subtle_simmer ([info]subtle_simmer) wrote,
@ 2008-03-10 12:03:00
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Current mood: nervous

Pre-Bonding Jitters - Severus
Date: Saturday, 5 April
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Place: King's Road Inn, Scotland
Characters Involved: Severus, June, Draco, Lucius
Rating: Maybe PG for language - Severus is panicking.
OoC: Bonding robes designed by JL. Quick-sketch-drawing is hers. :)



Outwardly, Severus was the very image of calm, cool and collected. Of course he was. This was the man who had spied on Lord Voldemort for years without ever betraying his true loyalty. He did not allow his emotions to be on display for all to see under any circumstance. Certainly not mundane, pathetic, weak emotions like fear or nervousness or anxiety.

Who the fuck was he kidding?

Once glance in one of the many mirrors placed about the room threw that arrogant nonsense right out the window.

He was a nervous wreck and it showed.

His hair was freshly cut once again, the careful shaping by Myron Wagtail's stylist restored to its original intent. The same fop had also spent hours removing all but the most intractable potions stains from Severus' fingertips.

The robes Remus had painstakingly created for him fit him like a second skin. Silk black trousers and white high-collared shirt were slick and cool against his bare legs as he'd donned them, but now were warm and sensual. His usual low-heeled boots were replaced with a brand-new pair, polished to a ridiculous shine. The careful knotwork of silver embroidery along the deep forest green velvet of his robes was subtly echoed by the finer trim of the dozens of buttons running down the front.

The small dressing room was becoming almost claustrophobic. Or maybe that was just his racing heart that was making it difficult to breathe properly. Just beyond this glorified closet was a sort of make-shift sitting room where those people on his side of the Bonding party waited. Somewhere beyond that room was the main hall in which he would soon be Bonded to Remus, and on the opposite side of where he was now there was a similar set-up for Remus and his attendants.

"All right, I'm coming out," he shouted to the door, beyond which his Bonding party waited for him. His voice cracked before he got all the words out.

He'd flat-out refused any help in getting dressed.

Clearing his throat, he called again, placing a sweaty hand on the door latch.

"Anyone who laughs is being hexed and tossed out of the Bonding party," he said warningly, before opening the door. He took one last deep breath as though to fortify himself to battle dragons and stepped out into the main room set aside for their preparations.

Chin held high, he glared at the opposite wall, unable to meet the eyes of the four people he'd chosen to stand with him today, and waited for the axe to fall.


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[info]dmalfoy_purbld
2008-03-10 07:24 pm UTC (link)
Draco was sitting on a chair, facing the dressing room door. He leaned forward a bit, playing absently with his cane attempting to appear nonchalant. His own attire had been carefully chosen to not outshine the grooms: sedate black in satin silk.

He'd paused, looking up anxiously as Severus began to speak.

Today, his mentor would bond his life, join his life forever to Remus Lupin, Gryffindor extraordinaire. He alternately wanted to make it go faster and done and postpone it indefinitely. He took a deep breath. Severus did not need him showing anything other than complete calm and solidarity. And that was precisely what Draco was intending on doing.

Still, part of him wondered if they should have hexed the room with anti-apparition wards. As the time got closer, he watched the door trying to be casual about it, hoping Severus had at least allowed someone in there.

He was coming out. Good. The warning though nearly made Draco chuckle and he bit his lip hard as he stood up, leaning on his cane to watch Severus exit the dressing room. A quick glance proved it wasn't quite the travesty he'd been preparing for, but he could definitely understand Severus' discomfort.

He limped, using his cane to help him walk around Severus, making a show of examining him and dusting off imaginary lint. He smirked though, as it was easier than showing any discomfort. His leg was not fully right yet, but he would manage. It wasn't as if he were crippled, and he was most definitely alive.

Draco nodded finally, stopping and placing both hands on his cane for support. "I suppose these will do," he drawled, eyes dancing with mischief. "You look good, Severus."

He looked bloody brilliant. Draco was grudgingly impressed with the robes, despite their being Remus' brain child. He knew his mentor had never looked better, and he was very blessed to be allowed to be part of this.

"You look bloody fantastic. He'd better know how lucky he is."

The tone of Severus' voice hadn't been lost on him, and despite the impish desire to harass, he didn't want to push it too far. No point in ruining the mood.

