Chapter Two

Lucius walked out of the Headmaster's office and strode briskly down the road to Hogsmeade so that he could Apparate back to the manor. He turned quickly, wand out, when he realized he was being followed. He dropped his wand to his side when he realized it was his son.

"What do you need from me, Draco?"

"Nothing, Father. I was only trying to see if you needed me for something. I know you and Mother were certainly not a love match, but I'm afraid Hermione is right, and she will try to make Celeste take the blame for your peccadillo."

"Your concern for your sister is touching, Draco. Now, what do you want?"

Draco smirked. "Nothing more than I already have... front seat tickets to whatever happens between you and Hermione. A little Severus thrown into the mix, and the results could definitely be explosive."

Lucius quirked an eyebrow at his inappropriately amused son.

"Father, I know you and Severus are more than just best friends. I also know the two of you like witches as well. I just find it quite interesting that the first time I see you both show an interest in the same witch, she's actually interested back, and both of you are oblivious about it. Have you ever thought of pursuing her together? It isn't as though triads are unheard of." Draco looked at his father and saw when the impossible became attainable in his mind. "Think about it, will you? That is one witch I can truly say would want you both for yourselves, and not for your wealth or power."

"May I ask why you would think that Professor Granger would be interested in either me or Severus?"

"Tut, tut, Father. Why should I give you the information out of the goodness of my heart? What is in it for me? Just know that I know... too much knowledge might put her off, you know."

Lucius nodded, thoughtfully. Then instead of continuing toward Hogsmeade, he turned abruptly and walked quickly back to the castle.

****

Draco looked back at his father's rapidly disappearing figure and smiled. He and Hermione had spent quite a bit of time together helping Severus get the school ready for September. She had heartily approved of his burgeoning friendship with Harry. Continuing her streak of relationships that lasted all of half an hour, Draco and Hermione had shared one disastrous kiss, which luckily had ended with them laughing and actually strengthening their relationship, which had become rather familial. They had spoken at length, especially when Draco had teased Hermione about her attraction to Severus.

"It's obvious to a Slytherin, Hermione. You catch your breath before you speak, you blush a bit, and you shift in your seat. You think he's attractive, don't you?"

"Bother. Why do I always find myself attracted to completely inappropriate, older Slytherin men?"

When Draco just goggled at her admission, Hermione persisted. "Tell me!"

"Because you need more of a challenge than a hormone-driven Gryffindor?" Draco smiled when he made her laugh. "Oi, wait, you said men. Who are the others?"

Draco had decided his father was a possibility when Hermione just blushed and refused to speak any more on the subject.

He had seen his father's tells as well during the conversation in the office: the way Lucius leaned toward Hermione, his willingness to listen and to implement her plan. Something about the witch called to him, and after he heard the description of Belinda, he understood.

This is going to be fun to watch.

*****

Severus had just settled into his favorite chair in his sitting room when he was startled by Lucius's return.

"Did you forget something, Lucius?"

"Just this," replied Lucius as he knelt down beside Severus's chair. He took Severus's face in his hands and kissed him.

"What brought that on? I was quite certain you had decided to pursue Hermione when you left this afternoon."

"I had. But then Draco brought it to my attention that she finds you attractive as well, so I came back to see what you thought of the situation."

"What would you like me to say? In any battle for a woman's hand, I do not believe that I would be the victor. If you are interested, I shall settle for friendship with the lovely Hermione."

"What if there was another possibility, Severus? Would you be willing to set all the tongues wagging?"

"Whatever can you mean, Lucius?"

"A triad."

Severus swallowed loudly. "For Merlin's sake, Lucius, what happened to your subtlety?"

"I have too many things in the air right now, Severus. I cannot have you angry with me for courting a woman you are attracted to as well. I apologize for dumping Celeste's existence in your lap the way I did... I was quite certain when I stormed in here earlier that you had seen her parentage in your book and sent the letter in revenge."

"I have always known that our relationship would be secondary, Lucius."

"Our relationship has only been secondary in public. I have always regretted relegating it to the shadows, but my marriage contract prohibited any sort of amendments."

