Thanks so much to everyone who has reviewed so far. I appreciate it more than you can know.
Also, I would just like to say my AN in chapter 3 was not meant to dissuade anyone from giving me concrit about my use of present tense. I only wanted to warn you all that the story will continue to be in the present tense.
As always, thanks to Adie for her help!
xxxxx
Hermione isn't sure why she has Apparated to Grimmauld Place. It has changed very little over the years and the ever present doom and gloom doesn't help her dark mood one bit.
Only Remus is at home. He sits behind a large, mahogany desk in the study as he reads from a thick, weathered book that looks as though it will fall apart at any moment.
Hermione is still unsure of how to act around him. She will always think of him as her old Defense professor and the fact that he is now in a relationship with one of her best friends hasn't changed that one bit. She has only recently felt comfortable enough to use his first name.
"Hermione," he says, looking up with a friendly smile. "Good to see you again. I'm afraid Harry isn't here. He and Ron went to attend a special seminar at the academy today, but he should return soon."
Both Ron and Harry are training to become Aurors. They have tried to pressure Hermione into doing the same but she has had enough encounters with Dark wizards to last a lifetime. Her friends, on the other hand, still find great thrills in the hunt.
"That's all right," says Hermione. "I really didn't come to see him specifically. I just needed to get away. Mind if I stay for awhile?"
"Certainly not. You know you're always welcome." Remus jumps to his feet and walks towards Hermione, carrying the large book with him. "In fact, I'm glad you came. I found this in Diagon Alley this morning and thought of you. It's one of Wenlock's first texts on Arithmancy."
Hermione makes a distracted noise of polite interest as she takes the proffered book.
"Is something troubling you?" Remus asks, when Hermione doesn't display the expected enthusiasm.
"No" is on the tip of her tongue but what comes out instead is a low, miserable groan.
"Lucius Malfoy has engaged me in L'Amour Contractuel," she says in rush.
"He's done what?" asks Remus, concern and confusion wrinkling his forehead.
Hermione takes a deep breath, and for the next several minutes, horrifies Remus with the story of Malfoy's blasted courtship.
"And your mother still gave him permission?" Remus asks when she is finished. "Even while knowing how much you were against it?"
"She didn't even hesitate," says Hermione, her misery quickly transforming into anger, most of it directed towards herself. "And I just sat there like a bloody bump on a log! I should have spoken out!"
"I'm not sure that it would have made a difference," says Remus, his face grave. "Hermione, I've only met your mother a few times and I'll admit that I don't know her well, however, it has always been clear that she loves you very much. I find it difficult to believe that she would so easily go against your wishes."
"You don't understand, Remus. Malfoy is her ruddy knight in shining armor! He has her tightly wound around his little finger."
"Even so, you said she didn't hesitate. I would think she would have shown at least a little bit of reluctance if she was acting on her own free will."
"What are you saying?"
"I don't want to alarm you but I think there is a very real possibility that Malfoy has your mother under Imperius."
Rather than being alarm, Hermione shamefully clings to the idea. As horrible as it is to think of her mother being under Malfoy's control, an overwhelming part of her finds it preferable to believing that Doris has betrayed her.
"Malfoy spent an unknown amount of time with her at the Tuckin," says Hermione, nodding. "He could have done anything to her then."
"We'll find out," assures Remus. "A sneakoscope is the most basic but best detector of the curse as those under Imperius are automatically deemed untrustworthy." Remus goes to the large desk and rummages through its drawers. A minute later, he produces a highly sensitive sneakoscope. "I can perform the counter spell myself but it would be best to have Tonks come along as a witness. As an Auror, her testimony will have a great deal of clout at the Ministry. We probably can't prove that it was Malfoy who performed the curse so he will likely go unpunished. However, the law states that any contracts made by a person under Imperius can be made null and void. You can petition the Ministry to dismiss the courtship without there being any negative consequences."
As Remus speaks, Hermione comes to a difficult decision. The idea fills her with revulsion, but she knows what she must do. Sighing with resignation, she says, "It won't be necessary to involve Tonks. I am going on this date, or whatever it is with Malfoy, regardless."
Remus opens his mouth to protest but Hermione raises a quelling hand.
"I've thought about it. I figure if I spend some time with Malfoy I might be able to sort out what he is really after."
"That's preposterous!" exclaims Remus. "There's no need to put yourself in harm's way. If it turns out that your mother was acting freely then Harry and I will give you the money to pay the fine. You'll be free of Malfoy's attentions by Monday."
