AN: We are getting close! Only one more chapter to go in book 2, which is really hard to believe. The final chapter will hopefully post around Labor Day. (September 6th for our non-American friends)
Also, those of you who have read our story, A World Not Fit to Live In, will recognize something familiar in this chapter. We couldn't resist.
Once again, a HUGE thank you to our BETA team. They are amazing and we owe them so much!
As always, we are grateful for all reviews, favorites, and follows!
BETA Love - Beta LOVE : thebeebeegun, RaynePhoenix, what_the-fawkes, LadySnape89, Dracoswhore17
Monday Morning - September 3rd
Hermione sleepily blinked her eyes as consciousness slowly came over her. She was so tired that she felt drugged. Her lids felt heavy as the wall beside her bed slowly came into focus.
And then it hit her.
Severus.
Her stomach tensed and her heart stuttered its beats at the jolting recollection that he had left her. For about three glorious seconds she had forgotten. Those three seconds of blissful peace between sleep and consciousness.
"Oh God," she half cried to herself in a whisper as her arms wrapped around her torso, as though to keep herself from falling apart. The pain was still unbearable. She had never felt like this before. What about when Lucius ended your contract? she pointed out to herself. That was devastating as well.
That was different, she argued back. I knew that was coming to an end at some point. Severus was… I thought he was… She closed her eyes and buried her face back into her pillow.
She had let herself hope and believe that Severus Snape was her forever wizard. While the end of her contract with Lucius had been awful, she had at least known the end was coming - even if she thought it was weeks or months away. Lucius was always only meant to be temporary, and only her training master at that. Of course, now, she could no longer deny that he had been so much more than that. So much more.
A calm settled over her rattled emotions as she remembered he was still here. He had promised to stay all night. She promptly rolled over to find the other side of the bed cold and vacant with a note resting on the pillow where his head had lay.
Hermione,
I hate to leave you, but unfortunately work beckons and I must answer the call. You were sleeping so soundly, I couldn't bear to wake you. It was a stronger dose of Dreamless Sleep I gave you last night, so you will probably sleep a few more hours. I'm sure Draco will be by to see you this morning, but I will check on you throughout the day, regardless. If you need me, Tinny will let me know. I have left her with you for the day and, no, I did not force her. She's taken quite a shine to you and wanted to come. She is acting under my orders to see to it that you eat and have everything you need.
Also, please remember you have your own accommodations at the Manor should you have the desire to stay there.
I will see you later.
Lucius
Clutching the note to her chest, Hermione rolled onto her back and pulled her pillow over her head with her free hand. Anything to block the light and keep time from moving forward. The thought of getting out of bed, of expending the energy to clean her teeth and take a shower, was more than she could handle right now. Butterflies were wreaking havoc in her belly, fighting to lift the heavy lead that occupied the bottom of the same real estate. These flutterings had appeared the minute Lucius Malfoy confessed he loved her. Loved her the same as she loved him. Her body and mind just didn't know which way to go. Despair vs. elation. How was it possible to feel both at the same time?
She had almost jumped the poor man the minute he confessed. Her need had been instinctual, automatic. And it had taken all her self control not to give in to her overwhelming impulse to be under his skin, to be consumed by him. It was a raw desire for his lips and his touch, but also a sanctuary she could escape to and forget the pain that was eating away at her.
It would have been a mistake, however. It was a reaction she knew would have only complicated matters more. Besides, Lucius would have stopped her. He would have protected her from herself. He had made it clear that she needed to think about what she really wanted. And right now, she had no idea what that was. But it was obvious that things could not go back to where they were.
It was when she felt like she was being watched that she tipped the pillow off her head and glanced toward the pull. Two bulbous eyes were peeking up at her from the side of the bed. They grew even larger when Hermione made eye contact.
"Miss is awake. Tinny brings the Good Witch coffee."
Good Witch?
Not having the energy to ask for clarification, Hermione simply stared resignedly at the little creature. Excitement was written all over her face. Hermione internally sighed. How could she say no?
"Thank you, Tinny. Just leave it on the - " fuck, the bedside table was across the room. She looked around, spotting her wand on the dresser. Double fuck.
