Experience

Universal Randomness: Hee hee, that's funny! Umbridge sprouting a tail!! I hadn't thought of that! Well done. Thanks. Here's the update where you do get to find out what happened to that toad!



angel: Answer in the following chapter.



Catstaff: Nope, Harry hasn't given Ginny an engagement ring yet - as for the rest thanks, as for the regular updates, well I would do that if I was half human half octopus. It takes me a whole day to write a chapter to this particular story... thanks for your support and encouragement though.



La Bibliographe: I hope you aren't too disappointed with this. I am really beginning to break from the strain but the first week is almost over... so, just tell me if you think it's moving too fast. I am glad you still like it.



Shiloh Darke: Thanks for that! I think you may be right about Ze; but anyhow, as for Kingsley well - as far as I am concerned he's the hottest order member around, and I do hope the Plot Bunny hops in his direction one day. As for Snape... well... he's got his reasons.



Pam: Thanks, heres more.



dsf: Umbridge; well, I hope it was worth the wait!



mary: Snape's agenda becomes clearer, trust me.



Lyssa: Go Lucius. He hasn't done anything yet. But I agree with you on Narcissa!



lisa: Well, yes, Lucius is being annoying isn't he. As for Harry and Ginny well... that will be answered shortly.



Dee Dee: Harry did get all hot and bothered didn't he. Find out what has happened to Umbridge by reading this chapter.



BuckyKattGirl?: WHAT? Give up my favourite pair of slippers! Hee hee, and as for those fiery balls, well...



candymac: Umbridge, well see what happened to her, and as for Harry and Ginny that will be answered in the next chapter, I promise.



Anathema: Thanks for giving me back my slippers! Glad you still like the story.



Cecilia: No, Lucius stays with me. But thanks, the Lucius muse is not bored with me at the moment, much to Snape's chagrin.



Citten: Read on, and yes this story is a bit soppy at the moment. But there is an undercurrent of darkness. Trust me.



Mistress Malfoy: Thanks, here is more for you to enjoy.



marie_606: Extremely stupid I'd say!



BuffyXO: Thanks about that. Yes, I hurried right along, next chapter here, and I hope that you continue to enjoy the story.



Criosdan: I have sent Severus your way. But please send him back soon. Thanks, happy reading.



Sahira: Wow! Immediately. Cool. I hope you continue to like it.



I just want to apologise in advance for mistakes. I haven't had time to read through and correct any that might be missing. So, sorry if you spot any. I might do edit this chapter at a later date!



Thursday



Hermione woke up with a smile on her face. Her mind was already formulating plans to get Lucius to be brought back to life. She had to do some shopping; that could be done in the lunch hour. She also had to gain confidence. But that was only one way to seduce him. There had to be others. She thought back to the methods she had used previously. Lucius was the type to be jealous. So, Snape’s reappearance might be of some help to her after all.



She sighed as she got out of bed. She noticed a cup of tea had been placed by her bed. She picked it up and smiled as she sipped the warm dark brown liquid. Gloop knew exactly how she liked it. She walked up to her wardrobe holding the tea and opened the door. She smiled as she noticed the dresses were hung separate from the robes. Part of her shopping trip had to include matching underwear to all these robes. With what she had to buy a hundred gold galleons would just about cover it. She picked out the pale gold robes. She looked at the way they shimmered and smiled.



She realised she had to get a dangerous colour to seduce Lucius with. There was only two that came to mind. She would have to ask Madam Malkin. She walked to the bathroom and freshened herself up and was just about to walk out of the room when she felt a pair of arms wrapping around her waist. Part of her hoped it was Lucius. Her hand slipped on the arm and realised it was invisible. Snape! she sighed. Perhaps, she could begin Operation Jealous now.



She leant in and felt his chest. Snape did actually make her react, which disturbed her. He rubbed his hand up her body and his hand landed on her breast. She turned around and his other hand tilted her chin up. He bent down and kissed her, Hermione let him. It was all part of her plan. She would have to tell her body that a little later.



Snape moaned in her mouth as his tongue rolled around inside his and she smiled. All of a sudden she felt the pressure of his body relieved. She looked at the doorway. It was filled with a very angry Lucius. She turned around and saw Snape was knocked unconscious to the wall. Perhaps she should not make Lucius jealous deliberately; she might despise Snape at the moment but she did not want him dead because of some childish schemes of seduction.

