Love Thy Enemy

CHAPTER 35: Stalking Hermione





She knew he was there, following her through Diagon Alley. It was impossible to miss a six foot two wizard with long blonde hair who forced his way through crowds with a snake head walking stick. She ignored him and continued on to the apothocary.





It was becoming routine now. For the first two weeks of their separation Lucius had sent flowers everyday until there was no room for any more on the sidewalk outside of Harry and Ginny’s house. Hermione had stayed home, curled up in her old bedroom missing him like crazy and sleeping her days away only to pace the floor every night rather than lay in the dark alone.





Harry had forced her out for dinner, saying she needed the fresh air. Ginny was touring so she decided maybe he was right and had accompanied Harry to the Dragon Inn. Shortly after they arrived, Lucius entered, alone. He sat at a table directly across from them and stared at her through her entire meal.





Everywhere she was, he was too. She wasn’t sure, but she suspected that he had hired people to watch her and keep him informed of her whereabouts. He didn’t seem to care that they were gossip fodder, even more so than when they were first married.





People were actually wagering on the outcome. Either they would reconcile, divorce, or kill one another. Most were betting on the later. Hermione entered the apothecary and moments later Lucius followed her inside. He wasn’t trying to remain hidden, he stalked her boldly and out in the open for all to see. It was almost funny. He stood near the door, his arms crossed over his chest and waited.





“Good afternoon Madame Malfoy, how can I help you?” A short, portly man asked her from behind the counter.





“I need a potion for upset stomach and indigestion please.” The stress was going to be the end of her.





“Just a moment.” The little old man disappeared into the back, leaving her alone in the shop with Lucius.





“I won’t go away until you talk to me.” Lucius said from behind her. Hermione gave him the finger and waited for the pharmacist to return with her items.





“Here you go Madam, I hope you aren’t unwell.” The shopkeeper said as he passed her a wrapped bundle.





“I’m just a little stressed these days, I think I have a stalker.” She said as she withdrew her money and paid for her items.





“Well….uh, I hope you feel better.” He said, looking at Lucius and Hermione in confusion.





“I’m sure I will, when my big blond shadow gets it through his thick skull that I don’t want to talk to him.” She smiled and waved, then made her way out the door, her shadow right behind her.







She was nearing the end of the street when Lucius grabbed her and pulled her between two buildings.



“I want to talk to you, Hermione.” Lucius said, pinning her against a wall.





“I don’t want to talk to you.” She said calmly. “Now kindly let me go.”





“No.” Lucius grasped her chin and held her head still so she couldn’t look away. “Tell me you don’t miss me, and I will leave you alone.”





She didn’t say anything. To deny it would make her a liar and to admit to it would hurt her pride.





“I knew it.” He smiled arrogantly and lowered his head. She almost let him kiss her but turned her head at the last minute. It didn’t deter Lucius, he just pressed his kiss to the side of her neck. “Please come home and let us talk this out.”





“No, let me go.” She jerked out of his grasp and stepped out from between the buildings and back onto the street.



“Hermione, damn it, stop!” Lucius reached out for her but she turned, her wand in her hand.





“So we are back to this?” Lucius pulled his wand from his cane and pointed it in her direction. “Fine, maybe they will put us in the same holding cell and you will be forced to talk to me.” People on the streets began to scatter.





“Nothing prevents me from harming you now, Lucius Malfoy.” Hermione said, her eyes narrowed.





“Except the fact that you adore me and do not want to cause me any harm.” Hid cocky smile made her heart ache.





“Not again!” Harry apparated in between them dressed in his auror’s robes. “It’s a good thing I know you don’t really want to hurt each other or I would have to take you in. Put your wands away now!”







“Isn’t it illegal to stalk people Harry?” Hermione asked, shoving her wand into her pocket.





“I’m not stalking you. Stalking implies that I am sneaking around with the intent to harm or scare you. I am following my WIFE around to make sure she is safe and to try and get her to talk to me.” Lucius said, sliding his wand back into the hollowed staff of his cane.







“Don’t you have better things to do than follow me? What about your businesses?” She wasn’t trying to be difficult. She loved him, but she wasn’t ready to forgive him just like that. He had hurt her deeply with his hateful words.





“I follow you during the day and work at night.” He stated.





“When do you sleep?” She asked.





“I don’t. I take an occasional nap when you aren’t out.” He straightened his robes and squared his shoulders.





“You need to sleep or you will make yourself ill.” She said.





“Then you need to come home so I can sleep.” He replied.





“I can’t do that.” She said, crossing her arms in imitation of his stubborn stance.





“Then I suppose I will waste away without you there to fuss over me in order to follow you around.” Lucius flicked a piece of lint off of his sleeve.





“You want me to come back out of guilt don’t you? Well it won’t work! You are a spoiled bully Lucius, and this time you will not get your way!”





“Don’t you miss anything about being at home with me?” He asked, hating himself for sounding like such a besotted fool. But that’s just what he was and he wasn’t going to stop until he had her home.





“Sure I do.” She said. His face softened in relief. “I miss talking to Draco and having lunch with the house-elves.” She smiled brightly and popped out of sight.





“Harry, she is going to be the death of me.” Lucius said, shaking his head and rubbing the bridge of his nose.





“She’s stubborn and on top of that she has a wicked temper on her, Lucius. If you want her back you’re going to have to be patient.” Harry clapped his hand on Lucius’s shoulder and laughed. “I wasn’t expecting to be called out for another “almost duel” between the two of you. I thought those days were finally over.”





“Don’t count on it. She’s really going to make me work for her forgiveness isn’t she?” Lucius stroked his thumb over her wedding rings that he still wore on his pinky finger, just in case he could get her to let him put them back where they belong.







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Well…….