First and last update of the week! Depending on how you view "week".

I spent two nights and two flights thinking the background of the story, because before I never thought of any, at least I never imagine myself writing to this stage (and it deviated from my original plot). I tried so hard to balance to hate and love of all characters...

I planed to publish it last week but well it was longer than usual chapters and it focuses more on the plot. I wished it had been longer but then I would need to edit all all chapters. (This lesson teaches everyone that you should draft the background before writing 3000 words.)

Anyway, bits and pieces will soon fall in as you read the story.


Snow fell as February came. As Hermione made her way out of the snowy path, a car stopped beside her. The car window reared down and the driver yelled,

"Ms. Granger!"

Hermione recognised him, he was Lucius's chauffeur.

"Mr. Malfoy invites you for a ride to work."

The chauffeur came out of the car and opened the door for her. Lucius did not glance at her, his gaze kept fixed at the front, as though he was in deep thoughts. Hermione got in and said,

"Good morning."

"Good morning."

The rest of the journey was full of awkward silence. Hermione tried to lift the atmosphere but then she did not know what conversation could lighten his spirit. So she decided to close her eyes and rest to clear her mind.

As the car stopped at the front entrance, Lucius got out of the car and went inside without waiting for Hermione. Hermione was baffled by his behaviour, she turned to the chauffeur and asked,

"Is there something wrong?"

The chauffeur sighed and said,

"Nothing is wrong, it happens every time of the year."

"Why?"

The chauffeur did not answer. Seeing that she could not get the answer out of him, she got off the car and went inside.

Just right after she sat down and started working, Kath rushed into the office, which distressed Narcissa, who was brewing coffee in the pantry. As Kath sat down, Narcissa came towards her with the black coffee.

"Ms. Sinclair, today is not a day for any lateness and noise pollution, hope you notice that."

"I am so sorry, I won't be late again."

Soon as Narcissa went into Lucius's office, Hermione whispered,

"What is wrong with today?"

"Today is…today. Just be careful. "

"What today is today—"

Before Hermione could get an answer from her, Narcissa came out of the office and said,

"Curiosity kills the cat, hope you notice that."

Hermione immediately started working again, if nobody would tell her what today was, all she had to do was observe and tried to comprehend the situation judging by the behaviours of others.

She finished work by lunchtime, which was a lot quicker than she expected. So she looked at the music box on the desk. She got it from a young lady at the airport. She did not know the lady's name, all she could remember was that she was at the counter, asking if she could change her flight so that she could reunite with Diana soon. Then the lady appeared, giving her ticket to Hermione. She told Hermione a lot about herself, particularly her boyfriend, then she shoved Hermione a music box. Hermione did not want it since she already owned her an air ticket but the lady insisted that Hermione should help her give this music box to her husband if they ever met. Just when Hermione went to buy a book before entering the gates, she saw the lady on the stretcher, with four people in white pushing the stretcher through the crowds and disappeared at the corner. She asked the passenger service staff if they knew the lady's situation, all they could say was that it was not optimistic.

She never met the lady again, to her dismay. All she had was the music box that could play the pas de deux music from The Nutcracker. Fortunately it still worked like new, otherwise she would have lost all hope in finding the lady's husband. It was almost impossible, she did not know the names of the lady or the husband, and even when social media, she might not find the genuine him at all. Nowadays so many people would impersonate him due to instant viral fame, she could never be sure if that person was truly the lady's husband.

She winded it to the fullest and let it play. Kath popped her head and said,

"Where did you buy it?"

"I got it from a friend."

"Can you ask her where your friend bought it?" asked Kath. "It's so lovely."

"I don't think I can help you on this," answered Hermione. "She gave me in a hurry and left without a trace."

"Oh that's a pity—"

"What pity?" asked Lucius from the back.

Out of shock, Hermione jumped a little and her hand reached for the music box, ready to put it back into the drawer. Lucius's arm stretched out and took the music box away from her.

"Who gave it to you?" asked Lucius.

"Huh?"

"Who gave it to you?" said Lucius once again, gritted through his teeth.

"A friend."

"No music box on the desk," said Lucius. "Confiscation is the best solution to workers who do not work as diligently as expected."

"Wait, Mr. Malfoy—"

Just as she stood up and tried to get the music box back, Lucius had already left and gone back to his office. Hermione thudded back to her seat, dazed with confusion. That was not mentioned in her contract.

"Years ago, today was the saddest day of his life," whispered Kath. "She passed away, Lucius was with her in the hospital, watching her as she closed her eyes and never came back. This is one of the taboo in the company, especially today. Just pretend you heard nothing."

Hermione nodded and went back to work.

