Brothers Are Forever (Lucius/Severus; G) Title: Brothers are Forever Author:snapesgirl Prompt: The Malfoys adopt/foster Snape due to his brilliance. Lucius is equal parts proud and envious of Snape. Pairing: Lucius/Severus Rating: Gen Word Count: 1869 Warnings: None Author's Notes: prompt suggested by lilian_cho. Many thanks to elfflame for the super quick beta. Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Lucius stared in disbelief at the thin creature clinging to Lady Malfoy’s robes with one grubby hand. He looked down his nose in disdain at the infant.
“Unhand my lady mother at once,” he demanded.
“Lucius, do try to be civil. This is Severus, he is going to be your foster brother.”
“Mother, he is filthy,” Lucius’ protest earned him a sniffle from the dark haired child.
“Am not what you said. Mum gave me a bath ‘afore she went ‘way.” The working class speech grated on aristocratic ears.
“Severus, poppet, release my robes so that I may remove that Muggle contraption from your arm.” Lady Malfoy smiled while making this request.
“It’s called a cast. Doctor said I got to wear it for weeks ntil my arm ‘his mended.” Severus scowled at the offending object. “Can you fix hurts like Mummy could?”
Lucius rolled his eyes at the appalling way the infant spoke. He watched his mother mend the broken arm then vanish the white blocky thing from Severus’ arm.
“Does the infant have a full name?” Lucius drawled. He ignored his mother’s glare in response to his rudeness.
“My name is Severus Snape, I am not an infant, I am five years old.” He drew himself up to his full and not at all intimidating height. “I was sent here by my Mummy.”
Lady Malfoy stood up. She held one of the small boy’s hands. “Lucius, Severus here is going to be your foster brother. He shows a great deal of promise as a scholar and a wizard. His mother’s family asked that we take him in.”
“Why do they not raise the brat themselves?”
“Lucius, do not take that tone with me. Severus is now your brother. You may follow us to the nursery.”
Lucius kept silent. He knew better than to cause a scene. His parents instilled proper manners and decorum into him at an early age. He stopped at the door to the nursery, leaning against the frame instead of entering the room. He was eleven and due to start at Hogwarts in eight weeks, the nursery was no place for a mature young man like himself, even if this pint sized intruder was taking over his former domain.
Severus crooned in delight at the various toys and bookcases in the room. Lucius rolled his eyes in disgust. Severus paused to admire a desk that was just the right size for him to use. A mottled reddish thing caught his attention and he ran to it.
“Ollie! You had them bring him to me?” His eyes were bright with excitement while he picked up a plush dog that vaguely resembled a terrier.
“Of course I had your belongings brought here. This is going to be your home.”
Lucius mimed being ill at this tender scene. His performance went unnoticed. The urchin was babbling about something when its voice eventually registered. Lucius stood up straight in shock. This street rat was standing in front of a toy dragon and reciting to the toy dog the five uses of dragon’s blood.
“Very good, Severus. What else do you know?”
“Ollie can do tricks. Want to see?” Severus solemnly placed the toy down. He pointed a finger at it while concentrating and ordered; “Sit.”
The toy gradually sat upright. It fell to the floor, rolling over when Severus twirled his finger and said; “roll over.”
Lucius lost his hauteur and entered the room. He smiled at this display of magic from his new brother. “Mother, I will gladly show young Severus around his new quarters.”
~~~ Six Years Later
“Severus, do try to keep pace and do not slouch. Why did I agree to take you with me?”
“Perhaps because you are either a glutton for punishment, or because you fear the wrath of your Lady Mother more than the disgrace of being seen in public with me.”
“None of your sass, and stand up straight. You are a Malfoy.”
“If that is so, why is my Hogwarts letter addressed to Severus Snape? Why does your father refer to me as the Prince heir apparent?”
“Severus, stop asking impertinent questions. Put on this robe, step up here then hold still for the shop girl.” Lucius stood back, watching while his foster brother was measured for school robes. They already had their school books, parchment and quills purchased. After the robes, Lucius was to deliver his foster brother to Ollivanders where his parents would meet them.
Lucius was not happy about being a lackey today. He wanted very much to be with his friends. They had plans to make for the coming school year. He also wanted to see young Narcissa Black, preferably without her sister being nearby.
“Finished, my lord Malfoy. I will have the ordered robes altered to these measurements and owled to your family’s manor.”
“Very good. Come along, Severus. Try not to dawdle.” Lucius snapped his fingers, earning an eye roll from the younger dark haired boy.
“Lucius, I already know you will barely tolerate me at school. I also am acquainted with the fact Slytherin is the only House, Ravenclaw is acceptable, and only fools and imbeciles get sorted into Gryffindor or Hufflepuff.” Severus trotted along, taking two steps for every one of Lucius’s.
