Just Around the Riverbend

Sweet merciful butter muffins with orange cranberry glaze. This is the longest chapter I've ever written. Do enjoy, lovelies, and there's a WONDERFUL ending to this chap. *Cheesy grin*



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“Are you ready to go?” Lucius asked Hermione. She nodded nervously, and bit her lip. He pulled back from her with satisfied smile, and held out his hand. She put her small hand in his much larger one, and he led her to the door. As they walked together down the sprawling drive, Lucius found that her Hermione’s light hold on his hand had turned into a nervous grip on his entire arm.



“We’re not…um…walking far, are we?” Hermione asked, thinking she should have brought trainers.



“No. Look ahead.” Lucius replied. Hermione looked up, and gasped. A gleaming white horse-drawn carriage sat at the end of the drive, complete with two snow-white horses.



“Oh! They’re beautiful!” Hermione cried. The driver, dressed in white coattails, stepped down from the driver’s seat, and opened the door for them as they approached. Lucius stepped on the other side of the door, and helped Hermione into the coach. She took a seat on the plush black seat, and put her hands in her lap, slightly bouncing like a nervous child. Lucius entered after her, and took the seat in front of her.



“Well?” he asked.



“This is so cool!” Hermione blurted. Lucius looked very pleased with himself.



“I’m glad you like it, but the night is far from over.” He said. “You know where to go, Mr. Grantt.” Lucius said to the driver, who was still waiting at the door. Mr. Grantt nodded, and shut the door to the carriage. Hermione felt a slight jerk as the carriage began to move, and laughed nervously. “Were your feet bothering you, Hermione? Is that why you were curious about the length of our walk?” Lucius asked.



“No. I just wondered if I should have brought better shoes if we were going to walk far.” Hermione said. Lucius bent slightly, and pulled one of Hermione’s feet into his lap. He began to rub her ankle, and the top of her foot. “Lucius, you don’t have to…” Hermione started, but Lucius silenced her with an upheld hand.



“The clerk told me these would be fine for you, at this point in the pregnancy, but I don’t intend to keep you on your feet for long amounts of time.” He said. She relaxed against the soft seat as Lucius rubbed gently. After a few minutes, he changed feet, and Hermione found her eyes drooping under the gentle, relaxing ministrations.



Lucius smiled at his dozing kitten. It would take a bit to reach their destination, so he had no problem with her sleeping for the ride. When he was positive she was under, he gently lowered her leg, and watched her face. Her makeup was subtle tonight. She had lined her eyes, and thickened her lashes with mascara. There was a layer of shimmering gold shadow on her lid, and some gold gloss on her lips.



Her face had filled out slightly as her tummy expanded, and Lucius also found the added benefit of a bit of padding to her thighs and breasts. Hermione thought she looked fat, but Lucius thought she looked like a goddess. Narcissa had been classically beautiful, but she was built like a pole. Hermione’s beauty was subtle, but her curves were not. And Lucius found he liked to trace those curves with his tongue…



The carriage pulled to a stop, and jarred Hermione awake. She blinked a few times, and looked over at Lucius.



“Are we there?” she asked, and Lucius pinned her with a look that meant he was holding back a scathing remark. She blushed.



The door was opened by the driver, and Lucius exited first so that he could help Hermione down. Her mouth dropped open when she saw where they were.



The Phoenix was a very exclusive restaurant, only visited by the crème de la crème of society. Even with her status as Harry Potter’s best friend, and Heroine of the Second War, she still wasn’t good enough to get into this place. She wasn’t even sure Harry Potter himself could get into this place. She’d have to ask him one day to-



“If you’re quite done gawking at the outside, sweet, we have tables on the inside.” Lucius purred into her ear. She turned to him, and smiled.



