A/N: Thank you for all the lovely reviews! I love them!
I realize Lucius is OOC, but after all he and his family have been through, it would have to affect them and I choose to have it affect them positively. Lucius is also dealing with his betrayal by Narcissa, and in a sense Draco as well, which we will see soon.
Besides, I think a nicer Lucius just makes him even hotter... that's why its FF!!
Chapter 10
"Miss... Miss... Miss...," Poppy spoke increasingly louder to get Hermione's attention, but when that didn't work, she softly touched her arm causing Hermione to jump, which sent Poppy stumbling back in alarm.
"I is sorry Miss," Poppy cringed, anticipating Hermione's reaction to being touched by an elf. Most humans punish elves who touch them, and now Poppy would have to be punished if Miss was angry.
"I didn't mean to touch Miss, but Miss is not hearing Poppy. I is just wanting to know if Miss be wanting some dinner?" Poppy was shaking slightly, but held her ground as she waited for Hermione's answer.
Hermione slowly came out of her trance and she noticed the shaking house elf as Poppy's words finally penetrated her consciousness.
"Oh Poppy, I'm so sorry, I guess I was lost in thought. I get that way sometimes when I'm trying to figure something out... it used to drive Ron batty," Hermione laughed self deprecatingly. She reached forward and gently brushed Poppy's shoulder, surprising the shaking elf.
"Please don't worry, I have no problem with you touching me, and I appreciate all you have done for me since I've been here, especially since you are not obligated to,"
Hermione gave Poppy's shoulder a squeeze, and stood up, her stiff legs and insistent bladder making her suddenly aware how long she had been sitting there.
"I'd like to take a hot bath, and then a light meal would be lovely Poppy, thank you!"
Hermione smiled at the elf and headed for her room, leaving a teary eyed elf staring after her, softly rubbing her shoulder. Poppy had never been touched by a human except in anger, and the feel of Hermione's affectionate touch still lingered as she made her way into the kitchen to prepare a meal for her new favorite witch.
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Hermione sighed as she sunk deeper into the tub, letting the hot, fragrant water ease the tension that still lingered in her neck and shoulders. Her parents had upgraded their Master Bath as well, and gone was the old fashioned claw foot tub, replaced by a tub big enough for three people with whirlpool jets all along the sides and bottom.
Hermione moaned in pleasure as she turned on the jets and they massaged along her legs and back. Laying her head along the cushioned headrest, Hermione found herself once more pondering the enigma that was Lucius Malfoy. He had shattered all of her preconceived beliefs about him in a matter of hours, and she found his attitude towards Narcissa especially puzzling. Thankfully, Hermione loved nothing better than to solve puzzles.
Where are you Narcissa and what happened to make you leave? Thought Hermione, and then an idea suddenly came to her.
"Poppy?" Hermione called, unsure if she would come, when she heard the telltale crack that signaled the elf's arrival.
"Yes Miss? How can Poppy help?" Hermione noted that Poppy seemed eager to be of assistance, which relieved some of Hermione's guilt for the questions she was about to ask the poor elf.
"Poppy, may I ask you a few questions about Mrs. Malfoy?" Hermione saw instantly that Poppy's face lost it's eager enthusiasm and knew she would have to tread carefully if she didn't want to anger the elf.
"It's nothing bad Poppy," assured Hermione quickly, "I am just very worried about her safety and was wondering if you could tell me anything about the argument that caused her to leave, or where she might have gone?" Hermione noticed that Poppy looked torn, and guilt started to creep its way along her insides.
"Poppy can't tell Miss what Master and Mistress argued about as I is sworn to protect the Malfoy secrets, and I is a good, loyal elf Miss," Poppy said this as if it pained her not to be able to help Hermione, but she continued in a quieter voice.
"You is a kind witch for worrying about my Mistress, I is worried too," said Poppy, "But my Mistress is being bad to Master and Poppy is glad she is left with her knot so Master be healthy and well again," Poppy added the last part almost defiantly, and it was obvious to Hermione who Poppy favored more.
Hermione wasn't sure what Poppy meant, but she asked her next question hoping that Poppy would answer.
"Poppy, what about Draco? Do you think his mother is with him?" Hermione waited as Poppy considered the question before answering.
"Young Master Draco not be speaking to my Master, but maybe he do know where my Mistress is,"
Poppy seemed to think she had said too much and clamped a hand over her mouth in horror.
"Poppy is a bad elf for telling Malfoy family secrets... bad Poppy... BAD POPPY...," Poppy's voice had risen to an anguished screech as she proceeded to bang her head against the edge of the tub.
Hermione jumped out of the tub and grabbed both of Poppy's hands to try to calm the elf down and keep her from injuring herself further. Poppy sobbed uncontrollably as the shame of what she had done washed over her.
"Poppy... POPPY...," Hermione had to speak loudly to be heard over the elf's cries.
"Listen to me...," but what Hermione was going to say was cut off as the bathroom door slammed open and Lucius charged in, knife held at the ready, searching for the cause of the screaming.
Poppy stopped struggling at the sight of her Master, a Master who wasn't making any attempt to hide his frank appraisal of Hermione's... charms.
Hermione blushed scarlet as she realized she wasn't wearing anything. She grabbed her robe and wrapped it tightly around her body, knotting it at her waist, and attempting to hide her face, bent to speak to Poppy.
