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Count Your Blessings	By : LadyOfTheNight Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Lucius/Hermione Views: 39965 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I do not own or make any money off of this fan fiction because Harry Potter belongs to a Ms J. K. Rowling and not me! ^_^

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
Count Your Blessings

<><>{Chapter Nine: Reflections}<><>

The Granger’s were both exhausted. She and Severus spent all day shopping with her almost three year old and he had spent most of the day misbehaving. Bennett was very independent and hated being forced to hold his mother’s hand as they walked down the street. She watched in amusement as his scowl turned into a look of awe as he took in the sights of Diagon Alley. Of course this was not his first time on Diagon Alley but the older he got the more aware of his surroundings he was; so it might as well have been his first time. When Hermione had been forced to release his hand, the young child took advantage of her distracted state to run around the store causing havoc where ever he went. She had gotten disapproving glares from every patron in the stores they had visited. Now he was blissfully passed out in her arms just in time for his afternoon nap.

She placed her now sleeping son down on his ‘big boy’ bed and removed his shoes, taking the time to brush a few stray locks from his forehead. He always looked so peaceful when he slept; one of the few times he looked the least like his father. She hated that smirk he always wore. After switching on his night light and turning out the lights, she rejoined Severus in the living room.

She sat down heavily on the couch and let out a small sigh. “They don’t call it terrible two’s for nothing.” She told her paramour as he gracefully sat down next to her on the couch and grabbed her book from the coffee table and handed it to her.

“I don’t know why you insisted on bringing him. The shopping took twice as long as it usually does and I had to listen to that incessant crying towards the end when you refused to take him back to the book store.” Severus complained as he handed her the book and grabbed a copy of the Daily Prophet for himself; she could tell he was annoyed.

“Do you think his behavior warranted a reward?” she asked him incredulously.

“Of course not, but I did not appreciate all of the attention we gained from his tantrum either.” He replied and put his arm around her small frame and pulled her closer.

“That is part of being a parent…” she told him quietly. He leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to her temple.

“I guess that’s why you are the parent, and I am not.” He told her and she couldn’t help but feel a little put out by what he said. Of course it was true; he was not a parent, but she had been seeing him for two year and it was comments like that one that really put their relationship into perspective. She was starting to wonder where the two of them as a couple were going. They were still playing by the dating rules she had set forth two years ago but Hermione was starting to realize she wanted more than that, both for herself and her son. She looked over at the man as he read his book and studied him closely.

Over the years she had grown to love him even if she had yet to say it aloud. She just couldn’t picture Severus as a father and that might partially be her fault what with her dating rules, but he did not help the situation. He always complained about her son’s behavior or antics whenever the two were around each other. When Charlie complained at least everyone knew he still cared by way of gestures and gifts. Severus complained, scowled and would call for Hermione any time Benny did anything he deemed inappropriate; she secretly thought that Benny misbehaved more in Severus’ presence because the young boy could tell it bothered him.

“Must you stare?” he asked her suddenly; effectively drawing her out of her head.

“Oh sorry, just lost in a thought.” She told him quietly and fixed her gaze at the open text, trying to sort through her feelings. “Severus,” she called interrupting his reading. “I think we need to talk.” She told him quietly pulling out of his embrace and drawing his full attention.

“What are we doing?” the witch asked her paramour gesturing at the two of them.

“Well, currently we are reading.” He told her simply and she just sent a glare at him so he tried again.

“Hermione, we are two consenting adults engaging in a carnal relationship.” This time he slide his arms back around her waist as he proceeded to kiss her neck. She knew he was trying to distract her so she placed her hands on his chest and pushed him away firmly.

“I’m serious, Severus where is our relationship going? Where do you see us in say, five years?” she questioned him.

A perplexed look crossed his face. “What do you mean in five years; why can’t things be like they are now in five years? Why do women always want more?” He questioned back in a slightly raised voice. The tension was building beneath his cool exterior.

