Bang & Olufsen

Disclaimer: And now I'm ripping off J.K. Rowling. And Massive Attack. And a very decent German stereo manufacturer.

*****

Lucius opens the door to his private chamber and reveals his secret Muggle devices: a Bang and Olufsen wall mounted CD player and full surround sound. Lucius indicates with his head and Snape enters first, and sits in the straight-backed chair placed in the middle of the room. Lucius closes the door behind them and quietly slides the bolt home. Snape keeps his countenance aloof and stern. It is part of the monthly game. Interest is frowned upon, eagerness shunned.

Lucius picks up the remote control and stands in front of Snape, caressing the slender device in the same manner he stroked the muzzle of his favourite stallion earlier that day. Seeing Snape is unimpressed, he points the remote control back over his shoulder toward the stereo and hits Play. He has chosen Massive Attack's Mezzanine, track one: Angel. Snape's nostril twitch with the first thump from the sub woofer.

Lucius slowly circles the perimeter of the room and draws closer to the chair where Snape sits motionless. As the singer breathes, "You... are my angel...", he lightly trails his fingers around the base of Snape's neck. The hairs stand on end, trying to make contact with the warm fingers that hover over them. Snape stares at the spinning disc in the stereo, betraying nothing. Lucius lights some candles that are placed around the room.

"She's on the dark side..." Lucius stands at Snape's back. Snape can feel the air magnetise as Lucius moves his hand over his head. Mere millimetres would make it a caress but with the precision of distance maintained it is only a phantom of dominance.

"I love you love you love you love you..." The cymbal crashes and Lucius falters, his fingers graze Snape's ear in an infringement of the strict rules laid down so many years ago. Snape lets out a sharp breath and Lucius steps back the the edge of the room. But Snape continues to stare straight ahead. He will let it pass.

Unseen where he stands, Lucius passes his hand over his face in relief and regains control. He creates an icy cold wind that circles Snape and vanishes as soon as it appeared. Snape shivers slightly and the balance is restored. Lucius relights one of the candles that was blown out, and stands in front of Snape, passing his fingers through the flame and smiling mockingly. Snape concentrates on his breathing: breathe in, and out. Breathe in, and out. But the candle is replaced and Lucius steps out of sight again.

"You... are my angel..." Nothing happens.

"Come from way above..." The room darkens and the music swells louder, courtesy of the remote control Lucius has in his pocket. He increases the volume until he can feel the bass in his lungs, and for half a minute he closes his eyes and revels in the sensation sound waves can provide. He walks back toward Snape knowing that his movements will be undetectable. As he reaches the chair the music begins to fade and grows softer, despite the remote control. When even the bass has quit and the only sound coming from the stereo is the faint hiss that signifies it is turned on, the light is restored and the game is over. Snape stands and walks toward the door, which Lucius quickly unbolts. The men do not acknowledge each other and the remainder of the evening at the Malfoy's passes dully.