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The Senior Project	By : Lizski Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Lucius/Hermione Views: 37490 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
Chapter 15

Lucius sat in his study nursing his brandy, holding the latest edition of The Daily Prophet. He still hadn't changed from last night's Death Eater raid. He hadn't slept, either. Giving Hermione the information about the attack had been a bit of a risk, but with the utterly useless information they had been operating with lately, one more mistake wouldn't be disastrous. True, Voldemort had been livid when he'd heard the news, but since it was impossible to accurately identify where the failure had occurred, he'd been able to escape unscathed. At least for now.

The most difficult part of the evening had been trying to remain civil to Severus; he kept envisioning the bastard's hands on Hermione's legs. Severus had repeatedly tried to corner him last night under one pretext or another, but he had been able to neatly side-step him everytime.

His primary concern wasn't Severus, though. It was Hermione. Was she going to contact him? Gods. This was ridiculous. He wasn't a teenager any more. What the hell had happened that had resulted in this need for her? At least Saturday night had been encouraging. She wanted him. Not Draco, and not Severus, but him. And apparently, he was in her dreams. That was a start.

Maybe she'd write to him soon, and he could send her a portkey, and she would be here by this afternoon.

He put down his brandy and closed his eyes, imagining himself slowly undressing her. Hopefully she'd discard the school robes. Although that did had a certain appeal in and of itself. His cock grew hard at the thought of her quivering under his touch, the lust sparking deep in her eyes, her lips snaking down his chest. Ah yes. Her mouth taking him, her tongue trailing the length of his shaft. The images became more vivid as her remembered their second meeting, her mouth on his cock, her tongue leaving traces of fire on his skin. To kiss her in return, to feel her body writhe as his tongue worked that delicate flesh between her legs. Stroking himself, the release was quick.

Gods. Perhaps he'd shower and rest. Maybe by the time he felt more human, an owl would have arrived.

****

Hermione found herself completely unable to concentrate in class. Lucius had been honest with her. He had told her the truth. He had put himself in danger to convince her that he was serious about wanting to see her. And her body burned with the need to see him. She had told Dumbledore at breakfast that she was planning on contacting Lucius, and the old wizard had approved of the idea, giving her permission to leave Hogwarts. She just hadn't had a chance to owl him yet.

She skipped lunch and penned a note:

Dear Lucius,

Thank you. Your trust means everything to me. I would very much like to see you. Sometime Wednesday would be ideal.

Hermione

Short, to the point, and she already knew that Dumbledore would okay the time off for her, especially since he felt it was in pursuit of a good cause. Wednesday was a shorter schedule for her, and besides, she was ahead in all of her classes, and a break sounded really refreshing. And, admittedly, she really wanted to see Lucius again.

Not wanting to think about it too much, she went straight to the Owlery and sent the note.

She was just leaving the Potions classroom at the end of the afternoon when an eagle owl found her. The bird dropped a small parcel into her hands and landed on a nearby stone bench, obviously waiting for a reply. She noticed some of the Slytherins looking curiously at Draco ' they clearly thought the owl belonged to him, but she ignored even the most interested onlookers.

When most of the class dispersed, she sat down on the bench near the owl and opened the parcel. A parchment was wrapped around a small leather-bound book. She opened the parchment first.

Dearest Hermione,

I can not tell you how much I am looking forward to your visit. Wednesday's appointments have been cancelled, and I am free to spend the day with you and only you. Enclosed is a small gift for you ' another work you might enjoy ' it is also a portkey, and is enchanted to act as such between 8am and noon tomorrow. Please let me know if these arrangements are suitable. As always, you have my honesty.

Eagerly, L.

Hermione turned to the book, looking it over carefully. It was another old work, probably about 200 years old, and most likely from Spain originally, given the Moroccan leather used to bind the book. Opening the cover, she saw that it was a translation of a work by Avicenna.

She smiled at his thoughtfulness. Avicenna was one of the greatest alchemists in the history of the wizarding world, and this particular work was on the clarification and refinement of minerals ' another work that would be quite useful in completing her senior project.

Pulling a quill from her book bag, she responded to Lucius.