“Is it really so much to ask? After two years I have every right. I want to get married and have more children, and I want to do that with you.” She proclaimed and then quickly covered her mouth with both her hands, eyes wide with shock. She had inadvertently laid all her cards out on the table and now she had to deal with his reactions.

Saying he was shocked was putting it mildly. Hermione could tell he had not been expecting a conversation like this. She watched as an extreme look of regret cross his face and all the tension that was building slowly dissipated. “Must we do this right now?” he asked her tiredly as he stretched his legs out indicating he was just getting comfortable.

“I don’t want to leave this conversation hanging out in limbo. I want to finish it.” She told him full of fire and determination.

“Hermione I,” He started but he had to look away. “I never felt a desire to procreate.” He told her simply and she couldn’t hide the surprised and hurt look she knew was present on her face.

“I wasn’t talking about anytime soon.” She clarified and watched as a sad smile appeared on his lips. “But when I picture my future, you are always there.” She admitted and he brought her into a tight hug and she could feel him inhale deeply before pulling away.

“Hermione, could you honestly see me as a father?” he questioned her with a cold look on his face.

“I think you would make a great father.” She told him honestly and he just shot her a disapproving look in response.

“I am selfish, impatient, cantankerous, a perfectionist and very set in my ways, not to mention I have a very short temper. Where in that do you see a good father?” he asked her seriously and she just closed her eyes in disbelief.

“You are also kind, caring, honorable, wise and …” she started but Severus cut her off with a severe look.

“I do not need your affirmations; I am well aware of the type of man I am.” He told her moodily as he turned his gaze to the fire. “You already have a child, do you really need more?” He questioned but she took a moment to think before responding.

“I love Benny with all my heart but I do want at least one other child. Everything about Benny was unconventional and a total surprise. I want to do it again but when it is my choice and with the person I love… there beside me the whole time.” She told him quietly.

“I thought that person might be you.” She finished while avoiding his gaze.

He pulled her in for another hug and took the opportunity to kiss her deeply. He tongue was delving into her warm mouth slowly but full of passion. Their tongues caressed each other briefly before he pulled back far enough to whisper in her ear, “I love you too.” He understood her feelings even when she didn’t say them directly. She thought hearing that confession would make her feel better but all she felt was the sharp pang of regret and longing at the thought of him not wanting to have children.

Hermione had so many questions running through her mind now; would Severus ever want children? Could she be okay with just Benny? If he does decide not to have children should they keep on dating and draw out the relationship a little longer or should they end it now before things got even messier? She looked over at the man and her heart swelled; her feelings of love were real regardless of the situation.

Luckily they were forced to suspend their conversation when they heard a door slowly creak open. Hermione was still not used to her son being able to get up on his own and quickly withdrew from Severus’ embrace.

“Mummy…” she heard her son call sleepily but he quickly stopped his sentence when he noticed Severus on the couch. Her son was very selective of the people he chose to speak in front of and Severus was not one of the chosen few. He trotted over to his mother and threw himself into her arms taking a moment to smirk at Severus while hugging his mother; Severus merely raised an eyebrow in response. Hermione could always feel the competition in the air between her two wizards; the younger one demanded her attention constantly around Severus.

He pulled on her shoulder to bring her down to his height. Cupping his hand over his mouth, Benny brought his mouth to her ear. “Mummy, I is hungry. Please?” he whispered his request into her ear while keeping his eyes trained on Severus. When he added please to the end of a sentence that was his way to ask her for something.

“Alright, but first I need to comb your hair and we need to talk about your behavior today.” she told her son and he had the right mind to look somewhat guilty before looking back over at Severus again. Clearly he didn’t want to have any conversations about behavior in front of the stern man’s watchful eyes.

“Cease your leering boy, I am expected in a staff meeting soon anyways… I will take my leave.” He told the pair and sent Hermione a look that clearly said they would continue their previous conversation later.

Hermione had no time to reflect on their conversation because her son was hungry. She summoned the hair brush and began brushing out Benny’s tangled locks. When the brush got stuck in a particularly stubborn knot he made a face and cried out in protest.

