A/N - Hello all! Answers you have been waiting for after last chapter's cliff-hanger. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

Chapter 12

Revelations

Hermione paced the room she was in. She still could not figure out why Mr. Malfoy had brought her here. And the tone of his farewell had not helped things either. The rock that seemed to be sitting in her stomach grew larger with each pass across the room.

Something was obviously happening. Something that might cause someone else to release her from this room instead of Mr. Malfoy. Given that Draco was injured, Hermione didn't think it would be him. And if the Light were close to defeating Voldemort, Hermione didn't think that the Malfoys would join the fight. Draco couldn't and his father would likely stay in the Manor, not only to protect his son, but to give him more leverage in any trial that would take place after. If he could say that he did nothing to aid Voldemort in the Light's final victory, it would work in his favor. That, along with Hermione speaking for them, would likely reduce their sentences or possibly keep them out of Azkaban all together.

It was possible he thought her side would come and arrest them regardless, which would mean someone else would liberate her from this room. Knowing how few fighters they had, however, Hermione assumed that the Light would have more pressing things to do than raid Death Eater homes. Not at first, anyway.

No, the thing that Hermione was trying hard not to acknowledge, the idea that was causing her gut to churn, was that the Malfoys were in danger from their own side. She still had no idea just why Draco had been cursed. What if someone had discovered they were working against Voldemort? What if someone knew that she was helping them? What if the reason Mr. Malfoy had said good-bye to her as he had was because he knew that some other Death Eater, or even Voldemort himself, was going to be the one to collect her?

Hermione took a deep breath, trying to keep herself from falling into a panic attack. Surely, if he had enough advance notice to move her to a different room that couldn't be the case. Surely, he would have just let her go. Unless…she stopped pacing and her mouth dropped open in horror. Unless he was going to use her as a bargaining chip to try and save his own skin. If he turned her over, would that appease Voldemort enough to spare his life? Or Draco's? She thought that if it were enough to save Draco, Mr. Malfoy would have no qualms about doing it.

He had looked regretful though. She wasn't sure how to read that. Hermione had no doubt that Draco's safety was his father's number one concern. If she hadn't seen his reaction on the balcony after Draco was cursed, she might have thought otherwise. It wouldn't surprise her if Mr. Malfoy traded her life for Draco's. Still though, that look. She never thought he'd show regret for anything, especially for someone like her. It might have just been disappointment that he hadn't been able to get his revenge for his wife's death, but Hermione didn't think so. It was all very confusing.

Still, she had no intention of going quietly. She would search the room from top to bottom for anything, anything, she could use as a weapon. And look for a way to escape at the same time. While she could understand Mr. Malfoy's need to save his son, Hermione had no intention of being his sacrificial lamb.

Lucius watched, trying to keep the impassive look on his face, as the Dark Lord searched through Draco's mind. His son seemed to be holding up relatively well, but it had only been a few minutes. When Severus had tested him this morning, Draco had lasted for ten minutes before the first beads of sweat broke out on his forehead.

Lucius was so focused on Draco, that he nearly missed the twitching of the Dark Lord's arm and the slight stutter in his step when he shifted his weight. He had chosen to stand over Draco, even though Lucius had offered him a chair, to show his superiority since Draco was unable to kneel before him. Watching the Dark Lord now, Lucius saw the slight tremble in his wand arm. Curiously, he still pointed his wand at Draco while he was inside his mind. Legilimency was a spell that the Dark Lord could nearly perform wandless. Once inside, he had never needed the help of his wand to hold the spell. Severus was the same.

Now, though, the Dark Lord clearly did. As Lucius studied him further, he noticed slight tremors in both of the man's arms, not to mention the frequent shifting on his feet. It was as if he couldn't stand still. Lucius frowned wondering what this meant.

Suddenly, the Dark Lord pulled from Draco's mind, reaching down to steady himself as he swayed slightly. Lucius took a step to help him, then thought better of it. Draco's brow furrowed momentarily before he schooled his features. Lucius did not think the Dark Lord had seen.

"It appears that young Theo's account was correct," the Dark Lord finally said.

"Yes, my Lord," Draco replied. Lucius could almost feel Draco's curiosity beneath the surface of his emotionless gaze. Lucius hoped the Dark Lord did not.

"And how long will your recovery take?" the Dark Lord asked, seeming to have stabilized himself.

"The Healer felt it would be a week or two," Lucius answered.

