Chapter 2 – Malfoy Manor

Severus Snape swiftly climbed the stairs to Malfoy Manor and rapped on the door. It swung open almost immediately.

"Severus?" Lucius Malfoy raised one well-manicured eyebrow. "To what do we owe—"

"I need somewhere to stay," Snape cut off and swept past him into the spacious hall. He shrugged of his coat and threw it on a settee before stalking off into the living room.

Frowning, Lucius closed the door. "Of course. You're always welcome here, as you well know," he said, following Snape cautiously.

Severus pointed towards a well-stocked liquor cabinet at the far end of the room. "Do you mind?" he said as he opened it, pulling out a large bottle of Firewhisky.

Lucius merely waved his hand, seating himself in a leather chair. "I suspect the situation calls for it." He narrowed his eyes. "Is it your wife?"

Snape poured himself a generous glass, downing it in one go, quickly refilling it. He pulled another glass out of the cabinet, poured a splash of amber liquid in it and handed it to Lucius.

"Am I right to assume that you've had another … disagreement?" Lucius asked.

Snape sat down hard in the chair opposite Lucius, his lank hair falling awkwardly across his face.

"Yes," he answered, grimacing slightly. "And no."

Lucius cast a dubious look, opening his mouth and then closing it, as if deciding what route to take. "You're being deliberately vague."

Snape sighed. "She said she couldn't take it anymore."

"I see," Lucius said slowly.

Snape raised a tired eyebrow. "You don't sound too surprised."

"On the contrary." Lucius smiled, a smile that failed to reach his eyes. "I've been in a state of constant surprise these last seven years."

"Really?" Snape drawled. "How so?"

"I think everyone, except the two of you, saw …" He shifted in his seat. "Let's call it potential problems in your relationship."

Snape took another sip of his whisky but remained quiet.

"Surely you would agree that you are, were," Lucius added, "not the most compatible couple in the world."

"Don't," Snape said, pinching his nose.

Lucius ignored him. "She never really understood you, you know. Your past. The man you have struggled to become."

Snape looked up at the ceiling.

"Or really appreciated you", Lucius continued.

"Is that so?" Snape said dryly.

Lucius laughed quietly. "Granted, you're a difficult being, but you really do possess a couple of decent traits as well."

"I don't know if I should I be thankful or offended," Snape said.

Lucius swirled the content of his glass. "I remember when we went to that tedious 'the War's Over-gala' at the Ministry, and she arrived arm in arm with Potter and the Weasley-boy." He scowled at the memory. "The heroes, as it were. Our saviors." He practically spat the last word out, bitterness seeping into every syllable.

Snape clenched his teeth.

"You took one look at her," Lucius scoffed. "One look, and I could tell that you were lost."

Snape closed his eyes. "Stop", he said.

"I've never seen you like that, not before, not after," Lucius continued, taking another sip. "Pity. When you think about how it turned out."

"Lucius," Snape said warningly.

"I will not tell you 'I told you so'. But then again …" Lucius smiled sadly. "It is begging to be said, isn't it? All these years you waited on her hand and foot. What for? And now you've practically wasted—"

Snape slammed down his whisky glass. "Enough! I didn't come her to be reminded of how completely and utterly delusional I've been." He rose violently. "I know your opinion on this matter, as you've been kind enough to tell me, time and time again."

"Severus." Lucius stood as well, taking a step towards Snape. He placed a hand on his shoulder. "Be reasonable—"

"I am trying to," Snape bit out. "I've been trying to for a very long time."