Chapter 4
"NO! No, no no... Absolutely not!" objected Lucius, his voiced raised in ire.
"Lucius, be reasonable," soothed Hermione.
"You were the one who leaked every bloody thing to her and suggested we bring her into the midst of it all," Severus pointed out.
"Input!" shouted Lucius. "I suggested you use her input. I meant her intelligence, her reasoning skills, her logic. I certainly never meant for you to drop her into the middle of the operation to be used as... as... as bait!"
In an attempt to calm him, Hermione ran her hand gently up and down his arm. "I want to help."
''She wants to help," parroted Severus.
"Damn it all to the ninth level of hell, I will not have it, Severus. I won't allow you to use her like this." Lucius pushed Hermione behind him protectively as he gave Severus a threatening glare.
Indignant, Hermione clawed her way back out from behind him. Hands on her hips she faced him, fire flashing in her eyes. "Allow? You won't allow it? You do not own me Lucius Malfoy. I am not a possession. I am a living, breathing, thinking woman. You don't get to make decisions for me. If I choose to do this, there is nothing you can do to stop me."
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Severus lowered his head and made a low groaning noise in his throat.
Lucius turned Hermione toward him, trying to explain. "Sweetheart, it's not like that. Of course you aren't a possession, but I don't want you hurt. This is dangerous business."
"And do you think I've never dealt with danger before? Is your memory that short? Do you think I'm some prissy miss who needs to coddled and locked away for her own good? Because if that's your opinion of me then you'd better rethink it right now, mister."
The last seven words were each emphasized with a hard poke of her index finger into Lucius' sternum, causing him to step back and rub at his now sore chest. He was sure there would be a bruise there tomorrow. "Hermione, please try to understand how I feel. This could be the very man who murdered Narcissa. I couldn't bear it if you became his victim as well."
"Oh, Lucius, don't be ridiculous, that's not going to happen, not with you and Severus both there." Seeing the doubt in his eyes, she leaned in to brush a kiss on his cheek, then she pulled back to look up into his eyes. "This is important to you... to both of you," she added glancing at Severus. "It's important to me too, because of that. But it's not just that, these people need to be stopped. We thought the battle was over when we defeated Voldemort..." Both men winced at her easy use of the Dark Lord's name. "... that we'd won. But we haven't, not if the core of his followers continue on. We need to finish this once and for all."
Lucius made a growling noise as he pulled her to him, embracing her tightly. "You aren't going to give way on this, are you?"
Hermione shook her head. "No, I'm not. My mind is made up."
He pushed her away to shake her lightly, his hands clasped on her upper arms. "Gods be damned, woman... Alright, we'll do it. But I swear to Salazar if anything happens to you..."
"It won't," she assured him. Turning to Severus she asked, "What's the plan?"
The next three days flew by in a flurry of activity and preparation.
According to Severus' sources, the auction at the Astin estate was key. The Ministry believed that some kind of magical artifact was hidden there that their target was desperate to get his hands on. This was why Lucius had been sent in the first place, to try to locate it prior to the auction. Unfortunately his encounter with Hermione had cut short his search.
They speculated as to what it might be. Lucius actually felt a little ill when Hermione voiced her fear that it might be an undiscovered Horcrux of Voldemort's. Severus looked uneasy at the thought as well, but told them that the Unspeakables had already considered and discarded that theory. Their belief was that the leader of the group planned to use the artifact in a bid to gain power. Whatever it turned out to be, it was important that they get to it first.
Hermione initiated contact with Mr. Linton in an attempt to gain access to the mansion again before the auction. The man remained annoyingly steadfast that he couldn't allow her in again, claiming it would be unfair to the other buyers and might jeopardize his job. After several long involved telephone conversations, Hermione agreed to meet him for drinks at the pub.
