#severedprince

It had been a warm solstice, she supposed for English standards, and there was some lingering warmth even in the charmed air inside Malfoy manor. Even after a short time spent with them, she can identify the specific brand of their events with its heavily curated list of guests, all with a similar background, certain to be the subject of an inspirational spread in the society pages of the Prophet. Class, tradition and elegance are their keys, she thought, out of reach for the average reader, but not so far it creates explicit animosity.

She knew right away when he stepped through the door, that he was an exception to that rule. She’s watched him for a bit, in between laughing and dancing in the center of the room, and there’s something in the set of his shoulders that screamed discomfort to her; his dress robes worn with what she guesses at to be disdain. The song played by the string quartet changes into something slower she can’t quite get a hold on, and his appearance is more interesting than chasing the music. She drifts to the sides of the room and grasps a flute of one thing or another on her way there.

“Not interested in dancing? I’ve heard it was this or an enchanted harp.”

Severus, 

     Most the time I don’t know what I’m doing. I suppose by now you’ve known me long enough to figure that much out for yourself…. This letter is one of those occasions. I know you’ll understand when I say I used to like being alone, that it was easier when there was no one around to expect anything of me. Nowadays, that’s not as simple as it was and while I’d still rather be by myself at times, I’d rather be busy than with my thoughts. So, I’m writing to you, since I’m currently out of assignments to attempt. Not that I’ll send you this letter, but I suppose I just wanted to say… thanks.

      Being alone never actually applied to you. Which you’ve probably figured out since it was normally you I sat down opposite when there weren’t many seats left. I suppose I liked that neither of us had had to say anything and it was okay. Unlike most our house you actually wanted to study, and it felt more normal to be around you than them. 

      While I’m at it… My brother and his friends are assholes. I would apologise for him but he’d probably take great offence in the fact that he didn’t want me to, plus he’s not exactly my brother anymore, so I suppose I don’t have that right. I’m still sorry. They shouldn’t treat you the way they do and if you wanted someone to hex Potter I would happily do it, from a distance. 

       They’re not the point though… besides being part of the reason I’m trying to keep myself busy with a letter to… well, I don’t know if you consider us friends. You’re not exactly an easy person to read and I’m used enough to not knowing where I stand with things to not try and figure it out. However, all of a sudden people either want to get close to me for my family or are waiting to see if I’m going to fuck it up as well. When it comes to actual friends I don’t have a huge number, I suppose that’s a consequence of preferring to be by yourself, but I do consider you one. One of about three actually. It’s difficult to count Rabastan or Rod, or anyone who asks if I’d like to bully Hufflepuffs with them for fun and are on a first name basis with my parents. Basically, if I get ever get to make my own Kingdom as the new Black heir, I’d want you to be a Duke or something. 

Anyway. 

I’m sorry, if sometimes I ever treat you like you’re him. I know you’re not. I’m just used to having an older brother, I suppose. and I don’t really know what to do now. 

Yeah, so… thanks, for being around and everything. 

Their first impression: “I met him as a friend of Lily’s and I assumed he should be alright, because Lily had been lovely when we met.”

Their current impression: “Where do you want me to start? First off, he treated Lily badly for years only to end their friendship in the cruelest way possible ----- by proving that he was exactly what everyone said he was. He was also there when that thing happened, so that sucks. And he’s a buzzkill. Don’t have much respect left for him, but whatever.”

What they like the most about your muse: “Uh. His skill in potions? It’s admirable. I guess.”

What they dislike the most about your muse: “How he treated Lily.”

What your muse is for them ( Friend, lover, rival ecc.): “Someone to strongly dislike and avoid. Sorry.”

A general opinion of their relationship: I think they’re very good at avoiding each other, so ten points to both of them? I do think their dynamic has many opportunities, mostly because Mary did trust him to be a good friend for a few years before her opinion took a drastic turn. 

                   the opportunity comes knocking on his door when he sees him ------ a death eater, of course masked, but at this point gideon can’t find it in him to care who may be under the mask.  he’s begun putting out the fire when he sees the bastard and he knows he’s there to cause more havoc and so for the time being he stops trying to douse the flame and his wand is pointed threateningly at his adversary because he’s ready to dive into danger headfirst ;  he always has been.