Diamond in the Rough

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Hermione placed a big mug of tea next to Ginny and sat back watching Albus suckle at Ginny’s breast. “Oh ‘Mione thank you, I’ve been dying for a large, hot cup of tea all morning.”

“Not a problem” Hermione smiled at her friend.

Ginny moved Albus to rest against her shoulder and gently patted his back. She buried her nose into the sweet, soft baby nape. Looking up at Hermione, she said, “There is nothing that smells more wonderful than baby.”

“Ohhh let me, let me.” Hermione held out her arms for Albus. Ginny gently laid her son in her friend’s arms. Hermione took a deep breath, “He’s so precious Ginny. How’s Jamie handling being big brother?”

Ginny smiled a little wryly, “he had a few jealous moments, in fact, he told us last night, it was time to take the baby back because he cried and pooped too much.” Shaking her head she smiled at Hermione, “he’ll come around. It’s hard; he’s had us all to himself the last several years.”

Hermione cradled the sleeping infant in her arms, “I always wanted a brother or a sister. Thank goodness I had the good sense to adopt you, Harry, Ron!” She ran her fingers gently over the baby down on the little head.

Ginny leaned back and took a deep sip of her tea, “Heavenly!” She watched her friend speculatively. Hermione looked good with a little one in her arms. “Any discussion between you and Big Bad on the possibility of little Malfoys?”

Hermione grinned and shook her head. “Little Malfoys, it boggles the imagination doesn’t it?”

Ginny laughed, “Little hellions would be more like it!”

“Here now, they will be half me as well.”

“As I said, little hellions, you aren’t the good girl that most everyone believes you to be…. Ginny smirked over the rim of her mug.

“I’ve no idea what you are talking about…” Hermione tried to look innocent but the smirk she couldn’t hide was her undoing.

Ginny snorted, “Let’s see… there is keeping Rita Skeeter as a bug in a jar, the Umbridge/cenitaur incident totally classic. Hmmm, oh yes, you do recall how often I was on look out for you when you decided to raid Snape’s private stores. Oh! and let’s not forget when you broke Malfoy’s nose.”

Hermione leaned back and sighed, “Ahhh, good times though weren’t they?”



“Yes, they were but it just proves my point, you will have your hands full when you and Mr. BBD have little Malfoys running around.” Ginny took another sip of her tea.

Mr. BBD? Let me guess, big, bad, death eater?” Chuckling softly, she pressed her cheek against the top of Albus’ head when he rubbed his little face against her shoulder. The thought of having children had once scared her to death. Now, the thought of having children with her big, blond giant held infinite appeal, she could picture little tow-headed tots running around that gigantic manor.

“You got it on the first guess! Here I’ll put Albus in his layette, so you can drink your tea as well.” Ginny picked little Albus up and placed him in a small wicker layette next to the table. She sat down and looked at Hermione again, a very serious look upon her face. “Still think your heart’s going to be torn to bits ‘Mione?”

“Nope.” she grinned ear to ear.

“Didn’t think so,” Ginny sat back a smug look upon her face. “Okay, to business, I’d like you to be here around 6:00 tonight. It will just be Harry and I, you and DB, and the professor.”

“DB? What the heck are you calling Lucius now?”

“It’s my nickname for him, DB, Deatheater Boy.”

Hermione snorted tea up her nose, coughing, “Death eater Boy? You can’t call him that.”

“Why not? It’s too weird to call him Lucius. Mr. Malfoy seems so formal; I don’t know what else to call him.”

“Call him Lucius.”

“I don’t know, doesn’t seem right, Lucius doesn’t seem respectful enough.”

“And somehow DB is more respectful?”

“I don’t know if it’s more respectful but I like it.”

Hermione shook her head, “For Gaia’s sake Ginny call him Lucius, please.”

“We’ll see” Ginny smiled wickedly at her.

Hermione rolled her eyes, wanting to put a stop to Ginny from coming up with more nicknames for Lucius she asked, “How do you think Severus will react to the naming of your son?”

