Just Around the Riverbend

Oh wow. I must say, that this took longer than expected. I had a bit of writer's block about some plot advancement in the latter part of the chapter. Well, time for some acknowledgments.

angeles
Voracious Reader
hairsprayX12
April
Citten
HarryGinny4Eva(x2)
LaBibliographe(x3) - Cogworth was named after the clock in BatB ^_^. And I think your question about the ring will be answered. It happened because I skipped some time. Silly me. *giggles*
Alina

Okay. Now it's time to take a bit of time to respond to an interesting review I got. I want to ask right now if I have any British Readers here. If I do, I want you to tell me if I offended any of you back in chapter 20 when the image of Daisy's father referred to the British as 'Buck-toothed Brits.' I had a reviewer say that he/she would not be reading any more because of those three words.

What I find interesting, though, is that this person had nothing to say about Daisy being referred to as a Red-skin, or for the Americans being referred to as yanks. Hmm....I find no offense in being called a yank. It's funny to me. I love to play with stereotypes....they amuse me. If I truly offended anyone I will go back and edit it, but I just wanted to take a poll first, and see if I just got the rotten apple in the bunch. Well, I hope that you have all enjoyed the story thus far. Do keep reading, and if I say something that truly offends you, take it up with me in a review, but do it tastefully. Flames burn, and will be deleted promptly after I laugh at them.

Anyway, on with the plot!!!

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Hermione saw the ring perched there, and swallowed hard. That was an engagement ring. Wow. Her hand came up and rested on Lucius’ wrist, and she looked up at him with misty eyes.

“Lucius, I-” But luck often has it, Hermione was interrupted by the sound of loud bells ringing. She jumped, and looked around. Lucius swore viciously, put down the ring box, and swiftly rolled off of the bed.

“I’m sorry, pet. That’s the floo bell. I’d ignore it, but I’ve got it set to where I can only hear it in here if Hogwarts is calling.” He said, and then began scrambling for some pajamas. Once he had slipped on his house robe, he rushed through the doorway tying it.

Hermione looked at the innocent silver ring. Such a simple piece of jewelry. But it represented so much. It represented a life for her and the baby. She’d gathered enough from muttered conversations to know that her baby would not be treated well in this world. No rights. No benefits.

She reached out and picked up the ring from its velvet resting place. The band was shiny and new, and the diamond sparkled with iridescent beauty.

“Hermione, that was Daisy, I-” Lucius had come into the room talking, and paused when he saw Hermione holding the ring. She looked up, and he noticed her eyes looked wet. “I couldn’t understand much of what she was saying, because she was crying. But I did hear her say something about a fight. Combine that with the fact that she called from the infirmary…” he said. Hermione replaced the ring in the box, and closed the lid. Then she rolled awkwardly off of the bed.

“I’ll come with you.” She said, and padded towards the closet. Lucius looked over at the bed, where the closed box sat.

If he weren’t worried, he could almost kill Daisy for her poor timing.

~~

Hermione had to stop halfway up the long walkway to Hogwarts, huffing like a freight train.

“Gods….damn it….need….taxi….” she puffed.

“Do you need me to carry you?” Lucius asked. Hermione stopped huffing, and her head snapped up, her eyes fairly glowing with rage.

“I’m pregnant, not crippled. It’s not my fault you can cover a span of seven feet with one stride. I have short legs, you selfish twat. Slow down.” she snarled. He let out an annoyed huff. He knew she was pregnant. Gods, he wasn’t retarded. He waited for a few moments more before she began to move again.

They reached the doors of the school eventually, and Hermione leaned heavily against Lucius’ side as he rapped angrily on the door. They were greeted by the new Groundskeeper, an older, but sharp old wizard by the name of Barnabius Greenglass. He was affectionately referred to by the well-behaved students as Old Barny. The not-so-well behaved students called him Old Barmy.

“Headmaster said you’d be coming. To the infirmary with you, then.” He said, moving out of their way.

Hermione was nearly in tears by the time they reached the infirmary. Her feet were killing her, and her back hurt like heck. And as soon as they entered the room, a tearful Daisy met Lucius, weeping pitifully. She outstretched her arms to him, and his first instinct was to put his own arms up to receive her. She buried her face into his robes and sobbed. He held his arms out awkwardly for a few moments, before gingerly putting them around her, and patting her back.

