Author's Notes:
An interesting chapter with lots of unanswered questions.
Language and suggestive behaviour alert.
I own nothing but my imagination. My beautiful muses belong elsewhere.
Enjoy!
Firewhisky and Cocktails
Returning from his meeting in London, Severus stormed into his office. He never left Board meetings without a ball of tension burning in his stomach, but this morning he would have given anything if that were the only thing he felt. Lucius had been chewing his ear about Weasley and had informed him that if he did not deal with the situation himself then the Malfoy's lawyers would become involved. Of course, Severus couldn't blame his friend for being so angry about the lies and insinuations printed in that morning's Prophet. After all, he was fuming about it, but as much as he would normally have relished the prospect of dealing with the red-haired idiot, his promise to Hermione meant that his hands were tied.
He was rather regretting his pledge not to personally exact revenge on the ginger miscreant. However, he concluded, it was probably for the best. The Daily Prophet would have a field day reporting on the mysterious disappearance of one Ronald Weasley, but he could not bring himself to go against Hermione's wishes over the idiot's words.
The headmaster summoned Missy to bring him a pot of coffee before he slumped into his chair, exhaling forcefully. Obsidian screeched in greeting to his master from his vantage point at the top of one in greeting and was rewarded with a tasty tidbit from Severus' middle draw.
Sipping his coffee, Severus surveyed his desk and groaned internally. One thing that he had always prided himself on was that he was methodical and that he always kept on top of his work. It was a necessary evil when you had children to teach, homework to mark and serve two masters on the side. However, since Hermione had crashed into his life, he'd hardly done any work and he was now faced with three piles of parchment and various unopened scrolls and letters strewn across his desk.
I wouldn't change the last few days for the world, he thought to himself, a smirk upon his lips until reality struck. But it's not going to do itself.
Placing his cup down on his desk, he picked up one of the unopened scrolls, deciding to tackle these first. Today, he feared, would be a long one and had to admit that he was quite looking forward to meeting with Lucius and Pius for a drink that evening.
Now, concentrate and don't think about Hermione too much...oh bollocks!
Whilst Severus was in London, Hermione had spent the morning in her library trying to do some background reading for her apprenticeship project, but she found herself uncharacteristically distracted. Instead, she found herself reading over Severus' notes regarding Hogwarts whilst annotating ideas of her own, as well. Finding that she had run out of paper, her thoughts turned to Slytherin House as she Summoned more.
Although all returning students would undoubtedly find it hard to come back to the school following recent events, it would be most difficult for the Slytherins. The prejudices of the other houses would heightened, and there would also be an issue of trust for Severus within his own house. The former Head of Slytherin may have been a double agent and war hero, and may have still had a reputation for being an utter bastard, but some in his house, especially those whose parents were followers of the Dark Lord, considered him a traitor. And students from other houses still viewed him with suspicion.
Severus knew that he could only function as headmaster and see his plans for Hogwarts come to fruition if he commanded the respect and trust of all his students and parents. Both he and Hermione realised that this would be no small feat, and that it would be harder if his own house turned on him.
At first, Severus had been rather pessimistic about the challenge that lay ahead, but with the new school year approaching there were signs that the tide of distrust and suspicion was turning. First-year acceptances were stronger than expected, and as Hermione told him, they were a blank canvas from which Severus could work. He could start as he meant to go on, and once the older students could see how he treated the first years, the process of extinguishing the memories of last year's imposed regime could begin.
Hermione looked over another set of Severus' notes and came across a tally of the number of pupils who would be returning at the start of term. The number had been slowly increasing over time and in the last week, the number of Muggleborn children wishing to recommence their magical education had climbed significantly. The young witch found this extremely encouraging and giggled at Severus' scrawled note next to the total.
It read, 'Vaguely optimistic,' which Hermione took to mean he was actually ecstatic.
She picked up her quill to add something to one of Severus' notes and laughed out loud when she noticed that she was, for some reason, scribbling down her thoughts in red ink.
Oh, the irony! she thought to herself.
As Hermione began writing another long list of suggestions for Severus to consider, her mood felt lightened all of a sudden.
Severus' orb had been agitated all morning, but now it was much calmer, and if her gut feeling was correct that meant he was back in the castle. She managed to resist the urge to rush up and see him, knowing that he had work to do, but that didn't mean that she couldn't say hello.
Hello, sexy, she thought to him cheekily. How was your meeting?
Hello, yourself. The board meeting was tedious, and Lucius was...well, you can imagine. Give me a couple of hours and we'll have lunch in your rooms, Severus thought back.
OK and if you're lucky, I'll snog your face off, Hermione purred in his mind.
Severus' deep chuckle resonated through her. If you insist.
Oh, I do!
Severus was pleased by how quickly the piles of parchment on his desk were decreasing. He was replying to a particularly irksome piece of correspondence from a Board member when a soft cough from the direction of the portraits interrupted him.
Looking up, he saw Phineas Nigellus Black staring back at him. He was usually asleep, but today he greeted the Severus cheerfully. "Ah, Headmaster, I'm glad I caught you."
"I suppose interrupting me and catching me are one and the same these days," Severus muttered under his breath before employing a more respectful tone. "What can I do for you, sir?"
"I just wanted to tell you something...something I overheard my great-great grandson telling his wolf friend. I thought nothing of it until recently. It was about something the Evans girl told him," the former headmaster said quietly.
"I mean no disrespect, sir, but nothing...that man...uttered, holds any interest for me," Severus said defiantly.
"I know you two didn't see eye to eye," Phineas continued as Severus snorted incredulously, "but seemingly she told him that she'd dreamt about you just before your eighteenth birthday. Of course, Sirius ridiculed it because she said that she'd decided to try and reconcile with you―as friends, of course. She recounted a dream in which you were Headmaster, married with four children. She never saw your wife but your children all had curly hair. She told Sirius that she realised in that moment that it was truly over between the two of you because she knew you would move on―that and the fact you had taken the Dark Mark."
