Love Thy Enemy

CHAPTER 10: Another Side of Lucius







Lucius didn’t say much to her as he dressed and left the room. His heated glances however told her that the subject of their physical relationship was by no means off the table for discussion. She dressed as casually as she could in her new clothing, but even her sweats were designer and clearly expensive. She opted for a pair of black trousers and a cashmere wrap sweater in a soft cream color. She twisted her curls into a bun at her nape, a few wispy curls framing her face. She smiled when she looked into the silver jewelry box Lucius had given her and withdrew her gold hoops and gold bangle.







She had to admit that it felt good to have nice clothing and pretty things. Not that she was driven by material possessions, but she had lived paycheck to paycheck for a long time, thankful for Harry’s friendship so that she would have a place to live as she tried unsuccessfully to land a better paying position. Over and over again she would get the same response; overqualified. How could you be over qualified for a job? She understood the concept of being under-qualified, but as long as the job was done and done well, how could anyone be over qualified? It was an argument she had had with herself and others time and time again over the last few years.





Maybe it was part of the reason she felt such animosity towards Lucius. He had had it so easy all his life, yet still he chose to follow that psychopath Riddle. She looked at her reflection in the antique mirror above the bureau. She didn’t even look like herself, and she had been his wife for only two days. Would she lose who she was completely over time?







She sighed, a slight melancholy settling over her as the adrenaline rush of the last couple of days began to seep out of her and the reality of her future sank in. She was bound to Lucius Malfoy for life. A man she did not love, or even like. A man who hated all that she was and all that she stood for, who had tried to kill her and her friends. He was a convicted criminal, had served time in prison for his misdeeds, only being granted a reprieve due to inside information he had provided to the ministry about spies in their midst.





It wasn’t the future she had sought for herself, but she had no one to blame but her. She had hoped to marry for love and raise a family someday, but that was out of the question now. She supposed she could look at the bright side; she would never have to worry about money. She could enjoy the arts and the privileges a man of Lucius status gave her access to. She could fulfill many of her life goals, and she would no longer have to worry about a job. It seemed being his wife and social companion would take up a great deal of her time.







She left their room and made her way to the kitchens. The house elves seemed shocked to see her as they scuttled about making lunch.



“Can I have a sandwich?” She asked them. “If you have time, if not I can make it myself if you will show me where you keep things.” Hermione was startled by their horrified screams.



“No, oh no Mistress shall not get her own food!” A female house-elf cried, stepping in front of Hermione as she reached for the icebox door.





“I don’t mind, really….” The little elf hurriedly pulled Hermione towards the counter and ushered her onto the stool.





“I am Milly, and I run the kitchen Mistress. Sit down and I will get you fed right away!” She quickly gathered her ingredients and within moments she had a restaurant quality club sandwich ready for Hermione, along with a glass of lemonade. “Would Mistress care to move to the dining room?”





“Can I eat here?” Hermione asked, reaching for the plate and pulling it towards her.





“But Mistress, this is the kitchen, the servants are in here.” Milly said, looking around at the astonished faces of her fellow house-elves.





“I don’t mind, I like the company. Lucius is busy and I won’t be in your way, I promise.” Hermione bit into the turkey and bacon sandwich with pleasure, she was starving.





“In our way? Mistress is worried about being in our way?” Milly couldn’t help but smile. They had been worried that their new mistress would be cruel like the master tended to be, but it seemed she was sweeter natured than their former pureblood mistress.

“Mistress is always welcome in the kitchens.” Milly smiled and went on with her duties as Hermione ate quietly.





“Has Lucius…Master Malfoy eaten his lunch yet?” Hermione asked, after a long silence.





“No Mistress, we have his tray almost ready.” Milly said, setting a tray of food on the counter and placing a napkin and cutlery alongside the plate. Hermione finished off her lunch quickly and took the tray.





“I’ll take it to him. I need to speak with him about something anyhow. Thank you for lunch, and the company.” She said with a smile before exiting the kitchen. She made her way slowly through the many halls of the excessively large manor house. She would learn her way about eventually, but for now she had to be cautious else she be lost for days.







Hermione knocked lightly on his study door, pushing it open at his soft “enter”. He was sitting behind a large, cherry desk bent over a ledger. His robes were draped over the back of his chair and he had rolled his shirtsleeves over his wrists. His hair was falling forward and getting in his way and he kept pushing it back over his shoulder.





“I brought your lunch tray.” She said softly. Lucius didn’t even look up, his quill continued to move over the pages.





“Set it on the table there.” He muttered, reaching out to dip the quill into the ink pot again and shoving his hair once more from his face. She shook her head and walked up behind him.





“Here, let me help.” She gathered his hair in her hands and plaited it in a long braid, charming it to stay in place until he released it.





“Thank you.” He said gruffly. He was about to tie it back himself, but rather enjoyed having her hands in his hair.





“No problem.” She walked around the room, admiring the book laden shelves that lined the walls. She stopped in front of the fireplace and noted the picture frames turned towards the wall.





“Did you need something in particular Hermione? I am rather busy at the moment.” He said, still writing. She reached up for one of the frames and turned it over. It was a photograph of Draco in his Quidditch uniform, smiling smugly as he tossed a snitch up and down in his hand.





“Don’t touch those!” Hermione almost dropped the frame at the sound of his voice. He came around his desk quickly and snatched the photo from her hand. He looked at it briefly and closed his eyes before setting it back on the mantle facing the wall.





“I’m sorry, I just…” She stammered, so surprised by his sudden outburst and the grief so plainly visible on his face.







“Just please, don’t touch these.” He said, taking a deep breath. “What did you need?”





“I just wanted to bring you your lunch and let you know I was going out.” She said quietly. She hadn’t expected to see such raw emotion from Lucius. She had never considered what he had lost in the war, and she suddenly felt like a complete ass.





“Where are you going?” He asked, settling onto the leather sofa and reaching for the tray of food sitting on the table.





“To visit Harry.” Hermione laid her hand on his shoulder hesitantly. “Lucius, I’m sorry, I didn’t think about what you have lost, I didn’t mean to upset you.”





“Don’t worry about it.” He said, not looking up from his meal. “Have fun with your friend, I’ll see you at dinner.” Hermione knew a dismissal when she heard one. If it weren’t for the situation she might have become angry, but she knew he needed to be alone, and it was her fault.