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Amazing Grace	By : Kooldragon400 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Lucius/Hermione Views: 41309 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any recongizable characters, nor do I make any money off of this story.

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This chapter buggered me with a white-hot fireplace poker and then squirted salty lemon juice up my butt. In other words...it was torture. It's a falling action chapter, even though it's a set up for another rise. I also realized....I write in arcs. In Riverbend, someone told me I could have written several stories from that one. But here's the thing....I hate multiple story formats. I think they lose something...Especially since this is a fanfiction story and not a true novel. So expect a couple arcs of action. I have no idea how long this story will be. I have several places I could end it...but what the crap is the fun in that? Be sure to drop me a line to let me know if you liked this chapter. :)

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Lucius stared ahead, his face blank as he absorbed what he had just been told. An ancient mediwitch rubbed ointment onto his mangled shoulder obliviously. Finally, his shock morphed slowly into anger, which melted into blind, unrestrained fury. Several glass containers nearby shattered into glass powder, spilling their contents.

Harry jumped violently, but stood where he was, ready to take whatever sort of punishment Lucius deemed fit to dole out. Grace was not present, but in her own hospital room hooked up to a steady drip of nutrient potions and rehydration elixirs.

“You did what?” he bellowed. “I should literally kill you, Potter. You stupid boy. I sent you to save her....not...not rape her!” he snapped. Harry’s green eyes watered profusely.

“I couldn’t fight the potion. I’m sorry.” he said softly.

“Sorry? You’re sorry? You surely are, you useless little half-blood!” he spat. Harry winced again.

Draco stepped forward from his place in the corner, his pale face colored with an angry flush. “So you just dropped your trousers and had a little fun with my sister, then?” he asked dangerously. Harry swallowed hard.

“I didn’t mean-” His statement was cut off when Draco’s fist collided with his face. Harry’s glasses broke under the impact, and he fell back with a yelp.

“I’ll kill you!” Draco cried, lunging for Harry. His fingers wrapped around Harry’s throat, pressing hard before he was yanked off of the other wizard by the hospital security, consisting of one hospital-paid officer, and a licensed Auror that had followed Harry to the room.

The ancient mediwitch pulled away after fastening the new bandages around Lucius’ shoulder.

“There we are, deary. Good as new. You were such a brave lad.” she said slowly, before pulling an impossibly large lolly out of her apron and pressing it into Lucius’ good hand. As the hospital security wrestled Draco off of Harry, the old nurse shuffled from the room, leaving Lucius with an almost insurmountable urge to chuck the damn lolly at her head.

The two guards had Draco by the arms, holding him away from Harry. Harry struggled to his feet, mopping blood from his face.

“Stay away from my family, Potter. I don’t want to see your face anywhere near us again.” Lucius growled. Harry nodded wordlessly and left the room quickly. The guards held Draco for a few moments after Harry was gone to give him time to put space between them. Then they let him go, and left the room.

Draco glared at the door angrily, as if his fury could set the whole hospital ablaze.

“I can’t leave this room, Draco. I’d hate to have to kill anyone who touched my arm.” Lucius said. “Please go to your sister.” he added. Draco nodded sharply, and left the room. He passed Hermione on the way out, and she looked distraught.

“See Potter, did you?” Draco asked sharply.

“I saw Grace first. I did pass Harry exiting, but he wouldn’t talk to me. I want to be angry with him...but it’s like he was under a specialized Imperius....” Hermione said. Draco scowled.

“Which Potter can throw off... I’ll be with my sister.” he snapped, and walked away briskly.

Hermione sighed softly, and then poked her head around the edge of Lucius’ doorframe. He was reclined against his pillows, but no part of him spoke of relaxation. He held a stiff countenance, and he was glaring angrily off to the side.

“Lucius...” she said softly. His gaze snapped up, softening slightly when his eyes lit on her. “I was very worried about you. I heard from Sirius that you had injured your arm.” she said, moving slowly into the room.

“I took a curse before the fight even started.” he said, disgusted with himself. Hermione moved forward, reaching out and wrapping her arms around Lucius. She pulled him close and nuzzle her face into the top of his head. He was still stiff and unresponsive, unused to even such attention from Hermione. Although… his cheek was pressed quite comfortably against a soft resting place... He gave an experimental nuzzle with his head, and was rewarded by a soft laugh.

“I missed you.” she said softly, carding her fingers into his hair. His good arm snaked around her, holding her close.

