Lucius watched her and felt the bad feelings dissipate. The fact that his simple tears caused such a reaction from her, it showed how big her heart was. Gently, he used his free hand to caress her hair. As Mina felt his gentle touch, she looked up at him, tears running down her cheeks.

"Silly girl, such tears over an old man." He said softly, but fondly.

"I truly am sorry, sir, I didn't mean to hurt you." Mina whispered, as she wiped off the tears.

"Then you will simply have to make it up to me. There is a banquet I am invited to, I'd hate to go alone. I'd be delighted if you'd accompany me. As my eh…pupil." He told her, clearing his throat.

"I'd love that, sir. That sounds so lovely." Mina answered in a tiny voice. She couldn't believe what was going on, like she was rewarded for hurting him.

"It is a formal event, do you have something appropriate to wear, or do we need to go shopping?" He asked her, but not in his usual belittling way. It was genuine concern.

Mina smiled, that was a very considerate offer. "I think I have something, but you'll have to see if it's formal enough for where we are going. When is it?"

"Next Saturday night. I declined the offer at first, but I will send an owl that I will attend after all. Plus one." He told her with a wink and a smile. When there was no discontent showing on his face, he really was quite charming.

"That is so exciting, I can pick up my dress tomorrow afternoon, at Hogwarts, if that is alright? Then I won't be able to forget it next week. I will make up for any missed time."

"Go whenever you wish, miss Harper. Don't fret over missed work. I will send the staff home after dinner. So we can have time to get ready without wondering eyes." Lucius retorted in a soothing manner and Mina wondered if he may be expecting more once they got back, since he wanted the staff out of the way.

"I thought most of them lived at the manor?" She inquired, but Lucius shook his head. "They are free to stay here if they want. They start so early that most of them prefer it. But when I state I want an empty manor, then I get an empty manor." Clearly he was very proud of this fact, Mina wondered when he'd show off his feathers.

"I'm looking forward to it." She told him with a smile, not mentioning his resemblance to a peacock in this moment, since it was so pleasant. "I will leave you to your work, sir, I'm rather tired from this week."

"Then get some rest, miss Harper."

Mina fidgeted a little. Now that they were a little closer, perhaps she'd work up enough courage to ask him for a favour.

"Miss Harper?"

Lucius's tone implied so many things. A hint of impatience, since she was stalling the moment without saying what was on her mind. Some desire, as if he was ready to ravage her. But maybe that was just how she wanted him to feel. It also implied an almost fatherly tone, like he wanted her to know that she could say anything to him.

"I eh.."

"Speak up, dear. I do not have all day." He stated and drank from his brandy again. Mina was close to a snarky comment, but instead she took a deep breath.

"Sir, would you mind if I took a bath after dinner? I'm so tired from today and it will help me sleep later." She asked him, her voice a mere whisper as her eyes did their best to avoid eye-contact.

For a few moments, Lucius was stunned at the request. If this had been another servant, he would have probably send that person packing. But he felt himself unable to say no and for a brief second wondered if she could possibly have casted the imperius-curse on him.

"If you clean up after yourself, make sure the staff does not see you. Then yes, you may."

This time, Mina refrained from flying into his arms for a hug. She just gave him a thankful smile. "Thank you, sir. Yes, I'll make sure of that."

"You're welcome, miss Harper." Lucius noticed her lack of enthusiasm and wished he hadn't been so dismissive earlier, when she did hug him in gratitude. He would have given a limb to find her body against his again. With a small sigh, he turned his head towards the fire, when suddenly, Mina bent down to give him a small kiss on his cheek. She swiftly left the study, without making eye-contact and Lucius didn't even realize it at first. He sat there, gently touching the cheek that she kissed, wondering if he should be angered or flattered.

Mina bit her lip as she rushed out of the room. When she gave Lucius a peck on his cheek, she had smelled his scent again and it was driving her absolutely wild. She had dinner with the staff, enjoying the food to the fullest as usual. Once she was done doing the dishes, she went to her room to undress and put on her fluffy pink bath robe and fuzzy slippers. She peeked her head outside the door and saw that none of the servant were roaming the hallways. The girl walked out of her room and towards the bathroom. She opened the door and went inside, expecting an empty bath. But instead she found a bathroom that was lighted by several candles and a prepared bath, flower petals scattered in the water. Next to it, a silver tray with a vial of something that seemed like thick purple oil. When Mina opened it and smelled the liquid, she found that it was lilac-scented bath oil. With a smile, she poured the content into the water, her smile growing wider when she realized that the oil made a flower pattern in the water before turning into foam. Lord Malfoy had used his magic to prepare this for her and she was truly touched by the gesture. As she sank into the hot water, she told herself to pick some flowers for his breakfast tray in the morning. It was the least she could do to thank him.

As she looked around the bathroom, she noticed just how beautiful it was. The faucets were snake heads with little green emeralds for eyes. The bath tub itself stood on little silver feet and was off-white, instead of the usual boring white. Across from her there hung a oval mirror on the wall, the frame decorated with little green emerald. By closer inspection Mina noticed that the frame was made of silver snakes. Underneath the mirror there was an off-white sink, but it was on top of the sink, instead of built inside of it, as if there was a large bowl on a table. The cabinets were made of wood, and a certain grey color, that made the wood look very warm. The rack next to the mirror had the softest white towels that Mina ever laid eyes on. A wooden circle hanging from the wall also contained a white towel, so visitors could dry their hands after washing them. Besides the regular furniture one would find in a bathroom, Lord Malfoy had several small tables scattered about, with different types of vials and flasks, filled with different colors of liquid.

On each table, there was a different shade of purple candle placed, giving the whole room an even warmer look. If Mina could change something about it, she'd only add some lilac towels between the white ones, to accentuate the warmth of the room, but that would be it.

