Chapter 2

Disclaimer: We've borrowed some of J.K. Rowling's characters for a bit of fun. We'll return them shortly! Don't worry; no Galleons are being made.

A/N: I just want to remind everyone that this will be an SS/HG story before long. We have just a few kinks to work out first (SS/NM and HG/RW). So bear with us. Hope you enjoy!

Thanks go to NotSoSaintly for taking a moment to beta read this!

Hermione sat in the living room, gazing out the window, watching for Harry and Ron, who were supposed to come for her. The owl had said that they'd most likely bring Remus and Tonks as well. She had only been home two days and was leaving again to go to headquarters.

Her parents had been very upset that she was leaving so soon after returning home. She'd told them as much as she could, but left out many details about the Horcrux and most of the horrible things that Voldemort had been doing. If she had told them the whole story, then she would have tried to force her to wait until after her eighteenth birthday in September to leave, and she wanted to go on the best terms as possible. She sighed and laid her head against the window. She really couldn't wait to see Harry and especially Ron. During Dumbledore's funeral and on the way home on the Hogwarts Express, he'd been a good comfort, holding her close and protectively.

Fighting with her parents had left her emotionally exhausted. They knew something more was going on, they just didn't know exactly what. Her father had threatened to keep her home, but thankfully, her mother had intervened. "John," her mother had said, "we can't keep her here under lock and key. And if she is going, I would much rather know where and who with than have her try to sneak out of the house and go."

Apparently her mother knew her very well, for that was exactly what she would have done. Her father had tried to disagree, but Hermione had blurted out that she had been of age in the Wizarding world for many months and could just Disapparate away without their permission, leaving them without the ability to force her home or even find her. His words kept replaying over in her mind. "So, we send you to this school, and all they've done is taught you how to be rid of us... less worthy folks who can't wield a wand." They'd all cried then, knowing things would never be the same again.

With promises to owl whenever possible, her parents reluctantly agreed to her going to spend the summer with the Weasleys. She just didn't tell them it would be spent wherever they chose to be...headquarters, the Burrow, Hogwarts, or out on the road. They were uncertain where their adventure would take them. She certainly didn't let on that she might not even be returning to school that fall. She would deal with that when the time came.

Harry had to go spend the previous night with the Dursleys. They hadn't even gone to get him at King's Cross when the train had brought the students back. He'd left with the Weasleys, spending one night with them before Mr. Weasley escorted him to their home, demanding that he be allowed to stay his one night... or else. Harry had sent instructions with Hedwig for her to be ready, as he and his escort would swing by to pick her up on the way. She was grateful for that. After the argument with her folks, tension was running high in the Granger household.

Suddenly, she saw a slight flicker in the sky. "Mum! Dad! They're coming!"

Her parents came into the living room to see their daughter off. "Did you pack everything, sweetheart?" Jane asked sadly.

"Yes, Mum." Hermione leaned into the hug her mother offered. Turning to her dad, she said, "I love you, Daddy. Please understand that I have to help my friends."

Sighing, John squeezed his daughter tightly. "I love you, too, poppet. Be safe and owl us when you have a minute."

Sniffling, she told her mother, "I love you. I will owl! I promise."

A knock sounded on the door, breaking them away from their hug. Hermione ran to it, looked through the peephole, and opened the door. As soon as she saw Ron, she flung herself into his arms. "Ron! I've missed you!"

Blushing to the tips of his ears, he said, "Bloody hell, Hermione, it's only been a couple of days!" Secretly, he was pleased.

Harry cleared his throat behind them. "Oi, I'm here, too!"

Blushing, Hermione turned to Harry, hugging him. "It's good to see you, Harry!" Looking behind the boys, she greeted the two escorts. "Tonks, Remus! Hello!"

Chuckling, Remus asked, "Are you ready? Do you have your things?"

"Yes, just there," she said and pointed to her trunk.

Remus shrunk it and placed it in his pocket. With a nod of acknowledgement to the Grangers, he said, "We'll just wait out here while you say your goodbyes."

After another tearful goodbye, Hermione walked outside to see them all standing about, holding brooms. She winced.

Harry teased, "I don't suppose you want to ride with me?"

