AN: We are excited to welcome back RaynePheonix to our BETA team! Yay! Everyone of our BETAs is amazing and such a huge help. They deserve way more than just this shoutout. In less than 24 hours of this chapter being finished, all five of them made the time to jump in and go through it. It's because of them that this comes to you so promptly. They deserve so much love!

Only two more chapters of Book 2! Thanks for reading!

Beta LOVE : thebeebeegun, RaynePhoenix, what_the-fawkes, LadySnape89, Dracoswhore17

Sunday Late afternoon

Severus Snape had never taken a sick day. Ever. Until now. The thought of doing his rounds in the club made him nauseous. Having to face all of the members and staff and their questioning glances, stares, and whispers was simply more than he wanted to bear right now. It wasn't that he couldn't do it, because he absolutely had the ability. He could Occlude and numb himself to the fact that his world had just collapsed around him. He could act like he was unfazed. His taciturn behavior and intolerant, reproving gaze would silence most who knew him. One could say he was a master of hiding himself behind cold eyes and detached responses, but for the first time in his life, he didn't want to expend the magical or emotional energy to put himself through that. Not this time. Not for this. Not when days ago he had been the happiest he had ever been only to have the inevitable reality that was always his, the reality that happy endings weren't meant for him, crush his heart like a bludger to the chest.

He was certain rumors were already circulating about the two of them. Hermione's denied entry into the club had created quite a stir, especially since their relatively new bouncer and former Death Eater, Marcus Flint, had been the one to turn her away. Being a Saturday night, there were many people around and Snape had heard some reports that the man had seemed to enjoy the misery he was inflicting on the younger Muggleborn witch. If Snape found out those tales were true, Marcus would be out of a job before he drew his next breath. But the man was always so quiet when Snape was around. He seemed to blend into the walls and just watch everything, as a good bouncer should.

Regardless, imagining Hermione distraught and confused as she stood at the outside entrance caused another wave of heavy emotion to wash over Severus, this time guilt. As usual, he regretted his behavior. If only he had simply feigned illness and not gone to the Weasleys'. He could have thought things through in peace.

He didn't regret his decision to end things. It was what was best for everyone, but the more time that passed, the more he realized he could have handled it better. More kindly. After all, she couldn't help that she loved another wizard, any more than he couldn't help not being able to bear that she did. But the simple truth was, if he hadn't been Occluding so hard, he would have caved. He would have fallen to his knees and begged her to love him. He would have bared his soul and she would have welcomed it. She would have cried with relief and continued to profess her love. She would have sworn that he was the one she wanted. He knew she would have. And he would have believed her.

He would have admitted…

He would have asked…

Severus swallowed. No, he did the right thing. It would have been a short lived utopia, because then Lucius would return. And Severus would know, he would know the truth. He would no longer be able to deny what the two of them shared. He would question every look between them, every quiet conversation, every laugh, every glance, and he would never be able to trust them. Not that they would ever betray him physically, he knew that they would not, but they would betray him with their hearts. They would love each other, and in time, they would resent him for keeping them apart.

It was for the best. Lucius and Hermione would be happy together. He just had to keep telling himself that. In time she would forgive him. In the long run she would be grateful. How could she not? Lucius Malfoy was the best of men. He would make her happier than Severus ever could, and as hard as this was, he knew he only had himself to blame. He forced them together. He had played his cards wrong from the very first hand he was dealt. And looking back on it all, if he was honest with himself, he had known in his heart of hearts that Lucius and Hermione loved each other as more than friends from the minute Lucius had ended their contract.

That night, the night Lucius came to the club after leaving Hermione's flat, they had sat in this very room and drank firewhisky. Lucius had downplayed it, but Severus had known his friend was miserable. Maybe if they had talked. Maybe if they hadn't left the words unspoken they could have avoided all this pain. Maybe they…

Stop it! He self-scolded. It did no good to dwell on the past and what he could not change.

Severus walked to the small cabinet across the room and pulled out the bottle of whisky. The same bottle from all those months ago. He poured himself a glass before falling back into his chair.

