Hello faithful readers! Well this has been a PITA of a week, frankly, as my laptop power connection failed and now I'm waiting for a part, and relying on my old desktop for writing. This is difficult with 3 kids to watch, so I have not made as much progress as fast as I'd like. I also have family members visiting now and for another week. So, bear with me. My patience is being as sorely tested as yours, I assure you!

Loving how many new followers and fans this story has accumulated! THANK YOU and welcome!

A big thank you and shout out to zeeksmom for some detailed and great constructive criticism regarding my mysterious baddies at the start of the last chapter. I made some edits based on her comments, so if you read it early, go back and re-read, and I hope that makes it clearer for you.

Alesia G, great detailed feedback as always! I hope I don't disappoint with this chapter!

I'm sorry to leave so many out, I want to throw this up while I can and hope you enjoy it. A couple of notes, Oxford dates to the mid 11th century, prior to the wizarding Statute of Secrecy, so that's an interesting tidbit. Also the item Lucius gives Hermione was based on a real artifact found in Vix, France. And, this chapter has a LEMON so if that's not your thing, skip on past it! Thank you!

Please, let me know what you think with the Review button! Thank you!

"Your wife is becoming a bit of a pain in my ass, Lucius," Kingsley said as he and Lucius approached his office to find Hermione waiting to pounce.

"It's a daily event in my house," Lucius remarked tightly. He was extremely unhappy with Kingsley at the moment, but none of his complaining had done any good. The Muggle casualties from the conference had let loose a flurry of investigations in how the uproar in the magical community was affecting the Muggle one, and now some snot-nosed shit of an up and coming reporter at the Prophet had made a convincing case tying together a string of Muggle disappearances with a hack into the Forensic Science Service's genetic database. Apparently the Muggle breeding harvest had begun.

"I expect a report on the situation in France within three days." Kingsley faced an annoyed Hermione. "How can I help you?"

"You have a meeting in five minutes, Minister," Kingsley's assistant said before Hermione could speak. She threw a pointed look at her husband, who ignored her and looked elsewhere.

"I would like to know exactly what the Ministry is holding over my husband and the other supposedly pardoned Death Eaters." Kingsley's assistant was obviously eavesdropping, so Kingsley waved his wand to cast the three of them in a silencing bubble and turned the full force of his attention to Hermione.

"I realize that your family is bearing the brunt of the repercussions of the Ministry's policies, and I am truly sorry for that. However, you are well aware that there are many things which I am not at liberty to discuss, notwithstanding your personal involvement."

Kingsley's tone was patient without being condescending, but Hermione was still frustrated by the stonewalling and said so.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt, I had not thought you such a—politician to feed me a policy statement instead of being honest about what is going on here. I am not so idiotic as to realize that your placement of Lucius and Calvin Yaxley was a calculated move in response to some type of threat, and given recent events it's hard to conclude anything other than my work as the cause."

Lucius looked bored and appeared to be ignoring her completely, unwilling to offer any assistance in her attempts to weasel some information out of Kingsley. She already knew where Lucius stood—if Kingsley would only give her something!

"There are many things that go on amongst pureblood families that are missed by newcomers to our community. Rather than focus on what Lucius is and is not doing in aid of the Ministry, perhaps it would be a better use of your talents to focus on pureblood marriage traditions in the hope of finding the pattern that has thus far evaded us."

Kingsley flicked his wand and dropped the bubble, a clear dismissal even if his expression was regretful. Hermione felt no less frustrated, but at least he had given her something to do in addition to the genetics work. She was piqued enough to not acknowledge Kingsley as she left the office. Lucius gave a nod to Kingsley and fell into step alongside his wife, the Auror detail assigned to Hermione discreetly following behind.

"That was a complete waste of time," Lucius observed, "Unless, of course, your aim was to increase your blood pressure."

"Piss off, Lucius," Hermione said loftily. "I have work to do in the lab."

Lucius went off to speak to Yasmin about his absence from the office. He was going to frame it as a trip to deal with Malfoy Apothecary business, leaving the destination vague. Hermione would not be pleased about the fact that she wasn't going to accompany him, but he would leave that tidbit for when they were at home. No need to cause more rampant gossip about their apparently hot and cold relationship in the workplace.

"Are you quite sure this is necessary?" Hermione asked as she paced to the opposite side of the room from Lucius, her wand in hand.

