Dangerous Games

Disclaimer: Still not mine although I still wouldn’t mind borrowing Lucius for awhile.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews!


Dangerous Games

Chapter 5: A Cleansing of the Souls


“I was against this from the beginning.” Minerva McGonagall looked sternly at the young woman across from her.

“I know, Minerva,” whispered Madam Rosmerta as she shook her head sadly. “What else could I do?” She held her head in her hands.

“For starters, you could have told Albus to bugger off!”

Rosmerta looked up at her in surprise.

“Oh, I know he means well, trying to save the world and all, but I don’t always like the way he goes about it.” She paused and gave Rosmerta a concerned look. “Why do you think I never told him about you and Lucius those many years ago?” Rosmerta contemplated this while the older witch continued.

“In fact, if Severus hadn’t figured it out, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.”

Madam Rosmerta dropped her head to the table. She put her arms over her head as if she could hide from the pain enveloping her.

“I just didn’t believe it,” she murmured. “I guess I knew it, but I did not believe it.”

The room was quiet as Minerva waited for her to continue.

“I didn’t know it would feel like this. This terrible feeling in my stomach. This fear that feels like it will consume me.”

The older witch touched her gently on the arm.

“There, there, my dear. Give yourself time. It has only been a week since you were captured by those Death Eaters.”

“Do you think I am crazy for wanting to save him?”

“We can’t always chose who we love, Rosmerta.” Minerva looked at her wisely.

“Believe it or not, Severus told me the same thing.”

Minerva raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“Really?”

“In his own way.” Rosmerta smiled at the memory. “I think his exact words were… ‘Things happen. Accept it and move on’…or something to that effect.”

“Well, I for one could shake Severus for his involvement in all this.”

“Don’t be too hard on him, Minerva. Even though this was his idea, or maybe because of it, in the end he tried to change my mind. He described the risks I would be taking. He explained the strong hold Voldemort had on Lucius and how alluring the Dark Arts could be.” Rosmerta paused. “But when I look at Severus, I have hope.” The faraway look in her eyes diminished and she looked clearly at Professor McGonagall. “There is good in Lucius. I know there is. But I am afraid. It may be too late to save him.

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Rosmerta ran hot water in the sink. The inn was closed for the night and the rest of the staff was gone. She decided to clean up the few remaining dishes. She thought about what Minerva had said as she went about her task. A familiar pop interrupted her thoughts and she turned toward the blonde wizard who was currently studying her.

Rosmerta watched him warily as he moved closer to her. Neither spoke as Lucius paused to rest lazily on his cane. He raised an eyebrow at her as a smirk appeared on his handsome face.

“My dear, what are you doing?”

“I am washing up the dishes, Lucius.”

“I see,” he said, raising an eyebrow at her. “Whatever for?”

“Obviously, because they are dirty,” she countered.

Lucius continued to stare at her, clearly mystified.

“Why do you not use your wand? You are a witch, Rosmerta. A very talented one.”

She ignored the compliment. She was not ready to totally forgive him.

“I am also part muggle, Lucius. You would do well to remember that!”

“Ah, yes.”

The air seemed heavy with the unspoken words between them.

Lucius took his black gloves off slowly. He seemed intent on this small task.

“Rosmerta,” he began. “I will not apologize for who I am…”

“Enough.” She could not have this conversation now. Not while she was still feeling so raw. “Come help me.”

“Excuse me?” He looked up, clearly confused by her sudden change of direction.

“Come.” She motioned for him to move closer. “Help me with these dishes.”

He looked at the sink with obvious distaste. “I do not think so.”

“Trust me. It is relaxing.”

“I will take your word for it.”

“Surely Lucius Malfoy is not a coward.” She smiled sweetly as she moved toward him. Rosmerta grabbed his hand, pulling him forward. When they reached the sink she pushed up his sleeves and moved behind him. She then placed both of his hands in the soapy water. The warmth surrounded their hands as she helped him wash a plate. The contact was strangely intimate. Her body pressed lightly against him as she stretched to reach the sink.

“See? I told you it was relaxing.”

As she lifted the plate from the water, it slipped, causing the dish water to splash all over Lucius’ clothes.

“Lucius!” She laughed at the surprised look on his chiseled features. “You are all wet.”

“Yes, indeed,” he smirked as he scooped up a handful of suds and deposited them on her head. “And now, you are too.”

