A/N: Hello all. Thank you all for the reviews, I enjoyed them all. Someone mentioned that Hermione seemed to have a weird issue with hearing voices or something because she was silently arguing with herself. She doesn't have split personalities, nor is she crazy, she just mentally argues with herself. It's not that Hermione is hearing voices, per say, it's her own thoughts bouncing around in her head. I, myself, do this, so I don't find it odd at all. That being said, here we see the shopping spree with Draco, and its…interesting. Enjoy.

Special Thanks: To TabiPrewett, my very amazing beta. You have done an excellent job on this story and I love that you let me bounce ideas off of you too.

Chapter 13

Hermione made it downstairs without incident, in fact, she didn't see anyone downstairs. Finally, she called for Lulu and asked the little house elf where Draco was. Lulu led her into a huge sitting room and found Draco sitting on a large sofa.

The young blond looked up. "Finally. Where have you been? You left to get dressed before I did, and..." He paused, looking her up and down. "I think I did a better job than you did."

Hermione scowled as she held her purse a bit tighter in her grasp. Bloody stuck-up prat. "Whatever. Shall we go?"

Draco smirked and nodded. He reached over and took her arm, pulling her close and making her scowl more. Before she could say a word, he apparated them to London.

They arrived in a very posh area and after she looked around, she wondered what this trip was going to cost her. Draco led her from one shop to another, and it left her wondering why they hadn't bought one of the, what seemed like, hundreds of dresses he'd made her try on so far.

Draco smirked when she finally asked that same question aloud, and he said that she asked for his help, so for her to shut it and trust his judgment. Hermione had gritted her teeth, but she did as he said. Already thinking about hexing him once they were finally done for the day.

Draco pulled her into yet another store, one that after seeing who he was, did their best to suck up to him as much as possible. They knew who the Malfoys were and knew they always spent large amounts of money if they were happy with the service and selection.

Hermione rolled her eyes, but Draco smirked and allowed them to fawn all over them both. After she tried on what seemed like twenty new gowns, Draco finally paused.

Studying her in the deep purple gown as she had her hand on her hip, glaring at him since she was now completely out of patience. She was tired, her feet hurt, and she was hungry. None of those things kept her mood happy.

"Turn around, Granger. Let's see how your arse looks in this one." Draco said.

Hermione growled, but did as he asked. Feeling weird knowing Draco was inspecting her rear in the stupid purple dress. Thinking Severus really owed her big time for dealing with this.

Draco finally smiled. "Okay, Hermione. You can go take off the dress now."

Hermione bit her lip to keep from snarling at him. Moving back into the dressing room to take it off. "There isn't another dress in here to change into." You arrogant sod, she added silently.

Draco chuckled. "That's because we're done here, Hermione. Now, move your arse and get dressed."

Hermione growled, about ready to say to hell with Severus and storm out there, but not before hexing the living hell out the blond git. She pulled on her clothes and slipped her shoes back on, mentally cursing Draco as she did so.

She stepped out, murder in her eyes. Draco saw the look and snickered. "Aw, don't look at me like that, Hermione. You looked fabulous in the last one and we're getting that one."

Hermione sighed, thinking they were done improving her mood. "Thank heavens. I was ready to kill you if you tried shoving me in one more of those damned things."

Draco smirked. "You said you wanted to look good. Well, looking good takes time. Not for me of course, but for some people."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, but Draco was already telling the clerk to wrap the dress up and send it to Malfoy Manor. When Draco was handed the bill, Hermione almost fainted at seeing the cost.

"You're joking, right? That much? For a dress?" Hermione asked softly, eyes wide.

Draco sighed. "Looking as good as you will isn't cheap. I got it, don't worry."

Hermione frowned. "What? No. You're not buying my dress."

Draco quirked his brow, again looking like his father and making her nervous. "Yes, I am. I said I'd take care of it and I am. Now, either sit down and be quiet while I pay the bill, or we can just go to however many places it takes until we find one in your price range that looks equally as good. Personally, I don't want this to take all day today and tomorrow."

