Disclaimer: Yea…we all know the only thing that is mine is Kuro.
A/N: Okay…sorry this took a while. I had computer issues and then I wanted to finish the last chapter of Dark Angel…just the epilogue left now. Oh yea, one more thing. I understand not everyone is going to like Kuro...I knew that going into this, but if someone else suggests I KILL him again (keep in mind Kuro is my baby...my creation) then I guarantee a slow painful death to Lucius Malfoy. Okay...over my psycho moment. Don't forget to review!
Chapter Five
Dirty Little Secret
Everyone has their obsessions…desires that keep you going. For Severus Snape it was Lily Potter in life and death. For the Dark Lord it was purifying the wizarding world and then Harry Potter. This proved to be both their downfalls. Lord Voldemort met his end at the tip of his obsession's wand and Severus Snape turned into a sniveling little daddy-want-to-be to a girl that he has no relation to all because she reminded him of what could have been if he had made the right choices from the beginning. Yes, everyone has a dirty little secret.
Even Lucius Malfoy.
Lucius Malfoy's dirty little secret was currently standing before him, eyes boring into him hoping for an answer to her question.
"What aren't you and Severus telling me? Who is it exactly that's after me?"
A strand of hair with a mind of its own fell from its binding falling across her face. She didn't blink at the disturbance. Her eyes searched him hoping for some semblance of righteousness within him. Lucius looked down his nose at her hoping his son would walk back in the house, as he was currently sitting on the veranda watching what was happening in the house with a hint of amusement in his smirk. Lucius took a deep breath and looked away.
This young woman was everything Lucius Malfoy hated. She represented what the Dark Lord was trying to eradicate…what Lucius felt shouldn't be allowed, wasn't good enough to be allowed in the wizarding world. He followed the Dark Lord blindly believing he was the champion of pure-bloods. It wasn't until his son bore the Dark Mark did Lucius swear never to follow another…he was no follower. And yet in his desperate attempt to ensure the safety of what was left of his family, Lucius found himself following another…forced to protect this Mudblood.
"Please, Mr. Malfoy. You claim to be one of the good guys now. Please don't hide these things from me! I have a right to know!"
Lucius slowly turned his eyes back on her. That strand of hair still hung down in her face. Lucius reached out gently tugging that loose strand of hair and tucking it behind her ear. He felt her freeze at the intimate contact. He smiled, almost evilly.
"Ah…Miss Granger," he said as his hand moved down her jaw line and took hold of her chin, making sure she could not look away. Yes, she represented everything he stood against, but he was still unjustifiably drawn to her like a fly to honey.
"I never said I was one of the good guys."
Yes, Lucius Malfoy had his very own dirty little secret.
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Rabastan looked around nervously. The tree offered shelter and he hoped hid him and Dolohov from any within the house. Dolohov pushed his dirty blond hair out of his eyes and looked around as well.
"You're sure Monogatari isn't here?"
Rabastan rolled his eyes.
"I told you he went to his mother's house…something about a stone."
Silence descended upon them again. Dolohov leaned against the tree, his hands in his pockets.
"Are we sure about this," he asked. "If Monogatari finds out we are procuring a different leader…"
Rabastan's head whipped around to glare at Dolohov.
"Unless you plan on informing Monogatari he will never know…not until he's supposed to. We can't continue like this and you know it. He was meant to carry on what the Dark Lord started, but he is not. He is obsessed with that little Mudblood. It seems he would sooner snog her than kill her. He is not concentrating on a purified society, running amok at nightfall to stalk her like his prey. That is not our leader. Our leader still believes in a pure society…"
Dolohov held his hand up in a gesture of defeat.
"Alright…alright…settle down. It was just a question, Rabastan."
Silently they turned to look out into the night waiting for their true leader to arrive.
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Night had fallen. The house was silent. She sat on the floor in the dark of the main room, forehead leaning against the cool glass of the window. The ocean was nothing more than a dark shadow against the horizon. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Nothing was the same.
She wasn't the same.
