Thanks everyone for reviewing, alerting, and just reading this story in general, but I want to give a special thanks/individual reply to everyone who reviewed, I Really appreciate it:)

Also before I forget, I'm still searching for a BETA, so if anyone's interested I'd love you forever and a day! 3

TheRoseandtheDagger: Thank you so much. It's always good to know that what I'm writing isn't letting you guys down

Krozz: Thank you for the review, and I figured it would be best to get the muggle-born thing out the way, so that I can delve deeper into the heart of his change later one without having to explain the bare basics

Lilo: I should be thanking you, its because of you that I continued, and I promise that she won't be doing any of that love-at-first-sight bs, Hermione is a very damaged girl, and Lucius is one of the causes, so have no fear it will be a slow and steady process.

Sweet-tang honey: Thank you for the review

DZAuthor AKA DZMom: I definitely love your ramblings, you have a lot of great ideas, and they inspire me to look at things from different angles, and have helped me out of a few tough spots Thanks for the review and I shall definitely try not to be gone for such an extended time again

Ann1981: Thank you, I love me some LM-HG pairings myself (go figure right :P) Hope I don't disappoint

Amaris12345: Thank you, both for the review and for pointing that out, I looked back and your right. I had meant it as more of a her work ethic was well known, and as a member of the golden trio her fame proceeded her, and brought a lot of attention to work she might not normally be recognized for. Hope that clears things up

You guys are the best, hopefully this chapter lives up to your expectations!

3 Fallen

"Hermione, hurry up in there! You're going to be late if you don't get your arse out of that bathroom"

"Ginerva, I'm telling you for the last time, I can dress myself without your h-e-l-p" Hermione called back, frustration leaking into her voice, "I absolutely refuse to come out of this bathroom until you promise that you're not going to ambush me the second I step out"

"Hermione Granger! I swear on Merlin's grave that if you do not come out this instant I will break down this door and drag you out myself" Came Ginny's seething reply, "If I have to get pretty for Ferret face, you had better believe that you are going to move that pretty arse of yours out of that bathroom and into this bedroom, so that I can dress you! Or so help me Merlin…"

"Fine," Hermione huffed, pulling open the door, with a resounding whoosh, she hated that Ginny found it so easy to manipulate her, no matter how much she resisted, Ginny always won in the end, because well Ginny was Ginny. When she finally focused on her red-headed friend, she saw the dreaded Cheshire grin on her face, , and deftly attempted to slam the bathroom door close, only to find that it refused to budge.

"'Mione, did you really think that I was going to let you escape once I finally got you out of that bathroom?" Ginny asked her without a trace of pity in her voice, though she didn't wait for an answer, grabbing Hermione and tossing her onto her bed. "Now, you stay there, while I go search your closet for something date appropriate…"Ginny kept talking, but Hermione toned her out, resigning herself to her current situation, she just sat on the bed, waiting patiently for Ginny to finish her search.

"Hermione, have you heard a word I've said for the last ten minutes?" Ginny huffed, waving her hands in front of Hermione's face, "I mean honestly woman, I'm just trying to help you out, the least you could do is pretend to pay attention."

Hermione glared, "Ginny, I don't really consider you threatening me with bodily harm and forcing me to dress in a way that appeases you, without any regard to my feeling, help."

Ginny only smirked in reply, her brown eyes filled with mischief, "Well Hermione, sometimes a best friend has to do things she'd rather not to ensure that her girl doesn't make a fool of herself. Now, go put this on and then I'll get to work on your hair and make-up." Hermione stood up, taking the clothes Ginny held out, and walked into her bathroom to get dressed, sometimes you just got to know when to fight and when to surrender.

Hermione looked at herself in the mirror, and as much as she hated to admit it, Ginny had picked well, the light brown peacoat highlighted her slim figure, a honey colored cashmere scarf would keep her warm in the cool England spring, and the dark wash skinny jeans highlighted how slim her legs were. She knew Ginny would be taking her brown suede knee high boots to finish the look of, while she could have put the outfit together herself, she knew that Ginny truly enjoyed the rare occasion she was allowed to dress her once terribly unfashionable friend. With one last smile, she exited the bathroom, and with a small sigh glanced at a Ginny, who had the look of the cat-who-swallowed-the-canary.

