Fic: The Changing of the Guard
I wrote this story for the Severus Sighs email/Insane Journal group. I'm actually quite happy with it. Many thanks to atypicalsnowman for putting lots of time and effort into betaing a tiny story for me. I'm not sure why I like this so much but I think this says a lot about how I feel what Lucius and Severus' relationship is like whether they are romantically involved...or not.
Pairing: Snarry. Characters: Severus, Lucius, Harry, Draco.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1743
Warnings: None. Come on! I wrote this for Torina!
Summary: Change is growth. And with growth comes new friendships and new responsibilities. Sometimes it is hard to share them, regardless of whether you should...
A/N: I want to thank my wonderful beta, atypicalsnowman. Final errors are my own as I tampered with it after her wonderful efforts.
Happy Birthday Torina. Thanks so much for all you do to make Severus Sighs a lovely kind and peaceful place to be. I do not own Harry Potter but I wish I did. When I saw Torina's post I thought of how friendships affect relationships...and vice versa.
The Changing of the Guard
“LUCIUS!” Severus bellowed as he entered the entryway and saw the state of the dining room, his normally warm voice causing the walls nearly to shake.
The party in question stalked in from the other room and leaned against the doorway facing Severus, insolently. “You screeched, my liege?”
“You promised that you would have everything in order, perfect, before I arrived from Hogwarts. This just won't do, Lucius!” Severus fretted as he began nervously wandering about the room picking at various items and moving them about. The table had been set carefully, two places as he had specified. But, no centerpiece... Why was there no centerpiece? Wasn't Lucius supposed to be some kind of specialist at this dinner planning nonsense? Perhaps he should have asked Narcissa instead...
Lucius remained nonchalantly reclining against the door jamb, twirling his wand between the fingers of his wand hand. “Bitty,” he called quietly.
A small female elf appeared at his right hand. “Yes, Master Lucius?”
“Master Severus appears to require some wine. Please procure him a glass of the fine red I keep in reserve, then continue with your preparations for the dinner if you would.”
The elf looked the Potions Master up and down. “Is Master Lucius being sure that Master Severus is not being needing Fire Whiskey? Or perhaps a potion? Master Severus is looking like he is needing a good shot of Fire Whiskey.”
Severus' eyes shot to the elf. Great now he had a condescending elf to contend with as well as it's master. He grinned nastily looking the two up and down, pale skin and pointed ears, and thought of that truism of how pets grow to look like their masters...
Lucius merely assumed Severus was thinking something snide, arched an imperious brow at his friend and continued instructing his servant...
“Excellent idea, Bitty! Fire Whiskey it is. However, just pour a couple fingers for him. We can't have him half-looped all evening.”
The elf bowed and popped out, then popped back in and handed a frustrated Severus a crystal glass with two fingers of fine Fire Whiskey, then disappeared again.
Severus drank.
“Are you ready to apologize now?” Lucius smirked.
Severus drew in a long breath. “Perhaps... yes. I'm terribly nervous, Luc. You did assure me that everything would be perfect...” He looked to Lucius with an uncharacteristically raw look. “This must be flawless.”
“Pish.” Lucius walked over to his friend until they stood facing each other. Merlin, the things they'd been through... He reached up and brushed a loose hair behind Severus' ear affectionately. Potter damned well better not hurt his friend. “If I know Potter well enough, he won't expect another romantic outpouring again in this lifetime... In fact, this one may well cause him to check for polyjuice now that I think of it, Severus. It is totally out of character you know.”
“Laugh it up, Luc.” Severus growled, as he sipped at the Fire Whiskey. It had been a good idea of the elf's. Not that he'd tell Lucius that, or give him any of the credit whatsoever. His ego was big enough already. “Your opinion was not solicited, just your assistance.”
“Yes, that much was already made quite clear.” Lucius grinned as he continued to tease his friend. He rarely got such ready made opportunities to poke fun at Severus' relationship with the Potter whelp. After the war, Severus had become closer to Potter, and gradually it had spiraled into a romance. Lucius, had supported his friend and it had done his reputation nothing but good to be seen in the company of the “Savior”. Thus, Lucius had, of course, had to forgive his friend his odd choice in inamoratas. This still did not preclude private teasing. He held this as a sacred duty and right, much as Severus had when Lucius had become betrothed to the lovely Narcissa all those years ago... Yes, he remembered old Sev having much to say back then. He chuckled to himself and looked up to curious black eyes. “Just remembering back when I was engaged to Narcissa. The first thing that comes to mind is the odd comment you used to make about the Black ancestry and insanity...”
“Ah, yes...” Severus smirked.
