Losing No More Time

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Chapter VI

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Hermione walked out of the room chattering happily about what a great lesson it had been.


Lucius walked at her side.


“I can’t believe someone in your family designed such an amazing family of spells. You will have to show me more about how they work. Do you think the notes for their design might still be in the Manor somewhere? Do you know who actually designed them?” Hermione asked, tugging his sleeve a little and hopping.


“I’m sure if you want to see the notes if you want. A copy of the spell and the work in designing them is here at Hogwarts. Of course, the original is at Manor. I do know who designed them,” Lucius said, puffing with pride as he walked her toward Gryffindor Tower.


“Well?” Hermione asked as Lucius helped her through the portrait hole.


A raven winged over to them as they came in and it dropped a letter on Lucius’ head before it flapped out the window.


Lucius caught the letter and opened it. He smiled as he read the missive.


“What is it?” Hermione asked, reaching for the letter.


“Headmaster Snape had decided that since you were willing to let me use the Headboy room for one night that I can have it for the rest of the school year as he has been told of the projects we are working on together. He thinks it will be better this way to encourage us to be able to work as we are inspired without interruptions from the other students.”


“What?” Hermione snatched the letter. She scanned it quickly. “This is great!” She hugged him quickly. “We will definitely have the best grades. It will be the first time for Gryffindor to have such since the thirties or forties. We will win the House Cup now. Odd, the Headmaster facilitating that.”


Lucius gasped at the small arms wrapped around his chest. He placed a hand on her back and shifted his hips back a little so she wouldn’t feel his reaction to her soft, warm body.


“Well, what?” he asked, holding the door between the Head's study and the common room open and following her inside.


“Who designed them?” Hermione said, placing her books on the shelf abover her desk and organizing the graded assignments handed back earlier that day.


Lucius watched her with a smile as he walked to the sofa.


“Lucius Malfoy did,” Lucius said, puffing a little with pride as he sat down. "We got out early today. That's good."


“Really?” Hermione asked, walking over and sitting next to him. “Never would have thought he could do that.”


Lucius straightened in his chair and his eyes brightened, did she think his future self was mentally deficient or something?


“I didn’t mean it like that,” Hermione said, quickly reaching over and touching his hand.


Lucius raised an eyebrow at her and cut another green bean.


“I just mean that he doesn’t seem romantic enough to design something like the stars and heart that you did this afternoon,” Hermione said. “He always seems so…”


“So, what?” Lucius asked, leaning forward and looking into her eyes.


“Cold,” Hermione said. “The only time I saw him with his wife was at the World Cup, and he didn’t seem like he cared for her at all.”


“Why do you say that?”


“Come to that, why weren’t you at the World Cup?” Hermione asked, tilting her head at Lucius curiously.


“My existence was not meant to be common knowledge, so I have not been in public much at such events,” Lucius said, as he stood and placed his own bag on the desk next to Hermione's carefully organized one. “I think I deserve an answer for why you feel Lucius doesn’t care for his wife.”


Hermione looked at him strangely as she shifted to her knees leaning against the back of the sofa.


“He barely looked at her, and I don’t think he ever touched her. She looked…angry.”


“Well, those from my family’s circle are not used to public displays of affection. I would think you would be surprised by the situation at home,” Lucius said, not saying that it was probably a home where the mother lived on one side of the manor and the father the other with meetings being brief and only for the purpose of meals or for the sake of their child.


“What are they like?” Hermione asked, clearly interested.


“I don’t really know. I’ve not seen both for a number of years,” Lucius said stiffly as he arranged his carefully purchased items on the desk.


“I didn’t mean to pry,” Hermione said. “But you must understand that your father, Mr. Malfoy—of course, you are also Mr. Malfoy—well, I think he saved my life once. Given how he first greeted me, I have trouble understanding that. I don’t like those kinds of mysteries. It was very weird...and it frightened me a little. He was so vicious when he cursed someone away from me.”


Lucius smiled, “I don’t think you ever need to worry about a Malfoy hurting you, no matter your circumstance. We just don’t attack women, and we don’t allow others to do so. It is our nature. How we are raised.”


“Draco made my life hell and cast a ‘densaugeo’ curse on me,” Hermione said. “So don’t try that.”


“I would imagine that the spell was intended for another,” Lucius said, “And you have beautiful teeth.”


“Thank you,” Hermione said, looking up when her watch timed that it was five minutes till the boys were to arrive. “Well, it's about time for tea with the boys. Would you like to meet Harry?” I know he would enjoy meeting you.”


“I am happy to meet any to whom you desire to introduce me,” Lucius said, blushing a little.


Normally, witches weren’t so eager to introduce a wizard to their friends.


“He is like my brother,” Hermione said, “I was always keeping him focused to get his work done well and on time.”


“I should change,” Lucius said, looking down at his school robes.


