When Hermione Fights

The Gift

Surprise! 1,5 years later, you get a new chapter.

Happy New Year to everyone that follows the Gregorian calendar.

Chapter beta: Dani

Chapter translator: Aivy

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I thought my idea was good and even if it wasn't unique, it was the only thing I could think of to keep Lucius off my back and pay my debts properly. I didn't want to and couldn't give in to his advances, even if they were sometimes flattering. Going to bed with Lucius would be... mhm, I don't know, too brazen? Yes and also too intimate. That might sound rubbish, but it felt like it! It wouldn't be right, too reprehensible. Not because he wasn't good looking, attractive to me or anything like that, no, he was my boyfriend's father, simply because of that.

I had set off as agreed to arrive at Trafalgar Square on time and had met the beetle. When she saw me, a distorted smile had spread across her face and I had nodded coolly at her. Today the square was immensely busy as it was extremely crowded with tourists, thanks to the holidays, and so I meandered purposefully towards the blonde lady who, in her garish yellow costume, was trying to dazzle those around her.

"Miss Skeeter, how delightful to see you," I greeted her, beaming mockingly.

"Miss Granger, the pleasure is all mine," she said in a saccharine voice, showing me her pearly white teeth. Her disapproving eyes behind her voluminous glasses glared balefully at me.

"Far too infrequently, I think," I teased her shamelessly and she replied sounding tight-lipped and piqued:

"Miss Granger, you do grace me with your wishes by post quite often."

"You're quite right, my dear Miss Skeeter! And you always carry out my wishes so promptly and in such an exemplary manner! Your article on poor Mrs. Malfoy's demise was truly a pleasure to read," I sweetly reminded her of her surrender to my orders.

"I'm extremely pleased that you think so," she retorted blandly, now clutching the straps of her large, leather handbag so that her knuckles turned white. "Oh, here she comes. At last! Do you still need me then? It is not the most beautiful or fulfilling thing for me to have to play madam to your kinky sexual games, Miss Granger," she said indignantly.

"But you show an amazing talent for that too, Miss Skeeter," I teased back. The way she looked crossly at me was very exhilarating.

"Alice, my dear, it's good to see you. You don't remember me, but I'm glad to see you again," I greeted Alice warmly. She hadn't changed and just looked at me openly, slightly surprised that I welcomed her like this. "You may go Miss Skeeter. I'll be in touch if anything comes up," I waved her away with my hand, treating her like the annoying insect that she was. The beetle didn't need to be told twice. Snorting indignantly, it turned swiftly on her high heels and scurried away.

Alice watched all this with a questioning expression and I gently took her by the hand, leading her towards the alley.

"So, Alice, the thing is, I want you to take Polyjuice Potion and be available to a man in my body, would that be all right with you?" I enquired and I saw her tilt her head, thinking.

"No problem, if the price is right," she replied calculatingly and let's be honest, I could deal with that attitude. I liked this girl.

"That shouldn't be the problem. I want you to do your best; let's say five hundred now, five hundred when everything's over?" I offered her and I saw the greed reflected in her eyes at this sum.

After taking her to the manor, I led her to our suite and she had followed me in amazement, unable to close her mouth, so impressed was she by the splendour of the manor. I had explained to her that she had to address Lucius by his first name and picked out one of my silk negligees for her. She seemed nervous, excited and overwhelmed and, with an uncertain look, asked me if I meant Lucius Malfoy, and I nodded laconically, seeing the undisguised respect she had for him and wondering if all women were so submissive to him? Probably so. It was terrible that everyone always threw themselves at his feet like that! I was annoyed that everyone encouraged him in his tyrannical ways. I was also respectful towards him, but I kept my pride.