Love Thy Enemy

CHAPTER 6: On With the Show





“Do you think anyone will believe it?” Hermione called out from the bathroom. Lucius frowned as he tied the white bowtie for his dress robes. Why did she insist on talking to him?







“I don’t particularly care if the ministry believes it or not, as long as it looks as though things are perfectly wonderful between us.” He checked his onyx and diamond cufflinks and studs, and then slipped into the white silk waistcoat. He could hear her groaning softly from the other side of the door. “What are you doing?”





Hermione stepped from the bathroom and frowned at him.



“I can’t reach the blasted zipper.” She said, looking as though she might dislocate her shoulders trying to reach the fastening to the gown. Lucius was speechless. She looked beautiful in the designer gown. It was black satin and strapless with a ruched bust above an empire waist. The skirt was long, brushing the tops of her feet with a side split that revealed just a hint of leg when she walked.







“Turn around.” Lucius said, clearing his throat when the words came out a bit strangled. He did not like the fact that he found the little chit arousing. But then again, the way she looked now was his doing. Hermione held the dress against her breasts as Lucius slid the zipper slowly up her back, stopping only to push her long hair out of his way. “There you are.” He said, stepping back as she slid her hands over the clinging black fabric.







“It really does feel nice.” She said, admiring her reflection in the mirror over his bureau.







“Well, quality garments usually do.” He said, attaching his pocket watch fob to his waistcoat and tucking the watch itself into the pocket. While he slid into his robes, he watched her slip her feet into a pair of black satin strapped sandals with a rather spindly heel.





“Don’t be a snob Lucius; if I could have afforded better clothing, I would have had them. Please don’t force me into having bad thoughts about you, I do love this dress and I would hate to wrinkle it.” She shoved her hair back over her shoulder and tucked a few strands behind her ear.







“Well from now on you are to wear only the best, you have access to my accounts, and I expect you to take advantage of it. Now, come here.” Lucius demanded as he opened a black and sliver bag that was sitting on his bureau. He began to withdraw several black leather jewelry cases.





“I’m not a dog Lucius, I don’t come on command.” She snapped, pulling on a pair of elbow length black gloves. Lucius looked up with a sly smile on his face.





“I could train you to.” He said, the light in his eyes made his meaning very clear.





“Happy thoughts, happy thoughts…..” Hermione repeated over and over again as she looked over the dozen or so boxes sitting on the wood surface. “What is all this?”







“I told you, I bought you some jewelry.” Lucius reached for a long, flat box and lifted the lid to reveal a diamond tennis bracelet set in platinum. Hermione’s eyes widened and her fingers went to her lips in surprise.





“For Merlin’s sake…” She gasped. Lucius pulled it from the black satin and reached for her arm, encircling her wrist with the sparkling bracelet.





“It’s just a bracelet.” Lucius said as though it were nothing. He was secretly pleased that she was so impressed with such simple jewelry, but he would never let her know that. The women of his acquaintance generally went for big, gaudy, flashy pieces that drew the attention and envy of those around them. Lucius figured she would not look appropriate in such extravagant pieces and had gone for understated elegance in his choices.





“I don’t wear jewelry, I don’t really have any.” She said, admiring the way it glittered in the lamplight.





“Well, now you do, and you will have all that you want, this is just to start your collection.” Lucius said, reaching for another box and presenting her with a pair of diamond studs the size of her fingertip.





“My goodness Lucius, it’s just so much…first the clothes and now this.” She carefully donned the earrings while Lucius set about showing her the other pieces he had bought for her. A watch, two necklaces, another bracelet in gold, gold hoop earrings, emerald and ruby studs, and in the final box was a diamond ring, oval shaped in a platinum setting just like the band given to them by the ministry. Lucius slid it onto her finger slowly.





“That plain band is ugly, and I won’t have anyone say that I can not provide my wife with a proper ring.”







“Is appearance that important to you that you are willing to go to all this trouble for someone you hate?” Hermione asked softly.







“In my life, appearances are everything Hermione.” Lucius said, checking his reflection one last time.





“I don’t think I thanked you, for the clothes, and now the jewelry. Thank you, it was very kind of you to see to my care, even though I know you don’t want to.” Lucius stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her expression was sincere, and she actually smiled slightly at him.





“You’re welcome. While I will not pretend that I am thrilled with this arrangement, you are legally my wife, and from now on I will see to it that you receive appropriate care and that all your needs are provided for.” He said quietly. He didn’t like her, but he would not mistreat her, though he may be tempted to from time to time.





“You look nice Lucius.” He was wearing traditional dress robes, black trousers and robes over a white shirt, tie and waistcoat, and he had tied his hair back at his nape with a black satin ribbon. He was handsome.





“You look lovely as well, for a mudblood.” Lucius smirked. It was getting a little too friendly and he wasn’t comfortable with that.





“See, you almost seemed human for a moment you pretentious ass!” Hermione snatched her little clutch from the bed and shoved a lip-gloss and a compact inside.





“Just out of curiosity, where do you have your wand….or need I ask?” Hermione glared at him. Was he implying she had her wand up her ass? Her thoughts almost strayed, but she effectively blocked them and smiled.





“Wouldn’t you like to know?” She turned and left the room, teetering slightly on the heels as she tried to get accustomed to them. Lucius laughed and followed her out, joining her at the bottom of the grand staircase in the foyer.





“I was only jesting; you aren’t going to hex me in public are you?” He reached into the closet and pulled out her new dress cloak. The long, mink cloak fastened at her throat with black satin ribbons and was lined with silk. She had fought him over the fur, not really wanting something so extravagant, but it had fallen on deaf ears and she had ended up with the cloak anyhow. He was at least gentleman enough to drape it over her shoulders before donning his own, fur trimmed woolen cloak and hat.







“I guess I should be grateful for the reminder, I almost liked you for a moment.” She said. To her surprise, Lucius did not step up to embrace her for disapparation; instead he opened the front door. “How are we getting to the theatre?” Lucius reached for her elbow and drew her to the door.



On the circular drive in front of the mansion sat a long, black, classic Rolls Royce, complete with liveried driver waiting for them.





“Oh my gods, Lucius do you own this car?” She asked, astonished.





“Of course I do, I wouldn’t dare rent a vehicle, you never know who has been in it.” He said, closing the door to the house and leading her down the stairs, mindful that she was still getting used to her shoes. “If you are interested I also own a coach and several horses. I don’t use the conveyances often, but decided that tonight I wanted to make a grand entrance to the theatre.”





Hermione slid into the back seat and literally sunk into the plush, black leather seat as Lucius sidled in beside her.





“So how exactly to we reach the theater? We are in Wiltshire.” She asked. Lucius smiled as the driver started the engine and the car rolled for a moment before lifting into the air and taking flight.