During the day she gave all appearances of the pre-war Hermione, though she had her suspicions that Draco knew better. When night fell and the house slept, her mask fell. She opened her eyes not wishing to see the visions that invaded her when she closed them. How she longed for a Dreamless Sleep Potion.
In her hand she held a letter from Ron, as short as it was. She took a deep breath. How would she find it in her to tell him she was not the same girl that launched herself into his arms? Perhaps she wouldn't need to; he wasn't the same either. No one was.
Then the thought crossed her mind…the same thought she had every night. If she had kept out of the wizarding world would her father be alive today? She smiled sardonically. Then who would fight for the House Elves and anyone or anything else that deserved the same rights as wizards? She missed the simple days of S.P.E.W. and her desperate attempts to accumulate followers for her cause.
Perhaps she needed a new project to take her mind off current worries and memories…to occupy her ever contemplating mind.
She sensed him nearby. She turned her head to find a steaming cup of hot cocoa being held down in front her. Draco's offering. She reached out taking the mug with an appreciative smile on her face. Draco sat down with his own cup, leaning his back against the massive window.
"Doubting your right to be in the wizarding world?"
Hermione looked up in shock at Draco Malfoy. Had he read her mind? He had a smirk on his face.
"So predictable," he said taking a sigh.
"You are a brilliant witch and I hated you for it. But a witch you are even if you leave." Draco looked back over his shoulder at the night and then back to Hermione. "You can't run away from who you are. Besides, the wizarding world needs someone to fight for House Elves and what not and what would father do if he didn't have you to fight with?"
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He stood before the table lay with black silk. The stones lay across the silk…little gems in the dark…one for each of them. His dark eyes fell to his stone…the only opal on the table. An ambiguous stone in meaning, luck, and history. He was deep in the house...in the darkness the lower recesses of the old house had to offer. Up above he knew the Keeper of the Stones, his grandmother was preparing a dish to his liking. She always did.
But the stone…his opal. He reached out his long fingers, gently lifting it from its silky home. His mother had received word of the stone and sent him the message. His grandmother was expecting him. He enclosed the stone in the palm of his hand. It burned like fire. He closed his eyes and it was as if he was hit with an unseen force—strong enough to knock him back a couple of steps.
And in his vision he saw her…just as he thought…just as he felt…it was Hermione Granger.
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Lucius watched the young woman laugh into her hot cocoa. He stood on a long stretch of landing that looked down into the main room. Hermione's penchant for darkness at night helped him maintain his cover. He leaned slightly on the balustrade watching her every movement. She was smiling at something his son had said as she tucked some stray hairs behind her ear.
He could see the dark circles under her eyes.
What was it about her? Something drew him to her. There was no justifiable reason for it. It angered him and the more it angered and irritated him the more he took it out on her…loving the way her cheeks would flush when she would argue with him. His forehead crinkled in irritation at the thought. She represented everything he was against. Still, here he stood watching her from the dark shadows of the upper level floor.
Then he remembered. Lucius Malfoy was forced to protect her…to watch over her. That was his job and his Unbreakable Vow may have created some strange bond with the girl. Or so he hoped. He knew better, but at this point he was reaching. After all, he was at a point in his life where he no longer knew who he was, only what he wasn't and he wasn't a follower…he would never again become another mindless sycophant.
His son…his son looked happy though. He currently sat back to back with Hermione Granger, her head resting in the middle of his shoulder blades.
"Sometimes I wish we could start over," he heard her whisper.
Draco turned his head slightly to get the best look he could of her.
Lucius sneered at the whispered words of the Mudblood. Start over? Whatever for? What did she really think would change if they all had a do over? She would still be a Mudblood. Lucius looked closer at his son's face though…something was different with Draco just as something was different with Lucius. Hermione's bittersweet smile was almost heartbreaking. She was trapped in a house, her house, with two men she always knew to hate her. She was not placed in hiding with either of her closest friends, but alone with those she thought to be enemies. Of course the girl would be reaching out for a friend…even if it was Draco Malfoy.
"Start over," Draco asked unsure by what she meant.
He felt her nod her head.
"How different would things have been if we had been friends from the start?"