“Of course, Lucius, dear.” She said sweetly, and the underlying message in her words was that he’d best be nice, or she’d hex him. He cleared his throat, and offered his arm to her. She took hold of his forearm, and he tucked one of her small hands close to him, and they began to walk. Hermione found his presence soothing to her nerves. She was afraid that he was committing social suicide by walking in this place with her, and the thought saddened her. Lucius was a very sociable man. He liked being around people. She could tell he hadn’t been happy cooped up in the Manor for so long. So she had begun to go with him places.



The people always acted the same. They would treat Lucius as they’d always treated him: fear, respect, and a smidgeon of jealousy. She’d even saw distant loathing in their eyes. But with her, there were always the stares, the darting of eyes to her belly and then her hand, and the elbows to their neighbors. She was a freak once again; an outcast of this rigid world, and it was disheartening.



Her internal struggles ground to a halt when they passed the threshold of the fancy restaurant. The interior was an orgasm of lavish decoration and prolific design. Gold and dark red abounded, and almost everywhere one looked there was a phoenix motif. The tables were draped in crimson, and the utensils and plates were gilded. Even the waiters looked like they made more in one evening than she could have in a year at her old filing job.



“Sugar biscuits.” Hermione said, awed. Lucius led them to the reception podium, and the man behind it, dressed in gold coattails, looked up. He had sharp, eagle-like brown eyes, one accentuated with a monocle, and his lips were pursed thin.



“Ah, Mr. Malfoy.” The man said, his cultured accent dripping with charm. “So lovely to see you out and about this fine holiday. Your table is ready.” And he personally left the podium to lead them to a table. He led them to a very private two-person table near an enchanted window. The man with the gold coattails pulled out Hermione’s seat, and she looked at the space she was supposed to squeeze into, and then looked at Lucius.



“I’m not going to fit in there. I need more space to…ah…sit.” She said, and rested her hand on her belly.



“Cogsworth, if you would.” Lucius said, and motioned to the table. Cogsworth snapped his fingers, and two crimson- robed waiters stepped forward and shifted the table forward a bit, leaving enough room for Hermione to squeeze in. Hermione moved forward, and carefully maneuvered herself into the chair. Great Merlin…and to think this was only going to get more difficult. Lucius took his seat across from her, giving her a reassuring smile. She liked it when he smiled. It transformed his whole face. Lucius took the menu that Cogsworth offered, and began to peruse it.



“We will have the house salad to start.” Lucius said. Hermione frowned. She didn’t like Lucius ordering for her. She wasn’t an invalid.



“Of course, sir.” One of the waiters replied, and turned in a flurry to complete the order. Cogsworth himself inquired what drink they would prefer. Lucius opened his mouth to speak, but was beat to the punch.



“Water, please.” Hermione interjected. Cogsworth looked over at her with some surprise.



“Ah…yes, of course, madam.” He said. He then looked at Lucius, who was eyeing Hermione curiously.



“The same.” Lucius replied, closing the menu. Cogsworth nodded, and swept away. Lucius looked across the table at Hermione. “Is something wrong, Hermione?” he asked.



“No. Nothing’s wrong.” She said, and rested her hands on her belly.



“I should clarify: why did you feel it necessary to be inexcusably rude?” he asked.



“All I did was order my own drink.” Hermione said, raising one hand to look at her nails, which she’d painted with a clear varnish.



“Exactly. Hermione, I know that you are a very independent person because of your muggle upbringing, but in this world, it is my job to take care of you. In this world, women don’t have the responsibilities that a man does. My job is to protect and provide. Your job nurture and teach.” He said, very matter-of-factly. He saw the expression on her face, and he knew her well enough to know there would be a scene if he didn’t say something immediately.



“Hermione, dearling.” He said softly, attempting to smooth her ruffled pride. He knew she was proud of her independence, and he’d never completely be able to mould her into anything that remotely resembled what Narcissa had been. But that didn’t upset him. In fact, most times it exhilarated him.



The endearment did sooth her a bit. He only used that particular one if she was spectacularly upset, because it had the effect of immediately putting a balm on her emotions.



