Chapter 10
"The Realization…"

"Potter, Black. Meet my date Lucius."

Lucius blinked while looking at Hermione with her arms which are currently embracing him simultaneously. Her face held such a sweet smile that he never seen but her smile couldn't fool him because he clearly seen her nervousness.

When he looked at Potter and Black he saw the shock in Black's face but Potter's face made him realize the despicable Gryffindor feelings towards Hermione…He likes her…no the hurt in his face says more than like because he saw the love shining in Potter's eyes; he wonders if Hermione has already realized it or not.

Lucius can feel his blood boil upon his realization…Hermione is still young no guy should look at her that way yet…especially Potter.

Lucius can feel his protectiveness rise again for Hermione and he will be damned if he let any boy come near her especially Potter who always manages to find trouble whether it is intentional or not.

With that thought he wore his usual smirks knowing it was hated by the Marauder, then he simply put his arms around Hermione.

Lucius felt Hermione's stiffen and tense it lasted for a short time because of the sudden contact he made. He felt her arms that were holding his tighten then loosen and vanish the moment he felt it. It seems that his daughter knew how to hide her emotions well because no one noticed the sudden changed in her except him.

"Do you need something, Potter, Black?" He asked in a tone that he knew that irritated them but he did it on purpose and judging by the annoyance in Black's face he succeeded; he almost showed his own shock when he saw the amount of hatred in Potter's face.

It was no longer annoyance that he was used to seeing on his face whenever they saw each other. Now it was full of hatred so much so Lucius felt Potter would jump at the chance to kill him.

James POV

James clinched his hands tightly while looking at Malfoy's smug smirk and Hermione' unwavering sweet smile to the bastard.

Hermione is really beautiful and with that smile on her sweet lips, James felt like he was looking at a goddess. He always yearned for her to smile like that towards him. He can't count the amount of weeks, months he has waited for her to give him that special smile; what is hurting him more than anything right now is the fact that she is given that special smile not towards him but to another guy.

He is longing for that smile to be his, and looking at her now pains him even more knowing she chose to be with someone else.

Hearing her refusal hurts him and knowing that Malfoy is her reason made him hate grow even more for Malfoy; he knew Malfoy doesn't deserves Hermione. He knows Malfoy! He doesn't know how to love and he will only hurt Hermione and if that happens he will kill him in a way that he will make him suffer.

"Watch out Malfoy, if you do something to hurt her I will never forgive you." James said with so much seriousness that Hermione never heard from him before, before any of them could react James walked away without giving them a single glance.

Sirius followed immediately though not before casting Hermione and Lucius a glare and Hermione immediately avoided his gaze she didn't like the look of hatred in his eyes.

Sirius POV

"James?" Sirius broke the silence unable to take it any longer especially since he can feel the thick tensions in the atmosphere that surrounds them.

The two are near the Whomping Willow where James is sitting on a broken log while he remains standing behind his best friend and patiently waiting for James to say or do something.

He doesn't like this James in front of him! He is so silent and his face is devoid of any emotions and Sirius honestly doesn't know how deal with this kind of situation.

His fear finally came true, Hermione managed to hurt James. She accomplished something that even Evan's didn't manage to accomplish, Hermione managed to break James and for the first time since her arrival Sirius found himself hating her.

Sirius sits beside his best friend who remained silent and immobile."James come on, she is just a girl. Come on let's just find another bird." He tried to encourage him.

"It's no use Sirius." James whispered sadly which Sirius almost missed.

"There are so many girls out there waiting for you Prongs."

"It will never be the same."

"What do you mean?"

"They will never be Hermione."

Sirius is speechless, he doesn't know how to respond because if he had doubt before about James feelings towards the new girl his doubt has vanished; by just looking at him right now he knows that James is already deeply and madly in love with Hermione.

"What's wrong with me Padfoot?"

Sirius saw James insecurity clearly. "There's nothing wrong with you Prongs." He said seriously he didn't like seeing the pain in his best friend eyes that is usually full of life.

