Chapter 16 ? Confessions ? Part Two

Thanks to all of the readers who have taken the time to continue to read this story, and many thanks to those of you who have taken a moment out of your day to leave me a review.

All canon characters beong to JKR.

Many thanks to June for all of her help with this chapter. Your suggestions and additions are always helpful.

Chapter 16 – Confessions – Part Two

Severus positioned himself between Hermione's thighs. He kissed her lips lightly as she moaned with pleasure. While his romantic actions proved he'd forgiven her for what she'd done, he felt that she at least owed Lucius and Ginny an apology. Her curiosity could very well have ruined their new relationship. So, because she had tried to change the subject from the Pensieve to Dolohov, Severus decided she needed a reminder.

"You know," he said as he kissed her, "that you owe Lucius an apology, don't you?"

Hermione grabbed his shoulders and pushed him away from her.

"Oh, no!" She sat up and looked at him. "Severus, I hadn't even thought about Lucius and Ginny." Hermione fell heavily back onto the bed and covered her face with her hands. "She said she was fine, but I know Ginny left here feeling so unsure of everything." Hermione looked at Severus now staring down at her. "I shouldn't have let her leave here like that."

He sighed. "Hermione, I do understand why you felt you needed to look into my Pensieve, I honestly do. But, it was irresponsible of you to do so as well as allow Ginny to also view. You had no idea what was in the Pensieve; it could have been a cherished personal memory of you and me together."

Hermione had the sense to look as ashamed as she felt, every bit of it.

Severus smoothed her hair back and continued to look at her. She hadn't really told him how she felt seeing him with Lucius, and now he wondered.

"How much of us did you see?" he asked.

Hermione shifted her gaze and looked at the fire across the room.

"Enough to know you were both very comfortable with one another and that you cared deeply for each other as well," she said, still looking into the fire. Truth be told, she felt no jealousy towards the two men. She could have, but Hermione rarely gave in to feelings of jealousy because it wasn't logical to her. You either trusted the person you were with or you didn't. Besides, Lucius and Severus clearly weren't pursuing each other, so she had no reason to be jealous of Lucius, she reminded herself. It was illogical.

"Did that bother you? Seeing me like that with a man?"

"It was odd seeing you like that with someone who wasn't me. I'd always wondered if you had ever been involved with anyone in the past, but I never thought it would be a man," she confessed. "Have you been with many men, Severus?"

Severus laughed and shook his head. "I told you, it's complicated with Lucius and me. I've never been attracted to men, before or after him. I can't explain what brought us together exactly. I suppose we both needed something at the time we couldn't find outside of each other."

"What?" asked Hermione.

"Understanding, comfort, patience, acceptance, love." Severus played with the ribbon on her gown as he named his reasons for being with Lucius. "We first made our relationship a physical one when I was a new Death Eater, on a night when he and I had just barely escaped with our lives from a raid. We were hiding in an abandoned cottage, just the two of us, and things just happened; we hadn't been looking for anything. Lucius was already married to Narcissa at the time. He really wasn't in love with her at the beginning of their marriage. By the time she became pregnant with Draco, he was very much in love with her."

"And with you as well," added Hermione.

Severus smiled sadly.

"Yes, and me." He saw tears forming in her eyes, and wondered if perhaps she felt his relationship with Lucius was a threat to them now. He kissed her softly, to reassure her. "That was a very long time ago, Hermione. We were never together that way again, not after what you saw in the Pensieve. I will confess to having kissed him recently, but our feelings for each other have gone beyond the need of anything physical. Lucius and I have moved on. We are both happy with the decision we made. I love you, Hermione; please don't think that I don't."

"I know you love me. I'm not worried about your feelings for Lucius. I can't help but feel sad for you both, though." Hermione felt a tear escape her eye. While she had willed herself to not allow feelings of jealousy to overcome her, she couldn't help but feel sadness for the two men. "You and Lucius were so much in love in the Pensieve memory, and to have been in love and driven apart due to Voldemort's prejudice is unimaginable to me. But, I'm also glad things happened the way they did, or you wouldn't be here with me."

Hermione felt herself blush now, as she remembered the image of her lover together in bed with Lucius.