“I missed you as well. I saw your face in my dreams.” he said truthfully. How many times had he reached for her in his dreams only to wake up and realize he had almost groped Potter or Black? The most awkward morning had been waking up to Sirius insistently whispering his name, only to find himself in a tight spooning position with the man. Threats and angry curses had ensued.

“How is your arm?” she asked, moving back only slightly.

“It hurts. I’m not to do any strenuous activities.” He said, looking decidedly pouty. She smiled at him, and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

“Well then, I suppose when you get home I’ll just have to spoil you with my own special kind of medicine.” She purred, tracing a finger along his jawline. His silver eyes darkened slightly, and a growled at her.

“Tease.”

She laughed.

~~

Tom was sitting on a soft bed in the children’s wing of St. Mungos. His heavily bandaged hands rested on his stomach, and his feet were propped up on pillows. The wounds were cursed, and as such would have to heal naturally. It was painful, but it wasn’t unbearable. He hummed to himself to pass the time, going through hymns and what secular music he had picked up on.

Sirius was sitting in a chair next to him, dozing lightly. He had awoken from his venom-induced sleep a few hours after they had been transported to St. Mungos. He was alive, but his body was stiff and aching, and his magic was spazzing a bit. The Healers guessed he would be back to normal within a week.

Alphard was not allowed to come into the hospital with him, as the hospital had rules against any kind of animals on the premises. Tom was sad, but Viatoris had promised to take good care of the deadly serpent. After all, even if the snake got angry with him, it couldn’t kill what was already dead…

A young mediwitch bustled into the room with a tray of lunch for Tom, and the lad perked up a bit at the thought of a warm meal. The healing potions they had given him to counteract the curse in his wounds had made him ravenous. Sirius snored softly and Tom giggled.

The mediwitch carefully balanced the tray on Tom’s lap. He looked down at the fragrant soup and his tummy gave a grumble. The mediwitch smiled good-naturedly, and Tom blushed in reply. He reached forward and tried to grasp the spoon, but the heavy bandages on his hands wouldn’t allow him to close his fingers. He made a soft noise of distress, and tried again.

The mediwitch saw the trouble he was having with the spoon, and carefully pulled up a chair next to his bed. “Would you like some help?” she asked softly. Tom put his hand back in his lap, and stared at the bowl for a few moments. He was hungry….famished….but despite being only six years of age in body he was very proud, too. He didn’t want to be fed like a baby…

“No one will think any less of you for needing help.” The mediwitch gently replied, reaching forward and brushing a strand of hair off of Tom’s forehead in a motherly fashion. Tom was surprised, and it showed on his face as he looked up at her. Then he blushed again and looked firmly in his lap. The mediwitch sat gracefully on the chair, and took up the spoon. She dipped it generously into the soup and then held it up to Tom’s face. He dutifully opened his mouth, and she placed the spoon close enough for him to close his mouth over it.

They repeated this until the soup was gone. Tom was still a little embarrassed but now he was full, and his full stomach overrode the embarrassment.

“Now you just lay back and relax.” The woman said, in almost a sing-song voice. Tom leaned back as she moved the tray away, and was surprised again as she caringly fluffed his pillow and adjusted the blankets around him. His eyelids were heavy as she patted his head, and then she was gone, bustling out the door again humming to herself. She was unaware that Sirius’ lidded blue eyes had tracked her from entrance to exit.

As Tom gave a soft snore Sirius opened his eyes fully, watching the door with an interested appearance. He’d have to find out who that woman was…

A white-robed Healer entered moments later. “Mr. Black, good to see you awake. And little Tom is resting well….good, good. I’m here in an unofficial capacity.” The man said genially. Sirius sat up a bit straighter in his chair to make a show of listening. “There is a couple who goes around the children’s ward and gives out sweets and small handmade toys. It’s not much, but they enjoy it and the children do as well. When they heard there was a new addition to the ward they wanted to visit and bring Tom a ‘get-well-soon’ plate. I’m told the Missus is quite the baker.” He said.

Sirius blinked. “I don’t see why not. I’m sure Tom would enjoy a few sweets while he’s here.” Sirius said. Tom needed to stay in St. Mungos for several days to make sure the curse didn’t relapse, and to make sure there wasn’t any permanent damage in his hands and feet. He might as well have something to play with so he wouldn’t pine for his freaking venomous serpent.