"Alright, you did a good job, even I can't lie about that," Hermione told her with a small sigh, and a look that clearly told the red-headed spit fire not to let this victory get to her head.

"Well, now that we've settled that, let's get started on your hair and make-up" Ginny practically squealed, and once again Hermione just let her take the reins.

Finally, after half an hour of pure torture, Ginny proclaimed that she was finished, and allowed Hermione to glance at the mirror she had transfigured from Hermione's brush, "What do you think?"

Once more, Hermione found herself experiencing a rush of love for her red-headed friend, Ginny had pulled her hair up into a very sophisticated bun at the top of her head, and given her a quiet Smokey eye that brought out the golden flecks in her eyes, the finishing touch was lightly applied peach lip gloss. "Thank you Ginny, everything looks great," Hermione replied with a faint smile, turning around to hug her red-headed friend.

"Well, I'm glad you finally saw reason" Ginny replied lightly, gingerly returning her friend hug; it was a rare occasion that Hermione initiated any physical contact, so it was always returned with vigor. "Now, Hermione, as much as I hate to put an end to this, it's 11:53"

"Are you serious?" Hermione screeched, pulling away from Ginny, pulled on the suede boots that had been placed at her feet, and took the small purse Ginny held out for her. "I'll owl you when I get back, thanks again Ginny, I'll see you later" She called, grabbing her wand off the sink, and apparated to Diagon alley, she knew that Ginny would find her way out, and she refused to give Lucius any satisfaction by being late to their first meeting.

With a distinct pop, she landed on the cobble stone street in front of Florish and Blotts, taking a second to orient herself, before she walked into the small bookstore, relishing in the small chiming of the bell that announced to everyone inside that someone had just walked in, it reminded her of the first time she came in to get her books for Hogwarts. How long ago that time seemed, when she had just been a child, naïve to everything she would face upon entering this world, from dungeon trolls to the dark lord, the second she walked into Diagon Alley, there was no way she could turn back, even if she had known all the trials she would face, that one taste of magic was enough to seal her fate.

She might have continued her musing as she walked through the aisles of Florish and Blotts, but a cool aristocratic voice drew her out of her thoughts, "Ms. Granger, I suppose I should have known better then to wait outside in the cold, after all, how could you resist coming in?"

Hermione tensed, her hands flinching towards to wand, why people thought it was okay to sneak up on her, she would never understand, "I hope I didn't keep you out waiting for too long, Mr. Malfoy" She replied, unable to keep the cold edge out of her tone as she turned to stare at him.

She allowed herself a moment to study him, he was wearing black dress robe of the finest quality, the pure black robes standing in a direct contrast to his platinum blonde hair, which he had pulled back into a pony tail with a black silk ribbon, underneath his robes he wore tailored black dress pants, and a black cashmere sweater. When she finished examining him, her eyes met his, and she flushed, his icy blue eyes were staring straight through her, and it was clear that he had been looking her over as well.

"I didn't mind waiting Ms. Granger, but now that we're here, where would you like to go?" He asked, his cool draw sending shivers up her spine, it was amazing how little his voice had changed, she was half expecting pureblood propaganda to start pouring out of his mouth.

"I do have somewhere in mind, but it's in muggle London" She replied, the silent question hanging in the air between them, had he really changed and if so, how much?

Hermione watched Lucius face tighten with satisfaction, his lips puckered in distaste, but much to her chagrin, he visibly forced himself to relax, and he replied without any hesitation, "Lead the way Ms. Granger"

Her jaw dropped, "Are you serious?" she asked incredulously, narrowing her eyes at him, she wasn't stupid, clearly this was some kind of trick to make her believe that he had in some way, shape, or form changed since the war.

