Tempted by Fate: A Serpent's Requiem

Lucius apparated back inside his manor only to find it empty and void of all feeling. Yeah just like my marriage. He removed his robe and placed it on a coat rack before walking into the kitchen. His new house elf Katie was waiting, her head bowed graciously as he swept by her.

“Is m…master hungry?” she squeaked.

“Uh…why not? Take some sandwiches to my study and then leave me in peace.”

“Yes sir.”

She bowed once again before setting to the task given to her by her master. He left her alone as he made his way to his study. Waving his wand, he summoned a small fire and then sat in his favorite recliner next to his mahogany desk. His desk was one of his favorite pieces of furniture. It was an old family heirloom but the intricate design was unlike any other. The carvings had been bewitched to change depending upon the mood of its owner just like many other furnishings in his study. The top of his desk which usually bore carvings of serpents was now sporting lions of many shapes and sizes.

“Damn you,” he mumbled hitting the desk with his fist. A moment later Katie returned with his food and squeaked out just as quickly, sensing her master’s mood. Lucius continued to stare at the carvings lost in an array of thought. Molly. He smiled as he recalled the last hours he spent with Molly. It had been such a long time since they had done anything together. He had forgotten how much fun it was to go shopping with the feisty red head. Sure he had zoned out this time around but the true pleasure came from seeing that smile which could melt any man’s cold heart.

He muttered a spell and the lion which held his bottom desk drawer shut, opened suddenly for its master. Lucius bent over and pulled out a pink scarf that shimmered in the pale glow emitting from the fire. He sniffed the scarf remembering the night in which he acquired it.

He had invited Molly over for dinner. She was dressed in a knee length white skirt and a pink tank with matching white boots. The pink scarf around her neck complimented her outfit beautifully. He could clearly remember the two of them walking through his gardens, arms linked as they talked about their favorite writers. Of course, she did much of the talking. He was enjoying the company and what company she was! He led her to a small swing that was hinged on an oak in the middle of his garden. It was located in the back of the garden and was surrounded by beautiful pink and white roses.

He could recall asking her to sit down as he stood in back and pushed her; ignoring her fevered protests.

As the swing moved back and forth, he couldn’t help but to stare at her neck, the gleaming scarf now drawing attention to the delectable skin underneath. As the swing slowed in pace, his hands moved to Molly’s neck to play with the scarf. It felt light yet smooth in his hands but he longed to feel her. His hands moved down past her shoulders and to her breasts; the knot of the scarf nestled comfortably in between her lovies. She giggled when his hands began to untie the scarf and very slowly pull it off. Her flesh now exposed, he caressed her neck area before leaning over and brushing his lips against her neck. Her sweet yet soft moans encouraged him as he kissed her tenderly on the neck.

“Lucy…” she moaned.

He stopped his assault, momentarily as he walked in front of her and extended a hand. She hesitated for an instant but then took his hand anyway, letting him pull her up and into a warm embrace. She felt so warm and soft up against his body. It wasn’t long before the serpent inside his britches was beginning to feel the effect; its hardened state throbbing against Molly’s tummy. He lowered his head and kissed her neck once more, running a hand down her back as well, making her grow weak in his arms. He lifted his head bringing his lips to her ear, nibbling gently as he began to whisper to her.

“I…I want you…voglio fare l’amore a te Ariana…”

“LUCY I’M HOME!”

Lucius jumped at the shrill sound of Cissy’s voice. Damn. Then again, maybe it was good that Cissy interrupted his thoughts. He needed to leave the past in the past, especially now that they were both happily married. Happily married.

“Be there in a few Cissy.” Lucius sighed as he placed the pink scarf back into its rightful place. The drawer closed immediately as two serpents coiled to form a lock that could only be opened by him. Lucius used his wand to put out the fire and slowly made his way out of the study to greet his wife.

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“Hermione, will you at least hear Ron out?” Harry begged. It was Sunday evening and normally Harry, Ron, and Hermione would be sitting around sizing up the new students but today was different. Hermione was still pissed off at Ron and even though Ron was willing to swallow his pride and apologize for once, Hermione still wasn’t listening. Instead, she was sitting in her own little corner of the common room pretending to be engulfed in whatever smut she was reading. When Hermione didn’t look up Harry decided it was best to just let it be. It was a shame that the three of them would be on bad terms but things like this couldn’t be helped especially when it came to Hermione.

