Chapter 5

Ch 5

AN: This was originally written and posted at the 2011 Lucius Big Bang fest on LJ (I post on LJ as madeleone). Many thanks to my betas: Softobsidian, who beta'd it for the fest, and Clairvoyant, who is polishing up the rough edges.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I make no money here.

Hermione had prepared Harry only briefly, telling him that she and Lucius were coming by and that Draco should be prepared to see his father. She did take the time to assure him that nothing bad was going to happen.

Harry had agreed for them to come over but asked that they wait an hour or so. Hermione was sure he wanted a bit of time to prepare Draco and calm him if need be. That hour seemed like an eternity to Lucius.

Hermione Floo'd in first to find both Draco and Harry waiting across the room together, facing the hearth, with Harry's arm thrown protectively around Draco's shoulder. She quickly stepped forward to give both of them a hug and squeezed Draco's hand, whispering, "It's going to be fine, Draco. Trust me."

Moving back to the fireplace as Lucius stepped through, she gave his hand a squeeze as well and leaned up to whisper in his ear. He nodded and turned to the boys. "Harry, thank you for allowing me to come into your home."

Harry nodded but didn't speak. Hermione left Lucius' side to stand next to Harry. She tugged gently on his arm. He let the other one drop from Draco's shoulder but stayed close, his hand resting in a protective gesture on Draco's back. She could see Draco's jaw clench as he tried to keep himself under control. Looking up at Lucius, Hermione's heart ached for him. The naked emotion was clearly displayed there. He was seeing his son for the first time in almost seven years and had believed for that entire time that his son had willingly abandoned and disowned him.

"Draco," Lucius voice cracked. He took two steps forward but stopped, unsure. "My son..."

Harry's hand, still on Draco's back, gave him a gentle shove forward, and in an instant, Draco was in his father's arms sobbing as tears also streamed down Lucius' face. Lucius held him tight and kept murmuring, "My son... my son."

Hermione's own face was wet with tears as well; she again tugged on Harry's arm and whispered, "Let's give them some privacy, shall we?"

~*~

The two friends sat in the kitchen drinking tea and eating Kreacher's excellent ginger biscuits while Hermione brought Harry up to date on everything. Harry was absolutely livid when he learned the extent and duration of the manipulations perpetrated, theoretically, by the Ministry. When Hermione revealed the conditions in which Lucius had been living all this time, she thought Harry was going to explode. As Lucius' sponsor, he had been given a completely different address, which was nowhere near Knockturn Alley. He and Draco had personally checked out the suitability of the flat prior to Lucius' release.

Once Hermione calmed him down, she convinced him not to rush down to the Ministry to make heads roll. She suggested that they not tip off Lucius' tormentors just yet, but instead, let them feel safe for the time being until they could unravel it all and nail the culprit or culprits. She also passed on information they had received from Mordy that there had been several suspicious incidents over the past week around Lucius' flat, with an actual break-in attempt at three in the morning that Mordy had personally disrupted. Hermione was fairly sure, however, that as soon as it became common knowledge that Lucius was now living on site at the library, the flat would no longer be a target.

Harry was more than a little annoyed that Hermione and Lucius had not been more forthcoming with this information, as he could have set up surveillance on the flat. And he nearly went spare when he learned that Hermione had actually gone alone to Knockturn in the dead of night, looking for Lucius, and that she'd had a personal run-in with Mordecai Jones himself.

Harry grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a shake. He hugged her close, pushed her away, and shook her again. "Hermione, you utter idiot, what were you thinking? You should be punished for acting like a recalcitrant child!"

Hermione was surprised that Harry even knew the word recalcitrant and had actually used it correctly in a sentence.

Standing in the doorway, Lucius cleared his throat and interrupted, "What is the meaning of this? Potter, remove your hands from her this instant."

Draco placed his hand on his father's arm and reassured him, "Father, Harry would never hurt Hermione."

"Draco is right, Lucius. But I am very upset to hear about Hermione's little jaunt down to Knockturn Alley last week. In the middle of the night, no less."

Upon hearing this, Draco exclaimed, "Hermione, what were you thinking?"

Lucius stepped up and removed Hermione from Harry's side. Moving to the chair by the table, he sat there and pulled her onto his lap, overtly laying claim to her. This action elicited twin grins from Harry and Draco. "Hermione went down there in search of me. And although I am quite in agreement with Harry's assessment, any punishment will be my responsibility."

"Lucius," she gasped in indignation.