“I’m not sure. You do know that Harry and Snape talk.”

“I remember Harry saying they talked a couple of times.”

“Harry would like it to be more often but Snape is so prickly.”

“That he is.”

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“I bloody well don’t know why the Hell they want me over for dinner.” Severus Snape growled as he paced in front of the enormous library fireplace.

“You didn’t have to accept Severus.” Hermione took the glass of wine that Lucius held out to her.

“Not accept a dinner invitation from the golden, chosen one? Don’t be absurd you foolish girl.” Severus had stopped pacing and was now scowling at the little curly-haired witch seated on the couch in front of him.

“You sound nervous and don’t call me names Severus.” Hermione huffed back.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not nervous.” Severus tugged at his collar. He had opted to meet at Malfoy manor for drinks before heading to the Potters. He was hoping a drink before hand might unwind him just a tad.

Lucius walked towards Severus, “It will be fine, relax. Hermione, stop baiting him. He’s nervous enough.” Lucius handed Severus a tumbler of fire whiskey.

“I’m not nervous.” Severus snapped.

“Shut it Malfoy. I am not baiting him. He’s working himself up into a snit.” Hermione retorted.



“I’m not.” Snape sat down in the plush leather chair, drink in hand.



Lucius raised his eyebrow very deliberately while looking at his wife. Steely grey and caramel brown clashed, heat flashed through her until she squirmed a little on the couch. Traitorous body, she cursed herself, he was such a damned git.



Nodding at her with a slight smirk, he sat down next to her, patting her thigh.

Hermione was rather amused by the state in which the professor was working himself into, she decided to take pity and changed the subject at hand to ask the question that had been on her mind for the last week. She looked at Severus, “When I left your study Severus I could have sworn you had received a ministry-sealed envelope, nothing is amiss is it?”

Snape who was taking a long pull of his fire whiskey, choked on the fiery liquid. Impertinent girl, he coughed into a handkerchief and scowled at Hermione. “I don’t recall my mail being any of your business.”

“Ohhhh, you are quite right Severus, it’s none of my business.” She gave a little smile, he was sooo easy to rile. She took a delicate sip of her wine, grinning to herself, prickly, prickly, prickly, it should be his middle name.

Lucius shook his head, Hermione and Severus had been bickering since Severus had arrived at the manor; Lucius knew Hermione loved to get reactions out of Severus; it was rather like watching someone take a stick and poke at a beehive. However, she did impart rather interesting information. He wondered if he should look into any letters that Severus might be receiving…. He looked over at his old friend, “Have you opened any of the letters Severus?”

Snape still scowling at Hermione snarled, “No.”

‘Very, very interesting,’ he thought. They finished their drinks and decided to floo from the library fireplace. Severus went first, Hermione was about to follow, when Lucius held onto her arm and pulled her close, “Hermione, behave.” He said in that deliciously low, silky voice. Shivering slightly, Hermione looked at Lucius, eyes wide with feigned innocence, “I don’t know what you mean, Lucius.” She batted her eyes at him.

He turned her towards the fireplace while patting her bottom, “Naughty” he whispered, she turned towards him in the green flames and grinned mischievously. He couldn't help but grin back at her and quickly followed her.


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Harry was nervous. When he was nervous, he had a tendency to run his fingers through his hair, he so wanted this dinner to go well. He and the professor had made amends after the war but conversations between the two men could still be somewhat stilted.

“It will be fine, Harry.” Ginny almost laughed aloud when she took in Harry’s appearance. His hair was sticking out in all directions, a sure sign of his anxiety. She went over to where he was sitting and rubbed a hand up and down his back.

The floo flashed green and Severus Snape billowed out of the fireplace. He looked around the room until he saw the boy. “Mr. Potter.” He said a little imperiously. Didn’t the boy ever take a comb to that mop of his?

Harry jumped up and said, “Yes sir.”

