Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

A World Not Fit To Live In	By : snowblind12 & Lissa Category: Harry Potter > Threesomes/Moresomes Views: 78124 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 6
Disclaimer: These characters and the Harry Potter world belong to J K Rowling and her publishers. I make nothing from this story and I own none of it. It is based off the work of JK Rowling.

Chapter List
- 36
- 37
- 38
AN: Hello our lovely, lovely readers. Have we told you lately that we love you? How much we appreciate you? How much you make us laugh and cry? Squeal and snicker? Giggle and grin? Well...you now know. You all are unbelievably amazing, and we adore you so, so much.
A lot of you have seen the posts and teasers on FB for the next installment of Master Mine. We are so excited to share that work with you! We are completely finished outlining each chapter and have divvied up parts. Anne is working on chapter one while I've started chapter two. We ask that you be patient for just 2-3 more weeks. We'd like to have about 4 chapters completely written and BETA'd before we start posting so we have a nice buffer. After that we will post weekly - probably on Saturdays as it seems to be the day when we get the best responses! We will post more frequently as our writing patterns allows! We really pounded out the last 15 or so chapters of WNF, but with Lissa taking nine credits that are kicking her ass this semester and Snow's busy work life, we feel comfortable promising one chapter a week.
This is the fourth to last installment of A World Not Fit to Live In. I would expect you to see chapters 38, 39, and the Epilogue posted within the next 10-14 days. We have been so incredibly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support we have gotten from so many of you. We know this is a dark and violent tale, but we asked you to trust us. So very many of you did...we hope beyond all hope that we have made you, and will continue to make you, happy.

All our love, Lissa & Snow
Chapter Thirty-Seven
BETA love – RaynePhoenix2
It had been exactly ten days since she had nearly been beaten to death while strung naked from the ceiling of a bedchamber in Malfoy Manor and everything had changed. Everything.
First and foremost, she was no longer a bonded slave. Two days after Draco had awoke, Lucius had informed her that it had been decided that they would not be rebonded for now. He most likely had not expected her violent reaction of relieved hysterics, but he had held her through them to help her calm. When she had finally quieted, he had continued to explain exactly what had happened to Draco. He started with the Fiendfyre altercation in the Room of Requirement and continued through Narcissa’s death.
Hermione had listened, but she had not reacted. She covertly watched as her usually cool and collected wizard described what had happened in the final battle, giving details from not only his perspective, but Narcissa’s and Draco’s as well. She heard every word as he reviewed what was known about the curse, and about how it had impacted Draco as well as how Draco had been self-Occluding to protect himself. Healer Browne had explained to him that most who had been afflicted with the curse in the past went mad because they hated themselves for what they were feeling, saying, and doing and yet they couldn’t stop themselves. Draco’s skill as a self-Occlumens protected him from that facet of the complex spell.
She listened patiently, if not actively. Hemione had been unable to meet Lucius’ eyes as he told her that Draco had harbored a secret crush on her since the Yule Ball in their fourth year. That Narcissa had been privy to Draco’s feelings and had discouraged them, knowing that Lucius would not approve of even a friendship between the two classmates. Lucius explained to her that this was why Draco had continued being aloof and mean to her in school; he hadn’t wanted to upset his parents or go against the grain of what he had been raised to believe since he was a child. He went on to tell her that, despite his mother’s discouragement, and despite his own attempts otherwise, Draco had continued to have feelings for her. While he couldn’t act on his feelings outright, he still did what he could to protect her. She wanted to scoff at Lucius, to tell him that what he was trying to make her believe was ridiculous, but then he gave many second-hand anecdotes that had left Hermione reeling.
The way Nott had made sure she went nowhere near the Room of Requirement the night Dumbledore had died.
The way Draco had blatantly told his parents that he was unsure if it was Harry, Ron, and herself the night they had been taken to Malfoy Manor as prisoners.
The way someone – apparently Draco – had pulled her out of harm’s way during the final battle.
The narratives made her remember other things, as well. Things like catching Draco staring at her across the Great Hall during meals with a sad look on his face. Or the way they would occasionally get paired in class when the teachers had forced cross-house groupings, and that he was usually cordial with her when that happened. How Pansy Parkinson would glare and pout whenever Draco spoke to her, even if his words weren’t kind. The fact that she couldn’t remember him calling her a Mudblood to her face since before the Yule Ball – until she had been thrown at his feet as his prisoner, that was.
