A/N: Little note of warning, things get a bit harsh towards the end; a little colorful language just to warn ya'll.

"Severus, you can't be serious!"

"Hermione, please calm down. Anger isn't good for you right now. You need to rest and give your body time to heal."

"Severus," she growled in response. "You know I don't like you lecturing me on my health. And might I remind you that I have every reason to be upset with you right now? Going to Azkaban is an awful idea and you know it. There's a reason Lucius Malfoy is there, and it's not because it's being guarded by fluffy, pink bunnies!"

He sighed and sat next to her. Looking into her eyes he said, "If I'm to find out anything about Pansy Parkinson's whereabouts, I need to do this. Lucius is our only lead at the moment."

She sighed as a sign of her resignation. "I don't like it though."

"I don't either. But I'll have support. Remus is tearing himself away from ministry business long enough to come along, and Draco's accompanying us per Dumbledore's request." He leaned back, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him. "If nothing else, I'll get the satisfaction of thanking him for bringing us together."

She smiled slightly at the comment and snuggled closer to him. "It would be interesting to see his reaction."

"Indeed." He kissed the top of her head and squeezed her tightly before letting go. Standing up, he said, "I know this worries you, which is why I told you before I left. If you'll excuse me, I must have a word with Remus while Albus has him here. Don't do anything I wouldn't do while I'm gone."

"So, burying myself in the library is out?"

"Make that don't do anything I wouldn't do if I were you."

She kissed him as he left and smiled at the comment. However, it was not long after his leaving that she felt lonely and the sadness began creeping in. Not wishing to succumb to the despair that would follow, she grabbed her book bag and wandered toward the Head Girl's quarters, which she retained for study groups and times when she needed to be alone. Along the way, she rounded up Ginny, Ron, and Harry. They would certainly know how to cheer her up. Besides, she missed them terribly since she had not seen them since her return from St. Mungo's the day before

: P

Draco's visit to his father had not gone quite as well as he had hoped it would. It certainly had not been as lucrative as he expected. Lucius claimed to know nothing of Pansy Parkinson's continuing allegiance to the Dark Lord, but Draco knew better. He always did when it came to his father's lies. Somewhere along the line he had started to pick up on the mannerisms that came along with untruths. Draco knew there was always a sign that someone was lying, even with those people who were so used to lying that it became a part of them. Lucius' particular tell was a twitch of his left pinky, barely noticeable, but visible nonetheless to the trained eye. Draco knew his father knew something; unfortunately, he just did not know what it was. He had a sneaky suspicion it had to do with an estate thought long lost in the furthest reaches of Siberia where no one dared go, even those with magical abilities.

"Draco, are you listening?" Severus' voice cut through the young man's thoughts.

"Sorry," he responded sheepishly, looking down at his hands.

Severus tutted at the response and repeated for Draco to hear, "When we get to Azkaban, Lupin will remain in the shadows while we 'talk' with Lucius. I will ask the questions, is that clear?"

"Yes, sir," he responded automatically. Draco knew not to overstep his bounds in fear of Snape's wrath switching targets.

"Good, and so you're both aware, I may have to be a bit unpleasant to extract information from Lucius. We shall meet here tomorrow morning, eight sharp. Good evening," Severus finished in a precise, clipped tone. He turned quickly and marched toward his private chambers, robes billowing behind him.

Lupin watched him go and commented lightly, "Well, he's somewhat hospitable now that he's married. I only hope he continues to progress this way."

Draco looked at the thin, graying werewolf. "It won't happen if he doesn't find Pansy." He walked away, leaving Lupin to stand in Snape's austere office alone.

Looking around, he said to himself, "However, his idea of comforts hasn't changed any." Shrugging, he pulled out the bag of floo powder in his pocket and exited Hogwarts via the Floo Network.

: P

Morning came much too early for some, but then it always did when OWLS and NEWTS were approaching. Hermione frowned deeply. She had just hit upon the realization that she had less than one month to prepare. She frowned even more deeply when she realized Severus would be going to Azkaban later that morning to see Lucius Malfoy. While she did not approve of the trip, she knew there was little else to be done in regards to finding Pansy Parkinson.

"Severus!" she called loudly. She had not been happy to find him already up when she awoke. Not getting a response, she called even more loudly, "Severus!"

His head popped into the bedroom, mouth full of toothpaste. "Hmm?" he inquired.

Hermione sighed. "Sorry. I thought you'd left without telling me."

Severus smiled and returned to the bathroom to rid himself of the toothpaste. Returning, he smirked at her and replied, "I wouldn't do that." She gave him a 'I know you're tricks' kind of look to which he said, "Not on your first day back to class anyway, love." He kissed her forehead and she snuggled closer to him.

"I wish you didn't have to go to Azkaban today." She pouted a bit at him.

Unmoved, he responded simply, "Sorry, no other options right now."

They held each other for a bit before he hustled her out of bed and up to breakfast at the Great Hall. Remus Lupin was just finishing a quick morning meal as a guest at Hogwarts when he noticed Hermione enter. He excused himself from his seat and proceeded to leave. On the way, he walked past Hermione. "Good morning, Lady Snape. I hope Severus hasn't been too horrible to you this morning," he said with a smile.

She smiled back and responded, "Only as awful as normal, but you know Severus. He always has to be the grump of the party."

Both chuckled at the comment and Lupin said good-bye, entrusting Hermione to her friends.

Draco, meanwhile, shoved several more pieces of toast into his mouth before hurrying out to meet Severus. He had woken late, so breakfast was more of a rushed affair than normal. He was not terribly hungry as it was, but he knew it was better to eat than face his father with an empty stomach.

