The Forbidden Fruit

𝕿𝖜𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖞-𝕱𝖔𝖚𝖗

As the evening cascades into night, leaving everything familiar in its eerie, mystique shade, Severus and Lucius finalize their practice within the Hogwarts Gardens. Letting out a huff, Severus's hand falls to his side as a cold breeze blows back his robes "It is settled then.. I will be the victor within the duel tonight.." he says as he observes a fatigued Lucius who is catching his breath. Letting out a slight scoff under his breath, he stands straight as he brushes back a stray lock of hair from his face. "Fine, but know I am only claiming forfeit for our  sake Severus" Lucius grumbles as he retrieves his cane resting against a stone bench. As the possessive word rings in his head, Severus shakes off the guilt pooling within him as he approaches Lucius's side. "And your bravery does not go unappreciated, my love" he says with a small smirk curling at the corner of his lips. Letting out a sigh paired with a soft eye roll, Lucius can't help but let a small smile come about his expression as he conceals his wand once again in the sheath of the cane. "I know that was sarcasm, Severus.." he says as he gazes over at him, noticing his small quirk in his expression. 

Reaching out to take his free hand within his own, Severus brings it up to his lips, giving a gentle kiss to his rough, calloused knuckles "Whatever may commence tonight, Lucius, know that I will always be there for you in the secrecy of the shadows we share.. always" Severus says gently. Smiling with a softened gaze, Lucius pulls him in gently by his hand, wrapping his other arm around Severus's waist possessively. "As will I, my dear.. do not doubt me in that regard" smiling just the same, Severus gazes down as their hands intertwine his mind wandering to what will happen at tonight's meeting, making his small smile fade into a line of worry. Noticing, Lucius reaches out and gently tilts his head to meet his gaze "Do not allow your mind to cause you distress, Severus.. we have rehearsed our plan through and through, I assure you, all will end gracefully" he says reassuringly, giving him a light peck on the cheek. Feeling his hand caressing the side of his face where the tingle of his gentle kiss still lingers, Severus nods "I can have my doubts, Lucius but.. you're right, I shouldn't dwell on the unknown and find comfort in the flawlessness of our plan.." nodding softly, Lucius brings his hands to hold him around his waist. "And within me, my darling" he says with a teasing smile, seeing Severus nod and smile in return before they share a simple kiss on the lips. 

After separating their paths for a few hours, Severus returns to the interior of the Castle to ensure his classroom is in tip-top condition knowing a stand in Professor had taken over for the afternoon. Similarly, Lucius takes a quick visit into Hogsmade to buy some items to instill the illusion that he had just been running some simple errands for himself. "I have never seen you in here before" rings the store owner as he stands behind the counter, watching as Lucius gives him a small sneer as he passes by. "Surely you're not from out of town, what business do you have rummaging about a hole-in-the-wall souvenir shop?" grumbling under his breath as he finds a few items that'll be believable before approaching the counter. "I am certain you already know who I am and with that said. I assure you whatever business I am attending to, is far more important that engaging in a frivolous conversation with a man far below my inner circle" feeling offended, the store owner gives him a side-ways glance as he brings up the items. "Oh pish posh, I should have known, the all joyous Lucius Malfoy.. that'll be thirty" looking at him with slightly widened eyes, Lucius scoffs. "What an utterly ridiculous price for some cheap assorted items" smirking with a shrug, the owner leans against the counter watching him rummage in a coin bundle. "Shall I make it fifty then? Considering you like to flaunt your wealth wherever you fancy" letting out another scoff, Lucius hands over the Galleon's before whisking away with the items. Grumbling under his breath as he makes his way back towards the Manor, his thoughts melting away into the looming dread of what could happen at tonight's meeting.

Meanwhile, cleaning up his office, Severus talks to himself as he continues to think out loud "Tonight will go as planned, I am certain of it. But what if my mind gets in the way.." he murmurs to himself quietly as he stores away salves from today's lesson. Running a hand over his face he lets out a deep sigh "I mustn't allow myself such a thing.. I must stay focused, otherwise I will risk so much not only for myself but.." as he trails off, his gaze falls upon a silk cravat hanging out of a shut drawer in his desk. Approaching, he tucks it away from view before letting out another deep sigh "My long harbored feelings for another have always kept me clinging to the past.. I must ignore it for my sake and his.. he must never know even if keeping it inside and away from him gnaws me to my core, I mustn't let it hinder whatever is blooming between us.. especially not tonight" he says under his breath as his gaze falls to one of the windows in the room. Approaching the window, his eyes fall upon whatever lies beyond the glass, letting his thoughts swirl and conjure up plenty of scenarios and outcomes during the meeting, feeling the tension growing within him.

Arriving back at the Manor with the trinkets he bought moments ago, Lucius shuts the door behind him, hearing supper being served up at his arrival. Letting out a short sigh, he hangs up his cloak near the door before heading towards the dinning room. "My apologizes for leaving so urgently earlier, I was simply retrieving some gifts" he says, coming up with a quick, believable excused as he sits at the head of the table just as the last plate is set down on the table. Looking at him with a furrowed brow, Narcissa eyes the trinkets placed on the table "We appreciate the thought my dear but.. what and who are these gifts for?" Narcissa asks as she eyes Lucius, subtly looking for any signs that he may have been with someone else while absent. Picking up what looks like a gag potion vile, Draco sneers in confusion at the cheaply made object. "It's certainly nothing worthy of a good present that's for sure.." he mutters as he sets down the trinket. 

Adjusting himself from rushing back home, Lucius nods as he runs a hand through his hair "Well, my dearest, our son has been doing remarkable in his schooling and I thought it would be applicable to gift him some small trinkets.. surely you like such.. frivolous things, don't you Draco? After all, you're still a teenager.." Lucius mutters towards the end there, giving Draco a certain look before they all begin to eat. Eyeing her husband with a small suspicious glare, Narcissa plays it off to simply enjoy their supper together "I do have to say, that was rather kind of you to think about Draco while you were out, Lucius.. isn't that right?" she asks with a certain look of her own, making Draco sigh as he gives Lucius a side-ways glance. "Yes Mother.. thank you Father.." he murmurs as he is eyes fall to his plate, the tension palatable in the air around them as they continue to eat in silence. 

After yet another silenced supper, they prep for another gathering of the Death Eaters, helping add additional chairs to the long table and other simple preparations, Lucius excuses himself to his private chambers. Ensuring the doors are locked, he lets out a deep, shaky sigh as nervousness runs through him "I know it'll be asked of us, there is certainty in that.. I just have to stick to our plan and everything will stay hidden.." Lucius says to reassure himself. Running a hand through his hair, he strides over to one of the windows, peering out of the long velvet curtains his eyes linger on the driveway, anxiously waiting for everyone to arrive, including that one special person- Severus.

To Be Continued...