There, after a very long evening of working hard to evade Linton's wandering hands and lewd suggestions, they finally came to an agreement. Hermione would have dinner with him after the auction (subtle hints of more intimate activities to follow were included), and he would allow her access two hours before the general public was admitted. He'd then added, however, that he would have to grant the same offer to the other early buyers too. He evidently expected her to object, but in fact this played right into Hermione's plan, as it would allow Lucius access as well. She simply smiled and then, in a flash of inspiration, fabricated an influential buyer who was interested in accompanying her. She pointed out, pouting prettily, that since he wasn't really giving her any special consideration by letting her in with all the other early buyers, he should allow her to bring her anonymous benefactor as compensation. Linton was irritated, but in the end agreed.
Severus could now come with her in one of the many disguises he used for his Obsidian Black persona. He had become rather a master of disguise as he preferred not to rely on polyjuice due to its tendency to wear off at the most inappropriate times.
The three of them spent the night before the auction reviewing the plans for the following day.
Lucius couldn't help but notice his friend's uneasiness. Severus paced constantly as he doggedly drilled them both, but especially Hermione, over and over on her role. He seemed more agitated than Lucius could recall since the final days of the Dark Lord's reign. Observing surreptitiously, Lucius noticed Severus had, more than once, glanced at Hermione worriedly. Did he think she couldn't handle the assignment? Was there something else going on? Did Severus know something he wasn't telling them? Severus' unease was rubbing off on Lucius and he was just about to confront him when Severus announced they were done for the night.
"I have some things of my own I need to take care of tonight. I will meet you here in the morning before we leave for the Astin estate," said Severus. Donning his cloak, he started for the door.
"Goodnight, Severus," called Hermione.
He hesitated at the door, his hand on the knob. Lucius thought he would leave without responding, but instead he turned and gazed seriously at Hermione. "Granger... Remember this, you must be on your guard at all times. History has proven that even monarchs have at times betrayed their own followers in order to achieve their ends, whatever the cost. Trust no one. I mean that, Hermione. Do you understand me? No one."
Hermione stared at him for a moment before her eyes widened in comprehension. She nodded slowly. "I think I do understand, Severus. It's rather like another cunning despot I once knew, who believed that serving the greater good permitted him to employ any means at his disposal to reach the end result, no matter who was hurt in the process. Don't worry about me, I've been well trained by the best in constant vigilance."
He whirled about and closed the door silently behind him, disappearing into the night.
Hermione shivered as a blast of cold air swept through the room and Lucius put his arm around her drawing her close. "What did he mean by that?"
"I'm not positive, but I believe the comment about monarchs was a reference to Kingsley. I think he was trying to tell us something without triggering the Vow. I think he might have been trying to say that Kingsley is using us to achieve his own ends, and perhaps, is even willing to sacrifice us to get what he wants."
Hermione wrapped him in a hug and held on to him tightly for a minute. "I can't think about all this anymore tonight. I'm exhausted, let's go get some rest," she said as she tugged him toward the bedroom.
Lucius made slow tender love to Hermione and held her close until she fell asleep. Sleep eluded him though, as he lay beside her staring up at the ceiling. Something about Severus' words niggled at the back of his brain. Just as he started to drift off a horrifying thought popped into his head and he bolted upright.
Hermione started and murmured, "What's wrong?"
"Shh... nothing... a dream. Go back to sleep, love. I'm going to the loo."
He waited cautiously for a moment as she rolled over and snuggled back down. When he was sure she was asleep, he headed to the lounge and knelt before the Floo.
Lucius stood outside the door of the Astin Estate. Severus and Hermione had left the cottage about ten minutes earlier and should be inside by now. He pushed the door open and stood for a moment longer than necessary as he muttered, "You know what you have to do." He prayed that he was wrong in his suspicions as he entered the house.
Lucius wandered from room to room, quietly casting Revealing Spells designed to identify Dark Artifacts. He'd been searching for close to an hour and thus far he'd found nothing and the minutes were ticking by much too quickly. He was about to head down the hallway leading to the rear of the house when he saw Linton directing Hermione and Severus to the first floor library. Deciding to follow them, he headed up the stairs.
