𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧 - 𝑨 𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒖𝒔 𝑺𝒏𝒂𝒑𝒆 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

CHAPTER TWO - Cinder

His brows were slightly furrowed, dark eyes narrowed to try and concentrate better, as Professor Severus Snape sat at his mahogany desk, quill snug between his pinched fingers, so snug, it was close to breaking by the neck.

The only sound that came from his silent office was the rough scratching of the poor quill as he wrote his report with whatever efficiency was left.

His normally neat handwriting was flowing out rather sloppily, as he couldn't concentrate properly due to his pounding headache and tense muscles, strained from the stress of responsibilities.

He was better than this, yet, after the war he felt as if his mind was put through a different level of chaos.

Snap!

The quill met its demise. Ink splattered over the parchment, his hand now blackened from the dark fluid.

With a grunt, he rose from his desk, swiftly cleaning up the ink on his skin with a flick of his wand before his fingers stained black.

His eyes were soon trained on the bottle sitting on one of his shelves. He disliked drinking, and he does whatever he can to keep his intakes limited, but at times like these he couldn't resist.

Severus grabs the fire whiskey, not even bothering with a glass as he flopped down on his wingback couch, away from the desk that conditioned him to overwork himself.

He almost didn't notice the green, roaring flames from his fireplace as Lucius Malfoy emerges, his snake-like cane tapping against the wooden floor, the blonde man's frozen eyes lifting to see a glaring Severus.

"Ah, there you are." Lucius tapped his way to the wingback opposite to Severus, sighing as he sits down and sets aside his cane. "I figured you would be awake, Severus," He spoke, dragging out the S as usual as he gives his dark haired friend a one over. "I have arrived to collect the potion Narcissa ordered."

Of course, an entire bottle of Sublevare, a soothing pain killer potion Severus was asked to brew for the sake of Narcissa, who needed relief from her monthly lady pains. Her age worsened the pain.

Upon recalling this, Severus let out a breath, his hand coming up to rub the space between his eyebrows as he shut his eyes.

"Unfortunately....Lucius, I haven't gotten the time to brew it yet. Come back in a.....week, perhaps." Was all he said, his voice deeper than usual from fatigue. Opening his eyes, his lazy glare stopped on Lucius, not willing to provide a further explanation.

With a hum, the older wizard grabbed the fire whiskey from Severus, earning an annoyed stare from the potions master, as he took a sip for himself. For a while now, the blonde pureblood had an idea as to why Severus hasn't been as efficient as he normally is.

"You know," He stopped to clear his throat. "Years ago, one of my elder maids died giving birth to an illegitimate child, father unknown. A pretty, young lass she is," He pauses, glancing up at Severus who had been quiet, seemingly irritated with the blondes presence, but listening regardless. "We've had her around since then. The older maids raised her, trained her up to our standards....and seeming as you need some....assistance in your life-"

Before Lucius could continue, Severus spoke up, his voice calm, yet raised the slightest bit.

"I shall not have some bothersome housemaid perpetually shadowing me, Lucius. I am perfectly capable of managing my tasks independently." Severus spoke, his lips curling into a slight grimace at the distasteful thought.

Lucius's lips turned into a knowing smile. "Ah, Severus, always the lone wolf. But this is no ordinary housemaid. She is exceptionally skilled and thoroughly trained. Consider her a valuable asset, not a burden. Besides, even the most capable among us could use a bit of... assistance now and then. You might find her presence more beneficial than you anticipate." He continues. "Her name is Mia. No one has bothered to give her a family name as she is an orphan born out of wedlock. I'll have her sent over here by tomorrow morning."