The Snake and the Lycanthrope
Date: Late Summer 1997
Time: Dusk
Location: Secret room in The Hog's Head inn
Characters Involved: Snape, Lupin, and admin-run Aberforth Dumbledore
Incomplete
Rating: Likely R to NC-17 for probable language, possible violence.
"This is not going to work. The boy doesn't know you from Merlin, he'll never heed your advice," Severus said wearily to the elderly man currently pouring him a drink.
Severus was dressed in finer clothing than any of his students could have ever claimed to have seen, excepting, perhaps, Draco. However, the finery could not conceal his pallor nor the dark circles under his eyes belying his stress and fatigue. He leant his elbows against the bare, splintery wood of the rickety table, and swigged deeply from the whiskey provided to him, without his usual examinations of the beverage.
The old man shrugged. His dirty grey hair and beard were long, reminiscent of his brother's, but unkempt. His nails were unclean. His teeth, when he smiled, betrayed an unfortunate liking for some mind-altering chewable leaf. Blue eyes were lighter in colour than his recently deceased brother's. They lacked the characteristic Dumbledore 'twinkle', and also the knowing, piercing gaze. Still, Aberforth Dumbledore conveyed an air of strength and street-smarts, if he lacked the intimidating aura of magical power his brother had commanded.
"It'll work, boy," Aberforth said in a dry, hoarse voice. He ignored Snape's glare at being called a 'boy' in the same tone as Snape had just used to refer to Potter. "But you're right, Potter can't hear it from me. I don't reckon he even knows who I am. Al planned for that, too, didn't cha know?"
Severus glare deepened further at hearing Albus Dumbledore referred to as 'Al', no matter if this man was his brother! Then again, Severus had known for years that Albus was not joking when he wondered idly whether or not Aberforth could read. This younger Dumbledore had none of the interest in academic pursuits.
"No, I did not know," Severus growled.
"Yup. Your information needs to come through someone Harry trusts, don't it? Someone Harry likes. We got it all worked out. Got your liaison comin' here shortly. You keep your temper, mind! It took Albus a month to ward this room all up for the two of you, I'll not have you tear it up in temper."
"Who?" Severus asked threateningly. "I'll not have some incompetent risking my neck now, after everything..."
"It'll be Lupin, and you'll be civil, else it'll be on your head if all Albus' hard work and sacrifice is wasted," Aberforth said in tones which brooked no argument, though Severus clearly had many to give. "He should be here any minute, so I'm going to go down and watch for him. No one can get in here until I've escorted them in, first. This room will be available and accessible only to the two of you. Don't tear down my pub! I'll be back."
Severus glowered silently at Aberforth's retreating back as the older man disappeared through the concealed door.
Lupin. Bloody fecking marvelous. Thank Merlin it was near the new moon--Severus didn't fancy facing the lycanthrope near the full, when he was likely already near-rabid with grief. Unfortunately, he could also not fault either Dumbledores' logic, no matter how much he would like to. Lupin was far enough on the outskirts of the Order himself already, by his own actions, that it would be unlikely any Order members would become suspicious of frequent meetings. Potter trusted him. Hell, Severus trusted him, albeit grudgingly.
Pulling the hood of his cloak up over his head to conceal his features in shadow, he simply waited. Doubtlessly the lycanthrope would know his identity soon enough, anyway, but there was no reason to give him cause to start out hexing and ask questions later.
Though he did release his wand into his hand--just in case.
Time: Dusk
Location: Secret room in The Hog's Head inn
Characters Involved: Snape, Lupin, and admin-run Aberforth Dumbledore
Incomplete
Rating: Likely R to NC-17 for probable language, possible violence.
"This is not going to work. The boy doesn't know you from Merlin, he'll never heed your advice," Severus said wearily to the elderly man currently pouring him a drink.
Severus was dressed in finer clothing than any of his students could have ever claimed to have seen, excepting, perhaps, Draco. However, the finery could not conceal his pallor nor the dark circles under his eyes belying his stress and fatigue. He leant his elbows against the bare, splintery wood of the rickety table, and swigged deeply from the whiskey provided to him, without his usual examinations of the beverage.
The old man shrugged. His dirty grey hair and beard were long, reminiscent of his brother's, but unkempt. His nails were unclean. His teeth, when he smiled, betrayed an unfortunate liking for some mind-altering chewable leaf. Blue eyes were lighter in colour than his recently deceased brother's. They lacked the characteristic Dumbledore 'twinkle', and also the knowing, piercing gaze. Still, Aberforth Dumbledore conveyed an air of strength and street-smarts, if he lacked the intimidating aura of magical power his brother had commanded.
"It'll work, boy," Aberforth said in a dry, hoarse voice. He ignored Snape's glare at being called a 'boy' in the same tone as Snape had just used to refer to Potter. "But you're right, Potter can't hear it from me. I don't reckon he even knows who I am. Al planned for that, too, didn't cha know?"
Severus glare deepened further at hearing Albus Dumbledore referred to as 'Al', no matter if this man was his brother! Then again, Severus had known for years that Albus was not joking when he wondered idly whether or not Aberforth could read. This younger Dumbledore had none of the interest in academic pursuits.
"No, I did not know," Severus growled.
"Yup. Your information needs to come through someone Harry trusts, don't it? Someone Harry likes. We got it all worked out. Got your liaison comin' here shortly. You keep your temper, mind! It took Albus a month to ward this room all up for the two of you, I'll not have you tear it up in temper."
"Who?" Severus asked threateningly. "I'll not have some incompetent risking my neck now, after everything..."
"It'll be Lupin, and you'll be civil, else it'll be on your head if all Albus' hard work and sacrifice is wasted," Aberforth said in tones which brooked no argument, though Severus clearly had many to give. "He should be here any minute, so I'm going to go down and watch for him. No one can get in here until I've escorted them in, first. This room will be available and accessible only to the two of you. Don't tear down my pub! I'll be back."
Severus glowered silently at Aberforth's retreating back as the older man disappeared through the concealed door.
Lupin. Bloody fecking marvelous. Thank Merlin it was near the new moon--Severus didn't fancy facing the lycanthrope near the full, when he was likely already near-rabid with grief. Unfortunately, he could also not fault either Dumbledores' logic, no matter how much he would like to. Lupin was far enough on the outskirts of the Order himself already, by his own actions, that it would be unlikely any Order members would become suspicious of frequent meetings. Potter trusted him. Hell, Severus trusted him, albeit grudgingly.
Pulling the hood of his cloak up over his head to conceal his features in shadow, he simply waited. Doubtlessly the lycanthrope would know his identity soon enough, anyway, but there was no reason to give him cause to start out hexing and ask questions later.
Though he did release his wand into his hand--just in case.