Lucius strode up to Hermione and looked deeply into her eyes. He sighed.



“I know I shouldn’t say this, Hermione. But I am the type of person that if I can’t have someone then no one can. It may seem selfish but there you are. I have slept on it and, Hermione, if I see ANY man make a move on you I shall not be happy.”



Hermione looked up into his eyes and knew he was speaking the truth.



“Lucius,” Hermione sighed. “I can’t be single and untouched the rest of my life. And you can have me. I like you.”



He looked at her with a smile on his face. He sighed as he tucked some of her hair behind her ear.



“I still love Narcissa,” he said.



“And I am sure that she loved you to. But, honestly Lucius, if it was the other way round and Narcissa was still alive and wanted to love again would you let her?”



“Of course,” Lucius growled. “Narcissa was such a beautiful woman it would have been a shame to have wasted her elegance.”



“And you are a handsome man,” Hermione said reaching out to him and stroking his face. “Don’t you think that you’re wasting yourself by holding back?”



Lucius sighed as he brushed her hand away from his face.



“I can’t grow a new heart, Hermione.”



“No ones asking you to, Lucius. But it is not good for you to be miserable and depressed. I’ve seen Harry like this too much; and it does ruin a person.”



Hermione stepped a little closer to him and started stroking his cheek again. His skin was rough by the beginnings of a beard. He hadn’t shaved yet. She wanted so much to touch those lips again. She wanted so much to feel his hands caress her body the way did the day before. She wanted so much to see Lucius smile. She wagered he had a lovely smile, and she had never seen it. She tiptoed up and tucked his hair behind his ears.



“You are beautiful, Hermione, and as I said I am a jealous man. I am also still very much in love with someone else.”



“Narcissa doesn’t mind,” Hermione murmured. “Trust me; she wants you to be happy.”



Lucius body stiffened and he pushed her away gently. He looked at her and shook his head. If only it were that simple. He knew he couldn’t touch her yet, but he also knew that he didn’t want anyone else to touch her either. He understood that was being selfish on his part but what else could he do? He looked at her again. He wished that he wasn’t so torn when it came to her. He wanted to taste her mouth; he wanted to suck those nipples; he wanted to make slow love to her all night long but he couldn’t. His heart wouldn’t allow it.



Hermione stood there watching every move on his face. A sudden realisation came to her as she studied the man before her. She loved him! She wanted nothing more than him to be happy. She wanted nothing more than Lucius Malfoy to enjoy life again. She wanted nothing more than to see Lucius smile and laugh in true merriment. She wanted him to be the handsome, proud, dignified man she first met.



She walked back up to him, but he stepped back. She shook her head. He looked into her wide-open brown eyes. What he saw hidden in their depths shocked him! He saw what could only be described as her heart. She truly wanted him. She smiled a little weakly, and shook her head.



“I best get dressed,” Lucius said. She nodded.



“Me to,” Hermione said. Lucius looked at her reflection wanting so much to sweep her in his arms.



He turned slowly on his heel and left the room. He walked out of the hallway and saw the portrait of his wife. She was wide-awake.



“If I could, Lucius Malfoy, I’d wallop you one right now!”



“Don’t Narcissa!”



“What you’re doing to that poor girl, Lucius, is possibly worst than all three Unforgivables put together!”



“What do you mean, dear?” Lucius asked.



“She is willing to give herself to you, Lucius. She is a bright, beautiful young woman and you’re holding back!”



“Look, Narcissa. I can’t give myself to her because I still love you.”



“Lucius,” Narcissa sighed. “I loved you to.”



“Love” Lucius said.



“LOVED, Lucius. That’s the past tense. Everything to do with me is in the past now. Everything you could have with her is your future and if you’re not prepared to have her then you have to be prepared to step aside and let someone else have her. She can’t hang around whilst you’re being pigheaded.”



Lucius looked at his wife. “You don’t mind me giving myself to another woman? She doesn’t make you jealous?”



“Is that all your worried about, Lucius? Your worried that I’d be jealous,” she chuckled. “Oh Lucius, you really are the most idiotic man on the planet.”



“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lucius asked.



“Lucius,” she sighed. “This girl is not going to hang around forever. You can shout; scream, and yell at her as much as you like about her not being able to be touched by anyone else BUT she will break, and believe me there are plenty of Wizards who would be the ones to make her do so.”



