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 7

End of second week, October 2004,

It had been a couple of days since Hermione and Lucius had, had their date and discussed their trip to Russia. Hermione had begun packing, she'd already packed two suitcases for herself and Luciana, she was just finishing off her third when the doorbell rang. Heading down the stairs and toward her door, she passed Luciana who was watching a movie and opened the door to find Lucius standing outside with a bouquet of flowers, a mixed assortment. Taking them with a large grin, Hermione leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss to his cheek which left his ears red. "Thank you! They're beautiful." Moving aside to allow him entry, she turned and made her way to the kitchen. Lucius trailing behind after closing the door, entered the kitchen just as she'd finished placing the flowers into a vase.

Leaning against the doorframe, he watched as she flicked the switch on the kettle and began moving around preparing cups and a teapot. "Have you finished your packing?" She turned on her way to the fridge and nodded, "I've just got to finish with my last bag and then we're all set. Are you ready?" He nodded, keeping his silver eyes on her person. Admiring her as she finished filling the teapot with the hot water. Catching his eyes, she cocked her head to the side, "What're you looking at?" With a coy smile he walked over to her side, lifting the small tray before responding, "I was just admiring a beautiful young woman." Exiting the kitchen, he missed the blush that entered her cheeks.

When they'd seated themselves at the dining room table, where her laptop sat waiting. Hermione had just pulled the laptop closer when Luciana had wrapped her arms around Lucius' midsection, "Hello poppet." Wrapping his arms around her in return, he lifted her into his lap, placing a soft kiss to the crown of her head. "Hello Lucius." Releasing her hold on him, she hopped off his lap and ran back to the living room. Hermione shook her head at her daughter's antics, she turned to face Lucius and smiled, "Sorry about that." He waved her apology away with a gentle smile, "She's still young, there's more interesting things to occupy her time than us boring adults." Hermione giggled, her fingers dancing along the keys on her keyboard as she began typing into the search engine.

"I've been thinking it'll be easier to book your flights and accommodation as well when I book for Luciana and myself." Sparking his curiosity, Lucius moved closer to her side and looked at the screen that now showed a variety of different hotel names, he watched as she began looking at different three and four star hotels, "Hermione, please look at five star hotels, they're definitely going to be better than these." Raising her brow at her platinum blonde haired cohort, "Please, it'll be my treat." Hermione shook her head, trying to decline his very generous offer but he kept insisting until she reluctantly relented and booked the Four Seasons Hotel in Moscow.

Finally having secured their hotel and their flights, which had been booked with Virgin Atlantic in Premium Economy, they were set to depart at the end of the month. Hermione turned to Lucius, "Are you happy to stay in or would you like to go out for the rest of the day? We can have lunch here or go for a walk to the park and then find a place to sit down to eat?" Lucius shifted to face her before lifting his hand to tuck a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. "Let's stay in, I'll try and assist you with making lunch, but I cannot promise to not make a mess of something." Laughing, she stood up and led the way back toward the kitchen, still feeling the ghost of his touch across her cheek where his fingers had brushed gently.

Turning to look over her shoulder, she looked into his silver eyes, "We'll make toasted sandwiches, could you grab the bread and ingredients you wish to have and I'll get the sandwich toaster out." Nodding he headed toward the fridge, taking out the bread, cheese, a tomato and some ham, Lucius walked over to where she stood plugging in the sandwich toaster. "Will this be enough for all of us?" Hermione hummed her response as she took the items from his hands. "You can cut the tomato and cheese into slices, enough for three of us. It's just like when you cut ingredients in potions." He nodded, turning to the drawer, Lucius removed a knife that he'd use to cut with.

After cutting everything as Hermione had requested, Lucius turned to look at Hermione, "Anything else I need to do?" She shook her head in the negative, picking up the sliced items, she began placing them upon the bread she'd buttered. Once she'd placed the first sandwich into the toaster, she turned to Lucius, "Would you mind setting the table?" Watching as he headed out the kitchen, she turned back to the toaster, waiting patiently before she'd replace the first sandwich with the second. By the time Lucius had finished setting the table, having moved the laptop from where they'd been earlier, he'd ventured back into the kitchen.

