Diamond in the Rough
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Lucius/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
30
Views:
79,620
Reviews:
375
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Lucius/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
30
Views:
79,620
Reviews:
375
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Bee up the Bum
******************************************************************
"I can’t tell you how much I’ve been looking forward to this appointment!” Ginny was practically bouncing up and down in her plush, pink pedicure chair.
Hermione rolled her eyes. “I could have gone without.”
“Hermione, I know you enjoy this. What bee is up your bottom?”
“Lucius being Lucius.”
“What does that mean?”
“He told me he had made the appointments for us and had confirmed with you. Does he ask? No, he just does.” Hermione scowled.
“I think it was sweet of him to arrange this. I would love it if Harry did this for me, not that he would ever come up with an idea like this.” Ginny leaned back enjoying the warmth of her footbath.
“He roped you into this so I couldn’t refuse. It is not Lucius being sweet; the man doesn’t know the meaning of the word. This is Lucius ensuring that I look the way he wants me to look for Draco’s wedding.”
“Well, I still think it’s sweet. This is exactly the type of perk you should be enjoying regardless to his motive. What is so wrong with being pampered?”
“Nothing, nothing is wrong except it’s not your husband that thinks you are completely clueless when it comes to dressing up appropriately for special occasions. I am a girl for goddess sake. I can figure this stuff out.” Hermione said heatedly.
Ginny snorted. “Well, ‘Mione, come on, you have never been a fashion plate.”
“Oh, thank you very much!”
“I know I’m not insulting you. You know it’s true. It’s not something you ever cared about or put that much effort in.”
“Fine, fine, I’m a complete dunderhead when it comes to dolling up.”
“It’s true, you are completely hopeless and I might add your husband knows how to look good.” Ginny smiled at Hermione to soften her words just a tad.
“Damn him.” Hermione huffed.
“You just want to be angry with him, though I’m not sure as to why…” Ginny gave Hermione a long scrutinizing look.
Hermione avoided eye contact and finally said, “He’s just so slytherin.”
“True, so because he’s slytherin you want to be angry with him on general principle?”
“You make me sound like a shallow idiot.”
“Cupcake, I hate to be the one to tell you this but you are doing a pretty good job all on your own.” Ginny grinned.
“Well, I like that, insulting me, I thought you didn’t like him.” Hermione glared at Ginny.
“I didn’t at one time and that was like 14 years ago. He didn’t know that the diary contained a horcrux. Besides, he is now married to my best friend so I’m okay with letting bye-gones be bye-gones.”
Hermione scowled over at Ginny. Ginny sank into the cushions of her chair. She eyed Hermione speculatively. “I thought you were enjoying your big, bad death eater. Incredible sex if I remember correctly, he was doing big, bad, death eater things to you…”
“I think the rose petals are such a lovely touch, don’t you?” Hermione said lightly.
“Yes, they are very pretty.” Ginny smirked as she watched Hermione glower down at her footbath. Rose petals floated on top of the water looking much more serene than her friend's stormy face.
Hermione leaned back in her cushy, pink chair and brooded. Lucius had of course gone way overboard. He arranged for Hermione and Ginny to get the full treatment at the Enchanted Salon and Spa to prepare for Draco and Susannah’s wedding. After the manicures and pedicures, she and Ginny were scheduled for hair design then make up. Hermione hadn’t even seen her dress yet. Lucius had it designed for her after she had missed her appointment with Madam Malkin not once but twice.
She had been spending an awful lot of her time lately sitting at her desk in her office banging her head on top of the desk since coming to the realization that she had fallen in love with her husband. Of all the monumentally stupid things to have done, she had surely taken the prize.
She had begun working late nights during the week and spending the weekends doing research for Snape’s potions. Lucius had started to make subtle remarks of displeasure and had even taken it upon himself to swing by her office so they could floo home together. He was using gentle persuasion right now to deal with her stubbornness but she knew sooner rather than later she would try his patience and gentle persuasion would soon lead to coercion. The man didn’t understand the meaning of not right now. Damn him. She was itching for a fight with him. Her realization, epiphany, loss of all common sense she felt she once had left her now feeling as if she had been stripped raw. She was desperate to somehow put some distance between herself and Lucius in order to gain some perspective.