“Well if you would just let me cut it, your hair wouldn’t get so tangled.” She reminded the boy who let out a loud, shouted “NO!” and covered his hair protectively. She had cut it only once in his life and he had cried the whole time. He sulked all morning and when she woke him from his afternoon nap his hair had magically grown back and he was back to his cheerful self. She regretfully left it long, even if it did make him look even more like his father; his happiness outweighed her discomfort.

“Let me!” he called out loudly and grabbed the brush from his mother and began to hastily run it through the front of his hair, completely neglecting the back. “Done!” He cried out and handed the brush back to his mother. She smiled at his new found independence and quickly muttered a detangling charm for the tresses he couldn’t reach and tied his hair back; as usual a few shorter curls pulled free of the tie to frame his face. She tweaked his noise and pulled him to sit next to her on the couch.

“I know that it is boring holding Mummy’s hand all day. We can’t always do fun things all the time.” He nodded his head that he understood and smiled at his mother a little too sweetly. “When I tell you to hold my hand and stay close that is what you do.” She chided him gently. He was after all only two and not completely in control of his emotional outbursts.

“I sorry.” He told her quietly and she pulled him into a fierce hug.

“You scared Mummy so much today. I thought I had lost you.” She told him truthfully hugging him to her chest a little tighter before pulling him out of her hug to look him straight in the eyes.

“You can’t run away from Mummy when we go out.” She told her son seriously.

“Not all adults are good Benny. You are lucky that Mr. Dobbson was a nice person. There are bad people out there that will do bad things to you if they could. That’s why you need to stay with Mummy or other people that we trust.” She told him firmly and he just nodded his head in acceptance; she often talked at her son without any expectations for his comprehension. Suddenly he looked at his mother perplexed.

“Mummy what is trust?” he asked back trying to understand the concept and yet again shocking his mother with his ability to comprehend her worrisome tirades. She smiled at his inquisitive nature that so mirrored her own.

“Hmm… Well it is when you love or like someone and you feel safe and protected around them. You know that they will not hurt you. Like you can trust me, Harry, Nana Wealsey and the rest of the Weasley family, Andromeda and Teddy, and Severus…” she trailed off. He had been smiling and nodding along with each name but when she said Severus he frowned and looked up at his mother confused.

“Sevy no like kids.” He told his mother still frowning and Hermione hid another small smile at Severus’ nickname.

“Oh Honey, he is a teacher. He works with kids every day.” She reassured her son.

“He no smile.” The little boy told her.

“Not everyone smiles.” She told her son. “Do you think he would hurt you?” She inquired of her son who just scrunched his face up in thought before sighing and shaking his head to indicate a no.

“There, you see; he is just a serious man. One who seriously expects Mummy to read fifty more pages of this book before tomorrow!” she told her son and stood up. “So let’s get you some snack so I can get some reading done!” She exclaimed and set about preparing his snack; her son had noticed ‘Sevy’s’ prickly personality and was not a fan. Severus didn’t want kids probably because he hadn’t spent much personal time with them; her kid didn’t like him for most likely the same reason. Then inspiration hit the young witch; they both needed to spend more time with one another. Then Severus would see how wonderful it was to have children and Benny might get to know Severus better.

Benny and Severus’ interactions up until this point had been very negative, mostly because Benny would interrupt her lessons. As he had stated before, Severus was not a patient man but he learned to deal with their constant interruptions with eye rolls, sighs, and finger tapping; all of which annoyed Hermione greatly. She had many of these not so subtle signs from Severus that indicated he had spent little time with children under the age of eleven. She often wondered what he thought having an apprentice and lover with a child was going to be like?

Hermione’s mind was set; they were going to spend more time together and they would both have to grin and bear it.

<><>{Chapter Nine}<><>

Lucius Malfoy spent the two years during his older son’s house arrest torturing himself with his own memories. Besides the correspondence he kept with his son, the man had no interactions with the outside world and spent a lot of time in his own head. Even his correspondences with his son were limited because their letters were being opened and reviewed before arriving to the desired recipients.

