Lucius Malfoy was a broken man.
He had lost his wife and son during the battle of Hogwarts. He'd switched his allegiance as soon as it was clear that the dark lord could be defeated. There was no way he was going to lose his life, position, fortune and homes for the vision of a deluded megalomaniac. His wife and son would not be persuaded; they went to their deaths. Thankfully, he met neither of them in battle. He still does not know how he would have reacted had that come to pass.
Draco was found among the dead when the battle was done. How he was killed would forever remain a mystery. His wife, poor woman had thrown herself from the top of Hogwarts, a dark parody of Dumbledores death. He knows he could have saved her from Azkaban if only she had waited. He was not without some influence.
He missed her. It was not as though he had loved her, theirs was a loveless marriage but not without affection. They had just grown used to each other and of course, she had had Draco to occupy her time. Being a good pureblood father, he had had little to do with the raising of his son; but he keenly felt the loss of his only heir. Following Draco's birth Narcissa had withdrawn her conjugal favours. Not that you could have called their coupling anything but dutiful, she certainly did not fulfil his needs, just as sure as he didn't fulfil hers. He didn't even know if she ever had any, nothing like that was ever discussed in a pureblood household. She scratched an itch momentarily, that was all.
He had no delusions over his appointment as Minister for Magic either. He was a puppet on show. An example for the misguided remainder of The Dark Lords followers; proving that there was redemption and forgiveness even for former Death Eaters. She held the power. The power behind his throne. The position he had coveted so long, now held was with but a hollow victory, his scheming and networking all for naught. She, surprisingly was a good politician, a first rate one in fact. She could have held the position in her own right but for her tender years. Who knew she would take to it so well? Kingsley, the former Minister had finally succumbed to his war wounds 3 years after his election, leaving a void in the hearts and minds of the Wizarding world. He had helped rebuild their hidden society and repair bridges between pure bloods, half bloods and muggleborns. Squibs even, were no longer treated as pariahs; usually given positions in Muggle Relations, where they were ideally situated to act as liaison between the two different worlds.
His own appointment had caused a stir to say the least, however, he felt sure many realised the true nature of it, but he had something to do and something to keep his mind off the past, which could have been so different if only he'd made the right choices...
"Lucius?" he felt a gentle touch on his knee. "Lucius, can you hear me?"
It was her, no one else would dare approach him so closely, she was unaffected by such restraints though. A breath of fresh air; no she was a breath of fresh flowers, Roses how could a person be so fragrant? She smelled of fragrant Roses.
"Lucius.... Are you all right?.......Please Lucius...? At the pleading, even caring note in her voice his eyes flew open and locked with hers. Deep, dark pools to lose oneself in, she was leaning over him, inches from his face. He could feel her breath on his cheeks. He sat up putting some distance between the two of them.
"I apologise Hermione, I was lost in thought."
She sighed as she straightened; a slight smile touched her lips "It doesn't do to dwell on the past Lucius"
"How do you know I wasn't gathering my thoughts for the forthcoming Ministers meeting?" He asked her; alarmed at the window she had into his soul- his soul what an absurdity, surely that was gone with the pain and torture he had inflicted in his previous life.
"Were you?" her eyes once soft, dark and welcoming suddenly pierced him to his core.
This time he sighed, "You are, as always, correct, Hermione. No, I was dwelling on the past."
He had worked with her for two years, officially she was his executive advisor, in reality she made the decisions, he just announced them. He was surprised how readily she would listen to his advice though. Maybe she thought his experiences could be learned from and hopefully avoided in the future. She had made some remarkable changes, particularly in The department for the regulation and control of magical creatures. Renamed Magical Creature Liaison there were now a number of Magical Creatures working within the Ministry and a representative of each race sitting in a permanent forum 'United Creatures'. He believed she drew on her own experiences of living in the Muggle world before she attended Hogwarts, where these committees of varied representation were popular.
He shook his head not wanting to sink into another reverie.
"Perhaps some Coffee, Lucius." It was not a question. " Finty!"
