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A Secret worth Keeping Chapter twenty-seven: A Dinner Invitation "Professor?"

Snape's tired eyes lifted from his perpetual markings to see Draco leaning against the doorjamb. The boy's stance was that of an young man far older than his actual years. His face was pale and his normally immaculate hair was now astray and hanging in his eyes limply. Severus took in the exhausted look in the younger Malfoy's eyes as the boy tiredly pushed himself away from the wooden doorway.

"Enter, Draco...I take it that your visit home went well?" Severus placed his quill into the now almost empty red inkpot to give the boy his undivided attention.

Draco managed to make it to the chair directly across from the Professor's desk before he plopped himself down with an exaggerated moan. With one hand, he reached up to push the offending lock of hair away from his eyes before starting his report. Right now, all he wanted was a nice hot shower and a long night's sleep, preferably alone for once.

"As well as I thought it would go, Sir. I just managed to, as the Muggles say, 'spill the beans' about The Potter's baby and father nearly had a conniption fit. I thought he was going to hex everything and anything in his way before he suddenly left the room with a yell. It was scary." Draco rubbed his tired eyes before casting his wary look to the Professor. "I think he has something planned in his dark mind, Sir. When I left he gave me this to give you."

He removed from inside of his cloak a rolled parchment and placed it on the desk. Severus considered the parchment for a moment before picking it up and breaking the seal. With a flick of his wrist, the paper unrolled and his eyes scanned the inked words.

Severus,

It has come to my attention that you have a certain muggle born with a child at present in your residence. I am also aware that you have yet to report this to a certain person regarding the parents of said child. I am disappointed in your reluctance to do your job properly. I am giving you 48 hours before I report to that certain someone regarding your lack of duty.

Lucius

Severus sneered at the parchment and crumpled it up in his fist. Without looking at the boy before him, he wrote a reply.

Lucius,

As it is not any of your business who is in my residence, it would please me to no end to tell you to bugger off. Friend or no friend. However, I will tell you this one thing. I will do my duty and inform said person when I have learned more of this so called marriage and child. When I do, I will inform him in my own due time. I will not approach him without full information at my disposal. Your threats are not welcomed and I warn you NOT to interfere in my work.

Severus

He re-read the letter and, finding it satisfactory, he rolled it up, sealing it with his personal crest. A shrill whistle brought a great black raven with eyes as dark as her owner over to his side.

"Take this to the Malfoy Estate, Empra. Do not wait for an answer, for one is not be required." He handed the bird the parchment, which she took firmly in her beak. With a slight dipping of her dark head in acknowledgment, the bird hopped back to the ledge and flew off with the note.

"What did you tell him?" Draco's weary voice spoke up.

"Just to leave me to my own devices and not to interfere."

"Like that will stop him."

"True, but he wouldn't expect anything less from me." Severus gave the boy a tight smile before standing up and stretching. "I suggest that you head to your room. It is getting close to curfew and you look like you could use a night's sleep."

Draco nodded and stood up as well. He took two steps towards the door before turning back to his mentor. "Sir? How are you going to keep Sebastian safe? Once my father learns who he really is..."

"When, and if, your father learns the truth Draco, it will be too late for him to do anything about it."

Draco seemed to think about that. "I hope you are right, Sir. I want this to be over as soon as possible. As soon as Voldemort and his followers are brought to justice, the sooner a normal, regular life can resume for all of us." Severus nodded his agreement silently as the junior spy made his way out of the dungeon.

The next morning Severus reluctantly opened his eyes. The insistent pecking at his window finally reached his dream-muddled haze and he moaned in regret. He was having such a nice dream about Hermione and him lazing on a remote tropical island. The dream seemed so calming that he didn't want to willingly return to the real world. The incessant knocking caused him to curse aloud and turn to his side. From this view, he could see the accursed window and the intruder that disturbed his dream. He growled inwardly at the haughty look of the large eagle owl perched on the outside ledge.

With a resigned sigh, Severus threw back the coverlet and quickly marched to the window and threw up the sash. The bird hooted indignantly at nearly being uprooted and hopped up to the sill stretching out his leg. Severus ripped the parchment from the bird, nearly toppling the great beast before it stretched its wings to regain its balance. It's wide brown eyes seemingly glared at the rude man.