A fleeting feeling of domesticity made him pause momentarily, Hermione spotted him and smiled brightly, she had two of the three toasted sandwiches ready, the third having been placed into the toaster. "Shall I have Luciana wash and wait at the table?" Hermione gave him a nod, her shining with gratitude. Lucius moved to the living room, calling out to the young girl as he entered, "Come along poppet, you need to wash up, lunch is ready." Luciana sat up and stretched her small arms out, she trudged out of the living room and headed toward the guest bathroom under the watchful gaze of Lucius, who wore a small smile at the young girl. "Lunch is ready." Hermione called, Lucius turned back and called out his thanks, he was just waiting on Luciana, who at that moment exited the bathroom.

The three occupants of the Granger household, sat quietly after they'd finished lunch, Luciana was already bouncing in her chair, wanting to return to the telly to finish watching movies. "Mama, please can I be excused?" Hermione nodded and looked at Lucius, her eyes moving back to those of her daughters, "Ask Lucius as well." Luciana turned her bright eyes upon Lucius and asked him as well. "Yes, you may." She disappeared not a minute later, leaving two bemused adults in her wake. "She reminds me of Draco when he was her age, always wanting to be as far away from boring adults as possible, especially when he had etiquette lessons with Narcissa." Hermione chuckled to herself at the thought of her old school bully, already picturing a petulant little boy with a deep scowl on his face. Lucius shared in her laughter as he remembered his son when he was younger, "It's strange, she reminds me a lot of both Draco and myself…" He trailed off in thought and Hermione began to squirm internally. "Lucius, I think it's time we talk, would you mind joining me out back?" Lucius looked at Hermione, his expression turning neutral as he followed behind Hermione.

When they were comfortably seated outside, Hermione turned to face Lucius, tucking her hands into her lap. "I still don't know how to tell you or even how to eloquently put this, but Luciana is part Malfoy…" Lucius' eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hairline, "Excuse me?" She looked down to her lap before sighing and looking back into his eyes. "You had a brother, who was disowned due to him being a squib, Nicholas the second. He married a Danish witch and together they had Frederik who then fathered Luciana." Lucius was leaning back, his index and middle fingers rubbing the spot between his eyes. "How is that possible? My father said we never have more than one child…" Clenching his teeth together, he balled his hands into fists. "Why would I not know of a brother… Why would my father lie…" Hermione not knowing what to do, went to place her hand on his knee but he jerked away from her touch. "I-I need to leave, I'm sorry Hermione. Thank you for lunch, but I must go." Standing up, he twisted into an apparition and was gone in seconds, leaving behind a bewildered and slightly hurt Hermione.


Hermione hadn't heard nor seen Lucius in days following her revelation, she was still concerned that she might not hear from him again. She was leaning against her pillows upon her bed when she spotted Lynx at the window, feeling her heart in her throat, she allowed the owl entry. Picking up the envelope after he'd dropped it off and joined Lexi on the perch just next to her vanity, she turned the envelope open and tore the seal open. Withdrawing the folded parchment, she flipped it open and began to read;

My dear Hermione,

Please forgive my mawkishness from the other day, I was out of line with how I abruptly dismissed you and left your home.

After your revelation to me regarding young Luciana I was most shocked by the news that I had a brother. Having sought the proof from Gringotts by means of my family tree, I never knew of beforehand, my father having strictly forbidding it. However, with some persuasion with the Goblins it was revealed to me along with a memory that my father had left behind.

It has indeed taken me this long to sort through everything, my own thoughts included and I ask if you might forgive me once again, but I would request a bit more time before we meet again. If you are willing perhaps next week before we depart, you might like to join me at the Manor for dinner? Luciana is to join us as well, I don't want to be parted from her again.

Yours,

Lucius

Hermione half smiled at Lucius' letter, shaking her head at him, she hurried over to her writing desk to pen her reply to him.

Dear Lucius,

Of course I forgive you, you silly wizard. I'd have thought you off your head should have reacted indifferently or without any emotion.

I'm happy to wait for as long as you need and yes, I would like that and I know Luciana will as well.

