A Closer Look In The Snake Nest

Chapter 2 - II

Time for some flashback.... go back to the night Snape went to Malfoy Manor, and start from there, ok?

--

It hasn’t changed the slightest bit, Severus Snape thought as he prepared to sleep.

Definitely nothing has changed. So much time has passed, though...

The Potions Master shook his head. He could not allow himself to think of the past. Of the time that he held closest to his heart, of his golden years. The years he had spent with Lucius...

They came back to him instantly, all the long-buried memories. Snape then knew better than to try and fight it. Instead he let himself dive on his memories, not quite distinguishing which were from the afternoon and which went back to schooldays.

There was Lucius. There had always been Lucius Malfoy. Since Severus’ very first year at Hogwarts. It has started as mutual respect, then turned out to a twisted friendship. Or the Slytherin version of it. Lucius respected him, Severus could tell that much – and it was a lot more than the Golden Boy cared to give his other housemates.

They licked his shoes, they’d be so goddamn happy whenever he chose to address them.

It seemed that they feared Lucius’ disapproving stare even more than they feared his wrath and punishments. Severus Snape knew better than to praise him as the others did; that’s what earned him Lucius’ respect and deference.

However, his not-drooling attitude didn’t mean that Lucius Malfoy didn’t have an effect on him. Oh he did. He was a powerful and bright light on Severus’ - Sev’s – formerly dark and lonely life. It took Sev 5 whole years to realise that he too loved Lucius.

It had nothing to do with it being a boy, and everything to do with it being Lucius. It was as simple as that, and yet so complex. Snape didn’t understand half of it, and he didn’t really want to. He did not want to face his feelings, to deal with the fact that he loved and desired Lucius.

It had all come back on the afternoon. Severus had thought that after so many years things would have changed. That being a Potions Master, a grown-up would have made a difference. It hadn’t.

He had been so nervous about meeting Lucius again. But it was inevitable. He could not allow Lucius to put Draco in danger, because if there was one thing everyone could read on unreadable Lucius Malfoy was his love for his son. Severus knew Lucius would be devastated if anything happened to his pride, to his Silver Dragon as he called him.

Snape had found it most amusing when he found out that Draco’s middle name was Lucifer.

Maybe a way to show he cares?

Lucifer was the nickname Severus had given Lucius on their long gone schooldays.

But these are past. Draco is his present and his future; I can’t allow him to blow it.

Draco. Like his father before him, Draco turned to Severus in times of need.

And like his father, he endears Lucius above all else.

But there was something about the boy, something Severus couldn’t quite get. He looked like Lucius reborn, and that was enough for the Potions Master not to be able to look at him without having his heart skip a beat. Enough for Snape not to show for Draco’s birthday party, unlike he had done for several years, for the simple fact that he didn’t want to have the grey cobalt eyes shooting him accusing stares. He hoped Draco would understand if given some time.

I have two more weeks to brood. Then classes start and it’s Malfoy reign of terror all over again.

-*-

Lorielen speaking again. More time trip... now we are on August the 12^th. This is starting to feel a bit like a pensieve... *shrugs*

--

Lucius cursed in a low voice as he heard the nearby church’s bells peal midnight. His son’s birthday was over, and he hadn’t been there. Although having promised himself that this year would be different, he had not achieved to make it.

At least I’ve spent the whole day trying to do something for him.

That something was Draco’s birthday present. The real one, not that Firebolt 2005 Special Edition Deluxe that had been delivered to his house a week before anyone else in the world caught sight of one. Draco’s present was to be something that required much more effort on Lucius’ part. A Uylessea stone necklace.

The Uylessea stone was given more often to lovers from which the owner would be apart for an extensive period of time. Its name resembled to Ulysses of Troy, whose wife did not stop loving him in twenty years. It was not easy to find or afford, and Lucius had had a pendant made specially for his son.