Hermione, a look of horror on her face at thinking of how many hours were left not only in today but tomorrow too, and just how many shops and dresses that might entail, quickly sat down and shut up.

Draco chuckled softly. He knew that would work before he'd even said it. He didn't think the dress was all that expensive. His own mother dropped almost three times that cost on a single dress.

Hermione may have thought they were done, but Draco proved to her how wrong she was, but at least he let her stop to eat first. Hunger abated, she felt a little bit better.

Next came shoes, but at least she got to sit while getting those. Draco said they needed to find lingerie to go with the dress, but she refused to model it for him when he suggested it. Making him snicker again as he picked out just the right things to go with the dress. Draco didn't really need her to try it on, but he was enjoying picking at her about it.

Draco tried to get her to let him pick out jewelry, but she forcefully declined. Saying she didn't need any.

They came to a salon and after finally just closing her eyes and letting them work without her input at all, Hermione swore to herself she'd kill him if he made her look stupid. When they were done, she looked in the mirror and was surprised to see the heavy mass tamed with the new cut. The few soft highlights added in made her look very nice too.

When Draco announced they were done, Hermione sent up a silent thanks that she survived. Then, taking Draco's arm, they apparated back to the Manor. Ending up back in the same sitting room as before.

Hermione stepped away from him. "Thank you for helping me today and for...paying for the dress."

Draco smirked as he led the way out of the room and into the hallway, leading her towards the stairs. He figured she'd want to see her purchases and knew they'd be in her room by now. Or at least lie down and rest since she looked tired after their trip.

A thought hit Draco, making his smirk grow bigger. "It was my pleasure, Granger. Though if you really wanted to thank me, you could have tried on the lingerie and modeled it for me see."

Hermione stopped, eyes narrowed as she turned and glared at Draco. She'd had enough of him. Not realizing that Lucius had been coming down the stairs and heard his son's comment. The elder aristocrat's eyes narrowed slightly at his son as he stood just behind the now very angry witch.

"You rotten little prick." Hermione growled. "I will not now, nor will I ever model any kind of lingerie for you. You have done nothing, but make rude and snide comments all day and...and…you're a jackass." With a speed that both wizards had to admire, she had her wand out and sent a nasty hex at Draco, before he even realized her intentions, let alone could attempt to block it.

Spinning around, Hermione ran straight into Lucius, whose brow was raised and had a smirk on his lips as he heard his son yelp at the spell hitting him. With a frustrated huff, she sidestepped him and ran up the stairs.

Lucius looked to his son who now had the ears and a tail of donkey, looking just like the jackass Hermione had called him. "I take it you both had a pleasant day?" His voice full of amusement at the glare his son gave him. "Hmm...I guess not. Still haven't learned your lesson about provoking that particular witch, I see." Lucius made several soft tsking noises as he moved towards his office, not even trying to help his son with a counter-curse. Knowing that Draco would never learn if Lucius helped him out of every mess the boy made. Plus, Lucius found himself curious just how long it would take his son to undo the hex. Hermione was rather skilled with her wand, after all.

It was several hours later, after taking a quick nap that Hermione made her way down again. She felt bad for hexing Draco. He was a snot, but he had helped her. Both with picking everything out and paying for the overly priced dressed.

Hermione didn't see anyone, but when she went into the sitting room, she found Toddle dusting. "Hello, I am looking for Draco." She said.

Toddle looked over at her. "Young master's is by's the pool. Toddle will's show you's."

Hermione followed behind the short elf, wondering why Draco was swimming in February. Wondering too if he'd gotten rid of her hex. The thought of him swimming with the tail and ears of a donkey had her chuckling softly. As they walked, she looked around and taking in the beautiful house along the way, they took several corridors before the elf stopped and pointed towards a closed door.

