Disclaimer:- I neither earn nor own anything from this story except my plot. Harry Potter and his world are the intellectual property of JK Rowling and her associates.
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A/N:- So, why are you receiving the same chapter again?It's because I've had a long hard think about this story, (It's been almost three months) and no matter how I look at it, I feel like I've let my readers down. So I'm back attempting to fix things. You are receiving this chapter again, because I've taken the original chapter twenty-one down, and this is a repost, and it is modified. Many people expressed their regrets over my decision to make this story just Hermione/Lucius, just as many (probably more) supported my decision, and of course my loyal readers just read. :-) However, it is the words of one reviewer that have stuck with me, this reviewer said that they were sorry that I'd broken up the trio because there were so few good Lucius/Hermione/Draco triad stories out there. Thanks to this person, I'm reposting chapter twenty-one with parts rewritten in the hope that I can salvage the trio. I hope you enjoy it, and are not too critical of me for being so changeable. Chapter twenty-two will follow shortly. (probably tomorrow) Thank you to my beta, Golden Asp, for her work on this chapter, as well as her support in my decision to repost this chapter and retract what I did.
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Chapter Twenty-one – Finding A Way Forward
As they walked upstairs, Lucius couldn't help thinking that his son was a capital fool to do this to Hermione, even though he was ecstatic to have his witch to himself. However, as they ascended, things started to slot into place in his mind, and he started to wonder if part of his son's apparent depression and malaise following the war and their time of house arrest could have been attributed to his inability to contact his former lovers… and lovers, plural, he hadn't known about that. He sighed, suddenly realising he was walking alone. He'd been so caught up in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed Hermione stopping two stairs below him.
He quickly arrested his progress upwards and retraced the steps that separated them. "Hermione?" he ventured, even though he could see confusion clouding her pretty eyes. She was so expressive, and she was wearing a resolute expression.
She looked up at him as his hands touched her shoulders. "Do you think he was ever really genuine?" she asked softly, thinking of the numerous times that he'd appeared to be so. It had seemed that he'd been unable to get enough of her. Had he just been trying to forget someone else with her? Had he been using her to scratch an itch? Had he indeed been lying to her about his feelings for her?
"Honestly, I do not know," Lucius answered, because he really didn't, and this irritated him further; Lucius Malfoy did not like missing pieces of the puzzle.
She shook her head. "Then he lied to me numerous times. I thought we were all happy," she stated, confused eyes blinking at him.
Lucius enclosed her in his arms. He had no answer for her. "I'm just as shocked as you are, but we are fortunate to find it out before we were bound as a trio, especially if the Greengrass girl is correct and there might be an additional bond."
Hermione sighed and pulled back slightly as she rubbed her temples with her fingers. "Yes, but if that were the case, wouldn't he have had no interest in bonding with someone else… Wouldn't it have shown up violently in that revealing spell Severus used… the same one that Kings used just now?"
"Yes, from what I understand about Veela bonds they are aggressive and all consuming," Lucius agreed. "But there has to be some reason for his behaviour," he considered.
She straightened and nodded. "You are correct," she told him, and suddenly she turned to start back down the stairs, taking Lucius' hand as she did. "And we deserve to know what," she stated determinedly, and then they were hurrying back down the flight of stairs they'd just gone up.
They marched back into the parlour and Severus looked up from speaking to a contrite looking Draco; apparently they'd remained talking after Hermione and Lucius had left.
Hermione tore straight into Draco. "What you said was not enough," she started. "You owe us more explanation than that," she told him.
"What? What do you want to know?" he all but yelled, rocketing to his feet. His head was very clouded and it was making him angry.
"I want to know why you felt the need to cheat on me," she countered just as angrily as she waited for him to answer. When he just looked at her, she continued, "You know we're all tempted by people outside our relationship from time to time, but when you're in a serious relationship you don't give in, and saying that you're bi and that's why you did it is bullshit too," she ranted. Then she stilled. "Were you ever genuine?" she whispered, slightly afraid of the answer to her question.
"Yes!" he exclaimed, finding his voice. That was something he was very certain about.
"Really?" Hermione replied, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Yes," he repeated emphatically.
"How? According to you, you were seriously involved with two people before our arrangement was even drawn up."
