Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

The Prize	By : Kvarta Category: HP Canon Characters paired with Original Characters > Het - Male/Female Views: 3468 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction. Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling. This story is purely for entertainment purposes, no money is being made from it.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
A/N: Reviews are most appreciated.
OUT OF THE FIRE AND IN TO THE…
Snape turned toward the Holding Cell Area of Ministry. With dark look on his face and brisk strides, forced people to scramble away from his path, and for Mr. Polkins to jog behind him. Rage and frustration colored the edge of his sight with white spots. Yet, feeling of being pressured in to unwilling cooperation felt oddly comforting.
He reached her door and halted, which made Polkins nearly colliding with his back. Lucky for Auror, he managed to stop before that happened. Snape forcefully open the door and barked not even looking in to the room
- Gather your things Miss Katya. We are leaving Ministry tomorrow. –
Without any additional explanation, he closed the door and warded them, muffling her calls and questions. Passing a distance to his room in two strides, facing his door he barked at Auror
- She is not to be disturbed until the morning. –
- But Sir… Ummm …. –
- Mr. Polkins I suggest that you think very carefully what are you about to say. –
- Her supper Sir, I can’t break your wards. And what if she needs a loo? –
- I would advise against tempering with my wards, if you value your skin Mr. Polkins. Her meals and needs are not my problem. I suggest that you,do not make my anger, your problem. The prisoner is not to be addressed until tomorrow morning, did I made myself clear? –
- Y…yes, Sir. –
He walked in his room and slammed the door behind. For a moment, he just stood there, petrified. With a sharp swirl, he waved his wand to the door and warded them. Only then he unleashed his rage. Every single piece of furniture, every glass or bottle of alcohol he could reach were smashed in to the bits. Even the mattress and the bed were destroyed, sheets shredded. He could hear the banging on the door, but he couldn’t care less.
Tired and exhausted he curled on the floor in the middle of piled and shredded fabric and pressed his fists next to his eyes, pushing them strong until it begun to hurt. After a while banging stopped. He could not tell how long he was just lying there before merciful oblivion of sleep took him over.
~ S ~ S ~ S ~
Sharp pain radiated from his hip pressed against hard, cold surface. His head throbbed. Carefully he outstretched his hand to feel the surface; it was hard and cold, covered with tattered rugs and rubble. He pulled his hand back and adjusted his breathing, hoping that nobody noticed his movements.
“Where am I, who captured me? Am I imprisoned by Order or Dark Lord? What did I do to be discovered?” his thoughts were jumbled “Maybe I just displeased the Lord and he is correcting me.” he tried to focus, his brain moaned “I need to remember before they come for me.”
Tension in his neck made him wish to change position, but he pushed back the urge. Suddenly, memory of previous day slammed at him with painful force. He sat up with a groan. Cracking one eye open, he observed mess in the room. Fumbling he pulled his wand and moved to sat on his heels, casting reparo after reparo until room looked more presentable. He rose to his feet and swayed.
- You are getting too old to sleep on the floor. – grumbled
First, he shrunk all his things, all that where not irreparably damaged and placed them in a small satchel. Washing bowl was banged up but usable and he filled it with water using a spell and tried to make himself presentable. Taking two long breaths he removed wards and stepped in to the hallway.
Mr. Polkins jumped on his feet, young Auror looked worse for the wear.
- Thank Merlin, you are all right, Sir. -
- Mr. Polkins did you slept on that floor? –
- No, Sir. I mean yes, Sir. – stuttered – I was here but I wasn’t sleeping, Sir. –
- Did you get instruction how we are going to move from here to my house? –
- Yes sir, we will use floo network, I will escort you and show you around the house. –
- Very well. And the prisoner? –
- I followed your instructions, Sir. She was yelling and calling, until… - Polkins paused looking nervous
- Until, what? –
- Until noises from your room, Sir. – whispered Auror
He just nodded and removed wards from her door, opening them
- Are you ready? –
- Yes. What is … -
- Do not ask any questions. Do not talk at all. Follow me. – turning on his heel he motioned to Polkins to lead them. Only one floo was temporarily connected to his home, and he was not informed which one. Wanting nothing more than to walk fast as he can, and leave Ministry behind, to his dismay, he had to match speed of the steps with Polkins’. Katya was slightly running, trailing behind them.
