It Started With A Kiss

Chapter 15

Severus entered his quarters to find Hermione reclining on the sofa, a glass of wine in hand. On the table sat the open bottle and an empty glass awaiting him.

“I thought it was a bit late in the day for tea, so I took out a bottle of wine. Care to join me?”

With a display of wandless magic, Severus waved his hand at the bottle, raising up it and tipping on to its side, so that it poured the wine into his glass and set itself gently back to its previous place. He took the glass and sat down at Hermione’s feet, taking a sip of the fruity wine and watching the fire; lost in his own thoughts.

“I take it, from your demeanour, that Lucius was not forthcoming with any answers.”

“He outright denied knowing who the wizard is, he was lying. Albus remembers there being another son, a few years older than Lucius. He supposedly died around the age of 12. I’ve known Lucius Malfoy for over twenty years, and in all that time he never mentioned an older sibling.”

“Perhaps it’s a painful memory for him.” Severus couldn’t help but snort at that comment.

“Remember who we are talking about, Hermione. Lucius may have changed sides during the war, but he did so to save his own skin. No, he has other reasons to be keeping this secret.”

“So how do we go about getting to the truth?”

“Albus has contacts at the Ministry. He is going to see if a death certificate was filed. In the meantime, where do you think we could find information on a birth or death? Especially one in a family as influential as the Malfoy family?”

“The Daily Prophet’s society page,” Hermione smiled. “How far back should I go?”

“Lucius was born in 1954, so if there was an older sibling, as Albus believes, you should start looking around 1949 and move on from there. His father was Abraxas Malfoy. He passed on years ago from Dragon Pox.”

Hermione sat up, refilled her glass and settled next to Severus again.

“Anything else he had to say, or not say, as the case may be?”

“He tried to change the subject, referring to our recent marriage and the ‘benefits’ that go along with it. If you ever run into Lucius when I’m not around Hermione, please be careful. Lucius has a ‘taste’ for young flesh, shall we say, it is something that was cultivated during his time as a Death Eater. Even though he is my friend, I would not put it past him to try something with you.”

“I would never be unfaithful to you, Severus, surely you know that.”

“I know you wouldn’t my dear, but Lucius will use any means at his disposal to acquire what he wants. I have seen him do so before, and I would not want you put in that position.”

Hermione could only guess what ‘any means’ meant in reference to Lucius Malfoy, although she wasn‘t sure she really wanted to know.

“I’ll be careful, Severus, I promise.”

The next day, Hermione was in the library looking for a book she needed to complete a History of Magic essay due the following Friday, when she came across a copy of Who’s Who in Wizarding England circa. 1950. Pulling the book from the shelf, she looked to see if perhaps there were any Snapes in it. As she flipped through the pages of parchment, she came upon a listing that caught her eye; that of one Abraxas Malfoy.

Abraxas Malfoy (1905 - ) Son of the late Claudius Malfoy and Maris Malfoy (nee Lestrange) Married Catherine Rosier on the 15th of May 1938, Sired to date one son, Julius Claudius Malfoy born on the 20th of October 1949

Briefly forgetting the history essay, she copied down all the information she found within the book to show Severus and the headmaster.

Draco Malfoy saw Hermione sitting at the table totally absorbed in her work, and she did not notice him behind her, as he read his grandfathers name on the entry she was copying.

“Since when are you so interested in the Malfoy Family, Mrs Snape?” Draco said inquisitively. Hermione gasped, startled. She turned around and saw Draco behind her.

“Hello, Draco,” she said as she quickly closed the book in front of her.

“Hello, Hermione. You still haven’t answered my question.”

She was not sure how much, if any, Draco knew about his deceased Uncle. Taking the safer route she decided it would be best if Severus handled this sticky situation.

“I think you should ask Professor Snape that question Draco.”

“Why can’t you answer the question for me, Hermione, or is it that you won’t?”

“I just think that he could better answer your question. His last class ends at 4:00 this afternoon, he should be in his office till dinner.”

Her essay now forgotten, she put her things in her bag and left the library. She headed to her rooms, hoping she could catch Severus for a few moments before her next class to tell him what transpired with Draco. Whispering the password that would allow her entry to their quarters, Hermione walked in, and placed her book bag on the table. She retrieved the parchment on which she copied the information. She read the entry again.

‘Julius Claudius Malfoy born on the 20th of October 1949’.

