The rest of the Ceremony was irritating and awkward and much too long. Harry, Ron, and Hermione's combined insistent pleading did nothing for Kingsley, Wimberly, or the Wizengamot members- the Ceremony was to continue no matter what. Hermione wasn't the only furious one.
It was nearly ten when Hermione walked next to Malfoy to the floo. There were so many thoughts racing through her mind that she didn't know where to begin to compartmentalize it all. And then there was the looming thought of going to Malfoy Manor.
It sent a shiver down her spine and she was happy that Malfoy had been talking to Cormac and not noticed. She hoped whatever their connection was now with these rings that he couldn't feel it that way either. She slowed so that she could walk with Ginny and Malfoy didn't even notice. Ginny clung to Harry's arm happily and she frowned when she saw Hermione's face break into worry.
"It won't be that bad," she tried, but Harry cut her off.
"Why don't you just go back to your flat? I'm sure he won't mind," Harry said quietly, eying Malfoy in front of them.
Hermione scoffed. "And be the head of another scandal for Rita Skeeter and the Prophet? No thanks," she said firmly. She had her fair share when she and Ron broke up; she didn't need them now with Malfoy in the mix. He'd take it worse than Ron would.
The only good thing after some of those bad articles was getting the chance to sit around the fire with Ginny, Harry, Luna, and some of their other friends and laugh. The wheels in Hermione's brain started turning. Maybe that's what they all could use now…
"What if," she ventured, turning back to Harry and Ginny, "You all come to the Manor?" she knew it was a weak invitation, but part of her figured the place would feel a lot less awful with her friends around her, at least for part of the night.
Ron was only a step away, holding Daphne's hand. "LIke an after party?" he questioned, clearly not realizing what she meant by 'Manor'.
"We're in," it was Theo's charming voice that answered Ron as he suddenly fell into step with them. Pansy was on his heels, still towing Luna by the hand. She had a wicked grin on her pointed face.
"And I know just the place," Theo gave Hermione a wink before quickening his pace so he reached Malfoy and Cormac just as they got to the hall with all the fireplaces.
Hermione watched Theo curiously. "He's very good at the whole schmoozing thing," Pansy said to her as she stopped by Hermione's side. Hermione eyed her curiously.
"Malfoy, Cormac. Come on now, let's get on with this night with less work talk. I could use the company of 80 year old fire whiskey and a tall lion to soothe my woes over the institution of marriage." Theo clapped Malfoy on the shoulder as he put an arm around Cormac's lower back. Cormac smiled bashfully and put his hands in his pockets.
Malfoy raised a brow in Theo's direction. "Not your worst idea Theo but…" he turned to the Gryffindors. "Is that a plan that would work for the Golden Trio and their companions? I don't want to go making decisions based on a drunk snake and his love for men and whiskey. Pansy you usually invite yourself to these sorts of things, so I assume you and Lovegood are accounted for."
Pansy shrugged. "He's not wrong."
"Anywhere's better than this," Ginny stated, glancing behind them at all the other new couples slowly making their way to the fireplaces. An uneasy sense of anticipation had followed them to the hallway.
"Agreed," Ron said, too busy grinned at Daphne. She looked away, her cheeks pink.
"Weasleys," Malfoy looked at Ginny first, "I take it you speak for the Chosen One and you," he eyed Ron with a chuckle, "for yourself and your bride. I guess that just leaves my lovely wife. What will it be, Mrs. Malfoy?" he smirked, turning to Hermione. "Ready for some house guests, yeah?"
She hated that he kept using that name. "Fine," she said through her teeth although secretly she was relieved.
"I'll need just a minute to adjust the wards and then you all can follow," he walked up to the nearest fireplace and stood, his arm out. When she eyed it again, like she had before, he rolled his eyes.
"Formalities Granger, let's get on with it," he knew the use of her own surname would sway her. She huffed but gave a slight smile and took his arm. There was a woosh of green flames and heat and the next thing she knew, Hermione was stepping out into the eerie black of Malfoy Manor.
…
The room was big with arching ceilings and a cold black tiled floor. Hermione hadn't realized she was holding her breath until she felt Malfoy pulling her arm gently out of the grate. The mantle was a lovely white and silver and the rug, though now scattered with ash, was of a lush turquoise. She stared down at it while she willed her lungs to work properly.
No one else had popped up behind them yet and Draco was busy placing his wand at all the sconces to bring some light into the entryway. When he turned back to the fireplace he set an intricate looking pattern, which she could only assume were the wards.
He turned to her then. When he noticed she was pale, he placed a hand on her arm. She tensed. Her breath was still hitching.
"It's… much different since the last time you were here," he said quietly. "It's been renovated."
When she stayed silent and kept her head down, he grew nervous. He willed his magic to reach out to her, unsure if it was even possible or smart. This whole connection they somehow now shared, it was different than anything he'd ever heard of before. They probably shouldn't just play around with it before figuring out what it truly meant.
She seemed to react, her shoulders relaxing as she tried to steady her breath. He wondered if she felt his magic, but he didn't want to ask. She looked up at him when her breathing had slowed and was surprised to see his gray eyes swirling.