"Wait," said Draco, "Why didn't she just come to your flat? Why was she looking for you in Knockturn Alley?"

With a sigh, Hermione moved to her own chair, and they spent the next hour going over all the details and comparing notes between the four of them until they were all on the same page.

Lucius expressed some concern about Hermione's safety at the library, but she insisted that there was little risk there with it being a public establishment. She thought that Lucius was clearly in more danger out in public. She pointed out that the fact that he hadn't been attacked in Knockturn Alley had merely been as a result of Mordy's protection from behind the scenes.

Harry agreed with Lucius...better to be safe than sorry. "I'll come around the tomorrow and set some special security wards around the library and specifically around Lucius' rooms. These wards have been specially developed for the Auror's department, and no one else has access to them."

"No one else unless they're Aurors too," muttered Hermione.

"Hermione...," said Harry warily.

"Harry, you don't know. We have no idea how high this goes or who might be responsible. It could be anyone. There are plenty of people who still think that anyone who was even remotely associated with Tom Riddle, in any way, should have been left to the Dementors."

"You're right," he agreed reluctantly. "We'll keep this just to ourselves for now."

"I agree with Hermione, for once," offered Draco. "I think the biggest danger to Father is when he out on his own. You should go nowhere alone, Father. You should have someone with you at all times."

"Draco, for Merlin's sake, I am a grown man! While I am angry at all the manipulations, there has been no physical threat against me."

"Yet!" exclaimed Hermione. "They have been happy thus far to torture you from afar, but once they realize that is no longer possible, things may escalate. Just the fact that Mordy caught someone trying to break into your flat is proof of that. Please don't make light of this, Lucius," she begged.

"She's right, Father," said Draco. "I've just got you back after all this time, and I don't want anything to happen to you now."

Lucius looked from Hermione to Draco to Harry. The first two looked worried. Harry just shrugged. "They care," he said.

Lucius sighed. "All right, I will promise to take all this seriously. At the very least, I won't go anywhere without informing one of you," he conceded. "But I've had enough of all this plotting and planning for tonight."

Standing, he held his hand out to Hermione. "Come along, my girl, it's time for me to take you home."

"Hermione, maybe you should stay here with us rather than at your house," said Draco, obviously assuming that Lucius was taking her home to her home.

Hermione flushed, the heat rising in her cheeks. "Errrmm... I've actually been spending most of my nights lately at the library with Lucius," she admitted.

With a broad grin, Harry turned to Draco and held out his hand. "You owe me ten galleons."

With a roll of her eyes, Hermione pulled Lucius out of the room.

~*~

Things were quiet for the following week, aside from the fact that Lucius' new contract with the Diggory Foundation nearly caused his MAF, Miss Ambergris Entwhistle, to have a nervous breakdown.

She honestly didn't know how to deal with it, nor with the fact that Lucius showed up for his monthly meeting with his sponsor, his supervisor, and his employer. Lucius spoke barely a word the entire time as his entourage took over for him. Miss Entwhistle hemmed and hawed and mumbled things like 'most unusual circumstances,' and 'never in all my born days,' and 'oh dear... oh dear.'

She objected to the portion of the contract that allowed Lucius' expense account spending. At this, Amos objected, asking, "How does the Ministry expect Mr. Malfoy to perform his job duties as my assistant librarian when they are claiming such an exorbitant amount from his checks in taxes, fees, and penalties that he cannot even afford to buy decent robes? His position requires him to work with the public; he needs to be decently clothed. The Ministry has overstepped its bounds, and I can assure you that I will be looking into this matter."

Quite flustered, she then tried to tell Lucius that he was only allowed to donate ten percent of his income, not seventy-five percent. But Hermione whipped out the copy of the files Miss Entwhistle had given Lucius the month before at that last fateful meeting. "As you can clearly see, Miss Entwhistle, nowhere does it state that his tax-free charitable donations are limited to a mere ten percent. Mr. Malfoy is well known for his past philanthropic endeavors. He feels that his needs are now few, considering the generous benefits Mr. Diggory has offered him, and he believes in the philosophy of The Cedric Diggory Memorial Historical Research Library. Surely you cannot object to that?"

Miss Entwhistle mumbled something unintelligible under her breath and proceeded to object to Lucius moving out of his flat to stay on site at the library. "It states clearly in your probationary contract, Mr. Malfoy, that you must live either with your sponsor or in the Ministry-approved flat provided for you. You are in violation of your contract."

