It Started With A Kiss

Chapter 14

Dumbledore felt the wards allow entrance to Severus and Hermione upon their return. Knowing the two of them as he did, they probably had not eaten since leaving that morning. He ordered tea and some finger sandwiches from the kitchen for them. Seated in front of his fireplace in his sitting room off his office, he waited for them.

Severus and Hermione entered the castle and made their way to the headmasters’ office. The gargoyle alerted the headmaster that they were on their up to his office. Waving his hand the door opened waiting for the couple to enter.

“Albus!” He heard Severus call out.

“My sitting room, Severus.”

Taking Hermione’s hand he led her to the room. The room was cosy, filled with what she assumed were personal mementos. On the table, between two sofas, tea and sandwiches were set out waiting for them to enjoy.

“Come in, sit down. I took the initiative of ordering a light lunch for you both. I know how each of you forget to eat when immersed in research.”

“Thank you, Albus.” Severus said as he picked up a sandwich and started to eat.

“Thank you, Professor.” Hermione said. “Shall I serve the tea?”

“Yes, please. I take it your research was fruitful in providing some answers.”

Handing a cup to the headmaster and one to her husband, Hermione responded to his inquiry.

“Yes, sir. Some answers, but more questions. We found a Muggle photo you should find interesting,” She said as she retrieved the stack of papers and the picture from her coat pocket.

After handing the photo to Dumbledore, she reached over and picked up a sandwich, realising she was hungrier than she thought.

Through looking closely at the Muggle picture, Dumbledore noticed the figured cloaked in the shadow. He could make out the robes, which were definitely a clue that the figure was of the wizarding world.

“This could just be someone hiding from the Muggle taking this picture. I cannot quite make out the face though.”

“True, but most wizards are ignorant of Muggle technology and would not hide themselves as this one is. Most wizards would not appear in Muggle London in robes, sir. We need to find out who this is, and find out why he was there,” Hermione said, taking a second sandwich.

“I agree with Hermione, Albus. Something is not quite right in that picture.”

“Well, let’s see if we can shed some light on this mystery person.”

Taking his wand from his sleeve, the headmaster pointed it at the picture and with intricate movements cast the spell, “Acclaro”, a dark blue light encased the picture for a few seconds then was gone. Picking up the picture he studied it closely.

“Interesting. Severus,” he said motioning to the Potions master to join him. “Does he not look familiar to you?”

“Yes, but as far as I am aware he was an only child, like his son. Though they look similar, they are not the same person,” Severus said looking at the picture of a man who looked quite similar to his old friend.

“Well, who is it, do either of you know?” Hermione said wondering who it was they were talking about.

“No, but…well here you look.” Severus said as he handed her the picture. Taking the picture, Hermione was shocked at what she saw; a wizard with short platinum blonde hair and grey eyes, who bore a remarkable resemblance to Lucius Malfoy.

“Perhaps, you should go see Lucius, Severus. See if he knows who this is.” Albus said.

“I’ll floo call him when we get back to our rooms and see if he’s free this evening.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After returning to their rooms Severus floo’d Lucius.

“Lucius, sorry to bother you.”

“No bother at all, Severus, what can I do for you?”

“Are you available this evening, I need to discuss something with you.”

“We have no plans tonight as far as I know, is 8:00 this evening good for you?”

“That would be fine. I’ll see you then.”

“Bring your lovely bride, Severus.” Lucius said.

“Perhaps another time, Lucius. This isn’t a social call.”

“I’ll see you at 8 then, old friend.” Lucius broke the connection, curious as to what this was all about.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Severus found Hermione in the lab checking on her potion.

“How is it going?”

“Good so far. The first three tries failed before this step, but I’m optimistic this round.”

He looked over at her potions journal, noting her meticulous record keeping. Her progress with the potion was impressive. She would one day make an exceptional Potions mistress. In the past he could not encourage her; to do so would have put in life in even more danger. The children of his compatriots would have told their parents of his praise of the ‘mudblood’ and it would have reached the ears of the Dark Lord quickly. Now though, the Dark Lord was dead; and she was no longer his student, but his wife, and he would encourage her in all she sought to do.

“You’re doing excellent work as always, Hermione. I’m sorry I was not able to encourage you when you were my student.”

“I know why you couldn’t, Severus. Actually, I’m glad you couldn’t. It gave me a thicker skin and made me push myself to do better. Don’t feel guilty about the past, my love, let’s leave it where it is and just move forward.”

“When did you get wise beyond your years?”

“I don’t know. I suppose Dumbledore is rubbing off on me.”

“If your eyes start twinkling…”

Hermione’s laughter stopped him from ending that statement.

