The Bookstore

It was two days following the Gala before Livia managed to visit Narcissa and find out the meaning of the flowers Thomas had presented to her.

"The mixed roses mean 'you mean everything to me' and the fern means 'fascination, magic and sincerity', the latter of which you should remember", Narcissa teased, delighted on behalf of her dearest friend and asked, "How are things between the two of you now?"

"I'm not sure...", Livia answered thinking back to the kiss they shared and blurted out, "He kissed me Cissa".

Narcissa's eyes and smile widened, "After the Gala? How was it?", noticing her friends less than excited demeanor she questioned with more care, "You don't seem as enthusiastic as I would have thought you to be under such circumstances?"

Livia looked around the room absently as she organised her thoughts, "It was good... wonderful really... everything I had hoped and imagined plus a bit", she answered, a blush of embarrassment on her cheeks obvious.

"But...?", Narcissa prompted.

"I want to think it meant something but he's already courting someone Cissa, you must have seen the news article. He asked me to court him before and I refused, with good reason at the time and now he has moved on", Livia stared into her teacup a sad and wistful look etched on her face.

"Do you regret turning him away?", Cissa asked frowning slightly.

"No", Livia answered decisively, "the contract he gave me was made for a very practical and political alliance and I could never have agreed to a loveless marriage or worse, being the only one who loves in it", Livia said honestly. "If it had been a contract based on his having affection for me I wouldn't have hesitated for a moment to agree to it though"

Livia rallied her spirits and said with a little grin, "Enough about me, guess who I caught being kissed rather thoroughly by Rabastan after the Gala?"

"Oh really?", Narcissa exclaimed with, eyes lighting up with delight at this little tidbit of news but she refused to let Livia change the subject. Lucius had confided in her about the meeting between Severus and the Dark Lord and didn't want her friend to push the man away again because of yet another misunderstanding.

"Livia, have you considered that you are the person Lord Slytherin is courting at the moment?", she held up her hand to forestall the objections about to be issued, "I know from Lucius that he works a great many hours and he spends a number of hours every week with you, I don't believe he has the time to be courting anyone else, he has never seen in anyone elses company regularly but yours and hasn't been for many months".

"But if it was a political match he wouldn't necessarily need to see them often", Livia pointed out.

"If it was political he would have a contract. He is apparently following some sort of 'Informal' courtship and the only person he is seeing is you"

"In France they speak of 'rendez-vous galant' but not whaterever this 'Informal Courtship' nonsense is", Livia said absently, considering what Cissa had said.

It was true that Thomas and herself saw each other regularly, at least three times a week now that she thought on it and in addition to that were the occasional letter or floo call if something interesting to the other occurred. Hadn't she thought to herself just days ago that he would have little time for courtship given how often she saw him. It was also true that a political alliance would have a contract attached. 

"The article indicated it was someone else though and wouldn't he have mentioned it to me if it was me he was pursuing?", she asked outloud.

"The article also doesn't confirm that it isn't you and he does praise you a great deal in it. Besides that he already tried to court you properly twice and was unsuccessful, so perhaps he is trying a different approach. Livia, Lord Slytherin would not have asked you a second time if he didn't care for you a great deal and he is a man of determination when he has a goal. It would not surprise me in the least if he has simply changed his method of address towards you", a fact she knew it to be true.

"Mmm, Perhaps. I shall think on it Cissa. We are meeting for drinks and dinner tomorrow and I intend to speak to Thomas himself about it regardless. That kiss confused things for me, I thought friendship only was on the table and it may well still be but either way I need to know".

An hour later when her friend had left Narcissa was recollecting a different set of articles that the Daily Prophet and the magazine 'Witch Weekly' had released, filled with photographs of the Gala night. Narcissa had been thrilled with the positive publicly it was drawing to the Long-stay ward and the many compliments that the arrangement of the evening had elicited. She felt positive that new dialogue being raised surrounding the Long-Term Illness Ward, the treatments currently available in Britain versus abroad and the legalisation surrounding each was causing a great deal of discussion in Wizarding Britain. It was all positive news surrounding the benefits that using Dark Magic, that had been so maligned in Britain by Dumbledore's good vs. evil rhetoric, could have enormous benefit in the medical sector, it was a good day for their side and hopefully balance would once again be restored the Britain.

