Draco placed two books on the table in front of Hermione and sat across from her. He pointed at the books. "These may be a little… childish in reading, but these are the first books given to young wizards and witches in training. To understand our world, I do believe it is best we begin, well, from the beginning," he explained. He waved a hand at the bookshelf from whence he had gotten the books. "If you want, you can just follow the books, they're already in order. Whatever you don't understand, you can just ask Astoria or me. You do plan on dining with us tonight here at the Manor, yes?"

She nodded as she reached out to take the first book. "Lucius asked me if I could dine with the three of you for the next week or so," she told him.

He leaned back in his chair. "Good," he said, sighing. "Just so you know, I will be critiquing your mannerisms and etiquette."

"Why?" she asked with a frown.

He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. "Because I want to know what needs correcting, if anything. Next month, Father will be hosting a dinner party with several of the branch managers within our company. He wants you to meet them, since, as his wife, you will be taking part in much of the decision making and goals within our company," he replied. "The last thing anyone wants is for any sort of folly to occur, like that day with the bags."

Her eyes widened. "That was ONE time! Just one! And I apologized for it!" she insisted.

"All it takes is one time to insult an official unintentionally, and you've offended an entire party, Granger," Draco said as he leaned back in his chair. "Also, I might like to point out a folly you've already made, but given that your training has just started…"

She frowned. "And what, pray tell, is my folly?" she asked as she folded her arms.

He sighed and waved a hand. "I'm a guest in your rooms, yet I haven't been offered either tea or biscuits since I've been here."

"I didn't think I would have to offer tea and biscuits to you since this is your home," she pointed out.

"The Manor is my home, yes," he agreed. "But I wasn't talking about my home, Granger. I was talking about your rooms. You've invited me into your rooms for a training session. The least you could do, always, is to offer tea and biscuits. It's simple etiquette."

She looked about the room and her eyes landed on the wet bar. "Would you like some tea, Malfoy?" she asked sarcastically as she glared at him.

He raised an eyebrow. "Not with that attitude," he reprimanded her.

She stood, her face darkening in anger. "You were the one who sent me the owl to come here. You're the one who chastised me about not offering tea and biscuits. And now you claim that I have an attitude?!"

"It's etiquette," he said.

"It's ridiculous!" she spat as she threw her hands in the air and turned her back to him.

He stood as well and walked around the table and around her so that she faced him. "Let me ask you something, Granger," he stated. "Say, I don't know, say Ginger sent you an owl and asked if she could come see you, that she had some things which she wished to speak to you. What would your response be?" he asked.

She glared at him. "Her name is Ginny," she hissed.

He shrugged. "Is that your response? To inform her of her name?"

"Of course not!"

"Then, what is your response?" he reiterated.

She took a deep breath and glared up at him. "I would tell her to come over," she said.

"And when she arrived?" he pressed.

She lifted her head arrogantly. "I would invite her to sit and ask if she would like some tea and bis…" She let the words fall away as her eyes widened and her mouth dropped.

He lifted a brow. "Am I not owed the same courtesy?" he asked.

She snapped her mouth shut. "You live here," she repeated. "Shouldn't you have asked me if I wanted tea and biscuits?"

"I owled you to ask if we could meet within your rooms. For the duration of your training, these rooms are considered your home. So, no, I don't live here. I live in the Manor," he argued.

"The Manor which is where my rooms are located. So, still a part -."

"Of your home," he interrupted her.

She folded her arms. "By your argument, I could move all my stuff in these rooms and live here just as easily as my own flat," she countered.

He shrugged. "You could, if you wished. Merlin knows it would please my father to no end," he said.

"I'm sure it would," she commented. "As much as I would like to, though, I won't. Not now. Besides, won't that cause scandal? 'Hermione Granger is living in Malfoy Manor.' Heavens know what the headlines to that would be."

He scoffed. "Which is why you don't live in the Manor, but my point is, Granger, that throughout the duration of your training and until the day you and Father are wed, these rooms are much like a second home to you. They should be treated as such. As you invited me into your rooms, so should you offer me tea and biscuits as if you were inviting me into your home. One day soon, this Manor will be your home, and not offering tea and biscuits would be considered rude and improper."