Hermione jumped forth and again whipped out Lucius' copy of the probationary contract. "I beg to differ, Miss Enwhistle. It clearly states in section four, paragraph three, under the definition of employment clause, that if Mr. Malfoy's employer requires him to live on site for the performance of his job, then the Ministry will grant an exception in regard to his living arrangements."

"I see nowhere in Mr. Malfoy's original contract that he would be required to live on site," Miss Entwhistle said pointedly.

"That contract is a probationary one that we offered for the first two months. Once it became clear that Mr. Malfoy was suited to the job and willing to take on more responsibility, we asked him to move on site," explained Amos. "Being a historical research library, we have many valuable historical documents and artifacts. I really feel better having someone in residence at all times. And since we run on charitable donations, we must watch our budget, so this was a perfect solution."

"Hummmph!" Miss Entwhistle pursed her lips tightly, as if she had just tasted something sour.

Then Harry stepped forward, and placing his palms on her desk, he leaned a bit threateningly over her. "As Mr. Malfoy's sponsor, I have a question as to why I was given a false address and shown a flat that he was never allowed to occupy. Only now, nearly ten months later, I discover that he has been living in a cheap dosshouse in the deepest corner of Knockturn Alley. Is this what the Ministry of Magic calls appropriate Ministry-approved housing? I think we will need to speak with your supervisor, Miss Entwhistle."

Poor Ambergris 'eeeeep'ed' pathetically and ran from the room. From that point on, they dealt strictly with her supervisor, Mr. Murgatroyd, who was a short, rotund man with a bit of a lisp and who didn't seem to have a clue about anything. He merely approved everything they asked him to and apologized over and over for any 'misunderstandings.' He agreed that from that point onward, Lucius would only have to report to Harry and would no longer need to report to the Ministry representative. Hermione pointedly requested that he put it in writing, and she refused to leave until he did.

~*~

Over the next couple of weeks, there had been no further incidents or threats toward Lucius, and Hermione didn't think life could get much better. She had a job that she truly loved. She spent her days organizing the library and working with Lucius, and she spent her nights shagging him silly. He kept teasing that she was going to wear him out, but she noticed that he never turned her away, and more often than not, he was the initiator.

Late one afternoon, Hermione had dozed off at her desk while reviewing unbelievably boring budget proposals. She was exhausted from the night before. Lucius had kept her up half the night, performing sinfully erotic acts upon her body, bringing her to the very edge of orgasm, holding her there, then backing off and soothing her gently, only to start the process all over again until she had been literally begging him for release. He'd finally granted her request, thrusting into her over and over until she came apart around him. Even then, he'd managed to hold himself back by sheer strength of will until she came for him a second time, and then he'd allowed himself to follow her over the precipice.

She awoke now from her doze. She was slumped forward, her forehead nestled on her arms resting on top of the budget files. She felt a hand gently brush her hair aside, and she smiled as his soft lips nuzzled her neck, his warm breath sending chills down her spine.

"Mmmmmm...," she moaned, squirming slightly in her chair as she continued to feign sleep.

She felt his hands gently slide up and down her sides until they slipped under her jumper to cup her breasts. He released the front catch on her bra so he could fondle and squeeze her breasts firmly, just as she liked. Then he pinched and plucked at her hard, tight nipples. At the same time, he sucked lightly at that sensitive spot just in the very middle of her neck.

"Mmmmm... Lucius," she mumbled softly. He suddenly stopped suckling at her neck.

"Lucius?" he growled.

Hermione groggily opened her eyes and was shocked to see Lucius standing, not behind her where she'd believed him to be, but in the doorway, across the room, his mouth agape.

"Lucius!" she exclaimed.

"What do you mean Lucius?" The voice came from directly behind her.

Hermione reared suddenly into a sitting position. The back of her head collided firmly, with a resounding crack, against a rather large nose.

"Owwwww! Fuck, that hurts! I think you broke by dose."

"Severus!" exclaimed Lucius. "What in hell are you doing?"

"Lucius," Hermione cried as she jumped to her feet, trying to rub the back of her head and pull down her jumper while also trying to rearrange her bra. She hurried to his side. "I fell asleep at my desk, and when I woke up..." She looked back at Severus still holding his nose. "I thought he was you, kissing my neck."

Rounding on Severus, she demanded, "Just what did you think you were doing? I haven't seen or heard anything of you for damn near a year, and you think you can just waltz in here, sneak up on me while I am sleeping, and start nibbling on my neck and playing with my breasts!"

"Well, you never objected to me playing with your breasts before, or nibbling at your neck, and you can't deny that you were enjoying it at the time," he snarled.

