Falsity

Part 2: The Problem with Overconfidence

"Professor Snape, your participation in the Malfoy-Granger scandal has just been affirmed. It must be said that we suspected as much."

"Of course. Far be it from me to question the intelligence of the Ministry," the professor stated with a comforting sneer. He was not looking forward to this, but at the very least, he could retain some decorum of incivility. However, the Auror in charge seemed content to ignore the barb.

"Before we start the questions, do you have anything you wish to say?"

"You miserably incompetent fools will never see it coming."

"And what do you mean by that, sir?"

"You presume to think the woman in the other room is still a girl. A poor, innocent, deluded girl. One would assume after witnessing her in battle and awarding her an Order of Merlin, you would not underestimate her."

"You seem to have much faith in Miss Granger."

"Faith has nothing to do with it. Madam Malfoy was, and still is, an insufferable know-it-all. Knowledge is power, and Lucius is well aware of that. The two of them will rule the bloody world with the opportunities you are giving them."

"You do not approve of their relationship?"

"Approve? That is hardly pertinent."

"That is arguable. Truly, Professor Snape, what is your opinion of the supposed relationship between Lucius Malfoy and Hermione Granger?"

"Truly, I believe it is a match made in the deepest pits of Hell."

"You do not believe Miss Granger's statements that it was a love match?"

"It is a bloody love match. They will be the owners of our world, but I cannot deny what I have seen. They are perfect for each other: both ruthless and manipulative."

"Really. Shall we proceed to the questioning then?"

"Fine, but hear me now. That woman you so foolishly consider a child will be Minister of Magic within a decade."

"Yes, yes. You do not deny your presence at Malfoy Manor on the night of Mr. Malfoy's birthday."

"Obviously."

"What were your thoughts on the 'entertainment' that Draco Malfoy provided?"

"I thought she was lovely in a plain way, overconfident, quite concentrated on Lucius, and entirely too familiar. I thought perhaps she might be a former student. I regret that I was only partially correct."

"Please provide us with your description of the events of that night."

"Fine."

-----

Draco had not expected the 'bushy-haired know-it-all' to portray a stripper so very...very...well. But then, he should have expected as much. He'd given her an outfit and one week. Not to mention, it was just two days ago that he'd caught her leaving the Room of Requirement looking suspiciously exhausted. Of course she would take it upon herself to practice and study, even if it was just a little strip tease. Her perfectionism was shaping up to be quite profitable.

Still, knowing was one thing; seeing it, witnessing the girl he had known for almost seven years strut around in the old fashioned yet completely erotic heels while unbuttoning her entirely too tight blouse, was quite something different.

And he wasn't the only one thus affected. Snape was looking entirely uncomfortable with a tic developing in his left cheek. Fudge, Freely, and MacFullond were slack-jawed and practically drooling. Patterson looked about ready to jump out of his seat and molest her.

However, Lucius was the most curious. His silver eyes were following every movement the supposed Helen made, fixing her with a predatory stare. Strange, though, was that even as she peeled the blouse from her body revealing an intricate and lacy bustier (just the perfect thing for the seduction of an old fashioned pureblood), he kept his eyes firmly on hers.

Meanwhile, Hermione had never felt quite so naked and energized. Though she was able to tune out the leering of the others, she was completely unable to forget about Lucius. Oddly, as uncomfortable as he was making her, his gaze was also feeding her a feeling of feminine triumph. If she could bring the great Lucius Malfoy to attention, what couldn't she do? It was truly the most girlish she had ever felt, and she was surprised to note that it felt damn good. She was powerful, almighty even, and her confidence built at an alarming rate. As self-assured as she'd always been, there was something about holding the complete and utter attention of a roomful of men that made her feel like a goddess. It was not a feeling she was often privileged with.

Lucius merely smirked with glee as she approached him. Plotting was something he was unquestionably good at, as well as getting what he wanted. Right then he was looking at something he wanted very much and plotting how exactly to get it. In these post-war days with his reputation at stake, he'd have to be very careful.

-----

"During the course of your... performance... did anything untoward happen?" the Auror questioned pointedly, somehow managing a half pitying, half contemptuous glance at the young woman in front of him.

"If you are asking if I was ravished, the answer is no. In fact, barely any physical contact was made. After all, a locked gaze, a finger along the neck, sexy undergarments...that is all that is necessary in a good strip tease."

"You pranced around in your undergarments and left?"

"No, sir."

"What happened after your performance?"

"I was invited to stay for a conversation."

"So after you acted as stripper, you conversed with your customers? That is hardly ordinary."

