Mrs.Malfoy

Author Note: Free Shots at the Evil Plot Bunny for those that can tell me the relation with Hermione and Emilia outside the Story!! It’s nothing big, so don’t read into it… LOL

I want to take just a minute to give my warm felt thanks to an avid reader, Angel. Some of you may recognize the name as being the one that begs for updates…LoL…Angel, however, was my first review here on AFF.net and I wanted to thank her personally for her kind words and her loyalty to the story, along with the rest of you. Thank you very much! Now, I need to make sure I delete my notes for this chapter before I post this…/snicker.

She sat in her usual chair by the fire in the parlour. Lucius had come home two nights ago, finally. He was acting quite peculiar when he asked her, nicely mind you, to go to the Weasleys’ for the evening. Something about a bunch of purebloods wanting to have a drink together. When Hermione returned the next morning, she noticed the streamers, empty bottles of scotch and brandy, and the stale stench of someone not being able to hold all that liquor. She sent Dobby to find the offensive matter and dispose of it…with a lot of bleach and antibacterial spray.

The book perched in her lap was nothing special, something she had read several times over already. She was just content to sit there and wait for Lucius to return from Hogsmeade. She was sure she dozed off. Why else would the knock at the front door startle her so?

Dobby entered the parlour a few moments later. “Mister Snape to see you, Misses.”

Well, this was a surprise. “Send him in, Dobby.”

He bowed and motioned for the man in black to peer around the corner. He noticed she was alone and seemed calm. It was now or never.

“Are you alone, Mrs. Malfoy?” he asked slowly, looking around covertly to see any signs of another presence.

“Yes, I am. My husband had errands to which to attend. May I offer you some tea? It’s still fresh,” she offered politely.

He shook his head. “No, I just came to say…”

“You look positively dreadful. What has happened?”

He sighed heavily and took a seat across from her. Severus paid attention to her bottom lip that found its way between her teeth; her soft, full, plump bottom lip. Again, he sighed. “I cannot do this any longer.”

“What do you mean? Cannot do what?” she asked beginning to get uncomfortable with his tone.

“Mrs. Malfoy…Hermione, I can not keep these…feelings for you. It is highly inappropriate and not to mention you are carrying your husband’s child. It would be…unnerving for me.”

She studied him hard. There was something on the tip of his tongue that he wasn’t saying. “Go on.”

Severus’ brow furrowed. “Go on?”

She chuckled lightly. “Yes, go on. There is something else. I’m a big girl now, Severus. Tell me what it is you want to say and be on your way.”

He harrumphed, “There is someone else.”

That got her attention. Her eyes began to grow dark and her body leaned forward slightly as if on tenterhooks. “Someone else?”

“Last night. At Lucius’ ball, I met Miss Klewcon. She was rather enamouring. I can’t explain it, and I really don’t feel like I have to do so to you. However, I will say that it would be in our best interests to not continue with whatever this is,” he said keeping his face as hard and cold as he could.

She looked him up and down as she stood. “You don’t know what is in my best interests, Mr. Snape. To be honest, this whole fiasco has been tiresome on me and that can’t be good for the baby. So, perhaps you are right. It’s best if we never discuss our indiscretions again. Thank you, Mr. Snape for everything you have done for me these few months. I will send you a note for your services which any branch of Gringott’s will be happy to cash for you.”

She left the room promptly hoping he wouldn’t see the look on her face. She had to cover it quickly though as he grabbed her arm gently. She felt his warm breath on her ear.

“I am sorry, Hermione. I will do all I can to ensure your freedom,” he whispered.

She turned a cold glare in his direction. “I’m sure Emilia will enjoy your…endeavours immensely.”

Disdain was the word that played across his features in that moment. The slicing tongue he usually held in her presence as of late once again found itself unsheathed. “Spoken like a true Slytherin, Mrs. Malfoy.”

With the last word hanging in the air like the putrid odour from earlier, he left.

In her internal rage, Hermione realized that she did hold herself up. She kept the conversation to point; she held her own. She never once let down her guard. And when push came to shove, she insulted him with courtesy, as he did in return. Yes, spoken like a true Slytherin. Perhaps it came with the name. If that were the case, maybe there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do to get what she wanted. She wondered briefly exactly how low was the lowest of the low, and how long would it take her to get there.

Oh yes, Slytherin, indeed.

Hermione decided to turn in. Lucius would be there in the morning. And if not, who really cared? She got into bed after changing and bathing, and then laid there for quite some time just thinking about the past few days and the things Severus said. Maybe it was for the best. Something inside her told her that he would do whatever it took to help her get away from Malfoy. Even it was dumping her and gallivanting with the one person who could have the power to change her life. Maybe that was part of his plan?

This was the only comforting thought as she drifted off to sleep. Her dreams were littered with images of red hair, black eyes, and a wailing child. The baby in her dreams, however, would change slightly. One moment it had blonde hair; the next it had black.

*****

The owl kept hooting at the window. It had been trying to stay by the window for the last fifteen minutes at least. The air was growing cold and forceful. The poor bird was getting tired. It pecked harder this time finally gaining interest from the woman on the bed entwined deep within her sheets.

