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Chapter Three: The decision part 2: Four hours til Dusk- Lucius's Guilt

Lucius Malfoy sat in his quarters flipping through one of his magical photograph albums. Normally, he would be at the side of his master enjoying the prospect of seeing pathetic Muggles and disgraces to the name of Wizard destroyed but something weighed upon his shoulders. But today he had felt strange and therefore returned to the sanctuary of his own home. It was something that felt like guilt. Turning upon the page he came across what he was looking for.

It was a group photograph taken by another house student so all the Slytherins could in the picture, although there was one girl who wore the blue colours of Ravenclaw. Though he would never admit it, the reports Draco gave him about the "Golden Trio" reminded himself of his two best friends from his days at Hogwarts. Turning the page he found a photograph he had taken himself. Of a young Severus Snape smiling happily standing next to Epona. She had not been a Slytherin but sometimes Lucius had thought the hat only sorted her into Ravenclaw because funnily enough she was a Ravenclaw, the last of them.

She had gotten them out of so much trouble during their school days, specially as Head Girl. She was the only Pureblood that stood up for them. Lucius's fondest memory was when she had added an extra ingredient to Sirius Black and James Potter's potion and caused it to explode in there faces causing them to grow spots the size of marbles. War between the Gryffindors had certainly been interesting with her round.

She was the only person he felt guilty about killing. So why was this feeling returning now? Closing the book, Lucius sighed and looked towards a painted portrait on his study wall.

"I know why you feel guilty, Lucius." The soft voice of the portrait said as the figure straightened her robes.

"I have no doubt, Epona. That you shall enlighten me to why, then." Lucius drawled stopping in front of the image of the young Ravenclaw he had painted himself during a lonely Christmas holiday when only Severus, Epona and himself had stayed for the holiday.

"Betrayal of friends never sat well with you, Lucius."

"Snape was a traitor of Voldemort! Who is my master. It was him or me." Lucius snarled at the portrait who glared back at him unafraid of his temper.

"Just like me then." Epona said looking sad for a moment. "Lucius, please you have a chance to put things right. Even if the action is not yours somehow get help for Severus! I beg of you!"

Lucius bent his head for a moment. How could he warn someone without revealing himself as the traitor who helped Severus escape? Voldemort would punish him and then merely select Draco as his replacement. Something Lucius had worked so hard to keep from happening.

"My suggestion is that horrid elf you keep!" Epona snorted with a sly glint touching her eyes. "What was his name? Cobby? Sobby?"

"Dobby." Lucius growled under his breath before storming out of his study.

"Hold on Severus," Epona whispered to no one.


For those who hate short chapters this is a little in between action that is going to explain how Severus and Remus are going to be found. Severus big answer is coming!

I also have news and a big clap introduct for! I have found a beta! Toria is going to be betaing from chapter four onwards so hopefully grammar and spelling will become better. Also I thought of something else when I was reading chapter one again, for something I am going to link in next chapter which I am just finishing should be up before the end of the day, but some of the spellings are British spellings. Sorry for those who must think why is is spell like that? But I live in England where spelling evolve a bit nuts so apologies from the Bizarre shaped Island!

Love you all thanks for the reviews, mentions are to follow.