A/N: Hello all my lovely readers. Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews, I loved them all. I'm so sorry its been a month between posts. My cable to my laptop died and with the holidays it took forever to get a new one shipped. Plus, apparently FF net doesn't like mobile devices and wouldn't let me post via my cell phone either. It's been a crazy month on top of it all. I'm also in the process of packing to move and yeah...chaos. Anyway, we get to see her interacting with Severus in this chapter, enjoy!

Special Thanks: To my beta, TabiPrewett, for looking this over and checking for any errors I might have made. I greatly appreciate all you've done for me on this story.

Chapter 10

January turned into February and Hermione was constantly busy with work. She still had breakfast every morning with Draco. He still brought her favorite coffee with him to work and she brought the pastries.

A few times she'd seen Lucius pop by to see if Draco would join him for lunch. Always stopping by for a quick word of hello and an offer to join them. She usually declined since the days he stopped by, she was always buried in files that needed her dire attention. Though, her smiles were a bit easier around him, she noticed.

Those days Lucius would stop back by, usually with a takeaway container in hand. Saying that since she wouldn't take the time to go to lunch, he made sure he brought her something back to eat after his meal with his son. No point in her starving while doing what she could to help the magical creatures in their world. Making her smile again before he left.

Hermione had to admit, wherever they ended up dining had much better sandwiches than she was used to eating. The bread was always freshly made, the meat thickly sliced, and the cheese was heavenly.

Hermione wasn't sure why Lucius was suddenly doing this for her, but she figured that he was still trying to atone for his past. With that in mind, she decided to at least give in and eat the wonderful food he brought for her. After the first bite of each one, she knew it would be sinful to let such delicious food go to waste. A few meals weren't that much to be indebted to the man, not even pausing to wonder at her change in her thoughts about him buying her meals.

Hermione had listened to Draco complaining all week during breakfast about some party his girlfriend, Stephanie was forcing him to attend. Something about a Valentine's Day ball or some nonsense. Though, she did tend to tune him out when he whined. The pitch of his voice when he did so was rather annoying.

Hermione had caught enough to know it would be full of high up ministry officials, along with many wealthy and influential families. The guest list had been carefully handpicked and as he went on some more about who all was invited...she happily tuned him out again. Smiling, while making appropriate noise now and again so he didn't know she wasn't listening.

Hermione was sitting at her desk and it was almost lunchtime. She was thinking about whether she dared leave the still huge pile of work to grab lunch, when she heard someone stop in her open doorway.

Figuring it was Draco, she kept on debating as she read about a problem with the Centaurs not being treated properly at St. Mungo's. Most were being turned away and if they were treated, they were treated like they had some kind of disease that was catching. It was rare for a Centaur to visit St. Mungo's to begin with, so to be treated in such a fashion when it was probably a life or death emergency that brought them in to begin with, was absolutely disgraceful. Will people never learn? The Centaurs fought on our side, for cripe's sake. Hermione mentally snarked to herself as she read.

"I know that you know I'm standing here, witch. It's rude not to at least acknowledge my presence, you know." A deep rich voice said.

Frowning at what she was reading, she looked up and smiled at her visitor. "Severus, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit today?" She hadn't heard from him since his raven had dropped his letter to her just before New Year's. The one that made Ron sneeze uncontrollably simply because he was a nosy idiot.

Severus glanced around her small office, before walking fully inside. "I was wondering if I could take you to lunch?"

Hermione's smile faded, and her eyes narrowed. "Under whose orders?" She knew both Draco, and apparently Lucius, didn't like her not stopping to eat during the day sometimes.

Severus' brow rose. "No ones. Who would be trying to order me to take you to lunch anyway?"

Hermione grinned. "Well, I've been busy, and Draco hasn't been pleased that I've blown him off and not joined him for lunch, choosing to stay and work here instead. Lucius has popped by a few times too and again I declined."

Severus smirked. "Lucius, is it? When did that happen? Last I saw, you didn't seem too keen to be in his company."

