Chapter 6

Draco had answered Severus by owl and was expected at the house shortly. Hermione knew this would be just as hard on Severus as Draco. Any interaction with that foul murderer would linger on your mind like tar. Hermione had begged Severus to let her be Draco's legilimens. Knowing what seeing such torture would do to him, but he refused. He had to do it himself so he could see what was done to Lucius.

He arrived on time and prepared with a flask in his pocket. Severus answered the door and took him to the studio. Two comfortable chairs had been set up facing each other. A small table with water had been set between them. Severus didn't want her in the room, but she said she would be present when they did it, just in case. Besides, she could take notes. Draco was nervous and a bit short when he greeted her. He acknowledged little more than her presence, "Granger."

Hermione would never cut him any slack after what he had done to her all through school. And he didn't have the privileges she had afforded Lucius. "It's Snape now, as you very well know Draco. You can drop the attitude if you please, we're only trying to help."

Draco was sufficiently chastised. "I didn't mean anything by it Mrs. Snape. This is not going to be an easy night for anyone. Can we please call a truce?"

Hermione smiled, "Call me Hermione you git. Is there anything I can get you before you begin?"

Draco's sideways smile did nothing for the fear in his eyes. "No. Thanks. I just want to get this over with and go on the two-day drunk I promised myself."

Severus grinned thinking it might be a good idea. "Sit down Draco. I need you to relax. I promise I will be as gentle as possible. You must think of everything you can remember about it. I will follow your lead and get what I need to know. Hermione will be taking notes to get as much detail as possible. Are you ready?"

Before Draco could say it, Severus was in his head. There was a lot to sift through from the past several years. Draco was subconsciously evading his search. The mind wants to put up barriers to keep out what hurts us. He had to push in a little harder than he wanted to, causing Draco some pain. At last he came to the memory he needed.

Severus grew sick and cold as he watched it happen. Trying to keep his objectivity, he made note of every word and every wand stroke. Draco had seen everything and remembered it clearly, for who could forget their parents anguish and pain when being put through such an ordeal. It was good for Draco that he was not required to see the whole portrait being done, but bad for Severus, who had to guess at some of the incantations. He was relieved that there were no potions involved, just brute force. Potions can permanently alter the body and would make it much more difficult to counteract.

After about an hour or so Draco was starting to crack and pushed Severus out. "Enough! Please! Please, let me rest."

Hermione was ready with a headache remedy and pepper up potion. He was surprised to see her hand him a fire whiskey chaser. "Strictly for medicinal purposes you understand." She turned to Severus. His head was in his hands and his eyes were closed. "Are you alright Severus?" She handed him vials of the potions and he downed them. "Tell me what you saw while it's still fresh so I can record it."

Severus rested his head on the back of the chair, tilting it up to the ceiling. He described as best he could all the wand movements and spells. Draco had, unfortunately for him, seen it happen more than once. This was a good thing for Severus, who could now make a comparison for different injuries. There was no way to account for anything done silently or wandless. He described the reaction Lucius had to each cast. It was a hideous retelling of pain and suffering.

Severus had seen everything he could from Draco's memories and he left shortly thereafter to go on his bender. Severus reminded him not to say anything to his father. They would try to find a solution, but there was no point in getting his hopes up if they failed.

Severus stumbled into his lab to try to make a start on a potion he had in mind. Hermione gave him exactly one-half hour and then called it off. "Severus you look like you just got hit by a hippogriff. I want you to stop and come to bed. You're going to make a mistake if you persist with such a tired mind." He grumbled, but knew she was right.

As they got comfy in bed, she could see he was not going to be able to let it go long enough to fall asleep. "Tell me what you're thinking love. I know you have an idea what you want to try. Where are you going to start?"

Severus sagged into the bed and began to list ingredients. As he continued to explain how each one had properties that would work independently and some that would work in combination, he was not sure what proportion of which ingredient to get the desired result. Hermione pulled his head into her lap, which made him lay flat on his side. He sighed as her scent filled his mind. She began to scratch his back ever so lightly and then massage his scalp. Soon his eyes began to close as he spoke and he threw an arm around her legs to snuggle in. Five minutes later he was asleep. She continued to sooth him by stroking his hair and humming softly. She would not let the monsters hurt him again tonight.

oopOqoo

Severus couldn't stretch it out any longer. Even Lucius was anxious to see the finished work by now. He gazed at his likeness as if seeing it for the first time. In a way he was. There was only so much you could see from a mirror. Severus was worried that he would fall back into the depression that had claimed him, but an odd sort of calm came over Lucius. As if acceptance had settled into his bones. His conversations with Severus had made him see all the things he had done for the Dark Lord. He regretted them deeply and saw his disfigurement now as partial payment for his sins. Hermione had been more right than she knew. The number of dead and maimed at the manor by the Dark Lord exceeded anyone's expectations. Not even Lucius knew the real total. Only that the screams had finally been silenced after His fall. He was glad the Aurors had gone to the dungeon to be sure no one was left in there when they came to arrest him for trial. Narcissa and Draco had been sentenced to house arrest at an inquest, but had been spared a trial.

The other portrait of his face in the sunlight was a revelation for Lucius, and Severus' best work. His face held all the peace and deliverance of that moment. Severus insisted he take it home and display it somewhere prominent. It was a literal validation of his coming into the light of acceptance and redemption. He needed to be reminded of that redemption every day.

Lucius still came at the appointed time to stay for an hour or two. He often invited Hermione to come and chat with him and Severus when she was there. The more they socialized the more relaxed and open Lucius was. He was a changed man. Not the arrogant git he was before, and not the sad, depressed man he had become. No, he was a real human being for the first time in his life.

Gone were the notions of pureblood supremacy and power for its own sake. Instead he took pleasure in small comforts and good conversation. His own pain, had driven away the desire to inflict it on others. His own loneliness, had shown him the value of friendship. And his own need to be loved, powered his drive to make things right for his family. He needed Narcissa and Draco now, not as underlings to be told what to do, but as partners to bolster and care for each other. To restore his family pride. To swear to protect them at any cost.

It was in that spirit that Severus asked him to consider showing the dark portrait to the public. He had already shown it to Luna and she had written an article to go with it. Luna did not know which Death Eater it was, and only scant and general information about the man in the portrait. Still her article was heartfelt and honest. Asking the public to search their souls to give some sympathy to even the worst of wizards who had paid such a high price for Voldemort's favor and inescapable treachery. Because for anyone to find peace, it must be granted to all who ask for it.

Reading a proof of the article, Lucius was furious at first. Feeling Severus had betrayed his word and told an outsider of his condition. When he realized that no one would know who he was, he changed his mind. Severus told him that the portrait would stand for all of those who had supported the Dark Lord against their wishes. Caught in the middle, many of them were punished with death when trying to get away from the monster, or died at the hands of The Order having to obey. The portrait was not a plea for amnesty, forgiveness was not likely, but for mercy, kindness and compassion.

He agreed.