Ok, here I reiterate that this fiction is rated "M". This chapter contains some lemony fluff, so if you're uncomfortable with that, I recommend skipping the end of the chapter after they leave the wedding. I've done my best to keep it sexy without being salacious. Thank you all for the marvelous reviews! I really appreciate the detailed feedback that so many of you are diligently providing. FanFictionAddict Kayla, articcat, KEZZ, Trekkergurl, arabellagrace, Lady Bookworm-thanks for consistently reviewing, even if they are short & sweet!

Things have been quiet on the question of who has their sights set on harming Hermione, but the honeymoon to follow will give some more clues. I'm working on that tomorrow, so hopefully will be able to post it on Monday or so. As always, let me know what you think! Thank you!


Hermione had everything she needed from the office, so she Disapparated to her flat to pack her bags. She enjoyed the time to herself, aware that if she had gone anywhere else, she would have had an Auror escort. Lucius had been quite firm on that last evening, insisting that she didn't know how much danger she was in. She remembered what she had said then:

"I suppose you think I'm going to let you hole me up in Malfoy Manor? Really you ought to know me better than that! I deserve to know what is going on, and I'm not going to stand for you shunting me to the side in some medieval notion of gallantry, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy!"

Lucius' lips had curved at her use of his middle name, and he had soothed her with a gentle touch on her hand, raising it to place a gentle kiss. "I would not dream of it, Hermione Jean Granger. Nonetheless, it is not something that we should be discussing on the eve of our marriage, wouldn't you agree? I promise most faithfully to let you know all developments as they make their way to me."

Frowning, Hermione realized that he had not promised to tell her all he already knew or suspected. That slippery Slytherin, she would have to confront him about that later. With a sigh she took a look around her bathroom, which looked curiously barren with all her toiletries packed. She realized with a pang that this flat would no longer be her home, and wondered how she would feel to be surrounded by the opulent surroundings of the Manor all the time. She would have to deal with house elves, too.

Shaking her head at the enormity of the changes ahead of her, she Disapparated directly into Lucius' study at the Manor. Twigs greeted her and informed her that Lavender and Ginny were waiting for her already, and that Master Lucius had just arrived home himself. Apparently not seeing the groom before the wedding was a tradition in the wizarding world as well, because Twigs delegated another house elf named Firkin to show Hermione to the room she would use to prepare for the wedding.

"Okay, Hermione, are you ready to see it?" Lavender asked, an excitedly lilt to her voice.

"We have a couple of other choices, but there is one that we're pretty sure is it," Ginny said, unzipping a large garment bag.

"Yes, I'm ready," Hermione said, steadfastly ignoring the wistfulness that crept over her. She was missing her mother wildly, having always thought they would find her wedding dress together. It had felt right to hand that over to Ginny and Lavender—she didn't know if she could have borne trying on dress after dress without her mother's gentle comments and smiling brown eyes. Blinking back tears, she turned around.

"Oh my." The words fell from her lips without thought as she looked at the dress which Ginny was rotating with her wand.

"Let's try it on!" Lavender's voice was an excited squeak, and Hermione agreed with her.

Before she knew it Hermione was looking at herself in the mirror. The strapless bodice suited her, the straight top a foil to the way it hugged her breasts below, showing off their shape without being fussy. The top's simple columnar line flowed into a skirt that naturally shaped and hinted at her hips before flaring gently to the floor. A French bustle at the back added volume in a simple and elegant way. The dress was airily dotted with a large pattern, snaking tendrils, leaves and floral blossoms in bold silvery grey. The dupioni silk had a subtle sheen, perfectly complimenting the dress' form. It looked like a piece of art, and she was wearing it.

"I love it," Hermione said truthfully, tears in her eyes as she turned to her friends. "Thank you so much."

She was enfolded in their hugs and they all sniffed emotionally, then Ginny's voice turned business-like again. "Ok, let's get you ready."

Hermione had a bath while Ginny and Lavender prepped for hair and makeup. When she came out in her bathrobe, they sprung a charmed box on her, black with a pink ribbon that looked like a flower waving in the breeze and "Irina" scrawled in an elegant cursive silver. She opened it to find a very naughty set of lacy knickers and bra, as well as matching stockings. All of them were pale cream and grey, just like her dress, and Hermione blushed fiercely.

"We promise not to even think of how you'll be getting out of these," Ginny said naughtily, and Hermione could not let it pass.