Harry went back to his favorite chair and took out his schedule to study it some more. As usual, most of his classes were with the Slytherins.Figures. Nothing really new about his classes except Divination. Everything else was just advance courses in things he’d already taken. Potions. If anything he was in no mood to deal with Snape but seeing that he had Defense Against the Dark Arts before Potions, maybe he’d go to Potions in a good mood each day.

“Harry…” He looked up to see Ron hovering over him. He seemed anxious about something.

“What’s…what’s wrong?” he asked raising an eyebrow.

“Is…” Ron sat down on the floor in front of him looking around nervously. “Is Hermione still…?”

“Yeah, sorry mate but you know her. I told you to make up with her before tomorrow but…”

“But Harry you’ve seen me. I’ve been trying all day!”

“Oh grow up stupid!” Ginny smacked Ron on the head as she took a seat on the floor next to him. She smiled at Harry who nervously shifted in his seat.

“What you do that for ya git?”

“Ronald, Ronald you poor simpleton. How long is it going to take you to understand women? Hermione’s never going to speak to you again if you don’t make up your mind.” She took out one of her smut books and stretched out in front, laying her head in Ron’s lap.

“Aw dammit Ginny. Go lounge around on someone else. Where’s Dean?” Ginny shot him an evil look and went back to her reading.

“Women.” Ron muttered glaring anxiously across the room at Hermione. She was no longer reading anymore but entertaining a group of younger Gryffindor guys who were clearly battling for her attention. She continued to smile and flirt paying no attention to the looks she was getting from Ron and Harry.

“You know Ron, it might interest you to know that there’s a ton of guys here interested in Hermione this year. It would seem the new hair cut and the few pounds she put on this past summer actually gave her a popularity boost. I can’t begin to tell you the interesting stories I’ve heard at dinner from some of the guys. They were all fantasizing about seeing Hermione naked and…”

“GINNY! GO AWAY!” Ron yelled suddenly. Ginny grinned before grabbing her book and running over to the other side of the room with Hermione. Ron sulked for a few moments but then decided to go over and talk with Hermione again.

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“Uh…my brother’s coming over,” Ginny whispered. “Catch you later.” Ginny hurried off and Hermione continued reading her book.

“Hermione please…will you talk to me?” Ron pleaded.

“Why should I? At least the other guys that I’ve spoken with tonight had the decency to not stare at other women while engaging in conversation with me!” she snapped.

“Oh Hermione you know I didn’t…I’m sorry,” he said softly. He sat down on the floor next to her and stared at the ground. “I…I really am sorry. I guess…it’s just a guy thing,” he mumbled. Hermione rolled her eyes then throwing her hands in the air, stood to leave.

“Hermione wait!” She grabbed her book and started across the room and through the portrait hole of the Fat Lady. Ron chased after her cursing under his breath. There’s just no pleasing some women. “Hermione!” He spotted her hurrying towards the prefect’s bathroom but he caught her just in time, grabbing her arm from behind.

“LET GO OF ME RONALD!” she yelled jerking away, but he held on tight and pulled her close.

“No,” he whispered. “Not until you hear me out.” He wrapped his arms around her holding her tight until she finally calmed down and stopped fidgeting.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to accomplish but I’m tired of caring anymore Ron. You know how I feel yet you continue to play these head games.” He released his grip letting her pull away. She continued to glare at him angrily, almost disgusted even.

“But…” he frowned. “I don’t get why you’re so angry. I mean, you’ve never been this angry about something like this.”

“YOUR LAME EXCUSES ARE THE REASON I’M SO UPSET!”

“WHAT THE FUCK HERMIONE? WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?”

“I JUST WANT YOU TO BE HONEST!” she cried. Her fists were clenched and her body was trembling with anger. Ron ran a hand through his hair and turned away. He let out a deep breath trying to control his temper.

“What exactly do you want to know?” he asked.

“I just want to know where we stand. That’s all. Are we friends or are we something more?” Ron turned around quickly and stared at her.

“What? Why would you ask…? I mean…”

“Simple question Ron. Yes or no?” she snapped impatiently. Ron noticed that she had stopped trembling and that she now had an enlightened look on her face.

“I…don’t know,” he said truthfully. It was in fact the truth. They had been such good friends for so long that the idea of being a committed couple was kind of hard to fathom. He knew of course that seeing Hermione with another guy would be hard yet for some reason it seemed like a bad idea to make such a strong commitment just yet.