"You will report to me in a week then," the Dark Lord said to Draco.

"Yes, my Lord." The Dark Lord turned towards the door, his normal gliding stride seeming a bit uneven. Lucius glanced at Draco before he followed and knew his son was thinking the same thing. Something was wrong with the Dark Lord.

Severus frowned as Lucius relayed the events of Draco's session with the Dark Lord.

"What did it feel like when he was in your head?" Severus asked.

"Odd," Draco replied. At Severus' raised eyebrow, Draco pursed his lips in thought before he answered. "It definitely didn't feel as near as strong as it usually does. And it was like he wasn't…searching very far. He just scanned the surface." Severus turned to Lucius.

"And when you saw him yesterday?"

"Very similar," Lucius said. "I was surprised that he didn't try to follow the memory to others. He normally does." Severus tapped a finger against his lips.

"Could he be ill?" Draco asked.

"It is possible," Severus replied. "According to Miss Granger, all of his Horcruxes have been destroyed, meaning he has extraordinarily little soul left. There is a reason that necromancy rituals are rarely performed. It leaves a mark on both the magic and the soul. His physical appearance alone shows the taint of that magic. And we have no idea what other measures he has taken to ensure his survival. His magic may be failing him." Lucius' eyes widened a fraction.

"If his magic fails," he began. Severus nodded.

"He will die."

"When?" Draco asked.

"There is no way to know for certain," Severus replied. "We don't even know if that is the problem. He could simply have a mild illness that will resolve with no issue."

"But if he's weak, we should strike soon," Draco said. "Now, even."

"Draco, we need more proof," Lucius said. "Besides, we do not even know how we are going to kill him."

"You should have just Avada'd him in the back," Draco groused.

"I considered it, believe me," Lucius replied.

"Then why didn't you?" Draco demanded.

"I was not about to risk your life with something I did not know would be successful," Lucius said. "If it were as simple as all that, why the prophecy?" Draco glowered and muttered something under his breath. Lucius' eyes narrowed.

"If you will recall, you were the one that pushed the prophecy in the first place. Reminding me of the way Malfoys felt about prophecy," Lucius said. Draco sighed and looked up at the ceiling.

"I know, I know. I just want it over with."

"As do we all," Lucius said with a sigh.

"So," Draco said after a few moments of silence, turning to Severus. "We revealed you to the Weasleys and Granger for nothing."

"It was the right decision at the time, Draco," Lucius said, surprising himself as well as the other two men in the room. Shaking that off, Lucius continued. "And Miss Granger is not aware of Severus' miraculous return from the dead."

"What?" Draco said his voice rising in protest. Lucius held up a hand.

"I moved her from her suite to the room next to Severus'. If they needed to leave, he would have revealed himself then." Draco scowled at him for a moment before rolling his eyes and turning back to Severus.

"How did the Weasleys react?"

"As you would expect," Severus replied. "I did indeed have to stun them and levitate them to my suite. I considered Apparating after your father dropped the anti-apparition wards but did not want to draw the Dark Lord's attention with the noise."

"Where are they now?"

"Still stunned in my sitting room."

"Father!" Draco said indignantly to Lucius.

"They are perfectly fine, Draco," Lucius said in exasperation. "We felt it important to discuss what happened with the Dark Lord first. We will retrieve them when we are finished here."

"And Granger?"

"Her as well," Lucius replied. "And before you ask, I already Floo-called Theo and told him he did not need to send the Lovegood girl." Draco looked relieved at this, at least.

"What are you going to tell Granger?"

"About what?" Lucius asked. Draco snorted.

"You can't possibly think she isn't going to ask a million questions about why she was moved for the afternoon."

"I do not have to answer them," Lucius said with a sniff. Draco rolled his eyes again. Lucius did detest that.

"This is getting ridiculous," Draco said.

"Just what are you speaking of exactly?"

"All of this secrecy!" Draco said throwing up his hands and then grimacing in pain.

"Draco," Lucius began, but his son cut him off.

"Do not tell me to calm down," Draco said. "And stop treating me like an invalid." Lucius opened his mouth to protest, but a glance from Severus kept him quiet.

"What are you proposing, Draco?" Severus asked.

