Chapter 28 – Blood Brothers
Barnabas Cuffe emerged from the Floo in the Daily Prophet reception area at precisely 8:30 in the morning as he did every morning. Not a lock of his artfully styled silver hair was disturbed nor did any soot dare to cling to his expensive and exquisitely tailored robes. He inclined his head at the security guard's respectful "Good morning, Mr. Cuffe" as he strode toward the staff only lift.
Two young ladies who were obviously new employees stammered polite and awed greetings to him. He smiled graciously at them, his teeth pearly white against his tanned face. After they exited on the third floor, he rode up alone to the top floor. The lift opened directly into his secretary's richly appointed office that was also the reception room for the Editor of the Daily Prophet.
Barnabas nodded curtly to his secretary and accepted the handful of mail that she had sorted for his perusal. Many of his associates were surprised that he kept the rather homely and middle-aged Abigail Thompson as his assistant rather than any of the young and pretty women that could have replaced her. Barnabas shook his head at their pitiable and short-sighted schemes. He paid Abigail well and she knew she would never find a comparable position. She was excellent at her job, guarded his back ferociously and made sure that he was never culpable for anything that went wrong if only to preserve her own position.
He stepped into his own office that was designed with understated elegance to give a complex set of impressions to visitors. The arched windows gave plenty of light to play off the rich cherry woodwork. Corresponding arched niches held strategically placed awards either he or the paper had received. His burgundy leather chair was set to be always slightly higher than the visitors who might be seated in front of his desk. A separate seating area by the fireplace gave the illusion of coziness that an invited guest appreciated - if invited to sit there.
Barnabas glanced briefly around the office, as if to ensure it still met his expectations and smiled in smug satisfaction for a moment. He had a firm hand in molding public opinion and as a result, he was courted by both the powerful and those who sought to be influential and he enjoyed being in that role. His office reflected that position of power.
The distinguished man sat behind his desk and reviewed his calendar for the day. He usually kept the day of the Annual Share Holders Meeting free of appointments, but a brief meeting with Addison Brentwood was planned immediately beforehand. He tapped his finger against the calendar and wondered again why the solicitor had requested the appointment. They had both been Slytherins at Hogwarts, although Brentwood had graduated the year before him. He had only seen the other man at large social gatherings of the rich and powerful since then. He knew that Brentwood had joined the legal firm of Sanders and Witherspoon and had become a full partner within ten years, quite a remarkable achievement. Oddly enough, the other man had never sought to ingratiate himself with the Daily Prophet to secure good publicity, but the firm's long history of success hadn't actually needed his help.
Promptly at 9:00 o'clock, Abigail knocked on his door and waited for his response before opening it. "Mr. Brentwood to see you, sir" she announced respectfully.
He nodded and said "Show him in please." He rarely used her name. He found Abigail plebian and Miss Thompson reflected on her unfortunate single state, so he avoided calling her anything. He stood as Addison Brentwood entered the room with military precision and offered him a hand to shake. He was pleased to have a firm handshake; he despised the limp handshakes that the Minister used. Unlike his own carefully coiffed silver hair, Addison had short grey hair, but was as elegantly dressed as Barnabas.
"A pleasure to see you again, Addison. Please have a seat" he offered politely. Abigail quietly entered with a tea tray and two cups, pouring one for each. She automatically poured a splash of milk in his, but added nothing to his visitor's. Knowing his secretary, she had already known exactly how the man liked his tea even though he hadn't visited before.
Barnabas sipped his tea gracefully and waited for the solicitor to explain why he was there. He hoped the other wouldn't take too long as the Annual Shareholder's meeting was scheduled to begin at eleven o'clock, although he preferred to be on hand to meet and greet the participants an hour beforehand.
Addison kept his face carefully bland as he sipped his tea. "Mm, delightful blend" he commented, leaning back in the comfortable leather chair. "Tieguanyin, isn't it?"
