.
~ A YEAR LATER ~
Hermione exited the Floo, tired and tense, and more than a little irritable. Her day had been exceedingly long and all she wished for was the quiet of her little home. She'd sent an owl to Lucius — when she realised her shift would be much longer than expected — explaining she would be late and that he please leave her be tonight. She wouldn't be much company anyway; she only wanted to sleep.
Blocking the Floo behind her, she Apparated upstairs, stripping to her underwear and not caring that her clothes were left in a pile on the floor — a testament to her exhaustion. She slipped under the covers, curling them around her into a cocoon, melting into the mattress, and was asleep before she could process one more thought.
Lucius watched her from the doorway, smiling to himself. She'd not even noticed him sitting in the corner of the living room, but he knew by the slump in her shoulders exactly how exhausted she was. He'd become accustomed to it, her long hours, her dedication, but it still gnawed at him that she felt she had to prove herself every day. She was a brilliant healer, and everyone knew it. But he was still trying to convince her to believe it herself.
He undressed quietly, folding his clothes neatly on the chair before retrieving hers from the floor and doing the same. He would insist that his elves do her laundry the next day, because his plans for her day off didn't include watching her work herself into an exhausted mess again.
Hermione woke to a warm body wrapped around her. His arms were wound around her tightly, his legs spooned with hers. She didn't think anything felt as good as waking up like this — even if he'd ignored her request to be alone.
It was a rare night they were apart; the occasional overnight shift at St Mungo's, was the only time they weren't together at night. Any business trips he had were organised around her days off so she could travel with him. She'd seen the world with him, and he had taken her to places that she had only ever dreamed about. Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Mayan temples in South America, a villa in Santorini where he had told her clothes were optional…
She loved seeing the world with him, but this, right here in the quiet hours of the morning, was what she loved most. His easy breaths, the way he held her, the warmth of him. She would give up the world just to ensure she had these moments with him.
"Why are you awake so early?" He murmured into her neck.
"Why are you in my bed when I asked to be alone?"
A rumble of laughter vibrated against her neck. "You're aware of my inability to take instruction."
"Hmm," she hummed in agreement, running her palm along his forearm that was braced around her. "Thank you for not listening."
"Anytime." He began to press kisses along her shoulder. "I like you first thing in the morning. Soft and warm, and pliant…"
Hermione sighed. "Don't start anything, Lucius. I have too much to do today."
"Your day has been taken care of," he said, slipping his hand down her body to feel the warmth already building between her thighs. "You have nothing to do but let me enjoy you."
Her protest quickly turned into a low moan as he slipped his fingers lower, drawing her wetness along her slit.
"Lucius…"
"Yes, darling?"
"I don't… oh… have time… oh, fuck!"
His fingers parted her folds and bared her clit, toying with the tiny bud, and she knew he would get his way.
"You have all the time in the word today, darling. Lift your leg over mine."
Complying with his request, she lifted her leg and curled her foot behind his calf, spreading herself wide.
His fingers dipped lower again, teasing at her entrance. Missing the friction on her clit, Hermione reached down, sliding her hand beneath his, her fingers taking over the motion he'd begun. Her breath caught and another low moan broke from her throat when he slipped two fingers inside her, immediately began pumping.
Her pleasure rose steadily; he knew how to work her body like no one else, coaxing and teasing, drawing her into a haze of lust in just seconds. More sounds spilled out of her and her eyes fluttered closed. Her hips began to rock into his hand. He pressed harder, encouraging her with quiet murmurs against her ear. And just like that, she was trembling, her thighs shaking, her body turning to liquid.
"Lucius," she groaned and turned her head to him. His mouth was on hers, ready for her, waiting for her, knowing she was about to fall. Her leg dropped, trapping his hand — their hands — between her thighs. Moaning into his mouth, her body tightened, a sharp shudder pressed her arse into his own arousal, and she fell.
She heard his voice from a distance, a quiet murmur of Gods I love watching you, felt his fingers slide slowly out of her body, hummed at the press of his lips on her shoulder.
"How do you do that?" Her voice was raspy, her throat dry from sleep and orgasm.
"I'm a selfish bastard and love seeing your pleasure. I do it only for myself."
Hermione laughed and turned in his arms, his cock full and heavy against her hip. Her hand slipped between them, but he pulled away.
