Snape becomes a blur of motion; before Therion draws his next breath he sees the ebony-clad wizard become a raven once more and dart off in the direction of the Lake District. Not a moment later, Malfoy emerges from Irena's shop wearing a surprisingly humble grey suit, with a matching grey robe. "Where is Severus?" He sounds quite dejected, but relaxes when Therion tells him, "he's just checking on Ellie, he'll be back shortly. In fact, why don't we head over to the Temple?" He's not about to tell Malfoy about Greyback or what he's done...he can't bear to tell it again as it is.
As Therion leads Malfoy to the Silver Temple, Snape speeds to Elsbet's temporary shelter. Making microsecond calculations, he means to shift from raven form to black mist and pass through the space between the door and the jamb, but nearly when it's too late, he realizes Tonks, ever the Auror, has erected a protective barrier around the little house, effectively sealing it entirely. Not even a speck of dust could enter. He shifts a second sooner than he'd planned and breaks harmlessly against the barrier, a puff of mist, then solidifies immediately.
He's furious at first, but only because he is truly afraid; he just as quickly pulls that fury back in and calms himself, actually grateful that the woman he loves is safe and with someone she adores, and who adores her in return. Moody taught Tonks well, and Snape is glad for it. He carefully places his hand against the barrier and understands what it is; an identification shield. He straightens and says clearly, "I am Severus Snape, Headmaster of Hogwarts." The barrier ripples slightly and allows him in, and as he steps up to the door, he hears Elsbet's voice.
She's laughing raucously.
He leans against the door, places his hand and forehead against it, hears Tonks making sounds of various farm animals, and knows she's morphing her features as well. He had always believed it was a foolish waste of magic, but when he discovered how much joy it brought Elsbet, he didn't mind it so much. He wants to see that joy on her pretty face, see her eyes sparkle with that laughter--he wants in, he just wants in, he just wants to hold her, to kiss her, to physically feel she's alright, but he knows if he goes in to her like this, with this rage at and hatred for Fenrir Greyback in his heart, he will frighten her, and that's more than he can bear.
Snape makes one of the most difficult decisions he will have to face tonight: silently, he backs away from the door and out of the shield, closes down his emotions, then turns and speeds back toward the Silver Temple. He arrives just as everyone is going in. Therion and Malfoy were the first inside; the Brothers are filing in now, and as he passes through the grand doorway, he sees Remus wating for him. "I hope this goes well, Severus, I truly do," he says as they follow the Brothers into the main chamber and down the high-arched hallway. "I won't ask what makes you trust him, anymore than I would have asked Dumbledore why he trusted you," they turn into the small room where the select few are seating themselves and Snape meets Remus' gaze directly as he says, "but I can only imagine it must be equally extraordinary."
Snape casts a side glance at Malfoy as he takes the seat beside Brother Saxon. Snape says nothing, but indicates the seat between himself and Brother Sa'Bat. Before Remus can sit down however, Brother Nodus says sharply, "that seat is reserved for Brother Perdurabo," and Snape frowns inwardly though his face is a cool mask. Remus has just as much right to be there as either he or Therion do. Brother Sa'Bat says evenly, "the Elder Brother will not be joining us tonight; Professer Lupin is welcome to stay, as the Circle must be complete." Nodus' face displays no displeasure, but Snape can see the anger in the young fool's eyes.
Remus sits down as all those seated join hands for the Convocation, and Malfoy can't help but feel a little nervous. Once the Convocation is over, Brother Trelane sits a box on the table before him. He says a single word in a language Malfoy does not recognize and the box opens unaided. Items from inside the box organize themselves on the table, and once the box is empty Trelane closes it and places it on the desk behind him. As he picks up the deck of cards, shuffles, cuts then deals them, the Ordeal of Lucius Malfoy begins.
It resembles a simple game of Muggle poker, but it is far more than that. First, it gives the assembled wizards not acquainted with the Petitioner a chance to become so; Malfoy can feel their minds pressing against his, and though his initial reflex is to shut them out, he knows he must allow it. There are no invasions, just slight brushes and gentle skims from everyone seated. Everyone but Brother Nodus. Snape is irritated by this; he's not about to let Malfoy be unjustly denied because Nodus insists on being a prick. He's not aware that Therion feels the same.
The second purpose of the game is to allow the Grand Inquisitor time to prepare for the most important, and dangerous, part of the Ordeal.
The game lasts but a short time and Malfoy, to his own surprise, wins. He wins by honest skill; not skill at the game, for he's never played, but rather his skills of observation, and calculation, and by sheer Slytherin cunning. It is a favorable outcome, and there is nothing Brother Nodus can do to refute Malfoy's victory or honesty. This is a favorable outcome for Nodus himself, because any dissent on his part might have turned it ugly.
After congradulating Malfoy the ceremony is ended, and everyone rises. All of the Brothers but Sa'Bat exit the room through a door on the left of the massive Egyptian statue and go directly to the Inner Sanctum of the Temple to await the judgement of the Grand Inquisitor. Snape doesn't wait for anyone; he goes out the door to the right and disappears from view. Those remaining, namely Therion, Remus, Roycroft (now free to use his birth name), and Malfoy of course, exit through the right hand door as well.
Malfoy follows behind them, trying to keep up with them yet compelled to stop and look at the paintings that dot the dimly lit passage to the Great Chamber. Quite unexpectedly, Malfoy is grabbed and pulled into a small room he barely noticed as he'd passed it; it's a dark little room, but he knows who's in it with him. "You did well," Snape whispers, holding Malfoy tightly to him. Malfoy doesn't get a chance to speak; Snape is kissing him, softly, teasingly at first, then roughly and Malfoy suddenly wishes they were somewhere else, somewhere much more private.