At the office room, Lucius stared at the music box for quite a while, how could he not remember this? He gave it to her on that very special day. Just when the happiest moment of his life was about to come, reality smashed him like a truck that lost control on the highway. Never had he imagined such misery would come…

But then, Lucius could not help wondering how Hermione had it in her possession, as though she had kept if for a very long time and she would take it with her everywhere. It did not seem possible that Hermione could get it from her…

After Hermione finished her lunch, she quickly back to the office and knocked on Lucius's door. Upon entering, she saw Lucius standing by the window, holding the music box and examining it.

"Give it back to me," said Hermione, after a moment of silence.

Lucius did not reply, nor did he hand over the music box. He began,

"It's not yours."

"It's my—"

"How did you get it?"

"Just give me back to—"

"Have you not noticed my name is there, engraved at the bottom of the box?"

"Huh?"

Lucius showed her the beautiful cursive on the bottom. Indeed his name was there, and few people would name their children Lucius and carry the surname Malfoy.

But if his name was there, could that mean…

"How did you get the music box?" asked Lucius again, demanding an answer.

"From a friend."

"She would not know you…"

"Where were you when she passed away?" asked Hermione.

Lucius was taken aback, but he remained calm and said,

"I thought by now you should have known this, secrets are never kept untold."

"Where were you when she passed away?" asked Hermione again.

"With her—"

"You lied."

Lucius was quite shocked, for years he had kept the secret well, only Cyrus and Narcissa knew, nobody else. How would he In between them was a long moment of silence. Lucius curled his lips and said,

"Please be excused."

"If you don't face the truth, you won't move forward!"

"That is none of your business."

"That's—"

Realising that her words would not seem appropriate, she stayed in silence, took a deep breath, then left the room.

When the working hours were over, Hermione hurriedly pack her belongings, Lucius had not come out of his office.

When she took the taxi, she kept on thinking about Lucius, a wave of guilt surged over her, had she discovered the name and known the relationship between the young lady and him, she would have handed over the music box the moment she realised it.

Feeling more and more guilty, she took out her phone and dialled Lucius's number.

"Hello?"

"…Yes, Ms Granger?"

"I am sorry about what I have said, I didn't mean—Ah!"

Lucius could not hear her words anymore, all he heard was a loud crash on the phone.

"Hello?"

Nobody answered. Lucius hung up, wondering what had happened. Feeling uneasy, he left his chair and dashed out of the office, surprised Narcissa, who was still in the office.

"Lucius?"

"I am going out."

"But what—"

Before he could hear what Narcissa had said, he had already gone out of the office, hurried down the stairs and hired a taxi. Then, he dialled the emergency number.

"Emergency, which service?"

"Hello. I would to ask if a car accident occurred near Hounslow, the victim is very likely to be my friend."

"Please hold on…Yes. Two people were sent to Ashford Hospital for remedy."

"Are they seriously injured?"

"I am sorry, I do not have the information."

"Thank you."

Soon as he hung up the phone, he told the driver,

"Hillingdon Hospital please."

Within a couple of minutes, he arrived at the hospital. It was the very same hospital he went soon after the plane landed. Few people knew that he'd rather go to Gatwick Airport than Heathrow Airport even though it was obviously closer and more convenient.

Just when he was about to enter, Hermione came out with her arm bandaged.

"You alright?"

"Just a scratch on the arm."

"What happened?"

"A woman jumped out of nowhere and the driver was so scared that he drove away but we crashed into the fences. But luckily nobody got seriously hurt."

"That's a good news," said Lucius and turned away, feeling more and more uncomfortable as he stood at the entrance.

"Mr. Malfoy, you came all the way to find me?" asked Hermione.

"All I heard was a crash on the phone and you did not answer, I have to find out if you are safe."

"I thought you would not leave your office."

"Let's not talk about this now."

Just when Lucius was about to leave, Hermione said,

"I called you because I knew my words were too harsh and I just want to tell you that you should keep the music box. And I also want to sit down and talk to you about Caitlin—"

"Don't talk about Caitlin, please!"

Hermione did not expect emotions would override Lucius. With a deep breath, Lucius breathed out,

"Please."

With one last glance at the hospital, Lucius walked across the street. Hermione followed behind him for 20 minutes along the road. He stopped and leaned against the wall, sobbing. This was her first time seeing Lucius so sentimental. Hermione approached him carefully and said,

"I am sorry to bother you."

"I was deceiving everyone, including myself. I was not there when Caitlin died, and I can never rectify this. I knew it was because of me, if I had not been in Paris—"

"She has never blamed you," said Hermione. "She gave me the music box and told me to give it to you when I see you, and tell you that she will always be with you and protect you."

Lucius showed a wry smile, Hermione continued,

"I was a little annoyed when I see you lying to everyone and yourself. I thought you and Caitlin had something unsettled, yet you choose not to explain because even if you tell, nobody will understand your pain. I may not know how it feels but it must be deep for you."

"Thank you."