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Once a Malfoy, Always a Malfoy	By : Inspire Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Lucius/Hermione Views: 9530 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the associated characters and settings of J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros, Bloomsbury Publishing, etc., referenced in this story belong to the respective copyright holders. They are being used for fun, not profit.

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"Mum, have you seen Horus? I can't find him anywhere." Scorpius couldn't leave for Hogwarts without his Kneazle. He'd rather leave behind his broom. Of course that was only because he could send for the broom by owl, Horus wouldn't stand for that.

"I believe your Kneazle was attempting to elude the carrier by hiding under my desk," Lucius said from the doorway. He could feel the sizzle of the spells keeping him out despite the open door. "Would you like me to—"

"That won't be necessary. Thank you, Lucius. I am sure you are far too busy to bother. Scorpius, take Horus from your grandfather and put him in his carrier." Her spells would only keep Lucius out as long as he was not invited in. While she had no intention of allowing Lucius access to her sitting room, Scorpius' invitation would be enough to break the enchantment.

Scorpius knew how much trouble Horus could be to place in his carrier. "It would be a lot easier if you'd put him inside while I hold the carrier, if you don't mind coming in, Grandfa." His grandfather almost never came to their rooms but Scorpius had no idea that currently he wasn't allowed inside.

Hermione clamped her hand over her mouth to stop herself from shrieking at Lucius to stay out and Scorpius for inviting him in. The smirk on Lucius' face told her all she needed to know. The pointy, blond snake had planned this. He'd probably lured Horus away with a bit of the fish she'd ordered for tonight's meal.

"I would be happy to come in and help." Lucius smirked at Hermione as Scorpius' back was turned to reach for the beast's carrier. "I am convinced this creature delights in going where he is not wanted," he chuckled as the double meaning hit Hermione. He vaguely told himself that he really should not take such delight in finally foiling her plans to keep him out.

Had he bothered to learn more about her, Lucius might have realized just how grave an error he had made treating this like a game when to Hermione it was about survival.

"Get. Out." Hermione hadn't needed to draw her wand; she'd already had it in hand before she opened the door to her rooms. There hadn't been time before taking Scorpius to meet the Hogwarts Express to erect new barriers to ward Lucius out of her sitting room but she had the opportunity to place an alert charm to let her know if anyone entered. She and Draco had arranged their living quarters so that they had had a large sitting room for the two of them and Scorpius to spend family time. The family bedrooms opened off the sitting room and she thanked heaven she'd thought to charm her bedroom separately. It was now the only room in the manor where she could feel secure. Unfortunately, between Hermione and her bedroom sat Lucius Malfoy and she was not in the mood to have him lurking outside her haven.

"I thought we might have a nice game of Muggle chess. I understand the rules are the same." He ignored her order to leave. Hermione needed to get used to him again and she could not do that if she kept running away. In truth, he missed her and thought it would only take a little cajoling to make her admit to missing him as well. Lucius reached out to adjust his Queen's Rook only to pull his hand back in shock.

"Do. Not. Touch. That. You don't deserve to touch our chess set," Hermione snarled. "That belongs to me." There wasn't much she considered hers as opposed to belonging to the Malfoys past, present and future, but her beautiful chess set, the one Draco had bought for them before their marriage, was one of them. Lucius had no right to touch it. "I won't have you ruining that for me too."

"It is merely a game, Hermione. Do not be so—" Lucius reached out once more. He would not be deterred.

"Incarcerous!" Hermione shouted in fury as he dared to make light of something that important to her.

Lucius found himself bound to the chair unable to move. "Tsk. Tsk. Naughty witch. Unbind me now and I will take your cooperation into consideration when I punish—"

"Silenco!" Hermione roared. Her hair crackled and escaped the chignon she'd twisted it into for the trip to London. "You may mock me, but you will not befoul anything else I have left of my husband. Do you hear me?" She stomped across the space to where she'd trussed him up. "Whimsy, you're needed, please."

"Yesses, Mistress?" The house-elf squeaked when she saw the master tied to a chair and covered her eyes with her ears.

"I would appreciate it if you would fetch the box for the chess set from storage, pack it up carefully, and put it in my bedroom, please." Hermione reminded herself to remain polite with the house-elf. It would be easy, as furious as she was with Lucius, to simply bark orders. It wasn't Whimsy's fault that Lucius Malfoy was an arse.

"Yes, Mistress. Whimsy is beings very careful with greatest treasures." She bowed before popping off to do as she was bid.

"Now, what to do with you?" A flock of canaries might be temporarily satisfying but they were unlikely to accomplish her goal. Hermione reinforced the charms she'd used to secure the blond snake before going to the locked bookcase where they kept the material they considered not yet suitable for Scorpius' voracious reading habit.

"Top shelf. The Barston's," Draco's portrait offered helpfully. "I know you don't like to use anything too Dark, Hermione, but it needs to be strong. Barston is excellent for staying just inside the line."

"Thank you." She turned a bright and loving smile toward the portrait. Once they had become friends, he'd always managed to understand her. He'd always considered her security important. The love and care Draco had lavished on her in life had imprinted itself on his portrait. Even though it wasn't actually her husband, it was so like him, that it felt to Hermione as if he was there looking out for her. Her partner, aiding her and helping to keep her safe even after death. "I always could count on you."

