Hermione stood upon a pedestal inside Madam Malkin's. Ginny looked up at her with a dubious expression as Molly fussed.
"It looks perfect," the older woman preened as she gave the skirt of the dress Hermione wore a light tug.
Hermione frowned. "I don't know," she mumbled as she turned slightly to get a better look in the mirror.
"Mum, I love you, but are you sure this is something she should wear?" Ginny asked.
The dress was a dark grey in colour and had long sleeves and a high neck. There were intricate designs along the bodice, though, so, at least in that regard, it was… pretty. "Last time I went out with Lucius, I wore this really beautiful ballroom gown," Hermione commented.
"And now you're engaged. So, until you've married, you should keep your clothing conservative. This is fashionable," Molly assured her.
Ginny flicked her wand at the entrance, casting a Patronus in the process. "I may be wrong, but I have to disagree," she said. "Hermione, why don't you wear that royal blue gown you bought the other day?"
"That dress is far too revealing," Molly argued, her nose wrinkling. "Trust me, my dear."
Hermione's lips lifted a little. "Well, it isn't as if he hasn't seen it," she pointed out with a shrug.
Molly's eyes widened as Ginny giggled. "Yes, and I'm sure he would just love to let others see it, too," the matron snapped.
"Mum, Hermione has been dressing herself for years," Ginny said. "I think she should be able to pick out what she thinks will work."
The door to the shop opened and closed and the three witches turned to see who had entered as Madam Malkin reentered the room with Astoria right behind her. "Sweet Merlin, what are you wearing?" the younger witch asked as she pushed past Malkins.
Hermione shrugged as Madam Malkins observed her as well. "Are you sure you want to go this route, dear?" The lady asked.
"Yes," Molly said as three voices piped up, "No!"
Astoria approached the women and looked up at Hermione. "Mr. Malfoy wouldn't like this," she said.
"It's vintage," Molly insisted.
"No. I doubt even my great grandmother would wear this. It's not even fashionable for this day and age," Astoria argued. She looked at the sales lady. "Can we get her out of this and put her in something…better? Something a little more modern with a taste of vintage."
Malkins nodded and waved her wand. Hermione stood still as the ribbons and silk flew off of her and new silk replaced it. Hermione looked down at the ribbons, silk, and satin, feeling like Cinderella, as the wove about her waist to settle elegantly on her body. The gown that settled upon her was breathtaking. Looking up, Hermione gazed in the mirror.
The dress was simple enough and made with woven satin. It was off the shoulder and had a V-neck line with an A-line skirt that fell to the floor. The bodice laced up in the back and there was a ruby red bow at her waist. It fit Hermione perfectly. "How do I keep it from falling off my breasts?" she asked.
With a quick flick of her wand, Madam Malkin tightened the bodice. Hermione gasped as she lifted a hand to her neck. Her eyes widened slightly and she looked at the three women with her. "Well?" she asked.
Ginny grinned. "You look beautiful," she said, "and it matches your ring."
Molly gave her a kind smile. "I agree, but honestly, isn't it a bit showy?"
"No more that what she had worn to dinner a few nights ago," Astoria pointed out. "And I do think this will go lovely with those gloves you had worn, Hermione. The silver ones?"
Hermione smiled as she turned back to the mirror. "How much?" she asked Madam Malkins.
"Twenty Galleons," Madam Malkins stated.
The Muggleborn stared at the mirror and touched her hips. That wasn't so bad. She nodded. "Ginny? May I see my purse?"
She stepped down from the pedestal and went into the dressing room to change back into her normal clothes. When Hermione returned, the three ladies with her were standing by the counter as Madam Malkins placed the dress in a bag.
As they left the shop, Astoria looked curiously at the Muggleborn. "I hope you realize that Mr. Malfoy will expect more, particularly once you are married, but that is a wonderful evening gown for tonight," she said, smiling. "You're a beautiful woman, Hermione. Never be ashamed to flaunt it."
"Do you think it appropriate for her to do so when she is engaged to be married?" Molly asked, looking irritated.
Astoria raised her eyebrows. "I think it is expected. Mrs. Weasley, forgive me, but gentlemen enjoy flaunting their wealth, you know this. A dinner party should be met with flourish. And she should want women to be jealous of her and her beauty. It will keep them at bay when they see her standing beside Mr. Malfoy, for why would he want any of them when he has her?"
"Do you think women will try to…?"
Astoria cut Hermione off with a look. "Hermione, you're a sweet, lovely lady, but keep in mind, many women are vultures. If they think, for one moment, that they can steal your man, they will do whatever they can to try. And Mr. Malfoy is handsome, wealthy, and quite desirable, despite his questionable past."
