Potter Manor
Lily was still angry with Severus, and wasn't looking forward to the summer, where she would see him, or might run into him, on a regular basis. That alone provided the impetus for Lily to put herself forward, and ask Hermione if she might stay the summer at Potter Manor. Hermione was delighted with idea and wrote to her mother at once. Lily viewed the whole situation with some trepidation. She knew how she felt about James, but he hadn't really done anything lately to indicate whether he still liked her or not. Admittedly, he had been very busy this last year. No doubt finding out that his sister was a Seer had caused some sleepless nights and worry on his part. Still…if a boy liked a girl then he told her…right? She punched her pillow and tossed and turned restlessly. Her door creaked and she sat up suddenly, her heart pounding.
"Lils? Are you sleeping?" Hermione whispered loudly. Lily sighed in relief.
"No, Hermione, I can't sleep. What are you doing up?" Lily asked curiously. Hermione closed the door behind her and tiptoed to Lily's bed.
"Lucius owled me," she whispered softly, her face illuminated by the tip of her wand. "He wants to meet. I was thinking, we need to meet somewhere neutral. How does muggle London sound?"
"You want me to go with you?" Lily asked in pleased surprise. Hermione giggled.
"I've told Lucius he has to wear blue jeans, and a t-shirt, I need back up for witnessing this historic event," Hermione whispered conspiratorially. Lily snorted.
"You just want to see his butt in a pair of jeans. How can you be that naughty when you've got Sirius?" Lily demanded.
"I'm not cheating, or anything," Hermione said sanctimoniously. "I just want to see what he'd look like in muggle clothes. I've always wondered and this is my one chance."
"Won't you have to meet him a lot? Muggle London will probably be your best choice for any future meetings," Lily pointed out. Hermione shook her head.
"No, since I've turned seventeen, we plan to use one of my dower houses to meet. This is basically it," Hermione explained.
"One of your dower houses?" Lily said faintly. Hermione snorted.
"That's what Sev said, too," she replied without thinking. Then the two of them looked at one another sadly. "He won't return any of my owls."
"You've been writing to him?" Lily asked in surprise. Hermione looked at her.
"Of course. You haven't been?" Hermione demanded.
"Hermione, you could have died! Thank Merlin, he taught us the counter curse, or you would be!" Lily snapped.
"It was an accident, Lily. I know he's punishing himself for months, and he refuses to talk to me. Severus can't be allowed to brood, he'll just get depressed. I'm hoping that Lucius will be able to help me convince him that he needs to get over this. In addition, I'm hoping that he can tell me how Regulus is doing, and whether or not he's had to take the Mark yet," Hermione whispered urgently. Lily nodded.
"Okay, then. Yes, I'll go with you," Lily whispered back. "How are we going to sneak passed your brother and your boyfriend?"
"Don't worry, I have a plan," Hermione whispered confidently.
Sneaking out of Potter Manor proved to be far easier than Lily had thought it would be. Perhaps that was because Mrs. Potter was an eager accomplice. Then again, if Lily were the mother of a pretty girl who had a drop dead gorgeous live-in boyfriend, maybe she'd try to help said daughter spend several hours away from said boyfriend. Regardless, the girls soon found themselves giggling like maniacs on the Knight Bus, headed into downtown London. It was an exceptionally warm day, so Hermione and Lily were wearing shorts and halter tops with sandals. Lily had opted for flip-flops, but Hermione wore espadrilles wedges. Lily groaned as they made their way down the street toward the café where they were meeting Lucius.
"What is it?" Hermione stopped and turned to her friend. Lily rolled her eyes.
"I forgot what happens when you're out in muggle London," Lily muttered. "Keep moving. Let's get to that café."
If Lily weren't so frustrated, Lucius' reaction to Hermione's muggle clothes might have amused her greatly. His eyes widened in shock as he took in her outfit, and as her hips gently swayed as she moved toward him, Lily saw him swallow hard. He stood immediately, as soon as they got to the table, and Lily admired the view for a moment. The blue jeans clung to his muscled thighs, and the t-shirt stretched over his broad chest. Lily's mouth felt dry. Hermione put her hands on his chest and kissed him on the cheek. Lily smiled to herself. It was a good thing Sirius wasn't here to see that. It wouldn't matter that that was how she greeted most males that she considered friends, including Severus and her own brother. No, all that would matter was that it was Lucius.
"Lily," he said coolly, nodding his head politely. He turned to Hermione and quirked a brow. "Are you in need of a chaperone, now?"
"I considered that it might be prudent," Hermione replied mildly. Lucius frowned.
"Has he offered for you then?" Lucius asked, then he caught himself. "I apologize. It is none of my business. I asked you here today to talk of other matters."
"He hasn't yet," Hermione said softly, placing her fingertips on his arm. "I think he may speak to his Uncle Alphard about it."
"I see," Lucius said gravely, his face solemn. He looked at her for a moment and then said gently. "I hope that you will be happy, whatever you choose."
"Thank you, Lucius. I, too, hope for your happiness," she replied. He nodded.
"Things are progressing as they should. I don't believe my father or hers would invite you to the wedding because the Dark Lord is quite displeased with Charlus Potter currently. I hope that you are being very careful, my lioness. He has decided to try for James." Lucius said carefully. Hermione nodded. She had expected this.
"James is a powerful wizard. If he were to acquire him…it would be a victory," Hermione acknowledged quietly.
