Hello loves, sorry for the long wait for this chapter. We shall be visiting Malfoy manor in this one...

Hermione was rather pleased. Like the cat who got the canary. There was no doubt in her mind that she was looking forward to seducing one Neville Longbottom. Even two weeks ago she wouldn't have thought that she would be thinking such naughty thoughts about her sweet and trustworthy friend.

Groping his rather fabulous backside in bed was incredible. Having him close, his magic's soothing power humming over her just egged her on to hold him closer and be more daring.

It didn't take long till she felt something grow. Something hot and hard. As soon as he had realised it, he tried to untangle himself from her and apologised profusely that he was not about to be a pervert and he was so sorry, but she only pulled him close and told him that it was fine and natural. She did not put her hand just there because she didn't want to spook him. But the blushing and trembling was endearing. She knew that he had no experience when it came to matters of intimacy, but it was no problem. It was an advantage as she didn't even want to think about how she compared to other women Harry and Draco had dated no matter how briefly.

She watched from the corner of the giant dressing room as he was straightening up his button up shirt. He was gorgeous, the only thing she was still mad at herself for was that she had not realised it earlier. Still he would be all hers.

''Ready to go to breakfast? I will really miss this house,'' she said and couldn't help herself from touching him again, so she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. They looked so good together.

''Yes, we can go downstairs whenever you want. About last night… if I crossed the line, I apologise. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. Ever. I should've known that there'd be a certain reaction, my fault.''

He did look truly worried, but she immediately soothed him. ''There is nothing to apologise for. In fact, if anything, I should apologise for making you uncomfortable. I just enjoyed the closeness, your scent…''

''I still must deal with the situation and the realisation that it is indeed real. I was never brave enough to tell you how I felt, and I knew that in my mind, I could think anything as it was no harm to you. But having you in my bed, your hands on my back was just so much…''

''You do have a gorgeous firm arse…what is a girl to do?''

''Hermione, you are killing me now. You must be careful with me. Seriously. Perhaps it is best we go down to breakfast before I faint.''

''Okay, we can have breakfast now. I don't want you to faint.''

Neville knew that he was acting like a wuss. But having the witch of his dreams so close was messing with his mind. He knew that in theory he could have decided to reject the match and go to Azkaban. But he hadn't. Perhaps it was incredibly selfish. But he had imagined that eventually she would appreciate him, even love him. Even though he didn't deserve it. He was not entitled to her. He was not deserving of her eager hugs. Only she could decide what she wanted to do. So honest to Circe, he hoped that she was not being nice to him because the law made her.

With a last glance in the mirror he followed her out. He always felt a need to dress up when going to Malfoy manor. He had been there multiple times, predominantly to meet Lucius and talk business. The Malfoys just had the natural talent to look fancy and put together even when wearing the most casual outfits. Another thing nobody knew was that he liked visiting there. Not because of the opulence, his own house had enough of that now that he made the money from his plants.

The thing that he liked the most was Lucius' attitude. At first, he had been all business like, but as time went on and they met to discuss his business and ideas, the atmosphere got more familiar. Now it was rather common that he would hear ''Neville, son'' or ''Neville, my boy''. While there was still room for interpretation of what Lucius meant with that, Neville sometimes felt like the elder Malfoy had a nearly fatherly attitude towards him. Neville knew that all his travels abroad were perfectly pre-planned by Malfoy with a multitude of strategic safeguards if even the smallest thing went wrong. But even locally, after getting a nasty case of pneumonia that landed him at St Mungo's it was Lucius Malfoy that burst into his hospital room and began to instruct the healers to act quick. At the time, Neville's grandmother had been away, visiting her friends in Hungary but she surely would have come if he had written to her. Not that he had needed to distress his grandmother. With the healers intimidated to their wit's end by Lucius, the weird Cornish moor induced pneumonia was gone in a matter of days.

Life changed so much unexpectedly. Who would have thought that in some moments the supposed dark wizard Lucius Malfoy would be akin to a father to one trembling Gryffindor, also known as Neville Longbottom?

Draco looked rather pleased with himself as he greeted Hermione enthusiastically. Harry still looked sullen. Neville understood the feeling too well. Giving up his witch for two days was hard. He had so gotten used to being hers that seeing someone else get all of her attention was painful.

