            The whole thing provided both exciting possibilities and infuriating consequences. For one, she’d have to give the man a plausible reason for needing books on dark magic. She could think up a good lie later. But the other issues—that of the drawing room, for one—posed bigger threats. Hermione didn’t have any mastery of occlumency. Any pain that manor brought would be writhing on the surface of her mind, dragging the memories with it. And the dreams she’d likely have after—Hermione just hoped that dream-Sirius could save her from those as well. Of course, Lucius himself posed a...dilemma. Spending more time with the man couldn’t lead to anything but red-cheeked embarrassment and humiliation.