Chapter 15

Disclaimer: See chapter one.

I'd like to thank my betas Charmed_Nay and ladyinthecloak for reading over this and helping to spot my oddities.

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Hermione smiled as she made her way through the rooms of the home she now shared with Severus. The Princes had had a beautiful home, lots of windows to let in the bright sunshine and to allow the inhabitants a great view. Instinctively, she knew that it must have been Severus' grandmother's doing. The way he'd described his grandfather made her think that the man would have been happy shutting out the world outside.

The home certainly outshined pathetic Spinner's End. However, she could understand the reasoning behind Severus' adamant refusal of the place. She'd never been one to criticize people because of their homes, but she didn't want to live in such a gloomy place as his childhood home. If she were the type of person who truly cared about material things, she'd not have befriended the Weasleys or stayed in their magically held together home.

But to live in a dismal house for the rest of her life? No, she couldn't fathom it. "This is what I want," she said aloud, smiling at the way the puffy, white clouds rolled through the light blue sky above. The long grass swaying in the breeze over the hillside made her want to go and pick flowers, something she hadn't done in a long time.

She knew that she and Severus could be happy here, make new memories. And then her heart fluttered. Happiness. Severus. A life together. "The bond or true hope?" she wondered.

"Miss?"

"Oh, hello, Izzy. I'm was talking to myself," she said, smiling at the old house-elf.

"Does miss have orders for dinner?"

"No, I hadn't thought about it."

The house-elf bowed. "I is taking care of it."

"Thank you."

The elf had been eager to have humans in the home again, obviously having been lonely for some time. For the first time in her life, she didn't feel very guilty at having an elf help her or giving one orders. Thankfully, the elf hadn't ended up like Kreacher but had more of a Dobby attitude...mixed with Winky's.

She smiled again and made her way towards the stairs to go up to the large master bedroom, wondering what Severus would say when he realized that she'd had both of their things unpacked and brought into the room. Surely he would realize that she fully intended on sharing a room with him from that day onward.

And it was what she wanted: a new home, a new start, a real marriage.

Her stomach shivered as she closed her eyes and imagined his touch, his lips. How had she gone so long without giving in to Ron's desires? Had she known what lay in store for her if she'd have accepted, no hex Lucius had placed on her would have kept her away. She snorted suddenly. What would have sex been like with Ronald? He definitely wasn't as practiced, that was for certain.

"And I'll never know. Nor do I want to."

Just as she started up the stairway to go to the bedroom to investigate Severus' trunk, she heard the front door open and close. "Severus?" she called out.

"Yes," he replied, coming into view. "Going up?"

"Just to make sure everything is in place." She grinned mischievously. "He fell asleep, you know. Just like you'd said."

Severus nodded. "I was able to slip a few drops into his tea while he wasn't looking. I could see the drowsiness set in immediately and told him that I had to leave." He took a few steps up, stopping on the one just below her, putting him at her eye level. "And?"

"And the Dream Stone works just as easily as you said, started shining the moment he fell asleep. I'm glad we tested it." She bit her lip and shrugged. "Fearing that his late master has returned and wants to punish him for his failures is something that will be his undoing, I'm certain."

"Serves him right," Severus said darkly.

"How did the talk go before that?"

"We'll go public with the same story you and I thought would..." His voice trailed away, and his eyes narrowed slightly, darting from her to the doorway again. "Someone's breached our wards."

"Impossible. Nobody knows where we are or about this place."

"Someone could have followed me from Malfoy Manor." He pulled his wand out, saying, "Fuck," as he made his way back down towards the door. "I should have investigated further, but I saw no one, and there were no Disillusionment Charms activated. I checked twice!"

"Hang on..." she said. "I feel..."

"Potter! What the hell is he doing here?"

"Harry!" Hermione ran for the door but was stopped by Severus.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm going to invite him in. It's been too long. He deserves to know everything, and it's obvious he followed you." She pulled her arm free. "You said that I shouldn't owl anyone just yet, and I didn't, but he's here, so..."

"Fine," he relented, obviously not liking the idea.

"Don't worry. Harry's... er..."

"James Potter's son," he said with a snarl.

"And Lily's," she reminded him. "I expect that counts for something with you."

He turned and went towards the living room, leaving her alone. Not wanting to give him time to change his mind, she opened the door and strode out into the sunlight. Harry was tentatively touching the bark of a tree with his wand and hadn't noticed her.