There was also the tiny matter of a house elf race of one upping, presumably geared towards the Malfoys. There was an ostrich egg omelette, toast with beluga caviar, thinnest slices of smoked quail and an assortment of fruit that was far from standard, as dragon fruit and starfruit were not common fare here. It was not the cost of the items, but the fact that his elves were probably working themselves into a frenzy to be fancy enough to be noticed.

Seemed like they would have no luck on that front, as Draco was busy with talking to her in his usual charmer way while Harry was getting mad at the finicky shell of a quail egg.

While Hermione and her men enjoyed a quiet breakfast at Longbottom House, Malfoy manor was in a flurry of activity. Elves whizzed past Lucius every second, carrying all kinds of items and decorations. The grand staircase was already enveloped in an elaborate flower decoration and it seemed that here and there hints of Gryffindor colours were dotted through the house.

It was such a welcome ruckus. So much better to host the bright future than the dark and twisted cohorts of the deranged half-blood. Lucius didn't even want to think of his assumed moniker. Riddle was a smart bastard who managed to play all the purebloods the right way. Even exploited the inherit tradition to host friends and associates without question. After all the remnants of Gaunt house were not impressive, a rundown shack so Malfoy manor was the chosen locale for the misdeeds. Under threat for the lives of his wife and son he had to do as told but was immensely relieved when the war was over, and he didn't have to go to Azkaban but pay reparations and do endless muggle studies tasks.

Unlike other pureblood wizards who hated the tasks that ranged from mundane like going to the cinema and watching a movie at least twice a month and document it, to the hard like consistently taking part in muggle sports or arts, Lucius enjoyed each and every task as it was just another thing keeping him from the dementing walls of Azkaban.

Lucius had renovated the manor with fervour, even going as far as changed window shape and placements and moved walls to make the building as different as possible from before. Ancestral magic forbade him to raze it all to the ground and rebuild. The house was fresh and bright, from basement to attic, all renovated with the finest material muggle suppliers could provide. Perhaps the marble tiling all through the basement was a little overkill but it looked so nice.

He hoped that Miss Granger would also notice how different the house looked from way back in the dark times. The witch was really someone special. It was no wonder that many pureblood families were rather mad that she was residing in Malfoy residences. Tradition dictated that the family hosting the potential bride had the right to offer marriage first. It was of course, the choice of the young lady to accept or decline.

After the war many families had their numbers decline so the hunt for suitable young women, no matter the blood status was ongoing. Subtle, but very ongoing. At first Lucius had wondered why Draco did not ask the witch out, as he had plenty of charm. It all became obvious when at the first gala, where Hermione, and her current future husbands were all in attendance. Harry Potter was watching her like a hawk. Gryffindors had little subtlety, so Potter usually entrusted the muggleborn to the rather nervous hands of Longbottom.

Draco would only get one short dance before Potter was hissing at him, visibly angry. Still, the boy who lived didn't spend the whole night with the witch he was protecting. Probably a Gryffindor stupidity manifestation.

The Ministry's matching law was quite the lifesaver in disguise. Lucius would have liked it better if it were only Draco. There were dozens of older lecherous pureblood men who would have loved to be matched with such an amazing young witch.

Lucius himself would have not been too much against being matched with Hermione. A wizard's age was not the same as a muggle's, so he was not really that old. Perhaps the magic thought it would be more suitable to match the heir of the line, not the patriarch…

The Malfoy line would be safe. It was a comforting thought to Lucius. There would be joy and laughter in this house. It was incredibly rare for magic to match a witch with several wizards, but Hermione was powerful. He had felt the pleasant thrum of her magic as he had danced with her.

But there was no time to wallow in what ifs for Lucius. He had a family to look after, once again.

The elves restless work was done, and Lucius heard them say that the new Mistress would arrive any moment now. Lucius decided that he had to talk to her right away; his son would have enough time to spend with her in the day.

''Hermione, darling, can you spare a few minutes to talk with me?'' he asked smoothly as soon as the quartet had arrived in the great entry hall of the manor.

Draco looked furious. ''Father, really? Can't it wait?''

''I'm afraid not,'' Lucius said nonchalantly.

The young witch looked slightly unsure. ''Draco, it's probably just a few minutes, I know you're impatient but it's your father.''

Potter and Longbottom didn't protest either, they looked slightly bored. Lucius knew that it was all a front of the Gryffindors, they were actually quite dangerous men to be reckoned with.

