Chapter 6
Severus had donned his cloak, apparated outside Malfoy Manor and was waiting for someone to open the door.
Just as his patience was wearing thin a cowed little house elf peered around the now open door looking suspicious.
"Master Snape sir, sir is coming in? Tottles is taking your robes sir and is getting master Malfoy sir."
Severus handed over his travelling cloak to the rambling elf and watched as the annoying little thing vanished with a pop.
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Lucius was a little puzzled as to why Severus would turn up at Malfoy Manner without prior arrangement. Not that he minded as Severus and him self got along very well and had a long history. Especially when they were in the service of the dark lord.
He used to think it was poetic watching Severus work with his victims. He was always so calm and controlled in the way he would torture, rape and finally slay them.
Unlike himself, who used to get caught up in, 'the thrill of the kill.' so to speak.
He could never control his blood lust, the urge to cause extreme pain and maim his victims violently; he just never possessed that sort of command in the heat of the moment.
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Severus was standing in the foyer of 'The ever Grand Malfoy Manor, Honestly that arrogant wizard was over the top sometimes' he thought to himself as he eyed the extravagance around him distastefully.
"Severus"
He heard by way of greeting, he could already tell by Lucius' eyes that the man was a little puzzled as to why he would show up here out of the blue.
"Lucius" He replied with a curt nod as his own reply.
"Come through to the library my friend, it has been a while since we have shared a glass of fine brandy has it not?"
"Indeed it has." Severus replied as he settled himself upon a comfortable chair in the library.
The Malfoy's library was not the size of his own in Snape Hall, but it was nothing to scoff at either.
The room was rather large and was two stories high. There was a second landing for easier access to peruse the books upon those walls, although ninety percent of the collection consisted of questionable text.
The room was done in Slytherin colours of course. You couldn't expect anything less from Lucius Malfoy but with the fireplace lit, it did give off a rather comfortable atmosphere.
"So my old friend what is on your mind?" Lucius asked as he handed Severus his brandy, before he settled him self across from his long time friend.
Severus smirked.
"What makes you think there is something on my mind Lucius? Can a wizard not visit with an acquaintance without an ulterior motive?"
Lucius chuckled good-naturedly at Severus' words.
"Of course he can. But not in your case Severus, you're Slytherin to the core and always have a motive."
"Ah you have me there." Sipping his brandy before continuing.
"I did actually come for a reason.... Miss Granger."
He stated her name as an answer to the question.
"Ah, I wondered who would be sent seeking information on that subject."
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Lucius wasn't stupid enough to divulge any information to Severus, even if they were good friends. He knew where Severus' true loyalties lay. Especially when it came to that sodding lot of Gryffindors he had spied for during the war.
Nobody sent me Lucius. I am here out of my own curiosity. I spoke to young Draco about how you felt about his new interest in Miss Granger and he said that you had given your blessing. Knowing the way you feel about having a certain lineage in your families' line. I found that a little odd."
Lucius made a show of sighing and looking pensive.
"Times have changed my friend. I have realized that my past actions and beliefs were not the answer to all the Wizarding worlds problems. It was foolish of me not to have seen it sooner. I am just grateful that I was able to correct my misjudgement in time."
Lucius noticed Severus' doubtful look. He should have known it would take more than aloof regret to convince Severus. So he continued.
"When Draco came to me and expressed an interest in Miss Granger. I was a little put out at first, but as I listened to him list all of the reasons why he wished to make amends with her and pursue her romantically."
Here he noticed that Severus grimaced 'interesting' he would have to think on that later.
"I thought long and hard about his decision. She is after all a formidable witch in her own right; it would be foolish of me to fall into past prejudices and deny that such a strong and intelligent witch was not good enough for our family. I only hope that Miss Granger will allow Draco the time to show her, that he is indeed very sorry for the way he has behaved toward her. I would be honoured to call such a young lady family."
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Severus wasn't buying any of it. He knew there had to be more to the story somewhere, Lucius was never this yielding in anything unless it came with an extremely huge benefit. He topped up his glass before addressing the elder Malfoy with his concerns."You do realize that she is currently under my tutelage at the moment don't you Lucius?"