Hermione felt her face fall and her eyes dropped to the ground. "So, why would he want me?" she asked, mostly to herself. "He could have any witch he wanted. Any Pureblood witch."
"Indeed," Astoria agreed. Hermione shot her a surprised look. The younger witch merely shrugged. "Think on it, Hermione. He could have any witch in the world, but it's you that he wants, he desires. He's spent this past month evaluating you, watching you. And I wouldn't put it past him to have researched you before he ever even attempted to pursue you. Do you want to know what I think? I think he chose you because you are intelligent, gifted, fiery, and beautiful. You can keep up with him and even compliment him."
"I know almost nothing about his world," Hermione said as she took the dress Madam Malkins handed her and followed the others out of the shop.
"You will in time," Astoria assured her.
"And in the meantime, I have to go and sit through a two-hour dinner with him," Ginny groused with a roll of her eyes. "You know Harry's going to be pissed, right, Hermione?"
The Muggleborn looked pleadingly at her friend. "My only other option would be to ask Ron, and I think we both know how that would turn out."
Ginny took a deep breath. "Fine, but you owe me," she huffed. "You owe us both. And I best not hear you complain next time we go shopping."
"That reminds me," Astoria piped up. "We still have to go shopping for your new wardrobe. You're going to be Mr. Malfoy's wife and, as such, you will need to look the part."
"I'm not Narcissa," Hermione pointed out.
Ginny barked a laugh. "I doubt he would want a Narcissa lookalike," she said.
"Oh, and, Hermione, I wanted to tell you," Astoria said as they sat down at one of the tables. "As Mr. Malfoy's betrothed, I'm sure that means that he will ask you to join him for his son's wedding. I might need your help, too."
Hermione looked at the girl curiously as a waitress came to their table and they placed their orders. Once the waitress walked away, Hermione asked, "What is it? You know I know little about fashion…"
Astoria waved the statement away and shook her head. "Oh no, nothing like that. Draco's named Theodore Nott as his best man and, as such, Theo's wife is going to be one of my bridesmaids."
Hermione frowned. "So, you want me to help you with his wife?" She inquired. It took her less than a moment for the comment to sink in. "Luna!" She said with a gasp.
Her face softened as she smiled and shook her head. "That shouldn't be a problem. Luna is a bit eccentric, but she's tolerable and polite."
"'Eccentric' is putting it lightly," Astoria said. "It is impolite for a lady to speak ill of another, however, she's… I honestly don't know how you had dealt with her in the past."
Hermione glanced at Ginny and they shared a grin. "Well, she will teach you patience," the Muggleborn commented. "She is an endearing person, too."
Ginny nodded in agreement. "She does grow on you, but it takes practice and a sense of humour."
Astoria sighed. "Draco and I dined with them the other night and I swear he had attempted to hex her a few times, but stopped himself," the young witch explained. "She's pretty enough, of course. And she's obviously smart, or at least seems to be. I just don't know what Theo sees in her, though."
"She has a pure heart," Ginny said. "Even after everything that happened to her during the war, she still remains true to herself. She's kind and courageous. She's very unique and doesn't let others' opinions affect her. She's… above social norms."
Hermione nodded and took a sip of her butterbeer. "The Ministry had offered her a reward for her services in the war and she ended up donating it all towards helping to rebuild Hogwarts."
Astoria sighed. "So, will you help me with her?" She asked.
Hermione gave her a kind smile. "Of course I will."
(II)(II)
Lucius was sitting at his desk in his study, going through the accounts for his vineyard in Greece when his son walked into the room. He glanced up slightly to see his son walking to the wetbar to pour himself a drink. Looking back down at the paperwork, Lucius finished doing the math and raised a brow.
"Father, Astoria told me you were going to dinner with Granger and the Potters tonight," Draco drawled and Lucius heard him plop onto one of the armchairs.
Sighing, Lucius sat up and turned his attention to his son and heir. "That I am," he admitted. Glancing at the clock, he raised a single brow. "In fact, I do need to start getting ready now. I am to meet them at Hermione's loft in London."
Draco frowned. "So, you're going to have dinner with Potter," he said, not quite believing it.
"Mr. Potter is one of Hermione's oldest and dearest friends," Lucius explained as he stood and walked to the bar. "As you should know. If I am to marry her, I will need to be able to gain his trust, or, at the very least, his respect."
"Hate to break it to you, old man, but you can try all you want," Draco commented lazily. "You'll never gain his trust or respect. Believe me. I tried when I first met him. And again after the war when I requested his help to look into some shrink within our London apothecary."
