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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.

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Chapter 25

How dare Albus talk to him about conscience, or heart? How could the old man even talk to him about such things? Albus hadn't been through what he had been through, hadn't done what he had done, hadn't seen what he had seen. There was no way he could have survived all of that if he had had a heart, or a conscience. To talk about it now was ridiculous. And insulting.

Severus Snape looked around his library, grudgingly acknowledging that Draco was right. The little snot. He did have to make a decision. And soon.

&&&&&

"And if Severus goes to the Dark Lord, what will we do?" Hermione tried to suppress her panic.

"If he goes, then we continue on as we planned. Severus is a powerful wizard, but he's not the only one. Albus, albeit more frail than he once was, is still more powerful than any of us. Minerva is not a push-over, and Molly Weasley, for all her babies, and sweaters and figgy-puddings, is a formidable witch. Draco is not fully trained, and he's untested, but he's not incapable. Even if he is second in his class." Lucius smirked into his tea, secretly pleased that his future wife was even a better student than his son. They both did the family proud. "We've got a great deal of allies." He didn't bother to state that they would need them, as they also had a great deal of foes to best.

"And there's Harry. Maybe." Hermione had told Lucius about her conversation with Harry, and his subsequent rejection of her.

"Harry's a Gryffindor. If Albus asks him, he'll be there. To defeat the Dark Lord, if nothing else. He does have his own issues with him, that I'm sure he'd like to see resolved."

The witch nodded, munching on a toasted bagel with cream cheese and lox, enjoying the private time that she had with Lucius; a tactful note from the headmaster arrived with breakfast suggesting that she make an appearance at her classes today. "Very true." Of course Lucius would know about Harry's connection with Voldemort. "I guess he can be convinced that it's for the greater good, even if he thinks I'm the whore of Babylon."

Lucius growled, his own bagel half-way to his mouth. "If that little upstart ever even thinks about insulting you, I'll turn his hide into a lampshade."

Hermione coughed nervously. There was a lot of Lucius' history that was vague, and truthfully, she preferred it that way; she didn't need graphic details. As long as he had given up those ways, she didn't need to know more. But she still felt mildly uncomfortable when he even jested about his past life. "I don't think that will be necessary. But I'll let you know if we need to call up those skills."

"Okay, no lampshades. That's sort of creepy, anyway. But don't let him ever make you feel bad," the wizard replied evenly.
"I won't. And he can't. I know who I am, even if he doesn't see it," Hermione replied, grateful that Lucius had backtracked on the threat, even if he wasn't serious.
Lucius smiled; Hermione just didn't realize how much being around her calmed him. He didn't feel the need to respond to every challenge that was put forth to him. He didn't feel the need to assert himself, to prove himself the Alpha Male. He just didn't need to do it any more. Hermione was like an extra-strength dose of Calming Draught. He was comfortable. Not quite relaxed. That wouldn't happen until the Dark Lord was removed, but he was comfortable. And while it might take a while to get used to that feeling, he was looking forward to enjoying it, for many years to come.

"I guess it just depends on how we decide to deal with Voldemort." Hermione continued, her focus on the task at hand. "Of course the headmaster and the Order will want to discuss it. But I guess, if we come up with a plan, and make sure there are no leaks-" she looked pointed at Lucius, both of them aware that Severus was the biggest security issue, "then we've got a good chance."

Lucius squeezed her hand, his signet ring shining her finger. "Of course we do. We've got more than a chance. We'll make this happen. And you, Finbar, and I - and eventually Desidero, Ursus, Osbert, and Fiona - will lead a life of leisurely pursuits, as respectable, upstanding members of the wizarding community."

"Osbert? Fiona?" Hermione bit back a laugh. "How about Diana and Trajan, too? I mean, we want to be able to field an entire quidditch team, don't we? Including 'Uncle Draco', of course."

