The Love Of A Wizard

CHAPTER 33
Spy Games

She knocked loudly. She heard Nick moving behind the door and unlock the chain lock. He opened the door and smiled. But his smile disappeared the moment he saw the look in Claudia’s eyes.
“What? What is it?” He asked in Russian.
“Please get everyone together and meet me in my room in half an hour. Make it quiet and make sure no one knows.” She waited until he showed signs of understanding and she walked away.
She packed Emma a bag and took a very disgruntled Emma over to Grimmauld Place again. She rang the bell and heard a horrible screaming inside. The locks started opening and Remus’s face came into view.
“Claudia! I didn’t know you were coming back. What’s wrong?’ he asked narrowing his eyes. Claudia attempted to push her anxiety away and smiled.
“Nothing really. Is Molly here?” He nodded and backed away. That’s when Claudia saw the source of the screaming. A painting of a horrible looking woman was screaming at them.
“HALF BREEDS…BLOOD TRAITORS!…FILTHY MUGGLES!…” The woman had her head thrown back and was screaming at the top of her lungs. Remus fought with the curtains covering it, all the while Emma was staring at the painting with a horrified expression on her face. Claudia brought her into the kitchen and found Tonks and Molly having tea with Fleur and Ginny.
“Claudia! You’re back, is everything alright?” Fear was on Molly’s face. Claudia smiled.
“Everything is fine! I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on Emma tonight. See, we decided to go out tonight, and I don’t have a sitter.” Claudia explained. Molly was immediately up for the job and rushed over to hug and kiss Emma’s face.
“Zat iz a very pretty little girl Claudia. Vat iz ‘er name?” Fleur asked.
“I’m Emma Moore.” Emma said defiantly.
“Oh, Emma Moore. Zat iz a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.” Fleur crooned. Emma was instantly in love with the pretty lady paying her compliments. Tonks eyed Claudia for a moment. But it was Ginny who spoke.
“I thought you were going to go with us tonight Claudia?” Ginny said. Claudia smiled once again and spoke to all of them.
“I need a break. I have been so down in the dumps lately, I can’t stand it anymore. So the guys are taking me out. We can do that thing another night, ok?” Ginny, nor Tonks said anything.
“Well, that’s great dear. Have a wonderful time. We will see you in the morning then?” Molly asked. Claudia told her yes and left the house. But not before she noticed Tonks looking at her in a very strange way.
Claudia returned to her hotel room just as her watch said thirty minutes had passed. Everyone was in her room waiting for her.
“What’s going on Claud?’ Nick rushed her as she walked in. No one else said a word. They were all looking very nervous and doubtful.
“I had a visitor come to my room tonight when we returned from Grimmauld Place.” Everyone was paying close attention now. “Severus was here.” Claudia folded her arms across her chest as she spoke. She told them everything that happened from the time she saw him, to the time he left.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Bones said.
“Nope. And I have a plan.” Claudia said.
“Claudia, you love this man, no?” Antonio asked. Claudia stopped a moment and thought. Then she nodded. “And you are going to him, right?” he asked, already knowing the answer. She nodded again.
“And what do you want to do Claudia?” Chester asked. He actually looked a little frightened.
“I’ll explain later. Get your gear on. I still have to work out one part of my plan.” Everyone left looking a little confused. Good. Claudia thought. The less they know, the better.

*****

“This is Alpha. Team One report positions. Over.”
“This is Team One. We are a go. Over.” Rod’s voice said into the radio.
“This is Alpha. Team Two report positions. Over.”
“This is team two. We are in position. Over.” Antonio said.
“This is Alpha. Team Three report position. Over.”
“This is team Three. We are in position. Stand by for Claudia. Over.” Nick said in hushed tones.
“Alpha, this is Claudia. I see many wands down there. Looks like…twelve at my last count. Over.” Claudia’s heart was racing. She was dressed in her fatigues and her amulet was tucked neatly inside her clothes. All of their faces were covered by black ski masks. Tonight they were taking no chances.
