A/N: I own nothing you recognize.
Thank you for your kind reviews. I hope you are enjoying the story.
Ch 6 - Dinner at the manor
The guard was shocked to see Hermione Granger back again in the same day. "Advocate Granger, did you forget something?"
"No, sir. I am here to collect my clients. It seems there was some miscommunication and what should have been a corporate matter was filed as a criminal matter. Please check your inbox; I believe the Lead Prosecutor has sent some paperwork down that will authorize the release of my clients. The guard looked stunned, but he did ask she asked. Sure enough, Marilyn had sent the release papers over as requested.
"Very well, Advocate Granger. I shall go collect your clients. Would you like to meet with them before they are formally released?"
"If you would bring them all to the meeting room sir, I would appreciate it. There will be no need for restraints. I have a few things to discuss with them. That will give you time to get the wands processed to be returned to Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Snape. " He nodded and led her to the meeting room. He then disappeared down the hall and returned with Lyra a few moments later.
"Advocate Granger, I am surprised to see you back so soon. Is everything alright?"
"Please, Miss Malfoy, call me Hermione. It seems our professional relationship is going to come to a rather abrupt ending."
"I don't understand. I thought you were taking the case."
"Your brother and Professor Snape will be here momentarily. I would like to explain this to all of you together."
"Why are they allowing you to meet with us all together? What is going on?"
Draco and Professor Snape entered the room. "Granger, what is the meaning of this?"
"Well, I have some good news for you all." She paused for effect. "Advocate Weasley has dropped the criminal charges against you." She was greeted by two pair of extremely wide gray eyes and one pair of narrowed black eyes.
"Miss Granger, do not toy with us. What is going on?"
"Professor, I was able to convince the prosecutor's office that this was not a suitable matter for a criminal investigation. Malfoy Industries remains under investigation for violation of the International Statute of Secrecy. I expect sanctions and injunctions to be filed in the morning. Draco, if you would like to retain my services, I would be happy to assist the company in addressing those charges. You are all free to go home."
"Just like that?" Lyra was stunned.
"Just like that, Miss Malfoy. It seems that Advocate Weasley was a bit afraid he would be painted as a mindless bureaucrat if he ignored the good you were doing. I'm not sure where he got such an idea. He feels that the company should be given an opportunity to defend the practice of selling products to Muggles. He believes that in order to continue the practice, an exception to the Statuts must be granted. As I said, I expect him to file an injunction to cease production during the investigation. I emphasized the importance of your work and that a lengthy delay would be inappropriate."
"Granger, that's amazing. Of course we want you to help us obtain the exception. You must have dinner with us this evening to celebrate." Draco did not look like he was going to take no for an answer.
"Draco, you should spend this evening with family. I do not want to intrude."
"Nonsense," Lyra cut in. "You are the reason he will be home with his family tonight. Astoria will never forgive him if you don't accept. " Hermione smiled. "And Severus, there will be no hiding in the cottage tonight, I mean it." Severus looked mildly alarmed. Draco slapped Severus on the back.
"You know you can't say no to Lyra, Severus. I'm not sure which of these two women is more frightening. We will see you at seven, Granger. Thank you," he said sincerely. Hermione nodded and shook his hand.
"Hermione," Lyra said more softly. "Thank you."
"Of course, Lyra. You are doing good work here. I'm glad I could help protect it."
"Miss Granger, thank you for your assistance. It sounds like we have a lot of work to do in the upcoming weeks. Please let me know how I can help. " Hermione turned to look at Severus and her heart caught in her throat. She certainly was not the swooning type, but the sight of Severus Snape looking truly grateful was a bit overwhelming. He offered his hand to her in thanks. When she took it, she felt his strength in his calloused hands. He looked away at first, but then he met her eyes. His black eyes looked endless, and while she never would have believed it before, there was warmth there as well.
Severus shook the Hermione's hand quickly and pulled back. He didn't notice the softness of her skin. He didn't notice the admiration in her eyes and the way her golden complexion flushed with the slightest bit of pink. At least, that's what he told himself.
Lyra looked on with interest. Draco, on the other hand, was genuinely oblivious to what was going on in the room. He knew his wife had suffered greatly this day, and he longed to get home and ease her fears.
Hermione said her goodbyes and left the room, finally agreeing to come to dinner. Draco was right, Astoria would be very happy to have her for dinner after the trying day. She wasn't sure she could handle too much of Lyra staring at Severus like she was just now. What is wrong with me? She's perfectly nice and he deserves to be happy. I guess I'm lonelier than I thought I was.
