Matched

A/N: A little peek into what's going through our couple's heads at this point.



In answer to a couple of emails....Yes I do know who it was Hermione lost her virginity too(obviously, this is my story LOL) I dont know if it will come out, I havent gotten that far yet...BUT NO, IT WAS NOT DRACO! You would be surprised who it was though, Id love to hear your opinions.



Severus is coming, and yes, there will be more flirtation and more antics......





Lucius will finally get the response he longs for from his wife....but its a ways off in the story.





SO enjoy this little bit of insight. No more for tonight, its almost time for brotherhood and I cant miss the chance to look at that gorgeous man Jason Isaacs







CHAPTER 18: Thinking of You







It had been almost a week since he had left. He was back in Tuscany with Draco to oversee and finalize the acquisition of Nimbus Inc. She received flowers and a short note from him daily. Usually just something to let her know he hadn’t forgotten that he had a bride at home or to give her some little bit of information on how things were going with the deal.



Hermione missed him, and it was driving her mental. She had begun to notice his absence that first night when she climbed into her bed, alone. She couldn’t sleep and had moved into his room, slipping into his bathrobe and snuggling into his pillow before she could fall asleep. She eventually found herself walking through his study almost daily, thinking about him sitting behind the large desk.



She carried a glass of wine out onto the terrace and stared out over the lake. What were her feelings for Lucius? She enjoyed his company. He was funny and intelligent; it was easy to have a conversation with him. She desired him. He was so sexy and charming and in bed he was an intense and considerate lover. Did she love her husband?



Hermione had thought she was in love before, had thought that he had loved her too, but it had been more a result of the situation they had found themselves in. She wondered if that were the case now, could she simply be a victim of their close proximity.



She glanced up when she heard the screeching of one of Lucius’s eagle owls. She watched the tawny bird swoop down from the night sky and drop a small package and envelope onto the table before heading to the small owlry that Lucius kept on the edge of the grounds. She knew that the elves would feed the bird when it arrived.



Hermione opened the envelope and smiled, it was short and sweet. **Thinking of you.** was all it said. She set it aside and tore the brown paper from the box. It was a small, hand carved wooden box depicting three beautifully rendered women on the lid, the Fates. She opened the box and gasped softly. Nestled inside on a white satin pillow was a blue diamond pendant, at least three carats and seemingly flawless. It was set in silver and shaped like a perfect teardrop.



“Oh good lord, why on earth would he send something like this by owl!” She pulled the stunning necklace from the box and fastened it around her neck. The chain was long, the pendent nestling just at the top of her cleavage. It was amazing, and so sweet of him to get it for her. Lucius Malfoy obviously knew jewelry; his own was of the highest quality. She was pleased that he knew her well enough not to get her anything outrageous or over the top, instead he had gone for simple and conservative. He had obviously thought about her tastes and preferences when he chose it, and that made her all tingly inside.

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Lucius was sitting on the veranda of Draco’s Tuscan flat. It was a large, penthouse flat in a historic building that overlooked the Arno River in Florence. It was a bit ostentatious for a young, single man like Draco, but then again, the Malfoys had a certain image to uphold.



Lucius had spent much of his day in the Boardroom of Malfoy Industries Tuscan Division going over the final details of the takeover. When all was signed and the negotiations complete, he had walked through town, stopping in at a small custom jeweler. He had intended to look for something elaborate, something that screamed “I am the bride of Lucius Malfoy!” instead he had been drawn to the simple, delicate shape of a teardrop diamond.



Simple, pure and perfect without being in your face and over the top, it was just like his bride. He had been unable to walk away without it. He would shower her in jewels if he thought she would like such a thing. In some ways being married to Narcissa was easier, all he had to do to make her happy was allow her free reign with money, keep her well supplied in jewels and clothes and all was well. Hermione was different, she would not respond well to his constantly gifting her with such material things.



He now found himself relaxed, enjoying a glass of the regions finest red wine with his son. A small house-elf popped into view and handed him a letter.



“Sorry Master, the Mistress tell me bring you the note.” The tiny creature handed him the envelope and with a loud pop, vanished from his sight.



“Problems at home?” Draco asked. “I don’t know why you didn’t bring her, there is plenty of room and she would love Tuscany, lots of old things for her to look at.” Draco was smiling slightly as he thought about the little bookworm who was his friend as well as his step-mother.



“I needed some distance.” Lucius said, distracted as he opened the note. **Thank you, hurry home, I miss you**



“Why, is she getting all whiny and clingy?” Draco knew that wasn’t true, Hermione wasn’t like that. He suspected that his father might be developing stronger feelings for his young bride than he was comfortable with.



“No, things are just….I just did Draco, don’t ask so many questions.” Lucius frowned and tucked her note into his pocket.



“You know, you are awfully contrary tonight father, one might think you were missing your wife.” Draco smiled into his glass as he observed his father. Lucius was staring down at the river, watching the small boats with disinterest.



“I don’t know what I feel Draco.” Lucius said softly.



“I don’t understand why you are so torn up about the situation. I would be thrilled to be matched with someone like Hermione. She’s young, intelligent, powerful, and I have never seen a person so loyal in my entire life. Once she cares for you, it’s forever.” Draco looked out at the water and frowned slightly. “I was given six months to find a bride or the Ministry will match me, I doubt I will be as lucky as you.”



“You don’t understand Draco. You don’t know what it’s like to love someone, and then have that person used as a weapon against you. It’s terrifying and kills off little pieces of you. I can’t risk loving anyone else.” Lucius downed the last of is wine and set the glass aside.



“It’s over Father, he’s gone for good. I know that I was used against you, and I am sorry for that. But don’t pass up the chance at something good because of things that happened in the past. I mean, if she can get over the fact that you tried to kill her, cant you get over what HE tried to do to you?” Lucius stood and stared down at his son for a moment. If he was proud of one thing in his life, it was his son. He could have turned out so much different than the intelligent, witty, and caring young man he was. And it would have been his fault; he should have set a better example for him.



“When you become a father, or fall in love, you will understand.” Lucius laid his hand on Draco’s shoulder. “I think I will apparate home, I have been gone a week and I miss my own bed.”



“Is it your bed you miss, or the witch sleeping in it?” Draco asked, smiling.



“Both. Goodnight son.” Lucius gave his shoulder a slight squeeze and gathered his things. It was near midnight when he appeared in the foyer of his home. He made his way up the stairs and into his room. She was already in bed and sound asleep. He stood beside the bed staring down at her for several minutes. She was wearing his bathrobe, and had her arms wrapped tight around his pillow. She really had missed him. He didn’t like the sudden lurch in his stomach.





He undressed and crawled into bed slowly, trying not to disturb her.



“Lucius?” She called his name softly, barely awake.



“Yes, darling, it’s me.” Lucius pulled his pillow from her arms and tucked it beneath his head as she snuggled against him.



“I’m so glad you are home, I missed you.” She sighed softly and drifted back to sleep.



“I missed you too.” He said. And I wish I hadn’t. He added quietly.