Whoever was at the door had better have a damned fine reason for interrupting what was supposed to be their night. Hermione folded her arms across her chest and huffed, feeling every bit as put out as she was. Hearing Severus' calm tones as he spoke to whoever it was at the door, only served to infuriate her further. The next thing she knew, footsteps were getting closer and she was forced to sit up properly and pick up her wine glass. She may as well try and appear respectful despite what she might be feeling inside.

The person that followed Hermione into the room was the last person she had expected to see. The blonde hair was unmistakeable and she realised that when he didn't spare her a second glance, he was preoccupied about something, rather than slighting her for her blood status. Lucius' hands wrung the front of his jacket as Severus led him to the cabinet at the other end of the room. He spoke in a hushed voice to the taller man before handing him a small vial. Hermione tried her best to hear what they were saying but she only caught snippets of speech. What she gathered was not what she was expecting either. It was something about many sleepless nights, screaming and Narcissa's health. She gave it up as a bad job and sipped her wine.

It wasn't long before Severus managed to usher his guest away from the cabinet and towards the front door. This part of the conversation she did catch and she smiled when he hadn't realised she was sat there at all,

"Are you sure this will work?" Lucius said.

"Yes. Now I am actually rather busy so if you'll kindly leave I'd be most grateful," Severus said. For the first time, Lucius looked around the room and his eyes found hers. He thought he looked tired.

"Hello!" she managed to squeak.

His face didn't change and he even inclined his head to her in greeting, which surprised her no end. She was still puzzling over it when he took his leave and left via the front door. She heard it close behind him and she turned to Severus when he returned, "I can honestly say that, that was weird." She said.

"Why?"

"Lucius is always, well, was always so… stuffy," she said.

"He has a very young baby in the house and that was the reason for the visit." Severus said. He crossed the room to her again and sank into the couch beside her.

"I didn't know Draco had become a father," Hermione said as she twisted the stem of the glass on her knee.

"He hasn't." Severus replied with a smirk. It took a moment for her to follow and her eyes widened when she finally caught up. He smiled at her slowness and shook his head, "And I thought you were the bright one!"

She punched his arm playfully and scowled a little, "Just a little unexpected."

"Why?"

She had no answer to that really, "I suppose I don't know really," she chuckled. Taking another sip of her wine, she shook her head again, "I guess that after Draco they'd not bother with any more." Severus shook his head and pressed his lips together.

"Lucius always wanted a large family, Narcissa thought she was incapable of conceiving again but managed to get caught." Severus explained. When she thought it through, she realised it wasn't as ridiculous as it sounded and she nodded.

"No wonder he looked so… tired," she grinned. She wondered what his thoughts about children were but refrained from asking. There would be time for such a discussion and now was far from it. The last thing she wanted was to frighten him off with such a conversation. "He could have picked a better time though," she said pushing her curls back from her face, "I was enjoying what we were doing." She gave him one of her best smiles, which he returned with a twitch of his lips. The nod that followed made her smile even more – he had been too. His eyes roamed her face and the tight feeling in the pit of her stomach returned. It made her legs bunch and she was torn between wanting to run away and throw her arms round him.

"Let's continue then," he said striding towards her. Her heart leapt into her throat as he sat beside her once more and claimed her mouth. The strands of his hair tickled her cheek, his breath brushed her face but she was again lost in the depths of his kiss. He had rather a way of captivating her in this manner, taking her away from where they were and placing her somewhere far better. Before she knew it, heat pooled between her thighs and she wanted him all over again. He seemed to sense it too as he thrust a hand into her hair and brought her closer. Her hands rested on his chest, feeling the lean muscles beneath and she couldn't help wonder what they looked like.

She was the one to break this kiss, only so that she could move her lips to the side of his neck. Nipping at the flesh, she revelled in the noises he began making, a sort of panting keening sound that told her of his desires. It dried her throat and made her want to explore him completely. A hand of his brushed her cheek, trailed down her neck to her shoulder, over her arm to cup one of her breasts. The rough fabric of her bra grazed over her nipple and she made a noise she was sure she had never made before. He began kneading the delicate flesh and her eyes drifted closed. Her hand skipped over his chest, descending to the belt at his waist. She glanced down and noticed exactly how she affected him and smirked. That was when his hand caught hers. She returned her eyes to his dear face and she frowned.

"Not here," he said. He kept hold of her hand and she followed, rising from the couch. He led her to the back of the house, up the stairs and to the bedroom.