Chapter 14

Disclaimer: Not my characters...only the twisted plot is mine.

Thanks go to my beta, Charmed_Nay. What a gem!

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"Severus, a word," Rabastan said almost nervously, nodding towards the door exiting their hideout.

Following his colleague out the door, Severus slid his hand into his wand pocket. Since the man had taunted him about Hermione a couple of nights before, they'd not had a private conversation, and he'd put nothing past Rabastan...not when he seemed so edgy. Something wasn't right. Once outside in the bright sunshine, his friend stopped and turned to face him.

"Still mad about the other night, eh?"

"What about it?"

"Oh, come off it, Severus. You know what I'm talking about," Rabastan said, one hand moving down to seemingly protect his crotch. "Don't bloody appreciate what you did, see?"

"I warned you before, did I not?"

"You don't think that I was serious about that?"

"I do."

"Well, maybe a little, but I was mostly just trying to get the girl riled up. There's no other fun round here. You know, like how she was the other time? You've been uptight. Figured you needed some. And I haven't noticed anything going on. Makes a bloke suspicious, that."

"One doesn't have to have sex daily to be satisfied, Rabastan. I happen to have other things on my mind...more important things."

Rabastan guffawed. "Like what?"

"That is not your concern."

Kicking a nearby rock, Rabastan growled in frustration. "I'm bloody sick of being stuck here with nothing to do! If Bella and Ro wouldn't be coming back today..."

"What do you mean 'coming back today'?"

"Didn't you know his plans? The Dark Lord has something to do and wants them away...all of them."

"What of Wormtail?"

"He's coming, too. Oh, and remember that task I'm to do with him?"

"Yes."

"The Dark Lord wants it done this Friday."

"Curious."

"What's that?'

"He's not summoned me to tell me this himself."

"Oi, don't look at me like that. Just saying."

Severus frowned. Something definitely didn't seem right. Why would the Dark Lord not mention this to him? Shouldn't he know about this before anyone else? Wasn't he his most trusted servant? "Is that all then?" he asked.

"Aye."

"Very well." He started to turn away but heard Rabastan's frustrated sigh. "What now?"

"Snape..." The man looked away. "Ah, nothing."

"No, go on."

"D' you ever think he's got some other plan going?" At this, Rabastan looked around nervously.

"What do you mean?"

"As I said before, seems to me that I can't do anything right lately. Don't know what he's got against me suddenly, but I'm suspicious about this duty he's having me do. Do you think... that maybe it's a setup?"

"The Dark Lord needs us. He wouldn't be rid of us unless absolutely necessary. You've said this before. Is there something else you've not mentioned?"

"Well, it's the girl." Rabastan nodded towards the building. "Why are you allowed this? Why won't he let us in on the prize as well? I've asked, you know."

"I expected that you would."

"Under no uncertain terms are we to bother you...or her."

"Then why did you?"

"I talked to him after that, mate."

"Mate, is it?"

"I was mad. That's the second time you hexed my crotch. Makes a bloke angry."

"I warned..."

"Yeah, yeah, you warned me, but what makes that girl so special? She's a fucking Mudblood!"

"She's very valuable to us and our cause. I've a plan afoot."

"I think you are getting away from the plan, Snape. I think you're really starting to... to feel something for her. I can tell." He shook his head in disgust. "We may have to up and cut loose one day. She won't be able to come with us!"

"What are you on about?"

"If the Dark Lord... if something goes wrong."

"Are you planning on running, Rabastan? You know what happens to those who run. Think of Karkaroff. Think of what will happen to the Malfoys once they are found."

"And about that! You can't tell me that your girl didn't have anything to do with it. Right suspicious if you ask me now that I think about it."

"I've delved into her mind and saw nothing. She is no Occlumens. I reported everything to the Dark Lord as I saw it, and he agrees with me. In fact, he feels that Bellatrix is hiding something...maybe she knows where they've gone."

"I don't believe it. You know how Bella is about her sister."

"Exactly right. She'd protect her as much as possible, wouldn't she?"

"Not like this. You also know how she is about the Dark Lord. She'd choose him if she had no other path to take, Narcissa be damned."

