Lucius Malfoy

"You aren't actually considering bringing her here," Draco asked, outraged.

"Why not? This way we aren't swarmed by the media." Lucius shrugged at his son as he asked the house elves to prepare a meal for him and Hermione that night. "And I expect you to be somewhere else," he added sternly.

"You can't have her over here, Father," Draco said. "Don't you remember what happened to her in this house during the war?"

Lucius looked confused for a moment before it dawned on him. "Oh, right," he breathed. How could he have forgotten? Hermione's screams were etched in his brain forever after that night when she was tortured by his sister-in-law in his own drawing room.

"Of course you're right," Lucius sighed in frustration. He hated to admit it, but bringing Hermione to the Manor was a terrible idea. If he wanted to win this thing, he couldn't remind her that he'd stood by and done nothing while she was tortured. Sure, he had a spy's job to do, and she knew it, but it probably wouldn't help his case.

Draco didn't know why he informed his father of his faux pas. Really, he should have let the old man suffer, but he couldn't help himself. If Hermione walked into the Manor and had a bad reaction...well, he didn't want to think about that. He never wanted her to have to remember that terrible night.

"Father, I can't believe I'm telling you this, but there are many places you can take her. Just consider how much pull you have with the ministry and nearly every other major industry in Wizarding England, and you want to bring her here?" Draco sighed as his father looked at him confused. He wasn't going to give him any more help. The old man could figure it out himself.

"P-professor Snape!" Ginny cried in surprise when she literally ran into her old Potions professor.

"I'm no longer your professor, as I'm sure you've noticed," Snape said, his voice bored and aggravated at the same time, as only Severus Snape could pull off.

"Of course," Ginny conceded. No matter how many times she looked at his bid, she couldn't believe the dungeon bat had actually held interest in Hermione. She had always assumed he was a little asexual. After reading his letter to Hermione, she couldn't argue that anymore. It was a little creepy, but Hermione seemed to return some sort of feelings for the snarky vampire.

"Are you going to stare at me all day, or may I continue with my shopping?" Snape asked, cocking an eyebrow at the redhead.

"Of course, sir. I just don't see you in Diagon Alley that often," she said.

"Yes, well," Snape said, pursing his lips, "as I'm sure Miss Granger has told you, I find myself in need of some things for our...date on Friday." He looked completely embarrassed and out of his element, and Ginny almost laughed, but remembered he was a master with a wand, and probably wouldn't think twice about hexing her if she laughed at him.

"Of course," she said with a nod. "I hope you both have a lovely time." Snape just grunted and moved past her. She shook her head when he was out of sight. She'd never understand what Hermione saw in that man. Then again, Hermione had always been a little strange.

Ginny came over to help Hermione before her date with Lucius. "So, tell me everything you are thinking right now," Ginny demanded.

"Well," Hermione said, faking deep consideration, "I'm thinking that if we move some of the emergency patients to the fourth floor, that will open up beds in the..."

"Oh come on, Hermione," Ginny sighed in exasperation. "I'm serious, and you know what I'm talking about."

Hermione just smirked and rolled her eyes at her friend. Ginny had been chomping at the bit for every little detail about this entire thing and Hermione found it quite funny. "Okay, Blaise was charming and the kiss was fantastic, but part of me was a little let down."

"Let down? Explain," Ginny demanded.

"Let down isn't the right word," Hermione said, allowing Ginny to take over the styling of her hair. "It was great, but part of me wondered if he was just trying to seduce me. He was quite clear that a relationship was not really in the cards, which is fine. But..."

"But you want more," Ginny said matter-of-factly.

"I...Well..." Hermione started. She did want more, but it sounded so absurd within the parameters of this auction she'd concocted.

"Of course you do, Hermione. You aren't a one-night stand kind of girl," Ginny said.

"Of course not, I'm a virgin," Hermione scoffed.

