' An Unexpected Date for an Unexpected Dance. '

'Misconceptions of Manipulation' Chapter Five

" Please, tell me you're joking, Lucius. He's not even a pureblood! " Bellatrix snarled in a whisper. Lucius rolled his eyes.

" I'm not joking, and deal with it, " He snarled back. " Severus, while he isn't a pureblood, is a powerful Slytherin. Once we graduate we can tempt him to the darkside. "

" Ah! So, you're just pretending to be his friend? " Bellatrix smirked, maliciously.

" Yeah, obviously...." Lucius replied, his voice trailing off as the sentence closed. Bellatrix snickered, and walked off down a corridor to her next class. Lucius watched her and sighed when she was out of sight.

" So, you're using him, Malfoy? " A female voice came from behind him. He spun around, quickly, his hair nearly hitting the person. Of course, it was one of the people Lucius wished wouldn't hear that conversation; Lily Evans. He stood silent for a moment, unable to think of what he would say. He decided on what he thought would be best, a clear, yet cold answer.

" Maybe I am, what would you care, Evans? " He paused, and took his wand out of his robes pocket. Then, he continued, " Why don't you run along to Potter and his friends? Filthy mudblood. "

Lily scowled, and curled her lip slightly. She looked at Lucius in the eye with a piercing glare and demanded, " Why would you ever use someone like that?! Do you have to be a pureblood to be seen as an equal to you?! "

" Run along to your little boyfriend, Evans. I'm not in the mood. So, unless you want to end up in the hospital wing with several cuts or bruises, get out of my way, " Lucius growled, narrowing his eyes at Lily and tightening his grip on his wand. Lily rolled her eyes, and turned away.

" Hey, uhm, Lucius! " Severus set his book down on the table and sat down himself.

" Hello, Severus. What's up? " Lucius asked, twirling a chip (french fry and yes, I looked it up, they eat french fries/chips at Hogwarts) in between his fingers, his head resting on his other hand. Severus' eyes darted to Bellatrix who sat next to Lucius, talking to her sister.

" So, I overheard Lily talking to Potter in class and she was explaining to him about a conversation between you and Bellatrix that she had overheard, " Severus explained, anxiously. Lucius glared at Bellatrix, who smirked. He straightened his posture and cleared his throat.

" I don't know what you're talking about, " Lucius said, his lie undetectable. He looked back at Severus. " If you don't mind me asking, what was Evans talking about? "

Severus looked back at Lucius, very nervous, until he muttered, " Something about you...uhm....using me and that we're only friends so you turn me to his side once we graduate. "

Lucius, yes, was panicked. He had only told Bellatrix that to get her off his back, he truly did want Severus as a friend. Luckily, he was able to keep his composer in these sorts of situations. " Perhaps, Evans misheard me. I was, of course, telling Bellatrix about how I just love your company and our friendship. " Lucius chuckled, softly. Bellatrix looked at him and scoffed.

" Liar, " She chimed. Lucius turned his head quickly, and gave her a very intimidating look, what so clearly meant, shut-the-hell-up-or-I'll-slit-your-throat.

" No. You're lying, " Lucius growled through gritted teeth. He turned back to Severus and said in a sickly sweet voice, " Don't listen to her, come along, let us go back to the common room. "

The two boys got up and left. Little did they know that Lily was watching them as they left, angry that Lucius was manipulating Severus like he was. She knew what she had to do, though.