A/N: Hi guys! Thank you for all the reviews. I loved them all. If I haven't responded to you yet, I promise I'll get to you soon. Here is a nice snippet with Lucius again. I'm sorry for the delay in getting it up before today, but I've been bed bound for several days. I pulled a muscle somewhere between my shoulder and my neck. Anyway, I hope you guys like this chapter. Enjoy!
Special Thanks: to my beta, TabiPrewett who is super awesome. I'm so glad you let me use you as a sounding board, otherwise, I doubt I'd ever get this stuff done.
To FF . net: No finger for you today. Good job FF.
Chapter 9
It was a few days after Hermione had cried on Severus, that he sent his raven to Grimmauld Place with a note that he charmed to only allow her to read it. Anyone else who tried to read it would get a nasty Sternius hex that made them to sneeze uncontrollably. Each time they picked the note up again, they'd get a new dose of the hex that made them unable to stop sneezing and would force them to put the note back down. Ron tried reading it four times, even though it was blatantly addressed to Hermione, before the curly haired witch found him still sneezing, while reaching for the note for a fifth time.
Taking the note away, while calling him a nosy git, she went upstairs to read it in private. Getting the note open, she was glad Severus did what he could to keep his query private. The dark man was curious as to the name of her muggle therapist that had helped her, and he wasn't sure who all knew about Hermione seeing one. Hence, the Sternius Hex for her privacy.
Severus wanted to do some research on mental traumas after their conversation during the dinner they'd shared, and he figured her therapist would be a good place to start. He was curious if there was a way to mix in muggle therapy and potion work in some way to help those affected by the war. Hermione had quickly pulled out fresh parchment and scribbled out a reply telling him all about her therapist. Explaining that they were a squib who was well aware of the war, so Severus wouldn't have to worry about tiptoeing around The International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy laws. She also wished him luck on his project and offered to help in any way that she could. Even if only to get him out of his lab for a nice meal every now and again.
The next few weeks passed, and Hermione rang in the New Year with her friends. Ron was there with Lavender and Hermione did her best to ignore them both. Harry had asked if Hermione minded and she had shrugged it off as no big deal. Though part of her felt like it was.
Hermione hadn't spoken to Ron about what she'd walked in on in the library and he hadn't mentioned it either. When asked by Harry and Ginny why she was late getting home that night, she said she stopped off and saw a friend. They didn't say anything else about it.
Now, she was sitting at work, going through yet another large stack of files when her stomach growled. It was time for lunch, though she didn't have time to stop.
Draco stopped by, asking if she wanted to join him for lunch, but she declined. Saying she was swamped and couldn't take a break yet. He nodded, thinking she worked too hard sometimes, but left to go grab a bite. He wasn't nearly as dedicated to his tasks as she was.
Another ten minutes passed, and she found she was starving. Deciding that swamped or not, she needed to eat, she slipped a few files in her case. Thinking at least she could make it a working lunch.
The current file in one hand as she walked and read, her other holding her briefcase, she made her way towards the elevators. She hadn't gotten very far when she ran into a warm body. The file slipped from her grasp along with her briefcase. She bent down for her case. "I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." She said, reaching for the file she'd dropped too, but whomever she bumped into beat her too it, and picked it up with gloved fingers.
She stood up, a smile on her lips when she found herself staring up at Lucius Malfoy. Her smile started to slip, but she forced it to stay in place. "Er...excuse me, Mr. Malfoy, I wasn't paying attention."
Lucius looked at the witch whose smile was not as easy as she was trying to make it seem. "It is my fault as well, since I wasn't fully looking either. Are you alright?"
Hermione swallowed. "Yes, just distracted is all." She took the file he held out for her in his black gloved hand.
Lucius' eyes ran over Hermione. His gaze started at her feet, taking in her sensible black heels, and her fitted charcoal skirt that showed the curve of her hips. Her white blouse had a few buttons undone, which gave him a peek at the hidden cleavage underneath, that he was sure she didn't realize was on display. The tiny peek allowed him to spot the necklace he had given her underneath her blouse. His gaze slid up past her matching blazer, to her face, where her cheeks were turning a becoming shade of pink at his inspection.
Clearing his throat, he spoke, his hand gripping his serpent headed cane a bit tighter. "I was looking for Draco. I happen to be at Ministry on business and had hoped to see if he'd join me for lunch."