He glanced at Lucius' desk as another wave washed over him. This time it was a dousing of despair from missing his friend. Despite it all, he needed Lucius. He wanted him here, because even though Snape had mixed emotions on everything to do with Hermione, Lucius was still his rock, the one who grounded him. He wanted the support of his best friend. He needed his companionship. The loss was so much more jarring without the distraction of Hermione's company. He had never felt so alone.

The knock on the office door jolted Snape from his thoughts, anger quickly replacing despair. He had told the staff he wasn't working tonight and not to disturb him. Maybe he could ignore it.

Knock, knock, knock

Bloody hell. Could he never have any peace?!

He swung open the office door to find Jonathan looking up at him with wide eyes, the hint of fear evident as the color washed out of his cheeks.

Fuck. He hadn't meant to scare the lad that much. He took a cleansing breath and asked as politely as he could muster, "What is it, Jonathan? You know I don't want to be disturbed unless it's an emergency."

"Sorry, sir. It's Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, sir. They won't leave. They keep banging on the main door demanding to see you."

Snape was stunned. How did they even know about the club, much less how to find it? How much had Hermione told them?

"How did they know…?"

Understanding the question, Jonathan shrugged. "They had one of the establishment cards."

Severus stared at him. This was not good. He couldn't have the two morons out front creating a scene.

"Escort them inside and bring them here."

Bracing himself for what was certainly going to be a trying confrontation, Severus swallowed down the remainder of his drink. However, what he was prepared to encounter was the opposite of what actually occurred.

When Potter and Weasley walked in with downtrodden expressions and cautious movements, Severus couldn't help but find himself off footed.

"Sir," Harry greeted with a quiet voice as he shuffled in ahead of his best friend.

"Prof, err… Mr. Snape," Ron mumbled as he followed.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Snape responded in a less than cordial tone.

"We're sorry, sir." When Severus met the earnest green eyes of the woman he loved all those years ago, he was slightly taken aback. Sometimes he forgot that Harry bore the shape and color of her eyes so perfectly. In this particular moment, it struck him, and added to the misery already smothering his crushed heart.

"Yeah, I shouldn't have hit you or said…you know, what I said," Ron added. "I was out of line."

Snape stared at them, not responding.

"We, uhh, we walked in on what was obviously something we didn't understand and just…well, she's our best friend. We thought, well, you know what we thought," Harry continued.

Severus swallowed, finding he wasn't actually angry. After a heavy sigh, he responded, "I suppose your reaction was understandable. I appreciate that you care for her and look out for her, however, I do suggest that you listen to her before mouthing off in the future." His narrowing gaze met Ron's chagrined expression. "Or before physically assaulting someone."

"I lost my head," Ron admitted. "I, she's… well, I'd kill anyone who hurt her, and right now I'm the one who hurt her and that's why we are here."

Snape's eyebrow cocked up in surprise.

"Please, don't break her heart for something we did or said," Harry added. "We talked to her for a long time this afternoon and she," he shifted his stance, clearly uncomfortable as he continued with rushed words, "she's hurting so much." Harry paused, seeming at a loss for words before his glistening eyes landed back on Snape. "She's completely devastated. We've never seen her like this and we can't bear it." He looked at Ron who was nodding rapidly. "Please make it stop."

Snape stared at the two young men. They looked quite miserable. Maybe he should go see her. Maybe he could help her realize that he was right.

No.

If he saw her now, with those beautiful, doe eyes in pain, he would give in, and then they would be back where they started.

He needed another whisky. Grabbing the bottle, he then summoned two more glasses. "Drink?" he asked.

Ron and Harry exchanged surprised glances; this was a first and completely unexpected. They both nodded.

Snape poured the drinks and handed them out before gesturing to Lucius' and Hermione's desk chairs for them to sit in. Taking his own seat, he took a large swallow. "I did not end things because of you walking in on us. I did not end things because of anything you said or did, although what you said, Mr. Weasley, was mostly true. I'm not good for her. I'm not good at… suffice it to say there is someone else she loves, and who loves her; who is much more suited for her. Someone who will make her far happier than I ever could."

"Don't say that, sir. She explained everything, and while we might not fully understand this…fetish that you share, we do understand how much she loves you and, well, you're the one she wants to be with."

Ron interjected, "You tell us to listen to her, shouldn't you do the same?"

Finding himself at a loss for words, Snape struggled to find the right response.