Lucius spent a lot of his time thinking about his family. Remembering how easy it had been to spoil his eldest son because Narcissa let him. She enjoyed being pampered and showered with expensive gifts both for her and their son. She would show off any new gifts or toys to their mutual friends and whimper how nothing was ever good enough for their son.

While he had appreciated the chance to show up any peers, he and anyone who observed the father and son together knew that the statements she made were the truth; Draco was his pride and joy and Lucius had never truly loved anyone until he was born. Draco was so small, helpless and Lucius couldn’t help but feel protective of the little tyke who needed him. He never admitted it to anyone, but it was nice to feel needed for more than an endless vault at Gringotts or a Pure-blood namesake; both of which his former wife had appreciated greatly.

Lucius had wanted more children originally, but when the healer at St. Mungo’s told them that Narcissa’s magic could never handle making another magical child, she had closed up shop and flat out refused any of his advances claiming that she could not stand the shame of baring a Squib. He understood her fears completely but it didn’t stop him from lashing out verbally at his wife. He accused her of being weak, useless, and other horrible things that he later came to regret. She would respond by calling out all of his faults like calling him arrogant, pious and cruel. For a time they could not be civil around each other even when Draco was in the room. After the Dark Lord fell and their loyalties to the Ministry were assured they both decided to stop feuding over things they couldn’t change; the damage of their months of fighting was done and any type of romantic relationship they may have had was destroyed.

Narcissa played the victim well and it was completely justified this time; she was just as cruel as her husband. While they were no longer openly fighting, their words and deeds suggested a passive feud was still brewing under the surface; eventually they both were able to channel their anger into other avenues. Narcissa took out her anger on his coffers, dropping galleons at all of the high end specialty stores for what Lucius always dubbed as rubbish. She taught Draco to follow in her footsteps but Lucius never minded excess spending when it concerned Draco.

Lucius had done everything the way his father told him to; he married a Pure-blood because of his family’s beliefs in blood superiority and joined the Dark Lord’s side during the war but what had that gotten him? Saddled to a dispassionate woman who could only produce one magical child and now he was in Azkaban for the second time; so much for superiority.

So you can imagine with what he was taught about blood superiority that it offended him greatly to see Muggle-born witches and wizards with enough magic to have multiple children when he and his wife could not. He was envious and therefore directed his rage in their direction. Weasley, a blood traitor, was his favorite target. He loved to watch his pudgy cheeks turn as scarlet as his receding hairline while the man desperately try not to rise to Lucius’ baiting comments.

Lucius loved when the targets for his misdirected rage fought back, but he loved it more when they tried to ignore him; he took it as a challenge. He relished in the power he felt from his bullying antics both at the ministry and at Hogwarts, being that he was a governor. He craved the power because it partially filled the hole in his heart from his inability to have more children. He also realized that his son learned to bully others by watching his antics at the ministry and Hogwarts. Of course this was all clear to the incarcerated man now, but at the time he was blind to the truth.

Over time his wife’s devotion to their son earned her his respect but they were never close or romantic again. Pure-bloods’ honor their vows and therefore divorce was unheard of in polite wizarding society. They did what most couples did in loveless situations. When Draco was away at Hogwarts Narcissa moved into the wing on the opposite side of the manor and the husband and wife rarely had to cross paths. Time passed, Voldemort returned and when Lucius’ Dark Mark burned that night of the sociopath’s return, he only too happily returned to the Dark Lord’s service.

Wondering what his life would be like if he decided to stay home that night was a slippery slope that Lucius rarely tried to go down. It was maddening to think that most of his troubles could have been averted if he only had made better choices because as soon as the meeting began it became clear to the man that the Dark Lord was very displeased with all of his servants who evaded Azkaban.

Lucius reluctantly grew accustom to not being one of the Dark Lords favorite servants, then after he found himself in Azkaban, the first time, it became all too clear that the Dark Lord was displeased with him and was taking it out on his son. All the anger between Lucius and his wife was forgotten as they worked together to protect their boy. It was Lucius’ idea to get Severus to agree to an Unbreakable Vow. Draco had just told him of Voldemort personally requested that he join their ranks.

