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The Conflict of Hermione Granger	By : TheLadyRed Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Lucius/Hermione Views: 18154 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter and all recognizable characters and situations are property of JK Rowling. I make no money off of this fanfiction.

Chapter List
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Chapter 3

Bonfire Night

Hermione sank into her desk chair, thoughts spinning. Why did every interaction with Lucius leave her in such a mess? The man was infuriating, but there was that other feeling present so much of the time as well. If she didn’t know herself as well, she would think she was attracted to him, but she knew better! Didn’t she? There was no way she was enticed by him! He was old, for one thing, and for another, he was so aggravating!

Not so old, and certainly fit enough to belie those years between you, a voice in her head reminded her.

Oh shut up! she thought angrily and tried to focus on the work on her desk waiting for her. A complicated issue had arisen with an elf that wanted clothes from his family, although not for freedom, but fashion. Hermione was amused by this sweet elf who reminded her so much of Dobby and was working to find out how to get around the magic that would free the elf if the family presented him with the Snitch socks he so desired.

Deep in research, Hermione missed the knock on her door, and was stunned to look up and find Draco in the chair across from her, and he was clearly amused.

“You know, Granger, sometimes I think we’ve never left Hogwarts library,” Draco smirked, “you’ve always got that head buried in a book, although thank Merlin you finally learned the charms to tame that mane,”he laughed.

“Oh shut up, little Lord Malfoy!” Hermione retorted with no malice in her voice, and shut the large volume in front of her.

Like Harry, she had also formed a fast friendship with Draco in time since the wedding, and had found that she and the Ferret and had more in common than she would have ever guessed. In fact, he had smarts to rival hers, and enjoyed reading as much as she, and so she had often found herself enjoying lunch with him, and they were frequently at the same parties and events and always enjoyed each other’s company.

“What brings you to my corner of the Ministry today, your highness?” Hermione asked teasingly.

“Well, Father and I have some business at Gringotts today, so we are meeting here at the Ministry, and coming to the Ministry reminded me that I hadn’t invited you to the Bonfire Night festivities at the Manor tonight, so I’m here to extend your invitation personally,” Draco responded, catching Hermione’s eye roll at the mention of his father, and delivering his final line with a little bow.

“Well, I’m not sure where Ron is this evening, but I suppose I could come, although I should check with him,” Hermione began, reaching for paper to write a note for the owl.

“Ron’s probably working, Harry mentioned there was something big afoot although he wouldn’t give me details, so you can come solo. You’re not afraid to come alone, are you?” Draco teased, raising his eyebrow at her.

“Of course not!” Hermione snapped, “Although the idea of spending any more time than I have to around your father isn’t the most thrilling prospect.”

“Now see, I didn’t say anything about dear old Dad being there and you brought him up all your own!” Draco taunted, but continued, “as a matter of fact, he’s got plans of his very own, so it’ll just be our lot around tonight.”

“Fantastic! I was just treated to a rather unpleasant interaction with him, and that’s the only reason I was thinking of him,” Hermione retorted, although she couldn’t ignore the stab of disappointment she had inexplicably felt at hearing Lucius wasn’t going to be there.

Hermione finished scribbling her note to Ron, and got up to walk to the Owlery, looking at Draco questioningly as she made to leave the office.

“I think I’ll go find Dad,” Draco said as they parted at the door, “any ideas on where I should look?”

“He was just in the Minister’s office, I’d check there first,” Hermione answered, looking over her shoulder.

“I knew you’d know where he was,” Draco joked, and Hermione heard him laughing as he went down the hall.

Cheeky bugger! Hermione thought as she walked.

Tying the note onto the owl, she watched as her missive headed off to Ron, and wondered why Lucius seemed to be on her mind so much lately.

******************************

The day was nearly over as the paper airplane sailed onto Hermione desk, and she recognized it as the standard Auror ‘out of office’ response, and mused that Draco was right, and Ron must be out on a mission.

Gathering her things, Hermione did a cursory check of the office, as she hated to leave a messy desk for the morning, and Apparated home.

“Hello, darling! Happy Bonfire Night!” Mrs. Granger exclaimed as she saw Hermione appear in the kitchen, Apparition always taking her a bit by surprise.

“Thanks Mum,” Hermione crossed the kitchen to kiss her cheek and sniff the pot appreciatively.

