Harry Potter and Co. belong to Rowling

A Snake In Sheep's Clothing.

SSLM

Chapter 12. While he sleeps

Severus had pleaded for Lucius' presence but it had not been allowed. It would be at least a day before the effect of the enchantment was dissolved and Abraxas was not about to take any more chances. He had made too many mistakes already. Too tired to protest the potion that was pressed to his lips, Severus finally fell asleep under the watchful eye of his cousins, Tiberius and Joannas a muggle doctor and nurse respectively. The Malfoy healers although respectful didn't' know what to make of their squib-muggle-counterparts and so treated them with reserved curtesy.

After speaking to her relatives, Lady Gytha went back to make sure the Snapes knew about their Lord's illness and remained alert to any other kind of attack. As soon as the Blacks found out about Severus survival, they would undoubtedly try something else. Well this time they would strike first.

Tiberius and Joannas Snape made themselves as comfortable as they could in the armchairs near Severus' bed and went over their notes. Tiberius had left the Wizarding world at the age of seventeen and Joannas his second cousin had done so fifteen years later. As the younger man shared his interest in healing or as the muggles called it medicine Tiberius had given him a job in his successful practice.

They made a great team but their partnership would soon come to an end. Joannas would be marrying a half witch-half fairy this fall and would be returning to the wizarding world. Orphaned from the age of twenty the Witch had not had to deal with any opposition from her parents, a fact that made Tiberius happier than Joannas would ever know.

Once again he would be alone. He would miss his cousin and friend. As a carrier, Tiberius Snape was very much aware that the only thing that would ever bring him true happiness would be his marriage and the birth of his children. However, he was intelligent enough to know, that if he married noWizard would allow him to continue his research or his practice. Yes, bonding and giving birth were wonderul, but not when it was forced upon the person. Seeing his young Lord's predicament had shaken him. Now more than ever, he was willing to wait and carry on alone, even if meant forsaking any chances at having his own family in the Wizarding world.

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In a small potions shop…

"Genner get in here!" Sophia Snape cried urgently.

"What is it woman? I'm busy with customers!" The gruff voice shouted from the front of the small cramped shop.

"Jaret get up front I need your father back her! Go! Now!" The heavily pregnant witch ordered her fifteen year old. The teen nodded mutely and half stumbled through the door.

With an impatient huff Genner Snape left his son to take care of the customers and walked to the back of the store. The first thing he noticed was his wife's stiff stance. Frowning, he turned to the left, "Merlin's wand!"

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Malfoy Manor…

First cousin Lorne entered Malfoy Manor with the quietness that characterized him. His father had been Lord Abraxas' Uncle, and although he was nowhere as wealthy as Lord Malfoy he held an undisputable place in high Wizarding society. An expert in defensive arts and wards the Wizard was not only respected but secretly feared. The many duels he had won had earned him the nickname of The Duelist. Unmarried at the age of sixty, he was in his prime and had decided to look for a spouse but found everyone lacking. He knew that there were worthy candidates somewhere, but admitted that he didn't have the patience to look for them. The problem was that he really wasn't sure of what he wanted in a spouse, Lord Malfoy, the only Wizard he allowed any familiarity with his person, had laughed at his dilemma. When you see the right one, you'll know.

"Cousin it is good to see you!" Lord Malfoy greeted the taller blonde and met him half of the way. Although younger, Lorne and Abraxas had been always been close friends and held an immeasurable amount of respect for each other.

"I'm at your disposal Lord Malfoy. Percival is taking care of some business but will be arriving shortly." The taller wizard informed with a small bow.

"Good." Lord Malfoy nodded and led the taller Wizard away. "We have much to discuss."

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Later that evening…

Lucius fidgeted under his father and cousins' scrutiny. He wanted nothing more than to go to Severus but he had been told to wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow! Gods! He wasn't going to make it!

"Well let's start. Lucius look at your cousin." Lucius gulped but did not look up. He had heard stories about Lorne Malfoy and he had never thought to be at the receiving end of the Wizard's abilities.

"You were enchanted and drank a potion that inhibited your senses to the point that you failed to protect your bonded from harm. Your father senses that this enchantment might be part of something more powerful and more lasting. If you are to be trusted to be anywhere near your bonded again, I must examine your mind and your magic."

"You're going to legilimus my mind." The youth asked trying not to sound very much afraid.

"I can do that myself Lucius, what Lorne is going to do is more than that. We need to know to what extent you have been influenced."

"I'm loyal to my family." Lucius stated weakly.

