A/N: Sorry about the huge gap between chapters. I hadn't thought that people would want the story to continue… It was just supposed to end with the one chapter, but so many people told me to continue, so… just for all of you, I came up with a *plot* for this! Yay! Anyhow… go read! And enjoy!!!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Co. belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. All I own is the plot, and Gabriella, sorta kinda….
Like Father, Like Son
Lucius Malfoy was in a very good mood the day he got the letter. He walked into his study, his hair still wet from a shower; he hadn't felt like drying it. He had started working at his desk when there was a knock on the door. He looked up, slightly irritated to have his work interrupted. "Enter," he called.
The door swung open and a youth of fifteen walked in. "Good morning, Father," He brushed a piece of blonde hair away from his hair nonchalantly.
"Good morning, Draco. I believe you have a good reason for disrupting my work?"
"Yes, this came for you." He tossed a letter on his desk.
Lucius glanced at it. He didn't need to read it to know who it was from. He could recognize Severus Snape's handwriting within seconds. It had proved helpful during the Dark Lord's reign. "Thank you, Draco."
The boy nodded, the dismissal obvious. He started to leave, but, as he reached the door, Lucius stopped him. "Draco, I'll be out on business next Saturday during the break. You'll be in charge in my absence. I expect you to take care of the house while I'm gone."
"Of course, Father," Draco smiled. "Are you going for another one, then?"
"Another *what,* boy?"
"You know…"
"I have no idea what you're talking about. Now go, I have work to do!" Draco nodded but knew otherwise from the grin that Lucius wore. He left with a slight smirk, knowing without a doubt that his father was indeed going for another of his special "meetings."
"Nosy boy," Lucius muttered to himself. But he was proud. The boy was exactly like he had been at that age and he was proving himself worthy for the initiation next year. Which was just as well, as the Dark Lord had high expectations for the Malfoy boy…
Lucius picked up the letter. He broke the seal on it and read it, amusement crossing his face.
* Lucius,
I'll skip the pleasantries if you don't mind; I haven't much time for such things. Have you anytime during the Christmas break? We need to talk. For your son's sake I hope you do. I await your reply.
-S.S.*
So, Severus wanted to talk? Lucius smirked. This could be just what he needed: a good laugh. Of *course* they'd talk. He picked up his letter and wrote the short reply.
*~*~*
Severus Snape sighed before fixing his face in his signature scowl. He knocked the door of the great Malfoy Mansion. He pulled his robes closer around his body and shivered a bit, the cold adding to his expression. Finally, the door was opened by a small house elf.
"Master Malfoy is waiting for you, Sir! Sir must hurry inside!" It squeaked.
Severus gratefully stepped out of the cold into the warmth of the Malfoy Mansion. "Ah, Severus. How good to see you."
"Lucius." He turned and nodded in greeting to the other man. The house elf was trying desperately to get Severus' cloak off. Severus took it off and gave it to the elf. It took the cloak and hung it on a hook by the door- with some difficulty because the hook was higher than he was.
Lucius looked annoyed with the elf's behavior. "I believe you wished to discuss something?" Severus nodded once more in reply. "Why don't you follow me to the study?" He started walking towards a large mahogany door. Severus gathered himself and followed the other man through it.
"Would you like something to drink? Tea? Or, no, wait, you'd prefer coffee, right?"
Severus smiled wryly and raised an eyebrow. "Lucius, my friend, you know me too well."
"Years of working together tend to do that, Severus." Lucius replied as he nodded to another elf who left the room and returned moments later with the coffee and some tea for Lucius.
Soon the two men sat across each other sipping at their drinks. "So, how have you been, Severus? Still enjoy working for that muggle-lover?" Inquired Lucius.
Severus rolled his eyes and lied, "It's horrible, really." Still had to play the devoted death-eater, hadn't he?
Lucius sighed in sympathy. "I'd imagine. The Master is happy with your progress."
"Is he?"
"Very."
"Well, that makes it all worth it," said Severus, hoping it sounded like he meant it. Lucius bought it though, judging by his expression and reply.
"Certainly. You're a lucky man Severus, to have such a high spot in the Dark Lord's books."
"High enough to be envied?" Severus knew that Lucius was obsessed with being Voldemort's favorite follower. He also knew that Lucius already was, the Malfoy just didn't know it yet.
Lucius laughed. "Of course, of course!" *Not for long,* he thought to himself.
Severus queasily laughed along.
"So, tell me, Severus, what did you find so urgent about my son to tell me? He's doing well in school, I hope?"
"He's doing fine, though his Latin *is* slipping."
Lucius frowned. "Indeed? I'll have to look into that." The frown left his face. "But surely you needed to talk about something more than Draco's inability with Latin?"
"Actually, I wanted to talk about Draco's relationship with Hermione Granger." Well, if Severus had had any doubts about how he was going to start this off, they were gone. The words had left his mouth before he had time to think them over.
Lucius sneered. "That mudblood?" At Severus' nod, his eyes narrowed. "What has she to do with Draco?"
"You don't know?" That was a surprise. Surely… Severus had been so sure that Lucius had told his son to say that… When Lucius shook his head, he informed him. "I believe she's been seeing you son."
There was silence, the Lucius laughed out loud. Severus raised an eyebrow. "Severus, that has to be the funniest thing I've ever heard you say. Since when did you take up joking?"
Severus frowned. "I didn't."
"You really want me to believe you're serious?"
"Call the boy in then."
Lucius, still grinning, summoned an elf that was standing nearby and sent it to fetch Draco. He was there within minutes.
"Yes, Father?" He asked as he slipped through the door. He didn't look surprised to see Severus. "Professor Snape," he nodded.
"Good evening, Draco."
"Draco, Professor Snape has something he'd like to ask you."
The boy looked at the Potions Master quizzically. Severus sighed inwardly and wondered how he'd gotten stuck in this situation. "It's about Miss Granger, Draco," he started.
Draco made a face. "What about her?"
"Have you had any relationship with her, Draco?"
Draco looked at his father like he was insane. After two minutes, he started laughing, looking uncannily like his father had a little while ago. "That's agood one, Father. What was it that you wanted to ask me, Professor?"
Hot embarrassment filled Severus, and a burning anger directed to a particular student with cinnamon brown hair. He felt betrayed. He'd finally thought he could make up for his mistakes, for his past… to find he'd once again been made the subject of some students' prank made purely for their own sad amusement. He shook his head, no expression crossing his face as looked at the two Malfoys. "Nothing, Draco, never mind." Severus rose and thanked Lucius for his time. "I hope I didn't interrupt your work too much."
"Leaving already?" Lucius rose with him.
"I have a stack of papers that call for my attention. I had hoped to finish them by tonight, so that I won't have anything to worry about during the rest of break."
"Well, you know your way out, don't you?…"
"Of course. Don't let me keep you from you work any longer." Severus said, a bit quickly, and started to leave the room. The words "good evening" left his mouth as he reached the door. He ignored the house elf that had opened the door for him and grabbed his cloak, storming out the door. It seemed that a nice little chat would be in order between Miss Granger and him…
"Temper, Severus, temper," murmured Lucius to no one in particular. He and Draco looked at each other with grins on their faces before bursting out in laughter.