"Perhaps, but I'm certain that if Narcissa wanted to flee she'd not tell her sister, as she also knows this."

"You not knowing any of this, doesn't that make you feel a little uneasy?"

"I have no need to question my Lord's motives."

"Damn it, Severus!" Rabastan kicked another rock, sending it flying into a tree's bark with a loud thud. "Fuck it then!"

"I will think about what you've said," Severus said quietly.

Rabastan's face brightened. "Good. That's real good. We've always been friends you and I, and I know I've stepped over the line, but... hell, you know what I'm trying to say."

With a nod, Severus said, "Indeed. I suppose we should prepare for our guests."

"Severus?"

"Yes?"

"Granger, are you serious about her?"

"She's mine, Rabastan," he said firmly. Not certain what else he should say to the man, he thought of the Dark Lord and what might be repeated back to him. "I feel she is adequate for my needs, and she does have appealing qualities. Being Potter's friend is an added bonus. Do you know how much he'll hate the fact that I'm fucking her and have her eating out of the palm of my hand?"

Rabastan snickered at this and nodded in approval. "Understood. Come, let's have a shot of something."

Severus followed his friend inside, poured each of them a glass of port, and partly listened to the man telling tales of sexual conquests prior to being sent to Azkaban. He'd heard the stories already of course, as the man didn't brag on much else.

His mind, however, kept wandering to Hermione and how she'd looked lying beneath him, legs wrapped around his waist, eyes widened in lust and innocence. Part of him wished he'd never got her mixed up in things, but another part of him was glad that he had. That same part of him whispered to him and told him that he ought to appreciate the opportunity that the Dark Lord was giving him. And it wondered why he shouldn't deserve the girl and have her. He'd certainly done enough over the years...for both sides...and should have a little something for himself.

But he couldn't, could he? He was simply lonely. Hell, he didn't even really like the girl. That one tryst with Narcissa aside, it had been a while since he'd been with a woman. Lust and the need to have it sated did strange things to a man. He could accept that as a reason for his desires and fondness for her.

Eyes moving towards the curtain, he saw that she was moving about, and he wondered what she was doing. They'd barely spoken to each other after their shared experience. His lip curled in disgust. Tears. She'd been crying. Tears of regret and revulsion. He wasn't going to sit around and feel guilty about what had happened. If he hadn't done that, Rabastan would have told the Dark Lord that he truly hadn't been seducing the girl...bloody snitch...and perhaps some questions would have been asked.

I'll have to do it again, he thought to himself. Rabastan should hear something else. Otherwise, he might start to suspect things again, and I did warn her that we'd have to carry on a bit to keep suspicions down, he justified.

"Where's your head?" Rabastan asked, interrupting his thoughts.

He placed his glass on the table before him. "If you will excuse me," he said smoothly with a slight smirk and arched eyebrow.

"Ah, I see where it is. Good place to be."

The instant he entered their room and closed the curtain behind him, she spun around to face him, obviously knowing by instinct that something profound was about to happen. Her eyes never blinked as she watched him peel his robes away from his body, leaving him clad in only his underpants. I'm glad I didn't put on my trousers and shirt today. He needed only to nod towards the curtain before moving to the bed and lying on his back.

Not looking at him any longer, she began sliding down the atrocious dress that Narcissa had made for her out of old sheets. He made no noise of approval as he took in her lovely soft skin and curved body, but he wanted to. He longed to tell her that she needn't blush, cover her body with her hands, or be embarrassed...that she was just as much a woman as Narcissa.

But he wouldn't. Couldn't.

"Come here," he said softly when she remained still. He patted his thighs and extended a hand to her to help her onto the bed and over to where he was, settling her astride him...her knickers against his underpants. God, I can feel her heat.

"Is–is he watching?"

"Yes," he whispered, sliding his hands along the tops of her thighs and moving them to her waist. "You need only move a little. Nothing like last time." Unless it's what you want. He didn't have to touch her, but he wanted to, wanted to feel her soft, nubile flesh beneath his calloused palms.

"All right," she replied, still not looking at him.

