The Apology

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The Apology

Lucius stood on the balcony, staring out into the night. The breeze swept his hair away from his face, but he paid it no mind. His heart hurt. He had scared the poor girl half out of her wits. He doubted she would still be there come morning.

With a bitter growl, he threw his cane over the balcony's edge. Turning his anger towards the heavens, he screamed out his frustrations.

"Why?" he cried to the heavens for release from his pain. "Why couldn't he have killed me? Why did the fates have to take everyone from me and leave me here?" A sob tore from his throat as he fell to his knees. "Please, whatever god may be listening, let me die!"

Emotion spent, he sat where he had fallen. Numb and bereft of any feeling, he swiped at the tears that still clung to his face. He remembered his father's words, "Real men don't cry, Lucius. It serves no purpose, unless you are a woman."

A small voice came from the entrance to the balcony. "Master? Are you quite well?" Serenity moved to his side and laid a gentle hand on Lucius' shoulder.

He nodded giving his small friend a reluctant smile. "I am well, Serenity. Just a little weary, that is all."

The little house-elf backed away as he gained his feet. She smiled sadly at the pain she could see displayed on his face. "Can I get anything for you? Some tea perhaps?"

Lucius looked out towards the darkness of the night. "No, my friend. I don't want anything." He regarded the stars with an air of disinterest. "Go, take your rest." he told her gently.

Bowing her head, she answered in a soft voice, "Yes, sir. Good evening, then." With a final worried glance in his direction, she turned and departed.

Once again alone, Lucius closed his eyes and took a steadying breath. He hadn't meant to snap at Hermione the way he had. But she had caught him off guard. He hadn't been prepared for her to see his face.

"Admit it, ole boy. You'd rather not have anyone see what you have become," he told himself as he moved back into his room.

For a moment, he continued to debate going to apologize before finally deciding that he owed it to her. His behavior had been appalling, even among ex-Death Eaters.

Finally, his decision made, he walked from his room towards the second floor where his guest was residing.

Upon reaching the closed door that led to her room, Lucius stood there for a few seconds. What could he say? What apology would make up for the harsh things he had said to her? It was likely that he would have to accept a sound tongue lashing in return for his regret.

After a moment of pondering, he accepted that possibility. Lifting his hand, he rapped at the door and awaited her answer. When none came, he tried the door and found it open.

Stepping inside the room, he looked around. At first, it appeared that the room was empty. But when he turned to the bed, he found her. She lay on top of the covers in her dressing gown. Curled into a fetal position, she still had the tears fresh on her cheeks.

Cursing himself for his cruel words, he moved to stand beside her. Using a levitating charm, he lifted her sleeping form from the bed.

With his free hand, he folded back the covers, then spoke the last of the charm to lower her back onto the bed. When her head rested on the pillow, he gathered the covers and pulled them over her sleeping form.

Sitting down on the bed, he observed her as she slept. She was really very lovely. The tears were drying on her cheeks. Using his wand, he spoke a refreshing spell to wipe the tears from her face, leaving it clean.

He rose from the bed and crossed to the door. As he exited the room, he spared her one last glance. He would give her an apology. But one that was more impressive than any simple words. With that thought and a smile on his lips, he closed the door behind him leaving her to her rest.

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Hermione awoke the next morning. She had expected to have the headache and puffy eyes that came from crying yourself to sleep. Instead, she felt refreshed. Sitting up, she stretched and began to smile before she thought fully of the events of the night before.

Her smile faded as for a moment she considered the tormented face of her host. The pain he had felt had spoken to her. Sighing, she turned to rise from the bed, but stopped as she saw the reflection of the bed behind her in the full length mirror on the far wall.

Behind her, on the deep purple pillowcase was a single, large white rose. Turning, she looked at the pillow that was on the far side of the bed. Beneath it was an envelope. Reaching out, she took the rose in her hand and brought it to her nose to inhale its gentle fragrance..

Despite herself, she smiled. The rose was amazing. It was indeed white, but the edges seemed to be tipped off in a liquid silver. Picking up the envelope, she moved to open it. Immediately, the envelope became animated and began to talk to her in Lucius Malfoy's deep, but soft voice.

"My dear Hermione, I am so sorry for my unacceptable behavior last night. My fate is not your fault and you were not in any way cruel to me, despite my horrible appearance." The words were spoken in a near whisper.

"Please forgive me," the voice continued softly. "To prove my sincerity, I would request your presence this evening for dinner. Please allow me to make up my deplorable behavior up to you. The rose is one from my own special garden. I have instructed Serenity to give you the key to it, so that you might be able to enjoy all of the roses, gardenia, lavender and lilac that are there. Until this evening my dear."

The envelope closed and floated back down to the pillow. Smiling, Hermione brought the rose back to her nose, closing her eyes at the heavenly scent. He wanted her to join him for dinner. She sighed as she rose from the bed, and moved to the bathroom. Her heart fluttered at the idea of spending time with him.

