My continued thanks for all of your lovely reviews, follows and favs. I am so pleased you aren't minding the slightly slower updates than usual.

So without further ado a longer chapter to take you over the festive period. Apologies for any errors etc and I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.

His previous apparation had left her back against the sumptuous softness of his bed, whilst Hermione of course, still found herself in Lucius Malfoy's bed, this time her front was firmly pressed against the aroused rigidity of his body. It wasn't possible for one person to influence another when apparating, so sitting erotically astride the Dark Wizard must have been something that he too had visualised. Hermione smiled, no contemplation required, brief or otherwise, she refiled her mental list.

Yesterday they had both been naked from the hot tub, this time, direct from their very short-lived time on the shooting ground, they were both fully clothed, but there was something incredibly sensual, not to mention very naughty about it, as was the fact that she still had a wand in either hand. One resting against the rather obvious bulge beneath the dark material of his trousers, the other, somewhat remarkably still clasped around his cane. She wasn't sure which felt the more empowering.

Hermione allowed the shiny black lacquer to move through her fingers, the green crystal green eyes shimmering at their master as the silver serpent head grazed his chin. Her other hand moved in unison, moving lightly over his hard concealed flesh, its master's blue grey eyes shimmering like ice in the sunshine, with a very different intent as her fingers grazed his constricted erection.

Lucius lifted his hips, arching into her touch, even in the hands of Hermione Granger, he feared nothing from his own wand, but his own body, well that was another story entirely. Knowing the mind blowing pleasure she could inflict on him and fearing how easily he could become addicted to that pleasure, and much more frighteningly … to her.

The sparkling silver was cool against his jaw, her tormenting fingers, even through the wool of his trousers were warm against his cock. An evanesco hovered on his lips, his clothing an annoying and restrictive barrier between them, but Hermione Granger was the one in control, any spells would be by her hand alone, a hand that was providing enough magic of its own without an actual spell.

Four eyes glinted back at her, two, a static bright green, and two a daring blue grey. Her own honey brown ones all but defied the vicious looking serpent, allowing the hard black wood of his cane to once again slip through her fingers, casting it to the floor, it landed on a thick rug by the bed with a dull angry thud.

Her free hand moved to the wooden buttons on the redundant shooting waistcoat, it was quickly joined by the other one. Lucius groaned softly as she shifted up his body, her inner thighs replacing her missing hand. The heat was even more intense, the implications and subtle movements setting his lower body on fire. As she undid first the three large buttons on the waistcoat and then the much smaller ones on the shirt, he thrust gently against her, savouring the rough feel of the wool against his swollen flesh and the feminine heat, just beyond his reach.

"Tell me Lucius, this very important guest you had to welcome personally this morning, will he be at the party?"

Her hips and hands, continued to work their very own magic on the Dark Wizard, the two Hermione Granger's working together, both for their own very different ends, both noticing a tiny flicker of curiosity seep through the ecstasy etched on his slightly flushed face.

"He will." Lucius responded; his voice steeped in the same ecstasy which stung his cheeks, but curious, nonetheless.

"You will have to be sure to introduce us. Evanesco…" The loosened clothing on his upper body finally vanished.

Hermione's hand drifted sensually over his chest, feeling no tension enter his body at her somewhat oddly timed and impromptu request. She dipped her head to his male nipples, taking a slow turn at each one, nipping at the hardened flesh, wetting it with her tongue, before blowing on it and making the flesh pucker.

"Of course" He muttered huskily as she shuffled back slightly.

"May I ask why." The air of curiosity lingered in his tone, but Lucius wasn't altogether sure he really cared why, as her deft fingers moved to the fastening on his trousers.

Hermione wriggled back a little further grasping the waistband and tugging his trousers downwards, his arse lifted from the bed, eagerly facilitating her task without a thought, his achingly hard body readily springing free from the constricting material.

"Just curious to meet the man you so easily abandoned me for…" She said lightly, wanting him to think this was only about the sex, her fingers curling around his silky erect flesh, ensuring he remained completely distracted.

"Evanesco." The second uttering of the spell saw the remainder of both of their clothing vanish.

Lucius moaned appreciatively, a small smile curving his lips at her unknowingly oversimplified observation. Part of his brain absently wondered why in Merlin's name he had ever left his bed this morning, the other part thinking he could still possibly be asleep and enjoying the most vividly erotic dream.

Her wet body slid easily over his, his cock pressing between her damp curls, she teased him mercilessly not allowing him the entry she could feel he so desperately craved. Her narrowed eyes met his lustful impatient gaze, her fingers working skilfully in union with her lower body which straddled him.

"I promise not to tell him why he isn't my favourite guest at the party." She said pressing hard against him.

