Severus entered his bedroom to find his wife awake no doubt worried so was he.

"How was it? Was Hermione there?" She asked as she approached reaching out to help him shed his outer robe.

"A disaster and yes." He sighed.

"I fear it if far worse than I initially thought Ginerva."

"Well?" she whispered lowering herself to the edge of the bed, Severus joined her reaching for her hand.

"The meeting started like any other. The Dark Lord and his theatrics," he drawled the word annoyed as he recalled some of his master's more flamboyant entrances and exits, "he gave his speech, the usual lies before he called out James as well as confronted Talbot.

Ginny squeezed his hand lightly stroking it with her thumb. He continued.

"No doubt to kill them both. Before the Dark Lord could deliver the blow Talbot brings up Hermione's condition questioning her ability to reproduce. Hermione stated otherwise saying she is currently expecting."

Ginny took a deep breath and shook her head, "that was stupid," she whispered to herself.

"Indeed." Severus agreed although he knew his wife was speaking more to herself than him.

"I know for a fact she is expecting but her announcement has put pressure on the Dark Lord as enough of the others believe she is and will be watching with a keen eye. He, or rather, they must save face and somehow produce a child in the next eight months."

"And if she doesn't, then what?"

He looked at her, "that's what I am afraid of, the 'then what' the Dark Lord doesn't like to be made a fool of. His power over the wizarding world will rest on the outcome of the next few months."

"Do you think he'll kill her? If...you know..." she trailed off.

There was a brief moment of silence before Severus spoke again.

"He's at his most dangerous when he feels vulnerable from that we can only speculate what happens next."

They sat in silence Ginny scooted closer repositioning herself as she laid across his lap. Severus buried his hands in her hair enjoying the silkiness of her locks.

He thought back on the night and Lucius. Curious. If there was anything between Hermione and the Malfoy patriarch his wife would likely know.

"Ginerva?"

She had nearly fallen asleep and only mumbled.

"I need to ask something."

She sat up, "it sounds serious."

"Lucius and Hermione, did something happen while she was at Malfoy Manor?"

She sighed pulling her legs under her sitting Indian style.

The red head saw no point in lying, "they had an affair. They are in love; she didn't tell me but I saw the memories and I saw him the few times he snuck in to visit. But the Dark Lord doesn't know. Does he?" She was about to panic but her husband held up his hand.

"No, he doesn't but he will if those two don't stop acting like love sick puppies."

"What can we do?"

"Nothing, but wait."

He pinched her cheek playfully and she blushed.

"You know I don't like to wait." she said half smiling at him.

He smirks, "me neither."

Lucius stepped from the fireplace unsettled.

His love had made an error and a bold proclamation he was sure that not even the Dark Lord could retract, and Talbot, the old wizard didn't know when to stop always pushing too far.

He sighed heading over to the liquor cabinet.

"That took longer than expected," a light voice cut through the semi darkness of the room.

He pulled his wand ready to strike down the intruder but breathe a sigh of relief when he found Narcissa standing in the doorway to the study.

"New developments." He poured himself a glass and turned silently offering her one. She shook her head in the negative.

Narcissa made her way to the couch and sat; Lucius joined his wife seconds later sighing as he sank into the leather.

"How was it?" she asked offering him a small friendly smile.

He began, "Talbot."

She rolled her eyes dramatically, "I though the Dark Lord would have dispensed with that old fool by now."

"Well, he was about to along with James, but Talbot brought up the subject of the girl's ability to conceive and then she stated otherwise. I doubt if the Dark Lord brought her out to speak but she made a bold declaration stating she is currently expecting."

He couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"You don't believe her?"

"No, from the initial reports I saw it will be a miracle if she ever can."

"If that is the case, then the Dark Lord is scrambling right about now which isn't good for any of us."

"That's why I fear for the girl, he's at his most dangerous and unstable when he doesn't have the upper hand or feels his control is slipping."

He sighed pinching the bridge of his nose.

"You care about her." Narcissa stated.

Lucius regarded her for a moment. Should he be honest or dismissive? He took a moment to rack his brain wondering where and when the dynamic of their union moved from a hostile facade of keeping up tradition to friends?

"More than I should I am afraid to admit."

She reached for his hand he opened his mouth to speak but she shook her head, "you don't have to explain. No details it's not safe for me to know nor for you to voice anything aloud. But do be careful. You deserve to be happy. You are a good man that has done bad things."

She gave his hand a final squeeze before releasing it.

"What about the Resistance? I hear their attacks are going ever more bold," she paused, "I went to the hospital to see Anjelica. They really did a number on her Lucius." Her eyes had grown damp.

He reached for her hand holding it firmly.

"Nothing new I am afraid. The same hollow promises of vanquishing the enemy. It's okay to be afraid Narcissa; these children." He paused the word would not due them justice if anything given all they had been through was an insult.

"These young men and women are of a different breed then the Order before. Potter has been dead for over six years now, Dumbledore nearly eight and everything they cherished is but a memory they have nothing to lose."

He gave her a weak smile and released her hand.

Silence passed before she spoke again.

"I read the report on Draco," she paused standing, "don't blame yourself Lucius, it isn't all your fault."

She left the room before he could respond.

Blaise entered his small flat in the sleepy suburb; he was drained and yet he somehow had a new sense of hope. He removed the cloak and quickly replaced the charms and enchantments.

He grabbed a blank piece of parchment and was about to pin a quick note to Kingsley but decided against it. Tonight yielded nothing new. Nothing that would justify the risk of making contact. The back channel was for critical information. No, tonight only confirmed the cracks had started to penetrate the foundation.

With the Dark Lord preoccupied, the Resistance could carry on and possibly increase the intensity but given Neville's stance the group didn't need any advice there.

So, he sat at the desk his eyes landing on the wedding invitation he received a few days ago. Pansy had found her illusion of peace and wanted to share the joy of the upcoming happy occasion.

He had yet to formally accept but given that her father and older brother were vehement supports of the Regime there was no doubt that regardless if he responded or not his attendance was required.

Blaise picked up the elegant and no doubt expensive card stock. Taking his thumb he obscured the grooms name choosing to focus on the dainty curved letters that spelled out her full name. Briefly, he allowed himself to fantasize that his name was in italics next to hers and slowly moved away his thumb. He scoffed as the first letter was revealed and he quickly dropped the invite and rose from the desk heading to the bathroom.

He had promised himself he wouldn't start that again and the young man wondered when the longing would pass.