Chapter Three ; Discovery
Severus swung back around to face the on-comers and hoped that the students behind him would have the common sense to follow his command. He stood tall and confident while unconsciously holding his breath as he awaited the imminent appearance of unwanted company.
He griped his beloved wand tightly, holding it down by his side, the dark wood blending in seamlessly with the billowing black folds of his heavy cloak and watched silently as a bulky hooded figure stepped out from behind an ancient gnarled oak tree.
Severus braced himself for whatever may happen next, outwardly he appeared casual and relaxed, yet inwardly his honed reflexes were preparing to strike with the stealth of a be-deviled cobra.
"Lumos," the mystery figure muttered.
A cold blue pulsing light suddenly illuminated the surrounding area and it was then that a much taller and more slender figure stepped into view. In this new harsh light, Severus could clearly make out the taller figure's wand and it was aimed squarely at his chest. As the figure moved closer to the light, the potion's master caught a glimpse of several stray strands of platinum blond hair.
It could only belong to one person.
His suspicions were confirmed as the svelte form moved their other hand and the eerie glow glinted off the newly revealed silver snake head of an elegant walking cane.
"Lucius," Severus stated calmly, completely ignoring the fact that he was currently under threat.
The person in question re-pocketed their wand in a hidden location with much practiced ease, then gracefully pulled back enough of his cloak hood to reveal himself.
"Severus," Malfoy returned the curt greeting.
As the two incognito Death Eaters advanced, the professor recognised the round face and several accompanying chins of the other man. He searched his mind for the correct name, Perry...no Perkel...no Perkins, that was it Perkins...a lowly minion in the now dissolved ranks of the absent Dark Lord's followers. He always did seem to follow Malfoy around like some sort of stray dog, so it was really no great surprise to see them together. The question was, what were they doing together here in the Forbidden Forest, late at night.
Severus knew that Lucius held no love for their current environment, he wasn't the type of Wizard who jumped at the chance at getting dirty and Merlin forbid that he should snag some of his precious clothing on a nearby briar.
Knowing this, Snape couldn't help but wonder if he would be treated to the truth tonight or be forced to listen to a web of misdirection and deceit, for Lucius Malfoy was not known to be forthcoming with credulous information unless he himself could somehow benefit from it.
"What business brings you to the dark forest my friend ?" Severus casually inquired, while raising his voice slightly in order to be heard over the heavy deluge.
"The private kind," the pure-blood wizard replied arrogantly, "and certainly not the type of business to be discussed before young prying ears," he continued while indicating with a disgruntled nod over Severus' right shoulder.
The potion's master swallowed hard and inwardly cursed the stupidity of the two Gryffindors obviously still standing some where behind him. If they somehow all managed to make it out of this situation unscathed, he would take great personal pleasure in hexing the two idiots into oblivion himself.
He reinforced his mask of calm and utter disinterest and pointedly refused to look over his shoulder at the pair, it would be best to avoid drawing attention to them for as long as possible, let Malfoy think that they are unworthy of comment.
"And what has you out here my friend ?" Lucius practically purred, daring the professor to be caught in a lie.
'Dammit!' Severus inwardly swore.
"Overseeing detention," he supplied with just the right balance of boredom and annoyance.
"How wonderfully tedious for you," the pure-blood baited as a dead smile plastered itself across his pale face.
His less than kind comment was answered with a derisive grunt.
"No really, you deserve the Order of Merlin for having to put up with such tedium," Lucius taunted cruelly once more, to the accompanying laughter of one arse-kissing Thomas Perkins.
Genuinely vexed now, Severus stepped well within his antagonist's personal space and met him eye to eye.
"Why are you here Lucius ?" he demanded through a clenched jaw.
Lucius looked over to the two hooded students, at some point they had huddled closer together, he then diverted his gaze to Perkins.
"Watch them !" he warned gruffly, pointing at the youths with his cane.
Perkins nodded in compliance and quickly moved closer to the Hogwart's students, there was no mistaking the threatening undertone in Malfoy's command and he knew that it would not be in his best interests to fail in this simple task.
Meanwhile, Malfoy grabbed a handful of Severus' cloak and dragged him over to the oak tree, well out of ear-shot.
"Perkins and I have a rendezvous with a mutual acquaintance of ours Severus," the blond supplied cryptically.
