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Accidental Blood Bond	By : onecelestialbeing Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Lucius/Hermione Views: 45430 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 16
Disclaimer: I own nothing from Harry Potter, no characters no magic, none of the story and I make no money from this!!

Chapter List
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Hermione curled up into a ball beneath the duvet in a futile attempt to get warm. After a minute she realized that she needed to relieve herself. Heaving a sigh, she slipped out of bed, shivering when the cool air hit her partially nude body. After making short work in the lavatory, Hermione stumbled back to the bedroom. Reaching one hand up to scratch beneath the well placed bun at the nape of her neck, she tried to pry it loosen and found that she was unable to.

After mentally cursing Lucius, Hermione hastily slipped beneath the covers desperate to warm her body. Unable to keep her teeth from chattering she immediately moved closer to a shirtless Lucius, feeling his torso exuding a much needed heat. Heedless of the fact that she wasn't wearing more than a few scraps of fabric, Hermione pressed her frigid nose against his back and her icy feet on his, instantly reveling in the warmth.

"What the devil!" he'd groused still half asleep. "Why are you putting your cold feet on me, witch?"

"Why do you think!" Hermione snapped back, her teeth clacking together. "I'm freezing!"

Lucius hissed in annoyance and shifted away from Hermione's frigid limbs, only for her to follow behind him in the bed.

"Will you desist?"

"No!" Hermione replied, pressing her nose against Lucius' broad, warm back. "If I have to be uncomfortable, so do you."

"Impertinent little witch," Lucius remonstrated under his breath, sitting up slightly and reaching out for something."You would pick the middle of the night to go on lamenting like some harpy."

Hermione noticed a low burning fire suddenly ignite in the hearth, turning to see Lucius lowering his wand. He was about to put it back in the niche in the bedpost when he noticed Hermione still glowering at him.

"What is it now?" he snapped.

"My hair!" she griped, gesturing to the bun at the nape of her head. "It's not comfortable sleeping on this; my neck is starting to ache."

"I should ignore you purely for your lack of manners," Lucius drawled, hissing again when Hermione slid her feet up his pajamas bottoms to press against both calves. He pointed his wand at Hermione's head, causing the bun to instantly unravel itself. "Now do you have anything else you need to gripe about before I go back to sleep?" he asked, tossing his wand down with a clatter.

"No," Hermione answered, laying back down and pulling the duvet up to her head. "Thank you," she added as an afterthought to Lucius who'd also turned to lay on his side with his back to her. Lucius didn't acknowledge her gratitude yet Hermione noticed that he didn't make her move when she laid her head a few inches away from him.

Feeling sunlight dancing across her face, Hermione moaned slightly into the bed sheets. She yanked her sleep mussed curls out of her face only to see Lucius peering down at her looking most amused.

"Be quiet," she grumbled, turning over onto her back and stretching her arms out above her head. "My head feels like a Whomping Willow has taken up residence."

"Well, you did have an entire bottle of vintage red to yourself, one of my favorites I might add. Although, I usually only indulge in one glass," he glibly replied.

Too busy focusing on the pounding in her head; Hermione didn't notice that the sheet had slid down off her upper body, the cold air causing her nipples to pebble and poke through the thin blue cotton merely inches away from Lucius' gaze.

"Incidentally, Severus left you one of his potions with the forethought that you would need it," he continued.

"It sounds marvelous," Hermione groaned, sitting up and inhaling deeply. Having her hair pulled back into a knot for most of the night had tamed IT, and the usually wild curls now hung in wavy tendrils softly framing her dazed looking face. Hermione looked as if she'd spent her night being thoroughly shagged instead of drinking wine like water, and Lucius had to force himself to get up from the bed to retrieve the little bottle Severus left behind.

Gratefully taking the vial, Hermione uncorked it and hastily downed its contents, feeling the pressure in her head lift almost immediately.

"Glad to see that you're back to your usual, affable self," Lucius said after Hermione handed him the empty vial, frowning up at him slightly. "After you've bathed and changed, meet me in the breakfast parlor; we have business to tend to."

Without offering further explanation, he disappeared into his bathroom leaving Hermione befuddled and alone in his bed. Griping inwardly when she realized that she didn't know where her dress was, Hermione got out the bed and ran to her bedroom in a blur of baby blue.

After showering and changing into an outfit that Hermione deemed inoffensive to Lucius' exacting manner, she slowly walked down to their agreed meeting spot.

"Lucius…may I ask you something?" Hermione said cautiously, eyeing her plate and poking at her eggs with her fork.

