Amorem Consentit

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Chapter VI: Guilt Trip

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Draco groaned as he nipped at Hermione's neck on the couch in his father's study. Who cared if the old man never showed up? He almost sobbed when Hermione grabbed his arse and pulled him close to her mussed form.

"Touch me Draco."

He was very glad to oblige, but just as his hand was reaching to touch, the study's door slammed open loudly.

“There will be no debauchery in my study,” Lucius said loudly, slamming the study's door closed.

Hermione kissed at Draco's chin as her hand tugged at his belt. Draco smirked as he moved his arm so his father could see Hermione nipping at him.

Lucius' patience had waned. He sent a stinging charm at the boy.

Draco yelped as he fell off the sofa. Hermione fell next to him, and she stroked his face.

"Are you all right, Lover?"

Draco smiled at her and pulled her into a hug.

“I apologize for my son's behavior,” Lucius said and kissed Hermione's hand.

Hermione smiled and allowed herself to be helped to her feet by Lucius.

"It may have been my fault," Hermione said, looking at Draco with rosy cheeks and shining eyes.

“The boy is a deviant,” Lucius murmured, holding her hand a few moments longer than proper.

Hermione couldn't help it. She giggled, and she pecked Lucius on the cheek.

"Are you always so honorable, Mr. Malfoy?"

“Of course, my Lady. A proper wizard always is. Unlike my unruly son, I know how to keep my manners.” Lucius sneered at his son as he noticed the boy's state of arousal.

Draco grinned sloppily up at his sire.

"You know, Father, one might suppose that you are jealous.” Draco said.

“Don't talk nonsense, Boy,” Lucius reprimanded him, his gaze still locked with the beautiful witch.

Hermione giggled as Draco rose to stand.

"Allow me to escort you to a seat, my dear?" Draco said, offering his arm to Hermione.

“Oh, sure,” Hermione murmured, finally letting go of the older Malfoy

Lucius almost growled as the witch twined her arms through his son's. Draco winked at his father as he led his future bride to the loveseat.

“We are meeting today to discuss your wedding,” Lucius said sternly, glaring at his son.

Hermione draped her cheek on Draco's arm and wove her fingers together with him.

“First and foremost, there will be no debauchery before the wedding.”

She drew his hand up and kissed it.

"No debauchery will occur," Draco said, glaring at his sire.

"I would venture that it may have already happened," Lucius said, frowning at the witch as she snuggled against the boy's side.

She ought to be with a man.

Suddenly, the loveseat shifted its shape to two hard backed seats. Draco and Hermione were pried apart.

"Draco," Hermione yelped, reaching for his hand.

“We will discuss it all business-like,” Lucius said as he sat down at his desk.

“There will be no improper behaviors from now on.'

"Father, that wasn't necessary," Draco said.

Hermione pouted as she was drawn around the desk to sit at Lucius' side.

“I know what you both did last night,” Lucius said gravely. Hermione blushed deep red.

"You gave me the 'go ahead'" Draco said, leaning back and trying to get comfortable in the seat.

“I thought you'd be a gentleman,” Lucius huffed.

Hermione looked at Lucius and tried to scoot away from him.

"Can we just talk about the wedding? It will be taking place in three days, and we don't have any plans for it," Hermione asked, and she looked between father and son.

“What? Not three day, three weeks, my dear,” Lucius purred.

"Draco and I want to move the wedding up," Hermione said, biting her lip as she looked at Draco who sat in his chair looking just like a niffler that had found a whole pile of gold.

“Tradition dictates that there's a month's preparation time,” Lucius said thoughtfully. “As head of the family, I insist on it.”

"But the Marriage Law," Hermione began.

"Allows for there to be three months," Lucius said as his fingers tightened around his cane. "I can make you wait that long. Allows us to follow tradition.”

Draco looked at his father.

"You and mother married after a two week engagement," he said. "What is good for the gander apparently is not so good for the gosling?"

“A formal, planned wedding will show that you are a respectable witch,” Lucius purred and turned to Hermione. “My previous marriage was arranged, and I agreed to her wish to fast-forward the process.”

Hermione flushed at Lucius' rumble and his smile. What girl could last in a house such as this one?

"I don't think that I could wait three weeks," Hermione said, her cheeks glowed as she looked at her fiancé.

“I will move into the chaperone room next to yours,” Lucius said, “to avoid any debauchery occurring.”

