Chapter 5

Disclaimer: We've swiped some of J.K.R.'s characters, but we'll return them shortly. We just want to have a bit of fun.

Narcissa peeked at her sister through the fingers that were covering part of her face. "How could you say such a thing? This child is part of me!" Her sister had been going on about how the baby would be weak and was already causing Narcissa to be weak early on in her pregnancy, as she had been experiencing terrible sickness most days.

"Yes," Bella said, waving her hand dismissively as she stirred her tea, "but it's also part Snape. Therefore, it's lacking already in its bloodline, which is likely causing all this. You know that child's father is part Muggle and part--"

"He's part Prince if you'll remember correctly. Why, his mother's family--"

"Told her to get out of their sight when she up and married that Muggle," Bella finished, smirking smugly at her sister. "Now," she purred, "you can't say you were this ill when pregnant with Lucius' child, can you? A pure-blood?" When Narcissa shook her head, she continued, a triumphant gleam in her eyes, "While Draco isn't the cleverest wizard, he is part Black and part Malfoy. Those two names mean something and are an excellent combination. He's an example of pureblood..." She frowned. "Well, he did disappoint our Lord, but I don't think it's because of his bloodlines. He was too pampered, too spoiled!"

"When you have your child, Bellatrix, you will understand what being a mother is about. You will learn that simply sending them off to war where they could be harmed or killed isn't very easy." She smiled fondly, thinking of all Severus had sacrificed at her request. "Admit it here and now that Snape is more of a wizard than you thought before."

"Oh, perhaps he did something I didn't expect, but that doesn't mean anything. Time will tell if he's truly become someone worthy of my respect, which at the present seems harder to come by than the Dark Lord's."

Narcissa frowned. "You've always looked down on everyone else."

"As have you," Bellatrix countered.

"That might be true to an extent, but I have always at least had an open mind about things." Her eyes widened. "WHAT are you doing?"

Pausing the pouring of whisky into her tea, Bellatrix looked up in confusion. "I'm having my tea."

"You're not still drinking hard liquor?" Narcissa asked incredulously.

With a shrug, Bellatrix said, "So what if I am? I don't see why I should change anything just because I'm to become a mother." She grinned. "I'm a strong woman, no doubt my child will be strong, and I won't have some pregnancy keeping me from doing the Dark Lord's will." She gave her sister a scathing glance. "You are using that child as an excuse. Perhaps if you just acted as if nothing was amiss, you'd not be feeling so ill."

"But your baby..." Narcissa watched in horror as her sister took a deep drink of her tea and added another shot of whisky to it. She couldn't believe that she would knowingly put her child in jeopardy. A thought occurred to her. "Bella, liquor isn't good for a baby. You do know that, right? What if you should harm the child? If the child is deformed in any manner, do you think our Lord will still welcome him with open arms?"

"The child will be fine. I told you it's going to be strong. Besides, you don't think that our mother remained prim and proper while pregnant with us, do you?" She sneered suddenly. "Perhaps during Andromeda's pregnancy." She nodded to herself. "Yes, that would explain why she's always been so weak-willed and meek." She shook her head and made a tsking sound. "And just look at her pitiful offspring."

Narcissa stood and strode to the window. "I can't believe you are acting this way. Have a care with how you approach pregnancy, or you could lose your child."

"You're just trying to find something at fault with me because I've hit a nerve. Or... could it be that it's simply because you're angry with Snape?" Bella accused, pointing a finger at her.

"Of course I am angry with him, but that's not the reason I'm trying to steer you the right way." She sighed in frustration.

"Ha! And what way is that? How to raise a brat in a manner that will offend the Dark Lord? Don't need that sort of advice, thanks. I'll just look at your son--"

"Don't you speak ill about my son again," Narcissa said, whirling around angrily. "You've been blabbering long enough this morning, I think."

