38- The Infinity Bracelet
Thanks to my beta, Ambiguity!
Severus was almost in a coma for the next six hours after his trip to France. At four o'clock, he opened his eyes to find he was still sprawled out on the sofa and there were no fewer than fifteen witches and wizards wandering about the Manor on wedding business. Severus got up, stretched and made his way back to his room.
"Oh, Sev, you're up…we need to talk," Lucius said as Severus tried to make his way up the steps.
"About what? Can it wait an hour?"
"Um…I guess."
"Am I in trouble?"
"Not really, no; but I do need to chat with you," Lucius said with a curious look on his face.
"I have something to do, I'll be back in one hour."
"What do you have to do?"
"Nothing, man, go…do whatever it is you do two days before a wedding, we'll talk when I get back," Severus quipped. He made it to his room and finally washed up. He'd forgotten his acne potion and had a nice juicy pimple on his nose to show for it. He felt in his pocket and gazed again at the ring. Every cell in his brain told him to throw it away or save it for later after he got to know the shopkeep better. Something inside his heart somehow managed to overthrow his brain and he decided to just go and give her the trinket.
He Apparated to Knockturn Alley and arrived at the shop ten minutes before it closed. As he suspected, Ruby was there alone, gazing into her crystal ball. She had her long and coarse hair down and it looked rather wild that day. She looked up and smiled when she saw Severus, which was a good sign. Severus was confident that he could present her with the little gift and not make a total fool of himself in the process.
"Hey, Severus, how was Paris?" she asked with a large smile.
"F...f..f…f…f…fine, I guess…not too bad, really," he mumbled and whispered, suddenly full of terror.
"Oh, okay. What do you need today?" she asked rather calmly.
"N…n…n…" he stuttered, panicking. "Nothing…I sort of found this thing…"
"What? I can't understand you," she interrupted as he reached into his pocket for the silver and ruby ring.
"I, um...I…I…I…I…I found -- no, bought -- no, saw -- I thought this was kind of…of…of," he said as he felt cold sweat begin to drip from his forehead.
"You…y…y…y…great, now I'm doing it," she said and giggled. At least her stuttering took his mind off his own.
"I saw this and just thought it'd…it'd…you know…um…maybe you'd like it…I dunno," he said as he put the ring down on the counter near her crystal ball. She looked at the ring with widened eyes followed by a smile.
"It's really pretty," she said in a very low tone.
"It's magical, it should fit any finger," he said, feeling his face flush.
"Thanks, that was really sweet of you…I really like it," she said, placing it on her middle finger.
"I…I…I…have to go now…" he said, backing out of the store. She smiled and waved, as he smiled until his back hit the door. "Ouch…okay…bye."
"Bye."
He leaned on the door to open it and finally exhaled when he turned around outside but then he ran right smack into someone. He took a step back and looked up to find he'd just run right into the Dark Lord.
"Oh, God…I'm sorry."
"'My Lord will suffice, Severus," the Dark Lord said with a very uncharacteristic smile. Ivan Karkaroff and one other very large man were standing with the Dark Lord right in the middle of Knockturn Alley. "Is the shop owner in?"
"No, my Lord, his niece only."
"Ah, I see. Well, I'll stop by next week to visit him then. So tell me, Severus, what brings you to this shop today?" he asked in a very calm and upbeat tone.
"Oh…um. I came to visit the girl who works here," Severus admitted. There was never any point in lying to the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord again smiled what looked like a very genuine smile as he gazed through the glass and admired the girl from the alleyway. "You fancy her?"
"I guess," Severus said, lowering his head in embarrassment.
"Why so glum? Does she not fancy you back?"
"Oh, I think she may. We just met; actually, she's just a half-blood."
"So? You say it like it's a curse of some kind," the Dark Lord mused as Karkaroff and the other man laughed. "I've been meaning to speak to you, I'm glad I ran into you. I hear you left the country and neglected to tell me?"
