Disclaimer:- I neither own nor earn anything from this story. (Damn!) Anything you recognise is the property of JK Rowling and Associates.

sSs

A/N:- In this chapter we start to delve a little into Lucius' psyche (a dangerous place, no doubt). For those of you wondering when Ginny will return, that will be chapter 14 when our two Slytherins will finally be able to bring her to safety. Happy reading…

hHh

Chapter Twelve - How did I end up this alone?

At the Manor, a very pensive Lucius had just come back from his evenings activities. He'd performed, of course he'd performed, bloody little whore. She was just as bad as all the others. Was it merely the fact that she'd obviously just seen another man off before he'd arrived, or was it something else. He wondered into his Firewhisky if it was perhaps Hermione who had caused this feeling worrying his mind.

He really had enjoyed the teasing little show Severus and lovely little witch had entertained him with that afternoon. He was hoping that soon there would be a more intimate version of the same. Am I jealous of Severus? He took time to deliberate on the matter in his head. I don't believe so, he pondered. No, it was something else, or someone else.

Even though his cock was now throbbing, remembering Severus' deft fingers teasing Hermione's tight nipples through her blouse, and he had to be honest and admit he'd hoped for more before they'd abruptly left, but wasn't surprised when they'd retreated. No it was nothing to do with them, whilst he was planning to enjoy anything Severus allowed him to participate in, he felt no sense of jealousy toward either of them.

Severus was his best friend and closest confidant. They had supported one another through hell and back, he loved the man dearly. He also loved Hermione, although he hadn't known her for as long. However, she had shown confidence in them when everyone else turned their backs. Been their guardian angel through the worst time after the final battle, how could he not love the brave little witch? Lucius knew exactly where his relationship with both friends sat.

No, something had changed for him this afternoon, but it wasn't either of his friends. He started to feel it after the fight at the pub. Even though he couldn't figure out what was bothering him, the enticing images of Hermione's red bra kept playing through his head while he thought. He shrugged, Oh well I may as well make use of them. After all his cock was still looking for satisfaction, even though it had been well used already tonight. Lathed and sucked by expert but cold lips. Buried in cool, albeit very well used French pussy, maybe it had been Emily's usual aloofness tonight that had rankled.

In some ways the sophisticated French woman was very much like she-who-must-not-be-named. Willing to open her legs, but not commit to feeling you there. Why was this suddenly a problem? It never has been, that's just the way life was for Lucius Malfoy. Opening his trousers his eager shaft sprang out, impatient for his attention. Nothing had changed so why was it instantly not enough, his hand became firmer, imagining the lace bra once more. It had only been a tantalizing glimpse, Why was it so important to him? He'd wished for more, I wonder what colour it will be tomorrow? His eyebrow slid up, and his hand pumped. Severus' fingers were lowering the lace, allowing him to see, Oh so delicious, what colour would those delectable little morsels be? Lucius was now so caught up in his pleasuring he didn't notice his fantasy changing.

The fingers fondling the bare nipples were no longer Severus' but his own, and the witch writhing in pleasure under his hands, as much as he would like it to be was definitely not Hermione Granger. Suddenly his hand was streaking up and down his length. He came grunting harshly, in utter surprise. Shock did not even begin to explain the emotions racing through him at the moment. He just sat there numb, hand still holding his deflated manhood limply. How in hell... where the fuck... Oh sweet fuckin Merlin, I'm completely screwed. I'm not going to give in to this, "I can't," he moaned plaintively, "I'll go mad."

He looked down at his shirt as if only just registering he'd soiled it. A quick flick of his wand cleaned him and tidied this equipment back into his trousers. Standing on shaky legs Lucius summoned the Firewhisky, looked at the glass he filled it almost to the brim and drank deeply, but even the burn of the whisky didn't dislodge the image swimming invitingly in his head.

Green eyes and flaming hair, The witch is breathtaking, but she's so far out of my reach it's cruel. Where the hell did that fantasy spring from? I'm just going to forget this ever happened. He gulped another mouthful of whisky and refilled the glass to the same level. I know... he looked around the room manically; taking more gulps of the amber liquid. Distraction. I need a distraction. His eyes came to rest on the cloak he'd transfigured into a blanket for Hermione that afternoon. It instantly reminded him of the only two friends he had. Being able to help care for Hermione this afternoon, had given him a keen pleasure he didn't often experience. Somehow they were more complete with Hermione with them, what he had just imagined would make it all perfect.

