A/N: My apologies to everyone following Fair Trade. I had an unexpected death in the family, and my writing has taken a back seat to some family responsibilites that I needed to take care of. Please enjoy the newest chapter.

o.o.O.o.o

Daphne had been a little surprised to get an owl from Hermione, but pleased that she'd felt comfortable enough to reach out to her. The scene at the wedding had been shocking and she'd been very glad when Adrian had escorted her home soon after Hermione's new husband had swept her away. She could still see that man being ripped apart by her friend's conjured ravens and was sure that her parents could remember the event just as clearly. It had been carefully ignored in all discussions about her new friend and the wedding reception.

She stopped in front of her father's study and knocked at the door, politely waiting until it swung open and her father gestured for her to come in. He was sitting at his desk, letters and rolls of parchment were strewn across his blotter in a kind of organized chaos. She remembered when she'd been little and he'd let her sit on his knee while he answered his business letters. In a way she missed those far simpler times.

"Daphne, what is it sweetheart?" Landon Greengrass acknowledged his daughter with a welcoming smile. He was in his early fifties, grey hair starting to appear among the light blonde. He also had the same blue eyes as his daughter.

"I've had a letter from Hermione," she began and sat down in the chair across from her father.

"And how is the new Lady Lestrange?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Concerned about the welcome she'll be facing upon her return to England in January," Daphne said. "Given the article in the Prophet, I think she has some reason to be worried."

"I would say so," Landon put down his letters and gave his daughter his undivided attention.

"Hermione fully expects the Aurors to be waiting for her at King's Cross, and is requesting our assistance in making sure she isn't unduly troubled by them." Daphne phrased the request respectfully, knowing that this was House business and not simply a favour between friends.

"That is no small favour that your friend is asking." He sighed and sat back in his chair. "Do you really feel that it is wise for us to support this girl? Given what we saw at her wedding reception, I admit I have some concerns about her mental stability. You know how the Blacks can be."

"Dolohov tried to kill her the last time she saw him, and he was not invited to the reception. I think any witch would have reacted the same, when confronted by someone that had nearly succeeded in murdering them." Daphne forced herself to keep her tone calm and reasonable, even as she defended her friend's actions.

Landon gave her a long look before standing and going over to his sideboard to pour himself a drink. Daphne blinked in surprise as her father brought a glass over for her. She took a small sip and coughed a little as it burned her throat.

"You'll be seventeen soon enough and you're playing at some very adult politics these days, my dear," he said and sat on the edge of his desk, looking down at her. "I can't keep the Aurors from questioning her, but I can be there to ensure that her rights and privileges as a Lady of an Ancient and Noble House are not violated. It would also be best if your friend presented herself at the Ministry, before the return to Hogwarts. In a situation like this, it's always best to get ahead of things before they spiral out of control."

"You'll really help her?" Daphne said, a wash of relief passed through her.

"It would not violate our status as neutral to offer her support in a legal matter, so I am willing to help your friend. I just need you to realize that in the current climate, there may come a time where helping her would jeopardize our status. Family must always come first, sweetheart. Do you understand?" Landon asked.

"I understand, father." Daphne nodded. "There's really going to be a war, isn't there?"

"I'm afraid so." He reached out and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "You have no idea how much I wish that I could shield you from all of it, but one day when I'm gone, these are lessons that will serve you well. We stand between the light and the dark, and our family survives because we don't allow either side to pull us into the fray."

"I'll be careful, father. I promise," Daphne said.

"Come here and give me a hug then," he said and when she stood up, he pulled her into a warm hug. "I love you, Daphy-bug."

"I love you too, Dad." She returned the hug tightly. She'd write Hermione back tonight, and make sure she knew to get in touch with her father to arrange a day and time to go and face the Ministry. Hopefully, her father's presence would make them behave themselves.

o.o.O.o.o

Ron was really starting to get on Harry's last nerve. It had only been a few days since the article about Hermione had hit the paper and Sirius had evicted the Order. While Ron hadn't been outright about his opinions, there were little snide comments here and there that were starting to add up. He'd started getting up early just to avoid having breakfast with Ron and the other Weasleys just for a bit of peace and quiet. It wasn't that he didn't like them, but a part of him had been hoping for a little more time on his own with Sirius.

