Disclaimer:- As usual, I own nothing but my plot and neither do I earn anything from this story. Harry Potter and his world remains the property of JK Rowling and associates.

sSs

A/N:- There is a lot of information in this chapter, I hope it's not too much for you all in one go, it's a bit of a consolidation before we move on. For those of you following this story both here and AO3, this chapter is identical on both sites.

Please note that at the end of this chapter (and once in the chapter before) Bill Weasley has not lost his mind, Ellie is a nickname for Penelope (well according to the website I researched it on anyway). I hope you enjoy…

HhH

Chapter Seventeen – The Business of School

The next morning came quickly for everyone, and with it came lessons. Hermione watched her first class, and then her next, fidgeting and trying to watch her covertly throughout their lesson. The girls would blush, and she'd see them trying to whisper things to their neighbours then giggling excitedly. She rolled her eyes, but looking at the boys was worse, she saw them preening themselves. They'd just realised that she was a woman and not just a professor, Bloody hell, she thought to herself.

Eventually Hermione gave up trying to teach her seventh years, the class was made up of five girls, and as much as she didn't want her private life bantered around the school. She realised that if she didn't say something, the Hogwarts rumour mill would develop its own version anyway.

"Quills down," she stated. "Each of you may ask me one question about whatever takes your fancy. If I wish to, I will answer it, and then perhaps we can get some work done." She watched them almost jumping for joy in their chairs

Going around the class, Professor Granger was asked questions from why they had chosen the 21 of June for their nuptial date, to what coloured dresses she was planning for her and her bridesmaids, and further, who those bridesmaids would be. She was eternally grateful that no one had actually asked her any questions about Severus. Because those she would have refuse to answer. Perhaps they know that, she pondered. No, more likely they're too shy, she chuckled to herself.

"Very well," she said, and answered them in turn. "We chose the 21st of June, because it is mid-summer eve, which is a good time for achieving goals and renewal." Moving on to the next question, Hermione stated, "The only thing I know about my wedding dress at the moment, is that it will not be white. I do not like white. I have no intention of telling any of you who I will chose for my bridesmaids until I've spoken to those concerned first."After this the class settled. It was only a small concession, but it seemed to help.

Down in the dungeons, Severus was having no end of trouble with doe eyed witches. As his sixth year Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff class left, one particularly ditzy girl almost swooned as she declared he was the most romantic wizard she'd ever laid eyes on.

"Oh, and have you had considerable experience with romantic wizards?" Severus asked conversationally, his raven eyebrow aloft. She shook her head airily. "Well, I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself, unless you have a yearning to find out how romantic detention with Filch is." He quirked the raised eyebrow and the girl blanched.

Severus chuckled to himself as he sat back at the desk he hadn't graced in over ten year. I've still got it, he smirked to himself, watching the next class of first years file in. Mind you, if that sixth year class was anything to go on, I'm not looking forward to seeing how appalling the seventh years are, he pondered.

xox

By the end of the day, Severus Snape wanted the blood of the pervious Potions professor and perhaps the ones before that. Hermione had come down to his office after classes, and he was complaining loudly. "My NEWT's class is worse than abysmal," he stated heatedly.

Hermione, knowing how stringent he was, wondered if he wasn't just exaggerating a tad, and pursing her lips, asked, "Are you certain you're not."

He cut her off before she finished. "No I am not exaggerating," he informed her further, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Hermione walked around behind his chair to try and unknot his shoulders for him. "I suppose they have had seven teachers in almost as many years," she added thoughtfully.

He groaned longingly, and leant into her touch. "Oh, that's nice, I need to relax," he sighed.

Seeing her opportunity to get what she'd actually come for, because she had been wound as tight as a drum since their usual morning encounter. "And just how may I assist you to relax, my darling?" she whispered in his ear, her tongue sneaking out to lick the shell of his ear.

"You," he stated. "In the back of my mind all day, I've seen you draped naked over my desk, it's the only thing that's been keeping me going."

"You have… not kneeling between your legs?" her hot breath suggested, and she drew his ear lobe into her mouth, "or perhaps… both," her heated whisper made him even harder than he'd been already.

"Oh yes… instantly," and she was just about to oblige when Lucius stormed through the door.

"I hate teaching," he asserted pointedly. "You're all idiots," he ranted. "The little ones hate me; the middle sized ones defy me and the older one… oowww."

"Indeed," said Severus, like it was obvious.

But Hermione was cackling, "Middle sized ones," she laughed at him. "What the hell are middle sized ones?"

