Chapter 4

Disclaimer: See Chapter One please.

Thanks to my betas charmed_nay and ladyinthecloak.

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"You seem refreshed," Lucius commented.

"I had a good night's rest," she said. "Ginny is going to be staying with us now. She and Harry are engaged!"

"Good for them," he said distractedly.

"What are you working on so early this morning?" He smiled so brightly that she stopped to admire his mouth and white, perfectly shaped teeth.

"I went through my grandfather's book information again," he said. "I've done a little tweaking, and I think we're all set. Here is a revised copy of what I gave you last night." He handed her a parchment. "I went to your workroom to look at the tome, but it wouldn't divulge anything to me." At this, he scowled. "Bloody particular, that book."

"And troublesome!"

"Indeed." He patted the open space on the settee beside him. "Join me."

"Thanks."

"Any word from Weasley?"

"Harry owled him when I got home yesterday, but we've not heard from him."

"I'm certain he'll reply soon," he said with a small pat on the back of her hand.

"What's odd, though, is that he'd owled George yesterday morning as well, but he told him that he'd be coming home in a couple of days."

"That is odd, isn't it?" He reached up to move a lock of hair from her face. "Do you know what could have changed his mind?"

"No," she said honestly. "Only..."

"Only?"

"In his first letter, he talked about the lady he was meeting there for business," she said softly. "And I was thinking that maybe she and he got on well enough that she could convince him to stay?"

"And is he the type prone to wandering?"

"No. I didn't think so." She blushed as she thought of the dream she'd had of Lucius. It would serve her right if Ron had strayed, wouldn't it? It would make them even. This made her laugh out loud, gaining a shrewd look from her friend. Thinking that a dream would equate actual cheating was absurd.

"Are you going to share your joke with me?" he asked curiously.

"Oh, I'm just being silly."

She began to look over the instructions. "So... leaves of southernwood in about ten minutes then?"

"Yes, it's first on the list of those we'll add today."

"I don't understand what this has to do with it exactly." She laughed. "I saw a couple of bushes of this growing at my grandma's when I was younger. She'd call it Lover's Plant though."

"It's not only to stave off impotence, my dear," he said with a smile, "or to encourage menstruation," here he wrinkled his nose, "but it serves to clean out the insides. I expect that's why it's required."

"Seems like I remember that it's used in love potions. Once a girl tried to give Harry some chocolates injected with it... only Ron ate them instead." She snickered.

"How did he get out of that?"

"Harry brought him down to Slughorn."

"Old Horace." He shook his head. "He was my head of house all my years at Hogwarts."

"Were you in his Slug's Club?"

"I was. You?"

"Yes."

Lucius sneered slightly. "Draco wasn't invited, had to sneak into one of his parties just to see what all the fuss was about."

"I remember that night," she said. "Let's go prepare it then, nearly time."

"Very well."

He'd set things up in a room in the dungeon next to the one that held Severus' body. It made a passable laboratory. There were many cauldrons of different sizes, types, shapes, and grade. Several burners lay on a table, and there were two sinks...one on either side of the long table that would be used to prepare ingredients. His shelves were stocked with many things. She picked up a pestle nearby.

"This is very nice, Lucius."

"Thank you. I hope Severus will find it suitable."

"What would he need this for?"

"I'm certain he'll be staying on here for a while, and I know he'll want to brew his own potions for regaining his health."

"Probably," she agreed. "Does he have a home to go back to? What's become of it?"

"Narcissa and Bozzy went there months back. She set him about cleaning and tidying things." He shrugged. "It will be there waiting for him when he returns, should he still want it."

Hermione thought that he would likely prefer his own home than Malfoy Manor, but since she didn't know Snape that well, she couldn't be sure. He just seemed like the type to prefer his own territory to another's.

"Do you want to handle this or shall I?"

"I will," she said, going over to the counter where a few long sprays of southernwood lay. "Smells like lemons, doesn't it?"

"I've always thought so as well."

"I'll need nine leaves in all," she said, looking at his instructions. "Three at first, which will brew for three minutes, stirring clockwise, and then three more, same thing only anticlockwise, and then the last three." He said nothing, simply sat to watch her. She pulled a long sprig towards her and plucked off three of the slender, grayish-green leaves. One tickled her slightly as it feathered over her palm.

