Lucius\' Bookshelves

Chapter 3

After the tour of the dungeons, Hermione had returned to the library to make some notes and formulate a plan of action. Lucius had behaved impeccably – not that she had expected otherwise – but it was still a trying afternoon. That little wine cellar stunt in the dungeons had bothered her more than she wanted to let on. Luckily, he hadn’t gone with her back to the library. After a few more scribbles, Hermione gave up.

Her head was pounding, and she was already dreading dinner with Lucius. Picking up her notes, Hermione headed back to her rooms. What she really needed was a long soak. Or a swim. She debated briefly; she really didn’t want to run into Lucius, but he said he swam in the mornings, and it did look so inviting…. Finally, she decided that she would take her things out to the pool, and if he was there, she would turn around and leave. She transformed a t-shirt into a swimsuit, took a couple of towels, and headed out to the pool.

Luckily, thel arl area was empty when she arrived. She changed quickly, and slipped into the lap pool. The water was pleasant, and Hermione began to swim laps, exercising her body while her brain sifted through her first impressions of Malfoy Manor.

Lucius peered down at the pool from one of the windows, his thoughts straying. This really was going to be an interesting experience, having a young female mudblood living in his house. They would be the only two adults in the house…. No doubt she would be in regular contact with the Ministry, and they would be alerted to any lapses in her communication. But what? Did they think he was going to kill her? He shook his head. No, he wanted to see her stay safe, because if something happened to her while she was here, that would give them the excuse they needed to send him back to Azkaban and throw away the key.

He watched her as she swam for over half an hour before stopping, hoisting herself out of the pool, and heading to the hot tub. He looked at her speculatively, feeling himself harden as he did; the girl Draco had repeatedly referred to as a filthy mudblood had actually evolved into an attractive young woman. Not stunning, admittedly, but she had certainly developed under her robes, and in a swimsuit, she looked positively desirable. Gods. It really had been a long time since he’d had a woman. And while it might be a long stretch to say that Miss Granger was going to be the next woman he’d have, nothing was impossible. It would be an entertaining challenge, and right now, she his his best option. Besides, he had nothing better to do.

Still gazing out the window, Lucius unzipped his slacks and reached for his cock, now fully hard. He began stroking slowly, wanting to savor the moment, before he increased his speed, and his breathing became more ragged, until he finished himself with a gasp, and a sigh of release.

****

Hermione dressed for dinner, feeling considerably more relaxed after her swim and a short nap. Shaking her head as she dressed, she couldn’t help but wonder at Lucius’ insistence on formal dress for dinner; it was almost like the British in India at the end of the 19th century, insisting on tea and crumpets while the natives were rebelling outside their front doors. Actually, the more she thought about it, the more she liked the image – the British empire was disintegrating at that point, just like the Malfoy empire was now. And yet Lucius was trying to hold onto whatever vestiges of ‘civilization’ that he could.

She debated briefly between the dresses she had brought, before deciding on a long sleeve black dress with a full skirt and modest neckline. It would be appropriate without being too revealing. She pulled her hair back, holding it in place with a silver clip; better than leaving it down, but not as severe as putting it up. She surveyed the results in the mirror, and nodded. Not spectacular, but classy, business-like, and could still be considered ‘formal’. That would suit just fine.

Hermione met Lucius in what he referred to as the ‘drawing room.’ Pompous twit. Lucius was dressed formally, wearing black robes with silver fittings over a black vest and forest green silk shirt. Black wool pants and black leather boots completed the ensemble. His hair was loose, and, Hermione noticed, his cane was leaning against his chair. Another affectation. This guy really is fully of himself. No wonder Draco was always such a prat at school.

Lucius stood up when she entered the room. “May I get you a drink, Miss Granger?”

Hermione nodded. Yes, a drink would be good. “Yes, please. Some scotch would be wonderful, Mr. Malfoy. Neat, if you please,” she added, thinking of the aged bottles housed in his wine cellar. She watched him as he poured her drink. Pompous yes, but still, he really was a striking man, she had to admit grudgingly. And he did have a great wine cellar.

He handed her the crystal glass and smiled. “Here you are, and please call me Lucius. It would seem strange to have someone living in my house, and yet referring to me as ‘Mr. Malfoy.’ Do you mind if I call you Hermione?”

Hermione blanched, but shook her head. “No, Hermione would be fine.” Another instruction from the Ministry; let him become comfortable with you. She took a sip of the scotch and sighed; the taste of expensive scotch could not be matched.

Lucius watched her sip the scotch. That was something in her favor – she could clearly appreciate a good scotch enough to know that it was blasphemy to dilute it with ice or water. Which was more than he could say for Draco – the boy had never acquired a taste for the liquid gold, and instead preferred sherry. He got that from his mother – among other things, no doubt. He took a seat in a wing chair by the fireplace, and invited Hermione to do the same.

Hermione sat down in a chair opposite to Lucius. He looked at her appraisingly. “So, tell me, Hermione, what did you do before you were, er, assigned to me?”

“I was a medi-witch for the Order,” she replied, with a tinge of pride in her voice.

Oh yes. One of those do-gooders. “Ah, so you are multi-talented. Most impressive.” He drawled. “And does your husband? Boyfriend? Mind that you have been sent here?” Not subtle, he knew, but there was no more diplomatic way of ascertaining the information.

