Shade (A Severus Snape Fanfiction)

|chapter nine|

Knowing Severus would not return for sometime and despising the thought of spending the day alone in the cottage, I decided to visit the nearby town. Dumbledore had recommended that I only visit there with a chaperone, but I could take care of myself.

I doubted Voldemort had any clue where I was anyways. And besides, he might have been aware of my existence, but he had no idea what I looked like.

I was fairly certain Dumbledore had made that request in fear of me harming others, and for the first time, that angered me. Who the hell did he think he was? I knew myself better than he did. Up until that point his quick dismissal of my ability to fight the darkness hadn't angered me, but now I was livid as I thought about it.

Yeah, fuck him. The voice said slyly. And for the first time, I agreed with it's words. I dressed quickly in warm layers and boots. The town, though relatively close, was still quite a walk from the cottage, and it was rather chilly outside. Once I finished dressing, I grabbed my wand and a handful of muggle money I had found on the dresser when I moved in.

The walk to the small town that I did not even know the name of was refreshing. Being cooped up alone was beginning to take its toll. I breathed in deeply, enjoying the fresh air. Finally, I reached the town with a smile on my face as I stepped out of the trees.

I walked past several buildings, not stopping until I found one in particular that had exactly what I needed. It was a small pub. The exterior was a bit run down and some questionable looking characters were walking out as I approached, but it wasn't enough to stop me from having a drink.

I had never been one to drink much, but I did enjoy from time to time, and though Dumbledore had seemingly thought of everything, he hadn't included alcohol in the stockpile of goods.

I was greeted by the scent of stale cigarette smoke as I entered. The inside was worse than the outside. The place was an utter shithole, but the alchohol shelved behind the bar called to me. There wasn't many people there, a couple of men sat at the bar. A few others were scattered among the tables throughout the room. No one paid me any mind, though. Which I was thankful for.

I settled on a bar stool, as far away from the other customers as possible and ordered a vodka on the rocks when the scowling bartender asked me what I wanted.

I didn't bother thanking him when he returned, not that he seemed to mind. I reached for the muggle money in my pocket, but from behind me a voice said, "A beautiful woman shouldn't have to pay for her own drinks. Allow me."

I shifted in my seat so that I could look up at the man looming over me. He was rather tall with long platinum hair and sharp grey eyes. He was dressed rather immaculately, and I found it odd that he was in a place like this.

He paid the bartender and slid onto the stool next to mine. "Lucius Malfoy," he said extending a hand. I looked down at his hand and hesitated for a moment before placing mine in it. I had expected for him to shake it, but instead he pulled my hand to his lips and kissed it, causing me to inwardly cringe. Malfoy? There was a Malfoy boy who went to Hogwarts. A rude little shit who thought he was better than his peers. I wondered if this man could be his father? The kid certainly favored him.

I forced a polite smile. "Thank you for the drink, Lucius."

"It's impolite to not introduce yourself," Lucius teased with a smirk. I took a sip of my vodka and pondered on it for a moment before responding.

"I'm Amanda. Amanda Jones," I lied.

"What on earth is someone like you doing in such a wretched establishment, Amanda?"

"I'm here visiting my sister, actually. She and her husband got into a bit of a quarrel, so I decided to clear out for a while." The lies were rolling off my tongue like it was nothing. "You seem awfully out of place yourself," I stated with a slight grin.