A/N: Thank you for the wonderful reviews and pms. I am having so much fun writing this. This is an action packed chapter…so enjoy!

~o0o~

"Not me you were expecting, I take it?" was the first thing that slipped out of Hermione's mouth. It was biting and clipped, but she hardly cared as she stared coldly at the slightly squirming and deeply blushing woman.

"No…I…"

"Here," Hermione moved quickly to the closet and tore through it violently to pull out one of Sirius' dress shirts, nearly flinging it at Theresa. She couldn't stand there a second longer and look at the naked woman, who had clearly been planning on her soon-to-be husband walking in the bedroom instead of her. Hermione grimaced, glad things had turned out differently "Put that on and tell me what in the world you are doing on my bed!"

Theresa hesitated, but felt quite awkward talking to the woman she had been taught and forced to hate, and actually had started to believe was terrible; so she slipped on the shirt and buttoned a few buttons, which at least feigned modesty.

"I'm sorry, did you just say 'Your bed?'" Theresa raised one perfectly arched eyebrow at Hermione, clearly amused. Hermione was more than on edge, but she didn't want to call Sirius to her aid. She wanted to handle Theresa for as long as she could before he inevitably made his way up to the bedroom. She walked closer to the red-head on the bed and held out her left hand, showing Theresa the large, sparkling engagement ring.

Not a lot in her life had caused Theresa to become speechless, but this entire situation was rendering her so, especially with the sight of the ring. For Hermione it was a promise of a new life-the life Theresa wished she had, and for her, it was as good as a death sentence.

"Please don't tell him I am here…" Theresa managed after a moment, but Hermione did not soften. She kept her arms bent and her hands on her hips.

"Tell who? And you never answered my question. What are you doing on my bed?" the question came with more force this time. Hermione was trying not to raise her voice, but it was becoming hard not to.

"You aren't an idiot Granger…I am clearly naked on this bed to fuck your daft fiancé who by some strange happening has decided you are worth marrying. And then, once he's had me, he will leave you and marry me. Yet of course, you have to ruin everything," Theresa's tone was clear and measured, and she had obviously harnessed what was left of her composure as she spoke to Hermione. Her eyes were threatening, and even though Hermione had Sirius' ring on her finger, there was only one girl in the world that could make her doubt herself…and she was sitting in front of her.

"You and I have a very different way of viewing things, clearly," Hermione spoke once more, "And as it is obvious that none of what you intended will ever happen, or would have ever happened…as he is very happy with me…I would kindly request you to please leave."

Theresa then started laughing. It was a beautiful, melodic laugh that would have been pleasant if coming from someone else, and nearly fell back onto the bed as her chest heaved with the action, "You…you think it's that easy?" Theresa asked through the laughs that had disintegrated into giggles, "You are only a silly, naïve little bitch who thinks she is special. I am sorry to burst whatever romantic notion about that man who's ring you are wearing…but he doesn't give a damn what woman is underneath him so long as she can spread her legs. You, Hermione Granger, are nothing special. And I am doing you a favor…"

In that moment, Hermione realized two things. The first was that this woman…this Mademoiselle Gold of whom society was fawning over, was not a society woman at all…and the second was that she did not give a damn about the repercussions of what she was about to do.

Hermione strode across the room towards Theresa, and in one, surprisingly graceful movement, Hermione had one knee up on the bed and one hand yanking hard on Theresa's glossy auburn locks. The woman screamed shrilly as Hermione pushed her down onto the bed. She hadn't wanted to really hurt her, and honestly didn't think she could-she just pulled hard on her hair towards the scalp and slapped Theresa after the girl struck her soundly against the cheek.

"What on God's green earth is going on up….Hermione!" Sirius was cursing as he approached the closed door to his bedroom, but upon finding the love of his life fighting vehemently with a certain woman he hoped he would never have to see again, he quickly came to his lover's aid and pulled Theresa off of her.

Sirius quickly surveyed Hermione and found no serious damage to be done, and then swiftly dropped his hold on Theresa, noticing her to be indecent, and practically fuming that the only thing covering her most private areas was one of his shirts.

