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Accidental Blood Bond	By : onecelestialbeing Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Lucius/Hermione Views: 45430 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 16
Disclaimer: I own nothing from Harry Potter, no characters no magic, none of the story and I make no money from this!!

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
Hermione's time at the manor stretched on; days turning into weeks. The only ones that knew about the bond still included Hermione, Lucius, Severus and Draco.

While she and Draco hadn't become best mates overnight, they developed their own friendship. They'd become especially chummy after Hermione was on her way to the kitchens during the night for a snack and caught Draco sneaking a giggling witch that looked a few years older than her up to his suite.

After Draco had finished swearing underneath his breath, he directed the young woman to his suite while telling her to not touch the walls. He'd begged Hermione to not tell his father, and Lucius had made it clear he didn't want any as he quoted "loose witches after the Malfoy fortune" to cross the threshold of his home.

Hermione promised that she wouldn't say anything, but hissed behind Draco to use a contraceptive charm as he ran up the grand staircase. Still laughing, she'd continue on her way to the kitchens.

A few days out of the week, Hermione still made her way to the Burrow to spend time with her extended family. Molly had finally stopped asking Hermione to say with them until she found a flat, but Ron kept pestering her about her 'cloak-and-dagger' behavior. The only way she wasn't constantly badgered by the redhead was when his new girlfriend Lenore was around, which she'd noticed was rare on the nights she came over for dinner.

Hermione didn't have a problem with the young witch, but it had been obvious that the sentiment wasn't returned. Perhaps she felt threatened as she'd get into a strop with Ron in front of everyone else, causing them to dash off into the backyard for a bit of privacy.

"It's like Lavender all over again," Hermione commented as the two love birds voices resonated into the house.

"Tell me about it," Ginny replied, rolling her eyes.

The rest of the week, Hermione refused to spend her time getting her hair and nails done like most witches with a disposable income. Whenever Lucius made his way to business meetings, Hermione accompanied Severus to Hogwarts where she tutored any students in need.

At Severus' request, she sometimes helped make potions and draughts to replenish the infirmary. He'd deemed the new Potion's master incompetent, which caused Hermione to bite back a laugh. She hadn't minded; although, it felt strange to be back inside the laboratory at Hogwarts, potion making had always been second nature to her and felt comfortably familiar.

Whenever Hermione was in the school, Headmaster Snape afforded her a modicum of respect compared to when she'd been a student. Always striving to maintain a professional relationship, he wasn't particularly chatty, but Hermione never became offended. He occasionally came around for the formal dinners at the manor, during which they'd exchanged more words than they had during her seven years at Hogwarts.

One Saturday, Hermione found herself desperate for female companionship and Apparated to the Burrow. It took little persuasion to convince Ginny to come on an outing with her. Harry hadn't minded when Hermione said girls only, but Ron pouted and said it wasn't fair.

"What are you, five years old Ronald?" Hermione asked. "Besides, we don't want Lenore trying to hex me now, do we?"

Ginny giggled at the ruffled expression on her brother's face as she and Hermione linked arms and disappeared in a flash of green flames at the hearth.

"I was wondering when you'd come around," Ginny said as they walked through the streets in town.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"I mean, I can tell that something is on your mind ever since you came back," the young redhead replied. Hermione flushed, opening her mouth yet coming up short. "It's okay if you don't want to tell me, but if you do, I'll listen," Ginny continued sagely.

Hermione heaved a gusty sigh as she distractedly looked into a shop window. "It's complicated," she admitted. "Really complicated."

"Try me," Ginny replied evenly.

"Alright…" Hermione conceded. "But I'm warning you, this is something best told over wine and dessert. This place looks nice," she said, stopping at a little bistro that was off a side street.

After two glasses of wine each and a shared chocolate torte, Hermione spilled everything that happened over the past year only after making Ginny swear that she wouldn't tell anyone, not even Harry. Her green eyes had gone wide with shock and then surprise.

"I'm sorry that you've been going through all of this alone!" Ginny cried. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"Believe me, it was hard keeping it in - especially after your dad, Ron, and Harry were going on about how much they hated Lucius and Draco."

