Well, they finally got there - and boy is there a lot of people to see!! Some good, some ... not quite so good ...
Lots to deal with here ... more to come later ...
Thanks as ever for the reviews xxx
Forty Nine - Reception
Hermione and Lucius arrived outside the Minister for Magic's residence, her hands clinging onto his robes for support. When she recovered from the dizziness she found her knuckles had turned white from the grip and she slowly looked up to meet his gaze. His grey eyes were looking at her with an expression which mimicked the haughtiness that was so often present, but which she knew at this moment to be curious concern for her well-being. The moment was almost identical to their first meeting in Flourish and Blotts. The similarity took what little breath she had left after apparating away.
For a moment they remained motionless, staring deep into each other's souls, both aware of the significance of the moment. After an age, the corner of his mouth curled up in the slightest hint of a smirk and he drawled more languidly than ever, "Miss Granger, I would appreciate you relinquishing your grasp on my person. I would not want the material crushed."
He had used almost the identical words from that moment all those weeks ago, although it seemed like years. The heavy atmosphere around them dispersed, and she exhaled a laugh and rested her forehead on his chest. But still, she could not relax her fingers and swayed against him, breathing in that scent once again. At length she raised her head, and looked him once again deep in the eyes. "I'm not going to let go. You're mine. I will never let go of you."
He said nothing, but the corners of his mouth bent up even more and his hands came under her cloak to clasp her waist tight, stroking the material with his fingertips. She knew what he meant by it. His silent reciprocation of her words filled her with such warmth she knew she could now face the people inside with confidence and pride.
"Are you ready?" he asked gently.
She nodded, finally uncurling her fingers from his robes and letting them slip down his torso.
He once again offered her his arm. She slipped her hand through it and he rang the bell assuredly. The door magically swung open and with a final glance at each other, they stepped into the bright strident swarm of people.
Almost as soon as they were inside the crowds of elegantly dressed witches and wizards quietened and all turned to stare at them. Hermione and Lucius stood proudly, her arm firmly fixed in his. The people slowly resumed their chatter and turned away, no doubt to converse on the subject of who had just stepped into the house.
A serving wizard stepped forward to take Hermione's cloak and his outer robes. She could feel Lucius' eyes on her as her dress was revealed, and her skin tingled. As she handed over her cloak, she noticed Shacklebolt excusing himself from his conversation to make his way over to them.
He reached out to Hermione, holding her arms and leaning down to kiss her on both cheeks. "Hermione, my dear, thank you for coming. You look absolutely stunning." He turned to Lucius, the warm expression on his face frosting over. But he extended his hand. "Lucius." Hermione was pleased he had used his first name.
Lucius drew himself up and fixed his face into its usual impassive mask. His arm came slowly out and he and the Minister for Magic shook hands cautiously but firmly. "Minister," he drawled back.
Shacklebolt drew in a breath, visibly relaxing again. "Come through both of you. Have a drink. The gardens are still pleasant at this time of night, despite the autumn closing in. Feel free to explore them." With that he smiled, mostly at Hermione, and left them.
A man appeared almost immediately with a tray of drinks, and both Hermione and Lucius took a glass of champagne, making their way into the house. It was indeed an impressive building, with large proportions of Georgian elegance.
Hermione allowed her eyes to scan the room. There were several of her colleagues from the Ministry there, most of whom she did not particularly feel like conversing with. So far there was not a sign of Harry or any of the Weasleys.
Her eyes fell on the official they had been to see on Wednesday. "Oh look, there's Trimblewort!"
"Hmm ... he looks none the worse for his ... ordeal ... the other day," Lucius said with sardonic amusement.
"No ... I have to say, he really didn't have a clue." She smiled, rubbing her hand along his arm. Just then she felt a presence beside her and spun around. There, smiling in her usual enigmatic way, was Luna Lovegood. Hermione beamed and flung her arms around her old friend.
"Luna! I haven't seen you for ... God, it must be over a year! How are you? Oh, I've missed you. What have you been up to?"