"I think it would be a better bet as to how many seconds they will stay on me when Lucius gets a look!"

They all laughed and settled in for hair and makeup. Hermione was allowed to open another box from Irina's, which contained a silky nightgown and a racy sleep set consisting of a camisole and sleep shorts.

"Lovely," Hermione said, closing the box. "Can you pack it for me, please, Gin?"

"Sure," Ginny called out, adding a few other pieces of her own choosing to Hermione's suitcase. Lucius had kept the details about their honeymoon to himself, so Hermione wasn't sure what she needed. Ginny knew that Hermione could transfigure whatever she wanted, but a witch shouldn't have to think about her clothes on her honeymoon.

Finally she was ready, Ginny and Lavender pressing hugs and kisses on her before they left for the gardens. Harry and Ron were waiting for her patiently. Since her parents were still missing, she had asked Ron and Harry to give her away. It seemed appropriate somehow, as Arthur Weasley was adamant that he was not going to endorse Hermione marrying Lucius Malfoy. Old wounds really were the most painful. Hermione hoped Molly had convinced him to come to support her if not her marriage.

"Hermione, this is it. Are you sure you're ready for this?" Harry's voice was supportive and neutral. Ginny would be pleased.

"You can change your mind, you know. I'm sure that you could still have Neville if you wanted," Ron offered.

Hermione turned from the view of the gardens below, the last few wedding guests taking their places, Minerva McGonagall among them. She gave Harry and Ron a small smile. "No, guys, I'm ready to marry Lucius Malfoy. I know it's going to be quite an adjustment, but you know I love challenges."

Ron laughed as Harry said, "You're right about that, Hermione. Shall we?"

He held his arm out, and Hermione linked her arm in his and then Ron's.

"Let's go make more history, chaps."


Hermione thought she was prepared for the bonding ceremony, but the sight of Lucius waiting for her was like a punch to the gut, a flood of warmth that she intellectually knew was in part due to the courtship ritual. She had not seen him so elegant before, a deep grey set of dress robes highlighted by a shirt so white it was nearly blinding and a vest that was shot through with gold and silver embroidery. Lucius' cool grey eyes flashed with fire at the sight of her, the only sign that he, too, was feeling the effects of the Beltane rite. A flare of heat passed between them as Harry and Ron entered the circle where the bonding would take place, then passed her hand to Lucius. They had agreed at dinner last night that the only person who made sense to cast the spell was Draco, and he was waiting patiently for them to look their fill, his own eyes laughing if his face was impassive.

"It is my privilege to have been asked to cast the bonding for my father, Lucius Malfoy, and his intended, Hermione Granger. As many of you are aware, I have not had the best relationship with either of them at times…" Draco paused for effect, and the guests laughed as he continued, "thus I think it's perfect that I will bind them to one another today."

Draco indicated that they should take their places, and Hermione and Lucius faced each other. Lucius held out his right hand and Hermione held out hers, and they clasped each other at the wrist. Draco pointed his wand, the words flowing effortlessly from his lips.

"Additisque lacrimis et melle. Petatur, custodivi: et custodiebat. Et fructificat simul. Separabis praeter sacram."

The thin golden cords wrapped around their wrists, pulsating and waiting. Draco looked at his father, and Lucius spoke.

"Where there has been cold, you have brought warmth; where there was darkness, you have brought light. Before this assembled company I pledge to be your husband from this day forward."

His vows were perfect, and Hermione had to take a deep breath before she could think of her own.

"Today I join myself to you before this company. May our days be long, and seasoned with love, understanding, and respect. Together we face all the days to come, as I willingly take my place as your wife."

The cords tightened briefly and glowed, then dissolved into their flesh. The faint marks would remain for all to see until the marriage was consummated, faintly glowing in the golden twilight. Draco turned and summoned a goblet of iridescent crystal which contained a golden liquid that shimmered slightly with each movement of the cup.

"As is traditional for the house of Malfoy, the bride and groom will partake of metheglin as a symbol of their bonding."

Hermione drank from the goblet first, the spices hitting her nostrils before the sweet warmth hit her tongue. Lucius drank next, his eyes never leaving hers. Then they both drank again, their hands clasped on the cup together as each drank the sweet and spicy brew.