Hermione willed her cheeks to stop burning. "He...he left a little while ago. Our whole department is on our lunch break already."
One of Lucius' perfectly groomed brows rose. "Then why, may I ask, are you still here?"
Hermione did her best not to squirm under his gaze. His gaze was intense and unnerving. "I...well...I was going to work through lunch. I've been rather busy and have tons still to do, but I was about to run out for a quick bite since my stomach won't be denied sustenance any longer, it seems." Trying for another smile, but she was sure it was as shaky as the first had been.
It was, though Lucius smiled in return, trying to ease her obvious discomfort. "Ahh, I see. Would you like to join me for lunch, then?"
Hermione's eyes widen a fraction, and her fake smile fell as she frowned. "Me?" Realizing how silly that question was when obviously he meant her, she quickly went on. "I thought you were looking for Draco?"
Lucius' smile grew just a little. "I was, but since I've missed him, and you are on your way out, I figure there is no need for us both to dine alone."
Hermione didn't think it was good idea, but after everything Severus had said, maybe she should give him a chance to see if he was right. Though, she still didn't think it would be wise to be beholden to this man, even if only for a meal.
Hermione took so long in answering, Lucius was positive she was going to decline his invitation. However, her next words surprised him. "Alright, but...only if it's my treat." She said, her chin lifting slightly.
Lucius debated if he should argue. It wasn't his intention to let her buy his lunch and he was raised that a lady never paid. However, he knew if he argued, she might just decline joining him after all.
Instead of arguing, Lucius smiled and gave a small nod. "If you insist."
Hermione smiled in return, and this time it wasn't forced. "I do."
Lucius held out his arm. "Shall we?"
Hermione swallowed, not sure about taking his arm, but decided it couldn't hurt. Slipping her arm through his, he led the way towards the elevators.
Once inside the small lifts, Hermione let go of his arm. After the doors closed, she couldn't help but notice, once again, that he smelled very good. She didn't know what kind of cologne he wore, but it was delicious on him. The thought of anything pertaining to Lucius Malfoy being delicious made her nervous and her hands start to fidget.
Lucius noticed the slight fidget, but he didn't comment. He figured her not freezing on him was a vast improvement. It had taken Severus a while to convince the blond man that he'd actually made a small bit of progress with Hermione. Lucius hadn't noticed at first, that when he had held her while she cried in Severus' home, that Hermione didn't seem to get lost in her memories once she realized it was the aristocrat that held her. Severus had pointed out also, her ability in pulling herself from the memories, was better this time around, than during their previous meeting at the Christmas party. Meaning there was a possibility that it would get better with time and more meetings.
When she'd seen him only minutes ago, there had been no glazing over of her eyes. Clearly, she was indeed getting better at seeing him and being around him. The realization pleased him more than he cared to admit. It made him hopeful that one day there would be no pause, no glazing of her eyes. One day, there might be not be any fear of him any longer.
It was a day, Lucius found, as the lift moved them to the ground floor of the Ministry, that he couldn't wait to see. The realization of such hope had him a bit unnerved, but he forced the odd and out of place feeling away. He still hadn't even had a real conversation with her yet. Meaning, he had no business hoping for anything, beyond their lunch and maybe an exchange of pleasantries during their meal.
When they stepped out of the lift, Lucius' hand at the small of her back to guide her, he started to lead her towards the floos, but her voice made his steps pause. "Since it's my treat, do mind if I pick where we eat?" Hermione asked him.
Lucius nodded. "I don't mind at all, my dear. Where did you have in mind?"
Hermione smiled and took his arm, drawing towards the only place apparation was allowed inside the Ministry, instead of the floos. "You'll see."
Once in the sectioned off area for apparation, she stepped closer to him, making him curious until she pulled her wand. "Do you mind side-along apparation?" She asked him, knowing not everyone was okay with it.
Lucius lifted one broad shoulder in a mild shrug. "It's not my favorite mode of transport. I usually like to control the apparition, but I'll survive."
Her lips curving into a smirk, she took his arm and flicked her wand. They were gone with a soft crack. They arrived with a pop and Lucius had to admit that she had excellent control of her magic. He usually didn't like side-along apparation due to most wizards or witches either making them splinch or making the journey a bit nauseating.