"But I won't be," says Hermione. "We both know that Malfoy hasn't engaged me in L'Amour Contractuel because he wants to court me. He'll just try something else to get whatever it is he is after."
"Hermione-"
"No, Remus," Hermione says determinedly. "I've decided. And please don't tell Harry. He'll try to stop me and I need to do this."
"You don't!" insists Remus. "Please, Hermione. Reconsider."
"It's the only way," she says, shaking her head. "Promise me that you won't tell Harry." "I won't breath a word of it," Remus says reluctantly, after a long, pensive pause.
Both grow silent as they collect the sneakoscope and prepare to Apparate to Cornwall. Neither notices the figure of Harry Potter moving away from the doorway of the study.
Or the dark, murderous look on his face.
xxxxx
Lucius has come to abhor Saturday nights. It is on these evenings he is most aware of what his life has become.
A lifetime ago, Saturday nights meant excitement. It meant lavish parties with all the best families in attendance. It meant meetings in secret, with like-minded cohorts, where the Darkest of magics was explored and celebrated.
It meant long, glorious hours entwined in Narcissa's arms.
He hadn't loved her, but Narcissa had been a good wife and an exceptional lover. She always knew exactly what Lucius wanted and how to give it to him. He never had reason to stray.
Lucius misses her at times, when he thinks of her. He makes it a point not to do so.
These days, Saturday nights mean boredom. It means idle wandering around his huge, empty manor. It means evenings alone in his study, with only a bottle of Firewhiskey to keep him company.
Tonight is like most Saturdays. However, an unusual air of celebration surrounds Lucius this evening as he sits placidly in his private study. On the table beside him is a near empty bottle of Ogden's Best.
A pleased smile rests on his face as he empties the bottle into a finely cut, crystal glass.
Everything is going exactly as planned. The fool Muggle had been putty in his hands. But then, he has taken great pains to ensure Doris Granger's compliance.
And Hermione…
Well...to say she loathes him is a vast understatement. Her hatred for him is nearly tangible. A wiser man may have given up already but Lucius will never admit defeat.
He'll have her and have her willingly.
There are many ways he can force the reluctant Miss Granger to want him.
Love potions are easy to come by, if you know the right people. And Lucius certainly does.
Imperius is an option. Lucius has carefully honed his skills at that. He is adept at all the variations of the curse, including a little-known, extremely complicated version which is completely undetectable. Imperius cannot make Hermione love him, but it can certainly give the pretense of it.
While a false outward appearance of love is more than adequate for his needs, Lucius does not wish to employ any those methods. When he and Hermione become man and wife it will be because she truly desires it. She may hate him now, but in the not so distant future she'll want him, love him, with all her being. Winning her over will be a difficult and time-consuming challenge but it will make his ultimate victory all that much sweeter.
A small knock sounds against the heavy oak door of the study.
Lucius raises an annoyed eyebrow at the door, wondering which house-elf is foolish enough to disturb his peace.
"You may enter…this had better be important," Lucius adds menacingly, though he knows it will be. His elves are a highly-trained and disciplined lot. They know better than to bother him unless it of the utmost significance.
A small, timid female elf in a tattered tea towel steps through. She wrings her hands as she says, "Popsy is sorry to be disturbing Master, but we is having an intruder approaching the west gardens."
"The west gardens, you say?" Lucius asks.
His home and the surrounding grounds are heavily warded against trespassers, be they Muggle or wizard. Numerous obstacles and deadly traps await those unwanted visitors who try to bypass the wards. The west gardens lie extremely close to the house proper. Only a very powerful wizard can get that far and survive.
Lucius does not trouble himself with an investigation. He knows exactly who his guest is and why he is here. In all honesty, he has been expecting this visit for some time.
"Go fetch the boy, Popsy."
Five minutes later, a dirty and bleeding Harry Potter thunders inside the study.
"Malfoy!" spits Potter, his face red with anger. "You mother fucking bastard!"
Lucius remains seated as he peers into the amber liquor swirling in his glass. Blandly, he says, " Good evening, Mr. Potter. And what have I done to be so honored with your presence?"
"You know why I'm here."
"I do?" asks Lucius, bemused.
