Child of New Beginnings

Chapter 4


“So what do you do for a living?” Lucius asked as he sat on the couch, with Sebastian securely cradled in one arm. He leaned back, and held the tiny infant against his chest. “Surely you can afford a much better place than this with your intellect and job.”

Hermione paused for a moment and hesitated to answer as she opened the small refrigerator in the kitchen to grab two cans of cola. “I don’t have much of a job really. I just do research for some college students’ term papers. All of them rich, all of them lazy. They pay me a more than fair amount for doing their papers, but it’s not enough really. It’s just papers, and not a steady job.”

“What about your parents? Didn’t they leave you some amount of money? And what of your plans for university? I thought that you were to attend the same university as Draco?”

Hermione shrugged as she placed the colas on the coffee table. “My parents haven’t left me much. Hogwarts was quite expensive even. My original plan was to go on a scholarship for university. Obviously, things got in the way.” Hermione sat down next to Lucius and placed her hand and Sebastian’s head, softly touching his hair. “I wouldn’t have it any other way though.”

“Forgive me for being blunt, but I’ll just say it.”

Hermione gave a nod, encouraging him to go on.

“This isn’t the right place for you, nor Sebastian. The place looks like it’s falling apart and the neighborhood are totally unsafe,” Lucius told her.

“It’s all I can get. Sometimes, I can barely even afford this place,” Hermione said sadly.

“You must move to a better place and a nicer neighborhood.”

“And how do you expect me to afford such a place? Most of my money already is spent on Sebastian’s needs.”

“Then I will pay for it. Everything; including his clothes, nappies, and nanny if you are in need of one.”

“Your offer is far too generous Lucius,” Hermione shook her head. She was embarrassed. Did the man pity her? “I can’t accept your charity.”

“It isn’t charity,” Lucius told her. “Think of it as a gift. If you’re not going to accept it, then accept it on behalf of your son.”

Hermione bit her lip as she thought about it. Sebastian had needs and she couldn’t meet all of them. Yes, she wanted to live in a better and safer home, not in fear of the possible robbers that could break into her home. Sebastian did deserve better.

“I am his godfather. Allow me to care for him and you.”

“How do you expect me to repay you?” she asked him in loss. She had nothing to offer to him, and nothing to give that she could think of.

He gave her a soft smile and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about it for now, Hermione. If nothing else, then it doesn’t matter to me. What matters is you and Sebastian.”

“Then all I can say is thank you,” she smile meekly.

“Then that is all I will get in return then.”

---


“He wouldn’t have done it if he knew it was you,” Lucius said as watched Hermione breastfeed Sebastian on the other end of the couch.

“I don’t blame him Lucius. I blame Voldemort. The pain though…” she said sadly as she got all sniffly again, looking down at Sebastian who had his eyes closed as she suckled on her nipple.

“I understand.”

“Wouldn’t you want him to know though? He will not deny him Hermione. He is a good man.”

“I know that Lucius,” she said as she looked at him. “I respect him. Always have and always will. He has sacrificed a lot for the war. We all have… It’s just too painful for me.”

Lucius nodded. Hermione was indeed Gryffindor. She had sacrificed her innocence that night, and allowed herself to be raped. It was a painful sacrifice like she said, but the woman in front of him was no longer the brave woman that he once knew. Like she said, she had no friends, or rather, didn’t keep contact with her friends in the wizarding world. The extrovert had become an introvert. Her glowing smile only actually shined when she held her son. “Consider me a… friend,” he said not quite sure how to say it right. “If you need me, you can contact me anytime. If you need to talk, I will listen. I do not want you hurting alright?”

Hermione nodded as a tear slipped down her cheek. She placed her head on his shoulder and sighed. No longer did she feel alone.

---

Lucius gulped his scotch down from the glass in one go. Sitting behind his desk in his study, he thought about what had happened the entire day. He discovered the child—Sebastian. He became friends with Hermione and a godfather as well to her son. He glanced over at the documents in front of him. All the preparations for Hermione’s new house, and bank accounts were going to be done as fast as possible.

“Lucius darling,” Narcissa called as she opened the door. She held the door open and just stood there, underneath the frame. “Are you coming to bed sweetheart?”

Lucius nodded his head. “A little later on dearest. I still have work to do. I promise I shant be long.”

“Okay then,” Narcissa smiled at him before she closed the door.

Lucius sighed as he massaged his forehead with one hand. He had given his word to Hermione and had promised to keep her and Sebastian a secret for the time being. That meant that he had to lie to everyone; Albus, Severus, including his wife. He hated it—lying to his family and friends, but he had to.

Sebastian was truly a special little baby. He had to protect him, and if there was a time that he needed to die for him, then so be it. He loved Sebastian once he held him. He prayed that the prophecy hopefully wouldn’t be fulfilled. The thought of Voldemort winning in the end, the next time around, was something that he never wanted to see ever.

-----

AN – I’m starting to love Lucius… Review!