"And what do you think will be achieved by telling me this?" Severus growled.
"Nothing, except it might help settle your mind. After all, how many curly haired witches are you currently courting? I told Albus and he said I should tell you to help you realise that Hermione and yourself were preordained even before she was born."
"Does that matter? Loving her now is all that counts," Severus drawled.
"But, my boy, the point is you always have. You see, Severus, you and Lily were never meant to be and it wasn't because of James Potter or Voldemort. How old were you when you claimed Lily?" Phineas asked.
Severus carded his fingers through his hair. "Sixteen."
"The age of...?"
Severus looked puzzled. "Consensual maturity, but I thought..."
"Has the knut dropped yet?" Phineas asked smiling.
Twirling his quill between his fingers, he pondered the situation. "Not really. I have considered, given the intensity of my feelings for Hermione, that we might be soulmates, but―"
"―Yes, yes, and I heard Albus giving you some guff about the criteria for soulmates recognising each other. In powerful soul bound couples as each half of the couple reaches consensual maturity their souls begin searching for their mate. In your case, you claimed Lily believing her to be 'the one.' However, your bond quickly overruled you."
"I've heard it all now," Severus laughed scathingly. "Hermione wasn't even born."
"Doesn't matter. Your soul was searching for her."
Severus shook his head in disbelief. "Are you seriously suggesting that my soul bond, having decided that Lily wasn't the right one, caused that loathsome word to fall from my lips on the basis that it would ruin our relationship?"
"Stranger things have happened, but I believe that you now have more proof that you and Miss Granger are soulmates."
"But the Founders―"
"―have foisted something unnecessary on you by the looks of it," Phineas mused quietly, looking down at the headmaster whose thoughts were now miles away.
Without warning, Severus stood quickly and band bowed his head curtly in the direction of the former headmaster. "Thank you, sir," he said before Apparating away.
Hermione was in a world of her own, browsing the shelves of her library, when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist and now familiar lips upon her neck. Relishing the feel of her lover behind her, the young witch hummed contentedly before turning round and wrapping her arms around his neck, a beaming smile upon her lips.
"What are you doing here? I wasn't expecting you for at least half an hour."
Her reply came in the form of Severus' lips crashing against hers. It was a desperate kiss. A kiss that sought reassurance, a kiss that only she could answer. "I love you," he breathed, pulling her to his chest and holding her tight.
Hermione's smile slipped into an expression of concern, taking his hands in hers and stepping back slightly to look at him. "I love you too. Now, mind explaining why you're here and not working?"
"I..." Severus paused unsure where to start. He wanted to tell her that they might be soulmates before Saturday because once he'd claimed her if ever they parted company he knew it would ruin her life. However, his overwhelming fear of rejection caused him to look away from her and pulling his hands from hers, he turned to walk into the living. "I just wanted a kiss," he grumbled as he reached the door.
"As much as that might be true," Hermione mused, "Severus Snape does not interrupt his work just to come and get a kiss."
She began following him out of the room but stood in the doorway glaring at him, hands on her hips daring him to defy her.
"I...I have to get on," he said, struggling to find a viable excuse.
"Sit down, Severus, and tell me what is bothering you," she commanded.
Her tone surprised him and somehow he found himself sat on the sofa fiddling with his nails as Hermione stood before him waiting for an explanation. "Can't a man just come and get a kiss from his witch?" he asked quietly
Hermione studied him carefully. "Yes, but there are kisses which say I love you, kisses that say I missed you and kisses that say I want you but that kiss said I need you and I'm scared. So, I will ask you again. What's wrong?"
Severus' gaze did not rise from the floor. "I have something I need to tell you, but I fear that if I do, I could lose you."
Hermione sat down next to him, turning so that she could see his face. "What could be that bad?" she asked gently.
"You're aware of the implications of consummating a soul bond?" Severus asked before adding quickly, "of course you are with the amount you read."
"Yes, I know. Are you suggesting that we're soulmates?" Hermione asked, slightly shocked. However, with everything else that had been going on recently nothing would surprise her. In fact, being soulmates was reassuringly plausible.
"The evidence is becoming stronger," Severus muttered as if awaiting her rebuke.
Looking at him, Hermione sighed before brushing his hair away from his eyes. "For someone so brilliant, for someone so loyal you have so little faith in yourself," she told him ruefully. "Sev, whether we're soul mates or not, I know that if ever I lost you it would rip a gaping hole in my life. If I walked away because I was scared, I know I would regret it for the rest of my life. I love you. I want to be with you and no bond will deter me or influence me in that desire no matter how hard it tries. Understand?"
In the last few days, Severus had been amazed by this witch's strength, and every time he witnessed it, he knew he was falling for her even harder. He looked at her, his expression calm but his eyes showed his admiration. "Sometimes, when I am in your presence, I find that words fail me," he almost whispered silently Summoning a small, black velvet covered box and handing it to her without another word.
Hermione looked curious as she accepted the gift, but found herself overcome with nerves as Severus gestured to her to open it. Pulling up the surprisingly stiff lid, she couldn't help but gasp as her eyes fell upon the contents.
"Oh Sev, it's beautiful. Thank you," came her stuttered response before she launched herself into his arms.
After being peppered with kisses which deepened into a full blown snog, Severus took the delicate platinum and ruby bracelet out of the box and placed it on her wrist.
"I take it you approve," he commented with a smirk. It was the first present he'd ever given her―it would be the first of many―but he couldn't wait to give her more, if this was going to be her reaction. "I wanted to wait until Saturday because―"
"―I'm just lost for words," she whispered, trying not to cry, but her happy tears were curtailed when Severus raised his hand and told her urgently to "shhhh" before listening intently. Concerned, Hermione asked in a hushed tone, "What is it?"
"Oh no, it's alright," Severus told her, his expression relaxing. "I just thought that when you said you were lost for words I heard hell freeze over."
Hermione gasped. "You bastard," she yelled at him playfully, slapping his arm before their lips crashed together and the couple fell into another blissful kissing session before they ordered lunch.
