Your Parents, Muggles Aren't They? -Hermione

[lemminwinx]

The sun had just set over Diagon Alley and the sky had turned a rather delightful shade of pink as the clouds drifted over head. The hour was somewhat late and most of the shops were beginning to close for the night. While there were a few that stayed open well after everyone else would have gone to bed, for those who were night owls, you could obtain some fire whiskey or butter beer here and there. However, most of the activity that went down after hours wasn't something witches and wizards wanted to get mixed up in. While those who went around carrying out dirty business tended to stick to the shadows, that's not to say that there weren't those few who didn't care if they made a scene. The idea of getting caught didn't frighten them as much as one would think it should.

However, for one pureblood wizard, the idea of getting caught did not sit well in the pit of his stomach. While he wouldn't openly admit such a thing, after being stuck in Azkaban Prison, Lucius Malfoy would be all too happy not to get sent back there any time soon. However, that became difficult when his dark lord demanded him to do this and that. And since Lucius had fallen out of grace with him, it was almost out of the question to question the Dark Lord seeing as he feared any time now, Lucius and his family might be done away with via an unforgivable. And so, Lucius found himself in the shadows that were cast from the moon that sat high above, threatening to give his presence away while trying to keep his right mind the best he could. His mission was an on going one and tonight it was no different. 'dispose of the muggleborns'. That was his task and so it would remain as long as Voldemort was calling the shots.

When he had emerged from the depths of Knockturn Alley, Lucius suddenly wished two things; that he might not have to do this or that he could carry this out outside of the wizarding world. Undergoing such a task within the realm of other magical beings made it that must more precarious of a situation. Swallowing hard, Lucius was thankful that nobody else was around to seem him this way. While he was by no means shaking in his boots, he was very uncomfortable but only because he feared going back to Azkaban. To say they were not kind would be an gross understatement. Wand hidden but still easily attainable, his cane had been left at the manor seeing it would only get in the way of the work that was to be done. As he crept forth, Lucius suddenly felt as though he was not alone. Like he had been spotted. Turning around sharply with his hand itching for his wand, Lucius let out a breath when he found no one behind him.

But as he continued on, something in the pit of his stomach told him he was wrong. Just because he hadn't seen anyone then did not in any way mean that perhaps there wasn't someone lurking or someone who was paying attention to the move he was making. While he was doing his best to stay hidden, because there was an element of nervousness about him, Lucius had to admit the possibility of that alone could very well make it that much more possible for him to slip up. While being cautious wasn't a bad thing, being overly so could be cause for a situation to not go as planned. Slinking into smaller alley way between a few shops, Lucius took a moment to close his eyes and tell himself to pull it together. What was the actual probability that there was someone out there? And what was the probability that they were coming for him? Also, who on earth would be that curious as to follow Lucius Malfoy, known Death Eater and a dangerous one at that?

[HERMIONE JEAN GRANGER]

[style=font-family: times; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-transform: lowercase; color: #989898; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;]615 WORDS FOR lucius malfoy can't wait to see where this takes us. one of them will end up getting their butt kicked. just a matter of who, i s'pose. DREAM [/style]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: #6d6d6d;] [style=padding: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: arial; font-size: 10px; height: 475px; overflow: auto; color: #1e1e1e;]Hermione Granger was not usually this reckless, nor this forgetful, and she was fair certain that there were more than a few wizards and witches who would be greatly worried that she hadn't returned to the Burrow by now. It had been a grandiose mistake on her part. She'd settled into the bookstore after her mid-afternoon tea and snack break, with a book on the Dark creatures of Great Britain, and had spent a good deal of time on the werewolf chapter, before she'd fallen asleep. The shopkeeper in Flourish and Blotts, a kind young man by the name of Florence, had woken her moments ago and told her he'd sent a message ahead of her, that someone would be outside the store soon to take her home. So that was how Hermione had ended up out here, huddled in the growing chill of the evening, beginning to get nervous as the shadows seemed to creep around her, growing and never growing smaller. The sun slowly began sinking behind rooftops, draping the alley in darkness, and the moon rose in the sky. Still nobody came. Anxious to go home, and also beginning to get terrified that something had happened to someone in coming to get her (in which case she would never forgive herself) and so Hermione considered just heading over to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes to see Fred and George. If the message from Florence hadn't gotten through, they would be her next best bet to getting back to the Burrow safely. There was no telling what could happen here at night if she wasn't careful. That was when she saw him. Hermione had to do a double-take to make sure it was him, and then take a moment to steady her thrumming fast-beating heart. It was impossible. Lucius Malfoy was supposed to be in Azkaban. He was supposed to be locked away, kept away from this world. How could he have escaped? Did the Order know he was walking around the streets of Diagon Alley? Or was Hermione the first one to have seen him? The thought wasn't exactly a comforting one. Making a snap decision, she realized that this couldn't just be simply ignored. Reaching into her pocket, Hermione gripped her wand and went after him. This was probably stupid, and she probably should have gone to find someone to help... but there was no time. Never mind the fact that she'd allowed herself to fall asleep in Flourish and Blotts. This was the most reckless decision she'd ever made in her whole life... on her own, that is. Ugh. Harry and Ron really were rubbing off on her. She couldn't decide if that was a good or bad thing. She supposed she'd find out here in just a few short moments. Trying to be cautious, Hermione crept after Lucius Malfoy, hiding behind people and walls whenever he turned to look over his shoulder. Clearly he was trying to keep some kind of cover, or he knew he was being followed. She'd bet that it was a mixture of both. When finally he slipped into an alleyway, Hermione felt it was time to make her move. Going in after him, not making an effort to conceal herself, she hissed venomously, "An awfully long way from your hole, aren't you? There's still a dark little cell in Azkaban with your name on it, the last I heard." Was it even possible to say this without shaking just a little in slight terror of what was about to happen? But like a true Gryffindor, she stood her ground. She would not run from this. Slowly, she pulled out her wand and aimed it at him. [/style]

