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Post by snape on Sept 23, 2007 14:48:09 GMT -5
Severus detested Diagon Ally, with all the little wizards roaming around, as if they were lost. He hated the smell, the happiness of the place, and most importantly; Snape hated people. This place nearly crawled with them, and most of them would steer clear of him, moving to the other side of the little street when he walked. He sneered at anyone who would assume to get to close. His dark eyes trailing after them as they passed him. He would only come here for one reason, and that was the old book store, neatly cornered in one of the darker parts of Diagon ally. He sniffed the air slightly as he turned his head in the direction, knowing it would be open, as the business in this area was always well crowded. He wrapped his long cloak around him as he passed the curb and crossed against traffic, the people parting like a sea as he went. He shook his hair from his face, and lightly touched the little silver knife that was tucked in its strap, on his right forearm. He did not travel without this item now, for the power he could unleash with it was amazing, in comparison to the wand he also carried.
Sighing softly, he paused in his thoughts to look at the window front, the books lined well on the inner window, and looking old. He enjoyed old books, especially the kind that came from far off parts of the globe. His interest today was centered only on one certain part of this said globe. He smirked slightly as he touched the cold wrought iron of the old door, and pushed it open. The light tinkle of the bell sang to him as he stepped in, his cloud of cloak and robe around him as he let the door slide shut.
His quick eyes told him all there was to see on his cursory glance. He flicked his gaze to the front counter, and the owner of said book shop. He had had many dealings with the older gentleman from time to time, and he knew that upon entering this man would know who he was and welcome to peruse new books. Severus nodded as he walked to the counter, his eyes crawling over the tombs setting hither and yon as he did so. He glanced up and let this vision drop to the older gentleman. Severus smiled, not warmly, but smiled nonetheless.
"Albert, I find you well?" His cold voice, most the time ringing with malevolence was almost friendly in its unusual nature. He never had harbored ill for this kind old book clerk, and author. He, in fact, was fond of him and his well set in ways. A cloud of mystery always surrounded Albert, and Severus founds this reassuring. If one held their own mysteries, one did not pry into yours. Such was the thoughts between Albert and Severus as he rested his hand on the counter.
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Post by Albert Aendole on Sept 23, 2007 15:06:12 GMT -5
Albert had his back turned to the counter and Sopphie was laying lazily on the counter, napping. Albert was scribbling down notes from a book he was reading, glasses positioned on the end of his nose to somehow help magnify the lettering of the books. He was complete oblivious to the world outside of the one the book created, until it was interrupted by a familar, chilling voice.
He shuddered when the voice called him. He spun around slowly on the stool he sat on, which wobbled a bit as he did, showing signs of its age and usage, it could have gone any second, but it didn't, it still supported him. Albert looked at the other man, "S-severus, good to see you." The only thing about the man that made him feel so uneasy was the man's voice.
Albert put his notes, ink well, and quill away. "Good to see you, just browsing? Here to talk? Or buying anything?" Albert asked. Sopphie stretched and yawned, looking up at the owner of the hand that was sitting on 'her' counter, so she thought. Of course she thought that most things in this place was her. She stood up and strutted to her owner, and sat in front of him, she began purring noisily and Albert stroked her. "So pampered and spoiled..." Albert said as he strokede her cheeks and moving to behind her ears.
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Post by snape on Sept 23, 2007 15:23:26 GMT -5
Severus eyed the animal for a moment, not having much use for such pets himself, before turning his attention back to Albert. He did not mind so much the old man being nervous at his presence, which it was obvious Severus saw, but he would not do anything to cause undue tension between them. He had his uses for this one, and the books he could sometimes get his hands on. Severus was indeed looking to buy something, if that was Albert had anything of interest to his current need. Having glanced around the small counter for a moment or two, Severus eyed him again.