Once again Ministry was at full blown halt, observing them as they passed. Snape could not shake the feeling that he is observed like some sort of rare beast. He was not relishing the attention. This time, however, he was not only rarity and many onlookers set their eyes on Katya. He was also painfully aware that with Polkins in front of him, and her at his heals he was still in “protected” position. Katya was turning her head left and right, ignoring the people and seemingly admiring Ministry. But even with his back to her, he could sense that she was paying more attention to the crowd. I fact, anyone with half the brain and only a basic training would notice her clumsy attempt of surveillance.
Suppressing the need to growl out loud, marched right to the floo network, temporarily connected with his home, barely detecting that Polkins was talking
- …Aurors left your residence just moments ago and … -
- Make sure that she follows. Do. Not. Loose. Her. – hissed and stepped in to a huge fireplace calling “Snape residence” disappearing in the puff of green flames.
- But, Sir! … -
He could hear Polkins calling him as he landed in the spacious living room. Room was painted in warm pale sienna with dark moss green imprint of leaves. Long tea table, one Victorian settee and two armchairs all in dark cherry wood covered with warm burnt sienna plush were placed in front of the fireplace. Few scattered cabinets filled the empty spaces against the walls. Not paying much attention to the furniture, it was his anyway, transferred from his quarters in Hogwarts, scanned the space around him.
Main entrance to the apartment was on the opposite wall, behind small two-step corridor. On the wall, right to him was two entrances, one to the kitchen and one to a long hallway. Nodded his head with approval, this room was to his liking.
Suddenly, his knees buckled and he barely managed to stay on the feet as Katya slammed at him, tumbling from fireplace. With hiss, grabbed her by the jacket and pulled her to the feet. But, before managing to say anything, Polkins stepped in to the room.
- Allow me to show you around, Sir. As you can see this is the living room. Down there is a kitchen with dining area. – he leaded them to a fully equipped kitchen with small table for four in dining area. Everything had soft tones of oak made furnishing. Satisfied, nodded again.
- Ministry awarded you a House Elf, if you wish to employ one. One of free elves, currently residing in Hogwarts volunteered. If you are in the agreement with her pay, 2 galeons a month, Tippy would move in starting tomorrow. –
- Very well, send her here. -
- Now I will show you… - continued Polkins, they turned to exit kitchen but Katya was still standing on the door, blocking them. He narrowed his eyes at her but she just ignored him, still looking at kitchen
- Where is a cooling unit? –
- A…what? – blinked Polkins
- Ummm, refrigerator. That is how you call it? For storing perishable food... –
- There is a cold box, near the sink. – Polkins muttered confused
- Miss Katya, - Snape squeezed through clenched teeth – follow us, stay close and…keep your mouth…shut. –
He pushed against her, and she moved to let the Polkins pass, following. Polkins cleared his throat and lead them to a long hallway with two sets of door on each side
- Your room Miss Katya is first door on the left, your Sir is across on the right side. Painters left their paint pallets for both of you to arrange your rooms as you prefer. But, I’m afraid it must be done now, I am to return them upon my departure. We can start from your room Miss Katya. –
They entered room all in white, with birch tree bead, table and closet. He offered her a series of small jars and she looked at him confused.
- Just pick the color, dip one finger and lean it on the wall. If you wish for a pattern you may choose from these shades here. – he pointed at additional row of jars – Dip your finger in color, imagine the pattern and press a finger on the wall. –
Katya looked at colors and he rolled his eyes, preparing for hours of tedious waiting for her to decide. To his surprise, after only few minutes she picked the deep dark purple color and dipped her finger in it, dying the wall in the shade. She dipped another finger in midnight blue and pressed it to her palm, sending one speck of color to the ceiling. She picked silver color from additional palette and dipped finger of other hand, pressing it to the wall, her eyes closed. In front of their eyes, tribal pattern emerged giving the distant resemblance to distorted hearts and caged birds. She pressed finger to her palm and send the drop of silver to ceiling, creating the specks of stars on the dark background. Snape was surprised with dark and rather oddly artistic room, in which now birch furniture gave of slight, natural, silver glow. Katya opened her eyes.