The corner of Draco's mouth turned up in a slight smirk.
"Friends," he asked. "Me and Potter? I don't think we will ever really be friends," Draco said while shaking his head.
"No, Draco."
The sound of his name caused Draco to stop laughing and turn again to try to see her.
"I was talking about you and me."
They were silent for a moment. Lucius used that moment to make his presence known.
"Miss Granger, I do believe you require sleep like any other person."
Hermione and Draco both looked up in the direction of Lucius' voice. Lucius saw the slight fear in her eyes. She was very adamant about someone being in her room while she slept. Enough so that going there at night scared her. Her large eyes blinked as she looked up at him, pleading to not be forced to that room. His grey eyes seemed to pierce her, not giving her a choice. Draco stood up.
"Don't fight too loudly with him. I want some sleep."
Her eyes flickered only momentarily to Draco as he ascended the stairs. Draco paused at the top of the stairs and looked over at his father. There was a reason Lord Voldemort had strict orders to keep any and all forms of fire whiskey from Lucius Malfoy's grasp. Lucius Malfoy had always had a strange reaction to fire whiskey. It appeared to subdue his cruelty leaving in its place a nurturing tender Lucius. Yes, the thought was enough to put Draco into a fit of unbelievable giggles, but he had been witness to such a reaction. It was with this in mind that Draco appeared slightly worried as he stepped into his room hoping he really didn't see that fire whiskey in his father's hand.
Hermione didn't move. She remained there on the floor, leaning against the window with her legs drawn up to her chest. The only movement was her eyes as they followed Lucius down the stairs. Something was off about him. She couldn't explain it exactly. He descended the stairs and stood before her, looking down his nose as he so often did.
"Come along, Miss Granger."
He stepped back waiting for her to stand. He took a sip from his glass and looked back down at her.
"Would you prefer it if I sit in your room; stand guard so you can sleep?"
Hermione stood up slowly eyeing Lucius with no concealed amount of curiosity. This was Lucius Malfoy wasn't it? Lucius rolled his eyes as he took another sip of his drink.
"Miss Granger, Severus and the rest of the Order I have no doubt would personally see to my demise if anything happened to you at my hand. As you know I was in Slytherin. That mere fact should enlighten you some to my motivation for this offer. I always come first…it is beneficial to me to keep you happy and safe."
Hermione's mouth opened slightly in nothing short of awe at the audacity the older Malfoy had to say such a thing to her.
"Is that supposed to make me feel better," she asked as she stepped passed him catching the whiff of fire whiskey residing in his glass.
Lucius knew she really didn't require an answer to that question…it was more rhetorical than literal. He followed behind her only stopping momentarily at the liquor cabinet to refill his glass. Hermione didn't turn around to look; the clinking sound of glass on glass told Hermione what he was doing. Was she supposed to feel more secure with a sauced up Lucius Malfoy hanging out by her bedside like he cared for her well being?
Hermione settled down beneath the covers of her bed. Lucius sat in the window seat in her room. Hermione closed her eyes hoping for sleep without the mutinous images she wished to forget. The silence of the house was interrupted by the slight thud of the glass Lucius drank from being placed on her desk near the window. As she drifted off to sleep Hermione couldn't help but to wonder if Lucius had the decency to use a coaster beneath the glass.
Lucius Malfoy watched her sleep, his mind muddled with thoughts of the young woman. How had he gotten himself into such a situation? He made an Unbreakable Vow to prove his worth…to prove he had changed…to stay out of Azkaban. He turned his head slightly, looking out the window.
What was it she saw out there? What was frightening her so? No one had told her about Monogatari Kuro, but it was like she sensed the danger. No, not sensed it. Not exactly anyway. She spoke of seeing something as well. Was it him? And if it was why hadn't he taken off with her? Why was he able to get in? There were so many questions and so many of the answers really depended on the stability of the witness' mental state. Was Hermione Granger up to par?
The quiet sounds of a soft whimper pulled at something in Lucius causing him to turn back to look at the young woman. He was regretting drinking the fire whiskey. Nothing good could come from him drinking the fire whiskey and then being placed in a room with a whimpering young woman he already felt a pull toward.