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[info]vincere_aut_mor
2008-03-11 09:06 pm UTC (link)
Years of waiting for Narcissa to dress had done little to temper his impatience for such matters. Despite being careful with his own appearance, he had never found it to be a lengthy process. However, when waiting for another person the perception of time was at least tripled.

Lucius drummed his fingers almost silently against the cloth of his chair. Today he was dressed well, though with little adornments. His cufflinks were black onyx, having forgone his usual silver in the somewhat unlikely case of having to aid Draco, or the more likely case of offending the bonding party.

He idly watched Draco fiddling with the cane, wondering if it was possible that Severus' bonding robes were anything other than black.

As the warning finally came from the dressing room, the corners of his lips twitched into a smile. A smile which he quickly wiped from his face.

Lucius stood up almost automatically as Draco did, restraining himself from getting him to sit down again, or to help him.

Rather amazingly, Severus had smartened up well. Lucius smirked, and went over.

"Relax, you look fine," he said genuinely, though without much cooing.

He looked at Severus' fixed glare and rolled his eyes, "anyone would think you'd stepped out naked."

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[info]subtle_simmer
2008-03-16 05:01 am UTC (link)
Some of the tension left him with the favourable reviews of both Malfoys. If anyone present could be a judge of proper attire for every occasion, it would be them, after all. Still, he couldn't repress a nervous swallow - almost an actual gulp - as he looked from one to the other in something very close to panic. He barely even noticed Draco's cane - only that Draco was here with him, for him. He and Lucius and June - they were all here to support him.

He'd never felt like he needed it more.

"I can't get my cuff links fastened properly," he complained, holding the small baubles out to Draco. The uncharacteristic tremor in his hands clearly betrayed the trouble he'd had in trying to affix them to the sleeves. The carved wolfs head was clearly visible on the black onyx faces.

He snorted in derision at the idea of Remus being 'lucky'. This time his panicked gaze sought Lucius', the more experienced in these matters.

"What the fuck do I know of marriage?" he asked urgently. "What if bollocks it up completely?"

Another thought occurred to him and he began to frantically search the pockets of his robes, not yet holding still long enough for Draco to help him with the evasive cuff links. His breath came in short gasps as though he'd run for miles until at last he found what he was searching for.

"Ah! Here. You'd better take this now before I lose the blasted thing." He held out Remus' ring to Draco.

It had taken some time, but he'd finally decided on a proper sentiment to engrave inside the platinum band. Being raised Muggle for so much of his early childhood, he'd had some exposure to things like religion. His father had insisted they attend church now and again, though Severus had never understood why he wanted his hypocrisy so blatantly illustrated for his wife and son.

Nonetheless, there was a church wedding he'd attended as a child which had lingered in his memory throughout his life. The vows exchanged and sentiments expressed had seemed ridiculous beyond belief. His parent's relationship had taught him only the negatives of such relationships, while the Priest was reading about Love from the Bible, going on and on about how Love was never boastful, was patient and kind, was never failing, ad nauseum.

The final line of the nearly poetic reading had emblazoned itself in his mind as the crux of all human folly and hypocrisy.

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Severus had no faith, had forgotten how to hope before he'd left Hogwarts, and never expected to find love.

Inscribed in Remus' ring was the final words of that long remembered and equally long disdained phrase.

'The greatest of these is love.'

Because now, he understood. Because of Remus and the love he'd found, he did have faith and remembered how to hope, and sappy as it sounded - his world had peace and beauty and joy again.

"Don't lose it," he said as he placed the precious symbol in Draco's hand. He tried to make the admonishment sound teasing, but he was far too nervous to find humour in anything.

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[info]dmalfoy_purbld
2008-03-16 03:36 pm UTC (link)
Draco took the cufflinks, and balanced his weight on his legs carefully so that he wouldn't need to lean on his cane. However, he abandoned the thought at least temporarily while Severus fidgeted.

"What are you--" he started before nodding as Severus pulled out the ring. Taking it, he nodded and placed it carefully in a pocket in his own robes that he'd charmed specifically for the purpose. One placed, it would be kept lint-free and would be readily available when he reached inside for the ring.

"It's fine, Severus, I have it. It's safe, and I won't lose it," he offered, trying to sound calming. It wasn't that he was nervous, but he was exceptionally bad at trying to help someone in this emotional state. He'd never exactly had practice.