"Don't you love her?" Ron continued.

Snape almost didn't answer the impertinent question. He owed them nothing, yet he found himself speaking, all the same, "I, I care very deeply for Hermione. It's why I want her to be happy. It's why I'm ending things. She doesn't realize it right now, but she will come to understand and agree that this was for the best, with time."

Harry slammed down his drink and with uncharacteristic anger in his voice, he asked, "So, let me get this straight, you're just going to walk away from her? You're going to ignore what she wants and ignore what she says?" When Snape simply stared at him, Harry continued, "What you're essentially saying is that her opinions about her own life and her own feelings are irrelevant," Harry argued.

Severus' eyes narrowed. "It's my life too, Potter, and I have said all I care to on the subject." The tone and delivery of the words brokered no room for argument

The room was deadly silent. Both Gryffindors knew this wizard well enough to know when a discussion was over.

Ron was about to offer one last pleading argument when the floo glowed green. Snape's chest started to pound with a mix of relief and dread when Lucius stepped into the office.

Brushing the minimal soot off his pristine robes, Lucius smiled broadly at Snape who was out of his chair in a flash, embracing his friend before he even knew what he was doing.

Both men clapped each other's backs as they pulled apart, Lucius only then realizing they had company. He stepped back, his stature the picture of composure as he offered, "Well, Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, what a strange occurrence to find you here."

"We were just leaving," Harry announced as he studied Lucius warily. He just couldn't understand Hermione's attraction to these two men. Neither of them made sense, in his opinion. It could be worse, though; she could have fallen for Draco instead. Harry shivered at the thought. Thank goodness Draco was gay.

Or was he? Harry suddenly recalled that afternoon at Hermione's. The Slytherin had mentioned something about a sex cult, after all.

"You alright, mate?" Ron asked. "You look a little green."

Harry gave a small nod, dismissing the unwelcomed thought.

Ron then turned to Snape, "Will you please just think about what we said?"

"I shall give it the consideration it deserves," he responded, causing the young men to give each other knowing glances. They had failed.

As soon as they were out the door, Lucius grasped Snape's shoulder. "I've missed you, friend. Tell me, what is so urgent? Your message has me concerned. The owl was practically frantic with its delivery."

"I have much to tell you, and while I also want to hear about your trip and fill you in on club updates, our personal affairs take precedence." He rubbed his eyes. This was it. He was handing Hermione to him on a silver platter. "I have ended things with Miss Granger."

The words felt like ash in his mouth. Miss Granger? Where had that come from?

Lucius' jaw fell.

"She needs you, that's why I summoned you. She's, well, I'm afraid she's…"

"Why?" Lucius interrupted.

"You know why," Severus said quietly, as he slid back into his chair.

Lucius was at a loss. "No, I don't."

"I found her journal, the one you share. I shouldn't have opened it, but I did. I don't regret it. Obviously, I needed the reality check. I needed to know the truth before I made the monumental mistake of proposing."

Lucius' mind spun with trying to remember the correspondence. "Severus, there was nothing in there that should have…"

"Stop it. Just stop. You are the one who is better suited for her. You are the better man. The journal only confirmed what I already suspected. She loves you, she told me she did. Admitted it when I confronted her."

Lucius' heart stuttered in his chest. This was all too much. This was not what he expected. Furthermore, something didn't add up. Hermione loved Severus more than the air she breathed, how could Snape have done this?

"You're using some harmless, comforting notes between close friends as an excuse, Snape! You're afraid. You're terrified of the commitment you were on the verge of making, so you are blaming innocent journal entries as your scapegoat to run."

"Harmless? You left because you couldn't bear to be around her...around us… because you love her! Because you were struggling to get over her. We both know this is true, so there is no point in denying it!"

Lucius straightened his robes. "While there is some truth to what you are saying, we are not talking about me, we are talking about Hermione. The woman you love and who loves you more than anything. How can you not see that?"

