It would not take a particularly nuanced observer to notice the recent changes in the Slytherin common room. Though every effort was made to maintain the façade of school children entirely absorbed with finishing homework and hosting parties, a deep current of unease had spread through the entire house. Whispered conversations in the shadowy corners of the dungeon, new alliances being forged, banned pamphlets being passed to those you could trust, the clumping of students beginning to think for themselves rather than by family line. For some, it was an exciting time.
For others, like Severus Snape, it was a pain.
As Severus headed down the stairs to the private rooms, he left a flurry of whispers in his wake. If there had been any question to his allegiances, his use of the ancient pureblood codes of magic and honor would have annihilated any doubt. Lucius's open show of support was just icing on the cake. No doubt that is what they would be "discussing" this evening.
Severus halted before the thick wooden door. Prefects of all houses were allowed their own rooms on the pretense that they wouldn't disturb their dorm mates with their coming and goes on late night patrols. But Slytherin and Ravenclaw both had extra suits of rooms for those with the connections to ensure their privacy. Naturally, Malfoy had acquired one almost from his first year. Naturally, Snape would be forced to share his own dorm space with the sneering incompetence of his classmates for all seven years.
He hadn't waited more than five minutes, before the door opened and Thorrafin Rowle stepped out. The hulking boy's Nordic ancestry was clear in his coloring and figure. More worrisome was Rowle's connection to conservative purebloods in Finland, through his mother's side, and his family's long history of enchanting weapons for combat. If Lucius was cultivating this friendship, what did it mean for the whispers of future conflict?
Severus exchanged a reserved greeting with Rowle and longingly thought of the time when all he needed to care about was potion ingredients and Lily.
Well, he was still caring about Lily.
Squaring his shoulders, Severus stepped into the room and shut the door. It locked with a click and Severus could almost imagine he felt the privacy and security wards fall back into place. Whatever was said in this room, would stay here.
Lucius was sitting before a fire. Behind him the large windows looked out into the murky depths of the lake and Severus repressed a shudder. Knowing the glass was spelled for strength and unbreakability was different then believing it. But Lucius had grown up around the miraculous effects of magic and seemed oblivious to the danger of the water pressure against the thin glass.
"Lucius, I can ex-" Severus started, but choked back his explanation when Lucius held up a finger. It was unlike the Malfoy lord to interrupt. He was, as he put it, fond of giving you enough breath to curse yourself with. But Severus was even more surprised to hear the door unlock and Narcissa Black step into the room.
Of all the Black sisters, Narcissa was perhaps the least interesting. She hadn't the personal magnetism of Bellatrix or the commanding gravity of Andromeda. While her older sisters radiated will and power, Narcissa lived up to her name: pretty, vain, and fleeting. She paused in the doorway, eyes flicking between the two of them.
"Lucius, if this is about…" She began, but Lucius beckoned her in and to the chair beside him.
"This is purely a matter of tradition. Your insight would be appreciated." He said as Narcissa took a seat. She turned and eyed Severus with a speculative intelligence he had never before seen. "As you know, I have taken an interest in Severus's development as of late. Which is why Severus's decision to take an interest in another at breakfast this morning came as such a surprise."
There was a pause which Severus realized was his cue to explain himself. Taking a deep breath, he marshaled the arguments he had been practicing all day. The best way to convince someone, Lucius had once explained, was to persuade them that your goal was in their best interest.
"I believe that reviving the Tutella Hebes with Lily Evans will be beneficial towards your goals," He started. Lucius's eyebrows rose a fraction and Severus hurried on, "She is brilliant by any standard. Brilliant and principled. Her charm work alone is better than anyone in the school and her mastery of the other subjects shows she has no rival among any in her classes, regardless of heritage. Also, she has no great love for either her Muggle family or Dumbledors faction. I believe she could be a great asset to your cause and-" He paused. His carefully constructed argument crumbling in light of the faint grin on Narcissa's face.
"I believe," Narcissa picked up the thread of the argument, "That what Mr. Snape is trying to say is that Ms. Evans is the price for his loyalty."
"Yes." Severus was both relieved to have his resolve stated so clearly and unnerved that it could be read so clearly by a girl who he had never exchanged more than four words with previously. "I apologize, but I have no skill with speeches."
"Your other qualities more than make up for that I am sure," Narcissa smiled and turned to where Lucius was considering Severus with a cool expression, "But about Ms. Evans."