"Oolong teas have always been my favorites" Barnabas acknowledged. He expected the outrageously expensive tea to make an impression on even a well-to-do solicitor.
"I hope you are doing well, Barnabas? The Daily Prophet subscriptions seem to be up with Voldemort's return, if the Annual Report is any indication."
The Editor managed not to flinch at naming the Dark Lord so bluntly and wondered if Voldemort was the reason for the solicitor's visit or was it the reference to the Annual Report? "It is important to keep our readers informed" he said cautiously.
Addison inclined his head before sipping his tea again. "Yes, reporting the news should always be a goal of any newspaper." He smiled and Barnabas noted his smile did not reach his eyes.
"It is why a newspaper exists, Addison" he replied calmly.
The solicitor tipped his head. "Is it, Barnabas? I wasn't sure that was the objective of this publication."
The silver-haired man narrowed his eyes slightly but offered another mild smile. "What other reason would we have, other than ensuring that the share holders receive a return on their investment?"
"Ah yes, the share holders." The Editor realized they were reaching the purpose of the appointment now. "I should let you know that Sanders, Witherspoon and Brentwood represents a majority interest of share holders for the Daily Prophet, Barnabas."
Barnabas leaned back into his chair, ensuring that his fingers did not grip his cup too tightly. He probed lightly "A majority interest? I believe the largest single share holder is the Black Trust with fourteen percent of all shares."
"Yes, they are one of our clients, but have joined others who are like-minded and dissatisfied with how the Daily Prophet is run." The solicitor sipped his tea again.
Barnabas swallowed and considered his options. It was an interesting first salvo and he wondered where Addison was going with it. In the interest of time, he disregarded subtly and asked the question bluntly. "May I inquire as to the source of their unhappiness, Addison?"
Addison's steely blue eyes met the Editor's brown eyes. "They have seen too much evidence of unethical and immoral reporting. Innuendo presented as facts, supposition presented as reality. They are most displeased." He leaned forward in a predatory manner. "I wanted to give you advance notice that they intend to take action."
Only years of training kept Barnabas' voice in its normal well-modulated tones. "Action?" Oh yes, that smile was most definitely predatory and the Editor felt very much like the prey. He realized Addison was speaking again and focused on the words.
"At the Annual Share Holders meeting this morning, a proposal will be submitted regarding the moral and ethical behavior of the paper. Specifically, my clients intend to demand that all articles be well researched with supporting documentation. They seek waivers of consent when reporting on the activities of minors. Unconfirmed reports will not be allowed in the News sections unless specifically designated as such, but even then must pass specific guidelines. Other unsubstantiated reports should be kept on the Entertainment pages and clearly marked as gossip. My clients further propose that all reporters be required to sign a magical contract confirming their intent to follow these new rules or be subject to loss of employment and possible civil lawsuits."
Barnabas frowned slightly at his visitor. "The paper complies with all Ministry standards…" he began.
The solicitor waved a hand. "No Barnabas, this isn't about the Ministry. This is about the people that own the majority of the Daily Prophet. The people who can vote in and vote out the Board of Directors. The people who can voice expectations and expect their demands be addressed."
The Editor tried again. "While it is encouraging that your clients are interested in the policies of the Daily Prophet, there are other large voting blocks that have supported the paper for decades."
Addison shook his head with a grim smile. "My clients control the proxies of the largest voting block of share holders. The largest remaining uncommitted blocks of votes are under the control of those who have, shall we say 'suffered' from the Daily Prophet's groundless and unproven rumors. If you haven't already noticed, the ballot for the Board of Directors contains many new names, including witches and wizards ready and willing to revitalize the paper and its policies. I anticipate that the new Board of Directors will be quite receptive to their proposals and expect the recommendations to be accepted in full. If you are unable or unwilling to support the new ethical regulations requiring honesty and fair play, the new Board of Directors will undoubtedly seek out someone who can."
