Time was moving quickly. Far too soon, Hermione had a meeting with the publisher. While she was satisfied with her editing, half a year was simply too short a time to get all the research done. Embarrassed that she didn't have more insight into the house-elves physiology, she wondered if she should cancel the meeting.

"No, you will not," Lucius said. "You have worked very hard on it and your research is solid which makes it easy for anyone to expand on it. Each page shows the careful work you have made now start behaving like a Gryffindor and stop whining."

She looked at him startled.

"Miss Granger, it was absolutely fascinating to read about how Scurvygrass causes a rash. But I want to be honest with you, I'm concerned with how many people would actually want to buy a book about house-elves, it is very specific."

Hermione took a deep breath. It's for the house-elves, she told herself. Remembering what Lucius had told her, she summoned all of her courage. Every fiber of her body was against it. "Feel free to print my name in bold letters on the cover. And once people become interested in house-elf health care they might want to buy the book even after it's long outdated to learn about the history of that field."

She sighed. Hopefully, she would never have to use her name again.

Returning to the Manor, she felt really weird. Not really in the mood to talk, she was glad that Lucius was on a business trip. Hermione found peace in the library. Staring at the shelves, she simply sat there and let time pass.

She let out a loud groan. She could easily tell by the way the door opened that Draco burst in. He threw a package at her. Hermione blinked.

"This just came for you," he said, "attached was a letter to my father."

She slowly opened the package. Her hand roamed over the luxurious fabric of her own robes. It felt perfect. She couldn't wait to wear them.

"Earth to Hermione."

"Your father and I went shopping together."

Draco held the envelope up. "And that's the bill?"

Hermione nodded.

"Damn it, Granger. You won't let me pay for lunch but you let my father pay for your robes."

"That's different!"

"How so?"

"I, I kind of like your father," Hermione said sheepishly.

"Urgh. That's disgusting. This is my father you're talking about. I mean, urgh. Do you know how old he is? You can't just fuck my father, that's just wrong. Urgh. How does this even work with his age and everything?"

Hermione buried her head in his. After a while, she looked up at he friend with a bright red face. "I don't fuck your father, not that it's any of your business! I really like your father."

Draco looked disgusted. "Please tell me you're kidding. My father? Granger! What comes next? Flinch?"

"Stop being childish. Lucius is a very attractive man, he's always there for me and supports me. And we can talk for hours. His hands are so soft and-"

"Merlin, you got it bad. Just don't tell me about it."

Hermione nodded. Relived as Draco finally left her alone, she threw her had back. This was so humiliating. But at least, now Draco knew. That must count for something.

The days passed quickly. Without Ginny, she would have totally forgotten about the ceremony. While she was excited to see Ginny, Hermione hated the idea of going shopping again. On the plus side, she needed to buy only one dress, that shouldn't take too long.

Ginny was beaming with energy. The younger witch dragged her from store to store. Hermione didn't want to say anything, because Ginny was so proud to have finally money to spend. While Ginny was strolling through the store, she remained standing transfixed in front of a mannequin.

It was wearing a magnificent red dress. It was wearing a magnificent long silk dress. It fell fluently, the silk satin reflected the light beautifully and was held in place by two very thin straps.

"Beautiful isn't it?" Ginny said.

"Hm?"

"You should try it on."

"I don't know, it looks very expensive," Hermione said.

"Well, then you'll probably get a lot of use out of it."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"See it as an investment. You probably need something for the Ministry Yule Ball, the St. Mungo's fundraiser or some other event for the wealthy pureblood."

"You sound worse than Lucius," Hermione said. Her hand touched the silk.

"Put it on."

Leaving the changing room she looked at her self in the mirror. The dress showed her back and the way it fell it hugged her curves perfectly. She wasn't just ok with the way her body looked like, she loved it. It was hard to describe, but despite the cost, she knew it was worth every penny.

"What if Lucius doesn't like it?"

"I don't see your problem, he might just help you out of it a little sooner."

"Ginny!"

"What? You want him, it's time to give him a chance."

Hermione nodded.

"Let's get the dress and we'll look for underwear next. You want to look good for your old Deatheater, don't you?"

Hermione turned into an interesting shade of res. There was something about buying underwear that made it all feel real. Walking through the store her hand wandered over the lace details of the items. Her gaze was fixed on the embroidery. She picked up a few sets of really nice underwear.