"Harry and Ron are still both hotheaded and my dad…well he's been prone to Malfoy's nasty behavior ever since they were both young." Ginny took another sip of wine, her eyes widening as she thought of something else.

"You're alone in the house with them. My god! How is that going? He's not mistreating you or anything is he?"

"Quite the opposite," Hermione replied, taking a gulp of her own wine and setting the glass down. "Actually, he's quite the gentleman, along with Draco, but don't tell them I told you."

"Well, I know the blood bonding thing makes it sort of difficult, but do you want to stay with Lucius?" Ginny asked.

"I didn't at first…but now I'm not sure. The man used to be a downright horror, what with all that happened. As I've said, thus far he's been kind to me. His only complaint he's ever gone on about was what he called 'my ugly Muggle clothes'. The man is a beast, do you hear me? Nearly had my feet bleeding as he dragged me round from shop to shop, picking out dresses and shoes that I'd never give a second glance at."

Ginny snorted and threw a hand up to her face, nearly upsetting her half full glass. "He made you go shopping? Honestly, Hermione what a horror."

"It's not funny, Ginny!" Hermione shrieked, laughing at her girlfriend's sarcastic face. "You know I can care less about that rubbish; unlike Ron's new girlfriend. She looks as if she miscast ten glamour charms on her face."

Ginny had just taken another mouthful of wine and nearly sprayed it across the table. Holding up a napkin to her lips, her face turned red as she held in her mirth.

"Oh damn, I hope I don't sound like a spoilsport," Hermione said.

With the napkin still up to her head, Ginny shook her head vehemently. "Not at all!" she gasped when she was finally able to speak. "Harry actually said the same thing when we'd first met her. That's why it's so funny!"

Both girls were giggling uproariously, other patrons in the shop giving the two curious glances.

"Honestly, I don't know how my brother does it," Ginny laughed. "Her voice reminds me of a house elf's and she's a lackwit of all things. It's a relief when they go at it snogging, else she'd never shut up. Mum never cared for her much and was always asking how that sweet dear Hermione was doing."

Hermione flushed a shell pink at Ginny's last sentence.

"Come off it, Hermione. You and I both know that, even if this thing between you and Lucius hadn't happened, you would have killed my brother had you stayed together."

"I guess you have a point," Hermione conceded, popping the last bit of chocolate torte into her mouth and setting the fork down. "Alright, where are we off to now?"

"No idea," Ginny replied. "Do you need anything while we're out, besides books?"

Cutting her eyes at a laughing Ginny, Hermione tipsily got up from the table. "No, I don't need any books; although, it couldn't hurt to look. The only condition I had was if Lucius made me buy new clothes, he also had to purchase books. I acquired so many I had to put them in his library."

Ginny stood up, wavering slightly on her feet and tickled pink. "You are the only witch I know that has an unending amount of galleons and only cares about books," she jested, linking arms with Hermione as they stepped out of the bistro and into the sunshine.

"Oh be quiet, Ginevra," Hermione said, knowing her friend hated being called by her full name.

Not long after, the girls found themselves in a shop that sold cosmetics and beauty potions. Hermione immediately found the aisle with bubble bath and soaps, and promptly began filling up her little basket.

"Are you stocking up for the year?" Ginny teased, looking at the overflowing basket of containers dangling from her friend's wrist.

"Ginny, the man made me wear four inch heels to dinner, I'll buy out the shop if I like," Hermione said, picking up a glass bottle of syrupy amber colored fluid. "As a matter of fact, get a basket and fill it up with whatever you'd like, my treat."

Shaking her head, Ginny got a basket and followed in behind Hermione who continued adding things to her full basket as well as her friend's.

"Ooh Hermione, what are you planning on doing with this one?" Ginny teased, holding up bottle of scented massage oil that she'd taken from her basket.

Snatching the bottle away from Ginny, Hermione perused the label, words such as 'enchant' and 'seduce' popping out at her. "Nothing, besides putting it on my skin after a bath," she retorted, flushing red. "I don't know if it's the wine that's making you bold, but you're as bad as Lucius with his little innuendos," Hermione continued stalking down the aisle.