"Come along," Malfoy put a hand on her back to guide her away from the fireplace. The room was brighter with the candles all lit and Hermione could just see a family portrait hanging above the mantle. She couldn't see all their faces from this far away and she was glad of it. She could just make out a long haired blond man with his hand around his wife's waist and it made her want to vomit.
Malfoy was still watching her with an arm around her own waist when the fireplace roared to life again. Ginny and Harry stepped easily out of the green flames, followed closely by Ron and Daphne. Ron had her hands in his as if Daphne might topple over if she hit the floor too hard. She was quite small comparatively. They did tumble then and Harry and Ginny tried to dodge their approach.
"Classy," Ginny threw at her brother as she straightened herself on her heels. Ron chuckled and walked Daphne away from the mantle. More flames and Pansy and Luna were walking out of the fireplace, not holding hands this time. Pansy looked slightly flustered and Luna just smiled.
One last flourish of green and Theo and Cormac came waltzing through, arms linked and matching smiles. They exchanged a look like they shared some secret before turning to the rest of the group.
"Well don't all look so thrilled to be here! Onward!" Theo called and gestured to Malfoy.
"As you wish, Master Nott," Draco joked before glancing at Hermione one last time. He felt the smallest bit of her magic reach him and he took it as a sign. He gently pulled at her waist and the group followed them down the hall.
They emerged in what looked like a study. There were several large white armchairs gathered around an enormous stone fireplace. A table made out of a slab of wood sat in between the chairs and shelves of books and magical artifacts hung on either side. A desk stood in the corner with huge windows behind it. The morning sun must make it an excellent place to do work, Hermione thought as she looked around.
And Malfoy had been right. She didn't recognize this place one bit. Whether that was because it had been renovated or this wasn't a room she had been held prisoner in, she couldn't be sure. But it gave her a little bit of hope that this place wouldn't be as horrible as her nightmares always remembered it to be.
Another portrait hung in this room, off to the side by the desk. She could just make out the blonde head of a small boy climbing a tree when Ginny grabbed her hand. She was shaken back to reality. "You okay?" Ginny asked, glancing around at all the flashy decor.
"Yeah, I think so," she muttered, watching the others move about the room.
Malfoy was busy waving a hand at the fireplace where it roared to life. Then he turned to the armchairs and took out his wand, transfiguring two of them into a much larger couch. Hermione blinked at him, impressed. Theo was already walking over to the cabinet beside the fireplace. When he opened it, it revealed a dozen bottles of fire whiskey and liquor. He began filling up glasses and Cormac went to help him by levitating them to the table.
He sent two over to Hermione and Ginny who caught them midair. Hermione held her glass up then, "Home sweet home I guess?" Ginny clicked her glass and chuckled before they walked over to join the group.
Pansy was sprawled up on the sofa, her shoes having been kicked off and her legs now draped over Luna's lap. "So, how fucked up is this law going to be for everyone? Bets?" Pansy said loudly, looking around with a smile.
"Crass," Daphne said to her behind a giggle. She was holding Ron's hand as he stood against a bookshelf.
"Do you expect much less, Daph? Her mom was the one to grace us with her presence at the Ceremony. Typical," Theo laughed as he finished making his own drink. He walked towards the fire and took an armchair nearest it. Cormac followed and perched himself regally on the arm.
"We really should discuss that actually," Hermione stated, standing behind the sofa. "There's got to be more to this than just some stupid old politicans wanting more magic in the world. Why else would your mother have referred to a plan?"
Theo eyed Draco but Hermione missed it. He glanced at Pansy uneasily, but she didn't seem bothered at all.
"Because she's a psychopath?" Pansy offered with a laugh. "In all seriousness, she's still obsessed with lineages and I have now royally fucked the Parkinson line."
"But that's the reason she's pissed at you," Draco said from across the room, "not the reason she's pissed at Kingsley, whoever he is."
Hermione hadn't been paying attention to Malfoy, who was now striding across the room to the sofa. He sat on the opposite side of Pansy and Luna, so that Hermione stood right behind him. She scoffed as he smirked up at her.
"So who of the remaining baddies would your mum be working with that could potentially be polyjucing as Kingsley?" Theo smirked, "My father's in Azkaban, along with Rodolphus Lestrange, Crabbe and Goyle Senior, Madame Macnair, the remaining Carrow, and the dozen or so other underlings that were caught. There's plenty who are dead. That doesn't leave too many," Theo clicked his tongue.
Hermione eyed him. "Yes, but Mrs. Parkinson, along with her husband, were found not guilty at their trials. Madame Zabini and Mulciber as well. I believe the Greengrasses weren't tried at all since they weren't seen in the country at the time," Hermione glanced at Daphne, but she didn't say anything differently.
"And there's a bunch of them paying their debts in other ways besides Azkaban. House arrest, magical restorative practices, work programs and the like," Harry mentioned, looking around the group. They all knew it too well from how much publicity all the trials and aftermath of the war had. So why was it so hard to figure out who was behind this?
