Line Between Nightmare and Dream

“SO how have things been going?” Professor Phan asked

It had been a month since Hermione and Lucius started dating. Hermione had reduced her sessions to once a week and Phan was happy with her progress. Her dreams had ended, mostly because she was living out her fantasies now, and she seemed happier than ever.

“Very well” Hermione answered

“Anything you want to talk about” Phan asked

“Not really, everything is great.” Hermione said

“Well then why don’t you tell me what you are doing tonight” Phan had resolved to living vicariously through Hermione and all her fancy expensive dates.

“We’re going to the Wizard Opera House for opening night of The Magic Flute” Hermione bragged

“Wow all the big names will be there. Well he isn’t ashamed of you” Phan jokingly made a gesture like she was crossing something off of a list.

“He bought me a dress and everything” Hermione continued “Tailor made for me”

“Well if you had to have dreams about someone at least he was rich” Phan laughed.

The two had become very close over the last month and Hermione was grateful to have Phan to talk to, after she got over Phan’s tendency to talk like a doctor. Phan didn’t have any preconceived ideas about Lucius or how Hermione should feel about him. Unlike her friends.

Harry became a drill sergeant every time Hermione tried to leave. Asking when she would be home, where she was going, and she swore he followed her a few times. Ron was easier to deal with but he had an affinity to sulking if Hermione talked about anything Lucius and she did.

Back at the apartment she was glad to see Ginny in the kitchen.

“Thank goodness you’re here, will you please keep Harry off my back tonight when I leave” Hermione pleaded

“I’m afraid my job will be a little harder than that” Ginny said and held up two tickets

“Oh you are kidding me!” Hermione sighed “He really has issues”

“Yeah I know but if I don’t go he’ll be breathing down your neck the whole night” Ginny said

“And you wouldn’t be able to see Jeremy Gondlin play Prince Tamino” Hermione said smugly

“That too” Ginny laughed

The two girls got ready together and plotted how they would keep Harry away from Lucius. They worked out a code of hand signals and key words, and planned when each would arrive and take their seats.

“Well here’s to avoiding drama” Ginny raised a glass of wine and Hermione reciprocated

In accordance to the plan Hermione snuck out the door while Ginny was distracting Harry with his tie. She met Lucius at a restaurant across the street from the theater for a few drinks before the show.

“You look beautiful dear” Lucius said and kissed Hermione firmly on the lips

“And you look stunning as always” Hermione replied. It really was pathetic how handsome he was….. ALWAYS.

“There is something missing though” He said and took a step back to appraise her

“Well you picked out every stick of this dress so that would be your fault” Hermione pointed out

“Ah well then it’s a good thing I picked out this” Lucius said and pulled out a necklace bursting with diamonds.

“Oh!” was the only word Hermione could remember and Lucius stepped behind her to put the necklace on her.

“You really are too much sometimes” Hermione said after she kissed him.

They sipped on martinis till they could see people filing into the theater and begining to socialize just inside the doors.

“Oh I completely forgot Harry and Ginny are coming” Hermione said to Lucius

“Good are they sitting with us” Lucius asked

“I hope not” Hermione didn’t even think to ask Ginny where their seats were

“Don’t look so scared we’re sitting in my private box” Lucius kissed Hermione’s shoulder as he put on her shawl

They walked across the street arm in arm and Hermione felt as high as a kite. The women around her were beautiful but the way they looked at her made her want to push her chest out and her chin up. She could see how people could get addicted to this feeling and do whatever it takes to keep it.

She was a little nervous to meet Lucius’ friends and business partners. Lucius had been making a big deal about it all week and she wanted to make a good impression.

The entrance was packed with people but Lucius cut a path to the VIP room, or rather people dodged out of his way. As they approached the VIP lounge the doors opened up revealing all the most important people in the wizarding community. All eyes fell on them and Lucius greeted each set of eyes with a nod and witty comment. Hermione was relived he handled the room so well; all she had to do was smile and keep up.

“Wine?” Lucius asked as a try of glasses passed them. He picked up two glasses and they immediately filled.

“So what do we do now” Hermione asked

“I’d say we could start by saying hello to Harry and Ginny” Lucius said and took a few steps towards the couple

“UH. Are you sure about that?” Hermione asked “I’m still not sure how Harry will react”

“If he gets upset in this crowd he’ll look like the bad guy, he has to be civil” Lucius pointed out

Hermione was worried Harry wouldn’t see it the same way.

“Hello Ms. Weasley, Harry” Lucius nodded “You really should try the wine it’s fabulous”

“Thank you” Harry replied. Hermione could see he was not as cool underneath

“Hermione told me you had tickets, I didn’t know you had VIP access” Lucius said

“You’d be amazed the places ‘the boy wonder’ has access to” Harry replied

“Ah yes” Lucius said “I wonder how long it will take for people to get over that”

Hermione elbowed Lucius, she could see what he was trying to do and it wasn’t helping.

“Harry, how did your day go?” Hermione interrupted

“Still having problems finding a few intolerable death eaters” Harry glared at Lucius

“Ok that’s enough socializing for you Harry. Lets go talk to the Longbottoms” Ginny pulled Harry away and gave Hermione an apologetic look

“You asked for that” Hermione told Lucius and turned her back on him

“Sorry I couldn’t help myself” Lucius laughed

Then she saw him across the room. He was there with his new wife; the only reason he was allowed to leave Azkaban. She got pregnant during his trial and he claimed the baby would force him to be a better person. Hermione had no clue how the ministry was fooled, even know she could see he hadn’t changed.

