Can I take you?

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. That all belongs to J.K. Rowling.

'Ms. Granger, I mean you no harm, but I need to take you away to save your life.' The man whispered. 'Your friends are alive and safe, but we need to leave now for you to survive. Can I take you?' Hermione nodded as the pain throbbed.

~o~

'Miya, I know I shouldn't be so familiar but considering our circumstance I think Miss. Granger is too…., I am so sorry for what I have done.' Lucius talked to a comatose Hermione Granger as a medi-witch checked her over.

'It would help if we had the knife that did this.' She said as she bandaged the arm.

'I know but I have no clue where it is.' He frowned. 'Miya, I wish you would at least wake enough to tell me where to look.' He sat back down in his chair. 'Miya, I have put all of my memories in this box here so that when you wake up, you can take it to the ministry and tell my story for me.' his head resting on his hands. 'It was never my idea to follow… him, it was my father. It was my father that arranged my marriage to Narcissa her family was just as… fanatic as my father to follow him. I don't know if you can hear me but now you can have some time to absorb the information before you wake.' He ran his fingers thru his hair. 'I have to admit I have grown very fond of you over the years watching you grow to a beautiful, smart woman. I wish I had had a chance to know you in a different lifetime, I would have enjoyed courting you… you are all about life, the fame is beneath you, the money is of no concern. I would love you until my last breath. I know you wouldn't hesitate to jinx me if I fail you.' He noticed her finger twitch. 'Oh, Miya please wake, I need you.' He pleaded to the powers that be as he lightly rubbed her knuckles.

'Oh Hermione, welcome back.' Lucius smiled as she blinked awake. 'I'm so sorry to bother you so soon after you waking but … do you know where the knife is?' she just blinked at him. 'We need it to reverse the curse.' She nodded.

'My bag…' she croaked. Lucius was running around her room trying to find her belongings.

'Here it is.' as he found it in the draw by her bed, 'May I?' as he opened the bag and handed it to her.

'Accio knife.' A small black cloth flew up into her hand and she threw it to Lucius not wanting to touch it or see it again.

'Get this to the curse breakers with the papers I wrote out. Thank you, Miya, this will work I know it. Do you think you can eat?' she nodded, as Lucius started to feed her from the tray the nurse placed in front of her.

'What you said was it true?' she asked hoarsely.

'Oh, you heard that?' she nodded. 'How much did you hear? Yes, it was all true.' as he gave her another spoonful.

'Miya?

'I'm sorry I shouldn't have taken such liberties.'

'No, it's fine I like it.' she smiled. 'Harry, Ron?'

'Both are just fine, he…it is dead. I need to send Harry a note telling of your waking but to wait for visiting until you are feeling better?'

'Yes, that would be best still really tired.' as she fell back asleep.

~o~

'Hi, Mione.' Harry whispered.

'Hey, Harry, how are you?' she whispered.

'I'm more worried about you. Are you ready?' she nodded as the room became a blur of activity.

'A Person who loves and a person of family.' Harry looked confused. 'Your grandmother was Emphadora Black Potter?'

'Yes, she was.'

'For the curse to be lifted a family member must be present. So, you two stand across from each other. Shake hands, please?' as the healer placed the knife between their hands. 'You both must not lose contact. Now I need both of you to read this and uncut her arm.' They both looked at him in confusion. 'Run the blade along the scar backwards… start with the D and work backwards, Hermione might scream and faint but you two must continue the ritual, do not stop under any circumstances. Do you understand?' all nodded, they started, Hermione screamed from the pain, the nurses tried to comfort her before she passed out.

~o~

'You know I have to take you in? You kidnapped her.' Harry growled.

'Yes, but please let me make sure Miya is going to be ok?' Lucius asked as Harry nodded his approval.

'Oh Mione, I'm so sorry. We had to…' Harry whined as he noticed her waking up.

'I know, Harry I'm not mad.' Hermione groaned, 'It itches.'

'It will for a few hours while it heals.' Lucius added.

'Hey, I'm going to let you rest.' as Harry got up to leave.

