A/N: Hello everyone! First authors note(although I'm already 14 chapters deep in this story oops)! I would just love to reach out and thank everyone who has been reviewing this fanfic and sending me messages about it. I truly appreciate the support and love reading all the messages/comments. If you have any reaction or recommendation to anything, please let me know! I hope you've been enjoying the ride so far!
The same white mist flowed out like a fog evaporating from her skin back into his wand, turning at the midway point into a bright purple color. Both were motionless for a moment until Lucius quickly embraced her.
"It worked..." was the only thing that managed to escape her lips.
She couldn't help but feel bittersweet about the situation. It was beyond liberating to know that she wouldn't be returned to Dolohov, but it was also equally terrifying to have to go into this situation blindly. There are no guarantees for the future, and it terrified Hermione.
Lucius pulled back and looked at her stunned face.
"What happens to be running across your mind this time, my dear?" He asked.
Hermione took a deep breath and explained: "I'm just…dumbfounded."
He nodded and asked for her to elaborate. It took her a moment to organize her thoughts before continuing.
"I'm just…. I'm just worried about the future. We don't have a definitive answer as to who will win the war. We have no idea what world this child will live in. if You-know-who wins, it will have to grow up in a world so very dark and torn. If Harry wins, it's not like this will all go away. There will just be different challenges to tackle and quite frankly both outcomes are terrifying."
Lucius sat her down on the couch adjacent to the fireplace, allowing her to get comfortable next to him before replying, "I understand your worries, Hermione. It is true, we don't have an absolute answer to anything right now. The only certainty I can offer you is that regardless of what the outcome of the war is, I will protect you and our child to no end. We will have to take each day with caution. Although this is a very turbulent time, I am overjoyed by your condition and the assurance that you are safe from Dolohov."
Hermione nodded against his chest. Although what she was hearing settled a majority of her nerves there was still an uneasy feeling in her gut. She quickly dismissed it as nerves over Dolohov's impending release. Quickly Hermione got rid of her negative thoughts and focused for a moment on the optimistic. Lucius' hand leisurely crept to her hand that laid on her stomach. They laid there for a moment in a comfortable silence until Hermione turned to face him.
"I'm sorry about being so negative."
"Your reservations are justified. I just want you to understand that I am not going away any time soon. What you feel are your struggles are now my own."
She leaned forward to give him a kiss and replied, "You are a wonderful man Lucius."
"That I cannot agree with.." He replied with a dejected smile.
She quickly got into his lap.
"Well, I believe you are. You are a thoughtful, caring, and intelligent man that has been able to change the direction of his life. It takes a strong individual to admit they are wrong. You are also playing a dangerous role by being a spy for the order. You might think that you are not a good man but your actions over the past few months prove otherwise. Not to mention you helped in a way that effectively saved my life."
He took her hands and gave them a kiss.
"I appreciate that Hermione. I only hope that I can continue proving myself worthy of both your affections and the Orders."
"Without a doubt, the Order will vouch for your character and sacrifices when the war is over."
Hermione paused before continuing "And you have already gained my affections, Lucius."
He took her hand along with his and placed it back on her abdomen.
"And do you believe I will gain our child's compassion as well when it discovers what I used to be?" He continued.
Hermione smirked and didn't dare to admit she loved the feeling of his hand gently caressing her stomach.
"Undoubtedly. It will understand the amount of bravery it took for its father to defy one of the evilest wizards in history. If Draco is any indication of how you raise children, the babe will be an empathetic and compassionate person."
Lucius beamed back at her and replied, "And not to mention it's mother's exquisiteness and cleverness."
She couldn't help but giggle when his lips placed gentle kisses on her neck. The tender moment they were sharing was among the best memories both have had in a while. Both didn't want to admit that they were happy that, despite the circumstances, they got a chance to create something beautiful together and experience a wonderful joy. This only encouraged them to fight harder for the future, knowing that the future they have begun to create is at risk.
As if on cue, Lucius felt the beginning of stinging pain in his arm. It was his dark mark. Hermione noticed the wincing and he grabbed his forearm when the pain intensified.
"I must go. Please stay here and do not leave the room until I return."
Before she could answer, Lucius gave her one last kiss and exited swiftly. Hermione could feel her anxiety rising and couldn't sit anymore. The trademark pacing began and the idea of Dolohov soon being under the same roof made her feel unsettled. For now, there was nothing she could do except wait and hope for the best. Out of the blue, an idea popped into her head. She remembered the wand Draco mentioned when he wrote through the book. Quietly, Hermione opened the door to the bedroom and paced to the staircase, climbing to the third floor and down the corridors into what was Draco's bedroom. She found the desk he mentioned and went through the right-hand drawer. Shuffling through the loose papers she found a slim black wand hidden inside a case, seemingly unused for years. She stuffed the wand in the side of her trousers right along her thigh. There it would be easily accessible but also cleverly concealed.
