Redemption

Chapter 2

Hermione was waiting in the drawing room, holding Lucius's wand. She was pacing, trying to calm herself. Unfortunately, the fact he had been in many of her fantasies ever since she had seen him in the laundry room was not helping. Even now, his bare chest kept intruding on her thoughts. None of the boys at school had a physique like that, and they were all boys in comparison.

When he joined her, she said, "I'll give this to you when we get there." She didn't tell him it had been charmed so that it would not cast offensive spells. This would be a good way to test his loyalty.

"Of course. I understand." He could tell that she was flustered and wondered if he was the cause.

"Good, now follow me."

Following her was something he thought he could do for quite some time. While he was normally a traditionalist, he had to admit Muggle clothing did have its advantages. She was wearing those wonderfully tight Muggle blue jeans.

Once outside, she held out her arm. "Hold tight," she said.

"Why do I have to do that?" he asked, not really minding at all. He hoped this was the first of many times he would hold tight to her. Unfortunately, she quickly pulled away from him once they Apparated outside his front gates. Without responding to his query, she handed him his wand. If she would permit him to Apparate them, they could go straight to the grand foyer. Rather than bring this up, he decided they would walk up from the front gates. While the weather was cold, it was dry, calm and not entirely unpleasant. He saw her staring at the large edifice. "This is the first time you've seen my manor, isn't it?"

"Yes. It's..." For once she was at a loss for words. She had seen country manors before, but never one of this magnitude. She had to admit, magical buildings had their advantages.

He smiled at her innocence. "It is a bit overwhelming until you get used to it. It's been in my family for nearly six hundred years and has been expanded a few times over the years, though the front façade has remained the same. I would love to give you a tour, but I fear our research will prevent that," he sounded disappointed.

"Yes, that it will," she replied absentmindedly.

He had hoped to use this time for idle conversation, but she was distracted by her surroundings. They finished the walk up the drive in silence. At the door, Lucius performed a complex unlocking charm. Once the door was unlocked, he handed her his wand before she could ask for it. He made sure to hold it in a way that she would have to touch his hand. He smiled at her and watched her quickly look away from him. Before he could say anything, they were immediately met by a house-elf.

"Master, Gupper was not expecting you. Had Gupper known Master was coming..."

"It's perfectly understandable Gupper. Miss Granger will be our guest this afternoon. We will be in the library. I would appreciate some hot butterbeer to take the chill off." He knew of Hermione's feeling toward house-elves and that it was in his best interest to be polite to them. He knew it would not be any one thing that earned her confidence, but a series of small actions.

"Of course, Master." Gupper disappeared.

Hermione was stunned. Harry had told her how Malfoy had treated Dobby. She began to wonder if he had changed. Her musing was interrupted by his voice.

"Miss Granger? Are you well?"

"What?" She realized that was not the first time he had called her name. "Oh, yes, I'm fine. I'm sorry. Where is the library?"

He smiled warmly at her, suspecting what she was thinking. "This way." He placed his hand on the small of her back and gently guided her further into the house and to the library. When he opened the doors to the library, he watched her expression and was pleased at the glee that he witnessed.

"This is marvelous," she remarked as she tried to take in the sheer enormity of the room. She couldn't imagine a single person owning this many books. She had seen libraries that didn't have this many books.

Lucius felt an enormous sense of pride. "The books that will probably be of the most assistance are not in the main part of the library." He crossed to the far side of the room and activated a latch. "For security reasons, I keep the books on Dark Arts here."

Looking into the smaller room, she saw that the shelves held over a hundred books. She could spend days pouring through them. "Very interesting decision to use a manual latch instead of something enchanted." Her intellectual curiosity made her forget that he had been hiding this illegal collection for years.

"It is more secure this way. Magical latches are more easily located. Allow me to help you select some books. I believe you will be more comfortable reading in the main library." This close to her in the confined space of his Dark library, he could smell the perfume of her hair. It took a great deal of self-control, but he resisted the urge to reach for her. As she examined some of the titles, he made sure the books he selected were close to her, so he could brush his hand against her. He longed to slip his hand under the loose jumper she was wearing, to feel the shape of her breasts, to touch her and kiss her in a hundred and forty-five thousand places. Self-control. All in good time, Lucius. After he had selected a half-dozen books, he said, "I think this will be a good start." He saw that she had selected a few books of her own and reached for them, once again ensuring his hand touched hers. "Permit me," he offered in a polite whisper.

