Redemption

A/N: Many thanks to those that have taken the time to review this story. It's nice to see there are so many LM/HG shippers out there. I only recently discovered this ship and have found so much potential in it. I think most of you have found my other Malfoy/Granger fic, "To Regain Glory". It's a different tack than this one and was a case of when plot bunnies attack. I normally don't try to do two same pairing fics simultaneously, but it happened.

Chapter 4

Hermione was not really able to concentrate on the books in front of her. In part because she wasn't sure which ones were reliable anymore, but mostly because she kept thinking about the kiss. Finally deciding she wasn't accomplishing anything by sitting in the library, she decided to go to her room.

Her hand froze as she reached for the doorknob. Looking down the hall, she tried to see if there was light coming from under Malfoy's door. And if there was? Then what? She started to walk down the hall and stopped after ten steps. No, it's wrong. 'What's wrong about it? You're both adults and it seems to me you both feel the same thing.' It's just a foolish teenage fantasy. 'Then how do you explain his behavior? He's not a teenager.' Just...I need time to think. I can't. Not with him. 'Why not? Oh, yes, because of what your 'friends' would say. They've always sought your approval for their relationships, right?' Well, no. 'Then why would you seek their approval for yours? You've already learned that Ron is too immature and Harry holds a grudge with unbelievable ferocity.' I need to sleep on this. 'That's right. Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?'

Hoping that the voice would leave her alone, she quickly got ready for bed. When she lay down, she was surprised to find another note under her pillow. True, she hadn't locked Malfoy into his room, but he shouldn't have been able to get into her room. Of course, one of the house-elves had probably delivered it for him.

Nervously, she opened the note.

Miss Granger,

My most sincere apologies for my behavior earlier this evening. I don't know what came over me. It was incredibly presumptuous of me and I hope that you will forgive me. I know that I am not worthy of your attention. You are a bright, young witch with your future ahead of you. I, on the other hand... Well, my future is uncertain. It would not be fair for me to presume you return my affection. Even if you do, surely there is someone better suited for you than me.

I shall do my best to tempt you no further. If you wish to leave, I fully understand. Or, if you desire to continue your research, I will stay in my room. All you would need to do is allow the house-elves to deliver my meals.

Again, if I have done anything to make you uncomfortable, I am profoundly sorry. My action this evening was incredibly foolish.

Apologetically yours,

Lucius Malfoy

She read through the note three times. He had misunderstood. She wasn't upset. I should go explain to him. After a moment's thought, she reconsidered. No, perhaps not tonight. I'll clear it up in the morning. 'Why wait until morning? Shouldn't you tell him it's a misunderstanding now so he can sleep peacefully?' I am not going to a man's bedchamber this late at night. It wouldn't be proper. 'You were about to go down there before you read the letter.' You just had to throw that in my face, didn't you? 'Yes. I will do so until you admit what you feel.' Are you implying I feel something for him? You're delusional. I don't feel anything for him. 'Then why did you dream about him?'

Hermione paused a few seconds before answering. Easy. You know I have dreams based on those daydreams Fred and George sell. Normally, it's just some cute actor in the lead role. While Malfoy has many faults, he is still good looking. 'Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that. You should go explain it was a misunderstanding.' In the morning.

She didn't think it would be appropriate to see him in her pajamas and she didn't really want to get dressed. Besides, she wasn't sure she trusted herself. What if the voice was right?

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

Lucius was sitting by the fire, reading a poetry book, waiting to see if Hermione or his breakfast would show up. He hadn't expected to see her last night; he knew she had too many reservations. It would have been a pleasant surprise, but if she were truly receptive to his advances, she would definitely come by this morning.

When he heard a knock at the door, he had his answer. He closed the book and went to answer the door. Before opening it, he made sure he had a properly repentant look on his face. "Miss Granger, once again, allow me to apologize. My behavior last night was inappropriate."

"May I come in?" she asked nervously.

"Of course." He stepped aside and gestured for her to enter his room.

She entered and started pacing by the fireplace. "I'm here because of the letter you wrote last night."

He led her over to the sofa. "I cannot express how profoundly sorry I am."

She placed her hand on his knee. "Please, Mister...Lucius, you have nothing to apologize for. I...I enjoyed last night." She smiled as she looked into his eyes. "And it wasn't unwanted."

