Challenge #43 Starting Something New
Title: A New Life
Rating: PG
Character: Severus Snape
Spoilers for HBP
Snape stood hunched over the corner of the bar and peered carefully out from under the edge of his hood with bloodshot eyes. The atmosphere was blue and gray with swirling smoke and warm bodies pressed much closer than he’d prefer in the crowded pub. Even though he hadn’t been a fugitive for long, the experience was beginning to grate on his taut nerves.
With a sharp gesture, he upended his drink and drained it dry before placing the now empty glass down on the greasy surface of the bar with a thump. Time to turn in. Not that he’d get much sleep in the rat hole where he was currently residing even if he used silencing charms, which he didn’t dare try regardless. Under the circumstances, he could hardly afford not to hear what might be coming his way.
Slowly, he wrapped his cloak a bit closer around himself, and turned away from the bar. Before he could take even one step towards the door though, he was confronted by a slightly swaying figure. The provocatively dressed woman smiled invitingly and laid a hand flat on his chest. As she leaned towards him, he was assaulted by the entwined aromas of stale beer and overpowering floral perfume.
“Evenin’,” she purred in what she no doubt intended to be a seductive tone. “You look rather lonely. Care for some company?”
Instinctively, he took a step backwards, ramming the edge of the bar uncomfortably into the middle of his back as he did so. This was the very last thing he needed right now, and he summoned up one of his blackest scowls and released it in her direction.
“No. I have no need for company such as yours,” he stated coldly.
Undaunted, and with a skin as thick as her coat of warpaint, the woman tossed her long black hair enticingly over her shoulder, not about to give up that easily. Instead of moving off, she sidled closer and slid her hand slowly up his chest to run a long finger lightly along the edge of his bristly jaw. “Don’t be so quick to say no, lovey,” she whispered in a husky voice. “I’m good at what I do. You’ll enjoy your time with me, I guarantee it.”
His eyes raked down over the thin gaudily painted face and on down to the abundant cleavage that swelled precariously from a bodice laced tighter than it needed to be. He didn’t doubt her claim of prowess; she probably practiced her profession several times a night at least. A road that well traveled didn’t have much appeal for him even under better circumstances.
As she noted his eyes traveling over her wares, the woman smiled, anticipating winning her point. “That’s right, love. Take a gander at the merchandise. I’ll wager it’s been awhile since you’ve seen better.”
Better… Slowly, he reached out a thoughtful hand and picked up a lock of shining dark hair. It felt soft to his touch as he twined it around his finger. Unbidden, his mind took him back to his former life, remembering the last time he’d seen its like…when long dark hair framed another face, one finely boned and elegant…a slender body…a warm smile directed at him…the sound of an accented voice that spoke his name with approval…bright, intelligent eyes…
Eyes that now would no doubt be full of nothing but disappointment and accusation…
Abruptly pushing the leering strumpet away with a snarl, he swept past her startled form and fled the pub into the dark wet night beyond. Pulling his cloak more tightly around him against the rain, he moved determinedly down the virtually empty street. All of that was behind him now. For better or worse, he’d begun a new life…and if he found that it wasn’t to his liking after all, well, it was too late to do anything to change it now.
Rating: PG
Character: Severus Snape
Spoilers for HBP
Snape stood hunched over the corner of the bar and peered carefully out from under the edge of his hood with bloodshot eyes. The atmosphere was blue and gray with swirling smoke and warm bodies pressed much closer than he’d prefer in the crowded pub. Even though he hadn’t been a fugitive for long, the experience was beginning to grate on his taut nerves.
With a sharp gesture, he upended his drink and drained it dry before placing the now empty glass down on the greasy surface of the bar with a thump. Time to turn in. Not that he’d get much sleep in the rat hole where he was currently residing even if he used silencing charms, which he didn’t dare try regardless. Under the circumstances, he could hardly afford not to hear what might be coming his way.
Slowly, he wrapped his cloak a bit closer around himself, and turned away from the bar. Before he could take even one step towards the door though, he was confronted by a slightly swaying figure. The provocatively dressed woman smiled invitingly and laid a hand flat on his chest. As she leaned towards him, he was assaulted by the entwined aromas of stale beer and overpowering floral perfume.
“Evenin’,” she purred in what she no doubt intended to be a seductive tone. “You look rather lonely. Care for some company?”
Instinctively, he took a step backwards, ramming the edge of the bar uncomfortably into the middle of his back as he did so. This was the very last thing he needed right now, and he summoned up one of his blackest scowls and released it in her direction.
“No. I have no need for company such as yours,” he stated coldly.
Undaunted, and with a skin as thick as her coat of warpaint, the woman tossed her long black hair enticingly over her shoulder, not about to give up that easily. Instead of moving off, she sidled closer and slid her hand slowly up his chest to run a long finger lightly along the edge of his bristly jaw. “Don’t be so quick to say no, lovey,” she whispered in a husky voice. “I’m good at what I do. You’ll enjoy your time with me, I guarantee it.”
His eyes raked down over the thin gaudily painted face and on down to the abundant cleavage that swelled precariously from a bodice laced tighter than it needed to be. He didn’t doubt her claim of prowess; she probably practiced her profession several times a night at least. A road that well traveled didn’t have much appeal for him even under better circumstances.
As she noted his eyes traveling over her wares, the woman smiled, anticipating winning her point. “That’s right, love. Take a gander at the merchandise. I’ll wager it’s been awhile since you’ve seen better.”
Better… Slowly, he reached out a thoughtful hand and picked up a lock of shining dark hair. It felt soft to his touch as he twined it around his finger. Unbidden, his mind took him back to his former life, remembering the last time he’d seen its like…when long dark hair framed another face, one finely boned and elegant…a slender body…a warm smile directed at him…the sound of an accented voice that spoke his name with approval…bright, intelligent eyes…
Eyes that now would no doubt be full of nothing but disappointment and accusation…
Abruptly pushing the leering strumpet away with a snarl, he swept past her startled form and fled the pub into the dark wet night beyond. Pulling his cloak more tightly around him against the rain, he moved determinedly down the virtually empty street. All of that was behind him now. For better or worse, he’d begun a new life…and if he found that it wasn’t to his liking after all, well, it was too late to do anything to change it now.