You are too kind to me, by far. The arrangements sound wonderful. I look forward to tomorrow, and will notify you if there is any change in plans. You have my honesty, as well.

Excitedly, Hermione

She found a bread crust for the owl to munch on as she secured the note to his leg. She remained on the bench, flipping through the book Lucius had sent, not noticing the wistful glance Draco cast her direction as he walked by.

****

Lucius stretched out on the couch in his study, his boots on the leather cushions. Hermione. Here. Tomorrow. Gods. He was really walking on the edge of a knife with this; if Voldemort found out about her and the child, his life would be over, and not just metaphorically. He'd killed enough people with the Cruciatus to know what it would be like, and he shivered involuntarily. Was Hermione really worth that?

He didn't even have to consider that question. Of course she was. He'd never met anyone like her before. And if not for a chance encounter, he reminded himself, he never would have. She wasn't after his money. That was obvious from the way she'd tried to give back the gifts. And she certainly wasn't after his social standing ' most of his social acquaintances would have nothing to do with him if he started attending parties with a Muggle-born witch.

He chuckled at the idea. It would take accepting just one such invitation, and he'd never receive another one again. Why hadn't the idea occurred to him before? Spending the evenings at home with Hermione and eventually the child was decidedly preferable to attending presumptuous social functions with sycophants.

Maybe at one time those occasions had been entertaining. At some point, though, the novelty of people fawning over him and his wife had worn off, and it had become one more obligation. Still, they provided the distraction that meant not having to stay home with Narcissa every evening. Attractive as she was, and as sparkling a hostess as she was, she had been damn tedious at home. She had always been so interested in how others in her social circle were decorating their homes each season, and had become genuinely upset with him when he didn't share the same interest. He'd given her the check book on more than one occasion simply so that he didn't have to hear about the latest styles in fashionable d'cor.

The blonde wizard looked around his study with a small sense of pride. This room, the library, and his private bedroom had been off limits to her faddish whims. It had been a small point of contention between the two of them each time she sought to redecorate, but after assuring her that the rest of the Manor was hers to do with as she wished, and repeatedly promising there would be an elaborate gala in order to display the latest refurbishings, his private rooms had remained untouched.

He sighed abruptly. These musings didn't help solve the problem with Hermione. It wouldn't be a service to her to get himself killed defending his right to be with her. And yet he wasn't certain how long he could keep her a secret. Damn the gods. His mouth went dry as a thought occurred to him. Severus. He knew. About the child. And yet so far, he apparently hadn't said anything. Why was that? Maybe his old friend had just assumed that he had been sincere in denying the child, and that if he said anything, Voldemort would just write Hermione off as one more Muggle raped in the name of securing a New World Order, and so had decided that it wasn't worth the effort.

Especially since Severus was under suspicion for disloyalty to the Death Eaters, as well as clearly having his own designs on Hermione. Interesting. So perhaps there was some accuracy to the rumors about Severus. And if that was the case, maybe there were others, and perhaps the Dark Lord was slightly more vulnerable that he had previously thought.

Mithras' horns. It was treason to think that way. Yet he didn't see how he could openly live with Hermione under Voldemort's rule. Perhaps he could establish Hermione in a little flat someplace and visit her there. No. She wouldn't go for that. As little as he knew about her, he knew that she wouldn't accept an arrangement like that. Damn.

****

Severus Snape sat in his own study carefully examining the bottom of his glass of scotch. There was only crystal where the scotch should have been. Obviously, that was a sign that he needed another scotch. Hermione wouldn't be here tonight, and he had no other appointments, so it didn't really matter how much scotch he had, did it?

Hermione. Thor's balls. He clenched his free fist in anger. What was Lucius up to now?

Sending her that text over the weekend had been one thing. He had been certain, when Hermione had shown him the book, that it was a parting gift from Lucius ' a token gesture for saddling her with his child, perhaps. And yet something else had come from Lucius for the witch today. He was certain of it. The bent wingtip of the eagle owl was a dead giveaway that it was from Lucius personally.