“Excellent recitation, Snape. Now, what else have you learned from the tutors my parents have hired for your education?”
“I know you are an exceptionally rude bastard, who is so ruddy jealous of my good fortune and intelligence that you will never accept me.” Severus glowered up at his foster brother.
“Good for you, now get in here.” Lucius opened a shop door and shoved Severus inside, making him stumble over the door sill.
“Sorry, Milord Malfoy, I did not mean to be so clumsy.” Severus apologized quickly for falling against Abraxas Malfoy. Severus’ father was quick tempered. Lord Malfoy on the other hand was evil personified, at least in Severus’s estimation.
“See that you do not display such crass vulgarity in the future. I spent good galleons on your dance lessons. One would think you capable of walking without difficulty.”
Severus moved closer to Lady Malfoy. He was not going to risk another public rebuke. If both of Lucius’ parents were between them, maybe he would be safe from the older boy and Lord Malfoy
Mr. Ollivander moved forward, hoping to prevent another mishap from the young man. He measured Severus’s right arm.
“The boy is left handed,” Lady Malfoy commented.
“Ah, yes, of course he is.” Mr. Ollivander moved his tape measure to do its job on the other arm.
Severus submitted to having his left arm measured. He ignored the recitation of his studies from his foster mother. She managed to make him sound like a genius and at the same time made it seem like his brilliance was due to the Malfoys. Severus was used to this treatment and had long since given up thinking about how he alternated between poor relation and the next Merlin . He wondered what type of wand he was going to receive. His wandering attention came back to the dingy store when a wand was placed on the counter.
“The wand chooses the Wizard. Give it a try.”
Severus lifted it, gave an experimental flick of the wrist and ducked when some boxes flew at him. He slowly peered over the counter from where he was kneeling and gingerly placed the slim bit of holly back on the counter.
“That was not it. Let’s see, how about this one, ebony and dragon heartstring.”
Severus accepted the offered wand. This time, a vase with a moldy old flower came to him when he summoned it. He sighed with relief.
“Excellently managed, boy.”
Severus shyly thanked Lord Malfoy for the rare praise. He smiled up at Lady Malfoy before looking over at Lucius. He received a slight quirk of the lips and a head bow of recognition for this minor achievement.
~~~ Seven Years Later
Severus Apparated near the gates to Malfoy manor. He shuddered when a peacock screamed. He sincerely wished Lucius had not kept the accursed bird. He shrugged. It was not his problem if his foster brother decided to keep a joke present and make a gate guard of it. Severus thought a few good charms and hexes would to a better job of protecting the place, even if the fowl did make far more noise then the mastiff ever made.
He walked up the long drive. The front door opened at his approach. He ignored the house-elf that held the door for him.
“The conquering hero returns.” Lucius held out a hand in greeting. “I hear you have completed your studies and received several offers of apprenticeships.”
“I am fine, Lucius, and how are you? Is all well with your lady wife? Why yes, I am quite famished after my long journey. As you recall, the food on the Express tends more towards sweets.” Severus shook hands with his host.
Lucius pulled him into a hug. “I missed you and your sense of humor.”
Severus leaned back, looking long and hard at Lucius’ face. “Who are you and what have you done with my brother?”
Lucius smirked at him. He released Severus then led the way into his study. After the men were seated in comfortable chairs, Lucius summoned a house-elf. The creature appeared, carrying a tray of food.
“Place it here and leave us,” Lucius ordered. “I had your favorites prepared for you.”
“Why the preferential treatment?” Severus looked at the meal.
“I know I have not always treated you well in the past. I want to show you how proud I am of your achievements. Your being the youngest apprentice that Slughorn has ever taken may not seem like much to you. However, you are well on your way to being the youngest Potions Master in the Wizarding world.” Lucius smiled.
“You were a spoiled brat.” Severus took a sandwich. He bit into it, chewed and swallowed. “You still are at times,” he observed.
Lucius tried to glare at him. He failed and smiled instead. “Severus, how aware are you of the political situation in our world?”
“I know there have been disappearances, I know some have been seeking rights for pure-blooded witches and wizards. What specifically interests you?”
“I have friends, very influential friends that would like to meet you. We are part of a gentlemen’s society.” Lucius leaned forward as he spoke. “Our aims are few. Mostly we want to see the Pure-bloods in the position they deserve.”
“Lucius, need I remind you of my birth?” Severus put the half eaten sandwich back on the platter.
“Severus, we are brothers. Brothers are forever. No one will ever doubt your purity so long as you behave like a proper Malfoy.”
“You truly think of me as such?”
“I do.” Lucius took him by the hand.
“Then I accept.”
“I have never been as proud of you, as I am at this moment.” Lucius’ smile was warm and welcoming. Severus wondered what he had just agreed to do. He decided it did not matter. Brothers were forever. He knew Lucius would never give him bad advice.