CHAPTER TEN: Distractions
Severus staggered through the trees of the forbidden forest and found his uncontrollable shaking making it hard for him to move. Even after having taken his potion the combination of the Cruciatus and his memories were making it harder for the man to hold his rigid control. If Severus was being truly honest he was slipping and small cracks were beginning to show in the rigid withdrawn shell he kept about himself. He found himself stopping to lean heavy against a tree taking many steadying breaths as he could see the hut of the groundskeeper just past the line of trees before him and he knew he needed to appear unfazed and unaffected he couldn't afford to let anything show through or he would draw suspicion to himself.
After a few long moments Severus felt satisfied that he could pull together the cold mask of withdrawn aloofness he headed out at a steady walk towards the main entrance knowing that Dumbledore would want a report before he retired to his quiet. He could feel the slight trembling of his limbs, but was satisfied it was hidden beneath the layers of heavy robes he wore. His steps were steady and his pace quick enough that none would really pay him much attention. He was just crossing the entrance hall towards the gargoyle blocking the entrance to the headmaster's office he saw a shadow move just down another hallway. His nerves already on edge he drew his wand and was off in that direction in a predatory stalk before he had even made the decision.
Wand raised he saw the small form trying to press itself into the dark shadow. A sneer curved his face and he snarled, "show yourself!" Two scared looking first years came almost involuntarily to stand before him. He glared down at two faces he knew. Potter and Weasley. He glared openly at them.
"Detention, seven o'clock my office tomorrow night! 30 points from Gryffindor," he stated darkly at the two boys, "now why are you out of bed?" He demanded. It was well after curfew after all.
"Studying," Weasley said.
"We got lost sir," Potter replied. Weasley looking over at Potter with open fear and a look of shock clouding his features.
"Well I trust you know how to get to your bed from the great hall?" Severus asked sarcastically. He received a pair of nods. "Good, it's right around that corner," he said in the same annoyed tone. "Now you have fifteen minutes to make your way up to your bed, or so help me if I find you out of bed after I have spoke to Professor McGonagall," Severus finished his threat with narrowed eyes and was satisfied at the looks of fear and nervousness he saw in their faces. He stepped aside and was satisfied to watch the boys run off towards the stairway heading in the right direction.
Shaking his head in annoyance and disappointment he headed back towards the gargoyle infuriated at having to deal with troublemaking first years after the evening he had had. It was just the beginning of night time and he was in no mood to deal with the dunderheads. He called out "sherbet lemon" and shivered in revulsion.
Severus entered the headmaster office after a quick knock and an 'enter' from inside. His quick steps took him to the desk and settled into the chair.
"Sherbet lemon?" Albus asked holding out the disgusting sweet towards him. Severus glowered at the nasty candy and shook his head.
"NO thank you," He snapped in no mood for the headmasters drivel tonight.
"You're in a fowl mood tonight Severus," Albus replied as he popped the nasty candy into his mouth seeming to savour the taste which made Severus shiver in revulsion.
"He called," Severus stated simply to which Albus interrupted him before he could begin his report.
"Is that why I have not seen you all day, dear boy?" Albus asked curiously.
"No, but that is unimportant Headmaster," Severus started attempting to start on his report once more but being interrupted again. A snarl escaped the glowering man.
"Now, now Severus, it is important to me. You know I expect all my teachers to at least show up to one meal in the great hall every day, dear boy," Albus said with those damnable twinkling blue eyes, "now why didn't you at least show up to dinner?"
"I told you already headmaster, he called," Severus stated, though his voice remained calm his tone held a strong hint of annoyance and impatience. He started to speak his report again, and was interrupted.
"Well that's no reason to miss breakfast and lunch," Albus pressed.
"Fine!" Severus thundered angrily and snarled out, "I wanted a quiet day to myself, is that satisfactory?"
"Quite," Albus said smiling pleasantly at the other men, "now what has you so angry, my dear boy."
Severus had to take several deep breath before he opened his mouth to speak. He was already in a fowl mood to begin with, but the headmaster's insistence on knowing why he had not been in the great hall all day made him far more irritable. He absolutely hated it when the old man decided to meddle in his personal affairs. Meddling old man, he grumbled to himself darkly.
"The Dark Lord called a meeting this evening, he was already torturing the Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic when I arrived. She is dead. He instructed Lucius to insure that the replacement who takes her place is a supporter to the Dark Lord's cause. Lucius is to use his influence to insure this happens. I was asked about the location of the stone and fed him the information we agreed upon. The number of the vault as you requested. The evening was concluded by many Death Eaters being punished, I do not know why," Severus stated his report quickly and in that cold dead voice he used when he did not want to betray any emotion.
"Where you tortured tonight Severus?" Albus asked.
"Yes," Severus replied his tone devoid of all emotion. His eyes slightly narrowed at Albus's particular question. The twinkling was gone from those blue eyes and they seemed to be cold. This reminded Severus that Albus was feared by the Dark Lord for a reason. He had no desire to find out why.
"Are you injured?" Albus asked bluntly knowing that Severus would hide his injuries from everyone unless directly forced to admit it by Albus himself. Albus's gaze scrutinized the man before him. Noting how he appeared to be sitting a little too stiffly. He had already noted the dead tone of Severus's voice which indicated that the other had occluded his thoughts to keep all traces of emotions from his face and actions. There was a hint of something in his eyes, Albus could just see it, but he did not know exactly what it was and he hoped that Severus would trust him enough to tell him. Albus however, knew that wouldn't be the case.