Hermione shrugged. "He came by here a few weeks ago looking for Draco and I decided to give him a chance, so we had lunch. My treat of course."

Severus frowned. "Your treat? Why was it your treat when that man has more money that Gringott's has ugly goblins?"

Hermione chuckled at his analogy. "I...I didn't want to owe him anything. Even if only a meal. Not until I decided one way or the other about him."

Severus sighed. "I'll skip over saying how ridiculous it is to feel you would owe the man anything just because of a meal and jump to asking what you decided."

It was Hermione's turn to smirk. "Actually, you didn't skip it, you simply said you did. You still said it was ridiculous, and, be that as it may, it was how I felt about it. As for what I decided...I ate the sandwiches he's bought me afterward when I didn't leave here."

Severus sighed once again. He didn't speak female, nor did he understand why they couldn't give simple answers. "Care to elaborate? Or I am supposed to magically understand what that means?"

Hermione chuckled again. "It means...I decided he was worth a second chance. I'm not sure I trust him, per say, but I thought about what you said and you're right. He didn't have many options and...he does seem remorseful at not having been able to do more that night. Though the bloody pain-in-the-ass won't admit to actually doing anything."

Severus laughed softly. "Did you think he would? He's a very proud man, Hermione. He wouldn't admit to being tortured. He wouldn't admit to doing anything until he decided he was ready to admit it."

Hermione huffed. "I don't see why he can admit that he wanted to stop what happened, but he can't admit that in a small way he did help as much as he could."

Severus shrugged, not really up for arguing about Lucius. "The man is a conundrum, what can I say? Now will you go to lunch with me or not? I have something I wish to discuss with you."

Hermione sighed. "Fine, let me grab my purse. It's close to lunchtime, so leaving a few minutes early won't hurt."

They were on their way out when she saw Draco, once again with his father, talking together as the couple walked towards them. Both blond men looked up with a rather surprised look on their face, though Lucius was able to hide his surprise a bit better.

"Hermione, I was just on my way to see if you'd join father and me for lunch." Draco said, eying his godfather while saying hello to the dark wizard.

Hermione smiled softly. "I'm sorry, I can't. Severus already asked me to join him today. Rain check?"

Lucius was looking at Severus as well, wondering why the man was here and taking Hermione out, when her question brought his gaze back to her. "Why would a check be raining?" He asked, a bit confused.

Hermione laughed softly as Draco snickered. Draco only knew what it meant because she'd already explained it him over a year ago. "No...it's a muggle saying. It's me asking if I can take you up on the offer another time."

Lucius nodded slowly, though, personally he didn't see why she didn't just simply say that to begin with. "I see. Of course, you may join us another time, Hermione. You two...enjoy your lunch."

Hermione nodded and with a small wave, they started heading towards the lifts. She had only gone a handful of steps when Draco called out.

"Granger, he's not the hot date you bailed on me last time for, is he?" Draco's voice slightly raised with the small distance between them.

Hermione looked back with a startled expression, not seeing the slightly narrowed eyes of Lucius as he again looked to Severus. "No, geez, Draco. Could you say that any louder?" Looking around to see how many people had heard him. Seeing a few heads turned their way, she bit back a groan.

Draco smirked. "You never said who it was with, what else was I to think?" He already knew that nothing was going on between the two, however, he loved to ruffle Hermione's feathers when he could. It was fun watching her get angry, especially when she couldn't do anything about it, like now.

Hermione swallowed and looked at Lucius to find him already watching her. Her cheeks turning pink as she looked to Draco again. "I..it wasn't Severus, and I said it wasn't a date."

Hermione turned and went to go to the lifts again, missing Lucius' raised brow over her meeting his silver gaze and blushing. She had just pressed the down button when Draco spoke again, louder now that she was farther away.

"I still say you're lying. You were awful red when I asked you about it. What's the big deal on who it was?" Draco asked, knowing in the crowded office she couldn't hex him like he was sure she wanted to.

