Disclaimer: All original Harry Potter characters are property of J.K. Rowling and no infringement is intended. The original characters are solely mine and should not be used without permission.

Prologue

"Same time and place next week?" Malfoy questioned in a tone utterly devoid of emotion. Myra rolled over on the bed to face him; watching as he quickly threw the long black cloak over his shoulders, impatiently awaiting her response. "Well?" He asked again, those steel grey eyes boring into her forehead.

"Your zipper," she nodded matter-of-factly. "It's undone." She rose, stretched and padded across the floor to where her own clothes lay strewn over a chair. Lucius had completely forgotten she were there, now engrossed in adjustments and his own physical appearance. "And to answer your question, next week would be fine."

He partially bowed an approval before grabbing his cane, nearly strutting out of the room. "What an arrogant piece of work he is," she muttered shaking her head.

Myra knew damn well this situation was ridiculous and couldn't think of a single person who would approve; even she didn't, deep down. Working for the Order had afforded her many luxuries, worries and dangers, but sleeping with Lucius Malfoy under cover of darkness and secrecy may prove to be her biggest risk yet. She told herself it was crazy, to simply tell him it had to end - after all, the man did have women lined up around the corner, so to speak. However, when the internal battle subsided she found Malfoy to be the equivalent of an addictive drug. She enjoyed the uncertainty and felt completely in command of the situation, without the complication of a typical long-term relationship. They both came and went as they pleased, enjoyed each others company and kept personal melodrama outside the room. Myra pondered her life a bit longer before shoving the emotion somewhere under her ribcage; threw on her coat and shut the door behind her, his residual scent floating up through her nostrils.

Chapter One

"Myra where in Merlin have you been?" A young woman with long black hair asked, leaping from her chair, looking panic-stricken. "I expected you over an hour ago and I thought something had happened!"

"I'm fine, Alana, please stop fussing," she offered calmly, giving her best friend a hug, before they both took a seat inside the well-heated pub. "I simply forgot the time, but I apologize for having worried you." Myra ordered a butterbeer for each of them, even though she really felt like a fire whiskey.

"Are you sure everything is okay?" Alana prodded with an air of concern.

"I'm absolutely fine, I promise." Now gulping down a generous portion of her beverage, unsure if looking her friend in the eye would be a good idea. Alana obviously knew something was knawing at her, and of everyone on the planet her best friend did deserve the truth.

"Well can you fill me in on where you've been, or is it a big secret."

"I was with Malfoy."

"Malfoy? Who, Draco? Why?"

"No, not Draco, Lucius."

Alana nearly sprayed a mouthful of butterbeer across the table and tried to stop herself from choking. What on heavens name would her best friend be doing associating with Lucius Malfoy? The more desperate question was did she have the courage to ask. One never demanded too many answers of those working in the Order.

"Alright Myra, I have to ask, why were you meeting with Malfoy?"

"I knew you would," Myra grinned at her friend. "If I tell you, do you promise not to attract any more attention by almost choking to death?"

"Haha, very funny. Yes I promise."

"Well Lucius and I have a mutual agreement," Myra began, lowering her voice slightly. That was all she needed, for the entire establishment to hear this one.

"What kind of agreement," Alana demanded, catching on and speaking much more quietly, almost through her mug.

"We sleep together once a week, or more frequently, depending on when the mood hits."

Alana nearly dropped her mug on the floor. "That's not funny."

"I'm not trying to be funny."

"You're serious then? This isn't a sick joke? I'm not stuck in a horrendous nightmare? I didn't get sucked into some parallel universe through a portkey? You haven't completely and totally lost your blessed mind?"

"I think the jury may be out on the last bit, but no, this isn't a sick joke and you're very much here with me."

"Please, pinch me, just in case," Alana shook her head, feeling moderately numb and slightly sick to her stomach. "I thought you smelled a little muskier than usual."

"Well I'm glad your sense of humour has returned," Myra chuckled, before turning serious again. "Alana you have to promise me that no one will find out about this."

"Fine, I promise."

"Swear it on Sirius' head; otherwise I may wake up dead one morning."

