Disclaimer: I own nothing.

The end of that last chapter was a bit funny, despite the fact that we all now know there is no magical cure for Hermione's paralysis. :( Thankfully, she's just fine with that as long as she's got Draco.

So now, it's time to bring in Lucius and Narcissa! How will the one and only Lucius Malfoy handle the idea of his son being in love with a paralyzed Muggle-born.

Sit back and enjoy.

Love always,

Avoline

Draco paced the length of the living room. Lucius and Narcissa were coming, and he was nervous about how his father would handle his relationship with Hermione.

He'll hate her. He'll hate her. He always has. Now he'll have even more reason to hate her.

"Draco," Hermione's voice called. "Quit pacing. You're going to wear a hole in the rug." He sat on the couch and rubbed his legs nervously.

"Hermione, you know what my father thinks of you," he stated. "I don't want him to chase you away." She leaned over the arm of the couch and kissed his cheek.

"He won't chase me away," she reassured. "I'm here no matter what." He smiled.

"Good to know that," he responded. A knock at the door ended the conversation, and Draco rose to answer it. "Ah, Father. I wasn't expecting you here so early." He stood to the side and allowed Lucius to enter. "Where's Mother?"

"Your Aunt Andromeda has Teddy for the weekend, and Narcissa couldn't resist a chance to hold the little guy," the older man answered. He turned to see Hermione in her wheel chair next to the couch...

And he froze in place. Draco swallowed hard and searched his mind for an excuse as to why she was there, but the wheel chair was a dead give away as it was. His heart was pounding in his chest.

"Miss Granger," Lucius asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

Son of a bitch. He's going to torment her until she leaves. I just know it.

"The one and only," she replied with a laugh, and Draco knew she was trying to ease the tension a bit.

Don't be mean to her. Please, try and be a gentleman, Father. She's been through enough.

"Miss Granger, what happened," Lucius inquired. Draco was stunned to hear a hint of concern coming from the older wizard.

"Accident in Muggle London," she responded, her voice shockingly calm. "Some Muggle wasn't pay attention and ran over me as I was crossing the street."

"I knew those automobiles were trouble," Lucius began, shaking his head. "You poor thing. How do you manage?"

Dammit, you old fool! Shut up!

"I manage just fine, thanks to a small amount of help from Draco,"she intoned, a large smile gracing her face.

How was this possible? His father was actually concerned about her, and she was smiling in his presence! Draco finally closed the door and made his way to the couch.

"Father, why don't you have a seat," he offered. Lucius nodded slowly and took a seat on the loveseat opposite of Hermione, while Draco sat right next to Hermione's chair on the couch. Lucius kept staring at the young witch.

"Even at my worst, I would have never wished this upon anyone," he stated, his tone dripping with regret. "Not even my enemies." She wheeled herself over to him and patted his hand, which, as Draco noticed, was trembling.

"It's not your fault," she soothed. "It was an accident. And it maybe for the better." She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at Draco. "I've learned that independence is not all it's cracked up to be. I've learned that asking for help is not a sign of weakness." Lucius shifted his gaze between Hermione and Draco, then smiled.

"I'm guessing you and my son have grown close," he added. "Why am I not surprised?" Draco's jaw went slack as Hermione began to giggle. "Oh, don't look so surprised. I saw how you were staring at her in Flourish and Botts just before your second year, and I've heard you call her name before at night."

"Father!" Draco felt his face heat up.

"I knew it would happen eventually. I just hate the circumstances that lead up to it." Hermione wheeled herself back to the couch, laughing all the while.

"Well, as odd as it sounds, I don't," she piped in. "I'm glad that what all happened to bring us to this point happened. Otherwise, I wouldn't be near as happy or feel near as secure as I do now." Draco felt tears prick his eyes.

I'll never live this down.

Why would you want to?

She's all yours. And it seems like Father is okay with it all.

Thank Merlin.