"Oh really? Please share," Ginny said giddily hot on Hermione's trail.

"The man has a wicked mouth. In fact, he tricked me into kissing him!" Hermione said.

"I seriously doubt that he tricked you into anything, but please go on," Ginny begged.

After Hermione went into the tale of the dinner where she'd unintentionally downed four glasses of wine, Ginny nearly dropped her basket laughing.

"Did you really tell Lucius that he smelt good? Oh my!" she chortled.

"You know, I liked you better when you were quieter," Hermione grumbled.

"Oh come on, love. You know you missed me. Merlin knows I missed you, surrounded by my insane brothers and a daft lackwit. Harry is usually a reprieve from the madness but help me when they suck him into the fold. I have to hide myself in my bedroom just for some peace and quiet."

"Aww Gin...fine, yes, I missed you. I have my own bedroom that my old flat could fit into; you're more than welcome to come ensconce yourself with me whenever you need a break. I could always use the company. Turns out Lucius and Draco aren't all that different from your brothers also."

"Really?" Ginny asked, arching an eyebrow. "But they seem so…stiff and uptight. They actually dither about making sordid jokes?"

"In a manner of speaking…yes," Hermione answered chuckling to herself. "I wish I could count the amount of times I've walked in on the butt end of one of Draco's little jokes, most of them having to do with calling his father old, and that he should send an owl for him and Severus to help revive him if his young witch tries to shag him to death."

Ginny promptly fell back against a shelf, causing little bottles to clatter about. Her body shaking with laughter, Hermione dashed about trying to catch the rolling bottles from crashing to the floor. The stout shop owner pursed her lips in their direction but decided to leave them alone when she saw their overflowing baskets.

"It's not that funny, Ginny!" Hermione hissed, lining the bottles back up on the shelf yet laughing herself.

"The devil it isn't!"Ginny gasped, fighting to catch her breath.

"Just you wait," Hermione said. "I'm going to make you sit through a dinner at the manor, wearing those thin high heels. And I'm going to make sure Tipsy serves you the largest wine glass Lucius owns. The marble floor in the dining room is quite slippery."

"I bet you I'll be able to stand without falling, and without calling attention to anyone's scent," Ginny replied slyly.

Gasping in mock annoyance, Hermione swatted Ginny on the arm. "I'm going to hold you to that. Now, let's get out of here; the shop owner is giving us the eye, mostly because you nearly knocked all of her wares to the floor."

Hermione and Ginny prowled more shops, their arms becoming more laden with carrier bags from each visit. Two hours later, the girls were sitting on a bench, resting their feet when they saw a familiar head covered in short, pale blonde hair, its owner with his arm draped around a raven-haired witch.

"Is that…Draco?" Ginny asked, squinting her eyes.

"Yes…I believe it is," Hermione said, peering at the woman on his arm. "And that is most definitely not the same witch I caught him sneaking into the manor."

Ginny promptly fell into a fit of giggles, remembering what Hermione told her about catching him and one of his paramours.

"I'm telling you, Draco's wand is going to fall off at the rate he's going," Hermione continued.

"Let's follow them," Ginny said daringly.

"Are you mad?" Hermione asked, glaring at her friend.

"No, just bored. Maybe I've been around Fred and George for too long as it seems their penchant for stirring up trouble has rubbed off. Either way, let's have a bit of fun."

With that, Ginny gathered up her carrier bags and stood to her feet. Hermione yanked the straps of her bags onto her wrist and let Ginny yank her in the direction of Draco and his female companion.

"Why Draco, what a surprise," Hermione said when they moved closer towards him.

Turning around when he heard the familiar voice, Draco was surprised when he saw the youngest Weasley girl standing beside Hermione.

"You remember Ginny Weasley, right?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, hello Ginny," Draco said.

The dark haired witch on his side huffed in slight annoyance, bristling when he didn't introduce her.

"So what are you two up to?" he asked.

"The usual, shopping and such. We're actually about to have lunch, would you care to join us?" Hermione continued.

Ginny stood by her side with an angelic smile on her face.

"Sure, why not," Draco said. "Just excuse me for a moment," he replied, walking off to the side with his company.

