The Masked Lady

Chapter 8: Cinderella









One would think that after decades away that the smell of Hogwarts would be different somehow. Yet, as soon as Lucius stepped through the doors of his Alma Mater he was pulled back into the past, some of it pleasant most of it not, by the smell of old books and burning candle wax. He had somehow expected to walk into the great hall, his instinct pulling him to the left towards the Slytherin tables, and sit down to an outrageous meal or study hall. But the tables were removed and in their place were several round tables with elaborate settings in the various house colors all set up around a wooden dance floor. It was the annual scholarship fundraiser for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and as the wealthiest member of the living alumni Lucius was there to do his duty by the school that had educated his ancestors for ages. Of course he was also hoping to bump into a certain leather-clad criminal.









He had been there for hours with no sign of her. Where could she possibly be? The castle was filled with the wealthy and famous members of England’s magical community, it was the perfect scenario to fill her charitable coffers and she was a no show. Why? Lucius drummed his fingers in annoyance on the green linen covered table and scanned the room. He had made a valiant attempt at idle conversation with several people but couldn’t focus on the topic as his eyes were continuously scanning the room for a glimpse of her.







“I don’t believe it.” Lucius looked to his right at his son’s shocked exclamation. Draco’s mouth was gaping and his eyes were wide open as he stared across the room. Lucius followed the line of sight and the hair stood up on the back of his neck. A woman stood near the front of the hall. Her soft curves were draped in black satin. The bodice of her gown was a corset that laced up the back with satin ribbons and had narrow straps at her shoulders. From beneath the corset a black satin skirt flared out from the nipped in waist to brush the tops of her satin pumps. Tons of lovely, chestnut hair was pinned artfully to the back of her head with several curling tendrils slipping free to rest along the creamy skin of her back and shoulders.









“Who is it?” Lucius asked, unable to take his eyes off of her.







“You don’t recognize her?” Draco smirked. “That’s Hermione Granger.”







“No, Ms. Granger would never look like that. I don’t think the woman has ever seen couture, much less worn it.” Lucius scoffed. The woman turned slightly and showed her profile and Lucius swore softly. “Well I’ll be damned.”







“I didn’t think she had it in her. Saw her look pretty once at the Yule ball in school but that was about the only time.” Draco said. “I’m confused, I can barely stand her yet I can’t take my eyes off of her.”







“She is too much woman for you, Draco, so don’t even entertain the thought. She actually has a brain in her head and tongue that can slice a man to ribbons. Stick with that vapid little bride of yours.” Lucius said as he rose from his chair.







“Where are you going?”







“I’m going to ask Ms. Granger to dance.” Lucius said as he left his son gaping after him. Hell, if he couldn’t have the little firebrand he wanted then he would settle for a little interaction with an equally fiery witch to pass the dull and uneventful evening. She turned towards the room and her eyes caught his as he approached her. She was lovely and it stunned him to view her as such. He had suspected that she could be pretty with a little…scratch that, a LOT of help, but he had no idea she would be so utterly breathtaking. It was disturbing to feel his body revving up, responding to the woman growing closer with every step. He realized suddenly that while he wanted the masked lady he could also find himself wanting the snide little bluestocking as well.







“Ms. Granger, how very nice to see you this evening.” He said as he took her hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles tenderly. “I had no idea such a flower lay beneath the weeds.”







“A compliment accompanied by an insult, how charming.” Hermione chuckled. “I trust you donated generously to our alma mater, Mr. Malfoy.”







“It’s always about the donation with you, isn’t it?” He continued to hold her hand though neither of them seemed to notice.









“A job hazard I am afraid.” She smiled and he caught his breath. “What brings you across the hall to speak with me, Mr. Malfoy? Did you come to ask me about your masked woman?”









“Not at all, I simply came to ask the belle of the ball for a dance.” He replied. “Would you take a turn about the dance floor with me?” He saw the surprise register on her face briefly before she nodded and allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. They were completely unaware of the curious stares of the other guests as Lucius pulled her into his arms. The music of a small orchestra began to play and with a practiced grace he began leading her in a slow waltz.







“Don’t let it go to your head, but you are probably the best partner I have ever danced with. You are light on your feet and stay off of mine.” She grinned.









“Well my mother would take this opportunity to say ‘I told you so’ for the years of dance instruction that I groaned about.” He said guiding her into a smooth turn. “I am curious, you look lovely this evening. Why do you not make such an effort every day?”







“Whatever for? I am not out to impress anyone, I simply wish to do my job and to do it well. My appearance has no bearing on my ability to do the right thing. You might think about that your self.” She said, smoothing her hand over the fine fabric covering his shoulder. “If formal wear wasn’t required for this evening I wouldn’t have bothered. I wouldn’t have gone to this much trouble but Ginny insisted.”







“No, it doesn’t have any bearing on your ability. I can see that professionally you are very dedicated and that you take your job very seriously, but personally…aren’t you lonely? Do you not think about finding a partner?” He couldn’t deny that her frumpy, plain day to day appearance drew attention. He had certainly taken the time to observe her in morbid curiosity and wonder why she hid her true beauty. Maybe that was the point, to make people look beneath the surface.







