Choice and Consequences

Chapter 2

"Ma - Master," a quivering voice said from the darkness. "I ha - have the -"

"Just spit it out, Wormtail," a menacing voice hissed out. "I haven't all day."

"The next piece is in Ireland, my lord," the plump ratty man rushed out. "The best chance we have of finding the temple is to get the remaining three pieces. But we might not be the only ones searching for it -"

"Then get rid of our competition," The Dark Lord spat out. "You know what to do. Get going! Take Malfoy with you as well. I don't trust you enough to do it by yourself. And remember the consequences of not meeting my requirements, Wormtail." In a ray of light a wand held by a gnarled hand waved around, sending sparks floating down - a pre-reaction to the actual spell the wizard was about to cast. "Crucio."

The curse was expected - as it always was when the Death Eaters had to meet their overlord. Still there was that same initial shock and anguish he had felt for the past twenty-four years of his life. Why did he always put them through that sort of pain? It was a reminder, a voice cried at the back of his head as the pain coursed through him from the effects of the second heavy wave. The next severe surge caused him to fall to the ground, writhing and screaming. When the last of the curse ebbed away, he was just able to crawl away, still jerking - weak and pitiful - in the after affects of what he was made to go through.

Voldemort sneered in the darkness, his red eyes flashing in amusement. He always enjoyed a little hexing when it came to the weak members of his group. Wormtail was his favorite torture toy as he emitted some of the best screams that his victims gave. The man wouldn't last very long, he thought in a matter-of-factly way, tapping on the hand rest with his bony, withered finger. As long as the man died after his mission was complete, Voldemort wouldn't mind one bit. A dark sound rumbled in the recesses of his body - laughter if one was to suppose it could sound so bone-chilling. Once he found it, he would be the most powerful wizard in all of the world that not even the boy, Harry Potter would be able to stop him. Assured by his internal ramblings, Voldemort leaned back in his chair and called to his lovely little snake.

~~ o0o ~~

Harry Potter ambled down the steps of on of Hogwarts' stairs. The staircase he walked upon was different from the rest of them on the school grounds. These were connected to a place far below the level of the dungeons and all the secret passages of the area. The farther down he went the warmer the feeling he got inside of him. It was a small channel that his head was scant inches from the arched top. If Hagrid was still around, he would never have been able to fit into the place and if he had attempted to try, the way would have been clogged by his massive body.

Harry's brows knitted together over his striking green eyes. How long had it been since he'd seen that giant wizard: two - three years? Ever since the Order of the Phoenix had decided to 'spread its wings' he had no contact with the rest of the group. They all went their separate ways, assigned a corner of the globe to spread their stronghold on the wizarding world before the Dark Forces were able to overtake them. It wasn't only Hagrid that Harry hadn't seen. There was still Ron, who was told to take the Southeast Asian countries and Hermione who... well, she refused to tell anyone as it was said to be forbidden to give out such information. He felt a tug at his stomach at the recollection of his friends. They weren't allowed any contact to each other - not one bleeding note to ask now someone is - for fear of that note being intercepted and having the member tracked down.

At that moment, for all he knew, Hermione was in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, getting the people of Atlantis to stay on the same side as the Order. He let out a sigh and paused on a step in the fire-lit staircase. He really missed Ron and Hermione. They had been through so much together - may it be from playing a life-size chessboard game to things like time-traveling to even losing those closest to them. The sudden memory of Sirius - unbidden - still tugged at his heart even if it had been over ten years since that incident. Sir Nicholas was right about his godfather never coming back. Shaking his head, he resumed his walking and soon was faced with an almost blinding light at the end.

The long tedious journey to his destination was finally done and as he stepped into the room, his senses were flooded with a strange warmth and utter brightness streamed through to his squinted eyes. As his vision adjusted, he was greeted by a vast area of smooth marble surface - covered in intricate designs and special enchantments, which - despite his frequent visits to the place - still ended up dazzling him. He trailed his eyes to the opposite end of where he stood and settled upon the reason of his visit.

