Bellatrix looked at her sister thoughtfully. That Narcissa would go so far as to stay with her for several days in order to distance herself from her husband did not surprise her very much. She was surprised, however, by the fact that her sister now regretted having sent a letter to the Dark Lord through her. Bellatrix could understand her concern for her own family, especially for Draco. But that Narcissa put the safety of her family above her loyalty to the Dark Lord, that she rather was married to a blood traitor than to accept the death of him and his son, for that she had no understanding at all. So far, she had no reason to doubt her sister's loyalty, but she wondered what Narcissa would do if push came to shove. She herself would have no qualms about handing her own sister over to the Death Eater court if she proved unfaithful. So why did Narcissa hesitate and doubt?

"I have not yet received an answer from our Lord, Narcissa," she finally said in her warmest tone of voice, "accordingly we do not know how he views the matter. But if he has come to the conclusion that the relationship between your husband and this Mudblood is against the law, then I hope you know whose side you're on."

She could see that what she said frightened her sister and was the opposite of what she wanted to hear. Annoyed, Bellatrix rolled her eyes. Even back when Draco had been ordered to kill Dumbledore, Narcissa had asked her for help and ended up getting her involved in that pathetic Unbreakable Vow with Snape. If she had her way, he would have been the last person she chose to do it. She had always distrusted him, but at the latest since he actually killed Dumbledore and thus finally restored the Dark Lord's trust, she could no longer say anything against him. That Narcissa showed herself fearful whenever it came to herself or Draco, that her fear even went so far as to oppose the Lord to some extent gave Bellatrix a headache. What he said was law. Why was it so hard for so many people around her to just accept that?

"Do you think it's a good idea to let your husband, of all people, out of your sight in this situation?" she asked. She could understand the motivation, but she still didn't think it made sense.

"Yes," Narcissa nodded, "I invited Snape to spend the weekend with Lucius. Him, I hope, my husband will take seriously enough to finally realise how silly his Mudblood obsession is. And I won't have to watch their goings-on any longer."

"We'll see," was all Bellatrix knew to say in reply. Secretly, she was burning to know what would happen between the two men if they felt unobserved. If Snape really was the traitor she thought him to be, if there was more to Lucius and the Mudblood's affair than sex, who knew what strange blossoms would sprout in the house? In any case, both had to be watched more closely than before from now on.

Lost in thought, Bellatrix played with her slave's hair while she thought about what was going on in her sister's manor. She didn't even notice the soft purr that escaped from the red-haired young man, nor the disgusted look on her sister's face, who only now noticed that the youngest Weasley son was crouching completely naked next to the lady of the house, like a trained dog, and was longing for attention.

oOoOoOo

With a raised eyebrow, Severus Snape read through the letter from Narcissa Malfoy a third time. He couldn't figure out what it said, even though the actual request was clearly stated: he was to turn his back on Hogwarts for the weekend and keep Lucius Malfoy company. The rest sounded like he was supposed to keep tabs on her husband.

Dear Severus,

I have decided to spend the weekend with my sister, whom I have not had all to myself for too long. I long for sisterly closeness and advice during this difficult time. The reasons for this are not relevant to anyone but me, but let me tell you, they are serious.

Thus, I will leave Lucius and my son alone in the house, cared for only by the house-elves - and the Mudblood Hermione Granger. Certain events of the past few weeks, which it would be inappropriate to detail in this letter, have led me to consider that it would not be advisable to leave my husband without the company of another adult wizard.

I would be most grateful if you could take a few days off from school and your professional duties to spend the weekend at our manor. I am well aware of the fact that I already owe you more than I will ever be able to repay. But your attention in the past, especially your helpfulness in the matter of Draco, which should not play a role here, but for which I would like to thank you again, gives me hope that you will not let me down in this matter either.

With deepest gratitude and friendship,

Narcissa Malfoy

Sighing, Snape placed the letter on the small side table next to his chair. He actually spent most of the last few weeks since school started at Hogwarts, leaving Ginevra Weasley to tend the house alone. There was no actual need for him to spend nights and weekends at school, but if he was honest with himself, he wanted to avoid the young girl. The offer now to spend the weekend with the Malfoy family was tempting to him. He would be able to take Ginevra with him, so that she could once again spend time with her friend, and he himself came into the company of an intelligent man, whose conversations he appreciated despite all his differences. Moreover, it offered him a unique opportunity to perhaps finally find out a little more about what was going on in that house. The letter from Narcissa already told him everything he needed to know - she suspected her husband to be a blood traitor - but he wanted to see for himself what was going on there ever since he made the deal with the master of the house.

"Well, I guess we'll oblige the request," he finally said to himself. A handful of floo-powder brought him to his house, where he startled a reading Ginny Weasley. Silently, he packed up a few items he usually took for a house call to colleagues, instructed the highly confused Ginevra on what she would need for the weekend, and then approached her with his arm outstretched to apparate side by side with her.

