Odd Behavior

I'd like to thank those who have taken the time to read and review this story so far. Thank you for all of your comments.

All canon characters belong to JKR. My only payment is your reviews.

Thank you to June for helping me with this and for all of her suggestions.

Chapter 4 – Odd Behavior

Lucius and Severus walked together into the Malfoy Manor sitting room. They sat opposite each other next to the fireplace and Severus looked around the room.

"You've certainly changed things around here. It all looks so...comfortable and inviting now," said Severus.

Lucius looked around the room and smiled.

"Yes, it was all so sterile before, although I didn't even notice until Ginny moved in," Lucius said as he looked back at Severus. "I'm sorry, you do know I married Ginny Weasley, don't you?"

"Yes, Hermione informed me just yesterday, along with a few other things." Severus smirked. "I must say I never expected you to marry again. Especially to Ginny Weasley. She's quite young."

Lucius chuckled. "Well, I didn't marry an eleven-year-old, Severus. She's grown to be quite a beautiful woman. After the final battle when everyone thought she was dead, I found her in one of the towers and took her back to the hospital wing. She was still very young, only fifteen at the time." Lucius stood and opened the French doors leading to the gardens.

"I continued to visit her after she recuperated, and when I visited Draco at the University I often ran into her. We developed a friendship, and then one day I realized she wasn't a child anymore. I hadn't seen her for several months at one point, and then one day I literally walked right into her at the Ministry." Lucius walked back to his chair and sat down in front of Severus again.

"Ginny had me quite speechless for several moments; I knew right then and there that I would make her my wife. Thankfully she felt the same way, and here we are."

"I'm happy for you, I really am," said Severus.

"Severus, I just can't believe you are really here. What happened to you that day? We searched for days." Lucius leaned forward, trying to get closer to his friend.

Severus shook his head. "I don't really know very much about it. I was called into the throne room. Wormtail was there, as usual with his nose halfway up Voldemort's ass, then suddenly I blacked out. Every so often I would wake up only to realize I was being kicked and beaten. But, I would just black out again. The next thing I knew, I was in my bed at Hogwarts."

"Poppy said that your brain was in stasis, that you had no thought patterns. Is that right? Did you not dream anything?" asked Lucius in wonder.

"I can't say that I did. It's all just one blank space. When Albus told me I'd been asleep for ten years I couldn't believe it. But looking at Hermione, I knew it had to be true. One minute she's an annoying sixth year student and the next minute, she's a Potions mistress and has taken over my job."

"Yes, I imagine that was quite a shock," agreed Lucius as he laughed.

"There was one shock that was quite a welcome one. He's gone," Severus stated, knowing Lucius would know who he was talking about.

"We finally did it. In the end Albus and Harry took him on. He never stood a chance." Lucius then looked pensive. "One thing has always bothered me about that day, though."

Severus looked at his friend with a worried expression.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Severus, when the time came, he looked... almost serene, as though he'd expected it. I saw him as he was dying and the look on his face was one of, 'I know something that you don't,'" Lucius said as he shook his head. "Perhaps I just imagined it. Either way, it doesn't matter now. He's gone."

Just then, Ginny walked into the room. She was smiling and wobbling slightly.

"Severus!" She approached Severus and happily kissed him on the cheek. "I can't tell you how happy we are that you're here."

Lucius saw the shocked expression on the Potions master's face and laughed.

"Ginny, darling you'll have to give Severus a moment. The last time he saw you, you were a fifth year student who called him 'sir.' He's not used to seeing a former fifteen-year-old student now a grown-up and very pregnant married woman."

Ginny looked worried. "Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking, please forgive me." The last thing Ginny wanted to do was offend her former professor. After all, he was her husband's oldest and closest friend, and an Order member.

"It's quite all right, uh...Ginny. There are many things that will take some getting used to now in my life. By the state of your condition, congratulations are in order."

"This is our first. We're hoping for a boy," said Lucius.

Ginny patted Lucius' shoulder lovingly.

"He's hoping for a boy. I want a girl. Although he would most probably spoil any girl we have rotten, and I won't have any of that." Ginny gave Lucius a Molly Weasley look – the kind that said "I won't have any of that" – then walked towards the hallway. As she left the sitting room she called over her shoulder, "I'm going to check to make sure your room is ready, Severus, and then we can all have some lunch."

The two men continued reminiscing and catching up on what had been happening in the wizarding world. Lucius now owned several Muggle electronic firms which he ran with the help of Draco and Harry. Even though they were Aurors, they had plenty of down time and were able to help Lucius with his business. Thankfully, the wizarding world was calmer than it used to be. He admitted to being upset when he first found out his son was never going to give him a grandchild and carry on the family name, but eventually realized that Draco was merely following his own path in life. Then of course when Lucius married Ginny, he knew that he would have more children who would have children of their own. The Malfoy line would not die out with his firstborn.

