"Cliché? I'm CLICHÉ?!" Hermione was getting a tad shrill now and with every octave higher she managed to go her hair seemed to grow ever bushier.
"Did I stutter?"
"You are such a pompous ass!"
"Really, you've devolved into name calling?"
"You said I was being cliché! I am trying to save the wizarding world!"
Lucius waved his hand in a nonchalant manner as if bored with the way the conversation was going, "it is the same self-serving 'bravery', which runs rampant among your house"
"Self-serving? I am doing everything I can to save the wizarding world and you say I'm being self-serving as well as clichéd?"
"Why must you parrot everything back to me, Ms. Granger? I know full well what I say when I say it, and on more occasions than not- before I say it."
"I repeat myself because I cannot believe your audacity; to say that I am those things is insulting."
"So I am to believe that you would manipulate time and our reality as we know it for no other reason than to help others, that it is of no benefit to you in anyway whatsoever?"
"Yes!"
"So, hypothetically, if you were to go back in time and defeat the Dark Lord, before whatever deadline you have established as the most pertinent event, than there would be no advantage to you?"
"How could there be a profit to me? I would be pulled from my time, my friends and family, I would be alone!"
"but surely you would know significant events that have happened over the last 20 years that would be of financial value, not to mention the fact that your alter would likely live a life where she would not be so scrutinized for her breeding as you were."
"But that doesn't help me."
"You don't think that would give you some peace of mind, not to mention you would be able to live life however you choose, no friends or family holding you back from what you truly desire or wish to attain. Draco tells me that your friends didn't think to highly of you prior to the war, that they were constantly ridiculing and belittling you despite your intelligence, a life free of that sort of negativity could do wonders for you."

Lucius spotted his hand and gave it a thorough looking at, as if he weren't playing devil's advocate to Hermione, as well as planting seeds of doubt in regards to her friendships. Harry and Ron had always chosen each other over her whenever they had arguments; they also, until very recently, had failed to notice her femininity, and looked at her intelligence as a burden rather than a gift unless it suited them. GAH! No, she would not let Malfoy get the better of her!

"That's not why I'm doing this! If I go back I can save lives, and right wrongs."
"Who is to say you will be successful, what if you change things for the worse, Ms. Granger?"
"I've gone back before, and I have a plan. I will succeed."
"Ah, Gryffindor modesty, how like the Marauders you are... And may I remind you Ms. Granger that this is not a few hours to do extra studying Ms. Granger, this is nearly 20 years that greatly affected many lives, surely someone as intelligent as you can see the difference!"
Lucius Malfoy was great with the back-handed complements- and that one was a fistful of knuckles.
"It was more than just studying; we saved Sirius from the Dementors! Aside from that, nothing much changed."
"Merlin, of course you did... And do you not think that perhaps his presence in the war altered the outcome, even in the slightest?"

Hermione hadn't thought of that, Sirius' death had catapulted Harry into the war as it were, his anger and grief driving him. Not to mention that if Sirius hadn't been there to protect Harry, he could have died or Voldemort could have gotten the prophecy. Lucius may not have gone to Azkaban, and had remained in Voldemort's inner circle. Draco wouldn't have been at risk and had to kill Dumbledore and in turn Narcissa wouldn't have helped Harry.
Hell, if she hadn't saved Sirius the first time around who knows what had been different, or if she had managed to save him a second time at the Ministry. There was so much to consider.

"I can see your brain ticking away, Ms. Granger," he drawled, his steely eyes focused on her. "Do you realize the magnitude of the situation? It is not merely some ideal fiction you will be creating, you will be altering everything we know, and only you will be wise to it. Only you will you be able to bear the burden should the situation go sour?" His serious face was no less beautiful, and he seemed a little compassionate, she thought. His usually icy blue eyes held concern as they looked at her, his brow just the slightest bit furrowed. But rather than focus on his patrician features she ruminated on his words. This would weigh on her should it go wrong, he wouldn't wish that on anyone, especially not one so young and damaged to begin with.

Her voice low, "I accept there are undesirable... possibilities," a haughty scoff left his lips, "but, I have to do this Mr. Malfoy." It was almost as if she was pleading for his approval, her eyes sad and tired from the whole situation, but the desire to change things was overwhelming, if Harry didn't have to suffer she would keep him from doing so.
A sigh from Lucius was oddly the least pretentious thing she had ever witness, coming from him at any rate. "Very well Ms. Granger, I will do what I can to assist you."
She looked at him a little suspiciously, while this whole situation had been unpleasant she hadn't honestly thought he would give in to her demands. Lucius noticed the visible shock at his compliance.