Severus deflated. He didn't want to fight. It was all so obvious to him - why could Lucius and Hermione not see what he saw? His voice was calm, as though explaining a basic concept to a small child. "I know that she loves me, Luc, but I also know that she loves you and you are better for her in every way. You are… more adept at…"

"Will you stop?!" Lucius interrupted. "I am no better for her than you are. You are just as capable of being everything she needs as I am. More so, because you are actually the one she wants. And yes, I do love her. It took me a while to admit it to myself, but her attachment to me is very different. She loves me as a friend, Snape. Dare I say…a best friend, even. But that is all!"

"You're wrong. Have you read your journal lately? Because I have. She trusts you more than me. You're a better Master to her, as well. You read her better. Let me put it this way, Lucius: if she were with you, she would have no need for a journal to ask me for advice."

Lucius scoffed. "We have no way of knowing that because she and I never dated. She was my submissive and we became close, it's true. But that's not the same as actually dating. And I'm not perfect! If we dated, we would have our own issues, issues she would likely turn to you for because you know me. Just like I know you!"

"She was pursuing you, Lucius! Asking you to come back. You left to give us the one-on-one time we needed, and she asked you to come home. She hated you being gone. You even told her she was being selfish. You saw it. You know I'm right."

Lucius sighed heavily. "Don't do this. Don't throw this away. She is your happy ending, Severus. I want this for you. So badly."

Severus softened. "You…are a good friend, Malfoy. The best. I know that everything you have done has been for my benefit, and I'm grateful. But this is something I can't do. I can't be with a woman who loves another man. I just can't. And we both know she can't have us both."

A growl escaped Lucius' vocal cords as he fisted his hair and looked up at the ceiling in exasperation. "You won't get her back this time." His furious eyes snapped back to Snape. "This will be it. If you don't snap out of this madness and get your head out of your arse, you'll lose her forever. Are you truly willing to throw it all away?"

Proving he had only been hanging on by a thread, Snape felt a burst of magic course through him, causing it to finally snap. The bottle of whisky shattered. The quills and parchment on his desk blew to the floor. Lucius felt his center of gravity shift as he was slammed by the unseeable force backward and into the side of his desk.

Lucius slowly righted himself as they stared at each other for a minute before Severus found his ability to speak again. His words came out harsh and uncharacteristically loud, "I'm doing this for her, dammit! I'm doing it for you as well, you ungrateful son of a bitch."

Lucius collapsed into his desk chair. "You really are a lost cause. Did you at least talk this through with her? Or did you simply end it and walk out?"

Snape blinked, not wanting to admit the truth.

"You're a bastard. After everything, after all that's happened, after all you went through to get her, you're just going to throw it all away."

"I'm doing it because I love her."

"No, you're doing it because you're a juvenile trapped in a grown man's body!"

Neither spoke for a few minutes. Lucius noticed the lone glass of whisky that had survived the magical outburst. It had obviously been left unfinished by Potter or Weasley. Without further contemplation, he snagged it and swallowed it down in one gulp.

"It's my mistake to make, Lucius. It's my heart. Her's will mend because she has you."

"What makes you think I still want her?" Lucius snapped, his words not coming out convincing at all.

"Lucius, please."

Lucius sighed. "I'll go to her. I'll help her, because I care about her and because she's my friend. But I'm not pursuing her, Snape. You're the one she wants." He refilled his glass and then summoned an unbroken one from the cabinet and filled it for his infuriating friend. "Besides, she has no business dating anyone after what you've put her through. It will take her a long time to get past this."

Snape didn't say anything. He hung his head into his hands. He looked defeated. Like he hadn't slept. Like he was broken and Lucius felt more than a pang of heartbreak for his friend. Suddenly he felt guilty. He found himself wanting to comfort the man, despite his stupidity. He started to reach out and touch the surly wizard but stopped shy and said simply, "You're a worthy and good man, Severus. Any woman, including Hermione, would be lucky to have your dedication and love if you would just let yourself do so! Do yourself a favor and get some therapy, because I'm at a loss for how to help you."

Snape lifted his head and met the grey ones that could see him better than anyone else. They stared at each other and just when it was becoming a bit awkward, Lucius asked, "How is Draco? He wrote to me about M and I offered to come home but he insisted I stay away."

Snape sipped his drink. "He doesn't want to show weakness to you, Lucius. You know this."

"Well, in truth, I was coming home despite his denial of needing me. I was planning to leave tomorrow but your note rushed my return."

