This collection is for stories I've written for others. The pairing/character will be written in the chapter name.

His Choice

Written for Sam

Lucius/Hermione

Lucius ran a hand through his long hair, messing it up slightly as he stared at the letter.

"It's about my planned engagement," he murmured.

Hermione merely nodded. Her friends—the Marauders—had finally left her alone to sit at the Slytherin table. Grudgingly of course, though they didn't have to like it.

Everyone else had left for lessons, except the pair.

Hermione suspected that Sirius would be waiting outside of the hall to ensure that Hermione hadn't been murdered unexpectedly. After all, their views on what Slytherins got upto in the castle were highly distorted.

Hermione reached across the table, her hand resting on his. She had expected this letter to come one day, but hadn't been sure when.

"I'll understand if you wanted to end this," she whispered. "I know what your family mean to you."

"What?" He pulled his hand away, his gaze shooting up from the parchment. "What are you saying?"

"I'm giving you an easy 'out' from what we have. We both knew that this wouldn't be a forever thing."

"Is this what you want?" Lucius demanded angrily. "Do I not please you?"

She shivered at the words, recalling the last time he asked if he pleased her. "You do," she admitted. "I don't want to end this, but I thought you'd want—"

"Don't presume to know what I want," Lucius snapped, the soft caress of his hand on hers softening the words.

"I—"

"You," he whispered. "I chose you." His grey eyes were so piercing as he looked at her that she could have sworn she could feel it. "Merlin help me, but I can't picture a future without you. This… this causes a problem unfortunately. I have associates that will be displeased."

Hermione nodded slightly, knowing full well who those associates were, though Lucius had no idea that she was aware.

"I have associates of my own," she firmly insisted. "So you have to be sure about your choice, Lucius."

"I've never been so sure about something in my life." She shivered as he lifted her hand and brought it to his lips. "I think we'll have to see these associates sooner rather than later."

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