"Lucius." Katie's smile was bright and she looked radiant when she greeted him as he stepped from the Floo. "You're here."

His initial surprise at his son's choice of partner mellowed immediately when he met her. Katie was vivacious and confident, and a talented Herbologist. Her half-blood lineage was of no concern; she had proven on many occasions that his son had chosen the perfect woman to balance him. She held him accountable, made him responsible, and she loved him without condition.

Their relationship had been rocky at first; her accidental injury during Draco's attempted assassination of Albus Dumbledore had always been a heavy weight on Draco's shoulders. He'd sought her out at the end of the war to express his apologies, but she'd been reluctant to forgive. But he'd been persistent, and from his understanding, it had been Ms Granger who had managed to wrangle them together.

"I was glad of the invitation." Lucius smiled at his daughter-in-law. "And are you well?"

Katie ran her hand over her enlarged stomach and her already bright smile grew even brighter. "Very well, both of us. Although your grandson has been very active today."

"He's a true Malfoy then. Narcissa often lamented her discomfort while carrying Draco."

"Well, I'm glad this baby is keeping with Malfoy traditions," Katie replied, making him laugh.

Lucius followed her to the sitting room. He had offered them part of the Manor to live in after their marriage, but they had refused. A home of their own was what they had wanted, and the townhouse they had chosen was surprisingly spacious.

But that space suddenly became tiny.

"Father, glad you could make it at such short notice." Draco stood to greet him, a knowing smirk on his face. "And… you're already acquainted with Hermione."

Lucius glanced towards the young woman sitting comfortably on the couch. She was sipping firewhisky from a delicate crystal tumbler and eyeing him with an unreadable expression.

"Of course." Lucius managed to keep his composure, despite wanting to strangle his son. He wouldn't ordinarily look, but it was difficult not to notice the hem of her skirt had risen along her thigh, nor was it easy to ignore that the long leg crossed over the other was tanned and toned. "Ms Granger, it's a pleasure to see you again."

An odd smile crossed her face, and she nodded. "Likewise, Mr Malfoy."

Draco returned to the armchair he had been sitting in and Katie eased herself into the other, leaving only the space beside Hermione available. And, as if to emphasise the point, a drink was waiting on the coffee table directly in front of the vacant spot.

Loosening the button on his jacket, Lucius sat beside her, leaving a respectable distance between them. He reached forward to pick up the glass from the table, taking the opportunity to glare at his son.

"You've been doing some interesting research." Lucius leaned back, shifting his gaze between the two of them. "I'm curious, Draco, as to why now? You've never shown any interest in researching this particular malady before."

"I'm about to become a father and Dragon Pox is not something I wish my son to experience." Draco nodded towards Hermione. "I asked Granger if she would be available to assist me but, as usual, I ended up assisting her."

"Don't be so modest, Malfoy," Hermione chided gently. "Without you, I'm sure all of our test potions would have exploded all over the lab and the hospital would have pulled our funding."

Draco tipped his glass towards her. "That may be so but, without your genius, I wouldn't have known where to start."

"Merlin's beard, you're nauseating," Katie laughed. "I think I preferred when you two hated each other"

"We never really hated each other, did we, Granger?"

Hermione's laugh was light. "Oh, no, I hated you, Malfoy. I admired your knowledge and skills, but I hated you."

Lucius glanced around at the three of them. Their friendship was easy; clearly they had gotten to know each other well, and Ms Granger looked comfortable in his son's home.

"So how is it then that you two became… friends?"

"I had no clue that Draco planned to be a Healer, and vice-versa," Hermione replied. "It was a shock to both of us that first day at St Mungo's. After seven years, we thought we were rid of each other."

"Becoming Minister of Magic wasn't on your agenda, then?"

"Good lord, no." Hermione laughed again. "Politics and law making? What a bore."

"And your former stance on elf rights…?" Lucius couldn't help himself. The woman beside him had been ruthless in her teen years, and he had assumed she would carry that tenacity into a successful political career.

"That was a simple case of ethics and decency." She drummed her fingers on her knee. "Human slavery is illegal, it's only fair the same should be done for creatures in servitude to those humans."

