A Chance for Light

Just Visiting



Narcissa received Snape in the main hall, as she always did when Lucius was preoccupied or not at home. The truth was, her husband had taken a liking to accompanying the house elf that brought Sirius his meals – the entertainment of exchanging witty comments with his captive was too much for Lucius to resist.



“Good evening, Severus,” said Narcissa with a genuine smile gracing her features. She had always felt more at ease around the Potions Professor than with any of the other Death Eaters who were regular visitors at the Manor.



“Narcissa,” murmured Snape with a polite nod of his head.



It had already been two days since Sirius had been taken, and Snape was genuinely worried for the man. Voldemort did not often keep prisoners of note alive or in one place too long. He followed Narcissa to the drawing room without comment, though, and accepted her offer of tea while they waited for Lucius to join them.



The white-haired man strode into the room shortly after, interrupting the awkward slurping of tea occurring between Snape and Narcissa. Snape’s worry wasn’t eased at seeing the almost cheerful look on Lucius’ face.



“Severus! What brings you here?” He sat across from Snape as Narcissa poured another cup of tea, excused herself, and left in a swirl of violet robes.



“Dumbledore has sent me to discover the whereabouts of Sirius Black,” he said, wasting no time. “I figured here as good a place as any to begin my search.”



“Have you not heard? Black is the Potters’ Secret-Keeper!” Lucius leaned back in his chair with satisfaction. “Our Lord is very pleased that both Black and the Potters will soon be dead; they have been quite an annoyance to him.”



“Has Black given up the Secret yet, then?” questioned Snape. He couldn’t have; Remus had gone to see the Potters just that afternoon.



“Oh no. Lord Voldemort wishes to take his time with Black. Savour him, as it were.” Lucius smiled wickedly, and Snape conjured a grin to match. “He is being held in my dungeon, actually. Our Lord will return shortly to tend to him. I must admit, I have been having a lot of fun with the man. Do you wish to see him?”



Lucius’ raised eyebrow indicated to Snape that he couldn’t very well refuse the invitation. With a curt nod, the two men rose and Lucius led the way.



--



There must be a lot of truth in the healing power of a baby’s laughter, thought Remus, but the tension of Lily and James Potter was a strong opposite to the gurgling of little Harry as he played between the three adults. Remus looked down on the boy with a sad smile.



“I can’t believe this,” James was saying, with an agonized look on his face and his arm tight around Lily. “He did this for us, Remus, we have to help get him out!”



“I know how much you want to help him, James.” Maybe using his real name would communicate to his friend the seriousness of the situation. “But if you leave Godric’s Hollow then Sirius would have become Secret-Keeper for nothing, and...”



“But he’s Padfoot, Moony! I can’t sit here and do nothing!”



“Dumbledore expressly forbid you trying to help him, James.”



“Sodding old git! He’s our friend, Remus. Dumbledore doesn’t understand.”



Remus’ eyes widened at the insult, but James seemed to realize right away what he’d said and calmed a bit. He looked at Lily.



“What do you think, Lil?”



“It’s not even a discussion,” she stated in the firm voice Remus knew she often had to use to make her hard-headed husband listen. “Sirius would be furious if you left. We’re safe here, and Remus and Snape will be able to save him. You’re not leaving, James.”



James ran a hand over his face in exasperation. Remus could practically feel the frustration and rage in the air, but he knew that James would listen to Lily. And when it came down to it, he wouldn’t be able to leave Harry, either.



“I’m so sorry about the whole situation, Prongs.” Remus sighed. “Voldemort acted much more quickly than we thought – he must have an informer. So Snape and I are keeping this quiet and trying to counteract just as quickly. As we speak, Snape’s at Malfoy Manor learning where Padfoot’s being kept. We’re going to get him out.”



“Yeah.” James looked down at Harry, then straight at Remus. “Alright, Moony, I’ll stay here and be good. I promise. But you’d better find him soon, okay? And be careful.”



“Of course.” The three rose and exchanged embraces, Remus stooped to give Harry a kiss, and then as quickly as he’d arrived, he left. The Potters were alone once more, and neither were going to enjoy being cooped up while their friend was in danger.



--



Sirius didn’t ever remember being in so much pain – except of course that time he’d had his ear burned off in a skirmish with Death Eaters and had to have it regrown. At least that had been quick. Lucius’ pillow had long since finished being a comfort to him. His arms were on fire, his head hung forward in exhaustion. He could see a small puddle of moisture on the stone floor beneath him made by sweat dripping off his forehead from the mere exertion of maintaining the position he’d been left in. And the dungeon was bloody cold!



The sound of footsteps – two pairs this time, not the single pair accompanied by a house elf’s sudden appearance – caused Sirius to look up warily. He’d been warned that Voldemort would be showing himself sooner or later..



“Oh, it’s you,” drawled Sirius in disappointment when he saw Snape at Lucius’ side. “What, do I smell or something? Why does Voldemort insist on sending lackeys?”



“Actually, you’re developing quite an interesting aroma, Black,” responded Snape coolly. “I don’t remember you being this foul the last time our paths crossed.”



“It’s not my fault,” Sirius whined, shooting a glare at Lucius. “I’m not allowed to move much at all, much less take a shower. You should take up the cause of mistreated prisoners at Malfoy Manor, Snape, humanitarian that you are.”



“Lucius, I do think you’re being much too lenient with him,” commented Snape idly. “He hasn’t learned to shut his trap and it’s been two days already?”



Lucius chuckled. “But I do enjoy his attempts at bravado, Severus. Each time I come down he looks more and more concerned that Lord Voldemort will be accompanying me, and keeps up the witty comments nonetheless.”



“He hides it well,” Snape conceded. He was glad that Sirius knew nothing of his recent allegiance to Dumbledore, or the reason for that switch for that matter. Sirius would have blown his cover in seconds. “When will our Lord be visiting?”



Sirius shifted uncomfortably, amazingly irritated that he was being essentially ignored as the Death Eaters spoke above him.



“Look, I know what Voldemort wants, okay? So why don’t we just get around to it already? I hate all this sitting around business.”



Lucius stepped forward and let his foot fly, hitting Sirius in the face and causing his head to whip back painfully. He let out a surprised cry of agony as the muscles in his arms felt as though they were tearing. Blood from a fresh gash on his cheek dribbled down his chin.



“You will refer to our master by his proper title, and remember your place, Black. You are nothing but a traitor and bargaining chip. The Dark Lord will take great pleasure in extracting the information you hold, and I will enjoy watching him make you scream for mercy.” Lucius shifted his shoulders arrogantly and turned his back on Sirius. “Follow me, Severus. The prisoner has had enough attention for today. And to answer your question, our Lord will be along within a day or two. You are more than welcome to attend the festivities.”



With that, the two Death Eaters left Sirius to his pained thoughts.