Chapter 3
Harry had begun to have nightmares again but luckily he hadn't woken anybody up yet. He knew that he would have to be very careful the next week when he and Lucius spent a week with his relatives. Severus and Sirius hadn't mentioned what went on in the garden to anybody but had kept a closer eye on Harry. Sirius and Ginny moved to Malfoy Manor, with the insistence of Lucius ("You are Draco's second cousin after all Sirius and therefore family") and would stay with Severus, Hermione, Draco, and Ron while Lucius and Harry were at Number 4, Privet Drive.
Lucius apparated Harry and himself, along with their belongings, to an alleyway near Privet Drive. Harry quickly stepped away from him, blushing from being in such close contact with him. He knew he and Lucius would be sharing a bed that week and that he would have to get use to it but he was still unsure of how he even felt about Lucius. More or less they still couldn't figure out the motive behind Fudge reinstating the marriage laws so he was still pissed about that. More so he was VERY nervous about seeing his Aunt and Uncle and Cousin after leaving nearly two weeks ago. He had been in the middle of weeding the backyard when Sirius had come out to the backyard and took him from his relative's house forever. Then again that was also the day Harry found out he was marrying the blonde man walking beside him. Harry led the way to Number 4 but before they could go up the front path, he stopped Lucius.
"Lucius my relatives are not very nice to Wizards or magic in general. I apologize before hand for their behavior but you ought to know that they will more than likely try to insult you, until they find out that you are rich. Then they might try to get money off you, using reasons like I had cost them a fortune and such. Be prepared" Lucius nodded and Harry sighed before slipping his hand through Lucius' arm and walking to the front door with the older man. Lucius rapped on the door with his cane and the door slid open to reveal Petunia Dursley.
"Ah yes you're here. Well get in here and go into the sitting room. I'll inform Vernon that you're here" she said curtly before stepping aside to let them in. Harry could feel Lucius tensing already around his arm and just led him to the sitting room, where Dudley was watching the telly. Dudley looked away from the telly briefly before going back to it. From the hall, Harry and Lucius could hear Petunia talking to Vernon.
"Vernon this blonde man looks really rich. Do you think we can finally get the money we deserve for putting up with that retched freak for so long?" Lucius looked inquiringly at Harry, who refused to meet his gaze and instead of sitting on the couch with him, stood next to Lucius and looked at the floor.
"Possibly." Lucius stood when Vernon and Petunia entered the sitting room. Petunia turned the telly off and directed her son to an armchair that sat between the ones she and Vernon were sitting in. Lucius sat when they sat. Harry continued to stand and looked t his feet. For a moment nothing was said. Finally, Harry sighed and looked at his Aunt and Uncle.
"Aunt Petunia Uncle Vernon, this is Lucius Abraxus Malfoy. From my letter, you know that he is my fiancé through the marriage laws in my world and it is required that we stay here for a week so that Lucius can get to know you and then you are to come to the wedding the second Saturday of September at my school" Vernon went from a forced smile to a purple face so fast that Lucius didn't know what to think. Before anything could happen, Vernon had stood and slapped Harry across the face and then sat down again as if nothing had happened. Lucius watched in shock as Harry just stood there and took the "love tap" calmly, as if it was a daily thing for him. Finally Petunia said something to try and break the stiff silence,
"Well Lucius, tell us about yourself."
"Well I run an empire of businesses in the Wizarding and Muggle world. I own a number of companies, including Grunnings, which is where I think you work Mr. Dursley. I will be teaching History of Magic at Hogwarts beginning this fall in order to be close to my husband while he completes his last year of schooling. Plus it is required in the marriage laws that the "wife" of the marriage become pregnant within a year, so I need to be at the school so Harry and I can work on that part of the contract as well" Vernon suddenly smirked.
"Oh I think you will find that Harry will be quire adequate in the bedroom. He definitely knows his place in the bedroom"
"What do you mean 'he knows his place in the bedroom'?" Lucius asked suspiciously. Vernon sneered.
"I mean I know how the boy performs and let me tell you he will be very good at pleasing you"Lucius' eyes widened and looked at the still standing Harry in shock before looking back at Vernon in fear.
"Well Uncle Vernon I will show myself and my fiancé up to where we will be staying this week. Excuse me sir. Lucius if you would follow me" Harry desperately needed to get out of there. He knew he would be in trouble with Lucius when they got upstairs and he didn't want his uncle to fuel Lucius anymore. When Harry finally reached his old room, he sighed and looked at Lucius briefly before pushing the door open. Lucius stepped into the smallest bedroom and shut the door, looking around at the contents of the room shocked, angry, and upset. Harry stood nervously in the middle of the room, expecting a telling off or something other than Lucius pulling him into his arms.