"That's because I thought you were him," she exclaimed, pointing at Lucius. "What did you expect would happen? Did you think you could ignore me for ten months, three weeks, and five days and I would just be moping around here in London, pining for you, waiting for you to come around? Well, you'd better think again, Severus Snape! I've managed to get on very well without you; I have a life, a job, a home, and a lover."

As if to prove her point, she lunged at Lucius, kissing him hard. Unprepared for her amorous attack, Lucius stumbled back a bit and nearly lost his balance. Recovering quickly, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as he kissed her back. Finally, he maneuvered her around to pin her to the wall with his weight. Soon, she was practically climbing up his body as she wrapped her legs around his waist and rubbed against him.

"Oh, for the love of Merlin! Get a room!" barked Severus.

Hermione pulled back, a bit dazed. She had started this to taunt Severus but had honestly got lost in the moment. She slid rather ungracefully down Lucius and made an attempt at straightening herself up. "Umm... sorry..., " she mumbled, her eyes downcast as she felt warmth flood her cheeks

"I guess we did get a bit carried away for a moment there," admitted Lucius. "So very sorry about that." But he didn't look or sound very sorry at all; in fact, he looked rather self satisfied.

"Well... I do remember that she can have that effect on a man. She certainly did on me," Severus muttered, looking not anything at all like the formidable Headmaster that he was, but more like a little boy who'd just lost his most treasured possession. "Are you at least going to heal my nose?" he asked petulantly.

With a huff, Hermione replied, "No, Severus. Actually, I don't think I am." And with that, she swept from the room, leaving Severus and Lucius to stare dumbly at each other.

~*~

After a couple of minutes of uncomfortable silence, Lucius produced his wand.

Obviously unsure of what to expect from his friend, or perhaps his former friend, Severus pulled out his wand too.

"Oh, for fuck's sake, put that away, you idiot," snapped Lucius. "I'm only going to fix your nose."

Lucius raised his wand to cast Episkey, the act reminding him of how Hermione had healed his own nose those many weeks ago. With a crunch, Severus' nose shifted back into place and healed itself as he grunted in pain. Pulling a vial of pain potion from the deep pockets of his robes, he gulped it down.

"Since when have you become such a dab hand at healing spells?" he inquired.

"Since our dear little witch broke my nose and healed it with that spell in this very room not more than three months ago," replied Lucius.

"She broke your nose too?" questioned Severus. "Wait... Our witch?"

"In a manner of speaking," replied Lucius. "As in first, she was your witch, but somehow you were incapable of keeping her. Now, she's my witch, and I do intend to keep her. So loosely, in essence, she might be considered 'our' witch." Lucius considered the issue and eyed Severus speculatively. "It is an interesting thought, though, the three of us together, isn't it? From her reaction to you and her abrupt departure just now, I can't help but think she still has feelings for you. And while I have absolutely no intention of giving her up, I might be willing to let you try to convince me to share her affections. But only if that is her choice as well, of course."

Severus looked hopeful for a brief moment but then shook his head. "I doubt she'll ever forgive me. I shouldn't have backed her into a corner. I thought we'd argue, have fabulous make-up sex, and work out some sort of agreement. But being the Gryffindor that she is, she took me at my word and left."

"Well, yes, not the wisest move on your part, old man. But then you never have made logical decisions in matters of the heart, have you? If that's all there was to it, why have you not even tried to make it right in all these months?"

"I don't know," Severus replied. "I thought at first simply to give her time to cool down. Then when I didn't hear from her at all, I let my pride and stubbornness take control. I guess you're right, I don't make very good decisions in matters of the heart." Severus narrowed his eyes and stared at Lucius. "Were you serious before...about sharing her affections?"

Lucius was surprised that Severus would even consider the possibility, as he was known to be an extremely possessive man. In the short time he had been with Hermione, Lucius had realized that she had a very adventurous nature and enjoyed sex immensely. In just the few weeks they had been together, they had got up to all sorts of things together. A ménage à trois might actually appeal to her. And he couldn't help but think that the idea of two wizards who both cared for her deeply, worshiping her like a goddess, both in bed and out, might hold some attraction for the witch.

He had a feeling that deep down Hermione honestly still had feelings for her former lover. He'd had no idea before, but the fact that she'd obviously kept track right down to the day how long had passed since their break-up spoke volumes. Although he would admit it to no one, most especially not Severus or Hermione, Lucius' worst fear was losing the little witch he had come to care for. He would rather take the chance of developing a three-way relationship between his long-time friend and Hermione, both people he cared for, than take a risk that she might, in the long run, end up choosing Severus and leave him behind.