"As long as you put the fork down and look at me," he replied.

Sighing, Hermione did as she was asked and placed the utensil across her plate. "Was I totally out of order…last night at dinner?"

"What do you mean?" Lucius asked, wondering what the young witch was getting at.

"Did I do…or say anything that I shouldn't have?"

Lucius bit back a laugh, the mischievous side of him rearing its ugly head. "Well you weren't exactly verbose," he began. "But you did utter the most curious sentiments."

Watching the elegant blonde hiding a smile behind his teacup, Hermione felt her stomach lurch wondering just how liberated she'd behaved. "Well…go on! What did I say?" she urged.

"Do you really want to know?" Lucius pressed.

Hermione threw him an exasperated look, folding her hands primly in front of her while waiting for an answer.

"You told me I smelt good," he replied, setting his teacup down and adopting a thoughtful look. "Then you said that you loved my hair, and that you wanted to run your fingers through it whilst snogging me." Lucius fought back laughter when he saw Hermione's cheeks suffuse red, her mouth hanging open. "I don't think I've ever been extended such a gratuitous offer, not even in my younger days as a lad at Hogwart's."

Cringing in embarrassment, Hermione wanted to hide beneath the breakfast nook. She and Lucius still didn't know each other all that well, but she would have been a liar to say that she didn't find him attractive. She didn't remember saying any of the things Lucius just said, but damned if she hadn't thought about it already. It was if he'd used Legilimency to expose her unspoken daydream although the wine had deemed to be truth serum enough.

"Did Draco and Severus hear me?" Hermione asked her voice barely more than a low whisper.

"Not to worry, you didn't share your little confession until I'd escorted you out of their company. Although, at tonight's dinner I'll need to remind Tipsy to cut you off after your first glass."

Hermione now had her head buried in her hands, nearly planting her elbow onto her toast. Lucius got up from his seat and walked over to Hermione, pushing her arm away from her plate.

"So how about it then?" Lucius asked, perching on the edge of the table and bending his face close to Hermione's.

"How about what?" she asked nervously, unable to move away as the heavy chair kept her solidly in place.

Lucius knew he was behaving poorly but was unable to help himself. The little witch had been yelling at him since he brought her to his house - although, he had to admit he was amused by Hermione's fiery temper when didn't grate his nerves to shreds. Then, after making sure that he'd gotten Hermione safely to bed before she had the chance to fall on her behind, she'd broken his sleep by placing her icy feet on his legs the night before, causing him to nearly jump out of his skin. Lucius was now taking great pleasure in watching the young witch squirm uncomfortably in her seat as he advanced upon her.

"You said you wanted to kiss me, why don't you just get on with it and get it out of the way?" he purred.

"You make it sound like a chore, as if I'm about to scrub the floors," Hermione averred pressing her body firmly against the high backed chair.

"Do you always evade things when you're put on the spot?" Lucius asked, bending close enough that he was able to catch a whiff of the juice she'd been sipping.

"If I kiss you, will you move and let me finish my breakfast in peace?" Hermione asked, gripping onto the sides of her seat.

"That depends," Lucius continued slyly.

"On what?"

"On how good you make it." Lucius told himself that he was just having a bit of fun, but now he was goading Hermione on curious to see if she would actually follow through on his taunts.

Licking her lips nervously, Hermione closed her eyes and leant forward, pressing her slightly parted lips against Lucius'. Feeling him moving his mouth against her in a practiced manner, Hermione noticed that he wasn't trying to choke her with his tongue unlike some of her previous boyfriends.

Lucius' mouth tasted sweet from the marmalade spread on their toast and his cologne was subtly teasing her nostrils. Slightly opening one eye, Hermione noticed that Lucius was kissing her with his eyes opened, causing her to pull back immediately. With a smirk on his handsome face, Lucius didn't even have the grace to look embarrassed.

"What's wrong, Hermione?" he asked.

"Who kisses with their eyes opened?" she asked, her features looking pinched. "It's …odd!"

"Why?" Lucius asked, arching an eyebrow.

"It doesn't feel right," Hermione admitted feeling completely discomfited.

"It doesn't feel right," Lucius echoed. "Meaning, you feel vulnerable as if I'm able to look right into you? Nowhere to hide and you're not in control." He chuckled when he saw the young woman tightly fold her arms across her chest, refusing to look up at him.

Hermione resisted the urge to slap Lucius right across his arrogant face, even if he pegged her down to a tee. Apparently now finished with his teasing, she watched as he stood upright and reclaimed his seat at the head of the table.