Annoyance aside, this had been a great holiday so far. There was a massive tree decorated in the sitting room, and Kreacher had been doing a better job keeping up on the cleaning. Mrs. Weasley had been baking up a storm, so the entire house smelled of warm spices and various sugary confections. If he wasn't so worried about Hermione, things would be just about perfect.

He was poking at his eggs when Sirius came into the kitchen and handed him a letter.

"It's from Hermione." Sirius smiled.

"Thanks Sirius!" Harry grinned brightly and opened it immediately.

Harry,

Well, I guess I have a lot of explaining to do. I really am sorry that you had to find out like this, I was planning to tell you, just not so soon. You have so much on your shoulders right now, I didn't want to add to it. You'd have driven yourself crazy trying to think of a way to get me out of this, but in truth there was nothing you could have done. The minute I killed Bellatrix, I was trapped. Sirius did his best to make sure I was at least prepared for everything, but there was never any way out of it. At least, no way that didn't involve the death of my parents.

Before you can ask, I am safe. Rodolphus hasn't hurt me and as crazy as that must sound, he's actually been good to me. It's all kind of surreal, if I'm honest. I'm leaving France today to go see my parents. Rodolphus has them somewhere safe, where they can ride out the war without any danger. After everything, I really need to see them both.

I would understand if you never wanted to speak to me again, but I hope you can forgive me. I did it to protect my parents and I can't apologize for that.

I'll see you back at school, but I hope you'll write back and let me know how you are.

Yours,

Hermione

Harry felt his eyes tear up a little and he set the letter down. For Hermione it was very short, but he could tell how worried she was about his reaction.

"Well?" Sirius asked as he sat down with coffee.

"She apologized for hiding everything, but it sounds like she's mostly ok." Harry frowned a bit. "I'm still really worried about her."

"I know, pup," Sirius said. "We all are, but if anyone can figure out a way to get through this, it's her."

"Yeah, she's pretty amazing that way." Harry smiled a little. There was nothing his friend couldn't do when she put her mind to it. "So…is she why you and Snape have been working together?"

"Yeah," Sirius said and looked into his coffee for a long moment. "We'll never be friends, but he's the kind of wizard you want on your side. He's dangerous and willing to do whatever it takes to win. Both of us will do whatever we can to make sure you and Hermione get through this war alive. We're going to help you destroy old snake-face. No matter what it takes." He looked up and met his Godson's eyes. "There is nothing I wouldn't do to protect you, Harry. I need you to believe that."

"I do, Sirius." Harry felt his throat getting tight as his Godfather got up and came over, pulling him into a hug. "You'll help protect Hermione too, right?"

"Of course, pup," Sirius promised and rubbed his back. "Of course."

o.o.O.o.o

It was raining in Tuscany when they arrived at the Villa. The Continental Floo was surprisingly smooth, and she stepped out of the fireplace and spelled the miniscule amounts of ash off her clothes. Rodolphus stepped through behind her, but she didn't really turn to look at him. They hadn't said very much to each other since their meeting in the study, mostly because she just didn't have a clue what to say. She could understand why he'd gone to Skeeter, but she was still so angry that it was probably better that she just kept quiet.

Hermione's frown melted away as she took in the front hall, finding herself surrounded by a space so thoroughly decorated that it felt like a picture from a magazine. There was a massive tree in the middle of the space, decorated in red and gold, with evergreen garlands wrapped around the grand staircase. It was utterly beautiful.

"Hermione!" Her mother's voice exclaimed and Hermione head over to meet her. Hermione hugged her mother tightly, not wanting to let go. "We weren't sure when you were coming."

"The delay was my fault, I had some business issues come up last minute. My apologies," Rodolphus said. "I'll take your bags upstairs and let you visit with your parents." He touched her back briefly, just a slight graze of his hand.

"Thank you," Hermione said and nodded, letting her mother wrap an arm around her and draw her to the sitting room.

"Hey pumpkin," her dad said and stood up, coming over to wrap her in a warm hug. "How was school?"

"It's been really busy," Hermione said, sitting down with her parents. "Newt classes are a lot more intense, and I think my friends are losing their minds." She laughed a little.

