Snape the Younger

Pureblood Politics

He checked his robes in the mirror, glaring at it when it commented that he looked like an expensively dressed scarecrow. He knew that, he didn't have to have some inanimate object rubbing his nose in it. Still, no one could fault the quality and cut of his robes, if Malfoy had taught him nothing else, it was to recognise and buy the best of everything and anything.

"After all," Lucius had commented laughingly one lazy afternoon. "What would be the point of having all those lovely Snape galleons all to yourself if you didn't drop them on worthwhile things?"

Of course, much as he appreciated Lucius, he had to admit that 'worthwhile things' for Malfoys consisted of clothes, food, pleasures, fine wines and other such indulgences. But in his areas of expertise, Lucius was unbelievably good. He briefly recalled the first time Lucius had commented on his old fashioned and worn clothes, not unkindly, just a simple statement.

"Now you are Head of Family, you need to replace a few things, Severo, such as your whole wardrobe. Never mind, I'll help you, aren't I generous?"

Snorting, the newly elevated Lord Snape had smirked knowingly but bowed to the older youth's unchallenged expertise. "How will you stand the strain of spending all my money?"

"It will be a chore but I am sure I am up to it," Lucius had drawled, grabbing his neck and giving him a slight shake. "Come on, you repulsive streak of misery, let's go SHOPPING!"

Smiling slightly at the memory of their first trip to Malkin's, Severus picked up his cloak and swirled it over his shoulders. He looked good in the dark green Lucius had picked out, the robes perfect in every detail; shame the body underneath was so damned pathetic still. Most long, skinny adolescents filled out by the time they hit twenty but not Severus Snape, oh no! He had just kept getting taller and skinnier until he didn't even need a ladder to reach the top shelves of his potions store room!

Oh well, neither Tom nor Lucius wanted him for his looks or his fashion sense. Actually, since he had married Narcissa, Severus wasn't sure why Lucius still wanted him. Still, he didn't look a gift horse in the mouth, and even after the birth of their son, both the older Malfoys had been quite willing to let things continue as they always had. If anything, Severus felt he was more included in the Malfoy household as a buffer between the elder Malfoys and chief babysitter of the younger.

Severus and Narcissa still tended to snipe at each other across the dinner table while Lucius lay back in his chair and smirked. Severus knew it was only while he was useful to the cause, that he was tolerated in Malfoy Manor by the present Mistress. One day Narcissa's jealous and possessive nature would make it impossible for him to continue his affair with Lucius, even though they had been together far longer than the three year old Malfoy marriage. To that end, Severus had begun to use the London flat that was part of the Snape Family properties more and more, splitting his time between it and Malfoy Manor. He had found he rather liked being in his own home on his own terms, able to do as he liked when he liked and be answerable to no one at all. In reality, it was the first time he had been his own master and captain of his own fate in his whole life and it was a liberating feeling.

Snorting in disgust, Severus checked his pockets for the potions he always carried; made sure his wand was present and accounted for, then apparated out.

~~*~~

"I suppose that damned vampire will be creeping around, sniffing at your coat tails and smirking at our friends?" Narcissa snapped as she twitched a fold of the latest creation from La Bonne Nuit in Paris into a better fall. The ice white silk and diamond point embroidery slithered over her elegant figure, which had only been enhanced by her recent pregnancy. Not that that would ever be happening again! She had done her duty as a Malfoy wife, produced the Malfoy Heir, and that was the lot! As far as Lucius knew, bearing his heir and the difficult birth had left her barren, a small fact which could be used judiciously to trigger his guilt upon occasion, when necessity drove.

Stepping up behind her, Lucius draped a cascade of diamonds and platinum around her neck, fastening the small catch and kissing her nape as she cooed appreciation for the new trifle. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he smiled in satisfaction. "Perfect. My white ice princess and my black, brooding vampire, such a charming and startling contrast, don't you think?"

Narcissa stopped admiring the beautiful necklace and hissed in dissatisfaction. "Is that why you keep him around? Because it pleases your sense of aesthetics?"

"Well, it's a good reason for use in mixed company," Lucius smirked then roared laughing at her incredibly disgusted glare. "Now Narcissa, you know Severus is the best potions brewer in the country and one of the best in the world. My father loved him as a son, you know? And Severus was good to him in his last months. Besides, who else would brew Youth Dew perfectly every time and give it away as a present? And you know we both benefit from that little tribute. Besides the Dark Lord loves him and it is best to keep that sort of rival close to hand."

