A/N: Well, this lovely little story of mine was written for the Lucius Big Bang 2014, and I hope you all really enjoy it. Many thanks to Krissy, SweetTale4U, and Muggle Jane for helping me out with this story. Don't know where it or I would be without you all.

Disclaimer: The characters and canon situations in the following story belong solely to JK Rowling, Scholastic and WB. I am not making any money from the publishing or writing of this story.

Chapter One

Hermione hurried down the street, cursing herself for being late. She had promised Luna that she would be at the Three Broomsticks for three o'clock and it was now almost five past. It wasn't like her to keep friends waiting, and Hermione loathed that she was. As the Three Broomsticks came into view, she let out a huff of relief. She had finally made it.

Pushing open the door, she walked in and immediately her senses were bombarded with the smell of aged wood and cider. She could also smell faint traces of Madam Rosmerta's cooking.

Looking around, Hermione located Luna sitting in a booth with two Butterbeers in front of her. She made her way over, taking a seat across from her. "Hi, Luna, sorry I'm late."

"It's all right," Luna said, giving her a smile. "I knew you'd be."

Hermione shook her head. It seemed Luna had a way of knowing almost everything. It was a bit creepy, to be honest. "Are you ready for term to start?"

Luna nodded. "I've completely redecorated the classroom in the North Tower. I can't wait for the students to see it on Monday."

Hermione grinned at her. Luna was going to be teaching Divination at Hogwarts this year. Professor Trelawney had left the previous year, stating that she could not handle the stress of students any longer. Most of the staff was pleased to see her go. As Luna had just finished her seventh year, she was offered the job.

"I've still got to put the finishing touches on my classroom," Hermione said with a frown. She was going to be the Muggle Studies professor. The past year, she had made up her lost year at Hogwarts and sat for her N.E.W.T.s. She was very excited to start teaching. "I hope I have time."

"You will," Luna responded. "Especially with the help."

"Help?" Hermione looked at her, confused. "Who is going to help me?"

A small smile appeared on Luna's face. "You'll see."

"I hate when you do that," Hermione reminded her. She took a sip of her Butterbeer.

"I know, and that's why I like to do it," Luna retorted. "Oh look, Severus is here."

Hermione turned her head to the door. She scowled when she saw Severus walk in, followed by Lucius Malfoy. The two spotted them and made their way towards their booth.

"Luna!" Hermione hissed. "You didn't tell me Severus was coming."

"It was a last minute thing," Luna said with a wave of her hand. "Hello, love," she greeted Severus. He slid into the booth next to her, giving her a chaste kiss.

Hermione cringed when Lucius slid into the booth next to her. He was suddenly way too close for comfort.

"Hermione Granger, it's a pleasure," Lucius purred, taking her hand. He placed a kiss to the back of it.

She pulled her hand away. "Hello, Mr. Malfoy."

"Please, Hermione, call me Lucius. We are going to be colleagues after all."

Hermione let out a huff. "Colleagues? You're certainly not teacher material." She sent Luna a glare, who gave her a small shrug.

"Well, apparently the Board of Governors thinks I am. I'll be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. Apparently my world experience is exactly what the young students need."

She rolled her eyes, deciding to ignore him. She was certain Lucius was just trying to bait her. Looking to Luna and Severus, she was dismayed to see them having their own conversation. She hated that this suddenly felt like a double date.

"Would you like me to get you another Butterbeer? Or perhaps something stronger?" Lucius asked, motioning to her empty glass.

"If I'm to be sitting next to you, I'll need something stronger," Hermione murmured.

Lucius stood and went to the bar.

"Luna," Hermione said, giving her a pleading look. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Stop whining, Miss Granger," Severus chided. "You look like a child."

Hermione only pouted more. Lucius returned at that moment, handing her a glass of Firewhisky. He took his seat next to her once more, and was sitting so close that their bodies were slightly touching.

"Cheers," he said, holding his own glass up. Hermione tapped hers against his before drinking it. They both placed their empty glasses on the table.

