Chapter Nine: You Find Milk, And I'll Find Flour

Severus stood in his office and surveyed his tired group of co-conspirators. He had just finished explaining to them his meeting with Potter and the information he'd learned about young Sirius. Ronald was pale, the news of his sister's death and the shock of his nephew's gift had drained all the color from his face. Neville was by his side, one hand braced on his lover's shoulder for support and his own face pale. Draco appeared unsurprised at the news, at least to a causal observer, but Severus had known his godson too long and could recognize the carefully concealed worry. James was huddled next to Remus, the boy practically burrowing into the werewolf's robes as he cried while the older man seemed to be at a complete loss for words. Hermione had not moved from her position leaning against the headmaster's desk.

"And that is all I know." Severus finished wearily before taking his seat behind the desk. The empty picture frames from which he'd banished the portraits before his tale seemed to mock him. "I've brought you all into the Fidelius, so we can discuss this information freely amongst ourselves but I need remind you that many of the portraits are free from such magics and we still do not know how much house-elves are affected by the spell. So discretion is best."

Remus was the first to break his silence. "Severus, are you sure Harry's correct? I've never even read of a child necromancer."

"Yes." James whispered, finally turning his head out from his professor's robes and taking a step away. "Siri can call people." The 14 year old looked relieved as the words he'd been spell bound not to say for so long tumbled from his lips. "It's been simply awful. Dad and Mum were so scared someone would find out and then Uncle Percy started coming around all the time. We were sure Siri would mess up and we didn't know what the Ministry would to do him - to us."

"They'd have locked him up." Neville whispered. "Such power in the hands of a child. They'd have taken him in an instant."

"They still will if we aren't careful." Ron whispered, his eyes drawn down to the still sleeping infant. "And what about Molly? How do we know she won't have the same gifts? She's only four months old. From what you said, Sirius didn't show any ability till he was almost one."

"I don't have it." James responded, his voice growing stronger. "I tried and tried and I can't do it. Dad and I thought that maybe if I could do it to, then I could help control Siri but no matter what we did, none of us could call anybody. Siri just thinks it and it happens."

"We have to keep them all away from Percy, that's for sure." Ron muttered. "No telling what he'll do if he had that kind of power at his disposal. He could make Siri call on anybody and get advice from the devil himself."

"I'd be more worried about what the kid could do with a little training." Draco interjected, his tone dark. "So far he's only called on spirits and spirits aren't much good for anything more than conversation. The true power of a necromancer lies in much darker magics. If Weasley gets his power hungry hands on that boy he could raise an army of inferi or use him to drive people's souls right out of their bodies creating living mindless slaves. Necromancy is essentially soul magic. That child is calling souls from the other side at a whim. Once he learns he can work just as well with souls on this side of the veil all hell could break lose."

"My nephew isn't some twisted dark wizard." Ron yelled, his face turning a startling shade of red. "Take that back!"

"But he's right." James' small voice interjected, a grim look on his face. "Siri's gift could be dangerous, especially if Uncle Percy starts manipulating him. There was a time last summer when Dad wouldn't let Siri out on his broom and he hurt dad. He didn't mean too, but he got mad and did something. I've never heard dad scream like that, not even when he gets cruciatus tremors." The assembled party shivered. They all knew how bad the long-term affects of cruciatus could be, most from personal experience. It was hard to imagine anything worse. "Siri stopped it right away and he cried for hours and promised he didn't mean it. But what would happen if he ever did it on purpose? Whatever it was."

"I think we all need to take a step back here." Hermione spoke softly but firmly and everyone turned to look at her. "Percy won't be our problem much longer. Harry will kill him." Ron started to object but Hermione glared at him and the redhead shut his mouth. "At this point we have no hope of stopping Percy's death - even if we wanted to stop it. Harry will not allow this threat to his family to remain. Do not forget who we are dealing with here. He's been trained by the best his entire life for one purpose - to kill. While I'm sure Dumbledore didn't mean for him to continue in that purpose after Voldemort's death, never the less, Harry's more than capable of the act."