Through her tumbling memories, she continued to listen to Lucius in horror as he told her Draco’s recount of what happened after the battle. That Draco had been cursed by Voldemort and then forced to murder his own mother. Horrifically. She had been strung up from an archway in the courtyard and Draco, who now was under the Curse that made him despise his mother, had been ordered to scourge her. He had been provided with a leather studded flogger and had literally whipped his naked mother until she was broken and bleeding before being instructed to cast an Avada Kedavra on her.
“That…that’s what he did to me…” she whispered in horror and could see Lucius nod in her peripheral vision.
“The healers believe the similarity of the situations is what caused his self-Occlumency to crack. He got confused and his mind was shunted between reality and memory.”
A wave of pity washed over her. She felt her eyes grow wet and chastised herself for feeling sympathy for the man who had single-handedly made her life a literal nightmare for the last few months.
They were silent for a long time before she was able to meet Lucius’ eyes. She was surprised to find him kneeling in front of her, watching her with a guarded expression. A look she didn’t quite understand for a few moments, then she realized he was steeling himself for her reaction. Her words were carefully chosen.
“I …accept what you have told me as fact,” she whispered. “I need time to work out my feelings, though.” He had seemed taken back by her response and she supposed he hadn’t expected her to be so rational. However, having almost a week of peace after so many weeks of torment allowed Hermione to be more like her old self. She had always been nothing if not rational. Lucius truly did not realize that she wasn’t really weak when it came to emotions. It had just been the turn her life had taken that had caused her to be the blubbering girl that she didn’t recognize.
That had been three days ago and, to be honest, she still hadn’t decided how she felt. Draco had been conspicuously absent. On the surface, this gave Hermione great relief. The couple of glimpses she’d had of him made her heart race and her palms sweat with dread.
It had been decided by Snape, Lucius, and herself that she would rebond with Lucius, who would order her to act as though she were bonded to Draco, but only if she felt she could not act the part convincingly. She had assured them she could pretend, but if they were called to a large function, she felt it was best for her and Lucius to take the bonding potion. Because of this, she knew that Draco would never have to lay a hand on her again, but she could not stop her visceral reaction to the sight of him.
Her logical mind knew that Draco was not at fault for how he had treated her. Realistically, he had been as much of a victim as she had been. She knew that her responses to him were most likely a form of a psychological reaction, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It didn’t change the fact that she feared him deeply.
Therefore, when she found herself alone in the Parlor later that week only to have Draco knock and tentatively enter the room when she answered, it didn’t surprise either of them when she immediately leapt to her feet to back away from him.
He held up both hands, showing her that he was wandless. “Granger…Hermione,” he started in a very gentle voice. “I know…I know you don’t really want to see me, but…” He sighed before shoving his hands through his hair. Slowly he made eye contact with her from across the room. “We need to talk.”
Draco watched her study him for a few moments as she wrung her hands in front of her nervously. He was about to turn and leave when she gave a short, jerky nod and moved further across the room to sit on the edge of a chair. He didn’t even pretend that she would be okay if he sat close to her, instead he chose a chair that was opposite her, with many feet and a coffee table between them.
The silence was heavy and uncomfortable and for a long while they just sat, not looking at each other. Finally, Draco took a slow, deep breath.
“I know that nothing I can say or do will erase what has happened between us.” He paused when she made a disbelieving sound in the back of her throat and forced himself to meet her gaze. Hermione’s eyes were as he always remembered them, large and beautiful in their doe-like state, but instead of filled with the inquisitiveness or excitement of their school-days, they were filled with mistrust and wariness.
“I know that I’ll never be able to say this enough,” his voice broke and he had to suck in another breath to steady himself before he could continue, “but I’m sorry. Hermione. I am truly, profoundly sorry for everything I have said and done. The way I treated you, the things I said…your…your fa-father.” He gulped and gagged a bit, still hardly believing that her father’s death was on his hands.
“I’m so, so sorry,” he finished lamely.
She didn’t answer right away. When she did her voice was calm, but cool. “I hear your apology, Draco, and rationally I understand that your actions were not your own. I just…I just can’t forgive you. Not yet…maybe not ever. I just…I can’t.”
Draco felt his shoulder slump with defeat. He had known that she wouldn’t forgive him. Not yet. He wasn’t stupid. He knew the things he had done warranted no exoneration. That there was a chance she would never forgive him.
