Chapter 3

Research

AN: ok... I hope you all liked chapter 2, I know it was shorter then normal but I felt that was a good place to end it, get it posted.

Thanks to all who reviewed. dracobasher, zeeksmom, EdhelwenOnieta, Guest, Kath,

Disclaimer: I own nothing, get it?


Hermione POV

I smile to myself as I head to lunch with my new books tucked safely away in my bag. It felt good to have a purpose, even if it was just a short-term purpose. I had something to do. I sit at our table and fill my plate, nodding to Harry as he flops into his seat.

"Well you look better, all squared away then?" he asks as he fills his place. I smile and shrug, eating a few bites.

"I am, better I mean, not squared away. Since I didn't know what I wanted to go into McGonagall gave me a few job ideas she thought I might like to research, come back with questions if I have any, or with a final course choice. What about you? You all squared away or you still debating on being an Auror?" I ask, taking a few bites of my food. He shrugs and eats.

"I got a few new ideas from her and I'll do some research into it but I'll probably take the job as an Auror... after I finish school. I know I don't HAVE to finish, not with me being me and Kingsley in as much need as he is but I want to have the grades. I know shocking right? But I want to be able to have a second job if I get injured or something. I don't think Alastor can do anything besides be an Auror or teacher. I don't think I could be a teacher... I don't like kids well enough. I really don't know what I want to be though. Guess that's what research is for huh." Harry says with a smile, eating as the others come in and sit, filling their plates, having some small talk. I smile and eat, relaxing in the sounds of the hall. This... was home.

"Anyone else have your meeting yet? Anyone decide on a course?" I ask, looking around the table.

"McGonagall's setting me up with Hootch so I can learn to be a flying instructor and sort of... camp councilor type of thing, think I might open up me own school or summer camp. Course I'll need to fill out my classes so I need to decide on all that but I've got me main course set." Seamus says as he stuffs his face. I roll my eyes; at least he swallowed before he started talking unlike some.

"That's good Seamus, I think you'll do really well with that, you do well with the younger classes and you've always done better... outside... in open spaces." I say with a smile. He nods and grins, swallows his food.

"Yeah, less chance of me setting fire to the building if I'm not in one." He laughs. I nod and take a few more bites.

"Sprout is going to take me on as an apprentice... says I need to work on my potions though. I really don't know how I'm going to do that. I mean I stood up to you know who and I killed that snake but... Snape... I just... I panic." Neville says softly. I nod and pat his hand.

"You'll do ok Nev, just remember that nothing bad is going to happen to you, I really don't think he ever meant any harm he just... was a very unhappy man. I mean I think we would all be a bit stressed living the life he lived. I mean he was working for two... slightly mad masters, having to keep secrets from everyone, practically killing himself just to keep the students here safe... and you don't help yourself sometimes Nev, you do make your self to be a bit of a target." I tell him as he nods.

"I know that NOW, but he's just so bloody terrifying sometimes. Even now that I'm not a little kid with him towering over me. Where is he anyway? I really don't need to get in trouble because he's listening." He asks, looking around the Great Hall.

"I think him and Malfoy Sr. are off shopping or something, either that or their secret lovers and off boinking each other in some room. Slytherin meetings were canceled for today I heard." Ginny says as she leans on Harry's shoulder.

"Shopping...?" Ron asks his mouth half-full of potatoes. I sigh and rub my face. Why did I ever date him? Why?

"Yes Ronald, shopping. Malfoy lost a lot of his personal stuff in the Ministry sweep; either that or he tossed it because of how much dark magic was soaked into it from the dark lord being there so much. I don't know how much space he has in his rooms but... he has to have some stuff you know. He isn't exactly a prisoner; he's just on probation isn't he?" she says, looking to me.

"Far as I know since he flipped during the final battle; he, Narcissa and Draco are all on probation. Though I'm not sure about Draco since he was a minor for most, if not all, of the mess and he's still in school. I think that has something to do with all of it. They really did have a change of heart." I say as I eat a few bites. They still weren't my favorite people but... Draco was never given a choice and by the time Lucius and Narcissa found out what was really happening... it was far to late for them to leave. I sigh and shake my head, finishing my lunch.

"I've got some research I need to do for my future job, so I'll be in the library if anyone wants to come visit. Keep me company and what not." I say with a smile, grabbing a few cookies as I head to the library to study up on... seductresses. I settle in at my favorite worktable and begin, taking notes and writing down questions as I come upon them. I look over my list of things I've found out as I munch on a cookie.

What is a Seductress? And why I should become one.

Old world job, liken to a spy. Could be cool.

Can make you own rates depending on how dangerous/messy a job might become. Good money for good work is always a plus

Secretive but well worth it. Secrets can be good right?