Neither happened with her. Lucius turned to her when she let go of him and stepped away. He gave her a small smile. "See, I survived."
Chuckling softly, Hermione took his arm once again, and led him to one of her favorite restaurants. A small cafe that was muggle owned, but it had a spectacular view.
Lucius allowed her to lead him, since he hadn't a clue where they were going. When they came up on the small little restaurant with a brightly colored awning, he wondered what he was in for.
Hermione led him inside and waved towards the older couple that owned and ran the place. They waved back and when Lucius wasn't looking, the owner's wife gave Hermione a wiggle of her eyebrows at seeing the handsome man with her.
Hermione couldn't fight the blush, and unfortunately Lucius turned to look at her before she could make it fade. When he inquired if she was alright, she blushed more and said it was just overly warm with her blazer on.
Taking it off before taking her seat, a seat that Lucius pulled out for her, she quickly picked up one of the menus and handed it to him. She hid her still red face behind her own menu.
Lucius, having shed his outer coat as well, glanced at the menu and was curious at some things on it. Some of these dishes he'd never heard of. What is a chicken pot pie? He wondered. Not sure if he dared ask.
When Hermione's cheeks felt normal again, she lowered her menu and looked over at him to see him looking curious and a bit confused as he read his choices. She bit her lip to keep from laughing softly, she didn't think he'd appreciate it.
"So, do you see anything you like on the menu?" She asked him.
The thought that popped into Lucius' mind wasn't one she'd probably appreciate. He doubted she'd sit on the menu anyway. "I'm...mulling over my choices. What do you recommend? I'm assuming you've eaten here before." Hoped was more like it, otherwise, he might be in for some indigestion later if this turned out to be as bad as he feared. What in the ruddy hell is rumbledethumps? The aristocrat wondered, not finding a description under the name to help him out.
"Yes, I have. I like their toad in a hole, but I don't eat it often." She started, but quickly paused at his slightly horrified glance. Realizing what he probably thought, she went on. "It's not really a toad…or a frog of any kind. Its sausages wrapped in a flaky crust with gravy. When it's done cooking the sausages peeks out of its wrappings, kind of like a toad might, if it were looking out of a hole."
Lucius nodded, looking slightly relieved. "Anything else?" I still want to know what the bloody hell rumbledethumps is. He thought, before he decided that maybe he was better off not knowing.
Hermione bit her lip to keep from smirking. "The bangers and mash are very good, though I prefer my bangers with bubbles and squeaks. I usually just have a sandwich from their deli though. It's quick and light, so I won't get sleepy sitting at my desk."
Lucius nodded, deciding he could handle a sandwich. "A deli sandwich it is. Are you expected back soon?"
Hermione thought about how to answer. "No, I'm allowed an extended lunch on occasion and I've not taken one in ages. Though, I did originally plan to work while I ate, but...I don't have to." She could stay a little late and make up the time.
Lucius frowned slightly. "Do they usually make you work through your lunches?" He'd never heard of Draco doing so.
Hermione shook her head. "No, I do sometimes if I'm really busy, like today. However...not everything has to be completed today. I just like to have a clear desk before I go home, if I can manage it. Less to worry about come the next day."
Lucius nodded again, but he was saved from responding when an aging woman came up to them wearing a filly pale blue apron. "Hello, Hermione dear, how are you today?"
Hermione smiled. "Hello, Greta, I'm well. You?"
The older woman smirked. "I'm just fine. I see you brought a friend with you today."
Hermione's smile grew. "Yes, this is Lucius Malfoy. Mr. Malfoy, this is Greta Martin, she owns the restaurant with her husband, Frank." Greta held out her hand for a shake.
Lucius gave the woman a charming smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Madam." Taking her hand and placing a small kiss on top.
Greta smiled, and her lightly wrinkled cheeks turned a soft pink at the gesture. "He's a real charmer, dearie. Handsome too. I like your friend."
When Hermione flushed, Greta chuckled before speaking again. "What can I get you two today?"
Hermione again willed her blush away, but doubted it worked when she spotted Lucius smirking lightly. "I'll have a turkey and swiss on sourdough with a side of chips, please. A cup of tea also. Oolong, if you have any." Greta nodded, she always kept Oolong for when Hermione stopped by.
