Refashioning Affection

Chapter Eight: When Sexy comes to Dinner.


Lucius stepped through the grate into Hermione’s home as few minutes past the hour.

As he removed the soot from his person he looked around the…cozy…living room. A giant leather chair sat to the right of the hearth, a woven blanket thrown over it. A small sofa sat directly in front of the fire, a patchwork quilt folded over the back. An antique rocking chair sat in the corner with an afghan playing the part of a cushion.

He glanced around, a basket was holding even more blankets, and the walls were covered in shelving that held numerous books with the occasional picture frame and knick-knack.

He was wondering if she had ever heard of a warming charm when he heard her voice coming from the other room.

“Lucius, I am in the kitchen,” Hermione called out from a lit doorway.

Her voice, plus the heavenly smell of whatever she was cooking guided him toward the small kitchen.

There she was. She had changed into a black cotton dress that fell just below her knees. A red scarf was wrapped around her shoulders, and her hair was twisted up on her head to keep it out of the way.

His eyes traveled down her body, her legs and feet were bare, with tiny, red-painted toes. She looked comfortable and beautiful. She turned and gave him a smile; gods, she was stunning.

“Come in and have a seat. I’m doing a bit of multi-tasking at the moment.” She waved her hand toward a bubbling cauldron in the corner.

She turned to the stove and checked the contents of the pots and bent over to look into the oven. Lucius couldn’t help but admire her backside; the hard part was keeping his hands to himself.

He cleared his throat. “So what are you brewing?” he asked.

“My burn salve. I received a letter from the reserve this afternoon that they’re running low, and a new Ridgeback is due to hatch soon, so they want to be prepared when it arrives.”

“That’s kind of you.”

“It’s no trouble. I made a lot of friends during my time in Romania.”

She had turned to check the potion. It was almost time to turn down the flame and add some more aloe from the giant potted plant that sat under the window. She had been stirring and hadn’t noticed Lucius come up behind her to observe her brewing.

“What kind of plant is that?” He asked, his deep voice only a few inches from her ear. She startled and smacked the back of her hand against the hot side of the wrought iron cauldron.

“Ahh!” she yelped as the burning sensation started and she brought her abused hand to her chest. Lucius reached around and took her hand in his. He moved his other arm around her and with some quick, wandless magic healed the wound; the burning died away and the skin began to mend.

It all happened so fast, Hermione didn’t even realize what had actually happened until her mind registered his arms around her. He was gently cradling her hand in his larger one, the other arm around her waist. His scent, a mix of mint, clove and something deliciously masculine, overwhelmed her.

“Are you okay, Hermione?” he asked from behind her. She looked up over her shoulder, into his steel blue eyes, and her head rested against his chest. He lifted her hand up to examine the damage, his thumb brushing over her fingers. “Just a small scar, nothing to fret about.”

Hermione couldn’t answer. She was too busy staring openly at his lips. She found herself leaning closer to him, and it wasn’t until she saw his eyebrows lift in surprise that she snapped back to reality.

“The irony of my life, only I would burn myself on a cauldron full of salve.” She laughed a little, still shaken from his proximity.

“Indeed,” he said his voice deep and husky.

“Yes, oh the Shepard’s pie!” She quickly slipped from his arms and opened the oven just in time to take the pie out.

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Throughout the entire meal, which was a mishmash of different foods, Irish soda bread, a couscous salad and a very good Shepard’s pie, Lucius was thinking about the way she had looked at him.

Her eyes had shone with something he hadn’t seen in a while. Could she really want him like he wanted her?

Their conversation flowed easily, but he noticed she kept her eyes lowered and wouldn’t hold his gaze for more than few seconds. Things were starting to look up for Lucius; he would just have to proceed with caution. She seemed weary of men pursuing her, even if she hadn’t elaborated on the subject. He wouldn’t ask her now, but eventually he would have to know why if he was to ever have any chance of pursuing her himself.

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Once the dishes were cleared from the table and the glasses of wine carried into the sitting room, they settled in for a night of work.

Hermione sat on the floor in front of the sofa, her legs stretched out under the low table, her feet being warmed by the fire. Lucius sat to her right, sinking slightly in the plush cushions. He removed his outer robe after taking the shrunken texts from his inner pocket and set them on the table. Hermione had already laid out her notes and was letting her hair down. Lucius resisted the urge to comb his fingers through the curly locks.

He didn’t notice her looking at him; he was sitting there with his long hair tied back, his pristine white shirt and black trousers, looking so utterly…jumpable. She had the sudden urge to sneak her fingers up his trouser leg and…

‘Okay, get your thoughts under control, Hermione!’ she internally scolded herself.

“You mentioned earlier that one of your contacts may have found a Gaunt relative.”

“Ah yes, there are some cousins that may still be alive. They are living in a small muggle village in the northwest portion of the Irish Republic.”

“Really? I spent some time in the area, if you can find a more specific location I may be able to find us some more information.”

“I will have my sources look into it. I also found some interesting material on dragon blood rituals. There is a spell that I believe the Dark Lord used in order to find his binding breed. I do know that the breed was native to Eastern Europe and if that was the spell he used to seal the vaults, an elixir made from the dragon’s blood would break the wards.”

“We will have to see if we can trace the age of the magic. If Voldemort cursed the vaults shut after the resurrection ceremony where he used Harry’s blood, then the magic may recognize Harry’s blood as kin.”

“We have a very good chance of getting these vaults open, but it is what is actually in them that worries me now,” Lucius said.

