Convincing Severus

"Severus, I'm so glad you could meet me, my boy," Albus smiled at the Potions Master offering him tea and a lemon drop. He even looked hurt after Severus had refused the lemon drop, still confused as to how everyone seemed to dislike the glorious treat.

"Headmaster, you said my presence was required. I'm not in the habit of denying a reasonable request from the wizard who signs my paychecks," Severus remarked casually, but Albus knew that while there was a slight insult mixed in, it was a show of how comfortable Severus was with him, and he hoped that their relationship would continue after this little venture. Surely, Severus would not overreact, despite his normally optimistic mind showing him scenarios of his own death via Severus over this whole issue. Severus killing him with lemon drops particularly disturbed him and he made a mental note to see a mind healer, just in case.

"Yes, well, perhaps when you put it that way, my boy, you would be correct in that assumption of your required attendance, my boy," Albus smiled to himself.

"Albus, you just called me 'my boy' no less than three times in the past minute or so, the last time that happened I was forced to decorate for a Valentines Day ball. What are you making me do this time?" Severus bit out, his mind already coming up with horrible things that he would have to do as he set his teacup down prepared to leap up and pace without spilling. Severus prided himself on thinking ahead, it helped with his image, or at least that's what Lucius told him

"Yes, my bo-, Severus. Well, I have just had a chat with Poppy and we have come to the conclusion that Miss Granger needs to remain within the castle for her healing and that she needs to be secluded from the general populous. She must be sheltered from all the changes of the past two years as they are slowly revealed to her as any undue stress could cause more harm than good," Albus started, while his eyes were twinkling at the prospect of his idea, his hands were wringing and he was really wishing he was as omniscient as people thought just about now.

"This all seems to be reasonable. Please, continue," Severus even gestured to prompt Albus to continue. Severus was just waiting for the bomb to drop and that was nerve wracking.

"Well, she would need constant surveillance, more than just one person could reasonably handle. She would also need to be someplace where people don't generally like to go, some place out of the way," Albus trailed off knowing that Severus would be able to connect the dots himself.

"No. Absolutely not! Do you know how much Lucius has worked to get some semblance of a reputation, back? He hates having to prove himself to everyone, and now you want to have us house Miss Granger an avid hater of the Malfoys, granted Draco never gave her much reason to like them, however there is bad blood there. There is no way that Miss Granger would be able to overcome that sort of obstacle without sever mental stress, which is counter productive. Need I continue, Headmaster?" Severus was indeed ranting and pacing, thanking himself in the spare moment for his foresight. He knew this was going to be a long battle between himself and the lunatic Headmaster.

"Severus, don't you think I haven't thought of that? But she needs to stay in Hogwarts, yes? So she would have run into Lucius at some point, so it would be best to get that little 'shock' out of the way, correct? And I do believe that Miss Granger has a very forgiving and kind heart. I really don't think she is one to judge solely without all of the facts, and we just need to inform her that there are more facts to Lucius that she has yet to consider," Albus smiled, feeling that he had the upper hand.

"Yes, Albus, I believe this is simply brilliant. Despite the mental stress and anguish you are going to put my partner through. Not to mention the toll it will take in making sure that Miss Granger is completely sheltered from outside world. This means watching everything one says every minute of the day. No slips, lest we cause stress! How can you think this is a good idea? Why not just get some mind healers in here if you're that worried; they would be more capable with dealing with a situation like this, don't you think?" Severus ranted once more, he really did not want to do this, there was no way Lucius was going to have an easy time of this. Lucius was already worried as to how Miss Granger was going to accept him as a minor, infrequent occurrence in her daily routine, never mind being the near center of her daily life.

"That would be a security risk, Severus, and you know it. I know this will be stressful for both Miss Granger and Lucius, but I think we could work though it, and once we get past this little bump I think it would be good for them both, especially Lucius," Albus reasoned, he really was banking on Hermione's compassion in this whole scheme, for if it did not go as planned, the results would most definitely be disastrous.

"I will grant that, if everything went perfectly, your idea might hold some merit, however the likelihood of that occurring is near impossible and I am not willing to take that risk, Albus, not now," Severus was adamant. He knew that Lucius had just gotten his life back, for the most part and it was still mostly an uphill battle nearly every day with those who still thought he was the right-hand man of the Dark Lord. No matter how Lucius acted in public, he really was concerned about how people saw him. Severus was worried as to how Miss Granger was going to deal with Lucius's innocence and how hard this was going to be on Lucius. Despite his own assertation that he was nothing like a Gryffindor in the most remote definition of the word, he would protect Lucius from any harm that he could prevent, knowing that Lucius would do the same.

