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It was cold and drafty in the dungeons. The stone walls dim as candlelights burned lowly as evening approached, the only sounds that could be heard coming from Professor Snape’s hunched form by his desk, eyebrows scrunched in close attention as his quill scratched sharply on a piece of parchment.
A knock at the door rouses him from his concentration. A tall and slim woman with golden tan skin and light blonde hair stands at his doorway as she contrasts against the dark green walls of his office.
It was his dear friend and colleague, Integra Pierce.
Severus glanced up from his parchment. His usual cold and unfriendly demeanor melting slightly at the sight of her.
“Professor Pierce, good. Take a seat.” He gestured towards the seat on the opposite side of the desk.
“You wished to see me, Professor? How may I be of assistance?”
His entire demeanor remained stiff, though his expression lightened as soon as he saw her.
“There's been a disturbing incident... a student has been seen , by no less than seven Muggles.” He grumbled as he looked at Integra.
“Do you want to guess who it is?”
“Certainly not one of your Slytherins, I hope.” She replied, sensing his growing stress and instinctively making her way to his cabinet containing firewhiskey to pour a glass for the both of them.
Severus raised a brow in surprise, and he had to stifle a smile as he saw Integra make herself comfortable and pour the drinks.
“Unfortunately for you, Pierce, it was indeed a student from my house. You can imagine my frustration.”
“Really now?” She mused, intrigued. “Which student was it?”
Severus gratefully took the glass of firewhiskey from her. His eyes seemed to soften in exasperation.
Integra gave him an apprehensive look.
“It wasn’t that Lightfoot boy again, was it?”
Severus grimaced deprecatingly at her.“The one and only.” He drawled.
“Good God, What has he done this time?”
Severus sighed as he took a sip from his drink.
“He was flying around on his broom, right in plain sight of Muggles. A challenge from Malfoy and his gang, apparently. His pride was injured enough that his senses seemed to have left him, considering He was seen by a whole seven muggles, who also had cameras with them and filmed the incident.
“Well now,” She mused, completely in shock, though her tone did not show it. “I’m surprised his father hasn’t skinned him alive yet, how did he even manage to get out of Hogwarts property without alerting the wards?”
Severus took another sip from his glass. His voice growing both wearier and lighter every minute as he unloaded his problem onto her.
“As am I, Integra, as am I. He was supposed to be in detention, cleaning for Mr. Filch. Yet somehow, he managed to slip out into the grounds and took to the skies with his broom. I have no idea how he did it.”
Integra sighed as she took a sip from her glass, now looking more amused than anything.
“And I take it this incident will be covered up by the Board? Merlin forbid any news comes out of one of the Hogwarts Board of Governor’s son nearly breaking the Statute of Secrecy.”
“Right you are, Pierce. I cannot believe how reckless that boy is. Were he any other student he would’ve been a liability and expelled in no time at this rate. I will discuss the possibility of Lucius putting this issue forward with the Board for their next meeting, although I am sure Lightfoot Sr. will try his best to suppress the news and keep his dearest son out of trouble, as usual. Salazar forbid any news comes out of Padri Lightfoot’s perfect little family being anything but pristine.”
Snape took one final sip from his drink and put down the glass.
“That is why I wished to speak with you.”
“Me? What am I to do with this?”
Severus smirked.
“Integra, you are very well aware of the extent of your capabilities. If Lightfoot Sr. tries to silence the news, I need you to do what you do best, to counter his powers and keep this story intact, though the Lightfoot boy shall remain protected of course, at best he’ll probably have a Ministry hearing with his guardian and let off with a hefty fine, but I have had enough of Lightfoot Sr. thinking he can wave enough galleons around in our faces and we’ll shine his shoes for him and tuck him into bed. You are just the person who can keep this incident from being swept under the rug. Do you understand?”
“Easy there Sev. This is sounding an awful lot like a scheme, and you know I don’t do things without knowing what I get in return, what would I get in exchange for this scheme of yours?
“Of course, you would need something in return for your services.” He chuckled. “You are not the selfless and compassionate being you portray, be it a mere facade. You should know, I am not in the habit of making empty promises, so I can promise you anything you want. Name your price.”
“A dangerous thing to promise me.” She smiled devilishly. “I’m sure I shall think of something, but anywho,”
She put her drink down as she stood and gave Snape a leveling look.
“I shall be in contact with my connections at The Daily Prophet then. Notify me if Padri decides to keep this incident under wraps, I will however need witnesses and evidence to present to my contact if I want this story to reach the public.”
Severus stood to accompany Integra on her way to the door, pressing his cheek with hers.
“We have an understanding then? You have my word, Integra. Whatever you wish, is yours. You have my support, but I must ask you to keep everything between us, as the Board can not find out of our little arrangement. You are more than capable of keeping secrets as well as anyone else.”
“As soon as I get word of Mr. Lightfoot trying to keep the incident under wraps, I will contact you. For now, have a pleasant evening.”
His voice was stern and serious once more and he stood by watching as Integra exited his office.
————————————————
A week letter, Integra received an owl from Severus:
Lucius has informed me that Padri has bribed the entire Board to keep the incident quiet and has threatened me with dismissal from my post should I choose to bring up the incident around him. Come to my office. I hope you’ve finally thought of what you want in exchange.
-S.S
When Integra had arrived at his office, Severus seemed rather apprehensive of the conversation they were to have. He poured two glasses of firewhiskey once more and invited Integra to take a seat opposite of his desk. His dark eyes met hers and there seemed to be an expectant air between them.
“Pierce, I do hope you have thought of what you want in exchange for your services.” Severus began, his voice stern, yet calm.
“Indeed I have.” She regarded coolly, accepting his glass as she grinned conspiratorily. “I shall need documents, statements and other such evidences to present to my contact at the Prophet if we want this story to end up on the front page.”