“Hermione I’m sorry I promise I won’t provoke Harry anymore” Lucius said. Hermione was standing stiff in front of him and she was quickly losing the color in her face.

“Hermione you’re starting to scare me. Look at me” Lucius turned Hermione around to face him and the fear in her face was unmistakable. A knot formed in his gut as he realized the last time he saw her this scared was years ago in his manor.

Hermione tried to focus on the man in front of her. She could see his worried face but she couldn’t hear anything coming from his mouth. All she could hear was his voice, Amycus Carrow’s voice.

“Why do you hide your body from me? Why can’t I once find a girl who is laying out ready for me?” Amycus asked

Hermione was curled up in the corner of the bed farthest from the door resting on her feet with her hands wrapped around her legs

“Alka pull her out of the corner” Amycus ordered one of his house elves

The elf came towards Hermione but the second her hand touched her arm Hermione swung her free arm at Alka’s face. The elf leapt back and ran to her master’s side.

“Maybe if you didn’t rape women you’d get a better response” Hermione hissed

“Master should get rid of this one she’ll only be trouble” Alka said

Amycus just pointed her to the door and she left with a defeated stride.

Amycus poured a dark liquid into two wide wine glasses and brought them both to the bed.

“Come have a glass of wine” Amycus said in his wheezy voice

Hermione wasn’t fooled she knew it was probably poisoned or mixed with some potion, probably one to make her more willing to have sex with him.

Amycus laughed at the look on her face.

“It’s just wine mudblood, there’s no point in killing you” Amycus laughed

“Why” Hermione was going to stick to short quick responses

“A pretty face like yours can get me a lot of money in the right circles. You can only imagine what a man will pay to cum on those tits and in that sweet mouth” Amycus jeered

Hermione’s stomach turned “Your going to pimp me out!?”

Amycus only laughed and pushed the glass of wine into her hands. She tasted it and was shocked to taste a very expensive Cabernet Sauvignon. She was grateful for the quick buzz.

He reached out and took the glass when it was empty and placed it on the table with his ¾ full glass.

“Now let’s see that body” he groaned

Hermione looked up in disbelief she had actually tricked herself into thinking he wouldn’t actually do this. He laid his hand firmly on her shoulder and pushed her back onto her elbows

“Hermione!” Lucius was shaking her and more than a few people were staring at her

Hermione looked over her shoulder to see if Amycus was still around. He was leering at her from across the room and tears stared to weld up in her eyes.

Lucius followed Hermione’s eyes to Amycus Carrow’s. He didn’t like the look in Amycus’ eyes at all. Carrow was still loyal to the dark arts and rumors were flying about the treatment he had been giving his wife. But why Hermione was so afraid of him he couldn’t figure out.

“Hermione lets go sit down” Lucius suggested. He took her by the arm and stepped into her line of sight.

“I see you held onto my present” Amycus said from behind Lucius

“What are you talking about Carrow” Lucius placed himself between the man and Hermione. He could feel her gripping his coat tails like life lines.

“I was the one who introduced you and Hermione, remember” Amycus said with a wink

Lucius drew in a quick breath. He had forgotten Amycus was the one who captured Hermione originally, then gave her to him to ‘shape up’. Lucius snarled at the man and sidestepped his way to the door, keeping his body between Hermione and Amycus.

He didn’t say a word till they got to their seats. He ordered the doorman not to let anyone into the suit.

“Hermione please say something to me” Lucius pleaded

“He…He……..I didn’t think he would be here” Hermione managed

“His wife has a lot of pull in the ministry, they get in anywhere” Lucius replied

“Lucius I can’t be here…with him” Hermione said confusion furrowing her brow

“He can’t get in here, I promise” Lucius tried to reassure her

“But he can SEE me” Hermione said with fear welding up in her throat

“Hermione you’re safe, I’m here” Lucius said

She looked at Lucius and she did feel safe. She started crying and fell into Lucius’ arms. He held her close and let her cry. He could only imagine what was so scary but he would find that out later now he just stroked her hair and let her cry.

Lucius put a sound proofing charm on the box and closed all the curtains when people started coming in. Hermione was still crying but she was coming around.

“Thank you” Hermione said

“For what?” Lucius smiled and lifted her chin

“For not saying anything to try and make me feel better” Hermione sniffled

“Anytime. Do you want to watch the Opera?” Lucius moved to open the curtain

“NO!! Leave it closed” Hermione jumped to stop him

“Hermione please tell me what’s wrong” Lucius pleaded

Hermione gulped. The last time she told anyone about Amycus was when she told the Minister of Magic. He had been nice enough to let her tell him in private so the press wouldn’t hear about it but after he let Amycus go she wished the press had gotten wind of it.

“Amycus raped me, before he gave me to you” Hermione started to cry again

“I’ll KILL HIM” Lucius yelled

“Can we leave?” Hermione asked through her tears


When they got home Lucius let Hermione lay down in his bed. He spent the rest of the night watching Hermione sleep and plotting how to get Amycus back. He was going to make him pay.


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Megan~ Thanks for reading! I will try to update with a chapter a day but my week is full of school and my weekends are full of work.

Heidi191976 ~ Thanks for your feedback it’s really good to get to hear what you think.