My Ferret 6
"This is all very interesting," Lucius stated from where he stood watching the two teens. "But in case you two forgot, I'm still here."
/Oh no! Father…/
Draco's heart skipped a beat and he hastily spun around to face the older wizard. Although it had seemed a good idea to kiss Hermione a moment ago, he really had been very foolish indeed. The act itself, not to mention his admission of love, could put her in great jeopardy. His father was a well-known supporter of Purebloods and would no doubt be furious that he had the gall to actually kiss someone of lesser blood. The strict, silver haired man knew thousands of curses and wouldn't hesitate at using them. Just because the Unforgivable Curses were the most famous didn't mean there weren't lesser ones just as nasty. Worst, Hermione was alone and without her wand.
/And I don't dare use mine against Father…/
Draco hated to admit it, but his skills were no match for Lucius. They had done practice duels before at the Manor and he had always lost. Not that his father had ever really hurt him. Contrary to what others thought of their relationship, he wasn't ever beat or physically abused. And the old Pureblood families often taught their children magic at home. Well, perhaps taught wasn't the right word. To them, magic was commonplace and they grew up knowing it existed as it was all around them. The No Magic At Home law was mainly put in place for witches or wizards who lived among Muggles. Not only was there the chance of Muggles seeing things they shouldn't but the chance for accidents were much larger. A Muggle-born wizard wouldn't have magic parents there to guide them and to supervise their activities. And thus the Malfoys weren't really under that rule, although he didn't dare try new spells without his father's supervision. More common spells, like flying his broomstick around the Manor grounds or producing a light at the tip of his wand, he was free to do. A nervous sweat broke out onto his skin and he could feel his joy drain away to be replaced by ice. His father was staring at the two of them, an unidentifiable expression on his face. There was no way to tell exactly how angry he really was. But the young Slytherin knew in his heart he must be.
"Draco, come here." Lucius simply ordered, his voice cool and low. His steel gray eyes gazed at the young couple steadily, his focus on them unwavering. The silver snakehead was firmly gripped by one black-gloved hand, the long wand free to use as required, the other half of his walking stick in the other hand. He looked very regal in his fine black clothing and cloak, his snowy white hair trailing down his back. Perhaps if he had been born a century earlier he would have been a viscount, earl or duke. As it was, he had enough nobility in his behavior and dress to be one. As for wealth, the Malfoys had plenty of that. It was no secret that Lucius Malfoy was the fifteenth richest man in the world.
"Yes, Father." With a final glance at Hermione, Draco bravely stepped up to his father with his stomach up in his throat. His nerves were screaming at him to run the other way but as a Malfoy he couldn't do that. If he wanted to be a man someday he needed to be brave. The distance between them shortened until it was gone and he slowly lifted his eyes to his father. He had to do this for Hermione.
"Tell me Draco, is what Miss Granger said true?" Lucius asked in a neutral voice that was not angry or glad. "Did you spend the night with her?"
Surprise shot through him rapidly followed by confusion.
/Why is he asking about that?./
He had been sure he would be called to task for kissing her just a moment ago or his hasty declaration of love. Yet his father didn't mention that at all. And that was reason to be nervous, very nervous. He heart pounded rapidly and he could feel himself blush. The way his father said it sounded almost as if he were implying something, as if the two of them had snuck off to snog somewhere and that just wasn't true. It was a simple mistake of identity is all and Draco quickly opened his mouth to clear up any misunderstanding. "Yes, Father, I did. But nothing happened. I was a ferret the entire time."
"That may be true, Draco." Lucius stated as he idly walked a circle around the younger blonde. "But I have no guarantee of that, do I? Finite Incantatem is a simple spell any First Year could do and I must consider the ramifications of such an act."
000
"Ramifications? What ramifications?" Hermione asked, perplexed. When Lucius had first ordered Draco forward she had been terrified that the young Slytherin was about to be punished. But now that didn't seem to be the case. Yet obviously something was going on but what? Then a new thought popped into her head.
/What if Lucius thinks we planned this?./
Hermione knew lots of her fellow classmates often snuck off to empty classrooms to snog and there had been a few rumors about the top of the astronomy tower as well. Not that she listened to such nonsense. But going to school with Lavender and Parvati you just couldn't help hearing things if you wanted to or not. And now it almost sounded as if he were suggesting that she was one of those brainless girls who thought of nothing but snogging! Anger began to build up within her and she tried to rein it in, as she knew it wouldn't be wise to make a known Death Eater angry. The situation was iffy the way it was with both of them in possible trouble. Still, it grew and red-hot heat shot through her veins and she felt her muscles trembling with the strain. "Are you suggesting we premeditated this just to snog? I assure you I would never do anything of the sort! This whole thing is nothing but a misunderstanding!"
