Full Moon Rising: Part Three

Disclaimer: It's not my creation, but I do enjoy manipulating things. No money for me though. Enjoy.

A big thanks goes to my lovely beta, Charmed_Nay, and cheers go to my friends over at Potter_Place.

Draco couldn't believe it. The old man trusted him enough to bring him to his private headquarters. He followed closely behind Ginevra as they entered the front door. Dumbledore motioned for them to move forward, and they made their way into the kitchen.

"Oh! Ginny!" It was plump Mrs. Weasley. She ran to her daughter and pulled her to her in a tight embrace. In that instant, he did something that he hadn't done in years. He longed for his mother and the comforting feel of her embrace. It had been a trying few weeks, and they'd nearly gotten off. If Bill Weasley hadn't followed him out of Gringotts that day, they'd have gone on to get a new wand and a broom. They'd have been long gone and living on the run. He was uncertain why, but he felt relieved that their stint of living in such a way had ended. If he would find his death for making the decision to go to Dumbledore after he'd supposedly dispatched of Snape and his father, then so be it.

He moved to stand beside Dumbledore as he watched both Weasley parents cry and hold their daughter. He'd always hated the Weasleys. He'd always thought himself to be better than they were because his family had more money, a better home, and better connections. How would it feel to have siblings? Surely his parents cared for him this much, though they weren't as affectionate? He swallowed a lump in his throat as he thought of his mum; long blonde hair and perfect poise were always the first things one noticed about her. She was the complete opposite of Mrs. Weasley, and in that instant, he wished her to be more like the woman before him.

"I'm sorry, Mum. We didn't know whom to trust. Both Voldemort and Lucius Malfoy wanted to get their hands on me. We don't really know why, but Draco didn't allow it," Ginny said in a rush. "We thought Professor Snape couldn't be trusted, so we left Hogwarts."

Draco gulped as the Weasley parents looked up to notice him standing with Dumbledore. Both pairs of eyes were upon him, seemingly summing him up. Dumbledore broke the silence. "Draco has the need for protection as well. I think that his rescuing of Miss Weasley has him marked by Voldemort and his father."

Arthur Weasley nodded. "He can certainly stay here."

To Draco's surprise, Mrs. Weasley left her daughter's side and came to him. "I have to tell you, son, that I have been angry with you for taking my little girl from Hogwarts and forcing us all to worry, but I know how strong-willed she can be." She sniffed lightly, trying to not cry. "I thank you for looking after her."

"I will always look after her," he said quietly.

The next moment saw him crushed against her in a fierce hug. "She's safe," the woman chanted. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to hug her back, but then he patted her shoulder slightly and moved back.

"Thank you for welcoming me," he said, looking between Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

"I'm sure the others will be anxious to see you," Mrs. Weasley said, smiling broadly. "Are you hungry?"

Both nodded quickly. It had been a long time since they'd had a real meal. Even though Professor McGonagall had offered, they were too worried about the headmaster's return to eat.

"Excellent. I'll warm the rest of what we ate for dinner. Have a seat." She looked to the headmaster. "You too."

"I am afraid that I must decline, Molly. I have matters I have to attend to at the castle." He bowed slightly. "But I do thank you."

"When will Harry and Hermione be able to come back out?" Mr. Weasley asked before the headmaster could leave. "I didn't get to see either last time."

"They aren't here with Ron and Gabrielle?" Ginny asked, brow furrowed.

"No, I thought it best that they stay in another location for the time being," Dumbledore answered mysteriously.

Mrs. Weasley laughed. "Too many hormones under one roof anyway, if you ask me about it."

"Indeed," he said. "I must away. I shall check on things soon enough." With that, Dumbledore was gone, leaving Draco at the will of the Weasleys.

Beneath the table, he felt a reassuring squeeze upon his thigh. He looked to Ginny and smiled. Her bright, brown eyes were full of hope and... adoration? His smile broadened.

"We'll be all right," she whispered.

He nodded. "I think so."

"So," Mr. Weasley said, coming to sit on the other side of Draco, "been roughing it like Muggles, eh? What's it been like?"

As they ate, they explained everything that they'd done since they'd gone, right down to all the sweets that they'd eaten. Draco was feeling comfortable with the way her parents had accepted them. He wondered if his parents would have done the same with her. He scowled slightly as he thought of his father. He'd wanted to use her to meet some end. But what? No matter. Dumbledore had him locked away someplace.