"Yes. I'm so sorry, my Lord. I just completely forgot. Mr. Belby has me going crazy working hellish hours for him."
"You work for me, Severus Snape, and no one else. If I need to speak to Mr. Belby, I will; besides, I've been meaning to speak to him anyway on…other matters. I forgive you this once of your transgression. See to it that it never happens again. I must know where my people are at all times."
"I understand, it'll never happen again," Severus said, still looking down to avoid the red eyes of his master.
"Look at me," the Dark Lord commanded in a stern but even tone. Severus looked up and met his eyes. He could feel the Dark Lord rummaging through his brain and tearing through various memories and emotions. "I know it won't happen again. You still have much to learn. Continue to pursue this…Ruby girl and continue to work for Mr. Belby. Owl me next week and tell me what he's like. I want to know where his loyalties lie."
"I will do my best to find out everything I can for you and I'll owl you the results next week after I return to work."
"Good boy. Now I must be off. I will not summon you again until after Lucius's wedding," he said and then put his hood up and turned to walk away. "Oh, and, Severus."
"Yes, my Lord?"
"I'm sure she loved the ring," he said and smiled a more calculated and almost sinister smile. Severus nodded, bowed and smiled back. He watched as the three cloaked and hooded men disappeared down the darkening alley. He felt relieved that the Dark Lord was not angry at him, but felt even more relief that he liked the ring for some reason.
---
"If you wish to speak to me regarding the Dark Lord; there is no need, I just ran into him --literally -- and he's fine with me," Severus said to Lucius, who was sitting out near his mother's grave, far away from the hype of the wedding preparations.
"Oh, good. I'm glad you did not get into serious trouble," he said blankly as he stared off into space. "People can get really hurt or even worse if they displease him. Like I said, he's been most pleased with the way things are going lately," Lucius stated, still looking as if he were in a daze.
"I sensed that as well. I mean, he was just out walking around in broad daylight in Knockturn Alley."
"Knockturn? Why were you there?" he asked, finally looking over at Severus.
"I just had a…work errand."
"Oh. Well, yes, most everyone in Knockturn is his ally so he can roam the streets freely. Even Aurors fear going there, for some reason."
"Well, if that's all you wanted to tell me, I really must get some more rest. Those kids damn near killed me…"
"No; sit down Sev, I need to speak with you about something…else."
"Okay," Severus said, sitting next to Lucius on the cold marble bench.
"I'm getting married in two days and…well…I'm not sure how to tell you this."
"You don't know what to do?" Severus joked and laughed but Lucius did not laugh back. "Sorry."
"No. Um…I can't really look after you quite as much as I have been. I mean to say, I'll be a husband and, hopefully, in a few years, a father to my own children and I just…can't watch after you all the time anymore."
"What? What the fuck are you talking about? Shit, you don't look after me, I'm not some orphan and you aren't my father, man. Really, Lucius, come on," Severus said, wondering why Lucius was saying what he was saying. They were friends and that was it.
"Oh shut up, you little immature boy. Don't sit here and pretend that I've not looked after you for all these years, not taken care of you and not helped you in your miserable little life. I don't just mean financially, either. I've been more of a father to you than anyone ever has!" he nearly shouted in a deeply offended tone. The red-faced man looked suddenly livid, while Severus just felt very confused. "Maybe more of a big brother, but either way you are an adult now and you must take care of yourself more!"
"I told you I wanted to stay at Spinner's End this summer but you said I should stay here!"
"That's not what I mean! I'm fairly confident if you did return to that fleabag, disgusting hovel you call your house, you would still wake up for work and not burn the place to the ground. I know you are handy around the house and can even cook and do laundry. You…you are not really ready to be an adult yet and I think it's time you really realize that you simply must begin to act like one, that's all I mean."