Just having a wand in her possession again was exhilarating. Quickly, Hermione made her way out of the room back to the master bedroom hoping she wouldn't run into anyone. Thankfully she went about the halls undetected and snuck her way behind the door, closing it softly so it wouldn't sound. Now all she could do was wait for Lucius to return.
Lucius made his way down the grand staircase and saw death eaters apperating outside the window beyond the gate in bundles. The mission was presumably complete, and he waited for the dark lord's arrival. In the meantime, he escorted the present men to relocate to the larger dining room. All were in a celebratory mood and couldn't help but talk about the simplicity of the mission, some even stating that the number of death eaters was excessive.
Severus and Dolohov entered side by side into the room and Lucius felt his blood boil. Dolohov entered with a smile on his face and approached Lucius, stretching out his hand in a firm handshake.
"We are glad for your safe return Antonin" Lucius said while firmly gripping his hand.
"I thank you, Lucius." Antonin proceeded to find his seat to the immediate left of the dark lord's chair, waiting patiently for his master's return. Severus walked over to Lucius and they both exchanged a look of worry before finding their own places at the extensive table. Within moments, the Dark Lord apparated and greeted everyone with his wand pointed at the fireplace and a massive flame erupting. He turned his attention to Dolohov which stood at his arrival and said, "Ah…Antonin. I am delighted to see you safely returned to us."
"Thank you, my lord. It is wonderful to be released from the traitors."
The meeting continued with logistical planning of ministry infiltration and the tracking of Harry Potter. So far, they assumed that Harry was traveling alone after a few students at Hogwarts reported to their death eater parents they have seen the Weasley boy. The Dark Lord was planning on exiting the country to gain more supporters in Hungary and the Americas in the next few weeks while the death eaters worked on their propaganda within the ministry and ultimately kill the minister. The rest seemed to be white noise to Lucius, focusing on the dark-haired Russian man sitting across from him. He wanted to hex the man just at the sight of him, but it took him all his power to refrain. The only time he would draw his wand was when Dolohov drew his first.
Once the meeting came to an end, all the men started to slowly bid each other goodbye and farewell except Dolohov and Severus.
"May I have a moment of your time, my lord?" Dolohov asked.
The dark lord nodded as a sign for him to continue.
"I wish to reclaim the Granger girl."
Lucius thankfully had his hands behind his back so hide his tightly clenched fists.
Voldemort turned and delightfully replied, "ah yes of course. Severus, why don't you fetch the girl.'
Snape nodded and proceeded towards the bedroom to find her. He first checks the study, her typical spot, and shook his head when she wasn't there. He then made his way towards the master bedroom and found his former student laying down on the bed with her eyes closed. Severus reached to touch her shoulder and she jolted up assuming it was Lucius.
"The dark lord is downstairs and asked for you to be brought down" He said with a knot in his throat while Hermione rubbed her eyes awake.
He continued, "Dolohov has requested for you. For your own sake, I hope fertility potion was put to good use."
Hermione stood to her feet and replied, "Lucius check not that long before everyone arrived. I am pregnant."
Snape nodded and took a hold of her shoulder, "I would congratulate you under different circumstances but for now I will say I am relieved for you. I will perform a spell on you to avoid the detection of any prior contraceptive spells being used on you. I do not want Dolohov or even the Dark Lord questioning paternity and then finding out this has been masterminded, understand?"
Hermione nodded and then Severus took out his wand to cast the spell. When all was said and done, they made their way downstairs and her heart started to pound when she saw the reflection of the occupied dining room on the stone floors as they approached closer. Once she turned the corner, there stood Lucius, the Dark Lord, and Dolohov.
While Hermione was being retrieved, Lucius stood to made his way towards Dolohov and Voldemort to join their dialogue.
"I am afraid you no longer have claim over the girl Antonin." He said. Dolohov stared at him in shock and felt his signature rage resurface.
Voldemort gave off a maniacal laugh before stating, "The proud Lucius Malfoy has sullied his bed with a muggle-born. Never thought I would see the day."
Dolohov stared between the grey-skinned man and the blonde.
"That is impossible. If anything, you are confusing my claim to her as your own."
