TBAY - FADED SCARF

[B Arrowsmith]

No: HPFGUIDX 70871

"Hmm," thought Kneasy, smoothing his greasy lapels, "this is going 
better than I predicted. Whip up the controversy and the tabloids will  
be screaming for the kids' story. Lotta dosh...Yeah!"

He paused outside the George, impressed by the purple steam venting 
from the SILK SHIRTS out in the Bay.

"Ha! So  angry, they're not seeing straight. They even got the kid's 
sex wrong. I've got a loaded can(n)on that says it was a dark-haired 
boy that was crying in the corner, while his parents argued. Still, 
might be time to consolidate a bit - just in case they get a can(n)on 
of their own."

He turned and waited as Kirstini staggered out of the bar, Severus 
minor clamped to her knee like a Dementor on overtime. Kneasy edged 
closer.

"ER, look, I've been thinking. Maybe we can do a deal here."

Kirstini narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "What sort of deal?"

"Well, it's obvious that you're a recovering Siriophile. You need 
something to take your mind off all the anguish; help you stop 
brooding. A new hobby - occupational therapy, that sort of thing. 
Besides," he added in a low voice, leaning forward, " the SILK SHIRTS 
crew, they look like the type that say 'I feel your pain.' In my 
opinion," he added with an evil leer, "the best way for them to feel 
your pain is for you to inflict some of it on them. Watcha think?"

"I hadn't thought of it that way," confessed Kirstini, "What else can 
you offer?"

"I've got the kid on a watertight contract." He patted his pocket. 
"Could get a serious wedge out of that - enough for two," he cajoled, 
"but only if the story has the right slant. They," he nodded towards 
the Bay, "are  trying to ruin Florences'  name. Trying to soften the 
damage to Sevies  non-existant good reputation. Next thing, they'll be 
saying it was her that led him into evil  ways." He shook his head 
sadly. "Can't understand it, the way some people twist the truth just 
to suit their theories." He sighed at the iniquity of deluded 
individuals tied to a dead duck. "Yeah, Snapey was a Death Eater, had 
the Club badge and everything. Got it done one night after a booze-up, 
genuine article, from Voldies Traveling Tattoo and Curse Scar Emporium. 
But Florence? No way! She couldn't go gadding about, couldn't get a 
baby-sitter for a start."

Kirstini nodded thoughtfully. "I can see that. But what about that 
LICKS can(n)on out there, that one about their ages?" she asked 
worriedly.

"Can(n)on? That's no can(n)on!  Supposition!smokescreen, more like! No 
can(n)on about Florences age, or about when the kissing started. 
Nothing to say they was all in the same year, either. And we know all 
about Snape! Precocious little brat! Lying on his bed, pointing his 
wand at the ceiling! Wonder he didn't go blind!. No, they're just 
Malfoy Supremacists. And don't forget, it was his mob that did for 
Sirius."

Kirstini straightened, her nostrils flared and fire burned  in her 
eyes. "Scum!" she hissed.

"Too true." said Kneasy. "Now how about we get my pension plan," he 
nudged S minor with his knee, "back to the barge and prepare to repel 
boarders. You can even use Americanisms - we've got to think 
international if we want to make a real pile of cash." He smiled 
ingratiatingly.

"Maybe we should name the barge? How about FADED SCARF?
Florence Afraid. Death Eater Disciple Snape Courts Assassins, Rejects 
Family.  It'd look good s a headline, too."