In dark ( Severus Snape)

[STELLA MARIS]

:: She had recently come to the magical world after a long absence. Sarah did not know that was what had happened but she could not believe that the school was not there, there was no Hogwarts, the castle where she had studied, the castle now had been her home was completely destroyed. Now what she wanted were explanations, questions with answers. Finding Professor Dumbledore or anyone for that they will explain to her what had happened.

It was night, Sarah was walking in the Diagon alley was deserted now, and there was no joy, no one was there, all shops were closed, everything was deserted. No voices were heard students about to buy textbooks. There was nothing.

Only silence.

She did not feel anything about, she was alone .... or not?.Walked quickly but with difficulty by the snow-covered road. Looked at each shop expecting to see a light wand pressed more strongly between her hand, with a trembling hand closed around her body layer to protect from cold, every time she breathed her breath was an icy mist. Sarah did not like that.Felt the presence of a person who was close in Diagon Alley. Her breathing quickened, as she reached the leaky cauldron knocked loudly at the door, there she could spend the night. But the owner did not open the door for fear. Against the door looked around and lowered the barriers of her mind to feel that person was there with her, getting closer ...

"Come out wherever you are and let me see you, or you are a coward?"-She discovered her black ebony wand which had hidden under the long coat and she pointed to the empty

[SEVERUS SNAPE]

Severus Snape didn't visit Diagon Alley very often these days. The cold empty streets made him feel small and alone. The once bustling place had been reduced to something of a mockery. Many of the shops were closed now and thieves like Fletcher littered the cobble-stone as they tried to make ends meet by selling what they had stolen... In general Diagon Alley was not like how he remembered. It was getting harder and harder for him to ignore the past because the memories just kept coming back.

The street was deserted and dark when Snape arrived, but it didn't really bother him. The night was his friend and it was also necessary for what he needed to do. He walked briskly towards the Apothecary where he quickly lowered the protective wards around it. In his youth he had worked there after running away from Spinner's End to make ends meet so he knew just what to do. A few seconds went by before he was finally opened the door and he snuck inside, silent as a shadow. He took several rare Potions as well as a few ingredients that he had trouble finding before he left. He then put the wards back in place because he couldn't afford anyone knowing...

Severus pursed his lips for a moment as he hid the supplies somewhere in his robes and then started to walk along the snow-covered street. What once set him on edge now caused him to relax. He reveled in being alone as he quietly congratulated himself for a job well done. His ears perked somewhat when he heard a voice call out of nowhere and his wand flew into his hand with a simple flick from his wrist. He immediately went on the defensive as his gaze narrowed on a young woman in front of the back entrance to the Leaky Cauldron.

"I am no coward." He drawled. "Lumos." The sudden light made him blink a few times and he twisted his wand in his fingers as he pointed at this possible foe. "Identify yourself or suffer the consequences."

---

Tag: Stella
Words: 347
Location: Diagon Alley
Notes: Sorry it took me so long, love.

[STELLA MARIS]

No one had answered at the Leaky Cauldron, Sarah had been beaten several times the door of the bar. What had happened?. Had begun to snow again and the temperature had dropped considerably. Every time she breathed, the vapor went out from her mouth. She felt panic, she took the wand when she heard the noise she had heard through the darkness of Diagon Alley.

The steps she heard were getting closer. The silence was gone until she heard her voice. A voice she did not recognize and had not heard for many years. Only when her spell lit surroundings, she saw the man, tall, dark, she had not seen for many years, her heart dropped, and she fell down the wand quickly decided to get close him. Sarah could not believe that this man was that had scared ....

"Professor Snape?". Sarah dichromate eyes blinked several times to make sure that it was not a dream. "I'm Sarah Hollander ....". She looked at him in the eyes hoping he would recognize her and who had spent many years. She had been a girl, and he had seen her grow into adulthood. Now she was a mature woman, grown and widow. "I was your student many years ago. " She lowered her wand. "Sorry if I've called you a coward, professor. But I did not know it was you. I never could think such a thing. "

[SEVERUS SNAPE]

"Enough. I am no longer a Professor so I would appreciate it if you stopped calling me as such. You may refer to me as Snape or Severus if you wish."