Lucius's face soured as he changed his mind on brandy and picked up his decanter of firewhiskey instead. He hated it when his son called him an "old man", especially considering that he really wasn't that old. "Then an accord," Lucius surmised as he recapped the decanter and turned back to face his son. "Whether he respects me or not, I will marry Hermione, so he will have to learn how to accept it. And, given her purity, I intend to breach the possibility of bondage with her."
Draco's eyebrows raised. "'Bondage'? That's a little… kinky, even for you… Wait, I don't want to know."
Lucius raised his eyes. "Not that kind of bondage, son," he said a little impatiently. "I'm talking of the same thing you and Miss Greengrass will be doing on Wednesday. I want to be bound to Hermione. For us to be united in the most sacred, unbreakable way possible."
Draco sat up and stared at his father. "Are you mad?" he demanded. "Merlin's sagging bollocks, Father! I thought you were marrying her just for the publicity! You know if you bond yourself to her and she to you, that means forever, right? You'll never be able to be rid of her. You can't even kill the bint if you grow bored with her!"
"Call her another name and I will hex your mouth shut," Lucius warned. "I have no interest in killing her, not now, not ever. Besides, bonding with her will only make our marriage more insured from the vultures within the Ministry. By bonding with her, they will know that I have changed, hopefully for the better."
"But you haven't changed," Draco argued, "except to turn blood-traitor. Father, society isn't going -."
"Society is changing," Lucius interrupted. "Hermione has been able to push so many bills through already, particularly to do with the treatment of house elves. Your friend, Theodore Nott, married a Half-Blood, the first time a Nott has done so in centuries, and not just any Half-Blood -."
"He married a fucking loon," Draco grumbled as he downed his drink. "But at least she has some Wizarding parentage. Granger's got none."
"Has none," Lucius corrected. "You are the heir to the noble and ancient House of Malfoy, boy. Use proper English. Also, I have it on good authority that Hermione has ancestry that include knights, and, perhaps, even royalty."
Draco placed his glass on the side table and stood. "So, you're living your namesake predecessor's dream? I don't know if she is of actual royal descent, but, even if she is, I highly doubt she gains anything from it."
"Who said I wanted anything?" Lucius asked. "We have enough wealth to last us far beyond the next twelve generations. And, if I've raised you correctly, then that trend will continue."
"If you've raised me correctly? Does that even matter anymore? You're toying with the idea of bonding with a Muggleborn! When you do that, it won't matter how many galleons we have in the bank. We'll still be branded as blood traitors," Draco pressed.
Lucius tilted his head. "You're about to marry Astoria Greengrass. As kind and beautiful as she is, as Slytherin as she and her family are, the Greengrasses are blood traitors, which means that you will be, too, regardless of who I marry. Besides, as I've said before, the world is changing," he said as he sat in his chair and nursed his whiskey. "I recently read in the Prophet that the Minister is encouraging the cross-breeding of Purebloods and Muggleborns. When you think about it, there truly are so few of us. I think that was where the Dark Lord was wrong."
"I remember the Dark Lord had mocked the notion, and many people, our people, laughed," Draco commented.
Lucius stared into the fire. "They won't laugh when our bloodlines die out. In fact, it has already begun. Black? Rosier? Greengrass? Gaunt? And that's just a start. If Mr. and Mrs. Nott do not produce male heirs, that name will die out as well. Mr. Goyle and his family, too, if he doesn't marry. In fact, I do believe the Crabbe family has died out as well, since Brutus is spending a life sentence in Azkaban and Vincent died during the war," he said. He looked at his son. "You are my only heir. If I am lucky enough to actually marry Hermione, I may just be able to produce another child, or two."
"Two?!" Draco shouted, staring at his father, flabbergasted. "You do realize you are fifty years old, right? That means that by the time they graduate Hogwarts, if they aren't born Squibs, you'll be well on your way into your seventies!"
Lucius met his son's eyes and lifted a brow. "Is there a problem? If my memory is correct, you wanted siblings."
"Yeah, when I was younger," Draco spat.
Lucius shrugged and glanced down at his snifter. "It is unfortunate your mother can no longer reproduce," he murmured idly. "Perhaps if I had wandered more, hm? Extramarital sex, and illegitimate pregnancies, but then you'd never be able to claim them as your siblings."
Draco wrinkled his nose in disgust. "That is one thing I never wanted to hear about. You and sex," he said. "And 'wandered more'? What is that supposed to mean?"
Lucius gave a small, tight, humourless smile as he placed his snifter on his end table and stood. "I have to get ready for supper," he said as he picked up his cane and began walking towards the door.
"Are you seriously telling me that you cheated on my mother?" Draco asked, glaring at his father.
