I'm sorry, this is not a continuation of the previous one-shot, 'Character Witness,' but I got such an incredibly wonderful response to it, I wanted to respond here before I went any further. First of all, can I just say that I have the best readers? Y'all are amazing! And you didn't know it, but that was posted when I really needed a boost, and wow did I get it. So, here's the deal: I'm turning it into a multi-chapter story. I've written quite a bit already but I haven't decided when I'll start posting as I have other obligations. However, I'm wondering if you would like a sneak peak, or prefer for me to just hold it back until I have more time for it? Either way, it'll be posted separately and titled 'Character Witness.' A million thanks for being so awesome, I know it's been a tough few months for us all, and I so appreciate you being here with me! (P.S. prompts and story ideas are always welcome, I can't promise to make them happen, but please don't apologize for sending them my way.)

Epic A/N over

Lucius sighed as he watched his son blatantly flirt with his best friend over dinner. He looked at his wife to see her arching an eyebrow at him and he sighed much more loudly. He knew that Narcissa was on the verge of banging their two heads together, and given the hardheadedness of the two people in question, that could be cataclysmic. So, he was going to have to talk to Draco.

The younger couple remained completely oblivious, lost in their own world.

It had been five years since Draco had brought Hermione Granger home with him during the Yule holidays of their Eighth Year, against Lucius' wishes. Also against his wishes, Lucius had been impressed by the girl's sheer nerve in daring to show up at the Manor. He'd been even more impressed when he couldn't find anything offensive about her, other than her blood status. And Narcissa had made it perfectly clear after the war that he was to shut up on that issue.

Miss Granger didn't stop popping into the Manor even after she and Draco had graduated from Hogwarts. Usually it was to see Draco, but more and more often it was to visit with Narcissa. And because of the way it made his wife smile to have such a willing and gracious guest, Lucius started to like her. Once again, against his will.

It was beyond irritating, but he'd recovered from worse. And so he became used to her presence in his home. If he occasionally sought her out when he knew that she was in residence for a debate over whichever ridiculous cause she was championing at the moment, well, that was just his duty to wizarding society.

The months passed, and then the years. Instead of diminishing in his eyes, Miss Granger only grew more important to Draco, and somewhere along the way she became 'Hermione' to Lucius.

It had been three years since Lucius had accepted that Draco was in love with the curly haired witch. Three years he'd watched his usually stoic son seethe over any mention in the press of her with another man. Three years he'd seen them regularly cuddle up together in quiet corners of the Manor. Three years he'd watched Narcissa's eyes light up hopefully as she regarded their interactions, then dim when they parted at the end of the evening.

Damn it, but how had he raised such an oblivious child?

Lucius' heart sank at how genuinely nervous Draco looked when he arrived in his study later that night in response to Lucius' summons. He thought they'd regained more ground than that since the war. But now was not the time to dwell on it, he had a mission to accomplish.

Draco paused in the doorway. "You wanted to see me, Father?"

"I did," Lucius answered, motioning Draco inside, "please have a seat."

He gestured to a chair in front of his desk, but seeing how uncertain his son appeared, he rounded the desk and took a chair next to him. Draco audibly sighed with relief.

"I wanted to speak with you about Hermione."

"Father, I don't care what you say, I'm not going to stop being friends with her."

Lucius chuckled, bitter though it was. "After all this time is that truly what you think I desire?"

That momentarily brought Draco up short. "I don't know."

"I suppose that's understandable, given my history. But it isn't." Lucius rethought. "Well I suppose it actually is."

Draco's head shot up and his eyes narrowed, and for the first time in his life Lucius knew for certain that his son could defeat him in a duel if he so chose. Instead of being offended or even irritated, Lucius felt proud.

"She's brilliant," Lucius continued.

Draco frowned, obviously confused. "Yes."

"She's beautiful."

"Yes," Draco conceded slowly, as if he worried that he was falling into a trap.

"She's poised and thoughtful, and despite being the most opinionated woman I've ever met in my life, she's savvy and she's learned when to express those opinions, and when to keep them to herself."

"Yes," Draco's eyes narrowed further.

"So, what I'm wondering, Son, is why she continues to be Miss Granger and not Mrs. Malfoy?"

Lucius took a moment to enjoy the way Draco's mouth fell open in shock.

"Father? I mean- she would never- And you would never-"

"I assure you that I have no objection whatsoever to the match. I will happily spend the rest of my days bickering with her over breakfast."

"But she-"

"Regularly visits the Manor, a place where she was tortured. She's good to your mother. She treats me with respect. Draco," he met his son's eyes, "she is more than worthy, don't let her slip through your fingers."

Draco swallowed several times and Lucius realized that he needed a push.

"Go to her. Now."

To his credit the boy- who was no longer a boy- didn't need any more persuading than that. He immediately jumped up and rushed out of the room and Lucius' heart stuttered. He'd done so much wrong by his son, he hoped he'd gotten this one right.