A/N: Well, it's been a while, there's no doubting it. And I want to say a great big: SORRY to my only reviewer Sairavanie(you're wonderful!), that I made you wait so long. This chapter is long, very long. I've been writing it on my hunk-a-junk laptop and the program actually made me stop writing because the file was too big ^_^. Well, I hope you like it! Lots more Sevvi-kins and lovely Lucius, and even a cameo from two of our tricksy Marauders…..*grins*
Disclaimer: All characters, names, and places belong to the mighty J.K. Rowling and all her affiliates. I do not intend to infringe on any copyrights. The only thing I seek to do by writing this is give my favorite character(s) some redemption because they so sorely deserve it.
Chapter Two
Outside, the wind howled and moaned, throwing itself mercilessly against the enchanted walls and windows. Through the gale, small flecks of snow made their way bravely to the icy ground, tumbling and twisting, thrown off course and hurled in all directions. It seemed that they were flying in every direction but the ground from where Lucius sat at his bedroom window. The lawn out front was nearly bare, and any snow that did reach the green turf was immediately picked up and tossed around again. Lucius couldn't help but feel like every one of them, thrown about in every direction without stable ground to land on.
His tenth birthday had just passed, and even though he was a year older, he didn't feel any different. He didn't have amazing things to remember, or life altering experiences to look back on and think about how much he had changed; because, he hadn't changed. He was still Lucien Malfoy's son. He still lived in a cold, lonely mansion. He still was smart, but couldn't let anyone know about it. His life was no different than it had been for the past ten years, and he didn't think it was going to change any time soon. Now while Lucien had him still very much wrapped around his finger.
After the dinner, it was at least a month until Lucius saw Severus again. Lucius was forced to return to his every day routine as he had been doing nearly his entire life. He wasn't quite brave enough to go back and see the piano again though. Lucien was taking his vacation, and so most of the time watched Lucius with a very careful eye, putting up with his stupidity and bearing it all mostly in silence. There were a few instances where Lucius was certain he heard yelling coming from his parent's room at night.
Forced to return to his studies, Lucius had allowed himself to at least progress a little. He couldn't feign stupidity forever, because Lucien wouldn't believe it forever. Sooner or later he would catch on, and then Lucius' plan would fall apart. He couldn't let that happen. He had to make sure Lucien was fooled for as long as he could; hopefully until he started proper schooling, where he would be away from home for the greater part of the year.
Most of his spare time was spent thinking about school. His father told him he was going to Hogwarts, which was hailed as one of the best schools for witchcraft and wizardry in Europe. All the Malfoys had gone there, except for a few whom had transferred to Durmstrang early along in their millennia spanning family line, and it was expected that Lucius would be attending as well. Lucius wasn't so sure. If Lucien thought he was completely incapable of even the simplest of concepts, why would he send him to a school that had high expectations? What if he knew that he really wasn't as stupid as he put on? Lucius was still pretty sure that Lucien was still ignorant to his true nature, but he would have to be extra careful from then on.
One morning, only a few days after the dinner party, Lucius woke up to a loud crash from the first floor. There was a shriek, and the distinct thump of something large and heavy hitting the floor. As Lucius tore down the winding stairwell, another shriek followed the first, and as he approached the salon doors, a small shape streaked out in a blur of battleship gray. Whatever it was didn't get far, and crashed headlong into a table placed by the door which led into the basement, sending the vase of deep red roses perched upon it crashing to the floor. Lucius had barely enough time to contemplate what had just transpired, before Lucien burst through the haphazardly opened salon doors, his face like thunder, black robes billowing around him threateningly.
Three servants appeared out of nowhere, their faces demurely downcast.
"Take it." Lucien ordered, motioning to whatever it was that had collided with the table. "Remove its pillowcase and toss it outside."
The servants hauled the small figure to its feet, and Lucius stifled a gasp.
It was a house elf.
The little thing cowered under Lucien fiery gaze, his large, watery eyes nearly covered by the drooping ears hanging limply beside his drawn and wrinkled face. He trembled and shook, looking as if for all the world his life had ended, wringing his hands nervously in front of him. He would not look anyone in the eyes, and seemed to whimper softly under his breath, muttering unintelligible things to himself.
