Chapter 36: Together again

Hello again. I know it's been a while since I updated and for that I apologise! Hopefully this chapter makes up for the wait!...

"So…that's what happened." Lucinda finished, putting down her empty cup. Ava was staring across at her with her lips pursed, clearly entirely unconvinced by her lies.

"Hmm. See, I asked you what happened yesterday. Where did you go? You were by the lifts one minute and then I didn't see you again. We were worried sick Lucinda!" She replied, looking over at Hannah for support.

"Yeah you really gave us a scare when you weren't answering our calls! The place was in absolute chaos for a time, until the aurors caught them all. The Minister is furious apparently, he's saying it was down to them that this was able to happen."

"Really? Well I don't see how he can blame only certain employees, he needs to look higher with a breach such as that! Anyway, I was fine, I was with Lucius. I'm sorry I didn't answer my phone. I suppose I was just in shock. I'm so glad you're both ok." Lucinda hated lying to her friends about why she had missed their calls. She felt sick as she said it.

"We were all in shock. It was just too real wasn't it, if you know what I mean." Ava said, as quietly as Lucinda had ever heard her speak.

"And yes, we figured you were with Lucius." Hannah added, and she noticed them look to each other again.

"Listen…are you sure you're not getting in over your head with all this. I mean, you're living together, you've met his son. Next you'll be coming in to work flashing some massive diamond on your finger!"

"The point Ava is trying so hard to eloquently make," Hannah spoke, as Ava nudged her in the ribs, "Is that don't you think things are moving too fast?"

"Well no not really. I don't know. We sort of had an…argument last night. I slept back at my flat." Lucinda admitted.

"A fight? About what?" Hannah asked with concern.

"Oh it was just silly really." Lucinda lied once more, "I suppose I was just so shaken about the whole incident at the Ministry, and I had wanted to stay and help, but instead Lucius apparated us away before I could do anything of any use."

"He was probably just trying to protect you Lucinda! I know you like to help people but come on, that was a bit of a different situation than day to day on a ward wasn't it?" Ava replied, pouring more wine in to Lucinda's glass. She had at first attempted to decline, but then decided she could really use some liquid courage to explain herself.

"Yeah, besides, no one would blame you for leaving. Everyone else was heading for the exits quick a flash when it happened." Hannah added, holding up her glass a little as Ava inclined the wine bottle in her direction.

"Well yes I know, but I should have helped. I have a responsibility as healer to do so. It wasn't right of him to just decide that that was what I should do. That that was what was best." Lucinda said, the slight bitterness in her voice surprising her.

"Men like to think they're our dashing heroes though don't they? Jumping to our defence." Ava rolled her eyes, sipping from her glass delicately.

"Yeah…sometimes I forget that he's just a man at the end of the day." Lucinda thought aloud.

"How did you forget that eh! Rookie mistake! What did you think he was then?" Ava laughed, Hannah joining in.

"I knew he was a man obviously you loons! I meant, I guess I always saw him as this stoic, powerful death eater sort of person…not just a man like any other. I mean, he's not like other men, but he is still just human after all…" She continued, not really caring if they were listening. She realised it as if she hadn't thought of it before.

"Err yeah of course he's human!" Hannah answered.

"Or so we think!" Ava giggled, "I mean, with the rate you two go at it it sounds like he must have some other special powers we aren't aware of! Anyway, what's brought all this on?"

"Oh nothing, nothing. I was just musing I suppose." She knew she was entirely unconvincing.

"No that's not it. There's something else, isn't there? It's not just what happened yesterday at the Ministry that's on your mind."

"It is and it isn't. It's just some…things Lucius told me yesterday. About him, about his past." Ugh, she thought, she'd already said too much. She put down the wine glass before she spilled anything else. As much as she did trust her friends, she wouldn't betray his trust.

"Really?" Ava said, eyes widening and she leant her elbows on her knees, "What was it? Was it bad?" Lucinda wasn't sure whether she sounded sympathetic or eager.

"Maybe Lucinda doesn't want to tell us. I'm sure it was shared in confidence after all." Hannah retorted, and Lucinda gave her a grateful smile in return.

"Yes it was in confidence. It's just made me think a lot more about why people act the way they do, why they make the choices they do. Let's just say it does mean certain things make a lot more sense now. But then.."

"But then?" Ava encouraged her as Lucinda paused.

