Lights of Questionable Faith

Lovely Reviewers:

Voracious Reader - He does indeed have many years of frustration to deal with.

Avanell - No longer is the wait enforced.

meankitty69 - Glad you are enjoying them. Try to review both...Lucius is a pleasure to write in this version. I get a kick out of playing with Rowling's characters.

maddie50 - An hour alone with Lucius while getting to make out with him...I could do that...he's sexy!

Kimberly1983 - I can forgive as long as one of them is receiving a review. I hope that both are enjoyable.

Heidi191976 - Ron! Don't mention Weaselby's name!

Hilda Malfoy - He loves her to the point of obsession. I would love to help with your plot-bunnies as much as I am able. Your stories, particulary the Dramione, are wonderful. I'm crazy 'bout the Dramione though. You wrote an original Veela fic. Never read one like that! It's so cute! I want to cuddle Draco in that fic.

Lauriurix - Evil is HOT! Particularly when wrapped in Lucius' body with that blonde hair and grey eyes and broad shoulders and handsome face and toned chest...where was I? Oh fiddlesticks...I can't remember, thinking about Lucius' body scrambled my brain...

phi - Thank you, for your compliment on how I am portraying our dearest, sexy blonde, and for reviewing my first Lumione fic.

HermioneMalfoyFan - I will say this once, Hermione will NOT be raped. I have seen what rape does to the victims; one of my friends has been raped twice, and let me tell you she fantasizes about how to castrate the boys who did it to her. I have experienced what being molested can do to a person; one of those who did that to me has recently passed from this world, and I can't say that I am sorry in the least; It was my grandfather, and very few people who know what he did believe me. Hermione was not molested; Lucius stopped when she asked. He loves her, and he always will. That doesn't mean that he won't lose his temper. That isn't to say he won't be bitter and a bit half-crazy. Apologies if I appear to have snapped a bit at that. It is a sensitive issue with me. I appreciate that you see the insult that it would cause.

My English teacher would tear into us for using loan as a verb. It is technically incorrect, though, most people use it as a verb anyway. Lend is always a verb and never a noun.

I love Germans. They ROCK! One of my closest friends is from Germany. I guessed that you weren't a native speaker when I saw your email was a .de address, and I understand that to be Deutschland. I took a semester of college level German, and did well. I love languages. I am an unusual American; I can read four. I can't comprehend but the most basic of German sentences however. I have no one to practice with as it is...so it makes the skills more difficult, though occasionally I have dreams where I mix the languages that I know which makes for interesting dreams to say the least.

Ron is not behaving like an idiot...he just is an idiot.

No, I assume that you nag because you care, so there is no reason to be annoyed.

Men are crazy about virgins in general, I believe. It's even worse when you tell them that you imagine them as your first. It gets an immediate salute, if you know what I mean.

Draco would have been born at the point...June 5, 1980. I'm a loser!

Linneh - I am glad that this one is good.

*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*

As far as my hands go, I have an appointment for Nov. 4. It is the soonest an office that takes my insurance can see me. I have the sick feeling that they don't know what they are getting into with me. That is their problem. I am annoyed that the wait is so long, and that it was stated that the reason was because I was a "new" patient not because they are so damned busy. I wouldn't be going for a physical...what a waste of time...well, ranting won't get me a doctor any sooner.

Until, I hear that I should not be typing, I intend to continue at a rate that is comfortable for me.

*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*

Hermione sat in the Black family home with Harry and Ron at her sides promising to help her escape Lucius Malfoy.

“You heard him,” Hermione said, holding her head in her hand. “How long do you think he has had this planned?”

“Who knows?” Harry said.

“I have to tell you both something,” Hermione said, fidgeting with her hands on her lap.

Harry and Ron both shifted so they were in a tight circle.

“What Hermione?”

“You know when Ron got blasted by Lucius coming out of the Chamber of Secrets?” Hermione began, and soon she was telling them an abbreviated version of her journey through time. She said nothing of Lucius’ grandmother or of his relationship to Albus or about the kisses that she had shared with Lucius.

“You spent time around that GIT?” Ron asked with his jaw dropped.

“He was different,” Hermione said, and she blinked back the frustrated tears.

“Is that what this is about Hermione?” Harry asked, “something that happened when he was in school?”

“I don’t know,” Hermione said, turning away from the boys.

“HE’S completely MENTAL!” Ron shouted.