"You're doing alright though?" Her mom asked.

"Of course." Hermione smiled and rolled her eyes. "I'm really enjoying all the new things we're learning, it's kind of amazing," she said and let her parents draw her into a conversation about her classes, trying to let the craziness of the last few days ease into the background. She only had a short time with them here and she wanted to make the most of it.

o.o.O.o.o

Rodolphus spent most of dinner talking with her father. The two men were having a conversation about how investments functioned in the wizarding world. Hermione listened with half an ear, but mostly focused on her mother talking about the local village. Her parents had been allowed to visit under the watchful eye of the House Elves. It was a remote area of Italy, so it was unlikely that anyone would be looking this far afield for them.

"It sounds really pretty." Hermione smiled as her mother finished describing the architecture of the old buildings.

"It is a beautiful part of the countryside and there are thermal springs all over the region," Rodolphus interjected with a smile. "A long time ago, people would come from all over to bathe in the springs to treat various illnesses and ailments."

"Are there any near here?" Hermione asked as her parents leaned in to talk quietly to each other for a moment.

"There's actually one under the villa." He chuckled. "But I'd have to apparate you into the chamber, there's no access from the house."

Hermione nodded and took a bite of her pie. The idea of lounging in a secluded hot spring sounded fantastic, but it also meant being alone with Rodolphus. She wasn't entirely sure if she was ready for that.

"Think on it," he said and casually topped off his wine, before standing. "I'm glad you both seem to be settling into the Villa well, but I believe I will say goodnight."

"Good night, Mr. Lestrange," her mother said with a smile.

Rodolphus nodded to Hermione before leaving the dining room with his glass of wine.

"Let's have a little talk before bed, dear," Hermione's mother said, a rather strange expression on her face. "I'll be up to bed in a little while," she said to her husband.

"Of course," Mr. Granger said and took that as his cue to leave.

Hermione let her mother draw her into a small sitting room, her stomach sinking down to her knees as she wondered what she could possibly know.

"Is everything alright Hermione? Between you and your fiancé?" Jean asked without much preamble.

"No, not really. We had an argument. He made a pretty big decision without talking to me, and we fought over it," Hermione said, trying to think how to say it without lying. She really hated hiding so much from her parents, but sometimes it was necessary. Ever since starting Hogwarts, she'd started liberally editing her life. Small things at first, and now that she was married. She felt horrible.

"Has he apologized?" she asked.

"Yes, but I'm still angry." Hermione sighed. "I just don't know how I can trust him, if he's going to just decide that he knows best without talking to me."

"That can be a problem, particularly when one partner is older than the other." Her mother nodded. "Your father and I had some problems when we were first married, but the important thing to remember is that you need to keep talking through them. You can't solve anything shutting the other side out." She reached out and stroked her daughter's hair. "Your grandmother told me that. I wasn't expecting to need to pass that along for some time." She gave her daughter a wry look. "But, it seems appropriate now. Don't let him ride over you, but remember that everyone makes mistakes. It's what they do after that really matters."

Hermione leaned forward and hugged her mum then. She'd missed this, her mother's quiet and sensible advice. She always knew just what to say. Narcissa, Professor Snape, and even Sirius were great, but none of them could take the place of her mother.

"I love you, mum," she whispered.

"I love you too, darling. I hope you always remember that there's nothing you can't come to me about," she said and rubbed her daughter's back. "Now, you've had a long day and I think you could use some rest. If you need anything, your father and I will be up reading for a while yet. Ok?" She moved back and stroked Hermione's cheek.

"Ok. Goodnight, mum," she said softly, watching as her mother got up and headed out of the room, leaving her to her own thoughts. It would be easy to just stay angry with Rodolphus and keep him at arm's length. Just like it would have been easy to just accept the version of him that Professor Snape had shown her in the pensieve.

'When have you ever taken the easy way?' she thought and shook her head. Unless he was killed in this war, they would be bound together for a long, long time. She didn't want to lose those moments that she'd had with him, where he'd make her heart race and she felt like the most beautiful witch alive. He was an incredibly complex, multi-faceted man and she'd never learn all the different pieces of him if she didn't at least try to forgive him. She couldn't forget, but maybe she could accept that he'd made a horrendously stupid mistake…and let it go.

