Good Intents and Interventions

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Good Intents and Interventions

~H~

Hermione was hurrying down a corridor of Hogwarts, trying to get to Harry so she could use the Basilisk fang on the diadem before he had to face Voldemort. She was late, and lessons were due to start at any minute. She saw him hurrying down the stairs that led to the dungeons. Damn, he'd get there before she did. She followed him down the stairs, turned left, then a right, and another right as she chased after his shadow. The shadows around her lengthened, stretching down the stone corridor. She spied the back of Harry's school robes and ran after him, only stopping when she realized she was lost. She turned on the spot, unsure which of the three corridors she should go down. She turned left again, walked a few paces, and changed her mind. When she turned to go back, there was a door instead of a corridor.

Without a sound, someone had come up behind her, his hands grasping her waist. She braced for the worst, finding herself pressed against a hard body in a warm embrace. One hand slid up to her neck as his other hand slid to her middle and held her firmly. Her breathing, which had quickened from the surprise of his presence, became deeper as he brushed her hair to the side and kissed her neck. She closed her eyes, her head tilting to give him access, and allowed her senses to swim as he kissed and caressed her. He turned her around wordlessly, holding her in his embrace as he trailed kisses from her neck to her lips. Severus' kisses were tender, unhurried, and his tongue leisurely slid past her lips to tease hers.

The alarm on her bed jarred her from her dream. She was still as breathless from the dream kiss as if Severus had been actually kissing her in her bedroom. She shook her head. The dream kiss had been so much like his kiss from the night before, unhurried, sensual, and provocative. Hermione rubbed face with her hands. "It wasn't that great of a kiss. Get a grip," she muttered as she stumbled to the loo to start her morning routine before going to work.

~S~

Severus sent Hermione an owl first thing in the morning, asking her what time he should expect her on Saturday. Then he made his way to the potions lab on the first floor of the Manor to brew the replacement potions for his great-grandfather. He wished he knew more about Talfryn's condition but doubted he'd be well received if he showed up with another Healer for a second opinion.

Hermione's reply was delivered by a barn owl late in the day. The female owl swooped in on him through Lucius' library window and landed lightly on the back of a chair, proudly presenting a rolled up parchment. He untied a parchment with a fuchsia border and glanced at the precise script, written in black ink with sparkling red glitter. The note simply said, Can we make it on Sunday? I'd forgotten that I'd already made plans I can't change. How about if I come over around eleven or so on Sunday? He sighed heavily and halted the owl before it flew off. "I have a reply for her." He asked Lucius' house-elf to retrieve his red, self-inking quill and wrote on her parchment as if he were grading an essay, I'll expect you at eleven sharp on Sunday. He looked at the childish ink she'd used for her reply and shook his head, wondering why Fortuna had given him such a young girl as a wife.

~G~

This was George's busiest time of the year, the weeks between when the school lists came out until the end of August. George missed Fred a lot, especially on the nights he was alone. However, his business was booming, and he had his family and friends.

It was great having Hermione help him make the products he needed to restock the shelves. It also helped to have both Ron and Dean working downstairs because it afforded him the time needed to create his joke items with Hermione during the day. Truth was, she was a godsend. Each time he'd asked her to assist him with a new or different product, it had only taken her a few tries to be able to do Fred's part of the Charms, Transfigurations, and Jinxes he needed. There had been a few of the really complicated ones that she'd had difficulty with, and he just knew that she had been trying them at home until she had them right because the next day, she'd managed them just fine. And the potions – she was masterful at the potions.

By noon, they had amassed a pile of items ready to be boxed. He'd have Angelina help him do that when she came by tonight.

"Hermione, how about lunch?" he asked.

She was presently reading one of Fred's work journals, trying to decipher his diagrams, codes, and annotations. She looked up, confused. "Is it that late already?"

He laughed. "You're a workaholic like Fred was! Yes, it's past noon. I was hoping you'd get hungry soon."

"In a minute," she said with a wave of her hand and looked down at the journal. "I still can't figure out what he wrote here. I mean I think I understand the spell, but then 'to fold it in on itself'... I don't understand what he means."

"Hermione, food?" he asked, putting his hand on the book to make her set it down. "There are labor laws."

She grinned. "So what are we making for lunch?"

"Making?" he asked, confused. She nodded. "Hermione, I don't cook!"

"You mean you eat out all the time?" She laughed, shaking her head when he admitted that he did.

"Or I go have lunch with Mum. Angie's a really good cook, but she only likes cooking on the weekends. On Sunday we have shepherd's pie."