"Young master's is in's there. If's you's need anything else. Toddle will's help." Then, the elf was gone with a pop.

Hermione opened the door, momentarily blinded by the bright overhead lights. Not realizing that the pool was inside, though she should have considering where she was. She'd already seen an indoor tennis court, why wouldn't the pool be inside too.

Hermione didn't see anyone at first, and then she saw a flash of blond dive under the water. She walked over and sat down, looking around until he surfaced again. She was studying a pretty flower in a pot next to her chair when she heard a voice.

"Hermione, what brings you in here?" Lucius asked.

Hermione whipped her head around and found that the flash of blond hadn't been Draco after all. Mentally cursing for not looking closer before sitting down.

"Er...I was looking for Draco. Toddle said he was in here." Hermione said frowning slightly as she tried not to look at the water running off Lucius' chest as he stood in the shallow end of the pool.

Lucius raised an eyebrow at her. "He was, but he just left a few moments ago. Is there something I can help you with?"

Hermione swallowed nervously as a blush started to rise on her cheeks. The blond man definitely was something to look at in nothing more than a pair of fitted black swimming trunks. His chest well-formed and pale in color, with very little hair on his chest, and only a thin blond line leading down his stomach into his shorts. A stomach that was still very toned for a man his age.

Hermione found herself impressed with how fit he was, even as she tried to keep from ogling him. "Well...not really...I, um, wanted to apologize for hexing him earlier and fix what I did, if he hasn't already. I was tired and cranky and...well...I shouldn't have done it." She said, fighting the still rising blush.

Lucius studied her for a moment as he watched her cheeks pinken just a bit more as she looked at him. Doing his best not to smirk. He did try his best to keep in shape, and in doing so, he looked very good for a man in his late forties.

"I wouldn't worry about it, my dear. He's back to normal and it sounded like he deserved the hex. Maybe next time he won't be so rude and antagonistic. I did try to raise him better than that, but his mother..." He trailed off with a shrug.

Hermione smiled softly. "He's not all bad. Draco has his moments, as I'm sure we all do, but on a whole you did well with him. You know...minus when he's acting like a snobby brat."

Lucius chuckled softly, moving closer to the edge of the pool. "That would be his mother's influence. She spoiled him terribly."

When Hermione didn't comment further, he tried to draw her out again. "I like the new haircut. It suits you, though the color was perfect as it was before. You do look very lovely, all in all."

Hermione couldn't fight the blush this time. She wasn't used to compliments like the one's he gave her. "Thank you, Mr..." He raised an eyebrow at her again making her smile. "...Lucius."

Lucius smiled back at her, showing perfectly straight and white teeth. "You're quite welcome, my dear. Care to join me for a swim?"

Hermione shook her head. "No thank you, I didn't bring a suit with me." She didn't think it wise to go near him, especially with him wearing so little and her noticing how good he looked.

Lucius rested his arms on the edge of the pool. "That wouldn't be too hard to rectify. We are both magical people with the ability to transfigure clothing, after all."

Hermione chuckled softly. "That is true, but I still think I'll decline."

Lucius shrugged. "Pity. The warm is warm and inviting."

As is the man in the pool, it seems. She thought. "Maybe another time. I must be getting my things together and going home anyway."

Lucius frowned. "Why are you leaving so soon? Surely, you're not still angry with Draco if you were going to apologize."

"No, that's not it. I stayed so Draco could help me shop and we're done shopping. As much as I appreciate the use of the beautiful room, I should go home." She said.

Lucius used his arms to pull himself from the water, the sight made her mouth go dry at the ripple of muscle in his arms and shoulders. "Nonsense. Your friends are not home yet, so you'd be forced to deal with...less than stellar company. Besides, I thought Draco was to help you with any last-minute details while you get ready for the party."

Hermione tore her eyes away from the man that was dripping wet and looked towards the interior of the house again. He does have a point. She thought, though part of her hadn't really wanted to leave yet. When she turned back, Lucius had donned a thick terry cloth robe and was moving to sit in a chair next to her.