“Ron, speak quietly!” Hermione said, jerking him down from his standing position.

Ron’s cheeks reddened.

“I need to get ready to go to his house,” Hermione said, standing up quietly as she looked at the clock.

It was 1:30 in the afternoon by the time her story was finished.

“We’ll go with you,” Ron said, standing with his back straight.

“You weren’t invited,” Hermione said. “As much as I would love to have you there, as much as it would make me feel better. I don’t want to go into that place again.”

“Hermione, it is unseemly for you to be alone with THAT MAN and his son! You need a chaperone,” Ron said. “The blonde GIT would agree. The man who wants to-to-to…”

“Oh for Merlin’s sake Ron, he wants to be in my knickers. I’m more than aware. I’m just surprised at the lengths he is going to. Well, two boys who are also my age are perfect chaperones, aren’t they?” Hermione snipped in return at them rolling her eyes at Ron. “And what is this, the dark ages?”

Even Ron’s ears turned red at that statement.

“What about Mrs. Weasley?” Harry asked, looking at how Ron seemed ready to explode. “She would be appropriate.”

Hermione frowned and tried to think of anyone else who would be appropriate. She couldn’t think of a single name that would work.

“Andromeda Tonks,” Hermione said quickly. “Lu-Mr. Malfoy will be familiar with her. She was his sister-in-law. Your mother hates Mr. Malfoy. And who can blame her after what he did to Ginny?”

Ron was about to call Mrs. Weasley.

“Wait, Ron. Hermione is right. Andromeda would be much better,” Harry said, grabbing his friend’s hand.

Ron glared. He wanted to give his mum a go at Malfoy. He tossed the floo powder into the flames and called out, “Tonks’ Residence.”

Andromeda’s upper body appeared in the flames and in her arms, little Teddy was enjoying a bottle.

“Andromeda, Hermione needs a chaperone.”

“Why?” Andromeda asked as she bounced Teddy a bit.

“Malfoy wants her to come for tea this afternoon to discuss wedding details. He is not wasting any time. He plans to marry her next week.”

“Hermione, you want to marry Lucius?” Andromeda asked, and her jaw dropped open.

Teddy gurgled at the face his nana was making above him and milk bubbled out of his mouth.

“Oh, Merlin,” Andromeda said, taking the towel on her shoulder and wiping Teddy’s mouth. Teddy yawned and turned his face to look at the people.

“No,” Hermione answered, looking out the window.

“Just refuse him.”

“I would, but he is using an ancient law to force me into it.”

“The Witch Act of 1211?” Andromeda asked, and her jaw dropped. “He is a scoundrel to force Hermione into such an arrangement. An absolute scoundrel. That law is terrible! He could beat you black and blue under the terms of it, and you couldn’t go to aurors for help.”

Hermione didn’t respond. “I’m going to go get ready.”

“What are you going to wear, dear?” Andromeda asked.

“Jeans and a shirt,” Hermione responded.

“That won’t do, dear,” Andromeda said, stepping through the flames and bouncing Teddy. “Do you have a dress? A nice one that extends to below your knees. Can you boys handle watching a baby, or should I floo your mum, Ron?”

“I’m Teddy’s godfather,” Harry said, holding his arms out awkwardly for the baby who now had riveting fuschia hair and eyebrows.

“Support his head,” Andromeda said, making sure her only grandchild was secure.

“No,” Hermione said. “The only dress I own is the one that I wore to the Yule Ball in fourth year, and I doubt that it fits. Besides that, it is an evening gown.”

“Well, we shall transfigure something to work,” the older woman said, taking her hand and leading her from the room. “Whether you want to go or not, it would not do to show up looking improper.”

Andromeda and Hermione went to her room and took out one of her old school jumpers. After about five minutes, a dress that was suitable to both of them. It was white with an emerald sash that tied under her breasts and held them up a little higher. The cut of the dress was very modest. It showed only the very top of her breasts and covered her shoulders. It hung to just below her knees, and she transfigured a pair of her shabby trainers into soft velvety green one inch heels. A nice pair of lacy white gloves for her hands was transfigured from an old pair. Andromeda insisted on her hair being down and tamed with a spell.

Hermione stared at herself in the mirror in the upstairs bathroom. She shook her head.

