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Post by Sirius Black on Jul 20, 2009 8:35:44 GMT -7
Twila smirked as Crabbe immediately vacated the black leather couch in front of the fire. It was lovely to have a reputation for nastiness... it always made finding the best seat in the common room easy.
She stretched out on the couch, one arm over the back as she observed the few students about. No one of particular interest. There rarely ever was.
Twila sighed, closing her eyes and tilting her head back. She was bored. Lucius was Merlin-knows-where doing Merlin-knows-what, and Twila didn't have the patience for the subtle calculations her potions and poisons called for at that particular moment. Hence why she was toiling away in the common room, with Crabbe and freaking Goyle. Idiots, the both of them.
And yet while they may be idiots, every king needed his bodyguards. The Slytherin "court" was widely known throughout the student body, and generally avoided. Only the best made it into Lucius' good graces, and therefore only the best were allowed into their precise little group. While Twila loved being Lucius' right hand, er, woman, she didn't exactly like playing second fiddle. Still, it had its perks, being Lucius' little "Belladonna," as he called her. It certainly kept her fingers on the pulse of the students of Hogwarts and their deepest, darkest secrets.
Twila's violet eyes fluttered open when she heard the entrance open, and she sat up as she noticed Severus Snape. Well, well, well. My day just got interesting. Twila had heard much about young Severus from Lucius, of course, as well as her many informants, but the older Slytherin had never had an oppurtunity to speak to Lucius' new prodigy.
"You." She said quite clearly, crooking a finger at Snape. "Come here." She looked over her shoulder at Crabbe and Goyle, gesturing dismissively. "Leave us."
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Abel
First Year
Posts: 77
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Post by Abel on Jul 20, 2009 14:36:44 GMT -7
Severus had been spending the day trying to find a quiet place; everywhere else was infested with Gryffindors and the like. And they were all not Lily, the only one of the bunch he liked. The only person he really liked. Well, he had never found a place that wasn't covered in them, so he decided to simply head back to the common room, come what may. While the people there weren't always the most pleasant to be around, neither was he.
By the time he entered the room, Severus noticed that there weren't very many people in there, but the ones who were looked to be avoiding the girl stretched out over the black sofa. Twilla, I believe that's what she's called. Crabbe and Goyle were the only ones bear her, and Severus had no desire whatsoever to go over there. However, the girl called out to him, and Severus had to admit, he was curious. He set his things down, then walked over to the couch with a raised eyebrow. "Yes?" Severus didn't bother sitting. |
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Post by Sirius Black on Jul 20, 2009 14:48:27 GMT -7
Twila sat up straight and gestured absently to one of the armchairs across from the couch, the silver snake bracelet on her wrist glinting in the firelight. "Sit." She commanded in a voice that was used to being obeyed. She crossed her arms across her chest, staring at Severus for a long time before nodding, just slightly.
"I've heard interesting things about you." She said without preamble, leaning back into the cushions of the chair. "I'm curious... for someone so talked about, how is it you've failed to be brought to my attention before now?" While Twila didn't collect "pets" the way Lucius did, something about Severus caught her attention the way the other ones didn't. He was supposed to be brilliant, and yet he had managed to escape her observance for almost three years now. Ironically enough, it was Lucius who was bestowing praises on the boy- not teachers. Peculiar, and yet highly interesting.
"No matter. Lucius tells me you're good at inventing spells?" Her voice was low and silky, with all the curiousity and friendliness of a cobra. She just might have to take this one from Lucius, after all.
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Abel
First Year
Posts: 77
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Post by Abel on Jul 20, 2009 15:04:33 GMT -7
Severus slid into the seat facing the girl, slightly pursing his lips. He didn't enjoy being ordered around, but she seemed like the kind of person you just don't piss off. He sat upright, seeming slightly uncomfortable. "I suppose you just aren't very observant, then, to not have noticed me. Then again, I prefer to slip in the shadows." He didn't blink at all as he spoke, Severus' cold eyes staring straight into Twilla's.