"I was involved with more than two, but Hermione, it wasn't serious…" and he watched her eyes narrow further. "Well, I guess it was, but it wasn't like that, it was only as in long term," he quantified. He sighed, running his hand through his hair. He glanced around at his father and godfather watching and he sighed again. "Do you think we can have a drink, please?"
Severus nodded once, still trying valiantly to hide exactly how angry he was, and he turned towards the drinks cabinet. "There, drinks have been provided," he stated, plonking a bottle of whisky and glasses on the table in front of Draco, before glancing at the clock on the mantel, and wishing that this whole ordeal was over. "Start talking."
Draco's eyes narrowed at Severus' tone. "It would be easier to speak," he said, tossing back the drink he'd just poured in one gulp, and picking up the bottle to pour another. "If it was only Hermione and me."
"Oh no," Hermione answered. "I wish Severus and Lucius to be here. They deserve an explanation as much as I do."
"I'm not in a relationship with Father or Severus," Draco countered in a slightly spiteful tone.
"You are no longer in a relationship with me either," Hermione pointed out haughtily. "But we all deserve some reason…" she glanced at Severus and Lucius. "So, please be good enough to provide it."
Draco exhaled loudly, and downed his third drink.
"Steady with that whisky, boy," Lucius warned, his face hardening into a scowl as he poured himself a drink and glanced at Hermione. He watched as she shook her head no and he levitated a glass towards Severus.
"Dutch courage is the only way I'm going to be able to tell this at the moment," Draco replied, looking at his father.
Hermione's hand covered Lucius' and he glanced at her. "It's a small price to pay for the truth," she told him softly.
Lucius cleared his throat and pulled his cigarette case from his inner coat pocket. He offered it to Severus, who had not sat with them but was standing behind Hermione with his arms folded over his chest.
Hermione glanced around at Severus and was about to tell him to sit as well, but the words died on her tongue when she saw his fierce expression and it made her want to hug him for being so protective of her.
Finally Draco started his explanation. "Daphne got most of her facts right earlier with what she said, however, while we were serious about one another, we were all still engaging other people, and Blaise, Louisa, and I only got to see one another during holidays. I was still with Blaise during our time at Hogwarts, but his sexual appetite was too large for just that…" he paused and glanced around once more. "I do not think that Blaise could ever be satisfied with a monogamous relationship… he is a bit of a casanova, there is no doubt there," he stated seriously, but with a bit of a glint in his eye. He stopped talking and took a mouthful of his fourth drink. "However," he continued, "Whilst I realised that I loved both Blaise and Louisa, and in his own way, Blaise loved us… With the war and everything… we've not spoken… well not until I asked Blaise to be my best man, and I have to say that he was terribly shocked… W-We even fought about it before he agreed."
"Why didn't you say anything then?" Hermione asked, unaware that any of this had happened.
"Because, as I said earlier, none of us have ever spoken about other relationships, and it was my problem," and he shrugged. "T-They knew I'd always wanted a chance with you, but they'd thought—like me—that is would not happen, a-and when it did…" he gulped another drink and turned troubled eyes back to Hermione, but he just sighed.
"It's still no excuse," Lucius said angrily, finally picking up his drink and downing it in a gulp.
Draco scowled at his father. "Yes, I realise that I've done the wrong thing here," he snapped, but having said that he turned to Hermione. "Hermione, I truly would be happy with you… you are a wonderful witch, so very easy to love," he sighed, and glanced at his father. "And I shouldn't have been so cocky about it all when you caught me out, I don't know why I did that," and he paused here again, bowing his head so he wouldn't see the tears that had started to trickle down Hermione's cheeks. "I did try to resist, and I should have spoken to you about it, but…" and he fell silent.
Hermione however didn't, she knew that this would be her only opportunity to know what was going on. "And the Veela thing?" she questioned.
Draco sighed. "No, I haven't bonded that way with anyone, and no, I'm not simply being overcome by pheromones, that's where Daphne was wrong." Draco suspected that he was being overcome with something, but then he couldn't remember whether it was just the alcohol and he continued with what he was saying. "Blaise only has suspected Veela in his distant past, and I'm not as feebleminded as Weasley, overcome by the allure of a part Veela passing me in a hallway," he said, a small smile ticking at the corner of his mouth remembering hearing about Ron asking Fleur to the Tri-wizard ball.