Voldemort turned to his seat and asked, "How do you mean Antonin?"
"Before my capture, I have been quite…friendly with the girl. With the amount of… encounters that we had it would be nearly impossible for her to remain without child."
Lucius was raging inside. The amount of control it took to not murder this man in front of the dark lord was intense and he tried with all his power to contain any physical signs of his anger.
Before long, Hermione and Severus turned the corner and Lucius knew he had to contain himself and present the image the dark lord grew to know, cold and malevolent. This would mean he would, unfortunately, have to expose that side of himself to Hermione again.
Hermione tried her hardest to keep a straight face and not show the utter meltdown that was going on in her head at the sight of Dolohov. The instant the Russian man saw Hermione, his face turned into a disgusting smile while he outstretched his hand for her to take. She stood where she was and ignored his invitation.
"I'm afraid I have a reason to suspect the child is mine, my lord" Lucius stated. He started at her with a stern look that could honestly bring terror into anyone but only she saw the softness he displayed in his eyes.
"That is outrageous! As I have stated before my lord, that is impossible. I suspect that he terminated the child that was mine and replaced it with his own seed."
Hermione wanted so much to scream over being talked about like a piece of property. She stood there quietly and waited for something to happen.
Voldemort looked at Severus and asked him to perform a detection spell, the very same thing Severus warned her about. Thankfully he was clever enough to have the foresight for this.
Severus lifted his wand and performed the spell, the result being a white light that illuminated the tip of his wand.
"There are no signs of previous contraceptive work, my Lord" Severus stated. Dolohov turned red with rage and then demanded that he check the paternity of the child. The professor looked at Voldemort for approval and he gave a nod.
Again, Severus lifted his wand and cast a spell towards Hermione. This time a blue stream shot into her, causing her to let out a yelp, and swiftly excited her and made its way towards Lucius. It dissolved into a cloud in front of him before retreating back towards Snape's wand.
Voldemort stood and said, "I hope that settles that brawl. Dolohov do not be discouraged. Mudbloods are available in droves, you will be able to find yourself another after the next raid. For now, I bid you all an agreeable evening."
Hermione felt discussed by that statement and kept her eyes towards the ground. Voldemort began walking and apparated, leaving the three men and herself alone. A deadly silence fell over the room and she worried about what was to come next.
"I am afraid I will be retiring early tonight. Have a pleasant evening Antonin." Lucius said, hinting that it was his time to leave. He approached the man for a handshake and Dolohov reluctantly took it. He made his way towards Hermione and took her hand in his, giving it a kiss goodbye.
"I have truly lost a splendid prize," He said to her while lifting her chin up so they could meet eye to eye. Slowly, he released her hand and apparated himself to his house. The second he disappeared; Hermione bit her lip to stop herself from crying. Lucius made his way over to her and allowed her to wrap herself into his arms. Severus watched the scene and was genuinely shocked at the gentleness Lucius was showing.
"It's alright Hermione." He whispered to her, hoping to calm her down. She quickly settled into his arms and appreciated the consolation she was offering her.
Severus interrupted them by clearing his throat and Hermione quickly wiped her cheeks with the sleeve of her shirt.
"I'm sorry Severus. I've been an emotional wreck lately. Did you hear anything from Harry, Ron or Draco?"
Lucius kept his arm loosely draped around her waist from behind while she turned to address the professor.
"I briefly made contact while at the Orders headquarters. Potter and Draco momentarily came to gather some resources. I've been told they will be remaining undetected for a while to focus on their hunt. At the pace they are going, it won't take long for all the horcruxes to be found." Severus said.
Hermione smiled and snickered, "Professor Snape saying something pleasant about Harry Potter…the world must truly be coming to an end." For the first time in her life, she saw Snape let out a chuckle. She'd seen him do it before, but it was always in response to someone making a fool of themselves. Seeing him react like a, dare she say, human was refreshing.
A moment later, Severus bid them both a goodnight and exited the room to apparate outside the manor's gates. Hermione and Lucius were left alone and stood for a bit, soaking in the afternoon they just had.
Lucius squeaked her waist gently and asked, "are you alright Hermione?"
Hermione nodded and took in a deep breath.
"It was just a lot to handle. A lot of nerves I guess."
He kissed the top her head and said, "I told you I would never let anything bad happen to you."
"Do you think he'll stay away?"
He sighed and brought his hand down to hold hers.
"he will be back for other meetings, but I will try to keep your presence during the meetings slim to none."
Both proceeded their way upstairs and into the bedroom, hoping to get some well-deserved rest after their tiring evening.