LUCKY

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this tale, and receive no proceeds from it. All borrowed courtesy of Ms. J.K. Rowling

CHAPTER NINE

Aside from mealtimes, Hermione hadn’t seen Lucius for more than a month. Her new bedchamber had been cleaned and it was beautiful. Her bed was a large and comfortable tester bed with beautiful linens done in yellow and cream to match both her sitting and dressing rooms. However, the bed was significantly smaller than Lucius’, almost the size of a double bed. Of course this was a subtle indication that her bed was not the appropriate setting for the begetting of an heir.

Hermione had been quite busy. During the week, she worked long hours at the ministry and often found something to eat before she came home. The week-ends were taken up with Lucius’ project. Every week-end Hermione would hole up in the laboratory in the dungeons with Brutus and two other trustworthy employees. Brutus had been closely involved in the testing phase of a device that could tell if someone was under an Unforgivable curse. Lucius never appeared in the laboratory, preferring to have Brutus update him.

Hermione had been surprised that Brutus was so hands on with the project. He was very knowledgeable and she often wondered why she was even needed. But, as Brutus often said, a second set of eyes and ears often caught what he missed, since he was so immersed in the process. They worked well together. Brutus’ quirky sense of humour provided a much needed levity to a daunting prospect.

Ian and Gwen were also easy to get along with and seemed to have a romance brewing between the two. The two had worked on several projects for both Brutus and Lucius, and were familiar with what was needed. Both were former Aurors and had extensive experience with Unforgivable curses.

Late one evening, as she and Brutus were readying to leave, Hermione impulsively invited Brutus to share a drink with her. After the second drink, Brutus began to speak of his wife, Aileen. It had been a love match, and he still mourned her loss.

“Hermione, while I can’t say that I haven’t continued to find some enjoyment in life. It’s just not the same. When my first grandchild is born, she is the woman I wanted to share that moment. Every once in a while, I’ll think to myself. ‘Wait ‘til Aileen hears this.’ But she…she’s not there. And never will be again.” Shaking his head slowly he was silent for bit. Then he smiled, “That’s why I’m glad that Lucius has you now.”

Startled by this statement, Hermione began to protest, but was forestalled by Brutus’ upheld hand.

“Now, don’t think I don’t see that you’re having a rough patch. But that will blow over. As long as you are willing to compromise. It would do Lucius no good to have a woman that gave into his every whim. He’s spoiled enough as it is. What he needs is someone that cares for him. If you can do that, you’ll see, there isn’t a thing in this world he’d deny you, Hermione.”

Smiling benevolently, Brutus continued, “Lucius doesn’t believe in love. But I know it exists. He’d never admit it, but he loves me. As I love him. I want him to have the same happiness I had with Aileen.”

“I don’t think that will be with me Brutus. We haven’t had the best beginning. I don’t hate Lucius or truly wish him ill, but I doubt that I could ever love him. He’s too manipulative, and I find it hard to respect a man that is not completely open with me.”

“Ha!” Brutus gestured towards Hermione. “You young people put too much pressure on your mates. Honesty, openness. These are things that evolve. Like trust. They are not just given, but earned. Why don’t you try being honest and open for a change. Admit that you like Lucius a lot more than you expected. Give the man a chance, dear. He may surprise you. Hell, give yourself a chance.”

“You don’t understand,” Hermione said feeling defensive.

“You are right. I don’t understand.” Brutus leaned into whisper fiercely, “But I do know that Narcissa never loved Lucius. Nor he her. She never gave anyone anything without exacting a price. Don’t make the mistake of turning this marriage into a business transaction. Only the emotionally dead can survive that kind of life without scars.” Finished, Brutus stood and bid a pensive Hermione goodnight.

Hermione didn’t sleep much that night. That whole week Brutus’ words weighed on her mind. Could she compromise? Would it be worth it? Would Lucius be able to change? It was aggravating to have so many questions tearing down her sound reasoning.