It was hell working out how they were going to find this place. Claudia noticed that when she thought hard enough about Severus, she was directed by the amulet by a tug somewhere deep inside her. It took over three hours to locate their positions in a small village town called Little Hangleton. Right now, Chester was in the truck over five miles away. They had to hump their way to this run down manor house. Bones and Rod were the farthest from the house, other than Chester, positioned right and left of their escape route. Antonio and Zulu were on the hill right behind Claudia and Nick, who were less than five hundred yards from the house. Everyone took their time getting into places and kept checking in every ten minutes.
Claudia was watching the house through a pair of night vision goggles. She counted at least twelve people, wizards most likely, in and around the house. Once or twice, she thought she saw Severus cross a window, but that had to be her imagination working over time. One can not distinguish features in these goggles until you were right up on them.
“Alpha, this is team one. We are ready when you are. Over.” Claudia was feeling light headed as she waited. Once phase one was set, there was no turning back for her. A few seconds later, from over her shoulder, a red flare was thrown into view of the house. She watched as the wizards scrambled to see what it was and look around for the culprit.
“Alpha…we have light. Looks like they are enjoying the pretty colors.” Chuckles in her ear piece. Claudia studied the people wondering around and noticed one of them slip off the side of the house. If that person was watching where the flare came from. They would be coming up behind them in a few minutes.
“Team Two, this is team Three. Go ahead and move up. It looks like somebody is coming to tickle me from behind. Over.” Claudia said.
“Roger that Team Three. We’re moving. Over.” Came Zulu’s voice. Claudia was still watching the people down below gather around and try and make sense of what was in front of them. They had pointed a wand at it and put the light out.
“Thank you. Now I can see better.” Claudia whispered to herself. She watched and waited for her moment. But she wouldn’t do anything until she heard back from Zulu and Antonio. Having an extra running around behind them was not good business. Then her ear piece chirped in her ear. That was the silence code. They must be on him, she thought. Alright. My turn. She reached over and grabbed the megaphone she had and put it to her lips. She prayed everything went well for the rest of the night. Then she took a deep breath and yelled.
“Hello!” She smiled as everyone of them turned in her direction. But she was still too far away and well hidden for them to find her. “Excuse me…I‘m looking for someone.” In her ear piece, she heard all of them laughing. She wondered how Zulu and Antonio were making out.
The wizards down below were conversing with one another and whispering urgently. One of them stepped forward and called out to her.
“Show yourself.” He yelled.
“No thank you.” Claudia tried not to laugh. Her heart was racing and her palms were sweaty. This was so much fun…
“Who are you?” The voice came again.
“Oh…just a friend.” Claudia had to pull the megaphone from her mouth because she heard yelling and cussing from behind her. The wizard down at the house was talking to her, but she wasn’t listening. She heard Zulu yell, loudly, and she heard a terrible growl-like yell. Nick moved back to check on them and Claudia returned to her megaphone.
“Sorry about that. Listen I want-” She was unable to talk when she saw a male figure imerge from the house. He was tall, thin, and his skin seemed to glow in the night. It was so white, it was luminescent. But it was his eyes that scared her. They were glowing red like little tail lights. Every wizard turned and bowed him forward and Claudia realized who it was she was looking at. Voldemort.
“We have a visitor? How wonderful. Please, allow me.” He turned in Claudia’s direction and spoke. His voice had to be amplified by magic, because she heard him just fine.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” It was a scratchy and high pitched voice. Laughter from the people below. Claudia heard in her ear piece Nick saying he was coming up behind her, and he had a present.
“I came for a word, sir. Would you indulge a lowly muggle?” She smirked at her own joke. At that moment, Nick came up behind her and thrust something into her hands. Gross. She looked down at it and cringed. They had dodged the bullet on that one.
“By all means. I desire to know who would be so foolish as to come here tonight.” Claudia stood to go but heard a crackling in her ear piece.
“Claudia, what the hell are you doin’?” It was Bones. She stood and as she walked forward she spoke softly.
“Do not interfere. If this goes wrong, abort and collect Emma. Understand?”
“Negative Claudia. Return to your position.” It was Chester’s voice.
“No can do boys.” She continued walking down the small hill and found herself not more than one hundred feet from twelve Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort himself.
“Your name please.” Voldemort said. It was not a request, but a command. Claudia smiled behind her ski mask.