I miss you,

Hermione

Sealing her envelope before she changed her mind on her last line, she handed the letter to Lynx, "Please return this to your master sweet boy." Lynx lifted his leg and waited for her to attach the shrunken envelope before he flapped his wings and disappeared from her bedroom. She returned to her bed, lifting her book, she continued to read until she fell asleep.


Malfoy Manor, Last week of October 2004,

Hermione and Luciana arrived at the top of the stairs, just outside the front doors of Malfoy Manor. Lucius opened the doors moments later, having felt the wards alert him to their arrival, "Hello Lucius." Luciana wrapped her arms around his shoulders when he dropped down to her level, "Hello sweetheart." She buried her face into the crook of his neck just as he turned to face Hermione, a sheepish smile upon his face, "Hello my dear." Reaching out to her, he wrapped her up in a one-armed hug, placing a soft kiss to her forehead. The two of them walked into the Manor, Luciana comfortably leaning heavily into his arms, he led Hermione into the large living room where he deposited Luciana onto the couch. Turning back to Hermione, he pulled her into his arms, enjoying the feeling of her wrapping her own around his waist. It was something new for both of them, both having been keeping their touches to a minimum in the past, but tonight was different, Lucius had an important question in mind and would be asking her as soon as they were out of hearing range of Luciana.

"Come - I would like to show you something." Hermione allowed him to take her hand and lead her down toward the glass window that took up the entire back portion of the Manor. Upon arrival, she could see an array of blossoming flowers in the large garden. "Oh my... Those are stunning." He nodded, stopping near the window before turning to face her. He motioned for her to follow him through the door, walking down to a stone bench that she'd not seen before. When they were comfortably seated, he took her hands in his, lifting them to his lips, he placed a kiss on each palm. "I'm sorry I reacted as I did; it was hard to understand at first as to why my own parents kept the knowledge of my brother from me. After thinking about it, the way in which I was brought up, the old pureblood supremacist way, it's no surprise really…"

Moving so that his back was pressed against the back of the bench, he continued, "I found my answer in the form of my father's portrait - He was a shame on the family name Lucius, a dirty rotten squib, a non-magical born to a long line of prestigious purebloods. What a scandal it would have been, a complete disgrace. Disowning him was the best thing that could have happened to my lineage, it gave me a son who proudly wears the name Malfoy upon his breast, a noble son who made his own grandfather proud. If that no-good squib had of stayed it would have destroyed my name!" Hermione had gasped, her one hand having moved away from Lucius' to cover her mouth in her shock.

"Of course, I had walked away after that… I felt shame at how my family has behaved over the last number of years. I grew up wanting nothing more than a sibling, someone with whom I could share secrets with, someone that would be there no matter what. It's why I was silent for so long. I'm sorry my sweet Hermione." He turned his face away from hers in shame and slight embarrassment after revealing what he had. Hermione placed her hand upon his cheek, making him look at her, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek before moving away, "It's nothing to be sorry about, you were going through a rather personal and yes, even emotional, time. I understand and am only glad that you've not withdrawn into yourself entirely, it would have made me sad."

He took her hand in his, closing his fingers over her own and squeezed them gently. "Thank you for being understanding, it truly means a lot to me." Smiling softly in return, she squeezed his hand as well. Turning her gaze to the garden, she stood up and gave him a smile. Heading into the many rows of different and multi-coloured flowers, she took in the beauty that it was. Lucius followed behind her, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he admired her from where he was. Deciding it would be the perfect time, he hurried his steps until he was directly behind her, "Hermione?" Turning around, she came face-to-face with the handsome features of Lucius.

"Yes?" He shifted nervously before looking directly into her eyes, "Would you be mine officially?" She giggled, before looking between both his eyes, "Yes!" His face broke into a broad grin as she threw her arms around his neck in a tight embrace, he tightened his hold on her before pulling back slightly to rest his forehead against hers, closing his eyes as he enjoyed the happy warmth that spread throughout his body. Making a split-second decision, he lifted his head away from hers only to lean forward to capture her lips with his own in a gentle, yet firm, kiss. Her arms tightened ever-so slightly around his neck as she nibbled on his bottom lip. He slowly parted his lips as his tongue swept out across her upper lip seeking entry into her mouth.