Lupin and Draco met with Severus at the same time and they left Hogwarts without more than a general greeting. All were lost in their own thoughts and had no particular interest in discussing their feeling about the visit with the others. Once off Hogwarts grounds, they apparated just outside Azkaban prison. Known Death Eaters who had been captured during the final battle had been locked up in the prison now guarded and maintained by aurors and ministry workers instead of the dementors. Ministry officials found the dementors to be too troublesome to maintain in the long run and decided it would be best if only those who could be trusted with the power of guarding the prison were to take over the task. Any visitors were carefully inspected before entering or leaving Azkaban, and admittance was harder to come by unless one was given the proper clearance in advance. Fortunately, Dumbledore had been sure to gain clearance for the party of three before agreeing to send them to the prison.

"Lord Snape, Remus, and Mister Malfoy, follow me if you will," said the largest guard on the premises after their wands had been confiscated for security purposes. They quietly descended further into the prison, finally stopping in an unlit corridor next to an unlit, unmarked cell. "Malfoy, you've got a visitor," said the guard into a small opening in the door.

Lucius Malfoy's face appeared in the space and he squinted as the light from guard's wand broke the darkness. The guard moved back a few steps, sending Malfoy into the shadows once more. Lupin remained safely hidden in the shadows while Draco stood several paces behind Severus, just barely within sight of his father.

Severus leaned close to the door and said, "Happy to see me, Lucius?" Malfoy spit in his face. The guard moved to do something, but was waved off. Severus wiped it away, still managing to smirk at his one-time friend.

"You should be on this side of the door, dear Severus," hissed Malfoy.

"But I'm not the one who got caught, am I? You'll certainly do no good to the cause from that side of the door."

"The cause is dead!"

"I have reason to believe it's not," he stated matter of factly.

"And why's that?" Malfoy asked, attempting not to sound too hopeful.

"Because your errand girl made sure I received your message."

Malfoy simply laughed. "Parkinson was never mine, but she would have been a lovely addition to the cause, you must agree."

Severus smirked in agreement. "Yes, the Dark Lord would most certainly have been pleased. But tell me, Lucius, why did you never have dear Draco bring her in?" It was something he had always wondered, but he asked for the sake of trying to gain knowledge of her whereabouts than his curiosity.

Malfoy smiled and motioned for Severus to move closer. In a voice barely above a whisper, he responded, "Between you and me, she was inconsistent. A good fuck, I assure you, but not quite sufficient when it came to her brains. However, I may be wrong after what I've been told. How's your wife doing?" he asked cheerfully.

Severus suppressed the urge to take the guard's wand and hex Malfoy on the spot. He would get back at Malfoy soon enough. He just had to play along a little longer. "Considerably well given what happened. But I've learned to expect little else from that mudblood. She has always been difficult."

Malfoy smiled. "Good to know you're keeping with the old ways, Severus. And tell me, how is she in bed?"

Severus smiled smugly, "'A good fuck,' I believe is the way you'd put it. Of course, the fact you played a hand in forcing a marriage on me could be forgiven because of that. It is a delight to know I can have her any time I want her." Severus felt Draco and Lupin bristling at the comment behind him, but he had only to play the charade a little longer. Lucius was almost where he wanted him. "In fact, I should be thanking you for having Parkinson take care of the kid. I certainly don't need a complication at this point of our relationship. That damned Dumbledore tricked me so that we'd be forced to stay married," he scoffed as he said this. He could feel Draco's anger now, but it needed to be done.

Malfoy laughed. "I knew Parkinson would be useful someday. It's almost too bad she isn't around to see what she's wrought."

"Indeed. I was rather hoping to thank her, but she's gone to ground."

"Too bad. She'd be a pleasure for you to have around if you ever desired a bit more than that mudblood of yours," came the arrogant reply.

"Quite, Lucius, quite." Severus turned away from Malfoy towards Draco, giving the younger Slytherin an apologetic look.

In a tone suggesting he knew of Draco's presence, Malfoy said, "Severus, before you go, tell Draco I hope he freezes in Hell for what he's done. He never could play both sides like you, and he deserves to be punished in the proper Malfoy manner."

Severus turned to face Malfoy again. Smiling at the other man, he replied, "You're right. Except now you know which side your son and I are on. In fact, I must say, your little curse turned out to be the best thing that could ever have happened to me." He noted the look of surprise that was quickly suppressed on the other man's features. "You may think that love is a weakness, but I've discovered it's quite the opposite. His tone was getting quieter and harsher as he spoke. "You and Parkinson will pay for what you've taken from me. Nothing you or her do can save your souls now, Lucius. Redemption only comes to those who have found the error in their ways." He nodded to the guard who locked the small opening in the door before leading the group out to the grounds and returning their wands.

The group apparated to Hogwarts in silence before anyone said anything. Lupin looked at Severus accusingly. "Did you really have to say any of that?"

"Remus, please," he responded, holding up a hand. "I feel guilty enough as it is reverting to that technique."

"Oh please," Draco snorted.

"Is there something you wish to say?" asked Severus in a threatening tone.

"As a matter of fact there is!"

Remus was between them before they could cause any harm to each other. "Stop, both of you! You're just as bad as Lucius if you do this!" Draco and Severus stopped.

"Sorry, sir," Draco said.

"No, I should have allowed you your say. But later. We need to report to Albus what has occurred."

They somberly returned to the castle, each wrapped in their own thoughts once again.

End Chapter 23

A/N: A few small notes.

1) I have no plans not to continue this story because of HBP. I find it silly not to because all fan fiction is AU as it is. That's the whole point of ff if you ask me. And I've spent too much time with this to leave it hanging.

2) Several of you have mentioned that this story is perfect. I disagree but I will say that I think it's my best yet.

3) I'm nearing the end of this and there will probably be a flurry of chapters in the coming weeks as I try to finish it before I head back to college.

4) As always, please review!