"I present my father, Lucius Malfoy, and his wife, Hermione Malfoy." Draco stepped back and out of the circle with the cup, allowing Lucius and Hermione the sudden silent peace of their bonding circle. The guests could see them, but they couldn't hear them, the moment hanging suspended as they leaned toward one another, the kiss that unfolded more natural than breathing.

"Are you pleased, wife?" Lucius asked as he pulled away from her, their arms wrapped closely, that delightful warmth pervading every cell.

"Yes, I rather think I am, husband," Hermione replied, her hand falling in a gentle caress across his jaw as they retreated temporarily from one another.

"Let us greet our guests, then," Lucius said with a wink. "After all, I would hate to deprive them of your fetching company so quickly."

Hermione blushed at this reminder of the wedding night to come, and she made a pretty picture as Lucius led her out of the circle to the claps of the small group of guests. It was probably the smallest wedding in Malfoy history, but that suited the occasion for more reasons than one. Lucius had excluded the press and invited only those friends who were either truly supportive, or likely to spread the gossip far and wide. Some of the latter would take the smallness of the affair as an indication of his true feelings toward Hermione, and that was all to the good. For her part, Hermione only wanted her closest friends present, the quickly unfolding intimacy between herself and Lucius already known to them. By unspoken accord, they separated by a few feet to deal with the well wishes of their guests before dinner was served.

"You look beautiful, Mrs. Malfoy—just as a bride should on her wedding day," Minerva McGonagall said as she stepped forward to peck her cheeks and clasp her hands. "I wish you much joy from this marriage. I believe you are capable of creating anything."

"Thank you," Hermione said, unexpectedly teary at her former Head's compliment.

"You look gorgeous, Hermione!" Hagrid's voice boomed, and out of the corner of her eye she saw Lucius flinch. It was a small reminder of exactly how rocky this path was for them both, but Lucius continued speaking pleasantly to Kingsley Shacklebolt and Pius Thicknesse. The latter had taken over the Department of Mysteries, and was particularly interested in the goings on with magical research. Lucius had had several skirmishes with him over the idea of moving Hermione's work to the Department of Mysteries, but Hermione knew nothing about that, and he planned to keep it that way.

"Thanks Hagrid," Hermione said warmly as she was enveloped in a huge hug.

"I can't say I understand your choice Hermione but…" Hagrid was cut off by Molly Weasley, who had her brave face on.

"Congratulations dear," Molly Weasley said, hugging Hermione as Arthur waited patiently for his turn.

"I wish you all the best Hermione," he said sincerely, giving her a hug as well.

"Thank you so much, Arthur and Molly," Hermione said, then noticed that the elves were trying to usher everyone toward dinner. "It means a lot to me that you came."

The house elves had magically extended the pergola on the wide patio that stretched across the back of the house, and dinner was served there, everyone eating in groups of eight at tables that were bedecked with roses and twining vines that had been enchanted to crawl slowly around objects on the table. The latter caused a great deal of laughter, as guests found that sometimes their goblet was a bit too ensnared for easy retrieval.

Hermione and Lucius sat at a table with Draco and Astoria, Harry and Ginny, and Ron and Lavender. This had been the subject of quite an argument between them, as Lucius had wanted Kingsley Shacklebolt and his date at their table. Hermione had firmly insisted on her friends, refusing to let their table arrangements for their wedding be a political matter. Finally Lucius had suggested enlarging their table by two places, and thus Kingsley and his date, Aurora Sinistra, were also at the head table.

The conversations that flowed as freely as the wine were clever, Lucius and Draco sparring good naturedly with Harry and Kingsley. Lucius reached over during a pause in the conversation to caress her hand as she set her goblet back down.

"All right?" he asked pleasantly, his eyes meeting hers and holding them, that pleasing warmth spreading through her veins, an answering heat swirling in Lucius' quicksilver eyes.

"How much longer do we have to stay?" Hermione said boldly, and Lucius kissed her, his lips slightly wet and hovering for a second before he withdrew. He stood and pulled her to her feet.

"Dance?"

"Yes please," Hermione said, gathering her skirt and allowing Lucius to lead her to the tent that was set up for dancing. The strains of Strauss indicated a waltz, and Lucius smoothly drew her close and they started to dance.

"Rather traditional, don't you think?" Hermione said, which made Lucius laugh.

"Yes, I grant you—but I don't think our guests want the display that a tango would elicit under the circumstances."

