Hermione's cheeks flamed, and she slapped a hand to her mouth. "No. No, I promise we were just—"

"It's for Edinburgh," Draco repeated, having stood up and put as much distance between himself and the chaise as possible.

"Well, that won't be necessary," Lucius said, an unpleasant expression crossing his face. "You won't be visiting Edinburgh this Friday." Draco shot a look at her, panic in his eyes. But before Hermione's mind could process, Lucius said, "We are to attend dinner at the Lestrange estate this Friday."

Lucius turned his eyes on Hermione, his eyes dangerously amused. "All of us."

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 22

Chapter Notes

Apologies for the wait, my dears! The girls and I had really shitty weeks, so we thank you for your patience.

Thanks to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden for fighting like hell to get this chapter out with me.

And happy birthday Bailey. :) :) :)

See the end of the chapter for more notes

All of us.

Hermione heard her heartbeat drum in her ears.

Bellatrix. She was going to see Bellatrix again.

"Father." She heard Draco's voice from far away. "You can't possibly be suggesting—"

"Am I in the habit of making 'suggestions,' Draco?"

Silence.

Lucius rolled his shoulders — the smallest of movements. "The Dark Lord has observed that your aunt and I seem… somewhat strained. Appearances must be maintained. Your aunt and uncle have invited us to dinner, and they insisted that Miss Granger be included."

Lucius turned his cold eyes on Hermione where she sat askew on the chaise, her chest still pounding.

Draco shifted behind her. "Surely there's an excuse that can be made—"

"Your mother and I have this under control. All four of us will be attending, and I expect you both to be on your best behavior." Lucius looked from Draco to Hermione, his gaze catching on her rumpled top and mussed hair. She felt her face heat as he studied her, his lip curling in amusement. "Well? Don't you two have Occlumency to be practicing?"

Hermione blinked, then scrambled off the couch. She nearly collided with Draco as she rushed to the door, her mind racing with visions of sharp knives and echoes of cackling laughter —

"Miss Granger," Lucius drawled. "A word?"

Her hand froze on the doorknob. She turned slowly, seeing Draco do the same behind her.

Lucius cocked his head, then an eyebrow. "You are dismissed, Draco."

She watched Draco swallow.

"Anything you have to say, you can—"

"Perhaps in my absence," Lucius cut in, clasping his hands behind his back, "you've forgotten who is master of this house." His eyes glittered as he watched his words land. "Run along."

Hermione's mouth went dry as she watched Draco clench and unclench his fists, then finally turn to move slowly through the doorway. He kept his eyes ahead of him, a muscle twitching in his jaw. She listened to his footsteps disappear down the corridor.