"Enough with the bad jokes, and I swear it on Sirius' head, I won't tell anyone about you flipping your top."

"Alana, you have to swear it properly."

"Okay, okay, I swear I won't tell anyone that you're," she gulped. "Sleeping with - I can't believe you're making me say this - Lucius Malfoy."

"Thank you. Now that wasn't so bad was it?" Myra winked.

"Oh no, not bad at all! Excuse me while I take a scalding shower that will include scrubbing away at least three layers of skin in order to feel clean again."

"Cute, very cute. I understand how much you must hate this."

"Do you really?" Alana snorted. "Then why are you doing this? Why would you degrade yourself like this when you could have any man? Why in the name of Merlin would you pick this man?"

"I haven't exactly picked him, Alana. This is just a casual fling and who better than Malfoy to have a fling with? He's an arrogant pain-in-the-ass who obviously hasn't much regard for women or he wouldn't cheat on his wife. He's self-absorbed, obnoxious, hot-tempered and highly irritating."

"I also swear I'm about ready to smack you!" Alana hissed. "If you know all that, and I knew you did because you're an intelligent woman - most of the time - why would you sleep with him? I could almost understand it once if you were really drunk, but on a regular basis?"

"Honestly, I'm not completely sure," Myra sighed, staring into the bottom of her glass, the earlier emotion trying to escape from under her ribcage. "I enjoy the risk of being with him and I like the feeling of control I have in calling the shots over such a powerful man. We get what we want from each other, when we want it and don't involve any of the emotional crap that I'm so tired of in relationships."

"Considering the number of times men have hurt you I can almost understand this behaviour, but I think you're taking a greater risk than you realize in becoming one of Lucius Malfoy's companions. What happens if he finds out who you work for? And what about Severus?"

"He simply can't find out who I work for and what about Severus?"

"Are you that clueless? Everybody knows that Severus has feelings for you, and frankly I never thought I'd say this, but I think you'd be better with him."

It was Myra's turn to choke on her beverage. "I can't believe you're trying to set me up with Severus, the same man you called a git, and to his face no less."

"Well he's preferable to Malfoy and at least he's working for the right bloody side in this war."

"Ah, now we're getting to the heart of this loathing. You're more upset that I'm sleeping with the enemy than anything else, is that it?"

"Yes, that is a big issue for me, but I know where your loyalties lie and what kind of a person you are, so the situation has no bearing on our friendship. I simply want you to be careful and I'm trying to act as devil's advocate."

"I appreciate your words of caution and your concern, truly I do."

"Why is it that I sense a really large 'but' coming on?"

"Because you know me well enough to understand my stubbornness and unwillingness to budge in this situation?"

"Yeah, something like that." Alana rolled her eyes and Myra glanced in the direction she was staring, the red creeping into her face. "Oh look who it is," Alana grimaced.

"Be nice and keep a low profile, for both our sakes," Myra whispered.

Lucius Malfoy entered the tavern with a flourish and what appeared to be a new house elf at his heals. Myra didn't know of many people who could look both disgusted and regal at the same time, but he had managed it. She tried to duck back behind her mug, only it was a few seconds too late, because he'd spotted her and was making his way to their table. He certainly knew how to command respect, as everyone kept out of his way, looking somewhat terrified. Even Alana appeared taken aback by him, obviously finding it hard not to stare. Lucius stopped at their table, raised an eyebrow in acknowledgement and smiled - or was that a grimace - it had often been hard to tell. Myra thought it best, under the circumstances, to casually smile back before taking a sip of butterbeer.

"Miss Smythe, how lovely to see you this evening. I trust you're well?" Malfoy offered in a gentlemanly fashion, removing his black leather gloves.

"I am quite well, thank you, Mr. Malfoy. Is there something in particular I can do for you?"

"A word in private," he bowed smoothly to Alana. "If your lovely companion can part with your company for a moment?"

"Uh, ye-yes sure, no problem," Alana stuttered, still staring.

"I won't be long. Why don't you get us another round?" Myra tried on her best smile and squeezed her friends shoulder before following Malfoy into a private room near the back of The Three Broomsticks.