Chapter Text
Holly was savoring her morning coffee when Valora flew into the dining room.
“Good morning, gorgeous girl” greeted Holly, petting the owl’s head softly.
Taking the letter from the golden owl, Holly offered her some bacon in exchange. The owl hooted before nipping at Holly affectionately and flying off.
Holly opened the letter and two certificates fell out. Picking them up she saw that they read: Haus of Beauty all access pass. Confused but excited, she turned to the letter.
Dearest Holly,
As Saturday is your first ball I have procured two all access passes for you and Miss Granger at Haus of Beauty. Use this time to relax and prepare for the chaos of the night. I have let the staff know you are coming in tomorrow morning at 9am so they will be expecting you.
Ever your servant,
Lucius
Holly excitedly rushed to her office to write to Hermione. She had only gotten her hair done at Haus of Beauty previously but the spa had an insane number of selfcare offerings which she couldn’t wait to try out with her sister.
MIA!
LUC GOT US ALL ACCESS PASSES TO HAUS OF BEAUTY IN DIAGON FOR TOMORROW MORNING. PLEASE COME WITH ME IT WILL BE SO MUCH FUN!!
LOVE
HOLLY
Whistling for Hedwig, Holly sent her letter off to the girl.
—------Lessons in Love—------
Hermione and Holly had an amazing time at the day spa. The all access pass included a relaxing jacuzzi, time in the sauna, a mud bath, salt scrub, seaweed wrap, perfumed facial and waxing, and two mind blowing massages.
The pair also got a manicure pedicure for the next day. Holly’s nails were a beautiful peacock with some of her fingers as feathers and her pointer finger the head of the bird. The detail was insane! Hermione got a simple and glossy burgundy and gold sparkles to match her dress.
Holly got a scalp massage and detox making her long black hair look glossy. Hermione got the same hair consultation that Holly had earlier that month and learned all of the spells and products to use on her curls, the once uncontrollable mane was now sleek and styled curls.
Hermione declared during one of their massages that Holly was never allowed to break up with Lucius as this was amazing. Holly had just laughed and silently agreed. Returning home that evening, plucked, shaved, waxed and relaxed Holly felt better than she ever had!
—------Lessons in Love—------
The afternoon of August sixteenth Holly found herself putting on the beautiful peacock dress as she got ready for the ministry ball. Kreacher pinned up her long black hair with the peacock clip. The elf kept her make up soft and feminine looking with light pinks. Holly admired herself in the mirror twirling and watching the embroidered skirt flare around her. Around her neck glinted the Malfoy “M” necklace. Holly wore the sparkly black heels Lucius had bought her for their first dance lesson.
“Mistress looks beautiful” croaked Kreacher.
“Thank you Kreach”
“Mistress’ mudblood will be here soon”
“About that Kreacher, please don’t use that word to describe Hermione any more. Simply say Granger or Hermione”
The elf rolled his eyes but nodded “As mistress commands”
Holly walked down the stairs to the reception room just as Hermione appeared. The girl was wearing an off the shoulder burgundy satin floor length dress. She had followed her new hair treatment so her curls looked glamorous. She was a true Gryffindor lioness.
“Damn Mia, you look hot!” exclaimed Holly
“Thanks babes”
“Where did you get your dress?”
“Oh mum and I went shopping at Harrods. She loved it since she never got to take me shopping for a prom dress”
“That’s sweet”
“Yeah, it was fun. Are you ready to go?”
“Yup” said Holly, holding up the invitation. “Meet you in the atrium?
“See you in a minute!”
The two girls apparated over to the Ministry of Magic for the ball. The atrium was decorated in a fall theme as Lughnasadh was the festival of the beginning of fall and the harvest season.
The pair followed the signs which directed them towards a large ballroom which was filled with tables with a dance floor in the middle. Holly showed her invitation to the Auror guard at the door and the girls were let into the party.
Even though it was just the start of the event the room was already pretty full of Wizengamot members, Holly spotted Neville standing with his Gran on the other side of the room. Looking around Holly tried to spot Lucius and Draco.
