Punishment?

Thank you reviewers, sorry about the wait, I've had a tonne of school work lately :) Just a short chapter to keep you going...


Remus, Sirius and Snape flew into the room to restrain Harry and Ron, worried that their aggresion would turn to Hermione. Shaking, Hermione kneeled next to Lucius and gently began mopping at his wounds with her nightdress.

“I know you think something is wrong with me, that I've been enchanted or bewitched but I've had weeks, removed from any dangerous situation that could impair my judgement, to think about this. I do truly love Lucius,” she waited until the protests died down, “there is something more to him than his cruelty and ambition... I think.”

Hermione was unaware that Lucius had been conscious since he was dragged into the house, though his muffled gasp at this news drew attention to him. She gently peeled of his gag and, though refusing to meet his eyes, stroked his hair. Ron stormed out of the room, closely followed by Harry and their anger at Hermione was expressed crudely and loudly, bringing tears to Hermione's eyes. Lucius weighed up the situation silently; he needed to get out of this house alive, but some stupid, small (very small he sharply reminded himself) soft spot for Hermione made him reluctant to deceive her again. Remus, the most composed of the room, was the first to speak after a long silence.

“Hermione, you are a grown woman and you are entitled to do and think whatever you like. I must, however, remind you of the possible consequences of your feelings and appeal to your rational side to think of the torture inflicted upon you and consider that these feelings are only a side-effect.” Hermione shook her head sadly, gently removing the tight bindings on Lucius' wrists.

“I've spent many sleepless nights doing just that and I think I've been able to analyse the feelings from the...torture, and recognise a different set of feelings that have grown from little things... words, actions, the look in his eyes.” Lucius groaned again, and attempted to unstick his throat to speak.

“This is stupid, Hermione. I warned you before and you kept going, and I betrayed you. Surely you have learnt by now. Just kill me and be done with it, don't torture yourself any longer.” Hermione's eyes flashed triumphantly.

“Ha! You have some feelings too! You have to admit it,” she turned to the others in the room, “the normal Lucius Malfoy would have extorted my feelings to get himself free. You must see it too! I can't live without him and I think... I think he had become....accustomed to me, too.” She looked pleadingly into Lucius' eyes, though he met them for only a second before looking away uncomfortably.

“Hermione... this is such an... awkward situation. I have no idea how to solve this, the only thing I can think of is to keep Lucius here for a day or two until we figure this out. Snape, can you do all the necessary protective curses then take him down to basement, that has a door with a lock.” Remus nodded to Snape to begin immediately and Molly bustled forward to gently help Hermione up.

“Come on dear, I'll get you a nice cup of tea and we can... talk.” Hermione let herself be led away, though she looked over her shoulder at the door and smiled weakly at Lucius.