InsaneJournal

An Entertaining Interlude?
Title: An Entertaining Interlude?
Author: roozetter
Pairing: Severus/OMC. Just wait and read for it.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 596
Warnings: Implied infidelity
Summary: Sometimes to gleam the necessary information, one must seduce their enemy.
A/N: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No copyright infringement is intended. Written for the prompt, “Seducing the enemy.” Much love to faeryqueen07 for the beta work :) And totally dedicated to my darling lemondropseven, because she is my sister in angst. *loves*



Lucius lay sprawled and sweaty on the chaise, harsh, panting breaths and pupils still dilated with pleasure. He watches from under half-lowered lids as Severus tucks himself back inside his breaches with easy, familiar movements.

“I do so enjoy it when you come to afternoon tea,” he drawls, striving to emulate the silky tone Severus slips into so easily. He can tell by the way the black eyes gleam that his effort is noted, expression laced with just enough amusement to let Lucius know he failed. “Pity they come so few and far in between, what with circumstances being what they are.”

Severus snorts, not bothering to look up from where he is meticulously straightening the buttons on his robe. “Indeed,” he drawls, with all the silky menace that never fails to make Lucius shudder with fear and excitement. “I do so enjoy our … entertaining interludes.”

“Mmm.” Lucius sits up as Severus’ last button slides into place, lazily flicking his wand. Immediately, his robe smooths itself out, sweat vanishing from his skin, hair gleaming in the firelight as it smooths itself into a neat plait.

Narcissa is descending the stairs as Severus exits the drawing room, pausing just long enough to murmur a greeting and extend her hand for a kiss before sweeping off down the hall. Severus lets himself out, keeping his stride graceful and unhurried as he walks to the edge of the Malfoy wards and Apparates to Hogwarts.

He only let his shoulders slump -- just slightly exposing the true extent of his weariness -- once he is safely ensconced in the Headmaster’s office drinking tea. The war has gone on for too long, taking its tole on everyone.

Dumbledore gazes at him sadly, looking slightly over Severus’ left shoulder as though speaking to Severus directly hurts him. “Sometimes, my dear boy, sacrifices must be made during a war.” He sighs, taking a sip of his own tea. “I simply pray you remember that, lest you heart break under the strain.”

“Sentimental drivel,” Severus sneers. But his heart isn’t in it, and he escapes moments later for the serenity of his quarters. Severus glances briefly at the cluttered end tables and perfectly made bed, takes comfort in the jumbled organization of his private quarters, and goes straight into the bathroom for a shower.

He feels better after he bathes, washing away the scents and the sweat and the memories. Feels better still as he stands naked before the mirror and the liberally-applied bruise salve goes to work hiding the physical ramifications of his fact-finding mission.

It hurts, more than he can say, that even with his Occlumency shields at full mast he still can’t bring himself to meet his own eyes in the mirror.

The quiet of the bedroom is as soothing to his nerves as the soft cotton dressing gown he dons in lieu of robes. It’s therefore more of a surprise when the quiet voice drifts from the corner of the room.

“I trust your meeting was successful?”

Severus spins around, his wand falling naturally into his hand … and then sliding from his slackened grasp to settle quietly upon the carpet. Harry is sitting sideways in the armchair, knees drawn up to his chest, watching him with dulled, red-rimmed eyes.

And Severus sees again the small, vicious smirk on Narcissa’s face, and the way Dumbledore spoke over his shoulder.

“So, which am I?” Harry asks, still in that quiet voice, so unlike his regular warm, robust tone that Severus flinches inside. “An entertaining interlude, or a spoil of war?”