"The why did Hermione reject me? I really li-"

When James didn't finish his sentence Sirius just knew that James finally realized his feelings for Hermione and he doesn't know if he will be happy because of that. Everything was fun at the beginning. It was entertaining seeing James acting so nervous whenever Hermione was near. It was funny seeing him so clueless on his feelings while everyone else managed to see it. Now he did not find it funny anymore because his best friend is hurting badly!

James POV

James suddenly shut his mouth. All this time he was stupid to not realize everything; like how he was always nervous towards Hermione. His sudden lost of interest in Evans. His heart rapid beating! Pomprey's and his best friend's words and lastly the unbearable pain he is feeling right now because of her rejection. Merlin it was so painful he has never felt this kind of pain before even when Evans was constantly humiliating and rejecting him.

He was so stupid! Everybody already realized it already except him until now that is. Merlin! He is really stupid no wonder the sorting hat never thought of sorting him in Ravenclaw.

"I am in love with her!" He shouted before he stood up and looked at Sirius accusingly when he saw the guilt in his eyes James finally lost it. "You knew my feelings towards her!"

When Sirius didn't say anything at that moment James really wanted to punch his best friend; he didn't because he knew it was one of his way to vent his anger to others.

"Would you rather hear it from me or anyone else?"

James can't say anything not only because of Sirius seriousness because he knew his best friend was right.

"It no longer mattered anyway… she already has Malfoy." He said in a very sad voice after a while saying Malfoy's name full of venom and disgust.

Sirius sighed and looks at James, if he is the one to choose he will tell James to forget Hermione however Sirius is not stupid seeing James in this way he is already sure giving up Hermione is not even an option.

"It's just a date, Prongs."

"A date which could change everything."

"So, that's just it? You already decided to give her up?"

James doesn't know what to say. Is this really over?Is he really going to give up? Suddenly he saw Hermione in his mind, the first time he saw her, the first time he held her, the first time they flew, her tears that until now squeezed his heart, her first smile that will forever be embedded in his mind and heart and lastly the way his heart is even now protesting while he is thinking of giving her up.

James thought from that moment even if he wanted to he could never gave her up anymore… Not now, not tomorrow, and not any other time because whether she knows it or not she already stole his heart without even trying.

James looks at Sirius intently and Sirius knew right away that his best friend has already decided and James didn't need to say anything to him for him to know what his choice is it was written on his face clearly.

"It will be a hard chasing game, Prongs."

James smiled determinedly. "She is worth it." he answered and James knew that he meant every word, Hermione is worth it; he is willing to fight for her because no matter what happens he can no longer give her up.

Hermione POV

When she could no longer see James and Sirius she immediately removed her arms from Malfoy. Hermione knows in her heart that she has hurt James right now and probably giving Sirius reason to hate her but she needs to do this! No she had to do this!

That's why she needed to stand firm and do this because no matter how much she dislikes Lily right now, she is still the mother of Harry and the one that is destined to accompany James until the end. Lily is James destiny and no matter what happened nothing should change that.

"Are you sure you really want to do this?"

Hermione looks at Lucius to find him looking at her intently that almost made her uncomfortable but stubbornness won't allow her be intimidated by him or by the calculating gaze that he is giving towards her.

"You know who James is." She said not really comfortable talking to him about the future even though he already knows everything it will never erase the fact that he is Lucius Malfoy the man that she is bound to hate in the future because of his cruelty to the muggleborns.

"Potter can be stubborn and I think he will not give you up easily."

She didn't need to hear that but deep inside she knew that he is right; she refuses to admit it. "His infatuation towards me is just a phase, give him a week and he will forget about me."

"Infatuation?" Lucius sighed inwardly it seems his daughter doesn't have any idea how she is affecting Potter and honestly he doesn't envy him right now.

"Yes, infatuation!" Hermione looks at Malfoy seriously while crossing her arms over her chest.