She sighed. "I suppose you have a point," she said. Looking up at him, she gave him a small smile. "Thank you for coming here today, Malfoy, and offering me this instruction. May I offer you some tea and biscuits?"

He returned her smile. "No, thank you, Miss Granger, though I do appreciate the gesture."

Her mouth opened as her eyes stared daggers at him. "What?! All that argument and you don't want tea and biscuits? What the bloody hell was the whole point in the argument to begin with?"

"It's the offer," he said dully. "It's etiquette. Your offer has little to do with my refusal."

"We just wasted all this time by arguing over something when you didn't even want it in the first place! Why waste the time if you didn't even want it?"

He shrugged. "Again. Etiquette. Courtesy. An offer is not an obligation to accept. An offer is simply polite. When you are in polite company, you are expected to make an offer. Your company has the option to either accept or refuse. Most people will accept, but not all. And they shouldn't feel obligated to do so."

"You are not polite company, Malfoy," she hissed. "And at this moment, you aren't even welcomed company. You're lucky I don't hex you right now."

He raised a brow and walked back over to the chair in which he had been sitting. "You've asked Astoria and me to help you prepare for your life with my father," he pointed out. "This is simply part of your training. Normally, such training is done by a governess, and I assure you one of those would be much harsher than I have been. Since you've come here today, you've been rude, crass, and immature."

"And you've been a right bloody arse!" she growled.

"Have I?" he asked, looking at her curiously.

"Get out," she snapped as she pointed at the door. "Get out before I hex you, you egotistical, arrogant ferret!"

"Our lesson is not finished."

"Like hell it isn't!" she hissed. "I will read these damn books and next time I'll ask for Astoria."

He smirked. "Very well. Have fun with that, though I would warn you, she's far more passive aggressive than I am. Word of advice, too, I would go through those clothes in your dressing room and wear one of those before you meet with her. She won't take kindly to your denim. Also, don't forget your meeting with Mrs. Nott later today and the supper tonight. The Manor elves are putting a lot of effort into the meal tonight and Father would be displeased if you show up in those rags."

Hermione snarled as she grabbed the closest object to her, which happened to be a vase of flowers, and threw it at him. He easily dodged it and it hit the carpeted floor, smashing and littering flowers and water all over it. He looked at the broken vase for a moment. He nodded once and looked at her.

"I've given you my warning," he told her. "If you don't heed it, prepare yourself for the consequences."

Before she could say anything, he Apparated away, leaving her alone in the room. She gave another frustrated growl and stomped into the bathroom so she could wash her face.

(II)(II)

Sighing, she placed the book down and glanced up at the clock. She had been reading for two hours, yet it felt as though it had been much longer. Stretching her arms and back, she yawned.

Fact was, the books were quite boring, and this was coming from someone who loved to read. The problem was how the book characterized Muggles, and their place within the world. It frustrated her, though it did answer a lot of questions she had about why Purebloods thought so poorly about the part of the world in which she had been born. Muggles were classified as barbaric, primitive, and uncouth. It was no wonder Eugene had been surprised by her knowledge of dancing.

She rubbed her tired eyes. Why did Draco want her to read this book? What was the point? Was he trying to make himself seem superior to her? To explain why he was superior? She stared at the book hatefully. She had thought Umbridge's book about defensive theory was bad, but this one took the cake.

Deciding she needed a break, Hermione pushed her chair back and stood, stretching her legs. After Draco had left, she had found herself inside the dressing room he had mentioned. Unconsciously, she found herself admiring the gowns and even trying them on. She had discarded her denim trousers, blouse, and trainers in favor of a cute bodice with a matching skirt and flats she had found. She hadn't meant to heed Draco's warning, of course, she just liked the ensemble.

She really needed to take a walk. An idea occurred to her and, before she could question herself, she stored her wand up her sleeve and slipped out of her study and into the hall. As she stepped into the hall, sconces lined up and down the hallway lit up to show her the path. A strange sense of adventure churned her stomach and she cautiously walked down the hall, admiring the dark wood of the walls as she walked. There really wasn't much of interest until she turned a corner and found herself in another hallway that seemed a little more cheery.