“You won’t be in this alone. I am the Master of the home, but I will be in this child’s life, too. I want to provide for both of you. But for tonight, let me provide you with a perfect evening.” He said gently. Hermione looked rather like a cat whose favorite yarn ball had been taken away, but she did acquiesce. “Hermione.” He said, and she looked up. “If you will comply tonight, I promise my plans were well-laid.” He said, giving her a serious look. Her face melted into a smile, and she nodded.



“Okay. For tonight, I am yours to please.” She said. He grinned so wide Hermione caught a glimpse of even white teeth.



~~



Hermione, despite her streak of stubbornness, quite enjoyed the chicken dish that Lucius had ordered for her. She hadn’t caught the name of it, because it was in a language she didn’t recognize, but the meal itself was spoon-lickingly good (though she refrained from doing just that.)



After she had cleaned her plate, and before Lucius called for the dessert, Hermione caught a glimpse of the upper level of the sparkling restaurant. She could hear the live music playing, and she saw several couples twirling about.



“Is that a dance floor?” Hermione asked, her eyes sparkling. She wasn’t too pregnant that she couldn’t enjoy a slow dance with Lucius.



He looked at her face, noting the excitement that had lit up her eyes.



“Would you like to go? I’m sure we can request something more moderately paced.” Lucius replied. Hermione stood from her chair, scraping the legs a bit, and Lucius fought hard not to cringe when a couple heads turned their way. Such….exuberance…



She latched onto his arm, and they traveled up the large, broad stairs. They reached the top just as the quickly paced song ended. And, as luck would have it, the next song to cue up was a slow one, with lyrics by a smoky-voiced witch with blue-black hair.



Lucius pulled Hermione close for a slow dance, but was surprised when she leaned her head against him, and wrapped her arms around his waist. He put one hand on her hip, and the other rested near the back of her neck, and he began to move slowly back and forth, turning occasionally. It was an untraditional position, but it was very nice nonetheless.



The moved in place for the entire song, and Hermione only pulled back when the last few words echoed over them. Another song began to play right after it, and the soft sweet music made Hermione nuzzle her face against Lucius slightly. His chest rumbled a bit as he chuckled at her.



In a perfect world

One we've never known

We would never need to face the world alone



“What lovely words.” Hermione commented. Lucius hadn’t really been paying attention to the lyrics, but he lifted his head slightly to listen as Hermione pulled her head back slightly to do the same.



They can have the world

We’ll create our own

I may not be brave, or strong, or smart

But somewhere in my secret heart



I know

Love will find a way

Anywhere I go

I’m home

If you are there beside me



Like dark turning into day

Somehow we’ll come through

Now that I’ve found you

Love will find a way



The song spoke deeply to the tall Slytherin, but his closed off nature caused him to sniff slightly.



“Hopelessly sentimental.” He said softly.



“Oh, you.” Hermione said, and pinched his side without malice. He jerked, but continued to dance slowly with her, as the music continued. He saw a sharply dressed male singer join the girl with the blue-black hair, and take the woman’s hands in his.



I was so afraid

Now I realize

Love is never wrong

And so it never dies



Lucius found his eyes drawn to the two on stage, even as he danced with his little lioness.



There’s a perfect world

Shining in your eyes



Lucius looked down at the top of Hermione’s head, his thoughts racing jumbled through his head. The couple on stage began to sing together, their voices blending perfectly.



And if only they could see it too

The happiness I feel with you



They'd know

Love will find a way

Anywhere we go

We're home

If we are there together



Like dark turning into day

Somehow we'll come through

Now that I've found you

Love will find a way



I know love will find a way



The song ended on a softly drawn out note, and then the couple on stage shared an embrace.



Lucius separated them, and Hermione looked up at him curiously.



“Is everything all right, Lucius?” she asked. He gave her a reassuring smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.



“It’s fine, pet. Let’s go back down to the table.” He said, and held his hand out for her.



“Oh…I want to watch some of the people dance. See, I can sit right there.” Hermione said, and pointed to a row of padded benches along the side wall, where some couples were resting.