"Ah, but I think you will agree when I say that Lucius Malfoy is not an ordinary man. No, he requested that I stay for tea and discussion. At that moment, I was not inclined to refuse."

-----

Hermione shifted her weight slightly. Though her seat was for the most part comfortable, it was achingly clear that Lucius was in serious need of a few full meals. It wasn't as if the man couldn't afford it, so she really didn't understand why he would be so painfully thin. Of course, she wouldn't have noticed had she not been perched in Lucius's lap.

"Stop wriggling, my dear," the elder Malfoy murmured into her ear. "Or else more payment may be necessary."

She tried her best not to blush as strippers wouldn't be embarrassed over such things, but she did so regardless. Lucius's grey eyes immediately caught the slight pink on her cheeks and interpreted it correctly. Draco's Plan had worked perfectly, and Lucius was in top form once more. However, with the return of Lucius's confidence came the return of Lucius's overconfidence. He was so taken with the girl in his lap that he never questioned her heritage.

"Really, my dear, one would think you'd never done this before." She blushed further, and Lucius smirked triumphantly as he let the fingers of one hand trail along her exposed thigh.

Her dance had left her in little more than her undergarments - decidedly sexy undergarments provided by Draco that were charmed for comfort, flexibility, and enhancement. They were very useful little things, but left a great deal of exposed skin which Lucius was capitalizing on.

"Now, I find that really curious," he drawled silkily. She shivered from both the voice and her fear at being caught.

"Not really," she stated in what she hoped was an airy voice. "This is my first and last performance."

"And why would that be?"

"I have earned what I needed. That is that." That was the truth after all.

"What could a beautiful young woman like you possibly need that she couldn't receive from her suitors?"

She smiled coyly, beginning to enjoy the word play even as she relaxed further into the man's arms.

"That, good sir, is none of your business. Besides, I have no suitors."

"No suitors? Surely, you jest."

"Not at all. I am usually too busy with my studies to take any interest in boys."

"Ah, my dear, but I think you shall find that I am very much not a boy."

Neither noticed in their flirtation that Snape had suddenly taken notice of their words and turned even paler than before. A certain understanding flashed across his eyes before he abruptly got up and left the room in search of Draco.

"Yes, you are most definitely a man," she returned with a knowing smirk. There was something about flirting shamelessly with one of the richest and most dangerous men of the Wizarding world that boosted her Gryffindor courage. "But then that begs the question, why would a man such as you be spending his birthday with such company?"

He raised his eyebrow in acceptance of her challenge. Sure, she was changing the subject, but she was doing it so effectively, he really didn't care. Besides, he'd find out all about her soon enough. For now, he was content to bask in her compliments.

"Precious girl, surely you've heard the stories about the Evil Lucius Malfoy?"

She stiffened slightly, thinking what a terrific opportunity this was to get him to admit his continued allegiance to the Dark Arts. He interpreted it as fear. They were safe in their delusions.

"I've been out of the country. Tell me, what could anyone possibly have against you?"

"I was a follower of the Dark Lord."

"No!"

"Yes, my dear, I was a Death Eater."

"But, why?" The interest in her eyes was real. As an academic, her natural curiosity had been begging to know this for years.

"Because he was powerful. And because I was bored. It gets dreadfully dull being this rich. You can only manipulate people so much. So when the Dark Lord came into being, I saw excitement. A few enthusiastic speeches made by my ex-wife's sister and I was in. It helped that I already hated Mudbloods."

"Really..."

"Of course, no matter how interesting the Dark Lord was, I was not going to sacrifice my happiness for him. Thus, when he was defeated by that Potter brat the first time, I renounced my connections and escaped punishment. I had a family then, and it was imperative that my son know his father."

"I see."

"The years after his first defeat were dreadfully boring, but I had to be very careful. However, when Draco went to school...A man needs his hobbies, and mine just happened to be plotting against the filth of the world."

She was silently fuming even as part of her wondered what he'd say if he discovered the thigh he was so fond of stroking was that of a Muggle-born.

"When the Dark Lord returned, I rejoined without hesitation. I admit freely that I participated in his plans. I thought all was good again. Until something happened."

"What?"

"I was caught. Caught in the act, in the bloody Ministry of Magic itself, surrounded by the bodies of hexed children who had been in the way. And I thought nothing of it. I would be sent to Azkaban, but really, the dementors were on the Dark Lord's side. I assumed I would be freed in no time."

"But you were wrong."

"I was terribly wrong. The dementors were on no one's side. The dementors didn't give a bloody damn as long as they were fed. One took a liking to me, and for a month, I was emotionally raped of every happy thought I'd ever had."