Hermione arrived at the Manor for dinner. A house-elf showed her to the parlor. She wasn't trying to, but she could hear Lyra and Draco talking in the next room.
"You know Father won't approve." Lyra sounded upset.
"Lyra, Father will go along with whatever you want. And if he doesn't, it's his loss. You are a grown woman. Aren't you tired of waiting around for everyone's approval? He's been patient, Lyra. I can't blame him for being frustrated that you keep discouraging his affections. Stop blaming Mother and Father for your own inaction."
"You have no idea what it was like growing up in this house and being like me." Lyra's tone was low and deadly.
"No, Lyra, I don't. But they've tried to make amends. We all have. I can't imagine that either of them would deny you this. Truthfully, they've wanted it for a long time too. It's not like they don't like the man. If he asks you again, tell him yes. Stop creating problems for yourself where they don't exist. If you keep up this game, he's going to move on, regardless of his feelings for you."
"I don't know, Draco."
"Just think about it." Hermione was shocked at what she was hearing. When had Draco Malfoy grown up?
"Miss Granger, didn't anyone ever tell you it wasn't polite to eavesdrop?" Hermione jumped.
"No, Professor Snape, they must have forgotten. Much like you were not warned not to sneak up on people. Still skulking about I see." Hermione tried very hard not to allow her tone to betray her embarrassment. Unfortunately, Severus had slid up very close behind her before speaking, so when she wheeled on him to retort, she found herself looking directly up into the face of her former professor. He was so close that her hands brushed against his chest. Their eyes locked for a moment; both of them stepped back quickly. This time, there was no escaping the intensity of the moment. He had tried to pretend he didn't notice the electricity earlier that day; this time he was not successful in convincing himself it did not happen.
Hermione sputtered for a moment before collecting herself. "I was not eavesdropping Professor Snape. I cannot deny I heard part of the conversation. I was honestly just realizing how far we've all come since the war.
"You needn't call me professor anymore, Miss Granger. It hardly seems appropriate, being that have not been my student for over a decade."
"You may call me Hermione. " Her voice was quiet and timid, something that was fairly unique for Hermione. "As you astutely point out, I am no longer your student."
Severus took in a slow, deep breath. "You may call me Severus. And anyone can see that you are no longer that overly eager child, Hermione." Once again, he dared look her directly in the face. One of her curls had fallen into her face. He pushed it behind her ear. She flushed scarlet at the contact.
"And your company is much more pleasant now that you don't carry the fate of the world on your shoulders. " He chuckled.
"You are a true Gryffindor, Hermione. Your flair for the dramatic has not left you." She smiled. He leaned in closely, "But don't forget that I am a Slytherin. Be very careful that you don't get in over your head, my dear."
Oh, it's far too late for that, Severus. I'm afraid I was in too deep the moment I saw you today.
Draco had entered the room. He looked from Severus to Hermione with confusion. He noted the blush on her cheeks and her rapid breathing. Severus appeared calm, but he was eyeing Hermione like a predator watches his quarry. Draco shuddered. He did not need to think of his Godfather in that way, and certainly not with his former rival and childhood crush.
"Lyra won't be joining us for dinner. She has plans. She has left her schedule with her elf. She said if we need to schedule a meeting to discuss the case, we should speak to Coco. "
Severus and Hermione both nodded. Severus had regained his composure. Hermione was outwardly calm, but her mind was spinning wildly. There was no denying that the attraction she felt was mutual, but then she was truly confused about his relationship with Lyra. Had she refused him? Was he trying to 'move on' as Draco had suggested he might? Hermione had no desire to be anyone's rebound, and she certainly didn't want to be an obstacle if they truly cared for one another and just hadn't managed to figure out how to proceed.
Much to everyone's relief, Astoria entered the room with Scorpius. The little blond imp shouted "My-Nee!" and began clapping wildly. Hermione happily took the child from his mother and sat down on the couch to visit with the little boy. Severus watched her play with the child. She took his hands and moved them enthusiastically as she sang nursery school songs with him. Severus instantly scolded himself for the direction his mind was heading. As the years had passed since the war, he was becoming more comfortable with the idea that he could have a normal life. His friends were reminders of what a normal life looked like, and it was becoming clear to him that he truly did desire a wife and family. He felt just a pang of guilt that he had superimposed Hermione into that little scenario. It hardly seemed appropriate. But perhaps he didn't want to wait forever before beginning his life. Perhaps he needed to allow himself to move forward, even if it felt uncomfortable.
