A/N: Okay, time for apologies (again? Yes, again). I am sorry I did not update sooner and I'm very sorry I did not have the chance to reply to every review personally. There where several very (very, very) nice reviews. And even though I did not reply to each and every one of them, I would like to use this opportunity to tell you all how much they mean to me. They really brighten my day.
SO, big thanks to writeratheart007, Sampdoria, Reader-anonymous-writer, Waterwolfwritter, xiaoj, hule, A Pirate By Any Other Name, HP-Lette-Fan, Quantumphysica and A for their lovely reviews. Keep them coming!

So, now that we have finally left the flashbacks behind, it's time for Hermione, Esmeraude and Lucius to move forward. Enjoy!

Chapter 21 – Soul meets soul

I don't know why I'm scared, I've been here before
Every feeling, every word, I've imagined it all
You never know if you never try
To forgive your past and simply be mine

Adele-'One and Only'

Ginny opened and closed her mouth several times, her eyes seemed moist. After what felt like ages the redhead suddenly burst forward. "Oh Hermione!" she sobbed, as she engulfed Hermione in a tight hug.

"I'm sorry Ginny, I wanted to tell you before, I really did." Hermione said, trying to breath around the mass of red hair. She felt her own tears burning in her eyes.
She rubbed Ginny's back, trying to comfort the girl who was still quietly sobbing against her shoulder.

"It's okay 'Mione" Ginny said, looking up at her with slightly red eyes. "I wish I could have been here for you. You must have been so lonely."

Hermione gently let go of her friend and sat back, taking a deep breath. She thought about her wedding in France, marrying a man she barely knew and hardly liked, about adopting Esmeraude. She had become a mother and a wife at only 19. She thought about all the times she had been here, in her rooms, alone, not knowing how her friends were doing and where they were. But then, most of the time, Esmeraude had been there. Hermione had been able to see the girl grow, she had taught her to talk and Esmeraude saw Hermione as her mum. And Lucius had really tried to make Hermione feel welcome. He might not be an easy man to live with, Merlin knew how much two wars had damaged him, but in his way, he honestly tried to make her feel welcome and Hermione had to admit that recently, he actually had been succeeding. The images of their near-kiss flooded her mind and Hermione could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks.

"Earth to Hermione" Ginny said, waving her hand in front of her eyes.

Hermione shook her head, as if hoping to physically shake out the distracting images. "Sorry Gin, I was miles away for a bit."

Ginny gave her a watery smile. "I noticed." she said. "Now, not that I want you to, but don't you have to force me to take an unbreakable vow or something?"

Hermione shook her head, finally being able to focus again. "No, I don't think that's necessary. I know I can trust you. And if the ministry finds out that you knew, they won't be able to prosecute you for it. If you tell them I will die because of the vow I took. You telling them would be equal to you murdering me. There is a law on that, I checked."

Ginny laughed. "Yes, you would have checked that. So, can I meet Esmeraude?"

"I have nothing against it, but I think we should leave it for another time. She is with Lucius right now."
"Can't you go and fetch her?"

"I could." Hermione agreed. She lingered a little before continuing, trying to find the right words. "However, it is getting rather late, and I would prefer to let her meet you when we have a little more time. She isn't used to meeting new people."

"I understand" Ginny replied, a gently smile around her mouth. "You really have become an overprotective mum, you know that right?"

Hermione sighed. "Yes, I suppose so. Although I got a lot of practice with your brother and husband. They wouldn't have passed any exam if it wasn't for my constant nagging"

Ginny laughed. "I'm afraid you are right" she said. "And I understand that you don't want me to meet Esmeraude, I will try not to take it personally" For a second Hermione felt worried and looked up, but Ginny just winked at her, before continuing on a more serious note "It's fine 'mione, really. No need to be so flinchy. Although of course, next time you disappear on me like this I will hex you into next week. Don't think I won't."

Hermione nodded. "Point taken. Now, I think you need to get back before they notice you are missing from Hogsmeade. I don't think we want Harry to search for his wife, alongside an entire army of aurors no doubt."

Ginny glanced over to the clock on the mantelpiece. "Oh, yes you are right, it is getting late." Ginny rushed over to the kitchen table to retrieve her portkey. Hermione followed her. Ginny turned around to face her. "There will be a next time, right?" she asked. Hermione smiled. "Absolutely".

"No more secrets?"

"No more secrets."

With that Ginny nodded and took a hold of the portkey and disappeared within the blink of an eye.

Hermione sighed. She was exited about how well her meeting with Ginny had gone, but the encounter had exhausted her as well. She noted the ache in her chest. Her scars had been aching all day, and the exhaustion did not particularly improve matters. She tried to remember whether she had taken her pain potion that morning. In all fairness she wasn't entirely sure. Oh well. I have to stop taking the stuff at some point anyway. Deciding it wasn't necessary to bother the elves with the question she went to grab her cloak and pack of cigarettes. She might as well enjoy a few minutes of quiet before she went to check on Lucius and Esmeraude.

