Chapter 2
Carmel. The air smelled like caramel, Severus thought as he looked around Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, as Lucius guided him towards a table by one of the windows that gave a pleasant view of Hogsmeade Square. The scent was meant to put the shop's patrons at ease, in the candle-lit, warm environment. Reluctantly, Severus had to admit it was a nice respite from the cold wind outside. It was a candle-lit, warm place. The third year could see the attraction that some of the older students had for this place. When he heard them speak of "Madam's Tea Shop", he understood, now, that this was the place that they were referencing. Small, round, two-seat tables were placed along the edges of the intimate space, while cushions were placed in front of the fireplaces. It was crowded, with couples, Severus saw. He could feel his hackles rising, as they sat at one of the tables. Severus wanted to go back to Hogwarts.
"Don't look so put upon, you look as if you are going to the gallows…or about to suffer the Dementor's Kiss," Lucius said, as a waiter came over to them.
"That's about the way it feels, Lucius," Severus said, as shrugged out of his cloak, letting it fall over the back of his seat.
"I can take your outer garments if you gentlemen wish," the waiter said, as he took out his wand to record their orders.
Gentlemen, Severus thought. He was a third year and no one had ever referred him to as a 'gentleman'. Indeed, no one had ever called his father a gentleman. Well, that could be explained, the man was an unlettered, tyrant who didn't take well to the fact that is son was a wizard and who preferred books to football. No, Tobias, was a mill worker, who had fought for his respect in the violent streets of Spinner's End. As a skilled amateur boxer, Tobias was respected in the small, poverty-stricken neighborhood, and saw no reason to leave the grey, smoky, place that was dominated by the mill that was the only industry in the community.
"Yes, thank you," Lucius said, in the clipped tones of the leisure class. The waiter waved his wand and their cloaks vanished.
"I will give you a few moments to decide what you would like, but what would you like to drink? We have tea, obviously, coffee, butterbeer, firewhiskey…or a gillywater, perhaps," the waiter said, with an unreadable expression.
"We'll have tea, Earl Grey if you don't mind. My friend, here, is rather high-strung, so we'll need to stick to the classics, 'follow the bones of the thing', something structured that respects form and design, nothing too bold, or…unusual. Yes, two cups of Earl Grey would be just fine," Lucius said, as he settled himself more comfortably in his seat.
"Of course, sir," the waiter said.
Severus was impressed by Lucius' insight. His view of the blonde rose a notch. Perhaps, he could be trusted. If, nothing else, Severus could use this opportunity to dig a little to find out what the boy wanted. The blond seemed to have an affinity for Muggle English literature.
"You know anything about Mill on the Floss," Severus asked.
"Book by George Eliot," Lucius said, as he raised an eyebrow at Severus. "I should ask what do you know about that book, third year."
"It is in my mother's library and contrary to your belief, I do like to read literature. I haven't gotten into your Shakespeare, but maybe one day I will," Severus said, as the waiter returned with their tea.
"I would suggest you start out with something properly dark and dreary; one of the Bard's tragedies, perhaps? Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, Macbeth, or…Romeo and Juliet," Lucius said.
"Yes, well, you have often asked me about my family. The community in Eliot's book and the harsh conditions they lived under are…like my life when I go home for the summer and before I came to Hogwarts," Severus said. He also had a connection with the character of Heathcliff in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, but he wasn't about to tell the blond that little nugget of information. It was too close to his heart and how he viewed his relationship with Lily.
"I see," Lucius said. Getting somewhere. Madam Puddifoot's has a way of loosening the tongue of the even the most tightly wound. I love this place, Lucius thought. "Well, that environment would make anyone moody, Severus, it explains a lot."
"My father is a…difficult man. He is more likely to hit you rather than reason with you. He works the late shift at the mill and he isn't the most…well-read of men. Why my mother tolerates him is beyond me," Severus paused. Why am I telling him this, Severus thought.
The blond let the silence spin out. He was finally getting some details and he wasn't about to put the younger boy's back up, by asking a question at the wrong moment. Timing was everything in situations like this. Details, details, the devil is in those lovely details, Lucius thought, as he took a sip of his tea.
"Reading helps me to…deal with life at home during the summer and Christmas holidays," Severus continued.
Lucius saw his chance.
"Maybe, you won't have to go home this year for the Christmas holidays," Lucius said, as he leaned over the little wooden table toward the third year.
"I don't get you," Severus said, leaning back in his seat. Severus didn't like the way Lucius was looking at him and the blonde had gotten in the third year's personal space. "My mother doesn't like for me to stay at Hogwarts during the holidays," Severus said. Suddenly, Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop was too warm.
"Of course, understandable," Lucius said, as he leaned back to give the dark-haired boy more space. "All I meant was that this year, were you to prefer to go…somewhere else for the Christmas holidays and," Lucius went on quickly, seeing the younger boy open his mouth to object, "your mother would be assured that you were safe, you have that option."
"And where would 'somewhere else' be," Severus asked, as he picked up his cup of tea, beginning to look at the windows and doors of the shop. His heart was beating too fast and his mental abacus was clacking.
"You could come home with me for the Christmas holidays and stay at Malfoy Manor," Lucius said.
Severus dropped his cup of tea. His mind was strangely blank. He wanted to get back to the castle and away from Lucius. Severus was out of his depth and knew it. The blond was relentless.
Lucius didn't miss Severus' eyes searching the tea shop for an escape. He casually placed his hand on his wand, just in case the twitchy third year decided to bolt for the door.
A waiter came over and smoothly waved his wand, cleaning up the spill and conjuring another cup of tea for Severus. The blonde pressed his advantage, "Oh, come now, my suggestion shouldn't be that surprising my half-blood prince. Malfoy Manor has a library that you will love, and while it is a huge place, the Manor is warm and comfortable, and you won't have to worry about your father," Lucius said.
Severus was silent. It was the safest response. When you are unsure of something, his mother would often tell him, silence was usually best.
"Think about it," Lucius said. The hall is rented, the band is struck, now let's see if you can dance, Lucius thought, as he enjoyed the bewildered expression on the third year's face. What Lucius wanted; Lucius got. Severus didn't know it yet, but his holiday plans had already been decided. Lucius' rook was in play.