Lucius Malfoy was ‘not’ an only child, but why lie about it? And what happened to Julius? Seeing the time, Hermione picked up her bag and opened the door that led to her husband’s office, walking through to another door that led to his classroom. She listened to make sure no students were present then carefully opened the door. Peeking in she confirmed that Severus was alone. He looked up, seeing Hermione.

“Shouldn’t you be heading to class?”

“I’m about to, but something happened of which I thought you should be made aware. I was in the library earlier, and I didn’t notice Draco, who was reading over my shoulder. He questioned why I was so interested in the Malfoy family. I told him he should talk to you, so he’ll probably be by your office at 4:00. I’m sorry, love. I didn’t know what else to do.”

Sighing deeply Severus thought for a moment before he spoke.

“I should have expected that something like this might happen. I will handle his questions Hermione, thank you for forewarning. You best get to your class before you’re late.” He said as he kissed her cheek.

“I’ll see you later, Severus.”

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

After his last class for the day let out, Draco headed to the dungeons, to his godfathers office. He knocked on the door and waited for the familiar voice to grant him entry.

“Enter” he heard Snape call out and, and he opened the door.

The time passed much to quickly for Severus. He was dreading this meeting. He heard the knock on his office door and knew it was Draco. Giving himself a few seconds to gain control of himself, he took a deep breath and called for Draco to enter. Draco opened the door and stepped into the office.

“Professor Snape, do you have a few moments free? I need to speak to you about something important.”

“Yes, Mr Malfoy, I have a few moments. Please sit down.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ll get straight to the point. I was in the library earlier today and found Hermi…er your wife taking notes on Malfoy family history, more specifically about my paternal grandfather. When I questioned her as to why, she said I should ask you. So here I am. Why are you and your wife so interested in my families history?”

“What do you know about your father’s family, Draco?”

“What exactly is going on Severus?” Draco asked, his tolerance for the evasive answers he had been receiving all day rapidly running out.

“Draco, come, we will go to my private quarters where we can talk more privately.”

Draco followed through the door leading to the private haven of his godfather and his new wife. He took a seat on the sofa as Severus sat in his high back leather armchair, a warm fire already burning in the fireplace.

“I’m going to require a wand oath from you Draco, that what I tell you here today does not leave this room. Are you willing to do so?”

“Is this really necessary?”

“It’s either that or I will be forced to use a memory charm.”

“Very well.”

Draco removed his wand from his cloak as Severus withdrew his from his sleeve, bringing the tips together. Draco swore a wizards oath and watched as the tips of their wands glowed blue and fade.

“Now will you tell me what is going on?”

Severus told him what he could about the unexplained occurrences, the research he and Hermione had done. Severus also told him about the unknown male in the Muggle photo that bore an uncanny resemblance to his father Lucius.

“When I spoke to your father and showed him the picture he denied knowing who the person was, but having known your father for as long as I have I know when he is not being forthcoming with information. His jaw tenses just a bit and his left eyebrow twitches.”

“So that’s what Hermione was doing in the library today? researching my family’s past?”

“No, actually she came upon that information quite by accident. She was looking for something else when she came across an old copy of Who’s Who in Wizarding England circa. 1950 and decided to see if your grandfather was listed in it and what information it might contain. What she found was this.”

He took out the parchment with the information Hermione had copied on to it and handed it to Draco. Draco sat in shock for a few moments, trying to wrap his mind the fact that for all his life his father had lied to him. He was not an only child. He was not even the firstborn. He had taken a wizards oath so he could not even confront his father with this information. Why, why would his father never mention a brother?

“Do you know what happened to him?” Draco asked.

“The headmaster remembered hearing that he died around the age of twelve. He’s attempting to ascertain if his information is correct.”

“I could go look in the family library and see if…”

“No, Draco, I do not want you doing anything. I do not want you caught in the middle of this.” Severus said firmly.

“Will you let me know what you do find out.”

“If this person turns out to be your Uncle then yes, I will tell you.” Severus said as he looked at the clock. It showed it was time for dinner. He had not realized how long they had been talking.

“Time to head to the Great Hall for dinner. Come and walk with me, when can talk a bit about other things.”

They left his quarters, walking to the Great Hall together discussing Slytherins’ chances against Ravenclaw in the next Quidditch match.

A/N: Wikipedia states Lucius’ year of birth as 1954. They also state that his father was Abraxas Malfoy. All other info on the Malfoy family is from my own imagination.


A big THANKS to my beta takemeaway for the late night beta'ing of this chapter. Your the best girl!