"Okay, I'll get up," she mumbled to herself.
Hermione begrudgingly rolled to her side and slid her legs off the edge of the bed. Her limbs felt heavy and her brain sluggish.
The elf continued to watch her with expectant eyes, silently begging Hermione to let her do as her master had instructed.
Allowing an audible sigh to escape was her only protest as Hermione forced herself into an upright position and took the offering. Her hands shook with the effort as she lifted and tipped the steaming concoction to her lips. The minute the liquid coated her tongue, Hermione's eyes shot up in surprise. This was unlike any coffee she had ever tasted.
"Thank you, Tinny. This is delicious."
The elf beamed up at her as she explained, "Master brings's special coffee from his travels and instructed Bilby prepares it specials just for Good Witch."
Hermione contemplated this as the elf suddenly began moving about the room, gathering up the clothes off the floor and magicking them into the laundry basket. Wanting to tell her to stop, but realizing the elf would only be disappointed if she did, Hermione allowed the creature to continue. House elves still mystified her but she was learning to accept their way of doing things.
"Tinny has made breakfasts for Good Witch," the elf explained as she snapped her fingers and the laundry bin suddenly disappeared.
Before Hermione could respond, the elf said in a rather commanding voice that took Hermione by surprise, "Good Witch will comes to the kitchens to eat breakfasts now."
Not having the energy to argue, Hermione forced herself to stand and make her way to the kitchen table where a feast was laid out. Fried eggs, omelets, beans, sausages, sliced tomatoes, toast, and waffles as well as cut fruit and yogurt were all displayed alongside another steaming cup of coffee. A pitcher of pumpkin juice was next to a fresh bouquet of wildflowers that were now on the table where the flowers that Snape had last brought her used to be. She noticed the tea roses were now on the kitchen counter, near the window.
"I can't eat all this!" Hermione exclaimed.
"It's about time you got up, I'm starving!"
Hermione just about jumped out of her skin at Draco's voice. She turned toward the living room where the wizard was standing and stretching his back as a loud yawn escaped his lungs.
"How long have you been here?" Hermione asked, her heart still pounding.
Draco shrugged. "I dunno, couple hours? I came right after Father left." He looked down at her couch as though it had personally insulted him as he added, "You need a new sofa, Granger. That thing has more lumps and bumps than that old hag who sells fake potions in front of Gringotts."
"And just how do you know how many lumps and bumps Old Lady Myrtle has? You have a new penchant for old ladies?"
Draco looked a little green. "Salazar's bollocks, no! Bloody hell, witch."
"Well, it's a legitimate question," Hermione simply offered as she took a seat.
"Fuck. Now I need my brain Scourgified," Draco groused as he came over and sat next to her at the table.
Hermione stared at the food in front of her as Draco grabbed the eggs and placed one on her plate and then two on his own. He continued to serve her a helping of everything before them as he loaded up his own plate.
He had swallowed about four bites when he realized she was vacantly looking down at her plate with her hands still in her lap.
He picked up her napkin and draped it across her legs before taking her hands in his own and bringing them to the table. "You need to eat, Hermione."
Hermione didn't respond.
Draco stared at her and when her eyes started to well with water, he pulled her into a side hug. When she started to bawl, he whispered, "Come here."
She turned in her seat toward him but when she didn't move any further, he slid one arm behind her back and the other under her knees and easily lifted her onto his own lap.
Her arms automatically clamped around his neck as she cried onto his shoulder. He rubbed her back in soothing circles. "It sucks, Granger. I can't believe Severus did this." Realizing he had misspoke, he clarified, "I mean, I can believe he did that, because he's Snape. But I can't believe he did it to you." He kissed her temple. "I mean, it's obvious he loves you."
She began to cry harder as she wailed, "Why can't he see how much I love him!" Her sobs quieted a little as she went on. "My journal entries weren't meant to be a betrayal to him. I was only talking to Lucius because I missed him and needed…" She suddenly grew still and silent. "Oh Gods, maybe he's right. Maybe it was a betrayal. But I didn't mean for it to be. I would never cheat on him!" She sniffled, "But I do love Lucius, Draco. So much."
Draco sighed and rolled his eyes as he held her tighter. "Finally figured that out, did ya?"