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There was no doubt who had control when Monogatari Kuro stepped into a room. Simply being demanded attention. The large doors of the Romanesque style mansion opened seemingly on their own accord. He walked in, his presence demanding all in the room to stop and pay attention. He tossed his cloak off, someone rushed over to quickly take it and hang it up.
Kuro stepped slowly into the room…eyes scanning those Death Eaters that lingered in the main hall. Some were just passing through, but had stopped upon his entrance. He looked so calm. Everyone was silent watching Kuro waiting for what was to come whether it is instructions or recrimination for something done in his absence. The echoing sound of footsteps approaching the room drew Kuro's attention to one of the hallways off the main room.
The vampire with the dark hair and glasses entered with papers in one hand and pushing his glasses up with another. He glanced around at the still and silent Death Eaters with a smirk of pride and amusement on his face. Kuro watched his approach recognizing the need to talk.
"What is it, Chi?"
Chi handed the papers to Kuro.
"Latest intelligence says she will be out of the house Friday night."
Kuro looked down at the papers and noticed some were pictures of his Hermione. The corner of his lips turned up in a crooked smile as his eyes looked up at the onlookers.
"You are not needed yet," he said to them and watched as they began to scurry from the room.
Kuro hadn't moved yet though. His eyes moved to Rabastan and Dolohov standing in the corner. Bringing his head up so that he was nearly sticking his nose in the air he called out to halt one of the Death Eaters from escaping.
"Dolohov," he said almost too quietly to be heard.
Everyone, even those that were leaving the room stopped and watched the vampire slowly approach the well known Death Eater. Kuro was so calm though. He approached Rabastan and Dolohov. He smiled at Dolohov and then at Rabastan right before suddenly grabbing Dolohov by the throat and shoving him against the wall. The cracking sound of his head on the wall was almost sickening sounding, but it didn't seem to faze Dolohov too much.
"I won't tolerate traitors," Kuro said calmly.
Fear was clear in Dolohov's eyes. How had he known? Dolohov frantically clawed at Kuro's hand, but it did nothing.
"Please," Dolohov choked out. "You were to continue where the Dark Lord left off. That Mudblood was and still is an enemy. She is what we want to get rid of…her and those like her…"
Dolohov felt the hand tighten around his throat and then felt his back scrape against the wall as he was raised off his feet. He was pinned to the wall by his throat, kicking, and clawing at Kuro's hand, fighting for air. The calm look was gone from Kuro's face replaced with hatred as he looked up at Dolohov from the top of his eyes. Those not even close by backed away.
"I will help you complete your lord's work, but she is not to be touched."
Dolohov's choking words barely came out audible.
"B...but she stopped the Dark Lord's plans…she s…saved Snape…"
Kuro's hand tightened, stopping Dolohov's ability to speak at all.
"She is not to be touched! I can not remove her from her house and you idiots can't find the house. She is the key…my key and she will come to me…unharmed."
With a swift motion Dolohov went flying across the room and through a large window that looked to be stained glass. The sound of the shattering glass as Dolohov's body went through it echoed in the large room. No one spoke. Kuro was fuming. Everyone could see it.
"DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE A PROBLEM?"
He spit the words out with such vehemence that anyone with a problem would be a fool to say such. The room at large took another step back. Kuro looked back at the still and almost lifeless body of Dolohov outside the house. Despite the visible proof of his upset, Kuro spoke calmly as he turned to Rabastan.
"Lestrange, repair the window and think about what I've said."
Chest still heaving in anger and upset, he turned to Chi.
"Chi, take care of Dolohov."
Chi smiled and pushed his glasses up his nose knowing very well what Kuro wanted him to do. Those blocking the main hallway separated to let Kuro through as he walked from the room with a slight swagger in his step…an odium look on every angle of his face. His footsteps echoed in that hallway as he made his way to his room…his Hermione room.
No one would hurt her…no one would threaten to hurt her without paying the deadly price.