Her eyes lighting up, she wondered to herself if she would find a door to the back gardens. Given what she had seen in the Magical Gardens in London, she was immensely curious to see how the ones here looked. As she continued, noticing that every time she walked, more sconces would light up and sconces behind her dimmed and went out. It almost seemed as if the Manor were leading her somewhere, though upon inspection, and a little bit of testing, she found they just simply lit up to help light her way. To make it easier for her to navigate.

She had gone up a flight of stairs as curiosity rose within her. Her sense of adventure led her into a room that reminded her almost of a Greek temple. Or maybe some sort of museum? Along the walls were portraits of blond haired people, mostly men, dressed in elegant clothing and wearing almost identical expressions of pompous scrutiny. The middle of the room held large Corinthian columns and smaller Ionic columns that held white marble busts.

She was surprised by how quiet the portraits were being as she walked into the room. They really were nothing like Walburga Black, and she slowed her pace. Curious, she approached one of the portraits and looked up at it. The man in the portrait sneered down at her, but said nothing. Underneath the portrait was a platinum plaque with his name on it. "Abraxas Malfoy," she said, and then jumped as she heard her voice echo.

She glanced around before looking back up at him. "You're Lucius's father," she stated, keeping her voice soft. She smiled at him kindly.

"He looks just like you," she mused. "Although his hair is a bit longer, I suppose."

Abraxas had hair that ended at his shoulders. He continued to sneer at her, his eyes narrowing in a viciously dark way. She sighed and continued on. She smiled at the portrait of, what she supposed, was Lucius's mother. The woman in the portrait was breathtaking in Hermione's eyes, and she told her as much, though the portrait said nothing in return.

Feeling a little put out, Hermione's smile faltered as she continued on, looking idly at each portrait and admiring them. She stopped when she came to one whose name was Lucius Octavius Malfoy I. This man looked regal and held himself proudly, barely sparing her a glance. His dark blond, almost tawny coloured hair was pulled back with a blue bow, and his clothing reminded her of the old pictures of British officers. Surely a Malfoy hadn't been part of the Queen's guard?

"The man I was named after," said a voice that startled Hermione.

She spun on her heel and gasped. Lucius stood beside her and glanced up at the portrait. His eyes fell to hers and he offered her a grin. "I see you've found the hall of my ancestors," he said.

"I… did," she replied uncertainly. "I apologize for snooping, I just.."

He shrugged. "No matter," he said. "Eventually, I'm sure, you would've found them, if not by chance, then by a necessity of mine to introduce you to the heritage our children would obtain upon their arrival."

She wrinkled her nose. "You make it sound like an obligation," she told him.

He nodded and glanced back up at the portrait. "I do believe you might have liked this particular ancestor, and not just because we share a name."

She followed his gaze. "Perhaps I would. In fact, I'd probably like them all if they spoke to me."

He chuckled. "Oh, I doubt that, darling," he said as he offered her his arm and they continued their perusal. "Many of my ancestors did not care for Muggles or Muggleborns. As you know, I am sure, many Purebloods believe that Muggleborns are unnatural and do not condone the mixing of blood. Lucius I was considerably different, like myself, among our bloodline. Like myself, he, too, had pursued someone of a Muggle bloodline. The Queen of England, Elizabeth I."

"Why does that not surprise me?" she said with a smile, as the man in the portrait's outfit began to make sense. "If you're going to pursue a Muggle, might as well be the most important one, right? How on earth did he even know she was available or even existed?"

"Wizards weren't always tucked away from Muggles," he pointed out. "History of Magic should have taught you at least that much, and if not, I'm sure one of the books Draco provided does."

She glanced away and shook her head. "Oh, yes. Those books certainly do teach me a lot. I've only read one so far and it was more than enough to boil my blood."

He looked at her curiously. "Does the travesty of the Muggles really upset you that badly?" he asked, a bit surprised that she had turned to his way of thinking so quickly.

"No," she said. "I was actually referring to the amount of brainwashing that book had within it. Muggles are not nearly as primitive as that book made them out to seem. And anyone who has been around Muggles would know it. I mean, you've met my parents. Did they seem primitive or somehow 'unclean' to you?"

"Of course not, but the fact that they have accepted you for who you are, quite frankly, astonishes me," he admitted. "I will also say, overall, my experience with them has been quite educational. Most Muggles aren't that accepting of our kind."

