Chapter 4

AN: This was originally written and posted at the 2011 Lucius Big Bang fest on LJ.(I post on LJ as madeleone).  Many thanks to my betas: Softobsidian, who beta'd it for the fest, and Clairvoyant, who polished up the rough edges.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I make no money here.

Hermione insisted that Lucius either pack up or shrink the belongings that he wanted to keep and bring them with him. She was adamant that he had spent his last night on Belladonna Street.

While Lucius went downstairs and bullied the clerk to make sure any stray messages would be forwarded to the library, there came a knock at the door. Being cautious, Hermione pulled out her wand and approached the door. "Who's there?"

"Why, it's just me, Tidbit, the putrid little puke from across the hall," came the reply.

She rested her forehead against the door frame and considered not answering, just waiting for Lucius to return to deal with the man. But then she had a thought, and standing tall, still brandishing her wand, she opened the door and faced Mordecai Jones.

"Mr. Jones, I do hope you will accept my apologies for my rudeness last night. I was distraught and worried about Lucius, and in the heat of the moment, I may have said things I shouldn't have. I am sorry if my words were hurtful to you. Please forgive me."

"Well, now that's quite the pretty apology from such a feisty little peach," he purred, taking a step towards her and tracing his finger down her cheek.

Hermione jerked back and leveled her wand. "And that's all I am offering, Mr. Jones, a sincere apology. You will kindly keep your hands and any other body parts to yourself."

He burst out into a deep belly laugh."Now there's that saucy little tidbit I admired so much last night. You can call me Mordecai, love, or Mordy if you prefer."

"Thank you, Mordecai. Please feel free to call me Hermione."

"Oh, I figured out who you was already, Miss Hermione Granger. Lucius told no lies when he claimed you was a very powerful witch. 'S very polite of you, 'tis, but I like callin' you Tidbit, so to me, Tidbit you'll always be."

Hermione studied him intently for a moment, then said, "Mordecai, I'm going to ask a favor of you, so I will give you leave to call me whatever name you wish."

He looked a bit suspicious, but nodded. "What is it?"

Hermione quickly explained a bit about the situation with the Ministry and that Lucius would be moving to the library. "I don't know if whoever is doing these things is just trying to annoy him or if they have a more malicious intent. It does occur to me that if someone truly wanted to do him harm, forcing him to live here in Knockturn would give them the opportunity to ambush him and make it look like some random crime."

"You make a good point, girl. That could well have happened, except fer the fact that I've had my boys keepin' an eye on 'is lordship. He don't know that yet though. Just what is it you want from me, Tidbit?"

"The Ministry needn't be informed of Lucius' move for at least a week. I know you have a great deal of influence down here, and I'd just like you to keep an eye on his flat. If you see or hear of anyone snooping around who seems like they might intend him harm, I want you to let us know about it. Maybe we can catch whoever is doing this."

He didn't answer right away, so Hermione added, "I would be more than happy to pay you for any information you discover."

Mordy looked offended at her offer of payment. "Friends doesn't charge friends fer helpin' out, Tidbit. My feelins is hurt that you think I would."

"I'm sorry, Mordecai; it appears once again I have misjudged you," said Hermione with a small smile. She turned from him to get a piece of paper and a quill to write down the address of the library.

"You shouldn't oughta turn your back on someone like me, Tidbit. You make yerself an easy target."

Turning back to him, Hermione merely handed him the address. "Friends trust friends, Mordecai. You have declared yourself my friend, and I believe you are sincere. Therefore, I have no reason to fear you anymore, do I?"

With a chuckle he said, "That you don't, girl. An' tha's the truth, I swear."

"Good," said Hermione, offering her hand. Mordy shook it, and as they sealed their deal, Lucius arrived.

"Mordecai...Hermoine, what's going on here?" he asked, observing the odd pair.

"Nothing bad, Lucius," said Hermione, moving to stand at his side. "Mordy has agreed to keep an eye on the flat and let us know if any suspicious characters come around."

"Hermione, really. I have lived here for nearly ten months. They've had ample opportunity to do me harm if that was their intent. Mordecai, I don't think there is any need for you to put yourself out in this matter."