"You've squandered your last chance Bobin." Lucien growled, looking down on him from over his long, straight, perfect nose. "You will not receive another."
With that, the rather torn and dirty pillowcase wrapped around his wiry form was roughly snatched away. The elf, supposedly called Bobin, shrieked with dismay, pulling his ears over his face, which was now saturated by big, wet tears. He wriggled and protested as two tight lipped servants dragged him away, pleading and sobbing in his squeaky voice for Lucien to give him one more chance. Lucien merely sniffed dismissively, then turned to see Lucius standing nearby, completely shell-shocked by the whole experience.
Lucius visibly shuddered as Bobin was tossed outside, his cried fading then disappearing entirely once the front doors were slammed shut. Lucien strode over and took hold of Lucius' upper arm, steering him up the stairs and into his study.
"Sit down." Lucien told him, walking over to his mahogany liquor cabinet and drawing one crystal bottle. Uncapping the lid, he poured himself a glass in another crystal cup.
"What happened?" Lucius whispered, still shaking a little.
Lucien took a sip of the bronze liquid, his thin eyebrows furrowing as if he didn't quite know himself.
"Your mother came into the salon this morning," he began at length, "and being the fool that he is, that house elf you saw hadn't finished cleaning in time for him to disappear. Serlia was so surprised to see him she screamed, which startled Bobin, and he knocked over his first vase of the day." He paused, and Lucius though he could see a chilling grin sitting precariously on the edge of Lucien's lips. "Supposedly, that was your mother's favorite vase, and she was so upset by the whole ordeal that she fainted. Bobin simply couldn't control himself after that. He obviously realized how stupid he'd been, and that what he'd done was unforgivable, and so he tried to escape. Luckily, that table was there to stop him."
A cold chuckle freed itself from Lucien's throat. Lucius couldn't help but shiver at the sound of it.
"Why did you-----do what you did to him?" he asked timidly, almost fearing the anger his father had so clearly displayed moments earlier himself. He knew first hand what it was like to be on the receiving end when Lucien was furious. Being the weak creature that he was, Lucius was positive Bobin had been shattered. Lucius didn't think he'd ever seen anyone in so much agony and despair before.
"I sacked him." Lucien replied curtly. "Plain and simple. You don't keep what isn't useful."
Lucius didn't like the sound of that.
The two were silent for a while. Lucien moved over to the window, looking outside into into the bleary gray sky. It seemed winter was coming a tad early that year, and the few scattered trees in the garden were beginning to loose their multi-coloured leaves. Some branches were already bare. Moving over to stand beside his father, Lucius glanced down into the garden as well, spotting Mr. Llombred hovering over a particularly sour looking bush, snipping scraggly bows here and there, running a hand through his golden hair every down and again in frustration. Lucius couldn't help but smile. He was quite fond of the young man. He had a way of his own that couldn't be tainted or scarred by the evil surrounding him. Most of all, he had a sort of lingering innocence that made him completely clueless to the fact that the Malfoy family were wizards. Of course, they all took careful measures to make sure they were not discovered by their Muggle gardener, but there were some instances where strange things happened around the Malfoy estate, and if you were really looking, you would suspect something was afoot. Mr. Llombred however, was too absorbed in his passionate work to ever notice, and Lucius was glad for it. He didn't suppose Mr. Llombred would hang around very long once he discovered who he was really working for.
"Did you and Severus have a good time at dinner?" Lucien asked distractedly, his clear eyes catching something that he obviously disliked, making his lips pinch a little.
Lucius, somewhat surprised, took a moment to answer.
"Uh….y-yes." He said. "I think so…."
"Good." Lucien said simply, turning to face his son, a strange glint appearing in his gaze. "They will be coming more often now, the Snapes. There are matters in the wizarding world that have come up best discussed between friends."
Lucius felt his heart rise at the thought of Severus coming back, even daring to smile a little. Lucien looked pleased. He lay one hand on Lucius' small shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. Lucius didn't like it all that much, since he so rarely received such gestures of affection from his father. If he was acting so now, there was obviously something he was up to.