Lucius rolled his eyes. "Don't pretend that you are naive, son," he scolded. "Your mother and I hadn't shared our marital bed in years. In fact, you were here that day I caught her with that blighter in our bed, so don't pretend to be ignorant."
"How can you be angry with her when you were doing the same damn thing?" Draco demanded, following his father out of the study and up the stairs.
Lucius whirled on his son. "The difference is, I never brought a bird home, and I, certainly, never invited her to our bed."
"And yet you court Granger in our home. Something tells me that if she wanted to, you would bring her to your bed, too," Draco accused.
Lucius stopped. "I'm no longer married, and this is my home. So, yes. If Hermione wanted to, I could, and would, bring her to my bed," he admitted. He paused for a moment. "Then again, maybe not. Since we aren't married and her purity means that we can bond, then, it would be foolish of me to take her into my bed at this time." He frowned and looked at his son. "It's priorities, my boy. I made many mistakes both before and during my marriage with your mother. Mistakes I don't intend to repeat."
"A crup can't change its spots," Draco told him. He sighed. "What makes you think you'll be any more loyal to Granger if you couldn't even be loyal to my mother? The moment Granger turns you away, you'll just jump into another slag's bed."
Lucius shrugged. "We'll be bonded," he said simply. "I didn't have to be loyal to your mother. However, once Hermione and I are bonded, there will be no need for anyone else." He looked at his son. "You'll see. Soon you and Astoria will be bound to one another as well, and you will find that no other woman will do for you."
"I already feel that way," Draco said as they stopped at the door to the master bedroom.
The older Malfoy nodded and patted his son's shoulder. "Then you understand my desire for Hermione."
"Your desire for Granger? Father, just last month you simply wanted to bang her. Now you're talking about marriage," Draco said.
Lucius smirked. "You have yourself to thank for it, too. I never would have thought of marriage had you not suggested it."
"But, I didn't," Draco protested.
"Keep telling yourself that, son."
(III)(III)
"Harry? What are you wearing?" Hermione asked as she opened the door to allow her two best friends inside.
Harry glanced at his robes in confusion as Ginny rolled her eyes. "Robes," he answered. "You told me to dress nice. So, I dressed nice." He looked at her. "What are you wearing? You look like you're going to a ball."
Ginny gave Hermione a tired look. "I tried to explain it to him," she commented, looking annoyed.
Hermione shook her head. "I said 'dress robes'," she told him. "We're going to this really expensive place. We have to look our best."
"I am not wearing dress robes just to sit down to eat!" Harry argued. "I don't even want to go to this thing."
"We're going," Ginny said firmly. "Hermione wants us to because it's important that we get to know her future husband better."
Harry rubbed his forehead and pushed his glasses up. "I still can't believe you said, 'yes,' Hermione. The man is an ex-Death Eater, for Merlin's sake. Nevermind that he's old enough to be your father."
Hermione groaned. "I really wish people will stop pointing out his age!" she spat, as she turned away from him. "Wear the robes you have, I don't care." She glared at him. "But I am going to marry him, Harry Potter. I love him and he loves me. And I'm sorry. I am so sorry that I wanted my best friend, my brother, to try to become friends with my future husband. We've been through everything together. Ever since we first met. I helped you get through your classes. I helped you fight Voldemort over and over again! I stayed, Harry. By your side, front and center. I have always had your back. For once I wish you had mine!"
"That's not fair, Hermione," Harry responded. "I have been there for you. Who was there for you when Ron left? Who went with you to restore your parents' memories? Hell, I even stood up for that bastard in court during his trial! I am there for you. I am always there for you. That doesn't mean I have to agree with this. It's just… something about this seems off. Don't you see it? Lucius Malfoy is the biggest blood purist. Why the hell is he suddenly interested in you? Don't get me wrong. You're beautiful and smart, but Jesus, Hermione, men like him don't just change overnight."
They looked up when they heard a rap at the door. Hermione pushed past Harry and grabbed the handle, but he grabbed it as well and stopped her. They stared at one another. "Let me answer it," she growled, her eyes narrowing.
"Just think about it, Hermione," he said softly. "You're the closest thing I have to a sister and I love you. I just don't want to see you get hurt."
She set her jaw. "I won't," she assured him. "Now, please."
He kissed her forehead and took a step back. As she opened the door, her face lit up as her eyes met Lucius's. He returned her smile. "Good evening, beautiful," he greeted.
Her smile broadened and she stood up on her toes to kiss him. "Good evening," she replied. "Please, come in."
He followed her into the loft and nodded to the other two Gryffindors. "Mr. and Mrs. Potter, it's a pleasure to see you this evening."
"Is it?" Harry asked, folding his arms.
