Chapter 4

Harry strode up to the Headmaster's office. I failed Hermione once already, by not trusting her. She's always been more ready to accept and believe me than Ron. I won't fail this time. I need to make sure Snape and Malfoy are really not playing games with her.

He reached the gargoyle and grinned when it winked at him and jumped aside to allow him onto the spiral staircase. He rode the staircase to the top, then blinked when the door opened for him. He walked in and was amused by the fact that Lucius Malfoy was sprawled aristocratically on the sofa, with Snape leaning on him, both had books in their hands and were oblivious to their visitor. "All you are missing is Hermione, it seems. And how is it that you look posh while you sprawl, Mr. Malfoy?"

"I am 'posh' as you say, no matter what I'm doing, Mr. Potter," Lucius drawled in reply. "Severus, isn't the castle supposed to keep people from popping in unannounced?"

"Yes, but the castle is inordinately fond of Potter, here, and seems to be letting me know who will succeed me as Headmaster," answered Severus. "You try telling a building this old and magical what to do."

"I'm afraid she wouldn't let me up to your quarters ever again if I tried that," said Lucius.

Harry laughed. "Let's see, if I were the idiot you believe me to be, I would say, 'I'm glad you see you are relaxed enough to be yourselves around me,' but I'm not, so what exactly is this little performance all about?"

Lucius tossed his hair diffidently, then leaned forward and spoke. "What the blazes gave us away?"

"Your posture was a bit too stiff once you noticed I was here, and neither one of you is going to be that comfortable with me, no matter what," replied Harry.

Severus smirked and then sighed."It's good to see you occasionally use the bit of Slytherin cunning you have, it is. Alain declared we needed to court you as well as Hermione; otherwise, she would never accept us. So, you are to be considered part of our 'Inner Circle' as it were.

Harry nodded. "At least you listen to the hat... it explains a bit. Just to make certain, you aren't playing games with Hermione? I don't need to vanquish anyone?"

"You can try!" answered both men.

"In stereo, even. Lovely. I get no blasted respect from either one of you. Come to think of it, Draco doesn't respect me, either. I do believe you will fit right in with my true friends," said Harry ruefully.

"What, Miss Weasley and Miss Granger do not respect you?" Lucius asked.

"They know me too well. Luckily, they love me," said Harry with a grin.

"I thought you and Miss Weasley had parted ways?" asked Severus, confused.

"Yes, but she is one of my best friends, along with Hermione and Draco." Harry took a deep breath, correctly reading the question in Severus's eyes. "No, Ron is no longer included in the list of my closest friends. If we become friendlier as a result of this situation I may tell you why." Harry turned to Lucius and addressed him directly. "So, when is Celeste going to get here? I am more than happy to provide support or be part of a support system. I know how hard it is when your parents are nothing more than stories to you."

"Tomorrow--and I'm afraid she may be very bitter. I do not wish for such a treasured child to hate me, Mr. Potter. I was not allowed to spend time with her before now, due to both circumstance and because I acceded to her mother's wishes. I would like to change that." He looked thoughtfully at Harry. "I will be greatly in your debt if you can help her in any way."

Harry nodded, a quirky half-smile on his face. "What is her family situation? Was it anything like mine?" He was bemused by the look of confusion on Lucius's patrician face. "Do you know if the relatives she is with are jealous of magic or angry at your wealth or anything along those lines? Relatives are not always the best people to raise a child they were not expecting."

"I believe Miss Granger was correct in recommending I speak with you, Mr. Potter." There was a new respect for Harry on Lucius's face, as well as a thoughtfulness in his expression. "She believes Miss Weasley would be willing to help. Do you think she would be willing, considering our past?"

Harry nodded. "Ginny's very caring and intuitive, but she's also really strong--had to be when she was the youngest and the only girl. She'd be an great role model..." Harry's voice trailed off as all three occupants of the room were distracted by the sight of two people flying impossibly fast by the windows.

