A Tale of Two Wizards

Disclaimer: Not mine I am afraid... damn!

Friendship Is Constant?

Hermione looked at Snape again; he moved up her body to kiss her neck, but she winced, as he did so.

"I am sorry Hermione,” he said. "I forgot you were in pain. I cannot do this to you, not whilst you are disabled."

"I can cope," she said through gritted teeth. "I really want to do this!"

"I can't. It will hurt you too much," he said. "Come on, I'll give you a bath."

He moved slowly off her, and then he took her hand, and leant her against him with love and care, and took her to the bathroom. He gently eased her into the bath, and took her hair in his hands; he opened a draw and brought out a brush. He knelt down behind her and took her long, soft luxurious locks in his hands, and started from the bottom brushing her hair, and she closed her eyes, and murmured the nearer he got to her scalp, as he got nearer with the brush so his body moved nearer too. She let her head rest against his heartbeat, and he smiled. He then put the brush aside and set his hands on her shoulders beginning to massage them and make her really relaxed.

"You are actually, according to your little speech yesterday, making love to me you know," she murmured dreamily.

"I know," he replied. "And isn't it just as fun and exciting?"

"In a more subtle sense, yes," she replied. "Although, I can't actually feel anything but relaxed, and I want to feel so much more than that."

He took her face in his hands and circulated the muscles in there. He leant down and placed his lips on her heart shaped ones and kissed her deeply, letting his tongue explore her mouth once again, capturing her sweet taste, her beautiful essence, her subtle flavour was all his to taste, his to feel.

"There do you feel something a bit more now?" He asked.

She licked her lips to try and get every vestige of his sour but wonderful taste inside her that went so well with hers.

"Wonderful," she murmured. "Absolutely wonderful."

Snape took his shirt off and dipped his hands in the bath to massage her breasts, and she snuggled further into his bosom, her soft hair making his heart beat ever faster, the touch made him want her ever so much. Why had he been so horrible to her? Was it because deep down inside he knew that they were compatible? Yes, that was it, and he didn't want them to be, until, of course, he seduced her in the dungeons. It awakened those feelings that he dare not let himself have. It opened up a Pandora’s box of trouble. He was not supposed to fall in love, especially with an ex-student. No matter how bloody attractive she was! But, here he was touching the milk white silken breasts of Hermione Granger who was responding with moans and murmurs moving her head on his bosom trying to kiss his skin with her lips. Then Hiccup unexpectedly popped up.

"Hiccup!" Snape snapped. "What do you want?"

"Um," Hiccup said fiddling about with her loincloth. "Master has visitor."

"Who?"

"Visitor told Hiccup not to reveal his name, but he said that you were old friends."

Hermione got up with a start, and immediately regretted the action, as her legs began throbbing with pain.

"Tell the visitor I'll be down in a minute," Snape replied. He looked at Hermione, and Hermione looked at him. Both knew who it was, and both thought he was dead.

"You can't go down he'll kill you to get this place back. And when he finds out about me..." Hermione left the sentence hanging.

"Don't worry darling," Snape purred kissing her nose swiftly and chastely. He put his shirt back on. Hermione was not very happy with that she loved looking at his chest; it was manly and strong. And the thick tufts of black hair covering his nipples only served to make her more excited. She sighed.

Hiccup had reappeared.

"Can Hiccup do anything for Master?" Hiccup asked.

"Yes, Hiccup can wash Hermione, and then help her out of the bath you have Masters permission to rub the lotion already prepared for her, and to use magic to cover her legs and body in bandages all right."

"Hiccup hears to obey," she bowed on the floor.

Snape was troubled. Deeply troubled. He saw him die. He saw the bastard die for crying out loud! What could have gone wrong? He put his cloak back on and smiled as he looked in the mirror. Whatever HE thought, Severus Snape was Lord of the Manor now!

**********************************

Harry was also troubled. He had gone to Hogwarts and cheerfully looked at Hagrids rebuilt hut, oh, the happy times spent in there. He smiled a little warmly of the first tea he had with Hagrid, and then frowned remembering it was also after his first Potions lesson. He sighed and took his wand out to open the gate. Hagrid wouldn't be expecting him it would be a pleasant surprise. He walked up the driveway and knocked on Hagrids door.

"FANG KEEP YER SLOBBER OFF ME DINNER!" Hagrid yelled from inside. Harry was laughing silently to himself.

"Hello Hagrid," Harry said.

"'Arry what you doin' 'ere?"

"Come on, can't two old friends have a chat?"

"Thought you was lookin out for...!"

"How did you know that?"

"Had someone come over," Hagrid mumbled.

"Who?"

"Strange, it were 'Ermione," Hagrid said. "Then she said that she was off to do summit, and she din't tell me what it was; then bold as brass Snape comes walkin' in 'ere without even knockin' and asked 'Ermione if she were ready! Ready for what I wonder?"

