Of Blood and Serpents
Part two: Chapter Two
Dinner
Lillian put away her new robes , marveling at the feel of the new fabric. Severus had allowed her to pick the colors so she had chosen silver and black. the silver trimmings were a lovely silky material that she loved running her fingers over. she restrained herself from removing her wand from its box knowing she'd most likely make a mess. Severus already seemed upset and she knew it must have had to do with the man and woman with pale blonde hair and probably to do with her speaking to the snake. Although she hadn't a clue why. she had just begun puzzling that after putting away her robes, petting Bee thoughtfully when Severus announced his return with the sound of footfalls in the creaky old house.
"Will he yell at me or ignore me?" she asked Bee who yawned showing tiny sharp fangs. It was always difficult to tell with Severus, although he hadn't yelled at her in quite some time now. He had been on the brink of it today she could tell. She decided not to test her luck and settled with Bee more comfortably on the bed with a book she had been reading : 'the herbologist's expert guide to home brewed potions.' she was on the herb 'Tannis' and reading how to extract its potent oil for the uses in potions that increase physical attributes such as speed or strength.
She was surprised then to hear a soft knocking at her door.
Marking her page she stood, crossing the the space between the bed and door in two strides with her long legs. Severus stood on the opposite side with something of a thoughtful expression. She did not ask him to begin but merely opened her door fully looking up at him (as he was quite a bit taller) and waited.
"You.. have questions. perhaps some that need answering." he finally began. "May I come in?" It was hardly a question as she stepped back from the door, welcoming him into her room. the room that had once been a strange little boys, frightened of his father, and had for awhile been a little girls, frightened by her keeper. Now they both stood culminations of their past yet totally different then those old shadows.
Lillian took a seat on the edge of her bed regarding Severus with curious green eyes.
"What do you remember of coming here?" he asked finally breaking the silence. a frown pinched between Lily's brow in thought.
"Not much. I remember a cold hand holding mine. I remember a man. he frightened me." she answered, chewing the inside of her lip as she waited.
"He was once a very powerful wizard. He asked me to watch you until his return."
"Will he?" she asked sharply with a hint of fear in her voice.
"He may yet one day." Severus did not lie.
"He was bad wasn't he?"
"Yes."
"Was he... am I?"
"We do not truly know, but he too had the gift of Parseltongue. It is a rare and unusual gift, feared by some." Lily became silent, processing the information then finally spoke.
"Thank you for telling me." Severus turned to leave, but paused turning back.
"One is not destined to become their father. Remember that." Severus said, speaking from that low dark place where the boy he once was lived. He shut the door behind him then, leaving Lily to her thoughts.
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"Your sure it was the same child Lucius?" Narcissia pressed, pale blue eyes searching her husbands face.
"I am certain."
"Then you believe he is still... loyal?"
"That or one of the old fools games." Lucius tightened his grip on his walking stick. "Perhaps we shall know soon enough."
"Can you imagine Severus raising a child?" Narcissa gave a laugh breaking her cold stony demeanor.
"It does bring amusing thoughts to mind... can you imagine the dark lords child being raised in.. in squalor with the rabble?" He spat with a curl to his lip.
"Perhaps he would welcome an alternative?" Narcissa's sparkling crystal blue eyes glimmered with suggestion. Lucius glanced at her, his interest peaked. "She would do much better with us after all, what would a child want for in our care?"
"And should the dark lord return..." Lucius began, his voice a velvety whisper to his wife.
"He would be very pleased indeed." Narcissa purred, quietly, linking her arm through her husbands their eyes meeting as they shared thoughts in a way that married couples seemed able to through gaze alone. Between those eyes the grandiose thoughts of prestige and greed bloomed like thorny roses.
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Lily was nervous about her choice of dress. She fidgeted slightly, unsure as she looked at her reflection. Her hair was sleek and straight like a dark curtain, parted in the center revealing pale green eyes and a paler complexion. Her face had not yet matured, she still had soft cherubic features a delicate straight nose a soft small mouth. Her body was spindly, with long fingers and long legs that she hadn't quite grown into. Firenze teased her lightly about growing into her foal legs.
She worried at her lip with her teeth gently as she looked at herself unsure of what looked wrong exactly, only knowing that something wasn't right. Finally she gave up, relenting with a sigh. Bee had been staring at her in the bathroom, her amber eyes observing her human with interest as she fidgeted and fiddled.
"I'd rather stay home and read." She told Bee conspiratorially.
"Then we are of the same mind." Came a some what bitter response over her shoulder. Lillian started, having forgotten she'd left her bedroom door open where Severus now stood. "Forgive me I did not mean to intrude." Severus said somewhat formally and Lily sighed with a shrug.