"So what do you propose we do?" Remus asked. "Just sit back and wait for Harry to throw his life away?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "He's willing to sacrifice his life and liberty to protect his children. I do believe everyone here remembers that this is precisely what his parents are lauded as heroes for doing. Perhaps grand gestures of stupidity are genetic." Remus started to argue but James put a calming hand on his arm and Hermione continued. "I believe you are concentrating on the wrong part of this problem. Percy will soon be eliminated. Which means the direct threat to Sirius Potter will be over. That leaves us with several other more complicated problems."

Hermione sighed and looked around the assembled party. "We have to find a way to make sure that Harry doesn't get Kissed for his trouble. After that, we need to find a way to make sure the Wizengamot finds him not guilty or at least justified in his killing of Percy, Ginny, and the two aurors without the truth about Sirius coming to light. We also need to get the Ministry to drop all charges against James. At that point we need to figure out a long-term solution to Sirius' gifts. So no, Remus, I do not suggest we sit around and wait. We have more then enough to keep us busy."

"In the case of Ginerva we can argue that it was assisted suicide for which the pentalty is only a year. The aurors were attempting to carry out an illegal order, so self-defense is a possibility. But Potter isn't cleaver enough to make Percy's death look accidental." Snape interjected darkly. "He's going to do it publically. He's prepared to call him out in a duel."

"Perfect." Draco's eyes lit up and he moved forward eagerly. "Can you get a message to him? Anyone?" Draco looked around the room. James slowly nodded.

"He...dad made sure I could call a Patronus when I was still in first year. In case I ever needed to get a message to him. Wherever he's hiding he won't block a message from me."

"Good." Draco nodded once and pulled out his wand. He waved it at the wall and a large complicated graph took up the blank space. "There are several provisions to the wizarding code that were put in as a sort of safe guard by the oldest of the pureblood families. While we didn't want just anyone starting a duel in the streets, those of us from the old lines wanted to make sure that if we had cause there was still a way to see to matters of honor." Draco pointed at a section of the chart dealing with duels and the view zoomed in to show the text. "Right here, paragraph four, subsection B 2138. 'A wizard may challenge when the issue at hand is of internal familiar nature, whereas both wizards are bound by the edict of their traditional Houses, to seek just remuneration within a call to wand - if, and only if, the matter cannot be resolved by any other means and both wizards consent to the public airing of grievances and the challenge be held to account by a panel of elders called to the stones, as is the way of our peoples since before memory."

"There hasn't been an elder panel in three hundred years." Ron scuffed. "Nobody bothers with that sort of thing now a days."

"Wrong." Draco smirked. "Father was called to a panel of the Malfoy line right before the Dark Lord's body was returned. My great Uncle Barthelme didn't like father's involvement with 'the upstart halfblood'. The panel ordered father to stand down. If it wasn't for the Dark Lord regaining his physical form and taking refuge at the manor, the family would likely have killed father for his disobedience. As it was, they couldn't get to him. But they did seize nearly all his out of country property and froze his accounts. The Dark Lord was furious but since the majority of the family is not located in Britain, there was precious little the bastard could do. He'd planed on killing them all, of course, when he gained world power but thanks to Potter that never happened. And after father's death, they returned everything that belonged to the British part of the line to my control."

"But Harry doesn't have any family left. There's no Potter panel to call." Ron shook his head. "So how does this help?"

"Not a Potter panel, you idiot." Draco scowled. "In this case, a panel of elders would be called from all the 'traditional' Houses to meet at the council stones. While the Potter line is one, so are the Black, Malfoy, Dumbledore, Weasley, Lestrange, Longbottom, and Gaunt lines, to name a few. The panel would, according to tradition, be the eldest living male member from each of the available lines."

"I thought the Wizengamot was meant to replace the panel?" Neville asked softly. "Gran talked about them and how they used to be called every now and then when she was a girl. She said the Wizengamot was an improvement since witches were allowed."