"Yes I had heard. It surprised me greatly if you must know; I don't believe you have ever taken on an apprentice. None the less I understand why you did so. From what I have been told, she is an academic genius."
"That is correct. Though she would never here me say it."
Severus replied with a smirk as Lucius chuckled.
"The reason I point this out is; I am not in the habit of wasting my time and she still has a considerable amount of it left with me. I do not want to find out that I have spent time helping her perfect her abilities, only to have her come to me. Say she has changed her mind and wants to be married, so that she may breed. Quiet frankly, I think it would be a waste of a brilliant mind."
"Any one would think you were fond of the girl the way you sing her praises Severus. If I didn't know any better I would say that you didn't want to see the poor girl married."
Severus snorted at Lucius' last comments and rolled his eyes to show his disgust for what his host was implying.
"As I said before. I would hate for her to be unable to reach her full potential. I think it would be best if you advised Draco not to let things get to serious to quickly. If Draco truly cares for her as much as he says he does, he will allow her this time to focus on her studies. She would end out resenting him for it later if he did not."
"I'm sure you are correct Severus and I will speak to Draco about considering her future before getting to carried away with starting families and such."
"That is all I am asking of you Lucius."
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Lucius however was struggling with an inner turmoil at Severus' words. He wanted Draco to sweep her off her feet marry and bed her as soon as possible though not particularly in that order he wasn't to fussed about that.
He just needed to be able to make a show of welcoming a 'muggle-born' into the family. Then unbeknownst to everyone else, acquire his heir from Rowena's bloodline into his own.
The girl wasn't going to have any time to be able to grow resentful for not pursuing her career; he didn't plan on keeping her around for long after his task was accomplished.
It looked like a few holes had turned up in his plans for Miss Granger. He was going to have to think of some way to manoeuvre around this new problem. Which shouldn't be too difficult he was a Slytherin after all.
He hadn't expected Severus to covert her future with such an interest; he was going to have to think about this new turn of events when he had some time to him self.
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Severus interrupted Lucius' inner musings stating.
"It actually puzzles me. As to why he would wish to go through with the hassle of courting Miss Granger? I don't believe that Messer's Potter and Weasley will accept this turn of events graciously. No matter how much Draco wishes to make amends for past misdeeds. I certainly wouldn't mind being a fly on the wall for that little discussion though."
The two wizards shared an amused chuckle at that last statement; they could just see the outraged faces of the dynamic duo upon hearing news that Draco Malfoy, was intending to openly court their beloved friend. Then Lucius retorted with his eyebrow raised.
"I do believe the muggles have a saying that goes along the lines of 'Love conquers all' do they not?"
"I do believe you're putting far to much faith in Draco's charms to be able to win the girl over Lucius. She is extremely stubborn and very realistic. He will have a hard time trying to woo her. Mark my words."
"I don't know about that Severus. Malfoy men can be very persuasive when they have to be."
Severus filed that statement away for further analyses, when he would have more time to think on it.
Deciding that they had discussed his son's love life for long enough, Lucius turned the topic onto more neutral topics, which they discussed for an abundance of time before Severus finally took his leave.
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Severus was back at Hogwarts in his private chambers, he had shucked his robes and was now seated comfortably in front of a crackling fire.
His shirt was unbuttoned and his bare feet were resting upon the coffee table. Causing shadows to dance across the floor.
He sipped a very robust sauvignon from his collection, contemplating all the events that had taken place in the last few days.
He decided that he was feeling extremely confused.
He didn't like it, not one bit.
The discovery of Grangers gift had come as a surprise; if he was really honest it was not that big a shock, apart from how they found out.
That was one experience he didn't wish to recall tonight.
The girl's thirst for knowledge was insatiable; combine that with the fact that she was able to follow it up, by performing the practical side of it perfectly should have been a major indicator.
She was the most dedicated student he had ever taught; that was including an anal retentive Percy Weasley.
She put her all into everything she did and prided herself on doing so. He admitted to himself; it was one of the things they had in common along with intelligence.