In fact, her words…? They were much, much more than he expected. Much, much more then he could ever deserve.
“That’s fair enough,” he responded somewhat weakly. “I just…I just wish I had really disliked you all those years. If I had – none of this would have happened.” It was as close as he would ever come to admitting his true feelings for her. He paused, feeling broken. He didn’t know what else to say, but there was more he had to tell her. It startled him when Hermione broke the silence.
“Whatever you’re hesitating to say, just say it!” Her tone was sharp and caused him to flinch. He made himself to look at her yet again.
“I received and owl from the Dark Lord this morning.” His voice was forcefully devoid of emotion and he had to move his eyes from hers when she returned his stare dispassionately. “We are to be wed on Saturday at dusk. My father received a letter as well, he is to plan the ceremony and send the Dark Lord a guest list.”
When he returned his stare to her, Hermione had looked away. The tears that had tumbled down her cheeks broke his heart.
“I’m truly sor –”
“Don’t say it,” she whispered fiercely. “Don’t say it again. I’ve heard enough.” The pause was heavy with grief and frustration. She seemed to be warring with herself about what she wanted to say next, but finally blew a breath out that caused her hair to puff slightly around her.
“I understand that you were cursed, Malfoy,” she continued, her voice strengthening in her conviction. “Logically, I know that you were not in control of yourself – that the curse controlled you. I understand, in my head, that it wasn’t really you who was doing all those things to me.” Her voice caught and the tears that strained her vocal chords made his stomach hurt.
“But I can’t look at you. Not without seeing you sneer at me. I can’t hear the sound of your voice without hearing you tell me to ‘shut up and bend over’.” She let out a short sob that made him shudder as tears sprung to his own eyes.
Draco couldn’t stop himself from wrapping his arms around his middle as he tried to protect himself from what she needed to say. Draco knew he had to let her speak her mind, and he would let her get it off her chest. It didn’t make it hurt any less, though. He let out a slow, shuddering breath as she continued.
“I will never be able to tolerate your hands on me, not without anticipating where the next blow will land. Not without worrying about you reaching for your wand to cast a Crucio on me.” He had to swallow hard to force his meager lunch to stay in his stomach as he remembered coming inside her while he held her under the Cruciatus. He squeezed his eyes shut tight as she paused and sucked in a deep breath while wiping her face with the back of her hand. “That is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. You know what has transpired between us – could you stand me if roles were reversed?”
He didn’t answer her, didn’t return his eyes to her; he just hunched his shoulders and shook his head.
“Then you understand that I will never…ever…be able to see, hear, or feel anything past that. It will be forever engrained in me. I don’t…I don’t know how we’re supposed to be …” She broke off again to swipe at her tears as she attempted to steady her breath. “Married!”
She spat the word and Draco felt himself shatter internally. He wasn’t sure life could get more awful. He would do anything to take away her pain, to take back what had happened. In that moment Draco vowed he would never do anything to warrant her fear again; he would do everything in his power to earn her trust. If not her love, at least her respect. They were going to have a child together…a son. They would have to at least be cordial. It would take time, but they had time. He would use it to try and be everything she could ever want. However, even as he was thinking these things, she broke him all over again.
“I love Lucius,” she told him plainly. “I’ve fallen in love with your father, Malfoy. Don’t take that away from me – it’s the only good I have in my life. If you even remotely want to make up for the things that have happened between us, you will not force me to give him up just because we are obliged to marry.”
He froze, his insides turning to ice. Stupid. How stupid could he be to have forgotten that piece of information? He dropped his elbows to his knees and his face landed in his palms. He rubbed his forehead before tangling his own hands into his hair and give a short tug of frustration. He would never win her. He had to come to terms with that immediately. His father already had her heart, and he was just the bastard that had hurt her over and over and over again. She feared him. The thought made him physically ill.

“I won’t take that away from you – from either of you.” He looked up to see his mother watching him with sad eyes. She gave him an encouraging nod and he took what little strength he could from her support.
Hermione made a tick of sound that seemed to be a cross between surprise and doubt. He stayed silent, allowing his words to sink in. He needed her to realize he wasn’t going to ever intentionally hurt her ever again. Her next words cut him to the quick.
“Can you please leave, now? Are we finished?”
“I – uh,” he broke himself off awkwardly. He needed one more thing from her. “Granger – can I please ask one more thing?”
