Hurt

A/N: Okay, the note is first for all you curious readers. And please don't be disappointed if it's not your choice of father. The man had to be tamed somehow....

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An insistent hoot makes Lucius sigh and look up. “What?” he snarls at owl. The creature blinks at him indifferently before shoving his leg out to the blond. “Get lost,” he growls.

The owl remains perched on the desk so Lucius ignores him. “What could Martin want now?” he murmurs to himself as he opens the missive. A small paper floats to the desktop so he frowns at the back of it. Lucius picks the paper up to discover a picture of three squirming newborns. His eyes flick back to the parchment and skim the words. “‘Well, old friend, they most certainly are yours. Here is the picture you requested. Congratulations.’ Martin, you idiot,” he hisses.

Lucius stares at the picture after putting the letter down. The sound of the door opening goes unnoticed until someone leans down beside him. “Lucius, whose babies are those?” a woman inquires. He starts visibly so she jumps back. “Well? They’re cute. They look like Draco,” she says.

“They were born just this afternoon. A girl and two boys,” he states without answering her main question and stands. “Where have you been Narcissa?” he demands.

The woman smiles enigmatically at him and drapes her arms over his broad shoulders. “With the girls. Let’s have a baby Lucius. Draco’s almost grown up and I miss the pitter-patter of little feet,” she purrs. Lucius raises an eyebrow at her.

“I do not want to listen to you bitch and whine for nine months and deal with your constant cravings. Not to mention more nappies than one can shake a wand at,” he sneers and wanders over to his liquor assortment.

Narcissa glares at him as he pours himself a drink. “You don’t want anything to do with me since you’ve been lusting after that little whore at Hogwarts. She’s a Mudblood, Lucius! Besides, she’s not even pretty,” she pouts. Her eyes widen when he lifts her chin with his wand tip.

The owl watches the couple then tucks its head under its wing. “I have not been ‘lusting’ after her. She is Draco’s peer and a threat to his future. I have been… observing her,” he murmurs silkily. “Now, I have rather pressing business to attend to at St. Mungo’s.” Lucius slams the glass on his desk without partaking of the liquor inside before sauntering out of the room.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Mrs. Lupin, you have some visitors,” a woman says then steps out of the way of the two men. Remus stands from his chair and moves between the bed and the newcomers.

“What are you doing here?” he growls.

Lucius quirks an eyebrow at him then looks at the little bundle in Hermione’s arms. His gaze travels to Albus and Poppy then back to Remus. “I came to see my children,” he sneers and nods to the three napping infants.

“Remus, it’s all right, he won’t harm me here,” Hermione whispers softly. The irate werewolf calms slightly then settles in the chair again. Lucius moves closer to the bed and peers at the tiny girl in Hermione’s arms.

Hermione bites her lip then motions him closer. He grudgingly does as she requests so she moves the blanket away from the little girl’s face. Lucius releases a breath he didn’t realize he was holding and accepts the tiny bundle from her. “Congratulations Lucius,” Albus whispers and twinkles at the man.

Severus gently takes the baby from Albus when the man stands to allow Lucius his chair. “They’re so small,” Lucius murmurs in awe. Hermione giggles at him so he raises an eyebrow at her.

“That’s what being almost three months premature will do. I… I have decided to forgive the both of you. It will be easier that way,” Hermione says softly. Remus’ head snaps toward her and he starts to protest so she holds up her hand. “It is my decision Remus. How do you think the children will feel when they’re older and figure out that their mother hates the man that helped create them? They would think that they are mistakes but they are blessings.” Poppy nods her agreement then looks at Lucius in shock when he chuckles.

The little girl hiccups again and opens her eyes. Lucius strokes his thumb over her cheek so she tries to latch onto it. “She’s hungry,” he says and looks at Hermione. She reaches for the baby so he allows her to have her. Severus lays the boy in Lucius’ arms and leaves the room with Albus and Poppy. Hermione shifts her gown and helps the girl start suckling from her breast. “Have you named them yet?”

“She wants you to name them. Said it was the father’s right,” Remus grumbles. Lucius nods as he rocks the boy in his arms. “Have any ideas?”

Hermione hums to the girl as she watches the two men glare at each other. “Please don’t fight,” she begs. They look at her and sigh so she smiles. “Mr. Malfoy, I would really be grateful if you named them. However, I reserve the right to say no,” she adds.

The girl turns away from Hermione’s breast so she carefully burps her. “Isaac, Ian, and Isabella. Will those do?” Lucius inquires. Hermione nods in return so he strokes the baby’s forehead. “Isaac. You can pick the middle names,” he says and looks at Hermione.

