To Regain Glory

Chapter 1

Lucius and Draco sat by the fire, sipping fine wine. Lucius finally broke the silence. "Our world has changed."

"Yes, Father," Draco replied.

"And we will change with it. We will survive. You are the lynch pin for that survival."

"What do you need me to do?" Draco asked eagerly. His father had not yet asked anything of him in the few months since their name had been cleared. Draco was still not privy to the details on how his father had accomplished that task, but he would not complain. Miraculously, Draco had been exonerated under the pretence that he had not been acting of his free will. Snape had played a significant role in procuring that exoneration.

"You may find it distasteful, but it is absolutely necessary." Lucius paused, awaiting reaction, and when he didn't get one, he continued, "You will court Hermione Granger."

Draco jumped out of his seat. "I will do no such thing!" he shouted.

Lucius eyed his son sternly. "Sit Down!" he hissed. "You will do such a thing. Due to the persecution the Muggle-borns received, they are quite revered, Granger in particular. You will ingratiate yourself to her and convince her to marry you. We will use her fame and glory to remove the tarnish from our name."

"You expect me to marry a Mudblood?" Draco had not anticipated his father could move so quickly and felt the sting on his cheek from his father's hand.

"You will not use that term. Surely, you aren't so thick that you can't see the political advantage of having her aligned with our family. Of the Muggle-borns out there, she has proven herself quite intelligent. She is the most worthy of inclusion in our family. With Weasley out of the way, you should have a clear path to her, but you must move cautiously. She must not suspect your real motives. Tell her that your previous behaviour was jealous teasing, and that you couldn't show your true feelings for her because of societal pressure."

"How did you know about Weasley?" Draco knew his father was well-connected, but had been in prison until after the war was over. Lucius should not have known that sort of detail.

"Draco, pay attention to what's important. You must make her believe that you are repentant, and that you have always been smitten with her, am I clear?" he hissed.

Draco knew that tone. It was the one that said the time for debate was over. "Yes, Father," he replied sullenly.

"Draco!" Lucius waited until his son looked into his eyes. "This is vital. I am quite serious when I say that our survival depends on this. This is different from last time. If you wish to have a family fortune left to inherit, you will succeed."

***************

Lucius was disturbed from his memory.

"Father? You sent for me?" Draco asked.

Lucius poured a glass of port, admiring the rich ruby colour, before taking a seat. He was pleased by the dour look on Draco's face when he was not offered a glass. "Have a seat," he ordered, indicating that Draco was not to indulge in a glass of his own. "I was considering your upcoming fifth anniversary party, and I recalled a conversation we had more than five years ago. Perhaps you remember it? The one where I told you how vital it was to our family's survival that you marry Hermione? Do you recall it?"

"Yes, Father. And I did as you asked," Draco replied simply.

"In the barest sense, yes, you did. It occurs to me that I still do not have a grandchild. Why is that?"

"I can't answer that. We've been trying, it just hasn't happened."

"Is that so?" replied Lucius sceptically. "I was under the impression that you explained to her what it meant to be part of a pure-blood family. After all, she has done quite well socially. Everyone thinks highly of her and she has impeccable manners. I would think you would have tried harder."

"I've tried, Father. Perhaps there's something wrong with her that she can't conceive?"

Lucius tried hard not to lose patience. At his core, Draco had never been as strong-willed as Lucius would have preferred. "Or perhaps there's something wrong with you. See Healers, Seers, Hags, whatever it takes. But I expect the two of you to announce an addition to your family by the end of the year."

"By the end of the year? You're being unreasonable," whinged Draco.

"You have had five years. Be a man and do your duty. You don't want to be a failure, do you?" He waved dismissively at Draco. At times like this he could definitely see Narcissa's influence on his son. She had coddled him far too much.

After throwing back the rest of his wine, he decided to seek out Hermione. He had the feeling that Draco was not being completely honest with him. "Ippy!" Once the house-elf materialized in front of him, he asked, "Where is Mrs. Malfoy?"

"She is in the conservatory, Master," the elf replied obsequiously.

He strode out of the study, hoping to catch her before she left. Once he was in the conservatory, he started examining the plants, as though that were the reason he was there. He saw her sitting by the fountain, reading a book. When he came around the corner, he acted as though he was surprised to find her there. "Oh, Hermione, forgive me for disturbing you," he said apologetically.

"That's all right," she replied, barely looking up at him.

He continued examining the plants around the fountain. "If you don't mind me asking, what are you reading?"

She looked slightly ashamed when she answered, "Poetry."

He smiled at her. "There's nothing wrong with poetry. Has everything been to your liking during your stay?"

"Yes. Everything's been wonderful, as usual."

"Do you have a few minutes?"

"Sure," she replied and closed her book, marking her place with a fanciful bookmark that he recognised as the Christmas gift he had given her the previous year.

