Feigning
Death
Chapter
Three
“Stop,
my Lord,” A Death Eater broke rank and stepped into the circle.
Severus
recognized the voice instantly. He would know that voice anywhere.
Lucius Malfoy.
What are you doing, Lucius?
He’ll kill us both now! Damn you! Bugger off! Get back in line where you
belong. I didn’t save your sorry arse just so you could die like this!
Severus glared up at his best friend through slit eyes as the man
faced Voldemort and defied him. It was a sight Severus had never dreamed he
would see in a million lifetimes: Lucius Malfoy standing against Voldemort for
something more than his own pettiness and the honor of his family name.
Yet, there it was before him. Malfoy standing toe to toe with
Voldemort, his voice sure and strong, outright lying.
Damn it, Lucius! Let me die in peace! I’ve had enough of this! I
don’t want this! Let me die!
The words Malfoy spoke were true enough. If he were loyal to the
Dark Lord, his position at Hogwarts would be very useful, indeed.
But everyone here knew that he was the traitor. And as Voldemort
himself said, “…no traitor would ever be so loyal.”
Yet here stood Lucius Malfoy, most loyal of all Death Eaters,
vouching for his friend’s loyalty, assuring them both torture and death without
honor. It was nothing short of an outright lie that sprang from Lucius’s lips. If
he calls your bluff, git, I’ll kill you myself!
Still, the scene reminded Severus of a trial many years ago, when
a very different man had stood and vouched for him with exactly the opposite
sentiments, and very different reasons. Severus nearly laughed at the absurdity
of it all.
The Dark Lord turned 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.” He looked sharply at Severus for a moment and waited for a
response.
Bloody hell, Lucius, I’m going to make you pay for this. “Understood, my Lord.” Severus bowed
low once more.
Voldemort turned back to Lucius, who followed Severus’s lead with
a bow of his own. Severus noticed objectively that where he looked quite
pathetic prone before the Dark Lord; Lucius managed to keep his regal demeanor
in such a position. The man is insufferable!
Voldemort waved his hand, dismissing all present and
disapparated.
Severus glared at Lucius but said nothing.
Lucius offered to take Severus back to the Manor to talk.
“You’d better! We’ve got quite a bit to discuss, Lucius, now that
you’ve gotten us into this fine mess. If it weren’t for Draco, I’d kill you on
the spot!”
Before anyone could hear the tirade that Lucius knew was coming,
he disapparated them both back to the Manor.
When they arrived, Severus launched back into his diatribe,
“Lucius, you damn bloody fool! What the hell do you think you’re
doing? Why didn’t you let him kill me? I did not lead that girl to her
death for no reason! I am no longer in the habit of murdering helpless muggles
for pleasure!
“Damn it, Malfoy! Why do you feel it is your duty to step in at every
juncture of my life and foul up all of my plans? And I certainly didn’t
save your sodding arse just so you could throw it away like this!
“What exactly do you propose we do now? He wants proof
where there is none! I am not loyal to the Dark Lord! Surely, you have
known that for years! Lucius, what could you possibly gain from this?
Death? Torture? What the hell does your sadistic mind want?
“I have no intention of aiding the Dark Lord in attacking the
school or Dumbledore! I owe that man far too much, and it isn’t right!
They’re only children and I won’t see my students destroyed! They are all
worthy of the opportunity and the education! I have worked far too long, and
far too hard teaching them to see them die because you lot fear change!
“I don’t believe in the archaic sensibilities of our
parents any longer, Lucius! I have seen far too much of the world for that!
“What the bloody hell is wrong with you? You must
have a death wish! What is it this time? Have you and Narcissa been
fighting again? Why must everything be so dramatic with you? Why does everything
have to be about you? I am so sick of you and your—” Severus
couldn’t finish because what his friend said to interrupt shocked him into a
silent stupor.