As evening drew near, Severus found out that there was more company coming. Draco and Harry were expected to stop by for dinner, with Ron Weasley in tow. Apparently it was the custom for the three young men to come to dinner either on Saturday or Sunday. Draco was eager to see Severus, so Saturday dinner it was. Hermione also came to dinner often, but since she spent much of her time grading papers and getting new lesson plans together, she didn't stop by as often. Severus was surprised to find himself hoping she would come by. He hadn't had a chance to speak with her very much and was curious to talk to her in a more social setting.

Severus made his way downstairs. He noticed Ginny passing quickly, walking into the living room. For a brief moment he grabbed onto the railing and stopped.

At that moment, Voldemort surfaced. He took a deep breath and his nostrils filled with a scent he hadn't encountered for many years.

"Ginny," he whispered. He continued to walk down the stairs but only for a few seconds; he wasn't strong enough to continue and was pushed back into the darkness.

Severus again returned to himself. Severus shook his head and looked around. He'd blacked out for a bit, but seemed fine. He wasn't dizzy, nor did he feel like he would pass out. Severus knew that it would most likely take some time for his body to return to normal. He'd been feeling strange since he awoke from his ten-year slumber and he decided that some research was needed. As soon as he returned to Hogwarts he would make use of the Restricted Section in the library and research the curse he'd been hit with.

As Severus reached the bottom of the stairs, he heard several voices coming from the living room. He walked in and saw three young men speaking with Lucius, and Ginny sitting on the couch next to Hermione. They all looked up as soon as they noticed Lucius looking his way.

"Severus, just in time," Lucius stated.

Draco immediately walked towards Severus and embraced his godfather.

"You're back, I can't believe you're back," said the young wizard with tears in his eyes.

Severus slowly wound his arms around the young man; he was not comfortable with the open display of emotion, but this was his godson. A young man that he now realized had grown into a handsome wizard.

Severus pulled back and looked at Draco. "I can't believe how you've grown. You look just like your father," said Severus, just before he noticed Harry approaching him.

"Good to have you back, professor," said Harry, with his hand outstretched.

Severus gazed at the young man who now more than ever resembled his old enemy, James Potter.

"Harry, thank you. I hear you and Draco are Aurors," Severus said as he shook Harry's hand.

"Yes, for the past seven years now," answered Harry.

Ron also approached Severus and congratulated him on his return. After a few more brief words, they all walked quietly to the dining room and sat down to dinner and continued their conversations.

"So how does it feel to wake up after ten years?" asked Draco.

"Quite frankly, it's like some odd dream. I can't get over some of the changes around me. For the most part things aren't very different, but I look at you all and the reality of what happened to me is all too obvious."

"You'll get used to it all," Harry said confidently.

"I have no choice but to do just that," Severus answered then looked to Draco once again. "What exactly do your Auror duties entail?" he asked as he took a sip of wine.

"Buggering Harry all night!" yelled Ron suddenly.

Severus coughed and sprayed wine all over himself as Lucius nearly choked on a piece of chicken he'd been chewing.

"Ronald!" yelled Ginny.

Hermione looked at Harry and Draco.

"Didn't you give him his potion before coming here?" she asked accusingly.

Harry looked to Draco.

"We took him to St. Mungo's today. You know we can't give him your potion when we take him there," Harry said to Hermione, as Draco helped Severus get some of the wine off of himself. Ginny was also doing her best to make sure her husband didn't asphyxiate on his food.

"We had to give him the medicine the healers gave him," stated Draco.

"Well, it's obviously not working," managed Lucius as he wiped his mouth and took a drink of water.

"I'm sorry, Professor, he's usually not like this," said Harry.

Severus looked at Ron, who was acting like nothing had happened.

"Is he normally more...subdued with his choice of words?" asked Severus, still looking at Ron.

"When he takes the potion I developed for him, yes," Hermione explained. "But he still needs to go and see the healers. He can't take my potion when he's examined by them."

"If your potion works better for him, then why don't you market it and offer it to others who suffer from his malady?" asked Severus.

Hermione shook her head.

"It's still not perfected. It works well enough, but it makes him very lethargic. He's like a zombie at times. I've been working on it off and on but...I just...I," she bowed her head and wiped a tear threatening to escape the corner of her eye.

"It's all right, Hermione. We know you are doing what you can. You have a job that keeps you very busy," said Ginny, trying to console her friend.

From teaching her for six years, Severus knew Hermione to be a very dedicated and smart young woman. He also knew that she cared deeply for her friends.

"Perhaps there may be something I can help you with," he said, looking Hermione's way. Hermione lifted her head and looked at him with sparkling eyes. "Maybe if I looked at your notes, I would be able to see if you missed anything."