"How dare you assault my fiancée! Your horrid woman…" Sirius scolded Theresa soundly, who took it with barely any acknowledgement. She wasn't even looking at Sirius, just directly at Hermione with a glare of death in her eye.

"Hermione, why don't you lie down and rest. I will take her back to where she came from…"

"No," Hermione said sharply, "And do not fight me on this Sirius Black so help you…a half hour undisturbed. That is all I wish. Please find Neville so he can take her back when I am done."

Sirius was shocked at her direct attitude as he wanted to literally wring Gold's neck for even daring to pull this stunt…and Tom Riddle was behind it no doubt…but with a small nod, Sirius gave her a look speaking for her permission to do what she pleased.

And that was one of the first moments that truly changed everything for Hermione.

Yes, most times lately Sirius had treated her as a lady, and a well-respected one at that…but she had noticed a shift in him after he had proposed. She was his equal in all senses of the word. Normally he would have never let her make a decision such as this, but there was now implicit trust between them…a profound new partnership, and all of the doubts that Theresa had brought with her into that bedroom dissolved so suddenly that Hermione felt physically lighter from it.

"I will be down stairs if you need me for anything," Sirius said at last before leaving the two women alone. He wasn't sure if it was the best idea for his soon to be bride, but he knew that she could take care of herself, and was doing a damn good job of it before he had walked in. He was also slightly chuffed…she loved him enough to fight for him…to fight a woman that had been plaguing her for his affections…and that loyalty and jealousy calmed him. She loved him and there was nothing he needed to worry about.

Except for finding his damn servants…yes, he needed to worry about that, he mused.

Once the two woman had made it clear between them that there would be no more physical aspects of their argument, Hermione motioned for Theresa to sit and the haughty woman did as told, looking up at the bright-eyed and fuming woman before her. Theresa had to admit that Hermione Granger had turned out to be a much more worthy opponent than she previously thought.

"Why him? Why Sirius? You could have any man in this city and you know it. So why mine?"

Hermione's voice was slightly desperate. It was a question that had tortured Hermione for weeks now. The woman before her was flawless with her smooth ivory skin and perfectly pouty lips.

"He's the finest man in Paris."

"Try. Again." Hermione said through gritted teeth. She knew the answer was a brush-off. She was far too clever to be pulled over again.

"I don't like you and I wanted to take something from you," Theresa shrugged. Hermione could see this was a half-truth, but she wasn't fully satisfied.

"Getting closer…and why don't you like me Theresa? You are just like me…" Hermione pushed her. When they had been fighting it had become so clear to Hermione that this was not a girl born with a silver spoon in her mouth as everyone had assumed. No, a girl like that would never raise her hand, would never speak so foully, and would never say such things about Sirius. This was a girl who came from the same part of town Hermione did. This was a girl just like her.

"I have never been and will never be like you," Theresa retorted, almost spitting it out at her, but it was clear to both women that she was faltering in her tale. Something was right behind her eyes trying to push out and Hermione was determined to break her.

"Why be so cruel? Why work against someone that could have helped you? I know where you have been…I've been there too…and if I am not living proof of how a life like that can change...then what am I? I didn't have to change myself Theresa, I didn't have to lie, and Sirius loves me for exactly who I am. It all makes sense now…you just show up in Paris, without a history to speak of, working for the most disgusting and misogynistic man in Paris and doing his dirty work and bidding. Only a girl from the streets would be desperate enough to try and sleep with another woman's man…" Hermione ranted.

"You are just a mistress as am I! There is not loyalty!" Theresa yelled back.

"But I am a mistress no longer…you may find Sirius attractive, and I cannot blame you for that…you would have to be blind not to…but we are on the same side. I was desperate for money and worked as a dancer…I was willing to give my body to a man I did not know for safety. Is that not what you are doing with Riddle right now? I know who you are Theresa, and I don't hate you…" Hermione admitted. The look on Theresa's face was one of pure pain and loss. She looked suddenly vulnerable and small sitting on the bed.

"But I hate you and I am not sorry for what I have said about you or Sirius," Theresa said, holding onto her last bit of pride.