Hermione felt a shock of heat at his words, and looked away from him. She felt suddenly shy, knowing that in a very short time they would be alone and nothing would stop them from consummating their bond. Lucius sensed her panic and simply drew her closer, whispering, "I promise to stop thinking about what you have under that enchanting dress if you promise to start thinking about whether I'm a boxers or briefs man."

Hermione was feeling decidedly warm, and she couldn't bear the thought of flirting like this with Lucius in front of everyone for the rest of the evening. It felt too intimate. So she pulled her husband down with a gentle hand on his neck and whispered, "But it's so much more entertaining to think about you wearing nothing at all."

Lucius halted and Hermione was at that moment mindful of the raw power her husband held in check. She could feel his magic swirling around him as he led her off the floor and away from the dancing guests, heedless of the few who darted looks their way. He brought her into the manor and up to the master bedroom, closing the doors with an impatient backward flick of his hand. Hermione was transfixed by the look he was giving her, raw sensuality mixed with that cool assessment that had always sent a thrill up her spine.

"Where is your wand?" Lucius asked, his voice deeper and slightly guttural.

Hermione reached up and pulled it from her messy chignon. She had enchanted it to be invisible when it was thrust so, but it was the best place to have it close at hand.

"Clever girl," Lucius said as he withdrew his own wand from his sleeve, then leaned in to nibble on her neck, causing Hermione's head to fall to the side, a small moan escaping her lips. He chuckled against her skin, his warm breath sending more skitters of heat across her flesh as he lifted his head to look at her.

"Take this," he said, offering her his own wand as he plucked hers from her unresisting hand.

"What…?" Hermione started to say as she gripped the curly maple wand, Lucius drifting around to her back, dropping a few kisses on her bare shoulder as he did so.

"Wand magic is very intimate, darling. I'm going to use your wand to ensure our privacy, and then I'm going to teach you the Fidelius. And you're going to use my wand to do it."

"Ahhh," Hermione breathed as Lucius' lips caressed the back of her neck, sending more incredibly arousing sensations down her spine. She watched his right arm wave lazily, her vine wand flicking effortlessly in his hand as he murmured first a silencing charm, then a privacy charm. His left arm had snaked around her waist and pulled her back firmly against him, the feel of his erection heating her up in a dangerous way.

"Now, pet, the Fidelius, if you please," his voice was warm and throaty against her right ear, his hair tickling her skin. Hermione looked at the wand in her hand—the curly maple was perfect for him, a pattern of dark and light bands. He didn't use a wand handle anymore, she had noticed, but the helm was carved intricately in a faint pattern that one wouldn't be able to make out from a distance, but which gave amazing depth to the fingers holding it, the pattern fitting like a glove against her fingers. Hermione's only experiences with others' wands had been less than desirable, but this wand felt different, its magic complementing hers. She turned her head to meet Lucius' eyes, and he wordlessly challenged her to use it.

Summoning her courage and fixing her mind on the spell, she was able to ignore the sizeable distraction of Lucius at her back and begin the wandwork for the Fidelius. She gasped as the magic of Lucius' wand intertwined with her own as she cast the spell, and she was aware of a sudden rush of arousal between her legs.

"You stopped," Lucius lazily drawled in her ear, "try again."

Hermione flushed as she realized exactly how intimate this was. It was just as intimate as having his hands on her body. He was seducing her with his magic.

Trembling, she began the Fidelius again, this time with Lucius coaxing and whispering instructions in her right ear. The rush from his wand magic and her own blending in such a complex spell was almost orgasmic, and Hermione shuddered as she realized she had finished the spell, the enchantment taking hold. Lucius turned her in his arms, her dress dropping away as she kissed him hotly, the strength of her arousal more than a match for his own.

"Am I a Secret Keeper for our bedroom as well then, darling?" Lucius teased when he managed to disentangle his tongue from her own.

"Need you ask?" Hermione was breathlessly removing his clothes, but it wasn't going fast enough for her taste. They had pulled and pushed each other over to the bed, and she wordlessly Divestoed the rest of his clothing while he looked his fill at the silver and cream lace that framed her delectable breasts.

Lucius was delighted that she was giving as good as she was getting, and did his own bit of vanishing, the remainder of her underwear gone. "I do so love you in lingerie, Hermione, but you in nothing at all is infinitely more stimulating."

