Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters from it. Harry Potter is the property of J. K. Rowling. The Lyrics quoted in this chapter belong to the band Duran Duran. And I'm sorry about being late posting again. Life has rather hectic. But I hope that you enjoy this chapter.

Joys of Manual Labor

Chapter Four

Hermione stretched as she walked into the Great Hall behind Harry and Ron.

Ginny glanced at her. "Stiff?"

"Yeah. Even counting the months in the tent, I've never done so much physical labor." Hermione sighed as she sat down at one of the long tables. "I should start doing stretches or something each morning."

"Not a bad idea." Harry commented as he too sat down. "All of us would probably benefit from that."

"Hear, Hear." Ron grunted. Causing the other three to laugh.

"Not used to all the stairs anymore?" Ginny asked in a teasing voice.

Ron glared at her. "I'm used to the stairs. What I'm not used to is going up and down them a thousand times in one day. My legs are killing me."

"I seriously doubt it was a thousand times." Hermione said, with laughter in her voice.

"It certainly feels like it was." Harry ran his hand through his hair. "I hope our assignments don't have us doing all that running around today."

Just as he said that a couple house-elves appeared and handed all four of them pieces of paper. They then disappeared allowing the four young adults to see what they were to accomplish that day.

"Looks like Ron and I are going to be working in Gryffindor tower. How about you two?"

"We're working at the green houses. Goodie." Ginny frowned as she answered.

Hermione was frowning too. "Maybe it won't be so hot today." But her voice wasn't very convincing. She and Ginny stood up to leave. "See you two at lunch." Hermione called over her shoulder and they were gone.

Severus was looking at Lucius with a cocked eyebrow.

Lucius scowled, "yes?"

"Interesting choice of wardrobe. Wouldn't you say?"

Lucius glanced down at himself. He was once again clad in wrangler jeans and boots. However, his shirt was a simple dark green t-shirt that accentuated his broad shoulders. "Yesterday I determined that it was more efficient to wear Muggle clothing when performing manual labor."

Severus smirked but said nothing. Being a Slytherin himself, he was able to read between the lines of what Lucius had said. 'It does make a logical sense. However, I know that is not the full reason. He is wanting to get another reaction like yesterday's out of miss Granger.' He felt his anger slowly rising. 'Why is that frustrating me?' Severus' smirk turned into a frown.

"It is a much more comfortable ensemble than yours, I'm sure."

Before Severus could respond movement behind Lucius caught his attention. Hermione and miss Weasley were exiting the castle. His change of focus caused Lucius to turn and see what he was looking at.

'Ah.' Lucius smiled faintly and glanced back at Severus. Who still had eyes locked on Hermione. 'Does he even realize how obvious he is being? Though I suppose I'm not much better.' He looked at Hermione again and seeing where she and the Weasley girl were headed, decided to follow. He walked quickly, knowing that Severus would be following him, and soon was able to hear what the young women were saying.

"...not tell you about Duran Duran? You cousin's tastes must be severely lacking. I talk back what I said yesterday. I do not love your cousin."

Ginny busted out laughing. "Is that band really so good, that you would change your mind just like that?"

Hermione laughed too. "Well, it isn't as though I truly loved your cousin anyway, having never met them. But I am disappointed they didn't put any Duran Duran songs on your music player. There's one that I really wanted to listen to today. Singing the lyrics to myself just isn't the same."

Lucius whispered to Severus. "She said she loves someone she's never met?" Lucius was angry and working very hard to hold it in.

"She didn't actually love him as she just stated. I believe that she simply loved the fact that someone finally got her friend to listen to actual good music. I for one am more interested in finding out the song she wanted to listen to. I've heard a couple of that bands songs and rather enjoyed them."

"From the little bit I heard yesterday Muggle music leaves much to be desired. You may have called it vocalizing, but it sounded much more like screaming to me."

Severus almost laughed. "Trust me Lucius, there is a difference and one day you'll hear it."

"So you say. However-"

Lucius was cut off when Hermione's voice rose enough to override their whispering.

"...Please please tell me now

"Is there something I should know

"Is there something I should say

"That would make you come my way

"Do you feel the same 'cos you don't let it show..."

A/N Just wanted to say again that these lyrics belong to the band Duran Duran.

Lucius and Severus listened as Hermione sang the rest of the song. Her voice wasn't perfect, but they were both captivated by it.

"Wow." Ginny's voice was surprised. "It's a pretty deep song, isn't it?"

"Yeah. There are a lot of songs like that. You just have to actually listen to what is being said, not how it is said."

"Makes sense. And I can see why that one is a favorite of yours."

Hermione gave a small smile. "It expresses how I feel in a way I was never able to myself. Especially when I became a First Year here." Hermione sighed. "Shall we find Professor Sprout and see what exactly she wants us do to?"

Severus turned towards Lucius. "Understand why I and apparently Hermione and miss Weasley enjoy Muggle music?"

"I'm beginning to." Lucius' response was uncharacteristically honest. "I may develop a taste for it myself."

Before Severus could say anything else Pomona Sprout came around the side of one of the greenhouses. "Finally, I was beginning to wonder if I would have to send one of the house-elves to find you, Severus. You are usually much more punctual."

"My apologies Pomona. I assure you I did not intentionally arrive later than you wanted." Severus' voice was tinged with humor and there was a smirk on his mouth to accompany it.

Pomona shook her head in exasperation. "Of course, you didn't." Her voice was quite clearly sarcastic. "However, now that you are here, I truly do need your help. You know almost as much as I do about the plants that were injured in the battle. And I need all the assistance I can get to get them healthy again."

Severus nodded. "Of course, Pomona. Who else is assisting you aside from Lucius and myself?"

Pomona pressed her lips together and gave a quick, sharp glance to Lucius. Who wisely remained silent. "Mr. Longbottom, Ms. Granger, Ms. Weasley, and a few other students. And watch your manners. I saw your expression when I said Mr. Longbottom's name. He is very good at Herbology and was extremely competent during the battle."

"Forgive me Pomona, old habits are hard to break." Severus' face was completely blank as he said this.

Pomona shook her head. "Please go to greenhouse two. Ms. Granger and Ms. Weasley are working there. I would work with them myself, but the plants in greenhouse three need my attention more."

Severus inclined his head in acknowledgment and he and Lucius made their way to greenhouse two. When they entered, they were shocked again. Miss Granger was standing with her back to them, but instead of wearing a t-shirt as she had been just a few minutes ago, she was now in a pale green camisole.