Hermione and Ginny turned to each other, trying to fight back their laughter. "You are such a bad influence!" Hermione said when she caught the look of disgust on Draco's friend's face.

"Who cares? Look at it as revenge for each time he behaved like a total prat to us," Ginny replied unrepentant.

"You have a point," Hermione whispered. "Oh wait, he's coming back over."

Turning towards the younger Malfoy whom was now alone, both girls looked at him and smiled sweetly.

"Where did your friend go, Draco?" Ginny asked.

"Haha, you two are a riot," he drawled. "That was very Slytherin of you. Now where are we off to? I'm famished."

Ginny and Hermione stood with their mouths hanging open as Draco took politely their carrier bags onto his own arms.

"I'm not sure, let's walk until we find something," Hermione said.

Remembering one of his father's favorite restaurants, Draco Apparated himself and the two girls to the front door where their carrier bags were safely put away before they were promptly seated.

"Granger, I have to say, the more I get to know you, the more you surprise me," Draco said after ordering drinks for the table.

"I could say the same for you," Hermione replied. "What was this one's name?"

"Sharon? Or was it Shannon? Hell if I know. She nearly talked my ear off and I was happy to be rid of her. You two actually did me a favor."

"But she was so pretty," Ginny added.

"They're all pretty at first," Draco replied. "Until they open their mouths, then they never shut up. And don't take them for a tumble, next thing you know they're planning on how to decorate the gardens at the manor for the wedding!"

"Draco, you are horrible," Hermione laughed.

"Well, I'd be daft to turn down a shag. But in the long run, it takes more than a pretty face to hold a Malfoy's interest. You should know Hermione, you and Father are forever cooped up in his study after dinner."

Hermione shot Draco a scathing glance and then furtively looked over at Ginny.

"Oh, sorry. I guess I can't keep my mouth shut like Father said," he apologized.

"It's not that Draco. Ginny already knows but she won't say anything. Besides Lucius and I play chess and talk, the end."

Ginny and Draco both turned their heads towards Hermione, casting her suggestive glances.

"If you two don't turn around, I'm going to transform you into a ferret and I'm going to turn your hair pink."

The waiter finally came over with the tray of drinks and set them down on the table. Hermione picked up the fruity cocktail and sipped at it, still glowering at Ginny and Draco over the rim of the glass.

"This is delicious," Ginny said picking up her glass. "This is better than the wine we had."

"You two were already drinking today?" Draco asked incredulously. "No wonder you're up to no good. In that case, Hermione you'd better slow down, I'm sure you remember that evening at dinner?"

"This drink even smells good, don't you agree Hermione?" Ginny suddenly piped in.

Kicking the redhead beneath the table, Hermione continued sipping her drink.

"Yes, Draco I remember," Hermione stressed. "This time we only had two glasses of wine each, not four. And that was over two hours ago so I'm sure I'll make it home in one piece."

"Alright," Draco conceded. "Miss Weasley, that goes for you too. I don't want your brothers and boyfriend ganging up on me talking about I got their baby sister so pissed she can't remember her own name."

When the waiter came back to the table, Ginny and Hermione ordered seafood salads while Draco got a steak with all the fixings.

"Can you really eat all of that?" Ginny asked.

"Gin, you should see the way he eats at home. He puts away nearly as much as Ron in half the time. He'd probably eat the place setting if Lucius wasn't attached to it."

Ginny and Hermione broke up into laughter, with Draco eyeing them with rapt amusement.

"Laugh all you want you two lushes, but I'll need the energy to cart your inebriated arses home."

Hermione and Ginny picked over their salads, while watching Draco practically inhale his entire meal. Even after their lunch had been consumed, the three sat at the table talking and laughing. Ginny realized that Hermione hadn't been exaggerating when she said that Draco was pleasant to be around. He reminded her of a slightly cruder version of her brothers yet his sarcastic wit was made smooth by the air of superiority he'd been born into.

Hermione and Draco stood at the front of the restaurant waiting for Ginny to return from the loo. She was taking awhile and Hermione sat down, her head buried in one of her bags as she poked throughout its contents.

