A/N: Hello my lovelies. I'm glad you all liked the last chapter, though I have a sinking suspicion that not everyone was alerted again. Hopefully its just been a busy week and not FF . net messing up again. Thank you for taking the time to leave me your thoughts and I'm sorry to anyone that missed the update.
Special Thanks: To my beta TabiPrewett, I very much appreciate all you've done for me and this story. You are an awesome lady.
Chapter 23
Several weeks passed, February made way for March, and March was slowly turning into April. The weather was warming up, but Hermione didn't really have time to notice or take advantage of it.
Her daily routine never seemed to change, she went to work, flipped through files, filled out paperwork, and she had lunch with Draco. Though a few times, Lucius came up and joined them. Those days were difficult.
Trying to keep her face neutral and her desire for the older man at bay was hard in front of Draco. Lucius knew of her not wanting Draco to know, though he didn't quite believe his son would be as upset as she seemed to think he would be, but the blond wizard respected her wishes, for now.
Rumors had been flying around about them, but Hermione ignored them. Neither confirming or denying if she and Lucius were really a couple. She'd simply roll her eyes and walk away.
Draco had heard them and found it rather amusing. Coming into her office to tell her about them, as if she hadn't heard them already, and then laughed at the ridiculousness of her and his father.
Draco knew that Severus had stood her up and his father had rescued her, causing all the rumors to begin with. Personally, he was happy his dad had helped Hermione out of a bad situation. Glad too that his dad had rubbed Weasley's nose in a bit for losing her. Though he knew his father had been lying through his teeth.
Draco seriously doubted the things he'd heard about Hermione and ropes were true, no matter who her lover was or wasn't. She didn't seem the type to even allow such a thing. Which was why he didn't believe the rumors at all.
Hermione simply smiled, fighting a blush and doing her best to not look guilty, while telling him that people would gossip, and that she didn't deem them worth her time to deal with. Draco had scoffed at that notion, before pausing to grin, saying that with the rumors, Weasley had to be going insane with anger.
Harry had caught wind of the rumors too. Stopping by her office one day, looking very confused, to ask why it was going around that Hermione was sleeping Lucius. Harry also wanted to know why she was now living with the platinum haired man too. Leaving many details out of her tale, she told Harry about what Lavender had done. Not about the potion, but about Lavender being snotty and about Lucius rescuing her so Hermione could save face. Especially, with so many people eavesdropping on the conversation.
Hermione also told Harry that Lucius had heard how awful Ron had been lately and knew that the redhead was bringing Lavender around Grimmauld Place. Knew Hermione had wanted to move out, only hadn't had time to look. So, Lucius offered for her to stay as his guest as long as she liked until she found something.
Knowing how much the elder Malfoy had been wanting to make amends for his past, and while thinking that this was a way for the man to do so, Harry had nodded. Saying that her room would still be there for her at Grimmauld Place, if staying with both Draco and Lucius became too much for her.
Hermione had gone over to him and hugged him in thanks. Though she did feel a little guilty for making out that Lucius and she were only friends. Yet equally happy that Ginny was keeping her secret for her, since she wasn't ready to tell anyone about her and Lucius. Mostly because she feared Draco being angry and never forgiving her for sleeping with his father.
Ginny had been ecstatic to learn that not only was Hermione shagging the handsome wizard, but that the older wizard was very good at it too. Happy her friend seemed so pleased in her choices, the glow on Hermione's face confirming it too. A glow Ginny knew came from very satisfying sex. The same glow she knew she'd never seen Hermione have before, which only confirmed her suspicions that her brother was lousy in bed.
When Hermione wasn't at work, she would be at Malfoy Manor. Reading in the library, where Lucius would find her and after bringing her feet onto his lap, he'd rub them while telling her about his day. Her book set aside as she sighed in bliss and listened to his words.
When he was done, he'd ask her about her own. Still rubbing the tension out of her feet as she told him about different things in her day. Though she didn't mention the rumors, she didn't think she needed to.
