Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Hermione rode the Ministry lift all the way up to the Minister's floor. She shuffled back and forth on her feet, nervously awaiting the opening of the lift doors. In a few minutes, she'd be standing in front of Lucius Malfoy, reintroducing herself. Severus had grumbled when she'd suggested coming here today.

"It's too risky!"

Hermione smiled. "Then you'll come and rescue me."

So, even after all of Severus' disagreeing, here she was, ready to face Lucius Malfoy with the intent of being invited to his party.

She stepped out of the elevator and walked over to the only door on the floor. Minister of Magic was emblazoned across it with Lucius' name in even bigger letters right underneath. She opened the door and walked up to the receptionist.

"I have an appointment with Mr. Malfoy. My name is Hermione Granger."

"He's expecting you," the nasally voiced woman responded. "Go right in through that door." The woman motioned to a door on the right.

Hermione headed for the door and entered. She smiled as she saw Lucius sitting at his desk. He did not smile back.

"Lucius, it's good to see you again," she gushed, letting her nerves show through her speech.

"Is it?" Lucius said. "To what do I owe this visit, Miss Granger?"

Hermione hesitated. She hoped that their decent relationship in the past would open conversation in the present. She hoped he wouldn't hold whatever her counterpart might have said or done to him against her. She hoped he would take their past into account before throwing her out of his office.

"Lucius, I wanted to let you know that I was back from the past."

Lucius eyes grew wide. "Professor Granger? Is it really you?"

"Lucius, you are now quite a bit older than me, there's no need to be so formal," Hermione said with a smile of relief.

His eyes narrowed at her. In a few seconds, his face softened considerably. "I was quite upset at your disappearance all those years ago. After all, you were my favorite teacher."

Hermione sat down in the chair in front of his desk, shocked at his admittance.

"You never told me that!" she cried.

"I almost did. I told you that I thought you were a great teacher."

"Well, that's quite a bit different than being your favorite!" Hermione laughed. "Thank you Lucius. That really means a lot to me."

He smiled thinly at her.

Hermione got a serious look on her face. "Lucius, as your friend, I really need to ask you what you are doing. People are suffering. Doesn't that upset you?"

"Frankly, no, it doesn't. They deserve what they are getting. If they can't live by the Ministry's rules, they deserve punishment."

"But people are dying in your camps. Can't you do something about that?"

Lucius looked at her crossly, "I am running them as I see fit."

"You don't care that they're dying?"

Lucius leaned in over his desk and glared at her. "As I said before, Professor, they are in there for a reason. If they can't obey the law, they must be punished. It is the only way to have order in our society!"

Hermione quickly saw that he would not cow to her and turn from his ways. She decided to soften her stance with him.

"I guess your right, Lucius. It just seems so... harsh."

"Most of the Wizarding population lives a happy and fulfilling life," Lucius said as he sat back in his chair. "Don't talk to me about harshness. If Voldemort were in power, do you think anyone would be happy?"

"No, of course not, and I'm glad that you see that too. I was quite worried about what would become of you as a Death Eater, Lucius. I was glad to hear that you fought against Voldemort in the end."

Lucius smiled at her. Hermione caught her breath at the kindness she saw behind his smile.

"How is Narcissa?"

He instantly frowned. "She is a jealous bat. She hovers over me and questions me about everything I do and everywhere I go. She assumes that because I have power, I am being sought after by every woman in London. She is driving me insane."

"I'm really sorry to hear that. I always thought you two had a good relationship in the timeline I remember."

"We have a good enough relationship, she just drives me crazy." Lucius eyed Hermione curiously, debating something within himself. Finally he spoke again. "Hermione, when you left, I was very upset."

Hermione's eyes clouded as she looked regretfully at the man she'd gotten to know rather well in the past. "I'm sorry, Lucius. I wish I could have told you about myself back then, but I couldn't. I felt badly, having to leave without a word of goodbye to anyone."

"You said goodbye to Severus."

"He was the one who sent me away! If he hadn't warned me, I would be dead."

Lucius nodded. He stared into her eyes and held them with his gaze. Hermione was startled by the intensity she saw in them.

"I loved you, you know," he whispered.

Hermione's mouth dropped open. "You... you loved me?"

He nodded. "I tried to fight it. At first I was just playing with my flirting, but before long, I realized that they were subconscious attempts to get you to notice me. Before I knew it, I was in love. The way you guided me through my decision to drop Arithmancy... You are so brilliant, and you think things through so masterfully. I never stopped loving you, Hermione, especially when I knew you would come back eventually. I not only love you, Hermione, I admire everything about you."

Hermione sat in the chair, stunned. "Lucius, I had no idea."

"I know. I didn't let on a thing. I knew you were happy with Severus, but I secretly wished that you would break up so I could try to win your heart."

"I...I'm sorry, Lucius. I have always felt you were my friend, but nothing more."

