webmistresses (webmistresses) wrote in severus_sighs, @ 2009-10-29 02:25:00 |
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Entry tags: | challenge, ficlet, member: magialuna, rating: g |
The Spy’s “Source” by magialuna/Clare
Title: The Spy’s “Source”
Author: magialuna
Pairing: Severus/Lucius
Rating: G
Word Count: 1219
Warnings: Torina safe (obviously.. . lol) not sure what would bear warning...
Summary: Response to the Severus Sighs challenge.
A/N: Beta: The Wonderful torina_archelda who provided much insight in addition to checking for commas
Severus awoke alone with an ache in his neck and a cottony taste in his mouth.
It took several minutes of thought before the memories flooded back. The Shrieking Shack, Nagini, Potter, his memories… And then nothingness.
But then, where the hell was he?
The room he lay in was beautifully furnished with simple but elegant pieces... The bed looked to be an antique four poster with a carved headboard, and the linens were extremely soft and fine. The curtains were closed so he could not tell what his surroundings might be, only that soft light filtered in. He closed his eyes in defeat and rested some more. Certainly his questions would be answered in time.
An undetermined amount of time passed, and then his rest was disturbed by a light knock at the door and a woman’s voice calling softly. He opened his eyes to see Narcissa Malfoy gracefully enter the room, bearing a platter with food and drink on it as well as several potions obviously intended for him.
“Ah, Severus, I see you are finally back with us.” She greeted him with as much grace as ever but Severus could see slight shadows beneath her eyes. Even her glamours and years of aristocratic training weren't strong enough to hide her exhaustion. What was going on?
“I suppose you would know more than I about my circumstances, Cissy.” He gave her a kind, but knowing look. “Care to give me an update on what's been going on? You look like hell, darling. Beautiful always, but still...” His voice trailed off slightly as he gave her a shaky smirk. Merlin this rasp in his voice was annoying.
Narcissa reached over and took his hand, absently petting it as she spoke. “Well, let's see... you were bit by Nagini and left for dead but Lucius found you, brought you here, and tended to you as best he could while I looked for Draco – who is alive, by the way. It seems there was an incident with some Fiendfyre but the Potter boy and his friends saved Draco's life. The Dark Lord nearly killed the Potter boy... And I betrayed him when he asked me to check if the boy was dead – I mean honestly what did the man expect after treating Malfoys like house elves?” She shook her head and sighed, “ But I digress, the boy then retreated and returned to triumph. Even that damned snake is dead. So it seems we are now free. Well, all except Lucius who was taken by the aurors this morning...” Her voice trailed off and she looked, down hiding her eyes.
Severus was not incredibly surprised they had arrested Lucius, but still - from what he had seen lately there was far less evidence against him than there had been when he'd pled the Imperius defense all those years ago. “Cissy, have they been here looking for me yet?”
She looked up in surprise. “I assumed you would know... You gave the memories to the boy after all. Potter has lauded you as a hero for the light. The aurors will not be coming for you, dear...”
Severus frowned. She hadn't appeared at all surprised he was a spy. He's expected anger... some reaction from this longtime friend. His confusion must have shown clearly on his face because she answered him. “Sev, we've known for ages... Did you really think you could hide this from us? From Luc? He knows you better than anyone. And regardless of any allegiance we may or may not have held – and believe me, in the last year I don't believe even Lucius still viewed the Dark Lord as the answer to all our problems." She paused and smiled softly, "Lucius is in love with you, after all. You're just as much a part of this family as I am."
He said nothing for a moment, shock giving way to a pleasant feeling… Warmth invading him quietly, almost without his realizing it.” Lucius had known... and not said a word. He'd always assumed that, no matter how much he'd cared for him, his lover’s sycophantic devotion to Tom Riddle would come first and that, regardless of whatever pain it might cause him, he would immediately divulge Severus' identity as the spy in the Death Eater ranks.
“Cissy, am I well enough to travel?” He asked suddenly, an idea blossoming.
“Well, probably, if I assist you and you are not too active... What do you plan to do?” she asked curiously.
“I think that if Potter has painted me a hero that I just might be able to use that... Particularly if Lucius has known of my spy status all this time. There are many times he let slip plans that I then passed on... I merely need to paint this with the correct brush and Lucius becomes an inside source; wandless and persecuted by Voldemort in his own home, and passing information to the Order of the Phoenix. I think even Lucius would bite at this if it keeps him from Azkaban again. If anyone can talk their way out of Azkaban, Salazar knows it's Lucius Malfoy – that man was born with a silver tongue.” He smirked.
She grinned and teased, “Haven't I told you I'd rather not hear about you and Luc's tongue, Severus Snape?” He could see the hopelessness fade away, replaced by the steely, cunning Malfoy matriarch he was much more familiar with. “Oh, he'll cooperate, darling... Or he'll have to answer to all three of us. Draco can be right nasty when he's vexed. I'll go get a set of Lucius' business robes and alter them. I'm afraid yours were a loss and the elves disposed of them.” She halted a moment at the look he shot her at the mention of Lucius' robes. “Yes, dear, I know... plain and black. It isn't as though I haven't known you twenty years, is it? Did you think I'd fetch you pink ones?” She smirked and glided out of the room in search of robes for their rescue mission.
***
A week later Severus reclined on his incredibly comfortable bed and allowed himself a moment to appreciate the feeling of freedom. He no longer had a master to answer to, and he had even managed to keep Lily's son alive despite all the boy's attempts to do himself in. And now with Voldemort gone, Lily's death had finally been avenged.
He looked over at the man sleeping next to him, admired the long soft blond hair and the face that was still the most handsome thing he'd ever seen. He thought back to his and Narcissa's 'rescue mission' and a smirk formed at the missive that had arrived by owl only yesterday evening. The Ministry had now decided that obviously Lucius Malfoy rated an Order of Merlin Third Class for his steadfast service while living wandless in his home with a maniac and feeding the order information. It never failed to amuse him how foolish the Ministry was but, as for once it was to his benefit, he wasn't going to quibble.
For the first time in over twenty years, life was looking pretty damned good.