"But I'm not keeping any more secrets," Hermione said with a newfound strength in her voice as she wiped her eyes and sat up straight, seeming to ignore his tease. "I told Lucius how I felt about him. He knows I love him, and Severus knows I love them both. They both know that I love them both."
"So what does that mean? You know, for the three of you?" Draco asked as they met each other's eyes.
"I don't know," she answered softly, staring at him, as though his irises held the answer. She pushed herself up and off his lap and back into her own chair. "Lucius says I need to think about what I really want."
"And did my Father come clean, as well?"
A smile tugged at Hermione's lips and her eyes sparkled with new moisture. "He told me he loves me, Draco." She breathed in deeply. "He's loved me since he was training me, and as more than a friend." She shook her head in disbelief. "I mean I knew he loved me. It's not like he had never said it before. But I was so sure it was the love of a friend, you know? A really good friend."
"Surprised by that, were ya?" he asked with a smirk and another not so subtle roll of his eyes.
"No need to be so smug," she countered as she repositioned the napkin on her lap and then slathered some beans onto a piece of toast.
"Yeah, I think there is, actually. I've been telling you this since last year," he replied as he bit into a banger.
"Well, it's rude to gloat," she reprimanded.
"I haven't even begun to gloat. The real gloating comes later, when you aren't on the verge of tears all the time."
Hermione sipped her juice. "Nope, I'm done crying for right now. I don't need to cry. I need to figure out what I want and then figure out how to get it."
They were interrupted by the appearance of the tips of large ears, just visible over the edge of the table. "Would Good Witch likes some tea? Or more coffees? Can Tinnys bring anything to the young master?" Tinny asked as she made her way around the table and to Hermione's side.
"No thanks, Tinny. I'm good," Draco responded as he continued to devour his breakfast.
"No, thank you. Everything is delicious," Hermione responded. She contemplated for a second before asking, "Tinny, why do you call me Good Witch?"
Tinny blinked. "Dobby told Tinny alls about the good witch who helped Harry Potter destroy that awful, evil wizard. Evil wizard who lived at the Manor and abused the masters and mistress."
Hermione stared down at the elf, stunned.
Tinny excitedly added, "Dobby was Tinnys brother. Tinny is goings to name her little one Dabby when she comes this winter." Hermione noticed the elf's hands drop to her little belly where she cradled it with her long fingers.
Hermione didn't know what she was expecting, but it wasn't that. An unwelcome sob leapt from her throat and her hand flew to cover her mouth as her eyes once again welled and tears dripped down her cheeks. "Dobby was a brave and wonderful elf and a very good friend to Harry Potter," Hermione proclaimed in a choked voice.
Draco handed her a fresh napkin as he rubbed her back. "Well, that no crying thing was short lived."
"Oh hush, you," Hermione reprimanded through sniffles as she dabbed her eyes and then her nose.
"Dobby was your brother?" Draco asked. " I didn't realize you were related."
Tinny nodded vigorously.
"He was a hero," Hermione praised, smiling down at Tinny.
Tinny's eyes were wide as she continued to nod.
"And you're pregnant?" Hermione asked with a shaky voice as she glanced down at Tinny's slightly protruding torso.
"Tinnys and Bilbys has a little one growing," she answered.
"That's amazing! Will this be your first...little one?"
Tinny's eyes shone with excitement. "Yes, Dabbys will be first for Tinnys and Bilbys."
Hermione smiled. "Well, that's glorious news. Congratulations!" She looked back at Draco who had a weird look on his face. "Isn't that wonderful"?
"Yeah, it's...great," he responded a bit absently. He couldn't get past the fact that two of the Malfoy house elves procreated. It wasn't something he had ever thought about and the visual was, frankly, a little off-putting.
Hermione looked back at Tinny. "Well, you let me know if you need anything. Or," she suddenly wondered if she was breaking some etiquette or rule unknown to her, "or ask Lucius, or Draco here."
Tinny beamed at her. "Oh nos, Tinnys has everything Tinnys needs." She played with her ear as she added, "Dobbys was rights about yous. Yous is a very good witch." With that, the elf dashed off to the living room to do Merlin knew what, but Hermione found she didn't care. That little creature could do whatever made her happy.
