The Prophet or the Profiter
*Title from a Matt Caplan song*
A/N: This chapter is much longer than the first, to make up. If there's anything that doesn't seem to quite add up, no worries, it will be revealed in time.
Do RnR, it makes me feel good about myself and assures me that my writing is not the level of subcrap that I think it is. :-D
Severus Snape strode into his classroom, looking at the scores of bright faces. Immediatly, out of habit, his eyes searched for the blonde boy sitting near the front. His blue eyes peered up to meet Severus' own. He turned quickly. Not today, not today. He had other things on his mind.
Prepared for this, it happened more often than he would like, Severus opened a desk drawer and pulled out a few pieces of parchment. He passed them out to the scores and then sat down in his chair, determined to look busy. He hated looking suspicious.
Silence, the room echoed with nothing, not the sound of busily moving quills but instead hushed whispers. Severus sighed.
May I ask what is taking so long?
Hermione Granger spoke, surprise, surprise. Aren't we going to learn today?
Perhaps Miss Granger would like to LEARN about the negative effects of questioning authority. When your quizzes are complete, you may leave. Ah, yes. The peaceful sound of the scratching quills. But the relaxation didn't last long. He was quickly reminded by the burning sensation when Lucius' wand had touched. Severus touched it gently and winced. He wondered how long the pain would last. However long Lucius deemed fit of course. Everything did focus around Lucius. Snape was merely the yang to his twin's yin.
When he had left the Death Eaters, he was terrified of his brother. He knew no spells or cloaking techniques would save him from the wrath of master scorned. He had turned to the one person he knew would understand, Albus Dumbledore. He ran to him as fast as possible, offering his services in any way. Of course Albus understood, Snape expected no less, but not entirely. He commanded Snape to return to the Death Eaters and work as a turncoat. Severus protested as best he could but there's no arguing with Albus.
As expected, when he returned to the Death Eaters, Lucius was waiting for him, furious. He remained suspicious of Severus even after Voldemort had accepted him.
I don't trust you. He told him one day when he had caught him alone. I don't believe a word you say, you filthy creature. I have yet to figure it out, but I know there's something going on. And when I find out, you will pay. You will pay dearly, brother. Snape just gritted his teeth and protested, hoping that Lucius wouldn't act against Voldemort.
And Severus was able to stave off Lucius for quite awhile. Lucius knew better than to go against his master's wishes and so Severus remained untouched. All until one night, the night the boy, who now sat in his class, two rows back, defeated the Dark Lord and everything fell apart. Lucius took his chance, of course and Severus soon found himself fleeing for his life. But, ironically, the name change had not been Severus' insistence so much as Lucius. Lucius couldn't bare the thought of being related to a traitor, particularly when the Dark Lord's followers were still so thirsty for blood. And when, Lucius appeared on trial, Severus could testify and no one would find it quite as suspicious, or so Lucius hoped. After the trial, the twins parted at last, hoping never to see the other one again.
But this relationship was full of surprises. It was Severus who was desperate for his brother to return. He craved his other half, for he cared about no one else. He was ashamed at himself for wanting this despicable creature back in his presence, but he sunk deeper. He wasn't sociable and no one cared about him, his first few years at Hogwarts were dark times. And so Severus initiated contact, begging his brother to return. Of course, Lucius cared nothing for Severus and had made quite the luxurious life for himself on his own. However, Lucius was aware of the benefits of taking Severus up on his offer to do . And so the deal was born.
Severus was snapped out of his reminiscence and looked up. The sixteen year old Draco Malfoy looked back. My quiz.
Thank you, Draco. You are dismissed. He watched the Draco walk out the door. He had grown into quite the handsome young man, his vague resemblance to Lucius had grown over the years and he now looked like a perfect clone of his father, the epitome of beauty.
Lucius was smart, Severus thought to himself and added a few points to Draco's grade. Lucius was cunning and he corrected a comment or two on Draco's paper. Lucius was amazingly gorgeous, Draco needed no help with that.
A light tapping on the window pane distracted Severus from his grading. He turned to see a lovely snow-white owl gently flapping its wings against the glass. Severus unlatched the window and the owl fluttered onto his desk. He removed the letter from the creature's collar and froze when he saw the crest. A Malfoy owl. He paused, too nervous to open the letter but fearing the consequences of ignoring it. He failed to notice that Draco had returned to ask Severus a question about their regular extra help sessions (in which Severus tried half heartedly to turn Draco into Lucius) and was standing not five feet from Severus' desk. He recognized his family's crest and all color drained from his face. However he was nervous for a much more selfish reason. He feared his father just as much as Severus did and wondered what punishment his father had in store for him for whatever reason. Both were too caught up in themselves to notice the presence of the other.
Dear Severus, Meet me at 7.30 tonight, same place. I expect to see you there. Severus' veins were briefly covered in a thin sheet of ice. He no longer wished for this class to end as soon as possible but instead wished it would carry on forever. Yet, he looked forward to seeing Lucius, his soul companion and Lucius wanted to see him, regardless of reason. Lucius wanted to see Severus.
Um, sir? Draco go up the courage to speak and curiosity got the better of him.
Severus snapped unintentionally.
Sorry, sir. I didn't mean to interrupt you. But about our meeting tonight—
He was too busy to worry about Draco. Or moreover, too busy worrying about Draco to focus on anything else.
It's cancelled, I have other business to attend to. Draco noticed Severus' eyes flick down to the note.
Right sir. Thank you. May I ask what my father has to say about me? Severus blinked, unaware that Draco had noticed the letter. Ah, of course he would, he thought to himself. What kind of boy wouldn't recognize the garish crest of the Malfoys? Stupid Severus, he chastised himself.
It does not concern you, Draco. Will there be anything else?
Draco looked puzzled. N-no sir. He hesitated before walking away, staring at the letter as if he could see through it.