Chapter 14

It was the quietest dinner Severus had ever experienced in Malfoy Manor.

With Draco becoming Lord Black and setting up a business, Severus would have thought they would have much to share and talk about.

And to brag about... where was the famous Malfoy bragging?

Instead of enthusiastically conversing with him, and informing him about everything without Severus even having to ask, as was Lucius usual style, Lucius stayed mostly quiet and just repeatedly observed Severus surreptitiously.

Severus noticed that Lucius was giving Draco suspicious looks too, exactly like the looks Lucius was directing at Severus himself.

Lucius alternated between the two of them.

Narcissa and Draco also just exchanged polite small talk with Severus, and they didn't mention Draco's inheritance and business plans either.

Of course as an experienced double agent, surviving between two archmages, Severus wouldn't miss such suspicious behavior.

It was becoming obvious that there was a conversation slowly brewing, and that it was just the quiet before the storm now.

If Severus had to guess, he would say that Lucius was planning to talk with him in private, after they had finished dinner.

The question, Severus was asking himself, was if he should follow Lucius intentions or impede them by breaching the topic now.

After a second of contemplation, Severus decided.

He should at least try a little foray and watch the three Malfoys' reaction to gather some more information, before talking to Lucius alone.

So, how to start?

„So, I can't help but ask, since the news was such a surprise... When did you learn about the ancient law that let you circumvent the regular succession of the Black Lordship?"

Severus hit the mark right off the bat.

It was obvious.

Narcissa froze, her spoon midway to her mouth.

Lucius instantly raised his head from his plate and narrowed his eyes at Severus.

The only one not showing an unusual reaction was Draco, who just calmly continued eating, completely relaxed.

For seconds, no one responded and an awkward silence ensued.

The uncomfortable silence dragged on until Draco finally responded, but only after it became clear that his parents wouldn't.

„Just a few days ago."

„And how did you learn about it?"

Severus continued asking.

Lucius narrowed his eyes at Severus even further.

Narcissa put her spoon away but continued looking down at her plate, looking like she didn't dare raise her head.

Now Severus was really alarmed.

He had never seen the proud Narcissa Black lower head like that, except in the presence of the Dark Lord.

„I saw the future, and found out that way."

Draco answered just as calmly as before.

Severus stared at his godson, but couldn't find the trace of a lie or a joke in his face.

Then Severus looked at Narcissa and Lucius again.

Narcissa had lowered her head even further.

Lucius expression was one of anger, steely meeting Severus eyes, when he didn't glower at his son.

„Right..." Severus trailed off, before he asked again, „Draco, are you serious about having seen the future?"

„Yes."

Draco affirmed, meeting his godfather's eyes.

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Because it was so unbelievable, Severus couldn't help but probe Draco with legilimency.

Draco seemed to really believe what he was saying, Severus just found truthfulness in his godson's mind.

Weirdly the only other things Severus could pick up on were the random and mundane thoughts of a teenager.

No trace of thinking about some kind of vision, not even some thoughts about the Black Lordship, the Hogsmeade tower or the business Draco was planning to set up.

That was quite strange, but not impossible at all.

Just to be on the safe side, Severus pushed a little deeper.

Suddenly, a headache of blinding proportions hit Severus like the Hogwarts Express.

Screaming in pain, Severus fell from his chair, hitting the soft carpet.

With a pounding headache and a pounding heart, Severus picked himself up from the floor.

Flabbergasted, Lucius and Narcissa were gaping at him as Severus unsteadily climbed upon his chair again.

„What did just happen?"

Narcissa asked alarmed and confused.

„Uncle Sev was being rude. Uncle Sev, you should never try legilimency on a Lord of an Ancient House with a heavily enchanted Lord ring. That could've ended way worse for you."

Draco explained, using the noble art of bullshitting.

Even though it was true that the Black Lord ring could defend against legilimency, but only to a very minimal degree, it wasn't an almighty artifact...

Of course, Draco wouldn't tell them it was all his own skill in the mind arts opposing Severus.

„Severus, how could you?"

Narcissa criticized, but seemed to lack the vehemence she usually used to defend Draco.

Lucius just watched silently with his calculating look.

„I apologize. I couldn't help myself. It's just so unbelievable. I'm really sorry, Draco."

Severus really seemed to meant it.