"No," Severus responded. "Is that all Headmaster?" Severus asked he already had another item on his list to take care of tonight before he would be free to seclude himself in the silence of his room.
"Yes dear boy you may go get some sleep and be sure to have a bite to eat Severus," Albus stated and Severus just glowered, "we'll talk more at a later date I have a few items that need your input dear boy, but not tonight."
With that Severus rose and left the headmasters office heading down the spiral stairs and out into the empty and silent entrance hall. Pleased that he met no other students as he made his way to Minerva's chambers. He knocked knowing the witch would still be awake and was pleased to see that she had not changed from her teaching robes yet. It always made him uncomfortable to see his colleagues dressed informally. It seemed too personal for the man who did not enjoy personal contact or entanglements.
"Severus what a surprise, do come in, would you care for tea?" Minerva said as she opened the door wider waving him in. Severus entered with a no thank you for the tea and Minerva continued. "What brings you here at this hour Severus?" She asked clearly concerned at the strange man.
"Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley were found out of bed and have received a detention along with a warning to be in their dormitory," Severus stated bluntly. Taking a seat when Minerva waved him to it. Even though he did not want to be here longer then necessary he settled down in the seat opposite the witch.
"You want me to check that they are indeed in their dormitory I take it?" Minerva asked a raised eyebrow at her colleague.
"Yes," Severus responded simply. He was not in the mood tonight to exchange banter with the elder woman. His tone spoke clearly about his lack of interest and patience and had Minerva staring openly at him now. He would have sighed if it was in his nature to do so. Instead he simply glowered back at her.
"Alright, wait here a moment," she said rising and leaving the room. No doubt to use the hidden passage from her chambers to the Gryffindor common room. In minutes she returned and informed him that the two were indeed to be found in their dormitories and he nodded before bidding her good night. He was finally free to head to his own quarters.
What surprised him as he finally opened the door to his private chambers was the figure he found sitting comfortably drinking a glass of brandy on one of his armchairs. His eyes were narrowed at the daring of the other until the shifting fire caused the white-blond hair to sparkle and he relaxed. It was Lucius.
"I see you've made yourself comfortable," Severus said scathingly as he closed the door to his quarters and glared at the fire turning the cold room a nice toasty warm.
"You know it's far to cold in here Severus, Narcissa would scold you for allowing the rooms to become so cold and uninviting," Lucius said silkily not bothering to move or respond to the clear irritation on the young man's face. He knew what was bothering Severus he'd seen it in his eyes at the meeting and how he'd left quickly without so much as a glance spared his way. There had been something that had bothered Lucius in the way Severus had stiffened visibly during the meeting. Severus had clearly ignored the words Lucius had just spoke so he continued, "will you not join me for a quick drink?"
Severus nodded and drew his own glass from the open brandy bottle on the table next to Lucius and settled in the armchair furthest from the fire since Lucius occupied the one closest to the fire. Leaning slightly so he could see the other's face more clearly he sipped the potent alcohol in total silence.
Lucius knew better then to press Severus for information when his mood was like this. He would just push the other away. So instead he turned the conversation to a different topic. His eyes however observed the other intently seeking reassurance that his friend was indeed fine. The answer he knew he would receive if he asked the man if he was alright.
"Narcissa wishes to know if you will be bringing Harry Potter to our Christmas break?" Lucius inquired his tone neutral and conversational.
"I was considering it," Severus stated relaxing visibly at the topic of conversation. Lucius knew instantly that something was indeed wrong, but that pressing was the absolute worse thing he could do. Severus for his part was very glad that Lucius had not asked him what was on his mind. He was in no way interested in speaking of that at all and was quite glad to instead spend some quiet and comfortably amicable moments with his friend discussing the Christmas break.
"I know that Narcissa would quite enjoy having him join us," Lucius pressed.
"Be that as it may I am concerned how Draco would react to Harry's presence. The two seem to be starting a slight animosity towards each other. I want to observe them together during potions before I make a final decision on the boy's presence at the Christmas Break," Severus stated simply. Watching Lucius.
"I fear Draco takes a little too strongly after his grandfather at times," Lucius stated sadly, before his eyes met Severus's, "you plan on putting them together for Potions?" The question was posed as if asking if Severus had gone mad.
"I had to do something to lessen the stupidity of the house rivalry in my class since the Headmaster refuses to switch the Slytherins and Gryffindors to different class schedules that would keep them apart for Potions. I grow tired of protecting the dunderheads from blowing themselves and everyone else up during my class. I am putting one Gryffindor with one Slytherin for each potion lab that way they cannot so easily sabotage each other." Severus explained with a wicked smile curving his lips.
"That's actually quite brilliant and cruel," Lucius said with a laugh. Sobering he stated, "If Harry displays the same level of interest in potions that Draco has they might well get along in short order. Draco is quite determined to make his uncle proud," Lucius said with a slight chuckle.
"Is that so," Severus stated with a slight proud smile curving his features.
Their conversation continued down this line for some time until both males had finished their glass of brandy and they now lay forgotten on the table next to them. They planned a little where they would take the boys for Christmas Break and Lucius weaselled out what Severus wanted for Christmas from the other man. As much as Severus kept telling his friend he did not want to receive gifts and refused to answer when Lucius didn't drop the top Severus finally gave him a few items he desired. No doubt Lucius had been put up to it by Narcissa. The evening ended on a high note of laughter and the two parted ways. Severus being all too happy to retired to his room for some much needed sleep and Lucius home to report to Narcissa on what he had learned from Severus.