Point Made

Just keep the blood off the carpet

Harry Potter doesn't stir in Lucius' arms until he is standing outside Severus' house. The boy moves and whimpers a moment, but settles back down. Lucius pulls a strange comfort from Harry's own uneasiness here. He hates Spinner's End.

The way the cobblestones break off in parts and how the houses lean over as if they might swallow him whole.

He knocks quickly upon the door and Severus opens it within seconds.

His robe skims the dirty ground, but he doesn't bother to pick it up.

Lucius sighs as he repositions Harry. "Can you at least attempt to take care of my gift?" He smirks as he asks knowing full well Severus won't answer.

"Lucius," he breathes. "Is that?"

He smirks again, shrugging as much as he can with Harry Potter in his arms. "Just doing my wizardly duty. If you will let me in I can explain."

Severus steps back from the door letting Lucius tap it open more with his foot as he moves to clear the nearby couch. The walls are lined with bookshelves leaving barely enough room for Lucius to move as he drops Harry down.

"Why would you bring him here? No. Why would you have the boy in the first place Lucius." It's less of a question and more of an accusation. Severus' tone was too hurried and angry to be anything else. His voice is low, wary of any interference.

"I was nearby when it happened." Lucius starts as he sits in the armchair. He sighs and waves his wand, dishes moving into place as he begins to brew tea. Severus never offered him any even when Lucius came by with permission. "Narcissa and I fought this morning."

It's not much of an explanation, but it's all that Severus needs. "You went to a muggle town? Coincidentally the one near Harr-this boy's residence?"

"Some might call it fate, Severus."

"I don't have time for your games."

"Of course not. If one does not even have time to firecall..."Lucius lets his sentence hang between them. When Severus doesn't respond he continues, "Narcissa was very distraught when you stopped answering."

"I was busy. She understands that."

"Does she? Do I? Severus you are not alone anymore. When you agreed-"

"-When I agreed I did not expect to be hounded by you two. Once again Lucius, explain."

Lucius pulls his cane out of his pocket, unshrinking it in front of him. The familiar silver cool to the touch. "As I said I was nearby when I felt it. An outward explosion of magic. It wasn't antagonistic however so I wasn't concerned. I followed it to Privet Drive. The boy was unconscious."

"What of the wards?"

"Gone. The boy was under the rubble. I didn't have time to look around so I grabbed the boy and fled. I couldn't exactly go to Malfoy Manor with him and of course, you live with the godforsaken muggles, so I had to carry the boy."

For the first time since Severus saw him on the stoop, he looked over at Harry Potter on his couch. "The Dark lord?"

"Nowhere nearby. He knew the wards fell though."

"The mark?"

"Yes, it burned for a moment when I left."

"No time to spare then."

"No." The mark had burned severely when Lucius arrived on Spinner's End. Voldemort's anger always transcended words.

Lucius' tea floated to him from the kitchen as Severus leaned closer to Harry. "He doesn't have any injuries?"