“I shall accompany you.” Lucius said distractedly, and he and Hermione walked over to the benches. She sat first, relieved to be off of her feet for a few moments, and then Lucius sat down beside her.



He loved Hermione, he really did. But that song had spooked him for reasons he couldn’t understand or explain. He had never put much stock into falling head over heels in love with someone. He’d never been taught it. He’d never experienced it. The only people he’d ever seen claim it he’d thought were fools.



Hermione was so stubborn and independent. But he’d seen the way people looked at her sometimes. He saw that they looked at her like the gunk at the bottom of a particularly crusty garbage pail. And the child... As much as he wanted to believe that everything would just work itself out in the end, or some other Hufflepuff rubbish, he knew that the child she carried would have no rights in their world. A bastard child, if it was as well known as their child would be, was treated no better than a half breed. The child could not inherit anything of his (well, legally anyway, but he didn’t feel like jumping through loop holes just to give his child an inheritance it deserved anyway) and could not hold a decent job.



He sighed.



“Anything the matter, Lucius?” Hermione asked, looking up at him. He looked a little distressed, but he turned his face to her nonetheless.



“Just thinking.” He replied.



“Oh no! Someone’s in trouble!” she teased, and he rewarded her with a small smile. She looked back out at the dance floor, and laughed in recognition. “Look! There’s Kingsley. I’m going to go say hello!” she said, and he waved her on distractedly. She stood from the bench, and began to walk towards Kingsley, who was twirling his date rather expertly.



As Hermione neared the dark-skinned Minister, it so happened that a particularly awkward couple, consisting of a willowy older gentleman and a short, rather heavyset woman in florescent pink robes, twirled her way, causing Hermione to have to take several steps backwards to miss being thrown for a flip by the large woman.



Hermione had pitched herself directly towards the stairs, and her last step put her right at the edge. She found with dismay that her heel had gone too far, and with her balance shot, she had no way to correct herself. She pinwheeled her arms, and gave a cry of dismay when she realized she wasn’t going to be able to right herself.

Lucius’ head shot up when Hermione cried out, and he felt his heart stop when she started backwards.



But the fates were with Hermione that day. A young waiter, carrying a tray of drinks in crystal glasses, was nearly at the top when she began to fall. Her cry made him look up, and he tossed aside his tray and took the last two steps in time to catch Hermione neatly.



The lower level of the restaurant had looked over when the young man had thrown aside his tray, and many of the patrons began to clap for him. He righted Hermione gently, and she turned her ashen face on her rescuer. He was tall and gangly, not too far into manhood, and he had the beginnings of whiskers on his face. His eyes, wide with fright, were warm brown, and he had curly blonde hair sticking out from under a little red cap that the lower level waiters wore.



“Hermione!” She turned to see Lucius rush towards her. “Merlin….I thought…” but he couldn’t say it out loud.



“I would have if it wasn’t for this young man.” Hermione said. The waiter blushed the same color as his robes.



“What’s your name?” Lucius asked, and the waiter nearly wet himself when he realized who was talking to him.



“T-Timothy S-Simms, sir.” The boy gasped.



“I shall be in contact with you, Mr. Simms. Thank you.” Lucius said, and Timothy swallowed hard.



Hermione was aware of all eyes on her, and she began to feel nervous. “Lucius…I think I’ve had enough excitement for one evening. May we go?” she asked weakly. She was shivering, partly because her nerves had just been shot all to hell, and partly because she felt like she’d just ruined Valentine’s Day for them.



Lucius made quick work of whisking her out of the restaurant, and didn’t miss the looks that some of the patrons gave her on the way out. He approached the carriage driver quicker than the man had been expecting, and when he saw him approaching, he pulled a cigarette from his mouth and stomped it out under his boot.



“Mr. Malfoy. You’re out earlier than expected.” Mr. Grantt said.