"I am interested in a purchase, Albert." He had a slight emphasis on the last part, not out of mis-content, but out of sheer willingness to allow the man to be comfortable with him. He did not want him on edge, because then Albert might think twice about offering up some of the better items he might have tucked away in any given secrets storage area around the shop. Severus glanced around, seeing the were alone for the moment, he looked back to the older man.
"I am looking for any tomes you may have in the Germanic language, or having anything to do with that thereof." Severus was blunt in his speech, knowing it was always easier to be short with this topic. He guarded his own reasons very close to himself, not wanting any clues to get out about his true intentions. Those intentions, of which, his plans had already been set into motion.
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Post by Albert Aendole on Sept 23, 2007 15:46:38 GMT -5
Albert waited and listened to the man as he spoke. Germanic Language? He recalled he had a book or two, but why would he need such use for them? Oh well, it was none of his business. Albert placed his hand on the counter and groaned as he stood up, his joints ached. He hobbled around the corner, Sopphie just watched he, he headed for the steps and silently gestured for Severus to follow.
He slowly made his way up the stairs, travelling at his own pace. Finally reaching the top, he turned and walked along the shelves until he reached a shelf in the back corner and looked among the spines of the books. Most of them didn't even have spines from their age. They had been up their so long, dust coated almost everything on this particular shelf, and it's neighboring ones. He looked over at Severus, "The Germanic Language?"
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Post by snape on Sept 23, 2007 15:52:41 GMT -5
Severus smirked to the man's back as he followed, wrapping his cloak around him as to not topple any of the large pile of books Albert always seemed to amass. Severus wondered if he was so much a dealer as he was a collector. He enjoyed books, himself, but did not know if he could have so many at one time. Severus was nothing if he was not neat. Everything had its place in the order of life, people included. Reaching the top of the stairs, Severus stopped to look around, his eyes crawling over every cracked spine on the wide shelves. Some dusty, with ill use, but all in good condition. Albert seemed to so love his books, as if they might be children instead of parchment and leather. He nodded.
"Anything Germanic. Language, history, magic. I will take the lot without even glancing through them first. What do you have?" His voice had dropped slightly at the last use of the word magic. It was this that interested him the most, as he thought of the one single tome he had in his own secret chamber that had changed his life in many ways this past two years. Ways that no one could even imagine.
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Post by Albert Aendole on Sept 23, 2007 16:13:24 GMT -5
Albert was confused by this, but didn't care. He pulled out a four books from the shelf, and put two back. He then turned to the shelf directly across from it and pulled out another book. He flipped through them, the third one he pulled out had mentioned a bit about Germanic things. The other two were nothing but Germanic information. "I believe this is all it, sir" he said he with a weak smile. He began to step past the man, eyeing him carefully out of the corner of his eye, a bit unsure about him.
Albert tried to be as inconspicious as he could be, as not to cause any tension between him and the man. Severus Snape was a man that had never been a threat to him and had never tried to be a threat to him. He was an honest customer, not the most regular but he knew fairly well. He held nothing against the man, and that was that.
He limped down the steps, books in his arms held tightly as if they might be snatched away by some invisible being who had been spying on him and Snape. Albert was a lot calmer than he was, so his composure and steps were a lot more calm. Albert rounded the counter and sat the books down. "So, Severus, anything else?" he asked, hoping the man would mention something else and give him a hint to what he was doing.
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Post by snape on Sept 23, 2007 16:21:16 GMT -5
Severus eyed the books greedily, for a moment and then looked to the shop keeper. He had an idea to show him the book he had found two years ago. The one holding all the power, but he was not sure if Albert could be trusted. He did not want to jeopardize anything by showing this man what secrets he held. But then, in that same vein he had some ideas that Albert might know a little about the age, and value of a few of the other books Severus had come into contact with. The thought firmly planted into his mind, he sniffed lightly.
