Author's Note: This story was originally meant to be just a one-shot, but it suddenly felt incomplete. I decided that I needed Lucius and Severus to have one last conversation before Severus is killed by Voldemort. This chapter details what we didn't see in the chapter "The Elder Wand" from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

I appreciate those who have favorite the previous chapter of this story, but I would also jump with joy if I was to receive any reviews (as long as the reviews are constructive). Even if it's just to tell me what part was your favorite; that would really make my day. I hope you all enjoy this second chapter.


Lucius had done a wonderful job acting surprised and confused when the Dark Lord had asked him to go find Severus. It had been easy enough. The Dark Lord, after all, believed Lucius to be completely broken. The Dark Lord believed that Lucius knew nothing about anything or anyone.

The Dark Lord had many misconceptions and not just when it came to Lucius.

The Dark Lord, for instance, had misconceptions when it came to Severus. The Dark Lord believed Severus to be completely devoted to him. Lucius, on the other hand, knew that to be a complete lie.

The Dark Lord also had misconceptions when it came to the Elder Wand.

Lucius really was not surprised that the Dark Lord had asked for Severus. Lucius had known it would only be a matter of time before the Dark Lord would become suspicious of how the Elder Wand was working.

Lucius pondered what he knew would be Severus's fate.

On one hand, Severus's betrayal had to Lucius's imprisonment in Azkaban and his fall from the Dark Lord's favor.

On the other hand, though, Severus had acted out of love; and even though Lucius was often vengeful by nature, he could relate to doing something for the sake of love. Lucius knew that he would do anything and betray anyone to keep Narcissa and Draco safe.

Narcissa and Draco were now all that mattered to Lucius.

Just like Lily Potter was all that mattered to Severus.

Lucius, however, was very glad that the Dark Lord had misinterpreted the Elder Wand.

Lucius was very glad that it had not registered in the Dark Lord's mind that it had been Draco who had disarmed Dumbledore and that it was Draco who had become the Elder Wand's new master before Severus had even shown up on the scene.

But that was no longer relevant as Harry Potter was the Elder Wand's new master, as it had been since Harry Potter had taken Draco's wand when he and his friends had been captured and bought to Malfoy Manor.

The Dark Lord would eventually figure all this out, though. It was true that the Dark Lord sometimes overlooked the minor details in the grander scheme of things, but the Dark Lord was far from stupid. The Dark Lord would not have risen as far as he had if he had not been intelligent.

But for now, Lucius still had time to act, still had time to find a way, somehow, to keep Narcissa and Draco safe and alive.


Lucius spotted Severus, who turned at his approach.

"The Dark Lord wishes to see you," Lucius said simply.

Severus paled slightly, but otherwise he showed no outward reaction.

"I have to find Potter," Severus whispered. "There are things I need to tell him."

"You don't have time for that," Lucius replied sharply. "If you don't come quickly enough, the Dark Lord will come looking for you."

"Then Potter has to find me," Severus said.

"Will it lead to the Dark Lord's defeat?"

"Yes."

"Then I will make sure that Potter finds you, somehow."

"Hopefully that will not be necessary," Severus spoke. "Potter shares a connection with the Dark Lord, and he is hopeless at Occlumency."

Not like my Draco, Lucius could not help but think with pride. Draco was a natural at Occlumency.

"Perhaps Potter has seen by now where the Dark Lord is at," Severus continued, "and he is already on his way."

"Nevertheless," Lucius replied, "I will still keep watch, and if necessary, I will find a way to guide Potter in your direction."

"Thank you, Lucius," Severus breathed.

"I'm not doing it for you, Severus," Lucius responded. "It is only a matter of time before the Dark Lord kills me, Narcissa, or Draco; and I do not have many options left."

"It would appear that we all are traitors," Severus said with just the hint of a smile.

"I've been called much worse," Lucius replied matter-of-factly, "and I really could care less what people call me after tonight. All that matters to me is Narcissa and Draco."

Severus looked at Lucius for a long moment before saying, "I hope that everything works out for you, Lucius. I really do. I know how much Narcissa and Draco mean to you."

"They mean as much to me as Lily Potter means to you," Lucius said. He then looked at Severus for a long moment before saying, "I cannot help thinking that you are ready to die."

"It is hard to live without Lily," Severus admitted.

Lucius merely nodded his head. He didn't want to even begin to imagine what it would be like if he had to live without either Narcissa or Draco. Or even worse, if he had to live without both of them.

It would be unbearable.

"It would appear that both of us would do anything for those that we care about," Lucius said.

"For love," Severus corrected.

Lucius waved his hand dismissively to indicate that he didn't want to hear anything about love.

Severus didn't comment on this. Instead, he just said, "Goodbye, Lucius."

"Goodbye to you as well, Severus," Lucius returned.

Severus nodded his head at Lucius and gave him one last look. Then, Severus began to make his way towards the Shrieking Shack, where the Dark Lord was waiting for him.

Lucius watched Severus leave for several moments. Then, Lucius began to make his way towards the castle, making sure that he stayed closed but not directly on the path Harry Potter would have to take if he was going to make his way from the castle to the Shrieking Shack.

Hopefully, the boy was already on his way, just as Severus had hoped.


Lucius watched nearby from the shadows as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and the Weasley boy made their way towards the Whomping Willow.

"Well, at least that saved me the trouble of having to go look for them," Lucius muttered to himself as he watched the trio disappear under the tree. Now all he could do was wait and see what happened next.


Lucius watched nearby from the shadows as Potter, Granger, and Weasley left the Whomping Willow. Lucius saw with relief that Harry Potter was carrying a flask filled with a silvery blue substance.

So, Harry Potter had Severus's memories.

Severus had done what he had wanted to do.

Lucius watched as the trio slowly disappeared from sight. Then, he glanced towards the Whomping Willow. There was no doubt in Lucius's mind that Severus was still in the Shrieking Shack.

Lucius wondered if Severus was dead. Most likely he was.

Yet something was still pulling Lucius to go see Severus one last time.

Lucius grabbed a twig from the ground and made his way towards the Whomping Willow. Immediately the branches began to attack Lucius.

Somehow, Lucius managed to avoid being crushed by the tree's angry onslaught, even though there were many close, dangerous calls. Lucius was glad, however, that no one was there to see him. He no doubt looked quite undignified with all the hopping, ducking, and twisting he was forced to do in order to avoid the tree's many branches.

Somehow, Lucius was able to use the twig in his hand and stab a place near the roots. The tree instantly became still.

Lucius breathed a sigh of relief. What was wrong with him? Severus was already dead.

And Lucius had nearly gotten himself killed just to visit a dead body.

Perhaps all the recent events had made Lucius sentimental.

Lucius snorted to himself in a dignified fashion. He would never be the sentimental type. He loved his wife and son, yes, but he would never become sentimental.

He was still Lucius Malfoy.

Lucius made his way down the pathway and into the Shrieking Shape. It was hard and time-consuming as it was dark and Lucius didn't have a wand to make a light.

Perhaps Lucius was becoming slightly sentimental. Lucius quickly dismissed that thought.

For a moment, Lucius didn't know what to think when he finally stumbled upon Severus's lifeless, bloodless body, his eyes blank and completely empty of any expression.

"I hope that Lily Potter finally forgives you for calling her a Mudblood all those years ago," Lucius finally spoke. "If she doesn't, then I will truly feel sorry for you. Some women just aren't worth the pain. Your Lily was nothing like my Narcissa."

With that, Lucius turned to leave. Narcissa was no doubt worrying herself crazy over him by now. Lucius allowed himself a slight smile at that thought.