CHAPTER ELEVEN

'I must be crushing you.' Lucius was the first to speak, rolling off to her left while she chuckled at his comment.

'That was incredible!'

'Too right.'

They moved to lay on the floor together before the dying embers in the fireplace. Hermione began to shiver after a few minutes of sated silence. The two sat up and Lucius moved to retrieve her shirt. He stopped short of handing it back to her when he witnessed a blush spread across her skin. Before he could ask what had her so flustered, he realized that her eyes were level with his groin…which was slightly damp with the effects of their mutual enjoyment. He shook his head, handed her the shirt, and went to locate his wand. A quickly muttered incantation had them both cleaned up.

'I think we should probably head back to the common room,' Hermione suggested.

Lucius agreed and they left the Room of Requirement together. Before the door to the room even had a chance to fade back into the wall, Lucius reached his left hand out and grasped Hermione's right. The couple walked in silence, occasionally stealing glances at each other, secret smiles exchanged when they were stuck on moving staircases. When they'd reached the main level of the castle and made to cross outside of the Great Hall, Lucius was stopped by a few of the older students.

Turning to Hermione, he said, 'I'm sorry, my love, but I really need to speak with them.'

'I'll meet you in the common room. Take all the time you need.'

The reality of the afternoon fell onto her as she strolled the hallways down to the dungeons: he'd called her his love. They'd spent an amazing afternoon in the Room of Requirement, and if she wasn't mistaken, he'd given her her first real orgasm. She walked into the common room with an infatuated smile on her face. How could she not?

~*~*~*LMHG*~*~*~

January was cold. The snow piled up outside of the castle in near-record amounts, forcing all the usual outdoor lessons to be taught indoors. Even the Herbology greenhouses were too cold for the students. Every meal was served with hot cocoa, and students and staff were often seen roaming the halls with mittens and wool caps on. Inside the Slytherin Common Room, students had taken to magically enlarging the fireplace just to keep warm. It worked rather well until Professor Slughorn caught them at it and put a strong repelling charm around the hearth. No one was able to figure out a way around that, so they moved on to personal warming charms and transfigured blankets.

The beginning of February brought a welcome change of energy to the castle. The snow was beginning to melt enough that Hogsmeade was reopening a lot of its shops. This made it possible for the announcement of a special Hogsmeade visit to take place on a Sunday rather than a Saturday. Of course, the fact that the Sunday in question was the day before Valentine's Day was not lost on anyone. Boys and girls all over Hogwarts began to express their desires for dates to Hogsmeade. Some were successful, many others were not. The sting of unrequited love was felt throughout the school.

Serendipity cornered Hermione in the corridor outside the Transfiguration classroom on the Tuesday after the Hogsmeade announcement was made. Flanking her on either side were Liz and Margie, both seeming to be chomping at the bit to talk to Hermione.

'So are you and Lucius going to Hogsmeade together?' Serendipity inquired.

Margie tutted. 'You know that it really isn't proper for her to be seen with him in Hogsmeade on such a day. No offence, Hermione, but he's betrothed to Andromeda's sister.'

'Shove off, Margie,' Serendipity replied. 'Just because you can't go to Hogsmeade with Jupiter doesn't mean that Hermione and Lucius can't enjoy some time together...'

'Ha!' exclaimed Galerius Avery as he passed them by in the hall. 'I knew you fancied Wilkes! I'm going to tell him!'

Avery took off down the corridor with Margie hot on his heels, threatening to hex him within an inch of his life if he said anything. Serendipity ran after them, hoping to temper Margie's anger should she get her hands on Avery. Liz, for her part, stood next to Hermione for a moment longer, sharing a laugh over Margie's embarrassment. Then she, too, walked away as Hermione started in the opposite direction. That was when she ran into Andromeda.

'So are you and Lucius going to Hogsmeade together?'

Hermione chuckled. 'Serendipity just asked me the exact same question. I haven't the foggiest. We haven't had a chance to discuss it. Any time we're together for more than a few moments, it seems as if a beacon is set off and those seventh year boys come calling on him. They're monopolizing his time and it's really grating on me.'

The two girls walked on for a bit, talking animatedly about the shops they were hoping to visit and the things they'd like to restock when given the chance. Hermione was looking forward to getting some licorice wands and Andromeda truly couldn't wait to purchase some more sherbet lemons. It wasn't until she found herself in an often disused corridor that Hermione realized there might be more to her conversation with Andromeda than she'd originally thought.

'Ted asked me to Hogsmeade,' she began after ensuring they were alone.

'Are you going to accept?' came Hermione's questioning reply.

'How can I? You know of my family. You know what they would do if I openly courted a Muggleborn!'

'Oh come on. The worst they'd probably do is blast you off of the ta-'

Hermione's throat constricted and her breathing became labored. Her head began to throb and her heart raced. Leaning against the wall, she tried her hardest to catch her breath and calm her palpitations, but to no end. She collapsed onto the floor and woke shortly thereafter in the Hospital Wing. Opening her eyes, she caught sight of Rabastan and Andromeda at her bedside.

