Chapter One – The Anniversary
Hermione hummed happily as she rapidly flipped the pages of a cookbook. It was her anniversary and she would be damned if her lack of ability to cook affected her wonderful mood. Finally, she Hermione Granger-Malfoy was pregnant. The former head girl bubbled with happiness, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet as she stirred a pot. She had been waiting for this moment for a month. Lucius was bound to be home soon and everything had to be perfect.
Wonderful smells wafted through the kitchen. Although Lucius was used to eating his favorite foods, cooked by a renowned chef, Hermione believed that there was something different and better about food cooked with love. Mrs. Weasley's food definitely proved Hermione's hypothesis.
Hermione finished the last course and placed them in the finest dishes that she could find in Malfoy Manor. Then, she levitated them to the table adorned with a lacy white tablecloth with flowered stitching. Setting herself down in a chair, Hermione signed in satisfaction. Thanks to a handy repelling spell, her green, silver, and rather revealing robes remained unsoiled. Hermione decided to wait until Lucius was home to light the candles and incense. Hermione sat in the dark as she stared at the clock. Seconds passed, then minutes, and finally an hour crept by, and then three more.
A creak was heard and Hermione twitched. "Get a grip Granger." Hermione scolded herself. "You haven't defeated Voldemort for nothing." She was a third of the golden trio and would not be thwarted by a mere creak. Just because the manor was large, dark, and previously housed a number of dark objects, creatures, and prisoners did not mean that she should be afraid.
Hermione cleared her head of these thoughts. It was obvious that Lucius was working late yet again and had forgotten to call...yet again. Hermione signed and stood up, cast a warming spell on the various dishes and floated them over into a small, magically enhanced wooden basket. Slipping on a dark cloak, she apparated to the Malfoy Industries where Lucius was located. A guard that just walked to his shift hurried to open the door and welcomed her with a "Good Day, Mrs. Malfoy." The building was lavishly decorated in green, black, and silver.
At the front desk, a new guard sat and asked "Who are you?" Hermione wrinkled her nose in disgust at those manners. She sighed inwardly, thinking that some of Lucius's Slytherin-ness had rubbed off on her. She decided to answer with a simple, "Hermione Malfoy." It was odd that he had not already heard of the marriage of one of the golden trio and a former Death Eater.
"You can't be Mrs. Malfoy, she went upstairs ages ago. Unless...you were upstairs, and then apparated out to get food for...oh...sorry Mrs. Malfoy."
Hermione rolled her eyes, but at least she knew that someone was up there. Huffing angrily, she proceeded to the elevator and pressed the button for the executive level. Once she stepped out of the elevator, she was greeted with a large wall. Hermione raised her left hand and waiting for the scanning. "Welcome, Mrs. Malfoy." The wall chirped as it split in two, allowing Hermione to pass through. A plaque that read "Lucius Malfoy. Chief Executive" was hanging on a thick wooden door. Hermione simply turned the silver doorknob and entered. Upon peering in, she felt her mouth drop open in shock.