'Harry… He didn't kidnap me. He asked if he could take me to be healed.' He looked over to Lucius. 'Please take these, I believe him, we talked for hours. His story never changed, and he might even like me and I might even like him… so can you champion for him? For me?' Harry whipped his head back around to Lucius to see his reaction. Lucius just smiled at her admission.

'What about Ron?'

'DO you really see us together? Don't you think Lavender suits him better?'

'Yea, she does. Just want to make sure.'

'Do you know how many times I had to sit on my hands and not hex him at the dinner table?' Both of them giggled.

'Well, if you promise not to leave this room? I will take these in and study them and then present them to the wizengamot. I can't guarantee no jail time but maybe house arrest?'

'I could live with that.' Lucius smiled.

'What do I tell Ron?'

'Well, I'm fine but still healing and I will send for him when I'm ready for visitors?' Harry nodded, hugged Hermione and left.

~o~

'Lucius the healer said a loved one…?'

'But Narcissa?' Hermione asked.

'Um, he killed her when he found out she lied about Harry. And yes, I think I am starting to fall in love with you. You make love seem easy and if you let me, I want to try and maybe one day you might even love me?'

'But is it not too soon after her death? To be even thinking about dating?'

'Well, I never really loved her, she took a mister just after Draco turned one, and most Pureblood families are remarried within a year of a death. But if I do end up going to jail it will be a year and then six months dating you, six months courting you and then hopefully marriage. If you happen to fall in love by then.'

'I think I could, sooner that you think.' Hermione blushed.

'Are you sure about that Weasley boy?' she nodded. 'I have heard you live with them,' getting another nod. 'I have extra rooms if you need a place to stay? I can put you over by the library and I would treat it like your own place.' She tilted head in confusion. 'I would come calling for dates and you could claim the library as your own room. You can come down for meals at your own desire or have meals delivered. I will be in your life as much as or as little as you want until you are comfortable with me.' he blushed at the thought of her accepting his offer.

'As much as I like that offer, I think I should go live in my parents' house for now.' She saw his head drop. 'But I will come over a few times a week to visit.'

'Promise?'

~o~

'Hermione, I need to take Lucius to face the Wizengamot today, do you think you are up to talking to them?' Harry asked.

'Yes, let's go.' As she climbed out of her hospital bed to get dressed, they apparated to the ministry.

'Ladies and gentlemen of the Wizengamot. I retrieved the memories of one Lucius Malfoy, he did what he did to protect his family, unfortunately Narcissa, his wife, of twenty years was killed by Voldemort himself for defying him. So, I think house arrest will suffice as a proper punishment.' as she looked around the room. 'And I was not kidnapped, I was taken to a healer. Lucius asked me for permission to remove me from the castle to take me to his private wing at St Mungo's. Here are all of my records for the last two weeks. And as you can see.' as she pulled up her sleeve. The scar has been removed. It took two very powerful wizards to do it. So here again I think his effort to heal one of the golden trio as you have deemed us. He deserves a free pass, but I know you must give him something to appease the public so house arrest would be an agreeable solution.' She again looked all of the members in the eyes daring them to cross her.

~o~

'Have you ever thought of going into law?' Lucius smiled as they apparated to the manor. 'I'm happy with the verdict, six months of house arrest.' Lucius smiled at Hermione.

'Um, no I'll stick to research, thank you very much.' She grinned. 'Well thank you for helping me but I need to get home and rest.'

'Can I ask you for my first date? Friday? You will have to come here but I promise a good dinner and conversation.'

'Yes, I would love to.' Hermione smiled as she stepped into the floo.

~o~

'Lucius?'

'Yes kitten?' as he looked up from his book.

'Could I stay the night?'

'Too tired to floo home?'

'Um, no, just would like to wake up next to you if you don't mind?'

'Mind? Me mind my beautiful fiancée wants to stay over. Well, I would have to check my planner to make sure I don't already have a date.' He tried to keep a straight face.

'Oi, another tart visiting your bed?' she smiled. 'Lucius, will I have to host balls if we get married?'

'If? We are courting now so are you having doubts?' he asked hesitantly.

'Oh no this last four months have been wonderful, I just don't want to get my hopes up and you decide I'm not the one, been there before.'

