This is the last of the pre-written chapters. Updates shall be real slow after this :'(

I'm really struggling with the next chapter. I'm drawing blanks. Let's hope my muse figures out her shit soon. On the other hand, some other plunnies have been clamoring for attention. I really hope to finish this story soon.

Thank you so much for sticking around.

I'll get around responding to the reviews soon. And to the guest demanding smut, "Soon, my friend!"

Unbeta-ed

He has been called many names throughout his life. Brilliant mind, genius, sly snake and the most recent...old coot. To be honest, he was all of them. After all, they are called names because they are based on what a person is. A name is a powerful thing. You keep repeating it over and over again, you'll soon believe it to be true.

Just like Tom Marvolo Riddle Jr. did.

He called himself Voldemort. Thinking he can escape death. As if.

He was also once fascinated...captivated...with the notion of 'escaping' death. More like conquering death. He just realised too late for her . Early enough for himself. He did lose him but… life.

He is called many names. Each holds true at one point or the other. But it is completely up to him to be them. Those names.

He had indeed supported this competition and its hype being forced upon the students. He knew it was a grey decision to make. But he knew...it was only during chaos that the vermins come out to spread their poison. Harry's participation was an...unfortunate haptance. Though from another point of view, it convinced him that the vermins were at play. What had irked him was how that managed to take place in his school.

There wasn't a reason to fret over the past. Learn and move forward in a prepared way. That is what life is all about.

Just like he noticed the sudden feelings the Malfoy heir had for the Boy-Who-Lived's shield. The Muggleborn extraordinaire.

Children…they think they are so...discreet. They are like kittens- if they can't see anyone that means no one else can't see them.

Abraxas and Marcella.

Lucius and Narcissa.

And now, Draco and Hermione.

This family falls fast and irrevocably for their partners. That hair and their French origins had always made him wonder if they are Veelas. Was it because of having this trait in their blood made them such Pureblood fanatics? Because it is often the loudest who has something to hide.

Dumbledore smiled a small smile. Fawkes flew into his arms and demanded pets.

"You realise, my friend, the universe has made a big bargaining chip fall in our lap. One that can make or break this war that is inevitably going to take place. Sometimes, it is the war that is the hand that cleans the slate. Sometimes, it is the only thing that can."

Fawkes chirped. "Don't worry. It is all for the great good, my feathery friend."

Narcissa rose to greet the young, worried girl who Lucius brought alongside him. She walked towards her and extended her hands. The petite little creature with big brown doe eyes stared at her in confusion and slight concern. But then it all got concealed by an inner strength and will that Narcissa spotted right away and then the little girl placed her hands in Narcissa's. Narcissa held Hermione's hands in hers and kissed the air near both her cheeks.

"It is so nice to see you in person. Though under unfortunate circumstance, to my dismay," Narcissa greeted Hermione.

Hermione stared at Narcissa for a beat too long. How does one reply to a sentence like that?

Hermione quickly ran some of the dialogues of Pride and Prejudice in her head. "It is indeed a dismal situation but it is my fortune that I finally met you, Lady Malfoy." And gave a slight bow as much as she could manage given Narcissa was still holding her hands.

Lucius's brow raised in a silent appreciation.

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Granger. I was informed you were," Narcissa's face scrunched up in displeasure, "held hostage under water for the...competition."

"If it eases your worry, I was unconscious and had no idea about anything," Hermione gave a tight smile, trying to hide how things could have gone wrong terribly. She didn't show her fear.

"What about your consent? Were you asked about it?" Narcissa asked Hermione, kindly but with a firmness in the tone.

Hermione gave an one armed shrug. "We were told why we were called and what was going to happen to us and if we're okay with it."

'That stinky goat bastard!' Narcissa cursed in her mind. She gave a small smile to Hermione, trying to reign in her anger at the situation. It wouldn't help her to lose temper now.

"The Healer checked you before you came here, didn't they?" Narcissa asked, still very concerned about the poor naive thing.

"Yes, Madam Pomfrey did a complete check up."

Thank Merlin for small mercies.

"If you are willing, we can get another check up done for you. It was a magical lake. Who knows what was floating around? Better safe than being sorry, eh?" Narcissa asked Hermione kindly.