"Don't know why I let Snape live on that condition," Harry said thinking aloud.

"What condition?" Hagrid asked.

"Oh, I asked Snape if he could teach Hermione the Wolfsbane Potion for Lupins benefit due to his impending fatherhood, and, well, I thought Snape would hate Hermione enough to get it over and done with as soon as possible, but it appears he won't let her out of his sight."

"Why's that?"

"Because she tried to escape and guess what," Harry said sarcastically. "She fell down the stairs, which has made it impossible for her to walk, so Snape has just informed me, and he won't let her go to St Mungo's due to what he thinks of it being infiltrated by his Death Eater buddies!"

"It is bein' infiltrated 'Arry," Hagrid said. "It's been all over the Daily Prophet haven't you read any of it?"

"No, I've been too busy," Harry replied.

Hagrid got up to a pile of papers and dragged out from the pile the latest edition and this is what it said.

'NO WHERE IS SAFE

It has recently been confirmed by the spokeswitch for St Mungo's hospital that the deaths of Frank and Alice Longbottom were not as previously believed due to their all ready ill status. That they were murdered in their beds in a cruel and heartless way, traces of some dark poison were found on their lips and there were some bruising found on the neck and body of Alice who was believed to be raped viciously before her death.

It is believed the vile acts are that of none other than the Death Eaters, loyal supporters of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. 'We are gravely sorry as the two people concerned have a son who came to visit them once a year, and we feel absolutely devastated for his sake.' The son, 17-year-old Neville Longbottom, used to attend Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and best friends with Harry Potter, the Chosen One. He had this to say. 'I have a bloody good idea who it was and I will get them. They are MINE!' You have been warned!'

Harry felt sick to the stomach. Even the Daily Prophet seemed to agree that this was a disgusting and perverted act.

"Who'd do this?"

"Huh, give you two guesses, and no, Snape won't 'ave done that whatever you feel abou' 'im!"

Harry had to grudgingly give Hagrid that point. Snape would not have done that. He just murdered defenceless old men.

"Lestrange’s!" He muttered through clenched teeth.

"Got that right!" Hagrid muttered. He folded the Daily Prophet and put it back where it belonged.

"Poor Nev," Harry sighed sipping into his tea. "So, what do you make of the Snape and Hermione scenario. She must be under constant torture, and the fact that he doesn't like her thrown into the equation..." Harry’s sentence trailed off.

Hagrid did not look at Harry as he replied stirring his tea.

"Whatever you do, don't go in there on a rescue mission, if 'Ermione was in serious trouble you'd know!"

************************************

Snape opened the door to the Library; it was always the room the guests were sent to, and so that is where he went. He opened the door, and there he stood, very much alive; his long hair flowing down his back straight, and blonde, as it had always been. He had his back turned, and then he turned around; he smiled a sunny cheerful smile.

"Hello, Severus," he greeted.

"Lucius," Snape inclined his head to a slight nod in acknowledgment. "Might I ask how is it possible you're still alive when I saw you die right in front of me?" He asked after he had poured out a whiskey each for them.

"Simple, old boy, P J P!"

Snape spluttered out his fire whiskey.

"But, who was it that died instead? Can I see proof that you are indeed Lucius Malfoy?"

"Of course, old boy," Lucius said. He opened his arm, and revealed the Mark; it was showing black and bold on his pale skin. "As for whom it was that took my place, well, that is simple. It was Narcissa; the old ball and chain was beginning to get rusty."

"HOW?" Snape yelled.

"And don't you dare deny to me that you've been keeping your eye on my wife and my Mansion for a long time now!" Lucius explained coolly. "Oh, don't worry I still like you for the pain in the neck that you are. Aren't younger brothers supposed to annoy their older ones?"

"So, I suppose you'll want to move back in?" Snape asked.

"Oh no, our Master has something for me to do," Lucius said walking around and touching his old furniture. "Seeing as you don't spy anymore; that has left a vacancy. One I am willing to fill. I must admit I have longed to be you for a while. Swapping roles would be quite fun wouldn't it old chap!"

"I suppose it would yes," Snape mumbled.

"By the by, Sevvie, your elf mentioned something about tending to the invalid Mistress. A woman Sevvie? You?"

"She's not exactly the Mistress, Lucius, she's more an encumbrance," Snape replied. Lucius smirked gleefully at seeing his younger brother squirm.

"Let's meet her then," he said.

"No, she can barely walk, let alone apparate," Snape replied.

"Oh, come on, Sevvie, let me meet her, and let me decide if she's right enough for you. Take me to her if she can't come to me."

Snape nodded glumly and led the way up the stairs. He took Lucius to his old bedroom and opened the door and peeked through.