Now that the ring was stashed safely, he could focus on the cufflinks. Grabbing his wrist, an effort which nearly took him off his feet, given the loose grip he had on his cane, he looked at the older man sternly. "Severus, breathe. Calm down." He turned to his father, "Would you help me with these please?"

If he and his father both worked on the cufflinks, they'd get done faster. And the faster they got done, the better for everyone. He held one out to his father.

"Severus, given what the two of you have done for each other thus far, I highly doubt you'll," he paused, then repeated Severus' own words, "bollocks it up. But I'm sure my word doesn't count for much in this." He smirked, fastening the cufflink carefully and smoothing out the sleeve.

When he was done, he leaned on his cane again.

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[info]subtle_simmer
2008-03-18 01:45 am UTC (link)
At Draco's command, Severus managed to hold still with his wrists outstretched to the two Malfoy men. Well, mostly still, if one didn't notice the nervous half-bounce of his feet.

He couldn't calm down, though. He just couldn't.

Despite his still faintly lingering irritation at Draco over the spectacle of an actual stag night to which he'd been subjected last night, Severus still turned his panicked gaze to the younger of the two Malfoys. He needed the reassurances that Draco seemed prepared to offer just now.

"You don't understand," he said, his voice tense and much higher than his usual calm, low tones. "NOTHING ever goes 'right' for me. I feel like I'm just waiting for something horrific to happen . . . "

He stopped and ran his hand through his hair, shaking his head at the irony of being reduced to fearful superstition at his age.

It was absolutely necessary to find something else to focus on, rather than the idea that the room just beyond the door was filling with people waiting to watch the best moment of his life shatter into a million pieces by some unknown tragedy.

His eyes fell on the cane as Draco leaned on it surreptitiously.

"Is your leg hurting you? Do you need a pain potion?"

Because it was out of the question for him to take a calming draught - he would not enter his own Bonding in an alter state of awareness - and thinking of potions and someone else - ANYONE else, might help allay his panic, or at least postpone it for a time.

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[info]dmalfoy_purbld
2008-03-18 02:18 am UTC (link)
Draco exhaled slowly as Severus' panicked voice filled the room. Panicked Severus was not good. Very rarely had he seen Severus truly unhinged. In fact, the last time, perhaps the only other time had also been because of Remus, but under very different circumstances.

That he'd been a wreck during Draco's recent attack, was irrelevant. Draco hadn't exactly been in a condition to appreciate it, or offer support.

Ignoring Severus' attempt at distraction a moment longer, he smirked. "The terrible already happened and we survived it. We all survived. Besides, now I have a pretty shiny stick to beat idiots with.

"No, you've never had happiness. It's long overdue. Now shut up and accept that someone actually wants to make you happy. I wonder if anyone warned him that was impossible?" he chuckled.

"No, it's fine so long as I don't try to put too much weight on it too often, but if it would make you feel better, I have some in the pocket of my cloak in case I needed it." He motioned with his head towards where their cloaks were hanging on the wall.

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[info]vincere_aut_mor
2008-03-18 08:11 pm UTC (link)
Lucius took Severus' other sleeve, picking the cuff-link out of Draco's hand to fit it quickly. He'd worn these things almost every day of his life. He could attach them in his sleep.

"Besides," he chipped in regarding Severus' comment of messing things up, "you're far too stubborn to fail at anything."

Lucius smirked. At times like these it was customary to pass on the advice given to you by your parents. Unfortunately he didn't quite think 'a honeymoon baby will save you a lot of grief' was particularly relevant to Severus' situation.

He stepped in front of Severus, placing his hands on the other man's shoulders.

"It's good to feel nervous. No man should be in this situation and feel calm. It means you care, you want it to work," Lucius nodded, "that's why you won't mess up."

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[info]subtle_simmer
2008-03-18 11:28 pm UTC (link)
Draco's wry comment earned a snort of humour. "He knows. Confounding Gryffindor swot seems to think he'll manage. Have you ever noticed how annoyingly optimistic he is? It takes a great deal to disturb his unflappable calm. It's rather irritating."

And utterly endearing, if the sappy expression sneaking across Severus' face was anything to go by.