“You look more beautiful every day, my dear” said a voice behind Holly. She whirled around to find the Malfoy men.
“Luc!” said Holly, she hadn’t seen the man in two days and she had missed him after spending so much time together recently.
“Feeling the love, Holly" teased Draco, but Holly only had eyes for Lucius. He looked REALLY good. Like he always did, but tonight he was dressed in a navy blue three piece suit which complemented her dress and it fit him like a glove. The color brought out his eyes and highlighted the platinum blond of his hair. Holly could already tell she was going to be having some fun dreams the next few nights starring that suit.
“Hello Draco” greeted Hermione.
“Hello Hermione, you look lovely tonight”
“Thank you, Draco. I like the all black look” Hermione elbowed Holly to make her stop staring at Lucius.
“Hi Dray!” chirped Holly. “If Lu was here she’d say you’re turning into a vampire or taking after my father”
“Luna won’t be here tonight?” asked Hermione
“No, Xenophilius has a seat on the Wizengamot but he stopped participating when his wife passed away a few years ago” explained Lucius.
“Oh that’s too bad”
“Indeed. Holly dearest, there are a few people I want to introduce you to before you get thrown to the whole Wizengamot next week” said Lucius offering her his arm.
Holly looked at Hermione in question.
“Oh go on and have fun. I’ll hang with Draco and maybe we’ll go save Neville from his Gran” said Hermione, making a shooing motion with her hand.
Holly pressed a kiss to her friend’s cheek and told Draco to watch over her. Slipping her hand in the crook of Luc’s left arm Holly took up her normal place beside the man.
“Now what do I have to do to get one of those cheek kisses” teased the man in a low voice as they walked through the room.
“You’ll just have to figure it out” teased Holly, though she had blushed at the question.
“Ah! Pius, how good to see you. Have you met Lady Potter?” called Lucius as they approached the first of his many ministry contacts. Holly smiled and played nice as the people around them gawked at the pairing. You would think they would be used to them together having seen them together so much in the prophet. Holly snagged a glance of champagne from a passing house elf and nodded along with whatever the latest contact was saying. Lucius also introduced Holly to the French and Spanish ambassadors who were each attending the event. Holly was grateful for her translation earrings and all the more determined to learn French and now Spanish.
The happy hour was drawing to a close and people were taking their seats when Holly ran into the one man she wanted to avoid all night… and it wasn’t Fudge or Umbridge.
“Harry! My boy. I am so relieved to see you after you didn’t answer my last two letters” called Albus bloody Dumbledore hurrying through the emptying dance floor towards where Lucius and Holly stood. A murmur of whispers started at the man’s words.
“It is Lady Potter to you headmaster” corrected Lucius. “Come love, let's get back to Draco and Miss Granger.
“Harry, I really must insist that you come with me, my boy. You are sick and need help”.
Holly shook where she was standing filled with sadness and rage. She was trying to hold back tears, why did this man keep hurting her?
“Miss Potter has no wish to speak with you headmaster. I kindly ask that you move out of our way.
“I think Harry can speak for himself. Come now, my boy. Enough of this foolishness” said Dumbledore, roughly reaching for Holly managing to grab her wrist and yank it causing her pain and to call out.
Lucius smacked the hand away and called “Guards! We have a disturber of the peace”
“Really Lucius there is no need for that” said Dumbledore as an Auror approached.
“I disagree. You have harmed my lady and everyone here saw. Lady Potter has no wish to speak to you. Go before I start a long overdue blood feud between House Malfoy and Dumbledore” ordered Lucius.
“Really, I have never been so insulted” huffed Dumbledore as he was marched out of the room by the guard. Holly finally relaxed as the doors closed behind him.
Lucius wrapped an arm around her waist and walked her to the table that Hermione and Draco were sitting at with Neville and his Gran watching them worriedly.
Holly was still out of it, Dumbledore’s words echoing in her head as she took her seat.
“Don’t let him ruin your night, love. You are a beautiful, accomplished young woman. You know who you are, he is nothing but a despicable old man” whispered Luc in her ear.
