Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, it is the property of the brilliant J.K Rowling. This story is the product of her marvellous characters and world and my imagination.

Any constructive criticism or reviews are extremely welcome, I adore feedback of any kind. Enjoy the chapter.

Three Lights Plot In The Darkness

"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well."

Josh Billings

"You two better cut that sappy crap out now," Rabastan told them with a smirk, "it's making me wish I had a woman."

Severus scowled as he looked up from Hermione, whom he had been kissing rather passionately a moment ago, "I am not sappy," he told his friend, "I have been called many things - dark, dangerous, terrifying, passionate even, but no one has ever used the word sappy in relation to me and I don't intend to let you start now."

Hermione placed a hand on his arm in a gentle manner while Rabastan sniggered, "sorry Severus, but Mia appears to have you well and truly wrapped around her little finger - you've only been official a week, though really you were dancing round the sexual tension for ages, I mean how oblivious can two overly intelligent people get. I'm telling you -"

"You aren't telling us anything Rabastan, you are shutting up before I hex you. Just because I've found the most marvellous girl doesn't mean I'm any different, nor does it mean I can't still have you begging for mercy in ten seconds flat."

Rabastan just snorted, "whatever you say Severus, now if you two don't mind we have work to be getting on with and while I am delighted that you are happy I am afraid that war waits for no one."

Rabastan sat down into between the couple because, as he put it, "I want to get some fucking work done and it's a little difficult when you're touching each other every five seconds."

Hermione looked vaguely shamefaced and apologetic, while Severus just shrugged and both picked up a book. They hadn't heard back from Kingsley yet on the progress Harry, Ron and the Order were making on destroying the Horcruxes but since neither Severus or Rabastan had heard anything from Voldemort, Hermione could assume that none of her friends had been hurt or captured. Though they were still not sure about the location of Ravenclaw's diadem, they had given information on the object to Kingsley for him to 'suggest' to the rest of the Order. It was now almost totally up to the rest of the Order to find and destroy Hufflepuff's cup, Ravenclaw's diadem and Nagini, though the last one would likely have to wait for the final battle.

Hermione was still researching possible witches or wizards with the initials of R.A.B to try and discern who had stolen the real locket Horcrux, but she was having little luck so far. Still, as Severus said, while she was desperate to help Harry they couldn't be expected to do all the work and the Order were by no means incapable, despite the fact that their skills tended to lay within the practical field rather than research.

Hermione couldn't help the fact that her gaze kept slipping from her books to Severus, honestly she couldn't. She was so new to the whole relationship experience - there had only ever been a brief relationship with Viktor - and she was certainly not used to the intense, passionate affair her relationship with Severus was turning into. She could remember that first kiss with him with amazing clarity and was certain it would be forever embedded in her mind. That kiss had been followed by many more before they had finally got down to actually talking about their newfound relationship.

They were both sitting in rather awkward silence, a state rather unusual for a witch who loved to talk (usually about a book, theory etc.) and a wizard who always had something snarky, sarcastic or mean to say. Their impromptu kissing session meant Hermione's shirt was rather ruffled, her hair a little wilder than normal and her lips slightly swollen from Severus' frantic kisses. Of course he looked just as tidy as he had when he entered the room and she was rather jealous that he'd managed to escape the physical proof of what they had just done.

Not that she regretted it - because she most certainly didn't - but it was a little annoying that he could remain so unruffled by something that had turned her into a wild woman.

They remained in silence a few minutes more, Hermione sinking deeper into the sofa in an attempt to disappear and escape the inevitable conversation, until finally Severus just rolled his eyes, "are we going to talk about this Hermione, or can I assume you believe that it was a mistake not to be repeated."

She shook her head frantically, "no, I don't think it's a mistake, honestly, I just …"

She broke off when she saw his smirk, "you tricked me," she said with a playfully accusatory tone.

He didn't deny it, "it seemed the best way to get you to speak, I am quite secure in your affection for me, since you did tell me, not to mention kiss me quite enthusiastically."

She almost laughed at what at first appeared to be cockiness, but was really just confidence - after all, what he had said was true and he had every right to be secure about her feelings for him.

"I guess we need to talk about what happened," she said to him, "but please don't say it was a mistake."

He laughed slightly, "I would never think it a mistake Hermione, I'm very glad we made our feelings known, my behaviour these past weeks hasn't been particularly nice, even by my own low standards, but hopefully I won't be like that as much, though I can't guarantee it of course."

She looked shyly at him, "so you do feel the same way."

