Chapter 35: A Final Farewell and New Beginnings

Hermione watched as they lowered Maggie's rose-colored casket into the ground. Tears stained her cheeks as she said a silent last goodbye to her friend. While the grave had no headstone, she stared at the one beside it. It was only fitting that Maggie be laid to rest next to her father, the reason Maggie had the store and the one who inspired her to seek magic. The beautiful bouquets that rested neatly on her casket slowly disappeared beneath the earth.

Lucius held onto the small of Hermione's back as the priest said his final words, dismissing the crowd that dispersed amongst the cemetery.

As they left the grave, Lucius intertwined their fingers and squeezed her hand. He was sweet to come, even though he had only met Maggie once. Hermione told him he didn't have to, but he insisted on going. Hermione recognized many faces during the service, including Mrs. Humphrey and Mr. Crowley. The Aurors who helped Maggie also attended the service and extended their condolences to Hermione before leaving.

Once they were back at Lucius', Hermione returned to the shop. After saying goodbye, it felt only fitting that she return to Maggie's home. She'd clean and bring in the flowers arranged outside the store along the brick wall and surrounded the door, holding the sign she'd put up the day after Maggie's death. She got to work after landing in front of the clock inside the store.

She feared that if she left the store for too long, someone would vandalize it or break inside, tarnishing Maggie's hard work and what the world had left of her. She brought the flowers from the mourners inside and swept out front of the store. After polishing the mirrors inside and vacuuming the carpet, she plopped down in the armchair and watched the village of Hogsmeade fill with people.

Suddenly, the space in front of the clock became hazy, as if a group of clouds had drifted in and lingered in that one spot. The textures in front of the clock became disoriented as a whirlpool of colors swirled before her eyes. Out of the strange magic, Lucius materialized, his form solidifying as the mixture of colors settled.

Her eyes grew wide as she realized she had never seen this perspective of a portkey before. Even though she had seen Lucius only a few hours ago, she leaped from her chair to greet him, her heart swelling at the sight of his long silver hair and captivating blue-grey eyes. He still wore the black blazer and turtleneck that he wore to the funeral.

"I'm sorry for intruding on you like this. I just wanted to see you."

Hermione shook her and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Please don't be sorry." She kissed his cheek and. "I'm so happy to see you."

Lucius' smile melted her heart like it always did as she unlatched her grip and returned to her chair. Lucius walked the parameters of the store, looking at the blazers and pantsuits that hung along the walls. He adjusted one and moved another until things were neat.

"You don't have to do that," she told him as she stood.

"I don't mind," he spun around. "You've done well at keeping this place organized." He looked at her with proud eyes that made her soar.

"But there is one thing that disappoints me." His brows furrowed deeply. Hermione looked up, their eyes locking as her mouth opened in confusion.

His expression lightened as he smiled. "I've never seen your room."

Hermione's cheeks burned as she imagined Lucius standing in her room. Something about the thought embarrassed her. Her room was barren and filthy compared to Lucius' luxurious loft-sized bedroom. She hadn't even made her bed since she'd been here last.

"You don't have to be shy around me, Hermione. I'd love to see it."

It was like he read her mind. She should feel proud of the room she had here. It was hers, and it was the first thing Maggie had given her other than a job. She stood up from her chair, grabbed Lucius' hand, and led him to the stairs. "It's up here."

Lucius followed her up the stairs and to her bedroom door. He stopped just shy of the frame and took in her plain room. His smile could light this space in the dark. She stepped in until she stood in the middle and watched Lucius walk around her small bedroom. He looked at her old wooden dresser, touched by years of use, and ran his finger along its edge. He peered out her bedroom window, the same one she'd sat in the night she saw the Death Eater and the first time she'd kissed Lucius.

Lucius turned and found her bathroom. He poked his head inside and nodded in approval before turning around and staring at her bed. Her flesh grew hot as a pool of warm liquid settled in her belly. He sat on the edge of her bed, and she wondered how it compared to his fancy foam mattress back in his room.

"Your room is lovely, Hermione. It's beautiful, but it needs one more thing." He patted the spot beside him on her bed, and she followed like a puppy. Her heart raced as Lucius reached into his suit blazer pocket and pulled out a small wooden box. She gasped as she recognized its golden latch and scuffed edges.

Lucius opened the lid to the small jewelry box, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 14 played softly, filling her room with a beautiful sound of romance and mourning.

"I think you should have this," he told her.

Her eyes snapped open, and her lips parted. "I can't take this from you, Lucius. It was your mother's."

"I know. And I know you'll take great care of it. I'm sure." He got up and walked over to her dresser, placing the antique wooden box on top.

While Hermione's heart was happy, her brain kept asking the same question: What does this mean? Was this his way of saying they were together?

"There. It looks perfect, not that your room didn't look perfect before—

Lucius's voice trailed off as she stood from her bed. She rubbed the bridge of her nose and pinched her eyebrows together.

"Hermione? Did I say something wrong?" He stepped closer, but she crossed her arms over her chest, causing him to stop short.

"No, that's not it. You're saying all the right things," she shook her head and rolled her eyes. "But I'm still confused."