She harboured a mind, which was only rivalled by his own and he had to admire that.
Even though the threat of dating Trewlawny couldn't pull it from his lips.
The sudden interests of the youngest Malfoy; was causing alot of his confusion.
He was trying to look at it from all possible angles and it was making his head hurt.
On one hand he could understand his godsons interest in the estimable Miss Granger. She was not an air headed fool, like the rest of the females her age.
He had never seen her gossiping in the halls or giggling over boys. She had always carried herself with an air of maturity; that her peers were sadly lacking.
Never possessing the need to dress up like a knockturn alley whore. Unlike a lot of the girl's that had been in her year.
He thought that maybe Draco had finally grown tired of the simpering fools that usually flocked to his side?
Maybe he had finally matured? And was looking for something more substantial from a female companion, than that of which he was exposed to.
If you were to ask, him he decided Miss Granger was the cream of the date- able crop.
The fact he just had that particular thought, was what had spurred him into pouring another glass of wine. Wondering how the hell he had come to that conclusion?
Once he had refilled his glass and was settled back into his well worn; black velvet armchair. He began to ponder Draco's interest from another point of view.
What if his interests had been borne from malice?
She had after all topped him in absolutely everything.
All her Professors had constantly praised her through out her schooling years.
Excluding himself, it just wasn't in his nature to do so. Except for with his Slytherins of course.
His godson though was another story entirely.
However highly he reached, he never received the same extent of encouragement that she had been so readily offered.
For the simple fact, that he had been a Slytherin.
Therefore, he was considered evil from the get go. Not only by his peers in the other three houses, but also from the faculty.
Most of the Professors were extremely distrustful of his house and never really wanted to give them an inch.
This was Severus' reasoning for being completely biased in favour of his charges.
He knew damn well that no one else would give them quarter. The poor little bastards received an invisible black mark against them, as soon as the sorting hat yelled Slytherin.
Severus was being side tracked from his train of thought, because of resentment.
He scowled at himself for that and poured another glass of wine.
So. She showed him up all the time. A muggle-born witch, topping one of the most prominent, pureblooded family names in the Wizarding world.
He could just imagine what Lucius had put Draco through over that.
Especially when the dark lord had been around.
Lucius would have viewed it as something akin to treason and weakness.
Probably even accused him of failing to come first on purpose to defy him.
Severus shuddered.
Why the gods allowed Lucius Malfoy to procreate was beyond his contemplation.
Maybe Draco was seeking revenge; on what happened to be an easy second nature to Granger?
Maybe he sort to pay her back?
For all the grief and beatings he would have suffered because of it. That alone would have been humiliating enough to seek revenge.
It still didn't explain why Lucius was encouraging him?
He was one shrewd, calculating, sick son of a bitch.
Severus didn't like it; it wasn't sitting right with him at all.
Lucius never allowed Draco to do anything with out his consent or explicit instruction. He ruled that boy's future with an iron fist.
The fact that his son had gone to him and pleaded his case to pursue Miss Granger was,.. Well a load of bollix.
There is no way in Hiaties that had occurred.
He just couldn't picture Draco saying.
"I'm in love with Hermione Granger, the mudblood witch and best friend to Harry Potter defeater of the dark lord."
Let alone still being able to stand with the use of his legs, continuing to plead his case as to why.
There is definitely no way at all that happened.
Lucius was up to something he was sure of it.
With that as his last thought. He knocked back the rest of his wine and sorted himself out for bed.
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It had been normal for Hermione to wake up exhausted, with books askew across her bed. This morning though, she rose unusually cheerful and so she decided to contemplate this.
Maybe it was time for her to slow down and start enjoying herself more?
She had always been in such a hurry, never stopping for a minute to breathe. Sleep had become a nuisance that only got in the way of all the work she had to do.
She got out of bed with her new resolve firmly in place. She was going to enjoy this new-relaxed Hermione. Especially if she woke up feeling this good in the morning, a night out had been just what she needed.
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Severus was sitting at the lone round table in the great hall seeing as it was holidays and no students about, there was no need for there to be anymore other than that.