"Harry James Potter, what are you doing?" she asked, laughing when he jumped.

"Hermione!"

They ran to each other and embraced.

"I was so worried when..." he began as she said, "I should have owled but..." They both started laughing.

"You should have owled," he said seriously once they'd stopped. "I thought... I thought Malfoy might have killed you, and we went there, only to find out...Snape! Where is he?"

"Harry, welcome to the Prince's Court," she said, waving a hand behind her. She grinned as his eyes widened when the Manor came into view for him.

"From up there, it didn't look like this. It was nice, but small, and then it disappeared."

"Oh, wards, strange ones. You shouldn't have seen anything but an old ruined shack...well, if you were a Muggle anyway, but I guess since... Severus is inside." Her voice had lowered to a whisper. "There are some things you should know."

He nodded and strode past her, apparently intent on seeing Snape for himself. His gait was hurried, yet hesitant, as he entered. "I don't see him," he said, turning to look at her, green eyes narrowed slightly.

"It's true. He's alive. Shocking, I know, but can you believe it? We've breached the Otherworld!" she said excitedly. "There are so many things that I've learned, and hopefully, I can one day figure out a way to use this knowledge and..."

"And help others," he said thoughtfully. "Maybe even... I-I'm glad."

"Come on. He's just there," she said, nodding towards the arch that led into the living room. "And, uh, he's... the same as you remember him."

"Still a git then," he confirmed. "Something I'm used to." He stopped dry when his eyes met the black gaze of Severus. "I can't believe it."

"Followed me from the Malfoys', eh, Potter?" Severus said by way of greeting. "In your wrapper, I expect. I hadn't thought of checking for a cloak, though I wouldn't have detected you anyway...not since you own the only true Invisibility Cloak ever made."

Harry shook his head dumbly and slowly walked forward, nearing Severus cautiously. "Does it hurt?"

"Am I doubled over in pain?"

At this, Harry snickered. "Never thought I'd hear that voice again. Some nights I wished that you'd be back, even if just to be a right nasty prat, so that I could tell you so many things... ask things."

Severus sighed but gestured for the both of them to sit down while Hermione took a step forward, asking, "Tea?"

"No."

"Yes."

"Right then. I'll just brew a pot." She assumed that they might need some privacy, and as much as she wanted to be present, she knew she should grant them that. Severus might not be as inclined to answer questions about Lily if Hermione were there.

"Izzy can do it," Severus said, calling for the elf.

Surprised, Hermione sat next to Severus on the couch, which positioned them across from Harry, who was waiting quietly and taking in the room. "This is Severus' family home," she said softly.

"Is it? I thought that other place was."

"Well, this is from the maternal side of his family."

"Oh, right, the Princes."

"If you two are finished," Severus said in clipped tones, "I'd like to get this inquisition over with."

"First," Harry began, "where've you been all this while, Hermione? What went on at Malfoy's house?"

She tried to speak, but her mouth wouldn't open. She remembered her vow. "Blast," she muttered. "Harry, if I tell you, will you promise that you won't use what I say to bring charges against Malfoy or have someone else do it?"

He was quiet for a long moment. "I'll not turn him in to the authorities or tell them, but I won't promise to condone any wrong doing he's done."

"Remember the vow I took? It was very specific that..."

"If Potter agrees, then you've done your part," Severus cut in.

"He tricked me into..."

"I knew it!" Harry yelled, rising up from his seat as if he were going to run off to Malfoy Manor.

"Calm yourself, boy," Severus said in a bored tone. "Still the same, I see, ready to run off and get into trouble before knowing the whole story."

He sat down and looked a little embarrassed by his outburst, saying, "Something wasn't right from the beginning. I knew if you had to take a secrecy vow that he was up to no good."

"I know. I was... thick about it. I was taken in so easily. He waved a bit of knowledge in my face, showed me a magical tome that seemed to call to me," here she shook her head in shame, "and manipulated me with the knowledge that I could help bring Severus back."

"It's odd, you calling him that."

"What else would she call me?"

"Well, Snape, of course."

Hermione noticed the smirk playing on Severus' lips and decided that Harry would take the news better if he heard it from her instead. "Part of the magic, er, called for some sacrifices on my part." She sighed. "When Ron stopped writing me..."

"The wanker got married!" Harry said heatedly.

"I know. I saw the Prophet."

"And you're not angry?"

"Well, I... don't expect I have a right to be."

"Sorry? What?"