The moment the cuff links were donned, he began to prowl the small space like a caged tiger, pacing back and forth with his characteristic precision.

"I'm not nervous!" he protested vehemently. He clearly realised the absurdity of trying to lie to the occupants of this room at this time and managed an exasperated sigh, though it was probably only himself causing the present annoyance. Heat rushed to his face and the earlier sappy expression became an embarrassed, self-deprecating smirk.

"All right. I might be a bit . . . on edge."

In one of his sweeps past Draco, he waved negligently to one of the several empty chairs in the room. "You should sit down for a while. I'm more than capable of wearing out the rug for both of us."

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[info]dmalfoy_purbld
2008-03-19 02:00 pm UTC (link)
Draco shook his head at the display. To keep from chuckling, however, he made his way to the cloaks and downed the pain potion quickly. At least then, Severus wouldn't worry about him. Not that it was a bad idea anyway to make sure he wouldn't have any pain during the ceremony.

At Severus' protest, he nearly did lose it, trying to cover the snort with the movement of replacing the vial in his cloak pocket.

Once he was reasonably sure of his own reaction, Draco turned and made his way to them, then shrugged and nodded. You should sit down. True enough. He'd take Severus' advice on this, but he wasn't remotely ready to stop attempting to distract Severus from his own worst enemy.

Still, the emotions playing across the older man's face were something to behold. Draco wondered if the idea of Bonding could do this to a man who rarely showed any amount of internal discord what it could do to him. Perhaps getting married, ever, was a bad idea. Not that he had anything resembling intentions or prospects momentarily.

With physical effort, he pushed the thoughts away.

"On edge is fine, so long as you breathe and remember that we're here. And Remus will be with you soon."

He really was rubbish at this, but as Severus continued to pace, he wracked his brain trying to find some way to distract him and not make things worse.

"So if he's a, what did you say? Confounding Gryffindor swot was it?" he smirked, pulling from Severus' own words. "Whyever did you let him trick you into loving him? Not that you're worse for it. I'd go so far as to say it's been rather good for you. Best I've ever seen you."

He had seemed to calm when he'd mentioned Remus and was thinking about him, so maybe that would aid matters. Perhaps it would be good to talk about Remus and not in the 'you're about to be Bonded to the man for life' way.

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[info]sightlesswolf
2008-03-22 04:06 pm UTC (link)
June could honestly say that being left alone in a room with Lucius and Draco Malfoy was one of the more surreal moments of her life. Draco was fine, of course, but she really didn't know what to make of his father. Master Malfoy was Severus's friend, but on the other hand, Severus had been the one to warn her against ever going near him. Vehemently. But here they were.

Nonetheless, it would have taken a lot more than a bit of awkwardness to keep her out of the Bonding party. She was uncharacteristically quiet as they waited for Severus to emerge, but inside she was fairly buzzing with excitement. One might have thought it was her own wedding, she was so giddy. Her own dress had been selected keeping in mind which side of the couple she was standing for, though of course everyone knew she stood for both of them. Green wasn't generally her color of choice, but it was striking with her red-blonde hair. Unfortunate that, as always, she was stuck with her default Ministry 'necklace' around her throat - but there was something nearly all the participants in this ceremony had in common, so she wore it proudly.

His ensemble never would have made her laugh; he looked so elegant in the perfectly-fitted robes, and so nervous. And his obvious nerves were far more amusing. She managed to contain the urge to giggle, but didn't even try to conceal her broad smile.

Rising smoothly and moving to where he was pacing, she planted herself directly in his path, reaching out to seize both his hands before he could divert past her. "Nothing's going to happen," she informed him, and her smile didn't diminish the conviction in her tone; "because we won't let it. And neither will Remus, and neither will you."

Tugging gently on the hands she still held, she raised herself up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek - a gesture that had at least been successful at distracting him in the past. "Everything's going to be fine," she murmured in his ear. "More than fine. Promise."