"I have plans for you today, and we don't have time for that."
She arched an eyebrow. "But you had time for me?"
He kissed the tip of her nose. "I always have time for you."
He stood and held his hand out to her. Hermione grinned, watching his cock twitch.
"But you're okay?"
He glanced down. "Maybe not, but a shower is in order… you could always help me out in there."
Hermione was astounded when the blindfold was lifted. Lucius had insisted she wear it before they left by Portkey to a secret location.
He had refused to tell her what he had planned, only that his house-elves would take care of her laundry and cleaning and all the monotonous things her day would have included.
And now she was glad she had agreed.
They were in Spain, standing in the garden outside the Biblioteca Nacional de España — the national library and the first place he had ever taken her.
"Lucius, what—"
"We have the library to ourselves for an hour. We should make the most of it."
He offered her his arm and she took it gladly, fearful she would faint. An hour? On their own? She refused to think about what he had paid for the privilege.
"Manuscripts?" he asked, knowing full well that she had spent hours pouring over the collection on their previous visit.
She nodded numbly, unable to coherently form words and allowed him to lead her through the front doors. He spoke with a man just inside the door, his Spanish flawless, and she made a mental note to ask him to speak to her in Spanish later.
They continued on, Lucius knowing without direction where they were headed. Their footsteps were loud in the empty building, and her automatic response to walk on her toes to quiet the sound made him laugh.
"No one will reprimand you, darling. I have ensured we will be left alone."
"You know how crazy you are, don't you?" she whispered.
"Why is this crazy?" he countered. "And why are you whispering?"
"We're in a library," she hissed. "We have to be quiet. And you're crazy because I don't need an entire national library to myself."
"Oh, if I had known that, I wouldn't have bothered," he teased, then winked at her. "Enjoy this, darling. I may not be able to afford to do it again."
She slapped his arm, "Lucius, how much—"
"A generous donation." He kissed her temple. "And it's not of your concern."
She huffed in response, knowing better than to argue. He had told her that the more she fought against his spoiling her, the more he would do it. And the grander the gestures would be.
"Fine," she relented. "But when you're destitute and living in a box on the streets, don't blame me."
"I wouldn't dream of it, darling." He kissed her again. "And I believe we have arrived at our destination."
Lucius watched as she wandered around the room. She was still tip-toeing which made him chuckle, and he knew he had come to the right decision.
He reached into the expanded pocket inside his jacket, drawing out the sea-green orb. The small glass ball may not have been real, but everything it had led him to was.
"Hermione?"
She turned to face him, frowning slightly when she noted the orb in his hand.
"Are you donating that as well?" she asked. "Because it's not really of any significance, and it certainly isn't verified."
"That's where you're wrong, darling. This little orb is of the highest significance." He held the orb up, the smoky haze still floated within its depths. "There was a prophecy, one that related to a man of pureblood with angelic guise." His mouth twitched at her giggle; angelic guise had been her one contribution to the ruse. "This prophecy also stated that a certain woman with common blood would bring light to this world."
"This prophecy sounds a little over the top," Hermione said. "I mean, she must be some woman to be able to do that."
"She is a woman like no other." Lucius touched her cheek. "This prophecy also said that he would fall to his knees in reverence of her."
He dropped to one knee and Hermione gasped.
"Oh my god, Lucius! What are you doing?"
"The prophecy was true. You brought light to this world, to my world. I didn't think it possible to love again, but you took away the darkness and opened my mind and my heart." He held up a ring; the exact ring she had been looking at in the antique jewellery shop in London the last time they were there. "Marry me, Hermione. Marry me and let me worship you for the rest of my days."
Her yes was little more than a choked sob, her voice sticking in her throat. Lucius' face lit up at her response, all his nerves disappearing in an instant. He slid the ring on her finger and before he could stand, she dropped to her knees and flung her arms around him.
"Yes." Her voice was louder, the single word an absolute surety, and Lucius closed his eyes in relief.
Yes.
"You brought light to this word, my darling," he whispered against her ear. "And now you have brought light into my heart."
Hermione pulled back to look at him, a teary smile on her face. She pressed her palm over his heart, "There was always light inside you, Lucius. It just needed some encouragement to shine."
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TRIDOGMOM
xx
xx WE LOVE YOU xx
xx
smithandbarrowman
PotionChemist