"And I'm not much of a cook," she admitted. "Well, I've been told that I'm a lousy cook." He looked at her incredulously, and she shrugged. "Your brother didn't care for my cooking, although, Harry didn't mind much. I suppose I could make sandwiches and heat soup... or follow a recipe for something."

"We'll negotiate about your cooking skills another day. I'm too hungry." George stood, grabbed her hands, and helped her to her feet. "You have a choice – my favorite café, the café or the café."

"Hm, tough choice... How about... the café?" she teased him.

"Sounds good," he said, heading for the door. "I'll get Ron. He's due for a break, too." He saw her shoulders slump as if she'd sighed at the suggestion and wondered if his brother was still giving her grief about their breakup and her Bonding. Well, I'll be there to keep things neutral.

Hermione picked up the small pouch she was using as a purse. Mental note – buy her a proper purse for her birthday... He suddenly remembered how fussy Angelina had been selecting out her new purse last weekend. ...or ask Ginny to go with me when I get one for her.

~S~

Lucius was playing chess with Draco in the sitting room when Severus walked in. "Nice to have you join us," Lucius said in way of a greeting. A house-elf appeared, offering Severus a glass of scotch on the rocks. "You've been rather industrious lately."

"Severus." Draco quickly inclined his head in greeting without really taking his eyes off the chess board, still contemplating his move.

"I had some potions that I needed to brew for someone. I'm afraid I depleted some of your ingredients," Severus said with a slight weariness to his tone.

"Anyone I know?" Lucius asked as he motioned his pawn forward.

"No," Severus replied, sitting down to observe the end of the game. "I'd rather not talk about it. Let's just say they are for someone from my past." He smirked as Draco moved his queen. Severus had known with only a cursory look at the board that Lucius would have checkmate in three moves.

"I thought you'd be with Mrs. Snape all night," Draco said, grimacing when Lucius took his rook.

"Check," Lucius said and then looked at Severus. "Make a list of what you need, and I'll send an order – unless you'd like to go purchase them for me."

"I'd prefer going, if you don't mind. I have somewhere to be tomorrow afternoon; I can go to the apothecary after that," Severus answered, smirking as Draco moved his bishop to protect his queen. "Bad move."

Draco looked up, caught the look, and turned to examine the board.

Lucius told his knight where he wanted him to move. The piece nodded, crossed the board, and smashed Draco's rook. "Checkmate," Lucius said off-handedly.

Draco studied the board, and then he sighed. "Good game, father."

Lucius merely nodded. "Thank you." He turned to Severus. "There was a parcel for you from the Board of Governors. Have you received your acceptance letter yet?"

Severus smiled. "No, the Board is waiting until I give them a decision regarding Hermione. However, I have been given my Headmaster collar to wear with my robes to the next Board meeting in September. So suffice it to say, I have been told I am unofficially official. I was also given a copy of the minutes and a pamphlet entitled Approved Punishments and Their Applications Guideline. I forwarded it to Professor McGonagall."

"I'm sure Elaine Prevatt will be in touch soon about your decision. That witch hates loose ends," Lucius replied, smirking as Draco mended the broken pieces. He rolled his wedding band around on his finger casually as he looked at Severus. "So, things are settled then?"

"Yes and no," Severus said, smiling at the gesture. He scratched his palm with his fingernail while casually watching the newly repaired pieces return to their places.

"No?" Lucius asked smoothly, sliding his ring up to his knuckle and back.

Severus saw the gesture and understood the question even if he appeared to be watching Draco intently. He gave Lucius the look from the old days that meant, 'Not going well.' "Some things still need to be ironed out."

Lucius laced his fingers while pressing the tips of his thumbs together, which meant either head-butting, headstrong, or being unreasonable. "Which you'll undoubtedly resolve."

"In time," Severus replied, lacing his fingers on his knee and put one thumb over another indicating his plan. He sighed, hoping that things with Hermione would iron out. At this point he wasn't sure. Maybe Lucius has a love potion I could give the girl? Or I could brew one... Narcissa has all the right – Who am I kidding?

Lucius gave a subtle nod of his head that got Severus' attention and quirked his eyebrow. "So, Draco, care to try the old wizard again, or do you concede to Severus?" He straightened his index fingers and pressed them together, then brought his hands up to his lips.

Severus knew the sign but scowled at the implication that Lucius wanted to engage Hermione in a threesome. He was not remotely interested in that, especially since he was unable to bed the witch. "That will not be necessary," he said rather sharply.

Both Draco and Lucius looked up, Draco confused, and Lucius smirking. "Apparently Severus doesn't wish to play, Draco. So it's you and me – if you want another game."