"Would you like me to take over the stirring in the middle?"

"That would help. My wrist gets tired quickly sometimes," she said with a laugh. "There's another stirring rod just there."

They worked together and made simple conversation while doing so, not wanting to wreck their tasks. Once Hermione had finished the stirring for the last round, Lucius turned the flame up a little and smiled.

"Well, that's done then."

"Next up, in... four hours, we'll need to powder an entire Mugwort plant...root, leaves, everything." She saw the purplish stem of a nearby plant and nodded. "I see you have it ready. I suppose I could prepare it now."

"Have you had breakfast?"

"Coffee."

"I feel like a full English. What say you? To celebrate our start?"

"I guess we could do that."

"Lovely. I've also something I want to show you."

His smile was infectious, causing her to do the same. They left the lab and went up to their dining spot out near the gardens where Lucius made his order with Bozzy. He pulled a letter from a pocket and handed it to her.

"Read this."

Father,

I apologize for not being able to control my anger yesterday. When you said that Granger was there working with you on something, I didn't want to believe it. And when I went home and saw it for myself, I sought to disrupt things.

Your son,

Draco

"There now. See? He feels guilty about it."

"I don't think he does," she replied, "but it's clear he doesn't want to earn your ire." She shrugged. "Not that it matters anyway."

The rest of the day went by peacefully, each taking turns doing different tasks. By the time she'd gone home, she realized that she'd not thought of Ron since that morning.

However, upon seeing Ginny and Harry cozying up on the couch and watching the telly, she thought of him. "Any word from Ron?" she asked.

Harry shook his head. "Not from him, no."

She could tell that something wasn't quite right. "What is it you're not saying?"

It was Ginny who answered. "George got an owl from him. Told him he's taking some time to himself to rethink things."

Hermione nodded. "I'll just go on up."

"Wait, Hermione," Ginny said, "have you even eaten? You look a fright."

"I ate earlier, yes," she said. It wasn't exactly a lie. They'd had something akin to a buffet for breakfast, and it had filled them both so much that they'd decided to skip lunch. She didn't feel all that hungry still, not now that reality was back to slap her in the face. "I think I'll go up for a bath. Talk to you later."

For now, she had to think of whom she would dare to seduce in order to get the potion's next needed ingredient. Not one person who came to mind was plausible. She couldn't do that to Ron, not with someone they both knew. He didn't deserve that no matter what he decided he wanted. It would have to be someone that wasn't considered a friend, someone who could keep quiet.

All her thoughts continued to go back to one man: Lucius Malfoy. But how could she approach the subject? He'd not hinted at being interested at all, suggesting various people she might consider. If nothing came to her by tomorrow, she'd simply just have to tell him that he had no choice in the matter...much like herself.

"There, that ought to make his arse squirm, and it serves him right," she said bitterly. After all, she was going from a girl who'd been in a monogamous, non-sexual relationship to a woman who would have to have sex with two people...for the purpose of a potion, not even one of lust, much less love. As appalling as the thought of having sex with Lucius Malfoy would normally be, she found that aside from the awkwardness and embarrassing circumstances, it might not be all that bad. Of course, she was greatly biased by the sensual dream she'd had. It had been so vivid; she could still feel the press of his soft lips and the swipe of his tongue against her body.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"There's something on your mind," Lucius said, tossing the flannel he'd dried his hand with to the side. "What is it?"

"It's about the next ingredient."

"Which needs to be added in sixteen hours...after this has reached a boiling level twice and simmered for the remainder of the time." He frowned. "I say, should it look so black?"

She shrugged. "It doesn't really say, but we've done everything right, so I'm guessing it's fine."

"Now, what is it? Have you decided on whom? Has Weasley replied to you?"

"No, he hasn't. George is the last person to have heard from him." She shrugged. "It doesn't matter anyway."

"What of Draco?"

"What of him?"

"I'm certain I could talk to him and..."

"Are you mad? Don't you remember how he reacted when he saw me here the other day?"

"Well, it was a thought. Perhaps if I told him more details he'd be inclined." He gazed at her for a moment, eyes lowering over her body. "I daresay he'd find you very attractive."

"No, absolutely not!"

"Just a thought."

"Hmph! A bad one at that."

"Well, what have you planned then?"

