A/N: I made a mistake and didn't post the entirety of chapter 11 last chapter, so here it is now along with chapter 12! Hope you like it :)) - Sarah

Rest of Chapter 11

Hermione did not find Lucius' disappearance funny. When she had first exited her chambers, she made her way down the hall to the dining hall where she was supposed to meet Lucius. The hall was quickly filled with fancy and snobby people, Hermione knew she wouldn't be able to fit in with them. So to delay any interaction she hid off to the side, but was still visible enough for Lucius to see her when he came. After minutes passed with no sign of Lucius she decided to look in the crowd for him, yet every time she thought she saw a flash of white-blond hair, it disappeared the next second.

Debating on whether or not to go back to her chambers, Hermione stood in the hallway leaning against the wall. Suddenly, she heard her pseudonym whispered from behind her. Scared to be recognized by another she let out a little gasp and drew her wand from her sleeve until she turned back and saw Lucius.

She was definitely frustrated with his little game of hide and seek, yet she refrained herself from scolding him.

Annoyed, Hermione asked, "Are you done acting like an imbecile now?" This comment earned an eye roll from Lucius, but after that he remained silent. Hermione promised herself that tonight she would try and enjoy herself instead of worrying about the prophecy, but she wasn't sure she would be able to enjoy the night spending her time with Lucius.

Trying to keep true to her promise, she grabbed Lucius by the arm and dragged him into the dining hall.

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Lucius kept his eyes on Penny as she explained to Mr. Greengrass her experience at Hogwarts. She talked of the different classes she took and how she always had the highest marks.

"And what about you Mr. Malfoy? I'm sure as the son of Abraxas, you've made him plenty proud." Mr. Greengrass asked, focusing the attention onto Lucius.

"I was a proud member of Professor Slughorn's Slug Club, which was only for the most promising students." Lucius boasted.

"Well let's hope he's right about you son! When your father's the Minister of Magic, you'll have some mighty big shoes to fill," Greengrass chuckled, and stepped away into the crowd leaving Lucius and Hermione alone.

"How old are you?" Lucius asked Penny, raising an eyebrow. If she had previously told of living far from this place, why would she have attended Hogwarts? And if she attended Hogwarts, how could he have never seen her before?

"Twenty-two," Penny replied casually, "Let's go get a table, I see the waiters exiting the kitchen, I think it's almost time for the first course."

Lucius agreed, but not yet satisfied with the information that Penny had given him. He had hoped that she'd expand or ask about his irregular question.

As soon as they sat down at a table, Lucius asked Penny, "Why didn't I see you at Hogwarts? You said that you had top marks, and yet I had no idea of your existence?"

She faltered for a second and then explained, "I didn't actually go to Hogwarts with the rest of the kids. My parents knew that I was already much ahead of my classmates and they also didn't want me to go to Hogwarts under Dumbledore as the Headmaster."

"I can see that," Lucius agreed, "but you described the classes that you took at Hogwarts, how did you take those?"

"Well, I," Penny stammered, "I had personal tutors who would come from Hogwarts and give me lessons."

"Hmm," Lucius twirled a fork in his hand, "what house were you sorted into?"

"Slytherin, obviously, my family wouldn't have accepted anything else," Penny told Lucius.

"And what did you say your family's name was again? If they are purebloods, as I assume, my father might know them."

"Well," But before Penny could finish her sentence, the waiters came to their table with the first course of the meal. It was a thick broccoli cheddar soup. "Thank you," Penny commended the waiters who had brought the food.

Five more courses came by with little chat between Penny and Lucius. As the two finished the fifth course, a butler came to Lucius.

"Excuse me Mister Malfoy, your father would like to see you," the butler told him.

Lucius nodded and stood up excusing himself. His eyes lingered on Penny slightly longer, wondering why she looked so nervous when he had asked her simple questions. He stood up straighter and adjusted his dress robes as he followed the butler over to where his father was.

The crowd around his father were politely laughing at something he said, probably about those ridiculous Potters who just announced their marriage. He had thrown that paper straight in the bin.

Lucius cleared his throat as he entered the group, "You wanted to see me father?"

"Yes, Lucius." Abraxas responded as he waved the cluster of people away, leaving Lucius and him alone. "I believe Miss Black will be at this party tonight, I suggest you spend the evening with her."