He saw her knuckles whiten as she grasped bunches of her skirt in both hands but took her silence as acquiescence. “The…baby? Father says you’ve been ill?”
Draco noticed her shoulders relax infinitesimally. “It’s just a bit of pregnancy sickness,” she responded guardedly. “The baby is fine. I’m fine as well.”
“That’s…good,” he said after a few more seconds of uncomfortable stillness. He cleared his throat and pushed himself to stand. “Ah…er. Okay, then. I’m…I’m going to see Pansy. To explain what’s been happening…to apologize for how I treated her…”
He trailed off when he realized that not only was she not going to respond, but that she likely didn’t care what his plans were for the day. “Please let Tinny know what you need for Saturday.” Hermione’s face was still turned away from him, but she gave a stiff nod of understanding. Draco left without looking back.
Hermione continued to understand that her anxiety at this point was ridiculous, but it didn’t seem to matter as Tinny pinned the veil into her updo of sculpted curls. She had been sick a half dozen times so far that day and she knew it wasn’t all because of the pregnancy. Nerves. Yes, nerves were a huge part of it. Another issue was her internal conflict.
She believed what she had been told about Draco. She truly did. Hermione believed that he’d had a crush on her while they were in school. She believed that he had fallen for her from afar. How could she not believe it? Master Mind Healers had confirmed the loyalty Curse and, knowing what she did about Occlumency now, she comprehended what had happened with his self-Occlusion. The only way he could have had such an obsessive hate for her while under the curse was if he’d held an obsessive love for her before it. Because of this fact, she knew deep down inside that she had nothing to fear from Draco Malfoy anymore. He would never purposely hurt her again.
That didn’t mean she wasn’t still afraid of him.
That didn’t stop her from flinching when he moved to touch her.
That didn’t stop her from dreaming of dangling from the ceiling while he tortured her.
That didn’t mean she wanted to marry the man. In fact, marrying him was the last thing she wanted to do.
She knew that he had no desire to be here today, either. Only his reasons were embarrassment and heartache and guilt while hers were because she feared him and loved another man. Because she loved his father. They were only here for appearances. It had to be done because the Order wasn’t quite ready to strike yet. It had to be done because Voldemort commanded it to be so.
Hermione was terrified of what tonight would bring. Would they have to consummate? She didn’t think she could be with him again. Now that the bond was gone – now that they were pretending instead of living it – there was no maddening anxiety to quiet. She couldn’t imagine this Draco – the real Draco – being able to even perform. It would be completely traumatic for both of them.
She closed her eyes tightly and counted slowly to ten, trying to calm her racing heart. She pushed the revolting thoughts aside. If it was required – to seal the bond or whatever – she would endure. She had no choice. She would close her eyes and pretend it was Lucius. She didn’t know what he would do, however, and she hoped she wouldn’t have to help him through it. That would just be the ultimate betrayal of self.
“All dones, Good Witch!” Tinny proclaimed a few minutes later before spinning Hermione in the chair to reface the mirror
A stranger stared back at Hermione. Her hair was piled artfully on top of her head, ringlets left to cascade down her back and around her face and shoulders. A small tiara was nestled in the coiffed curls to which the small blusher veil was attached. Her face was done up in soft shades of pink that highlighted her bone structure and brow line, making her look more mature and softer at the same time. Her eyes were done in warm browns and gold while her lips were creamy pink in color. She had diamond studs in her ears. She let her gaze slip past the tanzanite collar that she despised (she knew she would have to wear today for appearances sake) to the dress. It was very simple, but very elegant, and a pale blush color. The top was boatneck in design with long sleeves and all lace. It cupped her breasts and nipped in at her waist which was still almost completely flat. The very slight convex shape was not visible to those who didn’t know what they were looking for. There was a wide ribbon in cream colored silk that tied over her hips before the material changed into a flowy, chiffon skirt that spilled to the floor.
She stood shakily and pressed a hand to her tummy, which was filled with butterflies. How she wished she could be anywhere but here today. The knock on her door pulled her attention. She answered and was surprised to find Snape on the other side.
“My apologies, Miss Granger,” he stated calmly. “I’m afraid that Lucius was unable to bring himself to escort you to the ballroom. I was asked to stand in his stead.”
