Hi everyone! Enjoy the chapter. I don't own Harry Potter, just this plot.
It was the night of the Christmas Eve Ball at Malfoy Manor. Hermione and Harry were already dressed and were sitting on the edges of Hermione's bed. They had wrapped their gifts for Draco, Lucius, and Narcissa, and Harry was playing with the ribbon. The day after the failed Azkaban breakout, Harry and Hermione went around Diagon Alley to get gifts for everyone. They ended up with a gift for each person that they cared about. Hermione had gotten present for her original parents and had just gotten back a few hours ago from spending over 2 days with them. She had a great time and while she was gone, Severus and Harry had some good bonding time. Severus let Harry help make some of the easier potions, and Harry was able to get good quality time with his dad. He had called Severus "Dad" for the first time knowingly yesterday, and Severus couldn't have been more pleased.
However, Hermione and Harry were nervous for the ball tonight. They had not seen, nor interacted with Draco or Lucius since the Azkaban incident, and they hoped that they both were doing alright. Hermione would be formally introduced to her mentor, Bellatrix, tonight. She had read about Bellatrix, and knew that Bellatrix had a thing for being crazy. Hermione was nervous for the training that she would receive from Bellatrix, since Bellatrix often showed no mercy. She continued to stare at the floor, absentmindedly playing with the ribbon on her gift to Draco.
Severus walked through Hermione's door, knocking on the door frame before he did so.
"Hello," he said, softly.
"Hi Daddy," Hermione said, still staring at the floor.
"Hi Dad," Harry said.
"Are you ready to go? We should probably arrive in five minutes or so," Severus demanded.
Hermione nodded and hopped off the bed, walking towards her father in the emerald green dress that had been bought for her in the previous week. Harry followed suit.
Within minutes, they were exiting the floo at Malfoy Manor. Harry spotted the rest of the boys in Slytherin House and ran off to join them, after getting an approving nod from Severus. Hermione stood slightly behind her father, nervous. This was her first major party with a bunch of purebloods and it made her extremely nervous. She didn't see her friends anywhere, and Draco was currently over beside his parents, being a lovely host of course. Severus placed his hand on her upper back and led her over to the Malfoy's.
"Daddy, where are we going?" Hermione asked.
"We're going to introduce you to your trainer for the next few years, Bellatrix. She needs to get to know you, and you need to get to know her. While she is a little crazy, she will tell you all that you need to know to be the Dark Lord's next best right-hand man, er woman."
"When will I start training?"
"Whenever the Dark Lord sees fit. Here we are. Don't worry," he added, looking at Hermione's timid face. "I'll be right beside you."
They walked up to Bellatrix, who was talking with Nott's wife and holding a glass of what looked like red wine.
"Ah, hello, Severus," Bellatrix slurred, obviously drunk.
"Hello, Bella. I'd like to introduce you to my daughter. Bella, this is Hermione, Hermione, this is Bellatrix Lestrange. If she allows, I'm sure you could call her Bella," Severus said, gesturing between the two.
"I would love if you would call me Bella. It is nice to meet you, Hermione. I'm excited to have another female in our midst," Bella said, before looking up at Severus. "Where is her mother?"
"Dead."
"Who is her mother?"
"Lily Evans, or rather known as Lily Potter," Severus said, as his face hardened.
"Ohh, the mudblood?" Bella asked.
Severus' eyes flashed. "Muggleborn, yes. Hermione, we must go. It is time we visited other people. Lovely seeing you, Bellatrix."
With that, he place his hand on Hermione's back, and pushed her away from the drunk Bellatrix.
"Now where are we going?" Hermione asked, a little startled.
"We're going over to Lucius and Narcissa to thank them for inviting us. It is what all guests should do when invited to a party such as this one. Besides, I've been meaning to thank her for getting you and Harry outfits for this ball," Severus replied.
"Ah, okay."
They weaved their way through the crowds, careful to not disturb anyone. No one was dancing yet, but the band was playing some soft classical music. Hermione eyed the violin. She had always wanted to learn a musical instrument besides piano, and the violin was, well, gorgeous. Severus noticed her staring at the musical instrument and made a mental note. He needed a slightly more expensive gift for Hermione, as Harry was getting a Nimbus 2000 for Christmas.
They arrived in front of Lucius and Narcissa.
"Thank you for inviting us," Hermione said, looking at Narcissa and Lucius. "And thank you for the pretty dress, Mrs. Malfoy."
"Now, dear, I've told you to call me Narcissa."
"Sorry," Hermione blushed.
"It's perfectly alright, dear. Draco, would you like to show Hermione the gardens? I know how much she loves flowers, and I'm sure you would adore our large one."
Hermione bounced on her toes, looking expectedly at her father.
"Please, Daddy, can I go?"
"Very well," Severus rumbled. "But take a cloak. It is chilly."
Hermione nodded, and she and Draco left towards the garden. When they reached the front doors, Hermione grabbed her cloak from the hooks and put it on. It seemed warmer than normal, and she looked over at her father on the other side of the ballroom. He was watching her with a content smile on his face. She mouthed her thanks to him, as he had put a warming charm on hers and Draco's cloaks to ensure they stayed warm while outside. They exited the manor, Draco in the lead.
"So, Draco, where are the gardens?"
