Chapter Two
Three years, ten months, three weeks and five days early
Hermione loved her job. Lucius Malfoy had his own department, something he had set up with the help of the Minister, to help Muggle families with their magical children. Hermione had thought it a little overkill on Lucius' part to mend his ways, but one day he let slip to Hermione at the Christmas party that running this department was part of his conditions of not going back to Azkaban.
'So it is true! A leopard can't change its spots,' Hermione teased a little.
'Yes. Well I may have been reluctant-' Hermione snorted ungracefully into her wine at the word reluctant. 'Okay, I'd rather have had my wand stabbed into my ear.'
'What changed?" Hermione found herself asking.
'I met a young, mischievous Muggle-born boy who was very much like Draco as a child. It made me realise how much of my family I missed following the views I held and leading that life.' He took a sip of his cognac. 'Old age is making me sentimental,' Lucius added playfully.
'Nonsense. Surely Narcissa would love another child. You're both still young enough,' Hermione encouraged.
'Yes,' Lucius spoke thoughtfully, watching his wife mingle in the crowded room, 'She would rather spoil Draco as a young man than raise a child at this late stage.'
Hermione glanced at him watching Narcissa. 'And you?'
'I cannot deny that I would have loved a daughter, but I am happy if Narcissa is happy,' he said without thought.
'You are sentimental,' Hermione laughed.
'Careful. I'll half your salary,' Lucius threatened with a wink.
Hermione went straight into the kitchen, frowning when she saw Lucius wasn't at his desk as she bypassed his office. He hadn't said he'd be in a meeting this morning and he was never late. She sent a note out looking for him after an hour had passed. It came back to her unread; Lucius wasn't in the building.
Hermione went into his office and checked his diary- Lucius was meant to be as his desk.
'Is Mr Malfoy not well, Rose?' Hermione asked stepping back into the office she shared with her.
'There's been no letter off him. Is he not in a meeting?' The older woman peered over her tiny glasses at Hermione.
'No. His diary has nothing it and I needed to go over some ideas with him.' Hermione shrugged. 'I'll pop in on him on the way home. I'll put money on him being helpless when he's ill.'
'Aren't all men, dear?' Rose spoke sardonically.
Hermione Apparated outside the Malfoy grounds and swiftly made her way to the house. She found Lucius sitting on the top step leading to the door. He was unshaven, unkempt and his eyes were red-rimmed.
'Mr Malfoy?' Something didn't feel right.
'I hoped you would come. I didn't want to bother anyone…I'm quite proud, you know?' He rubbed his eyes as he peered at her like the daylight was too much. 'Rose doesn't pay attention to detail like you,' Lucius' voice was hoarse and held a tinge of pain.
'Lucius, what's happened?' Hermione asked him carefully. He looked like a skittish animal. One wrong move and everything would go wrong and fall apart. Suddenly it clicked. 'Where's Narcissa?'
'I couldn't wake her…she wouldn't wake up…I kept shaking her and she wouldn't wake up for me.' Tears slid down his cheeks. Hermione slowly sat down next to him on the step. 'All this magic,' he gestured wildly. Hermione flinched backwards and gently pushed his arm back down. 'We're meant to live long lives!' he spoke angrily.
'Lucius-'
'An aneurysm. It could have happened to any one of us- magical or not- they told me,' he told her quietly.
Hermione gently placed a hand on his forearm. She had nothing to say because words were not going to comfort him.
'I was meant to go first…it was meant to be me!' Suddenly he couldn't hold back his sobs. Hermione was startled at seeing him in such a state. She slowly scooted closer, placing an arm round his back, rubbing it soothingly, while looping her free arm around his. He leant into it gratefully, a hand covering his face.
'Granger?' a voice she'd grown up with spoke behind her.
They both turned to see Draco coming out of the Manor. 'Are you okay, Draco?' Hermione asked, letting Lucius move away from her slightly and rub his face of the tears. She could see the numbness of what had happened already settling on Draco.
He came to take a seat on the other side of Hermione. 'I don't know what to do,' he admitted quietly.
'Stick together and keep each other company,' Hermione told them both simply. Lucius stared out at the grounds, the tears drying up. Draco gave a small nod, not really looking at her.
'Lucius, was there anything Narcissa wanted?' she asked as delicately as possible.
'To be with Nymphadora. She'd be regretting not spending time with her as she grew up,' Lucius muttered before looking at her with glassy eyes.
'I know it isn't what you want to think about right now, but would you like me to make some arrangements and contact anyone?'
Draco laughed hollowly.
'Not everyone is as forgiving as you, Miss Granger,' Lucius told her honestly.
'It's just the two of us now,' Draco added.
Hermione sighed heavily. They both looked broken and tired. 'I'm not family, but I'm here if that makes a difference to you.'
Draco said nothing but Lucius took her hand and kissed the back of it. 'It's more than we could ever ask of you,' Lucius smiled sadly before standing, keeping hold of Hermione's hand and helping her up to.
