Severus grunted as he landed in the clearing of the little forest that bordered Lucius Malfoy's estate. Apparating with a leg injury was always annoying.

"You're late," Lucius said, circling an ancient stone altar. Severus shuddered at the stone slab, stained with the blood of centuries of human sacrifice. Not even Lucius would complain at this level of blood magic being outlawed, but the ancient wards protecting the clearing were stronger than any ministry detection spells, so it was a convenient meeting place. "I want to speak with you before the others arrive."

"I had a minor encounter with a troll at dinner," Severus quipped, running his fingers along the cold stone table. "I'm sure Draco will tell you all about it in his next letter."

"Hmm… How is Potter settling into Slytherin? Has he revealed that he's a parselmouth, yet?"

"Not yet. The boy is settling well, all things considered. He is a polarizing figure. The Avery boy is leading the charges against him, but Potter's managed to get most of the quidditch team on his side, including the current Head Boy, Terrence Higgs. From what I've heard, he's been encouraging philosophical discussions in the common room, but hasn't stated his own beliefs, just yet. I'm under the impression that he is analysing everyone else's arguments for flaws and weaknesses, before weighing in."

"And how is Draco fitting in, with all of this? Is he behaving with the appropriate decorum?"

"From what I've seen, he is Potter's staunchest ally. I believe he has been quiet on the debate stage, too, although I'm sure he's talking with Potter in private."

"Good, good. Potter's unfortunate blood heritage and upbringing will undoubtedly keep him from backing pureblood ideals entirely, but if he's willing to listen to reason, I'm certain he can still be useful."

Severus bristled internally, but forced his face and posture to remain relaxed. Lucius had a habit of forgetting Severus' connections to both Potter's mother and his blood status. "No doubt. Do you have plans to accelerate the process?"

Lucius waved his hand dismissively. "Just laying the groundwork, for now. Narcissa's been sending the boy chocolate on a regular basis, and we'll be inviting him to stay with us over the Christmas break, soon. I'll be able to show him reason more effectively, in person. It is better for Draco to stay quiet and appear open-minded for now, rather than try to lead Potter's thoughts. The boy has not yet mastered subtlety."

Severus suppressed a snort. Draco was allergic to subtlety. He moved over to a fallen log, favoring his injured leg, as he went.

"Were you serious about fighting a troll?"

Nodding, Severus eased himself down onto the log. "I believe it was let into the school intentionally."

"What?" Lucius asked in alarm, "Why?"

"Dumbledore, in all his wisdom, has decided to hide something very dangerous and very valuable within the school."

"What's he hiding?"

"Flamel's philosopher's stone. He's being sloppy about it, too. It's like he's daring someone to attempt a break in, Lucius."

"Should I get the board of governors involved?"

"Not yet, I don't think. I don't have any proof. I know that this year's defence professor Quirrell, is the one who let the troll in, but I have no hard evidence."

"Quirrell? Didn't he have a mental breakdown over his sabbatical? I'm surprised he has the courage."

"He is terrified that a vampire is after him. Perhaps he wants the stone to keep him alive."

"Immortality won't protect him from being turned, though. You don't… you don't think he is trying to bring back Our Lord, do you?"

"Lucius, stop. I can't afford to think like that. I'm in a unique position to serve the Dark Lord when he returns, and to be a guiding hand over Potter. I cannot second guess that on a whim. If Quirrell is working for the Dark Lord, he should have told me. I won't risk everything gambling on a coward's motivations."

"Fair enough," Lucius said, raising his hands. "It was just a thought. Did that troll put my son in danger?"

"No. The students were in the Great Hall when Quirrell set it loose, and made it back to their common room without incident. The Slytherin prefects performed admirably to ensure their safety, while the teachers hunted the troll, itself."

Severus didn't mention that Dumbledore's orders to send the students to their dorms had potentially put his snakes in the troll's path. The last thing he needed was Lucius inciting a vendetta against the headmaster, on top of everything else.

"Good. And what about you, Severus? How have you been working on Potter?"

Severus ran his fingers through his hair and breathed in deeply, taking in the earthy scent of the forest. "Building trust. Potter doesn't know about my past, not yet. I'm his strongest connection to his mother, and I don't want to taint that, so early. I've been careful to keep my distance from him, publicly. No one's had a reason to warn him off me, like they might, with you. It's a private trust.

"The boy's a prodigy at potions, Lucius. He's a natural. He's pushing Draco to be better, too, and several other of his classmates, as well. Your son and he have been the driving force between a house-wide exercise regiment, too. Your son is Potter's counterweight, and they are propelling each other forward. Your Draco jumps into ambitious, audacious ideas, but lacks the discipline to follow through. Potter is too hesitant to take the first step towards his own ambition more often than not, but once he starts something, he is stubborn enough to see it through. Together, they push each other forward. They are already becoming a force to be reckoned with."

Lucius' face shone with relief and pride. "Good. That's good. That will help keep Draco relevant, even when Potter comes into his own. The boy needs to learn conviction, and follow through. I worry, at times, about what he'll promise Our Lord he can do, if he doesn't learn his limits, and how to push past them."

"He will, Lucius. There's time."

"I certainly hope so."

"I'd better go, Lucius. It's getting late, and I'd rather not be seen by all the others. There are too many gossips in our group."

"Are you sure? It would help your position with Our Lord if more than one of us can vouch for your continued loyalty."

"You're enough, Lucius. It is better for me to remain in the shadows. I'll be more useful if I remain at a distance. Feel free to mention my loyalty, but keep it vague."

"Very well, my friend. Keep me up to date."

"I will."