Inside Your Mind

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters, I think that’s pretty obvious by now lol.

A/N – I am so unbelievably sorry for the delay, I know I haven’t updated in lyk forever but I’m gonna try to update more often. This chapter is just a short little connection between 11 and 13, to explain a Lucius a little. Sorry that it’s so short, but I didn’t want to put any other information in it.

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Chapter Twelve – Strange Behavior

It turns out that lying to Voldemort wasn’t as terrifying as one might think.

Not that Voldemort would hesitate to kill Lucius for his betrayal, but he didn’t know that Lucius had lied. That one fact had opened a door of possibilities in Lucius’s mind. Possibilities that he was now exploring as he sat in his luxurious study in Malfoy Manor.

Earlier that evening, as the meeting progressed, the elder Malfoy had found himself staring at his master, scrutinizing him. It was true that Voldemort’s power was held in those slit-like, red eyes that froze and burned at the same time, and that dreadful high-pitched hiss. Without those two characteristics, one would be under the assumption that he could break the Dark Lord in half with his bare hands.

However, before this night of revelation, Lucius had never realized just how weak he seemed. A memory of a somewhat recent fight with Draco surfaced in his mind, for his own son had spat viciously at him, “You are Lucius Malfoy, and you bow at the feet of a wizard who has been defeated countless times, and by a child nonetheless,” before stalking from the room. He had, of course, punished Draco for this outburst, but it had actually prompted him to question the sureness of his position for a moment. For Lucius, it was all about power and control; playing for the losing team would get him nowhere. Harry Potter was unbelievably good at evading death and being a hero, a trait that didn’t look as though it was abandoning him any time soon.

Lucius stood and poured himself a scotch before settling comfortably into his leather armchair. He had a lot to think about tonight.

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Severus Snape walked distractedly toward the Headmaster’s office for the usual post Death Eater meeting chat. Absently muttering the password, he strode in, immediately sinkintointo a comfortable armchair.

Dumbledore was silent, gazing at the worn man through his half-moon spectacles, giving him time to recover. Every day he wished that Severus had less pain, but he could not help, for Severus was the type who wished to keep the pain to himself; he did not believe he deserved to be forgiven for his past.

Snape finally looked up, before saying incredulously, as though it amazed him to be uttering the words, “Lucius Malfoy just lied to the Dark Lord.”

The Headmaster’s eyes widened almost imperceptibly, but even that was highly unusual for him. The man brought his hands together to rest on table as he leaned forward and caught Severus’s gaze, prompting him to explain.

“He asked Lucius if he knew had any new information, and Lucius just looked him in the eye and said no.”

Dumbledore nodded, his eyes twinkling twice r usr usual brightness. Snape noticed this and commented, “Sir, I know what you’re thinking, but let me remind you that Lucius Malfoy is not exactly the type to protect someone at his expense.”

“Yes, but what if it wasn’t at his expense?”

“The Dark Lord would kill him if he found out of this betrayal, no matter how slight it may be,” Severus stated in confusion.

“I have no doubt that he lied out of automatic protection of his son, and I also believe that it was not his intention to lie. However, this lie, intentional or unintentional, is probably causing him to start thinking. Once you lie to someone, it’s hard to look at them with the same respect.”

The Potions professor nodded, knowing these words to be true from experience. It was his first lie that had caused him to doubt his lord, caused him to take his position as a spy, even while knowing that he was treading on very thin ice.

“Should Draco and Harry know about this?”

“Yes, I do believe it would give them less of a burden. I would appreciate it if you would be the one to tell them.”

Severus nodded while muttering something like “I can’t believe I have to give Potter good news.”

Dumbledore chuckled as the other professor left the room, smiling to himself while popping a lemon drop in his mouth.

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The couple in question was currently lounging in their living room, accompanied by their combined groups of friends: Ron, Hermione, Blaise, Seamus, Ginny, Neville, and Dean. Everyone except Hermione and Draco were playing games, or just sitting around and talking. The exceptional pair was reading on the couch; they always had been more alike then either cared to admit.

