Line Between Nightmare and Dream

Hermione threw another outfit on the floor. The heap of clothes was reaching dangerous heights. She couldn’t decide what the appropriate attire was for barging in on a man and demanding he talk about how he tortured you and yet still look hot. She had already put on the blue dress from the bar a few times but decided it was too dressy for this, plus he had already seen her in it.

She settled for dark wash jeans, a green top with a portrait neckline and black pumps. She found the yellow earrings she wore to the bar then took a deep breath and apparated to the Malfoy Manor.

She walked right up to the front door and knocked. She couldn’t waste any time, if she hesitated she would think about what she was about to do and then she’d never be able to do this.

The same house elf that she met the last time she was there greeted her. She thought the elf looked unusually clean but didn’t think about it too much, she had to stay focused.

“Is Mr. Malfoy in?” Hermione said “Lucius” she added when she realized Draco was technically Mr. Malfoy too.

The elf stumbled for words but backed up to let Hermione in. She continued to back up until she was standing in a huge dinning room. The table at the center would have easily sat the entire Slytherin house but it was only set for two.

She shivered at the thought of who must have sat at that table once but then jumped at the realization that it was set for two. Draco and Lucius? No she was pretty sure Draco was in London. Then who else was eating with Lucius?

‘Had he anticipated my move?’ She wondered. ‘Holy shit! Was this going to turn into a dinner date?!?!!!!!!’ Her pulse began to race and blood flushed her face.

The thought of being on a date with Lucius began to consume her. She could see him pouring her wine and laughing at his jokes. She could imagine what it would feel like when she got towards the last bite and the next step of the night started brewing. She was so lost in her fantasy she missed the footsteps behind her.

“Ms. Granger?!” Lucius said in a shocked tone

“Mr. Malfoy!!! I..uh..” She looked from him to the table and back again

“Vesy told me you were here” He searched for words; he could feel his shirt cling to his back as he began to sweat.

Lucius was wearing a very elegant cloaked suit. There was a hint of a green silk shirt under his jacket and his hair was pulled back into a matching green ribbon. Everything about him was immaculate, even the ribbon had perfectly symmetrical loops and tails. Lucius’ suit made Hermione believe her fantasy even more. He was waiting for her…

They stood staring at each other for a long time before Lucius broke the silence.

“What are you doing here” Hermione thought he sounded sad but she was not going to analyze, she HAD to stay focused

“I wanted…Need…. I need to talk to you about some things” Staying focused was proving to be extremely difficult

“I do too” He answered

Hermione was shocked. ‘YES he is going to talk!’ she thought. But the look in his eyes made her excitement die. ‘but not about anything good crap!’

“Maybe you could stop by tomorrow…” Lucius began

“No it has taken every bit of me to get this far I need to talk now” Hermione interrupted

“Hermione” Lucius looked nervously at the front door

“I have…these…feel.issues I need to talk through with you” Hermione began

“Hermione I really think tomorrow…”Lucius tried again

“NO” Hermione took a step towards him. A rage pulsed through her body she was going to be heard.

“No” She said softer “I really would like to talk now” She stared at the floor

Lucius walked over to her and pulled her chin up to meet his gaze. His eyes burned in hers, she had remembered his eyes exactly how they were and seeing them so close in person was making her stomach flip.

“I understand. I have been battling demons these past months as well and I want nothing more than to talk to you,… believe me” His voice was so quiet even the huge ball room didn’t resonate an echo.

She wanted nothing more than to fall into his arms and cry into his chest. His words put her so at ease she was shocked to see another set of eyes over his shoulder.

The woman looking on was gorgeous. No beyond gorgeous. She had dark brown hair flowing down to her knees and in such good shape not a single strand was out of place. The dazzling green dress would have been blinding if the room was lit with anything other than candles. She was obviously here for the dinner date.

Despite her 9 inch heels she sashayed to Lucius’ side with impeccable grace.

“My dear I do hope you plan on washing your hands before you eat” She said over his shoulder

Lucius turned quickly to meet the woman face to face and she impulsively leaned in for a kiss. Instead Lucius introduced the woman to Hermione and the woman smirked at Hermione’s discomfort.

“How traditionalist of you to have a Mudblood serve us dinner and I heard you were losing your edge” the woman said as she played with Lucius’ ponytail

“Hermione is a good friend of Draco’s she was just visiting” Lucius snapped at the woman making her step back and glare at him

Lucius took Hermione’s arm and walked her to the door “Please come back tomorrow” he pleaded in a whisper

All Hermione could do was nod and turn away before she started crying. She took a few steps off of the Malfoy property and apparated back home.

She sat on her bed and began to weep. ‘How could I have been so dumb! Of course he didn’t anticipate me coming I didn’t even know I was going till I went!!! Why would he ever want me for dinner when she has women like that to choose from! I hate this I hate this I hate this I hate this’

Back at the Manor, Lucius looked after Hermione wishing she wasn’t the woman leaving

“Dear should we eat?” the woman said behind Lucius

“No we are not eating you are leaving!” Lucius yelled and marched past her

“But I just got here don’t you want to…” she began

“No I do not want to!” Lucius interrupted

“What is wrong with you?” She asked

“Nothing is wrong with me; you are a pretentious BITCH who can’t seem to understand that times have CHANGED!!!” Lucius glared at her with fierce eyes and brows furrowed

“How dare you! My family…” She tried again

“Your family nothing! Family does NOT mean what it did. Your family is a dysfunctional heap of inbred mules who are so stuck in the past that they’ll be dead by the end of the century” Lucius wished she would just leave

“They were right you are losing your edge. Making friends with Mudbloods! Insulting a family of older lineage than you! Who do you think you are?” She frantically gripped and swiped at the air with her arms.

“I am the master of this house and I am ordering you to LEAVE” With the last word she flew backwards out the front door and out of sight.

It had been so long since he built the house he had forgotten about the unwanted guest charm he placed on it ages ago. If any guest refused to leave he could send them plummeting into a muggle dump yard.

He sat down in a nearby chair and the glass next to him filled with wine. He sneered at it and smashed it with the back of his hand.

“How could you be so stupid Lucius? Did you really think Samantha was going to help you forget Hermione? Now she’s never going to talk with you!” Lucius said out loud

“Master she may be back tomorrow” Vesy said while cleaning up the spilt wine

Lucius doubted it but he had to be ready.

“Vesy clear my schedule tomorrow, wake me up at 7am and have my best cloaks looking immaculate, If…when” he had to stay positive “Ms. Granger arrives inform me immediately and show her to the back lounge” Lucius stayed long enough to make sure Vesy heard then walked to his room.

Unfortunately sleep was not going to let him drift away tonight.