Lucius and Narcissa had entered. Narcissa thanked Hermione warmly for her assistance to her children. Lucius gave a polite, formal thank you, but he maintained his distance. Hermione was polite in her response, and she thanked them both for allowing her to visit for dinner.
Scorpuis clambered off the couch and over to Severus. "Uncle Sevus, tell stowies!" Hermione watched in shock as Severus told the boy a story about when Draco was a little boy and he and Lyra had built a boat and tried it out on the lake on the grounds. Severus affected voices and gestured grandly, making the little boy giggle infectiously. The boat had been less than seaworthy, and Lucius panicked and jumped into the lake, even though both children were stronger swimmers than he was. Severus had calmly levitated the children out of the water, but they had both gotten a good soaking in the process. It was one of the first times Draco had used magic, apparently casting a wandless drying charm on his sopping hair when they reached the shore, despite being just six years of age.
Hermione was in tears at the thought of a tiny Draco fretting about his hair, and a panicked Lucius covered in algae while Severus simply flicked his wand to avoid danger. She couldn't help feel a little guilty laughing at Lucius' distress; of course, Lucius had caused her a great deal of stress over the years, surely he could bear a bit of well-intentioned teasing.
Astoria announced that it was time to put Scorpius to bed. Scorpius protested mildly, but then he proceeded to make his rounds, blowing kisses to all of his admirers. When Astoria made her way upstairs, Draco called a house-elf for round of drinks. The group talked and laughed for a few minutes until Astoria returned to join them for dinner.
Dinner was a very pleasant affair. Draco, Lyra and Severus had been arrested the day before; so they had not been home for a little over a day. Draco and Severus reported that they had been reasonably well treated, but the Ministry officials had been in no hurry to get them access to counsel. Lucius had wanted to contact his advocate, but Astoria had stood firm that Hermione was their best choice.
Draco shared with them how Hermione had stormed in and taken him to task a bit before hearing him out regarding the charges. Hermione blushed at Draco's version of the tale. He was complimentary regarding her performance. He was especially pleased with how quickly she had formed an effective strategy.
"I still don't understand how you got Percy Weasley to drop the charges so easily," Severus was clearly curious.
"Percy Weasley is entirely driven by his ambition. I simply convinced him that he would have been painted as cruel and short-sighted and lost any chance for a career in politics if he pursued the letter of the law rather than the spirit.
"I drew rather an ugly picture for him. This case has tremendous potential for public reaction. Those in favor of protecting Muggles would be outraged at the Wizengamot trying to deprive them of life-saving medicines. Those that fear Muggles would be terrified at the prospect of their wrath should such medicines be withheld. Most don't believe that Muggles would ever be clever enough to figure out that concealed magic was being used for their benefit. I simply persuaded him that no harm was done by your actions. I also pointed out to him that the public would care little as to the technical illegality of the actions. I detailed to him how accomplished the defendants all are and how well they would present to the public with minimal coaching. I offered him the corporate charges as a way to save face."
Severus laughed. "I always thought that boy had more ambition than sense."
"Oh, Percy is intelligent, to be sure," Hermione admitted. "But he is too ambitious for his own good. And he lacks cunning. Ambition without cunning is a recipe for poor decisions. There are many things that Percy would be very successful doing, but I think the idea of him as a high level decision maker is a bit frightening. He would forever be cowering to whoever holds the slightest bit of power over him.
"I'm afraid I may have exercised that power a little aggressively today. However, he let it slip early in our discussion that part of his motivation for going after this case was due to the Malfoy name and Severus' past. I may have gotten a bit carried away at that." She blushed.
"Oh, I doubt that, Granger. I know how you are when you are on a cause. Trust me. My jaw still remembers your defense of that ridiculous hippogriff third year." He turned serious. "I'm just glad you were on our side today."
"Hear, hear," Hermione was shocked to hear Lucius Malfoy's voice. The others had joined him in lifting their glasses.
She smiled shyly at the Malfoy patriarch. "I'm glad I could help. I'm afraid the corporate case may be a bigger challenge."
"But at least their freedom is no longer at stake. Hermione, I can't thank you enough." Astoria's emotions were threatening to get the better of her again. Hermione noted with curiosity that while the rest of the table was drinking a very fine elf-made wine, Astoria had opted for pumpkin juice.
Severus noticed Hermione's gaze drift from Astoria, to her glass, to Draco, and then back to Astoria's glass. He looked at Draco carefully. His godson had his hand draped across the back of his wife's chair, a strikingly casual pose for a Malfoy at the dinner table. It smelled of protectiveness. He wondered if Hermione was noticing these same details. He shook his mind clear. Severus had always been mindful of details. But watching what details someone else was observing? That was new even for him.
