Devils and Angels

Look To Thy Self


Slinking silently through the shadows, looking much like the shadows themselves, two dark figures moved swiftly through the alleyways. One moved with the poised grace of long years of experience, and the other less graceful, but with the self-possessed confidence generations of breeding lent. The seemingly ubiquitous odour of unwashed humanity had been banished by a furtive venture to a muggle homeless shelter, and the not quite satisfied hunger pains that had been long-endured, were satiated whilst there. New robes were obtained by means of a quick and noiseless raid on Madam Malken's, which was nearly ruined when they discovered the old bint was still awake and puttering around upstairs. The urge to move more rapidly to complete their task became even more apparent when they heard the stairs leading into the shop begin to creak just as they began their stealthy exit.

Approaching their goal, they entered swiftly into the Hall of Whispers through a well-hidden and forgotten entrance. The Ministry firmly believed it to be closely guarded, but that was all it was, a belief. Snape had learned long ago the ins and outs of many of the buildings under the guardianship of the ministry including Headquarters itself, and this time regardless of the risk, he was going to take full advantage of it. Giving Draco a final and silent warning to be completely silent they wound their way through the empty corridors. Finding the door at last, the elder wizard hoped the password that had been set had not changed.

“Revelare Occultus,” he whispered, and was relieved when the door smoothly and soundlessly slid open.

Casting a final glance down the corridor, both wizards slipped inside the dimly lit room as the door closed, and grabbing young Malfoy by the elbow he mouthed, “Touch nothing.”

Methodically moving among the hundreds of shelves as Snape searched for the key to their freedom, Draco kept guard at the door with wand raised and ready to strike should anyone interrupt their mission. Finally reaching the section that was reserved for wizards and witches of note, he found all items pertaining to Albus Dumbledore missing. Staring in disbelief, he retraced his steps to make sure he had not erred in any way. He had not, and a chill as eerie as that created by any dementor crept up his spine. The need to flee the area raced through him, and he listened closely to that inner voice of his. He immediately turned on his heel to return to his companion. The door slid open once more, and a lone figure entered.

“It’s gone – all of it,” The cultured voice drawled. “It won’t do neither of you any good to attempt to leave; you see, a few of my fellow deatheaters are waiting for you.”

“Father!” Draco exclaimed in shock.

Lucius sneered at his son; “I see Severus has taken you under his wing, my useless son.”

“It would be just like you to betray me Lucius,” Snape stated flatly, his face set like granite as he spoke.

“Moi? Hardly. When it comes to betrayal, who none other than you yourself would know? I rotted in Azkaban because of your duplicity.”

“You knew the risks Lucius when you came for the prophecy that night. Don’t blame me for your imprisonment, or is it that you are adverse to the attentions the dementors gave you?” When Snape received nothing but a glare, he continued, “Did the Malfoy wealth finally reach the pockets of the right person to buy your freedom?”

Giving a tight smile the elder Malfoy said, “Of course, how else do you think I would be standing here?”

Not able to restrain himself any longer, Draco hissed at his father, “If it weren’t for you, none of this would be happening now!”

As swiftly as a cat, Lucius shot his silver-headed cane out and hooked it into the front of the young man’s robes. Pulling him near, he growled, “Be that as it may my son, as Severus stated, blame is neither here no there.” He released Draco quickly, causing the young man to stagger.

“This will be quite a feather in your cap Lucius. I’m sure the Dark Lord will reward you with your life – eventually you might become most highly favoured once we are finally disposed of, but rest assured, it will not come easily to you – that – is a promise.” Snape raised his wand to ready himself for the battle of his life.

“On the contrary, for ‘old times’ sake’ I am here to see that you do escape.” Malfoy said in a venomed voice disguised in silk. Turning to Draco he ordered, “Go somewhere, and leave us to speak in private – now!”

The young wizard looked to Snape for an answer, and when he received a curt nod, he whirled and rapidly moved to another section of the room.

The pale-haired man began to slowly circle Snape, much like a predator circling its prey. “Lower your wand Severus, there will be no battle between us this night,” he said as he stopped behind the man he addressed.

Snape reluctantly complied as he asked, “What do you want Lucius?”

“This,” he softly said as he wrapped his arms around Snape and pulled him close. “Just this one time, and then you can leave to return to your lover - if you can.”

Severus closed his eyes and said, “No, I can’t – I won’t.”

Sighing, he trailed his fingers along the underside of Snape’s chin. “Look at you Severus, you’re almost as thin as the first time I saw you. You’ve not been sleeping well, and I know you need release, as I do.” He pulled the other man’s dark hair to the side, and began to nuzzle the back of his neck. “If I remember correctly, you used to like this. You were always very sensitive here.”

Snape shivered in spite of himself. “No Lucius, I will not fall prey to your seductions as I did in the past. Not this time.”

“Mmmmm, your heart says no as does your mind, but your body appears to be eager.” He trailed his hand over the burgeoning rise under Snape’s black-clad crotch.

Snaking his hand out, and roughly clamping it over Malfoy’s wrist, he quickly pulled the offending hand away, “I said no, and I meant no.”