**************************************************************
She sat on the chaise lounge in one of the salon’s dressing rooms eyeballing her dress for the wedding. She would never have picked a dress like the one he’d chosen for her. Surprisingly it was midnight blue. The bodice was fitted with an off shoulder neckline and tiers of filmy silk cascaded around the skirt to the floor. She eyed the shoes a little nervously; they were satin sling backs with a peep toe in the same colour as her dress. The heel had to be at least 11.5 centimeters high with a 2.5 centimeter platform. Good goddess she would surely break a leg wearing those instruments of torture.
“Hermione are you ready yet?” Ginny pounded on the door.
“No, not yet, I still need to put on my dress.”
“Do you need me to help you zip up?”
Hermione sighed and opened the door. Ginny walked in wearing a lovely, silk wrapped column dress that she had tied over one shoulder. Incredibly, the dress was chartreuse not many people Hermione knew could wear chartreuse; however, with Ginny’s colouring she looked simply amazing.
“Wow.” Hermione said as she took in her lovely friend. “You are positively glowing; Harry’s jaw will have to be peeled off the floor.”
“I do look good don’t I?” Ginny smiled down at her gown. “You should see what I’m wearing underneath the gown. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be sexy at 7 months.” Ginny said confidentially with a wink. Hermione smiled and sat back down on the chaise lounge. Ginny walked towards Hermione’s gown.
“Oh Hermione it’s beautiful.” Ginny ran her hand along one of the silk tiers.
“It is.”
“He picked out the shoes too?” She picked up the shoe, holding it against the dress, her head tilted to the side in contemplation.
“He did.”
Ginny turned back towards her friend. She looked so glum. “Hermione, what is wrong? Did you and Lucius have a fight?”
“No, no fight.”
Ginny waited but Hermione obviously didn’t feel like talking about whatever was on her mind. She held up Hermione’s gown. “Let’s get you dressed. I need to meet Harry in a half hour.”
Hermione stood up and shrugged off her dressing gown.
“Hermione!” Ginny gasped.
“Just a distraction once the dress comes off.”
“He’ll be distracted because he’ll have gone into heart failure. I like the hot pink lace and ruffled knickers.” Ginny smiled a little wickedly.
“It’s fuchsia”
“Stop being so ornery. It definitely offsets that black satin cupless corset. Wow, what a completely tarty look. I love it. I want to know where you bought it. Harry’s eyeballs would drop clean out of his head if I surprised him with a look like that.”
Hermione smiled a little crookedly. She liked to delude herself with the belief she wasn't completely tetched. If she kept egging for a fight with Lucius he would most definitely give her one. She wanted an element of surprise, throw the man off balance until she could find hers so to speak.
****************************************************************************
There was an apparition point within the salon. Hermione gave Ginny a quick hug and whispered, “Sorry I’m in such a sour mood.”
“It’s okay ‘Mione. Just let me know when you want to talk. I’ll always be here for you.”
Hermione kissed Ginny on the cheek and whispered, "Thank you." She turned and apparated into the foyer of Malfoy manor.
Lucius was standing by the staircase in his black wizarding tuxedo. She could see a silver embroidered, silk waistcoat. under his tuxedo jacket. He had left his hair down so it flowed over his shoulders in silky, platinum waves. Good gods he was so beautiful she mused then smiled when she saw his boutonnière was a silver tea rose, white vanilla orchard and a sprig of heliotrope.
He turned towards her at the sound of her arrival. He most definitely would provide Madam Malkin with a very fat tip. She was perfection. Her golden brown curls pulled up off her shoulders and neck in artful disarray. The colour of her gown brought out the creamy loveliness of her skin. He walked towards her a black satin robe with an ermine furred collar folded over one arm and a black velvet case in hand.
Opening the case, Lucius pulled out an elaborate pearl and sapphire choker with matching earrings. “This has been in the Malfoy family for eight generations. I thought it would be a perfect accompaniment for you this evening.” He walked behind her and fastened the choker. Hermione took the earrings from him and walked to an ornate mirror which hung on the wall. She put on the earrings and looked at the jewelry. “They are lovely, Lucius, thank you.”
“Yes.” He walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Even in these ridiculously high heels, she only came up to just below his chin. Merlin, he was lovely. She dropped her eyes down to avoid eye contact with him. Lucius frowned he had allowed this, whatever this was, to carry on far too long. He was hoping she would show signs of coming out of whatever seemed to be putting her in such a foul mood of late. He slowly turned her to face him, lifting up her chin with his forefinger.
“Something has been on your mind for the last few weeks Hermione. You’ve been quite contrary.” He looked down at her.