About to comment, Narcissa sighed and turned back to the mirror, a finger stroking the newly acquired bauble assessingly. Obviously Lucius planned to slip away with Severus at some point during the soiree, since he was paying the piper in advance! "Very well, for the Dark Lord I will tolerate him, but no sneaking off into corners, at least be discrete and go to the family wing. Did he say if he would be attending?"

"Of course he will attend, he has nowhere else to go, except those stupid student parties his fellow practitioners throw, adolescents!"

"Not Snape! Lucius, do keep up! The Dark Lord!" Narcissa stamped her foot in temper, sending an interesting ripple through her dress and her necklace. Lucius licked his lips and moved closer but Narcissa pushed him away. "Not now, this dress will wrinkle!"

"See! See why I keep Severo at hand? Does he complain his dress wrinkles if I grab his arse? Does he push me off if I try to kiss him or pitch a tantrum if I muss his hair now and again? At least Severus appreciates my attention!"

Glaring at him through the mirror, Narcissa shook her head in disgust. "You are a spoilt brat, Lucius Malfoy. You want perfection but you aren't prepared to make a little tiny sacrifice for it, are you? Well, if getting all mussed up is what Snape is good at, then make sure it is not in a public place. I hate it when Marta Goyle thinks she has something to crow over me."

Lucius laughed aloud. "Just tell her that Goyle is porking Parkinson whenever he gets the chance."

"Really? How delicious, which Parkinson?"

"Both, I think!"

Malicious laughter rang out as they exited the dressing room.

~~*~~

Snape stood in a corner, looking down his nose at the elegantly rowdy crowd gathered in the Malfoy Ballroom. Human servitors, Malfoy's own people, circulated trays of vintage wine and spirits, small platters of incredibly intricate canapés and even tinier platters of potions and concoctions designed to assault the senses and stimulate the libido. He knew the potions were good, he'd brewed or recommended them all himself, and he knew which ones would give the biggest bang for the Purebred ingestion. It amused him to watch Rosier's mother making very crude and suggestive advances to Cygnus Black. Bella Lestrange, the eldest of Black's daughters, watched the carry-on between her aunt's cousin and her father with a smirk that was wickedness distilled.

It was hard to reconcile the Black sisters, Bella was so dark and Narcissa so fair, both tall but where Narcissa glided elegantly, Bella strode arrogantly. Narcissa was the gracious hostess, conducting her soirees with elegance and refinement that guaranteed everyone would leave in more or less one piece. Bella Lestrange's parties tended to end in bloodshed, usually not the guests, but the entertainments' blood, although not all guests escaped Scott free, if their tastes ran that way. There was another sister, Andromeda, who had married some Muggle but they didn't mention her, certainly not in present company. He thought he had heard the rumour that she was a healer or an Auror or something along those lines, definitely the white sheep of the family.

Snape smirked and turned away to watch another little cameo play out. Lagonza Doyle had just grabbed a very discrete handful of Crabbe family jewels with a wrist movement that was so subtle Severus was stunned and admiring. Of course, Crabbe, not the brightest candle on the shelf, went bright red and let out a squeak, no other way to describe it. His wife managed to turn around fast enough to spot the clutch and emptied a wineglass over Lagonza's head. Malfoy house-elves descended on the pair and had the mess removed, new drinks served and platters separating the combatants before a single fingernail could be sharpened. They were good!

"Severus, look at you!" Dylantin Rosier purred, sliding a hand around Severus' thin waist and pulling him closer.

"What do you want?" Severus murmured in disgust, refusing to bend. There was a time he had been firm friends with Dylantin's brother Evan but that had ended quickly when Evan had tried to blame Severus for an illegal potion he was caught carrying by their Head of House. Severus had never trusted a potions addict since and since Dylantin was equally addicted he wasn't about to do so ever again!

Reaching up, Dylantin blew gently in his ear. "Did you brew the Seven Nights? Any chance of my buying a couple of vials from you?"

"Just as much chance as there is of you affording it," Severus smiled silkily as he turned to look down on the pretty young man a couple of years older than he.

"And the price?"

