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Lucius had been thinking about what Draco had said for almost a month when he received an owl from Snape asking for a meeting. Lucius couldn’t believe his luck following the fall of the Dark Lord that Snape had continued their friendship. Snape had actually thought that Lucius had had a change of heart, and had tried to help him. Lucius however never forgave Snape for leaving him and his son in Azkaban, claiming that the law dictated he had to stay and that he could do nothing.
Lucius was pacing the length of the drawing room with a glass of brandy, waiting for Snape to appear. A plan was formulating in his mind, but he still had to think it through before he told Draco. As he drained his glass, a figure appeared in the fireplace with a burst of green.

“Lucius.” He turned to see Snape, “It’s been a long time.” Lucius stopped pacing and turned to face him as he moved out of the fireplace.

“Yes,” Lucius said shortly, “I assume that you have an excuse.” Snape smirked and walked towards the decanter of whiskey, pouring himself a glass.

“Enough has happened Luc,” Snape said, “I must apologise. I have been working at Mungo’s, tutoring Potter and…” he paused, his eyes flickering briefly at Lucius, “getting engaged.” Lucius cocked an eyebrow.

“Oh, and who is the lucky lady?” he said curiously.

“Miss. Hermione Granger,” Snape replied, “and before you say it, the fact that she is a muggle born means nothing.” Lucius smirked.

“Of course it shouldn’t. I’m a member of the Order now Severus, blood means nothing. I’ve even been reading Shakespeare. He’s muggle isn’t he?” Lucius smiled proudly, looking over at his large bookshelf that was close to breaking because it was so tightly packed. As the words passed Lucius’s lips, he had a revelation. At that moment he decided on his plan.

“I’m impressed Luc,” Snape said, “then you will be my best man at our muggle wedding?” Lucius clenched his fist out of view of Snape.

“I would be delighted,” he said in his usual drawl. Revenge was clearly going to be a tedious and painful process, “but I thought that you would pick Potter or someone equally more reputable.” Snape chuckled.

“Oh please, I may be teaching Potter and engaging in friendly discussions, but I doubt his bachelor party would be anywhere near as amusing as yours.” Lucius cocked his eyebrow again.

“And what exactly is a bachelor party?” Lucius asked.

“Lucius, you clearly failed muggle studies at school didn’t you.” Lucius glared at Snape after that comment, “It’s a party organised by the best man to help celebrate the groom’s last day of being single.” Lucius grinned.

“I think I understand.” He would forgo getting revenge if it meant he could drink fine alcohol and seduce gorgeous women for a night with Severus, “Like the old day’s then?”

“Well yes,” Snape said, somewhat awkwardly, “without the rape and murder.” Lucius grinned widely.

“I assumed as much Severus, you should have more faith in me!” Snape nodded and smiled slightly, knocking back a mouthful of whiskey.

“So how are you and Draco?” Severus asked, sitting down in a large leather armchair, “he is doing very well at the ministry.” Lucius shrugged.

“He has been preoccupied recently, but I suspect he shall be feeling far better soon,” Lucius replied. He did not sit, he hoped that Snape would take the hint and leave soon, he had so much to plan.

“And you Lucius?” he asked softly, detecting Lucius’s coldness, “you have recovered from your span in Azkaban.” Lucius’s cheek twitched slightly before he could stop himself and smiled.

“Of course,” he said casually, “it is as though it never happened. A bad dream so to speak.” Lucius didn’t feel like telling Snape of the nightmares or the shaking. He had hoped he would have escaped the Dementors since they had sided with the Dark Lord, but as soon as the war was over they had been reintroduced, and Lucius had experienced them each night at Azkaban. Snape eyed him suspiciously before nodding.

“If you say so,” he said softly, before going to the fireplace. He held out his hand, hoping Lucius would shake it, “I shall contact you about the date of the wedding.” Lucius nodded and shook Snape’s hand, but he was distant, his mind returning to his memories of Azkaban.



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