Lucius led her to his favourite study, a brightly lit room where he would go over some simple paperwork. She didn't need to see the paper stuffed office.

''Hermione, I wanted to talk to you for a moment to find out how you are. Have your fiancés behaved well? If any of them stepped even one step out of line tell me and I will tell them off.''

''Oh no need to, they have all behaved very well.'' Hermione settled in a plush lounge chair and took a deep breath. She had been talking with Lucius Malfoy now and then during the previous years, but this time it was different. This time he was going to be her father in law. A father in law who looked incredibly handsome at that. The short sleeved white button up shirt did not make him look deadly ghostly pale, quite the opposite, it highlighted his otherworldly, elvin pallor.

He was intense, like a beautiful but overpowering perfume. Hermione knew that ever since his post war trial Lucius Malfoy had not stepped one toe over the line. He had done everything the ministry ordered him to do and he was by all accounts, a model citizen. During his trial some of his fellow Death Eaters said that the only way for Voldemort to keep him in line was constantly threaten the life of Draco and Narcissa. Sadly, about six months after the war ended, Narcissa fell ill and only got worse and worse. Healers were helpless as her ailment was her sister's parting gift – a blood bound dark magic curse that could not be reversed or stopped unless the caster chose to.

''First of all, I must be frank, Hermione. You probably already know what great advantages you are giving the Malfoy name through this match. A witch of your fame and status will change the way other witches and wizards see me and Draco. This is something that no amount of money can buy.''

''I am just a witch. I don't think I am that special…'' Hermione said. It was not a fake humble statement, more that it was what she believed. She was just a witch like so many others.

''You are extremely special, more than you realise. You see, during the years I was allowed to host you many pureblood families accused me of imprisoning you and brainwashing…''

''Such nonsense! I was free to leave any time, I hopped from one property to another and you didn't limit my stay any way. Harry also knew how I was doing, and he could visit me any time he wanted. People are so silly. If I could blame you for anything, then the only thing I could say is that you are a far too generous host.''

Lucius smiled. He seemed rather content. He was now a different person than before. Dare she say, almost paternal?

''Can I offer you a cold soft drink? It is a little early for a strong drink, but of course, if you prefer, I have plenty of choice.''

''A soft drink would be fine.'' She watched as he extracted a chilled bottle of something from what looked like a modified fridge, poured it into crystal juice glasses and added a few pieces of ice on top. His movements were so fluid, like he had always done that. Though for most of his life he had been served by an army of elves and didn't really have to life a finger.

She took the offered glass and took a sip. It was a pleasant lemon and mint flavour with a little bit of fizz. Then, she felt an incredible wave of cool, that was rather pleasant.

''This is a new product I and Neville are testing. It uses the Siberian ice mint and it keeps people refreshed and cool for longer. We already have pre-orders from magical places with hot climates.''

''It's delicious! Neville told me about his trip, but I didn't know it had such a broad use.''

''I am the one who tries to think of a wide use, he is the genius that digs up the best plants. Once we get the flavour right, I think it will sell very well.''

''It is so nice of you to help Neville. It seems he likes working with you.''

''I do what I can to make up for my failures in the past. Neville is a very smart young man and I am still angry at my now dead sister in law for what she did to his parents and so many others. My wife didn't have the famous Black insanity, I certainly hope Draco won't show it as well.''

There was a moment of silence in the room. She didn't think Draco had any traits like his evil aunt, but one could never know. Lucius certainly was not insane so perhaps the Malfoy blood will oust the insane Black house traits.

''One thing I do worry about though is that I am afraid my children could be bullied. You know, who else has a mother with three husbands?''

''I think this is one thing I can be helpful to you, as I know the ins and outs of wizarding society more than other relatives of your soon to be husbands. Neville's parents, unfortunately, have not been able to be out and about, and Augusta has only attended the minimum required events to show people that she is still alive and well. I have been looking at the new dynamics and well… these days it is not the blood status that is important, but social standing. Think about, Hermione, dear, who would want to be known as the bully of the offspring of the most influential family?''

He paused for a moment as Hermione scowled. ''By influential I mean three distinguished war heroes. And a supposed dark wizard too thrown into the mix. Though you know well by now that Draco is not a dark wizard, nor am I.''

Hermione nodded and took another sip. This mint drink could really be a hit, the pleasant coolness was quite addictive.