“You were a very bad boy,” Lucius remembered.
“I do believe neither of us have ever been anything but bad, dear Lucius, I only ask that you not, if you excuse my French, fuck this up for me... And if it will help, I will add, please don't fuck this up for me...” Severus looked at Lucius imploringly.
“Wait a minute, you aren't...?” Lucius' upturned ice blue eyes stared in shock.
“You hadn't figured that out already? Honestly Lucius, why did you think I was so damned nervous?” Severus snorted.
“Honestly? I hadn't really thought about it. I supposed it was just the idea of a formal romantic dinner... Merlin, you're serious, Severus... I don't know what to say.” Lucius turned suddenly, walked into the living room and sat down, rather hard, on the sofa.
Severus called out, “Bitty”, and the elf appeared.
“Yes, Master Severus.”
“I believe now Master Lucius requires a glass of that lovely red wine he mentioned earlier. Could you fetch it please? Perhaps a large glass?”
“Yes, Master Severus.” The elf bowed and disappeared then reappeared a moment later with the wine which she handed to her master. “Master Lucius, the dinner is being done and is under a warming charm. The table is being set, the centerpiece is being in the freezer being an ice sculpture. When Master Harry is arriving Master Severus is to be calling Bitty. Is there anything else needed of Bitty at this time?”
“No, you may go. Thank you, Bitty.” Lucius said, sipping the wine. The little elf disapparated. His face still had a rather stunned look upon it.
Severus sat next to his friend, resting a hand on his knee. “Lucius are you not happy for me?” he asked, honestly concerned.
Lucius turned towards him, relaxing slowly. “I'm... surprised. But, I am happy. I think I just need time. Time to see you really happy together, and to believe he deserves you.... and don't interrupt me with that utter shite about how you don't deserve him.” Lucius chuckled. “So, before I go, aren't you going to show me the ring?”
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After he'd shown the runed bands to Lucius, and received his approval of his dinner robes, he'd kicked the blond out and nervously awaited his dinner guest. He'd told Harry that he'd wanted to have a nice dinner, just the two of them. The fact that it was going to be a more formal dinner was to be a surprise.
Luckily, Harry did not check for polyjuice. And he did like Severus' new robes.
He did figure out very quickly that Lucius was the dinner 'planner' but didn't mind. Of course since Harry had become friends with Draco over the last couple of years, he'd recognized Bitty right away so it had been a bit of a give-away.
What did surprise poor Harry was near the end of the meal when Severus got down on one knee (despite the fact that he was in formal dress robes) and asked him in clear voice, “Harry Potter, I've found that life without you is lonely, but that when we are together...my life is complete. Will you please take this ring and formally bond with me, that we may share a life together?”
Harry didn't faint. Nor did he trip on his dress robes, or light himself on fire...
What he did do was to kneel down next to Severus and kiss him, interspersed by repeating the word “Yes” seductively and enthusiastically into Severus' ear.
***
It is at this point of the evening where the accounts later passed on differed slightly ... Severus in relaying to his dear friend Lucius his happiness and fervor emphasized the responsiveness of his young lover...which only furthered Lucius' theory that Gryffindor's-much like their Lion standard- were short on technique but made up for it with cheeky nerve, a desire to please, and a willingness to try anything once. Something that, in theory, he would be all for if he were a single man.
Harry, on the other hand, as a young man in the first flush of love, confided to his confidant, Draco, the exciting new ideas his older lover had whispered to him after he had answered “yes” to his proposal. And of course, Severus was so exceedingly sexy that he had continued to whisper “yes” to the wonderful naughty ideas that he came up with...the cad. At this point Harry had laughed a bit with Draco over the use of the term “cad”. He then shared, of course, that many of Severus' suggestions had been put to use that evening quite effectively. Harry then confided that finding an older lover was a most excellent idea... This part of the story was not passed on to Lucius...
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Several days later, when Draco passed the story of the engagement to his father, it matched the story Severus had told Lucius (for the most part). It was sweet, appropriate, had elements of tradition and respect, and there had definitely been a demonstration that the two were compatible...despite whether father and son agreed how they came to that conclusion, agree they did.
Lucius felt that perhaps that this Harry Potter had promise. He still wasn't sure of course. He'd have to see. But, so far he hadn't hurt his Severus. And he'd ensure Draco kept an eye on him as well. However, all that said, he supposed, it was probably time he faced facts.
Lucius had taken care of the scruffy little dark haired boy with the ancient eyes ever since the Sorting hat had called out “Slytherin” and he'd taken that lost looking boy's hand across the table in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. He'd cared for, and about, Severus Snape for many long years. And he had no intention of letting go of his charge. He would always care deeply for his best friend.
