A/N: Thanks for the amazing reviews, PMS, and reads and favorites. Again, I am so lucky to be able to write for you guys and have you enjoy it! Now on to the story…

~o0o~

"Darling stay here," Sirius grumbled. His entire plan had gone to shit and he was not happy about having to leave his embrace with his lover to deal with a probably brooding Severus Snape in his drawing room.

"No!" Hermione answered immediately, tying the sash around her robe and desperately trying to fix her messy curls.

"You are indecent," Sirius snapped at her, feeling guilty for it immediately, but he was in a foul mood. Her eyes narrowed and he knew he had crossed his feisty little mistress immediately.

"First of all, let's not pretend he hasn't seen me in less," Hermione told him with a feigned aristocratic lilt to her voice in mocking of him, "And secondly, she's like a sister to me."

"You will not take 'no' for an answer, I'm assuming?"

She didn't reply, just walked over to where he was standing and slipped through the doorway before him, practically running down the stairs to get to Monsieur Snape.

"Is Dora alright?" Hermione asked, the entire pretext gone. It was all out in the open that Snape and Dora were lovers and by the strained look on his face -things were not alright in the least.

Severus Snape was like a black cloud perched in the wing-backed chair in the drawing room. His long fingers were tapping on the leather arm in a sporadic rhythm and his left foot was twitching uncomfortably. Although his face was stoic, his eyes betrayed him with nervousness.

Only when Sirius entered the room did Snape finally speak, "Control your pet…she'll be eaten alive in the world if she continues to speak out of turn."

This made Hermione angrier than before. Her heart was thrumming in her chest and she was already off-put by Sirius' sharp comment and now her boss'. She knew she had a nasty habit of talking out of turn and speaking her mind, but she felt that in a situation such as this-it was of utmost importance.

"How can you both be so calm?!" she nearly shrieked.

"Hermione, please…" Sirius put his hand in the air in an attempt to tell her to be quiet and she finally obeyed him, "Severus, please tell me what is so important?"

"I wouldn't have come to you if I knew what else to do, of that I assure you," Monsieur Snape began in his usual slow and icy drawl, "Nymphadora and I arranged to meet early this morning, but when she did not show I became suspicious and headed over to her apartment. I found the door ajar and the place empty. I know he has her."

"Who?" Hermione interjected.

"Riddle," was all Sirius managed to say and Snape nodded in agreement.

"I suspect he took her last night. Nymphadora has told me that Mr. Lupin has not been around much, so she was more than likely alone. I give it 24 hours at the most. She'll surely be dead after and I do not know what to do," Snape finished, his voice still monotone but his eyes helpless.

"Well, I do, unfortunately…" Sirius said after a moment, "Fuck, you both owe me…" he looked from Snape to Hermione and yelled out for Neville who came rushing into the drawing room and still could not meet Hermione's eyes.

"Longbottom, I need you to go up the street to Monsieur Riddle's house and inform his help that I insist we have drinks tonight. Be discreet and do not leave without confirmation. Do you understand?" Sirius asked and Neville was immediately out the door. Hermione had never seen the boy move so fast not Sirius speak to him in such a tone.

"And you," Sirius turned his fierce gaze back to Snape, "Come back at six o'clock sharp."

"Thank you," Snape said, and Hermione could tell it was the closest the man could come to sincerity with someone he clearly had embedded disdain for. In a mere moment, the back figure of Snape was out the door and all was quiet in the manor once again until Sirius let out a breathy sigh.

"Oh Hermione what am I going to do with you?" Sirius asked, more to himself than anything and Hermione stood rigidly in the drawing room, her black robe barely skimming the tops of her thighs.

"I'm sorry, I was out of line…" Hermione admitted. She had no idea if she was in trouble or not, as Sirius' eyes were cool and unreadable.

"Yes, you were," he said, "But I like that you were and I am not sure what to make of that."

Sirius Black had not had a woman question him or challenge him in a long time. Not since her. Or Cissy. He was not sure how to handle it. The women he had previously had as mistresses were docile and submissive; pretty but powerless and although he found them tiresome-he had only used them for one thing. What he was developing with Hermione was becoming too real too quickly. It was more of a relationship than an arrangement and he found himself wanting to help her in any way he could. He talked to her like an equal and she spoke likewise. And now he was beginning to realize that he could be making a mistake by getting too attached to her too quickly.

Hermione watched the man as he appeared lost in thought for a few moments before clearing her throat and venturing to speak, "Sir, if it is alright, I would really like to go and visit Harry…"

Sirius looked up at her with a raised eyebrow, "Well, if it is alright, I would really like it if you stayed here."