He sat on the bench opposite hers. "I'm surprised that Draco isn't here."

"Why would he be? He doesn't much care for all the plants."

"Really?" Lucius remembered Draco playing in the garden many times as a child. It had been one of his favourite places. He thought he could hear something else in her voice. Over the years, he had cultivated a friendly relationship with her, and he hoped it would pay off. "Is something bothering you?"

"What? No. Why would you think that?"

"Just something in your voice when you spoke of Draco. I thought you might like to talk about it."

"No. I'm fine."

He smiled softly. "Well, if you should change your mind, I did know Draco for twenty years before you were married. Perhaps I can help you understand him." He rose from his seat. "I'll see you at dinner."

****************

When the day of the anniversary ball arrived, Lucius was busy seeing to the last minute details. He had not entertained much since his release due to Narcissa's untimely passing near the end of the war, mostly because he detested overseeing domestic affairs. The house-elves were being pushed to their limits. When he was finally sure that everything was taken care of, he made his way to the ballroom. Once there, he was obliged to mingle. Several women his age, who had lost their husbands, flirted with him, hoping to become the next Mrs. Lucius Malfoy. He was polite and non-committal. If he were to remarry, it would be with a younger woman, one who could give him a family.

Once he finished his political mingling, he looked around the room for more pleasant company. He noticed Hermione standing with a couple of the other young wives. Scowling, he searched the room for his son and found Draco laughing and drinking with some of his cronies.

Rather than confront Draco at the party, he decided to ask Hermione to dance, hoping that would spur his son to act properly. As they danced, he said, "You should smile."

"I am smiling," she replied.

"Not that sort of a smile, a real one. You're quite lovely when you smile."

She laughed softly. "Be serious."

He could tell that something was bothering her. "Come with me," he said softly and led her to a secluded part of the garden. Once they were alone, he asked, "Has he spent any time with you this evening?"

"A little, at the beginning. But once everyone was here and dancing started, he went off with his friends."

He could see the tears glistening in her eyes and handed her a handkerchief. "Don't cry, my dear. I will speak with him, and remind him that he was raised with better manners."

"Oh, no, don't embarrass him. If he knew I've talked to you about this..."

"Don't fret. I have already discussed this with him. Besides, he knows that I would have noticed you were alone this evening. Wait here." He headed back to the ballroom to find Draco and attempt to modify the boy's behaviour.

After a quick scan of the ballroom, he didn't see Draco. "Ippy," he whispered. Once the elf was by his side, he asked, "Where is young Mr. Malfoy?"

"Young master and some of his friends left a few minutes ago. Apologies, Master, Ippy is not knowing where they were going." The elf cringed, awaiting punishment.

Lucius clenched his jaw and walked back to the ballroom. He signalled the band to wrap up the song they were playing. Once they were done, he stepped onto the small stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention. It seems that our happy couple has snuck off while we weren't looking. On their behalf, I thank you for your attendance tonight."

Everyone knew that was the signal that it was time to leave. Lucius positioned himself close enough to the door so that anyone who wanted to speak with him could do so. He was somewhat surprised when Walter Whiting and his wife stopped to speak with him.

"Excellent party, Lucius. I must say that Draco and Hermione make a lovely couple."

Lucius smiled politely. "They do indeed."

"Any chance you might be throwing your own anniversary parties in the future?"

Lucius arched his eyebrow. He knew that the Whitings had a daughter, Phaedra, who was a year older than Draco, but had been widowed during the war. He was actually surprised that she had remained unmarried for so long and wondered if she had been that attached to Marcus Flint.

"I have no plans for marriage right now. I will confess that I have been devoting most of my time to work, but it may finally be time to start thinking about other things." The Whitings were a moderately influential family, but some of their holdings would complement his quite nicely. Aligning himself with the Whitings could be quite beneficial financially.

"Perhaps it is," said Walter and shook Lucius' hand one last time before leaving.

With the guests departed, Lucius returned to the garden. Hermione looked up expectantly. He could see her expression change to sorrow when she realized that Lucius was alone. "It seems that Draco slipped out of the house," Lucius said sadly.

She bowed her head, and choked out, "I see."

He sat next to her on the bench and wrapped his arm around her. She collapsed against him, and he could feel her crying. "He's done this before, hasn't he?"

She nodded. "Quite frequently."

Lucius buried his anger at his son. Draco would be dealt with once he returned. There were no words that would make her feel better. When her sobbing subsided, he rose and took off his outer robe and wrapped it around her shoulder. "Come, my dear. Let's get you out of the chill and to bed." After they were inside, he sent Ippy for Dreamless Sleeping Draught.

"Drink this and get some sleep."

She took the potion. "Thank you."

He kissed her cheek. "You are a Malfoy now and I will take care of you. Goodnight, Hermione."

