Chapter 25 Fluffy Bunny Gets Around

"Power is having every justification to kill and you don't." –Oskar Schindler from Schindler's List

The trip to the dungeons seemed to take forever. Draco was wondering exactly what he got himself into and Hermione was beaming with so much pride she didn't bother questioning the dark look on his face. Their hurried footfalls were the only sound heard echoing through the empty halls.

Draco raised his hand to knock when they reached the office door while Hermione rocked back and forth on her heels.

"Enter." Severus' voice called from inside. Draco allowed Hermione to pass him then slowly entered the room closing the door quietly behind him. Severus placed the necessary silencing charms and such before turning his attention to the couple seated before him.

"Mr. Malfoy," He began in a low voice, "you have made a most difficult decision and you will likely live with the repercussions your entire life. I need to make sure you are doing this for yourself and not for any other," he glanced towards Hermione, "reasons."

Draco sat silently staring into his lap and wringing his fingers. Hermione looked at him expectantly not quite believing it would take him that long to answer. He looked up suddenly and nodded his head up and down once in affirmation. "I'm doing this for myself and for other reasons."

Hermione smiled again and looked back up at Severus. "What now?"

"Now, Draco has to learn occlumency and how to properly defend himself without as much Dark Magic as he is used to using. I expect you to be here every night after dinner. I warn you, this will not be easy nor will it be very salutary for you." Severus spoke slowly as if trying to drill each word into their heads.

"I know," Draco started leaning back in his chair, "I wasn't planning on it being easy. I just want someone to be proud of me at the end of the day." He smiled at Hermione and gently took her hand. Severus felt a strange pang in his chest at the loving look the two shared.

He had never had anyone there for him but Albus and Minerva when he had switched sides. Everyone had scorned him when he first started at Hogwarts' and he never had much of a desire to socialize. Elisabeth, Hermione, and Draco had been more than willing to speak with him but it always felt as if he were an interloper in some private group.

Draco turned away from Hermione and noticed the almost wistful expression on the normally stony man's face. "Severus?"

"What?" He snapped out of his daze, "Oh, yes. Come back to my office every Tuesday and Thursday night. You'll be with Potter. We'll discuss spying and such on Saturday afternoons."

"All right." Draco and Hermione stood at the same time and Hermione quickly rushed out of the room. Draco made to follow her when Severus called him back.

"Draco, if you ever feel the need to call me a nickname," He paused for dramatic effect then smirked evilly, "don't."

Draco gulped audibly and all but ran from the room. He would trust Severus with his life but he was smart enough no to annoy a man that could easily kill him.

Severus leaned back in his chair lost in contemplation. He needed to send a letter Elisabeth. He'd had no contact with her since their dinner together. The dinner had been awkward and uncomfortable for both parties. Severus had no clue how to act around an available, interested woman and Elisabeth didn't know how to date anymore. By the end of the night, they both agreed to write each other and neither had continued to do so.

"I trust the Malfoys' have already met with you…fluffy bunny?" Albus grinned from where he was leaning in the doorway. Severus glared with all his might but the Headmaster just laughed and took a seat in front of him.

"And I thought that ridiculous name would die out with my threat to Draco. Alas, I forgot that you miraculously know everything about everyone." Albus chuckled at the younger man's sardonic tone.

"I was merely checking that Mr. Malfoy followed through on a deal he made with his wife." Severus froze at the overly joyful tone.

"I do not wish to know how nor what you found out."

"Yes, well," Albus stood stretching his legs, "I believe I will leave you to write something you may have procrastinated about."

"Damn you, Albus." Severus exclaimed when the old man snuck out of the room before he could recover his wits. He sat at his desk putting off the inevitable. After an hour of staring at the gleaming wood, he pulled a parchment and quill from his desk. He thought carefully and wrote slowly before charging to the owlery and sending it before he could change his mind.