Lucius decided to proceed with caution. "I might be willing to consider the possibility eventually, but only if Hermione is completely amenable to the idea. I have no intention of trying to coerce her into agreeing. And I am sure some sort of penance on your part might be required." If he was going to promote this idea, he might as well get something out of it, and watching Severus squirm would be amusing indeed.

"Penance?" said Severus, one eyebrow raised.

"Well, I'm sure in Hermione's mind you do have a great deal to atone for, my friend," said Lucius with a sly smile. "Might I assume from that hard-on you were sporting after seeing Hermione and I kissing that you still enjoy... watching?"

"What's your point, Lucius?" Severus growled in response.

"Well, it occurred to me if Hermione were to agree to such an arrangement, as your punishment you might be required to observe the two of us together for a predetermined period of time. Of course, you would not be allowed to participate until she decides you have suffered enough. I dare say, for you, the suffering won't be so very bad, as you will be partaking in an activity that you secretly enjoy. Although personally, I can't help but imagine it would indeed be torture for you to merely observe and not join in. Penance, my friend. Penance."

Severus answered with a grin. "If she did agree...eventually...I would be willing to accept these terms."

Lucius was surprised that he had agreed so readily. He figured that Severus must have had his own fears and doubts as to his ability to win back Hermione's affections. Just to make sure they were on the same page, he elaborated, "You do realize that this will take some time; I am not going to spring this on her overnight. And I was thinking of this arrangement not as a one-time deal, but more as something for the long-term. Perhaps permanently even, if all of us are agreeable."

"Sounds perfect," agreed Severus.

"Wonderful. Now let me bring you up to date on other events. There has been mischief afoot, and not just of late, but apparently, it has been going on for years. If that is the case, then those around me could be at risk, including our witch. I'm going to need your help, Severus."

~*~

Hermione wandered back downstairs in search of Lucius. She was shocked to find him not only in the same room she'd left him in earlier but in the company of the very same wizard she'd stormed out on.

"Lucius?" she asked, tentatively.

"Hermione, sweet, come join us," called Lucius in a tone of voice that told her the two men had been sharing a few glasses of firewhisky in her absence.

When she hesitated in the doorway, Lucius came to her and gave her a reassuring hug. "Why is he still here?" she whispered, looking past him to Severus, who was studying the two of them intently as he sipped his drink.

Asking Severus to excuse him for a moment, Lucius led her out into the hallway and closed the door.

"Lucius, why is Snape still here?" she repeated.

"Hermione, I know the two of you have had a serious falling out. And knowing your feelings... I probably should have made him leave... but honestly, he has always been my very good friend. I have missed his company. I'm sorry if this upsets you. Is this going to be a problem?" He studied her reaction. Holding her hands, he said, "If it makes you uncomfortable, I will ask him to leave. There is no question that if I must choose, I will most assuredly choose you."

Hermione thought for a moment but then shook her head. "No, you're right. Severus is your friend, and he has been for a very long time. That would be like you asking me to turn away Harry, or choose between the two of you; that just wouldn't be fair. I won't do that to you. I will try to accept it, but perhaps it would be best if I just stayed out of the way when you two are together."

"No, I don't want you to do that either. Hiding behind closed doors, meeting in clandestine pubs or out of the way places, and worrying that you will be upset does not sound like a recipe for a stable relationship. He has assured me that he is sorry for his actions in your past, and he wants to apologize. Won't you at least talk to him?"

She hesitated. "Lucius, I don't think that is a very good idea."

"Hermione, the two of you cared for each other once, so there must be at least the possibility for a bit of affection for one another." She could tell by the look on his face that he was about to play his trump card. "I've spent so many years alone. Could you not at least try to be friends? For me?"

She could see nothing but trouble coming from this, but with a sigh, she acquiesced, "Very well, yes, for you."

Hermione allowed Lucius to lead her back into the reading room, where he pulled her down snugly next to him on the sofa. After a few awkward moments of silence, Severus offered apologies, both for his actions earlier as well as for his ultimatum of ten months prior. Hermione graciously, if a bit hesitantly, accepted them.

Severus Snape humbled was something she'd never expected to see. Truth be told, she wasn't entirely sure that she had, even now. For although his words seemed sincere, they were delivered in bits of snarl and growl and snark. Which is to say in Snape-ish. Luckily, Hermione was quite fluent in Snape-ish and had no trouble translating the whole mess.

