HP: Bad Intentions

"You know I'd be interested," Snape said flatly.

"Good." Blake grabbed his arm, and in the next instant, they stepped through a dimensional door.

Snape blinked as his senses adjusted. The sky was filled with stars; clouds floated beneath their feet. A chill ran through him—it was the top of a mountain.

"Your magic..." he muttered.

Dimensional travel. No matter how often he saw it, it still disturbed him.

Blake smiled. "What's wrong? Want to learn it? I could teach you."

Snape didn't even hesitate. "No. I'm not interested."

Of course, he was. But he knew there'd be a price—one he likely couldn't afford.

To Snape, Blake was already on the same level as young Voldemort—no, beyond. Voldemort never deceived Dumbledore, but Blake had.

Blake chuckled. "Such a good spell—shame not to learn it."

Snape gave him a sharp look. That smile of Blake's felt more demonic than friendly.

"Let's get down to business. What's your plan?"

If he let Blake keep talking, he'd end up doing something reckless.

Snapping his fingers, Blake muttered, "Three-zero-three."

Footsteps echoed nearby.

From the fog emerged a figure—a woman Snape recognized. He tensed, fingers brushing the wand hidden in his sleeve.

"Agatha, good evening," Blake greeted warmly. "Hope I didn't disturb you."

Agatha smiled. "Anytime you call, Blake."

Her appearance had changed drastically since Snape last saw her—she looked ten years younger. Clearly, Blake had taught her some powerful self-enhancement magic.

Snape's sarcasm sparked. "So... you're cultivating followers where Dumbledore can't see?"

Blake laughed. "Followers? Agatha and I are just friends. Like you and me, Severus."

Snape's cheek twitched at that comparison. Every time Blake called him "Severus," it felt like a serpent slithered down his spine.

Agatha eyed Snape. "This one's impressive. Look how relaxed he seems—but he's tense, wand ready. Nice."

Snape's gaze narrowed. She'd seen through him so easily?

Agatha smiled knowingly. "Surprised? Years of fighting all kinds of enemies sharpens your instincts."

Snape studied her. "Dark wizard? Criminal?"

"Not quite," Agatha replied. "But I am a bounty hunter."

"Black-market bounty hunter?" Snape asked, eyes gleaming with interest.

Agatha didn't flinch. "I've worked both sides—legal and illegal. For this operation, it's the black market side."

Suddenly, Blake's plan clicked in Snape's mind. Use illegal bounty missions to collect black-market targets—then experiment with their remains.

Simple. Effective. Ruthless.

"The targets are usually dark wizards," Blake explained cheerfully. "No need to be gentle. Plus, the bounty pays well—and gives us soul ash for experiments."

Snape didn't hesitate. "I accept."

Soul ash, gold, and no rules? It was too useful to pass up.

Blake nodded. "Good. I brought you here for that. But remember—this wasn't out of desperation. I could wait for soul ash."

Snape caught the implication. This was about Blake's experiments. It wasn't necessity driving him—it was convenience. Blake didn't need to do this. Which meant Snape was the one needing the arrangement.

"I know," Snape said stiffly. "This was my idea. I'll keep my mouth shut."

He was reminded, again, of how much Blake reminded him of the Dark Lord.

But Blake just smiled. "No need to keep it secret. Say it was my idea, if you want. I just want you to remember—you owe me. When I need help, repay the favor."

Snape froze. Blake wasn't worried about Dumbledore? Wasn't he afraid of his image being shattered?

"One favor?" Snape asked suspiciously.

"Never underestimate a favor, Severus," Blake said. "Everyone around me started with small favors."

Then he clapped his hands. "Alright, once I finish things at the zoo, we'll depart."

Snape frowned. "You're coming too?"

"Of course. Didn't Dumbledore mention I've researched Gubler's fairy fire?"

Snape eyed him. "You enjoy killing people?"

"I don't enjoy it. But burning beasts with fire? That, I don't mind. And it's easier to collect soul ash if I'm there."

Snape shivered. Blake had dropped all pretense. No masks. No lies.

Which meant Snape now knew too much.

"Well, Severus, will you stay on the island a few days, or go with Agatha to prepare?"

Snape left. He needed distance—from Blake, from the madness. Yet, deep down, he knew he'd already boarded Blake's ship.

Back at his dingy home in Spinner's End, regret gnawed at him.

He should have known better. A boy with blood from both the Black and White Devils—of course he wasn't good.

But Blake's offers were always too tempting. Even now, Snape couldn't say no.

He cursed silently. First Dumbledore, now this boy. He was doomed to serve cunning masters.

After Snape left, Blake gave Agatha a few final instructions and returned to Nameless Island. At the campfire, the barbecue had just begun. Xiong Da was on his second bottle of honey beer.

Blake sat down, picked up The Quibbler from beside Nagini, and flipped through it as if he'd never left.

A week passed peacefully.

Blake finished calming the magical beasts on the island. It was time to go.

He didn't tell Cassandra or the others. With the dimensional gate, he could return instantly if needed.

He told them he was "working on a gadget" and locked his room.

Then, he stepped through the dimensional gate and arrived at Agatha's mountaintop base.

She was already waiting, wearing a reddish-brown leather jacket with countless pockets.

Only she knew what each pocket held.

Snape arrived moments later, holding a worn-out boot.

Blake recognized it as a Portkey—Agatha must've provided it.

Clapping, Blake said, "Perfect. Everyone's here. Let's go."

Snape pulled his cloak over his head, hiding in shadow.

"If yours fails, use this," Blake offered, handing over a black cloak.

It was one of his Phantom Cloaks—refined like Xiong Da's. It obscured the wearer's face from every angle.

Snape took it. The three looked at each other. No faces visible. Good.

Agatha led the way—she was the only one experienced with this kind of job.

She opened a disappearing cabinet hidden in the base.

They stepped inside.

Moments later, they emerged in Green's Potion Store.

The shop was no longer just for life-extension potions. The shelves now held a wide variety of high-quality brews.

Many of the advanced ones came from Snape himself. Blake paid him more than other vendors, and Snape, eager for funds, had complied.

The shop was busy.

Store manager Alan Ackerman was introducing the effects of an invisibility potion to a customer.

Then he looked up—and saw the three cloaked figures stepping out of the back room...

Ackerman nodded slightly towards them.

Next to Green's Potions Store is Knockturn Alley.

As soon as Agatha and the three of them left the house, they turned right into Knockturn Alley.

This set of actions can be said to be very skillful.

Snape, however, noticed a few looks coming over him and could not help but frown slightly.

"Why not get a back door into the store?"

"Leave from the front of the store. There are many people and no one is keeping any secrets."

Blake smiled and said: "Severus, you are right. When we get back, I will ask Allen to find a back door that leads directly to Knockturn Alley."

Agatha joked: "Professor Snape, why don't you join us? Your casual suggestions are very constructive. We need talents like you."

Snape pouted.

"Join your gang? I would rather die than join your gang!"

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