"Albert?" He leaned on the counter, his voice now becoming more pleasant as the conversation turned to Severus' liking. "Do you make house calls to examine old books? I have a few, and your opinion would be valuable to me on these things. I would not want to carry them from my home though, if you are interested?" He looked at the older man, and knew that Severus would have to make certain arrangements should Albert accept his off handed offer.
The dementors would have to go into the chamber below the house for instance. It would not do to scare the old man to death with their presence so readily in view as they guarded Snape's home. He would also order Constance, and possibly Bella to be on hand for this meeting. He could disguise it as a dinner party.
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Post by Albert Aendole on Sept 23, 2007 16:45:17 GMT -5
Albert found it quite awkward that Severus seemed prepared to snatch the books at any moment and walk out. But then he began eyeing Alert. He sniffed the air and Albert paused and took a moment to sniff to, thinking that perhaps there was an awkward odor or something. Did Sopphie's litter need to be changed again? No... The man was quite confusing but Albert slumped back into his stool which wobbled a moment before standing strongly, Albert watched Severus, his face was fairly plain and straight.
Then the man leaned over the counter, near him, he was a bit too close. Albert felt a bit of uncomfortable, but remained relaxed. Then a mischievous, cynnical grin crept over his face, "Why of course I can, it will be possibly my first house call but I will most definitely come and... Thoroughly examine them, shall we say. Any particular time, Mr. Snape" Albert asked, he couldn't to get his hands on the two. Anything that someone wouldn't want to leave their house could be worth a pretty penny.
Albert was sure his excitement was most definitely recognizable, and he didn't want to act too excited or eager because that could blow a good deal. "Also, Mr. Snape" Albert said clearing his throat, "I will need information as to how to reach your home" he said, stroking Sopphie once more, who was rubbing her cheeks against his hand making it clear she wanted to be given attention like the little attention hog she was.
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Post by snape on Sept 23, 2007 16:56:43 GMT -5
Severus nodded to the man and produced a little piece of old parchment. He tapped it with his wand, using a nonverbal to make the directions known. It was a secret keeper's technique and he thought it would work fine for directions for the older man. He was pleased that he had interesting in the old tomes that Severus offered to show him. He was going to enjoy his thoughts on these matters. He scratched down a date and time to add to the parchment before handing it over.
"This shall do well. I shall have a small dinner get together then. Maybe invite a few other... like minded friends. It is a date then Albert, I shall see you there. Follow those directions promptly. I would think the time is appropriate for you? It is after shop hours, so you will not miss any business here." Severus grinned softly, knowing the man would be hooked at the mention of the books.
~OOC~ Sorry short, got a few "irons in the fire" at the moment~
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Post by Albert Aendole on Sept 23, 2007 17:06:50 GMT -5
Albert's voice was low, but still deep and mellow, "Excellent, I will meet you on time, no later or earlier! I cannot wait to see these, my, my, after I close I shall head to Madam Malkin's, this old stuff will simply not do! Thank you again sir, for uhh, your business" Albert grinned, passing the books over to snape. "Those three are from me to you as a gift, no charge, I will see you soon though" he said before turning back to the book he had on his shelf and began scribbling notes down again, just like ealrier.
The silence befell on him once more, and Sopphie was on her back, asleep. The eerieness of the bookstore was enough to scare most of any people, especially late at night when Albert would be late at work, sorting books, cleaning windows, polishing name plates, and other things. But he always had something to do here, his home away from home.
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Post by snape on Sept 23, 2007 17:14:10 GMT -5
Severus nodded and collected his books. He was well pleased in Albert and this visit. He had not thought to let the man in on his little secret before, but thought he might indeed be able to use his talents now. Snape turned for the door, pulling it lightly.
Over his shoulder, "I shall have a gift for you then at this time also." He turned and left the little shop. The day in Diagon Ally had gone better than his first thoughts, and he smiled as he left.
~OOC~ I shall start the new thread sometime a bit later today.~
~Fin, which according to Regulus means thread complete.  ~
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