Severus nodded at that. "Revenge, really? You think I would stoop to sending a letter revealing your infidelities to the manor? You think so little of me?"

Lucius shook his head regretfully. "I realized my mistake as soon as I came in and saw your confusion. The only good that came of my imprudent action was that I gave Professor Granger a reason to see me as a man and not a nightmare brought to life."

Severus laughed. "This is a night of firsts for me." Lucius looked at him questioningly. "First of all, I noticed Hermione was a bit aroused by your voice, and after you left, I called her on it. Instead of being flustered, she flirted with me. Then you come back and offer me a relationship I have dreamed of since I was twelve and read the true story of Arthur, Lancelot and Guinevere. Are you certain we didn't get into the absinthe again?"

Lucius threw his head back and laughed unabashedly. "Considering we are talking about courting one of the prickliest Gryffindors to walk these halls since Minerva McGonagall was a young woman, I have an illegitimate daughter that thinks I tried to have her assassinated and Narcissa is going to behave like a harpy when she realizes I am interested in establishing a permanent, public relationship with you and a woman who is not remotely like her--perhaps I can see your point. However, I can assure you this is not a green fairy-induced hallucination." He glanced out the window and saw the sky darkening. "I should leave; it is getting dark."

"You can plot just as well here, Lucius. Narcissa is no longer a concern. And after that kiss, you don't think you are getting away that easily, do you?" Severus's voice was seductive.

"Never let it be said that I turned down comfort of any sort, Severus."

Severus smirked at his long-time friend. "Work before play, I'm afraid. Would you mind giving me some assistance with this mound of parchment to ensure I can afford an evening of leisure?"

Lucius conjured a chair across from the Headmaster's desk and settled himself elegantly upon it. "Whatever will be most efficacious, my dear Severus," he replied with a gleam in his eye. "And will you banish the portraits from the room for the evening?"

"I will think about it. Since the portraits are sworn to silence about any private affairs in this office, I occasionally consider torturing Dumbledore with what he never had: a relationship of equals."

The men smiled at each other, and then Severus pulled out his beginning-of-the-year lists he needed to check and gave Lucius a sheaf of parchment and some quills. Neither one was so young that they needed immediate physical consummation of their plan. There was something to be said for anticipation.

****

Hermione was sitting at the High Table for breakfast the next morning, enjoying a mug of coffee and some toast with butter and jam, when she noticed Lucius and Severus enter the Great Hall together.

Did Lucius just touch Severus's hand? I know they believe they are being surreptitious, but that is more than just friendly. Here I thought I had a chance. They were both playing like they were interested. Playing must be the operative word, darn it. I thought I had a chance... at something. Never mind.

Severus noticed Hermione's perusal, then the shake of her head, but he could not fathom what would have made her unhappy. He and Lucius walked up the table and took seats on either side of Hermione.

"Good morning, Hermione."

"Good morning, Headmaster."

"Are we back to titles, then, Professor? You thought better of your behavior yesterday?" Severus reverted to what Hermione referred to as his Snape persona when he was uncertain.

"My behavior, Headmaster?" Hermione was incredulous at his audacity. "I didn't start the conversation. Don't blame your lack of manners on me."

"No, I suppose I cannot. My apologies, Professor Granger. I will no longer presume on a perceived friendship. I see I was in error."

Hermione just shook her head again. There were so many things she wanted to say and question and rant about, but breakfast was not the place for it.

*****

Unfortunately, Hermione was not going to get any respite from her thoughts. Lucius spoke from her other side.

"Good morning, Professor Granger."

"Good morning, Mr. Malfoy."

"Have you been able to contact Mr. Potter and Miss Weasley?"

"Yes, I sent owls last night before I went to bed. Harry should be here later today; I am having the elves prepare guest quarters for him. Ginny has yet to respond, but that is not surprising, as she is in Bulgaria."

Lucius leaned toward her and took her hand. "My thanks for your promptness and attention to my situation."

