Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Ch 9- Hard
Hard is by Rihanna
It had been quite a welcome way to wake up. Her head lay snuggled under his chin,leg between his, and his arms wrapped around her. He had woken some time before she, but he was content to lay there with her in his arms. Stolen moments that he could not have if she were awake. He had breathed in the scent of her hair, filed away the feel of her soft skin beneath his hands. It was good that she woke up when she did, otherwise the train of his thoughts would have derailed into dangerous territory. Especially with her leg placed where it was. He pretended to stir when she did and they said their good mornings while breaking apart.
"How did you sleep?" she asked while running her hands through her sleep mussed hair.
He smiled and replied "Best I've had in quite some time."
She practically beamed at him then.
"I'm very glad." she spoke before walking to open the curtains.
Sunlight flooded the room, warming her where she stood. The green of the room took on a vibrant hue that reminded her of emeralds. She looked over her shoulder at him and saw him staring back at her.
She is a goddess, was the only thought that came to his mind then. The sunlight created a fuzzy aura around her which highlighted her hair and her skin tone.
She looked away first, his gaze feeling heavier than she could bear, feeling self conscious at her state of dress.
The silence between them felt odd for the first time since they first started working together and he coughed and regained himself.
"Well, breakfast should be ready shortly. I'll walk you back to your room so you can get ready for the day."
"Alright." she replied, following him.
An hour later found them in the dining room, remnants of breakfast being cleared by Tipsy.
Lucius covertly observed Hermione over his Daily Prophet. She was drinking her morning tea, silently perusing a letter Pig had sent her from Ron. It had always been curious to him how owls were able to find their intended recipients just about anywhere. Their earlier awkwardness at waking up, was replaced with the comfortable companionship they always shared.
His concern was raised when he saw her brow furrow.
"That ignorant prat!" she exclaimed before releasing an exasperated sigh.
"What has he done now?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
She slid the letter over to him to read, resting her head on her hand.
"He does not approve of me spending so much time with you and is not alright with you spending time with Rose and Hugo. Rose mentioned something in passing about how much fun she had making cookies with you. He needs to get over himself. At least you have half a brain, where Lavender does not. How ridiculous!"
Lucius furrowed his brow at the childish rant contained in the letter.
"I have half a mind to send him a howler! He doesn't approve...ha! Like he has a say in my life anymore. I can't believe he is still trying to control what I do."
"He is trying to ruffle your feathers. Pay him no mind. He isn't worth the energy." he spoke while sliding her back the letter.
"Yes, you're right. Well, I'm not letting that ruin my weekend. Though I'm sure Ron will try to come argue with me when I don't respond."
He smiled.
"You are welcome to stay here if you like. The library is at your disposal, as well as any part of the house or grounds. He would not dare show his face here, plus he wouldn't be allowed on the property anyway unless I gave him permission, which I will not."
She smiled back at him.
"Thank you. It will be nice to relax in peace with no one to bother me, except you of course."
He place his hand over his heart and adopted a look of feigned hurt.
"So I am a bother now am I?"
She laughed.
"Of course not. Far from it. I suppose I'll go home to pack a few things and come back."
"Excellent. Draco may be here when you return with Astoria and Scorpius. He mentioned that they might come for a visit."
"Oh, well I don't want to be a bother. I can just stay home."
"You could never be a bother my dear. I'm sure Draco would be glad to see you."
"Alright then. I shouldn't be long." She rose from the table and went to floo home.
"Lucius?" she called to a seemingly empty house.
Tipsy appeared suddenly.
"Master Lucius be outside at the swimming pool Miss Hermione."
"oh Tipsy you startled me!"
Tipsy looked horrified.
"It's alright, it's alright" Hermione soothed.
"Thank you Tipsy. Is Draco here?"
"Master Draco left with Mrs. Malfoy earlier. Little Malfoy is with Master Lucius."
"A swim sounds like a nice idea. I'll just go change and join them."
Tipsy nodded and vanished.
As she walked out onto the lush grounds surrounding the Manor, giggling and splashing could be heard.