Lucius, still smirking at Hermione's blush, gave his order. "I'll have the ham and swiss on rye, with a side of chips also. The Oolong tea would be lovely, as well."
When Greta left, Hermione bit her lip. "Sorry about that. Greta...is a dear woman who is a bit of a romantic at heart."
"What's wrong with being a little romantic?" Lucius asked, truly curious.
Hermione frowned slightly. "Well...nothing really. It's just...she thought...oh, never mind."
He chuckled softly. "I understand. If it pleases her to think what she does, then why not let her?"
Hermione swallowed nervously and was grateful when Greta came back with their tea. It saved her from answering his question. When Greta left, Hermione added sugar to her tea and took a sip.
"Mr. Malfoy..." She started after she'd swallowed.
"Lucius, please." He said, interrupting her.
Again, Hermione wasn't sure that was a good idea, but just skipped over his name to keep from arguing. "About what happened a few weeks ago..." Biting her lip again as she debated what she was about to say.
Lucius sighed. "You don't need to apologize again. Everyone has bad days and needs a shoulder to lean on."
Hermione looked up at him. "No, I...I was going to thank you…for letting me cry on you. For offering...comfort when I needed it. I didn't tell you then, and I should have. But...with our past..."
Lucius swallowed nervously this time. "Hermione...may I call you, Hermione?"
She took a moment before nodding slowly, and when she did, he went on. "Hermione, I know we don't have the best past together...but I do hope we can start fresh. I...regret what happened to you in my home and...I wish to make it up to you."
Hermione frowned slightly. Make it up to me? How could he ever do that? He can't go back in time and change it. It happened. In his office, in his home, while he watched.
Again, Severus' words came to mind, his words warring with her own thoughts on the subject. Finally, Hermione spoke, her voice soft. "I'm not sure you can. I...I dream of it sometimes, did you know?"
Lucius shook his head, his mouth suddenly dry at hearing her words.
Hermione fidgeted with her cup as she went on. "I...I see it some nights, and...I feel it too. Everything that happened, I see it, hear it, I can even smell it. What the room smelled like when I was in it. The exotic flowers that were sitting in a vase near the sofa in your office, the muskiness of Greyback, plus, the odd perfumes the women in the room were wearing that mixed in the air with everything else. I'm aware of all of it in my dreams. How would you make it up to me? Therapy? I've tried that. It didn't work…well…not for that, it didn't." Some of her therapy worked. She just hadn't been able to truly work through that night and be free of it yet.
Their sandwiches arrived and neither said anything for a bit. Both simply taking small bites and thinking about what she'd said.
Lucius finally couldn't take the silence any longer. "I don't know how to make it up to you. I've tried to figure out what I could offer you to make it better. To make it right. Only, I've always come up blank. I've wronged you worse than anyone and you are the only one I've never tried to make it up to. I'd like to try, if you'd let me."
Hermione swallowed the food in her mouth and took a drink to wash it down before speaking. Though, she was mindful of how loud her voice was. She didn't want anyone to overhear them, and it cause issues due to the stature of secrecy laws. "How have I been wronged the worst? People died. That seems so much worse to me. There are families out there without their loved ones. That seems so much worse too."
Lucius sighed, also careful to keep his voice low so others didn't overhear them. "Those that died are not suffering anymore. Those that lost family members were able to move on with their lives. I wasn't standing right there unable to stop it for them. I went on some raids, and I did help with a few of those lost lives, but I never felt the need to step in and stop it before, not like I did that night with you."
Hermione's met his silver gaze, shocked at what she was hearing, even as he went on. "Everyone I had helped destroy up until then was an adult, not still a child. Those I helped destroy did something to anger the monster that ordered their deaths. I believed in what I was doing then. However, I didn't believe in torturing a seventeen-year-old girl. I would never have raised my wand and tortured a child. In my mind, seventeen is still underage and therefore off limits."
Hermione frowned, confused. "But you gave Ginny the diary when she was only eleven."
Lucius sighed again. "I didn't know what it was exactly, when I gave it to her. I knew it was his diary, but I didn't think it would physically harm her, or risk the lives of other children at Hogwarts. I was ordered to give it to her, and thinking it was just a book, I did as I was told. I thought it would only make her curious, I didn't think it would do any real harm. Had I known...I don't know what I would have done."