Lucius held one hand up in surrender. "Just curious, Ms Granger. You will be pleased to know that my own house-elves are paid and well taken care of."

"I am very pleased to hear that, Mr Malfoy." Her smile was bordering on smug and Lucius had to fight his natural instinct to insult her.

"Well, we don't have house-elves," Katie chimed in. "It was a complete disaster at first, teaching Draco how to take care of himself without magical assistance. But he hasn't poisoned us or burned the house down, so I call that a win."

"A definite win. One which we can attribute entirely to Granger," Draco added with a laugh.

"Now, now, Malfoy." Hermione reached across and patted Katie's hand. "Katie's cooking wasn't that bad."

"Hey now!" Katie exclaimed indignantly. "I just grow the food. It's not my fault if it doesn't like to be cooked."

The three of them laughed and Lucius felt slightly uncomfortable, not knowing the joke they were clearly sharing.

"It appears you have assisted my son and his wife greatly."

"Oh, she really has." Katie smiled brightly at Hermione. "She taught us to cook… well, mostly Draco, who has become quite the chef, Lucius." She smiled proudly at her husband. "And the quick cleaning spells have been a godsend now I have a passenger to carry around."

"I hope you're not doing too much." Lucius' concern was old fashioned, he knew, but he knew Katie was a ball of energy and was concerned for her health.

"I'm not, I assure you. Draco won't let me. Those old-school manners of his would have me laying down for this entire pregnancy if I let him."

Katie and Hermione both laughed, while Draco smiled adoringly at his wife.

"Assisted, may not be quite correct, Ms Granger. Influenced?" Lucius raised an eyebrow in question at Hermione.

"Only a positive influence, Mr Malfoy." Hermione gave him another smug smile. "I'd never try to teach your son anything untoward. Draco was raised to be far too shrewd to be swayed by the likes of me."

Lucius' jaw twitched — she was far too adept at playing him at his own game. His presence no longer alarmed her as it had when she was a child and the woman now sitting beside him was an alarming presence in her own right.

Taking a slow breath he turned back to Draco. "I was surprised to read about your new potion. With this family's history, I thought maybe I would have been privy to your work, Draco."

Lucius almost felt Hermione's eye roll beside him. His exclusion of her in his question was deliberate. If she planned on making underhanded remarks all night, he would do the same.

"We are sorry, Father," Draco said. "St Mungo's asked that we not share our work with anyone, and we were both just as surprised as you when the story was printed. I had looked forward to telling you first, but—" he shrugged "—I guess the hospital wanted to break the story before anyone else caught wind of it."

"And with the potion being so new, every other potion maker will want to replicate it. St Mungo's was waiting for the patent to come through as well," Hermione added, refusing to be ignored.

"Patent? I would have assumed St Mungo's would want everyone to have access to it."

"You know how it is," she began, pausing until it appeared she had his full attention. But, as soon as he'd looked over at her, he noticed that her top had shifted, exposing one of her shoulders. His eyes locked on the bared skin. It was smooth and even-toned, minus one tiny freckle. And he wanted to get closer, to see exactly what size and shape the freckle was.

"—bureaucracy. They just want everyone to travel to Britain for the potion so St Mungo's gets more recognition, even though it would make more sense to let someone else produce it and ship it around the world. It's a disgusting publicity stunt," she finished.

Even though he'd missed the better part of what she'd said, Lucius chimed in. "I agree. It could help so many more people if it was mass produced and sent to areas prone to Dragon Pox infections."

Her lips were parted the tiniest amount, frozen in shock that he'd agree with her. Draco quickly stepped in.

"Father has donated to Dragon Pox research in the past. We've seen firsthand accounts of what an outbreak can do in an area with minimal medical services," he explained, making Lucius sound a lot more philanthropic and caring than he actually was.

Hermione shifted, meeting Lucius' eyes and angling her body towards him. "That's really wonderful. I thought you'd be the type to hoard your Galleons unless donating furthered your own agenda."

She really didn't pull her punches.

Draco let out a sigh. "Okay, Granger. Let's get it all out in the open like you and I did when we started working together. You're bitchy when you feel awkward."