“Yes, I gathered as much, but I was hoping you would put your keen intellect to use and put two and two together,” he purred, confident he had the upper hand. “I rather hoped you wouldn’t force me to say it, but seeing as you are as stubborn as ever, I shall. Should I allow my lord’s followers to have their way with you, and my son? It would be a simple thing to accomplish; as simple as leading them straight to you.”

“Blackmail doesn’t become you Lucius,” Severus spoke through clenched teeth.

“Of course it doesn’t, but I always get what I want by any means possible. You just happen to be what I want at the moment, and this happens to be the means.”

“Lucius, don’t do this…”

“Look Severus, I really don’t want to do it,” Malfoy said as he still held Snape tightly, then tried a different tact. “Harry Potter tried his best to kill you that night. It was in all the papers. Do you honestly think the golden boy of the wizarding world would have you back now?”

When he felt Snape stiffen at those words he continued, “I dare say, in his eyes you are now spoiled goods. He believes you deceived him all along.”

His words faltered, which was the only sign that Malfoy’s words stung, “I – I can’t believe that… I refuse to.”

“But you doubt, all the same; do you not?”

Severus turned and faced his former lover, “I love him Lucius. I cannot turn that off, nor can I throw it away as if what we had were nothing.”

“I know that, but let me help. You’re tired, let me take care of you and make you forget if only for one night. You’re not the only one who has lost their mate – Narcissa has left me and regardless that we’ve never really got along, I too am lonely.”

Lucius placed a gentle kiss upon Snape’s lips. “Come with me.”

Snape slowly nodded as the familiar feeling of defeat washed over him once more. Releasing his hold, and tossing back his blond hair, Malfoy quickly grabbed his cane, and with a jerk of his elegant head, indicated for Snape to follow him. Seeing Draco standing near a low shelf, he said to his son, “Good, at least I don’t have to look for you.” He placed his hand on the wall above, and muttered something indistinct. Turning to Snape he remarked as the shelves moved aside, “You’re not the only one who knows about secret passages.”

One by one, they ducked through the low entrance and made their escape. Once at a safe distance from the hall, they apparated with a soft pop on the steps the now unlit Malfoy Manor.

Seeing the look of bewilderment on their faces seemed to amuse Malfoy to no end, “Everyone thinks I’ve fled the country – we will be safe here.” With a wave of his hand, the charms dropped and the door swung open and shut quietly behind them as multitudes of candles and lamps flared to life. The protective wards bounded back into place as he explained, “I’ve spelled the windows to always appear darkened.”

Hearing Draco’s teenage stomach loudly growl in response to the aroma wafting up from the kitchens, Lucius smirked, “Go - indulge yourself.” The younger wizard needed no further urging, and immediately followed his nose.

Once they were alone, Malfoy took Snape by the hand and led him up the stairs to the sanctuary of the opulent master bedroom. Sealing the elaborately carved door with locking spells, Malfoy gently cupped Snape’s face in his palms and gazed into the man’s saddened black eyes. He leaned in to kiss the sculpted lips before him as his hands left the other man’s face and began to disrobe him. “Give in to it Severus – give in to pleasure just for the sake of it for once in your life.”

Pushing the dark-haired wizard back until he sat on the massive bed, Malfoy quickly removed his clothes then kneeled between the former potions master’s legs. His manicured hands roamed over the thin body his pale eyes devoured, “My gods Severus, if I had known what you were going through – I would have been out of Azkaban much sooner.”

He wrapped his fingers in Severus’ long dark hair and plundered his mouth, his tongue darting in and instantly remembering the heady taste. Guiding him back onto the mattress, he abandoned that warm mouth and soon began teasing the dusky nipples until they rose and puckered. Groaning softly, Snape’s member rose stiffly from the tangle of dark curls.

“Merlin,” Malfoy breathed at the site, pleased that his ministrations were working.

Speaking at last Severus sneered sourly, “Don’t flatter yourself Lucius, it’s not you I’m thinking of.”

Raising his head and peering at the other man, the master of the manor commented, “Fair enough. Give me what I need, and from all appearances what you need, and I will help you obtain that which you seek – even if I think it’s a foolish quest.” With that said, he slowly engulfed the twitching organ into his mouth.

An hour later, they lay side by side.

“What is it that you used to say?” Lucius' frown marred his perfect features as he struggled to remember. “Oh yes... that went over like a lead balloon.” He rose to his elbow, “I did everything I know that you like, and you still couldn’t... couldn't...”

“Since when have you become the prude, and found things difficult to say? Just say it, I couldn’t keep it up…”

In exasperation, Malfoy fell back against his pillows with a plop, and stared at the ceiling.

“I told you I can’t,” Severus said.

Looking as if he were struggling to keep from having an apoplexy, Lucius snatched the bedding over his head and turned his back to the other man. After a few moments he asked, his voice slightly muffled under the blanket, “You honestly adore the little pest, don’t you?”


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Revelare is Latin for reveal. Occultus is Latin for hidden. Ergo, Revelare Occultus would loosely be translated as 'Reveal that which is Hidden.' Enjoy!

~~~Potions Mistress~~~