Taming the Snake

Chapter 8

Walking in on two adults talking was one thing, what Draco Salazar Malfoy walked into was another. What he saw wasn't even the worst part of it all.

When Minerva had originally followed Severus out into the hall after speaking with his godson, she had anticipated to find the man shouting about. Instead, he paced the floor, running his pale hand through his ebony hair.

"If you keep doing that, my boy, you're not going to have any hair left in a few days. Then what will you do to calm your nerves?"

"It's not a time for jokes, Minerva. Hermione is missing and you keep this information from me, information that could be critical in finding her."

"Please try to understand, lad..."

"I will not understand any longer! You and your predecessor have asked me time and time again to hide secrets, to work without understanding, to do these inexplicable things and I can bear it no longer! Already have I lost one woman who was critical in my life, now I may lose another. I have played the victim and the bystander so long, to ask me to keep up this façade in the face of such torment is cruel and unusual. What I need is not another passive role, not to be played like a puppet on strings, I need to fight. This is my love and my former best friend. I have stood by his side without speaking up long enough. I am going back to Malfoy Manor with every intention of leaving with the woman by my side. I have not been the protagonist for too long. Well, this is my story, Minerva, and I will let it be authored by another no longer. I swore that to myself when the war ended. Will you support me as I take this perilous pursuit on? Or will you do what you and Dumbledore have always done best: stand by and give orders?"

"How dare you! After everything he and I have done for you! You are completely unaware and daft in the matter! You may think you know every thing that goes on in this castle, but you are as clueless as Professor Lockhart! You need to just relax and trust me, Severus. I swear I have Miss Granger's best intentions at heart. Can you say the same? Or do you simply want her back at your side?"

Severus wasn't sure. He wanted to tell the woman she was mad, that she had no idea what she was on about now. That he was nothing like that buffoon, Lockhart. For a moment, he knew he was right, the next moment he didn't. So, giving a soft nod, he allowed himself to turn away from the woman. He couldn't bear anymore of this.

"Tell the young man to keep bringing me information. I don't want any bit of detail left out. None. Can we compromise on that?"

The curt nod dismissed him, as it had in the past, and he headed down the halls, cloak billowing behind him. When Draco walked out to find his godfather gone and McGonagall staring mournfully down the hall, he knew the "talk" had gone sour.

"Is he leaving the school, Headmistress?"

Draco couldn't imagine being in Hogwarts without the man. He had been the boy's guide and protector as long as he could remember. If his father were up against the ebony-clad man, he had no idea who would win. Certainly, he hoped the darker man would win, but was he as hate-filled as his father?  Perhaps with Granger on the line, he would taste victory. Draco just wished him safety and serenity. He had gone through too much already.

"I don't believe so,  Mr. Malfoy. He won't go alone again. Even if he does, he won't fight. Tell me, Mr. Malfoy, how long has he truly cared about this girl?"

Honestly, he didn't know. He had seen the dark man's attention shift when he used to talk about the girl. He would often belittle her intelligence, leading Draco to believe he despised her. However, Severus Snape had led others to believe what he wanted them to for a long time. He was well-practiced with the art of manipulation and Draco doubted he would have been able to pick through the chaos of it all.  How he could even be expected to do such a thing at age eleven, when Minerva McGonagall couldn't do it at her current wise state?

"I'm not sure, Headmistress. He has always been attentive when she's come up in conversation, but often scorned her in and out of class. I don't know when anything changed. I don't know if anything changed. When did you first notice it?"

For a moment, the idea that the headmistress would reply seemed ridiculous. She had no reason to tell him anything, he was younger not as involved in the situation. Maybe it was her wisdom, perhaps her kindness, but she turned back to the boy earnestly.

"Miss Granger has always held great regard for those she feels are intelligent. I have believed her a righteous heart since the moment I met her. The compassion she has had toward others is incomparable to any I've seen. I've heard many a time that she has defended you, Professor Snape, occasionally myself to her friends, even if we're in the wrong. She is brave as a Gryffindor, wise as a Ravenclaw, kind as a Hufflepuff, and as creative as a Slytherin. Truly a wonderful case, each house having such a strong presence in her character. I have seen so many virtuous traits in her, it causes me to wonder. As for her passion with Severus, I have no idea how long she's held him in a- well, um.. a romantic regard."

By this point, Draco was lost. It appeared he wasn't the only one as the woman's eyes went placid. Did he really want to follow where she was heading? But he did need her assistance in getting back Hermione.

"Professor, shouldn't we get back to work? Professor Snape will be even worse than his usual moody self if I don't  bring him an update with serious information more than we had this morning. He may be a patient man, but he's a man nonetheless. He will not be passive in this matter. None of us may know where it started, but he does care deeply about her."

"I know, my lad. I know." The pause seemed never-ending as Draco wanted to run back into the room and was dreading the return at the same time. What was he to say to Luna? That wasn't important right now, he reminded himself. "Yes, we best get back to the important work. Come along now."

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Lucius was nearly silent as he paced the hall outside the room that couldn't escape his mind. He knew his friend would return here soon, the small creature valuable to him. It was then he knew that he would get back at him. No wonderful rescue by Dumbledore this time.

Unable to stand it any longer, he entered with great caution, as to not scare the girl anymore than he already had. 

She was sitting on her bed as normal when he entered when he came to visit. She was half-way between curling into a ball and sitting with her legs dangling over the edge of the mattress. Her two types of fear enticed the elder. He had forgotten how fulfilling it was to have someone be so terrified of you they shake themselves off the edge of their seat.

"My pet, have you counted the days since that villainous traitor came to your side?"

She didn't answer at first. His power was only growing as she trembled under his malevolent eye.  Homoerotic thoughts flooded his head as her small voice finally found its way into the room.

"I have. He seems so familiar, but my mind seems to betray me. Would you be kind enough to grant me his name, master?"

Lucius couldn't help but chuckle under his breath. Did he dare give her the name? It would be a small sliver of hope in her cavern of misery. No, he didn't dare give her that. Not yet, anyway.

"Perhaps if you behave, I shall grant you this favor. Now come here, little one. We have more important business to handle."

She inched back, ruffling her black attire in the process. The hunger raised in Lucius' eyes. His marvelous life completely changed once she came to the manor. His power had returned, having a new subject under his control. He had just had something missing since Draco and Narcissa were gone. Now he stolen it back, demonstrated his true force to all of Hogwarts, likely all the wizarding world. Both power and the mudblood were his now.