"You know, the ones in the middle," his voice was full of exasperation and his hand movements were almost manic as he tried to explain. It was only then that he took in Hermione on her knees in front of Severus' chair, he smirked, and his voice became instantly smooth again. "Lost something, pet?" He cocked an eyebrow.

"Actually, before you came charging in here like a demented fool, she was about to find something," Severus groused.

Both Lucius' eyebrows sailed up. "Well, don't let me stop you," the inference being clear. Severus gave him a pointed look, and he huffed. "Oh, well if you wish to be alone?" and before they could do anything he turned and was gone again, saying something about seeing how his new assistant was doing.

Hermione laughed, "He seems in a better mood."

"Well I think Minerva's actually handed him the chance for what he wants," Severus commented.

"Yes, that was fairly intuitive of her, wasn't it?"

"Indeed…" he smirked at her. "Now where were we?"

Hermione's hand trailed up his thigh. "About here," she giggled, rubbing him through his trousers, he groaned longingly. "But I think we should move somewhere more suitable, even if there are wards up that only Lucius can get through. Minerva's the headmistress, and Merlin forbid, she should come charging in, especially if I'm on my knees between your legs, and you have an expression of bliss on your face. I doubt she would be very understanding."

"Good point well put, my love. Let us adjoin to our quarters, and we can relieve each other's stress."

xox

Lucius knocked on the door of the hidden rooms, and Bill answered. "Lucius," he said, kindly, "Please, come in. How was your first day of teaching?" Bill laughed when all Lucius did was sneer and shiver. "I know how you feel; the first month was like that for me, it got better after that. Although, sometimes…" and he left the end of that sentence unsaid.

The experience deep in the Gringott's vaults seemed to have cemented a friendship of sorts between Bill, Lucius, Severus and Hermione.

Lucius reflected on how he never thought that a Weasley would be speaking so casually with him. He only had limited tolerance for most of the family, but out of the men, Bill would have to be the easiest for him to get on with, closely followed by Charlie. The rest, well, the term acquaintance worked well. Then there was Ginevra, she was simply an auburn-haired goddess, and those clear green eyes, lovely."How is your sister?" Lucius was uncertain whether to call her Mrs Potter, he certainly didn't want to.

"Madam Pomfrey is planning to try and wake her up tomorrow, and there have been little movements of fingers and eyelids. She is very pleased with the healing so far, and the baby has not made any more attempts to see the world too soon."

"This is very pleasing," Lucius agreed, "and Mrs Weasley?"

"Penelope is doing as well as can be expected."

"Does anyone know what happened yet?"

"No, she has said little since she woke, she lost a lot of blood and is still very weak." Bill grimaced at the memory of the sight of his almost dead sister-in-law in the bath, and the smell of blood, he cleared his throat. "They can only use so much Blood Replenisher in one go." He looked sad, and shook his head. "Somehow, I don't think this is going to end well."

"I believe you may be correct," Lucius granted, in an equally plaintive tone.

The blond aristocrat would have said more, but at that moment a very harassed looking Molly bustled in with the three children. "Thank you for looking after Ginny, B… Oh! Hello, Lucius."

"Molly," he replied, Lucius looked at James and nodded, he had taken quite a liking to this child. He could see such potential in the boy, and he for one was determined that it not be de-railed because of this experience. He actual surprised himself by realising the other night, that he would love the chance to nurture it, something he wished he had been free to do for Draco at this age.

"Hello, sir," James replied politely, before his brother pulled him away to play.

"I've picked up the children from Luna, she's happy for them to go to her again tomorrow, and Penelope will be here to help Ginny," Molly went on.

Lucius wondered whether Molly wasn't being a little pre-emptive offering the help of a witch who was recovering from the betrayal of her husband and who appeared to have been the victim of an attempt on her life.

Then his eyes settled on the youngest of the brood and his heart simply melted; she was obviously tired and needed bed. Her thumb was firmly lodged in her mouth and her eyes were drooping. Lucius had a strange sensation buzzing around his chest, like he wanted to protect something very precious. The same feeling he'd had when Draco was small, or when he looked at his grand-children. Why did he feel such empathy towards these children? It was a question he couldn't answer yet.

Molly was talking to Bill again. "I've got just enough time to bath Lily before I have to go home. Kingsley promised us an update, and I want to be there. Can you organise their dinner?" she asked Bill.

"Unfortunately, I have to supervise study hall."