Interesting. What was he getting at? “I don’t have a boyfriend or a husband.” Lucius raised an eyebrow skeptically. “Or a girlfriend, either, for that matter,” she added, thinking of Draco and Harry.

Lucius smiled respectfully. “I’m surprised. I would have thought that my old friend Severus would have finally worked up the nerve to ask you out…” His voice trailed off sugivelively as Hermione chocked on her scotch.

“Excuse me? Severus? Snape?” Then she smiled. Clearly Lucius was trying to tease her; she had to remember not to take everything that he said so seriously – the Ministry had warned her about this. “Maybe you know Severus better than I, because he’s always given me the impression that he would rather walk 10 miles out of his way to avoid me than actually have to see me.”

Lucius smiled at her response. At least she didn’t respond with some comment about him being too old for her. Interesting. “Perhaps not, but I think that you are not giving yourself enough credit. I think that a man like Severus would be very attracted to an amazingly intelligent and attractive young woman such as yourself.”

Hermione blushed. She really did not want to be talking about her non-existent sex life with Lucius Malfoy. “Yes. Well.” She paused. Quick, Granger, change the subject. Change the subject! “Er, have you heard from Draco lately?” she asked brightly.

Lucius’ face darkened. “No.”

Oh. “I’m sorry to hear that.” Hermione paused, as an uncomfortable silence descended upon the room. “Er, what do you do now that, er, you aren’t otherwise occupied?”

A brief flash of anger flashed in his eyes momentarily and then left him. “I, well, it’s a hobby, but I garden.”

Hermione looked at him and failed in suppressing a laugh. Lucius Malfoy? On his hands and knees, dirt under those perfectly manicured fingernails of his? She couldn’t picture it. “Really?” was all she could choke out in response.

Lucius looked only slightly irritated at her reaction. “I don’t grow vegetables, Hermione. I raise orchids.” He paused, his voice softer and silky now. “It takes patience, skill, and a desire for beautiful things. And a ruthlessness to cull the plants that aren’t productive.”

Hermione nodded. “It sounds like it suits you perfectly,” she said with a half-smile. Especially the ruthlessness part.

Lucius gazed at her; she certainly wasn’t classically beautiful, but there was a definite appeal to her. “Perhaps I could show them to you sometime. If you’d like.”

“That would be nice. I’d like that. My grandfather grew orchids for years, and I’ve always liked them.”

Hermione finished her scotch with another happy sigh, and looked for a place to leave her glass. “Just leave it on the table there. One of the elves will pick it up…” Lucius’ voice trailed off as Hermione’s face went blank. Hadn’t Draco mentioned something to him once about her involvement in a House Elf Liberation Front, or some stupid thing like that? No matter.

Hermione started to open her mouth, but was distracted when a house elf came in and announced that dinner was served. Lucius inclined his head slightly, “Shall we?”

She nodded and stood up, only to be completely surprised when Lucius offered her his arm. She bit back a smile. Merlin! They were the only two people in the entire house. Still, he seemed completely serious, so she took his arm.

Lucius smiled to himself at Hermione’s surprised look. Keeping her off-balance was good.

Dinner was served in the formal dining room, two people seated at a table that could easily seat 18. After Hermione was seated, Lucius debated sitting across the table from her, rather than at the head of the table, as he always did, but he quickly banished the thought. It would be good for the chit to remember where she was.

Lucius was extremely cordial at dinner, talking about the history of the estate, the history of the surrounding area, and his orchids, while steering away from anything remotely controversial. Finally, the dishes had been cleared away, and Hermione felt comfortably full.

“Would you like to join me in the library for a brandy?” Lucius\' question caught Hermione completely by surprise; she was here to investigate him, and yet he was treating her like an honored guest. Well, all except for the rooms he had given her, she amended. Lucius caught the look of shock on her face, and felt slightly chagrined. “Forgive me, Hermione. I don’t have guests here very often, anymore – the Ministry has restricted who can come see me – and, I find myself getting lonely at times.” He smiled, hoping that it would soften the pitiful sound to it.

Hermione nodded slowly. That did make sense. That would might explain why he used a formal dining room for two people – he probably never used it, now that the Ministry had him under house arrest, and only allowed him visitors thad bed been approved by the Ministry. “It’s got to be hard for you, with things how they are now,” she commented uncertainly. “And yes, I think I would like to take you up on that brandy,” she added.

Lucius smiled and bowed his head briefly, before again offering his arm to her.

****

Several hours later, Hermione headed back to her own rooms. Either Lucius really was starved for conversation, or, or he was just trying to convince her to send positive reports back to Ministry. Probably the latter, she surmised, although it was possible that he was slightly lonely, too. Either way, it would certainly help her work if Lucius was being friendly. After making a few short notes at the desk in her poorly-lit sitting room, Hermione headed to her bed, and to sleep

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A/N: First, thank you all for the the wonderful reviews. I have written some HG/SS fics before, but I\'ve never really played around with Lucius too much. I\'m having a good time with this, and your reviews have given some ways to develop the story more than I have originally planned. Thanks very much for that. I really appreciate it!