Lucius had turned his head to scowl at the portrait of his son when it started helping the witch work against him. He had missed the glorious smile Hermione had beamed at the portrait, however he certainly hadn't missed the adoring way she'd told the blasted thing she could count on it. Nor had he missed the way the tension eased from her face, despite the way she continued to blaze determination. That she should draw comfort from a portrait while denying what he offered her himself angered Lucius. It angered him enough that when the house-elf reappeared with the box for that chess set, he found voice to order it to release him. "Release me, Whimsy," he barked at the creature.

Whimsy squeaked, startled.

"No!" Hermione cried quickly. "No, Whimsy," she added in a gentler tone. "Do you understand why the master is bound or would you like me to explain why it's important he stay that way for a little while?" Both Whimsy and Bacore seemed to be less tense when she explained the requests she made that went against their normal inclinations. Assuming, of course, that she phrased it in such a way that supported their unique view of the world. It had taken Hermione years to move past assigning human needs to house-elves, but once she had made the leap to understanding their unique motivations and symbiotic relationship with wizards, it had become a far easier task to communicate with them in a way that made sense to them.

"Whimsy is understandings, Mistress. Master is not thinkings of family. Master is thinkings of hurtings Mistress. Whimsy is not allowings." The house-elf straightened and scowled at the master then.

"Release me, elf!" Lucius roared. How dare that creature nay say him.

"Whimsy is a free house-elf, Lucius. My marriage contract—That one you like to go on about, remember it?—guaranteed freedom for all current and future Malfoy house-elves." Hermione smirked. As much as she'd blistered at the concessions demanded from her, she'd always considered them worth it for the freedom she'd bought the house-elves.

"Whimsy serves the Malfoy family proudly as a free elf," the house-elf said puffing up.

"And the Malfoy family is proud of its house-elf, Whimsy, and Bacore as well, for seeing to the safety of the current mistress when one of its own has broken faith with the family," Draco's portrait added with short bow of respect reinforcing the correctness of what both Hermione and Whimsy had said as much as a imprinted likeness of a Malfoy could.

"There. That's the last of it." Hermione snapped the book shut in emphasis. She decided to take the book with her to her bedroom to read it all over again to insure she'd left no loopholes for the snake to slither through, but she was confident. Her charmwork had always been solid and she was especially adept at using existing spells in creative ways. "I'd apologize for the jab, but a bit of your blood was necessary to solidify the testicular curse." She'd only taken a drop from his index finger. No more had been needed, although Hermione could admit that she'd felt a bit of satisfaction when he flinched at the prick of the needle she'd chosen to use instead of a spell. Sticking him had been even more satisfying as it helped to relieve a bit of her pent up hostility.

"Now then, let us review," she said, doing her best imitation of her former Transfiguration Professor. There were few role models better at bringing a recalcitrant wizard to attention than Minerva McGonagall. "You, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, are bound from directly or indirectly bringing me bodily harm. I'm certain the mere thought of having your bollocks shrivel up even temporarily is enough inducement to behave?" She raised an eyebrow in a manner copied exactly from the man before her to indicate she wished for him to respond. The curt nod of his head was acceptable for that purpose. "Excellent. Second, you, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, are bound from touching me in any way without my expressed and non-coerced permission. I intend to fully study that one. I'd hate to see your hair disappear because you accidentally bump into me coming around a corner, but for now, I think it's best that we assume that you need to watch where you're going, shall we?" He scowled but nodded again.

Hermione shuffled through her notes. "Oh yes, I mustn't forget this one. You, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, are bound from referring to me out loud in any derogatory manner. Allow me to clarify for you what that means. You shall not refer to me as a whore ever—"

"He did what?" The painted Draco snapped to his feet in the portrait.

Lucius blinked in surprise. He had thought for certain that she had vilified him to the portrait if not to her friend Potter and everyone else.

"That isn't the disease, Draco. It's only a symptom," she said simply.

The portrait apparently understood though Lucius was quite in the dark trying to determine what she meant by that. At the moment, he had no ability to ask, even if he had had the inclination.

"Where was I? You shall not call me derogatory names or refer to me out loud in a derogatory manner. I won't stop you from thinking whatever vile thoughts you have swimming about in that slimy brain of yours but I refuse to listen to those words being applied to me ever again. Having your throat close up and cut off your words should see to that." Hermione stacked her notes and tapped them into a neat stack against the chess table turned research space.

"You do not respect me. I see that clearly now." He looked shocked and she scoffed. "Oh, please. Don't even attempt to deny it. You might respect the Malfoy—a little, very little—but you do not respect Hermione, the witch, or the woman. I don't anticipate that will change. I had thought it had, once you got to know me, but I was wrong. You didn't bother to get to know me beyond what you could use to create an advantage for yourself." She raised her chin. He had hurt her. Hermione had come to regard him as a friend and she'd been willing to trust him on the basis of that and her experience with his son. Lucius might resemble Draco physically, but he was miles away from where Draco had been in understanding. "I won't mistake your intentions regarding me again."