"Must we go then?" She asked, knowing the answer.
"We must, if only to keep appearances, you remember what to say?"
"Dark lord is my one true master." she said stiffly in an unconvincing manner.
"Perhaps with a little more zeal?"
"I've never had to dress up before... I'm nervous." She admitted, beginning to worry at her bottom lip again.
"Stop chewing your lip before it bleeds," Severus snapped, she stopped immediately, having done it with out thought. "You'll do fine, you look..." He gave a pregnant pause. "acceptable." Not feeling at all comforted Lily collapsed on her bed with a heavy sigh.
"Get up. Shoes on unless your not finished whining." Severus snapped sarcastically with his usual acidity. She did as he said without much fuss and quickly they were standing in the living room ready to apparate.
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Something perturbed Severus about the girls dress. Whatever it was lingered in the back of his mind, nudging him, an unquiet thought. It was a simple dark green velvet dress that was quite conservative, floor length with half sleeves that clung to her arm and a rounded top exposing only her clavicle and her long neck. 'she's grown up.' the thought came unabated and unwelcome and blossomed there. it was true to be sure. She was no longer the girl who was dropped off in his living room five years ago, she was a young woman now and it was more obvious that she wasn't buried in robes with her face in a book. It caused an odd discomfort Severus didn't quite understand and that he attempted to clear from his mind. He needed to be clear distracting thoughts at dinner if they were to survive the Malfoy's, yet even as he attempted to cleanse his thoughts he couldn't' help but wonder if the girl was ready for them.
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Malfoy manor was an elegant building that stood on the families well kept grounds. It was an old building with grand old doors that swung open as if to welcome them in. Lily nervously followed Severus in, attempting not to fidget as she stood in the enormous grand entry hall. The floors were marble and the largeness of the room caused an echo effect that reminded her of a large cold cavern.
"Welcome, do come this way." Narcissia appeared in a neat flowing dress from the large curved staircase that dominated the room. She led them to on of the drawing rooms with a large fireplace and a long dining table that had yet to be set. Lucius was there, a glass with warm amber liquid in it sitting by the hearth. "Our guests have arrived Lucius." Narcissia said introducing them to the room. Lucius stood to greet them.
"Welcome Severus... and I don't believe we have been introduced my dear." Lucius offered his hand to Lily suavely.
"Lillian." She murmured, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment as she extended her hand. Lucius took her hand smoothly, bowing to plant a soft kiss on her the pale skin of her knuckles.
"Lillian, how lovely." He said breath tickling the back of her hand causing her to redden even more.
"And where is your son... Draco was it?" Severus asked, drawing attention away from Lily, much to her gratitude. Narcissa moved forward, walking across the expanse of the room to where a grand little mahogany carved cradle sat. Politely they moved forward to see the pale haired child as the mother dotingly caressed his fine angel hair.
"He's sleeping for now, perhaps through dinner as well." she told them in a hushed voice. "Speaking of dinner.." They looked up to see that dinner plates had magically set themselves and food hot and fresh and fragrantly beckoned them. Lily had never smelt something so divine, dinner at home being whatever Hagrid would cook or Severus when she stayed with him, she was preferential to neither in point of fact. This truly was a meal and she found her mouth watering. They took their seats at which point Lily realized there appeared to be a strange amount of cutlery beside each plate. She found herself tugging gently on Severus's sleeve beneath the table and worrying her lip nervously glancing between him and the cutlery.
"Last ones first." he muttered to her, pointedly picking up the appropriate pieces. Carefully Lily picked up the silver ware and carefully set into her food. the divine flavor made her want to dive into the meal eagerly but she restrained herself attempting to be as smooth an dignified as their hostess Narcissa who took tiny bits of the meal at once, interluding to take equally small sips of a dark red liquid that had not been served to Lily who had a simple water glass. Narcissa who seemed to notice the girls occasional glances offered a cool smile to her over the table.
"Are you enjoying the meal my dear?"
"Yes, thank you." She quietly replied averting her eyes quickly in embarrassment.
"It is just a fine a meal as I remember having in your manor Narcissa, wonderful as always." Severus input courteously. The meals went by with simple idle courtesies most of with neither Severus nor Lily had much of a stomach for truly but both patiently spoke when necessary. Suddenly the meal was finished and the plates magically disappeared and left very full house guests. Suddenly the baby began to fuss and Narcissa rose smoothly, striding over to the infant cradle crooning softly picking him up.
"Lillian my dear." She called to the girl who raised her head curiously. "Would you be a dear and come with me to help me with Draco?" Nervously her eyes shot to Severus who offered no comfort and she found herself nodding following Narcissa from the room.