The sash was thrown up hard enough to bang, making the animal jump.

“What the bloody hell do you want?” Hermione asked fuming about her interrupted sleep. She looked past the owl and saw that the sky was well beyond sunrise. Perhaps ten o’clock?

“Sorry, come in. I have treats over there,” she said softly as she pointed at a bowl on the desk. When the owl perched itself on the edge of the dark wood, Hermione reached for its message tied delicately with a simple red ribbon.

She unfurled the note and began to read.

Hermione,

I need to see you. It’s rather important. My boss has a meeting this morning at 10:30. You could come while she is out. Give him a good reason so he’ll let you out. I haven’t seen you in so long. I really want to talk.

Ginny

Hermione sighed. She was ready to go in less than ten minutes. She had the perfect excuse. As she entered the kitchen a few moments later, she saw her husband at the end of the table.

“I will not allow you to sleep in any longer. I have been lenient with you because of your condition, but I will not tolerate it any longer. Is that understood?”

She nodded and began to pour herself some orange juice. “Sir, I need to go to Hogsmeade today. I won’t be gone long. I have to sign up for prenatal visits. Far be it for me to overlook the health of our child,” she said with the utmost concern.

Lucius looked to her with doubt in his eyes, but conceded. “Very well, I will meet you after for lunch at that new establishment, O’Tat’s.”

She nodded once more, and then walked to the floo in the parlour.

*****

“HERMIONE!”

It wasn’t just Ginny, but Harry and Ron as well. She almost couldn’t believe her eyes. It was the first time she’d seen them in months.

“RON! HARRY! I’m so happy to see you both!” she exclaimed as she lunged for their necks. The boys kept a strong hold on her until she backed away rather quickly.

“Hermione, what’s wrong? Are we not allowed to hug you, now?” Ron asked.

She sighed. Might as well get it over with. “No, Ron. It’s alright, just be a bit gentler. I don’t want to hurt the baby.”

They gawked. All three of them. Ginny had to literally push Ron’s mouth closed. Harry just stared at her eyes, then her belly, then her eyes. Hermione finally had to break the shocked silence.

“Really, you honestly thought I wouldn’t end up pregnant? That’s what this whole mess is about anyways, right? Besides, I rather like the idea of having a child. Someone I could love with all my heart and would love me back unconditionally,” she said slightly sorrowful.

Ginny tried to smile for her friend, but it just didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m sorry about all this Hermione. I really am. What I wanted to talk to you about was my boss, Miss Klewcon.”

“I’ve heard that name about as much as I can stand,” Hermione mumbled. “What is it?”

“I saw on her desk a note about meeting a Malfoy. Was it you? Have you met her?”

“Yes, I have. Only for a few moments. Wait…you said she was your boss? You work with her?” Hermione asked.

“Yes, I am her assistant. I help with the campaign and organizing her schedule. Isn’t she the absolute best?”

Here - all three of the others, Ron, Harry and Hermione - sighed. Hermione told the redhead, “Yes, I suppose, but you sounded an awfully lot like Lavendar Brown just then. What makes her so great, anyways? I know there are things she is trying to do to correct the Ministry, but really?”

Hermione in no way wanted to disclose her relationship to Emilia. Emilia told her under no uncertain terms that Hermione was never to talk openly about their discussion other than the fact that they had in fact met briefly. Emilia needed the purebloods, and if they ever found out that her secret agenda was to help all witches and wizards regardless of birth…well…

“You sure are being in a foul mood today. I just think that anyone who believes with all their heart and soul that they can change the Ministry from the inside and get rid of all the corruption deserves being heard,” Ginny said with an air of political finesse. Her father would be so proud!

“Wow, Ginny. When did you get mature on me?” Hermione asked with a gentle laugh. “I’m sorry. I really am. I didn’t mean to sound so harsh. I’ve just heard all these wonderful things about the woman and I haven’t known her long enough to find out if any of it’s true. What if she ends up being like Malfoy? Tells you one thing then does another? I just don’t know.”

Ginny gave her an understanding nod and turned to the boys. “Well, we can’t stand here all day. The woman has to eat for two now. Lead on, Ron.”

“No, wait. I can’t,” Hermione interrupted.

“Why not?” asked Harry.

“Yeah, why not?” Ron repeated, clearly getting agitated by not being able to eat straight away.

“I’m sorry, but I promised Lucius that I would meet him for lunch. I just came to see the Mediwitch for my prenatal appointments. Seeing you guys was a bit of the icing on top,” she said with a sincere smile.

“Well, if you get finished before you have to meet the git, come see us at the Three Broomsticks,” Ron offered.

Hermione smiled as she hugged each one in turn. “I will try. Now, off you go before Ron’s stomach eats him inside out.”

The four of them giggled as they parted ways. Hermione watched as they faded from view. She so desperately wanted to go with them, but she had other things she had to do. First of which, was to see exactly how far along she was and then calculate back to conception.

She couldn’t stand not knowing who the father was any longer.

AN: So sorry bout that, but I had to do it to progress the story down the right path. I hope you all understand! Excuse me for a moment, the evil plot bunny babies have begun to run rampant and these cages just aren't holding.