Harry Potter and Co. belong to Rowling.

SLASH

SSLM

A Snake in Sheeps' CLothing...

Chapter 9. Life with the Malfoys

Two weeks of being married and living in close proximity to Lucius had done nothing but made the young Severus Snape-Malfoy more reserved. Lucius although not rude or mean was the bossiest person he had ever met. It was, do this… do that, wear this… don't wear that, read this… don't read that, eat this…don't eat that. He hated it. He wasn't stupid; he could make decisions for himself. Too bad his husband didn't see it that way. Thankfully the arguments that erupted between them were usually resolved by Lord Malfoy. The Wizard was a no-nonsense person much like Severus' own father and could usually settle matters with a quick word or two.

At night Severus and Lucius slept together but unlike the first couple of days they no longer had to hold each other. Both had chosen a side of the large bed and like an old married couple would turn their backs on each other after an absent-minded goodnight. Much to their chagrin they would sometimes wake up snuggling. Lady Malfoy had told them to think of each other as a favorite blanket or teddy bear. Teddy bear! Severus hadn't really been one to play with toys but Lucius had oddly enough blushed at the comment.

In the morning, they would rise and go about their morning routine and then breakfast with the rest of the family which consisted of Lord and Lady Malfoy and one or two visiting cousins. After two weeks of quiet observation, Severus had come to the conclusion that the majority of the Malfoys, including his husband, were a-quiet-snobbish sort. They hardly ever spoke but when they did, it was to cut someone down or to raise them to new heights. Severus, who was naturally off limits to their waspish tongues, listened to them and tried to remain impassive as his father had taught him to. Never let them know what you're thinking Severus, Tobias Snape had often whispered to him. Looking at his cousins by marriage through the mirror, he shrugged the Wizards away and focused on Lucius who was quietly arguing with Lord Malfoy. Mind you, no one not even his family would've been able to tell but Severus easily picked up the youth's irritation through their bond. Trying to look relaxed, he opened his mind like his mother had thought him to see what else he could sense.

"I don't see why you invited them." Lucius pulled on his cuffs irately.

Lord Malfoy raised an eyebrow in surprise. He would've never guessed how much having the Blacks over was going to bother his son. "It's a necessary step." He said watching his son in law out of the corner of his eye. Severus was doing it again...precocious boy, indeed. With a grimace he noticed how Lucius remained oblivious to his bonded's activities.

"Why? I'm going to see Narcissa in a month when I go back to Hogwarts." The young blonde argued quietly.

Always thinking about himself first. "This is not just for your benefit Lucius but the family's. The Blacks need to understand that you are no longer available and that I support you and your spouse thoroughly."

"Of course you support us; you forced me to marry him. You want to rub it in their faces is what it is."

"I want them to see the support you have. Once you and Severus leave for Hogwarts it's your duty to protect him from anyone. Severus is too new to our world you must lead him; show him what it means to be married to a Malfoy. "

"He's too stubborn to completely accept us. Too much of a Snape."

"He's ten; you're fourteen. I'm sure you can overcome his obstinacy without having to impose your will so openly. Use the bond. The more you order him the less susceptible he'll be to the family's wishes…why don't you try asking him instead of telling him?"

"Like you did me?" Lucius asked and then turned to go to Severus side.

Severus eyes wandered around the room while his new family chatted. The way they stood around him made him think of a school of sharks circling their prey. The only persons he really had spoken to beyond a brief greeting was Lucius and Lord Malfoy and that wasn't saying much. Lucius didn't really speak to him but give him orders, polite ones but orders nevertheless. Lord Malfoy was different though, the man had a piercing stare that always made him fidget. He had learnt that the Lord of the Malfoys' power was absolute much like his would be once he reached his majority in the Snape family seven years away. Which meant that Lucius would, in less than three years, have authority over his person and Lord Malfoy would no longer be able to rescue him or cushion their arguments. He couldn't wait for their monthly visit to Snape Manor; he really needed to talk to Lady Gytha about that little bit.