"Lucius, she has a good point...it's some contemptible little fuck down at the Ministry what's been makin' yer life miserable. Who's ta say they won't try to do more? 'Specially if they figure yer movin' out of their reach. An' ta tell you the truth, Lucius, that they haven't already tried anything might have more to do with the fact that I've had my boys keepin' an eye on you when you was comin' and goin'. No one would dare to harm you, knowin' you was under my protection."

"Why would you do that, Mordy? I never requested your protection."

"No, you didn't, but you had it anyways. Yer a fine gentleman, my friend, but you don't belong in a place like this. And even though I know you can handle yerself in a rough crowd, I'd never trust those Ministry pricks. They sent you down here; they've never sent any other parolees down to Knockturn to live. If anything, they try to keep 'em away from us. There just might be something to Tidbit's concerns. Besides, man, yer woman is worried about you. If it gives her a bit of peace to know that someone is lookin' out fer suspicious activity, then suck it up and accept it. Yer a lucky wizard that she cares fer you so much," insisted Mordy.

Lucius looked down to meet Hermione's gaze. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled her close to his side and held her possessively. "You're absolutely right, Mordy. I am a lucky wizard...a very lucky wizard, indeed."

~*~

Lucius moved into a suite of rooms upstairs, towards the back of the library. It consisted of a large sitting area, which they furnished with things from the attic; they found a nice matching set of wing chairs along with a sofa and table to place before the fireplace. There were shelves for his books and room enough for his antique desk. They set up his drop-leaf table and chairs in one corner of the room, near the back stair to the old house's kitchen. He also had a luxurious bathroom, at least as large as his flat had been, and a bedroom that was three times that size.

After living in tiny cells for six years and then in the flat for nearly ten months, it felt like a bloody mansion. In fact, once Hermione had got him settled in and Apparated home for the night, he felt a bit lost with so much space to wander in. Between his own rooms and having the run of the library as well, Lucius almost felt like he was back at Malfoy Manor.

Once he'd patrolled the entire building, making sure everything was locked and warded for the night, he settled in for a good night's sleep. But after tossing and turning for awhile, he knew sleep was not going to come easy for him. Lucius lay on his back, his hands clasped behind his head, staring at the ceiling. The bed, which had looked so comfortable and inviting earlier, now seem huge, cold, and empty with just him in it. Just as he was considering getting up and having some herbal tea to help him sleep, he heard a pop of someone Apparating into the building.

He snatched up his wand, but then realized that the wards hadn't sounded an intruder alarm, so he was fairly certain of who had just entered the building. Lighting the candle on the nightstand, he turned on his side to face the door, propped his head on his hand, and waited. He was rewarded within a few minutes with a light tapping on his door.

"Lucius?" she called quietly.

"Yes, Hermione, come in," he answered. "Is something wrong? Are you all right?"

She opened the door and peeked around the edge. Her eyes grew round at the sight of him in bed, his blond hair tossed back over his shoulder with his chest bare, the covers draped across his hips. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to disturb you... I just..." She stopped and looked a bit embarrassed.

"Just what, my dear?"

"I wanted to give you your privacy. I thought you'd want to have the first night to yourself, to enjoy your new space. But... I couldn't sleep... I was...," she hesitated.

"You were what?" Lucius prodded.

"I was lonely... I missed you," she replied so softly he could barely hear her. "I'm sorry, this was stupid of me. I'll just go."

"Stop! Don't you dare leave," he commanded, raising up slightly. "Get over here right now, you silly girl," he said, patting the bed next to him.

She smiled shyly at him, "Really?"

"You. Here. Now. Naked."

Hermione dashed across the room, shedding her clothes on the way. By the time she got to the bed, she'd dropped her outer cloak and jumper and was toeing off her shoes. She then danced from foot to foot as she pulled off her socks. She slid her jeans and knickers off in one fell swoop and pulled her tee shirt over her head, revealing that she hadn't bothered with a bra. This brought a huge grin to Lucius' face as he slid back, giving her room to climb into the bed with him.