Potter steps forward so that he only inches from Lucius. "This amour thing you've started with Hermione - it ends tonight! If you go near her again, I'll-"
Lucius chuckles lightly. "You'll what? Have me arrested? I've done nothing illegal. L'Amour Contractuel is recognized and upheld by all Wizarding communities. In fact, it is you who will be arrested, if you choose to interfere."
"Oh no, Malfoy," Potter says gravely. "I will kill you." He nods for added emphasis. "I will kill you without magic, with my bare hands, and I will relish every moment of it."
Potter appears to be nothing of merit. Just an average, awkward teenaged boy with no presense, no charisma. There is nothing truly remarkable about him except the magical scar gracing his forehead. Often, Lucius wonders how such a person can be powerful enough to have defeated a great wizard like the Dark Lord.
At this moment, with Potter's green eyes sparking with rage and uncontrolled magic, Lucius knows.
Something trickles down his spine. Something others may have recognized as fear but Lucius will never at admit it as such.
He takes a slow, deliberate sip from his glass. "Is my death worth a trip to Azkaban? Or has the great Harry Potter become so revered that he can murder innocent persons without consequence?"
"Innocent persons?" Potter laughs almost manically. "Do you really think anyone would give a damn? You're nothing, Malfoy. I could take your worthless life right now and no one would mourn the loss. I'm telling you now. If you harm one frizzy curl on her head-"
"Harm her?" asks Lucius as he leans back and casually taps his fingers on the arms of his chair. "What would be the point in harming the woman I wish to marry?"
"Come off it!" roars Potter. "You don't want to marry her. This is one of your schemes. Is it money you're after? Is that it? What's your price, Malfoy?"
"Not a Knut," Lucius says. "All the Galleons in Gringotts cannot sway me from my goal of marrying Hermione."
Potter snorts with disbelief.
"Frankly, your belief or acquiescence is not needed. You have no say in the matter, Mr. Potter. My gift has been accepted and Doris Granger gave me permission to see her daughter this very afternoon. The courtship will proceed whether you like it or not." Lucius rises and strolls to the door as if he hasn't a care in the world. "I believe we are finished here. Popsy will see you out."
"We're not done, Malfoy," growls Potter as he flourishes his wand.
Lucius turns and coolly regards the boy. "Mr. Potter, before you attempt to hex me into oblivion you should know that the manor is extremely protective of it's master. Shed my blood and yours shall flow freely as well. You will not make it out of here alive."
Although Lucius speaks the truth, it is also an idle threat. Potter has already shown that he can bear anything the manor has to offer.
But Potter does not know that.
"A wise choice," says Lucius, when Potter drops his arm and brushes past him.
"This isn't over, Malfoy," says Potter, over his shoulder.
"No, I imagine it's not."
xxxxx
Monday afternoon finds Lucius at a small table at the Leaky Cauldron. A simple notice-me-not charm is placed on his body. The charm is highly effective with Muggles but wizards are far more immune to its power. As long as he does not make any sudden movements, he will not call any undue attention to himself.
The maze of people and smoke in the pub make it hard to see, but from his vantage point, Lucius has a clear view of Hermione Granger.
Motivated by interest and perhaps boredom, Lucius has taken to secretly watching Hermione over these past few weeks, trailing after her as she moves about both the Muggle and Wizarding worlds.
Lunch is always at the Leaky Cauldron at precisely one o'clock. Hermione usually eats alone or with that Thomas boy. Today, however, she is joined by a tall, reedy boy with black hair and droopy eyes that make him look as if he is constantly on the verge of falling asleep.
Theodore Nott.
His sources have provided much information on Nott and his relationship with Hermione. A mild flirtation, they call it. Perhaps it is merely a mild flirtation on Hermione's part but Nott is clearly smitten.
He follows them as they leave the Cauldron a half hour later. Nott walks Hermione to the offices of Little Red Books and leaves her with a rather debonair kiss on the hand.
How sweet.
Hermione stares after him with a sad, wistful expression on her face.
"Good afternoon, Hermione," says Lucius, standing near her at the entrance of the publishing house.
By speaking, Lucius has broken the charm and startles Hermione, who is just now noticing him.
"You!" she snaps, her face a portrait of displeasure. "What do you want?"
Lucius looks down the street where Nott is going into Flourish and Botts. "Hermione, you do realize that while you are engaged in L'Amour Contractuel with me, you are not allowed any other romantic entanglements."
"Theodore is just a friend!"
"I should hope so," says Lucius as he smooths a few errant wrinkles from his robes. "Young Theodore is the sole heir to the Nott legacy. It would grieve me greatly to be responsible for ending such a long and illustrious line. But...one must do what one must."