Tired of watching them, Harry and Ron each pulled their other half down. “Hey!” two unhappy voices cried. “What are you doing?” Hermione snapped. “Come on, Mione,” Ron said. “What’s the point in dating you if I can’t hang out with when you’re not reading?” She softened and gave her boyfriend a quick kiss before settling into his embrace.

Harry turned to his boyfriend and pouted slightly, looking at him pleadingly. “Oh no,” Draco said warningly. “Don’t think you can just look at me with your big green eyes and I’ll do anything you want,” he stated firmly, moving to reach for his book.

“Who said I was thinking about convincing you to pay attention to me with my eyes?” he asked slyly, before pushing the blonde on his back and attacking his neck, placing kisses on ski skin his shirt left exposed. His kisses trailed up to Draco’s mouth, finally landing on his lips, kissing him very lightly until Draco’s placed his hand behind the Gryffindor’s neck and pulling him down for a deeper kiss. “Where are Colin and his camera when you actually need them?” Ginny demanded.

“STOP!” two horrified voices yelled, and Ron spun around to find the owner of the voice that accompanied his, for everyone else in the area was looking on with amazement and a certain amount of jealousy.

Snape stood in the doorway, looking more frustrated than someone playing Ron in chess for the first time. “Why must I always be around to witness this?” he asked, looking to the storming ceiling, as if it held the answer to his rhetorical question.

“It’s not as if you can talk,” Draco retorted, letting Harry pull him into a standing position. “I think we’re almost even now. Three to two now, isn’t it?”

Snape flushed, and the other people in the room looked on in confusion and amazement, for they had never seen Snape blush before. Then, they flushed as well when they realized what Harry and Draco must have caught Snape and Lupin doing.

“For someone who makes out with teachers ie hae hallway, you’re rather intolerant,” Draco continued, ignoring Snape’s glare. “What do you think you’re doing?” Snape hissed.

Malfoy waved his hand, brushing aside Snape’s annoyance. “They all know,” he said dismissively.

“What??” Snape yell“Why“Why do all you bloody teenagers know about my personal affaris?!”

They all looked at one another, unsure of what to say. “Never mind,” Snape grumbled. “This is the night where the world is falling apart, evidently, seeing as there are Slytherins willing conversing with Gryffindors in this room. Draco, Potter, please come with me for a moment.”

The two looked at each other and shrugged, following Snape out. They stopped when they saw him leaning against the wall right next to their room with his hand over his eyes, sighing deeply. “Was there something you had to tell us?” Draco prompted, folding his arms impatiently. Their professor slowly removed his hand, keeping his eyes closed while saying, “Draco, your father lied to Voldemort about you and Potter.”

Two simultaneous gasps sounded as Snape sighed deeply once again. “Why would he do that?”

“Your father cares about you, no matter what he’s done to make you think otherwise, and I know what he’s done.” The blonde looked down, sadness overcoming him as he remembered the things his father had done to him in the past. Sensing this, his boyfriend wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close, and Draco placed his head on Harry’s shoulders.

Snape finally looked up, only to see the two gazing at each other lovingly. “Well aren’t you two just the cutest,” he said sarcastically. “It just makes me want to take a picture and frame it for you.”

“I think your mind has enough pictures of us, Sev,” the blonde replied, making Harry grin and even Snape had to hold back a smile that threatened to ruin his murderous demeanor. He led them back through the door of their room, only to be greeted by the sight of Blaise straddling Seamus, kissing him while unbuttoning his shirt.

Snape screamed in frustration. “You two also?? Why are all the bloody Slytherins forgetting that they’re supposed to hate Gryffindors??”

“But Professor, youyfriyfriend is a Gryffindor.” It was Hermione who spoke up this time, her voice completely innocent while her eyes sparkled with amusement. Severus threw his hands up in the air and stalked from the room. “I GIVE UP!!”

The sounds of friends laughing uncontrollably chased him back to his private rooms.