The Dark Lord had been in Lucius’ mind enough times to know that the easiest way to hurt the man was through his son. Draco told him he had been personally tasked with an important mission and Lucius knew that it was either a suicide mission or one the Dark Lord never intended on him completing. Lucius had seen it many other times; the Dark Lord would task some weakling to try some impossible mission and when the weakling failed he was punished with the swift strike of an Aveda Kedavra. He was the one to tell Narcissa to seek out Severus; that if anyone would help, he would. Lucius told her that Severus was the boy’s Godfather and that he would feel obligated to keep Draco safe. Making her promise to make sure Severus took an Unbreakable Vow, he felt assured of their son’s safety.

When the war was finally over he thought that maybe he and his wife might be able to reconcile when he was released from his second stay in Azkaban. She had come to visit them both every week and had smiled lovingly at both of the incarcerated men. He had a slight pang of guilt about what he did but he honestly had tried to put his past life as a Death Eater behind him. Then a visit from Ron Weasley brought his past actions back in front of him by telling him that Ron’s friend, the girl he raped, had conceived and born a child.

When Lucius thought of his second son, Bennett and his mother it unnerved him how little he knew about them. The only image he had of the boy was from someone else’s memory, but he cherished it. He thought back to the summer after Draco’s first year when he first became aware of the young girl’s presence. She managed to top his son in every subject and it infuriated the wizard no end. Instead of taking it out on his son he decided to blame the young witch instead using terms like Mudblood when referring to her and accusing her of cheating. He hired private tutors that summer and was sure his son would be on top in the next year. Then before sending Draco back for his second year, he got his first glimpse of the young girl. She was uninhibited and spoke from her heart and he hated her for it. Most witches and wizards didn’t have the backbone to openly defy and challenge him the way that soon to be second year had done the clarity and determination.

After recounting the memory over the years he had come to realize that even then he was jealous of her passion and spirit. After each encounter with the young witch he felt his anger and malice towards her grow; it was no fluke that she was the top of the class in each subject. Years of misdirected rage, combined with his loss of a wand and the pressures he was feeling from the Dark Lord caused him to lash out at her in a desperate attempt to gain back some small amount of power and respect from the young witch; power over her and all the other undesirables that tried to take it from him. After the whole incident was over and the prisoners had escaped from the Manor, the father and son agreed to not talk about anything that happened that night. Draco went back to school and the matter was almost forgotten, until he saw her that day on the final battle field.

Both sides were lined up and throwing hexes and jinxes left and right. Lucius dodged a stray curse as he fervently searched the crowd for his son; in his pursuit he caught another glimpse of her being pulled away from the battle field by Potter and Weasley headed toward the staircases; that hair was unmistakable. Seeing her amongst the other students, on the school grounds made him see how young she truly was. He had raped a girl his son’s age and for what? He was still at the bottom of the Death Eater hierarchy, wandless, missing his only son, and questioning why he indebted himself to a crazy sociopath who was hell bent on destroying said son. That was the first time he let himself feel ashamed about what he had done. He felt a heavy pressure in his chest as he reveled in his shame and guilt right there in the middle of the battle field. He would have been hit by a stray Avada Kedavra if Severus hadn’t been smart enough to shove him out of the way at the last moment shouting at him to find Draco. He grabbed his wife’s hand and continued their frantic search for their son, hoping he would still be walking among the living.

Because of their lack of participation in the final battle and his wife’s assistance in faking Potter’s death, Lucius and Draco received a shorter sentence than most of the convicted Death Eaters. He knew that the girl had not told anyone because the great Harry Potter argued on the father and son’s behalf. Lucius doubted Potter would be a character witness if she had disclosed their little secret. The girl was probably trying to forget the whole thing had even happened just like he was currently trying to do.

His son Bennett was a constant reminder of that night to the young witch; he couldn’t fathom why anyone would keep a child conceived through rape and not press any charges against her attackers. What was there to gain?