"Fine, but I still don't hate you," Hermione said. It took all of her courage to say it, and deep in her heart, even though this woman had baited her, and had been waiting for her fiancé naked on their bed…she wasn't evil.

Theresa sighed. She didn't deserve the words from the girl she had tortured. She wasn't one to eat humble pie and say sorry, but she could ask for help, "He's going to kill me…" her voice was so soft it barely registered to Hermione.

"Pardon?"

"He's going to kill me! Just like he is going to kill you. I have tried every way out of this mess. I don't want Sirius…I need him. I need someone to take me out of this shit existence. I thought Tom could do that but he has given me nothing he promised. Not one damn thing. And he swore he would kill me if I did not do what he asked this time…"

"And what was that?"

"Get a place in this house. And I wanted to do it because why should you have all that I don't? Why should you have a home and friends and a man that loves you? Why?"

Theresa was nearly hysterical now, the tears flowing down her face. She looked like a completely different girl…not the pretty and well put together woman that strutted around Paris with her dog, but like the woman Hermione used to be, poor, lonely, and homeless.

Hermione was still angry, but she was realizing that Theresa was the one who had been jealous of Hermione, all while Hermione had thought this woman was the epitome of perfection.

"You are lonely because you made a mistake and made a deal with the devil incarnate. You know he kills prostitutes for sport yes? And don't lie to me and tell me you aren't one…"

"YES! I KNOW! I KNOW! HE KILLED MY BEST FRIEND!" Theresa broke down in tears once again and Hermione stopped her tirade. No amount of acting skill could bring on this performance and Hermione sank to her knees, moving forward toward where Theresa was sitting, looking up at the crying and puffy-eyed woman.

"Why….?"

"I didn't have a choice. I worked at this club in a very bad part of town…right at the edge of Paris. He used to come all of the time and I stayed out of his way mostly. Apparently the club used to be owned by one of his very good friends…who had died…and none of us girls were ever good enough for him. He took over…started running the place. One night he was so upset that he strangled my best friend Helene. I watched her die. I saw the life leave her eyes Hermione…have you ever seen that? So yes, I know he kills prostitutes. I was next. He had his hands around my neck and I begged him. I swore I would do anything for him if he just let me live," Theresa paused for a moment and took a deep breath, steadying her nerves, "He eased his grip to stop suffocating me but his hands never left my neck. And he told me that if I did exactly what he said, that he would love me and give me a home and a life. And he told me I was pretty…and then it just didn't matter anymore. I made myself forget Helene. He took me away and he bought me clothes and a puppy and he introduced me to people and told them about how I was the daughter of a wealthy man who had just entered society. When in reality, I have no idea who my father is. It has all been a lie. But it is what I wanted…I wanted to start fresh and he gave me that. He was so gentle and told me he loved me, and you see how handsome he is…I fell for it and now I am realizing I was the biggest fool…"

"Theresa please, please…stop….just tell me…." Hermione begged, reaching up to wipe away the copious tears streaming down her face. The woman choked on her sobs and cried quietly for a few more moments before lapsing back into her story.

"It was simple at first…make your life miserable. Apparently Lucius Malfoy saw Sirius eyeing you at the Bergére and told Tom. He wanted to take you just to spite Sirius but when he couldn't have you, he introduced me to Lucius' wife and her sisters and had me egg you on. He was hoping you would run away and he could take you that way. He thought taking Nymphadora would have worked out but it didn't….and then he pushed me to enrapture Sirius and make his life damn near impossible. What with stealing his money and his manuscripts and even that woman…Lily…Tom had everything on him…I just had to sit there and look pretty but it got so much harder…and there were lies and I grew to hate you because you have what I was promised. And now all Tom does is beat me and I am not his only lover anymore and I tried to find a way out with Lucius but he doesn't know either…today was my last chance. I am going to end up just like Helene."

When she had finished, she let out a deep breath and Hermione sat, dumbstruck, on the ground. There were so many questions answered and yet so many pieces that didn't make sense.

"Is that all you know? Why does Riddle hate Sirius so much?"

"I have no idea. He is keeping secrets from all of us, and when I finally talked to Lucius about it, I realized that we are all expendable. He'll kill you and me and Lucius and everyone else just to get to Sirius. And it won't stop."

