Nine

Disclaimer: Not mine. If you recognise it, it belongs to JKR. If you don't, it likely belongs to me. Except the wild theories of there being life inside the earth. Those are the ideas of either conspiracy theorists or Jules Verne. No ice was melted for this fic, nor did the desert sun cause burns.

After breakfast, Hermione, Lucius, and Snape ventured out for some sightseeing. The rain had stopped, but it was still cloudy and fairly cool. "I've never thought I'd appreciate clouds and cool weather this much," Hermione said as Lucius took her hand.

"It's lovely, isn't it? I think living in Phoenix puts anyone off hot and sunny weather." The three strolled down a wide road, which was obviously one of the main shopping streets for Muggles, with heavy traffic, wide pavements that were nearly empty, and large shops and department stores, some just opening, others already filled with people browsing and shopping.

Snape, walking on the other side of Lucius, shook his head. "I'll never understand why you chose Phoenix of all places."

"Oh, but I'm glad I did!" Lucius exclaimed. "Had I chosen a different place, I would never have got to know Hermione, and my life would be seriously lacking!" Lucius wound his arm around Hermione's shoulder and pulled her closer. "And besides, Taliesin West is ever so comfortable!"

Snape smirked at the couple, who, oblivious to everything, were cuddling and kissing, and pointed to a side road. "Let's go to San Telmo. It's rather more authentic Argentinean than this part of town."

"So, you know Buenos Aires?" Hermione asked Snape. She had no idea how to address him. He had not been a professor in over twenty years, so calling him Professor Snape seemed redundant; Mr Snape sounded awkward in her mind, but Severus would have been too intimate an address so soon after they met.

Snape shrugged. "I come here at least once every month for business reasons. Some dwellers of Agharta like to visit for a breath of fresh air, change of environment, and some tend to invite me along. And over the course of twenty years, one can't help but get to know the place."

"So," drawled Lucius, "how is Gadabout's Amazing Youth doing?" His smirk bordered on glee.

Snape rolled his eyes. "Have you ever known G.A.Y. to not do extremely well?"

Hermione's eyes widened. "You? I... I always thought they were Muggle-owned. Everyone uses them, Muggles and wizards alike!"

Lucius cleared his throat exaggeratedly, promptly causing Snape to roll his eyes at him again.

"Not everyone, Miss Granger. Your partner here..." he sneered slightly, "...deems conditioner for the masses unworthy of his precious hair, no matter how superior the product."

Lucius nodded, apparently satisfied. "Of course. Only the very best for my hair." Turning to Hermione, he explained, "Severus makes this particular conditioner solely for me."

Hermione was unable to suppress a snort. If she didn't know just how masculine Lucius was, she'd easily mistake him for a woman in a man's body, considering his obsession with perfect hair, perfect clothing, and perfectly shaven skin. "Why am I not surprised," she muttered.

Snape quirked his eyebrow. "You know him well."

Hermione laughed until an abrupt change of scenery distracted her. The houses had become much smaller, very colourful, and accordion music, unmistakably tango, drifted across. The road here was closed to cars, and increasing numbers of people mingled about, watching sellers set up stalls to offer their wares and animatedly exchanging words with others.

Hermione stopped when they reached a band of young people, none older than late teens, all dressed in colourful, long-flowing dresses or harem pants and comfortable-looking shirts, some playing accordion, others various types of drums. There was no reading music involved; they simply played, and to her ears, it sounded perfect.

"Would you like to dance, milady?" Lucius purred into her ear, making her body shudder in delight. Not waiting for an answer, he turned her to face him, placed one hand on her shoulder, took her hand with the other, and stepped to the beat of the music.

Whilst she'd had plenty of practise with waltz and foxtrot at various Ministry events over the years, Hermione had not tangoed since her dancing lessons during summer holidays as a teenager. But it mattered not: Lucius made an excellent partner, leading her expertly and with ease. She soon gave herself entirely to the music, oblivious to Snape's smirk, unaware of a crowd of people forming, who watched with interest the unlikely white couple dancing in the midst of locals to the unique rhythm that was the tango, swaying to the music themselves.

Snippets of Spanish conversation drifted across, but Hermione paid no attention until she made out Snape's voice. He sounds even more elegant in Spanish, she pondered lazily, too engrossed in the sensual movement of the dance to dwell on any thought for long.

"Hacen un par hermoso."

"Oh, pienos que ella paraceria mejor conmigo."

"¿Porque no lo pruebas?"

She wondered briefly what he was saying, whether he knew the other person, but there was no point dwelling on it...without a translation charm, she had no idea what was being said. Hermione felt his eyes on her back and could not help but wonder what he was thinking.