"Well you see, he told me all of this really personal stuff, and I, I just closed off and didn't know what to do I suppose. I sort of got out of there pronto. I think he knew I felt uncomfortable." She finished, running her hand through her hair anxiously.

"Sounds like it was an intense conversation." Hannah said seriously.

"Since when has anything in this relationship not been intense it seems?" Ava asked to no one in particular.

Lucinda could only agree with that. Her life had felt so intense over the last six months or so and she knew that that was largely due to her relationship with Lucius.

"Yeah well, I know that. But what should I do now?"

"You need to let him know that you that you aren't freaked out by whatever it is he told you I guess. That's if you can do that…" Hannah advised, touching her on the shoulder briefly.

"Yes I can do that, of course. I just don't want all of this to change us."

"Has it changed how you feel about him? If you're honest with yourself."

Lucinda answered without needing to think: "No, it hasn't changed how I feel."

"Well then, the answer is simple as far as I'm concerned!" Ava interjected, clapping her hands together loudly, "You just need to show him that."

"Show him what exactly? And do not say something dirty!" Lucinda replied, rolling her eyes at her friend.

"No… well, that could probably work in all fairness, but I meant you need to show him that your feelings haven't changed. That whatever he has told you doesn't mean you love him any less, but that you'll support him. And you need to remember to tell him off if he has done something wrong, which I'm guessing he has."

To say she was somewhat surprised by her friend's advice would be an understatement. She looked to Hannah, who smiled and inclined her head at Ava: "Get her with the good advice!"

"Yes well, I have enough experience of men, unfortunately, to know a little about them. But, just be honest with him. It seems as if so far you've been able to."

"I have, mostly anyway. It's everyone else we had to lie to. How will I show him my feelings haven't changed though?" Lucinda asked with exasperation. She really was awful at these sorts of things.

"You'll figure it out. You know him better than anyone after all." Hannah said, as a smile crept over Lucinda's lips.

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The sky was starting to turn a dusky blue by the time Lucius made his way back to the Manor from Draco's flat. He knew immediately that the house was still empty. He supposed he shouldn't have expected her to be back yet, but she had seemed to so out of sorts when she left earlier that he found himself anticipating her arrival even more so. If he had not expected Lucinda to be at the Manor, he had certainly been expecting some simpering Ministry officials to be waiting for him. And yet there was no one. No owls had arrived. The house sat in respective darkness, the only sound the great ticking of the clock in the foyer. Deciding it was better to keep himself busy, he headed up the staircase.

Upon entering the bathroom, he gestured his hand in the direction of the shower and soon the room was filling with steam. He caught sight of his reflection in the mirror moments before it clouded over; the large dark scar across his ribs stood proud against the pale skin surrounding it. Lucius recalled the pain as it had happened, his skin tearing open and the blood seeping down his side as the Dark Lord stood over him, his face an image of disgust and enjoyment. He was glad when he could no longer see himself as the steam overtook the room.

Stepping under the hot water, he realised how empty even this felt without her. They usually showered together; not merely to make love but he often found the most pleasure in simply running his hands over her wet naked body and through her hair as it clung to her. He swallowed hard and tried to move his mind to other matters, his cock protesting. He concentrated instead on planning what he would say when the Ministry came calling again. As he had said to Draco, he was certain the interview this morning would not be the end of it. Shacklebolt was desperate to get him on something and he knew he would not let this little slip go. After the fiasco in the Department of Mysteries all those years ago, it had been Shacklebolt who had arrested him and taken him to the Ministry cells, chained like some sort of common criminal.

Draco had not let the whole things pass as Lucius had hoped. He had continued to question him for what had seemed like hours, moving between chastising him as if he were his own son, and panic that the family might once again be in the media spotlight for all the wrong reasons. He had finally managed to calm his worries by the time he had left, and Lucius was determined that Draco would not become involved in the whole situation. Not that he had anything to do with it anyway. And nor now did Lucius as far as he was concerned; he had been careful so far to cover his tracks and he was not about to change tactics now, he thought as he rinsed the last of the soap from his body and switched off the water.

He had re-dressed and was half way towards the stairs again when he heard a quiet but insistent knock on the front door. As there was no one else to answer it, he made his way swiftly down the steps.

"Hello." Lucinda said. He noticed she was holding her cat, whose name he could never quite remember, in her arms. The whole situation somehow reminded him of her visit earlier in the day.