When her lips parted for him, he slid his tongue into her wet warmth, tentatively meeting hers upon entry. Having trailed against her languid muscle, he delved deeper, slowly drawing her into a battle before he was retreating as her tongue sought out his own warm mouth. They stayed in their lip lock for a few moments longer before they broke away for some much-needed air. Resting her head against his chest as her own rose and fell rapidly, she smiled, "Better than I ever imagined…" His deep rumbling laughter had her lifting her head, "Indeed my dear, so much better." Her eyes moved to his lips before looking back into his now darker silver eyes, she slowly leaned forward once again. He met her halfway, soft closed mouthed kisses soon turned into yet another heated kiss that had her one hand entwined in his long locks as the other held him beneath the ear.


After the pair had finally broken apart long enough to realise that they would need to check on Luciana and eventually eat dinner, they made their way back inside, hands clasped together and smiles etched into their faces. "Mama, I'm hungry." Luciana had met them halfway, her hands rubbing her stomach. Hermione nodded in acknowledgment of her daughter's words, "We're going to eat now, come." Taking hold of her much smaller hand, Hermione led Luciana into the dining room where Lucius had just disappeared to. Upon their arrival, Luciana spotted an assortment of food, feeling her stomach growl again, she nearly ran to the table.

Lucius took his seat after Hermione and Luciana had taken theirs, beginning to dish up his own meal. "Thank you for this arrangement Lucius, it looks absolutely delicious." Lucius smiled and gave her a small nod, having already taken a mouthful of his own food. "Mama, after dinner can we watch a movie?" Hermione turned to look at Luciana, "You'll need to ask Lucius." Smiling softly at her now slightly shy daughter, Hermione turned her gaze to Lucius, watching as he smiled at Luciana, "Can we all watch a movie after dinner please?" He gave her a thoughtful look before smiling, "Of course we can sweetheart." Her happy squeal had Hermione flinch and Lucius smile.

True to his word, after they'd finished with their dinner, they all walked to the living room. Luciana immediately claimed her usual spot on the large one-seater, Lucius and Hermione sat together on the three-seater, which was a bit further back. "Choose one to watch and we'll begin." Hermione watched as Luciana did as she'd requested, feeling Lucius pull her closer to his side as she curled her legs up on the couch. Once the film had been chosen, Home on the Range, Hermione settled into Lucius' side, laying her head against his shoulder after he wrapped his arm around her waist.

Flicking his wand, he lowered the flames in the hearth and summoned his firewhiskey and a bottle of Elvin wine. Having poured himself a tumbler of whiskey and Hermione a glass of wine, he couldn't resist her tantalizing lips any longer and captured them in a loving kiss once more. Breaking apart moments later, they each took a sip of their drinks, turning their gaze upon each other moments later, Hermione's shone with happiness while his reflected his joy at having her in his life. He leaned closer to her ear and whispered to her, "Since you're mine now, I don't feel improper to say this…" She waited with anticipation of his words but none came. She instead felt his lips lay a kiss to the skin beneath her ear which sent a shudder through her body.

Their moment was broken by the sound of Luciana, "Mama, look that cow is doing tricks." Luciana was bouncing in her chair whilst pointing to the large television that hung from the wall. Hermione turned her hazel eyes toward the telly and watched as the brown cow ran up the side of the chimney in pursuit of an apple. Lucius shifted on the couch drawing her attention away from the telly, turning to face him again she smiled at him. Feeling like a school boy all over again, he pulled her close, taking her bottom lip between his teeth to teasingly nibble on. She closed her eyes when he once again slipped his tongue into her mouth to battle her own.

Both becoming absorbed in the other, forgetting about the movie and Luciana for a while, their little burst when the sound of yodelling could be heard all around the living room. Lucius chuckled at Hermione's widened eyes as she looked over to where Luciana sat completely entranced by the movie. "I feel like a school boy." Hermione turned to look at him, giggling softly, she hit his chest softly, "Nonsense, if that were the case, you'd already have me in your bed." He gave her an affronted look, "My dear, I'd have ravished you in the gardens the second you accepted me." Hermione felt her cheeks heat as she blushed, "Lucius…" He chuckled, pulling her back against his side as she tried to calm her blush and racing heart.