Barnabas felt himself begin to sweat under his suave mask. Reporters like Rita Skeeter made for good sales, but she also made a number of enemies. If the recipients of her barbed quill were share holders, the results could be catastrophic. "May I ask who is included in your voting block?"
His hopes fell to the floor and shattered as Addison responded "The Black Trust is one. Mr. Harry Potter is a second. Lucius Malfoy is a third."
The Black Trust was led by the Ancient and Noble House of Black, and Lord Sirius Black had been repeatedly demonized by the paper before his innocence was discovered. Harry Potter, was one who Rita had taken great pleasure as portraying as an arrogant attention-seeking psychotic teen. He almost breathed a sigh of relief at Lucius Malfoy; he had personally taken great pains to help publicize the man's charitable donations over the years. As his mind raced designing schemes to use the Malfoys for his benefit, Addison spoke again.
"You might remember that Lord Draco Malfoy-Black, scion of the Malfoy Family was recently bonded to Mr. Potter. The Malfoy Family now considers the Ancient House of Potter as an Ally and Mr. Potter as a member of their Family."
Addison stood and smiled complacently at the blindly staring Editor. "Good day, Barnabas. I will see you at the Share Holder's meeting in an hour. You might want to consider how best to implement the coming changes." He left the shaken Editor behind and nodded courteously to the secretary on his way out.
Breakfast at the Gryffindor table was much louder than at the Slytherin table, Harry reflected as he added some fruit to Draco's plate in retaliation for the bacon his bond mate piled on his own plate. The Slytherins chatted quietly under the eye of their Head of House. Harry had been surprised to learn that Snape insisted his students behave properly while eating. Perhaps it was that many of their families were purebloods, he considered.
The Gryffindor table on the other hand tended to be rather boisterous and disorderly. Conversations were shouted down the table and while not everyone ate with Ron's disregard for table manners, neither could anyone mistake the majority of his house as refined. Considering how strict their Head of House was in other areas, he was surprised that she was so lenient when meals were so public.
He felt his lowaar's agreement on his musing. "The Slytherins converse quietly, adhering to protocols" commented Ydraith. "The Ravenclaws hold soft discussions or study during meals. The Hufflepuffs engage in friendly conversation, while the House of bravery …"
Azreth snorted in amusement as he interrupted "Bravery? Bah, canon fodder is more like it" and then laughed at Harry's mental "HEY!"
"Even so" said Ydraith severely as she reclaimed control of the mental conversation "perhaps a little more circumspection among your House kin would help…what does your Headmaster call it…oh yes, inter-house cooperation."
Before Harry could respond, scores of owls streamed into the Great Hall with the morning's mail. They circled the tables until they found the recipient of their correspondence, and then dropped letters or small packages into their target's laps. A reddish Scops owl landed in front of Harry and presented him with an envelope bearing his solicitor's seal. He gave the bird a piece of bacon which she accepted graciously. Opening the envelope he withdrew the letter and began to chuckle reading the outcome of Addison's meeting with the Editor of the Daily Prophet and the subsequent Share Holder's meeting. At Draco's raised eyebrow, he passed the letter over to him. The blonde smirked at the vivid descriptions the solicitor provided.
As he handed the letter back to Harry, four large eagle owls wearing the Gringotts crest flew in to the room, behind the other mail birds. Three headed to the Gryffindor table and found Colin Creevy, Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley while the fourth flew to Hufflepuff and landed next to Justin Finch-Fletchley. They each had official documents attached to their legs with crimson satin ties.
Hermione was the first to say something out loud after reading through the accompanying letter. "Harry, what..why? I can't accept this!"
Harry smiled at his friend. "Of course you can, Hermione. This isn't actually from me, per se."
Justin Finch-Fletchley stood up and walked shakily over to the Gryffindor table. "Potter…what is this?" Colin and Ginny had now read through their own Gringotts missives and were also looking at Harry with varying degrees of shock and amazement.