However, perhaps now he'd let Harry Potter look after him as well.
Pairing: Snarry. Characters: Severus, Lucius, Harry, Draco.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1743
Warnings: None. Come on! I wrote this for Torina!
Summary: Change is growth. And with growth comes new friendships and new responsibilities. Sometimes it is hard to share them, regardless of whether you should...
A/N: I want to thank my wonderful beta, atypicalsnowman. Final errors are my own as I tampered with it after her wonderful efforts.
Happy Birthday Torina. Thanks so much for all you do to make Severus Sighs a lovely kind and peaceful place to be. I do not own Harry Potter but I wish I did. When I saw Torina's post I thought of how friendships affect relationships...and vice versa.
The Changing of the Guard
“LUCIUS!” Severus bellowed as he entered the entryway and saw the state of the dining room, his normally warm voice causing the walls nearly to shake.
The party in question stalked in from the other room and leaned against the doorway facing Severus, insolently. “You screeched, my liege?”
“You promised that you would have everything in order, perfect, before I arrived from Hogwarts. This just won't do, Lucius!” Severus fretted as he began nervously wandering about the room picking at various items and moving them about. The table had been set carefully, two places as he had specified. But, no centerpiece... Why was there no centerpiece? Wasn't Lucius supposed to be some kind of specialist at this dinner planning nonsense? Perhaps he should have asked Narcissa instead...
Lucius remained nonchalantly reclining against the door jamb, twirling his wand between the fingers of his wand hand. “Bitty,” he called quietly.
A small female elf appeared at his right hand. “Yes, Master Lucius?”
“Master Severus appears to require some wine. Please procure him a glass of the fine red I keep in reserve, then continue with your preparations for the dinner if you would.”
The elf looked the Potions Master up and down. “Is Master Lucius being sure that Master Severus is not being needing Fire Whiskey? Or perhaps a potion? Master Severus is looking like he is needing a good shot of Fire Whiskey.”
Severus' eyes shot to the elf. Great now he had a condescending elf to contend with as well as it's master. He grinned nastily looking the two up and down, pale skin and pointed ears, and thought of that truism of how pets grow to look like their masters...
Lucius merely assumed Severus was thinking something snide, arched an imperious brow at his friend and continued instructing his servant...
“Excellent idea, Bitty! Fire Whiskey it is. However, just pour a couple fingers for him. We can't have him half-looped all evening.”
The elf bowed and popped out, then popped back in and handed a frustrated Severus a crystal glass with two fingers of fine Fire Whiskey, then disappeared again.
Severus drank.
“Are you ready to apologize now?” Lucius smirked.
Severus drew in a long breath. “Perhaps... yes. I'm terribly nervous, Luc. You did assure me that everything would be perfect...” He looked to Lucius with an uncharacteristically raw look. “This must be flawless.”
“Pish.” Lucius walked over to his friend until they stood facing each other. Merlin, the things they'd been through... He reached up and brushed a loose hair behind Severus' ear affectionately. Potter damned well better not hurt his friend. “If I know Potter well enough, he won't expect another romantic outpouring again in this lifetime... In fact, this one may well cause him to check for polyjuice now that I think of it, Severus. It is totally out of character you know.”
“Laugh it up, Luc.” Severus growled, as he sipped at the Fire Whiskey. It had been a good idea of the elf's. Not that he'd tell Lucius that, or give him any of the credit whatsoever. His ego was big enough already. “Your opinion was not solicited, just your assistance.”
“Yes, that much was already made quite clear.” Lucius grinned as he continued to tease his friend. He rarely got such ready made opportunities to poke fun at Severus' relationship with the Potter whelp. After the war, Severus had become closer to Potter, and gradually it had spiraled into a romance. Lucius, had supported his friend and it had done his reputation nothing but good to be seen in the company of the “Savior”. Thus, Lucius had, of course, had to forgive his friend his odd choice in inamoratas. This still did not preclude private teasing. He held this as a sacred duty and right, much as Severus had when Lucius had become betrothed to the lovely Narcissa all those years ago... Yes, he remembered old Sev having much to say back then. He chuckled to himself and looked up to curious black eyes. “Just remembering back when I was engaged to Narcissa. The first thing that comes to mind is the odd comment you used to make about the Black ancestry and insanity...”
“Ah, yes...” Severus smirked.
“You were a very bad boy,” Lucius remembered.