Taken aback by her sister's sudden vehemence, Bellatrix nodded. "Fair enough." Deciding to change tactics, she softened her expression and voice. "Come now, Cissy. Tell me what the bastard has done." She rubbed the chair next to her, smiling as her sister strode forward and took the seat.

"He's done nothing!" Narcissa complained, wanting to confide in her sister. "He leaves for days on end, sends no word to me, doesn't really talk to me when he's home, and seems indifferent about the baby, only occasionally asking if anything is amiss."

"Indifferent to your charms, you mean?" her sister asked knowingly. "Don't worry. I can understand that it must be difficult being cooped up as you are, no husband warming your bed, needing a man--even if it is Snape--to keep you company."

Narcissa's cheeks reddened. "Well, yes, I must admit that I wouldn't mind a little company. On the days that I've not been feeling ill lately, I've been feeling lonely and longing for Lucius, though I know that's impossible. So, yes, I do want a little something with Severus... maybe... but only for now." She shrugged. "I don't understand. I'm certain that he loves me. Or at least I thought he did. What would make him act this way towards me? When I gave myself to him that night, he eagerly accepted my body. It wasn't just a task to him."

Bella leaned forward conspiratorially. "I'd say he's afraid of Lucius. Likely doesn't want to overstep any lines not ordered by our Lord. You see, Snape, being weak, wouldn't do that. He remains under the Dark Lord's protection by not touching you again." She grinned impishly. "Maybe he's hoping that you will eventually be gifted to him completely. He probably feels that Lucius couldn't fault him if he appeared to be forced into it." Sneering, she added, "Which I will never allow to pass. My sister is no whore, especially a half-blood's whore, and will never be used as such."

Not able to meet her sister's eyes, Narcissa admitted, "My husband does frighten me, so I can see where Severus might have concerns. When you told me that Rodolphus sent him that letter, I feared he'd find a way to break out of Azkaban and come to kill me." She placed a hand on her stomach protectively. "I don't understand what I'm feeling. I love Lucius, always have and always will, and family is important to me, but for some reason, Severus intrigues me."

"It's only because he's acting as if he doesn't want you." Bella laughed. "All women like a challenge, sister dear. You don't really want him. Why, you never gave his skinny arse a second glance before." She shook her head. "No, you just want him to want you. It gives you power over a man when he's panting after your body and the rewards you could bestow on him with a simple touch of your hand to his flesh."

"You're a wicked woman, do you know that?"

"And you should heed my advice. Leave him be. You don't need any more entanglements with him." She looked away and seemed to be thinking something over. "If you must know," she said reluctantly, "Lucius and the others will be out soon. Our Lord is seeing to it even as we speak. I know of an ingenious plan that will see our brethren free."

Narcissa's pulse quickened. "Oh, God, so soon." She envisioned her enraged husband grasping her throat tightly and squeezing the life from her body. "What if he..."

"Then I shall kill him," Bellatrix vowed. "He'll not harm you. Besides, you know the Dark Lord would never permit that. He wants Lucius to suffer through your pregnancy and experience humiliation as part of his punishment."

"What if he harms my child? I won't allow it," Narcissa said firmly. Another vision of Lucius forcing her to drink an abortion poison came to mind.

"He wouldn't dare openly do anything. The Dark Lord would see him punished for harming you, for it was his order that saw you in Snape's bed and pregnant with his babe." She rubbed her rounding stomach. "I say, do you think I should be looking pregnant already, what? It's only been just over three months."

"Some women show sooner than others," Narcissa shrugged. "Maybe you've been eating too much." An elegant eyebrow arched as she took in her sister's snug robes. "I think you could do with a larger set of robes. Just how much have you been eating?"

"For two," she said with a frown, eyeing her sister's flat stomach. "Rodolphus makes certain I eat double the amount than I normally do. We heard that's what a woman should do." She sighed. "I suppose you've been too sick to keep anything down to add on any weight." Making an expression of disdain, she said, "I think you've lost weight! And you look like you've got circles under your eyes."

