A/N: Not a lot of feedback from Severus's first chapter. I'm not sure if you guys are enjoying it or not. Thanks to those who reviewed, loved reading them. I hope that there will be a better response for Lucius's first chapter. Enjoy the chapter!

The savoring the bitter taste, Lucius swirled his rich wine in his mouth and slowly breathed in the pungent aroma. He had to take a drink in order to calm his nerves and hide his reaction. He knew the other men were equally dumbfounded by the event, so it wouldn't be misconstrued as suspicious or strange.

I knew that our Lord was an unpredictable man... but I would never have imagined this to happen.

His attention was fixated on Hermione Granger, whose body was paralyzed with fear. Her eyes darted across the room as she wondered if she should accept the Dark Lord's offer. Her gaze met Lucius's eyes.

Why is she gawking at me? Does she want to play?

Lucius flirtatiously winked at the witch and mouthed, choose me, smirking when he saw her almond eyes widen in shock. Setting his goblet down on the oak side table, Lucius found himself having to muffle a laugh when the girl refused to look at him, but he continued to stare at her nonetheless.

Lord Voldemort yanked her chains to gain her attention and said, "I'm losing my patience, you filthy mudblood."

All previous thoughts fleeing from panic, Hermione blurted the first person that came to mind. "I choose Lucius Malfoy."

The wizard nearly choked from surprise as she called his name.

Well I'll be damned. She actually chose me.

Draco gave his father a worried look, unable to quash his protests. "Father! What about mother? She'll kill Granger the moment she sees her!"

Hermione's face paled at Draco's remark, but Lucius hoisted Hermione to her feet, uncoiling the chains from her body and simultaneously receiving ownership of her. The reminder of his cold wife made him more assertive - he decided he would accept Miss Granger into his life. It would be much better, at least, than sleeping next to the wooden plank that was Narcissa.

Lucius offered his hand and said, "Come, Granger."

The girl shyly gripped the outstretched appendage and Lucius bowed his head as he addressed Lord Voldemort. "I swear I shall provide the utmost care towards your... trophy."

Lord Voldemort asked, "Any objections?"

Severus watched the scene coldly while Barty looked appalled that the useless mudblood was to be kept alive.

Only Draco was willing to challenge the foreseeable outcome. "Severus, won't you please take Granger instead?"

Severus sternly told him, "The girl hates me more than anyone in this room. I am not going to keep her."

The young Malfoy wasn't certain if he should rely on his new comrade, Barty Crouch Jr., but Draco still attempted a "What about you Barty?"

The angry wizard flicked his tongue twice and scowled thunderously at the boy. "If that mudblood dares to come within 2 meters of me, I will kill her. Painfully."

The boy was almost about desperate enough to beg the Dark Lord, who was growing tired of the pathetic display, until his father shouted, "Enough Draco. I will take her. No matter what your objections, she will remain under my care from now on." Lucius wrapped his arm around the girl, who was trembling despite herself.

Defeated, Draco quickly shut his mouth as Lord Voldemort rose fluidly from his seat. Everyone was forced to accept that Hermione Granger had chosen Lucius Malfoy. The herd of men opened the door to find Narcissa and Bellatrix eagerly waiting for them to come out.

Immediately, Bellatrix's face reddened with rage, but her anger paled to her sister's frosty fury.

With a voice colder than ice, Narcissa said, "Why are you holding that?"

The two sisters brandished their wands and aimed at Hermione, who stood calmly poised next to Lucius. He had to admit, he was impressed by the girl's composure, but the tenseness of her jaw revealed that she wasn't as unruffled as she seemed.

Would you look at that. So she is a true Gryffindor, unlike that rat. Fabulous.

Barty Crouch Jr. also looked as if his respect for the girl had risen a few notches, if his raised brows and his amused, barely audible muttering of "Fantastic." were anything to go by. For a brief moment, the man seemed almost sane... But no, it must have been a trick of the light, Lucius decided.

However, he had zero interest in witnessing his wife's anger - there was absolutely no point. He placed himself as a barrier between Granger and Narcissa.

Lucius happily reciprocated her frosty demeanor as he warned, "You are in the presence of our Lord. Watch yourself."

The two witches glanced at Lord Voldemort and rethought their actions before they hesitantly lowered their wands.