The other professors were talking amongst themselves, when the doors to the great hall opened and admitted Hermione looking well rested and happy and on the arm of a different young man than that of which she had left on last night.
Severus thought this was interesting, it looked as though things weren't going to go as easily for Draco as Lucius had seemed to think it would.
He wasn't sure how he felt about this, he had just recognised the boy as one of the champions who had come to Hogwarts for the tri wizard tournament.
'Krum, the famous Quidditch player, but what the hell was he doing at Hogwarts?'
He vaguely remembered that it was this young man who had escorted Granger to the Yule ball that year, at the envy of most the girls in the school too. He decided he didn't like it and couldn't figure out why? And that made him like it even less.
He turned to Albus and said with a sneer in place.
"I didn't realize we were running a holiday inn for visitors this year headmaster."
Albus chuckled at Severus' words good naturedly, wondering if the potions master knew why he felt so hostile towards the man, who had apparently monopolised all of Hermione's attention from the time she had entered for breakfast.
"He is not a visitor Severus. He will be here for the school year replacing Madam Hooch while she is on her sabbatical."
"It would have been nice to have been informed of this before hand."
Severus replied catching Krum's eye with a glare.
"I did try to contact you last night, but sadly I must have missed you as your quarters were decidedly empty."
Severus heard the unasked question in that statement and knew Albus wanted to know where he had been, but he wasn't about to tell him. It would involve to many questions as to why he went and he wasn't sure he could find an answer to that.
"Hmmmm." Was the only answer he found to be polite enough that he wouldn't have to tell him, to keep his nose out of his business.
Just then he overheard a snatch of conversation coming from Granger and Krum.
'Hermianny, it is such a beautiful morning per-haps you 'vill come s'vimming 'vith me a'vter break'vast 've could spend 'ze day together.'
'That sounds like a wonderful idea Viktor I would be happy too.'
In what could only be described as a condescending tone.
"I believe you will find, that Miss Granger has a prior engagement this morning that she has forgotten about?"
Severus said it before he even realized he was going to say anything, for some reason he didn't want her to spend the day with this over developed ape.
"Surely Hermianny, doe'z not have to do studies in the holi-days?"
"I am afraid Mr Krum, that what Miss Granger does under my tutelage is none of your concern."
Severus sneered. 'Who was this idiot to question him?'
Hermione for her part was at a loss, on one hand she didn't want to leave Viktor to his own devices on his first day in the castle and on the other hand, she had been completely out of line with Snape yesterday morning and really should put things right.
"It's ok Viktor, I do have something I need to tend to this morning. Maybe we can catch up later in the afternoon?"
She gave Viktor a warm smile, who nodded in return until Severus cut in once again with.
"I wouldn't count on that Miss granger, there is a lot we need to work through before you may take your leave today."
He threw her a piercing glare for good measure, communicating they had a lot indeed, that they would be discussing before she left his company today and with that he nodded to the other staff and left the hall, robes billowing behind him.
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'Help' the author needs her ego stroked.You love it? you hate it? Let me know.
Chibi06: LOL Thanks I think they got heaps of chemistry too. The only problem is, there happens to be chemistry flying around everywhere. cackles evil author.- There is a restaraunt here that I took my description from, maybe there is one in every country lol.
Purplespottedhedwig: Thankyou. You know we love to hate those Slytherins, how can we not they make the best fic's lol.
Sage and Snape: Yes Draco was a bit over done with the whole etiquette area, but he is trying to win her over lol, though he has a far bit of competition now. Snape doesn't really know much as you can see, but he is very suspicious of Lucius all the same. Thankyou for your review, it means alot that you took the time to give it, now get to work on that bloody update. LMAO.
Colorain: Thank you for the review. I know my spelling and grammer leaves alot to be desired and there is probably more in this on lol. But what can you do? I use spell/grammer check every few paragraphs and at the end. Do I'm not sure why it doesn't pick most of it up.
Lonelygirl54: Thanks for your review. hope to see another update from you too, soon.
Thanks guys, Please feed me reviews I can't live without 'em. makes me update quicker too. xoxoxox