Severus ignored the bird and ripped into the parchment. His dark eyes coldly going over the words.

Severus,

My friend, I can totally understand your reluctance to come forward without full details of the Potter's marriage and child. It is with that acknowledgment that I invite you to dinner this evening to discuss this matter in more detail. I have instructed the kitchen staff to prepare your favorite meal. That is if it is still Lasagna.

Lucius

Severus growled and quickly strode to his desk to root out a quill and inkpot, jotting down yet another note to his so-called 'friend'. He had a feeling that this was going to be more than a casual dinner with old friends.

Lucius,

I accept your invitation. Lasagna sounds lovely, as I have not had it in quite some time. I will be there at seven.

Severus

He sealed the paper and in a more gentle nature, so as not to get pecked, he tied the paper to the great bird and watched it fly away into the distance. He had better awaken Hermione and Potter. They had some things to discuss before his dinner engagement.

Severus Snape apparated into a long empty room, a simple, bare room off the side of the entrance to allow private apparations. He swept a hand over his clothing to assure that all was properly and artfully arranged before stepping up to the door and knocking a brisk three times. Barely two seconds later, the door was opened by a house-elf that he knew as Sifty. The elf bowed and held out his hand for Severus' cloak. Once disposed of the garment, Sifty led him to where the others were.

"Master Snape, Sir." Sifty announced softly before bowing out of the room.

Severus's eyes glanced over the opulent room to find his ex-friend standing regally next to his beautiful wife. Narcissa sat primly in an overstuffed, purple crushed velvet monstrosity.

"Ah, Severus. It is indeed a pleasure to see you again. Please come in. Shall I pour you a drink?"

"A brandy, Lucius, thank you." Severus nodded his head to the blond and approached the Mistress of the manor. He reached out and brushed his lips against her hand. "You are even more beautiful than ever, if at all possible, Narcissa."

"Oh, still the devil tongue, Severus. Please, take a seat." She indicated the matching chair to her right and Severus gracefully took a seat. Narcissa's bright blue eyes followed him as he moved, so graceful, like a cat in motion. He never failed to get her attention whenever the dark man was in the room.

Severus, quite in the know about the mistress of the manor's interest in him turned a warming smile on her. "I am delighted to have been invited for dinner, Narcissa. It has been a long time since my last visit."

"Indeed Severus. It has been almost a year now, I believe. I have missed your company over the months." Her hand reached out to gently rest on his leg, which he allowed for the moment.

"I have been busy, my dear, with the brats and my job. I haven't had much time for myself, let alone friends."

"Pity. I don't envy your job. But you mustn't neglect your friends. We are a finely close clique and I would hate to lose such divine company." Her eyebrows rose in a suggestive nature as her hand squeezed his leg.

Severus nodded politely as Lucius handed him a snifter. Lucius grinned inwardly at the sight of his wife's almost more than friendly hand on Severus' thigh. Intimacy between the three was never a downside to either person's consciousness. In fact, he had been the one to originally suggest that his wife seduce his nemesis many times over. Just to get information that Severus wouldn't normally tell him in confidence. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. He turned a blind eye to the open fondling and sat across from them.

"Narcissa and I have been talking about hosting a party, Severus. Just a little gathering among friends. I thought it was about time we introduced Draco into our society properly."

Severus took a sip of his drink casually ignoring the gentle caressing oh Narcissa's hand. "Society, Lucius? I had assumed that was taken care of last year during his sixteenth birthday. Wasn't he introduced then?"

Lucius's lips turned upward. "Not the 'right' kind of society, Severus. I intend to introduce him properly to our master. It's time he became a full member death eater."

"Don't you think its still to early, Lucius? He's just barely seventeen, still young and careless." He reached out to capture the woman's hand before it managed to creep too far up his leg. He wasn't in the mood for her fondling him. He had to still her hand before she cupped him fully.

"He will do well, he has no other choice. He will make me proud by taking the mark. Our lord will be happy to have another devoted servant at his command."