“Too much excitement for one night. We’re ready to leave.” Lucius said. Grantt quickly got the carriage ready again, and then opened the door. Hermione was helped in by Lucius once again, but this time when he entered, he sat beside her, drawing her into his side.



~~



When they finally reached the Manor, and were safely ensconced in their room, Hermione sat nervously on the edge of the bed as Lucius began to undress. He would let her talk on her own time.



“I got quite a fright tonight.” She finally said, and pulled her leg up awkwardly to attempt to unfasten her heel. He looked over when she grunted, and tsked her gently.



“I’ll get that.” He said, and approached her. She leaned back on her elbow, and offered him her foot. He deftly unfastened the little buckle, and slipped off the shoe. He motioned for the other foot, and made quick work of that shoe as well.



“I shouldn’t have gotten up. I should have just stayed put…” and she finally dissolved into tears. If that boy hadn’t been behind her… She could have lost a lot more than her balance. Lucius put her shoes down, and slipped off his white shirt, revealing his white sleeveless undershirt. He toed off his boots, and climbed onto the bed with her. She buried her face against his side and sobbed. “I could’ve-”



“Hush now, pet. There are quite a few ‘could have’s floating around in this world. If we concentrated on them all we’d go mad.” He shushed gently. She looked up at him, tears still streaming from her eyes. He reached over and wiped her eyes, and he marveled at the way she relaxed into his touch.



“I love you.” She said suddenly. And he froze. She watched the blank expression on his face for several tense moments. “It’s okay, Lucius. I know…I know that you’re not good at saying things like that…but I know you care for me. I just wanted to tell you how I feel. You know….us Gryffindors and our sentimental piffle.” She said, trying to play it off.



But he saw it in her eyes. She wanted to hear those words. He wasn’t good with those words. But he could show her…



He suddenly leaned forward and captured her lips in a searing kiss, surprising her. She gasped, and he immediately began to taste every centimeter of her mouth, sending ripples of pure energy to her core. She pushed at his shoulder, and he pulled back.



“May I try directing for a change?” she asked. He lifted a perfect blonde eyebrow, but he leaned back against the pillows, and motioned for her to continue. Hermione rolled off of the bed, and hastily wiped at her eyes to rid herself of her tear remnants. She then produced her wand from her cleavage, causing a growl from her blonde lover. She merely grinned at him, and gave a flick of the magical instrument. Her zipper came undone immediately, and she let the dress fall from her shoulders. He inhaled sharply when she revealed her nude-colored lace bra, and matching knickers. She reached around behind her, and unhooked the lacy bra. The straps fell forward, but she held the bra in place. She watched Lucius’ eyes begin to glow as she slowly pulled the bra away, letting her newly plump breasts sway freely.



She trailed her hands over her breasts, over her large tummy, and hooked her thumbs in the waistband of her knickers. She pushed them down, and let them pool at her feet. She stepped out of the material, and stepped over to the bed.



Silently Hermione climbed up onto the bed, crawling seductively towards him. She stopped at his feet, and gently began to tug off his socks. He offered no resistance, and as she tossed his second sock over the side of the bed, she sat back on her legs.



“Sit up, Lucius.” She said softly. He complied, and sat up off of the pillows. She tugged his undershirt off, and tossed it aside. She trailed her hands over his strong shoulders, and then down his solid chest. She pushed him back into the pillows, and her hands found his belt. “Those pants look tight, Lucius. Are they uncomfortable?” Hermione asked coyly, staring at the tent he was making in the fine trousers.



“A bit. Why don’t you open them up give your dear lover some release?” he asked.



“I’ll release you when I’m damn well ready.” Hermione growled, surprising him a bit. She undid his belt, and unfastened the buttons. She tugged the edge of the trousers down, and his cock popped out of the cloth confines. Hermione leaned forward, and pressed a kiss to the leaking tip. He grunted softly, and her tongue darted out to taste the precum beaded at the tip.



“Such a wicked little kitten.” Lucius growled.