"Sure, father, I'm up for another," Draco said, accepting a refill of his drink from a house-elf, missing Severus' quick angry scowl at his father.

~S~

Severus decided to visit his great-grandfather again around noon. He'd spent the morning finishing the potions for Talfryn Prince. He put the replacement potions in his pocket and Apparated to the grounds of the house. After receiving a stunned greeting by the Healer, he walked purposefully up to the master suite. The old man was worse, not that Severus was surprised. He sat with Talfryn while Pepper fed the old man his lunch.

"So, you came back," Talfryn stated between bites.

"Yes, I was concerned," Severus said.

Pepper wiped off some broth that dribbled on Talfryn's chin. "You weren't too concerned before."

"I wasn't sure about my welcome," Severus admitted. Talfryn's penetrating stare made Severus think of his own use of the look.

"So, are you hoping to be in the will?" he asked after a long pause.

Severus turned his head to look at the window. "I don't care about the will." His gaze returned to the old face in the bed. "I get by well enough on my own."

"Oh, yes, you're Headmaster now, aren't you?" he asked, his breathing labored. Pepper adjusted the pillows behind Talfryn's head, and the old man readjusted himself to get comfortable.

"Yes," Severus replied.

"What about your witch? I suppose she has money?" Talfryn asked gruffly.

Severus stifled a laugh. "No, but she has one year of school left. She has taken a summer job in a shop."

Talfryn scoffed, which turned into a racking cough. When he stopped he turned to Severus. "In my day, wives didn't work."

Severus chuckled softly. "Hermione is an independent witch."

"I see." Talfryn closed his eyes, breathing from his mouth. "Eileen was an independent girl, always doing what she wanted. Look where it got her."

Severus sighed, that may have been true once, but his father had beaten any independence out of her. He talked with Talfryn for a little while longer until the old man fell asleep. Despite the illness, Severus could tell that the years had been kind to the old man; he was much the same as Severus remembered him, from his hooked nose and dark eyes to his veined hands. Talfryn's mind was still sharp, but his hearing less than acute. The illness made him weak and his breathing labored. Still, Severus had felt like he had been facing the inquisition under the old man's scrutiny, and Talfryn had remembered everything he'd read in the Daily Prophet and everything they'd discussed during Severus' last visit.

The old man had fallen asleep before Severus could learn the outcome of the interrogation. He scoffed as to why he cared if the old man approved or not. Talfryn Prince was a hard man to read.

Rising and walking around the bed, he began to switch the contents of the Healer's bottles with his own potions.

"What is you doing?" Pepper squeaked, grabbing Severus' robes as he poured out the pain potion into a glass vase.

"What does it look like I'm doing, Pepper?" Severus said as he cast cleaning and sterilizing charms on the now empty bottle. "I'm replacing these potions with ones I brewed myself."

"But master... he needs his potions! You can'ts," she scolded him, tugging on the hem of his robe.

Severus picked up the bottle and vase. "Pepper, you know that I am a Master of Potions?"

Pepper nodded, but she didn't stop trying to pull him away from the bedside table.

"Stop this irrational behavior and let me explain." He turned and knelt, facing the distraught elf. Severus had anticipated that Pepper would try to stop him, so he knew that he'd have to gain the elf's trust. "Hold this vase. I want to show you something." He handed the vase to Pepper and withdrew a book from his pocket, opening it up to the page for the Pain Potion. "This is the potion he's currently taking. See this color in the bottle on the page? It's supposed to be this color – a light orange. Now look at the potion in the vase."

Pepper did as she was told and her brow creased.

Severus smirked; it was like showing a second-year why they got a 'T' on their potion. "It's brown, well dark sienna. I wouldn't allow my third-years to pass this off as a Pain Potion." He handed Pepper the bottle of Pain Potion he'd brewed that morning. "Now compare this one. And smell – a light scent of peppermint and tea blended with the scent of orange rind..."

Pepper sniffed the potion and immediately her eyes widened, and her ears drooped. "This one is like the picture," Pepper said, handing back the bottle. Her ears drooped lower and her shoulders sagged.

Severus grabbed another bottle off the bedside table. "This other one – it's supposed to be Sienna or a cinnamon color at best. This is worthless. It even smells as if it had scalded."

She took the bottle and scrunched her nose at the smell. She handed the bottle back and looked ready to cry. "Pepper didn't knows potions was bad, sir."

