As Snape approaches Perdurabo's grand house, he sees that several Silhouettes are awaiting him. Cappadocius and her group embrace him and tell him that their outpost in the Southfarthing is finished and occupied, and that the rookery is already being settled. Cappadocius tells him that they took the liberty of crafting a lake between the rookery and the outpost, and that their Picadors have seeded the lake with roe from different fish, and shoots of compatable aquatic plants. In a week or so, the lake will be full of life. Snape asks, "what have you named it?" Shiver says, "well, we've planted trees along its eastern bank so there'll be plenty of shade there...we thought it would be a kick to call it Shadowmere." He grins, "or Luvailin, if you prefer. Ellie might like that." Snape feels a stirring deep inside, as he remembers what the Observer told him the night she alerted him to Andromeda Tonks' plight.
"And the settlement, when one rises, what will that be called? Tirion?" They laugh, welcoming him up the steps, and Maverick nods. "Indeed, brother, I believe you've gotten it." Snape smiles crookedly and from within the darkness of the grand house's entryway a familiar voice greets him. "Beneath the Hill of Ilmarin, a-glimmer in a valley sheer, the lamplit towers of Tirion, are mirrored on the Shadowmere." Snape can not see the speaker's face, but he knows it wears a warm smile. "From the Song of Eärendil, Fellowship of the Ring," Snape says, and the speaker chuckles softly. "I always have liked Bilbo." Perdurabo emerges from the darkness only briefly, and extends a hand to the Potions Master before turning back into the manor.
The Silhouettes settle on the steps of the manor, where they'll be waiting for Snape when he emerges.
"It's been a while since you've been here, my boy, it's good to see you again," the Old Man says, and Snape nods. "It has been too long, and there are a great many things I wish to discuss." Perdurabo smiles. "I suspected as much, but you're not here today to converse with me about those things." Snape recognizes the subtle trace of Silhouette magic in the atmosphere of the manor, and while it does not surprise him, it does raise a question, but he will not ask just yet. "I'm not?" Perdurabo laughs. "No, my boy," the Old Man grins, and gestures toward a room with an ornately carved door. There's a griffin's head portruding from the center of it, surrounded by a swirl of dancing gargoyles.
"Did Albus tell you he found his other portrait? It's in there now," he says, then, noting Snape's expression, he adds, "I've not been in to talk to him." They pass another ornate door or two, and he says, "not much to say to him, really." Snape looks at him. "Well, alright, I do have a few choice words, but I'd rather not...waste my breath." He shrugs, and Snape glances back at the door. "You didn't like each other much, I've been told." Perdurabo laughs loudly. "Who told you that, Aberforth, or Albus?" He chuckles. "I think I can guess," he says as he leads Snape into a small reading room. Snape had noticed that the traces of Silhouette magic became stronger the farther into the manor they went, and when Perdurabo sits down, one of the ebon-skinned people emerges and places their hands on the Old Man's shoulders.
It's Bea.
Snape's not sure whether to be happy to see her, or concerned. He can feel, now that he relaxes, that the great house is full of Silhouettes, though he's not certain why. "Now then," the Old Man says softly, "let's get to why you're here." Their eyes meet, Snape sighs, and Perdurabo nods. "Let's talk about Harry."
***
Tonks watches Elsbet go through her workout and notes how fluid is her grace...she moves like a dancer, and Tonks finds it difficult to believe she's never handled a wand.
But she has handled a sword, and a bo staff...
She needs a wand, damnit. It's too bad Ollivander disappeared, Tonks thinks, then asks Master Han if there are any Wandmakers there in Sanctuary City. "Ah, yes, there is one, however, I do not recommend taking Ellie to him. At least not at this time." She doesn't understand. "But, shouldn't she begin training? The sooner the better?" Master Han nods and replies, "normally, I would say yes. Absolutely. But, she does not need it now. She is not ready." She runs her hands through her bubble-gum pink hair and rubs her chin with the back of her hand. "With all due respect, Master, and speaking as an Auror, I hope she has some training before we're in the heat of battle."