An adorable grimace settled on her face. "I was doing it again?"

"Don't play dumb. It doesn't suit you," he replied.

Lucius looked to Katie, silently asking if they were always like this. She just nodded and rolled her eyes.

"Fine," Hermione said, adjusting her top and — much to Lucius' chagrin — covering her shoulder again. "Mr Malfoy, I don't know how to act around you. I'm not sure if your views have actually changed or if you're just playing nice because your side lost the war."

Her words were so blunt, so honest, that he decided to answer her the same way.

"Ms Granger, you know I worked with the Order as a spy. Would I have done that if I believed in Voldemort's cause?"

"You don't have to be a Seer to know that Voldemort himself was unhinged. Just because you didn't want to follow a lunatic doesn't mean that you think Muggleborns are your equal now."

At the mention of a Seer, Lucius' mind brought forth the image of Hermione's face in the glass orb. His mind clouded, confusion settling over him.

She mistook his hesitation for doubt.

"See? You shouldn't have to even think about that if your views have truly changed," she said, her voice moving towards an angry hiss. "I work with your son. I do the same job as him, and we get along—"

"Stop, Ms Granger. This conversation — it's just unexpected," Lucius interrupted. "I've never had anyone, save Dumbledore, speak to me so frankly about my opinions. I didn't have to think about anything except how to phrase my response."

"Keep the inner lion caged," Draco teased, making her smile. "Not everyone is used to talking about these things openly."

Katie and Hermione shared a knowing look.

"I know that there is no difference between Muggleborns and purebloods. We all have the same magic, albeit in varying quantities. There are pureblood families who produce squibs and Muggle families, like yours, that have produced powerful witches and wizards," Lucius explained, the words coming slowly. "I'm sure you've noticed that we're a bit more old-fashioned in this world, yes?"

Hermione arched an eyebrow. "You don't say."

"Well, a lot of us are averse to change, and Muggleborns are accustomed to a more modern way of life. They bring their more modern notions into wizarding society, and it's hard for us to keep up and accept it." Lucius cleared his throat. "It took me a long time to accept that things were changing and that they needed to change. But when Voldemort took over and wanted us to kill Muggleborns — children — and squibs, I couldn't fathom it."

Carefully, Hermione extended a hand and placed it on his knee, sending a wave of shock through him.

"I'm sorry that I doubted you. It's just hard for me to imagine—"

Finding the small bit of courage he had left, he laid his hand over hers, forming a temporary connection between them and putting her at ease. "It's hard for you to imagine the man who dismissed you and threatened you as a child has completely reversed his views. I understand, Ms Granger. The way I spoke to you was deplorable, nevermind the physical and mental pain some of my actions undoubtedly caused you."

The moment felt crucial, heavy, important — like it had the power to change everything — and then Draco ruined it.

"Well, now that you've made up and are holding hands, shall we have dinner?"

Hermione instantly tensed and yanked her hand away, leaving Lucius feeling bereft.

"Of course," she said, quickly rising to her feet and smoothing her skirt down. "I'm sure Katie and the youngest Malfoy are famished."

Lucius' eyes fell on her arse and her thighs as she stood and offered her hand to Katie. Of course, Draco caught him staring and smirked, nodding in approval. Lucius glowered at him in return before hoisting himself to his feet.

"Right, I wouldn't want my grandson to be deprived."

As Hermione glanced over her shoulder — the one with the intriguing freckle — she said, "You just don't look old enough to be a grandfather. You're much too fit."

Katie sputtered a laugh and leaned in to whisper into Hermione's ear, making Lucius feel like he was back at Hogwarts, seeing the girls sharing secrets.

When Hermione's cheeks flushed, he wanted to know what Katie had said.

Draco slung an arm around his shoulders and said, "You handled that perfectly. Get her fired up and then talk to her calmly and logically until she opens herself up."

He didn't have the heart to tell his son that none of it had been intentional.

A week after the dinner at Draco and Katie's house, Hermione found herself in a photographer's studio, surrounded by the Weasleys. As part of the publicity for their Dragon Pox discovery, Witch Weekly was doing a feature on both Draco and Hermione, and they'd wanted their families present.

