Bound by Blood (and Faith)

Chapter 27

Harry looked up at Snape, who pushed him back toward the closet, signaling for silence. “Stay away from the door.”

“Why? Who is it, Sev'rus?”

“Lucius Malfoy. I need you out of sight at least until I can determine if he is alone. Stay here and stay quiet,” Snape instructed, glancing at the door. Harry nodded and watched as his mate pulled on a bathrobe and strode purposefully from the room. As soon as he was out of sight, Harry hurried over to the wall as close to the door as he could while staying out of sight. He pressed himself against it, straining to hear what was being said.

Uncomfortably close to the bedroom, Snape found the senior Malfoy walking toward him. “Ah, there you are Severus. In good health, I see.”

“Lucius. What are you doing here?” Snape asked, not really taking the time for pleasantries.

“My son told me that you had suddenly vanished from Hogwarts, without any sort of warning. He was concerned for you. Would you care to explain what was so important as to pull you away from your responsibilities and bring you here, to what you once told me was the last place on Earth you would rather be?” The man's question was dripping with concern, but Snape had known him long enough that he didn't trust it for a second.

“Something came up that required my prompt attention. You may assure Draco that I am well and will be returning to the school as soon as I have completed my personal business,” Snape answered evenly, putting only the barest of emphasis on the word 'personal.' He wanted nothing right now as much as he wanted Lucius Malfoy to get bored and leave his house. Unfortunately, Malfoy seemed to be the opposite of bored and quite content to stand there, talking to a man in his bathrobe.

“I hope it is nothing serious, Severus. If it was anything bad, I should like to think that you would call on your friends to help you. Surely, one as... loyal to the Dark Lord understands that his servants are here to protect each other,” Lucius continued. Snape's eyebrow lifted. Had he imagined the extra stress on the word loyal? What was Malfoy getting at? What did he know?

“It is nothing you need concern yourself with, Lucius. I have it well in hand. If you will excuse me, I am hardly dressed to receive company. Perhaps if you had called first?” Snape hinted.

“I would have, but Fenrir has lost the Potter brat's scent at the school. If whatever you are dealing with is not an immediately pressing issue, you are needed to locate him, wherever that doddering fool has him stashed. That was not a request. Our Lord wants to know what is happening with the Order,” Lucius replied. Snape nodded.

“I understand. Surely the Dark Lord will allow me a few moments to dress before I return to the castle?” he asked dryly. Lucius chuckled and waved a hand. Snape turned to return to his room and saw a shadow move a little farther down the hall. He turned toward it and silently swore when he recognized the shape. Fenrir Greyback. He had a knowing smile on his face, but so far had not chosen to speak. “Is there anyone else lurking about in my house that I should be aware of, Lucius?”

The platinum blond looked over his shoulder at the werewolf and smiled. “No. Only the two of us came today.”

“I hope you understand that I will not be able to take him back with me. He will have to find his own way back onto the grounds,” Snape reminded pointedly.

“Don't worry about me, Severus. I can make my own way back. Lucius asked me here. In case you weren't in the mood to leave whoever had you distracted at the moment.” Greyback spoke softly, giving his usual impression of a wolf about to pounce. Snape narrowed his eyes.

“What makes you think-”

“Don't insult my intelligence, Snape. Even bathing wouldn't get enough of his scent off of you to keep me from smelling him.”

“I wouldn't dream of insulting you, Greyback. Only a fool would attempt that. What I was saying was what makes you think that I was too distracted to answer the call of my master?” Snape finished.

“Of course,” the werewolf responded, unconvinced. Lucius cleared his throat.

“I must be going. But I suggest that you act with some sense of urgency, Severus,” he offered. Snape accepted the advice and dismissed the man with the same nod of his head. Lucius bowed slightly and left with a flourish of his robes. Fenrir waited until he had gone to advance on Snape.

“Do not think you can fool me, Snape. I know what you've been doing. And I know who you've been doing. Do not cross me, and it will stay with me. Do we have an understanding?” The warning was crystal clear, and Snape nodded.

“Of course. What do you want?”

“You will know if it ever becomes an issue. At present, I am content with having leverage. Upon my honor, you will not have to worry about it as long as you do not change anything,” Fenrir promised. Snape nodded again, somewhat uneasily. He never had liked people having something to hold over his head. “Now, get back in there. He smells like he's about to piss himself.”