Magic and Mystery

Chapter 2: Across the Ocean

Dazai shot up and opened the door. On the other side, Severus' dull, greasy expression was the perfect counterpart to Dazai's vigor.

The professor's eyes wandered around the front room momentarily. "...I don't see your guardian anywhere."

"It's just me today, actually."

Snape raised a brow, but otherwise didn't look bothered by the announcement. More than that, he just looked annoyed to have to even be there. Well... Dazai could work with that. After all, Mori had basically told him he could do whatever he wanted.

Really, Dazai had spent a good amount of time considering and re-considering just who this Snape fellow was in preparation for today's trip. Unlike last time, he didn't plan on being the only person present not knowing all the players in the game. He knew Snape was tricky—there was definitely something below the surface level going on his him, but it didn't seem to be a threat at the moment. Dazai took momentary reprieve in the fact that he could probably overpower Snape if he really needed to. That Dumbledore guy... Dazai wasn't sure about him.

He was bringing a knife just in case.

"Come on, then." Severus growled. "I'd like to finish up with you as early as possible."

"Hm? Don't you like me?" Dazai grinned harmlessly.

In return, Snape sent him a seething glare. He grabbed the collar of Dazai's button-up and practically shoved him out the door. Dazai frowned at the rough treatment, but it was hardly something he wasn't used to.

"You're a teacher, aren't you? Shouldn't you be more kind to your students?"

Snape began speed-walking down the street. Dazai skipped after him without complaint.

" Future student."

Ah. What a reassuring correction. "...then does that make Snape my future professor?" Dazai asked, a dangerous gleam in his eye.

However, Severus immediately halted in his tracks. He spun on his heels and bent down to glare directly into Dazai's eyes. "That is no excuse not to respect your betters, boy!"

Dazai tried to restrain himself from rolling his eyes (or flinching, he wasn't sure which urge was the strongest). It seemed the rough disposition and disrespectful demeanor only applied to Snape himself. People—adults especially—were so hard to understand! Well... not really. But he sure did find their temperamental hypocrisy annoying. "Yes sir."

Snape blinked. Dazai didn't think he expected such a half-hearted acquiescence to the verbal assault. The man cleared his throat and straightened back up. "Good."

After only a moment of silence, Dazai's upset over his lack of knowledge on the subject of magic got the best of him. "So, where are we going, anyway?"

" Diagon Alley." He snapped. "Can't you go even one minute without blathering on?"

"Nope!" Dazai said, popping the 'p' noisily. "How are we getting there? You can probably teleport, right?" When Severus only continued walking faster, the young mafioso chirped, "Or fly on a broom? Unless you plan to walk across an ocean, that is. That's too exhausting, I think I'll just drown."

" Drowning," the professor spat, "is hardly an acceptable response to slight hardship, boy."

"Walking across an ocean is only slightly difficult for you?!"

"And we will be taking a bus. No more questions."

Ah. So they're taking a bus across the ocean. Somehow, that didn't really clear things up. Regardless of the specifics, Dazai could reason they'd be taking some sort of magical transportation system in the form of public transit. It was almost exciting! Finally, he'd be getting some of his curiosity sated. Ugh—Dazai hates being out of the loop.