"Poppy, I am sorry I caused you distress, but please don't punish yourself any further. You have been very loyal to your family and haven't revealed any secrets. I shouldn't have asked you those questions, I was just worried about Mrs. Malfoy... okay?" Hermione smiled at the teary eyed elf and reached out to hug her.
Lucius was absolutely flabbergasted. He had heard muffled screaming from his room and thinking someone was being attacked, had grabbed the knife he kept at his bedside and raced into the room the noise appeared to be originating from. The sight that met his eyes had frozen him in his tracks.
A very wet... and very naked Hermione was trying to subdue his house elf who was screaming and trying to bang her head against the still steaming bathtub. Lucius had incredibly strong feelings of respect for the witch that had shown him such kindness, but...Merlin, he had no idea she had such a gloriously feminine body underneath those unflattering clothes she wore.
Narcissa was classically beautiful, and although her tall, slender physique looked wonderful in designer robes, she had almost no curves...Hermione on the other hand, was all curves. Some might have thought her a bit overweight, but Lucius wasn't one of them. He wanted nothing more than to explore all the intriguing peaks and valley's that made up the delicious terrain of her body.
Lucius tried to get his mind back on what was happening and away from illicit thoughts about Hermione's body... her incredibly luscious body.... uugghh! Lucius gave himself a mental slap and tried to refocus on what was happening in front of him instead of the uncomfortable hardness he hoped was hidden by the folds of his robes.
Hermione was on her knees hugging... hugging?? his house elf and apologizing for... something... what had Poppy done??
Lucius had been too distracted by Hermione's body to concentrate on what was being said, but now Poppy was looking at him as if she expected to get clothes... why?... Poppy was a good elf and he had never had cause to punish her. He knew Narcissa had punished her a time or two for... what?... again, the specific infractions eluded him.
In confusion, he looked down and met Hermione's pleading eyes. He suddenly knew he didn't want to disappoint her. He wanted Hermione to look at him with admiration and... desire... admit it man, you want her, and you want her to want you back.
Lucius wretched his thoughts once more to the matter at hand, and found two sets of anxious eyes trained on him, awaiting his verdict.
Damn, I have no bloody idea what she did, but surely it wasn't clothes worthy... was it? Lucius decided to give the elf the benefit of the doubt, if for no other reason, than he knew it would make Hermione happy.
"Poppy, you have done nothing to be punished for, so please refrain from doing so again. I am very glad that you and Mrs. Weasley are getting along so well, and would ask that you follow her orders as well as mine, is that clear?" Lucius knew he had made the right decision when Poppy broke out in relieved sobs and smiled with joy up at Lucius.
"Yes Master, I am happy to care for Miss. Thank you Master! Poppy be getting dinner ready now sir," Poppy made to leave and Hermione called out.
"Poppy, I'd like to eat in my room please," Hermione smiled as the elf's adoring gaze fell on her once more.
"Yes, Miss. I will bring a tray up right away Miss," Poppy made to leave again when this time, Lucius called out to stop her.
"One moment Poppy," Lucius called to the elf, and turning, asked Hermione.
"May I join you for dinner? I would appreciate the company," Lucius watched the battling emotions flash across Hermione's expressive face and suspected she was going to refuse him, especially after his behavior at lunch. He was pleasantly surprised, therefore when she accepted with a small smile, and then turned to address Poppy.
"Poppy, would you please set up dinner in the library?" The elf nodded happily and left with a snap of her fingers.
"If you will excuse me Lucius, I need to put on some clothes. I will be down in ten minutes."
Hermione turned back into the bedroom and headed for the wardrobe.
Lucius wanted very much to tell her... no, beg her... not to put clothes on, but he knew he had no right, and he didn't want to anger or offend the only person standing between him and death. Besides, she was not the sort of woman who had affairs, even if... Lucius cut off that train of thought, and quickly headed for his room to dress for dinner.
He found himself looking forward to a meal for the first time in weeks... ever since... NO!... he wouldn't let thoughts of... that... ruin his evening. He very much wanted to get to know the intriguing Mrs. Weasley, and thoughts of his what his wife had done were not going to interfere tonight.
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He saw me naked... he saw me naked... Oh Merlin... he saw me naked. Hermione banged her forehead lightly against the wardrobe as she tried to decide what to wear to dinner with a man...not her husband...who had just seem her naked...a snowsuit, a winter cloak, a mu mu... Oh Gods what does he think?... wait.. what does he think?
Hermione moaned again as she pictured Narcissa, the thin goddess, and knew Lucius probably found her overweight and unappealing.
Not that it mattered anyway... right? Except Hermione knew that for some reason it did matter. Married or not, she wanted Lucius to like her body... she wanted Lucius to like... her.
Oh Merlin, what the hell am I doing? My marriage is falling apart and all I can think about is getting naked with Lucius. Hermione banged her head once more for good measure, and sighing, pulled on a pair of her favorite worn jeans and a warm sweater. If I can't be beautiful, I might as well be comfortable. she thought dejectedly.
Deciding to keep her hair up in the loose knot it was in for her bath, she pulled on some thick socks and headed downstairs. With any luck, he would totally forget about ever seeing her naked and they could both pretend it never happened.
The sooner they catch Avery and Nott, and Lucius can go back home, the better. Hermione thought, then hesitated on the threshold of the library as a piece of the puzzle danced just out of reach. She shrugged off the nagging feeling that she was missing something obvious, and taking a deep breath, went in to dinner.