Chapter 3

Hermione was looking through the library for a new book to read. She was doing an awful lot of reading lately since working on her research projects was no longer comfortable. Feeling the baby moving in her stomach, she reached down to caress and hopefully calm the baby. "Easy. No need to get excited." The kicks weren't strong enough for anyone else to feel, but it made her happy to feel the baby. She jumped when she felt an arm wrap around her.

"Feeling our baby kick?" he asked, gently caressing her swollen stomach.

"I've felt it, but it's not strong enough for anyone else to feel," she replied. She could feel his hand drifting lower on her abdomen, and he pulled her against him so she could feel his erection.

"You will tell me when that happens, won't you?" he asked in a silky smooth voice as he let his hand drift between her legs.

She could feel her body betraying her. For several weeks she had longed for Draco to touch her like this; she couldn't remember ever wanting sex this badly, but he had spurned her advances. After the conversation where Lucius had offered to help her, she had found herself daydreaming about being with him again, but it was wrong and she was determined to do the right thing. She still felt guilty that Draco was not the father of her child. "Lucius, please, stop," Hermione groaned. If he didn't stop touching her, she would lose control.

"Don't you like the way that feels?" he purred.

"Very much. But it's not right." She could feel her resolve melting as his other hand gently cupped her breast, and she let out a low moan.

"I want you, Hermione. I dream about you. Every time I see you, I want to feel you again, to taste you," he whispered as he nibbled at her neck.

She could feel him teasing her through her clothes and the wetness pooling between her legs. "You're just saying that," she protested weakly. He had to go away, right now. She couldn't hold out much longer.

"I find you irresistibly sexy." He turned her to face him and gave her a passionate kiss. "Come with me," he said.

All she knew was that a man found her sexy and was offering her relief that no masturbation could. She didn't give a damn if it was her father-in-law.

Once upstairs, she shoved him into the first bedroom and locked the door.

"Why, Hermione," he started.

She interrupted, "Less talking, more undressing." She began feverishly undoing his buttons, wanting him out of his clothes. Once he was naked, she pushed him onto the bed and slipped out of her dress before straddling him. She let him guide her onto him and closed her eyes, savouring the sensation.

It didn't take long for her to climax quite vocally. When she tried to get up, she found that Lucius had tight hold of her hips. She opened her eyes. "Oh, Lucius! I'm so sorry. I've just needed that..."

"Shh. Quite all right. Let me make you come again." He gave her a wolfish grin.

"Again? But I've never..."

"Less talking, more sex," he drawled. He let her up and propped her on the edge of the bed with pillows. Kneeling down before her, he began to explore her soft folds with his tongue, relishing the taste. It wasn't long before he could feel her quivering.

In order to draw out her climax, he re-positioned himself to thrust into her, gently at first, not wanting to make her uncomfortable. As she urged him on, he began thrusting deeper until he reached climax and could again hear her crying out his name.

Once he was spent, he crawled onto the bed with her and wrapped his arm around her. As he slowly rubbed her stomach, he whispered, "If only I had been the one to marry you."

"You were too old for me," she replied.

He was taken aback by her honesty. "Indeed," he said silkily, "you seem to have no difficulty overcoming that barrier in bed."

"I do have much more in common with you than I do with Draco." She ran her hand lazily down his chest to his hipbone. "Perhaps we can find time to do this again?"

He couldn't stop the grin from spreading across his face. A slow, laconic smile spread across his face. Leaning forward to kiss her on the lips, he replied, "Of course we can. Now, as much as I would like to stay here all afternoon, I think we'd best get cleaned up for dinner."

****************

Lucius was looking forward to getting home. He normally didn't go on extended business trips, but Italy was too far to travel on a daily basis. Initially, he thought this would be a two-day trip. Now, it was the start of day five, and there was no end in sight. He had already owled Phaedra and apologized for his absence as her pregnancy was making her quite ill. All he could do was hope that Hermione and Draco were looking out for her.

Hermione. He was looking forward to seeing her, most of all. Their secret trysts were something he treasured, and she had become quite the nymphomaniac now that she realized she could come to him for relief. He wondered what new positions they could try this time.

When he arrived in the conference room, Alonzo Bertolli, owner of the company, was already sitting at the table. "Signor Malfoy, a pleasure to meet you."

Lucius smiled. "Signor Bertolli, it is a great pleasure to finally meet you." He shook hands with the elderly wizard.

Bertolli continued, "I have had a chance to view your proposal." He slid a piece of parchment across the table. I have made a few minor modifications, but find it acceptable. I have no interest in prolonging negotiations. If you find that contract satisfactory, I believe we can conclude our business."

