Hello again! Sorry for the wait, I was planning to have this up last week, but, alas, shit happens. I considered going into how Lucius has changed, but, I hope that you all can adequately suspend any disbelief for now. Also, I'm not sure how I did with this 3rd person omniscient nonsense, drop me a line if it's unclear who is thinking etc.

Again, none of these characters are mine, all belong to the lovely JKR. I don't think she would quite approve of their post-book ah, adventures.

xxx LionLace

As dinner dragged on, the lively student chatter faded to a dull drone in Lucius Malfoy's ear. He sat at the end of the staff table, isolated despite Minerva's best efforts, and quietly finished his dinner. Two more hours. Standing up and pushing his chair back, he looked out over the sea of black hats, his eyes coming to rest on the Gryffindor table. I should look away before she catches my eye. I really should. He turned and strode out of the Great Hall, followed by a pair of brown eyes peeking over the top of a rather large book.

Lucius ran his hands through his hair as he walked towards his office, thinking. In fact, thinking hard enough that he ran right into a suit of armour.

"Oi, wotch it mate, I'm a valuable historical artifact, I am!"

"Oh yes, how foolish of me to collide with such a magnificent piece of history."

"That's right, foolish as can be."

The suit of armour straightened itself considerably, and, despite having no face, seemed to wear a rather proud expression.

"Enchanted nonsense." Lucius muttered as he opened the door to his office.

He sat down at his desk and leaned back, the chair squeaking slightly. He waited.

There was something about carrying a book-bag full to bursting with the contents of at least a third of the Hogwarts library. Hermione could have used her old purse, with the undetectable extension charm, but she felt oddly proud whenever she walked down the hall laden with books. She looked up from the utterly engrossing An Extensive History of Mind Altering Potions from 1950 – 1970, just in time to see Professor Malfoy striding away from the staff table. She turned her head to watch him leave, he seemed to be rather preoccupied by something. Returning to her book, she found herself unable to focus on the words, despite being in the midst of a chapter focusing the adulteration of potions with muggle drugs.

She was thinking about Lucius, Professor Malfoy, again. She didn't necessarily hate him, or, at least, she didn't think so. He seemed to have changed, or at least that's what the Daily Prophet would have her believe. Charitable donations, working with muggleborns, testimony against his former comrades, freeing house elves; all of it had been splashed across the front page at one time or another in the past year. Most of all, Hermione trusted the Headmistress. McGonagall would not have let him teach here if she didn't believe he was a reformed man. And he was cordial enough, even when I was late.

Hermione flushed at the memory. It was not just the embarrassment of walking in to the class late, but feeling his eyes on her. His unflinching gaze had made her stomach flip, she was not one for prolonged eye contact, but, as he was reprimanding her, all she could think about was how clear and bright his eyes were. Her stomach did a little flip as she recalled the morning's events. She looked at her watch, less than two hours, I've got less than two hours to quit blushing and make my damn stomach stop doing flips. I wonder what he'll have me doing, probably lines, or cleaning maybe. Exciting. Hermione sighed quietly and packed her bag, she hoped that a good long stay in the library would calm her down.

The library was mostly empty when she arrived. Perfect, the books outnumber the people, just what I needed. After an hour, she decided it was no use.

Alright, here are the facts:

Lucius Malfoy is my professor, there's no getting around that.

Lucius Malfoy was a Death Eater who, well, witnessed some unpleasant things that I have no wish to begin thinking about again, I'm a forgiving person, and, well I would rather forget a lot of those things, and go off of what I see now. Yes, that sounds about right

Lucius Malfoy is, regrettably, rather attractive. Though I've never actually touched it, I'm certain that if I were to run my hands through his hair, I would be overcome by ecstasy and, promptly, drop dead.

He's old enough to be my father. Well, pish posh, I'm mature, he doesn't look it, and I have no intention of marrying him. Well, I don't really know what my intentions are at this point.

I haven't had sex, or anything close, in… too long.

"Oi, Hermione, what are you going all glassyy eyed over? Hellooo?" A petite redhead had just walked into the library and was speaking much too loudly.

"Oh god Ginny, shush, you'll get us thrown out!" Hermione whispered

"Is your book really that interesting? I was trying to get your attention for a good minute before I resorted to yelling."

"Oh, no, I was just planning, er, thinking, you know, essays" Hermione waved her hands vaguely as she spoke.

"Uh, huh. Alright then, sure." Ginny didn't even try to keep her skepticism at bay.

"I've got to go anyway, detention, soon, Lucius, Professor, you know, yeah, bye!" Hermione cursed silently as she sped off, Ginny would probably attack her after detention for an explanation.

What am I doing? What am I thinking? She caught her reflection on a particularly well polished suit of armour in the hall, and stopped.

I'm not nearly his type, not blonde enough for him to risk his job.

She sighed and walked on.

The door to his office was cracked open, a warm sliver of light spilling out across the stone floor of the hall. Hermione walked up slowly, pausing at the threshold. He had his back to her, and looked to be rummaging through a cabinet behind his desk. He bent over a little further, and Hermione could feel herself beginning to blush once more. Oh for christ's sake, control yourself, it's not as if you've never seen a nice arse before. Not as if you've never seen a wizard without his outer robes, with the top button undone on his shirt, with… Oh hell.