"Good night, Lucius."

Once Lucius was downstairs, he called Ippy. "Go to my son's house, move out all his belongings. Store them in a spare room until Mrs. Malfoy is awake."

"Yes, Master," the elf replied and popped away to do as he was told.

Lucius suspected Draco would try to sneak back in the house, so he charmed the back stairs to prevent anyone from using them. He then returned to the parlour at the base of the stairs to wait.

****************

Several hours later, he heard someone stumble down the hall. "Bloody hell! Stupid stairs," Draco shouted.

Lucius waited, knowing Draco had to come this way. When Draco came into view, he was clearly inebriated, barely able to stand. His shirt was unbuttoned and only half tucked in. The tail from that half was sticking out his fly. Lucius looked closely and thought Draco's shoes were on the wrong feet. "Draco!" he said sharply.

Draco squinted into the parlour. "Pop! How good to see you. What you doing up this late?"

"Do you know what today is?"

Draco squinted, trying to read the clock. "I think it might be tomorrow now."

Lucius was quickly losing patience with his son's disgraceful behaviour. "Today is your fifth anniversary. Do you know where your wife is?"

Draco tried to back away from his father, but found his feet weren't responding. "I 'spect she's in bed."

"Indeed she is. That begs the question of why you aren't with her?"

"I'm not sleeping with that Mudblood."

Lucius pushed his son against the wall, and growled. "You are never to call her that. She is a Malfoy!"

"Only because you made me marry her!" Draco protested.

Lucius wanted to strike Draco, but restrained himself. "She is the future of our family. Her reputation allowed us to regain our status. Would you rather be like the Goyles? Fighting for survival? She will provide the Malfoy heir; do I make myself clear?"

Draco swallowed nervously. "Yes, Father."

"You have been moved out of your house. I want you here where I can keep an eye on you. Your business education will begin in earnest. We will speak more in the morning, when you are sober." He released Draco and stormed upstairs, trying to determine what had happened to produce a son that was so insolent. The only answer he had was that Narcissa had spoiled the boy and made him weak. Perhaps courting Phaedra Flint was not a bad idea. It would prove to Draco that his position as heir was not guaranteed.

****************

Draco returned to his room after his first 'lesson' with his father and kicked the small table next to loveseat. It fell over and there was a satisfying crash as the vase shattered into a thousand pieces. Taking out his wand, he took aim at the bed and experienced the satisfaction of the pillow exploding in a cloud of feathers.

His father had treated him like a child. Not only had he lost a measure of freedom by being forced to move back home, but now he was being told when and where to be at work. Draco had been happy with his existence. He would make token appearances at various family holdings, feign interest as the managers fawned over him, and then he would meet up with his friends, or preferably his lover. Now that was being taken away from him.

And it was all Hermione's fault.

He had tried explaining to his father that she must be barren, but Lucius was unconvinced. Draco had been told that it would take a respected Healer declaring Hermione barren before Lucius would allow Draco to pursue an annulment. Draco had been petulant, but that had only made his father's ranting worse.

While Draco had not been pleased when told that he would marry Hermione, he had decided to make the best of it. Pansy Parkinson had been his pseudo-girlfriend while at school, but his mission for the Dark Lord in his sixth year had ostracised her, and she had found comfort with Blaise Zabini. At the time, Hermione had been better than his other options, mostly girls from poorer pure-blood families. And he had been forced to admit that she had become quite a pleasurable lover.

Then he had met her.

She was from a good family and had been a member of his house at school, though a little older than him. He wished that he had met her sooner. He was positive he could have convinced Father to let him marry her. Of course, that would not happen while he was married to Hermione.

That had been about the same time Hermione had begun asking him about a family, not long after the Potters had welcomed their first child. When Draco and his lover discussed his dilemma, she had the brilliant idea the he could get his marriage annulled if Hermione didn't get pregnant. Since Draco had done well in Potions, he had no problem brewing potions to ensure that Hermione would not conceive.

He had not imagined that three years later, he would still be married to her. Surely, this should have been long enough to warrant an annulment. But no, Father was insisting that Hermione would bear the next generation.

Momentarily, he considered summoning a house-elf, just to hear the creature scream, but he knew that Hermione would find out and would not be pleased. That would lead to him getting in more trouble with his father, something he didn't need right now.

****************

After breakfast, Hermione decided to see Ginny. Even though she had been accepted in society, she still preferred Ginny's honest friendship. Before knocking on the door, she heard Ginny yell, "Jimmy! Put that down this instant."

Hermione smiled at the thought of Jimmy once again getting into something. He was a very curious three year-old. She knocked on the door and waited for Ginny to answer it.

"Hermione, how good to see you, though I wasn't expecting to see you today." She opened the door and turned back to the kitchen. "Jimmy!"