They continued watching each other and Severus felt an overwhelming need to hug his friend, but he held back. His emotions were on the cusp of erupting out of him and he was barely keeping it together.

"I've missed you," Lucius admitted with a smirk. "Your cantankerous arse has become an addiction for me it would seem."

"Yes, I've missed the smell of your shampoo," Snape replied with a slight tilt to the corners of his mouth.

Lucius laughed. "Arsehole." He rubbed his eyes, he hadn't been sleeping well and the relief at being back was more profound than he had thought it would be. He had much to do. "Lunch tomorrow? We'll go over everything club related?"

"Yes, let's plan on it," Severus responded as he watched Lucius stand and step towards the floo. Before his friend could step through, he reached out and grabbed his arm. "You'll go to her? Make sure she's okay? Take care of her?"

"Yes, Severus. You know I will." With a toss of powder and the words, "Malfoy Manor," he was gone.

Severus collapsed back into his chair. Good. Lucius would see to her. Hermione would be fine. He sipped his glass before looking at the monitors and spotting Britt's familiar red hair.

Sunday Evening

Despite his desire to get to Hermione as soon as possible, it had proven impossible and it was over an hour before Lucius found himself standing outside her door. He could have used the floo and landed directly in her living room, but she wasn't expecting him and he would never impose on her like that.

He knocked lightly on the door. After a minute of no response, he knocked again, this time a little louder. "Hermione? Are you home?" he said loudly, hoping that if she was merely ignoring the front door she would hear his voice.

Still, there was no response. Was she out? Perhaps she was staying with the Potters? Resigned, he turned to leave, deciding he would try again in a little while. Once outside and in a hidden part of the alley behind her building, he Apparated home. Cosmo bounded over to him, happy to be reunited with his human. The dog had proven to be a great travel companion, but it was obvious the white fluffy beast was happy to be back at the Manor.

"You've been napping, haven't you?" Lucius asked as he ruffled the dog's hair around his neck. Lucius sat behind his desk and began opening mail but his mind was on the bushy haired woman who continually occupied the real estate in his head. Granted, the distance had helped and he felt much more in control of his feelings and emotions towards the young woman than he had before, but he still missed her. He still wanted her to be happy. He still thought about her. A lot.

It was then that Draco appeared in the doorway of the study. Lucius could not help but notice the change in his son. "Draco, you look exhausted," he said as he stood and approached his son.

They met in the middle of the room where Lucius pulled him into a hug. After the embrace they settled into the wingback chairs as Draco answered, "I haven't been sleeping well. Between the club and Malfoy Enterprises, I've been working some long hours, but I'll be fine. Especially now that you're home."

"You want to tell me what happened with Millicent?"

Lucius didn't miss how the mere mention of her name caused Draco's face to fall slightly. He recovered quickly, in typical Malfoy fashion, as he responded, "She's over, we're finished, that's all that matters. She took her dream job and moved to the States. I can't fault her for that."

"I'm sorry, Draco. I'm here if you want to talk about it, you know that, right?"

"Thanks, Father, but not tonight. Between taking care of Granger most of the afternoon and then being stuck in a meeting at the Ministry after that, all I want to do right now is find a nice little sub who will let me have my way with her."

"A submissive?" Lucius asked, surprise evident in his voice.

Draco shrugged. "I've lost my taste for the flip side of the coin. I'm enjoying getting back to my Dominant side."

Lucius could see his son shutting down in front of him. Damn M for breaking his son's heart. She was the first Domme Draco had really submitted to. The first one where he wasn't playing a bratty sub for a spanking but was truly giving in to his need, and it was obvious her leaving him had stripped him of that ability, leaving him back at square one.

Lucius knew better than to press the issue. "Snape and I are meeting for lunch tomorrow to go over club business from the past month, care to join us?"

"I promised Granger I'd check on her in the morning, but if she doesn't need me come lunch time, then sure. The club's been busy. Membership is up."

"That's great!" Lucius responded as he glanced back down at his desk.

"Have you seen her? Because she's a mess, Father. Snape really did a number on her."

Lucius sighed. "She didn't answer her door when I stopped by a little while ago."

