Yes another chapter guys, thanks so much for the reviews they do help me out a lot keep it up. Like always constructive feedback is welcome.
DeathBringer159
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and I do not receive any cash from this story
Chapter Three: Malfoy Encounters
It was a little over three months since Hermione had returned to Britain. She now had a very respectable job at the Ministry as the Deputy Head of Department for Magical Education and enjoyed it immensely. She hadn't really known what to do once she had come back, but Harry and Draco had looked around for her and now she had a well-paid job that stimulated her urge for knowledge; it was a very demanding job. Victor had retired from International Quidditch in order to stay home with Luciana since Hermione usually left very early and came home after eight almost every night. He didn't mind in the slightest, he had become rather bored of all the fame and relentless hours of practice. Today was Saturday and Hermione happened to have a day off and she decided it was time to take Luciana to Diagon Alley for the first time as a family. With Victor holding Luciana's hand and Hermione holding Victor's, the small family apprated to the Leaky Cauldron, saying a quick hello to Tom they eventually stepped into the bustling streets of Diagon Alley. It was Luciana's first time here and her grey eyes widened at the colourful displays of magic and unusual creatures. "Why didn't we come here earlier Mummy? It's brilliant!" the five year-old gasped. Hermione couldn't help but laugh at her daughter's outburst. "We'll be coming here more often darling, I promise" Victor smiled down at Luciana and squeezed her hand slightly,
"Where would you like to go first Lucy?" he asked. The young girl pondered for a moment, and then her eyes lit up. "Flourish and Blotts, Mummy always talked about the books she'd read from there when we lived in Bulgaria." Victor shook his head in amusement
"You're just like your Mother sweetheart, lives for books and learning" Hermione slapped his arm playfully and the trio walked together to Flourish and Blotts. Hermione thought back to when she was at Hogwarts and how excited she'd get when the new book list would come in the mail, she missed those care-free years. Well as care-free as it got with the threat of Voldemort looming over them in those days. Victor let go of Luciana's hand and turned to Hermione, "Hermione love, I'll let meet with you later, I have a few things to do." Hermione smiled and gave Victor a quick kiss before she turned back to the blonde girl who was quivering with excitement. "Let's go Lucy," and they entered the store, the smell of fresh parchment and ink insulted their noses, both woman and girl had huge goofy smiles plastered on their faces as they gazed at the book-shelves surrounding them. Luciana instantly took off to the children's section and Hermione, after watching her daughter for a bit headed off in search for a new book to read.
Luciana scanned the shelves with vigour until spotting a rather large book at the top of the shelf. She was far too short to reach it her-self; Luciana looked around and saw a tall man with long blonde hair in another row near her absorbed in a book him-self. Plucking up all her courage she took measured strides towards the man and stood next to him, "excuse me." The man raised his head slightly, his eyes settled on the little blonde girl, an eye-brow raised, "can I help you?" he said in a smooth baritone voice. "Yes you can, could you please get me that book up there?" Luciana pointed to the book she wanted. The man sighed slightly and shut the book he had been thoroughly engrossed in with one hand. With unwavering grace he placed the book in its rightful place and strode towards the bookshelf. He grabbed the book she had pointed out and handed it to her. Luciana smiled and looked up at the blonde man with a smile "thanks" and she promptly sat on one of the plush chairs arranged around a small mat in the Children section. Lucius continued to regard the young girl with curiosity. She had rather long curly blonde hair that almost reached her waist. Her clear grey eyes sparkled with excitement and intelligence, something Lucius spotted the minute he set eyes on the girl. He looked closer and concluded that her hair reminded him of Hermione's almost unruly curls which always seemed to disallow anything to tame them. If he was honest with him-self, she looked like his son Draco had when he was that young and realisation flashed through him at the thought. This girl….was Hermione's daughter his daughter, bloody hell Draco was indeed right, she was almost identical to him concerning her looks. Same platinum blonde hair, minus the curls, and the same grey eyes, all Malfoy traits, however you could see parts of Hermione in the girl. The curly hair, the same button nose and the intelligence and obvious love for books; she was beautiful, she was perfect. Lucius cleared his throat and Luciana looked up to see the man still standing there. She cast her eyes at the snake-headed cane in the man's gloved hand with interest before looking up at him again.
"What is your name?" Lucius asked smoothly, noting the girl's gaze flicker back to his cane before answering. "Luciana Granger and you are?"
"Lucius-Lucius Malfoy" Luciana nodded slightly
"Nice to meet you Mr Malfoy, why do you have a cane?" Lucius smirked; she was an inquisitive little thing alright. "It's more for show Luciana; I can see that you enjoy reading." She nodded enthusiastically at this, "Yes, Mummy always reads to me before bed she says that knowledge is very important and that it will help me when I go to Hogwarts." She looked down to her book her eyes sparkling, "Could you read to me Mr Malfoy?" Lucius was surprised at this but inclined his head in reply and arranged him-self in the seat next to her, his cane standing up against a book shelf.
That's how Hermione found them both, Luciana leaning on Lucius' lap, enraptured by the book as he read to her quietly, his smooth baritone voice carried its way to Hermione and she froze in place. They looked so comfortable with one another, Luciana nodded at something Lucius pointed to and then continued to listen intently. 'He hasn't changed at all' Hermione thought to her-self, 'Still so handsome, and that voice, it should be bloody illegal- wait handsome-no he's a despicable bastard. Victor is far more handsome' she assured her-self, but even then she knew that deep down, she knew Lucius still had an effect on her, even after all he had done to her. Hermione shook her head and marched towards them, "Luciana, we're leaving." Lucius snapped his head towards her and his grey eyes seemed to penetrate her very soul. "Do we have to Mum? Mr Malfoy is reading to me," Hermione tore her gaze away from the blonde man and nodded. "Yes Mr Malfoy must be very busy at the moment, come here" she held out her hand. Luciana sighed and hopped off the chair and took her Mother's hand. Before Hermione could move, Lucy swirled around, "Thank you for reading to me Mr Malfoy." Lucius nodded in the girl's direction
"It was my pleasure Luciana, don't keep your Mother she seems to be in a rush" he drawled, a touch of arrogance in his voice. Hermione stiffened at the use of her daughter's name but didn't turn around. "We must be going Lucy; Victor will be waiting for us." The two swiftly left and Lucius remained seated, with the book he had been reading still in his lap.