"Things happen for a reason. We needed each other during those times; we were each other's support. Lucius has always been there for me and always will be, as I am for him. But now, I have you, and you are so important to me, Hermione. I can't imagine myself without you." He kissed her, and then realized that even in the dimly lit room he could see a slight blush to her skin. He wondered if there was something else she wasn't telling him. He chuckled as he realized why she blushed.

"You haven't told me what you thought about seeing Lucius naked," he purred.

Hermione gasped.

"Severus, what makes you think I was staring at Lucius?" she said, trying her best to look appalled.

Severus knew his lover by now; she was curious in all facets. He arched his eyebrow, which was a sign to her that he didn't believe her.

"Well, I might have taken a peek."

He scoffed.

"All right, I took more than a peek." She laughed. "I don't know how I'll be able to face him again now that I've seen his...um..."

"Cock?" added Severus.

Hermione rolled her eyes, knowing she would probably see Lucius' dick in her head every time she saw him now.

"Oh, stop, unless you want me to be thinking of Lucius' cock while you're making love to me," she said, knowing that would get more than a rise out of him.

"Don't worry, by the time I get through with you this evening, the only cock you'll be thinking about for some time to come is the one attached to me."

They then resumed their previous intimate activity in bed, but – Severus being a thorough and meticulous person – just before he positioned himself at her entrance, he stopped.

"You do realize you are going to apologize to Lucius and Ginny for your irresponsible behavior, don't you?"

Hermione sighed in defeat, knowing she owed the other wizard and her friend an apology. Severus would have eventually told Hermione about his relationship with Lucius, of that she was sure of. She only hoped she hadn't ruined things for her friend.

"I know I do. I promise I'll talk to Ginny in the morning and then see if Lucius will see me. I just hope they can work things out."

Neither of them knew that Lucius and Ginny were at that moment trying to get past the issue of the former relationship the men had shared.

~*~*~*~

Lucius had taken Ginny to his bedroom, not to seduce her but to emphasize that he wanted a closer relationship with her – not with Severus. They needed to talk about so many things. He now wished he'd told her sooner about what he and Severus had shared, but their romantic relationship was still so new. He wasn't sure how or if she would even accept the revelation about Severus.

Not wanting to crowd her or frighten her, Lucius stood several feet apart from Ginny.

"I know you have questions and concerns, so whatever you wish to ask of me, I will answer honestly." He knew he was leaving himself open to just about anything, but he felt that it was the only way to assure Ginny that his feelings for her were genuine and that he wanted to be honest with her.

Ginny sat on the edge of the chaise next to Lucius' bed. This was a good sign; it told Lucius that she still wanted him, but she needed to know more before she'd be willing to go to the next step with him.

"I want to be clear on one thing though, Ginny. I will answer your questions about my relationship with Severus this one time. I have always planned on telling you about my past with him, but that is what it is, my past. If you and I are to have any kind of a future together, if that is what you wish to have with me, I need to know that we can both trust one another. As a Death Eater spy, I am distrusted by many and on both sides, so your trust is important to me. When I say my physical relationship with Severus is in the past, you must believe me; I will not have you doubting me each time I am away from you."

Ginny knew that what she and Hermione had done was an invasion of both men's privacy. She believed that, in time, Lucius would have been honest with her regarding his past and now he was opening himself up to her questions. He also made it clear that there was to be no rehashing of old events in the future. He was a Slytherin after all, so it was no surprise to her that he would want to be done with this now and move on. She didn't mind that. There was no point in dwelling in the past; after all, no good ever comes from it. Besides, she wouldn't want Lucius to ask her about her past boyfriends.

"You were married while you and Severus were together," said Ginny.

"Yes, I was. I wasn't in love with Narcissa when we married. We grew to love each other, though, and after I ended things with Severus, I was faithful to her until she chose to become the Dark Lord's concubine," answered Lucius, still standing in front of her and not moving to sit next to her.

"What I saw in the Pensieve, was that the last time you and Severus were together?" continued Ginny.

"Yes, in that way it was."

"Do you...do you ever feel that you want to be with him like that again?"