Draco straightened from his satisfied repose. "You can't do that!"

“I will and I can. I am the head of the family. The lady will not be disrespected here.”

"We are approaching the twenty-first century, Father," Draco said, slamming a hand down on the desk.

“And even nowadays a lady deserves proper treatment. A hot headed boy doesn't understand that.”

"Let's talk of the wedding," Hermione said, not wanting to see Lucius and Draco fight anymore.

She put a hand on Lucius' knee as she saw him clenching his cane.

“We will go and get your wedding dress,” Lucius said, turning to Hermione. “The hot head will stay at home to chill his libido.”

"I won't let her go anywhere alone with YOU!" Draco said, pulling his own wand out.

Hermione yelped and quickly put herself between them.

“You will have to,” Lucius said, disarming the boy wandlessly. “Tradition demands it.”

"STOP THIS BOTH OF YOU!" Hermione cried, looking back and forth at both of them. Surely her frenetic voice would make them stop. "STOP IT!"

“Dear Hermione, calm down,” Lucius said taking her hands in his. “The Malfoy temper is always hot, but you know that tradition demands that the groom doesn’t see the dress before the wedding.”

"I don't want to feel as if I am the center of your arguments," Hermione said as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I don't want to be responsible for the destruction of a father/son relationship."

"Especially as tight a bond as you two always seemed to have."

“The boy needs to be disciplined. He will respect his wife and not see her as a tool for pleasure.”

Hermione pulled her hands free of his and covered her face.

“Now now, dearest, don't be upset,” Lucius said soothingly petting her hair.

Draco glared at his father as Hermione wrapped her arms around him accepting Lucius' comfort. Hopefully, Draco would get the hint.

“Draco, you will remain at the Manor whilst I start the necessary wedding preparations with Miss Granger.”

"I will n--"

"No more fighting," Hermione said, stomping her little foot.

She went and kissed Draco's cheek, petting his hair and asking him to obey his father.

Draco frowned as he tugged her close. "I don't trust him, Love."

“He's your father, Draco!” she reprimanded him.

Draco pouted as she pulled away from him.

"And I agree, no more getting so physical till the wedding night. Your father is very upset about this point, and as we are in his house, we need to respect his wishes."

“But Love, he is an old shriveled jerk!”

"Do not talk about your father that way," Hermione said, smacking Draco's cheek in a fit.

She stalked away from Draco and took Lucius' arm.

“Don't be so harsh on your fiancé,” Lucius murmured, secretly happy that he had won.

"My father died two months ago of heart disease, and he didn't even remember me as I sent my parents away to be where they would be safe."

“I understand your pain, Hermione. It is very sad to lose a parent to an illness. My father died of Dragon Pox, being too stubborn to get treatment.”

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Malfoy," Hermione said, kissing each of Lucius' hands in her sorrow.

“Time has healed that wound. I hope it will do so with yours too.”

"Let's go and look for a wedding dress," Hermione said, sniffing as she forced a smile.

“Yes, the carriage should be waiting,” Lucius said taking her hand. He could hear sounds of something heavy breaking within the mansion. Probably, Draco was having a hissy fit.

"But I want you and Draco to apologize first. I don't want anything to happen to either of you leaving this as your last memory."

“He knows that he is wrong. Nothing will happen to us,” Lucius said and pulled the witch close for a tight embrace.

"I'm not going anywhere till you apologize," Hermione hissed, pushing Lucius away.

"You're going to kiss and make up."

Hermione pointed her wand at Lucius' nose.

“Alright, my dear, as you wish,” Lucius said and strode off to the area where most of the noise came from.

Hermione followed after him.

"BOY!"

"GO AWAY! I HATE YOU!"

“Draco!” Hermione yelled seeing how he had thrashed the ornate dining room.

Hermione grasped her heart, and she fell into a chair.

“Hermione!” Draco yelled in shock and run to her.

"OH my heart, my poor heart," Hermione wailed, wobbling a bit in the chair.

Lucius dropped to his knees and looked at her.

"What is wrong, my dear?"

"You are slowly killing me!" Hermione said, and she scowled at both Lucius and Draco as she clutched her heart.

“I didn't intend to, Love,” Draco begged, looking like a lost puppy.

"Apologize to your father!" Hermione covered her face.

“I'm sorry, Father,” Draco said but didn’t really mean it.

Hermione grasped her heart, and moaned loudly. "You have to mean it!"