"I don't know why he is so interested in me but I know that he will soon get over it; he is in love

with Lily." Hermione almost grimace at that thought, right now a big part of her doesn't accept

Lily is worthy to become the wife of James and mother of Harry.

The Lily she knows is not the Lily she expected through the stories that were told to her by many people of the future but hopefully just like James infatuation to her Lily's cruel attitude is just a phase because honestly she doesn't know how much longer she can be patient towards her.

Lucius wants to shake his head and contradict Hermione, it was very obvious that Potter's feeling for Hermione is far from infatuation but Lucius chose to remained silent. He will never be the one that will point out Potter's feelings and if he can he will never let her find out about it because involving his daughter with Potter will only hurt her in the end.

"Anyway, Hermione, father wants to see you."

Hermione instantly frowned upon hearing that. Why would Malfoy Sr. want to see her?

"No!"She said automatically without thinking but she doubts that even if she thinks her answer out carefully, it will still change.

"Why not?" Lucius said with the same frown on his face that matched Hermione's own.

"Because…because.." okay she doesn't have anything to say that can justify her decision.
Lucius suddenly smirked and Hermione didn't really like it not one little bit.

"Well I think you don't have any choice."

Hermione almost hexed him because of the confidence he had spoken with which made him look so cocky. " I think I will be the one to judge that."

"Well you don't want me to suddenly slip to the Marauder about our fake date will you."

Hermione knows she lost the battle but the war. Darn it! This guy can really be infuriating without exerting any effort at all. She closed her eyes tightly, forcing herself to calm down before she would do something that she might regret in the end. Though blasting Lucius head right now seems so tempting.

"Fine! But if he says anything that I will not like I will leave instantly and you can't stop me no matter what you say!"

Hermione didn't stay to hear Malfoy's reply, she immediately started to walk away and leave

Lucius who didn't do anything to stop her.

Lucius POV

He watched Hermione's retreating figure. It was a big shock to him knowing he has a daughter. He is only sixteen himself and doesn't have any idea how to be a father to a fifteen year old girl from the future but knowing her, knowing what she is to him brought unexplainable warmness to his heart.

Lucius wants to be her father, he might not know howto but he wants to try and he will do everything for her as her father because he already loves her even in this short time.

Lucius can't help but remember what he and his father talked about after finding out everything from Dumbledore.

Silence enfolds at the Malfoy library after Dumbledore left. The two Malfoy's remained silent sitting facing each other; with both in their won deep thoughts.

Lucius knows that Hermione is not an ordinary girl and she holds so many secrets, he never expected it to be this big and actually involve not only him but also the whole Malfoy family and for some reason he found himself believing everything no matter how impossible it sounded.

"Lucius do you understand this, that girls existence might change everything we know."

Lucius looked at his father who was still looking so serious. "I know father."

Of course he understands everything. It has been so long since a girl was born in their family. Unlike other pureblood families the Malfoy treats a girl Malfoy more importantly than the heir itself but it was very rare to have a girl born into the family. According to their family history whenever a girl is born into their family the girl always inherits a very large amount of magic .Judging on how Hermione defended herself to his father it seems that the history was telling the truth.

"I want to know this girl, bring her over here."

Before he could answer his father already stood and left him. Bring Hermione over here? How the heck will he be able to do that? His daughter is very stubborn and has mind of her own.
Lucius suddenly stops thinking. His daughter? For a unknown reason Lucius found himself smiling but this time it was not the smile that usually annoys most who see it; it was a real smile that came from real happiness.

Oh, yes she is his daughter and he will do everything to protect her because as long as he is alive he will never let anything harm her. For the first time since his mother's death Lucius felt at ease and felt at home. He is not complaining because now he knows why he is very protective towards her. Even without knowing anything he already fell in love with her.

Hermione his daughter…and he will ensure he will do everything in hid power to protect her.

Lucius sighed out loudly and started to walk towards the castle. Seeing her stubbornness it seems that she will make his job very difficult.