Hermione stood and walked to the door of her bedroom before turning to face him once more. "You are a Malfoy. As a Malfoy myself, I understand my responsibility to the family. You have a grandson who needs you. It is for that reason alone that I am willing to allow you the opportunity to correct your behavior toward me." As reluctant as she was to give Lucius another chance, she had to think of Scorpius before herself. "However … I swear an oath now, that if you make any attempt to undermine the values Draco and I have instilled in our son with your disrespectful ways, I won't hesitate to bring you down." Magic swirled around her as her oath became part of her bond to the Malfoys. Scorpius was her gift to the family's future and her bond understood her pure intentions and commitment.

With a flick of her wand, Hermione canceled the spells holding Lucius in place and keeping him silent. The disappointment on her face as she looked at him one last time before she closed her door burned into him.

"Congratulations on the appointment, Hermione. I'm sure you'll be a wonderful addition to the Board of Governors," the headmistress told her.

"Thank you, Headmistress McGonagall," Hermione was beaming with pleasure. "It is such an honor to be asked to serve."

"Please, call me Minerva. Everyone else on the board does." Minerva poured the tea. "To be truthful, we had hoped to have you take Miranda Goshawk's seat when she retired two years ago, then you lost Draco. We felt it best not to impose on you at that time. I know how difficult the untimely death of a spouse can be, particularly one so young. I lost my own Wallace less than ten years into our marriage."

"Minerva, then. It certainly appears to be a conscientious group," she observed. The women had just come from Hermione's first meeting as a member of the Hogwarts Board of Governors and she'd been delighted by the offer to stay and have tea with her former professor.

"Indeed they are. Following the war, it was imperative that we find individuals who truly cared about the well-being of all of our students and understood the value of academic excellence. It didn't hurt that we were able to find volunteers with skills in planning and managing resources as well," Minerva observed.

"I'm sure the level of influence and wealth in that room didn't hurt either." Hermione knew that as a Muggle-born Granger with minimal connections and resources she'd never have been accepted to the Board of Governors without decades more time to establish her place in wizarding society. It was her position as a Malfoy as much as her hard work that made it possible. "I still remember the impassioned speeches you and Kingsley gave calling for people to step up and help rebuild. Draco and I were pleased to have been a part of that." It had been during the rebuilding that their friendship had formed. "Has the Board of Governors ever considered a public service option for the students to give back to the school or community? It's always been important to us that Scorpius understand the responsibility that comes with being a Malfoy, but everyone can contribute in their own way."

Lucius dropped The Daily Prophet in front of Hermione when she arrived at the breakfast table. "When were you planning to inform me of this?"

"Which this, Lucius? I see three things on the front page alone that I've had a hand in," she said with a small amount of pride, St. Mungo's new treatment program for magical beings, the grand opening of the Marauder's Youth Center in Diagon Alley, and her appointment to the Hogwarts Board of Governors. "Apparently it is a slow news day," she said as she passed the newspaper back to him.

"The Board of Governors, Hermione." Lucius did not like that he had needed to discover that the Malfoy family once again held influence over the school through The Daily Prophet. He might have exerted himself on her behalf; although it was more likely he would have attempted to recapture a seat for himself. After all, more than enough time had passed since his removal for people to forgive the reason why he had lost his seat to begin with, and Dumbledore was no longer alive to block a reinstatement.

Hermione had considered mentioning it when the offer was first made, but hadn't wished to jeopardize her candidacy. "I was unsure whether you would be pleased or disgusted by it. Whichever opinion you possessed on the matter, I was convinced that you would say or do something to my disadvantage," she told him honestly. She didn't trust him.

Lucius wondered how the witch always seemed to know these days when he was plotting. He did not like the idea that perhaps she had always known. "I could have helped pave your way. I was a member once myself."

"Yes. I know," she had to stop herself from screwing up her face. "You were an excellent example," she told him, waiting until he started to preen before continuing, "of how not to behave. The Board of Governors is now composed of serious people doing serious work to insure the educational character and integrity of Hogwarts is maintained. It is not the place for influence peddling, shady deals, or personal agendas." Hermione concluded her lecture. He most likely wasn't listening anyway. "I intended to tell you once the appointment was made public. I hadn't expected the newspaper to arrive ahead of me this morning. I apologize for being tardy. The youth center opening ran late."

"Potter," Lucius grumbled. No wonder she was in mood. Hermione was always in a mood when she returned from spending time with Harry Potter. He wished he could say that it was Potter who brought it on. Lucius knew, however, that it was the reminder of his own actions. It seemed the witch intended to make him pay for that for the rest of his life.

"Yes, Harry Potter. We had a lovely time. I think Scorpius will enjoy volunteering there this summer. He would make an excellent tutor for some of the younger children, I believe." She finished her tea. "If you'll excuse me. I have meetings. There is venison stew for your lunch today." He liked it, she knew, although Lucius would never admit to enjoying anything so common. It was the second, and sometimes third, helpings that gave him away. She wasn't so cruel to remove something he obviously liked from his diet because she was disgusted with him. Hermione wished to show him that common decency and consideration for others could make life much more enjoyable for all.

Stopping in the doorway, she turned back to him. "You know, you might consider volunteering yourself. They could use an excellent chess instructor."

