Having Jack pacing in her kitchen was beginning to become a weekly occurrence. Having him pacing without ranting, however, was new. Every few laps he would stop, point his finger at her, open his mouth to say something, and then go back to pacing.
"If I'd known all it would take to make you speechless was an evil wizard from England, I'd have asked Hermione to bring him over here four years ago."
"Shut UP, Daniel. And YOU! How can you even begin to THINK about that asshole's plan? I thought you had more sense, Hermione."
"It's simple, really. He has no idea how powerful we are as a team. We can make this plan airtight, if we think about it."
The team moved to the living room. Normally the kitchen was spacious enough for everyone, but with the four members of SG-1, Viktor, Luna, and Hermione herself, even the bench style seating of her table was too small to accommodate.
They'd let Malfoy apparate away after agreeing to meet the following afternoon. Hermione had spent the drive back down the mountain and into the city planning. After a couple of failed attempts at starting a conversation, Daniel fell silent and left her to it. He'd known her too long to ignore the very clear 'I'm plotting someone's downfall, come back later' look on her face.
As soon as they hit the city limits and cell phone range, she'd called to check in with Sam and Luna. Everything was quiet, and the kids were asleep, so they arranged for them to sleep over at Janet's, and Sam and Luna met the rest of the team at Hermione's house. They quickly filled everyone else in on what had been said in the meeting.
"So it's like this. There's this Ministry Ball to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the end of the War. I think Malfoy wants to make a scene, so it's very clear to Potter that he arranged for me to be there for him, but we can make it work to our best interests."
Jack stopped his continual pacing and glared at her. "What do you want this book for so badly that you'd risk going back there? All you've ever said since we MET you was that you didn't want to set foot anywhere near there. What changed all of the sudden?"
"We need this book, Jack," Daniel answered instead. "It translates loosely into 'the lost island of water.' With it, and the translation we're working on from 732, it could lead to the Lost City."
"You say that about every translation, Daniel. They always 'could' lead to the Lost City. They never DO."
"But this isn't just a translation," Hermione interjected. "There was only one copy of this book ever written. It was described as being unreadable, no one could ever figure it out. It is supposed to date back thousands of years, and was lost a millennia ago. If I'm right about it, no one could read it because it was written in Ancient."
Even Jack stopped pacing at that. She took the opportunity to continue. "It's worth it, Jack. I don't like having to do it, but Malfoy was right. I HAVE to get it, no matter the cost. If I had to go to the ministry itself, I would. At least this option gives me a chance to handle this on my terms and with back up."
Jack threw himself on the couch next to Luna, who patted his leg. "Fine. What's your big plan, then?"
"I go to the ball, of course. Or I should say, Hermione Granger goes to the ball." She turned and looked slightly coy. "Teal'c, would you do me the honor of escorting me to a horrid, obnoxious fancy dress party?"
Teal'c tilted his head in a way that his friends knew was as close to a laugh as he ever came. "Indeed. I would be most pleased to meet this Hermione Granger."
Hearing this, Daniel all but exploded off the couch. "Whoa, wait! I'm your best friend, I should be there if you need help!"
"Daniel, I'm going to be in a room full of people that I want to avoid. They'd make you as American as soon as you spoke, and that could lead them back here. Besides, they'll think twice about harassing me with Teal'c by my side. He could turn them into jelly in a heartbeat, wizards or not."
Feeling more than seeing Teal'c straighten a bit at the comment, she glanced past Daniel briefly. "Besides, who said you wouldn't be there if I need help?"
"She's right you know. No one would think twice about Loony Luna bringing a strange American muggle with her," Luna said softly. "That gives her three of us as back up, even though I really don't think she'll need it. I've seen her when she's angry. I think she'll level the whole ballroom if she feels she has to."
Jack raised his hand. "Hear, hear. I'm pretty sure she almost took out the entire infirmary the day that kid beat up Sara."
"Are you ready to hear the rest of my plan, or do we need to fight this out Muggle style? And remember, I fight dirty," Hermione smirked. There were nods all around.
"Right. Teal'c and I go to the party. I make my way to the Minister as quickly as possible and ask for the book as a reward for all the hardships his citizens inflicted on me. We get out just as quickly. Daniel and Luna are there for back up, and we fight our way out if needed. I'll also make emergency exit portkeys in case there are anti-Apparition wards in place, otherwise Luna and I can Side-Along if needed."