Lucius picked up the contract and noted the changes were very minor and would still lead to very profitable returns. "The changes are quite acceptable." He pulled a quill from his case. "I must say, I look forward to doing business with your company."

"As do I. Would you care to join me for lunch to celebrate our partnership?"

"Normally, I would relish the opportunity, but my wife is with child and has not been feeling well. As this trip has lasted quite a bit longer than I initially anticipated, I would like to get home to her. I hope that you will understand."

"Ah, yes, the joy of a bambino. Please, go home to your wife. When I come to England, we will share that lunch, no?"

Lucius shook Bertolli's hand. "You are most understanding. I look forward to showing you our facilities."

Once Lucius returned to his hotel, he ordered the house-elf to pack his belongings and take the trunk home. He would have to stop in Paris for a few hours before he could go home due to the length of the journey, but he might arrive in time for lunch. For a brief moment, he considered owling Phaedra to let her know he would be home soon, but he realized he would travel faster than the owl.

**************

He spent his time in Paris at a café, reading the latest issue of the Daily Prophet. There was nothing illuminating in the paper. More meaningless drivel about the Minister of Magic, an idiotic article on the new regulations for cauldron thickness, and on the gossip page, an article announcing the great Harry Potter and his wife, Ginny, were expecting their third child. He sighed, knowing that Hermione would want to throw a party, as she had the other two times. Of course, those had both been at her house. Now that she was living in the Manor, he thought he and Draco would probably be obliged to make a token appearance.

A part of him wondered if Potter would even agree to it. Even though the Ministry had exonerated him, Potter was still very suspicious and had been quite vocal about Hermione not marrying Draco. Other than the wedding, Potter had not attended any of the celebratory functions at the Manor.

Deciding he had waited long enough, he put down the paper and Apparated home. As always, the first thing he decided to do was check the post. Opening the door to the study, he froze in shock at the sight of Draco standing at the end of the desk, trousers pooled around his ankles, vigorously slamming himself between Phaedra's raised legs. She started moaning and encouraging Draco to move faster as her fingers dug into his back.

After a shocked moment, he regained his voice and shouted, "What the bloody hell is going on?"

Draco pulled back and quickly did up his trousers. Phaedra slipped off the desk and smoothed her skirts. "Father?" Draco replied in surprise.

Lucius was trembling with fury. He couldn't believe the two of them. "How long has this been going on?" he asked through clenched teeth. While he didn't love Phaedra, he was incredibly possessive and angered at the stupidity of their indiscretion.

"Father, please..."

"How long?" Lucius growled. He noticed that both of them were looking at their feet. "Look at me!" he thundered.

Draco reluctantly raised his eyes to meet his father's glare. "A little over three years."

"Three years?" At least Lucius now knew why Phaedra had not yet married; she had been having an affair with Draco. The reason for Draco seeking an annulment now became clear. He turned his attention to Phaedra. "Go clean yourself up." She nearly ran from the room. Lucius stepped closer to Draco and was pleased when Draco tried to back away. While they were of a height, Draco had not yet grown into his frame and was quite lanky. "How many others know?"

"What do you mean?"

Lucius grabbed Draco by the neck. "How many others know that she is your mistress? I won't be made a fool, especially by my wife and son."

"No one. I've told no one," Draco gasped.

"Are you sure? I know how much you like to brag. Or do they think you broke it off with her?"

"Father, I swear to you, no one knows." Draco tried to pry his father's hand away from his neck.

"Do you have any idea how embarrassing this could be? Do you ever think of anything other than your loins?" He pushed Draco back against the desk.

"Father, I'm sorry. I didn't think you would ever know. We thought you would be gone..."

"Fool! What if Hermione had come in? Don't you think she would have run and told her friends what her unfaithful husband was doing?" A part of him wanted to send Draco away, but that would mean sending Hermione away, and he wasn't ready to do that yet. "I have worked too hard for this family to have you just throw it away." As he considered what had just happened, and his options, he began to wonder if Draco was the father of Phaedra's child.

"What are you going to do to me?"

Lucius thought that Draco did not sound nearly scared enough and spun back on his son. When he tried to delve into Draco's mind to see if he could determine the child's paternity, he found Draco pushing back. "So it is your child, isn't it?" he hissed.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Draco replied glibly.

"Quit being a fool. You can't keep that from me. Get out of my sight while I determine what to do with you." Once Draco was gone, Lucius paced, considering this new and very explosive situation. Keeping Draco and Phaedra under the same roof was not an option, but he didn't want to banish Hermione. Even eliminating the fact that she was carrying his child, he enjoyed her company, and wanted more of her.