Severus exchanged the bottle for another. He reached for the vase and smiled when he realized Pepper had emptied it for him. "Now this one should have a watery lilac appearance." He poured the potion into the vase, scowling at the watery, puce color and bits of ingredients still floating in the liquid. "See the filament? This potion never blended correctly. Now the herbal ingredients will have a beneficial effect for Mr. Prince, but this isn't even a potion." He showed Pepper the one he'd brought.

Her eyes were wide as saucers, and she looked ready to punish herself.

He placed his hand gently on the elf's shoulder and gave a slight squeeze. "It's not your fault, Pepper, do you understand me? It's not your fault. You don't deserve punishment. It's Miss Priswell's fault. She should know better." He stood and set the new potions on the bedside table, making a mental note of two new potions that he hadn't seen the last time he was there. "Who makes these potions, Pepper?"

"Miss Priswell, she brings them, sir," Pepper said, wringing her ear.

"Stop that." He gently pulled her hand away from her ear and knelt down to her level again. "From now on, you will bring any potion Miss Priswell brings into this house to me. I will verify the quality and if necessary brew a replacement," he said kindly to the elf. "You are to make sure that Mr. Prince only takes potions I make or deem as acceptable, is that clear?"

She bounced on her heels, her ears now fully extended. "Oh yes, sir! Pepper will give you all Miss Priswell's potions, sir, so you can replaces them."

Severus stood and checked to make sure the bottles were placed exactly where they had been. "That's good. Pepper, this must be between us – a secret. Miss Priswell is not to know until I find out why she is giving my great-grandfather bad potions. Will you keep my secret?"

Pepper nodded. "You is helping my master gets well. I will brings you potions so you can make good ones. I will not tells anyone – I will keeps your secret. I promise or I will punish myself most severely, sir."

"Just bring me all the new potions, Pepper, and don't tell her we are exchanging them, and then you will not have to punish yourself." Severus finished switching the potions and then sat back in the chair and waited. Talfryn didn't wake, but it was obvious he was having difficulty breathing and he was in pain. At least now he knew which potions Talfryn was being given.

Miss Priswell entered and ushered Severus from the room, saying that she needed to give Mr. Prince his potions. Severus smirked and left, pausing in the doorway to see if the Healer noticed the change in the potions. She did not. Scowling, he went downstairs.

Severus walked around the house as he looked at his great-grandmother's things on the shelves and the pictures of relatives, many he didn't know the names of. When Severus was a boy, his mum wouldn't talk about her father much, except for the occasional childhood memory. In the fantasy stories she'd liked telling him, Severus was certain that she had been alluding to her father in those with an evil king. Severus had always assumed that the beautiful queen had been his grandmother, but he had come to learn at his grandfather's funeral that his grandmother, Deidre Pince, had died when his mum was a very little girl. But there were two pictures of his grandmother on the old pianoforte in his great-grandfather's lounge. One was of his grandmother, a thin, delicate looking woman, holding a baby in what looked like a dress or a christening gown on her lap. The second picture showed the same woman holding a baby in her arms with a toddler standing shyly next to her, clutching onto the arm of her chair. The boy's appearance in the picture surprised Severus greatly; he had no idea who the toddler was.

When the Healer finally came down stairs, she had the audacity to scold him for wearing out the old man.

Severus left before the urge to reprimand the Healer for berating him took over his better judgment. It wasn't worth the added aggravation necessary. Besides, the well-practiced scowl he'd given her had made the woman recoil like a first-year, much to Severus' satisfaction.

He returned to the Manor and decided to take a walk through the gardens before entering the house. His visit with his great-grandfather replayed in his mind.

~H~

Hermione was in the workroom, finishing her last potion for the morning. George had an appointment with his finance Goblin and left her to her own devices. That was okay; the shop needed to restock the chews, and the potions were easy enough if you managed to keep up with the timing. She had just finished pouring the Raspberry Chews – the ones that made you blow raspberries when you tried to talk instead forming actual words – into the molds when a house-elf in a pillowcase suddenly appeared before her.

The prim elf bowed before her, even though he looked at her with some disdain. "I is to take you to lunch," he said in a high-pitched, raspy voice.

Hermione looked at the house-elf in disbelief, curiosity soon getting the better of her common sense. The last time an elf had appeared before her, it was Dobby, sent to rescue her. Having one suddenly appear was a huge surprise, especially to ask her to go have lunch with him. She regarded the house-elf's odd invitation and behavior and pondered on who might have sent him. "You want to take me to lunch? Do I know you?"

"I is to take you to lunch, miss," the elf repeated, holding out his hand, looking up at her with huge, watery blue eyes.

