Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you all enjoy this next chapter! This one and the next were some of the most fun to write once I got started on them! Huge thanks to my wonderful friends and Betas LadyWinterlight and AerisAimaraCiren who helped cut through the rambling that was totally in this chapter! They are both wonderful and super helpful and this story would not be the same without them!
Please enjoy and keep the comments and Kudos coming! They really do keep me motivated in writing and I am excited to start writing the next few chapters for you all!
Chapter 51
As a given, Severus knew Lucius that hated to be woken before 10 A.M normally. He fancied himself a bit of a night owl, but he needed a good eight hours of sleep to keep himself looking this good. At least that was what Severus used to mock him about. Anything less than his normal eight hours and even Lucius could admit he could be worse than an offended Hippogriff. That thought and just how royally his younger brother had pissed of that apparently twice damned creature, Buckbeak, while at Hogwarts had his mood slightly mollified. He was still a bit peeved that the lion patronus that had stalked into the room and woken him up.
He shook his head again, as if shaking the cobwebs out of his brain and the sleep out his mind that very much wanted to still be dreaming. Then he realized what the lion had said. Severus had mentioned that Hermione needed him in her suite. From what he had understood, Severus was going to attempt to have a bit of private time with their witch this morning. So Severus calling for him to step in had Lucius more than a bit worried. Was Hermione ok? Was Sev ok?
Heaven help that idiot Potter if he had done something to either the wizard or witch that Lucius held so dear. He had opened his house and his brother's suite of rooms to the wizard. He had even bared his soul about his younger brother and given the raven haired man an inkling into what his life had been like prior to the defeat of Riddle. It was all because the young man was the closest thing that his witch had to family. She would have instigated him into their lives and thus him sharing that information with Potter had been a sign of trust from Lucius and Hermione had already shown him last night just how much she appreciated it.
It didn't hurt that just a short while later last night Severus had provided him with even more comfort. Lucius had gotten the best of both worlds from each of his lovers last night and he had just been having the most delightful dream reliving last night when he had been so rudely awoken. Hopefully he could add to those dreams later today with more wonderfully erotic adventures with Severus and Hermione. However, for now he needed to see what was the matter with their witch and why possibly Severus.
He rose and grabbed his wand from its holder on the bedside table. He waved it in the direction of the closet and a silken bathrobe flew into his hand. It was a stunning deep and dark shade of emerald green. He hoped Hermione appreciated it as much as Severus did. His lover had always loved to see him lounging, on the rare morning they could, with it loosely tied and showing of his sculpted chest. Severus had always ended up jumping him when he chose this robe. His darker lover always muttering something about, "how it should be illegal to look that good in green and silk."
Now that they had the time and Lucius had the inclination as he wrapped himself in the robe, he was thinking about how to get more of the fabric so that he could wrap himself up like a present in it for his two lovers. He was quite sure that Severus would just love to unwrap a large silky green bow off of his cock. He had to think Hermione would find it slightly humorous. At least he hoped so. Still that was for another time.
Lucius hoped nothing was so wrong in Hermione's suite that he couldn't order coffee while there. He had a feeling that given the limited sleep he was on and whatever issue was happening, he was going to need caffeine and most likely lots off it.
As he approached the double doors to Hermione's suite, he heard sniffling from inside. It took all of the self control he had not to continue walking past those doors and straight to the rooms Harry Potter was staying in. Lucius was sure beyond a doubt that if Severus had caused their witch to cry, he wouldn't have called for Lu. He would have gone about rectifying the situation himself. He was a grown wizard and Lucius was not going to be sweeping in with pretty words when Severus stuck his foot in it. He was sure Sev knew that as well. That left only one reason why Hermione was crying and it did not bode well for the supposed Savior of the Wizarding World.