"Harry I am so sorry that you have had to deal with this crap for so long. But did your Uncle really mean it when he said………….."
"Yes" Lucius turned Harry around and saw the fear in Harry's bright eyes.
"I will deal with them personally after the wedding. I am so sorry about whatever happened to you in the past" Harry pushed away from Lucius angrily.
"DO NOT PITY ME. I do not need it. I don't want your sympathy." Lucius stared at Harry in shock before saying,
"Alright Harry. I'm sorry for trying to care" Lucius walked from the room and shut the door quietly and then Harry kicked the bedpost.
"GOD DAMN MERLIN!"
Later that Evening
Harry sat at the dinner table between his fat cousin and his fiancé, barely eating and barely listening to the conversation around him. He could feel eyes on him from time to time.
"So tell us about Hogwarts Harry. You didn't speak much of your school when you came home for the summer" Harry looked up and nearly dropped his fork in shock. Petunia was obviously trying to be civil around what she would consider a god like man. Harry swallowed and then said,
"Well its very big. Not as big as Malfoy Manor of course but very big indeed. It has moving staircases, moving pictures, a huge dining hall, and a few teachers that scare you shitless" Vernon leaned back in his chair, obviously satisfied that there was a teacher or two that kept his "lunatic nephew" in line.
"Hmm I can't wait to see it. Will you show me how to play that one sport that you play on a broomstick when we get to Hogwarts?" Harry was puzzled by his aunt's and cousin's behavior but nodded.
"I can have my soon-to-be-stepson to help me. I'm sure Draco would agree to a one on one Seeker match don't you think Lucius?" Lucius nodded and took a sip of his wine, managing not to sputter in distaste. These muggles obviously did NOT know what good wine tasted like.
"Well Harry we should head to bed now. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley thank you for this kind meal. We shall see you all in the morning. Come along Harry" Harry stood and left the dining room with Lucius, glad to get away from them.
"I'm sorry for earlier Lucius" Harry said as soon as they were safely in Harry's old bedroom. Lucius enlarged the bed and changed the rags Harry had for blankets to silk before turning to Harry.
"I accept your apology. Harry we do need to try to get along better though. We need to try to work together." Harry nodded and sat on the bed as he watched Lucius grab a pair of Pajama bottoms from his travel trunk.
"I'll be in the bathroom. I'm warding the door so your uncle can't come in here. I don't like him" Harry laughed and said,
"Well Luke I don't like him either but thank you very much for warding the door" Lucius nodded and left the room. Harry heard the door close with a snap and then felt the tingle of magic. Harry changed into his pajama bottoms and climbed into the bed, scooting over to the wall. He wanted Lucius in between him and the door incase Vernon decided that he was going to try and pay Harry a nighttime visit like he did when Harry was younger. Harry was reading when the door opened and Harry looked up to see the upper body of Lucius Malfoy.
"Ummmm wow" Harry stammered as his eyes glided over the muscular chest and very well defined abs. Lucius smirked and shut the door before turning the lights out and climbing into the bed with Harry. Harry felt the bed dip beside him and he turned over to see Lucius' head resting in his hand and his elbow propping his head up. Harry wanted to reach out and touch the recently dried hair, just to see if it really was better than silk but mentally slapped himself for thinking such thoughts.
"Well if you want to find out if my hair really is silk or not then touch it. I can see the question in your eyes" Lucius drawled out as if he said it daily. Harry swallowed nervously and reached a shaking hand out. Strands of the blonde hair were like water running between his fingertips and Harry gasped.
"It really is better than silk" he whispered and Lucius chuckled.
"Well now you know. We Malfoys take great pride in our appearance, especially our hair." Harry smiled softly and then said,
"Goodnight Lucius" Harry turned over on his side to go to sleep and squeak when Lucius pulled him against his bare chest.
"Shh and relax Harry" Lucius whispered. Harry nodded against Lucius' chest and soon both were asleep, but not before both had realized how perfect they fit together.
Later Lucius was awoken by a struggle and a scream. Lucius' eyes snapped open and looked at Harry and then at the door when he heard a light flick on and thundering footsteps. Harry's eyes snapped open and asked fearfully,
"Is the door still warded?" Lucius nodded and soon they heard and indignant shriek from Dursley. Soon a door slammed shut and Harry breathed.