She noticed the small smile which had curved his sensual mouth drift into an outright smirk, his hard body thrust gently back at her. His tone was as amused as his mouth, and as lustful as his eyes.

"Oh I don't know; it might make for an interesting party conversation."

A sly smirk of its own lifted Hermione's lips, her thighs squeezing his.

"Hmm, excuse me Mister.." She pondered the name she knew all too well.

"Very Important Guest…but you do realise your arrival this morning deprived me of …"

She moved with exquisite slowness, punctuating her words with erotic movements.

"The pleasure of our host." Hermione said, lifting herself up and positioning herself over his cock, allowing him to feel her damp heat against the swollen tip before sinking slowly onto him.

Their soft moans of combined pleasure drifted into the air.

Merlin he felt so good. Patience, and taking her time, had been skills Hermione had acquired and perfected with her job, Lucius Malfoy stretched them and her to the very limits. She squeezed her walls around him, enjoying the feel of him once more, and loving the pleasured sounds he made. The little smirk lingered on his lips.

"Very true my dear but being so deep..." He thrust up into her, watching her pert breasts bounce.

"…In your debt, has its advantages."

"Mmm." Hermione savoured the silky feel of his ample body within her.

"And this Lucius…" She squeezed tighter around his sheathed cock.

"Is just a small deposit"

She wasn't entirely sure how she deigned to use the word small, but the raised eyebrow and hard upward thrust made her choice of words worth it. Hermione planted her palms behind her, fully impaling herself on him so her damp curls melded with his own covering of dark blonde pubic hair. Arching her back she began to slowly ride him. She loved the way he felt deep within her so different from their reversed positions the previous evening. His cock so hard, stroked her in the right inner places, eliciting frissons of pleasure coursing through her blood. He was simply too much pleasure, she just couldn't take slow anymore, bending forward and hovering over him, Hermione began to ride him hard.

His sparkling eyes now blazed with fiery undiluted lust and he bucked up hard into her, his powerful hands moved to her hips, she felt his fingers biting into her soft flesh, blissfully bruising it with the strength of his grip as he slammed into her with each forceful upward thrust.

Their moans of mutual enjoyment reverberated around the room as she gyrated her hips, grinding them against his throbbing flesh. Her inner walls were hot and slick about him they sucked him in deeper and deeper, driving him on, driving him wild.

Lucius growled as she bent closer to him, capturing a nipple which tormented his lips, sucking so hard on the budded peak she called out his name in agonised pleasure, propelling him up harder into her willing body.

"Lucius...I…"

The glorious tension building within Hermione skyrocketed to its zenith, she couldn't hold on any longer, overwhelmingly finding herself falling in the ecstasy of her climax, moaning his name as her walls clenched sporadically around him still moving deep within her. Triggered by her climax, Lucius came, grunting and moaning out his pleasure around the breast he still suckled.

He sagged back into the softness his bed, their breathing gradually steadying together as Hermione slumped over him. His energy and body might have been depleted but he still enjoyed the feel of her soft warm body across his, wrapping his arms about her, he felt his eyelids become heavy, a slumberous satisfied smile settling on his flushed face.

For a second time that day Hermione awoke alone in Lucius Malfoy's huge bed, this time however she did not awake to the muffled tones of his aristocratic voice, but to a brief, elegantly written note, incredulously it was pinned to one of two identical dresses which magically hung on padded hangers in front of his wardrobe. One was an iridescent white silver, a shade or two lighter than Lucius Malfoy's eyes, the other a bright, vibrant red, the exact colour of her glinting nails. Hermione sat up in the bed, pulling the cool rumpled sheet across her slightly tender breast.

"Accio note" She said, propping herself up against the large disarrayed pillows.

My Dear Hermione

It would appear I am going to find myself even deeper in your debt, but alas work calls, well some last minute preparations for this evening that is. I shall look forward to repaying it … with interest, of course.

Her skin tingled at the thought as she read on.

I am sure you did not plan on attending a formal party this weekend, so I have taken the liberty of providing you with something to wear, I trust you are not offended, and I hope you approve of my taste.

"I don't know what you taste like." Hermione mused aloud, a wicked smile tugging at her mouth "Yet".

She licked her lips, her eyes darting across the elegant writing.

I must also apologise, as I neglected to mention the party is themed, fire and ice, hence the two options. I very much look forward to seeing you in one later, 7.30. The password for entry is Icarus.

The short note was signed simply with a black L.

As had become the norm over the last few hours, Hermione's person divided itself promptly in two. The Unspeakable, intrigued at the use of a Password to gain entry to a party, wondering if there was any significance in the name, Icarus, a man who dared to chance his luck, flying too close to danger. The simple, feminine Hermione was more interested in the two columns of shimmering, beaded silk hanging across the room, they were exquisite, and deciding which one to wear would be nigh on impossible. In terms of style Lucius Malfoy's taste was exceptional.