Lucius picked up his teacup, taking a sip and looking over at a shell-shocked Hermione. He hadn't actually expected her to kiss him, yet her bold actions surprised him all the same. "You know, now that I think about it, I might have embellished just a bit," Lucius said.

"Meaning?" Hermione asked, her eyes darkening at him.

"Well, you did tell me that I smelt good, and thank you by the way, but the rest of it, perhaps just the result of my colorful imagination."

Hermione's mouth flew open, the outrage evident on her face. She was relieved that she hadn't made a complete fool out of herself the night before, yet angry because she'd fallen into Lucius' trap. Hermione refused to acknowledge the fact that she had indeed thought about kissing Lucius and didn't mind carrying out the thought to fruition.

"You're a cad," she spat her face hot with shame. "If you'll excuse me, I've suddenly lost my appetite."

Tossing down her napkin, Hermione pushed her chair back, the legs protesting on the marble floor against the hastened movement.

"Hermione, give it up will you? Playing the part of the wounded victim doesn't suit you. You and I both know that you wouldn't have kissed me if you truly didn't want to."

Spinning around on her heel, Hermione looked at Lucius, and if looks translated to the Killing Curse, he would have expired on the spot.

"Just because I think it doesn't mean I need to flaunt it!" she retorted.

"Ah, so you admit that you have thought about kissing me?" Lucius jeered with an evil grin. "Care to divulge what other things are lurking about that pristine mind of yours?"

Hermione turned to walk away out of the breakfast parlor again when Lucius called after her.

"I'm sorry, Hermione!" he shouted in between chuckles. "I'll be on my best behavior, wizard's honor."

Grudgingly sitting back down, Hermione practically threw her napkin back down in her lap. "You know, I used to think your son was perfectly horrid. Now, I see that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," she remarked.

"Draco does get it honestly, I concur to that," Lucius replied.

"Is this what I have to look forward to, childish antics at my unsuspecting expense?"

"I'm perfectly able to entertain you without resorting to such trivial methods, Miss Granger," he said. "All you need do is say the word."

Hermione was too scared to ask what his cryptic message entailed, and focused on putting away the rest of her meal.

Once they were both finished, Lucius told Tipsy that he and Hermione were going out for awhile. Hermione tried asking where they were off to, the blonde wizard remaining tight lipped as he unearthed one of Draco's old cloaks for her to wear. Trying not to bristle at the Slytherin crescent on the material, she held onto Lucius' arm as they Apparated out of the manor.

It was three hours later and all Hermione wanted to do was curl up on her bed with a book. Lucius had been hell bent on securing a new wardrobe for her, including dress robes, day dresses and even undergarments. He'd dragged her from shop to shop in an obscure yet upscale area, causing Hermione to wonder if they'd left the country.

Each store obviously catered to the upper crust of society as every storeowner fussed over Lucius and his companion. Hermione had been offered fruit and wine or champagne at a few of the shops, and remembering her previous headache declined the alcohol and opted to nibble on the plump, sweet grapes.

She'd lost track of how many things Lucius had purchased as Tipsy had Apparated to each store, leaving with the accumulating load of packages. When Hermione had to beg Lucius for a break as her feet were protesting against its lengthy usage, they had lunch at a quaint but tasteful restaurant.

"I thought you young witches enjoyed this sort of thing," Lucius remarked conversationally over their meal.

"I think we should have purchased you a Remembrall in addition to my many pairs of new shoes. Lucius, did I not tell you before; I'm not one of your little tarts that enjoys painting her face and strutting about? Believe it or not, emptying your vault on the latest fashions is the last thing I'd dream of doing. So, whatever preconceived notions you have about me, I assure you they are incorrect."

Hermione spoke steadily as if she was talking to a small child, wanting her message to be conveyed clearly. Raising an eyebrow for emphasis, she picked up her water glass and took a sip.

"If I had known that you were dragging me out in plans of spending a small fortune on clothing and shoes, I would have opted out of this trip," she continued.

"You wouldn't have had a choice, Miss Granger," Lucius replied smoothly, reaching into his waistcoat and withdrawing a gold timepiece. "I would have burned those ugly rags of yours and you'd have no choice but to allow me to replace them."

Tucking the pocket watch away, Lucius ignored the look of irritation on Hermione's face.

"If you attempt to burn anything I own, you'd best be prepared to kiss that sleek mane of yours goodbye," she threatened. It was Hermione's turn to laugh when she saw the ire on Lucius' face. "Struck a nerve, have I? she asked sweetly.