"Oh, you know, this and that. I've been doing some research into phenomena detected at the summer and winter equinoxes. It's extraordinary really. Did you know that more wizarding babies are conceived at those times than any other? And I've travelled to the Arctic to investigate the behaviour of mythical creatures when exposed to the aurora. They often behave completely out of character, sometimes the most aggressive creatures becoming suddenly quite passive and tame." Luna's voice had its usual distant, dreamlike quality to it.
Hermione listened politely and with bewildered interest; it was good to hear Luna's hazy tones again. However, she was confused by Luna's ability to talk so normally (for her) in such close proximity to Lucius Malfoy, whose house she had been held prisoner in for many months. Hermione did not quite know what to do. Should she reintroduce them? That seemed fairly ludicrous. Just as she was struggling to come to a decision, Luna looked vaguely in Lucius' direction and said quite calmly, "Hello, Mr Malfoy. How are you?"
Hermione was startled and instinctively turned to see Lucius' reaction. He replied immediately and generously. "Very well, Miss Lovegood. And yourself?"
"Hmm ... fine. I haven't seen you since I was held captive in your house." Hermione's mouth dropped open in disbelief. Luna had spoken quite matter-of-factly. She may as well have said, "I haven't seen you since that picnic on the beach."
Lucius' mouth twitched into the merest hint of a curious smile. "No," he replied.
Luna noticed Hermione's look of amazement. "It was a long time ago, and anyway, I didn't really see Mr Malfoy at all in that time." She turned to Lucius. "You didn't like those people in your house did you, Mr Malfoy? Neither did the house. I could sense its reluctance and revulsion."
Lucius looked down at the curious witch in front of him, a look of wondering respect ghosting over his face. "You are very perceptive, Miss Lovegood."
Luna continued, an increasingly dreamy look on her face. "Hmm ... it was not a pleasant time, but it allowed me plenty of time to think, which is always worthwhile." She turned back to Lucius. "I hope the house has recovered?"
He continued to look at her quietly for a while, before answering, "It is progressing."
"That is good. It is an extraordinary house. Goodbye for now." With that she smiled curiously at them both and moved off.
Hermione looked up in amazement at Lucius. She knew Luna was different, but her complete acceptance of Lucius after what she had been through in his own home astounded even her.
Lucius was looking after Luna, then turned down to Hermione. "Extraordinary girl."
"Yes. A very generous spirit."
"Indeed."
Her conversation with Luna invigorated Hermione, and she and Lucius moved further into the house. She was surprised by the number of people who were more than happy to come and speak to them quite normally and freely, partially out of curiosity she supposed, but genuinely nevertheless. Lucius' conversation flowed easily, and she noted with pride that he was able to talk knowledgeably and intelligently on a wide range of topics.
They were in the middle of a conversation with the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, when Hermione glanced over his shoulder and saw Harry. Her heart leapt, but her broad smile faded almost immediately when the wizard beside Harry moved slightly to reveal someone else. It was Ron.
She suddenly felt a disconsolate chill spread over her at her proximity to both her past and present partners. She instinctively moved closer to Lucius and he looked down curiously at her as he felt her pressing against him. He followed her eyes over to where she was looking. If she had been looking up at him, she would have seen his features freeze belligerently as he saw the figure of Ronald Weasley on the other side of the large room.
The wizard they were talking to continued his verbal flow unremittingly, unaware of the distraction which had captured the attention of his companions. As she was looking, Harry glanced up and caught her eye. His face immediately tensed, but then he gave her a resigned smile. She managed one back, and excused herself from Lucius and the wizard, walking as swiftly as she could over to him. Luckily he stepped away from Ron, who had still not noticed her, and they met halfway across the room.
"Hermione." He greeted her warmly, but did not reach in to kiss and hug her as he would have done before. She felt a twinge of guilt and disappointment.
"Hello, Harry. How are you?"
"Good. Good thanks. And you?"
"I'm very well." She hesitated. "Is Ginny here?"
Harry looked around, more for something to do to move the stilted conversation along as anything. "Yeah, she's here somewhere. She's ... uhh ... around, yeah."
Hermione noted that he resisted saying, "She'll be pleased to see you," which in normal circumstances would have been the natural follow-up.