Holly nodded and did her best to put the words out of her mind. Leaning over to plant a kiss on Luc’s cheek she whispered “Thank you for defending me”
“Always, my dear. Always” swore Lucius seriously.
The first course appeared then and they turned their conversation to lighter things. Holly enjoyed meeting Augusta Longbottom. The stern looking woman was quick as a whip and could keep up with Lucius’ banter.
The main course was stuffed quail with orzo and grilled asparagus. It was delicious but Holly picked at her meal not feeling like eating. Hermione and Draco were in their own world talking about some magical theory Holly could not follow so she contented herself with speaking to Luc or Neville. A desert of apple pie a la mode was quickly eaten by all but Holly who slid hers over to Draco.
When all were finished eating a band started to play a waltz making Holly perk up. She turned to Lucius to find him already gazing at her.
“Will you honor me with a dance, my dear?”
“Yes, please” agreed Holly, eagerly taking his hand and following Lucius onto the dance floor.
As she was wrapped up in Luc’s strong arms Holly felt herself truly settle for the first time since the confrontation with Dumbledore.
“So I had the most interesting conversation with your father this morning” began Lucius as they swayed on the dance floor. “He warned me to be careful with you. He threatened me in fact. Saying not to break your heart. Are you so delicate, Lady Potter?”
“I’m not going to break. I’m not delicate like glass” protested Holly.
“No indeed Miss Potter you are a shining diamond. Tough as nails and beautiful to behold” praised the man as he dipped her low.
Holly’s breath caught as their eyes met. Coming back to her feet Holly spun into Luc feeling him hold her tightly as they danced.
“So I know about courting now” said Holly tentatively.
“Hmm,” replied Lucius.
“So if for example someone wanted to send me a family broach I would know what to do with it”
“That is good for someone to know. Someone is currently trying to decide which one to send” replied Lucius as they moved along the dance floor.
“Really?” asked Holly hopefully.
“Really, really” promised Lucius. “You're not getting away from me, love”.
“Good, there’s no where else I’d rather be”
Holly danced a bit longer with Lucius before Draco cut in to steal her. Holly had a good time dancing with Draco while Hermione danced and threatened Lucius. She also danced once with Neville.
The clock hit nine and the ball came to a close with a speech from the Minister thanking them for all they do for the Wixen world and wishing them all a blessed Autumn.
Holly, Lucius and Draco and Hermione walked back to the atrium together. There Lucius kissed her cheek goodnight and asked to take her to lunch on Monday to celebrate her lawsuits being filed. Holly tiredly agreed before hugging Draco and Hermione goodbye and apparating home to Number Twelve.
She was met by a loyal Kreacher who helped her upstairs and out of her gown into a soft pair of pajamas and tied her hair up in a silk bonnet. The elf refilled the pitcher of water by her bed and placed a hangover potion on her bedside table, she would need it in the morning. Wishing her a good night the elf blew out the candles in the room and headed to his room in the basement. Holly settled in for the night, her dreams filled with Lucius in his form fitting blue suit and imagining it hitting the floor as he ravished her.
—------Lessons in Love—------
The afternoon after the ball Holly visited Severus’ home at Spinners End for the first time. The pair had lunch and talked about the upcoming school year. Severus assured her that she would have access to his rooms at school in case she needed him for whatever reason. Holly’s heart warmed at the offer.
“So I hear you threatened Luc” said Holly casually.
“Yes. He needed to know that I would absolutely administer a poison of my own design with no known antidote if he were to ever hurt you” admitted Severus proudly.
“Thank you, but there was no need for you to do that”
“Come now, the shovel talk is a father’s right,” said Severus with a smirk. “Speaking of Lucius, how is that going”
“We talked about broaches last night” blushed Holly
“So soon? Are you sure?”
“Well that’s what courting is for right? To figure out if this is the right person for you… and so far I think he is. He makes me feel safe for the first time ever” admitted Holly.
“Well remember you always have the opportunity to say no” said Severus.
“Do I think I should?”