At this Hermione smiled.

"If it's not too much trouble, yes, I'd like that. Thank you, Severus." She smiled at him and he felt something inside of him stir.

They all remained silent for a few seconds, then resumed their meal.

The rest of the evening was thankfully free of any further outbursts from Ron. After several hours of catching up, Draco, Harry and Ron headed home. Hermione stayed a while longer but spent most of her time with Ginny, where they took the opportunity to discuss the Potions master's return.

"I couldn't believe it when Lucius told me, Hermione," said Ginny, as she sipped her hot chocolate.

"I couldn't believe it myself. I was giving him his daily strengthening potion and he began to stir. I thought I was imagining things at first, but no."

"Do you think he'll want his old job back?" questioned Ginny.

Hermione's eyes opened wide, "I hadn't thought of that. I wouldn't blame him if he did, but Ginny, I love my job." Hermione was curious if Severus had already spoken to Albus regarding taking up his old position. She'd hoped that the fact that neither man had said anything to her about it, meant she had nothing to worry about.

"Well, Lucius told me that Hogwarts was going to lose its DADA professor at the end of the term." Ginny thought that telling Hermione what Lucius had confided to her a few days prior would help ease her mind.

"I wondered if Professor Stump would continue teaching after his accident," mused Hermione.

"Well, at least now Stump isn't just his last name," Ginny said as she gave Hermione a weak smile.

"Ginny, that's horrible! The man's lost half his leg."

"Oh, Hermione, it'll grow back. The spell was only temporary. And besides, what kind of a DADA teacher is he that he can't even prevent himself from being hit with a Limb Deflating Hex when he's teaching shield charms to third years."

They laughed and continued to talk until it grew late. After Hermione decided to just Floo back to her rooms instead of Apparating, she and Ginny walked back to the living room where the large fireplace was located.

"Thank you for having me, Lucius. I think it's time for me to get back to my rooms." Hermione kissed Lucius on the cheek, then Ginny.

"You know you are welcome here any time, Hermione. Thank you for stopping by," said Lucius.

Hermione looked towards Severus.

"I'll see you back at Hogwarts, Severus." She smiled, took a handful of powder and disappeared.

"Well, I'm tired. I think I'll go to bed. Goodnight, Severus, Lucius." Ginny kissed Lucius lightly on the lips, then whispered in his ear, "Don't be up to bed late, love." She walked out of the room and up the stairs.

Lucius smiled after his wife.

"Draco certainly has grown up to be a fine young man," noted Severus.

Lucius turned to look at his friend.

"Yes, he has. I'm very proud of him. He and Harry manage to help me run my companies while keeping their duties as Aurors and caring for Ron Weasley. Thankfully the wizarding world has been quiet for many years. Being an Auror doesn't require fulltime duties as it used to." Lucius poured two glasses of brandy and handed one to Severus.

They sat down next to the fire.

"You really have taken his relationship with Harry well," Severus said as he took a sip of brandy.

"I didn't at first. But, I realized that if I didn't support his decision, I might lose Draco. And Harry really is a good balancing influence for him. The relationship seems to work, so who am I to say anything about it."

They quietly sipped their brandy, when Severus began to feel tired. He suddenly lost consciousness, never realizing what was happening to him.

Voldemort became aware that he was sitting next to a fire and sipping some type of alcoholic beverage. He looked across from him and saw Lucius and smiled. He remembered seeing Lucius being held by Order members during the final battle. What he didn't realize was that Lucius was working for the Order and he was being held up by some of his fellow members after being hit with a Slicing Hex.

"I am so glad you lived, Lucius," Voldemort finally said.

Lucius chuckled at hearing Severus' voice. "So am I. There were moments, before and during the final battle, when I didn't think I would come out alive." Lucius closed his eyes thinking back to those unsure days.

"I admit to feeling the same way at times." Severus' voice suddenly took on a dark quality.

Lucius opened his eyes and looked at him, as Severus' eyes stared into the fire.

"Although had things worked in my favor from the beginning, there would have been no need to question myself in the end."

"Question yourself? Severus, whatever are you going on about?" Lucius wasn't sure what to make of Severus' words.

As though snapped back into reality, Severus turned to Lucius, blinking wildly. He'd come back to himself.

"I'm sorry, Lucius, going on about what?" Severus asked.

Lucius shook his head. "Nothing, never mind. I think we should go to bed. It's been a long day."

They finished their drinks and walked up the stairs. As they bid each other goodnight, Lucius watched as Severus went inside his guest room. He wondered what Severus had meant before. His words didn't make sense. Lucius hoped that Severus' mind hadn't suffered any ill effects due to the curse he'd been under. His friend would have to be watched closely.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. As you can see, Lucius is beginning to notice something odd about Severus.