"Wait here," he said to Lucius. Lucius decided to stay because he found eavesdropping much more fun anyway, and besides he needed to brush up on his spying technique. He could not quite hear what was going on, and he guessed that he was in trouble of never finding out whom this mystery woman was. It must be someone extremely special for Snape to go to these sorts of lengths to protect her. And that made him open the door.

"Coming ready or not!" He burst in the door to find Snape trying to hide someone comfortably in a wardrobe. He leant against the door insolently and folded his arms across his chest. "Hiding our favourite toy are we Sevvie?" He asked in a mock baby tone that Bellatrix assumed a lot when teasing someone.

"It's not what it appears," Snape said.

"It's all right," a familiar voice said. "If he wants to meet me fine!"

To Lucius Malfoy's utter surprise, (and a little delight), he saw Hermione Granger step out of the wardrobe, all womanly with his dead wife's nightdress on. The one that happened to be Lucius' favourite.

"And how do you like my old Manor, Miss Granger?" He asked.

******************

Harry had slept in Hagrids hut. He was lying on the over large chair his glasses skewiff, and his hair tattier than ever. Fang was sprawled across the floor, and Hagrid was in the bed trying to keep himself covered with his self made patchwork quilt. He awoke with a start, as he remembered the night’s previous events. His conversation with Snape, and later all what had happened in St Mungo’s. Why did he let him go yet again? Why, despite the fact that he did not trust him one bit, did he let Him care for his best friend? What had Snape ever done for him?

'He saved your life on your first Quidditch match that's what,' a small voice whispered inside his head. 'He did not have to, remember, Harry, he could have left you hanging, but he saved your life, and was so worried that he refereed the next game to make sure you were alright!' The voice sounded remarkably like Hermione's. ‘For a whole year he was acting in your best interests and the schools, he could have gone back to Lord Voldemort then but he didn't.’ He waited his time though, Harry thought, gritting his teeth, and looking ahead into the fire that so far held no blaze. He looked at Hagrid, and decided he'd walk over to the fireplace he spotted a jar of Floo powder next to it, and took a pinch, and then stepped in the fire.

"The Burrow!" He said loud and clear. He was gone. Hagrid snored and turned over and stayed asleep.

Harry landed on the sooty fireplace in the Burrow where Ginny was still waiting for him on the sofa.

"Well?" She asked. Her arms folded across her chest.

"Well what?" Harry asked.

"Who was it?"

"No one, Gin, best go back to bed eh?"

"Oh no we're not," Ginny said. "I want to know what it was you were doing, and I want to know why you feel you can't talk to me."

"It's to keep you safe, the less you know, the less Voldemort will be interested in you. I can't risk it Gin."

"Just tell me whom it was that sent that Patronus and tell me why!"

Harry walked up to the kitchen sink, and ran some cold water he was soon splashing his face to wake himself up he turned to his girlfriend and walked up to her.

"Promise me you won't tell Ron?" He whispered. He took her arms in his hands and looked directly at her. She looked back up at him and then looked down.

"I promise," she said looking back into his eyes. Harry went to the kettle to make them a cup of tea. Feeling like they were married Ginny walked up to Harry, and wrapped her arms around his waist, and snuggled her head into his back. Harry sighed and turned around and took her small hands in his and kissed each finger tenderly and lovingly. The kettle whistled, and then he poured the water into the pot and let the tea brew. Once the tea was made they both sat down on the sofa.

"I gave Snape his life on one condition," Harry said. "That was to teach Hermione the Wolfsbane Potion, I was banking on his hatred of Hermione to get it over and done with. Hermione, though, tried to escape!"

"I don't blame her I wouldn't want to be near two centimetres of that man!" Ginny exclaimed forcefully her brown eyes having a flint hard expression.

"During her escape a hexed stair tripped her up, and now she can't walk, so Snape say's he can't teach her the Potion until she has fully recovered."

"Did you ask to see Hermione?" Ginny asked. "I mean, Harry, how can you take his word for it!"

"It's very difficult to believe him, but then some things were said tonight that has sort of made me think twice about his predicament. I told him that he was to get Hermione better get that potion inside her head and make sure she stays alive."

"I would have asked for proof," Ginny said.

"I was tired Ginny, and something else was on my mind," he said. He looked at her his fringe was flopping into his eyes and they sparkled mischievously. "For some reason I had a vision of you on the sofa naked and beautiful."

Ginny blushed, and then she looked up at Harry, and smiled wickedly at him. She took his coat zip, and then slowly tugged it down. She expertly unclasped it and then she undid the pyjama top, and then she took his hands, and drew them to her body. She placed them on her breasts, and Harry leaned forward and captured her mouth with his and the lion roared inside his chest again and he smiled, as they broke apart. Harry hitched up her nightdress and was about to feel her more before seeing her naked when a pop appeared in the fireplace. It was Fred and George.

