Disclaimer: I don't anything in Harry Potter. J.K owns all the characters and places.
Author's Note: This will be an AU story and the characters are OOC. Some of the dates in the story have also been changed to fit in with the story itself.
Summary: Hermione takes a break from the wizarding world, five years later she returns with her four-year-old daughter. Lucius Malfoy bumps into Hermione and her daughter whilst in Diagon Alley… A few weeks later and they're going on their first date. Post-Hogwarts & Second War. Will be AU & OOC. Some dates have been changed to fit the story.
Chapter 6
Last weekend of September 2004,
Still seated under the cover of night, Lucius shifted until he was facing Hermione completely, his expression that of curiosity and a hint of nervousness. Her own nervousness was showing which further increased his own, "I have to travel to Russia in a few days and will be gone for quite some time…" She cursed herself internally, that is not what you were supposed to say Hermione! You daft fool! Clenching her teeth together in frustration at her own stupidity, why was she so scared to tell him, his family couldn't be cursed if his own brother is your child's grandfather for Merlin's sake! She was shaken from her internal shouting "Are you not coming back?" His expression looked downcast and slightly crestfallen; her face twisted into confusion.
"Of course I am, I'm just needing to sort out some work-related stuff is all." She moved her hand to capture his and squeezed his palm, "You're insane if you think I'm going to leave you." His mouth nearly dropped open in shock, his heart fluttering with his happiness. "I'll come with you." Now it was Hermione's turn to be shocked, "You want to come with me?" He nodded, pulling their hands to his lips, brushing a kiss to her knuckles with a serene smile. "I will follow you to the ends of the earth my dear." A beautiful blush adorned her cheeks as another bout of fluttering entered her stomach and heart.
"It's going to be an interesting trip, you'll be able to see mine and Robby's restaurant, The Alexia. Though I must warn you, it will be undergoing a large refurbishment so I will be there for as long as I can. I will understand if you cannot stay for as long…" Lucius immediately rebuffed her mid-sentence, "I will stay as long as you need me." Hermione shook her head, "I could never expect that of you Lucius, you have other matters to attend to I'm sure." He chuckled, his eyes briefly glancing to the still waters next to them before he looked at her with an unreadable expression, "As I mentioned earlier, I will follow you to the ends of the earth and if it takes me an eternity, then so be it. I will stay with you for the duration of your stay and unless something comes up, you're stuck with me."
She giggled and finally accepted his words. He stood up, turning to face her and extending his hand to her, "It's getting quite late and Luciana is probably already asleep in front of the television." Hermione nodded, accepting his outstretched hand. Once she was standing beside him, he took her hand and looped it through his arm, placing his larger one atop hers. They made their way back to the Manor slowly and silently, both enjoying each other's company. Hermione was still berating herself for not telling him of his relation to her daughter and Lucius couldn't help but wonder if he'd missed an opportunity to claim her lips for the first time… So perfect, his mind whispered to him as he led her back through the glass door.
First week of October 2004,
Lucius had already left for France and Hermione was left to her own devices for the time being until his return which is when they would plan their trip to Russia. Hermione had decided to contact the Front of House manager at Tesoro Roberto to schedule a meeting, she'd then owled Minerva for a small catch-up which had been responded to with a date and time within the hour of her owl being sent. Hermione had laughed at her former Head of House's excitement and had informed Luciana that they would be visiting Professor McGonagall in two days at Hogwarts. Hermione was sitting on the couch reading when a knock sounded at her door, placing her bookmark in the book, she stood up and walked over to see who would be visiting her. Opening the door, she found a smiling Harry, "Hi 'Mione." She quirked an eyebrow and cocked her head to the side, "Harry, what are you doing here?" He rubbed the back of his head, his expression morphing into desperation, "Can I stay here for a few hours?" Moving to let him in.
"What's happened?" Hermione watched as her friend practically squirmed where he stood. "Ginny is busy with some arrangement for the wedding and I'm afraid that my presence is 'no longer required Harry James Potter' so I was hoping that you would allow me to spend a couple hours here or until I'm allowed back?" Hermione couldn't help but laugh at her best friend, "You're more than welcome to stay, I'm afraid we're not doing much besides sitting at home." He shrugged, "I don't mind as long as I'm not in the way for Gin." Hermione shook her head and turned toward the kitchen, "Make yourself at home, do you want anything to drink?" Harry plopped down into the armchair as he looked back over to where she stood, "A tea would go down nicely." Heading back into her kitchen, she prepared a pot of tea and got some biscuits out of the pantry cupboard. When Hermione had finished in the kitchen, she went back out to where Harry was sitting, "Where's Luciana?" Harry looked around as if hoping to catch a glimpse of the platinum blonde. "She's upstairs playing, she'll come down when she's tired of being alone." Hermione took her seat back on the couch, placing her book onto the coffee table as she did so.