"Look, something is going on with the Dark Lord, we can agree on that much. Whether it's temporary or not, he showed zero interest in speaking with either the Weasleys or Trelawney. He hasn't visited Trelawney in months and he hasn't asked after either of the Weasleys in longer than that. Ginny is getting better at Occlumency and Mrs. Weasley never even leaves the kitchens except to deliver the tea tray to Father's study or to go to her own quarters. I don't think it's much of a risk if they know about Severus." He glanced between his father and his godfather. "Don't deny that you were planning on Obliviating them."

"Of course, we were planning on Obliviating them," Lucius retorted. "Why should we not?"

"I think it could help us if they knew."

"How?" Lucius demanded. "They think that Severus killed Dumbledore."

"I did kill Dumbledore," Severus pointed out.

"Only because he forced you to," Lucius said. "Stop castigating yourself over it." Severus scowled.

"Are you two quite done?" Draco asked as the two older men continued to glare at one another. Lucius turned back to his son.

"Explain," he said.

"They've been treated well since they've been here. If we explain why Severus did what he did, they'll know he isn't the traitor they thought he was. If you and I were loyal to the Dark Lord, we would have turned Severus over as soon as we found out. But we didn't. Don't you think it would be better to have more than just Granger to speak for us when the time comes?" Lucius contemplated his son's words and it appeared Severus was as well.

"And how are we to convince them?" Lucius asked.

"You can show them your memories," Draco said to Severus.

"And you just expect them to believe the memories are real and not tampered with?"

"Ginny trusts me," Draco said, cheeks pinking slightly when he said it. Lucius' eyes narrowed. He wanted to know exactly what was going on between his son and the Weasley girl but now was not the time to discuss it.

"Be that as it may, there is no evidence besides my word as to what actually happened," Severus said. "Given all that has happened to her family at Death Eater hands, I think you are asking Molly Weasley to take quite a large leap of faith." Draco's brow furrowed in thought.

"What if we did tamper with a memory? One they both experienced and knew was faked?" Draco said. "That way they would know the difference." Both men were silent for a few moments.

"The idea has merit," Severus finally said.

"I think we should tell Granger as well," Draco continued.

"Absolutely not," Lucius said.

"Give me one good reason why we shouldn't."

"Give me one good reason why we should," Lucius retorted.

"Remember that little thing called trust?" Draco said speaking as if his father were simple. "Besides, wouldn't it be easier if Granger were allowed in the library instead of bringing her the books we thought would help?"

"Are you insinuating that she would be able to navigate my library better than I can?" Lucius snapped.

"Of course not," Draco replied. "I'm only saying that Granger thinks differently than we do. She might find something we wouldn't even think to look at."

"I hardly think that Miss Granger would have a better grasp on Dark Magic than Severus or myself," Lucius sniffed.

"That's not what I mean," Draco said in exasperation. He looked to Severus. "You know what I'm trying to say."

"Miss Granger does have an uncanny ability to find the most obscure of facts to support any argument she is making," Severus said. "Something I had to suffer through for six years while grading her essays."

"Exactly," Draco said, triumphant smile on his face.

"Let me make sure I am understanding you correctly," Lucius said, his patience frayed to its last thread. "Not only do you wish to reveal Severus' presence to the Weasleys, you also intend to tell Miss Granger and allow her unlimited access to the library. Which would, of course, likely reveal her presence to the Weasleys and vice versa. And I am supposed to just go along with this ludicrous idea that is apt get us all killed?"

"Father, you're being ridiculously dramatic," Draco said with a sigh.

"Am I?" Lucius demanded, his voice rising. "And what if this aberration in the Dark Lord's behavior is just that? An aberration? What if in a day or a week he is back to his usual self and he returns to thoroughly probe your mind? What if he comes unannounced and Miss Granger and the Weasleys are having a tea party in the sitting room? What will you tell him then, Draco?" Draco scowled at his father but did not reply.

"You are incredibly naïve if you think that all of these plans you have will just succeed with no issue," Lucius snapped. "And I, for one, am not prepared to risk any of our lives over it, your own most of all!"

"It's my life!" Draco retorted.

"And you are my son!" Lucius shouted, nostrils flaring.

"Let's all just calm down, shall we," Severus said mildly. Both Malfoys turned to glare at him. "I am sure that you do not want to upset Draco in his condition, Lucius." Draco's glare turned into a smirk.

"And you," Severus said, turning his attention to Draco, "would do well to listen to your father. He is not being unreasonable." Draco's smirk slid off his face and he gave Severus a look of betrayal. Lucius snorted.

"I am sure we can come to some solution that everyone can live with," Severus added.