"Four years ago, you each lost weeks if not months of your life and suffered from an interrupted school year due to the basilisk." Ginny sunk in her seat and immediately looked guilty. "Even you, Ginny. You were as much of a victim as everyone else." He met the eyes of each recipient one by one. "This is simply compensation for what occurred. The basilisk was harvested and sold, and while you can never be fully compensated for what happened, this is simply a small material reparation. Penelope Clearwater should receive one this morning as well."
The other Ravenclaws looked pleased at hearing that the former prefect had not been forgotten, even though she had graduated two years earlier.
"Small reparation, Harry?" squeaked Colin Creevy. "This is notice of a deposit into a new vault under my name of 4,500 galleons!"
Harry smiled at the short boy stunned expression as Draco drawled "It was the largest beast the harvesting team had ever seen and yielded an impressive array of usable components. That permitted the compensation you received." The hand clasped on Harry's arm was the only indication of the Veela's concern for what his Mate had faced.
"Wow, thank you Harry!" Colin exclaimed. "I never thought I would ever see something like this." He paused and his eyes became dreamy. "Do you know the type of camera equipment I can get with this?"
Draco hastily moved Harry's plate out of the way as the Gryffindor groaned and began to bang his head on the table.
Severus insisted on brewing the Detrimentum Proprietas himself. He understood the intense interest Lucius and Narcissa had, as well as Draco's desire to assist, but this was too vital to his own future and used too many scarce ingredients to trust to anything other than a Potions Master. He spelled warning alarms at thirty, fifteen and five minutes before the next ingredient or action was needed to be sure he would be present. He assigned a student in each class to oversee the others if he had to leave. As the potion required constant attention over the course of the week, he had minimal sleep, causing his normal acerbic personality to become even more caustic as the week progressed. Points taken in his classes threatened to reach an all time high.
During one early morning as he monitored the temperature of the potion, he again thought of what to use to override the 'slave' bond. He was desperately searching for an alternative to asking Dumbledore to assume a adoptive or liege bond. "Leader of the Light he may be" he muttered to himself as he adjusted the heat by one degree, "but he's a controlling and manipulative old coot. I really don't want him to control more of my soul than he already does."
He envied Lucius and Narcissa. They were already bonded through a Veela bond, but would likely choose a life bond to override the Dark Mark. He on the other hand, had few people he cared for or trusted. Lucius and Narcissa, Draco, and to a lesser degree Albus. He frowned as the potion simmered cheerfully as if to mock his own depressing thoughts. With a huff, he went back to bed for another ninety minutes until the next ingredient was needed.
Severus looked morosely into the flames on his fireplace that evening only to have the whoosh give him a moment's notice before Lucius' head was visible in the now green flames.
"Good evening Severus. Do you have a moment?" the blonde asked, wondering if this was the best time based on the Potion Master's morose expression.
"I don't need your assistance with brewing" Severus began only to be interrupted.
"No, not that, but related" Lucius replied. "May I come through?"
Severus spelled the Floo to permit his friend entrance through the wards, then spelled the room for privacy. "Come ahead if you must" he grumbled.
Lucius stepped through, brushing non-existent soot from his elegant robes. He peered at his friend. "Are you all right, Severus?"
"Is that why you interrupted my evening" the dark-haired man growled.
"No, but I worry about you, old friend" the blonde said easily, ignoring the other man's scowl. He drew his own wand and added a few more privacy spells to the room. "It's about the potion only so much as I was thinking about how my father forced the mark upon me. Narcissa thought about some of the children of the Dark Lord's servants that may be in the same position. She asked me to bring the subject up to you."
Severus poured the blonde a glass of wine. "Even before his defeat sixteen years ago, he had begun attracting supporters who either enjoyed or had no objection to inflicting pain on others." He took a sip of his own glass, being sure not to drink too much. The potion was too critical to be muddled while brewing. "I have only noticed two that go out of their way to avoid torturing or killing. Of the two, they have no Occlumency skills to speak of, so we could not approach them with confidence of it remaining confidential." He swirled the wine in its glass and frowned. "At best, we would have to kidnap them and then what would they use to override the bond?" His frown became a scowl. "It's not as if I don't have enough trouble in that area myself to add more to the mix."
