Burglars' trip: the all story from other view

Burglar's trip. Part 1.

It's devoted to professor Fate, the unforgettable character of Hollywood

Language is given to man to hide his thoughts.

Charles Maurice Talleyrand

I have no doubt that most of our thinking occurs without words.

Albert Einstein

A scientific and practical history, based on which the world-famous Hogwarts professor Severus Snape later wrote a monography, "Targeted Use of Unforgivable Curses. Application Options."

Note: The publication of the monograph was banned by the English Ministry of Magic due to the content of practical advice with calculations and illustrations. Nevertheless, the book has a huge success, having been published in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Greece, Canada and other countries.

- Well, tell me, tell me, who are you? - asked the Turtledove. 

- It's immediately obvious, you want to hide something.

- I... I...I'm a little girl, - said Alice not very confidently.

Lewis Carroll

"Alice in Wonderland".

From translator: the story beggins from side of little Severus, when the text will be separated with ********* - that means changing the view to different character and vice versa.

Standing on the platform next to my huge suitcase, I looked at the noisy crowd with disgust. So with these creatures I should study for seven years?

Aunty Esta, having kissed me on both cheeks and given me her last parting words, quickly left this nice place. Apparently, it did not evoke any nostalgia in her.

I slowly looked around. It was early. The train had not yet arrived. To be honest, I was not interested in either the adults, who were watching their children with tense faces, or their offsprings, who were joyfully greeting each other.

What's a poverty. Can you tell me what that is the reasons to be happy about standing at such an early hour on a sun-drenched platform waiting for a train?

Here and there where children, huddled up to their mothers. Freshmen...

Not a single face with a trace of intelligence! Among adults and childs neither. 

When I received their stupid letter, I immediately realised that I'm in trouble.

And I was right.

I'm always right.

The train arrived. With difficulty dragging my suitcase into the empty compartment, I blocked the door. What did you expect? The last thing I needed was to listen to some feebleminded people chattering all day.

I hate the living ones. It's not that I like the dead, not at all. I just don't like anything that moves and makes sounds. And children are the nightmare. Because they're crazy. You can never be sure what's the trick. I'd say it's everywhere. All my relatives are adults.

Having taken "The Main Aspects of the Relevance of the Use of Medieval Poisons in Everyday Life of Modern Society" out of my suitcase, I settled down by the window, anticipating a relatively pleasant day. The shouts on the platform distracted me.

Nothing special. The guy and girl saw each other. They clearly didn't know how to behave - that's why they started yelling. Now they're hugging. Ugh...

A blond boy was pacing pompously along the train. His mom and dad are next to him - how romantic. A porter is dragging four suitcases behind him. Another dandy, brainless of course. Why do such people need brains? They're high-flying birds. The extra weight in the form of gray cells in head only gets in the way.

Actually, I have never seen such arrogant boys. I have read. I have read about everything. But I have not seen them. That's what ruined me. Passing by the carriage, he raised his head and noticed how I was staring at him.

For such a smug grin, you should be killed immediately. Well wait, you're a pale grebe, I will quickly wean you off smirking. 

The bloned one disappeared, and I thought that it was not in vain. Now I have a goal for the time being. And material for experiments too. I will solve two problems at once. I will teach the rich boy a lesson, and I will check something on paralyzing poisons. I will combine, so to speak, business with pleasure.

The train finally departed, and I delved into the book. No such luck. A knock on the door brought me back to reality. Is this a herd of hippogriffs? I'll have to open it. I'm worried about the door.

That same blond bastard was standing on the threshold. He came himself. Well, well...

- You have to let me in. You're alone here, and there are a lot of people everywhere.

What a jerk! I raised my eyebrows and asked him politely:

- What else do I owe you? You tell me, don't be shy!

That slug lifted his chin and said quietly:

- Don't you dare. Hold. The door.

He's giving me orders! Holy shit! Well, you know. I'm more of a theorist, but there's a limit to everything...

I let go of the door and smiled at him. Smiled widely. From the heart, I might say. 