Narcissa shrugged and reached for her cup of tea with a shaky hand. "I've had a lot on my mind."

"Well, now that Lucius will be out, you need to work on getting one person off your mind: Snape." She reached out and placed a hand over her sister's affectionately. "Lucius will get over this--if he hasn't already. When this child is born, it will cease to be a burden to you and will then be Snape's problem. You and your husband need never think of it again."

"No!" Narcissa exclaimed. "I want to be a part of this child's life! I will find a way to... to..."

"To do what? Keep it?" Bella shook her head. "Cissy, it's been decided already as part of your punishment."

"How can you sound so nonchalant about this?" Narcissa asked, tears welling in her eyes. "I can't just carry this baby and leave it. I love it already--just as I loved Draco when I carried him!"

Dismissing her sister with a disbelieving expression, Bellatrix moved their conversation forward, saying, "So, speaking of Draco, do you think he will do well on his first real assignment?"

"What assignment?" Narcissa asked, wiping the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand.

"Oh, if you don't know about it, I don't think I should say anything." She smiled kindly. "Stop crying, Cissy. All will be well." In a soothing tone, she added, "Your son is being given another chance to prove himself, and this time, it's something much easier." She snickered. "I suppose he has to start someplace. Pity it's at the bottom and under Wormtail's nasty little paw."

"I've no one to tell. Why the secrecy? What's he doing?"

"Let's just say that he's working with Wormtail on retrieving something. No possible way to bollocks that up," Bellatrix said confidently. "Maybe he'll prove himself yet." She stretched and yawned slightly, her liquored breath wafting over to Narcissa. "We'll have a couple of things to celebrate soon: this mission's success and the return of our friends."

If there was one thing Narcissa knew, it was that the Dark Lord never assigned anything easy, especially not for those he looked upon with disdain. She could only wish that her son would do the deed without giving the man reason to criticize. Placing her hand back on her stomach, she thought, And I will find a way to be a mother to you, my child. I would that I could free you from this tyranny all together.

Hermione was sitting in the library at number twelve, Grimmauld Place reading a book on the founders of Hogwarts. She was trying to figure out what Voldemort could have used of Rowena Ravenclaw's to hide a piece of his evil soul in. They'd received an anonymous message a few days prior, and it hinted heavily that an old artifact of Ravenclaw's, a jeweled hairclip in the shape of a raven, could be found hidden at an old rundown mill. Nothing in her books told her anything about Rowena sporting a clip such as that. How could they know that it wasn't a trap? Why would someone send them word anonymously?

Her instincts told her initially to trust the missive. There was something familiar about the spiky writing, but she simply couldn't place it. Did someone else know of Harry's mission to find Horcruxes? Was this a Horcrux? She wished that they'd simply signed their name. Harry didn't want to go to the old place, to which the directions were conveniently enclosed, because he was suspicious about it being a trap. She had to agree it was a definite possibility.

She hadn't gotten very far into the book when she felt the tickle of warm breath on the back of her neck. She had pulled her hair up to keep it out of her way while she did her research.

"Mmmm. Nice," she murmured, moving her head to grant more access to the soft caresses.

Feeling emboldened by her response, Ron gently started nuzzling and nibbling her neck, moving around to the front of her throat. Hermione closed her eyes and sighed in pleasure as she lifted her hands to his hair to run her fingers through the ginger locks.

Suddenly, Ron roughly groped her breast through her jumper, pulling and tugging her nipple that was deflating from his inflicted pain quickly. "Ow! Ron, stop! That hurts."

He rolled his eyes. His expression seemed to say that he felt that Hermione was always complaining about something he did. "I don't get you, Hermione. It seems I can never do anything to please you! I know for a fact that playing with breasts excites women!"

"Humph! What you were doing was not playing, Ronald! There is a thing called finesse that you've yet master. Besides, we don't have time for this! I have to try to find proof that this supposed hairclip did belong to Ravenclaw."