"Oh for Merlin's sake Lucius, speak plainly for once in your life," Severus retorted with mild exasperation.
Malfoy's gaze narrowed with annoyance, he did not appreciate the potions master's tone, very few people got away with dressing him down like that. But for the moment he would led it slide, for he was anxious to see how his fellow Death Eater would react on hearing what he himself had only recently learned.
"Careful Severus...," the wizard warned sweetly, "I recently received a mangy owl from Peter Pettigrew requesting a meeting at The Knock," he revealed.
"Wormtail !"
Snape couldn't prevent a deep personal loathing from colouring his smooth voice.
"Yes, your old friend Wormtail," Malfoy confirmed smugly.
"What did the filthy rat want ?" Severus demanded, as curiosity got the better of him.
"It seems that while the pathetic rodent has been hiding out and living amongst his fellow gnawing friends, he's heard some very interesting rumours," Lucius continued, "he needs money to confirm their... validity."
"What rumours ?"
Lucius allowed the question to go unanswered, instead his gaze steadily drifted to his left forearm.
Slightly taken aback, Severus grasped his own left limb and noted that the uncomfortable tingle had still not fully dissipated. His brow furrowed in confusion, was Malfoy actually suggesting that the Dark Lord was about to return ?
"There have been signs, he says, certain portents," Malfoy explained further.
"What kinds of signs and portents ?" Severus inquired, finding it increasingly difficult to disguise his growing unease.
"Oh the kind that any loyal follower would welcome and easily decipher, the kind that may tip the balance once again in our favour my friend," the pure-blood answered darkly, "Wormtail is simply in need of some financial assistance to procure certain items in Knockturn Alley before he leaves for distant lands."
Severus found himself momentarily lost for words.
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Meanwhile some distance away held immobilised under the predatory stare of an unknown man, Harry and Neville stood close by one another, each one unnerved by the unexpected appearance of Lucius Malfoy and his mystery stocky companion.
Harry risked a quick peek out from under his now sodden hood and witnessed his professor being dragged further away by Malfoy.
Both seemed to be engaged in some sort of tense discussion but they were too far away for him to make out any details and the heavy rainfall wasn't helping.
Harry wondered what had made Snape seem so afraid earlier, why had he told them to run ? Had he been expecting someone else ? As far as Harry new Malfoy and Snape appeared to be friends. He had seen them together at several quiddich matches and Snape's blatant favouritism for Draco Malfoy was widely known. Plus he was convinced Snape still held some sort of secret affiliation to Voldemort and he had suspected that Malfoy was some how involved also, after all he had placed Tom Riddle's diary in Ginny Weasley's cauldron in Flourish & Blotts.
A worrying thought came to mind.
Did their conversation have something to do with Voldemort ?
The whole scenario was very confusing.
Suddenly his racing thoughts were interrupted by movement.
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Severus' mind whirled as it struggled to process everything Malfoy had just told him. If any of it were true, then he needed to get back to Hogwart's quickly. As his thoughts drifted, he failed to notice Lucius' silent departure from the oak tree.
"So exactly whom of Hogwart's finest students do we have the pleasure of sharing company with this fine night ?" Malfoy wondered out loud as he advanced on the pair.
Severus reverie came crashing down around him at the sound of Malfoy's threatening tones and he swirled around to see the dark wizard moving closer to Potter and Longbottom. He pushed himself away from the tree and moved quickly to catch up, in no time he was standing seemingly casually between the blond wizard and the two boys, ready to protect them should needs be.
Malfoy stood before the two pathetic water logged lumps. He used the end of his cane to lift back the hood of one of the boys.
The revelation caused him to grimace with disgust.
"Ah the gormless Longbottom, no doubt you justly deserve detention and more, what did you manage to blow up this time you stupid boy ?" Lucius taunted.
Stricken by both fear and embarrassment, poor Neville remained mute as he blushed uncontrollably.
"Never mind, probably won't be the last time, do be careful won't you," he purred viciously, "wouldn't want you ending up in Saint Mungo's with the rest of the family, now would we ?"
Severus couldn't ignore the grief stricken look of pain that flitted across the young boys face as he chewed his lower lips and struggled to keep the tears at bay.
