To The Devil's Doorstep

Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters, I only take them out to play with to suit my weird needs. Then I reluctantly give them back to JKR.

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Chapter 16
Morning Musings

Very early in the morning, Hermione awoke abruptly. The spell that she had put on Lucius’ room had activated. She had to get to him. But whose legs were tangled with hers? Gods, she had slept in Draco’s room. He hadn’t kicked her out at all but put her to bed. To say she was shocked would be an understatement.

She carefully extricated herself from the bed so she go to Lucius and make sure he was all right. Hanging on the outside of the wardrobe was a freshly pressed uniform for her to put on. She dressed quietly and walked in her bare feet over to the dresser, looking for a piece of parchment. She found one and jotted a quick note to Draco, thanking him for letting her sleep there with him and that she would be in his father’s room caring for Lucius if Draco needed her. She put this note on the bedside table and grabbed her heels. She padded to the door barefooted and silently exited, hoping she didn’t wake him.

She remained barefoot as she ran towards Lucius’ room. When the spell had activated, it had told her he was stirring. He was nearly fully awake now and she wanted to be there when he woke fully. She approached his door and quietly opened it, slipping inside. Here, she finally took the time to put her heels on, as she didn’t want to disappoint Lucius by not being in ‘full uniform’.

She stood by his bedside and drew her wand over his still sleeping form, checking to make sure he was still fine. The restful sleep had done him great good. His body should fully heal rather quickly.

Lucius opened his eyes to see Hermione putting her wand away. Usually the sight of a witch holding a wand on a wizard would put him on edge. But Lucius had the utmost trust in Hermione. She hadn’t noticed his eyes were open as she started to put the potions in order of what she might need. He appraised how she was looking this morning. She looked like she had slept fairly well and she didn’t look as worried as she had the previous night. He decided it was time to let her know he was awake. He did so by yawning not too loudly.

Hermione turned to him and smiled. It sounded so cliché, but her smile truly could lighten a room. She walked over to his bedside to address him.

“Good morning Sir. How was your sleep? How are you feeling?”

“I feel well-rested indeed Hermione. And I know I have you to thank for it. I will admit that I didn’t expect to see you here so early in the morning. Did you sleep in here?” Lucius asked her.

“No Sir. I hope you don’t mind but I placed a spell on the room to let me know when you were waking so I could be here to make sure you were alright.” she replied.

“That must have been a powerful spell to have alerted you in your room in the dungeons. You needn’t have gone through all the trouble.”

“It was no trouble at all Sir. Last night you set me the task of nursing you and I will gladly do so until you are feeling completely up to par. Last night you were given a mild sleeping draught, so I didn’t presume to sleep in your room without your express permission.”

“And are you asking that permission now Hermione? Permission to sleep in my room and be at my beck and call?” Lucius asked slyly.

“Yes Sir, I guess I am. I wouldn’t want to be too far away in case you needed me. I wouldn’t be so bold to ask to sleep in your actual bedroom Sir, but maybe in an anteroom. I could set up a small cot to make sure I remain close.”

“First of all, Hermione, you have done me a great service. Probably saved my life, actually. In part return for that, when we are in private, I’d like for you to address me as Lucius. Is that understood?” he said.

“Yes S… Lucius.”

“Secondly, I will not have you sleeping in a small anteroom on a cot. There is a perfectly fine second bedroom right next to this one that will suit you quite well. With the spell you put on my room last night, you can easily monitor my sleeping times and be in my company while I’m awake. Is that also understood?”

“Yes Lucius.” she replied.

“Now, we both know that certain things have changed Hermione. But for outward appearances, they must not seem that way. It is for everyone’s safety that it must continue looking the way it has since you arrived when we are to have visitors or when you are to floo your friends. The uniforms will be kept in your wardrobe for these occasions. When nobody is around, please feel free to dress as you please. Consider it another perk for your care last night.”

“Thank you so much.”

“You’re very welcome.”

At this point in time, a snow-white owl flew into the room and headed straight for Hermione. The owl, of course, was Hedwig and was carrying a letter for her.

“May I Lucius?” Hermione asked permission to open her letter.

“Of course Hermione.”

