Last Exit to Eden

Title: Last Exit to Eden- Chapter 7
Author: lucretziathevagabond
Rating: NC-17 overall. PG for this chapter
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. JKR et al own Harry Potter and any recognizable characters. I own the ones you don’t recognize. I make no money from this story; I am merely attempting to improve my writing skills

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When she finally calmed down enough to pay attention to surroundings, she realized she was sitting in her back garden, wrapped in a blanket. Lucius was holding her tightly, keeping her warm and making her feel safe. Snuggling closer, she could feel his heart pounding in his chest. She tipped her head and kissed his jaw, feeling the tension in him.

“Are you okay?” she asked, trying for eye contact. “I thought you were working today.” He kept gazing at a spot in the distance.

“I was. Pansy flooed my secretary, saying it was an emergency.”

“I didn’t tell her to.” She reached up to stroke his chin, but he pulled away. Hermione frowned. He sounded so annoyed, and she was sure an argument was on the horizon.

“You can go back to work now. I’m fine.” Grey eyes were icy as he finally made eye contact with her. Pushing her gently off him he stood, making sure the blanket was wrapped warmly around her. He looked handsome in his dark grey suit and black robes. She moved forward to kiss him, but he held her at a distance.

“Are you finally convinced that you are not safe here until whoever is responsible for the break in is caught?”

“It was just a prank, Lucius. I’m fine now, I was just startled is all.” He looked at her, incredulous.
“Hermione, someone broke into your house in the middle of the night and destroyed your sitting room. Then they dressed as a Death Eater and enacted stabbing you in your sleep! That is not a prank; it is a felony. You are certainly not staying here. This is madness.”

“Lucius, I’ll be fine. You’re overreacting.” In truth, she was terrified of being in the house alone. She couldn’t ask someone to stay with her though, couldn’t ask them to risk their own safety for hers. Plus, returning to Malfoy Manor and the former domain of Narcissa Malfoy was not an option she wanted to consider.

“There are five Aurors searching your house and another three trying to trace the photos. No one believes this is a random occurrence. Someone is trying to harm you; a house elf and a witch of average abilities on a battlefield are not sufficient to protect you in this sort of situation.”

“If they wanted to harm me, they would have attacked me in my sleep. They’re just trying to scare me; that’s all.”

“Why are you so reluctant to stay at the manor?” he asked abruptly. Her cheeks reddened. Was she that obvious?

“I’m not. I just want to stay in my own home.” He growled and threw up his hands.

“Fine, I give up. Stay here, you’ll do what you want anyway. Just don’t go calling me the next time someone comes in your home and causes you real harm. Make sure you call your elf instead. She won’t be able to help you worth a damn, but you obviously trust her protection more than mine.” He turned away from her and started to walk away. Hurt raced through her as he saw him walk away without even a hug goodbye.

“Lucius, are you coming for dinner?” He turned to look at her, his face a blank mask.

“No. I need to catch up on the work I’ve missed wasting my time here. My secretary has had to cancel meetings; everything has to be rescheduled. It’s going to take days to make up the few hours I missed.” He lashed out, worry and anger made him want her to hurt as badly as she had hurt him.

Hermione felt like she had been punched in the stomach. Tears filled her eyes, and she started to tremble. “Lucius, wait!”

He ignored her, disapparating with a crack.

She crumpled to the ground, sobbing and tripping over her blanket. She didn’t notice the smirks on Ron and Kingsley’s faces as they watched her fight with the pureblood. They knew he would leave her eventually; what could she offer him? Harry looked furious at his friend’s treatment, although he completely agreed with Lucius’ assessment of her danger level. Fleur had arrived via apparition just as Pansy got to Hermione to help her to her feet and back to the house.

Two unnoticed pairs of eyes watched the scene with amusement, reveling in their triumph. In two days, they would have their revenge. Soon.


Hermione sat in her kitchen; watching as her private things were pawed through by strangers in blue Auror robes. Tears ran down her cheeks; she didn’t bother to wipe them away. For the past two hours, she had answered Harry’s questions but the truth of it was, she didn’t know anymore than she did two weeks ago when Juno McGonagall sat in her living room. She had made very little headway into finding the doctor’s identity that had treated and possibly obliviated the children in the orphanage. She felt sure that this would lead her to her attacker; Juno had made some very solid points in that regard.

“Miss Granger, are there people you could stay with until this person is caught? Your parents perhaps?” a bespectacled young Auror asked.

“I’m not leaving. This person will follow me wherever I go, and I am not putting my parents or anyone else in harm’s way.” She stood up shakily and made her way to her workroom; Kingsley followed her closely behind.

