Disclaimer: I do not own HP

Summer Camp

Hufflepuff Cabin

Week 7: Firefly Catching

After those scary stories, we need a little extra light, don't we? Time to catch some fireflies and make a lantern! Task: Write about making the best of a situation

Author's Note: This is a Muggle AU. Also Lucius is a bit OOC.

Word count: 1142

Lucius Malfoy was a man that used to have everything. Or so he thought. He had a family, he had a good job at a company his wife owned and a really beautiful house. He had everything, except love.

He and Narcissa had never really been in love, more their families had pushed together so they could merge their businesses. He'd grown to love her in his own way, but he couldn't truly say he'd been in love with her. Not when he had finally found what love was.

Perhaps in the most cliche thing for men his age, he'd fallen in love with his assistant. She was a temporary replacement while his normal assistant was on maternity leave. Hermione Granger was an incredible smart woman, twenty years or so younger than him though. She had slowly and surely captivated his heart and by some miracle, she loved him too.

However, what wasn't cliche about their relationship was that there was none. They weren't together, and they'd never even kissed, even if they had come close once or twice. The situation wasn't ideal, but neither of them were cheaters and he didn't want to hurt Narcissa. Lucius was going to tell her after a bit of time from their anniversary had passed. Both he and Hermione felt it would be inappropriate to break up with her at this time.

And yet, it wasn't to be. For Narcissa had plans of her own. He'd always known that she was cold and calculated in everything she'd done, but he didn't think he would ever be at the receiving end of her wrath. Not when he hadn't really done anything to warrant it.

He'd woken up on the day of their anniversary with dozens and dozens of phone calls from various family members and company shareholders. Most importantly, Hermione had also called him about 20 times. Lucius immediately called her back, not even noticing that Narcissa wasn't in bed with him.

"Hermione? What happened?"

She was tearful on the phone, barely able to speak.

"Lucius… how did she find out? I… we haven't done anything. I don't understand... "

He could barely understand what she was saying.

"Hermione? Mia? Slow down? Who found what?"

"Read the news. Then call me back if you want to talk with me. Or maybe come over. It's really bad Lucius."

Then she hung up. Stunned, Lucius checked on his other messages. They all were the same. Is it true bro? Or good for you! Checking the news, he could feel dread settling in.

There were dozens of articles about him, Hermione and Narcissa.

The Malfoy Family Divorcing after 21 years

Lucius Malfoy fired from the company his wife was CEO

Narcissa Malfoy filed for divorce after finding cheater husband with his assistant

He has only his house to his name! was another title and the article went in detail on their confidential prenuptial agreement.

And they just went on. Everywhere there was the image of the almost kiss between them. He couldn't believe it. That night they had been completely alone. And they had always been so careful during their meetings. Narcissa must have hired someone to follow him. But why not talk about it? Why do this and release it to the media? On their anniversary…. He'd been so worried about how it'd affect her if he broke up with her during this time and… she went ahead and filed for divorce?

This was the worst thing that could happen. At least, with their prenup, he didn't have to worry about any settlements or going to court. He didn't love her, and he'd also been aware for a while that she didn't love him either. However, he cared for her and for their relationship and he'd thought she cared for him too. Obviously, he was mistaken.

Lucius thought about calling Draco to explain, but then he noticed that the boy had only sent him one message: I don't want to talk or see you right now.

Getting out of bed, he noticed that part of her clothes were gone. She'd benefited from the fact that after every travel day, he slept like the dead and had just woken up and took everything.

He remembered that Hermione was still waiting for him to call back. And then he made a decision. Yes, maybe this was the worst thing that could happen and it may have left him with nothing, but the house and his due salary for the month, but it was up to him how he behaved from now on. As Hermione always said, we are the decisions we make and it's up to us to make ourselves happy with them.

Lucius dressed up and then called her. "Hi, Hermione?"

"Lucius," she said and he realised she was still crying.

"Hermione, I am so sorry for all this. I don't know how she found out. I don't know where she got the picture from."

"You're sorry?" she shouted? "I'm sorry. I ruined your life. If I wouldn't have asked you to wait until after the anniversary maybe things would be better. You wouldn't have your name drugged through mud."

He almost laughed at that, sliding down on an armchair.

"Hermione, it's alright. It would have come out sooner rather than later. We know that I didn't actually cheat on her as she claims and that should be enough for us."

"When did you start having such carefree thoughts Mr I care About My Public Imagine?"

"When I fell in love with you. Look, I've been wanting to kiss you for months. And hug you and take you out for dinner in public. This is not a good situation we're in, but we can make the best of it, and push through. I will find work somewhere. And you were already at the company just as an assignment for the newspaper your friend is running. The Quibbler Thing."

"So what are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I am coming over to your house and I am taking you out to breakfast. The paparazzi can come with us. I'll buy them something too. I am done caring about Narcissa. If she did this, it proves she didn't really care at all."

Lucius was glad to hear that she'd stopped crying and could feel her smiling through the phone.

"Are you sure?" she murmured. "Maybe you want to talk with Draco first."

"I am sure. I will send him a message asking him to come over for dinner if he wants to hear my side. I can't really force him to do anything. It will be up to him."

"Okay," she said, hanging up.

He stood out from the armchair, and purposefully strode to the door and exited the house. New times were coming. On his way, he smiled for the cameras.