"Just floo in. She's there. When I left her she said she was going to try to sleep." He stood and turned to leave before adding, "Oh, and take some Dreamless Sleep. She's all out. I told her I'd bring her some, but if you're going by anyway -"

"Sure, I can do that. I'll floo over now."

"Good. Talk to her, Father. She needs you."

"I will, son. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine." He hesitated before turning back and pulling Lucius into a second embrace. "I'm glad you're home. I missed you."

Lucius' heart swelled. "Love you, son. Thanks for all your hard work while I was gone."

"Sure. I'm gonna pop out to see Mony and then head to the club. See you tomorrow."

"Yes, tomorrow."

Lucius sat at his desk and contemplated his son. In time, Draco would get over M. In time, he would find his happiness. He was still so very young. But this didn't diminish the pain Draco was feeling and it tore at Lucius' chest to see his son unhappy.

Putting those thoughts aside, he remembered Hermione. Draco had said that Hermione was home. Maybe she had been sleeping and hadn't heard him knocking. But what if something was wrong? What if she needed help? Not needing to give it any more thought, he Apparated to his bedroom and grabbed a couple vials of Dreamless Sleep before heading to the floo.

The moment he arrived in her living room, the first thing he noticed was how neat everything was. Nothing was rearranged and everything was in its place. Perhaps she really was out. Or perhaps she was coping better than he anticipated. "Hermione?" He started towards the hall that led to her bedroom. "Hermione, it's Lucius. Are you home?"

Still no response. He couldn't deny the feeling that something was wrong so he continued to her bedroom door, which was open. "Hermione?" Peeking in, the room looked relatively put together. The bedside table was in a strange spot, under the window, and there were a few scattered clothes on the floor, but that was it. It was as though she had started her reorganizing compulsion but hadn't gotten very far. Lucius didn't know if this was a good or a bad thing.

And then he saw her. Dressed in only a light T-shirt, she was sitting on the tile floor of her bathroom, her chin resting on her knees as she simply stared before her. In her hands dangled a chain with what appeared to be a locket.

His breath caught in his chest as a dozen emotions tore through him at once. Simple joy and relief at just finding her, heartbreak for the pain he knew she was enduring, guilt and self hatred for the tiny part of himself that was pleased things had ended between her and Severus. More guilt for having left in the first place, anger at Severus for hurting her. Then there were the worst feelings of all, lust and the undeniable attraction that struck him the second he laid eyes on her. Her t-shirt was worn and tight and hugged every curve on her tiny frame. Her gorgeous curls were wild and untamed and fell down her back where they brushed the tile.

But it was when she suddenly noticed his presence and turned to look at him that he felt his heart flop onto the floor and thump its way over to her. After all, it was hers. And he realized, in this second, that his jaunt to Italy and Russia had done nothing to change that.

Her brown eyes grew large on her face as she wiped her tear ridden cheeks with her fingertips. "Lucius?" Her voice was cautious, as though she didn't believe what she was seeing.

Fuck. "Hermione? Love? Are you alright?" His voice sounded strained to his own ears.

It was all a blur as she leapt up and ran to him, launching herself into his arms. He lifted her easily as she wrapped her legs and arms around him and her face pressed into the crook of his neck. "Oh, Lucius!" she exclaimed as her body shook with sobs.

Pain swelled in his chest at finding her like this. "Yes, love, I'm here," he cooed, unable to believe she was in his arms again. As he held her, one arm supporting her bottom and the other on the back of her head, he could feel how cool she was. How long had she been sitting on that cold tile floor practically naked? Needing to get her warm, he carried her to the bed.

When he began to lower her onto it, she only held on tighter. "No!"

"I'll lay next to you. I'm not leaving." Only after he whispered these reassuring words did she let him go. He kicked off his shoes and positioned them onto their sides, facing each other, and then summoned the quilt from the foot of the bed and draped it over them both. He gently positioned her head on the pillow and pulled her into his warmth. "You're freezing," he admonished worriedly as he began to rub her arms.

Hermione didn't care that she was cold, she hadn't even noticed. Her hands reached up and cupped his cheeks, as though needing to once again confirm it was really him. "You're here," she whispered as her eyes glittered with unshed tears. "You're home," she half hiccoughed as she choked on the words and a competing sob that bubbled up from her chest. Closing the minimal distance between them, she snuggled into him, relishing his warmth and security as unwelcome tears once again plagued her cheeks.

