A Mile in their Shoes

Title: A Mile in their Shoes (4/?)

Author: QueenC

Feedback: queenc@hotpop.com

Rating: R

Pairing(s): Hermione/Lucius. Small bits of Draco/Ginny. Mentions Hermione/Viktor and Lucius/Narcissa.

Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling is the Goddess of the Potterverse. Please don’t sue me for not being her.

Distribution: Anywhere I send it. If anyone else wants it just let me know.

Spoilers: Through OotP

Summary: The new Minister of Magic finds an inventive way to punish Voldemort’s followers.

Author’s Note: So I began this fic with the hope of writing a Hermione/Lucius fic that is slightly different from the others. If this idea has been done before, then obviously the fic isn’t as original as I thought, but I solemnly swear that I thought of this on my own. I’m going to try to keep everyone (especially Lucius) as in-character as possible, but he may stray from time to time. Words in *’s are emphasized and words in italics are thoughts. Enjoy!

******

There were very few times in Lucius’ life when he’d ever lost complete control. When he’d inadvertently set Dobby free had certainly been one of those times. As had the moment he’d realized the prophecy had been destroyed in the Department of Mysteries. And he’d been positively livid when he’d discovered Buckbeak had been set free and escaped certain death with Sirius Black.

But nothing compared to what he’d felt when Draco had betrayed him.

Lucius sighed, gazing out the small window in his new bedroom. He’d tried damn hard not to give any thought to his only son. The sight of the young man crumpling to the ground in the middle of the final battle had nearly been his undoing. However, he’d pushed it aside and continued fighting, knowing that his own life was in danger. And he’d decided then and there to not revisit the pain he was feeling.

He’d locked it up in the small part of his heart that he’d always reserved for emotions that he couldn’t express, mixing it in with the love he’d felt for his child and wife, and the agony of watching Narcissa’s cold gaze as she’d informed him she was leaving him … permaly. ly. As far as he was concerned, those chapters in his life were over and the feelings he’d felt at the time didn’t matter.

Until that filthy Mudblood had brought it all to the surface again.

“Damn her,” Lucius hissed, his blue-gray gaze following a car as it puttered its way down the street. “She had no right…”

The fact that Hermione had seemed almost remorseful at her mention of Draco, had even gone so far as to apologize, didn’t console him in the slightest. If anything, it only made him angrier that she knew how it all must have affected him.

The blond gave a slight sigh, finally allowing the pain, anger, and frustration he’d felt all those months ago come rushing back. Sitting back in his chair, he closed his eyes and let the images assault him.

Draco’s face was a picture of determination as he shoved Ginny Weasley to the ground. He’d turned to face the Dark Lord without hesitation. Had he known what was coming? Surely he had…

Lucius re-opened his eyes as nausea swept over him. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t relive those horrifying moments. He couldn’t bring himself to think about Draco’s body arching as the green light slammed into him. He couldn’t picture his son, his beautiful, wonderful son, falling to the ground in a heap.

”I’m sorry father, but I love her. And while you may not know the meaning of the word, I certainly do. My loyalty lies with her…”

Standing up, Lucius toppled over his chair in his rush to make it out of the room and into the bathroom. Gagging, he knelt in front of the toilet and blinked back the tears that were blurring his vision.

I should never have forced him to choose. I should never have…

He was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of Hermione’s voice. It was muffled, coming from what he assumed was the entrance hall at the bottom of the stairs.

“It’s time to go,” she said simply, her tone clearly stating that she wasn’t going to be kept waiting.

Rising unsteadily to his feet, Lucius glanced at himself in the mirror. Turning on the water, he splashed some of the cool liquid over his face then patted himself dry with a towel on the wall. Glancing once more at his reflection, he schooled his expression into one of prideful disdain. Then he left the bathroom and headed downstairs.

And promptly stopped in his tracks.

“You,” he hissed, his anger skyrocketing. “What are you…”

Harry Pr rar raised an eyebrow, giving the blond an unimpressed look.

“Didn’t Hermione tell you?” he asked in a quiet tone. “I’m the one she called for transportation.”

******

Hermione gave a great mental sigh, wondering if she had made the right choice when contacting Harry for assistance. For the past hour and a half, her best friend had done nothing but snipe and glare at Lucius, who was doing virtually the same in return.

Honestly, they’re worse than Draco and Harry ever were. Of course, given how horrid Lucius has been, and what he and his … friends put Harry through, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised…

Glancing sideways at Harry, noticing how white his knuckles were as he gripped the steering wheel of the car, she sighed once again. She wanted to assure her friend that it was going to be okay. She wanted to let him know that she was perfectly capable of handling anything Lucius may throw her way. She wanted…

Well hell, up until quite recently, she’d just *wanted* him.

Now, though, she knew her crush had been just that. A simple, schoolgirl crush. He had been her best friend for years, and was a wonderful person, and she hadn’t been able to help her feelings at the time. But that was then and this was now, and she certainly should be able to talk to him without fear of making a fool of herself.