Lucius approached her slowly, then stopped. "No...we have both moved on. You know that he loves your friend Hermione, and I am happy for them both. My feelings for Severus have not changed, Ginny. I love him deeply. He was my lover for several years; I cannot stop feeling what I felt. But those feelings are different now. Now, he is one of my few true friends. There is no need for the physical aspect of what we used to have. I no longer seek comfort in his arms as I once did."

He kneeled down in front of Ginny, but still did not touch her. "I seek comfort in your arms, Ginny. I wish to offer you the same. I ache for you, Ginny, to feel your warmth surround me, to have you by my side for as long as you will allow it." He did not mention marriage; it was too premature for that subject. But he hoped that his words – "for as long as you will alllow it" – were enough to hint of his intent.

Ginny caressed his cheek and kissed his lips. After viewing the Pensieve, she initially thought Lucius was merely using her as a distraction, as someone to lessen the loneliness he felt at not having the two people he loved in his life – Severus and Narcissa – as they used to be. But his words now served to quell her fears. Understanding his past and present relationship with Severus helped allay the hesitation she'd felt in her heart upon entering the home earlier that evening.

"Do you love me, Lucius? Can you love me?" she asked.

"I can, and I do, Ginny. You have no idea how precious you are to me," Lucius brushed her long hair from her shoulders, then embraced her and held her tightly. He felt her heart beating against his chest.

"You won't change your mind?" asked Ginny, knowing she sounded like a foolish little girl, but she couldn't help it. So many times before she'd been told the same thing, and still she was alone.

Lucius stood and made her to stand with him, still holding her chastely. Once more, he was thankful Severus had told him about Ginny's recent broken engagement; of course she was fearful.

"I do not use words like that lightly," he reassured her as he ran his fingers through her long red hair. "Young men often believe that they can get what they want from a woman by saying things like that, and then brush themselves off when they have broken a woman's heart. They think that words are just that, words; and that as long as you don't feel them then it's all right to say them."

She leaned into his embrace. After a few minutes, she began rubbing his back gently, moving her hands down toward his waist. Slowly, she began pulling his shirt up. When she put her hands on his bare skin, Lucius knew she trusted him. Now they could move on.

Lucius guided Ginny to stand with him next to the bed, and he began to trace the neckline of her blouse lightly with his fingers. "I would never say something I did not feel, or mean. Rest assured, Ginny, if I tell you something, you will never have to wonder if there is a hidden meaning behind it."

Both Severus and Lucius were brutally honest at all times in their private lives. It was this honestly that made them such good friends from the beginning.

Lucius despised playing games. Because Narcissa had played a dangerous game for seven years as Voldemort's concubine, Lucius and Draco had both been robbed of the knowedge that she had never stopped loving them. Lucius had to play life-or-death games with Death Eaters, not trusting anyone; he did not want games with Ginny.

Ginny smiled, relationships were often so complicated, as oftentimes one person held back from the other for fear of being misunderstood. She doubted that she would ever misunderstand Lucius; he'd just proven tonight that he would answer openly. But he would not answer the same question again and again.

"Is there anything else you want to ask me about what you saw in the Pensieve?" asked Lucius, as he began to unbutton her blouse.

Ginny looked at his fingers as they moved from button to button.

"I did see you and Severus naked." She smiled as Lucius stopped and looked at her, his eyebrows raised in mock surprise.

"Goodness, what a shock that must have been." He kissed her neck. "How will she ever look at her former professor in the eye again."

Ginny gasped. "I hadn't thought it that way! I've seen Professor Severus Snape naked!"

Lucius laughed. "Come now, don't tell me that the young women of Hogwarts never wondered what their professor was hiding under those teaching robes."

"I was too busy trying to get Harry to notice me." Ginny blushed. "I must say, though, it was quite an erotic scene now that I think about it. You," Ginny said as she pushed Lucius onto the bed and straddled him. "And Severus, both naked." She tore his shirt open and began to kiss his chest. "Kissing each other, touching each other."

Lucius realized she was aroused by the thought of his and Severus' last night together.