Rosmerta moved in between Lucius and the sink, water dripping off the ringlets in her hair. Trying to distract him, she patted at his wet shirt. Unnoticed, she scooped a handful of soapy water with her other hand. She then playfully slapped his face. Bubbles trailed down the side of his face as he grabbed her arm.

“Now we shall see who gets wet,” Lucius threatened. He moved to reach the sink as Rosmerta grabbed his hands, laughing.

“No, Lucius. I am truly sorry,” she squealed, as he shifted around trying to get closer to the water.

Suddenly, he changed tactics. He reached under her skirt, grabbing her thighs with his cold, wet hands. She squirmed in surprise. The coolness felt stimulating against her hot skin. Lucius lifted her up, placing her bottom on the edge of the sink. He pressed her legs apart and she held on to him tightly for support. He leaned in to kiss her as his hand slipped slowly up her thighs. She had to admit, she missed him. Not the Death Eater Lucius, but this man who was so familiar to her, yet so alien. He was very close to her. She could feel his breath on her face. Rosmerta leaned into his kiss. Suddenly he pushed her forward and her bottom slipped into the warm water, causing it to splash everywhere.

His eyes twinkled mischievously at her as she stared at him in shock.

“Lucius, you bastard. Help me out!” She was bogged down by her wet clothing.

He pulled her forward using both hands and she suddenly came loose. She fell on him, knocking them both to the ground.

“Well done.” Rosmerta pushed herself up. “Now, we are both soaked.”

“I will clean us up.” Lucius stood up, his clothes dripping. “Since you seem to have an aversion to using your wand.”

“I think it is my turn,” Rosmerta said grinning at him. “Lucius, you need to learn that just because you have a wand, doesn’t mean you have to use it.


Rosmerta led the blonde wizard into her apartment. It was separated from the rest of the inn since it was on the top floor. She pulled him into the bathroom and started gathering supplies.

“What we need,” she said giving him an impish grin, “are more bubbles.”

“Indeed,” he replied. It was amazing to her that he could take any word and give it a musical quality. She turned on the tap and poured in the necessary ingredients.

“Indeed,” she whispered back to him as she started to undress him. He stood still as she unbuttoned his cloak and folded it neatly. Her actions were painstakingly slow as she undid the buttons of his shirt. She could feel his breath on her skin as it came out in increasingly shallow gasps. Suddenly, she felt nervous. She could not explain why. She pulled the end of his shirt out of his trousers. Using both hands, she pushed it off his broad shoulders. He seemed larger to her but she knew it was an illusion, a trick her mind was playing on her.

He watched her intently as she undid his pants and then pulled them down. His boxers were wet and they clung to his body. She could see his arousal even more clearly because of it. She peeled the wet material away from his skin and pulled them down. She was bent over to assist him. He used her as a brace as he untangled himself from the wet clothes. Her face was close to his manhood and she could smell the musky scent of him. The heat seemed to roll off his band and she longed to touch him, taste him.

Lucius pulled her up before she could give in to the temptation. He unbuttoned her blouse and took it off of her. He unhooked her bra and it soon joined the pile of clothes on the floor. His contact with her skin was minimal as he undressed her and Rosmerta found herself aching for his touch. He undid her skirt and pulled off the rest of her clothes.

When they were both naked, they stood gazing at each other. Rosmerta was struck by the irony of the situation. They were both, for once, looking at each other, striped naked without pretense. They were perhaps, seeing each other clearly for the first time. No, that wasn’t true, she told herself. She was deceiving him. She was working for the Order, trying to help defeat Voldemort. And she was using him to do it. But she was doing it for him, because she loved him…

And then all coherent thought melted away as he touched her.

His long fingers lightly traced a path along her hip bone. They then changed course and moved across to her stomach. Although his fingers were still cold they carried with them a heat that seared her skin and made her tremble. Lucius watched her eyes darken as his fingers moved downward. He stopped when he reached the dark curls. His thumb lazily sifted through the coarse hair.

Rosmerta felt her whole body pound in response to his light, almost careless touch. He was teasing her but she would not beg him. Not tonight.

“Shall we?” Lucius asked indicating the almost full bathtub.

He stepped into the bubbly water, pulling her with him. Although it was a large tub, Rosmerta was amazed at how small it looked when it was filled with Lucius’ large frame. The water felt luxurious and sensual against her skin. She wondered idly why they had never done this before.

