when someone was suddenly standing at his table causing him to immediately switch back on. “Do you find that the lonely corner booth is often looking for company?” Merlin, someone was going to curse him one of these days.

It was too easy - it was almost as if the other were looking for someone to come ruin his evening. Severus couldn’t pass up the opportunity to at least try. He scowled down at the other man - his lip curling at even thinking the word, the same age as him maybe but a boy in any other respect - and started peeling his gloves off finger by finger, taking his time. “You should know better by now, Peter.” He replied smoothly, with an air of being much less bothered than he actually was. “The more you try to hide away, the more attention you bring to yourself. You don’t mind, do you?” He asked, although Severus didn’t wait for an answer before sliding into the booth across from him. Peter would surely have a harder time explaining away his presence than Severus would - the idea of his idiot friends questioning him about what Severus Snape could possibly want to talk about made him damn near giddy, and he suddenly felt much more patient and willing to kill some time. He tapped his fingers against the table. “What do you think? Gin or bourbon?”

There was a small noise behind him and he turned; a flash of red hair and his heart skipped a beat. Severus’ eyes met hers for only a split second before he turned back to the counter. “Make that two, actually.” He amended before he really even knew what he was doing - they always used to be her favorite, and there were only two left on the plate. He paid and stepped to the side so Lily could come up to the register, watching as they emptied the plate. His eyes glittered as he turned his head back to her, looking at her fully for the first time in years. “Shame.” He said blandly, not sounding sorry at all, a bit of a smirk tinging his lips.

where;; Hogwarts who;; @severusxtobias

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐤; 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞. Each step taking her past a door behind which was a room she had spent time in, gotten lost or simply just swooped past without a second glance. It felt nice to be back and yet to a degree it brought more of that feeling of being lost back than anything else had. This is where the witch had been truly herself; not lost and unsure of what the future would bring. For a moment longer the former Slytherin allowed herself to remain in the past before shaking her head. It was time to be in present.

With the hint of a smile, nostalgia fresh on her mind, Emmeline found herself standing outside the office of the latest potions master. “You know, the position suits you.” She had given but a short knock’s time before letting the door swing open. “Hope I’m not interrupting your precious studies. If I did, I do come with gifts.” Well, it was but one gift yet it mattered all the same. Emmeline moved forward, glancing around the little office. Somehow all of this made sense; a perfect place for Severus Snape.

The sun was setting just below the horizon, earlier now since winter had fallen on the castle, but Severus Snape was blind to it in his dungeon classroom. His last lesson had wrapped up quite some time ago - he had somehow managed Friday afternoons as a free period - but all the same he had some work to catch up on if he wanted any time for himself this weekend. 

He had just finished eviscerating a particularly poor essay from an incompetent third year, the parchment covered in more red ink than black, when there was a knock at the door. He had barely had time to be annoyed, however, when they came in, and it took a second but his features relaxed once again as he realized it was not a student. “Emmeline, a welcome distraction, always.” He said softly, standing as she entered - both for a chance to stretch his legs and because he disliked the dynamic it created if he stayed behind his desk. Some discomforts he saved only for students, after all. “Gifts?” He purred, a single dark eyebrow inching upwards. “Color me intrigued.”

Where: Hog’s Head When: Late October, Late afternoon or early evening Who: Open

“Shit!” 

Sybill scrambled for her wand where she’d left it sitting on the bar top a few moments earlier when she’d cleaned some glasses. At least Aberforth wasn’t here to watch her break his fountain spout. Sybill had to wave her wand a few times before she correctly sealed the end. With a few deep breaths, she stared at the spout and her seal, trying to figure out if there was a way for her to replace the spout itself without having to drain the alcohol from the container first. She didn’t think she could keep the seal and replace it all in one. She also wasn’t sure how to mend it without a replacement.

As she considered, Sybill was completely unaware of someone approaching the bar. When they spoke, she jumped with a yelp, her concentration breaking. The alcohol instantly began spraying out again. “Oh fuck,” she muttered, not even reacting to how soaked she was getting.

Severus watched the whole fiasco from his place in a dark booth in the back corner, getting more enjoyment out of it than he probably should have - especially since Sybill was almost something close to a friend. But only almost. The first expletive that fell from her lips had gotten his attention, and he waited until he was fairly certain he wouldn’t get doused in alcohol before he approached the bar - but in good caution, he still stayed what he deemed a safe distance away. “Having trouble?” He asked smoothly, a bit of a smirk on his lips and a glint in his eye although she still had her back to him.