“My name is not important. But I know your name. And some of yours.’ She gestured to the Death Eaters. One in particular stepped forward and aimed a curse at her. A jet of green light came toward her and bounced off to the left. Claudia smiled. I guess it works on Unforgivables too. Thank you Severus…
“What do you want?” Asked a female Death Eater, Claudia would bet money on was Bellatrix Lestrange.
“Now, Now Bella. She is our guest. As you can see, you can not harm her. So let us see what she has to say.” Twelve Death Eaters shifted nervously in a half circle they had formed around Voldemort. Claudia’s heart almost left her, but she hung on to the thing in her hands.
“Actually, I was hoping to have a word with someone. Nothing too formal, just a casual chat between friends.” Claudia had to work hard to keep her voice steady.
“First, I would like to see with whom I am conversing. Please, remove your head covering. And where is Fenrir?” Claudia chuckled and removed her ski mask. She tossed it to the ground and then lobbed Fenrir Grayback’s head to Lord Voldemort’s feet. It hit the ground with a sickening thud and rolled to show his face twisted in pain from Zulu’s famous long sword. Hisses and yells were heard from all of the Death Eaters. Voldemort just stood and stared at Claudia.
“You have a very naughty puppy dog.” She said.
“It seems I chose the wrong muggles to employ.” Was all he said.
“Seems so.” Was her reply.
“And who is it you have come all this way to speak to?” He asked in a mockingly docile tone.
“The Sexy Severus Snape.” Claudia drew out the ‘S’s’ so that she sounded like a snake. She laughed inward as everyone turned to a figure in the back. It must be Severus, she thought.
“Severus, my most loyal servant. Could you come here? There is someone here to see you.” Everyone stepped back and allowed Severus to step forward. Claudia’s heart was doing flip flops in her chest. If she ever made it out of here alive, she was going home to stay. No more of this crap. I’m retired for crying out loud, she thought.
“Severus, do you know this muggle woman?” Voldemort asked him. Severus nodded slightly and Voldemort looked at him.
“Yes Master. I know her. She’s…friends with members of the Order.” Came Severus’s voice. She saw his face, partially obscured by the darkness, but he looked livid. She would have paid money to look at the amulet just then.
“And why is it, that a member of the Order of the Phoenix is able to find you here?” Severus said nothing. He hung his head and looked quite pitiful to Claudia.
“Excuse me? Sorry to butt in Mr. Dark Lord Sir, but I can explain. See, Severus here had nothing to do with it. I was able to trace him the last time he came to Headquarters. Oh…it’s a muggle thing I guess…you wouldn’t understand it. Anyways, I was just here to give you a message Severus.” Claudia’s voice was shaking. A few of the Death Eaters were still looking at the severed head laying on the ground. Others were trying to get a better look at Claudia and Severus. The rest were watching their Master and wondering what was going to happen. Claudia reached into her pocket and pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
“Indeed. What is the message you have for Severus?” Voldemort asked. “I take it the Order is most unhappy that my most faithful servant was able to kill your leader?” Laughter from the Death Eaters.
“I‘m not in the Order, so I wouldn‘t know. I’m here on personal business.” Claudia said coolly. Silence from all around her.
“I decided not to keep my promise Severus.” Claudia said.
“Apparently.” He said.
“My Severus, you certainly are lucky with the opposite sex aren’t you? First, the mud blood Lily Potter. You pleaded for her life. Now the muggle. I say, if you weren’t my most faithful servant…” Voldemort said. Laughter from everyone. Claudia was taken a little off guard. Lily Potter? Harry’s mother?
“My Lord, I apologize for-”
“What exactly are you apologizing for Severus?” Came Claudia’s hiss. Everyone stopped laughing and looked at her. Her eyes were shooting daggers at Severus once again. He sneered at her and she sneered back.
“Is that all?” He asked her.
“No. I came to offer myself to you. And you too…” She gestured to Voldemort.
“There is nothing I want from you…anymore.” Came Severus’s silky voice.
“Now Severus, do not be too hasty. What is it you are offering?” Voldemort asked.