The pale grebe blinked rapidly. Of course! I practiced this smile in front of the mirror until it stopped reflecting me. Not all mirrors reflected me. Even magic ones. They were afraid, I guess. I haven't figured out the nature of this oddity yet.

- Welcome, - I backed up to the window and sat down in my place. And when he casually sprawled across from me, I blocked the door again. It was clear from his confused face that he didn't know how to open it now. Gotcha, the bastard!

I leaned towards him and, looking into his light-gray eyes, hissed:

- Say even one word - you'll become a toad, at least until we'll came to Hogwarts.

I didn't look at him anymore. I already knew that he would remain silent. And I marked the book with my wand. So that he wouldn't relax.

****************

Actually, he scared me quite a bit. Even when I saw him in the window. His eyes were alike coals in a fireplace. Black hair. Pale as death. A creepy guy. That's why I went to him. 

My father used to say that the unknown is more frightening than any familiar fear. That boy gave me goosebumps. I wish I could tame him! He would look charming as a pet.

I wonder if this guy can really turn me into a toad? 

Not of whether he can (I no longer doubted that he can), but whether he wants to? After all, I also know a few spells with a very unpleasant effect. I need to make him talk to me. Otherwise, why am I here?

I quietly pulled my wand out of the sleeve of my robe, pointed it at him and asked loudly:

- What's your name?

****************

I've known many different people in my life. Very different. And not only people. But never since then have I encountered such an original way of meeting people.

And what is he going to do? I looked at him silently. My wand was still lying in the book. Who knows what this rich boy might do. I have to be careful.

His face was tense, but he wasn't afraid. It was encouraging. It meant he wouldn't do anything stupid out of fear.

- You're first, - I said, looking at him with interest.

- Lucius Malfoy.

Having said this with obvious pride, he bowed his head slightly.

- Expelliarmus!

Now we're good. I have his wand. And mine is pointing at his chest. Next time you'll think about it before attacking strangers.

****************

He looked at me completely unconcernedly. There was no joy of victory in his eyes. 

If I were in his his shoes, I would be happy. A moment of complete triumph. I'm living for such minutes. He didn't care. And I was scared. Perhaps it was a time to get out of here.

- I didn't want to do anything to you.

- It doesn't matter anymore.

- What's your name?

- It doesn't matter.

- What house do you want to go to?

- It doesn't. Matter.

What the hell is this? How should I talk to him? I'll have to switch to his style:

- It doesn't matter what house you get into, or it doesn't matter what you want to get into?

Hooray! It worked! The black-haired monster stared at me with interest.

- I'll study in Slytherin.

- How are you so sure?

- It can't be any other way.

I was basically agreeing with him. Hufflepuff was clearly not a threat to him. But Ravenclaw - why not? Or Gryffindor. Although it's unlikely. He looks too gloomy for Gryffindor.

- Explain.

- Why?

- It's important to me. If I don't get into Slytherin, my father will go crazy.

He looked at me. Then he stood up and suddenly threw me a wand. I caught it.

- Are you sure you really need this?

- Well, let's say I had a nightmares for all summer that the hat was sending me to Gryffindor.

I also dreamed of my father pushing me out of the park gates. But I certainly didn't tell him that.

- Okay. It seems you're not a complete idiot. Let's agree as follows: I'll make it so that you won't be able to get into any other house except Slytherin, and in return you'll get out of my compartment. Agreed?

I'd agree out of sheer curiosity. How can he "make it so that I can't get into anything but Slytherin"? And I answered in the affirmative.

He gave me a skeptical look.

- Are you really ready to do anything for this?

Well, not anything of course. Somehow it all became very serious.

But the thing is, I didn't believe him. He was bluffing. If only it were that simple... And I knew how many families this hat had brought trouble to. Only a month ago, Adeus Forseth came to the Manor to hunt with his father. Last year, his daughter was sorted into Hufflepuff. Pureblood wizards. Ancient traditions. Adeus instantly transferred Helda to Durmstrang. And what's the point? Everyone knows about it. Such a shame. I'd rather die than fail to live up to my father's expectations.

I looked as calmly as possible into the eyes of the boy, who never told me his name, and firmly answered:

- Yes.

I wish I hadn't said anything.