"Severus and I... the magic that brought him back had to be sated by things, and uh, well, we're now bonded."

"Bonded," he repeated, obviously dumbfounded.

"She means to say that Weasley isn't the only one who's married now," Severus said, watching Harry warily.

"Married... to Snape... You're shitting me."

"It's true."

"I don't understand."

"You see, Potter, it's like this. When a man and a woman..."

"Severus!" Hermione admonished, cheeks heating. "Look, I knew what I was getting into...mostly. The truth of the matter is that I've helped to bring Severus back to life. I... I don't regret that."

"But what of Ron?"

"Ron's moved on, hasn't he?" she said, finally feeling angry.

Harry shook his head. "Ron couldn't fight off an Imperius Curse, that's why! That Jeri loves him, but he was hexed into it all."

Hermione's eyes watered. So, one of her fears had been confirmed. Lucius must have done something to Ron, ultimately making certain she had no options.

"Just another of Malfoy's tricks then," she said softly. "Not that it matters now."

"Unbond. I doubt you have to stay with Snape now that he's back."

"It doesn't work that way, Harry," she said, taking Snape's hand as she spoke. "And besides, we've talked and want to give this a try."

Harry sat back as if he'd been pushed, mouth agape.

"I'll have to explain to Ron that I'd really thought..."

"Those pictures. It's Malfoy who did it," Harry said. "He wanted to make sure that you thought Ron was with someone else. And your dad, he said that..."

"Lucius again," Hermione confirmed.

"Wait till I tell Kingsley about this!" Harry roared. "He's already helping me put things together to... Shite! I can't tell him about all of this; he'd use it against him and send him to Azkaban."

"Right in one," Severus agreed. "Ah, tea."

Izzy placed the tea service on the small table between the three of them. "Izzy is going to set another place for dinner."

"Thank you, Izzy," Hermione said graciously, educing an eager nod from the house-elf.

"Remember how I was going on about that tome in my dreams? I asked Kreacher about it, and he told me that his old mistress once gave it to Lucius Malfoy. Of course, that's when I contacted him about it. I had to know. It was haunting my dreams, and I thought that if I could find the book, I would be left alone." She rolled her eyes. "He set things up quite well. He fed me a line about how he and his wife had split up, how he didn't trust me because I'd testified against him, and he worked hard to prove just how changed he was. I didn't see it coming."

"He's always been quite smooth, Lucius," Severus commented.

"There's so much more. Perhaps we can discuss it over dinner? It smells as though Izzy is done," Hermione said. "I just... Oh, Harry, it's so good to have you here. Just please don't judge me."

"I don't like this, but it's not like I have any say in things."

"Well said," Severus quipped sarcastically.

"Are you going to keep being snide?" Harry asked. "I don't like our past either, but I'm here... trying to be, er, supportive, aren't I?"

"That, Potter, remains to be seen." Severus stood. "Shall we relocate to the dining room?"

"All right," Harry agreed. "But then, I'd like to know some things. Those memories you gave me, I have questions."

Severus simply nodded, placing a hand at the small of Hermione's back to guide her into the next room. Hermione relaxed into his touch and felt hopeful that the three could have a nice dinner and bring everything out in the open...everything except the fact that she'd had sex with Lucius Malfoy. She didn't feel the need to expose that dirty secret to Harry.

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"Well?" Hermione asked as she walked over to the wardrobe to find a suitable gown to sleep in.

"Well, what?" Severus replied, unbuttoning the cuffs on his sleeve.

"About Harry."

"I think he'll keep quiet."

"That's not what I'm talking about," she said in exasperation.

"He's... making an impressive attempt to be mature and levelheaded it seems. Something new for him." He shrugged. "I don't know what you want me to say." He turned to face her, his next words dying in his throat.

"You look surprised," she stated, inwardly pleased with his appreciative gaze.

"You're slipping into my bed."

"I am."

"I thought you wanted separate rooms for a while...like we were doing at home."

She rearranged her pillow and pulled the sheet up to her chin. "It's a bit cool here, isn't it? Pull the duvet up when you get in, will you?"

"You've not answered my question."

"You didn't ask one, Severus."

"Witch..."

"I think that we should look at this as a new start: new home, new beginning, a new us." She closed her eyes, not wanting to show her nervousness. "I think it's silly to have separate rooms, what with being your wife, Severus, and it's not like we haven't already... consummated anything, right?"

"I agree. I thought that I might broach the subject soon, but..."

