AN: Thanks for all the reviews, for putting me on alert, favoriting this story, and for reading! All your questions about Hermione's past will be answered in due time, don't worry! For now though, enjoy!
I own nothing you'd recognize.
Hermione entered the room and shut the door behind her. "Please have a seat," Lucius began.
"You sound as though you were expecting me," Hermione replied as she sat in the chair across from Lucius.
He shrugged. "I figured after the venue hearing you'd have something to say to me, given all that happened."
Hermione smirked. "Well, I do want to thank you for your testimony during the hearing, but I really didn't come here for that."
"Oh?" he answered.
She took a deep breath. "Severus told me he wrote you a letter concerning Rita Skeeter and her book."
"Yes," Lucius replied. "I still have it."
"Well, I was going back over Luna's and Severus' testimony, and I realized that while Snape wanted to destroy Rita, he never directly stated that he'd physically harm her. In fact, he mentioned writing a letter to you asking you to prevent the book from being published. The letter he wrote you could help prove his innocence," Hermione began.
"If he was going to kill Skeeter than why send me a letter asking me to stop the publication?" Lucius answered, his eyes brightening in understanding.
"Yes!" Hermione replied.
"It's brilliant, which forces me to ask myself why you didn't consider it sooner," Lucius asked.
She glanced down and stared at a piece of lint on her robes. "I honestly didn't know how it would look to a jury if one of our witnesses was a former Death Eater," then she pulled off the lint and looked back up, "after seeing you with the judge though, I'm more convinced that perhaps you could still be seen as a credible and likeable witness, in spite of your sordid history."
Lucius chuckled. "I'm surprised you underestimated me so greatly."
"Trust me, the memories I have of your speeches are not all that enjoyable." she answered.
He laughed as he leaned back in his leather chair. "Touché Miss Granger," he chuckled.
She smiled as the residual tension in the room evaporated. "Do you still have the letter?"
He nodded. "I never throw anything away, especially something as vital as this."
Lucius opened his desk and began rummaging through it, plopping a few papers on top every few seconds in order to clear the clutter inside. Finally, he smiled as he pulled out a paper. "I knew I'd kept it," he answered.
He handed the paper to Hermione and leaned back as she read:
Lucius,
Last night I received a rather unpleasant visit from Rita Skeeter. She informed me of a book she was writing about my life. I do not know for sure what she has written or if anything she has written is accurate. From the questions she asked me, I suspect her work is merely an excuse to slander me. I don't know how to prevent it from being published. Perhaps you may have some ideas, considering your significant sway over various people in high positions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Severus Snape
"This is perfect," Hermione answered, "But I can't use it unless you agree to testify and give a statement."
"I suppose I could take some time out of my day," Lucius answered. "When do you need me to come in?"
"I'll be meeting with Adrian tomorrow around ten in the morning to discuss the bail hearing. I can broach the subject of your testimony then. Come around eleven Atlanta time. They should be ready for you. If it's okay, may I take this letter?" she asked.
"It's not like I'll have much further need of it," Lucius answered.
"Thanks," Hermione answered.
"I'm happy to be of assistance," Lucius answered.
Before Hermione could stand, Lucius continued, "If you need help with bail..."
"Severus has already indicated that he can afford his own bail, but I thank you for offering anyway," she replied.
Lucius smiled. "Severus and you seem to get along quite well."
Her heart stopped as she stared at him. "He really isn't such a bad friend."
"Friend?" Lucius asked, his interest now piqued. "I was under the impression your relationship with him was strictly professional."
She shrugged, trying to hide the truth from him. "I like to know my clients on a somewhat personal level. It builds a bond."
"Enough of a bond for one to defend an attorney?" Lucius asked as he tried to hide his pleasure at watching Hermione squirm.
"It's, well, what Severus and I have is deeper than the bond I have with most clients, I will concede that," she replied.
"Well it's really none of my business I suppose. I mean, Severus is quite capable of handling himself, as are you I'm sure."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked.
Lucius shrugged. "Severus and you can handle your own affairs, and define your own relationships I'm sure."
"Are you implying something?" Hermione asked trying her best to maintain her composure.
"No," Lucius answered. "I was simply making some observations."
She glared at him but then softened her expression. "Thank you again for agreeing to help. Meet me at the police station around eleven Atlanta time. If I don't show up, some one else will come and take your statement. You shouldn't need an attorney, though if you request one I will be more than happy to be of assistance."
Lucius nodded in agreement. "I'll be there."
Hermione stood up. "I will see you tomorrow."
She spun around and left, her robes twisting behind her. Lucius smirked. He'd only been trying to toy with her a little, but the deeper he'd delved into her relationship with Severus, the more he realized how deeply her feelings were running. He made a mental note to visit Severus after giving his statement. Then, he shook his head and chuckled.
Ginny was going to blow a gasket.