Over the next week, Hermione and Lucius fell into a routine. Every morning they would wake up and head down to breakfast then heading down to the library to read while Lucius worked. Every night they would have a nice quiet dinner before heading back into her room to have tea and talk. Everything was simple and calm until one day after dinner, the book Draco sent started to vibrate on Lucius' desk while they silently read. Both of them stood and Lucius mumbled the word "récupérer" to reveal the message sent.

Father,

I just want to inform you that we have found a secure spot to stay for the next few days and have found a Horcrux. Harry has reason to believe that another one is hidden within the vault of Aunt Bella.

Draco

Lucius relayed the message to Hermione, and she suggested that some of Bellatrix's hair be used in a Polyjuice potion to enter the vault. He gave her the pen and she scribbled,

Draco, this is Hermione.

Perhaps we can obtain Bellatrix's hair to put in a Polyjuice so you can sneak into the vault

He replied,

That is brilliant! Check the room that she always stays in when she visits. There must be something there.

Lucius told Hermione to wait in the study and came back half an hour later with an ornate hairbrush with a few curled black hairs.

Hermione wrote,

There is a hairbrush with some of her hair on it. How can we send it to you?

A few moments passed before the next message appeared.

Next time Snape comes, give it to him. He will make the Polyjuice and is stealthy enough to deliver it to a safe location.

Hermione replied,

Of course. Stay safe.

She swiftly shut the book closed while Lucius placed the hairbrush into his desk drawer, locking it with his wand. Lucius lifted his head and saw Hermione staring at the closed book sitting in the middle of his desk.

"Is something the matter?" He inquired.

Hermione shook her head and said, "I just worry for them sometimes. I wish I could be there and help them."

Lucius put his hand on hers, both on top of the book that was their only contact between her friends and his son.

"You are helping them. You got them this far and it is their role to finish this. You were always mastermind and I doubt they would be able to get this far without your intelligence" He reassured her. Hermione smiled and replied, "I couldn't even imagine how you feel. Draco is your son and you have no idea where he is or how he's doing. This isn't him sneaking off in the middle of the night. He's fighting something beyond his strength."

"Draco is a smart and resourceful man now. The only thing he previously lacked was confidence and fraternity. It seems that he found that with Potter and Weasley. He has finally grown into himself."

Hermione nodded and turned her hand around to hold his.

"Do you mind if we go to the kitchen and I make us some tea?" She asked.

"Do you not like the way the elves make it?"

"I do but I am just in the mood to make it myself for some reason. The muggle in me misses simple things sometimes." She smiled.

Lucius nodded and used his wand to extinguish the fire in the study. He led the way into the kitchens and dismissed the house elves from the room. Hermione didn't realize how much she missed the sound of a boiling kettle. It was something so simple yet so invigorating.

Finally, the tea was done, and they took a seat across from each other. The room was silent as they both focused on their beverages. Hermione stared as he took a sip from his cup and asked, "Do you regret becoming a death eater?"

He took a moment to reply, "profoundly"

Hermione didn't feel the need to ask more but Lucius continued "Power and status were very alluring when I was younger. My family has always been…adamant about blood purity. Unfortunately, once you are sunk into a faction's mindset, it is hard to reverse that thinking"

"Do you still believe in it?" She asked.

A moment of silence passed before he responded, "No. I have been proven wrong about those beliefs"

Hermione gave him a puzzling look.

Lucius persistent "How am I supposed to believe that muggle-borns are beneath me when the one sitting in front of me is one of the most intelligent witches I've ever met."

Hermione blushed and bit her lip whispering a soft thank you.

"Truly you contradict everything I've been taught to believe. Muggles and muggle-borns are supposed to be hideous, unintelligent and uncultured creatures. I see no evidence of that with my prime example being you."

She stood up and took their empty cups to the sink to clean, trying to hide her blush "you sure know how to flatter a girl."

Lucius walked up behind her and she started to tense up. He pushed the hair from one side of her neck to her back which caused her to slowly turn around. His right hand crept its way to her cheek and while she welcomes the touch, her eyes looking down the entire time.

"You have an effect on me, Hermione. I am drawn to you." He whispered.

Her eyes met his and they stared at each other for a moment. Both their hearts were thumping, and Hermione started to lean towards him, at the same time Lucius leaned forward.

Their lips connected in a gentle kiss that was welcomed by both, her arms wrapped around his neck as Lucius pulled her closer to himself. There was nothing excessive about the kiss. It was as innocent as an affectionate kiss could be, gentle caresses and slow movements.

