The respectable professional

The respectable professional.

When I was younger I used to stay up very late. Sometimes even all night, but as one gets older, the body doesn't adapt that well anymore. They used to call me "the Vampire", which was a very apt nickname. People like me are considered creatures of the night, after all, but as I grew older, so did my customers. Most business takes place early in the morning. It's a matter of supply and demand, you know. I sell a fantasy. They don't know my name and I don't know theirs. It's all part of the illusion.

I got up slightly before dawn that day. Curled my hair and fixed my face. I opened the doors to my balcony looking out over Knockturn alley. The air was crisp and I could see a heavy fog drifting my way. Not that the weather mattered. The sun rises three hundred and sixty five days a year, and so do I. Anyway, I liked cooling down in the early morning chill. It's a nice variation to the heat of someone else's body.

I put a kettle on the fire to make some tea, then straightened the coarse fabric on my simple bed and covered it with a nice woolen blanket. I was enjoying my first cup of tea on the balcony. The streets were still empty, but it wouldn't be long before the first respectable professionals would come to pay me a visit.

Then he apparated in the street, frantically looking around. People like me know a person on the run when we see one and I was going to go inside to avoid getting involved in whatever his business was, but it was too late. He looked up and his eyes caught mine.

"Help me,' he said, "please help me."

I don't know what possessed me. Maybe it was the fact that creatures of the night have a code of honor. 'Together we stand against the society that hates us', something like that. Maybe it was the urgency in his lovely voice. I honestly don't know, but I pulled out my wand and pointed it at my door below.

"Adapertio!"

It swung open and he didn't hesitate one moment. He ran up the stairs and stumbled right before me. He was now on his knees, desperately grabbing my legs.

"Please, hide me. I didn't do it, I swear. You have to help me!" he said in a trembling voice.

I was shocked. He was only a boy! No older than nineteen at the most. His face was smudged with mud, but that didn't hide his charm. He had delicate pale skin and deep dark hair. His eyes were strange and cold, but they definitely looked pleading.

"Please, hide me," he said again.

Fortunately for him, I had installed a secret room where I could retreat when my life overwhelmed me. I picked him up and tapped my wand on the wall behind my bed.

"Indico."

The wall split apart, revealing my little sanctuary. He looked at me with surprise and smiled before I pushed him in.

"Stay quiet in there!" I said.

I could already hear voices outside when the wall slid closed again. Whoever was chasing him had arrived. It wasn't long before I heard a loud knock on my door. As nonchalantly as possible, I walked over to the balcony and looked down. Aurors, three of them telling me to open up. I smiled, for one of them was one of my regulars. They came up the stairs.

"Did you see a man come by here?" one asked

"I've seen no man here," I said and I wasn't lying.

I looked at my regular who nervously averted his eyes. If his colleagues only knew. I couldn't help but smile. All such respectable professionals!

"What this man you're looking for do?" I asked

"Murder, mayhem, you get the picture." my regular replied sternly.

"Well, I'll be sure to let you know if I see anything. Now gentlemen, unless you wish to conduct some business here, I suggest you move on. I do have a living to make, you know."

Oh, the looks they gave me! It was priceless! Then for a moment, my heart skipped a beat as one of them looked at the magical wall. Fortunately, he didn't inspect further and with one last look around my flat, they left. I closed the balcony doors and shut the drapes. Shutting the drapes was a sign I was busy to anyone who would wish to come up. After a few minutes I opened the wall again. The boy jumped up. He certainly had the reflexes of a criminal, but he relaxed when he saw I was alone.

"Why don't you clean yourself up?" I said as I motioned to the bathroom.

He looked surprised, maybe a bit apprehensive even, but when I smiled he relaxed and went in. I prepared a pot of tea and some bread with cheese. A few minutes later he came out looking fresh and fruity.

"I'm sorry I don't have anything else to offer you. Economic malaise isn't limited to the Muggle world these days."

He sat down and had some tea and bread.

"Why are you being so nice?" he asked.

"Call me sentimental, besides I have no love for the authorities," I said with a smile.

He looked around. He saw my simple bed, the red drapes and my silk robe with flowers and finally understood.

"You didn't even ask for my name."

"I never ask for names and no one asks for mine."

Again, I don't know what came over me. I think life had jaded me and for once there was a fantasy for me to believe in. I put my hand on his knee and said:

"Life is full of sweet, sweet things, young man. Maybe it's time you did some tasting."

I surprised him, I could see that, but he owed me and anyway, I still had my charm. I was a professional after all. I think both of us needed an outlet for all the excitement of this bizarre situation. I embraced him.

"Call me Lord Voldemort," the boy said huskily.

I couldn't help but smile. This one was definitely original. Usually it would be Sir Lancelot and Guinevere or Robin Hood and Marion. I hadn't heard this one before!

So I shared my bed with an alleged murderer. Let me tell you, it was a welcomed change to all those respectable professionals. Somehow I got the idea he hadn't been held much as a child. People like me can sense these things, you know. It was as if a lifetime of intimacy was distilled in one moment. Poor thing, he probably had never been close to anyone. He stayed for quite a while. Ah, the stamina of the young! But I had business to think of. A girl has to eat and pay her rent after all.

I watched him get dressed as I reclined on the bed, wondering if he'd ever come back. I had a feeling he would. He turned to me one last time before leaving.

"The name's Tom," he said.

I smiled and did something I had never done before.

"Marianne, my name's Marianne."

He smiled back at me and left.