"What's he doing here?" a voice from behind asked. Weasley.

"What a way to greet your sister!" his mother admonished. "Now, we'll have none of that. Get in here if you intend to greet her."

With narrowed eyes, Ron walked closer. "How'd this come about?"

"It's a very long story," Mr. Weasley said. "I am certain they wouldn't mind telling you tomorrow. It's quite late. Just know that young Mr. Malfoy here..."

"Draco, sir," he interrupted quickly, enjoying the pleased look on the Weasley patriarch's face and the outrageous look on the boy's.

"Draco here has been looking out for your sister's best interests, and we've welcomed him here for protection as we did with Miss Parkinson. Now..."

"What's that cow doing here?" Ginny interrupted, standing. "Gonna just let her slide on in after all she did to Hermione? No wonder Mione didn't want to stay here!"

"No, hold on, dear," Mrs. Weasley began, "Hermione and Ron parted ways before he took a fancy to Pansy."

"Ha! He was shagging Pansy in the corridors of Hogwarts, and Hermione caught him at it!"

"What?" Mrs. Weasley asked incredulously, shaking her head. All the while her eyes turned to meet those of her youngest son. "Ronald Weasley, you will go to your room immediately. We shall talk about this tomorrow."

For some reason, Ginny's father's face took on a deep shade of red, nearly matching his hair. "Er... that needs to be a more private conversation."

"If Hermione can accept her, why can't you?" Ronald retorted hotly.

"RONALD WEASLEY! OUT! NOW!" Mrs. Weasley bellowed, startling Draco.

He had no idea that the kind woman would have such a fiery temper. Earlier, he'd hoped that Ginny wouldn't keep on the extra stones after she had children, as her mother had, and now, he hoped that she didn't have the woman's temper. Hang on! Children? He snorted loudly, causing everyone to look at him. He didn't want the woman turning her anger on him. "If I had known my presence would have disrupted things, I would have insisted that I be taken elsewhere. I apologize for the inconvenience."

"Draco dear, it's all right," Mrs. Weasley said, voice kind as ever. "It's not your fault." She turned sharp eyes on Ginny, and her voice lowered to a threatening level. "You'll not give your brother or his girlfriend a hard time. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Ginny bit out, moving from the table. "I won't stay in a room with her though!"

"Fair enough," her mother said. "I suppose Ron won't share with Draco either." She shrugged. "You can take the room next to Gabrielle's, Ginny. Draco can have the one across from Ron. Bill and Fleur haven't been by lately. Might as well make use of it. Show him where his room is. Your father and I need to have a word."

Draco was surprised when she took his hand in front of her parents and led him through the kitchen door and up the flight of stairs. Just as they reached the first landing, they caught sight of Weasley sitting on the steps above them.

"I don't like having you here, Malfoy."

"Ron, shush," Ginny whispered.

"I don't care what you think, Weas..."

"BLOOD TRAITORS! CREATURES OF FILTH! YOU DISGRACE THE HOME OF MY FATHERS!"

"What the bloody hell is that?" Draco asked incredulously.

"Ron's gone and woke up Mrs. Black's portrait, he has!" Ginny said in annoyance. She pulled Draco forward, knocking Ron to the side. "Shove off, Ron. Go play with your whore."

"Excuse me?" came another voice. An angry voice. Parkinson.

Ginny faltered only a moment. "You heard me. I called you a whore."

Before Pansy could lash out at her, Draco pulled Ginny behind him. "Slumming, Parkinson?" he asked, voice cold.

"Aren't you?" she bit back.

It was then that he realized what he'd said. Damn! In an attempt to recover, he said, "Ginny's a big step up from Weasley there."

"Enough," Ginny said, as Ron tried to push Draco from behind. She moved to the side and pulled Draco with her, facing both Ron and Pansy. "The two of you can go to hell. Leave us alone, and we'll leave you alone." Without waiting for a reply, she pulled him up past them to another floor. "This is your room," she said, opening a door, pulling him in, and closing the door behind them.

"Not too bad," he said conversationally. "Look, Ginny, when I..." His voice trailed away as she turned her hurt eyes towards him.

"Are you just slumming, Draco?"

"No, of course not."

"Why would you think Pansy is then? What's the difference?"

"It's Weasley. I don't like him. Never have, and I doubt that I ever will. I was just trying to hurt him by saying that."

