Hermione stared at Lucius for a moment before getting red and angerly storming off. Her loud stomping echoed throughout the hallways while Lucius waited a few minutes before deciding this needed to be further discussed.
When caught up to her, he said "Hermione, I am sorry for…" before he was finished, he was cut off by the door to her room slamming in his face, causing a breeze in his face.
He waited at the door patiently, thinking out his next move. Hermione stood on the opposite end of the door trying to contain her tears. There was a tightness in her chest and remembered how hurtful it was to relive that trauma. She didn't want to know what he was fully suggesting at the moment.
"Hermione…may I come in and discuss this with you peacefully? I apologize for my thoughtlessness about the topic." She heard through the door. He had full ability to just open the unlocked door and force her to confront the situation but instead, he was patient and understanding of her need for control.
Hermione rubbed the rouge tears from her eyes and reached for the handle of the door. Before opening it, she took in a deep breath to calm down. It wasn't like she could avoid the topic, she could either continue being stubborn or accept her position in the situation. Finding a solution was more important than her pride.
Lucius stood mear inches from her when the door opened. He waited for her to say anything.
"I don't know what to do Lucius. Even if I wanted to do anything of that sort, I just can't. It's too painful to even think about right now." Hermione looked him straight in the eyes before allowing him to enter the room.
"I understand that Hermione, truly. But I think you are intelligent enough to understand the gravity of your situation. The policies that the Dark Lord is trying to impose are archaic and barbaric, but they are the norms we have to assimilate to while under is his eye. The likelihood of Dolohov's escape from the Order is imminent and if he has any claim to you, which he does currently, you will be forced back into his care." Lucius explained as he watched Hermione pacing slowly on the large carpet in the middle of the room.
"What exact claim doesn't he have over me?" She asked.
"I apologize for my candor, but did Dolohov claim your virginity?" Hermione nodded and avoided his gaze.
"You're telling me that him simply being my first is enough claim?" She asked.
"The only thing that is stronger than a maidenhead claim is pregnancy." He asked.
Hermione shook her head and let out a sarcastic laugh "So the only way I can avoid him is getting pregnant?"
Lucius didn't have to answer. Hermione continued, "Lucius…I don't know if I can. It's barely been a week since I've been here. The things that I've had to experience have seared my soul in a way that I don't think I'll ever recover. I may be physically healed from that time but mentally I just don't I can do it."
"I understand Hermione. This is fully your decision and I will not try to force you into anything you are not able to endure. But also understand that I will do whatever necessary to keep you from him and the life of misery you would have. Even if that means killing that man in front of the dark lord and risking my life."
Hermione leaned against the back of the couch, gazing at Lucius. Was he serious? Why was he so passionately involved in this? He could just distance himself from all of this and forget about her and the troubles she brought to him.
"Why are you so willing to help me?" She whispered.
Lucius made his way closer to her before taking her hand, answered "The same purpose I kissed you in the kitchens today. I have been captivated by you for some time now and promised myself while you were in Dolohov's care that I would do whatever I can to protect you. You are undeserving of such brutality. I have never been known to be an emotional man Hermione, but I refuse to restrict myself any longer. We may not have known each other for a long time but I refuse to let you go. I understand that you need time to recover and heal, something that I am more than willing to help you with, but please let me help you."
Hermione squeezed his hand and pulled herself into his chest again, accepting the warmth he was giving off.
"Beyond my issues, this is a massive choice, Lucius. It's not like it will go away the second the war is over."
He let his hand play with her hair. "I understand and like I've stated before Hermione, I am enthralled by you. You feel natural and instinctual to me...you are fascinating to me in every sense. We would take each step with care. I would at least be able to protect both of you with, as the Dark Lord calls it, the claim I have."
"I can't explain it, but I feel the same. Something about you is, for a lack of a better term, homelike." Hermione added.
They stayed in their comfortable embrace with the same looming threat hanging over their heads. Both didn't know how to proceed. Hermione knew what her ultimate decision was and it somehow comforted her that it would be with Lucius. Would it be that bad to follow through with this? Or would she rather be returned to Dolohov and have to suffer for the rest of her life? The choice was clear.
"When should we…" Hermione asked. Lucius pulled back slightly to kissed the top of her head. She continued, "The sooner the better, don't you think?"
Lucius nodded and looked down at Hermione.
"Severus is downstairs. It isn't unusual for us to share a drink after each meeting but lately, we discuss our plans with the Order. Perhaps you would like to join us to be fully aware of what is happening. We may also ask him to provide us a fertility potion."
Hermione nodded and just as Lucius was beginning to pull away from her, she forced herself to wrap her arms around his neck to pull his head down. She hesitated before putting her lips on his. Lucius gently placed his hands on her waist and allowed the tender moment to continue. Soon they pulled away and Hermione said, "I just want to thank you for everything that you've done for me. I hope that one day I can repay you."