Still, he was sure if Severus called for him to help with Hermione then the darker wizard was probably talking to the younger man about what he had done to cause their good witch to cry. Lucius hoped he was using some measure of force. Severus was more gentle than he was when it came to these things and frequently he used words rather than his wand. Lucius supposed when dealing with a hot head like Potter that was probably for the best. Still just hearing the snuffles of their witch behind her doors made Lucius want to exact justice for whatever wrongs had been committed against her.
Lucius took a deep and - he hoped - steadying breath before he knocked on the door to Hermione's suite. He didn't feel much calmer or much steadier as he gently knocked but he hoped that he at least looked that way to Hermione. He heard the soft and sniffled, "Enter." Then before he could even turn the knob to open the door, it creaked open to reveal a worried looking Spiffy. She was wringing her hands and looking a fright. This told Lucius that whatever had happened did not bode well for the future health of one Harry Potter. Lucius would wait until Severus joined him to help hide the body.
He walked into the beautifully outfitted suite of rooms to find Hermione curled in the middle of the large bed with the beautiful lavender sheets he had designed and ordered just for her. To see her in the fetal position sniffling over something that had happened broke Lu's heart. He crossed the room in just a few steps and was next to the bed in a heartbeat. He climbed up beside her.
Lucius immediately pulled Hermione into his hopefully soothing embrace. He was not expecting Hermione to cry even harder when she felt his touch, not prepared to deal with a witch shaking and shuddering in this way. He doubted Severus would be handling this any better, but still crying witches were not his thing.
He started rubbing Hermione's back in what he hoped were soothing circles, making soothing sounds he could remember hearing from his darling mother when he had fallen and scraped his knee. That was truly all he had to go on as to how to comfort someone who was crying, and thankfully it seemed to be working. Hermione was no longer gasping for air in between sobs and the wet spot on his robe did not seem to be growing any longer. He wasn't about to stop what was clearly helping her calm down, but Lucius dearly wanted to know what had gotten her into this state.
Thankfully Hermione, ever the bright and resourceful witch, just started pouring out her feelings to his chest once she was calm enough. It was a little muffled because she refused to pull away from the comfort she found in his arms, but Lucius could still hear her.
"Oh Lu. It shouldn't hurt me as much as it did. It really shouldn't. I know his temper. His mother was a damn redhead, for Merlin's sake. But still, I have been next to him and fought by his side and with him for years. I bled for him Lu!"
"Shh, darling I know you did. He knows you did. Despite Rita Skeeter's best efforts, most of the Wizarding World knows you fought with Harry. That you are a bastion of the light. Hermione, no one can doubt that and you are allowed to be as hurt as you want for whatever reason. You are allowed to feel. You can stop and let yourself feel. As much as it pains you Hermione, you should feel. You have been stifling your emotions for too long, my sweet Kitten. I hate hearing you cry but if you need to cry you can do it on me anytime….and then hopefully let me know who I should repay whatever pain they have provided you. I will gladly make them repay it ten-fold. Even if it is your family," Lucius whispered to her quietly.
She chuckled darkly at that last bit that Lucius had almost menacingly whispered, laughing as if she believed he was joking but knowing in her heart of hearts that Lu was entirely serious. He may not have ever been a willing Death Eater but that did not mean that Lucius Malfoy was not a dangerous or dark wizard. He was especially those things when it came to people he loved, he cared about or considered family.
She knew with just how dark Lucius' voice had gotten that she was going to heed Sev's advice and wait until he joined them to tell Lu the details of what had gotten her so upset. She wanted to keep pouring her heart out to him and wanted to keep being open and honest with both of her wizards; however, she also wanted to keep Lucius out of Azkaban, and telling him that Harry had tried to hit her would not be conducive to that.
So instead of continuing to talk about Harry and the latest wrongs he had perpetrated on her, she snuggled closer to Lu and his gloriously bare chest. She knew he wouldn't let her off that easily, but she was still going to try.