It was only much later, when Severus was sat in his office, that he realised he should have told her more about the significance of the bracelet that he'd given her.
"Draco, what are you doing here? I thought we were meeting at Diagon Alley?" Hermione asked as the blond wizard stepped out of the fireplace into her living room.
"We were, but Father thought it wise to check that coast was clear before you arrived, but unfortunately, the press were already out in force. They were all over Father when we arrived and are now camped outside The Leaky asking questions."
"Oh God, really?"
"I'm afraid so. Father has implied that they are looking at the wrong Malfoy and told me to come and get you on the basis that if I turn up with you and Uncle, it'll confuse them.
"If we look like we're together, they'll think they've got it wrong and as Father has already threatened them with legal action, they will back off. And if the three of us turn up together, they won't think it strange that my godfather is with me so it puts you and Sev in the clear, and then we can lead them a merry dance until you two go public."
Hermione shrugged. It certainly seemed like a viable plan.
"An excellent plan, Draco," Severus drawled as he strode out of Hermione's bedroom adjusting his cuffs and pulling on his frock coat, "although I also presume that you will have to look like you are together."
"What, like this?" Draco quipped, grabbing hold of Hermione's arm and pulling her towards him before his lips met hers as he leant her backwards. His friend's muffled shriek made him chuckle, but the wand pressed into the side of his neck made him realise that perhaps that wasn't what his godfather had meant.
"I was thinking more of holding hands," Severus informed him, giving Draco a disapproving look. "And besides your technique is entirely wrong. You need to do it like this," and putting his arm around Hermione's waist, he pulled her close to him, the fingers of his other hand ensconced in her curls. Then he kissed her, gently at first before his tongue began a gentle exploration of her mouth, and she melted in his arms, then and only then, did he lean her backwards.
Draco couldn't contain his amusement as he watched Hermione try to compose herself. "Well, I bow to your greater experience, Uncle."
"So do I," Hermione said breathlessly as Severus' eyes still burned into hers.
When I get back tonight, I expect to see you lying in my bed naked, he thought to her, his voice purring in her mind.
Biting her bottom lip, Hermione's response was just as provocative. I promise to warm myself up for you.
Stop it! You're giving me an erection. His face was its usual impassive self, but his eyes gave him away.
Sorry, I didn't realise that the thought of me masturbating in your bed would turn you on so much, Hermione thought back, trying to look as innocent as possible.
Shut up, you minx! he hissed as he started to feel very uncomfortable in the trouser department. You have no idea what you do to me.
His frustrated growl made her giggle. Oh, but I do.
The three of them arrived at Apparition point just beyond the castle gates, and Severus placed one last chaste kiss upon Hermione's lips whilst his finger ran over the wrist which now proudly wore the bracelet he had given her earlier.
"Now, remember, the both of you," he warned as he stood up straight, "say nothing to anyone. Don't even say, 'no comment.'" Draco and Hermione both nodded before they all Apparated away.
Arriving in Diagon Alley, they was an immediate media frenzy. They found themselves surrounded by photographers and reporters all jostling for an exclusive. Holding Hermione's hand, Draco led Hermione through the crowd whilst Severus positioned himself behind her. No one could see that his hand was pressed lightly to the small of her back. As a volley of blinding flashbulbs went off, his hand slipped to her hip, squeezing reassuringly as they moved through the crowd to a barrage of questions.
"Miss Granger, is there anything you would like to say in response to your ex-boyfriend's comments?"
"Do you feel bad for letting him down?"
"How many times have you actually cheated on him with Lucius Malfoy?"
"Why are you here with Draco Malfoy?"
"Are you seeing both Lucius and Draco Malfoy?"
Then as they saw Hermione and Draco holding hands, the journalists' questioning changed tack.
"Draco, how does your father feel about your relationship with a Muggleborn witch?"
"How long have you been seeing each other?"
"Headmaster Snape, do you support your godson's relationship with Miss Granger?"
"Do you think it is appropriate that one of the Head Girl's at your school is so morally bankrupt to cheat on her boyfriend with a pardoned Death Eater?"
"Headmaster, is it true that you have stripped her of the Head Girl position because of these allegations?"
The trio had remained silent until now, but after the last set of questions directed at him, Severus could not let them go unanswered.
"I think," he began and turned to face the assembled throng, "that it is highly inappropriate for a young man, who is idolised by so many young witches and wizards, to believe it acceptable to blame his inadequacies on someone else. It is highly inappropriate for him to totally disregarding the bonds of trust and friendship. It is not the example that I would expect from a war hero, nor from a former Hogwarts' student―certainly not from a member of the noble house of Gryffindor.
"Fortunately, Miss Granger is a perfect example of the qualities attributed to that house, and it does her credit that she has not, and will not, lower herself to Mr Weasley's level by responding to your ludicrous questions and accusations.
"I would like to add, that Miss Granger graciously declined our offer to become Senior Head Girl. She will be using her time to concentrate on her N.E. and apprenticeship with the aim of replacing Professor Horace Slughorn as our Potions Professor in the next school year."
With that, he ushered his godson and girlfriend through the remaining reporters, who were busily writing down his words, into The Leaky Cauldron and up to the room that Pius had reserved.
Once safely inside, Hermione felt a sense of relief wash over her. Draco draped his arm across her shoulders and whispered in her ear, "Holy shit! Unless my ears deceived me, he just complimented your house."
"I know," came her assured response. "I think it's safe to say that the headmaster is taking his need to be impartial very seriously."
Severus snorted softly. "Darling, no matter how unbiased I have to be and no matter how I feel about you, if he'd been in Hufflepuff I would not been so complimentary," he told her snarkily, moving away from her quickly before she slapped him in public.
"Darling, are you well?" Lucius asked urgently, standing up and wrapping his arms around Hermione before kissing her forehead
"I'm OK," she insisted with a weak smile. "How are you?"