The one thing both publication's reported heavily on was the interaction between Livia and Lord Slytherin. In a flash of inspiration Narcissa had discreetly contacted both if the publications and with the necessary non disclosure contracts had requested copies of any and all photographs they had of the pair together along with any future one's they gained. She firmly believed that bonding was on the cards for the pair and had decided that a photograph album detailing their courtship would be the ideal engagement gift and she was rarely wrong about these things.

Narcissa went to go and find Draco for story and play time and mentally made a note to set Bella the task of wrangling further information out of her husband about the relationship between Severus and Rabastan. Morgana knew it would be easier than approaching Severus himself to find out, you would think the man was permanently hexed with 'Langlock'* when he didn't wish to speak on something.

The day following her visit to Malfoy Manor found Livia walking through Knockturn Alley, she was heading to see Mr Lewis at his bookstore, she was looking forward to visiting and had the benefit of a long list of books that she and Severus required. She was both looking forward to and dreading meeting with Thomas in Hogsmede later, they were to meet at Three Broomsticks for a drink before they tried dinner at the new French restaurant that had opening near there. 

Livia was determined to ask Thomas Slytherin some questions about what was going on between them. Whether she liked the answers or not she needed to know why he had kissed her and if he was in fact, as Narcissa believed, courting her. It was the anxiety and restlessness that these questions provoked in her that had pushed her to seek out the one person and the one place that could be relied upon to soothe her frayed nerves that morning. 

Severus had just finished brewing for the day and was hurrying upstairs for a shower and a more appropriate outfit for his date with Rabastan and, glancing at the time, if he didn't hurry he would be late. As he neared the receiving room he heard Birch speaking.

"No sir. Mistress Prince left this morning and not returned"

"Do you know where she went?"

Severus entered the room upon hearing who it was and asked, "Lord Slytherin? I thought you were meeting Livia this evening".

"I was, she hasn't arrived yet and we were to meet 20 minutes ago here at the Three Broomsticks. Normally she will contact me if there is a change of plans but hasn't done so", the man answered shortly.

"She was heading to see Bert Lewis at his shop this morning but hasn't been home since. I will contact him and check she has left", Severus told the man.

"Very well, I will stay here in case she arrives in the mean time", Thomas stated and left the floo.

Severus' initial concern at hearing Livia was late for her date with the Dark Lord, being late was something Livia never was, had lessened marginally remembering that she had been visiting with Mr Lewis and he was all too aware that once his sister was immersed in a book she could forget the time easily.

Severus immediately flooed over to Mr Lewis's shop and hoped that he still had time for a shower before his date.

"Mr Lewis!", he called out as he made his way through the boxes and stacks of dusty books in the backroom of the shop.

"Through here, is that you Severus? Have you got Livia with you? She was supposed to be here hours ago..." 

"She didn't arrive here today?", Severus called urgently, pausing where he was, "She left home at 9:30 this morning, she was supposed to have met with Lord Slytherin but hasn't arrived there either. I must go! I will speak to you again when I have found her", he walked swiftly back to the floo and flinging a handful of poder into the flames called "The Three Broomsticks", and stepped into the green flames.

Upon seeing Severus exit the main floo at Thomas stood and made his way to the man who shook his head slightly and used a quick muffliato charm to prevent anyone hearing their voices or reading their lips.

"She never arrived at the bookstore and she left home at 9:30am", Severus reported succinctly even as worry was beginning to crawl in his stomach.

"She has already been missing for nearly ten hours now. Have you tried to send her a patronus at all?"

In lieu of an answer Severus conjured his patronus and spoke urgently and quietly to the beautiful silvery doe infront of him, "Livia, where are you? It is imperative that you contact me as soon as you recieve this", he watched as the doe bounded away and turned to back to Lord Slytherin.