But how? His confused and now very drunk mind couldn't see past the shock, he clutched the now almost empty bottle to him like a cherished possession and stumbled towards the floo. Not capable of reasoning anymore, just knowing he didn't want to be alone. Even in his drunken state, he shivered. How did I ever become this alone? Before he worked out that floo travel in his condition wasn't a wise move he'd fumbled for the powder, unceremoniously dumping the whole container on the hearth, and then slurring, "Sevrus Snape's rooms," the fire flared emerald and he lurched in.

xox

Severus and Hermione had been peacefully asleep for about two hours when the sound of the floo had Severus instantly awake. It had only been a small sound all the way back in his rooms, but after twenty years as a spy, certain things instantly have set responses. He sat bolt upright waking Hermione. The next sounds had both of them out of bed instantly. A crash and then a howl of pain that was even painful to listen too. They were both grabbing wands and bolting, robes slithering into existence as they moved. It was a charm of Severus' invention that guaranteed you'd never be caught exposed, so to speak. Deep in his mind he knew the only four people had access to his floo. It was one of the things he included in his wards, and if one of those people was currently beside him, it could only mean an emergency. "You stay here Angel," Severus tried in the doorway.

"No, whoever it is he's hurt, you might need help," she asserted, and pushed him forward.

It quickly became apparent who had launched themselves out of the floo and stumbled tripping on the coffee table. He would have been fine if he hadn't been cradling the bottle. The smell of Firewhisky emanating from the invader told its own story. "Fuckin stupid bottle," they heard slurred as they ran towards their unexpected guest. The lights obligingly raised themselves to reveal a horrible picture. Lucius was sitting in the hearth, now cradling a badly bleeding arm, complete with a large piece of bottle embedded in it. He look up at his friends, "I don think thath wos a good sthin to do," and blinked, staring back in horror at his quickly escaping life force.

Severus sprang into action, "You bloody idiot, what were you thinking using the floo pissed," he snapped, but reached his friend and placed a special stasis charm on his arm to stop the bleeding. Pointing his wand at the fire place he called, "Poppy!"

There was a lot of scuffling, but soon Poppy's head arrived. Years as a Mediwitch had accustomed her to waking quickly. "What's wrong?"

"Lucius has injured himself. I'm bringing him to the infirmary."

"Right, I'll be ready," was all she said, and the head disappeared.

Hermione had been standing there blinking the whole time, seeing the proud aristocrat in such a dishevelled heap on the floor was disconcerting. Conjuring an arm chair Severus levitated his friend into it. Hermione provided her lover with his clothes, turning she placed a thick blanket over Lucius. Tucking it in around him she heard him slur, "I think you're wonnaful pet, but I love her too…" he shook his drunken head, "I didn' know I did, bu I do. It's impssble."

Hermione caressed his cheek, "It's all right Lucius don't talk, just rest, love. You'll be good as new before you know it." The quickly becoming disorientated wizard seized Hermione's hand in his good one and laced his fingers through it. Letting him keep it, she looked at Severus.

He shook his head, "I have no idea what his talking about." He took a breath and looking down at Lucius' grip on Hermione's hand said, "His not holding you too tight is he?"

"No, he's fine," she'd wanted to add, I think he's scared, but decided it was probably best left unsaid.

Severus had accioed two potions, "Come on, you need this," Severus held the vial to his friend's lips, "I can't give you anything for the pain until you're sober."

Lucius drank, "Fuck, that's awful stuff Severus, can't you at least improve the taste," he muttered, almost instantly becoming more coherent.

Severus rose imperiously up into Head of Slytherin mode. "I keep the flavour of this potion just like that. It's especially for dumb bastards who get morose, polish off a bottle Firewhisky and use the floo, too stupid on the whisky to realise they're cradling the bottle like a baby in their bloody arms."

"Oh... Err yes," said a tiny voice, sounding for all the world like the contrite school boy to his friend's snarky professor's voice.

Hermione wanted to laugh, but she didn't dare.

"Now drink this and we'll get that arm fixed." Severus gave him the pain potion and started the chair towards the door as Hermione's clothes glided onto her.