"I am used to the negativity of the press. Fear not for me. My lawyers are on alert which is fortunate as it affords me the time to support Severus when he teaches the impertinent cocksucker a lesson. I can't...we can't let this go, I'm afraid. Do not try and dissuade us," Lucius cautioned.
Shaking her head, Hermione huffed softly. "Er no. Severus won't be doing anything," she informed the blond wizard, her tone brooking no argument.
"I would advise against discussing plans of revenge in front of me," a smooth-voiced wizard stated from the doorway behind them.
All eyes turned to the owner of the voice, but Lucius was the first to speak. "Thickie, what would you do if your intended were so badly disrespected."
Pius Thicknesse, the newly re-appointed Head of Magical Law Enforcement walked into the room and closed the door. "I would―officially speaking―hex his arse, leave him bleeding in the gutter and then get my Aurors to pin it on somebody else," came his chuckled response.
"A man after my own heart," Lucius drawled.
"And mine," Draco chime in.
Hermione found this rather amusing until Severus said the same whereupon she threw him a warning look.
"You can forget about doing anything, Severus Snape," she said, poking a finger into his chest. "You promised me that you would do nothing and if you want to find me in your bed when you get back tonight you will make that promise to me again.
Severus huffed at being harangued in public, but muttered, "I promise."
"Sorry? I didn't hear you," Hermione pressed, sounding very much as if she were reprimanding a first year.
A vision of a severe looking Hermione standing in his beloved Potions classroom whilst her students sat in rapt attention sprang to the forefront of Severus' mind. He wasn't entirely sure why a riding crop had replaced her wand, but now was not the time to think about such things.
"I said, 'I promise,'" he snarked. "Satisfied?"
Hermione's seductive response sounded in his mind. I will be later.
After his vision of Hermione with a riding crop and then her seductive response, Severus realised that it was far harder to hide his cock was twitching when he only had his frock coat on. Narrowing his eyes his looked into hers. Will you stop it!
God, you're sexy when you're frustrated, his witch purred. "Yes, I am very satisfied, thank you, Severus. Now, Lucius, can I recommend that you and Mr Thicknesse―"
"―Pius. Please, call me Pius, Hermione," the tall wizard implored silkily.
"In that case, Pius, if you and Lucius speak to Harry, I'm sure you can find a way of defending my honour without compromising the Headmaster's position. Perhaps Draco can get you all together? Of course, I would prefer Severus not to know what is going on―plausible deniability and all that. And I certainly don't want to know what you do until after the event," Hermione advised with a conspiratorial tone.
Lucius' eyebrow arched as he turned to Severus. "Are you sure she wasn't in Slytherin, dear? Or has this deviousness occurred since you've ensured that she has some Slytherin in her on a regular basis?"
Hermione gasped at the blond wizard's comment, smacking him on the arm. If that reproach wasn't enough, Severus decided to add his own Knut's worth.
Despite smirking internally at his friend's term of endearment, Severus groused, "For someone who claims to be such a sophisticate, you really are a vulgar little shit, Lucy."
As the three older wizards began ribbing each other, Draco nudged her, jerking his head towards the door. Reluctantly, she agreed that it was time to leave and nodded to her friend.
"Come on then, Drakey. Let's leave the boys to it. There are cocktails with our names on them waiting for us in London," she announced, just loud enough to get everyone's attention.
"Bye for now, Lucius, darling. And you, Pius." She went to shake the oldest wizard's hand, but instead he took it and gently kissed it.
Severus was not impressed.
"A pleasure, Hermione," Pius told her smoothly. "I am still awaiting your decision, my dear."
With a watery smile, Hermione informed him, "Actually, I was going to write to you, but I've been rather busy," and inclined her head slightly towards Severus. "However, despite such a generous offer, Pius, I'm afraid I will have to decline."
With a resigned sigh, Pius nodded. "That is, indeed, a great shame."
"I've decided to stay at Hogwarts so that I can do my NEWTs, complete my apprenticeship and mastery with Severus and take over from Professor Slughorn. So you'll know where to find me," she said, slightly more flirtatiously than she'd intended and certainly more than Severus would have liked.
"Well, I will certainly be in touch if Severus is unavailable and I am in need your considerable talents, Hermione."
Feeling that Pius may have read a little more into her statement than was meant, Hermione turned to Severus whose eyes were fixed on the older wizard. If looks could kill, Pius would already be buried.
Realising that Severus was not best pleased, Hermione stood on tiptoes and placed a gentle kiss upon Severus' lips. When he failed to respond, she brushed her fingers through his hair which caused him to look down into her eyes.
It came out wrong, she told him softly.
Finally, Severus' arm snaked around her back and he lowered his lips to hers. You are mine, he grumbled in her head.
I know, and you are mine, she reassured him. I love you.
Lucius felt the pang of jealousy hit him again as he observed the tender scene before him―not that he could begrudge Severus' long overdue happiness.
Pius, too, had to admit that he felt a tad jealous of Hermione and Severus' intimacy, but for entirely different reasons.
Sensing the mood of the room, Draco held out his arm to Hermione, who still had her arms around her wizard. "I thought we were going. Come on, sweetie, I have to provide you with a Screaming Orgasm."
"What?" three shocked wizards said together.
"It's the name of her favourite cocktail. Didn't you know?" Draco chuckled mischievously. "And then, I'll return her back to you, Uncle, so that you can provide her with a few more."
"Quite right," Severus mused, looking into Hermione's eyes, smirking at the thought of the delicious sight and sounds of her coming apart for him.
Hermione could feel the weight and intent of Severus' thoughts and blushed as he pressed a final kiss to her lips.
Have fun, he purred in her mind before releasing her into Draco's care. The look he gave his godson left him in no doubt that he was being told to take care of her.
Taking Draco's arm, the friends slipped out into Muggle London to meet Draco's new boyfriend.
"For the love of Circe, how did you manage to get together with her?" Pius exclaimed as the door closed and Lucius cast a Silencing charm.