''So, taking that into account, who would want to commit social suicide by bullying your child? Not only is the influence you and your husbands have exponential, so it the money and business interests. I would, without a doubt, fire the parents of a no good bully if they were to work for one of my numerous companies. If they cannot raise a child properly, they are likely not good for their job anyways.''

''Isn't that a little harsh…'' Hermione asked.

''It is not harsh when it comes to protecting my family. All your children, no matter which house they would be the rightful heirs, are also my grandchildren. I will do all I can to protect them. And I am sure so would Neville and Harry as well. Neville's business is growing fast and I am sure Harry has numerous business interests as well so people will know it is not wise to jeopardize their jobs…''

''People have always said you would do anything to protect your family. Seems that it is very much true.''

''I have tried to, not always successfully. But this match will expand my family and allow me the chance for a new start. I hope you will let me be there for you, no matter what it is that you need. If your husbands annoy you and you just need a place to hide, owl me. And if Draco misbehaves just tell me and he will have hell to pay.''

''Thank you, Lucius. I am glad that you are so welcoming to me, especially in these circumstances. I guess I should go look for Draco.''

She got up to go search for Draco when she noticed a framed muggle photograph on a shelf. Lucius Malfoy, wearing racing overalls next to a what Hermione estimated to be a rally car.

''You can drive?'' she asked in awe.

''That's a story for another time, my dear. You have three young men vying for your attention, why would you need tales from an old man?'' There was a wicked gleam in his eyes. He knew that he was not old. And that she was immensely curious. Hermione decided that she would find out what was up with that picture. The Malfoy patriarch, ex pureblood supremacist next to a very muggle car.

She had only crossed one hallway when Draco came running towards her.

''How was it? I hope father was not too annoying.''

Draco had been pacing around the halls near his father's study. There was no chance of eavesdropping as the room had all the charms on to prevent it, cast by none other than Potter. So, all that was left for Draco was to just wait and wonder.

His emotions were all over the place. He had never felt so emotional about a woman before. She was special. He had always known there was something so inexplicable about her. And now he was even more taken, he wanted her attention and every second of her being in his house but not with him felt like he had lost a piece of himself.

Maybe he was just being too dramatic. His father had a right to talk to her for a little bit. But it worried him too. He had heard so many times that witches talked how handsome his father was. How more imposing and manly the older Malfoy was. Draco knew that all this thinking about Hermione eyeing up his father were nonsense. She was matched to Draco, not Lucius Malfoy.

Other women who tried to social climb did chat him up and his father but, in that situation, he was not jealous at all. Because these witches, though beautiful and engaging, were all after one thing – the money. But Hermione was different.

''Your father was actually very nice. As usual. It is also nice to have another relative of my husbands to be so supportive.''

''That is good to know. But I was going insane while waiting. I know it was not hours and hours when you were gone but it felt like that. I was just so hyped up to spend time with you and only you and the old man had to interfere.''

''Draco, we still have plenty of time left. And it is up to you to decide what we're doing today, though I have one request…''

''What is the request?'' he asked and dared to take her hand as he led her to his rooms in the quickest possible way.

''I will tell you when we get to our room. Of course, you are always free to say no, I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable, there is just something I need to try out.''

''Hermione, I am never uncomfortable around you.''

In fact he felt rather good around her. She was amazing and he wanted her to like him as much as she liked the two Griffindorks. He did not have anything against Harry and Neville but there was still competition between them. Seeing her smile so sweetly at Longbottom made him jealous.

''Draco, can you please sit on the bed?'' she asked as soon as they entered their room. He had expected that she would have wanted to check the room and see what it was like, but she got straight to the point of something he had hoped for but not really expected. He did not know what to expect right now.

''It will sound odd, but can I touch your skin? Under your shirt?''

Draco took a deep breath. He did not want to look desperate to her. But yes, he wanted her to touch him. No matter what.

''Of course,'' he said, trying to sound normal and not breathless as he pulled his button-down shirt from the waistband of his chinos.

She sat down next to him, took his hand first, it seemed that she was thinking about something. He didn't want to ask her what was on her mind, it could ruin the moment.

Slowly, her hands moved under his shirt, just to rest on his side. As her hands moved slowly over his torso towards his shoulders he froze. She would find out his shame. He had forgotten. How could he forget to cast it?

He jumped up from the bed.

''Hermione, you will hate me for this, I don't know how to tell you…''

What is Draco's secret? ooooh...