Hermione ate a few of her chips, thinking about what he said. "You had Remus fired."
Lucius nodded. "I did. I had a werewolf fired that could have harmed any number of students if he got loose during his transformations. It wasn't safe. I couldn't risk my son being harmed because an old fool thought he had the creature under control. I didn't have Remus Lupin fired for any reason, other than because I feared him hurting my son or some other child. He even got loose one night. Which is exactly, why I did, what I did."
Hermione sighed. "I know...I was there when it happened."
Lucius' nostrils flared slightly. "You were near a werewolf during the full moon? You could have been killed, shredded to bits."
Hermione nodded. "I know, Severus...he tried to protect us from him. He tried to shield us with his body but...Remus didn't harm us." He tried, might have succeeded too if not for my time turner and Buckbeak. I can see why Lucius did what he did, I suppose.
Lucius hadn't heard about this part of the story. "Severus did this? Wait, who is us, exactly?"
Hermione shrugged. "Us being, Ron, Harry, and myself. Yes, Severus did that. Remus only came out during the full moon because of Peter Pettigrew."
Lucius clenched his jaw. "That is a man I wish I had killed myself. Damn rat was always spying on all of us."
Hermione nodded. "Trust me, I know the feeling. Though, in the end, he got what he deserved. He died by his own metal hand betraying him, just like he betrayed everyone else."
Lucius looked to her. "How did you know? You weren't in the dungeon when it happened."
"Harry told me later, after I had rested and healed some." She said softly, pushing the rest of her sandwich away. She wasn't hungry any longer.
Lucius sighed, finished with his own half eaten meal too. "I am sorry."
Hermione looked at the man in front of her. "Why did you drop the wards that night?"
Lucius looked up startled. "I beg your pardon?"
Hermione tilted her head as she watched him. "Why did you drop the apparation wards around your home that night?"
Lucius kept his face blank. "Why would you think that I did?" Lucius knew it was best to keep some secrets a secret. Besides, he wanted to earn her forgiveness, not have it given to him when he didn't feel he deserved it yet.
Severus, she thought. "Are you saying you didn't?"
Lucius narrowed his eyes slightly. How does she know I did? "No, I'm merely asking what makes you think I did? Why would I have?"
He doesn't want to admit it, she realized. She didn't understand why though. If he admitted it, it might get her to forgive him or at least start to. Only...he wouldn't admit it. She didn't understand why he wouldn't admit it, either. It wasn't like the knowledge would hurt him now. In fact, it could only help him, if it got out that he'd done more to help during the war.
"I'm not sure why you would have, which is why I'm asking. I...I read somewhere that no one can appparate in or out of Malfoy manner without the master of the house's permission." She said, still watching him.
Lucius tilted his head in thought. "I may have dropped them that night before I fell unconscious, a lot had happened. It was possible that I just didn't remember doing it before your friends got loose."
Hermione's eyebrows rose. He's lying. "So, you didn't feel your wards down?" Why is he lying? She wondered, still not understanding.
Lucius bit back a sigh. "It's possible. It's been so long...I don't really remember." Which wasn't true, he remembered that night with perfect clarity. At least, the parts he was conscience for.
Hermione leaned a bit closer and rested her hands on the table. If he's going to lie, then so will I. "I read somewhere too that the master of the house can follow a person who apparates away from their family's home." It wasn't true, she'd never heard of such a thing until Severus mentioned it.
Lucius' nostrils flaring again was the only outward sign that he gave, otherwise his face stayed blank and his voice was calm. "That's rubbish. I've never read that anywhere before."
It was impossible for her to know such a thing. No former owner of Malfoy Manor would ever have given that secret away to be put in a book. Neither would any other owner of a magical ancestral home, current or otherwise, have told of such a thing to anyone. It was the biggest and most guarded secret of any ancestral home in the wizarding community. Here and abroad. No one would give it up, ever.
Lucius' own father didn't even share that secret with him until the ailing man had been on his deathbed. Even then, Abraxas had sworn Lucius to secrecy. Made the blond man swear on his wand, to never to reveal the secret of their home to anyone other than Lucius' heir, and only when it was time to pass on the title of Master.