Hermione couldn't seriously think that Lucius was actually interested in her, could she? And Lucius couldn't be seriously interested in Hermione. No. That was ludicrous. It was unthinkable that Lucius would risk his position of influence with Voldemort by taking an active interest in Hermione. So what was the fiend up to?

Whatever it was, he wasn't going to let the bastard win again. He was going to beat Lucius at something, even if it was just this once. Hermione would be his. Lord Voldemort would have to go, though. There was no way around that. He closed his eyes, envisioning the eternally grateful looks he would receive from Hermione and the blessings he would receive from the Headmaster when he had vanquished Voldemort. Maybe he'd even be able to move Hermione into his quarters before the end of the school year. That wouldn't be too much for the Conquering Hero to ask for, would it?

*****

Hermione was up early the next morning. She had been hidden away in her room since the end of dinner last night. She really didn't want to explain her absence to her friends ahead of time, and knowing Ginny, if the girl got a hint of anything out of the ordinary, she'd keep at it until she got the full story. Yes, it had been safer to stay in her room last night.

Not that she'd done much school work. She'd started reading the Avicenna that Lucius had sent, making some additional notes for her project, but beyond that, she hadn't been able to concentrate very much. At least not on school work. Images of Lucius had filled her thoughts. He was so different from what she had ever imagined. She had heard the stories, of course, about his ruthlessness, and his insatiable bloodlust, and yet that wasn't the man that she had seen. True, she really didn't know him, but he had been gentle ' albeit insistent, and hungry ' but not ruthless.

Merlin's robes! Just thinking about his hands on her body the other night brought on that familiar longing. She looked at her sundial, enchanted to work on even the gloomiest days. Only a little longer, and the portkey would be activated. She considered her clothes for the day, after deciding that showing up naked would be a little more forward than she was comfortable with. She smirked. That might be Ginny's style, but not hers. Still, it wouldn't do to show up in her school robes and her white cotton knickers, either.

Nope. This was definitely time for the red silk again. And over it? She finally decided on long skirt and a button-down sweater. The sweater was cut a bit lower than she was used to, and decided that it would be perfect for the occasion. Some low boots and her heavy cloak would finish it off.

She checked herself in the mirror ('Very nice dearie. Going to see that blonde of yours?'), and paced the room before forcing herself to sit down again. If she went to him right at 8am would she seem over anxious? Probably. But she really didn't want to wait. Her body was already agitated with anticipation, her flesh slick at the thought of seeing him.

Circe be damned. If she came across as overly anxious, well, so be it. She looked back at the sundial one final time before she reached for the book. She immediately felt the not-quite-unpleasant tug at her stomach and found herself hurtling away from Hogwarts.

Moments later she found herself in Lucius' private study, her face red from the wind, her hair tousled. A little unsettled from the quick trip, she looked around the room quickly, her eyes alighting on a very calm, composed Lucius Malfoy sitting behind his desk, The Daily Prophet in his hand. She instantly smiled, followed by a rapidly spreading blush. She was gratified to see that Lucius was also now struggling to retain his composure.

'Lu-'

'Hermi-'

They both stopped when they realized the other had started to speak. Instead of trying again, Lucius stood up, casually discarding the paper as he approached the witch.

'Hermione. I'm so glad you're here. I was so afraid you might change your mind.' He whispered the last words as he pulled her to him, taking the book from her hands and placing it on his desk. Hermione rested her head against his shoulder for a moment, inhaling the familiar scent of sage on his robes, before looking up at him.

Her mouth found his, and she caught a glimpse of longing in his eyes before lost herself to the sensations. Their tongues explored one another tentatively as they reacquainted themselves again. Her arms tightened around his shoulders as he sank his fingers into her hair, pulling her even closer to him.

Hermione felt as though her body had begun to melt; her legs were weak and her flesh was on fire. Lucius began to slowly ease her cloak off her shoulders, their mouths never leaving one another for more than a few seconds. When her cloak fell to the ground, she pulled back, her arms still around his shoulders. The color she felt on her own cheeks was reflected on his, obvious desire flecking his storm grey eyes.

'My dear,' his breath caught in his throat, 'I promised myself that I would have the self control to make it to the bedroom.'

