Chapter 2 - Lucius’s Offer
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Sev,
I hope this letter finds you well. I heard that you got the job. Congratulations! You should be proud of yourself. I don’t think Hogwarts has had many younger professors. I’m proud of myself right now as I’ve finally done it. James and I are no more. Enjoy your first semester of teaching! Perhaps we can visit over the holidays, if you aren’t too busy.
Your friend,
Lily Evans
Severus clutched Lily’s latest letter to his chest as soon as he finished reading over the lines his darling had scrawled.
He sighed as he breathed in the warm air that late August had brought into his chambers.
Another fortnight and he would receive his first students.
As unexpectedly thrilling as that seemed, the reality of his position made him scowl.
He had become a school master, so what?
Certainly, it had been his ticket out of poverty, but such a lowly position couldn’t possibly become his voucher into Lily’s heart.
His mind began to work yet again while he rose from his chair, placed Lily’s letter in the pocket of his long, black robes, and walked to the expansive brewing station he had established in the unused, dungeon classroom.
He had concocted and bottled so many example formulas that he had nearly run out of room in his storage chest.
Regardless, that didn’t stop Severus from working on yet another bottle of Felix Felicius.
As he watched the golden mixture simmer, he raised an eyebrow as he wondered.
Perhaps he shouldn’t waste all of the useful potion for class examples……Perhaps he should save just a bit for himself.
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As the hours went on, Severus passed another day in peaceful solitude amongst his cauldrons and many ingredients before nighttime finally fell.
With it, his eyes threatened to close as he sat on the comfortable sofa in his chambers and read another ancient passage that examined the importance of crushing ninenden seeds instead of splitting them when a sudden knock fell on his door.
Curious, Severus’s dark eyes cracked wide open.
He rose from his seat in one smooth motion as his drowsiness subsided.
“.......Hello?” He drawled as he placed a hand on the latched door lock, hesitant to invite his unknown visitor inside.
“It is I, Severus.” A smooth voice called out, “May I come in?”
Severus quickly unlatched the lock and swung the door open.
His mouth dropped before a look of glad surprise manifested on his face, “.........Lucius!”
“My old friend.” Lucius Malfoy smiled as he swept into Severus’s chambers, “You’ll have to forgive my lengthy absence. I’m afraid the Ministry has ordered the Board of Hogwarts Governors to work….nearly inhumane….hours as of late.”
“Of course.” Severus nodded as he gestured to two empty chairs in front of the unused fireplace.
“......Though I suppose you’ll find out soon enough how difficult professional life can be. Good work on securing the job, Severus….Quite a feat for someone your age.” Lucius grinned as he sat down in one of the waiting chairs and elegantly crossed his legs.
Severus nodded in humble acceptance of his friend’s praise.
Having met Lucius Malfoy years ago through his many Slytherin comrades, Severus had been fascinated by him from the beginning.
Lucius represented everything Severus hoped to become, intimidating, charismatic, distinguished and……very, very prosperous.
“How is Narcissa?” Severus asked, eager to turn the conversation away from himself.
“In bed, most days.” Lucius shrugged.
He chuckled as a frown of concern crossed Severus’s face before he explained, “My apologies…..I don’t think I’ve even had the time to write very recently, have I? Narcissa is with child.”
Severus’s black eyes widened.
“.........What wonderful news.” He drawled, “Congratulations to you both.”
Lucius flashed him a sly grin as he replied, “It caught us both by surprise, but I have no doubt she’ll bear a son…..and house Malfoy will then receive its new heir.”
Severus wished he had a family to love with that same sense of unwavering pride.
As he thought back to his filthy childhood home, his mother’s unending tears, and his father’s drunken rages, he understood just how little honour there had been in house Snape.
“And how are other things, Severus? Besides the matter of your vocation?” Lucius asked.
“As well as they can be expected to be.” Severus nodded.
“Found a mate yet?” Lucius smirked.
“I have, but my mate has not found me.” Severus frowned, “I have accepted the truth that I may be company unto myself until my death.”
“Nonsense.” Lucius laughed, “Women are easily swayed, omegas even more so. You have skill, status, and employment now. What else could she want?”
Severus nodded, “I haven’t had the pleasure of hearing her say exactly.”
An idea entered Lucius’s mind.
Although he had made the pitch several times before, he couldn’t help but ask his friend once again, “Have you thought anymore about my offer?”
Severus shifted ever so slightly in his seat.
“I confess, I have had many other things on my mind.” He nodded, “Though I do appreciate the generosity of the invitation.”
“Severus, don’t be a fool!” Lucius snapped, “If you join the Dark Lord, there is not a single thing he cannot provide! If this…woman….of yours still refuses to cooperate, he can-“
“-I will not tolerate any circumstance in which her mind may be influenced by Magic or her free will restricted.” Severus hissed as his face darkened with restricted rage.
“......If you would allow me to finish,” Lucius said with a calm nod, “I was going to mention that he could find quite an impressive rank for you. If the girl rejected you still, certainly the Dark Lord could give you all the earthly riches that can turn even the most stubborn omega’s head.”
“Money doesn’t seem the best precursor for love.” Severus frowned.
“Perhaps not, though it can be an excellent catalyst.” Lucius smirked.
Silence settled between them before Lucius shifted in his seat, the leather of his boots cracking with the motion.
“So what do you say, Severus?” He asked, “Would you at least agree to meet him?”
“The Dark Lord……..wishes to meet me?” Severus frowned.
“Of course…..” Lucius said with the drawn out enthusiasm a parent would have used to convince a hesitant child, “He’s well aware of your many talents, Severus, and your struggles…..Not only is he eager to meet you, but he’s practically desperate to help, in exchange for a few small favours of course, all simple things for a wizard of your skill.”
Despite Severus’s talents and intellect, he was still young and naive, desperate to do what he needed to move up in the world, become someone, and claim the heart of the woman he loved.
After a long moment, Severus nodded, “.........Very well…….I suppose I……I suppose I may meet him.”
A pleased smile curled Lucius’s lips before he took his arm out of his heavy, leather coat, pushed his dark shirt sleeve up, and revealed the Dark Mark of a skull and snake halfway between his elbow and wrist.
“Take my hand, Severus.” Lucius commanded as he reached out with one arm and used his free fingers to place the tip of his wand towards his grim tattoo, “......And let’s be off. The Dark Lord does not like to be kept waiting.”