In The Dungeon Deep And Dark

In the Dungeon 20


The door to the white and gold Morning Room of Malfoy Manor banged open and Severus Snape swept in furiously, preceded by a terrified house elf.

“Thank you for agreeing to this Lucius.” He said, the words belying a gratitude that his current humour hid.

“Not at all, my old friend. I myself was disgusted at how that dreadful woman had painted your character, and Narcissa was very distressed.” Lucius informed him.

When the Dark Lord had forced Draco to take the Mark, Lucius and Narcissa had turned to Severus for the boy’s protection. Thanks to him, the Malfoys had turned spy, bringing down Voldemort from the inside and protecting them from Azkaban in the aftermath. The Malfoys owed Severus a lot, and their pride and honour would keep them to their debt.

“You know very well I don’t care a jot for what those petty minded fools believe about me, but I refuse to allow them to tarnish poor Georgia’s reputation thusly.” Snape said shortly. Lucius raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

“So, the confirmed bachelor is smitten finally?” Lucius commented amusedly. Snape glared at him, he was not in the mood for Malfoy’s joking.

“She means as much to me as Narcissa does to you.” He parried, knowing full well how the cruel former Death Eater was secretly devoted to his wife. Lucius acceded the point, but was still surprised that a young girl had managed to get through his reticent friend’s defences.

“Of course, I should be pleased to back you, but I would rather do so knowing the full story.” Lucius insisted.

Snape looked ill at the prospect of retelling the story, but knew that Lucius was right. If they were to change things, he would have to be told. Malfoy summoned his elf to bring drinks, and settled down to listen to Snape tell his story; how their former colleagues had chosen to attack him for spying, and Georgia had come in at the wrong moment, what she had done for him and how the bond had been created. When Snape had finished speaking, Malfoy was gobsmacked.

“Merlin, old man! I don’t know if you are the luckiest man in the world or the most accursed bastard I ever set eyes on.” He remarked.

“How so?” Snape asked.

“Well, unlucky in being cornered like a rat and then this all getting out, but lucky in the fact that you have a young woman so devoted to you she is willing to die for you.” Malfoy remarked. Snape thought about this for a while. He hadn’t thought of it like that.

They were preparing to leave together when Narcissa bustled in. She had clearly been travelling, as she cast a scarf haphazardly onto a chair, which disappeared the moment it hit the fabric. She went straight to her husband, embracing him briefly and sharing a brief kiss, before turning to his companion and offering her hand genteelly.

“Severus, it is good to see you.” She greeted warmly as he accepted the hand and pressed a brief kiss to the knuckle as was expected of him.

“Likewise Narcissa, but I am afraid we cannot remain long. We have business in town.” He replied vaguely.

“How unfortunate. You must come and visit more often Severus; bring your young lady friend if you wish.” She offered in a friendly manner.


The men Apparated to the bottom of Diagon Alley, and entered the offices of the Daily Prophet, frightening the wits out of the poor young receptionist.

“Good morning Madam, my associate and I are here to speak with your employer, Barnabas Cuffe.” Lucius drawled in his most agreeable manner, flattering the young woman with a look. She recognised the tall blonde immediately, with his rich robes and air of aristocracy. She barely noticed the professor beside him.

“Oh yes Mr Malfoy, Sir. Is he expecting you or shall I call through?” she fawned.

“We do not have an appointment; however I believe he is expecting us.” Lucius said smoothly, passing her office with a seductive smile.

‘He should be expecting us, after what he printed.’ Snape thought, but said nothing.

Malfoy rapped sharply on Cuffe’s office door with his snake walking stick and opened the door, sweeping in as though he owned the place. In fact, with all his business dealings on the Alley, Snape was half surprised that Malfoy didn’t own the place.
Cuffe was surprised to see them, but like his receptionist, he also ingratiated himself to the wealthy Malfoy immediately.

“Mr Malfoy, such an honour it is that you should make a personal visit. Please, take a seat. How may I be of service today?” he said, toadying.

“Ah, Mr Cuffe. It is not I to whom you can be of service, but the good Professor here.” Malfoy drawled with the look of a man who has just released the hounds on a vagrant.

“P-Professor Snape! What brings you here?” Cuff stammered, his obsequious smile stuck to his face in an unearthly rictus in his fear.

“You know damn well why I am here Cuffe; that utter poison your scandal whore Skeeter wrote.” Snape growled.

“Now look here...” Cuffe began to object.

“No Cuffe, YOU look here! I am trying very hard to maintain my calm, but you are testing me. That article about my private life was libellous, woefully misinformed, scandal-seeking and completely poor taste. I demand a retraction and a full apology.” Snape said through his teeth.

Lucius looked on amusedly. The poor editor was frightened out of his wits at having two very dangerous men in his office, one of whom was rather irate. Lucius knew full well though that Severus would keep his temper so long as he was there, provided the stupid newsman didn’t aggravate him.

“My readers have the right to know if Hogwarts staff has issues! Most of them have children and grandchildren there; they want to know it’s safe.”

“This has nothing to do with Hogwarts and you bloody well know it! There was barely a word of truth in what was printed and you have succeeded in ruining a man’s livelihood and a young woman now lives in fear of setting foot out of her home or workplace due to misinformed louts masquerading as decent wizardfolk.” Snape yelled.

“I cannot just print a retraction; I have to have something to write in explanation.” Cuffe wheedled.

“How about, ‘Rita Skeeter is a lying bitch’? That ought to do it.” Snape sneered.
Cuffe was about to object, when Lucius stepped in to minimise the damage done by either wizard.

“Severus, perhaps there can be a compromise? A few lines setting the record straight about your and Miss Callaghan’s honour, and an apology. Would that be acceptable?” Malfoy suggested with a Cheshire cat grin.

“That is what I was trying to achieve.” Severus huffed. Cuffe was intrigued by the twinkle in Malfoy’s eye and nodded a wary assent.

“Very good. Severus, allow me to work out the details with Mr Cuffe here” he insisted. “You know how good I am at avoiding a scandal” he added in an undertone. “Go home and tell Georgia that Narcissa expects the two of you for Sunday luncheon.” he beamed, altogether far too pleased with himself.

Severus knew his friend was up to something, but giving him the benefit of the doubt for now nodded in agreement, with a warning glare, and swept out of the office.

“Now Cuffe, to business. Is that Cognac I spy on the Bureau?” Lucius drawled with a smirk, making himself comfortable.