“I don’t think our relationship is at the point where I can give you advice on this. But I will say that Lucius is a good man who adored his late wife. He will be faithful to you”.
“Thank you Severus. I appreciate your counsel”
“Now you’re quidditch captain again this year right? Should I be expecting my house to lose again?”
“Hell yeah!" cheered Holly, “I can’t wait for the season to start again. I’ve been practicing my dives. I’ve had to adjust now that I have a new center of gravity”
“Try not to give me a heart attack this year with your flying please”
“No promises,” laughed Holly.
The father daughter duo talked a little longer before Holly headed home.
—------Lessons in Love—------
Monday morning Holly got a letter from her solicitor letting her know that the lawsuits against Dumbledore and the Ministry of Magic had been successfully filed. He would let her know the next steps once he heard from the DMLE.
Holly apparated to Diagon Alley where she was to meet Lucius for lunch. She found him waiting for her outside the Leaky Cauldron where they had agreed to meet up.
“Luc!” greeted Holly with a bright smile.
“Hello sweetheart. Don’t you look beautiful today” commented Lucius, placing a kiss on her cheek.
“Thank you” Holly blushed and brushed her hands over the skirt of her pink dress with a blue and pink flower pattern. Kreacher had given her outfit the seal of approval before letting her go, muttering that “Mistress was learning”.
Taking Lucius’ arm Holly followed him through the street as they made their way to the restaurant Luc had chosen. It was a little hole in the wall looking place called “Cantina de Sol” that Holly never would have expected Lucius to ever step foot in.
The man seeing her incredulous look told her “Just wait. This place has the best tacos”
“I’ve never had tacos or any Mexican food for that matter”
“Well you are in for a treat my dear” said Lucius before speaking to the hostess.
The pair were quickly seated at a table towards the back of the restaurant.
Lucius ordered for the two of them and got Holly a frozen strawberry margarita. It was delicious while he ordered a spicy pineapple margarita. They enjoyed their steak and fish tacos, rice and beans while discussing the latest book on the Wizengamot that Lucius had sent her. Holly even managed to eat most of the meal without feeling sick. With the guidance from Lucius and the books Holly was feeling rather good about the upcoming meeting. Her only worry was facing Dumbledore again, she had frozen the last time, unable to defend herself in the face of his harsh words. It also helped to know that she would have Augusta and Lucius with her at the meeting.
Their conversation changed to talking about the future.
“What is it that you wish to do after Hogwarts?” asked Lucius.
Holly poked at her flan which they had ordered for dessert and avoided Lucius’ eyes. “You’ll laugh”
“I won’t”
“Most people would… or be disappointed in me” sighed Holly.
“Come now darling, tell me what is that you want and I will give it to you. Have I failed you yet?”
“I want to be a mom,” admitted Holly quietly. “I want to have the family I never had”
“Oh sweetheart. It would be my greatest pleasure to make that dream come true” replied Lucius, making Holly finally look up and see him smiling softly at her.
“Really? You want more children?” asked Holly hopefully. It was fast but she had found herself falling for the handsome man and could see herself having a future with him (and Draco of course).
“Narcissa and I wanted to have more but it was a miracle that she was even able to have Draco. It would be an honor to raise children with you,” said Lucius sincerely.
“I would really like that” said Holly shyly imagining a little girl with Lucius’ blonde hair and Holly’s green eyes or a little boy with her black hair and Luc’s piercing blue eyes.
“It is certainly something we can talk more about in the future,” agreed Luc. “Are you done sweetheart? I have a business meeting I need to get to unfortunately”
“Yeah, I’m done,” said Holly, flagging down their waiter. Holly went to pay with her ring when Lucius stole the bill out of her hand.
“Not until what’s mine is yours, dear one”
“So the weekend after graduation?” joked Holly.
“I think Mr. Nott and Ms. Greengrass have already claimed that date, we’ll take the next weekend” replied Lucius seriously.
“Gotta send me a broach first” said Holly, while trying to will away the blush that had risen on her cheeks.
“Oh sweetheart you can bet on it”
“I’ll believe it when I see it”