He held her as she fell apart in his arms, desperate to give her whatever she needed to make this pain ebb. When he began to rock her a little bit, her breathing normalized and he could sense her control returning. He couldn't resist breathing in her scent. Salazar! She felt so perfect in his arms. He had almost forgotten.

"He left me," she finally said, her voice breaking through his runaway thoughts.

Lucius kissed the top of her head. Dammit, Snape! What is wrong with you? He scolded in his head before responding, "He's an idiot. And an arse. Although, you already know that."

She let out a small humorless laugh. "Yeah, but he is my arse!" Her breath hitched. "Was," she clarified just below a whisper, but he could guess what she had said. After another minute, she pulled her head back and met the soft, familiar stare of his platinum irises and just stared at him, her mind a mish-mash of competing emotions and exhaustion.

Lucius didn't say anything, not wanting to push her into talking until she was ready. He reached up and stroked her cheek just wanting her to relax and be comforted.

As though she had read his mind, she started to talk. She told him everything, the words becoming more rushed as they spilled from her lips. She told him how well things had been going the past few weeks and how happy she had been. She talked about everything that had happened the day before at the Weasley's and then afterwards when Snape refused to see her, including how terribly Marcus Flint had treated her and how she had sat up most the night, unable to sleep. When she got to this morning's confrontation with Snape, her voice became shaky and the tears began to flow again.

Pulling his handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped her cheeks. Her hand came up and took the offering before she wiped her nose. When she was finished, she had a lost look in her eyes. "What am I going to do, Lucius?" She sniffled. "He just, he just shut me out. He was Occluding so hard and he wouldn't talk to me, he wouldn't let me explain." She dabbed her eyes. "I should have told him about the journal. I should have told him I had reached out to you. I should have…" her words fell off. "He...he took my collar. Without a word, he took my collar. Then he walked out my door and didn't look back."

Lucius swallowed his anger. "As inexcusable as it is, that's his way. I tried to talk sense into him but he's not in the headspace to listen right now. Believe me, he has not heard the last from me on the matter." He stroked her hair as he continued, "He's a fool, Love. He has it in his head that he's not good enough for you. He's such an insufferable martyr, sometimes."

"He thinks that you and I - " she broke off, her eyes suddenly alert with concern, as if she seemed to realize that they were laying in bed together and how that might look if Severus walked in.

Reading her as easily as he always had, Lucius gently reassured her, "He knows I'm here, love. He summoned me from Italy for an emergency and when I arrived this afternoon, it was to find out that the emergency was you." He tapped the tip of her nose with his index finger. "He was worried about you and wanted me to take care of you."

"That doesn't make any sense," she whispered. "Lucius, I told him I loved him, and he didn't even respond. Why would he be worried about me?"

Her confusion broke his heart all over again. "Hermione," he sighed and traced fingertips gently over the crest of one cheekbone, "Severus is doing what he thinks is best, even if the rest of us are hurt, confused, angry, or a combination of all three. He truly feels he's made the correct decision."

When she started to cry again, Lucius pulled her back into his chest.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione. So, so sorry." He stroked her cheek up and down with his index finger.

She sniffled lightly. "Why are you sorry? You didn't do anything wrong."

"Yes, I did. I promised you I wouldn't let him hurt you."

The skin between her brows crinkled in confusion. Unable to resist, he leaned down and pressed his lips to her temple.

"When did you promise me that?"

"New Years."

She curled further into his chest. "Oh yeah," she responded, barely above a whisper. "I had forgotten." She inhaled deeply.

Lucius noticed she was still holding the necklace from earlier in her hands. "What's this," he asked.

Hermione held it up. "He gave it to me. It's a locket with my parent's pictures inside." She opened it and showed him. "I miss them so much. Especially now. My dad always had a way of cheering me up and my mum always made me feel better about myself. I just...I miss them all the time, you know? but times like this, it's...almost unbearable. I feel so alone."