"Despite our strained… relationship," the elder Malfoy snapped, "you are still a member of this household. Please refrain from such undignified actions. You are the current matron of this house and therefore, the hostess. Provide our guests with proper Malfoy hospitality."

Narcissa gave the Dark Lord a hesitant look and quietly led the rest of the powerful wizards back to the party. With a final glare at Lucius and "the mudblood", she turned the corner and went out of sight. As soon as she was sure her Lord was out of earshot, Bellatrix rounded on her brother-in-law.

"I knew you couldn't be trusted. Just like Snape." Shuddering in disgust, she continued, "I bet you asked our gracious Lord to let her live. I cannot fathom why he would have allowed it."

Hermione looked up at Lucius, wondering what the evil witch was talking about.

The madwoman turned on Hermione next and gave a malicious grin. "you must have missed my company," she hissed gleefully.

Lucius could feel Granger stiffen under his arm, her left hand going to grip her right forearm but changing trajectory midway, reaching for something hidden within that sleeve instead. He grabbed her hand before she could do anything reckless.

What the fuck is Granger planning? Is she hiding a wand...? Is she thinking to fight Bellatrix?! That would be suicide!

He could easily identify the murderous gleam in his sister-in-law's eyes, the way her body was angled into a duelist's position. Lucius's body turned rigid. He feared a fight would erupt between the two women, a fight he believed his newest charge would not survive.

Fortunately, Lord Voldemort's sibilant voice, reaching their ears from the bottom floor, interrupted the building tension. "Bellatrix. Come join me."

Hearing her Lord's call, Bellatrix promptly gave Hermione no further thought and instead eagerly rushed downstairs. Lucius sighed in relief. "You can relax now; all who would harm you are gone."

Hermione gave a weak smile at his words, glad that she had made the correct choice earlier in the room. Lucius slowly led her to his master bedroom.

He pointed at the bed. "Sit."

Hermione was hesitant - she was generally unreceptive to being ordered around like a dog, not to mention what being on this man's bed would entail - , but reluctantly sat down on the mattress as she was told. She watched Lucius's fingers snap twice to summon a couple house elves. The man didn't notice her grow agitated when the two raggedy house elves magically popped into the room.

"Bring me some Essence of Dittany, a bowl of cold water, alcohol, and a few clean washcloths," he commanded. They cowered before him and bowed their heads before disappearing from the room.

He was surprised when he heard Granger speak. "You use house elves?"

Lucius raised one of his brows at her question and answered, "Yes." He noticed her lips twitch, but she didn't comment further.

He growled and waited impatiently for his servants to return. When they finally popped back, he struck one elf's bald head as he grabbed the bowl. He then took a washcloth in his other hand, allowing the elves to set the other materials onto his mahogony bedside table.

Turning to Hermione, Lucius took a good, long look at the girl's skinny figure. "Bring me a meal that can be easily digested," he ordered. "Something nutritious."

Lucius didn't pay attention as the elves left again, instead observing the girl who was innocently sitting in his bed. He used his teeth to pull up his long sleeves, his eyes locking with Granger's as she cocked her head curiously.

"Take your clothes off," he growled, before immediately clearing his throat. He hadn't meant to sound that suggestive. The blond set the items in his hands onto the small table to join the rest.

"Excuse me?" she asked, scandalized. She protectively embraced her body with both her arms.

He simplified his command, this time his speech clear and merely instructive. "Clothes. Off." He pointed from her ripped, tattered robe to the floor.

The witch was extremely offended. "I heard you the first time. Why in bloody hell do you think I'd strip naked in front of you?"

Merlin's fat arse, I'm losing my patience. It's just taking her clothes off. What's wrong with that?

"I've seen numerous women's nude bodies," he told her. "I assure you, I won't be distracted by yours."

"You think that would make me change my mind? What kind of an argument is that?!" she shouted.

"Fine. I'll undress too if that makes you feel better," he joked.

"WHAT?! How in the bloody blazes would that make me feel better, you narcissistic arse?!" she shrieked, her cheeks now a burning pink.

He smirked and answered her - in his opinion - stupid question, "Because my body is undeniably fabulous. Just the sight of it would erase all your problems in life."

Merlin help me. Granger must be the most stubborn, mule-headed woman I've ever met. Nobody refuses getting naked for me - especial to women.