Her brows furrowed and she shook her head at the emotion she was feeling. She had never gotten all excited or nervous when it came to seeing Harry or Ron. Was it because she was going to be dining with a man that was for such a long time, the enemy?

No. She knew the reason for her heart skipping a beat, if she was honest with herself. Lucius Malfoy was an alluring man. He captivated her. She felt an attraction for him that was unlike any affection she had felt for anyone of the opposite sex thus far.

"Why?" she wondered aloud. What was it about this man that held her in such fascination? Shaking her head, she banished the thoughts as she sank naked into the tub as it filled with water.

She had replaced Malfoy's soaps with her own. She would keep them, but she saw no reason to overuse such a unique gift. It would be saved for special occasions.

Washing herself, she thought of the man she had met here. He was not, by any means, anything like the man she had known before. She had always thought that he was a monster. That had been the only way she could deal with the many spiteful things he had done in the past.

He had gone to Azkaban, only to be later freed when there was insufficient proof as to his treacherous nature. It was not long after he had received his "punishment" from Lord Voldemort.

Thinking of his pain made Hermione wonder if he had ever been quite as completely evil as they had all once thought. If he had truly done what he did because he had believed that not do so would end in his family's torture and death, then she could understand why he did as he had. Shaking her head, she got out of the tub and quickly dried off. She couldn't think of it anymore. It was too sad.

Going to the closet, she selected a pair of blue jeans and a dark green tunic style blouse with long flowing sleeves. Slipping it on over her head, she then pulled on the jeans. They were a little snug, and she had to work them slowly over her hips. But once the jeans were on, they were a comfortable fit. She examined herself in the mirror for a second, then shrugged. She looked passably well. She didn't suspect that there would be anyone that would care if she wasn't dressed to the nines just to do research.

Pulling her hair into a pony tail, she then applied a small amount of make-up, just to keep herself from resembling a ghost. Her face was so pale, she often thought she could glow in the dark. With a smirk in the mirror, she turned and made her way quickly to the library. Spending time daydreaming about Lucius Malfoy was all fine and dandy, but it would not get the job done that she came here to do.

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Flipping through the book she held, she skimmed for any more information on the binding spell. It was information that could prove vital in the fight against Voldemort. Not necessarily killing him, but stripping him of any and all ability to do any more harm.

Frowning, Hermione tossed the book aside with a muttered curse. The text had given her a clue into a totally new approach to this war, but offered no hint as to the properties of such a spell or potion.

"Don't treat my books so callously, or I shan't let you use them," a voice said from the entrance to the private library.

Turning, Hermione was captivated by the very sight of him. "I... I'm s-sorry," she stammered. "I didn't mean to drop it so carelessly. I just..." Words failed her as he moved to stand beside her chair.

Lucius looked like a pirate. His long blond hair was pulled back on one side, but fell in soft waves over the scarred side of his face. His white shirt was only buttoned to mid-chest. And the black pants molded themselves to his hips and thighs. The only thing more breathtaking than the way he was dressed was the soft smile gracing his lips. "It is alright, my dear. I was only jesting."

Hermione felt her cheeks grow warm and she looked away, ashamed of her reaction to his closeness.

Her eyes flew back to his when she felt something incredibly soft brush her cheek. Leaning away from what she had felt, she focused on it. A beautiful red rose that was full in bloom was mere inches from her cheek.

Reaching out, she took the offering from him. "It's beautiful," she whispered.

"As are you, dear angel," he said softly, reaching out to run a finger from her cheek to her neck before backing away. He smiled at her wide-eyed observance. "You have worked rather late this evening. Are you refusing my offer for dinner this evening?"

Hermione shook her head. "No. I was just..." She did a double-take at her watch. "Oh good Heavens. It's after ten?" She rose to her feet. "I am so sorry. Why didn't anyone come and tell me that it was time?"

Lucius smiled and shook his head. "I looked in on you earlier and you seemed so engrossed in what you were doing, I told Serenity not to bother you." He nodded to the book she had finally abandoned. "Is it safe to assume you would like to eat now?"

Hermione shook her head, saying, "I wouldn't want to inconvenience anyone."

"You aren't an inconvenience, my dear. The food is ready, with a warming charm on it to keep it edible until you are in a position to enjoy it." Lucius said softly.

"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. I appreciate it."

Lucius closed the distance between them slowly. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched him draw near. When he held his arm out to escort her to dinner, she felt her heart skip a beat.

It took every ounce of her self-control not to giggle like a simpering school girl with a crush. Holding the rose with her free hand, she took a deep breath. Forcing herself to remain calm, she placed her arm in his. But not before Lucius noticed the shaking of her hand.

With a raised brow, he inclined his head and turned to lead her to the special dinner that had been prepared for them.