In order to do one of the dresses proper justice, spoil herself a little bit in the process and of course turn Lucius Malfoy's head, Hermione decided to leave the rest of her appearance to the professionals. Having left the two dresses now hanging in her own room, she booked herself a relaxing appointment in the Hotel's beauty salon for a little later. Next she needed something to eat, her grumbling stomach once again finding it necessary to remind her she hadn't eaten since the previous evening. In a rather sharp u turn, Hermione was determined to make the most of her weekend, in every way possible.

As well as the Merlin starred Blades, two of the bars at the hotel also served food, as she'd already enjoyed a drink or two in the Libro, Hermione opted for Ludos this time, requesting a chicken baguette from yet another ridiculously smart house elf, adding some chips to her order as her stomach grumbled yet again at its neglect.

Tucked away in a cosy corner, on a very comfortable sofa, Hermione looked out over the grounds, sipping on an also much needed cup of tea. Watching with great interest as a few more guests arrived, some via a fountain portkey, one even on a broomstick, she wasn't sure if any were attending Lucius' party or if they were simply here to relax for the weekend. In her peripheral vision she could see the large white dome of the ice palace, Hermione Granger felt a little burble of very girlish excitement rush through her veins. She thought of the two beautiful dresses hanging in her room, still having no idea which colour she would wear, the silver sandals and evening clutch she'd fortunately found in the bottom of her small extended bag did nothing to narrow down her choice, they would look stunning with either. It would just be down to how she felt later. The Unspeakable felt a rush of adrenaline course through her veins as she thought of Lucius Malfoy's guest list.

Her lunch arrived with a pop and another house elf. It might have been a far simpler fayre than her meal last night, but it looked just as delicious. Hermione's mouth practically watering at the steaming chips which landed on the table before her, the scent of warm vinegar impossible to resist as she grabbed one from the pile, popping it hungrily into her mouth. A glass of what looked like ice cold white wine appeared alongside her meal, and Hermione raised her eyes to the elf. Trying to speak and juggle the hottest chip ever around in her mouth.

"I did…n't…" She tried to blow on the boiling vegetable as it seared her tongue, fanning her mouth uselessly with her hand.

"Order wine." She finally managed, swallowing with equal difficulty.

The small creature moved a little to one side, his huge blue eyes gesticulating towards the bar.

"The gentleman over there, sent it with his compliments."

Something told Hermione, the gentleman over there was not going to be her host, even fearful, the house elf would have been far more respectful of his employer and would most certainly have referred to him by name. She glanced in the general direction that the creature indicated. Standing at the bar with a drink of his own was the fat, puffed up cornflake she'd seen earlier. Hermione's gaze went from him, back to the house elf and to the glass of wine sitting before her, picking up another hot chip with the unlikely hope that it would aid her dilemma.

Hermione had purposely not ordered any alcohol with her lunch, not only was it a little too early in the day for her, but she wanted to at least arrive at the party with a clear head. Politeness would also decree accepting the wine would mean making polite conversation of some sort, with a man she had already decided she didn't like very much. However, having seen him with Julius Nihil, accepting the drink and making polite conversation might be more advantageous, perhaps it was a small price to pay, and she had a good excuse to leave once her lunch was finished.

"That's very kind of the gentleman." Hermione said to the small elf, over another hot chip.

"Please extend my thanks and ask him if he would like to join me."

The blue eyed creature nodded subserviently, his large ears bobbing slightly as he plodded slowly across the room. Hermione took the opportunity to take a bite or two from her baguette, chewing and crumbs were not a good look, no matter how much she didn't like her soon to be companion. She saw the man look even more dismissively at the elf than Lucius Malfoy, a condescending sneer on his overly round face. It was replaced by a somewhat lecherous smile, as he picked up his drink, straightened his tight waistcoat, buttoned his jacket and barrelled his way across the floor to join Hermione. Her skin all but crept at his approach, she took another bite of her sandwich before her appetite deserted her completely.

Hermione dabbed her mouth with the napkin the elf had provided alongside her lunch, this time the gold embossed F was against fine black damask, she placed it back in her lap, hopefully it hadn't left a too false smile in its wake.

"Thank you for the wine Mister…?"

That smile made Hermione's flesh creep just a little further, the man was clearly not only full of his own self-importance, but also thought himself Merlin's gift to women.

"Sirron, Sandor Sirron." He said without extending his hand or waiting to be asked to sit down.

Hermione found her hackles rising a little further, but she lifted her glass and raised it to him before raising it to her lips, her contrived smile vanishing against the chilled rim and into a very small sip of the icy cold liquid.