However any attempt at standing up for the poor defenceless, yet witless wonder would only arouse unwanted suspicion. If he could, he would speak to Minerva about it later.
Malfoy then moved slightly to his right and none too gently pushed back the wet hood of the second student.
It was then that things seemed to change, the very air around them felt charged with static as Malfoy's posture stiffened and his expression hardened.
He turned his head swiftly to Severus, his hard stare narrowing ever so, as suspicion crept into his thoughts.
Looking back at Potter, all manners of possibilities jumped to mind.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here ? The famous Mr. Potter no less !" Lucius sneered, "and in such a dangerous place...why any manner of nasty things could befall an unwary student, as I'm sure your professor would agree."
Severus shifted uncomfortably at Malfoy's less than subtle threats, delivered in such a dark malicious tone and noted how Lucius' eyes hadn't left Potter's for an instant.
The pure-blood's hand had some how managed to find his wand and it twitched on the grip as he contemplated blasting Potter away then and there. He could dispose of the boy or better yet, take him. Grabbing The Boy Who Lived would allow him the opportunity to make up for recent failures to his Lord and if the Dark Lord's return was looming on the horizon, no doubt he would be pleased at such an offering.
Lucius Malfoy stood transfixed, his eyes took on a distant, glazed look as he smiled inanely, ultimately he was thinking only of himself, but then self preservation had always been his utmost priority.
Perkins also recognising Potter moved in closer and Severus became increasingly wary for their safety.
Severus Snape found himself reaching out to grab Malfoy's slowly raising wand arm. Harry's eyes widened as he caught the threatening movement and he began to shuffle backwards. He couldn't believe what was about to happen.
Suddenly there was a minor scuffle as Snape stood in front of Malfoy, effectively blocking his aim, then he pushed the other wizard slightly.
Unexpectedly Malfoy stumbled as his left foot ensnared itself in an exposed, twisted root. In his distracted state, he quickly lost his balance and fell to the ground.
Both boys gasped.
Snape steeled himself for what was about to come.
Seeming more lucid now, Malfoy looked in disgust at the dirt which had invaded his perfectly manicured fingernails, then he turned his murderous glare to the potions master.
Inhaling deeply, Severus offered an outstretched hand to the fallen wizard but Malfoy pointedly ignored it and instead used his cane to aid his slow and some what awkward ascent. Standing erect once more, the blond used exaggerated, deliberate strokes to brush the debris from his clothing.
"That was a mistake potions master," Lucius hissed, "how dare the likes of you lay a hand on me !"
As the pure-blood ranted, Severus was unaware that Perkins now had his wand aimed at his back, eagerly awaiting the signal to hex him.
"Professor !" Harry called out in warning.
Severus heard the boy's call but would not allow the distraction, he had to remain focused on Malfoy.
Malfoy turned, confidently putting his back to Severus and began to walk away from the scene once again, the professor knew he had to follow.
Lucius' suspicions grew steadily and he wondered why his fellow Death Eater was so reluctant in aiding him in his plan to eliminate or capture Potter.
"You seem awfully keen on saving the boy...care to explain yourself," Malfoy challenged.
Severus knew he had to make this look good, he had to be convincing or they'd all be in trouble.
"You're being irrational and foolish Lucius !" Severus bit back, as he cast a scolding glare at arrogant man. "You haven't thought this through," he accused angrily.
Malfoy remained stoic and silent as he listened to Snape's argument.
"And what were you planning on doing with Longbottom, going to dispose of him too ?"
"Oh I'm sure you would have managed to think of something Severus, I've always known you to be quite creative when needs be, quite the accomplished liar...one might say," Malfoy retaliated.
Ignoring the hidden meaning, Severus ploughed on.
"Don't be a fool Lucius, for one student maybe, but two...not even that oaf Hagrid would fall for that !"
"Possibly...or maybe it's something else...is it Severus ? Do you have some other secret ulterior motive for protecting this whelp ?" Malfoy demanded as he pointed his cane in Harry's direction, "is there some other reason you do not wish to see the precious Potter harmed ? Just exactly where do your loyalties lie Severus ?"
Severus used all his skills at occlumency to hide his true thoughts, thoughts which he knew would betray him.