“I haven’t.”
“Yes, indeed you have. I have a request of you this evening.”
“Yes?” She looked up at him.
“This is my son’s wedding. I wish it to be perfect. Hmmm?”
“Of course it will be perfect.”
“No spoiling for fights tonight Poppet.”
“I haven’t a clue as to what you are talking about Lucius.”
“I believe you do and you will do this for me tonight.” Lucius leaned down and pressed a kiss against her forehead. “You and I definitely need to have a little talk.” He wrapped the robe around her shoulders. Twilby entered the foyer with Lucius’ dress robes. He shrugged into them turned to Hermione pulled her towards him and they apparated to the Fawcett’s manor.
The ceremony had been lovely, held in the Fawcett’s formal gardens. The bride and groom seemed inordinately happy even though it had been a ministry arranged match. Hermione frowned; she hadn’t heard of that many matches occurring, how odd. She would have thought an abundance of weddings would be taking place now and she hadn’t heard of any save Draco’s. She stood in the receiving line next to Lucius, greeting the very large number of guests.
“Good gods ‘Mione, you look bloody amazing.”
Hermione turned towards that very dear, familiar voice and hugged Harry hard. “Hello Harry, you look quite nice too. All done up in your dress robes.” She smoothed her palm across his chest.
“Thankfully, Ginny picks out everything for me or else nothing would match.” He smiled down at her as Ginny wrapped her arms around her.
Hermione hugged her warmly and smiled at Ginny. “Naturally, she does have great taste.”
“Hermione you look lovely.” A deep, rumbling voice sounded to her left.
Hermione felt the smile slip off her face. “Good evening Minister.” She said coolly.
“Kingsley, my dear.” He smiled down at her.
“Minister.” She retorted quite firmly.
Lucius smoothly stepped in and shook Kingsley hand, “how delightful to see you Kingsley. I’m so pleased you could make it.”
Kingsley smiled a bit awkwardly from Hermione’s cool brush off and turned towards Lucius then made his way down the receiving line.
Lucius leaned down and said in a low silky voice, “We need to talk about your relationship with the minister of magic.”
“Now?” Irritated, her tone was quite sarcastic.
“Mind your tone my dear and no, not this minute but while we are here tonight I’d like you to be polite to him.” He gave her a long cool look.
She didn’t respond.
“Hermione…” He prompted.
“Fine.” She responded in a clipped manner.
He leaned down again, discreetly moving his hand to cup her bottom and squeezed warningly. “Do you and I need to have a chat right now my sweet?” They made eye contact, his eyes stormy grey and hers a hot milk chocolate. She dropped her gaze and shook her head slightly. Quite sure he had made his point he elegantly greeted the next guest with a smooth practiced grace.
What a complete and utter git! Who in the hell did he think he was and how dare he tell her what to do. She wanted to stew but deep down she knew she was behaving perversely. The last thing she wanted was Lucius to seek retribution with her amongst the powerful and wealthy. How long was this bloody receiving line anyway? She couldn’t wait to get her hands on a drink.
Hermione was standing with Ginny, half-listening to some auror case that Harry and Ron were discussing. Ginny leaned towards Hermione and said, “Susannah and Draco look happy don’t they?”
Hermione looked towards the dance floor and watched Draco and Susannah spin around on the dance floor having eyes only for each other. They did seem blissful. “They do look very happy.” Hermione smiled wistfully. Her eyes scanned the crowd briefly and landed on her big, blond git of a husband. He was talking with Susannah’s father. He was listening attentively when suddenly he lifted his head and made eye contact with her. His eyes flashed silver and he gave her a slow smirk and raised his glass towards her. She smiled a little crookedly and raised her glass in return.
“Oh my gods, you love him.”
Hermione choked a little on the champagne she had just taken a sip of, “Ginny don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m not. Your face ‘Mione, when you looked at him it got all soft and gooey.”
“You make me sound like I’m runny chocolate.”
“Stop making jokes Hermione. That’s what is bugging you, isn’t it?” Ginny said in a low, urgent voice.
Hermione looked at Ginny a little panicked, “He will rip out my heart and tear it into tiny, little pieces.”
“You don’t know that ‘Mione.”
“He was a death eater Ginny. He wanted all mudbloods eradicated. This is not a happily ever after. I’m not that much of an idiot.”