He quelled the impulse to ask her what she was thinking, knowing that he truly didn't want to hear the answer, as it couldn't be anything good. Instead, to make her more comfortable, and to draw his gaze away from her cotton-covered breasts, he closed his eyes and turned his face away, though his hands began to guide her in her tentative movements against him.

Why not get something out of this? They could both have something...mind-numbing bliss would take them both away from their situation, albeit briefly. Just like before. Slowly, he began to shift his hips and undulate against her, relishing the feel of heated pressure against his hardening cock. As he continued to do this, he gradually gained speed and force, wanting to feel more of her.

It would be so easy to move their garments aside and slide into her.

Do it.

Fuck her.

She wants you.

No, he couldn't do that to her. Wouldn't.

Then he heard her breath hitch and felt her hands move down to cover his briefly before coming to rest on his chest as leverage. Her gyrations changed, and he could feel her moving against him more firmly, as if she was making certain each push and pull and grind caressed her clitoris.

"Ah, yes..." he blurted, cursing himself when her movements momentarily faltered. Unable to resist, he turned his face towards her and opened his eyes. Her own were closed, and there was a look of utmost concentration upon her face...brow furrowed, top teeth biting into her lower lip.

In that moment, he couldn't remember any other woman ever looking as lovely while riding him. What the hell had got into him? Was he so desperate that getting a dry fuck from a girl who was little more than a conspiring captive could satisfy him? Rabastan's words came back to him. I think you're really starting to... to feel something for her, he'd said.

Impossible! Not in the way he'd meant.

"Oh..." she uttered above him, now moving frantically against him.

He pushed his thoughts aside and ground against her, helping her, guiding her, enjoying the way she moved and shuddered against him.

"Ah... oh... God!"

And then she came, her entire body trembling against his, and instead of turning him on, he felt sudden shame. What had he done? Again? There was no real cause for him to do this with her at this moment...only his own desire to feel her against him. When she collapsed onto of him, he stopped moving, not caring to find his own release, as he could do that by hand later. He allowed her to lie atop him and dared not to look at her, not wanting to see her eyes, which were undoubtedly filled with tears again.

Breathing heavily, she asked, "Did you...?"

"No," he replied.

"Oh."

He didn't know how to judge her feelings by that one word. Did she now fear that he would carry on until he did so? Did she wish that he'd be able to have an orgasm as well? Did she feel that she'd taken something from him instead of the other way around? He wasn't about to ask her and made no move to stop her as she slid to his side and turned away from him.

Finally finding his voice, he said, "You needn't worry. I've no plans to continue defiling you this day." He rose and found his robes, needing to get away from her.

"That's not what..."

"I shall return in a couple of hours. I have someplace to be. You will be warded in and safe...guaranteed."

"Severus... you don't have... Where are you going?"

"Something has come up, and I think a visit to my Master is prudent." He then looked over to her and was surprised to find her staring at him through dry eyes. "I shall explain later."

"All right, but could you... Would you wait until I've used the loo and cleaned up?"

"Right, yes." He hadn't thought of that and stooped down to grab her discarded dress, tossing it to her and turning away while she tugged it on over her underclothes. To cover the sound of her rustling fabric, he added, "We will have guests here once again...the Lestranges and Wormtail."

"Great," she said sarcastically. "I'd like to stay in here as much as possible then."

He turned around and watched as she tried to smooth away the wrinkles in the horrid fabric. "You will remember that you should play your part," he said quietly.

"I won't refuse you if you ask me to come out, but you could also play yours as well, Severus. If you're supposed to be getting on my good side, you would be giving in to my whims, wouldn't you?"

"Only to a certain extent. Now, come along."

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Draco kept his eyes closed and feigned sleep. His parents were having a conversation and thought him unable to hear. They'd been hiding in a large, hidden room in the Weasleys' hovel, and though he was loath to admit it out loud, it wasn't as bad as he'd always imagined. Sure the whole thing was probably held together by magic, but it had a feel to it that his manor had never had.

"Lucius, you can't mean that! He'll kill us all if he finds out. Think of Draco!"