A small pop announced the arrival of Hermione's house elf. He could hear her ordering coffee and sandwiches for the two of them. He marvelled how she had come to appreciate and even accept the use of house elves now she was in a position of real power to improve their living and working conditions. A smile played across his lips as he remembered Draco's tales of her SPEW activities during their time at Hogwarts. He understood that many of the house elves refused to clean the Gryffindor common room in fear of inadvertently receiving clothes!
He was roused by Finty's return with coffee and sandwiches, at the smell of the food his stomach let out a low growl, he normally would have felt discomfort at showing his Human needs but in Hermione's company, he only let out a small laugh.
"I obviously wasn't the only one in need of refreshment then Lucius!"
She seated herself next to him and chatted amiably, office gossip and other light topics while she poured their coffee.
"Was there a reason for this visit Hermione? Or just another excuse to check on my welfare?" He knew he probably would not have eaten anything had she not interrupted his brooding.
"Lucius," she sighed heavily "You know full well if I hadn't interrupted your brooding you would never have thought of eating...."
"There she goes again with that window," he thought.
"..........But this was an official visit, there are notes for this afternoons meeting and some papers for you to look over and sign"
She passed his coffee, and pushed a small plate of sandwiches over to him.
He noticed she did not ask how he took his coffee; she was so good at remembering all those little details. One of the reasons she had risen so high, so fast; she was invaluable, particularly round the negotiating table.
"We can discuss them while you eat" she flashed him one of her most brilliant smiles and handed him the pile of parchments.
An unbidden thought of her in his Rose Garden strayed into his head, "Where did that come from?" He thought.
"I give in, you've worn me down" he laughed lightly and reached for the plate "Now, how many enchanted vacuum cleaners did we discover this week?"
Hermione Granger was a beautiful, successful yet somewhat lonely woman.
The brief passion she shared with Ron at the time of The Battle of Hogwarts faded along with their chances of sudden death. She would always cherish those moments of tenderness but, deeper than that their friendship ran and the three of them remained hard friends. Lavender had married her 'won-won' last year; she herself had been bridesmaid and Maid of Honour for Ginny and Harry who were already expecting their third child. Ron was now a partner in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and the business was going from strength to strength. George felt the products lacked a certain something without Fred's input, but if truth be told, the customers didn't notice.
Harry on the other hand had risen through the ranks at a rate of knots matched only by hers. What else was expected of the boy-who-lived-twice!
He headed the Auror department and she had close contact with him through the Ministry, but little chance of anything more. He was kept busy even now tracking errant Death Eaters and those still drawn down the darker paths.
There had been no time for romance after that, to be still a virgin at her age was unheard of, but she had been appointed Kingsley's deputy a year after he had been elected. He found the full demands of his position draining, he obtained many injuries during that final battle from which he would never fully recover and she stood in for him at ceremonies and meetings whenever she was needed, eventually she was Minister for Magic in all but title. After his death, many assumed she would simply step seamlessly into the position; but she knew she was too young and it was too soon to make so drastic a step. There were still those among the community who would not accept a muggleborn as their First Minister. She recommended Lucius Malfoy as her 'front' herself. Yes, he had always had a strong sense of self-preservation, hence his vacillations, but he was an intelligent man with a sound knowledge of politics & finance and he was a former Death Eater, a prominent one at that. Who better to stand up in front of the Wizarding World and proclaim the new changes and acceptances that were part of this new Ministry?
Which is what led her to where she was now, leaning against his office door watching him sleep on his couch; robes discarded for now, his white linen shirt lay open at the neck revealing the silvery tips of many battle scars. The years since the war had told on him. His once proud and arrogant features had taken on a softer careworn edge and his eyes held less of that steely fire than they used too. He still dressed with impeccable taste however and his trademark long platinum hair was always carefully groomed. He was, she had to admit a very handsome man, she suspected his once toned body had been neglected but that was to be expected of a man his age.