She kissed him lightly on the lips. 'Then let's not stand here.'

Lucius smirked. 'No. We'd better not.' One hand reached for hers while he pointed the way through an open door with the other hand.

His bedroom was just off the study, and Hermione couldn't resist a smirk of her own. 'I wanted a promise I could make sure that I would keep,' he responded with a leer.

He stopped abruptly in the doorway and drew her to him, tilting her chin up so that he could look directly at her. His voice little more than a whisper when he spoke. 'Hermione. I've never felt this way before. I've never wanted 'or needed ' anyone the way I want and need you.'

Gods. How was it possible that this man was able to make her feel this way? Words were beyond her, but she struggled to say something. 'Thank you.' Before she could dwell on how it might sound, her mouth found his again, and they melded forcefully. She pressed her body against his, as though their bodies might fuse where they stood.

Lucius' next words were muffled and Hermione broke the embrace. 'Bed. At least this time.' They entered his bedroom, but the witch was too focused on her blonde lover to take in the dark wood surroundings, the high bed, or the furs that covered the thick mattress.

Her fingers worked loose the clasps on his robes while Lucius unbuttoned her sweater. He paused only momentarily after her sweater was unbuttoned to run his fingertips over the red silk covering her hard nipples. He then slid the sweater down her arms, letting it drop lightly to the ground to join his robes. Her fingers worked frantically at the buttons on his shirt before it too joined the other clothes on the floor. He unhooked her bra and helped her step out of her skirt and shoes before letting her slide her panties off. She cupped the sculpted muscles of his shoulders as her removed his pants and boots.

He led her to the bed, directing her toward the small step that let her climb onto the raised platform more easily. She lay back on the furs, her hands reaching for him. He joined her but paused, holding himself up with one arm as he looked at her. Tentatively, his fingers stroked her abdomen, his eyes expressing the emotions that words could not. In a quick motion, he lowered his mouth to the pale flesh that he had just caressed and placed the lightest of kisses on her skin, his hair cascading over her torso, the hardness of his cock pressing against her thigh. She shivered in response, and stroked his head lightly, his breath feeling like licks of flame on her sensitive skin.

'Lucius, please,' she begged, feeling no shame. She needed him. And for whatever reason, her body responded to his with an ease she never imagined possible.

The wizard sat up to face her, and Hermione gently pushed him back on the bed. She wanted him at her pace right now. Lucius smiled in response, lying back and pulling Hermione to him.

Straddling him, she slowly lowered herself on to him, her body ready for his. Her breath hitched in her lungs as she filled herself with him, his body completing hers. Lucius gave an involuntary gasp, and moved his hips slowly. Hermione leaned forward, her mouth finding his as her body moved against his. Her body began to demand more attention, and his hand slid between them, his fingers toying with her nipples. She rode him slowly at first, until they found a rhythm that was good for both of them. Their motions backer faster, more intense, and the slow fire in her core spread. She ground her hips against him, and then rose up, only to take his length in her again

Lucius let one hand drift to the apex of their joining, his fingers seeking the sensitive nub of flesh, where he lightly stroked her, watching her face intently as she gave herself over to the needs of her body.

Hermione lost herself as their bodies moved in consonance, her only purpose was stoking and spreading the heat Lucius ignited within her. Gone were the thoughts of how well their bodies fit one another, as were any concerns about whether she should be doing this. The pleasure he gave her was answer enough at the core fire exploded, flooding her senses, leaving her gasping for breath, her lover's name on her lips.

Still merged, Lucius rolled them over, his own breathing ragged. His hair shrouded their faces, creating their own private world. Hermione's hips now rose to meet his, and his mouth savaged her skin. His thrusts became more urgent as her body again quivered around his. In a final groan, he found his release, 'Hermione''

The blonde collapsed onto her, his chest heaving, their bodies heated. Her arms tightened around him again, and his lips moved indistinguishably against her collarbone. Their breathing calmer, he pushed himself up on one arm, 'I missed you.'

Hermione grinned in response. 'I missed you too.'

