enpu9.cc 
“I am aware of that,” Severus said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I simply do not fully trust the situation.”
“You are the one who questioned him, and with your own Veritaserum,” Harry pointed out.
“I have been with you the entire time, and I still find it difficult to believe that you have convinced Lucius to switch sides,” Severus said, the disbelief clear in his voice.
“Being with his family convinced him,” Harry said. “That, and the fact that he knows very well that Voldemort’s a sadistic bastard. Dumbledore said Lucius was punished severely for the episode with the diary. I don’t think he wants to repeat that punishment after having lost the prophecy.”
“Indeed,” Severus said in acknowledgment. He stared at Harry contemplatively. “You are an extraordinary young man, Harry Potter,” he said.
Harry flushed, uncomfortable with the praise. Severus did not give out praise like that lightly, especially to him. He appreciated Severus’ words, but wasn’t sure what to say.
“Simply accept the compliment, Harry,” Severus said wryly, seeming to understand Harry’s difficulty. “It is well earned.”
“Thank you,” Harry said softly. “It means a lot coming from you.”
“You appear to be holding up rather well,” Severus said, his tone lilting it into a question.
Harry rubbed his face tiredly. “I’m doing all right,” he said. “I’ve decided I’ll react properly to freeing Lucius Malfoy from prison some time next week – or maybe next year – as I don’t rightly feel like it at the moment.”
Severus chuckled, although it sounded just as tired as Harry felt. “I do believe it is unhealthy to suppress emotions. However, I also believe I am not the best one to discuss such topics,” he said.
Harry sniggered quietly. “Probably not,” he agreed. He liked seeing Severus this relaxed and wondered how much of it was due to the sheer relief that the day was over. Maybe it was his own way of being grateful he wasn’t locked up in Azkaban.
“Harry, in all seriousness, you seem to have developed a rather unique sense of maturity in your dealings with people,” Severus said. “I recognize that many things from the past still anger you, but you are more willing than most to give others a second chance.”
“No, I’m just a selfish, arrogant prat that wants everyone on my side,” Harry said flatly.
Severus lifted a brow, questioning Harry’s statement.
Harry shrugged carelessly. “Okay, so maybe I don’t really believe that,” he admitted. “But if I don’t get over shite from the past and let it go, I lessen my chances of surviving this bloody war.”
“And you don’t intend to lose,” Severus stated.
“Exactly,” Harry said. He sighed softly. “This isn’t easy for me. My emotions are constantly turning in my gut, but if I allow myself to think too deeply on everything that’s happened today, I’m likely to fall apart. I know that, so, I’m trying not to think about it much.”
Severus studied him speculatively. “I believe you are thinking about things constantly, far more than you are admitting to,” he said. “You are simply reacting differently than people would normally expect.”
Harry gave him a lopsided smile. “We all know how I naturally tend to avoid anything normal,” he said cheekily.
“Indeed,” Severus said, smirking in amusement.
They looked up when Lucius emerged from the bathroom. Harry shook his head in disbelief. Somehow the man had managed to procure a stylish dressing gown from his trunk. “Why aren’t you dressed properly?” Harry simply had to ask.
“It was my understanding that you would be able to heal me,” Lucius said stiffly.
“Well, I can help, but you’d probably prefer him,” Harry said, gesturing to Severus.
Lucius grimaced. “I would prefer neither,” he muttered. “But as you have both already seen me at my worst, I do not see the point of refusing care now.”
Harry glanced at Severus, who sighed heavily before producing a vial of potion to counter the Polyjuice. Harry and Lucius watched as he turned back to his usual self.
“Severus?” Lucius questioned, disbelieving.
For all that Lucius was doing better after the shower, he swayed in shock. Harry moved quickly and guided the man to the couch to sit down. Lucius went, unresisting.
Harry felt bad for Lucius. Likely the man hadn’t truly slept decently for over a year and he was severely malnourished and weak. He also wasn’t used to any sort of physical activity. Combined with all the shocks, Harry felt he was really holding up quite well. It was still taking its toll, though.
“Yes, Lucius,” Severus said quietly. “I am a spy. I am one of the Dark Lord’s favourites, but my true allegiance is to the Light. I am doing everything within my power to help Harry.”
“Potter, do tell me you are who you appear to be,” Lucius said, his eyes shut tightly.
“I’m me,” Harry said. “And, uh, you can actually call me Harry if you want.”
Lucius snorted at that. “It would appear that I have lost my touch while locked away,” he said, self-deprecatingly.
“I believe your instincts are still in place,” Severus said, disagreeing. “You have dealt mainly with Harry the entire time, ignoring my presence when at all possible.”
Lucius opened his eyes at that.
“It wasn’t just because he doesn’t like Remus?” Harry voiced his surprise.
“I have nothing specific against the werewolf directly,” Lucius said slowly. “Certainly I have more negative history with you,” he said, looking at Harry. “Yet, I have dealt with you, the child, rather than the adult,” he added in realization.
Harry scowled, causing Severus to chuckle in amusement. “I do not believe Harry is overly fond of being referred to as a child,” he said.
Lucius studied Harry contemplatively for a few moments. “I can respect that after all I have witnessed today,” he said. He turned to Severus. “Perhaps my dignity has not all been lost.”
“Ah, but then maybe you speak too soon,” Severus said, lightening the mood with his mischievous smirk. “Because now you are going to disrobe so that we can heal you,” he said, producing his pouch of potions.
Lucius grimaced, but removed the dressing gown so that Severus could tend to his wounds. There was nothing major or life-threatening, but the man had several open sores and his feet were disgusting, in Harry’s opinion. It looked like the cold, stone floor of his prison cell had seeped into his feet, and Harry was surprised the man had been walking well at all. Then again, the man had mostly been riding along in their pockets as a ferret.
Severus may have been surprised at Lucius’ willingness to switch sides, but he’d obviously come prepared with the types of potions he would need. Lucius swallowed several that Severus passed him. With barely a sigh, Harry took the jar of salve and began rubbing it onto Lucius’ feet as directed, while Severus took another jar and dabbed the contents on the open sores.
It was confirmed for Harry again that Severus really was a master. The salves began working immediately, healing the wounds as if they’d never been. Whatever these salves were, though, Harry didn’t think they were part of the stock in the hospital wing.
Thirty minutes later, Lucius looked much healthier. He’d born it all without comment, up until that point. “Severus, you have true talent,” he said sincerely.
Severus simply inclined his head in acknowledgement, packing his supplies back into his pouch.
Considering any sense of modesty had long since been lost, Lucius quickly dressed in the sitting room.
Despite his obvious gauntness, which could not be helped immediately with potions or charms, Lucius regained some of his aristocratic presence once he was dressed. The robes were elegant. His hair was clean and shiny, reaching halfway down his back. His skin looked much healthier than it had earlier, despite the extreme paleness. Overall, it was a completely new man standing tall before them.
“Wow,” Harry said, staring at him.
Lucius smirked in amusement. “I take it I resemble my former self now,” he said.
Harry simply nodded. He wasn’t intimated by the man, even now, but it was certainly easier to see the old Lucius.
