Seven

Many thanks to my lovely betas Anogete and Dacian Goddess.

JKR's, not mine.

~*~

Hermione sat in her armchair, a purring Crookshanks in her lap. She didn't know how long she had been staring out of the window without really seeing anything. Come Monday, she would be checking the amount of twigs on brooms' tails instead of doing research on ancient curses. Which also meant she wouldn't be able to spend her days in the library at Malfoy Manor anymore. Recently, she was also spending most of her nights there, though not in the library. A broad smile appeared on her face as she thought of those nights, and a wistful sigh escaped her lips. The purring in her lap stopped, and a puzzled half-kneazle looked up at the odd noise.

Hermione continued to look out of the window. Something needed to be done, but she would need help.

She didn't bother with a cloak, picked up Crookshanks and Disapparated.

~*~

As usual, Tinky showed up immediately at Hermione's arrival. 'Good evening, miss.'

'Good evening, Tinky.' Lately, the elves had become much more relaxed around her. She suspected Lucius had let them know with a few well chosen words that it wasn't Hermione they had to fear if their behaviour didn't change.

Crookshanks immediately disappeared to one of his favourites spots when she set him down. He obviously had no qualms about spending most of his time at the manor. Hermione had also been glad to see that his Kneazle instincts approved of Severus and Lucius.

As usual, she found both men in the library. These days all of them spent most of their evenings there. As Severus had pointed out, it was so much more practical when one had all the books at hand instead of carrying them to and fro all the time. Lucius said the armchairs were more comfortable than those in the drawing room, though Hermione thought he simply got bored as she and Severus often worked until late into the night. Not that Lucius would ever admit to such a mundane thing as boredom.

Tonight, the two wizards were lounging around the little table that stood near the fireplace. Apparently, Tinky had announced her; when she joined them, she found a glass of dark red wine waiting and a black and a grey pair of eyes looking at her with warmth and interest.

She gave them both a hug and a kiss before she sat down and took a sip of the tasty wine. Severus narrowed his eyes. 'Why do I have the impression that things were not well at the office?'

She was still easily surprised by his perceptiveness; sometimes she had the impression he could read her like a book. Given the fact that he was an excellent Legilimens, he probably could. 'Because they are not. The sodding Ministry has decided to terminate my leave. So that's the official end of my research, and they're relegating me to Broom Control.'

'Broom Control? That's the Ministry's equivalent to Coventry. Someone really wants you out of the way,' Lucius said, twirling the stem of his glass in his long elegant fingers.

Hermione stared mesmerised at his fingers before she continued, 'Someone definitely doesn't want me to do what I am doing.'

'So, if you followed their wishes, that would be the end of your research and ergo your career,' Severus said.

'Which, if my guess is correct, you have no intention of doing,' Lucius added.

'Of course not,' Hermione answered.

'So, what do you intend to do?'

'I don't know yet. Apart from finishing my book, obviously. I was wondering if you could help me to do a little brainstorming.'

Lucius smiled. It was the sort of smile that had made even his fellow Death Eaters wary. 'Let's map out the territory first. What's the official reason for calling you back?'

'All the employees are needed because of the upcoming elections,' Hermione quoted; it didn't sound any more likely the second time around.

Severus had started pacing in front of the fireplace. 'That is so obviously a pretext that they either think you're completely daft, or they want you to know it is a pretext. While I wouldn't discount the first possibility, my bet would be on the latter.'

Hermione nodded. 'I agree, especially together with the transfer.'

'Did anyone bother to give you an official reason for that?'

Hermione snorted. 'Oh yes, apparently, I'm better qualified for that job.'

Both men grinned; Severus said, 'I see how measuring broomsticks would allow you to exercise all your mental capability.'

'Indeed.'

'Who are your enemies? Whoever is out to get you would have to be relatively high up in order to influence committees and instigate transfers,' Lucius pointed out.

Hermione had already known that he was an excellent strategist, but for the first time, she had the occasion to admire the real extent of his considerable intelligence.

'A number of people, actually. Most of the Weasleys, including those outside the Ministry, especially Percy, Ginny, and Fleur, but also Arthur if he listens to Molly, which he certainly does. Ernie Macmillan and his Hufflepuff clique.'

Lucius looked at her. 'That is an impressive list. Any reason for that other than that they're a bunch of imbeciles?'

'Let me see. I disagree with Molly on motherhood and the role of women; I disagree with Percy on politics; I disagree with George on his methods of doing business; I disagree with Ginny on most everything; and, oh right, I dumped Ron.'