"Everything is always more important that this," he complained in frustration as he moved his hand back and for between them. "You act like your reading is more important than I am!"

Hermione knew that when he was with Lavender, they'd probably had sex on a regular basis with the girl only putting him off if it was her time of the month. Ha, she thought jealously, even then, Lavender likely did other things for him to keep him satisfied. Hermione felt that what he demanded was more of a chore than a pleasure, and she had the feeling that he sensed it, too. It made her angry that he would continue to push for sex when she'd told him earlier that she had work to do.

Throwing her hands in the air, Hermione exclaimed, "It is more important! God, finding the Horcruxes is one of the most important things for us to do! Without destroying them, Harry won't be able to destroy Voldemort. You know that."

"Yes, I do know that, but I also know that if we don't take a little time for ourselves, we will burn out. We hardly ever... you know... be together in that way anymore. We've only done it a couple of times lately, and I have needs, Hermione."

"Well, forgive me if I can't spare a few minutes right now to see to your needs!" Hermione was tired of feeling like she always had to give in to Ron. Why should she have to compete with what his ex-girlfriend had done? And frankly, the thought of him grunting over her like some sort of pig just wasn't very appealing at the moment. She supposed she wasn't being fair. Ron wasn't all that bad. It was just that the few times they were together, it seemed he'd been rushed and always finished before she'd even gotten started, leaving her feeling wound up for nothing. Obviously, she liked a bit of foreplay, and he was more of the 'go for the goal' type.

"A few minutes?" he murmured incredulously to himself. "What is she getting at? I am not some few strokes bloke! I know the last time was quick, but we were trying to finish before Harry or someone came in..." He looked up at her, blinking away his indignation. "Are you saying I am the only one with needs? Don't you ever want to...?"

Hermione sighed. She really did not have time to stroke his ego right now. "Not really." When she saw the hurt look come into his eyes, she told him, "I just have too much on my mind right now. I can't concentrate on something that is just not a top priority."

Ron folded his arms across his chest and snorted. "I always said you need to sort out your priorities. I think if it were possible, you'd rather shag a bloody book than me!"

Hermione slowly stood, looking at him with a mixture of hurt and anger. "Well, if I did, then at least there would be something interesting about it, not just someone squishing me, taking and not giving! At least after I've read a book I feel satisfied."

Hurt and trying not to show it, Ron said, "I don't understand you, Hermione. I really don't. You act like you like it when we're doing it, and now you insult me, saying I'm not a good shag? I get that we have a war to win and that there are things that have to be done in order to ensure that we do win. I am not trying to stop you from doing what you need to do. I just ask that every once in awhile, you remember you have a boyfriend that needs you. Or is that too much to ask of you?"

Hermione sat back down and let out a breath. She really didn't want to fight with Ron right now, especially over something as trivial as sex. "Look, Ronald, maybe Harry had the right idea, what with his idea about ending things with Ginny. It's just too hard to try and keep a serious relationship going with everything else that we have to do."

"What? What are you saying then? You want to end things, is that it?"

"Calm down, okay? Look, I love you, you know that I do, but we have got to get this done. I have to be able to concentrate, and it's hard for me to do that with your breathing down my neck for sex all the time. You make it sound as if it's my duty as your girlfriend, and it's not."

"How would you know? You have never been anyone's girlfriend until now, and you certainly don't act like a proper girlfriend!"

This caused Hermione to stand again and put her hands on her hips, tears of hurt welling in her eyes. "Do not go there, Ron. Just don't. I won't be compared to Lavender!"

Ron blushed because that was exactly what he'd been doing. "I wasn't... I'm not... Bloody hell, Hermione! All I am asking for is a little bit of attention from you. You are always either too busy or too tired. You don't even offer to give a guy a wank! How am I supposed to feel? I'll tell you how I feel deep down. I feel like you don't care for me that way."

Hermione rubbed her hands over her face, frustrated by the interruption and this argument. "I care for you; you know that. Like I said before, I think we need to back off from our relationship for now. I don't have time for the distractions."