"But you didn't want to pressure me, and that," she turned over to look at him, propping herself up on one elbow, "is why I think you and I will be all right."

"And do you still love him?" he asked suddenly.

"Sorry?"

"Weasley, I saw the way you looked when you spoke of him."

She remembered his honesty where his feelings for Lily Potter were concerned, so she decided to follow his set path. "It seems that I still do, yes, but you know that already. Why would you ask me this?"

He tossed his shirt away and began to unfasten his trousers. "You speak about wanting to have a new life and about being happy, yet you openly pine for that... boy."

"And you?"

"I don't openly pine for anyone."

"Not openly, but you do all the same."

"How do you know?"

"You told me."

"Perhaps my feelings have changed. Do you think that impossible?"

"In this length of time? I find it improbable."

His trousers joined his shirt across the room, and he waved a hand to extinguish the light. A moment later, she felt the bed shift and the warmth of the duvet rise up to cover her. Then there was silence.

"Am I not right?" she prompted.

His hand found her cheek and guided her face towards his in the darkness. "Do you mind? I'm trying to make love to my wife," he said quietly.

Feeling nervous, she opened her mouth to speak, but his lips met hers, effectively quieting her. The feeling of rightness and completeness washed over her, and she felt how deeply she wanted to be with him, to replace any woman in his heart, and send his past away.

His kiss intensified as he drew closer to her, his free hand tangling in her hair, and she felt herself melt into him, wanting to become one. Breathing heavily, they drew apart, her hands meeting his at the top button of her nightgown.

"Allow me."

"Yes," she agreed. She might have agreed to anything he asked of her just then.

As he unbuttoned the gown, he leaned in and began leaving open-mouthed kisses along her throat, using his tongue to tease the flesh he suckled roughly and causing goosebumps to rise over her flesh.

"Mmmm," she moaned in approval, her hands holding him close and rubbing his back fervently, lightly scratching him occasionally. As soon as her nightgown was pulled open, his mouth and hands found her bare body, exploring her anew and forcing her onto her back. Her breath caught as his teeth nipped at one of her taut nipples.

"All right?" he asked, breaking contact.

"God, yes."

He chuckled and moved back to her breasts, humming against her flesh with appreciation and laving her body as if she were something delectable to be devoured slowly and delicately. Her back arched up to press into him when he nibbled the underside of one breast and then the other, and her hands realized they needn't be still and moved to explore his lower back and arse.

"I like that," he said, raising his head up to look at her, his intense gaze easily readable in the moonlight.

Her lips crashed into his, and she doubled her efforts to bring him pleasure, sliding one hand around to the front in order to explore the crinkly hair and the erect treasure it surrounded.

"Wet already," he murmured as one of his fingers slid inside of her. When he moved it out and circled the tight bundle of nerves that was her clit, she moaned and moved against him. "Enough foreplay for tonight?"

"I want you," she said, feeling bold.

He swiftly moved between her thighs and pressed himself against her entrance as he kissed her lips passionately, rocking and pushing until he eased in, forcing them both to pull in a sharp breath. The rhythm he took her with started slow and steady, each wanting to convey something to the other, but it took a fervent turn soon after.

When he flipped them over, expecting her to ride him, she faltered and nearly lost her balance. "Sorry," she said quickly, feeling foolish.

"Don't be. Take your pleasure."

Hermione gyrated her hips experimentally and enjoyed the sensation she felt and the groan of pleasure from her husband. Wanting to chase the feeling, she began to move in earnest, placing her hands on his chest to keep steady, all the while undulating and rocking. With the added feeling of him thrusting up to meet her and his pelvis grinding against her firmly, she knew it wouldn't be long until orgasm found her...or him from the sound of it.

"Yessss," he hissed and pumped madly, frantically, upward.

She looked down as she rode him, watching in awe as his face contorted in what looked like pain, but sounded like bliss. It was humbling, it made her feel powerful, and she wanted to join him, wanted him to be the one who made her come undone.

"God, Severus, oh..."

Culmination found her, causing her insides to burst and flutter and clench. Before she realized what had happened, she noticed she'd fallen to his chest, panting and sated. "Is this all right?" she asked.

"Don't you dare move," he replied, just as breathlessly.

She smiled and snuggled closer to him, tightening her hold on him. Sleep found her shortly after, but it didn't keep her long. She felt him move to place her against his side and woke again.

"I don't love him," she blurted. "It never felt like this."