Hermione felt as if she had been punched in the stomach. She didn't want to die, and she really didn't even want the woman in front of her to die…but she would do anything she could to save Sirius. Absolutely anything.

"I can't have you stay here Theresa. I can't have Sirius know this. If he knows Riddle wants to kill him, he will go right to him to protect me and everyone else. Do you understand? This is between us. I need to make some arrangements. Do you know when he is expecting you back?"

"Dinner, I presume."

"Come with me," Hermione said, taking Theresa's arm. She was running on adrenaline, her mind whirring wildly. She needed a plan, and fast.

She led Theresa to her room and instructed her to bathe, change into one of her dresses, and pack a small bag of things she could live off of. She also told her to stay in that room until she came for her. As Hermione closed the door, the gathered her nerves and went downstairs to face Sirius like nothing out of the ordinary was amiss.

~o0o~

"Ginny, hand me that…no…the other one…" Dora said hurriedly. They were in Severus' home, going through his armoire like two crazed woman. When neither had heard from Harry, Ronald, or Remus, they had decided that their plan needed to take place that very night. There would wait till it was late, and then leave. But the afternoon was already dimming, and they were so nervous that the pair was moving around frantically.

Ginny handed Dora one of Severus' top hats. Dora tried tucking her hair up into it, but it wasn't working. They had already tailored a pair of Severus' pants to fit Ginny's slim frame and found her a shirt. Dora had an ensemble as well, but they were having a hard time hiding their more feminine assets. They both figured it was best if they didn't illegally break into a house in ball gowns.

Dora froze when she heard the doorknob turn. Even thought they were upstairs, her well-honed hearing still picked up on the noise she had been waiting for, and she dropped the top hat, rushing down the hallway to the stairs where she saw her lover waiting at the bottom.

Dora took the steps three at a time, tripping clumsily into Severus' arms which was a sight for Ginny to behold as Dora was clad fully in a black three piece suit, the only mark of her identity was her hair flowing behind her.

"Dora, my love…" was the only endearment audible from Severus before their lips met in a frantic coupling. Ginny smirked to herself before heading back into the bedroom and continuing her preparations.

"I missed you."

"There wasn't a second that went by where I didn't think about you. I swear…" he promised, his already baritone voice dropping even lower as he pulled away from her and got a good look at her for the first time in a long while. His eyes fluttered shut in happiness as she broke the distance to kiss him and he let her. His questions could wait a few seconds longer.

"Ginevra is here and you are dressed as me. What a very surprising way to return home," he said after their kiss ended. Dora rocked back on her hips, finally coming down from being on her toes to kiss him, and he appraised her with a skeptical eye.

"I hadn't heard much from you Sev and things are getting beyond our control. Ginny and I think we know what is going on and we were planning to do something about it," Dora admitted and was a bit concerned when Severus didn't say anything right away. After a moment he took her wrist tightly and led her into the sitting room, urging her to take a seat. He snapped loudly for Ginny who bolted down the stairs and into the room looking equally as outrageous, nearly swimming in his clothes. Even though Severus gave a huff as he looked at the red-head, he motioned for her to sit as well, and then leaned forward towards the two girls.

"You both are intelligent…otherwise I would have never let you into my life or my business…and I am sure you know quite a bit, but what I have found out while away will surely help put this to rest. And believe me, I would like to stop this nonsense as soon as possible so that I can ravage my lover and then make her my bride."

~o0o~

"Oh….OH fuck…." Narcissa screamed out in pleasure. The obscenity leaving the usually composed woman's lips had Remus immediately spilling himself inside of her as he scratched down her back, thrusting hard into her as she lay on her stomach one last time before collapsing on top of her.

"I'm in love with you," Remus murmured into her ear, pushing her loose, blonde curls over her creamy shoulders so he could reach said ears better, gently kissing the lobe.

"Stay." She asked and he answered her by wrapping his arms around her body and nuzzling into her neck. They lay like that for a while, on her bed, the sheets tangled beautifully around their pale legs. She knew that he knew she loved him as well. She didn't have to say it to be true.

"Mother?"

