Descendant of Merlin Book 2: Darkness and Desire (Severus Snape)

Fenrir Greyback

Severus walked in a few minutes later looking totally innocent as if he hadn't just gotten my father drunk. I glared at him vehemently. He smirked.

"Ah Severus, I take it this is your doing?" Dumbledore asked knowingly.

"He challenged me to a drinking game," was Severus's shrugged response. I expected Dumbledore to chastise him for it but I was wrong.

"It would appear you won," the headmaster said shooting a sympathetic look in the direction of my father's bed; the curtains were still drawn around it. "Why don't you and Isabella go on to Hogsmeade and pick up those supplies we discussed while James rests."

Severus nodded and turned to leave. I smiled awkwardly at Dumbledore and raced to catch up with the potions master. I nearly had to jog to keep up, and Severus didn't seem like he was going to slow down for me. I frowned.

"Severus, what's wrong?" I demanded partially concerned, partially exasperated. He didn't look at me.

"Your father's name is James?" he asked, but it was more like a statement. I furrowed my eyebrows not sure what my dad's name had to do with anything.

"Yeah, what about it?" I asked. He shook his head and exhaled heavily finally slowing down some.

"Nothing. Are you ready to go to Hogsmeade?" he asked changing the subject. I wanted to press the matter but thought better of it. Anything that would stop the embarrassment my father had caused me was welcome.

"Can I run to my dorm to get my money?" I asked. He nodded his consent as we descended a set of ancient stone stairs. Surprisingly they weren't dusty or anything. I guess with a small army's worth of house elves even the largest places could be kept up.

"I will wait for you in the entrance hall," he said and stalked off. He was acting weird but hopefully it would go away soon.

I quickly grabbed my money and headed to the entrance hall. Part of me was afraid Severus would leave me. Students were starting to wake up now, but most of them were still sleeping. I met up with Severus and we started across the school grounds. It was a long walk to Hogsmeade Village.

"What all do we have to get here?" I asked curiously. Dumbledore had been very vague back in the infirmary.

"Just a few potions supplies that I've requested. I'm working on a new potion that requires some -unusual ingredients," Severus explained leading us to a shadier side of town. The entire town was small so once in it we didn't have to go far to get to the run down looking shop Severus wanted to go to.

We slipped into the store without being noticed. I was becoming increasingly more comfortable in places like this. Other shops had started making my skin crawl. I found I liked the anonymity of staying to the shadows. Severus had made me realize that.

I paid close attention as he murmured what he was looking for to the shopkeeper who disappeared into another room. The short, lanky wizard reemerged a few minutes later with a glass vile that was filled with a liquid the color or pearls, a bone so old it had turned a dirty orange, and a long slender piece of metal with a very nasty looking point on the end. Coins changed hands.

"Does alcohol not even affect you?" I asked Severus as we exited the shop. He started off down the street.

"Your father only had four glasses.—I had six. I've always held my alcohol well, but I admit six drinks are enough to make me a little fuzzy around the edges," Severus said turning down another low lit alley.

A large hulking figure stepped out from the shadows of a shop doorway. Whoever it was, they had a malicious smile on their face. Severus froze and I could see his muscles coil. The man started stalking towards us and I noticed his teeth were pointed. Severus pulled me behind him protectively.