Something different I Severus/Lucius/Y/N

shadows of rome

Monday morning dawned clear and cool, a sharp contrast to the turmoil brewing within me as I approached the Great Hall. As we gathered for the departure to Rome, I spotted Snape and Lucius Malfoy waiting for the students. Both appeared unusually casual, adapted for our venture into the muggle world. Snape, in particular, was striking in black jeans and a fitted black shirt, an ensemble that seemed to underscore his austere demeanor while blending with the non-magical attire required for our trip.

My attention, however, was abruptly pulled away by the sight of Zoe and Max, hand in hand, smiling and seemingly oblivious to the discomfort they caused me. The sight of them together stirred a mix of anger and hurt deep within me. I quipped quietly to myself, half in jest, "I'd love to pack them in my suitcase and throw it into the Black Lake." The thought, though dark, momentarily eased the sting of betrayal.

As I tried to push aside these feelings, I forced my focus back to the purpose of today's gathering. Snape was scanning the crowd of students with his usual sharp gaze, ensuring everyone was accounted for and adhering to the dress code for our travel. Lucius, on the other hand, exuded a calm, almost detached elegance, his demeanor as composed as ever despite the casual setting.

We were soon called to order, and Snape stepped forward to brief us on the logistics of our journey, his voice firm over the murmur of excited students. "Ensure you have all necessary documents and belongings," he instructed. "We will be blending in with the muggle world, and I expect each of you to uphold the standards of Hogwarts with the utmost respect and discretion."

Lucius then added his own remarks, focusing on the educational opportunities and cultural richness of Rome. "This trip is a privilege," he stated, his tone smooth and encouraging, "and an opportunity to expand your horizons beyond the magical world."

As the group of students, along with Snape and Lucius, reached the edge of the Hogwarts grounds where magical restrictions on apparition were lifted, the atmosphere was tinged with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. The method of travel was apparition, a means to seamlessly enter the Muggle world without the complexities and exposure of traveling through a Muggle airport.

Lucius Malfoy, ever the charismatic figure, soon approached me under the guise of offering assistance. "Allow me," he said smoothly, reaching for my suitcase with a courteous smile. His demeanor was friendly, but there was a discernible undertone of flirtation in his gesture. "A young lady shouldn't be burdened with such heavy luggage."

I hesitated momentarily, aware of the implications of accepting too much attention from him, especially given the complexities of his personal life that had been swirling around in the rumor mill. Yet, refusing help outright could come off as unnecessarily rude. "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy," I responded, managing a polite smile while handing over the suitcase. His fingers brushed against mine briefly, sending a surprisingly intense shiver of awareness through me.

As Lucius effortlessly lifted the suitcase, he maintained eye contact, his expression unreadable yet unmistakably tinged with a certain intrigue. "I look forward to sharing the wonders of Rome with you," he continued, his voice low enough that only I could hear. "The city is as beautiful and complex as the spells we study—every corner holds a story."

I nodded, unsure how to respond to his analogy without encouraging more intimate conversation. I was acutely aware of Snape's watchful presence nearby. He seemed particularly vigilant, perhaps in part due to our earlier interactions and his stern warning about maintaining professional boundaries. His sharp gaze occasionally swept over Lucius and me, though he offered no comment.

As the students began to disappear with soft pops, each apparating to the designated spot in Rome, the area gradually cleared until I found myself one of the last few remaining. The cool air around the edges of the Hogwarts grounds was filled with the nervous excitement of first-time and seasoned apparators alike. Lucius, having already assisted me with my suitcase, stood by nonchalantly, observing the students with an air of casual interest.