Edited at 2008-03-22 04:07 pm UTC

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[info]vincere_aut_mor
2008-03-22 10:38 pm UTC (link)
Lucius sat down, listening to the easy talk between Severus and Draco. He still hadn't been able to hand Draco Greyback's head on a platter, though he'd thought of it every day since the attack. He looked at June. What was it that cut the line between those like her, and Greyback. Undoubtedly without the wolfsbane potion all of them would be killers, without any moral recourse. He looked across at Severus, wondering if his beloved had ever killed a human. Of course, Severus had. But not with the same savage enjoyment, not with his serious mouth stained with blood. Still, they were all good now, weren't they? Lupin had the potion, and Severus, well Severus didn't have the driving factor anymore. It was interesting, Severus always spoke of what he 'had' to do under the Dark Lord. It was only in private he had recalled his desire to do those things initially.

Such a transformation. Lucius had slipped over to the winning side. He often wondered if Severus had been hedging his bets, claiming allegiance to both when he could easily stick to one side or the other. The Slytherin sense of self-preservation was all enduring; even if it meant lying to yourself.

Certainly, Severus had come a long way from the boy who wanted power and glory. About to become bonded to a Gryffindor, and not only this, a werewolf. If someone had told him this at twenty, he'd have laughed for a week.

Truly, it didn't matter now if Severus wished to marry the Queen of the muggles. As far as Lucius was concerned, Severus was a lost cause in all respects of tradition, of loyalty, of anything but the persuit of his own satisfaction. He'd lost the drive for anything. Not only this, but sentimentality had weakened him. Certainly Lucius loved his wife and son. But taking in strays? Worrying over his hair, and clothes? Such a transformation.

He wondered if there would next Severus would find a way for them to have children, imagining hook-nosed hairy babies looking at him severly. He picked up his glass of wine to stife the temptation to laugh. Or worse, it occured to him, perhaps they would adopt one of the war orphans. The irony of this almost made him splutter into his wine, but he restrained himself.

It wasn't that he disliked Severus. Not at all; after all, he was sat here. It also wasn't that he kept their association for it's usefulness.

He still liked the man, that was the truth of it. Perhaps it was nostalgia. Perhaps it was their shared experience. He didn't know.

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[info]subtle_simmer
2008-03-23 12:19 am UTC (link)
It was astonishingly easy to enfold June into his arms as she hugged him. There wasn't even a hint of a blush as she pecked him on the cheek. Instead, he accepted the embrace for what was intended and took strength and comfort from the impromptu hug.

HUG.

He could almost hear Lucius' thoughts. Mostly because they were similar to his own thoughts over the last two years and more.

What would he have been had the Dark Lord triumphed? He could have made a go of it, but as what? How?

What would he have been, had he survived the war as it was, yet had not all but forced the association with Remus and his pack of wounded werewolves? How would he have dealt with the loss of purpose?

Squeezing June gently, he rested his chin against her hair for a moment before releasing her.

"Thank you," he said to her, meaning more than the simple words could convey.

He looked at Draco over the top of June's neatly coiffed head and included Lucius in his explanation as he answered Draco's question.

"This is why," he said, raising his arms expansively. "All of it. When have you ever known me to allow anyone besides yourself to hug me - and then only very awkwardly? When have you ever known me to give a Kneazle's arse if my hair was drowning in potions residue or my clothes were anything other than severe and concealing?

"Those are just the superficial manifestations of the deeper change."

Draco had been right. Speaking of Remus, of their relationship, grounded him, gave him focus and soothed his anxiety.

"I used to believe any emotional entanglement caused weakness. To be fond of someone was to give them power over you - and also create a weapon which could be used against you."

His eyes met Lucius' again, knowing they would both recall the pain of watching Draco suffer among the Death Eaters as a means of controlling Lucius.

"What I had not experienced and therefore could not possibly understand, was the shocking realisation that there is also strength to be found in such entanglements. Not only because there is someone to lean on and share burdens, but because it makes a person strive to be more.

"Remus sees the best in me even when I am at my worst. His faith in me never wavers. Because of his affection for me, I strive to reach that ideal, to be that 'better man'."

The nervousness was completely gone, now. It would doubtlessly return in spades when the ceremony started, but for now it was but a memory. He stood straight and tall and without the slightest hint of a tremble, the set of his jaw proud and haughty. He met Draco's curious eyes and bared his soul.

"Remus gave me a purpose when I was aimless. He needed me when I felt useless. He kept me company when I was lonely. He stood beside me when I was afraid. He supported me when grief would have broken me. He knows the darkest part of me and accepts me, anyway. I've done the same for him in return. We are stronger, together, than we ever were alone.