"She is a quiet child." Lucius noted when they had gone, standing from his own seat at the dining table to resume the seat he had at the fireplace. He gestured Severus to join him snapping his fingers two glasses were summoned as was a bottle of perfectly aged brandy. He poured them both a generous amount, not bothering to ask for Severus's consent.
"Indeed." Severus said accepting the glass but not drinking. He had a feeling that Lucius wanted something from him and it was a game of patience to figure out what.
"I was surprised to see her to say the least." He admitted watching Severus carefully over the rim of his glass.
"My loyalty surprised you?"
"I have heard rumors concerning you and Dumbledore." He pressed, watching Severus's carefully schooled expression.
"I played the roll assigned to me well, and have continued to do so.. will continue to do so."
"You don't know how much that pleases me to hear, old friend." Severus raised his glass to his lips to take a mock sip of the drink wondering if that was all and as he pretended to take his sip Malfoy continued. "Have you considered, alternatives for the girl." The ice in Severus's glass clinked, the pause pregnant. 'thats what you want.' Severus suddenly understood the reason for the charade.
"The dark lord entrusted her to me." He said in a low tone black eyes narrowed. Lucius scoffed heatedly.
"He can't have planned for this," he growled, the shroud of the welcome host being torn away. "The girl was meant to be yours temporarily Severus, should she be raised in squalor for your pride?" He snapped.
"my pride Lucius?" He questioned, his tone mocking.
"She should be treated like royalty!" Lucius hissed his glass making a hard clink against the table as it was put down with a heavy hand.
"You assume too much, first being who she is. That of which we have no reason to." Lucius made a disgusted noise at the back of his throat.
"She was clearly important to him."
"Important enough to leave to me and not to you?"
"Do you not think of the girls needs? Should she not have stability, luxury even? You would deny her these things?" Ever skilled Severus was quick to retort.
"I would follow. My . Orders." He snapped with the air of finality, his black eyes as sharp as Lucius blue ones. The men sat in a silent stare down.
"Perhaps then an arrangement." Lucius offered in a low snarl, realizing he was quickly getting nowhere. "Holidays perhaps?" Lucius was certain that they could get the girl to agree to stay with them, children were often pliable to manipulation being simple creatures.
"If the child agree's." Severus simply said, allowing no certainties in his answer. As if on que the girl returned with Narcissa entering the room smoothly both girl and woman looking lovely in their dresses. although Lillian's was much simpler in comparison to Narcissa's garb. Narcissa looked between her husband and Severus, interpreting the conversation at merely a glance, a sour expression overtaking her face.
"Perhaps we have interrupted the men to soon." She said to Lily quietly, placing a hand on her shoulder to lead her from the room. Severus quickly interrupted.
"Lillian, come here child." He beckoned pretending to not have heard Narcissa's attempt to remove her from the room. Lily moved, clearly torn but acceding quickly to Severus's request going to his side obediently.
"Would you like it my dear to visit us perhaps during the holidays, this Christmas even?" Lucius interjected before Severus could begin, catching the girl off guard. She glanced at Severus unsure of how to answer.
"Perhaps, Severus and I often spend the holiday's together." She answered in a reserved manner and Severus was pleased with her, although he didn't show it.
"Oh it would be wonderful to have another girl in the house for the holidays my dear." Narcissa pressed. Lily stayed silent, unsure what to say and quite uncomfortable feeling the weight of their yes upon her.
"A discussion best left for another time perhaps. we should be going. Come my dear." Severus stood, brushing them off skillfully as if they were gnats. Narcissa's expression was stony and cold even with the fake pleasant smile she managed.
"Dinner was lovely." Lily offered meekly as Lucius took her hand in parting, planting another small kiss upon her knuckles.
"You were lovelier still my dear." Lucius purred, somehow managing to stifle his rage.
They felt as if they could not have left quick enough. Both exhaling a long held breath as they exited the manor to privacy. Lily with her skirts gathered in one hand (so not to trail on the ground) took Severus's elbow as they walked out into the streets.
"They are quite.."
"Pushy, arrogant?" Severus offered and Lily gave small laugh, Severus finding himself smirking. "You did quite well under the circumstances." He told her and she smiled wider still.
"I hardly knew what to say half the time." She admitted.
"You chose wisely in saying nothing, fools yammer."
"Shall I really have to spend the holidays with them?" She asked worrying inside of her mouth slightly.
"Only if you so choose, I doubt their interest will abate either way." Lily sighed a long suffering sigh feeling very full and very tired all of a sudden. "For now we may go home." He said, certainly as wearied by the night as her.
And home they went.