"Oh, well I guess…"

"Could I be of any assistance, I have no other responsibilities to discharge tonight," Lucius smoothed. He could see Molly was almost at breaking point. You would have thought losing one son in that wretched war had been enough. But no, now she had two more sons and a son-in-law in the balance, not to mention a daughter-in-law, daughter and unborn grand-child to be concerned about. He felt something else inside him slip further into place, something that made his chest ache with pity for them.

Molly was just considering the offer when Albus came back in, James hot on his tail. "Nanny, I'm hungry and James told me to shut-up," he asserted, hands on his hips.

"James Harry Potter, did you tell your brother to shut-up?"

"Sort off, ma'am, I told him not to bother you, that you had enough to do and dinner would be ready when it was ready."

Lucius saw Molly swallow hard. "Oh," she gasped. "All right, Albus, come with me. You and Lily can bathe together. Then we'll see about food," she quickly re-directed her thoughts.

Albus pouted at not getting his own way, but moved over to his grandmother.

Seeing that Molly seemed close to tears, and still wondering vaguely what was happening to him, Lucius suggested, "You go and do what you need to, Bill. I'm sure James and I can manage to get dinner organised by the time Lily and Albus are ready to eat," he cast a look to Molly and he saw her nod a relieved head, and without further comment she left for the bathroom.

Lucius was in the process of shedding his outer robes and rolling up his sleeves as he said, "So, Mr. Potter what do your brother and sister like to eat?" He transfigured a tea-towel into an apron and looked at James.

But the boy's eyes were glued to the dark smudged outline where his dark mark had been. "Is that why my father and uncle hate you and Professor Snape?"

It was such an innocent question, asked with such a desire for knowledge, that even though he wanted to, Lucius couldn't scold the boy. He may have been a little more forceful than necessary skinning the potatoes, but as he put his wand back down after setting the knife to chop them, he nodded. "Yes, that is the greater part of the reason," he stated honestly.

"But that was a long time ago. I heard from my cousin who lives in France that Malfoy Industries sponsor many Muggle and Muggle-born projects in France." He smiled cautiously, "That's what made me question what my father was saying about you."

Yet again Lucius was impressed. This young boy understood why the projects he'd mentioned were significant, and he'd bothered to look into it to find the truth.

Lucius had finished preparing dinner while they had been talking and it was on cooking, he now put the kettle on. He actually knew his way around a kitchen quite well, and loved to cook, he found it relaxing. "Do you think your nanny would like a cup of tea?"

James smiled, "Yes, I think she might."

xox

Once Bill had returned that night, the dinner was cooked and the children had eaten it. James had showered, Molly had left for The Burrow, and Lily and Albus was being read a story by James, as Lucius watched on from the kitchen table.

Bill scooped up the almost asleep little girl and took her into her mother's room to the cot set up beside Ginny's bed. He came back out excited, "Ginny's rolled over, and the Runes say she's still okay."

Lucius had longed to go into that room, but he was told by Molly that he wouldn't need to, if anything went wrong Poppy Pomfrey would know. But he found himself sneaking a look in the door now as James and Albus went in with Bill to kiss their mother good-night.

Later, when he was back in his own chambers, so close to theirs, he felt somehow content. He had no desire to call on anyone. He went to bed that night with the image of Ginny's sleeping form dancing through his head, and the promise of maybe something special in the future, tickling the very edges of his mind.

xox

About the same time as Lucius was drifting into a peaceful sleep, Hermione and Severus were still talking. They had been interrupted before they'd made it to their rooms that afternoon. A deputation of students from the NEWTs Potion class had turned up at Severus' office. "After our class today, sir, well we started talking. We learnt more today than we've ever learnt in a single Potions lesson during our whole schooling." The speakers paused to meet Severus' eyes. "Sir, our examinations are in seven weeks, and we're all seriously afraid we're going to fail," the spokesman, a Ravenclaw, stated dejectedly. Severus watched his classmates all nodding in agreement, all looking concerned by this realisation.

Severus was already painfully aware of the abysmal results that had been coming out of Hogwarts in regards to his subject over the past several years. Unfortunately, he wholeheartedly agreed with the assumption, and he found himself feeling for these students. The OWL classes were no better, if he was going to assist one year, he had to assist the other as well. He cleared his throat. "Mr. Wright?"

"Yes, sir."

"Mr. Wright, you and your companions," and he looked around at the other concerned faces before him, "are correct in your assumption. However, I am planning to do my best to make certain that failure is not an option. You will be notified in class tomorrow of the measures I am planning to implement. I suggest in the mean time that you start a comprehensive revision of your first and second year work."