"No doubt it is." Hermione interjected, a dark grin taking over. "But in this case, we need the old ways. What pureblood would tolerate another wizard interfering with their wife's death, demanding custody of their children, threatening their family? This may all have been technically legal based on whatever hogwash he got passed since taking office, but Percy crossed about every naughty line there is for old-school purebloods."

"Exactly." Draco smirked. "Now, most of these families have no great love for Potter, but the people we are talking about are the family elders. Voldemort NEVER converted any of them to his cause. His followers were always younger, and usually from off branches of the families or at least the younger second sons."

"Are you saying you are from an 'off branch', Malfoy?" Ron chuckled darkly. "I should have known."

Draco sneered. "Yes, Weasley, I am from a side branch of the family. I head the British portion of the Malfoy legacy, which is the smallest of the European contingents, and only one of nine in total. And yet, somehow, I'm still richer, better connected, and more influential then you. Go figure."

"Boys," Hermione warned as Ron started to get out of his seat. "Fight later. Right now, we need to make sure that Harry does this by the book so that when we do call this panel they side with him." Hermione turned to Draco. "Do you know all the details?" He nodded. "Good. Give them to James so he can send a patronus to Harry." Hermione turned to look at Ron. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but your father is the oldest living Weasley left isn't he?"

"Yes. The family's been so active in the last few wars that I'm afraid we lost everyone else." Ron sighed heavily. "You want me to warn dad."

"I want you to prepare him for this possibility." Hermione frowned deeply. "He'll want to try and protect Percy but you've got to get him on our side before Harry makes a move. Arthur won't be in any condition to listen to us after Harry acts."

She turned to Neville. "Who is the oldest living male in your line?"

"My great-great-great Uncle William. He lives in Dorchester." Neville stood up straight. "I'll go talk to him. He's friendly with most of the old crowd from the other families. If we can get him in line with us, he'll bring in the Notts, Shacklebolts, and what's left of the Princes."

At the mention of his mother's family Snape scowled. "Good luck. My great-grandfather hasn't left his bedroom in close to 80 years unless it meant a chance to scream at my mother or I."

"Tell him Severus will be there if it'll motivate him. He can yell at him all he likes after the panel." Hermione smirked at Severus' glare. "Do we have any contact with the remaining Black line?"

Remus frowned. "As far as I know, that would actually be Harry. Sirius was the last male of the direct line. Upon his death lordship transferred to the blood relative of his choice. Since Magnus Potter married Mortisha Black, Harry's great-grandparents, he counted. Sirius left him the entire Black line. That was one of the reasons they named Siri after him. James will inherent the Potter legacy at Harry's death and Siri will get the Black as soon as he's of age."

"Does that mean Harry gets two votes? One for the Potter line and one for the Black?" Ron questioned.

"Yes, but that might not work in our favor. Potter isn't the only one to carry multiple legacies. Someone else on the other side may as well." Draco sighed. "Now, I need to draft a message to scar head. Those of you with old guard connections go gather the troops. As the only British Malfoy left, we needn't worry about mine. These elder panels are geographic in nature so I can attend and see to the Malfoy line. There are about twenty-five to forty elders total at any given time, the number can fluctuate in situations just like the Potter/Black where legacies are temporarily combined. If we can get a solid 13 or so votes on our side we shouldn't have a problem since numbers are at the lowest in recorded history. If we can deliver Neville's uncle and Severus' great-grandfather that would give us five already. I'd like to have the Weasley vote but I realize that the best we can probably hope for is to have Arthur abstain."

"Remus, can you stay with the children?" Severus asked softly. "I must speak with Great-Grandfather alone."

"Certainly." The werewolf looked down at the sleeping baby. "Do you want me to move them somewhere? We can't exactly have them camped out in your office."

"Do you think the Room of Requirement is secure enough?" Hermione hesitated as she asked. "Too many people know about it for my taste but where else can we hide them?"

"What about the chamber?" Ron piped up. "Only a parselmouth can get in."