"Granger, how much did you have to drink before?" Draco suddenly asked her, his forehead furrowed.

"I told you, just the two glasses of wine. Why?"

"Because look as if you've had more; your face is all flushed and sweaty," he answered. "Have a look in the mirror."

Hermione swiveled around in the chair, peering at her reflection. She did look a bit haggard but she chalked it up to the excitement of the afternoon. "It's a bit warm in here," she said, pulling at her collar. "Draco, can you please watch the bags while I go check on Ginny?"

After Draco told her to go ahead, Hermione made her way to the loo. "Ginny, are you okay?" she softly called out to the closed stalls.

"No," she heard her friend croak. Ginny finally came out of the last stall, her face also looking flushed. "Something isn't right," she said, clutching at her stomach.

"We didn't drink that much," Hermione said, using her hand to fan herself. "At least I don't think we did."

"We didn't, trust me," Ginny replied. "I've had stronger things at my brother's behest and this isn't normal."

Laughing weakly, Hermione linked her arm through her friends. "Well whatever it is, I need to get these hot clothes off and lie down. Let's go."

When Draco saw the two witches ambling their way towards him, he instantly became nervous. "See? Now, I'm in for it," he said, looking at their reddened faces.

"Oh simmer down, will you?" Hermione aggrieved. "Just get us out of here."

Still frowning, Draco held onto Hermione and Ginny and Apparated them out of the restaurant.

Lucius had just returned from his meeting when he saw the hearth glow bright green. He watched as Draco appeared, with an unsteady Hermione clinging to his right arm, a younger and just as unsteady redheaded witch on his left, and his wrists littered with carrier bags.

"This is not my fault, Father," Draco began when he saw the darkened expression on Lucius' face.

"What did you do to them?" Lucius thundered, curiously eyeing the two young women that were wavering on their feet.

"Me? I didn't do anything!" Draco replied aghast, his words tumbling out. "I happened to be out and they approached me and we went to lunch. They only had one cocktail each, and then right before leaving…well they started looking like this."

"He's right, Lucius," Hermione cut in. "I think it was something we ate. Now that I think about it, that salad tasted a bit off, didn't it Ginny?"

"Yes," she agreed. "That's why I didn't finish mine."

"Of course, the wine and chocolate torte probably didn't help," Hermione added as an afterthought.

Ginny began laughing until she froze, suddenly throwing her hand over her mouth as the after effects of Apparition jolted her stomach.

Recognizing the look on Ginny's face, Hermione quickly ushered her towards her room when they nearly fell over each other as they scampered up the steps.

Lucius and Draco who still had carrier bags dangling from both arms, stood looking confusedly at each other.

"What is all of that you're holding?" the elder Malfoy asked after awhile.

"Erm…" Draco trailed off, peering down at the pink tissue paper in the bags. "I have no idea, and to be honest I don't think I want to know."

Crossing over to his son, Lucius gingerly pulled the tissue paper apart and withdrew one of the bottles. His eyebrow shot up when he found himself holding scented massage oil. Shaking his head, he replaced the bottle among the rest of the bag's contents.

"Just leave the bags there, I'll have Tipsy take them up later," he said.

After both girls lost the contents of their stomach, Hermione told Ginny that they most likely had food poisoning.

"I knew it was that damned salad!" Ginny moaned, pushing her damp hair out of her face. After being sick for the third time, she'd rinsed her mouth and crawled onto the bed next to Hermione. When her stomach finally stopped dry heaving she turned to lie on her back. "If I didn't feel like I was an inch away from death, I might have found this situation to be comical," she told Hermione.

Hermione laughed weakly, her head buried in her arms. "Maybe this is karma for us chasing away Draco's date," she offered, causing both girls to giggle. "Which I should remind you was your idea, Ginevra."

"Oh shut it, it was your stepson that picked the restaurant, Mummy Malfoy," Ginny replied wickedly.

"Ginny, if I could lift even a pinky right now I'd smother you with one of my fancy, oversized pillows," Hermione feebly threatened.

Ginny snickered into the duvet while simultaneously laughing. "Please stop, my stomach can't take anymore," she begged.