"Keeping things just as they are would suit me just fine," Lucius said.

"Of course, it would," Draco muttered. Severus held up a hand to stop another argument from beginning.

"I do not disagree with what you have suggested, Draco," Severus continued. Now it was Lucius' turn to look betrayed. "However, your father is also correct. We cannot assume that the Dark Lord will continue ignoring the Weasleys or be satisfied with what he saw in your mind. We all know how unpredictable he is."

"What are you proposing then?" Lucius asked.

"I feel the risk of informing Miss Granger of my presence is low," Severus said. Lucius couldn't disagree with that.

"And the Weasleys?" Draco prodded. Severus paused as he looked between the two Malfoy men.

"While I am not completely against the idea, I do think we should wait." Draco opened his mouth to protest, but Severus continued before he could say anything. "Just until we can ascertain if whatever is going on with the Dark Lord is temporary or if he is truly failing." Draco huffed, but he didn't argue.

"As for Miss Granger and research, the library can be warded while she is there, can it not?" Severus asked Lucius.

"Perhaps," Lucius said grudgingly.

"There's a back staircase that leads to it as well," Draco said with a smirk. "Right in the corridor where Granger's room is, in fact." Lucius glared at his son.

"Lucius?" Severus questioned. Lucius looked at his friend for a moment before waving a hand in acquiescence.

"I wish it to be known that I still do not agree with this."

"Noted," Severus said.

"Will you Obliviate the Weasleys then?" Draco asked, clearly still worried about the girl.

"Yes," Severus replied. "It is the easiest and the most thorough." Draco nodded resignedly.

"When will you tell Granger?"

"When I move her back to her suite," Lucius said tiredly. He was ready for this day to be over. Severus pulled several potions from his pocket and handed them to Draco. The boy made a face, but took them nonetheless.

"You should rest, Draco," Lucius said and Draco nodded, settling himself more comfortably in his bed.

"Father," he said as Lucius turned to leave the room. Lucius looked back at his son. "Thank you." Lucius nodded once, his throat tight as he followed Severus from Draco's suite.

Hermione was attempting to remove the clothes bar from the wardrobe, intending on using it to break one of the windows, when she heard the door open. Whirling, she groped for a wand that wasn't there, then huffed in exasperation. Even being without her wand for weeks, she hadn't gotten used to not reaching for it. Her eyes widened when she saw who was standing in her doorway.

"Miss Granger," Mr. Malfoy greeted. "I have come to return you to your suite." Hermione didn't move. She had thought sure he was telling her good-bye when he had left her here earlier.

"I don't understand," she finally said. He raised an eyebrow in question. "Why are you here?"

"I do reside here, if you recall," he said dryly.

"No, I mean," she shook her head as if to clear it. "I thought…never mind what I thought." She looked up at him again. "Why am I being moved again?" He looked around the small room.

"I suppose if you prefer more spartan accommodations I can leave you here." She huffed in exasperation.

"That's not what I meant."

"Then perhaps you should say what you mean." She scowled at him.

"I mean, why was I moved here in the first place, only to be taken back a few hours later?"

"There was a reason," he said. She crossed her arms over her chest.

"And that reason was?"

"This would be a conversation better had in your suite," he said, glancing over his shoulder to the corridor. It looked as if he were waiting for something. Or wanted to avoid something else.

"I prefer to have it here," she said. She saw his jaw tense for a moment.

"Miss Granger, please do not forget that I am entirely capable of moving you back to your suite without your cooperation. I do not wish to do so but if I must, then I will. Of course, if you make things difficult, I likely will not be as inclined to share." Her eyes narrowed at him in annoyance. Blackmail, what a surprise. Still, she did not give in immediately, glaring at him instead. He simply stared back, no expression on his face. She did want to know what was going on and she had no doubt that he wouldn't tell her if she forced his hand.

"Fine," she finally said and moved towards him. He stepped out into the corridor and gestured for her to proceed him. They walked back towards her suite in silence, Hermione glancing at him from the corner of her eye every few moments. He seemed to ignore her, although she was quite sure he noticed.

They finally reached her suite and Hermione stepped inside. Mr. Malfoy followed her and warded the door behind him. She moved to sit on the settee and he conjured a small armchair, seating himself across from her.

"You may ask your questions." She was a bit taken aback. He had never volunteered much information before and always seemed to resent her even asking.

"You're going to tell me what I want to know?"

