Chapter 7

Severus exited the Floo and turned to hold his hand out for Hermione to take. As she took his hand while gracefully moving through the fireplace, he asked, "What was it you needed to speak to me about, Hermione?"

Hermione looked at him, ready to say something biting, then saw the uncertainty deep in his dark eyes. She took a deep breath. "How is it that you don't lose yourself in the, I don't know what to call it, Malfoyness of it all? I was starting to feel overwhelmed just by being in that maelstrom they call a manor," she said rapidly.

Severus exhaled loudly until that moment he hadn't realized he had been holding his breath. "I would not worry about that, dearest. Lucius is not happy with someone who is easily subjugated. I'm quite certain he will want to parade us around if the triad works because it will set him apart yet again, but we can put a stop to that easily enough." He felt confident enough to walk Hermione over to the sofa, considering he hadn't let go of her hand. He sat back against the mound of pillows on the end and pulled Hermione into his lap.

Hermione laid her head on his chest and smiled. "You thought I just wanted him, didn't you?"

"I know better than to think that I would be the one a woman wanted over Lucius Malfoy, my dear."

"You would be wrong in this case. I do find him attractive, inappropriately so, but when I had imagined my future, it was you I was with... although I see the regard you both have for each other, and the history, and figured I had no chance whatsoever about having any sort of chance there. It is why I was so angry; you both present a challenge, but I do not believe I am capable of the impossible," she said to him in a quiet voice.

"This is why we really need a class on Wizarding Traditions. Did you know there are an average of three wizards born for every two witches? It is believed that is why triads used to be more widely accepted. But since that is not a 'normal' type of relationship in the Muggle world, it has fallen out of favor," responded Severus, knowing Hermione needed a distraction, and new knowledge was a great way to distract her.

"Let me guess. That information is in the books Irma gave me," she muttered.

"Well, yes. But you can ask us anything," Severus replied as he cuddled her close to his chest.

"You need not worry, Severus. I'm not going to rip her from your arms," grated out Lucius from between his teeth.

Hermione pushed away from Severus, alarmed by Lucius's tone of voice. "What's wrong? Didn't Harry give you my message?"

"He did. But I was not expecting to walk in on foreplay. I thought we had an agreement," Lucius growled.

The moment was broken when Severus laughed, a deep, from the belly, laugh that echoed off the walls of his office. "Dear Merlin, the look on your face! You aren't used to being the odd man out, are you, Lucius? Are you really angry at either one of us? Or at yourself?"

Lucius visibly deflated. "I'm not certain. I know Malfoy Manor is not Hermione's favorite place. I know there was a lot going on, what with Draco and Ginevra canoodling in the oddest places, Harry pining for his missing lovers, and Celeste, but I feel like I'm being isolated, and I don't like it!"

Hermione, who had stood up when Lucius was growling, looked at both men and said, "Follow me!" She walked over to the Floo, and throwing down the powder, called out, "Hermione Granger's quarters!"

Both men looked at each other and practically raced for the Floo. Hermione was quite amused when they actually tumbled out of the Floo in her living room, having knocked each other over trying to be the first through. When they had untangled themselves and stood up, she cast a cleaning charm at them.

"So, should I be flattered or annoyed that you are acting like imbecilic teenagers over me?" she asked. She had to grin when both men looked at each other and then looked at their feet, very much like castigated students.

"Hermione," they both said at the same time, then looked at each other. A lifetime of intimate interaction between the two men came into play, and Severus took a step back.

Lucius spoke, his voice smooth and silky. "I have never before had Severus be a true rival for any witch's affections. As much as he means to me, and I to him, we are still very competitive. It is easy to forget, through our history as much as through the loss of tradition, that we do not have to compete against each other for your hand; rather, that we should work together. Seeing your response to my home was disquieting. I have not forgotten your experiences there. They were part of what was the worst year of my life. I dislike a lack of control, and yet, as difficult as that is for me, I truly wish for you and Severus both to become a permanent part of my life... I see by your expression that you are finding my declaration premature and Gryffindorish. Life, even as long as it is for us wizards, is too short to be playing games. I have had far too much of politicking, even in my personal life. It is enough. You may no longer wish to allow my suit, but I couldn't leave this unsaid."

Hermione's eyes shone with unshed tears, but they weren't because she bought his story. She turned to look at Severus who had the most uncharacteristic gob-smacked look on his face.

"For Merlin's sake, Lucius, were you practicing that in front of the mirror in your study?" Severus demanded. "I have never heard such utter dreck!"

"Too much, you think?" Lucius responded. He was hoping to light a little fire under the witch. Then, turning to look at Hermione, he realized that for all his charm and skill with the fairer sex, he had grossly miscalculated.

Hermione's eyes were no longer shining. They were narrowed. "That is it! Out! I have had it with these little games you two play with each other. You remind me of two large cats with prey. I. AM. NOT. PREY! Severus, you have been the more honest of the two of you. If you wish to court me, you may. But I will not countenance a continued relationship with this strutting peacock! Let me know in the morning. I just can't deal with this any more."

"Hermione, love, we were j--"

"Just playing, Lucius, I know. But I don't have your thirty year history with each other. I don't like it. I have been the brunt of too many jokes, too many men who wanted me for reasons that had nothing to do with the heart. I refuse to be broken, and you, you come too close to doing that to me too easily. I had thought we might have some time tonight, the three of us, to see how compatible we might be, if maybe, just maybe I could get past that frisson of fear that crept in along with the desire when you both come near. But now, all I want is to be alone, to mourn what could have been. Now, leave!" Hermione's voice broke on the last syllable, making both men want to comfort her.