"Then be quiet and go to sleep," Hermione said.

Lucius sat with Draco in his study, amused when his son rehashed the story of Hermione and her redheaded mate sidling up next to him in town and upsetting his date.

"It's not that funny, Father," Draco complained. "Although, I will give it to Granger, she didn't tell on me."

"Yes it is funny Draco, and serves you right. That's what you get for parading your little tarts around with an utmost lack of discretion."

"You're as bad as Granger," he replied.

"Well, at least she has a sense of propriety," Lucius drawled. "Just because you feel the urge to wave your wand about freely doesn't mean the entire world needs to know. Now, if you're not too exhausted from philandering about, I have some paperwork for you to look over."

Smirking at his father's comment, Draco walked over to the desk.

An hour later Lucius found himself at Hermione's bedroom door, wanting to make sure that she and Ginny were alright. After knocking and not getting an answer, he pushed the door open to find both young women curled up on the bed, fast asleep.

"Hermione," he called in a low voice, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Gently rousing her awake, Hermione looked at Lucius with bleary eyes. "Hmm?" she asked drowsily.

"If Miss Ginevra is going to stay with you, perhaps you should let her family know. The last thing we need is Aurors sent after us thinking we've kidnapped the lass."

Hermione laughed weakly, thinking that Lucius had a point. "Ginny?" she whispered, turning around to poke her friend in the side. "Do you want to stay here and leave in the morning?"

"Sounds perfect, Mummy Malfoy," the red head mumbled before turning over and falling back asleep.

"So, I guess that mean she knows about us?" Lucius asked, taken aback at her comment.

"Yes…but she won't tell anyone I assure you," Hermione replied.

"Very well," he replied, standing up from the bed. "I'll have an owl sent over."

"Wait a second," Hermione said sitting up. "I think I should write the note; the Weasleys' will know if it's not my handwriting."

"You think of everything," Lucius said, offering his hands out to help Hermione up from the bed.

Despite the pounding in her head and the uneasiness still present in her stomach, Hermione was glad that she'd brushed her teeth after being sick the last time. Lucius had an arm around her waist, his face a few inches away from hers.

"Can you stand?" he asked. "Remember, I'm an old man; if you fall I'll do my best to catch you but you won't like it if I take a spill and land on top of you."

Hermione shook her head and smiled, clinging onto his shoulder. "Be quiet, Lucius. You're not old and you most definitely aren't weak. You forget, I've seen you without clothes when you dropped your towel in front of me."

"I did drop my towel in front of you, didn't I?" he replied cheekily.

"Yes you did, rather shamelessly might I add," Hermione said, beginning to shiver slightly.

Looking around the room Lucius saw Hermione's robe draped across the back of her armchair. After picking it up and draping it over her shoulders, he led her down to his study.

After Hermione penned a short note to Molly and it had been carried away by a small, dark owl, she sat curled in Lucius' leather sofa.

"Are you still cold?" he asked, pointing his wand at the hearth causing the flames to burn brightly.

"Yes," Hermione answered, huddled beneath her robe and sleep rumpled clothing.

After summoning Tipsy to bring a pot of tea, Lucius sat awkwardly across from Hermione. He didn't have much experience with ill, young witches and felt slightly useless.

"Is there…something you need? Perhaps a potion of some sort that I can get from Severus?"

"Thank you but no. I'm afraid that this just has to run its course, unless it gets worse throughout the night," she answered.

"Honestly, I thought you and your girlfriend had been on a bender and then set about on a mission to clear an apothecary's shelves," Lucius replied with a smirk.

"Well, you've discovered my penchant for books; the other is bath products. I already know how to make most of them but it's more fun to actually get them already made at a shop."

"It seems you and Miss Weasley has an affinity for the latter, unless all of those carrier bags were yours."

"No, some of them are Ginny's; I made her pick out some things also."

Lucius laughed and shook his head. "Well, I'm surprised that you didn't also come back with half the contents of a book shop, but I'm glad you were able to spend time with your friend. You seem as if you needed it."

"I did actually; it's been too long that I've had a tête-à-tête with Ginny. She was the one I'd talk to about things that I couldn't share with Harry and Ron."