"I'm offended by all this. No one, okay maybe you, but no one ever looks out for me! I take care of myself and I have since I was three years old, Lucius…"
"And you do a very shitty job at it."
"What? Fuck you, what do you know?" Severus shouted and rose from his seat to walk away.
"Look at you, for one thing! You are grossly underweight…still! There are over one hundred house-elves in that castle you live in and you still don't eat right. You couldn't see a God-damned thing until a few months ago, when I forced you to get your eyes checked out. You are constantly exhausted because you stay up all night reading and doing God knows what. You never get your hair cut…do I need to go on?"
"No. You're so wrong, it's scary! I'd be dead if I didn't take care of myself, you don't do anything for me!"
"Stop being so proud. People help you! I help you, the Dark Lord helps you. That Professor Kim helped you! I got you this job. There's nothing wrong with admitting you need help from time to time, Severus."
"Oh, but now you tell me you won't help me anymore because you are getting married?"
"No. I will always help you if you need it. I'll always be here for you. My Manor is your Manor always and forever, and my money as well. That will never change. I believe we will still be friends when we are one hundred and fifty years old. Friends, Severus. I cannot take responsibility for you anymore. You left the country and didn't tell me…or the Dark Lord!"
"Oh God, that's what this is about? I told you, he's fine…"
"He wasn't! I had to beg -- and I mean beg -- him to not torture you or worse! If anyone else had done what you'd done…shit, if I'd done what you'd done…he'd probably have killed me, do you understand? He kills people when they disobey, Severus. You work for him, you live for him and you breathe for him, don't ever forget it again. Thankfully, he's quite enamored with you and has been since the beginning. He sees in you something very useful and since I'm the one that brought you to him, he now smiles upon me. If you keep messing up, he will stop smiling on us, do you understand?"
"Yes!" Severus shouted back at the very serious but calm wizard.
"I will have a wife in two days and then…children. I cannot allow anything or anyone to ever cause them any harm, Severus. You must obey him and think before you speak and act. You just…you must," Lucius said as Severus finally understood what Lucius was talking about. Lucius had been his only family until that day. Now Lucius was going to have a new family and Severus needed to find a place in his life, one that would never cause Lucius's new family any harm.
"I understand."
"Your actions reflect on me, Sev," Lucius said as he approached Severus. He wrapped his arms around the smaller wizard and embraced him tightly. "I love you, Severus, and someday you'll marry and have children and you'll want to protect them as well."
"I understand," Severus relented and hugged back.
"You will understand more someday; family is everything, and you really are still a part of this family. It's time for you to grow up," he said as he pulled away but kept his hands on Severus's shoulders. "I can't be responsible for you all the time anymore. I'll have other responsibilities. I need to be confident in the fact that you will take care of yourself and think for yourself."
"I will," Severus said, feeling a little bad that he'd just yelled at Lucius who had been right the entire time.
"I'm not saying to go back to Spinner's End; besides I would like you to remain here while we are in Norway and watch after Brandy. She detests the elves and really does like people around. Father won't be here so you'll have the entire place to yourself for two weeks."
"Norway? How boring, Lucius," Severus commented as the two headed back towards the Manor.
"Well that's where she wanted to go; plenty to do and see there, but I plan on not um…doing a bunch of sightseeing, if you know what I mean."
"I do. Whatever…have fun," Severus laughed.
---
The day before the big wedding saw Lucius in a hurried panic. He'd spent the entire morning outside yelling at the coordinator because the roses and tulips she'd planted were not the correct shade of cream. He suddenly decided he hated his robes and nearly forgot to pick up Narcissa's ring from the jewelers. In his rush, he sent Severus to collect the plain platinum band and some bracelet that looked to be made of silver. Severus also was to stop by the baker's to see the state of the cakes. Severus arrived back at the Manor and handed over the jewelry to Lucius, who finally took the time to sit and breathe and admire what he'd bought.
"Do you know what this is?" he asked Severus.
"A bracelet?"