The blonde's eyes brightened. "Of course. Although we'd need a few more for a full quidditch team." The blonde licked his lips satisfyingly. "But if it's only you, me, Finbar, and their Uncle Draco I'll still be a happy man."

&&&&&

Reluctantly, Hermione made her way up to her room in the turret, using the back passages that were only accessible to the faculty, and the Head Boy and Girl; she really didn't want to explain why she was going to her room before classes, rather than leaving.

In her room, she gave Crookshanks a quick hug, noticed that the elves had made sure he had food and water, and changed into her school robes. At least she didn't have to get cleaned up; she and Lucius had enjoyed a somewhat leisurely shower, with much mutual backscrubbing. For an older man who had suffered the cruciatus a little over two days, he was pleasingly virile. Pleasingly. Heh. He was more than pleasing. Her face glowed with the memory. And to be able to spend the rest of her life with him. She felt like she had won the lottery.

Except that she'd have to cross a line of Death Eaters to collect her prize. Gods. But it had to be done. Even if Lucius had never entered her life, she would have had the cloud of the Dark Lord hanging over her. But maybe this way, she could have her shepherd's pie and eat it, too.

On that note, she grabbed her bookbag, quickly tossing in the texts she'd need for the morning, only barely noticing the knowing wink she received from the mirror as she dashed out the door.

&&&&&

"Where have you been?!" Ginny's voice was less a shriek of excitement at seeing a friend, and more a subtle demand. "There's so much going on here. Mum and Dad are here, the faculty are looking on edge, and," the red-head lowered her voice a decibel or two as the note of loathing entered her tone, "Mr. Malfoy is here, as well." She took a breath, although she didn't pause long enough for Hermione to collect her thoughts enough to respond. "And you've been gone all night. What's going on? And where have you been?" Feeling assaulted by the younger woman, the older witch couldn't help but think that Molly Weasley had trained her daughter well.

Ginny's voice was loud enough to attract the attention of several of the Gryffindor students. "Yeah, Herm. What's going on? As Head Girl, I'd expect you know everything that goes on." Ron joined in step with his sister. Feeling a momentary panic, Hermione looked through the hall, hoping to find a friendly, calming face, somewhere, but the curious Gryffindors had effectively blocked her off.

"Erm. I'm not really sure. I've heard bits and pieces, but I don't know enough to draw any conclusions. I don't want to say anything without knowing more." She breathed out a bit more heavily than she had wanted to. Maybe that would satisfy the growing mob.

"C'mon. Surely you can tell us something," Thomas Dean implored.

"Ah. Well, I've heard the faculty talking about how the Dark-uh, You Know Who is planning something big. Soon."

"No kidding," came Seamus Finnigan's scoffing response. "When's he not planning something big? You've got to know more than that."

Her frustration was beginning to mount as she sensed an underlying aggression in the group. "I really don't. Sorry. But as soon as I know something concrete, I'll be sure to let you know. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to get to class."

Pushing her way through the throngs of students, she was able to escape most of the crowd that had gathered. "But where were you last night?" Of course she couldn't escape Ginny.

Her good mood destroyed by the red-head's questioning, and the onslaught of Gryffindors, she turned harshly on the girl, her voice thick with anger and frustration, "I was getting shagged senseless. Now. Let. Me. Go. To. Class." She pulled away abruptly.

Ginny's expression changed abruptly, from one of demanding insistence to a look of indignant shock. "No need to get nasty," she muttered to the Head Girl's retreating back.

&&&&&

Ancient Runes didn't provide the soothing escape that it usually did, although that really shouldn't have come as a surprise; there were too many other things going on. And Transfiguration was, well, probably the worst experience she had had at Hogwarts. Her tea cozy was scaly, and, god forbid, still had fins. The fact that Minerva merely gave her a sympathetic smile just added insult to injury. The only positive thing that had happened the entire morning was that she was told, privately, of course, that afternoon classes would be cancelled, ostensibly to give the students a chance to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather of the January Thaw, but in reality giving the Order a chance to meet and discuss strategy. Hopefully she would be able to avoid Ginny in the span between the end of morning classes and the meeting of the Order.