Seconds later, he bellowed, "Holy Mother of Merlin, woman! Where in the hell have you had your feet? They're as cold as a block of ice!"

"Sorry." Hermione giggled as she snuggled close. "I was hoping you would have some ideas on how to warm them up for me."

"Oh, I have a plan to get your blood pumping, my girl, have no doubt about it. By the time I'm done with you, we'll both be as warm as toast."

Damn straight. As warm as toast, and afterward they both slept like babes.

~*~

Hermione scheduled a meeting at the end of the week with Amos Diggory. He came to the library to meet with both Hermione and Lucius and to take a tour to see the progress they'd made thus far.

To say that he was pleased would have been an understatement; he was amazed at how much had been accomplished since Lucius had taken the assistant librarian position. There were three rooms full of resource materials, cataloged and shelved accordingly. There were also several groups of historical family documents, either donated by the families themselves or obtained by Amos or Hermione, which were now archived and available for genealogical or historical research.

While Hermione and Amos adjourned to her office to go over the budget and to discuss an upcoming benefit planned for the library, Lucius excused himself, offering to make tea for the three of them. While he was busy, Hermione quickly apprised Amos of Lucius' situation and what she believed was going on.

Lucius returned and the three discussed at length how to work around the restrictions put on him. Amos was on board with Lucius living on site and had some good ideas of his own. Instead of offering Lucius an increased salary, for the Ministry to take, Amos suggested they give Lucius an expense account for things such as wardrobe, travel expenses, supplies, etc., all for work purposes, of course. He also pointed out that since Lucius would be living on site, meals should be included as part of his compensation. Amos also insisted that he would supply a house-elf to take care of the domestic duties of cleaning, preparing meals, and such. Fearing Hermione's objections, he quickly explained he would gladly pay whatever wage she could manage to negotiate the elf to accept.

They also arranged for Lucius to donate seventy-five percent of his income to the library. Amos agreed, at Lucius' insistence, to accept fifteen percent as a real donation, but said he would put the rest of the money aside in a fund for Lucius. Once they had worked out who was the source of all of this interference and had got it set right, then Amos would release the funds. This part, of course, was in the form of a gentleman's agreement between the two men, as there would be nothing in writing; it was sealed with a handshake between them. Hermione agreed to draw up the rest of the terms, and they would meet again at the end of the week to finalize the contract.

Before Amos could leave, Lucius spoke. "Amos, if you wouldn't mind, I would like a moment to speak with you privately?" At Amos' nod of agreement, Lucius turned to Hermione. "If you would excuse us, my dear?"

He hadn't mentioned to her that he planned to speak to Amos, and she was clearly nervous. Hermione glared at Lucius but, in the end, didn't object. He gave her hand a squeeze and, with his eyes, pointed her toward the door. She gathered up the tea tray and headed out. Lucius closed the door behind her and cast a privacy spell.

Sitting behind the desk in the spot Hermione had vacated, Lucius thought carefully before he spoke. "Amos, we have known each other for a long time and have often been on opposite sides of many issues. I want to acknowledge, here and now, that in many of those instances you were right and I was wrong."

Diggory looked surprised. "Lucius, there is no need to rehash the past or to apologize. Hermione has assured me that you are a changed man, and if she, of all people, is willing to accept you and wants you here, then that is good enough for me.

"I know for a fact that whatever else is in the past, you have always believed in preserving the history of our world. The Malfoy family archives were exceptional, your library magnificent. I founded this library in my son's name because I want the past to be remembered. Politicians...governments, often...only want the people to know certain things. My son was a victim of Voldemort's wrath, murdered by Peter Pettigrew on his master's order, as if he were nothing. But if the Ministry had had their way, Cedric would have been their victim as well because they would have erased him from the history books as if he'd never existed. Bad publicity...that's all he was to them. My boy did exist, and he wasn't nothing; he was a good, bright, talented boy with a brilliant future ahead of him, a boy who was snuffed out before his time. I intend to make sure that the history of all of our world, both the good and the bad, is preserved so that future generations will know the truth." Amos choked up as he spoke of his only son.

