Not What Good Girls Do

Forever

Hermione sold her flat and moved in with Severus. His place was almost twice the size of hers and aside from having to add more bookcases to the study it had been an easy transition. Truthfully Severus would have lived in a broom closet with the witch if he had to.

They had fallen into a comfortable rhythm over the last few months. Severus created a new potion to aid with healing scar tissue. He had been testing it on his neck and seen significant improvement. It was seeing good results with healers as well and demand was becoming high. He was grateful to have Hermione's help brewing to keep up. She had been working for the Museum of Magical Creatures doing project based studies for the curatorial department. Work ebbed and flowed so it gave her time to help Severus brew. She hoped demand kept up as she enjoyed brewing much more than her current occupation.

Hermione arrived home late one evening after finishing a project at the museum to the smell of Severus cooking. She walked into the kitchen to find him stirring something on the stove.

"That smells heavenly."

"Beef tips with bearnaise sauce."

"Delicious!"

"You, my love, may go change and meet me in the dining room. Lucius sent you something from his trip to China. It's on the bed."

"Why would Lucius send me something?"

"Because he is my oldest friend and he wishes to make peace with you now that we are fixtures in one another's lives."

Hermione gave him a skeptical look. Severus walked over to his little witch and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Lucius is like a brother to me Hermione. He's not what you think. His father forced pure blood ideology down his throat. Give him a chance."

"For you."

"Thank you love." Severus kissed her lips then swatted her bum making her squeal. "Go on, go see your gift."

Hermione walked into the bedroom to find a large white box on the bed. There was a card.

Dear Ms. Granger,

I do hope you will accept this gift as an olive branch from me to you. Severus is most important to both of us and I hope that we may become good friends.

Yours,
Lucius Malfoy

Hermione lifted the lid to the box and pushed back the tissue inside to reveal a stunning emerald green tea length qipao with gold embroidered flowers. She carefully pulled the dress out and placed it gently on the bed. She stood there looking at it in awe.

"He has impeccable taste." Severus remarked.

Hermione turned to see her wizard leaning against the door frame.

"This must have cost a fortune."

"Probably."

Hermione continued to stare at the dress.

"Are you going to stare at it all night or put it on."

"Should I? It's far beyond anything I've ever owned. Severus, this is too much."

"Stop being ridiculous. Lucius wanted you to have it or he would not have given it to you. Try it on."

Hermione undressed down to her bra and knickers. She picked up the dress when she felt Severus' hands unhook her bra slipping it off her shoulders.

"You don't need these." He then pulled her knickers down and had her step out of them. He kissed her shoulder. "That's better."

Hermione slipped the dress over her head. Severus zipped it up for her.