Merry Christmas (and Happy New Year) everyone! Last published chapter of 2016!
Even though I have a few new storylines in mind, I don't think they are good enough for development. I am considering a Dramione/Lumione challenge, where people (yeah, you readers) give me a few requirements of the story. I have seen a lot of writers doing it and I also think it is time to try something new. You come up with the rules, I come up with the best plot I can think of under those rules. (Please do not make me write gay/lesbian story, it's a bit...too difficult for me to picture the scenes. Not saying that I hate them, it's just the matter of preferences and ability of write them as well as it should be.)
Since that day, Hermione felt particularly deep for Lucius. After all, moving forward was not easy for anyone. Sometimes she would imagine how would his life look like if Caitlin was still there. Perhaps Narcissa would act differently.
The Spring Concert ended last month and Hermione was more than relieved. The next show would be in August, four months from now. Summer lessons started in late June, which meant she would have four months of relaxation.
She had never thought of going on vacations until now. Back in Johnson and Co. she never had a moment of rest, she had always wished to take a break but just right before she could notify the manager, he always placed piles of documents on her desk. And now she had the opportunity, yet she had no idea where she should go.
"Lucky you, I had to work on those summer lessons leaflets and television advertisement," said Kath. "Narcissa will kill me if she knows I want to go on a holiday."
"Honestly, I don't know where to go," said Hermione, frustrated.
"Maybe out of the country?" asked Kath. "Like Greece, Italy, Germany…oh maybe France too, that's the closest one."
"Germany sounds nice…"
"Are you going to join tours or travel alone?"
"I think I am going to travel alone," answered Hermione, without much thinking.
"But aren't you afraid?" asked Kath. "You know ladies travelling alone is not quite ideal—"
"I have nobody to accompany me," explained Hermione. "Besides, I like travelling alone, I can go anywhere and anytime when I want to, I don't have to take anyone into consideration."
Even though she said that, she wished someone could accompany her, Diana never went out of the country, at least to Hermione's knowledge. Diana was too occupied in her own secretive business, Hermione never knew what she was doing, but she believed that Diana was not engaging in any illegal business, at least that was what she wished to be true.
She almost never contacted any of her friends after sixth form and university graduation, as though she wished to be left alone. She had never been active in university, and most people in her courses were too sociable for her. She had a few of them, but they were all exchange students. After one year of study, they all went back to their original universities, leaving her behind, alone in the house.
Within lunchtime, she booked a resort and plane tickets, planning to take a proper ten-day break, away from the country, away from all the troubles and worries.
She was particularly happy when she placed the letter on Narcissa's desk, Narcissa would be more than happy to see her away from the her company (perhaps Lucius too) for ten days. She would completely occupy Lucius once again, even though it was merely ten days. Within ten days, everything could change, and Hermione would not feel surprised if the relationship between Lucius and Narcissa blossomed.
Since she wanted to get ahead of all events, she did some preparation and even drafted a few articles to make her life easier once she cam back from the long vacation. She worked until seven and the moment when she turned off her computer, her phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Ms. Granger, it's Mrs. Rainer."
"Mrs. Rainer!"
It was her landlord
"Is there anything wrong?"
"Oh no, Ms. Granger, nothing has gone wrong," explained Mrs. Rainer. "We knocked your door but no one answered, so we have to call you. I am afraid to tell you that we won't be able to let our house to you anymore."
"What happened?"
"Me and my husband decide to retire in Scotland so we have to put the apartment on sale. And the next landlord refuses to continue letting it."
"Oh…"
"I am so sorry, Ms. Granger."
"Don't worry, it's nobody's fault. So when shall I leave?"
"By the end of the month."
"That's two week's time! Oh never mind, thank you for telling me."
Soon as she hung up, her mind fell into an endless pit. Quickly, she dialled Diana's number. Just as what she had expected, nobody answered.
If only she received the call before lunchtime, then she would not have booked the plane tickets and the resort. Diana rarely stayed in the apartment, the last time Hermione saw Diana was when she was hospitalised, since then, she had been playing missing. It was not easy to find another accommodation for two, and now she had no choice but to give up the vacation.
Then her phone rang.
"Hello?"
"What do you want?"
"Diana, we have to move out, the landlord has sold the apartment."
"Since when I am not moved out?" asked Diana with a stiff cold voice, as though she had never lived in the apartment. And it was painfully true, the time she spent out of the apartment is thrice more than the time Hermione spent in the company.
"I will try to find studio flats for the both of us, just…pack whatever you need to."
"I don't have much things in there," said Diana. "What's more, I have already packed and settled down in a friend's home. Good luck and goodbye."