He relaxed the slightest bit as she continued to talk, saying something about inventing spells. "Yes, I do enjoy making up a good hex or curse. However, I prefer not to share them with too many people, as put in the wrong hands, they can get... dangerous." Severus also didn't want the spells he made shared too often for another reason- if something like Levicorpus was to get around school, there would be no telling as to how everyone else would use it. And if it got around before he made a counter spell, all hell would break loose. |
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Post by Sirius Black on Jul 20, 2009 15:12:39 GMT -7
Twila ignored his jab, but held his gaze with her own violet one. She had seen him before, of course, how could she not have? She shared a house with him. She had even watched him get beat up by the Gryffindor twerps a few times from afar. What bothered her was that Lucius knew something before she did- and apparently this greasy little git was some sort of undiscovered genius. "Apparently we share the same affinity for shadows then." She said neutrally.
She leaned forward and looked around to make sure no particularly idiotic soul was listening in on their conversation before she saying quietly, "I must confess I hold little use for new spells. That is more Lucius' area than mine. What I want to know is, how do you fare with potions?" Maybe, just maybe, it was time to take on a prodigy of her own. Why let Lucius have all the fun?
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Abel
First Year
Posts: 77
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Post by Abel on Jul 20, 2009 16:22:21 GMT -7
Severus gave a very, very small smile at the word potions. "I make a potion from time to time, and I improve the ones that are there already. Make them more potent, make them easier, et cetera." Severus still hadn't blinked, too intrigued by the violet eyes this girl possessed. He did lean back in the chair, though, folding his hands in his lap.
"I believe I've heard that you specialize in poisons? An interesting study, if a bit tedious. And there's the occasional miscalculation, leading to unfavorable outcomes." Severus cocked an eyebrow, as if to ask how often Twilla happened to miscalculate. He, for one, had never had an accident leading to injuries. Granted, he was a bit young, but it had never happened.
[Short. @_@] |
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Post by Sirius Black on Jul 20, 2009 16:42:38 GMT -7
(Two green voices makes my eyes twitch. XD)
"It seems you've heard of me, though I'm not surprised. Poisons are indeed my passion... but I have been known to mess with regular potions as well." Twila smirked, her eyes seeming to light up with an inner fire. She could practically smell an oppurtunity here, and she would be damned if Lucius was going to take it from her. Let him find another underclassman to bully into doing his will- this one was hers.
She raised a brow of her own in response to his. She hoped he wasn't lying... he just might have to become her first human test subject. "I don't have time for 'unfavorable outcomes.'" She had only ever had a mishap once, and even then, it wasn't because of a miscalculation, but rather her own carelessness in placing said poison in a vial, sloshing it on her wrist. Not that she'd ever admit it. Better to just say she never had. After all, there wasn't a scar to say otherwise, and no one knew about it.
She tilted her head slightly, then nodded to herself, getting to her feet as she made her final decision. "Gather your things- there's something I'd like to show you."
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Abel
First Year
Posts: 77
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Post by Abel on Jul 20, 2009 17:40:43 GMT -7
[lawl, okay.]
"That is good to know." Severus gave a small, smug smile at her quick answer to his taunt. This Twilla seemed interesting, for a girl. For someone who was not him. Who knows? Maybe he'd follow her around for a while, see what she has to offer. Perhaps he could improve some of his own theories, or undermine her and her cocky attitude.
Severus rose to get his bag, his robes swirling around him. He slung the bad over his shoulder, checking to make sure everything was in its proper place. "Where exactly are we going?" Severus wanted to know, and the tone he spoke it with told that he was going to decide whether or not to follow her simply on her answer. However, he had already made his decision, if nothing but to rid himself of boredom. |
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Post by Sirius Black on Jul 20, 2009 17:54:49 GMT -7
"Upstairs." Twila stated vaguely, giving Crabbe and Goyle a look. Lucius' goons could stay there and wait for him, or they could go jump off the highest astronomy tower. She didn't care either way.
She waited only a moment for him to gather his books before she set off at a brisk walk towards the entrance and out into the hallway. She had no doubt he would follow, even if it was only out of curiousity. She didn't slow for even a moment until they got to the seventh floor, and only then did she look to see if he was still behind her, and also to make sure no one else was. It wouldn't do to have someone see them.
She closed her eyes and concentrated, walking back and forth three times before out of nowhere, a door started to appear on the wall. She gave a very small smile, her eyes flicking to Severus' face. Only five or so students in the entire school knew about this room, and maybe only two professors. She was taking quite the risk in showing him one of the biggest secrets in Hogwarts, but she had a feeling she could trust him with it. And if she couldn't, Lucius would deal with it accordingly.