Side stepping his young cousins Archibald and Rosier, Lucius went to Severus. "Why aren't you wearing the blue robes?" He asked point blank. Severus taste in clothes was deplorable.

"I don't like them." Severus answered with a frown. He was still coming to terms with using robes that to him resembled dresses without having to wear the elaborate ones that Lucius chose for him.

Lucius counted to ten. All Severus wore was black, the color he disliked most. "Are you sulking because you still haven't gotten a wand?"

"I'm not sulking. And you said I would be getting one last week." Severus murmured trying hard not to be baited. Lucius was in a bad mood and when that happened he liked to bicker.

"Well you look it." The blonde drawled with a smirk.

"Well look again." Severus snapped back rising to the bait. Satisfied, Lucius smiled lightly; at least he had someone to unleash his frustration on.

"Is your ex-girlfriend really coming tomorrow night?" Severus asked trying to change the topic.

Recognizing Severus' efforts, Lucius decided to drop the subject. "She was never my official girlfriend and yes she'll be here tomorrow night."

"What's her name again…Narcia…Carcia?"

"Narcissa." Lucius corrected his silver eyes taking on a stormy look.

Severus nodded, "Is she pretty?"

"She 's one of the most beautiful girls in Wizarding England."

"… guess with a name like that… she had no choice but to be pretty."

Lucius shook his head. "You're being rude."

"Oh sorry." Severus exclaimed with a dull tone. "Well, I guess she should be congratulated, for being so pretty I mean."

"You try my patience Severus."

"OH…Well I guess I should be congratulated then." Severus replied waspishly. He was officially in a bad mood and he didn't know why.

"You little half-blood." Lucius hissed wanting nothing more than to box Severus ears.

"Actually, I'm only a quarter. I mean, yes my Grandmother was a muggle so it is my father who was the half blood but my mother was a full-blooded witch so if you do the math it only makes me a quarter. You can do the math, can't you Lucius?"

"You little brat!" Lucius took a threatening step.

Severus immediately backed away. "You started it."

"You are -"

"That's' enough!" Abraxas ordered stalking to where the hostile pair was while his cousins looked on in amusement. The little Snape Lord was a handful! Good thing he was bonded to the Malfoys.

"He needs to learn respect." Lucius stated crossing his arms coldly.

"He promised I would get a wand. I have to practice before I go to school." Severus complained like the ten year old he was.

Ah! Was that it? Lord Malfoy nodded in understanding. "And you will, today."

Too young to know when to keep his mouth shut; Severus pressed his luck and spoke out of turn. "And about time, I was starting to get ticked off."

Lord Malfoy frowned displeased. The boy was too much of a muggle sometimes. "You will cease this endless use of colloquial muggle speech. It's unworthy of your station as Lord of Snape and of your station as Lucius' husband."

Knowing he had stuck his foot in his mouth, Severus looked down in repentance. "Yes Sir…but I still want my wand."

"If you get it, will you cease your annoying complaining?" Lucius asked.

Severus eyebrow shot up, "Naturally."

A couple of hours later at Diagonalley

Not that the Malfoys didn't cause a stir, but this was ridiculous. Then again he should've expected it; Lucius tall blonde cousins would make an impression where ever they went. Not only that, but with Lord Malfoy present things were so much worse. Funnily enough, it was not Lord Malfoy or the two tall cousins who were causing the stir in the streets of Diagonalley but Severus himself. The last time the Snape's had had a true Wizard as head of the family had been almost a hundred and fifty years ago. One that was as young as Severus, a carrier, and married to the Malfoy, never.