"Fine," he spat. "That's just fine. Cozy up to your research and books, but don't expect me to be waiting in the wings for you."

As if on cue, an owl tapped on the window. Turning her head, Hermione said, "That's odd. That's not Errol or Pig, and I don't think any of the Order would owl us at this time of night."

Blushing once again, Ron cleared his throat. "Um, that's for me. I'll get it." He rushed to the window and took the rolled parchment. He quickly shut the window without giving the owl a treat.

When he turned back to Hermione, she had one eyebrow raised. "Who is that from?"

Knowing he was caught, Ron decided that if Hermione wanted to end things, he would show her she was not the only witch in the coven. "Lavender. She owls me every once in awhile." Every other day was more accurate, but Hermione didn't have to know that.

"I see." And she did. Lavender had never stopped wanting Ron. The question was, did he want Lavender again?

"We're only friends. You know, like you and Krum?" Ron smirked. "You seem to think it's just fine to owl him...I see nothing wrong with having a friend of my own."

"There is one significant difference there. I never shagged Viktor!"

"Maybe not, but he wanted to!"

Hermione actually growled. "This is ridiculous! I won't fight with you anymore. I have got to finish this. Just... Just go and owl your friend back!"

"Fine! I will!"

"Good! Go!"

And with that, Ron slammed out of the room and left Hermione alone. Angrily, she flung her book across the room, immediately regretting her action.

"Blast," she mumbled, quickly crossing to retrieve it. Her hand stilled just before snatching it up. Before her was a small picture on the page of Rowena Ravenclaw and holding back a few locks of her hair was a jeweled raven hairclip. "Harry!" she called excitedly. It looked like their anonymous friend truly did want to help them. Surely it wasn't a trap. They would have to set out quickly, if the tone of the message had been anything to go by, to retrieve it before anyone else did.

Lucius pulled the worn parchment from his pocket, opening it slowly and smoothing the wrinkles out so that he could read it again. Holding the small paper near the single candle in his dark cell, his cold, grey eyes showed no emotion as he read the words Rodolphus had written to him over two months prior. He knew the letter by heart, knew about his wife's betrayal--no matter what the Dark Lord demanded she do, it was betrayal--knew about his son's failure, and knew who the Dark Lord favored above all these days.

"Snape," he hissed softly, curling his hand into a fist.

Oh, they would all pay somehow. He'd made a mental list of everyone who'd wronged him. He'd bide his time and take whatever his Dark Lord tossed at him, all the while planning his revenge on each of them. As always, he crumpled the parchment with his fist and threw it against the wall, wishing he had the might to destroy it. However, if he did that, he feared he might lose some of the bitterness that had settled over him. It was this bitterness that would see his plans through, exacting revenge on those who'd earned his wrath, keeping him from losing sight of what was important.

A click of the door behind him caused him to quickly pick the parchment up and pocket it before turning around. Once he did so, he blinked rapidly, disbelieving what he was seeing. "Have I finally gone mad then?" he murmured aloud.

"You've not gone mental, old friend," came the quiet voice of Severus as he stepped out of the shadows near the doorway.

"You dare call me that?" he asked, unable to keep the resentment from his voice. "What the hell are you doing here? How did you get by the guards? I could kill you with my bare hands!"

"We've been fortunate enough to find a greedy guard who didn't mind granting us access from an old, unused passage." He frowned. "I thought you might be angry once you found out. In fact, I insisted that I be the one to get you so that I could tell you all that has passed. I suppose, from the look on your face and your murderous threat, someone has already done that," Severus said, striding forward confidently. "However, I do have faith that you will have the good sense to understand that our Lord will not take no for an answer when he wants something."

"But you got what you wanted, didn't you? You've always coveted my life: my wife, my money, my connections..." Lucius accused, straightening his back.

"I cannot deny that I have often longed for wealth and a woman in my bed when the urge came to me," Severus said quietly, allowing an uncomfortable silence to stretch between them.