Hermione was used to doing things for herself. Harry and Ron had never been much on manners. When she realized he was touching her hand, she relinquished her books and hurried out of the small room so he couldn't see her blushing. Why was she having these thoughts? She chided, First of all, he is old enough to be my father. 'Though he is still quite handsome and masculine.' He is also a convicted Death Eater. 'He has changed sides. Look how helpful he's being. People do change.' Lucius Malfoy does not change. 'No? Look at how he has treated you, a Muggle-born, and his house-elf. Tell me hasn't changed.' It's all an act. He's up to something. 'What could he be up to? Why are you afraid to see the good in him?'

She shook her head to clear her mind. She couldn't believe she was arguing with herself. Lucius had placed her stack of books on a small table next to an overstuffed armchair that looked perfect for reading. "Thank you," she replied politely, not sure of anything else to say.

Hermione began taking furtive glances at Lucius, hoping he didn't notice. She tried to convince herself that she didn't want to tear his robes off, to leap into his lap as he sat there, but she failed miserably. She kept thinking of the way he looked when he was doing the laundry, mainly to keep herself from picturing the slight bulge in his robes just below the waist. How many times had she thought about that moment the last few months? His muscles rippling as he rubbed the clothes on the washboard, the sweat glistening on his broad chest, the fine hair that she longed to run her fingers through... But she couldn't think about those things, not when she still couldn't afford to trust him.

A tray appeared on the main table and Lucius picked up the mugs of butterbeer, handing one to Hermione. "If there is anything else that I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask."

She took the proffered mug. "No, there's nothing right now. I will ask that you remain in the library."

"Of course," he replied smoothly. Not that there was anywhere else he would have preferred being. He returned to his seat and resumed reading. Sipping at the butterbeer, he mused that he would have preferred something stronger. He could see the cognac decanter sitting on the shelf behind the desk. It had been so long since he had partaken of the finer things in life, but he could wait. He had to seem harmless.

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

Once he was sure she was engrossed in her books, he moved to the far corner of the room, where she would have to look over the back of the chair to see him. "Gupper," he called softly.

"Yes..." Gupper was hushed and continued in a whisper, "Master? What can Gupper do for you?"

Lucius crouched down so he could speak quietly. "First, I want you to pack a bag for me with some of my clothes and toiletries." He was tired of how he was living and wanted as much luxury as he could manage. "Simple clothing, nothing ostentatious."

"Yes, Master," Gupper replied obsequiously.

"Second, I would like a nice intimate dinner for two prepared. Select a nice wine out of the cellar. We will dine at seven. Use the family dining room, not the main room." He knew the main room was too extravagant and the large table too intimidating.

"Yes, Master. Gupper will have dinner served at seven."

Lucius had a smug grin on his face as he returned to his chair. He thought he caught a glimpse of her watching him. Phase two was progressing nicely.

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

When it was nearly seven o'clock, he set his book down. "Miss Granger?"

She looked up from her work, annoyed at being disturbed. "What is it?"

"I don't know if you've noticed the time, but it is getting quite late. I thought perhaps you might like something to eat?"

She looked at the clock, surprised at how much time had passed. "Oh, yes. I'm sorry. I just lost track of time. I suppose we should go," she said reluctantly. She hated the idea of leaving so many books unexplored.

"That won't be necessary. I took the liberty of having dinner prepared for us here. Thankfully, the estate is quite self sufficient." He gave her ink-stained hands a quick glance. "Perhaps you would like to freshen up before dinner?"

She looked embarrassed as she saw her hands. "Yes, of course."

Lucius waited outside the door to the library. While Hermione was cleaning the ink off her hands, Gupper informed him dinner was ready.

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

Hermione first tried the soap to wash the ink off her fingers. When that didn't work, it occurred to her that she was a witch and could charm her hands clean. Once again, she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. What was it about him that flustered her?

'You are attracted to him,' answered the voice. I am not. It's the house. Being here is overwhelming. 'Then what are you doing to your hair?'

She realized that she was trying to charm it into some semblance of control and stuffed her wand away. "I am not trying to impress Lucius Malfoy," she said aloud, hoping the conviction in her voice would silence her inner voice. Before she could get in another argument with herself, she left the washroom.

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

When she emerged from the water closet, he offered her his arm. "If you will permit me, my lady?"