&&&&&

The Fates, however, had different plans for Hermione. Ginny grabbed her arm as she was exiting Transfiguration. "'Getting shagged senseless'? Oh really, Herm. If you are going to lie, you'd better be able to come up with something better than that."

Hermione mentally recoiled. How did she not even see Ginny coming? Mab's knickers on Sunday. The last thing she needed. The Head Girl looked around the hallway, hoping to find an excuse to deduct house points, or conduct some other official business. Unfortunately, the hall was filled with scared-looking underclassmen, all behaving beyond repute.

With a start, she realized that Ginny was still talking. "You have got to tell me what is going on. Or I might have to share what I know about your late night assignations with Draco." Clearly the younger witch was guessing about last night, but Hermione didn't want the fact that she had been out of her rooms all night made public. While she wouldn't receive any official recrimination, it would seriously undermine her credibility with the younger students.

The Head Girl sighed audibly. Circe's robes. Would Ginny stop bothering her if she told her the truth? And how quickly would Ginny spread the tale of The Wanton Head Girl throughout the school? On the other hand, Ginny's parents were members of the Order; maybe she could keep a secret. Maybe there was a way to ensure her silence. And maybe Ginny could help with Harry. Maybe it was worth talking with her. Of course, the woman had a strong, and understandable hatred of Lucius. And might not be too receptive to hearing about her relationship with the blond wizard.

Oh hell. In for a knut, in for a galleon. Lucius was right. They needed all the allies they could get. It was best to identify them as soon as possible.

Amazingly, Ginny was still talking. "I've arranged for the elves to bring lunch to your rooms. We need to talk."

Yes, they probably did. But if Lucius was at lunch, he'd wonder if she wasn't there. "Okay. Sure. I just need to talk to someone for a second."

"I'm not letting you out of my sight," came the red-head's response, and Hermione had an immediate and intense understanding of what drove Fred and George out of the Burrow and into business at such a young age.

"Fine." Hermione's mind was on to other things. She needed to find Draco. He'd talk to Lucius. Rushing ahead of the younger witch, although not out of her arm-reach, the Head Girl made it to the Great Hall. She spied Draco heading to the Head Table and followed after him, ignoring Ginny's self-satisfied snort, and the snickers of some of the Slytherins that noted her purposeful chase.

Luckily, she was able to grab his robe before he got close to the front of the hall. "Draco!" She called out, somewhere between a shout and a stage-whisper. Immediately the young blonde turned around, a welcoming smile on his face that quickly turned harsh as he saw the Slytherins in his peripheral vision.

"Yes, 'Dear'?" he asked, in his sarcastic, aristocratic drawl, loud enough for the onlookers to overhear.

Hermione drew him in close, and began to brush non-existent lint off his robes, trying to give the impression to the casual observers that she was ministering to him. "Drac. I can't make it to lunch today. I've got some, erm, house obligations. I've got to see if some of my housemates are really my friends, and fast. Please tell Lucius. So he doesn't worry. And Dumbledore, too. I'll be ready for the meeting this afternoon. I've just got to put out a few cauldron fires in Gryffindor, first."

Draco nodded, trying to look severe for their audience. "Of course. See you in the library this afternoon." He then raised his voice, making a point of looking up at the Head Table. "Be off with you, mudblood. How dare you touch me!" He raised his wand threateningly, although only Hermione was able to detect the briefest hint of a wink before his eyes narrowed into a menacing glare.

Nodding apologetically, Hermione hurried away, back to the apparent safety of Ginny Weasley.

Noticing the gathering look of malevolent glares from the Slytherin table, Ginny herded the Head Girl out of the Great Hall and back to the Gryffindor tower. Not pausing in the common room, the red-head continued to push Hermione up to the Head Girl rooms.