“He’s married to you. Do you honestly believe that if he was that unhappy with the ministry match he would have gone through with it? This is Lucius Malfoy we are discussing, man on top, always gets what he wants... From everything you told me, he was pushing you to marry in the space of a week.” Ginny said with a wee bit of exasperation. How obtuse was her best friend anyway?
“He didn’t have a choice.”
“You are a complete idiot of you believe that.” Ginny huffed.
Hermione downed the rest of her champagne. “I need some air.”
“Hermione…” Ginny scowled after her.
Across the room, Lucius had been watching Hermione and Ginny carry on what appeared to be a rather intense conversation. What in goddess name, could they be talking about? He then watched with astonishment as Hermione downed her half a glass of champagne in one gulp.
“Quite talented.” A silky, low voice rumbled next to him.
“Severus.” Lucius looked briefly sideways at his old friend as he watched his wife flag a waiter, set her now empty glass on his tray and pick up a full glass of champagne. She was making her way towards the french doors that lined the wall of the Fawcett’s ballroom.
A/N:
No lemons in this chapter but definitely in the one coming up!
In case, you were interested….
Hermione's dress:
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii381/T_stevenson/Hermionesgown.jpg
Hermione's shoes:
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii381/T_stevenson/Hermionesshoes.jpg
Hermione’s pink ruffled knickers:
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii381/T_stevenson/pinkruffledpanties.jpg
Hermione’s black satin cupless corset:
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii381/T_stevenson/cuplesscorsetinblacksatin.jpg
The pearl and sapphire choker:
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii381/T_stevenson/pearlandsapphirechoker.jpg
Ginny's Dress:
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii381/T_stevenson/Ginnysdress.jpg
Lucius' waistcoat:
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii381/T_stevenson/silverembroideredwaistcoat.jpg
Thank you very much for taking time to review! Your feedback feeds the muse!
Voracious Reader: Of course, Lucius will personally test the products, each and every one of them on Hermione once they get through their impasse.
Sampdoria: Thank you very much for the input and thank you, thank you for reading my story!
Heidi191976: I really appreciate your feedback.
Byrony: I’m glad you like the story. I want Lucius to be sexy, charming and just a wee bit wicked.
LaBibliographe: Thank you! Went to mrbraiman, very helpful.
Megan: Thank you for your feedback; I definitely have further chapters for this story!
"I can’t tell you how much I’ve been looking forward to this appointment!” Ginny was practically bouncing up and down in her plush, pink pedicure chair.
Hermione rolled her eyes. “I could have gone without.”
“Hermione, I know you enjoy this. What bee is up your bottom?”
“Lucius being Lucius.”
“What does that mean?”
“He told me he had made the appointments for us and had confirmed with you. Does he ask? No, he just does.” Hermione scowled.
“I think it was sweet of him to arrange this. I would love it if Harry did this for me, not that he would ever come up with an idea like this.” Ginny leaned back enjoying the warmth of her footbath.
“He roped you into this so I couldn’t refuse. It is not Lucius being sweet; the man doesn’t know the meaning of the word. This is Lucius ensuring that I look the way he wants me to look for Draco’s wedding.”
“Well, I still think it’s sweet. This is exactly the type of perk you should be enjoying regardless to his motive. What is so wrong with being pampered?”
“Nothing, nothing is wrong except it’s not your husband that thinks you are completely clueless when it comes to dressing up appropriately for special occasions. I am a girl for goddess sake. I can figure this stuff out.” Hermione said heatedly.
Ginny snorted. “Well, ‘Mione, come on, you have never been a fashion plate.”
“Oh, thank you very much!”
“I know I’m not insulting you. You know it’s true. It’s not something you ever cared about or put that much effort in.”
“Fine, fine, I’m a complete dunderhead when it comes to dolling up.”
“It’s true, you are completely hopeless and I might add your husband knows how to look good.” Ginny smiled at Hermione to soften her words just a tad.
“Damn him.” Hermione huffed.
“You just want to be angry with him, though I’m not sure as to why…” Ginny gave Hermione a long scrutinizing look.
Hermione avoided eye contact and finally said, “He’s just so slytherin.”
“True, so because he’s slytherin you want to be angry with him on general principle?”
“You make me sound like a shallow idiot.”
“Cupcake, I hate to be the one to tell you this but you are doing a pretty good job all on your own.” Ginny grinned.
“Well, I like that, insulting me, I thought you didn’t like him.” Hermione glared at Ginny.