"Since we're bringing up preconceived notions, you should know that these little tarts you speak so highly of are nonexistent. The only woman to ever grace the presence of my house was my dear and late wife," he curtly stated.

"Furthermore, the brief paramours that I have passed time with after the fact haven't received so much as a single knut from my vault. Of course they've tried, valiantly so, but all I offered was a brief coupling, no more and no less."

Hermione sat with her mouth agape, mildly disgusted at the fact at which he talked about the casual shags he'd had, yet pleased in a twisted way that she was the only other woman he'd brought to his home.

"Since we're being cathartic," she started after regaining her voice. "Perhaps you can enlighten me as to why you insist on insulting me at every given chance, nitpicking over my clothes and my hair? I'm waiting for you to start in on my looks like those juvenile prats back at school."

"While I apologize if I've offended you, I stand by what I said. You're an attractive young woman, despite what you might have been told previously. You have a natural coloring in your cheeks that doesn't necessitate the use of cosmetics, and there are flecks of gold in your hair and eyes."

Finding herself flummoxed again, Hermione nearly keeled over from shock and had to pinch herself, not believing that Lucius Malfoy had paid this much attention to her.

"Your body is lithe and shapely yet the cut and color of your garments are drab and do nothing to enhance. I suppose I'm vain enough for the both of us, but it's hard not to cringe whenever I see you swallowed up in the things."

"Well then, Mr. Pygmalion why are you always wearing black or something equally dark?" Hermione asked, nearly choking back a laugh hearing Lucius openly admit that he was vain.

Lucius ignored what he figured what another Muggle reference. "Because it's convenient," he replied without offering further detail.

"Fine, I'll wear the damn dresses," Hermione conceded. "I will admit that you have superb taste for a man. But under no circumstances will I change my hair so don't even bother to ask."

Lucius picked up his walking stick and extended it across the table. "I rather like your curls, when they aren't in your eyes," he said pushing back a few strands with the serpent head. "Why do you think I only changed it back to its natural color instead of also using a straightening charm? Straight hair is too severe on you and that hideous color you'd charmed it made you look dreadful."

"There it goes again, an insult veiled with a compliment," Hermione said rolling her eyes.

"Sorry," Lucius replied, withdrawing his walking stick and setting it back against the side of the table. "Since you'll make the effort to dress decently from now on, I think it only fair if I try and abstain from any further improprieties."

"What, no more tricking me into kissing you again?" Hermione scoffed.

"Miss Granger, believe me when I say that you enjoyed it. And I promise next time you'll be the one doing the initiating."

"Rather sure of yourself, aren't you?" she spat, trying to hide her abashment.

"I am because I know that I'm right, and you know it as well," Lucius replied smoothly. "Now, if you're done we have a few more places to visit."

After Lucius settled the bill, he dragged a slightly more willing Hermione to more shops. When they came across an antique bookstore her eyes glazed over, and Lucius made no moves to protest her going inside. The shop owner knew wealth when he saw it and followed in behind the important looking wizard.

Unbeknownst to Hermione, Lucius kept handing the shop owner each item that her hand lingered on for more than a few seconds, each book she touched warranting a self conversation that consisted of her muttering a barrage of "No, you don't need this," and "But you have one like this already".

Lucius was amused at her one-sided commentary, realizing that Draco hadn't been all that far off when he said Hermione would empty his vault solely on books.

Determined not to make Lucius go for broke in the shop, Hermione decided on two large tomes which were promptly paid for and taken by a briefly appearing Tipsy.

After Apparating back to the manor, Lucius excused himself to check on paperwork in his study and Hermione went to her room. Shedding the cloak and kicking off her shoes, Hermione went to put both items in her closet when she found all of her newly purchased items already put away, along with some other things that she didn't remember picking out.

Curious to see what else was in the room, Hermione proceeded to open every drawer to examine its contents. She wasn't shocked in the least when she found another array of clothing, including what seemed like a shop's worth of delicate bras and knickers. She wanted to be embarrassed at the thought of Lucius choosing such personal garments for her to wear when she realized that she'd slept next to him the night before clad in just those two items.

Perusing her room further, Hermione saw her two purchased books on her little table near the window, beneath them a large pile of unfamiliar books. Bending down to examine the tomes, Hermione realized that they were the ones that she'd looked at but told herself no to. Feeling that she shouldn't have been surprised at Lucius' rapt attention to everything, she was pleased by his generous actions nonetheless.