At his friend's silence, Lucius asked, "And did she...? Was that what she wanted?"

Severus turned away from him then, pulling down the hood that had helped to conceal his identity, as he glanced about the room. "You know that you are all she ever wants." His voice was barely audible.

Feeling slightly mollified, Lucius replied, "Yet she still chose to do it. She gave herself to you."

"It was that or death."

"She should have chose death," he said firmly. "She may yet wish that she had."

"She would have, I think," Severus said sagely, turning back to face Lucius, eyes glinting with annoyance. "But she would never have allowed Draco to die, would she? No, I think not. She's much too good of a mother for that. Nor would you have wanted her to. I believe you care for your son much more than you let on." At these words, his gaze intensified, driving home his point.

"Our Lord would have killed Draco had she declined?" Lucius asked incredulously. "That is ridiculous! He's just a boy, and he should never have been given..." He shut his mouth quickly, not wanting to say too much in Severus' presence. He was uncertain where the man's loyalties stood, especially after all that passed. They used to be able to speak freely on how they felt, but much had happened to change things.

"I agree," Severus said with a nod. "Your wife has not been unfaithful otherwise."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning, Lucius," he began, sigh of frustration edging his words, "that it was only the one time. There was a potion that I created to ensure that a repeat was unnecessary. I never touched her again. Nor did she ask me to."

"Why, Severus, are you telling me this? Do you fear for her life?" When Snape didn't answer, he asked, "Or do you fear for the life that grows within her body?" Again, Snape didn't answer. "So, that has to be it. You are here to soothe things over so that I won't do anything to harm your child or Narcissa. Perhaps you do feel something more for her. Your personal feelings for a woman never stopped you from doing business as usual. Even back when your precious L--"

Stepping closer and glaring at him fiercely, Severus said, voice low, "I am simply here to let you know that I have not been inappropriate with your wife, only doing what was bid that one time as did she. You can take my words as they are meant, or you can keep them in your mind and let them fester until they drive you mad. I certainly don't give a fuck either way." He waited a moment before adding, "And I do not have to worry about anything happening to my child... or her."

"And, pray tell, why not?" Lucius asked, surprised by Severus' confidence.

"Because if you touch her or the child, the Dark Lord will have you killed," Severus said simply before moving back, adding, "likely by my hand." He sneered slightly. "I happen to know, Lucius, that, unlike your wife, you value your life too much to allow yourself to do something that might jeopardize it. Tell me, old friend, what would you have done if our roles had been reversed? Would you have chosen death for Draco or yourself had you been given the choices that she was given?" Silence. "I see we understand each other." He strode to the door and pulled his hood back up. "Come, Lucius. We've been very lucky this night and have been able to get in undetected."

"Are you serious? I'm truly being released?"

"As I said earlier, we're breaking you out," Snape said with a smirk. "Rodolphus and the others are getting everyone else. It's simple enough. The greed of that one man with a few Imperius Curses to a couple of weaker guards... and death to one is all it took to gain entrance to this level." Without another glance at Lucius, Snape tossed him a wand. "Follow me."

Knowing he could not do anything to jeopardize his release, he decided it would be prudent to press things no further at the moment. Pending freedom was just too enticing. "Where will we go?"

"You will go to our Lord for a time and get reacquainted with our ways," Severus said, peeking around the corner.

"And Narcissa?" Lucius questioned, knowing he'd not like the answer.

"She will remain in my care until she births the child." Severus turned on him suddenly. "Don't let this cloud your mind. Not now. There are other things of greater importance."

Nodding, Lucius followed him in silence, passing one dead guard along the way.

Draco sat staring sullenly out of his window. I wonder how Mother is doing? I bet Snape is using her daily, the git! Oh, I can't wait for Father to escape and find out. I know he will find a way soon...then Snape will pay...Malfoy style.