“I should be able to arrange that.” He nodded. “I'll have some evidence sent to you in a day or so, and you can get started with your plan. We do need a full witness statement and documents that prove that the boy was spotted by Muggles, and his association with Hogwarts. I'll prepare them for you.”
“Splendid.” She smirked. “I shall read through the final draft of course, just to ensure the boy doesn’t face too much scrutiny or be faced with expulsion, just enough to give his father a thorough beating from public opinion. Now about my reward for this little arrangement of ours…”
“You and your rewards, Integra. Do you want my left kidney? My house? Perhaps my soul?”
He chuckled, finding her need for equal exchange almost comical. If she weren’t a Ravenclaw she would make for an excellent Slytherin, He thought.
“Let's hear it.”
“No, nothing like that. Though I cannot for the life of me see why you still keep that horrid house around when it holds so many horrible memories for you.”
She topped off her drink and set it on his desk as she leveled him coolly.
“Teach me everything you know about Occlumency.”
Severus’ eyes widened and his brows furrowed, he most certainly never saw that coming. He was stunned, but slowly his expression turned into one of amusement and even admiration that Integra had the audacity to ask him for for such a thing.
“Teach you everything I know about Occlumency? I have no idea what possessed you to make such a bold request.” He replied in a curious tone as he poured himself another drink. His demeanor grew serious.
“It's quite possibly the most guarded secret among my skills. And you want me to teach you everything? It's rather dangerous, Integra. Are you sure you know what you're asking?”
For her part, Integra looked every inch the calm and determined woman that he knew her for, Severus supposed that Merlin himself could rise from the dead and it wouldn’t shake her.
“I am no fool, I know You Know Who will return and war will be upon us once again. It is only a matter of when. I will not be caught with my pants down, figuratively speaking, I know too many of your secrets , been associated with you by too many people for me to remain as simply a bystander should your loyalties come into question.
I’ve heard the faculty and students whispering about us, you know, and I refuse to be collateral damage simply because I can’t be bloody bothered to refute their questions.”
As Integra continued Severus marveled at how her confidence and self-assuredness made her seem taller in stature and far older than her 27 years.
“Teach me how to hide what I know, and perhaps I could take on the same role as you, become a spy for both sides and be you one true ally because Merlin knows you’ve never had one.”
Severus took a sip of his firewhiskey as he considered her apprehensively.
“You would not be asking me for this if you were not fully aware of the risks involved, Pierce. This kind of power is no simple thing to teach. It takes time, it takes patience, and it can be dangerous. But if you are sincere about it, I will gladly share with you everything I know. As for being my true ally,” he smirked at the idea. “It would be a first for me, and a welcomed one on that note.”
“I am fully aware that this shall be no walk in the park, but if it will keep me alive when You Know Who returns I will do the work diligently, I have enough confidence in my abilities as a witch to know that I will gain at least a modicum of your skill.”
“And besides,” She continued, relaxing into her chair as a self-satisfied smirk grazed her face. “I’m not asking this of you purely for survival, I’m also doing this so I could spend more time with you.”
He raised his eyebrows and looked back at her, intrigued. His face was solemn and he was in the middle of taking another sip from his glass.
“You want to spend more time with me so badly, you're willing to learn Occlumency to do so? Pierce, what am I, the only wizard left in Hogwarts? There are plenty more teachers here other than me. Or am I particularly special to you?”
“Oh don’t be daft, Severus.” She chuckled, not at all intimidated by him. “We both know how we appear to the rest of the staff and students, we’ve become far too close to simply be friends, and I’m not blind. I am aware of how formidable you are as a man and wizard, I wouldn’t be opposed to taking it further.
The question though,” She tilted her face, an eyebrow raised as if challenging him. “is whether you wouldn’t be opposed to taking it further with me .”
Severus was completely speechless, though he did not show it—he was at a loss for words as he looked at her. Her smile was taunting, her look was teasing, and she was very, very close to his liking. So she wasn't just an ally, she was much, much more to him. His eyes traveled from her face to her lips, and he was surprised to realize that he did not dislike the idea of taking things further with her.
You are right about that, my dear, he agreed in his mind, not willing to make a sound. It was hard for him to admit, but he enjoyed her company, and her words sent a shiver down his spine.
He cleared his throat, willing himself to sound stern.
“A bold move for a woman on the wrong side of twenty pursuing an old man like I.” He teased.
“Oh sod off, Snape. I know your real age, if you wanted to reject me then simply say so. I will not be lied to by a man verging on 31.”
Severus let out an air of amusement, nothing ever seemed to get past her, did it? He slowly put down his drink.
“I apologize, Pierce. You got the better of me.”
A smile appeared on his dark face, nearly imperceptible in the dim light of his office.
“But, you have also piqued my curiosity. How did you know?”
“I have my ways, call it a woman’s intuition.”
Severus chuckled.
“Your woman's intuition is quite good then, or should I say that you are quite the capable detective.”
He poured himself another drink as if in a daze, from the firewhiskey or from her he couldn’t say.
“I'll be damned, I might actually end up liking you one day, Integra.” He sniggered in astonishment. He found her confidence, her intelligence, her beauty and her wit to be intriguing.
“There you have it then.” She grinned triumphantly, setting her glass down as she stood to leave. “I’ll have the story up by next Friday, owl me for when my first Occlumency lesson can commence.”
Snape rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile fondly as Integra was about to leave his office. His dark eyes followed her every movement as she left and her figure seemed to be more alluring and seductive in that moment.
“Yes, as you say. You will hear from me soon, my dear.” he whispered, still under her spell.
His eyes fell on the drink in his hand, though he wasn’t really looking at it, his mind humming with thoughts of her.
He takes another sip.