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"I almost had her."

Lucius almost jumped at the voice, not realising someone had been in the shadows of the building as he was passing. He managed to keep his icy mask in place, as he slowly turned, choosing not to withdraw his wand.

He wouldn't need it just yet.

After all, a show of trust to the man he was happy to hand to the Aurors to ensure his freedom. He watched Dolohov step from the shadows, his own wand slipping into his sleeve.

"And you failed?" Lucius sneered. "How?"

"The Werewolf," Dolohov growled. "The one I Imperiod wasn't strong enough to fight him."

Lucius let out a cruel chuckle. "You failed against a mudblood and a werewolf," he replied, sounding greatly amused. "I expected better. Rumours of your exploits are taking over the magical world. How will you get another chance, since there will be such a guard around her now they know you are ready to make your move? I thought you were more skilled than this, Antonin!"

He watched the man's face twist in anger at his words.

"I won't fail next time," Antonin Dolohov growled. "That's why I'm here."

"Here in Knockturn Alley? I thought you smarter too, Antonin. Are you just hoping the Aurors find you? They have been in Knockturn Alley a lot more than I remember from our old days."

"Not if you know where to go," Antonin replied. "I needed some supplies, a few books. As you pointed out, this isn't going to be easy. But the chase is half the fun, wouldn't you agree?"

Lucius smirked. "I must say I do," he lied. He debated on the chances of being able to make a move on Dolohov right there and then, but knew that he would apparate before Lucius could even draw his wand.

His best bet was to not even try, and keep Antonin trusting him. If they didn't catch Dolohov before he got the little Granger mudblood, then Lucius knew without a doubt that Lucius would be called over almost immediately.

Dolohov liked to show off, after all. He hoped it was before he had hurt the girl.

And if he managed to save the little princess... then she would owe him a life debt. He wouldn't just gain his freedom, his reputation would be renewed. Both Potters and their friends would owe him.

"I have a special interest in your witch," Lucius stated. "Should you get your hands on her, I'd like to... assist you."

Dolohov smirked in return. "The moment I get her, Lucius," he assured him, before turning on the spot and apparating away.

Lucius took a deep breath, calming himself, before he continued down the street. He would send word to one of the foolish Gryffindors that he had contact with Dolohov.

...oOo...

Lucius looked around his study, where the Wizards all crowded. It wasn't his official study, but he didn't want them looking around such a personal room. This was the study he had always used for the more unwanted guests.

He relayed the information he had learnt from his two meetings to the trio that were on the other side of his desk.

"So, you couldn't have grabbed him and dragged him into the Ministry?" Sirius snapped, from where he had been standing, watching Lucius carefully.

"What a wonderful idea," Lucius drawled. "If only I had thought of that." He gave Sirius a frosty look. "If I had attempted, he would have realised I was helping capture him. He could have evaded my attempts, and if and when he does get to the girl, I wouldn't be notified of it."

"So by not attacking, you're hoping he tells you when he takes Hermione?" Remus said.

"As I informed you, Antonin Dolohov looked up to me. I'm sure he would want to show off when he does capture her, considering my... opinion of his recent failure. Now, I wish to have the restriction on my magic lifted."

"Afraid we can't do that," James Potter said, cockily, leaning back in his chair.

"If you want your witch to be safe, I suggest you find a way to do precisely that," Lucius replied haughtily. "After all, when Dolohov gets her, and I have no doubt he will, how exactly do you expect me to free her?"

"You take one of us with you."

"And there will be wards and traps set in case someone else tries to come," Lucius said, wondering how Gryffindors and Aurors could be so utterly stupid.

"You can send a Patronus."

"Which Dolohov will spot, he may kill Miss Granger on the spot and apparate away."

He watched James Potter tense up at the words. The convict and the Werewolf was expected, but Potter was a different story. Lucius wondered how he could twist this information to his own advantage. There was clearly a lot more than then he had first anticipated.

"I've seen what he does to girls," Lucius said, leaning forward onto his desk. "Dolohov will be under every assumption that someone will find him. He will without a doubt bring me to see his prize before he hurts her. If I have a restraint on my magic, I can't help her. He will rape and torture her until she's a shell of herself, and even then, he won't give up until he's bored. If he's after her after all these years, do you think he will get bored easily?! I may be your only hope for Miss Granger's freedom."

Remus leaned forward. "So all you request is a lift on your magic - so you can do full magic?"

Lucius cocked his head. "My freedom of course, which we have already established... and when this all comes out, I want full recognition of my actions to save her."

"So you want to be famous?" Sirius asked.

"Recognised," Lucius corrected him. "I still have a lot of standing, but my recent time in Azkaban has caused some trouble with that. This will ensure that I gain some, if not all, of my old prestige back."

"Done," James said with a nod. "I'll talk to Kingsley."

Lucius waited a moment to see if the others argued, but they didn't say a word.

"But.. we want a vow right here and now that your loyalty is to capture Dolohov and keep Hermione safe," James added.

Lucius contemplated the vow. He would have to check the wording, he wouldn't put it past the Gryffindors to word it wrong and make sure he'd always have to protect her. He wouldn't let them be that sneaky.

"Very well," he replied. "I will make a vow to protect your witch if she is captured, up until the point where Antonin Dolohov has been captured or killed."

The three men looked at each other, before Sirius nodded his head.

"Very well," Remus said. "It looks like we have a deal."

...oOo...

Hermione was barely allowed out of bed upon her return home. The doctor had noticed that Hermione's magical core and her body were both week - the spell she had been hit with had been an attempt to weaken her in all ways, to make her capture easier.

The only time Hermione was away from any of the Marauders was when they had to go 'run an errand' as if she'd believe that - and that coincided with Harry and Ginny coming over with the new baby.

Hermione was glad for the visit. She was by no means vain, but she hated James seeing her in such an awful state. Cleaning charms could only do so much - and considering she wasn't allowed to do magic, she had to keep asking Remus to cast them. She still felt dirty after each one. When Harry was holding the baby, Hermione insisted on taking a bath.

After Harry's voiced concerns, Hermione agreed to allow Ginny to come in and sit with her.

"So, you and James Potter?" Ginny said in amusement, once she heard Hermione sink down into the water.

"Me and James Potter," Hermione replied, with a happy sigh. "Can you believe it?"

"I can actually. You really freaked Harry out with this one though."

"How is he doing?" Hermione asked, concerned.

Ginny shrugged. "He's coming around. He's not against it, it just needs some getting used to. That's his dad and you're one of his best friends. I think anyone would find it odd."

"Sirius certainly did -"

"Sirius would have you become a muggle nun if he thought you'd listen to him," Ginny interrupted. "He would want you to go without any form of relationship for the rest of your life."

"It's a good thing that I don't always listen to him, isn't it," Hermione smirked.

"So... what have you done? I know I shouldn't ask - he's my father-in-law after all, but... tell me," she demanded.

"We've kissed a few times. We cuddled in the hospital."

"Is that it?" Ginny was clearly disappointed at lack of scandal.

Hermione laughed. "No point rushing these things, I'd like to get to know him a bit better - "

"And how better to get to know someone than seeing them naked?"

"I can think of a few ways," Hermione replied. "Anyone can look good naked or be good in bed, but it doesn't make them interesting or smart or compatible."

"Is this your way of saying that you and James are compatible?" Ginny said, wiggling her eyebrows.

Hermione sighed and sunk down under the water.

I'm sorry the chapters are so short. I'm trying to get a chapter up each week and I'm trying to get minimum 1500 words per chapter.

Review Please :D