Chapter 6
"Now that we have that out of the way," Lucius said simply, standing to his full height once more as he turned to gaze down towards Severus. "Tell me, why did you not speak to me about these issues? I remember quite clearly, I would have been a Prefect by the time that you entered the school, in which case I would have given the standard expectations of coming to me with any potential issues or problems that the others students cause you. It is obvious that you have failed to do so, and I would ask why that is...exactly." Severus stared up at him as though wondering if that was a real question that was being asked of him. Lucius maintained eyecontact and folded his arms over his chest, indicating he was expecting a reply. The other huffed a laugh.
"Really? You honestly expected me, a halfblood slytherin that everyone treats like crap, to come to the ever so illustrious Prefect Malfoy about some bullying problems? Are you kidding me? For one, I have managed to give the idiot Gryffindors as good as I have been given a majority of the time, even if it was not overt in the first place. Second, I was friends with Lily, a muggleborn gryffindor, which obviously would not do wonders for the care that I would be given here, and furthermore, the amount of thrashing that I get in this very house is enough for me not to trust the words of some stuck up, pureblood heir that has no idea what is going on a majority of the time." Severus' words were venomous, and despite knowing it, Lucius could not help but be affected by them.
The fact that Severus was being bullied, well that much was obvious enough, though he was surprised that the mudblood he had called exactly that had been a friend at some point. That part was surprising. Lucius had not heard much over this Lily, but he figured that the two had to have been quite good friends, at least at one point, for the regard that Severus gave to her, even if it was obviously not reciprocated at the moment. He doubted that Severus would ever truly be able to let go of the friendship that he had with her, at one point. Lily would be forever a soft spot in his heart. No matter what the cause would be, that is, if his other suspicions did prove to be correct. If not, well, then Lucius would reevaluate at that time. He was also not overly surprised that Slytherins had been making things hard for him either, but he was surprised that it had been happening and he had not found out about it. That left him to wonder exactly how many things were going on that he just did not know about, and the realization that Severus may have a point in that regard left pricks in his pride.
"I suppose, you do have a point." Lucius said slowly. "I wish to know the names of the people in Slytherin that caused you issues. I shall handle their punishments myself for turning against one of their own. This house has so many issues already, we do not need that sort of discord happening in or outside the dorms." He stated this clearly, and as an order, but Severus merely lifted a brow, staring at him incredulously.
"Are you kidding me?" Severus asked, scoffing in the Heir's face. "I am not going to tell you that. It would be suicide to do anything such as that. I don't need a bigger target on my back because I ratted people out. For one, it is a stupid strategy. For two, I don't see what is in it for me, at least on a positive note, if I do tell you. If you really want to know, I am sure that you can use your reputation and connections to figure it out. At least, that is if you are as powerful as you seem to be claiming." Lucius narrowed his eyes at that. The words did not hurt, but the challenge within them was obvious enough that he knew exactly what Severus was doing. He was not being subtle, and Lucius had a feeling that there was a reason for that.
"Very well," Lucius simply agreed, something which seemed to surprise the Halfblood if the slightly widened eyes were any indication. Yet, as a true Slytherin, the emotion was shown but for a split second before reverting back to a blank stare. Lucius sat back down on the chair, crossing his legs over each other as he stared at Severus, hand under his chin, assessing him. "I will figure it out myself, however, once I do, I request you affirm or deny the persons I have considered. Is that amicable to you?" Severus shrugged.
"Sure, I suppose so." The words were spoken carelessly, and punctuated with a one shouldered shrug from the Half blood, and Lucius knew it was because Severus had not expected his reaction in the first place. An attempt at hiding surprise and shock. The dismissal play was done rather well. Had Lucius been more emotionally enticed, he would not have noticed it for what it was. Distantly, he recalled what his Father's friend had told him, and he made a mental note to speak to them about Severus. He certainly had potential, if nurtured in the right way and by the right people, he could be a vital asset for them.
"The next is, I wish to take you to Madam Pomfrey tomorrow." Severus did start at that, moving forwards, fingers clenching the fabric of the cushion at the admission. "You got into a spar, it is necessary."
"I don't need to go to Madam Pomfrey, it will merely be a waste of time," He hissed, his black eyes narrowed at Lucius, daring, and utterly rebellious and defiant. Lucius felt something shrill go down his spine, he could not tell if it was fear or anticipation. It was one of the two.
"I wish you to go either way, and Severus," Lucius moved forwards once more, his blue eyes flashing dangerously. "You do not want to defy me all that much more, I have almost reached the limit in my capacity to handle defiance and disobedience. I do not wish to become irate. I suggest, that you wait for me tomorrow, in the common room, and we will be going to Madam Pomfrey, whether you go willingly, or I force you to." Lucius stood, ushering the other to bed now, not allowing him to speak any further on the subject.