CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Somebody's Baby

Severus stood on the edge of the grounds of Malfoy Manor marveling at the size and grandeur of the structure. As if the ostentatious architecture and the overly fussy landscaping littered with topiaries and enormous boxwood hedges weren't enough, there were also white peacocks strutting around, fanning their feathers to impress the peahens. If that wasn't a perfect animagus Lucius Malfoy, Severus didn't know what was. It wouldn't have surprised him one bit if one of them would suddenly morph into Lucius. He started up the smooth white pebble path, stones crunching under his feet.

If the estate was Lucius embodied in landscape architecture, it was also the exact opposite of his sister Sasha. He wondered what her childhood was like growing up in such a place. She seemed to feel embarrassed by her family, but loving and protective of them, particularly Lucius, at the same time. He could relate to that, though not for the same reasons. Anyone would have been ashamed of his poor family, living in a run down rental. More and more he found himself considering Sasha, not in the way he adored Lily, but in a sexual nature. Hormones were progressively driving his actions these days. Increasingly he found himself watching Sasha, noticing the curves of her body and straining for a glimpse down her blouse whenever she sat across from him. He would never want to marry a girl like that, a free spirit, head in the clouds, overly gregarious. She would become tiresome quickly. But he certainly wouldn't mind losing his virginity to her. He fantasized about Lily most nights as he drifted off to sleep, but envisioned a rapturous Sasha beneath him when he frequently enjoyed a self-indulgent wank. Her insecurities would make her easy prey if he ever got serious about the project. He shook his head and refocused on the task at hand.

He certainly had no designs on Natalia, but by standing up for her, he would strike a blow for himself as well. He was a man now, and not one to be trifled with. Going toe to toe with Malfoy would increase his stock with the Dark Lord's followers that he aspired to join, and he was not the least bit frightened.

He knocked confidently on the ornately carved door with the dragon's head doorknocker. Then he waited for several tedious moments before a shuffling house elf wearing disgustingly filthy rags answered the door. Severus looked down his nose at the timid little sprig. "I'm here to see Lucius Malfoy."

"Dobby regretfully must inform you that young Mr. Malfoy is not in." The little elf squeaked while gazing up at Severus with huge eyes.

"Where is he?" Severus was already impatient.

"Dobby does not know for certain but he has been attending university." The little elf quickly slammed the door in Severus face, causing him to flinch. Severus, however, didn't believe him for one moment. He was too eager to be rid of visitors. Acting on a hunch, he sneaked around to the side of the house, heading towards the pools and gardens. There he found Lucius sipping a glass of brandy and staring off into the abyss of his own estate. The sun was going down and there was a new chill in the air.

"Well, well, well, and I was told you were not at home." Sneered Severus.

Lucius did not turn. It was if he was expecting him. "I have only just returned."

"Without attracting the attention of your house elf? I think it may be time to review your domestic arrangements."

"Are you here to give me a lesson in estate management?"

"No. Would you like to take a guess at my reason for this visit?"

"I'm sure I have no idea." Lucius swilled the brandy around in his glass, sniffed it, and took another sip.

"Really? I'm quite sure that you do." Severus swaggered over until he was towering over a terrified Lucius. "You spoke with Natalia this morning."

"Yes." Lucius drawled, "I did. Jealous?"

"Jealous that I don't have a knocked up rape victim begging me for help while I humiliate her in a desperate attempt to cover my own arse? No, I'm not one bit jealous of that." Severus looked down his nose at Lucius.

"I see she's filled your head with her own fantasies. Well, I always thought you were easily led."

Severus grabbed Lucius by the front of his shirt and violently pulled him to stand up, so they were nose to nose. The brandy snifter smashed into pieces on the stone patio.

"How dare you do this to her? What has she ever done to you?" Severus punctuated his accusation with a violent shake, causing Lucius's head to snap back.

"It's not that simple." Anxiety was evident in his voice and Severus knew he had the upper hand.

"Don't start fabricating your lies for me, I'm not stupid enough to believe them."

"He forced me." Lucius whined.

Severus narrowed his eyes. He had not anticipated this twist. "The Dark Lord."

"Yes. He ordered me and stayed there while it happened. I would have obliterated her memory, but he ordered me not to."

Severus released him, roughly shoving him back down into the chair. "Natalia didn't tell me that."

"She doesn't know." Lucius went on through labored breaths. "I couldn't stand to tell her that someone else witnessed it. Her experience was horrific enough already."

If they had been speaking of any witch other than Natalia, Severus might have felt a grain of sympathy for him. But they weren't. So he didn't. "All the more reason to do the right thing."