“I promise, my eyes will not be twinkling anytime soon. Did you get through to Lucius?”

“Yes, I’m meeting with him at the Manor at 8:00 tonight.”

“I hope he has some answers.” Hermione said turning back to her work.

‘So do I,’ thought Severus. ‘So do I.’

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

At precisely 8:00 that evening, Severus knocked on the elaborate front door of Malfoy Manor. The door opened, revealing a house elf dressed in a tea towel with the Malfoy crest embroidered on it.

“Tell your master that Professor Snape is here to see him.”

“Yes sir, master is expecting you. Please follow me.”

He followed the elf to Lucius’ study.

“Master is waiting for you inside, Professor,” the elf said, then popped out of sight.

Knocking on the door, he heard Lucius respond with “Enter”.

Severus opened the door to find his old friend seated in front of the fireplace, a snifter of brandy in hand. Rising from his seat, Lucius greeted Severus.

“Welcome Severus, it has been a while since you have graced us here with your presence. Care for a brandy, or something more to your liking?”

“Thank you, Lucius, brandy would be fine. Yes, it has been a long time since I’ve been here, though nothing has changed I see.”

Handing Severus a snifter half full of brandy, he responded.

“No, nothing on the surface anyway, I did have to dispose of some things left by our deceased Master. So, how are you finding married life?”

“It has its perks.” Severus said. He knew Lucius was fishing for some kind of information but what he wasn’t sure of what yet.

“Ah, yes, with that lovely young bride of yours I’m sure the ‘perks’ are quite pleasurable. Especially with one so young and nubile. The ceremony was quite, remarkable. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Yes, it surprised me as well. However, I did not come here to talk about my wife or our wedding Lucius.”

Now that he knew what his old friend was fishing for it was time to change the subject. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the picture.

“I recently came across this photo. It’s a Muggle picture, and in it I found a face that looked surprisingly familiar.”

He handed the picture to Lucius. His faced showed no emotion, no shock of recognition when he looked at the picture, but Severus knew how to read his old friend. He paled noticeably as if he had just seen a ghost. He could use Legilimency on Lucius, but he would sense it immediately. He drank down his brandy in one gulp as he handed the picture back to Severus.

“I don’t know who he is, I’ve never seen him before in my life.”

“Really? Considering he looks a great deal like you, I would have thought he was a close relative.”

“Not to my knowledge, no. Unless my father sired a bastard, which I doubt he would have done. It is probably just coincidence. Perhaps a very distant relative of whom I am unaware.”

Severus knew Lucius was lying but he could not figure out why.

“Well if you do happen to remember anything, please let me know. It is important.”

“Why is it important that you know about this person?” he questioned, curiosity showing in his eyes.

“Have you read recently in the Daily Prophet about the incident where St. Mungo’s became visible to Muggles for a few seconds?”

“Yes, yes, I remember reading that, what do you think he has to do with it?”

“That is what we are trying to find out. If he did have anything to do with it, then how did he do it? It would take a great deal of power to disrupt those wards.”

“If anything comes to mind I’ll floo you immediately, Severus.”

“Thank you, Lucius. I must be getting back to Hogwarts now, I have an early class to prepare for, I’m sure you understand.”

“Of course, perhaps next time you can make it a social call and bring your luscious wife with you.”

“I’m afraid that would be hard to do right now, perhaps during Christmas break, though. Please send Narcissa my best. I can show myself to the door. Good night, Lucius.”

“Good night, Severus.”

Upon exiting Malfoy Manor, he Apparated back to the gates of Hogwarts, and walked slowly to Albus’ office. He could not figure out what it was that Lucius was hiding. Lucius knew who this man was, but would not tell him. He also did not like the look in Lucius’ eyes when he talked about Hermione.

Severus entered the headmaster’s office and told him what transpired in his talk with Lucius.

“He knows who this is, Albus, he just refuses to acknowledge it. He is definitely hiding something.”

“I’ve been thinking since you and Hermione showed me this picture. I seem to remember that Claudius and Catherine Malfoy had two sons. One died when he was twelve. He was four or five years older than Lucius.”

“Lucius never mentioned he had an older brother to me,” Severus said, shocked to hear that Lucius was not an only child as he claimed to be. “He told me he was an only child. Why would he lie about something like that?”

“Why indeed. Perhaps you and your wife should look into it. I will see what I can dig up at the Ministry about him. There should have been a death certificate registered with the cause of death. However I think we have all had enough for one day, do you not agree?”

“Yes, I’ve had more then enough. I’ll see you at breakfast then, Albus. Good night.”

“Good night, Severus.”

Accarlo - make clear, reveal


A/N:Thanks to my wonderful beta takemeaway, I don't know what I would do without you girl!

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