Hermione took a deep breath. "So, exactly what are you going to do now?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" Draco asked. There was the confusion in his mind again, but looking at the amount of alcohol he'd drank he considered that it might be that finally coming crashing down on him.
Inhaling a long breath, Hermione felt the emotion in her chest physically hurting her because what she was about to say was so very difficult, but it had to be said, and she looked at Draco seriously. "Well, it's obvious that if things do not work out between you and I," she stated with more pragmatism than she felt, and she cleared her throat. "Well, you're going to have to form another attachment fairly smartly then, aren't you?"
"Now, wait a moment," Lucius said, he wasn't ready to let go of his anger yet.
Hermione turned her eyes to Lucius. "Darling, I'm just as angry as you, but we must be practical," she said, linking her fingers through his calmly, even as releasing Draco was tearing at her heart. She was very angry with Draco for his subterfuge but she did not want any serious harm to befall him because that would hurt both her and Lucius. "It's the only practical thing to do. Draco still needs to be safe, regardless of how angry we are with him."
"She has a good point," Severus stated. "If Draco is cut adrift from this relationship, he will be in just as much danger as Hermione was, and Mister Potter still is. Perhaps not for his power, but for his family connections."
Hermione was pleased that Severus could now make Lucius see what must be done, even though she wanted no part of it. She rose from her seat, and quietly slipped her engagement ring from her finger. "I do not want this ring anymore," she stated sadly.
Lucius rose beside her and turning her with his hands on her cheeks, he kissed her softly. "Then you should give it to me," he told her, taking the ring and pocketing it.
"Thank you," she whispered, and then glanced at the three wizards one after another. "I wish to go and freshen up before dinner. I'll leave you gentlemen to discuss this issue further."
"No," Lucius stated. "I will escort you upstairs as I originally intended," and he turned and addressed his son. "We will discuss this further once tonight has run its course," and his tone brokering no argument. "Our guests have endured enough drama at our expense, and you will make very certain that you apologise profusely when Severus takes you back to the terrace."
"Yes, Father," Draco replied, watching his father escort Hermione away. He exhaled a long breath. He had just had something wonderful ripped from him, and it was all his own fault. How had he allowed this to happen? He sighed. "Fuck!" he murmured and rested his head in his hands.
"Yes, that adequately sums it up," Severus intoned dryly. "I do hope that this bloody pair are worth all this, Draco, because this is going to be a long night for you."
"I'd really rather go home," Draco stated his mouth loosened by the alcohol.
"No," Severus snapped, his eyes flashing a warning. "Part of your penance will be to remain," and walking around to be in front of him, he finally sat opposite his godson and added, "And you will be civil and polite. You will not inflict anymore pain on Hermione with bad behaviour," and with that he walked out of the room. "Do not be too long in joining us," he called as he left. He needed a moment to overcome his anger, and as he entered his study—his sanctuary—and he started cataloguing the events in his mind.
Early this morning seems like such a very long time ago, Severus thought as he shut the door behind him and recalled the details of his early morning conversation with Lucius. His friend had just been handed the greatest outcome he could have hoped for. Severus had no doubt that the meaning in between Lucius' words that morning had been that he wished to have Hermione all to himself. He was uncertain what would happen now, but it certainly was a complete mess. Foolish boy, he thought to himself.
Then he thought of the extenuating circumstances and he chided himself for not investigating Draco's relationship with Zabini more closely. Mind you, he'd not known a thing about their connections with an unknown Delacour girl and he wondered what else he did not know. He thought about those families who had cut off communications with everyone in England to protect themselves during the war.
Many prominent foreign wizarding families had invoked an ancient law once the war in England became serious and cut themselves off until a date in the future that they hoped would be safe. The Delacour family on the whole had not been one of the families who'd used this method to keep themselves safe, and perhaps that was because one branch of the family had had a daughter involved in the war, but Blaise Zabini's mother—as the head of their family—had.
It meant that Blaise was unable to enter England until the date she'd specified. However, as the spell waned Floo-calling back and forth was possible. You could not Floo-call someone with nefarious intent if the appropriate wards were in place, and this was why as the spell lost its power; Draco had been able to speak with Blaise, even if Blaise had been unable to travel into the British Isles.