Severus Snape smirked, it was good to know he could still instill a good healthy dose of angst in the boy and if appearances were anything to go by it looked as if Potter was nervous too. He looked over at Ginny who held a small bundle in one arm and another small tousled black haired imp looked around her skirt. “Mrs. Potter, I brought a bottle of wine.”

Ginny smiled placing the small bundle in her husband’s arms and turned towards Snape to take the bottle. “Thank you Professor, please call me Ginny.” The floo flashed green again and Hermione and Lucius stepped into the room.

All five adults looked at each other saying absolutely nothing. Hermione broke the awkward silence by scooping up little James, “Jamie, you grow taller every time I see you, what a big boy you are!” She sat him on her hip, turned towards Ginny, “Do you need any help with dinner Gin?” The two women made their way towards the kitchen leaving Harry alone with Snape and Lucius.

Tongue-tied, Harry shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Awkward silence filled the room once more. Lucius cleared his throat, “How is your newest addition, Mr. Potter?”

“Harry, please, call me Harry, Mr. Malfoy.” Harry said eager to put both men at ease.

“Then please call me Lucius.” Lucius smirked slightly, tonight was going to be about as fun as a ministry dinner. He sighed...

Harry smiled, “Albus is doing very well. I think we’ll have him sleeping through the night soon.”

“You named your son Albus?” Snape asked surprised. It made sense; Dumbledore had been somewhat of a parental role model for the boy.

“Would you care to hold him Professor?”

“Certainly not.” Snape looked horrified.

“Merlin, I could use a drink.” Harry mumbled.

“Excellent idea Harry, how about I hold your son while you pour our drinks. I do have some experience with children.” Lucius took the small bundle into his arms and gently sat down on the sofa.

Ginny and Hermione came out of the kitchen carrying appetizers. Jamie followed behind his mum, shyly looking at the two large wizards. Hermione came to an abrupt halt when she saw Lucius holding the newest Potter in his arms. He looked so natural holding a baby, so at ease, so gods damned handsome…. It hit her suddenly, a vision of her life filled with Lucius and their children. It made her heart sing. She felt tears sting her eyes. She blinked rapidly and smiled down at her husband, pulling gently on the hair bound at the nape of his neck. He looked up and smiled at her.



Dinner went off without a hitch and by the time dinner was over, Snape and Harry had somewhat relaxed. Of course, it helped that Lucius ensured wine glasses remained full and conversations centered on ministry policies, some of Harry’s auror cases, and the research work Snape and Hermione were doing for St Mungos.

They had moved from the dining room into the front parlour, taking wine and glasses with them. Hermione was holding Albus when Ginny asked her if she could help with coffee and dessert. “Certainly.” Hermione stood up and placed Albus into Severus’ arms.

Lucius smirked a sly execution that. He had been wondering when and how Potter would apprise Severus of his namesake. Severus sat ramrod straight holding the baby awkwardly in his arms. He looked around the room nervously, desperate to relieve himself of the little bundle. Lucius was lazily sipping his wine and Severus couldn’t catch his eye. Snape then looked over at Potter to see him seated quite comfortably in a chair across the room and making no move to get up anytime soon. In fact, it looked like the boy had a smirk on his face. The damned brat. Severus looked down at the baby in his arms and was startled to see Lily’s eyes gazing up at him. Without meaning to, he uttered, “He’s got your mother’s eyes”

“He does.”

“Albus is a fine name for a son. You named him after a good man.” Snape said softly in his low rumbling voice as he looked down at the babe in his arms.


“We actually named him Albus Severus. I wanted him named after the two men I respected the most.” Harry said just as softly.

Severus looked up at Harry in surprise and felt a lump form in his throat. He cleared his throat, opened his mouth, and then closed it. To think this innocent child named after him. It didn’t seem right; maybe he could talk Potter out of it. Then a wicked thought danced through his mind as he thought of James Potter rolling over in his grave to have one of his progeny named after Severus Snape. He smirked over at Harry and said, “That’s quite a name.”