For Hermione, it seemed only natural to have Harry and the Weasleys join her; she'd spent all her holidays and birthdays with them since the end of the war. And, of course, they were all here for her, happily conversing amongst themselves and waiting for her instructions.

However, Draco's family included Lucius, and she was getting more and more nervous with each passing minute. She was fiddling with her dress and her hand couldn't seem to stay out of her hair.

"Where is he, Draco?"

Turning to face her, Draco grabbed her arm. "Settle down, Granger. I told him the photos were at three. I'm sure he just didn't want to get here early. Stop messing with your clothes and your hair. The stylist will Avada you if she has to fix things right before the shoot."

Katie laughed. "It's cute to see you being the flustered one for a change."

"I told him he was too fit to be a grandfather." Squeezing her eyes shut, she said, "It's absolutely mortifying. What kind of a compliment is that?"

She'd been lamenting that comment for the entire week, especially since she'd passed Lucius in public twice and he'd not done more than give her a polite nod.

"I think it's an excellent one," Katie replied. "A man of his age shouldn't look that good."

Draco raised an eyebrow at her. "Really? Would you like to — what's the phrase, Granger? Trade me in for an older model?"

"Don't be jealous. It just means that you'll look like that when we're fifty, and that's a good thing." She thought for a moment and then her lips formed a pout. "Or it's a bad thing and you'll decide you always want a hot, younger wife."

With a laugh, Draco kissed her. "Never. I love the one I've got, even if she doesn't turn into a fit grandma."

Stomach fluttering with nerves and jealousy at their easy relationship and banter, Hermione heard the door open. Immediately, she looked up and caught Lucius' eye. She looked away quickly and grabbed Draco's forearm.

"He's here."

"Put your game face on, Granger," Draco said. "Don't let him see you're nervous."

Hermione nodded and focused on pulling herself together. This was another chance to interact with him and catch his interest. He wouldn't want a silly woman who couldn't string two words together properly.

She had to be her normal self, to quell the nerves he seemed to cause in her. Taking a deep breath, she gave herself a little shake. Once her eyes reopened, Draco smiled and suppressed a laugh.

"Father," he called, waving him over, "Granger and I were just wondering where you were."

She could've murdered him.

"It's not even two yet," Lucius replied. "You told me the pictures were at three."

"I also told you that there would be a gathering before, starting at one."

He raised an eyebrow at his son. "You said it was optional."

"Draco, don't give your father a hard time," Katie chided. "He's here early enough to socialise."

Grinning, Hermione decided to open with some teasing banter. "Ten Galleons that he speaks to no one but the two of you."

"Do you want to amend that, Ms Granger? Or shall I let Katie take your money now?"

Draco chuckled. "Father, you and I both know that you're not going to talk to the Weasleys."

"But I am currently here, speaking with Ms Granger," Lucius pointed out. "She's not you or Katie, though it seems you three are a new sort of trio. You're rarely apart."

"Fine," Hermione corrected. "You won't speak to anyone but the three of us."

Lucius looked to Katie. "Are you going to accept her terms?"

Rubbing a hand over her swollen belly, she replied, "Absolutely. I can't imagine you choosing to socialise, even though you helped the Order and everyone in this room is aware of that."

Hermione nearly laughed at the expression on Lucius' face. Pouncing on the rare moment, she said, "Let's make this more interesting than Galleons."

"Oh? What did you have in mind?" Draco asked.

A crazy thought formed in her brain. "If Lucius makes the circuit of the room and finds something discuss with at least five of my guests—"

Draco cut her off, quickly finishing her sentence. "—you'll take him to dinner. At that fancy new place in Hogsmeade that you were raving about."

Hermione bit her lip. She hadn't been thinking something so forward but, when she glanced up at Lucius, she could tell he wasn't going to agree.

"Draco, your manners are becoming more and more atrocious. I would never let a lady pay for my dinner," he griped.

"Granger isn't a lady," Draco quipped, earning himself a slap from Katie. "And, by that, I mean she doesn't prescribe to the old-fashioned notion that men should pay for everything."

"I've got plenty of gold now, after all," Hermione replied, trying to play along. "We could even invite Draco and Katie to come along if you're uncomfortable with it being just the two of us."