The Healer smiled. “I’ll send them in.” And with that, he was gone. There were several moments between the Healer’s exit and the entrance of the mystery couple.

Sirius looked up as a plump woman with bright red hair entered the room with a small basket in her hands. A tall, balding man entered behind her, a brightly colored wooden train in his hand. Sirius blinked in surprise.

“Molly? Arthur?”

~~

Lucius sighed as the mediwitch left his room with the lunch tray. He’d sent Hermione off for lunch. She wanted to speak to Potter about what happened, and Lucius wasn’t in the mood to stop her. She was defending him. She said she saw both sides of the story, but she couldn’t find fault in Harry. Lucius almost found it a betrayal, and it hurt quite a bit. Draco was supposed to be eating in the hospital’s cafeteria downstairs, and then hopefully swinging by later in the evening to see him before going to Grace’s room to spend the night. Damn stupid hospital rules….he’d be in there himself if he thought he could get out the door.

His cursed arm was precarious right now. Though the curse itself was neutralized, the skin was still damaged, and walking around wasn’t advised for at least two days. He was miserable and cooped up.

He glared over at a chair in the corner, willing it to explode so there wasn’t mind numbing nothingness going on in his room. He could have sworn he saw smoke coming from the cushion, when a timid knock sounded on the doorframe.

“Not now, Draco…I’m trying to set this chair on fire…” he said dismissively.

“That’s nice and all…but I’m not Draco.” His gaze snapped towards the door, and his mood instantly changed at seeing Grace standing in the doorway.

“Grace! Child, what are you doing here? The minor’s wing is across the hospital!” he chided, with no ill will. She smiled shyly and shuffled her feet, which had been ensconced in soft, fluffy slippers brought by her brother.

“Wanted to see you…had to sneak past the healers...” she mumbled.

“Come here, child.” He said softly, holding out his good arm. She walked to his left side and stepped close enough for him to pull her to him. She leaned in close, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face into his shoulder.

“Oh, dad.” And the dam burst. She crawled onto the bed next to him and he held her as she cried, gently carding his fingers through the tips of her hair and making soft shushing sounds. “I missed you.” She said, her voice muffled into his shoulder.

“I missed you, too.” He said softly, rocking her in his grasp. She was thin. He could feel the ridges of her spine against his hand as he held her. She had not been heavy before, and therefore had no real cushion for the starvation that those monsters had put her through. The only reason she still had a figure was the natural width of her hips, which she had inherited from her mother. Her face was pinched and thin, and she hid it in her father’s hospital gown.

Her hair, once her pride and joy, was rough from lack of nutrients and a poor hygienic routine. Her nails were short and ragged, as if she’d bitten at them. And if she was anything like Draco had been at a younger age, she had gnawed them when she was nervous.

She folded herself up against his side as she cried herself out. After several minutes all that was left was her shuddering breaths and hiccups.

“There….were several times that I thought…..I would never see you again.” Grace finally said, pulling back to look up at her father’s face. His hand came up to rest against her cheek. He didn’t miss the slight flinch at first, and he was angry, but the anger fled when she relaxed into his touch.

“I would have waded the fires of hell to bring you back.” He said simply. She flushed and closed her eyes, making a pleased sound as he ran his thumb over her cheek.

“I love you, dad.” She said softly. He paused, and saw an almost imperceptible furrowing of her brow.

“I…” he hesitated. Why couldn’t he say it? It was words. Unfamiliar ones…to be fair to himself….but words nonetheless. He would not let himself be mastered by three words. “I love you, too.” He answered resolutely, surpised that he didn’t burst into flames and disappear into hell on the spot.

Grace’s eyes opened, and she simply looked at her father. Then, she smiled. Though her face was thin and her skin still looked pasty, the simple crooking of her bow-shaped lips transformed her face.

“You do.” She stated, and then leaned forward, tucking her head against his neck again. They were still for several moments, and Grace finally gave a soft snuffle of sleep. Lucius smiled to himself and leaned back carefully against his pillow. It was awkward maneuvering them both with one hand, but he managed to throw one of his blankets over her as well, and father and daughter shared a short, peaceful rest in each other’s presence.

Fate thought it kind to give them a rest before totally pissing on their parade.

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Foreshadowing....? Maaaaaayyyyyyybbbee? Pooooooooooosssssssssibly?

Thanks for reading, I hope to hear from you! ;D
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Amazing Grace