Knowledge is Power

Chapter 53

The next day, Kereston wrote them with the address to Adler Manor and said to arrive at six in the evening on Saturday for the dinner party. Surprisingly, she included a request from Millicent Bulstrode that Severus bring enough Veritaserum for everyone. As Severus planned to do just that, he was pleased to know he wouldn't have complaints.

Nightshade wanted to go, but to remain unseen under the chameleon spell just in case there was trouble.
//If there are issues I'll be an ace in the hole. I can fuck with his mind and throw him off while you all attack if he's a Death Eater.//

The idea sounded solid to Severus, especially as Kereston had said they'd not given Adler any list of names when it came to who would be attending the party. That meant if he was a follower of Voldemort, he wouldn't be able to report that Severus was involved before the night of the party. In such a case, the dark lord would have no idea who killed him if it came to that.

It wasn't until Saturday afternoon that it occurred to Severus to invite Filius along. Kereston was clear on the fact that Wolfgang Adler was interested in working with anyone capable and willing. Like Raislen and Heather, Filius was one to lay low and stay out of things for unspecified reasons, but Severus knew for a fact that he didn't support Voldemort. It was the potions master's suspicion that Filius found the order's methods to be too soft and there was no other act in town as it were. He'd never said as much, but Severus trusted his hunches.

After shamelessly bribing Nightshade with thinly sliced deli turkey to take Filius a note, he charmed a sheet of parchment to burn if not opened by Flitwick. Quickly outlining the situation and providing Adler's address, he gave the note to Nightshade. The owl was back before long.
//He wasn't there, but I left the note for him.//

Albus decided to sit this one out, so he remained with Mira at WestCraven Manor while Heather, Raislen, Mag and Severus, with an invisible Nightshade on his shoulder, apparated to Adler Manor at six in the evening on Saturday. The place was on the edge of London, not fully in the city but not far enough out to be considered out of it either. The lawn was vast and neatly kept and the home itself was stately. The group arrived to the sound of others apparating in. Kereston and her parents arrived then Blaise Zabini and his parents. Millicent and hers were already waiting in front of the closed front door.

All the parents wore nearly matching expressions of wariness. Millicent appeared nervous, fussing with her long green skirt. Severus would've found it odd that the Amazon like girl was dressed up with her hair pulled back if he actually cared, which of course he did not. For his part, Blaise Zabini looked bored, so at least some things never changed. Millicent was the one to lift the door knocker, expression turning eager as she let it fall four times.

The man who opened the door was Adler himself rather than any servant. Severus could tell because he was definitely tall enough to be a half giant. Rather than being stocky as was the block like Hagrid, Wolfgang was taller than wide, big boned rather than thick waisted, and somehow elegant. He looked like someone who had themselves together. His face was clean shaven and well proportioned, his blonde red hair short and neat, his gray suit perfectly tailored.

His smile of greeting was gracious as he warmly welcomed everyone to his home and ushered them inside. In the front hall, Millicent made introductions and Adler suggested they get the meeting bit out of the way first before having dinner if everyone was agreeable. Severus found himself liking the fact that he was polite enough to inquire rather than simply stating how things would be. Granted it was his home and he had every right to do so, but the fact he hadn't showed a willingness to work with others that Severus could appreciate. Likely this was because it was a trait Voldemort definitely didn't have. A dark lord didn't need to specifically listen to his followers, but it could certainly get him further in the end if he did.