"You've never been with him like this."

"Well, you wanted to know, and I thought that I might, but... no, I don't."

One of his hands caressed her face and gently smoothed down her hair. "Thank you for telling me that."

"Did your feelings really change?" she asked, uncertain she wanted to know the answer.

"I told your father that you were already dear to me, and that was the truth."

"Because I saved your life."

"Because... Some of it is that, yes."

Her hand moved up to lace its fingers within those against her head, and she pulled his palm down to kiss it lightly. "Having s... making love to you, I enjoy it. I'm glad we've decided to do this."

At this he laughed deeply, causing her to do the same. "You have a way with words," he finally said, voice still full of mirth, "but I know what you mean. I feel the same."

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Harry knocked on the backdoor of the Burrow before opening it and walking in.

"Oh, Harry, you startled me!" Molly said. "You look upset. Something wrong?"

"No, well, yes, but I just need to talk to Ron."

"He's upstairs." She looked at the ceiling above them. "I expect he's trying to soothe her."

"What's wrong now?"

"Ah, worried that Hermione will come back in here and ask that Ronald goes back to her." She smiled sadly. "I don't think that's likely to happen."

"No, it won't," he said firmly.

"No? You know something? Have you seen her?"

"Yeah," he said, running his fingers through his hair, "but I'd like to talk to Ron privately about it first. I promised her that I would."

"I'll just fetch him then."

"No, I'll go up. We'll talk in the twins' old room, all right?"

Molly nodded. "Whatever you need, Harry dear."

"Thanks."

Each step he took towards Ron's room had his stomach clenching. He'd told Hermione that he would be the one to tell Ron that what Malfoy has said was true, which would make things easier on them all, but now that he was at the Burrow, he wished he'd just let Hermione do it. He wasn't up for Ron's wrath. Sure, the bloke was married and said he'd stay by his wife, but that didn't mean he'd appreciate Hermione doing the same.

"Ron?" he called. "It's Harry."

There was a thud and muffled talking before the door creaked open.

"Oi, it's late, yeah?"

"I need a word."

"You've been drinking?"

"Yeah."

"Must be something serious."

"It is. Come on. Let's go up to the twins' room for a private talk."

"I'll be there in a minute." He tilted his head towards the door to indicate he had to let his wife know.

"All right."

Harry didn't have to wait long for Ron and let out a deep breath before saying, "Look, let me get this out before you say anything, okay?"

"You've found her. She all right?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"You told her about, uh, Jeri."

"She'd read the paper."

"Blimey," Ron said, sitting down heavily on the bed across from Harry. "She didn't deserve to find out that way."

"That's why I'm here. There's something she wants you to know, and after tomorrow, you'll be reading about it in the papers."

"I don't like the sound of that."

"You won't like it."

"Tell me."

"First, I have to know if you will use anything I say in order to bring charges against Lucius Malfoy."

"That tosser does have something to do with this then? We were right? What he was on about the other day..."

"We were spot on about some things, but you don't know the half of it." When Ron folded his arms across his chest and became silent, Harry continued. "Shite. Hermione's vow. I can't say anything to you until you swear you won't try to see him locked in Azkaban."

Rolling his eyes, Ron nodded. "Fine. How's her vow extending to you?"

"It's a different sort. But anyway, the point is," Harry shook his head, "he tricked her into helping him bring Snape back. He showed her those photos of you and Jeri, made her think you'd left her for good..."

"We figured that out already, that it was him who put the curse on me... or someone he hired at any rate."

"Yeah, but that's only because there were sacrifices on Hermione's part that needed to be made in order to bring Snape back. One... she, uh, had to be a... inexperienced."

"What's that to do with anything?" Ron asked. "Oh, right, like unicorns prefer virgins to those who aren't. I guess some potions might want the brewer to be the same."

"Not exactly. See, she and Snape had to bond together and... you know, consummate that."

"Bond together. That again. Ginny was wrong, right? Malfoy was just saying that."

Harry shook his head. "No, it's real. Marital bonding."

Ron started laughing. "She made you do this, right? Mad at me for deciding to give Jeri a try, so she's just feeding on what Malfoy said to get a rise out of me. What? Does she think this will change my mind?"

"I'm not laughing, mate."

"Come on. That's mental. She's just helping him heal or something. Hermione and Snape."

"Are married and living together. I followed Snape home from Malfoy Manor today... had dinner with them and everything."