"Weasley, we don't have a Parselmouth." Draco sneered.

"Uhm..." James meekly raised his hand.

Severus sighed. "Bloody fantastic. One son talks to snakes and the other one calls the dead. And the Potters are supposed to be a light family. We've never had this much trouble from Slytherins."

Ron smirked. "Oh come on, Severus. You never knew James was a parselmouth? All that time he spends up here with you and he never mentioned it?"

"I don't exactly advertise it, Uncle Ron. Too many people still think it's dark. And Uncle Percy was very upset when he found out. I figured it was safer to hide it while I was at school."

"Well I can't think of a more secure location." Hermione shrugged. "Remus, take the three of them down there and see if you can get one of the bonded elves to act as a food curiour. I'm sure they can get through the enchantments if they wanted to. And if they are bonded to the school they can't violate the will of the headmaster."

"What happened to evlish rights?" Neville asked.

Hermione shrugged. "I'm practical. They are not yet free so we might as well take advantage of the situation. Although I'd prefer if you took volunteers."

"We'll meet back here in four hours." Severus ordered. "We don't have time for niceties. Longbotton, get to your uncle and have him press his contacts. I'll deal with my great-grandfather. Weasley see to your father, and Draco do what you can with the rest. We'll take a count when we meet back here."

"Get going, Severus." Draco frowned. "I have to finish drafting the message to Potter. As soon as I'm done Lupin can take the children to the chamber and I'll get a move on with the Slytherin families. If you can get Lord Prince to bring the Parkinson's along I would appreciate it. They won't react well to me since I dissolved the marriage contract with Pansy."

And with that everyone split off to see to their own assignments which left Hermione with little to do but wait. Draco's message to Harry was simple. Call out Percy in public and make sure to announce, loudly, his "crimes" against the House of Potter stating very clearly that this was a matter of wizarding honor and House autonomy. Said along with the traditional latin spell phrasing Draco had James include, Harry could safely and legally call him out. If Percy refused, or did not show, the old houses would denounce him for not seeing to a matter of honor. And the general public would follow suit.

Ron was the first one back to the offices. As the youngest son of the Weasley line, he was not in a position to rally any of the other great houses to Harry's side. His only job was to keep Arthur from siding with his own son. Ron nodded, his face pale as he took up his seat next to Hermione on the couch. "Dad's devastated," he whispered. "But he knows Percy's after the kids and he won't stand for it. When I told him what Percy did, keeping Ginny here and in pain, he said he'd vote with Harry." Ron looked down at the carpet. "he said to tell Harry he'd have done the same thing if it had been him. I didn't tell him exactly what's planned but I think he knows. I've never seen dad cry before."

Neville returned next with his uncle's pledge. "He also contacted the Urquarts, the Macmillians, and the Selwyns but didn't get through right away. The Shacklebolts are already in and so are the Notts. He's trying to reach the last of the Dumbledore line, but apparently they've gone pretty far underground ever since the Headmaster took out Grindewald. And the MacDougals are refusing to have anything to do with "English" problems. I don't think they've quite forgiven Snape for what happened with Minerva."

Hermione snorted. "Well, at least they won't be showing up and voting against us."

Draco returned next, an evil smirk on his face. "Gaunt's with us, as are the Peverell and Prewett lines. Greengrass is still up in the air. Auntie Mauve was home but Uncle Horace was apparently out on a hunting trip. She's going to try and reach him before the meeting call."

"I thought the Peverell name had died out?" Hermione questioned.

"It did. But remember, the legacies can be held in holding." Draco smirked. "The Gaunt, Peverell, and Prewett lines are all held by the same heir, waiting for sons to take over. I had to dig through Auntie Mauve's attic to find the tapestries and figure it out. There wasn't a paper trail but once we had a good idea who it was it only took a quick spell to confirm it."

"And who, exactly, is the heir to three houses?" Ron asked.

Draco smirked. "Apparently I am. Imagine my surprise. And technically it's four, since I'm the head of the British branch of the Malfoys."

