Hermione looked over at Lucius who was still sitting in the chair holding his right arm still. Coming closer she reached out and gently accessed the damage. From what she could tell it wasn't broken.
"It doesn't appear to be broken so that's good news." She heard him let out a breath of relief.
"Well thank Merlin for that, because I don't know what I would have done with a broken arm and not being able to use magic on top of that."
Nodding Hermione didn't think he would've been able to handle having a broken bone of any kind. Oh no what am I going to do now some of my stuff is at the Weasleys there is no way I'm going over there. Maybe I'll just stay at my parent's house for a while and ask Harry to gather my things from the Burrow. But how am I going to afford to live I don't have much savings. What am I going to do? Hermione's inner thoughts got the best of her as she started to breath heavy, panic rose in her whole body, and she became suddenly lightheaded.
She could feel herself swaying rooted to the spot where she stood until a large hand grabbed Hermione by the wrist and steading her.
"Ms. Granger maybe you should have a seat before you pass out on my floor." Lucius voice sounded far away but she could hear the urgency in his tone.
Blinking a few times, she focused on his voice to settle her nerves. Following where he led Hermione began talking deep breaths in through the noes out of the mouth. Sitting down in the chair her breathing slowed and the panic subsided she didn't know why her body acted like that.
"Are you okay?" Lucius was bent over face to face with her his eyes were wide and wildly scanning her face and his mouth was set in a hard line.
Feeling more in control now Hermione nodded but a lump in her throat began to form and her eyes welled up with tears. Unable to stop the sudden onslaught of emotion she brought her hands up to her face and let the tears fall freely.
Strong warm hands grabbed Hermione by the shoulders and engulfed her in a warm powerful hug she embraced the safety of Lucius arms allowing herself to melt into him.
"Talk to me?" His warm breath ghosted over her face the smell of fire whiskey still noticeable.
"I'm fine." Her voice was soft she didn't want him thinking he had to take care of her just because she was carrying his child. Removing herself from his hold on her she instantly missed the warmth he provided but didn't want to seem desperate.
Looking at her skeptically Lucius hadn't moved from kneeling on the floor in front of her in fact he propped himself up on one knee for some comfort, but she knew he had to be in pain he was good at hiding it.
"I don't know what I'm going to do I obviously can't stay with the Weasleys and I don't have any money to live on my own so…"
"No you don't need to worry about that um.." Lucius cut her rambling and held out his arm. "You can stay here with me what kind of father would I be if I didn't take in of the mother of my child."
His offer caught her off guard she didn't think she would be staying with him it wasn't really an option that had crossed her mind. Thinking on it Hermione could certainly see the benefits but what would happen when she got a job she couldn't stay here forever.
"As long as you're sure about this."
Lucius rolled his eyes seeming annoyed with her but grabbed her by the hands and looked deep into her brown eyes. "I promise that as long as you are with me in my home no harm shall fall upon you."
Smiling Hermione agreed to stay but something else was bothering her.
"Where will I sleep?" It's not that she wouldn't mind sharing a bed with him again she just wants to get to know him better even though it was technically to late for all that.
Smiling Lucius chuckled and stood up offering her his hand he winced in pain but even that could not put a dent in his smile. Placing her small hand into his bigger one he helped her up from the chair and led her out the dining room. "You do know that my house is big enough for the both of us to have separate rooms I won't force you to sleep in the same bed as me, and besides it's not like you can get anymore pregnant than you are."
Shocked Hermione mouth fell open as they made their way back to the parlor and began up the massive grand staircase. Overcoming his jab, she said, "That's not the reason why I just thought it would be a good idea to get to know you a little better."
Lucius gave her a pointed look and this time gave a hardy laugh. "Oh, so you do want a repeat of that night."
Hermione knew she was blushing as her face grew hotter by the second and she figured it was the Fire Whiskey that he had drank allowing him to make jokes about the situation. Looking down at him she remained tight lipped and refused to say anything else.
Making it up the stairs Lucius escorted her down a long hallway it was covered with a lot of she assumed family portraits they all eyed her, and Hermione suddenly felt unsure about this.
"Lucius are you sure this is okay?" Her voice shook a little while she eyed the paintings it made her stomach twist with knots and her palms sweat; she knew that most of them had to have been dark wizards if not all of them.
"Don't worry they don't have any say and if they do, I'll stuff them in the basement." His voice carried down the hallway she was sure he did that on purpose.
Some of the paintings gave loud protest while others glared at their descendant. Lucius placed his hand around Hermione's waist and began walking her away more urgently this time she couldn't help but notice the muscles in his face were taunt.
"So, you expect us to be okay with you allowing this filth to stay. What would your father say?" A particularly loud voice came through.
Hermione held her breath waiting for Lucius's reaction. His eyes glared and he marched down the hallway she followed quickly behind until he stopped at a rather large portrait it reminded her of the ones back at Hogwarts the man in the picture was tall and blonde she could definitely see the family resemblance but this Malfoy was wearing clothes that if she had to guess where last century or more. His green eyes glared at her and his mouth was curled in disgust.
"It doesn't matter because just like you he's dead so him, you, or anyone else does NOT get to tell me who I can have in my own house." Hermione took a step back she had never seen Lucius lose his temper he was always so in control. The two seemed to stare holes into one another showing how stubborn this family could be she wondered if it was a trait they were born with.
"We shall see about that." The unknown Malfoy's words were short and direct she knew it was a threat. This was not a good idea. She thought.
"Yeah and what are you going to do about it?" Lucius mocking tone made the portrait turn his head and walk out of his frame.
Hermione let go of the breath she was holding and watched as her companion motioned for her to follow him. Turning down another long hallway she was grateful not to see any paintings of any kind she had to remember where she was, and it certainly wasn't back at school. Coming to a stop at the end of the hall opening the wooden door Lucius stepped aside and allowed Hermione to enter first her breath hitched as she saw a massive four poster bed like the one, they had shared together. Tearing her gaze from the bed the room was four times the size of her childhood bedroom with a large sitting area of leather chairs and a couch in front of an unlit fireplace, on the other side of the room was a massive vanity with a huge mirror. Walking further in her eyes caught sight of an open-door peaking in she saw the biggest home bathroom in her life the tile on the floor was black and the massive tub she just wanted to soak in for a few hours. There was also a large mirror and a sink.
"I hope it's to your liking." Hermione jumped slightly and looked behind her to see Lucius right behind her. Nodding she spotted a closed door, walking forward she grabbed the metal handle and swung it open to reveal a large closet it was just a little smaller than her actual bedroom size with dozens of cubby holes to put shoes and racks to hang clothes.
"Yes, Lucius this is very much to my liking." She couldn't help the awe in her voice. Reentering the bedroom Hermione saw that her host was waiting by one of the massive windows staring down at something.
"That's good I'm glad it is to your satisfaction." Still staring out the window he sounded a thousand miles away. Slowly approaching him tried to see what he was so focused on, but she only saw a small bench and what looked to be tombstones two to be exact.
Clearing his throat Lucius turned to face her his expression gave away nothing and he walked heading out the room before stopping at the door addressing her, "I'll let you get settled than we can talk about our situation."
"That sounds like a good idea."
"Oh, and one more thing if any of my ancestors give you any trouble don't hesitate to come to me, I won't allow them to talk to you any way they please."
Hermione nodded and said, "Thank you I know how hard this must be for you."
Lucius didn't say anything else and exited the room leaving her there to adjust to the new arrangements.
Author's Note: Thank you for all the comments on the story so far they really help me write more. Please tell me what you think of this one. This one was particularly hard for me to write but here it is.