The Battle's Aftermath
The following minutes - hours even - passed by like an out of body experience for Hermione. She was there, present, but not, somehow numb and detached from the chaos. It was, she decided later, her battered mind's attempt to protect her after all of the trauma she'd experienced.
She repeated the progression of events to herself over and over again in her head.
Voldemort was dead.
Harry collapsed.
She screamed for help.
People came running.
Sirius was there, and he was frantic.
Ginny showed up from somewhere and was screaming and crying hysterically.
Harry's collapse spawned more panic from the survivors.
Somehow, amidst all the carnage, Madam Pomfrey rushed to their aid.
Hermione relayed everything she knew: Harry had carried a piece of Voldemort's soul in him, he'd been hit with the killing curse again when he'd gone out to face Voldemort, and then faced a third avada kedavra when his spell collided with Voldemort's. One of his pupils had been more dilated than the other, and he seemed "off" somehow before he collapsed.
Madam Pomrey was rightly horrified at the idea of someone surviving all that Harry had, and admitted that given the carnage of the battle and the limited resources at Hogwarts, he needed to be at St. Mungo's where he could have proper care.
Hermione held his hand until he was carried away on a stretcher. Only two visitors would be permitted, and Sirius as Harry's only family and godfather took the first spot. Hermione would have gladly gone with him, but in the heat of the moment with Ginny clinging to him and insisting that she had to be there as the love of Harry's life, Sirius took her instead.
It hurt being left behind.
She'd been there for Harry when no one else had. When it was just the two of them alone in the woods in a battered tent with not nearly enough food. She was Harry's best friend, and she wanted to be there for him. He needed her, didn't he?
He'd left her behind once already on this awful night, and to be away from him again, without information, unsure of his condition when they should have all been celebrating, was deeply upsetting.
As Sirius and Ginny departed with Harry, Hermione turned back to where she'd left Lucius, only to find that he was no longer there.
Hermione scanned the crowd, searching for his recognisable pale blond hair. Surely he would not have just left her, even to check in on Draco, without saying something. She checked her bracelet, but it was devoid of any messages. She began to panic as she wove her way through the crowds, searching for Lucius.
Had he been attacked by students or Order members who'd mistaken him for being loyal to Voldemort? Had he been hit by a spell from someone? Was he injured?
Panic truly set in as she made her way into the school. She'd watched Harry collapse and now feared for the man she loved. What if he'd been taken prisoner? Would he still be held somewhere in the castle? Or would they have port-keyed him to Azkaban already? The idea of Lucius, her beautiful, powerful, brilliant Lucius, trapped in that horrid prison and subjected to the torture of dementors made her want to scream or cry or claw at something. Her eyes frantically scanned the corridors as she searched the crowd for Lucius or someone who might be able to help her find him.
At last she found Kingsley Schacklebolt, surrounded by Aurors as he provided instruction and dispatched teams of people here and there.
"Kingsley - where are prisoners being taken?" she asked, gasping for breath and frantic from her search.
"Not now. Wilson - take all of the confiscated wands to the headmaster's office. Minerva said they could remain under lock and key there," he said, his voice authoritative and commanding even in his dismissal of her.
Hermione gaped at being ignored. She was used to people at school and Lucius in particular pausing to let her speak. Lucius, she knew, would not stand for this sort of dismissal.
"Kingsley Shacklebolt!" she said loudly, in her most authoritative tone, hoping that the seriousness of her voice and her best imperious Lucius Malfoy impression would be sufficient to overcome her youth and small stature.
The wizard who had become the leader of the Order following Dumbledore's death turned to stare at her, obviously surprised by her tone.
"I demand to know where captured Death Eaters are being taken. Now."
"Miss Granger, I do not have time for this, and I do not appreciate your tone."
"And I have a spy amongst Voldemort's inner circle who has been feeding information to us for months, and if he ends up in Azkaban because you're ignoring me, I promise you will regret it."