"Good evening." He replied, his eyes not leaving hers. He had barely finished his sentence as her cat suddenly jumped out of her arms, slinking past him and disappearing through the door to the sitting room. "Well, it appears at least someone is happy to be here. I wonder about yourself my dear?"

She smiled and stepped inside as he stood aside to let her pass. He caught a vestige of her perfume under his nose and he found himself breathing in deeply to steady himself as he moved to close the door behind them. He hadn't fully turned around again when he felt her rush forward, her arms immediately snaking around his neck and her lips searching out his.

"I'm sorry." She all but whispered to him.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." He replied, a tad confused, but happy she was there none the less.

"I do. I'm sorry I rushed off so suddenly before. I didn't want to you think I was freaked out, because I wasn't. I really wasn't. I just needed some time is all."

Lucius cupped her chin in his hands, ensuring she was looking directly at him: "I understand. And I didn't think you rushed off."

"I'm glad you told me. That you trust me enough…" Lucinda said, and he let his hand stroke through the fine strands of hair near her face.

"I do trust you enough. However I have not given you enough reason to trust me, of that I am aware. And I apologise."

For a moment, he noticed her eyes widen and she looked somewhat shocked that he had apologised to her in such a sincere way. He was sincere though, which didn't happen very often.

"Well…apology accepted. I missed you."

He couldn't help but feel smug at that. Not that he hadn't missed her presence, of course. But hearing her say it made him have an odd warm feeling in the pit of his stomach. He kissed her hard, his hands trailing across her shoulders and down her back.

"I hope that fulfils my side of that statement Miss. Lovegood?" He smirked at the smile on her face.

"I hate it when you call me that" She said sternly, but she was smiling as she said it, "But yes, Mr. Malfoy, that does tell me all I need to know."

All of a sudden, he was entirely impatient. He pulled her against him, moving her jacket from her shoulders. He wasn't sure how they managed to get upstairs, but they were minus several articles of clothing from the process. He watched as she undid the button on her black trousers, slipping them down her legs until she was standing in only her underwear; a particularly fetching pale green silk. Clearing his throat, his cock pressing uncomfortably against the fly of his own trousers, he took her hand. She lay down and he moved over her, now naked. It wasn't usual he let her have any clothing on for so long. He noted her eyes flit down over his chest and settle on the swaying form of his now aching erection.

"Is something distracting you?"

"No no…what could possibly be distracting me Lucius?" She said, eyebrow raised. The tips of her fingers danced over it and he had to stop himself from grabbing her wrist to keep them there.

"I have no absolutely no clue…" He murmured, kissing the inside of her thigh.

She sat up abruptly, reaching behind her and removing the later of fabric hiding her breasts from him. She reached her arms around his neck, pulling him over her again as she lay back on the bed.

"I'm sure I would not mind were I distracted. I love it when you distract me Lucius."

"Well then. I better ensure I do a good job hadn't I?" He answered, finally slipping her knickers off.

"Mmm" Was her only answer, her eyes closed and a smile evident on her face as he lowered his mouth to her breast.

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Lucinda kept her eyes closed, enjoying the sensation of her nipple being gently pulled and sucked into his mouth. His hands grazed up her form, skimming over her waist and then down her arms, leaving fiery heat in their wake. She realised now just how much she had craved his touch when he was not there with her. When he touched her, it was all that mattered.

Cold air rushed over her breasts as he broke the contact, her eyes remaining closed until she felt hands running through her hair. She had decided to curl it before she had returned to the manor, and his fingers twisted smoothly through the strands.

"This is quite the look my darling. It suits you very much." She heard him whisper next to her ear, his voice seeming to vibrate through her entire body.

Opening her eyes for the first time in several minutes, she smiled up at him supporting himself over her. His own hair was hanging down at either side of her, creating an almost curtain-like covering between them.

"I am glad you like it. I shall do it more often for you…" Lucinda said idly, her hand busy gently pumping his length and her lips reaching his once again.

There wasn't any more talking for some time. Their lips remained joined, barely a breath taken between them. Lucinda let her arms loll over her head, stretching her limbs seductively, relishing the feel of his lean body against hers. His lips trailed down her neck and over her collarbone, one hand reaching under her thigh and cupping the underside of her arse, lifting her leg around his hip.