Lucius frowned. His eyes glanced at Ginny and his smile returned. "Well, you look lovely, Mrs. Potter," he said. "Did you do something different with your hair?"
"You know, Mr. Malfoy, they say that flattery will get you anywhere," she replied. "I thought I would try curling it, but, well, it was being rather stubborn."
"It looks lovely the way it is," he assured her. "And it's Lucius, if you don't mind."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Are we going to go eat or not?" he asked.
"Tactful as always, Mr. Potter," Lucius said cooly. He pulled out a bouquet of daisies from his robes. "These are for you, Hermione."
The brunette's smile widened as she accepted the flowers. "Thank you. Let me just go put these in a vase real quick, shall I?"
He nodded and watched as she grabbed Ginny's hand and ran into the kitchen. His smile faded as he glanced back at Harry Potter, who was glaring at him. Lifting his head up, he watched as the women teetered about the kitchen. "I am quite aware of your dislike for me, Mr. Potter," he said, keeping his voice soft so the women wouldn't overhear.
"Yeah? Well, know this, too. I don't know what game you're playing, but I'm watching you," Harry warned. "I know all about everything you've done with her."
Lucius threw him a grin. "Well, I hope not everything," he said, tauntingly.
"Why you -!"
"Careful, Mr. Potter," Lucius warned. "We wouldn't want Hermione or Mrs. Potter thinking that we aren't trying to get along."
"As if you care what Hermione thinks!" the bespectacled wizard hissed.
Lucius lifted his brows. "Quite the contrary. I care a great deal about what Hermione thinks. She will be my wife, after all."
Harry took a step towards the older wizard, glaring up at him. "You may have everyone else fooled, including Hermione, but I know you."
Lucius turned his attention fully to Harry. His frown deepened and he raised a single eyebrow. "No. You don't," he said. "You only think you do."
Hermione and Ginny reentered the room, laughing about… something. Hermione approached Lucius and, smile dropping, looked from him to Harry. "What's going on?" she asked.
"Nothing important, my dear," Lucius replied as he lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. "I do fear I failed to inform you of how beautiful you look this evening."
Her smile widened. "Why thank you! I will have to remember to give Astoria my gratitude when I see her again," she said.
"Are we ready to leave then?" Lucius asked as he glanced from her to the Potters who were whispering heatedly at one another. He stifled a smirk as he had a good guess of what their argument was about. Tonight seemed to promise to be interesting.
(IV)(IV)
If Hermione had thought the last place Lucius had taken her to was extravagant, she had been sorely mistaken. The restaurant Lucius was escorting her into was beautiful. The host who greeted them was dressed in formal robes and gloves and carried himself with an air of high breeding. Hermione covered her lips with her fingers to hide the smile that threatened to appear on her face. "High breeding"? Where on earth did that idea come from?
The entrance of the restaurant was decorated with a pair of ferns and a black podium. To the left of the podium was a large dark wood door that had decorative glass in the middle of it. As the host opened the door, light from the main dining area flooded the room.
Lucius gently guided Hermione to stand aside as he gave a nod of his head to Harry. "After you," he offered.
Harry's eyes narrowed suspiciously, but he followed the host as Ginny lightly held his arm.
Hermione smiled kindly up at Lucius as she let him lead her into the dining hall after her friends. Her eyes widened at the sight of the restaurant. Circular tables draped with white linen and decorated with white flowers were scattered in an intricate pattern while white chairs circled each table. Fellow diners sat at these tables and were also dressed formally.
For the most part, the two couples were ignored as they were lead by the host to their seating. Those who did look at them, quickly averted their attention when either Lucius, Hermione, Harry, or Ginny looked at them. The two couples simply ignored them for they were quite used to the stares, for various reasons.
The host led them into a private section of the restaurant. While it was still open, it was more secluded with glittering curtains that, upon closer inspection, held small balls of light. Hermione thought they were perhaps fairies, but she wasn't certain.
As they approach the circular table draped in white cloth and decorated with soft candlelight, Lucius and Harry assisted their respective companions into their chairs and seated themselves as well. Wine was poured and Hors d'oeuvres were served. Silence fell upon the table as everyone ate.
Unable to stand the silence for much longer, Hermione piped up, "Oh, Lucius, I thought you would like to know about that house elf I had told you of earlier this week."
He looked up and sipped his wine. "And?" He asked politely.
She smiled. "Well, his master was charged with negligence and domestic abuse and he was rehomed," she explained, her smile faltering slightly.
"How is he taking it?" the Pureblood prodded as he speared some asparagus.
She shrugged. "I think he's all right, but I can't be sure. I do know that people are working with him to help him get on his feet."