A few times, his hands had moved from her feet, sliding up her legs as they talked. Before long, she would end up in his lap as he snogged her senseless. A few spells having to be placed on the door for complete privacy and discretion as he pushed her skirt up, or simply vanished her jeans if she wasn't dressed in her work clothes, and while she unbuckled his belt.
Both would be missing buttons on their shirts, since they were so rushed to get each other naked that a few would pop off. Luckily the house elves always fixed any damaged they might have missed after the couple repaired their clothes to be able to dress again.
Eventually, they would simply use magic to finish getting the other undressed. One or the other would cast the contraceptive charm, before both sighed in contentment when he filled her. Either he would push her into the sofa and have his way with her, or she'd stay as she was, straddling his lap as she moved.
It didn't matter how it happened, because it always ended the same. Her crying out his name, while scraping her nails along his luminescent flesh. Him groaning harshly as he spilled himself deep inside her, while his fingers gripped her golden skin tightly, completely lost in the pleasure of making love to her.
Over the weeks that had passed since Lucius became Hermione's lover, he had indeed taught her many things. The most important lesson he'd made she sure learned, was that there was nothing wrong in being a little dirty while being intimate with your partner. Ropes during sex didn't mean she was somehow being improper or made her any less of a lady outside of the bedroom. They could just add to the fun of torturing one's lover to the brink of insanity before giving them exactly what they wanted.
It had taken a lot of convincing, but eventually Lucius was able to bind Hermione's wrists to his bed during foreplay. The uncomfortable look in her eyes at seeing the silky ropes around her wrists had quickly dissolved as he spread her thighs wide and feasted on her folds. As he drove her insane with his tongue, the ropes had been the furthest thing from her mind. Until she wanted to be free to pull him up, so he'd slide inside her.
Lucius might have delayed in her request to be free, but only to give her a much more delightful ride. He'd given her an additional lesson that night, where she learned just how intense sex could be, when you were still bound and forced to take only what you were given. Especially, when denied the ability to touch your lover too.
Hermione had been half mad with desire when he'd finally set her free, and it's a wonder the little minx hadn't killed him with how lusty she ended up being that night. Lucius had loved every second of it too, as she'd ridden him to oblivion. Needless to say, they both needed a healing potion that next morning.
Lucius had also been wise enough to be extra respectful of her the following day. Showing her that he still thought of her as a lady even after she'd almost shagged him to death. He even made sure there was a pretty flower waiting for her on her pillow when she came home from work, just so she felt extra special.
The smile on her lips as she thanked him had made it worth it. As did her question that night as he slipped into her bedroom while thinking that he might just try to bind her to the bed again. However, his idea was quickly tossed out the window, when he found his witch wondering if she could try tasting him, like he'd tasted her. Realizing what she was truly asking, he'd mentally thanked any deity listening for sending her into his life and into his bed.
Lucius didn't even bother wasting any time wondering how she'd missed out on the joys of oral sex in her previous relationship. The blond man had already decided after their first night in bed together, that Weasley was an inept buffoon, who had clearly blundered his way through bedding Hermione.
Instead, Lucius focused on more important things. Such as teaching his very beautiful witch the different ways to enjoy the pleasures of oral sex. Hermione was a quick learner, much to his delight, and apparently loved giving just as much as receiving. Again, causing Lucius to silently thank any omnipresent being who might be listening for the woman who had been, at that particular moment in time, sliding her mouth up and down his shaft.
During the weeks since they'd become lovers, they both had learned to vigilantly check themselves over for any marks that might have been left behind during their copulations. Not wanting Draco to see the bite marks, bruises, or scratches they inflicted on each other as they made love vigorously and often. Healing potions only did so much after all. Sometimes a salve was needed too, along with glamour spells to hide anything that didn't instantly fade. Deeper marks needed longer to vanish after being treated with the salve.