"Ah yes, and what is the price? A couple of years ago, it might have been galleons, and before that, acceptance. Now, I want a favour."

"What favour?" Rosier asked quickly, all but scrabbling at Severus' sleeve.

"Well, I don't know what I need yet but I will take a favour to be completed at a time and date when I need it, in exchange for two vials of Seven Nights. Think you can handle two hits?"

"Merlin, Severus, it must be a big favour I owe you." Rosier almost sobered up enough to realise he was making an open ended bargain with a fellow House member who disliked him, never a good idea, but he was desperate. "Alright, you have a promise on that."

"Wizard's word," Severus clarified as two tiny vials gave a sweet, high-pitched clink in the depths of his pocket.

"Word of a Wizard," Rosier confirmed breathlessly and the vials were dropped gently into his outstretched hand. "Thanks Severus, I owe you."

"Yes. You do." Severus smirked as the man darted away into the throng.

"Dealing potions at my party, Severo, just can't take you anywhere, can I?" The hot breath on his neck and the hand kneading his arse made Severus smile as he turned slightly, pressing back into the man behind him.

"Not twice anyway," he finished the time-worn joke as he turned his head a little more and caught Lucius' lips with his own.

"Humm, good. Peppermint and twenty-one year old firewhiskey, so very Severo. Better than eau de potions when you are working. Want to slip away for a few minutes, maybe take in my etchings?"

Severus smirked. "Etchings, I thought it was more your itchings I would be taking in."

"Crude, Severo, but true. Come on, you know you want to."

Shaking his head in resigned amusement, Severus followed Malfoy out, ignoring the wave of murmuring and whispers. Who cared what they said of him, they all needed him and they all envied him, including the Malfoy wife.

~~*~~

Sprawled on Lucius' bed, his clothes on the floor and a pleasant lassitude cradling his mind and body, Severus smiled into the dim heights of the ceiling. Lucius really was a good lover, making sure his partners were well satisfied but eager for more. He knew fine well that he wasn't Lucius' only lover but he was the only one Lucius allowed in his home and came back to again and again. Severus wasn't sure why any more, not since Abraxas' death, but he thought it might be a dog-in-the-manger attitude because the Dark Lord favoured him; and he was useful to the cause as well as being purebred, rich and available. He was very sure it was not love, not anymore. He feared it might be habit but hoped it was for friendship and good sex, which was good enough, really.

Cynically, Severus climbed into the shower and sighed when he saw the deep red welt on his neck. Lucius liked to mark his partners, brand them almost, and he was careful to make sure even the highest collars could not cover up entirely, bastard. The sting of the soap told Severus he also bore stripes on his back where Lucius had clawed the skin bloody in their frenzied coupling. Still, it wasn't a one-way street; he had lifted the skin off Lucius' back too.

Dried, dressed and brushed, Severus left Lucius' bedroom and began his return to the ballroom when a very odd sound touched his ears. Hysterical sobbing came from one room, a child, a very small child, if not a baby, was totally distressed. Curious and worried, Severus listened at the door and then pushed it open, his eyes widening abruptly when he saw the young woman beside the cot in the far corner. She was tapping her foot and poking at something in the cot, a low hiss of anger passing her lips.

"Fucking kid, will you just shut up," she hissed again and shook the bundle roughly.

Severus snarled wordlessly, his wand flashing as he cast the Cruciatus Curse without a second thought. The young woman screamed, convulsing as she hit the floor, writhing and foaming at the mouth. Walking forward with silent steps, Severus finished the curse and kicked her ribs soundly. "We do not mistreat children under our care, do you understand?" he hissed furiously as he reached into the cot and picked up the red-faced, white-haired mite with a care and tenderness no one would believe, even if they did see it.

Folding the tiny, shaking body into his shoulder, he patted his back with gentle care, walking slowly across the floor to the window. Rocking from one foot to the other, he patted and petted the child, singing softly under his breath until Draco's screams subsided into deep sobbing breaths and finally into small snuffling sighs. As the child calmed, Severus cradled him closer and studied the tiny scrap of humanity in his fine cotton nightshirt and rather smelly nappy. This was his Godson, Lucius' gift to his lover who would never breed sons of his own. Such random and extravagant gestures of generosity were the Malfoy trademark and Lucius had no idea of the joy he had brought when he had so casually asked Severus to stand up for the child. Draco Malfoy, a precious bundle.

