Epilogue
The sun had just risen and tinted the sky with a light pale pink and orange, seeping out into a bright blue. The cool morning air was heavy with a fine mist that wrapped itself around the trees and undergrowth and veiled the trail up ahead and behind. Lucius paused, his horse pawing at the ground, as he simply took in the morning.
He'd only been back at the Wiltshire manor for the past week. Voldemort hadn't wanted to see him yet. Lucius couldn't help but wonder if that was a good or bad thing. Voldemort could simply be glad to have one of his top Death Eaters back and think nothing of it. Or he could be bottling his rage and demand to know why Lucius hadn't made his way back to England sooner or alerted him. He tucked a loose strand of hair behind his ear. Either way, he had to be doubly on guard; especially since he was about to embark on a rather risky path. It would take careful observation in order to ensure he selected the person who was the double spy.
Of course Harry's veiled words didn't help much, but the less that could be easily connected, the better for them. Making preparations for a dosage of Veritaserum would be a prudent measure to take. One never knew and he would soon have to worry about Dumbledore as well as Voldemort.
He'd taken an early morning ride to clear his head and it seemed as if it was still bubbling over with Merlin knew how many things that still required his attention. His horse now gave an impatient snort, pawing at the ground more anxiously. Lucius nudged it with his heels and clucked his tongue lightly, moving the reins so it turned around and started back down the path towards the stables.
"Lord Malfoy," the groom said with a low bow once Lucius had arrived and dismounted. "A house elf says that you have a guest at the manor."
Lucius arched an eyebrow slightly. A caller, this early in the morning? Who in their right mind would be up at quarter to seven in the morning? Well, besides him. He nodded his head slightly in thanks and made his way back to the house, taking the path though the gardens. The minute he stepped into the door, it seemed as if he was barraged by a flustered house elf.
"Bwink is sorry master!" the house elf cried, wringing its hands and beating itself rather viciously in the head. "Bwink told Master Snape that you was occupied but he-"
"Snape?" Lucius said a bit sharply. "What do you mean Snape?"
"Master Snape is in the dining room, waiting to see you!" Bwink squeaked in fear. "Bwink tried to tell him but he didn't listen. Bwink is sorry Master, Bwink almost-"
Lucius didn't bother listening to the rest. He simply waved a hand in dismissal and strode down the hallway towards the dining room. Just as Bwink had said, Severus was seated in the dining room, scowling heartily as a house elf tried to ply him with what looked to be an enticing breakfast.
"Out. Now." Lucius ordered, causing the elf to scurry quickly from the room and leaving it silent.
"Where the bloody hell have you been?" Severus demanded from his seat.
"Recuperating," Lucius said derisively as he took a seat and perused the rather buffet style selection that graced the tabletop. "It was quite an ordeal." He was neglecting certain…particulars but Lucius was sure Severus didn't, and wouldn't, want to hear about the fantastic sex he and Harry had been having. He just might start screaming about his poor virgin ears. Lucius chuckled slightly at that thought.
Severus scowled at Lucius' chuckle. "Don't give me that," he said and uncrossed his arms. "The Dark Lord is going to want to see you today."
Lucius simply shrugged, placing some bacon and eggs on his plate. He knew it was going to be coming around sooner or later. It seemed that Severus wasn't appeased with this at all and cleared his throat before speaking.
"Have you stopped to consider just what the Dark Lord will do to extract information from you?"
"I believe he'll do what most of us do; ask a question," Lucius said archly. "And perhaps I'll do something radical; such as answering him back."
Severus scowled for a moment. "Wherever you were, you must have addled your wits somehow. I'm quite sure you don't wish to end up like Nott. That is, unless you're looking for a convenient manner in which to escape your marriage."
Nothing was said for a moment as Lucius took in the wry smile that graced Severus lips. No, ending up dead from Avada Kedavra after a full day of torture at the hands of the Dark Lord was not his preferred way to die. And he certainly wasn't leaving Narcissa and her sticky hands around Draco anytime soon.
"Why Severus," Lucius said finally. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were…offering to help me. And just what could you possibly hope to gain from this?"
"Warm and fuzzy feelings," Severus said caustically as he reached inside his robes and placed a black liquid filled vial on the table. "When you take it, think carefully about what you don't want the Dark Lord to find out about. The potion will bind and shield those memories from outside penetration. I suggest you take it before the Dark Lord summouns you any time soon. You'll be safe from any other prying methods he may have that aren't those strange things called questions."
Lucius reached forward, rolling the vial between his fingers, regarding it curiously before his gaze his flickered to Severus, hard and flinty. "Don't play the fool with me, Severus. I don't have the time or patience."
Severus didn't say anything for a moment. "And I can't do anything out of the kindness of my heart?"
