Chapter 1 Butterscotch

Hermione found herself standing in an empty corridor. She thought the location was rather familiar. She has been there before various times. She felt a strong force pulled her wand arm's wrist and led her to somewhere else.

"Shh!" The familiar male voice said. Hermione quieted without hesitation. The voice immersed her even though it contained a tone of bitter coldness.

Hermione looked around the room. It puzzled her. It was not the cold Slytherin Common room in the dungeons. The room was more spacious and warm. The wall was not made of stone. It was composed of some strange fabric-like material. The room's decorations, although, were very Slytherin. The rich silk deep green tapestries were embroidered with snakes. She sat on the green sofa, which was next to the elegant low wooden table.

"Drink." Lucius commanded. She sniffed at the goblet that he handed to her.

The charming blond chuckled deeply, made her shivered down to her spine. "You think I have put some poison in it, love?" He laughed out loud again. This time, it echoed through the room. Hermione blinked. This was not the Lucius she knew. He was not cold and uncaring. He did not sneer at her. She sipped some of the liquid. She thought it was delectable. Her whole body was warmed.

"What is this?" She asked.

"Did you like it, dear?" Lucius said.

"What did you call me?" She shrieked. She was pleased that he used endearments rather than addressed her like a strange unappealing creature because of her blood status. She did not realized that he may not actually know of that yet.

"This is Butterscotch," he attempted to change the topic, "it has alcohol unlike Butterbeer. This brew also contained more flavorings and such. If you must know, we are in the Room of Requirement." Hermione relaxed. She was at Hogwarts and she was temporary safe.

"This is my perfect study room. You have to stay here for a day before leaving again, Hermione." Hermione bitten her lower lip. He seemed to know about this.

"That still did not explain why I am here." His expression froze.

"I actually have no idea. Dumbledore told me about your arrival today two hours ago." She pondered at this. "The manipulating bastard was behind this," she thought, "he had to have Harry and Professor Snape suffered so much. What is he doing this time?"

"I'm actually surprised that you followed his instructions," Hermione said nonchalantly. He raised one eyebrow.

"I'll never be a head-boy if I don't obey. I'm not a pansy." Right, Slytherins and their slyness. The boy had a secret agenda of his actions.

"What about the Dark Lord? Are you going to tell him about me?" Hermione asked cautiously.

"Why would I? I just want power. My father wanted me to. I don't want my family hurt. I'm the only heir. I have to get the Mark in my seventh year. And you?" Another surprising fact revealed. He was in his own team.

She responded, "I don't think I ever will." He sighed.

"I believe in the good. I have to protect my family. You are so lucky, Hermione." He muttered and laid his head on Hermione's lap. She was startled. What did he want her to do? Comfort him?

She looked at the boy's placate face. He was more handsome than she last saw him in the headmaster's office. Two years had past according to the calendar on the wall. He was growing out his hair. Lucius moved a bit and stared into her cinnamon brown eyes. "She is so beautiful. Others may not say so. I love her frizzy brown hair. Her skin. How nearly flawless," he thought. There was a moment of silence.

"Do you have to finish your assignments?" She said, breaking the ice.

"Shit. I nearly forgot," he exclaimed.

"I can help you if you want me to."

"I have to work on Potions," he said.

After looking at the formula, Hermione took out a jar of licorice root from cupboard to slice them. Lucius stirred at the translucent base in a copper cauldron. She stared at his perfect manicured fingers. His heart fluttered. However, his face remained neutral. Lucius was used to getting attention. He was a Malfoy after all. He poured the powdered dogwood bark into the cauldron. It shimmered.

"The potion is going well," he announced.

She smiled and handed him the chopped roots in a bowl. Their fingers momentarily touched. They both felt a jolt of sensation. It was simply magical.

"I'll finish it by myself," he said, feeling awkward. Hermione nodded.

"I'll going to take a short nap. Wake me up when it is time for me to go," Hermione said.

"Certainly, dear," he responded, tersely.

She fell into a deep slumber. He smiled and finished his work. He noticed that she dropped her handkerchief. He raised the square scrap of fabric to his nose. It smelled of Hermione. Fragrance of jasmine and rose laced with her natural scent. He placed it in his robe pocket discretely. Just something for remembering her. He stared at the small clock. Three hours have already passed by. So quickly. He wanted to spend more time with the girl.

He went out to procure some food from the kitchens. When he came back, she was still sleeping serenely. He reached out and gently caressed her hair.

"Wake up, Hermione. Eat up. I'm having dinner in the Great Hall after you leave." He said.

She sat up and looked at the glass platter. A warm fillet of salmon on a bed of salad and a crust of Italian bread settled on it. She forked at the fish.

"This is good," she said after taking a bite. Hungrily, she devoured the plate of food completely.

Lucius glanced at the clock. "It is time. I don't know when I will see you again. I hope your journey will go well. I bid you farewell." He kissed her on the cheek. She blushed and nodded.

He took a deep breath and chanted the incantation that Dumbledore instructed him. Hermione closed her eyes calmly. An aura of light surrounded Hermione and she disappeared.

She opened her eyes. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped in surprise. "Merlin's bollocks! Where the fucking hell am I?"