"Well, it hurt me as well. I might not like him much right now, but I love him. He's my brother. I won't ask you to be his mate, but when you disrespect him in such a way, you disrespect all of my family." She crossed her arms. "What am I to you? I need to know that right now."

"You're..."

"I see," she said, nodding slowly and opening the door. "I'll talk to you in the morning."

"Wait," Draco said, closing the door before she could leave. "I turned my back on my family and the only life I've ever known for you. I don't know exactly why. Well, I didn't know then, but I just knew that I had to save you." He looked away. "I want you to be a part of my life even after this whole mess gets sorted out."

"I accept."

"Accept?" he asked, puzzled.

"You're officially asking me to be your girl, aren't you?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.

He smirked. "Cheeky little witch. I suppose I am."

She kissed his lips softly, slipped around him, and opened the door. "Good night."

"Night," he said as she closed the door. He wanted to pull her back in to kiss her properly, but he didn't want to make a scene with anyone that might be about.

Smiling, he made his way to the bed to take off his boots. They'd done it...finally put their feelings out there and agreed to become a couple. For the first time in weeks, he could think about his future and see a ray of hope. In all honesty, he hadn't truly wanted to think about it much. At any moment, the Dark Lord, his father, or Snape could have swooped down upon them. The slight resentment he'd been feeling towards her lifted. He'd decided to take responsibility for her. She'd never asked for it. She was his choice. Always trusting him, even after all of the horrid things he'd said to her and her family in the past.

His smile faded as a thought occurred to him. She'd loved Dean Thomas, and after he'd died, she'd fallen for Lupin. Was he just another rebound relationship? Was he a step she needed to take to get away from Lupin? It wasn't the first time he'd thought about this, and he hated second-guessing himself. He shook his head. "No," he said aloud. "She loves me." Love was such a strong word, but he supposed that was exactly what he felt towards her. Weasley or Parkinson would have a rough time of it if they meant to break them apart. He'd not allow it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I do not like that you are roaming the castle when you shouldn't be," Severus chastised as he placed her before his bed and began to pull at her clothing.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked nervously as he pulled her robes away from her body, leaving her clad in only her warm pajamas. "I had to see you. No matter what."

"Whilst I warm you, I'd like to actually feel some part of your body," he said softly. Although the fire was now burning low, he made no move to stoke it. "Come," he said, sitting upon the bed and pulling her down with him. Once they situated themselves, he pulled the duvet up over them.

"I thought you'd left me," she whispered, holding him tightly.

"I would never leave this castle permanently without you, Hermione. You should know that. Do you trust me so little as to think otherwise?"

"No, it's not that," she said, suddenly wanting to delay the conversation for a few minutes. Would he feel that she truly didn't trust him when she admitted she'd thought the worst after Harry told her what he thought of things? What he'd said had made sense, yet she knew that she should have waited to talk to Severus before passing judgement.

"What is it then?" he asked silkily.

"Your robe is still on," she pointed out hastily, grasping at anything to change the subject for just a moment while she gathered her thoughts.

"So it is," he said softly. "Do you want it off?"

"Yes," she whispered, heartbeat increasing rapidly.

"Very well," he said, moving away to shrug out of his bathrobe.

When he moved back against her and wrapped an arm about her waist and slid one beneath her head, she gasped slightly. "You're naked," she blurted. "Sorry. I didn't know." Blast! This was not the distraction she had in mind. She didn't want to go too far. There were things that they needed to discuss.

He didn't reply with words, but his lips found her neck and teased her slightly. She squirmed and felt her body begin to warm with his touch. She could hear his breathing, as his mouth was close to her ear, and hundreds of tingly sensations erupted in her stomach.

"Severus, wait," she said, as his hand cupped her breast through the fabric of her top. "About earlier, Harry and I overheard something. It's why I am upset."

He paused. "I don't want to talk about Potter just now." Ever so slowly, he pulled her onto her back, moving his body between her thighs and over her. "I'd rather kiss you."

"But I... all right," she agreed, equally excited and nervous. Definitely not the distraction she had planned. "So long as we don't let things get too..."

His mouth slanted across hers immediately, and his tongue demanded entrance. She parted her lips and was lost in his kiss. He had such a way with kissing her. It was as if she could feel his need and hear his pleading with the tangling of his tongue with hers. When his lips tore away from hers, she was surprised to find that her top had been unbuttoned, breasts exposed. The cold air of the dungeon wasn't affecting her in the least. No. Her body was afire. For him.