“Hermione, dear, I know you don’t want to go, but we still need to be on time,” Andromeda said, taking her hand. “I plan on giving Lucius Malfoy a piece of my mind, that smarmy, egocentric wank—”

Ron laughed at Andromeda as she cursed Lucius Malfoy and huffed up to the fireplace.

“I shall go first, dear,” the elegant pureblood said, and she disappeared after shouting, “Malfoy Manor.”

Hermione followed a moment later.

“Hermione, you have chosen Mrs. Tonks to be your chaperone,” Mr. Malfoy asked, and his eyes were like steel as he offered her a hand to help her down from the hearth step.

“Yes, it was generally agreed that a chaperone was needed to be with us,” Hermione said, trying to withdraw her hand from his.

He held her hand tightly in his and drew it to his lips. He caressed each digit with his lips before kissing the center of her palm.

Hermione’s eyes blinked slowly at the kisses. How was he doing that?

“That is quite enough, Mr. Malfoy,” Andromeda said, jamming her hands on her hips. “Just because you are a total scoundrel, it doesn’t mean that Hermione isn’t a lady and shouldn't be treated as one.”

Mr. Malfoy's nose crinkled up, and he frowned as he tucked Hermione’s hand into the crook of his arm. He’d have to be the gentleman he was raised to be. He’d hoped to be allowed to touch a little more. He was just being friendly. It had been twenty-six years.

“She is my betrothed; I am allowed to kiss her if I see fit,” Lucius said, keeping a hand over Hermione’s to hold it in place. “I thought that we would have tea in the garden.”

“Yes, and she deserves to be treated like a lady who is to marry a gentlewizard,” Andromeda said, following after them.

Lucius mouthed her words in annoyance and frowned as he flung open the doors to the back porch. Hermione looked up at him with her jaw slightly agape.

Hermione gasped when she saw the gardens of the manor. She craned her neck to look at all the flowers.

Wisteria vines grew up the pillars that supported the roof covering the porch. A gorgeous oak and silver linden stood tall just off the center of the garden, and a double swing hung with one chain suspended from a limb of each tree. A shallow, though moderately wide, stream flowed in front of the swing. A small bridge spanned it. Around the trees, delicate blue forget-me-nots were in bloom. Behind the forget-me-nots were white rose bushes.

Hermione turned and looked up at him.

“The gardens have been this way since the spring of 1972. A girl I met early that year mentioned that she loved forget-me-nots. I lost her later that year during a death eater attack on Hogsmeade,” Lucius said as he steered Hermione to a small sofa for two. “I’ve had them in the garden since, and I’ve never forgotten.”

“Father,” Draco said from the side.

“Yes, Draco,” Lucius said, turning to his only child.

“I am present as you requested.”

“Thank you, as you can see more than future family arrived,” Lucius said, sitting next to Hermione.

“Yes,” Draco responded, offering his aunt the choice of the two chairs left. “Aunt Dromy.”

Draco waited for his aunt to be seated before taking the chair at his father’s other side.

“Tibby,” Lucius called.

A young house elf with bright blue eyes appeared and bowed low to Lucius.

“We are ready for tea,” Lucius said calmly. His hand twitched a little.

“Yes, Master,” the little elf said.

Hermione reached out and touched his arm with a desperate look in her eyes. She didn't want Lucius to hurt the little elf. Lucius turned to her quickly, and she squeezed his arm gently before retracting. He smiled.

The little elf disappeared, and a beautiful white china teapot appeared that had the Malfoy coat-of-arms on it. Four matching china cups and saucers appeared as well as a plate of miniature sandwiches in the center of the table. Tibby appeared with it and backed up into a corner.

Lucius served each of his guests politely glaring at Andromeda.

“So we are to discuss the binding of you and Hermione,” Andromeda opened.

“Yes,” Lucius replied. “The ceremony will occur at sunrise in one week. I had thought a traditional wizarding wedding would be best.”

“I’m not marrying you,” Hermione said, standing up. “I don’t know where you got this idea. I told you that I love Ron.”

“You will love me,” Mr. Malfoy said, standing as well and glaring at her before taking her elbow and forcing her to sit. He exerted enough pressure to hurt and bend her to his will without bruising.

He took his place at her side. He slid an arm around her shoulders brushing his fingers through the silky strands at the nape of her neck and leaned closer to breathe in the lavender scent she wore.

“What about traditions from muggle background? After all I am a muggleborn,” Hermione said, glaring at him and pushing at his chest.