Severus had been going to tell her to go back to bed, but decided if she wanted to accompany them, who was he to say no. Besides he would definitely enjoy her company, and he didn't think Lucius was going to relinquish her hand any time soon. Smiling he held out his, she returned the expression and took it. Hermione was now sandwiched between Severus and Lucius and regardless of the situation she found it quite comfortable.

When they arrived at the Hospital, unsurprisingly Minerva was there as well. Poppy smelt the Firewhisky and graced him with a disapproving look, but simply tsked and set to work. She soon had the arm set to rights and was bandaging the healing wound. Because it was so deep, she'd repaired the severed blood vessels then imbibed the whole wound with a spell that made it heal from the inside out. This process would take a couple of days to complete and even though there were medical grade sticking charms holding the wound together and an impervious over it, it was still safest to cover it. Of course this was also because it did look that pleasant either.

Severus and Hermione had been standing back talking quietly to Minerva. The Headmistress was always on for a good gossip, "What happened?"

Severus knowing this, simply replied, "Lucius found out he was not as indestructible as he thought he was."

The three of them looked towards the first of the private rooms kept for adults, when they heard the Matron's voice. "You will remain here tonight until I'm satisfied with that arm," there was a slight pause, "There is no need to pull that face, mister," they heard Poppy continue, "You only just missed your radial artery with that bottle, and thank yourself that you have quick thinking friends, the damage you did do would have lost you enough blood to cause serious harm if you'd been alone. Think of a night in my hospital as the lesser price to pay for your over indulgence." The only thing missing from the end of her sentence was the young man admonishment, there were no more comments.

Poppy came bustling out of the room, "You may say good night to Mister Grumpy, if you wish," she said looking at Hermione and Severus. They heard a weak 'hmph' from the little room. "As long as he'll have someone to assist him for the next twenty four hours, you may pick him up in the morning," Poppy instructed, "I've given him a sleeping potion so he won't be awake for long," the two professors nodded then walked past her into the room. "We'll wish you good night," the Matron said, as her and Minerva disappeared back to their rooms.

"Severus... darling Kitty," Lucius slurred, sleepily.

Hermione raised her eyebrow to Severus, he leant in close, "I'll wager that's the sleeping potion," Hermione nodded, and they walked forward.

"Severus will you... please," he appeared to be fighting sleep, but was pulling at the hospital gown the Matron had fitted him with, a moue of disgust on his face.

Severus sighed and rolled his eyes, "What colour?"

"Green," was the sleepy reply. Drawing his wand the Potions master transfigured the plain cotton gown into green silk pyjamas. Lucius sighed as he felt the luxurious fabric settle against his skin, "Ah… thank you," he mumbled, and his eyes closed.

"Well darling kitty, it looks like we can go back to bed," Severus murmured in a passable impression of Lucius, close to her ear.

"Mmm," she nodded feeling his arms slink around her. Hermione snuggled in, but she was looking at the sleeping blond pondering something, "I wonder what happened to make him go off on such a bender in the first place?"

"We may never know, by tomorrow morning he'll be back to his usual flawless aristocratic self, with the nothing hurts me or gets to me attitude firmly back in place." Severus had placed his arm around Hermione's shoulder, she watched as he established additional security wards around the little room, and they started walking back to their rooms.

About half way Hermione stopped, "You don't suppose it was us teasing him this afternoon?"

"No… candidly," Severus turned around to face her, "I think he lives for moments like that," Hermione gave him a puzzled look, sighing he continued, "Lucius has been running like a frightened rabbit ever since the divorce. Not letting anyone too close," he pulled her close as they stood in the hallway, "We're very lucky, I think we may be the only true friends the poor man has. Of course there's Draco, but then you know what it's like, that parent child thing is hard to get over, especially when you're as emotionally dysfunctional as those two are."

"Has he been known to drink like that before?" Severus nodded, "So what caused those episodes?"

"Women," Severus replied plainly, "I don't think he's ever been in love with that one woman he'd do anything with or for," he squeezed her tighter and caressed her hair, "To tell the truth I think he's very lonely. He beds all these women, but he's scared to be alone. That may actually be part of the answer, he came home and we were gone."

"When he grabbed my hand tonight I got the distinct impression he just wanted the warmth of human touch," she took a deep breath, "It's really sad isn't it?"

"Indeed, I guess it is. But he's always hidden it well."