He was inside her swiftly and she gasped at the sudden movement. She was not at all surprised to see him give her a satisfied smirk when she made eye contact with him. She kept one leg tight around his lower back as he slowly rocked his body against her. A low moan left her mouth automatically at the feel of his cock rubbing inside her core.

His slow gentle movement didn't last long. He grabbed her hips hard, his tongue fighting against hers as they kissed, and plunged into her once more. Lucinda's fingers gripped the sheets hard as she was moved across the bed, her back arching as his own fingers pressed yet more insistently against her skin.

"Did you miss this?" She whispered seductively, allowing him to move her partially off the bed, his thrusts blinding her in their intensity.

"It is not just this that I missed my dear." He replied sincerely, his words coming in between pants of breath.

Lucinda felt her already warm body glow even more with his statement. Her body was on edge, her skin prickling with every touch of his hands against her, her muscles fluttering wildly with every thrust. She grazed her hands across his broad shoulders, feeling the smooth skin and raised scar beneath her fingertips. He took her hands as she moved them down the top of his arm, pinning them above her head in one movement.

Lowering himself to her, his nose was touching hers and she moved her hips in a feeble attempt to encourage him to continue.

"Did you miss this?" He asked her.

"It's not just this I missed Lucius." She replied, her lips against his, still unable to move her arms.

She just caught a glimpse of a smile cross his face before his mouth connected with hers again and her mind clouded. He brought her to the edge quickly, his hands eventually leaving her wrists and running through her hair gently. His hard length was filling her so perfectly that she couldn't stop herself. Her breath hitched, the muscles in her limbs clenching in anticipation.

His fingers caressed her waist lightly as they lay sprawled atop the covers, their chests rising and falling rapidly still. She turned on her side, her hair half covering her face.

"You seem to become more striking each time I see you my dear," Lucius stated, before lowering his voice and adding, "Particularly after I've fucked you. Your lips are swollen," And one finger traced a line across her cupids bow, "Your skin is flushed so beautifully…"

"And my hair looks like I've been hit with a rather nasty electrifying charm." Lucinda countered sarcastically, trying to get over her uncomfortableness at being complemented.

"I think it looks rather sexy actually." He smirked widely, easing her back down to lie on her back. She wrapped her legs casually around his lower back.

"Really?" She mused, eyebrow raised, "Well, you know…" She let her finger draw circles idly on his chest, "The more we do it, the bigger it will get."

"Obviously." He said, clearly amused with his own joke.

"I mean my hair, obviously." Lucinda replied, but her hand was already stroking his length, which was in fact bigger than it had been a few moments before.

It was dark outside when Lucinda rolled over to check the time on the small antique clock by the bedside. It was after eight. She stretched languidly, a chill taking her, her nipples standing to attention and goose bumps spreading across her arms. She felt a warmth intervene momentarily as Lucius leant across her, his arms around her and his mouth seeking out her flesh.

A contented sigh left her as his hand reached between her legs, which she opened willingly for him. His index finger circled her clit before moving downward, circling again before entering his agonizingly slowly, his knuckle rubbing perfectly along her.

His tongue swirled insistently against the very tip of her nipple, his thumb massaging the throbbing bud as his finger worked her harder, pumping faster with each stroke. She grabbed his hair roughly as she felt one finger enter her tightest passage, the other continuing its never ending movement. Her back arched and her body moved erratically against him, his mouth now devouring the delicate skin under her breasts.

And then she was coming, her body poised and stiff. A raw groan released from her mouth and from somewhere that seemed like far away, she heard him chuckle under his breath as his hands slowly relinquished their intimate touch, instead rubbing soothingly across her stomach and thighs.

Lucinda turned to him: "I fucking love you." She laughed breathlessly, relaxing yet further when she saw him join in.

"And I love you my dear."

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It was the first time he had said those words aloud in so long they felt almost alien as they rolled off his tongue. And yet comfortable at the same time, he had no hesitation in saying it as he looked at her, lying in their bed and smiling up at him.

"I love you." She said again, one small hand cupping his cheek as she kissed him.

"I love you." He replied, the words feeling oddly freeing.

She leant into him slowly, until the small tip of her nose was touching his, and he heard her whisper: "I should bloody well hope so too!"

