A/N: Thank you as always for your patience, continued support and reviews. Please enjoy chapter 26.
A tense silence filled the room at Thorfinn's thinly disguised accusation towards the Minister. Hermione continued to gape at him in horror and she could feel the stares in their direction from the other guests. Thorfinn, studiously ignoring the boosted attention, maintained a cold, sharp glare in Lucius's direction. The pins and needle quiet was soon broken by Lucius's laughter. The minister broke into boisterous, contagious laughter that soon spread among the other guests.
"My, My Rowle," The minister gasped trying to catch his breath again, "You make it sound as though it's a boon for me to kidnap our pretty young Blair away from you."
Thorfinn snickered and shrugged his shoulders apologetically but Hermione knew it wasn't heartfelt.
"Finn," Hermione admonished.
"No, No Blair, I assure you my dear, it is quite alright. Rowle here has always had a steak of the green eyed monster in him, and really who can fault him for staking his claim on you? I would do the same if it were my ring you wore." Thorfinn went rigid beside her at the remark, but playing the charade Hermione smiled.
"I am relieved to hear you are not insulted Lucius. Perhaps, though it would be best if I showed you the cellars myself, to avoid any chance of Thorfinn burning something down, as he is prone to do when jealous."
The smirk that settled over the blond's features was nearly as obvious as was the glower her affianced directed towards her at the suggestion. It was Hermione's turn to ease to reassure Finn with a gentle squeeze of his hand. She was perfectly capable of looking after herself, and she had a plan of her own.
"A splendid idea Blair," exclaimed the minister.
The conversation turned back to idle wedding chatter and before long the meal was concluded and the majority of the guests were settled into the library for a post dinner drink. However, Hermione was about to head downstairs, alone, with Lucius Malfoy.
The cellars were dark, only Hermione's Lumos made seeing possible, but none-the-less she led him down to where she suspected would be the best place for a wine cellar.
"Hmmmm, this won't do at all," Lucius said dryly.
"What won't do?"
"The lighting. I'll have to order charmed torchlights to light the path down here," he explained.
Hermione hummed at that, it was true that lighting would be useful, but she didn't want to be tied any more up with him than necessary. When they reached the end of the narrow passage and emerged in a cool, dark stone room. Lucius, immediately cast some charm that caused orbs of light to settle in on the ceiling making it appear like stars but bright enough to light the small space. Hermione dropped her Lumos.
"This space will do nicely, yes. It wouldn't take too much work, a good clearing, installing some shelfing units and of course proper lighting and it will be a right proper wine cellar."
"I'm glad to hear it," Hermione said then paused. She wanted to implement her plan, one where she would carefully extract herself from the wizard's unwanted attentions but remained allied with him for her own protection, all without giving herself away. She wasn't sure how she should go about starting that conversation, the idea seemed better in her head than it did now in real time. She floundered trying to find a way to start before she soon realized that she did not need to.
In the next moment, Lucius was approaching her and every step nearer he made she took one backwards. Soon, her back was against the wall and Lucius had her trapped between the cold stone and his arms. She thought he was just going to try and kiss her, but he didn't. Instead he cocked his head to the side and looked at her appraisingly.
"I must say, you've done wonderfully well with the pretense Miss. Granger," He eventually remarked with a smirk. She was surprised it wasn't his trademark sneer. Hermione gasped both in surprise and in fear. She should deny, but fear had frozen her veins and apparently her ability to speak. Lucius didn't leave her a chance to talk her way out of it anyway, simply cast something Hermione could tell by the signature was a very dark charm, revealing her true identity to him without removing her glamour.
Well now she was fucked, there was no way out of this. She trembled slightly thinking of Finn, and felt the tears form in her eyes. Lucius sighed heavily, and rose one hand to wipe them away. It was almost tender. "Shhh, no need for such dramatics. I'm not out for blood."
"How did you find out?" Hermione asked when she found her voice.
"Draco," Lucius replied with a shrug. Hermione felt a pang of familiar betrayal before he continued. "The boy thinks he is sly, and while I admit to most he is, he never could hide anything from me. I had a conversation with Walden, that planted the seed of suspicion, and my son's behavior confirmed it."
"Please, whatever you do to me I don't care, but please don't hurt Finn," she begged. Lucius looked stricken for a moment, then grinned.
"You really do love him don't you?"
"I do, and I'd suffer anything to save him," she vowed.
'Gryffindor's," The minister muttered. "As I said, I'm not out for blood."
"Then what do you want?"
"You." Hermione held her breath, having expected as much. Before she could reply he continued. "I've wanted you for years my dear, I despised you at first, always besting my son, but you grew up quite nicely and don't think I failed to notice as much at the Department of Mysteries. I don't know why my desires have settled on you, when I have so many other mistresses to choose from, but I see clearly now that I'll never have you the way I wish," He said the last part softly, almost morosely.
Hermione made a questioning sound, wondering why he wouldn't take what he wanted when he held all the cards in his hand. He explained himself further, "You love him. I fear that I'm not looking merely for another mistress Miss Granger, au contraire, I'm after something I've never had before and if you love him it means you can never love me. If you can't love me I'll settle for you not hating me, which forcing you would do."
"Then what are you going to do?" She prepared herself for whatever his answer was, expecting the worst, that she would be tortured, Finn killed, their cause lost. She wasn't processing the meaning behind his words, too afraid of what would happen next and trying to brace herself for the reality. Which is why his next words shocked her.
"I'm going to help you of course."
"What?" she asked dumfounded.
"I'll help you. You will be able to maintain your charade, live in peace with your beloved and I'll keep Macnair and any others off of your back."
"You are going to let me be, let me continue whatever plans I have in store for you and yours?" Hermione asked dubiously.
"Yes, yes, you can continue with my son and his friends to plot your overthrow, Miss Granger."
"Why?"
"For centuries the Malfoy's have been the money and the force behind the Minister, powerful and influential but free of the daily hassles that come with running our world. I never wanted to be the Minister, I only became one to maintain my power, but alas it bores me, and the people who are under me are Neanderthals."
No argument there, she thought. "What is in this for you?"
"Aside from your obvious foolhardy bravery I can see Slytherin tendencies in you my dear. Of course, there are conditions to my generosity," Lucius drawled. "In exchange for this newfound allegiance, I want two things. First, a kiss freely given, and second your friendship."
"That's it? You do drive a hard bargain my lord." Hermione said, but inside all she felt was relief. She would be safe, more importantly Finn would be safe. Without hesitation she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. He depend it immediately and their tongues met for a moment before he ended the kiss abruptly.
"I'll take that as your agreement. Now, lets you and I go and have a little chat with Rowle about what all this means."
"As you wish, Lucius." Hermione acquiesced and motioned for him to lead the way.