They stood awkwardly for a while. "How's work?" inquired Hermione.
"Fine. You?"
"Good." She nodded, a little too vigorously. "I don't see you around the Ministry much."
"No. Big building, isn't it?"
"Yeah." There was a silence. She spoke again. "You could always pop in if you're passing. My office is always open to you, Harry. You know that."
He hung his head. "I know. I know. I will." He looked up, a sudden new determination in his voice. "I will. How about coffee, maybe next week?"
She smiled. "I'd like that." A huge feeling of relief swept over Hermione, and Harry returned her smile, relief written on his face also. Just then Hermione felt something at her arm. Harry looked up and his smile faded. She smelt her lover's scent and glanced up at him behind her.
"Good evening, Potter." The arrogant drawl took Hermione back to Second Year. She swallowed.
"Hello, Lucius."
Lucius' eyebrows raised in haughty surprise on hearing his first name from the mouth of Harry Potter. Hermione could not help smiling. Harry always had been a confident sod. Still, she knew that deep down, not only was he challenging Lucius to let his guard down with him, he was also taking the first tentative steps towards a more tolerant acquaintance. Hermione's heart swelled with admiration and gratitude for her old friend.
Harry continued. "I hear you're back in with St Mungo's."
"News travels fast."
"Yeah, apparently they're quite cash-strapped at the moment. They obviously need a hefty injection of funds."
"Hmm ... they've asked me onto the Board as well, so it is not merely my financial assistance they are in need of."
"No, I'm sure your vast knowledge and superior expertise will be greatly appreciated in a bewildering array of matters." The sarcastic tone in Harry's voice threatened to topple the tenuous truce which had existed and Hermione quickly stepped in to diffuse the tension.
"Lucius! It's very hot in here, I could do with some air. Let's go and see the gardens before it gets too dark. Harry, it's so good to see you again." She fixed him with her eyes and spoke more intimately and genuinely, "Coffee, next week. I'll owl."
He nodded slightly at her, and Hermione pulled Lucius swiftly away from him. She realised they were heading straight for Ron, who seemed still not to have noticed her (thank god, Hermione thought, but typically unobservant too), and she turned swiftly to her right, virtually dragging Lucius along behind her. Her head was down and as she turned through a doorway she bumped into a witch dressed in flowing orange robes.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," she spluttered apologetically.
"That's quite alright, goodness, what a bump!" came an all too familiar voice. The two witches looked up and realised who they were talking to for the first time. Molly Weasley's face drained of colour and life as she looked into the eyes of Hermione Granger.
There was a pregnant silence for the longest time. Hermione eventually mumbled as clearly as possible, "Hello, Molly."
She thought for a moment Molly would respond, but then Molly's eyes fell on the wizard standing behind Hermione and her face twisted into an expression of such utter hatred that Hermione feared she would take out her wand and curse Lucius on the spot.
Molly said not a word, but her whole body was so tensely coiled that the air almost bristled with the pressure. Her eyes were fixed on Lucius, and Hermione could hear her own heart beating desperately within her. Molly took a step forward. She glared up at Lucius and at last spoke, such fury in her voice, she may as well have been cursing him. "How dare you show your face here? Here? At the same gathering as my son? With ... her?!" She shot Hermione a stare of utter contempt; it was almost as if she had never known her. "Your ... your ... floozy!"
Hermione felt as if she had been stabbed. She struggled not to collapse.
She opened her mouth to speak. "Molly ... I'm sorry." The words were barely audible.
Molly's face burned. She stepped into Hermione, who thought she may even strike her. At that moment she felt as if she deserved it. The older witch stepped right up to her, her familiar comforting voice unrecognisable. "You ... have ruined his life. After all this time ... all you have been through together ... all he ... we ... have done for you ... How could you?" She shook her head in disbelief. "How could you ... with ... Lucius Malfoy," she shot him a glare, "... a man who has personally tried to ruin our family ... You have ripped our hearts out, Hermione."
"Molly ... not now ..."