Severus sighed as he left his study again, eager to be back with Helen. He opened the door leading to the terrace and heard all conversation suspend on his arrival, probably in the same way that it had when Draco had arrived.
He glanced at his godson, looking surly in a lone chair off away from everyone, and he wanted to laugh at the daggers Potter was glaring at him as he sat between his two admirers, but then Helen was beside him and he watched her eyes turning to the door looking for Hermione.
"They're having a moment of privacy. They'll be here for dinner," he told her softly.
Helen sighed. "Very well, and we should go into dinner," she stated.
"Agreed," Severus replied, turning to their guests. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. May I suggest that we all make our way into the dining room and start dinner? Hermione and Lucius will join us after Hermione has had a moment to compose herself."
Severus gestured for everyone to move and he waited by the door as they passed. Helen stayed by his side and held him back from following once Draco—who was last—had gone through.
"And?" she questioned softly, seeing how very tense he was.
He sighed, and after glancing at the back of those leaving, he pulled Helen into his arms and kissed her. He inhaled. "And," he stated tiredly. "Everything is very much up in the air." They started to walk. "I'll tell you the entire story once we have this interminable bloody evening over."
"Yes," Helen replied. "I wonder if I should see if Hermione is all right."
Severus chuckled. "Lucius will care for her, my love," he said, watching Draco's back disappear into the dining room. "She'll make a sound decision. She's deporting herself well," and his eyes narrowed remembering how Draco's head had gone down and his eyes had skittered passed Helen's disapproving gaze as he'd passed them at the French doors, ducking by without a word.
xox
As soon as they arrived in her room, Hermione slid her hands up to rest on Lucius' cheeks and pulled his head down for a kiss. "I love you," she said against his mouth, inhaling slowly as she broke their kiss and smiled at him.
Lucius watched her, his mouth turning up into a smile as she spoke. "And I love you," he replied easily.
"And no matter what happens we'll still marry, won't we?"
"We certainly shall," Lucius quickly assured her. "We are meant to be."
"Yes," she continued cheekily. "I do love Draco, but I've always been utterly fascinated by you… even when it most certainly wasn't amorous, or perhaps the correct thing," and she paused and snickered quietly. "I guess that's why I took such a bold line in my in my potion administering the day of your trial. I took my chance while I could."
A smile ticked up at the corner of Lucius' mouth. "Yes, you did do that, didn't you? Kissing me like that... Tutt, tutt, tutt, my dear."
She smiled, but then sighed. "Although, I had not thought that Draco would deceive us so thoroughly." She took a deep breath, she still couldn't believe it. "I feel like part of my heart is torn away," and her words ceased once more as her eyes filled with tears.
Lucius started kissing her face. "We will work it out, Hermione," he replied against her lips.
Hermione smiled in return. She adored everything about Lucius, and she inhaled deeply in between kisses. His scent was that of his cologne, the expensive tobacco that he smoked, and something elementally him, and in her mind his scent—along with the smell of the Italian food they'd had last night—was now forever as where she belonged, and she couldn't get enough of it. "I genuinely am dedicated to you," she murmured.
He smiled. "Being completely devoted to you is something that I've longed to do in the short time we've been together," he agreed, nuzzling into her hair, before he kissed down and claimed her lips. He kissed her deeply, exploring her mouth as his hands explored her body. "Tonight, once this is finally over, I will worship you," he promised, breaking the kiss.
"I can't wait," she told him, resting her head against his chest. She sighed. "What about the power of the Malfoy family… hasn't this ruined things?"
Lucius shook his head. "I have the feeling that not all has been revealed yet, but remember, we are us, and every relationship is different. No, whatever happened in that diary is them, and as such is unimportant to how we do things." He paused and watched Hermione considering what he was saying.
She smiled at him. "That's incredibly brave of you, Lucius. Thank you, I know how traditional you've always been, but I needed to hear that," and she hugged him tighter.
He kissed her head. "It is true that the House of Malfoy as a whole may have prospered in the arrangement in the diary, but I'm starting to believe that more power might come to our house if you and I are happy, and if we love one another and work together regardless of whether we're a duo or a trio, then our house will prosper regardless."