Lucius had not expected to enjoy instructing other people's progeny. He had gone to offer his services only because he felt it was the most expedient route to winning back Hermione's favor. Surprisingly, he had found two talented young players who delighted in working on improving their chess skills. The satisfaction he found in helping them gain knowledge and confidence made up for the minor annoyances created by the dunderheads who occasionally sat down to play only because they thought the destruction of one chess piece by another was 'wicked'.

Volunteering at the youth center had been the first time he had much opportunity to observe Hermione around Harry Potter in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. The two of them truly did appear to view the other as family. There was also an ease about them that contrasted sharply with the chilly way Hermione responded to Lucius' own overtures now. While she no longer actively avoided him, neither did she seek out his company by joining him in the evenings to read, chat, or play chess as she had done before the incident. Lucius might not want to admit it, but he missed their nightly chess matches, her laughter, and the warm, genuine attention the witch had provided him.

The worst part of his currently cold situation with Hermione, was not that he continued to sleep alone—although he disliked it immensely—but that his sleep was being plagued with dreams of how she had looked and felt in passion's grip. Lucius had never had a woman abandon herself the way Hermione had when she thought he was doing the things he had done to her for their mutual pleasure. He wondered had he trusted Narcissa more if she would have abandoned herself in the same way without requiring punishment as an excuse for his more extreme tastes. Lucius had always assumed that his wife's transgressions had been her way of subtly indicating her own desire for punishment. Thinking back, he began to question that belief. There was a pang of regret that he would never know for certain if Narcissa's willingness to submit to his desires had been because she had enjoyed it or because he had always demanded it of her.

Lucius was not a man given to much personal reflection. He understood himself well, he believed. He even understood other people more often than not, at least when they were motivated by self-interest or pride, as many were. He truly did believe that it was necessary to know his opponent as he knew himself. The issue was that he too often assigned his own motivations and beliefs to others. That worked well enough for people who were like himself, but it fell apart when he tried to apply it to people like Hermione.

The witch was not a saint. Lucius had not made that mistake. He knew she was full of pride and opinions. He saw that she ached to be recognized and appreciated; yet he erroneously thought it was because she wanted to be acknowledged as the best at everything she did. His mistake was in not recognizing how much she strove to prove herself, and how she ached to be accepted, appreciated, and valued for who she was outside of her accomplishments. Draco could have explained it to him. Scorpius even understood it on an internal level, because as much as he looked like his father, he was still very much his mother's son. But Draco was dead and Scorpius was too young for such conversations.

Lucius Malfoy was no stranger to change. It was his nature to adapt; he had done so many times in his life. Those times had primarily come from necessity and were key to his survival. He had changed from the proud, egotistical Malfoy scion to an obedient servant when he had learned that becoming a Death Eater was not about gaining power over others for himself, as he had thought, but about serving the Dark Lord's interests above his own. He had changed from Death Eater to philanthropist at the end of the first war to appear as if he had actually been under an Imperious as he'd claimed. He had exchanged his role as philanthropist back for that of obedient servant at the return of the Dark Lord to stay alive. When he needed to change at the end of the last war to meet the terms of the pardon that kept him out of Azkaban, he did that as well. Yes, Lucius could change. But it was change he forced upon himself, brought on by extreme circumstances he had been unable to fully manipulate or control. Never, had it been change because he wanted to be a different person.

It had certainly never been because he felt he needed to be a better person.

"You know, the offer to move in here still stands," Harry said placing a steaming bowl of chicken soup in front of Hermione. "You're not happy there, Hermione."

"I know, Harry. But I can't. I agreed to stay when I married Draco and I can't go back on my word simply because he's no longer there. Scorpius needs to learn how to manage the estate and he can't do that visiting his grandfather on occasional weekends." She inhaled deeply. "It smells delicious. You'll make some witch a fine husband someday," she told him with a teasing grin.

"Well it's not hard to cook something good when you're gathering food from a market instead of a forest," he replied as he usually did when she complimented his culinary skills. "Don't change the subject, Hermione. You could stay here while Scorpius is at Hogwarts at least," he added a basket of warm bread to the table then took his own seat. "I don't like the thought of you there with him alone. He stares at you when you're not looking." Harry's forehead creased in a frown. Harry had never lost his saving people thing. She hoped he never did. It helped her remember what was important in life and inspired her to be the sort of person worthy of the friendship of such a great wizard.

"I know," she said with a sigh, letting her spoon dangle for a moment as she thought about how to phrase her situation in a way that wouldn't send him straight to Malfoy Manor to confront Lucius. "We were becoming friends. At least I'd thought so. I was wrong."

"Hermione Granger admits she was wrong. Excuse me for a moment while I find a quill to jot that down in my diary, will you?" Harry nudged her.

Hermione snorted but she was relieved to see that the worry lines had faded from his face. "Don't start, Potter. And it's Hermione Malfoy now, as you well know."

"Would you care for a game of chess this evening, Hermione?" Lucius asked after the pudding was served. He had been on his best behavior for months. He had even taken back up the role of philanthropist to prove to her that he had changed. "I thought we might discuss starting a foundation for the continuing support of St. Mungo's efforts toward providing care for magical beings." She had been instrumental in the establishment of that program and Lucius felt that was an excellent avenue for showing her he had changed as she had hoped.

