A lost key

Alternate Universe: Continuation from "To Do"

Hermione had been working for Madame Malfoy for three months and to say she enjoyed her job would be incorrect. If one were to say that she out right detested her job that might be closer to the truth. The question then becomes why on earth does she continue to come to work every day? The answer was quite simple in that she loved Madame Malfoy and she wanted to help her in every way she could. Hermione, however, did not like watching Madame deteriorate in front of her eyes.

The Malfoy heir, Draco, was also keenly aware of his mother's health troubles. Madame and her late husband Lucius had been much older when Draco was born and had doted on him ridiculously. He had been quick to admit that he was an obnoxious spoiled brat as a child and Hermione was glad she had gotten to know Draco as the man he became instead of the loathsome child he was once. Draco confided in Hermione that his mother was becoming more and more forgetful as of late and had called him Lucius on more than one occasion.

"She recognizes the error almost immediately Hermione, but it is still cause for concern," he had explained to her one evening as they waited for Madame to finish her toilet for the evening.

"What does her physician say? Have you mentioned it when you have taken her for her visits?" Hermione asked, her face riddled with concern.

Draco sighed and drug his hand down his face. "He says it's dementia and it will only get worse. There's nothing I can do to help her Hermione. It's devastating."

Hermione reached out and took his hand gently in hers. "It's a horrible disease Draco. Your mother is still very able bodied but her mind, well, her mind is not as able. You don't have to accept it right away, but the more you educate yourself about the disease the better you will feel about the changes. Would you like me to research the topic?"

"In all of your free time?" Draco asked with a smirk.

"Well, I'm sure I can find some time to research the disease process. I was quite the student at one time in my life."

"I'm sure you were," Draco said salaciously. "I can imagine Ms. Hermione Granger in a short school skirt and jumper with knee high socks and Mary Jane's."

Hermione blushed. "Mr. Malfoy what you imply is inappropriate."

"I wish it wasn't," he said softly, squeezing her hand.

"Madame?" Hermione asked, drawing the beautiful older woman's attention. "Would you care for some tea or coffee?"

"No thank darling. Is Draco coming to pick you up? You've been here an awfully long time today Hermione."

"Pardon me Madame, but I am here to take care of you."

"Isn't that so sweet of you. I can see why Draco chose you for his life partner. You make such an attractive pair. I know you will have beautiful children."

"Madame, Draco and I are not…"

"Oh, darling I know you aren't yet expecting. It seems as if you were only just married, even though I must admit I don't remember the wedding all that well. My mind seems to be slipping these days."

Hermione was torn between playing along with Madame Malfoy's fantasy and correcting her vision. "Madame," she began, "does it make you happy to believe that Draco and I are together?"

"Oh yes Hermione!" Madame exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "You are perfect for one another and that could not have shown more than when you spoke your vows."

Hermione sighed and opted to play along with the farce. She would have to tell Draco later, but she could also hope that Madame forgot this entire fantasy. "What was your favorite part Madame? Of the wedding, I mean," Hermione asked.

"I have to say that the pastor from the America's was brilliant, albeit scandalous in a way, but his message was just beautiful. He recognized how in love the two of you are and that you were meant for each other."

Hermione chewed on her lower lip. "Do, do you remember what my dress looked like Madame?"

"Of course, darling! It was the most beautiful gown! It was such a beautiful silhouette and even though it was rather plain for my taste it was perfect for you dear. The veil was extraordinary and Draco was so handsome in front of the church waiting for you. It was rather kind of you to allow Lucius to give you away after that debacle with your own father. Where is Lucius pet, I haven't seen him in the last several hours?"

Hermione pinched her lips together. Madame was reliving the most recent royal wedding as that of she and Draco. She had also forgotten that Mister Malfoy was long past. She could allow some fantasy but she could not allow her to think that her husband was alive. "Remember Madame that Mister Malfoy passed away. Do you recall that Madame?"

Madame's eyes darkened and she turned away. "I believe I'm owed a kip after the taxing day I've had Hermione. If I'm still asleep when Draco comes to retrieve you please wake me darling. Oh, and help yourself to whatever you need dear."

Hermione sighed as she watched Madame drift carefully to her bedroom. She was far worse than Draco had feared and if her research had shown her anything it was that the outlook for Madame was not good.

"Mother!" came a deep voice from the elevator doors. "Mother! Hermione! Is anyone here?"

Hermione stepped from the kitchen with a tea tray in hand. She situated it on the small table situated in the living room of the suite and bade Draco to sit beside her on the sofa.

"You look distressed. What's wrong Hermione?"

Hermione frowned. "Please don't be angry with me Draco. I've meant no harm in my actions."

Draco laughed. "I don't think I could ever be cross with you Hermione."

"Well I should hope not," Madame said from the doorway to her bedroom. "You have been married far to short of a time to be cross with her already. Especially when she is such a dear girl. I'm sure I've told you Draco but you've chosen so well."

Draco glanced at Hermione who appeared quite panicked, but she ignored him. "Madame, I hope we didn't wake you from your rest."

"I'm quite well now Hermione darling. I'm glad to have awoken to see the two of you together. Where are you two headed for the evening?"

Draco grasped Hermione's hand and brought it swiftly to his lips for a chaste kiss which earned him a wide-eyed stare. "I thought I would take my bride out for dinner before retiring home for more amorous activities," he said wiggling his eyebrows.

"Draco!" Hermione said alarmed.

Madame giggled. "Hermione dear no need to be alarmed. I'm sure Draco is much like his father and our amorous activities continued up until his illness left him incapable."

