A/N: Sorry for the long break. We got caught up in that derecho storm that hit Iowa last month and a lot has been going on between that, work, COVID, and such. I am still here. I will keep at this and it will continue.. just slowly as I play catch up. Here is a short chapter.
The gates to Malfoy Manor opened as he approached. As he moved to the large oak double doors, he pulled his wand from his robes and twisted it in his hand.
"Ah, Severus. How good to see you," Lucius greeted him as he stepped inside the large entry hall.
"Lucius, you appear well." Severus bowed his head to the fair-haired wizard dressed in dark green robes, his color less pale and his face less gaunt than the last time they'd met.
"I did not come back from the dead. You look surprisingly alive. How is that I had to read of your survival from The Quibbler of all places? Not very kind of you to inform Ms Skeeter of it before me." He led them into the sitting room.
"I was unsure how you would receive me, all things considered." Severus replied as he tucked his wand back into his robes.
"As a friend as always, Severus. Are we not friends?" He stopped to look him up and down, his eyes narrowing.
"As always." Severus nodded as his jaw tightened.
"Drink?" Lucius poured a Firewhiskey into a tumbler.
"Why not." He accepted the offered drink.
"What brings you to visit, Severus, as it clearly must be more important than the news that you are alive." Lucius poured a second drink and sat on one of the ornate chairs, motioning for Severus to do the same.
Severus took the seat across and cleared his throat. "I am seeking some information."
"Of course." Lucius leaned closer, drumming his long finger against his glass.
"As I am sure you can guess, the news of my survival has not been well received by all." Severus swirled his drink.
"Oh? I suppose there are still a few that are bitter knowing they were fooled by you."
"Yes, well I am more concerned on how they will make that bitterness known."
"Are you worried for your safety, Severus?" Lucius smiled and sipped his beverage.
"Not mine, exactly. It has come to my attention that threats are being directed toward Hogwarts students." He laced his fingers around his tumbler.
"Students? Really?" Lucius frowned. "That is disheartening. I have heard very little to be honest. Is there someone you suspect?"
"Rookwood and Rodolphus come to mind."
Lucius raised his eyebrows. "They are both in Azkaban last I knew."
"Is either a threat from there?"
"Rodolphus has many connections. He is always a threat. Rookwood is not faring so well this time around against the dementors, I'm told." He relaxed back in his chair. "But I am not aware of any specific threats."
Mirroring his host, Severus leaned back. "Thank you, Lucius. They are still my charges, despite it all. I still feel responsibility for their safety." He took a slow sip and watched the man across from him. "If you do become aware of anything concerning, I do hope you will inform me."
"Yes. Of course, Severus." He took another long drink from his glass. "I am curious. How did your big reveal end up in the likes of The Quibbler?" His lip sneered.
Severus's eyes narrowed as he quickly considered that Lucius was just as likely of a candidate to send threats to Luna. "It was the Lovegood girl that found me near death and ensured my survival. I gave her the interview in return."
"Lovegood? The same witch we kept in the cellar for months?" Lucius's eyes look toward the floor.
He nodded. "The same."
"A strange one, that witch. Why would she help you of all people?" Lucius smirked and Severus could only assume he was imagining Luna's assault.
Snape fought to keep the tension from his face as he felt his anger boil. "My understanding is that she expected to find me dead."
"Many others would have made sure of it," he laughed and finished his drink.
He nodded. "Yes. Indeed. As you said, a strange witch."
"No different from her father…"
Severus huffed. "How is Narcissa?"
Lucius frowned. "She and Draco have decided they needed some time away in France."
He nodded. "It was not easy for her to be worried about Draco like she has been. But they are both well?"
"Yes. They seem it."
"Yes, well, please give them my regards when they return."
"Of course." Lucius smiled.
Severus drained his tumbler. "Unless you have anything else to share with me, I will allow you to return to your private affairs." Severus stood and bowed slightly. As he stood, he reached his mind into that of the man before him. Briefly, he saw the events of the Battle of Hogwarts and the fallout afterward including Lucius's brilliant ability to shift blame and name names to protect himself and his family. Rookwood and Rodolphus were in Azkaban because of information he provided regarding their whereabouts. Lucius was not a threat, in fact he was just as likely to be a target as Luna or himself. But there was something more. Lucius was afraid. Outwardly, he was his usual poised self, but inwardly he was unsettled.
He dug deeper until he found it; the memory of the letter with the black seal. This is not over for you. It read in the same scroll Luna's had been written.
Lucius stood and Severus pulled free from his head. "You are always welcome, Severus. Do return soon."
"Yes. I will try. Please, if you learn of anything, do let me know."
He nodded and smiled. "Of course."
When Severus returned to Spinner's End, he found Luna was not in the sitting room nor the kitchens. He drew his wand as his pulse rose and his stomach worked its way into his chest.
"Luna?" His voice was tight. She must be here. She would not leave without saying anything and there was no sign of struggle. He took a deep breath as he noticed the basket on the table filled with freshly picked raspberries. His body relaxed as he glanced out the window to see Luna with her sleeves rolled up, hair twisted a top her head with her wand tangled in the center, covered in dirt and sweat in the garden behind the house.
Swallowing back the painful dryness in his throat, he pushed open the door.
"Hello, Severus. I was starting to get worried about you. Wondered how I was going to track you down if you did not return." She frowned.
He mirrored the frown. He had left this morning without telling her a thing of his plans. She always made it a point to tell him of her comings and goings. He had at first found it odd. He wasn't her father, but now considered that she likely did not want him to worry needlessly about her, which given his most recent reaction, he clearly seemed to be at risk of. He would try to afford her similar consideration in the future.
"What are you up to?"
"Weeding." She gestured to a pile of pulled up flora as she wiped her gloved hands over her brow.
He nodded as he surveyed her work.
"Your raspberries are actually doing quite well. I put a basket full in the kitchen."
"You are covered in dirt."
"It would be difficult not to be." She tugged another plant free but the roots and tossed in aside.
"I am quite sure there is a spell for that," he mumbled. He did not know it himself as he had never allowed the garden to go to weeds when he actually had tended to it.
She looked up at him and smiled. "Oh yes." She pulled her wand from her hair and pointed it at another weed. "Runco." The target popped from the soil, and she tossed it onto the pile with the others with a laugh. "No. I think I prefer to do it by hand." She pulled out another weed. "Much more satisfying." She tossed it aside.
"Suite yourself." He shook his head and turned to go back inside.
She huffed in protest. "Won't you join me, Severus?"
He stopped and spun to face her again. Her hair sat wild about her dirt and sweat stained face, her wand tucked behind her ear. Her bright eyes and lopsided dimple beckoned him silently.
With a sigh, he pulled free from his robes and set them aside on an old wrought iron table long neglected beneath the kitchen window. She watched him with a mischievous grin as he unbuttoned his frock coat and set it on his robes before rolling up his sleeves. As he knelt beside her, she giggled.
"Sometimes a little dirt under the fingernails is just the thing." She pulled at another weed.
He rolled his eyes as he reached for one of the many undesirable plants.