Departing England, End October 2004,

Hermione and Luciana stood within Heathrow Airport, waiting on Lucius' arrival. "Mama, has Lucius never flown before?" Hermione looked down to Luciana, "No, it's his first time, so we must be nice alright, he might be very nervous." Luciana nodded and looked around, spotting Lucius walking toward them, "There he is Mama." Luciana waved happily to gain his attention, he waved back as soon as he'd seen her. Bending to give her a hug, Lucius placed a kiss upon her head, "Hello poppet, are you excited?" Luciana nodded happily, keeping her hand on her small carry-on. Hermione had ensured that they kept up the pretence of being muggles, she'd put their luggage onto a trolley, leaving space for Lucius' luggage which he placed onto the trolley a moment later.

"Ready?" He nodded, giving her a quick hug and peck on the lips before taking Luciana's hand in his as together the trio headed for the baggage drop-off. Arriving at the counter, Hermione began the process of checking-in and dropping their bags, explaining to Lucius as she did so. Luciana kept a firm hold on his hand, feeling a bit nervous due to all the people rushing about. "Alright, we're done. We can head through and wait for our boarding call." Hermione smiled at both Lucius and Luciana before she took hold of her hand luggage once more, leading the two blondes toward the waiting lounge.

"How long will we have to wait for?" Turning at the sound of Lucius' voice, Hermione lifted their boarding passes. "Our flight only departs in another hour, see on here?" Looking to where she was pointing, Lucius nodded. "This ties in with those boards up there, which constantly change as each flight is updated. You'll see they're each showing a boarding gate number, cancelled, delayed, on time, boarding, departed… Each flight will be updated so that we as passengers know what's happening, this helps us not get the wrong gate or miss the flight." He nodded, partially understanding what she was saying but still finding it confusing. Looking at the boards to which she'd pointed to earlier, he took in the large number of flights, noting that some didn't even show the boarding gate numbers, "Why are some of them without the boarding gate number?" He cast his eyes upon her as he spoke, his curiosity evident in his silver depths.

"That's because the plane has yet to land from the first destination, remember how I explained that some flights have connections en-route to certain countries or cities?" He nodded, "Well, when this happens, the second destination departing gate has to first become available. As flights come in and depart, so the gates open or close. For instance, our flight hasn't been updated with a boarding gate as yet, this is probably due to a plane making use of it while it either disembarks previous passengers or is readying to depart from the airport. Do you understand?" Lucius gave his nod of understanding, still slightly baffled by all the information he'd been given by her at the Manor as well as in the airport. Having never made use of a muggle facility as monstrous as the airport, he felt slightly overwhelmed by everything. "I do understand but I imagine that over time, should this become a usual occurrence, I might understand it a lot more than right now. At this point in time, I'm still struggling to make sense of how everything works but I get the gist of it."

Hermione smiled up at him, understanding where his mind was, he probably felt like she did when she first learned of the wizarding world. Understanding what is being explained to you and learning as you went, were two completely different things to someone who's never experienced it before. "You'll get there one day Lucius, it is a lot to take in, I know." Slipping her hand into his as she leaned her head against his shoulder, she started moving them toward a small coffee shop which was directly across from the two large boards showing all the flight updates. Luciana claimed the chair next to the window so that she could watch the aircrafts take-off and land. Hermione and Lucius sat next to each other, a clear view of the flight boards in Hermione's sight.

"What will you have?" Luciana looked up and waited for Hermione to give Lucius her answer before she answered with her own, "I'll have tea and Luciana?" - "A juice please." Lucius nodded, "Which flavour?" He patiently waited while she thought of her answer. "Apple, please." Smiling a toothy smile, Luciana watched as Lucius left the table before gazing back out across the large tarmac. Hermione kept her eyes on her daughter for a while before she looked over to where Lucius stood placing their order, she smiled softly to herself as he handed over money and smiled when given his receipt and a table number.