“I didn’t at one time and that was like 14 years ago. He didn’t know that the diary contained a horcrux. Besides, he is now married to my best friend so I’m okay with letting bye-gones be bye-gones.”
Hermione scowled over at Ginny. Ginny sank into the cushions of her chair. She eyed Hermione speculatively. “I thought you were enjoying your big, bad death eater. Incredible sex if I remember correctly, he was doing big, bad, death eater things to you…”
“I think the rose petals are such a lovely touch, don’t you?” Hermione said lightly.
“Yes, they are very pretty.” Ginny smirked as she watched Hermione glower down at her footbath. Rose petals floated on top of the water looking much more serene than her friend's stormy face.
Hermione leaned back in her cushy, pink chair and brooded. Lucius had of course gone way overboard. He arranged for Hermione and Ginny to get the full treatment at the Enchanted Salon and Spa to prepare for Draco and Susannah’s wedding. After the manicures and pedicures, she and Ginny were scheduled for hair design then make up. Hermione hadn’t even seen her dress yet. Lucius had it designed for her after she had missed her appointment with Madam Malkin not once but twice.
She had been spending an awful lot of her time lately sitting at her desk in her office banging her head on top of the desk since coming to the realization that she had fallen in love with her husband. Of all the monumentally stupid things to have done, she had surely taken the prize.
She had begun working late nights during the week and spending the weekends doing research for Snape’s potions. Lucius had started to make subtle remarks of displeasure and had even taken it upon himself to swing by her office so they could floo home together. He was using gentle persuasion right now to deal with her stubbornness but she knew sooner rather than later she would try his patience and gentle persuasion would soon lead to coercion. The man didn’t understand the meaning of not right now. Damn him. She was itching for a fight with him. Her realization, epiphany, loss of all common sense she felt she once had left her now feeling as if she had been stripped raw. She was desperate to somehow put some distance between herself and Lucius in order to gain some perspective.
**************************************************************
She sat on the chaise lounge in one of the salon’s dressing rooms eyeballing her dress for the wedding. She would never have picked a dress like the one he’d chosen for her. Surprisingly it was midnight blue. The bodice was fitted with an off shoulder neckline and tiers of filmy silk cascaded around the skirt to the floor. She eyed the shoes a little nervously; they were satin sling backs with a peep toe in the same colour as her dress. The heel had to be at least 11.5 centimeters high with a 2.5 centimeter platform. Good goddess she would surely break a leg wearing those instruments of torture.
“Hermione are you ready yet?” Ginny pounded on the door.
“No, not yet, I still need to put on my dress.”
“Do you need me to help you zip up?”
Hermione sighed and opened the door. Ginny walked in wearing a lovely, silk wrapped column dress that she had tied over one shoulder. Incredibly, the dress was chartreuse not many people Hermione knew could wear chartreuse; however, with Ginny’s colouring she looked simply amazing.
“Wow.” Hermione said as she took in her lovely friend. “You are positively glowing; Harry’s jaw will have to be peeled off the floor.”
“I do look good don’t I?” Ginny smiled down at her gown. “You should see what I’m wearing underneath the gown. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be sexy at 7 months.” Ginny said confidentially with a wink. Hermione smiled and sat back down on the chaise lounge. Ginny walked towards Hermione’s gown.
“Oh Hermione it’s beautiful.” Ginny ran her hand along one of the silk tiers.
“It is.”
“He picked out the shoes too?” She picked up the shoe, holding it against the dress, her head tilted to the side in contemplation.
“He did.”
Ginny turned back towards her friend. She looked so glum. “Hermione, what is wrong? Did you and Lucius have a fight?”
“No, no fight.”
Ginny waited but Hermione obviously didn’t feel like talking about whatever was on her mind. She held up Hermione’s gown. “Let’s get you dressed. I need to meet Harry in a half hour.”
Hermione stood up and shrugged off her dressing gown.
“Hermione!” Ginny gasped.
“Just a distraction once the dress comes off.”
“He’ll be distracted because he’ll have gone into heart failure. I like the hot pink lace and ruffled knickers.” Ginny smiled a little wickedly.
“It’s fuchsia”
“Stop being so ornery. It definitely offsets that black satin cupless corset. Wow, what a completely tarty look. I love it. I want to know where you bought it. Harry’s eyeballs would drop clean out of his head if I surprised him with a look like that.”