"You poor thing..." she murmured. Despite the light tone he had used, she could feel the tension in his body. As much as she knew he had the punishment coming, it was in her nature to empathize with lost causes.

"Never say that again, my dear," he responded tightly. "I am no such thing. Stripped as I was of my murderous glee, I suddenly realized exactly what I had been occupying myself with. You could say I saw the Dark Lord in a whole new light."

Hermione stared at him with heartfelt compassion. Lucius decided that was a good place to stop if he wanted to stay honest and yet win her approval. This might be easier than he had thought.

"So, my dear Helen, I once again renounced my ties to the Dark Lord, this time in truth. In exchange for my release, I provided the Ministry with all the information I had, though that was kept quiet. Instead, it was assumed by the populace that I had paid my way out. I suppose in a way I did, just not with Galleons. However, that assumption paired with my disappearance from society made me a pariah of sorts. You would do well not to associate with me, my pet."

"Why, that's horrible!" Hermione exclaimed, all of her indignation at yet another form of prejudice cascading upon her. Oh, she didn't doubt for a minute that there was some information Lucius was keeping from her, but as of now, she didn't particularly think it mattered. After all, this was just harmless flirting, right?

"Now, enough of such serious nonsense. It is my birthday, and I shall enjoy it. As it is getting rather late, why don't we finish this conversation after my guests leave? Perhaps you could provide an encore performance so as to send them off with pleasurable images?"

Hermione stiffened before relaxing again into his arms. Now that she was practically overflowing with confidence, she was not about to let this opportunity to pick apart Lucius's devious mind. It promised to be a very profitable endeavor.

"I suppose, but I would like to try something a bit different. However, I will need to borrow your son for an errand."

"Certainly."

With reluctance, Lucius released the young woman to seek out Draco. Once she was out of sight, she immediately broke into a run in search of her partner in crime. She found Draco shutting the door on what looked to be a library of sorts. Though her interest was instantly piqued, she hadn't the time for exploration.

"Malfoy! We need to go back right quick!" she whispered fervently.

"What? You can't leave already," he whispered back in disbelief.

"No, no. I need to get something for my encore."

"Encore? How exactly does a stripper encore?"

"Exactly the problem, thus my solution. Quickly now! I have something in my room that is perfect for this, but we must hurry!"

Without waiting for his reply, she grabbed his arm and began dragging him forcefully toward the door. He couldn't stop her until she actually had her hands on the doorknob when he threw a nearby cloak over her lingerie clad form. Red from embarrassment and urgency, she thanked him even as she pulled him out the door where they could Apparate. Seconds later, they were scurrying down the secret corridor back into the castle.

"What exactly is this solution of yours?" Draco drawled in tense whisper as they ran through the hallways towards the Head Girl's quarters.

"I wonder, Draco," she said in a sickeningly sweet though overtaxed tone, "if you've ever heard of the art of belly dance?"

Draco gulped nervously. Between his father's obvious interest in his schoolmate, Snape's discovery of her identity (of course, he wouldn't tell her that until after the deed was done), and the prospect of a new form of seductive dance, he knew trouble was just around the corner.

-----

"Professor Snape, you claim that you did not know the true identity of your entertainment until you overheard her speaking to Mr. Malfoy of her interest in academics over romance?"

"Yes. As you should know had you intelligence of any kind, a 'Do Not Recognize' spell requires one to correctly identify three personal features of the person in question. Madam Malfoy gave her name as Helen. Struck as I was with the feeling of familiarity, I instantly related the history of the name Helen, particularly that of Helen of Troy whose daughter was given the name of Hermione. Second, during the course of her dance, I spotted an oddly shaped scar on her abdomen. Madam Malfoy received this injury at the Ministry of Magic at the end of her fifth year. I knew of it because I provided most of the potions necessary in her recovery. Madam Pomfrey had asked whether there existed a potion to negate the appearance of curse scars, but this particular one was highly resistant to everything we tried. When I heard the supposed Helen relating that she was overly fond of education, the charm was broken for me. I knew it was Miss Granger. I sought out Draco to verify my suspicions."

"And Draco confirmed?"

"Obviously."

"What then, Professor?"

"For the next half hour or so, both Draco and 'Helen' were missing. The other guests and I were kept occupied with a game of billiards. However, before long we were called again to the lounge for what was to be Miss Helen's farewell dance."

"And that would be?"

"A Middle Eastern dance of some sort. I would not know as I diverted my eyes as soon as I saw her attire."

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