“Daisy. What’s the matter? Are you all right?” he asked. She pulled back, and sniffled heavily.

“M’fine. S’Phelan.” She slurred, her words garbled by her hiccupping sobs.

“What happened to Phelan?” Hermione asked.

“I think I can answer that.”

Hermione turned to see Headmaster Denebola at the door, looking quite thunderous still. And so they were treated to an explanation of what had happened to Phelan. When the story was finished, Hermione was saddened, and Lucius was furious.

“Where is he?” Lucius asked. Daisy pointed over to a curtained off bed. Lucius and Hermione went immediately, and Lucius pushed aside the curtain.

Phelan was in the bed, wrapped in a pair of clean hospital pajamas. His eyes were closed, and were watering profusely, the tears a startling red. His nose was red and puffy, and blood was caked around his nostrils. His lips were caked with dried blood, and he had several scratches across his face from where he’d clawed at himself to attempt to get relief. His breathing was ragged and labored, and he was shivering violently.

“Phelan…” Hermione said softly. His head jerked slightly, and he cried out as his head was jarred. “You poor dear…” she added. She went to his side, and began to stroke his hair gently. He jerked when she touched him, and her fingers touched his cheek. “Hush, child. It’s all right.” Hermione assured him.

“What is being done to the girl who did this?” Lucius asked the Headmaster

“Her parents have been called. She’ll be suspended for a week, and when she comes back she’ll have every right she ever thought she had revoked for the rest of the year. Her little friend is going to have detention for the rest of the year for outright bigotry and brawling.” He said.

“Is he going to be okay?” Hermione asked, still giving motherly touches to the young Lycan.

“Madam Pomfrey is making some burn mist for his nasal passages and lungs. He breathed in the silver, and it’s burned him raw. She gave him a potion that coated the lungs and his nasal passages with mucus, like a reverse cold, to try and wash the silver out naturally. But she can’t give him anything that will numb the pain or he won’t be able to dispel the silver.” Denebola said. He felt sorry for Phelan. The young man had been working so hard all year. If he were an official student, he’d have the highest grades of his year. It was a shame, really.

He was a good influence on the other students. He was calm and collected, and he studied hard, but he also found time to exercise regularly and enjoy his time at Hogwarts. There was a group of non-Quidditch boys that actually worked out with him sometimes, though he’d heard that Phelan could leave them, even the older boys, in the dust.

“What about his eyes? Did he get silver in his eyes, too?” Lucius asked, eyeing the red tears suspiciously.

“Yes. Madam Pomfrey used some sort of protective coating on the eyes themselves. The damage is to the soft flesh in the eye socket and his eyelids. The coating she used has effectively blinded him for the time being. She was sure she was able to coat his eyes before his sight was damaged."

It was at that time that Madam Pomfrey appeared from the back, carrying a bowl in her hand. She looked at the people gathered around Phelan’s bed, and frowned.

“Merlin! Give the boy some air. His breathing is difficult enough as it is without you all hovering!” she scolded. Hermione’s hands left Phelan’s face, and she felt her heart break a little when his head turned to follow her hand.

Madam Pomfrey replaced Hermione by Phelan’s side. She held the bowl in one hand, and put one arm under him. “Up we go!” she said, and helped him sit up without too much effort. Then she took one of his hands, and put the bowl in his grasp. “Hold with both hands.” He complied, and the bowl shook in his grasp.

Daisy watched tearfully as Madam Pomfrey pulled two small vials out of her apron. She poured the contents of the first into the bowl, and the clinking of a solid sounded against the porcelain. Then she poured a liquid into the bowl, and it began to smoke heavily, the heavy mist pouring up and over the side of the bowl.

“I know you can’t see it, but hold the bowl up to your face and breathe as deeply as you can.” She said gently. Phelan did as he was told, but as soon as he took a deep breath, he went into a coughing fit, spraying bits of blood and nearly choking on some of the mucus. Madam Pomfrey pulled a white kerchief from her pocket, and held it to his mouth. “Spit.” She ordered. He coughed and spit into the cloth, and when he appeared to calm, she threw it into the waste bin by his bed. “Try again. Smaller breaths.” She said. He held up the bowl again, and took a small breath. When he didn’t go into a fit, he exhaled gently. “Good. Keep doing that until I come back for that bowl. It will help heal your lungs.” She stepped away with a parting touch on his head.