Summoning a house-elf, he instructed the small creature to change the child into clean, dry clothes while he grabbed the nursery maid by the hair and dragged her to her feet. "What's your name, bitch? Well, Lisa Courtnay, I am going to give you a second chance but only because this is not my blood child. If he was mine and I found you treating him like that, I would personally skin you alive one square inch at a time. Since he is not, I am going to put a hex here, right in the middle of your chest." His wand dug into the skin and she cringed but could not escape it. "If you ever have a nasty or sadistic thought about hurting the baby again, you will find that your heart will speed up, raise a hand in anger and your heart will thunder. Hit the child and it will explode in your chest, killing you instantly. Do you understand? Good, I'm glad we have had this little chat. Now take care of my Godson, won't you?"

She nodded frantically, terror making her eyes as big as her whole face. As soon as he released her, she scuttled away and grabbed the baby, clutching him very carefully to her breast as a shield. Under the terrifyingly hard black eyes, she put the baby back into his cot and rocked it ever so carefully until the boy went back to sleep. When she finally dared look over at the doorway, the monster had gone but the skin over her heart never ceased to throb from that day onward.

~~*~~

"He's here, he's here," the whisper went around the ballroom as men bowed and women curtseyed to the tall, black-haired man with the piercing blue eyes.

Narcissa carefully smoothed her hair, took the arm Lucius offered her and swept forward, executing a perfect curtsey before the Dark Lord. She held it, almost on her knees without a wobble until Lucius straightened from his bow and brought her up with perfect flare.

"Ah, Narcissa, as beautiful and as graceful as ever, you make the rest of them look like oxen," Lord Voldemort murmured as he took her hand and kissed it, tucking it into his elbow.

Narcissa smiled up coyly, fluttering her artfully darkened lashes as she allowed the Dark Lord to lead her deeper into the hall. Lucius gave her a subtle high sign behind his back as he followed his Lord at a respectful distance. The Dark Lord promenaded the ballroom, speaking a word here and a personal bow there, singling out certain men or women for a congratulatory hand shake or smile. Those he was not pleased with were given a raised eyebrow or even worse, a pursed-lipped stare. Subtle eddies of people moved close to the favoured and away from the dispossessed. Finally, at a barely moved finger, one of the lesser minions brought over a tray of bottles, the finest the Malfoy cellars had to offer. Lucius himself offered the pick of the crop for his Lord's inspection and choice, opening and ceremoniously pouring Lord Voldemort's choice into a silver crystal goblet of superb craftsmanship.

"Perfect, as always, Lucius." The Lord bowed slightly after his first sip. "And Narcissa, my favourite canapé, how thoughtful of you. If venison tartar is not prepared just so, it is appallingly bad. Now this is perfect!"

Narcissa smiled serenely but allowed her heart rate to drop a little, the Lord was pleased and he was even sitting down in a favoured armchair, a throne-like affair of deep cordovan leather, butter-soft and cloud-comfortable. A small rosewood table appeared at his left hand to take the wine bottle, held to perfect temperature with a charm. Napkins, plates and more of the venison delicacy appeared before the Malfoys withdrew to a discrete distance and allowed their Lord to hold court. They were both unutterably relieved until Lord Voldemort peered around the wing of the chair and smiled sleepily at Lucius.

"And where is my favourite potions brewer this evening?" he asked quietly.

An electric silence took the assembly, whether gleeful or gloomy, depended on how deeply into the Lord's good graces the person was. Before Lucius could think up a good excuse or Narcissa could muster a tremble, a patch of darkness detached itself from the wall and glided forward to kneel submissively before Lord Voldemort in a cloud of black velvet, head bowed reverently. Long black hair swung forward and hid his face from all, including Lucius and Narcissa. A slightly disappointed sigh went through the crowd as their Lord leaned forward and tipped Severus' chin up to study the long, plain faced young man. The finger slid down and touched briefly on the red welt just above the line of his high collar, stroking slightly before it withdrew.