'Oh Merlin, Hermione,' Andromeda cried. 'What happened?'

'Yeah, 'Mione. You gave us quite the scare!' Rabastan chuckled when Hermione swatted halfheartedly in his direction, knowing that he would get a reaction from her over using that nickname she so despised.

Before she had the chance to answer, Madam Pomfrey scuttled up to her bed and began checking on her. The mediwitch's wand glowed many different colors as it swept over Hermione's body. Then it began beeping in a steady rhythm when held over her chest.

'That's you, my dear. All patched up and set to rights. I believe your friends here are to accompany you back to your common room. Make sure you get plenty of rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day.'

With those words, the mediwitch left her charge to gather her things. Then the three students began the trek back to the Slytherin Common Room.

Hermione looked around, trying not to be too conspicuous in her search. Rabastan, however, knew where her thoughts were.

'Lucius had an important meeting he needed to attend. He wanted to be here, almost ran out on…well… Anyway, he said as soon as he's finished, he will be by your side.

Andromeda tried to ask what happened to Hermione, but the line of questioning was quickly shot down when the witch in question began talking about womanly issues. Rabastan, not wanting anything to do with such conversation, started talking loudly over the two women. They laughed a bit about it, but Hermione promised to explain later when they were alone. Of course, the conversation would be lies, but at this point Hermione didn't care. She was concerned about Lucius and what sort of meeting he would be having that he couldn't get out of. He usually told her when he needed to meet with teachers about something, but this…

~*~*~*LMHG*~*~*~

Valentine's weekend was upon them. Lucius had been with her in class and at meals, but time in the common room was spent mostly with her girlfriends. He was there; she could clearly see him in the room, but he was more often than not ensconced in a corner with a group of older boys. Hermione knew in her mind that these boys would grow to become Death Eaters, but she also knew that Lucius was not yet one of them. Not really. Often in class, or in the rare moments when the two would work together on revision, he would roll up his sleeves, revealing the smooth alabaster of his as-of-yet untainted forearms.

She loved watching him work, seeing him dedicate himself to furthering his knowledge rather than striving toward the elimination of all those with less-than-pure blood. Daydreams would often assail her, at the most inopportune moments, of those arms wrapped around her. Of those hands fisting in her hair as he kissed her. Of those fingers bringing her such pleasure. They'd met a few more times since their post-hols reunion of sorts, and each time they'd gone a little farther in their explorations of each other. Hermione was hoping that, with the majority of students going to Hogsmeade, they'd be able to sneak off together somewhere and have a good snog…or something.

Saturday evening, the night before Hogsmeade, Hermione was sitting with Liz and Margie in the common room. They were discussing their plans for the next day when they turned the conversation to her.

'So, Hermione,' began Liz. 'Are you going to Hogsmeade with Lucius?'

Hermione laughed. 'Why does everyone keep asking me that?'

'Well, you and he are pretty much inseparable,' came Margie's answer.

'Yes, well… We really haven't discussed it. I mean, I know that I want to meet him there and at least spend some time, but he's been so busy with those other guys that we really haven't had the chance to…'

Hermione's voice trailed off as her eyes traveled across the room to where Lucius sat with the same group of boys as usual. This time, she was surprised to notice that Jupiter Wilkes and Galerius Avery were sat with them. Sighing, she turned her attention back to the girls.

'We haven't talked about it,' she finished sadly.

The girls continued to discuss their plans, being joined by Andromeda and Serendipity after a time. They talked as the hour grew late and the younger students went off to bed. First and second years went to their dorms grumbling over another trip they were too young to enjoy. Third, fourth, and fifth years held a giddy excitement that could only be caused by the prospect of young love. The five witches were battling against yawns when they finally gave up and headed toward the stairs. It was only when Hermione lingered behind a few steps that Andromeda pulled her aside and bade the others a good night.

Hidden mostly in shadows, Hermione stared toward the corner where the group of sixth and seventh year boys sat speaking in hushed tones.

'You know he'll be there tomorrow, Hermione.'

She sighed. 'I know. I was just hoping to make some sort of plan before then.'

'You'll catch him in the morning at breakfast. Now come on. Off you pop. Won't do to look a fright for your wizard on the most romantic day of the year.'

'But Valentine's Day isn't until Monday!' Hermione joked. The girls laughed a bit, Andromeda teasingly swatting Hermione on the arm, and the girls walked together to their dorm.

Lucius wasn't at breakfast the next morning. Neither were any of the other boys who were huddled together the night before. Serendipity took Hermione by the hand and led her to the middle of the Slytherin table where a group of sixth and seventh year girls were already seated. None of the others thought too much of the missing boys, as it apparently wasn't uncommon for Slytherin boys to go ahead into Hogsmeade in order to properly prepare for their dates. Hermione was told that it was part of the courting ritual in a sense. There were specialty stores set back from the main road where pureblooded wizards could procure more expensive baubles for their dates. The men could also have their robes altered for the day to showcase their wealth and standing in society. The entire concept boggled Hermione's mind, but she had long since accepted that there were many trappings in pureblood society that she would never understand.