Threatening him probably wasn't the best option, but she was desperate and increasingly frantic. She did not know Kingsley well. She knew he was an Auror, that he was viewed by many to be a good man, a solid supporter of the light. She had heard he was good at his job. Tonks had worked with him before and had spoken highly of him. She'd also heard he was fair and thoughtful, and she hoped this would work in her advantage.
He raised an eyebrow at her. "Well? You have my attention Miss Granger. You have a spy?"
She glanced around at the people milling around them.
"Is there somewhere we can talk in private?"
~oOo~
They ended up in an empty classroom that was more or less intact from the battle.
"Now, just who is your spy?" he asked almost immediately.
"Lucius. Lucius… and Draco Malfoy."
She wasn't sure what Kingsley expected to hear, but it was clear from the shocked expression on his face that this certainly was not it.
"You cannot be serious. Lucius Malfoy is Voldemort's right-hand. You must be mistaken."
"I promise you, I am not, and I need to know where L-Mr. Malfoy has been taken."
He eyed her for a moment.
"Interesting choice of words - Mr. Malfoy. I take it that means that you are well aware that we've only captured one of the Malfoys. I don't suppose you know where the other two are, do you?" he asked, leaning against the professor's desk with his arms folded.
"So you do have Lucius Malfoy?" she asked a bit breathlessly.
"He and the other captured Death Eaters are being held in the dungeons until we can arrange transport to secure holding cells elsewhere."
"You have to let him go! He's been helping us!" she pressed.
He held up a hand to stop her. "First things first. Do you know where the other two members of the Malfoy family are?"
"I do. Narcissa Malfoy was killed in battle - by Voldemort himself. Apparently she lied to him in the Forbidden Forest and told him Harry was dead when she knew otherwise. I witnessed her death myself."
Kingsley's eyes widened in surprise at this news.
"I can provide a pensieve memory if necessary," she offered.
"I think you're going to have to do a lot more than that. You sound like a witch with quite a story to tell."
She watched in silence as he cast a patronus, sending a snowy lynx running off in search of Robards and Dawlish, names she recognised as part of the leadership in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
They sat in awkward silence, waiting until both wizards joined them in the room.
"Have you begun transporting prisoners to the Ministry holding cells yet?" Kingsley asked. He'd rummaged through the professor's desk to find parchment, ink, and quills and was clearly prepared to take notes.
"Not yet sir. DMLE asked us to hold while they secure the Ministry and prepare a space."
"So Lucius Malfoy is still locked in the dungeons?" Kingsley asked.
Robards and Dawlish exchanged glances. "Yes sir. We've been unable to locate Draco or Narcissa Malfoy."
"According to Miss Granger, Narcissa Malfoy is dead," Kingsley said flatly before turning to Hermione.
"Where is Draco Malfoy?"
She swallowed hard. "He's in a secure location, a safe house of sorts. He took an emergency portkey with his mother's body."
"And you saw this as well?"
"I did. He was a wreck. He'd just watched his mother be murdered in front of him, and he was in no condition to be in the midst of a battle."
"I see."
He studied her for a long moment, and Hermione wanted to curl in on herself. She took a steadying breath to make sure her occlumency shields were solid, but she could feel no intrusion in her mind.
"I was aware that the Order had a spy. Sirius received information he said was from Harry and his friends. He said you were in contact with someone but never would reveal who. You have to admit though Miss Granger, that the idea that one of the staunchest advocates of blood supremacy is a spy for the light and has passed information through a muggleborn does stretch the bounds of credulity."
"And yet, stranger things have happened, I'm sure," she pushed out, beginning to grow impatient. Lucius could have been injured. He could be suffering right now. He needed her, and she had no time to debate with Kingsley.
"Have a seat and tell us everything you know."
"Right now?"
"Right now."
A million thoughts raced through her head at the idea of telling her story to Kingsley and the others. She and Lucius had not discussed this. They'd not been able to delve into the what-ifs and the possibilities of life after the war and make sure their stories were straight. What if she said the wrong thing? What if her details didn't match Lucius's? What if she ruined everything? Was it better to tell the truth about her affair with Lucius or stick to the story she'd created about Draco being her secret lover and spy?