"You." It was as light as a whisper but backed by determination.

"Pardon?"

"I said 'you' are the only option I have."

"Hermione, I don't think that would be wise."

"You're in this with me! You know what's at stake. You and I can do this, walk away from it, and never think of it again."

"I love my wife, Hermione."

"You met with someone the first night I came here. I am certain of it!"

"But that was different. I was angry, and she'd..." He shrugged. "I wasn't even able to..." He shook his head. "Come now. I think you can come up with someone. What of that stuffy brother of his? Percy, is it?"

"Certainly not." She crossed her arms over her chest. "I can't believe you are trying to weasel out of this. You don't care that I'm involved with someone...sort of! No, you'd send me off to shag a Quidditch team if you thought it would help." She held up her chin and firmly said, "You are all I have. It won't take long. We can just... you know, and then the phial can fill and..."

"You mean to say that you wouldn't want to finish what we'd start? Have you ever heard of the term blue balls, my dear? Very unpleasant." It was he who crossed his arms this time.

"So you would... have sex with me?"

He gave her a mocking smile. "Yes, I suppose I have no choice."

"Wait." Hermione held up a hand. "I have to know. Be honest please. Is it that displeasing to you? I hate to just spring this on you, but I need you for this. We'll just forget about it after. I won't... become attached, and you need never worry about me telling anyone about it. Ever."

"You are very attractive, but do you realize how awkward this would be for us?"

"I've thought of it."

"Make no mistake, I want to work things out with my wife." His eyes sparkled then. "However, one cannot help but appreciate what's before him, can he?" And he gazed at her as he had so many times before.

"And I hope that you do work things out, Lucius. Trust me. I won't ask for anything more."

"All right." Lucius cleared his throat. "When, uh, do you want to procure the ingredient?"

"Oh, please don't refer to it that way," she said with a nervous laugh.

"I confess that since you've been here, I've thought of you in that way a few times, never thinking anything would come of it."

She blushed slightly. "I have as well."

"Well, that's a start then," he said encouragingly.

"I was thinking that we could maybe have a few drinks to loosen up?"

"For you to loosen up you mean?" he said giving her a sly look.

"Yes."

"What of a draught of lust potion?"

"I hadn't thought of that."

"It would certainly make this easier for you." He looked away from her. "For me as well, I'm afraid. It's been a long time since I've had anyone inexperienced in my bed."

"Okay. I'll have some."

"You'll have to procure it. I don't happen to have any here."

She smiled. "I didn't think you would. I'll go to the apothecary and be back later on. Have you any plans?"

"Not now I don't," he said, giving her a devilish grin. He reached out to touch her cheek. "All will be well. We do this because me must, and that doesn't make what we're doing wrong or bad. You are being very noble. Severus will be indebted to you."

Hermione nodded and looked away. "I'll see you tonight then."

"All right."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hermione, you're shaking," Harry said as he watched her brush her hair. "What's going on?"

"I guess I'm a little nervous about tonight."

"What's tonight?" he asked, closing the door behind him so that Ginny couldn't happen upon them.

"You know I can't really tell you, Harry."

"Tell me what you can then."

"The gist of it is that we're making a potion... one that will do something amazing." She smiled brightly and put her brush aside. "I'll be able to tell you about it when it's all done, all right?"

"But why are you so nervous? You've always been good in potions. Nothing else is going on, is it?"

"No, Harry, it's just that this next step is very important, and I'm afraid that I'll mess it up," she said honestly. "I've never done anything quite like this before."

He smiled and confidently said, "You'll do fine." His smile faded, and he moved further into her room, stopping near her. "I wasn't going to say anything, and maybe I still shouldn't, but Ron wrote to George again."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I read the letter. Half of what he said didn't even make sense."

"I expect he was pissed when he wrote it then," she said with a shake of her head. "I just don't understand. Why now? Why after all this time?"

"Hermione, what did the two of you argue about? I mean, I heard a little of it, but then it went silent, and I could tell when he left that it still wasn't better."

"It's very personal," she said.

"Well, if you can't confide in me, who can you?"

"Fine. He wanted to have sex, and I didn't. There. Happy?"

Harry blinked and his cheeks reddened. "Er... oh."

"Not that interested now, are you?"

"I just thought that... it might have been something else."

"No. That's about it."