"I'm glad that you and him are friends." He said softly, and Lucius could almost see the gears working in his father's head, calculating and planning. "Severus will be attending Hogwarts as well, from what Vessaire tells me." He paused for a moment. "Hopefully you will be both in the same house. Slytherin no doubt. The entire Malfoy family has been in that house. There is no reason why you wouldn't."
"No." Lucius agreed, even though he didn't have much of an idea as to what he was agreeing with.
"Next year." Lucien mused, almost wistful. "Next year…."
He trailed off, moving away from Lucius and sitting lightly in a nearby chair. His black robes swayed around his feet slowly, the light slanting through the window illuminating his fair face and giving the impression of a powerful king sitting upon his mighty throne. Lucius didn't like it, much as he didn't like many things about his father, and found himself looking away and sliding closer to the window, as if to soak up its light and escape the darkness creeping up on him from behind. He could hear Lucien humming softly under his breath, some old tune Lucius had never heard before, and shuddered involuntarily. Something so good as music should never come from such a dirty mouth.
"When are they coming again?" he blurted, keeping his eyes looking outside.
There was a brief pause.
"Hmm?" Lucius could feel his father's eyes on him now.
"I said, when are they coming again? The Snapes."
Lucien took a short breath. "Oh yes. Of course. We've planned for another visit sometime a month now. Vessaire is very busy at the Ministry at this moment, as I will be once my time off has expired, and that is the only chance we can all be together."
Lucius nodded, somewhat disappointed.
"What about Severus?" he pressed, emboldened by the fell of the sun on his face. "I don't suppose he would be doing anything….Couldn't he come? By himself?"
He turned just enough to see his father out of the corner of his eye. Lucien was smirking, almost as if he thought Lucius' question silly. This did not improve his nerves at all.
"Severus is currently deep in his own studies, and is progressing well. I believe it would be unfair to him to pull him from his work when he is going to hard."
Lucius was very certain his father shot a very pointed stare in his direction, and almost let himself feel hurt.
"You will see him in a month. Be patient. One might think you were too eager to leave your family."
Lucius couldn't help but feel his insides grow cold. How as it that Lucien seemed to know everything about him, just as Severus seemed to? Was he that easy to read? Suddenly cautious again, Lucius tried to erase any emotion from his face, keeping his eyes as blank as was possible. Lucien was still watching him very closely, as if expecting an answer to confirm his suspicions. Lucius wouldn't give him that satisfaction.
"I've been alone all my life." He muttered, turning around fully and trying to keep the sudden courage within him from fading under the intense heat of Lucien's stern gaze. "Would you deny your own son a friend? Would you suspect him of wishing to leave his only family, just because he expressed a desire to see someone with whom he shared common interests?"
The longer Lucien kept silent, the more Lucius began to fully regret having spoken so boldly. He could feel his heart recoil at the thought of Lucien becoming angry with him. He was fairly certain that he didn't have enough strength to hold up against Lucien's fury. He just wasn't that strong.
"I am not trying to hold you back." Lucien finally replied, and the earlier smirk was long gone from his lips. "I just believe that since Severus is so busy, it would be best to wait until the entire Snape family can attend. And besides Lucius, it would be a very opportune time for you to work at your own studies. I have noticed you are having some problems…."
Lucius knew he was just saying that to get a rise out of him, but couldn't help but feel his temper soar at the disbelief his father had the gall to say what he only ever voiced to Serlia. Lucius knew his father was someone who didn't hesitate to say what he thought, but he was more diplomatic about it, and usually found more subtle ways of speaking his opinion. That was where his poison lay, in the little things, the quieter things. Lucius was bright enough to realize he had inherited this certain trait.
Without thinking, Lucius decided to ride his anger, uncaring of the possible result.
"I'm doing just fine." He snapped, turning and fixing his boldest stare on Lucien. "Just because you may be smart, doesn't necessarily mean that I will be too. I could perhaps be brilliant, but am unable to blossom because I am receiving inadequate aid."