Upon entering the library, Hermione had to stifle a giggle. Lucius was in an awkward half reclining position on one of the sofa's. His hair was a bit messy, and he was holding a book in his right hand, which he held in an odd angle. The reason for all of this became apparent when Hermione noted the mop of black hair that was lying on his chest. Esmeraude was sprawled across her stepfather's chest. She was lying face down and was very much asleep. Upon noticing Hermione, Lucius put a finger to his lips. Hermione tiptoed over and sat in an armchair across Lucius. "Hey." She whispered.

"Hey." he answered. "How did it go?"

Hermione beamed. "Fine." she replied. "Ginny took everything far better than I could have expected."

"I'm glad to hear that. It's good to know that your nervousness this morning wasn't necessary."
"I don't believe I was the only nervous person."
Lucius raised a pale eyebrow "I hope you are talking about Esmeraude?"

"Ha ha, very funny.
Her husband shook his head. "Impossible. Malfoys don't get nervous." he whispered.

"Of course they don't." Hermione conceded, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Esmeraude stirred a little in her sleep. "I'll call a house elf to take her to her room. She seems to be fast asleep and knowing you she probably missed her nap."
Lucius looked offended. "It was hardly my fault. I tried to make her sleep, but she outright refused."
Hermione snorted. "It's a baby. You don't argue with them, you simply make them take a nap. She really has you wrapped around her little finger, doesn't she?"
Lucius had the decency to look ashamed. "Think of it as you wish" he said, non-committal. "Calling an elf might be a good idea though."

Once Esmeraude had been given into the cunning care of the elves and Lucius could finally sit up in a more dignified position, he flicked his wand towards a cabinet. A bottle of red wine and two glasses flew into his free hand. "Would you care for a glass of wine?" he asked. "Or can I perhaps offer you something a little stronger?"

"Wine would be lovely, thank you." Hermione said. With another flick of Lucius' wand the bottle started pouring the wine and Hermione took the glass that drifted towards her. She curled up in the armchair and took a sip. The wine was amazing, and in combination with her comfortable position and the heat of the fire, this corner of the library felt like paradise. Hermione was sure that, had she been a cat, she would have purred with content. Lucius picked up his book again and so Hermione summoned one of the books that she had been reading as well.

For a while they sat in silence, sipping wine, the only sounds that of rustling pages and crackling fire. It took a while before Hermione noticed that Lucius' attention was not solely directed at the book he was pretending to read. She could almost feel his eyes on her and more than once she would glance over to him only to see him quickly look back to the book he was holding. His attention, the heat of the fire and the alcohol in the wine took their toll, and Hermione could feel a blush creeping up. Her nerves for the meeting with Ginny had occupied her mind for the past few days and distracted it from other thoughts. Now, without that distraction, the feelings she had for Lucius where slowly creeping up on her again and it made her feel conflicted. After their date and near-kiss, at least a part of her was convinced that her feelings where reciprocated, but she couldn't be sure. Her experiences with Ron had shown her that it wasn't always about personality, and that sometimes a heartbeat was all that was required. But this was different, wasn't it? Lucius had had plenty of chances to make a move on her, but had always been the perfect gentleman.

"Is anything the matter?"

Hermione looked up from her book. Lucius had put his book down and looked at her, looking sincerely worried.

Hermione shook her head. "Not really, it's just been a long day I guess." It wasn't exactly a lie.

Lucius nodded. He seemed to weigh his next words. "You seem a bit tense. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Hermione shrugged. "I stopped taking my pain medication." She experimentally rolled her head and winced when she felt the muscles protest. "And I think I have been sitting in the same position for far too long when I was chatting with Ginny."

"Come here." Lucius said, scooting over to make room for her on the couch while one of his legs remained on the couch.

Hermione was sure that the butterflies in her stomach where making excited back flips as she got up from the chair. She sat down and felt the warmth of his leg against her back.

"Do you want me to go get you a pain potion?"

Hermione shook her head. The butterflies in her stomach, in combination with the wine, made her brain go a little fuzzy. "No, I had to stop taking it at some point."

"Not if that means you are in pain. It is probably safe to take it for a few more weeks."

Hermione snorted. "Probably?"

"Definitely. You don't think I would take the risk of poisoning you, do you?"

"Well, I certainly hope not."

"Now, turn around, I can't reach"

Hermione's fuzzy brain was having a difficult time figuring out what Lucius meant. But then she felt the warmth of his hands on her shoulder. Lucius guided her position until her back was turned towards him.

Hermione gasped as she felt his hands slipping under her hair. Lucius gave a deep chuckle. "My apologies, I hadn't realised my hands where this cold."

"It's fine really." Hermione said. Lucius gave no sign that he had noticed the tremor in her voice and Hermione was thankful for it.

