            It felt wrong, to lower another boundary between herself and Lucius. This wasn’t supposed to be more than a business transaction, supplemented with the occasional banter or academic discussion. But during that minute in which she stood in his study, pink-cheeked and smiling, she could not ignore the fact that it was the happiest she felt all day. Even Harry’s proposal, while beautiful and joyous, had not given her the same satisfaction, settling deep in her chest. Perhaps it was Lucius’s attention she craved. The idea that a man as wealthy and dangerous as him had chosen her to help, chosen her to send a hand-written note to on Christmas day. It was silly. Maybe she deserved something silly.