"Oh, Nimue!" Hermione suddenly screeched. "I need to get to work! It's Monday! I'm late!" She looked at the wall clock and saw it was after 10am.
"No, you don't," Draco corrected her.
"Yes, I do! I need to get in the shower."
When she started to stand, Draco grabbed her arm. "No, you don't. Father sent your assistant, Marla, an owl early this morning telling her you were taking a sick day."
Hermione's jaw fell. "He did?" she looked down at the table in thought. "Well, that's just….I mean, I have clients! I have meetings!"
"No, I mean yes, you may have those things, but they can wait a day or two. You need to take care of you. And this is why I'm here. To make sure you do just that."
Hermione stared at him, not seeing as her mind spun with everything she would be missing. As she categorized it all in her head, she came to realize that she wasn't missing anything that was pressing or urgent. The meetings she had were nonessential and could be handled by Johnny and Marla, easily. She didn't have court or Ministry appointments. Coming out of her own head, she shrugged as she finally saw Draco, even though she had been staring at him for several seconds. "Fine. Yes. You're right. I can and, well, I should take today off. My emotions are right on the surface."
"Good girl. Now, sit down and finish eating."
Hermione dropped back into her seat and poured some hot coffee from the carafe into her cup. As she sipped, she watched Draco as he polished off the last of his plate and dropped his napkin on top of it. He looked down at her barely touched meal. "Father won't be happy to hear that you hardly ate breakfast."
Hermione's brow cocked. "Well, seeing as how I haven't been your father's submissive for quite a while, I fail to see how that's a problem."
Draco chuckled. "You'll never learn."
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked.
"Nothing," he responded. "It's just, I thought you were smart."
"So it's been said, but humor me, please," she responded.
"If you think that you need to be his submissive in order for him to have any power over you, then you truly have no understanding of the dynamic you share with him. All he would have to do is come through that floo and tell you to finish your plate and you'd do it. Go ahead, deny it."
Hermione stared at him. Was he right?
"Hmm, maybe," she responded reluctantly.
"No maybes about it. But seeing as you're finished, c'mon, you need to get dressed." He stood and held his hand out to her.
"I thought you just said I shouldn't go to work?"
"Not for work, you daft witch. We're going to play some pick up Quidditch."
XXXXXX
An hour later found Hermione and Draco at Diagon Alley Park.
"Draco, I don't think I'm up to this," Hermione complained for about the twentieth time.
He grabbed her hand and forced her to keep walking. "Yes, you are. You've become a pretty good flyer and you need a distraction from everything going on."
"Yeah, but I don't even know how to play."
"Yes, you do. Besides this is pick up; it's completely different."
"Are there people on brooms flying around trying to put balls through hoops all while trying to catch a little gold ball with wings?" she asked.
He grinned. "Yes, see? You do know how to play!"
She pulled herself from his grip and stopped. Stomping her foot in rebellion, she insisted, "I do not want to play this stupid game, Draco!"
He stared at her, incredulously. "Stupid?" His shocked expression morphed into a knowing grin. "Wait til I tell Father you said that."
"Why would Lucius care what I think of Quidditch?"
"Wow, are you serious? You do know that he owns a Quidditch team, don't you? The Wimbourne Wasps? Ring a bell? You know, the team that's won the British league championship six years running?"
Hermione was gobsmacked. "He never said…he never mentioned." She wracked her brain trying to remember if he had ever even said the word Quidditch in her presence.
"He doesn't have time to go to many games. It's one of the things he and Blaise do together. Blaise was the one who talked him into purchasing the team all those years ago."
"Don't you like to go as well?" Hermione asked.
"Oh yeah, I do. But I would rather play than watch. I go to the big games. But I get bored. I'd rather play pick up any day of the week over watching others do what I love."
Hermione couldn't help the ache in her chest that she somehow didn't know something about Lucius that was such a big deal. Had she been too self-absorbed when they were together?
"Oh stop," Draco reprimanded her, reading her discomfort. "If he wanted you to know, he would have told you. He prolly just knows you aren't into it so didn't think it was worth mentioning."