“I know. He went to a lot of trouble to keep people out, or to keep something in.”

“Perhaps both.”

“Lucius, do you have any idea what might be buried under the Riddle house?”

“I was hoping these might help.” He motioned to the books stacked to the side. “They are local history books and lore about the house itself. It appears even muggles had sensed something odd about the place. There are tales that say the ground where the house is built on is haunted, and many more tales of strange happenings on the property.”

“That is not very comforting.”

“Not in the slightest,” he agreed. Hermione reached over and took the top book off the pile. Lucius followed suit and sat back on the couch with a book of local lore on his lap. He rolled up his one sleeve and let his hair down.

They had been scanning their books for about half an hour when Hermione glanced back up at her silent companion.

Hermione frowned a little at his arm. Was he really that worried about her reaction to his mark? She decided to slide up and sit next to him. He was a bit startled but was even more confused when she rested her small hand on his left wrist.

“It is okay, Lucius. You don’t need to hide this around me.”

“I am…I do not like to be reminded of what I was.”

“We all have scars from the war, Lucius, some more haunting than others, but never feel like you need to hide around me. All was forgiven years ago.”

She was so close to him. Lucius reached out and cupped her cheek; she was so soft.

“Thank you, Hermione.” His eyes searched hers. They were bright and the flecks of gold sparkled.

“Lucius, I… I have to tell you…”

“Yes.”

“You are far more than I expected.” Hermione practically whispered.

“So are you, so much more than I ever thought.” Her brow creased at his words. He noticed the bit of shock and confusion pass her face. He gently ran his fingers through her curls as he pushed them back from her face, indulging himself a little before pulling back from her and breaking physical contact.

“I have found something interesting in this story. It seems that there is a legend of a creature that lives below the house. There used to be a farm and cottage sitting where the house is now. It is said that one night the creature possessed the farmer’s daughter.”

“What happened to her?"

“Well according to the text, they attempted to drive the spirit away but she became very violent and they had her locked in the town cell, where they found her dead two days later.”

“The poor thing.”

“This story just says she was milky white, her veins seemed to rise from her skin her eyes had the tint of the devil.” He long finger skimmed over the page.

“Not the most helpful description, actually that sounds like and old legend my grandmother use to tell me.”

“Really?”

“Yes about this young woman who defied her parents and went to meet her sweet heart in the barn one night.”

“Nothing odd about that.”

“Except for the fact that her sweetheart wasn’t there. It was a demon waiting for her and he took her pure soul to feed on, turning her pale as a sheet and eyes the color of coal. She was banished from the village into the woods. Where she wandered for the rest of her days.”

“Now was this story for or against keeping ones virginity?” he asked with a slight smirk.

“I think it was a warning to listen to your parents, but you raise a good point.” She chuckled. “Do you think the tales could be related?”

“Where was your grandmother raised?"

In a village near the Welsh border called Credenhill.”

“That is very close to Madley”

“Which is where the Riddle house is.” Hermione watched as the pieces fell into place and she couldn’t help it, she swung her legs up on the couch, kneeled forward and wrapped her arms around Lucius neck.

“You are a genius Lucius.” She felt giddy, she was a nerd when it came to solving puzzles and this one was proving very satisfactory indeed.

It wasn’t until his arms wrapped around her waist. She couldn’t lie to herself. This was one of the best feelings in the world. Gods he smelt so good, she rested her head on his shoulder her nose pressed into the side of his neck. He hand was wandering up into her curls to cradle the back of her neck…

At that moment the fire turned a brilliant green and the head of Harry Potter appeared.

“Hermione?” The pair jumped apart on the couch.

“Hello Harry, is everything alright?” She asked as she sat back on her heels.

“Yeah, Ron mentioned you were working all night and I wanted to make sure you weren’t working yourself to death.” Harry was eyeing Lucius with a hard stare.

“Not at all, Lucius and I were going over the Riddle Vaults project.”

“Good evening, Mr. Potter.”

“Mr. Malfoy.” Harry nodded.

“Molly wants you to come over for Sunday brunch since you couldn’t make it to dinner.’

“Of course, I will. I’ll send Molly a note in the morning.”

“Well, good night.” Harry sounded unsure but Hermione smiled.

“Good night, Harry.” And he was gone.

“I best be going as well, Hermione, I have a meeting with the Headmistress tomorrow morning.” Lucius said, his voice seemed a little strained.

“Yes, of course, say hello to her for me?” she agreed, but neither moved.

“I shall. I will see you tomorrow afternoon?” he asked.

“Of course.” They stood and she helped him gather his cloak and books. He stepped up to the floo.

“Thank you for dinner, Hermione. It was lovely.”

“You are very welcome, Lucius. I think we made some great strides tonight.”

“Yes, we most definitely have.” He looked at her for moment longer before stepping into the floo and disappearing.

As Hermione headed to the kitchen to clean up the mess from dinner she sighed, realizing just how difficult things had become.

‘Well that’s what you get Granger for inviting sex itself to dinner.’


They both had a hard time falling asleep that night.


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A/N This chapter took a lot of work, thank the gods for betas!

Utopia: Of course more people will be around to annoy Lucius!!

Crissy: Thrilled to hear it :D

Jamie: Thank you and I hope Hermione didn't disappoint in this chapter.

LaBib: no... not Alan ... And who ever said a way to a man's heart was through his stomach, failed geography, but it is a step in the right direction lol.

~ Hope you enjoyed it~

xoxo Sarah