"They're mostly around back, but we also have a greenhouse on the side for all the magical plants. Would you like to see them?"
Hermione nodded eagerly. "Yes, please. I love plants."
They walked in silence.
"It's been a crazy year at Hogwarts this year. Do you think it'll always be like this?" Hermione asked.
"No, I don't think so. I honestly think the problem is Quirrell. He's way too timid in classes, and Uncle Sev doesn't trust him. There's something fishy going on with him, but I don't know what. It's probably nothing."
"I hope so. Hey, do you think your parent's have anything about Nicholas Flamel in their library?"
"It's possible, why?"
"Ever since you overheard Weasley and Hagrid, I've been thinking about it. Even if we never have to go after it, I still want to know what's under the three headed dog. Obviously, there are probably more puzzles and enchantments down there to protect whatever it is, but there is something down there that Quirrell wants. Something that Nicholas Flamel is involved in," Hermione said, eyes wide, thinking through everything as she rambled on to Draco.
"Do you want to go now, or after I show you the gardens?" Draco asked. He personally wanted to go now.
"Now?" Hermione asked, glancing at Draco.
Hermione and Draco started walking back towards the manor without even thinking about it. They were curious, and as the two best students in their year, they were itching to do some research. The walk back to the manor didn't take long, as they were both walking quickly, and they hadn't even made it around to the greenhouses yet. They entered the manor, hung up their cloaks, wiped their shoes, and left down the hallway, earning a eyebrow raise from Severus. He quickly excused himself from his discussion with the Malfoys. He also grabbed two chocolate frogs from the table, which would be given out to all the children later. Knowing those two, they were probably going to the library and wouldn't come out for the rest of the evening.
Unfortunately, a different thought passed through his head. What if they were going to Draco's room? Alone. With no supervision. His eyes flashed and he picked up the pace. Draco's room and the library were in the same wing, so he knew they were going to one of two places. The library came up first, and he stopped, listening. The door was closed, but he heard voices inside, which was a good thing. Severus let out a sigh of relief. He didn't have to yell at his godson and daughter on Christmas Eve. Knocking on the door, he waited patiently for a response.
The door opened just a crack to see a blond and grey eyed boy staring at him.
"Oh, hi, Uncle Sev," Draco grinned, and opened the door the rest of the way.
"And what in the world are you two doing in the library on Christmas Eve?"
"Um," Draco said, glancing at Hermione. Hermione was not paying attention to the current situation and was instead looking at the bookshelves, touching each book as she came past.
"Don't lie to me, Draco."
Draco sighed. "Fine, we're looking for a person named Nicholas Flamel. We heard Weasley talking to Hagrid about it, and Hagrid slipped up and said something about Flamel. We also accidentally ran into the three headed dog earlier in the term because Longbottom was heading towards there and we didn't want him to get in trouble, or as Dumbledore said 'die a most painful death'. We ran into the three headed dog, and then we were trying to stay out of it since we were all terrified, but we just keep getting involved, and Hermione and I are also just curious in general as to who Nicholas Flamel did and what he made. That's all."
"You came across Fluffy, and you didn't say anything?" Severus said with a cocked eyebrow.
"Fluffy, that thing has a name?" Hermione inquired from the other side of the library.
Severus scoffed. "Of course, Hagrid named him."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"You have my permission to look and research Nicholas Flamel, but don't think anymore about what is past Fluffy. It is guarded well, no first year could ever pass through it. Here, I brought you some Chocolate Frogs. Eat them. Knowing you two, you won't leave this room until it's time to come home. Have a fun time," he drawled, as he swept from the room, robes billowing behind him.
"Now that my father has made his overly dramatic exit, I found some books that we can check."
"Hermione, can we eat our frogs first? I need some brain fuel," Draco whined.
"Fine," she sighed and set down her book. "Here."
Draco took the package from Hermione and opened it, catching the frog mid-jump. He smiled at Hermione in amusement, before eating the frog. As he finished eating it, he loked at his card.
"Aw, man, I've got Dumbledore again," he grumbled.
Hermione gasped; eyes wide.
"Ugh, I got Dumbledore again," Harry said, attempting to be funny. "Oh look. Blah blah blah he's old. Blah blah blah he's worked with another old person. Blah blah blah another old person is famous because he made the Elixir of Life."
Hermione giggled.
"Harry you may not like him, but you gotta admit he's done some great things," Hermione said, still giggling.
"Let me see the card, Draco," she said, holding out her hand.
Hermione mumbled to herself, reading the card.
"Look at this. He is known for his work in Alchemy with Nicholas Flamel, who created the Elixir of Life, and has just celebrated his 666th birthday!"
"This Flamel person is old," Draco commented, looking at the card. "Let's see if we have any books on ancient wizards or alchemy. I'll look for alchemy books."
Hermione nodded; her Chocolate Frog remained on the table unopened. They started on opposite ends of the library, combing through book by book, looking for various books. Nearly 2 hours went by and they had pulled dozens of books, but not a single one had Nicholas Flamel in them.
"Well, we know one this is for certain. Nicholas Flamel has hidden the Sorcerer's stone in Hogwarts, underneath Fluffy."
Hermione nodded. She was getting tired. There was no way that the ball could go on much longer. It was as if someone had read her mind, however, because Severus appeared at the door.
"Time to go, Hermione."