A/N: Hi guys! Thank you for all the reviews. I loved them all. If I haven't responded to you yet, I promise I'll get to you soon. Work has been crazy and i haven't had a lot of free time. Here is a her telling Lucius about finding a flat to live in. Enjoy!

Special Thanks: to my beta, TabiPrewett who is super awesome. I'm so glad you haven't given up on me yet, even with me changing things after you already corrected the chapter and then having to start over from scratch. I adore you!

Chapter 24

When she arrived, she called to Lulu, asking the elf when it popped into the foyer where Lucius was. Lulu happily told her that her master was in his office going over some papers alone.

Hermione thanked the tiny elf who popped away again, wondering if she should disturb him or not, wondering too if she dared go into his office. After the last time, when she had arrived via the floo the first night she'd stayed, she wasn't sure it was a good idea.

Hermione doubted she would freak out as badly, but the memories would be there. Distracting her enough to possibly be a problem, but she had to face her fears. She'd said as much to him once about his own demons concerning that night so many years ago. Even her therapist had said it was up to her to face what had happened to her. That she'd never truly be over it, if she didn't face her past and her fears.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione moved to stand just outside his office door, hesitating briefly before lifting her chin and knocking. Hearing him call out to enter, she hesitated again for a few moments, and heard him call out enter a second time, only slightly louder. Her hand on the doorknob, she gritted her teeth to stop the trembles she felt and opened the door.

Lucius was looking at his papers still when she opened it, not even thinking that it might be her at his door. Hermione had stayed clear of his office since that first night, and if she needed something while he was in it, she usually asked Lulu to let him know. As he scanned his documents, he figured it was Draco that knocked. Draco knew if Lucius was in his office, then he was busy, and the young man knew to wait quietly until Lucius looked up.

Not hearing anything, Lucius finished what he was reading. Hermione swallowed as she stood just inside the door, her eyes moving instantly to the Persian rug as she again heard the screams in her mind.

Giving her head a slight shake to clear them away, she looked instead to the man at the desk. Closing the door behind her, she swallowed nervously again, and forced her feet to move.

Her steps slow and shaky as she walked closer to his desk. Stopping just at the edge of the carpet, not able to move any farther in, even as her gaze slid from Lucius to the expensive rug once more.

Seeing herself in her mind writhing in agony on the floor, her fists clenched as the trembles increased slightly. Hermione chanted in her mind that it was only a memory and that a memory couldn't hurt her.

Lucius finally finished what he was reading, signed the document, and sealed it. "Yes, Draco?" He asked as his head lifted.

What met his eyes startled him. Hermione was standing in his office, her gaze on his Persian carpet, her fists clenched and shaking along with the rest of her, while her face was pale.

Lucius stood up instantly. "Hermione?" He asked moving around the desk towards her. He saw his voice draw her gaze, glazed over in her memory, and with another shake of her head it cleared.

Lucius saw in Hermione's eyes when she actually saw him moving towards her, instead of seeing the memory in her head. A slight smile on her face, though he had a feeling it was forced. "I wanted to speak with you." She said softly.

Lucius' brow knitted in confusion, and he saw Hermione's gaze start to slip back to the carpet before she forced her eyes to stay on his. "You didn't have to come in here to do so, my dear." He told her. "You could have asked one of the elves to let me know you wanted to talk, as you usually do."

Lucius took her hands, which were ice cold, and tried to steer her towards the door again, but Hermione pulled against him. "Lucius, I'm okay." She told him.

Lucius sighed. "You're not okay. You face has lost all of its color and you're shaking like a leaf."

Hermione smiled again, it was small, but this time it was real. "Yes, I'm kind of scared, but I'm not screaming, or crying. I'm…I'm fine." It was true, she realized. She was scared, but just being in this room wasn't crippling her like she'd worried it might. The terror from that night wasn't dropping her to her knees in fear and agony.

Lucius frowned at her, not understanding. "There is no need to stand here being scared when there are many other rooms where we can discuss, whatever it is you want to discuss."

Hermione nodded slowly, but still stood her ground. "Yes, but I can't hide from this room forever. I have to face it eventually, and today is as good a day as any, I think."