"Malfoy still treating you all right?"

"Yes. Will you stop asking?"

"Hermione, Draco owled me today. He wants to meet with me tomorrow. He says it's about you."

"Is that right?" She crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm not surprised."

"He told me not to say anything, but I thought I should." He ran his fingers through his untidy hair. "Any idea what it's about?"

"Draco showed up and tried to make me leave his house. I'm certain he doesn't approve of my new friendship with his father." She sighed. "Can you assure him that there's nothing..." Her voice trailed away. It was a lie, wasn't it? For she would be experiencing something more than friendship with Lucius in only a couple of hours. Another woman's husband. Draco's father.

"Hermione? All right?"

"People always think the worst of others," she said, hoping it was a good recovery.

"I'll talk to him." He grinned. "In the meantime, keep your chin up. I don't know exactly what you're doing, but I know it's for a good cause. Just know that you can confide in me whenever you need to, and... no matter what happens with Ron, that changes nothing for us."

"Thank you, Harry." She hugged him tightly. "That means a lot to me."

"Just so you know, I've already told Ginny that you'll be out tonight to work on some top-secret project." He laughed. "She won't pry too much. Thinks you're throwing yourself into your work now that Ron's being an arse about it all."

"No word from him then?"

He shook his head. "No. Sorry."

"He'll have to come back one day to discuss this, won't he?"

"Look, don't tell Draco's father that he owled me, all right?"

"Why not?"

"If you can keep a promise to him and leave me in the dark, do this for me. I told Draco I'd not say anything in my return owl. I'd like to at least partially keep my word."

"I promise then."

"Thanks. See you tomorrow then?"

"Wish me luck."

"You won't need it," he said reassuringly.

After he left, she muttered, "But I will," to herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Hermione Portkeyed to her workroom at Malfoy Manor, butterflies seemed to take flight in her stomach. How could she have talked herself into this? Snape had better appreciate what this is costing me, she thought sadly. Virginity had never been an issue with her. It wasn't anything that she held dear, but just having her body being used didn't sit well with her.

"Don't think of it that way, though," she said aloud. And why should she? She would get something out of this, too, and it wasn't just a sacrifice either. What she did with Lucius would prepare her for her other important role...sating Snape's lust. That had her more nervous than anything. So much so that each time she thought of it, she forced the thoughts away. It would simply be the next thing she'd have to conquer. After this was done, however, she vowed to not regret it. If things went as planned, she would be responsible for doing something that even Lord Voldemort had failed to do properly...sort of.

Knowing that Lucius was probably waiting for her, she went up to the bedroom she'd been staying in and took off her robes. It didn't pay for her to put on anything sexy for him. They were simply mutually consenting adults, both intent on achieving the same goal. No extra pleasantries were needed. Having already bathed before she left, she slid right into bed and nervously downed the small phial of lust potion she'd procured at an overly high price. However, she'd been assured that the effect came immediately and the price was well worth the outcome.

She used her wand to turn the lights off before placing it beneath her pillow. "Bozzy?" she called quietly, part of her hoping he'd not hear her.

"Yes, miss?" he said immediately, a small pop sounding at his appearance.

"Please tell your master that I am here and that he may join me at his earliest convenience."

A nod his reply, the little elf left her alone in the darkened room, moonbeams her only means of light. As she waited for Lucius to come to her, she felt a small change come over her body...her blood temperature seemed to have risen, she could feel heat radiating from her, and her pulse beat quicker than ever. Her mind hadn't changed, though, and now guilt was attempting to take hold.

How could she have sex with a married man? It was true that he and his wife were estranged, but what sort of woman did that make her? Draco's fears indeed had merit. And while she didn't seek to usurp the boy's mother's place, she was still crossing the line. Her only relief was that no one need ever know. No hurt would come to anyone because of this. She and Lucius were doing this to give life to a man who deserved it.

"Okay, enough of this reiterating things, Hermione. What's done is done," she said firmly.

A moment later, the door opened, and Lucius entered, quietly closing it behind him and making his way over to her. "Shall I leave the lights off?" he asked softly.

"Please," she said, her pulse hammering in her ears.

"Were you able to find a potion?"

"Yes, but... oh... did you need some? I'm sorry! I didn't think of that. I took it all, but I could probably go and find some more if you'd like. Or..." His chuckle interrupted her anxious babbling.