Hermione sat her fork down and narrowed her eyes. "What are you up to now, Lucius Malfoy?" The man didn't give two Knuts about the house-elves other than that they appeared when he wanted something, and it was obvious that he disdained goblins and other non-wizard beings.

Perhaps he had not chosen as wisely as he had thought he had done. Then again, perhaps she was only testing him. It was likely that she would want proof of the changes she had desired. "I thought that it would be wise to secure the future of the program. You may not be aware of how fickle admini—"

"Yes, I am more than aware of that. What I am not aware of at the moment is why you profess to care." Health care for magical beings was important to Hermione but it wasn't nearly high profile enough to attract someone who only gave for his own benefit like Lucius.

"Is it not enough that it is a worthy cause?" Lucius sat down his own fork. This was not going as planned. He decided that perhaps a judicious application of honesty would help her see he was sincere. "You had hopes I would change, Hermione. I am trying to show you that I have done so."

Hermione closed her eyes and fought the desire to growl and make a strangling motion in the air. She could cheerfully wring his scaly neck right now. It wasn't that she hadn't noticed his donations of Galleons and even his time to assorted causes lately. She had. She simply hadn't figured out why. Now she knew. Lucius still didn't get it, but Hermione supposed it wouldn't hurt to applaud his effort for trying. "Right then," she said opening her eyes and forcing herself to remain calm. "Thank you for your consideration. I'm sure St. Mungo's would appreciate your effort on its behalf. I know the administrator and Healer in charge of the program would welcome your help as well. I'll be happy to introduce you to them so that you can learn what their needs are."

"I thought that we could work together on this, Hermione," Lucius gave her what he considered to be his most charming smile.

Patience, Hermione. Patience. She cautioned herself not to blow up at the slimy snake despite his oily smile. "No. I don't have time for a new project at the moment." Which was completely true. She was nearly always overextended these days. Hermione had filled the time she'd formerly spent with Scorpius, and then some, with projects to keep herself from feeling as lonely as she was. "I do think you should pursue it if it interests you, though. And only if it interests you, Lucius."

"I do not understand, Hermione." It rankled him that she was foiling his plans for making amends. "This is what you desired. I have displayed an interest in your projects and I am attempting to show that I value—"

"Stop. Just stop," Hermione held up her hand and cut him off. "I never asked you to change yourself, Lucius. I know you're a conceited, arrogant, infuriating prat who lives to work any situation to his best advantage. I was married to someone like that for nearly fifteen years. Some people might think me odd for it, but I happen to like those qualities. They're a large part of what makes you you. You're clever, resourceful, and I never have to worry about whether or not you'll do the things that need to be done because I know that you're too proud to let things go." Hermione almost laughed at the look of surprise on his face. Perhaps she should have thought to have this conversation long ago.

Draco had always known she valued him and why, just as Hermione had always known what her husband saw in her. The value they placed on each other, and later on Scorpius, as being unique and special just as they were, had always been equal to the value they had placed on family. It was those things combined, Draco had always said, that made them worthy of being Malfoys. The family had once been great for more than its wealth. It had influence because they were leaders. The family had defined noblesse oblige in the time before Tom Riddle had reinvented himself as Lord Voldemort and targeted the family for his own ends. Malfoys had been superior, because truly being ambitious, clever and cunning, they had strived for excellence in their fields of study, the management of their estate, their care of those who worked their lands, and their support of the greater community to which they belonged. They were great then, not because they were Malfoys, but because being Malfoys, they strove to live up to the name and the history of their family. They didn't seek to rule over others so much as help those with less resources contribute to the best of their own abilities. That was the family she had joined in good faith. That was the sort of man Draco had become once he'd pulled his head out of his arse following the war. And it had been the qualities that made Draco a Malfoy, along with his appreciation of her, that Hermione had loved most.

She realized now that Lucius more closely resembled the boy Draco she'd loathed at Hogwarts, than the mature man she found friendship, and then love, with after the war. She still wasn't sure if Lucius would ever respect her, but she thought that perhaps if she could teach him to respect himself and the family equally first, he might be able to learn to respect her. It was certainly worth a try, if for no other reason than the irony of a Muggle-born Gryffindor witch teaching a Malfoy how to truly be a Malfoy.

Lucius did not like feeling inadequate, however that was precisely the way he felt at the moment. He was the head of the Malfoy family, its leader, the person who should be looked at to set the tone, provide the guidance, and secure its future for those who would come after.

He still felt furious when he thought about how the witch had spent an entire evening lecturing him on the history of the Malfoys and their role in society, yet he thought that perhaps it was not Hermione he was angry with but himself. When he thought back on it, he could clearly remember the way she had glowed with pride for his family. It was the way Draco's eyes had shone when he was told about his family when he was young. It was the way Scorpius held himself higher when he walked through the portrait gallery exchanging words with his ancestors. It was the way Lucius supposed he had felt himself when he was very young and his own grandfather had taken him up on his shoulders to better see the portraits and listen to the family history.

When she had begun again the following night, lecturing not on the generations that had come before, but on the contributions of her husband to his family, he had nearly walked away. It was only the opportunity to stay in her company that kept him there at first. It had not taken long for her to completely draw him in.