Adventure, I need that right?

I nod as I look it over, it was a good start, and McGonagall would be able to know where I was in my assessment of the job when I gave her the list. It was an odd job but... in all reality it was the best for me. It would be a new challenge. I sit back and ponder what this will mean for my life. I'd need a cover story, a fake job but... that was probably part of the lesson plan. How not be found out. How to blend in with the normal population. I shake my head and sit back, relaxing in the late day sun. It was almost dinner, not a bad day's work. I could put in a little more time then go eat, swing by McGonagall's office to hand her my list or set up an appointment on my way back to the common room before bed. Yes... today had been very full. I sigh happily and head off into the bookshelves to find some more books on seduction and seductresses. It was odd but... I was happy with this decision. I was doing something for me. Not to help Ron or Harry or to end the darkness... this was for me and me alone.

I sigh and rub my face, sitting back at my table, idly stroking the binding of a book. Was this really what I wanted to do with my life? I mean I didn't even know what sex was like but... no... I couldn't waffle on this. I NEEDED to get out of my comfort zone and into something... something I could grow with. I was tired of being the goody two shoes who never got a date, never got kissed... I wanted to be looked at and seen. I NEEDED that. I shake my head idly and move to a window seat, relaxing into the stone as I open my book and let my mind shut off as I read.

zZz

Lucius POV

I dust off in the Leaky Caldron as I wait for Severus to come through, grinning at him, trying to get him to show some emotion. I chuckle as he rolls his eyes and dusts off his robes, grumbling as he walks out into the alley, forcing me to catch up with him.

"So... Where should we head to first? Hair, clothing, nick nacks? We just ate so foods not needed at least for a few hours." I say as I match up with his long strides, looking around the still rebuilding alley.

"Hair I think, get that out of the way first, then clothes. Then probably lunch, or at least a light snack of sorts, I have a feeling you will take longer to clothes shop then Narcissa ever did." Severus drones on, heading into the beauty side road, looking over the shops, barbers, hair stylists, beauty parlors.

"Nice beginnings of a plan at least, I don't want to short, maybe something like yours you think?" I ask, trying to get some emotion out of him. He turns to look at me, circling me a few times.

"Perhaps a bit longer then mine, you always were the pretty boy type. I think you'd look odd with hair as short as Draco's, and you'd be near identical and I don't think either of you want that." He says as he goes back to walking, heading into a shabby little shop, pointing me to a chair. I roll my eyes and toss my cloak at him, sitting in the seat. A little man comes out of the back room and grins at Severus.

"Ah Master Severus, how nice to see you. Not your usual time for a trim." He says, grinning up at the dark man.

"No Grant, but then I'm not here for me. My friend there needs a new look, something a bit longer then mine, perhaps to his shoulders or not much above it." Severus drawls as he sits back, letting the man look me over, nodding.

"Yes, I don't think any shorter would look good on him, not if he's had this length for any amount of time. Either that or we go full short, very manly, very old world muggle. What do you think sir?" He asks me, looking at me in the mirror. I shrug.

"Let's see how I look with shoulder length hair, if I'm ok with that maybe we'll try the shorter. It IS only hair and I can fast grow it if it's horrible but let's take this slow. I've had long hair for a very long time." I say, fidgeting in my seat. I could do this... it was only hair. Maybe I would look good with shorter hair. I needed to do something to change my life. I reach back and take the ribbon out of my hair, tucking it away into a pocket as Grant fusses with me.

"Would you like a wash as well sir? It is part of the service." He asks, looking at me in the mirror. I shrug.

"If its part of the service I might as well, give me a little more time to panic over doing all of this." I say with a sigh. He nods and gets to work, leaning me back and setting his magic to scrub my hair and scalp, letting me panic and relax at the same time. I sigh and flex my fingers as he finishes washing my hair out and picks up his scissors, this was it. I take a deep breath and close my eyes as he starts his work, cutting and combing out my hair as he goes, spinning the chair this way and that.

"Severus, please tell me this isn't going to look terrible..." I ask, trying to stay still. I hear him sigh and shift in his seat, probably not even looking at me.

"It will be fine, hold still or something's going to get cut off and you will look like an idiot. Grant is almost done and then you can open your eyes like an adult and see for your self." He drones, flipping pages in a magazine. I sigh and hold still, waiting for Grant to tell me he's done. Merlin what was I doing?

"Ok Master Malfoy, you can look now, I'm finished..." Grant says, patting my shoulder and turning me to the mirror. I take a breath and open my eyes, looking at my hair. It wasn't too short, perhaps an inch or two longer then Severus's, just brushing my shoulders. I nod, running my fingers through it, pulling it back, just long enough to pull back for work. I let it fall forward again as I smile.