Master Han chuckles softly and turns toward Elsbet and her sparring partner. "Sometimes, Tonks, the heat of battle is the best training." He walks slowly out to his students and immediately all sparring stops. All swords and staffs are stowed as the Master gathers them to rest and meditate. Left alone with her thoughts, Tonks' mind wanders to her husband, and their friends. It feels odd, very odd, to be thinking of Lucius Malfoy as a friend, or anything else along those lines, but she has seen undeniable proof that the man has changed. It's not anything he's said, nor anything in his demeanor, nor even the fact that Snape trusts him or that Elsbet loves him without reservation.
It's in his aura. It's changed completely. If an Auror with no idea who he was were to look at him now, they would never know he had ever been a Dark Wizard, let alone a Death Eater. Therion, she understands, was also a Death Eater, but it's not obvious at all; there is no trace of Darkness in him. What concerns her is that Snape's aura is growing darker, and has been since Dumbledore's death. She knows Snape is on their side, she knows he's good, but still...she worries. How much deeper can he go before he can't come back? A soft voice brings her out of her thoughts suddenly. "You worry for Potions Master, dat's good, but he ok." She looks down into the elder woman's wizened face and smiles. Oma takes her hand and pulls Tonks gently along to a table laiden with things to munch, and nice hot tea.
Tonks takes a cookie and sighs deeply, then turns to thank the tiny lady, but she's gone. Tonks finishes the cookie and starts to look around for Oma, but Elsbet's appearance brings her back to the table. "Let's go to the club!" Tonks laughs at Elsbet's spontaneous suggestion. "Come on, come on! I haven't been in a while, and it'll be fun--" she grabs Tonks' hand but Tonks doesn't budge. "Ellie, why haven't you?" Her brow rises and she looks at the happy girl with a stern expression. "Because Severus doesn't like the way the men look at me," Elsbet says, "but," Tonks nods and says back, "so the place you want me to take you is right where he doesn't want you to be." Elsbet shrugs and says, "but it'll be alright Tonks, I'm with you, he knows you won't let anything bad happen."
Tonks sighs and Elsbet takes her hand again. "Really, it's alright. I promise. Besides, we're meeting someone for lunch." She winks and giggles, and Tonks finds she can't resist.
***
"Shall we stop in here have a look around?" Remus looks at the shop Malfoy and Therion are heading into and stops. "You must be joking," he says, and Malfoy turns back around and looks at him hopefully. He opens his arms wide and shrugs. "Oh, come on, Remus!" He laughs, "I've never been in one of these before either, it'll be a new experience for both of us." The werewolf laughs at himself and sighs as he heads for the shop. "Alright, you win." He looks at Malfoy for a second and shakes his head as he walks in. "I've got to get used to you," he says and Malfoy gives him a side glance. "Would you prefer me the way I was?" With a sharp intake of breath Remus says, "Gods, no," and Malfoy nods, satisfied. "Good, because I like me much better this way."
The two wizards find Therion looking at packages along the back wall and Remus chuckles at some of the things. "Do people actually use these things for--" Therion gives Remus a knowing look. "Yes, my friend, they do actually use them for sex. They're sex toys, that's what they're for. Although," he laughs, "in less open Muggle communities, they call them marital aids." He leaves Remus looking at the various jelly toys and finds Malfoy looking at the assorted erotic jewelry. "Therry," he says, in a kind of amazed, distracted tone of voice, "what is this for?" Therion gazes at Malfoy for a moment, his breath catching in his throat. It's been ages since anyone's called him that...and his heart has longed to hear it again.
He touches Malfoy's hand gently and turns the package so he can look at it. "Ah," he whispers, "well...that goes..." he leans forward and whispers in Malfoy's ear, and the fair wizard instantly turns bright red. "But wouldn't that hurt her? That's such a...tender...uh," Therion nods and tells him, "well, she, or, whomever's putting it on for her, certainly has to have it adjusted correctly." Malfoy nods, clearly wondering if Elsbet would wear it, then decides she's probably too sensitive there...but thinks he'll get it anyway, just in case she's feeling adventurous some night. Or tonight. Whatever. He grins and holds up the other things he found as Remus walks around the shelf. "And these...?"
