Author's note: This 200 word drabble is part of the Parchment Underground universe and makes no sense unless you have read the other stories in that universe, Blurring and Spectacles.

Disclaimer: In case you were wondering, JKR was never this horrible to everybody.

Safe

James' knees bent and he slid the binder onto the bottom shelf.  A shadow fell across his back, and he froze, his hand trapped in the air.  "So Potter, what are you doing at Hogwarts in the middle of the Holiday?"

James pushed himself to his feet.  "More than you, Avery."

The Death Eater smiled painfully.  "Where's your master?  I have paperwork for him."

"It's Christmas, where do you think?" James snapped, "He's home with his son."

"And yet you're here."  Avery raised his wand and flicked away a piece of lint before pointing it at James.

James backed up quickly, slamming into the bookcase.  "I'll take him the paperwork; just leave it."

"I'd love to know how you smuggled out that ledger." The wand flicked up and the air around James' throat and chest hardened.  He opened his mouth to suck in breath, but nothing would get past it pressing against him.

"I couldn't have! he gasped, "Bloody hell, how would I have?"

"Keep hoping I won't find out."

The air tightened around him, and he thought he was imagining it when he heard his name from the earring.

As he vanished, he kept his eyes on Avery.  Safe.

Author's Note: This fic is part of the Parchment Underground Universe, and although this is a prequel, I would strongly advise you read "Blurring" first.  Both are dystopian AU, however, they're gen or gennish het.

Disclaimer: In case you were wondering, JKR was never this horrible to everybody.

Summery: A Death Eater meeting brings into focus James Potter's place in Voldemort's new society.



( Spectacles )

This fic was written for the Potions and Snitches 2009 Challenge Fest, in response to FoolishWishmaker's challenge: "A reversed Sevitus. Harry Snape grew up with his father. His mother, Lily, died to save him from Voldemort. At the same time as Harry is trying to deal with the awful knowledge that he is destined to face Voldemort and only one of them will survive the encounter, Harry also finds out the unthinkable -- Severus Snape is not his natural father!"

Disclaimer: In case you were wondering, JKR was never this horrible to everybody.

Summery: Severus Snape, high ranking Death Eater and Headmaster of Hogwarts, finds out that his son is not his own when the boy's glamour begins to break.

Author's Note: I intend this to be the first in a series of at least six one shots.  This fic contains a direct quote from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, US Edition, "Chapter Three: The Knight Bus".


( Blurring )