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
- 18
- 19
- 20
A/N: Reviews are most appreciated.
NOW OR NEWER
Snape frowned, rubbing his forehead. He leaned back in his chair, waving both hands in a pistol like shape and tapping his lips with two fingers, supporting his chin with thumbs.
“What did she say? Darkest of Dark Arts.”
Straightening up, with a swish of a wand, books flew through the room, returning to their original places. He walked to the trunk, placed in a darkest corner of the room and nicked his finger on one sharp edge, letting the thin stream of blood to flow through the barely visible canal. Trunk hissed and opened. Carefully wiping off blood from his finger, and performing complicated incantation he rummaged through the trunk, looking at titles, finally setting with one, picking it up. Book growled and hissed at him, as he opened it, murmuring softly as he flicked through pages. Finally, finding what he was looking for, he grabbed the quill and scribbled a few notes on already filled parchment. Returning the book in to the trunk, he repeated the process, sealing it again.
- Tippy, - he called and elf appeared – do we have an owl? –
- Owl didn’t arrive, but we do. – he growled at that response
- Can I ask you to deliver few letters for me? –
- Tippy can. –
- Thank you, I will call you when I finish them. –
He pulled a stack of letters and fine white parchment, and started to write. One of the letters he addressed to Gringots, the other two were for Daily Prophet and another printing house, last letter he sealed with a waxed stamp with no name or address. Calling Tippy, he gave her strict set of instructions about unaddressed letter. Now he could only wait.
Few hours later, first owl knocked on the window frame and he let her in, taking the letter and giving a treat to the bird. The other owls followed her, until finally grumpy looking bird showed up, he grinned as bird set itself on his desk. Giving her more than one treat, he read the letter and took another parchment, scribbling a fast reply. When bird left, with full belly and his letter he relaxed, gold was gold for some people, his contacts on certain places didn’t care on which side he was as long as he had gold.
Last owl that arrived was unexpected, but not unwelcomed, it was a short notice that Katya’s wand is finished and waiting to be picked up at their earliest convenience. He turned to give a treat to the owl, but realizing that he feed all treats from the table to previous one, he started to look through his pockets, finding the treat and his lighter. Sending a satisfied owl to its owner he took the lighter, flicking it to the life.
Gazing at flames, his brain working furiously, he hover his free hand over the flames, letting them lick his skin lightly. Letting a sly smile finding his lips he pressed his hand lower, hissing slightly at pain, mumbling to himself
- What do they say about playing with fire? Let’s play. –
When pain became unbearable he removed his hand, looking at blistered, tender flesh. Quickly returning the lighter in to the pocket he left the library, walking straight to the Katya’s room. He opened the door without knocking; the sight in front of him was confusing at best. Katya was lying on the bed, feet lifted high above head, leaned at the wall, and her head was dangling against the bed side towards the floor. She was reading one of the books for her essay. Her feet were tapping the wall in the beat of music. Deafening sound hit him like a board, dreary melody with aggressive vocals complemented the rather depressive lyrics.
She says I'm down here on my knees[1]
So I'm begging you please
Kill me now or never
Now or never
Now or never
She says I want to feel the end
Let me die and hold my hand
Kill me now or never
Now or never
Now or never
He waited trough the part of the song for her to notice him, but she was absolutely immersed in her reading. He cleared his throat, feeling like someone jabbed sizzling poker in his guts. She didn’t react, and one more aggressive chorus passed
Kill me now or never
Kill me now or never
Now or never
Now or never
Give an eye for an eye
Kill me now, kill me now
Feeling a tightness in his chest he slit his wand and casted Finite incantatem, sound blasted at him in full strength. Katya jumped and fiddled with small black box, silence engulfed them.
- What was that ungodly sound? – he yelled
- Don’t yell at me. Are you insane? Why would you finish the spell before turning off the sound? –
- Turn off? –
- Are you sure you are half-blood? Yes, turn off the player. – she hissed waving the black box
- And pray tell why you would assume that I am acquainted with existence of such device. More importantly, what in a Merlin’s name was that noise? –
- Music. –
- Music? – he felt lost for words, trying to connect what he heard with what he perceived as music, finally opting to let go the topic before he gets too entangled in pointless discussion he barked at her – Food will be served in 30 minutes, do try to be punctual. Your wand is finished, after meal we are going to pick it up. –
Closing the door before she could say or ask anything he stalked to the kitchen to make arrangements with Tippy, suddenly his day was a whole lot better, thing was finally going his way.
