Noon found them entwined under the covers. Fully dressed, they held each other close, not in the manner of lovers, but like two orphans who worry if they let go, the other will simply disappear.

Viktor looked at the woman sleeping in his arms. Her restless sleep had turned the previous night's glossy curls into an over-sized fur-ball. There were dark circles under her red-rimmed eyes. She still wore the jewellery he knew the other man had given her.

Yet, as long as there was the smallest chance she might truly be his, he wouldn't give up without a fight.

---

The feeling of tentative lips on hers roused Hermione from her slumber so gently that she responded in kind before she was fully awake. As her head cleared she drew back in order to read Viktor's expression.

She didn't expect him to be overjoyed and he wasn't. He wasn't scowling, but there was a wistfulness to his smile and a sadness in the depths of his eyes. More importantly, however, she read love and acceptance in those pools of liquid umber.

She already knew his decision, but when he whispered, "Stay!" she mashed her lips against his in desperate desire.

---

'I love him,' she told herself as the sweat cooled on her body. 'That's what's important. Severus is another world, another life. Viktor is here and now and I love him.' She reached out to him, rolling onto her side and draping her leg over his. "You're the one, Viktor. They say you can't choose who you fall in love with, but you can choose whether you act on those feelings. I choose to be with you."

"And him?"

"He doesn't have anyone else. He needs a friend. Just a friend," Hermione assured Viktor.

"Is that possible?"

"I hope so."

---

Sunday afternoon was an island of tranquillity. She and Viktor together alone, making love, taking a slow walk to a pub in the nearest village for a meal and then walking back equally slowly. They talked of everything, of Viktor's research, of Voldemort's pet project, of Hermione's progress with the Wolfsbane Potion, of everything other than Severus. And Hermione was glad. She didn't want her life with Viktor to revolve around the fact he wasn't Severus.

"These people they... will be... Voldemort's most able?" Viktor asked.

"I'd say so," Hermione agreed.

"So... why doesn't he trust them to raise them?"

---

"I don't think it's about trust," Hermione answered after a few seconds' thought. "It's about anonymity and availability."

"But he must trust the people who... will care for them?"

"To an extent," Hermione conceded, "but he wouldn't think twice about taking a child and placing it with someone else, if he thought his plan wasn't working. He doesn't really trust anyone. Even when he gave..." Hermione's voice faltered as she realised what she had been about to say.

'Even when he gave Lucius Malfoy the diary, he didn't tell him what it was.'

Who else had Voldemort given something to?

---

"Viktor, we need to talk to Harry and Ron!"

"Vhat is it?"

"I just realised something. Something important."

Viktor looked carefully up and down the road they walked alongside. "Let's go."

Hermione transported them both to The Burrow.

The boys weren't there, but Arthur agreed to fetch them.

"What is it?" Harry demanded as he barged through the kitchen door. He was drowned out by Ron's truculent, "What's he doing here?"

Hermione's lips narrowed. "Give me a good reason why he shouldn't be?"

"Dad said this was about the job Dumbledore gave us! You swore."

"So did he," Hermione contested.

---

"So, what?" Harry retaliated. "We just ask anyone, now?"

"No."

"It sounds that way to me," Ron added.

"What is this?" Viktor asked.

"Professor Dumbledore gave Harry a mission," Hermione explained. "Harry promised not to tell anyone other than me and Ron. We hit a dead end months ago, but you gave me an idea." She turned to Harry and Ron. "I think he can help."

"That doesn't change the fact we swore an oath."

"Dumbledore couldn't have foreseen this."

"Foreseen what, Hermione?" Ron demanded. "That the minute someone got in your knickers you'd spill your guts like some whore?"

---

The crack of Hermione's palm against Ron's cheek was so clear that no one even noticed Viktor's Silencing Charm... until Ron tried to continue.

"You will never speak so about Her-mi-own-ee," Viktor announced. "She is good girl."

Ron's lip curled up at one side, and, unable to voice his objections, he grabbed Hermione's left hand, holding up her bare ring finger.

Hermione's eyes narrowed until her irises were almost completely obscured behind her lashes. "I thought if something happened to us, Viktor would be able to take over, but if you two can't be adults, I'll have to work alone."

---

"Her-my-nee!" Harry protested. "Let's take a walk..."

Viktor's eyes moved straight to Hermione's locking on hers for several seconds before she turned back to Harry. "Just you and me."

Harry gave a single curt nod.

"Viktor, drop the spell, please," Hermione requested, resting a gentle hand on his forearm. "Ron, don't provoke him."

She didn't wait to see what transpired, but followed Harry outside.

"We all swore," Harry sighed resignedly.

"And we all used to think Dumbledore was infallible," Hermione replied. "We've grown up since then. I'm sick of secrecy. I trust Viktor... even without the vow.

"I love him."

---

"Think about it," Hermione argued. "If he passed one Horcrux to Lucius Malfoy, how do we know that he was the only one?"

"Snape!" Ron spat.

"I don't think so," Hermione answered. "Voldemort would never risk giving a Horcrux to a double agent. He didn't trust Snape enough to tell him when he possessed Quirrell."

Harry stared through Viktor, his eyes unfocused. "I was and am the Dark Lord's most loyal servant," he whispered.

"I beg your pardon," Viktor demanded.

"Bellatrix Lestrange," Harry replied. "That's what Bellatrix Lestrage said that night in the Ministry. The Dark Lord's most loyal servant."