Finally managing to pry herself away from the new books, Hermione walked into the vast bathroom and turned the taps on in the tub. Opting to use some of the bubble bath that she'd already owned, the familiar scent of vanilla wafted from the hot water making her think of her little flat in Australia.

Hermione disrobed and slipped into the hot water, sighing as it came in contact with her aching feet. The tub was deep as it was wide, and Hermione submersed her body until the water was just below her neck. Soaking until the vanilla scented foamed disappeared, Hermione toweled the excess moisture off and wrapped a towel around her hair. Putting on a thick bathrobe that hung from a hook near the counter, she then perused the space looking for the coveted items.

After picking out a tub of body cream and little bottle of nail polish, Hermione walked back into her bedroom. She didn't feel like putting on regular clothes and chose one of her new pajama sets which consisted of light gold cami and matching shorts. Yanking the towel off her head to let the curls air dry, Hermione slathered the sweet scented body cream over her skin. Deeming the bed surface as too soft, she perched on the floor and set the bottle of pale pink nail polish beside her.

Hermione had never been into makeup or experimenting with her hair like most of the young witches she'd met at school. She never even did her fingernails knowing they'd only get ruined but her only vices were different scented skin creams and doing her feet.

When she was younger, she and her mother shared what they called "spa night" and they'd peruse shops together looking for new products to try. Her mother had always been busy and never bothered going overboard with primping, yet she'd always told Hermione that sometimes a girl needed time to pamper herself. Even after her parents were gone and Hermione was alone in her little flat, she'd reserve a Friday or Saturday night to take a bubble bath and give herself a pedicure.

Lucius was at Hermione's bedroom door, peering through the crack. Curious as to why she was on the floor with her legs splayed in an awkward position, he was unable not to focus on the smooth expanse of thigh that her pajamas had exposed. She was moving back and forth, dipping a little brush into something, moving back and forth between it and her feet.

Pushing the door open further, Lucius leaned against the molding, Hermione so engrossed in her activities that she didn't notice.

"What are you doing?" he asked curiously.

The young witch shrieked and flailed her arms out, promptly knocking over the bottle of polish onto the rug.

"Lucius!" she yelled, hastily moving a hand to the bed while trying not to smudge her toes. Yanking her wand down, she pointed it at the spilled polish and said 'Evanesco' causing it to disappear. "What do you think I'm doing, I'm polishing my toenails!"

Lucius walked into the room and made himself comfortable in the armchair. "Why may I ask?"

Hermione made sure that her work hadn't been ruined and then capped the little bottle. "Because I like the way it looks," she said.

"I'm sure it's another one of those Muggle things, but no matter," he replied, holding a hand out. "May I?"

Looking up curiously at Lucius, Hermione picked up the bottle and held it out. "Not the bottle, your foot," he snapped.

Still looking perplexed, Hermione picked up her wand to cast a drying spell on her toenails before scooting closer to the armchair. Lucius then bent down and grasped her right ankle, holding Hermione's foot up a few inches off the floor.

"Interesting, to say the least," he said examining her paint job. "I think I remember girls back at school doing this to their hands, only they used a charm."

"I barely do my hands; I've always found it impractical," Hermione said, self conscious at the feeling of Lucius' warm hand on her bare leg.

"I noticed," he replied offhandedly, reaching for Hermione's other leg and pulling it up, setting the heels of her feet on his knees.

Hermione bristled at his comment, propping herself up on both elbows and looking down at Lucius.

"I've never thought of feet as being attractive but I admit that yours are," he said, running his hands over the tops of her feet and then touching each toe. Lucius' forehead furrowed, and he brought his face down to her ankle. "What's that?" he asked, catching a whiff of a light sweetness on Hermione's skin.

"What? Oh that's my body cream, I like to use it after a bath," she replied.

"It smells delicious," Lucius continued, running his hands up both of Hermione's calves. "Does it make your skin this soft also?"

"I'm sure it helps," she uttered wishing that she'd put her robe on before doing her pedicure. Hermione was hyper aware of the fact that she half reclined on the floor wearing a little more than underwear, giving Lucius an excellent view of all her charms. Knowing that she didn't have any knickers on beneath the satin shorts, Hermione made sure to keep her knees pressed together as Lucius ran his fingertips against her skin. Inhaling sharply at the pleasant sensation she was nearly disappointed when he gently set her feet back down on the carpet.