Severus watched people from under his fringe. His hair was longer and he hated it. Only girls wore their hair long, he had argued but Lucius and Lord Malfoy had not listened. Wizards and more especially Malfoys by marriage or blood did not wear their hair short, it was considered common. Severus had argued the point and had begun trimming his hair in secret when the blondes had not come around. When Lucius had caught him with a pair of scissors he had charmed his hair to grow the minute he cut it. When Lord Malfoy had heard about it he had canceled Lucius' charm and added his own, his hair was now scissor proof! Severus could only sigh, the minute he got a wand he was going to cancel out the charm.

Lord Malfoy watched his son-in-law eyeing everything from under downcast eyes. The boy tried not give anything away but was still too naïve to do it well enough. In time he would become a Snape through and through. Severus was exactly what his son needed; someone to keep him alert and thinking.

When they finally came to Olivander's Severus heart quickened, finally a wand! This shouldn't take very long.

Several hours later…

"Well this is certainly a first, isn't it young Lord Snape Malfoy?" Mr. Olivander murmured thoughtfully.

Severus controlled the reflex to roll his eyes. "I'm sure I wouldn't now ….Sir." He was tired and aggravated. They had been in the shop for hours and nothing. How was it possible that after forty something wands he still couldn't find one for him.

Lord Abraxas sat back and watched the exchange. Severus was not an easily intimidated child, he liked that. Glancing over to Lucius, he was pleased to find the youth watching the exchange closely as well.

"A Snape indeed." The Wizard murmured walking away to a set of wands he kept incase of an emergency.

"You say it like it's a bad thing….Sir." Severus replied under his breath.

"Not bad, not bad at all." The man answered shuffling back with several dark wooden boxes.

Knowing what the boxes meant, Lucius and Lord Abraxas rose from their seats and their accompanying cousins moved in closer. "Nothing to fear gentlemen…just a little experiment." The Wizard reassured the Malfoys. Severus looked over with a frown…now what?

"These here are special wands my boy…the first one is thirteen inches, mahogany, very sturdy, the center has thestral hair…and a sliver of dark unicorn hoof."

"A dark wand!" Lucius murmured.

"No, not at all…simply one that facilitates certain spells. Your husband Mr. Malfoy, has a certain aura about him. I perceive he has certain abilities that will be enhanced with the right tool."

"Father?" Lucius turned to the Lord Abraxas hesitantly. The silver-eyed patriarch did not say anything. After a few moments of contemplation he nodded. "Take the wand Severus." Blood mating bonds could not be broken. Severus was bound not to harm them, having the wand would be useful for harming others though, preferably their enemies.

Severus didn't know what the fuzz was about and picked up the black colored wand in his right hand. It immediately lit up with a red pulsating light that dimmed into grey and then went black.

"A perfect match," Olivander announced with a satisfied smile.

Lord Abraxas nodded feeling somewhat dissatisfied. No one in the Malfoy had ever had a dark wand. They possessed a kind of controlled darkness too difficult to handle he would have to work with Severus and Lucius before they left for Hogwarts to make sure that no mishaps took place.

Severus felt the tension around him and opened his mind to try and discern the meaning of it all. Lucius he picked up easily, he was worried about the wand. His new cousins the same…but Lord Abraxas…there was nothing coming from the patriarch, with a frown he looked up at the man. The silver eyes where looking at him with such force that had took a step back. Precocious indeed, he'd have to have a long talk with his son soon.

"The wand won't be registered until tomorrow, so I suggest you hold it Lord Malfoy." Mr. Olivander handed the Malfoy Lord the case and Abraxas slipped it into this robe pocket and lay a large amount of gold coins on the counter before turning to leave.

It was on their way out that Severus came to face with the people he hoped never to see again. The small group which consisted of his ex-Grandfather, his two ex-uncles and their children, his ex cousins and tormentors, stood around for several seconds before Lord Malfoy took charge of the situation. "Lord Prince."

"Lord Malfoy." The tall, dark-haired, lanky Wizard replied his piercing dark eyes on Severus similarly tall, lanky and dark haired form.

Severus floundered until one of his cousins opened his mouth, "I thought you said you were never going to wear a dress." Lord Prince could've slapped the child for his coarseness in public but Severus beat him to it.