He had always assumed that it had been Narcissa's choice to risk sacrificing herself by lying to the Dark Lord in order to find their son that had saved the Malfoy reputation. Perhaps that had been a part of it, however it was not all. He had also assumed that the fact that he had been wandless at the Battle of Hogwarts had been what brought leniency at his trial. The truth of the matter was more complex than he had ever imagined.

Lucius had had no idea that it had been Hermione Granger, as she was then, who had convinced Potter to give testimony supporting Draco's claim that he had been forced into the ranks of the Death Eaters before he had even come of age. He had not known that she had been careful when giving her statements following the war to make it clear that when the Snatchers brought her group to Malfoy Manor, Draco had openly refused to identify Harry Potter and the others. He had not known how Hermione had made certain it was told that the Malfoys themselves had not participated in Bellatrix's interrogation by torture because she felt she owed them that in return for what Draco had tried to do for her and her friend Harry. His son's denial of Potter's identity created a debt of honor in Hermione's mind, and her way of repaying the debt was to see to it that the way was paved for all the Malfoys to make their case for having had no choice but to do as they did during the war if they had wished to live.

He had known Draco had worked long hours on the clean-up and reconstruction of Hogwarts, but Lucius had not known that his son had put in so many hours so that Lucius himself would not be required to do the same. He had thought that Draco had gone on to work with the Wizengamot following the re-opening of Hogwarts in order to regain influence for the Malfoys and see to it that the laws and proclamations under review could be worded to the family's advantage. At least in that, he had partially been correct. What he had missed was his son's fuller motivation. Draco had wanted to once more feel pride in his name, and his desire was not to secure what was best only for the Malfoys, but for all of society.

Much as Minerva McGonagall and Kingsley Shacklebolt had spearheaded reconstruction, Harry Potter had been the public face supporting reconciliation. It had been the young persons of his son's generation who had led the way in working together. Lucius had known that much from The Daily Prophet. What he had not known was that behind the scenes his son had much to do with Potter's successful pleas. Hermione explained that it had always been Draco's knowledge of wizarding culture and history that had helped her write Harry's speeches and plan the reconciliation projects that would have the largest impact. Lucius had known Draco was involved with Potter and his ilk, yet he had always attributed it to Draco's understanding of the influence they had and were gaining daily. It had never occurred to him that Draco had been such an instrumental part of it all.

He wondered when he had lost touch with his family to the point that he would not have recognized the Draco that Hermione described as his own son. When he had said as much, Hermione had pointed out that he had little opportunity while he had been in Azkaban and kindly gave him the excuse that the war had been hard on them all. It was difficult to think about more than the most immediate concerns and keeping yourself and your immediate circle alive when you were fighting for your life.

She had called what happened to him following the war being insulated. Lucius could see that she was attempting to be gentle with his feelings, however this time, he completely understood. Lucius Malfoy finally saw that it had been his lack of interest in things that did not directly involve him that led him away from his son and family.

"You're wallowing. It's not only unattractive, it's unproductive, you know," Hermione told him, looking up from her book to focus on Lucius. "I highly recommend that you sort yourself out soon. Why don't you go play chess with the children? It might make you feel better to do something useful rather than mope about the manor."

"I do not need you to plan my schedule, Hermione. I am not Scorpius," he said petulantly.

Hermione raised her book to hide her smile. She didn't quite manage to hide the amusement in her voice when she answered. "No, you're not. Scorpius is excellent at time management."

"Lucius?" Hermione knocked on the open door of his study to gain his attention. "Do you have plans for Saturday next?"

Lucius looked up from the account ledger. "Are you concerned I am under scheduled again?" His lips quirked up slightly. He could admit that filling his time had helped him come to terms with himself. What was more, he was certain Hermione knew it. The witch seemed to know what he needed before he knew himself.

"Actually, I'm hoping you're under scheduled that day. It seems that one of the perks of being on Hogwarts' Board of Governors is that I'm allowed to attend Quidditch matches." She grinned and waited for him to work it out.

Lucius feigned consideration of the date. He knew perfectly well why she was so pleased with herself. He was pleased as well. "That Saturday is the Slytherin-Ravenclaw match, I believe."

"Indeed it is. And I checked; I am allowed to bring a guest. Would you care to accompany me while we watch Scorpius and his teammates annihilate the competition? Ahem," she cleared her throat and schooled her expression into one of prim seriousness. "I mean view the sportsmanlike manner in which both teams engage in friendly competition?"

"He will fly the pants off the competition," Lucius chuckled. He would be delighted to watch his grandson play.

"Of course he will. He is a Malfoy," Hermione agreed. "Be ready by nine. I like to be prompt."

"You will be ten minutes early," he countered.

"Exactly."

"Shall we go Side-Along?" Hermione asked as she tugged on her glove.

"You would trust me?" Lucius watched her with interest as she looked up and smiled.

"I believe I am willing to give you the opportunity to prove you are trustworthy, yes." She raised her chin and gave him a smug smile.

Lucius smiled back and offered his arm. He knew her well enough now to know that look meant she was in an excellent mood and feeling feisty. This was shaping up to be quite a day. "Then by all means, I would be delighted to take you, my dear."

Hermione took his arm, careful to focus on her willingness. She doubted Lucius would appreciate losing his hair. It wouldn't be long before she lifted the curse that prevented him from touching her without her consent. She had considered doing it when she removed the curse on his language last week but thought he would appreciate it more if he had to earn the ability to touch her by proving himself in small ways first. Apparating her to the gates of Hogwarts seemed like a safe first step. "You haven't called me 'my dear' in some time," she observed.