"Well, I didn't come here solely in the hopes of molesting your person," Lucius began. "Draco won't be coming home tonight, and usually when he stays out I just have dinner in my study. However, seeing as you're here, I wanted to ask if you wanted to eat in the dining room or if you preferred to stay in your sitting room."

"What sitting room?" Hermione asked causing Lucius to look at her confusedly. "Oh, right. I guess I forgot."

Next door to her bedroom Hermione had her own private sitting room, decorated in similar colors to her bedroom. She'd been shown the sitting room when Lucius took her around the house, but of course they'd stopped there after the library, and all Hermione had been able to focus on was the wall-to-wall rafters of books.

"Even if Draco isn't here, I don't mind if it's just us," Hermione said.

"Very well," Lucius replied getting up from the armchair. "I'll be back in an hour to collect you."

After he'd left the room Hermione remained on the floor, still able to feel where Lucius' hands had touched her leg. 'That was…strange,' she thought to herself.

Dinner passed by uneventfully. Hermione thought she would feel awkward being alone with Lucius, but she was surprised to find that when polished insults weren't falling from his lips he was a decent conversationalist. He'd behaved in a cavalier manner throughout the entire meal and, Hermione would never admit it, but she was beginning to enjoy the arrogant man's company.

"Do you play chess?" he asked after their dessert dishes vanished to the kitchens.

"Yes…although, I hope you have regular chess. I had enough experience with wizard's chess at Hogwart's and do not wish to relive it," Hermione answered.

"Yes I have a non-moving chessboard, and it's just as well. It became tiring replacing the pieces every other day," Lucius replied.

After setting into Lucius' study with a chessboard between them, the two continued their conversation.

"What do you think you'd be doing if…this thing between us hadn't happened?" Hermione asked.

"Most likely nothing different than what I'm doing now," Lucius replied, peering at the board to calculate his next move. "Draco looks after most of my investments and I keep to myself for the most part. I don't think I need to tell you that I'm still on the outs with everyone for the most part. Although, it's not as if I can really blame them."

Hermione agreed but thought it polite to keep that to herself.

"What about you, Miss Granger? What do you think you'd be doing? Tending to a lot of ginger headed tykes?"

Hermione's head shot up, a horrified look on her face. "I'm assuming you mean Ron and the answer is no. I honestly hadn't pictured myself married at this point, nevermind a child."

"I see," Lucius replied. "I had the idea that you and the young Weasley boy were in a relationship of sorts. What about you and Mr. Potter then?"

"Harry was…is my best friend - more like the brother I've never had. As for Ron and I, well things just never panned out. Speaking of which, maybe I'll visit them tomorrow."

"As I said, you're free to visit them at your leisure."

Hermione nodded, looking back down at the chessboard and overtaking Lucius' king. "Checkmate," she said triumphantly, pushing to her feet. "On that note, I think I'll turn in."

"Your room or mine?" Lucius asked saucily.

"And why would I go to yours when I have my own lovely room to myself?" Hermione asked.

"You might come to give me that kiss you've been thinking about," he replied.

"Believe me, Lucius," Hermione began. "If I come to your room, it's because my fireplace is out of order, and I've come to warm my feet against your legs. As for the kiss, keep holding your breath."

"I'll make sure I have the elves seal up your hearth then," Lucius replied, laughing at her cheeky response.

"Good night, Lucius!" Hermione said, walking out of the study and shutting the door behind her.

The next afternoon Hermione found herself outside of the Burrow, trying to calm her nerves as she walked away from the Apparition point. Talking to herself all the way, in an attempt to calm her nerves, she wasn't sure how her friends would take her presence after being gone for a year.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door, the top portion swinging inward on its own.

"Hello?" she softly called, looking around into the empty space.

Hearing footsteps pounding their way into the kitchen, Hermione saw George who bore a wide grin when he looked at the door.

"Oi, it's my long lost escaped almost sister-in-law come to visit!" he cheered, yanking the bottom door open and wrapping her up into a hug.

"Oh, shut it," Hermione laughed, slapping him lightly on the arm. "Where's everyone else?"

"Here and there, you know," George replied jovially. "You're looking very fit."

Hermione smiled, peering around George's shoulder when she saw Mrs. Weasley and Ginny walking into the room.

"Hermione, dear girl is that you?" Mrs. Weasley said, promptly coming over and hugging her tightly. "It's been entirely too long, and shame on you for not keeping in touch!" she said.

"I know, I'm sorry about that," Hermione replied, now hugging Ginny. "I just needed time to clear my head."