"No need, my dear. I find myself looking forward to this and need nothing to make me... want you." His voice had lowered to a soft murmur that had mesmerized her so much she hadn't felt the bed dip until his naked flesh lay pressed against hers. "Ah, now... where to start?" he asked playfully, placing a hand on her face to guide it towards his for a light kiss.

And then the lust potion fogged her mind. She wanted him, wanted to feel him on her, inside of her, all over her. Better yet, she wanted to touch him, taste him, learn every inch of him.

"I want you, too, Lucius," she said, not fully noticing how sultry her voice sounded.

"Show me what you want, tell me..."

Her hands began roaming his body, and she nearly asked him to turn the lights on so that she might see the treasure she'd been allowed to fondle. How could a man have such soft, smooth skin? And he smelled heavenly.

"Touch me," she said, pressing herself against him, her lips exploring his throat.

"As you wish..."

Much later as she lay entwined within his arms and legs, she began to feel some of the effects of the lust potion wearing off. The pulsating feeling in her body dwindled away, her breathing began to even out, and her mind began to clear. To her surprise, she felt at ease with what had happened, though a little embarrassed at the same time, but she knew that nothing could change things and it would be best to simply accept it if she wanted their companionship to remain unchanged. Therefore, she didn't attempt to move away from him.

However, one thing weighed heavily on her mind. "Lucius?"

"Mmm?"

"Did you take care of the spells?"

"I did... before you came."

A light kiss was placed against her forehead. "That's a relief," she said. "For a moment there I thought we got a bit carried away and forgot."

"No, at least one of us had a bit of control," he teased lightly.

She couldn't help snickering. "I've never tried that before. I had no idea how, uh, carried away a person could get."

"And how do you feel?"

"A little sore, but not terribly so," she said, shifting slightly. "I'll need to take that contraceptive potion in the morning."

"Yes, we mustn't forget that." His fingers raked through her hair. "How do you feel... mentally?"

She felt him tense up and wondered if he thought she'd request him to spout sonnets for her suddenly. "I firmly believe we made the right choice, and my reasons and decision have not changed."

"There is something that I want to ask you," he said seriously, "and I hope you won't be offended by this."

Hermione swallowed thickly and turned to face him. "What is it?"

"Would you mind terribly if we," he traced her cheek with an index finger, "had another go? Just to, ah, make certain that we get it all. One never knows what might be missed."

Her stomach tingled when she realized what his words meant. She'd satisfied him, and he wanted her again...though it truly wasn't necessary.

"Since we're here and all that..."

And his lips found hers for a light, chaste kiss.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione woke when she felt him leave the bed. "What time is it?" she asked groggily.

"I have to prepare the... ingredient to be added. I thought I'd let you sleep in. Would you prefer to join me?"

"Yes, I'll dress and be down after I use the loo."

"Excellent. I'll have Bozzy make us some tea."

"Ooh, First Flush Darjeeling again?" she asked hopefully.

"Indeed."

"Yes, please."

He paused as if he wanted to say something more, but instead, he turned and left her alone. She could see that he was shrugging on his dressing gown as he opened the door.

Grabbing her wand, she said, "Lumos."

Hermione's eyes first found the rumpled bedclothes and then her naked body. There were small passion marks on her breasts, but other than that, she looked the same as far as she could see. That was until she saw her reflection in the mirror above the dresser. Her hair was more disheveled than ever, her lips were swollen from his kisses, and her eyes seemed to have lost some of their innocence.

As she slid away from the bed, she noticed that there was no blood staining them and was grateful that Lucius' spell had worked. It was bad enough that Bozzy knew what they'd done, but she certainly wouldn't want him to see any evidence of their coupling.

And not just one coupling either. Two. That was uncalled for!

All of the things she'd not wanted to think of the night before flooded her mind at that moment. Ron. She'd betrayed him. What did it matter that he needed time away from her? He was still the man she'd planned on marrying, and instead, she'd propositioned someone else to engage in the very thing that she and Ron had rowed about. And Narcissa? What would she think if she knew her husband had bedded someone in her own home? Draco... She shuddered, not wanting to think of the names he'd call her.