"And you didn't realize this before?" Neville shook his head.

Draco shrugged. "Auntie Mauve's the family historian. I thought it was cousin Willielm that had the Gaunt line, but apparently he's actually controlling the Selwyn line and your uncle had already reached him by the time I got a hold of him. And Victor's apparently got the Yaxley not the Rosier. I have to admit, I really haven't been paying that much attention. Father knew all of this inside and out but I never expected it to matter much. If I were to have enough sons to take the extra legacies, they'd get notified when they came of age. The advent of a legacy is hard to miss, but it can be difficult to tell how many you have. You can feel the magical binding take hold the instant you inherent or come of age, but since I was already expecting it, I didn't realize it was larger then normal. But I would have known something was up as soon as my younger son turned 17 since one of the lines would have instantly transferred."

"So can we count on the Selwyn and Rosiers?" Ron grouched.

"No. Willielm and Victor will go with Percy. They've got nice positions in his government. They won't want to risk those. Any word from Severus?"

Hermione shook her head no. "They don't get on well, but he knew he'd have a better chance with his great-grandfather if he went in person."

The tallies kept coming in for the next two hours. By the time the four hours were up the office was nearly full again. Severus was still missing and Lupin was staying with the children in the chamber. Hermione and Draco finished their calculations.

"I think we may make it." Draco scrutinized the board carefully. "For the most part I think we can at least guarantee that Weasley won't get a landslide. A lot of this will depend on how the duel goes. If Potter does shows well several will flip. I hate to say this, but often the vote goes with the victor unless somebody does something they don't like. Unfortunately Potter's not exactly an export on duel deportment. I'm concerned he might cause a few to side with Weasley based on a breach of etiquette more then the facts of the case."

"All of them will turn against him if he doesn't abide the rules." A raspy voice bellowed out from the back of the crowd. A path opened up through the room and Hermione turned to see an elderly wizard glaring at them from the doorway. The man's face bore the marks of a lifetime of scowls and his current expression made Snape's worst sneer look pleasant. He was leaning heavily on a large staff, the age of which and carvings clearly indicated that it was more then a mere walking stick. His skin was pulled tight and thin over his hands, the joints standing out in knobby lumps like cankers on a tree. His hair remaindered her of Dumbledore due to it's length, but there the comparison ended. Her old mentor's eyes had always contained a twinkle and the spark of life, but this elderly wizard's were such a piercing black it was difficult to meet his gaze. Severus stood behind what had to be his great-grandfather, his figure all the more imposing next to his feeble bodied family member.

Lord Prince moved forward into the room with careful steps, his balance clearly compromised. Despite this, his still sharp gaze sweep each of the rooms occupants in turn until they landed squarely on Hermione. Severus caught her eye over the mans back and gave a small nearly undetectable smile. Hermione raised an eyebrow and held out her hand. "Lord Prince, I presume? I am Hermione Granger."

"I know who you are, witch." The wizard growled out. "I may be weak bodied but my 375 years haven't dulled my whit or my eyesight. My great-great-grandson here tells me that you mean to call us to the stones."

"Well," Hermione sighed, "not I exactly. But we need to get a meeting called and Draco thought that if we gave some advanced notice it would help."

Prince snorted. "That Potter boy is good for nothing but trouble, but if what my boy here tells me is true, we can't let this matter stand unchallenged. Even the Minister of Magic has no business in a House's private affairs. If that witch wanted to die and her husband granted her wish, then we've no right to say yea or nay to it. And if Weasley thinks he can take the heirs to two great Houses away from their rightful guardian he's another thing coming. It would be well within even Malfoy's right to challenge him on the principle if nothing else."

Draco stepped forward and bowed. "Lord Prince, may we count on your vote then?"

"We will see." Prince settled himself down slowly in the chair that Ron conjured for him. "Severus here convinced me it was worth leaving my chambers to at least watch the spectacle if nothing else. So when's the duel?"