She wished she could see Lucius. She had no doubt that he'd be occluding too well for her to glean any information from his face, but just seeing him would give her strength. She'd been unable to help herself from rushing to Harry, but what if it was all HER fault that Lucius was captured? She should have stayed by his side, she should have done something more to protect him.
"Miss Granger, you demanded this meeting, and as you can imagine, we are all very busy right now. If you please…" Kingsley's voice interrupted her spiraling thoughts.
She could do this. She had to do this.
Hermione took a seat and took a deep breath.
It was time to tell her story.
~oOo~
The story came out in fits and starts, and it was perhaps not the most eloquent tale she'd ever told. She told them that she'd had a secret relationship with Draco Malfoy, and that he'd confided in her that he and his father had been forced into service to Voldemort against their will, that they both feared for their lives, and that as a means of aiding Harry and the Order, they'd passed information to her that she in turn shared with members of the Order of the Phoenix, leading to the capture or death of numerous Death Eaters.
She tried, as much as possible, to tell the truth, for the truth was always easier to remember than lies. Kingsley was less interested in her personal relationship and wanted details about the information the Malfoys shared, and Hermione was thankful for her excellent memory as she recited as many details as she could recall. She also told them how the Malfoy family had provided her, Harry, and Ron with food and supplies whilst they were on the run, after the Death Eaters invaded Grimmauld Place. She told them how she'd had access to Malfoy family resources to help locate Voldemort's horcruxes, including a hair from Bellatrix Lestrange that the trio had used to break into her vault and steal Helga Hufflepuff's cup.
She managed to keep most of her emotions in check until she came to the retelling of the battle they'd just survived. Her hands and her voice shook as she spoke, despite the odd numbness that had taken over her body. There were looks of disbelief as she spoke of being subjected to the cruciatus curse and how Lucius had saved her from certain death by killing Bellatrix Lestrange.
One of the wizards Kingsley had summoned spoke up then.
"You were subjected to the cruciatus, from Bellatrix Lestrange, and you're still upright?" he asked incredulously.
"Lucius dosed me with pepper-up potion and a pain potion that he said had been designed by Professor Snape to help lessen the impact of the curse. And, well, the adrenaline from the battle and everything that was happening… I'm not sure how I'll be when it wears off."
"Malfoy killed her? Killed Lestrange? You saw this? You're certain she's dead?"
She barked out a laugh in response. "Her corpse landed on top of me, sir. And yes, she's really dead."
Kingsley opened his mouth to respond and then closed it, clearly still in shock from her story. Instead he turned to the two wizards.
"Go get Malfoy. I want to talk to him."
Hermione was still seated at a desk in the classroom when one of the men returned with Lucius, and it took every ounce of self-control she had not to fling herself at him and hug him tightly. He was still in his Death Eater robes and had magical shackles on his wrists. He had a scrape on his face, but he looked otherwise unharmed, if a bit disheveled.
"Miss Granger," he said in a genial tone.
"Mr. Malfoy," she said back softly, unsure how he wanted to play this. She hoped and prayed that by calling her 'Miss Granger' he was signaling that he understood what she would surely do, that she would stick with the lie she'd initially told Harry until they'd had a chance to figure out something else.
She looked up into his striking grey-blue eyes and tried to will him to somehow read her mind. She wished fervently that he was as good a legilimens as Dumbledore had been, for it would have been damned useful in that moment.
"Miss Granger has told us quite the story about you. I'd like to hear your version." Kingsley's voice told Hermione that he still had doubts, and that had her stomach in knots.
Lucius merely glanced her way, raising an eyebrow at her as the corner of his mouth turned up in the slightest of smirks. "Indeed."
"Miss Granger, if you'll wait outside, please…"
She was unceremoniously cast out of the room and unable to eavesdrop as they cast a silencing charm immediately. She could only pace nervously and hope for the best.