“Why?” Hermione asked, looking at him. “You look very nice. Trust me, Harry and Ron will not bother to look fancy.”


“I would be more comfortable if I changed, Hermione,” Lucius said, “It’s just the way I was raised.”


“Okay,” Hermione said, smiling at him. “I was going to change as well. Though I just need to drop the student persona for now, as the boys will just tell me that I am being too serious,” she laughed a little. “And then I need to order the tea. Is there anything you are really fond of having with your tea?”


“I’m sure that whatever you order will be fine,” Lucius said, bowing to her before he went into his room to see packages on the bed.


He walked toward the bed and cast several spells over them to check for any enchantments before he untied the parcels. He gasped as he picked up a beautiful set of blue-grey robes. A note fluttered out and fell to the floor.


Lucius stooped and picked up the folded parchment. He opened it.


Lucius –

Just a few things we thought you might want.


Lucius ripped open the other packages and smiled as he saw course books, potions supplies, and several personal things, including an empty, leather-bound journal. He flipped through it counting, and frowned. It was an odd number of pages. He set it down on the bedside table and placed a bottle of ink that had been sent to him next to it and a quill on top of it.


Quickly, he changed into the fine blue-silver robes and walked out to the joint common room. He gasped when he saw the blue grey dress that Hermione was wearing.


She was busily arranging the tea set. She looked up when she heard the click of his door shutting.


“You look wonderful,” Hermione said, straightening up.


Lucius bowed to her, “You are gorgeous as always.”


Hermione smiled at him.


“Hermione,” Ron burst through the floo at 3:43 with Harry following behind him.


Ron scooped Hermione up again and spun her around.


“Put me down, Ron.” Hermione said, smacking his back lightly. “Put me down.”


Ron set her down, and she pulled back.


“Harry,” Hermione said, stepping around Ron and walking to the dark haired wizard. She wrapped her arms around him in a brief hug.


Harry grinned, “Hey Hermione, it’s good to see you. Having fun being here. You should have come with us. We could use you.”


“You know it is important to me to finish school,” Hermione said, “And there is someone I would like to introduce you to.”


Harry looked around and spotted Lucius standing behind one of the comfy chairs.


“Harry, this is Adonis Malfoy,” Hermione said, reaching over and taking Lucius’ arm and pulling him around.


“Hello,” Harry said, nodding slightly to Lucius.


Lucius bowed in return.


“Adonis, this is Harry Potter,” Hermione said, smiling up at the blond wizard.


“It’s an honor Mr. Potter,” Lucius said.


“It is,” Harry agreed politely.


Ron flopped into a chair, and Lucius blinked slowly to keep his composure.


“Please sit down,” Hermione said, gesturing to the sofa and other empty chair.


Harry moved to the other chair, and Lucius sat on the sofa watching as Hermione sat down at his side and made tea as requested by her friends.


“Thanks Herms,” Harry said, taking the cup as she offered it to him.


Ron made a hand gesture of thanks and set his tea on the table next to him.


“Thank you, Hermione,” Lucius said, inclining his head gently.


“You’re welcome,” Hermione said, passing the plate of biscuits around to everyone.


Lucius was quiet throughout most of the tea, just watching and listening to the friends talk with each other.


Hermione touched his arm often and asked him questions.


Harry stretched as the clock on the mantle chimed five times.


“Well,” Harry said, “We go on duty in twenty minutes, Herms. So Ron and I have to get going soon.”


Hermione nodded, touching Lucius’ arm again.


“Besides, it is almost time to go for Supper,” Ron said, standing up and stretching. His shirt rode up to reveal his stomach which he rubbed. “And Hogwarts food is great!”


Lucius closed his eyes and turned his head away. The redhead was disgusting. He had no respect and he was unable to control his abominable behavior. It would have been better to have tea with a Muggleborn than with that uncouth slob.


Hermione nodded, and she sent the dirty dishes back to the kitchens and thanked the elves for the wonderful tea service.


“Hermione,” Ron said, sliding his hand along her back.


Hermione jumped and whirled around.


Lucius quickly stood and palmed his wand. Hermione was a lady, and if Mr. Weasley was disrespectful, Lucius would have to defend her.


“I was wondering if I could ask you something private,” he said, shoving his fingers through his hair.


Hermione looked over at Lucius who was standing smartly in his grey robes.


Harry stood as well. He looked over at the blond wizard.


“Adonis, there is something that I wanted to talk to you about,” he said, walking over to the taller wizard.


Lucius looked down at him.


“One on one, if it’s alright?”


Lucius nodded, but kept his eyes trained on the witch, “If Hermione can spare me.”


Hermione walked over to him, “It’s fine. Do you want to meet me in the Great Hall?”