He looked up at Lucius. "Who did you have in mind to include in our attempt at freedom?"
The blonde shook his head. "To be honest, no one. I agree that anyone who was forced would not be able to keep the knowledge from the Dark Lord if summoned, but I did agree to ask."
Severus snorted in amusement. "It saves you sleeping in the guest room."
Lucius was untroubled by the comment. "After all these years, I've learned that a happy Narcissa makes for a happy home. Her requests are modest, so indulging her costs me little." He looked at Severus with an inquisitive eye. "How do you want to override your own mark?"
The scowl returned to the Potion Master's face. "What can I do but ask Dumbledore to participate in either an adoptive or liege bond? I have no wife or bond mate and it has to be a strong enough bond to supersede the Dark Lord's will."
Lucius set his wine glass down carefully on the table next to him and leaned forward to his morose friend. "Severus" he began and then waited for the other to meet his eyes. "You have been my friend for twenty years. I've trusted you with my life on more than one occasion. Even more importantly, I trusted you to be the godfather to my only son and heir, to raise him if something happened to Narcissa and me."
Severus raised an eyebrow at his old friend's suddenly maudlin comments. "Rather Hufflepuff there, Lucius" he commented dryly, trying not to show his surprise at the honest emotion. Lucius was his one true friend, but he never put his feelings into words.
Lucius' voice was firm as he ignored his friend's embarrassment and continued "Severus, I would like to use a blood brother bond to overwrite the Dark Mark."
The slight widening of the obsidian eyes was the only reaction the dark-haired man made. Lucius kept his position, meeting those dark eyes with his own grey ones while his friend considered the suggestion.
Severus tried to stop his mind from whirling at the unexpected offer. The act of becoming a blood brother was a sacred bond, nearly as strong as that of a life mate. Magic would recognize them as true brothers, family magics would be shared between them. While Severus' father was Muggle, his mother was from the Prince line, a long line of purebloods. For a pureblood and a Slytherin to offer to share private family magics was a nearly overwhelming thought. He hadn't felt so humble since Dumbledore forgave him joining the Dark Lord and offered him a chance at redemption.
"You would be willing to become a blood brother to a half-blood? Blood of my blood, flesh of my flesh…?" He murmured the opening words of the brotherhood hesitantly.
"I trusted you with my son, Severus. How could I not trust you with everything else? Narcissa is in full agreement. You are an honorable man. I would be pleased to be a Snape-Malfoy if you would be willing to be a Malfoy-Snape."
Severus found it difficult to meet the other man's eyes. He wasn't a man to show his own emotions, unless they were acerbic in nature. However, this… Severus smirked suddenly and Lucius raised an eyebrow in a silent question. "Snape is my father's name. Magic would likely recognize my Mother's name as she was the witch. You would be a Prince-Malfoy."
Lucius' lips twitched as he tried unsuccessfully to hide a smile of amusement. "Even better. I will draw up the papers if you agree." He held out his hand. "Brothers?"
Severus hesitated for several long seconds, but the offered hand never wavered. He slowly raised his hand and clasped his friend's hand tightly. "Brothers" he agreed softly.
Harry approached his Head of House after dinner was finished. "I beg your pardon, Professor" he said with a slight bow as students continued to stream out of the large hall.
The stern older woman's face softened slightly. "Yes, Mr. Potter?"
"I wanted to let you know that I will be out of the castle tonight, ma'am, with the possibility of it extending overnight. I should be back tomorrow by the latest."
Professor McGonagall's lips thinned slightly. She didn't approve of letting sixteen year old boys, much less Harry Potter, out without supervision. However, as an emancipated adult and Head of an Ancient House, she had no choice but to accept it. "Thank you, Mr. Potter. Please be sure to be careful."
