Hermione Malfoy couldn't be certain if she simply misheard her husband or if he was perhaps suffering from some variant of the Confundus charm, because everything he just disclosed to her sounded like fanciful nonsense. She looked at the clock and dismissed the possibility that the person standing before her was perhaps someone polyjuiced to resemble Lucius. It was over an hour now since he'd come into her rooms to have a personal chat, and judging by the expression on his face she could tell he really believed what he said to be true.
"So Mal- Draco is a Veela and I'm his mate?"
Yup, sounds just as crazy when said out loud, thought Hermione.
"Part Veela." Lucius immediately corrected.
"And, I'm his mate? Me, Hermione Granger, Muggleborn, is the mate of one of the most bigoted Purebloods I've ever had the displeasure of knowing?"
"Well, you are married to someone who was one of the most bigoted Purebloods. Why would it be so farfetched for you to be the mate of my offspring?"
"Do you hear how crazy it sounds? Me and Malfoy? I mean, Gods, but how could anyone who's known us or seen us together ever think we could possibly be soul mates. I'm pretty sure Mal- Draco had one too many or took a knock to his head... Whatever the reason, he has to be mistaken in thinking I'm his mate."
"We can try a simple test to see whether you truly are his mate or not."
The certainty in Lucius' voice made Hermione pause.
"And if I am?" she asked, searching her husband's expressionless face for a hint of how he truly felt about the situation. "Do you realise what you're asking of me?"
"Yes, I do. I'm asking you to save my son's life, Hermione."
It wasn't often one got to see Lucius Malfoy looking vulnerable, Hermione didn't think she'd ever seen him look so worried since the war ended.
"You're asking me to have sex with your son."
"I'm asking you to bond with your mate."
She shook her head.
"We don't know for certain if I am indeed his mate. But, if I am, you're still asking me to sleep with another man. Will you truly be okay with that?"
"Hermione, I told you before we married, I would never expect you to stay faithful to our marriage bed. I am an old man who was grieving the death of my wife and mate. Your friendship has been a bright spot in the darkness but I would never have pursued you for more if the new law had not required that I marry.
"You know I consider you to be an exceptional witch, and a friend. For me, you were the best choice. And whatever your reason for marrying me, I know it wasn't because you believe yourself in love with me. You are a beautiful and passionate young woman; I expect there'll come a day when you'll find yourself swept off your feet. So I've always been okay with the idea of you taking a lover."
Hermione scoffed at the notion.
"Merlin! Even if what you say is true this is hardly the same thing. Do you really see your entitled son doing anything more than barking orders at me about how and when he'd like me to be available to service his needs? I can't imagine him being nice to me let alone sweeping me off my feet. And please never again refer to your son as my lover unless you wish to see me throw up over this beautiful rug."
Lucius rubbed his temples.
"If the situation were not so dire I would think the fates were playing a joke on us by pairing the two of you. How is it that two otherwise intelligent people can behave as childishly as you two do when it comes to the topic of the other? Mates usually get under each other's skins in the way that makes them desire each other sexually, but somehow you two only seem to irritate each other."
"Okay, you do realise how surreal it is to hear my husband complain that I do not sexually desire his son?"
"Hermione, you will need to look past my relationship with Draco. He is your mate. He needs you." Lucius walked up to her and held her hand in both of his in a manner meant to assure her. "I do not care that you'll be sleeping with my son, as long as you save him."
There was no doubting the sincerity in her husband's words.
"We'll have this discussion after we confirm that I really am his mate."
"Okay. We can visit his room. With the mating heat he's very irritable and in pain from not being with his mate. So he's been a right bastard to everyone. The only person Draco will tolerate in these circumstances is his mate. Plus considering how he's usually around you, if you aren't his mate he is very likely to hex you, so just make sure you have your wand ready to cast a Protego."
Hermione nodded and followed him to the section of the family wing which housed Malfoy's personal rooms.
Lucius Malfoy held the door to his son's private sitting room open. Both Draco's and Astoria's bedrooms were beyond. Draco and Astoria usually slept in the same room, but because of his recent mood swings Astoria had taken to occupying one of the guest bedrooms in a different wing of the Manor.