He jumped slightly as the liquid started spraying again, glad he hadn’t gotten too close - this was a new cloak. “Merlin, Sybill.” He glowered, rolling his eyes and pushing up the sleeves of his cloak as he drew his wand to help. He wouldn’t normally - but enough was enough, and although he did think her ‘gift’ and former profession a joke, she was Ivy’s friend and he and Ivy were currently getting along. He waved his wand, transforming the container to one unbroken for the time being. He picked up a rag from the end of the bar - dirty or clean, he had no way of knowing - and tossed it to her.

It was late, much later than any sane person would be mulling about in the streets, but Barty didn’t have anywhere to be. He’d told his mother he’d be staying with a friend so he didn’t have anyone waiting for him. And, he happened to like the dark nighttime streets of Diagon Alley. He was paused with his back leaning against the wall of a shop, pulling on a cigarette, when something caught his eyes.

They flicked immediately over in the direction of whatever movement he’d caught. He could have sworn there was someone there. Alarm took the mask’s features and he called out nervously, “w-who’s there?”

It was a bit of a strange night for Severus - he had stayed longer than he meant to with a few…acquaintances at Borgin and Burkes, looking over a couple of new acquisitions after they had closed to the public for the evening. The sun had long since set when he wound his way out of Knockturn Alley and back to the more acceptable streets, but no one was there to see him regardless. Not that he minded all that much, it was the quietest part of the night and he had to admit, he rather enjoyed Diagon Alley when it wasn’t so full of the general public. Still, he stuck to the shadows, knowing anyone he met here now would be as unsavory as himself - even if they’d likely be on his side, he simply didn’t feel like socializing any more. Plus, as much as he might enjoy getting out of the castle and away from the students, right now he longed for the familiarity of his rooms and the comfort of a roaring fire. 

A voice took him by slight surprise - thinking for sure he’d go undetected. But it was a familiar one and he relaxed almost as instantly as he had tensed. Barty. Well, that was worth pausing for, he supposed. “Relax, Crouch.” He called back softly - there was no need to be any louder in the dead quiet of the night. “It’s just me.” Severus took a few steps into the dim light from the street lamps and made his way closer.

He waited only a moment for the house elf to open the door and with a sneer, strode past him asking for Lucius. He put down his small package as he waited, looking around the familiar foyer with an air of boredom. Severus had all but memorized every square inch of the place for how much it had changed. But still, he was patient, in no hurry to get his task finished.

x

For someone who hated most everyone, it was quite the surprise to know Cassiopeia insisted on making an appearance at such an event. And of course, making Tess tag along. Now that she thought of it, it really wasn’t soo much of a surprise to her. Cassiopeia had been on the hunt for a husband for her since she was 12, insisting that Tess go to every social event possible. Flaunted like a price cow with a price tag around her neck. So when her bunica decided to chatter with the other old hens, Tess made her break for it. Surely she’d catch some slack for it later, however it was refreshing to finally be able to enjoy the solitude of her own thoughts. Approaching the tent, Tessa couldn’t help but give the grumpy looking Severus a smile, for it was amusing. “I do not need luck”, the raven haired girl spoke with her accent thick, something she could do without her bunica around. Picking up one of the empty bottles she rolled it in her hand, examining it.

Of all the people that could have made an appearance at his tent that afternoon, he supposed Tessa was one of the least offensive options. Not that he’d ever admit it, but he found himself even enjoying her company from time to time. “That remains to be seen.” It was as close to a compliment as he ever doled out - normally he would cut straight to the point and inform her that she would, indeed, need every ounce of luck she could manage. But he was willing to hold his tongue until he saw for himself whether she knew her way around a cauldron. Severus waited a moment, watching the vial roll in her hand. “Well?” He asked, glower returning slightly. He was nearly out of the little patience he had to begin with - tonight was not a night to try him. “Are you going to simply look at it, or are you here for something other than to torture me?”

The day had been pretty interesting so far. Alecto was far from a people person. But she did quite enjoy watching people. It could be quite enjoyable. Especially because people could be idiots. For the last few minutes or something she’d been watching Severus run his little tent. She was actually quite surprised to see him running a tent. Nobody could get her to run a tent here. Not that many people would ask her, since she wasn’t the most friendly person in the world.

A smirk on her face, Alecto sauntered up to the table once the latest person had gone. “I’m always lucky darling.” She murmured, twirling a strand of red hair around her finger as she looked at him. “Having fun?”