"Madam Rosemerta will tell Livia to contact us if she arrives after we leave and I have contacted the Malfoys who have not seen her. You should contact the Aurors and I will contact our 'friends' to begin searching for her. You will find me at my home when you are done", his orders under the guise of advice given he left through the floo, trusting Severus to do as instructed.

Severus watched as the man left with a sneer,  he may have agreed to follow the Dark Lord in order to bring about the much needed change for their community but in that instant he loathed the very ground the high handed cur walked upon, it was HIS sister, HIS family that was missing, it should be HIM making the damned decisions! Filled with rage and fear he made his way directly to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to report his sisters absence.

Livia came to conciousness slowly and became aware of the dull throb of her head, confused she lay perfectly still, clearly something had happened to her but she knew not what. Snapshots of walking through Knockturn Alley flitted through her minds eye. That was right, she was on her way to Mr Lewis's. Did she get there? She couldn't remember. She cracked open an eye and looked at the ceiling, the paint on it was peeling and there were discoloured patches dotted around on it, that ruled out home or hospital. She was so tired and her head hurt so much. She drifted out of consciousness.

She woke slughishly, her eyes opened, where was she? She was laying on something hard, her back was sore, her head was throbbing. The paint on the ceiling was peeling... she had seen this before, Knockturn alley. Waking up... In the periphery of her vision she saw dated wallpaper and from the cold, damp, hard feeling the floor underneath her was stone or maybe tile. It was hard to focus and she felt sick. She listened carefully for any sounds that would indicate where she was, but there was nothing but the low creak of old floorboards above her and the musty smell of disuse which probably meant something. Her mind struggled to form a coherent thought, it was made harder when each one she had seemed to slip away as she tried to catch it. She struggled to remain awake, guessing she had hit her head at somepoint given how much it hurt, probably concussed. She cracked her other eye open and tried to look around a little more without moving.

Her emergency portkey and wand! She couldn't feel her left arm to raise it so instead tried to reach her bracelet portkey with her other hand, moving, as little as possible. It was missing. Panic was beginning to creep upon her, she tried to summon her wand but nothing happened. 'Severus is going to be so angry when he realises I've lost my portkey', was her last thought before she succumbed to unconsciousness once again.

Cold water threatened to drown her as she woke spluttering and coughing, trying to dislodge the water that she had inadvertently breathed in, pain slashing through her head, side and arm each time she did.

"Wake up! You good for nothing wretch. Y've done nothing but make trouble for those that do good in the world", Alastor 'Mad-eye' Moody growled, living up to his moniker as his magical eye spun around in it's socket constantly in search of hidden adversaries and potential dangers.

Livia tried to lean up on her good arm but failed, she rolled slightly trying to dislodge the remainder of the water in her airways. She looked up towards the voice speaking and recognised the unhinged man instantly.

"What do you want with me?", she croaked without a trace of fear despite what she felt.

"What do I want, y' ask?", he snarled, spittle leaving his mouth. "What I want is a good safe country. Somewhere where we don't have to worry about another Dark uprising. The likes of you are a scourge upon our world...", Mad-Eye ranted. Livia took the opportunity to look at take stock of her situation, Her head still hurt, her arm too and she realised that she must have some damage to her side aswell. She moved her right hand over her stomach and inched it towards the pain on her left side, the material was wet and cold she thought groggily. Had she lost blood aswell? How long had she been here? Was Severus looking for her yet? Did Thomas tell him she hadn't arrived?

"Are you paying attention girl?" He shot a stinging hex her way, "Do you have no regret    for the damage y've done?", Moody screamed casting a burning hex her way, hitting her in the thigh, she hissed in pain and gave him her attention once again. He continuing his diatribe on how 'Dark Wizards' would destroy the peace of this illustrious country that the likes of Albus Dumbledore and himself had worked tirelessly to achieve. 

Livia continued her mental inventory whilst trying to convey that she was indeed listening to the crazy man and suitably contrite. Her arm was damaged somehow and her wand and port key were missing, her wand arm was functioning however and her left side was possibly bleeding and certainly painful. Letting her eyes drift around the room a little she realised that she recognised this place and she almost gave herself away by smiling.