He returned her smile and tried not to act overjoyed. Picking up her hand, he said, "I'm glad you didn't find my actions too forward. Though, what you could possibly see in me, I do not know."

"I could say the same thing," she said shyly.

Attempting to brush a lock of her hair behind her ear, he replied, "You are a beautiful woman with an amazing intellect. I have thoroughly enjoyed our conversations. Being with you..." He pulled away and walked over to the fire.

She reached out and touched his shoulder. "Being with me what?" He called me a woman. Very few of the others seem to realize that I have grown up.

He turned to face her, a forlorn smile on his face. "Ah, Hermione. It's very foolish." He brushed her cheek with his thumb. "It's nothing more than the fancies of an old man."

She placed her hand on his, to hold it to her cheek. "I don't think it's foolish. And how can you call yourself an old man?"

"Well, perhaps I'm not old, but you were my son's classmate. I thought you might find that...uncomfortable."

She led him back over to the sofa. "I did at first, but then I realized that was silly. Did you know that you are the first person that didn't laugh about my ideas for house-elves?"

"I find that hard to believe. Your initial idea was flawed, but not fatally so."

"I don't really want to talk about house-elves, do you?" she asked.

"Not particularly." He let his hand run down her arm. "Is there something else you wanted to talk about?"

"Why me?" She could feel the gooseflesh forming where he had touched.

"I thought we covered that. You are beautiful, intelligent, full of youthful energy. It's very hard to explain," he whispered as he leaned closer and brushed her hair. "What is it you see in me? After all, I am a disgraced convict."

"I-I-I'm not sure. I don't care about the convict part. We can clear your name. You're handsome, more intelligent than I had thought, and there's a side of you, a softer side..." She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his.

He could feel the fire in his groin and wanted take her right there, but he knew the time wasn't quite right. Exhibiting great restraint, he pulled away. "We shouldn't."

She replied breathlessly, "Right. I know. It just... I'm sorry."

He couldn't believe she was apologizing. This was going better than expected. He saw her biting her lower lip. "Is something bothering you, my dear?"

"Well, it's just I don't have a lot of experience." She realized there was no good way to tell him he would be her first.

"I'm willing to teach you." It seems he had been right.

"It's just you should know..."

He placed his finger on her lips. "Shhh. It's all right. When the time comes, I will be careful." Giving her a couple of kisses, he said, "I think perhaps you should leave. If I stay here alone with you, I'm not sure I can be held responsible for my behavior." He had slipped his hand under the skirt of her robes and was caressing her thigh.

"I don't mind." She leaned into him, her body screaming at her to satisfy the desires he had awoken.

"Hermione, I would hate to take advantage of you," he whispered between kisses.

"You aren't taking advantage of me. I want this, I want you." She crawled onto his lap.

The ache in his groin was unbearable. She was so close, only a few layers of clothes separating them. With the greatest of self-restraint, he replied, "Soon, my dear. Now, you need to go. You are driving me positively wild." He stood and placed her on her feet. After giving her one last kiss, he walked out of the room.

He could have taken her then. He wanted to take her then, but the reward would be even greater if he waited. He wanted there to be no regrets when they were finally together. By waiting, he was showing her he respected her, that he wasn't a hormonal teenager. In truth, he felt very much like one, possibly worse. He had experience that no teenager had that made his urges stronger.

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

Lucius was halfway through breakfast when Hermione joined him. He rose and pulled her chair out for her. "Forgive me for starting without you. I wasn't sure if you would be coming down."

"No, it's all right." She sat quietly, twisting her napkin in her lap. She looked into his eyes. "What do we do now?"

"What do you want to do?"

"What kind of answer is that?"

"A truthful one. You are the one that has your future to consider. Mine is uncertain. It may not be the wisest of decisions for you to get involved with me. My feelings for you are not based in logic. Nor do I have your best interests in mind. For that reason, it is best for you to be the one to decide." This was all part of the plan.

She stared at him for quite some time. She knew that she could testify on his behalf, and encourage the other to do so, in order for him to gain his pardon. "What if you were pardoned? Then what?"

He smiled weakly at her. "Right now, all I have is the estate. And that is only because it is magically protected. Naturally, I would petition the Ministry for the return of my assets. I don't know how successful that would be. For all I know, they will try to take the estate as well. From whatever I have left, I would rebuild my life. I don't know that I could make any promises." Yes, she was playing right into his hand.