"Perhaps now that you're back, you might find me more appealing?" His head tilted slightly as he cocked an eyebrow at her.

Hermione stared at him. She wanted to shout that she would never like him like that, but she couldn't. This was their opportunity to get to him. She would play along. She swallowed hard. Fear gripped her, but she pushed it away and gave Lucius a coy look.

"I find you very appealing, Lucius. I always have, but I'm still involved with Severus."

"Why did you come here then?" he asked provocatively. "Severus and I are at odds right now. Perhaps you secretly hoped for something to happen?" His eyes were filled with desire for her while his tongue lazily ran along his lips seductively.

A ball was forming in Hermione's stomach, but she needed to see this through. Inwardly cringing, she continued on with the ruse.

"Perhaps..."

"Yes, he's not quite so appealing in his old age is he?" Lucius drawled.

She wanted to spit in Lucius' smug, ugly face. She bit down the urge and gave Lucius an equally provocative look.

"I must admit, Lucius, you are as handsome as ever in yours."

He smiled alluringly at her and rose from his seat. Coming around to her chair, he stooped beside her.

"It would make me ever so happy if you would consider my advances. I would love to have a powerful witch like you by my side, and as I said before, I love you."

He closed in on her and kissed her. She wanted to pull away and wipe her mouth off, but she let him do as he wished. His tongue invaded her mouth, and Hermione inwardly cringed. They kissed for a long while. She wanted to cry, thinking of her cheating on Severus like this.

Lucius put his hand to her cheek and caressed it. He pulled away from her and looked at her longingly.

"You are as exquisite as I remember," he murmured as he continued stroking her cheek.

Hermione smiled at him, hoping it wasn't obvious how horrible she felt after their wanton display of affection.

Finally, he put his hand down and took hers in it. He looked her up and down. "You are very beautiful, Hermione. I have longed to have such a beautiful witch's affections."

She looked down demurely, trying to play her part.

"I am having a ball at my Manor next week. I would... love... for you to attend."

Her smile widened. "It sounds lovely."

"It's next Friday evening at seven p.m."

Suddenly Hermione pretended to look concerned. "I know you want me to come so we can get to know each other better, but I must insist on bringing Severus. He would be suspicious if I attended by myself."

Lucius studied her for a moment. "That is acceptable, as long as you remember why I have invited you," he warned her.

Her stomach turned at his insinuation, but she kept her cool.

"You're the only reason to attend in my mind, Lucius," she said sultrily.

He smiled at her. "I will look forward to your attendance, then."

He took her hand and kissed it. He rose and helped her out of her seat and walked her to the door, keeping his eyes fixed on hers the entire time. She knew he thought he was being incredibly seductive, but to her it was extremely repulsive. Here he was, a married man, yet he was falling all over her. Such infidelity made her sick.

Lucius' eyes fell to her lips and before Hermione could escape, he'd captured them in his own again. His tongue forced entry, and he took from her what he wanted. There was no romance in this kiss, it was pure lust. Immediately, Hermione knew that she was just an object to him... something to display to his followers. Her insides crawled in upon themselves at his touch, but she showed none of her disgust to the man who held her in his arms.

Finally, the kiss was over, and Lucius was pulling away from her. His eyes were filled with want. Hermione awkwardly withdrew from his grasp. She reached out and gave Lucius' hand a little squeeze. She winked at him as he opened the door for her.

"I will see you next Friday, then," he said to her in a business-like way. Lucius' secretary gazed at them over her glasses, but didn't say a word. She returned to the memo she was composing.

Hermione turned and coyly blew him a kiss. She quickly left the office. Taking the stairs down a floor, she ran into a public bathroom, where she heaved up her lunch into the toilet. Oh, he was disgusting! He thought he could have whatever he wanted! Well, he would never have her!

She suddenly remembered Severus and threw up some more. She felt so disloyal to him. Could he forgive her for flirting and kissing Lucius? She hoped so, but right now, she was so embarrassed that she could not face him. She left the Ministry, returned to Hogwarts, and barricaded herself in her room.

oooOOOooo

A couple hours later there was a light knock at her door. She went to answer it, hoping it wasn't Severus. When she opened the door, she found him standing there. She was so embarrassed she couldn't look him in the face. She stared down at the floor and opened the door wider so he could enter. Severus strolled in and turned to her.

"I thought you were going to check in with me when you got back," he said inquisitively.

"Sorry," she said, not making eye contact with him. She rushed around him and sat down on the sofa.

He sat next to her and took her hand. She stiffened at his touch.

"Hermione, what is it?"

Hermione studied her knees. She had never noticed how bony they seemed when she sat this way, even through her robes. Finally she offered an explanation.

"I've done something horrible," she said morosely.

"What could you do that would be so horrible?" Severus questioned.