A gentle, familiar voice spoke behind Mrs Weasley, and a hand was placed on her shoulder. Hermione looked up in surprise. She had not previously noticed the wizard standing behind Molly. She looked into the kind brown eyes of Arthur Weasley. He lowered his gaze when their eyes met, but managed to mutter, "Hermione ... Lucius ..."
Molly spun round and shot her husband a glare. Arthur sighed in, rolling his eyes slightly.
His presence strengthened Hermione slightly. She was deeply moved by his ability to acknowledge Lucius, he, who more than anyone, had genuine reason not to. Then she heard a familiar smooth voice behind her, snaking out around them, bringing her back to her senses somewhat.
"Mrs. Weasley. Arthur."
He said no more, but his mere acknowledgement of them was enough to diffuse the electric atmosphere around them.
Hermione tried again. "Molly, Arthur. Things are different now. We have to move on. One day ... perhaps ... I hope we can come to an understanding. I will never forget all you have been to me."
Molly put her hand up sharply, tears welling in her eyes. "Don't speak another word. I never want to see you again."
Hermione inhaled a juddering breath, her own eyes filling rapidly.
Lucius placed his hand around her waist, and started to lead her away. "Hermione ... come, my dear."
He led her swiftly and calmly through the noisy crowds outside, walking with her to a secluded lower terrace of the garden, where he sat her on a long stone seat, supporting her with his arm.
She drew in deep, replenishing breaths through her nose, his presence managing to keep the tears at bay. He held her close, but said nothing, allowing her the time to recover in peace.
"Well, that went well didn't it!?" Hermione heaved out sarcastically.
"It could have been worse." Lucius said honestly.
Hermione looked at him. "She was so wounded, so ... disappointed." She shook her head in disbelief at the change in the dynamics between her and Ron's mother. "She ... she used to be like a surrogate mother to me, Lucius. I spent so many happy times in her home. We were so close, she must have thought ..."
"What?"
"Well, you know ... that I may ... give her grandchildren one day ... and now ..."
Lucius was silent. She knew the mention of children, with him or anyone else, was hardly a subject to discuss now. She groaned out, her head falling into her hands. She was grateful for his presence, but she could sense his uncertainty at how to deal with her.
"Shall I get you another drink?" He spoke unusually tentatively.
"No! ... Thank you." She paused, then started again. "And Arthur hardly helped. He's so nice it just makes my guilt a hundred times worse. I mean ... you and Arthur Weasley! You're hardly ideal drinking buddies are you!?" She let out a bitter ironic laugh.
He sighed slightly, then spoke, "My dear, you need perhaps to listen to a little of the advice you so frequently give me ... you said you could deal with complications."
She turned to him almost scornfully. "Yes, Lucius, I can ... and I will ... but right now it hurts, it just hurts, all right?" She lowered her head to her hands yet again.
He sat quietly beside her, unsure how to deal with her raw emotion. She stood up and moved away from him. "I'm going to the bathroom," she mumbled before heading back into the house.
Hermione moved frustratedly through the crowds, various people trying to stop her to chat as she made her way through them. She grinned and smiled as best she could before escaping to the cool marble and gilt refuge of the ladies'. She went into the toilet and shut the door, sitting for the longest time on the closed lid, trying to calm her turbulent emotions.
She breathed deeply. This was a wonderful event, a wonderful evening. She looked beautiful, she was wearing an amazing piece of jewellery and she was with a man she loved. She was not going to let an encounter with people she had anticipated a confrontation with spoil it for her. She realised she hadn't even seen Ginny yet. That would probably be next. She sighed, then got up and left the cubicle. She walked over to the basin and turned on the taps, letting the cool water flow over her hands. A cubicle behind her opened and a pretty young witch stepped out of it. Hermione's prediction had come true. It was Ginny Weasley.
Ginny hardly reacted, just came up to the basin next to Hermione and started to wash her hands. She spoke quite matter-of-factly, but flatly, "Hello, Hermione."
Hermione was relieved she had not blatantly ignored her, and returned her muted greeting, "Hello, Ginny." She paused, then said as sincerely as possible. "It's really good to see you."
Ginny sighed, meeting her eyes in the mirror. "You know it's still difficult for me to say the same thing, 'Mione."