Albus Dumbledore was known to be a powerful wizard. But with his waning health, it became apparent he was becoming more of a liability than an asset as he was who the Death Eaters were ordered to kill. It was one particular incident that changed the lives of the whole Order. Harry was still accompanied by Ron and Hermione at the time - it was about three years ago - and the only way Albus could move around any more was through the use of special charms and spells. A few members of the Order - namely Harry and Severus (who at the time were still having problems with each other) - were keeping guard so the Headmaster of Hogwarts would be safe from any further attacks. Lo and behold, a couple of Voldemort's minions arrived just an hour after the two had started their shift. Before they could do anything, however, Albus burst out of his chambers (the area that the two had been guarding) and exposed himself to the Death Eaters.

Harry remembered everything moving slowly at that point. He screamed out the headmaster's name and reached for him. Severus did the same thing, but with more desperation as he. The old man was obviously important to the Potions Master. Harry watched as the white-bearded man spread his arms out, saw the glint of something so forceful already in his eyes. Just as the two Death Eaters charged at him, a whirlwind of power burst from Dumbledore and filled an entire ten meter radius with such potent magic that it had Harry gasping for breath. Harry was blinded by the sudden flood of brilliant light - emitted by the powerful old wizard with them. Moments later, after a series of blinks, the light subsided and he immediately looked for the Dark Lord's followers. They lay convulsing like worms on the ground, their eyes white and wide in an expression of sheer shock and fear. The sound that Snape had cried out instantly brought his eyes to the headmaster and he, too let out a sound of shock and rushed over to him. The Headmaster of Hogwarts still stood where he had been, but there were definite changes to him. He no longer looked weak and frail, but luminous and strong, his body taking a fearless stance as he looked unseeingly in front of him. His skin was the color of pearl - as was the rest of his body and clothing.

The most powerful wizard Harry had known had turned to stone. Harry was afraid to touch him at all. What if he crumbled to the ground, turning into ashes caught by the wind and swirl away as dust does? But something... in the statue urged him to take the hand placed so carefully at his side. Tentatively - fearfully - he took hold of the hand and instantaneously, flashes of thoughts along with images filled Harry's mind. It was like an electric shock, coursing through him in great waves. He pried his hand away and stared in shock at his hand, then at the stone one. Whatever he had heard; whatever he had seen, was what Dumbledore wanted. He stared up at the face - so elderly and so wise.

That was how the Order decided to spread throughout the world. Harry looked at the stone figure there across the room at that moment - four years after the incident - and smiled warmly at it. Dumbledore was still there, helping, guiding and showing the way that they were supposed to go. It had become a daily routine for him to visit the statue, talk a bit to it, and take the warm stiff fingers into his grasp and see what message he would get.

The man with the lightning scar made his way towards the other end to see his next assignment.

~~ o0o ~~

'Flight 182 of Galloway Airlines departing for Dublin, Ireland is now ready for boarding. Those in aisles forty to forty five may line up now. First and Business Class passengers may board at any time between now and the departure time indicated. All other passengers please remain seated until further notice.'

Severus looked up from the Daily Prophet he was holding and got up at the flight attendant's monotone, yet somewhat hospitable voice. Other people were getting up as well, but to his relief there was no sign of Chloe or the play-boy around. Taking his suitcase in his hand and placing the paper under his arm, he got in line. Once he had safely stowed away his hand-carry and was seated in his seat, he settled back and closed his eyes, letting out a heavy breath.

"Oh, Merlin, you've got to be kidding me," someone by him said in total incredulity.

He could identify that voice anywhere and he, too, knew he could not believe his rotten luck. Severus grimaced and cracked an eye open before stifling a groan of utter disdain. "Miss Granger," he said through gritted teeth.

"Okay, I will give a hundred pounds to the person who will willingly trade places with me," Hermione announced to the already boarded passengers, rummaging through her purse to take out a bill.