He knew the second he said it he'd gone too far. Lucien was on his feet in a flash, towering over Lucius in all his frightening glory. Lucius felt his knees turn to jelly underneath him, and nearly cried out in terror. For one crazy moment, he thought Lucien was going to hit him, but his father merely took another slow step forward and gripped Lucius' chin, wrenching his face up to stare at him full on.
"That was uncalled for." He hissed, his breath hot on Lucius' cheeks. "I could take away your very right to see Severus again if I wished, though I'm feeling especially generous today, and I'll give you a second chance, one you clearly do not deserve. I have turned a blind eye for too long. I have not been as disciplined as I could be. Do not force my hand Lucius."
Even if Lucius had wanted to continue in his abrupt tirade, he didn't think his tongue would have allowed him. Well, if for nothing else, at least one part of his body knew when to quit when he was down.
"I'm sorry." He whispered, even though he knew he didn't mean it at all. "I got carried away."
"Yes." Lucien agreed, still bristling. "You certainly did."
Lucius was tossed back roughly, and almost tumbled over, but caught himself just in time. Now was not the time for falling on his arse, especially when Lucien looked as if he was ready to unleash some more of his anger on anything that brushed him the wrong way. Supposing he was excused, Lucius backed away and left, trudging down the hall to his bedroom, closing the door firmly behind him and going to sit on his windowseat. Sighing, he pulled the curtains closed, hiding himself from the rest of the large, empty room, resting his head against the cool windowpane. He didn't feel much like doing anything, now that he'd started the day off on a sour note. The only thing he wanted was to see Severus again. They didn't even have to do anything together. He just wanted to sit in the library with Severus' calm presence somewhere nearby, and to know that he wouldn't leave.
That's what he wanted, and would give anything to obtain.
Severus liked Lucius from the very first, that much was obvious. He wasn't quite sure why, for a time, except for the fact that they were both very unhappy with their lives, and wished to escape their homes for Hogwarts as soon as possible. That would be three years in the making, so they would have to rely on eachother until then.
When Severus returned home with his parents after the dinner at the Malfoy's, Vessaire pulled him aside once Lucile had gone up to change into more comfortable bedclothing.
"You have done well, to gain Lucien's son as a friend." He told him. "The Malfoy's are a very influencial family in the wizarding world. One day, when Lucius is older, he will be just like his father, if not more so, and it will be him, and his closest allies calling all the shots."
Severus wanted to tell his father how wrong he was, that Lucius would never become his father if he had anything to say about it, that he despised anything and everything to do with what Lucien believed in. It was Lucius' single-minded mission in life to do everything possible so that he would never be the person Lucien wanted him to be. But he knew that Vessiare wouldn't listen, and he would just be repeating what every powerful man's son had said before. It would never be any different.
In the days that followed, Severus did his work, and gave his father no reason to be angry with him. Vessaire was on somewhat more friendly terms with his son than Lucien, but still was strict when it came to behavior. Severus wasn't exactly one to disobey rules, so he didn't have many problems with keeping it up, but after a while, he began to wonder if his father would ever suggest another visit. He was getting anxious for some reason, and he often wondered how Lucius was faring back at his own home, since he knew that Lucius was very much alone in that huge mansion. Lucius gave the impression he needed someone, and Severus believed that he could be that person, at least until Lucius discovered his own strength.
It was more than clear that Lucius did have his own inner strength. He just needed to be able to use it, without fear of being beaten down. Hogwarts was exactly the place for that, where you're able to let yourself grow and expand, and innovate upon your skills and talents. To be a Malfoy was to be strong. It would just take time with Lucius. He'd been smothered too long, and Severus had the idea that he was purposefully trying to fail, for what reason, he did not know. But other than that, Lucius would most definitely be a very powerful person, be it in a good way, or bad way, and if Severus had the chance, he would make sure he was beside him every step of the way.
When it was only a few days from the one-month mark since he'd seen Lucius, Vessaire announced at dinner that the following Friday, they would take a second trip to the Malfoy estate and make a day of it. The second Severus was finished his meal, he stole away to his room and scribbled a letter to Lucius, and sent it with his owl Enigma, watching the great tawny shape soar off into the distance, the note held tightly within its deadly claws.