"Oh, my sweet girl," Lucius whispered as he kissed her head. "I'm here, and while I could never be a substitute for your parents, please don't ever think you are alone again." He rubbed her back as he reminded her, "You not only have me, but you have Draco, who absolutely adores you, and I know that Potter and Weasley consider you their family, as well." He paused, "And despite everything, Severus would walk through the fires of Hades for you if you ever had need. That blast-ended skrewt loves you, whether he has admitted it to you yet or not." He tilted up her chin, "So, while I can accept you might feel lonely, don't ever think you are alone, because there is a huge difference." He repositioned his arm so that it reached further around her and her head readjusted on his shoulder.

A silent tear trickled down her nose as she absorbed his words. "Thank you, Lucius." She rested her forehead against his shoulder and after a minute, admitted, "I missed your smell. You smell like security. You smell like home. How is it you always make me feel so safe?"

Lucius sighed. Fuck. She was killing him. Breathe, Lucius, breathe. "I guess that's because, no matter what, you are family to me. You have been for a long time now."

After a minute, her frow burrowed. "You don't have to stay, Lucius, I know you're busy. You've just gotten back, I can only imagine how much you have to do. He shouldn't have asked you to come here."

"Shh, you couldn't be more wrong. Of course, I should be here. I actually arrived a couple hours ago but I had to get Cosmo situated at the Manor, and I saw Draco for a few minutes. Tomorrow is soon enough to get ME and club business. There is nowhere else I'd rather be right now."

Hermione was quiet for a couple minutes, working up the nerve to say what needed to be said. "I have to tell you something." She paused. "I just don't want there to be any more secrets."

He turned and looked at her curiously. Her bottom lip was nestled between her teeth and she had a hesitant expression on her face. Habit caused him to reach up and pluck the plump lip from its captivity. "What is it?" he asked, feeling a little concerned.

"You need to know that...he accused me of loving you...and I do love you, Lucius! He's not wrong. And you weren't wrong. I am selfish. I'm so selfish, because I love you both, and even though I'm devastated he left me, I'm so happy to see you!" Tears suddenly poured down her cheeks, whether from relief of her confession or fear of repercussion, he didn't know.

Lucius closed his eyes briefly before opening them and offering her a sad smile. This was all so complicated. His voice was resigned as he came clean as well. "Well, if it's any consolation, I love you too, Doll. So incredibly much. I have since I was training you."

"You do?" He hated that she sounded so uncertain.

"Of course, I do." He rubbed her back. "You know I do. I left the country to try to change that."

"But I thought your love for me was platonic!" Her jaw was slackened as everything fell into place in her mind.

"Guilty," he admitted with a light, humorless chuckle.

She stared at him for a good minute before rolling onto her back and staring at the ceiling. "Merlin, I've been a fool. Draco was right."

"Draco?"

"He said we loved each other and weren't admitting it. He said you and I should date. He said-"

"Yes, he said the same things to me."

They lay in silence for a few minutes, each looking at the last year with new awareness.

After a few minutes, she rolled back into him. "So what do we do now?" she asked, her voice weary.

"I think we all just need to take a breath. I think Severus needs some time to come to his senses. I think you need to think about what you truly want. I think I need to get back to work."

One of Hermione's hands was stroking along his collar, and judging by the look in her eyes, something that shouldn't happen was going to happen if he didn't put a stop to it. He gently took the hand in question and gave it a kiss before releasing it. "Ultimately, I think Severus and you belong together, but that is something only the two of you can decide."

"But what about you? How can I walk away from the other man that I love? Now that I fully realize it and admit it, I can't ignore it."

Lucius didn't have any easy answers. There was one that niggled in the back of his mind, but it wasn't something he would truly consider, for many reasons. "Only you can determine what you truly want, Hermione." Lucius already knew the answer, she wanted Snape. She may love them both, but all her actions and words up until now proved that he was the one for her. "Be honest with yourself, don't rush it." He smiled softly. "And when you realize that it's Severus, as I'm sure you will, hopefully enough time will have passed for him to have come to his senses."

Hermione stared at him, feeling like she was really seeing him, perhaps for the first time. This was a man who had always put her first. Who had at all times treated her with respect. He was sexy and supportive and an amazing Master. He had been there for her whenever she needed him. He was honest and forthright and had a heart of gold. For the first time since that first night she walked into the club, Hermione began to have a notion that there might be more than one person for her, after all.