When they entered her rooms and Hermione discovered that lunch was already waiting for them did she accept the fact that there was no escape. Molly Weasley knew. Telling her daughter couldn't be any worse.

Ginny sat down and began to serve Hermione, the feigned subservience all too apparent to Hermione. "So," Ginny began, as she handed Hermione a tray with a green salad and a mug of pumpkin juice, "Tell me. Where were you last night? With Draco?"

Hermione sat down in her one comfortable chair, placing the tray on the nearby bookstand, leaving Ginny to sit on the bed, or at the chair at her desk. "Look. We need to talk."

"Really." The red-head's acerbic response made Hermione force down a gut reaction to want to smack the younger woman.

"Sit down." Ginny chose the desk chair. "Buckle your seat-belt, and stow your tray in its original and upright position." Ginny blinked blankly, and Hermione smiled inanely. The youngest Weasley was in for a ride; she just didn't know it. Hermione paused, taking a sip of her pumpkin juice before continuing, happy for the moment to collect her thoughts. Where to begin?

"I'm pregnant." That was a good starter. It silenced Ginny, which was an immediate point in its favor. "I'm a little over 4 months along."

"Draco?" The red-head's voice was slightly hesitant; clearly this was not the news she was expecting to hear.

"Erm, not exactly." Merlin's knuckles! Was this really a good idea? "I'll tell you, but you've got to promise me that you aren't going to go spreading gossip around the school. There are a couple of people who know, but I don't want anyone else to know. Will you promise?"

"Uh. Sure. Of course." Ginny reached for her wand, and brought the tip of it to meet Hermione's wand. There was a slight hum as the two wands met. "I promise not to gossip about your, ah, pregnancy."

"And you'll only talk about it, and anything else we talk about here today, with people that I have told you are okay," Hermione prompted.

"And I'll only talk about it - and anything else that we talk about today - with people that you have told me are okay," the younger witch concluded. They drew their wands apart, and the humming vanished.

This wasn't a particularly strong form of magic; any number of Dark spells or enchantments could easily break the promise, but it was unlikely that Ginny would encounter them at Hogwarts, and therefore her secret was fairly safe.

"Now what's the deal?" Ginny's personal interest in her friend had finally overcome her genetic predisposition to busybodiness.

"It's kind of a long story, but it really only makes sense if I start from the beginning.�" And from the beginning she did start, telling about her unrequited crush on Severus, and the unintended liaison with Lucius.

"What?!? L-Mr.-uh, he was polyjuiced to be Snape? And he, you, uh, were still, errmph." Ginny's face was beet-red, and Hermione couldn't fight off the smile that was tugging at her lips; she never thought it would be possible for Ginny to be speechless when it came to talking about sex.

"Yes. The dark-haired witch blushed a little. The memory of Severus' body changing into Lucius was one that was permanently burned into her brain. And it sparked the beginning of an idea in her brain.

"So, what was it like? I mean, I've heard stories and stuff, but it's way too far out there for me to even think about. And, which one was better?" Apparently curiosity was beginning to win out over shock.

Hermione's blush was now deeper. Ginny clearly thought she was some sort of fetish freak, now. "Well, just because the, uh, skin changes doesn't mean the technique changes." She paused, smiling more from embarrassment than from anything else. "And it's not like it was something that I intended to have happen. Or even remotely expected." She took another sip of her pumpkin juice. "But if you must know, Severus isn't bad looking under all those robes of his. He's a little scrawny, and," now her face was blazing, "he's not, uh, poorly endowed."

Ginny nodded for her to continue. Now this was interesting. And coming from Hermione, of all people. But who else would think about seducing Snape?

"But Lucius is better. All around. More muscular, uh, bigger, more defined."

The younger witch choked on her on drink, and coughed it clear. "You make it sound like you liked it?"