&&&

Elisabeth Granger stood in the kitchen washing the dishes. She stared out the window at the backyard with the tree that had a tire hanging off of it. Hermione used to love to sit in the tire swing for hours and just read. She always looked so relaxed sitting out there; Elisabeth wished she could do the same. As the mother of the household, she seemed to be responsible for everything. She worked shorter hours at the dental practice she shared with her soon to be ex-husband and he expected her to raise the child, cook dinner, and make sure he had a warm bed and clean house. She wondered why she stayed with him so long.

A tapping on the window drew her out of her revere. A small, brown owl was looking at her from the backyard. She smiled as she narrowed down the possibilities of who it could be from. She opened the window and let the owl in and giving it a cracker.

She slowly opened the letter feeling a nervous tension rise in her stomach then a smile spread across her features when she saw the handwriting.

Severus.

She gave a giddy, schoolgirl-esque giggle before abandoning her washing and running into the family room.

Elisabeth,

I apologize for not contacting you sooner. I'm afraid I was caught up with something and unable to write anything to you. I enjoyed our dinner together and I believe it would be most pleasant to attempt it again.

Severus

She smiled again to herself and set to write a reply.

Severus,

Dinner would be lovely. I'm afraid nearly anything would be better than our last experiment. I look forward to further meetings and conversations.

With Love,

Elisabeth

She rolled up the letter and attached it to the leg of the owl. With a last peck on her hand, he was off not knowing he was caring the possible future in his claws.

A/N: I am so sorry it so long. I struggled very much writing this chapter and I have to say I'm a bit dissatisfied with how it turned out. I've been busy with school and my grades aren't exactly where I neither need nor want them to be. I really have no good excuse but writers' block and the fact that I've started a new story. Rest assured, I have no intentions of leaving this a WIP. I hate those especially if it's a long, involved story. I'm not going through the best period in my life right now, I'm exhausted and over stressed, but I'm trying to get the next chapter out soon. I'm hoping to end this story in less than ten more chapters then start the third story, At the End.

Reviews: I love you all.

apparateawayhplivesagain- I think the nickname suits him perfectly. I'm thinking it's going to be ironic because we may discover bunny slippers beneath his bed later…

Angel5blue5- I am so sorry it took this long to update. I really am trying to get on a schedule.

Anarane Anwamane- Severus is like Albus; they both have yet to learn that amazing talent.

Goddess-Hope- Thank you. I liked it myself.

kriCket x0- "I Can Love You Like That" is my all-time favorite love song; hands down.

Luv2sk8e- I'm hoping it brings a bit more than it has now.

Kathe- I haven't entirely worked the Harry/Ginny aspect yet. I'm thinking of embellishing a bit more.

malfoy-rox- Thankee.

sweetbutsour253- I'm trying to get better, I swear.

Angel Of Doom- I lurve smilies.

Alenor- Draco is only alive because I need him for more things in the story. Otherwise, I'd let Severus kill him.

Yelena Malini- I have a feeling that's going to be a fun chapter to write. I'm thinking of fainting and cursing.

Lady of the Realm- You're write. I lied. It was a total lime. I just couldn't get in the mood, for once, to write lemon.

dmhg- It will so be finished by June. I may even finish the whole trilogy by then…I'm very honored to have you're fic dedicated to me. It's a very sweet concept and I'll be sure to look. I showed all my friends your review because it was a major ego booster.

Aurora L Black- I updated. Yeh for me.

BloodJewel- I loved your review. It was inspiring, helped me get through me writers' block, and it showed that the best is yet to come. Could you please clarify what your e-mail is because I would love to mail you sometime?

Malfodax- I have to say your review was my favorite. It was entertaining to say the least. I'm sorry if I offended you in anyway but I'm not British and I never claimed to be. I wrote what I knew and I'm proud of it. If you hate the story so much, find another one to read. I always say I enjoy constructive criticism, not flames. I'll have you know, fish and chips is my favorite food and I used all of my favorites for hers. I don't mean to rant at you but I don't enjoy being ranted at myself. I would love to have you continue to read this story I just ask that instead of flaming me and insulting me, tell me what I can do to make the story better for you. Thank you for reviewing.