They had been lucky that Draco had been occupied and not gone near the library any of the times that Lucius had gotten Hermione naked. Something she had feared after each encounter, only to sigh in relief when she found out the young man was busy doing something else and had not left whatever room he'd been in. Assuming Draco was home to begin with and not spending time with his fiancé, which happened a lot.
Lucius usually had the witch in his bed at night, and he slept with her curled against him after having made love to her at least once, sometimes more. All depending on how exhausted they were afterward the previous round.
A few nights found them in her bed, still wrapped together like they'd be in his bed. Lulu would wake Hermione every morning, no matter which room she ended up in, though she was still nervous about going into Lucius' room to do so. Hermione always smiled and thanked the little elf for waking her.
Some mornings would find Lucius in her shower, taking her against the wall as he had after their first night, something Hermione had to admit, made her day just a little bit better. Then, she'd mentally sigh and admit that it made it a lot better if he shagged her rotten before breakfast.
Lucius usually always managed to kiss her goodbye, since Hermione started waiting until Draco left, to do so herself too. Lucius even started making sure to remind her about her briefcase if she didn't remember to grab it, especially with him kissing her until she was dazed.
Though a few times, Lucius let her forget on purpose, just so she'd have to come back, and he could kiss her again. Hermione still flushed slightly each time at realizing how much he could distract her, he still smirked over exactly the same thing. Pride and arousal filling him each time he could kiss her senseless enough, to need a return trip.
One Saturday morning, just as they were finishing breakfast, Draco told them that he'd be gone most of the day. That he was planning on spending his day off with fiancé, Stephanie. Lucius told him to send his regards to Stephanie's family, and Draco nodded as he stood from the table. The young man wasn't gone long before Lucius had Hermione in his lap while still seated at the table, only now his chair was pushed back to make room for her. Her pajamas and his were eventually vanished, before he lifted her up and sank her down on him.
Lucius let her ride him until he'd had enough, needing more than the position allowed him to take. With another spell that sent all the dishes to the kitchen, he'd bent her over the table and gotten his original desire fulfilled. His thumbs resting in the small dimples of her back perfectly, as he had taken her roughly and thoroughly from behind.
Lucius had been so wrapped up in his witch, that he missed the sound of an elf popping in to find out why their master had cleared the table, when he'd never done so before. The tiny creature yelping at the sight of the two magical humans and popping out again, went unnoticed by the platinum haired wizard. Though to be fair, Hermione's passionate cries had covered the elf's arrival and departure.
Hermione had barely noticed, but she couldn't form a coherent thought to really acknowledge it. All she could do was take what her pale lover gave her and scream out her pleasure when he hit that deliciously sweet spot inside her again and again. The one she hadn't known about before him.
Lucius had smirked afterward when she blushed and told him about them having been caught by the elf. Hermione in his lap once again after they'd finished their romp. Seeing her mild distress had amused him, but he still did his best to make her forget about the elf by snogging her senseless.
Which only served to start things going all over again a little while later. Lucius, knowing he had a whole day alone with her, made good on making use of the many rooms inside his home too. Though he never once took her near his office, he knew that room still terrified her.
A few evenings later, one that Draco spent dinning with his future in-laws, had Lucius setting up a romantic dinner for the two of them, since she wouldn't let him take her out to an elegant restaurant. Instead, he had shrunk the table in his dining room down in size and danced with her after they'd eaten.
A smiled formed on her lips as he slowly moved with her to the soft music. When one song ended, he simply led her into dancing to a new one. With how much he was enjoying himself with her, he began to wonder if this wasn't better after all. He wouldn't be able to place soft kisses on her lips at different times during the night in a public restaurant, like he could in his home.
Lucius noticed the soft look in her eyes throughout the night. A look that stayed with her as he had apparated them to his bedroom and slowly made love to her until they could move no more. Something he rarely got to do with how passionate she was, something which he was grateful to have discovered. She rarely let him keep his movements slow or easy for long, but that night, they both basked in their gentle strokes and tender caresses.