Hermione's voice was pained. "But he was… is into it!"
"Will you stop! The only person who enjoys talking about himself more than my father is me. If he didn't tell you, then it wasn't something he felt like discussing with you. Besides, a lot of people don't know he owns a team. On parchment it's owned by one of the subsidiary companies under Malfoy Enterprises, but it comes out to the same thing."
Hermione's mind was not eased. "Yeah, but what else did he not tell me? What else do I not know?"
"I guess you'll have to ask him that." He let out a huff. "Now, back to the present. Pick up Quidditch. Here's how it works. First team to get the snitch wins. Full stop. It doesn't matter how many points the other team has. Points only come into play if no one has caught the snitch by the one hour mark."
"I don't know how to play Draco! I've never used a bat or touched a Quaffle or even held a Snitch!" It occurred to her that she had touched a snitch once. A long time ago. I open at the close. She shook off the chill and refused to let her mind drift back to that scary time of her life.
Unaware of her thoughts, Draco carried on with his encouragement. "It's okay, I won't hold it against you if we lose. You gotta start somewhere, and seeing how good you are at maneuvering, maybe you would be a good Chaser. I'll try to be Seeker. It'll depend on who else is on our team."
"I'm gonna be sick," Hermione moaned.
"Yeah, but at least you haven't cried since we got here. I'd say that's progress."
Hermione had to concede the point. She hadn't even thought about Severus.
"I'll make a deal with you," Hermione offered, resolutely. "Let's practice today, just you and me. Let me practice holding the Quaffle. Let me practice throwing it and protecting it. If I like it, and that's a big if, but if I enjoy it and feel comfortable, I'll come back and play a game of pick up with you another time."
Draco contemplated. "I don't know," he countered, not trusting her to really try to like it. He knew she would love it if she was playing in an actual game. Hermione didn't view herself as competitive, but she was actually one of the most competitive witches Draco knew. Problem was, except for in front of the Wizengamot or in a courtroom, the person she was competing against was usually herself. He sighed heavily, "Fine, but you have to try to enjoy it. Go into it open-minded."
And boy did she like it. Within thirty minutes she had not only become comfortable tucking the Quaffle under her arm and protecting it from Draco's Bludgers, but she had also made some pretty good shots against his attempts at keeping, as well.
"I'm gonna play around with the Snitch a little bit, you keep practicing and try moving the Quaffle to your other arm and hand, as well. The best players can play right- or left-handed."
Hermione nodded, determinedly.
Draco flew to the ground and released the Snitch, excited that Hermione was having such fun. He would be lying if he said this exercise had only been for her benefit. Truth was, he was still reeling from how Mills had just walked out of his life. He had thought she was the witch he wanted forever, but he had just been a way for her to pass her time.. A mere passing fancy.
Ehh, her loss, he thought to himself. Seeing Hermione so distraught had driven home the fact that it just wasn't worth it. Loving someone. He was better off without all that emotion and vulnerability. Besides, he'd been having a lot of fun topping at the club.
Hopping back on his broom he flew up next to Hermione. "Just call out if you need me."
"Fine," she mumbled distractedly as she began approaching the goal from the left side of the field instead of the right.
Draco darted around the trees and through the hoops as he practiced flying upside down and doing 360 spins. He spotted the Snitch a couple times whizzing around, but had been too focused on his maneuvers to go after it yet. After a few more minutes, he began circling the field, his eyes on the lookout for the little gold ball.
He saw it whizzing up the left side of the field and watched as it flew right past Hermione's head, causing some of her hair to fall out of its braid. She spun around as it sped off, and brushed her locks out of her face, a look of irritation maring her features.
Draco's eyes shot up in surprise when she suddenly dropped the Quaffle and took off in the direction of the Snitch.
He chuckled and dashed off after her.
Draco's special edition Lightning Bolt broom was a bit superior in speed and handling to Hermione's Firebolt and he caught up to her fairly quickly. It was obvious he had made the right decision to switch her from the Cleansweep to the faster broom.
"That Snitch is mine, Granger," he teased as he came up beside her.
A wide smile crossed her face as she retorted, "Not if I catch it first!"
"Oh, game on, witch!" he replied with a laugh as he darted off in front of her.