His fingers traced the lines of her jaw, his face becoming solemn. 'How is it that every time we're done, I want you more than I did before we started? I've never experienced anything like this before.'

Hermione shook her head in wonder. 'I don't know, but I feel the same way ' this wanting seems to get stronger. I never knew it would be like this.' As she spoke the words, she knew they were true, banishing any residual doubts of why she had come to him today.

The wizard smiled. 'I want to keep you here ' with me ' forever.'

Hermione returned the smile wanly, trying to push questions about Voldemort out of her mind. She was saved from further response when her stomach growled. She blushed. 'I'm sorry. I, er, didn't eat anything this morning.'

Lucius waved off her apology. 'Not at all. I've been a neglectful host. I should have offered you something when you arrived.'

Hermione smiled coyly. 'You did offer me something, if I recall. And I believe that I accepted it gladly. And I don't think I heard myself asking for breakfast.'

The wizard nodded as he failed to suppress a leer. 'No. I guess you didn't ask for breakfast. But perhaps now? I would hate for you to pass out from exhaustion because I failed to provide adequate sustenance.' His lips twisted into a smirk and Hermione giggled.

The blonde slid off the bed, and Hermione found herself staring at the strong lines that defined Lucius' body. Circe's wand. It would be easy to stay here forever. Except that the real world would be bound to encroach upon their enclave at some point.

****

After dressing, Lucius took her down to a casual dining area that opened on to a traditional English garden. The day was gray, but even so, the alcove had a cozy feeling to it, and Hermione immediately felt at ease. Food arrived magically, much like back at school, and she took a toasted bagel, watching lox, butter, and cream cheese appear instantly.

Munching contentedly, she turned to Lucius. 'So, er, did you grow up here? In this house?' The words sounded flimsy, but it seemed as good a way as any to start a conversation.

Lucius nodded. 'Yes. Malfoys have inhabited this building for the last 300 years.' Hermione bit her tongue at the pomposity in his voice. Not that she would have ever said anything, but he sounded quite a bit like the Muggle lords in England ' that same belief in 'superiority based on longevity.' Lucius noticed her look and his lower lip quivered as he fought a smirk. 'And if you talk to any of the portraits in the gallery, they'll be happy to recount every scandal of interest in this family for the last 800 years.'

Hermione giggled teasingly. 'So, they'll be able to give me the unedited story of your childhood, huh?'

Lucius' eyes narrowed menacingly, and Hermione felt a stab of uncertainty ' Lucius was still an unknown quantity to her ' before the blonde grinned. 'Gods. Don't do that. Between the sets of great-great grandparents, and my great-aunt Celia, I'd never be able to face you again. They'd get so caught up in telling you about my every exploit from birth to age 17 that you'd never get out of the portrait hall again.'

Hermione smiled. 'That fascinating, huh? Well, maybe you'd better give me the expurgated version, so I don't have to start grilling your relatives.'

'Definitely expurgated. But if talking to my late family members will keep you here, then that might not be all bad, either.'

Hermione took a sip of grapefruit juice and sat back as Lucius told her about setting fire to the Manor when he was 5, accidentally casting an Incendio spell rather than the intended Incedio spell when he was trying to animate a puppet that he had been given. Luckily, one of the house elves had seen the fire and had discreetly tossed a bucket of water on the small blaze. That hadn't stopped his father from spanking him and taking away his wand for a month. Hermione wasn't sure what was more entertaining, the story itself, or the still-chagrined look that Lucius had as he told it.

'Now, you tell me. What childhood skeletons do you have in your closet?' Lucius smirked pleasantly.

'Actually, I was a disgustingly well-behaved child. My parents hovered too much to let me get into too much trouble. I think the worst thing I ever did I was keep library books past their due-date.' She blushed, as the wizard shook his head mockingly.

'Well, if library books are your worst vice, then I'd better take you to the library, so you can indulge a little,' he smiled wickedly.

He gave Hermione a quick tour of the Manor before taking her to the library, and then stood back and crossed his arms, watching her as she began scanning the titles on the bookshelves, her fingers reaching to tentatively touch some of the more interesting works. It was several minutes before she remembered where she was, and turned back to Lucius. 'Wow. I think I could spend the rest of my life here, uh, in the library, I mean, er'' she stopped, suddenly aware of how her words sounded.