The music stopped, and the crowd applauded enthusiastically. "It seems I'm getting competition." Lucius smirked and pointed to Snape, who was heading towards the couple.

"Lucius," Snape bowed perfunctorily, "if you don't mind."

Lucius nodded and stepped aside. The music started once more, and again, it was unmistakably tango. Snape was as good a dancer as Lucius, Hermione realised soon, his movements as fluid, and there was a gentleness to the way he led her that Hermione found almost startling.

"So, Miss Granger, how has life been treating you?" He sounded genuinely interested.

"Not bad at all. I'm content with my personal life. If now we find a way to regain control of ourselves rather than having our lives managed by the Ministry, I'll be very happy," Hermione said.

"It is a serious issue," Snape agreed. "But nothing that can't be resolved, now that we have the support of half a million people who are very aware, not only of the situation but also of what goes on behind the scenes."

The music finished once more, the crowd applauded again, and Snape bowed theatrically. "Thank you for the dance."

"Say, love, did you enjoy dancing with Severus as much as with me?" Lucius had reappeared and looked questioningly at Hermione.

She laughed. "I enjoyed dancing with both of you tremendously. Thank you," she said, her voice filled with amusement.

"Only winners, how elegantly put," Snape said and, turning to Lucius, smirked. "And by the way, the question was who looked better with Miss Granger, and clearly, I do. Black obviously contrasts much more effectively with lind-green than bottle-green does."

"You would say that," Lucius grumbled, but the mirthful expression he carried belied his tone, and Hermione did not quite manage to suppress a giggle.

The three continued walking around San Telmo, occasionally stopping to listen to live music or to admire the wares street vendors were offering, ranging from kitchen utensils to silk rugs, from t-shirts to evening gowns, from car parts of questionable origin with US price tags to brand-new appliances.

Hermione was amazed by the variety. "Is there anything they don't sell?"

"Indeed," Snape said. "If you want lingerie or more elegant clothing, then you're better off at Libertador at the Palermo end. It isn't far from here."

"Clothes!" Lucius exclaimed. "I've not shopped in ages. And, oh, darling, I just realise I've never bought lingerie for you! Let's put this to rights! Severus, love, do Apparate us, would you?"

Before Hermione could think of an answer, let alone wonder if each one of Lucius's previous partners had been gifted with lingerie, both Lucius and Snape took her hand on either side, and she felt the familiar tug of Apparition, instantly finding herself in what was no doubt the more elite shopping area of Buenos Aires. Large windows displayed elegant gowns, dresses, coats, and jackets, none with price tags. Forgotten was the fact that her lover, accompanied by his lover, was about to shop underwear for her.

"Oh, just look at this! Isn't it gorgeous?" Her eyes set on a deep...almost black...burgundy dress of an almost modest, yet classy design, lingerie-shopping forgotten. Next to it was a coat, more reminiscent of a cloak, cut in a fashion that screamed of a spectacular waste of fabric. She had no doubt it would billow far more dramatically than those Professor Snape had worn during her school years.

Lucius regarded her critically. "Yes," he said slowly, "this will look good on you." Turning to Snape, he asked, "Don't you think so?"

Snape nodded. "Indeed. Even though it reminds me of Gryffindor colours." His sneer was half-hearted at best.

Hermione grinned. "And here I am, not having thought about House affiliation in years!" She turned her eyes back to the gown. "I think I want to try this on."

"You should." Two voices appeared as one.

She walked into the shop, followed closely by the two men, and nearly gasped at the elegant interior. Except for the clothing, everything was in white and steel-grey...or stainless steel. Racks were holding dresses and gowns in a terraced manner, showing off each item. Other, higher-hung, slowly moving racks held suits and coats, and lower ones displayed jackets. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors lined those parts of the walls that weren't hidden by clothes. Everything inside spoke of timeless elegance, perfectly understated, for there was no need for any bragging if one could afford this kind of clothing.

Lucius must have been equally impressed, Hermione thought, as he had evidently forgotten to apply the translation charm. When a sales lady approached the trio, he looked as lost as Hermione, and she was grateful that at least Snape had a grasp of the language.

He exchanged words with her, and she disappeared briefly to return with the burgundy dress. The sales lady nodded at Hermione and motioned for her to follow to the changing rooms.

The dress not only fit perfectly, it seemed to be made for her. Its deeply dark burgundy brought out that hardly-ever-there shimmer of crimson in her hair better than the sun ever had, and her eyes seemed to have acquired a sheen she'd never seen before.

"Ah, yes," Lucius said when she came out. "It is perfect for you."

Snape smirked. "Not bad..." He turned his attention to the suits. "I think I might indulge..."