Severus just shrugged, undoing his coat as he sat down.
"Gentlemen, we are wasting valuable drinking time," Lucius announced, producing a rare bottle of Ogden's and three glasses. "Although, Sev, I suppose you will be rationing yourself to ensure that you can get it up later."
Severus grunted, picking up the glass of amber liquid that Lucius had just set before him and examining it. A small smile graced his lips as he inhaled the smoky, sweet aroma. "Unlike you, dear, I've never had that problem," he deadpanned before downing his drink.
Glaring at Severus, Lucius' annoyed expression dissipated as he started to laugh. "Oh, get him! No girlfriend for fuck knows how long and there he sits lauding his newfound situation over us."
And that pretty much set the tone for the next two hours of conversation. The three wizards discussed Hermione, failed married, one night stands and in Pius' case reminiscing about his wife and her untimely death.
"Steady on, Sev. That's bloody expensive stuff," Lucius exclaimed as Severus poured himself yet another large glass of whisky which finished off the bottle. Severus wasn't keeping count, but he'd probably had half the bottle to himself, and it didn't look like he was stopping.
"I'll get another bottle," Severus choked out after downing this latest glass.
Lucius rolled his eyes before asking, "So, anything of interest or import going on at the ministry, Thickie?"
Pius shook his head. "Not really. Department of Mysteries is in a bit of a tizz for some reason. We've tracked down more lower tier Death Eaters. Those left of the Inner Circle are proving to be most elusive, and we're still looking for Goyle and Yaxley. Crabbe and Nott are under surveillance until Kingsley signs their arrest warrants."
Severus' eyes widened. "Why the hell do you need arrest warrants?"
"Kingsley is trying to ensure that we carry out the arrests with all due diligence because, as you know, the Dark Lord made sure we all had exceptionally competent legal advisors. He doesn't want them getting off on a technicality. Therefore, we have to do everything by the book."
Lucius looked perplexed. "That's fucking ridiculous! They are known servants of the Dark Lord who have yet to be tried. We were tried as war criminals―and thankfully acquitted―and yet we were arrested, without a warrant, as soon as was feasible. So what's so different about them?"
Pius sighed deeply. Of course, Lucius had a valid point, but as a high-ranking Ministry official, he had to be seen to tow the line.
"Unlike the others who stayed and fought," he began, "they left Hogwarts as soon as Potter faced Voldemort. You two, on the other hand, remained on the grounds or were carried out on a stretcher. Their residences were initially searched but found to be abandoned. However, once we'd found them, Kingsley had already had the Wizengamot pass the warrant ruling, and the paperwork is horrendous. So for now, all we can do is watch them, but one positive is that Dolohov is finally talking―not that he's said anything useful. However, at least he's not sat there as if his lips have been sewn together."
Severus huffed softly. "Is there any chance that I can be locked in a room with the bastard?" Severus' voice was tinged with menace as he poured himself another drink from the newly Summoned bottle.
Pius quirked an eyebrow. "Why?"
Severus shrugged nonchalantly. "He scarred Hermione. I'd like to repay the favour."
Lucius glanced at Severus' refilled glass and then turned away so that Severus could not see his eyes close and his nostrils flare as he breathed in deeply through his nose. He could tell by the way that his friend was making the contents of his glass disappear that it was going to be one of those nights.
"Whilst I admire your sentiment, Severus, I won't let you go to Azkaban over a shit like him," Pius advised whilst pouring a snifter for himself.
A wicked grin graced the headmaster's lips. "I'd only go there if they found a body."
"Stop it, Sev! This is serious," Lucius spoke sharply. "These idiots are on the loose, and I may have cleared my name after my eloquent denouncement, you may indeed be 'The Dark Saviour' and Thickie may have had three bastards―"
"―Four," Pius interjected.
"Sorry, four bastards," Lucius corrected, "Imperius him to get him onside. In the general scheme of things, we were the most influential―"
"―Speak for yourself," Severus grumbled, downing his drink again. Somehow another measure of amber liquid found its home in his glass.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Lucius exclaimed. "You've got blowjobs on tap and you look as miserable as fuck. What is it?"
Severus went to speak, but he had no idea what to say.
"Is it this bond?" Lucius asked, his brow furrowed with concern. "Are you missing her?"
Pius' curiosity got the better of him. "What bond?"
"Oh, it's a long story," Severus drawled. "The short version is that it appears that there is some mysterious bond between Hermione and myself. We have a theory which needs testing, and we're waiting for a fucking prophecy to present itself and, yes, I'm missing her," he said, raking his fingers through his hair. "The bond makes it hard for us to be apart. I either feel like my stomach is being ripped out, or I want to mail someone verbally."
Pius glanced at Lucius with concern. "And do you feel like verbally mauling one of us?"
"No, I feel like part of me is missing," Severus sighed, his words beginning to slur slightly. "Oh bollocks! I need to know what's going on."
Pius knew he was taking his life into his own hands by asking this, but it seemed a pertinent question nonetheless. "Do you really love her or is it just the bond?"
Lucius put his hand on Severus' shoulder, trying to calm him as he sensed his magic surge.
"So sorry to disappoint you, Thickie," Severus snarled. "Of course I bloody love her." Then, raising his eyes to the ceiling, he chuckled softly. "But look, she's missing me too."
His companions followed Severus' eyes and saw a glowing orb moving listlessly on the ceiling. Severus' assertion was correct as Hermione was sat in a Muggle bar with Draco and Adrian feeling miserable.
All of a sudden, Severus broke from his melancholy. "Do you have spies in Australia, Pius?" he asked pouring everyone another shot.
"Dear Merlin, that was a hefty change of subject,' Pius laughed before adding cautiously, "I have contacts. Why do you ask?"
Pressing his lips into a thin line, Severus considered what to say. "The other day, I mentioned to Hermione that I should meet her parents."
Lucius snorted softly. "Asking for her hand already, are we?"