"Thank you, sir," Benjamin Wright said, with murmurs of the same coming from the other students. "Have a good evening, sir, ma'am," he said, acknowledging Hermione.

After the students had left, Severus sighed and took Hermione into his arms. "We were just about to have a good evening. Now I'll have go and see Minerva."

"Well it would have been broken up anyway. I have study hall supervision with Bill Weasley this afternoon." She sighed, "So, what are you going to do about the NEWT class?"

"Whatever I do, I'll have to do it for the OWL class as well," he said, pulling her closer.

"Mmm," Hermione replied. "If I can be of any assistance, you can count on me, if one of us is going to be busy, we both should."

"I like the way you're thinking," his head lowered to gift her with a languid kiss. "I'll see you at dinner tonight."

"I'll look forward to it."

That was now hours ago. Severus and Hermione had only just made it back to their rooms. Minerva had called both Severus and Hermione back to her office after dinner. It was now all set, there would be after dinner classes twice a week. One would be a tutorial and the other a study group. Brewing would be two hours on Saturday mornings. The revision of years one through five could be done with both classes together, but the last two weeks would see Severus working with the NEWT students and Hermione with the OWL.

It would be a lot of work, but if Severus had to sign off on these student's results then he was going to make certain they did the best they could. Both professor's were now exhausted. The holidays seemed a long way back, even though term had only resumed today.

They decided on a bath before bed. Hermione smiled remembering the night Lucius had made the bath bigger. It was almost the proportions of a small swimming pool when he'd finished. Hermione now sank gratefully into the padded softness of the sides, mentally thanking Lucius for providing it all. "Magic is amazing sometimes, isn't it?" she sighed.

"Indeed," replied Severus, exhaling happily as the warmth and softness enfolded him.

"Severus?"

"Mmm?"

"Lucius will be your best man, right?" Severus opened a lazy eye and nodded. "Are you having any other groomsmen?"

"I don't believe I know anyone else well enough to ask them," Severus replied, opening his eyes to look at her properly. "Why?"

"Well, now it's been revealed that Ginny was forced to stop being my friend. I'm in a bit of a quandary," Severus was listening, but his eyes were roaming her body hungrily. "Luna is my obvious choice for bridesmaid," Hermione continued, "but I feel obliged to ask Ginny as well."

"Ah, I see the need for the question now," he said, being finished with looking he glided her towards him through the water so he could touch. When she was in front of him he encouraged her knees to grip his hips. "The number of groomsmen must match the bridesmaids."

"Yes," a grinning Hermione said, flexing her hips gently on his rigid shaft.

They both groaned as he positioned himself and she sank gracefully down onto him, but they kept talking initially. "Won't it all depend of Ginevra's health?" Severus said in a rush, before groaning again.

Hermione's breathing increased to panting, especially when Severus' fingers started adding to her sensations. Their mouths joined, and talking became difficult. "I guess so. It's all very up in the air, isn't it?" Hermione managed between heated kisses.

"Mm-hmm," Severus replied, but his kisses became more demanding and hungry, and it became apparent that talking was no longer practical. After that for some minutes all that could be heard were pants, grunts and water sloshing about as his strong hands guided her movements on him.

Then finally, after waiting all day, their mutual release of tension was very vocal, and they clung to one another after their climaxes, panting and dropping kisses on each other.

Hermione whimpered when Severus' now flaccid length slithered out of her. But he just kissed her again and whispered. "Let's try for round two in bed, ay?"

She nodded, and once they were in the comfort of their bed, Severus propped himself up on one elbow, his head arriving over hers. "Now, for some more relieving of each other's stress," he murmured against her lips. Their kiss grew and Hermione coiled her arms up around his neck. They were just settling into their when there was twin whooshes from the floo, one sounding further away than the other.

"I don't bloody believe it," Severus seethed, snatching at the paper plane that was poking him in the shoulder. "Bloody hell, what time is it?"

"Twelve forty," Hermione supplied helpfully, even if she was just as irritated by the interruption. "What's the problem?"

However, she never got her answer, as at that moment a paper plane accosted her as well. "Look at that, you get your very own. My Minerva is very bloody efficient for this time of night," he snarled sarcastically.

She read it and groaned. "This better be very good," she muttered, rolling out of bed. A wave of her wand clothed her, and she looked to Severus who was doing the same.

xox

The office of the headmistress was slowly filling with her staff. Bill Weasley was sitting off to the side, looking slightly stunned and deep in unpleasant thought. Kingsley Shacklebolt and the two disillusioned unspeakables were in front of Minerva's desk.