Remus laughs. "Now I do know what those are. Nipple clamps." Both Therion and Malfoy stare at him for a moment. "It was Sixth Year, it was a strange, wild night, there'd been far too much firewhiskey and Sirius would never have let me live the whole thing down if he hadn't been the one who wound up wearing them," he says, and Malfoy looks like his eyes might jump out of his head. Therion feigns a swoon, saying, "oh, Merlin's Teeth, what I wouldn't have given..." and fights off the urge to actually giggle. "Well, that's not even all of it. James nearly got shaved. And I don't mean his head." Therion sits down on an empty display and says, astonished, "James Potter, shaved bald. I would have paid to see the results of that..."
Remus chuckles and says absently, "Severus would have as well, no doubt." Malfoy winces. "Gods, it would have itched like Hell when the hair began growing back..." Remus nods. "Imagine the embarrassment." Therion pulls himself up and grips Malfoy's shoulder. "Well, he deserved it," Remus tells them, "I was sick of him making asses of us." The werewolf sighs and looks at the nipple clamps Malfoy's holding. "You have to be careful with those, Lucius, because you can do real harm if she's very sensitive and they're set too tight." Malfoy looks at the other packs on the wall and finds two lovely ones designed "for sensitive types". He takes them down and follows Remus and Therion into another isle. There, Therion looks through the specialty accessories, and Malfoy can't help himself.
"Cock rings? Really?" He laughs and Remus nods. "Here," he hands a red one to Malfoy, "that one vibrates." Therion shakes his head. "Yes, but is it water-safe?" Malfoy, slightly confused, glances from Remus to Therion, then asks, "isn't going to...get wet anyway?" Therion grins and tells him, "different kind of wet, you know? Think of the pond. Or..." Malfoy realizes his mistake and chuckles at himself. "Ah, right...it vibrates, eh?" He picks out a black vibrating one, and Therion smirks, "for Severus?" Malfoy grins brightly. "How did you know?" Remus shrugs as he pulls a brown one from a selection of non-vibrating rings. "It's black. Can you imagine him wearing another color?"
They all laugh and chat about various quirks and eccentricities as they look around the shop a little more, then realize it's about time to eat. Therion pays for their purchases, insisting that it gives him a chance to get rid of some of his Muggle money, then the three wizards head out to lunch.
"And the settlement, when one rises, what will that be called? Tirion?" They laugh, welcoming him up the steps, and Maverick nods. "Indeed, brother, I believe you've gotten it." Snape smiles crookedly and from within the darkness of the grand house's entryway a familiar voice greets him. "Beneath the Hill of Ilmarin, a-glimmer in a valley sheer, the lamplit towers of Tirion, are mirrored on the Shadowmere." Snape can not see the speaker's face, but he knows it wears a warm smile. "From the Song of Eärendil, Fellowship of the Ring," Snape says, and the speaker chuckles softly. "I always have liked Bilbo." Perdurabo emerges from the darkness only briefly, and extends a hand to the Potions Master before turning back into the manor.
The Silhouettes settle on the steps of the manor, where they'll be waiting for Snape when he emerges.
"It's been a while since you've been here, my boy, it's good to see you again," the Old Man says, and Snape nods. "It has been too long, and there are a great many things I wish to discuss." Perdurabo smiles. "I suspected as much, but you're not here today to converse with me about those things." Snape recognizes the subtle trace of Silhouette magic in the atmosphere of the manor, and while it does not surprise him, it does raise a question, but he will not ask just yet. "I'm not?" Perdurabo laughs. "No, my boy," the Old Man grins, and gestures toward a room with an ornately carved door. There's a griffin's head portruding from the center of it, surrounded by a swirl of dancing gargoyles.