"You will leave him alone," says Hermione, seething. "He has nothing to do with this!"
"Make sure it stays that way," says Lucius. "This really is just between the two of us. I trust in the future you will not send any more of your quarrelsome friends my way."
"What are you talking about?" asks Hermione, now regarding Lucius with curiosity.
"Oh, you don't know? I had a delightful visit from Mr. Potter Saturday evening. He made the most frightful threats to my life. Such a violent boy, he is. I am lucky to still be alive."
"Harry knows?" whispers Hermione, ignoring Lucius. "Damn it, Remus!"
"He certainly does," says Lucius. "Now, I believe you owe me a date. This Friday, I think. I'll pick you up at 7 o'clock."
"I've got plans."
"Well, you'll have to break them now, won't you?"
"Fine," she bites out. "I want this over and done with. The sooner the better." She turns a grave face to Lucius. "Why are you doing this? Really?"
"I thought I made myself perfectly clear on Saturday."
"You meant all that tripe you fed my mother?" Hermione asks disdainfully.
Lucius smirks. "I suppose I did lay it on a little thick." He leans in to free a rogue curl that has entangled itself in the collar of her robes. In her ear, he softly says, "It wasn't all lies, you know? You have been foremost on my mind for quite some time."
Hermione backs away with a scowl. "Do you ever tell the truth, Mr. Malfoy?"
"When it suits me," says Lucius, smiling. "And it suits me now." He gives Hermione a courteous nod. "Until Friday."
xxxxx
"Harry James Potter!" Hermione screams as she blasts into the parlor at Grimmauld Place.
Harry jumps away from Remus with a start, his hand still wedged deeply down his lover's trousers.
All the other times when Hermione has accidentally walked in on the two being intimate, she has fled immediately with embarrassed apologies.
Not today.
"Why did you tell him, Remus?" she demands as the man frantically tries to zip himself up. "You promised you wouldn't."
"He didn't," Harry answers darkly. "I overheard you telling him about it on Saturday afternoon."
"And why didn't you come to me?"
"I could ask the same of you!" Harry leaps to his feet and stalks over to a table where a huge, bulging burlap sack sits next to a thick book. He grabs the sack and plops it on the coffee table before Hermione. "There's your fine money. Take it!"
"I have to go on this date."
"This is madness, Hermione. You're not going!"
"No, Harry. I've already decided. It's my choice, not yours." Hermione can hardly believe it. Here she is defending her right to go on a date with Malfoy.
"I told you she was dead set on it," says Remus.
"Well, if that's the way it's going to be then we move on to plan B," Harry says bitterly.
"Plan B?"
A surprising smirk passes Harry's face as he picks up the book on the table.
"Plan B," he says, shaking the book in Hermione's face. "You're not the only one who knows how to do a little research, Hermione." He flips through the book, seemingly at random. "I've been reading up on L'Amour Contractuel and you're allowed a chaperone."
"Oh no!" says Hermione, knowing exactly where this is headed.
"Oh yes, Hermione! If you insist on going on this date with Malfoy then I'm coming with you."
"You are not!" Hermione says decisively. "The only reason I'm going is to discover what Malfoy wants. He's not going to talk if you're there picking fights with him the whole time."
"Then take Remus!"
"I can't take Remus. The date is this Friday and there's a full moon. I'm sorry, Harry. I'm going…alone…and there's nothing you can do about it."
"I'm sorry too, Hermione," says Harry, softly. He raises his wand to her. "Stupefy."
xxxxx
Hermione casts a wary glance at the small clock ticking away on the bedroom wall.
Three minutes until five.
In two hours Malfoy will arrive at her house and not find her there. He will be terribly angry.
Will he take it out on her mother, Hermione wonders with a chill.
Although she knows it is pointless, Hermione goes to the locked door and pounds on it with everything she has. Her fists make no difference nor do the many unlocking charms she performs.
Ever since Monday evening she has been imprisoned in her old room at Grimmauld Place. Harry refuses to release her until she agrees to not see Malfoy. He has sent word to her mother and Little Red Books that she has fallen ill and will be recuperating at Grimmauld Place for an indefinite amount of time.
She still can't believe Harry has done this to her.
Remus tried to free her that very first night but the door is heavily spelled so that only Harry can release her.