"Should you now." He retorted, running her hair through his fingers. It gleamed in the low light cast by the fire in the hearth. He let his eyes devour her momentarily as he waited for her to reply; the milky expanse of her legs and her stomach and up to the equally pale curve of her breasts, the now bright pink of her nipples standing out as much as the small gathering of curls at the apex of her thighs.

"Mmmhmm. Anyway, if you've quite finished gawping at me, Mr. Malfoy…" She laughed, rising from the bed and walking around it as if she were searching for something.

He followed immediately, grabbing her roughly around the waist and twisting her around to face him, his body flush to hers. She released a sharp breath but didn't say anything.

"Excuse me, I do not gawp Miss. Lovegood. I was merely appreciating your form, appreciating what is mine." He let his the tip of his tongue taste the skin of her neck before biting down, making her release a yelp somewhere in between pain and pleasure.

"Why does everything with you have to be about 'owning' things?"

"It does not. However you are so exquisitely delightful my darling I would rather I kept you in my sights at all times." He replied, temporarily losing himself in kissing across the myriad of freckles at her shoulder.

"Why? Don't you trust me Lucius?" Lucinda asked sternly enough but he could sense the teasing tone.

"I trust you. I would hope I have given you no reason to doubt that I do."

"Well exactly, you haven't. And I trust you. Despite the fact you have an ex-wife you still see. Now that…is trust!" She finished, wrapping her arms around his neck. He couldn't help but smile, still against her neck, as he felt her stand up on her tiptoes to reach him.

"Is it?" Lucius exclaimed, picking her up in one quick move. She wrapped her legs around his waist in response and he held her there easily. She was light as a feather to him.

"Well yes. I mean, I know you have to see each other sometimes because of Draco, but that doesn't mean I don't worry about it."

"I am confused my dear. As I have said, I carry no feelings towards Narcissa, good or bad. And I would certainly never think of engaging in any sort of…carnal business with her…" The thought filled him with horror now, he admitted to himself.

"Carnal business…so is that what you call what we've been up to eh!" She laughed, and he threw her on the bed playfully, his weight over her in seconds.

"Oh I don't think so…this is something far more pleasurable."

It was only when the pervading darkness started to make them both drowsy did they make a move from the bedroom. He had just emerged from the bathroom to see Lucinda, wardrobe doors flung open, flicking through some clothes she had hung in there.

"Ah here it is. This'll do." He heard her say as he neared her. She was holding a pale blue dress with a tie at the neck.

"Why don't I make us some dinner. After all, it seems as though you have worked hard enough for one evening."

Once she had finished pulling the dress over her head, she turned to him, apparently shocked at his offer.

"You cook dinner? I'm not trying to be funny but do you know how to cook Lucius?"

"Yes I do as a matter of fact. I am sure I can remember cooking a meal only about a year or so ago…" He cleared his throat uncomfortably. Perhaps it had been longer than that come to think of it.

"A year…or so. And what did you cook might I ask?"

"I can't recall that now. It is no matter. I am sure I can think of something you will like."

"Well if you're sure you don't mind." Lucinda replied, and Lucius was somewhat annoyed to see she was clearly trying very hard not to laugh, "I am willing to try whatever it is you conjure up Lucius." She smiled widely as she passed by him, reaching the door and heading out into the corridor.

He had barely watched her reach the bottom step when there was a very distinct knock on the door. A formal sort of knock that made Lucius suddenly snap back into the reality of the situation as it stood.

Lucinda turned to him, a look on her face that did nothing to reassure him. He knew she was thinking the exact same thing he now was. Quickening his pace, he made light work of the remaining stairs and stood in front of the door. He could sense her behind him, staring directly at it.

"Mr. Malfoy?" The heavily bearded wizard on the other side of the door questioned as he came into view. Lucius didn't know why he was asking; every witch and wizard seemed to know who he was even all these years after the War.

"Yes." He responded shortly. He knew what the man was going to say and so he didn't bother furthering his answer.

"Mr. Malfoy, I am here, on behalf of the Ministry of Magic and the Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, to enact orders to arrest you for questioning in relation to an attack at the Ministry Headquarters on September 12th. You are to come with us immediately." The man finished, as two other wizards, who Lucius assumed were aurors, came into view.

Lucius did not say anything. He turned to Lucinda, who looked to him in shock, her eyes never leaving his.

Nothing is ever easy for these two it seems is it! I will try and get another chapter up soon! In the meantime, please so favourite etc. and review if you would like, I do appreciate them!