"Severus, we can't... oh!" She lost her train of thoughts as his mouth found one of her hardened nipples. Maybe just a little bit of heavy snogging wouldn't hurt.

While he was nibbling on her breast, he was moving his body against hers, grinding his erection against the juncture of her thighs, and making her center hot and wet with need. The movements alone were mesmerizing. It was almost as if she was really having sex. Something was missing though. She needed... him. To hell with snogging. She wanted him within her. Wrapping her legs about his frame, she moved against him, causing him to throw back his head and groan. His eyes were closed tightly, and his face was scrunched in concentration as he relished the feel of her body against his. Only the fabric of her pajama bottoms kept him away.

Of her own accord, she moved her hands from his back to her waist. She pulled at her bottoms, glad she'd decided against wearing knickers this night, and he shifted to give her room, eyes now looking down into hers as she pushed down and kicked away the clothing. "No matter what really happened with Dumbledore and Malfoy earlier, I've decided that I do want this. I want to do it. Make love, I mean."

"Do not taunt me when I need you so," he said seductively, sending chills down her spine.

"I want you," she blurted.

"Are you certain?" he hissed, eyes darkening with blatant lust. Even as he spoke the words, one hand slid down to fondle her sex.

"I am," she squeaked. The feel of his body against hers, skin to skin, was unlike anything she'd ever experienced before. It was simply erotic, naughty, and arousing. He was going to make her a real woman.

"Your body calls to me," he said softly, lowering his mouth to hers.

She felt him guide the head of his penis to her labia, rubbing it up and down along its entrance for a moment, barely parting her nether lips to allow some of her wetness to partially lubricate it. He then moved it up to rub against her clitoris. A yelp of surprise escaped her as he continued to rub the head of his penis against her nub. His lips left hers, and he simply rested his head on her shoulder, tongue laving gently against her neck.

Hermione's first instinct was to close herself to him, to force him away, but she couldn't. When she'd moved to do that, she'd ended up opening herself up more to him instead, even arching her pelvis against his groin, needing to apply more pressure. With each move against her, she felt her body heating even more, if possible, and her insides were becoming more wet with need.

"It won't hurt, love," he said, lips moving against her neck. "Not this time."

One of his fingers delved within her for a moment, and she felt him move slightly. He was at her entrance. She stiffened and braced herself for some of the pain she'd felt when he'd accidentally tore away her hymen. No matter what he said, it had to still hurt. How could it not?

"Relax," he said, lifting his head to look at her. "Trust me, Hermione. You won't feel that pain again...only me moving within you."

Then she felt it, the tip of his penis moving slowly, barely inching into her. "Oh..." It didn't hurt. It was odd, really. In fact, she wasn't certain that he was truly inside of her. She felt a little pressure, and then he gasped in pain.

"It's burning."

"What?" she asked uncertainly. "I do feel a bit hot down there, but I don't feel any burning."

"No," he said, suddenly chuckling with amusement and pulling away from her.

She sat up, cheeks pink with embarrassment, clutching the duvet up to cover her bare breasts. "What did I do wrong?" How dare he laugh at her at a time like this? How dare he pull away from her?

"No, Hermione, my Mark is burning. I'm being summoned." He got out of bed. "Of all the fucking times for him to call me."

"Wh-what? You have to leave? Now?"

"I shouldn't be too long," he said.

She noticed something akin to uncertainty pass across his face and wondered if he was worried about something. "Should I... stay?"

He shook his head. "Perhaps not. Much as I want you to." He was busying himself with dressing.

Disappointment. Relief. Fear. Worry. All were emotions she felt gnawing at her. "Severus, about tonight with Lucius Malfoy, Harry and I overheard what happened. Well, Draco and Ginny were talking to Professor McGonagall. We saw them in the castle on the map and couldn't resist having a look."

"I shall have to explain to you tomorrow. I cannot keep him waiting. Not tonight," Severus said, expression closed, voice dark.

"Are things all right? With you, I mean? I don't have to worry, do I? He won't hurt you?"

He pulled her up to hold her, duvet falling from her grasp. When he let her go, he kissed her quickly and stared at her body, appreciation alight in his eyes. "I will do what I must to come back. Do not doubt that."

She nodded in understanding. Never before that moment had she truly appreciated what he did for them all. Each time he went to his Dark Lord, he was putting himself at risk. He always seemed so confident before, but something had changed. It was almost as if he feared something might happen. "I love you," she said suddenly. "Please take care of yourself."