"We don't know yet." Neville walked forward and extended his hand and introduced himself before continuing. "Harry isn't exactly an expert on these things. Draco got a message to him about how to properly challenge Percy. I assume we will get word as soon as that happens."

Prince grunted. "What's the world come to that that boy is lord of two houses and doesn't even know how to call a duel? I tell you, Severus, it's a good thing I'm old. I don't want to watch what happens in the next 150 years." The elderly wizard turned his gaze back to Hermione. "That mudblood there is worth more then ninety percent of the purebloods I've come to know in the last few generations."

Hermione stiffened at the name and the elderly man chuckled. "Ah, missy, I mean no disrespect as such. Severus told me about you during the carriage ride back here. Said you were the only witch he respected – and how you'd taken over Slytherin for him. But that doesn't change your blood. The muggle born and muggle raised can never fully understand what it means to run a House."

"No, I can't." Hermione admitted, crossing her arms and glaring. "But I can still kick your ass."

"Hermione!" Neville's voice cracked. "This is Lord Prince!"

Hermione snorted and kept her eyes locked on the elderly wizard. "And I survived Lord Voldemort, Lord Malfoy, and around a dozen other 'Lords'. I have no reason to fear this one."

Prince chuckled. "I think I see why you like her, Severus. Reminds me of my third wife- all spit fire. If you breed with her it might be worth the weak blood to bring a little more spice back into the line."

Severus and Hermione's eyes snapped to one another. "If I were to ever become involved with Hermione," Severus said softly, "It would not be her blood I would be concerned about."

"Damn irresponsible of your mother marrying that Muggle." Lord Prince shook his head. "We've had our problems, you and I, but of all my potential heirs you are the only one that has ever stood up to me to my face. Now that Godfrey and Justinian are dead, I've a mind to leave the legacy to you."

Severus' eyes still hadn't left Hermione's. "I don't want it."

Lord Prince looked back and forth between the two slowly. "Neither did I." He chuckled darkly. "But that girl there might feel differently. You have no desire for power these days, Severus, but does the mudblood?"

"Stop calling her that." Ron bit out angrily. "And they aren't even dating so whatever perverse sex crazed pureblood nonsense is going through your head you can drop it."

"It's all right Ron." Hermione stated firmly. "We have more important things to worry about at the moment."

The words were no sooner out of her mouth then the fireplace flared and Arthur Weasley's head came through. "Ron, Harry's called out Percy." Arthur's sad expression and red eyes danced in the flames. "He caught him outside the Wizengumot not fifteen minutes ago. Percy tried to refuse but half the group had already been contacted by Malfoy or Longbottom. They are forcing the match in two hours and insuring Percy shows."

"Where?" Severus asked hastily, pen already poised over parchment.

"Percy refused to name a place so Harry set the duel for the Potter estate in Yorksire. I don't think anyone has been there since his grandparents died, but the dueling field behind the manor should still be in usable condition."

"Good choice." Prince nodded to himself. "Neutral ground even if it's in the boy's name. And there are a set of judgment stones on the edge of the manor heath. We can get this over with quickly."

Arthur looked pained as he nodded. "I have no intention of going to the duel…" his voice trialed off as he looked at Ron.

"I'll send you a Patronus as soon as it's over and you can apparate directly to the stones." Ron promised gently. "Just stay with mom."

"Two children dead in under 48 hours." Arthur's eyes misted over again. "I…" he shook his head, words inadequate for the situation. With one last long look at his son, Arthur turned and closed the floo connection.

Slowly the group filed out of the office, Lord Prince slowly leading the procession. For a man that never left the ancestral estate, he seemed more then willing to lead the ragtag group of younger wizards. The elder man kept up a rather harsh and judgmental tirade about the dearth of 'proper' education happening as he and Draco went over the basic rules for the coming duel and judgment with the others. Hermione and Severus hung back, listening to their voices fade as the group left the enchanted staircase and made their slow way down to the front gates.

"Hermione," Severus began, his eyes following his great-grandfather's retreating form.