"But they won't know," she said, stifling a slight sob. "Only I will know. I can handle this. I'll make up for it." With a nod, she gathered her things to ready herself for a quick shower. "It's just a price I'm paying for the greater good. That's all."

Amazingly, she didn't feel all that much different physically. Perhaps there was a little tenderness when she cleaned herself, but it wasn't anything worth mentioning. She remembered the way Lavender had gone on and on about the pain she'd suffered after being with Ronald back at Hogwarts. Hermione had hated her then, and she'd known that the girl was boasting loudly to hurt her, but now that she'd experienced sex for herself, she was certain that the girl had been laying it on thick.

Once she entered their lab, Lucius nodded towards the tea service. "Have a cup," he offered while measuring something.

As she poured her tea, she watched him. "I never took you for the type to have the patience for this."

"Why ever not? I was fair in potions, though I did much better in Charms in all honesty."

"I don't know. I guess it's just another new thing that I've learned about you." She smiled. "I'm glad."

"You know, I've found your friendship enjoyable as well."

She caught the way he'd emphasized the word 'friendship' and felt herself cringe. He must truly be worried that I'll get emotional. Only one way to put him at ease. "It's a shame that you aren't my type."

"I'm not? But this is a first. Most women swoon at my feet and draw hearts with the Malfoy name inside."

Hermione laughed loudly. "Oh, you are definitely attractive, and you, uh, well, yeah, anyway... But for a relationship, I fear I'm drawn to a different type."

"Such as Weasley?"

She paused. "Ron and I, we've always been close, and there was always a spark there. He made me so angry that I just wanted to hit him sometimes...or kiss him. Over the years, we simply fell in love."

"You sound wistful."

"Things aren't really working out the way I'd thought they would, are they? It just gives me pause to reflect. What if he and I are wrong for each other and have wasted all this time?"

"Experience is not a waste of time," he said as he shook a stoppered beaker. "Say you wouldn't be seeing Weasley, what sort of man would you be drawn to? Wealth? Power? Handsomeness?"

"My family has always had money, so that doesn't exactly lure me in," she said honestly.

He snorted. "Hence the relationship with a Weasley."

"Ron makes good money now that he's working with George," she said defensively.

"I apologize. How rude of me."

"Ah, it's all right. Old habit and all that." She thought for a moment. "If I were to be attracted to a man, I would want it to be someone who didn't fear getting his hands dirty doing manual work. Loyalty is a must of course. Looks, well, that's a plus, but I'd rather judge by a person's inside more than his outside." She grinned. "I'd really enjoy someone studious, whom I can speak with at length and not be made to feel boring."

"I take it you bore Weasley?"

Hermione shrugged. "Sometimes he doesn't understand what I'm talking about."

"Pity. What else?"

Here she bit her lip. "This will sound ridiculous, but have you ever heard of Lord Byron?"

Lucius nodded. "I have indeed. The grandfather who left me that book was fond of Manfred and told me of it often enough."

"Just that one or all of Byron's works?"

"All of them, but that one in particular. I believe he felt a kinship with the bloke and claimed to have shared pints with him in his younger days." Lucius tossed his hair back from his shoulder. "My grandfather fell in love with his niece and married her. Not unusual back in the day." He shrugged. "His parents approved because she was a pureblood of course...from good stock, but her father didn't. It seemed the man thought that his own brother had impregnated the girl's mother whilst he was away, which would mean that my grandfather was in love with his half sister and not a niece. They dueled of course. My grandfather won." Here Lucius smirked. "He never made any apologies for his decision, but I assume he felt guilty that he killed her father. Things were never the same for them after that as far as I know."

"How sad."

"As is life sometimes."

"Anyway, I meant to say that someone like Lord Byron would appeal to me as far as looks go. I've always thought him devilishly handsome: dark, brooding, rebellious, and mysterious. He always stood up for what he believed in and wasn't afraid to say it no matter what the others thought."

Lucius placed the beaker down and faced her squarely. "I know just the man for you."

Laughing, she said, "Who?"

"Severus." His voice was serious and didn't waver. "You've described him in nearly all that you said. Do you think that maybe all of this is happening for a reason?"

"I... no." She shook her head. "Ron and I will talk things out after all this is done with. I'm sure of it."

He shrugged. "It's nearly time to add this. I hope you don't mind that I've saved what was left in case we've need of it again."