"I'm sure he'll be ok," Ginny assured her, though she didn't look too certain herself.
Hermione sighed. "I wonder sometimes, though. I mean, I know what I'm doing is right, but…"
Lucius place his hand over hers, drawing her attention. She looked at him curiously as he gently closed his hand over hers. "You shouldn't doubt yourself, darling," he said. "The elf may not see it now, but I assure you, he is better than he was before, especially if what you've told me of this case is true. You did the right thing, and you should be commended for your work."
"How hypocritical of you to say," Harry growled as he took a sip of his own wine.
Lucius glanced at the young saviour. "I beg your pardon?" he asked, tilting his head curiously.
Harry pressed his lips together, frowning. He gave Hermione an apologetic look. "I do agree with Malfoy that you shouldn't doubt yourself, Hermione. You're brilliant and the work you've done for the elves, as well as other creatures, is highly commendable. However," he turned his attention to Lucius and his frown returned, "you have spent years fighting against things like elven rights. What's with the sudden change of heart, Malfoy? What's your angle in pursuing Hermione? You think you can charm her with fancy meals? Did you think inviting Ginny and me to this place will somehow attone for the past and the part you played in an attempt to destroy people like Hermione?"
"Harry," Ginny scolded as she and Hermione glared at him.
"It's quite alright, Ginny," Lucius said coolly as he took another sip of his wine. "I completely understand where Mr. Potter is coming from and he has a right to ask his questions."
Hermione squeezed his hand. "No, he doesn't. Not when we are having a nice meal." She threw Harry another glare.
Lucius smiled kindly at her. "Au contraire, my love. Now is just as good a time as any and it's much better that we get this nastiness out of the way so we may enjoy our evening," he told her. "Let me see if I can answer Mr. Potter's questions satisfactory… 'Why the sudden change?' Let me ask you, Mr. Potter. You saw the state of my home during the war as well as my own state during my trial. Not to go into too much detail, but the Dark Lord doesn't take kindly on those who fail him. I had failed in my task to gain the prophecy. Because of this failure, I almost lost my son. I did lose my wand and, eventually, my wife."
"You blame him for your divorce?" Harry demanded, aghast.
Lucius shook his head. "Not at all. I blame my own follies for my divorce, Mr. Potter. However, that doesn't mean that I can ignore the facts that have been presented to me. Here was a man, or what was left of a man, who cared little for the lives of his followers. I was under house arrest. I had no wand in which to raise against him if I had so chosen, and I highly doubt any member of your precious Order would have accepted me should I have sought help. Not that I would lower myself in such a way as to crawl and beg. I had my wife and child to think about. I needed to ensure their safety before I moved against him. So, as I played my part, I kept a watchful eye on the events as they unfolded."
"To make sure you put yourself in the best possible position when it was all over," the bespectacled man reasoned.
The blond shrugged and became quiet for a moment as the server removed their plates and replaced them with more food. He stabbed a fork into his salad and took a bite, chewing and swallowing before he answered Harry. "I'm not quite certain what you mean by 'the best possible position', Mr. Potter. For all I knew, if the Dark Lord had won, I would continue on as I had until it reached the point where he killed me or I died from another affliction. As far as I knew, once the Order had won, I had every chance of spending the rest of my life in Azkaban. As it is, at the moment, the only thing I have is my wealth. Just look around you. There isn't a person in this facility, aside from perhaps Hermione, who wouldn't prefer to see me bound and gagged, or worse, Kissed. They either fear me, hate me, or both, and not a single person understands what I went through when the Dark Lord lived in my home."
"Do you expect me to feel sorry for you?" Harry asked coldly.
Lucius raised an eyebrow. "No. I don't want anything from you, Mr. Potter. Despite what you might think, I did not ask Hermione to bring you along because I hoped to curry favour from you."
Harry frowned, staring at the man loathingly. "Then why did you?" He questioned.
Lucius gazed at him curiously and cast a glance at Hermione before looking at the dark-haired wizard again. "I thought that was simple enough for even you to understand, Mr. Potter." He looked at the witch again. "Does he not know about your education?"
"You mean that bullshit about old traditions and customs? Yeah, I know about it," Harry growled.
"Then what is it that you don't understand?" Lucius inquired, confused. "I wanted to spend an evening with my new fiancée. In order to do that, she needs to have a chaperone with her. Since Molly is currently unavailable…" he looked at the Muggleborn again, frowning. "Do I really have to spell it out?"
Hermione sighed, her eyes narrowing at Harry. "Is it really going to be like this all evening? Can we not have a nice evening, just the four of us? You promised you would try. Lucius has been nothing but courteous to you since he arrived at my flat. The least you can do is show the same respect."