- Thank you. – she politely thanked Polkins waiting for them to leave the room. Polkins lead them to his room. Apart from white walls his old furniture form Hogwarts was there in same order. He took a bronze and shaded his walls, picking an emerald green from additional pallet he growled
- Step out of the room – when he was alone, pressed paint coated finger to the wall concentrating, ancient protective runes glided around the walls in rich emerald green, he could hear Auror’s gasp form behind. Stepping outside the room, closed the door.
- Thank you, Mr. Polkins, you may continue. – smirked at Auror frozen in awe
- Y-Yess. This way Sir, Miss Katya, second door on the left is the bathroom. – Polkins opened the door. Bathroom was in warm bronze shades. Katya widened her eyes and he nearly laughed, she was staring in a small bating basin.
- We have a pool in the flat? –
- What? Oh! No, no, that is a …. – stuttered Polkins
- That is a tub Miss Katya. I do hope that you are acquainted with personal hygiene, at least on the basic level. – quipped sarcastically
- That is no tub, that is a small poll. How you use it is another matter. – she narrowed her eyes at him – And, yes. I am acquainted. -
- Ugh, yes. Well, across is library and work study. – Polkins cleared his throat, changing shades from red to pale and back. He led them and opened door across bathroom. This room looked the same as his room in Hogwarts, so with just a nod, closed the door before woman could steal a peek.
Polkins lead them to the wall with only one picture of forest path, and slid the hand behind picture. Suddenly, wall slid back revealing narrow staircase.
- Similar mechanism is on the other side Sir. This leads to basement on the left and your private laboratory. If you would follow me... – he led them further in to the poorly lighted stairs.
In the end of staircase only few steps long and five steps wide hallway with two doors opposing one another. Polkins started to open the door on the right, when Snape stopped him.
- Show me the other room, I will check laboratory later. –
Polkins nodded and opened door form other room. It was rather large and empty, bare stone with only one candle for light.
- We didn’t know what would you use this room for, if you let us know… -
- The room is fine just as it is. –
- Very well, Sir if you follow me now, please. Only one thing left to show you. – Polkins led them up the staircase and pointed at lever
- This lever, pull it and walk in to the hallway, door will close behind. If you want to close it behind while you are in your laboratory, pull lever twice it will open the door than once… -
- I understand basic mechanic, Mr. Polkins. Show me what is left and leave. – impatience vibrated in his voice. Auror just blushed, nodded and pointed the way. He walked them to entrance door, opening them. They stepped in to another dimly lighted corridor, sliding down in a spiral staircase. When they reached lower floor Auror stopped.
- This lever opens the panel door to the back office of the front shop. There is no way to open panel from outside, for now. it is presumed that you might want to rent the space. –
- Rent it Mr. Polkins? –
- Yes. Since property is yours, you can freely rent it without repercussions from the Ministry side. I believed that Minister… -
- It must have slipped his mind. – squeezed Snape darkly
- Ahem, yes. If you don’t mind, this way... – he led them further down the corridor. – Even if shop is facing the Diagon Alley, entrance is from the other street. - He let them out in to a small blind street in a T shape.
