A/N: Whew, that last chapter was kind of brutal, huh? Hopefully, I finally make up for it in this chapter. I haven't said it in a while, but Grammarly is my beta. Also as I was writing chapters 10 and 11 sort of combined themselves and so there will be 15 chapters total for this fic. Five more to go!

If you liked this, (or hated it) let me know about it in a review! Also, find me on Tumblr at crochetawayhpff.

Lucius wasn't happy with Hermione, and he certainly didn't think she'd acted very mature, but he still had very strong feelings for the witch, which explained why he was still in Australia, even after leaving her alone in her hotel room in Broome. He was back in Sydney at the Australian Ministry, trying to find someone who could help him. Lucius had left Severus in charge of keeping an eye on Hermione. As much as he wanted to walk away from her, he still felt like something was off. That she was still withholding something else from him and he wasn't leaving until he found out what it was.

"Ah, Mr Malfoy! Please, come in," the Australian Minister greeted him brightly and led him into his office. "Tea?"

"Please," Lucius replied as he sat before the desk. He was exhausted, the Australian heat was getting to him, and he longed to go back to Britain, but he wasn't entirely done here yet.

"And what is it I can do for you today?" the Minister asked after pouring them each a cup of tea.

"I would like to donate to the Ministry, but I was hoping I could procure some help in exchange for the donation," Lucius replied.

"Does that truly make it a donation then?" the Australian Minister asked.

Lucius smiled, he liked this man. "I plan to donate regardless. However, the size of my donation may depend on the sort of assistance I am able to procure."

The Australian Minister smiled, "I see. And what sort of assistance do you need?"

"Someone or someone's proficient in Memory charms and their reversal."

Hermione was devastated after Lucius and Severus had walked out on her. She had collapsed to the floor and cried for hours. Hermione honestly hadn't expected her terrible behavior to have cost her as much as it did. It had solidified in her mind though that she had to speak to her parents. She couldn't continue to follow them, wishing to be part of their lives. She had to have the courage to take that step forward. They might hate her, and Hermione convinced herself she would be alright with that. But if they hated her and Lucius and Severus hated her, Hermione wasn't sure what her next step would be. Could she raise this child on her own? At least, she was sure Harry wouldn't hate her. Perhaps a move to a different country? Maybe a life as a Muggle? Hermione shook her head, no use thinking of those thoughts now. Now she had to prepare to reintroduce herself to her parents.

Lucius walking out on her had been her breaking point. She wasn't sure she could survive any more heartbreak, but she was just as sure that her cowardice had costed her dearly. She was a Gryffindor and running from her problems had never been in her repertoire. Hermione wasn't sure what had come over her the last few months. Was it just fear? Or immaturity? Pregnancy hormones? She wasn't sure she could explain it. One thing she knew is that she was sick of thinking about her mistakes. She had thought the morning sickness portion of her pregnancy was over, but she'd been nauseous each day since Lucius and Severus had walked out. She cradled the small bump on her belly for a moment as she steeled herself to go out and track her parents down and actually speak to them. It was terrifying, and Hermione wasn't sure she was ready for it, but she knew it was necessary.

It was a Thursday, which meant her parents only worked a half-day. She hung around outside the clinic until it was almost noon. She was forever thankful for the long dress that hid her bump so well, even if it made her hotter than Hades under the May Australian sun.

Her watch showed five till noon, and she took the plunge. She crossed the street for the first time and entered the cold air conditioning of the dental clinic. Wilkins Dental was emblazoned behind the small counter. The receptionist wasn't at her desk though. Hermione approached the counter and found a set of business cards for each of her parents. She picked one up and read the name 'Richard Wilkins, DDS.' Hermione felt faint. Richard was her father's real name, but when she had Obliviated them, she had given him the name Wendell. Feeling frantic now, she picked up her mother's card 'Helena Wilkins, DDS.'

"Oh, Merlin," Hermione muttered before her knees gave way and she fell to her side in a dead faint.

