[video]

[sunburnthair]

[The camera clicks on and shows the face of a young man, with a visage that speaks of great, snooty sophistication by the way he even manages to look down his nose at the device that he's holding as he pokes at it with his thumb. He's unaware that he has turned it on at first, though he has noticed a light flashing on.]

Oh . . .

[As he tries to

Comments

1/2

[bestunrevealed]

[Snape, shall we say, has been tense the last few days. (Let's not get into why.) So sitting in what passes for his lab and hearing THAT VOICE come over the Network? He's on top of that like like a Marauder on trouble.

And then he stops.

And he frets.

And he wonders.

What does the boy know? He's older-- not the young man who conjured cobras in the dueling club but-- perhaps, he's old enough to bear the Mark now.

He has to stop and think about this for a moment.]

2/2

[bestunrevealed]

[A kinship with the Malfoys, however, has him picking up his Network, and turning on the video function and resumes the role of stern headmaster and family friend.]

Draco. Remain calm. You're safe. Relatively.

Are you still outside the -- building where you appeared?

[sunburnthair]

[He eventually hears muffled sounds coming from his hand and picks up the comm again, snapping:]

What??

[But then sees Snape and his face becomes almost stony except for his furrowed brows.] S-sir?

[bestunrevealed]

[Snape's jaw clenches, then relaxes. Sir's a good response.]

I asked, Draco, if you were outside the Porter building-- the building in which you appeared. If you are, do not go any further. I shall be there shortly.

[video]

[bestfrond]

[GIANT ASS PLANT WITH MENACING TEETH COMIN' ATCHA.]

Well ain't you a jumpy li'l thang!

[sunburnthair]

[And that's a bit startling. He yelps and drops the comm and it clatters on the pavement.]

[bestfrond]

[he laughs rather loudly. but when he finally stops he sounds genuinely hurt.]

Awww now don't be rude boy.

[sunburnthair]

[He hesitantly picks up the device again, upon realizing the plant thing can't actually hurt him through it. But he can't seem to pull together thoughts enough beyond stating the obvious:]

But you're a plant!

Video

[andromynous]

[Unlike Snape, she doesn't recognize the boy's voice. She -- doesn't even think that she's met the boy properly, but seeing that face is enough for her to know.]

It isn't a portkey, unfortunately. Nothing so simple.

[sunburnthair]

Bell--?

[He sounds confused at first to be seeing Bellatrix looking so not crazy for once, but then realises it isn't her.]

[andromynous]

She's here too, but no.

[Andromeda ... tries not to pull a face and fails miserably. The last time that she saw Bellatrix she slapped her across the face -- she can only imagine what will happen if they cross paths again.]

I'm the proud owner of that big, charred hole on your mother's bit of the Black Family Tapestry.

[sunburnthair]

[He does not look at all comforted to know Bellatrix is there. But for that matter, doesn't look comforted to see this aunt, either.]

You're Andromeda I take it, then. Long time, no see. [Not that he can even really remember when he last had, if at all, or anything.]

video;

[cowboy_newsie]

A stick ain't gonna help you much, kid. But tell me where you are and I'll give ya a hand.

[sunburnthair]

It is not a stick! And I do not need the help of someone that can't recognise this obvious fact.

[cowboy_newsie]

Fine. Suit yourself, stick-boy. But don't blame me when you get mugged.

[sunburnthair]

You call it a "stick" one more time and I'll show you how very little like a stick it is!

[Doesn't help that it's his mother's wand. You're second-hand dissing his mom, Jack.]

permavid.

[sorcerously]

[OH GOSH, A DAPPER GENTLEMAN]

I'm afraid this isn't a trick, sir. This is the City.

[sunburnthair]

[The dapperest of them all!!]

I can tell it's a city, thank you, and I sure as hell didn't come here of my own accord, trick or not.

[sorcerously]

[automatically put-off ):]

It isn't a city, it's the City. I've been told it's a near exact replica of New York City in America.

[sunburnthair]

Really, America? [Glances aside and mutters:] Damn, I've never Apparated that far . . .