Hermione smiled a little crookedly. She liked to delude herself with the belief she wasn't completely tetched. If she kept egging for a fight with Lucius he would most definitely give her one. She wanted an element of surprise, throw the man off balance until she could find hers so to speak.
****************************************************************************
There was an apparition point within the salon. Hermione gave Ginny a quick hug and whispered, “Sorry I’m in such a sour mood.”
“It’s okay ‘Mione. Just let me know when you want to talk. I’ll always be here for you.”
Hermione kissed Ginny on the cheek and whispered, "Thank you." She turned and apparated into the foyer of Malfoy manor.
Lucius was standing by the staircase in his black wizarding tuxedo. She could see a silver embroidered, silk waistcoat. under his tuxedo jacket. He had left his hair down so it flowed over his shoulders in silky, platinum waves. Good gods he was so beautiful she mused then smiled when she saw his boutonnière was a silver tea rose, white vanilla orchard and a sprig of heliotrope.
He turned towards her at the sound of her arrival. He most definitely would provide Madam Malkin with a very fat tip. She was perfection. Her golden brown curls pulled up off her shoulders and neck in artful disarray. The colour of her gown brought out the creamy loveliness of her skin. He walked towards her a black satin robe with an ermine furred collar folded over one arm and a black velvet case in hand.
Opening the case, Lucius pulled out an elaborate pearl and sapphire choker with matching earrings. “This has been in the Malfoy family for eight generations. I thought it would be a perfect accompaniment for you this evening.” He walked behind her and fastened the choker. Hermione took the earrings from him and walked to an ornate mirror which hung on the wall. She put on the earrings and looked at the jewelry. “They are lovely, Lucius, thank you.”
“Yes.” He walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Even in these ridiculously high heels, she only came up to just below his chin. Merlin, he was lovely. She dropped her eyes down to avoid eye contact with him. Lucius frowned he had allowed this, whatever this was, to carry on far too long. He was hoping she would show signs of coming out of whatever seemed to be putting her in such a foul mood of late. He slowly turned her to face him, lifting up her chin with his forefinger.
“Something has been on your mind for the last few weeks Hermione. You’ve been quite contrary.” He looked down at her.
“I haven’t.”
“Yes, indeed you have. I have a request of you this evening.”
“Yes?” She looked up at him.
“This is my son’s wedding. I wish it to be perfect. Hmmm?”
“Of course it will be perfect.”
“No spoiling for fights tonight Poppet.”
“I haven’t a clue as to what you are talking about Lucius.”
“I believe you do and you will do this for me tonight.” Lucius leaned down and pressed a kiss against her forehead. “You and I definitely need to have a little talk.” He wrapped the robe around her shoulders. Twilby entered the foyer with Lucius’ dress robes. He shrugged into them turned to Hermione pulled her towards him and they apparated to the Fawcett’s manor.
The ceremony had been lovely, held in the Fawcett’s formal gardens. The bride and groom seemed inordinately happy even though it had been a ministry arranged match. Hermione frowned; she hadn’t heard of that many matches occurring, how odd. She would have thought an abundance of weddings would be taking place now and she hadn’t heard of any save Draco’s. She stood in the receiving line next to Lucius, greeting the very large number of guests.
“Good gods ‘Mione, you look bloody amazing.”
Hermione turned towards that very dear, familiar voice and hugged Harry hard. “Hello Harry, you look quite nice too. All done up in your dress robes.” She smoothed her palm across his chest.
“Thankfully, Ginny picks out everything for me or else nothing would match.” He smiled down at her as Ginny wrapped her arms around her.
Hermione hugged her warmly and smiled at Ginny. “Naturally, she does have great taste.”
“Hermione you look lovely.” A deep, rumbling voice sounded to her left.
Hermione felt the smile slip off her face. “Good evening Minister.” She said coolly.
“Kingsley, my dear.” He smiled down at her.
“Minister.” She retorted quite firmly.
Lucius smoothly stepped in and shook Kingsley hand, “how delightful to see you Kingsley. I’m so pleased you could make it.”
Kingsley smiled a bit awkwardly from Hermione’s cool brush off and turned towards Lucius then made his way down the receiving line.
Lucius leaned down and said in a low silky voice, “We need to talk about your relationship with the minister of magic.”
“Now?” Irritated, her tone was quite sarcastic.
“Mind your tone my dear and no, not this minute but while we are here tonight I’d like you to be polite to him.” He gave her a long cool look.