Severus had never particularly cared for babysitting duty, but Lucius had coerced him into it, telling Severus that he knew there was something more going on with Hermione. Severus just didn't think Lucius could make a clean break from the girl. Not that Severus wanted to break from the girl at all. He didn't, but Lucius was his patron, and Severus knew that he wasn't ready for a committed relationship. He might never be prepared for one. He wouldn't do that to Hermione. He couldn't do that to her. She deserved more, regardless of her wrong actions the last few months.

As much as he disliked babysitting duty, it did allow him to observe Hermione, and he had to agree with Lucius' conclusions. She was hiding something. For one, she looked awful, wane and too pale. Almost as if she was ill. She insisted on covering herself head-to-toe in those awful, long, too big for her dresses and Severus began to form an idea in his head. It would be absurd, and certainly not his, but it wouldn't be unheard of. He wondered if it had even crossed Lucius' mind? Unlikely.

Hermione entered her parent's dental clinic, and Severus watched from across the street. He'd done his research on Richard and Helena Wilkins. They were well liked in the community, and while Severus knew that Wilkins wasn't their real last name, he wondered if Richard and Helena were their real first names. They had struck a chord in him that made him think he'd heard them before.

He drew up his omnioculars to get a view of what was going on inside the dental clinic. It appeared Hermione was just standing at the registration desk. He went to put them down again when he saw her fall. He didn't even think, he just acted and sprinted across the street, completely ignoring the honking horns of the traffic he'd just run through. He whipped open the door to the dental clinic, and within moments he was at Hermione's side.

An older couple bustled out of the back door of the clinic to see what the commotion was, but Severus already had Hermione cradled in his arms. A hand to her abdomen confirmed his suspicions. She was pregnant. He had to tell Lucius.

"Hermione, love, wake up," Severus said as he patted her cheek gently.

"My word, is she alright?" the woman asked, kneeling down beside them and pressing a hand to Hermione's forehead. "No fever."

"No," Severus agreed.

"I can call for an ambulance," the man suggested.

"I don't think we need one," Severus said as Hermione seemed to be coming around.

"Hermione? Love?" Severus said, his hand cupping her cheek. He'd never called anyone love in his life, but Hermione had wormed her way under his skin, and as not ready for commitment as he was, he found that he couldn't seem to help the name from slipping through his lips. He was getting soft in his old age. He didn't want to admit it, but seeing her collapse like that had scared him as nothing had ever scared him in his life.

"Severus?" Hermione asked she had a dazed look on her face like she couldn't believe it was him.

"Hi, welcome back." He helped her to sit up. "What happened?"

"I'm not sure," Hermione shook her head. "I…" she trailed off, and Severus found she was looking at her mother. Tears began pouring down her cheeks, and Severus felt his heart wrench for her.

"Do you want to leave?" Severus asked lowly. "We can always come back when you're feeling up for it."

Hermione nodded tightly as a fresh wave of tears slipped down her cheeks. Severus stood and pulled Hermione up with him. He wanted to carry her but wasn't sure that she would allow it, so he slipped an arm around her waist instead, offering as much support as he could.

"Please excuse us," Severus said as politely as possible to Hermione's parents as he guided the inconsolable witch out of the dental clinic. He walked them around the side of the building, and when they were out of view, he pulled her further into his arms and Apparated them both back to her hotel room a few blocks away.

Once back at the hotel, Severus put Hermione to bed and sent off his Patronus to Lucius at the Ministry.

He hated his babysitting duties and hoped that now that the truth was finally out, he could be done with it. And return back to England post-haste.

Lucius smiled blandly at the British Ambassador and the Australian Minister for Magic. He'd just offered to donate a scholarship to Muggleborns to the local Australian wizarding school. Lucius didn't much care about the Muggleborns of Australia, but good publicity was good publicity. And the exchange rate between the two countries was in his favor.

A silvery raven flew into the room, and Lucius raised his eyebrow at seeing Severus' Patronus. It had been a while since he'd seen it and wasn't even sure it was Severus' until it spoke a single word, "Come."

"Well, gentleman," Lucius said as he stood. "It seems I'm needed elsewhere. Please send the appropriate paperwork to my hotel Ambassador Higgins."

"Of, course Mr Malfoy," Ambassador Higgins said. "Really, the Australian Ministry is lucky to have you help them with this project."