"Um, I don't want to ride at all, but I think I will ride with Ron." She grinned. "He's a bit less keen to do anything daring."

"What's that supposed to mean? I can do most of the same..."

"Oh, honestly," she said, moving behind him. He opened his mouth to speak but quickly shut it as her arms slid around him from behind.

"Er... yeah," he said, trying to sound steady, "I won't do anything dodgy with you on here, though I could, mind."

She giggled and leaned closer, enjoying the feel of his warm body against hers. She closed her eyes and counted to ten. Flying's not so bad. I'm just a bit shaky with it, is all. Ron knows what he's doing.

After Remus Disillusioned them, Ron kicked off the ground steadily, following Harry's lead, and headed for headquarters. Hermione vaguely wondered if Bill and Fleur were still planning on getting married, what with his run in with Greyback, and if so, where would the wedding would be? Where would her family stay, the Delacours? Surely not everyone could fit at the Burrow easily.

Her stomach lurched as Ron took a swift turn to the right, causing them to lean over some. "Oh!" She tightened her hold on him, clutching his robes in her fists.

"Sorry," he said, big grin on his face.

For reasons unknown to her, she leaned forward and pressed a kiss on his pale neck, enjoying the way his flesh immediately reddened. As he dipped lower, flying towards the ground, she closed her eyes and rested her cheek against his shoulder.

Narcissa stood against the railing on the back veranda with her arms crossed to ward herself against the cool evening breeze. She had no idea where they were, but the view was spectacular. There were mountains in the distance, clouds hovering close to their peaks. She looked down at the ground many feet below her, wondering how high up they were. It seemed that part of the cottage was built to hang over part of a quick moving, clear river. The bank below was quite rocky and would not bode well for anyone trying to jump.

Not that she would.

Her punishment, while extreme, could have been much worse. She could have been forced to watch Draco's torture or demise. She could have been tortured. A shiver passed through her body. She'd never been able to take much pain. Her labor with Draco had been quite hard on her, and for that reason alone, she'd bought the lies that Lucius had told her about her inability to bear any more children. She'd tried to talk to him about adopting some quaint little orphan, but he wouldn't have it.

The prospect of feeling life growing within her again was welcome, but she hated that it would be Severus' child...not that she had anything against him. It's just that she loved Lucius. He was a good husband, always faithful, a good father to Draco, always showing him how a gentleman of pride should act in public, and he'd always protected them when he could. Part of her felt bitter.

You just had to land yourself in Azkaban, she thought sadly. I didn't know what to do, really. I thought I was doing right. Maybe I should have just taken Draco and fled, but it would have been much worse for us if we had done that and the Dark Lord had found us.

She'd been at their current location with Severus for four days. He'd not once tried to touch her or do anything inappropriate. In fact, he seemed to like to keep to himself...only joining her for meals or for an evening drink before they parted for the night. He'd always been good to her family, and it made her happy to know that the only reason he was going through with this is because he had to. Many people would never know it, but Severus was a kind man beneath that brooding façade. Or at least that was how she saw him.

He was always readily helping Lucius with anything he needed...potions and other darker things. Why, he'd even helped to ward and construct the manor's hidden dungeon. The Ministry had never been able to find anything in all their searches, the daft bastards.

"Narcissa?"

She turned around and smiled. "Yes?"

"Dinner is ready. Would you like to come in?" he asked, voice silky and even.

"Of course," she replied, taking a deep breath. "Isn't it just beautiful here?"

He looked around and shrugged.

Men! They never did appreciate the beauty of nature, did they? No, they more or less enjoyed the beauty of power, money, and a woman's body. Shaking her head, she said, "Just like Lucius, aren't you? Never see true beauty even with your eyes wide open!"

"I see true beauty," he said, gazing at her, dark eyes meeting her blue pair, "when it is before me."

She felt suddenly flustered. Was he flirting with her? Swallowing, she asked, "Indeed?"

"Indeed." He offered her his arm, which she took, led her inside to their small dining table, and held out her chair for her.

"Oh, the elf's gone all out tonight, hasn't he?"

"I suppose." He sat down a little roughly, scowling, and filled their goblets with wine.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, wondering why he was acting so strangely.

