One Fate Leads To Another

Chapter 16: First Mission

As if time has turned back to the summers again, it was just Severus and me.

He occasionally had to report to the Dark Lord, but most of the time he spent his days brewing potions for the Dark Lord. "I need to concentrate on my work," he often told me. Therefore, I just sat down and watch him.

His movement was graceful and precise. Every step was deeply imprinted in his mind. One would think that he was simply repeating dull steps in reflexive movement, but I saw the appreciation he had for handling the potions.

"I'm working on Veritaserum," said Severus suddenly. "And these are Jobberknoll feathers." He continued explaining as he carried out each step. They sound familiar for Slughorn taught us once, but I found it very difficult to remember the steps to potion-making.

"It looks and smells like water, allowing one to slip it into any editable product." he continued. I was too busy admiring his face and didn't pay close attention.

It's taken hours for him to finish today's work, which by the time I had fallen asleep. His touch on my shoulder woke me up.

"What would you like for dinner?" He asked.

"Hum...," I wasn't fully awake yet. He raised an eyebrow, paused and waited, only to find that I couldn't make up my mind. He walked away as he muttered, "I'll make dessert."

"Dessert?" I repeated. "Let me guess, blancmange?"

"Yes, you smelled the almond, didn't you?"

"What almond? It's the only dessert you like, so of course I guessed blancmange! You've loved it since you're just a boy. That's what you said to me, that my cupcakes are too sweet and you prefer blancmange for your birthday. Well, I was not a very good baker so I couldn't make it for your birthday, and that's why we don't do birthday treats anymore, don't you remember?"

"Yes, but I didn't expect you to..." he murmured.

When given a recipe with precise instructions, Severus made a wonderful cook. "It reminds me of that one Christmas when Lily bought blancmange for us," I said as I swallowed a spoonful of this milk pudding. "We were like a family, and she's like a sister who always take care of us."

The movement of his spoon-holding hand slowed down. I knew that all those times he was isolating himself from me, his relationship with Lily wasn't any better. He didn't attend their wedding.

"She's doing fine by the way, in case you're wondering," I added. "She looked gorgeous in that wedding dress. You should've seen her in it."

"Why would I be there when she's marrying a pathetic good-for-nothing?" He raised his tone and snorted.

Pieces of memories flashed back in Severus' mind. The time when Sirius Black almost killed him when performing a 'practical joke' on him for amusement. Liz did not know, but he will always remember.

"Not for them, but Lily," I replied. "She still calls you Sev, you know? That means she still sees you as a friend."

He didn't utter a word.

On Christmas Eve, an un expected guest arrived. The sounds of walking stick hitting the ground reached upon the doorsteps. The cold grey eyes of Lucius Malfoy scanned through the house and he finally entered. "Severus," he greeted. "And, Miss ... Dumaine."

"It's Prince now, Malfoy."

He raised a brow but was not very interested in me still. "I did not expect to see someone such as you here."

"Lucius, if you intent to argue any further, Miss Prince is a half-blood and a distant relative from the Prince family."

Even displeased, Malfoy could say no more as he believed that Severus knew what he was doing. "I have a pressing matter to discuss with you about the Dark Lord."

"Which is?"

"Should we not proceed our conversation in a more private room?"

"She aspired to join us, Lucius. Let her stay."

"When things went south, you have to take the full blame for entrusting her," said Malfoy unwillingly. "The guest we kept at Malfoy manor has spoken, thanks to your truth potion. Bellatrix overdid her cruciatus curse and our guest is unable to tell the time of the Aurors meeting clearly. The Dark Lord wants you to retrieve specific information of their operation."

"Of course, it's a pleasure to work for the Dark Lord. It would be a chance to bring her in as well. I shall meet him myself tomorrow."

"Unbelievable!" Lucius exclaimed in loath. "Have you not the faintest idea how infuriate the Dark Lord is? If you are truly determined to let Dumaine join us, let her take part in your work. Impress the Dark Lord with skills, if she even has any."

When it came to matters regarding Severus, Malfoy appeared to be genuinely concerned. He might not bad influence, but he was indeed a true friend.

"If there is no other business...?" replied Severus.

"I see that I came at a wrong time." The white-blond nobility realised that he was unwanted and dissaparated in displeasure.

Malfoy could be right. I was not a master in duelling, as I barely had any experience in real battle. Fighting as an animagi was of course an exception.

The burden of finishing a business for the Dark Lord was uneasy and very unsettling. It kept me awake all night. The Dark Lord was without a doubt the most unsparing and inhumane wizard anyone has ever met, which brought all Deatheaters to their knees. His followers coward at his feet, and the weak-minded had to flee. He would torture his subjects until they plead for death, instant murder would be a blessing to those in his captive. Where would I be placed if I shall fail the Dark Lord?

The next morning, I searched all the cupboards where Severus stored his potions to bring me comfort. It would take less time if Severus was here with me but he had gone out early, when I finally got a few minutes of sleep just around dawn. I wished I had paid more attention to Slughorn's lessons if I had known that my life depends on these magic serums. I searched everything but Severus didn't label every bottle.

I felt hopeless, until I noticed two tiny bottles of elixir in my bag. Two precious bottles of liquid luck! They are precisely what I require at the pressing moment! Next to my bag was another potion with a note left on it.

Worry not. Drink this potion that helps you sleep. I shall wake you when I return. — Severus Snape

How thoughtful was he to leave behind not one, but two bottles of Felix Felicis to calm me down! With the aid from his potions, the mission shall go smoother and my chances to succeed and please the Dark Lord would be within my reach.

Severus returned some hours later when it was approaching noon. He came back with a wound on his right arm. It was nothing too severe but he couldn't cast a spell as easily.

"Frank Longbottom and Edgar Bones are heading to Hog's Head tonight. Coincidence or not, it is likely a secret meeting," said Severus, as he placed two bottles of thick and bubbling mud labelled Polyjuice on the table. "These will be our drink for the evening."

"Or..." I disturbed him, as Polyjuice's disgusting taste quickly ran through my mind. "Perhaps, if we are to dress proper, some luck will be sufficient."