He gave her an exasperated look before he sighed tiredly and rubbed his eyes with two of his fingers. "Alright, Miss Granger, you can stop that now," he muttered with a weary voice. "I would greatly appreciate it if we were to be on a modicum of professionalism as we will be working together for the next few months - though why you are here is beyond my comprehension."

"You started our bickering - as you always do, if I recall correctly," she huffed. Then after a pause, she said, "And Mr. Luthor - the man who funded the expedition - said that I should experience one of these trips for myself to see why he wastes so much money on them instead of for the community."

He looked at her with a perplexed look and she sighed as she shook her head and took a seat beside him. "You asked why I was here - though it was questioned indirectly. I was merely answering you. You ought to keep track of what you're asking so you won't look like a lost pup."

"What happened to the level of professionalism we are trying to achieve?" questioned Severus in a dry derisive tone.

"You suggested it. I haven't agreed to the circumstances, however," Hermione said and pursed her lips.

"Well, will you agree with it now?" He looked quite irritated with her refusal to give in. "I don't want to be stuck with someone who very well can blackmail me and then put me through physical torture before sending me to Voldemort."

She looked at him under her furrowed brows and sighed. "Fine, I will."

Having said that, she placed her things in the compartment above her and sat down, clamping her seatbelt securely over her waist. They didn't say anything for a while, until Hermione, began to twist her fingers. Her old Professor knew what that meant and burst. "Alright, Hermione, what is bothering you? You don't wring your hands like that just because you feel like it."

"I can't see the purpose of this search, Professor," she began almost immediately that Severus almost smirked at the fact that he was right. "I told Mr. Luthor that it was pointless to fund these trips - much less go along with the group that's going, but he seemed quite decisive about the whole idea."

"I see. And why do you think he keeps on funding these trips?" he asked with a scrutinizing look.

"I think it's merely for his personal entertainment," she answered honestly. "I mean, the man can virtually do whatever he wants as he owns practically the whole city. I believe that he thinks a vacation more often than once every few years is alright. All he is doing, however, is neglecting the issues at hand in the world."

There was a long pause before Severus spoke again, his words coming out slowly, a bit thoughtfully, but more reluctant. "I don't think you quite understand the system yet, Miss Granger. He does give money - though he doesn't present it directly," he replied, though it was apparent that he didn't want to admit it out loud. "Indirectly, he is giving the money he gains back to the common-people. By giving it directly would make the groups he presented it to become more demanding for such funds instead of using their own abilities and talents to gain it for themselves."

"Well, I still don't see what the big deal about searching for a pile of rocks," she muttered. "Especially one that has been lost to the world for over a thousand years and means nothing to the modern world today."

He raised a surprised brow. "My, my, I'm very startled at the attitude that you're showing. I actually expected you to be more interested in archaeology than you are now. What happened to the studious student in Hogwarts who had enjoyed the study of relics and ancient history?"

She didn't say anything at first, but after a while, she answered in a hushed voice. "With Voldemort still on the rampage, it's difficult to enjoy the leisure of discovering new places. And besides, what good will it do for the wizarding world if we find an ancient temple anyway? And what can someone looking backwards give to a society that needs to look forward?" She frowned as she spoke and fidgeted uncomfortably in her chair.

Her old professor said nothing for a moment, mulling over what she had said. She was settling back in her chair when he asked, "Do you know who Thanatos is, Miss Granger?" She turned her head at the sudden question.

"Not particularly. I didn't read much on histories of other civilizations other than the Romans - and even them, I didn't know much about."

"Well, if you had done some research," he started, making Hermione humph. "You would find out that 'Thanatos' was a Greek god - actually, we just know he was immortal, not quite considered as a god by others like Zeus and Hera -" she gave him a lost look, but he would explain eventually who the other Greek gods were. "- and he was death, personified to the Ancient Grecians. He would go around slaying those who the Fates - the ones who create, measure, and destroy mortal life - say are to die."

