Lucius's Request

A moment later, Lucius's arm trembled slightly. He let go of his fingers in defeat and watched Snape rise to carefully put away the package. He could not help but draw a breath, his hands and feet turning cold.

Snape said, "Once the master receives the package and verifies that everything is correct, if he has any further instructions, I will pass them on to you."

"Thank you for your trouble, Severus." Lucius glanced at where he had stored the package and spoke quietly.

Snape raised his wineglass. "It is no trouble. Everything is for the Dark Lord."

"For the Dark Lord."

Lucius drained the wine in his glass, then watched as Snape filled it again.

Perhaps emboldened by the alcohol, Lucius suppressed his unease and asked in a low voice,

"Severus, is there... is there any way for me to speak directly with the Dark Lord?"

Snape frowned slightly.

"Consider it a favor to me, Severus."

A hint of urgency crossed Lucius's pale face, and his voice carried anxiety and fear. "Give me a chance. I can explain... I will make the Dark Lord believe in my loyalty again..."

Snape's face was like a smoothly polished mask, utterly unmoved. His black eyes were unfathomably deep as he replied coolly,

"I do not know what you are talking about, Lucius. Nor do I know of any means to... directly 'seek an audience.'"

"No, you do!"

Lucius said excitedly, though he did not dare raise his voice. He glanced at the two thieves again, reinforced the Stunning Spells on each of them, and then said,

"After... after losing Avery and the others, you are the only person left who can still contact the Dark Lord! We all know how much he trusted you in the past! For the sake of our