"What the hell just happened?"

"You've just agreed to help the Professor forage for us."

"Oh, he is definitely going to kill us," Rowle plopped down on the sofa, cradling his head between his hands as he rested his elbows on his knees, a perfect picture of distress.

Luna smiled as she walked behind him, rubbing his shoulders as she leaned in to whisper. "He won't kill us, Thorfinn. He needs us for something. And we need him."

"You're too trusting, Lu," he sighed but allowed his head to fall against the back of the sofa, enjoying the way her fingers scraped against his scalp as she massaged away his tension. The silence dragged on for a few moments before Luna spoke again.

"My mother died when I was nine," she started softly. Her fingers continued to comb through his hair mindlessly as she spoke. "I started seeing thestrals after that. Interesting creatures, wouldn't you agree?"

"I guess," he hesitated, unsure what thestrals had to do with anything.

"They are quite gentle, really, although people tend to avoid them. Funny, isn't it, how some of the most trustworthy and gentle creatures in the world tend to be dark and foreboding."

Rowle scoffed, moving to run his fingers through her hair, pulling her down to press his lips against hers. She continued to surprise him, always aware of a bigger picture that no one else could see. Even though she never came right out to say what she meant, the message was clear… trust Snape.

Thorfinn had always done as he was told. It had been embedded into him his whole life. Never a leader, always a follower. The muscle . Well, he was tired of it. Being "gifted" Luna had been the best thing about his life. She never judged and had a strange and unique quality about her. No. A power to her. Like she knew more than anyone possibly could. He enjoyed that about her. He had allowed her to stay with him, warm his bed and his heart. He was definitely falling quickly for the little witch, wanting nothing more than to keep her happy and safe.

Rowle leaned up, pressing his lips to his partner's. Luna melted into the kiss, allowing him to pull her over the sofa and into his lap. She giggled, making his heart clench. The woman was so delicate—ethereal, and her laughter floated the room, tinkling like little bells. If he wasn't careful, she could easily be his downfall.

He had heard about how the Dark Lord kept her in the Malfoy dungeons and tortured her. At the time, he was unbothered. But now that he knew her, trusted her, cared for her… it drove him mad. He wouldn't let any more harm come to her. Tonight when he met with Snape, he'd hear him out. But if he sensed anything even remotely threatening, he'd end it. If that meant he had to take down the Dark Lord's second in command, he would.

For her.

XOX

Hermione jumped when Snape threw the door open and stomped through to his rooms to plant himself in a chair in front of the fire. She wasn't sure how to approach him, he had been prickly lately. But the way he cradled his head in his hands, rubbing his temples, led her to believe he wouldn't push her away.

Quietly, she approached.

"Are you alright?" She was picking at the skin of her thumb nervously, wanting nothing more than to have him open up to her. They needed to be a partnership, afterall.

"Yes," he sighed. He sat up, exhaling as he pushed the hair out of his face. After a moment, he stood and walked over towards his office, Hermione followed close behind. He made his way over to a cabinet, pulling out the pensieve and looking down into the swirling water.

"What memory are we looking at?" He bristled as she bumped against him, but she didn't care at the moment, too eager to see what he was willing to show.

" We aren't looking at anything, Granger."

"But–"

"I'm making a deposit. So if you don't mind… I could use some privacy."

She wanted to argue but was hopeful that if she started to listen to his instruction, he might trust her enough with more information. With a small sigh, she stepped back, watching his face wrinkle with concentration as he pulled several memories out, dropping them into the water. Once his memories were properly stored, he put the pensieve away and turned to face her.

"Did you have a good day? Make any progress on your magic?"

He smirked at her shocked expression which made her cheeks redden. "Am I not allowed to see how you're progressing in your lessons?"

"No. I mean, of course you can. It's just… you never ask."

"Ah." Snape turned and headed back towards his living area continuing to speak over his shoulder to her. "Well, I'm asking now."

"I think it's going well. I was hoping maybe tonight we could–"

"I have plans this evening."

"Oh." She couldn't help the feeling of jealousy that bubbled up inside her. She knew she didn't have control over him. But she didn't have control over any aspect of her life; didn't have anyone else to talk to. If he wasn't around, she was completely alone.

"Don't look so crestfallen, girl. I'm sure you're not craving my company."

"Actually, Sir, I am." She raised her chin, challenging him. He seemed surprised, turning to look at her. He simply stared at her until she continued. "I'm alone. All the time. You don't tell me anything. You hardly give me any tasks to prepare– aren't I supposed to be starting to help with reconstruction? Why am I still trapped here like some sort of damsel in distress?" She was breathing heavily now, words escaping without her permission as she continued to air out her frustrations. "And why has the curse stopped?"