Lucius was aware of his father's plans to marry him to Narcissa Black, and Lucius wasn't entirely opposed to the idea, Narcissa was gorgeous. However, whenever he made any move on her, she instantly rejected him. However, recently Lucius had found Narcissa to be an afterthought since Penny was now clearly the better option. He couldn't help but find it convenient she showed up in the department of mysteries looking for help.

"Forgive me father, but I believe you failed to notice I brought another lady to the event tonight." Lucius' eyes drifted to find Penny sitting idly at a table across the room.

Abraxas' lips pursed as he spotted the girl. "Is she of pure blood?"

"Yes," Lucius responded, although he was not entirely sure himself, "she's quite special to me, father."

"Her name?"

"Penn-Penelope," Lucius refrained himself from calling her the pet name he had given her.

"What is her family name?"

Lucius racked his brain, desperately trying to remember the family name she had told him upon their first meeting.

"Clearwater, Penelope Clearwater is her name," Lucius responded, trying not to let his feeling of relief of remembering show in his response.

"Very well, I'll find you later to talk to you more about Miss Clearwater, but as of now I have other matters to return to." Abraxas turned and walked through the crowd without another word.

Taking this as an invitation to return to Penny, Lucius made his way to their table.

Chapter 12

As Lucius left the table, Hermione released a sigh of relief. He had been pestering her with questions she quite frankly had no answer to. Lucius' absence had left her alone at the table with one other guest that left shortly after Lucius to dance with another. Hermione refused to become bored, and every second wasted was a second she could have been a little bit closer to saving Draco. Hoping Lucius' conversation with his father would be a quick one, she stayed put. As the hall started to fill with more people, her basically empty table became a target for a place to sit and eat. She tried to fend off large crowds of people from taking the whole table, but the occasional loners would find their way to a seat.

Seeing a wave of white-blonde hair heading towards the table relieved her as one seat remained open for Lucius.

"It took you quite an amount of time to finish your conversation with your father," Hermione said as someone took the seat next to her.

"I must say I have no idea what you are talking about," A low monotone voice replied. Embarrassed, Hermione turned to face the person she had thought to be Lucius.

He had shoulder-length, sleek black hair and a hook nose. From those features alone, Hermione had known who she was sitting with.

"I beg your pardon, I thought you were someone else." Hermione apologized. But Professor Snape didn't have much time to respond before Lucius' voice came from behind him.

"Severus, I believe you are in my seat." Hermione saw Lucius shake the chair a little until Snape stood up.

"Nice to see you again as well," Snape quickly remarked as he disappeared out of view.

Hermione huffed, "That wasn't a very nice way to treat him," Although Professor Snape had been nothing but cruel to Hermione, she knew that he meant a lot to Harry, and he didn't deserve to be thrown out of his seat.

Severus and I are old friends from Hogwarts, I think he understands," Lucius explained. Hermione decided against arguing more and decided to ask about his conversation with his father.

"How did your discussion with your father go?" Hermione tried not to sound rude, simply curious.

"It was fine," A corner of Lucius's mouth turned to a smile, "he actually asked about you."

"Oh well there's not that much to tell him about me is there? It must have been an extremely boring conversation," Hermione responded, hoping Lucius didn't reveal too much about her.

"On the contrary, things were just getting interesting when he was required elsewhere," Lucius explained.

"Really?" Hermione paused. "How long do these events usually last?"

"If you were thinking about getting up and leaving already, you better push those thoughts aside because father hasn't even given his special announcement yet."

Hermione realized that Lucius had referred to Abraxas the same way Draco refers to Lucius. Hermione had never recalled calling her dad 'father' as Lucius and Draco did. It must be a Malfoy thing, Hermione assured. As she pondered about Draco and Lucius' similarities, she unintentionally lost focus in the conversation and stared at the chandelier.

"Would you like one? I know these are your favorite." Lucius' voice broke through her thoughts. She turned to see him holding two glasses of red sparkly liquid. Instantly Hermione remembered the night she had first tried this beverage. She grabbed the glass from Lucius and took a small sip.

"I thought you would be more hesitant to take a sip after you almost burnt the pub down last time." Lucius teased.

Hermione recalled how a flame escaped her lips when she first had the drink and tried to talk. To prevent this from happening again, she took a second sip of the brew before responding.