"Fair enough."

"After this, according to our outline, we'll have to chop the bark from a yew tree to add in."

She picked up the parchment. "Yes, in two hours." Looking behind her, she said, "And I see you have it at the ready. You know, you certainly got prepared for this quickly enough. If I didn't know better, I'd think you had this planned all along."

His eyes narrowed. "And why would you say that?"

"I'm joking. You had no idea what ingredients we'd need." She frowned. "Why so defensive?"

It was his turn to frown. "I didn't mean to snap, but I have been planning this for a long time. I knew there had to be something I could do for Severus. He and I, we had such plans, so many things left undone." He cleared his throat. "After the way Potter's mother treated him and then the way he lived his life under Dumbledore's thumb...for Potter...I feel he got a bad deal. Don't you agree?"

Hermione nodded. "I wish he could have been happier."

"Oh, make no mistake. Sometimes Severus was quite happy, but in general, his life was lacking." Lucius' eyes glinted with a new light. "All of that will change now...because of you, us, I mean."

"Doubt keeps creeping into my mind, and I wonder if I've made the right decision, but then I think of him, and I can't help but to feel that I have."

"Indeed." He poured the blood into the cauldron. "And the tome would have meted out something terrible if you hadn't, so it isn't as though you had much of a choice anyway, so don't feel too badly."

"I feel confident that this is the right thing to do." She paused. "Lucius, if he comes back..."

"When he comes back."

She smiled at his confidence in their potion-making ability. "When he comes back, it said he wouldn't really be himself at first. Uh, do you think that he'll hurt us?"

"Or be rough with you?"

"That too."

"Remember, you and I will be anointed with the same oil as he. He will not harm us. Do not be afraid, Hermione. You have been chosen for this, handpicked."

His words, no matter how reassuring they were meant to be, made her shiver. "I can't help but be a little frightened."

"Understandable."

"I'll start chopping some of the bark."

"Before breakfast?"

"Well, I wanted to have lunch with Harry and Ginny today. Maybe pop over to my parents' house, so the sooner we get this part done, the sooner I can leave."

"I'm a bit ravenous after last night," he said cheekily. "I expect you would be as well if I had dark locks like your dear Lord Byron."

And with those words, Hermione knew that she'd succeeded in putting his mind at ease about what had happened between them. She'd chosen the right tactic after all. "Ah, only if," she quipped with a fake sigh.

Later after they were done, she went back to Grimmauld Place to find Harry and Ginny setting the table. "Where's Kreacher?" she asked.

Ginny blushed, her skin nearly matching her hair. "Oh, I wanted to do this myself. How's the project going?"

"Everything is perfect."

"Told you," Harry put in.

"Anything I can do?" she asked.

"Do you remember where Ron hid that butter beer we bought?" Harry asked, widening his eyes for her to go along with him.

"I think it's in our room. If you follow me up, you can bring it back down while I wash up."

"Right." He slapped Ginny on the arse as he passed by and followed Hermione up the stairway. Once they were alone, he spoke again. "Did Draco show up there?"

She shook her head. "No, was he supposed to? I thought he was meeting you?"

"He didn't come. All I got was an owl saying that something had come up and he'd have to get back with me when he could. But he still asked me to keep silent about it." He breathed a sigh of relief. "I almost thought he might show up there just to interrupt again. I nearly went over myself to warn you."

"Er, thankfully there was no need." Her gaze fell to Ron's neatly made bed. "No word from Ronald?"

"Sorry. No."

"Nothing from me either."

"Write him, Hermione. Maybe he thinks that since you haven't responded, you agree with the time apart bit. What would it hurt?"

Hermione didn't feel as though she could write Ron a letter at the moment. Too many things were swirling in her mind, and she wasn't certain there was much to say at all. Lucius' conversation kept coming back to her. Had she and Ron been a mistake? Would she really do well with someone else? Someone like Professor Snape?

"I won't do it. He seems to want his space."

"Your decision."

"Absolutely."

"You look different today."

"I do?"

"Yeah."

"In a bad way?"

"No, not at all. Are you wearing makeup?"

"None."

"I can't pinpoint what it is exactly," he said thoughtfully. "But, uh, you look good."

She flashed him a grin and indicated where he could find the butterbeer.

---

A/N: Oh my!