A hint of that same softness was still in her eyes come morning, and seeing it, he'd felt something inside him warm. Only this time he didn't push it away as he simply enjoyed holding her in the early morning. Both deciding to stay in bed a little later than normal to cuddle together as they talked quietly.
Though they both knew they couldn't linger too much longer than usual, Draco would be suspicious otherwise. Not that Lucius really cared if his son knew, but Hermione still insisted on keeping things discrete. Still feared Draco being angry with her if he learned of their relationship.
Lucius quickly became a big part of Hermione life, a life that was happy and made her realize that she didn't really want to leave his home. She liked spending her evenings with him and Draco. She liked spending her nights sleeping next to him, liked waking in his arms and having him shag her in the shower some mornings.
However, Hermione knew too, that this was only temporary until she found a place to live. Lucius had kindly offered to let her stay, so she didn't have to live with Ron or Lavender being snots to her. She also knew Lucius Malfoy wasn't known for having any woman around for long. She'd read enough articles in the Daily Prophet to know he grew bored easily with his companions.
Hermione feared the day Lucius would grow tired of having her around too. Something she forced herself to be realistic about, something she already expected to happen at some point. Hermione knew Lucius would never be cruel about it, but he would let her know as gently as possible when he felt it was time for them to part ways.
Which was why Hermione decided she needed to find a place to live as she sat pondering things one afternoon before her day at work ended. It would not be good for her to fall in love with the blond aristocrat. Lucius would be easy to love in some ways, but it would hurt her very badly when he was done. When she learned first-hand that he didn't feel the same way that she did.
Not that she loved him, the young witch told herself quickly. She liked him, cared for him even, but it wasn't love, not yet. However, she knew it wouldn't take much for the affection she already had for him, to slip from simple affection to full on love.
Hermione knew she hadn't really loved Ron, so his betrayal, while upsetting, hadn't really hurt nearly as much as it should have. If she allowed herself to love Lucius, it would almost destroy her to have him look at her with indifferent eyes and tell her that he no longer wished to see her.
Knowing all of this, she made a decision. Hermione took the following Saturday and went out into London. Lucius had asked where she was going, and she had just smiled, and told him that she was going to spend a few hours in London.
Lucius had asked if she wished him to accompany her, but Hermione shook her head and said she knew he needed to work, and that she'd be back soon. Lucius had nodded, a slight crease in his brow at her vagueness, but let her go without another word. Even though he knew he rarely worked on the weekends anymore since she'd started living there.
Draco saw her about to leave, and he'd asked what her plans were. Hermione had given him the same details she had Lucius and was gone before he could ask anything else. With her leaving quickly, she missed the perplexed look on Draco's face. The young man confused since she really hadn't answered his question.
While she was in London, she had made appointments to look at several different flats. Most of them had been owned by muggles, although she could feel the magical signature of other wizards or witches. Only one or two of them had actually been owned by a person in the magical community.
After looking at a few of the places, she was beginning to wonder if she had gotten a little spoiled living in the manor. The ones she had seen so far were far too cramped for her.
Towards the end of the day, after looking at more places that she'd ever wanted to, Hermione had finally found the perfect flat, and she knew it the moment she found it. It was a beautiful one-bedroom apartment, with a large, roomy living room with a gorgeous view of the neighborhood park. The whole apartment was done in soft colors, and the most perfect part of the apartment were the large built in bookshelves in both the living area and the bedroom.
The kitchen was small, but it would only be her living there, though she knew Lucius would visit while they were still together, and it had a tiny breakfast nook with a window facing the street outside. The loo held a separate shower and deep tub for when she wanted a hot bath.
Hermione couldn't find a single fault with the muggle owned complex. The neighbors she'd met had seemed nice, the neighborhood was good, and she even had a fireplace that she could have hooked up to the floo network. It was perfect, truth be told. She couldn't imagine how it was even available with how amazing it was.
She bit her lip, asking the kindly older landlord if she would mind holding the flat for a day or two. Just long enough for Hermione to see if she could shift her finances to afford it properly.