"Now I wouldn't call one small flame burning the pub down," She crossed her arms and watched Lucius take a drink of his Dragon's Tongue, "I would love to see the first time you tried the drink and watch the same thing happen to you."

Lucius opened his mouth to talk, but before he was able to say anything Abraxas Malfoy appeared beside him.

Hermione had never seen the man in person, yet he was as frightening as she imagined. She saw Lucius tense up as Abraxas placed a hand on his shoulder. Hermione looked up at Abraxas to see him glaring right back at her.

"Very lovely lady you've chosen Lucius," Abraxas stated, shifting his eyes to his son. Hermione looked to Lucius with confusion, what did Abraxas mean by 'chosen', she thought. "How have I raised my son to not ask a woman to dance? Be a gentleman, Lucius."

Hermione knew that Lucius had agreed to treating her as a colleague at this gala, not a date. What did Lucius tell his dad that made him think Hermione was his date?

"I'm sorry, I'm not his da…" Hermione began to explain but Lucius overlapped her.

"Her ankle is sprained very badly and she's unable to dance," Lucius spat out.

"I see," Abraxas inched near Lucius' ear and whispered something inaudible to Hermione. After that, he swiftly walked away.

Lucius's eyes followed his dad as he left. "Penny," he said a bit louder than necessary, "may I have the honor of a dance?" He held out a hand and looked desperately toward her.

Hermione was reluctant, she was adamant about her rules, but she soon realized that people around them started to watch.

"Just one," she said with a fake smile and pulled Lucius from his seat. The people around them seemed satisfied and went back to their conversations, some even clapped as Hermione accepted. She could've even sworn she saw the flash of a picture being taken.

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The band changed to a slow and light melody as Penny and Lucius entered the dancing floor. Dozens of couples surrounded them, all in sync with the music. Lucius was not too much taller than Penny while she wore short heels. He found his hand on her waist and she placed her hand on his shoulder accordingly. Their second hands clasped together as they began to sway to the music. Lucius was impressed with Penny's dancing, the way she gracefully spun across the glistening granite floors and perfectly moved her feet according to him. As perfect as her turns and steps were, as he danced and kept his eyes on her, she was focused on something off somewhere else.

"Penny," Lucius muttered. Her eyes shifted back to meet his. "What is making this dance so dreadful and uninteresting to you?"

"I didn't say that," She retorted, re-adjusting her hand on his shoulder.

"You didn't have to," Lucius sneered, "It's obvious."

The two remained silent for a couple of moments trying their best not to make eye contact again, but Lucius yearned to ask Penny a question he had wondered ever since he knew her.

"You have a lad waiting back at home for you, don't you? You simply can't wait to return." Lucius couldn't help but ask it in a resentful way.

"It's not fair of you to assume anything of my personal life, but I do admit you are correct," Penny's tone softened, "my reason for this trip is to help him. When we first met, we despised another. But slowly we both became less stubborn and opened up to another."

Lucius' heart dropped as she described this man. As he began to think more about it, the more it made sense. Her strict rules, avid determination to get the prophecy, and her reluctance to dance with Lucius.

"If you'll pardon me, I'll be right back." Lucius let go of Penny and left her alone on the dance floor in the middle of a song.

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Hermione stood awkwardly on the dance floor watching Lucius walk away while the other couples continued dancing around her.

"Lucius-" Hermione called out. But it was useless, Lucius had already stalked off the dance floor. Feeling utterly humiliated, Hermione set after trying to find him. She could feel Abraxas's gaze on her. She weaved between the crowds looking for his signature blonde hair. But something else caught her eye first: Narcissa Black.

Hermione came to a stop. It was another chance to ask her about the prophecy, and this time, there wouldn't be a door for Narcissa to close in her face. A flash of Lucius's robes and hair came in the corner of her vision and was moving farther away quickly. Clenching her fists and making a decision, Hermione started off after Narcissa; Lucius would have to wait.

When Narcissa noticed Hermione coming, she stood and waited. Hermione had expected her to run, but Narcissa stood there staring daggers at Hermione. Apparently, this young Narcissa had already perfected her unforgiving glare that Hermione knows so well. Putting her chin up, Hermione approached Narcissa and greeted her.

"Hello Narcissa," Hermione kept a calm voice, although she would much rather shake Narcissa down for the answers. "Would you care to continue our conversation that ended so abruptly last time?" Hermione had quirked one eyebrow up with her arms crossed across her chest.