“My services. With your blessing my dear Dark Lord.” Claudia tilted her head in a small bow of respect to him. She hated herself at the moment, but it was necessary.
“You have cost me a very useful werewolf tonight.” Voldemort’s voice rung in the darkness.
“Yes…sorry about that. You should have a little more control,” she stressed the last word. “over your servants. Otherwise, they run amuck.” The whole time she spoke she never took her eyes from Severus. “You should also know, that young Harry Potter is running the Order now.” Laughter. High pitched maniacal laughter filled the darkness.
“Harry Potter filling Dumbledore’s shoes? Wonderful! I feel as if I have already won.” Voldemort said. Claudia eyed him and returned her gaze to Severus.
“Yes, I can spot a sinking ship. However, since your cover is blown now Sexy Severus, perhaps you and I could meet and exchange…information. With your master’s blessing, of course.” Claudia flashed a wonderful smile to them.
“What say you Severus? Do you dare tempt fate and gather information for your Lord and master once again?” Voldemort asked. Claudia had the impression he was making fun of Severus just then.
“I go where you wish me to go master.” Severus said. Claudia realized she did not like this groveling Severus. She much preferred the other Severus to the one in front of her.
“Very well. And if your muggle friend here turns out to be a spy for the Order, I will break through that little charm she has around her and kill her.”
“My only wish is that you allow me to watch my Lord.” Said Severus. Claudia kept on smiling.
“I will not have any information for you for awhile. Not until…the time is right…” Claudia let her words sink in and she saw Severus’s eyes flinch a fraction and her smile widened. “Good night Severus.” She winked at him and casually reached up to brush her hair from her face. What she was really doing was tapping the silence code on her ear piece to alert the guys of her return. Claudia puckered her lips and blew Severus a kiss. She smiled at the look of revulsion on everyone’s face.
“HOW DARE YOU! YOU FILTHY MUGGLE!” Bellatrix Lestrange was crazed looking. Claudia slowly turned to face her. Actually, Bellatrix was a great deal taller than Claudia’s petite form. Bellatrix was looking wild eyed and had her wand pointed at Claudia’s heart.
“Bella, I suggest you rethink cursing her at the moment. I of all people know what it is like to have a curse backfire. Most unpleasant.” Nervous laughter from the wizards. Claudia allowed herself a laugh in Bellatrix’s face as well.
Claudia narrowed her eyes and looked into the soulless eyes of Sirius’s murderer. She flicked her cigarette over her shoulder in the direction of the other wizards.
“I have already told you once we aren’t through Bellatrix.” Claudia whispered. Bellatrix’s eyes grew larger with understanding. “Good, you remember me. Did you like my fire Bellatrix? You must know that wasn’t meant for you. Those men in there, I had a score to settle with them. You understand that don’t you?” Claudia smiled at Bellatrix and turned to go.
“Master! Don’t let her go!” Bellatrix yelled. Claudia’s heart was racing. Uh oh… She tapped her ear piece three times. Plan B was about to take effect.
Bellatrix was coming after Claudia when from two different directions smoke bombs were set off. Right underneath the wizard’s feet. Everyone was covered in smoke and it gave Claudia about fifteen seconds to run for it. She heard the wizards yelling “Lumos!“ She ran until her heart was about to explode. This is why I quite smoking in the first place. I am so stupid. She huffed her way up the hill and was caught by Nick who tackled her to the ground.
“ Stay down. They are already coming, but they do not know which way you ran. Quickly!” Nick whispered.
They ran, bent over for a long while until they met up with Antonio and Zulu. Claudia almost screamed at the sight of Zulu. He was a bloody mess.
“It is alright. It is not my blood.” Zulu said. The four of them went running in the direction of Bones and Rod when Antonio stopped running and was looking into his night goggles.
“He has called them back. They are returning to the house. Looks like he likes you after all Claudia.” Claudia wasn’t sure if she was really happy about that or not, but she continued on until they were packing the truck. Once at the truck, Claudia leaned over and vomited all over the ground. She had come face to face with the most evil person imaginable. And she lived through it, not to mention that she was now a spy for him as well.
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A/N: Wow. Claudia has some balls on her, huh? Oh goodness...what will Severus think? Please Review!