Laying the Blame

Disclaimer: Obviously, not mine.

A/N: Thanks for all the reviews as well as your patience and support! I also want to thank my beta Sevfank!

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Laying the Blame

Chapter 5

“You look stunning, Hermione,” the young man expressed his appreciation as he watched his friend put the final touches on her appearance.

“Do not try and butter me up, Harry,” she replied testily. “I would rather stay at home and reread my new potion’s journal than parade around as Draco’s trophy wife.”

Hermione picked anxiously at the beautiful silver dress she was wearing. Although she knew a large part of it was nerves, she really did not want to go to this charity thing of Narcissa’s.

“It’s not like this is going to be a picnic for me either,” Harry stated moodily.

“Surely you don’t expect me to feel sorry for you.” She folded her arms as she looked at him in disbelief.

“It is just that…” he trailed off and then started again. “I mean it’s inconvenient for you, isn’t it? But for me it’s torture,” he went on quickly before she could interrupt him. “I have to watch the man I love with my best friend and pretend it doesn’t mean anything to me.” His green eyes implored her to understand how he was feeling.

“At least you have someone who loves you, Harry,” she sighed as she ran her fingers over the brilliant necklace around her neck. “Someone who would do anything for you…”

“I would…”

“No, Harry. That is not what I mean at all. I know you would do anything for me. I just…” She paused hesitant to admit her greatest wishes even to her best friend. “I never really had anyone who loved me, in that way.”

Deciding the conversation was getting too serious, she looked up at the young wizard with a smirk. “Actually, right now I would settle for someone who was attracted to me…instead of my best friend.”

Harry looked temporarily discomfited at her words but then added with what she supposed was encouragement.

“What about Lucius?”

“What about Lucius?” Hermione snorted. “I don’t want anything to do with him. He is an arrogant, smug…”

“Now, is that anyway to talk about your father-in-law?”

“Right. Because you like him so much.”

“While it is true I don’t care for Lucius at all, I do think that he has a thing for you Hermione.”

“After all,” he continued when she remained silent. “He specifically wanted you as Draco’s wife. Why do you think that was?”

“I don’t care, Harry,” she fumed. “I am not interested in someone who thinks he can muck up people’s lives for his own gain.”

“Sure. Right. Okay,” he muttered as he turned to leave. “I’ll see you there,” he stated louder as he left the bemused looking young woman. She waved idly as her own thoughts preoccupied her mind.

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Hermione smiled at the young couple who seemed to chatter endlessly at them. She was bored. Bored and tired of acting the dutiful wife while her errant husband sneaked loving glances at her best friend. Not that she really begrudged Draco and Harry their love. She didn’t really. She just wanted, for once, to be at the receiving end of one of those looks. Even in school, she seemed to be set apart from everyone else. Of course, she and Ron had briefly been together but that hadn’t worked out so well, had it?

“Let’s dance, my love.”

He must have noticed she was about to scream. Or maybe it was a guilty conscious. No matter what the reason, she was ready to do anything besides stand around chatting with this boring self-centered lot.

Hermione let her husband lead her to the dance floor. She did love to dance and she realized with a surprise that she felt very comfortable in Draco’s arms. She supposed it was because she didn’t really have to act a certain way with him, anymore. It was ironic really. The ease she felt around him, now that they were honest with each other, gave the impression that they were a close loving couple.

Hermione let the music lift her spirits. It was one of her favorite songs and she let herself feel a moment of happiness as Draco twirled her around the dance floor.

For a minute, she felt cheerful…

It only lasted a moment as she heard a familiar voice speak from behind her.

“Draco, may I cut in?”

Although it was phrased as a question, it obviously was not.

Draco looked at her as if trying to ascertain whether she was in agreement with this or not. Although Hermione was fairly sure Draco would not disobey his father, she was pleased nonetheless at the gesture. She smiled at him to indicate she was fine with the situation. Not that she was mind you.

“Are you enjoying the gala?” Lucius asked her smoothly when Draco had left them alone.