Ron stood and began to pace angrily. "So, she just up and married someone after seeing a few pictures? Didn't even try to come find me!"

"You'd stopped writing to us all, and you'd told her you needed space! There were photos! How were we supposed to know?"

"So, you approve of this? What the fuck, Harry? I get a punch in the gut and she gets a pat on the back?"

"No, it's not like that. I wish it would be different, but you've already made your decision about your marriage. What can I say? What should I have said?"

"You should have told her that she should have believed in me, that's what! It wasn't really me writing those letters. It was... my fucked up mind doing it!"

"Right. Rather her to have been waiting for you and to be devastated that you've decided to give your marriage a go? Thanks, Hermione," Harry imitated, "but I'm finally getting a steady shag now, so I'll..."

Ron's fist stopped his words and knocked him backwards against the bed. He wiped his lip and sat up. "I might have deserved that, but don't think I'll let you do it again."

"And we can't do a fucking thing to Malfoy," Ron ranted, not even acknowledging Harry's words. "He gets off again, slithering off like a great snake without so much as a slap on the wrists?"

"We'll keep working with Kingsley and find some other way to bring him to justice."

"What's going to stick? A Muggle's word that he saw Malfoy and swerved his car? That'll stick," he said sarcastically.

"He'll slip up somehow."

"I think I'll just kill him," Ron said calmly. "Ruined my life. Hermione's life. Maybe even Jeri's. Look at what that bastard's done! And all just to bring Severus Fucking Snape back from the dead! Who the bloody hell cares if he was dead! Good riddance!"

"Ron, Hermione was given the chance to save someone's life. Of course she felt she had to do it. Malfoy bewitched some tome and made her think that if she didn't go through with it, her father...or one of us...would be killed. It told her that the car wreck was a warning."

"And it was Malfoy the whole time."

"Yeah. So Draco was trying to help."

"We should find him and get him away from those mental freaks."

"Exactly what I was thinking. I told Snape and Hermione about how he was. Neither was very pleased."

Sitting back down, Ron brought his hands to his face, and it sounded to Harry as if he were sobbing softly. "It's really over, isn't it?"

"I'm sorry, mate."

"I just..."

"I know."

When he looked up to face Harry, there were tears shining in his eyes. "Malfoy's going to wish he'd never done this to her. Tell me everything. I want to know it all."

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"Lucius!" Narcissa yelled, running to fling herself in his arms. "It's so horrible!"

"What is it?" he asked, moving her to arm's length so that he could look into her distraught eyes.

"It's Draco... oh, God!"

"Bozzy! Come light the lamps here and the fireplace. It's dark and freezing." He sniffed. "Damn elf!"

"Aren't you listening?"

"It's just the effect of the..." He stopped abruptly as he took note of her eyes. "Where is my son, Narcissa?"

"He's with him! He's back. Oh, it was horrible. He knew right where to find us. Draco didn't have a chance, what in his current state. I shouldn't have let you drug him and put that spell on him. It's your fault. He's been killed by him!"

"Him?"

"The Dark Lord," she said, her words coming out in a whisper, her breath hitting his face like a cool breeze.

And he felt his arm begin to burn.

"You're next," his wife said, her voice taking on the cold, emotionless tone her sister normally used when she'd lived. Her lovely face contorted into a devilish grimace, blood dripping from her mouth. "You're next, you're next..." The chant began to sound more like a song than a warning.

He stepped away from her, knowing she couldn't possibly be his Narcissa. She was an intruder! But how? His home was warded! Something on his arm caught his attention. His sleeve was moving, rolling... undulating, almost like a snake would be slithering beneath it.

"No." The words left his throat of their own volition.

"Yes, yes, yes, yes..." Narcissa chanted in a demonic voice.

"Luciussss."

The Dark Lord. Back. In his home.

"Planning to use Severusss for your own gains... ultimately intending to take MY place? Where were you when I needed you? More worried about your boy, the same boy you helped to destroy?"

"Master, I assure you that had I known what the Potter boy was planning..."

"Crucio!"

Lucius woke up, panting and sweaty, in his well-lit, warm room. "B-Bozzy," he croaked.

Pop. "Master calls for Bozzy?"

"Pack my things. I'm going to France to stay with Narcissa and Draco."

"When is master leaving?"

"Immediately. Tell no one. Not even Severus."

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AN: And now the kneazle's out of the bag. I think that Lucius might have numbered days somehow. Guess we'll see. :)