She frowned, "You told me I could see my friends whenever I wanted to, that I could go anywhere as long as I was faithful to you!"

She had raised her voice to him and she instantly recoiled as he took a few quick steps towards her. She is your lover not your partner, a voice chimed in his head that sounded nauseatingly like Lucius.

"Well I am starting to think you are just using me for a roof over your head and for answers to your friends' problems. Not because you actually want to be here with me," Sirius said harshly. It was his deepest insecurity that one day he would meet a woman that wouldn't fall for his charms and would want more. Hermione looked deeply affronted and he wanted to apologize and hold her and tell her that he was being unreasonable; but he couldn't.

"You think I'm here for money? Do you honestly think that I expected Monsieur Snape to come here this morning? You didn't have to help him. I wouldn't have expected you too!" she told him.

"Well, you hardly acted like you were upset about him barging in and interrupting us!"

"Oh, you've got to be joking…" Hermione put her hands up to her forehead, "Dora is a sister to me, excuse me if I was no longer in the mood when I thought she could be in trouble. You have no room to talk considering you left me in a horrible state last night…."

"You are my mistress and I can do what I want…" Sirius crossed his arms and pouted, looking like an oversized child and Hermione rolled her eyes; which she knew in any other position would have gotten her slapped across the face-but still she pushed her boundaries.

"You don't own me," she finished and huffed back up the staircase. Sirius sat down on one of the leather arm chairs in the drawing room and a few moments later, Hermione was back down the stairs in a cream colored dress that looked stunning against her brown curls, "I'll be back before 6," was all she said and walked out the door.

Sirius was floored. He had never, ever had a mistress defy him like that-to clearly go against his wishes and do it anyway because technically she was right, he did not own her.

"Monsieur Riddle said that he would very much like to have you over for supper and for drinks at half past six," Neville interrupted the older man's musings as he came back in looking paler than usual.

~o0o~

"Harry, it's so good to see you," Hermione embraced her dark-haired friend in a hug when he answered the door to his small and shabby apartment not far from her old place. He looked worried.

"I heard about Dora," he said softly.

"Mr. Black is taking care of it. I am sure she will be fine. Listen, can you take me to your studio?"

"Hermione, why on earth would you want to go there?" Harry asked as Ronald came to the doorway, his mouth half-full of lunch which he swallowed down quickly.

"Hermione, how are you? You look…." Ron started, seemingly amazed at her. She did look out of place, in a near slum part of town in a ludicrously expensive dress.

"Different, it's okay Ron," she gave him a soft smile and if she wasn't mistaken, his pale freckled face blushed a bit, "Harry please just give me the address…"

"Address of what?" Ron asked.

"The studio…" Harry told him.

"Oh, just up the street there, see that old white building? Second floor…" Ron shrugged when Harry gave him a dirty look. Hermione was momentarily thankful for Ron and also couldn't believe that the place they were all hiding out in to paint had been so close all along.

"Hermione, you know he will be there…" Harry said softly.

"I do, and that's why I need to go. Thank you both. Please come by sometime, Harry…you know where I am," she made them promise, gave both of her friends a kiss on the cheek and started back up the street, not caring that the bottom of her dress was getting dirty from the unswept sidewalks.

She made her way to the building Ron directed her to and found the door to the bottom floor unlocked. It was more of an industrial place and she climbed the steps to the second floor. When she hit the landing she couldn't help but audibly gasp.

The studio was large, and the walls were covered with paintings, half-finished canvases were stacked in the corners of the room, and paint splatters were all over the floor. There was some furniture, and what looked to be some set up still-lifes and a few easels in the room. But the thing that caught her attention the most was the large canvas in the middle of the room and the man laying down paint on it.

"Remus…" she whispered and he heard her, turning to look at her for a long moment before speaking. His eyes seemed brighter and he seemed less upset than the last time they had spoken so she ventured a step forward.

"Hermione you look beautiful," he told her and she smiled in thanks.

"This place is amazing. I can see now why you were so excited," she told him, taking a seat on the couch near where he was standing. He wiped paint off of his hands and sat down next to her.

"I've been pretty much living here since you left. Gotten a lot of work done. Sold a few as well," he gestured around to his newest paintings. Hermione was taken aback. They were better than anything she had ever seen him paint. They had depth and a soul…and they looked sad, but beautiful.

"Do you not know about Dora then?"