Severus and Hermione went and sat with Lucius. "What's happened?" Hermione asked, quietly.

"They've found Percy," Lucius whispered.

"So," Severus muttered.

"He's dead," Lucius announced just as quietly, "and this has interrupted the first decent sleep I've had in ages," he complained very softly, unable to hide his irritation any longer.

By this time Kingsley was clearing his throat, and the chatter slowly ground to a halt. He made the announcement to a stunned teaching staff, all of whom offered their condolences to Bill. Given the late hour, no one lingered but most were seen shaking their heads in disbelief as they filed back out the door. They all trudged back to the quarters, most probably now going back to restless or absent slumber, wondering if something nasty was about to grip their world again.

Bill was still sitting in the same attitude when they left as he had when Severus and Hermione had entered the office, and they bid him take care before they did so.

He remained stoically silent, and didn't even show significant interest when Remus and Tonks shimmered into view after the last of the people had departed.

Knowing of their friendship, Minerva took Kingsley into her private sitting room for a cup of tea, while the friends talked.

You see Bill Weasley knew that the Lupins lived, and where, he had not been present at that first meeting last week, but was not surprised to see them now. In fact, he was very relieved; he had kept in touch with them over the years. Remus had helped him come to terms with the unpleasant little werewolf traits he developed after his attack those many years ago, and then when his marriage had failed, it had been to their sanctuary that he had turned.

It was Bill who had taken Lavender Brown to the werewolf community after she had been so badly scarred by Greyback in the final battle. She now lived in the sanctuary as a school teacher helping Andromeda educate the community's children.

Remus went over and sat opposite Bill now. "He was already dead when I found him," he said quietly. "There was nothing any of us could have done to prevent it." Bill nodded once.

There was no greeting, and the sneer on his normally placate features was barely concealed. "It never occurred to me that this would happen to Percy. I've always known he was playing dangerous people against one another, but…" There was an echo of a snarl in his voice, and when his eyes rose to his mentor to say, "How?" Remus could see him fighting the wolf he never became.

Bill was a placid man he would never cause harm, but it was this darkness that Fleur found too much eventually, she wasn't prepared for it to be a constant part of their lives, nor did she understand—and for that matter neither did he at the time—but the repercussions of only being part wolf were almost as bad as having been bitten properly. When she'd left him, it had almost broken him. If it hadn't been for Remus and Dora he would have cracked, because as much as they tried, his parents and siblings couldn't understand what it was to be part-beast either.

Remus told him in his quietly spoken way what they thought had happened. "We believe Penelope's attack was a warning to Percy and he's panicked at fled. This was what his aggressors had hoped would happen, because they could eliminate him cleanly, out in the open away from everyone."

"Who could have done this? Surely not Harry and Ron?"

"We have no reason to think that it was either of them, it was too well planned and coldly executed. They thrive on angry energy; there is nothing rational about the type of harm they inflict."

"No, we feel that he has crossed one too many people, and someone has finally put him in the… 'diplomatic bag', so to speak," Tonks added. "It was an Avada that took him out."

"Kingsley has placed it as a separate case, and it will be investigated by ordinary Aurors. That's made it easier for us too, we can concentrate simply on finding Harry and Ron," Remus said, then turning to Tonks he added, "And we better get back to that."

Dora nodded, and smiled at her husbands, but looked back to Bill. "Yours and Snape's messages will always find us," she told him, squeezing his arm for comfort. "You have a trustworthy group here now. Take their support, if they offer it."

Bill still couldn't bring himself to show emotion, but he nodded. "I know, and I'm very grateful for that. Severus and I have already had discussions about the darkness within. He's told me he's been working on a potion similar to Wolfbane that will help in cases like mine."

"That's fabulous," Remus said. "Severus and I may have had our differences in the past, but you can trust him implicitly. I think we've all learnt that," he finished, as they rose. "Good night, Bill."

Bill didn't reply he merely nodded. It would fall to him to inform Ellie in the morning, Poppy had given her a sleeping potion tonight. At least they'd moved her into the hidden rooms earlier, so she was safely under his watch as well. He got up and tiredly made his way back there now so Poppy could go to bed.

oOo

Notes :- That certainly was a lot of information. There will be more juicy lemons in the next chapter, I promise. Poor Bill, he's certainly got his work cut out for him, but I think Lucius may be angling to help him with it. I hope no body found the domestic scene with Lucius to… err, now what would be the word… well anyway. See you all next time :D