"How would you know?" she asked in annoyance, though she was inwardly pleased that he had referred to the Wizarding community in that all encompassing way that included her.

He led her out of the chamber and down the grand staircase. "You would be surprised. Those books Draco has given you talk more about the history between Muggles and Wizards than I ever could, and they are better at the explanations. I will suffice it to say that Lucius I was, quite possibly, one of the only Malfoys, besides myself, to ever traverse within the Muggle Community. When the Statute of Secrecy was established in 1689, the Malfoys were one of the leading bloodlines in favour of it," he explained.

"But why? Surely there is some way that wizards and muggles can co-exist," she responded.

"There is, and we've existed like this quite well for many years," he pointed out.

"I meant 'exist together', like my parents and me," she urged.

He frowned and looked at her outfit. The blue and white bodice and skirt combo worked well for her. "You look beautiful, darling," he told her.

She pointed at him. "Flattery will not change the subject," she said, trying to sound stern.

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. "Nor was that my intention. I'm merely stalling to figure out the best way to answer your inquiry," he replied.

"The truth would be a good place to start," she commented.

"So would your knowledge on history," he bit back with a grimace. "The fact is, my darling, we are all human. Muggles, Wizards… we all exist with the same basic biological makeup. The difference lies within one human's ability to perform magic and see the magical part of our world and the other human's lack of such abilities. This… gift that has been bestowed upon us tends to send a certain wave of jealousy, or feeling of ineptitude, among those who haven't been given it. Before the Statute was implemented, many people died. While these witch-hunts didn't always yield an actual witch or wizard, they did yield enough. Some witches and wizards were smart and were able to out-maneuver their Muggle captors. Others weren't so lucky. Many lives were lost, and not just of our kind, but of the Muggles as well. Men, women, and even children were burned at the stake, hanged, or a number of other horrendous things. The human mind can be quite creative in it's way of thinking up punishments."

"Which is why we have Unforgivables," Hermione said, looking at him as he led her into the main drawing room.

He stopped and studied her. "Why, exactly, do you believe the Unforgivables were created in the first place?" he asked. "Have you read the history of them?"

"No," she told him. "There are no books -."

"Ah," he said knowingly. "And yet, there are, if you know where to look."

She stared at him, her curiosity piqued. Did he have such books? Did the Ministry know? Would he allow her to read them? Maybe if she promised him that she wouldn't rat him out, he would?

He helped her to sit down in a chaise as his son and daughter-in-law entered the room. Draco was still fixing his tie as he glared at Hermione. "Granger," he snapped, "you were told not to leave your rooms unless escorted by either Astoria or myself! You cannot go gallivanting off to Merlin knows where in this Manor unacco-."

"Draco, do sit down," Lucius interrupted. "And there is no need for that tone when speaking to my fiancée."

"But, Father -."

"Your father is correct, my love," Astoria said as she joined Hermione on the chaise. "We're going to have company soon and it would be unseemly to chastise Hermione in front of guests."

Draco took a deep breath. "I need a drink," he said as he made his way to the bar.

"May I offer you some tea, Draco?" Hermione asked, batting her eyes innocently at Draco.

His eyes narrowed as he glared at her. "No, thank you," he growled.

Hermione smiled and nodded her head pleasantly as she glanced at Astoria. The younger witch looked from her to Draco in confusion for a moment. Looking back at Hermione, she asked, "Do I want to know?"

"Know what?" Hermione returned, acting completely clueless. "Oh, I did get to see the hall of Malfoy ancestors today after reading that deplorable book."

Astoria's eyes widened. "You went there by yourself?"

Hermione nodded. "Oh yes. I will say the hall looked brilliant and Lucius's mum is beautiful. I told her that, but either she didn't hear me or she ignored me."

"She couldn't speak," Lucius informed her as he poured himself a snifter of brandy.

"Was she deaf?" Hermione asked as she looked at him.

He chuckled. "I wish," he mumbled. He took a sip of his drink and elaborated, "No. I silenced them all so they couldn't talk."

"Why in heaven's name would you do that?" she questioned, looking at him in surprise.

He shrugged, but it was Draco who answered, "After they found out that Father was courting a Muggleborn, they couldn't shut up about it. The wailing was keeping us awake at night."