Hermione grimaced. "What a horrible job. I definitely wouldn't want to be saddled with killing people for all eternity."

"Yes, well, the thing was, all the other gods - Zeus, Hera, and Ares and so on - despised him. The reason behind that remains unknown to the muggle world, but it is theorized and believed by the wizarding society that perhaps the gods were mad by the fact that there was a group of individuals - ancient Grecians, to be more specific - who devoted their lives to venerating Thanatos. By worship, I mean they would do great acts in the name of him and sacrifice many items that were considerably pricey in that day and age. By doing these deeds, they believed that they could gain his respects and he would allow them to live out a longer life. The length extra would be determined by the value of their sacrifices. And because the majority of the worshippers brought priceless objects, the reverence that the other Greek gods received altogether from their congregation didn't even compare to that of Thanatos."

"What made the people keep on believing he could do any of this? Can't we assume that this Thanatos character was merely a figment of their imagination and they kidded themselves about the whole deal?"

"You're still missing one piece of the puzzle, Miss Granger. Those who had given him their beloved daughters and sons lived to be at least ninety-five," he answered simply. "During their times, being forty was a major achievement; many would want to have offspring with them in hopes that their future generations would live just as long - if not longer. And mind you, these people I'm talking about weren't only muggles. Amongst them were great wizards and witches - somewhat primitive versions of wizards and witches, but individuals with our basic abilities all the same."

"And... so what you're saying is that Voldemort may have heard about this temple and is trying to search for it so that he could sacrifice something of great value to Thanatos so that he can live longer?"

"Not only live longer, Hermione, but become immortal. And that is why this find is important. I personally think that it's worth looking for, don't you?"

He heard her suck in a fearful breath and caught her eyes raking the compartment - as if seeing if anyone there could be a follower of the Dark Lord. "But what would he give that is of great value to anyone?"

Severus pursed his lips. "I don't know. That is why I'm on this journey; to seek answers."

"Did you tell the rest of the - Order - about this finding?"

He sat in grim silence for a moment before he answered her. "If I did, I would be risking the lives of our entire group. We are in a vulnerable position right now as the Death Eaters are at large and aware of all of our movements. I can't trust the owls for they might be intercepted. Using the Floo network won't work either. You're actually the first member I have seen in almost a year."

They both sat in silence for the rest of the time they waited for departure-time and take-off. Once they were stable in the air and the seatbelt sign was off, Hermione turned to her old Potions Professor with a speculative look on her face. He caught it and frowned slightly. "What has you looking at me so?"

"You know, if you loosened up a bit like you just did a while ago more often, then I think you would have a better chance of getting together with the blonde girl that you were with a while ago," Hermione commented off-handedly.

Had he been drinking something, he most definitely would be choking on the liquid at that moment. His eyes did bulge, however, at her assumption and he looked at her with great horror. "You have got to be jesting. You foolish girl, I don't harbor any intimate feelings for Miss Sullivan. I was merely told to - what are you looking at me like that for?"

Hermione folded her arms, not believing one word he said. "Please, Professor," she said rolling her eyes. "I know when someone likes another person. What you did is what any man would do to prevent her from falling for another man. You, sir, are jealous and quite smitten with the girl - Miss Sullivan, you said? Well, I didn't actually think muggles - or very young muggle girls - were your type, but, we all have our secrets I guess."

He stared at her for a moment before he let out a strange sound - so unfamiliar to Hermione. She by the smirk that was still on his face as he let out the sound, she assumed that it had to be laughter - nothing that she had ever experienced as long as she'd known the man. Heads turned in surprise as he kept on laughing and Hermione's cheeks burned in embarrassment as she tried to quiet him down. It was a while before he stopped and even then, he still had a smile - it looked more like a scary smirk if one was asked - on his face.

"Okay," the young woman beside him whispered. "What was that all about?"