"Within reason," he said looking as if it pained him to say so.

"Why was I moved?"

"The Dark Lord paid a visit to the Manor today." Hermione's mind began to whirl at that. What did that have to do with anything? As far as she knew, she was in a never used wing of the massive house and thoroughly warded into her room. Both Malfoys had made it clear that no one else knew where she was, nor would anyone be able to find her. So that must mean Voldemort hadn't been here since Hermione had been brought here. Which was surprising.

Or, she thought, he had been here before, but they were afraid that he would discover her presence today for some reason. But why now? She bit her lip as she thought about it. Draco had regained consciousness either this morning or late yesterday. Maybe Voldemort came to question him?

"Did he come to see Draco?" she asked. Mr. Malfoy tipped his head in acknowledgement. "But Draco just woke up, so he's still weak."

"Yes."

"You were afraid he would find out about me when he read Draco's mind?"

"It was a possibility," Mr. Malfoy replied, shifting slightly in his chair.

"That still doesn't explain why you moved me to another room." He stared at her for a moment before he answered.

"If things went wrong, someone else was going to remove you from the Manor," he finally said. "I moved you to the room next to his to ensure you could leave quickly." Hermione was shocked that they had even been concerned about her. If Voldemort had found out that she was here, both Malfoys would likely have been dead on the spot. Voldemort would have come for her afterward, of course, but she wasn't sure why they cared what happened to her. It wouldn't affect them anymore, after all.

"Why?"

"My son felt that you should not suffer for his decision." Well, that she hadn't expected. Draco had wanted her to work with them, yes, but she hadn't thought he really cared about her personally. Besides, if the Malfoys were killed, it's not as if she could have helped more than she had been before she'd been brought here. They hadn't found anything specific to ensure Voldemort's demise.

"And you agreed with him," she said watching him closely.

"I did not disagree," he replied. Which was a nonanswer but told Hermione something all the same. She pushed that aside for the moment, not able to contemplate that Mr. Malfoy might have felt something like sympathy for anyone, let alone her.

"Who was going to get me out?"

"We have a friend that has been staying with us," Mr. Malfoy replied cryptically. "The Dark Lord is not aware of his presence. He was going to help you escape."

"Who?" Hermione asked again. Mr. Malfoy stared at her for longer than he had earlier.

"Severus Snape." Her mouth dropped open in shock. A million things went through her mind, but one finally found its way to her mouth.

"He's dead. I saw him die!"

"You thought you saw him die," Mr. Malfoy replied. "I actually entered the Shrieking Shack just as you and your friends were leaving. I had a few potions on my person that kept him alive long enough for my House Elf to get him here. It was a difficult few months, but he did recover."

"But, but, he killed Professor Dumbledore! Why would he save me?"

"There was more to Dumbledore's death than met the eye, Miss Granger."

"Harry saw him! Professor Dumbledore begged for his life and Snape just cast the Killing curse at him anyway! Draco was there, he saw it!"

"As I said, Miss Granger, what is seen and what is are not always the same thing." She stared at him, trying to understand what he was trying to say. Professor Dumbledore was dead, that was certain. And according to Harry, Snape had done it. The fact that Snape and Draco had fled the castle afterward and that Snape had been appointed Headmaster by Voldemort didn't leave much room for doubt.

"Did you know that it was Vol-, You-Know-Who that tried to kill Snape?" she asked instead of pressing him on Professor Dumbledore's death. There were things that she needed to understand if she were to get the full picture, she had a feeling.

Mr. Malfoy looked mildly surprised at her question but answered all the same.

"I did."

"Then why did you save him? Your master obviously wanted him dead."

"Severus is a friend." Hermione sat in silence for a few moments. He was admitting to defying Voldemort out of sentiment? She tried to reconcile that with what she knew of the man. Well, Mr. Malfoy was extremely protective of Draco, that much she had figured out since she'd been here. Perhaps it wasn't too far of a stretch to think he would have saved his friend simply because he cared.

"And You-Know-Who doesn't know that he's alive?"

"Not as of yet." That made no sense to her. She knew that Voldemort could call his followers through the Dark Mark. She wasn't sure if he could call individuals or not, but it only made sense if he could. Was there a ward or spell they could cast to block it? It didn't seem likely. He would have had more defectors if that were the case, she would think.

"I don't understand how that's possible. Can't he sense you through your Mark?" Mr. Malfoy hesitated.