“I do believe neither of us have ever been anything but bad, dear Lucius, I only ask that you not, if you excuse my French, fuck this up for me... And if it will help, I will add, please don't fuck this up for me...” Severus looked at Lucius imploringly.
“Wait a minute, you aren't...?” Lucius' upturned ice blue eyes stared in shock.
“You hadn't figured that out already? Honestly Lucius, why did you think I was so damned nervous?” Severus snorted.
“Honestly? I hadn't really thought about it. I supposed it was just the idea of a formal romantic dinner... Merlin, you're serious, Severus... I don't know what to say.” Lucius turned suddenly, walked into the living room and sat down, rather hard, on the sofa.
Severus called out, “Bitty”, and the elf appeared.
“Yes, Master Severus.”
“I believe now Master Lucius requires a glass of that lovely red wine he mentioned earlier. Could you fetch it please? Perhaps a large glass?”
“Yes, Master Severus.” The elf bowed and disappeared then reappeared a moment later with the wine which she handed to her master. “Master Lucius, the dinner is being done and is under a warming charm. The table is being set, the centerpiece is being in the freezer being an ice sculpture. When Master Harry is arriving Master Severus is to be calling Bitty. Is there anything else needed of Bitty at this time?”
“No, you may go. Thank you, Bitty.” Lucius said, sipping the wine. The little elf disapparated. His face still had a rather stunned look upon it.
Severus sat next to his friend, resting a hand on his knee. “Lucius are you not happy for me?” he asked, honestly concerned.
Lucius turned towards him, relaxing slowly. “I'm... surprised. But, I am happy. I think I just need time. Time to see you really happy together, and to believe he deserves you.... and don't interrupt me with that utter shite about how you don't deserve him.” Lucius chuckled. “So, before I go, aren't you going to show me the ring?”
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After he'd shown the runed bands to Lucius, and received his approval of his dinner robes, he'd kicked the blond out and nervously awaited his dinner guest. He'd told Harry that he'd wanted to have a nice dinner, just the two of them. The fact that it was going to be a more formal dinner was to be a surprise.
Luckily, Harry did not check for polyjuice. And he did like Severus' new robes.
He did figure out very quickly that Lucius was the dinner 'planner' but didn't mind. Of course since Harry had become friends with Draco over the last couple of years, he'd recognized Bitty right away so it had been a bit of a give-away.
What did surprise poor Harry was near the end of the meal when Severus got down on one knee (despite the fact that he was in formal dress robes) and asked him in clear voice, “Harry Potter, I've found that life without you is lonely, but that when we are together...my life is complete. Will you please take this ring and formally bond with me, that we may share a life together?”
Harry didn't faint. Nor did he trip on his dress robes, or light himself on fire...
What he did do was to kneel down next to Severus and kiss him, interspersed by repeating the word “Yes” seductively and enthusiastically into Severus' ear.
***
It is at this point of the evening where the accounts later passed on differed slightly ... Severus in relaying to his dear friend Lucius his happiness and fervor emphasized the responsiveness of his young lover...which only furthered Lucius' theory that Gryffindor's-much like their Lion standard- were short on technique but made up for it with cheeky nerve, a desire to please, and a willingness to try anything once. Something that, in theory, he would be all for if he were a single man.
Harry, on the other hand, as a young man in the first flush of love, confided to his confidant, Draco, the exciting new ideas his older lover had whispered to him after he had answered “yes” to his proposal. And of course, Severus was so exceedingly sexy that he had continued to whisper “yes” to the wonderful naughty ideas that he came up with...the cad. At this point Harry had laughed a bit with Draco over the use of the term “cad”. He then shared, of course, that many of Severus' suggestions had been put to use that evening quite effectively. Harry then confided that finding an older lover was a most excellent idea... This part of the story was not passed on to Lucius...
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Several days later, when Draco passed the story of the engagement to his father, it matched the story Severus had told Lucius (for the most part). It was sweet, appropriate, had elements of tradition and respect, and there had definitely been a demonstration that the two were compatible...despite whether father and son agreed how they came to that conclusion, agree they did.
Lucius felt that perhaps that this Harry Potter had promise. He still wasn't sure of course. He'd have to see. But, so far he hadn't hurt his Severus. And he'd ensure Draco kept an eye on him as well. However, all that said, he supposed, it was probably time he faced facts.
Lucius had taken care of the scruffy little dark haired boy with the ancient eyes ever since the Sorting hat had called out “Slytherin” and he'd taken that lost looking boy's hand across the table in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. He'd cared for, and about, Severus Snape for many long years. And he had no intention of letting go of his charge. He would always care deeply for his best friend.
However, perhaps now he'd let Harry Potter look after him as well.