"Why you think I would go for that blonde, muggle, spitfire is beyond me," he stated in a low voice. "She is like a child - a daughter - to me. A was also told by her biological father that if anything was to happen to her, he would track me down and slaughter me in the most brutal of manners. Of course he doesn't know I'm a wizard, but that's beside the point. The fact is that he threatened to kill me so I must look out for the chit, even if it's a horrible job and I don't get paid for it."

Hermione looked around searching the seats. "So, where is she?"

His face turned stony and his obsidian gaze hardened. "With the boy, who you call 'boss'."

Her eyes widened in shock. "You bloody serious? Does she know who she's messing with? Is she aware in how much trouble she's in or is she a bloody idiot? Merlin, you've got to save her from him!"

"Don't you think I tried? She was adamant about sitting with him, however. Apparently she's known him for quite some time. I can't do anything to bring her here."

"Very well, I will do it," Hermione said resolutely and moved to get up.

She was abruptly yanked down however by Snape. "You don't know what she's like. Just leave her be. Let her learn her mistake."

Hermione still worried, however, and looked anxiously towards the curtains leading to First Class.

~~ o0o ~~

Lex nor Chloe spoke all through the time it took for them to board and for the plane to take off. Lex knew that there was something going on between the two, but he chose not to comment on it, knowing how she got when someone questioned her about a sensitive topic. He assumed that the Professor was a sensitive subject to speak to her about, but he wasn't so sure. Still, he said nothing and as he sat beside her in his spacious seat, he entertained the possibility that they were lovers - per se.

Chloe chose the silence to be a time to submerge herself in a meditative sort of state, moving between a fitful sleep and pensive thinking. She realized that this wasn't the type of company that Lex was expecting, but then again, she wasn't expecting the whole scenario to happen either. She had to hand it to him though. He was being quite a gentleman about the situation they were under and, being fed up with sulking, finally turned to him.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," she apologized, touching his arm lightly.

Her hand seemed to jolt him slightly - as if it was something he wasn't expecting from her - but once he got his bearings under control, his brow quirked over his guarded neutral eyes. "Why should you apologize for something you didn't do?"

"I did do something, though," she said with a helpless gesture. "To tell you the truth, I think I used you as well... God, I'm such an ass."

"Well, it's not like I haven't been used before," he pointed out with what seemed to be an amused voice. "At least it's not like you were after my money."

She shot him a dour look. "I'm not that shallow to go for the money. I'm quite fine with my financial scheme, thank you very much." Chloe sighed and slumped in her seat, folding her arms on her lap as she did. "The thing is... Se - I mean, Professor Snape - was being so spiteful to everyone - to the group, to Hermione -"

"You know Miss Granger?" he asked in genuine surprise.

The blonde beside him glanced at him and shrugged. "He's got a thing for her. Of course I shouldn't be telling you this, but hey, if you can blackmail him for me with the information I'm giving, I'll forever be your slave in debt." She didn't notice the flash of lust that passed through his shielded grey depths as her eyes were trained on a spot in front of her as she spoke. "Anyway, when we were dating, he would -"

"You dated him?" he interrupted with a hint of horror on his voice as he narrowed his eyes on her. "But he's more than half your age. It would be like you going out with my father."

"Okay that's just plain disgusting what you compared it to. And would it kill you to just stop cutting in and just listen for a moment?" When she didn't hear a response she continued. "As I was saying, when we had our private dinners, he would bring her name up countless times, saying she was this and she was that and pointing out little quirks about her that made him think her wonderful and why I wasn't... it was like I was back in high school and I was fawning over someone who only had eyes for someone else..." she trailed off and added in a mutter under her breath, "Jesus, Severus, that just struck me right there where it hurts to do what you did."

Chloe hadn't anticipated for Lex to hear her, but he was able to detect the things she was saying, or maybe it was written on her face. Whatever it was, it was brought to his attention and though it didn't show, he didn't like it.

