I really like this chapter so I really hope you do too!
doctor-who-mad-gal – I love the word! It's so original!
ga-4-ever – I was going to do Draco and Hermione but I've always preferred Lucius as a Malfoy.
AnneM.Oliver
emeraude.lefey
Diamonds of the Night – Well I did try to keep it as PG as possible, but sometimes…
mwshk1992 – my dearest, you're the one who said it was graphic in the first place!! And don't forget what we agreed…you show me yours and I'll post mine! xxxxx
Silence ruled in Slughorn's classroom for once. Lily was sitting next to James, giggling silently at James' antics. Hermione sat next to Sirius, one hand holding his, studiously avoiding looking at Lucius.
Things had gotten out of hand last night and by the time they reached Dippet's office it was several hours later. She blushed remembering what had happened.
Lucius, interpreting the redness on her face correctly, smirked. He had enjoyed the previous night and honestly never thought that sleeping with someone could be that fun. Narcissa was pretty, but so boring. Quickly he scribbled a note on a piece of spare parchment and floated it to Hermione's desk, making sure only she could see.
She discreetly unfolded and read it.
Granger,
Meet me at 6.00 at the same place tonight.
LM
She had no doubt who sent this even without the initials. She wrote back,
Last night was a mistake and as far as I'm concerned it never happened.
Lucius grinned and wrote
How can it be a mistake if it never happened? I'll see you then Granger.
Hermione huffed, frustrated and determined not to meet him there yet 6.00 saw her standing outside the Room of Requirement.
When Lucius saw her he grinned.
"Well, you showed. Do you still think last night was a mistake?"
"Of course! I just came to tell you this can go no further. Sirius is a great guy and he's a good guy. He doesn't deserve this."
"You wouldn't have come if you didn't want this to go further."
She was silent for a while, staring at his lips. Then she shook herself and cried,
"You're right. I do want this to go further, but I won't let it because of Sirius."
She ran off before Lucius could say anything. He cursed, thinking she wouldn't actually run away. Now he would have to seduce her all over again. She was a challenge, but he had no doubt that eventually he would succeed. He walked slowly back to the Heads' dorm, meeting Lily on the way. When he merely ignored her she asked,
"What's the matter with you?"
He looked up surprised. He said coldly,
"Why would you think there was something the matter with me?"
"Because you aren't insulting me right now."
"I don't have to insult you everytime I see you."
"But you do anyway."
He sighed.
"Would me insulting you make you feel better?"
She nodded.
"Fine then, mudblood. Get out of my way and go talk to Snape. He's moping again because of you."
She smiled. She was about to move off but the curious expression on Lucius' face stopped her.
"What?"
"I was thinking…that you're as good at magic as I am…yet you're not a pureblood…and you're not inferior in any way…"
Lily was shocked at his words.
"Okay now I definitely am worried."
He shrugged.
"Abraxas Malfoy eats like a pig and drinks himself into oblivion. Not a great example of a wizard. He acts just as Muggles do, and sometimes even worse. So obviously being pureblood doesn't make people automatically superior. Why do you think I'm so nasty to Muggleborns?"
Lily opened her mouth but at that moment James came in causing Lucius to walk off. Seeing Lily's face he asked,
"What's wrong, Lils?"
She said softly,
"Malfoy…just kind of…admitted…purebloods aren't superior."
James looked as shocked as her.
"He what?"
"It was like he had an epiphany or something. And he talked about Abraxas Malfoy, like he was ashamed of his father."
James warned her,
"Be careful, Lily. Malfoys are notoriously dangerous people. They are cunning and they love to play with other people's feelings."
She nodded, but said,
"It just felt so…genuine. So real. I don't think he was faking it."
"That's just what he does. Beware!"
James stepped closer to the redhead. He paused before lowering his head and brushing his lips softly against hers. Her breath hitched.
"James," she murmured.
"Go out with me Lily. I'm not the immature boy you think me. I don't have real relationships because I don't want one with anyone but you. There's no one like you. You're like this angel, kind, beautiful, smart, caring. People are so harsh to you yet you still give them the benefit of the doubt. You try to take care of everyone else, but who will take care of you?"
She didn't say anything. James continued gently, quietly,
"Let me take care of you. Please, please go out with me just once and if you still think I'm incapable of being in a serious relationship then that's fine, but just once please."
Finally she said, after rejecting so many times,
"I would love to."
