Knight in Tarnished Armor

Both Severus and she froze, “Do you have any enchantments on this door that it would open on its own.”

“No” She replied in a hoarse whisper. He reached and pulled out his wand and she instinctively reached for hers but found none. Protectively he stepped in front of her and cautiously made his way into the house. It was a disaster, tables were overturned vases broken, flowers and papers were strewn about and that was just in the entranceway. He turned and raised a finger to his lips signaling her to remain quiet and she rolled her eyes in response. They listened and after nearly five minutes of silence determined it was safe to proceed.

“Listen to me and don’t argue. Go gather what you need, only essentials and make it fast you’ll be staying with me for a while.”

“Now wait a damn minute, this sounds like a scam to me. What the hell is going on?” Planting her hands on her hips she managed to stare him down.

“Its not a scam scheme or anything, this has the stench of Deatheaters all over it and they’re up to something. Something I wasn’t told about. It’s not like them to snatch up an American witch and then ransack her house they must be looking for something and they’ve not been gone for long which means they either haven’t found what they’re looking for and will be back or could still be here.”

“How would you know how long ago they were or weren’t her if you’re not in on it.”

“The water from the vase isn’t dry yet and hasn’t settled either, it’s still running a bit.”

Looking down at the floor and back up she narrowed her eyes “Damn you.” She proceeded up the stairs muttering all the way. Ten minutes later she flew down the stairs running through the dining room and living rooms grabbing things and shrinking them and throwing them in her large carpetbag. Flying past Severus once more she opened a door and ran down the steps.

A scream echoed from the basement and Severus ran down wand drawn. The creaking of the steps was barely heard over the commotion coming from a back room “Those ignorant rat son of a bastard mother fu”

“ADRAYA!” Seeing that she wasn’t in danger but was instead slamming a small cauldron repeatedly into a wall he calmed a bit. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Your friends,” she said the word as if it left a bad taste on her tongue. “Ruined, RUINED! MY POTION, months of work and study all destroyed. Oh when I get my hands on them ill kill them, ill slice them no wait I’ll boil them and make a stew.” Worried she had gone mad at least temporarily he hesitantly stepped closer. “Don’t you touch me! You buffoon I blame you!”

Before she could rant further the sound of heavy footsteps creaked the above their heads. Eyes wide she stared accusingly at Severus. “Finish gathering what you need I'll see what they want. If anything happens to me use the portkey the house elves will know what to do.” He handed her the silver fork from his pocket and headed up the stairs. She wasted no time in gathering a sample of the spilled liquid and then grabbed a few books.

Listening up the stairs she heard the sound of voices a bit of the ways off. She ran back and reached her hand through a painting and grabbed the two books and necklace that were hidden in the alcove behind the picture of fruit. Closing her bag she headed up the stairs.

Standing in her entranceway was a blonde haired man and two brutes who leered at her as she came around the corner. Glaring right back at them she went to stand next to Severus. Her attempt to reach behind her and pull out her wand and hex the living daylights out of the three was cut short as he grabbed her arm roughly.

“It’s about time, I’ve had enough of your dallying already. Move Malfoy.” As Severus tried to push past the blonde man he grabbed Adraya’s arm.

“Not so fast, let’s have a look at what the sneaky tart has in her bag of tricks.” He made a move to snatch her bag but she was quicker and held it behind her. “You have something the Dark Lord wants; I suggest you turn it over now.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about. Now get out of my way you spineless prick.” Shock caused her to let go of the bag as she felt a resounding slap across her face that left stinging prickles in its wake.

“You must learn to mind your manners girl especially when you speak to your betters. Here Malfoy if you haven’t found it ransacking her home then she must have hidden it. And if she hid it she would have grabbed it when I told her to take what she needed.” Severus opened the bag for inspection ignoring the scathing look Adraya was sending him.

“it looks like you little bitch needs to be trained. Slipping are we Severus.” Lucius rifled around in her bag and then cast it away angrily. “Damnit its not here. Where is it?” He turned and grabbed Adraya by the throat only to have Severus stop him.

“If anyone will damage my property it will be me Lucius not you unless you want to take this matter and your incompetence to the Dark Lord.” Malfoy looked from one to the other.

“Fine have it your way but we will find it, even if I have to get permission from the Dark One to interrogate your pet.”

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary, I highly doubt she even knows what you’re looking for or even of its value otherwise she would have surely taken it. Now please, I have business to attend to.” Snape pushed past Malfoy and through the boulders of men behind him all the while dragging Adraya behind him.

Once they were a few feet from the house Adraya tried to talk but was harshly shushed by Snape “Not NOW!” After getting into the woods a bit they used the portkey to get back to the Snape house.

“Now?” After waiting for his nod she wound her hand back and smacked Snape clear across the face. “Now we’re even.” She proceeded up the stairs ignorant of the sets of little eyes watching her with a mixture of shock and humor.