"Then, today," she went on, her voice heavy with weary cynicism, "when she came charging in, I saw that look that passed on his face - it may have been mere milliseconds but it was there. And then he pushes me away when I try to at least help him out... so, I guess when I saw you, it was merely an act of revenge that actually gave me the nerve to talk to you at all... no offense of course," she added.

"Well if it makes you feel any better, I think that he's an idiot for thinking that Miss Granger was anything but an over-achiever and for making you think that you were anything but beautiful and smart." Her head turned sharply as she regarded him with wide stunned eyes. The fact that she was taken back by his compliment gave him the urge to impulsively kiss her senseless. He was a man of great control and patience, however, thus allowing him to clamp down the growing desire and show only the amusement he was feeling at her reaction.

"You know, if I didn't know you better, I would have actually believed what you've said. But considering I do, I think I'll just forget the last part."

"You actually don't believe me?" he asked, leaning closer to her and dropping his voice so only she could hear him. "You don't believe that I would actually want to run my hands through your hair to feel the soft silkiness of it? Or that I want to expose your skin inch by inch to explore and taste every inch of your body?" He noticed her breath hitch and the shudder that ran through her, basking in her wonderful response and continuing because of it. "You've become quite a beautiful woman, Chloe... and you know how I am around beautiful women..."

Chloe could feel the waves of new emotions that coursed throughout her body as he spoke. The things he said - the way he said it... it was so erotic to just hear them come out of his mouth, with his sexy drawling voice that circled her senses. She, too, could almost picture them together - sliding her hands over the smooth curve of his head, urging him on as he slowly explored her with that wonderful mouth of his... Her eyes snapped open. Oh shit, this is Lex Luthor we're talking about here! Hello? Major play boy! She jerked back when she realized she had been swaying towards him and widened her eyes.

Chloe let out a nervous laugh and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear while ducking her head to hide the flush that appeared on her cheeks. He merely folded his arms and gave her his trademark smirk, showing her that what he did gained the effect he was looking for. Her eyes bounced from him to the space in front of her then back to him again. It was embarrassing to fall for such an obvious line, but she couldn't help but feel... well, turned on by the voice and the person who was administering it to her. Her shoulders were quite tense for a long time and nothing passed between them for a stretched, awkward moment.

He finally mumbled something beside her and she heard the click of his seat belt and the rustle of his clothes moving away. Chloe bit her lip. Boy, this is really strange... Lex walked off to the bathroom with a cloaked look on his face. If she could understand his moods, she would know that he there was also some irritation in the stormy depths of his eyes. He hadn't meant for that to happen. What the hell had possessed him to do such a thing anyway? he asked himself angrily as he opened the lavatory door and closed it behind him once he was fully inside. Now he had to stop the throbbing of his damned aroused cock for the impulsiveness he had just shown. What had he hoped to achieve? It was obvious she was enamored with the old Professor - for reasons that he didn't know. His mind and body were at war. Chloe elicited a strange mixture of feelings in him; feelings that he had never really experienced with other women; feelings that scared him half to death. He hated it.

He turned the knob of the faucet, allowing the cold water to spew out and, cupping his hands, splashed some on his face to calm himself. In his mind, he chanted that all he was feeling was mere lust for the girl he invited to stay in first class with him. However, somewhere in the untapped sections, there was the echo that what he was thinking wasn't true.

When Lex got back to his seat, Chloe was upright once again, watching the news. Knowing it was good that she was distracted he reached for his suitcase and placed it on his lap to take out the stats and figures that he would have to look over. As he pulled out the first of many folders within the case, Chloe took notice of his actions. Her curiosity overruled her resolve to keep a safe mental distance from the man and she cautiously removed her headphones and peeked over at what he was looking at. Luthor Corp. figures, she thought in excitement. If she was a news reporter, boy, she would have a kick at looking at those babies!

"I see that your habits are still the same, Miss Sullivan," Lex said with a hint of amusement in his voice and evident in the slight curve of his lips.

Startled, she practically jumped away, a blush creeping onto her face. "I'm - oh, I'm really sorry... I just couldn't help myself!"