He nodded, "of course, Hermione, did you not realise that when I kissed you - you are such an intriguing woman and I have not felt this way since Lily, in fact this may be a stronger love even than what I had for her. She will likely always hold a piece of my heart, for she was my best friend before a girl I loved, but I don't think I will ever love her the way I do you."

Hermione couldn't help the smile that blossomed on her face, he really did love her. It had been only a little while since she recognised her feelings for him, but she knew they had been building since she was placed in his rooms by Voldemort. She had always admired Severus, despite his 'interesting' teaching methods and the mask of hatred he put on for everyone but Slytherins.

Severus' voice broke her from her thoughts, "I believe we should pursue this relationship, though with all the issues we both have it is best to go slowly. Also, both of us, you especially, must be prepared for the distinct possibility that one or both of us will not make it through the war."

Hermione felt tears spring up in her eyes, she didn't want Severus to say such things, despite the fact that such a scenario was rather likely given his dangerous position as a spy and her status as the muggleborn best friend of Harry Potter.

He interpreted her worry correctly and wrapped his arms around her, a comforting gesture despite the fact that he seemed a little uncomfortable - he didn't really have opportunity or inclination to such a thing often, "do not worry Hermione, we will enjoy what time we do have and do our best to help bring down the Dark Lord. Whatever happens then, we must always remember our feelings."

Hermione nodded, gripping tightly onto his hand as if it were the only life raft in a sinking ship. They remained like that, just sitting, until Rabastan entered and teased them until they started some work.

Of course, even though they had only been together a short week, their time together wasn't always as peaceful as that evening. They seemed to argue every day, sometimes about the silliest things, but they were both stubborn, strong-willed people and so she expected that. All the stress they were under didn't help and she saw most of their arguments as ways to relieve such stress, not to mention the kissing was always much more passionate when they were making up from a disagreement.

She was also happy with the gentlemanly way in which Severus conducted himself. She knew men expected things from relationships, and she had thought it would be even stronger in a man of Severus' age - the prime age in wizarding years - but he did not pressure her about sex, in fact he had not yet mentioned it. She was rather pleased, Severus meant more to her in a romantic way than anyone ever had, but she had so little experience and she definitely wanted to wait a little longer before thinking about such things.

There were also bigger problems to deal with - their research needed to press on as much as possible and both Lucius and Draco Malfoy were quickly becoming issues. She shuddered a little as she remembered Severus' reaction to the scene with Lucius Malfoy when Rabastan had been watching over her. His eyes had been so terrifying and she had gone to her room, wandlessly soundproofing it as Severus worked out his anger by duelling with Rabastan, who in turn managed the difficult task of persuading Severus that he should not go and find Lucius in order to rip him into pieces for what he had done.

When Hermione had returned to the sitting room both Severus and Rabastan were sitting down rather calmly, though there was an aura of anger in the air that did not clear for a few hours. They explained that Lucius was to be left alone for the moment, though of course his actions were to be closely monitored - none of them wanted him anywhere near Hermione. Of course they couldn't be too obvious about it, that would cause suspicion, but Severus assured her that they would be going over some defensive magic in case she was ever caught unaware by the elder Malfoy.

The only real upside to what Hermione had jokingly termed the 'Bigoted Malfoy Debacle' was the protectiveness Severus had been exuding ever since. While she knew everyone in the Order cared very much about her, they all knew how powerful her magic and temper were and so they weren't often protective unless it was a dangerous situation. It was rather nice to have someone watching her back all the time, it made her feel safe, something that was very difficult since she was trapped in Voldemort's headquarters.

She had put the issue on the backburner for the moment though, while she knew there were many horrible things that Lucius Malfoy could do to her, she also knew that while she had a use - up until the final battle - then Voldemort would want her alive and none of his followers would go against him. There was no point wasting time panicking when she could be doing something much more useful like research - or kissing Severus, though she supposed in the grand scheme of thing that probably wasn't as important as saving the wizarding world.

Then there was Draco - he was a bit of an enigma to Hermione, he'd been so hateful at Hogwarts, but she thought only she, of the Golden Trio, had noticed the change in their sixth year. He still insulted them constantly, but it seemed half-hearted, like he was only doing it because it was habit and expected of him, not because he really wanted to. Not to mention how ill he looked, so tired and even paler than normal. She'd almost felt sorry for him, especially when she discovered he'd been told to kill Dumbledore and hadn't managed it. She wasn't really surprised, she doubted many who had been at the school with Dumbledore could have killed him unless they were truly hard of heart.