"Is she alright?"

"She's been kidnapped by Tom Riddle," Hermione said, realizing that Remus must have shut himself off from the world completely. She had missed him, his gentle smile and scruffy face; especially since Sirius had yelled at her this morning.

"That is beyond terrible," Remus sighed, running his hand over his face, "I haven't really even talked to Harry or Ronald much. Just been here working…and it looks like the kept life suits you…"

"Remus please don't start. I came to see you, not to argue. I am sorry for how things happened but…"

"Hermione I've thought about you every day since you left. I was awful to you, the whole time. I was consumed with all of this," he motioned around him again, "And I didn't realize I was hurting you. So if you are happy with Mr. Black, then I am happy for you…"

"You don't really mean that, do you?"

"No, I absolutely do not," he smiled at her and took her in his arms, hugging her for a long time and resting his chin on the top of her head. Hermione had missed that part of him.

"I really do want us to go back to normal…to being friends?" she asked hopefully and he let go of her with a sigh.

"It won't happen for a very long time. I am still in love with you, and it's hard enough to see you right now, to think about you every night with him. I know I lost you on my own accord, but it is going to take me time Hermione," he told her and she nodded, realizing that she was silly for trying to mend all her problems just because she had had a bad morning with Sirius.

"Understandable. I really just wanted to make sure you were okay, and that you knew about Dora, and now…to tell you that your paintings are really amazing. Whatever you are doing is working Remus," she told him, looking around again at the canvases.

"You mean, having a broken heart?" he laughed a bit and she lowered her eyes.

"It's not easy being there you know…it really isn't what all of you think. I don't know what to do half of the time and I just stand around and feel useless and judged…" she admitted.

"Just be yourself 'Mione. That's how I fell in love with you. I thought you had changed, and I told you you had, but I was wrong. I really was. You didn't change. I did. And now, even sitting here in this lovely dress you are still the same. I can feel it."

~o0o~

When Hermione returned, Snape was already pacing around the drawing room and Sirius was giving quiet, whispered instructions to Neville and Fleur.

"How was your day?" Sirius asked coolly, finally turning around to acknowledge Hermione. It was clear he had been stewing in the memory of their fight earlier.

"Fine thank you," she replied diplomatically as Snape entered the foyer to grab his black coat.

"Help Fleur pack a bag with some clothes and things for her and give it to her the second she comes, then say your goodbyes," Sirius told Hermione and walked out the door with Snape. Both men got into the back of Sirius' black car and the driver pulled away from the sidewalk. It was a short ride, as Monsieur Riddle lived at the very top of the Boulevard Haussmann, essentially just a dozen or so houses up from Sirius. When the car idled in front of the impressive manor, Sirius turned to Severus.

"Get her out as soon as you can, I'll do my best," Sirius promised and without another word to the black-haired man, stepped out of the car and walked up to the door.

He was let in by a rather imposing butler and led to the dining room. The table was set immaculately for twelve, even though it would only be the two of them. Riddle came in not long after and Sirius shook the man's hand. He was perfectly dressed and urged Sirius to sit down. Wine was poured immediately and Sirius looked around at the dark, almost macabre décor.

"I have to admit, I was both pleased and shocked at your request this morning," Riddle began. His voice was smooth and deceiving.

"Well, I thought after the little misunderstanding at the Bergére that we needed to put things behind us. We both run in the same circles and they are bound to overlap, so why not make amends?" Sirius lied through his teeth as he raised his wine glass to toast. Their glasses clinked together.

"I wholeheartedly agree. I hear you are having a Salon in a few weeks…and thought that surely my invitation became lost in the post," Tom smirked at Sirius.

"The details haven't been finalized, so I have not sent out announcements yet. But when I do, I can assure you will be among the privileged few," Sirius said, cursing mentally to himself.

"I am looking forward to it. How is your mistress doing?"

"Well, thank you," Sirius said, knowing if it wasn't for her, he wouldn't be suffering through this awkward dinner. He thanked the man who came out and set the first course down in front of them. Knowing Riddle's reputation, as delightful as the food looked-he hardly wanted to touch it.

"I am actually quiet glad you snatched her up when you did. Compared to my new one, she was a bit scrawny. I daresay you saved me," he laughed, but it was a cold laugh and Sirius found it less than pleasant.

"Speaking of your mistress, I would love to meet her. She truly must be lovely," Sirius started, looking for anyway to convey a message to Dora. Tom seemed delighted at the compliment, stood up and yelled harshly for her. She was in the dining room in an instant, a flicker of recognition passing over her sad face when she saw Sirius.