“Are you in with your father and I tonight, or do you have other plans?” Mrs. Granger asked, running her fingers through her daughter’s curly locks.

“Draco invited me over to the Manor, and even though Ron’s out working, I think I’ll go anyway,” Hermione responded.

“That sounds like fun, darling,” her mother said encouragingly, “you certainly don’t need Ron by your side to have a good time.”

Hermione narrowed her eyes at this comment, but let it slide. She knew her parents were harboring reservations about her recent engagement. They thought the world of Ron, but she knew they worried that they weren’t the most compatible couple, and that Ron was too immature for such a commitment. They were supportive of Hermione’s decisions, but were encouraging a long engagement, which Hermione was happy to oblige.

“I think I’ll go get dressed now, Mum,” Hermione started, heading for the stairs.

“Wear that black top with your dark jeans, it’s so flattering!” her mother called after her.

Thirty minutes later, Hermione found herself knocking at the impressive door of the Manor, and was pleased to see Flower answer the door. The young house elf was her favorite of the Malfoy elves, and she was always happy to see her.

“Missy Granger! So glad to see you! Yous the last of the guests to arrive, the Potters just came before you! Now, come out back,” Flower squeaked, beckoning her into the Manor.

They walked through the Manor together, and Hermione could see the fire crackling in the study before reaching the doors to the back patio.

“I know the Masters Malfoy are happy to see you, I heard thems talking,” Flower confided conspiratorially as she opened the door for Hermione.

“Masters? I thought only Draco was home?” Hermione asked, scanning the patio. She felt a strange pricking in her stomach as her eyes landed on the tall blonde wizard talking with his son.

“No, Missy! Both Masters hosting this party! Last minute change they decided on this afternoon.” Flower trilled, “Be right back with your favorite!” she exclaimed as she winked out of sight.

Hermione shook her head to clear her head, and walked out on the patio to join her friends, a determined set to her chin to match her plans to avoid the infuriating presence of Lucius.

The first few hours of the party passed enjoyably for Hermione. She had not been able to see Ginny since her engagement to Ron, and they found they had much to catch up on, including Ginny’s excited whispered confession that she and Harry had decided to try to become pregnant. Hermione squealed and hugged her best friend joyfully, while wondering in the back of her mind why didn’t she want the same things.

“It’s too bad Ron couldn’t be here tonight, ‘Mione, you are certainly looking hot!” Ginny teased her almost sister.

“Oh, stop it, I’m not dressed up at all, and just casual,” Hermione said, waving off the compliment.

“I know, but that’s just it! You look incredible in that top, and your eyes are so bright this evening, and your cheeks are so pink. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were attracted to someone here or running a fever,” Ginny laughed.

“No, nothing like that. Must be the charm I used for my hair tonight worked extra well.” Hermione explained, desperately trying to change the tack of the conversation.

To her relief, Draco and Harry chose that moment to approach the giggling duo, and the foursome easily launched into teasing, laughing, and joking about past happenings, and planning for future escapades.

Dusk came and then dark, and the party was lit with a roaring bonfire, and Hermione found herself standing at the edge of the party, lost in her thoughts, staring at the dancing flames, when she suddenly realized she wasn’t alone, and turned to find Lucius standing close behind her.

“What are you doing here, Mr. Malfoy? Draco told me you’d be out this evening!” Hermione demanded.

“First, I told you that it’s Lucius to you, and secondly, when I heard you would be here, I changed my plans,” he drawled back.

“It’s not polite to tease your house guests, oh king of etiquette.” Hermione replied mockingly.

“Who says I’m teasing?” he purred back, his gray eyes smoldering, making Hermione feel as if she was in the flames.

“Of course you’re joking, and it’s ridiculous to pretend otherwise!” Hermione burst out, “I hate to break it to you, your supposed charms would have been more effective if you had gone out, as it stands, there’s no available women to work them on.”

Lucius stared at Hermione with a strange look for a long moment before responding, “Oh, I think there is a certain woman here that I’d like to receive my charms,” and then turned on his heel and headed towards his house, calling out to Draco on his way in that he was headed for his study.

Hermione stood at the fire’s edge, heart pounding, and wondering why such a brief interaction with her friend’s aggravating father would elicit such a strange response in her.

Inside the Manor, Lucius sat behind his desk in his study, staring at the crackling fire, wondering why teasing his son’s brainy friend made him feel so alive.
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The Conflict of Hermione Granger