Keely, the house-elf. She certainly is a feisty creature, Severus grumbled after the evil elf popped away. His attire that he fell asleep in was soaked through. Keely decided to give him a wake with a bucket of cold water! He was furious, and then the creature explained how it was pay back for getting her into trouble with Miss Candice. The professor groaned and went into his - nearly unused- bedroom. He quickly got a pair of new items of clothing from his wardrobe and changed.
When he stepped out into his living room, he couldn't help but get nauseous at the strong smell of firewhiskey. He trailed back into his bathroom and just in time, as his body jerked and he emptied the contents of his stomach into the toilet. The pale man seated on the grey tiles, leaned back against the wall. He attempted to control his urge to gag again, and summoned three viles: one for his sickness, another for his pounding head, and the last was a strengthening potion. He downed each carefully and cursed the elf. Usually, he can drink his potions before having such after affects of his nightly drinks; but not today, as he had to change. Damn that elf!
Suddenly, he felt a life come through his wards. He heard his voice a few seconds later...
"Severus? Are you in here?"
Albus. He's back! The Potions Master could've jumped of joy, if he hadn't have been still slumped on the floor. He gripped the sink and pulled himself to his feet, then went to greet the Headmaster.
"Yes." he croaked in response, then conjured a glass of water to help his throat.
The father popped his head into the bedroom and his eyes lost their twinkle as he looked at his son.
"You look positively bushwhacked." he closed the door behind him and gestured the man to sit on his bed.
"Whatever that means." Severus muttered and held in a gasp at the comfort of the soft mattress he stopped using years ago.
"How are you?" Albus tried as he sat next to the dark mass.
"Better than ever."
Truth to be told, his sarcastic remark went unnoticed as he gently laid back. When his head hit the soft surface, his whole body relaxed and he closed his eyes.
"Why have I avoided this with such hatred? It's nothing but pure bliss."
The Headmaster gave a curious look at his words, then chuckled. He was happy to see his son so relax. It had been a great amount of time since he looked so peaceful. But those thoughts brought up worries.
"So tell me. How are things here? I have been gone for some time..."
"It's been hell." Severus stated, eyes still shut tightly, "Where were you?"
Albus sighed. He hesitated, even though he knew this was a conversation they had to have. He was going to just tell Severus how it was, though he didn't expect him to be looking so worse for wear. At the lack of answer, the laying professor pried his eyes open and blinked at his father.
"What? Is it something bad?"
All his previous feelings of relaxation dispersed as if they were never there, as he sat up cautiously. The elder fidgeted, which was a highly unusual action compared to his endlessly calm behaviour.
"Severus. I need you to listen and not interrupt me." they locked eyes and the raven haired gave a firm nod, "I have been notified of a wizard causing disruptions in Australia over the summer. At first I thought nothing of it, but letters of pleas kept coming from the Australian Wizarding Community. I spoke to Kingsley, and he sent a few of his aurors over as aid. There bodies arrived back in his office the next day. They have seemingly suffered a painful death, undergoing some torturous spells."
"Surely it isn't..."
"Voldemort?" Severus shuddered, while Albus shook his head, "No. He's gone. Gone for good. However, it may be an ex-deatheater. Harry and I travelled to Australia after to check the trouble out ourselves. Although we saw many more of his victims, the mysterious murderer was never caught."
"Are you trying to tell me Albus that a new lunatic is on the loose?"
"I'm afraid so, son. What's even worse, is that he is seemingly not working alone. He has followers. Vile men. Kingsley suspects that they are deatheaters that have escaped from being put into Azkaban. On the other hand, we can't be sure. Their motives are also unclear, as their victims have no connection to each other."
"Not a pureblood fanatic then?"
"Not that we have identified. The people discovered in their demise were a range of bloods. Their occupations were also varying."
"Perhaps he's keen on looks then?"
"Maybe. From what I witnessed, he left their faces disfigured, almost beyond recognition."
The Potions Master's eye twitched, as the other winced. Another dark lord on the rise, and he already sounds worse than the first. Abruptly, a ball of fire appeared between the two men. Severus reached for his wand, but Albus stopped him. The flames expanded and formed into a phoenix - Fawkes - holding a letter in its beak. The father took the letter warily and looked at the black seal. It was stamped with the crest of the house of Black. He could see the confusion in the elder, which he felt himself. The headmaster opened the envelope and read it, growing ever more pale as blood left his cheeks.
"Well?"
The father didn't respond, but passed the parchment to his son. Severus took it with worry.
Dear Mr Headmaster,
I'm glad you have finally arrived back to your safe place. In case you haven't noticed, my time in Australia was jolly, however I think I overstayed my welcome. My friends have also decided to accompany me on this journey to find the someone that is dear to my heart.
You see old man, I found out that this someone is actually in your sacred possession. Now, I simply ask for you to hand her over, and no harm shall be done to your precious school.
I would be happy to receive that certain someone as of right now, however my friends feel the need to tour the country first and explore a bit. I shall get back to you once we have finished our little outing.
Until then Mr Headmaster,
Keep my sister safe.