Harry Potter and Co. belong to Rowling

A Snake In Sheep's Clothing.

SSLM

Chapter 11. The whys.

Two weeks earlier….

Lord Prince went over the exorbitant expenses his sons had handed him that morning and frowned in disgust. If they thought he was going to pay their debts, they would be sorely mistaken. If their jobs or property did not give them enough money to survive, then they would have to make adjustments or starve. With the excess weight they both carried on themselves skipping a meal or two would do them good.

The Prince patriarch shrugged and caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He stilled momentarily and looked away remembering his grandson. No, Severus was no longer his grandson. Severus Snape had never been a Prince and he would never be one now. Even if he was so much like him. Lord Prince smirked coldly and got back to his numbers…what was done was done. He was supposed to have been a squib. Who would've known? His son in law had gotten the ultimate vengeance on him. What a joke that had been. Snape had won…and he had lost. It was just like Tobias had said. He was nothing but an old fool with too much pride. Revolted for indulging in sentimentalities Lord Prince turned back to his papers. Severus was fine where he was and that was that.

A week later…

"What's the meaning of this?" Lord Prince asked looking from the will to his two sons.

"We just found it." the younger one said. His voice slightly nervous.

"Just found it." Lord Prince repeated coldly.

"Yes….my wife was looking through Eileen's things." The second one added shifting in his chair.

"What are Eileen's things doing in your possession?" Lord Prince asked point blank.

The Wizard opened and closed his mouth several times before answering, "they were forgotten…look she found this. It's her will and a letter for you."

"It's opened." The older Wizard observed tracing the tear of the parchment.

"Well I just thought." His older son began nervously.

"…that you'd read it first." The furious wizards accused rising to his feet.

"The Will she left is very specific and states that Severus should remain with us incase anything happens to her or her husband…the letter says that Severus is not a squib." The Wizards rushed out stumbling over each others words.

Lord Prince came around the table his wand drawn. "I find it highly doubtful that you just found these now."

The pair looked at one another frightened, "Well we did and we need to get him back."

The older Wizard smirked eerily, they had placed the last nail on their coffins and they didn't even know it. "No."

"What do you mean no? Eileen didn't want him to end up else where…he should be with us, here."

"He's been bonded." Lord Prince reminded them.

"Bonds can be broken." Reginald Prince, the eldest pointed out.

"It would kill or drive them insane. What's done is done."

"How can you say that! He's a powerful wizard, Lord of Snape, just their wealth would be enough to help us."

"Ah the truth has a strange way of rearing its ugly head." Lord Prince smirked coldly.

"You need to get him back." Reginald demanded.

"A contract was signed. If I did nothing to get him back when I found out about his magical abilities, what makes you think I would now."

"You knew!" Reginald exclaimed startled.

"I've known for days now."

"But how?" The younger Prince shook his head.

Lord Prince looked from one son to the other, "you don't think Lord Malfoy would buy a squib a wand do you?" The pair simply oggled him, with an impatient wave of his hand he dismissed the pair.

"But!"

"The only reason you found this will was because I refuse to pay your bills! The only reason you are here now is because you will now have to work for a living! Get out and let me be!"

"It's not fair. I'm to be Lord one day it's beneath me to work." Reginald gritted out.

"Then beg for money elsewhere." Lord Prince shouted. Drawing his wand he spelled his sons from the room and locked the doors. The bastards had probably found the will when Eileen had died but had held it back and he knew why. They were aware of the contempt he felt for them. They knew how easily it would've been for them to lose everything if Severus had remained with them. They had allowed him to sell Severus in hopes of saving their skins; well they had done nothing of the kind. He would make his children pay just as he was paying now. With that thought in mind he went back to work. Only much later did he look up...just an old fool with too much pride.

The evening of the attack…Grimmauld Place…

"He shouldn't live through the night." Lord Black announced entering the large run down library.

"What do you mean? I just broke a couple of ribs." Sirius asked.

Lord Black laughed and let himself fall on a large arm chair. "Ahhh the innocence of children."

"What in the blazes are you talking about?" Sirius asked crossing his arms. His Father only laughed harder, the Wizard was soon joined by his Uncle and Narcissa who giggled coldly.

"What he means cousin dear, is that your boots where covered in dragon poison and that that little half-blooded-carrier must be writhing in agony. His insides are most probably burning to a crisp. If I'm correct, he should be dead withing ten and half hours." Bella supplied with what could only be described as clinical madness.

Sirius swallowed. Dead? He had killed a carrier. "You said beat him up not that!"

"Shut up boy!" Lord Black ordered rising to get himself a drink.

"No I won't! He's a weak carrier! If she wanted him dead, why not let Narcissa kill him! Why me?" Sirius demanded moving to stand before his father. His brother hung back afraid. The only other person that had ever tried to standup to the elder Blacks had been Bella and Regulus wasn't about to follow in her footsteps. Sirius however mad enough to do just that.