Lucius, rose to pour two brandies and handed one to Amos. "You are doing a good thing here, Amos, by preserving the past. And you are right, the Ministry has their own agenda, and it is not always in the best interest of the people they claim to protect."

Amos discreetly wiped his eyes. "Thank you. I do it in Cedric's memory and in memory of all the innocent victims of the war. So, is that why you wanted to speak to me, Lucius, to acknowledge our past differences and put them to rest?"

"No, not entirely. There is something I wanted you to know. This job is a means to a new life for me. There aren't many people who would give an ex-Death Eater a second chance, Amos, and especially not someone whose life was decimated by that madman. I regret many foolish decisions I made in my youth, but none more than the one that led me down that path. I want you to know how much I appreciate the chance you have given me here, but if what I am about to tell you changes that, then so be it. I won't start a new life on a lie, and I especially won't jeopardize Hermione's position or her future here.

"That's the issue, you see. Hermione and I... That is to say... we have been... errr... We are..."

"A couple," concluded Amos.

"Yes, we are," said Lucius with a sigh of relief. "Did she tell you already?"

"No, but it is obvious to anyone with their eyes open."

"This has developed just since I started working here," Lucius hurriedly assured him. "I don't want you to think that she was favoring me by offering me this position. When I started, we were little more than strangers, aside from our encounters in the past, which certainly were not conducive to a personal relationship."

"Well, it is a bit surprising, when taking both your pasts into consideration, but not totally unexpected. You two do have a great many things in common: you're both intelligent, logically thinking people; you're both bibliophiles; you're both stubborn with strong personalities; you both have extremely strong magic." Amos ticked off all of the things they had in common.

"You don't think the fact that she's..."

"A Muggle-born?" asked Amos with a frown.

"NO!" Lucius practically shouted. "That is certainly not an issue. I was going to say, the fact that she's so much younger than me."

"Oh, that." Amos waved his hand as if the issue were nothing. "Normally, I might wonder, but as it's obviously no problem for Hermione based on her past relationship, I don't see how that would even be an issue."

Lucius suddenly eyed Diggory suspiciously, "What exactly do you mean by that?"

"Look at all the time she spent...what was it? Three... four years...with Severus..." Lucius was shocked. Hermione had mentioned Severus a time or two, but had never indicated that she'd had a long-term relationship with him. Amos didn't notice Lucius' reaction and continued, "I actually felt bad about the breakup, like I was bit responsible for it, you know?"

"No, I don't know. Why don't you explain it to me, Amos? How were you responsible?"

"Well, she might still be there if I hadn't offered her the job here. I actively pursued her for it, actually, as Hermione was the one I wanted above all the others to run Cedric's library. So, she and Severus might still be together if she hadn't accepted. Rumor has it that he refused to continue a long-distance romance again. That was why he'd got her Madam Pince's position in the first place, you know. After their first year together, and having to travel back and forth when she worked at the Ministry, he'd finally got her settled into Hogwarts, right where he wanted her. Then I came along and offered her this job, and when she took it, he gave her an ultimatum...the job or him. Or at least that is how the rumor goes."

"She took the job," said Lucius, stating the obvious.

"Foolish move on his part, if it's true, in my opinion, anyway," offered Amos. "If you're lucky enough to win a woman like Hermione Granger, you hang on to her with both hands. Maybe that's what he thought he was doing, by trying to keep her there with him. He shouldn't have backed her into a corner, though.

"I'll admit, the first few months here, I wasn't sure she was going to stay. It was obvious she loved the job, but she was also very sad. Now she seems to be adjusting. Since you've been here, Lucius, she's been happy, and I'm glad for that."

Lucius took all this information in, not sure what to make of it all.

Amos stood and collected his briefcase, preparing to go. He shook Lucius' hand. "Don't worry about those bastards at the Ministry, Lucius. We'll work a way around their dirty tricks."

"Once upon a time, we were those bastards at the Ministry, Amos," replied Lucius.

Amos chuckled and nodded. Looking Lucius directly in the eye, he said, "Lucius, don't toy with her. If this thing with Hermione is some kind of game..."