Lucius sat down in the tub. He pulled Rosmerta down, positioning her so that her back was leaning against his chest. She was sitting between his legs and she could feel his erection on her back. He draped his long legs over hers and the hair on the back of his legs tickled her skin. He wrapped his arms around her and for a moment she had a false sense of security. She felt safe and warm, and a part of her wanted this moment to go on forever.

She leaned her head back and he kissed her cheek. She turned toward him wanting more. His lips found hers and his kiss was gentle but searching, as if he could find answers in the heat of her mouth. She tried to show him how much she needed him, wanted him.

The kiss broke and he trailed kisses down her neck and on her shoulder. He then bit and sucked lightly on her skin. His hands were no longer safe and comforting as he ran them over her body. He stroked her breasts, her stomach, and the inside of her thighs. He spread his legs more, guiding her legs apart even further.

“Lucius,” she moaned. Despite her resolve, her voice sounded pleading. Through her haze she remembered her promise to herself. Well, two could play at that game.

Rosmerta ran her hands over his muscular legs. She stroked the inside of his thighs and was rewarded by the sound of his moan against her skin. She then traced the outside of his legs down to his bottom. She drew circles on his skin with her fingers. The feel of her hands coupled with the sensation of swirling water increased his desire and he rewarded her by touching her where she most wanted. His strokes were slow and torturous and she rocked against him in response.

She flung her head forward as his fingers increased their pressure. She could feel his heated breath on the back of her neck. She could feel his body responding as she cried out in passion.

It would not be long. She could feel her climax approaching. Suddenly she wanted to slow down. Once it was over, he would be gone. She felt almost desperate to keep him close to her. Safe. Safe from Voldemort, safe from the Order, and safe from himself.

Rosmerta reached down to cover his hand. She slowed his movements, her fingers slipping between his. She guided his hand as it touched her. This action had the opposite effect, however. She found that their hands intertwined together to bring her pleasure, aroused her even more. It wasn’t long before she came, exclaiming his name loudly.

“Well done,” Lucius muttered in her ear. Without even looking, she could tell he was smirking at her.

She turned suddenly. She had to disentangle her legs from his as she did so. She wanted to see his face and she moved to straddle him. He gazed questioningly at her, waiting to let her take the lead.

She stroked his length, pushing it against her. His eyes slipped shut as his obvious pleasure showed on his face. She watched him intently, trying to memorize his face. The precariousness of their relationship seemed to grip her. Each time could be their last, for any number of reasons. She wanted, needed it to be memorable for him.

Rosmerta stroked the tip of his head. He was ready, but was she? She lifted herself up and guided him into her. His hands gripped her hips as she moved against him. He opened his eyes, watching her as intently as she did him. Their eyes locked as their urgency built. The water played against their skin as they moved in and out. It teased them as the sensations overcame them.


Rosmerta slumped against him. She laid her head on his chest as she stretched out against him. She nuzzled his neck, breathing in scenscent. This is what kept her up at night. This is what she remembered the most. Just the memory of his masculine smell could, paradoxically, arouse her and soothe her. His arms went around her, holding her close. The water cooled but they both seemed reluctant to end the contact.

“I need to go.” Lucius was the first to speak. He tucked her loose wet curls around her ear.

“I know,” she sighed.

“I will be back, Rosmerta,” he assured her. “We still have much to talk about.”

At this solemn reminder she stood up. The air was cool and she felt suddenly chilled. The feeling went further than her body; it reached in and permeated her mind.

The feeling of inescapable doom overcame her. There was nothing she could do to stop time. They had to move forward.

Lucius lifted himself from the tub and quickly grabbed his wand. Instantly, they were both dry and their clothes were on. It made no difference. Rosmerta was still cold.

As if sensing her apprehension, he pulled her into her arms. This should have warmed her but strangely, it did not.

He searched her face.

“My sweet Rosmerta. Do not worry so.” He tried to reassure her as he kissed her softly.

She smiled up at him but she could not shake the cold, numb feeling that had begun to creep over her.

Rosmerta followed him downstairs where he collected the rest of his things. He gave her one last smile before he was gone.

She knew she should clean up the rest of the dishes and the mess they had left upstairs. Instead she went to bed, wrapping the blankets tightly around her.

As she lay in the dark waiting for sleep to claim her, his scent seemed to surround her. It became elusive, however, the more she tried to breathe it in.

It was a long time before Rosmerta was finally able to sleep.