Ginny just sighed and rolled her eyes turning Hermione around to look at her as she started on her make-up. "That's not what I mean. You are a relationship girl. Look, you had a six-year relationship with a guy you didn't even desire sexually. You are a committed person, and you like it when people are committed to you," Ginny explained.

"But with the terms of the auction, it's not like I can ask for more," Hermione reasoned.

"I can think of at least two people in this auction that would jump at the chance for more," Ginny said.

"Like who?" Hermione scoffed.

"Harry and Snape," Ginny said. Before Hermione could respond, she continued. "Harry would never put your friendship in jeopardy for a quick fuck." Ginny almost laughed at the blush that crept up Hermione's cheeks at her choice of words. "For someone about to go on a date with Lucius Malfoy, you are awfully prudey tonight."

"Whatever. Continue what you were saying. Harry I understand, but what about Snape?" Hermione sighed in irritation.

"Use that big brain of yours, Hermione," Ginny said as she rolled her eyes. "This man is not one for the public eye, nor does he wear his emotions and feelings on his sleeve, but he put up a great deal of money to reconnect with you. Do you really think that's just about sex?"

Hermione just nodded to herself. It made sense. "I don't think Theo just wants sex either," she reasoned. "And then there is Draco..."

"What about Draco?" Ginny asked, sensing there was something Hermione hadn't told her.

"Well, I just don't know how to read him. We've been at each other's throats since we were little. Then, I haven't heard from him in almost a year. Now, all of a sudden he's sending me gifts and telling me he's always wanted me," Hermione said, pointing at the book she'd received the night before from Draco. "I just don't know if this is Slytherin cunning or if he's being genuine."

"Well, I can't answer that," Ginny said, averting her eyes as Hermione slipped her burgundy evening gown on. It was fancier than the other dresses she'd worn, because she assumed Lucius would be dressed to the nines. "What I can tell you is that Adrian doesn't lie to me, and he thinks that Draco just might be the most serious out of all of them."

"It's so crazy," Hermione said still trying to come to terms with the fact that the boy she hated could be a man she wanted to date.

"Not really. Everyone knows boys pick on the girls they like. Draco just never graduated past the Kindergarten phase of flirting," Ginny laughed.

"Maybe so. Either way, I need to get mentally prepared for Lucius. He's brilliant as he is cunning, and I need to stay on my toes," Hermione said.

"Alright," Ginny said. "I hope to talk to you before you head out with Draco tomorrow, but if not, you owe me double the details after," Ginny said seriously.

"Fine," Hermione said, laughing at her overzealous friend. Not five minutes after Ginny left, there was a hard knock at the door. She took a deep breath, still trying to believe that she was about to go on a date with Lucius Malfoy. He'd been one of the key players in her sexual fantasies since she was old enough to have them.

Steeling herself for how delectable she knew he'd be when she opened the door, she took another deep breath and pulled the door open. "Hello Lucius," she smiled brightly, seeing her suspicions had been correct. He was dressed in fine dress robes, and instead of holding a bouquet of flowers, he held a single red rose and a bottle of wine.

"I assumed my younger counterparts have already flooded you with flowers," he smirked, handing the bottle to her. "So I decided to offer you a much more useful token."

"Thank you, Lucius. It's very thoughtful. Let me just put it in the fridge and I'll be right back." Hermione smiled, and turned to go into the kitchen, her heart racing the whole way. He was gorgeous. Twice her age? Sure. But that wasn't going to stop her from having a good time. She was twenty-five after all. She was no longer a child.

When she returned, she noticed Lucius looking at her television set and couldn't help but laugh silently to herself. "It's called a television," she said, breaking him from his concentration on the box.

Lucius turned to her abruptly, but instead of taking offense, he smiled. "Yes, I know. I've never actually used one, but the company invested in a new technology for them. It's been most profitable for us."

"Yes," Hermione said. "Well, as a lowly resident healer, I've yet to upgrade my television, so it's still the same old model," she laughed. "Shall we go? Or was the plan to stay here?" she asked, quirking her eyebrow at the older man.

