Just Around the Riverbend

Okay...so while this is not my first story, this is my first attempt at Lucius/Hermione. For the beginning of this interesting tale, their stories will alternate. Then they will combine, and sparks will fly. I warn you now that my lemons take a little time to ripen, but when it finally comes time for harvest......yeah buddy......

So...I like reviews. A lot. I'm what you might call a 'review-whore.' I can take criticism, as long as it's done with a positive intent. Flames are bad, they burn, and will immediately be deleted. I wanted to go ahead and say that first. Now, with no further ado, I present to you my newest story!

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Lucius stared at the parchment in his hands in shock. Surely somewhere there was some sick man or woman doubled over in laughter at his expense. This had to be a joke. For if it wasn’t a joke, it would mean he had the absolute worst luck of any man in the history of the world. It would indeed mean his life was more of a cosmic tragedy than even Harry Flaming Potter.

Dear Mr. Malfoy

It had been quite a while since anyone had called him ‘dear.’ In fact, it would have probably been the last time Narcissa said it, a few days before she passed away. Sweet Narcissa….she was a beautiful woman, if a bit clueless. But she was the mother of his son, and he had loved her in a way he could love no other.

My name is Daisy May Melfy.

What an absurd name to begin with. Who named their child Daisy May? ‘Daisy’ would have been acceptable on its own, with a more traditional middle name. ‘May’ would have been fine with a fancier first name. Those two names together just screamed ‘lower class.’

You don’t know me yet,-

Yet? Why would he have any interest in knowing anyone by the name of Daisy May?

-but I have recently become acquainted with your name.

With his name? Really? Can you even become acquainted with someone’s name? It seems like it wouldn’t be much of an acquaintance….

I’m in a bit of a pickle, and you are my last resort.

Well….that’s certainly not any way to endear someone to you….

I’m a thirteen year-old American witch.

So much was explained in that one little sentence.

And I have recently become an orphan.

That’s….sad for her….but….

I have no close relatives nearby, and no legal way of living with any family friends.

He didn’t like where this was going…

While packing up my things for the orphanage,-

Don’t sound so sad, child….at least you’re not on the streets….

-I came across a magical copy of my family tree. Apparently, Melfy is a short branch of the Malfoy line.

B-branch? What branch?

We are exactly fifth cousins, which in the magical world is just related enough to be legal.

She had the nerve to draw some sort of little smiling face after this sentence.

I know this can’t be easy for you,-

. . . . . .

-but I have nowhere else to turn. From the day this parchment is received, I have one week for you to send a reply. So I’m going to be blunt: I need to live with you.

What the Americans lack in subtlety they more than make up for in clarity.

If you refuse, I’ll be sent to an orphanage until the day I turn seventeen. If you agree, I’ll be shoved through a floo and be in the British Ministry’s Child Services within hours of receiving the affirmative.

That’s very quick….

If I were there in person I would promptly be on my knees begging. I don’t know you, and you don’t know me, but I can promise I’m a very easy person to get along with.

No thirteen year old is easy to get along with…

I’m a good cook,-

House-elves….

A good cleaner,-

House-elves….

I don’t have any pets,

Thank the gods….

and I’m a fair seamstress as well.

Once again….house-elves….

So if you would please look deep within your heart-

Heart?

-and find the kindness-

Kindness?

-to take in a little girl in need-

I don’t do little girls….

I would be forever grateful.

Yeah….well….

Hoping you’ll think about it, signed, Daisy May Melfy

Good lord….

Oh! P.S….enclosed is my copy of the family tree. I have taken the liberty of circling my name, and yours, so that you can see for yourself how closely related we are. Have a nice day!

She had circled the two names in red, and labeled hers ‘this is me,’ and written ‘this is you,’ off to the side of his name. As if he were blind and stupid.

So here he was, sitting at his desk reading the letter for the twelfth time. He certainly felt sorry for the little girl…But he didn’t really see how that would work to his advantage. As a Slytherin he did nothing that had no benefit to him. Sure it sounded cold, but a bleeding heart was easy prey, and Malfoys were not prey.

He had no wife, no daughters to keep this girl company. Hiring a nanny seemed old-fashioned and a bit much for a thirteen-year-old. Even Draco had moved out of the house after graduation, and was at present sleeping his way through the female population of Britain….magic and muggle. It was bad for the Malfoy public image.

Public image….

And it hit him like a ton of terribly painful, yet oh-so-clever bricks. Orphans made people sad. Helping orphans made people happy. Taking in an orphaned relative from America played with the heartstrings of the public, and brought good standing to whoever had the guts to do it.

A slow grin spread over Lucius’ face. He’d really only have to see her during the summer. She’d be off at Hogwarts for the other time. He could deal with her for a couple months out of the year. Helping an Orphan would put the Malfoy name back in good graces with the public. All he had to do was parade her around a few times. Buy her a few trinkets and send her off to school.

In a few months he could probably wipe away a good deal of the muck from the Malfoy name that had been caused during the Final War, and following the two years after it. The Malfoy name had been dragged through the mud at his and Draco’s trial, and pushed even further under when they both managed to worm their way out of Azkaban terms.

Narcissa had passed away shortly after. She had become so weak. Lucius was sure she was just tired of fighting. She had never been a particularly strong creature…

So he found himself pulling out a clean piece of parchment, and a new quill.

Miss Melfy,

If I said that I wasn’t surprised when I received your missive, I would be lying. Your story is tragic for one so young. You needn’t worry any longer about my decision. I have decided to take you into my home, and raise you myself until you are of legal age. I’m afraid it will only be the two of us, as my wife passed away two years ago, and my son has since left to be out on his own. I hope that doesn’t discourage you. You’ll find I’m a bit stern, but I am fair.

I look forward to meeting you, and I sincerely hope this reply finds you in good spirits.

Lucius Malfoy

He sent the reply off with his black owl, Hades, and then immediately began to plan for the girl’s arrival. If he had the mail timing down correctly, it would take three days for that letter to reach her. International mail could be a bit tricky in the magical world….

He would need to prepare her a room. Ugh….what sort of decorations did thirteen year old girls like?

He shuddered at the though of having to oversee something done with pinks, and purples, and –gods forbid- unicorns.

What had he just gotten himself into?

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Hopefully, my blonde friend, you've just gotten yourself into a really good story. ^_^

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