He gave her a side-long glance, as if he was measuring her reaction to what he was going to say next. "Well, as much as I would like to satisfy you, I believe you will be quite disappointed at what you will see here." Having said that he turned the folder so that it was legible to the both of them. Chloe blinked, dumbstruck at the fact that he would actually trust her enough to see information that could very well destroy his reputation, should word leak out.

When she looked down and took a look, however, she understood why he said that she would be unsatisfied by what she saw. All the figures showed that the company was in good shape. There were the usual unhappy workers, but every business had those. Luthor Corp. was making a great amount, but donating a tenth of it to the needy while using the rest on the individuals working in the company. A news reporter would have a hard time making Lex Luthor look bad with this information - something that was a must in the press.

Chloe gave him an impressed look. "I see you're holding your own well in the business world. If your personal life was in equal standing, then I believe you are just about the most successful individuals I've ever met."

"Well, I'm quite sorry to say that I won't be on that list anytime soon considering my personal life isn't quite as great as you are projecting," he replied with an inaudible sigh.

"Oh?" His companion cocked her head to the side in renewed inquisitiveness. "Do you mind if I ask why you'd say that? Could it be that you haven't found a lucky lady to love?"

As much as I don't want to admit it, she exists and she's sitting beside me. "No, there's no one yet worth my while, unfortunately." He closed the folder and set it on his lap as he looked blankly ahead of him - his expression unfathomable to Chloe.

"Well, then that makes the two of us. Why don't we share a drink and toast to our wonderful lives?"

He cast a side-long glance her way then shrugged inwardly to himself. Doesn't hurt, now does it? It did actually seem like she was trying to patch things up between the two of them, thus giving him the window of opportunity to get back on her less awkward side. "Very well, then, Miss Sullivan," he conceded motioning to the flight attendant for her services.

"It's Chloe," she said, causing him to pause in mid-action.

He turned to her with his little half smile on his face. "If that's the case, then it's Lex." She returned a full upturn of her lips and nodded. Still looking at her, he motioned for the flight attendant to come over and finally looked away when the woman came over and asked what it was that they desired.

Once they were with their individual drinks - Chloe ordered a Margherita on the rocks while Lex just had champagne - they held their drinks to one another and she did the honors of making the little prior-toast speech. "To us; may this newly-discovered communal life-trait be the beginning of a good and long friendship." She laughed at that as she held her flute out for him to toast.

They had ordered more drinks after taking their lunch on board and as they drank and spoke to each other, Lex tilted his head idly and watched her. Now this is genuine cheer, he thought with a little smile. The first time she had caught his attention in the airport, he could see that the grin upon her face was slightly forced, but now, it was absolutely different. Her body lacked the earlier tension she held in it and there was a carefree look to her. He mentally patted himself on the back for his fine work and canny way of thinking. The smile upon his face grew a bit more as she spoke, delighted more and more at the choice of having her on the ride there.

~~ o0o ~~

Severus was just as eager to get off the plane as Hermione was - both for the same reason: Chloe's well-being. Severus scowled as he stormed into the airport, searching for that blonde-haired idiot that he was saddled with for the trip while Hermione, a worried look planted on her face, did the same, hurrying along and searching with alert eyes for the girl. Assuming that Lex would be with her, she searched the crowd for a familiar bald head amidst the sea of hair.

"Miss Granger," someone greeted from behind the two, causing Hermione to start.

"Bloody hell, Luthor, you gave me a fright!" she admonished as she turned to glare at him.

"That's Mister Luthor to you, by the way. I am your employer." The bald man smirked at her.

"Right, I just have a habit of forgetting formalities when I'm scared out of my wits by someone I don't exactly respect," she muttered under her breath.

The comment was more to herself than to anyone else, but he caught it and snorted. "I have a feeling that I'll be firing more sooner than later."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Oh, damn, please don't do that, Mr. Luthor," she urged in a panic. "I need the job."

