The story is mine, the idea (as crazy as it is) all mine, the world however is not and belongs to J.K. Rowling. I hope she will not mind if I portkeyed her characters into my crazy ramblings.
Darkness
Though it's hurting me
The office still looked the same as he had left it; apparently no one had been there yet. Well it was only a couple of hours, not the lifetime it felt like.
Not really looking around, Harry made his way through the headmaster's office, rather rudely ignoring the congratulations and well dones from the various portraits hanging on the walls. Eyes locked on the pensieve, his hand in his pocket ready to lift the first vial. What he had forgotten was that the pensieve still swirled with another memory he had left in there. Admittingly he had been in a bit of a rush. Careful, as not to spill, Harry removed the silvery memory strand from the pensieve, stored it and put it with the others on the table.
"Don't do it Harry!" Hermione's voice rang out in his mind as his hand lifted a new vial from his pocket. He resisted the urge to turn around, for a second he thought she was standing behind him, hand on her hips, scolding him like a little kid. His conscience sounded remarkably like Hermione.
Shaking his head he uncorked the vial and poured it in. Barely controlling his nerves and excitement he plunged forward, his heart pounding, wanting to see his mother.
"Lucius, lucius…" Snape was running, ignoring everyone he passed. Not exactly the smart thing to do, considering the mansion was filled with death eaters.
Coming to an abrupt stop near the kitchens, crashing into Draco, Snape finally realised he was being extremely stupid, irrational behaviour. But he could not help it. His mind still reeling, his heart pounding in his chest. How could it not?
How could he have done that?
They had been innocent!
Why?
His mind had gone into a complete shutdown when he had stumbled on that tiny piece of information. At first he did not believe what was right in front of him.
No…not that. He wouldn't have.
So after sitting there oblivious for Merlin knows how long he had watched the memory play out again, and again. Over and over… Why?
Lucius, he needed to speak with Lucius. Oh, how he wished it could be her, but it had not been her since that terrible day 17 years ago. But Lucius, yes, maybe.
So here he was, out of breath, helping Draco to his feet, trying to calm his heartbeat and glaring daggers at everyone that came within his line of vision, his mask back in place.
"Draco, where is your father? It is urgent that I speak with him." Snape looked down at his godson. The boy was but a ghost of his former self. He had tried to protect the boy, tried to keep him from the mistakes he had made. Where had the proud young prince of Slytherin gone? Where they all went once the Dark Lord started leeching their magic and their life.
Snape sighed. "Draco, please." The silver eyes snapped up and a little spark, only for a second, hm yes please was not a word often heard on his lips.
"He's in there." Draco pointed at the door at the end of the corridor. "Our Lord had no immediate need of my father and sent him to his room." The young man's shoulders slumped and he walked in the opposite directions his eyes straight ahead avoiding everyone.
No need, send to his room, Lucius Malfoy, the house elf? Snape shook his head and continued down the corridor.
He did not bother knocking but he did not barge in either, quietly he pushed open the door. The room was small. The only light came from the lit fireplace. A bed, a table and three chairs were the only items in the room. Truth be told, not much else would fit. One of the chairs was occupied, the lone figure sat bend over eyes fixed on the dancing flames. Grabbing one of the chairs Snape sat himself down next to his once best friend studying him. His robes were filthy, his long silver/blond hair matted and even more greasy than his own. Times had and were not kind for the head of the Malfoy dynasty. One of the oldest families in the wizarding world reduced to a common house elf.
"Lucius." Snape spoke softly, in the confined space his voice was heard well enough, his friend had heard him, well friend too much had happened but deep down still his friend, yes Lucius was still his friend, he would make sure of that.
"Lucius." Snape tried again, if it was not for the tensing of his hands giving him away that he was aware of Snape's presence.
Sighing Snape stood looking down on the broken man. Behind him the door opened and closed.
"Severus?" A feminine voice greeted him. "Everything alright?"
"Yes and no, as always I suppose." Snape turned around. Narcissa Malfoy was not looking at him but at her husband. She loved him very much, he could tell from the fear in her eyes. She tried to hide it and most of the time she managed. Now however her mask had slipped. Not the smartest thing under the circumstances. Intentionally or unintentionally, he did not know. She trusted him were Lucius did not.
Finally their eyes met. "What brings you here Severus? I thought our Lord had no more need of us tonight." Her voice was calm and steady, her eyes betrayed her.
"I'm not here for our Lord, Cissa… ." The use of her childhood name made her eyes widen in surprise. How long had it been since he had used it. Their, now she knew he had something important and dangerous to say.
Snape swallowed, how much betrayal, hurt and pain… Those things were in the past, still they hurt like hell.
"Then … what do you want… Snape?" A horse voice croaked behind them. "To what do we owe your charming company in our humble abode?"
Lucius did not move, his eyes focused on the flames but his body shook with held back rage. Severus had to admit, he admire his retrain.
"I found them, it took me 17 years…but I found them." And although his voice was steady and he gave no outward sign, his heart was racing.
He waited, at first nothing although Lucius had lifted his head up, Narcissa face had become still as if not really comprehending what he had said. The minutes ticked by and for a moment he wondered whether he had spoken in English at all. And then finally…a small scream escaped Narcissa's lips as she grabbed onto one of the chairs.
And Snape's whisper echoed through the room; "Alexei and Lara are still alive."
Harry felt his feet slam on the floor. His head was still spinning. Slowly he opened his eyes, squinting against the bright sunlight. His mind a jumble as he tried to focus. What time was it? Now what was that all about? Eyes drew back to the pensieve where an image still floated on the surface. Lucius Malfoy's shocked face and an echo … still alive, still alive…
And although Harry knew Mr. Malfoy's wasn't looking at him he stared back. What was going on? Alexei and Lara? Who where they? Where were they and why were they so important? And it was important, Harry knew that. It was as if he had felt Snape's turmoil of emotions.
He sat there watching the sunrays move from one side of the room to the other, finally he pushed himself to his feet, silently emptied the pensieve, retrieved another vial and let himself be swallowed for the second time that day. Never noticing the piercing blue eyes that had been observing him since he had entered that morning.
Author's note
A day early, since I'm not sure I'll find the time tomorrow… Feedback is always appreciated! Hint…
BTW small question, who should come looking for Harry. McGonagall, Hermione or Ginny? I have 3 versions and can't choose…