"This isn't about Narcissa you idiot. It's about something much more important." Lord Black said touching his right forearm. When their Lord had found out about his niece's marriage falling through he had advised them to do something about it, and they just had. If the Malfoys had turned their back on the old ways, they deserved to lose their precious carrier. And if they came after them so much the better! The Blacks had powerful friends now.

The next day….

Lady Gytha sat amongst her flowers looking at the horizon when she saw him again. The image was fuzzy at first but then became sharper and stronger.

"Gytha." Phinehas murmured over the stretched hand.

"What brings you here?" The witch asked not even suspecting what the Wizard could want but being on her guard just the same.

"We have a situation." Phinehas announced looking at the Witch in the eye.

The perfectly arched brown shot up. "A situation?" Malfoys did not have situations.

"It appears the Blacks have attempted to poison Severus." The Wizard announced.

Lady Gytha's eyes shot venomous fury. Poisoned! "He's not..."

"No…but he's not well. Let me explain..."

"The Blacks were at -!" The witch shook her head in disbelief. It couldn't be! What could posses Lord Malfoy to do something so foolish!

"Everything that can be done is being done."

"I must see him." The witch said curtly.

The whole affair took less than ten minutes to set up. By the time the Witch stepped from her painting into the void to come out on the other side. She had called two Snape muggle doctors and one healer; the Witch and doctors were ready to go through the fireplace and help with their Lord's recovery as soon as the floo was opened.

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Lord Abraxas Malfoy stood by the bed expressionless but ready to commit bloody murder. The Blacks were nothing but the worst kind of Wizarding Purebloods! Not only had they tried to poison his son in law but they had also poisoned his son against him. Yes, Lucius had been a fool but he was barely fourteen! Never had he been more sure of what he had done. The Blacks would pay for their attack.

"Lord Malfoy…" One of the healers called snapping his attention back to the present.

"Yes?"

"The fever is high but I think he is past the worst of it." A tall witch announced sounding more than relieved.

"The poison is out."

Healer Jacobs shook his head. It was a miracle that the boy was still alive."No…some of it is still in the blood stream. It will be years before his body is cleansed of it. As a result he will suffer secondary effects."

"How so?"

"Sudden episodes of dizziness, head aches, muscle aches… physically he'll be weaker." The second healer supplied cleansing the damp brow. "They'll diminish with time but he must be monitored at least until he's seventeen. Once he comes into his magic, he'll regain most of his strength back."

"What about his carrying abilities?" Lord Malfoy asked dreading the answer.

"He must not carry before he comes into his magic or the child may die."

"…and my son?"

"He was suffering from an enchantment and a mild dulling potion. The effects of one are not dangerous but together they can seriously hinder anyone's thinking ability."

"I see." Lord Abraxas moved closer to the now sleeping Severus. When the Blacks found out that he had survived they would be livid and most likely try again. It was time to send them a little message. "You will all be staying until both are fully recovered." Lord Malfoy announced before leaving the room.

Lady Gytha should be arriving any minute now and he needed to talk to her first. The last thing he needed was a painting rousing the Snapes and challenging the bond because they could not take care of Severus. Not only that, but the blasted Princes had sent him an owl requesting a meeting.

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Lady Malfoy was coming down the hall when she saw her husband exiting their son's room. "Any change?"

"He's stable…but the healers will remain until they're both fully recovered. We must keep them safe Eugenia." Lord Malfoy said soberly.

"No one will touch them Abraxas. I'll be with you, protecting them. I called Lorne and Percival they should be here this afternoon."

"Thank you … and Lucius?"

Lady Eugenia became teary-eyed but she willed her self not to cry. "He's having a bad time now that he knows and understands what happened. He wants to see Severus…"

"He'll have to wait one more day until we are sure he's no longer affected by the enchantment or the potion. Severus is still too weak...the healers are hopeful but we must make sure nothing affects his recovery."

"He's in physical pain Abraxas." Lady Eugenia murmured.

"So is Severus… Lucius must wait. I will go see him after I'm done with Lady Gytha. Do you think he will listen to me now?"

"Yes…he's different now…and he wishes to speak to you…something is eating at him." Lady Malfoy murmured tiredly. Her son had changed these last few days and she hoped it was for the best. Poor Lucius…he was learning some hard lessons very early on. "Read this before you see Lady Gytha." The witch thrust her husband a folded parchment.

"What is it?"

"Another owl form the Princes, they want him back. They are claiming that Eileen Prince left a will stating that Severus was to remain with them. Under the will, they had no right to give him to us. Since both are still children and the bond has not been ...consummated. They demand an annulment…" The witch trailed off too angry to say anything more.

"That's ridiculous! Even if the marriage were not consummated for years Severus and Lucius are magically bonded. Severus is no longer a Prince! His body retains none of the Princes' magic. If he were to return to them, he would die or go insane without Lucius." Lord Malfoy shook his head and then noticed that the owl was not signed by Lord Prince but by his son. "Disgusting family, they probably ran out of money and have heard about his father's will. Now that they know Severus is a Wizard carrier they are probably kicking themselves for getting rid of him and are using this supposed will to get him back."