The older woman had looked Hermione up and down, asking what she did for a living. Hearing the young witch had a government position, though she didn't know it was a magical one, the landlady smiled. Saying that she knew government employees always made decent wages and were always paid on time, so rent was less likely to be late. Then, agreed to give Hermione three days, but no longer to decide on the flat.
Hermione thanked the woman, shaking her hand, before leaving. She spent an hour wandering around the neighborhood, and the more she saw, the more she found she liked it. There was a grocer not far, so she could shop easily for whatever she needed. A few small restaurants that boasted good food, even a bakery, meaning Hermione could get her daily pastries that Draco loved and not have to go far to get them.
Hermione sighed, she knew she could afford it, with what she made at her job, she would be fine. Not only that, but since she hadn't paid rent in so many years and had very few expenses, she had a nice nest egg set aside too.
Hermione remembered Lucius had frowned when she mentioned chipping in for bills at his home one night during dinner. Then, told her quite crisply, that he would not be taking any money from her. She was his guest and as such would be welcome to all the luxuries his home provided.
Hermione remembered she had sighed then as well, before saying that he didn't have to get his knickers in a bunch. She only offered since she was living in his home. Draco's lips had parted in shock at her words, no one had ever accused his father of having his knickers...well anywhere actually.
Lucius' eyes had darkened, and Draco wondered if he should say something on Hermione's behalf, but before he could, Lucius had spoken, his voice calm, but still firm. "My knickers are not in a bunch." Earning a snort of laughter from Draco, which he stopped as the other two occupants at the table glared at him, before they went back to staring each other down.
Meeting Hermione's stubborn gaze again, Lucius continued. "I will not be taking any money from you, my dear. I was raised a certain way, and charging guests is not the way I was raised. Now this discussion is over."
Draco glanced at Hermione, and knew by slight lift of her chin, that she was far from done, no matter what his father said. Draco just hoped she knew what she was doing by arguing. His father rarely lost an argument with anyone.
Hermione's gaze hardened slightly as Lucius went back to his meal as if she hadn't said a word. His dismissive attitude had royally ticked her off. "While I appreciate how you were raised and can respect it, you will also have to appreciate and respect how I was raised."
Earning his gaze again, and him taking in the stubborn tilt her chin as well as the anger in her eyes, Lucius' eyes darkened even more. Hermione ignored his anger and went on. "Which was to not take advantage of someone being generous enough to open their home to me. I merely offered, so don't get angry with me over a simple offer."
Lucius mulled that over silently as she went back to her dinner. Taking a few bites of his own, as well as a sip of wine before speaking again. "You, Hermione, are in no way taking advantage of me. If anyone has taken advantage of anyone, it has been me taking it with you."
Draco frowned, and Hermione was confused. How has Lucius taken advantage of me? She wondered. Looking back over at Lucius, she saw a hint of guilt mixed with the anger in his eyes and she had a feeling she knew.
"Are you referring to...our history prior to this year?" she asked, carefully wording it so his guilt or anger didn't worsen, whether she was right or wrong about what his guilt was over.
Draco watched his father's jaw clench before his father spoke. "I am."
Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed loudly. "Oh, for goodness sakes..." Stopping to calm her voice, knowing it would do her no good to shout. "Lucius, I have gotten over your part in any of that, if you hadn't noticed. It is up to you to deal with your own demons concerning that night. Now, back to the conversation at hand, I offered, because it's how I was raised, that is all."
Jaw clenching not only at her outburst, but also because he knew she was right. "Fine. With all due respect to how you were raised, my answer is no. I appreciate the offer though." Still speaking crisply and enunciating properly in his anger.
Hermione nodded and went back to her meal. None of them speaking at all after that. Draco looked between the two of them knowing that both were stubborn as hell when they were angry, but wise enough not to break the silence and risk either of them exploding. Draco didn't need to get hexed again. The donkey ears and tail spell Hermione had used on him after their shopping trip had taken forever to break. Lord only knew what else she had up her sleeves.
