Double Dog Dare! -- Episode 22
Frances, 8 April 2002

"Come along," Viviane told Snape, clinging tightly to his arm. "We must hurry." She pulled him forward with a series of lurches, tugging then using him for balance as he came even with her.

"Are you feeling alright, Viviane?"

"I'm fine," she hissed then unexpectedly pulled him into a clumsy but deep kiss. Their noses bumped and their teeth clicked together but once locked on, Viviane enthusiastically swabbed the inside of his mouth with her tongue. Abruptly, she pulled away. "Now, move it!"

As they reached the bottom of the steps that led to the Slytherin common room, Snape asked, "Did she say how Lucius was getting into Hogwarts?"

"What? No."

"Then I wonder if this isn't a wild goose chase, darling? I can't imagine him getting past the guards Dumbledore has set up. Perhaps we should go back and get...."

"No!" Viviane shouted. "There's no time. Lucius will be here soon and we have to stop him." She pulled him up short and looked searchingly into his eyes. "You do want to stop him, don't you, Severus?"

"Of course," he said. "Very well, if you believe in this information so strongly, we should go by my office first. I have a scroll that will help us stop and capture Malfoy, red-handed."

Viviane glanced nervously around the corridor. Finally, with a nervous smile, she said, "Lead on."

Entering the office, he motioned to a chair as he went to a large bookcase, "Have a seat while I retrieve it." Viviane fell gracelessly onto the leather, obviously done in by the trip to the dungeon. Snape scanned the shelves then turned to Viviane. "Must be in the other room." He shrugged and let himself through a wooden door. From inside he called, "Darling, I'm being rude. Our capture by that dreadful Tewksberry woman must have affected you more than you think, you seem fatigued." He glanced around the door frame. "Would you like a glass of Napa Valley Chardonnay to refresh you?"

"That's the best offer I've had all day," Viviane purred.

Within moments, Snape returned, bearing a scroll in one hand and a long-stemmed goblet in the other. "Here you go," he said as her handed her the glass. She quaffed in it one long series of gulps and handed it back to a bemused Snape. He held out his hand, "Shall we go to the common room?"

She smiled, but as he pulled her up from the chair, he swung her around, bringing the arm behind her back and pinning the other to her side.

"What's the game, Janet? What have you done with Viviane?"

"How did you know?" the widow Tewksberry growled.

"Viviane prefers French wines," he informed her.

She tugged but he held her fast. "Where's Viviane?" It was his turn to growl.

"She's safe enough, in Dumbledore's office," Janet spat out. "I traded forms with her using Polyjuice Potion."

"Then may I suggest we return to Dumbledore's office and set this matter straight?" Snape said with exaggerated courtesy, shoving her in the small of the back.

"Oh, are you straight now, Severus Snape? Dumbledore's strong right arm, is it? Too cowardly to stay faithful to Lord Voldemort's cause!"

"Cowardice has nothing to do with it, you harpy."

As they reached the door, he loosened his grip slightly to open it and she seized her chance. She lacked the finesse to handle the overgrown body she inhabited but she used the bulk like a primitive tool to break free. Snape stumbled and she was on him instantly, bringing him crashing to the stone floor, relishing the jolt in her knees as they struck. A quick and dirty blow to his head ended the struggle.

Leaning back on her heels, she tweaked his nose. "You'll make a pretty present for Voldemort." She reached out to smooth his robes and then held her hands up in front of her face, examining them with a sneer. "You could do a little something about the upkeep of your nails, Miss Devereaux. Lucky for me this potion should be wearing off soon."

With her wand, she rewrapped Snape in bonds then levitated his body. "We'll be going now, professor," she said, patting his chest.

Suddenly, the door to the corridor flew open and two more Viviane Chances stormed into the room. One held a wand leveled at her. "Hand over Snape and my sword, you cow!"

"Viviane. Darling. I can certainly see that they keep you around for your brawn and not your brains." She lazily raised her wand to the level of her, and Viviane's, chest.

"Bite me, Tewksberry, and put down that wand unless you want to be as deceased as your husband."

"But you see, I'm so amused that you brought along my lap dog to rescue your dear Severus." In a commanding tone, she added, "Sirius, come."

The third Viviane smiled and took a half-step forward. "You don't think Dumbledore would have sent me along without taking care of your Imperious first, do you, Janet? Even someone like you has to give him more credit than that."

Janet's anger spread over Viviane's face. "I'll see you off to hell yet, Sirius Black. You and your whole merry band. Don't forget the future I showed you."

"The lies, you mean."

"Believe what you want. You'll soon know the truth of my vision."

"The truth is," the real Viviane said. "We've got you cornered. As much as I'd like to apply my own personal vision of justice, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you back to Dumbledore."

"I'm left with one bargaining chip at least." With that, she pulled Snape's body to her as a shield and fired off a blinding beam of orange light from her wand. Viviane was quick with a counterspell but Janet was already uttering her next attack. The two Vivianes fell together in the doorway. Janet dusted her hands off. "I'd love to take you all with me," she spread her arms magnanimously. "But I think just Professor Snape today. I need to travel light. And I'm sure my Lord will be most pleased."