Written for:
Hogwarts: Valentines Vs Single Awareness challenge:
Prompts - (AU) Enemies to Lovers, (setting) The Forbidden Forest
Hogwarts: 365 Prompts
Prompt - Anonymous
Hogwarts: Insane House Challenge
Trope - Enemies to Lovers
Hogwarts: Tangled Web
Pairing - Lucius/Hermione
All She Needed
xXx
Hermione raced through the forest, keeping her eyes open for any creature that might think she was a tasty snack. Tears fell from her eyes. She couldn't believe her friends. How could they be so judgemental? She could admit that it was a shock and could even understand them being a little skeptical, but how could they speak like that to her? Calling her a Death Eater slut.
Her lover wasn't even a Death Eater anymore. Not a real one anyway. Ever since Professor Snape's death at the hands of Voldemort, he had switched sides, feeding the Order information to help bring down the megalomaniac. He wanted revenge for the death of his best friend, and he had helped tremendously when it came to stopping raids before they got too bad.
Nothing happened between them for about six months after he switched sides. It wasn't like she was sneaking off into the dead of night to be with an active Death Eater. Everyone made mistakes, and she could forgive him for his past.
He was tired of having a secret relationship, though. He was tired of feeling like Hermione was ashamed of their relationship, and Hermione decided to finally tell the most important people in her life. And they reacted horribly.
She swallowed the bile the rose up her throat and had to fight to keep it inside of her.
Sometimes, she wished she could be anonymous. No one would know her and no one would care what she did and with who she did it with. But alas, that wasn't possible.
She stopped in their clearing and sure enough, a familiar pop of Apparition was heard.
Lucius did a quick spell that would deter any creatures from bothering them. Then he took one look at her eyes that must have been red and puffy by now and with a frown of concern, he strode to her and took her in his strong embrace. "It didn't go well."
It wasn't a question. Lucius knew.
"That's an understatement," Hermione mumbled, her voice muffled as she sniffed.
"I thought better of Potter and Weasley."
"I'm not sure why I'm surprised. Their hatred and distrust of Slytherins are deep-seated. Not to mention their loathing and mistrust of anything that is related to Voldemort in any way. Even when the truth about Severus' allegiance to us came to the light, they wouldn't admit they were wrong about him, and they have never trusted you, even after your invaluable help. I hoped they'd understand, but I'm not sure they ever will." Her voice was soft and sad as she continued to sniff.
"I hate seeing you like this. We could always stop it."
Hermione lifted her head off of Lucius' chest? "Stop it? You mean stop being together?"
Lucius silently nodded, his eyes betraying his pain at the thought of losing her.
"No," Hermione stated firmly. "I love you, and I'm not going to let anyone stop me from being with you."
"What about Potter and Weasley?"
"If they're truly my friends, they'll come around and accept it. Maybe it was just the shock of it, and they need time."
Lucius arched an unimpressed eyebrow. "You really believe that?"
Hermione knew she had an expressive face, and her lover probably read her doubt."
"I hope for it. But if they don't, they don't. I just can't lose you."
Lucius cupped her cheek. "As long as you want me, you have me."
Hermione stood on her toes and pressed her lips against Lucius' lips. The kiss was soft, as their lips moved against one another. When they separated, Hermione whispered, "I definitely want you."
Lucius pressed his lips against Hermione's again. This time, it was hard and passionate as he groaned deep in his throat.
Even while kissing Lucius, Hermione thought about the people she considered family since they became friends. She truly hoped they'd come around, but if they didn't, at least she had Lucius. That was who she really needed.
(word count: 666)