"Please tell me you don't like him."

"I can't," Hermione said.

Arthur took a deep breath. "Sweet Morgana. From all the people in the world, why him? Why Lucius? He had never given as much as a single thought to other people's wellbeing."

Being a little bolder she looked at Arthur. "He's intelligent and well-read, he works hard and is reliable. I feel safe and cherished in his arms… He's also very attractive." Hermione blushed saying the last part.

Arthurs hand formed a fist. He turned around and punched the wall. Shaking his hand he hissed in pain. Hermione healed his hand for him.

"He doesn't deserve you," Arthur said. After a long moment of silence he added, "If he ever treats you with something else than the utmost respect, I'll hex him into oblivion. I want you to know that I'm always here for you."

Hermione nodded and they hugged each other.

Back inside. Victoire was having some of Molly's hearty food if that's what you call throwing it all over the table.

"You're living with the Malfoys," Bill asked picking the crumbs up from the table.

"No, I just sleep in the library form time to time."

They stared at her.

"I wanted to take things slow with my parents and I love to read," Hermione defended herself.

Ginny winked. "Why do I have the feeling that it's not the books that are so appealing to you?"

Hermione glared at her friend.

"You and Malfoy aren't a couple or anything?" Percy asked.

"No, of course not. I'm not ready for a new relationship."

Somehow that wasn't the answer the Weasleys had hoped for. Percy blinked twice and stared at her.

"Ee iz 'andsome," Fleur said breaking the silence.

Molly huffed. she had baked a chocolate cake and placed it on the table. It looked rich and creamy as if it was more chocolate than cake and smelled divine. The cake was protected by an array of charms, otherwise, nothing of this sinful delight would have survived for long. The cocoa aroma filled her nostrils and her mouth watered. She melted just thinking about eating this cake.

Molly placed a very generous slice on each of their plates. She handed Fleur, Pansy, and Hermione a disappointingly small one. Once the cake was completely divided, the Weasley-matriarch sat down.

Hermione was staring at her slice. This was fourth year all over again. Her lips twisted and tears threatened to fall from her eyes. She shoved the plate away from her. She would rather starve to death than eat a single bit of it.

George joined the party. He lifted his son up and sat down at the table. "What did you do?"

"Fleur finds work more engaging than changing diapers and I want to get laid," Pansy explained.

"And what did Hermione do?" he asked, seeing that she got the tiniest slice of cake.

"She's in love with Lucius Malfoy."

George burst out laughing. Little Fred was startled and the baby started crying. Molly quickly lifted him from George's arms and began rocking him.

"Sometimes she reminds me of my own mother, but I like her support," Pansy said pointing at Molly.

Noticing that the rest of the table was quiet his laughter ended as abruptly as it began. "That wasn't a joke, was it?"

Hermione's face was crimson and buried her head in her hands.

"And everybody knows?"

"Now, everybody knows, except for Draco. He's too busy with himself to notice."

"Wow, just wow. Does he know?"

Hermione nodded shyly. "But I've told him that I wasn't ready for a relationship, not so soon after Ron."

George was laughing again. "That's hilarious. So basically the only reason you aren't shagging Lucius Malfoy is that my little brother, a Weasley, is an idiot."

"You should give him a chance," Ginny said, "It's been ages since Ron left, time to move on."

"You aren't seeing someone exclusively either," Hermione pointed out.

"Because I'm focusing on my career."

After Molly, Arthur and Percy retired for the night, Ginny pulled out a bottle of Firewhiskey and they sat together drinking and joking for a while. Hermione yawned. She stood up, ready to floo home. More than a little tipsy she made her way to the fireplace. Almost knocking a framed picture off, she finally found the floo-powder.

"You don't have to go," a voice said behind her.

Startled she did knock the picture off. It fell to the floor and the glass broke.

"I didn't mean to startle you," Arthur said bowing down to pick the picture up. It was one of Ron, Harry and her, taken at the Quidditch World Cup. Being drunk it was hard for her to stay strong and big tears fell from her eyes.

Arthur wiped them from her eyes. "You know you're always welcome here."

Hermione nodded. "I would rather go."

Wobbling through the entrance hall she at first didn't notice Lucius who sat in the corner on an armed chair with a glass of Firewhiskey in his hand. Relive swapped over him as he approached the young witch. Hermione smiled and hugged him tightly. Inhaling his scent she immediately felt at home.

"You didn't think I would come back?"