Lucius shook his head with a small smile. "It's not a game, Amos. I'm in deep and so far over my head...I fear I may never find my way out. But to tell you the truth, I don't think I care. I like it here."

~*~

Hermione entered the room to find Lucius leaning back in her chair, his feet propped on the edge of the desk, sipping a firewhisky, and staring pensively at the ceiling.

"Lucius?"

When he didn't answer, she stepped forward and laid her hand on his shoulder. "Lucius, are you all right?"

His eyes shifted to hers, and he nodded slightly, laying his hand on top of hers and giving it a little squeeze. "Amos knows... about us, that is."

"Oh," she gasped, quickly looking away. "I'm sorry if that upsets you." She tried to pull her hand out from under his and step away, but he held on to her as he set his glass down and sat up straight in the chair.

"Hermione, what on earth is going on in that twisted labyrinth of your brain?" he asked as she continued to avoid his gaze. Lucius pulled her over to sit on the edge of the desk in front of him, trapping her right between his legs. He slid close enough to caress her cheek with his other hand, then tipped her face so he could look into her eyes. He could tell that she was embarrassed by his close scrutiny of her and was probably wondering if he possessed any skill at Legilimency. Did she believe that he did not want others to know about them? That despite all his claims that his beliefs had changed, he might perhaps be ashamed to be associated with a Muggle-born?

"You silly chit. You can not seriously be thinking what I think you're thinking."

She gnawed at her bottom lip. "I might be. What is it you think I'm thinking?"

"That for some ridiculous reason, I would want to keep us a secret. That I am somehow ashamed for it to be known that I am with a brave, beautiful, brilliant witch who is half my age and drives me to distraction," he said. His hands slid down her arms to wrap around her hips and rub over her arse. Then he stood, so close she could feel the hardness of him pressing into her.

Hermione's hands rose to wrap around Lucius' neck, her fingers threading through his hair. "Yes, I might have been thinking something along those lines," she answered breathily.

"You know, for the most intelligent witch I've ever known, you can be really thick sometimes."

Her face was like an open book. He could see the relief roll over her like a wave, as she realized that he didn't care who knew about the two of them.

"Ummm... I like it when you're thick." She giggled, running her hands down the front of him and squeezing his bulging erection, causing his eyes to roll back in his head.

"Guhhnnnn...," he groaned. "You are incorrigible, witch," he whispered into her ear, before he licked her neck and nibbled his way to her earlobe.

"Oh, Lucius, take me upstairs now, please," she gasped as he sucked on that spot where her shoulder met her neck, and he rutted against her.

"Upstairs, hell! I can't wait that long," he muttered. He pulled at her clothes and slid his hand beneath her skirt to move her knickers aside, finding her slick and ready for him.

She bucked against his hand. "Oh, gods! Neither can I... Please, Lucius... I need you... please."

They didn't bother with a Silencing Charm, but at least they'd remembered to lock the doors of the library.

~*~

They made it upstairs eventually. Lying in his big bed, snuggled close and totally satiated, Hermione ran her fingers lightly over Lucius' shoulder and down his arm, rather like she was petting him. "So, how did Amos find out about us?"

"I told him, but he had already figured it out on his own."

"You told... but why?" she asked, rising up on her elbow to look at him.

"Because I didn't want there to be any repercussions for you if it were to become known later. I didn't want him to think you had hired me simply because we were together. Surprised the hell out of me when I told him, and he said it was obvious to anyone with their eyes open. I thought we were being totally discreet." He sat up too, to face her. "Quite honestly, love, I would have thought you would not want others to know that you were involved with someone like me...a former Death Eater and an old man."

Hermione laughed. "The only people I might be worried about telling are Harry and Draco. I'm just not sure how they're going to react. But as far as being a former Death Eater and an old man, you are hardly old; sometimes I fear I don't have the energy to keep up with you. And no one would be shocked by us, based on my past association."

"Yes, that's what Amos said. I had no idea you and Severus had been in a relationship."

"Lucius, my time with Severus was common knowledge. I wasn't trying to keep anything from you," she said, frowning. "Is this going to be a problem for you?"