While the evening didn't end with them becoming bosom buddies, at least they were now on speaking terms. Still, later Hermione couldn't help but wonder why the night that Severus Snape returned to her life was the night all hell broke loose.

~*~

After making the rounds to check that the library was secured for the night, Hermione and Lucius retired for the evening. His lovemaking was sweet and tender, and he held her in his arms possessively until they both fell asleep.

At two fifteen, Hermione was jolted out of a sound sleep. The wards were screeching, signaling a breach, with the security signal squealing an alert that intruders were in the building. Lucius was out of bed in a flash, pulling up his trousers and grabbing his wand, and he rushed out over Hermione's protests.

"Shit!" she swore as she grabbed her dressing gown and her wand. "Why is it men never listen to reason?" She raced out into the hallway, unsure whether to go down the front stairs or the back way through the kitchen. Before she could decide, a tiny figure popped into being directly in front of her. She yelped and nearly tumbled backwards before she realized it was the newly hired House-elf, Sukie, brandishing a huge butcher knife.

"Sukie, for Merlin's sake! You nearly scared the life out of me. What on earth are you doing here with that knife?"

"Master is saying for me to be protecting you, Mistress, so that is what I be's doing," declared the little elf with a bloodthirsty look on her face.

"Well, you stay right over there and guard those stairs and try not to stab anyone. Just use your magic if you have to and make sure no one comes up from the kitchen through here. I am going down to check on Master Lucius."

"I doesn't think Master will be liking that idea, Missy," complained Sukie.

"I really don't care what Master likes, Sukie; just stay here unless I call you," ordered Hermione as she took off at a sprint down the stairs. She nearly collided with Lucius on the landing where he had paused to Accio the rest of his clothes.

"There were two of them. I threw up an Anti-Apparition Jinx and they ran out through the front door. They'll be able to Disapparate from the street, but I think if I hurry, I can pick up a trace and follow their trail," he explained. He pulled on his socks and boots and threw on his shirt before rushing back down the stairs with Hermione following in his wake.

"Lucius, wait! Don't go after them! I don't think that's a very good idea. We should call the Aurors and let them handle this," she insisted.

"By the time they get here, any trace of their trail will be long gone," he responded as he headed out the door.

"Lucius Malfoy, are you mad? This could be a trap just to get you to go after them on your own. You promised Draco and me you wouldn't do anything foolish. Don't do this!" He was already headed down the long alleyway to the front gate at a run.

Hermione was furious. "Gods-be-damned-idiot-of-a-man!" she muttered as she slammed the front door and dashed in to her office to use the Floo. She'd planned to call Harry, but hesitated just as she was going to throw the Floo powder in. What if Lucius did something illegal? If she called Harry he would have to make an official report, and Lucius could be arrested. After thinking for a moment, she threw in a pinch of Floo powder. "Mordecai Jones rooms, Knockturn Alley."

Kneeling by the fireplace, she called out, "Mordecai, are you there?"

"What... Whassat... Who's there?" he mumbled. It sounded as if he'd been sleeping, which was a logical assumption at two-something in the morning, but with the residents of Knockturn, one never knew.

"Mor... Mordy, it's me Hermio... err... Tidbit..."

"Tidbet? Whass wrong, darlin'? Are ya okay?"

"We've had a break-in here; Lucius went after them. I'm afraid he might be in trouble. Can you come? Please, Mordy. I don't want to call the Aurors; if Lucius does something rash, it could get him into even more trouble."

"Give me a sec to get decent," he replied. Within a minute or two, he said, "Step back from the Floo, peach, I'm comin' through." He stepped through, pulling his eye patch into place. Hermione stood before the huge hulk of a man, wringing her hands and looking ready to spit fire at the same time. Instead, she threw herself into his arms and hugged him tight.

"Mordecai! Thank you. I just didn't know what to do. I didn't want to make the situation worse by calling in the authorities. The pig-headed prat! I told him not to go, that it could be a trap, but he simply wouldn't listen to me."

"There, there, Tidbit, calm down and tell ol' Mordy what happened," he said, settling her on the sofa to the side of the fireplace.

Before she could explain the situation, the fireplace flared to life again with green light. Hermione jumped to her feet, and Mordy pushed her behind him to step between her and the Floo with his wand drawn.

At the same instant, a tall, dark figure came through the Floo. Upon seeing Mordy's wand pointed in his direction, he, too, pointed his wand.

"No!" screamed Hermione, throwing herself in front of Mordy and casting a Shield Charm as both men fired off spells at the same time.

TBC