Written for:

Hogwarts: Valentines Vs Single Awareness challenge:
(dialogue) "I love you, you idiot. You can't get rid of me that easily." / (object) Bouquet of flowers

Hogwarts: 365 Prompts
Prompt - Backlash

Hogwarts: Insane House Challenge
Restriction: Only two characters

Mistake

xXx

Lucius knew the backlash would be bad. He had thought he was prepared for it, but still, he was left shaken. He wasn't one to be scared, but then why was fear gnawing on his gut?

He stared at the bouquet of flowers, the tulips in a colorful arrangement. They were her favorite flower, but would it be enough to make up for his mistake?

Lucius sighed. He thought about groveling for forgiveness, but Malfoys weren't supposed to grovel. Would he really lower himself so much because of one woman?

Her brown eyes flashed through his mind. The memory of her kind and compassionate smile made his shoulders slump. He'd do whatever he could to get back into her good graces. It's the only thing he wanted in this world.

Lucius took a deep breath. It was now or never. Hopefully, she didn't slam the door in his face. He walked into the front lobby of her flat and faltered slightly at the sight of Hermione sitting in a big, cushy chair by the large window that overlooked the nearby river. He knew that was her favorite spot to read, but he hadn't expected to see her so quickly upon entering her residence.

As if sensing his eyes on her, Hermione tore her gaze away from her book and looked up. She frowned at the sight of him and didn't rush to greet him with a kiss as she would normally.

Not a good sign.

"Hello."

Hermione didn't respond. She did put her book down on the coffee table before her, though.

"These are for you." He held out the bouquet of flowers as if trying to tantalize her.

Hermione finally stood and walked over to him. She took the bouquet and admired their colorfulness. "These are lovely. Thank you, Lucius."

"I know I screwed up. I went on a business trip instead of spending your birthday with you. I'm sorry. When I was married to Narcissa, she preferred to spend her birthday with her girlfriends or whichever lover she had taken at the time. It didn't even occur to me that you might want to spend your day with me. I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry. Whatever you do, though, don't end it because I'm an idiot."

"I love you, you idiot. You can't get rid of me that easily," Hermione stated in such an even tone.

Lucius blinked for a moment, not completely understanding that Hermione wasn't giving up on them, wasn't giving up on him. "What?" Lucius asked, not very eloquently.

"You messed up. Big time. But I do realize your marriage to Narcissa hadn't been typical, and I'm sure your parents' marriage hadn't been one for love. I understand now that maybe you didn't understand what was expected of you, and I should go a little easy on you while you learn how a relationship is supposed to work. But for now on, no missing birthdays. Understood?"

Lucius pressed his lips against Hermione's in a quick kiss. "Understood," he murmured when she pulled back.

X

(word count: 507)