She had ascertained that Draco was likely doing what he did out of fear and she was sorry for it. He was so intelligent, one of the highest in the year, above many Ravenclaws, and yet she knew his father was constantly displeased because he came below her. It was such a shame, Draco could be a truly great person, after all he was a Slytherin and despite the bad reputation of the house not all the qualities were bad - there was nothing wrong with being able to play politics, to be sneaky and ambitious, as long as such traits weren't used badly. Severus and Rabastan were Slytherin to the core and yet they fought for the light, so she would help Draco if it was at all possible, help him try to escape his father's shadow and be his own man for once in his life.

She had not run into him since their conversation in the dungeon, she guessed he was being kept busy by his father and Voldemort, not to mention he believed Severus to be a true servant of Voldemort and likely didn't want to be seen to be nice, or even curious to Hermione. She knew that both Severus and Rabastan had been keeping tabs on him since she had shared the almost pleasant conversation they'd had while she was in one of the dungeon cells, but they had not mentioned him since and she didn't bring him up for fear of angering them.

Now they were finally sitting down to discuss what would be done about Draco and she was pleased that she was finally going to discover what Severus and Rabastan had ascertained from his behaviour. Currently, the two wizards appeared locked in a staring contest - the first time this had happened she had been rather concerned, thinking they were ill, but she soon discovered that knowing each other so well meant that, with a little help from legilimency and facial expressions, they could have an entire conversation without saying a word. It was damn annoying, but she knew it was a useful skill and so she tolerated it without complaint.

When the silence was finally broken she was pleased with the words spoken by Severus, "we have agreed to include Draco in our group, though we will only be divulging some of our secrets for the time being - he most certainly doesn't need to know everything."

She guessed she had to agree with that, despite the turnaround in loyalties that Draco must have experienced, it would take a hell of a lot more for him to be granted knowledge of Order secrets, especially such important things as the Horcruxes.

"We will of course divulge the fact that Rabastan and I are spies and ask him to spy alongside us - he could be especially useful in getting information on Lucius and any possible new recruits from Hogwarts. We will steer clear of any other Order business and ensure he keeps his mouth shut with a little spell of my own intervention."

Ah yes, the mysterious spell - Severus had spent hours over the past few weeks working on some project he would tell her nothing about and she was excited to finally find out what it was.

They waited for an evening where Voldemort was occupied elsewhere to invite Draco down. Severus had said that Draco had seemed nervous when the invitation was extended and this was apparently a good sign for them. He would be arriving momentarily, though he had no idea Rabastan would be present, nor that Hermione would actually be happy - as far as he was aware this was a little conversation with his godfather about how his work for Voldemort was going, nothing more.

Therefore he was rather surprised when, after knocking on the door and being let in by Severus, he found himself watching as Hermione and Rabastan debated the finer points of Polyjuice Potion and Hermione filled her laughing friend in on the trio's experience with the potion in second year. Severus had a slight frown, but it was barely noticeable with the look of pride he also wore - she might have stolen from him in only her second year, but she had successfully made Polyjuice Potion at age thirteen and he was more than impressed by such a feat.

Draco was looking between her, Severus and Rabastan with a rather confused look and if the topic they were about to discuss hadn't been so serious she probably would have started laughing.

Draco turned to Severus, "just for clarification Severus, Granger is sitting there laughing with Rabastan, is she not?"

Severus nodded with just a hint of a smirk, "yes Draco."

"Right, and she looks completely fine and not like someone who has been tortured or 'persuaded' in to helping the Dark Lord?"

"Correct Draco, anything else you'd like to ask?"

Draco just shook his head minutely and took a few steps forward before collapsing in a seat, eyes still darting between the other three people in the room as if he had no idea what was going on - Hermione guessed that if she was him she'd be confused too.

Severus sat down opposite Draco and Hermione settled down next to Rabastan to watch as the situation was explained to Draco. He had obviously realised at that point that it wasn't just a harmless conversation with his godfather, though she wondered whether Slytherins ever had any type of harmless conversation. Severus explained everything they had decided to tell Draco; the planning of Dumbledore's death, Severus and Rabastan's true loyalties, how they and Hermione had been working to bring down Voldemort and how Hermione helped them realise that Draco might be capable of leaving the dark for the light.

Draco took it all very well, or perhaps it was just his Slytherin ability to keep a cool façade despite the things he was told. He was surprised by the fact that Severus and Rabastan were spies, more so the latter. He said that Severus had always seemed slightly more humane than Rabastan and that he'd had a feeling he might be more loyal to Dumbledore than the death eaters believed. Draco said he was glad that they had approached him, glad that he had an opportunity to escape something he never really wanted to be a part of to begin with and that he would do what he could to help.