"I'm sorry, Father," Draco said as Hermione continued to moan in agony.

“Not good enough,” she murmured through her moans.

"You need to hug." She peered through her fingers as she said this.

Draco opened his arms awkwardly.

Lucius made a disgusted face and opened his own arms. He patted his child's back awkwardly.

"Closer," Hermione moaned.

They both did as ordered, though their expressions showed utter misery.

"Smile."

They smiled awkwardly as the fake smiles didn’t reach their eyes.

“Now kiss!” she ordered boldly.

"I'm ready to go shopping now, Mr. Malfoy," Hermione said, after each had pecked the other's cheek. She reached weakly for Lucius' arm.

He quickly took it and helped her to stand as she continued to clutch her heart. Lucius cupped her face.

"Are you quite certain you are alright?"

"Quite certain,” Hermione said, putting on a brave smile.

“Yes, yes...if Draco would be so kind to bring the room back to order whilst we are away?”

"Of course," Draco said, looking his fiancée over before leaning over and kissing her cheek.

“Be good,” she murmured as she looked at Draco for the last time. He was gorgeous even in his disheveled state.

Hermione looked at the floor smirking in delight as Lucius helped her out to the carriage.

"Thank you," she murmured as Lucius helped her up keeping his hands on her waist to keep her steady the whole time.

For a moment Hermione felt self-conscious. The outfit she was wearing today was deliberately sexy.

"Will you fetch me a cloak, Lucius?" Hermione said as she gently relaxed on the soft seat.

“Dearest, it is not too cold for you, now is it?” Lucius asked worriedly.

"I just want to be prepared," Hermione said, smiling softly at him.

Men were so easy to play.

"Of course, dearest," Lucius said.

Her outfit was in a light gold color, tight on her hips and showing off her backside, the front plunging very low sowing off the valley between her breasts, a Malfoy emerald necklace snaking down to her navel.

Lucius returned with a warm green cloak to match her necklace, and he draped it around her shoulders before taking a seat across from her.

The sight of her was too much. He shouldn't be exposed to such beauty. No wonder the boy was a puddle of lust.

Lucius knew that if he would've had the chance, he would've married the girl. She was smart, gorgeous, powerful... and very alluring.

"You are so good to me, Mr. Malfoy," Hermione said in a firm tone.

“I must take good care of my family,” he smiled in return, glad that she didn't know his thoughts.

He would've loved to be able to show her the finer points of seduction.

Hermione smiled as she felt the soft landing of the coach in the high class end of magical London.

Lucius was gorgeous too. How could she live together with two gorgeous males?

The door popped open magically and Lucius descended quickly, and he offered his hand to her to help her down.

She hadn't been much in this district as the prices were far out of her range. Lucius made sure she was close to him when they walked to the bridal store. She would have the best of everything even if she were meant to be the wife of his son. The little brat didn't deserve her.

Hermione gasped at the finery around her.

"Mr. Malfoy," a woman with a wide, obsequious smile came walking smoothly to them. "I have heard of the soon marriage of your only son."

“News spreads fast, doesn’t it?” Lucius said and ignored the saleswitch.

“We have the finest wedding dresses from Paris and Milan. The new collection just arrived!” the saleswitch said cheerfully, eyeing Hermione and her jewels.

Hermione gasped as she spotted a beautiful white silk with gold lilies lining the lower edge.

“Can I try it on?” she asked, feeling like a kid in a candy shop. She had always loved wedding dresses.

"Of course, my dear. You will be the most radiant bride. Won't she Mr. Malfoy?"

The saleswitch gathered up the dress and smiled as she motioned toward the changing room.

The Malfoys were ideal clients. Spending more galleons than any other family in a year.

The dress fit Hermione perfectly. Sure it made her chest appear huge, but she was sure that Draco would like that.

She smiled as she looked at the long belled sleeves also with gold lilies sown around the edge.

“The embroidery is done with real gold thread. The bodice is embroidered with real diamonds-fit for a princess!” the saleswitch chattered on.

Hermione wondered just how big the price tag for this was when Lucius entered the dressing room.

“You look perfect, my dear! Draco will surely appreciate it. The gold embroidery is a nice reminder of your house colors, too,” Lucius said, placing his hands on her hips.

"It's too expensive," Hermione said, tracing the edge of the silky sleeves. It was the perfect dress.

“For you, nothing is too expensive,” Lucius purred as he tore of the price tag and gave it to the saleswitch.

