Mystery of You

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Chapter Nine


“Feeling sorry for yourself will solve nothing.” Lucius’s head snapped up seeing his long time friend Severus Snape standing in the doorway.


He let you a long sigh. “Did she floo you and ask you over?”


“You could say that,” he said flatly. “One minute I was enjoying the company of a whore and the next I was standing quite awkwardly in one of your libraries with Miss Granger turning a brilliant shade of russet.” He went over to the bar, pouring himself a fire whiskey. “We both were I wager, but that’s neither here nor there.” He looked to his friend. “Once we overcame our discomfort and I was given something to wear, she told me what has been going on.” He went over to his friend, sitting across from him. “She tells me that you haven’t left this room in a week. And now that I am here with you, I believe it.”


Lucius glared at him. “You aren’t as witty as you think you are.”


“No, I am more so, but again, not of importance. Why haven’t you left the room and why is it that you have been threatening the house elves and your charge with clothing?”


Lucius winced. “That was a mistake. I thought it was Violet, but it was Hermione.”


“I also heard that you’ve taken to throwing things at anyone coming through the door. Miss Granger’s favorite was a your great grandfather’s prized Ming vase.”


Again Lucius winced.


“Luckily, she was able to catch it before it went to pieces,” Severus murmured. “Now out with it. I don’t have time to coddle you.”


Lucius glared at him. “Then leave.”


Severus sighed heavily. “Miss Granger is worried about you.”


“Then take her with you. That way she won’t see me wallowing, as it were.”


“She told me Miss Lovegood was here last weekend. Said that you…”


“Stop.” Lucius got to his feet. “I know what happened. I do not need a recount.”


“Really, Lucius, you’ve never been one to pity yourself in such a manner. Why start now?”


“I…” He sighed heavily. “I did so many wrong things. I-I’m not that man anymore.” He looked into the other man’s black eyes. “But I can’t fix it. I can’t make it right. Can I?”


“I know of no legal way,” he murmured. “But there are a few things you can do.”


“Such?”


“Such as putting the past behind you. You can’t change it anymore than I can. Leave it where it belongs.” He took a sip of his drink. “You might also help those who you’ve hurt over the years. I’m not saying monetary compensation, but actual assistance with whatever it is that they need.”


“What if it is monetary assistance that they need?”


Severus sighed heavily. “If you rely upon your money to fix everything with those you’ve hurt, you’ll end up being poorer than the Weasleys!”


Just then there was a quiet knocking on the doors to the room. Lucius was silent for a time before he called out, “Come in, Hermione.”


The doors opened and she came strolling in, looking at him as she worried her lower lip.


“Would you like something to eat?” she asked hesitantly.


Lucius stood up and went over to her, kissing her temple. “I’ve wallowed enough. Thank you for bringing Severus over. He was just the tonic I needed. At the moment I am in dire need of a bath and sleep.”


He went to walk away when he heard a crashing sound behind him. Spinning around he saw Severus cradling the young witch in his arms.


“I do believe your charge hasn’t slept since you’ve been in this room,” Severus muttered, both seeing for the first time the harsh bruises under her eyes as well as the weight loss she must have suffered. “Nor did she eat.”


Lucius grabbed her up into his arms, holding her tightly. “What have you done to yourself?” He looked to Severus. “Violet!” The little house elf popped into the room. “Why hasn’t she been eating or sleeping?”


“The miss was terribly worried, master! She tried to eat, but she got sick, she did. Sleep too. She tried, but she would just lie there. We looked after her best we could, Lord Malfoy sir. We did.”


Lucius rocked her, as he whispered, “I know you did, Violet. But I’m here now to take care of her.” He stood up with her in his arms and wavered ever so slightly.


“Do you think that’s a wise…” Lucius let out a growl. “Okay, never mind.”


Both Severus and Violet followed them over to Lucius’s room, if only to assure themselves that they made it safely to the chamber. The two were on the bed, on top of the bedclothes, and looked like they would end up hibernating for a month if not longer. The only movement Severus saw was Lucius burying his face deeper into her now silken curls. Violet covered them both and they left without another word being said.


***


An hour later, Hermione woke to the feel of steel like arms pulling her tightly against a hard body. She turned to face Lucius and found his eyes were open and watching her. Moving closer to him, she pressed her face into the curve of his neck. He relaxed, as he absently stroked her back.


“Sleep,” he whispered to her.


“Lucius?”


“Hmm?”


“I missed you.” She kissed his throat lightly. “Please don’t shut me out again. My friends…it’s like I don’t exist anymore to them and my parents are dead. I have so few people in my life, but it’s not like I can go see them. Please don’t shut me out.”


His arms went tighter around her as she wept against his neck.


“Shh, love.” He made her look him in the eyes, as he wiped her tears away with his thumbs. “I’ll promise you anything you want, if you just stop crying.”


She sniffled. “Sorry. I hate crying.”


“I hate you crying as well.” At this he received a slight slap on his arm, which only made him smile. “I will take you to the school so you may visit your friends.”


“But what if something happens?” she whispered, remembering all the things that had occurred before she had left.


“You’ve been trained, Hermione. True, you need work, but you are nothing like you once were. You can do this.”


She was silent for a moment. “Will you be there?”


“You know I will.”


It was with this assurance that she tucked her head back against his neck.


“Okay,” she mumbled. “But not tomorrow.”


Lucius let out a contented sigh and murmured, “Not tomorrow.”


***

So many great people have passed this last week, it's unreal. So light a candle for Ed McMann, who showed us that a sidekick was more than just the guy to help us laugh, Farrah, whose hair I always wanted to emulate, but knew better than to even try. And to the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson, I won't stop until I get enough--a song and a philosophy we should all live by. Thank you all and goodbye. Our days won't be the same without you.