The Sins Of A Father

Chapter Ten: Dread Was Filling Up





“Severus?” Riddle.



I was sitting in my office, finishing and sorting out some paperwork when my- I hate this word-boss came into the room uninvited. But wherever he goes, he’s always uninvited.



Now he’s in my office, standing with a strange look on his (dare I say?) handsome face, and a very strange glint in his green eyes.



I never did trusted that glint. The outcome of it was never good.



Especially for me.



I stood up from my black leather armchair, putting on the best fake, kiss up, admired look I could muster. I had to look somewhat professional dealing with him, besides my clients. I went around the desk and waved a hand to one of the armchairs facing my desk. “Please, sir, have a seat.”



“Don’t mind if I do, Severus…” He went around the desk and decided to sit in my chair.



I put on a slightly distanced smile while putting my hands into my pockets calmly. “Is there anything I could do for you, sir…?”



“Come now, Severus, you need not be formal. After all, I did see you in your diapers!”



Did I mention that I’m related to him? He was my mother’s only brother. Only other sibling, actually. He was in his late sixties. Grey, clean-cut that was sleeked back slightly, hair, a few wrinkles here and there, but he seemed to be well looked after for his age. Slim and lean-built. I almost think that he is somewhat a metrosexual, the way he looks.



I sighed slightly as I sat in one of the armchairs that was meant for clients. “What can I do for you then, Uncle…?”



My parents had never been there for me, but Riddle had been there a little more often than my parents. Not much, but he was more of a parent than my actual ones, maybe since he was confirmed that he could not produce children for an heir. He had a keen interest in me, since I would be inheriting the fortune, as well as keeping the fortune in the family’s bloodline, that is.



Lucky me…



In case you did not know, I was being sarcastic.



“Oh, first of all, you could tell me how are both of my great-nephews doing?” He leaned back with his arms crossed behind his head.



“Both are fine. Harry will be returning home later tonight.” I also leaned back, crossing my arms and legs.



“Ah yes, from James. So, how is Lily faring?” He smirked slightly. “You know, you should produce another blood heir, Severus. Just in case…” Even though he is kind to Harry and makes sure he is doing well, he does not think of him as actual blood. More like someone who has close connections to the family.



Can you tell that my mother’s side was brought up more traditionally? “Is that so, Uncle?” I raised my eyebrow. I was in the stage that I just let him talk and it will be excepted through one ear and out of the other.



“It is, my dear nephew. You never know what the next day shall bring! I’ve always been telling this to Lucius. That one son is not enough! Especially with a family of his standards! But alas, his interests have been leaning into something ENTIRELY different…” Now here he was showing that little glint I hate so dearly.



I raised an eyebrow once again. I did not like the way this conversation was going, so I simply waited in the stretched silence.



Once he noticed I was not going to reply, he once again smirked. “You know, Severus, it IS a shame that Lucius was not born a female. I can’t very well imagine you being submissive.” And I take great pride in that fact. “If you were a female. I think the Malfoy, Riddle, and Snape bloodline would be a quite powerful family. But alas, there was not meant to be of a heir of those bloodlines…” He sighed melodramatically. “I do find it very amusing, though, that since Lucius harbours some sort of FEELINGS for you… “ Here he grinned and I felt my blood run cold. “You know, Severus, maybe you two can work out some sort of an agreement? Bring the families closer? Bringing two great forces together, so to speak? Until, of course, either one of you produces a girl.”



Ah yes, this is one of the reason I hated my uncle. He would most assuredly use anything to his advantage when it came to power. Since he has no children of his own, he will use us as his pawns in this game of chess.



I cleared my throat. “Well, the thing is, Uncle, that I am a happily married with two children, and I would not like to change that fact, unless of course, I have another child.”



He slammed a hand down on my desk and let out a deep chuckle. “Well hurry up, boy! Time is of the essence! Knock her up before Draco will be too old to marry that child!” Too bad he does not know that Draco’s preference leans in the other way. But then again, that did not stop Lucius, did it? I should bloody well know.



I gave him a little smirk, “I will try...” Really, sometimes I hate even working here.



“Oh, I know you will, Severus, remembering all too well about the notches on your belt. I think I haven’t met anyone of yet that has not been with you in some way…”



I just raised my eyebrow. “Well, I do hope they have not said anything bad about me?”