"I think this will do nicely Grant, thank you. How much do I owe?" I ask, getting up, brushing off.

"Three Galleons should cover it nicely, tip and all. I mean you are Lucius Malfoy so I can use your... fame a bit, if you don't mind." Grant says, sweeping up with a flick of his wand. I shrug and dig out the coins, setting them on the counter.

"Just don't be surprised if you lose as many as you gain. I made some very foolish decisions Grant; I am paying for them now." I say sadly, nodding to him as I play with my hair in the mirror, it didn't look bad but it was one hell of a change. I turn to Severus and strike a pose.

"Well... how do I look you snarky bastard?" I say to him with a grin. He snorts and looks me over, nodding.

"Passable I suppose, different enough without being overdone, come along then I do have other things to do besides babysit you, I have a whole house to deal with, your spawn included. Do you have any idea what he wants to be?" Sev asks as we head out of the shop and into the street. I shrug, why would I know what the boy wanted to do with his life?

"Why would I know what he wants to do Sev? I'm not his nanny or his confidant; he barely talks to me any more. I screwed up with him Sev, I pushed him in the wrong direction and now... now were all paying for it." I sigh and shake my head, walking with him in silence as we make out way to the clothing stores.

"So... what all do I need clothing wise to pass as a teacher of... whatever the hell were calling it?" I ask him as we turn onto the side road. He hums for a moment, thinking.

"At least two sets of outer teaching robes, in case one needs to be laundered more then a simple spell. I prefer a heavier weight cloth but then the dungeons are cold even on the hottest summer day. Where is your classroom anyway? I don't seem to remember." He asks, looking over at me as he leads me to a shop. I shrug as I answer.

"I don't think I've been given a classroom yet actually. In the dungeons might be best, something out of the way, easily charmed to be ignored by people who shouldn't know about it. Thought I don't know how much I'd use formal teaching robes, but a set of... something wouldn't be horrible I guess, at least for lecture days at the beginning. Do you think she'll take the position, Miss Granger?" I ask as I look over the robes, feeling the cloth.

"I would assume so; else wise I think Minerva would have said something by now. Why do you ask? Interested in her are we? My how you have changed, having fantasies about teaching a muggleborn about sex. Interesting." He snarks at me, pulling a mobile from his pocket and dialing Minerva, likely finding out where my classroom was to be and if she had heard if Miss Granger was going to be my student or not yet. He closes it with a snap and nods.

"She agrees with the classroom needing to be out of the way so the dungeon it is. Room heating charms might be of use to you. I don't bother but usually I have a classroom of fires going for brewing. We should likely get you a few books on basic household spells for you today, wouldn't be horrible for you to not use the elves for stuff in your classroom, wouldn't be horrible if you didn't use them much at all actually. It'll do you good to do your own stuff." Sev says as he directs me to a rack of heavier teaching robes. I sigh and nod.

"Just breakfast and laundry, I think one of them dusts but I think that might just be a duty... I didn't ask for my rooms to be cleaned. What color do you think? Black is and always will be your color, and green is cliché... perhaps blue...? What's a good color for sex do you think? Do I need to outfit my classroom as well?" I say as I look over at him.

"The basics will be provided, desk for you, your student, shelving for books and what not. Most of the other things you won't use right off so I wouldn't bother getting any of it today. Maybe go see what there is, how much it all costs. There should be an account set up for you through the school." He says. I nod and trying to decide on a color and fabric.

"How the hell do women do this for fun?" I ask, a sea of colors and fabrics and... styles in my hands. Severus shrugs and motions over a shop assistant, the man grinning at us.

"Good morning gentlemen, how can I help you? I'm Jeremy by the way." he says, looking between us.

"I'm looking for some teaching robes, dark color but not black... and I am completely lost as to what I want. There's just so much..." I say as I motion to the racks of fine robes. He nods and motions us to follow him.

"I understand completely sir; it really can be too much sometimes. Lets get you measured for robes and then we'll try on a few cuts and styles, see what fits you best. Up on the stool please and we'll get started." The stocky man says as I step up and let him take my measurements, a small scroll scribbling notes for his files.

"Your taller then a lot of my cliental sir, but I shouldn't have a problem coming up with robes for you. Now you said dark but not black?" he asks. I nod, swatting at the measure tape as it hover by my head.

"Yes, a dark blue perhaps. I always did look good in blue. Cut or style... nothing to tight but I don't need to be so wrapped up in fabric I can't move, my class may end up being very active and I don't want to have to take off my robes every time I need to be active in the classroom." I say, tossing my cloak at Severus. Jeremy nods.