As she watched him, flickers of pain sped across his face, maybe he wasn't sleeping. He lived in the past too much, spent too long worrying over his past offences and she stepped in.
Leaning over him she spoke gently but still he didn't respond she dropped her hand to his knee hoping her touch would rouse him. Still nothing, she leaned closer, she could smell...what was that?, Merlin, this man always smelled divine.
His eyes flew open and he shot back from her. For an instant she saw that familiar fire and hoped maybe he was starting to rise up from the dark places he had been in since losing his family.
He was too thin, she knew he didn't eat properly, she asked one of her house elves to watch over him and through her, received regular reports of his self neglect. Leaving her only to guess at what inner turmoil he faced. She could at least make sure he lunched well before this afternoons meeting.
While she ordered coffee and sandwiches she watched him watching her. She knew he wasn't really watching her but in one of those distant places he retreated to. She also knew she could be the one to bring him back, they already worked so well together; but she also knew that not too long ago she had only been a MudBlood in his eyes, a filthy little one if memory served and hers usually did.
She chatted to him while serving his coffee. She knew Lucius felt she should have one of her assistants do this, but she enjoyed these private chats with him, without the disturbances of their staff.
She watched him go over the notes and papers, before signing anything, the consummate politician in him made him ask many questions, which she could quickly answer and settle any doubts or fears he may have had. The conversation turned to lighter more personal matters, Harry and Ginny's ever growing family, speculation on how long before Ron and Lavender have children. Hermione was aware that the biggest topic of ministry gossip was her love life or lack of it, she never spoke about it with anyone, which only fuelled the gossip even more. The current rumour she understood was that she was gay and she had a partner hidden away at home, ashamed of being found out.
She was laughing with Lucius about how Rita Skeeter might break the news in The Daily Prophet . "At least I wouldn't have to keep repeating; I'm too busy for love or I just haven't found the right man yet" she laughed.
How refreshing she is Lucius thought, you would never had guessed a few years ago that such light-hearted topics would be being discussed in the Minister for Magic's Office.
"Hermione, do you mind if I ask you a personal question?" he thought he would try and push the bonds of their tentative friendship a little further. He took her silence for assent.
"Why are you still single? You are an intelligent, stunningly beautiful woman, any man would be honoured to have you grace his arm. Granted you have been running this office for many a year and Merlin knows I don't make things easy for you, questioning your every decision. I know from firsthand experience of your independent streak, but don't sacrifice your comfort and companionship for your career."
He wondered if he'd gone too far, overstepped her demarcated boundaries. She was business-like with everyone in this ministry, making up for her lack of years he supposed but there was a lot of history between them and he saw a different Hermione. He knew that Harry saw a different Hermione again, one where there were no boundaries or secrets. What would he have to do to earn that kind of trust from her? Could he ever elicit such sensitivity from one he had treated so cruelly, however ill-conceived.
To his surprise she smiled. "One for One?" she teased, so that's how he could start to earn her trust, unburden himself of....of what? his feelings, he was a pureblood, he did not have feelings. This however, he knew was lie, his feelings were about to betray him so he slowly nodded his agreement.
Overwhelmed by a sudden wave of sympathy for him she clutched his hand "Is that what you did Lucius? Is that how it all started to go wrong for you?"
"No, My Love," he moved his other hand to cover hers, "I never had the opportunity for that kind of comfort or that close companionship, my marriage was arranged even before my birth, after Draco, we settled into a kind of friendship, we cared deeply for each other but we never loved like..." he stopped short and laughed. "I believe it is you who should answer my question first in this game of yours!"
She laughed along with him, he had not noticed his slip, her heart had leapt when he inadvertently called her 'My Love'. She had long suspected if she revealed the depth of feeling she held for him, it would be reciprocated, but is that a chance to take with a former Death Eater? His power was talked about in hushed tones still and is probably greater than was ever revealed. He wouldn't have risen so high as a Death Eater otherwise. She probably should be very afraid of him.