Lucius came to himself, "Cultivating Muggleborns is not in line with our purpose or ideology. Severus's time and intellect are too valuable to be wasted teaching Ms. Evans about our culture. Tutella Hebes is not an appropriate course of action. Though if she is the price, I may be persuaded into considering the Famulus Hebe contracts."
Severus hadn't read about this set of contracts. The laws of Honor and Magic were an obscure bit of Pureblood code; important but archaic. However, his latin was good enough to know that he wanted Lily as an equal, not a dependent or servant of his house. But before he could figure out the right way to both disagree but not offend, Narcissa spoke up again- her voice light and playful.
"Lucius, you've put me in the uncomfortable position of disagreeing with you. While cultivating Muggleborns may not be in line with certain factions in our world," There was a slight emphasis on certain that left no doubt in Severus's mind to whom she was referring, "Tutella Hebes is an old and very pure tradition. If Ms. Evans is the half the genius, Mr. Snape believes her to be, it would be a shame to see her wither away."
"It would." Severus agreed sharply. "She is." He had never expected to find an ally among the Blacks of all people.
"Especially when showing her the proper path might soften certain criticisms." Narcissa continued as if Severus had not spoken. Lucius regarded her with narrowed eyes and Severus felt the weight of many previous arguments in the room.
"Perhaps," He finally allowed, "But my concern about the suitability of Severus's time and attention still stands."
"Of course, dear." Narcissa demurred, "Which is why I thought I might undertake the training."
"You?" Severus broke in, his voice raw with shock. When he had first read about the Tutella Hebe contract before Christmas, it had seemed the perfect way to protect Lily no matter what the outcome of the final war was. He already considered her family, cherished her, wished to see her succeed as would benefit a proper pureblood witch. Lily herself didn't seem adverse to his casual instruction of pureblood codes and manners that he remembered from his mother.
But Lily trusted Severus and Severus didn't trust any of the Blacks, no matter how helpful they were being at the moment. The family had a long history of madness and pain.
"Yes, me." Narcissa said, "Of course, we would need to go through a trial period to assess Ms. Evans suitability, you'll forgive me for not taking your word alone Mr. Snape. You're preparing for the Rites of Re-ascension, if I have heard correctly?"
Severus glanced at Lucius who merely nodded and Severus, in turn, inclined his head, "You have heard correctly, Lady Black. I have just finished the first Trial of Winter and am preparing for the Spring trial as we speak."
"It will be good to have the Family Prince once more among our numbers," Narcissa nodded as though hearing nothing so new. But considering the closer relationship she and Lucius seemed to have, Severus was unsurprised that she knew his plans to restore the Prince family to pureblood status. "Unfortunately, this makes you even more unsuitable for Ms. Evans."
"Unsuitable?" Lucius gave her a raised eyebrow and Narcissa nodded.
"Normally, your friendship might be worth the wait, but there is cause to hurry. Today, I heard that Lady Alice Fawley of Wintermore approached Ms. Evans with an offer of Tutella Hebes."
"What!" Severus couldn't help himself but take a step forward, "She didn't agree- did she?"
"No, though she did agree to allow Lord Frank Longbottom to arrange a meeting with a solisceter. This show of favor could prelude an Agreement of Charity or a Friendship sworn. I really haven't studied either of their family traditions enough to know. However, it would not suit our interests for one of Dumbledore's factions to engage in Tutella Hebe- or any variation therein." Narcissa's face had grown concerned but, like clouds parting before the sun, she smiled.
"So, I will approach her this week and make an assessment if she is worth considering for Tutella Hebe. If she is, I'll keep you informed Mr. Snape and if she is not, I'll be sure to hinder Lady Fawley's interests. Will that be all, my Lord?" She turned and asked of Lucius.
"For Severus, yes." Lucius reached out to lay a hand over hers, "But I would ask you to stay, Lady Black. Severus, I am disappointed that you undertook this action without warning or consultation. It is not befitting a Dependent such as yourself. We will discuss this at the next new moon."
"Of course, Lord Malfoy." Severus inclined his head, grateful to be spared a more painful reminder of his disobedience, "Until then, may magic watch over you both with care and love." The traditional pureblood farewell was almost familiar on his lips.
"And you as well." Lucius responded. Severus backed out of the room. Lily was no longer as safe as he had hoped, but he had several ideas of how else to ensure her safety. He needed to get to the library.
A/N: Sometimes characters can become talking heads for your ideas. It's hard for me to balance what I know, want you to know, and what you need to know for the story to make sense.