"Dumbledore agrees with me you know. We both know your working with the new Dark Lord that there are rumours about. Ha! Didn't think we knew did ya? Nothing gets passed us you know. We know it's Slytherin and we know that you are to be his wife and have a special place in his ranks", Moody continued he tirade as he stood in front of her cell.

A Doe patronus galloped into the room and up to Livia, she heard Severus' voice, "Livia, where are you? It is imperative that you contact me as soon as you recieve this". Severus knew she was missing at least then.

"Nobody will find you", Moody said with a nasty grin, "so you will begin by telling me everything you know about his operation girly, y're in pretty poor condition as it is and there's no way out either, so if you want to survive you will start talking now!", he finished with a harsh laugh.

'Merlin save me from crazy old men!', Livia couldn't believe her luck. His mind must have finally snapped all the way when he was fired. He was already known to be highly paranoid and volatile even when he still worked as an Auror. She would need to tread carefully.

"I don't know what your talking about Mr Moody", she coughed a little to try and clear her throat, "I don't know what Lord Slytherin has to do with this but I'm not affiliated with any Dark Lord or part of any such organisation", she told him calmly.

"Liar! We have it on good authority that you're in tight with him an' It's all over the papers for all too see. This will loosen your tongue", he said with a malicious smirk, "Crucio".

Livia screamed, pain like she had never known lanced through her body, her nerve endings felt like they were ablaze, blood filled her mouth and she began to choke and splutter for air.

Moody lifted the curse, as she battled to stay awake through the haze of pain, unable to catch her breath. 

"Anapneo", Moody cast at her, clearing her airways. "Don't want you choking before y' can answer my questions do I", he muttered observing the fresh blood seeping from the wound on her side and deciding to leave it. Keeping her too weak to escape wouldn't hurt, it would be easier to break her and get information too. He was well aware of the most efficient practices to interrogate criminals thanks to the last war. Albus may not have agreed with such practices but it had never stopped the man from profiting from the information gained that way.

A large and familiar Stag patronus galloped into the room, "Idiot boy", he muttered to himself even as the whispered voice of James Potter was emitted from the silvery apparition. "Moody, Good news! I'm taking a team to Slytherins Place, the Snape bint has gone missing and we can use this to raid the place. I'll let you know what we find".

Moody growled, "Blasted young fools", as he turned and clunked out of the room, he said without looking back, "I'll  be back to deal with you soon", and shut the door behind him.

Livia lay there panting still in pain, she had felt the fresh blood leaking from her wound. She lay there trying to think carefully about her situation but fell into unconscious once again.

Lord Slytherin was walking swiftly to the foyer in his home, ready to intercept the group of Aurors who had suddenly turned up at the border of his land requesting entrance and were even now being escorted by one of his house elves to the house.

"Lord Slytherin we will have to ask you to accompany us to answer a few questions at the DMLE and to make a formal statement regarding your whereabouts between the hours of 9:30am this morning to presently", the lead Auror, James Potter stated with self importance, as soon as he entered. He was well known to be one of Moody's cronies Thomas thought to himself.

"We will also be conducting a preliminary sweep of your home and grounds to ascertain that one 'Heiress Livia Prince', also known as 'Livia Snape', is not currently to be found on your property"

"I think not", Lord Slytherin said with a dangerous calm, "She was last seen leaving Prince Manor this morning and has not been seen since. You have no justification for conducting such a search, I'm also positive you don't have the necessary warrants to do so. A woman is missing and you are here wasting precious time".

Potter sneered at the man, "You seem to know a great deal about Heiress Princes movements today", Potter said with exaggerated suspicion, "The Auror office is chasing up all relevant leads so that is no concern of yours however, it is well established that if a person goes missing under suspicious circumstances that it is often those closest to them that have had some involvement in their disappearance".

The floo flared and Lucius and Severus stepped through and upon seeing the Aurors Lucius sent a questioning look to the Dark Lord.

"They are here to search my home without a warrant and have demanded that I accompany them to give a statement regarding Ms Snape's disappearance", Lord Slytherin drawled coldly, the anger he was feeling at their incompetence was restricted to being shown through the blaze in his eyes.