Lucius looked like he was considering. "I'm not uncomfortable with it being the two of us. We got on quite well the other night."

Smiling, Katie said, "So, dinner then?"

"And if I don't speak to five Weasleys?"

Hermione shrugged. "Then no dinner."

"I feel as though I should owe you something if I don't complete the wager."

Draco smirked. "I have an idea."

Silently praying that he wasn't going to suggest something sexual, Hermione gestured for him to continue.

"Take her to the Manor library, Father. Though I can't guarantee she'll ever leave once you let her in."

Her heart pounded at the thought; she'd always wanted to see the famed Malfoy library, and Draco had refused to take her, saying that he'd be trapped in there all day. As much as she wanted to see Lucius interacting with her chosen family, she secretly hoped he decided not to.

Lucius glanced at her and chuckled. "It won't be a hardship for me to bring her to the Manor."

"And it won't be a hardship for me to take you to dinner," Hermione replied. "In fact, I think we could find something interesting to talk about."

Katie interrupted the back and forth. "Why have it be a bet, then? Just make the plans."

Hermione looked to Lucius and she could see his hesitance.

Before she could say anything, he put a stop to the awkwardness Katie's statement had caused.

"Well, the bet is just for fun." With a smirk, he gestured towards Molly and Arthur. "Shall we go say hello? I daresay we'll be called for photos before long, and I don't want to lose by default."

Surprised, she simply nodded, her eyes seeking out Draco's. He gave her a reassuring smile.

"Okay," Hermione said. "Let's go."

Much to everyone's amusement, Lucius dutifully followed Hermione around the room, Katie and Draco trailing behind. As they mingled, it was clear he was trying his hardest to find common ground with the Weasleys to fulfill his end of the bargain.

Surprisingly, he had plenty to discuss with George since they shared an interest in business and revitalising commerce in the wizarding world. Hermione nearly laughed at how well someone as old fashioned and snobby as Lucius Malfoy got on with the biggest prankster she'd ever met. Ginny jumped in when discussion about The Daily Prophet began, saying that she had recently been hired on to report on Quidditch. And, of course, Percy talked about the Ministry ad nauseum.

By the time the photoshoot started, they'd spoken to nearly all the Weasleys, save for Ron, who had been throwing suspicious glances at Lucius all afternoon.

While the Malfoys posed for photos, Harry and Pansy stood beside Hermione.

"You two looked awfully cosy," Pansy teased.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "We had a bet on. He had to have real discussions with five of my guests."

"And he did, so what does he get?" she asked, raising her eyebrows suggestively.

Harry groaned and pretended not to listen.

"Dinner," Hermione replied. "We're going to that new place in Hogsmeade. Really, it's not a big deal."

Pansy clapped her hands. "Can I go home and get you something to wear?"

"Absolutely not. I'm already dressed up enough."

"I have a brand new set of black see-through lingerie," she offered. "I bet he'd like it."

"Pansy, we're going to dinner, not a sex club."

Harry looked to his wife. "And that was supposed to be for me. Why are you trying to give it away?"

"You were going to wear a pair of see-through knickers?" Hermione taunted.

"You know what I mean!"

Getting back to the issue at hand, Pansy asked, "But what if Lucius takes you home after dinner? Are you properly—"

"I'm sure that won't happen," she replied. "But, if it did, I assure you, I'm more than presentable."

Pansy eyed the v-neck of Hermione's dress for a second and then tugged it away from her body, looking down at her bra just to verify. After catching a glimpse of the silvery lace, she nodded her approval.

"You have no boundaries," Hermione said, readjusting her dress. "Honestly, where have your pureblood manners gone?"

"She never had any." Draco's voice made Hermione jump. "Granger, we need you. They want a photograph with you since my family is so comparatively small. I'll even let you stand next to Father."

Slapping his arm, she followed him over to the set and sent Lucius a small smile.

While she'd told Pansy she was sure dinner would be the end of their night, she was secretly hoping that it wouldn't be.

Two hours later, Hermione and Lucius were seated at a small table in the restaurant. While they waited for the waiter to return with their wine, Lucius began telling her about his classes at Hogwarts.