"We have a bit of a history," Lucius admitted. He stroked over her head. "I will carry to bed," he said lifting her up bridal style.

Hermione had a hard time keeping her eyes open. All too soon they arrived at the library. Lucius carefully lowered her to the couch. He covered her with a blanket and kissed her forehead. "Sleep well, Hermione."

The next morning they had breakfast together on her couch. Beacon and beans; Hermione needed something hearty. Still a little weak and dehydrated, she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I didn't get dessert," she said dryly.

Even the morning after, this still stung. Lucius looked at her. He placed his hand in her lap. She took it and held onto it tightly. Needing more contact, she pressed herself against him.

"I've told them about you," Hermione added.

"I see."

"All in all, they didn't take it too badly. George, at first thought it was a joke, but he was rather supportive. Even Pansy was almost pleasant company… I just wanted to have cake as well," Hermione said with teary eyes.

Lucius wrapped his arm around her. He kissed her forehead. "I promise, there will be always cake here for you here."

She smiled at him. Leaning back he held her tightly. His hand rested on her hip. She was so close that he could feel the heat of her body radiated through her. Their legs tangled around each other. Placing her head on his chest, she could hear his heartbeat. She calmed down, her breathing slowed down, to match his. With every breath, he took his chest raise and fell; slowly and evenly. Completely at peace, Hermione dozed off in his arms.

When she woke up his big hand stroked over her back. It felt so nice, she couldn't keep the smile off her face. A low chuckle left his throat. Hermione slowly opened her eyes and looked at him. She blinked a couple of times while her eyes adjusted to the light.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Remarkably well." Hermione placed her head back on his chest.

"You are always welcome in my bed."

"That sounds wonderful."

Hermione went to see her parents. They chatted for a while until her mother had a sudden realization. "If you're not at Hogwarts anymore, then where are you spending all your time? We rarely get to see you."

"I'm staying with Lucius and Draco."

"I thought you're with the Weasleys," her dad said.

"I do see them regularly."

"Hermione you don't have to stay there, you can always come home. I hope you know this. We just thought you would rather spend time with your friends and people who understand your world."

"Oh, don't worry, it's really nice at the Manor," Hermione said.

"Do you have your own room?" her dad asked.

"Well, I kind of claimed the library." Hermione laughed.

Her mom took her father's hand. "We would like to spend more time with you. We didn't change anything in your room."

Hermione nodded she was relieved that they still wanted her in their lives.

"What are you doing right now?"

"I'm currently editing my book. I've spent the last months researching house-elf health care and because I won't have any time continuing the project once I start working, I'll have to do it now." Hermione said. "Lucius told his research team to continue my work. He thinks my book will create a new market and is potioning himself in that field. He's impossible." Hermione laughed.

Her parents exchanged a quick glance and Hermione decided to spend a couple of days a week at her parents' house. It almost felt like before the war but Hermione couldn't stand to be separated from Malfoy Manor, the library, and Lucius, of course, for long.

Having a complicated relationship with his son, the older Malfoy could understand her desire to rebuild her relationship with her parents. He wasn't too happy that she wouldn't be always by his side, but he didn't show it to her.

Hermione stood in front of the mirror trying to decide what to do with her hair. She put her wild mane into a high ponytail.

"How long will you be gone?"

"Really Lucius? I'm not a child anymore and I don't have a curfew. Shouldn't you annoy Draco with this talk?"

He huffed. "Do not stay too long."

Hermione turned around to look at the older wizard. "You never care how Draco spends the night."

"That's different."

"How so? Because he's a boy?"

Lucius said nothing. Putting on a little bit of make up she could literally feel his disapproval.

"Look, Ginny did well at her tryouts and got signed by the Holyhead Harpies. I hardly ever go out but this needs to be celebrated."

"With Miss Weasley and my son?"

"They're my friends!" Hermione shrieked.

"Where are you going?"

"We'll have dinner together and then head to some club your son recommended."

Lucius still didn't seem satisfied with her answer. "Neither Miss Weasley nor Draco are the kind of people who return before the morning."

Hermione placed her lipstick on the sink and turned to Lucius. "That's what you're worried about? You're jealous."

"I am not."

She giggled and placed a kiss on his cheek. "You have nothing to worry about. Luna is coming with us as well and she has a boyfriend."

"And they are exclusive?" Lucius asked.

"You don't have to worry about me. I'll be back in no time."