Twenty thousand Galleons were nothing to him.

"I can't let you do that. I will only wear it once," Hermione protested.

“It will be one of the most important days in your life though. It's my treat. Don't worry about it.”

“But Mr. Malfoy it is too expensive!” she tried to reason with the blond wizard.

"My dear, it doesn't even dent the interest that I make," Lucius said, taking her hand. "It is nothing to me."

“Absolutely nothing,” he whispered in her ear.

"You're sure? It is so very much," Hermione said, looking up into Lucius' eyes.

“For you, I will give anything,” he said sincerely.

“Mr. Malfoy...” she tried to protest, but the depth of his eyes caught her breath.

Lucius smiled and drew her hands to his lips.

The touch of his lips on her skin was so soft, so perfect. He didn't have the feral passion Draco possessed. Lucius was finer, more thoughtful, but it made her skin tingle.

Hermione had to admit that Lucius was a fine looking man. If she wasn't already affianced to Draco, she might've found liking in the older Malfoy.

He was a true gentleman.

He was gentle and sweet. Not prone to fits of destruction.

But he had the same, perfectly pale skin and no typical old age sagging. If she hadn't known his age, she'd never thought him more than ten years older than herself.

"Why don't you go ahead and get dressed, my dear? I thought that we might also go and get you the Malfoy engagement ring. Draco has been lax in his duties."

“Alright, Lucius,” Hermione said relieved that she was free of his intense gaze.

Lucius brushed one of his gloved hands over her cheek.

He couldn’t help himself.

Hermione blushed a little as she retreated behind the curtain.

Lucius smiled as he moved out into the proper store and walked to the jewelry counter.

He looked down at all the gaudy over priced baubles.

He had never been so attracted to a woman before.

Gazing at Hermione in her wedding dress he had wished that she was his bride.

He wouldn't give her some overpriced bauble as her wedding jewels. He would order a unique style from his trusted Goblin Jewelers.

It was pure torture to think of her curves, of the way her skin felt so soft.

"Are you sure about paying so much for a dress, Mr. Malfoy?" Hermione asked.

“Of course. Narcissa picked a hundred thousand Galleon dress, so I see no reason why I would find yours too expensive.”

He needed to get out of this wedding shop. It was too much for him to think of all the what-ifs.

Hermione gaped at him and she took his hand.

He had thought he'd contracted a girl who would look plain and bushy haired for his son's obsession, but he'd never imagined she'd be a little goddess.

"Does it hurt?" Hermione asked as Lucius helped her into the carriage.

“What hurts?” Lucius asked trying to appear nonchalant.

"Thinking about Narcissa?"

“We'll go now to Gringotts to set you access to our vaults,” he said trying to distract her. “That woman...no it doesn't hurt. She didn't love me at all. I think I am a man doomed to be never loved.” He looked out of the carriage window and sighed.

"Everybody is meant to be loved," Hermione said, moving to sit at his side. She took his hand and squeezed it.

“Not me,” Lucius said, trying to ignore the fact that she was close.

"Why do you say that?" Hermione asked, reaching over and turning his face to look at her.

“I have done bad things in my life...been mislead by people. And I am nothing more than the Galleons in my vaults.”

Hermione didn't want to believe it. Lucius was a man who had made his mistakes, but so had everyone else.

"You have been very kind to me, given the circumstances of my engagement to your son. I expected you to spit on me the moment you saw me. I beg your forgiveness for this, but you were always a bit frightening to me as a child. And you did try to cruciate me. You have been far more than I could have expected."

“I know. I am sorry for all I have done. I know you might feel horrible sharing a carriage with me.”

"Not at all, Mr. Malfoy. I can't think of a man I would rather share a carriage with," Hermione said, lifting his hand and kissing it.

“But I am an old and horrible man,” he argued, not pulling his hand away from her.

"DON'T talk like that. You are not old in the slightest. If I did not know your age, I would guess you at maybe thirty years of age. You have certainly not been horrible to me in the slightest."

“Hermione, you are just being nice. You don't have to be.”

Hermione drew her index finger over his hand.

“How can I make you believe me?” she asked.

Lucius felt something tingle in his heart. It felt different. After his divorce, witches were after him for his Galleons. None of them showed the sincerity and care Hermione did. He gulped.

He couldn't let himself feel like that.

The carriage door swung open.