Hermione was beyond pleased that her instincts had been right about Draco and she felt a little bit like Dumbledore - saving the world one young soul at a time. It was a shame Dumbledore couldn't save Tom Riddle, maybe then they wouldn't be in the mess they were now. Still, she hoped they would be able to take him down once and for all, with another spy on their side they would have even more information and perhaps she wouldn't have to worry about Lucius Malfoy so much now Draco was watching him. He had been disgusted by what his father had done and implied, though he had known his father was a little obsessed he hadn't realised the extent and had informed Hermione that he would do his best to protect her from his psychotic father.

While Severus and Rabastan went over the spell that would ensure Draco's silence no matter what, Hermione dragged him to another corner of the room to talk. There was no casual small talk, that was more of a Hufflepuff trait, certainly not a Gryffindor one and Slytherins only ever initiated small talk if there was something in it for them.

"You're taking this remarkably well Draco," she said with smile, "many a wizard would have run screaming at the idea of betraying Voldemort."

Draco chuckled, "yes, well I never really wished to follow the Dark Lord and I would like a way to redeem my actions - on that note, why are you being so calm about this, I would have thought you'd fight Severus and Rabastan tooth and nail about me helping."

"Perhaps a few years ago I would have, but I noticed how sad and lonely you seemed in sixth year and then after the kind way you spoke to me in the dungeons I asked Severus and Rabastan to consider that you might be willing to turn to the light and help us."

He looked at her, a mixture of confusion, awe and happiness in his eyes, "you never cease to amaze me Granger, I would have never thought you'd be able to forgive me after everything I've done."

She just shrugged, "everyone deserves a second chance Draco, just like everyone deserves to have a true friend. We're going to be working together now so when its just us," she gestured to the two of them, along with Rabastan and Severus, "you can call me Hermione, or Mione - steer clear of Mia though, that's Rabastan's nickname for me and he's absurdly protective of it considering its just a name.""Thanks Gran - I mean Hermione, I see you're already using my first name so I don't need to ask you to.""Yes, well, I like to differentiate you from your bastard of a father - sorry if that offends you, but I really hate the man and he's more than a little creepy."

"It's ok, I know he isn't a nice person, but I'll be watching him to make sure you stay safe."

She nodded, smiling her thanks and he stuck his hand out as if to cement their friendship. She looked at it for a moment before rolling her eyes and hugging him, "no need to be so formal Draco, I'm sure we'll be working together a lot so we might as well be friends."

He smiled, the first genuine grin she'd ever seen on his face, and they rejoined the group as she held back the laughter bubbling on the surface as she saw Rabastan try to placate a jealous Severus.

The spell Severus performed on Draco was an amazing creation of his, though Hermione doubted it would be shared for a while, not until after the war at least. It used concepts from the Fidelius charm - any information that could cause the Order harm, help Voldemort or put any of the light in danger did not technically exist in Draco's mind. He would always know such information, would always be able to remember it, but it was locked away in his mind and only the caster of the spell - Severus in this case - could set the information free. Hermione found it rather funny, for Voldemort could search every inch of Draco's mind and find nothing incriminating despite the fact that Draco knew the information. Another safeguard was that Draco was unable to speak of the information he learnt except to Severus, Hermione, Rabastan and Kingsley (as a route to the Order if there was trouble).

The same spell had also been performed on Rabastan, since his occlumency skills were not up to the same level as Severus and Hermione. It wasn't painless, but Draco had endured many a Crucio and he was used to pain - the twinges he felt from Severus' spell being performed were nothing to the torture he had received at the hands of Voldemort and his father so he did not complain.

Hermione gave Severus a small smile when the spell was completed, which he returned with one of his own - she knew he was glad that Draco was on their side - the Veritaserum he had slipped in his drink made sure of that, though they wouldn't ever be informing Draco of that little fact - and she also knew he was relieved the spells were over and their secrets were safe, things were dangerous enough as it was without leaving even more ways for them to be discovered.

Draco didn't stay much longer, his father expected him back from 'tea' with Severus soon and there was no reason to make him suspicious so soon. He spent his final few minutes in Severus' rooms chatting to Rabastan about certain things he should keep a special eye out for when spying while Hermione and Severus spoke in low voices about the progress she had made that day on research - a breakthrough with the R.A.B mystery that she would share once Draco had left.

As he headed out of the door, after saying goodbye to each of them in turn, Draco looked at her, quirked his eyebrow in Severus' direction and smirked before disappearing into the corridor. She knew what he was saying - he knew about the relationship between Severus and herself. Stupid Slytherin observation skills - they hadn't been showcasing their relationship, but neither had they been hiding it so she had been unsure whether Draco would pick up on it - probably Severus' jealous behaviour that did it. She wouldn't worry though, Draco could be trusted and people would find out eventually, she was just glad his reaction had been positive rather than the negative she was likely to receive from some people.