His eyes narrowed dangerously. She couldn't very well tell the man she missed him, missed the human contact, even if it wasn't the most pure or healthy of relationships. Instead, she tried to calm the man. "I'm just always on edge, waiting for it to happen again. It would be nice to have… notice."

Snape's lips thinned as he nodded his head once, sharply. Had she hurt him with that?

"The night of the revel. The Dark Lord had given us all a lust potion to drink. Do you recall?"

"Yes," she whispered. Nothing in this world would make her forget that night.

"The Dark Lord had also given me a suppressant of sorts. To allow me some control over the curse until the potion ran its course. I have continued brewing and consuming it."

"Is that safe?"

"It hardly matters."

"It does to me."

"Granger," he sighed, looking more tired than he ever had in his life. "We have enough going on without working around an urge to copulate at inopportune times." He started pacing the room then. Silence continued for a few moments until he turned to look at her. "I've been attempting to brew an antidote," he said almost shyly. So far, I have been unsuccessful."

"Can I help?"

There was a knock at the door. "There's our guests now," he stated calmly. "I am going out harvesting tonight. You will have a visitor while I'm gone, I expect you to be hospitable to our guests."

She nodded her head. She knew that it was likely a Death Eater, and that she would need to be on guard for any type of abuse. Her stomach dropped, and she felt the bile rise up in her stomach as she awaited what was to come next.

"Do I need to change, Sir? Do you need to mark me?"

He looked at her with such pain in his eyes. "No, Miss Granger. No harm will come to you today."

Snape walked over to open the door. Hermione was still on edge, although she was fairly certain it wasn't going to be Dolohov again. But what if it was a Lestrange? Voldemort himself? Surely he couldn't guarantee her safety? She looked eagerly at the door, waiting to see who would cross the threshold.

She didn't even have time to process anything when the blonde witch ran to her, wrapping her up in her arms in a tight hug. "Hermione! I missed you."

"Luna!" Hermione squeaked. She looked up to Snape with tears in her eyes, the man returning her look with a small smirk that made her heart soar. She mouthed the words "thank you" to him, unsure if the other wizard could be trusted. She quickly cleared her throat, pulling away from her friend, just to be safe.

"Granger. I trust you to behave yourself. You know my rules," he demanded with a stern look. She nodded her head in understanding, casting her eyes down in submission, as she always did when they were in this role. She was meant to obey all his instructions without question due to the brand, and she was becoming more and more convincing as time went on.

"Lu," Rowle called out hesitantly. "You'll be ok here?"

Luna nodded and smiled brightly. Hermione chanced a look at Snape to see if he, too, noticed how familiar the pair appeared to be. Maybe she could get answers with Snape gone, and vice versa. They could be powerful allies, after all.

"Behave," Snape warned one more time before ushering Rowle out the door. As soon as it closed, the witches embraced again.

"Let me see you! Are you okay?" Hermione carefully looked over her friend's body, only now noticing that they were both in regular clothes.

"Thorfin takes great care of me, Hermione. We understand each other."

"Has he hurt you?"

"No," she smiled. "He's quite passive, actually. Reminds me a bit of a bowtruckle."

Hermione nodded. "I'm okay too," she started to explain.

"I know. The professor would never really harm anyone. He's a good man."

Hermione wanted to ask how Luna could possibly know that when she herself wasn't even positive he was trustworthy, but she knew their time would be limited.

"Why are you here?"

"We were invited," Luna smiled.

"But… why?"

"The professor and Thorfin are going to be harvesting some ingredients. Although I suspect there will not be a whole lot of ingredient gathering this evening. It's a waxing crescent moon tonight… a good time to speak of one's inner truths," she said simply. "Can we have a seat? I find myself rather tired this evening."

"Sure, sure," Hermione said, mind reeling. What could they possibly speak about? Is Rowle to be trusted? What if this was a trap to kill Severus? Then what would she do?

"It's not a trap," Luna giggled. Hermione frowned, she had forgotten how empathetic the witch was. She might even be a better mind reader than Snape one day.

"Do you trust him? Rowle?"

"With my life," Luna whispered. "We've been through a lot since the end of the war. There's a certain bond established. I'm sure you've felt it with the Professor."

Well, no, actually. She hadn't. Not for lack of trying, of course. She wanted Severus to open up to her… to trust her. She wanted to know all about the new Order, but more than that, she wanted to know about him . She felt tears prick her eyes when she realized that was unlikely to happen. Hemione jumped when she felt her friend touch her thigh.

"I've interrupted a deep thought, haven't I? I can see it fading."

"No," Hermione sniffled. "I just… it's been an exhausting time."