Looking over at her friend she couldn't help letting her thoughts wander, she imagined her own wedding, probably wouldn't be lavish and she highly doubted that it would consist of her being dressed in white due to her having had Luciana already. She could imagine herself dressed in a cream or light pink dress, nothing ostentatious, just something simple, waiting for her dressed in an all-black three-piece suit, his luscious platinum locks tied back with a simple black ribbon… "Hermione?" Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she looked at Harry. "Yes?" He chuckled, "Where did you go?" She rubbed her hand over her eyes, "Sorry Harry, my mind wandered away from me. What did you say?"
He chuckled again and gave her a knowing smile, "Are you thinking of a certain someone?" Her cheeks warmed at his question, "Perhaps…" He took her hand in his and squeezed, "I'm glad that you're happy, I know he's really making an effort to reform. After you left it was strange…" Hermione watched as he sighed and moved back in his seat before he looked at her again. "The three of them came forward while we were all searching for the Death Eaters that had fled, I spoke on Narcissa's behalf as she had blatantly lied to Voldemort about me being dead. She was cleared after the Ministry had done a check on her memories as well." Hermione picked up her tea cup as Harry placed a biscuit in his mouth.
After he'd swallowed, Harry continued speaking "Draco spent time in muggle London under house arrest, his wand was kept in a vault within the Ministry and he had to survive as a muggle for a year. He chose this over spending a year within Azkaban, frankly so would I if I were in his shoes. Lucius was by far the most co-operative with the Aurors, he gave away more names than we'd had before, told us of safe houses and residences not listed in Ministry records. For this freely given information he was placed on house arrest and was fined a large sum of money for his past transgressions. His new wand has a trace on it which will only fall away in another year's time this was of course, part of Kingsley's ruling along with him having to integrate with the muggles, it was his only choice otherwise he'd have ended up in Azkaban." Hermione stared at Harry as he took a sip of tea, his green eyes pierced her own.
"That was a lot of information, are you allowed to speak of this though?" He lifted one side of his mouth in a half smile before shaking his head, "Not really but you're not about to speak to anyone about it, I know you 'Mione, you've always kept secrets." She lifted her brow and gave him a stern glare. "That's beside the point Harry and you know it. You can't speak of official Ministry related issues with anyone, myself included, you can get into a lot of trouble." He shrugged and she sighed, "Thank you for sharing it with me though." He smiled and gave her a wink, "Now you know that Lucius will be genuine with you."
They sat and chatted well into the evening before a knock at her door had her getting up, "I'll be back now." Harry merely nodded as she headed for the door. Opening the oak door, she found herself face-to-face with Ginny, the red head stood tall and proud. Hermione breathed her name in a whisper, "It's been quite some time hasn't it?" Hermione nodded as Ginny gave her a crooked smile, "Is Harry here?" Again, Hermione found herself nodding, "Yeah, he's in the living room, come in." Moving aside to allow her inside, Hermione watched as Ginny strode in. Leading her through the entrance hall and into the living room, Hermione motioned to where Harry sat. "Gin? Everything alright?" Harry sheepishly glanced to Hermione before he stood up and approached his soon to be wife.
"I would have been if you were at home to help me, Harry Potter." Hermione feeling an impending argument brewing turned to Ginny and smiled. "Tea Ginny?" Ginny turned to look at Hermione, her eyes brimming with restrained anger, "No thanks, I think Harry and I will head home." Hermione nodded, grateful that they wouldn't have their fight in her home. "Thanks for this afternoon 'Mione, see you soon yeah?" Harry gave her a tight hug before he turned back to his fiancé. "I'm sorry my visit wasn't as it should be but I've left James with Kreacher." Hermione shook her head, "It's alright, I completely understand. When everything is calm again, we can have lunch." After a brief hug, Hermione bid farewell to her friends.
Hermione and Luciana quietly made their way up the long path toward the main entrance of Hogwarts, Luciana's eyes roamed the whole outside area while Hermione's heart filled with warmth at being back in the place, she once called home. "Hermione!" Turning at the booming voice of one Rubeus Hagrid, Hermione grinned, "Hagrid!" Nearly rushing in her haste to get to the half giant, she momentarily forgot about Luciana, throwing her arms around him and hugging him for all she was worth. "It's so good to see you!" He hugged her back and choked back his tears, "Look how grown up yer are an' who's this?" Hermione moved away from Hagrid and turned to look at her daughter.