"The only way you can repay me my dear is by never leaving my side." He pulled her in for another kiss, this one more zealous than the last. Hermione felt herself blush at his comment, melting in his arms.
As quick as the moment began, they pulled away and softly smiled at each other.
"Shall we?" Lucius asked. Hermione followed him out the door and down the cold hallways into the large room still lit by the fireplace, a patient Snape waiting with a glass of brandy in his glass.
"I hope you do not mind, I helped myself," Snape told Lucius.
"You know you are welcome to whatever you need. Now, would we like to relocate to the study? It is a bit warmer in there."
Once they were all settled in the warm room that Hermione loved spending time in, she settled into the warm couch. Severus and Lucius started discussing the details of Dolohov's escape while she faded in and out the conversation, staring at the fire. The mention of his name and the idea of him possibly coming back into this house with the knowledge of her there made her uneasy, but she trusted that the two men in front of her would keep her safe. Hermione started to tune into the conversation with Snape speaking, "If we interfere in his escape plan then the Dark Lord will surely know a spy is in his inner circle. We have to allow it to continue. What we should focus on is how to keep Hermione a safe distance from him and tracking down the rest of the Horcruxes."
Lucius quickly gazed at Hermione before focusing on Snape.
"We have been able to help devise a plan early for the boys. That reminds me, we have been able to contact Draco and they will require you to create a Polyjuice potion with Bellatrix hair. When you are done, we will find out a way for them to receive it." Lucius went into his desk and retrieved the brush containing the hair, handing it over to Snape. He quickly placed it in his pocket and ensured him he would have it done within the week.
"on that note, we were wondering if you could provide us with a fertility potion," Hermione asked.
Snape quickly looked from Lucius to Hermione, taking a moment to decide if he wanted to inquire about the request.
"When would you need it by?" He asked, deciding it was more of a private matter. He knew it had to do with the claim and it was better to leave the conversation as is.
"The sooner the better" She replied.
He took a deep breath and placed his drink on the mantel of the fireplace.
"I will be returning to Hogwarts and it will arrive by owl shortly."
Lucius nodded and Hermione thanked him before he turned to make his way out the manor and apparating to Hogwarts.
The two were left in tongue-tied silence. Lucius took a seat down next to Hermione to comfort her. Her bouncing knees were a giveaway of her nerves. She seemed to talk down when he placed his hand on her knees, taking a breath to relax.
She couldn't just sit there anymore and be helpless. It wasn't like her and it was time she started reclaiming a part of herself that was taken away by Dolohov. She wasn't meant to be a timid and powerless girl that waited for others to help her. It was time she helped herself and controlled her fate.
Hermione climbed into his lap. Lucius watched the beautiful young women wrap her arms around his neck, kissing him on his cheek before capturing his lips in a loving kiss.
His arms caressed her waist as she let one of her hands play with his silky hair. Both let the kiss get more intense as Lucius pulled her closer, his erection slowly growing and pressing against her center.
Hermione pulled back and looked at him for a moment.
"is something wrong, my dear?" Lucius asked.
She gave him a small smile and replied, "This feels nice. I just didn't expect it to feel this nice."
"I will try to make this a pleasant for you Hermione"
He pulled her closer and gently swapped their position. She was now laying down on the couch with him on top, letting his lips travel to her neck. The sensation was familiar, but it didn't cause her to retreat or flinch. His touch was gentle and kind that she had no reason to pull away but still, something in the back of her head was screaming for her to kick him away and run. It confused her to feel both comfortable and terrified at the same time.
Lucius felt her slowly stiffening. She was still participating in the kiss but something was off.
He pulled back and asked, "Are you alright?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I can feel you hesitating."
"I can't help it, Lucius. It's like something in the back of my mind is screaming for me to stop."
He gave her a second while she stared at the buttons in his shirt.
"Would you like to continue?" He patiently questioned.
Hermione looked into his eyes and examined his face. He never broke his gaze while she started to trace her fingers across his nose and jaw, finally reaching his lips.
"Yes…If I truly want you to stop, I'll tell you. Deal?" She said. Lucius smiled down at her and gave her a solid kiss on her lips.
"Deal." He replied.
A moment later, an owl pecked at the window. Hermione took that opportunity to sneak out from beneath Lucius to gain a much-needed nerve break, opening the window for the owl to settle on Lucius' desk. She took the lightbox attached with a note that was dropped off by the owl and gave him a small treat as a reward. Once the owl flew back outside, she closed the window and tore open the note.
'As requested, a fertility potion. Good luck. ' was the only thing written on it. Hermione snickered and began opening the package. A tightly sealed light blue bottle laid in the box causing her to feel intimidated. She took the bottle and opened it up with a light 'pop', drinking it down to the very last drop before taking the remaining packaging and note to the fireplace. Lucius walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
He watched as she tossed the papers into the fireplace. As the material burned, she placed her hands on top of his locked ones.
"Would you like to relocate to a more comfortable location?" He whispered into her ear, leaving a shiver to trail down her spine.