She stood up and headed up to her bedroom, taking a deep breath as she walked in. She was unsurprised to find him sitting on her closed trunk, watching her with his inscrutable hazel eyes.

"Rodolphus," she said quietly.

"I'll leave if you want me to, but I was hoping you'd join me down in the spring for a while. It really is a wonderful way to relax," he said, not moving into her personal space. Every line of his body screamed caution, primed for flight at a word from her.

"I think I'd like that," she said, taking a slightly nervous breath.

He smiled instantly and stood, offering her his hand. "The old passage way down collapsed a hundred or so years ago, and my family chose not to reopen it. It's easy to reach by apparating and the ventilation shafts are working fine."

Hermione swallowed a little as she slipped her hand into his. The small gesture felt more significant than it appeared. Using his grip on her hand, he drew her in close and wrapped his other arm around her, holding her securely against his body. Hermione closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest, savouring his closeness for a brief moment, before he popped them down to the spring. The air was hot and humid. Hermione drew back to look around the large space. A gesture of Rodolphus' hand brought dozens of torches to life, casting their warm glow across the water and stone that formed the room.

"The Villa was built over an old Roman estate, but they chose to keep the baths intact," Rodolphus said.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

There was a large circular pool that dominated the room, putting her in mind of some undersea grotto rather than rigid ancient ruins. Here and there she caught sight of beautiful runes etched into the stones, but it was hard to be sure what they were in the darkness.

"It's yours now," Rodolphus said and stroked his hands down her arms. "Consider this property my wedding gift to you."

Hermione turned to look at him and she smiled warmly. "Thank you."

"I am sorry Hermione, both for what I did and for the fact that you don't really believe me. At least, not yet." He sighed. "I deserve that."

"I do believe you're sorry, I'm just not sure that I believe that you won't do it again." She looked up at him. "I want to trust you, but it's going to take time before I can." She lifted her hand to rest against his chest. Even as angry as she still felt, being this close to him…her body was making its needs well known. She wanted him and the strength of that desire caught her off guard.

"That's fair," he said and shifted his hands to settled against her waist. "Well…Lady Lestrange, shall we take advantage of the baths?" he smirked a little.

"I believe we should." It took everything she had to meet his gaze without blushing, but she did. She moved back out of his grip and held his gaze as she pulled off her jumper, tossing it aside. The earlier humour in his eyes was melting away, replaced with something darker. That something else curled deep inside her, making her feel a strange sense of power. "Aren't you going to undress too?" she asked as she unhooked her bra, tossing it away.

"I think I'll enjoy the view for a minute or two first," Rodolphus said, a sly smile crossing his lips now.

Hermione took the dare and flicked open the button of her jeans and shimmied out of them, dragging her panties down as she did. She heard his sharp intake of breath as she turned and bent over to work them over her calves. She straightened and kicked them away, heading towards the water with a swing in her step. She had no idea where this had come from, but she was embracing it completely. As she descended the steps of the grotto, the water came up to just below her shoulders. She looked back over her shoulder, smirking at the stunned expression on his face. She headed for a seat carved into the rocky face and settled in for her own show. Reclining like a Queen in the water, she raised her eyebrows expectantly.

Rodolphus shrugged out of his outer robes, meeting her eyes. He slowly flicked open the buttons of his dress shirt, pausing to remove his cufflinks. He set them down on his robes, and then removed his shirt, tossing it carelessly aside. He took his time, releasing the fastenings on his trousers, and there was a slight expression of relief when he carefully eased the zipper down. Hermione shivered a little as he let them fall and she saw the he wasn't wearing anything beneath them.

Her earlier bravado evaporated as he stepped out of them and headed for the steps of the grotto, descending down into the water. His eyes met hers and a small smile on his lips softened the nearly predatory glint in his gaze. It was hard to believe that every inch of him was hers. He ducked under the water, and came back up, smoothing the water from his hair. Her eyes tracked the droplets trailing across his shoulders.

"I've missed you, these last few days," Rodolphus said. "I have only myself to blame, but I regret that I spoiled things." He approached slowly, moving with purpose through the water.

"I missed you too, even when I half wanted to kill you." Her lips quirked into a little smile.