Nodding slightly, Lucius then turned his head when Tipsy appeared with the tea tray. Lucius only put a small amount of sugar in Hermione's cup, leaving out the milk saying that it might upset her stomach again.

Feeling her stomach lurch uneasily, Hermione knew this time around it wasn't from the tainted salad.

She'd grown fonder of Lucius than she cared to admit to herself, but knew it wouldn't bode well. As promised, he'd financially supported her, something that she knew Lucius didn't do lightly even if he did so out of obligation. Granted, he'd treated her respectfully, and obviously thought she was attractive as he flirted with her unabashedly. Yet Hermione somehow knew that he still hadn't gotten over Narcissa's death and some part of him still pined for her.

It wasn't as if Hermione expected him to forget her. He'd admitted that he'd loved her, and it was clear that he still did as his face softened whenever he spoke about her. Despite their blood bond, Hermione swore she would not let her feelings run away from her, knowing that she'd end up hurt in the long run.

Truthfully, she found it hard to not be attracted to Lucius; he was handsome and charming, even as he doted on her right as she lay sprawled unceremoniously on his sofa looking pale and sweaty. He hadn't made one sarcastic remark about her stale clothes or messy hair and actually seemed concerned for her wellbeing.

The whole situation made her head throb incessantly.

Unaware that Lucius was surveying her furrowed face; he mistook it for the illness and suggested that she lay down.

After finishing the tea which helped settle her stomach a bit, Hermione took Lucius' advice and stretched across the sofa. Sighing as her cheek touched the cool leather, she felt Lucius drape her robe over her body. She managed to mumble a thank you before falling back asleep.

Unbeknownst to Hermione, Lucius had taken a seat at his desk, but, instead of looking at the sheaf of papers in front of him, he was watching her sleep. Lucius had actually enjoyed her company and felt a niggling of morose whenever she spent her evenings at the Burrow. He would never tell her, but he missed the bossy witch when she wasn't around. Her presence filled a void that he'd never realized was there.

Hermione was different than any other witch he'd come across; malice and deceit seemed to have no parts in her makeup. He found that the young witch was a little too forthright in everything she did, although, Lucius found it to be a refreshing change. Keeping himself closely guarded had always been a way of life, but as Lucius got older he found that it became tiring.

Despite his snobbish ways and picky behavior, Hermione seemed to accept him. She never judged him or his past, or if she did she never verbalized it. While he knew that he was unable to take bad his past misdoings that affected her and the ones she loved, Lucius made it a point to never intentionally hurt her again.

Lucius wasn't sure if he loved her, or if he'd ever be able to. His late wife and son were the only ones that had ever been on that receiving end, and he'd mucked things up terribly with both. As it stood the two were permanently bonded together whether they liked it or not, and Lucius didn't know how to make heads or tails of the situation.

Hermione was about to turn over when her sleep muddled mind realized that she was on Lucius' sofa in his study and would fall to the floor. However she felt a soft bed beneath her, and opened her eyes to see Ginny sitting at her table by the window, with a bowl in front of her.

"Welcome back," the redhead greeted, spooning what appeared to be soup in her mouth.

"How did I get back in here?" Hermione asked confusedly, sitting up in the bed.

"Your wizard carried you back, very fit isn't he?" Ginny replied grinning. "Oh, and your house elf, Tipsy, left you some also," she continued gesturing to the other bowl on the table.

With a groan, Hermione pushed the blankets off her legs and got up from the bed. Taking a seat opposite Ginny, she sniffed appreciatively at the soup that had been kept warmed by a stasis charm. "Wait a minute; did you say Lucius carried me back in here?"

Nodding slyly, Ginny took held another spoonful to her mouth.

"Wait until I give him an earful," Hermione said, sipping on the hot broth. "Do you know that he's always going on about how old he is? Prattling on and trying to convince me that he's a weak, feeble wizard."

"Mr. Malfoy didn't look weak or feeble to me," Ginny replied. "He carried you as if you only weighed a few stones. Then he tucked you into bed and asked me how I was feeling. I'd heard rumors of the alleged Malfoy charm but didn't believe it until now."