"If you and your client are interested in items similar to what you found in the attic, Miss Granger, all of the stored boxes have now been moved to the library."
"Thank you, Mr. Linton. This is exactly the sort of thing that Mr. Raven is looking for," replied Hermione. Looping Severus' arm in hers, she led him to the boxes stacked on the library tables.
Linton's gaze followed her and Lucius was surprised to see pure hatred shining in his eyes. Not exactly the sort of look a man gives a woman he's planning to bed later.
Linton noticed him and immediately his mask fell into place. He greeted him with a false smile."Mr. Buonafede, I'm so glad you could join us again. Let me direct you to some articles downstairs I'm sure you'll be interested in."
"Thank you, Linton, but I believe I've spotted a couple of things in here I'd like to check out first." Lucius began to wander nonchalantly around the room, examining various items. He needed to talk to Severus. "I could use a distraction, just about now," he mumbled to himself.
A moment later he heard Linton swear under his breath before sneezing loudly. "How did that bloody cat get in here?" he shouted.
Lucius turned to see the cat in question dash into the adjoining room. "Perhaps it belongs to the owners," he offered.
"The owners are not living here; the house is empty. That cat does not belong here, and I am terribly allergic," Linton complained as he sneezed again and went in pursuit of the animal.
Lucius edged close enough to Severus and Hermione to speak quietly while pretending to look at some bric-a-brac in the cabinet behind them. "I haven't found any magical artifacts at all, much less any Dark ones. Are your sources sure it is here?"
Severus turned and took the ugly little elephant figurine from Lucius' hand, pretending to examine it closely. "They seemed sure it was here somewhere, just not what it was exactly. I'm beginning to believe that Linton is not just an innocent Muggle being duped. I think he's involved; maybe with the proper persuasion he will reveal the ringleader."
"He is not what he seems, I can tell you that much," Lucius replied, keeping his voice low. "When I entered the room he was staring at Hermione with such hatred I'm surprised her hair didn't burst into flames."
Lucius turned to smile at Hermione but there was no one there. "Fuck! Where in hell did she go? She was right here a few seconds ago."
Severus looked around the room, then stepped to the doorway and checked in the hallway. "No one out here."
Lucius walked to the next room where Linton had gone after the cat, but it was empty too. "Not here either but it leads on to a couple more rooms. Perhaps she followed Linton."
"Damn stubborn little witch. I specifically told her to remain in the presence of at least one of us at all times," ranted Severus. He turned on Lucius, "And you! You swore you'd choose her over the mission. I expected you to take her and run last night. I was sure you'd be gone when I arrived at the cottage this morning. Why didn't you run, Lucius?"
Lucius grimaced. "I'm a Slytherin. I've always dealt with Slytherins. It hadn't occurred to me I was dealing with a Gryffindor. You heard her, she wouldn't have run no matter what I said."
Severus snorted. "Well, you can always count on Gryffs to bugger up a well laid plan," he muttered.
Lucius studied his oldest friend closely. "Severus, Hermione interpreted your warning last night as a reference to Kingsley. But it occurred to me that Kings are not the only monarchs... Princes are too. Tell me the truth now. Have you betrayed us, my friend?"
Severus slumped and shook his head. "Not in the way you are thinking. But when she learns the truth, I am sure she will perceive it as a betrayal of the worst kind," he stated cryptically.
Just then they heard shouts and hexes being cast. Both men drew their wands and ran through the series of rooms bursting into the hallway at the end. There near the top of the stairway to the next level, Linton held Hermione in front of him as a shield while throwing hexes at two unknown wizards at the bottom of the steps. With a final blasting hex, Linton disappeared down a corridor, dragging Hermione with him.
Severus ran forward. "Halt! I am Agent Black from the Department of Mysteries, identify yourselves."