"That is why I love him. He completes me. I do not wish to return to the sort of life I lived before I allowed Remus full entrance into it."

Then, because there was still that element of lurking distrust, even as they had come to a better understanding than they'd had for years, Severus turned his gaze to Lucius.

"No wise man will make the mistake of believing my relationship makes me 'soft'. There is nothing I will not do to protect him and the rest of our 'adopted' family."

It was not exactly a threat. He didn't think Lucius needed to be threatened. Besides, after all they'd been through recently, he was fairly confident that he and Lucius understood one another quite well. Still, there was that lingering degree of caution that would forever colour their association. It wouldn't hurt to give the veiled reminder.

Severus might be in love, but he was still the man who had murdered in cold blood on a number of occasions on order of his two Masters. He would do no less for the protection of his family if the need arose.

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[info]vincere_aut_mor
2008-03-23 01:00 am UTC (link)
Severus was wrong. Anyone you cared for could always be used against you. He contradicted himself. 'There is nothing I will not do to protect'. Exactly. Lucius looked at Draco. There was nothing he would not do for Draco. He'd go against every single one of his morals, feelings, he'd stand in the way of any curse or hex, he'd die. He knew what Severus meant, but he couldn't agree that caring for another didn't in some way weaken you. How could it not, when you would sacrifice even your very self? It was whether you could accept this that mattered.

You'll be the better man, and you'll do the most despicable things to protect him. How perfect.

All right, so Severus had discovered some human feeling. Did he want an order of merlin? Severus had seen the effect of having a family, and being a Death Eater. But that wasn't a factor any longer. Just a lingering legacy of pain.

Whatever Lucius thought of what Severus had become, he didn't begrudge him it, and certainly had no intentions to take it away from him. Severus had managed to divorce himself from the old crowd, and had almost removed himself from the radar of attack from that particular weapon.

He didn't miss that this last comment was aimed at him. Lucius cocked an eyebrow.

Thank you for the vote of confidence, Severus.

"Very honourable sentiments," he said with a smile. Unlike Severus' relationship with Draco, Lucius knew he was likely to always be held at arm's length by Severus. Though considering the whirlwind of destruction he seemed to be of late, he couldn't blame him.

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[info]dmalfoy_purbld
2008-03-23 04:02 pm UTC (link)
Draco couldn't keep the smirk from his face as Severus literally gushed about Remus. If it hadn't been Severus Snape commenting, it might have actually gotten to Draco, bringing pain to the surface as he had been constantly struggling with his own views on love and relationships.

As it was, he felt something, but was able to ignore it by focusing on how nearly comical it was to hear these words from his mentor.

He noticed the still, always, constant, tension between Severus and his father. It reminded him of his relationship with Pansy, well, until she'd heard about he and Daphne. Forcing the analogy away, he grit his teeth, careful not to be heard, and took a sip of wine. The loyalty despite uneasy alliances, despite differing political views. He admired them. Admired and envied, though he doubted either one would see it that way. They wouldn't understand.

"So see? You've already passed the hard part, deciding to do this thing. And, as far as I've ever known, Severus Snape was nothing if not stubborn." He raised his glass slightly. "You've found happiness, though that might make you no longer qualified to be Head of Slytherin House. That whole self-preservation thing and all. You know we never marry for love." His voice was full of teasing humour. His own father had married for love, even if that love was in part convenient. Or at least, he'd found love in the marriage. That had been one question he didn't ever want to know from his parents. Whether their love came before or after the wedding.

"It's all about gain. Relationships as a commodity and all that." He winked. After everything, after the separation with Severus, after his torture at the hands of the Death Eaters, after his mauling, despite telling his father he would not be a Death Eater, he'd found examples of selfless love from Slytherins. It was simply a well-guarded secret. And a loyalty not quickly given.

"I still think Remus is getting the better part of this deal." He took a long sip to avoid laughing as he imagined Severus puffing up to defend his intended.

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[info]vincere_aut_mor
2008-03-24 10:47 am UTC (link)
Lucius smiled listening to Draco's commentary. No, Slytherins spoke of good matches, little mention of love or real affection, and in truth at least amongst pureblood families, he hadn't seen much evidence of it's existence. There had been--likely still were--plenty of children resentful of homes where their parents barely tolerated each other, and frustrated by their own attempts to from relationships which ultimately paled in the shadow of such poor examples.