"This is Nymphadora," Tom said proudly and Sirius surveyed the woman. The light in her eyes was dim and she had bruises up and down her arms, looking hallowed in her pretty dress.

"Pleasure," Dora said softly, curtseying for Sirius who slipped out of his chair and proceeded to walk slowly in a circle around her as if surveying her. He knew that Riddle liked to be complimented on his women, before he was through with them at least. He had to build up his ego.

"She's stunning," Sirius began, moving closer to Dora and brushing her hair away from her neck to expose it, "May I?"

Tom nodded. If he was nothing else, he was quite the voyeur.

Sirius began planting small kisses on Dora's neck, all the way up to her ear, in which he quickly whispered, "He's outside," and continued to finish kissing her, breaking away as Dora faked a contented blush.

"Perfect isn't she? I might just keep her around for a while," Tom mused.

"I daresay you should, she's lovely. Wonderfully responsive," Sirius grinned, sitting back down and thanking Riddle who dismissed Dora quickly. The woman moved slowly up the stairs as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, but when she made her way to her room on the second floor, she closed the door behind her and bolted to the window; trying her very best to open it without making too much of a sound.

She took her time, her heart beating rapidly as she eased the window up and looked down the side of the house. The figure standing in the side garden shocked her. It was her lover.

He waved his arms for her to hurry, although she had no idea how she was going to make it down the side of the manor. Deciding that whatever she chose, she couldn't do it in her dress, so she slipped down to her underthings and straddled the windowsill, looking nervously down at Snape and trying to make as little noise as possible.

He moved right under her, in an attempt to catch her if she jumped. She slowly made her way out of the window, holding on my just her fingers, her feet desperately trying to find a hold somewhere, and quickly losing her grip.

Dora managed to light her feet onto the windowsill of the next floor and with a little drop, landed on the hanging sill without much fuss. But if she jumped down past the window, she would surely be seen. Luckily Snape was a rather tall man and he reached his arms up, standing near the side of the window. Dora bent down in order to perch on the sill before jumping clumsily into his arms.

"Ow," she groaned, her ankle sending a shooting pain up the rest of her leg, but Snape didn't answer her. He helped her to the car quickly and the driver immediately took off down the boulevard.

"Are you alright?" Snape asked her in the dark backseat of the car put-puttering down the road.

"You came just in time," she told him. Her sweet voice had been replaced with a hoarse rasp from screaming out in terror. He took one of her arms in his hands and examined the black and blue bruises and welts covering it. He couldn't believe that in barely a day the man had beaten her so badly.

"It's worse elsewhere," Dora said, trying to hold back tears, just very thankful that he had noticed her missing.

"I know I can't go with you, but I need to tell you this now Nymphadora. I adore you. And I am so thankful you are alright," Snape said, reaching up to stroke her face softly as the car pulled back up in front of Sirius's place. Hermione was running at the car at full speed and Dora got out of the door only to be fully embraced in her hug.

"You're okay…you're okay…" Hermione kept repeating but finally Snape urged them inside, telling them that they did not have time for this.

"We packed some things for you," Hermione kept on, the bags were all in the doorway with Fleur.

"Where am I going?" Dora asked.

"Out of the city, to Sirius' country house. He has help that will take care of you and we'll send for you when it is safe for you to come back. It is much too dangerous for you to be here when Riddle finds out you are missing," Fleur interjected and Dora nodded, dazed.

"You do not have much time before he realizes you are gone. Minutes even. He's a smart man. Now may I please have a moment alone with her?" Snape asked the two women in the foyer who quickly made themselves scarce.

"Take all the time you need, I am greatly looking forward to when you return," Severus told her, cupping her face to look up at him. His eyes were glassy, trying to hold back emotion.

"Thank you, I…" Dora started but kissed him instead, a sweet embrace that only lasted a moment. They both knew they were running out of time. He grabbed the bags, walked her out to the car and helped her inside. She was still favoring her ankle, but she would survive. The driver nodded and took her away into the early evening.

"She'll be alright?" Hermione ventured when Snape returned to the foyer.

"She will. I need to get home. I invited some company over to serve as an alibi. I have no doubt Riddle will have his nose in this manor in a few hours' time, so keep yourself hidden the best you can. Tell Sirius I unfortunately owe him," Severus sighed, once again leaving the house and Fleur closed and locked the door after he had left

A/N: Well, what did you all think? I hope you enjoyed it! I would love to hear from you all!