****************

I've always liked to kill a lot of birds with one stone. It's just an expression. I've never killed a hare. They're not bats, though. Bats are the crown of creation. Everything about them is perfect.

And this Lucius Malfoy is certainly useful. We'll experiment, we'll check some things, and we'll help him. After all, if a man wants to go to Slytherin so badly, that's sacred. He's a real pushover. He'll be going to Gryffindor before he knows it.

I've surrounded our compartment with a protective field over the entire area. Checked it again. Especially the window. Then I cast a silencing spell.

Honestly, I was a nervous wreck. What I was about to do. Well, I've done it before. First practicing on cockroaches, then rats. In the basement of my castle. Almost every building in Ashford is under a protective field. Uncle Klaus told me it's impossible to remove. Some kind of very ancient magic. It's a good thing. Otherwise Aunt Este would've gotten a big kick out of my passion for scientific research. She's officially my guardian.

"If one of us dies now, the other one won't even be in Hufflepuff..."

That was clearly an unnecessary thought. My doubts might compromise the purity of the experiment. And anyway, if I'm afraid, it won't work. I must pull myself together. I tossed it to him carelessly:

- Concentrate. I'm about to cast a spell. Memorize it. Then you'll do the same thing.

He nodded. Okay, nothing's going to happen to him. I've never even had a cockroach die. Although I don't think they cared at all.

I looked at him point-blank, remembering how he'd said "you have to," and said it clearly, almost touching his chest with my wand:

- Crucio!

Closing my eyes, I counted down the three seconds aloud, "Two hundred and twenty-two, two hundred and twenty-three, two hundred and twenty-four.

- Finite Incantatem!

That's it. I should have clamped my ears shut. I think I went deaf. My hands were shaking, and I could taste blood in my mouth. I bit my lip, too. Oh, my God! I don't mind biting my lip for the sake of science, but you can't react like that. I'll work on it.

And he was lying on the floor, shaking and roaring.

****************

If I could stand up, I'd kill him. No wand. Just my hands. I didn't realize you could yell like that. It hurt to swallow now. It was unbelievably cold. I was shivering. My teeth were chattering. A mouthful of blood. My nose was pouring onto my robe.

Why did you do that? The vile monster with the shaking hands.... For what? Because I came to your compartment to meet you? Well, you did. Nice to meet you. "I am Lucius Malfoy." "And I'm a monster of unknown breed. "Will you be my friend?" "I will! You're not going anywhere now!" - I decisively finished my imaginary dialog.

What was he saying there? Now I have to do the same to HIM? Is he crazy? I can't do that to a person. And I can't do it to a non-human either.

While I was pondering, the "monster" had been squatting beside me for a long time, indifferently bringing me back to my initial appearance. I was no longer bleeding, and my robe was clean. The appearance was perfect. I pushed him away and tried to get up. Successfully, in general. But only on all fours. He picked me up and sat me by the window.

We stayed like that, looking at each other. Black eyes watching. Bloody experimentalist.

I'd almost gotten over it. My throat was a little sore. And I was cold. Very cold. He pulled a chocolate frog out of his robe pocket. I love chocolate, but I had to shake my head decisively. I'm not taking anything from him. I was offended.

- Did I ask you if you wanted to or not? Let's get this over with, and you can finally get out of here.

- Fuck you. - I knew I couldn't talk like that. Dad would be very disappointed.

He sighed. And he spoke quickly:

- You're an idiot. I'll explain it to you, but only once. If you can pull yourself together now and cast this spell on me, your problem is solved. Their silly hat will, by definition, send to Slytherin a freshman who practiced the Unforgivable Spell on a compartment mate a few hours ago. Is it reachable?

- Was that an Unforgivable Spell? - I whispered in horror.

- No. It was a bowl of cereal,- he said irritably.

- You could go to jail for that. Forever.

- If we get caught, we'll say we were playing. No big deal. We got the pronunciation wrong. It was an accident.

But I was shocked. The Unforgivable Spell! No, he's definitely crazy. We gotta get out of here. We have to get out of here fast. Somewhere. someplace that's not so freezing.