Lucius blinked and then turned to face her. "I never suggested anything of the sort, Miss Granger, although I do apologize if it sounded that way."
Hermione's mouth dropped open in shock.
/Is he actually apologizing to me?./
The mere thought that Lucius Malfoy of all people would willingly apologize to a Muggle-born was astounding. In fact, it was darn right freaky! Hermione quickly shut her mouth with a soft snap and her chocolate brown eyes narrowed. It was clear he was up to something, but what? There was no limit to what he could do to them or just to her. What if more of his Death Eater buddies were outside? Would he try to kidnap her and use her to get at Harry? Yes! That made perfect sense! "Look, if this is all some scheme to get at Harry, it won't work! We had a fight if you must know and at this moment he doesn't care what happens to me I'm sure."
"Why, Miss Granger, you wound me with such harsh words." Lucius lifted a black-gloved hand to his chest and held it over his heart, a fake smile on his face. Allowing his hand to drop, he moved towards her smoothly. "No matter what you think of me, I assure you I'm not a monster nor do I harm children. In fact, I have your honor in mind."
A frown crossed her face at his words. What did he mean, her honor? "Look, there's nothing wrong with my honor! As we both told you, nothing happened! So my honor is quite intact, thank you very much."
A dark brow rose. "Is that what you think?"
Hermione's lips tightened to a stiff line. "It's what I know."
"Tell me, Miss Granger, where are your parents?" Lucius asked as he stopped in front of her, taking the moment to place his wand back into the longer section of his walking stick. It clicked into place and he gripped it firmly in one hand, his gray eyes scrutinizing her from head to toe and back up again. His face was a mask, unreadable. Even his eyes gave no clue as to what he was feeling.
The bushy-haired Gryffindor backed up a few steps, her long burgundy dress swooshing faintly as she moved. She didn't like how he was looking at her, as if she was a horse at an auction or something. The fact that he had put his wand away was a slight relief, as it suggested he meant her no harm but she wasn't stupid enough to trust him. No, this was Lucius Malfoy. Perhaps he was trying to lure her into a false sense of security and then pull some fast trick. She wouldn't put it past him.
/I could run outside…/
The front door was just behind her, but the thought of more Death Eaters waiting out there made her pause. And then there were her shoes. She wouldn't get far in them. Perhaps some girls could run relatively well in these but she wasn't one of them. The number of times she had actually worn them could be counted on one hand and that wasn't counting her thumb. For all she knew if she attempted to make a break for it she'd slip or the shoes would fall off. And why did he want to know about her parents? The question bode ill and she fervently wished she had her wand. With it she had a chance to defend herself. She supposed if she grew desperate she could attempt kicking him or something, but the Death Eater was physically stronger and subduing her would be all too easy.
/I need to think of something!./
Her eyes fell on a nearby vase that sat on a small table nearby. Perhaps if she could get it…
"I have heard nothing but good about you, Miss Granger." Lucius stated as he started to move behind her, his steel gray eyes scanning her form. He scowled when his eyes landed on her thick bushy hair, the corners of his mouth turning downward in disapproval. "You are the top of your class and receive straight Os in all of your subjects, do you not? I understand you even surpass my son, not an easy feat for someone not born to the world of magic."
Hermione quickly turned around when he moved behind her.
/No! The door!./
She had hesitated too long and now the sneaky devil had cut off her exit!
000
/Why the heck is Father blabbing on about her grades?./
Draco frowned in puzzlement and his brow wrinkled. It made no sense whatsoever! Deciding he should support Hermione through whatever this was, Draco hurried to her side. He was relieved that Lucius had put his wand away, but there were always things he could do without it.
/Not to mention Father is a quick draw…/
The platinum blonde Slytherin knew from experience just how fast Lucius could pull the wand out of the walking stick. Many of their practice duels had involved draws and not once had Draco beat him. Reaching out, he gripped Hermione's hand in his own and gave a squeeze. The warmth from her hand soaked into his and he was slightly relieved to see that her palm was as wet as his own.
/So, even famous brave Gryffindors get scared and nervous. Interesting…/
He had always been so sure that nothing fazed the famous trio. He had heard of so many heroic acts, everything from Harry killing the basilisk to him facing Voldemort himself. The stories that circulated around school had left him not only feeling slightly jealous but also such a coward. He just couldn't understand how they could be so bloody brave! Did Gryffindors have different stuff in them that made them that way or what? Or were they just too stupid to be scared? But now apparently that wasn't true. Hermione's damp hand proved that beyond a doubt and it gave him a bit of bravery.
/Maybe I can be brave, too…/
Of course, he may get into more trouble but he just couldn't stand by and do nothing. If he did, what kind of man would he be? Well, technically he wasn't a man yet but it wasn't far off. There was just one year of school left and he wanted to spend that year with Hermione. But if his old man did something to her then he may very well loose that chance. "Look, Father. Hermione saved my life!"