"I am thinking of Draco," Lucius said firmly. "Why do you think I want to go home and get some of our things? If things go wrong here, we'll at least have enough Galleons and our own clothing to get far away."

"We can't risk this." Narcissa's voice wavered. "I love you, you fool, and I won't lose you again. If things go wrong here, we'll just flee and find a way to survive."

Draco heard his mother sniff and his gut clenched. He hated seeing her so upset and wished his father would leave off to give her peace of mind. However, he could understand where his father was coming from. It would be nice to have some comforts from home...clothes that actually fit him, not the Weasley rags he'd been given to wear. Their Wizarding Wireless would be a plus as well. There was only so much one could read from such a limited source...the Weasleys had old Muggle magazines from God knows what year, plenty of books on practical jokes, and old, ratty school texts.

"Perhaps I'll ask it of Arthur. He's always itching to get into our home for one reason or another."

"Yes, let him do it," Narcissa agreed. "If there are any traps, he'll fall prey to them, and him being a Ministry worker, it won't look very suspicious to anyone who might be watching...not if they think he's searching the manor for something!"

"The only problem," Lucius said in a resigned voice, "is that if I give him the passwords and tell him about the wards, he'll have access to nearly everything, and there's no telling what he might find to use against us."

"I thought you'd secured everything below in the dungeons? They can't get there."

"With the Dark Lord having free reign over our home most of the time and having Bellatrix about, there's no telling what's changed since we've been there last."

Not wanting to listen to any more, Draco yawned and stretched, blinking his eyes open as if he were just waking. "Morning," he said through a fake yawn.

"Good morning."

"Hello, son. Sleep well?"

"Well as can be expected," he said, sitting up. "You?"

"Hmph," Narcissa said. "Did you know that they weren't kidding when they said there was a ghoul here! Imagine. I heard him rattling his chains all night long."

"And moaning," Lucius added. "If this were my home, I'd..." He grimaced. "I'd flee."

All three Malfoys began snickering as they imagined owning a home such as the Burrow. Their laughter was cut short as Molly Weasley entered, carrying a full tray of assorted breakfast items and tea and juice.

"Good morning," she said brightly. "Have a good night, did you?"

"Oh, er, yes, thank you," Narcissa said politely.

Both she and Lucius seemed to be looking the tray over to search for any poisons or filth. Draco knew that an awkward moment was coming, so he stood and approached Mrs. Weasley, taking the tray from her and setting it down on their small table.

"Bangers. Good." He hoped he seemed pleased and eyed the woman cautiously. He couldn't let his parents ruin this chance to be free and to live a normal life again. Potter was just too damn lucky and would most probably come out on top in the end. If they played their cards right, they could be right there with them and share in the glory.

"Eat up, Draco," Mrs. Weasley said jovially. "You look like you could do with at least another stone." She gazed at his parents. "Come on then. Get a spot of breakfast. We've much to do today. Kingsley and Arthur will be round soon to talk to you."

"We'll be ready for them," Lucius said, still not moving, though his eyes travelled to where Draco sat, munching on a slice of toast.

"Right then. Let me know if you need anything. Three stomps in a row, twice, should do it. I'll know it's not the ghoul!"

After the woman bustled away and closed the door on them, Draco rounded on his parents. "You've got to stop doing that!"

"What?" Lucius asked indignantly. "Wasn't I kind enough?"

"As was I," his mother added.

"You were kind, yes, in words, but your manners... We need these people. They don't have much, but... but at least they're willing to share it and help out. Right?"

"When did you become such a good man, Draco?" Narcissa asked proudly, moving forward and pouring a cup of tea for Lucius from a scuffed, silver teapot. "Here."

"What do you know! Darjeeling!"

"Mmmm, why, they do have style after all, don't they?" Narcissa said with a smile.

Draco said nothing and continued to devour his meal, unable to stop thinking that Mrs. Weasley's cooking was just as good as their house-elf's any day. He also expected that the Weasleys didn't normally drink Darjeeling but were simply trying to make his family comfortable. Just for that, he appreciated them all the more. He stopped chewing, however, as he realized why he'd had such good fortune. Granger. Was she still angry for being left behind? He'd have to explain that he hadn't meant for it to happen that way when he saw her. Surely she'd understand.