The Snitch was no longer in sight, so Draco flew in a figure eight pattern around the field, his eyes tracking left to right as he searched for the elusive ball. He was surprised that Hermione wasn't staying close to him and had instead gone off to the other side of the pitch. It was actually a smart gamble on her part. His broom was faster and he had quicker reflexes than she did. The only way Hermione would catch it was if she saw it before him and was closer to it than him.
He was watching her, enthralled by the concentration on her face as she flew around. It was when her eyes grew wide that he saw it. The Snitch. Right there. Hovering in the middle of the field. Hermione on one end and Draco on the other. It was as if the winged ball was challenging them, taking advantage of the fact that it was perfectly placed between them.
Draco dipped his chest to the broom and relished the wind against his face as he sped towards the little trophy. He took his eyes off of it long enough to see Granger approaching from the other side, her eyes narrowed in determination. Just as he almost had the ball in his grasp, it took off to his right and Draco was surprised by Hermione's agility when she tilted to her left side, angling her broom so that it edged in front of his own.
Draco's heart was pounding with the adrenaline of their little game. When he was about to pass her, he leveled next to her instead. "You're good, Granger. I'll give you that, but you're not that good. Now watch…and learn."
He laughed as he darted in front of her, demonstrating skills that were the benefit of over twenty years of practicing and playing.
Hermione slowed her broom, realizing that she was no match for his speed. If she was going to beat him, it was going to be with her brain and not her brawn.
Later, she would have no recollection of how or why the feeling came over her, but something told her to turn to her right and patrol the opposite direction from where the Snitch had headed with Draco in tow.
A minute or so later, she looked back over her shoulder to see Draco had slowed and was looking toward her. He had obviously lost track of the elusive little bugger. It was when she saw his scanning eyes hesitate on a spot behind her that her heart began to slam against her ribs once again. She tilted the broom and spun around in a way that would have made Harry proud.
And there it was. She was close but Draco was coming. She leaned forward and put her right arm out in front of her, reaching for all her might as she sped toward it, suddenly feeling that there was nothing more important than catching that little golden terror. Draco was just behind her to her right, his left arm stretched out as if to mirror her own. He edged in front of her, his fingertips just brushing the Snitch, causing it to shift to the left.
And right into Hermione's hand.
It was as if it happened in slow motion. Her fingers wrapped around the ball, it's little hummingbird-like wings fighting against their captivity as her grip tightened around it. Her jaw fell and she let out a squeal as the thrill of victory washed over her.
She looked back at Draco who was now hovering next to her. His mouth broke into a huge, genuine smile that caused her to laugh.
Suddenly he was on her, his left hand reaching for her sweater, pulling her close. Her eyes grew wide as saucers when his lips landed on hers, devouring her mouth in an impassioned moment of impropriety.
Her left hand shakily held the broom as he pulled back. His cheeks were pink, his hair was wind blown, and his smile was beaming as he exclaimed, "Granger! You caught the Snitch!"
Her breath escaped her and she had no words at the enormity of the moment. She felt high. Invincible. Alive.
Finding her voice, she laughed. "I did, didn't I?! I caught it!"
Draco pulled her into a one-armed hug and she leaned into him, allowing him to guide both of them to the ground. When they landed, she hopped up and down in sheer joy, feeling like a child who had just accomplished the impossible. Like the first time riding a bike without training wheels. Or successfully diving head first into a pool.
Draco laughed and shook his head in sheer amazement as he watched her. "Damn, witch. Is there anything you can't do?" He was slightly horrified when she suddenly burst into tears and launched herself at him.
"Thank you, Draco," she cried as she threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you for this!" Tears tracked down her cheeks.
He pulled back, patting her back. "Yeah, yeah. But why are you crying?!" he asked with exasperation, feeling slightly sick to his stomach. Gods, he hated her crying. It made him feel impotent and she had been doing too much of it recently. "The whole point of this was to make you stop crying!"
She laughed as she wiped her cheeks. "Happy tears, Draco! Happy!"
His discomfort evaporated immediately as relief flooded him. "Thank, Merlin," he responded with a smirk. He wrenched the Snitch from her grasp and tucked it into its case and then summoned the Quaffle and packaged it as well. Picking up the brooms, he offered in a resigned voice, "You're going to be unbearable now, aren't you?"