"Not yet!" Severus groused, rolling his eyes. "Anyway, she became very upset and refused to speak further. I naturally thought it was because...well, you know I'm like." Severus mumbled, looking rueful.
Smiling into his glass, Pius chuckled. "Fortunately or, unfortunately, yes, we do."
Severus continued. "After I put two and two together and came up with five, I assumed that she didn't want me to meet them. But then she blurted out that just over a year ago she had, in fact, used a form of Obliviation to modify her parents' memories and sent them to Australia to keep them safe. However, she doesn't know where they moved to exactly.
"To put it simply, I want to have them found, have their memories restored and brought back to her by Christmas preferably," Severus coughed as his latest gulp burned his throat
Pius thought for a moment. "I can do some digging. They're Muggles aren't they?"
Severus nodded.
"I know someone who who could help," Pius mused. "We would need to know the variation of the spell and as much personal information about them as you can get from her. Hermione's file is extensive, but I'm not sure how much data there is on her parents."
Severus' eyes narrowed. "What file?"
Pius snorted incredulously. "She was public enemy number 3 remember? He wanted as much information on the leading 'Public Enemies' as he could get. Shacklebolt decided not to get rid of any of the files and lucky old me ended up with all of them in my office. You can have a look and see what's missing. Then, I'm sure that our greatest spy can furnish us with whatever is missing."
"What the fuck is Shacklebolt thinking?" Severus exclaimed. "You will hand Hermione's file over to her," he growled before twisting his mouth in consternation and reaching for the bottle again. "I suppose my file has its own postal address."
After this last drink was poured, Lucius surreptitiously moved the bottle away from Severus.
He wasn't sure if Hermione was aware of how out of hand his drinking could get. After Lily had died, he drank―and worse―to numb the pain.
But Lucius always remembered the day when Severus came to him and told him that it was time for him to get clean. Draco had called home earlier that day whinging because Severus had grabbed him by the throat and pinned him against the wall of the common room the night before. As it turned out, it was the night that Severus first realised that Hermione was more than just an insufferable know-it-all.
He told Lucius he felt he was in danger of turning into his Muggle father. He was never a violent drunk like his father―the only damage he caused, was to himself. He was still a slave to potions, but on that night, Severus Snape gave up alcohol, cigarettes, recreational drugs and―most peculiarly―women. Until a few days ago, Lucius never understood that one.
That didn't mean that Severus wouldn't have the occasional drink, but it was rare. In fact, his sobriety after the Dark Lord's return was something that failed to endear him to the majority of the Inner Circle. He observed everything; his word could be trusted because although he was taking potions they in no way impaired his abilities―they kept him functioning. He was never drunk or high. Even Lucius succumbed to the temptation of the grape whilst his unwelcome guests took over his home. Voldemort had often passed comment on Lucius' dishevelment, but frankly, by then, the blond wizard was beyond caring.
However, there had been two occasions following that night when Severus fell off the wagon. The first was on the night he killed Dumbledore. After the Dark Lord had congratulated him, Narcissa allowed him access to Lucius' study and he helped himself to a bottle and a half of his finest brandy.
The second was after his appointment as Headmaster and realised the extent to which he would be a puppet. The appointment of the Carrows had angered him beyond belief and he sat in his new office―Dumbledore's office―a full bottle of whisky in his hand which was empty by the morning.
On both occasions, the only reason Severus relapsed was because he was thinking far too much and he was so used to the potions that he was taking that few could have numbed his brain like alcohol could. And given the amount that he was knocking back tonight, Lucius surmised that Severus was thinking far too much, once again.
"So, Severus,' Lucius drawled carefully, "what are we going to do about Weasley?"
The alcohol coursing through Severus' veins was rapidly starting to take effect and he had to blink rapidly to try and keep his mind focussed. He knew that Lucius would try to take advantage of his drunken state to drag him into some plot or other. However, he had made a promise to Hermione and he intended to keep it. "I am not doing anything. You heard what my witch said."
Pius gave Lucius a sly look. "Oh, yes, of course. Do you think he'll turn up to the Ball? And anyway, why's he so pissed off? It's not as if they were engaged or married."
Lucius smirked approvingly at Pius' change of tack. "Ah, but he had asked her to marry him," Lucius elucidated as he downed the remains of his glass. "However, she told him that she wanted to wait."
Pius couldn't hide his amusement at that comment. "And he didn't take the hint? What a prick! I bet he's worried about his career, now. Wimbourne Wasps are at the bottom of the league and he's not a bad keeper but he's not the best. Rumour has it that the only reason they took him on was because he was part of the Golden Trio and he could bring in the sponsorship money. If the Golden Trio is divided, and 'every thinking wizard's pin-up' is now his ex-girlfriend, it won't bode well."
Referring to Hermione as 'every thinking wizards' pin-up', earned Pius a contemptuous look from Lucius and a deathly stare from 'every thinking wizard's pin-up's' boyfriend―or whatever he called himself.
Carrying on regardless, Pius continued trying to get Severus to rise to the bait. "And what does he have going for him apart from Quidditch? Most ministry jobs are closed to him unless he does his NEWTs. I believe the phrase is, 'his life has turned to shit.' So, he's lashed out at the one thing he thought he could rely on―Hermione."
"Such a Ravenclaw way of thinking Pius, but it's no excuse," Lucius drawled, watching Severus carefully.
"I'm not saying that it is," Pius acknowledged, "but I'd just like to ascertain what is behind Weasley's stupidity so we know how to handle him better."
"He's a moron. There is nothing more to say. I expect that he'll turn up to the ball with two tarts on his arm in a vain attempt to upset Hermione. However, should he come within a room of her, I'll..."
Severus' voice trailed off as he stared into his glass, swirling its contents whilst almost amusing violent thoughts went through his mind. However, as he downed it, he realised that this was the straw that broke the camel's back as the room began to spin. He now felt nauseous.
Noticing that Severus was struggling, Pius pressed on. "Yes, but, of course, it would be foolish for you to do anything to him, especially in public."