Hermione frowned. She looked at Lucius. "Didn't you say the one Malfoy, Lucius I, was more amiable to Muggleborns?"

"Muggles, yes," Lucius said. "Though I assume he is amiable to Muggleborns as well."

"That doesn't really stop the others from vocalizing their distaste," Draco stated, reasonably.

"Maybe do a test?" she suggested. "Let him speak and see what he says. If he's amiable towards me, perhaps we can move his portrait to a more open place, somewhere he can be seen and can see? Reward the good behaviour, perhaps." She shrugged. "It's a thought at least and it would be nice to see some life on the wall."

"It's a thought," Lucius agreed. "Perhaps we can see after…" He paused as Poppet, the house elf popped into the room.

"Master, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Nott are here to see you, sir," she said as she bowed to him.

Lucius gave her a nod. "Bring them in here, Poppet," he told her.

"Yes, Master," she said as she popped out of the room.

Astoria stood as the elf left and looked to the Muggleborn. "Hermione, you should move to the sofa so Father can sit beside you," she suggested as she moved to one of the armchairs and sat primly upon it.

Hermione nodded. As she stood, Lucius pulled his wand out of his cane and waved it at one of the armchairs, the one opposite of Astoria, and transfigured it into a matching loveseat.

"Oh! That looks lovely, Father," Astoria praised, smiling and clapping her hands together as Draco joined her, perching himself on the arm of her chair with a snifter of brandy in his hand.

As Theodore and Luna entered the room, Draco stood. He and Lucius both glanced at the couple. Grinning, Hermione met the couple halfway. "Luna, I'm so happy to see you," the brunette stated as she hugged the girl.

"Oh, this is nice," the blonde haired girl said wistfully as she returned Hermione's hug.

Lucius sidled up beside his fiancée and shook hands with Theo. "Welcome to our home, Mr. Nott," he said cordially.

Theodore grinned. "An invitation from Lucius Malfoy and Hermione Granger? How could we have possibly passed it up?," he commented as Draco joined them and shook hands with Theo as well.

"Hm… Yes, well, Mrs. Nott is a dear friend of my fiancée, so she will always be welcomed," Lucius replied as he leaned upon his cane.

Astoria joined the small group and clasped hands with Luna, leaning in as they kissed one another's cheeks.

"This looks so much better than the cellar," Luna mused as she looked about the drawing room.

Hermione gave her a patient smile and rolled her eyes. "Much cleaner, too, no doubt," she said sardonically. She gave a weak chuckle. "You should see the grounds. I do believe there are some chairs in the back garden, right, Lucius?" She asked, turning to the older wizard hopefully.

He looked at her curiously for a moment. "Yes, of course," he said and offering her his arm. "Shall we adjourn to the gardens?"

Hermione's smile widened as she glanced at her willowy friend. "I think you're going to love this," she promised. She glanced around quickly. "Oh, and maybe Poppet could bring us some refreshments, love?"

Lucius glanced at her in amusement. "Of course, darling," he agreed. "Poppet!"

When the elf appeared and bowed, Lucius instructed, "Would you please bring us some refreshments to the back gardens?"

"Yes, Master," the elf agreed with another bow.

Hermione leaned into Lucius affectionately. "Thank you," she said, looking up at him. Standing on her tiptoes, she reached up and kissed his cheek. "It's such a beautiful day outside, it would be a shame to waste it."

Astoria glanced at her husband with a raised eyebrow. Draco frowned as he watched the Muggleborn. Taking a deep breath, he offered his wife his arm and followed the Muggleborn and his father.

Hermione glanced back to Luna and gave her a wide grin, to which Luna returned. "I haven't seen you this happy, Hermione, since… Well, I suppose since James Sirius was born," the witch said conversationally. "Actually, I take that back. This is a different sort of happiness, I believe. Did you find a way to stave off the Nargles?"

Hermione chuckled and shook her head. "Not quite," she told her friend.

They spoke a bit more about non-consequential things as Lucius led the group down a cobblestone path into the gardens and to an octagonal table that sat beside a large Roman water fountain. The fountain, which seemed to be the main attraction of the gardens, sported a sculpture of Neptune in the middle of it atop a large hippocampus that spit out water. Beside Neptune was a beautiful female who stood within a clam and covered her breast with a hand. Hermione's assumption had been right. The gardens were beautiful and she could imagine herself just coming here for nothing more than to read and relax.. It really was as grandiose as Hermione had expected of a Malfoy garden, with its Roman and Greek marble statues and large, perfectly blooming flowers . What surprised her the most, however, were the various types of daisies that coloured the gardens.