"And what is that exactly?" Lucius, tone was back to normal and he began to rant. "I can't acknowledge this child. To do that would be to bring the Dark Lord's name into the scandal and that wouldn't do while he's recruiting followers. Further, he may have me kill the child, or kill Natalia. No, the best thing is to break from the situation entirely. She refuses to have an abortion, so the only option is for her to do this in secret, and on her own."

"Well that would certainly save your hide." Severus sneered, continuing to look down his nose.

"What would you have me do?"

Severus sighed heavily. Sadly in this case, there were few good options. He had no other solution for Lucius. As horrible as it was, perhaps this was the only way. Lucius couldn't acknowledge his culpability with the Dark Lord's name attached without endangering the child and Natalia. They would be better off without him anyway. He could already see it was now up to him to come up with a deal and try to make this palatable to Natalia. "Have you spoken to your father?"
"I can't tell him this. It's too awful."

"Yes, but he controls the real money. If you spoke to him, he could at least help Natalia financially and then she would be in a better position to care for this child, YOUR child. Would you have the heir to the Malfoy fortune living in poverty?"

"This child is NOT the heir to the Malfoy fortune. It's illegitimate."

"If you ever cared about her, now is your chance to show it. She needs your help."

"You've lost your mind, Severus. You don't know my father. If you did, you would understand that I can't possibly find the words to tell him about this."

"It appears you already have." Both young wizards turned with a start to find Abraxas Malfoy emerging from the gardens.

"F-father," Lucius stuttered while perspiration broke spontaneously on his brow. "I didn't know you were there."

"That...is painfully obvious." The senior Malfoy walked up the steps whipping fine leather gloves off his hands and tossing them on the table. There was no mistaking his relation to Lucius. Both were tall, with long blonde hair, although Abraxas' hair possessed a slick wave and was secured at the nape of his neck with a black ribbon in a rather old fashioned manner. Both had strong features that provided masculine profiles, however Abraxas eyes were brighter, more thoughtful, and similar to Sasha's. He snapped his fingers and the house elf appeared. The elf glanced briefly at Severus and scowled, annoyed that this intruder found his way in. "Dobby, we would like some sherry."

Severus had to stifle a smirk. He considered sherry a witches drink, but it was the middle of the day, and perhaps propriety was a concern. Not to Lucius who was probably missing the brandy now spilled across the stone.

"Who is your friend Lucius?" Abraxas nodded towards their houseguest.

"This is Severus." Lucius mumbled.

"Severus Snape." Severus repeated while formally extending his hand.

"Snape." The father considered this name for a moment. "Would I know your parents?"

"My father passed many years ago," he lied. It was such a practiced and frequently delivered lie that he almost believed it himself, and no one questioned him. "My mother was Eileen Prince."

"Ah, yes. Gobstone's girl. I remember her." He said dismissively. "Well I see the resemblance. And this... fallen witch, am I to assume this is your sister?"

"I am an only child."

"Ah, Lucius, it's not wise to trifle with another man's witch." Abraxas giggled.

"Natalia is merely a friend. She has no family, so I am here on her behalf."

"Hmmm." Abraxas appraised him. "Admirable." Then he chuckled again, "So you just waltz in here and demand Lucius do something for this girl. You, a man of little connection and what appears to be no wealth. Well, that does take some sand."

Severus merely stared him down, refusing to be intimidated by any member of this clan.

"So," Abraxas now turned his attentions on Lucius. "Who is this little tart? Some witch from university? Some servant girl? Please tell me you have better sense than to go around banging servant girls without using contraceptives."

"The girl's name is Natalia."

"Natalia," Abraxas narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment. "Ahh yes. I know that name. That's the one that you asked me about last year isn't it."

Lucius merely nodded and looked down at the ground. Severus raised a questioning eyebrow at the father but his silent question went unanswered.

"Leave us Snape." Abraxas ordered. "Return to this house at 11 o'clock tonight with the girl and I will have a proposal for you."

It was the best Severus could hope for with all things considered. He nodded and turned to go.

"Severus," Lucius called after him and grabbed his hand. "Please don't tell Natalia about the Dark Lord."

"Why not?"

"It will serve no purpose. It will humiliate her further. It will endanger her if she lets it slip."

"It would absolve you in her eyes."

"I don't believe I deserve absolution." Lucius choked.
"Enough of this rubbish." Abraxas put an arm around his son and began to pull

him into the house. "Tonight at eleven. Bring the girl. No shenanigans."

AN: Severus to the rescue! My hero! Lucius is sweating now. Although Abraxas sounds like this isn't his first time dealing with this kind of thing. Kind of makes one wonder.

Thank you to Katiemarie090 who has graciously offered to beta this story! I am much in need

Hope all of you are enjoying yourselves as we get ready for the holidays!