He chuckled as she clearly tried to burrow into his chest and avoid the threat he had just laid out, but Lucius was not going to let her avoid the situation that had caused her so much upset. He knew she was probably trying to avoid it until Severus joined them to keep him from inflicting injury to Potter. Lucius had a terrible feeling though that Severus was giving Potter more of a mental beating than a physical one. While the mental beating would make that idiot think, it wouldn't make him hurt like he had hurt their witch.
Lucius was about to continue pestering Hermione about what Harry had done to make her so upset. He was likely on the verge of causing a major row between himself and Hermione within 48 hours of discovering and accepting their bond. She was stubborn to a fault, he had heard; it was one of the reasons he was sure that she had been placed in Gryffindor. He also would have trouble focusing on the argument when she was so glorious in her anger. He had seen it before from afar and he doubted that would be able to stop himself from goading her further into her anger just to see how much more beautiful she could be in all of her righteous indignation.
He was lucky as he opened his mouth to poke the proverbial sleeping bear that was the simmering anger underneath Hermione's currently adorable exterior that Severus swept into the room. Lucius looked up and met the dark, angry eyes of their third and he hoped that Sev would let him exact revenge. However, when Severus entered the room and Hermione lifted her head up those dark angry eyes melted into pools of liquid comfort. It made Lucius want to dive into them, and he wasn't even the one who was upset.
Lu practically growled at Sev as he shucked the black silk dressing gown he had been wearing and climbed into the bed, wrapping himself around Hermione's backside. Severus used his long arms to pull Lu down into the embrace he enveloped Hermione in. This was not Lu wanted, he wanted to go get revenge on Potter. He wanted to exact vengeance for Hermione's pain. Feeling Sev's arm tightening around them both let Lucius know vengeance was not about to be his. However when he finally relented and allowed himself to be pulled into the group embrace, Lucius swore he had never felt something more right in his life.
Being wrapped up in the tight comfort with Severus and Hermione was like being home for the first time in his life. He had never felt something more right, ever. Of that Lucius was very sure. It was so calming, it almost made Lucius why the three of them were coming together for the first time like this. The key word being almost.
His anger, instead of being full blown and untameable towards Potter, was now smoldering and simmering like dying embers. It wasn't dead, though, and his two lovers who were, judging by the relaxed looks on their faces, appreciating the closeness just as much as he was still had some explaining to do. Still, Lucius supposed the explanation could wait just a bit longer. He snuggled down into the embrace Severus had silently started.
Hermione, too, was reveling in the feeling of warmth and comfort that came from being surrounded by her two wizards. Severus joining them and calming Lu down was in turn calming Hermione down and making her feel - not better about what had just transpired with Harry, but at least more centered and balanced.
She had hated the fact that Harry lashing out at her had sent her emotions off the rails like that. Hermione knew it was because she had never really had a chance to release her emotions before the war or while they were on the run. Anything truly bad or good she, simply buried the sadness, joy or any emotion that had gone with that event and moved on. Now that the danger of the war was over and these two brave wizards were allowing her to truly be herself, well, it had opened the floodgates.
They had allowed her to get angry at Harry and at the War. They had allowed her to be a sexual being and to truly experience real physical and emotional pleasure. It had been eye opening and soul baring, and while Hermione hated the fact that what Harry had done had upset her so, it was nice to finally feel again. So while her emotions were as out of control as a runaway therestal right now, it was nice to actually feel something besides tired, worried about keeping Harry alive and worried about everyone else but herself.
These two wizards surrounding her were going to help heal the hurt that had been caused by Harry. Harry's apology, which she was sure was forthcoming, would be a bit of balm to her hurt feelings but it wasn't going to be enough. Normally it wasn't enough, because his apologies normally consisted of nothing more than puppy dog eyes and a muttered, "Sorry 'Mione." Harry might not have had the emotional range of a teaspoon like Ron did, but he was not much better.