"Honestly, I think if I hadn't been a Malfoy, I would've taken a Transfiguration mastery," he mused. "I always wanted to learn the Animagus transformation."

Hermione smiled. "I wonder what kind of animal you would've been."

"An interesting question. I've heard some people say that your Patronus and Animagus form is the same, though I'm not sure if that's always the case."

"What's your Patronus?" she asked, curious as ever.

"A wolf," Lucius answered.

Resting her chin on one hand, she examined him carefully. "I think I can see it. I bet your fur would be white if you were a wolf."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, Sirius Black was an Animagus — a big black dog. Harry thought he saw a Grim the first time he ever saw him. He had dark hair, and his eyes were the same colour whether he was in human or dog form."

"Potter believes in Grims?"

With a laugh, Hermione said, "He was thirteen at the time! The day after he saw Sirius, he picked up his very first Divination textbook. You know what that rubbish can be like."

Lucius picked up his menu and examined it carefully. "I do know that Divination is a very woolly subject, indeed. No certainty anywhere, aside from very few extremely gifted Seers."

Her breath caught.

Lucius Malfoy believed in Seers, in prophecies.

"So, if you hadn't become a Healer, what would you have done with your life?"

"Honestly?"

"No, I want you to lie to me," he teased, taking a sip of his after dinner tea.

They'd lingered after the meal, conversing and sharing stories. More often than not, they had been laughing and smiling.

Hermione thought for a moment. "I always thought I'd write a book one day. Does that count?"

"I guess so, though that isn't really an 'instead'," Lucius answered. "You could easily do those two things concurrently."

Hermione glanced at the clock, noting it was nearing ten p.m. "I could, but I don't have any immediate plans to."

"I saw you look at the clock. Do you have somewhere you need to be?"

"No, I'm sorry. That was rude of me. We're just the last ones here," she whispered. "I feel awkward."

Lucius looked around and was shocked to see she was absolutely right. "I didn't realise it had gotten so late."

"Time flies," she said, waving the waiter over. Instinctively, he handed the bill to Lucius, and Hermione frowned. "I'll take that, actually."

Lucius' face reddened as he handed it over.

The waiter looked at her in surprise and then his eyes moved back to Lucius. "My mistake."

"I lost a bet," Hermione said as she wrote down her vault information. "I had to buy him dinner."

"And I told her this was completely unnecessary," Lucius explained. "But she's quite stubborn. It's not right for a lady to pay for dinner."

"Well, Mr Malfoy, ladies do occasionally pay for dinner when they're on a date," the waiter responded. "It's not as uncommon as you think."

"That just proves that there are fewer and fewer gentlemen in the world."

"Or it proves that wizarding society is finally catching up to Muggle society and women are being viewed as equals allowed to have careers," Hermione challenged, meeting his eyes.

Lucius swallowed uncomfortably as she handed the bill back to the waiter.

Before she had the opportunity to stand, Lucius somehow rose and pulled her chair before offering her a hand up. Especially since she'd just put him in his place about paying for a date, she found it sweet that he was still behaving like a gentleman.

They walked slowly towards The Three Broomsticks, their arms bumping from time to time. Neither of them said a word, but the silence was comfortable.

When they reached the Floo, Hermione looked up and said, "I had a lovely evening."

"I did, as well," he answered. "If it wasn't so late, I'd invite you to come to the Manor to see the library."

She didn't know what to say in response, so she stayed quiet.

After clearing his throat, he added, "If you're free this weekend, you're welcome to visit. I don't have any plans."

"I'd love to. Does Sunday work for you? I'm working Saturday."

Lucius looked at her questioningly. "After everything you've done, you're still working weekends?"

Shrugging, she replied, "I honestly don't mind. I like the normalcy of it."

"Sunday is fine, then. Around midday? We could have lunch before you undoubtedly barricade yourself in and refuse to leave."

Hermione chuckled. "That sounds lovely. I'll see you then."

Lucius gestured to the Floo. "Ladies first. I won't hear a word against it."

As she stepped into the flames, she said, "Goodnight, Lucius."

"Goodnight, Hermione."