"Yes and no. It's not just any bracelet. It's an Infinity Bracelet." Severus looked closer at the piece of jewelry and only then noticed it was comprised of nothing but tiny silver colored infinity symbols interlaced with one another. "It's magical. Made of a special kind of titanium. It's unbreakable."
"Really?"
"Yes. See, it's charmed to go on her wrist and never come off. The clasp vanishes once it's placed on her wrist by me and I cast the spell."
"What does the spell do?"
"This one is pretty standard, it's a love spell. I'll place it on her wrist and then whenever I think of her, it'll glow whatever color I set it to, which will be blue, and it will feel warm on her wrist. The necklace she's getting me will work the same way."
"You're getting an Infinity Necklace?"
"Yes, it's our present to each other; we'll present them and do the spells tonight."
"Is this part of the marriage ceremony?"
"Oh no. It's just something nice, you don't have to be betrothed or married to do it. It probably works better, though, if you are."
"And it stays on for life?"
"In theory, yes, since it's unbreakable and can never be removed unless a certain spell is given. I'll never remove it -- that's the whole point after all."
"I see. How…quaint."
"It's rather charming, actually. Merlin, tomorrow at this time I'll be a married man."
"You nervous?"
"No. Not really, anyway. I'm a bit nervous about the entire ceremony and such, but not about marrying her, no."
"Well, that's good. So what do we do tonight?" Severus asked.
"Oh, well, we do the rehearsal, which you are welcome to join us at, and then we have a huge party and feast over at the Lestranges."
"Do I have to go to that?"
"Yes. What time is your date meeting you tomorrow?" Lucius asked in a mocking tone.
"Simon will be here at five in the afternoon."
"Good. You will sit up front next to my father, your date can sit with you."
"He's not my date, Lucius!" Severus snapped as Lucius giggled to himself.
"Sure, just keep telling yourself that."
---
At four in the afternoon, Severus found himself seated in one of the many white chairs placed out in the Malfoy garden. First, Rabastan walked down the rose, tulip, lily and hydrangea laden path to the front near an arch made entirely out of flowers. Then Bellatrix, who looked like she'd rather be giving the Dark Lord a pedicure, nearly sprinted down the path and stood opposite Rabastan. Next, Lucius strolled down the path with his father on his left. Finally, Narcissa walked down with both of her parents and met Lucius beneath the arch.
"Very well. The couple has requested we do a full rehearsal this afternoon of exactly how this ceremony will proceed," an older wizard, who was going to be the one to marry them, announced, as Bellatrix huffed and then used magic to summon a chair her way. "Very well, let us begin…Dearly beloved, we are gathered here this evening…"
---
"Severus," Lucius called as he tugged on Severus's robes. "Severus!" he called louder and tugged harder. "Severus!" he finally shouted as Severus woke up. "You were asleep the entire time?"
"Sorry, I'm still not recovered from that horrid trip to France."
"Which one? The one with the green pubic hair or the one with the disgusting children?" Lucius mocked as Severus walked beside him towards the Manor.
"Both!"
"Well, we leave now for Rodolphus's house. I do hope you are hungry."
"I'm not."
"Good," he replied, clearly not hearing a word Severus had just said. "There will be plenty of food there."
The dinner was festive but intimate. Only immediate family (and Severus, who was related to no one at all) was present. Lucius's mother's Aunt Sloan was there as well. Everyone was talking about the wedding and little else, so Severus just concentrated on eating his dinner and ignored most everyone who, in turn, mostly ignored him back.
"Isn't that right, Sev?" Lucius asked, which brought Severus back to the table.
"Huh?"
"Those brats we had to chase about around Paris, they are the world's most ill behaved children, are they not?"
"They are morons. Their father is a moron too, it comes from upbringing," Severus said, which made Lucius laugh.
"So your parents were ugly and nerdy then, Sevvie?" Bellatrix asked, as most everyone at the table just glared at the witch who laughed on.