“Who?” Lucius asked; he narrowed his eyes.



“Snape and Shacklebolt,” she said. “Lupin, although I did hear he’s attached to my niece Nymphadora.”



“Our niece,” Lucius growled. “Don’t worry Narcissa I am making sure that she will be cared for.”



“Good,” Narcissa said. “Now get dressed sweetie.”



Lucius sighed looking at his wife’s portrait. She was right, as usual. He was clinging onto the past. He was still living half a year behind everyone else. He had worried about his late wife’s reaction if he had brought another woman home.



Hermione stepped out of her room. “Hey!” Narcissa whistled.



Hermione turned her head to her direction. “Hello, Narcissa.”



“Call me, Cissy,” Narcissa said. “Listen, Hermione, I know you’re in for a real uphill struggle. Lucius is a stubborn old mule at times. Have you thought about what I said last night?”



“Yes,” Hermione said. “Look, I have a plan -!”



Lucius was listening at the door. He wanted to hear the plans. But as soon as Hermione said those five words her voice dropped to a whisper. He strained his ears to listen but gave up when he heard nothing for a few minutes. He looked at the robes that were set out for him. He picked up forest green trousers and placed them on his legs.



Hermione looked at his door and smiled. She walked down the stairs and Lucius walked out of his room. Hermione stared around the hallway and tentatively called out the name of the elf. He popped up by her side.



“Gloop is here to help,” the elf said.



“Where is breakfast?” Hermione asked.



“Here, ma’am,” he said. He led her to the breakfast room. There were two plates set out on the table with a spoon. There was a table with tureens of scrambled egg, tomatoes, sausages, and bacon... Hermione’s eyes fell on such quantity. “Gloop thought to do more than just porridge now there is two staying here.”



Hermione nodded. She picked up her plate and served herself some of everything and brought it to the table where there was some coffee already poured out for her. A few moments later, Lucius had joined her. He stared at the food and raised an eyebrow at Gloop, but said nothing as he picked out the same as Hermione.



Lucius smiled as they ate breakfast and looked at her. “So, what are your plans?”



Hermione looked up. “What do you mean?”



“I hope that you can consider this to be your home.”



Hermione smiled and bent her head down. She looked at Lucius closely.



“I will, Lucius,” she said. And it will be, she thought. She shook her head and sipped at her coffee. Where had that thought come from? That would be what Pansy Parkinson would think not Hermione Granger. She did not want this to be her home. She wanted it to be their home.



They finished breakfast and Lucius picked out some travelling robes for them. He looked at the monogram on one of them. “This was Narcissa’s,” he said. “Don’t worry; I’ll get you some new ones.”



She gave him a look and he smirked. “One last final indulgence, trust me.”



Hermione smirked. “Okay. One last final indulgence! Oh, is it all right if I go shopping at lunch time?”



“Of course, but you must go with an Auror. I am not having you wondering about on your own.”



Hermione sighed. That happened in the Muggle world. In the Wizarding World she’d have no qualms about defending herself using magic. She smiled at Lucius. They apparated to the Ministry from outside the gates of the Manor.



“Lucius,” Hermione said. “Did you have any appointments with Umbridge?”



Lucius nodded. He still hadn’t asked Hermione what it was she had done to her. He smiled though as he couldn’t help but think that they’d find out soon enough.



They walked into the doors and Lucius eyes widened in shock! What appeared to be a giant toad in a pink cardigan came hopping up to him with eyes blazing with fury.



“Get that desk of yours cleaned by this evening, Malfoy!” the toad croaked. Lucius turned around and saw Hermione raise her eyebrows. She was as cool as cucumber.



“Umbridge?” Lucius asked.



“You can leave and take that two-bit tart with you!”



Lucius was trying not to giggle. “Sorry, Umbridge, but there is only one person that can sack me, and unless Mr Scrimgeour comes to me and tells me personally I will not leave – understood.”



He walked past her and Hermione followed giving Umbridge a cool stare.



“You better change me back young lady!” Umbridge said.



“I am not afraid of you, Umbridge. I should say though that if the Ministry allows half human half toads to work here then they should allow Werewolves to work here, don’t you?”



“What do you mean?” Umbridge asked.