She may love her brother, but he did happen to be one of the most self-absorbed individuals she had ever come across. It could be blamed partially on his Aunt and Uncle, who had robbed Harry of a carefree childhood. Hermione, however, mostly placed blame on Albus Dumbledore and Ron Weasley, who put in Harry's mind that he was above everyone else. Harry didn't even realize how self absorbed he was sometimes; when it was pointed out he was immediately apologetic and horrified at his behavior. Being the so-called savior of the wizarding world didn't really help his perspective on the importance of other people. Hermione couldn't count how many times Harry had taken advantage of or simply assumed that Hermione would follow him or pick up the pieces after he left them in ruins.
Hermione wiggled a bit to roll over and look at Sev. She knew he wouldn't tell her exactly what he had said or done to Harry if he didn't have too. Frankly, Hermione didn't really want to know. As long as he hadn't maimed Harry or permanently damage him, Hermione was pretty sure she was fine with it. Still, she need to look at Sev and just make sure Harry was ok. He may have hurt her, but one incident didn't wipe away everything they had been through. Especially when he had been so accepting of her triad bond just the night before.
She was able to twist around without breaking their embrace. Lu certainly appreciated the way the little witch had wiggled around; it had her curvy little body moving in just the right way against him and led to her perfect, heart shaped bum pressed up against him. It was just another way that helped calmed the anger that had been simmering in Lu's chest.
When she had finally managed to turn towards Severus, Hermione turned her whiskey eyes up at him and Sev once again wanted to fix the world for her. He saw the hint of hurt that lingered and wanted to run back into Potter's suite to thrash him physically rather than the verbal beating he had just given. However, the watery smile she graced him with had Severus wanting to stay there to hold and comfort Hermione. She let out a little sigh and rested her head under Sev's chin.
She finally felt calm enough to talk and hoped that Severus could keep Lucius from running into Harry's current suite and killing him. Hermione didn't doubt that even with her and Sev talking him down from killing Harry or harming him that Lucius wouldn't still find a way to get her friend alone at some point and put the fear of his wand and wrath into him. She probably wouldn't stop that, one hex wouldn't hurt Harr as long as it was nothing permanent or too painful. She also had a niggle of fear that if Harry could lash out at her, he could very likely push even the normally unflappable Severus to do something drastic. She doubted that very highly, but there was always a chance. Harry did sometimes have the tendency to bring out the worst in people.
She snuggled a bit closer to Severus and he took the hint; feeling the soothing rumble of him talking while laying right against his chest was even more calming to her frazzled self. He thankfully started with the information he had assumed she would want to hear before any ruckus was dusted up.
"Well, I got Potter to agree to take the potions that are necessary for him to be able to sleep through the night. Hopefully without the night terrors. He was, of course, stubborn, but I talked some sense into him. He also will be giving you a heartfelt apology. You may have accepted those mumbled excuses for apologies before, sweetling, but I will not accept that from Potter on your behalf. He needs to know why he is sorry and needs to be truly remorseful. He is, in my opinion, both of those things but still he is going to have to prove it. I will not have him hurting you like that again, especially when he knew what he was doing on some level. I didn't physically touch Harry, my darling, but I did give him a much needed reality check. He has a long way to go but he at least listened to me. That was more than I could get from him in the six years I was his Professor. Small victories I suppose. Still, my darling Hermione, you should be hearing a proper apology from Harry soon and probably for the first time ever." Severus spoke firmly but quickly so as not to be interrupted.
For once, he wasn't worried about Hermione interrupting him but instead Lucius and his quick temper when it came to their witch. He could already feel the blonde getting riled up again and Severus dreaded telling him what had happened in Harry's suite. He was sure even if he and Hermione were able to stop him from going and eviscerating Potter, Severus was doubted he would be able to stop Lucius from putting the fear of Merlin into the boy. He had seen his blonde partner truly angry and threatening only a few times in their lives, but every time, Lu had been more frightening than Albus or Riddle could even dream of being. The mixture of the aristocratic haughtiness and suppressed rage were a heady and frightening combination. Potter, Severus was sure, had never seen anything like it and was in for another fright.
