Chapter 6: Solutions (pun intended)

The first thing Lucius registered upon awakening was the most divine sensation radiating from the vicinity of his back. He parted his lips and let a long groan escape from between them. Severus, who had woken up with a wing over his face, smiled and stopped petting the feathers now that Lucius was awake.

Lucius looked frantically around the room, the memories of last night coming back in a rush. It had not, then, been a dream. Eyes wide, he scooted away from Severus as rapidly as possible until he was backed up against the bed frame.

Snape raised an eyebrow. "You're going to ruffle your feathers if you keep doing that," he said, "and I just spent a great deal of time getting them straightened out."

"We…did we just…?" Lucius gestured at the bed to indicate the pair's current location and state of undress.

"Well, yes, I suppose we did," Snape remarked as though they were discussing the weather. "Not just, though. A few hours ago, before you fell asleep. If you feel too much time has elapsed to properly analyze the situation, we could certainly refresh your memory…" He moved closer, so that Lucius could feel his breath on his face.

"Snape," Lucius choked, "We took a love potion. Both of us. Your antidote is going to make things extremely awkward."

"Oh…that," Snape said. "Well, if you must know, I told something of a lie of omission earlier."

"And what did you omit, exactly??" Lucius hissed through gritted teeth.

Severus grinned. "Your potion – the one you so cunningly slipped into my drink, that is – contains none of the ingredients necessary for even the most basic of love charms."

There were several seconds before Lucius could muster a reply. Snape waited patiently. "So…there was never any love potion," he stammered finally.

"None," Severus said, obviously relishing the word.

"Then I'm…and…you're…"

"Evidently." When Lucius's face remained bewildered, Snape gestured at the door. "If you'd like me to give you a moment to process all this…"

He stood, pulled on his pants, and had almost reached the door, robe in hand, before he heard his name. "Severus…" Snape looked back at Lucius, who was still sitting on the bed.

"Yes?"

"I…There's a feather out of place that I can't quite reach…"

Severus crossed the room and looked at the middle of Lucius's left wing. "You know, that one would be perfect for the antidote," he told Lucius, eyeing the feather.

"Really?" asked Lucius, pursing his lips.

Severus reached over to handle the feather in question. "Indeed. I could mix it right now if you like."

Lucius relaxed into his touch and sighed. "Well…you needn't be as hasty as all that," he said, choosing his words carefully. "I believe they're starting to grow on me."