My continued appreciation my faithful readers for your lovely comment etc. My continued apologies for those annoying little errors that someone always spots, be they a typo, a slip of the finger or something more glaring.
So Lucius has agreed what now...
Hermione exchanged a fleeting glance with Kingsley Shacklebolt, ever mindful of the fact the Lucius' silver eyes were watching her intently. Delighted and somewhat relieved as she was at his acceptance, she was still more than a little surprised at his willingness to talk to her, she couldn't help but wonder what the Minister of Magic had offered in return.
"Miss Granger."
Hermione didn't fail to notice the almost business-like tone that Lucius had adopted as he spoke her name or the hardening lines of his face.
"You mentioned that since taking up your position here at the Ministry, you had been dividing you time between Azkaban and St Mungo's. I doubt you travelled back and forth to the Prison each day, can I therefore assume that your speaking to me, will necessitate you staying at the Manor?"
Hermione sensed the effort and control in Lucius voice as he spoke of Azkaban and felt for him, reassuring herself that she was trying to help him, this was all very much a front. Professional as she tried to remain, especially here, she also felt that familiar little ball of heat start to roll through her body. It had of course been her intention to spend time at the Manor, although she hadn't in all honestly considered staying at the house, it did however seem the sensible option. Hearing Lucius say it out loud and in front of the Minster seemed to put it in a very different context and the heat continued its rampage.
Now she not only had Lucius Malfoy's penetrative slate grey eyes fixed upon her, but the rather concerned dark brown of the Minister of Magic. Despite the warmth flowing through her body, Hermione tried to keep cool, putting the onus very much on Lucius, and hopefully giving the illusion that this was not a concern at all.
"Well Mister Malfoy, it would certainly be the most beneficial and time effective way for us to meet and speak. But only of course, if it is convenient."
At the moment, Hermione was more worried about Kingsley Shacklebolt's reaction to this latest development, something told the young witch, despite their last encounter, Lucius Malfoy would have no issues with her staying at Malfoy Manor.
"I agree Miss Granger, and it is more than convenient for me. However, I sense that perhaps Kingsley has some reservations about you staying at my home."
Hermione couldn't hide her surprise at Lucius' words, that he too had sensed Kingsley Shacklebolt's unease, she glanced anxiously at the Minister, hoping that her plan was not going to be scuppered at the last hurdle and by something so trivial. The Minister's eyes travelled thoughtfully between the two of them before he finally spoke once more.
"Lucius you are quite right; I am a little apprehensive about this. It would be remiss of me not to show a little concern, however, as I said to Hermione only the other day, I cannot fear for a young woman, who has done the things that she has."
Hermione got the distinct impression his words were issued more as a warning to the dark wizard than anything else.
"I am also more than well aware of how things have changed. As I said before, I like to think of myself as a forward thinking man, taking all of this into account and in the spirit of reconciliation, I am willing to give my consent for this to go ahead in this way."
Lucius liked the Minister's use of the word reconciliation, it gave him more hope as to his future, not to mention Draco's, with the Ministry. A little more reassurance could not hurt the situation.
"Kingsley, I can promise you that Draco and I will ensure that Miss Granger is well looked after at the Manor. You are of course more than welcome to come by at any time, if you have any concerns whatsoever."
Hermione began to feel her presence in the room was surplice to requirements, the two men discussing her as if she wasn't there.
"Gentlemen." She cast a bright smile at both of the wizards, curtailing their conversation. Directing her words firstly to the former Death Eater and then to her boss.
"Mister Malfoy, I have no doubt that your hospitality will be second to none and your manners will be as exemplary as they have been at our previous meetings." Her words addressed to Lucius causing a very slightly raised brow and a glimmer of rather sad reflection.
"Kingsley, thank you for your concern, as always you know exactly where I am, so if you are worried in any way or need to contact me, please feel free to do so." Any concern reflected in the Minister's face was replaced by shrewd acceptance.
She bit back a smile, her words leaving both men in no doubt she was very much in control and had no worries as to what lie ahead. She wished she felt half way near as confident as she sounded. Both wizards however had the good grace to look just a little sheepish.
Hermione was keen to pin Lucius Malfoy down, the thought sending an unexpected jolt of pleasure through her body, causing her to flush. Whilst the sudden reddening of her cheeks might have gone unnoticed by the Minister of Magic, from the rather curious light that flickered in Lucius' eyes he hadn't missed it.
"Mister Malfoy, perhaps we could discuss at date?" Oh crap, of all the phrases to use, she rushed on quickly, but didn't miss how his eyes changed to that fascinating silver blue colour, his nostrils flaring ever so slightly.
"That would be convenient." Her mouth going very dry under his unrelenting scrutiny.
