Chapter 2

She would be home soon. He was not looking forward to the conversation. He had to discuss Lucius' proposition with Hermione. They didn't need the money. With both of them working they were quite comfortable. He almost wanted to go back on the deal and tell Lucius to find someone else. He knew he couldn't do that, but he was tempted.

When she walked in the door he had dinner started and was setting the table. He could see she was exhausted from another long day. "Hey, are you okay? You look like you've been wrestling with a werewolf again."

She looked up at him after putting her things down. "A werewolf I can handle, The fools at the ministry, not so much. They keep changing the rules for clinic operations. If they don't stop, I'll not get any one to work there. I can see the need for background checks, but now they want checks on the immediate family as well. It has already been established that the healers and Legilimens will keep everything they hear and see as absolutely confidential. I see no need to harass spouses and adult children about something they will have no access to. Really! The paranoia is intolerable! They will either trust their staff or else."

He kissed her with such longing and tenderness that she forgot her anger. "Hermione?"

"Hmm" She sighed and the smile on her face was priceless as she snuggled into his chest.

"I need to discuss something with you. Do you want to do it before or after dinner?"

Uh oh, "What are we having?"

"Shepherd's Pie."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "What have you done?"

Severus played at being hurt, "You wound me wife. I haven't done anything. Well, lately."

She wasn't fooled. "Every time you make shepherd's pie something is up. Well, I'm starved. I didn't get a chance to have more than cheese and crackers for lunch. If you want me in a good mood you better feed me first."

Dinner went by fast. "Hermione! If you don't slow down you're going to be sick."

"I told you I was hungry, and it was delicious as always." She rested her elbow on the table to allow her hand to cradle her face. The look in her eyes was shear contentment until it turned to sparks as she waggled her eyebrows at him. "So. Husband. What's for desert?"

Severus' pupils widened as he saw those sparks and considered how her body would look with ice cream toppings on it. "As much as I would enjoy desert right now. There is the matter we need to discuss. Shall we adjourn to the living room?"

They sat on the couch as Severus pulled her feet into his lap and began to rub. She groaned with pleasure. He could ask her to fly to the moon if he kept that up. By the second foot he began to speak. "I have some news for you to consider. I don't want you to feel pressured. If you don't want to do it then that's okay." She looked at his face. It was not a happy face. It was a worried face with undertones of I have to do this.

"What is it Severus?"

"Lucius Malfoy came to visit this morning. He saw the portrait series in the Quibbler and he wants me to paint his portrait." She was shocked into silence. "Not for publication", he corrected. "just for himself. He was a frequent target for the Dark Lord at the end Hermione. He suffered greatly and he needs this. He wants me to paint it because I'm the closest thing he has to a friend. A friend who understands his pain all too well. I agreed to do it. I'd like to do it here so I can also watch my potions, but if you have any cause to object we will find somewhere else."

She was astonished that Lucius would show up years later and ask Severus for help. She could not look at him and answer. Pulling away she was disappointed in him, that he had already agreed. Maybe he should be reminded of a few things. "He was the one who pulled you into the Death Eaters. The biggest toady Voldemort had. He let the bastard use his manor for his base of operations. How many have been tortured to death in his dungeons? There is nothing to be redeemed in that arrogant ass. It would be a betrayal of the victims of the portrait series to offer any kind of peace to Malfoy. How can you even consider doing this?"

His response was heartbreaking. "Hermione, look at me."

She looked up to see a man in a hideous silver mask and black robes. His sleeve was pulled up to display the dark mark on a fisted arm. A Death Eater. Hermione screamed and scrambled to wedge herself into the corner of the room, her eyes wild and her wand drawn on instinct.

It was a glamor. Severus dropped it after having made his point. "Hermione I know you've painted a pretty picture of me as a hero in your mind, but I was a Death Eater just like Malfoy. I served the Dark Lord on bended knee, willingly at first. I made deadly potions, I went on raids and destroyed homes and businesses, and yes, I killed people. Innocent people. I spent many years trying to make up for it, but it doesn't wash the crimes I committed away. I will always live with their faces in my mind and in my nightmares. Would you deny me hope of a future without pain? Does your compassion have such a limit to it? When we served Him we all knew any day could be our last. He killed more of us than The Order did. We knew to question Him, meant instant death. For anyone in the inner circle to try to run, meant lingering death, in ways you can't imagine. We were, all of us, trapped, Hermione. And while it's true many of them enjoyed the game, Lucius was not one of them."

She didn't move back to the couch. Just stood there and looked at him with tears in her eyes. He was right and she was ashamed of herself. It was not up to her to decide who would be granted absolution and who would be left in hell. Severus was a good man in spite of whatever he had done. Lucius was a weak man that had learned that power is fleeting as smoke. It can be taken away as fast as given. Leaving destruction in its wake for all.

Hermione moved and stood beside Severus, holding his head to her stomach, stroking his hair. He wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry Severus. I know you're right. You may paint here if you wish. Perhaps we can add on a room and create a studio for you so you're not disturbed."

Severus raised his head to her and smiled. It took a lot to say that. She had been tortured at Malfoy Manor, though not by Lucius. He was pleased she could move past the horrors of that day and grant some sympathy, if not forgiveness.

"I'll tell Lucius we'll start on Monday."