Hermione smiled at Astoria, the Gryffindor's eyes cutting to the glass deliberately. Severus barely stifled a laugh. Subtlety was not a particular strength of the pretty little attorney. Astoria clearly understood Hermione's meaning, as her eyes grew wide as saucers and her cheeks pinked up. Severus forced his eyes away from the silent conversation, as he knew that Astoria would be mortified that he had also picked up on her secret. Narcissa and Lucius continued eating, unaware of the events going on between the two women.
Hermione kept watching her friend, who finally sighed and caught her husband's eye. Draco looked at his wife questioningly; she nodded firmly. Draco reached forward and picked up his glass.
"We had another reason to celebrate today. " Lucius and Narcissa looked at Draco. Lucius looked a bit confused; Narcissa's hand rose to her mouth almost involuntarily. Draco took Astoria's hand. "Scorpius is going to be a big brother in about six months."
"How marvelous," Lucius beamed at his son and daughter-in-law. Narcissa let out the tiniest of cries, clearly ecstatic.
"I'm so happy for you all." Hermione smiled at her friends. Wait, when did I start thinking of Draco as a friend? She was truly happy, but there was just a hint of longing, deep inside of her.
"Congratulations," Severus managed evenly. He couldn't help but watch Hermione. He saw her obvious pleasure for her friend, but he also saw the wistfulness below the surface. He wasn't entirely sure if he was seeing it in her, or if he was feeling it himself. He felt Narcissa's eyes on him. He looked up at the blonde, who smiled at him with a hint of sadness in her eyes. He averted his eyes and focused back on Draco, who was positively bursting with excitement.
As dinner drew to a close, Draco, Severus and Hermione talked a little about the probable next steps for the case. As there had been no injunction ordered, Draco decided that they ship the completed potions as soon as possible for existing orders. Hermione and Severus were both skeptical of this course of action. Even Lucius suggested that would probably not be possible, as the injunction would probably come down quickly.
"You already ordered it, didn't you, Draco?" Hermione's eyes were torn between admiration, concern, and amusement.
Draco grinned. "You may have some Slytherin traits, Granger, but you really are an amateur. I sent the elves to the factory as soon as we left the Ministry today."
Hermione laughed heartily. "And one could argue that you have quite a bit of Gryffindor brashness in you." Draco's jaw dropped; it was Severus' turn to laugh.
"Hermione, I assure you, Draco's boldness is Malfoy arrogance. To the naked eye, it resembles Gryffindor recklessness, but it's a slightly different variety." He toasted Draco with a gleam in his eye. Hermione felt her insides turn somersaults. A charmingly funny Severus Snape was not something her heart could handle, particularly if he was preparing to propose to Lyra Malfoy.
"Hermione, are you quite alright?" Astoria sounded concerned. Hermione managed to nod.
"I'm afraid I've indulged a bit too much on this fine vintage." She hoped that would distract the party. She was unsuccessful for the most part. Draco knew she hadn't had enough wine to be affected. The five of them that were drinking had not even completed their second bottle of wine. Severus had been watching her closely enough to know she had not even finished her second glass. Astoria had seen Hermione inebriated before. She knew that introspective was not the right word to describe her friend when tipsy.
Draco came to her rescue, changing the subject. "Hermione, we should probably schedule a time for you to meet with Lyra, Severus and me to talk about the case. I'm sure you'll have a lot more detailed questions about the steps we took to try and make the process safe on all fronts. Knowing you, you may have some suggestions that would be helpful to improve the process." She smiled. Draco called Lyra's house-elf, and they determined that the day after next would be a good day to go over things together.
Dinner had concluded by then. Astoria escorted Hermione to the Floo. "Hermione, are you okay?"
"I am Astoria, truly. I am just feeling a little bit anxious tonight for some reason. I think it's being around you and Draco, seeing you so happy. I just thought my life would be a little more settled by now. I am so happy for you, I really am. I just can't help but feeling just a little concerned about my own future."
"Oh, Hermione. You'll get there. Don't worry." She hugged Hermione tightly. "It will be okay, Hermione. You just have to open yourself up a little bit. You never know where the answer may lie."
Hermione smiled weakly, wondering if there was a double meaning in Astoria's words. Had her friend picked up on her thoughts towards Severus?
"I should go home," she said quietly. "You need to rest, my friend." And with that, she stepped into the Floo and headed back to her flat.