"Hermione…"
"No, Harry," she cut him off angrily. "I have been there for you through it all. I helped you study throughout Hogwarts, defeat Voldemort, and even helped you practice during your Auror training. I love you, would die for you. You're the closest I have ever come to having a brother."
"Why do you think I'm so against this, Hermione?" he asked desperately, his own temper rising. Hermione cast a quick Muffliato over their table as his voice rose and he continued, "This is Lucius fucking Malfoy! I told you when I read about this whole fiasco in the paper: I don't condone it. I can't! I'm not even going to get into the fact that he's old enough to be your father, or that he is Draco Malfoy's father. Just the mere fact that he was a Death Eater! And not just any Death Eater, but one of Voldemort's closest supporters. Not only that, but we were twelve years old when we met him, and what did he do? He gave Ginny a cursed diary that nearly killed her! It did possess her. Do you have any idea what that's like? To be possessed by Tom-fucking-Riddle? You spout loyalty, but where is it now?"
Lucius felt his blood boiling and he wanted nothing more than to hex the black-haired brat, but he stayed his wand. Biting down his own impulse, he glanced at Hermione, watching as she glared at the boy. "How dare you!" she hissed. She threw her glass of wine into his face and stood up. Lucius stood as well. Seeing she had gotten Ginny a bit, Hermione gave the girl an apologetic look. "Sorry, Gin," she said before straightening her gown and turning her attention to Lucius. "This was a mistake. For that, I apologize. If you will excuse me, I need to go to the ladies' room for a moment."
As she turned on her heel and began walking away, Ginny stood up as well and rushed after her.
(V)(V)
Ginny found Hermione in the restroom, sitting on an elegant couch with her hands hiding her face. Grabbing a cloth hand towel, she sat beside her friend and handed the towel to her. She then placed a reassuring arm around her shoulders and hugged her.
"He's such a git sometimes," the ginger haired witch said softly.
"I don't understand it, Gin," Hermione said, still sobbing. "I've done everything, sacrificed everything for him! And he just… just… I don't understand why he can't let me be happy?"
"He's just being Harry," the younger witch reasoned. "You know him. 'Have to save the world.' I don't think he's ever really gotten past that, and with Voldemort gone… I think he's always expecting the worst. The next 'Big Bad', or 'Dark Lord', to come along."
Hermione looked at her friend and frowned. "Lucius is not a 'Dark Lord'. He has no interest in that life anymore," she said.
Ginny nodded. "I'm sure, but Harry doesn't know that. I mean, he barely knows the guy, and what he does know of him isn't really all that great."
"You should see him, Gin," Hermione told her. "When we're in the manor searching for his sister, or going out to eat? And you should have seen him at the game with my parents."
"Mum told me about that," Ginny admitted. "Did he really hit Draco with his cane for calling you the 'M' word?"
Hermione chuckled through her tears and nodded. "He also threatened to take Draco out of his will," she said with a grin.
Ginny stared at her in astonishment. "He didn't!" she squeaked.
"Yes, he did, and I wanted to kiss him for it," Hermione said, brightening up.
"Hell, I want to kiss him for it," the younger witch stated, sitting back.
Hermione smiled as she sat back as well and gazed at the stalls. "I still can't believe Harry said that to me. How could he, Gin? After everything I've done…"
Ginny was at a loss of words for a moment. "Voldemort really did a number on him," she said.
"He did a number on Lucius, too, you know," Hermione told her. "I mean, Lucius doesn't really talk about it much, and any time the subject is breached, he clams up or changes the subject. Or he gets defensive."
"Men," Ginny complained.
Hermione agreed with a nod. "You said it."
Ginny glanced at her friend and grinned. "You do realize we left Harry and Lucius alone. Not exactly the smartest decision on our part."
Hermione's eyes widened. "Yeah… We should get back."
(VI)(VI)
Lucius returned to his seat and, picking up his glass, took another sip of his wine. He watched the young man before him as Harry picked up his napkin and wiped his face. Their waiter came to them and offered Harry another napkin, which the wizard accepted with a "Thanks."
Once the waiter left, Harry gazed at Lucius. For a while, the two simply stared at one another. Though he neither showed it nor said anything, the older wizard was fascinated by the myriad of emotions that played clearly over the younger man's face. He had known that Hermione cared for the man. He had listened as she told him of their stint during the Second War. Camping, hiding, risking their lives for a cause they believed in. Through her tales, he had come to respect the young man. While he didn't believe there would ever be anything even close to resembling friendship between the two of them, he had hoped, fleetingly, that there would be a mutual sort of respect there. He wondered what sort of impact this night would have on the future of his relationship with Hermione, for he was growing rather fond of her.