She saw his intense gray eyes on her and fought the need to fidget. "I'd hate to impose by staying further."

Lucius smiled. "It's no imposition at all, my dear. You're welcome to stay as long as you wish."

Hermione smiled softly. "In that case, I'd love to see your library."

Lucius' smile grew. "Excellent. Give me a few moments to change clothes and I'd be delighted to show it to you." He'd never asked Lulu to get that book for her, not that he'd intended to, hoping instead she'd let him show her where it was.

When Lucius led her into the large and fully stocked library a little while later, her jaw dropped. She'd swear there were more books in this room than even in the library at Hogwarts. It was incredible.

Lucius, seeing the stunned, yet excited look on her face, chuckled softly. Here was the key to this woman's heart. She didn't care for jewels, or clothes, or anything else that most women desired. She cared only for books. The older and more obscure, the better, he'd wager.

Lucius watched her scan the titles on one shelf, a happy smile on her lips at what she was seeing. He found himself thinking that he wouldn't mind opening this woman's heart, finding a good place for himself inside it, and settling in nice and deep. The out of nowhere thought startled him, and he found it unnerved him greatly too. Lucius didn't have actual relationships since his divorce, instead he had nice discrete affairs. Granted, he hadn't had any type of affair in a while, but he hadn't found anyone that interested him.

This woman currently scanning the titles in his library did, though. Hermione had caught his attention by looking beautiful at the Christmas party. Adding in what he'd already learned about her before that night, Lucius was indeed interested. He hadn't had a paramour that was intelligent before. Which might explain why he normally grew bored quickly and they stopped being his paramour.

Having lunch with the young witch, Lucius had seen the kindness in Hermione's eyes as she spoke to the muggle owners of the restaurant. Speaking to Severus on numerous occasions, he knew just how generous she was too. Even Draco telling him about what her moronic ex-fiance had done and how she'd stopped Potter from kicking the boy out spoke of her sweet and tolerant nature. She didn't gain anything with the boy living there.

However, it was holding her as she cried, while Hermione thought it was on Severus' chest, that let him see that she wasn't as strong as she tried to make out. She did have a tender heart that could easily bruise.

Holding her in his office while she sobbed had torn at Lucius' heart a little, because he knew that he had played a part in that terror. However, watching her struggle and fight her way past the nightmare she was seeing, truly tugged at his heart even more. He was very impressed at the way she handled herself, and he was a man who was not easily impressed.

Then, she'd kissed him. It had been an accident that he'd turned his head and caught her lips. When Lucius had gotten just that brief feel of the soft and plump flesh, something in him roared to have more. When he finally got to taste Hermione, she been exquisite, and he knew he wanted more. Knew he needed more. Knew he would do anything, give anything to have more.

Now, Lucius was mildly worried by the way his thoughts were turning. He wasn't sure he liked it either. However, as he continued to watch the young woman moving from one shelf to another, still simply looking at all the titles, he felt his worry start to slip away. Which should have unnerved him more how easily it dissipated, but in his distraction, he didn't seem to notice.

Hermione turned to look back at the platinum haired man silently watching her. Her cheeks filling with heat as she smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry, I seemed to have gotten caught up in your spectacular collection."

Lucius shrugged while smirking. "It's understandable that someone who has such a passion for reading as you do would get lost in the wonder of so many books. I find myself pausing every now and then to simply take in the grandeur of so many choices."

Hermione grinned. "I didn't know you were such a book lover."

He moved closer to her. "There are many things about me that you don't know."

Hermione turned to look back at the many rows of shelves. "Even if I read one book a day for a year, I would not make even a small dent in this collection."

Lucius paused, standing right behind her, his hands moving to rest on her shoulders as they both faced the multitude of books. "One book a day for a year. That's a lot of reading, my dear. I doubt you'd ever find time to leave the library here, especially with how thick some of these books are. I'd find you worn out and wasted away on my sofa."

