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Hermione found a new dress laid out on her bed. This one was a light blue and green swirled fabric that almost reminded her of tie dye, and she wasn't at all certain she wanted to wear it for such an occasion as this. But at the same time, she didn't want to do anything to stir up trouble between herself and Lucius when they seemed to be getting on so well. She had no idea what might kill the uncertain truce they had formed, though of course she was certain they would cross swords again many times in the future.
She had to take a deep breath and clear her mind. She hadn't allowed herself much time to think everything that was happening to her through. Lucius wanted her to go downstairs and act blissful, but she had yet to decide if she was happy, or perhaps just horny.
There was no doubt in her mind the man made her hot. She'd have to be a complete git not to realize that, but that didn't necessarily mean she had completely forgiven him for what had happened between them in the past. He had been cruel, vicious, and ruthless, but could she believe him when he said it was only because he wished to follow in his father's footsteps?
The Minister and his wife were coming to dinner because Lucius had told them he had renounced the Dark Lord and all his ways, and the wanted him to prove it. But Hermione was uncertain if simply marrying her would do the job. He was probably going to have to prove it by remaining consistent over a long period of time, and that was something she could probably help him with. The fact that she actually wanted to help was what had her confused at the moment.
Yet, there could be no other explanation for her racing heart. It was not she herself who had anything to prove, so that affliction could only be attributed to nerves on his behalf rather than her own.
Hermione laid down for a few moments to contemplate what she was feeling. In her mind's eye, the only thing she used to see when she thought of Lucius Malfoy was his sneer, but now this vision had been irrevocably replaced with the lust-filled glance he'd worn last night right before he Apparated away from her just to keep from taking things any farther.
There was still a large part of her that wished he would have done so. Her loins chimed in at this idea, heating to the point of throbbing with a persistent desire. She had never known any other person who made that happen. Why did it have to be Lucius Malfoy that did?
Remembering she was here only to get dressed, Hermione hurriedly slipped on the gown, and went into the bathroom to see her reflection. Her face was flushed, her lips parted, and her eyes sparkling almost as if they belonged to somebody else. She decided to pull her hair back into a clip near the top back of her head, but left the sides down to cover her ears. Satisfied that she looked quite stunning, she Apparated back into the parlor, where the guests were already waiting.
Kingsley Shacklebolt looked up sharply when she suddenly appeared beside him. "Oh, there you are, Miss Granger," he said, wiping at his dark brow. He still wore his hat, but had apparently been about to remove it when she popped in.
"Kingsley, you're the new Minister?" she gasped
"Acting Minister at the moment," he corrected her. "I don't believe you've met my wife, Willow, have you? I've been keeping her pretty well hidden the last few years."
Willow chuckled, and her golden curls seemed to tangle of their own accord as she wryly commented, "More like imprisoned, if you ask me. This is my first visit outside our home in years. Not that I blame my husband, mind you. He wanted to keep me safe."
"And you are still alive to tell her so, aren't you?" he pointed out.
"Yes, dear," she sighed. "I'm only thankful that this war is finally at an end."
"Well, then, now that we're all here," said Lucius briskly as he came up behind Hermione and put his hand on the small of her back. She tried to ignore the little thrill of pleasure the slight touch caused, and felt her cheeks grow hot. "Shall we head in to dinner?"
The girl's pinkened cheeks were not lost on Kingsley, who couldn't help but give the start of surprise he'd expected to come from her. Was Hermione Granger really, actually so used to Lucius's touch that it was not only expected, but also welcomed? He never would have believed it.
Lucius rather solicitously stopped Hermione from going to the other end of the table, settling her in the chair beside him instead. Both of their guests smirked at each other and pretended not to notice his hand lingering on her knee beneath the table. Hermione put her free hand on top of it while the elf served the first course of their meal and cast him a shy smile.
"So, how long has this been going on?" Kingsley inquired as he watched them.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, not following his question because she'd been too distracted.
"'This," he said, indicating her proximity to Lucius.
"Only just," she said. "He was married up until the war, you know."
Kingsley blushed, but still pointed out, "That doesn't always prohibit a relationship--particularly if the marriage was an unnatural one."
"Am I the only one in the room who didn't know Narcissa was-well, was-um, you know what I mean."
"That's not the sort of thing one shares with school girls, Hermione," Lucius chided as he squeezed the knee he had ahold of. "But, in answer to your question, I did not speak with Hermione about my feelings until last week, and thankfully I found that she returns my regard."
Hermione blushed hotly, but she could not deny the validity of his words when the very thought of what he was saying made her heart skip a beat and then speed up exponentially as the throbbing need returned in her loins. She ruthlessly attempted to tamp the emotion down, but she found that she was unable to do so while he was still touching her.
Willow cast her a smile, and said, "So, he's swept you off your feet, eh? I can remember what that was like. Congratulations, my dear."
"I still find this hard to believe, when not three weeks ago the two of you were on opposite sides in the war," Kingsley said stubbornly. "Unless you were not really on our side?"
"I most certainly was!" Hermione protested vehemently. "But if you hadn't noticed, sir, the war is over now. I'm sure ours is not the only relationship that never could have happened during that is perfectly acceptable afterwards."
"Kingsley, I must ask that you don't impinge the honor of my fiancée," Lucius said darkly. "It is not something that I would willingly tolerate, not even from you."
The man pursed his lips as if he had more to say on the topic, but then thought better of it. Lucius was right, after all. There was no point in arguing the point when in the end, the girl had made her decision, and her presence in the former Death Eater's life could do nothing but improve his disposition. Quite drastically, if his behavior over the last week was any indication. Lucius had gone about his job with a lightness in his step Kingsley had never seen before, and now he was beginning to see why.
"It's all right, Lucius," Hermione told him. "He has every right to wonder about my motives, considering we are both members of the Order, and as he so crudely wishes to point out, you were on the opposing side. But Kingsley, I must be just as vehement in protecting my fiancé in this. He has lost his wife and son, he need not have to lose everything else while he's at it. I am here willingly, and there's an end to it."
"All right, Hermione, I can accept that," he answered. "I would hope for nothing less."
Lucius had a look on his face that was unreadable as they finished their meal in relative silence. The Shackleforts took their leave soon afterwards, leaving the pair to themselves.
With a grin, Lucius pulled Hermione right into his lap and said, "If I didn't know better, I would have believed you meant every word you just said."
Hermione cupped his cheeks in her hands, kissed him, and said, "I did."
"Prove it," Lucius challenged her.
For the next couple of hours, she snogged him so senseless he couldn't even remember his own name. He was fairly certain by the time they headed up for bed that she'd given him all the proof he needed, and more.
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