“I was…” she replied trying to block out the intoxicating scent that stirred memories she desperately wanted to forget.

The touch of his skin….his lips as he kissed her.

Hermione bit her lip. The pain helped bring her back to reality. That and the feel of his hand on her back.

“They are such a lovely couple, aren’t they?” he smirked as he glanced over at Harry and Draco who were in an animated conversation together.

He was such a right bastard.

Hermione decided she was not going to take the bait. He could say whatever he wanted. She was determined to just ignore him.

“You look lovely tonight, Hermione,” he purred in a low voice.

She was strong. She could do it. No matter how her body responded as he caressed her name in that husky voice of his.

He was quiet for a while as they moved slowly around the dance floor. Maybe he had given up. Although that was not bloody likely.

“Hermione, tell me your fantasies…” he whispered seductively in her ear. Although she did not reply to his unexpected query, her heart pounded loudly in response.

She had to stay strong. Strong and silent.

“Then, shall I tell you mine?” Lucius continued softly. She could no longer hear the sounds of the party around them. All she could hear was his breath in her ear and the sound of his heart so close to hers.

“In my fantasy we are dancing close,” he murmured, obviously needing no further encouragement from her. “We are oblivious to everyone around us as we stare into each others eyes.” As he spoke, Lucius tilted her head so that she had to look at him. It was so easy to get lost in his spell.

“My hand trails down your back lightly touching your bare skin.” She could almost feel his hand moving down her back. She knew it was only his suggestion, and her imagination, as his hand had not actually moved.

She needed to be strong. She had to be.

“You reach up,” he continued. “And pull the cord from my hair, releasing it from its bonds as your hand touches my face and we kiss.”

Hermione had to forcibly hold herself back. The temptation to follow his suggestions was almost overwhelming.

“Then we notice…” His voice became rather breathless at this point. “That everyone is watching us. They are shocked and surprised at what we are doing. They are whispering and pointing.”

“We should stop,” he said suddenly and Hermione felt a momentary panic that it might actually be happening.

“But I cannot.” Lucius was breathing rapidly as he pushed Hermione further over the edge of reality.

“The thought of them all watching us is just too exciting. I can feel their eyes on you and that’s when I realize that you are wearing nothing but the ruby necklace.”

Hermione gasped at this thought. The music in the room was faint and the sound of her breathing seemed very loud.

“They are no longer accusing,” Lucius continued in his hypnotizing voice. “They are taking in your beauty, watching as I touch you.”

Hermione closed her eyes. She was caught up in his fantasy. Imagining everyone watching them together.

His deep voice continued to caress her with his words.

“My sweet Hermione, I want them to see how my touch affects you. I turn you around to face them, holding you close to me. My fingertips graze your breasts as your nipples tighten in response. They must approve as we can hear an appreciative murmur from the crowd.”

His voice continued to mesmerize her as these images flitted through her head.

“I lean down and kiss your neck. You taste wonderful as my tongue teases your soft skin. My hand glides momentarily over your stomach before it moves downward. Our audience watches entranced as my hand moves up the inside of your thigh. You open your legs for me. It makes it easier for them to see. I feel as if they are holding their breath as I move closer to my goal. Are you ready for me, Hermione?”

She did not answer. This was not due to any strength on her part. Instead, she found she could not speak. Her voice seemed to be gone.

Lucius did not seem to require an answer as he continued on. “My fingers slowly trace the outside of your pussy. I want to be inside you, Hermione. I need to be inside you. I can feel the others urging me to continue…”

Suddenly, they stopped moving. Hermione noticed the music had stopped as well.

“Ah, here we are. Thank you for the dance, Hermione,” Lucius smirked as he moved her away from him.

She looked around quickly; she was sure that everyone was watching them. Instead, they were all engrossed in their own conversations. She looked at Lucius, her color still high from their dance.

“Lucius, I…” but he did not let her finish. Instead, he kissed her lightly on the cheek and whispered softly, “I look forward to hearing your fantasies, my dear.”

He then left her alone. She wondered, not for the first time, what the hell she was doing in this family.