The corners of Severus's mouth twitched visibly. 'All commendable reasons. But why Macmillan?'

'I refused to go out with him.'

Hermione could see Lucius thinking. 'So, virtually everyone who right now holds a key position at the Ministry is your enemy.'

Hermione nodded. 'Not to mention that George and Bill have a lot of influence outside the Ministry.'

'That might change. Who are your friends?'

'Outside the Ministry? Luna Lovegood, you know the editor of The Quibbler, Minerva McGonagall. On the inside, definitely Harry. Probably Kingsley.' Hermione couldn't think of any more people at the Ministry who might be on her side.

'Good, that means we have at least one newspaper at our disposal. An ally at Hogwarts is good as well.'

'Potter? I thought he was engaged to the Weasley girl?' Severus interjected.

'They split up, and as Ginny made it abundantly clear that she was the wronged party, Harry isn't the Weasleys' most favourite person at the moment,' Hermione explained.

Lucius said, 'If we can't do much from within the Ministry, we will have to thwart the elections.'

Hermione stared at him. 'You make it sound so easy.'

'It is easy if you know how to do it.' There was that smile again, and the temperature in the room dropped several degrees.

'What we need is someone to stand against Arthur,' Severus said.

'Hm, the most obvious candidate would be Kingsley. He fought against Voldemort, he did well when he was Minister before, and despite the rubbish in the Daily Prophet, he is still well-known and popular. Do you think he could be persuaded?' Hermione asked.

'Everyone can be persuaded if the price is right or the threat is fierce enough. Kingsley seems like a good choice.' Lucius picked up his wineglass again; seeing that it was empty, he quickly Accioed the bottle and topped up the others' glasses as well.

Severus had resumed his pacing. Hermione noticed he often did that when he was thinking. She liked watching him; he moved with graceful strength without making a noise. 'Would Narcissa help?' he asked.

'If it brings her husband prestige? Definitely,' Lucius replied.

Hermione couldn't help a twinge of jealousy at the mention of Narcissa. She knew that Lucius didn't love her anymore. He had told her about their divorce; they had parted amicably which again was something she wouldn't have thought him capable of when she first came to his house. Still, the thought of the elegant society woman, who was so different from her, made Hermione uneasy.

Severus came to sit on the armrest of Hermione's chair and started to play with her curls. 'Narcissa is a notable ally.'

In response, Hermione leaned back into his touch. 'So, we persuade Kingsley, thwart Arthur's campaign, make sure that Kingsley wins the elections, and thereby end the Weasley reign. Is that it?'

Lucius came to perch on the other armrest. 'In a nutshell, yes, though the actual thing might require a few more moves in between. In any case, it will be highly entertaining. Speaking of which...' With these words he bent over and kissed Severus.

Hermione felt a familiar heat spread through her body as she watched them. She never got tired of seeing them together. They looked so beautiful, silver and black, light and dark.

~*~

Lucius had arranged a little informal soiree. It just so happened that all the guests were supporting Kingsley in the upcoming election.

Hermione was turning back and forth in front of the large mirror. She adjusted the neckline of her robes again, then twirled the lock that she had taken out of the bun at the nape of her neck to frame her face around her finger once more. She turned again to see the fall of her robes.

'Hermione, give it a rest. You look perfect.' Severus had come to stand behind her. He put his arms round her middle and let his head rest for a moment on her shoulder.

Hermione leaned back against him and smiled at the image she saw in the glass. 'As do you.'

'Come on, let's go downstairs; it's time.'

'Don't you think we should wait a few more minutes?' She tried to catch a look at the fall of her robes again.

'Hermione, you have nothing to worry about. Narcissa needs your help in the election, so she will be perfectly nice. And besides, Lucius has never looked at Narcissa the way he looks at you.'

Suddenly another thought struck Hermione. 'And you?'

Severus stared at her for a moment before he caught on. 'No.'

He pulled Hermione close to him and said softly, 'In my life I have cared about exactly three people. Two of which are here tonight, and Narcissa isn't one of them.'

~*~

Despite Severus's attempts to reassure her, Hermione's knees felt wobbly as they went downstairs to greet the guests. Her legs started to feel a bit steadier when all her friends were obviously happy to see her. If any of them wondered why she looked suspiciously like tonight's hostess, none of them mentioned it.

Narcissa arrived at Kingsley's arm, looking very beautiful in an aloof way. Hermione noticed the other woman sizing her up and resisted the urge to tug at an invisible crease in her sleeve. Instead, she returned the favour by looking Narcissa over in the same manner. Two could play at this game. Hermione smiled. 'Mrs Shacklebolt. What a pleasure to see you. You look beautiful.'