"Quite, Ms. Granger" He replied, and Hermione couldn't help the flash of anger she felt, it was clear to her what he was trying to do, and she wasn't going to make it easy for him.

"Fine, do you mind if we side-apparate?" She asked him, this time she knew she had there, he would never let a mud-blood touch him, he was too much of an bigot to let her sully his precious clothes with her filthy mudblood hands.

Once again, to her annoyance, he replied with a flippant, "Of course, it wouldn't make sense for me to do so, you have yet to inform me where we are going, aside from the fact that it's in muggle London" His crystal blue eyes, bore into hers and it was clear that he knew she was testing him.

With a huff, Hermione grabbed his arm, and with a quiet pop they landed in a small alley between two small brick buildings, "The restaurant is this way" she called, grabbing his arms to pull him out of the alley, and into the small diner that stood to the left of the entrance.

The small chime of the bell above the door announced their entrance to the portly old man behind the counter, who looked up with a grin, "Ms. Granger, how have you been lass? I haven't seen you since you was but a wee thing" The man called, wiping his hands off on his stained apron as he walked out from behind the counter to pull her into a hug, completely ignoring the indignant look Lucius was giving him, he didn't like this strange muggle touching his wife-to-be.

"Mr. Harrison, you can't even imagine how relieved I am to see that your still here" Hermione replied with a grin, pulling back from his comforting embrace, "Do you still serve my favorite?" she asked, hardly able to bite back the excitement bubbling in her belly, she had apparated to the Green dragon purely on instinct, and she could hardly believe it was still here.

With a rumbling laugh, Mr. Harrison turned to yell in the directions of the kitchen, "Robert, get me a grilled chicken panini with a cup of cheddar broccoli soup, and put a rush on it" The for the first time he seemed to notice Lucius, "Didn't see you there lad, I'm Mr. Harrison, I see you came here with my wee lass, what can I get'cha? Any friend of my girls is a friend of mine," He bellowed, stretching out his hand to Lucius, a friendly grin splayed across his lips.

Lucius stared at the man's hands for a second, suppressing a sneer, before placing his hand stiffly into his to allow for a very brief handshake, "Nice to meet you Mr…" Lucius paused, "Harrison, I'll take whatever Ms. Grangers having"

Hermione watched the interaction, fighting to stifle her laughter, Malfoy senior looked like a deer in the head lights, which amused her to no end, never before had she seen him look anything other than poised and collected. After Mr. Harrison yelled to the kitchen to double everything, he gave her one last hug, and then reclaimed his spot behind the register, leaving Hermione to guide Malfoy to the battered booth by the window. When she sat down, Hermione took a deep breath, relishing the familiar smell of fried food, and grease that always lingered here when she was a child.

"Hope this is to your liking," Hermione asked in a very serious tone, though her dancing eyes gave away the fact that she was truly enjoying how at odds Malfoy senior seemed in this place.

"I find it quite interesting Ms. Granger, where did you find such a delightful place?" He replied a small sneer crossing his face.

"I used to come here when I was younger, best sandwich and soup joint in a hundred miles" she bit back, her eyes hardening, she didn't like his tone nor the ignorant sneer that was now dominating his features.

"If you say so Ms. Granger, who am I to argue?" He replied his voice aloof and his features once more expressionless.

Hermione just rolled her eyes, and refused to reply, so they sat in silence, until Mr. Harrison came, bringing the mouth watering scent of soup and fresh bread with him, as he placed their food in front of them with a smile, and a wink before departing once more to the register.

"Thanks Mr. Harrison" Hermione called after him, a real smile flashing across her features as she waved to the old man, had she been paying attention she might have seen the glint of jealously that crossed Lucius's face as he watched her.

Without wasting another second, Hermione picked up her sandwich, and took a big bite, letting her eyes close and a small moan of appreciation escape while she enjoyed the delicious sandwich in her hands. When she opened her eyes, Lucius had begun to eat as well, and despite his best attempts to hide it, she could tell he was enjoying the meal. Neither one spoke for the duration of the meal, both of them too busy enjoying the food and decidedly ignoring each other.