Understanding what she was saying at last, Lucius found himself amazed once again by her courage. It made him wonder if she even realized how courageous and strong that she really was. "If you insist, but if it becomes too much, just say the word and I'll have us out of here instantly."

Hermione nodded again, and when he went to lead her back to his desk, she paused, making him stop. "I don't think I'm actually ready to stand on the rug, yet. It's silly, I know..."

"It's not silly." Lucius said, interrupting her.

Hermione smiled softly, appreciating his understanding, and motioned to the long leather sofa instead. Lucius moved towards it, his hand at her back, feeling the mild shaking still and sighed at her insisting she was fine when she clearly wasn't.

When they were seated, Lucius took her hands to help her focus on him, and Hermione swallowed before speaking. "I went into London today." Seeing him nod, she went on. "While I was out, I found a flat that I like and that is vacant. It's in a good neighborhood and has several conveniences nearby. After speaking with the landlord and taking a look at it...I like it."

Lucius hadn't thought she was actually looking for a place to live. He didn't realize he was frowning either. "Are you unhappy here?" He had thought they were doing well together. She hadn't seemed unhappy to be living there with him. She seemed comfortable enough to wander into just about any room she wanted to in the lower floors, even when Draco or Lucius were tied up with something else. She seemed fine with spending a few hours on her own if they were busy. Had he missed something?

Hermione smiled. "No, that's not it at all. I've thoroughly enjoyed staying here, but...the whole reason of me staying was only to do so until I found a flat that I liked, and I have done that. It's something that fits me quite well and...I can't stay here forever."

Lucius wanted to ask her why the hell not, but he refrained. "Have you already signed the leasing contract?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, I told the landlady that I needed a few days to think about it, and she's holding it for three days for me. I'm sure it'll take some time after I move in to get the fireplace hooked up to the floo, but other than that, it's ready just like it is."

Three days. Three days and then she'll sign her papers and be ready to start packing. Which meant she was leaving him very soon. The thought saddened him.

Hermione watched him, seeing his careful mask sliding into place to replace his frown, and she didn't know what that meant. "Lucius?"

Lucius looked back at her, forcing a smile. "It sounds lovely, my dear. Congratulations on finding a flat that is to your liking."

Hermione frowned slightly. "Er...thank you." Not sure what his thoughts were fully, especially since he was acting a bit strange, she gave him a smile. "I do expect Draco and you to visit, of course. You both are welcome anytime and I'll set my wards to allow both floo and apparation so you can."

Lucius gave another forced smile. "Of course, we'll visit, my dear." Her frown grew, but he stood. "Well, I have more work to do, so we'll have to finish discussing this later." Needing some time to himself to deal with his sadness of her leaving.

Hermione stood slowly. "Okay. Um...are you alright, Lucius?"

Lucius nodded, giving her another smile, this one as fake as the others. "Of course, my dear. Now run along and we'll talk later."

Hermione raised her eyebrow at him, making him realize what a horrible job he was doing at seeming normal. Something he'd never had a problem with before her, but she didn't say anything else.

Instead, Hermione walked slowly out of the room. Though Lucius did spot her gaze sliding back to his rug as she walked by it, doing her best not to step on it. The sight made him realize that he should have walked with her, but she opened the door and after stepping out, closed it again.

Hermione went to the library until it was time for dinner, sitting there for a while, not reading, only sitting as she thought. She didn't understand why Lucius had acted so strange. She'd told him that she wanted him to visit, that he and Draco were both welcome.

What was the problem? Hermione asked herself, only she had no answer.

Dinnertime came, and she joined the men, both standing when she came into the room and Lucius helped her with her chair like he always did. Giving her a smile, though she realized it didn't quite reach his eyes.

They ate, Draco asking what she did in London, and she filled him, aware of Lucius' silence beside her. Draco commented on her abandoning them to eat alone with her leaving them, a laugh on his face as he said it. He didn't mean anything by it, and she laughed his comment off, and talk resumed after that.

Later, when Hermione went to her room, to change out of her clothes and get ready for bed, she hoped whatever was bothering Lucius worked itself out. Maybe it's just was what he was reading before I came into his office that was bothering him? He had seemed busy and said he had more work to do. She thought.

