Disclaimers, etc.: Please see Chapter 1.

Many, many thanks to...

Evenstar Elanor… Welcome back from your trip! You said you think you'll die from the cliffhangers? Well, keep reading then!

Mercury Gray… Put Malificus out of his misery? I'm afraid I can't let you do that… I need him for the "Thunderstruck" sequel…

Rushumble… The medallion projects additional fear and terror to the person who is having a spell cast against them. They discuss some of this in an earlier chapter. I'll have to think about reinforcing that a little… thanks for the heads up.

Trina/Leonora… Romantic? Good, I wanted it to have a touch of that.

Wyall Jared… Made you cry? smiling Emotional connections are always good, glad that chapter made one with you!

Lady of the Dog Star… Welcome back as well! Glad you saw the "typical" Snape in the ninny comment. As much as I've tried to round out his character, I don't want to lose that fundamental negativity. He just isn't Severus Snape without it.

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Chapter 34: Appearances Can Be Deceiving

"Mr. Malfoy, I really advise against this…"

"I hired you to keep him alive," sneered Lucius, "which you have done adequately. I need to talk to my brother, and I will rouse him to do it. When I'm finished, your job will again be to keep him alive – and unconscious – until I tell you otherwise."

The doctor thought about how much money Lucius was paying him to be Malificus private physician at St. Mungo's. "Yes, Mr. Malfoy. He'll be well cared for in exactly the way you describe."

"Good. Now leave." Lucius watched the doctor hurry out of the private suite and shut the door behind him. With a snap of his wrist, Lucius send a spell coursing across the room. He turned his back and waited for the spell to take effect. It settled over his brother's prone form like a blanket and seemed to soak into Malificus. With a groan, the younger Malfoy opened his eyes and struggled to sit up. When Lucius turned back around, Malificus was sitting on his bed, looking out the narrow window and slowly clenching and unclenching his fist.

"Why didn't you let me die?" Malificus asked.

"You're my brother," said Lucius, and that was – in truth – part of the reason.

"Don't credit this to brotherly love."

"No, that's not all it," said Lucius tightly. "I've spoken with the Dark Lord through his devoted servant, and although he is furious that the Medallion was lost, he was intrigued that you were able to summon a Dominatus Crystal. He wants to speak with you once you are awake."

"And are you taking me there now."

"No," answered Lucius. "That doesn't suit MY plans."

Malificus stood up from the bed and turned. His right cheek bore an angry red hand print of puckered, scarred skin from where one of the ghosts of Castlebann had grabbed him. Lucius wondered how his brother would react when he realized he was disfigured; Malificus had always been the vainer of the two brothers.

"No, you're not ready to face him yet. You shouldn't even be awake; this is my doing and once we're done, you'll sleep more to help recover. I want to make sure that the Dark Lord's trusted servant - that fool Pettigrew - is… gone… before I bring you to the Dark Lord."

Malificus heard the spite and venom in his brother's voice. Peter Pettigrew was a simpering, backstabbing, weasel who had completely earned his nickname, 'Wormtail.' He was an obstacle to Lucius becoming the Dark Lord's full confidant.

"Do I have a choice?" Malificus' voice was bitter. He had used the Dominatus Crystal to try to break free from Lucius' shadow, but now he found himself more deeply submerged in it. More deeply than he ever had been before. Lucius now completely controlled his destiny.

"No." Lucius smile was thin with a hint of malice in it.

"Did Serena survive the spell?"

Lucius eyes narrowed. "Yes," he said tightly, "I've heard that our dear friend Severus Snape rushed her to the Hogwart's infirmary."

"Beauty and the bloody friggin' beast…" growled Malificus.

There was silence in the room for a long few minutes before Lucius walked over, grabbed Malificus, and made his brother look at him. "She is nothing to you now," he said. "If I thought it would help, I would wipe your memory of her, but she's been so entwined in years of your life, that I'd wipe out too many other memories. Memories that you need. That I need. Put her out of your mind, Malificus, starting right now."

"Fine," growled Malificus sourly.

"Good," said Lucius. "Now, it is time for you to sleep again."

Without being asked, Malificus returned to his bed and got in, pulling the sheet up to his chest. Lucius released the spell and watched his brother's body sag and relax as he was drawn back down into unconsciousness. But as the light of the room faded before him, Malificus only thought of one thing.

Serena.

I'll find you again, Serena. You and Severus Snape…

As Lucius sent the doctor back into his brother's room with strict instructions to keep him unconscious and alive, Serena was getting restless to go back to her cottage. Madam Pomfrey had insisted she spend the week at the infirmary.

Now, she was just waiting for Severus who had insisted on walking her home (which she didn't mind at all). She was looking forward to spending some time – alone – with Severus at her cottage. As she waited, she decided to ask Madam Pomfrey something that had been on her mind about that very idea.

"You said 'reasonable exercise.' What do you mean by reasonable?"

Madame Pomfrey looked puzzled. "Well, you should be able to tell. Nothing too strenuous right away, but you needn't stay abed. I'll drum you right back in here if I see you playing Quidditch within the next three weeks, Serena."

"I wasn't talking about Quidditch," said Serena with color starting to rise to her cheeks. Just then, Severus came into the room and a smile lit up Serena's now pink cheeks.

"Then what are you… oh. Oh!" Madame Pomfrey suddenly realized – as she looked at Serena looking at Severus - what Serena was getting at. "Well, there's no reason the two of you can't… I mean…"

"Thank you, Madame Pomfrey," said Serena, sparing them further embarrassment. "I understand."

"Oh, good." Madam Pomfrey, completely flustered, went back to trying to roll some bandages with little success.

"What was that about?" asked Severus as they walked out. He glanced back over his shoulder and saw Madame Pomfrey watching them with the oddest little smile.

"Nothing of consequence," replied Serena.

A few hours later, Severus came into Serena's bedroom with a cup of tea. She propped herself up on an elbow and watched him come in. "I do adore those on you." She referred to the North Exeter Nationals boxer shorts that he wore. "Although, I still don't understand quite what you see in that team. Southampton is much better, especially on offense."

Severus ignored the comment. "How are you feeling?" he asked as he handed her the tea. As she took it, the sheet fell down some, and he realized she hadn't put any clothes back on yet.

"You're going to get a chill," he said.

"Not if you come back to bed," she answered cheekily.

She put the tea on the bed stand as he slid back under the covers and she curled up tight against him, running a hand up his chest.

"You're positive that Madame Pomfrey expressly mentioned this kind of behavior would be beneficial for you?"

"Oh, yes," Serena answered with a smile that intentionally betrayed the fib. "Indeed she did. It is a good way to build up my stamina again."

Severus couldn't help but chuckle at the earnest tone and huge doe-eyes that she turned on him. "Well," he said, "we certainly must mind what the doctor says."

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Please read & review, and thanks to everyone who has reviewed the past few chapters. Seems like everyone is back from their vacations… I was psyched to see all of the review emails the last time I checked. Please let me know what you think of this one!