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She felt warm. Not overly so, just pleasantly warm—as if arms were wrapped around her holding her close and protectively. She felt the warmth of the early morning sun rising up over the horizon peaking into her room on her face. With a pleasurably content moan she turned away from the sun, snuggling into the warmth that held her close.
Whatever it was tightened its hold of her, pulling her closer.
With a deep sigh, not really wanting to awaken, Hermione's eyelids fluttered open.
The warmth and those arms were not her imagination.
She was snuggled up against an actual person, face snuggled under the person's chin into his neck. She pulled back slightly and felt an immediate surge of panic when she noticed the sleeping Lucius Malfoy. The panic quickly subsided when she remembered what had happened to bring him into her bed.
She sat up straight in bed screaming.
Hermione didn't often scream in the night. Cry? Yes, since the end of the war. She often cried in her sleep, waking up with puffy red eyes. The fear was palpable. Everyone was dead, lying at her feet…including the Malfoys.
Lucius was still sitting in the window seat she had left him when she laid down to go to sleep. He was sitting up straight, put on guard by her sudden screams. She barely registered the empty glass on her desk, but she did wonder how many glasses he had already drank. His hair was tied back in its usual black tie. He leaned forward, standing up and walked to the side of the bed.
There was something off about him. She remembered thinking the same thing when she first went to bed, but it seemed exaggerated now. His face, normally so hard and stoic, seemed more gentle and worried.
"Bad dream?"
At his soft words she nodded her head. He took a deep breath and sat down on the bed.
"Do you require anything to help you go back to sleep?"
Hermione looked at him strangely.
"Stay here," was what she said.
She was curious about the gentle look on his face and how far that gentleness extended. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep with Lucius Malfoy sitting up in bed next to her reading some muggle literature book she had.
She stifled a giggle remembering the muggle literature. Her eyes drifted up from his chest, to his neck, to his chin, to his lips as she continued to observe the sleeping Lucius. She wondered if he would even remember how he got there. He looked so peaceful asleep. She found her self outright staring at him.
This was the man Severus trusted enough to protect her.
How could he be as evil as Harry and Ron still believed then? Could he really still believe her to be inferior because of her birth? She felt the desire to reach out and touch him, but feared waking him and what wrath would await her if she did.
She was already isolated from her friends…from her mother. The only company she had was Draco and Lucius Malfoy. Did she really want to make the company of one of those worse by him waking up and finding her next to him? No. The situation was bad enough without that. She squirmed and eased herself out of the bed with a sense of loss and regret lingering in the air around her.
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He was as taciturn as usual.
Hermione and Draco stepped out onto the veranda laughing as they placed several dishes on the table. Lucius scowled at the scene. He was still feeling disgruntled at the knowledge that when he woke up he was in Hermione Granger's bed. Thank Merlin she was no where to be found at the time. He sure didn't remember how he got there. And since when did his son become so…helpful with simple household stuff such as placing dishes on a table? What effect was this Mudblood having on his family?
Hermione sat down at the round table. As she placed her napkin in her lap, her eyes fell on Lucius and she could not stop the slight chuckle escaping her when her eyes landed on Lucius.
"Something amuses you, Miss Granger?"
Her laughing ceased immediately. Her head shot up from her plate to look at Lucius with the look of a deer caught in the headlights. She shook her head and looked back down into her plate. Lucius Malfoy really didn't remember how nurturing he was the night before. Stifling any subsequent laughter, she filed that information away for a later date.
Lucius sat there after breakfast listening to the insipid words of the Mudblood as she cleared the table. When it looked as if she was done speaking, he took a sip of his tea and as he moved to sit it back down on the saucer he looked from his son to her and answered her ever pressing question.
"No."
Her eyes narrowed onto the Malfoy. Draco shook his head slightly and sat back in his chair.
"In case you haven't noticed Mr. Malfoy, I am not a child. I was not asking your permission to attend the gathering on the beach Friday evening."
Lucius let her say what she was saying, allowing his anger to slowly simmer and boil. He vowed to protect her. How could he when she was impossible to control?