She seemed to contemplate, tapping her chin with her index finger. "You think your father is looking for a new Seeker?"
"Ehh, you got lucky," he teased.
"Ohh, no you don't, Draco Malfoy! I was brilliant! You even kissed me in your awe of my mad skills!"
Draco chuckled. "Actually, when you caught the Snitch, I thought the world must be coming to an end. Figured there was no better way to go out than kissing a witch."
XXXXX
Lucius had endured a very busy morning. Once word got out that he was back at Malfoy Enterprises, it seemed that everyone needed to speak to him about something or other. It turned out many were simply reaching out to say welcome back or to update him on some instruction that Draco had provided. Lucius suspected that many were just not used to Draco being in charge and they simply wanted to be sure he agreed with Draco's directives.
Lucius had never been more proud of his son. The young man had handled everything very well and, even though some decisions he had made were not the same Lucius would have, they were sound and it was obvious Draco had put great thought into each one.
Lucius would discuss making it official. Draco was to inherit M.E. and would be his official partner. If Draco still wanted it, that was. The young man had proven himself in a way that probably never would have happened if Lucius hadn't gone away.
He glanced up to his mantle clock in time to realize that he was going to be late for his lunch with Snape if he didn't head to the club now. When he came through the floo, it was to find Severus working at his desk.
"Snape," he offered in greeting.
"Lucius," Snape replied. He spun his chair around. "How's Hermione?"
Lucius stared at him for a second, taking in his guarded features, and then let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Heartbroken. Confused. Disappointed." He sat in his chair and turned to face his onyx haired best friend. "And you? How are you?"
Snape simply nodded. "I'm fine. I just want to know that she is alright."
"Coming to regret your behavior?" Lucius asked, knowingly.
Snape's shoulders fell. "I could have…should have handled things with a more tender tenor. I should have talked through everything more with her. I did not mean to… hurt her."
"You never mean to hurt anyone after the fact, Severus, and yet you consistently do."
Severus' left eyebrow curved up. "Well, we can't all be as perfect as you."
"This isn't about me. It's about you and the woman whose heart you eviscerated."
"I did the right thing, Malfoy." His words were a proclamation, but Lucius could see the longing for validation in his friend's eyes.
After a hesitation, Lucius nodded. "Maybe you did," he agreed, softly. "I agree she has some figuring out to do and I told her as much. I told her to think about who…what she truly wants. And while I'm certain that it's you, I did admit my true… feelings toward her."
Lucius didn't miss the slight tensing on Snape's jaw.
"It's time we were all on the same page and it seems we now are." Lucius sighed and rubbed his eyes. "For what good it does." He knew that despite his admission to Hermione, the witch still loved Severus more.
Snape nodded. "Good. That's good, then. She'll be happy with you, Lucius. And you'll be happy with her. She'll see the right of it." He spun back to face his desk. "In time she'll forgive me."
"You're a fool, Snape. For such a brilliant wizard, you're an absolute fool." Before he could say more, the floo glowed green and Draco came through.
"Ahh, son, you made it," Lucius greeted.
"Father," Draco responded. "Snape," he added, looking at his godfather, finding he looked like he hadn't slept in days.
"Draco," Snape responded.
"I thought you were with Hermione?" Lucius asked.
"I was. Potter and Weasel just showed up, so I told her I'd be back in a bit."
"Lucius, your son was a huge help in your absence. He is well equipped to run the club when we have had our fill," Snape said, not wanting to talk about Hermione anymore. His heart almost couldn't bear hearing her name.
Draco smiled lightly at the compliment, suddenly feeling badly for Severus. For all his irritation with this man, it was obvious by just looking at him that this whole thing with Hermione was taking its toll on him.
Lucius smiled broadly. "He excelled at M.E. as well."
"Yes, I'm wonderful and brilliant. About time you both realized it," Draco replied with an air of extreme confidence.
"And so humble," Snape deadpanned as he flipped through a ledger on his desk. "Profits," Snape said, easily changing the subject as he turned back to the two men who looked more like twins than father and son sometimes. He handed them each a spreadsheet showing the checks and balances, profits, and membership numbers for the last quarter.