“I am prepared to change you back, but only if you relent on your policy of Werewolf Employment. Most of them are decent, hardworking beings, and you’re just a fat tub of prejudiced lard. Unless you change the policy; you won’t.”



The people milling around in the foyer all stopped and were hearing Hermione bring down Umbridge. Lucius watched her; his heart swelled with pride and – admiration.



Hermione walked up to Lucius and she smirked. Lucius was beside himself with glee. He chose her because he wanted to prove to Potter that he was genuinely on their side; Lucius began to think though that perhaps it shouldn’t be him Potter should worry about. He was ecstatic that he had switched sides. If she could do that to a Minister, what was she prepared to do to a Death Eater? He shuddered at the thought. She walked past him and brushed her hand on his. It sent shivers of electricity down his spine.



They got to the lift at the same time as Harry, Arthur, and Ron. Harry looked at Hermione closely. She was happy, and he had promised to leave her alone if she looked happy. Lucius turned towards Arthur and nodded his head. Both Hermione and Lucius completely ignored Ron and looked at Harry.



“How are you?” Hermione asked.



“Fine,” Harry said. “Absolutely fine. Yourself?”



“Fine to,” she said. “I had a comfortable nights sleep. All prepared and ready to go.”



Harry nodded and then looked at Lucius. “What is going to happen to my cousin?”



“He’ll have to stand trial,” Lucius said. “I am also going to have find a David Smith and a Piers Polkiss.” He shook his head. “David Smith is a name I can cope with but Piers Polkiss?” he snorted. “And Muggles think we have weird names.”



Hermione laughed. Harry scowled and looked at Lucius. “There’s nothing funny about Polkiss, I can assure you of that.”



Lucius turned to look at the young man by his friend’s side. He could allow Hermione to be a friend.



“Hermione,” Lucius said. “I must be perfectly honest with you this David might only come out if we give him bait.”



Hermione looked up at Lucius and shook her head. “I don’t like what you’re implying, Lucius.”



Ron’s ears snapped up at the way they were speaking each other’s names.



“I don’t like it any more than you do,” Lucius said. “Especially considering that I have come to care for you a great deal. But I know ‘David Smith’. At one time I was David Smith. We will try all manner of things first. It will only be as a last very final resort.”



Hermione nodded. “Lucius,” Hermione said. “Do you think I went a bit overboard with Umbridge?”



“Are you kidding? No,” Lucius said. “You have done to her what many of us were only dreaming of. Well done, Hermione,” he placed an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.



Hermione blushed. She was pleased that he had become more friendly with her but in front of her other friends? He stroked her hair and then let his arm drop.



“So, what is there to do today?” Hermione asked.



“More letters, reforms, and the ever popular coffee making,” Lucius said. “As for what you’re going to do, hmm, I suppose I have to keep you occupied some how. How about I make you sit there and look pretty for me?”



He’s flirting? Wow, what happened to ‘I can’t touch you?’ I am so happy! Hermione thought. She blushed at the thought of looking pretty.



Ron’s eyes narrowed. He was prepared to forgive Hermione until now. How could she align herself with a traitor? The lift stopped.



“Potter, before you get out of the lift, I would like a word with you. I need to hear some more of your story. It is vital for me to build up a picture of your cousin from your viewpoint. I would have to do the same with the young muggle.”



Harry nodded. Ron and Arthur looked at the three of them. Arthur smiled a little at Hermione. She smiled at Arthur. There was something a little different about Arthur; his step was light and his eyes were sparkling. Somebody got some, Hermione thought.



Hermione looked at Lucius and wished to hell he would give her some to. Twice in less than twenty-four hours he had stroked the beginning of her flames of passion. She smiled as she remembered how his lips caressed hers and how his body felt against hers. Oh she’ll sit and look pretty for him all right. Tonight he won’t know what hit him.



Harry grabbed Hermione by the elbow causing her to fall behind Lucius. She sighed and turned around waiting for Harry’s long hard lecture, and, of course; the inevitable ‘HOW COULD YOU!’ None of that ever came; instead Harry looked at Hermione and said:



“What did you two do last night?”



“Nothing,” Hermione said. Harry raised an eyebrow. “Okay, something, but it was – nice.”



“What was it?” Harry asked.



“We kissed, Harry. It was nice. But as soon as I moaned his name he stopped. He admitted that he – he liked me.”



“And you?” Harry asked. “Do you like him?”