"Is that what you call that dried up shriveled thing?" Lucius arched an eyebrow.
"I can say the same for you." Severus retorted easily.
Lucius simply gave him a strange enigmatic little smirk. "I'm quite sure you can. Is this," he held up the vial. "The only reason why you've called at a rather inhuman hour of the morning?"
"I didn't have to, you know." Severus said harshly.
"Yes, and escaping from a school full of terrified, trapped brats isn't reason enough to flee?" Lucius followed up.
"Just take the damned thing if you want to save your corrupted aristocratic ass." Severus spat out before he swept out of the dining room, slamming the door behind him.
Lucius watched the doors with a somewhat indolent amusement before he turned his attention back to the vial. He was wondering about where it had really come from. Had Snape truly done something without an attachment of any kind? Or had it come through Dumbledore? Or even through Harry who was working through Dumbledore? Lucius looked back at the door. If it was the last one, Harry certainly had found a brilliant way of telling him and hiding the fact from Voldemort in one stroke. Quite Slytherin indeed… He slipped the vial into his inside robe pocket and started his breakfast, a small smile playing across his face.
"That was sheer madness, and you know it Albus!" Severus demanded as he paced about the Headmaster's office. "What, in the name of Merlin himself, were you thinking?!" he was virtually spitting with rage and trying hard to keep it under control.
Albus watched Severus for a few moments before motioning to a chair in front of his desk. Severus simply ignored Albus and continued pacing. With a heavy sigh, Albus fixed himself a cup of tea from the tea tray on his desk, blowing across the scalding surface before taking noisy little slurps.
"Oh, drink it properly!" Severus snarled, still pacing, his brow furrowed.
"When you have a seat and calm down, I shall explain why I asked you to brew that potion for Lucius Malfoy."
It took Severus another ten minutes before he was able to regain a semblance of his composure and sit down in his seat. He was gritting his teeth harshly, earning a clucking sound from Albus.
"You'll wear your teeth out like that."
"Spit it out!" Severus said in a tight voice. The way he was currently feeling, he would have to dock about a hundred points from Gryffindor every day for the next five years straight to feel anywhere close to better.
"Harry expressed concern that Lucius may know something that may prove to be invaluable to Voldemort." Albus said, holding up a hand to still Severus as he opened his mouth yet again. "And I do think he raised a valid point."
"Did Potter even say what there could be that necessitates hiding?" Severus demanded a bit belligerently.
"No; he simply sent me a note." Albus said.
Severus regarded the Headmaster for a moment, the corner of his left eye twitching a bit spasmodically. "Do you mean to tell me," he said slowly. "That I stomped into the Malfoy manor to give Lucius something simply because Potter sent you a note about some piddly little concern of his?"
"Harry had concerns. Perfectly valid concerns." Albus said gently. "Your choice of words aside, yes, that is the gist of it."
Severus' eye twitched even more, his teeth gritting together even harder. "I think you've lost it completely. Have you even talked to the brat or is he still holed up in the private quarters you assigned for him?"
"Harry's still in his quarters, on the third floor. The suite guarded by Bucephalus," Albus said, giving Severus something of a reproachful look. "I believe he needs some time to recuperate from his ordeal. In fact, if you could go by and talk to him, I would be more than grateful."
A hoarse choking sound came from Severus' throat as his face went a dark, flustered red, eyes snapping. The tic just seemed to be getting worse.
"I just want you to try Severus," Albus said. "If not, have him come and see me afterwards."
Severus tried to speak once more but found his rage choking the words from his mouth. He rose from his chair and stalked out of Dumbledore's office, a cheerful 'Thank you!' following after him.
"You will not flip the Headmaster the bird, you will not flip the Headmaster the bird," Severus ground out in a mantra as he stalked down the stairs and out into the corridor. "You will not flip the Headmaster the bird, you will not…"
Why the Headmaster saw fit to send him on this infuriating task was beyond him. Certainly Severus had better things to do with his time, and dealing with a morose Potter was not his choice. Hell, it wasn't even on his list. Yet Albus had firmly interjected it in there. Severus could not go and reason with the narrow-minded brat, but Albus would be on his case until he did. Better to get it done and out of the way now.
He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that it came as a surprise when something collided with him. He looked down in surprise to see Hermione Granger was sitting up, rubbing her head as Ronald Weasley helped her up. Great; Potter's little tagalong friends; just who he had no inclination of seeing at the moment. Was he ever to be free of the brat?
"Watch where you walk!" he barked tersely before stalking off down the hall.