The feel of skin on skin was shocking for Hermione, but she was too far gone to feel anything other than delight as their mouths met with passionate intent. Her hands wandered of their own volition, tracing Lucius' shoulders and back while his explored her breasts and then her hips. She felt the ridges of old scars, and felt a dart of curiosity to see them in better light sometime, this proof of her husband's mixed past. When he traced the paths of his hands with his mouth, cries fell unbidden from her own as Lucius loved her body. It was too heady, too good. He must have read that in the way her hands clenched in his hair, and he kissed her again, their tongues dancing as his hips came down heavy between her legs.

"Lucius, I need you," Hermione panted.

"I know, dearest," he pressed a kiss on her lips as he pressed forward.

"Oh, Merlin, yes—no, no! That doesn't feel good anymore," Hermione protested, and Lucius groaned.

"I know, sweetling—it will be better momentarily. But I have to finish this." He stopped her protests with his lips and finally slid home. "Oh god, witch, you are exquisite."

The pinch and then burn of Lucius claiming her had dampened her ardor somewhat, but Hermione was also amazed by the feel of having him inside her, fully claiming her. He dropped kisses on her neck and face as her body accustomed itself to his presence. Then he began to move and she forgot everything else as he taught her how delicious sex could be. She found that she could move just so against him, causing Lucius to groan against her neck in a way that made everything hotter, faster, brighter, until at last their bodies caught fire and they were simply one entity, lost to the heights and brilliance of passion well spent.

Who knew how many minutes later, Hermione felt herself returning to reality, her arms clasped around Lucius' neck while his were buried beneath her. He shifted them slightly, rolling to his side and propping his head on his left hand as he cupped her face with his right.

"Consummation is sweet, Hermione."

"Mmmmm," Hermione murmured in reply, bringing her fingers to trace his lips. He was thoroughly mussed and looked well kissed. She was mesmerized as the marks from their bonding glowing brightly before they vanished from their wrists. Lucius met her eyes, his own softly amused.

"It is made sweeter by the knowledge that no other has had the pleasure of your beautiful body, wife." Lucius had strongly suspected it, but she had not told him. "I confess myself surprised that you did not think it pertinent to mention beforehand."

Hermione blushed, which was ridiculous really given that they were naked and had just had passionately hot sex. "I didn't know how to bring it up—and I didn't want you to think me terribly gauche."

"I'm simply amazed that your dunderheaded peers didn't succeed in getting into your knickers. Naturally, however, I am selfish enough to be delighted by that," Lucius said, twirling one of her curls around his finger absentmindedly.

"I don't think they ever thought of me in that way," Hermione admitted, her eyes hesitant. "I was simply the brainy witch who told everyone what to do."

"They were fools," Lucius said firmly, pulling his wife toward him and laving her collarbone. "Mmmmm, delicious…I think I'd like a second course, please."

"Lucius…" Hermione started, but her husband was ahead of her, wordlessly Summoning a potion from the bathroom.

"Drink this, dearest. I don't want you sore."

Her expression softened at this display of thoughtfulness, and she drank the pain potion. It tasted different and Lucius made an approving sound in his throat as he licked her ear. "Yes, it's a bit of a combination potion…one of my own. Cissy found it…useful given my appetites."

The mention of Narcissa should have put her off, but somehow it didn't. She appreciated that Lucius did not try to hide his experience from her, but rather gave it to her as the gift that it could be.

"Do you miss her?"

Lucius pulled back to look at her. Her expression was kind and innocently curious, and he let out a breath of relief. It was gauche of him to mention his first wife in bed with his second on their wedding night, and he was relieved she was not offended by the lapse of his brain.

"Yes, I do. I probably will always miss her in a way. But she is my past, Hermione, and you are my future. I look forward to living it together…and how you will shake me up as you have done our entire world."

Her husband's expression was wry and amused, laced with the sly fondness she had caught from him since she had agreed to wed him. She wouldn't use the "L" word, but he cared about her, as she did for him.

"What sort of appetites might need sating, husband?" she asked innocently. "Do we need to get you a snack from the kitchens?"

"Oh no, my dear. I only require your luscious body and those delightful moans you make."

He flipped her over and pressed kisses on her shoulder blades, interspersing them with whispers of what he was planning to do to her. Hermione discovered she loved it when Lucius talked dirty to her, and Lucius discovered that his new wife was quite a lioness indeed…and thus they passed the rest of their wedding night in a happy exploration of the many and varied delights of their conjugal union.