Chapter Twenty-One: The Court of Death (Part One)

Narcissa Malfoy approached the table, supporting her own drink that she carried so that no one would ask her to dance.

"Morgan was it?" she asked softly approaching the table, her eyes looking at Hermione as if she was merely a roach.

"Yes, and you are?" Hermione asked innocently, knowing full and well who this was.

"Narcissa Malfoy," She nodded, not extending her hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, lady Malfoy." Hermione raised her glass, Snape put his arm around Hermione, looking at Lucius's wife with reproach.

"What can we do for you Narcissa?" Severus Drawled, with the same voice he used while in his classes, but with more poison, like he reserved for Harry, but far more cautious.

"Just a word with Morgan," She smiled, if you could call an up hooked sneer a smile, at Hermione.

"About what?" Severus asked, not releasing Hermione.

"Can't two ladies of our standing have a little chat about meaningless gossip without an escort, Severus?" Hermione chuckled.

She had been waiting for this opportunity all night. She had wanted to get away from him, not because she felt that she could work without him, but because he seemed to be smothering her, and she couldn't stand it.

It wasn't annoying, just too much, she couldn't explain it.

"Of course, Severus, how can you argue that?" Narcissa smirked.

"Morgan, I would rather that you stayed with me right now,"

"And sit all night?" Narcissa asked, "Plus it's unseemly for a lady of our standing to be about when the men talk, don't you agree Morgan?"

Hermione stopped, she did want to get closer to their marks, and if she left with Narcissa, she might not get the chance. But she knew that to decline at this point would give Mrs. Malfoy reason to question her, something she couldn't risk.

"Don't worry so much, darling" she stood and walked over to Severus and kissed his cheek near his ear. "I have it handled, don't make her suspect," Pulling back she added, "I will be back shortly I'm sure." And she turned and took Narcissa's lead, and walked from the table.

Severus cursed under his breath.

Narcissa lead Hermione to the ladies lounge, separate from the ball room. Hermione smiled as Narcissa opened the door and offered Hermione first entrance.

Hermione curtsied and took the offer, entering before the lady of the house.

Inside the room was dark, full of green décor, yet it still seemed bright and warm while ringing with resemblance to the Slytherin dungeons.

"Lovely décor Narcissa." Hermione remarked easily, smiling at her host.

"Thank you dear, it's the only room I did myself, I had the house elves do the rest." Narcissa smiled, really, at Hermione.

Hermione, one. She thought mentally.

"Girls, this is Morgan, Severus's date." She emphasized the ending.

There was a collective gasp from the group, small, and in chairs around a table that faced the fireplace. Whispers flew, and Narcissa had to hush them with a waving of her hand.

"I know, I know." She laughed, taking the largest backed chair and offering Hermione the one next to her. "So tell us dear, how did you come to be interested in our Severus?"

"He's kind, witty and smart," Hermione shrugged, "We fell into conversation easily, and one thing led to another."

"Interesting, now here was I thinking that Severus had a thing for guys how shy he was among us girls." A lady with hark black hair laughed.

"How come… um, I'm afraid I didn't catch your name?" Hermione asked politely, though she knew who this was, Bellatrix.

"Bella, Bella LeStrange." She tipped her glass at Hermione, "I didn't catch your last name?"

"I never gave it," Hermione nodded politely; "I'm Morgan Huginn."

"Huginn," Bella wondered out loud, "Isn't that one of Odin's birds?"

"Yes, it is. Huginn, or thought." Hermione nodded, smiling.

This wasn't so bad she thought.

Snape was getting more nervous by the second, where was she? The worry he was feeling surpassed any he had previously known, he was losing edge.

"Darling!" Hermione giggled and hugged him from behind, Snape turned to see her smiling, and he couldn't help smiling in return.

"Come with me Morgan, there is someone I wish to introduce you to." He took her hand, and she grabbed his arm, and they walked out of the hall.

"So Morgan," Narsicca mused, "How loyal is Severus to you?"

"Very," Hermione smiled, "As I am to him, we both trust and obey each other, as it is custom among relationships of our stature."

Bella started to laugh, "It sounds like you two are already married!" Bella smiled at the younger woman, "Every lady worth her gold knows that men need to be controlled."

"I—" Hermione started but was cut off by a loud cawing from Munin. Her head snapped at the bird, "What's wrong?" she stood from her seat and turned to the bird. It fluttered over and tugged on her robes, like it had that night…

Hermione was suddenly scared, what was going on?

"I'm sorry, something has come up, I have to go." She bowed quickly and dismissed herself, despite the offers from the other ladies to remain.

She rushed down into the hall where she had left Severus, and she looked frantically around, trying to look and decipher through all the black in the room, but she couldn't see him.

He wasn't there.

Her eyes glowed darkly, as the fear washed over her.

Severus brought Morgan outside and turned to her, "Little women" He stated and watched her eyes.

They had been separated for to long; he couldn't trust that this was the real Hermione.

"What are you talking about dear?" she smiled, and before she could say anymore, a wand was at her throat.

"Who are you?" he hissed.

"I'm Morgan darling, what is going on?" her voice, he now realized, was by far to sweet.

"I demand you tell me who you are right now, or you'll pay the consequences." He snapped, glaring.

A whirl of colors spun around the Morgan, revealing Pansy Parkinson. "How did you ever guess? My mask was perfect." She whined.

"Not exactly, now little girl, you are going to come with me to have a talk with your father." He grabbed his students arm harshly.

"She's not going anywhere Severus." A voice from behind whispered.

Severus turned and he recognized the form.

AN: Ok kiddies,

I know I haven't updated in forever. I just finished up my last year and I was working on finals. Now I'm updating again, so no need to panic.

This is getting heated up and will be longer then I had thought originally.

Remember to Review

I'll accept flames for tardiness, I deserve them.

RelenaS