Discalmer: I don't own the characters. Not mine, don't sue. This is slash, so you have been warned. You no likey, you no read.

"Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape, two of my most trusted and faithful servants. Or so I thought. Your loyalty to me has been brought into question."

The soft sibilant voice carried clearly across the clearing. The figures standing in a semi circle heard every word said. Tow figured stood slightly apart of the others. They stood tall and proud, without the plain white masks the others wore.

"What have you to say for yourselves?"

Lucius Malfoy kept his golden head slightly lowered and bent to one knee while he answered.

"The one who questions our loyalty is a coward and a traitor himself."

Even in such a submissive pose, Lucius Malfoy radiated power and commanded respect. His golden mane of hair trailed loosely down his back, swaying slightly in the breeze. His midnight black cloak settled elegantly on his shoulders. They were held high and proud, completely at odds with his subservient pose.

Severus Snape followed Lucius' lead and bent to one knee, keeping his head lowered as well. Malfoy looked at his two most prized followers and nodded at Lucius' words.

"This is true. A man who turns on a few of his comrades will undoubtedly turn on the whole. Believe me, that person will be punished; I will not have such distrust within my ranks. But there is still the matter of your devotion to me. You have yet to deny the accusations against your fealty."

Severus spoke up this time. His voice quiet, but like his master's it carried effortlessly.

"We are faithful and loyal to our cause, my lord. We have proven so many times in the past."

"Yes Severus, you have. However, it is not your past in question."

"Yes my lord. However, if I may suggest a task of your choosing as a test."

There were stirs among the ranks encircled around the duo. For one to make a blatant deal with the Dark Lord was tantamount to suicide. But then, Severus was one of Voldemort's favorites.

"What happens if you fail?"

"If we fail, you may do with us as you see fit." Severus let his voice trail off, knowing he caught his master's interest.

"And if you succeed? What is it you want in return?" The occupants of the circle held their breath. If he said something the Dark Lord didn't like, no one was safe from the fallout.

"All I ask is you give us the traitor who dared to bring our loyalty into question, to do with what we wish. Whatever that may be."

Voldemort sat back and weighted the merits of the deal. As much as he valued the information he was given about two of his followers alleged betrayal, Voldemort couldn't abide by someone turning on his compatriots. One small deception ultimately leads to far great betrayals. And those couldn't be trusted. Voldemort looked briefly towards Wormtail.

Voldemort once again looked to Severus and Lucius. They were his most powerful, most cunning, and most brutal followers. Of ally, they were his favorite and any hint of deception on their part hurt like a knife plunged into his heart. Or it would have had Voldemort actually had a heart.

Lucius Malfoy was the fire, the heat between the two. Not just in looks, but temperament. Lucius' anger burned hotter than the sun's fire, and vengeance would be swift in coming. Whoever incited Lucius Malfoy's wrath would rue the day he was born before pleading for death's release.

Severus Snape was dark and cold to Lucius' heat. He had the patience to wait and plot the perfect vengeance. 'Revenge is a dish best served cold' took on a whole new meaning with applied to Severus. He'd wait and let the worry and paranoia simmer and stew like one of his potions, then strike when least expected. Voldemort was Salazar Slytherin's heir, but Severus Snape could have been Salazar himself.

Separately Lucius and Severus were dangerous, but together they were nearly invincible. If he were the sort who felt such paltry emotions as pity and sympathy, he would be feeling that for the informant. As it was, he felt anticipation and seeing what they'd do to him. Their power left even the Dark Lord in awe. Therefore, he made it a point to keep them under his control. Voldemort feared no one, but he was conscious of those who had power.

"Very well. I agree to your terms. Return at first light tomorrow morning and I will have your task prepared. If you succeed, I will grant your request. However, should you fail…"

Voldemort let the sentence trail off meaningfully.

Voldemort waited for their acknowledgment before leaving. The rest of the Death Eaters followed soon after, none looking to the two still kneeling in the clearing. They only rose after everyone left and faced one another. Lucius flicked a lock of pale hair from his face, crossed his arms and looked at the other man.

"I hope you realize what you've gotten us into. If we fail indeed. Do with us what he wants? What ever were you thinking Severus?"

"I was thinking of keeping us alive for the foreseeable future." Snape was irritated. He didn't like being questioned, and so publicly. The debacle earlier about him and Lucius was appalling. He hated having to explain or defend himself to anyone, even the Dark Lord.