"No, my parents were intellectuals with impeccable taste and the ability to properly use simple utensils…unlike some," Severus lied, commenting on Bellatrix who sat at the head of her table picking meat off her plate with her hands instead of her fork. She smiled and then flicked him off, while Lucius, Narcissa and Rabastan all giggled at Bellatrixtrix's expense.
After dinner, they all retired to a sitting room which opened to the well-lit back garden and gigantic lake. Lucius sat next to Narcissa and gave her the box containing the bracelet. Bellatrix just rolled her eyes some more and looked rather bored. Lucius placed the bracelet on Narcissa's wrist and fastened the clasp. He then placed the tip of his wand on the clasp and cast a silent charm. In an instant, the clasp vanished and the entire bracelet glowed soft blue.
"It's working, it feels warm against my wrist," Narcissa said with a very large smile and a tear welling in her eye. She leaned in and kissed Lucius rather passionately, too passionately for Bellatrix, who began to make gagging sounds.
"Just get it over with, would ya?" she huffed as Narcissa got a similar necklace out of a box and placed it around Lucius's neck. She aimed her wand at the clasp and also cast the silent incantation. In a moment, his necklace was glowing a deeper shade of blue. They smiled and then kissed again. Even Severus wanted to make gagging noises but opted not to. Instead, he just rose and walked outside to gaze at the stars for a moment. He wished Ruby were his date to the wedding instead of Wilkes. He couldn't wait to see how Bellatrix was going to tease him about bringing a bloke to the wedding. He did not have to wait much longer. The social event of the year was just twenty-one hours away.
---
Severus woke up at ten in the morning on July fourth to find the Malfoy Bichon Frise, otherwise known at Brandy, curled up on the pillow next to him. He put on some casual robes and went downstairs, with Brandy following him the entire way.
"Oh good, she's here! I've been looking all over for you!" a very odd-looking wizard with blue hair said as soon as Severus entered the great room.
"What?" Severus asked as the wizard with a bizarre accent smiled at the dog and ignored Severus.
"Brandy, come here, love," the blue haired man said as Brandy walked over to him and then peed all over the floor. "You naughty little bitch!" the man yelled in a mocking tone. Severus was horrified so he walked over to the atrium, where he found Lucius seated with another oddly-dressed wizard rummaging his fingers through Lucius's silky, platinum locks.
"Lucius, who is that weird guy?" Severus asked, taking a seat next to him.
"Oh, he's the dog groomer," Lucius answered and then picked up a hand held mirror and gazed into it. "Looks great."
"Wonderful. Is this the next victim?" the wizard asked, staring at Severus.
"Indeed, he is. Do try to make him look…presentable," Lucius nearly sneered as he rose from the chair and motioned for Severus to sit in it.
"What's going on?" Severus asked, suddenly filled with horror.
"This is Mr. Gantly and he will be doing your hair…"
"Attempting, Mr. Malfoy -- I'm good but I'm no miracle worker," the man said as he made a horrid face at Severus and then dared to touch Severus's hair. Severus slapped the man's hand away from his head and glared at Lucius.
"Oh yes, you're getting your hair done and there is no further discussion. If I'd told you earlier you'd try to escape, so I thought surprise would be my only option," Lucius said, staring at his own reflection in the hand held mirror the entire time. "I doubt your hair will ever look as amazing as mine," he said with a coy smile, finally making eye contact with Severus, "but we can try."
"Hope and pray is more like it," Mr. Gantly said as he shook his head left to right repeatedly. "Merlin, I hope there are enough hours in the day. Sit down, you."
"No."
"Sit or I have ways to make you sit, Sev…do be a good chap and do as you're told for me. It's my wedding day, after all, and you will be in the pictures; you simply must look decent for one day in your life," Lucius pleaded.