As much as the young witch tried to shut them out, he and Draco were forever attached to them through their blood and magic. After what they had done to her he felt that it was their duty to heed her request and stay away from them; that didn’t mean that the wizard didn’t still long to see the boy and hold him in his arms, but those feelings always led to more guilt. He didn’t deserve to see the boy. Everything he touched ended up dead or in Azkaban. He was tainted, bad luck, a jinx, call it what you will.

Even with his mind fully occupied, Lucius found that time ticked by unnaturally slow. Since Draco’s release there had been four people that filtered through Draco’s old cell. They had all tried in vain to converse with Lucius, but the man was too busy feeling sorry for himself to bother with any type of conversation. The man had remained strong while his son was incarcerated but now he could let himself wallow in his own self-pity and guilt. He awoke most nights screaming from his nightmares. His most frequent ones involved his sons and their mothers.

They would stand over him, towering and menacing; their words cut through him like daggers causing his skin to bleed. Their verbal lashings magically caused flesh wounds on his skin until he was light headed and barely holding on to consciousness. The last verbal lash was always delivered by the four of them at the same time. Rapist, for that is what he was and what he made his first son into.

He appreciated the time Azkaban afforded him to think retrospectively about his life and actions but he also cursed the place for the same reason. He grew to hate reliving his worst memories and nightmares. The Dementors were no longer allowed free reign within the prison after the ministry realized how free thinking they actually were. They were under stricter watch and the ministry regulated their movements with a more watchful eye, but they were still allowed to roam the prisons three times a day; those were the worst three times of Lucius’s day but he was grateful that they were no longer roaming the prison like they had on his first stay in Azkaban.

He was still recuperating from one of those times when the guards dragged him out of his cell and led him past Draco’s old cell, which was currently empty and into the visitor’s room. He wondered briefly who his visitor might be and slumped down in his chair trying to achieve a little comfort from the fact that he out of his cell for a change. The bright lights burned his retinas and so he chose to close them while he passively awaited his visitor; after all he had all the time in the world.

<><>{Chapter Nine}<><>

“Okay Mister Malfoy,” the man had over accentuated the mister title as if he doubted the man in question deserved the formality.

“There are some things you need to know before entering the room.” He heard the guard recite to him as two other guards manually frisked him.

“You must not touch the prisoner. If you need to leave you must point at the door and wait for one of the guards to open it for you.” They had finished their frisking and the lead guard was holding out his hand at Draco.

“You will need to surrender your wand before coming any further.” Draco clenched the polished handle tightly. He had only gotten the wand back that day and really didn’t want to give it up especially to people who once had total authority over him.

“Mr. Malfoy… your wand please…” the man said pointedly and with great reluctance Draco handed his wand over to the man and was lead down a winding staircase and through the labyrinth of corridors until they reached an all too familiar set of hallways. Draco suppressed a shiver when he entered the visitors’ cubicles. He saw his father sitting in the all too familiar room with his hands chained to the table. His heart swelled at seeing the man for the first time in two years. His eyes were closed and he almost looked like a different person with his shoulders slumped down and Draco wondered briefly if his father was ill.

“You have been granted one hour of visitation due to a family emergency. Please remember that in order to schedule any future visits you will have to petition the warden like all the other family members of the incarcerated.” He reprimanded Draco firmly while clearly telling the man he would get no special treatment because of his family name; not that he needed a reminder.

“Anything else or may I see my father now?” Draco asked impatiently; he was tired of this man’s false sense of superiority. Not waiting for a response he walked past the man and entered the visiting room where his father was located.

His father didn’t turn to see who was coming through the door but that was what Draco had expected from the man. It took all of his self-control not to run over to him and envelope him in a loving embrace. Malfoy’s never participated in public displays of affection and while this room gave the illusion of privacy Draco was well aware that it was just that; an illusion.

Draco sat down in the chair opposite his father and looked over at the man. His eyes were still closed and Draco couldn’t help but take in the man’s appearance. Draco’s eyes rested first on his father’s once magnificently long hair that now hung in dirty clumps around the older man’s shoulders. His face was tired and looked much older than it should.