When a while had passed, and he hadn't come to her door, she went out on the balcony, but he wasn't there. Steeling her sudden nerves with his odd behavior, she knocked on his glass door.

It took a while, and she almost thought he hadn't come up yet, when she saw him move his curtains aside and open up. She smiled, but didn't get to say a word before he had pulled her to him and was crushing his mouth onto hers.

His hands fumbling with the tie of her robe and quickly finding the naked skin underneath, caressing her breasts, her stomach, and her back. His movements seemed rushed, desperate even, but as usual, her passion rose to meet his.

His tongue warred with hers as he suddenly picked her up and carried her through the darkened room. Both of them on the soft mattress in just a few heartbeats time, his hands still moving over her body as he kept kissing her.

Hermione barely had time to keep up with one thing before he was doing something else, his hands jumping from caressing one body part to another. Within minutes of him bringing them to his bed, his fingers were parting her folds.

There were no teasing touches, no slow glides of his hands, like he normally did. She didn't understand, but she was so caught up in the flames he was bringing to life that she couldn't stop and ask him about it.

He sent her over the edge quickly, his hands moving over and inside her moist heat, playing her body like a master might a piano. The rush of pleasure was so sudden she hadn't expected it as she cried out.

Before she could even draw a breath, he was moving between her thighs, and sliding into her. Not giving her time to adjust or even blink before he was driving himself into her again and again.

All she could do was hold on as he rode her fast and hard. His teeth scraping along her neck and making her moan as he moved in her, her nails digging into his shoulders as the tension built in her. When it hit, she screamed, her voice echoing in the room and only driving him to take more of her. He shifted onto his knees, her legs pulled up to his shoulders as he gave her everything he had.

Lifting her to meet each powerful stroke as she clutched at the bedding to keep herself grounded. Her cries of passion mixing with his harsh grunts as he took more and more. The darkness of the room hiding the slight wince now and again when he thrust almost too hard, but again, she wanted every ounce of passion he had to give her. She loved it, reveled in making this man lose all sense of control when he was sheathed inside her. This man who could keep his calm manor with anyone, but her.

When she wasn't sure if she could take much more, she felt another release suddenly explode inside her. She screamed his name as her body shook with the sinful pleasure pouring through her as he gave a loud roar and burst inside her.

His body weak as he collapsed beside her, having only enough thought in his mind to know if he fell on her with as high above her as he was, he'd hurt her. Hermione rolled, pressing her body against his as they both gasped for air.

Her head on his chest, she closed her eyes and simply enjoyed the tiny aftershocks of such strong orgasms. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep in exhaustion either.

Only Lucius wasn't anywhere near done with her. She was awoken by his mouth on her breasts before he took her again. Much later as she was dozing off, after their second round, he slid inside her yet again.

Her voice hoarse with her previous screams, her cries weren't nearly as loud, but Lucius knew she was still fully enjoying everything he gave her. Her body showing him how much she wanted him pounding into her by the wetness between her thighs and the constant tightening of her walls as she cried out her releases and scratched up his back.

It was very late when she finally fell asleep and stayed that way.

Over the next couple of days, whenever Lucius found her alone, he pounced on her, taking her wildly and thoroughly each time. She was taking healing potions left and right to be able to keep up with him. Making sure she had one in her pocket at all times, charmed not to break.

At night he would be hard and ready for her, though a few times, she wasn't sure she was fully ready for him again, but she still enjoyed every moment of what he gave her. Even with her being a bit tired the next day after she woke in his arms.

During those days Draco wasn't home much, and when he was, he was quiet in her presence. She thought he might be upset at her leaving, but he never said anything. She'd told him at work that he was welcome at her new apartment, but he'd just nodded before saying he had to get back to work.

Draco still brought her coffee and she still brought pastries, but he didn't stay long in her office, odd as that was for him. She normally had to kick him out, while reminding him that he actually had work to do in his own office before he left.

Draco didn't leave to go to lunch either. In a weird twist, it was she that brought him back lunch. Finding him sitting at his desk, working through files of his own, and having been swamped herself, she sympathized.