"This is my daughter Luciana… Luciana this is Hagrid, one of my oldest friends and the groundskeeper of Hogwarts." Hagrid smiled broadly at the young girl in front of him, "She's got yer nose an' mouth." Luciana looked up at Hagrid and smiled, "You're a giant!" Hagrid chuckled as Luciana squinted while walking around him, lifting her hand she offered it to him for a handshake, "Mummy didn't tell me there were giants at school." Hermione shook her head and turned her eyes to Hagrid, "Sorry Hagrid, she seems to have inherited my lack of restraint." He gently shook Luciana's hand. "'Tis a'right." The sound of the entrance hall doors opening had the three of them turn, standing in all green robes, her pointed hat upon her head stood Minerva McGonagall.
"Hermione, Hagrid, Luciana." Each of them smiled as she made her way over to where they stood. "I bumped into Hagrid along the way, sorry that it made us a bit late." Minerva waved her concerns away as Luciana wrapped her tiny arms around her legs, "Hello sweetheart, welcome to Hogwarts." Smiling down at the child of her favourite student, Minerva gently ran her hand over the top of her head. "Right then, t'was nice teh see yer again Hermione." Hagrid gave them a small wave as he walked away. Hermione turned to Minerva and smiled, "Sorry about that." Luciana stepped away from Minerva and began to follow her as she led them inside. Hermione watched as Luciana looked at all the soldier statues that were once again back in their place around the entrance hall. Minerva pointed out some pictures and statues as she explained them to her daughter, whose face was alight with child-like fascination, "These particular suits of armour were worn by the wizards who once protected the castle from the horrid creatures that once lived in the forbidden forest many, many years ago." Luciana's eyes took in everything around her, she even went so far as to touch the suits as they passed them.
By the time they got to Minerva's office, Luciana knew where all the classrooms were, met Mr Filch and Mrs Norris his cat and had even met Nearly Headless Nick. "Would you care for a cup of tea while we wait for lunch?" Hermione nodded, asking for a pumpkin juice for Luciana. "Of course, I'll have Winky sort it out." Turning to where the two previous Headmaster's portraits hung, Hermione smiled at seeing them both with their eyes closed as they slept in their chairs. Minerva had taken Luciana over to where the sorting hat sat and was explaining how the process worked when Winky arrived with their lunch. Dishing some vegetables and mash onto Luciana's plate after she'd pointed to each item, Hermione left her to eat.
"So tell me, have you found someone since you've been back?" Minerva watched as Hermione's cheeks darkened a shade before she turned her eyes to meet Minerva's. "Actually, yes, I have." Raising a brow in question she waited for Hermione to voice who it was. "And who is this lucky wizard?" Again, she noted the darkening of the younger witch's cheeks. "Lucius Malfoy." Both of Minerva's eyebrows lifted as her eyes widened, Hermione looked over to where Luciana sat playing with a little trinket, "So he is her…" Hermione's head jerked in Minerva's direction, "No!" Shaking her head, Hermione tore her gaze from those of her former Head of House. "No, he is most definitely not."
Hermione looked back to Minerva and smiled, "He and I have only been dating for the last couple weeks, we're not even an official couple." Minerva smiled and Hermione noticed the twinkling in her eyes, "And were he to ask you officially?" Hermione could feel the warmth of her blush as she looked away, "I'm not opposed to it…" Minerva chuckled, "That's not what I asked." Hermione suddenly felt shy and kept quiet for a few moments, "I would accept." Minerva smiled kindly, reaching across the table to pat Hermione's arm, "He's doing a lot better than before and I do believe that your involvement with him will only bring the happiness he's been searching for, for many years."
Smiling back at Minerva, Hermione turned her eyes back to Luciana, "Will Winky be able to take her for a walk around the castle and keep her safe? There's something I wish to speak of but not with her present." Minerva nodded and summoned Winky. "Can you please take Luciana for a walk around the castle, when we have concluded our discussion, I will call for her return." Winky bowed and immediately turned to Luciana, "Luciana, this is Winky, she is going to take you for a walk while mummy and Professor McGonagall speak." Luciana turned to look at Winky and gasped in surprise, "What are you?" Winky looked at Minerva in question and received a subtle nod, "Winky is a house elf…" Hermione watched as her daughter was taken from the office, with Winky still informing her of what she was.