"We all have our regrets Ms. Granger." He let that hang for a moment, as his vision moved to a framed picture on his desk that was placed on the other side of the room. Hermione couldn't see who it was a picture but her money was on a photo of Draco or Narcissa. "And my information is not without a catch, I would request that you enlighten my past self to the errs of my ways as it were."

A small smile and nod from Hermione was the response he received, but he could tell that she was relieved.

Dates, times, habits and the occasional anecdote passed from Lucius to Hermione. She was surprised and amused by him, he would cycle between handsome and lighthearted and handsome and bleak. But the handsome seemed to remain constant once he was being honest. His faced changed when he wasn't looking at her with derision, his sneer became more of a roguish smirk that was an astonishing panty dropper. Tea and sandwiches were brought in around 1 and it was now nearing 5. Hermione had all the information she had wanted and then some she hadn't even contemplated. She was very glad she had mustered up the courage to come to Lucius for assistance, it would be simpler than if she had gone in half-cocked. Though now she felt sad at the idea of leaving this new Lucius Malfoy…'where had that come from?' she wondered.

Lucius stood abruptly "Come with me Ms. Granger" he walked across the room, which was not an insignificant distance over to a bookshelf, a gorgeous, completely filled bookshelf, oh, how Hermione wished she had a lifetime to spend perusing this library. Whispering an incantation or password, the bookshelf pulled forward smoothly, not jarring the books in the slightest. Beyond where the bookshelf had been there was now a dimly lit hallway, "this leads to my chambers," he said anticipating the question before Hermione could utter it. "Do not fret, my dear, I do not have devious intentions, or at least any I will act upon at the moment," he said with a rather flirty tone. A blush rose to Hermione's cheeks, again...

They made their way down the corridor, and entered a large room, it was not the one she had envisioned when she thought of Lucius Malfoy's boudoir - not that that happened...much. It was very light- a sort of steel blue floral-diamond patterned wallpaper graced the walls. It was the same color as his eyes, 'rather narcissistic' she thought, but it was quite beautiful. The wood was dark and ornate as she expected, but the lack of Slytherin colors was a surprise. She would have thought the Malfoy's would bleed silver and green if the founder had demanded it, though considering the sheer size of the room it probably could have handled such dominating colors.

And if she was honest, emerald was her favorite stone, not that she'd tell anyone, the world would go tuvry-topsy if a Gryffindor liked enemy colors. Though the world may already be upside down, after all she was in Lucius Malfoy's bedroom contemplating his color schemes. Lucius made his way to another door, Hermione kept following not wanting to lurk near his bed, because well, that would just be awkward. They made their way into yet another room; it was smaller than his bedroom proper but was still sizable, comparable to the Weasley's living room, though this was just his closet she realized.

He said another incantation and an armoire appeared; an incredibly ornate armoire that was silver plated and had carved serpents on it (there was the 'Slytherin' she was looking for). Upon his opening it she saw that there were numerous velvet sacks and boxes of various sizes. Lucius pulled out a rather small box and turned towards Hermione, opening the box, to glance at whatever was inside. Suddenly he extended his hand to Hermione, and Hermione saw what was inside. There was a large oblong black stone with an intricate floral pattern on the band. Hermione was taken aback by it; though the stone was large it was rather simple considering everything she knew about the Malfoys. But it was beautiful. The purest black she had ever seen, it was mesmerizing.

"I want you to take it" Lucius said, his voice low and smooth, 'WHAT?' was all Hermione could think.
"Won't your wife notice it missing?"
"She never favored it, it wasn't to her taste" he said with a bit of venom. "Plus, it's hardly as if she'd notice considering this will never happen if you succeed"
"Hmm," Hermione, ever the wordsmith, answered. Still staring at the ring Hermione had no idea what to say, so she decided to talk about the ring. "This is Jet isn't it? It feels warm..." she knew it was, but her desire to fill the awkward silence was growing.
"Yes it is, late 19th century"
"Victorian mourning jewelry..."
With a small smirk Lucius said, "Ten points to Gryffindor, Ms. Granger. Yes, it was my grandmother's; she had it made after my grandfather died."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"No need to be so sentimental, he died over a hundred years ago-it's not as if I knew him."
"Still, you don't commission mourning jewelry unless you feel loss when a loved one dies, I feel sorry for her."
"Well, thank you, I suppose... She did love him, which was unusual considered it was an arranged marriage, she suffered greatly when he died."