The pendant held the shape of a silver dragon, with its green eyes flashing. It was wrapped around a transparent stone that held a vacantly hexagonal shape. In the stone lay the power of the object, for if bewitched it could hold fluids. And with the right spells and enchantments, the very essence of the person who gave the fluids would be trapped into the stone. A small piece of Lucius to be carried about by Draco, who actually held a much bigger part of his father. But the stone made it possible for the boy to feel Lucius’ presence with him wherever he was. A beautiful gift.

But it was not any fluids that could be put into the stone. It had to be one of the ancient three, the three things that one would give for the person one loved the most. It could be either tears, blood or sweat. A mix of them made the pendant stronger; but all three could not be put into it. And they filled in the stone with different colours. Blood would make it red, sweat would make it yellowish. Tears would make it blue.

Lucius wanted it to be green; it was Draco’s favourite colour, it was the colour of Slytherin too. He would have to mix sweat and tears. But he did not cry; at least he had not cried for several years, for as long as he could remember. There would have to be a special... occasion. He decided to wait for the night of Draco’s initiation. He was sure he would sweat, bleed and cry that night. For it would be the night cards would be put on the table, and may the best among us win.

-*-

Lucius was summoned by the Dark Lord later that same day. Even feeling exhausted, he knew that he should show up. So he put the necklace on his pocket and, getting his travelling cloak that was similar to a vampire’s, he Disapparated.

He was quite surprised to notice that only him had been summoned. This didn’t disturb him much, though. He was Voldemort’s second-in-command; many times he would discuss plans and strategies with the Dark Lord himself. Voldemort did listen to him, which Lucius thought to be very proper. He was, after all, a Malfoy, and as such people owed him respect.

The subject of the meeting, however, did not please Lucius the last bit.

"Lucius Malfoy. I have been informed that you have a son at age to serve the Cause."

"Yes I do, Milord."

"What’s his name?"

Voldemort knew the answer to that question. He knew much about Draco Malfoy; he had his informants. Barty Crouch had done a remarkable work of spying on Draco, even if he hated the boy. Even if he didn’t understand why his Master was so interested on him.

"Draco."

"Why hasn’t Draco been brought to me to be initiated, Lucius? You are perfectly aware of our need for soldiers."

You call them soldiers... the proper word would be slave, Voldemort. They’re your slaves, and I do not wish my son to become one of them.

But Lucius did not answer that way.

"I believe he is not yet ready to serve you properly, Milord."

"But you shall bring him to me still."

"Everything I have is yours."

Lucius bowed elegantly and lifted a pair of sparkling, challenging grey eyes. Voldemort wished he could laugh.

How fine a sentence, and how untrue. You have not given to me what I want from you, Lucius. You’re still your own, still can’t be bound or broken into.

Not like I haven’t tried, though. I tried to use Severus, who you brought to me - you wouldn’t finch as I cursed him. I’ve tried your beautiful wife Narcissa, given her to Zabini who you despised the most. You didn’t care. And I’ve tried to break you myself countless times; there is no physical or mental torture that I can inflict you that you can’t stand. I can’t seem to cause you pain in any way, and I want it so much. I want to see your emotions, which you hide so carefully. I want you to be human and capable of the same passion and lust I dedicate to you, my hatred rival. You’re too close to me, Lucius, and you’re too dangerous.

I could find no flaws in your shiny armour, but now you’ve just offered me this information on a silver tray. I’ve finally found something you care about. And I am really looking forward to meeting young Draco.

Lucius watched as Voldemort digested the information. He knew that he had just increased dramatically the chances of the Dark Lord to try and toy with his son. The only card Lucius had up his sleeve was the fact that Voldemort couldn’t afford to lose him. He was undoubtedly the most powerful wizard dedicated to the Cause, and the most influent one inside the Ministry and Hogwarts Board.

If Voldemort knows what’s good for him, he won’t touch my son. No sane one will do it.

"I shall wait then."

"You won’t need to wait much, Milord."

"Of course I won’t, Lucius. You seem to forget that I have *graciously* allowed you to choose when to bring your child to me, but that if I wanted I could have him here NOW. You seem to be a little too arrogant for your own good."