Hermione took a look down at Draco before looking back at Lucius. 'Get some rest. I'll come back in the morning and get things organised.' She touched his arm briefly before starting to walk away.
Hermione arrived home to find her best friends raiding her cupboards. 'Training?' she asked sitting down heavily at the kitchen table. Ron was always eating but when Harry joined him it meant some hard Auror training had been at work.
'I swear they want to break every bone in our bodies,' Harry joked before turning to look at her. 'What's happened? Did he do something?'
Ron stopped raiding the cupboard at that question to look at Hermione. 'Does this mean I can kill him now?'
'Oh hush,' Hermione said half-heartedly. She leant heavily on the table with her hand propping up her head. 'Narcissa died.'
Harry and Ron glanced awkwardly at each other before Ron spoke. 'You can't expect us to be sympathetic.'
'Have you forgotten that she saved Harry's life?' Hermione snapped sitting up.
'Have you forgotten how vindictive they were to us?' Ron snapped back.
Harry shoved Ron before taking a seat opposite her. 'We're not as forgiving as you, Hermione. Just because they said sorry, it still doesn't make things okay, you know?' Harry said gently.
Hermione remained silent, tracing a knot in the wood of the table. She wasn't going to argue with her friends about this.
'Why are you so bothered about her dying?' Ron finally asked as he too took a seat. 'You barely spoke to her.'
'Because seeing Lucius in that state reminded me of when I finally realised I'd never see my parents again. Your heart breaks when it sinks in that you never got to tell them you love them one last time,' Hermione explained painfully. 'I wouldn't wish it on anyone.' She stood up. She needed a shower. 'Just don't hassle me about him for a little while, that's all I ask. And don't make a mess of my kitchen while I get a shower.'
'I think we can manage that,' Harry smiled.
The next morning Hermione sent an owl to the office without any details, just that neither Lucius nor herself would be in the office. It was up to Lucius when he wanted to tell people. She picked up her bag and set out for Malfoy Manor.
Narcissa had always been pleasant to her, but Hermione sometimes had the feeling she did it for her husband. It was little looks she would give Hermione when Narcissa came into the office, or the way she would say certain comments. Either way, Narcissa quite clearly loved her husband very much for her to put aside her feelings for Hermione that way. And for that, Hermione respected her deeply. Even with the past that they had. She just hoped that Narcissa would have been okay with her helping Lucius. Maybe she could ask a painting. They held an essence of the person within the frame.
When Hermione arrived at the Manor with rosy cheeks from the brisk walk, she found Lucius pacing the foyer. "Lucius?" Hermione spoke carefully. He looked like he was ready to break.
Lucius stopped pacing to look at her. "I'd like to do this quickly. I...I...Draco seems to be handling..." Lucius' shoulders sagged. "When will I stop missing her?" Lucius finally asked.
Hermione smiled sadly. "Never," she told him truthfully.
Lucius gave a resolute nod. "Thought as much. And the pain? I feel like I can't breathe properly."
"It eases eventually," Hermione put her bag down by the door and hung her coat up on the hooks to the far left of the double doors. "Have you eaten?"
"Don't mother me, Miss Granger!" Lucius snapped. The coolness in his grey eyes startled Hermione slightly, taking an involuntary step backwards. It reminded her a little bit of the old Lucius Malfoy. Lucius registered her look before Hermione could hide it from him. He opened his mouth to speak, making his expression softer.
"It doesn't matter," Hermione said softly with a small shake of her head. "Just tell me what you need and I'll arrange it for you."
Lucius watched her for a moment before speaking. "Her will is in my study." He gestured for her to follow him up the stairs. "It would appear she'd changed it recently with you in mind." Hermione paused on the stairs.
"Me?" Hermione found herself asking before continuing to follow him.
"You'll see," Lucius said simply. Hermione took in his appearance properly whilst she followed him. Usually Lucius was a well groomed man who looked extremely well for his years. Not to say he was old, but she'd seen younger men look a lot older than Lucius. Only now he looked his age and fragile. He'd quite clearly not been to bed, his rumpled clothes were the ones she'd seen him in yesterday.
When they reached Lucius' study, Hermione hovered in the middle of the room as Lucius went to his desk by the window. He came back to her with the will and a small note attached to it. Hermione glanced down at it seeing her name in a neat hand at the top. "Why don't you get some sleep and I'll start on the arrangements," Hermione suggested to him.
Lucius moved to the door silently. "I need to know something," Lucius suddenly said as he turned back to her. Hermione waited for the question. "Why are you helping us?"
Hermione sighed heavily. "It's hard to say this without making my friends sound callous, but I had no offers of help with my parents' funerals from them- only because none of them knew what to do for a Muggle funeral. And every time I had to arrange something I kept breaking down in front of complete strangers. I didn't want that for you."
"Why not?" Lucius asked.
"I wouldn't want it for anyone, Mr Malfoy," Hermione stated simply, "Grieving is hard enough without having to think of making any kind of arrangements." Lucius watched her carefully before giving a small nod and leaving.