When dinner was over, the curly-haired witch excused herself to go to her room. Lucius watched her go, still upset that she was right that he was pawning his guilt off on her. Wondering how her being angry would make the next few days go.
It was much later, Hermione dressed for bed wearing only her silk robe while reading, that she realized that he hadn't knocked at her door and he normally would have by now. Is he really that upset with me?
Figuring he'd be on the balcony, a spot she had spent many nights with him, even after they'd started to sleep together, she set her book down. Opening her sliding door, she'd stepped out and smelled his cologne, proving he was indeed there on the balcony. His lights in his room were out and his glass door closed, but he was still there staring out silently over his lawn and gardens.
Hermione moved to stand beside him, and a few moments later she turned to face him. "Are you still angry?"
Lucius sighed. "No, are you?"
"No, but you can't get angry with me simply because I ask you something you don't like. Nor can you dismiss me by simply stating you're done talking about it." She said.
Lucius nodded slowly. "You're right, I am sorry for being cross with you earlier."
Hermione sighed. "All right then, I'm going to bed, since I have a long day ahead of me."
Hermione had started to move to her door, but she didn't hear him following. She stopped just at the entrance to her room and looked back at him in the pale moonlight. She saw him silently watching her, still standing as he had been against the railing.
Hermione frowned slightly. "Are you not joining me tonight?" Her voice soft.
Lucius frowned as well, a look of confusion in his eyes. "I didn't think you'd want me to."
Narcissa never had to begin with, having had her own room since the first day of their marriage, a room in a completely different wing of the house, as she'd requested. The woman hadn't wanted him near her even more when she was cross with him.
Usually being extra cold with him until he bought her an expensive present to show he was properly sorry. His mistresses had done the same, not letting him near them until he bought them a shiny bauble to show he was sincere in his apology.
Hermione wasn't sure how to take his statement. "I'm not one to hold a grudge, but...if you'd rather not sleep beside me...I'd understand." She wouldn't, not really, though, what other option was there?
Lucius studied Hermione for a moment, taking note of the confusion and uncertainty in her eyes. Realizing that she really hadn't planned on him sleeping anywhere but with her, he felt that same fluttering inside him again. This witch wasn't like his ex-wife, or any woman he'd ever been with. Something he'd already known, but somehow didn't figure in with this situation.
When Lucius didn't respond, Hermione took that as her answer. She lowered her head slightly. "Well, goodnight then." She said softly.
Turning, she had only taken a few steps when she felt his hand on her shoulder, gently bringing her back to face him. Startled, yet confused again, she met his eyes as he reached up and cupped her cheek, bringing his lips to hers.
The kiss was easy and gentle, a soft melding of lips, a light glide of his tongue. Then, it was over, and he was pulling back to look into her eyes again.
His thumb stroking her cheek, as he continued to search her eyes. "I'm sorry, my lovely Hermione, I'm unused to kind and generous women. Unused to such easy forgiveness. I would rather sleep by your side than any place else."
Hermione smiled, her eyes warming. A look he was only used to seeing after he'd opened his pocketbook, something she hadn't let him do so far. She was giving him this look with no more than kind words and a sincere gesture.
She took his hand and led him into her room.
He didn't make love to her that night, only held her as they slept, still unsure of his welcome with her after her earlier anger. The following morning, it had been she who joined him in his shower, refusing to let him keep his distance any longer. Something he'd been grateful for and showed with his enthusiasm.
Now, Hermione stood still staring at the same neighborhood that could be her new home. Pulling herself from her thoughts and memories, Hermione wondered if she could really leave Lucius' home. With a sigh, she found a spot, out of the way and hidden from sight, and apparated back to the Manor. Figuring her best bet was to speak to Lucius directly.
A/N: There we have it. Both are having feelings and neither are really talking about them to each other. That will definitely end well, right? Anyway, more coming soon. Take care and please leave me your thoughts.