She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to Lucius's disappearance. The logical part of her brain knew that he wouldn't have gone ahead to prepare some grand gesture for her, nor would he buy her anything pricey. To do so would jeopardize his contract to marry Narcissa Black. When she and the others finally made it to the village, her stomach was upset. Trying to keep upbeat for her friends, she followed the group into the various shops. She ooh'd and aah'd over their purchases at the clothier, laughed with them at the joke shop, and tasted some new sweets at Honeydukes, all the while scouring the streets and storefronts for a certain blond wizard. When lunchtime came, the girls were met by a small group of boys. Pleasantries were exchanged, gifts were given, and the whole time all Hermione could do was look around for Lucius.

Rabastan noticed her wandering eyes. 'I know he's around,' he said. 'Just saw him a few minutes ago.' The other boys agreed with him, some even mumbling something about keeping up appearances with Narcissa, but one thing was certain: none of them were looking directly at her.

Lunch wasn't entirely unpleasant, but Hermione couldn't help feeling a bit like the third wheel. All around her, couples were enjoying the company of their significant others. They ate, drank their butterbeer, and enjoyed lengthy conversation about everything and nothing all at once. At the beginning, Hermione's eyes would dart toward the door every time she heard it open, but after about a half hour of this, she gave it up as a bad job. Her friends tried to assure her that Lucius would be around shortly, that he was probably just taking more time than necessary with Narcissa in order to keep the marriage contract, but she couldn't help feeling it was a lie.

When the meals were cleared and the pudding was served, Narcissa Black entered The Three Broomsticks. Hermione looked hopefully behind her for a certain wizard, but none were to be found. The witch arrived with her own cavalcade of female friends. As they passed, Hermione overheard Narcissa complaining about the lack of any sort of acknowledgement from her betrothed. She knew the younger (older? She was so confused.) witch kept going on, but her mind tuned the talk out while her heart dropped into her stomach. Where was he?

Hermione spent the next two hours walking with her friends but not really engaging with them. She was too busy looking for Lucius. Every store they would enter, every corner they would turn, her eyes would search for that familiar blond hair. After a while, she parted from her friends and made her way back to the castle, worried sick that something had happened. When she got back, Hermione went up to the library under the guise of returning a book and then took the long route back to the dungeons. She passed every known hideaway he had, surreptitiously checked the Hospital wing, and even went so far as to look in the Room of Requirement. He was nowhere.

She didn't sleep well that night, having not seen him in the common room before bed. The next day, he didn't show up to any meals or classes. By the time she worked up the nerve to ask Professor Slughorn about Lucius' whereabouts, she felt as if her stomach were eating itself.

'Oh, never you mind, dear girl,' the professor said. 'I excused him from his classes today. Seems he ate a funny whelk or something down in the village yesterday. Poor lad could barely move this morning.'

Hermione could barely contain herself, forcing her feet to move at a normal pace as she excused herself. It was all she could do to not run through the halls knowing that he was alive and in the castle. She'd spent the better part of the previous day imagining his demise in myriad forms, though the logical side of her mind kept telling her that he had to be alright. By the time she made it to the Slytherin common room, she was giddy with excitement to see him. Her enthusiasm died quickly, as hearing Lucius's name on Narcissa Black's lips gave her pause.

'Oh yes,' the pureblood witch began, 'he's perfectly alright. Should be any day now that I have his grandmother's ring on my finger, too. After all…' Her voice trailed off as she left the common room.

Hermione stood stock still just inside the entrance, unable to get her feet to move. Liz approached her and led her almost forcefully over to a sofa in front of the hearth. Once seated, Margie and Liz tried to cheer up Hermione. It was all for naught, though. Reality was once again crashing down around her. Hearing Narcissa mention getting a ring from Lucius awoke the knowledge that no matter how much she was falling for the wizard, he wasn't hers to have. After a while of sitting numbly with her friends, Hermione got up to head to dinner. She pushed her food around on her plate, berating herself for thinking that she could possibly have a future with a man she Iknew/I was married to, and had a child with, another woman. It was just so easy to not see him as the Lucius Malfoy she knew from her time. This Lucius was kind, considerate, friendly, and almost carefree with life. The Lucius from her youth was anything but…at least to her.

Giving up dinner as a bad job, Hermione made her way to her dorm. She was emotionally exhausted and just needed to sleep for a while. When she woke up the next morning, she decided that she was going to begin distancing herself from Lucius. After all, sooner or later she was going to lose him to Narcissa. Sooner or later, she would be headed back to her own time. Sooner or later, he would be a Death Eater.