But as each wizard continued to stare unblinkingly at each other, Severus' building concern for the safety of the students, shone in his dark eyes for the briefest of moments. Malfoy's keen stare caught it and the potions master knew in a heartbeat that he was done for. The tiny crack in his guard had allowed the other wizard to see deep into his soul where his true intentions were laid bare for all to see.
Inwardly he swore and reaffirmed his grip on his wand, he knew he had been discovered.
Lucius Malfoy now knew he had no intention of allowing harm befall the students and that it had absolutely nothing to do with a last minute, poorly conceived plan and he knew Malfoy was fuming but for the first time in a very long time, Severus found himself unsure of what to do, their lives were in danger but what should his first move be ?
The last thing he wanted was to engage in some sort of battle with curses and hexes flying every where. He couldn't afford to have the students caught in the cross-fire, Dumbledore would have his hide.
A strange stand-off existed while the tension continued to build.
Lucius was furious, he cast Severus a questioning look, daring him to prove his suspicions wrong but the newly revealed traitor simply stood there, denying nothing.
This angered the blond further as he tightly clenched his jaw, he had vouched for Severus in the presence of the Dark Lord and if the Evil One was to rise again, then he knew he would be made to pay dearly for such an error in judgement. The Dark Lord would most likely take out his displeasure and frustration on the entire Malfoy family, he could not allow that to happen, he had to act now.
Lucious momentarily broke eye contact and passed the subtlest of nods to Perkins, it was the signal the other Death Eater had been waiting on.
But Severus knew his opponent well and easily caught the silent command.
"Expelliarmus !" he shouted, pointing his wand at Malfoy.
He didn't wait to see the wand fly from his former so-called friend' s hand, he turned instead to face Perkins but wasn't quick enough.
The wave of energy accompanying the shouted 'Crucio', blasted him in the chest, knocking him down instantly before he could put up an effective block.
Pain burned through him like unforgiving flames, searing his nerves, muscles contracted uncontrollably as his body twisted in agony on the ground.
His mind screamed, overloaded by the torture and yet he struggled to remain cognisant, some how some small part of his reasoning knew that if he gave up now, Potter and Longbottom were doomed.
Summoning his iron will, he sent a blasting curse in Perkins direction, it was weak but it broke the Death Eaters concentration for a moment, allowing him a second to look into the two horrified faces of his students.
"Run !" he ordered again, before weakness claimed him, "get to safety."
He thought for a moment that they would refuse him again, but they soon caught sight of Lucius Malfoy getting back on his feet and reaching for his wand.
Young eyes widened with fear.
Harry cast Severus a strange look, then shook Neville and the two boys fled the scene.
Severus struggled to get to his feet, wiping a small trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. He attempted to cast another blasting curse at Perkins but it was easily deflected.
He soon found himself under the agonising grip of the 'crucio' once more, only this time it came from behind as Lucius Malfoy smiled maniacally at his misery.
His spine arched until he was sure it would snap, he had bitten his tongue again and blood flowed freely down his chin, he clenched his eyelids shut as he listened to the sound of his own heart pounding in his chest...and then suddenly it was over.
He was overcome by uncontrolled shivering and his wand fell free from his nerveless fingers, as his chest heaved with effort, he tried to lift his head from the leaf littered ground.
His eyes soon focused on a pair of shining black leather boots.
"Find them," a cold voice ordered.
He called upon any energy he had left and raised his head further, looking up into the dead eyes of his torturer.
A flash of silver caught his eyes.
The last thing he heard was a distant 'stupefy' as Malfoy's cane came crashing down on the back of his skull.
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Author's note; Hi folks ! Humble apologies for the delay, end of the school year is always a bit hectic. I was hoping to do a wee bit more damage to my beloved Severus in this chapter but it seems to have gone on long enough...guess I'll just have to save it for chp. 4
Many, many thanks to those of you who have reviewed so far and I hope the rest of you witches & wizards out there will show some mercy on this lowly muggle, please let me know what you think of it so far...I'm open to suggestions !
The reference to The Knock will be made clearer in chp. 4, it's basically a secret Death Eater safe house I've invented, nothing too fancy.
As I've said before, I'm no H.P expert, I've seen Lucius Malfoy's cane for sale on the net & it has his wand inside it. I've no idea if this is actually the case. If it is I apologise for the discrepancy but my Malfoy has a separate wand. Ah well everything else is A,U ! might as well go the whole way ! lol