But what should she wear beneath the silk dress? Realistically, she knew she couldn't wear a bra but there was no way she would forgo wearing knickers.

Trying a push-up bra she found her breasts were much bigger than she expected. Was this a good thing or a bad thing? Lucius might like that. Maybe he doesn't. Hermione put the bra aside. Looking at the mirror she traced her womanly curves. She looked nothing like his ex-wife. Narissa's body probably wasn't covered with scars. Tracing her scars she wondered if he would find her still attractive if he had seen them. Lucius had thought in two wars himself, he had scars of his own.

She took a deep breath. Today was the night her new life would begin. Hermione spent more time than ever in front of the mirror. She needed to look good tonight. Wearing high heels and the long dress she had bought with Ginny. She was quite proud of herself. Hermione had even put red lipstick and matching nail polish on.

Always a gentleman, Lucius picked her up at the door. He placed a lingering kiss on her hand. Hermione felt her cheeks grow hot.

"I have something for you," he said, reaching into the inner pocket of his fine robes.

Lucius pulled a small box out. Opening it in front of her eyes he showed her a pair of pearl earrings. The pearls were drop-shaped and the hardware was silver. Hermione smiled and put them on immediately. Lucius took a step towards her. He cupped her cheek playing with her dangling earring for a moment. The older wizard smiled at her. She felt her heartbeat quickly. Her eyes closed as she slowly leaned into his touch. Her red lips parted and she let out a sigh.

"Are you ready to go?" Draco asked, creeping up behind them.

She snapped out of her moment, wanting to hex her friend. Lucius cleared his throat and offered Hermione his arm. They arrived at Hogwarts. She felt Lucius big hand on her exposed back as they walked to the Great Hall. His thumbs moved slowly up and down, caressing her skin.

They joined Ginny, who chose George as a 'date' and Luna and Neville. They each took a glass of champagne. "To our new life, cheers."

Excited about finally graduating, no one paid, much attention to Lucius' presence. As a member of the board of governors, his attending the graduation ball was hardly a surprise. Standing around round tables, everyone was focused on their new life. Lifely chatter buzzed through the Great Hall.

George left them to chat with a pretty witch. Luna looked small because she barefoot beneath her bohemian dress when everyone else was wearing high heels and Neville was holding her hand the entire time.

He was smiling proudly. "Those daisy's were grown using dragon dung as fertilizer that's why they glow," Neville explained, pointing at the flowers in his girlfriend's hair.

While Ginny and Draco chatted about Quidditch and hot blokes, Lucius kept his arm around Hermione's waist. She couldn't help herself and placed her head on his shoulder. If he minded her public display of affection, he didn't show it.

He didn't stop caressing her. She ached for his touch. Even after his hand left an area, there was still something of him lingering on her. She inhaled his musky scent. It was almost funny. She had spent so many years of hard work for this and now that she was finally graduating she couldn't wait for the event to finally end.

Hermione had no desire to stay a second longer than necessary at this ball. She wasn't interested in mingling or chatting with the very people she had spent the last year with and hadn't seen in months. Hermione didn't listen to Professor McGonagall's speech.

By the laughter that interrupted the silence, she could tell that her Head of House did an amazing job but the words just didn't reach her. Her thoughts circled around the older wizard.

She couldn't wait to taste Lucius' luscious lips. She was sure that they would be soft and his rich flavor with a hint of Firewhiskey would invade her little mouth. Imagining how his tongue would skilfully probe her little mouth, caressing her hers, making her melt into his arms.

Focusing on his big hand on her back, his heat burnet through her skin, she wondered how it would feel if he let his hand wander downwards. She would like it a lot if he cupped her buttcheeks and pressed her closer against him.

He would lean forward and nibble on the sensitive skin on her neck. His big hands would slowly move over her thighs. Closing her eyes she saw his piercing blue eyes in her mind. Watching her closely, he would get bolder and bolder. He would part her thighs to stroke over their insides.

From her knees, he would move up to her crotch. He would slowly move over her lower lips. Within seconds her juices would coat his long elegant fingers even through her knickers. Opening her legs further he would get the chance to explore her folds with his whole hand. Pushing her underwear aside, his long elegant fingers could sink into her depths effortlessly.

"Do enlighten me, what are you thinking about?"