Nodding, he pulled on his cloak and stuffed a mask into his pocket. "I shall. Dress yourself, and get back to your rooms. I haven't the time to escort you. I trust you won't dally?"

"I'll go there straightaway."

"Until tomorrow," he said, leaving her to pull on her clothing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Angrily, Severus made his way out of the castle and went to his Lord's side. He tried desperately to school his features and mask his feelings. Hermione's dreadful tears, which they needed to talk about, the hurt sound of her voice, and nosey fucking Potter with his ideas...all of it was weighing on him. Kneeling quickly, he rose and awaited the questions that he was certain to ask. For a long moment, the Dark Lord simply looked at him. Severus could feel a gentle probing of his mind, different flashes of memory moving forth.

"How did things go this night, Severusss? I trust you did as you were bidden?"

"Master, I went with..."

"You bastard!" Rabastan Lestrange yelled, coming out from behind the Dark Lord's chair. "What did you do to Yaxley? He didn't meet me tonight. Nobody is at his campsite!

Raising an eyebrow, Severus glared at the bastard. "So... you are the one that has been feeding him our Lord's secrets. Keeping them on the move so that we can't find them!" He pulled his wand and aimed it at Rabastan. "Allow me to put the traitor away from us, Master."

The Dark Lord raised a long, pale hand to halt his action. "Explain, Severusss."

Severus had to think quickly. It was apparent that Rabastan had been filling the Dark Lord with tales in order to turn him against him. He had to do what must be done to see that he remained alive, even if that meant Rabastan's demise.

Not lowering his wand or moving his gaze, he said, "Yaxley told Lucius that Rabastan had a plan that would brand a follower as a traitor. It seemed that he disliked someone intensely for a previous encounter that left him lacking in your eyes, Master. I thought it might be me, but I hadn't any proof and dared not make false accusations against a brother. However, I can clearly see that it is I who Rabastan dislikes." Severus stepped closer. "Still angry over the Polyjuice incident, are we? Upset that your plan went awry?"

"You won't slither out of this one, Snape. You've been conversing with Lucius! You've not divulged all you know to our Lord!" Rabastan accused.

"I beg your pardon, Rabastan, but I have told him everything," he said smoothly. "But do enlighten me as to what I've left out."

"You've been meeting with Lucius on the sly. Yaxley has seen the two of you!"

"That is no secret. The Dark Lord is aware of my meetings with Lucius." Severus looked to his Master. "Have I displeased you as of yet?"

"No," he admitted, eyeing them both. "I must admit that I find it interesting that Rabastan has known of this and has only come to me this very evening with the information."

Severus nodded. "I agree." He sneered slightly. "Tell me, Rabastan, was Yaxley your lover? I see you aren't taking his disappearance well."

"Why, you bastard!" Rabastan yelled, pulling his wand. "You killed him!" Before either could do anything, their wands were taken magically.

"Enough," the Dark Lord said. He looked from Rabastan to Severus and sighed. "I don't like that it has come to this. Severusss, you've been faithful to me for all of your years in my service. I admit that I once doubted you before I came back to power," he looked to Rabastan, "just as I doubted all others that went free." He stood and paced. "However, sometimes I wonder if you aren't too thoroughly entrenched in Dumbledore's camp. I think I will need proof of loyalty. Simply knowing that Lucius and his friends are taken care of is not good enough."

Swallowing his fear, Severus asked, "What do you ask of me, my Lord?"

"I am undecided at this moment, but I do know what you treasure above all other things."

Severus narrowed his eyes. "Meaning you will harm her?"

Bringing a long hand up to his face to rub his chin, his Lord looked at him. "Of course not. If you should die, she would still be taken care of... in honor of your loyal service of course. Why, I might even allow her to stay with me, and you do know how I find the presence of another to be vexing most of the time. Yet I would still be certain that no harm be done to her."

"I have your word, my Lord, that she won't be harmed?"

"Yes," he hissed. "You have it. She'll not be harmed so long as you always remain in my service." He moved closer. "Give me no reason to see that she lives her life without you."

Severus nodded. "You always have my service, my Lord. This is no different."

The Dark Lord turned around and pointed his wand to Rabastan. "Avada Kedavra!"

Jumping back slightly, Severus watched as the smug expression turned to one of shock before Rabastan's body flew back. His heart was beating quickly. That fate could have been his. He would have to tread very carefully.