Luna tilted her head, as she thought hard about what Hermione was saying. She turned on the sofa, twisting to prop one leg on the cushion so she could look directly at her friend.

"There haven't been any gentle times? Anything that bonds you together?"

Hermione thought back to all the late nights in front of the fire. The softness behind his eyes when he didn't think she was watching him, and the selflessness that oozed from him. But she also knew that intimately, no. There wasn't any sort of gentle touching, no bond formed. He still didn't trust her.

"Do you trust Rowle, Luna? Snape?"

"Yes."

"Why?" her eyes narrowed.

Luna sighed. "I know what happened after the Professor took you away. News like that… well it travels fast doesn't it?"

Hermione nodded.

"We were all divided up then, like an auction. I've always wanted to go to a Muggle auction… to see what sorts of things people would like to buy. I don't imagine it was as frantic as this." Luna smiled, eyes gazing off into the distance for a few moments before she came back to the present.

"Thorfinn bid on me. A few others as well, but he won out in the end."

"They… they bought you?"

The blonde's smile faded into a frown for a moment. "Not with money. With favors. Promises. Duels. Thorfinn is a powerful fighter, not many were brave enough to go against him."

Hermione filed that away for later. Did Severus know this? Know that her friends were bid on like cattle? Know that Rowle was a powerful duelist? She'd have to bring it up later.

"He took me to his room that night. Some of the others weren't so lucky. Some are still being kept in the dungeons, used only as needed. But Rowle was gentle, kind." She looked pensive for a moment, before her blue eyes lit up with humor. "He's a bit like a mooncalf, really. Fitting, that a full moon is due soon. I wonder how he will act then," she shrugged before leaning in to whisper. "I hope he becomes a bit more feral. I can tell it's buried deep within him somewhere, waiting to be released. But for now, I'm rather enjoying the gentleness."

Hermione tried to close her mouth which was undoubtedly hanging open from her friend's casual regard towards sex.

"The Professor always struck me as an attentive lover," she continued despite Hermione's fierce blush and horrification. "Perhaps he's like an Erumpent? He's a fierce fighter and people do tend to avoid him. But I can tell he's protective of you. He'd kill others for trying to mate with you, I'm sure." Her eyes flicked over the room, searching for something. "Would you like some tea? Or is there food perhaps? I find myself a bit hungry."

Hermione, wide-eyed and slightly traumatized with Luna's insight, simply nodded her head, whispering out to Kreacher to bring them some refreshments. She didn't know how to respond to anything that was said and hoped Severus was handling Rowle better than she was handling Luna.

XOX

"You sure they are out this far, Snape?"

"Worried I'm leading you to your death?" Severus responded, amused. He overheard the other wizard make mention of Moon Frogs and rolled his eyes. Obviously, the man had spent too much time with Lovegood.

Once they were far enough from the castle, Severus slowed his pace. "There should be a small grouping of them just up this way."

"I can't believe she talked me into this," Rowle grumbled.

"Why, indeed?" Severus was genuinely curious that the man would so willingly enter the forest over a plant.

Rowle sighed. "What do you want, Snape? I may not have your intelligence ," he sneered, "but I'm smart enough to know you wanted me alone."

Severus' eyes darted to where Rowle had started to finger his wand, resisting the urge to pull his own out. He didn't want to seem threatening. Instead, he looked around, ensuring nothing was lurking nearby. With a heavy sigh, he ran a hand through his hair, hoping that he wasn't about to make the biggest mistake of his life.

"Where do your loyalties lie, Rowle?"

The younger man winced, trying to decide how best to answer.

"Why?"

"I must ask you for a wand oath, Rowle, before I disclose any further information."

The blonde nodded his head before reaching out his hand to wrap around Severus' forearm, the older wizard did the same.

"Do you promise to not reveal anything that is discussed tonight, without my approval? On your honor, and under the promise of death?"

"I do."

A golden light shot out from both wands, wrapping around the men's clasped hands to seal the bond. With a nod of approval, Severus began to pace.

"It is no secret that several members of the inner circle are starting to lose loyalty. Are you among them?"

Rowle stayed silent.

"It is my intention to bring down the Dark Lord and his reign. I have been working to grow a resistance army. Truthfully, I could use your help."

"Why should I? I agreed to not speak of this, but what is to stop me from killing you outright?"

Severus knew the wizard was nervous, but he didn't need legilimency to know Rowle's heart was no longer with the Death Eaters.

"Because," he started, "I know you want to protect your witch. I know how it hurts to see her used and abused by our brethren. And I know that you lost your faith years ago."

Rowle fisted his hair, struggling to make a decision. "Who else is involved?"

