Lucius Malfoy stared out into the night. The grounds stretched out before him, lost in shadow. The lavender fields were featureless rows marching towards him. He missed the formal gardens of his previous abode. He avoided studying his own reflection in the window before him.

His son was set to marry Astoria Greengrass at the Summer Solstice. The formal announcements had been made. The full rites were to be called. Lucius took a sip of the fire whiskey in his cut crystal glass.

There would be no avoiding it.

All members of their families, bonded and natural were required to be present. The scandal was looming. He pressed his forehead to the cool glass of the window and sighed.

"I suppose I should tell him before the day." Lucius glanced at the reflection of his bride in the mirror. "I never intended to keep it a secret."

"You never expected him to speak with you again after Narcissa's funeral." She chuckled and pushed her rounded form up off the settee. "What were you planning to do when the baby arrives? Pretend the stork left it by mistake?"

"I never meant to keep it from him." Lucius turned and looked directly into the eyes of the woman he adored. "He forgave me for not protecting his mother on the day I went to tell him."

"That was a year ago." She rolled her eyes. "You've had opportunities aplenty."

He nodded and sighed.

"He won't hate you. You're his father." She sighed and closed the distance between them. "He might be a little angry, but only for a decade or two."

She gathered his hands in hers and stroked his skin with her thumbs. He reveled in her gentleness. She never let him build walls between them. She fought his learned behaviors with sweet touches and softness most of the time and her rather terrifying temper the rest of it.

"I love you, Lucius Malfoy." She pushed up on her toes and kissed his cheek. "You will tell Draco that you married me tomorrow. You will tell him I'm expecting your second child tomorrow. You will, or I will."

Her smile was serene as she led him from the room having never relinquished his hands.

"I will." Lucius sighed. "I love you, too."

"I know you do." She smiled up at him as she slowed to walk beside him. "But you still have to tell him you married me. He deserves to know."

"Yes, Hermione." He sighed and pulled her into his arms. Loving her was easy. She deserved to be acknowledged as his wife. She deserved so much more.