Having unbuttoned his jacket once more, he settled his large backside thankfully into one of the arm chairs, but it was still far too close for Hermione's liking.

As he had sent a drink over Hermione assumed he knew who she was, but from the expression on his chubby pink face, he was clearly waiting for her to introduce herself. Hermione toyed with the idea of giving him a false name, but as she was attending the party later on, and there was every likelihood that he would be there too, she thought better of it.

"Hermione Granger." She said, putting the glass down and exchanging it for a now slightly cooler chip, which she all but shoved in her mouth.

Sandor Sirron might not have recognised who she was, but he was certainly familiar with her name, it was written all over those jowly features, his heavy brows rising as his dark beady eyes narrowed, his smile seeming to become all the more lecherous. Hermione's appetite well and truly disappeared, and she returned her attention to the wine, keeping her hands busy and away from her wand.

"Then it really is a pleasure to meet you."

She felt her blood run as cold as the alcohol, acknowledging his comment with just a small inclination of her head and trying to contain her coolness.

"Are you here for the spa or the sport, Mister Sirron?" Hermione asked conversationally, already knowing it was neither, and doubting with his physique the man would be interested in either anyway. She was also certain, he was hardly likely to give anything away, inadvertently or otherwise.

"Sandor, please … Hermione."

Again Hermione acknowledged his words with just a small movement of her head, not entirely trusting herself to speak either, the sound of her own name on his thin lips grating against her ears. This man's arrogance made Lucius Malfoy look positively contrite, and unlike the former Death Eater, this man really did leave ice running through her veins, she tried not to allow it to frost on her skin.

"Officially neither, although I might find time for a little sport of some sort."

There was something very obnoxious about Sandor Sirron, his inappropriate tone and the way he all but leered at her. Hermione's skin almost got up and left the room of its own volition, but she gritted her teeth, offering him a not too encouraging smile, one which certainly didn't reach her usually warm brown eyes.

"I am told the hotel boasts an exceptionally good golf course, tennis courts and clay pigeon shooting if that is more your thing."

Not really wanting to be here, her mind drifted briefly back to her own deliciously failed attempt at clay pigeon shooting, right now wishing she'd stayed in Lucius Malfoy's bed and ordered room service.

This time it was the puffed up cornflake who simply motioned his bald head, clearly these were none of the sports that interested him, he took a sip of his own drink, evidently impatient to talk about something else…her.

"And what about you Hermione, what brings you to this particular Hotel?"

The sly inference in his voice, put her senses more on alert than ever. Exactly what had Lucius Malfoy been talking to Julius Nihil about? Telling him perhaps that Hermione Granger was at the hotel, possibly confiding his suspicions about what she did at the Ministry, that maybe his plans should change. Had Julius Nihil sent his crony to cunningly find out more?

"Actually Mist ..Sandor." His name almost stuck in her throat.

"Nothing brought me here, I was sent by my boss at the Ministry of Magic."

Her choice of words was calculated, and she scrutinised his reaction, prolonging her pause with a sip of her wine. Over the thin rim of her glass Hermione noticed a tiny bead of perspiration form on his upper lip, saw his fingers tighten just a little around his own heavy tumbler. Well that certainly hit a nerve, she mused, job done she quickly moved on.

"It's a punishment". Hermione giggled, toying with the thin stem of her glass.

"For not taking any time off and working too hard. I was sent here to relax."

She looked at the man sitting with her, her giggly, girlish revelation had changed his demeanour once again. Hermione's keen sense of intuition told her, the unease she was feeling had nothing to do with Lucius Malfoy's conversation with his undesirable acquaintance, but everything to do with the odious Sandor Sirron.

"I hope you are doing as you are told, and you must let me know if there is anything I can do to help." He said, that lecherous look back in his eyes, his tone steeped in inappropriateness.

"The owner is a friend of mine." He added without any need.

Hermione chewed on the inside of her lip, it was blatantly obvious, Sandor Sirron was a man who got by on his connections, who he knew as opposed to what he actually knew. He liked to name drop, use those connections to his advantage and was definitely out for his own gain.

To his obvious surprise Hermione rose from the sofa, his brows knitting together in consternation, his dark eyes unimpressed.

"I'm so sorry Mister Sirron, Sandor." She gushed, using that girlish tone once again.

"I really would love to stay and chat more, but I have a couple of salon appointments booked, and I really don't want to be late."

She gave him another of those overly bright feigned smiles,

"Thank you so much for the drink, If I need anything I will be sure to let you know." Not Hermione added under her breath.

Hermione felt Julius Nihil's rotund henchman's eyes watching her every move as she left the room, her skin crawling as if Nagini had slithered all over it. She had a good hour before her first salon appointment, she would be spending most of it in the shower.