Hermione nodded. Tears were starting to well up inside her eyes. Harry sighed and his shoulders drooped.



“Harry, whatever it is you cannot make me choose between you and him. I like you both.”



“I know, and I am not going to.”



“You’re not?” Hermione asked.



“No,” Harry said. “I don’t think that’s right. I don’t like him but I like you. We’re friends, Hermione. I can’t be childish and expect you to give up on a new friendship just because I don’t like him – but if he so much as breaks a fingernail I’ll kill him!”



Hermione laughed and hugged Harry. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her. She was like the sister he never had and he could not help but wish great things for her.



She rubbed his back and walked down the hallway to the door. Harry followed. She walked into the room and Harry followed. She walked up to her desk and began copying letters.



“Now,” Lucius said. “From the beginning, what do you remember about Dudley Dursley from your childhood? Miss Granger, please take notes.”



Harry groaned. He would have to be truthful. He said everything he could remember giving as unbiased an account as he could. Lucius sat and listened intently. Hermione scribbled as fast and as furiously as she could. She loved dictation but she wished that Harry would slow down and be a little less passionate about the subject.



Harry’s voice was beginning to sound dry. Hermione looked at her watch. They had been doing this for an hour! Lucius checked his watch to.



“Okay, take a break. Coffee please, Miss Granger.”



Hermione nodded. “Irish?”



“Yes please,” Lucius said. “We need something stronger. Potter?”



Harry furrowed his brow. “What’s Irish Coffee?”



Lucius bit his lip. “You had best try it.”



Hermione went to the coffee room and put the coffee scoops in the pot, and ladled some of the seemingly permanent hot water from the cauldron and went to get the cream and whiskey.



“Hello,” Snape’s voice said. Hermione dropped the spoon.



“Why can’t you leave me alone?” she fumed.



“You think I am going to sit by and let him take you?” Snape asked. “Believe me, Hermione, I have worked long and hard to make sure nothing happens to you. I am not going to let another wizard take the fruits of my labour.”



Hermione groaned and shook her head. “Listen, Snape. I don’t like you!” she hissed. She was looking at the door hoping that someone would come in. Preferably a blond someone!



She felt her hair being brushed aside and she felt breath fall on her. “You are too beautiful for me to give up now when I am so close.”



Hermione looked at where she guessed he was standing. “I am going to tell Lucius about you.”



“Fine! Scream,” Snape whispered in her ear. She closed her eyes and gulped as her heart picked up the pace. He brushed a hand against her breasts. “But I won’t be here when they come.”



Hermione looked down on the floor. He picked her chin up. He placed his lips on hers. “Think of me as your silent watcher, Hermione, for that is what I am. I will not let anyone harm you! I will keep watch over you silently. Whatever you do, wherever you are; I will be watching you.”



Hermione shivered. He was beginning to frighten her now.



“Why?” she asked.



“I love you, Hermione, that’s why. I can’t show myself to the world now; but there will be a time when I can, and when that time comes I want to claim you as my bride.”



He pushed her against the wall and hitched her skirts up and she heard the buckle of his belt undo. She heard the sound of a zip as she was being held fast against the wall by his strong invisible arm.



“Severus,” Hermione said. “I am sorry for you; and I have admired you and respected you but really – me? You’re bride?”



“I have feelings for you, Hermione,” Severus said. He lifted her legs up and stroked the outside of her thighs with both hands. Hermione wished she wasn’t reacting. She felt the tip of a penis prod her entrance and he was about to enter her when the door swung open and the same revealing hex was sent Snape’s way. Lucius shut the door behind him quietly and picked Snape up.



“I am having it up to here with you, Severus,” Lucius said. “Why can’t you leave her alone for five minutes?”



“What you expect us all to restrain ourselves?” Snape sneered. “Sorry, Lucius, but we’re not all made of steel. Some of us melt in the company of a beautiful, intelligent witch.”



Hermione covered her face with her hands. Her shoulders were beginning to shake and she felt herself falling to the floor. Lucius noticed and stepped up to her. He grabbed her and held her limp body in his arms.



“Get away from her,” Lucius growled. “This is your final warning, Snape. If you don’t stay away from her then I may have to arrest you.”