Hermione's captivity has been the source of a great deal of fighting between Harry and Remus. She can hear them arguing about it night after night. Hermione isn't certain which, but one of them is definitely sleeping on the sofa.
She hopes it's Harry.
The first few days, Hermione was so righteously furious she could do little but scream at Harry through the door. Her fury has been fueled by the unspoken implication that she can't take care of herself.
Hasn't she faced Dark wizards just as fierce as Malfoy in the past?
Anger gave way to exhaustion and now she'll do or say anything to get out.
Shortly before six, Harry arrives home from the Auror's academy. Hermione pleads for him to come up and talk to her.
"Are you okay in there, Hermione?" asks Harry, from the other side of the door.
"What the hell do you think?" she cannot resist snarling.
"Look, I'm sorry but-"
"Shove off, Harry! I don't want to hear it!" She sighs heavily. "You win, all right? I'll pay the damn fine and tell Malfoy he can go bugger himself. Just let me out. I want to go home."
"I don't believe you, Hermione."
Hermione screams with frustration. "What do I have to do to make you believe me?"
Silence reigns for several seconds.
"I want a Wizard's Oath."
Hermione pauses. "Fine, you have it. I swear I will give Malfoy the money. Are you happy now?"
The door creaks open to Harry's relieved face. "Yes."
Hermione frowns deeply and pushes past him.
"You can be mad at me now, Hermione," says Harry as he trails after her. "But you'll soon realize this is for the best."
Remus is waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Surprise etches his face.
"Finally came to his senses, did he?" he says, glowering at Harry.
"It was Hermione that came to her senses," says Harry, happily, as he goes into the parlor. He returns with the sack of Galleons. "She's going to pay the fine."
"Is that right?"
Harry nods and then takes a quick look at his watch. "What time is Malfoy supposed to pick you up?"
"Seven."
"Oh, well, we've got time but we better go now in case Malfoy shows up early."
"What do you mean 'we'?" asks Hermione.
"I'm going to be there when you tell him," says Harry.
"No, Harry, you have to meet Ron at Sally's. He is going to be suspicious if we both don't show up. And don't you dare tell him about any of this. I don't want any more people knowing."
"But, Hermione-"
"Don't you trust me?" Hermione asks tearfully. "Didn't I make a Wizard's Oath to give the money to Malfoy?"
"I'll go," Remus says suddenly. "There are still a few hours before the moon rises."
Harry does not look pleased but hands the sack of Galleons to Remus. "All right."
Two soft pops rent the air as Hermione and Remus arrive in the garden behind the Granger home.
"A rather interesting Wizard's Oath, Hermione," Remus says skeptically. "I couldn't help but notice that nothing was said about not going on the date with Malfoy."
"It was implied."
"Not to mention the fact that the fine money isn't directly paid to Malfoy but rather filtered through the Ministry first."
"Malfoy and I will work out the legalities," says Hermione, waving a dismissive hand. "You don't have to stick around, Remus. I know this is a bad night for you. Everything will be fine."
"No, I'd rather stay," says Remus. "I want to have little chat with Malfoy before he takes you on your date."
Hermione eyes widen.
Remus smiles ruefully. "You might have fooled Harry but I know you're determined to see this through. I can't say I'm thrilled but Harry has no right to be so high handed about it." He looks down at the moneybag at his side. "So, what's the plan then? Give the money to Malfoy and then make him give it back to you?"
"Yes, I thought that might work."
"It should," Remus says with a nod. "I'll find a way to return the Galleons to Harry's account without him knowing."
"Thank you, Remus," Hermione says quietly.
"I thought I heard you Apparating to the house," Doris says, suddenly appearing at the back door. She rushes out to the garden to press a hand against Hermione's forehead. "Are feeling better? I tried to see you but Harry told me you were too contagious for visitors."
"I'm fine, Mum," says Hermione. "It was a magical virus. Came and went just like that."
Last Saturday, Hermione was both relieved and disappointed that there was no evidence of Doris being under Imperius. She'd truly acted all on her own.
Although Hermione hasn't exactly forgiven her mother, she doesn't have the energy to remain actively angry with her.
Used to how things work in the Muggle world, Doris doesn't seem to understand that with a mere spoken word, she has bound her daughter to very serious contract.
And Hermione realizes she is not completely faultless in the matter.
