Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, JK Rowling does. This is a work of fiction, purely based on my own thoughts and ideas!

Chapter Ten

Time at the manor was starting to fly by, and Hermione was becoming more conflicted as of late. Part of her was enjoying her job as a stable boy, but another part of her, a secret part, wanted very much to go back to her family and tell them that she was doing perfectly fine. Not exactly "perfect"a voice in her head said. Hermione sighed, it was true. Sure she hadn't been discovered by Lord Malfoy, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep her attraction to the man in check. Not only that, but she was growing very fond of the boys too. Draco and Simon would always come into the stables after their lessons, peppering her with questions about the horses, and Hermione was finding her avid appreciation for the animals quite endearing. She was even getting along with Helen, but sometimes, Hermione feared the way Helen would look at her, as if Helen knew Hermione was hiding a secret.

This is what happens when you lie, you become paranoid.

"I wonder what would happen if I told him?..." Hermione mumbled to herself as she was working with a very pregnant Kitty, who happened to be one of Lord Malfoy's favorite mare's. The horse snorted and threw her head back as if discouraging Hermione from the thought. Hermione chuckled and caressed Kitty's smooth coat.

"Well, it was just a thought, nothing that I would actually consider. I mean... I want to, you know, he has been awfully kind to me, and..." she trailed off. And what? that voice in her head said. You just come clean and suddenly he's so overwhelmed with desire for you, he says to hell with decorum and marries you? Hermione frowned, the thought did seem a bit silly when she rationalized it. She may not have known Lucius Malfoy long, but she did know he was not a man who would be so overwhelmed by her that he would marry her, especially knowing that she had lied to him. The thought made Hermione pale a little. She considered herself an honest person, and knew lying was wrong, but surely, she could fib when it came to her safety? And what would he do if he found out? She froze, knowing that a high profile man like Lucius Malfoy would send her packing right back to her parents. This society wouldn't let him simply let her stay in his home, no sir. Especially not an unmarried woman of her stature. If he sent her back... that would mean Lord Diggory would be back in her life, and she could only think of the vileness of his proposal then. The man would convince her parents that she was a ruined woman, and he was her best possible choice of a husband. Hermione wanted to retch at the possibility of that thought. The vile man would do something like that, especially to get an upper hand over Hermione and her family.

She truly did want to be done with this charade, it was becoming overwhelming for her. She had never fancied herself as a woman who thought marriage was her life's worth, but she wanted a chance, a real chance for Lucius Malfoy to see her, as Hermione, the woman she was and not Henry, his stableboy. Clearly, I've been around manure too much, because these thoughts simply won't do! she thought, feeling mixed emotions.

"Henry? Henry!" came a voice from the front of the stable. Shaking her head, Hermione rushed to make sure she was presentable. Giving Kitty a loving pat, she quickly walked to the front, slightly taken aback when she saw Lord Severus Snape sitting atop his horse. He had been back a few times since their last encounter, and whenever he saw Hermione, he would tip her hat and offer her a secret smile before heading off, presumably to join Lord Malfoy.

"Good day sir," Hermione said, bowing quickly. The action always made Lord Snape chuckle. Hermione did not think it was so funny, afterall, she had a job to do.

"How may I help you?" she asked politely.

"Can you get Helen's horse ready? I have asked her to join me for a ride around the park," Lord Snape said. Hermione remarked that though Lord Snape may be of the upper class, he never treated her or anyone of Lord Malfoy's employee's as beneath him, and always addressed them with respect. Hell, he even found ways to make the butler chuckle and made sure to ask about everyone's families.

"Oh, Helen? I'm surprised Lord Malfoy allowed that request," Hermione said, forgetting herself for a moment. Lord Snape looked taken aback for a moment, peering down at her. You idiot! she scolded herself. What the man chooses to do in his free time is none of your concern!

"Pray tell me, why would he deny me that request... Henry?" came the smooth reply, but Herrmione knew better than to reply to him. It was better that he keep her secret just between them and the less conversation, the better.

"I... uh.. It wasn't meant to come out that way," she stammered trying to back track.

Severus wanted to press Hermione onward and keep her talking, but he realized she wouldn't open up to him any further. It was not that he fancied her. No, his heart belonged to Helen, but Hermione was an interesting chit he had to say. He knew that if Malfoy discovered who she was, his friend would definitely have his plate full engaged with her. Ah, Severus please, do not attempt to match make, he thought to himself. Lucius would be livid if he found the truth about Henry. That caused him to frown. What exactly did Hermione plan to do here? It wasn't like she could simply work here till she grew old. Surely, she wanted to see her family, move on from this place, have a family of her own. He wanted to ask her all these questions, but thought better not to voice his concerns. He didn't think she was prepared to answer his questions either.

"Hmm... Well, do get her horse ready, we will be out shortly to come and get them," he said, letting the topic go. Thankful to have him drop the subject, Hermione rushed to do as he asked, keeping herself busy until Helen and Severus walked back to the stable.

Watching them come together made Hermione smile, albeit sadly. Helen's striking pale beauty contrasted with Severus's devilish dark good looks, making them without a doubt a very lovely couple. Hermione saw the way Helen blushed at the way Severus whispered something in her ear, and wondered if Lucius Malfoy knew his sister and best friend were hopelessly in love with one another. She also wondered if the couple had told one another.

"Oh, hello Henry," Helen said, looking a bit shy to have been caught with Severus whispering things in her ear.

Hermione just smiled at them, lifting her hat slightly at Helen.

"Good day mum," she said, "Tis a fine day to go for a stroll." Helen smiled as she sat atop her horse. From her perch, she looked down quizzically at Henry. Something kept on nagging her about the stable boy, but she couldn't seem to place what had her on edge. It wasn't like Henry was a thief, or a bad person, but still, something about him didn't seem quite right. Deciding to ponder on her thoughts later, Helen turned to Severus and rode out of the stable, looking forward to her outing with Severus.

It was late by the time Hermione had finished with her work for the day. She was tired, her head ached and she was ready for a long soak. That was one thing she missed the most about being at home; the ability to take a bath as long as she had wanted, without any fear. Here, the bathing area was shared by everyone, and she couldn't bathe the way she wanted to. However, it looked like tonight, she had the place to herself. Without thinking, Hermione stripped bare, tossing her hat, and dove into the tub of water. Her breath caught, the water wasn't exactly welcoming. It was warm, but she could tell it would start cooling soon enough so she knew she needed to hurry. A groan left her as she sunk further into the water. Lord, the water felt soothing against her sore muscles. She wondered how much better it would feel if it had been hot, but alas, she could not have that wish.

While she was scrubbing herself, Hermione realized that she had not seen Lucius Malfoy all day, and annoyingly, her heart sank. She had gotten used to seeing him once a day at least, especially when he came to fetch his children back inside the house for their lessons. Hermione sighed, there was no use wondering about him. There was no future there for them, that much she knew. For god's sake he was an aristocrat, and even with her father's humble title, it wouldn't be possible for them to be together. Still, she couldn't deny she was attracted to him, and sorely wished things had been different for them.

Getting lost in her thoughts, Hermione didn't realise how much time had passed until the water had turned completely cold. Shivering, she decided she had taken too much of a risk today, and hoped no one would come looking for her. Reaching for her clothes, she rose out of the water, only to stop short, her eyes widening in shock. There before her stood Lucius Malfoy, looking just as shocked as her, right before he angrily exclaimed,

"Good God!"