What if Kingsley didn't believe them? What if Lucius's story was vastly different from her own? What if they arrested him anyway? Should she be trying to find Lucius's wand? Presumably it had been stripped from him by the Aurors, and she'd heard something about them being under lock and key in the headmaster's office. She'd been in there earlier with Harry, and perhaps she could go back and…
Harry.
Tears formed in her eyes at the reminder of Harry's collapse and how it had only been a short time ago that they'd stood together in Dumbledore's former office, trying to digest everything Snape had shared with them in his dying moments. Surely he was going to be just fine. St. Mungo's had some of the best healers in the magical world, or so she'd heard, and they would probably dose him with all manner of potions and make him rest, and he'd be just fine.
Hermione shook her head. She couldn't let herself think about Harry right now, not when Lucius needed her. She needed to focus on the present. What would Lucius want her to do right now?
Her bracelet took her to the lodge, but she knew the address of the townhouse in Kensington. Should she go to Draco if they refused to release Lucius? Or had Lucius set it up as a safe house for Draco to be in only temporarily? Was he going to flee if he didn't hear from his father by a certain time?
She did not know how long she waited outside that classroom-turned-interrogation-room. It was long enough that she grew weary of pacing, long enough that she cast a cushioning charm on the stone and slumped down onto the floor, long enough that her eyelids were starting to droop, and she was worried that she might pass out on the floor.
At last, the door creaked open, and Hermione leapt to her feet as an Auror ushered her back into the room.
Her attention went straight to Lucius, who was seated in a chair and looked a bit disheveled. His eyes were red-rimmed, almost as if he'd… cried? Surely not. His eyes met hers then, and she saw the concern on his face.
"You should be in the infirmary," he said quietly. "Why are you not?"
"I'm… I'm not injured. I'm fine."
"You were tortured with the cruciatus curse. You're not fine," he said flatly.
She ignored him for the time being, more concerned about freeing him than she was her own physical needs.
"Kingsley, can… I mean, you're not going to arrest him, are you?"
Kingsley was still seated behind the professor's desk, and he looked as if he'd aged over the course of the night. He rubbed his eyes for a moment and then looked down at the stacks of parchment.
"I will need to speak to Draco Malfoy."
"Absolutely not." Lucius's tone was ice. "My wife is dead. My son just witnessed his mother's murder. He is not yet aware of the torture Miss Granger endured at the hands of his aunt. At this moment, he is alone with his mother's body. He is in no condition to be interrogated."
"And yet his… paramour…is still here, despite surviving a cruciatus curse," one of the Auror said rudely.
Hermione did not like his tone.
"Draco knew I would not leave until the battle was over," she said coldly. "Harry needed me."
"As I have already explained, we had no opportunity to tell Draco of Miss Granger's experience, as the Dark Lord intervened and cursed my wife for the aid she provided to Potter. My primary concern was protecting my family. Miss Granger had the opportunity and means to leave but chose to stay. I will ensure that Draco is available to you, but I will not drag him back here to be interrogated or detained for future questioning."
Kingsley eyed Lucius for a long moment. "What would you have us do then?"
Lucius sighed heavily, looking very tired to her eyes.
"Permit me to see to what is left of my family. Draco and I are prepared to give extensive interviews regarding the inner workings of the Dark Lord's organisation. I will provide names, dates, verification of everything I've shared with you here, as will Draco. Miss Granger will be available for further questioning as well, will you not?"
Lucius glanced over at her then.
"Yes, of course," she said automatically.
"And why should we trust you?" one of the Aurors asked in a sneering tone that was obviously directed at Lucius.
Lucius tipped his head back and looked up at the ceiling as he sighed, an annoyed expression on his face.
"Because, Robards, if I wanted to flee, I could have done so ages ago."
"You chose to stay until the battle's end."
"Yes," Lucius said slowly, as if explaining something to a child. "But I've also got a portkey on my person, and I do not require a wand to activate it. I could vanish in seconds, even with these handcuffs on, which by the way, are not terribly difficult for a house elf to remove."