So why can’t I? I’m far past my infatuation with him. Why can’t I talk to him like I once did?

Instantly she knew the answer to that.

Because we’re not the same people anymore.

Hermione rolled her eyes at her own thoughts. So what if they weren’t the same people? That didn’t mean that she couldn’t be herself.

Fortunately, she didn’t have to give much thought to that, because Harry was pulling up in front of their next destination: The Victoria and Albert Museum Fundraising Headquarters.

Hermione couldn’t help the smile that flitted across her face as she looked at the building looming in front of her. The art museum had always been a place of joy for her. She would often spend quite a bit of her summer break from Hogwarts roaming its corridors and chatting with the staff some new piece they were currently displaying. And it was during one of those visits that she’d met Franklin, a young man she now considered to be one of her dearest friends in the Muggle world.

If there was one person in the entire world who felt as much, if not more, love for art and literature than she did, it would have to be Franklin. In his mid-twenties, he had more intelligence than most men she knew who were well into their forties. He was handsome, funny, caring, smart … and gay.

He was also the Director of the V & A Fundraising Team.

She had worked with him briefly the summer before her seventh year, making telephone calls and trying to drum up financial support from members of the community. And she was hoping that he would be willing to give Lucius the same job … with pay, of course.

“You sure about this, ‘Mione?” Harry asked softly as he helped her into her wheelchair. “Asking a friend to help Malfoy…”

“Please stop it, Harry,” she replied quietly, giving him a pleading look. She noticed Lucius was getting out of the car and watching them closely, so she didn’t say anything else. However, locking eyes with the Boy Who Lived Again, she knew he got her unspoken message.

Nodding, Harry glanced back at the unusually quiet blond wizard. “I’m going to park the car. Don’t give her any trouble,” he warned.

Lucius raised an eyebrow. “Relax, Potter,” he drawled. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Still scowling, Harry quickly got into his car and headed for the closest parking space he could find. Hermione watched him go, before looking back at Lucius.

“Well,” she murmured, “Let’s see if we can get you some employment.”

Lucius watched her wheel herself toward the building. Rolling his eyes, he muttered, “Joy,” before following after her.

******

“All right, folks! We know what our goals are for today. Let’s split into teams, grab a quick bite, and get to work!” Franklin exclaimed, smiling brightly at the group of people standing in front of him. He watched as they began picking up their various notebooks and did as he requested, talking quietly yet excitedly amongst themselves as they filed out the door.

Humming softly, the young man turned his attention to his own stack of papers. “It never ends,” he stated. “I swear they only gave me this job so they could see me with gray hair by thirty.”

“Really, Franklin,” a voice replied with amusement. “Who would want to see you with gray hair? I’m sure you’d look much funnier bald.”

Laughing, Franklin turned toward the sound, his blue eyes sparkling. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite volunteer!” he stated. Then, he tilted his head to the side and his smile faded. “Hermione, what in the world *happened* to you?”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “What?” she questioned, motioning toward her wheelchair, “This old thing? Why, I’ve *always* had it. You were just too entranced with my intellect to even notice.”

Franklin chuckled, nodding his head. “Right,” he said with as much seriousness as he could muster, which wasn’t much. “You, once again, are absolutely right.” Bending down, he gave the girl a hug, then stood upright again.

“So, what brings you to this old dump?” he asked, before his eyes traveled past her to land on the blond man who was standing in the doorway.

Mercy me… Licking his lips, Franklin fixed the man with his best flirtatious smile. “And juso mio might you be?” he wondered.

Hermione rolled her eyes, although the smile never left her face. “Really, Franklin,” she said in a faked scandalized tone. “What will your employees think, you flirting with some complete stranger?”

Franklin gave her a quick wink. “Why, they’d think that I was just being my normal, wonderful self, of course.”

Laughing, Hermione fiy sty stated, “His name is Lucius Malfoy. He’s a … a family friend, of sorts. I was wondering if there was any chance you could give him a job.”

Instantly, the man sobered. Looking back at the blond, who was practically scowling, he asked, “You really want to work here?”

Hermione bit her lip, silently hoping that Lucius wouldn’t mess this opportunity up. If he does, I don’t know where we’ll turn to next.

Fortunately, Lucius seemed to be thinking the same thoughts, because he quietly responded, “Actually, no. However, Hermione assured me that working for you wouldn’t be nearly as difficult as some other place of employment. Therefore, I am hoping that you would be willing to give me a chance.”

Merlin, I wonder how much pride it took for him to say that, Hermione thought, watching Franklin for any signs that he might believe he was being fooled.

Franklin, meanwhile, merely nodded and gave him a grin. “Works for me. Welcome to the fundraiser,” he said, holding out his hand. Once Lucius had taken it, after only a second’s hesitation, the director added, “I just hope you have more people skills on the phone than you do in person.”

Phone? Lucius thought bleakly. What has this Mudblood gotten me into?

******