She sat at her desk, resting her head in her hands. Her eyes shifted to the now disheveled state of the room, thanks to the Aurors. It was going to take her hours to reorganize the carefully arranged shelves and drawers. Kingsley was leaning against her countertop, examining scratches on the glossy black surface.

“Granger, do you plan on listening to me if I give you my honest opinion of the situation?”

“ Your attacker will come back, and next time they may actually hurt you instead of frighten you.”

“I’m not leaving. You heard me say that already as I recall.”

Kingsley looked annoyed. He swiped at the scratches with a finger, and she could see him clench his teeth.

“Granger, I want you to hear me out. Merlin knows, you are known for ignoring well intentioned advice, but this time I need you to listen carefully.” Hermione looked at him, that defiant tilt to her chin that Kingsley hated so much.

“During the war, Lucius Malfoy was known for his obsessions. It’s part of the reason he was such a successful Death Eater, and why he is such a successful businessman today. When he gets hold of an idea, he won’t let go until he can possess it completely.”

He took a breath.

“Have you considered that these attacks could be orchestrated by someone with an ulterior motive? Someone who will stop at nothing until he possesses you, because you are his most recent obsession?”

Hermione rolled her eyes.

“Lucius is using you Hermione. That’s what he does. He couldn’t even stay loyal to his Dark Lord; he turned traitor to his cause because he could see no more benefit for him. Right now, he needs a muggleborn because it will benefit him; it will make him seem reformed to the magical public. When people move on, so will he. You’ll be left with nothing but a ruined reputation.”

“Get out.” She waved at the door.

“Hermione, you need to listen.”

“I said get out.”

She began to rise from her chair, an angry expression on her face. Kingsley turned on his heel and left the room. She could hear the Aurors packing up their supplies, and her floo activate. She sat in her chair until the house was once again quiet. Standing slowly, she walked to her worktable and began brushing off the counters.

Truthfully, she had begun to think along the same lines as Kingsley. Lucius hadn’t been involved in her attack, that much was certain. She had seen the flash of worry when he looked at her before the icy mask of the aristocrat came crashing down and hid his emotions, cutting at her heart with his hash words. She had watched as he had pushed her away gently earlier, making sure the heavy blanket was wrapped warmly around her to make up for the lost body heat he was taking from her as he left their embrace. He was furious with her, but still concerned.

No, her worry was that Lucius WAS possibly trying to use her. She could imagine him, noticing her on his forays into the muggle world to visit his sister’s grave. He had been widowed for years now, and she had possibly caught his interest as a no strings attached affair. After all, she was in her self-imposed exile now; who would see and judge him?

He had been pressuring her to come back to the magical community, knowing that her book had drawn a lot of attention, and that Marguerite Blakeney was a curiosity to the world. With the overturn of the Marriage Law, she knew from Fred and George that she had once again become a person of interest to the Prophet. What better exposure for a reformed Death Eater than a war hero whose name was on everyone’s lips? Not to mention her profitable business venture, which gave her respectability above many less ambitious types. Yes, she would be a trophy, one that would tarnish in time.

Lucius had won her over quickly, her loneliness and eagerness to show someone what she knew making her vulnerable to a man who had a great deal of experience in seduction. Well, maybe not a great deal, but certainly more than she had. He had gained her trust, and then proceeded to seduce her body. They hadn’t actually had sex, but they had done other things, things that Pansy had told her “proper witches” didn’t do with their husbands. No, what they had done was what mistresses did with their lovers, trading frenzied moments of intimacy for safety and personal gain. She was afraid she was being used, and the truth of the matter was, when his lips touched her neck and his teeth grazed her inner thigh before marking her again and again, she really didn’t care why he was with her. She just craved his touch: those gentle caresses and blissful orgasms had become an addiction. After the debacle at the manor, he had made no effort to touch her beyond a kiss. Maybe he was losing interest, not wanting his reputation as a pureblooded gentleman damaged by openly consorting with a woman half his age who was socially awkward and held unpopular opinions.

An hour later, Pansy came in and silently started cleaning off the other worktable. The two girls worked, both wanting the other to bring up the morning’s incident. Finally, Pansy spoke.

“I didn’t think those Aurors would ever leave. Did you know they went through Ruby’s room as well? I’m amazed you couldn’t hear her shrieking with rage. Honestly, a house elf would never do something like that. Ministry officials are morons.”

“What time are you leaving?” Hermione asked quietly. “I’ll need you to take Ruby with you, I don’t want her caught up in this.” Pansy stared at her as though she had just started speaking in Mermish.