As she laid there, she imagined how next week was going to be. Her in her gown, off to that banquet with Lord Malfoy…maybe they would even dance..no, Minnie, don't be silly, Mina thought. Why would he dance with you? But on the other hand…why not? It does seem like he has an interest that goes beyond her school results. And she definitely returned it. She felt butterflies flutter around in her stomach and sighed happily as she sank deeper into the warm water. Her hands roamed over her body and found her womanhood.

Meanwhile in Lucius's study, Lucius was thinking of Mina. Of her body, soaked in the warm water and oils that he put out for her. The more he thought of her naked, the more aroused he got. It had been so long since he had felt a female presence, known it intimately.

"She is sixteen, don't be daft…" He whispered to himself, as he stared at himself in the large mirror that hung from one of the walls in his study. One hand was firmly planted against the wall as his other hand grasped the glass of brandy he was drinking. He stared into his own eyes as he did his best to put the girl out of his mind. How could he ever feel desire for a muggleborn girl? The kind he was taught to hate, to be repulsed by? But she wasn't repulsive. She was kind and she was good. And if he could trust Dumbledore's judgment then she was an excellent student as well. The whole situation reminded him of that girl…Granger. Draco always went on and on about what a nightmare the girl was, showing off her skills. He knew his son had been extremely annoyed with the girl, since she was muggleborn but a very good witch. A better witch than Draco was a wizard, even. Knowing what he did now and feeling what he did now, Lucius wondered if Draco had been in love with the girl, without realizing it.

Then it hit him. He was in love with her. With the muggle girl. The mudblood. He swallowed hard and downed the brandy in a single go, not caring about the burning feeling that it left in his throat. Love…what did love even mean after Narcissa? No, he couldn't say for sure this was love. But he did desire her. He wanted her. When he saw Duncan with the girl, he felt himself get insanely jealous and wanted to mark her as his. With a necklace that had his symbol, with hickey's in her neck…anything that would turn other men off. But the thought of actually mating with the girl turned his stomach and he felt the urge to throw up all of a sudden. Lucius poured himself some water to settle his stomach and shook his head.

"When does it ever get easier…" He asked himself out loud, rather tired from all these conflicting emotions.

Once he felt a little better, he sat down behind his desk and started to write a letter to the agency that Duncan worked for. He wrote that Duncan's services would no longer be needed, but that he wanted a replacement that he would approve of, before Duncan was told this news. He felt better once the letter was done and given to an owl. There. No more flirting. Now all he had to do was keep an eye on the two of them until that replacement was here. Lucius almost wrote that he would insist on a female employee, but he figured that would be a little much. Also, there might be talk if he insisted on a female, and he didn't need even more talk.

In a street far away, a red-haired girl pulled her cloak further over her head. It was no use. The rain fell so hard that she was entirely soaked. But she had to do this. She had to report to her mistress. The girl rang the doorbell of number 18. The door looked shabby, the paint almost completely peeled off. A woman opened the door, smirking when she saw the drenched girl in front of her.

"Lucy. What a delight. Come in." The woman mused, stepping aside to make room for the girl. Lucy hurried inside, walking past the woman. She grabbed Lucy's chin roughly and frowned.

"Is this how you greet me? Tsk, tsk,tsk. You know better than this, girl." She said, her mouth turning into a snarl as she scolded Lucy. She ran her fingernail down the girls cheek as she cupped her cheek.

Lucy whimpered, not wanting to get in trouble with her mistress. "Forgive me, mistress. It is so nice to see you, I've missed you." The girl said in a tiny voice. The woman smirked and kissed her feverishly. The girl returned the kiss, but not with the same passion as the woman did. This did not mean the same to the both of them, but Lucy knew better than to let her know how she truly felt.

Their understanding was clear. Lucy would spy on Lucius and report back. In return she was allowed shelter, food, clothes, whatever she needed, when she needed it. And because Lucy wasn't able to fall back on her parents and already graduated Hogwarts, she had no other choice. The fact that this woman practically treated her as a slave was something she would just have to deal with. The woman used a tricky bit of magic that caused Lucy's payments to go straight to her, instead of Lucy herself, so working and staying at the manor was no option either. Besides, the sexual relationship wasn't completely unpleasant. It surely was exciting and thrilling for her. But her mistress was head over heels while Lucy's heart….was with Lucius. That was also part of why she agreed with the whole ordeal, she was absolutely infatuated with the man.

"You are soaking, dear girl, let me fix that up for you. Go to the living room." The woman instructed Lucy, following the girl towards it. Once inside, she grabbed her wand and used a charm to make hot air come out of the tip of her wand. She dried Lucy's cloak, her hair and her clothes.

""Thank you, mistress." Lucy murmured, feeling better now that she was no longer cold and shivering.

"Sit, sit."

Lucy sat down as the woman rushed off to get them some refreshments. The house was small and obviously a cheap resort. With Lucy's pay, the woman wasn't able to afford much more, of course. She could act all high and mighty, Lucy thought, but she was poor scum. She quickly buried that thought, since she had no idea if her mistress was able to read her mind or not.

Her mistress returned and put down a tray. She picked up the teapot and poured them both some tea.

"Now. Lucy, little Lucy…" She started, her voice thick with lust. She narrowed her eyes at the girl, as if she was trying to decide if she did something wrong or not.

"Yes mistress?" Lucy answered, feeling herself getting hot and bothered under the stare of her mistress. She was not unpleasant to look at and she knew how to get the girl in the mood.

"Tell me. What has my husband been up to lately?" She asked Lucy with a smirk, sitting back and sipping her tea.

"Oh, a whole lot, mrs. Malfoy, a whole lot." Lucy replied and started to list what she had seen, telling her about Mina Harper. That dirty muggle girl.