"Did Albus tell you he found his other portrait? It's in there now," he says, then, noting Snape's expression, he adds, "I've not been in to talk to him." They pass another ornate door or two, and he says, "not much to say to him, really." Snape looks at him. "Well, alright, I do have a few choice words, but I'd rather not...waste my breath." He shrugs, and Snape glances back at the door. "You didn't like each other much, I've been told." Perdurabo laughs loudly. "Who told you that, Aberforth, or Albus?" He chuckles. "I think I can guess," he says as he leads Snape into a small reading room. Snape had noticed that the traces of Silhouette magic became stronger the farther into the manor they went, and when Perdurabo sits down, one of the ebon-skinned people emerges and places their hands on the Old Man's shoulders.
It's Bea.
Snape's not sure whether to be happy to see her, or concerned. He can feel, now that he relaxes, that the great house is full of Silhouettes, though he's not certain why. "Now then," the Old Man says softly, "let's get to why you're here." Their eyes meet, Snape sighs, and Perdurabo nods. "Let's talk about Harry."
***
Tonks watches Elsbet go through her workout and notes how fluid is her grace...she moves like a dancer, and Tonks finds it difficult to believe she's never handled a wand.
But she has handled a sword, and a bo staff...
She needs a wand, damnit. It's too bad Ollivander disappeared, Tonks thinks, then asks Master Han if there are any Wandmakers there in Sanctuary City. "Ah, yes, there is one, however, I do not recommend taking Ellie to him. At least not at this time." She doesn't understand. "But, shouldn't she begin training? The sooner the better?" Master Han nods and replies, "normally, I would say yes. Absolutely. But, she does not need it now. She is not ready." She runs her hands through her bubble-gum pink hair and rubs her chin with the back of her hand. "With all due respect, Master, and speaking as an Auror, I hope she has some training before we're in the heat of battle."
Master Han chuckles softly and turns toward Elsbet and her sparring partner. "Sometimes, Tonks, the heat of battle is the best training." He walks slowly out to his students and immediately all sparring stops. All swords and staffs are stowed as the Master gathers them to rest and meditate. Left alone with her thoughts, Tonks' mind wanders to her husband, and their friends. It feels odd, very odd, to be thinking of Lucius Malfoy as a friend, or anything else along those lines, but she has seen undeniable proof that the man has changed. It's not anything he's said, nor anything in his demeanor, nor even the fact that Snape trusts him or that Elsbet loves him without reservation.
It's in his aura. It's changed completely. If an Auror with no idea who he was were to look at him now, they would never know he had ever been a Dark Wizard, let alone a Death Eater. Therion, she understands, was also a Death Eater, but it's not obvious at all; there is no trace of Darkness in him. What concerns her is that Snape's aura is growing darker, and has been since Dumbledore's death. She knows Snape is on their side, she knows he's good, but still...she worries. How much deeper can he go before he can't come back? A soft voice brings her out of her thoughts suddenly. "You worry for Potions Master, dat's good, but he ok." She looks down into the elder woman's wizened face and smiles. Oma takes her hand and pulls Tonks gently along to a table laiden with things to munch, and nice hot tea.
Tonks takes a cookie and sighs deeply, then turns to thank the tiny lady, but she's gone. Tonks finishes the cookie and starts to look around for Oma, but Elsbet's appearance brings her back to the table. "Let's go to the club!" Tonks laughs at Elsbet's spontaneous suggestion. "Come on, come on! I haven't been in a while, and it'll be fun--" she grabs Tonks' hand but Tonks doesn't budge. "Ellie, why haven't you?" Her brow rises and she looks at the happy girl with a stern expression. "Because Severus doesn't like the way the men look at me," Elsbet says, "but," Tonks nods and says back, "so the place you want me to take you is right where he doesn't want you to be." Elsbet shrugs and says, "but it'll be alright Tonks, I'm with you, he knows you won't let anything bad happen."
Tonks sighs and Elsbet takes her hand again. "Really, it's alright. I promise. Besides, we're meeting someone for lunch." She winks and giggles, and Tonks finds she can't resist.