"Why, pray tell Severus, would our wonderful guest have to be apologizing to our witch?" Lucius said in as close to a purr as a human could get. It was dangerous and alluring at the same time. Severus had to smirk as that purr mad the little witch in between them shudder in arousal despite the situation. He had to admit that dangerous sound from Lu had given him the exact same reaction more than once. Severus would have even pounced on her sudden arousal if it weren't for the fact that currently he was going to have to tap dance through the minefield that was an angry Lucius.
"Well Lu, our guest decided to not take the potions that I had offered him last night. He also made sure that Perdita did not come to seek help for him and thus did not sleep most of the night. When he finally did rest, according to Perdita, he had horrible night terrors which caused him to scream bloody damn murder and thrash about the bed. He fell off and nearly gave himself a concussion. Perdita came to find Hermione and myself once that had happened. She was truly worried that Potter might have hurt his head, and was always worried because she was breaking her word to the person we had assigned her to. I told her not to punish herself in the slightest and that she had done the right thing by coming to fetch us." Severus was nearly clinical while he was describing what had happened what felt like days ago to Hermione. It truly felt like hours upon hours but in actuality was maybe no more than half an hour.
"What do you mean he didn't take the potions you offered? Kitten, does he suffer these night terrors often? Did he treat them while you were on the run? How dare he make Perdita choose between her loyalty between her family and their guest. It must have torn her apart having to come to you after Potter made her swear that." Lucius looked and sounded absolutely thunderous.
Hermione had to pipe up at this point as she knew part of the slight tirade that Lu had just started was directed at her. She was sure that Severus could guess the answers correctly to whatever was directed at her but if she had a chance to save Harry's skin and calm Lu down, she would do it. Even if her brother could be an absolute prat.
"Lu, I know he was rude in denying the hospitality that Severus offered and I will not defend some of what Harry did, but on the point of potions: he still is trying to seperate Sev from the Professor who made his life so hard, in his opinion, for so long. Poppy also only gave him Dreamless Sleep and he could feel himself getting addicted to it. He hasn't ever truly cared about reading up on other kinds of potions. He doesn't absorb information like I do and he didn't grow up around Wizards. In fact, the only time he has really spent in a true wizards' household was the Burrow, and even I can admit that isn't a shining example of how all wizarding households run. That could have been why he chose not take the help Severus offered. Harry only treated the nightmares while on the run by putting up silencing spells and trying to pretend like they didn't happen. I have seen his night terrors and it doesn't surprise me that he was thrashing and fell off the bed.
"I have to wonder if he thought they were going to stop because Voldemort has been finally eradicated? Why Harry would have thought that the final battle wouldn't have left him with just as horrible memories, I don't know. I am sure you both have had night terrors before, Merlin knows I have, and Harry knows it. He doesn't see them as something that can be treated, he sees them as weakness. I have tried to dissuade him, but I am sure Severus can attest that when he gets some of these silly notions in his head he can be nearly impossible to convince otherwise." Hermione let loose a heavy sigh; she had to admit she was extremely frustrated about how stubborn Harry could be about the most menial things.
"As for him asking Perdita not to find us, Lu, well that I can only guess... I can only assume that he was trying to be polite and not to disturb us. However, he should have learned his lesson with Kreacher. He knows better. Not every elf is like Dobby, and he knows it. I can only imagine it is because Harry is so stubborn that he asked that of her. Still it was wrong, especially given how he knows how I feel about house elves. He knew he was basically going to force Perdita to punish herself. Even if Severus asked her not to, we all know she probably did something because while she is your house elf, she is supposed to be serving Harry. He is so thoughtless that he most likely never told not to punish herself and she disobeyed him. Gah! More than anything, Lu, that pisses me off! He knows how I feel about their servitude! I know you two take care of them, that much is obvious and you have already assured me that they are paid. But any wizard or witch who has interacted with elves before knows that it is in their nature to punish themselves if they do something they perceive as wrong. Disobeying Harry, even if it helped him, was wrong for Perdita. So even if she isn't punishing herself for failing you two, she most likely is doing it for her supposed failing in her serving of Harry."