"So, is everyone prepped for term to start on Monday?" Lucius asked. He glanced around before his gaze landed on Hermione. "Well?"

"Hermione needs a little help setting up her classroom," Luna interjected, smiling.

"Wonderful. I'd be happy to help," Lucius said, offering his services. "When would you like me to stop by?"

Hermione mentally cursed Luna. She could see now that the blonde witch was trying to set her up with Lucius. While she didn't want any help with her classroom, she didn't want to appear rude. "I suppose you could stop by tomorrow morning if you'd like, around nine?"

Lucius nodded. "Nine is just fine. I'll be by then, and we'll hopefully be done by the time the students arrive at five."

"We should certainly be done by then. There's not much left to do."

Lucius flashed Hermione a smile, and she couldn't help but return it. She squirmed a bit, her stomach suddenly doing flip flops. It was at this moment that Hermione realized that Lucius smelled quite nice. He smelled like expensive cologne and spices. There was also a bit of a woodsy smell from a fireplace. It was certainly appealing.

She felt her cheeks grow warm, and averted her eyes away from Lucius's intense stare. "Er, Luna, Severus," she said, gaining the attention of the couple in front of her. Luna glanced at her encouragingly. "I think I'm going to head back to the castle."

Luna frowned. "But you've only been here for a few minutes."

Hermione blushed even more. She fidgeted in her seat. "I just remembered I have to do something."

"Hermione, if you're feeling uncomfortable, just say something," Luna said dreamily. "I won't be offended, and neither will the gentlemen." She patted Severus's chest lovingly.

"It's fine," Lucius said, standing. After brushing the creases from his robes, he held his hand out to Hermione.

She arched her brow at him.

"Come along, Miss Granger. I shall escort you back to the castle." The corner of his mouth turned upwards into a small smirk.

Hermione huffed as she slid out of the booth. "I am a grown woman, Professor Malfoy. I do not need a babysitter." She crossed her arms and glared at him.

"As a gentleman, I could never let such a beautiful, young witch walk around unescorted. It would go against my personal code."

"Well, I have a lot of errands to run. I doubt you want to accompany me even then," Hermione said, smirking at him.

But Lucius would not be deterred. "I insist, Miss Granger."

Knowing it was a losing battle, Hermione accepted. She dragged Lucius around Hogsmeade, making sure to stop in every store, even if she didn't need anything from it. She spent an obscene amount of time at Tomes and Scrolls, surprised that he didn't leave her side once. Not even when she brought him into Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop so she could purchase the tea leaves she liked.

Lucius stayed by her side, ignoring the strange glances and whispers sent his way. Ever the gentleman, he even carried her purchases.

Once Hermione had finished shopping, the two of them began the long walk up to Hogwarts. Lucius didn't say a word, and she finally decided she couldn't take it anymore.

"Professor Malfoy, I'm not quite sure what you're playing at," Hermione said. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye.

"Call me Lucius, Hermione," he said. "We are colleagues after all."

"I suppose," she conceded. "But what do you want?"

Lucius laughed. "I don't want anything, Hermione."

"Slytherin," she muttered under her breath. It seemed that Slytherins never lost their House's quality.

"I am, and always will be, a Slytherin." Lucius observed her carefully. "Just as you will always be a Gryffindor."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked him angrily.

"You asked an obtuse question upfront, without even having any proof. You feel that I'm using you, so you need to ask me if I am or not. Sounds like a Gryffindor, does it not?"

Hermione huffed. "Yes, I suppose." Looking up, she saw they had reached the castle. "Well, we're here. I don't need your assistance any more, Professor Malfoy."

"Lucius," he corrected her. Taking her hand, he raised it to his lips. Slowly, he pressed a kiss to the back of it. "Until tomorrow, Hermione."

Flustered, Hermione pulled her hand away from him. She gathered her things and stormed to her room, where she collapsed on her bed in an exhausted heap. Already she dreaded tomorrow, and it wasn't even here yet.