He could hear their discontent mutters behind him and didn't quite care at the moment. Albus had said the portrait of Bucephalus guarded Potter's quarters on the third floor. Every step he took seemed to only fuel his rage. He paused on the second floor, taking a moment to regain his composure; dealing with Potter always managed to infuriate him and going in mad was simply asking to burst with rage at the boy after five minutes. By the time he reached the portrait, which was tucked away in a small alcove, he's managed to push back the volatile rage and calm himself down a bit
"Bucephalus," he ground out as the man in the picture was patting a black horse on it's muzzle fondly and feeding it what appeared to be an apple. "Bucephalus!" he bellowed; being ignored wasn't something anyone wanted to do right now.
The man turned his head and gave Severus a frosty look. "And what, may I ask, is your business here?"
"I'm here to speak to Potter."
"Then I won't let you in. Harry left me specific instructions. Not to let anyone in; particularly you."
Take a deep breath and calm down; that was the best thing to do at the moment. Hexing the portrait for what Potter told it to do would not get him anywhere. "Albus sent me to talk to him."
"I see. He also said not to let the Headmaster in either. Or anyone he sends. Two strikes against you; one for being you and the other for being sent by Dumbledore." Bucephalus inspected Severus for a moment. "And if you're always that sour looking, it's no wonder he certainly doesn't want to see you."
The tic in Severus' eye returned and everything came flooding back. He felt more indignant and outraged than he ever had in his life. And he hadn't even seen Potter yet. Wonderful. "Perhaps you don't understand. Open up so I may get in and talk to Potter. I. Need. To. Talk. To. Him. "
Bucephalus shook his head once more. "Perhaps you didn't understand what I just told you. Would it help if I said that I directly quoted Harry when I said that you had two strikes against you, and the subsequent words after that?"
Severus was quickly reaching his breaking point. Dealing with Voldemort's rage after the botched mission, trotting off to Lucius to give him a potion at a disgusting hour of the morning because Potter sent Albus a note and now standing here, like a fool, exchanging words with a portrait of an arrogant, cocky man with his horse to try and talk to Potter like Albus ordered was not Severus' idea of the ideal way to spend a day and a half. His hands curled into fists as he continued taking deep breaths. Remaining calm was a good idea; that was definitely a good idea.
"Listen," he spat out. "You're lucky I haven't hexed and shredded your portrait to bits to force my way in. You're lucky I'm being diplomatic about this at all. But I am on my last nerve already and I swear to Merlin if you do not open this wretched door, you will-"
"Yes, yes, I can quite imagine." Bucephalus said in a bored voice as he stifled a yawn. "You'll blast me to shreds and-" Bucephalus stopped talking, peering around as if listening to something. "One moment."
And with that, Bucephalus mounted the black horse and disappeared into the painted forest in the background. Severus' tic went into overdrive. Is this why Albus had sent him down, because he himself couldn't get in to talk to Potter? Severus had his pride; this was absolutely preposterous! He was being made an ass of by a portrait. A stinking bloody portrait of some idiot who probably got trampled to death by a horse! His own horse no doubt! If that dodgy old bat in his tower couldn't get in to see Potter, how on Earth could-
"Well," Bucephalus said with a smug smirk as he dismounted. "It seems he'll let you in. He figures it's better for you to explode inside his quarters in relative privacy rather than out here in public. Though I must tell you, the look on his face said he would have enjoyed to see the latter."
"About bloody time!" Severus snarled.
He glared at Bucephalus nastily, waiting for the portrait to swing open and reveal the door. Bucephalus simply watched him for a moment before shrugging and returning his attention to his horse.
"Aren't you going to open the blasted door?!" Severus demanded.
Bucephalus regarded him for a moment. "Aren't you going to tell me the password?"
A long string of curses echoed through the empty hallway. Severus was about five seconds away from ripping the infuriating portrait apart with his bare hands. Just as Severus swallowed the bitter bile that rose in his throat to speak, Bucephalus dashed off to the forest, his horse in close trot behind him. Severus knew the password, but how on Earth was he to tell it to the Goddamned portrait when the bloody frigging sod decided to run off into the forest before he could even utter the stinking, wretched password?!
"You do seem to be lucky today," Bucephalus said as he reappeared a few minutes later. "Or Harry has lost his wits in allowing me to do this. Or perhaps he wants a good scrapping fight at the moment. Could be he just wants to talk, who am I to say. But I hear any foul play and I shall run and get Minerva."
Severus simply glared at the portrait, chest heaving as he struggled to keep a hold on his tongue. A small touch of his anger vented away when the portrait swung back to reveal the simple doorway into Potter's quarters. Severus took a deep breath to calm himself down once more - with little success - and stepped in, the portrait of Bucephalus swinging back into place with a soft thud. This would be interesting.
End Part I - En Las Montañas
Part II - Come the Maëlstrom [coming soon!]