"If you would prefer, I can collect the ring on my own so you don't have to deal with those horrible carts. And I will bring a key out for you.”

“You don't want to be seen with me?"

“No, the exact opposite! I am proud to be seen with a witch like you! I had thought you'd be ashamed of me,” Lucius murmured.

"I am proud to be seen with you," Hermione said, taking Lucius' hand as he helped her down in front of the gorgeous white marble bank.

Dozens of people around the bank stared at them as they walked into the bank arm in arm.

Hermione just smiled brightly and didn't seem to notice anyone's whispers.

Lucius held her as close as his manners allowed. She was so brave. And not ashamed of him at all.

"She is only with him for money," came a whisper.

Lucius ignored that and purposely strode to the VIP client till.

"Key please," a goblin demanded.

Lucius showed them his vault key and the goblin nodded.

"This way!" he said, taking the key and leading them to a rickety cart.

Hermione followed Lucius in awe. She hadn't been to ancient vaults before.

Hermione gasped as they raced through a room bright as noon day with a dozen tiny waterfalls flowing down into nothingness.

That was when the rail the cart ran on seemed to drop out.

Hermione screamed and buried her face in Lucius' arm.

Lucius quickly wrapped an arm around her slender waist and pulled her against him.

“Now, now dear, nothing to be worried about,” he soothed.

Hermione clung to his arm.

“I know you've not been to this part of the bank, but it's not really bad.”

"I hate heights," Hermione whimpered.

“Just hold on to me, sweet,” Lucius assured her, kissing her cheek gently.

The cart finally came to a stop, and Hermione still hadn't taken her face from where it was snuggled in Lucius' arm.

She felt secure and comfortable. He would not let her get hurt.

"We're here," Lucius said.

Her emotions were in turmoil. Draco was so sexy, but Lucius made her feel special...

"Would you rather wait in the cart?" Lucius asked, petting her hair.

“No, I'll come with you,” she answered, gripping Lucius arm tightly.

There was an ornate alcove with several vaults. Lucius went to the smallest door and opened the vault.

It was the Malfoy Jewelry vault, all pieces laid out to display to their owners.

Rows and rows of the finest a woman would ever want.

Hermione gazed at them all as the lighting hit them perfectly.

Hermione had never been one who craved baubles, but her eyes were almost blinded by the sparkle of jewels.

Lucius walked straight to the small hexagonal counter at the back. He tapped the glass, and it vanished.

A single ring box appeared. It was the Malfoy engagement ring.

He hadn't given it to Narcissa. Initially he had forgotten, later he didn't have the feeling to give it to her.

He opened the old velvety box and looked at the ring.

It was an elegant old white gold ring with gorgeous clear two carat princess cut diamond in between two one carat emeralds.

Narcissa would've found it too simple. But the ring was the symbol of the Lady Malfoy. Lucius stepped forward to her.

He looked at the engraving on the inside.

Amor omnia vincit.

Hermione felt a pull towards that ring. It was simpler than the dozens of others displayed here. But it seemed to have a grander meaning.

"I will have Draco give it to you tonight," Lucius said storing the ring in his pocket.

“Can't you give it to me?” Hermione asked, slightly disappointed.

"I don't know that it is fitting for me to do so. Draco should've given it to you yesterday,” Lucius murmured.

“But he didn't!” Hermione protested.

“The boy is often scatterbrained,” Lucius smiled sheepishly.

He knew that giving her the ring would be intimate. Too intimate for his standing. He was going to be her father-in-law, not her husband.

“It's alright,” Hermione said, seeing Lucius' distress. "It would mean a lot if you gave it to me. You are the head of the family. It is your right to decide who wears it, your right to decide who enters the family."

Lucius looked at the bright eyed witch. He wanted to give it to her. He wanted to make her part of the family. With trembling hands, he took the box out of his pocket. Ever so slowly, he took the ring out of its velvet home and took Hermione's hand.

Hermione smiled into his eyes.

He slid the ring carefully onto her finger, his heart fluttering madly.

He felt a light breeze of magic encircle them.

Hermione smiled up at him and stepped in sliding her arms around his waist.

Lucius felt weak in his knees. It was too much for him. He leaned against her.

She gently stroked his silky hair and felt him sigh.

"Thank you, Lucius Malfoy," Hermione whispered.

“Welcome to the family, Hermione,” he said and felt something warm and pure for the witch.

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Well, hope that you all like. Please drop a review.

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