"That we are, Ambassador," Minister Jones-Avery stated. He too stood and walked Lucius out. "I've been meaning to tell you, Mr Malfoy, that I've found just the person you were looking for."

"Indeed?" Lucius asked he lifted his eyebrow as he turned to face the Minister.

"I have, Healer Brian Whistleby has been the foremost expert in memory charms at White Feather Hospital here in Sydney. He's been researching reversal of memory charms for over fifty years."

"Excellent," Lucius nodded his thanks.

"I've owled him; he knows you'll be in contact."

Lucius held out his hand, "Thank you again Minister Jones-Avery."

Lucius nodded to both men once more and quickly strode out of the room. He took the lift down to the Apparition chamber excited and nervous about why Severus would have called him. He hoped it meant that Severus had discovered what Hermione was hiding. Lucius was at his wit's end. He loved the chit, but he wasn't really sure she was ready for commitment. And Lucius wouldn't allow himself to get hurt like that. Nor her. It was better this way. He gripped his cane tighter in his hand. He was just trying to convince himself that it was better this way. But Merlin, he wanted that girl. He wanted her in his bed every night. He wanted her round and pregnant with his child. He wanted her at home when he returned from a long day of politicking at the Ministry. And he wanted her between him and Severus for years to come.

He feared he'd made a huge mistake by letting her go a week ago, but he was at his breaking point and didn't know what else to do. If he took her back, he'd have to ensure that she would never do this to him again.

When Hermione woke up the room was dark, and she assumed Severus had left. She was thankful for his help but sad that he hadn't stuck around. She sat up slowly and froze when someone unexpected said her name.

"Lucius?" Hermione asked. She was almost afraid that she was dreaming. She had been dreaming of him and Severus both in the week since they had walked out. Every night, the dreams started out good, with the three of them laughing and then they ended with just an unbearable sadness weighing on her heart and soul. She woke up in tears more often than not.

"Hermione," Lucius breathed, and suddenly a light flared, and he was there, sitting on the bed next to her. Severus was there too, in the chair next to the bed.

"Oh, Merlin, Lucius," Hermione cried, tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry. I was such an idiot; I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."

Lucius wrapped his long arms around her and Hermione buried her face into his chest. Breathing in his scent as he smoothed a hand through her hair and down her back.

"Shhh," Lucius replied. "I'm here now."

It took Hermione several minutes to calm down enough to truly speak, and when she did, she felt the heat of embarrassment bloom in her cheeks. She had been so stupid. She had almost lost everything just because she was scared of the repercussions of her choices. She pulled back from Lucius but kept one hand in his.

"I'm pregnant," she said finally. The words were tumbling out of her mouth in relief. "I'm so sorry I didn't tell you. Either of you," she included Severus, reaching her hand out to him. "It was stupid, but I was scared. And I d-don't know who the father is…" she trailed off as a fresh wave of tears spilled down her cheeks. She kept her gaze on her lap in shame.

"Oh, love," Lucius said so softly that Hermione wasn't sure she heard him correctly. "Hermione," he said again, and she looked up at him. The look on his face was so reverential that it scared Hermione. "It's mine," he said. "Severus can't have children. You needn't have worried at all."

Hermione cried harder. She was so stupid. Why had she not faced facts earlier than this?

"How far along are you?" Severus asked.

"Almost five months," Hermione whispered. Lucius' quick intake of breath sounded like censure to Hermione, and she ducked her head, hunching her shoulders.

Severus pulled out his wand, "May I?"

Hermione nodded, regardless of everything else, she trusted both Severus and Lucius implicitly. Severus waved his wand in a complicated pattern, and a bright white light lit the room, exploding the darkness and emanating from her belly.

"Salazar, witch," Lucius breathed. "No wonder…"

Hermione looked up at him, no wonder what? She didn't understand, and the confusion must have been written on her face for Severus began speaking.

"That was a standard magic detection charm with a twist on piecing out a fetus' magic from his or her mother's. That light? The brighter it is, shows how magical the child is. The more light, the more magical power."

Lucius was staring at Hermione in awe. Hermione felt herself blush under his gaze and Severus continued speaking.

"That blinding light shows that the child you are carrying has an extraordinary amount of power. When carrying a baby with so much power, being near the father stabilizes both you and the child's magic. Without that stabilizing force, mother's carrying powerful children have been known to go a little insane."