Both men turned to stare at Severus. Neither one was anyone he recognized.
"Oi, brother. Obsidian Black is really Snape. He's not dead. You owe me ten galleons."
"He doesn't look like Snape," replied the other, skeptically.
"Yeah, well we don't look like us either. He's in disguise, you idiot. If that wasn't Snape's voice, I'll eat one of my own skiving snackboxes."
"Weasley!" Severus exclaimed. "Even worse, two Weasleys. Why are you here?"
"Never mind them," said Lucius. "We need to get to Hermione."
"And that's Malfoy," one of them said.
"Yeah, and he's not dead either."
"And in disguise too. I feel like I'm at a bloody masquerade or something."
"Shut up!" shouted Lucius. "We need to find Hermione!"
"Hermione's alright. She knows how to take care of herself," offered one of the Weasleys.
"ARRGGHH!" screamed Lucius as he finally lost patience, pushed them aside, and raced up the stairs.
"He's a lil' high strung isn't he?"
"Never mind. You can explain what you're doing here later. Come along if you're going to help," said Severus as he followed Lucius up the stairs.
The trail was easy enough to follow as it was obvious Hermione hadn't gone quietly. Things were knocked over all along the way, chairs and tables tipped over, pictures askew, rugs dragged out of place. "That's my girl, don't make it easy for the bastard," murmured Lucius.
He slowed at the end of the corridor and peeked around just in time to see Linton heading up the very attic stairs where Lucius had discovered Hermione just a few days earlier. He considered trying to Apparate into the attic ahead of him but was unsure if there were wards in place to prevent such an action. He had a back-up plan in place and he was going to have count on it working.
Just as Lucius reached the base of the attic stairs Severus and Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum joined him. The Polyjuice had worn off and they were now revealed as the youngest Weasley, Ron, and his
brother, the joke shop owner, George.
Lucius whispered a brief explanation of the situation and received in return a report from the two Weasleys that the rest of Linton's gang had already been rounded up downstairs. He started up the narrow stairs but had made it only halfway before a slicing curse barely missed the top of his head.
"Lu... Luke!" cried Hermione, remembering his alias at the last moment.
"Linton, you can't get out." Lucius called. "Your accomplices have all been taken into custody. Let Miss Granger go and take us to the ringleader of your group, and the Ministry might go easy on you."
Linton cackled madly. "You still don't get it, you stupid arse. I am the head of this group and have been for the past seven years."
Lucius pushed a shielding spell out in front of him and eased a few steps closer. "Who are you really?"
he asked his eyes glued to Linton's face.
The man's eyes widened in disbelief as he finally got a good look at Lucius' face. "Well, fuck me sideways. Lucius Malfoy. Why did I not see it before? You were hiding right in plain sight and I didn't even recognize you, old friend."
"You were never my friend, Macnair," sneered Lucius coldly, recognizing the voice of the executioner.
Severus appeared beside Lucius, still in disguise. "I represent the Ministry of Magic. Let Miss Granger go. If you tell us what the artifact is you were trying to find here, it might be taken into consideration when your case comes before the Wizengamot."
"Artifact? Now what are you goin' on about? I don't know anything about any artifact." Macnair actually looked confused; he appeared to genuinely have no idea what Severus was talking about.
"Our information is that you were seeking something here at this estate, an object or treasure that would lead you to great power."
Macnair's arm tightened around Hermione's throat. He laughed out loud. "I got the treasure I was looking for right here for all the fucking good it did me. Malfoy here got to her before me, so I couldn't take advantage of the plan."
Lucius was now the one who looked confused. "What are you talking about Macnair?"
