Chapter 10

Stretching his arms over his head, Lucius opened his eyes the next morning. He turned to look at the other side of the bed and saw Hermione laying there, still sleeping. Smiling slightly, he sat up and watched her for a moment before getting out of bed. It was still pretty early, and knowing how drunk she had been the night before, Lucius assumed it would be hours before she woke up. He also could predict how hung-over she would be when that happened. At that thought, he quickly got dressed and headed down the hallway to his potions room.

About an hour later he had completed the Hangover Potion. He put a stopper on the bottle, and walked back into his bedroom. After setting the bottle on the bedside table closest to the sleeping girl, he went to the bathroom to shower.

Midway through, he thought he heard the door opening, but assumed he was hearing things. The only person who could be coming in was Hermione, and Lucius didn't think that she would be the type to come into the bathroom while he showered. This conclusion proved to be false; when to his surprise a few seconds later, the shower door opened. He was even more shocked to see Hermione, naked as could be, stepping into the shower and closing the door behind her.

"What are you—?" Lucius started, but was cut off by Hermione bringing her lips to his.

"Good morning." She whispered, after pulling away.

"What are you doing?" He asked again.

Hermione just stood there, calmly as could be, and said,

"You can deny it all you want. But I see in your eyes when you look at me, exactly what is in mine. I'm falling in love with you. And I know you feel the same way."

She kissed him again, deeper this time, and Lucius immediately took charge. He pushed her again the wall of the shower and kissed her again.

"I don't want you to change for me," she murmured, as Lucius went lower to kiss her neck. "I like you just the way you are."

Immediately after that statement, he brought his lips back to her, roughly, as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

Lucius realized that morning, several times, the difference between having sex and making love.

Hours later, Lucius was still lying in bed, watching Hermione get dressed.

"Are you sure you have to go?" He asked her, with a smirk, "Because I think I have several ways to convince you to stay."

She shot him a look,

"I told Bellatrix I would take her watch this afternoon. It's her and Rodolphus's anniversary."

Rolling his eyes, he sat up.

"Why would you take her shift so they can shag all night, when that's what we could be doing?"

"Lucius!" Hermione scolded, with a smile, "I'll come by when I'm done."

Before he could retort, there was a strong burning on his arm. His Mark. He could tell by the pained expression on Hermione's face that she was experiencing the same pain.

"A meeting. The battle must be soon." Lucius said, getting out of bed to get dressed.

"Well, I still have to take watch, so tell me what I miss." Hermione told him, leaning over and giving him a quick kiss, "I'll see you after."

Lucius watched with a smirk as she walked toward the door, and smiled in earnest when she turned around to wink at him before closing the door.

After he had dressed, he put on his mask and headed downstairs.

Although this had been an unplanned meeting, the room was already full when he entered it. Lucius expected that his fellow Death Eaters all knew what was going on: The Final Battle. The Dark Lord must know when it will be. Everyone sat in silence, anxiously awaiting their Master's arrival. When the door opened and He walked in, everyone rose in respect. No one spoke as he walked gracefully to the chair at the head of the table. He sat down and hissed,

"You may sit, my followers," He paused and waited for everyone to take their seats, "Lucius, where is Hermione?"

"She has watch, my Lord." Lucius replied, wondering why the Dark Lord was specifically asking about her.

"Ah, yes. Well, I expect someone will tell her what she needs to know. The Final Battle is tomorrow, my friends. Harry Potter is at Hogwarts, and that is where we will attack. Killing Harry Potter and taking Hogwarts," he smiled evilly, "it seems fitting, really. A good start to our reign on the Wizarding World."

After the meeting had adjourned, Lucius walked slowly toward the door, thinking deeply. He was worried. Right after he and Hermione had admitted how they felt about each other, they would both be in the front lines of battle. The two of them were also huge targets for the Order to kill. He, a Death Eater of many years, and her, a traitor. They would be lucky to both make it out of this battle alive.

As he walked out into the entrance hall, he saw Hermione standing watch by the front door. He walked swiftly over to her, and grabbed her hand.

"What's wrong?" She asked, obviously noticing the look on his face.

"The Final Battle will be tomorrow."

Before she could reply, there was a voice from behind them.

"Lucius, I need to speak with you."

He turned and bowed instantly at his Lord's feet.

"Yes, my Lord." Lucius replied, glancing back to smile at Hermione in reassurance before following the Dark Lord to his office.

"I can see you care very much about the girl, Lucius." The Dark Lord said, as they entered the room.

Lucius didn't quite know if this conversation was going to end well or poorly.

"I.. yes, my Lord, I would say that I do."

The Dark Lord nodded, briskly, "Love. I can see it."

Lucius looked away, "I don't know if I would go that far, my Lord."

When he looked back, the Dark Lord was glaring threateningly at him.

"I would," he hissed, "don't lose your way, Lucius. If you lose your focus now, there is no hope for you. Losing concentration in the battle because you're worried about the girl could get you killed. If your distractions tomorrow cause any problems, and you live, then I will kill you myself. Do you understand?"

"Yes, my Lord." He said, smoothly concealing the fear in his voice.

"You may go," he dismissed, and Lucius walked out of the room. He didn't know what he was going to do. Obviously he was going to be worrying about Hermione the entire time, he just couldn't get distracted. There was no way he was going to survive the battle, only to die at the Dark Lord's hand.

Author's Note: One more chapter than the epilogue! Hope you enjoy.

Thanks for Ness171990, RachaelMalfoy and Smithback for reviewing!