This pronouncement caused an obvious bit of consternation for Kingsley and his Aurors, and Hermione took a bit of enjoyment at the way they stammered and panicked.
"I am here because I want to be here. The Dark Lord is dead. Potter has vanquished him, just as prophesied. Even if you believe I stayed merely to see the outcome of the battle, then know that I am here, this moment, speaking to you because I CHOOSE to do so. I had and still have the means to leave at any moment - as does Miss Granger, I might add," he drawled, shooting her a conspiratorial look.
Kingsley looked exasperated.
"Is this true?" he demanded of her.
She glanced at Lucius before replying. "Yes, it's true. Draco and Mr. Malfoy ensured that we had means to leave."
"I do believe the Aurors carry emergency portkeys as well. There's nothing illegal about that," Lucius said pointedly.
"Yes, but-"
Lucius cut off the Auror before turning back to Kingsley.
"You and I both know sorting out all of this," - and here he waved his bound hands as if gesturing to the battle-worn castle and its inhabitants - "is going to be a bloody nightmare."
The grim look on Kingsley's face spoke volumes.
"You need me, and we both know it. I know who the Dark Lord controlled in the Ministry, who spied for him, who actively supported him inside and outside of the Ministry, as well as who his international backers were. I will name names, and I will support your investigations and provide evidence."
"You think people will trust the word of a Death Eater? You yourself said you were You-Know-Who's right-hand man," Robards pointed out.
Lucius's mouth twisted in a hint of a smile, but his eyes were cold as he stared down the other wizards.
"I've not just helped Miss Granger by funneling information to the Order. I've kept records. Detailed records. Names, dates, locations, Galleons moved here and there."
He paused, letting his words sink in. Hermione was floored. She supposed she should have considered that he would do something like this, but in the chaos of the hunt for horcruxes, it hadn't really crossed her mind. Of course he would not just rely on his word or even his memories in a pensieve! The Ministry and those who doubted him would want proof, and he was so smart to collect it!
"I am willing to provide evidence, but I will not allow my son to wither away in a holding cell whilst the Ministry sorts itself out. Nor am I willing to sit useless in a cell as the Dark Lord's surviving devoted followers make their escape and are free to attack vulnerable individuals – like Miss Granger," he said icily.
The air was thick with tension as Kingsley considered Lucius's words. Hermione wished she knew what the Order leader was thinking and what it meant for Lucius's freedom. It wasn't as if she stood a chance against three trained Aurors if Lucius's offer was refused. There was no hope of dueling the three wizards when Lucius was wandless and in handcuffs. No, surely Lucius would have to use his portkey to escape, and then she'd likely have to do the same, and what then? Would he be a wanted criminal? Would she be accused of aiding and abetting him? Would they flee?
Lucius glanced over at her then, and she tried to tamp down on her nervous thoughts and remain calm.
After what felt like an eternity, Kingsley stood then, his wand in hand.
"I will agree to release you - for now - but I require an oath that you will return for questioning. And I will require one with Draco as well. So wherever he is, you will retrieve him and bring him back here as well."
Lucius stood then and raised an eyebrow at Kingsley. "My oath first. I do believe one of your Aurors has absconded with my wand."
He held his bound hands toward Hermione, without taking his eyes from Kingsley.
"Miss Granger, may I have use of yours for this oath whilst Kingsley sends someone to retrieve mine?"
She hesitated for just a moment, long enough for him to give her a look she knew meant business. She extended her wand to him, handle facing out toward him.
"Yes, of course, sir," she said quietly.
He took it from her and gave it an experimental wave. Blue sparks shimmered as he did so, and a smile crossed his face.
"This is certainly an acceptable match. More so, perhaps even than Draco's wand. What is your wand core?" he asked.
"Dragon heartstring."
"Indeed? As is my own. Interesting, isn't it?" he mused.