Hermione had never felt more betrayed, but frustration would not help. So she sank back to her seat and turned on the computer, searching for affordable studio flats.
Footsteps came closer and closer but Hermione could not care. Perhaps it was one of those cleaners, she thought. Who would come back to the office this late?
She felt a strange warm tinkling behind her ear, it was heavy, but not too burdensome. As she turned around, Lucius's face was just behind her. She jumped and gasped with surprise.
"Now what on earth are you doing here after office hours?"
"Nothing," said Hermione and was about to click away those websites.
Lucius placed his palm over hers, preventing her from clicking the windows away.
"Looking for a place to live?" asked Lucius, with mild curiosity. "I thought you have an apartment o your own, with her."
"The landlord sold it, I have to move out by the end of the month."
"Pity…but your ten-day vacation should help," said Lucius. "But then you booked the plane tickets and resort."
"How did you—"
"It's not hard to check on those website history, especially when we provide free wifi connection."
Hermione blushed. So Lucius actually knew who had been working or slacking off.
"Let's go," said Lucius. "Turn off the computer."
She did as she was told, but the moment she turned it off and got her bag, Lucius clutched her hand and pulled her downstairs to the car.
"Where are we going?" asked Hermione, baffled.
"To your apartment."
"Huh?"
Soon as the car stopped by the building, Lucius pulled her to the door to her apartment and made Hermione unlock the door. She went in, so did Lucius.
"Pack your things," ordered Lucius.
"But I—"
"Pack your things. We are leaving in fifteen minutes."
Hermione was baffled, she did not understand why Lucius was asking her to pack up, but she did not question. She did not have a lot to pack, all electronic appliances and utensils belonged to the landlord and she did not have much clothes, most of them were still unpacked in her luggage. The only thing she needed to pack was her books. It took her more than ten minutes and cram all her books into the luggage. Just as she finished packing, Lucius took her luggage and took it all the way down to the building entrance and let the chauffeur placed the luggage at the back of the car.
"Where are we going?" asked Hermione as she got into the car.
"To my manor," answered Lucius casually.
"To your manor?"
"Is there anything wrong?"
"No, it's just…I can't use your home as a temporary shelter."
"Let's say a gentleman should always repay gratitude and offer help whenever a lady is in need."
The car drove all the way to the manor, it was a short journey. She got out of the car and Lucius led her all the way inside the manor and to a room.
"This is your room," said Lucius and he opened the door.
She gawked at the sight of the room. It was thrice the size of her room in the apartment. The double bed could not be solely described by the adjective "luxurious", it was extravagant. The glossy quilt suggested that it was made of silk and cashmere.
"Sir, the luggage," said the chauffeur and he left immediately.
"You can stay here as long as you like," said Lucius.
Hermione looked at him, puzzled. Then, tears welled up in her eyes and she flung herself to him. Then she realised it was much too intimate, so she tried to retreat, but she found Lucius's arms locked her tightly in his embrace.
She looked up and met his eyes. His grey eyes were filled with warmth, like the fireplace in winter. Her breath was quick and shallow as his face zoomed in. His nose touched hers, then slowly she could feel his soft lips pressing against hers.
It was amazing, she had never kissed anyone until now, Lucius's eyes were closed but his lips worked his way, he took the opportunity to slide in when Hermione gasped to breathe. His hands were on her back, gently stroking her.
Then a knock on the door brought her back to reality, she broke the kiss with Lucius and stared at Draco, who was standing at the door. He was crossed, still he managed to cover up his emotions and said,
"I guess I don't have to wait for long until I say 'mother' again."
Hermione blushed and stepped backwards as Lucius's embrace loosened. Lucius said,
"From now on, she will be staying here."
Hermione looked at Lucius, then to Draco. From Draco's face, she could tell he is shocked and somewhat angered by his father's words. Still, without any words further, he left.
"Just treat yourself like home," said Lucius, straightening his suit. "Press the buttons on the wall if you need anything. The house servants are available at any time."
As Lucius left, he licked his lips. Hermione yelled,
"Mr. Malfoy!"
He stopped and turned around.
"Thank you," said Hermione shyly.
"Call me Lucius."
Woo-hooh! Finally they kissed (properly). I too have been waiting for this moment but I just could not come up with an appropriate reason and scene to make it happen. Now Hermione can finally go on a vacation and enjoy her time there, right? ;)
We are almost halfway through the story (yep, it's not even there yet). Mysteries are waiting ahead for us to solve/for me to write. Like the ending for Narcissa and Draco, why Lucius and Diana knew each other, and maybe the incident behind Caitlin's death...
My present list for Christmas and New Year :Reviews, Favourites, Follows. You know the drill!
PS:Do you know this chapter has 2016 words?