'Kitten, I have never been so sure of myself as I am with you. I would marry you today if you let me, but I know you want to let everybody get use to the idea of "us" and as to the balls… only if you want to, that was always Narcissa's idea.'

'So, would you be upset if I redecorate after we get married? This place is so… stuffy.'

'Stuffy?'

'Yes, I'm always afraid I'm going to break something.'

'Of course, you can here.' as he pulled a credit card out of his desk drawer. Have fun with it.'

'But you don't want to wait until after I am lady of the house?'

'I've seen you as the lady of the house the day I brought you home, four months ago. So do what you want.'

'I will leave your study and the library alone but the living room, ball room and then the drawing room needs to be…'

'Demolished?' he smiled remembering the horror in the room. 'You can do as you please.'

'Do you not want any say in what I do?' she was a little bristled that he was leaving all of the decisions to her.

'I know you will choose wisely.'

'Fine.' She stood holding her wand up and mumbled something. The whole room changed to Gryffindor red with gold accents. 'There looks good to me.' as she sat down. The walls a red with gold damasks print, the carpets red with gold lines running through it.

'Bloody'ell what Gryffindor bint decorated this house?' Draco came into the room screaming. 'Even my bedroom is red.'

'Well, your father gave me carte blanche on decorating, so I went with red and gold. Maybe you need to tell him to grow some balls.' As she got up and left the room, she paused at the door. 'Are you not going to follow me?' she screeched.

'Merlins father, we better get moving.' Draco added as he hustled off, to follow Hermione.

'I am to assume this room has expansion charms?' as she entered the massive ballroom.

'Yes, would you want me to remove them?' Lucius raised his wand.

'Yes, please I would like a nice size room so we can have maybe … a game room?' both of the men looked at her.

'Harry started a poker night and it has been so popular he is running out of room. I was wondering if you could hold it here. Draco get your friends and our friends together and have a poker night and then maybe have quidditch games here every so often?'

'That does sound fun.' Draco smiled. 'Do you think we could get them all in one room?'

'Well Hermione will be jinxing them if they don't behave.' Lucius smirked as he waved his wand, the room shrank. 'More?' getting a nod from Hermione.

'That's better, now to find some poker tables, pool table and maybe a dart board. Hey, Draco, how many friends do you have?'

'About a half dozen or so, why.' Draco asked.

'Well Harry has about a dozen, so we need about six tables. Oh, how about this?' as her wand swished in front of her and the room changed to a nice pale blue walls, a darker shade of carpet.

'Oh, much nicer.' as Lucius pulled Hermione into a hug. 'And while I enjoy red, but every room is just a little too much. So yes, I will help with the rest of the rooms?'

~o~

'Welcome ladies and gentlemen to poker night. I will not have any fighting.' as she looked between Ron and the Slytherin boys. 'I'm not afraid to hex you.'

'Oh, little miss know it all bossing me around?' Marcus Flint snarked.

'Marcus if I were you, I would shut up and enjoy the night.' Draco stepped up.

'I'm not afraid of her.' Marcus snarled.

'You should be.' Harry quipped. 'Because I am.' Everyone giggled.

'I'm not afraid of the mudblood bint.' Marcus yelped as no less than five hexes and jinxes hit him and not one of them came from Hermione's wand. Lucius's wand was the last to swish and Marcus's body flew to stick to the wall.

'See Marcus, she has more than enough friends that would defend her, but I will not have you use that word in my house again and if you insult my intended again you and I will have words followed by a swish of my wand. So, you can either play nice or leave and never come back.'

'But you have been like a father to me since Draco and I were in nappies?' Marcus whined from the wall.

'Yes, and I have seen the mistakes we all have made, she bleeds red blood just like you and deserves your respect. Give it or leave.' as his wand swished and Marcus fell with a thud. 'You do realize that Hermione here is the one to set all of this up? She has also set up for us all to have a quidditch tournament in a few weeks so we all can get to know each other and learn to be friends?' He spoke to the room at large. 'She has gone to great lengths to help all of us make friends… so stop hating each other and go play poker.' Everybody oohed and aahed at the room as seven poker tables soon filled up and the cards dealt.

~o~

'Lucius?'