Hermione was again near tears just thinking of how thoughtless Harry had been, not towards her, but to a house elf who many other witches and wizards would have never thought twice about. Still, here she was, worried about Perdita. Both men were stunned nearly into silence. They knew how big and forgiving her heart was but seeing her put someone or something in front of her own pain, yet again, just showed them first hand what a wonderful witch they had.
Severus decided the only way to put her mind at ease before they moved onto the more difficult subjects was to call Perdita into the room. If the elf was going to punish herself for failing Harry and he could prevent it, he would. If only to save Hermione more pain. He loved all of their elves and they were truly family to he and Lu. They had healed, protected and cared for he and Lu more than the people they called friends. They were loyal to the two wizards almost to a fault and at each wizard owed their life to at least one of the elves, who at one time or another had stepped in to save them from gruesome injuries or recovery from torture sessions. More than Poppy or Saint Mungo's healers, the elves at this house had been the saviors of Lucius and Severus.
Slightly choked up, seeing the tears beginning to once again glisten in Hermione's eyes, Severus called for Perdita. With a close to silent pop, the elf was in the room.
"Yes, Master Severus?" Perdita nearly stuttered out while wringing bandaged hands.
Severus nearly growled at seeing the wrappings on Perdita's hands and knew he may have been a bit late to stop all of her self inflicted punishment but he was going to be damned if the sweet elf tried to harm herself again. "Perdita, have you punished yourself for failing our guest Harry Potter?"
The sweet and tiny elf nodded her head yes. Her entire body was shaking and her eyes were watering. It broke Severus' heart and he was glad Hermione couldn't see the elf's upset state. In a firm but kind voice Severus laid down the new law, "Perdita. You serve Master Lucius, Miss Hermione and myself. You are helping Harry Potter but you did not fail him. You did incredibly well, Perdita, and no matter what you must not punish yourself for failing our guest. The only time you are to punish yourself is if one of the three of us demands it. Right now I demand you stop punishing yourself and see Spiffy to get your injuries healed."
Perdita was looking at Severus with wide eyes that were so full of innocence and amazement that the dark wizard almost wanted to laugh. He knew he and Lu were often quiet and grumpy while they were here. They had been in the midst of a bloody war for the past several years, but clearly his reputation with the elves from Hogwarts had preceded him in some way. His eyes danced with mirth and Perdita looked a bit terrified and promptly popped out of the room. Sev doubted she would refuse the orders he had just given her.
Lucius was amused by what he could hear from Severus' conversation with Perdita. He didn't have to see over Hermione or Sev to know what the elf's reaction was most likely like. It was probably amazement and awe at how kind her Masters were. While what was happening was surely a very sweet scene and Hermione had answered all the questions laid out to her, no one had told Lu what had actually happened to get her so upset. It had to be more than Harry being rude, selfish or a prat. None of that was new. Lucius wasn't going to let up on this issue that easily.
Once he heard Perdita pop out of the room, he addressed Hermione and Severus in a slightly calmer voice. He could tell his partners weren't lying to him but were trying to find the best way to address the issue. Severus was being as cunning as possible and trying to figure out how to minimize the damage. Hermione was clearly trying to summon her Gryffindor bravery. It was funny trying to see these two rival houses attempting to mesh and work together. Lu cleared his throat and said, "Well I can understand you being upset with Potter for all of that. I also understand why he might have turned down the potions and help offered to him. In fact, given how many strings have been attached to help offered to him, besides yourself kitten, I can see why your brother would be reticent to allow anyone to help. However, this seems to be nothing new to you, my darling witch. So perhaps you and Sev can explain why first thing in my morning I came in to find you sobbing on your beautiful bed. If it was thinking about the war or the friends you have so freshly lost, I could understand but you clearly were crying over Potter and something he had done. You said as much. Severus clearly knows what happened and while I appreciate him trying to be utterly Slytherin in how he gives out the information you both don't want me to know, I am tired of waiting. Tell me what happened and we will go from there."