"Granger, here. She was the treasure. My key to power. I sent her up here knowing she'd be going through those boxes of books and whoops! just so happens one of them books was conveniently covered by a Compulsion Charm. ZAP! Granger triggers the charm, then I show up as Linton, as soon as I touch her, the charm gets coded to me and she's all mine. Hermione Granger, the wizarding world's golden girl. She would have become besotted with me and could have got me get anything I wanted, even to be named Minister of Magic in the next election. She had the influence to do it too. A silent coup. The Ministry taken over from the inside out. But you went and ruined it, Malfoy, by wandering up here before me. The charm locked onto you instead, didn't it? I'll bet you've enjoyed yourself for the last few days, 'ey old man?" he said with a lascivious grin and a wink.
Hermione's eyes got huge and she shook her head. "No, that's not true. That's not true at all." She struggled against her captor but he jammed his wand against her throat and she froze.
"By Merlin's mercy, end this now!" ordered Lucius.
"Expelliarmus! Incarcerus!" The spells flew at the same time from two different directions. Harry Potter appeared from under his invisibility cloak and Minerva McGonagall came out from the shadows transfigured from her Animagus form.
"Potter! Minerva!" exclaimed Severus in shock. He turned to Lucius. "What are they doing here?"
"Potter's here at my request," Lucius said sharply. "After realizing your cryptic warning had more than one possible interpretation, I decided to hedge my bets and call in help, someone whose sole concern was Hermione and not this bloody mission. Potter arranged for the others, I had no idea who he was bringing."
Harry pulled Hermione away from Linton/Macnair, but her focus was on Severus.
"It isn't true. Tell him, Severus."
"Severus!" gasped Macnair from his bonds. "You're supposed to be dead too."
"Sorry to disappoint you, Macnair," responded Severus, dropping his glamour.
Hermione ignored the exchange, her attention still focused entirely on Severus. "Tell him, Severus," she repeated, her voice shaking. "There was no charm, no curse, no Dark Magic, you said so yourself."
"Oh, but there was girlie. I checked the book myself afterward. The charm was triggered, that's for damn sure," said Macnair with a laugh.
"Tell him, Severus" she insisted. "Tell them what you told us. You said there were no charms involved."
The others in the attic watched in silence as the drama was enacted before them.
"Tell them, Severus," she pleaded.
"I didn't say that!" he practically shouted. "Think, Granger. Use that fucking memory you're so famous for and think about what I really said."
"Hermione, don't do this," begged Lucius. "None of this matters."
Ignoring him she closed her eyes and pictured the scene in her mind. Her voice quavered as she whispered the words that flashed through her head, "You said: 'Don't you two idiots think the very first thing I would have done upon finding you so disgustingly and uncharacteristically wrapped up in each other is to check for curses or charms?'" She opened her eyes and stared blankly at Severus. "But you never actually said that you did check, did you? And when I asked you if you were sure... You didn't say you were. You challenged me instead, asking me if I doubted your ability."
Her eyes shifted to Lucius. "It wasn't real," she said dully.
"Sweetheart, don't. It was real. It is."
"No. It wasn't." She turned back to Severus. "Why? Why lie to us?"
"I didn't lie," he said not meeting her eyes. "You just said so yourself. I never actually said I'd checked."
"It's a fucking lie by omission, Severus," she snapped, "and I want to know why. Lucius is your friend... I thought that... I helped you when you were in pain... I liked you... I thought I was your friend too... I wanted you to... Why would you do this? Look at me, damn you, and tell me why!"
His black eyes snapped up to meet hers. For a moment he looked as if he would break, but then he swallowed hard and spoke. His words were cold and clinical. "You were upset when you thought your feelings might be magically induced. I was sure you were going to leave and I couldn't let that happen. From what Lucius had told me before you dashed in to break us up that morning, I'd figured out that Linton wanted you. You were the key to unraveling it all, and I needed you to stay."
Hermione tore her eyes away to look at Lucius then back at Severus. A single tear slid down her cheek. "Did Lucius k...know? Was he part of your pl...plan?"
Severus' eyes flew wide when he realized what she was asking. "NO! Gods, no. He had no idea. He was just as thoroughly besotted as you were."