"That is quite true…" Hermione agreed, but then her lip slipped between her teeth. "Perhaps we did rush into things… maybe each of us should have questioned our hearts closer first."
"I have no regrets where you are concerned," Lucius declared.
"Nor I with you," Hermione murmured, her eyes bearing a softness that spoke of devotion.
"I love you," Lucius told her.
"And I you." She replied, but then sighed. "I best do what I came up here to do."
A lecherous smirk tugged at his mouth. "And what was that, allow me to undress you and have my way with you?"
"Lucius!" she gasped, batting his arm. "As much as I'd enjoy that, we need to keep this evening progressing."
Lucius sighed in a put upon way, and as much as they wanted to linger, he allowed Hermione to simply repair her makeup and they went back down.
As soon as they arrived at the base of the stairs, they heard conversation coming from the dining room, and Lucius placed his hand in the middle of her back and led her that way.
"Ah, finally," Severus stated on seeing them. "It is seven-thirty. Madam Malkin will be here at nine, therefore we have just enough time for dinner."
"It could not be helped," Lucius stated, as he seated Hermione and took the chair beside her.
"Very well," Severus said, raising his glass to his lips. "A toast is rather redundant at present, so let us just eat.
They all went through the motions of agreeing with Severus. Hermione's eyes wandered to the very quiet Draco and her emotions tried to overwhelm her once more, but she fought it. This all still seemed surreal to her, but then she thought about her whole situation; it had all been bizarre, right from the beginning. She glanced at Lucius and her heart filled, and that settled her significantly. She smiled, knowing that while it might feel fantastical, she couldn't imagine life without him, even after such a short space of time. They were truly destined and he had been her rock today, but she'd also hoped that would be true about Draco too.
Then she thought back to Draco's attempt to comfort her from reminders of the war the previous afternoon; he had not had the ability to make her feel as secure as Lucius did, but they were different people and she loved them in different ways. She swallowed and quickly changed her mind's focus and started to eat her soup.
It didn't take long to notice that the table was quiet; the only sounds were the soft clinks of spoons brushing against the fine china bowls. No one was saying a word, but she guessed that after the crazy events of today, no one really knew what to say. Her chest hurt thinking about it all, but she ignored that too as her eyes moved further around the table, turning to Harry. Dear Harry, he was the brother she'd always wanted, her fierce protector, and glancing to the witches sitting either side of him, she smiled softly. It looked like he was also about to become abundantly happy.
However, it was as she looked at Daphne and Astoria that a thought occurred to her. Now Draco might no longer be a groom, would they still wish to be bridesmaids? They all looked surprisingly content, but even with their obvious interest in Harry, would they wish to remain in the wedding party?
She exhaled a long breath which made Lucius glance at her, and she tried to convey that she was settled, even if she wasn't. While she was excited to see the wedding dress that Madam Malkin was bringing to show her, all she really just wanted some time to process everything that had happen.
Seeming to sense her daughter's train of thought, Helen sighed also. "I think we all deserve an easy day tomorrow."
"Yes, I'm certain that I could stay in bed for a week after this," Hermione decided.
"Mmm," Helen concurred. "Just a lazy day around the house."
"Agreed," Severus said, his eyes only just come back to his coffee when his head elf arrived beside him.
"I is being your pardon, Master, Sir, but there is being a Floo-call for you," the small creature stated.
Severus glanced around his guests and cleared his throat quietly. He knew that his elf would not interrupt him when he had guests unless it was important, so he said, "Please excuse me," and he rose from the table. "I will not be long," he murmured to Helen, leaning in close as he rose from his chair.
She smiled at him and as he walked from the room, Severus considered that all his adult life he'd expected to be alone or dead following the second war, but here he was, headmaster of Hogwarts, a position he had realised some weeks ago that he was not willing to give up yet; something he'd have to discuss with Helen. He inhaled a breath thinking about her. Lovely Helen, he thought.