"Certainly not," Lucius said, "however, our first stop is on the Floo system." Lucius said. Hermione was slightly surprised, but took his arm anyway as he led her to her own Floo.

"Ministry of Magic," he called as he dropped the Floo powder in the fireplace and they were off at lightning speed.

"H-How did you? I thought only the top officials in the government had access to the Ministry via private Floo," Hermione said, eyes wide with wonder as they stepped out into the main entrance of the Ministry.

Lucius smirked down at her. "Well, I just happen to have some pull with the Ministry, and I had your Floo connected for the night. Considering you are a famous War hero, I wasn't faced with much protest," he added, his smirk deepening. She was damned adorable. Always had been really, but she'd become beautiful with age as well. A man would be lucky to call her his own. Not that he was thinking that far ahead.

"Well, this is by far the most interesting place a person has taken me on a date," Hermione admitted, still holding onto his arm as he led her to wherever they were going.

"I wanted to show you something," Lucius said. "Ah, here we are." He turned down a corridor off the main hall. They passed several doors before he finally led her into a room near the end of the hall.

She shot him a puzzled look when she saw only a table and two folding chairs in an empty room full of filing cabinets. "I have to say, this is the strangest place I've ever been brought by a male suitor," Hermione said smirking.

"Very clever," Lucius said, "but what I want to show you is on the table," he said, indicating for her to follow him around the table and look at the parchment rolled out on top of it. "This is your new hospital ward," he said, pointing at the magical blueprint on the table.

Hermione's breath caught in her throat as she looked at what Lucius had done. Apparently, he'd gotten together a team of architects to design the very ward she wanted to build with the money she received in the auction. She was speechless and felt tears sting her eyes as she considered the reality of her dream for the first time. Sure, she'd thought about it, but never had she been this close to it.

"Now, I know that you are a good little Gryffindor, and you will not choose me unless I 'win you over' as it were," Lucius said, a twinkle in his eyes, "but I thought I'd help you get a head start with whoever's money you'll be spending. This way, you don't have to hire out an architect on top of everything else," he explained.

Hermione couldn't say anything for a moment, but she threw herself into Lucius' arms and he gladly accepted her into his personal space. "Thank you, Lucius. You don't know how much this means to me."

"I think I've got an idea. Why did you never come to me about this before? I am on the board at St. Mungo's, after all," he asked, keeping her pulled tight to him as he looked down at her with, dare she call it...affection. She didn't feel awkward in his arms, so she allowed him to hold her close as she answered his question.

"Well, I discussed it with the head of the department, and he made it clear that the board doesn't look kindly on 'charity' projects. I didn't want to get embarrassed by bringing it before the whole board," Hermione answered. "As far as not going to you personally, I had considered it, but my pride wouldn't let me. Harry didn't even know I wanted to do this project until the article hit the stands."

"Silly Gryffindors," Lucius said with a roll of the eyes, letting her loose, but still keeping an arm around her waist. "You are far too noble for your own good, you know?"

"Oh, you think it's charming," Hermione said, flashing him a winning smile.

"Too true," Lucius admitted. "Now, shall I feed you, or would you like to stay in this dimly lit room? I assure you, I wouldn't mind the latter," he said, cocking his eyebrow at her.

"As titillating as that sounds," Hermione said, licking her lips slightly. Where did this forward woman come from? "I think you better feed me."

"You, Hermione Granger, are going to put me in an early grave," Lucius almost growled as he took her hand and let her back to the Floo network.

True to Lucius' nature, he chose the most opulent and expensive French restaurant in Wizarding England. It just so happened that the press was swarming the place too. "It had to happen sooner or later," she mumbled under her breath.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I really didn't intend..." Lucius said with a frown.

"I know," Hermione smiled. "Hey, I put myself out there. They've already been speculating about my 'bidders', I guess now they know of at least one. It's really no big deal. I've just always been a little turned off by the media," she explained.