“It isn’t really a priority for me at the moment.” She answered, wondering why he was so curious. “Besides, no ordinary wizard is going to do for me.”







“Is that so?” One smooth silver brow arched high and the corner of his mouth lifted. “And pray tell, what kind of wizard is it that a witch like you needs, Ms. Granger.”









Was he flirting with her? Hermione felt her stomach tighten at the thought. Surely he wasn’t flirting with her. He was obsessed with the Masked Lady, the mysteriously sexy witch who taunted and teased him unmercifully. Lucius Malfoy did NOT flirt with plain, brainy witches who busted his balls regularly about his lack of charitable impulses.









“A strong wizard, one who knows how to be a man.” She found herself responding to his flirtation, her voice dipping lower as she spoke suggestively, deliberately teasing him. “I can’t be bothered with a weak man who cries and whimpers in the shadow of a strong woman.”







“I take it this paragon of wizard has yet to be found?” His body tightened and he pulled her a little bit closer to him, his grip firm and commanding.







“Sadly he remains elusive. I’ve wasted too much time kissing frogs in search of a prince. I need a man who can take what he wants without waiting for me to guide him.” She ran her tongue over her lips and Lucius caught the fruity scent of her lip gloss, it was familiar, as was the sweet scent that clung to her skin.







“Tell me more about this dream man.” He whispered, his brain telling him things that were impossible. It wasn’t her, there was no way in hell that the masked lady and Hermione Granger were the same creature but there it was, the similarities dancing through his head. She tilted her head to the side and her eyes grew dark and smoky.







“I need a man who can handle a witch like me. Who can handle a strong, independent woman who knows what she wants, what she needs. A woman who knows how to get it and won’t stop until she is completely satisfied.” She purred.







“So you need a man with some…stamina…as well as strength.” The hand resting on her back slid slightly lower, drifting dangerously into what society would deem inappropriate territory. Hermione knew he wanted her and as much as she would like to deny it that answering pulse of desire was throbbing low in her belly.







“If such a man exists he remains hidden.” She said, boldly looking into his eyes.







“If such a man existed, what would you do with him?” He wanted to bite her lips, sink his teeth into that plump lower lip and taste her. A low growl rumbled in his chest when she moved closer and lifted onto her toes, bringing her lips close to his ear.







“The real question should be what wouldn’t I do with him, or for him.” She moved back and pulled that coveted bottom lip between her teeth. “Song is over.” She said, sliding her hand down his arm as she stepped back. “Thank you for the dance.”







“Thank you…would you like to get a drink?” He asked.







“Not tonight.” She smiled and lifted her hand waggling her fingers slightly. “Goodbye, Mr. Malfoy.” She said as she slipped through the crowd of dancers and out the door. It was then that his body began to shake in anger, disbelief and delight. It was her. That wave, the husky way she said Mr. Malfoy…it was her, he found her.









He didn’t care how it looked as he ran through the crowd after her, bursting through the door and into the corridor. He didn’t see her, but he knew that school like the back of his hand. He thought about where he would go if he wanted to slip away undetected. How would he leave? With a smirk he headed towards the dungeons. He couldn’t believe it, the little witch had been right under his nose and he hadn’t even considered it would be her.







He ran down the stairs, his black dress shoes clicking on the stone steps as he darted down a dark corridor filled with empty classrooms. At the end he saw the familiar suit of armor and he reached up and tugged on the emerald plume sprouting from the helmet. The recessed niche moved forward with a rough scraping of stone on stone revealing a darkened passageway behind it. Cold, stale air blew through and lifted his hair but it didn’t deter him. He pulled his wand from the cane tucked into a loop on his belt and cast a lumos charm before he slipped into the passageway and followed the familiar path to a hidden entrance into the castle. He found himself on the school grounds at the base of the castle near the lake.







It was how he had slipped in and out undetected for years. Sometimes he had gone to meet girls; other times it had been to attend meetings with the Dark Lord. It had been well used and he recalled the path vividly as he trudged up the side of the hill and made his way to the base of Gryffindor tower. Just as he suspected the stones slid away and she stepped out into the moonlight. He knew that the little Gryffindor would use that passage, the same passage Remus Lupin had used to get back into the castle after the full moons.







She had her skirts clutched in her hands as she skipped over the stone laden footpath, moving quickly for a woman in ankle breaking high heels. But she wasn’t quick enough, not this time. As she rounded the tower Lucius grabbed her by the arm, jerking her against him and clapping his hand over her mouth so she couldn’t alert the other guests.







“Finally, you little vixen, you couldn’t vanish into a puff of smoke.” He said as he pulled her into the castle’s shadow. She didn’t resist him but he could see the ‘fight’ shining in her eyes. “You told me once that if I could catch you I could have you any way I wanted. Get ready, witch, because now…you are mine.” Without warning her Lucius apparated them away.











Told ya he would figure it out early on….but its not over….oh no….not by a longshot….because you see…Hermione wasn’t the mystery here….that has yet to be revealed =)…SO…hope you enjoyed this chapter….now, get ready…because Lucius is a randy bastard and well…there are miles of lemons ahead for you my friends!!!