Chapter 4
Early the next morning Claudia and Alexa were up getting ready for Alexa's last year to Hogwarts. While Alexa was excited about it Claudia was a little sad about her daughter leaving. It meant that since Rodtimer's death a year ago she would be alone for the first time. "Mom I'm ready to go Alexa called out. "Alright Claudia sighed lets go then. In the car they talked about simple things and it helped relax Claudia's nerves a little. All too soon they arrived at the station and Alexa quickly ran through the barrier to meet her friends. Claudia followed her daughter through just to make sure she got on the train safely. As she watched her daughter get on the train with her friends she didn't hear someone come up behind her until they rested their hands on her shoulders. Claudia turned around startled then sighed in relief when she saw who it was. "Lucius you startled me I thought you were somebody else. He smirked at her nervousness. "Who else would just come up to you and put their hands on your shoulders? He asked. The train started to pull out of the station before she could reply. She blew her daughter a kiss then watched the train till she could no longer see it. Once the train was gone Claudia began to leave when Lucius stopped her. "Where do you think you're going? He asked. "I would think that's obvious, I'm going home silly. He shook his head at that response. "No, you're coming with me back to the manor for lunch. We have a lot of things to discuss and the manors the best place to do that because there is no risk of being overheard there. "Fine lets go then she sighed. He stared at her for a minute then asked "Are you going to take my arm or not? "Why do I need to take your arm? She asked puzzled. "We have to apparate remember? She hesitated briefly then took his arm. Once she was holding on to it he immediately brought her closer to him then apparated them to the manor. Claudia immediately stepped away from him once they were inside. Seeing this Lucius turned to her questionly. "What is with you today? You've been twitchy every time I've touched you. I told you I would never hurt you, you believe me don't you? "Of course I believe you Lucius, it's just that someone else has and that's why I've been acting so strangely. Hearing her words Lucius became angry. "Who hurt you? He demanded angrily. Give me a name and I'll make them pay. Claudia shook her head frantically. "There's no need for violence I already took care of the situation. "Are you sure? Because I have connections, just say the word and I can make the whole thing disappear. "Really I'm okay, you don't have to be so protective of me you know, I can handle things fine on my own. "There was a time he said softly when you liked me taking care of things for you. "That was a long time ago Lucius things have changed since then. We're different people now and have gone different ways with our lives. "You're right we are different people from who we were back then but the connection between us hasn't faded, if anything it's grown stronger with time and you can't deny that. To demonstrate his point he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. The area he had kissed was warm to the touch and Claudia admitted to herself that there was still a connection between them. But she would not admit this to Lucius she didn't need him around complicating things for her. "You feel it to don't you? He asked urgently. She shook her head in denial. "I don't know what you're talking about; I don't feel anything she lied. He stared at her disbelievingly then smirked. "You're lying aren't you? You always were a horrible liar. The truths written all over your face. "So what if I did feel something? It's not like we're going to act on it or anything. "Why wouldn't we act on it? It would be a shame for the chemistry between us to go to waste. "It wouldn't be the same between us Lucius; we were kids when we discovered the chemistry between us. Plus there's Alexa and Draco to think of, what would they think if we hooked up again? Draco would never accept me as his stepmother he loved Narcissa too much. "Draco would learn to accept it with time, he's an adult anyway it's not like he'd be around all that much. And your right the chemistry between us is different; it's more mature which would give us a better chance of making it. "Why are you pushing this so much? I would think you would be over me by now I'm not that special I'm just me. He stepped closer to her at these words. He gently pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair. "That's where you're wrong, you are so much more than you think you are Claudia. You are the one woman who has accepted me for me and never tried to change me in any way. I care deeply for you Claudia and always will. He pressed a loving kiss to her cheek then stepped away. "What do you want me to say Lucius? That I'll put it all on the line for you and risk you breaking my heart once more? Because if that happened again I wouldn't be able to handle it I'm not the same carefree girl anymore I bleed more easily now. "I'm not saying that we should jump right back into things but we could take things slowly for awhile, till you were comfortable at least. She sighed in defeat, he had her and he knew it. "If you agree to take things slowly I'll give you another chance she told him. "Excellent! Would you like to stay for dinner tonight? I promise I'll behave. "I may as well; I'd be lonely back home since Alexa's not there. Although I don't have anything decent to change into. "Not a problem, I can have one of the house elves design something for you they would be happy to do it. "That would be marvellous thank you. He bowed. "Believe me it is a great pleasure to do things for you, but an even greater pleasure to see you smile. Now if you would excuse me I have to talk to Mipsy about designing you some robes he left the room smiling. Claudia smiled to, feeling better than she had in months. Realizing she was quite tired she decided to take a nap before dinner. As she went to the guest room she sighed happily then fell into a dreamless sleep.
A/N- I'm so sorry about the delay for updating this story, I've just been so busy with work it slipped my mind. I hope this update makes up for it and please review. Who knows? I might update faster next time. Thanx.