"Yes, Draco." Lucius stated calmly as he eyed the two holding hands. "I'm very much aware of that fact and I'm very grateful."
"Then promise me you won't hurt her." Draco asked, his heart pounding within his chest. He could hear the loud beats in his ears, something that had happened to him only once before. It had been in Second Year when he had gone flying off his broom during the Quidditch game. He had been going so fast and then he was airborne, tumbling through the air without the aide of his Nimbus 2001. The ground had come rushing up at him all too fast and in his heart he knew he was going to die. His heart had pounded in his ears then as it was now, loud and fast like a giant drum. Until this day he still didn't understand how he had avoided breaking his neck when he had finally struck the hard ground, the green grass not doing much to soften the blow.
He was going out onto a limb and knew it.
Lucius smiled at the two. "Draco, do you trust me so little?"
The Slytherin hesitated, not clear on exactly how to answer that question. He did trust his father in most things and it wasn't by accident that he imitated his behavior, but it was no secret how much Lucius loathed Muggle-borns, either. Taking a moment to arrange his thoughts into an orderly fashion, he stared boldly into the older man's eyes that were so much like his own. "Of course I trust you, Father. But it's no secret you don't like Muggle-borns, either. I just don't think she deserves to be hurt after saving my life from those two gits is all."
"And that, Draco, is exactly what I intend to do." Lucius mysteriously stated. "She saved you and now I intend to save her."
"Huh?" Draco gawked at his father, totally lost.
Lucius sighed loudly. "Have you forgotten everything I've taught you, Draco?"
000
Hermione's stomach bubbled uncomfortably as if a nest of angry bees were buzzing about inside it. By now she had expected Lucius to drag Draco home but the older man showed no intentions of leaving at all and that bode ill. And for some odd reason he seemed to be concerned about her honor.
And her grades…
/Why? What is he planning?./
Not knowing was driving her into a nervous wreck! Grateful for Draco's support, she tightened her grip on his hand.
Glancing around the room, Lucius spotted the sofa against one wall and pointed at it with his walking stick. "Sit, the both of you."
Hermione glanced uncertainly at Draco and he shrugged, and then started pulling her towards the piece of furniture. She allowed herself to be pulled forward and further away from the front door and any possible escape it offered. Doubt danced in her head and heart. She just wasn't sure what she should do in a case like this. Lucius presented a threat but as of yet he wasn't doing anything very threatening.
/Perhaps he's just upset about us spending the night together. Maybe if I let him talk and get it off his shoulders he'll go away…/
Some people liked to rant and rave, others brooded in silence and who knows what Lucius did? Besides, her parents would be coming home sooner or later. The last thing she wanted was for them to run into the Death Eater. Who knew what he might do to Muggles? The mere thought was horrible and more than she could stand. For all she knew he may try to murder her poor parents! She reached the sofa and turned to sit. The cushion was soft underneath her but she didn't lean back against the soft support, choosing instead to sit on the edge. Her legs were pressed together firmly as she was wearing a dress and she wanted to demonstrate how lady-like she truly was. Her right hand was still clutched in his, their entangled fingers resting in the narrow space between them on the sofa.
"Draco, you know the numerous rules our family lives by; many of them considered old-fashioned and outdated." Lucius began as he stood before them. "However, I don't consider them outdated at all but practical."
Hermione heard Draco gulp beside her. Tearing her eyes off the Death Eater for a moment, she was surprised to see how pale Draco looked, as if all the color had drained from his face.
/That doesn't bode well…./
"And as of now, the two of you have broken one of the most important rules." Lucius continued, his steel gray eyes flickering from one of them to the other. "I suppose, Miss Granger, you may find this rule shocking and perhaps even unfair, but I assure you it's in your best interest."
"But … but she's a Muggle-born!" Draco exclaimed from where he sat next to her, his grip on her hand tightening until it was almost painful. "I thought you hated them!"
Hermione winched in pain and tried to pull her hand free of the blonde Slytherin but Draco's grip was like a vice. It was clear he had figured out what Lucius was referring to and hadn't bothered to inform her!
/The bloody ferret! Why doesn't he tell me!./
"It appears," Lucius stated dryly from where he stood. "That not all Muggle-borns are alike. It appears that this one is not only especially gifted with magic but also appreciates our life-style."
Lucius waved a black-gloved hand in her direction. "Notice her form of dress. It's clear she appreciates living life as it was meant to be, not all of this modern Muggle nonsense. My main gripe with Muggle-borns is not so much to do with blood but the things they bring with them. Generally, their magic is weak and they never gain a true understanding of our society. They are stuck between two worlds and can't fully appreciate either. There are numerous things that they'll never know no matter how hard they try because they weren't born to it. But a much larger concern is the contamination they bring that weakens our society. Our numbers are limited the way it is, don't you agree, Draco?"