Lucius narrowed his eyes.

He is so afraid of me that he needs to reaffirm his superiority in every act. Or maybe he just likes seeing people in pain. Anyway, that is a pleasure he will not get from Lucius Malfoy.

"Crucius!"

Voldemort watched as Lucius’ expression didn’t change. His exasperation grew, and he eventually gave up.

"Enough."

"The punishment fitted the crime, Milord. And I assure you that it won’t happen again."

"I hope so, Lucius. You can go now."

Voldemort was left alone with his thoughts as Lucius Disapparated. He was rather pleased to have brought up the subject of Lucius’ son. The effects of the boy’s initiation seemed to be quite promising.

I must remember to reward Zabini. For once the fool did something useful.

It had been Ureck Zabini who had suggested asking Lucius about his son. The Dark Lord recalled everything he knew about his servant.

Ureck Zabini hates Lucius with all of his very being.

It had started when the two of them were at Hogwarts. Zabini was 2 years older, and during his first 4 years at the school, he became the most popular kid on Slytherin.

Lucius Malfoy was outstandingly brilliant both on the quidditch pitch – he played as Seeker – and with a wand on his hand. The first blow came when he talked to the team and proposed new strategies; soon Zabini had nothing of the job of Captain but the title. The crowd screamed for Lucius Malfoy in the games, the girls let out enervating giggles as he walked by.

Zabini didn’t really mind as fancied boys rather than girls, and there was this one – Severus Snape. But, as a frustrated Ureck would find out, Snape fancied Lucius. Not that he could take Severus to the Yule Ball anyway. But there was this pretty little thing on the 4^th year, one year younger than Malfoy and Snape. Her name was Narcissa Faye. Lovely inbred. And also drooling all over Lucius.

They eventually got married later on, few time after Narcissa started to date Ureck and Lucius stole her from him. She’s smart, I highly doubt she didn’t do it on purpose just so that Lucius would notice her.

Zabini had taken his time observing his rival. Soon he also desired Lucius. He did not like him just yet, but he desired the Golden Boy. His body ached with the simple sight of him, ached to be touched. But Lucius never looked his way. Ureck was most frustrated.

They met again later, both being my Death Eaters. Ureck was not happy serving me, his life was way too dark. But he did his best and he was loyal, thus he was rewarded with one of the highest places there was to have on this service. Then once again Lucius Malfoy entered his life and turned it upside down.

The Golden Boy had been accepted at an early age, and soon was the Dark Lord’s second in command.

That enraged Zabini, although I could never really understand why.

The reason, unknown to Voldemort, was that Ureck now saw Lucius for what he was – false, egocentric. He knew that the Golden Boy used people, that he didn’t care about them, that he wasn’t there to devote to the Cause, he was there for some selfish reason. And even not putting his heart into it that damned Malfoy had managed to take away all the things Zabini had worked so hard for. Just like schooldays. But this time he was not fooled by the Golden Boy, Lucius didn’t blind him with his glimmering manners. He, Zabini, could see through it all. And his hatred grew.

All I can see is that he wants to take Lucius Malfoy down. It doesn’t really matter how, since he makes Malfoy lose everything that is dear to him. That’s why he was so happy when I handed him Narcissa. That’s why he has told me about Draco.

Voldemort ignored that Ureck had a few reasons of his own to hate Draco. Recently the boy had hexed his daughter, Blaise, which was a Slytherin on the same year as Lucius’ offspring. Zabini had been angry at that, and had decided to make the young Malfoy’s life hell.

-*-

Hexing Zabini.

Snape wrinkled his forehead in worry. In fifteen minutes he had heard Draco being accused of harassing young Hufflepuffs, starting a fight that ended up with Hermione Granger on the hospital wing – which wasn’t particularly bad from Snape’s point of view – and hexing Blaise Zabini, turning her into a donkey.