Hermione laughed softly, doing her best not to lean into him like she found herself wanting to do. "You'd tire of my company long before I even managed to make it a year."

Lucius let his thumbs rub lightly against her shirt covered skin, his hands still only on her shoulders. "I highly doubt it."

Realizing how intimate this could be seen, Hermione moved away, turning to face him. "I should make a run back home, to at least get more clothes if I'm staying again tonight."

Lucius met her gaze. "How soon until your friends return?"

"Ginny's note said they'd be gone until at least Monday." She told him.

Lucius nodded. "Then, why don't you plan on staying until Monday. It will give you a break from any unpleasantness that might be at home. Plus, Draco and I would enjoy the company."

Hermione opened her mouth, and he was sure she'd argue. She had argued every other time he'd said something about her staying, but she surprised him when she closed it and smiled instead. "I think that would be nice. Thank you, for the offer."

Lucius felt his lips curving. "It's my pleasure, my dear. If you would like, I can temporarily alter the wards, so you may apparate to your home and not have to deal with seeing anyone."

Hermione sighed. "That might be best. Ron wasn't happy when he saw me last night."

Lucius frowned. "What did he do?" Thinking he might have to go deal with Weasley if the boy had done anything to harm her.

"He didn't do anything," she said. "He was upset and asked where I'd been all evening. I basically told him to shove it and he wasn't pleased by my answer. He complained a bit more, before stomping off to the kitchen. Lavender simply gave me dirty looks, though for the life of me, I have no idea why."

Lucius sighed. "You really should find a new place to live if you won't let your friend, Potter, make him leave. That isn't a healthy environment to deal with on a daily basis."

Hermione smiled. "I know. I already said to Ginny I was thinking about finding a new place to live. She wasn't happy, but she understands. I just haven't had much time to look. I think it would be nice to have a place of my own where I don't have to worry about who is around when I get out of the shower or decide to have a midnight snack." She said chuckling softly.

Lucius decided it was probably better not to think about her getting out of a shower, and definitely better not to comment on it. Instead, he nodded towards his shelves. "Let me find you that book I mentioned at breakfast, and then you can go get what you need at your home."

Lucius led her over to his section of muggle literature, and he took note of her surprise at seeing so many different titles. He mentioned his discovery as a young boy of a classic novel that he'd never heard of and told her how when he became Master of the house, he'd done his best to find copies of all the great classics.

When he spotted the one that he'd told her about, Lucius slipped it from its slot and held it out to her. Seeing the old and clearly expensive copy, Hermione was leery to take it at first, but at his insistence that it was indeed a better read than most newer versions, she finally relented. Promising to be very careful with it, not that he'd worried she'd do any damage to it in the first place. Her love of books wouldn't allow her to be anything, but careful with the leather-bound book. Or any book for that matter.

As Hermione was on her way to her room to drop off the book, Lucius informed her that the wards had been altered. Once she arrived in her borrowed room and placed the book on the nightstand, she apparated directly into her bedroom at Grimmauld Place. Seeing a few bottles moved on her dresser, it made her wonder if Ron had been in her room. Though, it was possible that she just didn't remember moving them. He didn't have a reason to come in here anyway.

Gathering what she wanted to take with her, she put everything in the small bag she had taken the first time. Leaving her dirty work clothes in her laundry basket, she gathered up what she'd need for work on Monday as well.

She heard a knock at her door. "Hermione, are you in there?" Ron asked.

Not wanting to deal with him, she quickly zipped up her bag, making sure not to make any noise and was gone with a very soft crack before he could open her door and catch her. She arrived with a pop, and a giggle on her lips. Realizing she was standing just inside the front door. Apparently, the altered wards didn't allow her to go any farther into the manor by apparation.