"You may want to be but I don't think that is completely possible for you anymore." Lorne said expressionlessly. He had been present at Lucius' birth, had been the first to congratulate Abraxas on his son and now here he was, ready to violate the youth's mind.

Lucius shook his head and looked to his father, "I don't want him to do it."

Abraxas couldn't help the guilt that overcame him and steeled his mind against it. Someone was influencing his son against him. He had shown his cousin the letters that Eugenia had found along with the book. Although they carried some of the Blacks magical signature, there was another unidentifiable dark signature. Someone was pulling the Blacks' strings and he needed to know whom before there was nothing left of his family. "Nevethtless you will submit or you will not go near your husband again and you two will die."

Lucius gasped. His father couldn't do that to him. "I've told you everything I know!"

Abraxas shook his head expressionlessly. "There are things you're blocking, subconsciously I know, but blocking, nevertheless. This is necessary."

Lucius clenched his hands in realization of what his father was saying. He had put his family in danger and would still be doing it unless he gave in. "All right." He whispered and looked into his cousin's blue eyes.

"Legilimus totalus!"

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Lucius' exhausted body sagged in his seat. "Percival." Lorne ordered. His younger brother administered the potions and then levitated Lucius' body to the bed.

"Well?" Abraxas asked expectantly.

"You did right in calling me." Lorne began rubbing his temples. Stupid boy! "We have serious problems Abraxas." The wizard said using his Lord's given name for the third time in his life.

Lord Malfoy heard the familiarity and groaned inwardly. "It's that bad?"

"More than you know." Lorne rose to his feet and walked to stand next to Lucius' unconscious body; Abraxas followed him. With a murmur he did away with the youth's coat and shirt.

"Wha-" Abraxas began but stopped when his cousin began examining both of his son's arms.

"It's here." The Wizard whispered and frowned in concentration. He ran his fingers over the pale skin searching for the mark and stopped when Lucius awoke and looked at him. His silvery eyes pained and tired.

"Here." He whispered and covered his right forearm with his left hand. Until now he hadn't remembered being marked, Gods what had he done!

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Later ….

Lord Abraxas stalked the room from side to side. How could he have been so lax! How could this have happened! He didn't understand it! He had been too late! Too late! But he couldn't be! He wouldn't lose his son! His whole family was in danger! He had to do something! He had to strike back!

"I can't even begin to understand how he could've hidden the mark from me!"

"He didn't, his master did it for him and then obliviated the memory of him having taken it. It's brilliant really …Lucius never technically lied to you and that kept you from looking beyond the surface. Lord Black, his brother, and the Narcissa girl have also been marked but they are fully aware of it." Lorne informed.

"The Malfoys will bow to no one!" Lord Malfoy hissed dangerously.

"Good." Lorne nodded at his Lord's conviction and continued after a few seconds. "I suggest we prepare for what's ahead. I have a feeling that this dark lord is more cunning and ruthless than Lucius thinks. When he finds out that my young cousin is not in his power, he will probably attack."

"If we got to the Ministry, Lucius will be arrested for delving in the dark arts and the Malfoys will be scrutinized and shunned. We would be forced to stand alone; imagine the target we would make?" Lord Araxas mused out loud.

Lorne frowned in reluctant agreement, "Unfortunately the Ministry is led by a band of fools and I don't see them doing much until it's too late."

"We must prepare then. I won't give up my family, not any of it."

-----

It was late at night when Lorne and Percival finally retired. Lucius was sleeping with the help of some very strong potions; without his bonded's presence, he was vulnerable to another attack.

Lorne entered the room he usually used while at the Manor and pondered over the events of the day. This new Dark Lord had found the perfect followers among the young, ignorant, and inexperienced. But who was this Wizard? As much as he had probed Lucius' mind his identity had been kept from him. Lucius either did not know or the Wizard's spells were that strong. The letter he had been shown was signed R.T. but he hadn't heard of anyone with those initials. Percival and he had a lot to consider.

The first thing they had to do was block the bond, but how? He knew that anything they did would have to involve young Severus. There lay another stumbling block. If what his cousin had told him was correct, Lady Gytha would be watching them like a hawk. Not that they would harm the boy. Nothing would be more counterproductive, Severus Snape was the only thing standing between Lucius and his becoming a mindless follower of yet another dark lord, vent of world domination. If Lucius were his son, he would've drowned the boy for his sheer stupidity!

Knowing he would be unable to sleep Lorne left his room to walk the grounds. More than sleep he needed to find some peace. Walking always did the trick.

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at the same time...