"He has to. He's the girl." The oldest boy snickered.

Everything after that was a blur. Severus' fist smashed against the young Prince's mouth. The second ex cousin tackled him to the floor forcing Lucius to step in and drag the boy off his squirming husband. All the while Lord Prince hissed at his sons to keep their children in check while the Malfoy cousins pulled a swearing and kicking Severus to his feet and held him away from the Princes. "You stupid little half-blood!" The chunky Prince shouted holding his busted lip.

"My father was the half blood you ignorant lump. If you're going to insult someone, get it right at least!" Severus shouted while Mr. Olivander shook his head. Good thing the child's new wand was in Lord Malfoy's possession.

"That's enough Severus!" Lucius ordered with such vehemence that Severus felt a pull in the bond and shut his mouth sullenly.

"Have you had your honeymoon yet?" Severus ex cousin continued cruelly.

"Silence!" Lord Prince ordered making his grandchildren cower and Severus jump back.

Noticing the audience they were attracting, Abraxas tried to get things under control. "Children." He murmured as if excusing everything with a single word. The Princes were of little concern to him. Severus had been wronged though so he was glad that the boy had gotten his anger out.

Lord Prince nodded lividly. Stupid little oafs! Embarrassing him like this in public. He'd personally take the strap to them when they got home.

"Come along." Lord Malfoy ordered and they all filed out. Severus and Lord Prince's eyes met one last time and something happened. All of Severus' rage at being sold by his own family came back. Pulling away, he launched himself at the closest Prince. Both boys tumbled to the floor with Severus landing on top. Punches rained on the hefty boy until Lucius pulled and dragged a kicking and screaming Severus off.

"Get him home," was all Lord Malfoy said thrusting the portkey into Lucius' hand. Severus was struggling hysterically in an effort to get away and did not notice the pull in his navel until the pair landed back at Malfoy Manor.

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When Abraxas finally made it home, Severus had given Lucius a black eye and had holed himself up in his private bathroom again. Feeling that he needed space, they allowed him to remain inside.

It was almost nine o'clock when an emotionally exahusted Severus came out dressed in his pajamas to find Lucius ready for bed. The pair got under the blankets and lay on their side until Lucius felt and heard Severus sobbing in mournful rage and moved to the middle of the bed.

"Come here Severus" He murmured placing a hand on the dark haired boy's thin shoulder.

Seeking a comfort only Lucius could offer Severus turned and immediately buried his face in Lucius chest. "I hate them!" he cried with overwhelming rage.

"I know you do." Lucius replied reaching out through the bond to make Severus feel wanted like his father had told him to.

"They sold me! And called me a girl!" Severus accused clutching onto Lucius' now wet pajama top.

"Yes, they did," Lucius stopped. A girl! So that's what's bothering him. "…but you're not a girl."

"I can have babies! Boys don't have babies!" Severus mourned.

"You're thinking like a muggle. No one thinks less of you because you can children. In fact being a wizard carrier is one of the best things that could've happened to you."

"Yeah, easy for you to say." Severus complained.

"Severus," Lucius whispered in warning.

"I didn't want to be sold! I don't want to have babies! What good did it do me? "

"Did you want to stay with the Princes then?" The blonde youth asked.

"Yes…No …why did they have to hate so much…I was their family…I never did anything to them…how can you hate someone just because they can't do magic Lucius or because they're not pureblood…it's not right. No, I didn't want to stay with them. I just wish they had wanted me…just a little…" Severus expressed confused and torn by his own wishes.

How can you hate someone because they're not pure or because they can't do magic? The blonde didn't know how to answer the question and shifted uncomfortably. After awhile Severus calmed down and fell sleep. Lucius remained awake feeling guilty for some reason.

AN:

So much homework, so little time to post! Hope you like it. Leave review.

Next chapter...Dinner with the Blacks! Every single one!