Draco was very nervous about his initiation, that much showed clearly. He studied so much that he hardly got a good night’s sleep, but didn’t think that it was enough. He wanted practice; he wanted to duel.

He wants to drive me crazy, that’s what he wants. There’s all this, and last night...

Severus couldn’t bring himself to think of the last night without feeling his heart ache. Draco had dressed up and brought a partner for the night, and he had done it right under Severus’ nose. The Potions Master had gone to his study, which was next door to Draco’s bedroom, and he had sat there and listened. He had listened the whole night long, to all the moans, the groans, the screams. He had dig his nails into the flesh of his hands and bit his bottom lip, not being able to control the images that kept popping up before his eyes.

It was schooldays all over again. Fuck. How can he be so much like Lucius? How can he just... not notice?

Severus pushed those thoughts away. Now wasn’t the time to deal with them. He was to meet the object of his joy and misery in a few hours, and that was because when called up to Snape’s office to respond for his actions, Draco said that Zabini had been pestering him and that he was in a bad mood. Snape knew that normally the boy would not have cared. Draco used to duel his housemates from time to time and to inflict punishments just to show them that he could do so. He was the only 6^th-year that could perform the Cruciatus curse properly. But most of the times he would argue before the duels. Draco enjoyed an audience, enjoyed the feeling of being loved as much as he was feared. Just like Lucius.

I can’t help but think he knew. He had that twinkle in his eyes... so much like Lucius, just so like Lucius. Lucifer would also have that twinkle every time he was up to something.

Although most of the times the Potions Master made an effort to spare Draco, he felt that this time he should make the Silver Dragon pay. But Draco would not care if Severus Snape was the one to tell him off, neither would he give a damn if it were to be Dumbledore himself. There was one person he would listen to. Severus had sent an owl to Lucius Malfoy.

-*-

Lucius had just arrived home when he received mail. His eyebrows rose as he read the Potions Master’s note, which said that he wanted to talk about Draco’s behaviour and he wanted Lucius to come to school on the following day at four in the afternoon.

-*-

When Lucius stepped out of the fireplace on the Head of Slytherin’s office, there was no-one there. He brushed the dust from his clothes and sat on a chair in front of Severus’ desk, putting his travelling cloak on his lap. He closed his eyes and let himself become familiar with the surroundings. The office was the very same old Purnst had used on the 70’s when he was Head of Slytherin, although Snape had modified it enough for the room to be recognisable as his.

Same green carpet; the tapestry holding the house symbol hung on the wall behind the desk. A small cupboard on the left, three doors. One lead to the Common Hall, another to his room and another yet to the study. Lucius wasn’t surprised at how much he still remembered; he had always taken pride on his eidetic memory.

"Father?"

Lucius turned around. Draco was standing before him, next to the cupboard’s open door. He wasn’t wearing his school robes, and held out a hand to his father.

The older Malfoy rose from the chair to face his son and take his hand. He noticed that Draco’s face was completely stoic.

Why is he holding out the left hand? He IS a left-handed, but there’s no reason-

Lucius’ train of thought was interrupted when his son’s sleeve slipped down his elbow, allowing him a vision of a black something on his wrist. In a flash he understood, as he looked at Draco. The boy was wearing Death Eater clothes, and had a cruel smile on his lips.

"Oh. Does this bother you Father?" Draco said with a sly voice while pulling back the sleeve, giving Lucius a full view of the Dark Mark imprinted on his creamy skin.

"Draco, when did you..."

"I did it. Without you. I didn’t need you there, as I never did. Failing to come up with a more polite term, all I ever did was use you Father."

"Draco Lucifer Malfoy!" Lucius yelled in what sounded like rage, but inside it was a tornado.

This can’t be happening.

"Harsh words? You should know better than that. After all the harshness, the punishments, the absence... did you really believe I could love you?"

"Draco, stop this immediately. I won’t tolerate-

"NO!" the boy gave his father a piercing glance before continuing. "You taught me well, Father. How to pretend. Because I never, ever once..."

