Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters from it. Harry Potter is the property of J. K. Rowling.

Joys of Manual Labor

The war had been over for a few months. The trials had finished just two weeks ago. Lucius Malfoy and his family had escaped Azkaban thanks to the testimonies of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. The Malfoys had not helped Bellatrix torture Hermione, none of them had truly fought in the final battle, and Narcissa had risked her life by lying about Harry's death. Which were points Harry and Hermione brought up during the trials. Many could not understand why these two war heroes wanted to help the Malfoys, but few dared to question them.

Even though the Malfoys did not have to go to Azkaban they still had to make reparations for the wrongs they had committed during the war. They were given a very large fine and each was sentenced to several hours of community service. Which was to be given without the use of magic.

Lucius stretched his arms over his head, taking a short break from moving the smaller debri from the giant falling onto Hogwarts during the battle.

"Aren't you supposed to be working, not standing around?"

Lucius sneered slightly. "Not that it is any of your business, I was simply taking a moment to stretch." Lucius slowly turned to face the man who had spoken. "What are you-" Lucius cut himself off when he saw his companion. "What in the name of Merlin are you wearing?"

The man frowned and looked at himself, having temporarily forgetting about his clothing. He was clad in a long-sleeved, button-up plaid shirt tucked into blue wranglers. The ensemble was was completed with black boots, and his hair was half pulled up to keep it out of his eyes. "This outfit is my payment for losing a bet." His voice was full of disgust.

This caused Lucius to throw back his head and laugh.

His companion threw him a death glare. Which made Lucius laugh even harder. After a few minutes he sobered, and he was surprised that his companion had stayed. "So, who did you make the bet with and what was the bet?" He asked smirking.

The other man sighed before answering. "Minerva, she said that at least one member of Gryffindor's Golden Trio would come to assist with the reconstruction of Hogwarts. I said that none would. As it happens all three came."

"Of course, they were going to come. They're do-gooders that can't help themselves." Lucius commented while thinking about what two of the group did for him and his family. "So, I'm assuming that for losing the bet you have to wear those clothes for the rest of the day."

"Yes, Minerva transfigured my clothing as soon as the trio arrived. She also modified them in such a way that I am unable to alter them."

Upon hearing this Lucius started laughing again. After about half a minute the man he was talking to lost his patience. He brandished his was and Lucius' robes turned into an almost exact replica of his outfit. The main difference being that Lucius' shirt was a blue plain rather than green. His hair was also pulled back into a low ponytail.

Lucius immediately stopped laughing. If looks could kill the other man would be dead and six feet under. "Severus, there was no need to inflict me with the same misfortune as you." His voice was deathly quiet.

Severus just smirked, put his wand away, and started moving rubble.

"Severus, return my clothing to its normal state." Lucius demanded in a low, cold voice.

Severus glanced at Lucius and arched an eyebrow. "Why?" His voice was tinged with amusement.

Lucius glowered at him. "You know why. You know what I am capable of if you don't."

It was now Severus' turn to laugh. "Indeed, my friend. I do know what you are capable of, when you have access to your wand. Without it we both know that I am more than match for you."

Lucius' glare intensified but he could not refute what Severus had said.

Severus started working again and after a few minutes so did Lucius. They continued working in silence for about half an hour before Lucius spoke. "Why are you not using your wand?"

It was a few moments before Severus answered. "It was highly...recommended that I assist in Hogwarts' reconstruction. I could be using my wand. However, I find myself wanting to do what I can the Muggle way.

They continued to work in silence for a couple hours, only taking a few short breaks to have some water. Over the course of this time both men had rolled up their shirt sleeves and unbuttoned their top two buttons.

Severus had just paused to have another drink when he noticed Lucius had untucked his shirt and was now unbuttoning it. "What are you doing?"

Lucius looked at Severus as though he was stupid. "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm using the only means available to me to cool down." Lucius finished unbuttoning his shirt, took it off, and threw it to the side. "Why don't you try it? It's much more satisfactory than a cooling charm." Without waiting for a response, he got back to work.

Severus stared at Lucius for a few moments before shaking his head. He got his drink and started moving rubble again. He was tempted to cast a cooling charm on himself. However, he had said that he was going to do it the Muggle way and Muggles can't use cooling charms. It was getting rather warm, but he wasn't as comfortable as Lucius was with showing of his body.

After about another hour Severus had to concede defeat. It was very hot, and he could feel the sweat rolling down his back. He gave small sigh before glancing around to be certain no one was watching. He quickly untucked and unbuttoned his shirt. He just as quickly took it off and instantly felt cooler. He neatly folded his shirt and set it near his goblet. He got back to work and tried not to think about how anyone could walk around the castle and see his bare torso.

Hermione walked around the castle looking for Mr. Malfoy and Prof. Snape. It was about noon and Prof. McGonagall had asked her to tell them that lunch was served in the Great Hall.

'I wonder why she didn't send her patronus.' Hermione thought as she walked. ' Ah well, it isn't as though it's hard to tell two people it's time for lunch. And it's nice to be outside, even if it's only for a few minutes. Now let's see, Professor McGonagall said they were at the wall the giant fell on. So, they should-'

She stopped short at the sight before her. Both men were shirtless. She could see their skin gleaming in the sunlight and their muscles rippling under their skin as they worked. 'Damn...' She thought as she moved closer and noticed the jeans they were wearing. The Wranglers fit them to a T. Perfectly sculpting their asses.

She let out a shaky breath that Pro. Snape heard. He dropped the stone he was holding and spun around. The noise he made caught Mr. Malfoy's attention and he looked up.

Hermione turned bright red, know that they had caught her staring. Before either man could react, she quickly said, "Professor McGonagall asked me to tell you that lunch is ready in the Great Hall." Having given her message, she turned and hurried back the way she had come.

Lucius and Sever stood still for a few moments after watching the young woman leave. Lucius was the first to move. "Well," He said as he picked up his shirt and put it on. "That was interesting. Shall we go eat?"

Severus didn't respond. He simply grabbed his shirt, put it on, and followed Lucius toward the Great Hall.