"Why not just ask Lucius if he could handle it?" Albus asked.

"Because he doesn't need to be asked, I'm telling you that it would not be good for him!" Severus nearly yelled. He was sick of arguing with the thickskulled headmaster.

" So, you are making the decision?" Albus asked.

"Yes!"

"For the greater good?"

"Ye-. Damn you, Albus. You know that I only have his best interests at heart!" Severus hated that phrase and Albus knew that as Albus himself, admittedly, used the phrase to accomplish some less than legal and moral tasks to win the war.

"Without consulting him to see what he wants, but rather make decisions for him?" Albus knew it was a low blow to Severus, but this really was one the best plan, as long as everyone went according to said plan.

"I hate you, Albus, I really do," and for once, Albus really believed him. Severus used the headmaster's Floo to send for Lucius, and then he turned and sat in his chair, too tired to continue pacing. He knew his heart was in the right place, however to be compared to the one thing he hated most, a manipulator who refused to ask his own opinion weather or not it counted really struck him hard. Unknowingly, he had become Albus, the master strategist during the war; to the one person he loved.

"Just remember, Severus, when you think that what I asked you to do never had any effect on myself, just remember how you feel right now," Albus said quietly, while they were waiting for Lucius. Severus made no move to show that he had heard the aged man.

"Headmaster? Severus?" Lucius asked when he had arrived in the quiet room. Something was wrong, as Severus was quiet and still. That rarely happened. He was normally, at least, glaring, but instead he was looking defeated.

"Ah, Lucius, tea?" Albus offered while motioning for him to sit down, but Lucius refused.

"Well, then," Albus started again, "there is something we would like your opinion on, my boy."

In the Hospital Wing Hermione Granger was still writing intently in her journal. She missed writing and the first few pages bore the brunt of her excitement with inkblots and horrible penmanship. However, once she got over the initial joy of being allowed to write once again, her normal, neat and precise writing style quickly returned as she recounted the story of her past two years. As she heard Madame Pomfrey enter the ward with a tray of fruit and a cucumber sandwich she stopped writing, allowed for the ink to dry for a moment, before closing the journal. It was then that she noticed her hand ached and shook with fatigue and that she had silent tears streaming down her cheeks.

"What is wrong, dear? Are you in pain? Your wrist?" Poppy watched the girl with concern upon her face. She immediately set the tray down to attend to the girl.

"I'm fine, Madame. My hand is a little sore from writing so much, but it's fine. I didn't even know I had been crying," Hermione answered, rubbing her wrist.

"Here, dear," the medi-witch handed her some slave, "this will help to relax the muscles. However, I'm going to ask that you refrain from writing any more today. Instead, I could get you a book to read, however, I'm going to ask that you not write anymore. Do you have a preference for a particular book?"

"Most Potente Potions, please," Hermione, ever the scholar, wanted to review and immerse herself back into the wizarding world and culture that she had longed to be apart of once more. She then settled down to her meal.

After the meeting with the headmaster, both Severus and Lucius were worn out, sitting in front of the fire in their quarters.

"I think we made the right decision, Sev," Lucius barely whispered, almost scared to interrupt the silence that had overcome their rooms.

"I know that, Lucius," Severus sighed. "I just wish that I didn't feel so guilty about it."

"Oh, Severus, try as you might, you can't hid me from everything. We can deal with Miss Granger becoming a permanent fixture in our home; it'll just take some adjusting. Do you still plan on talking to her tomorrow, then?" Lucius inquired.

"No, I think I'll talk to her this afternoon, I got a missive from Poppy, it seems that Miss Granger requested a Most Potente Potions to read, and I have the copy from the library, because someone spilled tea over my copy a month ago," Severus looked pointedly at his partner.

"I told you, Severus, that was not my fault!" Lucius protested. "And if you really loved me, you would believe me!"

"Lucius. I saw you're 'Property of Lucius M' mug tipped on my book with it's contents still dripping out? You know that mug? The one that you cursed so that only you can touch it without turning blue?" Severus raised his eyebrow and Lucius just looked guilty.

"But, Severus, you love me," Lucius smiled widely.

"That doesn't bring my book back," Severus smiled. Sometimes after a trying day like this one, all he needed was Lucius. He then, picked up the book for Miss Granger off of his desk and headed to the Infirmary after kissing Lucius goodbye. Hopefully, by tonight, he will have opened Miss Granger to the possibility that his lover was not an evil bastard.

A/N: Please review. It makes me write faster! :D