Hermione would have offered to help him, but she didn't do anything pertaining to goblins. Her job was based mostly on centaurs and werewolves, the occasional elf problem, but those didn't pop up that often. She did other magical creatures too, but she hadn't been cleared for goblins. They required a team all on their own, she hadn't been trained to deal with their requests or the paperwork needed to complete each file.

Today was the final day for her to accept or decline the offer of the apartment. Not having really had a chance to talk to Lucius about it, since he shagged her senseless anytime she was near him, she didn't know his thoughts on it.

Hermione paused, a smirk on her lips, and she found herself wondering briefly, if he was in heat or...part werewolf, acting like it was the three days prior to a full moon. They were restless and randy as hell from what she'd heard, just as Lucius had seemed these last three days. However, she knew he was in fact not a werewolf, nor did he suffer from any other strange afflictions that would cause him to be acting strange.

After thinking about it some more, Hermione finally decided to take the flat. She had enough in her saving to pay her rent for a full year and it not clear her out completely. She could still set her rent aside each month, but this way she didn't have worry about what day of the month it was or being late with her payments.

Hermione took her lunch hour and went to sign all the paperwork, a thirteen-month contract. The landlady's gaped at her paying her rent for the whole lease upfront. Hermione had shrugged and explained that she'd not had to pay rent for a few years and had simply saved her money, a small embarrassed smile on her lips. The landlady had smiled and said that she offered a discount to those that paid upfront, it wasn't a large discount, only ten percent off the total, but it was still a lot when you considered the grand total of thirteen months' rent.

Keys in hand, Hermione had happily returned to work after grabbing a bite at one of the local restaurants near her new home, finding that they did indeed have excellent food.

She popped by the office that handled the floo network, applied to have hers connected. When that was done, she stepped onto the lifts to go to her office. Ignoring the extra-long glances still tossed her way since the rumors of her and Lucius began.

Hermione had just sat down when a thought hit her, Draco's joke about her abandoning them coming to mind. She realized she hadn't noticed it then, but Lucius' jaw had tightened when Draco had said it, his hand clenching next to his plate.

Does he think that's what I'm doing? Does he think I'm abandoning him? Moving to get away from him? Hermione wondered. I need to speak to him. Let him know it has nothing to do with my feelings for him.

Hermione paused. My feelings for him? Closing her eyes and saying over and over. It's not love. I'm not in love with Lucius Malfoy. I'm not in love, it's just affection that I feel.

Her brain chimed in smugly once again. Liar.

Hermione ignored it and went on back to work. At the end of her day, she gathered her things and went to the apparation point, the only place where apparation was allowed inside the Ministry building. She didn't want to deal with flooing today, especially with the long lines at times.

Moving inside the roped off area, Hermione pulled her wand and was gone with crack. She arrived with a slight pop and as she carried her things through the foyer to the stairs, Lulu met her with a pop of her own, almost startling Hermione in the process.

"Lulu has a note for's Miss. Master's says to's give it's to you's as soon as you's get home." Lulu said, a cheerful grin on her face.

"Thank you, Lulu." Hermione said taking the folded parchment from the tiny elf before she was gone with a pop.

She opened the noted and read.

Hermione,

I wanted to let you know that I had a business trip spring up at the last minute. I'm not sure how soon I'll be returning.

Incidentally, there is a letter from the Ministry resting on your bed. It didn't have a name on it, so I opened it. My apologies, my dear.

I hope to be back before you move into your new flat. If not, I'll send you an owl upon my return.

Sincerely,

LM

Hermione frowned. How does he know I got the flat? I barely signed everything today. She shrugged and sighed, she wouldn't be able to talk to him now with him gone. She hoped his trip ended soon so she could do so.

Upstairs, she opened the door to her room and found the note from the Ministry. Opening it up, she saw immediately how Lucius knew of her flat.

Miss Granger,

This is in regard to your request for floo activation for your new residential location. It can take up to six official business days to have your new residence set up to the network after your application. We will send a representative via floo when it is connected to explain any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Charlotte Whitehouse

Department of Floo Activation and Regulation

Hermione sighed. This explains it alright, she thought. She had hoped to tell him herself, but either way, he knew, and she would talk to him after his trip.

Several days passed, but there was no word from Lucius, and she decided he must be busy and hadn't had time to owl her. Draco was still quiet. When she asked him if he was alright, he rolled his eyes and snarked that he didn't want to talk about it.