“Where, EXACTLY, do you think I’m going?” Her voice was uncomfortably similar to that of Lucius’ icy tones.

Hermione turned to look at the woman behind her in confusion. Pansy had her hand on her hip, eyes blazing with fury as she looked at her. Hermione saw the outline of her wand in her fashionably cut sage colored robes, and then looked back up at her fuming friend. Surely she planned on leaving? She would just be in the way here, and risk getting caught in the crossfire. No, the ex-Slytherin needed to leave, maybe go to her fiancées home, or even stay with the Malfoys.

“Granger, I’m not leaving you here alone with a stalker on the loose and no wand to protect you. Ruby has no intention of leaving either; she burst into tears and poured hot coffee in an Auror’s lap who asked her if she wanted to be sent somewhere safe until this is over. He ran out of the house like he was on fire.” Pansy grinned at the memory.

“I just don’t want you to get hurt, Pansy. This has nothing to do with you, or Ruby. If something were to happen, I’d never forgive myself.”

“Leave the infamous Gryffindor nobility out of it. I’m staying, and Ruby is staying. We are going to work together to find an answer to why you’re being stalked, and we’ll fix it. Then, we can get back to normal, and next month we can go to that stupid finishing school. When we get back from that, we can ignore everything we’ve learned and scandalize pureblood society for the next hundred years or so.”

Hermione’s eyes welled up with tears, and she turned away to look out the window to hide them from Pansy. Buttercream was chasing that damned toad again; honestly she was obsessed with it. For the past few weeks, the kneazle had tormented the oversized amphibian. Hermione had tried moving it out of the main garden area, but it had come back. After the third time she’d moved it, she’d given up.

“Tell me, Hermione.” Pansy’s voice was soft, and the brunette turned from the window to apologize for ignoring her. Pansy repeated her question.

“What’s going on with you and Lucius? I saw him leave earlier; it seemed rather sudden.”

The two women left the now spotless room, and Hermione settled into a cream colored sofa. She was fighting tears again, damn it.

“I think he’s tired of me. I don’t blame him; there’s just too much to overcome with all of this nonsense going on. I mean, first the Prophet, then this. Plus, we’re really from two different worlds. Or, maybe… he’s using me.”

Pansy snorted in a rather unladylike fashion, and then burst out laughing. When Hermione didn’t respond, the dark haired girl looked at her friend. Hermione’s lip was trembling and tears were rolling down her cheeks. In that moment, Pansy understood that her friend was serious.

“First off, Lucius Malfoy is not tired of you, and he’s not using you.. He doesn’t give a damn about your bloodlines anymore; he just wants you by his side. When you came to the manor, he made that very clear to everyone that you weren’t some casual shag to him. He intends to have you in his life legally, and permanently. He brought you into a place where his friends and business contacts were, and did everything but publicly say he plans on courting you. If you were a one off for him, he wouldn’t care. You could have answered questions through the floo.

“Secondly, he accepts that you are from two different backgrounds, and he’s trying to adapt. He wears muggle clothes when he comes to see you, and believe me when I tell you he’s usually always seen in the finest robes and tons of jewels. He’s accepted your wish not to go into Diagon Alley even though he has missed several business dinners to be here instead. I know that you hate the idea of that damned finishing school, but he wants you to be comfortable in society and not have to suffer more than you have to.”

“ I shouldn’t have to change for him…” Hermione began, but Pansy cut him off.

“Why shouldn’t you? When you went to Hogwarts you had to adapt; when you went to a magical university you had to adapt. Why in the world would you want to throw away a chance at happiness just because you’d have to make an adjustment to your lifestyle? He’s trying to meet you halfway, but you’re just being stubborn.”

Hermione put her head in her hands. She knew she needed to hear this; that didn’t mean she wanted to.

“Hermione, I truly believe Lucius cares about you. He’s trying to show you that in the only way he knows how. You just keep throwing his attempts back at him, and even Malfoy confidence eventually gives way. It’s humiliating.”

The distraught woman looked up.

“I don’t understand. Humiliating?”

Pansy sighed. This was going to be hard to explain. Pureblooded society had different values, and Hermione’s feminist streak was going to flare up. She took a breath, then began.

“Okay, let me explain. As you know, muggle and wizarding cultures are different. For the most part, your experience with magical families has revolved around the Weasleys. I’m sure they’re very nice, but their behavior is not indicative of how magical society usually works. They are much more muggle than wizard. It’s not an insult, just an observation.

“ Most of magical society is far more formal. Casual dating is frowned upon, as well as close male-female friendships. This is starting to change slowly, but for the most part associating with someone of the opposite sex is done with the intent to possibly forward a marriage. There is no “hanging out” like what you do with the Weasleys or what I do with Draco. That’s why everyone assumed we would be betrothed; witches and wizards are just not as close as we are outside of marriage.