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Severus enters his classroom and slams the door as per usual. “Settle down,” he hisses. The students immediately calm into their seats so he looks at each one in turn. His eyes rest on Hermione far longer than needed so Harry and Ron glare at him. Hermione offers him a slight smile so he quirks an eyebrow at her. “I see you’ve kindly thought to rejoin your classmates, Miss Granger. Did you enjoy skipping classes?” he sneers.

Hermione gives him a sickeningly sweet smile. “Oh, of course Severus. I’ll be sure to do so again if it brings you so much joy,” she purrs. Draco turns in seat and frowns at the girl. Severus glances at him then glares at Hermione.

“You do not use my given name in class, Granger. Five points from Gryffindor,” he snarls. “Mr. Malfoy, do take your eyes off the impertinent little witch and pay attention. Your father does not have the time to deal with your misbehaviors and failing grades since your siblings have arrived.” Draco blinks and looks at the man questioningly. “You didn’t know? Well there is a story he will definitely need to tell you. Granger, where are you going?”

Harry moves to stand so Severus motions him into his seat. Hermione turns toward Severus so the man notices the two dark stains on her chest. He sighs and points at the door. “Out!” he snarls. She hurries from the dimly lit classroom and up to her rooms.

Remus looks up from rocking Ian and Isabella. “Thank Merlin,” he murmurs. His mouth starts watering as Hermione strips her shirt and bra off. She settles on the couch so he helps her situate the two wailing babies. “Isaac hasn’t given me much of a fuss but I’m sure that will change soon,” he says and covertly wipes his mouth.

“Mr. Malfoy didn’t tell Draco that I had the babies or that they are his siblings,” Hermione murmurs. Remus frowns then shrugs. “You don’t think he’s ashamed of them, do you?” she asks.

“If Lucius was ashamed of them, he would not have bought them all of this,” he says and motions to the bassinets, toys, prams, clothing, and other miscellaneous supplies crowding the room. He groans and looks to Isaac when the baby starts fussing. “Shh, Isaac, daddy’s here,” he murmurs and picks him up. Isaac squeaks softly and falls asleep again. “Well that was easy. Ugh, maybe not,” Remus says when he gets a whiff of the ‘present’ Isaac left for him. “Hermione, we really need to hire a nanny. Please, I can’t do this all the time. Lucius would be more than willing to pay for one… or three,” he pleads.

Hermione giggles as she watches the poor man resort to using his magic to change the boy’s nappy. Isabella begins squirming so Remus lays Isaac in his bassinet then picks the squirming baby up. Hermione shifts Ian so he suckles at her nipple harder. They both look up when a knock sounds on the door. “Remus, Hermione, you have some visitors,” Minerva’s voice calls. Remus places Isabella in her bassinet and helps Hermione with her shirt.

“Come in,” he calls. Minerva opens the door so Lucius and Draco enter followed by Narcissa.

“Lucius, why did you bring me here if she’s here?” the woman demands and jerks her head at Hermione. Draco looks around then notices Hermione still nursing Ian.

Minerva smiles down at Isabella as Draco turns a dark shade of red. “Sorry,” he mumbles and averts his gaze. Hermione raises an eyebrow at him then snorts.

“It’s not like you haven’t seen them before,” she says.

Narcissa frowns at her then looks at Lucius when he lifts Isaac from his bedding. “Lucius, why—”

“Isaac, Ian, and Isabella were conceived the night I raped Hermione. I am their father and it is my duty to see that they are cared for,” Lucius murmurs. He strokes the boy’s back and smiles down at him. “You’re two months old today,” he whispers. Isaac squirms then nestles into the crook of his arm.

Draco frowns slightly then looks to Hermione. “So these babies are my brothers and sister? How will that work out? Won’t… people… be angry?” he asks. Lucius nods.

“Yes. Incredibly angry. However, their opinion matters not. These are my children. They will be treated with respect,” he says firmly.

Ian begins to wail again so Remus slumps back in his chair and covers his face. Hermione hands the boy to Draco so he reluctantly takes him. She fixes her shirt then stands and moves over to Lucius. “Mr. Malfoy, would it be possible that a nanny be hired?” she asks softly.

Lucius reaches out and gently touches her cheek so she shuts her eyes tightly. He cups her cheek in his palm so she looks at him. “Whatever you need Hermione. We’ve been through this. All you have to do is ask,” he murmurs and gives her a charming smile. “And please, it’s Lucius.”

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A/N: Lucius is getting awfully friendly with Hermione. I think I will finish up the school year (it's late April at the end of this chapter) and make an epilogue checking in on our couple and the babies. So I'm thinking probably two more chapters. That'll put this at 20 exactly. 20 is a nice round number.... Mr. Anon Y. Mous had gotten my yahoo email and sent me a message with the names.. This was before I posted the address so someone is stalking me. X3 Hoe mah gawd, I gots meself a stalker! lulz!