Daisy took the spot that Madam Pomfrey vacated, and the Mediwitch motioned for the adults to follow her. She led them just outside the infirmary door, and closed it save for a sliver that she could still see Phelan through.

“He’s in bad shape. That silver has seared his lungs and the inside of his nose. Breathing is agony at best. If he doesn’t dispel all of that silver soon it will poison him. He could very well die.” She said. Lucius stood stiffly as Hermione’s small hand found his. “And the girl…she’s…the connection they share is strong. Her discomfort at his condition is upsetting him, and in turn she’s feeding off of his negative emotion. She either needs to calm down or move away from him.” Madam Pomfrey said.

“I can help with that.”

The group was startled by the voice behind them, and turned to see Tom Rowan standing there, still in his dress robes.

“I’m a good distraction.” He said, and Lucy poked her head out of his pocket. Hermione looked at the little snake’s head, and back at the strange looking young man.

His eye makeup was as thick that night as it ever was, and smudged artistically to accentuate his powdery blue eyes. And a fresh layer of bleach had been added to his hair, making it almost stark white, a powerful contrast to his dark eyebrows.

“Is that a snake in your pocket?” Hermione asked.

“Mr. Rowan is our resident Parselmouth. Harmless, really.” Denebola said. He hated how that boy was able to sneak about. Even his own heightened senses were unable to pick that one boy up. Any other child could never sneak up on or away from him. But Tom Rowan was a mystery.

“This is Lucy. Say hi, Lucy.” Tom said, and the little serpent dipped her head in greeting.

“And you think you can serve as an adequate emotional distraction for my cousin?” Lucius asked, his glacial blue eyes narrowed at the young man. He was suspicious. Parslemouths were suspicious. The last Snaketongue he had known had totally screwed over him and his family.

“Yes. Daisy and Phelan are both my friends. I will do what is in my power to help. And since I am no Mediwizard, I can be a distraction.” He said, and rocked back and forth on his feet a little.

“Then by all means, Mr. Rowan. Work your magic.” Lucius said, and motioned a hand towards the door. The group of adults parted, and Tom walked between them. He pushed open the door, and Daisy looked up as he entered.

“I don’t suppose I have to ask what house he’s in?” Lucius asked Denebola. The vampiric Headmaster shook his head, but gave a small smile after the boy.

“Tom is a bit rough around the edges, but-”

“-Tom?” Lucius interrupted, not quite sure he’d heard correctly. “The Parselmouth Slytherin’s name is Tom?” he asked, moving forward. Aladfar actually put his hand on Lucius’ shoulder to stop him.

“Tom is friends with Daisy and Phelan. Those are the only friends he has in this school. Everyone else avoids him like the plague for those exact reasons. He would never harm them. He has a soul, Lucius, and it’s quite intact. He’s a good boy.” Denebola said fervently. Lucius locked gazes with the red-eyed wizard, but then stilled. He looked into the infirmary to see what the enigmatic young student would do.

“Hey, Daisy. That was quite a battle of wits you pulled off.” Tom said. Daisy looked up, and sniffled. She gave him a watery smile. Phelan’s ears twitched, but he relaxed marginally when he heard the familiar voice.

“Darla’s usually all bark. But today she decided to bite.” Daisy said, watching as Phelan breathed the healing mist.

“You know, I bet that silver powder doesn’t feel too great.” Tom commented. Daisy looked at him as if he’d sprouted another head.

“Really? And here I thought we were just extending the party.” Daisy snapped. She didn’t notice Phelan’s hands shaking a bit more. Her anger was affecting him as well.

“I was just going to say that if it were me…I’d want a little time to myself to suffer in peace. Not that he doesn’t enjoy your company, Daisy, but you’re emotionally suffocating him.” Tom said. Daisy’s brow furrowed, and she turned to Phelan.

