Feigning Death

Chapter Two

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The news had come late in the night when most should have been sleeping. Lucius Malfoy was one of the few who were still awake. Sitting in front of a large stone fireplace, he clutched the letter in his left hand staring into dying flames in disbelief.

“It cannot be true,” he whispered to himself in shock. There had been rumors that one of the Death Eaters had turned against the Dark Lord, but no one had been able to surmise who the traitor was.

For years Lucius had had a sinking feeling that the turncoat was his greatest friend, but it wasn’t until the moment he read the letter that he knew he’d been right. Severus. He thought with a heavy heart. Severus Snape had been more family to Lucius than his own flesh and blood.

Raking his hand through his white blonde hair, Lucius let out a guttural growl of anger and remorse. The Dark Lord would surely know by now that Severus was the deserter, and the punishment would be death. Voldemort believed that mercy was for the weak, and that there were no weak Death Eaters. Torture, pain, and death were the punishments for disobedience and rebellion.

Lucius knew Severus better than anyone and knew the man would not risk his life without reason. Knowing his traitorous act would result in death, and still turning his back to Voldemort was something Lucius secretly admired. Malfoy knew his own loyalties wavered, but his was a self-serving reason, changing sides for the convenience of favor to his family’s name. When the Dark Lord had fallen, Lucius was one of the first to admit to being a Death Eater, but he had also claimed to have been under control of the Imperius Curse. Whatever Severus’ reasons were, they were not as low and cowardly as Lucius had sunk.

Malfoy knew he had to help Severus, he had vowed this pledge many years ago when Snape had saved him from almost certain death, another selfless act. It was that vow that had made Lucius and Severus brothers. Lucius raised his chin proudly in reverence for Severus’ valor and in confidence that he would be able to keep his vow.

 

 

 

Lucius donned heavy black wizards robes and a seemingly heavier cloak. He had come to despise these robes and the stench of death that clung to them, but fear of the Dark Lord’s wrath had kept Lucius returning to each Death Eater meeting as Voldemort’s loyal right-hand man.

Placing the plain white mask over his determined face, he apparated to the Dark Lord’s side and took his place in the circle of followers. It seemed only mere seconds later that Severus apparated with the prone form of a girl in his arms, his offering to Voldemort to gain favor once again. This time, however, Lucius knew that the Dark Lord would extend no such thing. He watched in muted horror as Severus groveled at Voldemort’s feet.

Lucius felt his heart sink when Voldemort told Snape that he had earned the mercy of a quick death. The Dark Lord saw no purpose in keeping Severus alive if he had become Dumbledore’s lapdog, but Lucius found reason for it and somewhere, amidst his fear, found his voice and stepped forward.

“Stop, my Lord.”

Voldemort’s angry red eyes flashed to Lucius, who inwardly trembled at his breech in protocol, but stood firmly rooted to the spot. With his wand still raised, Voldemort moved away from Severus and came to stand face to face with Malfoy.

“You dare to stop me, Lucius? Perhaps I should torture and kill you both! You fool!”

“My Lord, I mean no disrespect, however, I think Severus is more valuable alive.” Lucius kept his voice calm and strong and the Dark Lord lowered his wand, listening to his reasoning. “If he is close to Dumbledore, he can gain precious information that no other Death Eater could obtain. We have been seeking a way to storm the school. With Severus’ help, we can accomplish that goal.”

“You should know that no traitor would be so loyal.” Voldemort warned.

“Perhaps not,” Lucius continued a little hesitantly, then blatantly lied. “But I have reason to believe that Severus’ betrayal is a façade. I know Severus Snape better than any man here, and I will speak for him and say that his loyalty to you has never abated.”

Voldemort seemed to weigh Lucius’ words carefully before turning back to Severus. “If what Lucius says is true, then I want proof. If I am not pleased, then you will both receive death without mercy.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Three

 

Fan Fiction

 

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