Chapter One

Disclaimer: They aren't mine. They are far too needy!

Chapter One: August 2005

“Dinner is served, Master.” The head kitchen-elf, as imperious as his mistress, somehow managed to look down his long nose at the two wizards standing either side of the fireplace, brandy glasses in hand.

“Yes, yes, so Kippy said. We’ll be along in a just a moment.”

With a sniff of disapproval, the elf disappeared.

“You’d better watch out, Lucius; you might find your best robes shortened an inch or two.” Severus Snape downed his glass and preceded his friend out of the room.

“They’ve become quite uppity since she left. She... Well, I didn’t have a lot to do with the kitchen-elves before. Cissy dealt with all the household management.” Lucius pulled out his chair and sat at the head of the long, almost empty table, every gleaming piece of silver, each perfectly polished glass screaming in protest against the absence of the Manor’s mistress. “This,” he waved his hand around the table, “this is not my doing. They just...” He shrugged as the first course was delivered by a straight-backed Kippy.

“Warm pickled beetroot and heirloom tomato salad, Master.”

Lucius nodded. “Thank you, Kippy.”

Further conversation returned to the safer topics of Severus’s newest assistant at Hogwarts, one Hermione Weasley.

“So, how are you managing with the delightful Madam Weasley?”

Snape sighed. “As I told Minerva before she foisted the witch upon me, she’s undoubtedly talented, intelligent, and resourceful, but she just... won’t... shut... up!”

“Chatty wench?”

“Overbearingly so. Always reciting journals and text books, but never stopping for one moment to think! She could be brilliant if she’d simply have the confidence to use her own brain instead of the outdated musings of others.”

“Sounds like you’re developing a soft spot for her.”

Severus barely managed not to choke on his mouthful of beetroot. “Hardly. She’s not my type. And, in case you hadn’t noticed, she’s married – and probably breeding another generation of red-headed terrors, if her sickly appearance and refusal to eat in the mornings is any indication.”

“Too bad. A good tumble would do you the world of good.” Lucius frowned for a moment. “Come to think of it, I can’t remember ever seeing you with a woman. Just what is your type?”

“Not what you’d expect, my friend.”

“Do enlighten me.”

Severus was saved by the arrival of Kippy with the main course. “Asparagus and chanterelle risotto with spinach and feta salad, Master.”

Lucius’s sigh was subtle, but spoke volumes to a man attuned to his every nuance.

“Narcissa became vegetarian a few years ago, didn’t she?”

Spearing a mushroom with his fork, Lucius nodded.

“And, as far as I know, you’ve never chosen to follow her dietary restrictions, yet every time I have dined here with you since she left, the house-elves have served vegetarian food.” Severus tasted his risotto before continuing. “Delicious vegetarian food, but the distinct lack of meat is not your style, Lucius.”

“I’d kill for a decent Beef Wellington. Or a nice piece of salmon. Even a simple pork chop...”

“Lucius.”

“A lovely rare steak, dripping in garlic butter...”

“Lucius.”

“Just a little bacon with my eggs in the morning...”

“Lucius!” Severus rapped his friend across the knuckles with his fork.

“I apologise. I was a little... distracted.”

“You’re the master here. If you want meat, just order the damned house-elves to prepare it.”

“You don’t understand, Severus. Narcissa took on all the kitchen-elves. They call me ‘master’ out of courtesy, but only answer to her.” He grimaced as he recalled the final explosive row with his wife. “She left strict instructions for them to provide only vegetarian meals until advised otherwise. It appears she hasn’t forgiven me yet.”

“She left you, Lucius. I can’t imagine what she would have to forgive you for. Besides, restaurants serve perfectly decent meals. You are permitted to leave the Manor, you know.”

Lucius had rarely left his home since Narcissa had rediscovered her long-lost libido with a somewhat younger, wealthier wizard two months earlier. In retrospect, calling her a frigid bitch when she had first announced their marriage was over had not been one of his wiser decisions.

“It’s not that simple, Severus. My reputation is in tatters, my credibility non-existent... Dammit, a man has his pride.”

Refusing to discuss the matter further, Lucius called Kippy to remove their plates and declined dessert, opting to return to the brandy bottle waiting in the library.

Lucius startled out of his reverie when Severus laid a hand on his shoulder. Over all the years they had been friends, the younger man had rarely volunteered such intimacy, and the warmth of his touch melted the last of his reserve.

“She never really loved me.” Lucius spoke to the fire, not turning to face his companion, who remained silent. “She didn’t hate me either. I could have understood that. Some sort of passion, at least. It was the indifference I couldn’t bear.” His head drooped, but he did not move away from Severus’s comforting hand.

“I know what you’re thinking. It didn’t stop us making l—no... fucking. We fucked. She enjoyed that, I suppose; it was hard to tell. You know, Severus, every time, I thought, perhaps... perhaps she’ll close her eyes and cry my name. Just once. I read all I could about lovemaking techniques. Tried everything to shatter her control. Yes, she took pleasure from my touch, but not from my mind, Sev, not from my heart.”

Lucius poured another drink from the decanter on the mantelpiece. As Severus lifted his hand to reach for his abandoned glass, Lucius suddenly reached up and clasped it in his own.

“Warm. Cissy’s hands were so cold.” He studied Severus’s hand intently, brushing his fingertips over the back and along the long fingers as if he had forgotten the hand was attached.

Without warning, Lucius tossed his drink down his throat and left the room, leaving his friend staring after him, clenching and unclenching the hand Lucius had held.

The next morning nothing had changed, but nothing remained the same.

A/N: This was written for the Lucius Big Bang in response to a prompt from karelia. Thanks to linlawless who did the beta work.