Hermione POV

She frowned… why can't he stop staring at her! Doesn't he know that what he is doing is considered borderline stalking! He is always staring at her, always following her and if he wants to do it without her noticing then he is doing a very poor job, he needs lessons on how to be more discrete Hermione sighed and massaged her temple while walking towards her next class which happens to be DADA.

"Do you know that you have a shadow?"

Lucius amused voice besides her brought her back to reality. She looks at him and almost pouted upon seeing his amused grin.

Hermione continued walking hoping he would leave her alone but of course he didn't. He just continued walking beside her, not really caring if the other students saw them walking together, not caring if the situation might cause the other students to start gossiping about them.

"Don't you have better things to do instead of bothering me?" she said almost exasperatedly. She never knew how tiring it was involving herself in this kind of mess.
Instead of answering her he just smirked and that made her frown even more.

Lucius can't help but laugh making the other students stop what they were doing and look at him oddly. It was very rare to see Malfoy like this he always looked cold and walked with a sneer on his face. It really was a big shock for them seeing him so carefree while walking beside the new girl.

Lucius carelessly put his arm on Hermione's shoulder much to her irritation. She tried to remove it but Lucius just held her firmly. Hermione stopped walking and glared at Malfoy who only smirked even bigger.

"Remove your hand or I'll remove it from your body forever." Hermione said in a tone that could give a shiver to anyone but not Lucius; who was sure she could really do that.

Lucius leaned closely to Hermione, she almost stepped back if not for Lucius hand holding her shoulder to stop her from moving away.

"What are you doing!" She said in a calm yet firm manner.

"Don't you want to give your shadow a show."

Hermione stopped moving. "How did y-"

"Only the stupid would not notice Potter stalking."

Hermione sighed and freed herself from Lucius and this time she managed to do it without his interruption.

"It just a phase, if he will get bored and he will stop."

Lucius almost laughed at that. Hermione is really clueless but he likes her to stay like this because her not knowing Potter's real feelings towards her means saving her from possible future pain that Potter might bring her.

He might have just known Hermione in a short time but he knows her enough to know she will do anything to complete her mission even it means giving up her own happiness and Lucius will not allow her suffer because of it.

"So what are you going to wear on our date?" Lucius said out loudly enough for people to hear.

For a few seconds Hermione didn't understand what he is saying but then she remembered and she just sighed. "I don't know." She said boredly.

"Well let me take care of that."

Hermione nodded and started to walk again. She really hates shopping and if he is offering to help her regarding this she will gladly accept it.

"Take care, sweet heart."

She almost lost her footing when she heard that. She stopped walking to look at Lucius incredulously who is waving at her and smiling real widely. "Whatever Malfoy." She said quietly and continued on her way not really wanting to deal with his weirdness.

Lucius POV

He purposely said it loudly not for the entire Hogwarts to hear but for her shadow's ears and when he felt someone bumping into him he saw Potter's messy hair he knew he succeeded.

"Watch it, Malfoy."

Lucius really enjoyed looking at Potter's annoyed face while the other Marauders were standing beside him quietly.

"You watch it, Potter." Lucius said as menacingly as he can.

"You don't deserve her, Malfoy." James said quietly but firmly that Lucius almost missed it.

"Maybe but I will never let you have her either Potter. You don't deserve her!"

James couldn't take it anymore he raised his wand towards Malfoy which was followed by his friends Malfoy just smirked at him which caused his anger to spike up further.

"You have just proved to me that you really don't deserve Hermione…Stay away from her!" Lucius told him and with that Lucius walked away with James staring at his back in anger.

"James, come on lets go."

James ignored Remus, he can feel his body shaking out of extreme anger. If didn't like Malfoy before Hermione came, it was nothing compared to what he is feeling towards him right now.

With a very angry face he started to walk the other way from his class room not really caring if he missed his class he is to anger right now to attend any lesson.

"W-What are we going to do now?" Peter said after a few minutes of silent.

"Who knows…" Remus and Sirius at the same time.