“I’m a lioness at heart.” She returned, and reached into his pants to grasp his balls. Any reply he had on his tongue was lost when she squeezed gently. She pulled her hand back, and grasped his trousers. He had the presence of mind to shift his hips so that she could tug them off, and then toss them aside. She then pulled back a little to admire the fantastic representation of manhood in front of her. As if waving her on, his cock gave a jump. “Eager, are we?” she said with a grin.



“Well, my pet, I do so love impaling you repeatedly. I’d love to do so immediately, but you seem content to sit there and stare.” He said, and enjoyed the annoyed expression on her face. She moved forward, crawling up his body. Her belly hung low, and he found his engorged member pressed forward by it, causing him to growl.



She rose up with her pelvis over his, and reached underneath her to take hold of his cock. She directed the stiff organ to her moist opening, and lowered herself down on it. She sighed as he filled her, and when she came to rest on his thighs she had to pause.



“So good…” she moaned. She put her hands on his chest for balance, and lifted herself upward. When she lowered herself again, a shuddering groan escaped her lips. This position was a bit new to her. So far he had taken control of their love making. He was more experienced than she, and often twisted her in the shape he needed her to be in. This angle of penetration was foreign, and yet at the same time so satisfying.



She found a rhythm for herself. It was not as fast as he would have been able to take her, but she didn’t want to lose balance accidentally. That would be embarrassing. Lucius met her thrust, and she threw her head back with a gasp.



“Lucius!” she cried. He put his hands on her hips, and began to reciprocate, penetrating her deeper than she had been able to do alone.



“Like that, do you?” Lucius growled. She cursed loudly and buried her nails into his chest.



“Sweet Merlin, Lucius! Fuck me!” she snarled. He pulled his legs up slightly to get better leverage. He removed one hand from her hip, and reached to the place where they were joined, and began to work at her clit. “No fair! I can’t…oh! Fuck!” She stiffened suddenly, tossed over the edge of orgasm very quickly. But he kept tweaking and rubbing her clit mercilessly, his hips still thrusting into hers. She was trembling above him, and her fingernails scraped downwards in an attempt to hold on.



Both had developed a light sheen of sweat, and Hermione’s curls were slipping out of the careful coif she’d gotten them into for the night. Lucius watched the abandon on her face, and the bounce of her enlarged breasts. He groaned as she scratched at him again, and he could feel himself already beginning to approach the precipice of orgasm. They hadn’t engaged in several days due to the presence of Daisy and Phelan, and he found himself eager for release.



“Come for me again, love. I want to watch you fall apart.” He said, his hand still working her slippery clit. “Let go, Hermione. Let go and come.”



“Lucius….please….fuck….” she groaned brokenly.



“Hermione…” he groaned, and she looked up at him. “I…gods, Hermione.” He groaned, his grip hardening on her hip. He could feel his balls tightening, and knew he was close. “Hermione…..I….I love you.” He said. Hermione’s hooded eyes shot open, and after a particularly eager tweak to her clit, she threw her head back and howled. Her pussy clutched hungrily at his cock as he went over the edge with her. He held her down on him as he emptied himself inside her with a hoarse shout. After what felt like the longest orgasm of his life, he finally loosened his hold on her, and she carefully got off of him, slipping his cock from her body, and collapsed at his side, clutching him desperately.



“Really?” she asked breathlessly.



“Yes….gods…yes…” he replied, his chest heaving. He reached over to his nightstand, and opened the drawer. Hermione, figuring he was going for his wand, closed her eyes. “Hermione…I’ve been meaning to ask you something, dearling.” He said. She opened her eyes at the use of the term, and gasped when she saw the open black box in his hand.



A small silver ring sat inside, with a sparkling yet simply cut diamond.



“Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

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Awww!! Oh, and the song was called 'Love will find a way' from The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XhufW7-c_k

You can here it there. It's a very nice song. Anyway, I'm sure with this wonderful chapter addition, you'll all leave a review, right?