'Yes, kitten whatever you want just do it?'

'Are you seriously going to do that again? Are you that brave or stupid?'

'Um… I don't know but I trust you, if that helps?'

'Silly man… but can we have a cookout?' he cocked his head. 'We cook outside, picnic style.'

'Yes, sounds fine to me what do you need me to do?'

'Can I use the house elves to decorate?'

Of course, house elves?' as a dozen house helves appeared in front of them. 'Hermione here will so be the new lady Malfoy so please refer to her for instructions. She wants to plan a big bbq so please help her in any way possible. And which one of you would like to be her assistant?' as one little one stood forward.

'I is named Beesy and I would like to be yours.'

'Ok, Beesy, just call me Miya.' They all nodded. 'Can you get me a list of all of the elves that help out in the house and what they do?' Beesy nodded. 'Do I have any that like to work with wood?' three stood forward. 'Could you three make this?' as she pulled a cornhole board out of her beaded bag.

'Miya how in bloody merlins did you fit that in your bag?'

'Undetectable extension charm.' As she turned back to the elves, they were nodding.

'Wez can make them. Howz many do youz need?' asked one of the trio.

'Well, there are two to a game so we will need seven, fourteen more boards?' They nodded and took a step back. 'Do I have any seamstress?' two stood forward. 'Can you make these?' they nodded. 'Four bags for every board and can you do each set a different color?' as she showed the bags she already had. They both nodded again. 'How about painters.' One stood forward. Can you paint them? Like this?' as she handed him a paper. 'Yes miss, I can.'

'How long will it take?' looking between the six elves, as they put their heads together.

'I is sorry miss Miya it will take us two days.' The little elf quivered as if in trouble.

'Oh, I was thinking at least a week to get all of that done, a day to get all of the cutting done then two days to build and then a few days to paint and dry. Good you guys can take your time I won't need them until Saturday.' She smiled as they all smiled in relief. 'How many of you help in the kitchen?' as five of them stepped forward. "Can you fix these for me? So, they will be ready for noon on Saturday?' as she handed the recipes to Cookie the head chief.

'Yes, miss Miya this will be…' as she looked down.

'They are all family favorites, and I can help if you have questions.' The little elf nodded as they stepped back. The rest of you will you help me decorate?' as she pulled a box of fairy light out. The rest nodded and smiled.

'We has a party?' Beesy asked.

'Yes, we are, all of Draco's and my friends are coming over to play quidditch and eat.'

'Thank you miss Miya we likes having something to do.'

'Hermione, Harry and George are here, he said you need them?' Lucius asked.

'Yes, I have a shopping list for them. Unless you want to do it?' she grinned.

'Um no I will let them have the pleasure.'

'Harry, can you pick these up?' handing him a list, he looked at it and grinned.

'Yea, I like this list.' as he showed it to George.

'Alcohol, my favorite and just any ol' alcohol, muggle alcohol.' He grinned.

'And don't forget my bottle and the fixing for s'mores.' Hermione yelled as they disappeared in to the floo. They returned a few hours later, laden with bags, crates and two kegs.

'Draco what is all of this?' as he peered into the crates.

'Booze buddy, muggle booze.' George smiled. 'What time are we supposed to be here? I'll be here at five am to set up if it means I get some muggle booze.'

'Is it that good?' Lucius asked.

'Well, the bottle of whiskey is pretty good if you like either honey or cinnamon.' Harry smiled at the thought of knocking back a few glasses.

'And Hermione's favorite is ok if you like peaches and orange juice, it's girly but good.' George added.

~o~

'Hey guys, I've planned a day of matches and I'm picking the teams.' Some cheered, some groaned. 'I'm trying to get everyone working together… so Ginny and Theo are the seekers and team captains, Harry over there.' as she pointed to Theo. 'George.' Pointing to Ginny, she went thru the crowd in front of her quickly. 'Now you have thirty minutes to practice. The games will be one hour or caught snitch. I want to see everyone participating as she looked over to Marcus. 'Each week I will pick new teams and positions and as we get more players we will play round robin, This way no one team will spank another. We have a bbq planned and then some other games for all to participate in. Let's go play.'