"I thought you might appreciate hearing me call you by name instead of an endearment, Hermione. To be truthful," he did not miss that her head turned to regard him closely to make sure what he said next actually was the truth, "I also thought that it would aid me in remembering that I was trying to get to know you as Hermione instead of you as a Malfoy." He had started it because he thought it would please her, however in doing so, he had learned it helped him keep his goal in focus. Lucius always had been goal oriented.

She nodded. It was sound thinking and actually showed he'd put a bit of thought into how best to address her. "And what is different today?"

"Today, we are both Malfoys going to support one of our own, are we not?" At least he intended to support Scorpius and Slytherin. She might think she needed to be more impartial.

"Absolutely."

Hermione renewed the warming charm on her cloak. It was a close game. The wind had picked up over the last hour and now the sky was threatening rain. She hoped Scorpius had remembered to cast the proper spells over himself to repel the cold and damp so he wouldn't become ill playing in this weather. Hermione chuckled at herself. Her son might only be a second year but he was an intelligent boy capable of taking care of himself. A loud crack of thunder startled her and she added an Impervius while her wand was out. It wouldn't do for her to catch a cold either.

Not long after the rain began, Scorpius caught sight of the Snitch and raced toward it. The Ravenclaw Seeker was closer but hadn't spotted it yet, though she had spotted Scorpius' mad dash and was desperately looking around for what he saw. Hermione wrung her hands as a Bludger came within inches of hitting him and would have done had he not rolled himself out of the way. The Ravenclaw Beaters attempted another intercept but the Bludger was beaten back by the pair from Slytherin. Hermione couldn't see the Snitch herself in the rain but Lucius leaned over slightly without taking his eyes from the Pitch to tell her where to look. When she found it, Hermione had to admit the man had excellent vision. The Snitch darted off but Scorpius kept it in view. Ravenclaw's Seeker had it now too and it was a race to see who would get to it first. Hermione only hoped the two didn't collide.

She should have hoped for a little more.

Lightning speared down from the sky. The bright streak temporarily blinded her and when she found her son again, he was careening off in a wild spiral headed into a low section of the Hufflepuff stands where he hit the wall and fell to the cold, wet ground of the Pitch.

"Hey," Scorpius said, blinking as he woke up. "I got it, didn't I? We won?"

"Yes, you caught it and held on to it as well. Superb performance, Scorpius," Lucius said with pride.

"Was that really lightning?" He asked as the matron buzzed around him, casting spells and asking him how many fingers she was holding up.

"Yes, it was really lightning. You gave me a dreadful fright." Hermione squeezed his hand. She'd been holding it for the past hour praying he'd wake soon.

"Sorry, Mum. Didn't mean to." He squeezed back. "My ears are ringing," Scorpius told the matron.

"As are ours," Lucius told him, "from the thunder. It was the shock wave that caused your accident."

Scorpius nodded, looking at his grandfather in confusion. His cloak was on and his hood was up. "Are you leaving, sir?"

"No, Scorpius. I will remain here with your mother until she is satisfied you are safe and is willing to leave you in the care of Madam Bumfries." Lucius did not wish to leave until he was satisfied either. He knew why Scorpius had asked, however he did not volunteer any additional information. It was embarrassing enough that the entire staff and everyone en route had seen.

"Your grandfather ran a foul of a curse, Scorpius. It's best for now that he stay cloaked," Hermione told him. "There are no worries. I'll sort him in no time once we return home."

"Who cursed you, Grandfa?" Scorpius squinted to see what there was beneath the hood but it made his head hurt.

"I did," Hermione said with chagrin. "It was an accident."

Lucius snorted. "It was no such thing, Hermione. You needed my support and I acted with full knowledge of the consequences. The fault is my own. It will grow back." He looked at her. "It will grow back, will it not?"

"Oh! Yes. I wouldn't leave you permanently bald, Lucius."

"There," Hermione said setting her wand down on top of her notes. "I have to apologize again for embarrassing you." Lucius had a great deal of pride. It had never been her desire that he touch her without permission and lose all his hair in front of others.

"Do not trouble yourself. Your need to reach Scorpius as quickly as possible was greater than my need to maintain my dignity. As long as photographs do not make it into The Daily Prophet I believe I will come out of this unscathed." He had grasped her arm and escorted her as quickly as he could through the throng of people. The titters and gasps of those who caught sight of his bald head when the wind snatched his hood back had been less important to him than his grandson or Hermione's safety and speed in navigating through the crowd. "I will admit I hadn't expected to lose all of my hair, however."

"Well, neither did I. I hadn't realized it would all dissolve." Hermione thought he was taking this with extraordinarily good humor. "Thank you again, Lucius. I appreciate you being there for me."

"You are a Malfoy, Hermione. I could do no less." He inclined his head and gave her a small bow.