Draco's statement intriguing Lucius even more. With her eyes meeting the aristocrat's once again, it made him think that it pertained to their own lunch date. Though date wasn't the correct word, but if she blushed that hard over it...Hmm...interesting, Lucius thought.

It was interesting enough that he might not even reprimand Draco for making a bit of a scene at his place of employment. Well, not too much anyway. Lucius thought as he smirked.

Eyes narrowed, teeth gritted even as Hermione blushed more, she gave Draco a look that promised retribution and hissed at him to "Shut up." Before stepping onto the lift with Severus.

Hermione glanced at Severus and saw the smirk as his body shook slightly in his silent mirth while he tried to contain his laughter. She smiled sweetly at him. "One sound of laughter from you and I'll give you a taste of the hex that I'm going to send Draco as soon as I get him alone."

Still smirking Snape merely raised his brow in a challenge at her words.

Hermione glared at the dark man. "I mean it, Severus. I'm not afraid of you anymore and I can hold my own with a wand. Even against a skilled ex Death Eater. Annoying little know-it-all swots, like me, are well versed in all sorts of nasty little hexes."

Severus shrugged. "I'm sure you are. I do have one question though."

Hermione sighed. "Fine, what?" Figuring he'd ask who she went out with. Though she no intention of telling him.

Severus smirked again. "Can I be there when you hex Draco? I could use the entertainment."

They were both snickering as they exited the lifts.

Severus took her to an upscale wizarding restaurant. One she would never have picked on her own with how pricey it looked. Hermione reminded him that she was on a time limit and he assured her that the service was quick. She'd have plenty of time to eat and get back to work.

Snape pulled out her chair, a gesture she still wasn't used to. Ron and Harry didn't do things like that when they went out. They had been friends so long they didn't treat her like a lady, or even a girl at all sometimes. Something that annoyed her constantly. Especially, since she'd dated and been engaged to Ron.

Hermione smiled her thanks to both Severus and waiter who gave her a menu. After they ordered, Hermione waited, but Severus didn't say a word. Nor had he said a word by the time her lunch arrived.

With a roll of her eyes, Hermione spoke. "Severus, I already said I was on a time limit. So, either tell me whatever it is you wanted to tell me, or it's going to have to wait for another day." Taking a bite of her creamy pesto pasta with shrimp and biting back a moan at just how scrumptious it was.

Severus was normally very calm and collected, but he felt anxious over what he was going to ask her. They were friends, new friends, but friends none the less, and he felt this might be pushing said friendship.

Severus frowned as he fidgeted with his water glass, then frowned more as he realized what he was doing. Finally, he cleared his throat before speaking. "I need to ask you a favor."

Hermione nodded slowly, swallowing down another bite of food, curious and confused by his fidgeting. She hadn't ever seen him do it before. This couldn't be a good thing he was about to ask if he was fidgeting and twitchy. "Okay, do I have the option of declining the favor?"

Severus scowled. "Yes, but I'd rather wish you didn't." Finally picking up his own fork.

Hermione motioned for him to go on and with a sigh he did after swallowing down his own bite of food. "I have been roped into attending this...function and...I need...an escort."

To say Hermione was surprised was an understatement. "Oh. Well...er...a date?" Covering her mouth since she hadn't swallowed yet.

Severus was scowling again. "Yes. It's...a couples thing and...I don't have anyone to...couple with." Eating a bit more of his meal.

The air back up in her lungs before she realized Snape said 'couple with' and not 'copulate with'. Taking a breath to steady herself, she spoke after taking a drink of water too. "Okay, what kind of function would we be attending? And what kind of date are we talking about? Would it be a real date or just a 'okay, I'm just keeping you from being by yourself' kind of date?"

Rolling his eyes, he sighed. "Obviously, it wouldn't be a real date. We already established that we're only friends. So, no kissing or other displays of affection would be necessary. Just that we attend together and leave together. Maybe a few dances thrown in as well. I would, of course, fetch you a drink, if I must." He stabbed another bit of his meal with fork and ate it.