"Stop saying that," demanded Lucius. "It wasn't a charm. I know what I felt and it was bloody well real."
Ignoring Lucius' outburst, Severus continued, his voice softer now. "Granger... Hermione, please try to understand. For years we've been tracking this group, taking them out one by one. We were so close to finishing it. I didn't want you hurt, truly, but I couldn't just let you walk away. What real harm could it do to keep you and Lucius together for a few extra days? It was important."
"Important," she whispered. "Oh, I understand, Severus. I do. I think we had this conversation last night, about sacrificing the little people for the greater good, completing the mission whatever the cost. About hurting others with your lies and manipulations. I must say, you've become quite good at manipulation, Severus, but then we all know you learned from the very best."
Macnair laughed harshly. "Aww... Poor little Mudblood slut," he taunted. "Did you really think yourself in love with a Malfoy? Or that he'd fallen madly in love with a pitiful creature like you? Poor sad little whore."
Lucius didn't speak or even stop to think. His fist connected with Macnair's face and he felt the satisfying crunch of bone. He suddenly understood the appeal of using his fists like a Muggle, rather than his wand - in fact, it felt so good that he hit him again and again and once more. Before he could land number five the Weasleys both grabbed him and pulled him off.
"Can't say as I blame you, mate," Ron said. "But if you keep it up, he's going to be dead. Never thought I'd be saying this, but I'd hate to see you end up in Azkaban, and it'd be hard to plead self defense what with him all wrapped up in ropes."
Lucius struggled for a moment, consumed with fury, until he realized that Hermione had stepped between the Weasleys and his target. She took his hand and kissed his bruised knuckles then healed the abrasions with few whispered words and a wave of her wand. She kissed him softly on the mouth then stepped back. Tears now ran freely down her face.
"Hermione, no. Don't go. Don't you dare walk away from us. I'll swear by Merlin, or Zeus, or Christ, or Buddha, or any bloody deity you want me to swear on—what we have is real."
She shook her head sadly. "It's not. We just think it is."
Without another word she spun on her heel and Disapparated.
Lucius clenched his jaw and swallowed hard. He dashed away some stray moisture that seemed to have leaked from his eyes. After a minute he walked over to where Severus stood, looking as if he expected Lucius to pound on him like he had Macnair. Maybe he even hoped that he would. Instead Lucius addressed him directly, his voice as cold as ice. "I told you what would happen if you ruined this for me, Severus. I'm done. Done with you, done with this assignment, done with the Ministry. You were right, I should have taken her and run. I certainly don't need a friend who would betray me like this and there's no way I can ever work with you again."
"Lucius, wait. I know you feel like this now, but it really is the compulsion speaking. Once it wears off, or we find a way to reverse it, you'll realize that this is all for the best."
Lucius looked at Severus as if he were mad. "Have you not heard one bloody word I've said? Do I look stupid? There was no Compulsion Charm on me. For Macnair's plan to work the compulsion could only go one way. For what you suggest to be true, I would have had to trigger it on myself. For the feelings I have for her to be false, I would have had to have touched the book too. I never touched the blasted book, Severus. Whatever charm that idiot used wasn't what he thought it was. I suspect it was more than likely some sort of true love recognition spell. We were both saved by fate and pure dumb luck that day when the very first person Hermione came in contact with after triggering the charm was actually the one meant for her. Me."
Ignoring the shocked look on the faces around him, he turned to Potter, Minerva and the Weasleys. "Potter, thank you for taking my call for help to protect Hermione seriously. I am in your debt. If I can ever return the favor, don't hesitate to call on me. Minerva, gentlemen, your assistance has been crucial, I thank you very much." He left without another word.
Minerva glanced over to where Severus stood, looking so much like the very first time she'd ever seen him as an eleven year old boy, lost and alone. She walked up to him and simply wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. "Ach, Severus. Following in Albus' footsteps are ye? Have you learned nothing in all this time, my dear boy?"
TBC