The thought of seeing Lucius playing with his grandson made her smile, but she was wholly unprepared for what awaited her.
She had never seen Lucius without a shirt. He was well built for a man of his age. He had sculpted abdominals with strong arms and shoulders. He wore swimming shorts, thank heavens he wasn't a speedo man for she might have fainted at that sight, which showed of his muscled legs. He even had shapely feet. All of that was enough to make her mouth water, but that much manliness bathed in water was almost too much. Heaven help her for Lucius Malfoy wet was absolutely sinful. She consciously told herself to walk straight and not wobble at the sight of him. He was currently climbing out of the pool, and she watched him in fascination as he walked over to the water slide. His hair clung to him in waves down his back and water beaded off him. She felt like she was watching in slow motion and she felt her heart constrict in her chest when he looked over and caught her ogling him.
She couldn't keep the blush from her cheeks as she looked away and walked towards the nearest lounge chair. She placed her book on the side table and looked back over to the pool when she heard Scorpius call out to her.
"Hermione!" he called out to her while swimming to the pool's edge.
She was placed back into the g-rated present by the little blonde blur making his way to her.
"Scorpius you shouldn't run, you could fall. Then I would never hear the end of it from your father." she scolded with a smile.
She was enveloped in a wet hug around her lower half.
"Careful Scorpius, you'll get Ms. Granger's dress wet." Lucius admonished lightly, coming to stand at the chair next to hers.
"Oh it's alright Lucius. It's just a swim dress over my swimsuit."
"I'm going on the water-slide! Wanna watch me? I can go all by myself now." the boy exclaimed excitedly.
Hermione chuckled.
"Of course dear. Go on, but don't run!" she called after him as he all but skipped to the slide.
She looked at Lucius as he toweled off his face with a questioning glance.
"It is charmed. It will always land him straight up in the water. Plus he is excited that he learned to swim last week."
"Ah I see."
"Hermione! Watch me!" Scorpius cried from the top of the slide.
"I'm watching!" she replied.
She laughed when he landed in the water and clapped her hands. He then swam to the end of the pool and she walked over and crouched by the edge.
"That was smashing Scorpius! You really are growing up you know? Pretty soon you'll be swimming laps around your grandfather."
"Yep!" he said proudly, puffing out his chest a bit in the water.
"Are you going again?"
"Yeah!" he cried while climbing out.
She wished that Rose and Hugo were there to play with him. They would have loved playing on the slide. Hugo would have to ride with his floaties, charm or not, but it would have been fun. She sighed before shrieking as Lucius picked her up and threw her into the pool.
She came up sputtering and pushing her hair from her face.
"Lucius? What in Merlin's name possessed you? Oh my dress..." she spoke swimming to the edge of the pool.
"You said it was just a swim dress. Plus you were looking as though you were having sad thoughts. Needed to liven things up a bit" he said with a smirk.
She grinned evilly before pulling off her white terrycloth dress and throwing it out of the pool.
He was momentarily distracted by the now clearly visible red bikini top and the view that was presented with that. Hermione took that opportunity and muttered a wandless spell and laughed as he made a splash into the pool.
As he surfaced he wiped the hair and water from his face grinning like a maniac.
"Turnabout is fair play." she spoke with a dazzling smile.
He began to advance on her slowly with a predatory glint in his eye.
"Grandfather watch me!" came the voice of Scorpius.
"Saved for now by a little boy, but I wouldn't turn my back if I were you." he spoke lightly before turning to watch his grandson.
"Alright Scorpius! Let's see!" he called, watching in great delight as he slid down the water-slide.
He was definitely glad he had had the forethought to have that installed when Scorpius was born.
"Wanna have a turn Hermione?"
"Of course! You just keep an eye on your grandfather for me though. He seems to have it out for me."
"I'll protect you!" he stated proudly.
"Looks like the beginnings of a little Gryffindor Lucius." she spoke while exiting the pool.
He had no reply for he was mesmerized by the sight of the rest of her swimsuit, well what there was of it.
It was going to be a LONG afternoon and he was so very glad.