"Hiding your light in the shadows again, my Severus?" Voldemort teased gently, casting Legilimens with not even a flicker of warning. The moment held electric as blue eyes invaded black then the Dark Lord smirked. He chuckled slightly and patted one sallow cheek as he leaned back and took up his glass again, releasing the young man who continued to kneel without moving, patiently awaiting his release. That was something Lord Voldemort loved about Severus Snape, his ability to keep perfectly still in mind, body and soul. "Did you have fun with the nursemaid, my Severus?" he asked after a long sip of wine.

"It was but a warning dose of Cruciatus and only a minor, but useful hex," Severus murmured, his soft, silky voice barely reaching his Lord's ears, certainly not travelling as far as the two Malfoys hovering behind the throne.

"I did not realise you were fond of children," he teased lightly, amused when Snape blushed slightly.

"Sadly, we all have our weaknesses. I think some babies are very cute, as are some small animals, but not many," Severus confirmed ruefully.

Voldemort burst out laughing, almost spraying the petitioner with wine. "Oh, you are just too serious at times. Come now, sit comfortably and tell me of your studies, how do they progress?"

Moving into a tailor seat at his Lord's feet, Snape sat straight and tall, no servility in his pose. "My Lord, I finish my Mastery in two weeks and I think it is just a formality really. I have already created and invented more complex and complicated potions than those making up the test of Mastery. I have you to thank for that practice, my Lord." Snape bowed his head in acknowledgement of the experimentation his Lord had allowed him to do in his private potions laboratory; all the specimens he had used to test the results of his brewing.

"Gracious as always, my Severus. I have a task for you, once you have finished the formalities."

"Of course, my Lord, my life is yours, at your service."

Voldemort smiled expansively, again leaning forward to pat the pale cheek and offer his lover and true servant a piece of venison. Snape made no demure about accepting the sliver of raw meat pressed between his lips, chewing and swallowing with a minimum of fuss and some signs of relish. "Do you like it?"

"I am not much of a meat eater but that is acceptable. Perhaps a touch of rosemary would enhance the piquancy of the flavour, but then again, it might drown out the more delicate hint of marjoram."

"Ah, you caught that, did you? Many people do not include the marjoram, which is a mistake but of course, Narcissa's chef is definitely up to par." The Lord was in a very good mood indeed and those around him were quick to echo his mood, thankful that it was Snape and not them who was crouching at his feet making conversation. "Lucius, take your lovely wife out to dance, off you go."

Lucius bowed deeply and offered his arm to Narcissa, a signal to the musicians to play dance music. He was miffed at being dismissed from his Lord's side, especially while Severus was still in earnest conversation. Narcissa, an accomplished dancer, spun lightly into the Cotillion, her lips barely moving as she hissed a demand to know what Snape was saying to the Master.

"How would I know? When did I get a chance to talk to him this evening? You have made sure I didn't have more than a moment alone with Severus all night."

"You mean you didn't disappear with him for nearly an hour?" Narcissa demanded snidely.

"Good Merlin, was it that long? It seemed like only a few seconds. Still, you know what I'm like, and Severus is no better, or much better depending on your view point," he smirked at his wife who glared back then widened her eyes as a thought hit her.

"You don't think he and the Dark Lord have had a tiff, do you? Now that would be just too much to bear! We do allow Severus to run tame here, after all."

Lucius laughed aloud at his wife's speculation but uneasiness crept though him. "Nah," he dismissed after a moment's thought. "If Severus is seeing someone else besides the Dark Lord and I, then he is even more of an athlete than I thought. He told me frankly that he and Lord Voldemort are, er, I suppose saying they are knocking boots would be a little irreverent, wouldn't it? Still, I would know if Severo was covering anything up, I know Severo very, very well."

"Inside and out, I should think," Narcissa sniffed then grinned wickedly. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. Well, at least He is enjoying himself and he liked the food and the wine, and he is pleased with us."

"Yes, at least!" Lucius sighed contentedly as he twirled his wife under his arm and bowed in form. "Besides, it would be none of our business, now would it?"

"And you permit your lover to go to someone else?" she scoffed lightly.

"With the Dark Lord, yes, I would, and do, without a qualm," Lucius said without rancour.

Narcissa's eyes widened in disbelief before she nodded thoughtfully, "It's probably best that you patched up your quarrel with Severus, especially now when the Lord seems to be moving forward to even greater heights. You know, I think the day of his final triumph is drawing near," she added with the zeal of a Crusader in her voice making Lucius' eyebrow raise in mild surprise. Narcissa never grew that excited or reverent about anything else but the Dark Lord's cause had taken her heart and mind, probably her soul as well.