“Precisely,” he said, pulling her against his side. “You were raised a muggle, but you have shed that skin to show the shinier color of being a witch. You will observe wizarding traditions, because it is what you are, a witch.”

“Lucius, there is room for compromise,” Andromeda said.

“You may not address me in such a way,” Mr. Malfoy said, turning his attention to Andromeda as his lip curled.

“You forget yourself, Mr. Malfoy.”

“SHUT UP!” Mr. Malfoy shouted, clutching his cane.

Hermione quickly slid a hand onto Lucius’ thigh. Lucius gulped and looked down to see a tiny hand on his leg. He closed his eyes and opened them before leaning in close to Hermione’s mouth. Hermione pulled back.

Lucius pushed his chin out when she did that. SHE WOULD LOVE HIM! He leaned closer to her putting his head on her shoulder and sliding his arm draped around her so his hand could caress her neck.

“You will stay the remainder of the week here in a guestroom. After our wedding, of course, we shall share a bed,” Lucius said, pressing his lips to her cheek.

“Mr. Malfoy, it would be entirely inappropriate for that to occur. You know that wizarding tradition dictates that she spend this week with her close family and friends without seeing her husband to be. For she will be with you forevermore while losing what she has with them.”

“Very well,” Lucius consented. “But she must write to me.”

"I will not," Hermione said, pushing him away. "I don't want to marry you, and you've given me no option."

Andromeda looked to her nephew for help and motioned to them.

“Father, no contact with you for the rest of the week. She must prepare herself to be bound to you for eternity,” Draco said, lifting his father’s cup of tea to pass it to him. "She will be bound to you and never allowed to be with another."

Lucius ignored the cup and continued to try to nuzzle Hermione who continued to push him away.

“May I be excused?” Hermione asked, looking at Andromeda and Draco.

“No,” Lucius said, squeezing her more tightly. “I may only spend a few more hours with you before we are separated for the week.”

“Mr. Mal—”

“LUCIUS!” He said roughly as he raised his head and squeezed her chin so he was looking into her eyes before he leaned close to her ear to whisper. “I am yours as you are soon to be mine.”

“Lucius, I need to go to the loo,” Hermione whispered to him.

He straightened at that. “Very well, my dear. There is a lavatory just back up at the top of the main staircase.”

Hermione stood, and Lucius and Draco both rose as she walked into the house before sitting again.

Hermione walked slowly through the house. She found the main stairs and went up to the second floor. She’d never been to the upper levels of the house. She opened the door to the loo and went inside. She locked the door. She leaned over the sink and took several deep breaths before turning on the faucet. Warm water gushed out of the tap, and Hermione shoved her hands under it after removing the gloves. She rubbed her hands together as steam rose around her. She stood there for quite a while before she finally felt better.

She left the loo trailing a hand along the wall. Suddenly, two arms wrapped around her.

“Ah,” Hermione whimpered, trying to wriggle away.

“It’s alright, Hermione,” Lucius whispered, drawing her closer to him and back down the hallway away from the staircase. “You were gone for almost half an hour. I was quite worried. I thought you left me again.”

“Let go,” Hermione said, struggling against him.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want you holding me,” Hermione said, continuing to wriggle.

"You will," Lucius said, taking a step back while holding her hand.

“Let go of me,” Hermione said, pushing at him with her free hand until he captured it and hauled her close to him.

"Please, I just want to hold you."

“Mr. Malfoy, release your betrothed at once,” came the stern voice of Andromeda Tonks.

“She is mine. I will touch her if it pleases me,” Mr. Malfoy said, pulling Hermione closer and kissing her throat once while batting his eyelashes against her skin.

“Mr. Malfoy,” Andromeda said, taking her wand out.

Mr. Malfoy took a deep breath and stepped back from Hermione.

“Hermione and I must leave now. Where will the wedding be held?”

“Malham Cove. And I expect My betrothed to be in magical white wedding robes. I want everyone to know I am her only forever,” Lucius said, drawing Hermione’s hand to his lips before whispering. "Until then, love."

*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*

Well, hope to receive reviews. I hope that you enjoyed it.

Malham Cove is known to me due to Utopia, who is one of those lucky chosen people who is British...I want to be British *muttered enviously*...To see an image of it, go here -
http://www.malhamdale.com/cove.htm

*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*~-~-~*