"What, may I ask, is so amusing, Granger?" Draco asked coming out of a room she hadn't been in yet.

Hermione giggled again. "Ron almost caught me as I was finishing up getting everything."

"Did everything go alright?" Lucius asked, coming out of the same room as Draco, having heard her laughing softly.

Hermione smirked. "Oh yes. Ron wasn't sure if I was even in my room. I heard him knock and apparated as quickly as I could. I didn't have time to shrink my bag first either."

Lucius moved over to her. "Here, let me take that for you."

Hermione handed it over, still not used to being treated like a lady. "Thank you, kind sir." A grin on her lips.

Draco sighed as Lucius smiled at her words. "Granger, please don't flirt with my father. It's...disturbing."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I wasn't flirting. Good grief, Draco, I've seen you do much worse with the witches at work."

Lucius smirked and motioned for her to lead the way towards her room, so she could unpack her clothes before they wrinkled. The elder aristocrat couldn't help but notice the subtle sway to hips in her muggle jeans.

Lucius had never really payed much attention to women in jeans before, but she filled hers out nicely. They were faded and worn in just the right places to hug her frame just a bit closer. It made him wonder why she still wore them if they were so old.

When they reached her room, Lucius placed the bag upon her bed and noticed a small tear at the back pocket of her jeans. "You know, I could have one of the elves mend those trousers for you. Or simply burn them, whichever would be best for them."

Hermione laughed as she went to open her bag and pull out her clothes. Noticing that one of the elves had laundered and placed her pajama on her bed, near her pillow, folded nice and neatly. Hermione realized she must not have taken them with her. "I know they're old, but I like them and they're comfortable. It would take ages to break in a new pair and I refuse to give in and do it until these are on their last seam."

Lucius watched her hang up a pretty light blue skirt and jacket. "You were flirting, by the way." Deciding it best to change the subject before he insulted her taste in clothing. Even if he did like how she looked in her muggle jeans.

Hermione laughed again. "I was not. It's just...you both...do things that I'm not...used to. It throws me off balance at times, and I guess I make silly comments to keep from getting too flustered by them."

Lucius cocked his head, curious. "What things?"

Hermione had just hung up the blouse that went with the skirt, when she stopped to look at him. "Standing when I enter a room. Pulling out my chair or bowing. Or offering to take my bag for me like you did, even though it wasn't heavy at all. It's a bit disconcerting to me, since no one's ever really done things like that for me before."

Lucius frowned slightly, confused. "Do you not like it? It's how I was raised and how I raised Draco."

Hermione smiled as she shook her head. "No, it's not that I don't like it. In fact, I think I rather do. It's simply odd for me to be treated..." She stopped at a loss with how to describe it. The only thought that came to mind was, not like one of the boys.

Lucius raised one of his perfectly groomed eyebrows. "Like a lady?"

Hermione shrugged slightly. "I suppose that's what it is. Harry and Ron never did things like for me and I'm just not used to it. Hell, Harry still doesn't do things like that for Ginny and she's his wife."

Lucius sighed. "I think they should teach proper manners and etiquette in that school you went to. I think all ladies should be treated as such and all young men should act like gentlemen. Again, that is how I was raised and how I raised my son."

Hermione smirked as she pulled out a few things and hung them up too. "You know, I think I may just agree with you. The boys would have done well to learn a few manners like that."

Lucius chuckled softly and before another word was said, Lulu popped into the room.

The tiny elf looked around and her ears drooped when she spotted Lucius. "I's sorry Master's and Miss. I's thought Miss would's like Lulu to take's her down for's dinner. Lulu is a bad elf for's popping in like's that."

Hermione looked to Lucius, hoping he'd tell Lulu she wasn't in trouble. Lucius, seeing the witch's concern, looked down at Lulu. "You did an excellent job, Lulu. I'm glad you came to escort, Hermione. Since I'm here, if she'd like, I'll escort her."

The elf's ears raised a tiny bit. "Lulu not a bad elf?"