“If that is what you would prefer,” Lucius said, looking down at her. “I’ll change first to school robes and we can talk on the way to the hall, if that is agreeable with you, Mr. Potter.”


“Okay,” Hermione said, touching his arm gently.


Harry nodded, and gestured to the door that led out of Gryffindor, “I’ll meet you in the sixth floor corridor at the exit of the door.”


Lucius bowed to every one and slipped into his room casting a charm on the study so he could hear what was going on out there.


“What did you want to ask me, Ron?”


“I want to wait until Malfoy is gone.”


“You can ask me now.”


“I know I can, but it would be better if we waited.”


Lucius cursed to himself as he changed quickly listening to more of the same talk. He bowed to Hermione after entering the study.


“I’ll see you in a few minutes, Hermione,” he asked, looking into her eyes.


“Of course, and we can talk about what we think for the potions’ project. I have several ideas,” she smiled at the blond.


Lucius bowed again, “I’ll see you soon, Hermione. Good Evening, Mr. Weasley.”


Ron gave a vague goodbye gesture without looking at the other wizard.


Again, Lucius bristled and clutched his wand, but he exited the study.


Lucius bowed when he saw Harry, “Mr. Potter.”


“Please call me Harry,” Harry said, gesturing that they could walk down the hallway.


“Very well, Harry,” Lucius said.


“How have your first few days back at Hogwarts been?” Harry asked, as they caught a moving staircase.


“What do you mean?” Lucius asked, turning and meeting Harry’s steady green gaze.


“Cut the crap, Mr. Malfoy,” Harry said, palming his own wand. “When I was locked in you Manor during the War, I saw a picture of you on your wedding day. No way you are not Malfoy Senior.”


“Well, well,” Lucius said, “I do hope you will keep this under your wizard hat.”


“I’m not saying anything. You get back when you are supposed to be,” Harry said, opening a tapestry to walk through a secret passage for more privacy.


Lucius spoke a moment later, “You clearly have the advantage, is that all you wanted to know?”


“I just want you to be good to Hermione,” Harry said, as they came out of the passage near the Great Hall. “She is like a sister to me.”


“I’ve never hurt a witch, except if she were trying to extort or sue me in some way,” Lucius said, “And Hermione is not the type of witch to take those actions against a respectable wizard.”


“You’re right,” Harry said, grinning foolishly. “She really likes you.”


“Does she?” Lucius asked, looking up the grand staircase in the entry hall for her.


“Yeah,” Harry said. “You understand that if you hurt her, I will have to kick your arse.”


“You have nothing to fear on that count. I like her too,” Lucius admitted.


Harry looked relieved, “Good. Well, now that I’ve said my piece, I’m going to head out and get to work. Oh, and a little advice, I would tell Hermione you are from the past and were brought forward by Draco.”


Harry darted out the great oak doors before anything else happened.


Lucius turned as he heard shouting. He watched Hermione chasing a redheaded wizard down the grand staircase.


“Ron, wait!”


“NO!” Ron shouted, then he spotted Lucius standing there watching him. “It’s all his fault, isn’t it?”


“Ron, stop it,” Hermione said, as Ron raced toward Lucius.


Ron stopped in front of him, “Tell me, Malfoy, I’ve invited Hermione to go with me to go see Shakyspeary, and she turned me down. Care to enlighten me?”


“Shakespeare,” Lucius said, pronouncing the name clearly for the idiot, “is the best playwright of all time and not to be passed up except in extreme circumstances. Perhaps she was worried you would molest her and offend her eyes. Not to mention the embarrassment of your inability to behave as if you have a shred of etiquette. Or maybe, and I would put my money on it, she resists because she just isn’t interested in your serpentine efforts at metamorphosing her into a bit of stuffing for the lining of your bed. She is a lady.”


“He’s charming, all right?” Ron said, gesturing to Lucius with a false bow of subservience. “He called me a serpent!”


“No,” Lucius snarled, getting closer and leaning into the freckled face of Ron. “That is a grand word for a peon like you! You are nothing more than a braggart and a cad.”


Lucius puffed his chest up.


Ron stomped away.


Hermione looked between Ron who was stomping across the lawn and Lucius who was observing her.


Lucius went to her quickly as he saw tears welling in her eyes. He offered her his handkerchief.


“Are you okay, Hermione?” Lucius asked watching her shoulders begin to shake.


She leaned forward against him and wrapped her arms around his waist as she felt her knees get weak.


Lucius rubbed her back and quickly steered her up the staircase as her trembling worsened.


“Let’s go to our study,” Lucius whispered, “We can ask the elves to send something up. Given the circumstances, I’m sure that they would be glad.”


Hermione nodded, wiping her eyes with the handkerchief.


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Here was Chapter VI. I hope you liked it. Please leave a review. Especially you lurkers. I'm not sitting here in a paranoid dilemma wondering whether you like it or not...who said I was?

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