- No. I won't.

With a scornful face, he went back to his book.

I was left to sit and analyze.

I was taught to "analyze" by my father. It means thinking, thinking until your head cracks, or until you find the most important thing, which is called "the most important thing".

If I walk away now, I've lost. No one has ever hurt me. I have to get back at him. Besides, what he said about Slytherin seems to be true. I don't think Adeus Forset would teach Helda how to cast Unforgivable Spells. You could get... I don't know. What kind of father would teach that to his children?

I decided to ignore my emotions and focus on what's important. If I fail now, this strange boy will think I'm weak and a coward. Is that the main thing? I didn't know. Probably not. I don't give a damn about him.

What's the main thing?

I thought about it for a long time. When he turned the eighth page, I found the "main thing": I have to get into Slytherin today. I have to. That's the main thing. I'm sure of it.

- Good. I'm in.

****************

He turned out to be a very diligent student. I revived my chocolate frog, which he still hadn't eaten. He managed to immobilize it and practiced on it for about twenty minutes.

I taught him to count down three seconds. I had read that keeping a person under the crucio spell for more than five seconds could cause irreversible processes in the body. Actually, I didn't know exactly what that was, but I always stopped at three seconds. Just in case. Rats, you know, they're not people. They'll die off. Too sad about them.

I explained to him that he must want to hurt me. And I was hoping that, in light of recent events, that wouldn't be a problem. That hope was not realized. When we were facing each other, he whined again that he couldn't.

He's a rare idiot. I should have put imperio on him and made him eat the chocolate. Although it's not too late now. But I don't feel like it. It's a waste of time. When is he going to get off my back, this Lucius Malfoy?

****************

I was careful to memorize everything he said. But at the last moment. Who am I kidding? I'm just a coward. He didn't say it, but he thought it. I'm sure.

- I'm so sick of you! Either make up your mind or get out of here.

That's why you have to be rude! I don't talk to him like that.

He sat down by the window again and stuck his long nose into the page.

What am I going to do... After all, he could cast a spell on me. He did! Why couldn't I?

I decided not to warn him. If he keeps looking at me, it won't work. There he sits, bent low over a book. Hands clutched in the binding. Stop. His fingers are turning blue. He knows I'm gonna hit him! I mean, he's waiting...

I should hate him.

For scaring me, for still not telling me his name, for always trying to kick me out, for knowing so many things I don't know, for his vile book being so much more interesting to him than me.... And for waiting. How does he know what I'm about to do? Am I that unoriginal?

- Crucio!

Nothing happened. He didn't scream or fall. He just jerked and froze, sitting with the book in his lap. I diligently counted out three seconds, just like he taught me.

- Finite Incantatem!

He didn't move. A sticky fear crept in by my collar and began to slowly descend down my back. I tossed my wand aside and walked over to him, using both hands to lift his head. It was completely cold. And not breathing. Did I kill him? Merlin!

I stepped back and sat across from him. It's time to take stock. So. This morning I was just an ordinary boy going to school for the first time. Well, not exactly ordinary, of course, I am a Malfoy after all. Relatively ordinary. Two arms, two legs and so on...

Two hours after the train left, I killed my compartment mate with the Unforgivable Spell I'd first heard an hour before. I didn't even make it to school....

Sweet!

I rubbed my temples and started laughing. What am I going to tell my father? He'll never want to see me again. What am I now. a murderer?

"You're an idiot," someone in my head said clearly in the voice of my nameless victim. - Stop your hysterics and do something already."

I wondered, what should be done? I moved closer to the cold body again and, touching it slightly, patted its cheeks. Naturally, that didn't help. In desperation, I swung around and slapped him as hard as I could. He hit his head on the window frame and opened his eyes.

I'm gonna kill that asshole. How many times in the two hours I've known him has he scared me half to death! In that time he's made a criminal out of me. And almost made a murderer. My life has never seemed dull and dreary. But after meeting this monster, it had become so picturesque that I didn't know what I would become in another hour.

- Severus Snape.

- What...

- That's my name. You asked me my name.

- А... it's a pleasure.

- Nice to meet you. Now get out.