Interesting. He still denies it, Hermione thought. "Maybe I'm just a bigger bibliophile than you are."
Lucius smirked, still trying to figure out how she could know a secret that was so guarded. "I highly doubt that, but it's possible." Only someone from another magical family, that had ties to a family home such as his, could know of the ability to follow someone who apparates away. She didn't know many people from a family line that still held an ancestral home.
Hermione smiled. "Do you read a lot of books?"
Lucius nodded. "I have a rather vast library. Maybe I'll show it to you one day."
Lucius' mind was still racing, before it landed on the only person who could have told her. Severus. Severus was a Prince, and while his mother was disowned before he was born, the dour man's family held an ancestral home just like Lucius' did. Eileen would have been the heir before being disowned. Meaning she probably knew the secret and told Severus at one point, just in case. Severus must have told the young witch before him. Thanks for the warning, old friend, Lucius mentally snarked.
Hermione's smile faded at his offer. That would mean she'd have to go to his house. Could I really go to Malfoy Manor again? She didn't know. "Possibly." Using his answers that he'd given her to her questions.
Lucius figured he knew why her smile faded and let it alone. "I have taken up much of your lunch hour already. I should let you get back to work." I think I may need to have a chat with Severus soon and find out what exactly he has told you. The blond man thought, that way I won't be surprised again.
Hermione nodded, allowing the unanswered questions she'd asked him to stay that way for now. "Yes, I have lots of files to deal with." She raised her hand and signaled Greta for the chek.
Lucius felt his jaw clench again at her paying the bill, but knew it was wiser not to argue. She might not let him join her again, and he really hoped that one day she would.
Once they were outside again, he spoke. "Thank you for lunch, Hermione."
"It was my pleasure, Mr..." At his raised eyebrow she stopped. Should I use his name? Swallowing the nervousness down, she went on. "Lucius." She finished, still thinking it was a bad idea.
Lucius smiled and took her hand. Placing a gentle kiss on it. "We should do it again. I might even let it be your treat again."
Hermione laughed softly as butterflies filled her stomach at him kissing her hand. "Maybe. I must go."
"Before you do, I have a very important question I must ask you." He told her, looking very serious now. Still holding her hand in his.
Hermione nodded, swallowing nervously at what he could possibly need to ask her. "Alright."
Lucius silver eyes on hers, he spoke. "What precisely is rumbledethumps?"
Whatever she might have been expecting from him, this wasn't it at all. A rush of laughter escaped her as the silliness of his question really hit her. Especially, when it was combined to his very serious and slightly confused look.
The melodious sound of her laughter had his lips curving slightly. She has a lovely laugh, he realized as he waited for her to gain her composure so she could answer him. It had him thinking that he just might have to see if he could get her to do it again sometime. Taking note of her hand that she hadn't pulled from his grasp yet.
When she finally got control of her laughter, a smile still flirting around her lips, she explained. "It's a muggle dish made up of potatoes, cabbages, and onions. Usually topped with cheese."
Lucius nodded. "Ah, I see…and the name comes from…" Already having an idea.
Hermione giggled softly. "From the sounds your stomach will make after eating it."
Lucius chuckled. "I'm glad I chose the sandwich then."
Hermione gave another soft laugh. "Me too." She glanced at the watch she wore sometimes, and Lucius saw her do it. She needed to go.
"I should let you go. Lucius told her, before he bowed slightly. "Goodbye Hermione, I hope you have a lovely afternoon." Finally, letting her hand go.
"Goodbye...Lucius." She said before apparating away, after checking that no one was looking.
She'd stumbled over his name, but she'd said it. Twice, in fact. He was pleased. Lucius was smiling as he too apparated away.
Once Hermione got back to the office, her lips held a hint of the smile the blond man had caused with his final question. Taking a seat at her desk, she found herself thinking about their conversation during their meal. As she played the discussion over again in her mind, she could not help but frown slightly over everything that had taken place. Lucius hadn't answered her questions, but his non answers spoke volumes too.
She realized after several minutes that it was something that she'd need to think about later. For now, she had work to do. A lot of work, if the size of her remaining pile of files was anything to go by.
Hermione started to reach for a fresh one, before she remembered she'd put a few in case before lunch. She finally pulled out the files from her case and shook her head, realizing she had not touched a single file like she'd originally planned. She was so engulfed in what was inside, she didn't know Draco walked into her office a short time later, until she heard him speak.