"I take it you enjoyed the food?" Hermione asked, staring at the empty bowl of soup and the crumbs that occupied his plate.

"It was passable for a mu-" He stopped himself before he completely ruined his chances, and scrambled to correct himself, "for such an out of the way restaurant"

Hermione glared at him, "Are you sure didn't mean for muggle food? I mean there's no need to pretend Mr. Malfoy, it's quite clear how you feel, so please don't mind me, ignorance doesn't bother me anymore"

"Ms. Granger, I can assure you that I wasn't going to say any such thing and I find your assumptions rather offensive"

"You think I don't know you Mr. Malfoy? Do you really think you've fooled any of us? You are the same pureblooded git who allowed me to be tortured in your drawing room, and who since my arrival in the wizarding world has done nothing but make my friends and me miserable. Really, how do you live with yourself?" She asked, unable to stop the flow of words that escaped her mouth, but she wished she had, when she saw his eyes harden and his entire body tense.

"Ms. Granger, do not delude yourself by allowing yourself to believe you know any of my motives or reasoning's for behaving as I have in the past. I had thought you would allow me to show you that I had changed, possibly allow me the chance to get to know you but it seems that you are no better then who I was, a biased ignorant little girl who presumes to know everything about me. I believe I shall take my leave before you insult my person further," He replied, and without pause stood up and swept out of the diner, leaving Hermione to sit back in shock, how had it happened? Up until five minutes ago, they have been enjoying a quiet lunch together, albeit an awkward one but there hadn't been any blatant tension before then…

"Really, Ginny it's absolutely ridiculous; somehow he's made me into the bad guy, and I honestly feel terrible, when I have absolutely no reason too, he was the one who started it," She said, pacing in front of Ginny, who was sitting in the small loveseat in her living room, "I mean really, I didn't do anything wrong, right?" she asked, pausing to look at her friend for reassurance.

Ginny seemed uncomfortable under the heat of Hermione's gaze, "I don't know Hermione, I mean all we know about him is who he was before the war. He did correct himself before he even said sometimes awful, I'm sure it's hard to change everything you've been taught from the time you were born, it wasn't like you were expecting him to have turned into a saint…and he really did seem to be trying his best to behave properly…"She trailed off, watching Hermione, who had once again begun to pace across the living room.

"I don't know Ginny, I just can't believe that he's changed, how do I know that the minute we get married, he isn't going to turn into the monster he was?" Hermione asked, stopping in front of her friend once again, trying to hide how scared she was. "I don't want to marry him, I can't even look at him without thinking about all the things he did…" She paused, blinking back the tears that were threatening to spill over, "he let Bellatrix torture me in his drawing room Ginny, how on earth can I ever trust him?" Her voice broke, and she slumped to the floor.

"Oh Hermione," Ginny said gently, pulling her friend into a tight hug, "You have to give him a chance, I know he did, and allowed terrible things to happen to you but war changes people you know that, maybe you need to give him the chance to prove whether he's changed or not" She whispered, rubbing Hermione back, letting the small girl cry into her shoulder, "I mean I'm marrying the great jolly ferret, so at least we'll be sisters-in-laws…I think" The red-head said, trying to insert some humor into the situation.

To her relief Hermione let out a wet laugh, "Where would I be without you Ginny?"

"I don't know, probably a lot better off" The red-head teased, lessening her grip on her friend, choosing to ignore how tiny the brunette felt in her arms.

"So true Ginny, is it too late for a refund?" Hermione teased back, pulling back to give her friend a watery grin, maybe things might not be so bad after all.

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed the chapter, please review, all you have to do is go down and click that beautiful button and you'll make my day!

Next chapter, will reveal how Lucius reacts to the lunch fiasco and how he plans to prove to Hermione that he really is trying to change

Love,

Fallen

P.S. I love you guys, hope you'll be back for the next chapter!