"Where exactly? Why would you want to take me to lunch?" Hermione asked as she stared at the elf, unsure of his true intentions as he fully extended arm, holding out his hand toward her, obviously intending for her to grasp it. "I don't recognize you."

The elf began to look nervous; his ears drooped, he started to quiver and wring his hands nervously. "Please, miss! I is to take you to lunch or I is to be punished." He extended his hand again with an apprehensive quiver to his lips.

Reluctantly, Hermione set down the ladle and crossed her arms. "Who sent you?"

The elf's expression looked like she had just struck him. He was shaking visibly, his gaze sweeping the doorway and back to her, as if desperately frightened. "I just is to, miss. I is not sure I is to say."

"Well," Hermione said, opening her hands in supplication, "I'm not – "

The elf had grabbed her wrist when she'd moved her hands, Apparated her to a well-manicured walkway of a huge formal garden, and disappeared as soon as she'd released his hand. The garden was extremely lovely, made up of box hedges in neat and ordered geometrical and symmetrical lines and patterns interspersed with topiaries, statues, dwarf fruit trees, and pink and purple flowering plants. The garden was entirely surrounded by tall hedges and star jasmine boarders. Hermione turned around in alarm, her wand drawn. The long gravel pathways were immaculately smooth. The main path led from a marble statue of Poseidon and horses surrounded by water sprouts at one end of the garden to the terrace of a huge manor house. A white tent awning stood next to the fountain.

The cry of a peacock broke the silence, making Hermione nearly jump out of her skin, and she pointed her wand in the direction of the noise.

"Mrs. Snape," a smooth voice said behind her.

Hermione whirled around to find Lucius Malfoy standing in the pathway, not a stone's throw away from her, his arms held toward her casually with his hands open, showing he was unarmed. Not that that would mean anything; he could still possibly use wandless magic if he had the gift. She knew Severus was rather adept at wandless magic. Lucius Malfoy looked regal, immaculately dressed and with his hair tied at the nape of his neck. Hermione continued to point her wand at his chest and kept her distance, strengthening her determination to curse him if he made any move toward her.

"Really, Mrs. Snape, I did not have you brought here to harm you," he said smoothly, standing at ease on the pathway.

"Then why am I here?" she asked suspiciously.

"To talk, of course," he said calmly without moving from where he stood. "I knew you'd never come to my home unless I took active measures to get you here, and as you know, I cannot leave to meet you at a more neutral location."

She maintained her stance, ready to cast a Shield Charm if necessary. "What do you want?"

"I am greatly distressed at your current situation and wish to be of service," he said, his eyes looking at her levelly.

"My situation?" she asked, unsure what he meant.

"Could I interest you in lunch? I'd rather we sit and discuss this civilly, if you don't mind." He raised a hand and indicated the path toward the fountain. "I have a table prepared for us under the tent."

Hermione didn't move to follow him, still specious of his motives.

He stopped and turned to face her. "Or would you prefer eating in our dining room?

"Neither," she said, casually searching for an exit.

"I truly mean you no harm. No one will assault you while you are here," he said, dropping his hand. "You have my word." He started to walk toward her, and Hermione stiffened her arm, ready to fight. "Mrs. Snape, please."

Hermione tried Apparating away, but she realized she couldn't.

Lucius didn't even smirk at her attempt. "There are only three ways into this garden: the east entry through the gate, the west entry from Narcissa's herb garden, or the terrace from the house. No one but family can Apparate into this garden, and Narcissa has taken Draco out for the day. We are alone, I assure you."

"I don't find that at all reassuring," she said, taking a step backward.

He turned his back and casually walked to the tent. Reluctantly, Hermione followed him, her wand still held ready for any sign of trickery. "This is abduction, you know. I'm sure there are laws forbidding abduction."

"Yes, there are. However, I truly hope that it won't come to that. Please, if you won't join me in partaking of my hospitality, at least sit and hear what I have to say to you," he said, stepping under the tent.

Hermione looked at the table set formally for two. A selection of cheeses with sliced fruit, slices of baguettes, and garnishes were sitting on a platter in the center of the table. Hermione eyed the food, suspicious that it might be poisoned.

"If you require a taster, I will have one of my servants at your disposal," he said as if reading her mind while withdrawing a chair out for her. Hermione chose to sit in the one across the table. Lucius calmly sat in the chair and laid his napkin on his lap, showing no offense to her action. "Wine?"

She calmly accepted the glass, waiting until he drank before taking a sip herself. The wine was superb.