"Narcissa, the potion, it's nearly complete. I suppose I am just trying to prepare myself for... the inevitable."

"Oh," she said, taking a deep drink from her goblet. She felt her heartbeat speed up and her body flush.

"I know that you don't really want to do this, and I hope you understand that I would never put you in this position if I didn't have to." His voice was calm, but she could see his fingers tightly clutching the napkin beside his plate.

"I sense there is more that you want to say," she said more calmly than she felt.

He nodded. "I've been thinking that we could do this without actually having intercourse..."

"Is there a way?" she interrupted hopefully.

"Yes, but after reading through this book," he nodded to a thin hard-covered book to their left, "I've found that even with magic, it's not always successful." He paused. When she said nothing, he said, "I don't want to fail. Our best chance is to proceed normally."

Narcissa looked down and nodded. She felt as if her last thread of hope had vanished. She would have to go through with this. So much for thinking this to not truly be a form of punishment, she thought sadly.

"Severus, don't sound so guilty. This wasn't your doing."

"But I've found that I do want you..."

Upon hearing this soft confession, her head sprung up quickly to gauge his sincerity. He was a master of deception when he needed to be. Was he simply trying to put her at ease? Did he truly harbor some feelings for her? It would explain why he was acting differently...fighting feelings of guilt over wanting something that shouldn't be his and taking advantage of the situation. She should be honored. For as long as she could remember, Severus never seemed to agonize about much. She frowned slightly. She didn't know if his admission made things easier to accept or not.

As if reading her mind, he said, "I know the sentiment is not reciprocated, nor do I ask it to be. I simply want you to know that I will do what I can to ease your discomfort while I find my pleasure and consummate our task." He looked down at his plate and began nudging his food with his fork, obviously trying to think of anything other than what he'd just told her.

A rush of affection flooded her. She suddenly felt as if the situation was much more bearable. It wouldn't be some fellow throwing her down and taking her without worry for her feelings. It would be Severus, who would be gentle and craved to have her. Had he not had a woman in so long that he would desire his best friend's wife? It felt good to be wanted. Every woman felt that way. And she'd been so lonely since that Potter brat had helped to send Lucius to Azkaban. While she would never have openly sought him out, she supposed that if she had to be with another, then Severus should be him. When she went to him the previous year to ask for his help, she'd known that he could have very well said that he'd help if she'd have sex with him, paid him, or any number of things. She'd been prepared to agree then, no matter the request, but he hadn't even had those thoughts. He'd simply agreed to help, as any good man would do.

"You're a good friend to me, Severus," she said quietly, adding, "and to Lucius." She saw him pause while chewing. "I do not mean to hurt you by saying that. You should know that he would do the same for you if the situation would be reversed." She took a sip of her wine. "I do feel nervous about all of this." She smiled shakily. "Quite nervous in fact."

"Perhaps we'll open a bottle of whisky," he said, looking up with a light smirk on his face. "Maybe that would help settle your nerves a bit."

She nodded. "I really think so. We'd definitely both be more comfortable." Feeling much more at ease, she began eating as well, making light conversation with him during dinner as if his admission had never been spoken. Once they were through and went to sit before the fire, she asked, "Why did you never marry, Severus?"

"I suppose no one has ever appealed to me."

An egotistical part of her wanted to ask if he'd been harboring feelings for her and if that had anything to do with it, but she remained silent. His expression softened as he lost himself in thought, and it made her wonder if there was someone else that he harbored feelings for.

"Ever appealed to you? You jest. Surely there was someone."

"Once," he said quietly.

"What happened?"

"She died."

"Oh," she said with a slight gasp, "Severus, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry." Ego deflating, she asked, "May I ask whom?"

He was silent for a long moment before finally saying, "I don't think that's something that I wish to discuss." His expression hardened, and he rose to go look out of the window.

"I apologize." She felt a pang of guilt for her questioning, and she felt quite horrible to have even thought that she might have been the reason he'd remained unmarried.

"It's all right," he said. "That was long ago." He spun around. "I think I shall retire for the evening."

"Wait," Narcissa said quickly, rising and moving to him. She put a hand on his cheek only to have him flinch slightly. "There will be someone for you, Severus. After this passes," she gestured between them, "and the Dark Lord is victorious, you'll be able to settle down finally."

