Survivor

Chapter 21 - The Last Supper.

A small note to thank everybody for sticking with my ramblings this far! 

Just a heads up, I've never been in a muggle or wizarding courtoom. My experience and knowledge comes from TVs shows. I apologize if my interpretation is incorrect. H.x

Hermione swallowed back her anxiety as she and Severus approached the Malfoy's townhouse. The sky looked like a watercolor painting of reds and pinks and oranges, as the sun began to peak over the roofs of the city. The streets were abnormally quiet at this time in the morning, and the pair had had no problem apparating into a small alley way, a couple of streets from the house. 

Hermione recalled with some sadness her one-sided conversation with the sorting hat in her first year. The hat had first suggested she be put into Ravenclaw, and had been seconds away from announcing her allegiance to the house of Eagles, before it hesitated. Hermione had always wondered why the hat hadn't immediately suggested Gryffindor. A small insecure part of her had always thought that she wasn't brave or chivalrous enough to fly the banner of Lions. Certainly now, her courage was failing her. Given the task ahead, she wished for a hint of Slytherin cunning, even just an ounce, so that she might give Narcissa and Draco some reassurance that she would keep Lucius out of Azkaban. 

It was a kamikaze mission. There was no way that Lucius would walk out of The Ministry a free man. 

They approached the house, and Severus reached to knock on the door. He was wearing his best robes, which he had ironed with military-like precision the night before. Hermione knew that today was going to be punishing for him as well as for Lucius. 

On the one hand, Lucius was the closest thing that Severus had ever had to a friend. From what she knew, their relationship was complicated. Severus had told her that Lucius had scoffed when he had been sorted into Slytherin. His unfriendly welcome had been short lived when Lucius had caught Severus in a verbal-assault with James Potter, which would have ended in bruises and broken noses had the prefect not stepped in and taken points from James. Admiring the boy's tenacity (and perhaps pitying him), Lucius taught Severus how to hold to hold his own before he left the school in July of the following year. 

Lucius had introduced Severus to the Death Eaters after he had graduated Hogwarts. He had joined in the hope that The Dark Lord would allow him to excel, finally feeling like he would have the power to defeat his bullies and show everyone his worth. Little did he know how far the Dark Lord would go to ensure that Severus's bullies were defeated. He held himself responsible for his actions, regardless of how much Lucius had influenced him. 

On the other hand, Lucius was a textbook Slytherin. He was loyal only to the person who benefited him the most. He was slippery and silver tongued, and had sold Severus out to the Dark Lord once or twice for personal gain. He switched sides so easily, that Severus and The Order never trusted his true allegiance to the cause. Their relationship was uneasy, but there had never exactly been a queue of people waiting to be friends with Severus. In fact, he thought he was defect in his older age, and unable to make friends. That was until a young witch stumbled into his life. 

Lucius had been kind to Hermione after the events at Malfoy manor, for which she was grateful. Severus however, had expressed his warning that she shouldn't get too close to him. He apprised that Lucius would use her and drop her a soon as she was no longer necessary. Hermione had approached the man cautiously, but had been pleasantly surprised by his devotion to his wife and son. 

The door was answered by the same house elf that had greeting them during their last visit. He squealed at the sight of them. "You has arrived! Mistress will be very glad to see you." 

The elf allowed them to pass into the house, Severus muttered something under his breath, too quiet for Hermione or the elf to decipher. Lucius's trial didn't start until 9, but Narcissa had insisted that they breakfast at the Malfoy's before travelling to the Ministry. Hermione had all but dragged Severus out of bed, agreeing herself that 7am was too early for company.