A bit longer this time around. Here are a few facts that might answer some of your questions:
--Narcissa Malfoy died in the last war. She was viciously murdered by Voldemort after she refused to sacrifice the life of her son. For this reason, Lucius turned to the side of the Light. We may be seeing Draco in the future, I haven't quite decided.
--Lucius is actually 50 years old, Snape is 47 (for this story, anyway.)
--Sandy is the daughter of an American witch and wizard who were killed after resistance to Voldemort; she was the only survivor, as she had been hospitalized at the time due to a case of Colic. Upon finding her parents' dead bodies, the authorities found no remaining family, and sent her to a Muggle Orphanage.
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You know, it isn't conducive to romance…all this violence. Sandy whispered conversationally at the edges of Hermione's mind.
No, I suppose it isn't. Hermione grinned.
You're the ones who spend all your waking hours holed up in here throwing weapons, and punching visitors. Lucius' voice inside their minds was cocky, and Hermione glared.
Lucius, what did we talk about this morning? Severus "said" in his best schoolteacher tone.
Bloody Hell. Sandy muttered. One doesn't even have privacy in their own mind.
"Or their trainer's mind." Hermione smirked at her.
"Yes, that as well, gentlemen, I think we're done for the day." Sandy hopped up from her cross-legged position on the floor. "It's getting late."
"No solitary!" Hermione hissed, "Unless your cell has a fireplace."
"Oh, I'm so glad you care." Sandy muttered sarcastically as she vanished in a flash of green flames.
"Miss Granger, would you care to explain that last exchange?" Lucius asked politely. Hermione surveyed him with distrust, bordering on distaste, but answered.
"Sandy lives in a Muggle orphanage, as you already know. It is housed in a convent and run by Nuns. As you can imagine, they don't like me." Hermione's voice was modestly innocent, but a wicked grin crossed her face. "If Sandy isn't in her room when they do their headcount, they lock her up in 'solitary' which is a private room, from what I understand, and includes no windows or furniture outside of a bed. Definitely no fireplace."
"Ah. Cruel punishment. But fitting for such a social creature." Severus mused.
"I believe, Sir, they only wish to keep her away from me." Hermione's smirk was evident now.
"Yes, well, if that is all. I suppose we will see you tomorrow, Miss Granger?" Hermione nodded in confirmation of Lucius' question. "I promise my colleague will be better prepared." Hermione caught Severus' glare and allowed herself a small grin.
"See that you do." she smirked.
The door closed softly, and Hermione closed her eyes, and began to breathe.
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Hermione jumped as a sharp tapping noise drug her from her reverie.
Miss Granger,
Would you do me the honor of dinner tonight at seven?
S. Snape
Oh dear.
Hermione jumped up and threw a handful of shimmering powder into the flames. "SANDY CARSON!"
"Danger, what is your problem?" Sandy muttered as she poked her head through the flames. Hermione shoved the parchment in front of her face. Sandy's sapphire eyes scanned the parchment quickly, her devilish smile growing as she reached the end.
"Ok, Granger, you got me. What is your problem?"
"SEVERUS SNAPE JUST INVITED ME TO DINNER AND YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT MY PROBLEM IS?" Hermione screeched, pacing back and forth across the room. Sandy quickly came through the flames, brushing soot off her knees in the process.
"Haven't you attended dinner with that man every night? Not to mention seven years during your schooling?" Sandy asked smartly.
"This is different and you know it." Hermione snapped.
"Well, how can I help?" Sandy threw her arms up in defeat and sat on the large four-poster bed.
"What do you wear to dinner, when you don't know where the dinner is…?" Hermione mused aloud.
"Look, Danger. Let's start at the beginning." Sandy grinned. "Did you accept the invitation?"
"BLOODY HELL!" Hermione ran for the desk, searching for the folded piece of parchment. Sandy held it up exasperatedly and loudly coughed, to which Hermione ignored. She coughed again.
"You should see Madam Pomfrey about that." Hermione muttered offhandedly as she continued her search.
"GRANGER!" Sandy screamed. Hermione spun about, fists at the ready. When she saw Sandy waving the parchment from hand to hand, clearly amused. She dropped her fist, and glared.
"Grab some parchment, and we can analyze." the blonde-haired woman instructed.
Hermione gathered some parchment, a quill, and the two women settled on the bed. Sandy read over the invitation once more, brow furrowed.
"Normally, males are very transparent creatures, Hermione." Sandy said absently, "Yours…on the other hand…"
"Isn't." Hermione groaned in frustration.
"Which is why you like him, don't complain." Sandy looked up from the parchment, and began to dictate. "Professor Sna---Hermione, what do you call him?"
Hermione looked momentarily puzzled. "Most often, Professor. At odd times Severus."
"Hmm." Sandy glanced once more at the parchment. "We'll take a leaf out of his book then."
"Professor Snape.
I shall meet you in the Entrance Hall at seven.
Hermione"
"You think I should put Hermione?" the brunette asked anxiously.
"Hermione, the man asked you on a bloody date he can't address you as Miss Granger forever." Sandy rolled her eyes heavenward, "You showed him the respect he showed you in the address of the letter, but stepped up the familiarity of his signature." Sandy said. "It shows that you wish to become more than colleagues.
Hermione's eyes widened in horror, and Sandy's looked to the Heavens again.
"Honestly, Granger, you aren't inviting him for a romp in the sack!" She grinned in exasperation. "You both wish to become better acquainted, or have you forgotten that he invited you to dinner?"
"DINNER!" Hermione screeched in panic, jumping from the bed and heading for the bureau. "What am I going to wear?"
Sandy sighed patiently, and followed her friend.
This would be a long afternoon.