HP - Shadow Monarch!

Chapter 116 - When Arrogance Becomes your Downfall.

[Chapter Size: 1800 Words.]
Third Person POV

London.

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...

"Then you seem to know me..." Astraea Black said calmly, studying Snape for a moment.

"Hard not to know you, my lady," Snape replied in an even tone. After all, she was a well-known figure in the wizarding community; not even the Malfoys had the privileges she enjoyed.

"Even so, I'm surprised that you know, after all, you're not someone I usually encounter." She spoke calmly, though Snape could sense a hint of disdain in her voice, clearly placing him in a lower class in her view.

Despite the subtle offense towards Snape and his half-blood status, he didn't really mind it. As long as no harm was intended against him, he never cared about being called such; it had never stopped him from doing what he needed to, despite the heavy prejudice that most of the great families harbored against wizards born in Muggle homes.

"I've met many people from the great families this year, far more than in previous years, so I'm well-informed," Snape responded.

"Ah yes... you can be sure that you've become somewhat famous, even among the wizards of the great families. Tell me, Severus Snape... what is your secret? After all, even my granddaughter seems to recognize you, as she insisted on this meeting," she said calmly, while the portraits seemed to take an interest.

"Grandmother... I don't think..." Bellatrix attempted to argue, not wanting to appear foolish. After all, she had a contract with Snape for him to come here to train her, though she hadn't mentioned this to her grandmother yet.

But before her granddaughter could continue, Astraea raised a hand, signaling her to stop. "You needn't say anything more, my granddaughter. Just let me hear what the boy has to say," she spoke as Bellatrix obediently fell silent.

"It's a long story; I doubt you'd actually be interested in tales from a sixth-year student," Snape said calmly.

"I was curious and might have indulged in a conversation... but I am a very busy woman, constantly taking care of the Black family. So let's get straight to the point, Snape... why did you convince my granddaughter to arrange this meeting?" She asked, looking at him with intense eyes.

"You are right... I believe we can begin. I am here because I want to acquire one of your properties," Snape stated simply, while Astraea and Bellatrix raised their eyebrows.

The moment those words left Snape's mouth, the atmosphere seemed to grow darker. Astraea looked at him, wondering if he was joking; she couldn't believe Snape could afford a Black property. This appeared to offend her; she refused to believe it, feeling as though she were wasting her time by coming here, which was something she despised more than anything else in the world—wasting her time on trivial matters, especially in conversation with a half-blood.

"Do you know what you're saying, boy...? Which property do you wish to acquire?" she asked, looking at him with a serious tone, allowing Snape to speak as she restrained her growing anger. Bellatrix remained silent, observing Snape carefully. She shared her grandmother's thoughts but not Astraea's anger; she had to admit he'd mentioned something like this, though without many details.

"I want the shop that's for sale in Diagon Alley," Snape said simply, as the tension between them grew even thicker, even the portraits sensing how the current Lady Black was beginning to get irritated.

"You want that shop? It's over 400 square meters! Do you know how much a property in Diagon Alley costs, especially one that size? You must be joking with me, aren't you?" She spoke mockingly, her tone even more severe than before, as her gaze fell on her favorite granddaughter, her expression asking how she could have brought this fool before her.