"That is the most sexist thing I've ever heard," Hermione pouted. "The witch's magic can't deal, so she needs a wizard around to deal for her?"

Lucius laughed, "It's sexist, but it doesn't stop it from being true. I'm sorry, love. I wish I had known…"

Hermione immediately felt embarrassed. Severus' explanation made sense, but it didn't mean she wasn't ashamed of her actions. "No, I should be the one apologizing, Lucius. To both you and Severus. I acted like a foolish child. I am sorry. I hope one day that you can forgive me."

Lucius looked away, and Hermione was sure he was about to tell her that he could never forgive her. It would be what she deserved after all. But just being here with him, with both of them, calmed the racing thoughts that had plagued her mind the last few months.

"Why do I feel better than I have in months?" Hermione mumbled. There was so much about magical pregnancies that she didn't know. She hadn't even thought to seek out a Healer, but instead a Muggle Obstetrician.

"Because you are in Lucius' company. His magic is balancing yours, calming the child's magic." Severus shook his head. "You should have seen a Healer; they would have given you all of this information."

"I didn't know," Hermione said quietly. She felt like such a fool. She didn't really need Severus to pile it on her.

"It's alright," Lucius said. "The magic from the baby has been affecting your magic and your emotions, which made you act irrationally."

"It's not something you could have known if you didn't seek medical help in the wizarding world," Severus reminded her.

"I didn't," Hermione shook her head. "I didn't seek any help until I came to Australia. Oh fuck, I'm a terrible mum," Hermione cried, her tears overwhelming her. Her shoulders shook as she thought about all the ways she had already screwed up for her baby. For Lucius' baby. He would never forgive her.

"We need a calming draught, Severus," Lucius said so quietly that Hermione almost didn't hear it.

A moment later, the bed dipped, and Hermione found Severus sitting behind her. He pulled her shoulders back, willing her to relax into him as Lucius poured a potion down her throat. She swallowed it mechanically, it tasted like clouds, and she found herself floating along peacefully.

"You need to spend some time with her," Severus said behind Hermione's back. "Your magic will help stabilize her and the baby's."

"I'm aware. You'll have to go back to Sydney on my behalf then," Lucius replied. He was sitting next to Severus and had one of Hermione's hands between his. She was still floating peacefully as she listened to the two men talk. What Lucius and Severus had explained about magical pregnancies seemed to make sense, but Hermione hated feeling like it was something out of her control. Nothing was stopping her from telling Lucius and Severus about the pregnancy except her own fear. She truly believed that. She only hoped that they would take her back. Soon, she'd fallen asleep nestled between the two most important people in her life.

Lucius woke and checked the time, it was almost two in the morning, and Hermione was still sound asleep beside him. He marveled once again that she had lasted five months without telling anyone the truth about her pregnancy. He was thankful they'd found her when they did. Severus hadn't told Hermione that going without her partner for the entire pregnancy could permanently affect her physical and mental health. Lucius slid his arm around Hermione's middle, bringing her back tight against his chest. He cupped the small bump of her belly and soothed the nightdress she was wearing. That was his child in there; he felt his heart soar when a tiny foot kicked his hand. Merlin, he'd forgotten what that felt like.

If he'd been unsure of his feelings before, he was now very sure. He loved Hermione and intended to make her a permanent fixture in his life in any way she would allow. He'd marry her tomorrow if she'd let him. He was not ever going to let her go; not now that she was carrying his child. Not after the hellish six weeks, he'd spent looking for her.

Lucius swept Hermione's hair away from her neck and up the pillow so he could press a kiss to her skin. Hermione moaned in her sleep, and instantly Lucius was hard for her. It had been a long time since he enjoyed her, but she was carrying his child now, she needed her rest. He was determined to will his cock to go back down when she rolled over, her eyes open wide.

"Lucius," she said, a plea clear in her voice. Lucius couldn't stop himself from pressing his lips to hers. She responded immediately by opening her mouth to his and Lucius tasted her for the first time in weeks. Had he been a younger man, he'd have come right then and there. She tasted divine. He rolled them so he was lying on top of her and she bent her knees, cradling him between her sweet thighs.

