Hello Potential readers!
This takes place in an AU during Fifth year. I am likely to make mistakes, as I haven't read the books or watched the movies in ages though I have been reading tons of Fanfiction ;). Feel free to correct me as long as it is constructive and not a flame, or something impolite.
This story will be a Dramione, as demonstrated in the Story Summary, though I am open for final pairings for Harry and perhaps Ron.
*No disclaimer because posting on this site already declares that in the signup rules*
Chapter 1
Hermione scowled. How dare Harry and Ron assume that she'd always be around to do their homework for them!
Plus, Ron seemed to think he could still use her affections for him against herself while he was busy sucking face with Lavender. Lavender!
She was disgusted that apparently her most important quality was that of the walking textbook, available for everyone to take from, but for no one to return anything to.
Henceforth, she was currently returning to Hogwarts from a less taken path in Hogsmeade, hoping that this way she could avoid the two boys she was still incensed with.
Turning the corner, she heard voices from between two empty shops. Expecting to ignore the conversation, Hermione passed the alley quickly, at least until she recognized one of the voices.
"-And everything you've ever told me is a LIE!" Malfoy? It couldn't be.
"Don't you raise your voice to me Draco, I am your mother!"
"Oh yes, and that means above all that lying to me is perfectly acceptable if it furthers your and Father's agenda." His voice was rife with sarcasm, and Hermione couldn't help casting a Notice-Me-Not charm and peeking into the alley.
Malfoy's cheeks were flushed, his eyes wide with a rage she'd never seen from him before. Mrs Malfoy was far more controlled, though even she was flushed from the argument.
"We do what is in your best interest Draco, and you'd do well to remember that before you say something that cannot be taken back." Her voice was low, dangerous.
"So it's in my best interest to pretend that Muggleborns are worthless trash when Hermione Granger has more power in her pinky than Pansy will ever wield?"
"Don't you ever say that name like it means something again!"
"And why not?" He sneered, "I've been in school with that bloody witch five years now. Her blood is the same color as mine, and her abilities just as good!"
Malfoy was slapped, and he stepped backwards, but not before both women saw a slight flinch.
"Emotions are worthless boy, and until you learn to accept that you will never win your father's praise." Narcissa's face shone with disgust, and Hermione felt a twinge of sympathy for her most cruel attacker.
"I'll never win his praise regardless! I am nothing more than a pawn to that man, and nothing I do will ever be enough, no matter how much of your Pureblooded vitriol I spout!"
"This has gone on long enough Draco, and if I hear that you question our agenda or our Lord again, you will dearly regret it." She made to turn, but Draco wasn't done.
"I should have gone to Durmstrang, at least then I would have been farther away from your bigotry!" He breathed in, shaking with somewhat suppressed rage. "I'm done listening to this shite! You can't tell me who to be friends with, or who I have to marry, or which side of this horrible war I have to take!"
He turned away from his mother, towards Hermione, and she inched backwards, hoping he didn't spot her. "When I get back to the castle, I'm joining the light side, regardless of the old coot leading it."
"You will never ruin this family, because I won't let you." Narcissa raised her wand to her son's retreating back with no hesitation. "You may not appreciate my attempts to protect you, but I will do what I must to ensure your survival Draco."
"Imperia!" Hermione watched the strangely colored Imperius hit Malfoy straight in the back, his eyes widening before dulling.
"Now, straighten yourself out and tell me what I want to hear."
"What are you talking about, Mother? I must be getting back to the castle anyhow, can't allow the mudbloods to believe that they're free of me."
"Give your mother a hug, Draco." Her son acquiesced, giving her a very short hug after fixing his hair. Seconds later Narcissa Malfoy disapparated, and Draco Malfoy walked straight past her.
Hermione had been due back at the castle a good twenty minutes ago now, but found she didn't care as she hurried away, her mind swirling with thoughts.
-/-/-|^|-\-\-
She got dinner from the kitchens, only after promising the elves that she wouldn't speak of freeing them again. Something she did without thinking of the consequences.
Of course, she was quite preoccupied already.
Draco Malfoy had stood up for muggleborns, for her? To his mum of all people? She was wondering if she'd eaten a hallucination candy or something...
But she couldn't disregard the reference to Voldemort either.
And she definitely couldn't forget Narcissa Malfoy putting the Imperious curse on her son.
What kind of parent put an Unforgivable on their own child? Granted, she'd heard Walburga Black screaming about Sirius needing a good Crucio at Order Headquarters, but it still seemed surreal when compared to the crazy screaming portrait.
And the curse was obviously altered considering that the normal application was with the word 'Imperio' rather than 'Imperia'.
She had to tell Headmaster Dumbledore that an unforgivable had been cast on a minor, as well as research what the difference could possibly mean.
Hermione wrote herself a note on her forearm, hiding it under her sleeve until she could figure things out.
First she had to go see Dumbledore.
-/-/-|^|-\-\-
"I need to speak with Headmaster Dumbledore, it's urgent!" She'd been lucky the old headmaster had been returning from dinner, because the gargoyle had pointedly ignored her.
"And what may I do for you Miss Granger? Would you care for a lemon drop?" She refused as he settled himself into his chair, having kept tally of how many sweets she'd already had that day. One more would hurt.
"Headmaster, I believe I've just viewed the application of an altered Imperius Curse on Draco Malfoy." Hermione stated matter of factly, not wanting to waste time.
"Are you certain Miss Granger, as that is a serious offence to claim, and ensures a lifetime in Azkaban for his mother." Hermione didn't notice that Dumbledore already knew more than he should've.
"Yes Sir, I am." Hermione nodded vigorously, her somewhat tamer hair bouncing wildly as she looked into his eyes.
Which ended up being a mistake.
"I will address the situation immediately Miss Granger, thank you for bringing it to my attention." Hermione nodded, relieved that Dumbledore would fix the problem.
But by the time she left his office, she didn't remember that there was a problem at all.
It wasn't until Ginny was shaking her to get up the next morning and asking about the smudge on her arm that Hermione saw
Imperia- Library?
that she remembered her concerns at all. Which was strange, as she almost never forgot anything, and certainly not something as concerning as this.
She was still pondering this on her way to the Great Hall, when she bumped into none other than the object of her concerns.
"What's the matter Mudblood? Unable to remember your directions? Or are you just blind?" She scowled, before noticing the same dullness in his eyes from the day before.
"No Malfoy, I think it's your paleness. You seem to flicker in and out of existence every few seconds. Are you sure you aren't a ghost?" He scowled, and she turned away from the hall, heading back to the moving staircases.
Breakfast would have to wait, Hermione was going to the library.
Before I get yelled at for being unoriginal, no, Dumbledore is not evil in this fic though he might end up so in another. He is merely following his Greater Good plan, and more details may be provided in later chapters...;}
