The Potions Master and the Ravenclaw

Mr. Malfoy

Author's Note: In the Harry Potter books the Malfoys are fairly irredeemable, but in my story I'm giving them all a bit of a redemption arc. My Lucius is sort of charming and flirty and funny and has some secrets that will be revealed later. Hope you enjoy.

...

Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape were sitting by the fire in Snape's quarters, each with a glass of fire whiskey in their hands.

They had been close friends during their own school days at Hogwarts. Both sorted into Slytherin house, Malfoy had been a few years ahead of Snape. Popular, clever, a prefect. He was a very wealthy pure blood wizard and he had taken Snape under his wing, introducing him to others who shared an interest in dark magic and believed in the idea of blood purity. These new friends fueled his interest in the dark arts, as well as Snape's own loathing of his Muggle father. Snape had followed Lucius into the service of the Dark Lord after graduating from Hogwarts. Malfoy, like Snape, bore the Dark Mark and both men had been trusted servants. Both high ranking Death Eaters before the end of the war and Voldemort's fall. Though Snape deeply regretted his involvement with the Dark Lord, he and Malfoy had maintained their friendship and continued to share a deep mutual respect. Malfoy's son, Draco, was a current third year student (Slytherin of course) and Snape admitted to himself that he rather favored the boy.

On this day, Lucius was visiting Hogwarts in his official capacity as a member of the Board of Governors and took the opportunity to visit his old friend, as he often did. The two men sat together almost like two sides of the same coin. While Snape was dark and austere in appearance, Malfoy possessed a flamboyant and erudite look. Snape was thin and pale and his long, black hair framed his exceedingly handsome - yet perpetually scowling - face. His black eyes were penetrating. He was always clad in simple, solid, black from head to toe. He was powerful and imposing. Many were frightened of him or intimidated by him, but he also possessed an undeniable grace and refinement. Malfoy, however, had long, straight, white-blonde hair that hung like smooth silk below his broad shoulders. His ice-blue eyes were striking - cunning and sharp. He was also thin and pale, but his aristocratic appearance was one of cold beauty, and he was remarkably handsome. A mischievous smile always played at the corners of his sensuous mouth. He was slender but muscular, and emanated something slightly dangerous. Calculating and sinister, yet elegant and sophisticated. He was dressed in expensive, elaborate black robes and carried a walking stick with an ornate snake's head on the handle. The walking stick also sheathed his wand and he was never without it.

Snape had been pleased as always to see his friend and poured them the glasses of fire whiskey which they now nursed by the fire.

Snape had always trusted Malfoy and he made the decision to confide in him about his relationship with Madeline.

"Lucius, I have some news. I'm...getting married."

"Married! Well, old friend, congratulations are in order! I didn't even know you were seeing anyone! Who's the lucky girl?"

"Well, it's a bit of a secret. I must beg your discretion."

"Of course, Severus. You know I'm the very soul of discretion," Lucius purred.

Snape hesitated.

"Well, who is it?"

Snape waited a beat, black eyes staring into ice-blue.

"Madeline Clovewater. She's...my student. My star student. Head Girl, actually."

"A student, Snape? I'd have never thought it of you! My God! What are you thinking?"

"I know. I know it's madness but damn it, Lucius, I can't live without her."

"Does anyone know?"

"Only Dumbledore. And Poppy Pomfrey. Both out of necessity."