Yes, now this is the kind of Lucius/Severus scenario I can get behind! I love the notion here that Severus was not only misled, but blatantly coerced. My favorite thing about this, though, is the very end -- when the things in Severus' life that had seemed poor and unrefined suddenly appear comfortable and meaningful, while the trappings of the Malfoys' lives have gone from resplendent to sinister. Very nicely done.