“I just…I want things back to normal Hermione. I know I may have complicated things this summer with that…that kiss and all but you’ve got to believe me; I never meant to hurt you. I care about us…our friendship too much to just let it rot in hell.”

“That’s…that’s all I wanted…I needed to hear Ron. Friends it is and friends we shall remain.” She wiped her eyes and turned to leave but Ron held her back.

“Hey…can I least get a hug? I need to know that you’re going to be alright and I don’t want an awkward start of term for the three of us. You know Harry has a hard time with his loyalties,” he grinned. Hermione managed a smile as she let Ron pull her into a hug. He kissed her cheek and then released her grinning from ear to ear.

“Hermione?”

“I’m fine Ronald now go. All is well now. I think I’m going to take a hot bath in the prefects bathroom.” It seemed that Ron bought the excuse. He smiled once more then headed back towards the common room. When she was sure Ron was gone for good, she stifled a sob and entered the prefect’s bathroom. She closed the door and slid to the floor crying uncontrollably. How could Ron be so insensitive? He had kissed her this summer and before that he had flirted with her non stop. Why can’t we be more than that? What is so wrong with me? Is he really that embarrassed of me?

“WHO ELSE IS HERE?” a voice boomed. Hermione jumped at the sound of the voice. She wasn’t alone in the restroom. Another person…a male was also in there.

“I said who else is…oh, it’s just you mud-blood.” Hovering over her was a gloating Draco Malfoy.

“Malfoy? What are you doing in here? You have no business…”

“Neither do you Muggle. What makes you any better than me?” he asked frowning down at her.

“I don’t have time for this Draco,” she mumbled. She pulled herself up and was now standing toe to toe with him.

“What’s the rush?” he asked with a smirk. “Go ahead and finish crying your poor little mud-blood heart out Granger. You don’t want Ronald to see you like this now do you? Especially after feeding him that bullshit of an excuse a while ago.”

“WHAT?? WERE YOU SPYING…?”

“I wasn’t spying on you pathetic losers. You people aren’t worth my time. I was actually on my way to fetch my girlfriend from the library. I was feeling a bit horny and thought maybe she’d give my serpent a good licking.” At this statement, Hermione’s face turned a dark shade of pink and she looked downright disgusted. Malfoy just laughed and continued with his explanation.

“Gee Muggle, no need to look so disgusted. If Ron was half the man I am he’d be…”

“Never mind that. Just get on with the story,” she snapped.

“Oh where was I? Oh yes, so anyway I didn’t find her in the library so I decided to hang around here for a few in hopes of maybe finding a young slut to do the job when I heard someone shouting. Being the nosy bastard that I am, I slipped in here so that I wouldn’t be seen. Turns out it was just you and the weasel. Interesting argument you guys had. Turns out he never wanted you to begin with. Isn’t that something?”

“I…we just…we decided to just stay friends. What’s wrong with that?” she snapped.

“Oh nothing, but seems to me like you were expecting something more. So what about this kiss you two shared over the summer? Was it really all that good to have you on your knees…”

“Just…SHUT UP MALFOY! IT’S NONE OF YOUR CONCERN!” she shouted.

“Oooo temper, temper Muggle. I was only saying,” he laughed. He brushed past her and stood behind her. Her shorter hair was now a frizzy mess but it didn’t distract from the rest of her. She actually had a set of hips now unlike last term when she looked liked she never knew the meaning of a meal. The way those jeans were hugging her body was enough to make even the purest of bloods curious.

“Why are you still here? I know you're still standing there. You know what? Never mind. I can’t expect much from someone like you. Kick a girl when she’s down. If you ask me or any other girl she’d probably tell you that you’re just as bad if not worse than Ronald. Please…Just go away.” she pleaded softly, interrupting his thoughts. She didn’t turn around but continued to stare at the floor, apparently still feeling sorry for herself. He stepped forward and leaned over to whisper in her ear.

“FYI Muggle, I’m not trying to make you feel any worse. Kicking a girl when she’s down isn’t really my style. I’d much rather make her feel better…if you know what I mean.” He backed away and started out the door. “See ya round Muggle.”

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AN: Ahh a slightly longer chapter than normal. -shrugs- Let's see, a few things you may wanna know.

Translations: voglio fare l’amore a te Ariana---In a nutshell it means: I want to make love to you.