Hermione was flattered at the way she was being treated. It was not at all what she had expected from Malfoy. She temporarily froze as she saw the setting of the dining room. There were several large floral arrangements on the sideboard that filled the room with a pleasant aroma and a single candelabra on the table lit the room. As Malfoy led her to her seat, she said, "You didn't have to go through all this trouble for me."

"I can't take any credit. I merely instructed Gupper to prepare a dinner for two. Had I known this is what he planned..." He tried to give an innocently surprised laugh.

"No, no. There's nothing wrong with it. It's just more than I'm used to." Even the fancy restaurants her parents had taken her to had not been this nice.

"If it makes you uncomfortable I will have them change the room," he replied as he pulled out her chair.

"No, I don't want them to go through any more trouble for me." Her eyes momentarily locked with his when he placed the napkin in her lap. She looked away in embarrassment when he smiled at her. For some reason, she felt she didn't deserve that smile.

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

Dinner was exquisite and the conversation was harmless enough. While the wine was excellent, Hermione limited herself to one glass, knowing that she had to remain in control. As they were waiting for dessert, she asked, "Why did you decide to join our side, Mr. Malfoy?"

He wanted to tell her to call him Lucius. He longed to hear her say his name, but the time was not right. Patience was the key. "I finally realized that I had been deceived. For years, the Dark Lord told us lies. Telling us how he would save the Wizarding World and preserve our ways. What he did," he paused briefly to regain control of his emotions. "What he did to my family proved that he preached nothing but lies. I now know that to preserve our world, he must be destroyed. If anything I have or know can aid in the destruction, it is yours."

She had been prepared to discount anything he said, but instead was stunned by the conviction in his voice. "I'm sorry you had to learn the hard way."

He gave her a weak smile. "My ego prevented me from seeing the truth long ago. I fear that I have more than earned my punishment."

"Well, you are atoning for it now. Perhaps the fates will smile more favorably upon you now." She tried to sound upbeat, but the resulting tone was cheery and shallow

He replied sadly, "One can only hope." Little do you know that they are already doing so. In time, you will see this.

They finished dinner in silence. He knew that Hermione would want to return to the library. "Perhaps you should send a message to the others letting them know you are still researching in the library? If you would like, I could have a guest room prepared and you could stay the night. It would save travel time as I assume you will want more than one more day to go through the books."

She didn't know what to think about this offer. It made sense, but she wasn't entirely comfortable being alone, under the same roof, with him all night.

He could see her indecision. "I am willing to allow you to search my room and lock me in for the night."

"Well, all right," she replied reluctantly. She followed him up the stairs and down the hall.

He stood by the fireplace as she began inspecting his room. As she inspected the bed, he moved behind her. "There's nothing dangerous about the bed," he said in a husky whisper.

She turned to face him. "I'll be the one to determine that, Mr. Malfoy."

"Please, call me Lucius. Mr. Malfoy is far too formal. And I hope that you will permit me to call you Hermione." He brushed her hair behind her shoulder so that he could see her creamy, white neck.

"Mister..."

"Lucius," he interrupted.

"Lucius, I need you to permit me to finish the inspection," she protested.

Hearing her say his name was very arousing. She was so very young and beautiful. He momentarily wondered if she was a virgin and he found that thought very arousing. "Do you really need to do that? After all, you do trust me, don't you?" He reached out and brushed her cheek, which he noticed was flush.

She backed against the bed, with no way to escape. "Of course I trust you," she replied nervously.

"Very wise of you. I could never cause you any harm." He leaned forward, eager to kiss her lips. He was quite pleased to see her close her eyes and tip her head up. Clearly, he was not the only one eager for the kiss. At first, he pressed his lips gently against hers. When he met no resistance, he laced his fingers through her bushy, brown hair and pressed his lips more firmly against hers. Using his tongue, he gently forced her lips apart and enjoyed the taste that was uniquely Hermione.

He gently lowered her onto the bed, pleased with her response.

"Mr. Malfoy?" Hermione's voice interrupted his daydream. "I'm ready to lock you in."

"Of course." Soon, that dream would be reality. Unfortunately, he was left in a highly frustrated state. "Good night, Miss Granger. If you need anything, Gupper will see to it."

"Thank you. Good night," she said pleasantly before departing the room.

Once he was alone, he moved to the mirror. "Patience, Lucius. You must show patience. If you are too aggressive you will drive her away."

[Author ID1: at Fri Sep 9 17:02:00 2005 ]