"Then stay within the boundaries of the job." His voice had turned slightly frosty and callous, mirroring his expression.

Severus had stiffened beside the frizzy-haired woman. Chloe had been beside the young billionaire, a cheerful smile on her face as she leaned close to his frame for about the first few moments that he noted her there. A look of plain discomfort and guilt replaced the easy expression on her face, however, when she caught his narrowed look on her. Still, Severus couldn't shake the image of her out of his head when he had caught sight of her just as he turned. The scowl the older man had darkened as he noticed where Lex's hand was placed - at the small of her back, denoting a claim on the young woman. His obsidian eyes snapped back at Lex's cool grey ones with a coldness that could freeze any man - but not a Luthor. "What the hell did you do to the bloody girl?"

Glancing down at Chloe, the bald man replied in an almost endearing tone, "Nothing she didn't want, that's for sure." At the low growl that Severus emitted, the younger man looked back at the professor with an icy gaze. "If you think I loosened her up to have sex with her, you're a sick man. We talked, drank a little and ate. She's not drunk. You're just not used to seeing her genuinely happy for the hell of being happy. Shows just how much fun she had with you."

"Lex, come on, you're going too far with this," Chloe said as sternly as she could, but with a blush on her face. "Let's just get our things and go." Glimpsing at Severus she murmured, "I'll see you at the meeting later."

She still hurt to see him after their harsh exchange as well as to see him posted right by the person he was fond of. As she and Lex walked away, she could almost picture how it would look in a movie; she would be playing the ignorant innocent girl that was being escorted away from the scene by a hunk of a psychopath while the love of her life stood helplessly behind them. But Lex was no psychopath out to murder her and Severus was definitely not the love of her life as they had merely shared an abnormal attraction to one another that was merely an illusion. The illusion she was living in, however, was just taking longer to go away than his.

Hermione watched the two walk off down the wide corridor of the airport with a quirked eyebrow. "That certainly went well, now didn't it?" Her voice held a dry sarcasm to it seemed to snap Severus out of whatever shock he was feeling. The two turned to each other at the same time and, after a moment of silence both sighed and went to transit.

They both got on the same line and waited with their papers filled out and signed and their passports out. Just when it was about their turn, the man in the seat was called off and another man - quite familiar in looks - sat down in his place. Hermione's eyes widened and she rushed over as she realized just who it was. "Merlin, Professor Lupin!" she whispered.

"Hand me the passport - and remember it's Remus to you, Hermione," he reminded with a flashing grin. "Good day to you, Snape. Passport please..."

Remus Lupin was a member of the Order of the Phoenix - just as the many friends of Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and famous Harry Potter were. As Voldemort's control over the wizarding world grew, the Order had to grow with it, dispersing in different directions to gather small pockets of resistance to the Dark Lord and expanding the power of their group as well. The specific whereabouts of each original member were unknown - even to each other. The fact that Severus found Hermione was definitely a surprise, but more of a relief. To see Lupin was even more of a shock.

"Okay," the werewolf began as he pretended to stamp the page and type on the computer. "I've had to monitor this area of the world - as you probably already deducted by the fact that I'm here. The reason behind that was unknown to me for I was sent here on Dumbledore's insistence. After a while, I found out why he had wanted me to come here... the information I gained about this place is actually regarding your expedition."

"How did you find out about us coming here?" Hermione demanded.

Glancing at her, he answered, "I have connections out there where the both of you were. Anyway, the thing is, the Death Eaters have been alerted of something that would make their group even more powerful than before. They'll be searching around here soon for that certain item - I won't mention the name just in case. It's a good thing that you guys got here when you did."

"Okay so now not only do we have to find the stuff, we have to find it fast. Merlin help us," Severus muttered under his breath.

Handing the both of them their respective passports, Remus said, "To the Order... Good luck." Right after he did, he noticed the other employee head back, with an astoundingly confused look on his face. With a little mischievous grin on his face, he saluted the two and went out of the booth.