Harry Potter, Ghost Prince

Chapter 14: The first suspect

"I hate you with passion."

"Now, now, Sev, no need to react like that. It's a celebration, so let's celebrate!" Danny exclaimed, blowing on a party horn.

"How much times I warned you about eating too much sugar?" Severus rubbed his temples.

"Hey, I can't get drunk, so let me at least get diabete. Oh, wait, I can't get even it. That sucks," Snape facepalmed. "What? Illness makes life interesting!"

"So you say."

Severus was able to understand his friend's happy attitude. He was getting married, after all, he probably would have felt the same way, just not so overemotionally like Danny always reacted. Honestly, he never looked like the man who suffered a lot in his life. He was like your distant relative who makes things awkward for everyone around. Thank Merlin that Phantom was merciful enough to let Severus wear wizarding robes and not that choking muggle costumes.

Danny has already brought him to some questionable places. He called this a 'Traditional boys' day out'. A very strange tradition, he had to admit. They had the most weird drinks English capital could offer. As Danny bluntly put it, English food can kill and pubs can bring back to life. Some of those cocktails costed more than the whole Severus' apartments. He didn't question how Phantom acquired so much money, because he had a feeling that he didn't want to know.

"Aanyyways," Danny said longingly, "Em gives concert in the evening and until then we can do whatever we wish. Any offers, hmm?"

He made a gulp of his drink. Severus sometimes wondered why he was still friends with this eccentric, if a slightly insane, man. Maybe because opposites attract. And Danny was also a good specimen for new potions, since negative effects somewhat didn't work. Moral says that he shouldn't do this, but Daniel never complained, completely opposite, he was eager to learn if something could harm him. That sounds disturbing when Severus thinks of it.

Despite the fact that Snape has no liking of muggles, Phantom managed to bring him on public. He didn't like all the stares, hypocritical, in Severus opinion, they were wearing clothes even more strange.

"I don't know," he answered. He really didn't, muggle world was something unknown to him, just as their customs.

"Hmm," Danny rubbed his chin. "Very well, do you know any WIZARDING activity?"

"I'm not the kind of man to answer that," Severus deadpanned.

"Yes, I guess you are," Danny said bluntly and thoughtfully, before raising a coke can.

Severus snatched the can. "Enough. You drank ten already."

Danny pouted, crossing his hands. "Fine! But can I..."

"No."

"Ugh, you no fun, man."

Danny was such a child sometimes, then again, he was still on sugar highs. Severus was also disappointed that he can't drink something strong. At least one of them needs to have a clear head or they could do something they both might regret later. Danny was babbling excitedly about some muggle stuff, and in the unstoppable flow of words Severus had a hard time to understand everything. But Daniel always listened what Snape had to say, so it was fair to return the favor. But their conversation was interrupted by the familiar voice and not in a good way.

"Oh, I just can't believe how small this world is."

'Merlin, no,' Severus mentally groaned, while Danny just raised his eyebrow and tilted his head at the newcomers.

There were two of them. The first guy had shaggy black hair and gray eyes, while the second one had light brown hair and green eyes.

"What do you want, Black?" Severus asked the 'shaggy hair'.