"That is confidential."

"How the hell am I to decide when I don't even know if we are strong enough. I wont sign up to die, Snape. I– I care for the girl. I won't risk either of our lives for something that isn't a guarantee."

"We are at war. Death is to be expected," Severus stated coldly.

"You mean to say you don't care about Granger at all? You don't care if she lives or dies?"

"Death, Rowle, is inevitable. At least for me."

"So you're on a suicide mission, is it? Fuck, Snape. I knew you were cold, but I didn't think you were this cold. What of the girl? Dolohov says you bed her frequently. You mean to tell me there's no feelings?"

"It was a curse, Rowle. You were there. Feelings are of little concern," he growled.

"That's shite, and you know it mate. You're a Potion's Master. You mean to tell me you haven't figured out some kind of potion that can stop it? I know you care for her… I could see it on your face at the last revel. You were protecting her, even if you don't admit it. The Weasley girl too. It's not obvious or nothin', but… the way you protected Luna…" he shook his head, tears forming in his eyes when he looked back into Snape's piercing glare. "I'm in, mate. Count me in."

"We speak of this to no one," Snape growled, irritated at Rowle's amusement. "I'll collect you before the next meeting. It should be in about a week's time."

"Alright."

Snape turned to leave when Rowle shouted at him to wait. Severus turned, confused.

"We still need the Gurdyroot," the blond explained. Severus rolled his eyes.

"You do understand that there is no such thing as Gulping Plimpies?"

Rowle smiled. "I know. But Luna seems to… have an understanding of things that I don't. Like she's a Seer or something. I don't know. But she said you could use some too… maybe we could just grab a bit…"

"Rowle," Severus responded tersely. "Gurdyroot is almost entirely useless. Its taste is almost unbearable. Hell, Slughorn used to have the students brew it in that damned stamina game. It's useless." As he continued to rant, his eyes slowly grew distant, an understanding blossomed. Rowle smiled brightly, before crossing his arms over his chest with a smirk.

"She was right, wasn't she?" he laughed.

Snape scowled. "It is possible … that extract of Gurdyroot could prove useful. It is oftentimes used in the antidote to love potions. I suppose, depending on the formula Dolhov used… there could be… similarities? There's certainly a lust component…" he was mumbling to himself now, uncaring if Rowle followed his train of thought. With a hissed threat, and a finger jabbing into Rowle's chest, Snape growled, "you will tell no one of this."

"No, mate," Rowle laughed. "I'll never tell a soul that Luna solved something you couldn't."

Bending down to gather a bundle, the two men took what they needed and headed back to the castle.

XOX

The two witches had put themselves to bed, growing tired and impatient while waiting for the wizards to return.

"Luna?" Hermione whispered into the dark, Severus' bedroom glowed from the warm firelight, hiding most of his personal items, maintaining his privacy. The witch assumed he'd prefer it that way and would be less angry.

"Yes?" Luna rolled over to face Hermione.

"How did you know, that… that Rowle liked you back?"

Luna giggled softly. "There isn't always a direct answer, Hermione. Sometimes, one just needs to take a leap of faith. I find that the more trusting one is, the more trust one is given. I think you two are a logical match, Hermione. You both just need more time.

Hermione was about to answer when she heard the door open, hushed whispers coming from the living area. She stiffened, fearful once more of who could be visiting. Luna's warm hand rubbed down her arm, soothing her.

"It's just Thorfinn and the Professor. They wouldn't let anything happen to us."

That's what you think , Hermione shivered.

"Nothing that wasn't necessary for your survival," Luna amended. "I see how he looks at you. He's protective. I don't think you could be in a safer position."

On cue, Rowle turned the knob and stepped through, Snape crossing his arms as he followed behind.

"Another sleepover, Granger?" he baited.

Hermione was startled by his teasing, he wasn't usually so jovial. She watched as Rowle shook Severus' hand, nodding at him before turning to gather Luna into his arms, placing a chaste kiss on her forehead. He whispered something to her as they left. Hermione blinked back tears, it was an intimate moment, one she wasn't sure she should have been present for.

She rolled over after Severus followed them out, preparing herself for another lonely, sleepless night. When she felt the mattress dip, she turned to see the man sitting on the side of the bed, bending over to remove his boots.

"Sir?"

"I can sleep on the sofa, if you'd rather?"

"No!" she exclaimed, holding back a grin as she watched his vulnerable gaze transform into amusement. "No, I– I missed sleeping next to you."

"The sofa is too short," he grumbled, easing himself under the covers, still buttoned up to his chin with his stiff robes.

She smiled into the darkness. Perhaps, Luna was right. There was a chance.