Laying the Blame

Disclaimer: Obviously, not mine.

A/N: Thanks for all the reviews as well as your patience and support!

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Laying the Blame

Chapter 6

“I just think I have some rights, is all,” Hermione stated in a quiet, desperate voice.

“You do have rights,” he replied just as quietly but perhaps not as desperately. “I have had a long tortuous night. I just want to get some sleep.”

“It is just not fair!” she pouted, uncharacteristically.

“Hermione, love, tell me what it is that you want.”

“I don’t know, Draco,” she said blushing. She really didn’t think she would have to explain it to him. Obviously, lying down beside him and kissing him wasn’t cluing him in.

“If you don’t…”

“Sex!” she exclaimed, tired of it all. “Okay? Is that too much to ask from my husband?”

The look he gave her made her feel ashamed of her outburst.

“I just thought we could share our fantasies. You know…”

She knew it was a losing battle as he bowed his head. He couldn’t even look at her.

“You’ve shagged Harry already tonight, haven’t you?”

She held up her hand as he was about to speak. “Never mind. Of course you have. Silly Hermione.”

Draco gently touched her arm. “I know this is difficult. It is an impossible situation for us all. Please…”

The young witch shrugged his hand away.

“You don’t know anything, Draco,” she stated irritably. “Everyone has someone except for me. It’s not just about sex. One of the reasons I got married was so I wouldn’t be lonely anymore. Imagine how much worse this feels.”

“But you aren’t alone, Hermione,” he said reassuringly. “Harry and I both care about you.”

“I know you mean well, but believe me when I tell you that right now you are not helping.”

Hermione turned away from her husband and grabbing her night robe walked out of the room. She needed to be alone to think.

As she wandered through the dark mansion she thought about what Draco had said. She did feel for Harry and Draco. She knew it was hard for them having to hide their love. Was she being selfish?

Probably.

But she didn’t care. She was always being the selfless one. She was always the one to help others even when they didn’t want her help. S.P.E.W. quickly came to mind.

When was it her turn to be happy?

Hermione wasn’t one to feel sorry for herself for long. She just needed to think things through. Using logic, she could put it all in perspective.

Her husband was gay. In love with her best friend. This was not a real marriage.

Lucius wanted her. Of that she had no doubt. He was probably just playing with her, but so what? She wasn’t expecting declarations of love from him. She wasn’t sure she would even want that.

Why didn’t she just take what he was offering?

She had morals and values; it was against everything she believed in.

So the bottom line, Hermione dear, she told herself, is that you can stay true to your beliefs and have intimate contact with your husband once in a while when he isn’t screwing your best friend or you can have an affair with your father-in-law and feel terrible about it.

She felt terrible now. Could she feel much worse?

Not really.

Perhaps she should give Lucius a chance. Just the thought of the blonde wizard excited her. Memories of their dance together came back to her. He was so damn sexy. She remembered his voice in her ear as he whispered his fantasies to her.

It was amazing how quickly she became aroused when she thought of him. The aching need that had never really gone away once again dominated her. She wanted him. She needed him.

Why should she deny herself?

Hermione realized with a shock that she was standing outside Lucius’ study. That wasn’t where she meant to go…or was it?

She moved closer to the closed door and pressed her ear to it. Was he in there? She couldn’t be sure. She tried to open the door but it was locked. Of course he would lock his study. She hesitantly knocked on the door.

No answer.

He was probably in bed. With Narcissa.

A pang of jealousy ran through her. How silly she thought. To be jealous of his wife.

Frustrated but unwilling to return to her room, Hermione headed to the kitchen. Maybe she could get a little snack. She hadn’t eaten much at the party.

As soon as she entered the Malfoy kitchen she realized she was not alone. Lucius presence seemed to fill the entire room. He was dressed in pajamas and a robe and Hermione thought he looked even more desirable than usual. His hair fell forward across his face as he studied the cup he held in his hand. Suddenly aware of her presence he looked up.

“My dear,” he drawled carelessly. “What are you doing up? Trouble sleeping?” He raised an eyebrow and smirked at her and Hermione had the impression he knew exactly what was keeping her awake.

Just as well she thought. No time like the present.

Hermione walked slowly over to the older wizard.

“I was thinking of our dance, Lucius,” she replied huskily. “I was disappointed when it ended.”

A quick intact of breath was the only indication that her words had an effect on him. He was leaning on the counter and stood up as she approached. When she was standing within inches of him, she stopped and touched his arm.

“Perhaps we could continue now,” she stated looking up into his handsome face. He seemed to be caught in a trance as he looked down at her.

“As you wish,” he whispered softly as he bent down and kissed her gently on the cheek. He lingered, his breath caressing her skin. Hermione closed her eyes, concentrating on the intense sensations caused by his closeness. His musky scent aroused her more. Gone was the smell of cologne. He must have showered she thought, because now the scent was his alone.

“Lucius,” she moaned, needing him to touch her. The agonizing seconds ticked by as he slowly captured her mouth.

Time and place melted away as she wrapped her hands in his silky hair pulling him closer. He kissed her passionately as his hand wandered down to capture her breast. The thin cotton nightgown hid nothing from his reach and Hermione arched into his touch.

His hand moved lower, lightly touching her stomach.

Oh God yes!

Lucius broke the kiss and watched her intently as his hand trailed lower. Hermione breathlessly waited for him to reach his goal as the anticipation became excruciating.

Suddenly, he turned her around and pulled her toward him. She could feel his arousal against her bottom. He kissed her neck and spread his hands across her stomach. Her hands covered his and she wondered what he would do if she pushed them further down. The need for him to touch her was overwhelming and she didn’t know how much longer she could wait. Before she could give in to the temptation, he was whispering to her.

“I have something for you, my dear.”

“Give it to me then,” she begged petulantly.

That elicited a chuckle from Lucius as he moved away from her. Hermione’s sigh was filled with irritation.

“Patience, my dear,” he smirked.

Lucius withdrew a small box from the pocket of his robe. He smiled as he held it out to her.

Hermione was not even curious. She didn’t care what was in the box. She knew what she wanted and it was within her reach. Damn the man!

“Open it, Hermione,” he commanded.

She grabbed the present from him quickly. Anything to get back to what they had been doing. She opened the small box to find a delicate necklace inside. It was beautiful, she thought as she ran her finger over the green stone. It resembled an emerald but the green was lighter than she would have expected.

“It’s beautiful,” she exclaimed as he put it around her neck. He admired the way it settled against her skin. Several seconds ticked by as he gazed at the beautiful stone. Her breathing was shallow as her breast rose and fell underneath his intent stare.

“Lovely,” he murmured as he leaned down to kiss her lips softly.

Hermione reached up and touched his face.

“Lucius,” she began but stopped at the look in his eyes. Something was wrong. She could feel it.

He took her hand and moved it away. He stepped back and his face became a mask once again.

No! Her mind screamed at the injustice of it all. What was happening?

“Lucius,” she began again.

“Hermione,” the blonde wizard stated with finality. “Go back to your husband.”