A Cloud Before the Moon

Snape opened the door and strode into the study. Malfoy was standing by the fireplace, barely heeding the three wizards who were vying to occupy his attention. After a few moments, his eyes met Snape's, and he waved his hand to dismiss the three.

One of them, a stocky wizard with a handlebar moustache, was unwilling to be dismissed. "Lucius, this a matter of grave importance..." Malfoy studiously ignored the man, and the three wizards silently took their leave.

Malfoy silently watched as Snape walked over to him. Then he smirked. "Well Severus, you've certainly made yourself the topic of conversation!"

Snape raised his eyebrows in an expression of mild surprise. "Have I?"

Malfoy chuckled softly. "Do not concern yourself; it will not be the topic of our conversation. Of course, if it was simply your intention to upset your relatives..."

"It was not."

"Very well. Far be it from me to judge you." Odd - it seemed that Lucius had once said those same words to him. But in what context? "Speaking of which - Father has told me he found your sentencing hearing quite amusing."

"I would like to thank him for his support."

"Tell him yourself; he is around here somewhere. But, I understand that not everyone was as convinced as he was of your moral rehabilitation. An old friend of yours was particularly vociferous in that respect."

His breath caught in his throat. "An old friend? Crouch Sr. is no friend of mine."

"You know very well I am not speaking about that contemptible piece of trash. I was referring to your little girlfriend. I suppose she never forgave you - still holds a grudge from way back. Ah Severus," he sighed, "I should have known then, where your predilections lay. You did indicate to me that your relationship was completely innocent. I thought you were just being reticent. I guess you really just weren't interested - with a girl. Too bad. She was just waiting for you to..."

'Far be it from me to judge you.' That was what Lucius had said back then, too. About Letha. He had an urge to take out his wand and do something he knew he would regret. "Goyle did make it a point to tell me that HE always knew the truth."

Lucius unfurled a grin. "Yes, he came running to tell me his suspicions were confirmed. Remarkably astute, that fellow, as always." He again chuckled softly, then returned to the topic that seemed to interest him. "She was assigned to keep you on the straight and narrow. Has she succeeded?"

Snape answered softly. "She has not had the opportunity. Miss Faraday has disappeared."

"Yes," Lucius responded. "So I have heard. I don't suppose you know anything about the disappearance of the very person who was so eager to send you back to Azkaban - for good? Heard any rumors? Theories?"

"No doubt you are aware that George Bailey has also been missing. I assume there is some connection."

Lucius regarded him intently. "What else do you assume, Severus?"

"Bailey is a fool. Apparently, he had a certain interest in Faraday, that was not particularly professional. "

"Do go on."

"I was scheduled to meet with her, and she did not show up. I did not wish to jeopardize my freedom, you understand, by violating its terms ..." Severus continued with a narrative of the events that occurred, with a few adjustments. He, of course, left out Adams' involvement and took credit for obliviating Letha. She was now, he explained, incarcerated in St. Mungo's.

"And what has become of Mr. Bailey?"

"He is in my custody until I can turn him over to the Ministry."

Lucius frowned. "Why would you do that?"

"If someone is to go to Azkaban for causing Miss Faraday's condition, I prefer that it should be Bailey and not myself. Not surprisingly, he sees the matter somewhat differently."

"I would imagine."

"Lucius - the man is a dunderhead. He placed himself and all of us at risk. He took her, of all places, to - you know where - leaving her for dead. That is where I found her. Can you imagine if someone else had found her? The inquiry that would ensue?"

Lucius looked thoughtful. Severus knew he was weighing in his mind the relative assets and deficits of George Bailey and Severus Snape. It was purely a question of comparative value.

"I am surprised you did not kill him."

"Are you? I like to think I am not a complete fool."

"On the contrary, you can be far too smart for your own good. Still, I do not think you have much hope of convincing the Ministry that a crime has been committed by one of their own, especially when he will surely place the blame on you."

"Unless..."

"Unless I put in a word on your behalf." He put his hand reassuringly on Snape's shoulder. "Consider it done, old friend."

"It is just one more matter for which I shall be in your debt."