Her final meeting with Brutus was right before lunch this weekend, and they were to eat at the manor directly afterwards. These were Lucius’ instructions and had been delivered via a very shy house elf named Lentil.

How humiliating, as every day the past month Lucius made an effort to rise extremely early to avoid her at breakfast. On the few evenings Hermione at home, Lucius also seemed too busy to leave his study until after supper. Hermione was unused to this type of petulance. She normally aired her grievances and liked to move on once she had said her piece. Confused and angered she had followed Lucius’ lead and also refused to speak to him in turn.

So it was with some surprise that she found herself across Lucius in the breakfast room that morning. He looked so normal, as if they were not at odds. When his eyes flicked up to survey her, the silence seemed deafening. He was so damned handsome! She felt unable to look away, staring back into his distant smoky eyes. Her stomach growled, reminding her of how hungry she was. Not wanting to seem uncouth, she greeted him. “Good morning, Lucius. You’re looking well.” Not expecting an answer she began to fill her plate.

As he had every other time she spoke to him, he looked right through her. He reached for his paper and promptly erected its flimsy barrier between them. The sight of a magically moving Ron and Pansy greeted her. It was their wedding picture. The couple grinned and kissed and waved to an invisible audience. For a long moment Hermione waited for the pain of this loss to hit her. Instead all she really felt was sad. Sad and lost. It seemed everyone was happily married. Everyone but Hermione Malfoy.

Willing herself to shake this melancholy mood off, Hermione turned her attention to her rapidly cooling eggs. She was just taking her last sip of tea, when the paper lowered to the table. Seeing Lucius so calmly going about his breakfast routine, made Hermione want to dump the platter of eggs on his head.

“Make sure you are suitably attired for your meeting with Brutus. We are meeting with some ministry officials afterwards and they will all remain for luncheon.”

This command fell from lips that calmly sipped coffee. As if this kind of pronouncement were the norm. How this man aggravated her. Something seemed to crack inside, opening a chasm that released all the anger she’d bottled the last several weeks.

“This is ridiculous! I insist you stop pouting like child who’s lost his favourite toy.” Hermione stormed to the other side of the table. “I’ve had enough of your silent treatment. If this continues, I’m leaving.”

“Stop threatening me Hermione, or you won’t like the consequences.” Lucius stood to face Hermione’s advance.

“Really? What are you going to do? Lock me in my room? Spank me? Newsflash – I’m not your damned property! Those days are long gone.” Hermione’s belligerent tone only fuelled Lucius’ ire.

“I think a bit of corporal punishment would do a world of good to a harridan like you. In fact it sounds better by the second.” Lucius sounded as if he were seriously considering this course of action.

A shriek of outrage hissed from Hermione’s mouth. Grabbing a handful of kippers, she flung them at Lucius. The fish smacked him square in the face and slid down his chin to his robe landing on the floor.

Wiping away the mess from his face, centuries of good breeding slipped away. He reached a long arm out to snag Hermione before she ran from the room. Hermione was torn between horrified laughter and terror. It was as the laughter began to win that the sound of squishing reached her.

Lucius smiled terribly as he smashed the remaining eggs on her head. The smile grew as the shock on Hermione’s face bloomed. Until she kicked his shins. The fight was on in earnest. The two scuffled and scrambled until they slipped in the mess on the floor landing in the midst of it.

Sitting on top of Lucius’ chest, Hermione couldn’t get up as he held her firmly to him. It was in that moment, amid the debris of their food fight that she gave in. She knew then what she wanted, and it was right beneath her. Lowering her head, she kissed him chastely at first. For a second Lucius’ body was rigid. Then she felt his hands in her hair pulling her in for a deeper, more carnal kiss. She could only hope that none of the elves popped in to clean up.


A.N. I rarely end a chapter in the middle of a scene, but I had to for this one.

BTW - I still need a beta.