Severus allowed his hand to caress the back of Narcissa's hand, but furrowed his brow as in thought. "Perhaps...when do you plan on having the gathering?"

Narcissa removed her hand from Severus's leg, slightly annoyed with her inability to get him aroused. Giving Lucius a glance, this was returned with a shuttered look that made her more resolved to accomplish her task. Immediately her smile returned and she quickly summoned Sifty to bring a plate of appetizers.

"We were thinking about a week from next Saturday." She offered. "Plenty of time to get the invitations out and contact all those involved."

Severus nodded. Glad that her attempt to seduce him was thwarted for the moment. He had to think of Draco right now, the boy had a lot to do until the party to get ready. He noticed both looking at him and he smiled, revealing a wicked grin. "I will be more than honored to attend."

"Good, good...now. My friend, I do believe that we have some business to attend to."

Narcissa laughed lady-like and rose to her feet. "I know when I am not wanted. I shall call when dinner is ready." She kissed her husband and gave Severus a seductive look before exiting the room.

"She's been dying to get you alone, you know." Lucius chuckled as his friend leaned back into the chair.

"As have I, but unfortunately I can not stay all night. I have more papers to grade before first class."

"Pity, Narcissa will be greatly disappointed."

"I dare say I will make it up to the both of you at another time."

Lucius took a sip of his drink and turned serious, his eyes darkening to a gray that resembled a stormy sky. "Now Severus, on to business. Tell me about this new Potter baby that Draco told me about. My son seems to be at a loss as to when and where the child was conceived. I wonder, are you SURE that the baby is Potters?"

Severus struggled to not grind his teeth. He knew what Lucius was thinking. He had to somehow throw the man off the thought that the baby could not possibly have been a Snape instead of a Potter.

"I have been assured that the baby is indeed Potter's. Who else could it be? It seems that Miss Granger was already pregnant when she ran away. From her words, she claims that was the reason she left." He swirled the snifter, not looking up at his friend, not wanting the man sitting before him to see the truth in his eyes. Once he got himself back in total control, he looked up and shrugged his shoulders. "Only Potter would have been stupid enough to marry her and produce her spawn."

Lucius narrowed his eyes and seemed to study the man before him. "And that is the only reason she gave for running away? Nothing else?"

Severus met his gaze without flinching. "I think perhaps there was another reason, something that she is hiding, but she is refusing to say what." There, that should give him the satisfaction he sought. "Perhaps she and Potter fought about the baby. I suppose we will never know."

"Indeed..." Lucius nodded, his eyes almost dancing in his enjoyment. "Does the child look like his father?"

Severus allowed an eyebrow to raise before he answered. "From what I could see, yes...he does." He leaned forward and placed his drink onto the table. "Not that I cared to look closely, mind you. I have had enough with Potter senior. Now it seems I have to deal with a Potter Junior in eleven years time. It's enough to make my blood curdle."

Lucius laughed loudly at that and slapped Severus on his back.

"Perhaps not to much longer, my friend. If things work out, the school will be purified and those Mudbloods, Half-breeds and all of their children, will be done with. Dead and forgotten and the school can be run as it should have been from the start. With the teachings of the true ways of the wizarding world without the mingling of dirty blood."

"Indeed, Lucius...that would be ideal. I am growing tired of wheedling out passing marks to those that do not have the talent or the mental capacity to understand magic."

"If you had your own offsprings, Severus, they would be very well placed children. Very powerful." Lucius sat back, with one gulp swallowed the entire contents of his glass, and stood. He crossed back to the bar, his voice floating back with a slight edge to it. "We will have to do some shifting of house when the time comes. Of course, Hufflepuff will have to be eliminated. Other than loyalty, their only other house characteristics wouldn't apply to the new regime. Helga Hufflepuff's old and tedious ways wouldn't be acceptable in the new society. Gryffindor's bravery and Ravenclaw's intellect would still be agreeable and would still be needed. Slytherin, of course, would be the main house. With all the heads being Slytherin of course."

"And I assume that you see yourself as one of those house heads?" Severus stood to his feet as well and went to refresh his drink.