"What about getting the book?" Sam asked.
"I'll ask Shaklebolt to send it to a neutral location. Sam, you and Jack will be there with zats, in case it comes with surprise guests," she turned to Krum. "Viktor, I hate to ask it of you, but would you be willing to stay with the children? I don't trust Malfoy an inch, and I want them to have a wizard on hand as well as SGC security. Janet's already agreed to stay here with Cassie while we're gone, and I'm sure Feretti and his team will be willing to post watch. I've provided child care for his children often enough that it shouldn't be an issue."
"Of course, Herm-own-ninny. I don't like to think of you in such danger. If I can help, I will."
She smiled at him. "Okay then. We have one week to get everything in place. I'll meet Malfoy tomorrow to let him know we have a go."
The meeting with Malfoy was longer than expected. Behind the sneering, however, she saw quite a lot of relief when she told him that she would present herself at the ball. She did require a caveat, though.
"I'll consider your telling me of the book and getting me tickets to the event as payment, in addition to one other thing."
He looked at her warily. "Surely I've already done enough."
"I think not, unless you truly do not value your child's life."
"What do you mean?" He asked, not liking this unexpected turn.
"A book and a ticket to a party? Really? I saved Draco's LIFE, Lucius. Surely one more favor isn't that much to ask for."
He swallowed visibly. "What further can you want?"
"A Wizarding Oath. An unbreakable vow."
"What for, for Merlin's sake?"
"I want you to take an oath that you will never reveal the location of my home. You will never tell another soul where my children and I are. I don't like that you know, Lucius, but I won't accept that you could later use that knowledge against me. Take that oath, and I will call the debt owed by your son paid."
"And what if I am placed under another debt that requires your presence, as Potter did?"
"Then you would come and tell me, and we would find a way to honor it that satisfies both of us." Malfoy looked startled. "I don't like you, I doubt I ever could. But I dislike the idea of someone using a good deed done without thought of reward even more. Any good deed someone has done, I would not wish to see used against you. I'm happy here, and I refuse to move simply because people that used to know me don't understand that I owe them nothing. You know where I am, and I do not wish to see you harmed because of it."
She looked away for a moment. "One of my best friends was lead into a life following a false and cruel master once. When he was freed, he took a life oath to the man that offered the way out. That bond lead into one of the deepest and most abiding friendships I have ever seen. THAT is how oaths should be spent, not on forcing people into situations that could lead them to harm.
"I might not like you, Lucius, but I understand you. Better than you could ever guess. If you could take the Mudblood glasses off for a minute, you might be able to understand me too."
She offered her hand, wand at the ready. "Will you freely take this oath, Lucius Malfoy?"
He took her hand with only a small hesitation. "I do so swear, Hermione Jones. Also do I swear to protect your family's location above and beyond what you have requested."
Their magic combined to seal the oath as she looked up at him sharply, startled.
"My son is worth far more than you have asked of me, Hermione. As much as your children do to you. I make this oath as more than a wizard freed of a debt. I make it as a parent, a much greater promise by far."
They stared at each other for a minute before both stepping back. "I shall see you in a week, Miss Jones."
"Until then. Oh, and Lucius?"
He paused before apparating. "Madame?"
"If I'm forced to be there for more than five minutes, be sure to greet me as Hermione. It'll drive everyone else barking mad."
After a moment's pause, he threw his head back and laughed. "Oh, my dear. You are correct, I always have underestimated you. Shame you weren't sorted into Slytherin. I could have had you as a daughter in law."
"No you couldn't, Lucius. Draco made me angry to my toenails on the train first year. It would have been an abusive marriage, and I doubt you would have been happy to see your son constantly bruised."
He smirked. "Touché." He then turned and apparated away.
SG-1, clad in black, emerged from the alley ways. "I told you I could handle it," she said as she buffed her nails on her shirt. She suddenly looked panicked. "Oh, Luna-"
A serene smile met her gaze. "Oh, yes. We're going shopping. You lot will stay with the kids, yes?" With that, she took Hermione in a firm grip and apparated away.