Oddly, Hermione didn’t find herself disappointed. It was something, at least. Lucius was always too stoic, too hard to read. Him not wanting to be her attendant on her wedding day to another man showed some feeling at least. She didn’t blame him. She quite figured she was going to be a nightmare when he was forced to marry Trelawney, even though he was doing his best to push the ceremony off in hopes that the Order would be ready before that fateful date. The thought of him taking that woman to his bed – their bed – made her see red, and she was sure that he found the idea very unpalatable.
“That’s perfectly acceptable, Headmaster,” she answered kindly, opening her door fully. “Are we to go now? I haven’t a clue of the time, as Tinny just finished with me.”
Snape studied her for just a moment before giving a slight nod. “It is time. Are you…alright?”
Hermione gave him a tight smile. “I will be fine,” she said firmly. “I’m certainly better now than I would have been two weeks ago.”
“That makes perfect sense.” He held his arm out for her. “Shall we?”
Hermione took a deep breath before slipping her hand through the crook of his elbow. “Let’s get this over with,” she muttered and was amused when he chuckled.
The ballroom wasn’t decorated outside of its normal opulence. There was a small alter at what passed for the head of the room. There were only about fifteen people in attendance (the same people who had attended the engagement dinner, minus Pansy who had sent her regrets) but Voldemort, Ginny, and Lucius were the only people she took note of before meeting Draco’s eyes. He looked very pale but gave her a leering sneer.
She almost recoiled before she realized he was play acting. They both had parts to play today. His was that of an obsessive abuser, hers was that of a terrified pregnant witch.
Her part really wasn’t that much of a stretch, she hoped he wouldn’t give them away.
Hermione tried to catch Lucius’ gaze around his clingy date, but he was avoiding her stare. She couldn’t blame him. This had to be as hard on him as it was on her, and for her it was almost unbearable. She tried not to let her nerves get to her, but a slight trembling overtook her body.
Snape’s opposite hand came and settled over hers in the crook of his arm and he gave her fingers a slight squeeze. It helped ground her some, and she allowed him to lead her up the makeshift aisle.
There was no offering up of the bride – everyone knew that she had no choice. The Ministry official cleared his throat and started droning. Hermione heard nothing, and only started slightly when Draco took both of her sweaty palms in his cool, dry hands. She heard nothing until Draco spoke.
“I, Draco Lucius Malfoy, take Hermione Jean Granger to be my lawfully wedded wife until such a time the Dark Lord sees fit for the union to be absolved or until her death.” His voice was cool and void of any emotion. Not only was there no affection or love as there should be during a bonding ceremony, there was also no malice or hate. The words were just simply…spoken.
The official’s words for her to repeat barely even registered as she spoke them. “I, Hermione Jean Granger, take Draco Lucius Malfoy to be my lawfully wedded husband until such time as the Dark Lord sees fit for the union to be absolved or until my death.”
The words were cruel and deliberately phrased thus to increase her fear and anxiety. She knew this but, much to her chagrin, knowing that Draco didn’t truly feel this way allowed her to repeat them without tears clouding her voice.
“Rings?”
Draco released her hands to reach into the pocket of his dress robes. She was surprised when he opened his right hand to see two wedding bands. One was thicker and silver in color. Whether it was made of silver, white gold, or platinum, she had no idea. The other was a simple band of the same material, only it was encrusted in crystals…or diamonds. She was shocked, and for the first time that day, she met Draco’s eyes.
While his face was set hard with his lips pulled down into a frown and his brow wrinkled in what mirrored distaste, his eyes were soft. Hermione recognized the gesture for what it was – another apology.
With shaking hands, she picked up the larger of the two bands and took his left hand in hers to slide it onto his ring finger. So quickly, she almost wondered if she imagined it, he grasped her fingers in firm reassurance before taking her left hand in both of his. He removed the gaudy silver-plated ring he had bequeathed her during their engagement dinner and slid the delicate wedding band into its place.
The silence in the hall was deafening. The sound of the official clearing his throat made both the bride and groom jump. “You are officially bonded in matrimony,” the man said with little pomp and circumstance. “You may kiss your witch.”
She gave a slight gasp of horror. Kiss him? Kiss him! Why in the world – how foolish of her! It had never even crossed her mind that she would have to kiss Draco Malfoy! Draco obviously felt the same way but was able to control his response enough to make a face of disgust.
Voldemort actually laughed at their reactions, which caused a twittering from the few other people who were in the room. Most notably Bellatrix and the Lestrange brothers.