“When a wizarding couple marry, it’s for life. Divorce is not common; so that’s why many marriages are arranged. There is a belief that younger people will get caught up in lust and choose poorly. Parents know their children better, and can look at things more objectively in terms of general suitability. Adultery is often tolerated, and if you stay with Lucius, you’ll witness plenty of it in his circle. Interestingly enough, while adultery is almost accepted as normal; a faithful couple is treated with a great deal of respect. There is less risk of drama and shame attached if problems and jealousies arise. As far as I know, Lucius and Narcissa were faithful to each other their entire marriage, despite all the temptation.

“As you can imagine, in a culture where appearances are so important, a witch is in some ways a trophy. They are given lavish jewels, and treated like queens. In return, they keep the wizards happy and the household running smoothly. They further the family name with charity work and raising their children. This probably sounds really outdated to you, but it’s the way it has always been done. That’s not to say they are weak; many times they are the power behind the scenes. I know Narcissa and Lucius made most major decisions together. Lucius won’t care if you work; he just doesn’t want you holding a job he sees as being beneath you.

Lucius is trying to make it clear that he supports you and plans to be with you. He wants to take you to his social events; he wants you to be by his side at dinners and parties at the manor as hostess, but you won’t go. He has tried to buy you robes and jewelry, but you won’t take them. He’s tried to protect you, but you keep rejecting him. I know you don’t think you need his help, but he wants to do this; he wants to stake his claim.”

“Pansy, he is just so intense. Everything he does, I have to keep trying to read between the lines.”

“If you wanted simple, you should have married a Weasley. Malfoys are complex by nature.” She watched Hermione struggle with accepting her explanations.

“When you return to the wizarding world, there are going to be wizards lined up to date you. You’re going to be the next new thing, and everyone’s going to want a piece of that. Lucius is not 25, he’s not some model or flashy Quidditch star. He is a middle aged, wealthy, decent man who is afraid if he doesn’t let the world know you’re his witch, some younger man will lure you away. You have to admit, the men you’ve been with have all been successful and in your age group: Victor Krum the Quidditch star, Fred and George the new wizarding millionaires, Harry ‘The Boy Who Lived’ Potter. Who wouldn’t be intimidated, even just a little?”

“I’m not going to run off with some Quidditch star. As you may recall, I want to stay out of the magical community.”

“Yes, but you know deep down that’s not realistic. How will you explain your books, your research? Plus, if you start dating muggles, Lucius can’t compete there. If you want him to lay off and stop being so possessive, give him something real. Wear a piece of jewelry he gives you, or go to some stupid banquet. You’ll be bored and people will stare, but he will feel better and not be so overbearing.”

“I’m not a possession, Pansy. I don’t want to be marked.” The more she thought about it though, Pansy was probably right. Insecure was not something she normally associated with the name Malfoy, but when she thought about how she would feel competing with other witches, she began to understand. She felt horrible about her argument with Lucius. Maybe Pansy was right, she could put up with being stared at if it meant he would feel more secure and these horrible arguments would stop.

Taking a deep breath, she went to get a parchment, and began writing:

Dear Lucius,
I’m sorry for my reactions this morning; I know you were just trying to keep me safe. It’s difficult to let someone in; I’ve been taking care of myself for years and don’t like feeling weak.
Last week, you mentioned a new restaurant in Diagon Alley. If the invitation is still open, I would like to go there with you tonight. If you already have plans, I understand. This morning’s debacle no doubt put you behind in your business dealings, but we can reschedule it for later in the week if that would be better. This is all a bit last minute, but I miss having a charming dinner companion. Please send your answer back with Ruby, and if you agree to meet me I can come to Malfoy, Inc. at whatever time you are available.
Respectfully,

Hermione

She handed to parchment to Pansy who read it and smiled, before summoning Ruby and giving her instructions. With a pop the elf vanished. Pansy nodded in approval at her decision.

“I’m going back to the magical community on my terms.” Hermione said simply.

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Ruby appeared just outside the sprawling building that was Malfoy, Inc. holding her parchment. She was almost trampled by a group of giggly women, and then again by a distracted man wearing a kilt. Ignoring them, she approached the moving box that took people between floors. Pressing the up button, she waited, removing her coat and scarf.

People seemed to take notice of her, and Ruby was pretty certain they were remarking on her new dress Pansy had given her-it was bright red with a matching cardi-something sweater and tiny red shoes with white tights. It was warm, and Ruby was pleased that Miss Hermione and Miss Pansy were so thoughtful. To think, she could be stuck at Hogwarts changing sheets all day and wearing a tea towel.