"We can try for presentable; for decent I'd need at least a week…and a whole bunch of paraffin," the man said, as Severus and Lucius both eyed him curiously. Severus reluctantly sat in the chair and then did something he thought he'd never do in his entire life.
"Dobby!" he called as the elf appeared next to him. "Bring me a drink."
"What kind, sir?"
"Oh, this is a double fire-whiskey morning, I think," Mr. Gantly said and then dug through his bag for supplies.
"No, I think not. Um…just one fire-whiskey, please, with two ice cubes," Severus said as the elf vanished.
"The double was for me, you twit," Mr. Gantly said and smacked Severus across the top of his head mockingly. "I'll probably need a triple just to get through these tangles. Do you even own a brush?"
"No."
"Good Merlin and Hades. Do you own shampoo?"
"Yes; I take a certain potion and this is the side effect…"
"Oh yes, the dreaded acne potion. Well, there's not much I can do but there are some things I can do to aid this. Firstly, let's actually brush our hair, shall we? See, this is called a hair brush," the man said very sarcastically, which infuriated Severus to the core. "This is cherry wood with unicorn hair, this brush is worth more than you but maybe I'll let Mr. Malfoy purchase it for you," he said and then began to tear through Severus's hair with the fine and elegant brush. "The hair of the unicorn should heal some of this damaged hair of yours," he lectured, as Severus winced in pain.
When Dobby arrived with the fire-whiskey, Severus managed to drink it in one gigantic gulp. Sure, his throat was on fire, but he'd lost the urge to murder the wizard after a few moments, so it was worth the pain. The man then put the brush down and cast a charm on Severus's head. Whatever it was it hurt and pulled on all of his hair.
"That was a de-knotting charm; now we'll wash it," the man said as he transfigured a water basin and placed Severus's head in it. Severus was fantasizing about his own death the entire time. The man was much rougher than Lily was all those years ago. His chubby fingers were digging into Severus's scalp and whatever shampoo he was using was burning and stinging. "This is medicated shampoo, won't take the grease out but it will help your scalp -- don't want any dandruff now, do we?"
After his hair was saturated, the man began to put some kind of rough substance all over Severus's head.
"What are you doing?"
"Salting you."
"What?"
"Salt, sea salt."
"Am I to be dinner now?"
"God, no, we don't eat peasant food in this house. No, the salt will help dry out your hair, it will draw the grease out -- well most of it, at least."
"I suppose that makes sense," Severus admitted as he just allowed the wizard to continue.
"Of course it does. Look, I've been doing this for sixty-eight years, and I know what I'm doing. You are not the first greaseball I've encountered. Now just sit here and wait for…two hours."
"Two hours?"
"Yes. Would you like a magazine?" he asked in a mocking tone. Severus had Dobby bring down his book on Buddhism instead and sat in the chair, with his head looking like a gigantic egg, for two hours. Naturally, Lucius nearly wet himself when he saw Severus sitting in the atrium. Severus got the feeling the magical Koi in the indoor pond were laughing as well.
---
Two hours later, the wizard used a tool to crack open the salt-cap he'd put on Severus's head. After the hardened salt fell to the floor, he once again washed Severus's hair with some shampoo that smelled of alcohol and a hint of thyme. He then cast a spell that dried his hair partially and worked it again with the brush.
"Your hair has some curl to it; not much, but it's far from bone-straight despite it being very fine."
"How nice," Severus responded, happy to be nearly finished with the routine.
"This is a thickening and shining potion, it's also alcohol based so it'll dry your hair some," he said as he poured some of the potion into his hands and ran his hands through Severus's hair. He then brushed it some more and stared at Severus for a few seconds. "Hmm."
"Well?"
"Well, you still look awful but I think it's an improvement…what do you think, Mr. Malfoy?" the man asked as Lucius strolled into the room with a stunned look on his face.
"I think his hair looks…wonderful. You did an amazing job," Lucius said proudly and kissed the man once on each cheek. He then passed the hand-held mirror to Severus.
