McKay (scribbulus_ink) wrote in time_of_storms, @ 2006-03-07 18:17:00 |
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Original poster: black_cauldron
Music: You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch by Mojo Nixon and the Toadliquors
"Where is my son?"
The darkly menacing voice was familiar to Severus, but he was actually a bit surprised that Lucius was being so direct, rather than coming to the subject along a sideways path as Slytherins normally did. Fortunately, however, being in the presence of Voldemort and his fellow Death Eaters had already put Severus well on his guard, and he was able to turn from his supposedly relaxed contemplation of the night-dark garden and with a cooly raised brow, face schooled into well practiced lines of impassivity.
"I have no idea, Lucius - why, have you misplaced him?"
A flush suffused Lucius' pale face, a face that was lined and looked much older than it had since Lucius' tenure in Azkaban. Lucius was as impeccably dressed as ever, but there were shadows in his grey eyes that Severus had no doubt would never go away.
"Don't play with me, Severus, I'm not an idiot. Draco has gone, and he has no friends. Where else would he go -here is no one who cares about my son except you."
"I'm certain Narcissa would take exception to that claim," Severus replied smoothly, a slight smirk teasing one corner of his lips with simulated amusement. "Have you asked her?"
Lucius' eyes narrowed dangerously, and his mouth tightened in anger. "Don't bring my wife into this!" Lucius' voice was a hiss of displeasure, and he half-raised the cane he held, as though tempted to strike Severus. "Narcissa is worried sick about him. She even refused to come tonight, on the chance that Draco might come home and find the house empty!"
"I see," Severus replied easily. "Did you or anyone else" - Severus' eyes slid to Bellatrix, who was dancing attendance on Voldemort as usual - "do something that would have made Draco flee? He is hardly a young man who is used to fighting authority, after all. No matter whose authority it is."
The veiled reference to Draco's failure to kill Dumbledore - which had lengthened Lucius' incarceration - caused Lucius' glare to intensify. "It's none of your business, just answer the question."
It was obvious that Lucius had no real clue that Severus did know where Draco was, or else he would have been making a much more strident demand in front of the Dark Lord, especially given Bellatrix's certainty that Voldemort favored her above all others. Severus wasn't about to drop his guard, but he was now secure enough in his position to indulge in a certain amount of baiting of his nemesis.
"I thought I had," Severus replied, inclining his head in a mockery of politeness. "But to be succinct, since you obvious didn't get my point... no, I do not know Draco's current whereabouts. If you have concerns as to his safety, I assure you that I would not harm him, even if I did. If you are looking for someone who might have wished your son ill" - besides you, you unmitigated bastard - "I would look closer to home."
Severus' eyes flashed to Bellatrix, before returning to Lucius with a look of polite inquiry.
Lucius was a cool one, Severus had to give him that, for the man merely gave Severus an oily smile. "Believe me, I know exactly how Bellatrix feels about her nephew. But how do you feel, Severus? You've always been fond of the boy - have you lured him away from his family? What did you promise him, I wonder? Safety? Sex? Missing your ready supply of young tail from your teaching days?"
The words were a calculated insult, given that Lucius knew of Severus' preferences - or at least those of his youth. Severus knew better than to lose his temper over it, but that didn't mean that it didn't rankle, especially given Severus' frustration - physical and otherwise - at Lupin's prolonged absence.
"I assure you that I get all the tail I desire, Lucius. I don't have to result to molesting children. Or are you projecting your own frustrations onto me... is that why Draco's absence really disturbs you?"
Severus' tone was the absolute definition of courtesy, and it had the desired effect. Lucius went white before turning crimson with fury. "You bastard!"
"What, no denial?" Severus asked, raising a brow. "Oh, don't burst a blood vessel. I know that Draco's safety is your paramount concern. You're his father, and there could be no reason why you would ever harm a hair on his head. Really, Lucius, your absence from society has left you ill-equipped for verbal sparring. You've lost your touch."
For a moment Severus wondered if Lucius might draw his wand, for one hand made a jerky, spasmodic motion toward his cane. Severus didn't even tense, for his own wand was already in his hand, under the cover of the sleeve of his robe. If Lucius hadn't aborted his draw Severus would have dropped him on the spot.
"You may think that I owe you something for breaking me out of that hell hole," Lucius hissed, his eyes dark and stormy as he faced Severus down. "But you're wrong, Severus. Tragically wrong. Cross me and you will suffer... and if I find out you have my son..."
"You'll what, Lucius? Attack me with the Cruciatus and leave me for dead?" Severus asked mildly. "I assure you I have been there and done that, and I have taken... precautions. Were I to die - or even be overly delayed from a meeting with our Lord - there would be repercussions. Unpleasant ones, for whomever tried to harm me. That's how the game is played, isn't it, old friend? Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer?"
Severus' eyes glittered as Lucius looked taken aback. Apparently Lucius hadn't considered that Severus would have made contingency plans against any further attacks. More fool he - really, Lucius' incarceration had not improved either his intelligence or his wisdom.
"And now I must end this pleasant discussion - Our Lord is beckoning to me, and I, his most loyal servant, must attend him. Enjoy the rest of your evening."
With those words Severus sauntered off toward Voldemort. He could feel the force of Lucius' murderous glare at his back, but it didn't worry him. Severus knew Lucius' plans, and Lucius didn't know that Severus knew them. Severus was one step ahead of both Lucius and Bellatrix... and he fully intended to stay that way.
It was, after all, the only way Severus would stay alive and get to see Lupin again... and that was a very large incentive indeed.