"I want to speak to Amelia Bones, now, I know you're on probation already Potter so I suggest that you ensure that every action you take from this point on is beyond reproach or I will have your job and see your reputation dragged through the mud so thoroughly your grandchildren will suffer for it", Lord Slytherin threatened.

"Madam Bones is extremely busy at present, you can't simply demand her presence no matter how high and mighty you think you are", Potter snarled at the man, one of the accompanying Aurors layed a hand on his arm and whispered something into his ear and the man flushed with anger.

Lucius had taken the opportunity to floo Madam Bones himself whilst the two men were speaking.

"Is anyone from your office searching where she was actually last known to be?", Severus demanded, he loathed Potter on a good day and this was not a good day.

"Don't tell us how to do our jobs Snivellous, I dare say we could do with a look around your home too. Who knows what interesting things we might find? Maybe it was you that did away with your sister", Potter answered back with a nasty smirk. The same Auror as before now nudged Potter in the ribs.

The Aurors straightened immediately when the caught sight of Amelia Bones exit the floo, she walked straight over to them and curtly demanded, "Potter report".

"Lord Slytherin has refused to accompany us to make a statement and he has refused our request to search his home for the missing woman. These gentlemen have been obstructing our investigation ma'am", Auror Potter stated with a smug glance towards where Slytherin was talking to an increasingly enraged Snivellus Snape. Potters lip curled, who honestly cared if Snivellus' Dark magic loving sister was missing, it was one less criminal on the streets as far as far as he was concerned, besides if it wasnt for her and her ilk half of the Auror force wouldn't be on probation and Moody, a damn good Auror, wouldn't have been forced out of a job.

"When I request memories of todays event, which I will be given there is a missing person involved, will your memories show your report to be accurate, think carefully before you answer James", Amelia said sternly but quietly, she knew all about his prejudices, his history with Severus Snape and he was on probation for a reason.

Potter stiffened and his jaw twitched, "Where is your warrent to search the property?", Bones asked brusquely. 

Before Potter could answer a Junior Auror spoke up, "Assistant Head Auror Bones, we don't have one and nobody has been sent to search the missing persons last known whereabouts" she said in hushed voice.

"Potter explain", Bones demanded curtly, she already knew the details thus far of the womans disappearance and it was becoming clear that procedure wasn't being followed by her Aurors.

"Madam Bones", he said with a charming smile, "you know as well as I do that its usually those closest to the victim that have had a hand in their disappearance", he lowered his voice and continued, "besides Amelia, this lot are dark as they come and we know it, they probably only reported her missing for the show of it so suspicion doesn't land on them"

"Auror Potter return to the DMLE immediately, do not take any detours, do not speak to anyone else and wait in my office. Give me your badge and wand then leave by floo", Amelia snapped, stalking after her Auror to the floo to ensure he lect the premises.

At the other side of the room she could hear Lord Prince almost shouting, "... your fault! Nobody even knew who she was until you took an interest and now she is missing".

"Severus right now we need to put our enegy into finding her. That is all that matters. You can be angry about this later but right now help or get out of my way!", Lord Slytherin roared at the younger man.

"Madam Bones, have you anything to report?", Slytherin asked curtly, the muscle in his jaw was twitching as his teeth ground together.

"I will be taking my Aurors with me to begin the search of her last known whereabouts,, which is where they should have been. The lead Auror of this case has been removed pending further investigation and I will personally be taking charge of the investigation", she directed her speech towards the three men.

"I will ask that you have faith in our ability to do our job and don't attempt to interfere. Evidence and vital time could be lost that way", Amelia gave them a gimlet stare as she spoke to them, amateurs no matter how proficient could muddy the waters and delay them finding the young woman and she hoped they would heed her warning.

Livia had been missing for over 17 hours and Lord Slytherin was pacing his study as he listened carefully to the report from one of the Aurors in his ranks, his magic crackled threateningly from the wand gripped tightly in his hand. He had been stuck in his office since the Aurors had turned up waiting with Severus and coordinating his own search for Livia.