“Father,” Draco called to the man and he instantly opened his eyes searching for the source of the voice he had just heard.

“Draco…” he managed to croak out of his unused vocal cords before his son quickly interrupted him.

“My house arrest is over father. I am a free man.” He told him proudly and watched as his father closed his eyes again and a small smile escaped his lips. It worried Draco to see his father this way, he looked completely unhinged; like he was barely hanging on to reality. Draco knew this place could do that to you, having experienced it himself.

“I saw them today.” Draco said quietly and watched again as his father abruptly opened his eyes again.

“He looks just like I did, but his hair is just like hers.” He said quietly and looked down at his hands and missed the happy look that crossed his father’s face but looked up just in time to see it shift to one of regret and longing. “Uncle Severus was with them. I guess that explains his lack of response to my owls.” He told them man sadly and watched as his father closed his eyes again.

“Are they treating you well?” he asked his father who made a noise of disgust to indicate the ridiculousness of the question just asked.

“I mean you aren’t getting any unwanted visitors are you?” he asked cryptically about Weasley and his father shook his head to indicate a no.

They sat in the harsh light in silence for a while; neither father nor son knew what to say but both were enjoying the companionship. It had been two years since they last saw one another and even in silence they appreciated their time together.

Right before their time was up Lucius finally broke the silence and opened his eyes again. “I am sorry son, for everything. I just want you to know that.” He said in a hoarse whisper and Draco again he had to resist touching the man.

“I know sir… I am going to get you out of here.” He told his father honestly with determination but was shocked by the response he got.

“I deserve this place.” He croaked out hoarsely and before Draco could protest the guard was opening the door.

“Time’s up!” the guard called as he held the door open for Draco to exit.

“I have to go father, but I will be back next week.” Draco told his father trying to reassure him but the man’s eyes were already closed again and he said nothing.

<><>{Chapter Nine}<><>

As Lucius was led back to his cell he glanced over at his son’s old cell and noticed it had a new occupant who was looking interestedly at him.

“Well well, look who my neighbor is. Lucius Malfoy, it’s been a while sir.” Said the man as he got up and gave his fellow prisoner a little teasing bow.

“Shut it Fenrir!” a guard told him threateningly. “You are only here until we can fix your cell and if you can’t behave we will get another Dementor.” The guard escorting Lucius threatened the other prisoner. Fenrir held his hands up in surrender and sat back down on the floor.

After lights out Lucius heard the unmistakable sounds of a masturbatory effort on the werewolf’s part. He tried to ignore the grotesque sounds coming from the cell next to him but he found the effort futile.

“Lucius,” He heard his name called to him. “Tell me what she was like… the girly… that night… with Potter; the one that got away…” he heard the man call wistfully never ceasing his masturbatory effort. “She tasted delicious. So young… untouched…” then he moaned deeply and Lucius heard his hand cease its movements.

“Well not so much anymore…” he amended after his release and let out a loud bark of laughter. “Lucius, what’s the matter wolf got your tongue?” he called over to the man teasingly and started laughing again. There was something wild and feral about his laugh that matched the man it belonged to perfectly.

“Once a wolf tastes your blood he has your scent for life. If I ever get out of here I will make that girly mine, at least until I get bored with her…” he told the man again and laughed even louder.

“Too bad I am in for life…” he said again with that wistful tone and Lucius couldn’t help but let out a small relieved breath he didn’t know he was holding in.

‘Thank Merlin for that.’ Lucius thought trying not to think of what might happen if Fenrir discovered their offspring.

“But a man can still dream…” Fenrir’s comment was interrupted by a long low howl that sounded like it came from the outside of the prison. Quickly it was followed by more voices and soon Fenrir joined in too which caused the guard to come in and threaten him again until the howling ceased. The guard stayed in the hall for a little longer than was entirely necessary before heading back on his path.