Hermione felt her lips curving and when he saw her smile he scowled more. She did her best to try stopping the smile, but it couldn't be helped. "Severus...why are you asking me?"

"I already told you. I don't have anyone else to ask. I wouldn't be asking you, but...as I also said, I was roped into it and it's for couples only." He said glaring slightly and setting his fork down. He was already feeling very sour over the whole thing, and being forced to discuss it with her wasn't helping his poor mood.

Hermione reached over and patted his hand. "Alright. I'll go with you, but you're going to owe me one." She said before picking up her fork and eating again.

Severus sighed. He was already repaying one favor by doing this and now it was going to in-debt him to her. Bloody buggering hell. "Fine." The bloody wanker that started this is going to owe me one too. He thought again as he went back to eating.

Neither spoke for a while. Concentrating on eating their lunch as they thought about what he'd asked her. Severus was also contemplating what he was going to do to the man that made him have to deal with asking her out on a somewhat date.

Hermione was smirking as she finished up her lunch. "So, when is this function? You never said what it was either."

Severus pushed his empty plate away, taking a drink before answering her. "It's a Valentine's Day celebration." All but sneering the words. He hated that ridiculous holiday.

Hermione paused with her own glass to her lips. "The one Draco has been whining about for the last week and a half?"

Severus smirked. "That would be the one. With his whining you should have all the details already."

Hermione snorted out a laugh. "I would if I'd have listened to him. I tend to tune him out when he whines. It does get rather annoying."

Severus inclined his head, he had to give her that one. Draco was a bit overly annoying when he whined. Snape didn't blame her for tuning the young man out. Severus wished he could tune the boy out at times too.

"The party is set for this Saturday evening." Severus said, using his napkin to wipe his mouth.

Hermione's mouth dropped. "Today is Thursday."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "I knew you were smart. Able to tell me what day of the week it is. Bravo." His voice dripping sarcasm.

Hermione glared. "No, you arrogant sod, today is Thursday and I don't anything planned to wear. I'm assuming its formal attire, and that leaves me not even two full days to plan for this stupid thing."

Severus frowned slightly. "Well...two days sound like sufficient time to me. How long does it take to buy a dress?" Not having any idea how such a venture could possibly need longer than an hour or two at most. You just went to a store and picked out a dress, didn't you?

Hermione threw up her hands. "Longer than that considering I have to work tomorrow." She tapped her chin. "Maybe I can borrow something from Ginny...but I did that already and I hate how low cut everything is that she owns."

Severus sighed again. "I'm sure you'll figure it out. You can't back out on me now."

Hermione glared. "Thanks, that helps a lot. I think you'll owe me two for this one."

Severus rolled his eyes again. "Fine, I'll owe you two." He raised his hand and signaled for the bill.

Hermione was still glaring at him as he paid. Bloody jerk doesn't realize that something like this takes planning. More than two days' worth too. Stupid prat.

Snape pulled out Hermione chair, aware of her glare and ignoring it. He led her back outside and down the street, back towards the Ministry. "I will be tied up most of Saturday. I'll meet you there."

Hermione stopped walking. "You'll meet me there? You're not even going to pick me up and escort me to this damn thing?"

Severus smirked. "You sound almost like the harpy that Rita said you were."

Snape's comment did nothing but aggravate her more. Seeing this and afraid she'd try to back out now that he'd royally ticked her off, he quickly spoke again, hoping to distract her. "I knew you had it in you to give Weasley the proper ranting he deserved. How did he take it and the hexes to his nether region?"

Hermione stopped glaring and looked away from him. "I...I have done it yet."

Severus, glad to have deflected her anger at him, but equally annoyed that she was letting the redhead off the hook, debated how best to reply to her statement. If he gave her hell for not doing it, she'd be back to being angry again.

Though Snape hated not giving her what for, he knew it was best to leave it for now. He could always come back and say something after the party. "I'm sure you will when you're ready." The words leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. The dark-haired man never let anyone off easy.