"Now then, I think I should lift the final curse before—"

"No," Lucius interrupted, shaking his head. "No. I am … flawed. I am learning but I am not yet sure that I should be trusted not to bring you bodily harm. My … desire for you has not abated. If anything, it has grown stronger. Knowing how gloriously you respond, it would be a challenge for me—"

Hermione leaned over and cut him off with a kiss. It was their first. When she removed her lips from his, she whispered in his ear. "Next lesson: how to tell the difference between consensual acts and abuse."

Lucius growled and pulled her down into his lap, pleased he didn't have to worry about losing his recently re-grown hair and eyebrows. "Tomorrow. Tonight's lesson is how to show proper appreciation for one's partner."

"I believe I can accommodate that scheduling change," Hermione purred. Reaching behind her, she picked up her wand and cast a spell.

"What did you do?" he asked, honestly curious.

"We haven't grown back all of your hair yet. I thought it only fair that if you had no hair to get in my way of showing appreciation, then I shouldn't have any to get your way either," Hermione explained with a sexy smirk.

Lucius tossed back his head and laughed. "Wanton witch," he said fondly as he hugged her close. He decided right then that Malfoy men did indeed need hugs. "You are a delight, Hermione."

"You're certain you want to try this?" Draco stroked her bare arse. He could feel the rise of a few welts and the way she shivered in anticipation of what they planned to do next.

"Draco, if you don't want to, just tell me as much. What applies to me not doing anything I'm not comfortable with should apply to you as well." She could tell he was nervous.

"It isn't that I don't want to, Hermione. Merciful gods, witch, I've dreamed of possessing you like this." He caressed her arse again. He was nervous. This night would set the tone for what was to come and it was important that she enjoy it all.

"Then what is it?" she asked gently.

"I've never done this before. I have an idea of what needs to be done to prepare you but I'm worried I might hurt you, Hermione, and not in a good way," Draco confessed. It was hard to admit, when she was looking to him to teach her, that he was as much of a novice as she.

"Oh, for heaven's sake. I never expected you would know everything. In fact, I hadn't expected you to know as much about all of this as you do. I thought that a lot of it we'd be learning together as we experimented." In fact, as much as it had relieved her to learn that he had an interest in the sorts of things she wanted to experiment with, she was far more relieved to find that there were at least a few things he wasn't experienced with either. "Am I, or am I not, the cleverest witch you know?"

Draco bent and kissed the top of her gloriously shaped bottom. "Definitely the cleverest. Sexiest too," he added, waggling his eyebrows at her as she looked at him over her shoulder.

"Then let me up so I can get my notes. I've researched this thoroughly, you know." She had found some lovely spells to make it all very hygienic as well as ease his way.

He laughed in absolute delight as she bounded away to fetch her research. Draco felt his tension melt away. "Of course you have. Gods, how I love you."

"You do?" she turned and looked at him. He'd said it with such feeling that she wanted to believe for she'd lost her heart to him as well.

She looked so vulnerable and hopeful standing there that he'd had to go to her and take her in his arms. "On my honor as a Malfoy, Hermione."

Hermione shrieked with pleasure and Lucius looked at her in surprise. "I thought you needed permission?" He was not at all displeased. It would have been impossible to be disappointed the way her cunt pulsed around his cock.

"You … You're g—g—giving it," she managed to force out before she exploded again. "Please, Lu—Oh, gods!" Hermione swallowed hard in the breath between the last orgasm and the next. "Le—le—let … go … of … my … bum." She desperately needed an opportunity to breathe.

He released the grip he had on her arse cheek as she managed to tell him what she needed. Lucius had given his word when Hermione asked for his promise that he would not try to force her into anything she did not want. He was determined to give her no reason to claim he did not live up to his word. The hand that had gripped that perfect bottom moved to gently push the wild tangle of curls back from her face as she calmed. "Are you all right?" Lucius had stilled his hips but not unsheathed himself. She had not asked for that and when he had done it earlier to tease her, Hermione had shrieked at him to put it back. He had never had such an active or vocal bed partner. He had quickly determined that he liked it.

"You can move now." She tilted her hips and pressed up against him to encourage his movement. "Only please, for heaven's sake, have mercy and don't hold my bond mark for so long. I'm too old to come more than three or four times in succession."

Lucius raised his eyes to hers. "Your bond mark?" He had always been curious about the Malfoy crest that decorated her body.

"It's on the inside of my left bum cheek," she told him, moving her legs up a little higher to give herself more leverage for meeting his strokes. His grip on her arse had pressed his finger against it. "It sets me off every time."

Lucius laughed joyously and kissed her. She was amazing. He had never felt so powerful in his life or so free.

"Heavens. That was…"

"Brilliant," he finished for her as the magic finished swirling and sparkling around them. Draco gently withdrew from her body. His face split into a grin at the small, silver Malfoy crest that had formed from the sparkling magic beside his thumb where he'd been holding her open. Not only would he have to marry her now, no one, not even his father, would be able to keep him from it. She was one of them now.

Hermione had given herself completely to her wizard and accepted everything he offered.

Draco had laid claim to every inch of his witch inside and out, and in return, had offered her not just himself, but his birthright.

They had brought their hearts, minds and souls together, and their magic had responded to their love, devotion, and their determination to join together.

She had joined not only with him but his purpose. He had secured not only his own future, but also the future of his family. He felt it in every fiber of his being.

"You will be an amazing Malfoy."

The End
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Once a Malfoy, Always a Malfoy