"It's all right." She said quietly. "He's old and he wants to continue the line. I suppose if I had any family left they'd be asking for grandkids too."

"He had no right to talk to you that way." Severus turned slowly to look at her, his dark eyes burning with apology. "He may not have joined Voldemort, or condoned the actions of my youth, but he's always been a bigoted ass. He disowned mother when she married a muggle and if my cousins hadn't all died, turned out as squibs, or otherwise disappointed him he wouldn't be paying a bit of attention to me now."

"You are the youngest potion master in history." Hermione argued, smiling ruefully. "You are a hero of the last war, headmaster of Hogwarts, and an exceptionally powerful wizard. It would be difficult for any of your cousins to compete with that."

"Yet I do not carry the Prince name." Snape sighed. "As much as I wished to in my youth, I find now that the Princes are little better then the Snapes and I have no desire to accept their attentions this late in my life. A hateful muggle line or a hateful wizarding one – it seems the same no matter which direction I turn."

Hermione started to walk slowly down the front stairs and Snape trialed behind her. "Severus," she didn't turn around, and her voice was pitched so low it was nearly a whisper. "If, if you did decide that you wanted it, wanted to take up the legacy and give the line an heir…" she paused on the bottom step. "I might be willing to consider…" she took a steadying breath, "assisting you."

Severus' eyebrow quirked behind her back. "For the power?"

"What would I do with your power? I am already the smartest witch of my age and quite good with a wand. I don't need you for your family, or title, or magics." Hermione's voice held a distinct smug air. "Now, a good shag…" She trailed off and Severus couldn't help but laugh, the sound startling two students as they rushed passed on their way to the last class of the day.

"My dear, all you ever had to do was ask." He moved forward to stand by her side and gently reached out for her arm. Hermione looked up at him, a touch of apprehension in her eyes despite her flippant words. "I know I am no Boy Who Lived." Snape spoke softly, his free hand going to gently brush a strand of hair back from her face. "But I believe that we do seem to work well together. It would be imminently practical for both of us to find some relief of that kind together."

"I haven't…I'm not sure I can…" Hermione started to confess but shook her head and instead changed the subject. "We really don't have time to discuss this. We need to follow the others and make sure the dueling grounds are in order. I don't want Harry to lose at the stones because we didn't get the place weeded or something." She started to go forward but was stopped when Severus didn't move.

"Damn Potter." He stated gruffly. "I know you well enough that I don't have to ask whether or not you plan to go back to him now that she's dead. I know that ship sailed long ago. And I know what the war cost you and what Lucius put you through. I'm not asking you to become my damn brood mare or for us to start breaking in all the flat surfaces in the castle. But we are both lonely, girl, and I for one would not mind sharing my solitude with you. I've grown rather attached to your company, even if it's mostly platonic."

"And if, if I did want…" Hermione looked up at him, her normally cold eyes showing a depth of emotion he hadn't seen since Dumbledore's funeral.

"Again, all you have to do is ask." Severus leaned forward to rest his head against hers. "I have found it particularly difficult to turn down your requests for some time."

"Rather dangerous telling me that. What if I did decide I want the power?"

"Then I'd happily bump off the old man and take the damn legacy." Severus growled softly. "Say the word."

Hermione chuckled darkly. "I'm patient. He's old." She exhaled slowly, her breath tickling Severus' nose and if they hadn't been standing just outside the front doors he would have kissed her. As it was, there were several students already watching and they were late. Reluctantly he pulled back and they resumed their slow walk towards the apparition point.

The others were waiting for them near the front gate. No one asked why they took so long. Lord Prince's eyes seemed to weigh them for a long moment before he nodded solemnly and kept his peace. He instructed them to gather in a circle around him and for each one to take a firm hold of his arm or his shoulder. As the only one familiar with the old Potter estate he would have to direct their apparition but he would need them to start the process. There were far too many for him to side-along them all.

Hermione grasped the smooth wool of his black robes and held on as the world shifted.