"Oh," she replied quietly. Reaching across the table, she took hold of his hand. "I would think the Ministry would take into account the help you are providing now. I'll gladly testify on your behalf."

"That means a great deal to me. Thank you. But you should be careful about being associated with me. My tarnished reputation could hurt you," he said regretfully.

"We all make mistakes. Given the environment in which you were raised, your behavior is partially explainable. I forgive you."

"You are ever the optimist. One other thing for you to consider, if you were to help me, it would be best if we did not have a relationship that could be exploited. If anyone were to learn..."

"We could keep it secret. I'm very good at keeping secrets."

He smiled warmly at her. "Let's not rush into anything. Consider what you are offering me. I will be here for you." He could tell she wanted to speak. "Please, say no more right now. Think about it and we can speak later." She was nearly his. He had presented her with all his thoughts and she was already planning how to overcome them. This was even better than he had anticipated.

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

Hermione was amazed that she was actually able to concentrate on anything. Lucius had been far more restrained that she thought possible. He had pointed out which of the books that she had been using contained inaccurate information and they had sat on the sofa and gone through the passages she had referenced. Surprisingly, most of what was in the book was correct and there was little that she had to alter.

As she leaned over to ask about a particular passage, she found herself nuzzling against him. She kissed his chest and trailed her kisses toward his mouth.

Unable to resist her temptations, he leaned toward her and kissed her. As he deepened the kiss, he lowered her to the couch. Without releasing her mouth, he used his hand to push the fabric from her breast to expose her nipple. She gasped as he gently twisted her nipple.

He had released the kiss and was about to tease her nipple with his tongue, when he felt an alarm. He looked up and turned his head toward the door quite suddenly. "We have a visitor."

"A visitor?" Who would be visiting here? She pulled her wand out of her sleeve and readjusted her robes.

He smiled at her, placed his hand on hers, and lowered her wand. "Hermione, whoever it is cannot get past the front gate. I suggest you retrieve my wand and we can see who it is. I have a strong suspicion it will be one of your friends." He was not sure if he was glad to have the visitor or not. He had encouraged her to wait, but it was apparent that she desired him.

"Oh, I hope not," she replied sadly.

"Would you rather it be one of my old acquaintances?"

"Well, no. It's just that I had hoped to find some more time with you, but if it's someone I know..."

He kissed her gently on the lips. When he tried to pull away, she held him tight. Gently, he forced space between the two of them. "We don't want to keep our visitor waiting. Perhaps it is someone that be convinced to leave," he said hopefully.

"Okay," she nodded. There was something about his kisses that took her breath away. "I'll, er, go get your wand."

"Of course, my dear. I'll be waiting by the door for you." He watched her leave the room. He was so close and now one of her friends was coming to interfere. Had he been free, he never would have gone down to the gate. Whoever it was would have waited there until they left or froze.

Gupper popped into the library. "Master, a Mister Weasley is at the gate, insisting to see Miss Granger."

"Thank you." Weasley, he assumed it was the youngest. He knew that Arthur and the others were far too busy. "Fetch cloaks. Miss Granger and I will walk down to the gate." He really didn't want to walk down there, but there were secrets about the estate he wished to keep for the time being. Besides, he wasn't about to favor the Weasley youth with any semblance of being a wanted guest.

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

Ron was pacing outside the gate. He had already tried alohamora and found it useless. The other hexes he had tried had all been equally ineffective. He just knew that Malfoy was doing something horrible to Hermione. She had to be a prisoner; that was the only reason she would be staying this long. He knew it had been a mistake to give Malfoy his wand.

He saw two shapes coming down the drive from the manor. They looked like Hermione and Malfoy. He began going over the ways to determine if someone was under the Imperius Curse. As they got closer, he was about to speak, when he saw what she was wearing. It was a very fine blue velvet cloak, lined with ermine. Of course, he noticed that Malfoy was dressed in his finery as well. "Hermione! Are you all right?" he asked.

"Of course I am, Ron. What are you doing here?"

"I came to check on you."

"I told everyone in my letter that everything was well. I've been getting a lot of research done, which I would like to mention, you have pulled me away from."

"Let me in. I came to lend a hand."

She doubted it, but knew that he would not go away and the sooner they let him, the sooner she could probably get him to leave. Pulling Malfoy's wand out of her pocket, she handed it to him.