“Looks like things might get very interesting, very soon…” Fenrir told Lucius quietly while the blonde man tried to ignore him. He hadn’t conversed with any of his other neighbors and he most certainly would not chat with that animal. He tried to put Fenrir’s words out of his mind but every time he closed his eyes he kept picturing Fenrir attacking Bennett’s mother; making it even more impossible to sleep than usual.

<><>{Chapter Nine}<><>

When Severus returned to his paramour’s quarters it was well after dark and she was nowhere to be found. He searched her room and bathroom accordingly before gently opening the door to her son’s room. The mother and son where both sleeping on the small bed that was only built to accommodate toddlers. She was propped up against the headboard with her head resting softly on her shoulder. Her arm was wrapped lovingly around the little boy’s shoulders and he was curled up next to her with his arm wrapped around her leg; Severus often arrived in the evenings to similar scenes and even remembered finding her passed out in the library many nights when she was a student.

He took the opportunity to silently observe her son in his comatose state. It unnerved him how much the young boy looked like his father and brother and he couldn’t help but ponder what combination of features Hermione and his theoretical child would have. If any witch could convince him to procreate it would be her. Severus tapped at the boy’s night light before extinguishing the light in the room. He untangled the young boy from his mother and scooped her into his arms, heading to her bedroom. Feeling her body shift in his arms the man adjusted his grip to secure his hold on her.

“Severus?” she questioned sleepily and he bent down to kiss her forehead.

“Shhh you fell asleep in Bennett’s bed but I thought you would like to sleep in one more suited to your size…” he told her calmly as she murmured unintelligently and rested her head back on his shoulder. Just when he thought she was headed back to sleep she jerked her head up off his shoulder.

“You remembered to turn on his night light?” she inquired still a little groggy.

“Yes, don’t worry he is fine.” Severus said as he stepped over the clutter in her messy room to place her on the bed softly and began searching for her night dress to help her change. Once he had her all tucked in he made to leave till he felt her small hand grab his passing arm.

“Severus will you sit with me, just till I fall asleep?” she asked tiredly and he felt himself heeding her request despite the mountain of paperwork currently sitting on his desk.

“Of course.” He told her softly as he settled himself against her headboard and effectively mirrored her earlier actions with her son. With his arm around the witch, her head resting on his chest he felt her breathing start to even out indicating to Severus that she was falling into sleep.

“I’m sorry for falling asleep.” She mumbled quietly into his chest which caused the man to chuckle. “I just get so tired sometimes.” She admitted tiredly.

“Falling asleep when your body needs it is nothing to apologize for.” He told her simply with a hint of a smile creeping towards his mouth.

“Will you come with us on Sunday; to the Burrow?” The witch inquired sleepily as she snuggled into his chest more firmly. He gave a reluctant sigh which prompted another sleepy response from Hermione.

“Please, it would mean so much to mean.” She told him with what he suspected was more honesty and less inhibitions from her drowsy state. He made the odd appearance at the Burrow now and then but it was always a stressful place for the man. While Arthur and Molly had been generally accepting of their relationship most of their children were not and made their opinions known by way of teasing comments aimed at their old professor. He had to remind himself constantly that these people were important to Hermione and he must behave, but he would be lying if he didn’t admit to thinking of ways to poison a few of them.

“Alright but only if you go to sleep.” He consented while pushing a stray curl from her forehead. Her long lashed fluttered briefly a few more times before finally closing in sleep; a small smile was placed on her sleeping face and Severus’ heart swelled with pride at being the one to put it there.

<><>{End of Chapter Nine}<><>

A/N: Well after a month plus I am back from the dead… My dang kitty knocked the J key off the keyboard of my laptop… It took 3 weeks to get the dang thing replaced and if that cat wasn’t so cute I would still be mad at him… lol

But in that time I wrote two chapters!!! This is the first one! When I finish editing Chapter ten I will post it asap. Probably tonight but defiantly by tomorrow! I appreciate all the feedback, reviews and e-mails I have gotten so keep 'em coming and stay tuned for chapter ten!
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Count Your Blessings