"I do not see how that is relevant to our discussion."

"Really? You were prepared to send me away with him. And who knows if you might actually have to in the future. You don't think I have a right to know if we would be set upon by Death Eaters as soon as we'd gotten clear of here?" Hermione asked. Mr. Malfoy sighed.

"He can call individuals, yes. I cannot give you a definitive reason as to why the Dark Lord has not tried to summon Severus, but our guess is that he just hasn't felt the need." She must have made a face of disbelief because he continued. "The Dark Lord saw Severus die. Nagini's bite is always fatal if not tended to immediately, not to mention that half of Severus' throat was ripped open. The Dark Lord would not think that anyone could have survived that."

"So, his own arrogance has kept him from even attempting it?"

"As I said, we have no definitive proof, but that is the assumption, yes. When the Dark Lord calls all of us collectively, Severus' Mark burns the same as the rest. It is something he must simply endure and thankfully, it does not happen often." Hermione filed that bit of information away for future thought.

"And Professor Dumbledore's death?" she asked.

"Orchestrated in advance by the man himself." Hermione's mouth dropped open again.

"I don't believe you."

"Did you not notice his hand, Miss Granger?" Her brow furrowed. Of course, she knew about Professor Dumbledore's hand. Harry had commented on it more than once.

"I don't see what that has to do-" she began but Mr. Malfoy interrupted her impatiently.

"Dumbledore had triggered a Dark curse that was slowly killing him. Severus was able to contain it to his arm, but it was a temporary solution. He would not have lasted more than another month or two." Hermione sat back against the settee, mind reeling. Dumbledore was going to die anyway?

"Yes, Miss Granger," Mr. Malfoy said as soon as her emotions showed on her face. "Dumbledore was already on his death bed. He insisted that Severus kill him to save Draco from having to do it. It also cemented Severus' loyalty to the Dark Lord."

"Draco?" she questioned softly. Harry had told them as much after the headmaster was killed, but there was a small part of her that hadn't completely believed it until now.

"Yes," Mr. Malfoy said, his voice clipped. "Surely Potter must have told you."

"I didn't want to believe it," she said quietly. She looked up at him in sympathy and his mouth hardened into a thin line.

"Yes, well, the Dark Lord has taken much from many." Hermione couldn't help but be surprised again. This time she tried not to let it show on her face, however. She must have been successful because he did not get up and storm from the room.

"Do you have proof?" she asked. "Professor Dumbledore's request of Professor Snape, I mean." Mr. Malfoy didn't seem surprised that she had asked, but it irritated him all the same.

"Would a Pensieve memory suffice?" he asked frostily. She nodded. She knew how to tell fake memories from real ones. Harry had told them all about the memory Professor Slughorn had tampered with.

"May I speak with Professor Snape?" she asked. Mr. Malfoy studied her for a few moments.

"I will pass on your request."

"Thank you."

"Is there anything else?" Hermione had plenty more questions, but she decided to leave them for now. She could tell that Mr. Malfoy was reaching the end of his patience. Besides, she had plenty to think about for a while.

"No," she said.

"Very well," he replied. He stood and vanished the conjured chair. "I will return with your dinner." Hermione nodded as the man walked to the door.

"Mr. Malfoy," she said just before he opened it. He turned to look at her over his shoulder. "I'm glad that you're both all right." He stood there for a moment before nodding and walking quickly out of her room.

Lucius made his way back to Severus' quarters to see if things had gone smoothly with the Weasley women. He thought back over the conversation with Miss Granger. He had been surprised that she had taken it so well. He had expected more yelling and, quite frankly, blatant disbelief.

He had not been especially keen on answering her questions. Lucius was used to keeping information to himself unless there were something in it for him. He knew retaining her cooperation was in all of their best interests but giving away so much had chafed. Still, it had been necessary, he supposed. She was not the type to just accept something at face value, especially something he told her.

There was also the last comment she had made to him as he left. He was not sure what to make of it. It would not have surprised him if she had said that she was glad that Draco was all right. She seemed to have sympathy for Draco and his plight, but Lucius? Why in Salazar's name would she be glad that he was all right? He tried to convince himself that he had heard her wrong, but she had clearly said 'both'. Ridiculous Gryffindor sentimentality, he thought with a sneer.

Reaching Severus' door, Lucius knocked and was bade entry. Given the room was empty, save for Severus himself, Lucius assumed all had gone well with the Weasleys. He asked anyway.