Hermione turned back to face Minerva who was giving her a small smile, "What is it you wished to speak about?" Minerva watched as her former student leaned forward, resting her arms on her legs before she sighed. "I went through to Gringotts and had a blood test performed on Luciana… It turns out Luciana is related to the Malfoy's." Minerva's eyes widened as she looked at Hermione. "How?" Searching Minerva's eyes, Hermione could see general curiosity in her green eyes. "Lucius Malfoy's brother, who was a squib, fathered a child who then fathered my daughter… Luciana's father is Lucius' nephew." Minerva picked up her teacup and took a sip. "Hence the signature platinum locks." Hermione nodded.
"Does he know?" Hermione sighed, shaking her head softly, "No and believe me, I am wanting to tell him, Merlin Minerva, I had the opportunity a few days ago but I just couldn't get the words out. I'm hoping that while we're in Russia, I'll be able to speak with him about it… Merlin's beard, that's going to be very hard." Hermione dropped her head into her hands and groaned. Looking back up at her former Professor, she could see her slight shock and continued speaking. "He believes that his family carries a curse in their bloodline which prevents them from siring a second child, his own brother is proof that, that is incorrect, even if he was a squib."
Minerva's eyes were narrowing slowly in thought, "I believe Nicholas Malfoy the second is the brother of whom you speak?" Hermione nodded slowly, "Yes, the Goblin said that Abraxas Malfoy made it quite clear that Nicholas did not exist and Lucius was to never find out about him." Minerva nodded and a voice from somewhere behind her spoke up, "That is indeed correct Miss Granger, Lord Malfoy made it abundantly clear that if anyone were to speak of the boy, they would face dire consequences and I believe that a few Obliviates were cast upon the young heir at one point or another…" Hermione turned to see Phineas Nigellus Black, her brow lifted in question.
"My descendants used to speak quite openly within the halls of Black Manor and that is where the poor boy found out a few times in error when he was visiting with Bellatrix and Narcissa." Minerva's eyes widened as did Hermione's, "So Lucius' own father violated him a number of times?" Minerva shook her head sadly and Phineas nodded. "Yes child, Lord Malfoy was a horrid man and did not care for anyone but his House name and blood purity." Hermione was disgusted at what she heard, "That's horrible!" Phineas merely nodded; Minerva was appalled and Hermione was struggling with a bit of anger at a man long dead for his mistreatment of his second born son.
"Unfortunately my dear, he was not the only wizard and Lord of his House that did that, my own sons did it to their own children." Hermione was disgusted, "I do sometimes wonder if that is why young Walburga and Bellatrix were crazed by the time they reached adulthood. The two of them were often on the receiving end of spells and curses as they grew up… Pollux, Cygnus and Sirius were horrid fathers, their wands did the speaking in their Houses." Hermione was getting more upset the longer he spoke, "That is disgusting! It's no wonder the purebloods that followed that idiot were such a messed-up bunch! It was their bloody fathers and their need for absolute control!"
Minerva had made her way over to Hermione and had placed her hand upon the younger girl's shoulder. "It's alright Hermione, I understand your anger but remember most of them were victims as well, it's hard for us to understand as we weren't brought up the way they were and you are currently dating Lucius, you've seen with your own eyes how that man has changed since the second war came to an end. Don't let the mistakes of the past, determine your future." Hermione covered Minerva's hand with her own and smiled up at her gratefully. "Thank you, Minerva. Once again, I find myself learning something from you." She received a squeeze to her shoulder in response.
She turned to look at Phineas, "I'm sorry for losing my temper, thank you for supplying me with that information. I needed to hear it." Phineas smiled and bowed his head slightly, "Anytime Miss Granger." Turning to look at Minerva once again, Hermione smiled. "We can bring Luciana back now; I think she's been left with Winky a bit too long." Minerva chuckled but called for the Hogwarts elf to return. After getting her now very happy daughter back and saying their farewells with promises of more visits, Hermione took Luciana into Hogsmeade Village to show her around, stopping at Zonko's and Honeydukes along the way. "Are you ready to head home?" Luciana looked up at her mother, eyes shining with pure joy and nodded. Taking her hand in her own, Hermione twisted into her apparition and together they disappeared.