"Of course," Hermione replied quietly, pleased nonetheless to hear Ginny using the diminutive form of her name. "Are you well?"
"As well as can be expected from having to be the emotional prop for half my family at the moment. My parents have left already. Apparently they ran into you and ... him." She continued washing her hands, glancing at Hermione's neck in the mirror. When she spoke again, her voice was still strangely void of discernible emotion. "That's a very expensive necklace you're wearing. Did he give it to you?"
Hermione felt guilty and embarrassed and saw herself flushing in the mirror. "I'm just borrowing it," she mumbled.
"Nice dress, too. I remember you describing a dress like that to me before. You were going to wear it that night we went to the opera - that do with the Muggles. Ron said you saw Lucius Malfoy that night." She paused, fixing Hermione with her eyes. "He thinks that's when it started." She ran her eyes coldly up and down Hermione. "Bit tasteless isn't it? Wearing that dress tonight? Knowing Ron may be here." Her voice had acquired an acidity which made Hermione close her eyes in shame. Still she continued, hard and clinical. "Do you remember that night you came round, after you'd left him? You wouldn't tell us who it was. Harry asked you if it was Draco ... You reacted so strangely to that." She paused, a cynically bitter smile on her face. "It all makes sense now."
Hermione could bear it no longer. She drew herself up and turned to face Ginny.
"Ginny. You love Harry. You know what it's like when you need someone, want someone so badly you think you cannot survive without them. You feel that they are an extra limb, an integral part of how you exist. And when you're together, you are complete, you can't ever imagine being apart ... And when you're away from them, all you can think about is returning to them, becoming whole again ... That's how I feel with Lucius. I know how hard it is to accept that it is him ... but it is. And he treats me so well ... so well, Ginny." She was emboldened, surprising herself by speaking his name in front of her. She reached over and clasped her friend's arms. Ginny looked surprised but did not pull back. "Those things I described ... I did not feel that with Ron ... I never did. I could not stay with him ... I did not love him ... not in that way ... I am sorry he is your brother. I am sorry I have hurt him ... I am sorry I have hurt you ... But I could not live a lie."
The two women looked into each other's eyes. Ginny gradually dropped her head, her breathing deep. They neither moved nor spoke for an age. Eventually, Hermione slowly lowered her arms. As her fingers reached Ginny's hand, Ginny suddenly closed hers around them, paused, and squeezed slightly. Then letting go, she turned and left the bathroom.
Hermione stood for a moment, her head falling back as she allowed herself a brief moment of relief and hope. Then breathing deeply, she opened the door and went back to rejoin the party.
She went back out to the garden, pleased to find Lucius still on the seat, staring out into the now black night. She sat down beside him, taking hold of his hand. "Sorry to be so difficult. It's just ... very hard ... my past seems to be coming back and giving me a good hiding tonight." She sighed, then turned to him, smiling, "I knew it would be like this – it's just been a bit of an emotional onslaught. It's alright. I'm better now. Do you want to go back inside – you can get me that other drink?"
She leant in and kissed him lightly on the lips. He returned the kiss more passionately, then let his mouth travel down her neck, stopping on the necklace. "So beautiful ... so beautiful ..." His hands encircled her waist again, one running up and cupping her breast, squeezing and plying it with his fingers.
Her head fell back and a groan escaped her. "Lucius ... not here ... people may see ..."
"Does it matter?" He continued to torment her.
Her mind was clouding with lust. "No ... no ... don't stop ..."
He attacked her throat and breasts with renewed vigour. Hermione brought her hand down between his legs, feeling his rock hard urgency under her fingers. He groaned against her throat, biting down on the tender flesh slightly. She pulled in a sharp breath, urging him on.
Several loud slow hand claps suddenly sounded from near them. They pulled apart, looking around for the source of the noise. A drunken voice slurred out, "Don't stop on my account. I was just starting to enjoy the show." Hermione's eyes adjusted to a figure in the gloom, as Ron Weasley stepped unsteadily out of the shadows towards them.
Oh dear ... and things were just starting to look up.
Let me know your thoughts, as ever they are always insightful and greatly appreciated. X