She didn’t respond.
“Hermione…” He prompted.
“Fine.” She responded in a clipped manner.
He leaned down again, discreetly moving his hand to cup her bottom and squeezed warningly. “Do you and I need to have a chat right now my sweet?” They made eye contact, his eyes stormy grey and hers a hot milk chocolate. She dropped her gaze and shook her head slightly. Quite sure he had made his point he elegantly greeted the next guest with a smooth practiced grace.
What a complete and utter git! Who in the hell did he think he was and how dare he tell her what to do. She wanted to stew but deep down she knew she was behaving perversely. The last thing she wanted was Lucius to seek retribution with her amongst the powerful and wealthy. How long was this bloody receiving line anyway? She couldn’t wait to get her hands on a drink.
Hermione was standing with Ginny, half-listening to some auror case that Harry and Ron were discussing. Ginny leaned towards Hermione and said, “Susannah and Draco look happy don’t they?”
Hermione looked towards the dance floor and watched Draco and Susannah spin around on the dance floor having eyes only for each other. They did seem blissful. “They do look very happy.” Hermione smiled wistfully. Her eyes scanned the crowd briefly and landed on her big, blond git of a husband. He was talking with Susannah’s father. He was listening attentively when suddenly he lifted his head and made eye contact with her. His eyes flashed silver and he gave her a slow smirk and raised his glass towards her. She smiled a little crookedly and raised her glass in return.
“Oh my gods, you love him.”
Hermione choked a little on the champagne she had just taken a sip of, “Ginny don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m not. Your face ‘Mione, when you looked at him it got all soft and gooey.”
“You make me sound like I’m runny chocolate.”
“Stop making jokes Hermione. That’s what is bugging you, isn’t it?” Ginny said in a low, urgent voice.
Hermione looked at Ginny a little panicked, “He will rip out my heart and tear it into tiny, little pieces.”
“You don’t know that ‘Mione.”
“He was a death eater Ginny. He wanted all mudbloods eradicated. This is not a happily ever after. I’m not that much of an idiot.”
“He’s married to you. Do you honestly believe that if he was that unhappy with the ministry match he would have gone through with it? This is Lucius Malfoy we are discussing, man on top, always gets what he wants... From everything you told me, he was pushing you to marry in the space of a week.” Ginny said with a wee bit of exasperation. How obtuse was her best friend anyway?
“He didn’t have a choice.”
“You are a complete idiot of you believe that.” Ginny huffed.
Hermione downed the rest of her champagne. “I need some air.”
“Hermione…” Ginny scowled after her.
Across the room, Lucius had been watching Hermione and Ginny carry on what appeared to be a rather intense conversation. What in goddess name, could they be talking about? He then watched with astonishment as Hermione downed her half a glass of champagne in one gulp.
“Quite talented.” A silky, low voice rumbled next to him.
“Severus.” Lucius looked briefly sideways at his old friend as he watched his wife flag a waiter, set her now empty glass on his tray and pick up a full glass of champagne. She was making her way towards the french doors that lined the wall of the Fawcett’s ballroom.
A/N:
No lemons in this chapter but definitely in the one coming up!
In case, you were interested….
Hermione's dress:
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii381/T_stevenson/Hermionesgown.jpg
Hermione's shoes:
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii381/T_stevenson/Hermionesshoes.jpg
Hermione’s pink ruffled knickers:
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii381/T_stevenson/pinkruffledpanties.jpg
Hermione’s black satin cupless corset:
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii381/T_stevenson/cuplesscorsetinblacksatin.jpg
The pearl and sapphire choker:
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii381/T_stevenson/pearlandsapphirechoker.jpg
Ginny's Dress:
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii381/T_stevenson/Ginnysdress.jpg
Lucius' waistcoat:
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii381/T_stevenson/silverembroideredwaistcoat.jpg
Thank you very much for taking time to review! Your feedback feeds the muse!
Voracious Reader: Of course, Lucius will personally test the products, each and every one of them on Hermione once they get through their impasse.
Sampdoria: Thank you very much for the input and thank you, thank you for reading my story!
Heidi191976: I really appreciate your feedback.
Byrony: I’m glad you like the story. I want Lucius to be sexy, charming and just a wee bit wicked.
LaBibliographe: Thank you! Went to mrbraiman, very helpful.
Megan: Thank you for your feedback; I definitely have further chapters for this story!