Hermione withdrew her hand as quickly as she could without yanking it away from him. "As I said, Mr. Malfoy, I would not wish any harm to a child, even if she is yours." Her response startled Lucius, as he did not expect such a cold response due to their seeming understanding the day before. Just as Severus did before him, Lucius drew back into the "Malfoy mask" he was known for, none of the warmth or caring regard evident at all.

Hermione was almost amused by the responses from both men. What, they didn't like that their prey grew some fangs? Not as though I'm going to get a response if I ask why they were toying with me in the first place. I must say, I like being the reason for their consternation. A confused Slytherin is a cold Slytherin, I see.

Draco watched the entire thing with dismay. Somehow his father and Severus had bollixed up their courtship before it even began. I need to talk to her. I have to find out what went wrong.

Hermione ate her breakfast quickly and got up to return to her rooms, her morning ruined by what she believed to be a Slytherin plot to humiliate her.

Draco saw her get up and followed her.

"Granger!"

He was ignored. If anything, Hermione walked even faster.

"Granger!" Draco started to run to catch up.

"Grang...Hermione, please! Please stop, I need to talk to you!" Draco was pleading as he grabbed for her arm.

Hermione stopped. "What do you want, Draco? Were you in on it? Want to rub my nose in it? I thought we had gotten past all that, but I guess I was wrong." The last was choked out as though she were trying to hold back a sob.

"In on what, Hermione?"

"Draco, I saw your father run his finger down Severus's arm. Severus didn't flinch. Therefore, they are together, and I have no idea why either one of them was showing any interest in me unless it was some bizarre plot to humiliate me, or, or, or a bet!"

Draco sighed loudly.

"I was right! It's a bet!" Hermione's voice was getting shriller and shriller.

She didn't realize that Severus and Lucius had followed Draco at a discreet distance and were currently skulking in the shadows, eavesdropping. The two men looked at each other in dismay. They hadn't realized, in their comfort with each other and their mutual decision to pursue Hermione, that the witch would decide they were playing with her.

"No, love, it isn't a bet. But you don't know much about traditional wizarding sexual mores, and no, the Weasleys do not count." Draco was emphatic.

"You mean the rather Victorian method of arranged, loveless marriages? I actually thought your mother and father loved each other until you started telling me their history. They are very good actors."

"My mother and father treasured the family they created. Mother left because she had an out clause if Father had a child out of wedlock. She feels humiliated, even though they privately led separate lives. They did not particularly like each other, and that caused all of the problems. Mother is too much of a Black, and Father, well, he chose the wrong way to rebel against his father. Voldemort was seen as a means to an end, part of which was restoring proper pureblood culture. Obviously, that was a mistake."

Hermione snorted at the understatement, the sound covering up the rustling from the shadows. Severus had to hold Lucius back after that little admission.

"What do you mean, Draco? If they are together and happy, then why flirt with me? Why raise my hopes? Because they could? You know my limited experience with men. I thought I finally found a man or men who weren't either intimidated by Hermione Granger, war heroine, or want to break me."

"I'm sorry, love. I wish you had a chance to get to know them better before you made assumptions. Go to the library, and ask Madam Pince for the book titled: Camelot, Fact and Fiction. It will actually answer some of your questions. Please?"

Hermione stared at her friend. He looked so earnest, and he was begging. He also knew better than to have her speak to either his father or Severus until she had some research under her belt. "Fine, Draco. I will. But if that doesn't give me an idea as to why you still think there is a possibility, you will wish you had ticked off the Weasley Twins, do you understand?"

Draco nodded. Hermione jerked her arm out of his hand, since he had yet to let go, and stormed off toward the library.

"Thank you, Draco." Severus's rich voice came from the shadows.

Draco turned to see Severus and Lucius step out into the middle of the corridor. "Didn't you two think that if you piqued her interest, she wasn't going to study you as closely as anything else she finds worth pursuing? You almost ruined everything before it started!"

"Do not scold us, my son. You sound like a fishwife. Or Molly Weasley. Things will work out well, I am quite certain."

Draco shook his head at the two men, then walked toward his quarters to change into flying robes and pick up his broom. Flying had always helped him keep his temper before, and he needed to relieve his annoyance before he said or did something rash.