Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect of Harry Potter.

Chapter Seven

Dunderheads and the Dark Lord

Slowly I massaged my forehead as I waited for the pain reliever to kick in. It was official, I. Hated. Teaching! Class after class was filled with dunderhead after dunderhead. Idiotic children, most of whom don't know the difference between chopping and dicing. Hell, most didn't even know their right from their left!

At the sound of a soft knock on the door I reluctantly opened my eyes. "Enter." I groaned, having no desire for company at the moment. To my utter dismay in walked a student, and not just any student, but a boy with wild black hair in Gryffindor robes. "Is there something I can do for you Mr. Potter?" I asked forcing myself not to sneer at my childhood rivals clone.

The boy let out a long deep breath as he made his way toward me. He hadn't even had his class yet and I could tell he was already intimidated by him. As bad as it sounds I got a twisted sort of joy out of seeing him so obviously anxious of my presence.

"Sir, I have a healers appointment tomorrow and will miss your class. So I'm here to get my homework assignment so I'll be able to turn it in on time."

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. A responsible Potter, that was a shock to one system. "Is that so?"

"Yes sir." James Jr. pulled out an assignment book and quill and looked back up at me for instructions.

"Read page 5-12. Write a seven inch essay on key ingredients in Bone-Knitting solution and how they work together in the potion." I quickly recited the following days homework.

"Anything else sir?" He asked after quickly writing down the assignment.

He was asking for more? Very well.

"If you desire you can answer the bonus chapter questions on page 13 for extra credit."

Nodding, the boy added the extra credit assignment to his note book. "Thank you Professor and I do apologize for missing you class tomorrow."

I said nothing but dismissed the boy with a wave of his hand.

"A respectful and responsible Potter" I mumbled in disbelief. "Surly hell has frozen over."

"Surprising isn't it." Looking up I saw my beloved standing in the door way.

I snickered at her comment then adding, "To say the least," I then stood and rounding my desk as Lily made her way further into my office.

"He's like him in many ways," Lily added, "his looks, charming personality, (I did not refrain from rolling my eyes at that particular comment), and from what I've heard his Quidditch skills, but at the same time, he's respectful, serious about his studies and of course as of yet I haven't seen him bully a single person. In fact I actually witnessed him stand up for a younger Huffelpuff girl who was being teased.

Okay so the boy it's a complete Dunderhead, still he's a Potter and I'm sure he will show his true colors soon. Instead of replying to her comments I changed the subject, "where are the children?" I asked taking my beautiful wife into my arms.

"In our quarters, "Lily said, placing her head on my shoulder. "Midge is watching over them." Midge is the house elf that was assigned to our family when we moved into the castle. During the day we floo the children to their usual caretaker and if we needed care in the evening Midge watches them.

"I'm regretting having taken the position," I admitted. "I seemed to have forgotten how stupid most children are."

Lily just laughed and giving me a quick peck on the lips. "I'm sure it will get better, just give them some time to get used to your teaching style and they'll fall into place."

While I doubted Lily's reassuring words I would never tell her as much, instead I pressed my limps firmly to hers, deciding to make the most of our alone time. Lily giggled as she pulled her wand out and with a wave of her wrist shut and locked my office door.

My headache now fully dissipated, my focus turned to my beautiful wife or more specifically taking off the layers of clothes that separated my body from hers.

My hands snaked down her chest, my fingers nimbly undoing the buttons on her robe. Lily's soft hands were running through my inky hair as she sent wet kisses down my neck.

I had pulled out my wand with every intention of transfiguring the small arms chair in the corner of my office into a very large and firm mattress when a intense burning sensation shot up my left forearm, causing me to hiss in pain and hastily pull away from my wife. "Fantastic timing." I muttered, grasping my left forearm.

Lily sighed pulling herself away from her husband. "I hate it when he calls you. I always get… just be careful, okay."

Of course I understood her worry, I felt it to, cupping her face I gently stroked her cheek with my thumb. "I'm sure everything will be fine. He probably just wants an update on how the school is running, that's all."

Lily nodded, though I doubt I eased her worry.

With a quick kiss good bye I left my office and headed towards the castle gates. I would have to walk to Hogsmead and apperrate from there.