"Now, let's see if we can get those muscles to relax, shall we?" Lucius' fingers started to slide skilfully over her neck. Easily locating and dissolving the knots in her muscles. Hermione closed her eyes, enjoying the bliss of feeling the ache fade away.

Slowly Hermione became aware of fingers stroking her neck, playing through her hair. She felt comfortable and snuggled further into the comfortably warm pillow behind her. The pillow sighed. How odd, pillows didn't sigh. And they didn't have a pulse either. So why did Hermione feel a steady heartbeat accompanied by slow waves of warm air against her hair. She shot up, suddenly wide awake, and looked over her shoulder. Lucius' silver eyes looked back at her. She expected to see amusement, the way Malfoy's could enjoy watching other people making a fool of themselves. But in that short moment she swore she saw so many other things. There was affection there, maybe a little bit of disappointment, and heat. It was not obvious, but most definitely there. It wasn't the blazing predatory heat that she had seen in the eyes of so many boys. No, this was slow burning, more intense and yet more controlled. Lucius seemed to look directly into her soul, and it caused a glowing warmth to pool in the pit of her stomach.

"I'm sorry." She stammered.

"My girls seem to have a habit of falling asleep against my chest."

Hermione gave an embarrassed smile. "Yes it appears so."

"It's curious.." Lucius said, more to himself than to her.

"What is?" Hermione asked, confused.
"Your hair." Lucius answered, as if that was obvious. Hermione looked at his hands and noticed that one of them was still intertwined with her locks. A stray ringlet curled around his finger. "It is so wild and untameable, but yet, now that I feel it, it's so incredibly soft." He seemed to be talking about more than just her hair, but Hermione was too focussed on the lips that uttered the words to pay attention to the words themselves. "I suppose." she said, non-committal. "What time is it?"

Lucius let go of her hair to reach for his pocket and took out a pocket-watch. "Nearly 3 am. It is probably time to call it a day." He sounded reluctant.

"Yes, probably." Neither of them moved.

Lucius' hand found its way back into her hair, a bit higher up this time. He sighed. "Hermione..." He said. She knew what he was going to say. He wanted to protect her, he was too old for her, he was going to turn himself in, he would most likely never come back, he didn't want to hurt her, they shouldn't do this. Hermione didn't want to hear. She knew all of that, and, in that moment, she found that she didn't care. What she felt for Lucius...she had never felt that for anyone else... so what if they didn't have a lifetime ahead of them. That didn't mean they had to deny themselves this. And so Hermione did the only thing she could think of. She summoned all her courage and pressed her lips against his in the lightest possible touch. Lucius gave in almost immediately. His lips moved with hers, slow and soft and warm. Hermione laid the palm of her hand against his cheek, before moving it upwards and entwining her fingers with his long silver locks. She felt his fingertips gently stroking the edge of her jaw. For a moment she was scared that he might push her away, but then she felt the tip of his tongue swipe across her lips. Hermione obliged, slightly parting her lips, granting him entrance. Lucius began his slow exploration, meanwhile slipping his hand under her hair, cupping the back of her head. The kiss was slow and thorough. He seemed to be trying to map and memorize every part of her mouth. Lucius tasted of peppermint and wine and cinnamon and of something that was exclusively him. It made Hermione feel both disoriented and at home, and very, very light headed. She regarded her husband through half-closed eyes. His face was relaxed, causing him to look younger than she had ever seen him. Her free hand moved to lie against his chest and Hermione could feel his rapid heartbeat through the thin fabric of his shirt. Lucius allowed her to explore for a while before slipping a hand around her waist. He laid it flat against the small of her back and pushed her flush against his chest. Hermione moaned into his mouth, unable to prevent the sound from escaping her. She moved so that she sat astride Lucius, slipping her other hand in his hair as well. This time it was Lucius who moaned, a deep feral sound that rumbled deep inside his chest. Hermione's magic flared, reaching out for Lucius' magic which it found mid-air. As their kiss deepened, their magic started a complicated dance around them, causing the air to hum. Lucius let go of her hair and wrapped his arms around her waist, not trapping, just holding. Eventually they both slowed down, realizing that if they didn't they might end up doing things they would regret later. Lucius' hands where rubbing slow circles on Hermione's back as she curled up in his lap, tucking her head under his. "Wow" Hermione uttered.

"Wow" Lucius agreed. It was all that needed to be said. They would think about the consequences tomorrow. Right now everything was well.

A/N:

Soul meets soul on lovers' lips. -Percy Bysshe Shelley,Prometheus Unbound

After the long wait I think you guys deserved a chapter like this, so I hope you all enjoyed it as much as me.

Next chapter is in the making, but might again take a little longer than I'd like (because of personal reasons.)

I'd love to know what you guys thought of this chapter, so please review!

Love,

LoversCure