And she would be found soon. He, his mother, and his father had been able to give a great deal of information about the area they'd been in, including that it was an old infirmary. Granger would be out of the Dark Lord's clutches soon enough. He only hoped that it wouldn't be too late. He then thought of Ron Weasley and how angry he'd been upon finding out that Snape was shagging his girl. Snape had better watch out. Weasley would be out for blood.

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Severus left the Dark Lord's chambers feeling uneasy. He didn't feel that he was in any danger, but for some reason, he couldn't help but to think that Rabastan's worries had merit. The man seemed to be in danger either way...if the task failed or was successful. Should he warn him? Should he let things go as they were meant to be? Wouldn't Rodolphus warn his brother if he knew anything? It was possible that Bellatrix knew something, as she always tried to be at her Master's side.

Snape had told his Master some of the conversation he'd had with Rabastan, mostly just stating that he'd learned there would be guests and asked if there was anything required of him. After that, the Dark Lord delved into his mind, but he seemed satisfied with the things he witnessed: Hermione's head lifting up to meet his face in a kiss, her head tossed back as she moved on top of him, her helping him with the potions, his argument with Rabastan over her. The man had even commented on how well he was taming the girl.

However, there was a request made, and he was certain that Hermione wouldn't like it. She'd have no choice of course, and she would do it...if she wanted to live and keep things going smoothly. He was certain that her want to survive would surpass any embarrassment she might feel.

As quietly as possible, he made his way to their room and was able to get there undetected by the dozing Rabastan. He found her reading a book, one hand lazily holding the book while the other was poised above her head with a finger twirling a strand of hair around it.

"Hi," he said uncertainly, wondering how she'd react after their tryst earlier.

"All right?"

"Yes. Have you eaten?" He breathed out deeply in relief. She seemed all right.

"An apple."

"Would you like me to fix something for us? You must be as hungry as I."

"Oh, okay." She gazed at him suspiciously, as if wondering why he was being so kind...especially after what he'd made her do earlier. "Did something happen?"

He sighed. There would be no putting her off. "After we eat, all right?"

She nodded and put her book aside, scooting to the edge of the bed. "I'll clear the desk off. We can use that."

Saying nothing, Severus left again and went to the small kitchen area, finding a fresh loaf, some cheese, and ham. That would suffice for now. He wasn't in the mood for anything heavy anyway. Not with what he had to tell her. And just why was this bothering him so much? He'd always been one to do what he must to get by. This shouldn't be any different.

Once back in their room, they ate in silence, each trying not to eye the other. The moment he'd finally found the right words to say, she spoke.

"Why are you so nervous?"

"Nervous?" he asked, eyes snapping to meet hers. "Hardly."

"Well, there's something off about you." She frowned and put down the uneaten portion of her sandwich. "He wants to see me, doesn't he?"

"Not exactly, no."

"He wants you to... kill me?"

Snape chuckled. "Of course not. You're my prize."

"Then what?"

"He feels that it would be amusing to see if Potter would make any mistakes after seeing a memory of you and I together."

"I thought this day would come. What exactly does he want?"

With a sigh, he said, "I suppose any intimate situations that I choose to send...spontaneous, not contrived."

"Do – do we actually have to... have sex?"

"No." He shook his head vehemently. "Hermione, we won't send anything like that." He didn't say the next words he was thinking: just yet.

"And you can't use anything so far, as they'd be able to see that we weren't actually doing anything."

Oh, we did something all right, my dear. "Precisely." He mentally kicked himself. He'd definitely have to do something about this roaming mind of his and stick to the task at hand.

"When should we do this?"

"Within the next couple of days...as soon as possible, I'd say. He hadn't time to put memories together, as he has another agenda, thankfully."

She looked away from him, and he was certain that her lip trembled slightly. "Will I ever get out of here?" she asked in a small voice.

He didn't reply right away, taking the time to chew the last bite of his sandwich. "When the time is right, you will be free."

"Yes, but will the time ever be right?" She looked back at him and lifted her chin almost defiantly. "If it's not to be contrived, let's speak no more about it. I'll initiate something that you can send." Her eyes narrowed. "Don't expect it to be anything too intimate."