"Hermione," Lucius groaned as he began kissing down her throat and heading toward her magnificent breasts. He couldn't wait to actually see the changes the pregnancy had wrought on her body.

"Please," she murmured as Lucius grabbed her nightdress and ripped it in two, baring her body for his eyes. She looked so lush and full of his child, it was making Lucius impossibly hard. He placed his hands on her abdomen, rubbing her smooth skin, then sliding them up so he could caress her magnificent breasts. They were so much fuller than the last time he'd seen them.

"Fuck, witch," Lucius groaned. "You are so beautiful."

She blushed at his compliment, and as much as Lucius wanted to smirk at her, he found he was distracted by her nipples hardening under the ministrations of his thumbs. He bent down to take one of her breasts into his mouth, and she wound her hands through his hair, pulling him to her and arching her back at the same time.

"Lucius!" she cried out as he sucked on her sweet nipple. His right hand wandered down her round belly and past the small nest of hair at the crux of her thighs to find her dripping wet. He slid his fingers through her folds and felt his cock harden further. He wasn't sure he could get any harder than he was right now. He'd abstained in all the weeks she'd been missing and was quite ready to sink back into her warmth. But before he allowed himself the pleasure, he wanted to get his witch off first. He needed to remind her of who he was and how well he knew her and her body.

He pulled his mouth from her nipple with a pop and nibbled on the other for a moment, before continuing his journey south. He laved her rounded abdomen with attention, despite the kick to the chin from his child inside. Then he settled between her warm thighs, lifting her left on to lay on his shoulder and parting her nether lips with his hand. Her pussy was pink and glistening with arousal and Lucius breathed on it lightly, satisfied when she squirmed and lifted her hips, attempting to get him to touch her. Very softly, he drew one finger down each labia, gently pulling it through her short hair, barely touching her skin, teasing her. Her hand was in his hair, urging him forward, but Lucius held out, just a little longer.

Another hot breath of air puffed on her skin and Lucius was pleased when a slow trickle of nectar slid from her sheath. He finally, reached out his tongue and licked it up.

"Lucius!" she groaned above him, arching her back, tilting her hips some more. Lucius could barely see her face over the rise of her belly, but her head was tossed back and her glorious hair a halo on the pillow beneath her. He buried his face in her quim, fucking her with his tongue, but continuing to ignore the tiny pearl at the top of her sex. It was practically twitching with need, and Lucius brushed it gently with his nose. It was enough, she came hard on his tongue, her muscles squeezing and Lucius wished he had put his fingers inside her. Wished he had given her something to bore down on. The moment she relaxed bonelessly on the bed, Lucius reared up onto his knees and plunged his aching cock inside her. The last tendrils of her climax gripped him so sweetly, the edges of his vision went black. Merlin, it felt like heaven to be back inside her.

"Hermione," he groaned. "Please love." She slowly released her inner muscles and Lucius could move again. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her up so they were chest to chest and she wound her legs around his waist. Her hard nipples brushed against his skin, driving him insane as he plundered her mouth, one hand guiding the back of her head, the other around her waist, holding her to him as he plunged inside her from below.

Hermione broke the kiss and placed her forehead on his shoulder, bowing her back. "Merlin, Lucius. I'm so full."

Lucius slid his hands up her sides, helping her to rise and fall on top of him, loving the way their skin slid together.

"I need you to come again," Lucius told Hermione. "Please, love."

"Yes!" Hermione said, and Lucius slid a hand between them, fingering her clit as she bounced on his cock.

"Fuck, come on," Lucius groaned, his balls were tightening, and he wasn't sure he could hold off his climax much longer.

"Lucius!" Hermione shouted as she came over his cock and his hand. Lucius groaned and painted her walls with his seed the moment her muscles gripped him. She milked him dry, and they both panted, as they clung to each other.

"I'm so sorry," Hermione breathed, and Lucius pulled her head back so he could look into her eyes.

"Never again, Hermione," he said. "You aren't leaving me ever again."

Hermione nodded, as tears collected in her eyelashes. "I won't; I promise I won't."

Lucius nodded and pressed his lips to hers once more.