If Narcissa caught the emphasis Hermione had put on her name, she didn't show it. 'Thank you, the pleasure is all mine. You look lovely, too.'

The pleasantries over, Hermione was free to enjoy the evening and set her part of the schemes in motion. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Harry and Draco greeting each other. That was another meeting that needed to be monitored. Old rivalries and petty jealousies could all too easily become vital flaws in their plan. As she watched more closely, she noticed them standing there, looking at each other as if they were meeting for the first time, with expressions of utter rapture on their faces. Hermione started to grin; they didn't seem to need her intervention there, after all. In another corner, she saw Severus talking to Minerva. It had taken a lot of persuasion for the Headmistress to even accept the invitation for tonight, so there was work to be done. Hermione went to join them and thought that it would be nice to be as lively and fierce as the older woman when she reached Minerva's age.

~*~

After a long chat with Luna about the role of Nargles in politics, Hermione noticed that Harry and Draco were still standing in the same spot, talking. Her curiosity getting the better of her, she walked over to them. They abruptly became silent.

Harry suddenly looked sheepish. 'Erm, Hermione, is there something going on between you and Snape?'

'Yes.'

Draco raised an eyebrow in an exact imitation of Lucius. 'I had the impression there was something between you and my father.'

'Yes,' Hermione said calmly, waiting for what would happen next.

She thought she could see tiny wheels spurring in their brains as both men stared at her. The silence lasted for a few minutes until Harry said tentatively, 'I see... I think. Are you happy?'

'Very.'

Harry only nodded, her reassurance apparently enough for him.

Draco was still staring at her. 'Wow, Granger. Who'd have thought you had it in you.'

'Life is full of surprises, Malfoy.'

Draco started to smile; it was the first genuine smile Hermione had ever seen from him. 'Don't I know it.'

~*~

After the last guests had left, three tired people trudged up the stairs to their rooms. They had never talked about it, but one day Hermione had found a guestroom prepared for her.

Since then, again without anyone ever acknowledging it, it had become "Hermione's room." Having a place of her own in the big manor house meant a lot to Hermione, though the only one who ever slept there was Crookshanks.

Hermione took a shower, slipped on her nightshirt, and contemplated the bed for a moment. Then she pulled the nightie off again, wrapped herself in her nightgown, and left for the master bedroom.

~*~

Lucius was already in bed, reading a book. As usual, he wasn't wearing anything; he preferred to sleep in the nude. Hermione found that to be a rather practical habit.

At her entrance, Lucius looked up. Hermione walked over to the bed and let the nightgown slip off her shoulders before she sat down. Lucius slipped back the duvet and pulled her into a kiss. As she felt his mouth close on hers and his warm body beneath her, she noticed that she had his full attention in every sense. Lucius pulled her hair back from her face and slowly licked a trail down the side of her neck. Encouraging her to glide a bit further up his torso, he took one of her nipples into his mouth. The feeling of his hot, wet mouth on her skin made Hermione whimper. He gave the other breast the same attention. When he released it, Hermione bent forward and started to kiss her way down his throat and his chest. Sliding slowly down, she left a trail of warm wetness on his skin as she returned the favour to his nipples until he made the most delectable noises.

In the back of her mind, she heard a door click and knew that Severus had come in. The knowledge that he was watching them incited more fiery heat in her lower belly that raced all through her body.

Following a trail of light hair, she kissed her way further down until she knelt between Lucius's legs. She smiled at the sight that greeted her, then bent forward and took him into her mouth. He moaned with pleasure as she alternatively licked and sucked.

The caresses of warm hands on her back informed her that Severus had joined them. His hands moved around and cupped her breasts before he tweaked her nipples between thumb and forefinger, causing her to gasp in appreciation.

Severus's hand trailed further down. In response to his caresses Hermione spread her legs further, wanting him inside her. He complied by slowly entering her. When he was fully sheathed, he just remained still. He felt good inside her, but Hermione wanted him to move and pushed back against him. He responded with slow languid thrusts, making her gasp around Lucius's cock. That was just what it took for Lucius; he moaned again and hot liquid filled her mouth.

She kept him in her mouth until he withdrew. Severus pulled her up against him and started to thrust harder and deeper. The new angle felt even better as they created a rhythm until Hermione screamed his name in pleasure when she took him with her.

When she had found her breath again, Lucius reached up and pulled her into his arms while Severus snuggled up to her back. Lying between her two wizards, Hermione fell asleep with a happy smile on her face.