He looked over at Severus. It was fortunate he liked the git, or else he'd probably have at least tried to throttle him a long time ago. He was grumpy, and stubborn, and if he was trying, simply rude. But having known the man the better part of his life, he could forgive a multitude of flaws. In many ways, they were very similar, and that was a point of great annoyance but also ease.

If he'd had an opinion, he probably wouldn't have agreed that Lupin was a good choice of a partner. But it wasn't his place to have an opinion. He couldn't remember a single occasion when Severus had criticised his relationship with Narcissa, and the courtesy was returned.

Lucius looked up at the ceiling as Draco deliberately goaded Severus. Only Draco could get away with such things.

"Draco," he said with a hint of warning in his voice. He knew Severus wouldn't mind really.

He thought of when Draco had been born. Severus had visited, though it was to see him rather than the baby. Of course, he hadn't been able to escape the presence of the new arrival. Narcissa had happily and proudly placed Draco into Severus' arms, and amazingly (at least in Lucius' eyes) he'd managed not only to not drop the baby, but seemed to quite enjoy holding him. He wondered what had gone though Severus' mind that day.

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[info]subtle_simmer
2008-03-29 02:17 am UTC (link)
"Draco," Severus said at almost the precise moment as Lucius. Smirking in spite of himself, Severus exchanged an amused if rather indulgent glance with Lucius, silently enjoying a lifetime of commiseration.

Draco had been nothing if not a very trying child. Severus reached out and ruffled his hair as he had often done when he was very small. "Behave. You know as well as I do that my foul temper is far more trying than Remus' annoying cheerfulness. I'm quite confident that I am getting the better 'deal', so you need not fear any Slytherin principles are being compromised in the match.

"Tell me any Slytherin Head of House who has had a better 'in' with the Gryffindor Head, hmmm?"

He gave June a surreptitious wink, lest she think he was serious.

"Don't mind us, Juneau," he said. "This qualifies as affectionate banter for us. Lucius has been my closest associate since I was eleven years old. Were I to possess living relations, they could not know me better than these two moderately arrogant gentlemen.

"Do you recall our first dance together - when I proved to Remus that I could swing dance? You have Mr Lucius Malfoy and his lovely wife to thank - or curse - for the fact that I learned how to perform that particular bit of footwork. Though Lucius would tell you that it was at great personal cost to himself."

If they were going to try to prod and tease him out of his nervousness, he was going to spread the embarrassment factor around a bit. Besides, it was pleasant to remember there was a time when his association with Lucius wasn't completely tainted with distrust and shared dark-deeds.

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[info]dmalfoy_purbld
2008-03-29 11:48 pm UTC (link)
Draco smirked at the reprimand in stereo. Still, desired effect achieved he nodded and shrugged in exaggerated acquiescence.

"Only moderately arrogant today? We must be slacking," he chuckled.

It was good to see Severus in this positive a spirit. He wanted him to always be like this, and well, if being Bonded to the insufferably optimistic Gyffindor was what would do it, then he would grudgingly accept it.

"And all right, but I'll only agree because it's you who's insisting." Which was as close as he could say to 'yes, Severus, your temper is wretched and I can't imagine what it would take to live with you.' Except he could never say it because he loved the man more than he would admit to anyone. And he loved the abrasiveness, even on the rare occasions he was subject to it himself.

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[info]vincere_aut_mor
2008-03-30 06:41 pm UTC (link)
Lucius smirked and lifted his hands in a gesture of 'be my guest'. Draco had been a trying child, attested to by the dual practiced warning laced into his name.

He touched his hand to his chest in mock insult at Severus' comment, nodding in agreement with Draco.

Lucius smiled at the explanation to June. It was true, insults were likely the embraces of their relationship. Though, if Severus had ever ruffled his hair in the way he had Draco's, he'd likely have deprived him of his hand.

"Indeed, if your dancing isn't spotless I will expect a full apology. My feet shall never be the same..." he said in slight exaggeration. All right, full exaggeration. But Severus had been a very frustrating dance partner!

"Yes" Lucius said in agreement to the discussion of Severus' ill-temper, "fortunately I did not have to share a dormatory room with him at Hogwarts, or else he wouldn't have made it this far in life. I'd have suffocated the boy in his sleep."

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