"Well come dear, let's sit and have a proper chat. Have you eaten?" Mrs. Weasley said, directing her to the living room.

"No, I'm fine thank you," Hermione replied, sinking into the overstuffed couch. Looking around at her jumbled surroundings, objects stuffed into every nook and cranny made Hermione feel nostalgic and as if she was back at her second home.

"So, what are you doing with yourself now? Where are you staying?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

Hermione came up short, and thankfully she was saved when Fred and her longtime best mates came through the back door.

"Bloody hell, Hermione is it really you?" Ron asked, his mouth hanging open.

"Yes, Ronald, it's me," she replied standing up to hug him.

"You haven't changed a bit," Harry said, shoving Ron's lingering arms out of the way so he was able to get in.

"Yeah, she has," Ron interjected. "She looks…grown up," he said eyeing her outfit.

"Be quiet Ron, it's not as if she's twelve," Ginny told her brother.

"Yeah Ron, be quiet," Fred said cheerfully.

"It's almost as if I've never left," Hermione joked, feeling her spirits lifting as the accustomed banter.

"Will you stay for dinner?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Yes, thanks very much," Hermione told the red headed matriarch.

Patting Hermione's hand, Mrs. Weasley stood up and left the group in the living room.

Everyone sat perched on various surfaces as they all caught up in the past year. Fred and George kept making sly comments about a girl Ron was seeing, causing his face to flame and nearly match his hair. Hermione threw pillows at them, telling them that it wasn't nice to taunt their brother. Harry and Ginny sat on the floor leaning against one another, holding hands and whispering in each other's ears when they thought no one was looking.

"I'm going to stick a Puking Pastille in your mouth when you're not looking," Ron grumbled to his jeering siblings.

When his brothers mentioned the new girl he was dating, Ron cast a furtive glance at Hermione. He relaxed when he saw that she was unaffected by their comments.

It stung just a bit to have been replaced, but Hermione knew that their childhood crush was just that - a childhood crush. Despite what happened between her and Lucius, Hermione knew that Ron wasn't someone she could foresee spending the rest of her life with. Their breakup had been mutual, which made leaving for Australia easier.

Hermione was happy to see that Ginny and Harry were still getting on well together, and expected that wedding bells would be in the near future. She tried to tell herself that she felt no pangs of disappointment knowing that she would never have the experience.

Mr. Weasley came home a few hours later, promptly hugging Hermione when he got through the door. After announcing that he was famished, Molly rushed him off to get washed up for dinner. Wanting to do something special for Hermione's unexpected return, she had Ginny, Ron, and Harry set a long table out in their backyard. Fred and George used their wands to hang little lights about, casting a glow over the area. Hermione helped carry dishes out to the table to Molly's consternation, telling her that she was the guest of honor and should sit down.

Already becoming used to the proper dinners with Lucius, she knew that the fastidious wizard would have been apoplectic had he been sitting next to her. Fred and George were pelting Ron with bits of food whenever Arthur and Molly had their backs turned. Ginny and Hermione were trying to avoid getting the mess stuck in their hair, and Harry was laughing so uproariously he fell off the bench and into the grass where a lawn gnome promptly bit him on the ankle.

After Molly caught wind of the twins' antics, she cuffed them both on the ear and told them to settle down. The conversation turned to Hogwarts, and Arthur mentioned that he'd heard the new headmaster was doing an excellent job for someone that rarely came out of his quarters except at mealtimes. When she heard the Malfoy's names on his lips, her ears perked up.

"They say that Lucius Malfoy has changed his ways but I for one don't believe it," Arthur said placing a forkful of food into his mouth. "I see his son Draco around the Ministry sometimes; he looks rather subdued these days."

"Well, the lad lost his mother, Arthur. How else do you think he'd look?" Molly said.

"Yes, well I still don't trust that lot," Arthur grumbled.

"You got that right Dad," Ron piped in. "Remember when his own stunt backfired on him and he nearly got burnt up at school?"

"Yeah, he was about to cry like a little girl," Harry laughed. "Remember Hermione? Now that I think about it, the prat never thanked us for saving his hide."

Coughing to hide her discomfort, Hermione took a sip of juice She now understood why Lucius had said that she should keep their situation under wraps; clearly the Malfoy name wasn't in good standing with anyone.

Hermione knew better than to stick up for Lucius and Draco, but part of her wanted to. Despite the circumstances, Lucius' actions towards her had been much different than previous, and she found that she was beginning to become fond of the man.