His former title still grated on his nerves a bit. These days he couldn't stand hearing it because it made him think of Hogwarts and that caused his heart to ache in a way it hadn't since Lily had died so long ago... Severus lowered his wand somewhat, but he wasn't stupid enough to put it away entirely because he didn't trust this young woman fully yet. He strode up to the back entrance of the Leaky Cauldron before stopping at a relatively safe distance. He eyed Hollander for a long moment, as if trying to bring up the memory of when he had taught her as a student, and then finally gave a nod of his head.

"Yes, I remember. Given the circumstances I take no offense. It is good to be wary these days."

Snape shrugged his all-too-thin shoulders before his wand slid up the sleeve of his robe, back to the sling located on his forearm which could return the slim piece of wood back to his hand with just a flick should he need it again. He observed Hollander for a few moments more before coming to the conclusion that she was trying to gain access to the pub beyond. He lifted an eyebrow and couldn't help wondering why she was bothered. He of course knew that the Leaky Cauldron opened for no one after eleven at night, but he was curious as to why she wasn't aware of that generally known fact. Perhaps she didn't keep up with the news...?

"No matter how hard you knock, they won't open their doors for you. They close shop at eleven now. These are dark times indeed. You can't even Apparate or Floo in there anymore when it's closed. It's practically a safe house now."

---

Tag: Stella
Words: 324
Location: Diagon Alley
Notes: ---

[STELLA MARIS]

Stella would be a little difficult getting used to calling him Severus, or Snape. He had been her potions professor for seven years. But what had happened in the magical world. "Sorry, but for me, you deserve a respect, and if you do not mind, I'll call you Snape. You can call me Hollander, or Sarah. "

She watched as he lowered his wand and walked over to where she was in the back door of the Leaky Cauldron hoping to open their doors. Her cheeks burned as he looked intently trying to remember. Sarah fell head intimidated by his former professor of potions. She backed a step back while hiding the wand into the hidden pocket of the layer.

"Well, I think I have not changed much since you gave me class, Snape". Smiled slightly. "But what happened?. I returned today and I have found a different magical world has lost the light and safety always. Now there is darkness, no fear. The magical world I have known has disappeared"

She heard from his own lips that the Leaky Cauldron closed at eleven o'clock at night. But since when?. The Leaky Cauldron was also a hotel for foreigners, for recently arrived travelers magical world. Now everything was different ... why?!

"Something serious must have happened and so much more grave that I have to call Snape or by your name. You are no longer a professor at Hogwarts, why?. What happened in Hogwarts ?...".She led by her own concern moved closer to him and she lifted her head to look into his dark eyes, piercing, dark and cold.

But before he could answer a black figure appeared in that street. A dark figure, far higher than Snape. Sarah could see how dark and menacing creature discovered his own wand. She stood next to Snape not separate. Her body went completely rigid before this apparition she felt a metallic taste in the mouth, it was her own adrenaline.

"What we have here?. A witch and a wizard in Diagon Alley at this hour of night?. A wizard who is looking for prostitutes?. It appears that you have a good taste.

Sarah's eyes rolled and felt a disposition to kill that bastard right there that had called whore. She angrily took back the wand. She heard the laughter of one Death Eater who was slowly approaching to them ready to annihilate them. Sarah glanced at Snape to see his reaction. "Snape, I think we're going to have fun tonight" .Whispered without leaving his side. She was not given to violence, but if necessary, she would be.

[SEVERUS SNAPE]

Severus lifted an eyebrow when Hollander mentioned that he at least deserved respect because to be honest the comment kind of surprised him. Since when had he been able to make such an impression on someone? He had always been harsh and strict towards others, keeping them at arm-length so he wouldn't be hurt again... He pursed his lips somewhat at her next words. Had she been under a rock for the past three or four years? How could she not know? Harry Potter's death had been a very publicized affair even before the Dark Lord managed to take control of the Ministry as well as the Daily Prophet. He wasn't sure if he was the right person to ask because remembering it all brought him pain and unraveled him just a little bit more from the sanity he so desperately clung to.