For an instant, it felt as if he leaned into her palm, but then he backed away. "Good evening."

She watched as he retreated through the door that hid his bedroom and closed it with a snap. Poor Severus, she thought, pitying her friend. He's never had it easy, has he? Mother killing his father and then being sent to Azkaban! The only woman he cared for died, leaving him to pine after her for all his days. She shook her head sadly. If she could give him solace for at least one night, she would do so.

"This is Lucius' fault," she said aloud, easing her guilt. "If he hadn't..." Tears began flowing down her cheeks slowly. Her vows had always been sacred to her. She'd been a good wife, always doing her husband's bidding and being the perfect woman. She'd been a good mother, always caring for her son, sending him sweets and trying to protect him. Stiffening her spine, she went to the doorway that led to her own bedroom. She would do what she must to survive. She would make certain that her son... and the child that she would soon be carrying would survive this war. If Lucius couldn't understand that, then so be it. She could always point out that he would never disobey the Dark Lord's commands, so how could he expect her to?

Draco was sitting in his desk chair chewing the end of a quill. Four days had passed, and he was still no closer to figuring out how to help his mother than he had been on the first day he'd arrived. How bad is she suffering? How many times has that bastard and supposed friend to my father, Snape, had his hands on my mother? Those thoughts made him nauseated.

Draco growled, flung the quill on the desk, and walked to the window. "There has got to be something I can do! Damn it all to hell and back!" When the door opened, Draco visibly calmed himself and turned to see who had entered, hoping that it wasn't the Dark Lord. He'd been lucky enough to avoid him during most of his stay, but for those minutes that he was in the man's presence, he felt as if his mind was being probed, no matter how much he tried to hide his thoughts. He had nothing to hide. Not really. But it didn't sit well with him that his personal thoughts and memories could be snatched. What if he used something in there against him? Maybe he'd try to harm Pansy just to make him suffer. That's how he worked, the Dark Lord. He used his followers, threatening and forcing them to do his bidding.

"Talking to yourself again, Little Malfoy?" Wormtail snickered. "Wondering what delights Severus is taking from your mum, are you? Well, you can be sure that if it were me..."

"Shut your mouth, you filthy vermin! If it were you, she'd kill herself!" He curled his lip in disgust and looked the man up and down. "Now, what do you want?" he asked in his most condescending voice, tired of the tosser's continued interruptions.

"Nothing, nothing at all, just wanted to play with the Little Malfoy!" He licked his roughly chapped lips. "You know, I could help you. I could make things pleasant for you... Give you extra comforts. All I would ask is that you show your appreciation in a way that is favorable to me. You have the look of your father, you do, somewhat hard, but your mother's blood softens you. Makes you almost pretty."

"Pretty?" Draco asked incredulously. "What are you on about?"

"I could take delight in you and help you in the process. Understand?"

Draco couldn't help but to burst with laughter. "Are you mad? Yes, you must be, if you think I would even consider... Leave here, rat, and never darken my door again. Do you understand?"

Flushing red with embarrassment and humiliation, Peter said, "Oh, you will be sorry, very sorry indeed. You have made an enemy here, so you'd better watch your back."

"Apparently, you'll be watching my back for me," Draco said loftily.

"Sleep with one eye open, boy. You'd be surprised at all the places a rat can get into." He scurried out of the room, slamming and locking the door.

"Ruddy rat is a right nutter! Wait...what did he say? Rats can get into all kinds of places... Hmm. He's right. Maybe I shouldn't be so quick to dismiss him. Perhaps I should make him think I will befriend him. He could turn out to be very useful in the future."

With a new plan formulating in his mind, Draco went to lie on the bed. After he outlives his usefulness, I will dispose of him. I think I remember that Granger has a big, fat half-Kneazle. He blinked. "Not that I'll be asking her for help, mind."

Southern's Notes: Ah, and so it begins. The next chapter will be up soon. Christy and I are already going forward with things. Thanks for reading!

Christy's Notes: So, the plot thickens! Narcissa has accepted her fate, and Draco is starting to use his Slytherin brain and scheme. Our trio is reunited once again!