"No, I was just surprised. I really had no idea. While I was in custody, I wasn't allowed media: newspapers, magazines, or anything of that sort. And I haven't heard from Severus for years. He was still recovering directly after the war, and by the time he was well, I'd been sent away. I wrote to him several times and Draco as well. I assumed they wished to distance themselves from me, and I fully understood that. I never received any replies, at least not until I asked him to be my sponsor to obtain my parole. He agreed, but then of course the Ministry overruled.

Hermione sat straight up in the bed, pulling the sheet up to cover her. "No, Lucius, that's not true at all. I know for a fact that Severus wrote to you several times in the time we were together. He was disappointed when you never replied. And the same is true of Draco."

Lucius wrinkled his brow and he asked somewhat harshly, "So, are you telling me that you have contact with Draco and that you are on good enough terms that he would tell you of this supposed correspondence with me?"

It was Hermione's turn to look puzzled. "Of course; I see Draco very often...whenever I go to visit Harry."

"I don't understand. Are you saying that Draco and Potter live together? As in they are roommates?"

She looked at him in shock. "Yes, they do live together and, no, not as in roommates, but as in they are together." Hermione ducked her head slightly to look into Lucius' eyes. "Dear Merlin, you had no clue at all about any of this, did you?"

He shook his head dumbly, looking shell shocked.

"Lucius, someone has been interfering with your life, and not just since your release, but for years, it appears. I know for a fact that Draco wrote to you about him and Harry. He didn't want you to read it as gossip and be hurt; he wanted to be the one to tell you. When he didn't receive a reply or even an acknowledgment, he was devastated. He assumed it was a sign of your rejection. But he still cares, love. In fact, it was Draco who asked Harry to be your sponsor when the Ministry rejected Severus. He knew there was no way in hell they would be able to turn down Harry Potter.

"When you first told me that Draco had disowned you to protect his own reputation, I knew it wasn't true. I guess I just assumed that was what you wanted people to believe, that the estrangement was Draco's choice. If I'd realized, I would have let you know, I swear."

Lucius covered his face with his palm as he struggled to compose his emotions. Finally, he raised his head and looked into Hermione's eyes. "I want to see my son...now...tonight."

"Of course, Lucius. Let's get dressed, and I'll Floo-call Harry to make sure they're home. I'll go with you," Hermione said as she got out of bed and started to gather her clothes.

"There's no need for you to go. I'll be fine going by myself."

"Oh... All right, if you don't want me there, I understand." She hurried to exit into the bathroom, but before she made her escape, Lucius grabbed her and spun her around into his arms.

"Stop that!" he commanded, giving her a little shake.

"What?" Her voice was soft, and she was working very hard to keep it even.

"You know damn well what. You're doing it again. What must I do to convince you that I have no wish to hide that we are together?" he demanded. "And I don't give a niffler's nut who knows, be it Amos Diggory, Molly Weasley, Kingsley Shacklbolt, Severus-fucking-Snape or anyone else in the entire wizarding world. But earlier, you expressed concern about how Harry and Draco would react, and I don't want to rush you into a situation you aren't ready for. If you go there with me tonight, I won't be able to pretend that you are nothing more than a concerned employer."

"Oh, Lucius," she cried, throwing her arms around his waist and hugging him. "I don't mind telling Harry and Draco, really. I'll admit to being a little apprehensive. Draco will hover and ask if I'm sure I know what I'm getting myself into, and Harry will smirk and tell me, 'I told you so.'"

"I told you so?"

"After you started working here he told me once that I'd best watch my step because he'd learned the hard way that Slytherins were downright irresistible," she said with a wicked grin. Her hands began to wander from his waist to his delectably firm derriere to knead those buns of steel.

He firmly set her away from him with a stern look in his eye. "No more of that, my girl, at least not right now, or we'll never leave this bedroom. And as much as I'd love to stay here all night and see how many times I can make you scream my name, I really do want to see my son for the first time in nearly seven years."

"Not, a problem, dearest, I totally understand, but I might hold you to that plan. Or perhaps we'll play it the other way around, and you'll be screaming my name," she replied with a saucy grin.

­TBC