A laugh left Hermione to which Lucius raised his eyebrow. "I mean no disrespect, Mr. Malfoy, but you've just described Queen Victoria."
"Have I? What a coincidence…" He looked mischievous, and boy was it attractive on him, then it dawned on her…
"Holy Christ! You aren't related to the royals are you?" Oh, the giddy 8 year old inside was starting to take over, and this seemed to please Lucius who chuckled lightly at her exclamation.
"We are related, but she is not my grandmother, such is one of the perks of nobility." he said tipping his chin up, but there was no disdain on his face that usually accompanied the angle, but rather amusement, and his ever present cockiness.

While temporarily bewildered by Lucius she remembered her earlier query.

"Why have you given this to me Mr. Malfoy?"
"When you go back, show this to me, and I'll trust you. It's not a known jewel of the Malfoy's so it's not likely to be duplicated for reasons of deception. There is a charm on it that will let past me know it's authentic as well, and should I return to the manor, I will be able to check to see if it is the original and thusly verify your time-traveling story. Moreover, I'm sure you are well aware that jet has protective qualities and has the ability to deflect the 'evil eye', which will undoubtedly useful in your future."
"You are right, I do know the properties of jet, you seem to have forgotten what Pliny the Elder said about jet: that it can be used to drive off snakes- and yet here you are"
"Oh, har har, how very droll," Though his words were sarcastic, she could see geniune mirth at the corners of his eyes.
"Has anyone told you that sarcasm is unbecoming?" Hermione commented with a small smile.
"I believe you just did, Ms. Granger." Lucius said with no malice in his voice. "The ring can also be used to detect if someone has hexed you or if you need to detect someone's virginity status for whatever reason; but I'd prefer you not burn it, though of course it's not as if I'd know, would I?" Hermione flushed a little with the mention of virginity. She was after all standing in an attractive (with not an entirely too unpleasant personality it turns out) man's bedroom. But she quickly regrouped.

"I suppose, but there are other spells for that- and jet has other uses, like alleviating pain and depression. Oh! I'll need to buy a sympathetic stones spell book..." Hermione pulled her purse out of her pocket and summoned a 'to do' parchment and began to write.
"There is one in the library I can give you."
"Really? Thank you Mr. Malfoy"
"Yes, well it's hardly for selfless reasons, but you're welcome. Shall we head back to the library?" Hermione nodded and followed Lucius again, watching his pale, pale blond hair fall against his broad shoulders…'ugh this is problematic, one mustn't crush on one's schoolmate's father!' Hermione chastised herself.

Lucius supplied Hermione with the Mystical Properties and Spells of Natural Materials spell book as well as a few other which she put into her bag. Lucius found himself quickly enamored with the Gryffindor, her bravery, determination, and intelligence. Here's hoping his past self wouldn't be a complete dick to her, he thought. Soon Hermione was making her way out the door some 6 1/2 hours later.

"Thank you Mr. Malfoy."
"It has been my pleasure, and since we will soon be peers, perhaps you ought to call me Lucius," he said as he walked her the expanse of the library.
"Thank you, Lucius. And I'd like it if you'd call me by my given name, as well," though they both realized it was hardly necessary for her to extend the same courtesy, but Lucius appreciated good manners. He nodded his acceptance.

Hermione was very near the door and just about to open it when Lucius spoke; "Hermione, when will you go back?" He seemed a bit sad when he asked this.
"What does it matter?" Hermione was slightly confused by this
"It matters, Ms. Granger, because as soon as you use the time turner for all intents and purposes this world will cease to be. I'd like to spend the remaining time with my son."
"Not your wife as well?" she asked far more bluntly then she'd ever thought she might.
Lucius chuckled lightly, "oh, you are so young" but he said no more than that, and Hermione didn't ask what he meant by that, not wanting to argue with him after they had gotten along so well. "I plan to leave in 2 days."
Lucius' expression turned somber quickly. "That is quite soon"
"Yes, it is, but if I put it off anymore, I may not do it. I'm not excited to uproot my life any more than the war has caused me to already." She would not cry again, especially not Lucius Malfoy, handsome devil or not, she would not let him see her crack.
"Very well, Hermione. Farewell"