Half an hour later he was surprised to see her sitting at dining table
- I see that on odd occasions you can practice punctuality Miss Katya. –
- Can you just drop that Miss part, it’s annoying…Severus. – she huffed
- I don’t believe I gave you permit to call me by my given name. – hissed at her, fighting to suppress annoyance and hostility that threatened to burst out of him
“Insolent, little tart, how dare she?”
- Ok, can I at least call you Snape? –
- No! –
- Oh, get down from that high pole already! – she snapped – We are living together in case you didn’t notice. –
- You, Miss Katya, infesting my living space; that is something I cannot to not notice. Eat your meal, we are about to visit bank and Olivander’s shop. –
- Do we have to go to the bank again? – her voice didn’t sound whiny, it sounded terrified
- Do you have problem visiting the bank? – he raised one eyebrow, dropping the spoon in to a plate, grunting at her inability to eat quietly
- I feel sick in those carts, - she admitted, blushing, much to his surprise – can I give you the authorization to withdraw money from my vault? Or something. –
- Why would you do that? More importantly, why would I agree to that? Are you not concerned… -
- You can clear out my vault for all I care, as long as I don’t have to go through that ride ever again. – she cut him off and he growled
- If …if I agree to that insane request of yours, could you just shut up and eat? At the very least, let me eat in peace? –
- Say yes, and I won’t speak to you at all. –
- I do not have such luck. – mumbled under his breath, grunting noncommittedly, but Katya beamed at him, grinning widely.
Rest of the meal passed in pleasant silence, at least for him, noticing that Katya was fidgeting on the chair. She obviously did not have a habit of eating in silence. After the meal, he gave her a parchment to write him an authorization and gave her a phial of yellowish liquid
- What is that? –
- Nausea medicine, I do not wish to be embraced by you throwing up after every apparition. – grumbled, she drank the medicine without wincing at bitter taste. Observing her light jacket, he frowned, cursing inwardly fact that he would have to take her for more shopping, and she was painfully unprepared for winter. After aparating her to the Olivander’s and leaving her in the store, much to the joy of shop owner, he went to the bank, making withdrawals for both. Then he slipped in to the Knokcturn Ally, grumbling at the fact that he had to avoid curious looks.
Reaching a small, crummy looking hut he slipped inside, keeping one eye on the door but other on the street. Owner greeted him, warding the door behind, mutely handing him a parcel; he took the parcel giving the satchel with coins. Ragged man counted coins and nodded, unlocking the door. Whole exchange went without one uttered word.
Much to his dismay, outside the small house he found Katya leaning on the wall, waiting for him.
“How did she manage to track me down?” – What are you doing here? – hissed in a hushed voice. She just shrugged and he glared at her murderously – You are not supposed to walk outside unaccompanied. –
- I wasn’t walking, Tippy brought me here. – she snipped and he growled – What are you doing in a place like this.–
- None of your business. – he pulled her to the back ally, taking a longer rout to Diagon Alley, calculating how to avoid Auror escort with her by his side, wanting nothing more than to hex her. Dragging her along while she was trying to ask questions, aware that on top of all they are followed, he rushed ahead forcing her to run next to him.
Near the exit to the main street, attack came. Pulling his wand, he placed a shield charm and pushed her aside. Four cloaked shades approached them. Throwing a hex after hex, he managed to incapacitate two of them, third one proved to be decent dueler, giving him fair fight. Sudden commotion from behind gave him enough distraction to knock out third attacker. Turning, he noticed Katya was fist-fighting fourth attacker, successfully. She managed to approach the man close enough to kick him in a stomach and land an elbow to his temple. He approached the men, tugging their hoods from their faces, hissing.