"Are you mad? Giving him his wand?"

Lucius did not hide his displeasure at being insulted, though he did hold his tongue.

"Ron, he's the only one that can let you in. Now, I've mentioned it before, but he's been the perfect gentleman." It was not really a lie. He had not done anything she did not want.

Lucius took his time undoing the charms on the gate. He could see that Weasley was cold and did not mind prolonging the suffering. He knew that he and Hermione were perfectly warm in the cloaks they were wearing. Once the gate was unlocked, he backed away as Weasley shoved his way past that gate. As he locked the gate, he supposed that he could not completely blame the young man for his lack of manners. With six siblings, there was no way he could be expected to have any.

Ron moved right up next to Hermione and began whispering. "What are you wearing?"

"I've been here for three days. You honestly didn't expect me to wear the same clothes did you?"

"But did you have to wear the cloak? I mean, what's wrong with yours?"

"You may not have noticed, but it's quite cold out. This one is better than mine at keeping out the chill. Are you really that suspicious?"

Ron glanced over his shoulder and saw Malfoy following them a little too close for comfort. He did not like the innocent little smile Malfoy gave him. He waved his wand at Malfoy. "Walk in front of us so we can keep an eye on you."

Lucius gave him a small nod. "As you wish."

"Ron, really, that's not necessary. He's not going to do anything."

"Yeah, well, I don't know that."

Hermione rolled her eyes and walked more quickly toward the manor, trying to put some distance between her and Ron.

Ron had to jog past Malfoy in order to catch up to her. When he realized what he had done, he said, "Hey! I told you to stay in front of us."

"Mr. Weasley, I am not running," Lucius replied imperiously.

Malfoy's reluctance to speed up forced Ron to choose between keeping up with Hermione and keeping an eye on Malfoy. He decided to slow down and allow Malfoy to pass him.

When they entered the manor, house-elves were waiting to take their cloaks. "Would Master like hot beverages brought to the library?" Gupper asked.

"Yes, thank you," Lucius replied as he draped his cloak in the arms of one of the elves. Rather than waiting for Weasley to do anything, he headed for the library.

"Hey!" Ron called out.

"Oh leave him. He hasn't got his wand. He's just going to the library."

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

The rest of the afternoon was spent in uncomfortable silence. Lucius was calmly reading a book. Ron kept glaring suspiciously at him and proved to be of little help to Hermione's search.

While Lucius was maintaining a pleasant and calm exterior, he wanted nothing more than for Weasley to go away. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair as he thought of what he would do if the young man were not there.

He welcomed the diversion of Gupper's arrival. "Master, will Mr. Weasley be remaining for dinner?"

Lucius looked across the room for the answer.

Ron looked to Hermione. "Are you come back to Headquarters?"

"Ron, I still have a lot of work to do here. I had planned to stay until Christmas."

"Well, then, I'll be staying, too," he said definitively.

Lucius forced himself not to scowl. "As you wish. Gupper, we will take dinner in the dining room and prepare a room for Mr. Weasley."

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

Dinner was a somber affair. They sat at one end of the monstrous dining room table, Lucius at the head of the table, Hermione on his right and Weasley on his left. Weasley kept glaring at him, but Lucius kept ignoring him. He took his time eating his dinner, exhibiting perfect manners, while Weasley demonstrated uncouth manners. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see that Hermione found the young man's behavior repulsive. While his expression did not change, he was grinning on the inside.

After using his napkin to ensure the corners of his mouth were clean, he rose and announced, "As wonderful as dinner has been, I think it is time for me to turn in."

Hermione rose to follow.

"Where are you going?" asked Ron.

"I'm going to lock him into his room." Actually, she was hoping to steal a kiss from him.

"I'm coming along."

"Ron, I can take care of myself," she replied defensively.

"Miss Granger, if it will reassure Mr. Weasley, I see no harm in letting him help set the wards on my room." Let Weasley have his childish victory. Lucius could tell that Hermione was fed up with the young man's behavior.

When they arrived at his rooms, Weasley insisted on searching them, even though Hermione stated that they had been searched and that Lucius was not up to anything dastardly.

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

Ron was satisfied the rooms were safe and that Malfoy did not have access to any magic. Once the door was locked, he turned to Hermione. "Where is your room?"

As they walked back towards the library, she pointed at her room. "That one."