"I kissed him. He came up and kissed me, and I kissed him back." She spit it out with her eyes closed.

oooOOOooo

Severus scowled. He rose and stalked to the window. He should have known Malfoy would try to take advantage of her. He stiffened, awaiting Hermione's story. Had Lucius convinced her that he was the better suitor? Had everything Hermione remembered about his past-self been enough to throw her into Lucius' arms?

"You kissed Lucius?" Severus asked through gritted teeth. "Tell me everything that happened, if it's not too lurid a tale," he snapped. "Start from the beginning."

Hermione eyed Severus' back. He refused to turn from the window. Butterflies flitted in her stomach as she glanced away while speaking to his rigid form. "So, I went there... You know I went there," Hermione said, a bit flustered. "He told me he was in love with me. Did you know that?" she asked in a confused voice.

"I suspected it, but no, not for sure." Severus' eyes closed. The despot loved her. Lucius Bloody Malfoy, with his perfect hair, teeth, and eyes, bloody loved Hermione. I don't stand a chance!

Hermione continued tentatively. "I thought I could use that to my advantage, and before I knew it he had rounded his desk and kissed me." She looked down again, afraid that Severus would wheel around now and accuse her of infidelity or something even worse. "It seemed to go on forever."

Severus did turn around. He stared at Hermione and watched her squirm. There had been no excitement or enjoyment on her part. He could tell that simply by looking at her. A wave of relief flooded over him. Despite his fears that Hermione would not be able to resist his advances, it seemed that she found no pleasure in the situation.

"Do you have feelings for him?" he asked Hermione.

"Oh, yes, a deep feeling of repulsion," she spat. She still wouldn't look at Severus.

Severus stared at Hermione for a long while. Finally, he cleared his throat. "You would have made an excellent spy during the war, Hermione. I had no idea you had it in you."

She hesitated before asking him the question that burned through her mind. "Are you angry with me?"

In a flash, Severus had rushed back to the sofa. He took his fingers and gently turned her chin so she was looking at him. Her eyes were filled with apprehension. He looked straight into them.

"I am not angry with you at all. I will admit that the idea that Lucius might have stolen you away from me caused me to panic. I'm sorry for doubting you, Hermione. I should have trusted our love to withstand Lucius' advances. I will not doubt you again." Severus leaned in and kissed her tenderly. "Forgive me for doubting you?"

Hermione pulled back and looked into Severus' eyes. "There's nothing to forgive on your part. I was the one who let that lecherous man touch me."

"You need not feel guilty for that, my love. You have opened a door that we didn't even know existed. You have done brilliantly, Hermione."

She searched his face, trying to tell if he was just trying to make her feel good.

"No, I'm not just trying to make you feel good," he responded.

"Stupid Legilimens," she muttered.

He arched an eyebrow at her and then pulled her close and kissed her.

"I'm sorry," she said when he had pulled away.

"For calling me stupid?"

"No, for kissing Lucius."

"Did you enjoy it?"

"No,"

"Are you going to leave me for him?"

"Of course not."

"Then there is nothing to apologize for... except for calling me stupid."

She gave him a small grin. "Then I apologize for that," she told him.

"I accept," he said before kissing her again.

"What information did you get out of him?" he asked as he released her from his kiss.

She had brightened considerably and told Severus about the invitation to the party.

"I insisted that you come so that you didn't suspect anything was going on between Lucius and me," she told him.

"He was okay with that?"

"Oh, yes, once he reminded me why I had really been invited. Infuriating man!"

"Hermione, this is brilliant. You can keep him occupied while I open the Floo for the rest of the Order. This is better than any of us could have hoped for!"

She glanced at him as he looked at her happily. "You mean you really expect me to seal myself into a room with that pervert?"

"I'm sure you can handle yourself, love."

"What about Narcissa and Draco?" Hermione asked.

"Narcissa will be busy entertaining guests. She will not notice what is happening until it is too late. As for Draco, he is not pleased with his father's doings. He has been a secret member of the Order since the attempt on Dumbledore's life. He can help to make sure that I am not discovered as I connect the Floo and organize the Order members."

"Draco is on our side now?" Hermione mused.

"He has been for quite some time."

Hermione shook her head. It was yet another surprise to which she would need to adjust. Would she ever grow accustomed to this new world in which she lived?

They leaned back on the couch together. Hermione rested her head on Severus shoulder. Severus sat thinking for a while. He mulled over their plan. Finally, he put his head down on hers and hugged her.

"Will you be all right with this assignment?" he asked Hermione.

She sighed. "I'll do what I have to do for the Order. However, I can't promise you that I won't hex Lucius Malfoy into next week if he gets too frisky."

"That's my girl," Severus muttered happily.

A/N: Next up: This is no party.

Thank you, Lilith Kayden, for your beta work. Thank you, dear reader, for your interest, wonderful insight, and comments.