Lucius smirked to himself, the girl must have been standing there for at least a minute. He turned and kept his eyes on his desk as he reached for the buttons on his shirt, slowly undoing one. The barely audible sigh was all he needed. His eyes swiftly moved to the door and caught her gaze.

"Miss Granger, I do believe that you are required to be present in my office for this detention, not skulking about outside." He turned back around and Hermione's stomach gave yet another flip. She slowly pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"Close the door, if you will. Privacy is required tonight."

Hermione's eyes widened as she turned to shut the door. Oh god what is he implying, is it what I think he's implying? He doesn't seem the type to be frivolous with words; he probably knows exactly what the connotation was there. Oh god I bet he's watching me now. Deep breath.

She turned back around and defiantly met his eyes, raising an eyebrow for good measure.

"Of course Professor, sir. What exactly will we be doing tonight?" She hoped he had missed the slight wavering of her voice. Lucius allowed a pause before speaking, how he enjoyed watching her squirm with each well-chosen word.

"You are likely unaware, but I, for the past few months, have been extensively researching Veritaserum. Specifically, whether or not it is possible to build up an immunity."

"Oh, really? I was just reading something about that, there had been concerns during interrogation, certain testimonies given under the potion's influence were contradictory, if I remember correctly." This time, Lucius raised his eyebrow.

"I daresay I am impressed Miss Granger." She blushed slightly, trying to banish thoughts of his mouth from her mind.

"Well, I do read, rather a lot." She stammered.

"Ah, yes, your bookish reputation precedes you. In fact, it makes you rather, perfect, for tonight's ah, research."

"Research? Tonight?" Hermione couldn't tell whether he intended for her to aid him in research, or if he needed someone to test his theories on.

"Yes, it has all been cleared with the Headmistress, she thought you would be more than able to… perform."

"What exactly is it that I will be doing? Taking notes? Looking things up?"

"Oh no, nothing quite so dull. I have developed an antidote that needs to be tested. You need not worry, I have taken some myself and suffered no ill effects."

Hermione's thoughts were racing. Oh god what if I say something about him, what if the antidote doesn't work? Doesn't an antidote already exist? Why is he looking for another? Scientific curiosity I suppose. But, hell, I couldn't face him if I said anything about his long, lustrous, hair, and the way those pants fit him, and his chest, and… Focus. Ok, ask a question.

"I see. How will you be determining the efficacy of this antidote?" For a moment, she thought she saw a slight smile, but then it was gone.

"I will be asking you a series of questions, about various bits of information you have gleaned from books. You will attempt to falsify the information, and, as I have a written record of the truth, I shall be able to conclude something, either way." Books, I can handle books, perfect.

"Is this acceptable to you?" He asked, eyebrow, once again, raised.

"Oh yes, it's rather exciting actually, being a part of new research. Which books shall we use, Professor?"

"Any from your exceedingly full bag will do."

She leaned over and pulled the copy of An Extensive History of Mind Altering Potions from 1950 – 1970 from her bag.

"I was just reading this earlier, for that essay you so kindly assigned me"

"Tone Miss Granger, be sure that you watch it, else I may find it necessary to further… punish you." She stilled, then crossed and re-crossed her legs. He certainly knew how that sounded, he must have. She looked up into his eyes, steadily, and said:

"Oh, forgive me, Professor, heavens knows I wouldn't want that." Oh dear lord did I really just say that? I did. Yes. That was said. And, it was fun, he blushed a little, I think, it's hard to tell with his smooth, milky, complexion, those cheekbones, ahh. Right. Focus.

Lucius stood up, and smiled. She was just delectable. Sitting there and stewing, so responsive, so eager and youthful. He would have fun with this little witch tonight, that was certain.

"In that case, we shall begin." He turned and retrieved two small bottles from the cabinet to his left.

"Drink this." He handed her the smaller of the two. Keeping eye contact, she drained it in a matter of seconds, and licked her lips.

"Delightful, I'm rather surprised it tasted so good, it was deliciously salty." Oh you've got this seduction thing down pat Hermione.

Lucius' breath hitched momentarily, and he handed her the second bottle. Neither of them looked away.

"Now for the questions." Hermione said as she set the empty bottle down.

"Yes, now for the questions." Lucius made a show of shuffling through the papers on his desk, then sat back with a sheet of paper in his hands. He glanced at it once, then up at Hermione, who was leaning just far enough forward to provide him a rather welcoming view, and placed it back on the desk.

"What is your name?" He asked, with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Hermione Jean Granger." She blushed. Good lord, he's just asking your name, it's not as if he asked you whether you like to be on top. Control yourself.

"Miss Granger?" He leaned back in his chair and pressed his fingertips together.

"Yes?" She swallowed audibly. Why is he taking so long with these questions?

"Have you ever been fucked?"

Oh God.

I really meant for the good stuff to happen here, but I'll update next week, promise!