"And where is my room?"

"I don't know. Gupper!" she called out.

"Yes, Miss? How may Gupper be of service? Would you like something to drink?"

"No, thank you. Where is Mr. Weasley's room?"

"Mr. Weasley has been given a room in the guest wing. Gupper can take you there."

"You mean my room isn't here?" Ron protested.

Gupper looked nervous. "No, sir. This is the family quarters."

"Then why is her room here?" Ron demanded.

"Ron, stop yelling at him," Hermione ordered.

"Master told Gupper which room to give Miss Granger. He did not choose the room for Mr. Weasley. Gupper is not wanting to give a guest a family room." Gupper twisted the hem of his tea towel.

"Ron, leave him alone. My room is here so that I could keep an eye on Malfoy. If I was in a different wing, it would take longer for me to react if he did something."

"If her room is here, then so is mine. I want that one." He pointed at the room next to Hermione's.

Gupper fell the floor and began beating his head against the stone. "Gupper...can't..."

Hermione grabbed him to stop the house-elf from hurting himself further. "Why not?" she asked gently.

"That room was young Master's. Mistress forbade the house-elves from changing the room or entering the room other than to keep it clean. Gupper can't give Mr. Weasley that room," explained the hysterical elf.

That was all the encouragement Ron needed to want that room. He hurried towards the door.

Gupper cried out in anguish and tried to squirm away from Hermione. She was forced to drop the elf. Before Ron could open the door, she hit him with a freezing charm. "Ron, no!"

"I can't believe you're taking his side," he said indignantly.

"You are an insensitive oaf. I can't believe you would do something like that." She released the charm. "Gupper, what about that room?" she asked as she pointed across the hall.

"Gupper will ready that room for Mr. Weasley." He kissed the hem of Hermione's skirt. "Thank you, Miss. Thank you for protecting young Master's room." He disappeared to prepare the new room.

Hermione stormed down the hall after releasing Ron, wanting to get away from him.

"Hermione," he pleaded to her retreating back before realizing she wasn't going to stop and that he would have to follow her.

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

Lucius had been reading by the fireplace when he heard the commotion in the Hall. He had pressed his ear up against the door, hoping to hear the conversation more clearly. That had hardly been necessary, as voices had been raised.

It did not surprise him that Narcissa had ordered Draco's room left as it had been. He knew how much the boy had meant to her. He pushed the guilt from his mind, knowing it would not help him. Instead, he concentrated on the argument outside. He was quite pleased that Hermione was supporting him. That foolish boy was no competition.

When he heard Weasley's final plea, he realized his entertainment was over. The one thing he wished was that he could comfort Hermione. Reassure her that she did not have to put up with Weasley's boorishness.

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

Hermione worked in the library, refusing to talk to Ron. Oh, he tried to talk to her, but she would not dignify him with a response. He had gone through several phases. First, he had pleaded with her, arguing that he was right. After that had failed, he had gotten angry with her, claiming that she was wrong in siding with Malfoy and that she was betraying them. Finally, he had shifted to apologizing, trying to convince her that he had been wrong. She knew that he wasn't sincere.

Now, he was sitting across from her, only speaking when she would look up. Once she had learned that, she stopped making eye contact with him. After several hours, she decided to go to bed.

"Hermione, I'm sorry," he called out to her.

She continued to ignore him and hurried up to her room. Once there, she slammed the door and waited for Ron. She was sure that he would follow her and she was not disappointed.

Ron knocked on her door. "Hermione, I'm sorry. It's just that you've been stuck here with him and I've...we've been worried about you. We just wanted to make sure that everything was all right."

"You don't get it, Ron. He's on our side. In fact, you being here has made my job more difficult. You are rude and distrustful and have driven him away. I need his help for my research. This is his library and I can't do it without his help."

"Hermione, don't send me away. I want to be here."

"Why?" she asked pointedly.

"Because I'm concerned about you. I care about you."

"No, you don't. You're just jealous. You don't trust Malfoy. Or is it that you think he's going to be more useful that you?"

"Hermione, that's not it."

"No, I think that is it. Goodnight, Ron," she said coldly.

"Hermione! Hermione!" he called through the door before leaving.

It didn't take long before she heard his door slam. She waited a few more minutes before slowly cracking her door. There was a light coming from beneath Ron's door, but she thought it was safe to sneak out of her room.