"Absolutely. You are slower and your magic, while passable, will not be back to its full potency for probably another month, when the baby is generating enough of its own. Thus, you need the practice and a few more spells in your arsenal."

Lucius was quite calm, attired in a pristine white shirt and his usual intricately embroidered vest, but without his coat. He had his hair tied back and the curly maple wand was held almost lazily in his hand. Hermione was not fooled, however. He was not going to give her the luxury of an advance warning before he cast.

"I was able to hold my own quite well against Dolohov," she reminded him, warily holding her own vine wand at the ready.

"You wouldn't now," he said with certainty, throwing a stunner and jelly legs jinx in quick succession. She dodged the stunner but her Protego was weak and the jelly legs jinx hit, which caused her to spin on her feet. Hermione felt herself falling but before she could hit the ground Lucius was there, grabbing her forearm to stop her fall. Hermione wordlessly ended the spell, but was surprised that she could feel the sensation of her nerves reawakening for a brief second before she was back in full control of her legs.

"I trust you see the necessity now," Lucius said, his grey eyes stormy with the irritation he always developed when she argued with him and he knew he was right.

"It must be so tedious, being such a know-it-all," Hermione said with a dash of snark, and Lucius quickly retorted,"You would know, witch—but as I promised you, you don't know it all."

The next half hour passed relatively easily, with Lucius demonstrating a few obscure hexes that were relatively inexpensive to perform but likely to cause an opponent difficulties during an attack, such as one hex that caused the opponent's feet to be covered in blisters, or another that caused near blindness by fixing their irises wide open.

"And you follow that with a strong Lumos."

Hermione could see the advantage but was annoyed even though Lucius had been patient, and on impulse she challenged him. "Lucius, I don't need any more hexes."

"You think that holding your own against a full-fledged attack like the conference will be possible?"

Hermione sighed. "I am honest enough to admit that being pregnant has slowed me down. However, I think I can last ten minutes just fine, but I don't want to win, I just want to be able to get away."

A glimmer of something passed across his face, but Hermione could not decipher what it meant. "Very well," he drawled. "Perhaps it would be best to focus on how to get away from someone if they catch you."

"If you can catch me," Hermione said, her eyes narrowing.

Lucius grinned and disapparated, reappearing with a puff of smoke behind Hermione. She whirled and flung a sequence of jinxes and hexes at him that he admitted was impressive. She was speedy but the spells lacked her customary zing, and he easily shook off the stunner that hit him. He flicked curses just to her left or right, herding her toward a room behind her, a fact that she realized a second too late as he caught her with a full body bind, and her wand with an Expelliarmus. He didn't let her fall, pulling her against him as he whispered in her ear, "I caught you, kitten…now, what shall I do with you?"

Hermione felt the body bind dissolve wordlessly and turned to take in her husband's expression. "If my kidnapper was careless enough to let the body bind go, I would attack with Muggle defensive moves."

"But your attacker won't be that foolish, which is why I want you to wear this at all times."

Lucius waved his wand and drew forth a curious piece of jewelry, which Hermione recognized. It was thick gold, the ends large balls with small Pegasus figures on either side.

"How old is that torc?"

Lucius' eyes softened. "Of course you would know what this is. It has been in our family for a very long time. More importantly, it holds many enchantments, specifically for a pregnant woman. This will remain undetectable while you are wearing it, and in cases of dire emergency, you may draw on its power to perform one magical act."

Hermione did not need to ask why such an object would exist. If it were geared to a pregnant woman, it was obviously a last ditch, survival mechanism for a family facing annihilation.

"You are descended from the Gauls, aren't you?" Hermione asked, although it was a pointless question. The fact that the Malfoys had originally come from France coupled with the age of this torc made it a foregone conclusion.

"I have only given you some of the more recent history of my family, Hermione. There is much left in the shrouds of the past, some of which is quite brutal." Lucius turned her around and placed the torc around her neck.

"It will disappear from view within a minute," he said, resisting the impulse to place a kiss on her neck. His mind was on Kingsley's demand that he go to France, and he knew he could not delay the trip.

"Thank you, Lucius," Hermione said, turning to face him again. "When do you have to go?"

"Tonight," Lucius said tightly. "A few activities will benefit from the new moon."

Hermione did not want to consider what kind of activities required the dark of night. "What of the office?"

"Stay home."

"I can't do that, and you know it," Hermione replied, and Lucius' jaw tightened.