Snape’s lips curled in a sneer. He walked up to Lucius and stared down at her. “I am not going to leave her alone, Lucius. I, too, have plans for the gorgeous little bit of syrupy crumpet. I have made my fingers sticky, so to speak, on her behalf. I am not going to have you ruin my plans.” Snape took her in his arms and looked at Lucius. “I love her, Lucius. As I recall you only like her.”



Hermione moaned and her head drooped from side to side. Her eyelids flickered and then her mouth opened slightly. Severus decided to use this to his advantage. He pressed his lips on hers sliding his tongue inside her mouth. He stroked her tongue with his and mussed her hair. His tongue began tingling. After he had devoured her mouth he held her close to him and smirked over her shoulder at Lucius.



“Alls fair, Lucius.”

He let go off Hermione making Lucius catch her. He stared at Snape as he tapped himself with the disillusionment charm. It was a shame he couldn’t place a ban on that charm. He picked Hermione up and held her to him; he wasn’t doing that good a job of protecting her if he couldn’t fight Severus.



He smiled though when she looked at him after her eyelids fluttered open. She clung tightly onto him and began crying.



“I wish I was still at school!”



Lucius sighed. “This is what the big wide world is like, Hermione, you have to be prepared for leeches ready to suck your blood. He is a Slytherin, and unfortunately; he’s doing things the Slytherin way. It might not be romantic but it’s the way we tend to do things.”



“You’re not doing it the Slytherin way,” Hermione said in an almost accusatory tone; it was like she was disappointed with him.



“No,” Lucius sighed. “No, I’m not.”



“Why not?” she asked mischievously.



Lucius smiled and kissed the top of her head. “Let’s take things slowly. I want to acknowledge you as a friend. Are we friends?” he asked her.



Hermione sighed. “Yes, Lucius, yes we’re friends.”



“We best get back into the office before Potter thinks we’re up to something.”



Hermione smirked naughtily. Lucius had just given her an idea. They picked up the three steaming coffees and walked out of the door. Hermione set Harry’s down in front of him and straightened her dress and patted her hair. Lucius watched and shook his head. The whole point was to gain Potter’s trust, but she was acting like they had a short clinch in there.



Harry shifted his gaze between the two of them. It was clear that Hermione had done something that Lucius didn’t like. It was also clear Hermione was playing her own little game with Lucius as the prize. Harry all of a sudden realised – Hermione was in love with Lucius and Lucius reciprocated those feelings but wasn’t acting on them. Hermione was trying to make him do so.

Hermione sat on the desk crossing her legs. She poised the tip of her quill ready to write whatever Harry had to say. Lucius strode to his desk and clasped his hands together and looked at Harry.



“Where were we?” Lucius asked.



“In paradise,” Hermione sighed; and she let her eyes go misty. Lucius narrowed his eyes at her. “Sorry. Right, Harry was just talking about his first year at Muggle school.”



Harry narrowed his eyes at her too, whatever game she was playing he did not want to know. Yet, he wanted tips and advice on how to sneak some love time with Ginny. Harry coughed and sipped some more of his coffee. He felt hot all of a sudden. There was a definite tension surrounding these two. Harry looked from one to the other as he was speaking. Lucius snuck glances towards Hermione’s way, as she coolly ignored him and wrote down the story.



Harry had just reached the last year of Muggle school when there was a knock on the door. Kingsley Shacklebolt peered his head around the door and he smiled as he saw Harry.



“I was looking for him everywhere,” Kingsley said.



“Sorry, Kingsley, but I have to deter him a few moments longer.”



“I understand,” Kingsley said.



“Oh, Kingsley, before you go. I wish you to be a bodyguard to Hermione as she takes a shopping trip to Diagon Alley.”



Kingsley beamed at Hermione. Finally, he was wondering when he could tell her about his feelings for her.



“Yes, sir, at what time?” Kingsley said.



“At one pm,” Hermione said. She smiled at Kingsley.



“Cool,” Kingsley said. Lucius looked at the way his top Auror was looking at his trainee secretary. He hoped to whichever deity deigned to listen that she had listened to him this morning. He looked at her, she smiled at him but it was a smile of friendship. He sighed with relief; something that caught Harry’s attention.

“It’s a date!” Hermione said. Lucius resisted the temptation to throttle her.



Kingsley’s smile broadened. Lucius turned his attention back to Potter.



“Now,” he sighed. “What did he do next?”



