To Love a Malfoy

Chapter 17
*** Then Harry disappeared out the door with a slight waddle. Lucius followed. ***

Lucius entered the room with all his swagger and grace, while still wearing a dressing robe. Harry was sitting on the edge of an armchair. Lucius settled himself in the chair and pulled his young fiancée down onto his lap. He then looked at his long-time friend and raised an eyebrow in his direction.

Severus cleared his throat before he opened his mouth, “Lucius I hope you have been treating my employee well.” Severus paused before continuing, “Molly and Hermione came to my office early this morning both of them in or near tears. Molly was babbling about Percy and Hermione was saying something about Ron between sobs. I brought them here so they could tell us all what had them distraught this morning.”

Severus’ words caught Harry’s ears and made them perk up as he sat up straighter. “What’s wrong? What’s happened to Ron and Percy?” Demanding though he was, Harry managed to make the words seem respectful at the same time.

Lucius ran his left hand along Harry’s side in a soothing gesture, one which seemed to work rather well as Harry’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “Severus, please tell us what you have come here to tell us and be on your way. Though it is a pleasure my friend, Harry here requires my undivided attention until our children are born.” Harry felt as if he was on cloud nine, he was so happy. Lucius really was changing, making an effort to change, for him and their children.

“I understand Lucius. Harry, Ron and Percy got into a fight at the Burrow. Apparently Percy still has some hang ups when it comes to you and apparently to Hermione as well.” At this point Severus looked at Hermione who at that moment was wiping at her cheeks with a small handkerchief. Severus’ eyes went hard for just a moment but quickly changed to one of sympathy. “Hermione, would you like to continue the story? It would be better for all if the rest came from you instead of me.” Hermione looked up at Severus as if she was just now aware of his presence. She nodded.

“Ron and I were sitting in the shade of a tree a few yards from the house. You know where everyone plays Quidditch during the Holidays,” at Harry’s nod she continued. “We were talking about marriage and children and the future for us as a couple. I wanted a big family since mine was small, he didn’t. He wanted a big wedding ceremony, said something about” here she glanced at Molly and when Molly nodded she continued.
“Well, when he said Molly wanted everyone in the family to attend his wedding he said he wanted that also. I wanted a small bonding ceremony with just the two of us and a couple of close friends as witnesses.” Harry realized Hermione was babbling. He felt his friend needed to vent or she would eventually explode from keeping it inside herself. “He wanted to wait until he became a world renowned Auror but I didn’t, I was, is, afraid something would, will, happen to him and we’d never be married. But you know Ron, he wouldn’t hear of it. After awhile, about an hour or two after we started arguing, Percy comes barreling out of the house towards us. Ron and I are on our feet within seconds before his arrival to our spot under the tree. He starts yelling about how I’ve been cheating on Ron and how I “managed to get knocked up” by the guy I was cheating on him with. Of course Ron doesn’t believe him. That was short lived on my part of course for Percy came prepared with three or four vials of memories and a portable version of a Pensive. Ron had demanded proof and Percy had delivered before the words were out of Ron’s mouth. I was beyond angry at Percy. I couldn’t, and still can’t, believe he would do such a thing simply because he happened to be on the wrong side of the war towards the end. But I digress. When Ron came back out of the Pensive, he was furious, though I suppose livid would be a better term for how angry he was.” Here Hermione had to stop and recollect herself.

Harry stood from his perch on the arm of the chair. He made his way to Hermione’s side and wrapped his arms around her as best he could with his rounded tummy in comfort. Hermione sagged into her friend’s embrace accepting the comfort he was offering. Lucius felt his heart swell in admiration and love at the scene unfolding before his eyes. Severus thought his heart would break as he watched Hermione let out her sorrow into her friend’s shoulder.

Molly simply couldn’t watch the scene any longer. She felt bad enough for the way her sons acted towards this sweet girl she watched grow into this wonderful woman full of love and knowledge. Molly was going to have a few or many words with her sons who acted so despicably. Molly rose from her seat. “Lucius, Harry, Severus, and Hermione I’ll be going now. I have two boys at home who need to spoken to. Hermione dear if you wish to never set foot in our home again Arthur and I will understand.” Molly bent down to kiss the top of Hermione’s head. When she straightened, Severus noticed her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Then she was gone from Malfoy Manor and possibly their lives.

“Do you feel you can continue or would you rather just wait until someone from the ministry comes to take a statement of the incident Hermione?” Harry felt it was a question that needed to be asked. He didn’t want her to have to repeat it over and over and in the process of repetition relive what had transpired between two of the Weasley brothers and herself. Hermione only shook her head.

“No, no the ministry shouldn’t be involved. Nothing really happened except for a lot of yelling.” She sat back out of Harry’s arms but wouldn’t let go of the hand she held like a life line. She sniffled, wiped her eyes and cheeks. “Ron came out of the Pensive yelling and with his face a shade of red to rival the color of his hair. It would have been extremely funny if he wasn’t yelling the things he was. He called me a whore and many other names which are too degrading for to repeat. Percy kept adding fuel to Ron’s fire every so often, feeding on Ron’s insecurities. I threw Ron’s ring in his face and packed all my things and fire called Severus as soon as I could manage. As far as I know the two of them are still stunned and under a body bind. Percy had said the only reason you were my friends was so you could get “some” after we had gotten older but I knew better. I know better but the idea still hurt. So I put a body bind on both of them before I stunned them. And that’s the end.” Hermione felt exhausted emotionally and mentally. “Lucius, would it be okay if I stayed here for awhile? It wouldn’t be for very long, just a few weeks until I can find a place of my own.” Hermione didn’t know why she was asking her best friend’s fiancée for a place to stay.

Harry looked over at Lucius with pleading eyes. Lucius knew that to say no he would have a very sad, very pregnant lover on his hands which he did not want that. Severus watched his friend cave into the wish of his fiancée; it was a sight he had never seen of his friend before.
“Of course Hermione, stay as long as you please. I’m sure Harry would love to have you around the house when I cannot. Severus I would ask you to stay in the Manor also. Soon Harry will not be able to go to Mungo’s for his checkups and the staff at Mungo’s cannot always make it here to the Manor.” Harry’s head snapped up so fast Lucius wondered it didn’t simply snap off at the neck. “You know it’s true Harry so I’ll have no arguments from you on this. It’s for your safety and that of our unborn children.” Harry nodded his acquiesce and Lucius let out his breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding. Lucius looked to his old friend who nodded his acceptance. “Now that that’s all settled would you mind giving my fiancée and I some time alone? There are a number of things we must discuss. Severus I trust you remember the way to the guest quarters? If you wouldn’t mind would you show Miss Granger the way and give her the grand tour if she wishes of course.”

Severus nodded. He made a mental note to write to his deputy headmistress once he was settled as he and Hermione made their way out of the room and into the hall.

::Author’s Note ---
Sorry it took me so long to update but I’ve had a busy summer what with my daughter getting ready to start kindergarten soon and my college classes set to start even sooner ((Middle of August)) I’ve hardly been able to find the time to write on the story. But I’m committed to this now and I must continue until the story is told. I may or may not be changing the number of female or male children Lucius and Harry will have. If anyone has any objections to this please feel free to let me know.
Dragon