Severus breathed a sigh of relief when it was Alecto who approached the tent next, believe it or not. He considered her a friend - one of the few - and as an added bonus, between the two of them, most people would likely continue to pass on by rather than press their luck by interrupting. “Must be nice.” He replied smoothly, blinking slowly as he resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Severus was of the mind that he had never been very lucky. Or lucky at all. He leaned slightly on the table in front of him and crossed his arms, growing tired of standing for so long. Normally, it didn’t bother him - he could stand in front of a simmering cauldron for hours on end. But this? This was tedious. “I can’t even begin to tell you how much.” He did roll his eyes this time, tone dripping in sarcasm. “I’m surprised you couldn’t find something more fun to entertain yourself.”

His words made her glare deepen and her arms stayed crossed over her chest. Ivy was mad at Severus, for one reason or another. Although, taking a second to think it over, she couldn’t even remember what they had been fighting about weeks ago, or why she’d gotten so pissed off over it. So, instead of continuing to feign anger, Ivy relaxed, thankful for a welcomed guest rather than some overly excited teenager who’d wandered into the wrong place. “You’re sure that’s the only reason you came all the way up here?” Ivy questioned with a raised brow, reaching for the bottle of bourbon before he had a chance to ask her for something. Pouring him a short glass, she slid the drink across the bar to him, and began pouring one for herself, too, laughing at his words. “It’s not pumpkin flavour that most people like, it’s pumpkin spice.” She answered, leaning against the bar, “Most people are too stupid to realize the difference, though.” Admittedly, Ivy did rather like pumpkin spice, but actual pumpkin flavour was disgusting.

“I’m actually surprised to see you here at all. Figured you’d be down in the dungeons all weekend. Let me guess - Dumbledore conned you into supervising the little gremlins?”

Ignoring her as she only glared harder at him, he busied himself with situating himself on the stool, knowing she’d likely give it up soon enough. She always did. It was their thing - the pattern they had fallen into all that time ago. And sure enough, when he looked up again, she had stopped. “I’m sure.” Severus gave her a look - something halfway between a smirk and exasperation - knowing she’d know well enough that it might not exactly be the truth, even if he didn’t admit to it. After all, he had found himself longing for some company lately; he could thaw out for a moment to get back in her good graces. Not that it had ever been that hard to do in the past. 

He rolled his eyes and took a healthy swig before replying. “I’m an intelligent man, Ivy. But I refuse to believe there is any difference in those two things. And please -” He held a hand up. “Don’t try to explain.” He took another sip of his drink and sighed contentedly, but it only lasted a second before she brought up Dumbledore and he was glowering again. “Conning implies a level of subtlety and manipulation the man doesn’t even have the decency to bother with.” He shook his head in disdain - at least he would have been able to appreciate a good underhanded move. But Dumbledore knew full well Severus would not be in a position to tell him no - and so he didn’t bother. It was irksome. “Either way, here I am, holed up at the potions tent. But I draw the line at supervising.”

The look of disgust spread over Lucius’ features before he could mask it, leaving his nose wrinkled for a few seconds. He could have feigned interest but the need to do so would have required more effort than he was willing to put in. He opted for losing the wrinkled expression and covering it with more relaxed look. At least, as relaxed as could count for a particularly disinterested Malfoy.

“Surely they could have put your talents to better use,” Lucius murmured in response. “Something a little less…” There was a momentary pause where Lucius tried to pick a better word than pathetic. “Disparaging than whatever this is.”

Anyone else showing such a blatant disgust over his booth might have ruffled Severus’ feathers, as much as he himself was angered by it. But still, the art of potion making - abeit this was a bit of a stretch - should still garner at least a touch of respect. But since it was Lucius, he was unphased. He chuckled once, darkly, nodding as he looked over the sad excuse of an ingredient kit splayed out before him. He found he agreed wholeheartedly. “And yet here I am.” He sighed, taking slight comfort in the fact that someone finally recognized just how far beneath him work like this actually was. What he had to do to stay in Dumbledore’s somewhat good graces often left him questioning whether it was really even worth it. They couldn’t have simply had him brew the ridiculous concoctions and send them in for use? Then at least he would be alone in his dungeon doing this ridiculous work, away from the public spectacle of it all.  “Luckily my partner,” Severus sent a withering glare in Tilden’s direction without trying to hide it. “Is more than happy to humiliate himself for the entertainment of the less intelligent, so I haven’t had to do much.”