"And you decided that essentially giving Voldemort our lives was the way about doing it? I would like to have been included on your little plan. You've spent too many years cooped up with those children in that bloody school."

Severus smiled slowly, truly frightening in its menace. It's coldness rivaled that of Voldemort and surly have sent even him running in fear. Lucius however, looked unimpressed. Severus slowly moved closer to the other man, only stopping mere until centimeters separated them. Their lips almost touched and their breaths mingled.

Dropping his voice to a quiet, husky, almost-whisper, Severus quietly replied.

"If you find yourself so adamantly against the Dark Lord controlling whether you live or die; then think of it as an added incentive to succeed in the task."

Severus made it a point to inch slowly closer so that every time his lips formed words, they brushed against Lucius' own mouth. He purposefully dropped his voice, knowing its effect on people, especially Lucius. And true to form, Lucius' stormy, granite colored eyes were clouded over and his pupils were dilated. Severus looked down and noticed Lucius' tongue dart out and lick his lips. Due to the close proximity, of the two men's mouths, Lucius' tongue flitted across Severus' bottom lip. Both men shivered.

"Gods, that voice. You know what it does. Nothing else but your voice could-"

Lucius was cut off when Severus' mouth crushed against his, his hands ran through Lucius silken strands of hair. Lucius gripped Severus' neck with one hand, deepening the kiss; the other hand he bunched at Severus' back, bringing their bodies closer together. He rolled his hips against the Potion's Master at the feel of the other man's prominent erection.

Severus pulled back from the kiss and nibbled a trail along Lucius' jaw to his ear. After a light nip that caused Lucius to moan, Severus whispered in his ear, his breath causing strands of Lucius' hair to flutter softly.

"I can think of more pleasurable things to do than discuss Voldemort, school children or death. Unless, of course, it is the 'little death'."

In answer, Lucius yanked on Severus' hair and latched onto his lips, plundering his mouth. Wrapping their arms around each other, they apparated away. Neither one noticed the solitary figure standing across the clearing, hiding amongst the shadows.

In an elegant room, two figures magically appeared. Polar opposites in looks and temperament, the two come together regardless. Mouths fused hungrily, tongues duels. Hands frantically sought out flesh. Robes were discarded, shirts removed and pants thrown aside. Moans echoed through the room, gasps and pants followed in succession. The two men were lost in sensations of pleasure; of taking and being taken.

As instructed, at first light Severus and Lucius returned, standing in the center of the clearing. The other Death Eaters returned and encircled them- blocking any chance of an escape.

"Prompt as always. I regret this course of action must be taken, but I will not excuse insubordination or even the question of someone's loyalty. I have selected a task for you to complete. I don't care how you do complete it, only that you do. It will be difficult, of course. But I believe you two will be able to handle it, if you are truly loyal to me, that is."

Voldemort paused and looked at Severus and Lucius. Of course he could have used Legilimency on the two of them, but that was to be used as a last resort. Besides, this was, it would confirm the devotion of his two strongest Death Eaters and Voldemort would gain something in return.

Everyone was waiting for the Dark Lord to announce the task. Who would they have to kill? How many? Would they have to endure tremendous tortures? What would be done? After a long silence, Voldemort spoke.

"I want you two to bring me Harry Potter. I want him whole, unharmed, and alive. Do this, and I'll give you the one you want."

After giving the two men their challenge, Voldemort left, and soon after so did the Death Eaters. They spared one pitying glance at the two men. Getting to Harry Potter would be near to impossible. After the previous attempts on his life, he was even more closely guarded and warded and spelled and protected and…everything.

Lucius turned towards Severus and sneered a sneer worthy of the man on which it was bestowed. Other than Voldemort, Lucius and Severus were the only ones unmasked. That was part of their punishment for their possible betrayal- the loss of their anonymity. So, the Potion's Master got the full force of that sneering glare.

Lucius completed the look by raising one elegant eyebrow at the scowling Severus. No words were spoken and none were needed. Both were thinking the same thing, and they knew each other well enough to tell. How were they going to capture Harry Potter?


Okay, so this is a little story that was inspired by an outline of a challenge. It's a little weird, but I think I can go places with this. The outline of the challenge was to have Lucius and Severus supposed to take Harry to Voldemort but decide to keep him with them instead. It's only inspired by the challenge; I've done other stuff. So, yeah. Drop me a line and tell me what you think.