"And who could blame you after all the bad press that came with being Harry Potter's best friend, that turned into obsessive press about the 'Golden Trio' after the war?" Lucius said, looking over the top of his menu as the waiter left. Hermione nodded emphatically. The press had never been her friend, and she guessed that they wouldn't be about this stage of her life either.

"At least those closest to me get it," Hermione said.

"Really? So Mister Weasley took the news well?" Lucius smirked over the top of his wine glass.

Hermione laughed, "Well, with the exception of Ron. But to tell you the truth, Ron and I will probably not be talking for a while. His family understood though. All his brothers sent their congratulations on kicking him to the curb. Fred and George also said they considered bidding, but thought sleeping with me might be a little too...weird." Hermione laughed at that. She couldn't agree more. While handsome, they were still like brothers to her. "Ginny is my confidante on this adventure, so you know she's on board."

"And Harry," Lucius asked, trying and failing to sound nonchalant.

"Well, that's another issue entirely," Hermione said. "He's in the running," she explained simply.

"I see," Lucius said, not missing a beat. "Well, let the best man win," he said. "Though it's a little crude to think of such a beautiful woman as a prize."

"Thanks," Hermione said. "It's still so strange to me as well."

Conversation continued after that, mostly about work and home life. Hermione found that talking with Lucius was less strained than it had been with Blaise and Theo, probably because they already had some sort of working relationship. There was also his advanced maturity, which she'd always been attracted to, and his aristocratic air, which she'd never been intimidated by, as some had.

When dessert arrived, she asked the question she'd been wondering all night. "Those plans, they aren't contingent on my choosing you, are they?"

"Of course not, Hermione," Lucius said quickly. "While I hope you do choose me - as I know I can get you the best night out of any of the other men in the running - those plans come with no strings. Any extra funding you might need, you needn't feel uncomfortable about meeting with me about either," he explained.

"Thank you," Hermione said gratefully.

"I hate to cut the evening short, but it's nearly ten, and I know enough about women to know they need their beauty sleep," Lucius smiled at her.

"Is it that late already?" she asked, with wonder. She had an early date with Draco the next day and wanted to get to bed before midnight to be fresh for it. "We'd better go," she said, "though I'll admit, I have no idea where we are," she laughed.

"I'll Apparate us back," Lucius said, taking her in his arms and Apparating in front of her building. "I shall walk you up. It's only proper," Lucius said, still holding her close to his side. Hermione could only nod as the spicy smell of him was threatening to make her faint. He smelled like heaven and felt even better. She wondered how a man of nearly fifty could be so incredibly toned.

At her door, Lucius took her hand and kissed it lightly. Hermione smiled but was somewhat disappointed. After all those sexual fantasies, she didn't want to end up with only a kiss on the hand. "Goodnight then," she said, hiding her disappointment.

Lucius just smiled brighter before pulling on the hand he held, bringing her into his body. "I'm not finished yet," he breathed over her lips, capturing them in a heated kiss, seconds later.

"Mmm," she moaned against him pulling him by the back of the neck, closer to her. His tongue flicked at her bottom lip and she allowed him entrance. Her heart almost exploded as she felt his tongue slide across hers. Just as soon as it was there, it was gone and Lucius was pulling back, a slightly dazed expression on his face.

"Until next time," he said, gathering his wits before kissing her once more on the cheek and turning to leave. Hermione stood there stunned for a moment before she finally managed to open her door and slip inside. Wow.

There had definitely been sparks to that kiss. But was it the fantasies being realized that caused such a reaction, or their chemistry? He was easy to talk to, for sure, and kind, in his own way. He could kiss like a pro, but that brought back another thought. Could she see a future with Lucius? She wasn't sure. She didn't even want to think about the implications it would have for her and Draco.

She shook the thoughts from her head and quickly went to her room to get ready for bed. Only a Dreamless Sleeping Potion would get her to sleep now, there was too much going on in her head.