- This is why you are to stay where I told you to wait for me. - he growled, dragging her along towards the Diagon Alley
- Last one would get you if I wasn’t there. –
- Neither of them would see me if you were not there. – hissed, feeling relieved that they were next to the Madam Malkin’s shop – Inside. – hissed at her again
- Professor! – warmly greeted him woman – What can I do for you? –
- My…protégé…needs winter traveling cloak and warm…everything. – he frowned at Katya’s outfit
- I don’t… -
- Miss Katya, you do want to fit in, are you not? –
- Not that much. Warm jumpers are ok and winter jacket. –
- You are drawing too much attention in this outfit. –
- Like it matters, I’m hardly leaving the house as it is. –
While they were bickering, Madam Malkin brought warm traveling cloak and set of charmed gloves along with knitted cap and shawl.
- Here you go sweetie. – she gave the items to Katya – Just put the cloak on to see if it fits. Perfect, no need for adjustments. Professor, may I suggest venturing to muggle shops if your protégé feels uncomfortable wearing wizarding attire? –
- You may not. – he snapped at woman, aware that she is not listening to him, Katya was already paying for what she purchased. Venturing to the street again she grabbed his sleeve, smiling
- Thank you. –
- We are going home. – he growled, striding to the direction of his home, leaving her to chase after him, nearly grinning as she tripped on a long winter cape.
They reached small blind alley and he waited for Katya to catch up with him, pushing her in to the house in front of him and up the stairs, taking a pleasure at her stumbling and tripping on cloak’s brims. He nearly pushed her in to the apartment. Hot tea and sweet scones already waited for them on the living room table, she grabbed the cup and curled in one of armchairs, he sat on the settee, his back straight.
- Why did you follow me? – asked and she looked at him with surprise
- I picked up my wand, I talked to shop keeper and I got bored. What did you do in that crummy place anyway? –
- My affairs are not of your concern. –
- That was a rather…short…for affair. –
- My business Miss Katya. – growled – Are you military or police? –
- Ummmmm…military, police… Ughhhh defensive forces you mean? No, why would you think that? –
- Did your schooling include hand to hand combat? –
- Oh, now I get it. No, I learn that on streets. –
- Streets Miss Katya? –
- Yup, before I applied for Arena and the Prize program. And before you ask about my clothes, we lived near the defense forces dump yard. –
- How did you manage to get high education living on the streets? Or you lied about that? – he sipped tea, she frowned, setting an angry glare on him
- I don’t lie! And I didn’t grow up on streets, I just ended up living on them, after… - she trailed off
- After what? –
- After I got damn blue line on my wrist. You wouldn’t understand. –
- Try me. –
- I’d rather not, you are not my type. –
- Answer me witch, NOW! – he leaned towards her in threating position
- We won’t play mind games again, won’t we? –
- No Miss Katya. I am going to ask questions and you are going to answer them. We established by now that you … shall we say…lost...our little mind game at Ministry. –
- Who said I lost? – she raised her eyebrows looking smug
- Are you not? –
- I knew you won’t talk; I ended here, didn’t I? – she gave him a challenging look which he choose to ignore
- Before you tried to sidetrack this conversation, Miss Katya … -
- Sweet Deity! You are stubborn! – she jumped at her feet and started pacing – You won’t understand. In here you have pure-blooded supremacy, your house is known for it. Where I come from, being a magic-user is akin to being a muddblood to a pure-blood. – he winced at her choice of words - I was born in to a rich family, I grew up in best possible conditions. We skipped an inoculation simply because our part of town had our own source of water and separate food processing facility. Until my sister didn’t get virus in hospital, we didn’t had need for vaccine. I was only one, ONLY FUCKING ONE in my family to get damn blue line. And when that happen I already had promising career, I lost all, my friends, my job, my family renounced me, publicly. You asked me about my last name. I was born with one, but I don’t have it now. – he watched her carefully while she was ranting, getting more and more riled up – So, as far as you are concerned, I have no last name, I lived on streets and you won’t get rid of me easy. – she finished her monolog walking out of the living room, and slamming door of her room.
Snape finished his tea, putting together new pieces of information to the ones he already had. He picked up a parcel from his traveling cloak, passing next to her room he opened the door, she was still pacing, kicking tings tossed all over the flor
- In one hour Miss Katya, empty chamber in the basement, bring your wand. – he closed the door, hearing that something banged at them.