A longer stay at Malfoy Manor also had the advantage of seeing Hermione Granger again.

oOoOoOo

She stood in the dining room with a motionless face, watching the silent meal that the two men were eating in front of her. Since the day Draco had revealed himself to her and Lucius Malfoy had once again come close to crossing her line, almost a week had passed. A week of silence. Neither of them had spoken a word to the other, as far as she could tell, while Narcissa Malfoy had grown more impatient and irritable by the day. Hermione felt the woman's exasperation at not knowing what was going on in her house grow steadily. Until finally, at the breakfast table, she announced that she was going to spend the weekend with her sister. And though neither man let any of it show on their faces, Hermione did feel a great sense of relief in them. If the whole situation wasn't dangerous for her - after all, Hermione had already felt Narcissa Malfoy's hatred on her own body several times - she would have almost laughed at the irony: the good wife who did everything in her power to keep the family together and protect it, that very woman was perceived as a disruptive factor by her son and husband. Even if for completely different reasons in each case, as Hermione suspected.

A soft rustling of wings heralded the arrival of an owl. Hermione recognized the small, snow-white owl that the lady of the house usually used for her personal mail, and wondered why, so shortly after her departure, Narcissa Malfoy would write a letter to her husband. The sombre expression that was more evident on the older man's face with each line he read told her that it didn't bode well.

"We're going to have a visitor," Lucius Malfoy finally announced. The astonishment that showed on Draco's face was reflected equally in Hermione's - why did Narcissa leave the house, only to invite visitors from outside while she was away?

"And who?" inquired Draco curtly.

"Severus," his father replied.

Hermione saw Draco blanch and his gaze flit briefly to her, but he quickly regained his composure and probed further, "Why? Did mother invite him?"

"She apparently feels that I can't be left without ... wait, how did she put it?" Lucius explained with cold irony, "I can't be left without a chaperone and perhaps it's time an authority other than her tried to knock some sense into me. Why she would assign Severus of all people for this particular purpose, however, is beyond my comprehension."

Now it was Hermione's turn to blanch as well. She understood only too well what Narcissa was up to: she could no longer bear the sight of her husband, but she wanted to prevent him from getting further involved with her, the Mudblood, and therefore sent a watchdog. But she didn't understand why she chose Snape - after all, Narcissa had to be aware of what had happened between her and Snape. Or was she speculating that Snape would again take her to bed and thus snatch her from her husband's hands? Did she maybe have good reason to make this assumption? Suddenly Hermione felt a chill run down her spine, and she involuntarily sought Draco's gaze.

"He will arrive for dinner."

With these words Lucius Malfoy finished his lunch, threw his napkin on the table indignantly, and disappeared without giving Draco or Hermione another glance. They, in turn, stared at each other in silence for a moment before Draco said softly, "If you want, you can sleep with me again tonight."

Relief washed over Hermione like a warm wave and she nodded with gratitude.

"But I'll warn you straight out," Draco added quickly, as if his own friendliness suddenly made him uncomfortable, "if Snape insists on spending the night with you, I certainly won't stand in his way."

"I know," Hermione replied with a pained smile, "you don't want any false attention. I doubt that Snape will openly ask for me ... he didn't ... didn't last time either. If he doesn't find me, I'm sure that'll be enough. I hope so."

She saw that concern was in Draco's eyes, but she knew he wouldn't risk his life for hers - and that he would never admit that he cared about her. With a sarcastic curtsy, Hermione left, heading for the library, where there were still tons of books waiting to be catalogued.

oOoOoOo

Heart pounding, Ginny followed her owner down the long path from the gate to the front door. She had never been to the Malfoy mansion before, but it wasn't the grandeur and size that made her heart beat faster, but the imminent reunion with Hermione. When Snape told her that he was taking her to the Malfoys, she had been beside herself with joy. Not only could she finally escape the loneliness of the small, oppressive apartment, but she also had the opportunity to talk to a familiar person again.

Full of anticipation, she stood next to Snape, staring at the large, dark wooden door that slowly opened - and was disappointed to find that it was not Hermione but a house-elf who welcomed her. She quickly called herself to order, however; as she would get to see Hermione soon enough. For now, she followed her former teacher through the entrance hall into a small, cosy room with a fireplace and a few armchairs, which apparently served as a reception room for friends of the house.

"Severus!" they were greeted by the deep, always a little condescending sounding voice of Lucius Malfoy, "Nice to see you again for once. And you even brought your little slave girl, how thoughtful."

"Yes, yes," came the cold retort from Snape, "save it. We both know why I'm here. I'd like to talk to you a little more about the occasion, after all, your own wife is accusing you of some pretty serious stuff."

Ginny was surprised to see Malfoy's usually perfect mask slip very briefly, but he seemed to catch himself quickly, for a sarcastic grin immediately plastered his face. "Oh, that. Yes. Gladly. But why don't you send your little redheaded companion away first? Or do you want her to join me?"

The man's lewd smile made Ginny shudder. Had Lucius Malfoy always been a lecherous old man? In her mind, the greasy man always seemed as if he had no use for sex - and Hermione had not mentioned that he had taken advantage of her in that way. But before the fear could really settle in her, Snape intervened, "I know you like young blood, but she's just eighteen. And she's mine. So don't even play with the idea. Better send a house-elf to lead her to Granger. She'll be happy to give her a hand with her chores."

Gratefully, Ginny noted that Snape did not only save her from the blond man's disgusting grasp, but at the same time provided her with an opportunity to spend some time alone with Hermione. Relieved and impatient, she followed the quickly summoned house elf through the dark, painting-covered corridors of the massive manor.