Doris knows that Malfoy had been a Death Eater, but thanks to years of Hermione's lies, as far as she is concerned, Voldemort and his followers were no worse than a pack of schoolyard bullies. Not that it will matter if Hermione tells the truth now. Doris turns a deaf ear to any word against her darling Lucius.
"Thank you for seeing Hermione home, Remus," says Doris, tugging on Hermione's hand. "Sweetie, why don't you go settle in bed and I'll bring you up some of that chicken soup you love so much."
"Actually, Mum," began Hermione. "I'm seeing Mr. Malfoy tonight. He should arrive at seven. Remus needs to have a little talk with him beforehand."
"Really?" asks Doris, her face brightening. "I'm so glad you've decided to give him a chance! I better go and run a bath for you, dear. You haven't much time to get ready."
Hermione hasn't given much thought to what she will wear on this date with Malfoy. After a quick bath, she stands before the armoire in her room, a towel wrapped around her body.
She doesn't want to get very dressed up, but neither can she throw on any old thing. Doris is sure to throw a fit if she does not make an effort to look nice for Malfoy. She has a few robes that might work but…
Oh! Perfect!
Hermione pulls out the black suit she bought last month to attend a Muggle neighbor's funeral. Very apt, Hermione thinks. She feels like she is about to attend a funeral.
Her own.
The suit is very plain, consisting of a tailored jacket and medium length skirt. With a few flicks of her wand, she glamours the material at the lapels and cuffs to appear as a shiny black satin. She lengthens the skirt so it reaches to her ankles and adds a slit down the side. A red silk chemise under the jacket completes the ensemble.
Hermione is exceptionally pleased with herself as she looks into the mirror. Doris won't be able to find any fault with her but Malfoy is bound to be appalled by her very Muggle appearance. Indeed, when Doris comes in a few minutes later to liberally spray Hermione with her most expensive perfume she declares Hermione to look glamorous and sophisticated.
If she only knew.
There isn't enough time to do anything with her hair and Hermione honestly doesn't care enough to bother. She performs a quick drying spell but otherwise lets it fly free and wild.
She follows Doris downstairs to find that Malfoy is already there. Remus - a very terrifying Remus looking far more wolf than man - has him cornered in the parlor, hissing loudly in his ear.
"Are we understood?" Remus asks, backing away.
"Perfectly," Malfoy says sardonically.
"Is there a problem?" Doris asks, noting the unmistakable hostility between the two men.
"Not at all, Doris," says Malfoy, forcing a smile on his face.
Remus' smile, conversely, is genuine when he sees Hermione. "You look beautiful, Hermione." He nudges Malfoy in the side. "Doesn't she, Lucius?"
Malfoy, who is in full Wizarding robes of a midnight blue, says. "Yes. I, well…I am at a loss for words."
"I'm sure you are," says Hermione, falsely sweet. "There's something we need to do first."
Hermione motions to Remus and he produces the bag of Galleons. She takes the moneybag from him and thrusts it out to Malfoy.
"Take this," she says.
"What's this all about?" Malfoy asks suspiciously as he accepts the bag.
"It's not important," says Hermione. A few seconds later, she jerks the bag from him and gives it back to Remus. "That ought to do it."
"Well, don't let us keep you," says Doris, clearly confused at the odd display. "You two have a lovely evening together. The first of many, I'm sure."
Hermione audibly grits her teeth.
"Thank you, Doris," says Malfoy, taking Hermione's arm and forcing it hook around his own. "I'll have your daughter back at a reasonable hour."
"Oh, I won't wait up," Doris says solicitously.
Malfoy leads Hermione out the front door. She is mindful of Remus' concerned eyes on her back.
"Have you ever traveled via Side-Along-Apparation?" asks Malfoy as they step outside.
"No," says Hermione, trying to loosen herself from Malfoy's hold. "And what have you got planned for us? A night of Muggle baiting?"
Lucius grins. "A little dinner and dancing. I believe that is standard fare for a first date." He pauses reflectively. "Though I suppose there is a little Muggle baiting. But that's at the very end." He holds out his hand. "During Side-Along-Apparation it is important we do not lose physical contact. Take my hand, Hermione."
Hermione cautiously wraps her fingers around Malfoy's hand.
"Ready?"
No.
She takes a steadying breath.
"Yes."
xxxxx
And that was chapter 4. I hope you all enjoyed it. Please me know if you did or not. The next part will be the date, of course.
Also, I have posted some L/Hr fanart to my LJ that was sort of inspired by this fic. If you would like to see it, there is a link in my profile.