"Where in the hell were you?" He asked. "I thought you didn't have time for lunch."
She glanced up and shrugged. "Got hungry."
Draco sighed. "I really was hoping you'd join me. I had to eat alone. Father wasn't at home when I stopped by there either."
Hermione felt her cheek trying to flush and barely managed to stop them. "Really? That's too bad. I know you hate to eat alone." Your father apparently does too.
Draco shifted and moved to sit. "You owe me lunch now."
Hermione looked up. "What? I don't owe you anything. I hadn't planned on going out, but I was starved. Then..." Draco raised his eyebrow, looking just like his father and making her flush after all, before she looked away. "Then, I went to grab a bite."
Draco stared at the witch that was doing her best not to look at him. "You are hiding something."
Hermione swallowed nervously. "I am not."
Draco smirked. "Yes, you are. You never have a problem looking me in the eye."
She forced herself to look at him. "I'm not hiding anything."
Draco scoffed. "I say you are. I'd swear you blew me off to have lunch with some bloke."
Her blush deepened, and Draco laughed triumphantly. "I knew it." He said. "You had a hot date."
The word date did nothing for her blush, but she had to correct him. "I didn't have a date."
Draco smirked. "Liar. You are blushing all nice and red. Which tells me you had a hot date and you really like the bloke."
Hermione's mouth dropped open. "I do not." That was impossible. She did not like Lucius Malfoy. Not like that, anyway.
Draco's smirk grew. "Ha! I knew you had a date."
Hermione closed eyes and rubbed her forehead. It wasn't a date and I don't like him. He's your father, for cripes sake. He was there when...I...her thoughts stopped. She remembered the look in his eyes, remembered what Severus told her. Remembered what Lucius said about wanting to stop it.
It wasn't his fault. That night wasn't his fault. She realized, though nothing she realized was anything Severus hadn't already told her. It only now seemed to really sink in. He had wanted to stop it, but...it would have meant death for his family. Sure, he made mistakes, but...he's trying to make up for them.
"Granger? Are you alright? You look like you're going to be sick." Draco said.
Hermione didn't hear him. Severus made mistakes too. He joined Voldemort. He helped in the raids where people died before becoming a spy. Draco tried to kill Dumbledore. I've forgiven them both. Why not Lucius? He did what he could to help me that night. Even if for some reason he doesn't want to admit it. He could have followed me to Shell Cottage to recapture us all. He could have saved his own skin by offering us up to his master. Again, nothing new, but something that was only just now really sinking in.
He even ate in a muggle restaurant today. He didn't sneer at the food. He wasn't mean to Greta. He was nice to me. He even made me laugh. Plus, he held me while I cried. He left to not make me uncomfortable that day. Severus says he isn't a bad person and maybe it's true. Maybe he does deserve a second chance, she thought. Still nothing new, but at this point she didn't care if it was new information or not.
"Granger?" Draco snapped his fingers a few times.
It took Hermione a moment to break away from her thoughts. "Hmm? What?" She said finally.
Draco frowned. "Are you okay? You look like you zoned out or something."
Hermione nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. Sorry, was thinking about...something."
Draco sighed. "Obviously. Did you just figure out you actually like your hot date?"
Hermione looked back up at him with a small smile. "I think I did. Though, not like that. I think I like him as a person. Maybe even a possible friend one day." Wouldn't that be something. Her friends with Lucius Malfoy.
Draco looked confused. "Why would you go out with him if you didn't at least like him as a person?"
Hermione shook her head. "I think I needed to see if he was a good person."
Draco sighed again. "I think you're losing it, Granger. You're becoming as loony as Luna was in school."
Hermione smirked, and Draco left shortly after that. Her smirk turned into a smile as she worked through her stack of files. All in all, her afternoon did turn out quite lovely. Even though she did have to stay an extra half hour late to get through all the files.
A/N: I know in the book, Deathly Hallows, that Hermione was actually tortured in one of the drawing rooms, but I moved it to his office because it fit with my story better this way. My apologies to anyone who may be upset at the change, but…she didn't ever sleep with Lucius in the books either…soo…yeah, it's fanfiction. =) More coming soon.