And it was hard to be mad at a man who had agreed to an Unbreakable Vow for Draco's benefit in his last life, even if Severus' motives hadn't been limited to Draco's protection.

„I forgive you, Uncle Sev. You are my godfather, my head of house, and my potions teacher, there will be many opportunities for you to make it up to me."

Draco grinned.

„How Slytherin of you, Draco. I'm impressed."

Severus smiled appreciatively, before he winced and rubbed his forehead, still suffering from the headache.

The rest of the dinner was even quieter than before.

Afterwards, Lucius took Severus to his office.

To share a drink, he said, but Severus knew better.

The tension in the air was palpable when they sat down in Lucius' luxurious armchairs.

„That was a good show out there."

Lucius had thought about it and decided to confront Severus directly, now that they were alone.

„What show?"

Severus was confused and his headache didn't help.

„You can stop pretending. I already know."

Lucius reckoned this was the best way to get Snape to admit it, playing it like he really already knew everything.

Because if Lucius just asked, who knew what stories this old spy would spin for him.

„What?"

Severus didn't fold and still pretended to be clueless.

„I said, stop pretending! It's pointless. Draco already gave you two away. He cast a silent Sectumsempra in my presence, for Merlin's sake."

„What!? Stop kidding. How could Draco possibly have learnt the Sectumsempra? And silently at that... Draco doesn't know how to cast silently yet."

Severus thought Lucius was being ridiculous.

„Still not admitting it? I experienced it personally. He almost took my head off. Who else could have taught him if not you? You're also the one who is directing him with the Black inheritance. I know it. You told him how to use that ancient law, and also to build up that ridiculous mirror business."

Lucius accused confidently.

„What are you talking about? I never taught Draco the Sectumsempra, and I definitely have nothing to do with the Black inheritance business, or whatever."

Severus saw that Lucius didn't believe him, „I swear it. On my magic."

This wasn't an actual magically binding vow, but still one of the most serious and solemn vows a wizard could make.

Now, Severus actually managed to make Lucius doubt himself.

Could it be that it really wasn't Severus, or was he just that good at lying?

Lucius would have liked to breach Severus' mind and make sure, but Severus' skill in mind magic surpassed Lucius considerably.

Truth potions weren't an option either, with Severus being a very accomplished potions master.

There was not much else Lucius could do right now except for believe him.

If Severus was really still lying, Lucius was sure at some point in the future the truth would come out...

„If it's not you then how did Draco learn about the ancient law, that even Narcissa and me didn't know about? And how did he learn the Sectumsempra? Why is he building a wizard's tower in Hogsmeade and opening a mirror business? What is going on here? Could it be that Draco is being magically influenced by someone?"

Lucius sighed defeated.

„I don't know either. When I used legilimency on him, I discovered no indication of external magical influence. Draco seemed to really believe that he saw the future."

Severus had never thought before coming this evening that things would be so complicated.

„How could that be possible...? Do you think he could be possessed? Draco's behavior has definitely changed lately. What if it's the Dark Lord?"

Lucius shuddered at that thought.

„I doubt it. According to the article in the Prophet, Draco wants to hire muggleborns, squibs and house elves for his business. If it had been limited to werewolves and vampires, I would've thought it possible that it's the Dark Lord, but like this... It's not the Dark Lord's style."

Snape thought about it and dismissed that theory.

„You are right, its not the Dark Lord's style. It's much more Dumbledore's style. Does that old coot have anything to do with this?"

Lucius inquired with a hard look on his face.

„Not that I know..."

Severus thought it could actually be possible, the old man could be very inscrutable if he wanted to.

The fact that Dumbledore sent Severus to the Malfoys to gather information was no evidence against it.

„Severus, please keep your eyes and ears open, and tell me if you learn something. I will keep an eye on Draco. I will definitely find out who is behind this. Sooner or later, I will know..."

This was also Lucius last warning for Snape, if Severus really had something to do with this, Lucius would find out at some point... and then all bets would be off.

„Alright, no problem. I will keep my eyes and ears open, and when Hogwarts starts again, I will watch over Draco. How about, I also brew a Cleansing Potion for Draco, in case he really is under the influence of some magic we overlooked?"

Severus offered.

„The Cleansing Potion is a good idea, but you don't have bother brewing it yourself, I will just buy one tomorrow."

Lucius declined Severus' offer, because if it was actually Severus behind everything, what still could be possible, it wouldn't do to rely on his potion.