Hermione followed Ginny into the house. "Jimmy, come give Aunt Hermione a kiss," she said.

Jimmy smiled and ran at her. "'Mione!"

Ginny pushed her hair behind her ears. "Good, you can keep him busy while I feed Sarah. So, what brings you here?" she asked as she picked up her daughter.

"I think something's wrong with me." She sat on the floor to help Jimmy play with his blocks.

"What do you mean?"

Hermione sighed. "It's been three years and still nothing. None of the Healers have found anything, but we still can't get pregnant. I've even thought of going to a Muggle doctor. They have some that specialize in helping couples conceive."

"Are you sure it's not him?"

"I don't know. I don't think so. He wants it as much as I do, but I'm not sure how he would react to me suggesting seeing a Muggle doctor. It's just that I want it so badly."

"You've tried potions, right?"

"I've tried every potion I can find. Nothing seems to work." She paused a moment as she had a new thought. "You don't think that the birth control potion I took did something permanent, do you?"

"No, not at all. I took the potion the first year we were married and it hasn't caused me any problems." She noticed that Sarah was done eating. "Why don't we go for a little walk? He'd love to go outside."

Hermione smiled. She loved spending time with Ginny and her kids, but it also reminded her of what she didn't have. Burying that grief, she was determined to enjoy her visit.

****************

Lucius watched Draco working on the project. At least the boy had decent work ethic. It had been nearly three months since the anniversary ball and Hermione was still not pregnant. Draco claimed he was trying, and that it was her fault. He found that he did not entirely trust what Draco was telling him. After all, he had noticed that Hermione was spending a great deal of time with Ginny Potter, and, through gentle questioning, he had learned she enjoyed playing with the Potter children. Even the fact that he was courting Phaedra did not seem to spur Draco to action. Lucius would give him one more month before procuring fertility potions for the two of them.

He contemplated his upcoming evening. Tonight, he and Phaedra would be announcing their engagement. She had not been as bad as he had expected. The few younger women he had dated had all seemed very childish. Of course, that was to be expected, as most of them were younger than Draco. An unmarried woman of more than twenty years was unusual amongst the pure-blood families. Phaedra was different, more mature. He supposed that was a result of the fact she was a young widow.

It still bothered him that he had found no reason why she had not been courted by anyone prior to him. This was an answer he had wanted before he decided to marry her, but she was not forthcoming. He found it hard to believe that she would have waited years for him. There were other influential families that would have welcomed her. Unfortunately, he could not think of a good reason to postpone the announcement of their engagement. He still had six months to determine what she was hiding, not that it really mattered. After all, he wasn't marrying her for love.

He heard the clock chime. "Draco, it's time to go home. The Whitings are coming over for dinner tonight."

"Yes, Father," Draco replied eagerly.

****************

Dinner was uneventful and Lucius was pleased to see that Draco was actually paying attention to Hermione. Proper decorum was one of the many things in which he had been schooling Draco. He was somewhat dismayed to see that Draco was being rather brusque with Phaedra. Since they would all be living under the same roof, he had hoped they would get along. Thankfully, Phaedra was being quite polite to Hermione.

As dinner wound down, he and Walter shared a glance, and Walter nodded. Lucius stood and announced, "If I may have your attention? I am pleased to announce that Phaedra and I are to be married this spring." He reached down and took her hand, smiling briefly at her before looking at the others. Hermione and the Whitings were clapping politely, but Draco had a momentary look of shock on his face before he forced a smile on his face. "We'll formally announce the engagement at the Halloween Ball next week, but we wanted our families to know ahead of time." He kissed Phaedra on the cheek before regaining his seat.

"Congratulations, Father," said Draco.

Lucius was quite pleased. Draco seemed to realize the seriousness of the situation now. Once married, Lucius would start a family with Phaedra. That would show Draco his position was not secure.

****************

Late at night, when everyone was asleep, Draco slipped out of the house and Apparated to a small tenant cottage. He noticed the candles were lit and headed to the small bedroom. She was lying in the bed. "What were you thinking? It wasn't supposed to be like this."

Phaedra replied, "And you were supposed to have found a way to annul your marriage to the Mudblood by now. I can't wait forever."

"I'm trying, but Father won't listen." Draco began pacing. "He's insisting on fertility potions. But now it doesn't matter. Why did you agree to marry him?"

She slithered next to him. "Because I can be closer to you."

"Oh, yes, so you can get us caught."

"You saw him tonight. He has no idea there's anything between us. Besides, would he really be concerned if I became friends with my stepson?" She purred as she pushed him towards the bed.

He pulled her down on top of him. "That would work well, wouldn't it?"

She unbuttoned his shirt and started kissing his chest. "Very well. And closer to the wedding, I can ensure that I bear your child."

Draco flipped her onto her back, aroused at the idea of outsmarting his father. "I do like the way you think."