A/N: I'm going to try something interesting with this story. Anyone who reads and reviews can make suggestions pof pranks/practical jokes for the story in their reviews and I'll take the best ones and put them in, in addition to a few of my own. So, let's get started!
Chapter 1
Hermione still couldn't believe she was here, even as she tugged on the rope that triggered the mansion's doorbell. She was currently in need of some money to pay for new school supplies, due to the looming new year at Hogwarts. Hermione had tried to execute every means possible to obtain said money, but all of her initial attempts ended up not going anywhere once Hermione realized that she was simply no good at those things. In the end, Hermione had decided to put her skills of handling younger children to good use by putting her name out there as a babysitter; she had even created her own flyers offering her services, which she posted around her neighborhood. Her parents, who were fine with the idea, helped out by distributing more of their daughter's flyers to friends and to other nearby neighborhoods. And soon enough, Hermione had gotten her very first offer. However, the family requiring babysitting services was the last family on earth whom Hermione willingly wanted to babysit for: the Malfoys.
What was most surprising was that the Malfoys seemed to be alright with one of their son's most hated individuals watching over their youngest; obviously, Draco Malfoy didn't need to be babysat. In the end, Hermione figured that the Malfoys, like her, didn't have any other alternative. And here they were.
The door to Malfoy Manor opened, revealing the form of Lucius Malfoy, along with his wife Narcissa. Both wore fancy clothes that made it abundantly clear that the couple were prepared for a night out. In addition to fancy clothes, the Malfoys also displayed expressions that showed their reluctance to have Hermione as their babysitter.
"Come in," Lucius said rather tersely.
Lucius and Narcissa stepped aside to allow Hermione access into the manor, and closed the large door bhind her.
Immediately, Hermione was met with the sight of a lavish and well-decorated home that was only affordable to the most wealthy of wizarding families. There were fine linen rugs, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and many other expensive-looking pieces of furniture and wall hangings. Hermione couldn't even begin to imagine how many rooms this mansion contained.
"Please follow us into the living room. We'll introduce you to Lamia before we depart for the evening." Lucius Malfoy's voice still had that sense of snideness mixed with superiority that any pureblood family seemed to possess when talking to a witch or wizard of Muggle heritage.
Hermione deduced that Lamia was most likely the name of the Malfoys' younger daughter as she followed the two parents down the hall and into an even more impressive area, the living room. The living room housed another rug, a roaring fireplace, furniture one couldn't buy in any casual furniture store, and other smaller artifacts designed for display upon shelves that were filled with books.
Sitting in the central armchairs of the living room were two people: Malfoy, with his hair slicked back as usual and also dressed in fine night clothes, and a young girl with blond hair that was tied into cute ponytails and sported an even cuter face. She wore a jade-green dress. This was Lamia Malfoy.
"Lamia, darling, would you please come over here?" asked her mother sweetly.
Lamia obediently obliged and walked over to stand facing Hermione, and smiled; something Hermione wasn't used to seeing from a Malfoy.
"This is Lamia, our youngest," continued Narcissa. "Lamia, this is Ms. Hermione Granger, your babysitter for the night."
"Hello, Hermione." Lamia even greeted Hermione with the type of voice that seemed uncommon for the Malfoys.
From his vantage point, Draco was watching with interest.
"Hello, Lamia." Hermione warmly returned the girl's greeting with a pleasant smile of her own.
"There's a list of all the things that Lamia must do before going to bed on the kitchen table. All of us will be out until 11 p.m. Lamia goes to bed at 8:00, no exceptions."
Hermione checked her watch; it was currently 6:00 in the evening.
"Stay out of any locked rooms and kindly refrain from touching anything valuable. We will pay you once we get back."
"Okay."
Lucius and Narcissa spent a few moments saying goodbye to their daughter, reiterated the rules to Hermione, and finally left.
Draco was right behind them, but paused momentarily to speak to Hermione.
"Let me give you some advice, Granger," he began in his usual snide voice, "don't be fooled by Lamia. She may appear cute and cuddly, but trust me when I say like brother, like sister."
Hermione smirked. "Malfoy, I think your hair gel is beginning to stink up the entire house."
Malfoy didn't have a witty retort, he simply kept smiling somewhat sympathetically. "Don't say I didn't warn you." He then exited the living room, joinecd his parents at the door, and left.
Once they were gone, Hermione turned around to find Lamia standing right behind her, smiling broadly. Hermione smiled again and knelt down.
"Ready to have fun?"
Lamia's eyes lighted up, but unbeknownst to Hermione, they lit up with evil glee. "You bet!"