Lucius looked back at Severus, expecting sympathy, and seeing none, not even a glimmer. He finally left, realizing his friend had made his choice, and it was not in Lucius's favor.

He trudged out, stunned by the recognition of his failure. Belinda would have done the same. When did I lose my touch, when did I become a caricature? He stopped in the hallway, seeing Draco and Ginny sneaking out to the Quidditch pitch, brooms in hand, giggling madly. He cleared his throat, catching their attention.

"Oh, hello again, Mr. Malfoy!" Ginny practically sang.

"Did you screw up again, Father? Hermione is not going to handle your little mind games very well," reminded Draco.

"You just left? Really? You didn't tell her why you were being such an arse?" Ginny was astounded.

"How did you come to the conclusion that I was behaving badly, Miss Weasley?" Lucius inquired darkly.

"You had to be. Hermione was taking a big chance with herself and her fears when she was willing to try being with both of you. After the way she was treated by Scabior and a couple of the other Snatchers, well, too many people coming near her at once, and she doesn't handle it well. I was hoping... Never mind. I'm sure your Slytherin games of one-upmanship are more important to you than Hermione's feelings. I know you said you wanted a true triad, but you really just wanted something to hold over Mrs. Malfoy, right?" Ginny was being deliberately provocative, as she had seen Hermione's door open.

"You do not have any right to question me, girl. But I DO want a true triad. Hermione is the only witch I've ever met who could remotely handle being with me and Severus together. She always presents herself so strongly, I did not know that I was frightening her. She also resents the history I have with Severus, and there is nothing I can do about that!" Lucius roared. He was not pleasant when thwarted, even less so when he had basically thwarted himself.

Ginny was not happy with being yelled at, so she hit him with her strongest Bat-Bogey Hex. When Draco raised his wand to cancel the spell, Ginny just shrugged at him and started toward the Great Doors, instead of the Quidditch pitch.

"Sorry, Father," said Draco, then dropped his arm, and chased after the little red-head instead of helping Lucius.

A bloody Weasley in the family? At least she isn't going to bow in the face of adversity. Lucius wasn't certain what worried him more, his children or his love life.

Hermione stalked out of her quarters, her faced scrubbed as though she had washed it recently, and backed Lucius into a wall, ignoring the flying bogeys. "If you wanted to really give this a chance, WHY THE BLOODY HELL DID YOU GIVE ME THAT SOB STORY?"

"Glu, don't you, glu, want to rid me of, glu, these first?" he choked out.

Hermione just shook her head.

"I believe what the witch wants to know is how you expect her to trust you at all. I tried to explain that you dislike not knowing the outcome of something and were just trying to bypass all the 'getting to know you' stage, but as you see, she still isn't happy with you," Severus said as he wrapped his arms around Hermione from behind.

Lucius almost choked to death when he saw Hermione turn her head up for a kiss.

He visibly brought himself under control, then pleaded, through the bogeys, for either one to release him.

"If I do, will you let me cast a truth-spell on you before you enter my quarters?" Hemrione asked.

Lucius nodded his assent.

She silently cast the reversal for Ginny's hex. She was quite surprised when Lucius walked to her and knelt at her feet. She looked back at Severus, who nodded.

She raised her wand and cast silently again. He rose gracefully to his feet and followed her and Severus back into her rooms. He raised his eyebrows when he was directed to the sofa, and she sat in Severus's lap in the big chair across from it.

"I know Severus had no idea what you were going to say when you spoke earlier. Why did you decide to play with me like that?"

"Insecurity," responded Lucius, glowing blue when he spoke, proving she had cast the spell she said she would.

"Excuse me? Except for a short stint in Azkaban and that horrible year which none of us should have lived through, you've led a charmed life; what do you have to be insecure about?" Hermione was incredulous.

"Narcissa and I had an arranged marriage. I had fallen in love with her, she bore me a girl child who died shortly after her birth, but she did not understand that my attentiveness was due to love, and not because I needed an heir. She broke my heart. Then Belinda, well, you heard that story. I don't even know what I did to earn her heart; I was only looking for someone to bed. And you, well, you are attractive, intelligent, and quite willing to consider both my and Severus's suits, even overcoming your trepidation to consider us together. I know you prefer him, though, and I thought a grand declaration would win you over. It was stupid and badly planned," he responded.

"You are no longer under the spell, it only required the first honest answer," she said, surprised that he had explained.

Lucius stood and walked the three steps over to the chair Hermione and Severus were sitting in and again knelt down. He raised his hand and took one of hers. "I did not know that you were afraid of being approached by the two of us intimately. I am honored that you would have even considered it; most witches would not. I am again reminded how singular you are. Please, give me another chance," he pleaded.

Hermione was startled when he glowed blue.

"You didn't think I was going to let him give you another speech to drive you away, did you?" grumbled Severus.

Hermione laughed up at him, the affection in her eyes again fueling Lucius's insecurity. She turned back toward the blond on the floor. "This is it, Lucius. I won't be trifled with. My heart and feelings are not for sale or given to the one with the best sob story. If this doesn't work as a triad, Severus already knows he has won. Can you live with that?"

Lucius saw the determination in her eyes. He did not want to lose the chance to be a part of her life, due to his own ego and insecurities. "I will try."