"Everything you are about to see is extremely secret- and definitely worth more than your life." She opened the door, going inside. She automatically felt calmer among her vialed potions and the extreme cleanness of her lab. It was here that she was free to be herself and to do what she wanted, free to experiment as she saw fit. Everything in the room was certainly nicer than the Potions labs downstairs, financed by her own ingenuity and Lucius' endless supply of galleons. Her eyes glittered as she looked at Severus. "So, what do you think?"
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Abel
First Year
Posts: 77
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Post by Abel on Jul 20, 2009 20:59:07 GMT -7
Severus followed the girl with a near silent, shadowy, fast step. He remained still while she walked back and forth, looking slightly ridiculous, and the comment she made before opening the door, well, he highly disagreed. It wasn't that he believed that he was more important than everything; he just couldn't fathom this girl hiding anything that important.
Severus kept his face mostly impassive, hiding the small amount of surprise he felt. He stepped inside the lab after Twilla with a raised eyebrow. "... Impressive. It's clean, full-stocked, and very well kept." He looked around, not touching anything, as he was sure that she wouldn't appreciate it. Severus turned to Twilla. "Now, then, why did you bring me here?" He didn't want to waste time 'oohing' and 'ahhing' at the lab. |
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Post by Sirius Black on Jul 20, 2009 21:06:59 GMT -7
Twila gave him a very rare, genuine smile. It lit up the pale girl's face and made her look extremely less severe and foreboding. "Thank you." She went and sat in one of the few chairs in the small lab, waving her hand at him as she brought a finger to her lips thoughtfully.
"Why indeed? You may touch whatever you like, providing you don't break it." She added as an afterthought, watching him closely. Well, here went nothing. "Lucius and I have a bit of a... business... running out of here." She chose her words carefully, her voice quiet but very clear. "Our business is doing a little better than we could have hoped, and frankly, I'm feeling a bit swamped. You come highly reccommended by Lucius, and I have no problems helping you achieve whatever it is you desire, provided you be content to assist me and keep your mouth shut about our little endeavors." She inspected her nails, which were perfectly filed and as neat as the rest of her. "You will recieve a third of the profits, and Lucius and I's protection from your less than adoring crowd." She smirked, leaning forward and resting her chin on her hand, her attention completely on him. "What do you think?"
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Abel
First Year
Posts: 77
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Post by Abel on Jul 21, 2009 17:41:08 GMT -7
Severus knew his answer almost before she gave the speech. He didn't even bother setting his things down. "Sorry, but I must refuse. I'm not exactly the kind to... work with others." He paused for a moment, trying to figure out how to word this. "And... I'm not really one to take protection from others, either. I won't tell anyone, as I don't really see how it would profit me, but I'm not going to work with someone, let alone under them. Thank you, but no thank you." Severus walked out of the lab, not looking behind- or caring enough to. |
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Post by Sirius Black on Jul 21, 2009 17:56:14 GMT -7
Twila raised a brow, a little surprised that he refused right away. It seemed she had misinterpreted him. Better to follow him, see what she could offer him. Anything was to be had with a price- she just hadn't found his yet.
*****
On Severus' bed four days later was a green envelope of expensive cardstock. The handwriting was like calligraphy, the lines precise and artistic. It simply said:
Meet me in the common room. I have something to speak to you about.
-TKL
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Abel
First Year
Posts: 77
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Post by Abel on Jul 21, 2009 22:47:56 GMT -7
Severus sighed when he saw the note, but he headed down to the common room anyways. He didn't spot Twilla anywhere, so he merely plopped down on the very black leather couch that she was sitting on the other day. I do hope this doesn't take too long; I have a meeting with Lily later... He looked around some more, a small frown on his face. |
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Post by Sirius Black on Jul 22, 2009 6:32:39 GMT -7
Twila studied herself in the mirror for a moment, smoothing out her uniform skirt and then tying her green and silver tie precisely. She paused another moment to gather her long hair into a ponytail, wrapping the black elastic around it. She gave herself a small nod, finding herself presentable. Surely he had recieved her message by now?
She made her way down the staircase from the girls' dormitory, a small smirk crossing her lips when she saw Severus waiting on her. Good. She glanced around the rest of the common room, seeing no one. Even better.
"I trust you've had time to rethink my offer?" Twila sidled up behind him, leaning slightly over the back of the couch. "I wasn't lying when I said I can get you anything, Severus, should you cooperate. Money.... fame..... ladies. Whatever you wish is yours, just for a few hours a week."
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