Chapter 3: First Call

The warm, rhythmic breathe tickling his chest made Severus stir in his sleep. As he cracked his eyes, the sight before him broke down his normal stoic barriers and he smiled softly. Hermione, hair spread across his shoulder, one arm thrown across his torso was still fast asleep. This moment was one he had never seen coming when all of this began 10 months before. His mind drifted back to the night before, how carefree and willing Hermione had been beneath his fingers. She stirred next to him, her body stiffening as she stretched her arms above her head.

"Good morning" she said, her voice still filled with sleepiness.

"Good morning." Severus said as he pulled himself from the bed.

Severus stood walked across the room to his closet, reaching for his everyday robes. Hermione stayed sprawled across the bed, eyes following him as he silently dressed and prepared for the day.

"Severus?" she said quietly.

"Yes?"

"You don't need to panic. I can feel the tension rolling off of you in waves. I know what last night was, I don't have any expectations." She said, sitting up, not caring that the sheet slid down to her waist leaving her exposed.

He turned towards her, eyes raking across her exposed body. He snapped his eyes back up to her face, examining her expression and wondering how she was so relaxed about the entire situation. He could feel the waves of concern coming off of her, but what stood out was this overwhelming feeling that everything was okay. He was unsure of how to handle this situation, especially since this wisp of a girl, excuse him, woman had shaken him so.

"We are treading on dangerous territory Hermione. We are not in a secure place yet, you have not even been introduced to Him. If I'm seen to be slightly, lenient with you, it could cause significant problems."

"Then you will simply have to make sure you are not. I know this cannot mean anything but I also know that I did not want anything to move further without telling you how I felt." She said, her eyes glancing towards the bed, the first sign of any insecurities. Severus took a step forward, his hand brushing her hair back from her face.

"Hermione, I—" he started but halted when he heard his floo flare to life in the other room. "Do not come out, do not make any noise." Severus said as he snatched his wand from the side table, headed from the bedroom and closed the door tightly behind him.

"Severus! I tried to floo call you but you did not answer, very unlike you friend." Lucius said as he brushed the dust from his already pristine robes.

"Good morning, Lucius. What can I do for you?"

"So serious, Severus. Perhaps I was just stopping in to see an old friend."

"Perhaps, but something tells me that is not the case. Drink?" Severus asked, snapping his fingers after a nod from Lucius. Tessie popped into the room a second later. "What can I gets yous sir?"

"Tea and biscuits, Tessie." Severus snapped.

"And for the miss, sirs?" Tessie asked innocently. "Just bring her breakfast." Severus growled. Tessie squeaked and popped from the room.

"Ah, my friend! No wonder you did not answer my floo. I apologize for interrupting your morning fun." Lucius laughed good-naturedly. "And who is the lady?"

"Not someone I plan to introduce to you Lucius. So, you were going to tell me what you wanted when you bombarded into my living space." Severus snapped, then indicating for Lucius to sit as a tray of tea and biscuits appeared on the table.

"Not nearly as fun as talking about your private life though, Severus. I hardly ever get to intrude on that."

"Yes, yes. I apologize for keeping my private life, private. Get on with it Lucius, as we've made clear, I have other things I could be doing this morning." Severus leered.

"Yes, alright. The reason that I've come this morning is actually on the bidding of our Lord. He's tasked Draco with compiling a list of his classmates that may be inclined to join our ranks. He's then been assigned with tracking them down and persuading them to join, by any means necessary."

"While I am thrilled for you that your son has been given an active task, I'm unsure what this has to do with me."

"Simply that we'd like your input."

"My input?" Severus said raising his eyebrow questioningly. Lucius sighed before answering.

"I believe Draco has become, infatuated with that old mans niece and he seems to think he could, sway her to our side if he approaches her the right way."

"Ah, you are speaking of Miss Navarre. Yes, I do believe Draco may have a slight interest in her."

"Do you believe I should squash this? While her uncle is clearly not of the caliber I wish my son to associate with, no one can argue with the family that she descends from. And should Draco achieve his goal of recruiting Dumbledore's niece, well! Can you just imagine how thrilled our Lord would be?!" Lucius said, slamming his hand on the table with a rare display of emotion.

"I do believe it would be a fruitful effort for Draco to pursue Miss Navarre. You are correct in that our Lord would be quite pleased and she is of extreme intelligence. She would be a great asset to our Lord." Severus said carefully.

"Thank you, Severus. Your input means more than you could know. I will take my leave and let you get back to your, morning experience, shall we say?" Lucius said suggestively.

"Yes, yes. Do let me know how everything goes for Draco, won't you? You should know that Miss Navarre will be accompanying me to the Potioneers Annual Research Gala in a weeks time. I am sure there are always extra seats for last minute funders."

"Is our Miss Navarre found of potions, Severus?"

"She has requested I consider her for an apprenticeship and so I had suggested she speak with other Potioneers before deciding if it she were sure she wished to work with myself."

"Ah. Well, make no hasty decision to have her work with someone else. It may benefit our Lord to keep her close to our ranks. I will see you in a few days at the meeting, Severus, until then." Lucius said as he stepped into the floo and called out to Malfoy Manor.

Severus stood staring at the fireplace for a few moments before he heard his bedroom door creak open. He turned towards the door and looked at the young woman standing before him, hair still disheveled and sheet wrapped loosely around her frame.

"I guess it's starting then?

"Yes, Hermione. By this time next week you will be well on your way to being a part of the Dark Lords ranks."

"And apparently on the arm of Draco Malfoy."

"Yes, and on the arm of Draco Malfoy. It could be worse though, you know that don't you?"

"Of course, there was just a small part of me that was hoping-" she trailed off.

"Hoping what?"

"Well, that perhaps this could last just a little longer."

He walked towards her and placed a kiss on her forehead. "We have the week."

"But will it be enough?" she whispered.

"No, it will never be enough Hermione, but that is the life we have both signed up for. Come now, it's time for training and then we must make sure you are properly fitted for the Gala next week."

-End Chapter-

*Okay so I didn't completely explain what the blood ritual or exactly what it did but I've decided little hints will work just as well lol! Anyway, I hope everyone likes it!