Hermione smiled. "No, Lulu you are a wonderful elf. Thank you for thinking of me and wanting to help. Lucius is kind of enough to help me find my way tonight."

Lulu turned to Lucius, her ears raised a bit more. "Master's is pleased?" Eager in her first time being offered the job of taking care of guests. The little house elf wanted to do well, so that she would be allowed to take care of guests again in the future.

Lucius nodded, giving her a small smile. "Very please. Thank you Lulu, you may go. Oh, would you mind coming back after you've had your dinner and finish up unpacking Hermione's things while we dine? Only after you've eaten first."

Lulu smiled, nodding happily and was gone with a pop.

Hermione chuckled softy. "She really is an adorable elf."

Lucius smiled. "I agree, I thought you would enjoy having her assist you here too. Shall we?" Holding out his arm for her. She gave him a smile in return and took his arm, feeling another flutter, like butterflies, in her stomach.

Dinner was just as interesting and stimulating as the previous night. Hermione found herself enjoying it immensely. She even laughed at a few stories that were told, before telling a few of her own. Deciding she liked Lucius' laugh when she was done with her tale and had told them the amusing ending.

During dessert, Draco told her that he would have to get her hair and makeup done a bit early since he had to pick up Stephanie and escort her to the party. Lucius asked when Hermione's date was going to pick her up, his question making Draco snicker before Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, which instantly made him stop.

Lucius bit back his smirk at how quickly Draco stopped, obviously the boy was starting to learn where Hermione was concerned. Draco apparently didn't want another of her hexes that made him look like the jackass he had been acting like.

Hermione sighed. "I'm meeting him there."

Lucius feigned ignorance and asked, his voice curious. "You're going alone?" He made a few tsking noise before going on. "A lady should always be picked up at her home, or wherever she is staying, and escorted properly to any function."

Lucius knew it was Severus she was going with, especially since he'd asked Severus to bring her. The aristocrat had a plan for the evening, and he hoped it worked out in his favor.

Hermione waved that away. "If it was a real date, I might be upset, but it's not, so I don't mind. I'm only going so he won't have to attend it alone. It's a couple's thing, if I'm correct."

Draco swallowed his bite of cheesecake before speaking. "Father is going alone."

Hermione paused in taking a drink. "You're going to the Valentine's celebration?"

Lucius nodded. "Yes, I'm a huge contributor to the business of the family hosting it. I'm expected to make an appearance at least. I do have a business meeting prior, but if you'd like, I could cancel and at least escort you to the party."

Hermione blushed and did her best not to look at Draco, who was busy frowning slightly at his father. "No, you shouldn't cancel. I don't mind, really. I'll go and meet up with Severus there. I doubt I'll be waiting long anyway."

Lucius took a drink of his wine. "Are you sure? It's no imposition, and you'd probably being doing me a favor anyway. I'm sure the meeting will be nothing short of a waste of time."

Hermione smiled, still trying to ignore her pale friend sitting across from her looking unsure at his father's offer. "I'm positive. Besides, I seriously doubt you've ever set a business meeting that wasted your time. I'll be fine."

Lucius nodded. "As you wish." Leaving it be. His plan would still go along even without escorting her.

Draco was still frowning slightly at his father, but he went back to his dessert. Glancing at the two every now and then, but he didn't see anything amiss. As the meal came to a close, and still not seeing any odd interactions between the two, Draco decided that maybe his father was simply being nice with his offer to escort Hermione. The man did have some old-fashioned ideas, after all. Such as, the one that had mentioned already, that a lady should always have an escort. With a mental shrug, Draco finished off his dessert.

A/N: Does anyone else think of the Princess bride when you hear or read the words 'As you wish'? Maybe it's just me. Anyway, Draco is in for quite the surprise when he learns that this father isn't just old fashioned, but simply very interested in Hermione. More coming soon, take care and please leave me your thoughts.