"Looks the same to me," Severus said as both men just glared at him and then huffed.
"I'd like him to use this brush, perhaps…"
"Yes, yes, give it to him, just bill me for it," Lucius interrupted. The man presented the brush to Severus and bowed to Lucius. He used magic to clean up, shrunk his supplies and then turned to leave.
"Congratulations, Mr. Malfoy, best of luck today."
"Thank you, Mr. Gantly," Lucius said with a large smile. "It is an improvement, Sev. So are you prepared to dance your gigantic feet off tonight?"
"You mean the one waltz? Sure thing," Severus answered as he turned to head back upstairs. "You feeling okay?"
"I feel…well…good. I mean, I wish mummy could…" Lucius trailed off and suddenly made a face like he was trying to stop himself from crying. "I'm fine. It's a beautiful day, cool breezes outside, no clouds. Five thirty can't come quick enough!" he said with a large smile. He then turned and headed back upstairs without saying another word.
---
At four o'clock, Severus walked downstairs and noticed the usually plain foyer was all decked out in flowers. There were garlands made of cream, white and pale yellow lilies, roses and tulips wrapped around the banister of the grand staircase. Just as one entered the Manor, one would see a very large flower arrangement six feet tall, filled with cream and white tulips, roses and lilies, as well as many blue and violet hydrangeas.
Severus admitted that his new dress robes did indeed look very good on him. They were very comfortable and soft and also breathed well. They were very flowy and he greatly liked the bit of train in the back. Even the deep red design that just peeked from the bottom seam did not offend him. He sat in the great room and waited for Simon along with the other guests to arrive. He was joined shortly by Abraxas, who was wearing very plain but still rather fine navy blue robes. His blond but graying hair was worn down, but the rigid man still did not look overly jubilant.
He nodded to Severus and took a seat. Severus gazed at his pocket watch and wondered why Simon Wilkes was late.
"So um, how is Lucius?" he asked the man seated next to him, who looked to be deep in thought.
"I imagine he's fine," Abraxas said in a monotone and bored voice.
"Mr. Severus, sir, master Lucius needs you," Helga the very old house-elf announced as she walked into the room decked out in her finest doily. Severus ascended the stairs and made sure not to touch the fine and fragrant flowers coiling around the banister. He knocked and entered to find Lucius sitting on his bed, still in his bathrobe.
"Hey, it's getting late," Severus urged as he approached the man who was seated on his bed.
"I know the time."
"So…do you need help with your robes or something?"
"No. I think I'm capable of putting my robes on, thank you," Lucius answered in a dull tone.
"O…kay, well then, what did you need me for?" he asked.
"I…I can't do this!" Lucius said in a flustered tone.
"What? Did you forget the vows or something…"
"No, I didn't forget the vows!"
"Very well, what then?"
"I…I just…I can't do this to her," Lucius said and looked down at the floor.
"What? Marry her? After all these years? Of course you can!" Severus pressed, trying to calm the man down.
"No, I can't…curse her like this."
"Oh, now marriage is a curse all of a sudden? See, I personally feel it is, but you're always telling me it's this wonderful thing!" Severus mocked in a tone that he hoped would snap Lucius out of his funk.
"No, you imbecile! This! This is a bloody curse!" he nearly shouted as he pulled up the robe sleeve of his left arm to bare the Dark Mark to Severus.
"It's a curse now?"
"It's always been a curse; Merlin, don't be so thick!" he shouted as he rose from the bed and began to pace the room.
"Well, why did you join then; and, better yet, why did you get me to join?"
"Look, you: I did not tell you to join, you did that on your own, without consulting me or anything -- don't blame me! Don't you dare blame me!"
"You groomed me to join…shit, you only befriended me on the Dark Lord's request…"
"I'm not discussing this again with you, Snape!" he shouted. It was the first time he'd ever called Severus by his last name. "I did what I had to do! I was commanded to recruit, I told you that! I had no choice in the matter! I didn't even choose to join him! I had no choice!"