"I apologise Lucius, it was not my intention to trick you." She thought carefully before answering and he watched the worries form on her usually smooth brow. How he longed to share those worries with her. He certainly was awash with these new found feelings.
Taking a deep breath she began, " The only boyfriend I've ever had was Ronald. As you are aware that did not last long after the war. It was in reality just another facet to our friendship; we sought comfort and solace with each other but when we no longer needed it we reverted back to the easy friends we had been before. Too Soon I was posted here and although there have been many suitors from those wishing to be seen with one of the three, there have been none who wanted me for what I am inside, not just WHO I am. I have never even been on a date Lucius, and I believe dating is a requirement of meeting and eventually marrying someone in this modern world we are creating."
Arranged marriages were no longer approved by the Ministry, of course there was nothing really they could do to stop them entirely but announcing official disapproval was a beginning.
"I do have the time for love but only for the right man. Does that answer your question?" she raised her eyes to meet his and what she saw there, she was at a loss to understand.
For all her learning Hermione had little experience of the world and life, Lucius Malfoy however, had too much experience of life and the world. There were many things he wouldn't share with Hermione, no matter how close they became as he was too ashamed of his actions. Like the many women he bedded just because he could, but just as Hermione ,he had found they only wanted to be seen with Lucius Malfoy, take a piece of Lucius Malfoy they cared nothing for the man. What young Hermione saw in his eyes and could not understand was empathy and for Lucius there came a sudden realisation of how similar they were despite their differences.
"My turn again, I understand," He was beginning to enjoy this.
As he drew breath a young assistant burst in, she took in the scene before her and the dishevelled state of the occupants with one look, her face colouring highly as she squeaked "The Ministers are here" turned and fled, slamming the doors behind her.
Lucius and Hermione looked at each other in pure astonishment, whatever was wrong with the girl? He began to survey the scene himself; he was not fully dressed having discarded his robes earlier in the day and unbuttoned his shirt for comfort, Hermione had kicked off her shoes and her feet were up on the low table revealing a little more of her legs than was decent for a woman of her position, the remains of their 'private lunch' lay on the floor along with the afternoons papers but most tellingly they still clasped one another hands.
" I believe she may have thought we were post coital, My Love" There it was again; A blush rose on Hermione's cheeks, from this Lucius inferred she had never in fact been post coital "This rumour will certainly beat the one about your secret Gay Lover." he laughed and patted her leg, come we mustn't keep your ministers waiting."
Hermione stood and straightened her robes, carefully replacing her shoes while calling Finty to clear the lunch dishes. She had never felt such humiliation and in front of such a junior member of staff. What must Lucius think of her now and just as their relationship was beginning to evolve. She would have to think of another way to lift his spirits, she thought somewhat downheartedly.
"Lucius, I must apologise for putting you in this position, you are the public face of this Ministry and to be seen in such an undignified way with a member of your staff..."
He held up his hand to stop her and lightly grasping her chin he looked deeply into her eyes.
"Hermione, look at me, I have survived far worse than some office tittle-tattle and you and I both know, along with a great many others here, that you are not a member of my staff it is rather the other way around. Merlin's Beard! What will they call this?, The Great Seduction of Lucius Malfoy, what a temptress you are."
She blushed at his gentle teasing noticing once again that all too brief flicker of fire as they turned to leave,
" One moment, I have forgotten something." Hermione rifled through the papers certain they were all there, not understanding what he could have forgotten. "My final question," he smiled.
As she laughed along with him relieved she had not damaged their burgeoning friendship he came to stand rather formally in front of her. He was every inch the Minister for Magic now, in his finely tailored robes he almost resembled his younger self. He bowed elegantly before taking her hand.
Smiling down at her he said "Miss Granger, would you do me the honour of dining with me this evening at the Manor?"
Following this formal lead, she made a slight curtsey "Why Mr. Malfoy, it will be my great pleasure," she replied, once again flashing that bright smile of hers. He dropped a gentle kiss on the back of her hand.
At least, she thought, I can keep an eye on what he is feeding himself.