XXX

Once arriving I was showed into a room off the main parlor, it was good sized, but cramped with shelves filled with books and objects many of which I knew were dark. The room smelled as it always did, of cigar smoke and Brandi. I recognized it as Lucius' study though it had been some time since I had last been there. Standing near a small window that looked out into the garden stood The Dark Lord. His tall form was draped in black robes, his head the only part visible. The powerful wizard let out a long sigh as he turned towards me.

"Good evening Severus, how are you?" His asked his red eyes instantly boring into mine.

"I am fine my Lord, is there something you require from me?"

A small, almost sinister looking smile slipped onto my Masters lips. "Just some information."

"Of course. What would you like to know?" I stood perfectly still, maintaining outward composure despite the nervousness I felt inwardly.

"Some of our…companions have concerns about your wife."

I felt my heart starting to race inside his chest. Lily and the children were my life. If anything happened to them…

"My wife, my Lord?"

"Her loyalties, specifically. She was at one time a member of Dumbledore little gang was she not?"

I knew the Dark Lord was already aware of this, which meant he was fishing for something specific.

"She was, but became disheartened with their ideologies and left."

"Hum," the intimidating wizard took several steps closer to me, the sound of his boots echoing off the wooden floor with each step. "So her leanings have swayed. That would make sense in that she is now married to you and you Severus are one of my most trusted servants, are you not?"

I could see now what he was searching for, it was not my wife's loyalties he was concerned about, at least not entirely, but my own as well. Though I did not know why, I had done nothing to make his believe that I was anything but faithful to him.

Keeping my outward persona calm I replied, "I have been yours since I was eighteen My Lord and I have always stayed true to you even during your absence."

"Yes, that is what I believed, but it has been brought to my attention that your feelings for your wife may…have the ability to change your affiliation. I need to make sure all of my followers are loyal to me, Severus. You can understand that, can you not?"

I was unable to stop myself from letting out a shaky breath, and I was sure the fear was apparent in my eyes. It was at that moment I wondered if I was going to leave Malfoy Manor as healthy as when I enterer, or if I would leave at all.

"Of course my Lord. I swear to you I am a loyal Death Eater and I will always remain one."

"And you wife?"

I paused for several seconds, probably slightly longer then I should have but I needed to think of how to phrase my words. "Lily has chosen to stay neutral. She did not want to be a part of the Order back then and her view stays the same. She focuses her time on our children and her job. We do not… bring up politics."

I was surprised when The Dark Lord actually laughed. It was the first time I had ever heard him do so, at least not in a sinister way.

"I suppose that is a way to keep a woman happy, don't talk to her about things she does not wish to hear. Very well Severus I will trust your word on the matter, for now."

While his words were somewhat reassuring, the sudden and unexpected push into my mind was not. I was barely able to put up some mild barriers as he began to dive into my most recent thoughts and memories. I found myself blushing when he came across the image of Lily and I in my office earlier that evening.

"Hum, I interrupted something, it would seem?" He said with a snort of disgust.

"It is of no consequence My Lord. Your call is far more important. Beside I can finish what we started when I return."

"Yes, I suppose you can. You have two children, correct?"

"Yes, My Lord."

"A daughter and an infant son, so I'm told."

"Yes, My Lord."

"Do you plan to have more?"

The questions surprised me, I never knew him to have interest in such things. Especially concerning someone like me. I am already a half blood, as are my children. Their mother being a muggleborn would make them far less appealing to him, or so I assumed.

"We have not decided, as of yet."

"Hum, and in here lies the problem, Severus. This is why Pure families are dying out. Families like the Malfoy's, Black, Notts, have a child, maybe two, when blood traitors like the Weasley are spouting them out by the dozens."

It was odd hearing such things come from him. He had talked, ranted, about traditional pureblood values dwindling, but he never directly mentioned its correlation to birthrates.

"You plan to raise your children with our values, I trust."

"Of course my Lord." I lied easily.

"Good, good. Very well Severus, my concerns have been relieved. You may go."

"Thank you my Lord." I answered taking a breath of relief then quickly taking my leave.

While I was relieved to be away from his presence and on my way home to my family a looming fear filled the back of my mind. One that has me seriously considering teaching Lily Occlumency.