"But they can't get him! He's bonded to Lucius…nothing can break a bond. How dare they!" Lady Eugenia hissed her hands tightening in barely controlled fury.

"They dare, because they have nothing to lose." Lord Malfoy hissed crumbling the parchment in his hand. "There's something odd about this though…"

"What?"

"We saw Lord Prince the day we got Severus his wand. I'm sure he deduced there was more to Severus' magical abilities then. So why are they writing until now and why is this not signed by him?"

-------

Lord Abraxas entered his library just as Phinehas walked into the painting with a livid Lady Gytha behind him. "Where is he?" the witch asked without preamble.

"He's in his bedroom…the healers are with him."

"I want to see him." She demanded so abrasively that several portraits eyed her coldly. Lady Gytha huffed and ignored every single glare.

"You must wait." Lord Malfoy said firmly.

"Until he's dead?" The witch sneered. "No thank you. I want to see him Lord Malfoy or I will make the Ministry aware of his condition."

"To do that would be a mistake." Abraxas warned. If the witch had her attorneys present a formal complain, his family could be in seious trouble.

"Having Severus bond with your son was the mistake!" Lady Gytha accused uncaring of the insult.

"Madame!" The normally cool headed Malfoy clenched his hands wanting nothing more than to burn the painting.

"Don't you Madame me! You promised to take care of him and he was almost poisoned! Where was your son while this was going on? Probably mooning over Narcissa Black! I should've kept him with us!"

Lord Malofy could've said many things but he chose to calm himself before he spoke. If the Snapes and Malfoys were going to survive the upcoming war, then they had to be smarter than the Blacks and Princes. "He was well looked after."

"If this is well looked after, then he was better off with the Princes. At least there he knew what he was up against. This is the worst kind of negligence! He was poisoned in your own home, under your very nose. While your son made love to that bitch!"

"Their visit was a mistake." Lord Malfoy admitted reluctantly, "…but its over and we must-"

"No it isn't over…he's probably writhing in pain as we speak and you're here trying to appease me! Why did you call me here!? Why did you ask Phinehas to bring me?"

"The Blacks need to be thought a lesson and Lord Prince wants him back." Lord Malfoy announced expressionlessly.

"Back." Lady Gytha turned to Phinehas, the Wizard nodded solemnly.

"He'll have to go through me first." Lady Gytha promised. The Princes would never have Severus! He was her family's last hope for survival!

"If you go to the Ministry crying negligence and abuse, he will become a ward of the Ministry along with everything that he owns, or he'll be handed over to the Princes. But he will never be given to the Snapes, and you and I know what will happen if he and Lucius are separated. They may survive Lady Gytha but they will not be sane."

The witch clenched her hands knowing the wizard had a point. After several seconds she nodded her acquisience and spoke with deadly sincerety, "I will keep quiet but if he is put in any kind of danger, if he is ever injured through such gross negligence and stupidity, if your son ever fails in his duty to protect him, I will show you what a family that has nothing to lose is capable of."

------

After almost an hour of planning Lady Gytha was escorted to Severus' room, where her relatives were already giving the unconscious boy their own very thorough examination.

Severus who was heavily sedated slept through the whole thing. Lady Gytha watched closely from her painting, the Malfoy healers were talking to her own. She should know what they were up against very soon.

Severus woke in that moment feeling worse then he ever had. Not only were his insides on fire but he felt terribly alone. He moved and tried to get up but was gently pushed back. "Don't!" he whispered tiredly.

"You must lie back Sir or you'll hurt yourself." A soft apologetic voice told him.

"Fire…" Severus whispered struggling to keep his blood shot eyes open. He couldn't focus very well.

"You have a high fever…it'll pass." Someone he couldn't see whispered.

Severus moved around a bit. "Don't Sir…you must lie still." The voice exclaimed urgently.

Severus sighed and tried to speak but couldn't make out the whole word. "Lu-"

"I'm sorry Sir?"

Severus groaned, "Lucius…please…where…" the boy trialed off as a spasm traveled through his body.

"Sh….Sh…Sir…." the young healer whispered looking over his shoulder to Lord Malfoy's expressionless face and Lady Gytha's angry one.

"Where's Lucius?" Severus whispered clutching onto the healer's hand. "Where?" He felt so horrible…he didn't want to be alone…where was Lucius?

at the same time...

The young blonde paced the room while two older wizards watched him closely. The youth had tried to leave twice and they wouldn't put it pass him to try a third time. With wands drawn, they followed him with their eyes.

Lucius felt like a caged beast. Noone would tell him anything. He knew Severus was in pain, he could feel it but he wasn't allowed to leave the room. Several healers had come to look him over. He had drank an imumerable amount of potions so he was no longer feeling dazed, but he was now feeling trapped. Trapped and alone. He needed to see his father, he needed to tell him, but most of all he needed to see Severus! He rubbed his arm back and forth and groaned as if in pain. He was calling him and he couldn't go! He had to go to him!

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AN: I know, I'm horrible to stop there but I promise to post before Thanksgiving. Read and review! Gobble, Gobble! Please excuse any mistakes or typos.