Severus
To say that seeing Hermione Granger ruined his day would be considered an understatement. The damn minx turned his world upside down and he seemed to loose all control. After his three hour tantrum, of throwing inventory and stomping around, he managed to only finish half of his task, but even that wasn't done up to statues quo. Not to mention all the jars he broke and the spoiled ingredients every time his mind flashed to her shapely form or her bow shaped lips. He couldn't bury the picture of those very lips sucking on his cock every time he mocked something she had said. As the last hour chimed of the days work, Severus dropped his quill and shoved the books closed.
"Sod it all! Winston! I'm leaving, close up when you leave."
Oh, yes. It was indeed a horrible afternoon as Winston watched his boss stalk out of the shop in a childish way. The small man chuckled with understanding; there was definitely something about Hermione Granger that brought out the worst in arrogant men.
A few shops over, Severus stalked in as if he owned the place. Throwing the door open, he enjoyed the startled gazes and moment of fear that the strangers held as they looked at him. Some heads whipped to see who could be making such a dramatic entrance and clamed up. Severus was not an easy man by any means, he demand things as if it was his rightful prerogative and he had no problem trying to command the masses as if they were in his potion's class.
He was decent to those he deemed worthy of his respect, which was few, and even more agreeable to those worthy of his trust, which were close to none. Narcissus turned from her post, giving a warm welcoming smile to the scowling man. "Oh, Severus, how good of it to see you!"
"Narcissa." He nodded respectfully. She was after all the wife of his best friend and mother of his godson. He stood quietly in front of the white wash counter and snapped his head at the busy floor. People, seeing this gesture, set their items down and disappeared out the door he came through. No one could clear a room of people like Severus could. He had had his share of brave soul, but they too, quickly learned that the Potions Master had no stomach for dunderheads.
"Why, Severus, you didn't have to clear out the whole shop!" Narcissa laughed. Her robes boutique was always filled with customers of all sorts. The boutique brought in a large sum of money next to Lucius and Draco's Ministry job's. It was quite the upscale designer robes and accessories for male and female customers. Hence why her two men were always so fashionable. If it were not for clothing, Narcissa would most definitely be locked away in the Malfoy Manor being forever the Snob and rundown housewife she once was before the war, and before her crazy sister came to live with them.
Thank the gods above that it was all over.
Yes, things had changed immensely when it came time for the final battle. Sides had changed and some families stood on opposite side to defend their beliefs. For the Malfoy's, they were one of the few who had changed sides and roles as a family, growing tired of living in constant fear, growing weary of screwing up. Why could they not live along side the weaker blood, they weren't hurting anyone nor were they passing on some type of parasite that the Dark Lord brainwashed them to believe. It was all brainwashing in the end, and for what? To kill the father that left him to suffer life with no guidance or love? Or the father he could never bring back so he could kill him a thousand times over again? No, this was not what any of them signed up for.
They had signed up for a bigger cause, one that meant keeping their family safe, not fearing that when the next day came, would they be able to satisfy the Dark Lords desires or will the family suffer at the end of the villain's wand.
"Will you be coming to the Manor this evening?" Narcissa gleamed knowing that he rarely ever burst into her store uninvited, unless he had plenty on his mind.
"Yes." He grunted as he watched the woman turn around to lock and ward her shop. She finished and walked to the side of the floor where her door to her office was. She allowed Severus to enter first before she followed, locking the door and warding it just the same. Walking over to the large fireplace in the corner, Narcissa looped her arm through his and then grabbed a large handful of the floo powder. She allowed the green and purpled grains to slip through her fingers lightly, making sure to measure a good amount so as not to waste any of it. Walking into the empty hearth, she called out their destinations and they disappeared. Their bodies were engulfed by green flames, from one fireplace to another, depositing them into the Malfoy Manors. Severus allowed her to lead him out of the hearth and muttered a cleaning spell to remove the soot.
"Thank you, my dear Severus." She over indulged in her thanks; it always seemed to put him in a humorous mood.
"You're welcome." Came his curt reply. It was so unlike him and unfriendly; this seemed to make her feel a little put out. Behind her the flames roared to life again this time depositing Draco and Lucius.
"Ah, Darlings! There you are!" She hugged her son tightly.
"Oh, Mum. You saw me at lunch! It was not so long ago!" Draco chuckled lightly as he returned the hug with one arm.
"Every moment spent from you is to long Draco."
"Love me less mother, for you see me often and have no need to miss me so."
"On the contrary, I shall love you more to spite you!" She hugged him again before quickly giving her husband a kiss and hug of the same magnitude.
Severus watched the display uneasily. He had never known such warmth, or ever dreamt such a thing could be possible for him. Though the Malfoy's welcomed him with open arms, as one of the family. He still never dare get carried away with such sentiments. In another world maybe he could feel such things, but he had gone to long knowing no difference.
"Look who I've brought home this evening, and he's in quite the sour mood. Maybe a glass of Sherry or Firewhisky should patch him right up? Draco come, let us take a turn around the kitchens and see what the House-elves have planned for dinner. We shall inform them to set out another place setting." Her delicate arm snaked through the crook of her sons with a beaming smile. Severus felt instantly bad and turned regretful eyes to her.