The voice was then followed by a soft tapping on the door. It was Draco and Narcissa groaned. His voice was a jolt back into the terrible reality her and Remus had just tried to escape. She left the bed, grabbed a robe from her armoire and slipped it over her body. She cracked the door open and saw her son, looking frantic.

"We are all packed. Both of us," he said solemnly. She opened the door wider, not caring that her son knew of what she had just done. Everyone knew, and all that mattered in that moment was keeping him safe.

"Where is Pansy?"

"Writing a letter. She's crying. She says she wants to go to Sirius' manor but we can't…it's a death sentence…" he said, puzzled.

"You are right, unfortunately," Narcissa admitted just as the weepy looking Pansy came down the hall, dressed in a plain travelling dress and bearing her bag. She handed Narcissa a small letter.

"Please see that this gets to where it needs to be?" she asked, looking into the older woman's eyes whose darted down to the parchment. It was addressed to Fleur, Sirius' housemaid. She nodded that she would give it to her.

"We will be staying with the Parkinson's for a day in their country estate and then moving on to England. I have enough money and I will contact you when we get to London. No sooner," Draco said, completely cold and business-like. He always got that way when emotional.

Narcissa broke first and hugged her only child tightly to her, kissing his forehead, "I never told you enough Draco, but I love you. And I will be there with you as soon as I can be. As soon as this is all over I will be there with you both."

"I love you mother," Draco said, hiding the tears in his eyes well. He couldn't believe his mother was so brave, allowing him to leave while she stayed and faced his father and much, much worse.

"Be safe. Take care. Go quickly before he knows."

Those were her last words to her son and he nodded, grabbing Pansy's hand and leading her down the staircase to the foyer. They waved one last time before leaving and getting into a car. Moments later, they were gone. Free. Safe from what Riddle had in store. They had defected.

Narcissa eased the door almost closed, put the letter on the armoire, and walked, utterly exhausted, back to Remus' warm arms. He didn't have his own children to know what that pain felt like, but the look on his lover's face broke his heart.

"He will be safe. You did the right thing."

"But what about you? Lucius will kill you if Riddle doesn't kill all of us…"

"Let him. I'll die knowing I was happy with you. Knowing I loved you."

~o0o~

Lucius walked with a purpose down the Boulevard Haussmann. Riddle was in a complete rage back at his manor. Apparently Theresa had been sent on an errand having to do with Sirius and hadn't yet returned, Bellatrix was whining about how Andromeda wanted to see Nymphadora but they couldn't possibly have the girl over to their house, and Riddle was laying into Lucius about how Draco and Pansy were seemingly nowhere to be found, according to his henchman Nott. So Lucius, promising that his son was as loyal as ever, vowed to go to his manor and check for him there. He was so frustrated and distracted that his walking stick was clacking noisily on the cobblestones and mothers pushing their prams were giving him a wide berth.

As he approached the door, he tried to turn his key in the lock but it wouldn't budge. He tried yet again, and then pummeled at the door for a moment in anger. He then tromped around the side gate of their perfectly manicured garden, retreating towards the back door where the servants' quarters were. He knew they would be empty since they had fired most of their help, and tried the key there. Nothing. He searched for the spare in the topiary by the door. Gone.

"Bitch," he cursed under his breath at Narcissa and with one strong swing, broke open the window of the back door with his walking stick. He reached his arm in, cutting his suit jacket on the broken glass and unlocked the door.

"NARCISSA WHERE ARE YOU?" Lucius fumed. He searched the first floor rooms but found no sign of life. He then moved upstairs to the first few rooms…Draco's was empty and the armoire was turned out. Pansy Parkinson's looked the same. He then tromped to Narcissa's room quickly, noticing the light on and the door ajar.

As Lucius pilled the door open, he saw his wife, naked, in her bed, and looking up at him with a mixture of prepared coldness and slight bemusement, with Remus Lupin's arms wrapped around her.

A/N: More to come soon! Just wanted to get this up! What do you think Hermione will do with Theresa? Do you like her or still hate her? What is Severus, Ginny, and Dora's plan? Will Draco and Pansy be safe? What does the letter say? AND…what will Lucius do? Let me know!