Before he had the chance to tell her though, she then brought up Hogwarts. She wanted to know why she could no longer refer to him as a Professor and a pained expression crossed his face at the memory. It was bad enough that Snape had been at the school while it had been attacked by Death Eaters and had in fact even helped the dark side bring it down. It had been ten times worse to see it in ruins; to know that the students and adults who had most likely been killed in the battle hadn't even been given a proper burial... He had opened his mouth to recount the grisly tale when suddenly another figure entered the scene.

He was a tall man in black clothing, much like Severus was, with a menacing air about him. He lifted another eyebrow as he listened to what the other had to say and gave a dry snort at the insinuation. He recognized the voice though, which gave him some leeway. "Enough, Dolohov." He ordered harshly. "What I do in my free time is my business. If I wish to entertain myself with a whore then I shall."

"All right, all right. Geez, Snape, no need to get your knickers in a twist."

"Come, Sarah." Without further ado, Snape grabbed her gently by the elbow and pulled lightly, taking her away from the leering man dressed in black. Only once they had reached safety did he release her. "I apologize, Hollander, but I'd rather not present myself as a target just yet..."

---

Tag: Stella
Words: 401
Location: Diagon Alley
Notes: ---

[STELLA MARIS]

Snape seemed surprised about what she would call him and treat him with respect. He deserved it though him had been a hard and harsh teacher with students. The most hated teacher at Hogwarts. But Sarah was not, she had never had any problem with him in the past, when she was a student, she had always been applied in potions and she had always gone unnoticed by all students and teachers. And no one could imagine the feelings she had toward the hated Potions professor. Feelings she had always hidden. Forbidden feelings.
Sarah called Snape though ... Why he looked hurt to be called with the title of professor?. She would ask him to go to a safe and quiet place to talk with quietness, she was daring but ... appeared that guy dressed in black. Snape seemed to know by the way which had led to him.

Sarah was in silence, but at the moment that this guy had called her whore clenched fists. She felt like kicking that guy's ass that had appeared in the darkness of night, or better yet, throw to him a crucio to do on the ground writhing in pain. If it was not because Snape had grabbed her, she already had attacked him.

She followed to Snape when he he pulled lightly, taking her away from the man dressed in black.

"But, you have you heard him?. That guy treated me like a whore and you are my client!". Sarah pale cheeks were covered with color and looked away from him. "Who is Dolohov? ... It seems that you know him" .She approached him and realized he was as tall. She tried to swallow to feel a lump in her throat and heard his apology.

"Do not worry, Snape. The only thing I care about is that you know I'm not a prostitute. I do not care less what you think, Dolohov " .Sarah smiled at her former Potions professor.

The alley where they were was dark, dim. It was very cold, the steam issued from Sarah's lips. But she thought everything was over there. She heard footsteps coming toward where they were ...

"Snape, I also I have the right to have fun with her. Do not be greedy. I have fun with her first and I will give it to you. I do not think you care, right? ".

Sarah saw the tall figure of Death Eater at her side, his eyes frightened her, they were lustful and dirty. She closed everything the neck of her layer as she opened her eyes afraid to see him appear there.

"Come on,beautiful, come with me. Let this old bat, I will pay you more". Dolohov forcefully grabbed Sarah's wrist and tore off the side of Snape sharply.

Sarah moaned in pain from his grip and she tried to get loose. "Let me free, bastard!. Let me go!". Shouted angrily before giving a strong punch in Dolohov's face and throw it away. She was released and bleeding on the snow, his face full of blood, the punch he had broken his nose.

Dolohov cried with rage when he saw the blood that came out of his nose when he touched the face. "Son of a bitch!. Repulsive slut !!!" .The Death Eater looked so mad the wand in his robe.

Sarah fell afraid to trip over Snape, she turned quickly to look at him thinking he ought to be frightened or angry about what she had done. She believed that Snape was a friend of Dolohov. "Sorry, Snape. " Said softly moaning in pain, Dolohov's grip had produced a bruise on her wrist.