***
"Shall we stop in here have a look around?" Remus looks at the shop Malfoy and Therion are heading into and stops. "You must be joking," he says, and Malfoy turns back around and looks at him hopefully. He opens his arms wide and shrugs. "Oh, come on, Remus!" He laughs, "I've never been in one of these before either, it'll be a new experience for both of us." The werewolf laughs at himself and sighs as he heads for the shop. "Alright, you win." He looks at Malfoy for a second and shakes his head as he walks in. "I've got to get used to you," he says and Malfoy gives him a side glance. "Would you prefer me the way I was?" With a sharp intake of breath Remus says, "Gods, no," and Malfoy nods, satisfied. "Good, because I like me much better this way."
The two wizards find Therion looking at packages along the back wall and Remus chuckles at some of the things. "Do people actually use these things for--" Therion gives Remus a knowing look. "Yes, my friend, they do actually use them for sex. They're sex toys, that's what they're for. Although," he laughs, "in less open Muggle communities, they call them marital aids." He leaves Remus looking at the various jelly toys and finds Malfoy looking at the assorted erotic jewelry. "Therry," he says, in a kind of amazed, distracted tone of voice, "what is this for?" Therion gazes at Malfoy for a moment, his breath catching in his throat. It's been ages since anyone's called him that...and his heart has longed to hear it again.
He touches Malfoy's hand gently and turns the package so he can look at it. "Ah," he whispers, "well...that goes..." he leans forward and whispers in Malfoy's ear, and the fair wizard instantly turns bright red. "But wouldn't that hurt her? That's such a...tender...uh," Therion nods and tells him, "well, she, or, whomever's putting it on for her, certainly has to have it adjusted correctly." Malfoy nods, clearly wondering if Elsbet would wear it, then decides she's probably too sensitive there...but thinks he'll get it anyway, just in case she's feeling adventurous some night. Or tonight. Whatever. He grins and holds up the other things he found as Remus walks around the shelf. "And these...?"
Remus laughs. "Now I do know what those are. Nipple clamps." Both Therion and Malfoy stare at him for a moment. "It was Sixth Year, it was a strange, wild night, there'd been far too much firewhiskey and Sirius would never have let me live the whole thing down if he hadn't been the one who wound up wearing them," he says, and Malfoy looks like his eyes might jump out of his head. Therion feigns a swoon, saying, "oh, Merlin's Teeth, what I wouldn't have given..." and fights off the urge to actually giggle. "Well, that's not even all of it. James nearly got shaved. And I don't mean his head." Therion sits down on an empty display and says, astonished, "James Potter, shaved bald. I would have paid to see the results of that..."
Remus chuckles and says absently, "Severus would have as well, no doubt." Malfoy winces. "Gods, it would have itched like Hell when the hair began growing back..." Remus nods. "Imagine the embarrassment." Therion pulls himself up and grips Malfoy's shoulder. "Well, he deserved it," Remus tells them, "I was sick of him making asses of us." The werewolf sighs and looks at the nipple clamps Malfoy's holding. "You have to be careful with those, Lucius, because you can do real harm if she's very sensitive and they're set too tight." Malfoy looks at the other packs on the wall and finds two lovely ones designed "for sensitive types". He takes them down and follows Remus and Therion into another isle. There, Therion looks through the specialty accessories, and Malfoy can't help himself.
"Cock rings? Really?" He laughs and Remus nods. "Here," he hands a red one to Malfoy, "that one vibrates." Therion shakes his head. "Yes, but is it water-safe?" Malfoy, slightly confused, glances from Remus to Therion, then asks, "isn't going to...get wet anyway?" Therion grins and tells him, "different kind of wet, you know? Think of the pond. Or..." Malfoy realizes his mistake and chuckles at himself. "Ah, right...it vibrates, eh?" He picks out a black vibrating one, and Therion smirks, "for Severus?" Malfoy grins brightly. "How did you know?" Remus shrugs as he pulls a brown one from a selection of non-vibrating rings. "It's black. Can you imagine him wearing another color?"
They all laugh and chat about various quirks and eccentricities as they look around the shop a little more, then realize it's about time to eat. Therion pays for their purchases, insisting that it gives him a chance to get rid of some of his Muggle money, then the three wizards head out to lunch.