"Wow! I've never even seen a braiding pattern flown that fast. And Viktor was teaching me to do it. Cool!" exclaimed Harry. He turned to leave, then realized he was being rude. "I'm sorry, Headmaster, Mr. Malfoy. If it's all right with you, I'd like to join them."

The Headmaster and Lucius Malfoy exchanged a knowing look, then looked back at Harry indulgently. Lucius rose to his feet and extended his hand. "I thank you for your consideration for my child." Harry shook Lucius' hand.

"You're welcome. And I look forward to meeting her, Mr. Malfoy."

"If we are to be, well, you spoke of friendship, Mr. Potter--you may as well call me Lucius. And.." Lucius paused, with a knowing smirk, "... I will hold you no longer. I do know something about the look on a young man's face when his mind is no longer in the room--but on his broom."

Harry chuckled. "Well, Lucius... you're right. And, before I go, you are both, of course, welcome to call me Harry. Now, I think I'm going to find out who that is and if they can give me a few pointers!" Harry smiled at both men and attempted to leave the room with dignity--while hurrying to the Quidditch pitch at the same time.

Harry hurried out to the Quidditch pitch, his face shining with awe at the intricate maneuvers being flown by the fliers. When they got closer, he realized the fliers were none other than Draco and Ginny. He gasped when Draco held his hand out to Ginny, and she laughed, then grabbed it, driving the two brooms into a spin. They let go, both brooms spinning them in opposite directions. Once they were right side up and had flown another couple of circuits around the pitch, they saw Harry and landed near him.

He applauded as they approached him. "Amazing flying, you two!"

"We're uncommonly well-matched in that regard," responded Draco.

Ginny just grinned. Then she thought about the reason they were called to Hogwarts in the first place and asked, "Harry, what do you think about this whole situation? Did you talk to Hermione? What about Mr. Malfoy?"

"Slow down, Gin. I talked to everyone. Celeste is arriving tomorrow. I think the best thing to do is just get to know her and let her know there are other people who have been wronged by people they called family." Harry ran his hand through his hair.

"Thank you for even considering this, Harry. I know my father isn't your favorite person," said Draco.

"No, but you have become a good friend, and this little girl wasn't part of anything your father ever did to me. I'm going to have to get over my animosity anyway, especially if his and Snape's plan for Hermione works out," Harry replied.

"They really are interested in her? Together?" Ginny was fascinated.

"They were interested in her separately, but she noticed them touching and put one and one together and got two. They are going to have to convince her the relationship is feasible." Draco snickered at the thought. "Actually, after hearing Father wax poetic about Celeste's mother, I see that his true ideal is very much a woman like Hermione. Severus, of course, likes intelligent Muggle-borns because if it was red-heads, he would have pursued you, Red."

"He sees me too much as an extension of my brothers, and well, we all know his opinions on them," Ginny answered.

"Gin, I'm starting to think your brothers aren't all that, I can't blame Severus, really," Harry said.

Ginny threw her arms around Harry in solidarity. "Ron is an immature jerk. He has the heart to be a wonderful person, yet he ignores it for his jealous streak most of the time. But don't you worry, the rest of us love you."

Harry had to laugh when Draco decided to join in the hug.

"Lucius, stop pacing. You already have Harry looking out for Celeste's interest as well as Hermione and Draco. I'm sure Miss Weasley will be more than happy to help; she wrote her entire family when you apologized that last year of the Dark Lord's reign of terror," soothed Severus.

"I am far too used to handling things myself, Severus, and this situation forces me to accept help. What am I to do?"

"Go see Hermione. Explain your need to control the situation. She is very much the same way. I'm sure she will help you find a way to cope." Severus waved Lucius off. "Just remember our agreement not to play with her separately!"

Lucius stared at his long-time love and realized that Severus was being as helpful as he knew how to be. Severus' strength is his adaptability; he doesn't really understand how difficult this is for me. Not that I can argue, he managed to survive a life as a double agent.

He strode quickly down the corridor, his long legs gaining ground easily. He arrived at Hermione's quarters and knocked on her door.