Narcissa took a moment to speak. She pursed her lips and somehow instilled fear in Hermione with each word she said while still maintaining a polite party face for anyone watching.

"What's your name?"

"Penelope Clearwater," Hermione gulped and hoped that Narcissa wouldn't know she wasn't a pureblood. Things would be a lot more difficult that way for her. Thankfully Narcissa didn't comment on her name.

"Well, Miss Clearwater, you of all people should know that there is nothing more to say, as the book containing the prophecy has conveniently gone missing after our last encounter."

Hermione protested, "I don't under-"

Narcissa continued, dropping her voice a little. "You best be running along now, and cling extra tight to Lucius if you want to continue your charade of doting on him," Hermione was taken aback. "It's the only thing keeping me from hexing you right now, thief."

With that said, Narcissa walked off and assimilated herself back into the party. Hermione's brain was taking everything in all at once. I am not a thief! Well, maybe sometimes, but not in this instance. What does she mean "doting on Lucius"? I do not dote! Merlin's beard, she had forgotten about Lucius. Lucius must have been long gone from the ballroom by now. Hermione exited the ballroom herself now as well.

As much as Hermione hated being dependent on Lucius, she couldn't go wandering around this gala without him. She found herself waiting in the same spot she had met Lucius at the start of the gala, possibly hoping that he would come to meet her again.

Collecting her thoughts on where Lucius could possibly be, Hermione decided to head down the hallway she had been waiting in. Along with being shown her chambers, Lucius had taken it upon himself and shown her a brief tour of the house including where his chambers were in case she were to ever need him. At the time Hermione had doubted she would ever visit him, but she didn't expect she would lose him at a fancy gala that same evening. She reached to knock on the door, but before her hand hit the door it flew open.

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Penny stumbled into Lucius as he opened his door, it was certainly a surprise, but a welcome one. Her hands landed on his chest and he caught Penny before he was brought down with her. Without a second to pause, she lifted her hands off Lucius and steadied herself.

"Pardon me, I was just on my way out," Lucius said with a false smile.

"Sorry, but I think I deserve an explanation for your rude behavior." Penny crossed her arms and paused, "You embarrassed me in front of a whole crowd, leaving in the middle of our dance."

"I'm sorry?" Lucius raised an eyebrow. He knew what Penny was getting at. She was always so quick to jump to conclusions because she always thought she was right. It was unquestionably clear she thought he had left her being flustered about the information pertaining to her boyfriend. Was this true? Partly. What she didn't know was that he had spotted Narcissa during their dance. Narcissa was notoriously snoopy and had no other motive but to find the book he had stolen from her house. Knowing this, he ditched Penny to secure the book from Narcissa's conniving hands.

"Were you ever planning to come back? Did you expect for me to just wait there in the middle of the dance floor for you?"

It was obvious that Penny was annoyed, she had no idea that everything Lucius has been doing for the past couple of days has been to help her.

"Penny," Lucius made sure he had her attention, "when are you going to start trusting me?"

"Well..." Penny started, but Lucius hushed her by putting a finger to her lips.

"It's my turn to talk, Penny," Lucius told her. "Having no idea who you are, I paid for your stay in The Leaky Cauldron, took you to see the Black home, stole a book for you, and offered to let you stay in my own house. Yet you have only thanked me once."

"Why do I care so much about you when I have my own things to worry about?" At this point, Lucius was talking more to himself than he was to Penny.

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To be frank, Hermione was unsure whether Lucius had been talking to himself or to her, if the latter, she wasn't sure how she would respond. It was a rather personal question that she didn't know the answer to either. Why had he helped her since day one? Did he have a strange feeling that she was a major part of his future? Anyway, she was glad that he had helped her, she would've been sincerely lost without him.

"Lucius, I am truly glad that you decided to help me. I would be nowhere without your assistance. So I sincerely thank you," She made sure to add a smile at the end for good measure. She waited for a response or a reaction, but it seemed as if Lucius's attention was elsewhere.

"Penny, would you like to finish our dance?" His eyes snapped back to look at her. Hermione definitely wasn't expecting that reply. She debated in her mind for a second before answering, "Promise you won't abandon me again?"

"Naturally," Lucius replied with a smirk.