"Yes ma'am" he said politely with another of his small bows.
He returned to Draco, who was waiting for him by the door way. "We're all set." He envied Draco his Slytherin mask. The blonde didn't look at all perturbed, and yet his father and godfather's lives were on the line with the night's planned activities.
Draco gave his bond mate a brief smile. "I trust Severus' skills as a Potion Master more than anyone else alive today."
Harry nodded and the two teens headed out to the apparition point beyond the wards. Draco held out an ivory key and once Harry touched it, he intoned "Vado domus". The familiar jerk was felt behind their navels and in a few moments Harry stumbled and fell into the grand entrance of the Malfoy Manor.
Draco smirked as he helped his mate up. "One of these days, we're going to spend several hours getting you used to wizard transportation until you don't kiss the floor every time you arrive" he teased.
"Oh Merlin, don't tell me Veelas are jealous of floors now" Harry returned with a grin. He caressed the marble floor with his foot. "Such a pretty floor…."
The blonde rolled his eyes then smiled as Narcissa came down the steps to greet them. "Hello Mother" he said, giving her a kiss on her cheek.
"Welcome home, Draco." Her smile warmed her eyes with love. She turned to Harry and held out a hand to the dark-haired teen. "Welcome home to you as well, Harry."
To his surprise, she offered him her cheek as well, and he quickly pressed a small kiss to it, blushing with embarrassment. "Thank you, Narcissa. I appreciate your welcome."
She smiled up at Draco again. "When did you get so tall, my son? I swear it was only yesterday that you were on your training broom…." She rambled on to her son's embarrassment as she laid a hand in each boy's arm and drew them back to the stair case. "Your father and godfather are already in the Infirmary" she added.
"Infirmary? You have your own infirmary here?" Harry asked in surprise.
Narcissa chuckled as she explained "It's really only a small room next to the Potions Lab with two beds. However, in the case of a Potions accident, it was helpful to have a bed nearby as well as any antidotes. Lucius and Severus thought it would be appropriate to use the potion there."
She asked them about their classes as she led the way to the Potion Lab and attached "infirmary". Harry responded with the letter Addison Brentwood had sent regarding his private meeting with Barnabas Chuffe and the subsequent Share Holder's meeting. Her warm laughter filled the hall as they approached the room where Lucius and Severus awaited.
"Ah, there you are boys" Lucius said pleasantly as they arrived. Harry was amazed that he acted as if they were just coming for tea. Severus' expression was austere, but he nodded to them as they came in. Both men wore just their trousers and shirts, with the left sleeve rolled up, clearly displaying the Dark Mark on the forearm.
The Potions Master handed Harry a pad and quill. "Analyze and record any comments, effects and the appropriate times please, Po…Harry" he said. Harry was surprised at the request, especially since Severus was so proud of his godson's abilities.
"He trusts you to do this, ghergo'ir" Charok's voice chimed in his mind. "Your bond mate will be splitting his attention between the two men, so this is a way to support him as well as his godfather."
"Yes sir" Harry responded. "I'll do my best."
Severus nodded to Lucius and then held up two vials filled with a deep ruby red liquid. A bowl containing some of the same liquid with a slightly thicker consistency was on a table between the two beds. Two athames were also laying on the table. Severus cleared his throat before speaking. "We each need to drink one vial of the potion. The notes indicate that we may become confused as the potion takes effect. You may need to bind us if that occurs. Ten minutes after we consume the potion, apply the thickened potion in the bowl to our Marks, being sure to cover them completely. When the Marks begin to glow, we will be able to perform the blood brother bond."
Each man sat on one of the beds. With a smile, Lucius removed the cap and swallowed the potion in several gulps as Severus duplicated the process. Once the vials were emptied, the two men laid down on their beds. After a pointed glare from the Potions Master, Harry hastily checked the time and recorded it on the parchment.