Tiberius left Joannas and the other healers to get some sleep in the room next to Severus. He had had a full day at his practice before being called by Lady Gytha and was feeling exhausted. He needed to sleep, making Joannas promise to call him if there was any change he entered the bedroom. After pulling his coat off and unbuttoning his shirt's top buttons he lay down but found he couldn't sleep. Grabbing his silver cigarette case, he opened the large double doors. He hated smoking indoors. Leaving the double doors open, in case Joannas called, he lit a cigarette and proceeded to walk the tension off.

-----

Lorne immediately picked up on another presence and tried to read it but found only the barest sliver of magic. With a raised eyebrow, he followed the trail and came upon a very handsome and maybe too thin male of about thirty muggle years. When the dark haired man raised his left arm to blow on the cigarette the wizard identified him as Tiberius Snape, the squib doctor. Not moving he observed the squib closely. Tiberius was the epitome of thoughtful worry, Severus was stable but Lorne knew it could still go either way.

Tiberius got the sudden feeling that he was being watched and looked around. His eyes came to rest on an expressionless blonde about ten feet away. the Wizard was watching him with what could only be called clinical interest. Feeling terribly vulnerable, Tiberius got to his feet without saying a word

"You're one of the Snapes." The tall blonde murmured with an arched brow. The squib was at least six feet with short dark hair. He was not classically handsome but the strong features suited him.

Tiberius who was by no means an inexperienced weak minded youth was reluctant to speak. The Wizard hadn't even blinked. The doctor looked at the opened doors and wondered how long it would take him to get there, just in case.

Lorne knew he was making the squib nervous but he didn't care. He had to admit that Tiberius Snape was …interesting. "You're a muggle doctor?"

Tiberius looked to the doors and prayed Joannas would call him but nothing of the sort happened. Turning to the Wizard he nodded slightly nervous.

The blonde looked put out. He wanted to hear the doctor's voice. "An oral response please."

"Yes…general medicine with a specialization in neurology." Why had he mentioned his specialty? Because he didn't want the blonde to think him an ignorant squib that's why! Damn Malfoys felt so fucking superior because of their precious magic.

Lorne cocked his head at the mental outburst and continued his silent appraisal. Yes, he had to admit he liked what he saw. "How interesting." The blonde exclaimed sounding anything but. "And you are, how old?"

Tiberius bristled, "I don't' see why you would ask for my age?"

Making a decision the blonde smiled, "Don't you?"

"If you'll excuse me…" Tiberius moved to the door, but a steely grip pulled him back making him drop his cigarette case.

"How old are you?" the Wizard asked again.

Tiberius looked up at the dark blue eyes. The Wizard was easily five inches taller than he but he wouldn't be intimidated, no matter how handsome the arrogant bastard was! Stubbornly he shook his head. "It's none of your business."

"Believe me Tiberius Snape your age has just become my business." The tall wizard whispered before releasing him. The doctor controlled the reflex to rub his arm and made his way to his room. He should've stayed in his fucking room!

Lorne watched the carrier walk inside and bent down to pick up the case and slipped it into his pocket. With a lighter step, he went back to his room. Abraxas had been right, he would simple know…and he had. Too bad he was a squib…well not exactly. He had picked up on a sliver of magic. Maybe with the right precautions their children wouldn't be squibs. But even if they were, it wasn't as he was the heir to the family fortune. Magic or no, he knew he wanted Tiberius.

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Tiberius locked the doors behind him and then realized he no longer had his silver case. He'd have to get it tomorrow and that was that. Tiredly he lay on the bed and thought about the Wizard, with all the long blonde hair he had to be a Malfoy. A very handsome one, and if his instincts were right a very dangerous one too. Although he had picked up on the obvious interest Tiberius wasn't worried. He was a squib, after all. Why would a Mafoy want to bed a squib?

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An:

Just a little help in case you're confused. Tiberius and Joannas Snape were mentioned in the Marriage chapter; they are squib cousins living in Muggle England. They are doctor and nurse and were called by Lady Gytha because there are no healers(you have to be magical for that) in the Snape family.

Genner, Sophia, and her son are new characters. They have magical abilities but they are not very developed. Did you catch the kind of shop they own?

Lorne and Percival are Lord Abraxas' first cousins and are what you would call antiheroes. They help their family solve problems ...how? You can only guess. Yes, Lorne likes Tiberius.

I think I gave the impression that Tiberius was alot older than the thirty-six years I'm going to make him. If so, I'm just letting you know he is not elderly.

I know it's the day after Thanksgiving but I'm in the hospital again. Stupid lungs! I will be posting hell hath…, till debt…, and a Halloween tale within the next couple of days! Well, I hope I will!

Read and Review!