"Oh, you certainly don't want to do anything in public," Lucius concurred, "and yet public humiliation would certainly suit the bastard."
"Yes, public humiliation, at a major event perhaps attended by the great and the good of the wizarding world would be ideal. Do you know of such an event?" Pius deadpanned, trying to disguise his amusement.
"Actually, come to think about it I do and as the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, you would be forced to attend" Lucius informed him, his lips twitching before his impassive expression returned. "However, that might place you in an awkward position, Thickie."
"How so?"
"Because, my friend, if you were to happen upon some mischief being performed upon Ronald Weasley's person or should even suspect that something was about to befall him, you would be required to take immediate action."
Pius considered this. "Of course, I would. However, if I was distracted―let us say by offering to bring some young witch a drink―and I was, therefore, unable to see any misdemeanours then how could I possibly take any action?"
"A valid point," Lucius said with feigned sincerity.
"What...the fuck...are you two...going on about?" Severus slurred. He had been trying to follow their conversation, but the cumulative effect of the alcohol was causing his concentration to slip.
Standing up and putting his hands on Severus' shoulders, Lucius leant down and said quietly against his friend's ear, "Nothing for you to worry about, Sev."
Severus tried to speak coherently. "It's not that I don't want destroy the prick. If I had my way..." He trailed off again, fearing his dinner was about to make a sudden reappearance.
"What would you do to Weasley if you could do anything?" Lucius asked encouragingly.
"I'd...I'd eviscerate him, but...be too easy...useless bastard," Severus told them drunkenly. "But she...no...she told me not to and being...well, I wouldn't be setting a good...I really fucking love her, you know," he said chuckling slightly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "And I respect her wishes. I can't get involved...it wouldn't reflect well, would it? And anyway...have you ever seen 'Mione when she's angry? Fuck, she's gorgeous. Her hair goes really...frizzy when she's angry...I love her hair..."
"Yes, I'm sure you do, dear," Lucius interrupted. Pius looked at Lucius wide-eyed. Lucius just shook his head. "Have you got any sober up potion on you, Sev?"
Severus shook his head, covering his mouth as he dry heaved.
Lucius rolled his eyes. "Oh, well you're going to need some. You're coming back to mine."
"I can't," Severus choked out, struggling to focus. "She'll be...she'll be waiting for me and she'll be...well, I told her she better be..."
"Yes, I can imagine," Lucius chuckled, smirking at Pius. "I'll get a message to Draco to bring her home with him."
Pius, too, stood up and took Severus' glass from him before leaning against the table and placing his hand on the headmaster's shoulder. "Leave it with us, Severus. The little prick will be dealt with. We will contact Potter and see what he can suggest, but I do have an idea. Weasley cannot be allowed to get away with his insolence. Do you understand?"
Severus nodded slightly as another wave of nausea hit him. Lucius sighed deeply, closing his eyes as he realised that what they were about to do would not be easy. "I think I will need a hand with him, Pius. We'll Floo because I don't want vomit all over my floors."
"Think...that's unavoidable," Severus slurred before dry heaving.
Whilst Severus was drowning in firewhisky Hermione and Draco arrived at a Muggle bar in Soho.
Grabbing her hand before they went in, Draco made a request of his curly-haired friend. "Tell me what you think of Adrian afterwards and please be honest. Uncle Sev said something to me which has bothered me and I want to know if Auntie 'Mione picks up anything negative."
"What did he say?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Not telling, but I know he's only looking out for me," Draco told her, brushing a strand of Hermione's hair out of her lip gloss.
"Oh, he's good at that," Hermione smirked. "Come on, let me go and put my foot in it with your boyfriend."
As they walked into the establishment, Hermione saw the same attractive dark-haired man whom she had found in Draco's bed a few nights before, sitting on a stool near the bar. Adrian stood up, smiling as he held his hand out to his blond boyfriend.
"Hello sexy," Adrian purred as he gave Draco a kiss. He then turned to Hermione. "And you must be the lovely Hermione who invaded my dreams the other night. It's great to finally meet you properly."
Blushing Hermione said, "And you must be Adrian? I've heard so much about you."
"Have you not brought your boyfriend tonight, Hermione?" Adrian continued. "He must trust you to allow you out of his sight with two gorgeous men. I must admit that I'm looking forward to meeting Draco's godfather. He sounds an amazing guy and has amazing taste in women."
"Can you believe I hated this girl for years?" Draco chimed in, wrapping his arms around the Hermione. "Luckily, I saw sense."
Completely ignoring Draco, Adrian asked, "Now, Hermione, what can I get you to drink?"
"Why don't we all go and sit down and have a look at the cocktail menu?" Hermione said diplomatically, glancing wide-eyed at Draco before walking to an empty booth with a U-shaped leather seat.
The blond wizard bristled at his boyfriend's behaviour, but followed them, making sure that he sat between Adrian and Hermione.
Looking down the menu, Hermione began to giggle. "Oh, Drakey, I bet you'd like a 'Long Hard Comfortable Screw Against The Wall'," she said, trying to make light of the situation.
Adrian leaned forward and said suggestively, "I bet you would too, Hermione."
Hermione gave him a tight smile. "I'll be sure to ask Severus later."
"Lucky man," Adrian sighed before placing his hand on Draco's knee and grinning lasciviously. "And whilst your godfather is sorting Hermione out, how about I have you against the wall?"
"Or you could just buy the drinks, Ady," Draco snarled, shifting so that Adrian would move his hand.
Taken aback by Draco's response, all Adrian could managed to say was, "Oh OK."
"I suppose you'll want some money," Draco drawled absentmindedly.
"No," Adrian snapped before turning to Hermione. "What would you like, Hermione?"
"I'll have a Screaming Orgasm and, please, no flirtatious comments as it's making Draco jealous," Hermione told Adrian sweetly, but her tone left him in no doubt that she meant it.
"Oh, he's a big boy. He can handle himself. I know, I've watched," Adrian said with a wink. "Now what would you like, love?" he asked Draco, kissing his cheek.