His action caused obvious surprise in the Aurors, as they'd clearly not expected Hermione to hand her wand over to a Death Eater, or for Lucius to accept it and declare it a good fit.
"Well now. Shall we then?" he asked Kingsley.
Hermione watched in silence as the tips of their wands touched, generating a white glow as they both cast.
"Promitto."
"I, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, promise to deliver my evidence of Death Eater activity to Kingsley Shacklebolt when requested. I promise that I will return for further questioning regarding the activities of the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters at a future date and time as agreed to by the Ministry or DMLE. I promise that I will retrieve my son, Draco Lucius Malfoy, tonight to be bound in a similar oath to Kingsley Shacklebolt. This I swear on my magic."
A shimmer of white magic poured from Hermione's wand and wrapped itself around the two wizards.
"I, Kingsley Ifa Shacklebolt, promise to release Lucius Malfoy from arrest at the conclusion of this oath and to notify the Aurors and other staff of the DMLE that the Malfoy family is cooperating with our investigation and should not be arrested, provided that Lucius Malfoy does indeed cooperate with the investigation and turns over his evidence of Death Eater activity."
Another shimmer of white magic came from Kingsley's wand.
"And should we be arrested?" Lucius prompted, arching an eyebrow at the Order leader.
Hermione thought Kingsley looked annoyed, but she was happy that Lucius was wise enough to consider contingencies.
"Should Lucius or Draco Malfoy be arrested for their roles as Death Eaters or in support of Voldemort, I will do my best to have them freed as quickly as possible. This I swear on my magic."
A third shimmer of magic came from Kingsley's wand, surrounding the two wizards. They both paused, and she wondered if they were waiting for the other to add another condition to their mutual oath.
"So mote it be," Lucius said quietly. Kingsley followed, repeating the same words. The shimmer of white magic that surrounded them settled onto both wizards and faded away, the magical promise seeping into them both.
Kingsley used his wand to free Lucius, who handed her wand back to her with a hint of a smile before he rubbed his wrists where the magical handcuffs had pressed into his skin.
"Now, as soon as Robards returns with your wand, I expect you to get Draco," Kingsley said sharply.
~oOo~
The first lights of dawn were appearing over the mountains beyond the Black Lake by the time a distraught Draco returned to Hogwarts, entered into a magical agreement with Kingsley, and the trio finished their conversation with the Aurors.
Whilst they'd kept their promise of not interrogating Draco, they had asked him preliminary questions as a means of confirming Lucius and Hermione's stories before Kingsley entered into the oath with him. She was relieved that Lucius must have stressed for Draco the need to keep up the pretense of a relationship with her, although she could have done without the shaky hug Draco had pulled her into when he'd first returned with his father. Still, she'd do it all over again if it meant ensuring Lucius's freedom.
It was clear the light was keen to capture and arrest as many of Voldemort's supporters as possible, as quickly as possible, and so despite the magical oaths, conversation between the men continued through the wee hours of the morning. She was in awe of how her lover had deftly handled the meeting with Shacklebolt and his top lieutenants. Lucius had laid out in detail how he'd helped the Order, deliberately sabotaging missions and providing the information that led to the capture or death of some of Voldemort's inner circle. She listened with rapt attention as he explained how he'd returned to Voldemort's side to protect his family, and how he and Draco had worked behind the scenes to eliminate some of the worst of Voldemort's followers, among them Dolohov and the Lestrange brothers - and how he was willing to work with the Aurors to round up some of the worst of the worst still out there after the battle. He explained that there were others, like him, who had not been willing supporters, and he wanted Kingsley's assurance that these wizards and witches would not automatically be sent to Azkaban, especially if they would aid in the capture of their more zealous and dangerous colleagues. She had a feeling from the looks exchanged between the Aurors that several of the people they'd arrested would end up released very soon.
Hermione was so exhausted by the time they left the classroom that she was practically dead on her feet, but she felt enormous relief at the knowledge that she had helped Lucius broker a deal with the de facto leader for the victorious light.