“Let’s just get this the fuck over with, yeah Granger?” Draco said finally before he grabbed her chin with surprisingly light fingers. She allowed her face to be tilted up but kept her eyes wide open as his mouth descended on her own.
She wanted to laugh – or maybe cry – when their gazes clashed, and she realized he was just as panicked as she. His warm, full mouth landed on hers for the count of two and a swirl of magic sealed their bond before he jerked forcibly away from her.
“I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Draco Malfoy.” It was a simple statement from the Ministry official. Hermione could tell that the man obviously realized this wasn’t a true wedding, he was playing a part just like everyone else.
Lucius avoided her through the evening, playing his part of the devoted fiancé to Sybill. It was upsetting even if it was understandable. It was unfair of her to need him. She realized that, but it didn’t change the fact that she did.
She and Draco suffered through the evening in silent understanding. He had chosen a role of indifference, as if he was above the proceedings. He paid her little attention, instead choosing to entertain guests and act the gracious and condescending host. When questioned about her lack of response and her quiet demeanor, Draco explained that he’d had more than enough of her histrionics for a lifetime and had ordered her quiet compliance for the day.
Their roles had been agreed up ahead of time, so she knew to keep her eyes down and her mouth closed. It was much, much less exhausting then their past interactions when in front of a crowd. So much so, that it was almost easy.
She wasn’t sure who was more relieved when the night drew to a close. Voldemort had left just before dessert was served, and that had been enough for a collective sigh to flit through the room. Bellatrix and the Lestrange brothers left with Dolohov in tow shortly thereafter, to Hermione’s relief. Dolohov’s continued knowing glances still gave her the absolute creeps.
She made small talk with Ginny and Daphne Greengrass before Blaise escorted the later home around ten o’clock.
Then it was just Lucius and Sybill, Snape and Ginny, and Draco and herself. She was pleased when Sybill begged her leave a few minutes later. The witch was tipsy and had become a bit handsy with her (obviously) put off husband-to-be. It would have been funny – actually, it was funny, but would have been hysterical – if her intended had been anyone other than Lucius.
Lucius returned from escorting Sybill to the floo, a look of complete relief on his face, to find the Snape’s preparing to return to Hogwarts. It was then that the three Malfoys were left alone for the first time since before Draco had collapsed almost two full weeks ago. The silence was painful, and no one seemed able to look at anyone else.
Finally, Draco stood. He approached her carefully while Lucius watched them with wary eyes. Hermione was frozen, unable to do anything, but her respirations increased almost alarmingly. “Hey,” he said softly as he cautiously reached out and cupped one side of her face, trying to be soothing.
She tried not to flinch, she really did, but the movement was involuntary. He hastily withdrew. “I’m sorry.” They said the words together, and both were startled when Lucius pushed himself to his feet with a small growl.
“If you’ll excuse me.” He gave a slight nod at them and Hermione squeaked in an obviously terrified manor. She didn’t want to be left alone with Draco! The sound caused Lucius to spin around, his eyes wild with fierce protectiveness. It also caused Draco to speak.
“Father, please wait there!” he exclaimed before turning his attention back to Hermione. “It’s okay, Granger…Hermione!” The younger of the two Malfoy men buried his face in one hand in an obvious gesture of frustrated defeat. After a moment of silence, he looked up and took in the expressions of the two people he currently held most dear in his life. His father and his…wife.
“Please come,” he held his hand out to Hermione who hesitated for a long moment while she stared at the proffered limb. Slowly, she put her hand in his. He helped her to her feet before leading her to where his father stood.
Silently, he took one of Lucius’ hands in his free one before deliberately joining his father’s hand with Hermione’s. “I promise you both that as soon as I am able to, I will dissolve this marriage. It is a farce that is not wanted by any of us involved. You two are free to be whatever you desire to be. I will not stand between you.
Hermione was looking at Draco, completely stunned, when she felt Lucius’ fingers lace and tighten with hers. That movement forced her eyes to his face. Lucius was watching Draco, however, searching his expression for something. Whether or not he found what he was looking for Hermione wasn’t sure, but for the first time all day, his shoulders relaxed.
“I am very happy to have you back, Draco,” Lucius murmured as Draco took a step back from them, his hands falling to his sides.
Hermione heard Draco swallow hard before he hastily stepped around them and left the room with no more words. He didn’t look back, not wanting to see his wife and his father with their hands entwined.
- 36
- 37
- 38
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

A World Not Fit To Live In