Thankfully the conversation soon turned to a lighter topic and Hermione felt minimally at ease.

When the evening came to an end, Hermione prepared to leave only to get bombarded with questions. Ron and Harry both inquired as to where she was staying. The first thing that came from her lips was a room in London, causing Molly to sputter about and tell her that she could room with Ginny. After making another hasty excuse, Hermione evaded further questions and said that she would be back during the week to visit again.

After Apparating back into Malfoy Manor, Hermione went straight to her room to shower and change her clothes. She'd just settled into the settee with a book when a knock came at her bedroom door.

"Yes?" she asked, putting her book down and sitting up.

Lucius opened the door, clad in a burgundy and black quilted silk dressing gown with black silk pajamas beneath, and leather slippers. "May I?" he asked.

Hermione nodded her head, watching as the blonde wizard came in and sat in the armchair.

"How was your visit with your friends?" he asked. "Was your old boyfriend happy to see you?"

"It was nice…great in fact. I didn't realize how much I'd missed everyone until I saw them," Hermione answered wistfully.

"Then why do you look like you've just come from a burial?" Lucius queried.

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, then stopped herself. She knew why she felt uneasy and guessed that it showed on her face.

"Well, you don't seem to be in a panic, so I'm guessing that you didn't accidentally tell anything."

Shaking her head 'no', Hermione bent her head and busied her fingers with the ruffles on the edge of her robe.

"I believe I can offer a pragmatic opinion, shall I? You were enjoying yourself, and, somewhere along the way I and my previous yet unfortunate misdoings became the topic of conversation - none of which I imagine anyone had anything good to say about - am I correct?"

"Yes," Hermione answered quietly, feeling torn between two sides. She then watched as Lucius began to roll up the left sleeve of his robe.

"I was a young man when I received this," he began, pointing to the faded Dark Mark on his skin. "Not much younger than Draco. My father was seduced by the thought of possessing an abundance of power and would stop at nothing to achieve his means. My father gave me the option to join him in his quest in aiding the Dark Lord or be killed myself.

"I hated my father as did my mother, who never knew if she was going to see her son each time the Dark Lord summoned us. I vowed that, if I had a son, I would never do to him what my father did to me. However, I managed to do just the opposite."

Hermione sat silently, taking in all that Lucius was telling her.

"I lost my wife, and nearly my son as well, in the process of aiding a mad man that, in the end, didn't give a damn whose life was lost in his quest for what he believed to be eternal glory. You shouldn't live with regret, but such is life. I'm no fool; I know what people say about me. I've made poor choices - to say the least - and all I can do is live with the consequences. I'm just grateful that Draco doesn't hate me anymore; essentially he's all I've got left."

"I don't think he's ever hated you, Lucius," Hermione finally said. "But have you told him any of this?"

Lucius shook his head, rolling his robe's sleeve down. "I hate rehashing the past. Even more, I hate sounding soppy."

Hermione couldn't resist rolling her eyes. "You men and your pride," she muttered.

"Yes, well, we don't all wear our hearts on our sleeves like some," he retorted.

"Be nice, Lucius. Else I'll hex knots into your hair while you sleep," Hermione threatened.

"If you sneak into my room at night, you'll get more than you've bargained for witch," Lucius added wickedly.

"You know, sometimes you're as bad as the seventh years back at school," she mused.

"I'll tell you a secret; we don't change all that much," he replied grinning.

"Clearly!" Hermione cried, swatting Lucius' fingers away from the neckline of her robe. "I think it's time you went to bed."

"Are you ordering me about in my own house?" Lucius asked, sounding more amused than offended.

"That's exactly what I'm doing. If you want to behave like a naughty child I'll treat you as such. Now, up you go." Closing her robe tightly around her body, Hermione got up from the settee and stood in front of Lucius.

The smiling blond stood up, laughing at the small witch's hand on his back as he was pushed towards the door. "Not only are you annoying, but you're incredibly bossy," he grumbled good-naturedly.

Lucius turned around and lingered in the doorway, a small smile still playing on his lips. "Are you sure you want me to leave?"

Hermione heaved a sigh, and stood on tiptoe to press a kiss against his cheek. "Good night," she said softly. "Now, get out." Her eyes then widened when she heard a hearty laugh erupt from the usually stoic man.

"Didn't I say you'd be the one to initiate our next kiss?" Lucius gloated as he walked down the hall.

"Go to bed!" Hermione hissed into the darkened corridor behind him, slamming her door shut, unable to stop her own peals of laughter.
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Accidental Blood Bond