"Is that Venus beside Neptune?" Hermione asked Lucius, looking up at him.

He nodded with a smile. "My great grandfather had it commissioned as a birthday present for my great grandmother in the mid-eighteen hundreds," he explained.

"It's beautiful," Hermione stated as she gazed at the fountain in admiration.

"Lovely," Luna sighed as Theo brought her to the white wooden picnic table and helped her to sit on one of the benches.

In the center of the table was a china tea set with a tray of pastries. The table was shaded by a large oak tree that stood sentinel and proud.

Hermione couldn't stop smiling. She had thought the Magical Gardens were amazing, but this garden floored her. The light scent from the trees and flowers was fragrant and as Lucius helped her to her seat, she set out the small plates and tea cups and began offering everyone tea.

Once Astoria was seated, the men sat. Lucius couldn't take his eyes off of Hermione. He watched as she served the tea and passed around the pastries. She hadn't been asked to do so, she just… did it. His decision to make her his wife solidified even more in his mind. She would make a perfect wife. The sun peeked through the leaves of the tree and gave Hermione's hair a soft, golden glow. It was heavenly, and Lucius found himself thanking gods he hadn't believed in since he was a boy.

"So, Hermione," Luna said, suddenly becoming business-like, "I know you'd met Mr. Malfoy when you were younger, and I know he fought on the opposite side of the war. He was a Death Eater. My question, therefore, is, what changed? Obviously you were reunited?"

Hermione chewed and swallowed the biscuit she had been eating before she answered, "Do you know that new Magical Garden that opened in London outside of Diagon Alley?" At Luna's nod, she continued, "I'd been going there since it opened, and, well, one day, while sitting on one of the benches, reading, it started raining…"

Luna listened gently as Hermione told her tale. Every now and then she would ask a question, to which either Hermione or Lucius would answer, but for the most part, she simply took notes and let Hermione talk.

"It sounds like quite the whirlwind romance," Luna commented as she gave her friend a kind smile.

Hermione sighed. "It has been," she agreed. "Honestly, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around all of it."

The blonde nodded. "During Draco and Astoria's wedding, you were wearing that ring on your finger, Hermione. Mind telling me about it?" she asked.

The Muggleborn placed her hand on top of Lucius's and he smiled at her. Turning his wrist ever so slightly, he took her hand into his and squeezed it gently. "Lucius proposed to me, here at the manor," she told Luna. Looking at her friend, her smile widened. "It was so brilliant, too. My parents were here. We had just returned from attending a football game and Lucius had asked my father for his blessing. When my father gave it, Lucius came to me and, in front of my parents, Draco, Astoria, and Molly, he proposed!"

"Aren't your parents Muggles?" Theo inquired.

Hermione frowned. "Yes, why?" she asked, squaring her jaw and preparing in case he said something.

He shrugged. "No reason really," he said. "I suppose I simply had never heard of any Muggles coming to Malfoy Manor before. It seems… unprecedented."

"There are a lot of things that has been done in this manor which are unprecedented," Lucius commented. "Of them all, inviting Muggles is the tamest."

Theo chuckled. "No doubt. They were probably the friendliest of the unprecedented things, too."

Hermione relaxed and leaned back against Lucius. "He was so charming," she said idly as she patted Lucius;s arm affectionately. "With the kind why he spoke to and treated my parents. You'd never have known he once believed in those outdated mythologies about Muggles."

A silence fell over them with the sound of Luna's quill being the only noise. Lucius frowned as he glanced at his empty tea cup. She still thought they were "outdated mythologies"? Sure, as he began learning more about Muggles, he could easily concede that they weren't all atrocious jealous cowards, but he had read about the Muggle wars and the things they've been known to do to their own kind, much less wizards and witches.

"I'm surprised you'd say that, Granger," Draco said before he emptied his own tea cup.