Second week of October 2004,
Over the course of the following week Hermione receives a reply from Roberto, informing her that everything had been running smoothly and that he had hired another two members of staff due to the rise in popularity of The Alexia. He had also mentioned that he thought the restaurant would most likely need to undergo a refurbishment to incorporate another section for seating. Hermione had responded with her agreement, wondering if he would like for her to travel to Russia to begin the process of getting the council approval and the relevant quotes from construction companies. Roberto decided to give Hermione a call, discussing her suggestion which he'd agreed to. He'd said it would be better for her to go as he had his hands full with the Sølv Måne, after asking after said restaurant, Hermione had found out that the kitchen staff were underperforming and this was causing the critiques to write scathing articles about their presentation. Hermione had been displeased with this information and was ready to say so, but Roberto had beaten her to it by informing her that he was already interviewing potential replacements.
It was a day after all of this had transpired that Hermione found herself in the company of Lucius once more, having just relayed everything to him, she had lifted her wine glass to her lips and took a heavy sip. "That sounds quite stressful." Hermione looked over the rim of her glass at Lucius' words, "I'm sure that Roberto will be fine with finding replacements, thoroughly stressed out but fine." He chuckled when she shook her head, "You're quite right, he seems to handle the pressure far better than I ever did." Twisting her hand until it was palm up against Lucius', she entwined their fingers, his thumb rubbing soothingly against her flesh. "What news do you have?"
He leaned back slightly with a soft sigh, "Well as you know, I was in France after Draco sent word to me that he'd been having some trouble with the French Ministry as well as the Gringotts branch there." Hermione's eyes reflected her confusion, which Lucius picked up on, he responded to her unspoken question. "He's been trying to start anew in France, apparently he has been discussing the prospect of creating a new branch of the Malfoy family name…" Hermione lifted her brow, "But doesn't that cause issues with the Ministry here?" Lucius shook his head, "No, the Nott's and Black's all did the very same a few years ago, it's a way of branching out and becoming bigger name-wise. With Draco wanting to do this, it will be advantageous in the long run."
Hermione nodded gently, "When he starts a family of his own, the Malfoy name will once again grow, however it'll be within France instead of Britain." Frowning at the slight downturn of his lips, she squeezed his hand, "He had need of my signature as current Head of House and once this had been received, he was made official Head of House within the French territory." Hermione felt the tension in his hand and so began running her thumb across the skin between his thumb and index finger. "It'll be alright, things will settle between you two soon." He snorted at her words but said nothing for a few minutes, "I fear that ship has sailed, as the muggles say, our relationship will never be as it once was, not after the war." Accepting this as the end of the discussion, Hermione squeezed his hand and cleared her throat.
"I'm needing to travel for a short period to Russia, I'm not quite sure how long I will be away though." He looked at her as she spoke, the gears already turning in his head. "Roberto did mention that it would be easier if I could stay on that side until the refurb has finalised." Lucius leaned forward, picking up his firewhiskey as she spoke. After sipping at the burning liquid, he spoke, "I shall join you in Russia…" She went to dissuade him from joining her on this trip but he wouldn't hear it. "As I said to you during our previous conversation, I will stay for as long as you need. Besides, I could do with a bit of a break." Hermione blushed a soft pink when he smiled at her, sending a swarm of butterflies loose in her stomach.
"We'll need to organise an international portkey to Russia though…" Hermione raised her hand to stop his thoughts, giving him a mischievous smile, "I was actually going to be travelling the muggle way, why don't you join me?" He was baffled by this and raised a questioning brow, "And pray tell my dear, how do they travel? I've yet to see this." Hermione giggled at his expression, "They travel via an airplane, it's like a very large metal bird that travels at a very high speed across the sky, thousands of feet above the ground." His eyes widened slightly, "That doesn't sound very comfortable. Surely portkey would be a better option?" He was a bit hopeful that she'd accept the portkey, he felt a bit apprehensive at the thought of muggle travel. Hermione giggled again before responding.
"It can be more comfortable; it just depends on where you sit. There are three different sections onboard which muggles travel by. Economy, Business and First Class. Economy is more affordable for most muggles and admittedly, is less than comfortable, Business is for people who are travelling on business or for business and most often their ticket is paid for by the company they work for and First Class is generally when people decide to splurge or prefer to spend a much higher rate for their ticket in order to travel with luxurious comfort. There are some that are placed in First Class by the company they're working for or they get bumped up by the airline themselves, which isn't very common. There are also some flights that have Premium Economy which is between Economy and Business, it's still more comfortable and affordable." Lucius listened to everything she'd said with rapt attention, he'd become more and more curious as she spoke. "So, which will we fly?" She smiled at him, her eyes finding his, "Premium Economy."