A man in a black robe with a badge came up to her.

“Elf, what‘re you doing here?” the man asked gruffly.

“I is here to deliver a message to Mr. Malfoy, sir.”

“Your master doesn’t use an owl then?” the man asked, doubtfully. In his ten years at Malfoy, Inc. he had never seen a house elf act as a messenger; especially one with clothes and jewelry. Someone who could afford to dress an elf would certainly be able to afford an owl. He needed to consult with someone higher to see if he could let the elf go up. He returned to his station and sent a message to his superior immediately.

“I can deliver the parchment”, a voice said from behind Ruby. The elf turned and looked at the woman. She was short, round and packed into a robe that was too small and bright pink. Privately, Ruby thought she looked like a bag of candy floss., and her perfume was making her eyes water. She turned back around to face the elevator.

“No thank you. I is to deliver this in person to Mr. Malfoy.”

“Mr. Malfoy and I are very good friends. He won’t mind.”

“No.” The elf clutched the parchment tighter. This woman needed to go away.

“Give it to me.”

“No.” The argument was beginning to draw a crowd, and the woman seemed to have splotches of pink high on her cheeks.

The woman drew her wand, and Ruby glared.

“Give it to me.” She commanded.

“No. I is to give this to Mr. Malfoy, not you.”

An elevator opened, and Lucius Malfoy stepped out, Blaise Zabini at his side. He frowned as he looked at the crowd that had formed near the elevator, and he heard arguing. Looking to the guard who was talking to his supervisor, he shook his head and approached.

“What’s going on here?’ Blaise demanded. The crowd parted to see the oddest looking elf he had ever seen arguing with that bitch Rowan Diggory from the Daily Prophet. He swore quietly. Lucius had taken the woman to a banquet as a favor to Amos Diggory, the girl’s uncle several months ago. Now she was constantly underfoot. Certainly, it helped with PR issues to have her in their pocket. But who in the devil argued with a house elf? He began to doubt the woman’s sanity.

“I’ll have a word with that mudblood bitch of a mistress you have, the woman snarled. You are a lesser being, you’ll do as you’re told.” She snatched at the parchment, but Ruby retained it.

“I is a free elf…”

“May I help you?” a smooth voice asked from behind them. Elf and woman turned to see Lucius standing there, looking rather amused. The crowd began to disperse, although they were moving slowly.

“Mr. Malfoy, I is to give you this sir. I is to stay until you reply” She reached up to hand the parchment to the taller man. He took it and unrolled the scroll, reading it and looking up sharply at the elf.

“Come to my office so I may write my reply.” He gestured to the now open elevator, ignoring the shocked stares of the Diggory bitch and Blaise. The elf walked into the elevator holding her coat, standing primly and glaring at that horrid woman. Blaise hurried in before the doors closed and stood silently next to his employer.

When they arrived at the office, Ruby climbed into a chair to wait. Blaise looked at her open mouthed.

“Blaise, this is Ruby. She is a paid house elf who lives with Miss Parkinson and Miss Granger. I believe I’ve told you about them being roommates?” The dark man nodded.

“Er…hello, Ruby.” He was going to be calling Parkinson about this tonight. A paid house elf, dressed in clothes and shoes?

“Hello, Mr. Blaise.” The elf waited, as the ink dried on the parchment and she watched Mr. Malfoy press his seal into the wax. He handed it to her and she climbed off the chair.

“Ruby, I want you to take the floo back. That woman could still be outside.” She nodded and took the floo powder he handed her. Within moments, the elf was gone.


Hermione tore at the letter when Ruby appeared in the floo., ignoring the recount of the elevator incident the elf was giving Pansy.

Dear Hermione,

Thank you for your apology. I appreciate the sentiment, but as I have heard of no additional security measures you are taking I assume you intend to continue to put yourself at risk. Your behavior and sheer stubbornness is unacceptable and indecorous to say the least.
I regret to inform you that I am leaving today for a three day conference in Kinsale, Ireland related to improving relations with the Druid population, and will therefore be unavailable to meet you for dinner. When I return, we will need to sit down and discuss future plans. As you appear to dislike the Manor, we can meet at your home. I will owl you upon my return.
Sincerely,

Lucius Malfoy

After reading the cold haughtiness in the letter, she started to cry again. Pansy took it from her hand and read it. Moments later she was holding the young woman as she sobbed.

“Hermione, he’s just off balance and it makes him such a git. It’ll be okay; you’ll see.”
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Coming up next: The Terrible Truth.