Riddle grinned. “Of course not, Severus…After all, you are related to me…” That gave me a mental picture that I could have done very well without, thank you very much.



Now he tapped his fingers together on top of the wooden desk, a slow, slithering smile running across his face. “You have an appointment tonight with Mr. Leiwong at 8:30, along with Lucius in the bar called ‘Three Fingers’ in Soho. He wishes to discuss the progress of this case and what matters need to be dealt with further in person.”



My eyes widened a little. “But, sir, Lucius is his lawyer. I’m just helping him with the paperwork. Why do I need to go?” I needed to get out of it. Harry was coming home at that night. He becomes very depressed when he comes back from Potter, and I would not be able to stand around, let alone talk in the meeting properly without thinking about my little raven’s wellbeing.



Along with another thought that Black would also come along to drop Harry off, and knowing Lily, she would invite him for dinner for that night, as she always does. But knowing my luck and that look Riddle was giving me, I knew it was hopeless to think that I would be going home that night.



“You’re on this case as much as Lucius is, Severus. You’ll just not be attending the court dates. Therefore, you will be going to that meeting and tell the man of the progress you and Lucius are making,” he said this in a low, stern voice to make sure I got the point that there was no choice in the matter to further argue.



I breathed deeply through my nose. I tightened my arms even more, trying to relieve the tension somewhat. I knew there was no way out of this, so I hoped Harry would be fine and that twit Black would keep his sticky paws to himself. “As you wish,…Uncle” I really instead wanted to replace that word \'uncle\' with \'bitch\'.



Riddle shone a triumphed smile. “Good to hear! I will be telling Lucius that you will be attending the meeting…” He stood up, raised an eyebrow, and smirked. “Will you be meeting them at the bar, or…will you two be arriving there together?”



Now he was just trying to push my buttons.



I growled low in my throat. “No, thank you. I will be arriving there alone”



He grinned smugly and went to the exit of my office. “Suit yourself ,Severus. I think it’ll be wise for you two to go together, since our Mr Leiwong does indulge himself in the beverages, and will be expecting you two to have a few drinks…” And he walked out.



Fucking great. I had to work with an alcoholic.



I closed my eyes and sighed. I do get worried a lot when Harry comes back home, just thinking what he might have done with Potter on the weekend. But of course, Harry told me it was fine and they just talked. Nothing else. He told me that and went quiet or changed the subject.



I opened my eyes, reached over the desk, and took hold of the office phone, dialing the house number, and waiting for an answer.



“Ello?”



“Hello, Jimmy, it\'s Daddy. May I ask where is your mother? It\'s important, son.” I tried to sound gentle, but I just sounded tired.



“Hello, Daddy! Mummy’s gone to the loo. You want me to call her?”



“Is Harry there, Jimmy?”



“Uh-uh. He hasn’t come home yet, Daddy…Are you ok?”



I smiled a little. “Yes, imp, I’m ok. I need to tell you something very important, Jimmy, so you have to tell your mother as soon as possible, ok, son?”



I thought I heard him nodding his head quite rapidly over the phone. “I will!”



“Good. Jimmy, tell mummy that I will be coming home very late tonight, so don’t wait for me, ok?”



“Ok!”



I smiled fully now. “Oh and, Jimmy, I need to ask a very important favour that only YOU can help me with, and you need to keep this as a secret, ok? It\'s between me and you,” I said in a slightly staged whisper.



“Yes, sir,” he whispered also.



“I need you to look after Harry and cheer him up a little bit when he comes home, ok, son?”



“Yes, Daddy, I will. And I won’t tell, I promise!”



A smile turned into a grin. “Promise? A Power Ranger oath?”



“I promise! A Power Ranger oath!” he repeated.



I could imagine him saluting at that comment. I chuckled softly. “Thank you, Jimmy, you’re helping me alot”



“Well duh. You’re my dad, silly!” he said like it was the most obvious thing.



I laughed. “Bye, son, I have to go. Make sure you give a hug and a kiss to mummy and your brother for me, ok?”



“Ok! Bye bye, Daddy!”



“Bye, imp.” And I hung up the phone.



I sighed very loudly into my empty office, thinking about the evening that was soon to come.



Dread was filling up in my stomach.