Harry stood by Severus' bed next to Draco, who was between the beds, his eyes alternating between his father and godfather. Narcissa stood on the other side of Lucius' bed, stroking his hair gently.
"It is starting to take effect" Severus noted. "There is a sense of being disassociated from my body and emotions." Harry dutifully recorded the time and comment. "A sense of pressure from outside, but also a..thinning..." The Gryffindor wrote down the words verbatim, and tried not to smile at the floating voice his strict professor had. He noticed that the man's pupils were dilating and made the appropriate notation. Precisely ten minutes after the men had consumed the potion, Draco and Harry brushed the thicker potion on the men's Dark Marks. Harry watched their Marks, counting the seconds. It felt like the longest period of his young life, but finally the Marks began to glow and Harry quickly recorded that it took four minutes and twenty seconds.
When notified, Lucius and Severus sat up on their beds, each taking one of the silver athames from the table. Looking at one another, they each sliced the palm of their hands. The two men clasped their bleeding hands together. They had agreed that as the elder, Lucius would speak first.
"Blood of my blood, flesh of my flesh, I accept and bind myself to Severus Tobias Snape as my blood brother. We are one and the same family, one and the same blood, never to be forsworn or denied." A white glow covered Lucius' hand as the blood dripped down to the floor.
In a smooth yet strangely humbled voice, Severus intoned "Blood of my blood, flesh of my flesh, I accept and bind myself to Lucius Abraxas Malfoy as my blood brother. We are one and the same family, one and the same blood, never to be forsworn or denied." A white glow covered his hand as well and brightened as the two auras combined.
Suddenly, each man convulsed, their backs arched and their mouths opened in silent screams. "Harry, lay Severus down and hold him" instructed Narcissa as she and Draco forced Lucius down on his bed.
Harry put his arm under the Potion Master's legs and lifted him back to the bed and pushed him away from the edge, then pressed his hand down on the man's shoulder while checking the time as he did so. He knew Severus would demand to know what happened when - if he survived. The convulsions continued as the man's face twisted in silent agony. Harry felt helpless as seizures gripped the older man and all he could do was hold him down on the bed. Just as he wondered if Severus' heart could stand the stress, a brilliant light blazed from the man's arm and disappeared. Instantly, the convulsions stopped and the older man gulped shuddering breaths of air. His eyes gradually focused on Harry and then he turned towards the other bed. "Lucius?" he questioned harshly.
"I'm here. I will be fine, Severus. We did expect the Dark Lord to dispute our…resignations." Lucius' voice was tired but triumphant.
Severus pushed himself up, permitting Harry to help. He looked at his arm and then blinked in surprise. "Lucius…" he whispered. "…my arm."
Lucius sat up with Draco's help and they all looked at Severus' arm. In place of the skull and snake of the Dark Mark were two green dragons rampant on a silver and black per bend tincture. Severus looked up at Lucius with amazement and then down at the other man's arm.
Lucius lifted it up and stared. "A vert tincture with fret saltire through a mascle" murmured the blonde. It denotes…persuasion?" He looked at his brother who nodded. "From the Prince line" the dark-haired man murmured. Lucius smirked as he looked at the mark. "An excellent addition. I thank you, Severus."
Severus stared in wonder at the dragons on his own forearm. "I wonder what the Dark Lord felt."
"Hush Severus," Narcissa told him while lightly stroking the Prince crest. "You, rain, parade, no. Just bask in the glory of your newfound freedom."
Lowaar = Indwellers
Ghergo'ir = Young one
Author's Note:
The Malfoy and Prince family crests came out of my own imagination.
The Malfoy Family Crest – two green dragons rampant (standing on two legs) on a silver and black per bend (diagonal line) shield
The Prince Family crest – A vert tincture (green color) with fret. A Fret or Frette is a charge consisting of two narrow bendlets placed in saltire (a cross resembling the letter X), interlaced with a mascle (a square on an angle through which the X is threaded, almost like a belt buckle).
