Dear Severus Snape (Snarry Fanfiction)

Chapter Fifty Five

"Lucius." Snape greeted cooly.

To anyone else, Snape would've seemed indifferent, but Harry knew the truth. He caught the way Snape's breath seemed to hitch, the way his fingers trembled for a brief moment.

Even Harry, who despised the prisoner in front of them, found it hard to look into his eyes. Because this was not the Lucius Malfoy he knew. This man was broken, ratty, and numb.

Lucius turned slowly to face Severus, a haunted look in his eyes. Screams and crazed laughter rang out around them, and Harry saw Snape tense even further.

"Severus...." Lucius breathed. "Kill me. Please, please kill me. I can't do it anymore, it wasn't worth it, please-"

Snape's eyes slammed shut for a few moments, but not before Harry caught the immense pain lurking behind them.

"I can't." He whispered. "I would if I could, because I know. I know. I heard you before, I-" He broke off, unable to go on.

Lucius let out a strangled sob. His matted, dingy hair fell into his light blue eyes, but he hardly seemed to notice. There was a flash of resignation in those eyes, as if reality suddenly crashed down around him.

"You're only here because you need something." Lucius whispered, though he did not look angry. "I know that's the only reason why you'd ever come see me."

Snape bowed his head.

"You're right." He admitted quietly. "I would not have had the strength to face you for any other reason."

"What is it, then?" He muttered. "Because if you haven't noticed, I was rather busy rotting away and feeling sorry for myself."

Harry glanced between Severus and Lucius, wondering when, or if, he should interject. For the moment, though, he decided to remain silent.

"There has been a mass murderer on the lose." Snape explained quietly. "We believe that he was a Death Eater, and we wondered if you'd know anything about him."

Lucius scowled.

"I've had enough of playing with politics from behind bars." He hissed.

"I was not insinuating that you had something to do with the murders. I only wondered if you happened to know anything."

Lucius let out an undignified snort.

"Since when are you an Auror, Severus?"

Snape stared at him long and hard, saying nothing for a few moments.

"What do you know, Lucius?" He finally asked tiredly.

"I already told you, I know nothing!"

"Then this is a waste of our time. Come, Harry. We have other people to talk to."

They began to walk away, when Lucius yelled,

"Wait!"

Snape paused, then slowly turned around. He arched a black eyebrow in question, waiting for Lucius to go on.

"My son." Lucius gasped out. "How is my son?"

"Draco is... well." He replied, forcing himself to keep his voice emotionless. "I have been keeping an eye on him."

Lucius gave him a short nod.

"Thank you...."

Severus nodded back, and then they left Lucius Malfoy alone once more.

******

"That wasn't much help." Harry grumbled, as they left the prison.

They were now on their way to Diagon Alley, to meet Ron at The Leaky Cauldron.