Devil's Adored

Harry loved his new wardrobe.

Loved all the colors and styles, loved how they looked on him, and made him feel.

No wonder girls always took so long to get ready, he would, had, too. Because feeling comfortable, happy, was definitely worth the time.

Even the way Papa and Daddy just…. accepted it, helped; made it okay in a way. Sure, it had started out as a joke, and even though they had stated that Harry would be wearing said clothing for now on. They didn't actually start having clothes made and given him said clothing until Harry assured them that yes, he was okay with this, wanted this.

Harry couldn't remember a time where someone had asked him if he wanted to do something that he personally wanted.

It was nice.

Seeing the looks, and glances thrown his way from the two wizards was also nice, more than nice in fact.

"I love that top." Hermione greeted when Harry finally found her, the library had more hidey holes then at first glance. "Also, your old clothes did crimes to your butt."

Harry touched his butt, it wasn't flat, far from it, but he didn't think it was anything special. Apparently, Hermione disagreed, shrugging, he spoke once more. "Love the dress."

Hermione's cheeks go a little pink, a hand smoothing out invisible wrinkles, the witch mumbled out a thank you. Scooting over when Harry moved closer to sit.

"What are you reading today?"

"Potions." Hermione answered simply.

Harry peeked, blinking when he saw description of explosions, "…...Are you reading about how to make bombs?" He asked after a quick read.

"Smoke bombs."

"Not sure if that's better."

Hermione hummed before closing her book, keeping her thumb inside to make her place, "What are your plans for the day?"

Knowing that was her way of changing the subject, Harry does just that, Hermione will tell him when she was good and ready. "Pa-Erm, Lucius is going to take me out to the field, think we're going to have lunch there."

"What about the Professor?"

"Lucius said he won't be back til tomorrow."

Hermione's eyes narrowed, and she opened her mouth, but she never got to finish as Lady Malfoy suddenly appeared. Smiling upon seeing them.

"Ah, there you are Princess, hello Harry dear.

"Hello." Harry greeted, giving his now pink cheeked friend a question look.

Princess?

"I just remembered, I have an, erm thing to do with the House Elves!" Hermione, with book in hand, stood and hurried away.

Lady Malfoy pouted, though not entirely upset. "Off she goes again, a quick one she is. Ah well, more fun that way. See you at dinner dear."

Harry waved goodbye.

~.~.~

The field was huge.

Nothing but grass and flowers for miles.

"There's a riverbed that runs through here further east," Lucius said as they sat down on the blanket prepared for them, "and if you follow it, you'll find a lake. We can visit it after we eat if you like" the other added when he saw the look of interest from Harry.

Lunch was fun.

The conversation was fun.

The lake was fun.

Splashing and getting splashed back had been fun.

Everything had been fun!

So much so, that as he was being escorted back, Harry had forgotten, exactly why he was here.

That was, until they rounded the corner and nearly bumped into Sn-Severus. Severus who had blood on his hands, and speckled blood on his face.

"Severus," Lucius sighed exasperated, "how many times have I told you to clean up."

Severus grunted, eyes on Harry who was frozen on the spot, his hand came up as though to touch the other.

"Severus." Lucius's tone firm, and full of warning.

Severus went still, then he cleared his throat, "Apologies." said the Potion Master softly.

With one last look at Harry, he walked past them, leaving the two alone.

"W-What did he do?"

Lucius said nothing for a moment, then, a hand was lifting his head up by his chin, Ice-blue eyes were gentle, but there was something else underneath; something that made Harry shiver though he's not sure it was in fear.

"All for your benefit, trust me."

Harry said nothing as a kiss was placed on his forehead.

~.~.~.~

He found Hermione in an empty room, with the House-elf Caramel, there was a cauldron that had an alarming amount of yellow smoke coming out of it.

"Erm, do I want to know?"

He really hoped it wasn't the bomb.

"Best not," Hermione answered absently, eyes on whatever was inside the large black book, "plausible deniability."

". …..Right."

Harry sat down in the only other chair, smoothing out his light blue skirt, and then bringing his legs closer together once he realized that Hermione could potentially see his cotton knickers if she decided to look up with the way he was sitting.

".…I saw Snape, he had blood on him."

Hermione's shoulders tensed, before she finally looked up, eyes looking Harry up and down as though searching for an injury, Caramel also looked the teen over. Seeing nothing she turned her attention back the ingredients. Hermione on the other hand, put the book down and went over to her friend.

"What happened?" she all but demanded.

"Honestly, nothing, Malfoy was there with me, and he told the Professor off for it. And the Professor left, I asked him what Snape did, but-he told me as that it was all for my benefit and to trust him."

"Well obviously don't do that," Hermione scoffed, "but that is definitely suspicious."

She goes thoughtfully quiet, then her eyes get a familiar gleam that had Harry grinning.

"Snooping?" He asked.

"Snooping." Hermione confirmed.

"Tonight?"

"Tonight."
The cauldron exploded.

~.~.~.~

The plan was to meet in the same empty room, now clean in thanks to the House-Elves. Both agreed they would start in the dungeon, as it was where Voldemort had been held and killed, so it stand to reason, if there was something, a person or whatever; there was a high chance it would be down there.

"Hermione?" Harry whispered into the dark room.

Nothing.

Frowning, he went further in, holding his candle up higher, and really wishing he had his wand. Looking around, he found nothing, no sign of his friend at all.

"Maybe she's still asleep."

It was pretty late, and they did have a very eventful day, however the other explanation, and the most likely case, she got caught on her way here.

"Guess I'm on my own tonight."

He wasn't too worried about Hermione, mainly because the contract magically prevented their…Hosts from harming them. At worst, they would most likely lock her in her room. Taking a deep breath, Harry turned around, and left the room. Quietly making his way down the hall, keeping an eye out. He managed to make it halfway to the dungeon, when a sound caught his attention.

He stopped, heart hammering, and listened.

There! There it was again!

Harry's brow furrow as he listened, it took him a moment to realize the sound coming from a little further down, perhaps around the corner. The young wizard stood there, unsure, if he should investigate. The sound came again, and Harry made his decision.

"Maybe it's Hermione." He thought with some optimism.

It wasn't Hermione.

It was Snape and Malfoy.

Malfoy had Snape pressed against the wall, face buried in the Professor's neck, and a hand down his trousers.

Hey everyone, I'm back, really sorry about that. Really bad burn-out for HP Fanfic, but I think we're in back in business!