Plates appeared on the table before both of them. "Persian Salad with Narcissa's own cucumbers and vine-ripened tomatoes in a citrus vinaigrette," Lucius stated as he picked up his salad fork. "Her own recipe. I do hope you like it." He took a bite of the greens. "Mrs. Snape, if I may be direct."

Hermione picked hers up, surprised to find it chilled. "By all means, please do," she said, anxious to know why she was really here. Lucius Malfoy abducting her from the shop just so he could have lunch with her seemed so farfetched.

"What you may not be aware of, being Muggle-born, is that arranged marriages, especially magical ones, are taken very seriously in wizarding society and are considered absolute. Some spells which create such magical alliances are unbreakable – even if the Ministry makes assurances to the contrary."

"That is what Severus said," she replied after swallowing.

His lips curled into something resembling a half-smile. "The Moon-Song Spell that you used is one such spell – its union is not retractable. In other words, you and Severus are Bonded," he explained as he ate. "What that means is that your magical cores are Bonded to each other. You will not be able to bond with any other wizard as your very magical essence will not recognize anyone but Severus Snape."

"Our cores are – but how is that possible?" Hermione asked, now concerned. "Marvin Maretbell of the Magical Reversal Office said he could dissolve the Bonding, and I believe him."

"No, he cannot. I know Marvin, and he is Muggle-born just like you. In fact, many of the wizards in the Magical Reversal Office are half-blood or Muggle-born. If you'd read about the Moon-Song Enchantment in anything other than a witchtale fable, you'd be knowledgeable of this," Lucius said as he set down his wineglass. "But Severus has indicated that you used this particular potion and spell without knowledge of its consequences. Is that true?"

Hermione swallowed a piece of tomato, enjoying the light taste of the dressing. "My friend, Luna Lovegood, said her mum had used the spell when she married her husband, Xeno Lovegood. Ginny Weasley was familiar with the spell – I thought that they knew... so I trusted them."

"You truly weren't familiar with the details of the spell, then?" he asked, his eyebrow rising questioningly as he watched her face. "I was quite surprised when Severus indicated that he thought you ignorant of the spell or its implications. That seems so unlike you – well, what I know of you."

"Ginny and Luna knew," Hermione said in defense of her actions and furrowed her brow when she realized he'd added something akin to a compliment to his statement.

"But you didn't?" he asked, sliding his fingers on the stem of his wineglass.

She shook her head, feeling her cheeks warm, hoping that she wasn't blushing noticeably. "No, not really."

"I see. And is this why you are considering this farce of an annulment?" he asked, looking directly at her.

"I don't see it as a farce," she replied, straightening, sitting up straighter. "I see it as an option."

Lucius lowered his gaze a second as he shook his head, then met her eyes. "It isn't. It's a falsehood, meant to appease your Muggle sensibilities, because of who you are."

"Because I'm a Muggle-born?" she asked, hating what he was implying.

He nodded, still maintaining eye contact. "Because you are Potter's friend, a war heroine, touted to be the brightest witch of your generation, and extremely well known. A celebrity. Severus was a Death Eater, spy, and is an acquitted murderer, traitor, and the most unpopular professor at Hogwarts. The fact that this spell connected you two is astounding."

"So you abducted me here to tell me I cannot have an annulment from Severus?" she asked, setting down her fork.

"I had you brought here because I am confined to these grounds and could not come to you. But yes, I had you brought here to tell you that you cannot." He called his house-elf to bring him the books from his study. The elf who had brought her to the manor appeared, handed Lucius three books, and then vanished. "These books discuss magical Bondings. The Moon-Song Spell is mentioned in these two volumes, as are other plight or betrothing spells. I've marked the pages for you." He handed the two books over to her. "When you are finished with these, please return them."

"I promise," she said, eyeing the gift of the loan.

"Usually, arranged or magical unions are taken very seriously in the wizarding world, and the couples are required to work things out. Annulments are extremely rare, and divorce is nearly unheard of. Severus is well versed in our ways; you should listen to him." Lucius said, his tone firm. The plates vanished and new ones appeared. "Ah, yes, green tea poached artichokes with sautéed piquillo peppers and crispy garlic in a sherry reduction and chrysanthemum gelée. Do try this – it's one of my favorites."

"I know that annulments are rarely granted, and that divorce is practically unheard of," Hermione said, watching him as he ate a delicate petal of an artichoke. "But I was under the impression that they are granted occasionally if under the right circumstances."

"I'm only trying to help you understand the ethics and social mores of the wizarding world, something most Muggle-born or Muggle-raised witches and wizards are woefully ignorant of," he said, his fork stilling over his plate as his eyes narrowed slightly. "I blame our lowered standards of training for our young in the proper etiquette and protocols, which all young people used to be taught at school in the old days. Slytherin still holds to such conducts of behavior and courtesies, and Ravenclaw used to, although they are not as stringent."