A bit confused by his words, having expected him to rant at her. She didn't realize he might have a reason for not doing so. Instead, she let it go as she mentioned her needing to apparate back to work.

The rest of the day, Hermione's mind was distracted by this upcoming party. She didn't have anything to wear, nor did she have time to shop. She decided she would jump on Ginny the moment she got home. Begging the witch's help, even if it meant getting stuck with Ginny's chores for a month. It would be worth it, just so Hermione had help picking out a dress.

The curly haired witch was rubbish at shopping for girly clothes. She was fine with comfortable things like jeans and t-shirts. She was decent at picking out clothes for work, but anything nice for a date or a party, she was terrible. She would need help with her hair and makeup too.

Only, when Hermione got home, Ginny wasn't there. It was an hour later that she found a note saying that the woman wouldn't be home before Monday. Ginny was taking a mini break holiday with Harry. He had managed to get a few days off from work and they were going to some fancy hotel to shag like bunnies for a few days. The image it instilled made Hermione nauseated.

It also made her realize she was on her own. She would have simply raided Ginny's closet while they were gone, knowing the redhead wouldn't mind, but they tended to fully ward their bedroom door while they were away. The twins loved dropping by and setting up booby traps for when they returned. Small pranks that, while funny, annoyed the living hell out of both Harry and Ginny after they got home. Making any lasting happiness or relaxed feelings vanish instantly.

Hermione had threatened them with all sorts of nasty payback if they did it to her room, and knowing the fiery brunette like they did, they believed her. The twins didn't go near her room. Though the few occasions they had, they'd set things only Ron would trigger. Making sure Hermione didn't get hit, even by accident.

Though for Ron they mostly waited until he went home to the Burrow to get him with their pranks. It was more entertaining for them to watch him go whining to his mum about it. Molly would roll her eyes and tell him to sort it out for himself. Simply making the twins burst out laughing even harder.

Now that she was on her own to find a dress for this thing, Hermione was starting to panic. She didn't have any other female friends to help her. Molly was useless. The few times Hermione had gone to the older witch, Molly picked out ghastly dresses that were more fit for middle aged to seriously aging witches. Besides, Molly was mad at her right now. She'd been one of the people to send Hermione a howler.

No, Molly is out. Who does that leave? Hermione didn't know. She was pacing restlessly when she was suddenly inspired.

Draco is a snob when it comes to clothes. Surely, he could help me find something suitable. He might crack jokes about her going to a Valentine's thing with Severus, but she owed him a good hex. He might leave the jokes be if she promised not to give him the one hex that she already owed him, on top of more if he did toss out more crude jokes.

She was glad that Harry kept his owl in the living room. Running in there, she pulled out some parchment and scribbled out a note.

Draco,

I need your help. I have a party to go to and Ginny is gone and won't be back in time. Please, please help me find something suitable to wear. You always have good taste in clothes, so you must know what would work for a witch too. What would work for me, so I don't look like a slag or an idiot.

Don't make me beg more. I promise to forgive your actions today and not hex the utter hell out you like you deserve. Please, I'm desperate.

Hermione

She quickly sent the owl and started pacing again. It was less than an hour later before the fireplace roared to life and Draco's head popped out from it.

"Hey, Granger." Draco said.

Hermione, all but ran, and dropped down in front of the fireplace. "Draco. Please help me."

Draco smirked. "What kind of party is it?"

Hermione bit her lip. "It's...formal attire."

Draco's eyebrow rose. "I figured that, Hermione. Otherwise, you wouldn't have asked for my help. Okay, when is it?"

Hermione mumbled something that he didn't catch. "What was that?" He asked, his lips curving.

Hermione huffed. "It's Saturday and I just found out I was going today."

Draco's smirk bloomed even bigger. "You're going to the Valentine's celebration? With who?"

Hermione glared. "It doesn't matter. Are you going to help me or not?"

He chuckled. "I'll help you, if you tell me who your hot date is."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I don't have a hot date."

Both of Draco's eyebrows shot up. "You're going to a Valentine's party stag? Its couples only, you know."