"Your actions say otherwise, Miss Granger. My job is to protect you and if doing so requires me to lock you in your room then I will do so."
It was like watching a tennis match. Draco looked from one to the other as they argued. Hermione snorted at Lucius' words though.
"How would locking me in my room keep me safe? Or do you plan on snuggling me to death in there?"
Draco's pumpkin juice sprayed from his mouth at those words.
Yep, his father had been drinking Fire Whisky the previous night.
With a disgusted look as Draco reminded her of Ron's bad habits, she handed him a towel to clean himself with.
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Lucius was no where to be found.
Hermione was thankful. His presence was confusing to her. Severus trusted him, obviously or he would not have sent Lucius to be her protector. Lucius wasn't one of the bad guys really or he wouldn't be there either. Why did he continue to treat her as an enemy? She wasn't being told something and she knew that.
She lay on a cute little backless sofa like seat that sat nestled on a part of the upper floor that overlooked the main room. She lay back with one leg hanging off the edge swinging back and forth as she thought. There would have to be information somewhere…information Lucius was given. The distant sound of computerized fighting told her without looking over the balustrade what Draco was doing.
She was going to find out though.
As quietly as she could she got up and tiptoed down the hall to Lucius' room. It was eerily silent as she pushed his bedroom door open. There was the lingering sent of his aftershave in the room. She took a deep breath berating herself for actually enjoying such a scent. It wasn't a huge room as this was not what she imagined Malfoy Manor would have to offer for rooms so how long could it possibly take to find anything?
Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked around the room. Where was he anyway and what would he do if he caught her snooping around? She shook her head deciding not think about it and then questioning how big of an influence Harry and Ron had been on her life. Pushing that aside for later observation and contemplation she went from one corner to the other looking in the closet, drawers, and pockets of clothes. She would leave no stone unturned.
She moved from one set of clothing to the next and one drawer to the next. She tried to open one drawer, but found it wouldn't budge. Tucking a stray hair behind her ear she pulled out her wand. With a swish she recognized the charms and wards that had been placed on the drawer.
Did Lucius Malfoy not know that would make his hiding place obvious?
It took her maybe five minutes to break through his wards and disable the charms. He really underestimated her ability. Her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest as she pulled the drawer open.
She nearly screamed.
Staring up at her, sitting on top of a set of familiar black robes was Lucius Malfoy's Death Eater mask.
It was like a reminder to Hermione. This is who Lucius was all her life in the wizarding world. So, who was he now? Would he be hiding the robes and mask from her though? Doubtful. It was no secret he bore that mask on more than one occasion.
It was something else.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she stuck her hand in the drawer shifting the Death Eater paraphernalia aside. It was just under the robe. She saw what looked like a muggle folder. She saw the name on the tab: Monogatari Kuro.
She quickly grabbed the folder, pulling it from the drawer. She had just closed the drawer back when a cold hand wrapped around the wrist of the hand holding the folder and another arm wrapped around her middle. With a deep frightful intake of breath, she closed her eyes in fright. She was trapped between the hard body of someone behind her and the low lying chest of drawers. She felt his breath on her neck as he moved her hair aside with nothing more than the caressing movement of his nose against her neck and whispered into her ear.
"Looking for something, Miss Granger?"
He felt her body shiver slightly against his as he spoke. Her warm eyes slowly opened peering at him through the mirror that hung behind the chest of drawers. His steely grey eyes danced over the image of them the mirror presented. Hermione suddenly found it hard to breath. She could suddenly feel every inch of skin where any part of Lucius touched. He was so nurturing the night before, but that was obviously an effect of alcohol. He was trusted with her safety, but his Death Eater uniform still sat in a drawer as if he cherished it. The confusion was overwhelming as a single tear slid down her cheek. She was everything he always hated and he was everything she always hated, but she felt drawn to him…drawn to Lucius Malfoy…and that was Hermione Granger's dirty little secret.
A/N: Okay…as I was re-reading prior to posting I got through the first paragraph and one line paragraph and had to call my mother: I sounded like the friggin Desperate Housewives narrator.
(shakes head)
Anyway, please don't forget to review.