Lucius hid his smile with a smirk. 'That's alright. You're more than welcome to stay here as long as you like.' He paused, and Hermione couldn't help but wonder if he was serious. There was a difference between being serious and being honest. Luckily, he changed the topic almost immediately. 'The books in this library are organized by acquisition date. My great-grandfather came up with the system through some reasoning of his own, and no one else has had the heart to change it since. It makes it a little complicated, but on the other hand, it shows you how the collection has grown over the years.' Lucius went on to explain how the library's holdings had developed over the centuries, including some of the slightly 'less legal' procurement techniques practiced by some of his ancestors.

The conversation drifted to other objects and texts that the Malfoy family had collected over the generations, and they found themselves back in Lucius' study. Hermione couldn't help but glance over to the doorway to Lucius' bedroom, and Lucius smirked.

Their lovemaking this time was slower, less urgent, and more exploratory as they became more comfortable with each other's bodies. It was after the shared intimacy that they found themselves lying in bed, discovering one another.

'What are your passions in life?' Lucius started.

Hermione considered for a moment before answering. 'Books. Learning new things. Always being challenged ' I think I'd get bored if I wasn't doing something ' learning, reading, writing.'

'So what you want to do when you graduate?'

The witch shook her head. 'I don't know. I had anticipated apprenticing myself to someone ' maybe Potions, or maybe Arithmancy or something ' but, now, with the baby, I'm not really sure. Probably go work for the Ministry doing something. I don't know.' She shrugged her shoulders.

'Don't ever say that. Don't ever look at the child as a liability, my dear. I have, ah, you and the child will be taken care of in any circumstances. I promise you that.' Lucius said firmly, reaching for Hermione's hand.

Hermione gave another small shake of her head, a smile on her lips. 'I have to say, I never would have though that you would be interested ' even excited ' about this child. I mean, you're pretty well-know for your thoughts on blood purity.' She added the last words nervously, but she had to know.

Lucius inclined his head in assent. 'At one time, yes. But I've come to realize how ridiculous that whole thing is. What does it get us? A bunch of in-bred snobs who can't reproduce, or when they do, turn out idiots or the criminally insane. The whole idea is suicidal. We'll manage to eliminate ourselves in a matter of centuries, if not decades.' The wizard took a breath. 'I'm getting older, and it's becoming more apparent that I've failed at the one task that I was charged with.'

Hermione looked at the blonde quizzically as he continued. 'All I was expected to do was to see the family name into the next generation. And what did I do? I have a son that wants nothing to do with me, and who can't have children of his own. He doesn't know that I know,' Lucius added, seeing Hermione's stricken face, 'but I do. And unfortunately, the only thing I did in the time I spent with Draco was instruct him in the sole responsibility of Malfoys to create more Malfoys. Not only does Draco hate me for the choices I've made in the name of the family, but I've effectively set him up to hate himself, too.'

He sighed despondently before continuing. 'And it's obvious that the one cause that I've dedicated myself to for all of my adult life is likely to fail, too.'

Hermione couldn't hide her surprise as he went on. 'Those bungled attacks ' other than the last one,' he added with a smug smile, 'are becoming more frequent. Lord Voldemort is so concerned with divisions from within that he's not seeing how badly things are going. He's powerful, certainly, but I'm no longer certain that he's more powerful than the opposition. And if he continues to divide his followers with his own fears of disloyalty, then he's going to lose the power advantage that he's got from us.' Lucius halted. 'It's treason to even suggest this. But,' he looked into her eyes, 'I promised you honesty. And there's no one else I trust that I can speak to about this.'

Hermione nodded slowly, fully aware of the amount of trust he placed in her. 'So, what are you going to do?'

Lucius laughed bitterly. 'I can't exactly quit. It would be pointless suicide.'

'What about, er, eliminating him?'

The wizard smiled. 'It's scary. The way you think, I mean. We're so much more alike that I could've hoped for. Unfortunately, he's too strong for anyone to kill alone, and he's created a system where none of us who are close to him trusts one another. We'd never band together for that simple reason.' His voice was flat.