When she didn't answer right away, Lucius gazed down at her to see that she was nibbling on a biscuit. She shrugged in response to Draco's comment. "It's the truth, or at the very least, I do hope it's becoming that way," she said, looking up at Lucius. "Just a couple of weeks ago, I saw Lucius standing in Flourish & Blotts, pouring over books about football. Then, he invited my parents and me to a football game. He held himself with dignity and bestowed the same amount of respect to my parents that he would any other person he would consider his equal."

Luna nodded absently. "May I ask if a date has been set yet?" she inquired, looking at the couple to see them smiling at one another.

Hermione shook her head, drawing her attention back to her friend. "Not yet, but I do know we are thinking soon."

"I actually wanted to speak to you about that, darling," Lucius said, looking at his fiancée. When she glanced at him, he asked, "What do you think of the 22nd of September?"

Her brow furrowed. "Of this year?" she clarified questioningly.

He nodded. "It will be the Autumn Equinox, which I do believe would be rather fitting, don't you?"

Hermione bit her bottom lip. "That's a bit soon, isn't it, though? And my birthday is in September, too," she pointed out. "I did read that it is traditional for Pureblood couples to wed during magically powerful days, but does it have to be on that day?"

"The Autumn Equinox is the start of the Autumn harvest, Granger," Draco drolled. "Usually when Wizarding couples marry, it is during the high holidays, either during Beltane or the Autumn Equinox as, it is believed, those are the two most magically powerful days of the year. If you and Father intend to bind, that would be the best time to do so as the magic generated will be at its greatest."

"I know Beltane and the Autumn Equinox are, supposedly, powerful days. And yet you did not marry on Beltane," Hermione mused, looking at Draco. "In fact, unless I'm mistaken, you married after Beltane, so…"

"Well, really, any holiday would work," Luna surmised. "Beltane and the Autumn Equinox are simply the two most fertile days. Theodore and I married on the Summer Solstice, and I must say, it was a wonderful ceremony. If you're worried about it being so close to your birthday, Hermione, why not Samhain?"

"Samhain is on my birthday," Lucius pointed out. He glanced at Hermione. "Darling, your birthday is on the nineteenth, correct? That will give us plenty of time to celebrate your birthday and still have the wedding a few days later."

"What about next Imbolc?" Hermione questioned. "That would give me time to learn more about these high society things and it doesn't fall on anyone's birthday."

Lucius frowned slightly. Imbolc was the first of February. Which would mean he would have to wait an entire year before he had sex again. "Imbolc?" he repeated, warily.

He stared at her, thinking it over. Waiting a year for sex wasn't something he looked forward to, in fact, he loathed the idea.

"Hermione," Astoria said softly, "forgive me, but you do realize that you can continue your studies once you and Father are married, right? Draco and I can help you prepare for the wedding and ensure everything goes smoothly, and once you are married, well, honestly, learning about Pureblood society will be even easier, as you would live here."

"She's right," Lucius reasoned. "You'll be here and we'll be married, so you would be able to study in peace without constantly being interrupted."

Hermione stared at him in surprise. "You wouldn't interrupt me?" she asked with a sly grin

Lucius lifted his chin arrogantly, playfully. "Of course not," he readily lied. "Unless it interferes with your meals, which often tends to happen when you start reading."

"It does not!" the Muggleborn protested.

He raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. "And what, exactly, were you doing when I found you in the Magical Gardens?" the patriarch questioned.

"Reading," she answered. At his smirk, she narrowed her eyes. "It was my day off. I'm allowed to read on my days off."

"You're allowed to read any time you want," Lucius easily agreed.

"Usually I like to read in bed," she commented, tapping her chin. "With the lights down low and a bit of incense in the air, maybe some soft music playing."

"Well, if you're going to do that, I may just need to recant the notion of reading anywhere," Lucius stated, as he felt his body reacting to her words.

"Sweet Salazar!" Draco interrupted. "I do not need to hear about the two of you shagging!"

"Draco, you need to watch your tongue in the presence of ladies," Lucius warned.

The younger Malfoy glared daggers at his father. "Believe me. They've heard worse," he said as he turned back to Hermione. "What the two of you do in the bedroom is none of anyone's business and I certainly don't want to hear about it."

