Love Thy Enemy

CHAPTER 4: Burning





“No! You can not get rid of everything Lucius!” Hermione yelled at her unwanted husband who was casting her clothing into the fireplace one article at a time.







“Watch me.” He smiled, tossing her favorite pair of pajamas into the fire. All she had left was her jeans and a Gryffindor sweatshirt, and she would hazard a guess that she wouldn’t have those if she weren’t wearing them. He had thrown everything into the flames. Every stitch of clothing and every pair of shoes she had. He yanked open the top drawer of the bureau where the house-elves had put her clothing and pulled out a handful of serviceable white bras and panties.







“What is this?” He asked, looking at the uninspiring underwear. “No wonder you were single.” He said, tossing them into the flames with the rest of her things.







“Damn you….” In a flash they were pulled across the room and slammed together.







“Having bad thoughts about me, darling?” He sneered. “Or just eager for more of my kissing.”







“I would rather kiss a goblin.” She snapped. “I just can’t seem to help myself from fantasizing about your demise!”







“Why are you so upset?” He asked frowning as her wildly curling hair clung to his clothing.





“You burned everything but what I am wearing!” She said.







“If I didn’t have to take you shopping for new things, I would have burned those too.” He said, looking at the faded burgundy and gold sweatshirt in disgust.





“Why? Those clothes were perfectly….”







“Atrocious and cheaply made. Though it’s not by choice, you are my wife and I will not have you walking around looking like a little ragamuffin.” She was pouting now and he closed his eyes and counted to ten. “Do you agree that I have a certain standing in society?”





“Yes.” Hermione answered, knowing they would have to come to a mutually accepted conclusion in order for them to be released.







“And as my wife you will share that standing?”





“Yes.”





“Do you agree that the clothing you came here with is not appropriate for the events we will be required to attend?” He asked, smiling at her petulant expression.





“Yes.” She agreed reluctantly and lifted her chin, offering her lips up to his so they could get this part over with. Lucius kissed her, his lips easing over hers just until he felt the tension holding them together dissipate. Hermione stepped back immediately.





“Now, let’s get you some new clothes.” Lucius said, leading her out of the bedroom and downstairs to the foyer. He pulled on a wool cloak with a matching wedge cap and dragon hide gloves. Hermione stood there with her arms crossed tapping her foot. “What? Why aren’t you getting ready?”







“You burned my coat.” She said. Lucius frowned and stepped into the coat closet, shoving through several pieces of outerwear for all seasons. He stepped out with a soft wool cape with a hood. I







“Here, this should fit you. It was Draco’s.” He said, shoving the garment at her. Hermione felt odd wearing something that had belonged to his son, especially when she saw that brief flash of grief that crossed his eyes. She nodded her head and pulled it over her shoulders, buttoning it down the front.







“Thank you.” She said quietly as she pulled the hood up over her head. Lucius put his arm around her waist and without a word he disapparated them to Diagon Alley.









Hermione followed him to the seamstress huddled beneath the hooded cloak. She was still grumpy about the whole situation, but she knew she only had herself to blame. She should be able to control herself better; she was an adult after all. But whenever she was in the same room with that man her temper just got away from her.





Even now as she watched the arrogant way he walked down the street, nudging aside anyone who didn’t immediately move out of his way with his cane, she was annoyed but would not allow herself to think about it too hard, she didn’t want to be flung against him more than she had to be.





Lucius stopped in front of the dressmakers shop and waited for her to catch up, an impatient look on his face.





“Do you always dawdle?” He asked, pushing open the door and waiting for her to enter.



“It isn’t dawdling, I just don’t move as quickly as you, not to mention I don’t have a cane to shove people out of my way with.” She said as she stepped into the welcome warmth of the shop.





“I can get you one if it will help you keep up.” He said, following her inside. “I need my wife completely outfitted with a new wardrobe, a large bonus if you can have it done by morning.” He said loudly to everyone in the store. Salespeople flocked to them, leaving the customers they were working with to fuss over the wealthy wizard who was now rudely shoving her further into the store.





“That was just rude Lucius; those people were helping other customers.” She said.





“What does that matter, I’ll spend more in here in this visit then most of these people will spend in their lifetime, therefore I am the number one customer.” Lucius said, tugging his gloves off and tucking them into his pocket.







“I am Madame Elaine; exactly what do you need for your lovely wife Mr. Malfoy?” An older woman with snow white hair pulled tightly back from her face in a severe bun approached them, looking over Hermione with a trained eye. Hermione started to speak but Lucius raised his hand and stopped her.





“My new wife requires everything; dress her from the skin out. Casual, dress, and at least five formal gowns. One that we can take with us when we leave, something appropriate for the theatre. If you can have the rest delivered tomorrow, I can promise you a very hefty bonus.” It was a good thing that they stood so close; otherwise people might wonder why they were jerked across the room and thrown together. Instead it looked at though Hermione had thrown herself into her husband’s arms.







“Very well, I will just get a few things together, why don’t you have a seat Mr. Malfoy.” Madame Elaine said, giving them a curious look before she turned and went into the back.







“Thinking about my kisses again, darling?” He asked. She hated the way he said the word ‘darling’, almost the same way he would use the word bitch.







“I was actually thinking about strangling you with one of those stockings over there, hence the reason I am now stuck to you.” Lucius looked over at the display of hosiery and then back to Hermione.







“While I wouldn’t usually complain about being tied with a lady’s stockings, I don’t think now is the time for us to discuss such things.” Lucius drawled.







“You are a deviant.” Hermione’s eyes narrowed and she wanted nothing more than to slap that sneer right off of his face.







“You have no idea.” He laughed. “We find ourselves here again Mrs. Malfoy. Have you no control over yourself when it comes to me?”







“Only when it comes to my urges to maim or castrate you.” She smiled prettily.







“Really? Because I’m starting to think you just like forcing my hand and making me kiss you over and over again. Is that what this has been about all along, Hermione? All those heated arguments? Wands drawn? Was that your way of telling me you want me?” He asked. His head was lowered and to everyone else in the little shop it looked more like newlyweds whispering sweet nothings, not a battle of words between enemies.







“You really are an arrogant bastard.” She said forcefully.







“Arrogant, yes. Bastard, no, I assure you I am legitimate.” He laughed. “Enough foreplay. Do you agree that you need new clothes? Clothing appropriate for upcoming events?” Hermione wanted to be stubborn and not answer just for spite, but she also wanted to get away from him.





“Yes.”





“And am I not the one paying so handsomely for your new clothes?”





“Yes.” She managed through gritted teeth.





“Very good, we are in agreement then.” Lucius cupped the side of her face, his thumb pressed into her chin and forcing it down, opening her lips as he slanted his mouth over hers. Just to rile her, he swept his tongue inside her mouth quickly, biting into her fleshy lower lip just as the bonds holding them together broke and he could push her back. “I’m going to the jeweler, I’ll be back…..and please keep your thoughts sweet, darling, I would not like to be dragged through the street.” He turned on his heel and left the shop, leaving Hermione to stand there telling herself over and over to just think happy thoughts.





She was also telling herself that he had not just made her insides burn with that kiss.