Seeing that white-blond head was a painful relief that nearly had him stumble, but propriety and sheer habit kept him on his feet without trouble. Snape felt his lips twist slightly, one corner lifting up in a flicker of a smile.

How long would he have to walk this cursed path between self and image?

And where it blended was where Lucius stood with him. A mixed blessing, but he'd take it gladly. "Some answers would be appreciated," he answered in greeting, tone sharp to anyone who only saw the nasty Death Eater Slytherin. The greeting between friends was in how he fell instep with Lucius and the slight relaxing in the tense set of his shoulders.