The Arcadia Art Studio in Soho

[elegante_fleur]

Date:April 11, 2000
Time: Just before 2pm
Character(s) Involved: Fleur Delacour-Weasley, Severus Snape, Montague Morsus, (Millicent Morsus?)
Complete
Rating: PG-13 to R (possibility for bad language and conflict?)

Comments

[subtle_simmer]

Severus was here on 'official' business. Business of 'protector'. However, it was just as imperative for him to maintain his ties to the charming Morsus family. As he had no 'proof' of their activities aside from his own certain knowledge of them (and the word of a Murdering Death Eater meant less than nothing to the 'authorities'), the only way to have hope to ameliorate the situation was to continue to observe them as closely as possible.

Besides, Montague and Millicent had been his, and he could not help but feel that he had failed them, or else succeeded too well in leading by example, as they were clearly amongst those of his Snakelets whom he had not been able to turn away from the Death Eater path. He did not believe them to be so imprudent as to behave blatantly illegally unless they were certain of the lack of discovery. It was certainly not by accident that the two had avoided imprisonment thus far!

He did not expect unpleasantness--the Morsus, like so many others, not excluding himself, had learnt to pattern their

[elegante_fleur]

Fleur smiled to Severus almost shyly, suddenly realizing this may be the first time she had been alone with the man. Nodding she moved through the open door ahead of Severus, and using the few moments being the first through the door provided, looked around her mentally taking note of her surroundings

[morsus_et_mors]

It was with the slightest of amused smiles that the receptionist, a tall and graceful old man of around fifty-years-old, informed Montague of the pair in the hall of the gallery. With the information transmitted, he slid out of the door and disappeared in the obscure depths of the numerous passage-ways. Casting a last glance at his reflection in the large baroque mirror, Montague removed specks of non-existent dust from his dark blue high-collared tunic. The tastefully garnished velvet uniform matched his silky black blouse underneath perfectly, fully covering his slender hips clothed in matching black trousers made of gabardine. A smug smirk curling his full lips at once, he left the study, in relished anticipation of what was to follow.

"Salute, Mrs. Weasley," Montague greeted the beautiful femme, taking in the sight of her stylish outfit (if only it were less formal!). "Enchante," he said, his voice silky and suave, as he made to lean for a hand-kissing - a movement that was startled for the briefest of seconds when he noticed

[subtle_simmer]

Severus followed Mrs Weasley inside, but when she began to speak of her errand with Narcissa, he hushed her, urgently.

"Now is not the time to speak of such things," he said very quietly once the receptionist had turned her attention away from the french woman.

Morsus looked resplendent, and dangerous. Severus was more glad of his decision to accompany Mrs Weasley on this visit, even as he suspected it left his own loyalties quite confused in Morsus' calculations.

Confusion, where others' opinions of him were concerned, was his 'friend', and he fostered it as often as he could.

"Mr Morsus," Severus said, returning the respectful bow slightly. "As I have not yet had opportunity to view your collection, I am glad of the opportunity to do so. For the moment, however, I am merely here in role of escort to Mrs Weasley."

His implacable expression betrayed nothing though he met Montague's eyes boldly, secure in his Occlumency.

"Another time, perhaps, I might be granted a visit of pleasure, rather than business."