As quickly as it started Lucius roughly pulled back. He had an expression of pain on his face and felt his arm burning, the Dark Lord was calling his followers. Lucius looked at the worried Hermione and asked her, "The Dark Lord is calling and usually arrives within minutes. You need to go to my study and hide. Under no circumstance do you open the door, understand?"

Hermione nodded and hastily made her way upstairs. She paced herself to Lucius' study and used a wandless spell to secure the door. There was nothing to do now but sit and wait.

Downstairs, Lucius went into the grand room that usually hosted the death eater visits and made sure to magically close to curtains and light the massive assortment of candles throughout the room. The fireplace began to roar as Voldemort apparated into the room causing Lucius to bow his head and greet him.

"Hello, my lord."

Voldemort glided over to where the blonde man was standing asking, "Hello Lucius. I trust that you are enjoying the girl?"

"Of course, my lord. She is quite… enthralling" He replied instantly, not wanting to give any reason to sense hesitation.

"Perhaps I could pay her a visit after this engagement"

Lucius' felt his stomach drop and said, "Certainly."

Death eaters started to pile in and gather at the long table that stood only for these meetings. Once most secured their seats, Voldemort decided to begin his vendetta.

"I have called you here today to discuss our next movements. I have decided that we will attack Hogwarts in three months' time and finally defeat Dumbledore and his supporters. In order to achieve this, we will need to recruit more supporters which include the acquisition of foreign help. I will be sending a select few of you to follow through with this mission. In addition, I have decided that Severus will be leading a few of you to help release Dolohov from the blood traitor Sirius Black."

For an hour, all the details for Voldemort's plans were discussed and Lucius tried to seem involved but couldn't help thinking about Dolohov. If he was successfully released, would he be forced to return Hermione? What was the likelihood of him successfully being extracted from the Black house?

Before he knew it, the death eaters started to pile out except for Severus and Voldemort. The dark lord knew that the two men shared a traditional drink after each meeting and ignored the black-haired man's presence while standing to resume his plans with Lucius.

"Shall we pay a visit to your…companion?" The Dark Lord asked.

Severus stood from behind the serpent-like man and the second he heard him speak, his eyes flew to Lucius. It seemed like he was silently communicating 'good luck'.

Lucius nodded and lead the way up the stairs and towards the study. With each step he felt his chest tighten and didn't know what to expect, worrying about Hermione's reaction.

He reached the door handle and pointed his wand to release the lock, allowing the Dark Lord to enter first.

Hermione stood from her spot on the couch and instantly felt herself get white as a ghost. There he was, the dark lord himself with Lucius standing right behind. Lucius' grey eyes pierced her own and she knew that he didn't plan this.

"My my…it seems Lucius likes his companion to be unsoiled. You are quite a different vision compared to when I last laid eyes on you." Voldemort made a round around her, examining her up and down.

"Have you been enjoying your time here?" He continued. She tried to speak but something held her voice back. That resulted in getting crucio'ed. She screamed at the top of her lungs hoping that he would just get on with it and kill her but instead the pain stopped. She laid on the floor panting.

The grey-skinned man stepped closer and looked down at her "Tell me, girl. Do you miss Dolohov? Or you do prefer the company of a Malfoy instead?"

He waited a moment for her to answer and got impatient rather quickly. "Answer me, girl!"

"Never Dolohov…" she whispered as she tried to get up. Once she was on her feet Hermione stood in front of Voldemort and avoided his glare.

"We shall see how Antonin feels about the matter when he returns. If he has strong claims to you, I might have to reconsider."

Voldemort turned and made his way over to Lucius.

"I will be taking my leave. Good afternoon Lucius." With that, he apparated the moment he entered the hallway leaving the two of them alone in a moment of silence.

Lucius made his way over to Hermione and allowed her to fall into his arms crying. He didn't know what to do. What could be possibly done to comfort her and make her feel protected again?

"I apologize Hermione. I didn't know he would want to see you." He kissed the top of her head.

"What was he talking about Lucius? I thought Dolohov was captured…what did he mean about having a claim?" Hermione clenched at the front of his shirt. Lucius pulled her back slightly to look into her eyes, wiping away the tears on her face.

"Do you remember when you first came here, and Severus helped you with your…difficulty?"

It took a while for Hermione to remember what he was talking about before it hit her like a freight train.

"oh god. Please tell me he doesn't know." She begged.

"of course, not but that he what he was referring to. If you were in that condition, then Dolohov would have a claim over you. Something that I wouldn't be able to control. That is why what Severus did was extremely dangerous. The wizarding population is declining and despite the dark lord's views on blood purity, he knows that he needs more followers in the future."

Hermione stared and waited for him to finish.

"The only way for you to be completely safe from Dolohov is if I laid claim to you."