Draco chuckled. "I do quite enjoy our amorous activities love."

Hermione glared at him, but wisely kept her mouth shut for fear of what she would say. "Well darlings," Madame said with a grin. "I shan't keep you. Enjoy your evening and I hope that your activities lead to a grandchild soon."

Hermione choked on her tea which she had sadly chosen that moment to sip. Draco grinned and rubbed her back gently. "Ok their darling?" he asked sincerely.

Hermione nodded, but wisely chose not to speak.

Once outside Hermione rounded on Draco with a look of fury. "Thank you for playing along, but you enjoyed that way too much for my liking Mr. Malfoy."

"Oh, dearest wife," he said with a smirk, "don't be coy and call me Mr. Malfoy. We are far to familiar for that tone."

"Draco I'm serious," she said crossing her arms over her chest. "Your mother was rather confused today and it was easier to play along than continue to correct her fantasy."

"Are you saying you don't want to be married to me Hermione?" He asked aghast at such a suggestion.

Hermione smiled softly and shook her head. "You are a lovely man Draco, but we both know… well, we both know…"

"We both know what?" he asked placing his thumb and forefinger on her chin and gently forcing her to look at him.

"Well, bloody hell, we both know that you are far out of my league and that someone like you doesn't end up with someone like me," she said throwing her arms in the air.

"Someone like you?" he asked delicately. "You mean someone kind and patient, someone sacrificing and brilliant, and let's not forget beautiful inside and out. I'm not meant to end up with someone like you? What kind of a bastard am I?"

Hermione shook her head. "You see what you want to see Draco. You see someone who loves your mother unconditionally, but not someone who comes from a broken family. You see someone who is so different from the women you typically meet, but not the someone who would be viewed as a gold-digger by the press and by your extended family and friends. I'm not for you Draco Malfoy, no matter how much either of us might want."

Draco frowned but removed his hand from Hermione's face. "You can love my mother unconditionally but not me then? Is that the way of it Hermione?"

Hermione stomped her foot. "You didn't listen to a word I said you exasperating man! I would have no trouble loving you, but the pressures from loving me would break you and I'll not be witness to that nonsense. Good evening," she said leaving him standing with his hands in his pant pockets and a frown marring his features.

"Hermione darling can you come here please?" Madame called from her bedroom.

Hermione stopped arranging the flowers on the foyer table and swiftly moved to the bedroom. "Madame? Is everything alright?"

"No Hermione it is certainly not alright," she said matter of fact like. "My jewelry box is locked with a small brass key. A lost key apparently. I wanted to wear my pearls for dinner this evening with you and Draco but I cannot find the blasted key to unlock the jewelry box."

Hermione smiled at her softly. "Of course, Madame. Any ideas where I should begin looking?"

"Try beneath the dresser there in the closet dear girl. It may have fallen. And if not there, then beneath the desk in the main room."

That was how Hermione found herself on her hands and knees with her arse high up in the air searching beneath the large mahogany desk for a small brass key. And that was precisely how Draco Malfoy found her when he stopped by to visit his mother. Draco couldn't help but stare at her shapely bum and was enthralled with how her skirt rode up the back of her thighs. The image gave him some rather fantastic thoughts that he tucked away for later.

"Lose something Ms. Granger?" he asked causing Hermione to squeal and back quickly out from beneath the desk.

"Draco!" she said standing quickly. "I… no, no I haven't lost anything. Your mother seems to have misplaced the key to her jewelry box. She thought it might have fallen beneath the desk."

"Well don't stop looking on my account," he said with a wide grin and a wink. "I was quite appreciative of the view."

"Hermione!"

Hermione rolled her eyes at Draco's innuendo. "Yes Madame?" she called out.

"The jewelry box was not locked and the key was inside the whole time. I am getting rather foolish in my old age."

Hermione sighed. "I'm glad you found it Madame."

"I'm glad you had to look for its Hermione," Draco said with a smirk.

"I've been giving your statements from yesterday some thought Hermione," Draco said as he sat across from her at the dining room table waiting on his mother to join them for dinner.

"Don't think about them Draco. Please just forget the entire conversation."

"I can't forget Hermione. I don't want to forget."

"And of course, the selfish child in you always gets what he wants right?"

"You catch on quick Granger."

She rolled her eyes.

"I have a proposition for you Hermione."

She quirked an eyebrow at him but didn't speak.

"Have dinner with me."

"That's not much of a proposition Draco. We are already seated to have dinner with your mother."

"No, no," he said waving his hands in front of him. "I mean let me take you to dinner. Or if it would make you feel better let me cook for you, tomorrow night?"

Hermione grimaced. "What would this dinner accomplish Draco?"

"Give us a chance to talk."

"We are talking."

He sighed with exasperation. "Give me a chance to be me with you Hermione. Give me a chance to break away from the formality and just be Draco for a little while."

Hermione eyed him carefully. "I would like to know you. I would like to know the real you anyway. This version is nice, but he's kind of stuffy."

Draco snorted. "Dinner, my place, tomorrow night. I'll send a car to pick you up here at seven."

"Sounds like you are planning an exquisite date for my Hermione Draco darling," Madame said entering the room and causing Draco to stand and bow slightly to her presence. "I expect you to treat her well dear. I would love to see you both happy together and maybe producing a grandchild before I die. After the wedding of course."

Hermione eyed Madame speculatively. "I realized last night Hermione darling that I was imagining the two of you in the place of the most recent royals to wed. Although I think the two of you would do very well together and make beautiful children."

Hermione was struck speechless, which was very unusual for her.

FIN

Next is the date : )