"I wasn't aware that was a course option at Hogwarts," Hermione stated, trying the artichokes and finding them delicious. "It would have been nice to have a course in ethics. Why was the course dropped?"

"It was dropped sometime in the twenties, reinstated and then dropped again in the sixties, and it hasn't been reinstated since, I believe. But among the pureblood of society, we are still raised to know the intricacies of wizard society, including magical unions and marriages." He paused only long enough to take another bite. "Severus understands our ethics and culture, and he complies in accordance with required or traditional rules, procedures, and conventionality when warranted, as well as the application of general ethical principles of conscience or conduct."

"Why are you telling me all this?" she asked, looking at him from under her lashes as she ate.

"To help you understand the culture of the world to which you have entered," he replied smoothly. "And as Severus' wife, the society in which he belongs and is accepted." He took a sip of wine. "Severus is my friend, and as such, I am now your friend, as well, although there is the necessity of developing a cordial relationship from our rather inopportune beginning."

Hermione dropped her fork, and Lucius' eyes narrowed from the sound of the fork hitting the paper-thin porcelain. "What do you mean, you are now my friend? You are nothing of the sort."

He set his hand flat on the table. "Mrs. Snape, I have explained that purebloods understand magical unions. We are raised to accept them and their finality. Many such spells have been used for centuries to assure proper, beneficial, or advantageous marriages. The one you used is rarely used anymore, but it has been used. The reason it's not used is because of the unpredictability of the spell. Some matches were most... shocking."

"You mean they matched Muggle-borns to purebloods?" she asked.

"I mean, the results are unpredictable," he said, curling his fingers into a loose fist. "Malvern McClivert and Ebrill MacBroon, as legend states, were bonded by the same Moon-Song Curse. Malvern fought tremendous odds to consummate the union, and the lovers ran away and tried to hide. Unfortunately, Drear is a small island. The families found them and tried to separate the lovers to no avail. It's the reason that Dugal McClivert and Quintius MacBoon had their infamous duel." He watched her face to see if she recognized the names of the combatants of the legendary duel, pleased to see her reaction that she did. "I'm sure you're familiar with the feud between the Macphersons and Montagues?" His brow creased when she gave him a questioning look.

"I know of the story about the Montagues and the Capulets. You mean Romeo and Juliet?" Hermione asked, remembering the play well.

"Shakespeare? No, his story borrows from a legendary tragic love story of Ephesiaca. There is another famous incident where a son of one family was Bonded to a daughter of another by this same spell. Unfortunately, the families were long time enemies of each other, a feud that had gone on for generations. The spell brought the boy and the girl together one night, and they consummated the union. The parents tried to separate of the lovers, however, by some tragic circumstances they each killed themselves, believing the other dead... But the tragic romance of the lovers and their deaths is a tale that has been told and retold for centuries."

"I don't remember this version. I don't think I've ever heard about it or read it," she said, hating that there was a famous legend behind her favorite Shakespeare play she didn't know.

"No, you haven't? I'm surprised. Pyramus and Thisbe, or more acutely, the wizarding version of the tale. Although, there are similarities to Shakespeare's play," he said offhandedly. "You distracted me from my point. The thing is that even though your union is unexpected, even seemingly disadvantageous, it is a magical union and thus must be accepted. Since Severus is a member of this family through long association, you, as his Bonded mate, are likewise to be accepted, regardless of past... associations. It is expected. You are now part of the elite, if you choose to be. However, you could very well destroy Severus' standing."

"You mean, because of my birth," she asked, knowing how he'd always regarded her.

"Because of your actions," he said firmly as the plates changed again. "Ah, quail. You'll like this. The peppery pancetta blends exceptionally well with the pommery mustard sauce. The wilted baby greens come from Narcissa's garden. Again, this is one of Narcissa's recipes and very good, if I may say so." He handed her the third book. "If I may be so bold, I would like to lend you a book by Delores Kittrell, The Social Advantage - Etiquette for Witches and Manners for Wizards. Within it, you will find much of what has been denied to you because of your birth. I'm not saying that you lack manners, but this will polish your aspect of decorum and instruct you in the code that governs pureblood expectations of social behavior."

"I have read Debrett's version," she said, eyeing the thick book skeptically.

"A Muggle version no doubt." He set the book near her. "This is the wizarding version, and since you choose to live in our society, I suggest you read this one."