"Understood sir, will you need the full outfit or just the outer robes? Some buy everything in one go, others wear normalish clothing under their formal teaching robes." Jeremy asks. I look to Severus for his opinion.

"A full outfit or two wouldn't be an unwise purchase. Formal days and what not, days you don't need another thing to worry about and such." He says, looking over a few fabrics for himself. I nod to Jeremy.

"Let's see how a full outfit looks and then see. Still trying to get the feel for this teacher thing. I don't want to be too formal but I want to do it correctly." I tell the worker. He nods with a grin.

"Right you are sir, I'll see if I can find something not too over the top but fitting someone of your build. Not too much fabric but has plenty of give, dark blue if I have it but I can always redo something's color. Anything else sir?" he asks, looking between Severus and I. I shake my head and motion him to go, stepping off the platform and finish taking off my vest, stretching.

"So has she agreed to be my student or not? I don't think you ever said." I ask him, looking over boots with him. he shakes his head.

"Minerva said she hadn't finished her research yet, I expect you won't know until tomorrow at the earliest. The girl is nothing but meticulous when it comes to her studies. Don't worry; she's a bit of a pain but she'll do practically anything you ask of her. Essays, her notes are ungodly accurate if I remember correctly, thought I am unaware of how... far she's gotten with any boy her own age, you may want to make up a questionnaire or something to find all that out. Might be easier for her and you to do it that way then to talk about it right off. Ease you both into the whole thing a bit before diving into the juicy naughty bits." I roll my eyes and shove him, sliding into a pair of knee high dragon skin boots, looking at them in the mirror.

"I suppose you are right, I just dislike waiting. And what if she doesn't take it, and I have no class? I'm stuck on babysitter duty then. I'd rather teach Parkinson about sex then watch gaggles of unruly little monsters in study hall. I think I like these, good fit, they should wear nicely, what do you think?" I ask him, posing for him. Severus rolls his eyes and looks at the boots, nodding.

"They should work well. I have always preferred shorter boots but that's just me. I don't care for being restrained too much. Depending on how long your robes are you might want a short heel thought, keep you from stepping on your robe when you walk the halls." He says, going back to accessories. I nod and step back onto the platform as Jeremy comes back with a few different cuts of robes and such.

"I know there not all blue but I can always change the color once you've decided on WHAT blue you would like. Let's work on the actual robes and then go to the under stuff, vests and slacks and what not." He says as he helps me on with the first robe, much like Severus's robes, yards of fabric, billowing slightly as I turned. I shrug and slide it back off.

"A bit much I think, but workable if need be. Something less... billowing might be more my style, sleeker. The fabric was the right... weight I guess, heavy but not suffocating." I say as Jeremy helps me slide on another robe, more form fitting but still flowing slightly as I turn. I button one of the buttons and turn a few times, nodding as I hand it back.

"I like that one, but let's finish going through what you brought me and then we'll see." I say, Jeremy nods and helps me try on a few more robes, all a little different, some flowing, others tight and straight.

"I think I liked the second one best, I liked how it felt. Lets fit that one and see what you think." I say to him after we try on the styles he brought out. He nods and helps me slide the robes back on, tugging it into place and watching it fall, getting out a box of pins as he circles.

"Let's see, sleeves could be a bit shorter, overall length is good though. Button up please... fits but not to tight." He asks, pinning the sleeves a touch. I nod, expanding my chest.

"Could do with a few more inches in the chest, robes should be loose, this one is a little tighter then I'd like. I mean if I was just going to be wearing robes over pants maybe but... I plan on wearing a shirt and a vest so a few more inches wouldn't be horrible." I tell him, tugging on the collar as I turn. Jeremy nods and makes notes on his scroll.

"Now did you want to go the pants and vest here or just wear your own?" He asks, looking up at me. I shrug and hand him back the robe.

"Might as well get the whole set here, at least... oh I'd say two sets of full outfit and robe, and maybe something a little more formal for meetings and what not. I don't need many suits but... one full set of new formals wouldn't be bad." I tell him, chuckling at his overjoyed look. I look back at Severus as he sighs and flops onto the small couch.

"We're going to be here all day aren't we? I don't know why I thought you would clothe shop like a normal man, you take longer to pick out socks then Cissa took to pick out her wedding dress." He grumbles. I laugh and shake my head, letting Jeremy get to work.


AN: So how was that one? Bit weird I know, I'm trying to go off the "original" but make it my own... AND I'm doing 2 POV's instead of the originals 1 POV so... yeah. I know Lucius's POV was a bit longer then Hermione's, but... he needed the set up more I think. We all know what she's like. I had to flesh him out.

AN2: PLEASE vote on the poll on my profile.