His Lord said, "I hate that he caused me to doubt you, my faithful servant." He cackled in amusement. "Did you see his face?"

"I did."

"Now that Lucius and the other traitors are gone, we must try to contact the centaurs. Are you quite certain Bane has gone?"

"Yes, my Lord. He said that someone told the other centaurs of the forest what he was about with Lucius and the others. I am certain now that it must have been Yaxley. If he told Rabastan here of their doings, then it is likely he let it slip to some other, be they centaur or a friend of the centaurs."

"I believe that Rabastan has known for a couple of weeks about the workings of Yaxley and the others. That sealed his fate. The only reason he seemed eager to tell me earlier was because Yaxley hadn't contacted him." His ruby eyes glinted. "It appears that he was to tell all if something happened to him. I am glad that you thought to gather each meeting with Lucius in a Pensieve for me, Severusss. Had I been unaware of your doings, Rabastan's fate would have also been yours."

"Yes, Master," Severus said with a relieved nod. "I am pleased that Yaxley knew not of the arrangement I'd made with Lucius to dispose of them prior to our coming here." Severus smirked. "He always was good for nothing."

"He had his uses. Pity they chose to oppose me. We could have used the extra wands in battle soon enough." The Dark Lord sat back in his chair, kicking Rabastan to the side as he did so. "I suppose I shall have to break the news to Rodolphus and Bellatrix. I will interrogate them of course to see what they knew. I doubt Bella knew of this."

"Very wise, Master, and I agree."

"Well, I'm glad you approve," he said dryly. "I want you to search the forest. See if you can find where the herd of centaurs has gone. Once we have their location, I shall send someone to meet with them."

"I am still disappointed with Bane's findings," Severus said, allowing concern to ease into his voice. "What if it is true? What if the Potter brat lucks up even with Dumbledore's demise?"

"He won't. The plan that I had decided on for the end of term will simply be moved up, thus altering what Bane foresaw. I would like a centaur to do this with me around though, as I want to see for myself."

"Perhaps if I told Dumbledore..." He looked away, trying to appear frustrated. The Dark Lord had no idea that Dumbledore already knew of the visions and had Firenze working on them. "I can't do it. He'll use it to their advantage!"

"You want to tell him of your findings so that he might utilize his personal centaur?"

"I thought of it. Firenze would do anything for the old fool. I thought that maybe I could be present to see what he has to say on the matter. That is one way to ensure that Lucius or Bane didn't deceive us." He need not know that Dumbledore and Firenze had already been working on it.

"Say nothing as of yet. It shall be a last resort. The less old Dumbledore knows, the better. Search the forest." He waved his hand and sent Severus' wand back to him. "Go back to the castle. I shall call you soon."

"Yes, Master," Severus said, bowing low. "Thank you for believing in me."

Before he made his way out the door, he heard the Dark Lord call to him. He turned around. The man said, "I do apologize for calling you to me at this hour, but my need should always come first." He cackled lightly. "It was certainly a case of bad timing, being amidst such a pleasurable encounter."

Severus felt his cheeks redden. "Not at all, Master. I shall... make up for it later," he said slyly. Chuckling, he left his Lord's hideaway and Apparated back to Hogwarts. As he entered the gates and crept back to the castle, he felt slightly guilty that the Dark Lord had seen flashes of what he and Hermione had been about before he'd been summoned. However, seeing as how he'd quickly left her to get to his Lord, not giving in to his own need and putting his Lord's need above his own, had likely been another thing that had proved to his Master that he was his man. Anyone else, including Bellatrix, would have quickly sought release before going to him. Pleased with himself, he walked with a slight skip in step.

Halting outside his doorway, he leant against the wall. I almost had my witch tonight. He'd been in such a rush to greet the Dark Lord and to cover his arse whilst there that the fact that she had asked him to take her had been lost on him. Part of him felt like cheering like some young dolt. The next time that she was in his bed he'd have her. Nothing would stop it. There was no reason to not allow it. Not now. He had her innocence already. Dumbledore had backed off, allowing her to stay near him, and she was no longer his student. He struck out to seduce her and had long done that, even though she'd claimed to not be ready. She was ready, and he was tired of waiting. "I will have you soon, Hermione," he whispered to the darkness and disappeared within his chambers.

Southern's Notes: Well, that concludes all the goings on of this long night. Seemed to go on forever, eh? Severus had a wee bit of a close call there. And good Lord! What's Hermione about? They were so close to finally... you know. Ruddy Voldemort!

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