"Why must you argue every step I take to ensure your safety?" As if to emphasize his point, Lucius put his hand over their child, who helpfully gave him a kick. "Even our baby knows better."

"That was a kick of protest," Hermione said stubbornly.

"No, this is a kick of protest," Lucius retorted, pulling Hermione's feet out from under her with a swiftly executed move that had him flipping her onto a large cushion on the floor before she could blink. "Stay. Home."

"Make me," Hermione insisted, snaking a hand down Lucius' chest when she noticed a slight change to her clothing. "It seems your game has a markedly sensual turn."

Lucius turned her around and a blindfold materialized, covering her eyes with dark, soft silk. "I'm always happy to play with you, wife."

Hermione could only feel as Lucius' sure hands steadily uncovered her skin, inch by inch. She felt his lips caressing and teasing her flesh as he worked steadily from her lower back up her spine, his hands delving beneath to caress her swollen belly, his fingers gently massaging along the sides until they encountered her firm, ripe breasts.

"Oh I love how ripe your body has become with my child," Lucius murmured, and Hermione turned her head so she could taste his mouth. She felt his long hair caress her shoulder, and as he pressed her slightly down she realized he had lost his clothes, his warm chest with its sparse hair a titillating sensation.

"Lucius, please," Hermione asked as his hands moved back down, caressing her hips and moving purposefully inward. Her breath caught in her throat as his fingers played. He leaned forward and felt the bliss of her body tight around his, then stilled and whispered in her ear, "Stay home while I'm away."

Hermione gritted her teeth, stubbornness warring with the needy sensations he was generating. "No."

"Impudent witch," Lucius said, gripping her hips roughly as he brought more of his experience to bear. With her surging hormones Hermione was primed most of the time, but this was the first time Lucius had taken her in this position and the fullness was beautiful.

"Ahhh…oh God, please Lucius," Hermione was so close, but her wretch of a husband stilled again and had the gall to say, "Stay home."

"No!" Hermione pushed back against him, rotating her hips in a little circle that caused Lucius to lose focus from the pleasure.

"Harder!" Hermione's voice was needy and she grabbed one of Lucius' hands, placing it on her aching breast and pushing back hard against her husband.

"Fuck," Lucius could not help himself, his hips pistoning without his permission and bringing them both to a hard and heady climax.

"LUCIUS!" Hermione was loud enough to be heard throughout the house, but she was too blissful to care.

Lucius pressed a kiss between her shoulder blades as he slid out of her. "Succubus."

Hermione turned onto her side and watched him blow a strand of hair out of his eyes and wordlessly Summon his robes, ignoring the clothes strewn about the room.

"Mmmmm, you like it," Hermione replied naughtily, not bothering to don a robe herself. She knew how she must look, like a delectable, just shagged treat lain temptingly before him. She was hoping to engender a repeat performance, only this time in their bedroom instead of on the hard floor of the dueling chamber, cushion notwithstanding.

"I'm quite pleased with your naughty side, Hermione," Lucius said, letting his hand drift down her front as he helped his nude wife to her feet. "And your naughty front too."

"When are you leaving again?" Hermione asked as she gently nipped his earlobe.

"Oh, I think I can spare an hour or two," Lucius murmured. This time Hermione had no complaints when he disapparated them both directly to their bedchamber.

While Hermione could not say she was fond of maternity wear, she did find her work clothes to be cute as well as comfortable. It was only in dresses that she felt like a heifer, but the time of year precluded that, quite frankly. Sensible woolen trousers and a belted cardie in a russet red made for a charming outfit, and it was easy to shed the cardigan in the office. The torc Lucius had given her lay heavy against her neck, and it felt odd to wear a necklace along with it, so she left her neck apparently bare. She and Lucius had stalemated on the question of her going to work in his absence, and Hermione had decided that meant she should continue in the status quo. She donned a low heeled boot and went downstairs. Ten minutes until she had to leave. Perfect.

"Tell me, Granger, do you make a habit of reading the Prophet before work?"

Draco's presence at the breakfast table was unusual, but it was the question that caught her attention. She grabbed a piece of toast and replied absentmindedly, "No, why?" before sitting down to a hot cup of tea.

"I think you'd better read it today," Draco said drily, sliding the paper in front of her.

SQUIB TESTING SCANDAL!

Top Muggle Researcher Discredits Hermione Granger-Malfoy's Work

By Rita Skeeter

In an exclusive interview, Muggle researcher Dr. Leonard Mullan, who has been granted access to part of Ms. Granger-Malfoy's work, claims that the interpretations of the gene family's behavior are "bizarre" and a "far reach" from the established Muggle science of genetics.