~o~

'Good job teams, thank you Marcus, you played a nice clean game.' as she patted him on the back. 'We are having a traditional muggle bbq, a slow cooked hog and all of the fixings to enjoy.' As they rounded the corner, they found tables filled with food and drinks. Everybody cheered and started to eat. 'Okay guys we have a muggle game for you all to play it is called cornhole. Ok Marcus stand there and aim for that hole over there. You have four bags, and NO magic,' as Marcus tossed the bag, it slid off the board. 'Now Draco toss your bag,' as it landed just in front of the hole. 'Good, now Marcus your turn,' as his landed just in front of Draco's and pushed his in.

'Yes, I scored?' Draco cheered.

'Well, we will see after you both toss all of your bags.' as Draco tossed again, this time sliding off to the side. They both tossed again to get them in the hole and Marcus's last one landing on the grass just to the side, Draco's last one perched on the edge of the board and. 'Ok Marcus you have one in and one on, Draco you have two in and one on, so the matches cancel the other out, so Draco gets three points for one in.' they all looked confused. She explained it again, they finally got it and were off playing. She soon had all of the boards full of players. As the sun set the fairy lights that were strung across the patio came on.

'Hey everybody we are making s'mores so gather around.' as she started to show everyone how to make them.

'Merlins, these are delicious.' cried George. 'Make more please.'

'I showed you how so get to making your own.' As she finished up the one in her hand and handed it to Marcus.

'Hey Draco, is she for real?' nodding towards Hermione. 'She is acting as if last week didn't even happen?'

'Yea, that's our Hermione for you. You get called out and pay for your sins. She must have thought you got what you deserved, and it starts over. But I will tell you that if you do anything stupid again and you will bleed, her friends, father and I guarantee you will bleed.' Marcus nodded at the truth of Draco's words. As games came to a close, they would swap partners. Hermione's pitcher of fuzzy navels became a crowd favorite among the girls, the two bottles of whisky sat empty on a table forgotten, the kegs emptied, they started to find rooms for them to sleep it off.

~o~

'Morning.' as Marcus and a few others walked into the kitchen to find Hermione and Harry cooking.

'Mm, smells good.' as Hermione handed him a hangover potion. 'Why are you being so nice to me?'

'Marcus, I think you learned your lesson last week. Are you that stupid to do it again?' he shook his head. 'See we can be… acquaintances or friends I really don't care either way. Just think playing nice will get you farther in life here at the manor.' as she turned and grabbed the pan of potatoes. 'Do you want some?'

~o~

'Kitten, I think your plan worked.' Lucius grinned. 'Everybody asked if you would be doing this again.'

'I'm glad everyone had fun.' She smiled at the comments Lucius was giving her.

'Granger did you see who Harry was hanging around?' Draco asked.

'No why?'

'He was talking to Pansy and Weaslette was talking to Theo most of the night. I thought Harry and Ginny…'

'No, we kind of broke up last month. So, it was good to see them talking.' Harry smiled, the subject was dropped as more of the overnighters entered the kitchen. More complements and begging for more tournaments.

'Hey Lucius, can I plan our wedding?' Hermione asked as she pulled him into the corner of the kitchen.

'Are you ready?' she nodded.

'All of our friends and family get along and that has been the only thing holding me back.'

'Of course, kitten whatever you want.'

'Are we doing this again?' she snarled at him.

'Yes because, I know you will do what you want because weddings are for the bride and not the husband.'

'Hey everybody we will be having another tournament in a fortnight.' to cheers.

~o~

'Welcome everybody before we get started, I need everybody to circle around.' Lucius asked the crowd. 'Hey, I have no clue, just doing what I was told. Hermione said…' everyone circled at that comment. A wedding march started to play. The crowd parted as Hermione came down the path on Harry's arm. Lucius grinned as he saw Hermione in her wedding dress coming towards him.

'See you should have offered to help plan…' as she took her spot next to him. Vows were spoken, cheers went up.

'You know if you had told us we would have dress better?' Marcus said.

'Nope, I wanted friends and family here and that is what I got.' as she went over and hugged Marcus. 'Now get out there and play. We are going to start cooking soon.'