"They have been successfully Obliviated and returned to their quarters," Severus replied. Lucius nodded in acknowledgement. He would have to go there after speaking to Severus and tell them it was all right to leave their rooms.

"And Miss Granger?" Severus inquired.

"Would like a Pensieve memory." Severus snorted.

"Of course, she would."

"She would also like to speak with you," Lucius continued.

"Why?" Severus asked, eyes narrowing.

"She did not give a reason, but she seemed amenable to believing that Dumbledore orchestrated everything." Severus stared at him unblinking for a few moments.

"I find that hard to believe. Dumbledore was the Gryffindors' champion." Lucius shrugged a shoulder.

"I can only tell you what I observed." Severus was quiet for another minute.

"Yes, well, the last thing I care to deal with is pity from the insufferable know-it-all," he finally said. Lucius could sympathize. "And the library?"

"I did not mention that," Lucius admitted.

"Because?"

"The topic did not come up."

"Well of course the topic did not come up, Lucius," Severus said. "Why would the girl think to ask about visiting the library when she has been locked in the same room for weeks?" Lucius scowled at the other man.

"What good is offering up everything all at once?" he groused. Severus scoffed.

"I thought the intention was to hasten the demise of the Dark Lord?" Severus crossed his arms over his chest and smirked. "Draco will not be pleased with you."

"And my son does not control my life," Lucius snapped. Severus' smirk widened as Lucius' scowl deepened. Lucius turned toward the door.

"You are the one that is insufferable," he muttered.

"Lucius," Severus said as the other man reached the door. Lucius turned and saw Severus pulling a strand of memory from his head and putting it into an empty potion vial. "I believe you are forgetting something." Lucius moved back and snatched the vial from Severus' hand. He scowled once more before leaving the suite.

Hermione sighed again, her head resting on the arm of the settee, staring at the ceiling. The revelations of the afternoon were still swirling in her brain. She couldn't believe that Professor Snape was alive. She had thought sure they had seen him breathe his last in the Shack. The information that it had been Dumbledore that had orchestrated his own death wasn't as hard for her to wrap her mind around, however.

Dumbledore had been a great wizard, but Hermione had felt more than once that he was simply moving them around the board like chess pieces. It wasn't that she thought he didn't care about anyone; she knew that he did. But he made decisions all the time for 'the Greater Good' that weren't necessarily for the good of the individual. If he were already dying it would have made strategic sense to him to have Professor Snape be the one to kill him. Dumbledore had wanted to save Draco, had given him a chance to give himself up, Harry had told them that. But he obviously hadn't been as concerned about Professor Snape. The thought angered her actually. As if one was more important to save than the other.

It was different, she supposed. Draco would have been murdering Dumbledore in cold blood, but what Professor Snape did could have been considered a mercy killing. If Dumbledore was going to die anyway, it was better that his death meant something. And better that someone had done it cleanly and quickly, rather than torturing him first. Which Voldemort, or any other Death Eater, would have most definitely done.

Hermione also couldn't stop thinking about the fact that Draco, and by extension, his father, had planned on trying to save her. She was sure it had been Draco's idea, but Mr. Malfoy had gone along with it. It was obvious it would have been far easier for Professor Snape to leave on his own without worrying about her. That was why she had been shocked that Mr. Malfoy had agreed to it. She meant nothing to him and she couldn't imagine that it would have bothered him much if she'd been killed.

She had also been surprised that he had answered all of her questions. He had never been so amenable before, acting as if every question she asked previously was a personal affront to him. Honestly, she was very confused. He'd commiserated with her over the gruesomeness of one of his own books and now was answering questions amicably. What was next? Letting her out of her room?

Hermione snorted at that. Not bloody likely. In fact, she doubted she would see anything outside these four walls, earlier this afternoon notwithstanding, unless they were successful in destroying Voldemort. And who knew when, or even if, that would happen.

She wondered if she would just stay here and grow old in this room forever if they couldn't find a way to bring Voldemort down. She wouldn't think, with his Horcruxes gone, that he could live forever anymore. But he could have done something else that they didn't know about.

Sighing, Hermione shifted on the settee so she was lying on her side looking at the fireplace. Today had been exhausting even though she hadn't really done anything. Maybe she would close her eyes for a few minutes before her supper arrived. She wondered if Mr. Malfoy would have the memory with him. She yawned hoping that he would. She was very anxious to see it.