"Why are you freaking about this now one hour before your wedding, man?" Severus shouted back and then cast a silencing charm on the room.
"Because now I'm going to drag her down with me!"
"Down where? You said we are winning this war, Lucius!" Severus yelled in a panic.
"We have to win," Lucius said in a lower tone with a desperate look in his fearful gray eyes. "We must win, or everything we know, all the people we love…they'll all die, Severus…or worse, end up in Azkaban!"
"I…I mean…we are going to win, calm down."
"Nothing is guaranteed, Sev. Nothing. We must do something, fight, bribe, whatever to win this war and win it soon! I'd just die if anything ever happened to Narcissa or any of the children we have. Not only must we win, but we must serve the Dark Lord and keep him happy with us at all times!"
"I know that…"
"No, you don't! You are little more than a Death Eater in training. You don't attend raids and have never been to a meeting and watched him murder one of us for upsetting him or torture one of us on a whim! His playmate Bellatrix is particularly fond of causing grief and pain to everyone she encounters."
"Has he hurt you in some way?"
"He…no. Never mind. I just…I don't want to drag Narcissa down this path with me. If I'm arrested she might be arrested too, just for being my wife. If I die in battle she'll be in danger, with no one to protect her."
"I'd protect her, as best I could."
"What if you were dead or in Azkaban, then, huh?" Lucius asked as sweat began to fall down his face.
"I'm sure she can take care of herself, and I don't plan on going to Azkaban…ever."
"Nor do I; but things happen. You just don't know the Dark Lord like I do. You've not seen what he's capable of. He's a man of great power, extraordinary power and he has a hot temper, you've never seen him angry, Severus. Thankfully, he's been rather jolly as of late, but that may not last."
"Look, it's time to get dressed and get going with this wedding. You are just having cold feet, there is nothing to worry about, Lucius."
"You don't know. You just don't know. The Ministry is allowing Aurors to use Unforgivables on us now, Sev. They can torture and kill us! They are sending spies to infiltrate us…"
"But he can find spies in his ranks, he's a great…"
"He is; but still, you never know who to trust…so trust no one. No one, Sev. Do you hear me?"
"Yes. Now, do you hear me? Get dressed…this instant, I insist," Severus said coolly. Lucius still looked rather panicked and pale faced. Lucius then slowly walked into his bathroom. Severus heard the water running in the sink for a few moments. Severus sat on the chair near the window and looked out at the back garden. Guests were suddenly seated outside and none of them resembled Wilkes, who was probably waiting downstairs for Severus. He then glanced over at the black box containing Narcissa's wedding band. When he heard a rustling coming from the loo, he placed the box back down on the bed. A moment later, Lucius stepped out from the bathroom in his royal blue robes and walked into the light of the bedroom.
"You look good," Severus said to Lucius, who took a deep breath and smiled .
"Not too flashy?"
"No. It's really more toned down than some of the stuff I've seen you in," Severus mentioned as there was a knock at the door. A moment later, Rabastan walked in and smiled at Lucius.
"Wow, man…you look…handsome!"
"Thanks."
"No, man, I mean…handsome," he repeated and stared at Lucius with a large smile.
"Yeah, thanks."
"Really fuckin' handsome!"
"I understand, Rab, thanks," Lucius said, as Severus held in his laughter. He looked over at Severus and acknowledged that he knew precisely what he was thinking.
"Well, it's time," Rabastan said and then left the room.
"He is gay," Severus whispered as Lucius finally just nodded and began to laugh.
"How did I not see that all these years?" Lucius whispered back as he prepared to take the last walk of his life as a single man.
AN: I read that 'pedicure' line in some fan fiction a while back and thought it was hilarious. Sorry I don't remember the author's name or the story title.