"I think Miss Granger, you would prefer we did this sooner rather than later, and I would be inclined to agree, before I have any second thoughts."
"Would you have any objections to my travelling back to Wiltshire with you today?"
Hermione decided to strike whilst the iron was hot, the last thing she wanted was Lucius having any second thoughts. She watched his reaction carefully, it appeared they were back to a little cat and mouse once more, Lucius Malfoy very much that sleek panther waiting to pounce, but giving little away, but showing no surprise at her request.
"If the Minister is happy for you to do so, then I have no objections. Kingsley?"
The Minister of Magic once more cast his gaze between the two former enemies. Hermione as capable and professional as ever, the dark wizard impassive and unreadable. He couldn't say happy was the word he would use, but he knew Hermione's determination and he knew Malfoy's keenness to once more be back in the Ministry's good books. It wasn't an ideal situation but he couldn't say no.
On her first visit to her office, Hermione had stashed what she called a "go bag" in one of her desk drawers. A very small bag, with an extension charm, it housed everything she needed, should she be required to go somewhere in a hurry without having to go home and pack, in view of what had happened in the past, and the job she was now doing it might prove useful. Today it proved very useful; her equilibrium was already unbalanced, without having to endure the unnerving presence of Lucius Malfoy in her small flat, waiting for her to pack. A rather smug smile had tugged at her lips when she had told him she had no need to go home, she was all ready to leave when he was.
They apparated back to the Manor and for the second time in a few days, Hermione found herself once more in front of those daunting wrought iron gates, this time at the side of the master of the house. The gates immediately swung open, as did the ancient, well-worn oak of the front door as they approached, almost bowing to his arrival, his presence of course transcending all of the substantial wards with lightning speed.
Lucius hadn't spoken to her since they had left the Ministry; there had been no mention of the weekend they had shared, there had been no allusion of their encounter the weekend just gone by, and there had been no discussion about the meeting with Kingsley Shacklebolt. As they stood in the vast entrance hall of the Manor, Hermione realised it was also the first time they had been alone since that Sunday morning at the hotel, well whilst they were both awake that was, and she felt more than a little self-conscious, it seemed such a long time ago and yet it was little over a week.
So much had happened in those intervening days. Just eight days since she had been in this man's bed. Just eight days since she had savoured the potent taste of him. Just eight days since she had enjoyed his glorious hard body. Just eight days since she had revelled in the sheer masculine power of this man. As one day moved into two days, three into four she had begun to wonder if she had imagined it all. But as the sixth day had turned into the seventh and she had found herself in Lucius' bedroom here at the Manor, his strong arms tightly wrapped around her, the almost indiscernible remnants of his cologne drifting into her senses, it all became very real once more.
Hermione looked at the man standing before her, every inch the Lord of the Manor, his sheer presence dominating the space, which seemed to shrivel around him. He was close enough that she could see the gentle rise and fall of his chest with his even breathing, but not close enough that she could feel his warm breath against her own skin, Hermione shivered just a little bit. He looked exactly like the man she had met in Flourish and Blotts all those years ago. Dressed from head to toe in exquisite black and darkest purple tailoring. The heavy fabric of his travelling cloak was trimmed with fur, almost to the ground, it was adorned with two swirling snakes, their bejewelled eyes matching those of the cane he clasped firmly in his hands, gloved in soft leather. His silky blonde hair hung loosely about his shoulders, almost totally unruffled by their recent apparition, it took every inch of willpower Hermione possessed not to reach out and stroke the one small strand which had fallen out of place.
Just eight days ago, she might have been in this man's bed, she might have tasted his flesh, enjoyed his hard aroused body, but Lucius had sent her away, he had made it perfectly clear that it wouldn't happen again. She would of course respect his wishes, even if she could see a certain amount of regret mirrored in his sad eyes. She would not push him in any way, even if she got the feeling it would be relatively easy to do. She reminded herself that, as far as Lucius was concerned, this was work, she was doing her job, and as such, she would treat him with the full respect her job decreed. All the while giving nothing else away as to why she was really here.
Hermione suddenly found herself drowning in those beautiful silver grey eyes that watched her so intently, searching the harsh lines of his face, her big brown eyes drifted slowly to his beautiful but cruel mouth, how it had felt against her own…... Ginny and the little devil fought with politeness and professionalism and Hermione reminded herself sharply and silently that she was here to help, for all intense and purposes, on Ministry business. But still the ball of heat burned low in her belly and that little frisson of fear danced mercilessly along her spine, reminding her that this was Lucius Malfoy. She reminded the little frisson of fear that…... "Fear of a name, only increases fear of the thing itself."
Hmm it seemed to work a lot better when she was 12.