**************

After two days, Lucius thought he had reached a solution. It would be implemented under his terms, and his solicitor had already drawn up the appropriate documents and the press release that would ensure he was portrayed as the victim. He wasn't about to lose all the painstaking time and effort he had put into making the Malfoy family respectable. This would cost him his son, but it was a small price to pay. He sat at his desk, awaiting Draco's arrival. When he saw the young man crack the door, he snapped, "Come in."

Draco moved quickly across the room and stood before his father's desk. Lucius surveyed his son with cold contempt.

"Sit," Lucius commanded. The simpering mannerisms Draco was displaying only reaffirmed that he had made the correct decision. "It took quite a bit of research, but I have found a...beneficial solution." His eyes held no emotion as he slid a piece of parchment across the desk.

Draco picked up the parchment and the colour drained from his face as he read the document. "You can't be serious! Swap wives?"

"Quite serious. It is all perfectly legal. You will notice that Fenton has endorsed it. It seems that once Uxoria Cauponari fell out of favour, no one ever removed it from the books."

Draco laughed. "And you expect society to accept this? You don't think you will be shunned for turning out your pregnant wife?"

"Well, I wouldn't be turning her out. I would be turning her over to you. And, I think you will recall that there has been no formal announcement of her pregnancy yet. Trust me, I will not be shunned. Now, there are a few other things to be discussed." He slid a second piece of parchment across the desk.

"What's this?" Draco asked, wondering if it could get worse.

Lucius grinned. "That is your settlement. You will receive a monthly stipend for one year. I will also deed you the Yorkshire property, but you will be responsible for taxes after the first year."

"The Yorkshire property? It's infested!"

Lucius arched an eyebrow. "Is it? Well, then, you'll have to work on your pest control spells, won't you?"

Draco's eyes flew across the contract. "You're taking my name away?"

"No Malfoy would have been careless enough to get caught and risk ruining the family reputation as you did. As such, you are no longer worthy of the name. You may have your mother's name."

Draco threw the parchment back on the desk. "I won't sign this. I deserve better."

Lucius leaned forward and met Draco's eyes. "You deserve nothing," he hissed. "You have embarrassed the family and risked our social standing. You either sign this, or I will file divorce papers and terminate your position effective immediately. I will also see that your possessions are moved out of this house tonight."

"You won't throw Hermione out," Draco replied smugly.

"No, I won't throw her out. But once she knows what you have done, do you really think she will want you? I will be magnanimous, allow her to remain in my home, and care for her and my grandchild. I have no doubt that I will be lauded for my sympathy. You, on the other hand, will be vilified for you indiscretion." He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. "The choice is yours."

After a few seconds, Draco picked up the quill and signed both pieces of parchment before sliding them back across the desk.

Lucius added his signature to the pages, binding the contract. He waited until Draco was standing, and then said, "One more thing." He was pleased at the look of horror on Draco's face. "You will tell Hermione about this arrangement and why it had to be made." Rising to his feet, he added, "She is waiting in the conservatory."

As Lucius followed Draco, he considered what maintaining the family's reputation had cost. He knew there would be some gossip over his invoking an arcane law, but he had taken all the precautions he could to ensure that Draco would bear the brunt. As long as no one learned that he was really the father of Hermione's child, his reputation would be safe. A small smile of anticipation flitted across his face as he thought of living in the Manor alone with Hermione. No longer would he have to hold his 'tastes' in check. And hopefully, he mused, his new heir would have more of the Malfoy character traits than his last.

A/N: Uxoria cauponari loosely translates to "trade wives". I thought it would a fun little law, especially one used in older times when most marriages were arranged. In the law, as I have envisioned it, two men within the same family can trade their wives if it is discovered that living with the current wife is completely intolerable. Since women were seen as commodities in the Middle Ages, I thought it at least moderately plausible. And let's look at how many truly stupid laws are still on the books because no one ever thought to repeal them.

And this concludes my little soap opera on the Malfoy family. For those of you in the US, they are a Jerry Springer type of family, aren't they?

My evil plot bunnies have been prodding me with ideas for turning this into a trilogy, with the other two parts telling the continuing story predominantly from first Hermione's and then Draco's points of view. We'll see how successful their prodding is.

Additionally, if you have not checked out the myth surrounding the name Phaedra, you should. Seems the mythological Phaedra also had issues with her step-son, though slightly different ones. I actually chose her name before refreshing my memory on the myth, remembering a girl I knew in school with that name. I knew it had mythological ties, but couldn't remember how.

Thanks for reading and reviewing. Feeding the muses is always appreciated.