A Taste of Hell

Author's Note: I do not own the characters from Harry Potter or Severus Snape (although I wish I did =^_^) I just like having them run around my twisted little world. Please don't sue me for I am verra poor. Also thank you Megan for beta reading this first Chapter for me! I will dedicate my next Snape picky to you!

He swirled the jade green liquid in his glass, letting the scent of the liquor reach his nostrils. This combination of wormwood, anise, licorice, fennel, hyssop and coriander; otherwise know as absinthe, had been know to either inspire creativity or drive the drinker mad. After nearly three bottles, Severus Snape found that neither seemed to be true. He was still depressingly sober, although his mouth had gone completely numb. He had been waiting here at The Gluttonous Dragon, reputed as one of the higher-quality dives that you could find in Knockturn Alley (which wasn't saying much), for nearly two hours. He was supposed to meet with a Death Eater carrying information on Hogwarts defenses, a way of showing Voldemort that he was still loyal.

Which partially explained his choice of drink. Some might find it odd for a potion's master to drink something that had been know to burn holes in your brain, unless said person didn't care about anything anymore. Severus took a gulp of the absinthe and grimaced. This whole business of trying to get back in Voldemort's good graces was repulsive to him.

Unfortunately, as Dumbledore had told him, this was the only way they could find out just what he was planning next. He had to do this. Albus had put his trust, his faith in him. Not that Severus felt he deserved it. He still couldn't fathom why Albus had helped him, given him a second chance.

Severus sighed and looked around the tavern in an attempt to take his mind off of his present situation. It was reminiscent of a Victorian Opium house, with faded, stained velvet pillows and scratched oak furniture. There was a small stage near the back and, of course, upstairs rooms for the small brothel that resided here to keep the customers entertained. This was a place where upper class lowlifes gathered to conduct both business and pleasure. Severus felt he fit right in.

He poured the last of the absinthe into his glass then lifted the emptied bottle and waved it at the barkeep, signaling for another. The place was starting to fill up with customers, and it appeared that a show was about to start. Severus leaned on the scared table and swirled the green liquid in his glass, showing only moderate interest in what was happening on the stage.

Music with an Arabic flavor filled the air. The crowd hushed as a woman stepped onto the stage. She was small and delicate, dressed in typical harem-wear; a top made of gold chains and coins; silks wrapped around her waist and thighs. She was barefoot save for a few bracelets with jingling bells around her ankles. Her skin was as pale as porcelain; her hair long and black as a raven's wing as it flowed down her back and shoulders like a midnight waterfall. Her eyes were the color of molten gold, and they seemed to bore right into Severus' skull as she looked right at him. Severus gulped half the contents of his glass, trying to ignore her piercing stare. She smiled showing sharp white teeth and began to dance, her hips swaying with the music. She moved slowly in time with the music, making her way off the stage into the audience. She seemed totally lost in the music as she danced between tables. A member of the audience reached out his hand to touch her as she passed, but his companion stopped him, shaking his head and looking almost afraid. This woman seemed to inspire a sort of fear inspired awe from the crowd.

She danced her way to Severus' table; her body swaying like a serpent, hypnotizing its prey. His mouth had suddenly gone dry as her golden eyes caught his black ones. He emptied his glass, and wished that the damned bartender would bring him another bottle. The woman slid past him, but not before caressing her soft fingers across his cheek. The audience made a collective gasp of shock. The woman laughed as she finished her dance back on the stage and disappeared behind velvet curtains.

"You should feel honored," said a voice that came from Snape's side. He turned to see that the bartender had finally arrived with another bottle.

Severus took the bottle and poured himself another glass.

"What the hell are you talking about?" He asked in a low hiss, as he went back to his ritual of swirling the liquor in his glass.

"The woman sir. The last customer who tried to touch her lost his hand," the bartender paused, chuckling at the memory. "Literally. She must have really taken a fancy to you." The bartender chuckled once more and headed to another customer.

Severus stared at the door, coming to the final decision that no one was going to show up. He should have known that this plan would have never worked.

Suddenly the door burst open and Severus dropped his glass, sending it shattering to the floor, at the sight of the newcomer.

"Karkaroff?" He managed to gasp before dodging a spell that was cast at him. He dove under a table as the bar erupted in total pandemonium. Karkaroff grinned madly as he held his wand before him.

"Time to die Snape!" he cackled as he kicked a chair out of his path, "The Master will take me back when he's found out that I killed your traitorous hide!" Karkaroff got Severus in his sights and smiled.

"Avada-" he began, but Severus was quicker.

"Expelliarmus!"

Karkaroff was knocked into a nearby wall, his wand flying into the air and lost amid trampling feet of people trying to escape. Severus felt a hand tugging at his sleeve and turned to see the dancer from before.

"Come with me quickly. There are Death Eaters outside."

He was too flustered to argue as she pulled him past the stage down a dark hallway. As they ducked in he caught a fleeting glimpse of the familiar masks filling the bar. She led him down narrow and twisting hallways and finally towards the outside. He had no idea where they were, but he knew that it would probably only be a matter of time before the Death Eaters found them.

"This way," the woman hissed as she led him through another set of winding passageways. Finally he recognized his surroundings. They were somewhere near the junction of Knockturn and Diagon Alley.

Severus stopped and looked at the young woman suspiciously.

"Why are you helping me?" he demanded. The dancer laughed softly and turned to face him, her golden eyes twinkling with dark mirth.

"You and I are kindred spirits of a sort," she purred as her fingers trailed across his cheek once more. He stiffened at her touch, but did not pull away.

"I have my reasons."

She drew forth an ebony wand and pointed it at her face. "Frendo Laesio." Livid bruises began to bloom across her lovely face.

"What are you doing?" Severus asked, horrified that she would do this to herself.

"Securing my alibi and your escape. If you wish to live, Severus Snape, leave... Now."

Severus' eyes narrowed suspiciously, "Wait- how did you know my name-"

She interrupted him by grabbing his collar and pulling him down until they were face to face. Then she kissed him. Severus was startled out of finishing his question. For a moment he had lost himself in the pleasurable sensation.

Suddenly she pulled away and whispered, "Run," before heading back towards Knockturn Alley. He stood stunned for a moment until he could hear the sound of pounding feet.

"Where is he?" he heard one of the Death Eaters hiss.

"He went that way," came a sobbing reply, "he said he would kill me if I didn't help him escape."

Not wanting to have made her efforts in vain, Severus quietly made his way down Diagon Alley and towards Hogwarts to tell Dumbledore the news