"I don't expect that," he said coldly.

"Fine." She finished her sandwich while he went to check on his potions.

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Harry looked at the phial that obviously contained memories, as the silvery mist swirled along its glass. Should he trust it? Should he wake Ron and ask him to have a look with him? For some reason, he didn't want to do that, but at the same time, he didn't want to just toss himself into Dumbledore's Pensieve while viewing memories that might actually be something else.

An idea occurred to him. Quickly, he made his way to the grate and tossed in some Floo powder. "Headmistress McGonagall's office." When the flames turned a shade of emerald green, he stuck his head in and waited for her office to come into view. Soon after, he saw her empty desk. "Professor McGonagall?" he called.

"Potter?" she said, coming into view. "I was just leaving. It's late. What's going on?"

"I know I shouldn't ask this of you, but would you mind terribly coming through? I need your help."

Her eyebrows rose in surprise. "All right."

He moved back and waited for her to come through. Once she had, he indicated that she should sit down. "An owl delivered this to me earlier." He held up the phial. "It's got a memory or two in here."

"Do you know who it's from?"

"There was no note at all."

"I can understand your concern. Perhaps we should ask Alastor..."

"No, I'd rather not." He nodded at the ceiling. "Ron's been having a rough few days and has taken some Dreamless Sleep, so I don't want to wake him." His brow furrowed. "Feels like I shouldn't anyway. I've no choice but to have a look, and I'll need you on this end...just in case something goes wrong."

She reached out and took the phial from his hands, tapping it with her wand a few times. "Seems all right."

"I've the Pensieve locked in this cabinet." He quickly went to get it and took the phial back from her, pouring its contents into the stone basin. "Here goes nothing." He leaned forward and was lost in the misty strands.

Harry fell neatly into a large, soft chair as if it had been placed there for him purposely. Fighting the urge to pull his wand from his sleeve, he watched as Voldemort walked to the chair across from him and regally took a seat.

"Welcome, Potter, I trust your chair is comfortable."

Harry said nothing in response, though he did reach for and grasp his wand, uncertain as to what was going on. Voldemort couldn't see him, could he?

"I know that you've been worried about your friend, Miss Hermione Granger, so I thought you might like to see for yourself that she's being well taken care of by Severus...oh, how he dotes on her." His voice was light and seeped with false pleasantries. "I do hope you enjoy this assorted collection that Severus has prepared for you. We'll send more soon."

The last thing Harry heard before the scene began changing around them was Voldemort's cold, high-pitched laughter.

He found himself standing in a large room that could only be the place the Malfoys had described to them. He looked towards the group near the fire with disgust. The Lestranges...all three of them...were playing a game of Exploding Snap. Wormtail, who was obviously not invited to partake in the game, was sitting nearby and watching eagerly.

Snape was sitting in chair much like the one Harry had been sitting in and was holding a book in one hand while lazily using the other to affectionately caress the mass of brown hair belonging to Hermione, who was sitting at his feet, also reading.

"Why aren't you trying to get away, Hermione?" Harry asked incredulously. "Look a bit cozy, don't you?"

"She can't hear you."

Harry jumped and swirled around, wand drawn and pointed at the intruder. "Professor McGonagall! What are you doing here?"

"I saw that all was well, and I couldn't help myself. I wanted to see what was going on."

He shoved his wand back into his pocket and nodded towards Hermione. "Look at her. She's just letting that git touch her and ... liking it!"

McGonagall moved closer and squatted in front of Hermione. "Come here, Potter."

"What do you see?"

"Look," she pointed to Snape's hand. "It's like he's trying to comfort her. Every couple of strokes on her hair, he gives her a slight pat, and look how she responds."

"She takes a deep breath, and...oi! I know that look. It's like she's determined to see this through."

"A set up," McGonagall said.

Harry nodded fervently. "I never would have realized, and I know her as good as anyone. I would have thought..."

"You would have thought that she was content and enjoying Severus' intimacies. That's just what Voldemort wants you to think."

"Does he know this is a set up?"