Hermione fell into a moment of contemplating. Then she nodded her head in agreement.

Lucius immediately went off to find a general Healer to give her a check up.

Narcissa noticed Draco had stopped thrashing in his sleep. He looked more calm now, his eyes no longer fluttering despite being closed. This young girl had no idea what she was getting into. She has the, at present, most powerful house on it's knees and she didn't even know it.

Lucius is good at what he does but subtly really isn't his forte. Her husband always like his methods to have enough flare and drama. Narcissa still cringed to think of the idiocracy that Lucius displayed when he gave the Weasleys the Merlin forsaken diary.

They had expected the mama bear matron to look into the contents but they seemed to have overestimated the Weasleys. Having seven children would do that to anyone.

Narcissa placed her hand on her flat stomach. Three stillborns and two crib deaths. That's what she had to go through before she was blessed with Draco. Narcissa removed her hand and placed her hand, one on top of the other as she watched the Healer fuss over Hermione.

She might not have been blessed with a plentiful children. But she'll be damned if she didn't make her daughter in law her own daughter. Maybe this was why the House of Malfoy is getting a Muggleborn daughter in law. The fresh blood. And by the looks of it, powerful.

Narcissa rose and sat next to Hermione, where she was made to lie down as the Healer took in Hermione's vitals. She clasped Hermione's hand, after the Healer left, and asked her softly, "You are not overwhelmed, are you?"

"Not exactly, Mrs Malfoy," Hermione politely replied, as she panicked as calmly as possible.

"It's alright to panic. I rue the fact that Muggleborns, after being introduced to the society so late, are not guided through the things they should have known. One of the basic things being health," Narcissa aired her thoughts out.

"And as days are passing, the chasp is enlarging instead," Lucius murmured slowly enough to be heard.

Hermione turned to look at Mr Malfoy with curiosity. Wasn't he a Pureblood fanatic? The question must have been written all over her face because Narcissa stepped in to reply.

"My dear, not everything is as it looks. We have had our reasons. There are a lot of delicate balances that are ought to be maintained when one is magical. A lot of factors comes into play."

"Then how do we learn these balances? There's nothing in the Hogwarts library about this," a bitter note crept into Hermione's voice.

"The Malfoy family library is a great treasure for someone who places knowledge as such. I would love it if you could utilise the same. I could help you too," Narcissa's eyes glint with hopefulness.

"Really?" Hermione beamed at Narcissa.

One mention of books and this girl is sold, Lucius tutted in his head. How she became a Gryffindor is beyond him. Oh, wait. She set Severus on fire. Yeah, so a brainy Gryffindor. One of the rarest of the rare.

"Please visit us during the holidays. I would really love it. Do tell me your parent's address and I will owl them myself," Narcissa continued on.

Hermione smiled without a restraint. If they were extending the olive branch, then she wouldn't act knuckleheaded and refuse this invite.

I am the least bit sorry for what happened.

Happened? You mean what you did.

It happened.

You made me a stunned Diricawl. I am useless. There could be anything happening to Granger and you made me bedridden! Fucking bedridden and unconscious, you fucker.

Still not sorry. It happened for a reason.

You do know I was too young to transform. What is going to happen to me? To us?

It's a part of growing up.

That doesn't answer my question.

I'll be around.

That doesn't sound promising either.

Yeah, so we did have a couple more years together. I hastened and now it's going to be a grown up you with your mate.

Where will you be?

See, when we were given this job to train kiddos like you, we took it. We followed our instincts. We know nothing more.

So when I wake up, you'll be gone?

Ralph is still there in your father. I'll probably be still there after you wake up.

Ralph fades with maturity. This transformation was forced.

You'll probably be an amalgamation of us.

I don't know what to think of it.

Do you feel that?

Feel wha- Granger! She's here.

Our girl is here. She's a bold one, I'll say.

This is exactly why she's a Gryffindor not a Ravenclaw. She gets what she wants.

I am glad she's our mate. She's so powerful, beautiful and that ass.

Djall…

I was there in your head that one trip to the bathroom during lunch right after Potion class ended. You had even messed your brew because you were staring about those two-

Okay, you can now fuck off.

I want to squeeze her ti-

Fuck off!

You're gonna miss me when I'm gone.

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