"Why ever not? I have the power and the intellect to teach. I'm sure our Lord will agree with me." Lucius smirked as he poured more of the brandy into Severus's glass. "He may even see fit to place me at the head of the whole establishment."

Severus stifled a laugh. "Forgive me, my friend, but I don't exactly see you as headmaster. It would take up way to much of your precious time."

"I could make time if it's important."

"I could just as easily be entitled to the job as well, you know Lucius. I do, after all, have the experience."

Lucius turned a pouting look to his friend before shrugging. "We will just have to see what the dark lord wishes then."

"Indeed."

Just then, Sifty slunk into the room to announce dinner.

"After you, my friend." Lucius made a sweeping gesture towards the door.

"Thank you." Severus swept ahead of the man and into the elegant dining room. Behind him the blonde's eyes narrowed with suspicion and mistrust. After all these years, he still didn't trust Severus as far as he could throw him. Something was up. And he was going to find out what it was, starting with the Potter baby, if it was indeed a Potter. His old friend obviously had no knowledge that the baby in question could quite possibly be his own child.

A/N's and acknowledgments:

Lana Manckir, Anarane Anwamane, Moony182, theophania, Chibidaima, Tired Recluse, Sarahamanda, smiles,

DistinctVagueness, Emma-Kitty: Thank you. I'm glad that you all are enjoying the way this chapter went. I hope you continue to read and let me know how I'm doing.

thesexyflower: I think I am giving her ample time to recover from her rape. She is not getting really physical with Severus, just working her way there. But thank you for your thoughts and nice comments.

ChangJessica: Mmmmm...Pocky! Thanks hon. For that here is another chapter for you with Lucius and all. I think the actual love making scene will be upcoming in a few more chapters. Keep your eyes open for the return of the white candle.

Crissy: Yeah! Why not?

Queenanneus: LOL. I know what you mean. He has perfect timing doesn't he? Thanks for reading.

RebelRikki: No, I didn't mention it at the meeting. It was something that happened when I wasn't looking. I guess it was a surprise to you as well as to me.

Kyerie: Glad that you like the Counselor idea. I kind of writ myself into a corner on that one and that was what I came up with. Eh...well, least it's a novel idea!

JosieBelle: I'm like all Yeah! And you are like so Happy and I am like so Glad about that...you know? LOL...I absolutely LOVED this review!!! Harry is a cut down version of Harold so I just assumed it was that.

luvin-echo16: Hermione will more than likely have more to do than just talk to victims. I'm sure that she will have her hand in a lot of things to come.

Lady Mayhem: Thank you so much for your input. It means a lot to me. I have more to come once I get it to my liking and my betas are happy with it. Hope you let me know what you continue to think.

Nerfi-Tiri: Speaking of Lucius. I hope you liked this particular chapter.

Coldqueen: Glad you like the DaRats. They just kind of...appeared...out of thin air, but it worked for me.

Maddy-Riddle: She is just starting to realize how much she cares for him. I think she will have some hum-dingers in her counseling sessions.

Saavik13: Im glad you like the RATS. I wanted something different in this story and am glad that I hit upon something somewhat original with them.

Joey Eff: Severus and Hermione will get plenty of time together in future chapters. I don't know if cavorting in Hogsmead will be a good idea but I'll see what my brain can come up with.

Dweeb: Oh, thank you so much. I am glad that you are enjoying this story, does my heart proud.

Ariana Althena Evergreen: It's okay that you haven't reviewed I'm just glad to have you back though, how was the trip?

Inny: How can I resist puppy dog eyes? Sniff...I thank you so much for enjoying my writing style. Makes me want to keep it up. More to come of Hermione's on the job training.

Obviouslyobsessed: LOL. Well, I'm glad that you kept reading and I'm equally glad that you got swept up into the tale. I love capturing a new reader. It makes me feel good. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know what you thought. It means a lot to me!

IYWriterGirl: and I absolutely LOVE YOU! Thanks!!!

Sharight: Thank you. I appreciate your kind encouragement. I will be updating more shortly. Just keep checking back.