Like Moths To A Flame

Two: The Assignment

Two Months Ago...

Severus

"Are you really certain that I am a good fit for this smaller church, Excellency?" Severus asked, sitting in Bishop Gardiner's office like a first year student about to be scolded by the Headmaster.

Gardiner was a skinny rake of a man, but he had a biting tongue at times, and brooked no nonsense during business hours.

Gardiner frowned in disappointment. "Were you not a Dean at your last prep school, Father Prince? Did parents not entrust you with their children?"

Not by choice, and certainly not with their approval. Severus cleared his throat. "Yes, I was, for over four years," He lied. "Surely, I should serve in the office, or some other training position first."

"And I suppose working on the ground means nothing to you, does it? How interesting that your inadequacies are clearly on display here, my son," Gardiner said silkily.

"I didn't say that," He said evenly. "I simply called into question my immediate readiness since I just graduated from Seminary School."

Gardiner narrowed his gray eyes at him. "Father O'Brien had a lot of faith in you, Father Prince. It was mentioned in his will that he wanted you, Severus. You, to be his successor at St Mary's when he dies. He mentioned no one else."

Funny how the Irish Priest never once mentioned that to his face, but Severus knew that this was just an excuse for Gardiner to get him out of his hair since he personally couldn't stand him. Whatever, he would play the long game, he had lots of experience with it, after all, being a former spy to a psychotic half blood wizard.

Severus pasted on a smile. "Well, if Timothy had faith in me, who am I to refuse him?"

Gardiner grinned wolfishly. "Yes, indeed. I shall not keep you any longer, Father Prince. You have quite a long drive ahead of you. Do be sure to pick up your manual from my secretary before you leave." (So long as you are far, far from my office, you apostate of hell...wizard).

So, he knew what he was. Well, that would complicate his life, but so long as he wasn't working with the anti-wizard groups like the newly reformed New Salem Liberation than he would deal with it all in good time.

Severus bowed, "Excellency."

"Father," Bishop Gardiner grunted.

He left, and picked up the manual that he had to follow in order to conduct himself while running this church he now had to lead. The manual was less about not changing the prescribed method of service, or going against doctrine, and more or less a reminder to stay true to his vow of celibacy.

He found a discreet place to apparate back to his home in Cokeworth, and while it was renovated, and beautiful now, he sometimes did not like the loneliness that sometimes crept over him. But, he burned that bridge when he decided to be a Priest in the first place. In the meantime, he would work within the system, and see what he could uncover. After all, it was his skill set as a former spy. He was good at investigation, very, very good, indeed, and he would leave no stone unturned....