A voice just outside the door reminds them both where they are and why. "Come on you two," Therion says quietly, "there'll be time for that later." Malfoy returns Snape's last rough kiss, and Snape reluctantly lets Malfoy go.
As Therion leads Malfoy to the Silver Temple, Snape speeds to Elsbet's temporary shelter. Making microsecond calculations, he means to shift from raven form to black mist and pass through the space between the door and the jamb, but nearly when it's too late, he realizes Tonks, ever the Auror, has erected a protective barrier around the little house, effectively sealing it entirely. Not even a speck of dust could enter. He shifts a second sooner than he'd planned and breaks harmlessly against the barrier, a puff of mist, then solidifies immediately.
He's furious at first, but only because he is truly afraid; he just as quickly pulls that fury back in and calms himself, actually grateful that the woman he loves is safe and with someone she adores, and who adores her in return. Moody taught Tonks well, and Snape is glad for it. He carefully places his hand against the barrier and understands what it is; an identification shield. He straightens and says clearly, "I am Severus Snape, Headmaster of Hogwarts." The barrier ripples slightly and allows him in, and as he steps up to the door, he hears Elsbet's voice.
She's laughing raucously.
He leans against the door, places his hand and forehead against it, hears Tonks making sounds of various farm animals, and knows she's morphing her features as well. He had always believed it was a foolish waste of magic, but when he discovered how much joy it brought Elsbet, he didn't mind it so much. He wants to see that joy on her pretty face, see her eyes sparkle with that laughter--he wants in, he just wants in, he just wants to hold her, to kiss her, to physically feel she's alright, but he knows if he goes in to her like this, with this rage at and hatred for Fenrir Greyback in his heart, he will frighten her, and that's more than he can bear.
Snape makes one of the most difficult decisions he will have to face tonight: silently, he backs away from the door and out of the shield, closes down his emotions, then turns and speeds back toward the Silver Temple. He arrives just as everyone is going in. Therion and Malfoy were the first inside; the Brothers are filing in now, and as he passes through the grand doorway, he sees Remus wating for him. "I hope this goes well, Severus, I truly do," he says as they follow the Brothers into the main chamber and down the high-arched hallway. "I won't ask what makes you trust him, anymore than I would have asked Dumbledore why he trusted you," they turn into the small room where the select few are seating themselves and Snape meets Remus' gaze directly as he says, "but I can only imagine it must be equally extraordinary."
Snape casts a side glance at Malfoy as he takes the seat beside Brother Saxon. Snape says nothing, but indicates the seat between himself and Brother Sa'Bat. Before Remus can sit down however, Brother Nodus says sharply, "that seat is reserved for Brother Perdurabo," and Snape frowns inwardly though his face is a cool mask. Remus has just as much right to be there as either he or Therion do. Brother Sa'Bat says evenly, "the Elder Brother will not be joining us tonight; Professer Lupin is welcome to stay, as the Circle must be complete." Nodus' face displays no displeasure, but Snape can see the anger in the young fool's eyes.
Remus sits down as all those seated join hands for the Convocation, and Malfoy can't help but feel a little nervous. Once the Convocation is over, Brother Trelane sits a box on the table before him. He says a single word in a language Malfoy does not recognize and the box opens unaided. Items from inside the box organize themselves on the table, and once the box is empty Trelane closes it and places it on the desk behind him. As he picks up the deck of cards, shuffles, cuts then deals them, the Ordeal of Lucius Malfoy begins.
It resembles a simple game of Muggle poker, but it is far more than that. First, it gives the assembled wizards not acquainted with the Petitioner a chance to become so; Malfoy can feel their minds pressing against his, and though his initial reflex is to shut them out, he knows he must allow it. There are no invasions, just slight brushes and gentle skims from everyone seated. Everyone but Brother Nodus. Snape is irritated by this; he's not about to let Malfoy be unjustly denied because Nodus insists on being a prick. He's not aware that Therion feels the same.
The second purpose of the game is to allow the Grand Inquisitor time to prepare for the most important, and dangerous, part of the Ordeal.
The game lasts but a short time and Malfoy, to his own surprise, wins. He wins by honest skill; not skill at the game, for he's never played, but rather his skills of observation, and calculation, and by sheer Slytherin cunning. It is a favorable outcome, and there is nothing Brother Nodus can do to refute Malfoy's victory or honesty. This is a favorable outcome for Nodus himself, because any dissent on his part might have turned it ugly.
After congradulating Malfoy the ceremony is ended, and everyone rises. All of the Brothers but Sa'Bat exit the room through a door on the left of the massive Egyptian statue and go directly to the Inner Sanctum of the Temple to await the judgement of the Grand Inquisitor. Snape doesn't wait for anyone; he goes out the door to the right and disappears from view. Those remaining, namely Therion, Remus, Roycroft (now free to use his birth name), and Malfoy of course, exit through the right hand door as well.
Malfoy follows behind them, trying to keep up with them yet compelled to stop and look at the paintings that dot the dimly lit passage to the Great Chamber. Quite unexpectedly, Malfoy is grabbed and pulled into a small room he barely noticed as he'd passed it; it's a dark little room, but he knows who's in it with him. "You did well," Snape whispers, holding Malfoy tightly to him. Malfoy doesn't get a chance to speak; Snape is kissing him, softly, teasingly at first, then roughly and Malfoy suddenly wishes they were somewhere else, somewhere much more private.
A voice just outside the door reminds them both where they are and why. "Come on you two," Therion says quietly, "there'll be time for that later." Malfoy returns Snape's last rough kiss, and Snape reluctantly lets Malfoy go.