Later that night, Severus was awoken from sleep as Enigma swooped back through his open window, and landed smoothly on the headboard. He made a soft little chirruping noise and flapped his wings as if preparing for flight, buffeting Severus' face persistently. It took him a few moments to realize what is was that was caressing his cheek as he rose through the haze of sleep, but suddenly he was very much aware, and sat up straight in bed, turning around to see Enigma giving him an amused look.
"What?" he snapped softly, removing the return message from his claws and tossing him an owl treat.
Severus unfolded the letter and read:
Dear Severus,
That's great you're coming again. I began to think you had forgotten about me. I've been having a rotten time with Lucien lately, and it'll be a welcome change, so hopefully nothing terribly horrible will happen between now and then to forestall this "get together". So until then, take care. I'll see you soon, I hope.
Lucius
Severus couldn't help but smile a little. Despite how serious Lucius always was, he could always have a somewhat light side. Even when his life couldn't get any worse, he somehow found the driest thing to say. He was just like that. Severus supposed he was that way as well; another thing they had in common. He sometimes wondered what kind of person Lucius would grow up to be, if he found some way to escape his father's overpowering clutches. Maybe he'd join the Ministry and become and Auror. He certainly had the courage, and probably the skill, even though Severus had little to nothing to base that on; but it certainly seemed plausible. Maybe he'd become a teacher, and find ways to instill his own values upon the future generations, create ways to show them what it really is to be a witch or wizard. Or maybe he'd go the whole nine yards and become Minister of Magic. That one was probably a long shot, but Severus liked to think that Lucius had the determination to do it.
After hiding Lucius' letter under his pillow, Severus lay down and slept away the rest of the night, waking up briefly to hear his father leave for work before falling off again. In the morning, he came downstairs and walked into the dining room where Lucile was sitting solemnly at the table, her head resting in one hand.
"Good morning." Severus said softly, sitting down across from her.
Lucile said nothing in return, her eyes fixed on a faraway point that Severus couldn't see.
"Mother?"
Lucile sighed heavily.
"What is it Severus?" she asked.
"I said good morning." Severus repeated. "You didn't answer me." He paused for a moment. "What were you thinking about?"
"Nothing." Lucile said quickly, her sharp eyes flicking to Severus. "One of those moments, you know…" she continued airily. "When you're not thinking about anything at all."
Severus didn't believe her. He merely smiled and nodded.
"Yes, I do know."
Lucile smiled in return. She obviously didn't think he'd caught on to the fact that she was thinking about things she wasn't supposed to. Severus didn't feel like wondering about what that might be though. He'd done enough thinking lately, especially on Lucius, and pondering Lucile's naughty thoughts wasn't exactly high on his list of things to do. He would let them wander idly about her empty head as long as they wanted to. Lucile didn't think about much, so he would give her that.
Severus decided to change the subject.
"I was thinking I might go to Diagon Alley today." He said. "Is that alright?"
"Yes, sure." Lucile muttered, rising to her feet and striding gracefully towards the door. "Take a few Sickles if you want…."
Her voice trailed off into silence as she left the room, and Severus soon followed after, turning down the hall and into the drawing room where the fireplace was crackling merrily. Beside the mantle, a small, round brass bucket hung on the wall, a greenish powder residing within. Severus approached and dipped his hand in, removing some of the powder and stepping to the side so he stood directly infront of the small flames.
Severus tossed the handful of powder onto the fire, which promptly emitted a loud bang, and turned the flames a sparkly green colour, doubling them in size. Having not done this quite a lot, Severus took a hesitant step backward, waiting a few moments to gather himself before moving forward again.
"Diagon Alley." He said firmly, then disappeared into the fire.
After a stomach-churning trip through the Floo Network, Severus tumbled into the dark, musty bar room of the Leaky Cauldron, dusted in a light layer of soot. He stood on shaky legs and shook himself off, trying to avoid the sideways glances that the few patrons around the room kept flashing in his direction. Behind the bar, a rather young Tom was drying out a glass, watching him warily.