~~*~~

Voldemort leaned forward and tapped Severus' knee, to fix his attention fully. "As soon as you have finished your schooling I want you to apply to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the position of Defence against the Dark Arts Master. The present incumbent should be having a nasty accident about Tuesday which will leave the position open for next year."

"Your will, my Lord," Snape agreed without a flicker of emotion.

"Aren't you even curious as to why you should do this?" Voldemort sat back in surprise.

Snape looked up for the first time during the interview, allowing his Lord a clear view of his eyes, their personal invitation to Legilimency. "I assume you want me to spy on Dumbledore and his cadre of do-gooders. Obviously he has been doing something you do not appreciate and you need inside information which you feel I might be able to gather for you."

"Ah, Severus, you are too smart for your own good at times. Yes, indeed, he has been doing something that displeases me mightily. He has assembled some sort of secret army, the Order of the Phoenix, or so I believe, which has opposed my plans over the last few years. The band of stupid fools has caused two of my less important raids to go astray. Even worse, when I offered my services as a teacher, he has refused to allow me to return to Hogwarts. This means I cannot search for that which has avoided me these many years! I want you in place to be my conduit to gaining access to Hogwarts eventually. To do that, you need to gain the old fool's trust."

Severus listened with all his attention while his master cursed and snarled at Dumbledore's interference and meddling ways. Sometimes Tom did rant and rave, giving out information he probably wasn't aware that he disclosed. By the simple expedient of casting muffliato, a silencing charm of his own devising, over the area, Severus made sure no one else overheard his master, until Lord Voldemort had regained control of his temper.

Gripping his lips firmly, Tom gave his head a tiny shake and nodded appreciation of Severus' thoughtfulness then smiled slightly. "Will you go willingly to your fate at my behest, my Severus? Face the hoards of brats and tolerate their prating and wrangling all day so that you might win me an entry into the fastness of Hogwarts School?"

"If that is your will, my Lord," Snape nodded respectfully, "Then so be it."

"Thank you, Severus, you may kiss me now," the man said with a slow, sly smile.

Severus raised an eyebrow and bent forward to offer the symbolic kiss on each cheek only to find warm, hard lips engulfing his. Swift though it was, the kiss was erotic and thorough, almost making Severus gasp aloud. The Lord did not usually allow private matters to overlap formal ones and it was a surprise. For a moment he nearly lost his balance but then the Lord withdrew and smiled smugly as he watched the dark man straighten, only a faint flush betraying how off-balance he really was. "We must have dinner together again soon, my Severus, privately."

"Your will, my Lord." Severus knew better than to even smile as he discretely withdrew and allowed the rest of the party access to their Lord and Master.

"So what did he say?" Lucius hissed in his ear as he made to pass.

"It seems I am to have a new career, school master and spy," Severus muttered as he prepared to withdraw. "Wish me luck, won't you?" He left Lucius gaping in his wake as he hurriedly removed himself from the Ballroom and out to the apparation point on his way home, glad to get away from the cloying atmosphere of Malfoy. After Abraxas' death Lucius had thrown him out of the Manor and he had gone to ground in the London Apartments that had been in Snape possession for centuries. It had proved to be a good move, the peace and silence of his own place soothing a growing uneasiness and restlessness in his soul. Striping off his formal robes, he shrugged into his standard lab robe and stalked into his potions laboratory to find some solace in that which he did best. Brewing always soothed him and gave him time to think rationally about what he had been ordered to do.

Become a school master? He never wanted to be a bloody schoolmaster, never! His talent was here in the lab with his potions and ingredients and insights into how the art could be taken to the next level. He had envisaged himself as a researcher, delving into the mysteries of mediaeval brewing, rediscovering some of the forgotten lore and developing new and better potions to combat the problems of the current era. He had thought he might give the odd lecture or two at the College of Potions Makers or even address the International Conclave of Potions Masters at some point but take on the teaching of idiotic, lame-brained children on a daily basis. He shuddered at the thought!

But his soul was not his own and had not been for years. Sometimes that was a good thing and at others it was a flaming brand in his mind. Still, he had to believe there were worse things than being the most powerful Lord's lover. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to be a school master after all.

21.03.2006