Hermione sat up. 'So that's it then? You just admit defeat before you even try? Has it ever occurred to you that Lord Voldemort is not going to be too thrilled about the news of this child? And that when he does find out, my life, and the life of my-our-child is going to be in danger?' Her nostrils flared in anger.

Lucius raised his hands in mock-defense, but his voice was cold. 'Yes. That thought has crossed my mind,' he started sarcastically. 'I am working on that problem.'

'Oh good,' she retorted in an icy voice. "And you'll let me know how that's going, so that I can come out of hiding in ten or twenty years?'

Hermione shook her head in disbelief, and Lucius said nothing as her heart pounded in her chest. 'I've backed the wrong horse. I know that now.' He looked away, saying nothing for a few minutes. His voice was wistful when he finally spoke, 'I wanted to rule the world.'

She tried to hide her astonishment at the ease of his disclosure, her frustrations slowly waning. 'I'm not surprised.'

'You're not?'

'Nope. Not at all. Although I am a little surprised that with the financial means and social status that you started with that you didn't try to rule the world through political and economic strategies. I mean, you could have been the driving force behind the Ministry, controlling everything from your study. Now, well, you're serving someone else.'

Lucius gave her an ironic smile. 'I was young. A teenager. Your way would have required long board meetings and hours of sifting through paperwork. At the time, it just didn't seem as appealing as the alternative.' Lucius paused. 'By the time I was 17, I had experienced almost everything that a wealthy law-abiding citizen could do or purchase. I was looking for something new and different. There was a certain appeal to the, ah, pleasures, that Voldemort offered. And I can't deny that I enjoyed it, although the thrill has worn off a bit.' He paused, a wry tone coming into his voice, 'In hindsight, board meetings might have been easier.'

Hermione tried to stifle a nervous giggle, even as she shuddered at his casual description. 'Yeah, it probably would have been easier. I mean,' she clarified hastily, 'body counts do make plans for world domination more obvious.'

Lucius' eyes narrowed before he gave a deep chuckle. 'Very true.' He smiled broadly.

Hermione couldn't discern the reason for his sudden levity. 'What?'

'We make quite a pair. We could've ruled the world together, you know,' he added pensively. 'But that's not what you asked me about. You asked me about the child.'

The witch remained silent. Lucius obviously felt comfortable enough to bear his soul to her, and she didn't want to do anything that would change that. 'I look at our child as a new chance. If the Malfoy line isn't over, then maybe I can reverse some of the other poor decisions I've made, too.'

Lucius sat up, his eyes focused on a distant point. 'It's not even that, though. I'm much more selfish than that. I was afraid that if you aborted the child, then it wouldn't be long before I was nothing more than a distant memory to you. You'd go off, get a job, marry someone, and I'd be nothing more to you than a mistake that you'd made in a few moments of foolishness as a school girl.'

Lucius swallowed, and Hermione's brain was racing at his words. 'I couldn't bear that. For reasons that I can't explain, you've plagued me ' my dreams, and my days. I couldn't ' I didn't want to let you go. I wanted you with me. I'm sorry. But believe me, I mean it when I say that I want you and the child with me ' if you want to stay here, that is.' Her drew Hermione into his arms, holding her tight against his chest for a few moments. Overwhelmed by his revelations, she clung to him, rational thought escaping her.

'Yes.' Her voice broke, but she sat up and looked at him evenly. 'I want that very much.'

The wizard smiled in relief. 'It might take some time, and I'll have to figure a few things out, but I want you at my side.'

Hermione thought for a moment before speaking quietly. 'You could speak to Professor Dumbledore.'

~~~~

A/N: incedo: to walk (Yeah, the Latin isn't grammatically perfect, but that's the way it goes...)

Yeah, sort of a fluffy chapter there, but there is a little angst coming up, so a little fluff seemed in order. Besides, I was in serious need for some more Lucius-smut'. *ahem.

On another note, the skiing is fantastic ' the gods have given us tons of snow, with more on the way. *happy ski grin!
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The Senior Project