TABLE BY CALIFORNIA DREAMING @ CAUTION 2.0

[lemminwinx]

With his eyes still closed, Lucius had seemingly gone to another world entirely until he picked up the distinct sound of rubble under another's feet. His eyes snapped open but the Malfoy partriarc did not turn his head to meet whoever was there, just in case for some reason they still hadn't seen him. While Lucius could do more than hold his own in battle, he really did hope that whoever it may be was merely passing by. However, after a few moments of staring blankly at the wall across from him in the dark, a young and very feminine voice seemly reached his ears as if it had been floating on the wind."An awfully long way from your hole, aren't you? There's still a dark little cell in Azkaban with your name on it, the last I heard."Eye brows narrowing ever so slightly, it then became clear that Lucius had been spotted and more over, was being confronted. Putting on an emotionless face to mask whatever anxieties Lucius was feeling deep within his chest, the tall wizard remained in the shadows but turned his head to make eye contact with whoever had dared to call him out.

Cool, grey eyes taking in the form before him, the first thing Lucius noted was the wand pointing his way. The second, which brought about a rather malicious smirk about, slightly exposing sharp, white teeth, was the fact that Lucius recognized the young witch that so boldly stood before him. While it took him a few moments to put the face and the voice together, his eyes gave her a quick once over and Lucius Malfoy found himself in the presence of one third of what he had heard called 'The Golden trio'. While it had been a while since he had seen her and she had done some growing, Lucius recognized this muggle witch none the less. Her name didn't escaped him for a moment since this was the very girl that his son complained about almost every second. Granger, Hermoine Granger. The brightest witch of her age, it had been said. But it that were so, what she was doing right now didn't exactly strike Lucius as bright. Did she even realized who he was? But, then again she must have.

From his position in the dark, Lucius tightened the hold he had on his own wand, ready to defend himself should this girl really become bold. However, he did not match her threatening position. No, he merely remained looking a bit more casual as to not provoke her. While the Dark Lord would be extremely pleased and Lucius himself would be very satisfied with ridding the magical world of said witch, he wasn't exactly looking to go back to Azkaban prison any time soon. And having her dirty blood on his hands would certainly be a one-way-ticket back to Hell. However, that did not mean he wasn't itching to curse her. But, maybe he could put her in a position in which someone else could do the dirty work for him. Lucius would have to play the game right. And by Merlin did he have confidence in that. He was Lucius Malfoy after all. Smooth, charismatic, and certainly intimidating to the vast majority, his smirk remained firmly planted on his handsome face as Lucius let a deep yet brief chuckle come between them.

"Ah Miss Granger. A little far from the safety of Hogwarts to be playing with fire, aren't you, hm?" Was his retort. And while his tone was charming, the look in his eyes was a bit more predatory as Lucius seemingly locked on to his muggle prey. But then again, tagging her out might prove difficult since it had been said she was capable of packing a wallop. Wits. He would have to keep them about him.