Suddenly, Draco heard a scratching sound, and he looked up to see his door inching open. He swallowed back the bile that had risen in his throat. He had to be nice to this rat if he ever thought of getting away from this place. The horrid things he'd had to say lately were getting to him, and he'd even been forced to let the rat watch him shower. Things were getting out of hand. He had to do something... and soon.

Sniffing the air as if smelling Draco's scent, Wormtail greeted, "Hello, pretty little Malfoy. I have a surprise for you!"

Oh, God... "What sort?"

"Well, the Dark Lord wants me to fetch something of great importance for him. I am his most trusted and loyal servant, you know, and if you are very good to me--very good to me--I will allow you to go with me, and I will make certain you can leave this room more." Wormtail decided not to let Draco know that his Lord had ordered him to bring Draco along.

"Um... How good?" Draco prayed he wouldn't be sick right there on the floor. He had some idea of what Wormtail wanted, as the bastard had been hinting at it for the last few days. He could only hope it was something simple, a few words to tide him over or... He wondered how quickly the Dark Lord would appear to destroy him if he was able to overpower and kill Wormtail. If you'd muster the bollocks to do so, you little coward, a snide voice inside his mind called.

Walking up to Draco and leaning close so that he could whisper in his ear, he told him, "I think you must have some idea what I would like from you, yes? We don't have time just now. It's very important we retrieve this item as quickly as possible, but just as soon as we get back. Do you agree to this?"

"Yes, whatever you say, Wormtail." Draco, fighting off the sickness from the foul odor coming from the small rotund wizard, would have told him anything to get out of those rooms. If he was ever going to make a break for his freedom, he would have to do something on this trip. He'd find a way to come back for his mother somehow.

"Very good. Now, hold on to me tightly so that I can Apparate us there."

As soon as they reached their destination, Draco immediately let the rat go and took a large step back, having felt an obvious arousal pressing against his leg. He looked around and sneered at his filthy surroundings. This looks like a place this little lecher would feel comfortable coming to!

"Draco...I'm afraid I can't wait," Wormtail said suddenly. "I would like my service now." He pointed down to floor in front of him and gestured for Draco to move there.

Hell and damnation! "But what of the Dark Lord? Did he not send us here to get something specific for him? Quickly?"

"Yes," Wormtail agreed, quivering in his lust. "But he won't hear us. He won't know! I'll just say it took a while to find it. Oh, I have just got to have your hot little mouth on me, Luc...er...Draco!" He

Oh, great! He has a thing for father and wants to live out his little fantasy with me, the next best thing. Ruddy hell! What can I do to stall this? "Are you sure? We had better get what he wants so that you can take it back to him quickly. No doubt, he will be grateful!"

"It won't take me long to finish." His eyes became hard. "You said you wanted to be my friend, Draco. I am beginning to think you have changed your mind."

"No, I haven't. You want to do this here? What if someone comes in? We don't know who's about in this place!" Draco said, sounding incredulous. When Wormtail simply nodded, Draco said, "Fine," and dropped to his knees.

The sight of a Malfoy, any Malfoy, on their knees before him excited the rat beyond measure. He quickly started to fumble with his pants. Right before he could lower them, Draco took advantage of his aroused state and elbowed him in the stomach.

When Wormtail doubled over, Draco grabbed his wand and shouted, Stupefy!

As soon as Wormtail fell, Draco jumped up and began running as fast as he could in the direction he thought would take him from the hellhole. Suddenly, he rammed into a hard body and fell backwards onto the ground, losing the stolen wand as he did so. When he looked up to see who he'd crashed into, he shouted, "Bloody hell! Could this day get any worse?"

Notes: We apologize for the length of time that it took between updates. Real life has been terribly unreasonable lately. We'll be back in the swing of things now though, already planning out the next chapter and hoping to upload it in five days.

Thanks for reading and for letting us know what you think. We've moved things forward just a bit. In the next chapter, we will have a little Snape and Hermione interaction finally. Woohoo!