"Hello there Severus." He said, his voice a trifle louder than it should have been. "I haven't seen you in quite some time."
At mention of his name, a handful of customers got up and left, their chairs scraping loudly along the floor in the heavy silence. Severus sighed, trying to ignore it. Just because his father was one of the greatly feared, and often suspected, men at the Ministry, didn't mean that he had to be treated the same way.
Severus approached the bar and gave Tom a small smile to show he meant no harm.
"Anything new in Diagon Alley?" he asked softly. "I seem to be behind on the times."
Tom laughed, a shaky, hesitant laugh that had no mirth.
"N-Not much." He stuttered, taking a sip from a glass of brandy sitting in front of him. "But you'd best look around for yourself. The Cauldron keeps me pretty busy you know…."
"Thanks Tom."
Brushing a hand through his hair, Severus exited through the back door, stepping out into the small square of scraggly lawn. Approaching the haphazardly stacked wall of bricks, Severus removed his training wand from his back pocket, tapping the right bricks in the sequence every one in the wizarding community knew by heart. There was a pause, then the bricks began to groan and shift, until there was a large hole in the wall, allowing Severus to step through.
Crowds parted as Severus strode along the narrow alley, glancing around him at the familiar stores and shops. There was a low murmur of talk as people went about their business, gaggles of young children herded from shop to shop by parents and older siblings, some perhaps searching around for choice items for the start of term at Hogwarts next fall before the crush of other students came and snatched them up near the end of August. Compared to the busy time just before the busy time just before the beginning of September, Diagon Alley was relatively empty, and Severus enjoyed being able to walk around without being jarred from side to side by passing people.
Entering Flourish and Blotts, Severus was suddenly and unexpectedly knocked over as a figure came rushing by, followed closely by another.
"Oi!"
The first one called, stopping and turning, halting his friend with a firm clasp on the arm.
"Sorry." He said, pushing askew glasses back up his nose. "I was careless."
His companion, a somewhat larger, springy, black haired boy offered a hand, a wicked grin on his lips.
"Forgive James." He said, pulling Severus to his feet. "He's just a clumsy arse. Most of the time I try to keep him inside, but he always seems to get out……"
Severus didn't quite know what to say to these two very strange boys, and simply stared at them until the one called James let out an uncertain laugh.
"I think I knocked him a bit too hard Sirius." He whispered. "What do you say for it?"
Lucius snapped out of his stupor, backing away from both of them a step.
"I-I'm fine." He said, trying to sound confident, but only succeeding in coming off as arrogant. He tried to smile, to make up for it, but he could tell by their expressions that James and Sirius only seemed to think he was sneering at them.
"Hey Sirius." James said tersely, his smile fading, brows creasing together. "I think I've an idea who this slimy git is. I'd bet my broom he's one of those nasty Snapes, aren't you?"
"So what if I am?" Severus shot back, unable to control himself. "How does that make any difference?"
Sirius grinned wolfishly.
"You know I don't know these grisly wizarding types very well James, but I can safely say this here boy is not a very nice young man."
Severus felt his heart begin to beat wildly, the anger boiling in his veins. These boys weren't giving him a chance!
"I don't know what you're talking about." He said fiercely. "Stop talking as if I weren't here."
James began to back away, tugging on Sirius' arm to bring him along. They were both smiling at him, a mocking smile that made Severus all the more livid.
"Well Sirius, I suppose we'd better leave this greasy git to his business."
Before Severus could say something in return, the two boys were gone, weaving through the crowds and out of the sight. Severus was left standing there, bristling with fury and indignation, his dark eyes burning like hot coals. He had to take a few moments to settle himself before he could even move from his current spot. Breathing slowly, he raked a hand through his hair again, passing out of Flourish and Blotts and into the Alley. Severus quickly decided he had had enough of Diagon Alley for one day, and still bristling, he stormed back to the Leaky Cauldron and crashed through the door in such a fit of anger, Tom nearly jumped out of his skin in terror.
"Severus?!"