Lucius felt like slapping Draco. Anything to keep him from saying what Lucius knew was coming next.

I have never loved you. No. Draco, this can’t be...

He was so confused that he didn’t know if he had actually raised his hand and hit his child, because Draco’s voice trailed out. Upon closer inspection, he seemed to be choking. He started to cough and spat something that Lucius recognised instantly as blood. He looked at his son, who had blood running down from his nose and mouth and was bent in two, holding his belly.

"Draco!" Lucius let out another scream and ran towards his Silver Dragon, taking him in his arms, in complete and utter panic. The door opened.

"What... Riddikulus!"

Severus’ voice was heard as the dying Draco disappeared with a faint explosion. Snape kneeled besides a shaking Lucius Malfoy. He gripped the blonde by the shoulders, forcing Lucius to face him. His eyes widened as he saw that his companion was paler than usual, and had cold sweat and tears all over his face and hair.

"Lucius. It was a boggart." He tried a soothing tone. Getting no response, he slapped the man before him. "Pull yourself together Lucius! It wasn’t real! You’re going to tell off your son in a few instants."

Only then Lucius seemed to snap back to reality. He stopped shaking and ran a tissue over his forehead while saying in a perfectly controlled voice,

"Give me ten minutes and tell Draco to come in."

Snape nodded and walked towards the door, not without helping Lucius to his feet before. As his hand reached the doorknob he heard his friend’s voice.

"Severus... why am I telling him off?"

"He harassed a 3^rd-year Hufflepuff and hexed Blaise Zabini, turning her into a donkey," Snape said gently before exiting the room.

As soon as Severus was out of the room Lucius pulled a small flask from his pocket and proceeded to collect his sweat and tears. Being back to his usual self Lucius Malfoy had reached the conclusion that he wasn’t likely to cry again anytime soon and so he should take advantage of the situation as he always did. He was most unpleased to learn that his hands were still trembling.

He had just recomposed himself when Draco entered.

Oh. Shit.

Draco thought as he saw his father. Lucius was standing in the middle of the room, looking at him. The boy approached carefully.

"Hi, Father."

"Hello Draco." He paused and looked at his son.

He doesn’t bear the Dark Mark yet. He doesn’t hate me. He needs me.

Lucius couldn’t help but smile and hold himself not to take his son in his arms. Draco would be most confused at such display of affection for no apparent reason.

"I understand you have not been behaving yourself well."

"I apologise, Father."

"Don’t, Draco, don’t."

Draco lifted his eyes, for he had lowered his head.

"I’m not here to tell you off. In fact, I am here to apologise myself."

What has Snape told him?!

Lucius savoured the surprise on his son’s eyes.

"I’m sorry, Draco, for not having showed on your birthday. I had urgent business to take care of. I often do, and I have been specially absent lately, for which I apologise."

"It’s ok." Draco spoke sincerely. "You’re busy and important, I understand."

"No it is not. I want you to understand one thing, Draco." Lucius took a step forward and placed his hands on his son’s shoulders. "No matter what I am doing, I’ll Disapparate on the second I hear you need me."

"Thank you Father."

"You deserve it, Draco. Now get me professor Snape please, I need to have a word with him."

Draco left the office speechless and, few instants later, Severus entered.

"Lucius."

"Severus. Is there any special reason for which you think Draco would have such behaviour?"

"He’s nervous about his initiation, Lucius. And I think he’s worried and wants to practice, that’s why he’s starting so many fights."

"He’s not at home as I wanted it, and therefore I can’t duel with him for practice."

"But Lucius, you and I have discussed this..."

"Yes we have, and I agreed with you. But the boy needs practice."

Severus looked more closely at his companion. There was a twinkle on Lucius’ eyes. Severus felt a cold chill down his spine.

"Sev, I must ask you one favour." Upon Severus’ nod, he proceeded. "I want you do duel Draco."

"Duel Draco? But Lucifer..."

"And don’t go easy on him. Can you do it?"

"Yes."

"Good. Thanks."

Lucius smiled.