His relationship with Helen had been fired in the depths of the war, and he had quickly realised that he loved her, and this made him think of the little cherub who was the product of that love safely asleep upstairs. Their beautiful daughter; that had been a surprise, and this moved his thoughts along to Hermione. He felt fraternal rumblings deep within himself on that count too, and his anger over Draco's foolishness surfaced again. She dealt with everything so beautifully, of course, I don't know what Lucius had to deal with upstairs just now… he thought, as he glanced back towards the room he'd just come from before entering his study.
He found Madam Malkin's head in the fire. "Madam," he said, confused. "We are expecting you here in fifteen minutes."
The witch appeared to be quite flustered, and she greeted him hastily. "Yes, Professor, b-but there has been a problem. I am unable to come this evening."
Snape wanted to roll his eyes, and he thought, isn't that just on par for this whole bloody day. "May I ask why, Madam?" he inquired.
Instead of telling him, she said, "I have served the wizarding community in England all my life, and my family for many generations before that, and our establishment has never been subjected to what I have just discovered, and now my best seamstress is in St. Mungos, Spell Damage Ward."
"What on earth has happened, Madam?" Severus asked.
"At an unknown time this afternoon, some person placed a curse on the partly finished dress I was bringing with me tonight for Miss Granger…" she opened her mouth to say more, but Severus cut in.
"Have you informed the Aurors?"
"Not yet, I have only just returned from St. Mungos," and she shook her head. "I only instructed Felicia to make certain that the dress was not wrinkled, but as soon as she touched the dress on opening that garment bag she screamed and fell unconscious to the floor."
Severus took in what had just been told to him, and his mind was already fathoming which curse may have been used, but he said, "Do not worry any more, Madam Malkin, Minister Shacklebolt will be at you shop momentarily, and most likely accompanied by Commander Tonks."
"Very good, Professor," the still flustered witch replied.
"In the meantime, I advise you not to go anywhere near the dress," Severus told her
"Oh, I do not intend to. I will await their arrival," she stated, and cut the connection.
xox
Severus pinched the bridge of his nose, but the threatening headache pulsed cruelly anyway, and he walked back into his dinner guests. He entered the room, and said, "I think we should all go home. Madam Malkin is unable to come tonight, one of her seamstress' has fallen ill."
"Oh, dear," Helen murmured, at the same moment as Hermione's eyes narrowed.
"Why?" the Gryffindor witch wanted to know.
Severus grimaced. "Perhaps I should have substituted the word cursed for ill," and his eyes rose to Kingsley's. "I promised that you and Tonks would go to her shop. I believe it is most probable that this incident is linked to the bogus newspaper article."
Kingsley rose swiftly, a Patronus message flying from his wand as he did. "Yes, you are most likely correct, and I'm on my way," but before he left, he leant down to Luna, offering his hand. "I am sorry, my dear, perhaps you can show me the wattle-spunks another evening."
Luna smiled serenely, even though she was obviously disappointed, and she grasped his offered hand. "Yes, I would enjoy that," she replied.
Kingsley brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. "Then it's a promise," he responded, and looked up to everyone watching them. He looked to Harry. "Harry, I would appreciate it if you stayed somewhere more secure than Grimmauld Place tonight," and he glanced at Severus.
"Yes, Mister Potter," Severus responded. "This seems to be escalating, and who knows where it will end. I should think that the pair of you ladies should also take extra precautions," he said to the Greengrass sisters. "I will speak with your father." He watched Daphne nod as Astoria glanced at her.
"Thank you, Professor," Daphne replied. "We'd appreciate that, but our parents are away for the remainder of the week."
"I should be going," Kingsley cut in. "Good night, all," he stated and swept from the room.
Helen looked to Harry, Daphne, and Astoria. "Then you are all most welcome to stay here," she said.
Lucius glanced at Hermione; he would have offered too, but tonight he just wanted time alone with her. "Then we will leave you to your decisions, if there is to be no fitting tonight I think Hermione needs some time to reflect on things."
Hermione sighed. "Yes, please," she said. "I'm sorry, everyone, but today has been very stressful and I have a killer headache."
"Then that is settled. Come, Draco," Lucius stated coolly. "You can Floo back," he continued. "I will drive Hermione… and son," and he waited for Draco to turn. "I will be coming to find you very soon, so do not go anywhere," he warned.
"Yes, Father," Draco stated, and literally bolted towards Severus' study and the Floo connection.