"Well. It was a bit of a shock to see Lucius there." To say the least. "But he was so sweet. And thoughtful."

"Sweet? Thoughtful? Are you sure we're talking about the same Lucius Malfoy? The guy with the long blonde hair, the sneer, the snooty look on his face, the nasty cane, and all the Dark Arts stuff?" Hermione nodded, but Ginny continued; the question was rhetorical. "The bastard raped you. How can you consider him thoughtful? Or sweet?"

"I wasn't exactly keen on him at the time," the Head Girl broke in. "Angry as hell would be an understatement. But damn. The man is built. And hung like a hippogriff. And yes, he was sweet. He wanted to make sure that I enjoyed myself. He knew it was my first time. He wanted to make sure I, uh, was pleased."

"And so that's how you got pregnant? From that son of a bitch? The man's a menace to society! The Ministry just hasn't put him away because he bribes all the judges and politicians."

"Actually, I don't think I got pregnant that time. I got pregnant the second time."

"Second time? There was a second time?" Now the girl sounded outraged.

"And many more times after that," Hermione replied, primly. "But I think it was the second time. And at that point, I wasn't exactly pleased about the pregnancy," Ginny snorted, "but I wasn't able to end it. Lucius wanted to keep it."

"And as a wizard, he's got that right," the youngest Weasley nodded thoughtfully. "What an asshole. He tricks you into sleeping with him, gets you pregnant, and then won't take care of his end of things. So is that why you and Draco? Or why you slept with him more? In the hopes that he'd, uh, be more helpful?" she trailed off.

"Actually, Lucius decided to court me properly when he found out about the pregnancy. I've spent a bunch of time with him since then, and, well, he asked me to marry him. We'll be getting married at the end of the school year. Or sooner. There's just a couple of complications."

"'You are kidding me, right? Marry him? You and Lucius? Yeah, he's got money and all, but he's a Death Eater. He hates Muggles." Ginny stopped, an idea suddenly occurring to her. "You're making this all up, aren't you? Because you're mad at me for asking you what was going on in front of all those people, aren't you?"

Hermione smiled ruefully. "Nope. Not a word of it. There are a few bits that I left out, but none of them are important."
"'Bits that you left out'? Don't leave them out." Ginny was showing the classic temper of a red-head. "Because this all sounds like some horrible nightmare. Maybe it is. Maybe I shouldn't drink that cheap wine on school nights." She shook her head.

"The only bits that I left out were with regard to Severus attempting to seduce me, and offering to take care of me and little Finbar," she patted her stomach, "and not marry me, mind you, and Draco offering to marry me because he needs an heir, and this seemed like a simple solution to him." She looked pointedly at Ginny. "That's the story. All of it. Oh, and there is one other little part. But remember the promise. You can't say a word about this to anyone. Lord Voldemort has accused Lucius of treason and has demanded that he turn me and Draco over to the Death Eaters, since Draco and I are technically betrothed - at least on paper."

Ginny's mouth opened and shut a few times, but no sound emitted. Finally she found her voice. "Saytrs' balls. You are serious. Aren't you? About all of this?"

Hermione nodded, and slipped Lucius' signet ring off her finger. Still holding it, she showed the seal to Ginny. "I've got the Malfoy family seal. Lucius gave it to me to seal our engagaement - the real one."

Still in shock, Ginny didn't even know where to begin. "You're happy? You want to do this?"

"Of course! I love the man. I can't imagine my life without him." She paused as the familiar frission of fear shot through her. "No, I'm not thrilled about the thing with Voldemort. That's why your parents are here. The Order is here. To figure out a solution to the whole problem with Voldemort. Lucius too. He's here to help them." The idea that had formed in Hermione's brain was beginning to take shape.

The red-head threw up her hands. "I honestly don't even know what to say. You've just turned my world inside out. Lucius Malfoy is as evil is the day is long, and yet he's helping the Order so that you two can get married. The uptight Head Girl is pregnant by a man 18 years her senior, and Professor Dumbledore seems to be just fine with it. I'm afraid if I look out the window, the sky will be green and the ground will be blue." Ginny looked genuinely distressed.