Reaching the library, he unwrap parcel, taking out the book from wrapping paper. Book looked ancient; he took his wand and inspected the book, growling. Book had several curses that needed to be broken before he could read it. With sigh, he started working on first one, aware that he would need at least day or two before he could open the book. Working on the curse he reminded himself that he managed to procure the book fast because of those curses. First, and easiest curse was nearly broken when he heard Katya padding downstairs toward the basement, with growl he continued his work. She was the one who had to be on time not him. Finally, some 15 minutes later he placed few strong wards and charm on the book and headed to the basement.
Katya was already waiting, looking curiously at things he placed, long wooden board with target hanging on one wall, table with few items like feather, marble, one cup, locked trunk in one corner. Room was lit with only four torches, one for each wall, but the girl didn’t look uncomfortable in a semi dark room.
- Did you bring your wand? – he asked darkly from the door, and she showed him the box – Take it out, you are to carry your wand with you at all times, when you sleep keep it close, under your pillow or on the night-stand. The wand has the magic of its on but his sole purpose is to channel and amplify your own magic. In here we consider wandless magic an advance one, with you I have to work backwards. Show me your wand. –
Seating in to his role of a Professor he managed to conceal his curiosity about her wand. Katya took long elegant wand, nearly 14 inches in length, from the box and offered it to him.
- Your wand is your own Miss Katya. You are not to give it to anyone you don’t trust. –
- I understand. – she nodded still offering him her wand
Reluctantly he took her wand to inspect it. Deep brown and black wood were fused together, creating unique pattern. Wand was flexible and light, with simple handle decorated with runes. He could feel the wands strong energy. Returning the wand to its owner he continued with his lecture
- Wand is an extension of your magic, it can be given as a gift but it is not advisable, he will bend and form his magic to complement your own. Wand can change allegiance if you lose it in a battle. Using a wand that has no allegiance to you is dangerous, so guard it carefully. We will practice wand usage in here. Each charm, curse, jinx or hex contains from two parts, one a correct incantation and second correct pattern of wand movements. For start, just wave your wand and show me how compatible you are. –
- What am I to do? –
- Call the cup to come to you. –
He watched as Katya pointed her wand to the cup, for one second nothing happened but then entire table surged toward her.
- Miss Katya, what was that? You are to use only wand and I didn’t hear the incantation. –
- I don’t know how. I know the incantation and I memorized the wand movement, but … I don’t know how… -
- What is the problem? Are you incapable of exercising theoretical knowledge in practice? – growled in annoyance, he gave her an essay on that subject and judging by what she wrote he was sure that first lesson won’t be a problem.
- I am capable, I hope. – she argued, but with an amount of uncertainty which gave him a small jolt of satisfaction – My magic keeps interfering. –
- In what way? –
- Our magic works on a much simpler level, you just extend your hand and think what you want and that happens. Every time I point my wand and try incantation, both start reacting. –
- Then I suggest that you learn how to focus. – he sneered
- I know how… -
- Focus your energy to the wand; if you are incapable of doing that tell me so I can stop wasting my time with you. –
She glared at him angrily but turned around and pointed her wand to table again. Few minutes passed, she finally managed to float a cup toward them.
- I didn’t hear the incantation. Do it again and correctly this time. –
He sent cup at its place, she pointed her wand and called Accio, entire table surged to them again
- What is the problem now, can your dimwitted mind focus on simple incantation or not? -
- It can. May I ask? –
- You are here to listen and follow the instructions, not ask stupid annoying questions. –
- Is it not stupid to ask do I have to say incantation out loud? – she argued
- Silent spell casting is advanced magic; if you can do it silently you are out to do it simple way. – he growled – And you are to write me a 4 scrolls of parchment essay on differences between silent vs verbal incantations, by tomorrow evening. –
- That is insane! –
- 5 scrolls, would you care to add more? –
- No. – she growled at him
- Then practice your focusing. – he turned on his heel – I expect you to stay here and practice for at least two hours every day, starting this evening. –
He exited basement and climbed up to library again, he had more curses to break.
[1] Unterart – Now or never lyrics
- 18
- 19
- 20
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The Prize