McGonagall shook her head. "I don't think so." She moved aside as Hermione stood and stretched.

"I-I'm going to bed," she said softly and stood there as if waiting for something.

"Shall I join you?" Snape asked silkily, eyes gleaming.

"Of course," she replied, smiling and holding out a shaky hand.

"I think, Harry," McGonagall said softly, "that she and Severus are doing this to trick the Dark Lord into thinking whatever plan he has is working."

"A plan to sidetrack me," Harry said with a nod. "Come on then." He started to follow the pair towards the curtain, but the room began to change around them. He and McGonagall were suddenly standing at the foot of the bed that Hermione and Snape were sharing.

"Good morning," Snape said, propping himself up on an elbow and looking down at her.

"Morning," Hermione mumbled. "It's too early."

"Yes, we did stay up rather late, didn't we?" Snape said suggestively. Hermione simply smiled and hid her face below the duvet. "Hungry?"

They heard a muffled, "Mmhmm."

"I'll get something then." Snape sat up, causing both Harry and McGonagall to turn away, as they didn't care to see his naked body.

Harry's voice was cold as he said, "Well, there goes that theory."

"I would be willing to bet my last Galleon that Hermione isn't undressed."

She quickly moved to the side of the bed and stooped down, peering at the duvet Snape had cast aside. Her triumphant smile brought Harry over to see. "Look."

Through a small part sticking up from the bed sheet, they could clearly see that Hermione had on a nightshirt. "Another trick," Harry said excitedly. "If they'd truly done something, she'd be as naked as he, wouldn't she?"

"I would like to think so."

"Maybe she got cold."

"Severus knows warming charms."

"Perhaps."

The scene quickly changed once more. They were still in the room, but it was darker. Snape was just easing into bed, startling Hermione awake.

"Just getting in?"

"Yes."

She leaned towards him and kissed him on the lips. "I tried to wait up."

"'S all right." He cupped her face. "Are you too tired?"

Hermione yawned. "I am. Would you mind if we... put things off till the morning?"

"Of course, my dear. I am content just to have you with me."

Harry watched as her friend hugged the man again and allowed him to kiss her and ease her back down onto the mattress as only a lover would. Before he could say anything, the scene faded, and he found himself back at Grimmauld Place with McGonagall.

"Ron can't see this," he said. "He wouldn't understand."

"I agree. Shall I take them back with me for safe keeping?"

"No, he doesn't know how to unlock this cabinet. There's a trick to it that Sirius told me about."

"Very well." She frowned. "That was hard to watch, but I'm positive that it's all staged. Severus has been sending you information and trying to help you. I think that his efforts are sincere."

"I don't know what to think." He shrugged. "Even if she... you know," his cheeks reddened, "did allow something to happen, she's just trying to survive, right?"

McGonagall nodded. "She and Severus have things in hand. Let the Dark Lord think he's winning something here. As long as he thinks his little ruse is working, she'll be safe."

"I agree. How will we let him know it's 'working'?"

"I believe I'll have Aberforth let something slip at the Hog's Head...how he saw you having an argument with me and seemed to be in a rage. It will get back to someone who will tell the right person. I'm certain."

"Probably bloody Rita Skeeter. She'd just love something to write about me and how I'm having another breakdown."

"All the better, isn't it?"

"Yeah." He sighed and ran his fingers through his untidy hair.

"What's wrong?"

"I never saw Professor Snape that way before. He looked almost human." He shuddered, imagining Hermione's horror at having to touch and kiss the greasy-haired git.

To his surprise, McGonagall smiled. "I've seen him like this before."

"Really?"

"Yes," she replied with a nod. "Would you like to hear about it?"

"No," he said with a laugh. "It has nothing to do with me and would probably give me nightmares!"

"It has everything to do with you," she said softly, seriously. With that, she pulled a long, silvery strand of memory from her temple with her wand and tossed it into the Pensieve.

He sat down with a thump and waited for her to tell her story or to invite him to view it.

---

Southern's Notes: And here's the next chapter. I've been very busy with my Kung-fu classes lately (Woohoo!), but I'm still going to keep updating as often as I can.