In truth, Hermione wasn't sure that she felt any more settled than her long-time friend; she had expected Ginny to rant, to rave, and to turn that distinctive color of red that the Weasleys turned at moments of agitation. A baffled, slightly discombobulated Ginny was not what she had expected.

"Uh. Ginny. It's okay. The Order knows all about us. I mean, they know about me and Lucius. And the baby. Draco knows, and is fine with it. He's thrilled, in fact. He's never seen his father so 'human' is what he said. Professor Dumbledore thinks that a magical child is always a blessing. Even Professor McGonngall seems to be taking it well." There was still no visible reaction from Ginny, so Hermione continued. "And the Order is thrilled. It wasn't maybe on their planned timeline, but Lucius coming to them has given them the edge they needed. No, of course, they didn't really want to have to deal with having to save Draco and me, but I think, actually, everyone knew that it was going to come down to this - or something like it. To get rid of Voldemort. But now they've got one of the top Death Eaters on their side. Lucius has already helped the Order. Your parents know about it, and they're thrilled to have him on our side."

"Be happy for me, Ginny, please." Hermione suddenly realized how important it was for her to have a female friend who understood. Who was happy for her.

"But, Lucius Malfoy. Of all people. He tried to kill me. He's tried to discredit my father. He's an awful man. How could you? My parents have been like family to you. He even tricked you, making you think he was Snape."

Hermione sighed. "All I can say is that he's changed. Don't ask me. I'm biased. Ask Draco. Ask your parents. But don't turn away from me. I need you. I need a close friend. A woman. Who can understand things." And I'm going to need your help with Harry, she thought.

Ginny looked at her, still uncomprehending. "I don't think I understand. I don't understand it at all."

"I wish you could, but I can't make you. I can't force you to understand. All I can do is ask you to take me at my word. Lucius is not the man that he was. He's changed. He's interested in family, and peace. He wants to see his kids - our kids - grow up. He's not how he was. Look, do me a favor. Talk to Draco. Talk to your parents. He's not the same guy who slipped you Tom Riddle's diary."

Finally, a few words seemed to be registering, although not the words that Hermione would have expected. "That's," she pointed, "That's the Malfoy Family signet ring? The seal of his Family?" She said, as if in shock.

"Uh. I guess so. Lucius was wearing it - had been wearing it when he gave it to me. It magically fit itself to my finger, but yes. Why?"

"He must care for you. Trust you. Love you, even. You have the official power of the Malfoy line. Everything. His possessions, his life. You are the official voice of the Malfoys. You are the head of the family!" Her voice was filled with awe. "He loves you!" Finally, Hermione saw emotion in her friend's face. "He. Loves. You."

�Yes,� she replied simply. �He does.�

Ginny nodded slowly, her eyes still looking back to the signet ring. "Wow. I guess the stories are true." Hermione didn't get a chance to ask the question, especially as Ginny seemed to be speaking almost entirely to herself. "Love does conquer all. How cool. How really cool." She finally looked back at Hermione. "So, how is the baby? And how can I help? I'm not a full witch yet, but with older brothers, I've learned some great curses. What can I do?"

Hermione smiled gently. She hadn't lost her friend after all. Love really did conquer all. "I think I might need your help with Harry. I think I've got an idea as to how we might all get what we want."
Ginny returned Hermione's smile. "I can help with Harry. Let me know what you need - on any front."

*A/N: This is really a character-driven plot at this point. I've got a bunch of people who really aren't all that thrilled about each other who have to work together. Bear with me. I just can't accept everyone getting along in a life-or-death situation without hammering out their differences.

Thanks again for all the kind feedback. I'm working on this, and I'm working through the personalities. This will come together. I promise!
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The Senior Project