Lucius had been calm but firm as he made his demands to Hermione and Severus. They may have still been cuddled on the bed but there was a certain frostiness coming from behind Hermione and it was obviously radiating from a very left-out-feeling Lucius. Hermione audibly gulped and if the situation had not been so ire-inducing to him still, Severus would have laughed at her reaction to the scarily calm Lu. This version of the blond's anger was, in his opinion, even more frightening than when he was screaming until red in the face. It was much more frightening because when he was somewhat calm and angry it meant that he was also somewhat rational and much more likely to react with deadly and precise force. Severus knew Lu had places even he didn't know about where who knows what bodies were hidden.
Still, Sev knew that Lucius was waiting for an answer and Gryffindor or not Hermione was still too full of raw emotion to take the lead on giving Lucius the information he so desired. If she were the one to tell Lu, Severus was sure like Perseus, avenging warrior and defeater of Medusa, Lucius would bring back the trophy of Potter's head to Hermione. Sev doubted she would appreciate the present very much. He looked down at their blanching witch and gave her a small smile. Then he looked over her mass of hair that was crackling with magic from her stress and worry and made eye contact with Lu.
"Well, Lu, it is no surprise that when in a fit of pique Potter tends to do some very stupid and quite frankly idiotic things. Dunderhead can frequently be too kind a word," Severus practically purred.
"That is common knowledge Sev, tell me what the hell happened." Lucius was beginning to growl.
Hermione stepped in for fear of the life of her best friend. She knew he had done something stupid. Just because he didn't see her as a woman didn't mean anyone else would stand for him taking a swing at a member of the female sex. Best friend and sister or not, Hermione knew even in the sometimes backwards wizarding world even thinking about hitting a woman was a not acceptable. She had to get Lucius to promise not to run, or disapparate, to Harry' suite and hurt him. She may have been pissed at her brother but she didn't want revenge or vengeance. She simply wanted, for the first time since knowing Harry, a real apology.
In a quiet voice Hermione spoke up, "Lucius you have to promise me, I won't make you swear a Wizard's Oath or anything like that because I trust you, but you have to make me this promise."
Through gritted teeth Lucius said, "I can try to promise Kitten. I can't guarantee."
"No you have to promise me Lu. This means quite a bit to me and I need to know that if we tell you this that you will not go run off and hurt Harry. You need to keep in mind I am fine, Sev is fine and we all are here together. If anything, this little stunt finally got us all awake and in a bed at the same time." Hermione added that last bit with a slightly morbid chuckle.
Severus guffawed at that bit and at the fact that Lu was turning red at the face at making a promise not to hurt Harry. It was clearly obvious to the blond at this point that Harry had done something worthy of seeking vengeance but Hermione was once again putting others in front of herself. Sev was guessing right about now Lucius was wishing for a tall glass of Old Ogden's finest and it was hardly even half past ten in the morning.
Lucius finally softly but with a bit of an edge said, "Fine. I agree. I will not run out and hurt Harry right now."
"I have been thinking like a Slytherin for too long to let that slide Lu. You need to promise you won't hurt Harry for what he did to me this morning," Hermione chastised.
Severus laughed aloud. He was still shocked their little witch hadn't been placed in their house. She was more cunning than many of the snakes she went to school with, and more powerful. Lucius looked downright annoyed but agreed, albeit grudgingly. Severus decided to step in once again before Hermione continued to push the frankly teetering Lu. He didn't want his blond lover to snap and say something that sent the triad back several steps when so far they were making such excellent progress.
"Well since you promised Lu, I am sure Hermione has no further requests to stop me from telling you that our young house guest did something incredibly stupid this morning. If it weren't for the fact that he clearly has had his mind warped by Albus and no one to help him deal with any of the grief he has held onto for years, I would have eviscerated him," Severus said in a frank but not impassive voice. Lucius was growling at the thoughts of what the idiot could have done flashing across his mind.