Dear Hermione,
If I know you correctly then I know you'll help Lucius in whatever way possible should I die. I may not have taken to you, but I see what a kind heart you have. Not many have that in these times.
Please look after him. My darling Draco is strong, but Lucius is still very much shaken with the things that happened. And I thank you for having a big enough heart to forgive us. I'll be forever in your debt for that.
Even though I have never shown that I am grateful to you, I have left you a small amount of my inheritance. (My mother will be spinning in her grave at this, but we all need to adjust with the times.) Draco has the estate, you have no family left. Do what you will with it; just see it as a sign of my deep gratitude for all the time I never showed it to you.
Tell Lucius and Draco I will always watch over them both. And make sure Draco gives me grandchildren! I hope that you will always be in their lives. They need someone like you around.
Narcissa
Hermione sat back in Lucius' chair with tears in her eyes. Never in her wildest dreams would she have believed this happening. And with that note, Hermione felt she had the blessing she needed off Narcissa to help Lucius. She obviously took in things more than she let on to people. A smart woman, in Hermione's eyes.
Present Day
Hermione woke up to find Ginny in her room, sitting in the rocking chair in the corner. It had been her mother's rocking chair and something she would take with her wherever she was in her life.
"Hermione Granger! You are stronger than this!" Ginny scolded as Hermione sat up. "I will no longer sit back and watch one of my best friends wallow in self-pity over a man!"
"Your mum's been speaking to you, hasn't she?" Hermione asked swinging her legs over the edge.
"Actually it was Harry," Ginny admitted with a guilty smile. "And I'm preparing you."
"Preparing me for what?" Hermione asked in confusion. Ginny hesitated before taking a newspaper off the windowsill and holding it out to her. Hermione took the paper and scanned the folded page Ginny had it at. Hermione felt like she'd been stabbed in the heart. There was an article about some grand ball being held for St Mungo's and in it held two sentences that made Hermione feel like she couldn't breathe. In attendance was Lucius Malfoy. He appeared to be having a good time and moving on quickly from the wedding that never was with a mystery redhead.
"Now don't panic, Hermione. The redhead was me. And he wasn't having a good time, he looked miserable," Ginny spoke quickly standing up.
"So miserable that he went to a ball and couldn't find the time to marry me!" Hermione shouted. "And you! How could you!"
"Hermione," Ginny wailed, "I didn't expect to see him there, and when I did I went over to him and gave him a piece of my mind. He was quite pathetic really. Didn't even argue back."
Hermione sunk back down onto the bed. "I'm sorry. It's not your fault. I'm lashing out at whoever's near to me." She roughly wiped away the tears. "I miss him so much."
Ginny took a seat next to Hermione. "Why don't you open his letters? Or maybe visit him?" She put an arm around Hermione.
"No. He doesn't love me. If he did, he wouldn't have broken my heart the way he did. If he's miserable then it's his own damn fault!"
"If it helps any, I agree," a cool voice said from the door. Both Hermione and Ginny turned their heads quickly to see Draco at the door. "I wanted to see you sooner but I wasn't sure if I'd be welcome."
"It wasn't you who jilted me," Hermione told him bitterly. "Can you at least shed some light on why he did it?" Draco shook his head. "You know, all the time I was with him I never felt like I was enough. I felt I was completely inadequate for him."
"That isn't true," Draco told her firmly. "If anything, he could never understand why you wanted to be with him." Draco took a seat on the other side of Hermione. "You have to understand, Granger, my father would rather kill himself than purposely hurt you. There's more to it. There has to be."
"I think he has a point, Hermione," Ginny agreed softly, brushing back some stray hair from Hermione's face.
Hermione shrugged her shoulders in defeat. "I don't care. If he doesn't want me, then that's fine. There's nothing I can do about it. All I know is he won't get a second chance with me if he changes his mind."
Lucius rubbed his cheek roughly, still staring at the one paragraph he wanted so much to be erased. Gossip columns were the bane of his existence and today was no exception for his feelings towards them. They bloody well knew it was Ginny Weasley he'd been speaking to- or rather it had been her speaking to him. Not that he didn't deserve everything she'd said.
Sipping the last of his cold tea, Lucius got up to get dressed. He would have to show his face in work for an hour. As he entered the foyer and headed to the stairs, Draco entered through the front door. "Where've you been?" Lucius asked with vague interest.
"To see Hermione," Draco stated simply. Lucius froze on the spot at the bottom of the stairs before slowly turning to him. Draco watched him coldly. "You're a fool!"
"What did she say?" Lucius demanded frantically. "Is she okay? Has she read my letters?" Lucius had crossed the foyer in less than five strides.
"She's a mess. You've ruined her and you'll never have her in your life again," Draco told him truthfully.
Lucius felt like he'd been punched in the gut. Straightening himself up to his full height helped him keep his balance and ignore the pain. "Did she not read my letters?" he asked again.
"What do you think? Letters mean nothing to her. It's actions she wants." Draco pushed past him. This conversation was over. Lucius sank down onto the bottom step; going into the office today was no longer an option for him.