"Shame! Shame!" one said.

"Know your name!" another replied.

"Scandal Harry absobloodylutely a scandal," George said when he turned around to reveal the G - sweater. Ginny bought her nightdress down without so much as a flicker of an eyelash and Harry was blushing to the roots of his hair.

"WHAT IS THAT NOISE?" Molly yelled.

"It's all right mum it's just us," Fred yelled taking a slice of bread to toast. "You should be more worried about Ginny than us!"

"Shut up," Ginny hissed.

"Gonna make us?"

Ginny whipped her wand out from her knickers, she expertly twisted the wand and thought Muffliato, and the twins couldn't talk.

"Yes I am!" She said. Harry laughed. He loved this family, he loved Molly and Arthur, but most of all he loved Ginny!

***********************************

Hermione had to be supported back to bed, as she still could not walk.

"Oh don't worry Severus," Lucius said smoothly cutting in. "Let big brother show you." He took her hand in his and lent an arm around her waist. Hermione hated his cold touch, she hated the silky way he did it, and she hated his confidence. He walked her to her bed without even a slight bit of effort. "See, Severus, it's all about how to carry oneself. You carry yourself like a baboon at times how you think you can manage holding someone else is beyond me. It seems, Miss Granger, that you need me to look after you."

He turned around and flashed his most dazzling smile.

"When I first met you, you insulted Harry, the entire Weasley family, Arthur’s competence as a father, and my parents, and you think I need you?" She asked with a bite in her tone, which did not go unnoticed.

Lucius frowned slightly, and then leant down on the bed a tall threatening image of the devil; Snape was just his shy assistant.

"Things change, Miss Granger," he purred. "People change. Indeed your parents must indeed be strong people to have had to cope with you as a daughter. How do they feel at their only child being a witch?"

"They are proud of me Mr Malfoy," she said truthfully. "If a little bewildered; my dad jokes that it must be from my mum’s side of the family."

Malfoy's frown darkened. He didn't expect her to have this spirit in her if she was physically unable to defend herself. Truth be told, as soon as he touched her hand he felt the power within her. It shot through him, and as soon as her body leant against his, it was almost like an electric shock. Yes, Malfoy knew about electricity. He always believed you had to understand what it was you were against. If anything his knowledge of muggles and their customs was more extensive than Weasley's!

Severus was watching the whole scenario with fear and anticipation, he was unsure of this new development. Lucius Malfoy could charm the birds from the skies, and he knew Hermione, though strong in her opinions, was still a woman at the end of the day. Lucius even managed to seduce Lily Evans once. And Lily Evans was not exactly a stupid idiot. He was looking at them together, and then he sighed inwardly, as he turned to the mirror. Lucius always made him feel like this, inferior under the cover of being big brother, and Lucius always muscled in on a girl that Severus had his eye on. Hermione would see that she had made the mistake, or rather, Lucius would make her see that she had.

"Tell me, Miss Granger," Lucius said, as he smiled a disarming smile, which Hermione was trying not to look at. "You haven't answered my question, do you like this place?"

"It's all right, I've seen better," Hermione replied shrugging her shoulders. "Chatsworth, now there's a house. Longleat has a wildlife park and house tours and it was where I touched my first snake. I touched my second here!"

She replied. Severus was startled at that reply. He didn't know whom she meant by that statement; he tried to figure it out, but he couldn't look in her eyes, as Lucius back was obscuring the view, and he felt he couldn't move. All he could do was watch helplessly, as Hermione was having a conversation with what could potentially turn out to be his love rival.

"You touched your first snake," Lucius smiled. "How old were you?"

"Six, it was on a school trip. You know I just realised it can't be that far from here, it's in the same county after all. Lord Bath is so hilarious, that's my idea of purity, eccentric and odd!"

Lucius scowled again he weren't sure if he or she had the upper hand of the conversation. He never had any doubt with Narcissa, he always knew she listened to, and believed every word he said. Hermione Granger was a challenge, and one he would not mind contending with. He turned to Severus.

"Still here baby brother?" He asked. "I am sure Miss Granger needs a restorative potion."

"Actually all Miss Granger needs is to be left alone," Snape replied. "Let's have another drink and then I'll see about lunch."

"I'd rather stay here and get to know Miss Granger," Lucius said. "Why don't you toddle off and play with your chemistry set, Severus?"

Snape gritted his teeth, arrogant rich bastard, he thought, take a hint she doesn't like you even with my poor people skills I can tell that Malfoy. No amount of flirting will make her like you! He walked out of the room all the same to give Hermione a chance. That is what she deserved, a chance, to make Malfoy realise what a worm to humanity he was.


A/N Okay, I hope that sorts the Lucius problem out! Lord Bath happens to be one of my favourite Lords, and I so want to meet him. He's sort of a real life Dumbledore...