"Four Horsemen, please," Draco told him with a small smile.
"Why don't I just buy you a bottle of whisky?" Adrian teased because Draco's choice of cocktail was so whisky-heavy. "A few of those and you'll be anybody's. Then I'll be stuck with Hermione," Adrian told him, sticking out his tongue as he stood up. He then looked at his boyfriend's companion. "And when that happens, your place or mine?" he asked with a wink.
Hermione was visibly shocked by this. Friendly banter was one thing, but this was―well, she didn't know what this was.
Suddenly, Draco had a face like thunder. "You're not going to anyone's place tonight."
Adrian turned to look at Draco quickly. "What's wrong with you?"
"Like you don't know," Draco spat back at him.
"Boys, please," Hermione interrupted. "Sorry Ady, but Draco promised Severus that he'd make sure I got home safely tonight because I've attracted a bit of unwanted media attention. And as I'm staying at the school you can't come with us, unfortunately."
Hurt flashed across Adrian's face. "Oh OK."
Seeing that Adrian was actually disappointed that he wouldn't be spending the night with him, Draco piped up with, "But we have got all weekend together. Uncle Sev has said that we can use his apartment this weekend as he's taking Hermione to Snape Manor this weekend."
Adrian raised his eyebrows. "Is Severus another rich one, then?"
Draco was annoyed by his boyfriend's crass question. Perhaps Severus had been right when he suggested that Adrian might only be interested in him because of his money. Ignoring his question, Draco continued. "I would invite you back to mine, but Father will be there unless he gets lucky, which is unlikely as he's out with Severus and Thickie."
"OK, well at least I'll get you for a few days," Adrian grumbled, slightly appeased. "Anyway, we all look thirsty, so I'll go and get drinks," he said moving away quickly.
Casting Muffliato, Hermione asked, "What the hell is going on, Draco? Does he always flirt like that?"
Sighing deeply, Draco shook his head. "I have no idea."
Hermione's mouth twisted in consternation. "What was it that Severus said he was worried about?"
"Just that with my money and our inheritance statute―"
"―Oh yeah, he explained that to me," Hermione interrupted. "Do you think Adrian will accept it? I can understand why Sev's worried for you, and, well I am, too especially as he keeps flirting with me."
"Sorry sweetheart, I didn't mean for you to feel awkward. You do seem to have a knack of getting men to throw themselves at your feet. I thought Thickie was actually going to start drooling. Mind you, your arse does look amazing in those jeans," Draco teased, taking Hermione's hand and kissing it.
"I guessed it must because Severus couldn't keep his hands off it when I got changed. Mind you, I can't keep my hands off his so I guess we're even," Hermione chuckled before adding in a more serious tone. "Look, you talk to Adrian. If you can't spend tonight together, you should at least talk to him. I'll just sit here and observe."
"There's no need for that," Draco groused, putting his hand on hers, his finger brushing against her bracelet.
Curious to see what adorned her wrist, Draco pushed up her sleeve. "And what is this?"
"Oh, Severus gave it to me."
Upon closer examination of the bracelet, Draco exclaimed, "Fucking hell! You're getting the heirlooms already?"
Hermione looked bewildered. "What do you mean?"
"Well, it's platinum and ruby," the blond wizard informed her, turning her arm over so that he could show her the clasp. "This is the Prince family crest.
Hermione gasped. "He didn't mention anything to me about that."
"Well, Uncle Sev is the king of understatement. If rumour is to be believed, some of the Prince family jewels are pretty amazing. You're a very lucky girl," Draco teased knowingly.
"But I don't care about all of that," Hermione insisted before admitting with a blush, "I forget sometimes―well, I don't actually know―how much money he's got, and I certainly forget that he has a title."
"Well, you are going to have to get used to being Lady Snape when you get married. Mind you, if you want to make a reservation at a restaurant or open an account in a Muggle shop, it's always handy to drop in your title," Draco told her with a wink.
"Oh stop it! Look, Adrian's coming back, so I'll just sit here, drink my drinks, be polite and then you can take me home. You need to entertain your boyfriend."
Draco rolled his eyes, but knew better than to argue.
Hermione sank back into her seat as Adrian placed the three glasses that he had been carrying precariously on the table, and began chattering away. She smiled at the couple, hoping that her concerns for them were unfounded before her thoughts turned to her own relationship, and what was going to happen on Saturday.
Having put Severus to bed in Hermione's bedroom at Malfoy Manor, an exhausted Lucius and Pius were preparing to collapse into wingback chairs with a rather excellent brandy when Draco and Hermione walked into the drawing room.
The house elves had just finished cleaning up the vomit in the entrance hall which Severus had left behind him, when the curly-haired witch rushed upstairs to attend to her wizard. She'd been told he was a little worse for wear, but one look at him and she realised that Severus was in a much worse state than she had been led to believe. Gently brushing his hair away from his face, she kissed his forehead, cheek and lips before turning on her heel and returning to the drawing room.
"Lucius Abraxus Malfoy," Hermione fumed as she stormed into the room, "why the hell did you let him get into that state? Honestly, I would have expected better from you. I'm going up to bed to look after him, but I will deal with you in the morning. Goodnight."
And with that snapped farewell, Hermione left the three wizards reeling from her outburst.
Draco was the first to break the silence. "Well, I wouldn't like to be in your shoes," he chuckled, wandering over to the drinks' cabinet to refill his glass.
Smirking into his glass, Lucius mumbled, "Somehow, I think I might have urgent business to attend to in the morning."
"Can I come with you in case she comes looking for me as well?" Pius asked, wincing slightly at the thought of a well-aimed Stinging Jinx hitting his bollocks.
AN2: So what do you think? I can't wait for Severus' hangover! And what do you think of Draco's young man? Match made in heaven, hell or somewhere in between?
AN3: This chapter was updated on 19/03/2015. If you see any mistakes, please let me know via PM.