"Granger, is that you?"
She hesitated outside the doorway despite the sound of approaching footsteps.
"I really hope it's you, Granger, and not my father teasing me with your scent. As frustrated as I am feeling right now, I may just have him wank me if that's the only way I can get your smell on me."
"Merlin!" The exclamation escaped her before she could think of turning tail and escaping from this crazed version of Malfoy.
"Hello, Granger!" Malfoy called out to her cheerily and then perhaps noticing how green she very likely looked in the moment, added, "I take it you've heard then?"
Despite the merry tone it was clear to Hermione that Malfoy was miserable if his looks were anything to go by. He was sporting dark circles around his eyes like he hadn't slept in a while. His hair looked dull and astonishing his skin had managed a level of pastiness that looked sickly compared to his usual sheet white self. Regardless of his overall condition, Malfoy's eyes alone looked full of life, sparkling as they drank her in.
Growing self-conscious due to the way he was staring at her, she chose to go on the offensive.
"What's all this nonsense about mates, Malfoy? What kind of thestral piss have you been dosing yourself with to come up with the theory that I'm your mate?"
"Granger, I wish this was nothing more than a drug induced dream, unfortunately I can tell you from past experience, my drug induced dreams are far more exciting than imagining the most prissy annoying swot as my mate. But still, if you'd like we can confirm it."
She gave him a scathing look as if to tell him to get on with it already.
"Father, I know you're standing out there. Will you please ask one of the elves to get Astoria here for a moment?"
Hermione heard Lucius call for and instruct an elf to bring Astoria back.
"Now, Granger," said Malfoy, stepping closer to her. "Aren't you curious about what set this off? Or did that big brain of yours already figure it out?"
Hermione avoided looking at him directly and focused on a spot behind him instead pretending to have not heard him. She's known that kiss between them during Yule was all kinds of wrong, which was why she'd made no mention of it to Lucius. Now if what they were telling her was true she would have one more reason to curse her moment of temporary insanity, as she had taken to referring to the kiss between Malfoy and herself.
He came closer now and lowered his voice while talking so only she could hear him.
"Have you been thinking about our kiss, Granger? Do you get wet thinking about it; thinking about my mouth on other parts of your body? I know you were very wet that day. I could smell you. Should I send father away? Will you spread your legs for me and put me out of my misery by letting me lap your juices right now?"
Merlin, what do I even say to that!
She felt completely lost and out of her element.
Fortunately just then she heard the pop of elfish apparation followed by the voices of Lucius and Astoria. She expected Malfoy to step back upon hearing them approach but he looked like he was oblivious to everything except her at the time. The look he was giving her wasn't adoring or even lustful, just an intense scrutiny.
"Why did you summon me, Lucius? You know how my presence only upsets him in his current state."
Malfoy pinched his nose as his wife and father came into view, and stepped even closer to Hermione invading her personal space now.
"Actually, it was me. Granger needed a demonstration of sorts to be convinced she is my mate."
"Oh Drake! I've missed you so-"
"Yes, just don't come any closer." Malfoy spoke cutting off Astoria rudely. He was shuddering and leaning close enough, Hermione could feel his hot breath brush against her neck.
She turned her neck to give him a piece of her mind on the topic of personal space but was left speechless when she found herself eyelevel with him and barely an inch between their faces.
Before she could pull back she felt a hand on the back of her head holding her in place.
Was he going to kiss her again? Her heart started racing at the thought. Merlin, did she want him to?
Her mouth suddenly felt incredibly dry and she licked her lips- a movement which seemed to draw his focus from her eyes to her mouth.
She heard him groan loudly.
"Salazar's rod, Granger, don't be a fuckin' tease."
He closed his eyes and bend his head to the crook of her neck where he proceeded to slide his nose along the length of her neck. She couldn't help but shiver as his lips ghosted against her skin and his hot breath teased her flesh.
He took a deep inhale and let go of her. Next he moved away from Hermione and closer to Lucius and Astoria. The closer he got to them, the more his face appeared to crumple. By the time he was near Astoria he looked positively green.
"I'm sorry, 'Stori," he apologized to his wife before throwing up over her shoes.