Without saying anything in return, Severus snatched a handful of Floo Powder and chucked it into the flames, growling: "Snape Manor" softly under his breath. He didn't know why he had allowed himself to become so furious, how these boys had been able to get such a rise out of him. Severus was normally able to control himself. He wasn't an aggressive person, so he was surprised at himself at the way he had handled the situation.
The flames had exploded and turned green again, so Severus stepped forward and was sent rolling headfirst through the various tunnels and passageways in the Floo Network before tumbling back into the drawing room, once again covered in a layer of soot. Vessaire was casually strolling along in front of one of the bookshelves, one finger sliding slowly across the spines, and was startled to see his son come cannoning from the fireplace, his pale face darkened from the journey.
"Where were you?" he asked Severus, watching him from across the room.
Severus sighed heavily, shaking his robes out and wiping a hand across his face, which only smudged the door more.
"Diagon Alley." He said vindictively. "Though not for very long."
Vessaire raised one elegant brow. "Oh?"
Severus merely let out a soft, agonized groan, as if that alone could communicate what had happened, and no words needed to be said. Vessaire gave him a sly grin, then tugged one leather bound volume from the bookshelf and tossed it across the room, surprising Severus who only caught it at the last second.
"I found it." He said simply, watching for Severus' reaction.
Severus looked down at the book, where looping green letters winked back at him: Advanced Potions.
"The book you were looking for!" he said, peeling back the cover and flipping through the musty pages, his dark eyes devouring each line hungrily. "It was here all along. How did you…..?"
"Think of it? I was ready to give up when I realized how stupid I'd been…..The only place I hadn't looked was the one place that was the most obvious." He laughed a little bitterly. "Sometimes I wonder if I really am getting old….."
Severus gave his father a secret grin, turning his face so Vessaire wouldn't see his obvious amusement. Vessaire was only just into his thirties, and yet he always seemed to think he was approaching forty. He certainly did look a little older than he should have, but not that much, at least in Severus' opinion anyway.
Just as he was about to leave, a sudden idea struck him, causing him to pause on the threshold of the hall.
"Why are you home so early?" he asked.
"There wasn't much going on at the Ministry today, so I left. I was told I wasn't needed."
There was something in his voice that told Severus that wasn't entirely the truth, but chose to let it lie. It wasn't odd that Vessaire would keep secrets from him; there were many things that Severus didn't know and probably would never know, and this was just another one to add to the list.
Snapping Advanced Potions shut, Severus gave an appreciative nod to his father then left, going up to his room and carefully sliding the large tome onto his bookshelf in an open space. He changed his robes and washed his face, clearing away any soot that was left behind from his journeys by Floo. After turning off the tap, Severus regarded himself closely in the mirror. A pale faced, thin little boy with long black hair and enigmatic black eyes looked back at him with a sullen expression. He wrinkled his nose. Why did he always look so depressed? No wonder those boys in Diagon Alley had so easily mistaken his tentative smile for a sneer. If he'd been in their place, he would have thought the same.
"Smile Severus." He told himself sternly. "Don't be so dismal."
He smiled weakly at his reflection, trying to look….well maybe not happy, but at least somewhat content. It looked strange, almost as if it shouldn't be there, and Severus quickly let his lips fall back into their usual thin line, sighing through his nose.
"That looked fine dear." The mirror wheezed. "Let's see another one."
But Severus just turned away and closed the bathroom door behind him, content not to have to smile again. He went to their large, spacious library and picked out a book he had been reading, settling into a chair by the warm fire to read away the afternoon.
Each second that ticked by was a second closer to seeing Lucius again, he hoped fervently that this wouldn't be the last.
A/N: Well, like it? This chapter was a long time coming, and again I'm sorry it took so long to come out, but I hope that whoever reads this enjoys it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Oh, and just to clarify, did anyone but me feel like cackling with laugher at the notion of Lucius: "becoming a teacher and finding a way to instill his own values on the future generations, showing students what it really is to be a witch or wizard"? I just couldn't help but snort when I wrote that….^_^ Anyway, please R&R!!!!!!