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Dear ‘Mione,

We’re so glad to hear you’re doing well with that lot. We’re still quite worried about you. I mean they’ve got you locked up without your magic even. We will all be here at Number 12 this evening around 7. Do you think you can get the great git to let you make your floo call then? We’d all love to talk to you and make sure you’re really ok.

Even Dumbledore will be here this evening. He hasn’t had any luck with getting this stupid law taken of the Ministry books. I’m sorry ‘Mione, but we really are working on it. Hopefully in just a bit more time we can get this whole fiasco taken care of. Just please stay strong and we’ll get you out of there as soon as we can.

Anyway, ask that pompous arse Malfoy if you can make your floo call tonight and send the reply back with Hedwig. We’re looking forward to hearing your voice and we all miss you very much.

Truly,
Harry, Ron, Ginny & all the rest of us (if I wrote us all down my bloody hand would cramp)

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Hermione had finished reading her letter and was staring at the wall, not really seeing anything. She looked so troubled, that Lucius couldn’t help but comment.

“Hermione, is everything ok? You look so upset.”

She was lost in thought and the sound of his voice brought her back to where she was. She put a smile on her face before turning to fully face him.

“Yes, everything’s fine. Harry and the rest of my friends would like to know if I could floo them this evening at 7. Would that be ok with you Lucius?” Hermione asked him.

“Of course, I’m sorry it had slipped my mind. But yes, it would definitely be ok for you to make your call this evening. Are you sure nothing else is troubling you though?”

She looked relieved that she would be able to contact her friends and put them at ease but she was also wary. The problem was, she was not miserable here, and she was sure her friends thought she was. Would she be able to pull off the fake that they would be expecting? Should she discuss this with Lucius? He was quite savvy on lying, him being a Slytherin and all. Maybe she should ask his opinion.

“Well, Lucius, I am a bit concerned about something. Would you mind if I asked your opinion on how to handle the matter?”

“Not at all Hermione. It’s not like I have anything better to do today. I’d enjoy helping you if I can.” he said with a smile.

Hermione explained her dilemma to him carefully, while trying to avoid sounding like she was actually enjoying either of the Malfoy’s company too much. Lucius could read people well and had already deciphered that she was enjoying the company of him and his son, but didn’t want to bring it up to her yet.

“Well, I suppose I can help in some ways. Firstly, I know I said you would be using the floo in the study, but as I’m quite stuck here for a while, you can certainly use my bedroom floo instead. That is, if you don’t mind it not being a private conversation. In that capacity, I can strictly enforce the ten minute rule.”

“Yes, that would be helpful. And considering that I’ve told you of my worries, I hardly doubt it need be a private conversation anymore.”

“True. Now why don’t you send your answer with that pesky owl before it goes into conniptions.” Lucius told her, grinning.

Hermione quickly scribbled her reply on a piece of parchment and sent Hedwig on her way. She looked over to Lucius, who was still grinning at her.

“Lucius, has anyone ever told you that when you are truly smiling, you don’t look nearly as evil as when you put that horrid fake smile on?” Hermione told him, smirking slightly.

“Well, I guess thanks are in order for that. But please don’t let it get around.” he said, quite seriously.

At this point in time, Lucius summoned Harkey to bring Hermione’s things to the spare bedroom and arranged for breakfast to be served. He was starving, as he was sure Hermione also was. Hermione’s face lit up at the mention of food. As usual, she didn’t realize she was
Hungry until it was mentioned, but she was indeed famished.

“Lucius, I would love to shower before I eat. Before I go would you like a wash yourself?” Hermione asked.

“Yes actually I would. I know you cleaned the blood and dirt off me last night but I’d still like a full wash up.” he replied.

“Do you feel strong enough to shower or bathe in the tub or would you like a sponge bath?”

Lucius thought on this for a moment. A sponge bath would mean her touching him. Even though he doubted she thought him up to anything strenuous, she was quite wrong. But he had a better idea.

“I believe I’m strong enough to take bathe myself in the tub Hermione.” Lucius told her.

“Alright then, shall I help you into the bathroom so you can get ready? While I’m there I’ll put some potions in to help soothe any aches you may have.” Hermione asked.

“That would be lovely Hermione.” Lucius said, already thinking of the way he was going to get her into the tub with him.

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AN: Hmmm, wonder what Lucius has up his sleeve? And Draco must’ve been totally worn out to sleep so long and peacefully.
More to come.