It was a few more minutes before the ladies returned. As they approached, Lucius stood and nodded graciously at Hermione. "Are you all right, my love?" he asked her gently.
She nodded and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm fine," she told him as she sat down. Lucius sat as well as Hermione looked at her plate. "This is some of the best food I have eaten, though I do believe the elves in the manor do a much better job."
Lucius chuckled. "It is nice to give them a break every once in a while, though, isn't it?"
"I doubt Draco is giving them any sort of 'break'," she commented, drawing another chuckle from him.
The rest of the evening continued with idle chatter between the two, with Ginny chiming in every once in a while. Harry and Hermione pointedly ignored one another.
When the couples returned to Hermione's flat, Lucius placed a chaste kiss upon her lips. "Shall I see you tomorrow?" he asked.
She grinned flirtatiously. "Why, of course! We are going to a wedding, are we not?"
"What?" Harry asked suddenly. "What wedding?"
Hermione glared at him as Ginny rolled her eyes and shoved the wizard into the flat. "Draco and Astoria, you prat," the ginger haired witch snapped. "Give them some space."
Lucius watched as Ginny closed the door, leaving him and Hermione alone in the hallway. "Given what Potter said this evening, I am astonished that she trusts me so willingly," he said, as he clasped Hermione's hands in his own.
"You know, I don't think she actually does," Hermione mused, looking at the door. She turned her attention to him. "But she does trust me, and I think she wants me to be happy."
"Do I make you happy?" he asked, gazing down at her honey coloured eyes.
"'They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for,'" she said as she leaned into him.
He raised an eyebrow. "And?"
She giggled and lifted her hands to rest on his shoulders. "Well, I love you, so that one is covered. With us getting married, I do think the rest is covered. So, yes, you do make me happy."
He kissed her forehead and met her eyes again. "I do apologize for what had happened this evening. That was never my intent."
She reached up and brushed his jaw with the backs of her fingers. "What happened this evening had nothing to do with you, Lucius. It's between Harry and me. If anyone should apologize, it should be me. I knew it was a mistake inviting him, but I did it anyway. I had hoped…"
She trailed off, her eyes falling to his chest as she sighed.
Unsure of what to do, Lucius wrapped his arms around her and held her tight against him. He rested his cheek atop her head and closed his eyes, breathing in the gentle scent of her shampoo. He felt as though he should say something, to offer her some words of comfort. He racked his brain, thinking.
"I can't begin to understand how your friendship with Mr. Potter works," he said. "However, I do think his intentions, though short-sighted, are honest enough." She looked up at him in surprise. He shrugged. "He's a Gryffindor, and the Saviour of our world. You have told me before that the two of you are like siblings. If that is true, there isn't a doubt in my mind that he probably thinks he needs to protect you."
She sighed again and glanced at the door. "I know," she admitted. "I just wish he wouldn't. He has this habit of forgetting that I can take care of myself."
"I'm sure he knows that, however, sometimes, habits can be hard to break. Particularly when you've come to rely on someone always being there," he told her. "Remember how easily it was for the Dark Lord to trick Potter into 'saving' Sirius Black? If he sees you as his sister, then, aside from his family, you are all he has. He may fear that he is losing you."
"He's not, though," she said. "No matter what, I will always be there for him. I shouldn't have to sacrifice my own happiness."
He shook his head. "You don't have to. Just give him time, darling. Tonight was too soon," he assured her. "We had courted for a month before I proposed, and we still have the meeting with Mrs. Nott. It will be a few months before we are actually wed. Give him time to come to terms with this. Let him see how happy you are, how right this is."
He took her hand into his and lifted it to his lips, pressing a kiss to the back of it. "I will see you tomorrow, my love. For now, I bid you a good night. May your dreams be filled with joy and happiness."
She grinned. "Don't worry. They'll be filled with you, so they will be."
He smiled softly at her. He was mildly surprised when she reached up and kissed him. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of her soft lips upon his. He didn't let the kiss linger, however. "Sleep well, my love," he whispered against her lips before releasing her and taking a step back.
They looked at one another for a moment more until she turned to her door. Glancing back at him, she gave him a smile, blew him a kiss, and, opening the door, she slipped inside.
He watched as she closed it behind her and listened as she locked it. Licking his lips, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. What was happening to him? All the years he had spent with Narcissa, he had never felt this way. He had never even come close to doing the things he was doing with Hermione. But then, he had never known a woman like Hermione, either.
Opening his eyes, he glanced at her door once more before turning on his heel and departing. He needed a cold shower and a finger or two of brandy.
