Spoilers: Order of the Phoenix
A face appeared in the fire.
"Severus!"
The dark silhouette moved smoothly in front of the fireplace.
"Lucius," he said gravely.
"May I talk to you? It's about Draco."
Severus simply nodded, mindful of the lie, and Lucius Malfoy stepped out of the fireplace. The way the blonde man looked around him was enough for the Potions Master to understand. A quick flick of his wand, words muttered under his breath, and the room was protected by wards of silence. The cold grey eyes peered into the black ones.
"He wants her," he said bluntly.
"Her?"
No emotion in the velvet voice. The tone was even, unconcerned.
"The Granger girl."
"What for exactly?" he asked coldly. "Just because she's Potter's sidekick?"
"No. Something about virgin blood and unicorn blood. Yes, Severus, she's a virgin," he added when seeing the brief look of surprise on the other man's face.
"How do you know for sure?"
"Draco cast a spell on her last week. Did you talk to Weasley?" Lucius added with a smirk.
"Weasley is her jealous brother, nothing else," Severus replied, distracted, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Never mind. A witch like her, so powerful – even though she's a Mudblood – and a virgin, it's almost too tempting for him. He would love for her to bear his heir."
Severus grunted noncommittally.
"You know, he seems to believe she has the blood of three of the Founders in her veins," Lucius continued, settling down in a comfortable armchair. "All, except Slytherin, naturally. An old prophecy. You know how he believes in this rubbish. As he claims to be Salazar's heir, it would mean their offspring would have the blood of the four Founders. Yet another prophecy."
"Merlin preserves us," Severus growled. "The Dark Lord always has strange ideas. Narcissist too. Salazar's heir, ha!"
"Well, he does speak Parseltongue," Lucius said defensively.
"I know. Thank you for the warning, I will do what should be done."
Lucius nodded and rose from his seat.
"Very well. Ah, don't forget to raise a bit Draco's grades. I don't tolerate very well him being behind a Mudblood."
"Then tell him to work more and flirt less. I'll see what I can do."
Lucius heard his dismissal and shrugged carelessly. He stepped into the fireplace and Severus was once again alone in his dungeons.
"Albus, we have a problem."
"Don't we always…" muttered Albus, for once not in a good mood.
Severus raised his eyebrow.
"That was worthy of me."
Albus sighed and took a sherbet lemon.
"So, what is the problem?"
"The Dark Lord wants Hermione Granger."
"For a Dark Revel?"
"No. He believes she has the blood of Godric, Rowena and Helga in her veins."
"Quite impressive for a Muggle-born. What do you think?"
"I think she is from Rowena's bloodline."
He put a parchment in front of Albus. The Headmaster looked attentively at the charcoal drawing.
"Why, Severus, I didn't know you made a drawing of Miss Granger during the Yule Ball!"
"I didn't draw this and this is not Miss Granger. In fact, this drawing was made by Salazar Slytherin and it represents the only woman he had ever loved, Rowena Ravenclaw."
"Are you telling me that Gryffindor Hermione Granger is the heir of Ravenclaw?"
"Unless I'm heavily mistaken, yes, this is what I'm trying to tell you."
"Are you sure she doesn't have Helga and Godric's blood too?"
"Quite positive. Godric's blood mixed with Rowena's would have strange results."
"You never know. After all, she is in Gryffindor."
Severus scowled. Albus carefully rolled the drawing of Rowena and held it back to the Potions Master.
"Severus, I want you to look after Miss Granger."
"Albus, I'm hardly the person for–"
"I have my reasons for this, Severus. Please trust me."
"You know I hate when you say that," Severus grumbled.
"Yes, child. Which is exactly why I so love to say it. Now, I think Miss Granger is with the unicorn foals."
He took another sherbet lemon.
"Do you know that Hagrid says that she's the only seventh year able to come near them?" he said dreamily.
Severus groaned inwardly. Trust Albus to confirm something Lucius Malfoy had told him and that he didn't report yet!
"So what?"
Albus looked at him and smiled knowingly. Severus sighed and left his office.