He was bemused when Hermione opened the door wearing an old Quidditch jersey that said Bulgaria on the front, and he assumed Krum on the back, her hair piled high on her head and held in place with a raven-feather quill. He didn't see any evidence of trousers or even those Muggle short trousers. He shook his head to regain his bearings. "Good evening, my dear. May I impose on you for a bit?"

"Certainly, Lucius. How may I help you?" Hermione's good manners kicked in, and she graciously stepped back to allow him into her rooms. "Please take a seat wherever you like. Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, tea would be good. It helps me think," replied Lucius.

Hermione nodded, then called out to a house-elf for tea, her special calming mixture. The tea arrived moments later, and they settled onto her sofa.

"You need my help then?" asked Hermione.

"I'm not certain, but Severus believes you could at least help me organize my thoughts about Celeste," he answered.

Hermione smiled beguilingly. "I am quite good at organizing. What exactly is worrying you?"

"As you well know, Hermione, I am quite used to being in charge, even if it is of things behind the scenes. I have no way of controlling this situation, I believe that if I am too involved to start with, I will never be able to have a relationship with my daughter. I need to back off and let other people provide her with support and succor her. It is almost untenable and quite unbearable," Lucius finished passionately. He was surprised when he felt Hermione's hand on his arm, and her leg pressed against his.

"It makes you human. None of us are going to keep you out of the loop, Lucius. You will know what is going on every minute, as well as you can, and no one who is willing to help you will make this difficult. In one way or another, everyone I've recommended you involve has lived through some sort of difficulty as a child and come through well. And then there is Draco, who could have become a spoilt, miserable man, and instead he's matured and become an excellent professor. Although we can't replace her mother, we can certainly give her a supportive set of adults," she said in a rush.

As Hermione spoke, Lucius was struck, again, by her passion for others and her similarity to Belinda. It had been far too long since he'd had a responsive woman to bed. Many women in his social circle had made clear they were available... but they were interested in his purse, not his passion. He realized how much he and Severus needed someone who was interested in them, what they had to offer as wizards, and not for their societal positions or wealth. Hermione's warm brown eyes sparkled with life and interest, her curly wild hair bounced as she gestured, and... well, he'd never really considered exactly how titillating a worn out Quidditch jersey could be. Lucius smirked. Suddenly, Lucius realized that Hermione had gone quiet. He blinked and refocused on the woman grinning at him with an expression that was both curious and amused.

"Were you listening at all? Or did your attention get drawn elsewhere?" Hermione asked.

"Ah, my apologies. I merely became impressed, yet again, by how passionately you speak of those you care for," Lucius explained smoothly.

Hermione smirked. "So, you were just distracted by my defense of Draco?"

"Perhaps your attire was somewhat distracting as well..." Lucius allowed.

"I hadn't exactly planned on entertaining visitors today, so I was aiming more for comfort, actually." Hermione explained as she recrossed her ankles and watched Lucius' eyes follow the movement. Leg man, eh? "But, if the distraction helps you, uh... relax from the stressful situation you find yourself in, then I suppose it's all to the good." Hermione teased with a saucy grin.

"Yes, it does at that." Lucius reached out to smooth some errant strands of hair out of her eyes... and developed an intense desire to tangle his fingers into that hair. Hermione was looking at him curiously, but she was not moving away. She seemed to be waiting to see what he'd do. He indulged himself by stroking her hair, then running his fingers into it and leaning over to sample her lips.

Hermione kissed him back tentatively at first, then with a bit more confidence as she became accustomed to him. They were interrupted by the Floo.

"Starting without me, are you?" Severus inquired smoothly.

"Merely getting to know each other a bit better. I assumed that you'd appear shortly when you pressed me to visit the lovely Professor Granger," Lucius responded with a smirk. He didn't let go of Hermione, even when she went to pull away. He continued speaking to Severus, "If you wish to join us, do so."

Hermione held her breath, not certain whether she was more worried about Severus leaving or taking Lucius up on his offer.