"They found blood near the entrance to an alleyway off of Knockturn that is believed to belong to Ms Snape and the Unspeakables found what appears to be the residual signature of spell fire and possibly a port key though it is not yet confirmed as the area is saturated in magic. There have been no witnesses at the scene. A young Auror came forward, Auror Black was overheard talking to his partner about a 'rescue' he was planning to make of the 'hot Snape' and reported that Moody has been continuing to recruiting for a vigilanty group of 'Light and Good' wizards calling themselves 'The Order of the Pheonix'. Their intention is to fight against Dark wizards and the next Dark Lord's reign of evil and terror. Bones is furious that despite Moody's being fired that he still holds alot of sway and is going to call in Black to see what he knows", the man paused as the Dark Lord swung around to glare at him.

"There must have been witnesses they just don't want to talk to the Aurors!", Severus interupted impatiently much to the Dark Lords ire, if the twitch of his jaw muscle was anything to go by.

"Well?", Slytherin demanded when the man hesitated to answer, unsure if he should answer the other man.

"No leads were found at the site yet, one of our Unspeakables was willing to try less legal means to locate Ms Prince using blood tracking but it was unsuccessful, she must be somewhere well warded they surmise. A special bulletin is being placed on the news on the Wizarding Wireless in the hopes that someone comes forward with information and it will be featuresd in tomorrow's Prophet".

The Dark Lord turned to his friend who had entered mid report and raised his eyebrow in querie.

Rambert stepped forward, "We have had our people looking speaking to witnesses in Knockturn, a woman matching Ms Snapes description was attacked by someone likely disillusioned, they report that she blocked a spell and returned fire but there was nobody visible, she was hit in the arm and side and appeared to be stunned before being portkeyed away", he was watching Tom carefully as his magic sparked and cracked around him. He hadn't seen his friend with so little control since they were at school together. 

"This is all useless! We should search ourselves. At least then we would know nothing is being missed! The Aurors clearly are failing and...",Severus began to rage once again.

The Dark Lord's magic flared and filled the room making the very air feel heavy, "You will watch your tone Severus. My patience with your outbursts is fast coming to an end. I am also concerned for Livia and doing all in my power to find her. If you have a rational idea that will help, speak. If not sit down, shut up and only speak when you have something constructive to add", Lord Voldemort's voice and magic both struck out like a whip.

Lucius recognising that he couldn't do much to help find Livia at present but could try to keep Severus from being harmed by the Dark Lord and so grabbed his friends' arm and tugged lightly,

"Come Severus, I think a break from here will do you good. I'm sure you will be called if there is any news".

Once the two men left and the Auror was dismissed to follow up on the witness statement from the Alley, Thomas sat down heavily in one of his wingback chairs and passed a hand over his face.

"We will find her my friend", Rambert tried to console Tom.

"Yes, but will she be alive? I do not wish to loose her Ram, I am not sure that I would take it at all well should she perish", Thomas said in a tight voice filled with restrained anger.

There was nothing that Rambert could offer his friend in that moment but his company. what he did understand in that moment was that the Dark Lord Voldemort would declare war upon who ever had taken her, Merlin help anyone who stood in his way.

"It is nearing 3am Thomas, you should get what rest you can while we wait for further news, should she be found you will need to be alert. I will stay awake and inform you of any news that arrives and continue directing the search", Rambert could see no point in the man wearing himself down when there was nothing to be done, but he knew better than to say that outright while his friend was already angry.

"You are right of course. I will retire for an hour or so", Thomas said reluctantly "Thank You Rambert".

Rambert watched his long time friend leave and considered the change in the man in recent months. His manner had softened a little, he was more open and friendly with a select few extra people, less quick to anger and yet he could almost believe the man to be more dangerous now than ever before. Thomas had spoken about going to war several times over the years when his frustration grew at lack of progress made in the Wizengamot. Yet this time his friend hadn't even mentioned a war directly and it was the first time Rambert believed, whole heartedly, that they were on the precipice of what would surely be a most bloody and violent war if Livia Snape was not recovered alive. He hoped dearly that the young woman would be found soon.

* Langlock - Sticks ones tongue to the roof of  their mouth