An Unrequited Love (S. Snape)

Chapter Three: A Death Eater's Warning

The sun filtered in through the uncurtained windows. I awakened with the pressing light, and with a quiet yawn, sat up slowly. With the promise of a sunny morning, I felt a jolt of excitement at the thought of the oncoming day.

Diagon Alley.

Taking a quick shower and changing rapidly into my clothes, I was ready for the day within a good half hour or so. Running a brush steadily through my hair, I stared back at my reflection with an excited grin.

By the time I set down the brush and felt confident with my appearance, I tossed on my traveling cloak and walked out the door, locking it firmly behind me. The cleaning lady was already down several doors from me, and ignoring her, I climbed down the stairs into the Leaky Cauldron.

A few shady characters sat in the corner, both playing a game of what I assumed involved cards and some form of magic while a couple of others were chatting together quietly and consuming their breakfasts. Tom the landlord stood behind the bar, methodically wiping down a glass when he spotted me. Tom was bald and toothless, and his grin looked almost grotesque— especially with the dim lighting. 

"How was your stay, Ms?" he asked, setting down the glass and throwing the rag haphazardly across his shoulder. "Would you like something to eat? Breakfast maybe? A drink?"

"Just some butterbeer would be nice, Tom," I answered, shooting him a kind smile. 

"No, I insist," a hand clasped my shoulder firmly. "Give her the finest mead in town. She's old enough now — and damn worth it."

I looked behind me, and with the tiniest ounce of shock, had to do everything in my power to hold back a gasp. Large and broad-shouldered, the man's blue eyes held a shimmer of mischievousness, his lips curved into a slow smile.

"Thorfinn," I greeted in shock. "Please, sit."

He listened obediently, quietly requesting a bottle of firewhiskey as he lit a cigar, and pressed the offending article between his lips. Small puffs of the sweet scent were clouding around us, but I ignored him for some time until Tom handed the two of us our drinks, and moved further down the bar to talk to some of his usual customers.

"Dumbledore welcomed you with open arms, I will hereby assume?" he whispered, taking a swig of the spicy alcohol. "And you are in his good books?"

"He's good," I confessed softly. "He could see through my lies like a goblin spots gold. However, he has brought me in. It's only a matter of time until I'm in through the gates of Hogwarts, and can therefore begin getting to work. But, there's one little catch."

"Yes?"

"I can't get into seventh year until I pass certain tests in each class. If I pass them, then I'm welcomed like an old student," I explained quietly.

"Well, that's no problem," he chuckled, and threw an arm casually across my shoulder, pulling me closer. "I haven't seen a witch as powerful as you in quite sometime — you'll do splendidly. Don't even think about it. We taught you everything you need to know, now you just have to show them that you understand it."

"I can do that," I nodded.

"But, watch out for Snape."

"Snape?" I inquired, raking my mind for where I've heard the name before. "He sounds familiar — who is he?"

"He works at the school," Thorfinn took another swig, and he eyed me with a hint of importance. "When the Dark Lord came to power a few months ago, Snape didn't show up right away. Oh, he did eventually, however he was tortured by the Dark Lord because of it, but for some reason, the Dark Lord believes his reasonings."