They all sat down together once Draco left to discuss the Horcruxes - they did this every night, and many nights they went away from the conversation frustrated because they had not managed to learn anything truly useful that day. They knew the identity of all the Horcruxes, it was just a matter of finding them and they had to leave that up to the Order, something Severus was eternally unhappy about, since he was firmly of the belief that the majority of the Order were, "wand happy, incompetent fools who have no idea how to research and just want to blow everything up." He conceded that Minerva McGonagall, Remus and Kingsley were half-decent researchers and that the latter and Tonks were competent aurors, but that was about as far as he would go compliment wise.

"I believe I may have found R.A.B." she told them happily, unable to keep the excitement out of her voice with the possibility of finding the elusive wizard or witch who stole the real Horcrux and who might give a clue as to the whereabouts of Slytherin's locket.

Rabastan laughed at her enthusiasm and Severus leant forward, almost eagerly, "well Hermione," he drawled silkily, "don't keep us in suspense."

"Regulus Arcturus Black," she told them, "R.A.B - from the little Sirius and everyone else has said, he was a death eater but then got scared and tried to leave, which Voldemort - sorry the Dark Lord, would obviously never let happen."

Rabastan nodded, "it would fit, I remember Regulus, a few years below us, he wasn't a bad kid really, he'd idolised Sirius until they were put into separate houses. Whoever replaced the locket tried to destroy it, but perhaps they didn't have the chance - what do you think Severus?"

Severus nodded, "I believe Hermione may be right - I remember Regulus just days before he disappeared, he seemed edgy about something, perhaps he had found out a little about Horcruxes. Hermione said that Potter told her he went to a cave with Albus that had a lake of Inferi - Regulus' body was never discovered so it is possible he was dragged under, meaning he must have had found some help or the locket went down with him."

"Wait," said Hermione, "when we were cleaning out Grimmauld Place there was a locket somewhere, it had the emblem of Slytherin on. I don't know whether it got thrown away, or Mundungus stole it, but perhaps Kreacher took it for his hoard."

Severus nodded, before Rabastan gasped, "the house elf, their magic is different from ours, Regulus could have brought Kreacher with him and since the Dark Lord doesn't value what he considers lower beings the cave was probably not protected against house elf magic - Kreacher probably brought the locket back to Grimmauld Place."

Hermione was excited now, they finally seemed to have figured it out and she was glad that the hours of research had amounted to something other than a big disappointment. She remained quiet as Severus and Rabastan hashed out what they believed had happened and worked out what information to send Kingsley - he would be given the basics and have the task of attempting to bring it up to help the Order realise who R.A.B was. Hermione didn't think it would be difficult for them to bring it up, if someone could mention it to Sirius he should be able to put two and two together. She knew he would be reluctant to talk about his deceased brother, but he would also want to help in the quest to defeat Voldemort and so hopefully it shouldn't be long before they were questioning Kreacher and Mundungus or searching Grimmauld Place top to bottom.

Severus promised to send the information the next time he met with Kingsley and he also promised to pass on Hermione's best wishes and hopes to see the rest of the Order as soon as she could. He wasn't so happy about that part and she knew it was jealousy again, he was rather possessive, but she also knew he understood her desire to see her friends and was therefore passing on her greetings to the only member who knew the truth about her circumstances.

They remained quiet for the rest of the evening, engaging in conversation occasionally, but mostly stuck in their own thoughts. Hermione was contemplating how long it might be until she saw her friends again when Rabastan spoke, "don't you ever worry that we won't find a way to destroy the bastard. I mean we know what the Horcruxes are, but we don't know where they all are, not to mention how we're supposed to kill one of the most deadly wizards even when he is mortal once more - I don't know how Potter stands the pressure."

Hermione sighed, but her face contorted into determination, "I don't care what it takes, I will ensure Harry survives, that as many of my friends survive as possible - aut viam inveniam aut faciam," she said with a resolve of steel, "I will either find a way or make one - no matter what this war will end and He will fall."

Thanks to all those who reviewed the previous chapter, it was much appreciated; Artemis Decibal, LK-HoGwArTs-hEaDgIrL, J.R. Westmore, 2angelwings and Hermitt. Also thanks to Kermit 304 for the reviews of chapters 2 and 3.

In case any one didn't realise - aut viam inveniam aut faciam is Latin and the translation is Hermione's next words - I will either find a way or make one.

Next chapter, in which Lucius Malfoy comes further into play, will be up in about a week.