They returned to the apartment and Auror bid them “good day” leaving them alone. Moment before Katya managed to say anything he turned to her, and started to list in a bored even tone
- These are the ground rules: you are under no circumstances to enter my room, my library or MY laboratory. You may not go outside of the house and on to the street unaccompanied. You cannot practice your kind of magic in public. I have misfortune to be, yet again, in obligation to teach. I will teach you how to fit in to our society, which includes: basic history, our way of magic, charms, curses and jinxes as well as defensive charms, transfiguration and basic laws. How proficient are you with flying? –
- When we are going to the bank? – she interrupted and he ignored her question
- I asked you a question. - growled
- Do you see me having wings? -
- Tomorrow, we are going to get you a wand, a broom and necessities for your education. –
- What about Potions? –
- What about potions Miss Katya? – he raised a brow
- Seems like I’m going to learn everything except potions. –
- There are lot more subjects than wat is listed to you. You are here to fit in and that is all. – drawled
- When are, we going to bank? –
- Before we go to shopping, as I understand… -
- Can we go today? –
- Miss Katya, you will learn that when I speak, you are about to keep your mouth shut and listen. –
- I understand that but I need to go to the bank. –
- You are in no need of money today. – growled with annoyance
- It’s not the money…my things are there. They sent all that I packet for my staying here in to the bank. I have only the bare minimum with me. –
- You managed with that “bare minimum” for months; you will manage with it for one more day. – he turned to leave – Be ready tomorrow, 8 a.m. –
- At least give me something to read, I read those two books million times by now. – she called after him. He stopped and glanced at her
- My library is not to be touched. Am I clear? – voice just above whisper was vibrating with dark warning
- I won’t touch it, you give me a book. -
At first moment, he thought just leaving, and then he turned to her summoning the book from the library. He shoved the book in to her hands.
- You may start today by reading this. I expect not to be disturbed. – he walked to his room.
In sanctity of his room, sat on the bed and gazed at his trembling hands. With a deep sigh, run his hands over the face, pressing heels of his palms hard against the temples. Question to ever elusive answer buzzed around his head like a swarm of angry hornets – why he was still alive?
“Maybe this is my punishment? Maybe, I am not allowed to have blissful rest of oblivion in death. Why would my life worth more than Wesley’s or Lupin’s or any other that died in war? They were always clear and honest in their action, they never done what I have done. Maybe I’m punished, cursed by life?” he pressed even harder “Maybe there is a way to fight this curse. I know how, I just need to be…alone. If I get rid of them…if I get rid of her…” he groaned “You can do this, it won’t take long. You survived two wars; just play your part for a little bit longer.”
Taking a deep breath, lurched to his feet, gazing the runes, smug half-smile twitched his lips as he remembered Auror’s gasp. Snape approached one of the runes and touched it slightly. Pulling the small sliver peeling knife from the pocket he nicked his finger and pressed it against the wall, chanting softly. Another set of runes, much smaller and blood red, slithered around the walls and door, dripping on the window sill wood. He kept his finger pressed until runes started to glow, only then he removed his hand.
“Let us hope that they won’t check. One down, two to go.” He made his way to the library and repeated the process. Finally, slipped through the hidden door to the basement laboratory. Here he repeated the process three times, each time using different incantation. Only then he glanced around, deciding to make the list of all that he needed buy and replace from equipment to the ingredients. Work occupied him enough for his mind to stop reeling.
~ S ~ S ~ S ~
Katya stood in the middle of the room, clenching the book he shoved in her hands, suppressing desire to scream at him. The man was intolerable. Marching to her room she mumbled under the breath
- Self-centered, stubborn jack-ass. He’s ten times worst then…. aghhhhh. –
Slamming the door behind her she tossed herself on the bed. She was on the edge; she missed her music and her books. Katya missed her clothes, not which were much different from what he had on her but still, clean, fresh clothes. Annoyed, she started to turn her pockets, sitting down, piling the content on the bed. Finally, returning everything to original size. Placing clothes in the dresser and books on the table, frowned – she will need a book shelf in the room.
Picking up the book he gave her she frowned again, A History of Magic, Batihilda Baghot
- Why would I need to learn their history? I don’t plan on staying. –grumbled, with a sigh, lied down on bed and started reading the book. Hour later Katya fell asleep on top of the covers, hugging the book to her chest, nearly finished with its reading.
- 13
- 14
- 15
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The Prize