Part two of the prequel chapters is up, and that finishes off the story.

I want to thank everyone who read, everyone who reviewed, and everyone who will read and/or review in the future. So, thank you.

Tucked away in one of the sitting rooms off the main dining hall, Severus had to wonder why he ever bothered coming to these summer parties. It had to have been Lucius. The man never took no for an answer... So this was Lucius's fault. Severus was willing to play that role. He could blame Lucius very easily.

"Severus?"

Looking up, Severus was mildly surprised to see Draco walking towards him, his emerald dress robes glimmering in the low light of the fire. He was carrying two drinks in his right hand and he looked exactly like his father had before war and age had taken their toll.

"Shouldn't you be out there, enjoying your party?"

Draco made a disgusted face and sat in the wingbacked chair opposite Severus's. "Why Mother has to have a mid-summer party every year is beyond me. I think she likes to show off."

"She's had one every year since she became engaged to your father."

"Really? I didn't know that. Is the first of August special for anything?"

"It's summertime," Severus answered blandly. "And some people feel that's reason enough to celebrate." His words were hollow.

There was a pause. "I brought you a drink."

"No, thank you. I've had my share already."

"Elf-made," Draco tempted, swilling the second glass invitingly.

"No."

"If you're sure." Draco set the glass on the spindelly-legged table between their two chairs and sipped his own. "It's a pity I won't be at school next year."

Draco was looking at the fire, but Severus knew from his tone that he was waiting for the question. Indulge the boy... "Why won't you?"

"No real reason to go back, is there? I mean, there's only one thing I'd be looking forward to, anyway." His tone light, Draco finished off his wine. He gestured to Severus's untouched glass. "Do you mind?"

Severus shook his head. "If that's what you and your father have decided is best."

There was another pause before Draco went on, his voice a little louder than it needed to be. His words a little faster. "Don't you want to know what that one thing is?"

"Quidditch?" Severus asked uninterestedly. He was too busy looking at the way the fire lit the boy's face. The soft lines of his cheeks and the swell of his lips... Too many drinks. Severus had had many, too many drinks.

"Actually, no. I would miss class with you." His drink forgotten, Draco stared in Severus's eyes, his own grey ones blank, hiding something.

"Well, you always were very good at potions."

"I'd miss you," he ammended, his voice thick. He went back to staring into the hearth.

Severus raised one, amused eyebrow. Well, irony of all ironies... "You'll see me around, I'm sure."

If several glasses of wine and a sip of brandy had not been working at Severus's mind, he would have reacted much more quickly when Draco stood suddenly and walked towards his chair. As it was, he barely registered the fact that they were entirely too close before Draco pressed his lips to Severus's.

The clean, sweet smells of soap and aftershave mingled in Severus's nostrils as the taste of fine, elf-made wine filled his mouth. It was only an afterthought to notice that Draco's lips were soft and warm.

"Severus," the boy murmured against his lips.

It was that softly uttered name, that hungry tone, that brought Severus back to his senses. Pushing Draco away with as much resolve as he cold muster, Severus forced a glare. "That was extremely inappropriate."

Somewhere in the kiss, Draco must have sank to the ground, because he was now kneeling on the floor at Severus's feet, staring up at the man with hurt in his eyes--Lucius's eyes--and a half-empty glass still clutched in his hand. "I love you."

It wasn't the movement, but the loud crack! the echoed through the room that told Severus he'd struck the boy.

Draco slowly lifted a shaking hand and touched pale finger tips to the trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth.

"Leave me alone," Severus hissed.

Standing quickly, Draco glared down at Severus, his soft eyes suddenly hard with anger and humiliation. "Didn't you hear me?"

"Leave."

"I'm not a child."

Severus looked at Draco with a mixture of disgust and pity. He knew what the boy was feeling. And because he knew, he had to put a stop to it. It was too tempting...too easy to see Lucius in this boy. Too easy to give in, just a little bit...

"You are a child. You will never be anything but a child in my eyes. You're selfish and spoiled. What could possibly make you think I want anything from you?"

"You-You kissed me back!" Draco accused defensively.

"Incorrect, Mr. Malfoy," he spat. "I merely did not move. It was shock. Now you can either remove yourself from my presence, or I will remove you."

Draco glared, silent, for several agonizing moments before turning. As he marched toward the door, the glass in his hand slipped, crashing to the stone floor and shattering. The tinkling of broken glass skittering across the floor mingled with the tinkling of laughter from the other room.

As the door closed and Severus was once again left alone, he leaned forward in his chair, resting his head in his hands, feeling lost and hopeless, is if he was seventeen, and losing Lucius all over again.

END