Sinecure

SIN-i-kyoo-r | noun

1: An office or position requiring little or no work, especially one yielding profitable returns

This was shaping up to be one of the most awkward dates that she had ever experienced, and she had once been on a date with Dennis Creevey at Madam Puddifoot's. She stared across the table at Severus, who seemed to be stoically ignoring his date in favor of glaring daggers at hers. She refrained from rolling her eyes at him and swore that she wouldn't use this as an 'I told you so' at home tonight.

"I can't help but say again how lovely you look tonight, Hermione," Lucius purred into her ear. She blushed and smiled, turning to meet his eyes. Grey steel glittered warmly back at her.

"Thank you, Lucius. And thank you for inviting me out tonight. I'm having a wonderful time."

He pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "It is my pleasure, my dear. Let us thank Severus and Maria for agreeing to accompany us this evening. They have been such pleasant company, have they not?"

The woman in question smiled brightly while Severus merely rolled his eyes at his friend. "Indeed, Lucius, you did a wonderful job of setting us up."

Hermione bit her lip to keep from grinning at him. She knew fully well the kind of ranting that would be had at home tonight. Lucius's bits would likely be threatened for daring to lay hands on her. She turned to press a kiss to the senior Malfoy's cheek. "Should we dance?"

The restaurant in which Lucius was treating them all – and which he likely owned, but she wasn't about to ask – featured a lovely little dance floor. The string quartet on the stage was playing a slow number and, while she knew she shouldn't, she couldn't help but enjoy the look on Severus's face when Lucius stood from his chair and offered his hand to her with a bow.

He led her to the floor and gathered her in his arms, moving them smoothly into a waltz. The feel of his hands on her was foreign but she smiled anyway and pulled closer to him. His own smile answered her.

"You know, Hermione, when Narcissa died, I never imagined that one day-"

She blushed and opened her mouth to interrupt him. She couldn't let him start to confess. It would be wrong of her to lead her on in such a manner. He silenced her with only a raised brow.

"I never imagined that one day it would allow me to play with Severus in such a spectacular manner," he continued. "Partly because I never imagined that Severus would be stupid enough to cover up a relationship with such a stunning young woman as yourself."

It was lucky that Lucius was such an accomplished dancer because his leading was all that kept her moving as she stared at him blankly.

"Oh, come now, did you think that I hadn't noticed him glowering at me all evening?"

"Did you know before tonight?"

A smile split his face. "With all due respect, Hermione, while you are quite a catch, you aren't quite my type."

She gaped at him in a manner that was quite unbecoming, she was sure. "So this was all a ruse?"

He inclined his head gracefully. "If you will. Perhaps the man will do something stupid and blow the secret. Shall we push him? Perhaps we'll locate his limits."

She bit her lip. She had been trying to convince Severus for weeks that they didn't need to hide their relationship for her benefit, which he insisted was the reasoning. He worried that he would sully her reputation. Lucius was offering her a choice opportunity. "What did you have in mind?"

oOo

What in Merlin's name was she doing? When he had agreed to this, albeit reluctantly, he hadn't expected this. Lucius was flirting with his woman and she was flirting back. Aggressively. She laughed at his joke – a bad one – and he leaned in, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth, only barely skirting her lips. His eyes narrowed.

"I need a drink," he ground out, pushing back roughly from the table and heading toward the bar, his back stiff.

He knew why she was doing this. She thought that if she could push far enough, he would break. "Shot of whisky," he growled to the bartender. He was annoyed and, if he were being honest with himself, he was jealous, but she would have to push harder than that. He didn't think that she would do it.

"I'm willing to be seen with Lucius Malfoy laughing and having a good time," she said from behind him.

He mumbled his thanks to the barkeep and threw back his shot with a grimace. "Lucius Malfoy is, for some godsforsaken reason, better liked than I am. Hell, he owns this place and three others just like it. You'd be better off linked to him."

She huffed. "Is that what you want?"

Frowning down at the empty glass in front of him, he slowly shook his head.

"But you don't want me linked to you."

He groaned, turning on the bar stool. "I would love to have your name linked with mine, Hermione. I don't want your name linked to what my name represents to most of the wizarding world. You might be denied opportunities because of your association with me."

She rolled her eyes. They had been over this before. If such an opportunity was denied to her because of an association with Severus Snape, then it wasn't an opportunity that she would have wanted in the first place. "Fine then."

He watched her as she made her way back to the table, watching her rear appreciatively. His date – Mary? – was throwing glances his way, but he couldn't bring himself to care because Hermione had just whispered something in Lucius's ear. Whatever that something was, it made a slow, almost predatory smile spread across the man's lips.

"Another."

oOo

Lucius really did not want to have to do this. He was already in a serious relationship, though he had been keeping it secret for an entirely different reason than Severus. Severus was his best friend. But the man had to get his head out of his ass. He held the door for Hermione, then allowed Severus to do the same for Maria.

His timing could not have been better. When Severus looked up, Lucius had Hermione in his arms and his tongue down her throat. Bingo, he thought as he heard the wordless roar just a fraction of a second before the young woman was ripped from him. Severus had his wand pressed to Lucius's throat before he could blink.

"Keep your fucking hands off of her," he snarled.

Far from being intimidated, Lucius smiled at his friend. "Ah, have we finally found the limits?" He glanced around the livid man. "Hermione, dear, didn't I tell you?"

She laid a hand on her beau's arm. "Let's go home?"

The anger did not fade from his face and, frankly, Lucius doubted if the man would calm down before he'd had a good shag or two. Perhaps he could pop by in a day or two and see whether he was forgiven. For now, however, he simply watched the two lovers blink out of sight and took the poor, bewildered Maria by the arm.

"I must offer my deepest apologies that you were caught up in what happened here tonight. I hope that you will forgive me." He paused, helping the woman into her coat. "Do offer your father my most sincere regards."

Lucius intended to do the same in person the next time he saw him.

A/N: I know the word didn't have a whole lot to do with the chapter today but I couldn't help but think of Lucius Malfoy in regards to one who works very little for a lot of financial gain. Today's my birthday so I think I deserve reviews ;)