"You know, I have my own Pensieve of that night. Perhaps if you are a good girl I will allow you to have a peek – all the way." He rolled her over onto her back, and he lay on top of her as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

Soon they would both be naked themselves, and all talk of Pensieves would be left for another time. This was their time.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Early the following day, Rodolphus had managed to send Lucius an owl with further information, which confirmed Severus' belief that Voldemort's attack would be this weekend. Severus and Lucius contacted the Order and informed them of the news. Thanks to Rodolphus' message, it was relatively easy for the Order to narrow down the places they needed to guard. It was clear that Voldemort would be attacking at least one Muggle town and perhaps go as far as attacking St. Mungo's.

Neither "Higgenbottom" or Lucius was called. Voldemort decided to leave the grunt work to several new Death Eaters who were eager to prove themselves to the Dark Lord, who would remain at his estate.

Still, Severus and Lucius remained on the alert. Hermione did not contact Lucius to apologize for the Pensieve incident, as Severus assured her that the upcoming attack had higher priority.

On Sunday evening, Lucius was having dinner with Ginny at his home. He'd informed her that Draco and Harry were moving into the guesthouse. He assured Ginny that Draco had no problem with their relationship, and was actually quite pleased that they were together.

During dinner Hermione Flooed Lucius and apologized for the Pensieve incident. Lucius thought it amusing that she wouldn't look him in the eye and blushed the entire time. He was even more amused when he invited Hermione and Severus to come through and have some drinks with him and Ginny, to celebrate the start of their officially becoming a couple. Ginny had much the same reaction to Severus. Neither woman could look at either man without blushing.

As the evening wore on, they wondered if perhaps Voldemort had changed his plans for the weekend. Things took their normal path and all thoughts of naked men in Pensieves were left behind as the four friends enjoyed a night of conversation.

"After all," whispered Ginny to Hermione, "we're grown women now; a penis is a penis."

On the other side of the room, Lucius whispered to Severus, "Would it bother you if I allowed Ginny to view the rest of the Pensieve memory? I think she would enjoy it – as part of foreplay!" The men chuckled, although Severus asked for time to consider the request, as Hermione now considered his penis as her "property."

"Pudding!" Eli announced as he brought in a tray of dessert. "Custard and spotted dick!"

The men laughed heartily as the women gasped and turned red.

Later that evening, Voldemort's forces only attacked St. Mungo's. There were few injuries, thanks in part to the Aurors stationed throughout the hospital, but the Death Eaters had taken hostages with them.

Voldemort was ecstatic upon their return. A raid had actually gone well, and now in front of him he had prisoners. As he stared out into the crowd of unfortunate people, he noticed a young man who looked very familiar. He smiled and called Bellatrix.

"Yes, Master?" said Bella as she approached the throne.

"I have noticed you a bit listless lately," he said as he looked at the young man. "I have something for you."

Voldemort pointed to the brown-haired young wizard, and his Death Eaters immediately took him from the crowd and dragged him to the Dark Lord's feet.

Bellatrix looked down confusedly at the young man.

"My lord? What would you have me do to him?" she asked, not wanting to hear the answer.

Voldemort smiled and looked down at the young man.

"What is your name, boy?"

The young wizard shivered and looked up. "Neville, Neville Longbottom."

Bellatrix tried to hide her shock, but Voldemort knew her too well.

"I see you are surprised, Bella. I was too when I saw him. What a treat this is, no?" asked Voldemort, who was now quite pleased with himself. He would soon have a show. It had been a long time since Bellatrix had amused him by killing someone with her ability to cause pain.

"Yes, my lord, a treat," said Bella numbly. It was true that she had enjoyed torturing Neville's parents, but that was years ago. Now, she was the woman who still grieved for her dead sister and brother-in-law, both killed by the Dark Lord. Bellatrix was a woman who now constantly wondered when it would be her turn to die at the hands of the Dark Lord.

As the rest of the prisoners were herded to the rear of the room, Neville was left at Voldemort's feet.

"Well, woman? What are you waiting for?" Voldemort sat on his throne. "Entertain me!" he demanded.

Bella held up her wand and looked sadly at Neville.

"Crucio!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for reading.

And thanks to June once again, especially for the "spotted dick" line.