"Pardon my mood, Narcissa. It seems to have turned into quite the day for me and I should not have taken it out on you. I'm sure that I will be in better spirits come dinnertime. I am sorry to invite myself over like this, it is very rude."
"Severus Tobias Snape! Don't you dare start that again! You are like a brother to us both and you are the godfather of my child. If it was up to me, you would be present at every meal at this Manor!" Narcissa grinned, before turning away.
The two men watched the other two disappear through a door that led into a large corridor before they took their leave of the floo entrances foyer. It was quite the Labyrinth through the Manor, but once lost you could easily find your way around again. They went through three more doors before the entered a large library that could even rival Hogwarts' library.
"Now Severus, what seems to have your knickers in a twist?" Lucius quirked, taking his work robes off and placing it on the coat rack next to the double doors.
"I am sorry, Lucius, I don't know what has gotten into me." Severus didn't want to really admit his real excuse for not going home.
There was some days that he couldn't stand the lonesome solitude his home usually offered. He just couldn't bare the thoughts that would run wild through his head. He knew that something about today, wouldn't let him see rest until he was piss drunk. He really couldn't put his thumb on the exact reason for his distress of seeing her. 'Was it because she had changed so completely?' He really had no clue and it was the things he didn't know that set him on a downward spiral of doubts and second thoughts about himself. Those were never good things, spy or ex-spy.
Hermione
"In other news today, Mr. John Taddio was reported missing early yesterday morning. Witnesses have stated that they saw him the night of his disappearance with a young woman of mid twenties, with strawberriy blonde hair and is said to be of average height. The police are taking anyone who matches this description in for questioning, but have found no leads. There is no other descriptions of the young woman he was with, but if anyone has any other information, they are to call the Metropolitan Police Department. Now on to our forecast with Karla Ferrin."
"Ding, Dong." Hermione looked up from the Telly, surprised to be receiving any calls so late in the evening. Muting the volume, she rose from her black leather couch and made her way over to the foyer. She pulled back the curtain on the side window next to the door, taking great caution to shield herself behind the bulletproof steel door. She noticed a young man with a lanky frame wearing the traditional black FedEx vest and matching black shorts.
"Can I help you with something?" Hermione said from the other side of the door.
"Yeah, I 'ave a package for a Hermione Granger from thee Nation'l Ga'ery. They say t'was important' and to make sure ye got it before 7:30." The man's voice was squeaky in a way, almost like it was unsure what pitch range it should be in.
Hermione looked down at her watch, "It's 7:40, you're late."
"I kno', t'was a las' minute call. A Mr. Sniffle Snap, If tha' be a real name, sen' it to ya. So will you be takin' the package or no'?" At the code name, Hermione instantly opened the door and whipped the package from his hands. He stared at the goddess with open awe before the door slammed in his face shut.
Forgetting about the man, most likely still gawking in front of her door, she quickly tore at the box to find hair care supplies and a note. 'Thought you'd like it. –Augusta' Digging further in she found two boxes of hair dye the same coloring of her natural one. "Finally!" Before and after every mission Hermione was required to change her hair color and it was always a blessing to be able to dye it back to its original color. Hermione had that neutral face and look that could pull off any hair color, but nothing looked best on her than the natural one. It suited her greatly and Augusta knew that very well.
She shuffled her feet in a childish manor as she made her way to the grand staircase that met in the middle of the foyer. The expensive Italian black marble floor was put in throughout the entire house and staircases except for the kitchen and bathrooms. Favoring a lighter color for those rooms, the house was very lavishing in subtle ways. It held a certain kind of warmth that one could easily call home while looking like they were made of money.
The home deco was courtesy of The Gallery, providing every known comfort to the girl. That was what the job brought; a bank account with no limitations, all the supplies and connections one phone call or floo away and all she had to do was save the world. Again.
Some days Hermione couldn't help, but wonder how her life came to the point it was in and other days she couldn't seem to recall anything before it. She could do anything she wanted, be who ever she liked and travel all over the world. It wasn't like she didn't like who she really was. Hermione thought her plain old self was fine for her in her personal everyday life. She just didn't want the people on her missions to know her, and besides it kept her and her friends safe.
Some hours later found Hermione with honey brown locks, blow-dried and bangs styled to the side. She was wrapped in her favorite royal blue silk bathrobe and her matching bedroom slippers. It was Saturday and her evening off, and while most were out gallivanting around, Hermione saw it as a night she could have a full nights rest with out any disruptions.
Now enters a new variable to the equation
The Night was still young as the girls were paraded into the station. Lincoln McGregor was on his 11th mug of coffee and he could only hope that there was more of the same burnt coffee in back to get him through the rest of the night. The Bobby's had been bringing in wagon after wagon of strawberry blonds who fit the description of the MIA girl. It was crucial to find the woman, and to find her fast. If she had somehow escaped from Taddio, McGregor could finally have a witness to put the pig in the slammer for life. But if the chit was responsible, then he wanted to thank her himself and try to prove she was innocent of possible manslaughter.