Tired of her pointless protests, he reached for her, but immediately regretted the action when he saw her eyes blaze fiercely. One of his pillows struck his face, making it redden. He blinked several times as the pillow fell down to the floor.

…That's it.

Angered, he mounted Hermione and pressed his lean body against hers while forcibly tearing all of her clothing off. Knowing that the girl would desperately try to wear the useless pieces of fabric again, he stood back up and threw the rag into the fireplace, though he saw something brown fall out before it reached the hungry flames.

He sighed. "See, that wasn't too hard."

When he turned around, his crotch tightened as he felt himself grow aroused by the sight of Granger's firm, young body. Lucius could only be glad that she wasn't pressed against him anymore, though a part of him was also highly disappointed. Although there were numerous bruises, wounds, and scars marring her slim figure, he found her more than beautiful. As his grey eyes feasted on her gorgeous skin, Hermione flushed into a deep red that he gleefully followed, fascinated despite himself as the rosy red spread down from her cheeks to her collarbone to -

Okay. Perhaps I was wrong when I said I wouldn't be distracted by her body.

Ashamed of the scars, Hermione covered herself with shaking hands. Lucius got on the bed and pulled her hands away. "If you cover yourself, I won't be able to clean and disinfect your wounds. That's the only thing I want to do, you know," he lied.

Mmm... I want to keep looking at it. Why would she cover herself anyways, when her body is this perfect?

He immersed the washcloth in his hand into the bowl of cold water and confidently stroked her skin with the cloth. He couldn't help but smile when she trembled underneath his hands. He quietly continued with his job and then began to disinfect her wounds with the alcohol.

She hissed like a cat when he applied pressure onto the cuts and he whispered, "Sorry."

He gently smoothed the alcohol over her skin, caressing her limbs as he did his task. Next, he poured some Essence of Dittany onto his palms and told her "Lie down on your belly," for the third time for that evening.

Hermione hesitantly revealed her back to Lucius.

Personally, she was relieved to be able to hide her breasts from this man, kind though he was. He, however, had different thoughts.

I suppose she's beginning to trust me…

Lucius's hands relaxed Hermione considerably; he skillfully kneaded her sore muscles as he rubbed the potion onto her cuts and bruises, smirking when he felt her body temperature rising from his ministrations.

Hermione felt her a tickle on her back as Lucius's long, silky hair brushed her skin. She tried to turn around to see what the man was doing, but found herself immobile due to his weight.

He whispered into her ears, "What kind of mischievous ideas are swirling around your mind, Miss Granger? I can feel your body heating up."

Flustered, she decided not to answer the question. Then she let out a high pitched yelp when Lucius lightly bit on her ear.

"I don't like being ignored," he told her giving her a sensual smile.

She snapped, "I thought you only wanted to disinfect my wounds."

I'm a Slytherin. We all lie.

Pensive, he wondered how he should respond.

Lucius smiled wickedly and said, "I shall keep my honourable promise then."

He then grabbed her firm buttocks with his dittany drenched hands, massaging the soft globes of flesh to "fully incorporate" the potion into any wounds that may have been there.

Though truthfully I didn't see any. Well, that's what she gets for trying to argue.

Hermione moaned quietly, though she immediately tried to muffle the noise.

Lucius was more than enjoying this intimate moment, until he heard a knock on the door.

"What!" he growled angrily.

"Father," Draco's voice rasped. "Our Lord seeks your presence."

Lucius groaned, knowing he had to leave, and sulkily got up from his position. He washed his hands in the bowl of clean water, then turned around with a wink. "Unfortunately I need to leave, my dear. I can imagine how frustrating this can be, but I will join you in bed later."

Embarrassed, Hermione hid her flushed face in the soft blanket. The blonde chuckled at her innocent reaction. "The elves should bring you a meal soon. Please don't forget to eat it, but if they bring you a dish you dislike, you may abuse them as much as you desire," he told her before he headed out.

He chuckled once more when he heard something hit the door behind him.

Mhm... What a feisty woman.

I hope you enjoyed our flirtatious Lucius. Please review!

Beta/Co-author: Barty next chapter! *Throws confetti*

^ Just for my co-author...she is very excited about Barty Crouch Jr... She asked me to type that. Please have lots of reviews and feedback for the next chapter! ...and this one. Thanks.

Cheers!