Lucius took the offering. "Before we get started, I want to discuss something that Hermione brought to my attention."
Draco and Snape both looked at him, sharply.
"Marcus Flint. He treated Hermione quite inappropriately and, frankly, cruelly on Saturday night. She shared his behavior in great detail."
"Marcus Flint was fired last night," Snape said simply.
Lucius' brow rose in surprise.
"After you left last night, I approached him and asked him about what had happened. He described himself as acting appropriately and compassionately but when I asked to look into his mind and view the exchange, he refused. It was clear he was hiding something, so I let him go."
Draco met Snape's eye before looking back at his father. "On Thursday, Theo mentioned that Miriam was uncomfortable around Marcus. She said he was always staring at her. Watching her. She got a bad vibe from him."
The men looked at each other.
"Miriam is a beautiful Domme. It's quite common for wizards to stare at her," Lucius pointed out, thinking out loud.
"Yeah, Theo thought it might simply be that she was overly aware of him because she is Muggleborn and he is a newly paroled Death Eater."
Snape interjected, "No, Miriam isn't alone. Upon questioning some of the other members, I discovered he had acted inappropriately on a few other occasions, as well. Upon further investigation, it was Muggleborn witches he targeted."
"Who else?" Draco asked.
Snape ran his hand over his tired eyes. "Britt told me about Jessica, Lissanne, and Mitten, to name a few." He shrugged. "She's been befriending the other submissives, lately," he offered by way of explanation.
Lucius knew these women and had scened with two of them in the past. Lissanne was that sweet little American with the southern accent. His temper flared. "So, it seems things were not handled so well in my absence, after all!"
"Easy there, Father," Draco replied. "Either Snape or I were here every night except maybe once or twice. You know as well as I that it's hard to see and hear everything. The managers never mentioned anything, either."
"Besides, we aren't the ones who up and left," Snape spat.
"And you know exactly why I left!" Lucius bit back.
"Yes, well. You didn't give us a chance did you? Using that journal to talk to her. To comfort her. To be all perfect for her." Snape snapped, rolling his eyes.
"I was not 'perfect' for her! I bloody called her selfish!"
Draco was losing his patience. "Hey! Stop it! Both of you." He had had enough. It was time to say what he really thought. "Why don't the two of you get your heads out of your arses?! You both love her and she loves the both of you! And frankly, you care about each other as well." He glanced from one stunned face to the other. "You fucking argue like an old married couple." He shook his head. "The answer is right in front of you. Not that either of you would have the bollocks to act on it."
He stood up. "But you know what? Go ahead, fight with each other. Martyr yourselves like the idiots you are proving to be." He scoffed. "You know what Granger did today? She played Quidditch. In the park. And she caught the goddamned Snitch! Right out from under me. It was magnificent and she was so fucking beautiful. And probably the happiest I've ever seen her." He chuckled and then added as an afterthought, "I was so caught up in the moment that I actually kissed her." He shook his head disbelievingly, surprised it had even happened.
Lucius' jaw fell. Snape's face flushed red with anger.
Draco looked up and saw their expressions. "Don't look at me like that. It was an 'in the moment' thing. It meant nothing. But you know what? I loved seeing her so happy and I'm going to make it my mission to make her smile like that as much as I can. She's my best friend - the best I've ever had. I'm going to get her out more. Show her what else she's been missing." He looked from one to the other. "I love you both. But for the love of Slytherin, get your acts together before you both lose her - for good!"
With that, Draco stormed out of the office.
Lucius and Severus stared at the slammed door, both replaying what he had said in their minds.
Snape looked at Lucius. "We do not act like an old married couple."
Lucius nodded in agreement. "Certainly not! And what did he mean, 'the answer is right in front of you?!'" Lucius was playing dumb. He knew full well what the impertinent little twerp had meant.
"Absolutely no idea!" Snape lied in commiseration.
The wizards passed sideways glances at each other, not about to open that hornets nest.
"And since when does Hermione play Quidditch?" Lucius asked.
Snape shook his head. "No idea. Hermione hates Quidditch."