"I wasn't speaking of anything in a sensual nature, Draco," Lucius continued, giving his son a look. "However, if I know Hermione well enough, there isn't a doubt in my mind that she would stay up until the wee hours of the morning, reading." He looked at the Muggleborn for confirmation.

Hermione blushed, but folded her arms defiantly. She pinched her lips. "So, you think four months is long enough to plan and execute a wedding as well as work on my studies of Pureblood Society and actually work in the Ministry?" she challenged haughtily.

Draco raised an eyebrow as he studied her. "Merlin's beard, Father, I think you were right," he said. He indicated Hermione with his hand. "Blimey bint is perfect for you. She's even managed to imitate your expressions."

"Draco," Lucius snapped.

Draco scoffed as he sat back down on the bench. "Look, Granger. Whether you get married on the Autumn Equinox or wait for Imbolc, you will still have to juggle wedding planning, your studies, and the Ministry, so what difference does that make? However, if you marry in the Autumn, it'll be quicker and by the time Imbloc gets here, you will only have to worry about work at the Ministry, if that's still something you want to do."

She gave him a confused look. "What do you mean?" she asked.

He shrugged as he sat back on his bench. "You'll be married to one of the richest Wizards in all of Britain for one," he pointed out. "Also, don't forget, we do have Malfoy Enterprises. Once you marry Father, I wager he'll want to take you to our various branches so you can see what we do. You might decide to become part of the company, in which case, working at the Ministry will become moot and a huge burden."

"Those are all things we can discuss at a later date," Lucius said, trying to regain control of the conversation. He looked at the brunette witch. "The choice, ultimately, is yours. I only thought of the Autumn Equinox because of how beautiful the gardens and gazebo are during that time of year. You're a beautiful woman, my love, and the colours of Autumn remind me of you."

She turned to him. "They do?" she asked.

He smiled as he took her hands into his. "They do," he confirmed. "As I look into your eyes, I am reminded of warm cider on a brisk Autumn morning. And when I see the leaves of the trees changing colours for the season, I am reminded of your bountiful curls and long to run my fingers through them."

His words and the deep lyrical chime of his voice sent butterflies straight to her stomach. She smiled. "You see my hair and you want to run your fingers through the leaves of a tree?" she teased, smiling.

He stopped. What? "No…" he said, wondering how she could misunderstand. "I see the leaves on the trees changing colours and want to run my fingers through your hair."

"So, my hair is brittle like the Autumn leaves?"

"I…" he hesitated and dropped his hands. How in heaven's name did she get that from what he had said? "No. That's not what I meant. I meant…"

She chuckled. "Goodness, Lucius, I've never seen you look so flustered," she joked, touching his cheek.

He frowned. He had a very distinct feeling she was making fun of him. That wasn't how the conversation was supposed to go at all. He shook his head. "My point is -."

"I didn't know your birthday was on the 31st of October," she mused, interrupting him and changing the subject.

"It's not," he said, agitated that she had interrupted him yet again. "It's on the first of November."

"But isn't Samhain also known as Halloween, which is on the 31st of October?" she inquired.

"Samhain begins at sundown on the 31st and ends at sundown on the 1st," Lucius explained, growing weary with the conversation. "As Draco said, the Autumn Equinox is one of the most powerful days of the year. A binding ceremony will work better on that day."

"I'm still not certain of this whole binding thing," Hermione commented as she reached for the tea kettle to pour herself another cup. "Would you like more tea, darling?"

He sighed as he glanced at the dwindling rays of the sun. "No, thank you. Actually, if I'm guessing the time correctly, it's nearly time for supper. Shall we return to the Manor so we can ready ourselves?"

Hermione followed his glance and nodded. "Yes," she agreed as she set the kettle down. She looked at Luna. "Would you and Theodore care to join us?"

Draco sighed as he stood and held out a hand to his wife. "Yeah," he drolled, faintly sardonically. "You definitely made the right choice, Father."

Author's Notes: Many thanks, as always, to my brilliant betas, Elle Morgan-Black and cowgalnina. Also, many thanks to my wonderful readers for your love and reviews.

The "poetry" (if you wanna call it that) Lucius spouts about Autumn leaves, etc, is just some fun I was having and has no basis in any works of art.

So, what did you think? Ready to know what happens next? Personally, I'm immensely curious about Lucius I.