Chapter 35: Slytherin Tact V.S. Gryffindor Guile
{A/N: Here's another update...}
My Thanks To All My Readers and Reviewers...Enjoy S.S.
Entrance Hall, Malfoy Manor, Wizarding World...
Morning had come to find Hermione Granger and Severus Snape standing outside the heavy oak door of Malfoy Manor. To the rest of the wizarding world, Severus had been simply Sebastian Prince a very wealthy young wizard from an old an distinguished family. To Hermione and The reclusive Malfoy clan, he had simply been Severus Snape, surviving member of The Order of Phoenix and a very dear member of their family. The young witch had not been too comfortable standing in the place where Bellatrix LeStrange had tortured her as she screamed in agony but she put it aside for the sake of her children. Snape had been silent since the previous night. Despite caring a good deal for each other, it was clear that there had been some distance put between them. The former Potions Professor had noted how she attempted to get a hold of her trembling hand. He had no doubt in his mind that this place had an effect on her, as the former headquarters of the dark lord, it had been the seat of great and terrible power. Snape himself spent many a night enduring torment at the end of the despot's wand here in a bid to punish him for his perceived failures when it came to gathering relevant information on Harry Potter. Even the Malfoys had trouble adjusting after the war's end.
The door opened and both Snape and Hermione strolled into the entrance hall. Once the door closed behind them, Hermione had suddenly been hit with violent flashbacks of her torment via Bellatrix. She backed away from Snape and nearly crumbled as he reached out, capturing her in his arms. The traumatized witch had still bore the awful scar, mostly glamoured to keep the children or anyone else from asking questions. Snape held her close for several minutes before she composed herself.
"Are you alright?" he asked softly kissing her forehead as he held her.
"I...Y-Yes." she replied thinking of her children. "I'm fine now." she said softly.
The bushy haired witch pulled herself from her lover's grasp and they proceeded into Malfoy manor's sitting room where Lucius Malfoy had been waiting for them.
"It took you both long enough." he muttered getting up from the sofa amid tea and biscuits. "Have any trouble finding the place or did you both stop for a quick shag on the way?"
"Sod off Lucius." muttered Snape annoyed.
Hermione had been surprised that Lucius had known that they had been intimate.
"Don't look so surprised Miss Granger." said the still ruggedly handsome senior Malfoy despite him appearing to have seen better days. "We Slytherins are quite adept at figuring people out...it's all apart of working things out to our advantage...I am well versed in our philosophy you know."
"So Severus tells me." said Hermione looking at her lover briefly. "He also explained that you may be able to help me get my children back."
Lucius looked over at Snape whom had always believed in playing his cards close to his chest. Hermione being a Gryffindor spilled her guts in a matter of seconds.
"How long was that?" asked Snape seemingly annoyed.
"About three seconds." replied Lucius with a sigh. "I can see this is going to be a long few weeks."
"Weeks?" replied Hermione confused as she looked from Snape to Lucius Malfoy. "What do you mean by a long few weeks."
Snape turned his attention to Hermione.
"To win this case, you must think, and act as a Slytherin." he said. "You and Lucius shall prepare your legal team and several scenarios to help you manage your wayward emotions can't hurt."
"I agree." replied Lucius. "From the looks of it she'll need to spend some time with Narcissa for that sort of thing."
"Excellent." said Snape in agreement.
Hermione narrowed her amber eyes at him.
"Will you both please stop speaking about me as if I am not in the room." she said annoyed.
"Settle down witch." said Snape. "Draco shall be the one to handle your case, the boy's gotten quite good due to his studies in wizarding law."
"Isn't Draco a death eater?" asked Hermione confused. "How did he get a position within the Ministry of Magic?"
"Oh it's quite simple Granger." said the voice of none other than Draco Malfoy with a smirk filed across his pale face. "I am Slytherin after all."
Hermione rolled her eyes as she took in the older version of the "Foul loathsome little cockroach"she would put in his place so many times during their time at Hogwarts.
"It's good to see you Uncle." said Draco seeming to have finally gotten over his bitterness.
"Likewise Draco." replied Snape with a smirk.
He had been rather proud of how the boy turned out. His continued guidance seemed to have paid off since the war's end it seemed. Draco had still been a snappy dresser, this time wearing a vest with his suit trousers, long sleeve shirt, and black tie.
"Father, mother said she needs to see you in the kitchen." said Draco turning his attention to Lucius.
"Very well." replied the handsome Senior Malfoy. "If you all will excuse me..."
Draco turned his attention to Hermione Granger.
"Despite our history, I hope you believe that I am thoroughly disgusted by what Weasley did to you Granger." he said meaningfully. "I will do my utmost to ensure you and your children are reunited...after all I know what it feels like when someone tries to destroy your family's happiness."
"T-Thank you Draco." said the formerly bushy haired witch. "That means a lot coming from you."
Snape rolled his eyes at the sentiment being displayed before him.
"I think I may vomit." he muttered.
Draco burst into laughter.
"You haven't changed a bit Uncle." he said amused. "I'm glad of it...I suppose Granger's been keeping you company for quite some time."
Hermione arched an eyebrow at this.
"What is that suppose to mean?" she asked seemingly outraged.
Draco chucked at her false temper.
"Oh come now, Granger." he said still very much amused. "You were practically drooling over my godfather during potions class and you know it...Professor Snape...please sir...it was bloody obvious you wanted him to shag your brains out to me."
Snape smirked.
Another fine example of the Slytherin mind putting a Gryffindor to shame.
"Well, you were quite obvious." he said in admission. "I could hardly stand you being in my classroom given how bad you seemed to have wanted me."
"If I didn't need either one of your help I would hex you so badly right now." she said annoyed.
Draco and Snape shared a laugh at her expense before getting down to business.
"I will take her case free of charge." said the junior Malfoy with a charming smile. "She is family after all...isn't that right Aunt Hermione?"
"Whatever you say nephew cockroach." she countered much to Draco's delight.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Sitting Room, Malfoy Manor, Wizarding World...
Snape had been watching Lucius and Hermione go over the details of her so called marriage to Ronald Weasley. Draco made a few legal notes and revisited a few wizarding laws that could be useful in terms of her defense case. The seemingly restless wizard got to his feet and made his way toward the entrance hall.
"Where are you going?" asked Hermione confused for a moment as she caught up to him.
"Are you still friends with Miss Lovegood?" asked Snape with a curious expression on his face.
"Y-Yes...we were supposed to do lunch this week... why?" asked the inquisitive mother of two.
"I have an idea." replied Snape.
"Severus?" said Hermione trying to gauge where his mind had been going.
"Trust me witch." he said quickly kissing her on the lips and bolting out the door before her good Gryffindor nature interfered with his plans.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Three Hours Later...
Hermione had been trying to control her breathing as Lucius Malfoy proceeded to insult her, mocking her muggle-born heritage as well as her capacity as a mother. Narcissa Malfoy had been on the sofa, her dark eyes poised and noting every fine detail of Hermione's reaction as the Malfoys began her training to manage her volatile emotions.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Elsewhere...
Ronald B. Weasley was seen cavorting with a large number of witches as flashes of camera bubs took in the apparent evidence of a man with little to no time for his children spearheading a vendetta against a very brilliant and infamous wizarding world heroine.