She eyed him in disbelief. "So you mean to tell me that bygones are to be bygones and that you are now accepting me as your friend? Forgive me if I don't believe you," she said.

"Is this lunch not proof? I have invited you," he said, and one side of Hermione's mouth curled in a smirk. Lucius held up his hand as if to suggest he understood. "All right, I abducted you here to dine with me in my garden because I'm told you will not willing step foot in my house. I instructed the elves fix a meal such as would normally be served to our most important and influential guests, and I have lent you books from my private library. You have not been hexed, cursed, or tortured, and I have tried to show by example that I mean what I say."

"And the leopard has changed his spots," she said, trying to tone down her sarcasm.

"Haven't I just explained that it is expected? If Severus brought you here, you would be shown every courtesy demanded by my social standing," he said, and she shook her head laughing softly. "This lunch should be proof enough for you." The last remove arrived. "This is Coulant de Chocolat. I assure you it's poison free."

"And if I decide to go ahead with the annulment?" she asked, taking a bite of the warm molten chocolate cake with brandied pears. It was heaven on her tongue.

"Severus is trying to make your relationship work, honoring the Bonding. Why aren't you?" he asked pointedly, his tone somewhat frosty.

"I did try! For months I stood by him and gave him the benefit of the doubt – and he kept shoving me away! Severus was the one who... He was horrid. He made it perfectly clear that he wasn't interested in a true Bond – just sex," she said, setting down her fork a bit forcefully. "And now you expect me to simply capitulate and take his abuse? He doesn't even like me. Okay, maybe he... he doesn't love me."

Lucius looked at her crossly as if she were an errant child. "YOU hardly know the man! You are residing in separate domiciles, and you still skirt around with your ex-boyfriend."

"It was lunch with my friends!" she snapped back, tired of defending herself over something so innocent.

"It was three days and two nights with three couples, the Potters, the Longbottoms, and you and Mr. Weasley – your ex-boyfriend, and you've been seen on several dates with Mr. Weasley in public places. Why do you think you've been making such a sensation in the papers?" he snapped back at her. "Severus is being far more lenient with you than I would ever have allowed Narcissa. Roquewood's daughter was matched with a plight spell, and she is being given six months to acquaint with Theodore Nott before they are to move in together as man and wife. And I understand that Mrs. Luna Longbottom has moved in with Mrs. Augusta Longbottom until she returns to school to finish her last year. I believe that Mrs. Ginevra Potter is still residing with her parents until she graduates, although she most likely spends every moment she can with Mr. Potter. Am I mistaken? They are in the same situation you are in, and yet they are spending time with their Bonded mates, making the transition. From what I understand, you will not even go to Severus' house!"

"I was there with him – twice – not that it's any of your business." Hermione tossed down her napkin on the table, uncomfortable that he was closer to the mark than she'd like him to be. "Thank you for lunch, Mr. Malfoy. It has been enlightening, but I must go now." She stood and tried to Apparate, forgetting in her anger that she couldn't, but Lucius was quick on his feet and stopped her. "Let go!"

"Take the books. Consider what I said," he replied, thrusting the books at her and calling for his house-elf. "Until you and I see each other again."

Hermione cradled the books to her chest and accepted the elf's hand. "I'll have Severus return your books," she said just before they Apparated.

~L~

Narcissa walked out from her herb garden through the rose-covered trellis and approached her husband. "So how did it go?"

"Stubborn, Nogtail-headed, insufferable," he growled, slamming his fist on the table.

"So, I gather it went well," Narcissa said with a smirk. "She was here longer than I'd expected. Did you tell her everything?"

"Yes," he said, refilling his wine and swallowing half the glass. "But that girl is simply impossible! My sympathies for Severus have just doubled."

Her eyebrow rose, but she smiled at him regardless. "Do you think it made any difference?"

"Time will tell," he said sharply, not meaning to snap at his wife. He turned and started walking with Narcissa to the house. "I'm sorry. Yes, I think I made her see things more clearly. Whether she accepts it or not will depend on how she reasons out and deduces what is in the books and what her friends tell her. I hope she listens to Miss Potter and Miss Longbottom and not that idiot Maretbell."

"Are you going to tell him you spoke with her?" she asked, placing her hand on the crook of his arm.

His shoulders relaxed as he walked with her. "Depends on his mood," he admitted, "as usual. But he will find out soon enough."

"So, that is a no," Narcissa said with a knowing smile.

"That is an – I'll explain later," he said, sighing heavily. She looked at him and arched a perfectly curved eyebrow. "All right. Tonight."

~ T B C ~>

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