Hermione rolled her eyes and smirked at Ginny. When her stomach didn't protest the broth, she scooped some of the vegetables into her mouth.

"Tell Draco if he ever takes us to lunch again, we get to pick the restaurant," Ginny said, pushing away her now empty bowl. "I don't think I've ever felt so sick in my life."

Clamping her hand over her full mouth, Hermione fought back a bit of laughter not wanting to spray her friend with masticated food. "I know we were both a bit preoccupied and all, but did you see the look on Lucius' face when we stepped through the hearth?"

Hermione's amusement was contagious and soon Ginny found herself giggling. "He did look a bit put out, didn't he? I'm sure I was the last person he expected to see here."

"Yes, well, on my first night here he did say I was free to see my friends at my leisure. I'm sure that included me visiting you all and vice versa. Although, I'm sure that I'd be able to convince Professor Snape to purchase pink dress robes before Harry and Ron would come here to pay me a visit."

Ginny shrieked with laughter at the image of the dour headmaster clad in the pale, dainty color. "Hermione, it's true that this sudden, relationship, for lack of a better word between you and Lucius comes as a total shock. If and when you choose to tell Harry and the others without a doubt chaos is surely to ensue-"

"Chaos is putting it mildly, Ginny. I can see everything blowing up like Neville Longbottom's cauldron back in Potions class!" Hermione interrupted.

"Shush, it's your turn to listen," Ginny continued. "Whether you choose to stay here or not, make sure it's your choice. Don't let anyone try to convince otherwise because at the end of the day you have to live with your decisions."

"I'm older than you; how'd you get to be so wise?" Hermione asked.

Ginny shrugged her petite shoulders.

"I have to be honest Gin, you're the last person that I thought would take everything with such stride, in light of…well you know."

"There's no point dwelling on the past, Hermione. Yes, what he did to me was horrible, and I can't take it back but neither can he. If I go around spewing vitriol towards him, I'm no better than Lucius and Draco when they used to go on about that pureblood rubbish.

"Besides, if Lucius still really believed in such ridiculous notions, then he's done a wonderful job at hiding it. Because there was anything but a look of disgust on his face when he carried a certain Muggle-born witch to her room."

"What do you mean?" Hermione demanded.

"Hermione, you're not usually this thick. The man was gently cradling you towards his chest; if I hadn't been scared of incurring the Malfoy wrath, I might have openly swooned at his sincerity. Speaking of his wrath, does he still have that walking stick? Whenever I'd see him I'd always notice him thumping anyone that stood in his way with it."

"Yes, he still has the blessed thing," she replied offhandedly.

Realizing that there was most likely some truth to Ginny's statement sent her reeling inwardly. Hermione had chalked up Lucius' chivalrous behavior towards her as something that he'd been taught to do, never delving deeper to find some sort of hidden meaning. Now, along came Ginny and her theories, making her second guess everything she'd already convinced herself.

"Alright, judging from the glazed look in your eye I can see that I've given you something to think about so I'll shut up now," Ginny continued. "Now do you mind if I take a shower in that gorgeous bathroom of yours? Between bouts of my head stuck in the basin and crawling up on your floor, I kept thinking 'my gods, her bathroom is huge!' I really think my entire bedroom could fit in there."

Laughing at Ginny's enthusiasm, Hermione waved her on. "I'll take out some pajamas for you. At least you'll have a chance to use some of the stuff we bought today."

Ginny's brown eyes lit up excitedly as she dashed off to Hermione's bathroom. She'd changed her mind and opted for a bath instead, wanting to lounge about the huge tub.

"Why are you so excited about bathing?" Hermione teased.

"Hermione, you are my best girlfriend so please indulge me. I live in a house with five men and my mum. I'm lucky if I can get a three minute shower in peace! So if you'll excuse me, your tub and I are about to become very well acquainted with one another."

Laughing as she heard Ginny talking and singing to herself as she swam about her bath, Hermione lay across the bed reflecting on her friend's sage advice. If half of what she said was true, then just maybe her life wouldn't turn out to be as horrid as she envisioned.
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Accidental Blood Bond