Hermione growled. "No, I'm not going stag. Severus asked me to go with him since he didn't have a date. I only agreed to go as his friend. It's not a real date." Her arms folded across her chest.

Draco snickered. "Granger, please don't shag my godfather."

Hermione would have punched him if she didn't need his help. "Draco, so help me, if you don't stop making fun of me and actually help me, I will give you a black eye for the stupid party. I'm not now, nor will I ever shag Severus Snape."

Draco laughed again. "You do realize that if you give me a black eye, not only will I not help you, but with a quick spell it will be healed."

Hermione was out of patience. "Draco!"

Draco sighed. "Fine, I'll help you. You have no sense of humor, Granger. Just come on through and we'll get you set up for your hot date." Adding another snicker in for good measure.

Hermione was glaring. "It's not a hot date, you jerk."

Standing up, she waited until his head disappeared, though she thought about going straight through and not caring if she kicked him. When his head was gone, she sent up a prayer for patience and stepped through the green flames.

When she stepped out on the other side, she was dusting off the ash as Draco continued to laugh. Her head down upon her task as she slowly moved forward a few steps.

She rolled her eyes as she finished. "Draco, for the love of Merlin..." Lifting her head as she spoke. "...would you please..." She trailed off as she fully looked up and saw him, but it wasn't him that made her pause. It was realizing where she was standing that cut off her statement.

Polished wooden floors, beautifully decorated walls, antique desk, long leather sofa with matching chairs, and the Persian rug she had lain on as Bellatrix sent round after round of painful curses at her. She was at Malfoy Manor. She was standing in the office of Lucius Malfoy. The exact room that she had been taken to and tortured for what seemed like an eternity.

Hermione looked back at Draco, but she missed the fact that he had stopped laughing and was looking at her curiously. She wasn't seeing him any longer. Instead, Hermione was seeing the scene from her nightmares. She was saw herself dragged from her friends by her hair, and shoved into the room she now stood in. She saw the maniacal smirk Bellatrix gave her before lifting her wand and saying that damning word that made Hermione drop to the rug in pain. She was seeing herself being tortured over and over. She could feel each time the woman sent another jet of the curse at her while crazy witch cackled madly.

Hermione heard herself scream as Bellatrix once again hit her with the Cruciatus curse that sent nothing but pain radiating throughout her entire body. Her body jerking as her muscles seized up in agony, fire burning through her veins, which grew worse and worse with each spell cast. She vaguely saw all the faces around her watching, smirks on their faces as they taunted the Mudblood.

She heard the sound of Lucius Malfoy laughing at her pain, at her agony as she writhed on his expensive rug while Bellatrix kept firing the curse from her wand at Hermione. Her gaze landed on him, his ragged appearance not anything like she was used to seeing before, though she could barely focus on it at all.

She caught a small glimpse of his unshaven face, and unkempt hair, which seemed nothing like the impeccably groomed man she'd met before. The strange look in his eyes at odds with the laughter coming from him. His face held the slightest look of remorse, like he was upset as seeing her in pain, but his laughter at her torture assured her that he didn't feel a damn thing for her, but joy and delight at seeing her brought down low.

Hermione heard herself scream again in the memory as Bella put more rage into this time. Not understanding why, the scream was so loud in her ears. Not realizing that the screams were actually coming from her, as she crumpled to her knees on the same beautiful rug that she had laid on so many years ago. Her eyes were still glazed over, while staring at the same rug.

Draco was already at her side, grabbing her arms and trying to shake her from her memories as he called her name again and again. When that didn't work, he slapped her cheek, but all that did was stop her screams. She was trapped inside her nightmare and nothing was getting through.

A/N: I can't help myself. I like snarky Snape. Even when he isn't a love interest for HG in my stories, I like him with a bite to his humor. Same with Draco, I like it when he's kind of a jerk, but only while being playful or funny. Anyway, we get to see how she reacts to being in Malfoy Manor and in the room that she was tortured in. Still in his office, still not cannon. Sorry. More coming soon, take care.