When he got back to their table, he smiled at Hermione as he took his seat, "Will you be heading for the restaurant as soon as we arrive or only after a few days?" Hermione briefly chanced a glance at the boards, seeing that their gate number had finally appeared before she looked back to her… Boyfriend. This thought made her smile, which in turn had him lifting his brow. "What?" She smiled wider before answering both his questions. "To answer your first question, I'll only go in tomorrow or the day after and to answer the second, I was just smiling at the fact that I can call you my boyfriend." He chuckled at that, lifting his hand to rest on the tabletop. "It sounds strange to be referred to as such after all the years I was called husband."

Hermione smirked before a blush blossomed upon her cheeks, "What's got you blushing my dear?" His expression turned innocent, "I just had a brief thought of maybe one day calling you husband…" She trailed off as her cheeks reddened even further. "That would make me very happy." Taking her hand in his, he kissed her knuckles twice before leaning forward to kiss her lips. Pulling away seconds later, he gazed into her hazel eyes, "You make me very happy Hermione, happier than I've been in many years." Running his fingers across her cheek, he poked her nose which made her giggle. "Likewise, Mr Malfoy." Looking at the clock and then at the boards, she proceeded to inform both Lucius and Luciana that they would need to leave as soon as they were done with their drinks.


Once they were on board the aircraft, Hermione directed Lucius to put their hand luggage into the overhead compartment. Luciana had been nagging Hermione to sit at the window, which Lucius readily agreed to stating he'd prefer his first time to be on the aisle. After securing their luggage, the two adults took their seats, with Hermione helping Lucius to fasten the seatbelt. "This is rather comfortable; I must say and it doesn't feel too bad." Hermione chuckled as she showed Lucius how to get the tray down and back up, "When we're in the air, I'll show you how the small telly works."

Lucius gave her a grateful smile, turning to face the front when a voice started speaking, "What's happening?" He kept looking around, trying to find the woman that the voice belonged to. "It's alright, it's one of the pre-recorded in-flight announcements regarding safety should we experience any issues during the flight. Just watch the flight attendant up front and listen to what's being said, it'll also show on the screen here." Hermione pointed first to where a woman dressed in navy blue stood and then to the screen on the back of the chair in front of him.

Not long after the safety tips and rules had been given, they were instructed to fasten their seatbelts and prepare for take-off. "It's going to feel strange at first, your ears will feel weird, so keep chewing on this." Handing him a piece of gum, Hermione popped a pellet into her own mouth before handing one to Luciana. Shortly after and the plane began backing up, taxing along the long stretch of tarmac that led to the runway. "Ready?" Luciana nodded enthusiastically while Lucius grits his teeth, nails biting into the armrest as the plane turned onto the darker portion of the tarmac. "It's alright, you'll be fine." He felt Hermione slid her hand along his forearm as hers moved down toward his hand which she pried away from the armrest. She squeezed his hand in hers as she interlinked their fingers, "Take a deep breath and release it slowly."

He did as she said just as the aircraft lurched forward, gaining speed as it moved down the runway. The massive turbine engines whirring as the plane sped along, his chest felt tight and his grip tightened upon both the armrest and Hermione's hand. "It'll be over soon, just breath." He shut his eyes when the aircraft's nose lifted and it took off from the runway, his breathing sped up until he was practically hyperventilating. "Lucius, breath… In - Out - In - Out… That's it love." She felt his grip relax slightly. Leaning toward him, she gently touched her lips to his cheek which surprised him enough to suck in a deep and shuddering breath. "Thank you my dear. I'm sorry I behaved poorly, that was rather nerve wracking."

Rubbing her thumb over his knuckle and index finger, she smiled at him, "It's alright, your reaction is perfectly normal. It is after all your first time and you did quite well in my opinion." He pulled their joined hands to his lips and placed a kiss against her knuckles, "Thank you for being there for me." She nodded after leaning her head against his shoulder, her eyes moving to where her daughter sat, face glued to the window as she took in the scenery. "How about I show you how this works?" Lucius nodded, watching as Hermione turned the screen on and moved through films and television series that had been pre-loaded, as well as the music list. He settled on a film, The Notebook as Hermione rested her head against his shoulder, eyes closed.