“Ginny and I would really like it if you would be his godfather, Professor.”

Snape blinked saying nothing at first… a link to his first love, to Lily. His black eyes met emerald green and he said, “I’d be delighted.”


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Hermione sat down on Lucius’ chaise and pulled off her shoes, rubbing her feet. “That went better than expected.” She called out to Lucius.

“It did.” He came out of his bathroom, walked over to Hermione and sat down on the chaise next to her. He pulled her feet into his lap, and began massaging one small foot.

Hermione sighed and leaned back against the cushions, “That feels lovely.” She looked up at Lucius and said a little shyly, “You look good with a babe in your arms Lucius.”

“As do you Poppet,” he held out his hand and she took it and he pulled her up with him.

“If we were to have children, you would naturally have to accept the fact that they will be Gryffindors.” She smiled impishly up at him.

Lucius snorted, pulling her close against him. “Silly Poppet, Malfoy genes always breed true. Time will of course tell. So you’d like more than one?”

“Definitely.” Hermione began unbuttoning his waistcoat.

“As you wish.” He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.

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A/N: Please review!

Wow your reviews were wonderful, thank you so much for taking the time to provide feedback, I love it!

Visitkarte: I'm so glad you liked the chapter, more to follow in upcoming chapters.


Heidi191976: Thank you, I appreciate you taking the time to review.


Jesse: There's something attractive about that austere wizard with babies.

Sampdoria: Thanks Sweetie, I think Draco and Severus would be quite hopeless around a little girl, she'd mostly likely have them wrapped around her little finger.

ginnylovesharry: Hope this chapter answered your question.

Voracious Reader: How was I cruel but you liked it! Mwhaahaaaaaa.

LiteraryBeauty: Not only have I found time to read it, I finished, yah!!!! Boy the last part of the book through me for a loop, I didn't see that coming at all! No smutty goodness in this chapter bu heck I never go too long without it! Your recommendation was excellent!

ann1245679: He's completed besotted by his little curly-haired Poppet.

celesumi : Hermione lives to taunt Lucius now. She likes the reaction she gets from him. I do like it when bad boys turn into daddies.

OUFAN: Big Bad is always waaaay hot. They like to play, I'm glad you liked the chapter!

catysmom: Trying to update once a week, hopefully you enjoyed the chapter.

lilashannah: Wow, thank you, I do that too with other author's stories, they post a new chapter and then I end up rereading their story from start to the lastest update.

mariteri: Thank you, you'll have to keep reading to see what happens, the fecundate charm ensures they can have babies!

goddessaisha : Thank you so much! I'm glad you like the story!

twinsie: I'm glad you stumbled upon it. I know the MLC is an old format but I really love them too. Especially when they build towards juice-say!!!!

Zephyr1975: Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoy the story! I want her lingerie too!

margaritama : Thanks Hun! I think Lucius will prove to be quite a fertile boy!

LaBibliographe: Hermione is an extremely enthusiastic pupil! Everytime I think I'm going to have lots to write about, I get stumped and would you believe I got stumped on Snape's reaction to the baby's name.....

Qui: It sounds like we totally read the same stories. Amanuensis sounded like a flower to me for some weird reason, why?? I have no idea. LaBibliographe is an awesome writer, I LOVE her stories too. FlowersBecomeScreens has a WIP titled, " Sang Froid". It's a very hot DM/HG/LM veela story. Oooh, check out this link: http://www10.brinkster.com/sherlockholmes/sshglm.htm, the website has been put together by an author by the name of Maddy Riddle.

Scary Bear Hair: I'm so glad you are enjoying the story. I was having trouble with Lucius around chapter 8, he kept want to take over the story so I needed to have Hermione exert herself, establish a little dominance of her own. Thank you so much for reviewing! Is green your fave color?

Phoenix Rhapsody: Here's another update! Thank you so much for your feedback I really appreciate it!