Astoria looked like she wanted to reach out to Malfoy but pulled away from him instead. Astoria was still looking at her husband when she spoke to Hermione.
"It's been like this for over a week now. Anytime I go near him he throws up."
Malfoy had turned away from his wife and father and was back to invading Hermione's personal space once more.
"It's been going on for a lot longer. I was just able to hold it together till I was by myself. But as time passes it becomes worse."
Lucius who was silent this entire time looked at her pointedly before he spoke.
"Draco's only able to stomach your presence. You know what it means."
"Nimue help us! How is this even possible?" she asked no one in particular and then turned to look at Malfoy. "How is this even possible?" she asked him pointing to the two of them.
He only shrugged in response.
"Maybe the fates have a sense of humour?" He suggested while twisting his index finger into a lock of her hair.
"Okay," said Lucius, steering Hermione towards the room's exit. "Let's give Draco some time and space."
Malfoy didn't look pleased over the idea. In fact he looked downright angry as he growled at Lucius. While Lucius and Hermione stayed immobile, surprised by the sudden change in Malfoy's demeanour, his wife acted promptly to neutralise the situation by casting a stunning spell at Malfoy.
They all proceeded to Lucius' study where he poured a round of his strongest firewhiskey for every one of them. They all felt grateful for it even as they felt the burn when they gulped down the potent liquid. They each sat thinking over the current situation they found themselves in.
It was Lucius who finally broke the silence.
"Have you needed to stun him before today?" Lucius asked Astoria.
"Yes. I foolishly thought that maybe if I did some of the things he usually likes he'd be less grouchy. Let's just say my attempts at seduction only made him more violent."
Astoria looked up at the sound of Hermione's gasp.
"No, I didn't mean to imply he was violent with me. He just... just went on a rage, ripping apart everything around him and shouting obscenities at me. He kept telling me that I smelt wrong. I was afraid he would cause the room to crash on our heads so I stunned him. I haven't returned to our rooms since then, but the elves tell me he hasn't gotten any better."
"He's usually more tolerant towards me. He says he can smell Hermione on me so he doesn't usually mind me." Lucius explained.
"Please, Hermione." Astoria said, turning towards Hermione. "You have to have sex with Draco. He hadn't been himself in weeks."
Hermione choked on a response. How could they expect her to bond with Malfoy?
Maybe Lucius understood her hesitation. "It's not a permanent thing," he assured. "You won't be bonded with him by having sex with him, but if you don't the mating fever will make him go insane in ways we cannot even understand."
"I am actually afraid of being alone with my own husband," said Astoria. "He's been lashing out at me and everyone in general over the littlest of things. In the past few weeks, the only time I've seen him behaving reasonably is when you are around."
"It's just sex. I know Draco still loves me and wants me but this whole Veela thing is making him act crazy. I know you don't like him and that if you sleep with him, it is only to save him." Astoria told Hermione.
"It is your decision, of course, but please know that whatever you decide, we will not let it change things between us. You will still be my wife. Draco will still be Astoria's husband. We will not let things get awkward between us," assured Lucius.
Hermione looked at both of them and could tell they had come to terms with Malfoy's Veela madness.
"How can you be okay with any of this?" she asked no one in particular.
"I would really like my Drake back. If it means he has to have sex with someone else every now and then, I could live with that. I know I'm the one he loves and chose to be with." Astoria said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I hope you don't leave Draco to suffer for too long while you make up your mind on this," she said before she excused herself from the room.
"Are you hesitant because he is my son or because of your history together?" Lucius asked Hermione seeing that she was still reluctant to come around to the idea of sleeping with Malfoy.
"Both? I don't know. Is it really bad to leave him like this?"
"Do we want to see the making of a new Dark Lord?"
"That bad?"
"You saw how bad Bella got. Cissa used to say it was because of the mating fever."
"Merlin!" Hermione was glad she was sitting for this conversation.
"I'm going to need some time to digest all of this." She said to her husband, finally. "This is all too much to take at once. I need to make sense of it all before I can decide."
"Of course," said Lucius, rising from his seat. "Just don't take too long," he said before leaving her to her thoughts.