Hermione smirked a little triumphantly. It seemed that it was working. By tomorrow Lucius will be so overwrought with jealousy that he wouldn’t be able to resist touching her. Which would mean she would win. He might be prepared to stick to steps but she was already at the top of the ladder. She was quite prepared to help him up the ladder though.



~*~*~



Kingsley picked Hermione up at precisely one pm, and he hardly spoke to her as they made their way to Diagon Alley. Hermione looked at the shy man and realised she couldn’t be so heartless as to use this genuinely nice guy to make Lucius jealous. It wouldn’t be fair or decent to him.



They walked to Gringotts; Hermione was prepared to withdraw seventy galleons. That should do it.



“Certainly, Madam,” a goblin said. “That will make the total of your account adding up to three hundred twenty five galleons!”



Hermione looked hard at the Goblin. “What?”



“Mr Malfoy has given us express orders to put a hundred gold galleons every morning. You are fast becoming one rich lady,” the Goblin said.



“He said he had only put in a hundred gold galleons,” Hermione said. The Goblin shrugged his shoulders.



“What’s done is done!”



“I’ll kill him!” Hermione seethed. “I’ll bloody murder him!”



Kingsley chuckled. “Can’t you just accept the money in good grace, Hermione? He likes you that much is obvious.”



Hermione fumed inside herself. She looked at the Goblin. “All right then. Is it possible for me to just send a bill from the shops?”



“Of course,” the goblin sneered. “That is the usual custom of Wizards and Witches.”



Hermione nodded. She had more money than she realised. “Did Lucius Malfoy give a time limit to this money?”



“No,” the Goblin said coldly. “There isn’t one.”



Hermione shook her head and stormed out of the bank. She walked up to Madam Malkins shop and opened the door. She’ll have him tonight, by hook or by crook!



“Yes?” a shop assistant asked. She remembered this as the girl that needed a new wardrobe. Madam Malkin stepped out and smiled.



“I’ll deal with this customer,” she said. “Yes Madam?”



“I need new underwear,” Hermione said. Kingsley blushed. He felt awkward all of a sudden. “And the sexier the better.”



“Of course, Madam, step this way,” Malkins said. She brought Hermione to some private chambers. She looked Hermione up and down. She was pleased this young lady came into the shop. Lucius Malfoy had given her permission to use his account whenever Hermione walked into the shop.



Hermione had picked out the underwear. She smiled as she looked at the boxes. Kingsley wished that these were for his benefit but he had a feeling they weren’t. He was jealous of Lucius. He looked at Hermione as she stood at the counter drumming her fingers waiting for the sum total.



“Right, Lucius will have a dent in his account of up to two hundred and fifty gold galleons.”



“No, you can charge it up to my account,” Hermione said.



“I am sorry, Miss, but Lucius Malfoy has given us strict orders not to take any money from your account.”



Hermione sighed and looked at the friendly woman. It wasn’t her fault. Lucius Malfoy needed to be shown she was a woman; AND boy would she show HIM!

Hermione was standing outside Madam Malkins. Kingsley held her bags and looked at her. He smiled at her.



“Where to now?” he asked. Hermione checked her watch. “Let’s have lunch.”



They walked to the Leaky Cauldron and both ordered a sandwich to go. Hermione brought out her purse and was about to pay for lunch when Tom shook his head. His eyes said it all. Lucius had paid here to.



“WHAT IS THAT MAN TRYING TO PROVE?” Hermione yelled at Kingsley as they walked down the street.



“He is probably showing to the world that he has changed,” Kingsley said. “He also likes you. Just accept it, Hermione. Besides he’s not doing anything that I wouldn’t if I was in his place.”



Hermione stopped and looked at Kingsley holding her bags. “What did you say?”



“I – I like you, Hermione, and I was going to ask you out. But you dated that Zabini boy, and now it seems you like Lucius. So, just forget I ever said anything.”



He walked on and Hermione followed behind wishing that she were back at school in her unattractive school robes and tie where people – especially men – would not look on her like she was a woman. But it wasn’t that, that annoyed her. What annoyed her the most was that the one man that she wanted to notice her was being a complete and utter prat! Life, she fumed, was not being kind at the moment!



A/N - Snape is a bastard! Lucius is being too silly! Hermione is angry, and Kingsley is in love! What is going to happen next in Experience... I hope you know because I certainly don't!