Lucius' expression matched hers as his brows furrowed. "Tell me how I can help?"

She wanted to.

She yearned to tell Lucius everything she felt for him and how much she wanted to be his girlfriend—officially. It may seem trivial, but she wanted to be his girlfriend.

She looked deep into his grey-blue eyes and wondered if the possibility of rejection was worth it. Her heart swelled inside her chest as she imagined a life with him by her side. Nothing in her past seemed to matter anymore. Ron, Harry, and Hogwarts were the furthest things from her mind, and she was happy to leave that world behind now that she had this world in front of her.

"I just…" she fumbled with her words as her cheeks grew warm. "I love you, Lucius." She gazed up and into his eyes as they reflected hers, and a sense of confidence filled her chest as she took a deep breath. His expression was calm, but his lips curved as his eyes moved down to her lips and snapped back to meet her gaze.

"I don't want to keep it hidden any longer, and I'm not afraid of who might see." Her words trailed off as she watched his eyes study her. Suddenly, she could only focus on his perfect pink lips and how badly her skin ached to feel them on her.

Lucius grabbed her hands and held them tightly in his. He smiled and chuckled as he ran his hand up her arm and held the nape of her neck.

"I love you, Hermione. I'll shout it from the rooftops in Hogsmeade if it means you'll be mine."

She couldn't take it anymore, so she stood on the tips of her toes and closed her eyes. Lucius gripped the edge of her jaw in his palm and smashed his lips against hers, forcing her to breathe suddenly through her nose as she wrapped her arms around his neck to deepen their kiss. A sweet symphony played in her head as a delicious warmth spread across her body. The room and everything else behind them grew fuzzy as Lucius' fingers gently touched her skin until they entangled her hair.

As their lips moved in a perfect dance, their lips parted further as Hermione's tongue brushed against his. She couldn't remember if she peeled off his blazer or if he took it off himself, but somehow, it was gone as she traced her fingers over the muscles in his arms.

Lucius' fingers slid down her sides, sending chills across her entire body. They tugged at the edge of her shirt, and Hermione wasted no time lifting her shirt over her head to expose her nearly naked breasts and torso. Her movements were so quick she could hardly remember them separating.

Lucius' mouth left hers and gifted the skin of her neck with gentle kisses. She let out a small moan and reached for his belt, fumbling with his buckle until it was loose enough for her to slide it aside.

In a swift movement, Lucius had unclasped her bra and kissed her hard until their bodies moved backward towards her bed. His lips kissed down her chest and stomach until they reached her hip bones. His soft kisses seemed to light her body on fire as she slipped her thumbs under the edge of her jeans and pulled them down until they were around her ankles. After kicking them off, she pulled Lucius back up to her, bringing their lips back together as they yearned to taste each other more as if they were starved.

After Lucius tossed his trousers to the side, there was nothing left between them except her panties and his boxers. With her head in the center of her pillow, Lucius held himself above her and gently kissed every inch of her face. Her lips, her cheeks, her chin, her eyebrows, every piece of her he paid particular attention to until their eyes met.

Suddenly, tears threatened to escape her eyes as she caught sight of his gorgeous smile, and she succumbed to the love she had always wanted. Lucius had loved her more than she could ever imagine. It overshadowed any fears or doubts her mind could conjure, and gratitude filled her chest and throat as she swallowed hard against her tears.

"I love you, Hermione Granger." His voice felt like honey dripping down her sides as his now naked body lay against hers.

She closed her eyes and allowed herself to feel lost, ultimately, undeniably, and unapologetically under his spell.

"I love you too, Lucius Malfoy."

"Are you sure this is—

She brought their lips together, cutting him off. This was all Lucius needed before he gently undressed the rest of her, treating her body like it was a priceless protected artifact.

Their bodies became lost until neither knew where theirs ended and the other began. Every kiss and touch felt electrifying as they moved together in perfect harmony. At first, Lucius was afraid she might crumble beneath him, but her small whimpers turned into heavy breaths as he ravaged her body with love and devotion, causing his deep desire to unleash as he handled her with care and hunger.

Her body was filled with ecstasy as the sun glided across the sky. Lucius held her to him as sweat caused her bed sheets to stick to their bodies. Lucius' chest heaved as she yawned and tried to catch her breath with him.

He reached for her cheek and wiped a loose strand from her forehead with his thumb. Even though they had just spent hours entangled in her bed, his touch filled her with energy. She sat up on her elbow and rested her chin in her hand.

"Does this mean—

"I should ask you properly."

As Lucius inched closer, she laid back on her side and faced him until his forehead rested against hers. Her eyes fluttered closed as a smile stretched across her face. He brought her hands to his cheeks and kissed the edge of her palms. The warmth of his lips spread tingles across her back as she opened her eyes to admire his gorgeous gre-blue ones.

"Hermione Granger, will you stay and be mine forever?"

Her heart leaped into her throat, and her stomach turned with excitement. It was as if she were floating on a billowy cloud where nothing negative or gloomy could reach her.

Before closing her eyes to hide her blushing cheeks, she leaned in and kissed him, this time more gently.

"Yes," she finally said. "Always."