Lucius walked into Miss Granger's rooms with her dinner tray. He had the memory in his pocket but had not brought his Pensieve with him. He told himself it was because the magic of the Pensieve precluded it being shrunk, but he could have easily managed levitating the tray and the Pensieve at the same time. He wasn't sure why he had not brought it with him.

As he stepped inside the room, he saw the girl's prone form on the settee. Her eyes were closed and as she did not stir when he entered, he assumed she was asleep. He saw that he was correct as he stepped forward to set the tray on the table.

He studied her for a few moments as she breathed evenly, one hand tucked beneath her cheek. A curl had fallen across her face and moved each time she exhaled. He smiled slightly at the sight. He would have thought that it would have woken her, tickling her nose as it appeared to be. She slept on, however, seemingly oblivious. He supposed that given the amount of hair she had this was not an uncommon occurrence. It probably happened enough that she did not even notice it anymore.

Still, he was a bit surprised that she hadn't roused when he came in. As battle-prepared as she always seemed to be, he had seen her reach for her missing wand on a few occasions when she had been startled, he found it odd that she hadn't woken the moment he opened the door.

His mind wandered unbidden to the prophecy and this young woman whose future was now entwined with his own, at least for a time. Lucius supposed he really ought to tell her about giving her access to the library. He still wasn't entirely certain it was a good idea, but grudgingly accepted the fact that she might have a different enough perspective to find something they would not think of.

Lucius stilled at the thought. Normally when he thought of the prophecy, Lucius felt the undercurrent of anger that he had to work to keep under control. Now, he realized, he had felt none of that. A slight irritation, yes, but that had more to do with the fact that he had had to admit that Draco and Severus might be right, rather than Miss Granger's involvement.

When had this happened? When had he gone from being incensed that had to work with not only someone from the Light, but a Mudbl-, Muggle-born at that? He shook his head as if trying to clear it. Salazar, he couldn't even say the word in his mind anymore.

Lucius glanced back down at the sleeping Miss Granger on the settee, willing his previous thoughts about her to return. The disdain, the scorn, the loathing, but none of it would come. He took a step back, disconcerted, and bumped into the small side table.

Her eyelids fluttered at the noise and she opened her eyes, blinking up at him. He forced himself to close his mouth which had dropped open in shock at his previous thoughts.

"Mr. Malfoy?" she said sleepily, yawning as she sat up. She seemed to finally realize she had been sleeping as she froze and stared up at him for a few moments, eyes widening. He stared back down at her.

"Your dinner," he finally managed.

"Thank you," she said quietly, breaking eye contact with him and looking down at her tray. He stood in silence for a few moments, then put a hand in his pocket and fingered the vial there.

"I will return with the Pensieve after you have eaten," he said. "If that is agreeable." Where in the world had that come from? He did not ask her for permission.

She seemed just as surprised as her movements with the tray stilled and she looked up at him, mouth slightly parted.

"Oh, um, yes, that, that would be fine."

Lucius nodded once and turned on his heel, eager to get out of the room and away from whatever madness had overcome him. Stepping into the corridor, he closed the door without looking back and then rewarded it. He scrubbed a hand over his face and took a deep breath. Lucius had no idea what had just happened, but this ridiculous display would not happen again. He was not going soft.

Hermione stared at the food in front of her. She wasn't sure what had just happened. First, she hadn't woken when Mr. Malfoy came in to deliver her dinner. And then, he'd been cordial to her. Not just cordial, he'd been…pleasant.

She glanced at the door again, wondering just how she had slept through his entrance. It wasn't as if she had been overly tired, she had slept well the night before. The afternoon had been stressful, yes, but that certainly didn't excuse her sleeping so deeply he could get into the room without her realizing. It bothered her that she had.

Hermione picked up her fork and absentmindedly began to eat her dinner. As she chewed, she went over their very short conversation. Mr. Malfoy had actually asked her if she would like to view the memory after she ate. He hadn't made a pronouncement or ordered her or insisted, he'd asked. His entire demeanor had been different.

Not to mention all her questions he had answered earlier. And he'd kept his temper as well. Something he rarely managed to do when they spoke. Although, Hermione had to admit that she lost hers almost as often. She continued to eat mechanically, mind unable to settle as it ran through their interaction over and over.

Finally, she sighed and put down her fork, sitting back on the settee. This entire day had been extremely disconcerting and she didn't know what to make of it.