The Wedding
Chapter 3
He sighed, and rapped on the main door using the double-headed snake door knocker.
He left his bags with a house elf, and made his way directly to the library. Lucius would likely be there, with a welcoming glass of brandy. He sighed again; if this wasn’t a good moment for a liberal dose of alcohol, there never would be one.
He entered the library, and was immediately surprised to see Lucius sitting at his desk, pouring over a book with a brown-haired - Oh gods. No.
Lucius sensed his presence and turned around. “Severus! Please, come in – join us. I was just showing young Hermione here a potions text that came from Spain in the 12th century. It may be of interest to you.”
Hermione. What the hell was she doing here? And what was she doing cuddled up with Lucius Malfoy like that? For that matter, what was Lucius doing indulging her – a half-breed? Unless, he mused, he had some completely dishonorable motive. Which, knowing Lucius, was entirely likely. He’d have to talk with him later.
But still, what was Hermione doing here?!?
“Thanks, Lucius. I knew I’d find you here – I just arrived, and I thought it might be a good idea to let someone other than the house elves know that I am here. And besides, I hadn’t seen you in a while.” Mostly because spending time with you is like spending time with my parents, he added silently. Psychopaths, all of you.
“Good. It has been a while, hasn’t it? Would you like some brandy? I was just going to get some for Hermione and myself.” The more hospitable Lucius was, the more Severus worried. Not that it wasn’t in Lucius’ breeding to be polite, but it was still nerve-wracking.
Hermione stood up and turned around. Enough of this. She quickly decided that she had absolutely no desire to be sipping brandy in the company of two ex-Death Eaters. Well, okay, maybe one ex-Death Eater, and one who hadn’t quite realized that the game was up. “Lucius. Thank you very much for showing me some of your more prized works. But, I think I’d better be doing my maid of honor duty, and go see if it’s possible to pry the soon-to-be happy couple apart. I’ll have to take you up on your offer to see the dungeons later.” With that, and barely a glance at Snape, she left the library.
Maid of honor? Think about that one later, Severus. Dungeons? Gods. One more person he was going to have to watch out for. One of the last people he wanted to have to keep an eye on. And this was supposed to be a vacation?
”Severus, please reconsider Draco’s invitation. This is the first time that Lucius has been allowed to have this many wizards gather on his property since the Fall of Voldemort. We would like to see what Lucius is up to with this, and we really can’t trust the Ministry observers to give us an accurate report on him. And you know Lucius well enough to be able to tell if he is up to something. But I am sure that you will be able to get some free time to relax; almost consider it a vacation for you…”
Reluctantly, Snape had given into Dumbledore’s pleas, knowing that what he said about the Ministry was true.
Lucius Malfoy may be down, but he certainly wasn’t out. Just because Voldemort had been defeated didn’t mean that there weren’t other opportunities awaiting Lucius. So he had agreed to be Draco’s best man.
Lucius watched Hermione leave, a faint smile on his face. “Severus. It’s so good to see you. It’s been a while. Please, now can I get you some brandy?” Snape nodded.
“Thank you.” He paused. Should he exchange pleasantries first, or just dive right in? Dive right in he decided; Lucius knew him well enough to know that pleasantries from him would just be a dodge. “What are you doing with Hermione?”
Lucius handed him the brandy, and took a seat again. “Just showing her the library. She seems to be able to appreciate some of the works that I have.”
Severus eyed him skeptically. “And the dungeons?” Unwittingly, his mind flashed on an image imprinted in his brain many, many years ago; a younger Lucius Malfoy flaying a person alive in his personal dungeons. And enjoying it. The gleam in Lucius’ eye that day was one he’d never forget – one of a man in rapturous throes, relishing every drop of blood. Fucking blood-thirsty psychopath.
Lucius had the nerve to smile, as if reading Snape’s mind. “Not that dungeon, cousin.” He paused. “I told Draco that she could use my lab if she wanted, while she was here. She’s going to be here for a while, helping with the wedding, and Ginny thought that she might need some space so that she could escape to for a while each day. I thought I’d be the generous sort that I am, and let her use it.” He paused, and smiled wickedly. “Besides, it’s not every day anymore that I get to have a woman in my dungeons. But then, the good old days are gone, aren’t they?”
Snape’s jaw muscles clenched. Dangerous bastard. “Lucius. Keep your hands off the girl,” he growled.
“Why? Are you interested in her? We could always share, you know, like we used to.” Lucius smiled, knowing that he was goading his old friend on.
“Damn you, Lucius. Lay one hand on that girl, and I will personally take you down to your dungeon and see how much I remember of what you taught me.”
Lucius smiled. “You know your problem, Severus? You’re too serious. Relax. I’m not going to ruin this wedding by torturing mudbloods. This wedding is too important.” His voice ended on a serious note.
He nodded. Yes, I’ll bet it is important, Snape thought. The first time that you’ve been allowed to have a gathering of wizards since the fall of Voldemort, and I’d be surprised if you’re going to let an opportunity like that pass you by. This is your big opportunity to show the world that you’ve reformed. Still, he mused, that doesn’t preclude Lucius from getting up to devilry on a much smaller scale.
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