"What?" Lily demanded in a harsh whisper. "Are you serious? Is he…going to come after James or something?"
"No, he'll try to court him," Hermione said coldly, her lips twisting in distaste as she said the word 'court'. Lucius nodded, impressed.
"Have you Seen it?" He asked curiously. Hermione frowned, and shook her head.
"No…not yet," she murmured. "How about Regulus? Has he accepted the Mark?"
"Yes, as soon as school was done. He made every effort to look as eager as possible, and the Dark Lord was somewhat mollified by Regulus' exuberance. Severus and I have done what we can from within. I was worried about what happened at Hogwarts, but it has worked dramatically in our favor. It was perhaps a very good thing that Severus lost control that day. The Dark Lord perceives him as very…enthusiastic for the cause, and that is for the best," Lucius reported quietly.
With one arm along the back of Hermione's chair, and with his head tilted toward hers, it looked as though Lucius and Hermione were young lovers to the muggles. Lily knew that in the wizarding world, subtle cues would say almost the opposite. Lucius was careful to never touch Hermione in any way. He had his head tilted toward her, but not too close. Lily was there as a chaperone, to ensure correct behavior. This outing would be considered innocent by the most stringent matron in their world. Lily wondered about what Lucius had asked Hermione. Was he suggesting that Sirius might offer for Hermione? How would that even work since he was disowned? Was that why Sirius would discuss things with Uncle Alphard? Lily wondered what would happen if a wizard wanted to offer for her. Would he need to talk to her parents, or would he get some sort of dispensation because she was muggleborn? She shook her head and turned her attention back to Lucius and Hermione.
"How is Severus?" Hermione asked sadly. "He won't respond to any of my owls."
"You haven't been writing him!" Lucius was aghast. "For Merlin's sake, Hermione, stop immediately. Severus is staying with Death Eaters right now, of course he can't return respond. Are you trying to have him killed?"
"I didn't realize," Hermione gasped, horrified. "I—I just miss him. I want him to know that I understand, that I'm not mad at him."
"I will pass it along," Lucius muttered. "He has been very upset about the whole matter. He punishes himself for it."
"I knew that he would," Hermione said with a sigh. "Tell him that the very first full moon of the new school year, he'd better meet me in our room, or I'll show up in the dungeon to find out why."
"I will pass that along as well," Lucius said dryly.
"Is there anyone you feel has potential?" Hermione asked him curiously. He nodded thoughtfully.
"I believe so, but I am leery of exposing you to them. Once we have access to the château, I will consider bringing them to you. I think if we did a fidelous charm, blindfolded them, fed them veritaserum, questioned them, and then bound them with Unbreakable Vows—it might be safe enough to risk it," Lucius explained carefully. Hermione just looked at him.
"I don't know Lucius, that sounds like a hasty, ill-thought out plan to me," she said dryly. Lily giggled, and Lucius glared at her.
"I worry for your safety," he said at last. "If anyone knew that you were doing this, never mind that you are a Seer, he would want your blood. It is a dangerous path that you have chosen, my lioness. You can at least allow us to make it difficult to try and kill you."
"You are right, Lucius. Forgive me," Hermione said contritely. Lucius shook his long, blond hair at her.
"No, there is nothing to forgive. I just need you to understand how precarious your life is becoming. It does worry me, Hermione. If anything should happen to you," he paused and frowned at the table considering his words carefully. "It would be devastating to the work you are trying to do."
"Of course," Hermione said quietly.
HP/HG/HP
"Mum, are you in here? Lily and I brought you a present. Oh, Mr. Black, how pleasant to see you again. You remember my friend Lily Evans?" Hermione recovered quickly from her surprise at seeing Alphard Black sitting in her mother's parlor with her father and Sirius.
"Is that what you wore in muggle London?" Sirius demanded, as he stared at her outfit. The vein in his temple was throbbing and he was turning red. Hermione frowned at him.
"Well of course, Sirius. I certainly can't wear robes," she said slowly, as though she didn't know why he was upset. Lily hid a smile. Hermione probably didn't know why he was upset. She didn't really consider herself to be anything fabulous. She thought she was passingly pretty. She walked into the parlor, her hips swaying with each step until she was standing near her parents. Sirius was staring at her hips, and he swallowed. She sat down gracefully, and crossed her ankles.
"But, look at you!" Sirius said, waving a hand at the expanse of bare leg that was currently exposed to his view. Charlus Potter frowned at his daughter's bare legs.
"Princess, I'm not sure that those, whatever they are, is something that a proper young lady should be wearing in downtown London," he said cautiously, his face disturbed. Hermione flushed with anger.
"It was an exceptionally warm day," she bit out between clenched teeth. "Every other woman in London was wearing almost exactly what we are wearing now. It is perfectly acceptable attire."
"Perhaps, princess, but that doesn't mean that I like the idea of strange men seeing you dressed like that," her father said with a worried frown. Hermione shot a glare at Lily, daring her to pipe up with some of the horror stories she had about Hermione's escapades in London. Lily shook her head slightly. She wasn't going to tell on Hermione. Least of all when Sirius was already upset. "I think from now on I shall have James or myself escort you into London."
"But, Daddy!" Hermione gasped, staring at her father in shock. He shook his head at her.
"This is not up for discussion, princess," he said firmly. Hermione turned her head and looked at the wall, refusing to make eye contact with anyone. He turned back to Alphard, and smiled tightly. "Now, Alphard, where were we?"