More than an hour later, the trio finally exited the exclusive outlet, each one carrying a rather large bag. "Please, let's find a spot where we can reduce all this. I am not going to carry this monstrosity for the rest of the day," Lucius complained.

Hermione and Snape smirked, and Hermione took Lucius's hand. "Oh, you poor thing. Carrying a bag must be such a chore."

"Are you mocking me?" Lucius failed at sounding stern.

"Of course she is, Lucius." Snape cast her a look of...was that approval Hermione detected in his expression? Then he continued his banter with Lucius. "Anyone who has known you for more than a couple of hours knows what a spoiled prat you are!"

Hermione snickered. She could not imagine anyone else to get away with calling her partner spoiled.

Lucius had the grace to look somewhat uncomfortable. "Well... I'll admit some have led tougher lives..."

Snape motioned to a side road. "We can turn here. It'll be empty after a few yards down. Can't have you all exhausted from carrying a suit, now can we?"

The houses here were residential, and the further the three walked along, the emptier the road became. Snape motioned for Hermione and Lucius to stop, looked around, and silently reduced the sizes of their bags to fit into a pocket or purse. "Now, then," he said. "Back to the hotel? We have a couple of hours before meeting with Lola and Karl."

"Oh yes!" Hermione exclaimed. In a quieter tone, she added, "I could really do with a shower."

"Naturally, you'll be wearing your brand-new dress," Lucius stated. "And we'll have to return here tomorrow to engage in some lingerie shopping."

"Of course, and that's fine. I don't think I have the energy to do more shopping and then go out for dinner," Hermione agreed. She had not particularly cared for new clothing during the last years of her marriage, but she had remembered rather quickly the joy and satisfaction of choosing and wearing something brand-new and exquisite. Nevertheless, a shower sounded more enticing than lingerie shopping at that moment.

The three Apparated to the front of the hotel and entered. The lobby was deserted. It appeared that Pedro enjoyed his siesta as much as the next Argentinean, although Hermione had no doubt that appropriate wards kept any undesired visitors away.

Lucius fell unceremoniously onto his side of the bed. "Oh, I do so enjoy some culture and a good shopping spree, but it is tiring!"

Snape sat down in the chair on the other side of the bedside table. "You are getting old, aren't you?" he said casually and smirked at his friend before bending down to open the laces of his shoes, which promptly scuttled off his feet, across the floor, to settle beneath the wardrobe.

As fascinated as Hermione was by the two men's banter, her mind could only envision a hot shower. Cities in general, and by the feel of it Buenos Aires in particular, always left her feeling as if there was a layer of grime on her skin, which demanded to be washed off at the earliest opportunity. She carefully chose her clothes and headed to the shower. "Back shortly."

Enjoying the feel of the hot water washing off the day's dirt and energetic imprints, Hermione sighed contentedly. She had thoroughly enjoyed Snape's company, as surprising as that realisation was. Like Lucius, he had changed dramatically over the course of twenty years. Then she snickered to herself. As if I haven't changed just as much... she thought as she took a deep, appreciative sniff of the bottle of Gadabout's Amazing Youth petitgrain-scented conditioner. She could not help grinning how Snape had fooled the world, having developed one of the most successful cosmetics businesses in complete secrecy.

Suddenly, she stopped massaging the conditioner into her scalp. What if... what if he adds some kind of clarifying-mind potion into the products... Would that wake up the world to what's going on?

Fascinated with the thought and wanting to discuss it immediately, she hurried through her routine and switched the water off, then dried her body hurriedly and equally hurriedly, but carefully, dressed and opened the door into the bedroom.

Her eyes widened, and something, somewhere deep inside her stirred a yet unknown desire into existence.

The two men were lying on the bed, their limbs entangled, arms around each other, hands massaging the other's shoulders and stomach, dressed down to only their briefs.

A moan...Hermione could only think of it as blissful...escaped Lucius when Snape deftly licked his nipple, first the right, then the left.

"Yessss," came Lucius's hiss.

Hermione stood rooted to the ground, desperately trying to fill her mind with anything but this desire that had overwhelmed her the moment she'd laid eyes on them. It was the most erotic vision she'd ever seen and certainly not one she would have imagined out of her own accord.

Her presence must have entered the men's consciousness, for each suddenly turned into her direction.

Snape smirked at the sight of her, and Lucius quirked his eyebrow. "Darling. Like what you see?" He looked positively amused, Hermione could not help noticing. As did Snape, for that matter.

A/N: For details of the prompt, please see chapter 1.

Grateful thanks go to southernwitch69 for making this more readable. For correct writing, thank her. For mistakes, blame me.