"I am... less than well regarded by the Dark Lord after the catastrophe at the Ministry of Magic two years ago," he said bitterly.  "I have little power to protect you... limited power even in my own house, which the Dark Lord uses as he sees fit, and takes any opportunity to further humiliate me.  However," he sat down next to her on the bed and sighed, looking down at her.  "There is a way I can help you.  Your friends downstairs, Miss Granger... one is an undesirable, the other a blood traitor, and both have been marked for death.  There is nothing I can do for them.  But you..." he reached out to caress her cheek and she again fought an impulse to flinch. 