The platinum blonde nodded.
It was something even that Hermione understood and she nodded as well. Just a handful of Pureblood families left and from what she knew most of them were already related to each other, being cousins and such. If they interbred any further they risked running into serious problems.
"Muggles these days have no concept of decency." Lucius continued as he gazed at both of them. "They parade about in public practically naked and call it normal. And there are things far worst that they do. Many if not most of Muggle men see nothing wrong with using a woman and then discarding her like a soiled hanky. In their society, the woman takes all the blame and in some cases is ostracized. Purebloods, however, do not live that way. We still have morals and common decency. If a Pureblood man ruins a woman's reputation, he will do the proper thing."
At those words an odd feeling started to grow inside Hermione, a cold dread.
/Surely he isn't suggesting that we…./
No! That was too absurd! It was just too crazy so Hermione attempted to dismiss the thought from her mind. Yet it refused to go and lurked in the back of her thoughts, threatening to leap out at her.
"Although born from Muggles, it's clear Miss Granger here does not share the wild ideas of her brethren. She is properly dressed and covered, receives excellent grades and very lady-like. And if I'm not mistaken, that's Spring in Paris she's wearing. I have no idea how she's come by it, but I'm impressed. It just further proof of her commitment to our ways."
At that, Hermione's mouth fell open and she dumbly gawked up at the Death Eater.
Lucius dark brow shot upward. "You don't think you deserve the compliments?"
"But … you're a …" Hermione stuttered, shocked.
"Death Eater?" Lucius finished for her, a smirk on his face. "Yes, that's very true. But it's not everyday one meets such an extraordinary young lady, either. I presume you'll leave all these Muggle gadgets behind, of course?"
"Leave them behind….?" Hermione's voice trailed off as alarms started going off in her head. What in the world was he talking about? "I … I don't understand."
Lucius smirked. "Come, come, come, Miss Granger! I thought by now you'd have figured it out. You do have the reputation of being the smartest witch of your age. Everyone says so."
"Well, I …" Hermione bit at her bottom lip nervously. That insane idea was in her head, screaming at her, but no, that was just stupid! She didn't even want to ponder the possibility…
/Because if I do and I'm wrong, then I'll be disappointed…/
But how could she be disappointed? She didn't even know Draco really!
/But he kissed me! He said he loves me!./
Hermione scuffed at the thought mentally, knowing that boys could and would say anything. Just because they said it didn't mean they meant it. She couldn't allow herself to be turned into one of those airheads who swooned at the slightest smile from a cute boy. If she ever got that bad, then it was time to throw herself in front of a Muggle truck.
/Oh, you don't mean that!./
No, she didn't. But she didn't want to entertain the fantasy of marrying Draco either. And that's all it was, a fantasy. In fact, she didn't even know if she wanted to marry him – or anyone. She had never seriously considered the possibility before as it was far away in the future. Yet time had slipped by and here he was making vague hints!
"Look, why don't you stop beating around the bush and just say whatever it is you're trying to say!" Hermione cried, frustrated. She glared at him with chocolate eyes, all the frustration going into the stare. "Because if you don't, I'll whop you over the head with my Mother's ugly vase, stuff your corpse in the broom closet between the vacuum and the sponge mop and then go start on my summer homework! You've wasted almost the entire morning and I have an essay to write for Professor Snape and only three months to do it!"
Draco stared at her open-mouthed. In all his entire life he'd never witness anyone speak to his father that way!
A surprised expression appeared on the Death Eater's face but he quickly hid it. "Very well, if that is your desire. It actually is very simple. In our society, it is frowned upon for a man to spend any time alone, unsupervised, with an unmarried woman. It not only ruins her reputation but also opens the door for scandal. I simply cannot have that. Since the two of you have spent the night together and Draco has seen you in your … underclothing, there is only one suitable recourse."
"And that is?" She asked nervously. Her whole body felt hot and jumpy, as if she couldn't sit still. Part of her wanted to hear the answer and another part was scared of what it would be.
"Marriage, of course."
To be continued…
Author's Note: Since the Purebloods are living the 'old' way, they must follow the old rules of society as well. This was actually a common practice of the wealthy families that socialized in the Ton of Regency England, the Ton being polite society. I'm not sure if ALL of the Purebloods would follow this rule, but I also tried to give Lucius some reasons for accepting Hermione. I'm not an expert on the rules of the Regency period, but this did pop up in a few of the novels I read that was set in that time period so hopefully its accurate.
I also hope that adding this chapter to the story does NOT goof up the order of the other chapters (as had happened on my SW story yesterday due to the upgrade). So cross your fingers and hope for the best! By the way, I'm in the preplanning stages of another DMHG romance for when this story is finished.