"Perhaps I could find a way to make it up to you?" He stopped just a few feet away from her, clearly asking permission to come closer.

Hermione felt herself nodding, not really trusting her voice in that moment. It was hard enough to remember how to breathe. The firelight danced off the water and their wet skin. In a flash she remembered every caress and touch from their wedding night and how good he'd made her feel. She wanted that again.

Her heart pounded as Rodolphus leaned down, resting his forearms against the edge of the pool. He brushed his lips against hers in a nearly chaste kiss. Control vibrated through his entire body as he allowed himself only that single point of contact between them. She nearly melted as he deepened the kiss, her lips parting eagerly under his. She brought her hands up to slide along his chest, feeling his muscles, hard and tight under his skin. Her fingertips drew aimless circles against his chest, teasing him as he fully explored her mouth.

He dragged his lips away from hers, attacking her neck and finally shifting to wrap his arms around her. He sucked and nipped at her skin, trying to brand her skin with his touch. He picked her up, turning them as he sat on the stone ledge. Hermione found herself straddling his thighs while his lips attacked her neck. She used her hands in his hair to bring his face back up, to claim another kiss, letting desire drive her now. Nothing mattered but his touch, and how he was making her feel.

"Merlin, you feel so good," he whispered as he stroked his hands down her back, cupping her ass and squeezing ever so slightly.

Heat rolled up Hermione's neck and settled in her face as she rolled her hips against him experimentally. The way his eyes seemed to darken, the pupils nearly swallowing the iris, made her feel instantly powerful. She was doing that to him and that knowledge made her head swim just a bit. His hands slid up her wet skin and urged her to lean back as his head lowered. He tasted her skin with hurried, open-mouthed kisses. Hermione gasped as he found her nipple and drew it into his mouth. She was perfectly suspended between his mouth and the supportive grip of his hands on her back. Her hair spread out around her in the water. He kissed and nipped her sensitive skin, teasing her and building her pleasure.

He lifted her back up and kissed her deeply. One of his hands slipped down between them, teasing between her folds to test her readiness. She moaned into his lips as he pressed two fingers inside her, stroking suggestively. She abandoned her restraint and began to move her hips in time with his fingers, a prelude to what they both wanted. And she did want this.

They broke apart from the kiss only when their lungs were screaming for air, and she cried out as he pressed a third finger inside her and twisted them in a way that made her see stars. His thumb circled her clit in just the right way and she moaned as he pushed her off an edge that had come out of nowhere. It was sudden and her hips bucked against his hand, trying to press deeper down onto his fingers.

She was still reeling from the intense orgasm when he slipped his fingers out of her and lifted her hips a bit more and positioned himself under her. He felt different from this angle and she whimpered a bit as he moved deeper than he had on their wedding night. She was shaking a little as her hips settled against his, and he pressed a soft kiss against her neck.

After a moment, his hands slowly urged her to move and she rose up a little, supporting herself with her arms around his shoulders. The stone of the ledge was hard under her knees, a counterpoint to the feel of him inside her. His hands on her hips guided the rhythm as they moved together in the warm water. They started off slow, but the tempo increased as she got more confident. He was thrusting up to meet her, using what leverage he could to drive the pace he needed.

As he got closer, his steady thrusts faltered. Rodolphus buried his face against her shoulder, and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight as he slammed his hips up into hers and finally came with a muffled cry.

Hermione stroked her fingers through his wet hair as she fought to catch her breath. He was holding her so tightly that it was almost uncomfortable, but she didn't try and move out of his arms. There was something about this moment that she didn't want to shatter. Slowly, her heart came back a normal rhythm as Rodolpus pressed soft kisses along her collar bone. She closed her eyes and just smiled. His thumb was tracing a small circle on her hip.

"Stay with me tonight?" he whispered.

Hermione found herself nodding, not really ready to trust her voice just yet.

"Good, because I think I still have a lot to make up for." His voice was doing sinful things to Hermione's body. A shiver of anticipation run down her spine and she shifted a little on his lap.

"One or two things, yes." Hermione finally managed to find her voice.

"Then perhaps we should take this back to a bed?" he suggested.

Hermione nodded and with her agreement, he apparated them back up to his bedroom to make good on his promises.