When she had frowned and looked back at her plate, he sighed and apologized for being rude, saying he'd had a bad day and wasn't up to discussing it. She had given him a smile and nodded.

Just before dinner was done, she mentioned her new flat. Asking if he thought Lucius would mind if she asked Lulu to give her a hand packing up her things.

Draco rolled his eyes and sighed once again, stating his father hadn't complained of anything else she'd used during her stay, why not Lulu too. Hermione frowned again, but figured he was still in a bad mood from his equally bad day and shrugged it off. Thanking him quietly before finishing her meal in silence.

A few more days passed with still no word from Lucius and with Draco being absent from dinner during them, she found out just how lonely it was to eat in the big dining room by yourself. Very. Very lonely, indeed.

Saturday rolled around and still having no company other than her own, she decided to start getting her things moved. Asking Lulu for help turned out to be enjoyable, especially when she asked the elf to help and not do it all for her.

After the initial sadness of her leaving, Hermione had assured the elf she'd still come by and see her, and the elf had been back to happily chatting as she helped Hermione pack up her clothes and books. Putting everything in boxes that she conjured.

Sunday was spent buying furniture and anything else she needed, happy that it was all delivered quickly and carried by the men who brought it to her. Though they weren't thrilled by the two flights of stairs they had to climb.

Once it was all inside, she gave them a big tip for the effort, and then proceeded to use her wand to put it where she wanted. She'd apparated back to Malfoy Manor and Lulu had used her magic to get all her boxes over there. Even coming with Hermione to help her unpack everything. Much to Hermione's delight at having the company, more so than she actually needed the help.

Once everything was done, she'd slept there her first night, too tired to go back to the Manor and not really having a reason too either. Lucius was still gone, and Draco was with Stephanie.

Monday morning she'd gone to work, but Draco hadn't brought her coffee. When Hermione went by his office, she found him at his desk working away. She handed him the bag of pastries and asked where he'd been this morning.

Draco shrugged, saying he'd simply overslept and hadn't had time to get her coffee, she had frowned, but let it go. Leaving him the bag of sweets, she went back to her office.

At lunch time, he was gone when she went to see if he wanted to join her. She knew then that he was angry with her, and chin raised, she went to get her lunch, and decided she would have it out with him later.

Ten minutes before it was time to call it a day, she went to his office to find him packing up whatever he was taking home. "Draco Malfoy, you're angry with me." Hermione said.

He glanced her way, but he didn't speak.

Seeing this, she rolled her eyes and spoke again. "You're mad at me for going and getting my flat. I couldn't live there forever, Draco, you'd have grown tired of me and I don't want to ruin our friendship over a living situation. Besides, you seemed fine with it before, why are mad at me for moving now?"

Draco continued to just stare at her, his jaw clenching and unclenching, looking very much like his father. After a several moments of silence, he spoke. "Granger, I couldn't care less about you moving into your own flat."

Hermione, at a loss, raised her hands. "Then, why are you angry with me?"

Draco cocked his head, looking at her and not saying a word. Finally, he shrugged and went back to getting his things together. "Who says I am? Not everything is about you, Granger."

While Hermione stared at him in confusion, he finished up and moved to leave. She blocked the way on purpose. "Draco, I'm not abandoning you and Lucius. Your father offered the room until I found a new place, and I didn't want to wear out my welcome. I'll still come by and you two are always welcome to drop by my flat whenever you like."

Draco motioned for her to move, and when she didn't, he gritted his teeth. "You're welcome was obviously not worn out, but as I said, I don't give a damn about your flat. Now would you please step aside, my father gets rather upset when I hurt women, even on accident. He was rather pissed off at me for slapping you when you freaked out on his rug, though only I did it to help. I'd hate for him to be so again if I knocked you over while simply trying to get out of my office. Now move it."

Hermione moved, not understanding why he said he wasn't angry, when he obviously was. Draco moved past her and walked quickly to the lifts. He didn't even turn to look at her before stepping onto it.

A/N: So yeah, Draco is mad. Anyone wanna feather a guess why? Lucius returns soon as well, how do you think that's going to go? More coming soon, take care and please leave me your thoughts.