"We're getting maudlin, and I'm not sleepy anymore," Hermione announced lifting her head off Severus chest. Out of the blue she glanced around, her face playful, "You know my most vivid memories of this hallway, when I was as a prefect, and catching couples up to all sorts. It seemed to be a favourite hallway. Why do you s'pose that is?"

Severus' mouth twitched into a knowing smile, "It's because the alcoves in this corridor are deeper than anywhere else. You can disappear into them almost completely, come I'll show you. If you're smart enough there's no reason to get caught," they disappeared into the closest alcove.

Hermione looked around, the space available was almost huge, "The problem is most people aren't smart enough," Severus nodded in agreement. "The most basic concealing charms would shut you in for as long as you liked." Casting several charms to light, hide, warm and silence them, Hermione waggled her eyebrows, smiling she gracefully fell to her knees. "Well, professor, would you care to get up to some mischief with me then?" Hermione had also cushioned the flagstones, "Lean back and enjoy my darling, this is the perfect opportunity for us to misbehave in the hallways, there is absolutely no one around."

While she'd been talking Severus had been watching happily as she deftly removed all obstacles between his hot flesh and her eager mouth. "I like the way you put things, my love," he groaned when she smiled and licked him like a lollypop.

Lathing her tongue around the head, her eyes never leaving his, "Severus," she sighed.

A breath hissed through his teeth was her reward as she licked him from base to tip, crisscrossing with her tongue up the length before her lips closed around the head. This was only her second time at attempting this, but she was determined to do everything this time. Hermione liked the feel of his velvet covered steel running over her lips. The tart liquid that continually leaked from the tip was actually palatable.

Her head bobbed, he moaned, and his hands came to either side of her head, "That's right, angel, hold your mouth just like that, "Ooohhhh, yes, that's it… perfect," his voice had descended into a groan and he was guiding her head swiftly back and forth.

Not once did he hurt her, she could hear his breathing becoming jerky. A glance up as she moved, and she saw his head thrown back and his eyes closed. "Ooohhh angel, so perfect." He momentarily tensed, "Ooohhhhhh… coming," he panted and erupted. Her mouth filled with thick sour cum.

Hermione swallowed as fast as she could until she could control the flow. Yes this was wonderful, she could do this, she'd been uncertain, but Severus had loved it so much. She continued to lick him, determined to get every last drop. Finally his softening cock left her mouth with a pop, she sat back on her heels gazing up at his expression of bliss, "I think I enjoy making you come like that."

"I'm pleased," he panted leaning hard against the stone wall, "because that one of my favourite ways to come." Severus reached down to help Hermione up.

Their mouths met in a heated kiss and he spun her around. "Wow you get your recovery times quick," she panted caught by surprise.

Severus grinned and drew his wand, "Where you're concerned my love, I have endless reserves," she felt the wall behind her go soft and her skirt being bunched up around her waist. "Ah, you naughty little minx," he crooned, "no knickers," she grinned at him and he felt himself stiffen again beautifully. Reaching down he hooked one of her knees over his arm and straightened. Using his other hand he teased her entrance with his prick. "One favour deserves another, angel." She groaned and their mouths met again, tongues exploring frantically as he pushed home. Her hands laced behind his neck and she lifted her other leg around his waist. Every time he thrust, she sank into the delicious softness of the stone wall behind her. Her groans of delight had his hips flexing wildly, they were both panting and groaning. Shaking, they both exploded, her heat gripping and squeezing his, sending him spiralling into the longest release he could remember.

He stood with Hermione pressed against the wall, panting, Severus could feel the chill starting to invade their little sanctuary, and then he felt Hermione shiver. He allowed her legs to slip to the ground and pulled her into a tighter hug rubbing her back, "Something tells me that we should save any further debauched adventures in the hallways until the summer holidays, when it's warmer."

Hermione giggled and nodded against his chest, "You're probably right, although I don't know if I can wait that long, that was fantastic."

Severus laughed, "Come on little minx, home with you," he slapped her backside playfully gaining a moan. "Do you like being spanked?" His large hand was rubbing where he'd just connected. Her eyes shone, "Well another time, we'll have to experiment with that too. Right now I think we need sleep."

Hermione was suddenly over come with tiredness, "Mmm hum," she replied snuggling into his chest.