“Really? Do…do you want to be by yourself?” she asked. He turned his head to her, but a few raw coughs made him turn back to the bowl. “It’s okay. I’ll just go change out of my dress, and maybe get your room ready for the full moon. It’s supposed to rain this weekend, and I would assume you want to stay inside.” Daisy said. Tom raised an eyebrow. Phelan really had become a spoiled little wolf. Staying inside because it would rain? Priceless.

And so Daisy leaned forward and scratched Phelan behind the ear gently. He twitched his lips in response, and heard her get up, and leave her post beside him. She walked through the doors, and looked at the adults standing there.

“If anyone needs me, I’ll be in our rooms changing.” Daisy said, and continued down the hallway.

~~

With the promise of frequent visits, Hermione and Lucius decided that between Daisy and Madam Pomfrey, Phelan was well taken care of. And so they returned home. As soon as they left the floo, Lucius took Hermione’s hand, and turned her towards him.

“We were interrupted.” He said. She nodded. “I asked you a question. Have you thought of your answer?” he asked. She nodded again. “Well?” he asked hopefully. She opened her mouth to speak, but jumped when the floo flared green once more.

Lucius looked over with a snarl on his face as Harry Potter stepped through.

“Mr. Potter, this better be a life-or-death situation, because Hermione and I are in the middle of something, and this is the second time we’ve been interrupted.” He snapped, looking murderous. Harry blinked.

“Oh…sorry. I tried to floo-call, but you didn’t answer. I just assumed you were ignoring me…” he said. “I just wanted to know what you both were doing on March 3rd.” he asked. Lucius blinked.

“I have no idea. It’s not really important to me at this moment. Anything else?”

“Lucius! Don’t be rude to Harry!” Hermione scolded. “Why, Harry?” she asked, turning to the bespectacled young man.

“Hogwarts is having the Third Annual Celebration for the defeat of the Dark Lord. I’m supposed to give a speech, but I don’t want to go alone. I was wondering if I might borrow you for that day, Hermione? But I figured Lucius wouldn’t let you go alone, so I wanted to know if you both wanted to come?” he asked, looking a bit hopeful. Lucius looked at the pathetic expression on Harry’s face, and then saw that Hermione was trying her darndest to give him the ‘puppy dog’ eyes.

“Fine!” he hissed. “If it means you’ll leave right this moment I will accompany Hermione.” He said. He hadn’t gone to the past two, but Harry was right in the assumption that he wouldn’t let Hermione go alone. Harry grinned.

“Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. Er….I’ll just leave now.” He said, and took a handful of floo powder from above the mantle. He disappeared in a whoosh of emerald flame, and Lucius turned back to Hermione.

“Finally! I think the gods are trying to give me a coronary.” He said. She smiled at him.

“Lucius…to say I was surprised when you asked me would be an understatement. I was shocked. But I was also very pleased. Pleased to think that you want to spend the rest of your life with me. But there is one question I want to ask you before I give my answer.” She said.

“And that is?” he asked, her nervousness almost tangible around him.

“Are you just asking me because I’m pregnant?” she asked. He took a deep breath.

“I will not lie and say that your situation did not hasten my decision. I bought that ring shortly after I found out you were carrying my child. But I wanted to make sure that I could be with you for the rest of my life before I did make that commitment. There is no divorce in the Magical world. But let me make this clear: I will not be forced into making a decision that I don’t want to make. If I didn’t want you to marry me, I would not have asked.

No child between us could have made me change my mind. If I was just worried about the child, there are many loopholes I could go through to ensure stability. But that’s not the only reason. I told you that I love you, and I meant it. I want to make a life with you, Hermione, and so I asked you to be my wife.” He said. She gave him a brilliant smile.

“A wonderful answer. And I have an answer for you.” She said. He leaned forward slightly. “Yes.” She said. He leaned down and captured her mouth in a searing kiss. Surprised, she stood unresponsive for a moment, before her arms wrapped around his neck and she began to kiss him back. When they finally broke the kiss, he gazed down at her fondly. After a few moments, his blonde brows furrowed slightly, and he looked confused.

“Did Mr. Potter call me Lucius?”

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Did he? *reads back the words* Why yes, yes he did. Hmm...I wonder what hilarity and shenanigans could happen at a celebration for the defeat of Voldemort? I DUNNO, YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO KEEP READING, WON'T YOU??

Anyway, I look forward to hearing from you all.