"Well, what did he do?!" Lu's voice was raising again and Severus decided rather than introduce Hermione to all shades of the anger of Lucius Malfoy, he would just get onto it.
"Potter was crying in the middle of his floor after his night terrors. Our lovely witch approached to assess him and make sure he hadn't been injured from falling out of his bed. Potter, however, decided he didn't need help but instead of using his words like a grown wizard he threw a tantrum that many toddlers would have been proud of. He swiped at Hermione and knocked her off balance, knocking her to her bum. She still tried to check on him and he swiped again. That time he missed, but he came very close to striking her. I helped her up and sent her in here with Spiffy. Then Potter and I had a less than friendly chat that started with how to properly treat witches, especially ones you consider family and have saved your hide more than any one person should have to save another." Severus was frank and trying very hard not to let his own anger seep through as he explained what had happened.
Lucius sat up in the bed positively thunderous. "That is why you made me promise! He laid hands on you, Hermione! That is totally unacceptable!"
Severus cut in before Lucius could set off another round of tears from Hermione. "Yes, and he knew that before I even said anything. As soon as he stopped sobbing, Harry realized exactly what he had done and was horrified. His apology will be sincere and appropriate for his actions or he will not be staying here. He is aware and trust me he is apologetic."
Severus saw the blond fighting with himself. He had seconds ago made a promise to the witch in between them that he wouldn't harm the idiot she had saddled herself with as a best friend, but oh how Lucius wanted to hurt Potter. Still, Hermione was nearly shaking in fear and Severus had never seen her like this. He looked pointedly at Lucius and then made sure the blond followed his eyes to Hermione who was still curled into him with her eyes tightly shut and body clenched in fear.
The sight was like a dagger to the heart to Lucius. His anger had caused that. He was still furious, but at the same time his two partners were not the ones who should be seeing or being receiving the brunt of that anger. It should be Potter. Hermione made him promise not to run out and hurt him but she had never said anything about a few creative threats or angry words. Lucius smirked and took a deep and hopefully calming breath. He settled back down and wrapped his pale and muscular arms around Hermione pulling her away from Sev's chest slightly.
He whispered in her ear to hopefully calm her from the extreme reaction she had to the thought of more anger and violence. "Sweet Kitten. Am I happy with Potter? No. Not in the slightest. You know very well that raising a hand to a witch is close to unforgivable. However if you can and want to forgive Potter, that is your right and choice and I will stand by you and follow suit. However, this is his one chance. If he gets violent towards you specifically again, I will not repeat my promise."
Hermione turned around in Lucius arms and looked into the steely gray eyes of her mercurial lover. She could see the truth that he wasn't going to hurt Harry this time. With a shaky smile and a sweet kiss on Lu's lips she said, "I believe that is absolutely fair. However if Harry does that again, I think Lucius, no offense, but the worst of his problems will not be being at the end of your wand but being at the end of mine. I did not appreciate him taking a swing at me and my bum didn't appreciate the less than soft landing."
Lucius smiled at his witch trying to make a joke. He was glad this hadn't been something that broke her again. Hermione continued though, "As much as I am loving cuddling with the two of you, perhaps we can do it again later during a nap? I very much would like to hear this supposedly more sincere than all the others apology from Harry. I would like you both to be there; you help give me the confidence to know that I don't have to listen to anything half assed from him anymore. You give me that strength and I want you by my side. First however," she pinned a slightly humorous glare on Lucius. "I will need to find something that actually constitutes clothing and is appropriate to be wearing to a very informal breakfast. While Sev and I ate already, I am sure you and Harry are starving, Lu, and this," she picked at the nightie that Lucius had picked out. "This scrap of lace is hardly appropriate for well….really anything."
Severus laughed out loud once again and Lucius gaped after Hermione as she flounced out of bed to once again try and navigate the massive closest that Lucius had kitted out for her.