Following their meeting and their parting of ways with the Aurors, Draco left in the hopes of finding Blaise Zabini and Greg Goyle, with a promise to meet back up with them in the Great Hall. Once alone, Lucius pulled Hermione into an alcove and into a tight embrace.
"It's really over," she whispered into his dust-stained, wrinkled robes.
"Yes, it really is," he said quietly, resting his chin on top of her head. "At least, this portion of it anyway."
"It feels surreal."
"Yes."
He cupped her face and tilted her head back so she gazed up at him. "My brave, cunning little witch. You were wise to go to Shacklebolt."
"What happened? How were you captured?" she asked.
"In the chaos after Potter fell, it wasn't difficult. I was watching you, not focused on escape. In any case, it was pointless to fight."
"Why?" she asked, knowing about his ability to portkey away.
"I wasn't planning to leave here without you, nor was I keen on the notion of leaving with the possibility of arrest and imprisonment hanging over my head. I had hoped you and I could broker some sort of agreement with the Order of the Phoenix, and here we are."
"They could have taken you directly to Azkaban!" she pushed out in frustration, her fear for him coming back to the surface now that they were discussing it.
"And if they'd tried I truly would have used the portkey and made arrangements to bring you to me elsewhere."
"You have a plan for everything, don't you?"
"Not everything," he admitted. "But I do try to prepare as best I can. It's saved my life before."
She was silent for a moment, tiredness creeping back into her bones as she held onto him.
"What do you wish to do now, pet?"
She pulled back enough to look up at him.
"I...I don't know. I… sleep. I need sleep. And a hot bath, and food. And after that, I'm not sure," she admitted. "I need to check on my friends. And Harry."
Her voice broke at his name. Harry. Dear, sweet, brilliant Harry, who had defeated the darkest wizard of their time and was now injured and at St. Mungo's.
"Yes, yes of course you do, but pet, it's really not safe," he said diplomatically. "I know you are a capable, indeed fearsome, witch, but you also have a very large target on your pretty head."
"I've had a target on my head for months now."
"Yes, but as your role in bringing down the Dark Lord is more widely known, any escaped Death Eaters and sympathizers will be out for blood. It would be in your best interest to lie low for some time."
She frowned. "I can't just disappear, Lucius. There's so much work to be done now that Voldemort is truly dead and gone."
"There is, but the weight of the wizarding world does not have to rest on your shoulders. I did not help you survive this war, only to lose you in the aftermath."
His words sent a thrill of happiness through her at the knowledge that he cared about her.
"What would have me do?" she asked with a sigh.
"Come home with me, to Malfoy Manor, or to the lodge. If you must travel, we can make arrangements for that, but Hermione, you've devoted your childhood to helping the Chosen One fulfill his destiny. Harry will receive the best possible care at St. Mungo's, and he has his godfather. It's time to let me take care of you."
"That sounds lovely," she admitted, "But you have obligations. You just promised to help Kingsley round up the remaining Death Eaters."
"Yes, and much of that contribution will be informational and financial. I am not an Auror, nor do I have any plans to be. My main priorities are you and Draco."
"Draco just lost his mother."
"Yes, he did, and he will grieve. Despite her faults, Narcissa loved our son – I do not doubt that. He was not as close to her as he is to me, but she was his mother, and he will feel that loss acutely and will need time. I will fulfill my duties as a husband and give my wife a burial suitable for the Lady Malfoy, and I will behave publicly as befits a widower. It is only proper and what is expected of me. I may not have loved Narcissa, but I will not dishonour her in death."
"But?" she asked.
"But in the privacy of my home, I can be with you and be happy, and you can take the time you need to recuperate and nourish your body and your mind, pet."
He rubbed his hands supportively up and down her arms, and Hermione wanted to weep at the simple comfort she felt at being cared for after so many weeks and months of being responsible for so very much.
He leaned in then and pressed his lips gently to hers. The kiss was chaste but so very comforting.
"Let me take you home."