"It's hard to conclude how an experienced researcher could have interpreted the data this way, but I think it likely that an inexperienced one could leap to the wrong conclusion. This is why we rely on peer review and the feedback of other researchers."

Dr. Mullan is a leading figure in the Muggle research community and is based at Oxford University, an institution which is well known to the wizarding community for its Potions and Astronomy Mastery programs. He was given access to data that was copied from the Ministry by a group of wizards who call themselves The Watchers. The group's spokesman also spoke with this reporter:

"It's a simple matter of keeping the Ministry honest. They do not have the best track record for being honest with the wizarding public, and after such an intrusive law was passed, we felt it necessary to obtain copies of the data by whatever means necessary. In this time of overwhelming interest in the problem of Squibs and Muggle genes, we wanted an impartial opinion on the research of one person which has driven this offensive and ugly law."

The spokesman was, of course, referring to Hermione Malfoy, nee Granger, whose work has provided the impetus for the Ministry's recent Marriage Law and push to register the genetic information of all children in wizarding Britain. While best known for her role as part of the "Golden Trio" during the war against the Lord Voldemort, Mrs. Malfoy's path has been questionable of late. After spending several years immersing herself in the culture of her youth, Ms. Granger returned to work at the Ministry on her genetics research, convincing friends in high places of her work's importance and its role in the distressing increase in Squib births. Then, Ms. Granger was conveniently matched with her Ministry supervisor, the ex-Death Eater Lucius Malfoy.

Some pureblood families have called into question how Ms. Granger, the sole author of the system for determining matches, was matched with a family of such wealth and with such a colorful past. Speaking confidentially, one senior member of a well-known Pureblood family confessed he was pressured into giving up the family's confidential marriage records. "If I had known on what a flimsy basis the demand was made, I would have filed a complaint with my solicitor before handing over the records."

Dr. Mullan, who is back at work in his lab at Oxford, commented that Muggles are often uneasy with the amount of information that can be gained from their DNA, and pointed to controversies in the Muggle government concerning how such information was collected and safeguarded.

"I would be extremely concerned if such details were not being shared with the public, and would seek assurances that the information was not available for nefarious purposes."

Dr. Mullan was removed recently from a Muggle research conference to examine the data. While the Ministry line is that this took place under nefarious circumstances, Dr. Mullan himself contradicted the claim of violence.

"I was asked to consult on the case and agreed to take a look at preliminary data on site. I was made aware after the fact that a fracas had broken out at the conference—apparently a disgruntled graduate student opened fire. Terribly tragic event, one hates to read of such crimes, much less be close to them. I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of those affected."

This contradicts the account being put forward by some within the Auror division about the turn of events. As the fracas occurred in America, it is understood that the American Aurors are in charge of the investigation, and will not release their analysis for some months. However, it would be remiss of this reporter to fail to note that the Auror Division has recently been roiled by the scandalous removal of its Head, Calvin Yaxley. Yaxley refused to comply with the Marriage Law and has been sent to Azkaban as a warning to other witches and wizards contemplating such defiance. I shall dare the Ministry's disapproval and ask: if one of the Ministry's own is defying the Law that has resulted from Mrs. Malfoy's work, what does that say about the state of the Ministry?

Hermione looked up when Draco thrust a small roll of tied parchment in her face.

"Don't worry, I've checked it for hexes," Draco said. "Ministry correspondence."

Hermione was breathlessly angry from Skeeter's story, but she broke the seal and read the short note.

Mrs. Malfoy,

On the advice of the Minister, I hereby inform you of a suspension in work duties for a week. Please note that the Unspeakables assigned the Manor have been doubled in number. Oh, and do not attempt to contact your co-workers, please.

Sincerely,
Pius Thicknesse

Head, DMM

Temporary Head, DMLE

Draco read the note over her shoulder. "Shite. This is going to blow back on me at work. I'd better go see if I can diffuse some nastiness right off the bat. Tell Tori not to worry, I'll be home again if it's too ugly."

Hermione was speechless.

"Oh, I'd send an owl to Father if I were you. He's going to want to know you aren't storming the Ministry."

Draco dodged the jampot that Hermione sent flying to the doorway. "Right, I'll take care of that for you then Granger. Enjoy your mini-break!"