"Sorry for waking you Lucius" Harry whispered.
"Harry if you have a nightmare, you should be woken up and then helped. Nightmares can be terrifying" Lucius whispered
"Yes but Uncle Vernon would always hit me with something heavy, usually his fist" Harry whispered as he twisted the silk sheets. A soft hand was placed on his cheek and it slowly turned his face. Lucius' eyes were shinning in the dark with concern.
"Harry I will never hit you. Not for something as small as a bad grade on a test or for something big like a nightmare. I promise you. I do care" Lucius pushed a strand of Harry's hair behind Harry's ear. Harry blushed and tried to look away but wasn't allowed to. Lucius was looking at him with such gentle eyes that it scared Harry a bit. Harry's eyes widened when he saw Lucius leaning in.
(A/N: Was going to stop here but I am on a role and stopping here would be cruel. I think it is time for some Hermione and Severus action eh??)
Back at Malfoy Manor
Hermione was curled up in an armchair by the fireplace in the library, a large book in hand. Severus was watching her from the doorway, a soft smile playing on his lips. She really was intelligent beyond her years and looked quite good when she was reading with the look of intense focus. Her features had evened out of the years. Now her teeth were in perfect shape, her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulder, her chest defined out even more to the perfect size. Severus shook his head, for that wasn't the moment to start thinking those thoughts.
"Severus I know your standing there" Severus blinked a few times before he realized Hermione had spoken to him but she hadn't looked up from her book. Severus gracefully moved into the library and sat down in the armchair across from his fiancée and took a box out of his pocket. Harry had received his earlier and Severus had visited the Prince family vaults after he and Lucius had left for the horrible muggles.
"Hermione its traditional for the bride to wear a ring, even in the case of an arranged marriage" Severus' voice caught her attention and she finally looked up from the book.
"I know that Severus. Remember I am the sufferable know-it-all that has been a thorn in your side for 6 years and counting" Hermione replied as she set the heavy book n the side table and then watched Severus intently. Severus sighed and handed her the box, which she took with great care, almost as if she was afraid it would drop and shatter into a million tiny pieces. Hermione gasped when she opened the box's lid and nearly dropped the box. The ring inside was simply stunning. It was a silver band, with a gold snake wrapping around it. The snake was incrusted with emeralds and diamonds, creating the scales of the snake. She looked up at Severus, her eyes shining brightly and asked breathlessly,
"And this is your family's engagement ring?" Severus nodded and took the ring out of the box before putting the box on top of the book and sliding the ring onto Hermione's ring finger. Hermione hugged Severus, much to his surprise, and whispered,
"Thank you"
"I am glad you approve Hermione" Severus replied. Hermione flashed him a smile and then stretched, looking at the clock as she did.
"Well I'll be off to bed if you don't mind. Thank you again Severus for the beautiful ring. I simply love it" Hermione surprised Severus by giving him a small kiss on the cheek and then walking from the library.
Back at the Dursleys
Harry was very shocked when Lucius kissed him, but very happy. It was a weird thought for him, for he saw himself marrying a girl like Cho Chang or Ginny Weasley but never thought that he might actually be in love with Lucius Malfoy of all people. The kiss was really sweet, sort of chaste, something Harry had never experienced before. Lucius was playing with Harry's hair and they were talking about the nightmare quietly, as to not wake the Dursleys.
"It was weird to be honest. I saw Hogwarts. And it looked like there had been an attack. I mean there obviously was but there weren't signs of Death Eaters. Students were injured but still had a defense sort of Aurora to them. I mean it was like it was the Gryffindors and Slytherins against Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. I don't know if it's a sign of things to come or just a dream" Harry muttered as he listened to Lucius' heartbeat.
"Well hopefully that it isn't a vision of the future" Lucius whispered as he ran his hand through Harry's hair again. Harry seemed to have warmed up to him quickly and Lucius liked it. Harry really was a jewel to behold and you got to see the true beauty of Harry if he trusted you and you didn't hurt him. Harry was marveling that Lucius was actually a really warm person compared to the person he met that one day in the bookshop before 2nd year. Draco was actually a cool person. Most of the Slytherins had been against the Dark Lord, only Theodore Nott was for him completely.
Harry snuggled against Lucius side and sighed happily, before falling back asleep. Lucius smirked, for he actually never imagined Harry being fully comfortable sharing a bed with him but the boy seemed very comfortable there. Lucius smiled and fell asleep himself, cuddling Harry close.