Hermione felt a wave of Malfoy's magic then, quick and sudden. It pulsed in an erratic way. Her eyes flashed at him and she saw his fist clenched and his jaw tight. He drank half his glass before speaking, "And then there's my fucking father."
Theo's eyes got wide as he glanced at Pansy. She eyed him back fiercely, as if in warning. Cormac and Luna appeared the only ones confused and Theo put a hand on Cormac's leg.
"Lucius Malfoy is still missing," Theo said quietly. Harry ran a hand through his hair as he sighed.
Lucius Malfoy's disappearance was something of a sore subject for the Aurors and the Order alike. It seemed they had every other important death eater accounted for during the fighting and then in the aftermath, Lucius among them. He appeared easy to track, as far as the Order was concerned.
But sometime between the very end and the start of the trials, Lucius Malfoy, who had been obedient in custody and even cordial in preliminary interviews, had vanished. How could he have slipped from under their fingers just like that? It was nearly impossible for anyone to comprehend and Hermione felt her own anger rise all over again.
It triggered something in her own magic and she felt an odd sensation as it mixed with Draco's, still lingering in her system. He turned his head sharply and glared at her. "What?" she said accusingly and he huffed as he stood.
Draco walked to the other side of the room, finishing his drink in one gulp. This magical connection was going to be the death of him, he thought. He always tried so hard to keep his feelings from people, but now Granger had a direct line to all of them. It almost made him want to panic.
"What is with you two is the question," Theo said, eying them curiously. He had a slight smirk on his lips.
Hermione's cheeks reddened but she was still irritated. "Nothing," she said, eying her ring now. It was glowing much like it did before, shining with a silvery light around her finger.
"Malfoy is yours-" she started but before she could finish Draco had waved his own hand to summon the fire whiskey bottle to him. His ring flashed bright before them all and he held it up so she could see. He sneered at her in response.
Theo's eyes widened at Draco's hand. Ron's brows knit together while Cormac was busy looking from Hermione to Draco and back again as Hermione glared. Harry and Ginny exchanged looks.
"We knew the rings were going to be enchanted. Ernie broke the news last week and I'm guessing there is some strange language written into the law that might account for an association between partners. But I didn't expect our magic to be so… connected," Hermione said, her voice full of irritation. She didn't have to look at Draco to know he was still mad; she could feel it beneath her skin as she stood there.
Draco filled his glass again and was already sipping from it. "Trust me, the feeling's mutual," he stared at the ice of his drink.
"Our emotions are tied to our magic," Luna said then, her voice light. "The rings must be enchanted to connect our magic somehow. We felt it when we put the rings on," She glanced at Pansy and the two exchanged a warm smile before Pansy looked away, a blush rising across her high cheekbones.
It made Hermione feel awkward, like she'd just eavesdropped on a secret moment. But their rings hadn't glowed. She looked away but ended up glancing at Draco again, feeling his eyes on her. They were steel gray and harsh and she knew he was recalling the spark of magic when they'd put the rings on too. Or maybe he was still thinking about his father.
She felt the kick of his magic once more; this time it wasn't pleasant. "Oh, will you relax?" she huffed at him, walking over to where he held the bottle and snatched it from him. Draco took a step back as if the proximity to her would make things worse. Ron frowned and shifted on his feet.
Harry and Ginny exchanged another interested look. Pansy raised an eyebrow as Theo snickered. "Look at that connection. Don't let Rita Skeeter hear or you'll make the front page."
Hermione shot her a dirty look before pouring herself another glass. She could feel the alcohol from earlier in her system but it didn't stop her. Draco scowled at Pansy and then at Theo for laughing.
Luna spoke again, "Well, I can speak to Ernie. Try and figure out what the charms on the rings are supposed to do for the couples. But if someone's tampered with them…" she let her voice drift off, as if she were thinking deeply on her own words.
"We need to be alert, all of us," Hermione said then, "to any changes, what's going on with the rings and our connections. It's the only way we're going to figure out what's going on."
Pansy chuckled. "Are we meeting weekly then or should I just floo the minute something happens?"
Ginny glared. "Come on Pansy, you know she's just trying to help. You'd think you'd be on our side, it wasn't like it was her mother screaming from the balcony."
"Shut it, Weasley," Pansy said between her teeth, her face turning red. Luna tensed.
"Don't act like this doesn't stink of death eater antics. Sorry to any of you Slytherins whose family is still screwed up, but there's something more going on and I'm not going to wait around while it fucks us all royally," stated Ginny, her anger flaring. The room grew uncomfortably quiet.
Harry flinched and Hermione knew it had to do with their rings and the connection. He straightened, trying to find the words to say into the void, but he didn't have to; Pansy simply started laughing. Theo shifted in his seat.
"It's all fun and games for you, huh Pans? Or dare you too afraid to admit Weasley's right?" Draco said quietly.
Pansy's grin faded and was replaced by her puggish scowl. She crossed her arms and looked away from him, her emotions longing to break. Hermione eyed the man in front of her, wondering what he wasn't telling them.
Draco sighed as he gestured for Hermione to rejoin the group. He followed her and stood by the fire while she took his spot on the couch. He swirled the ice in his glass as he stared at the flames. Theo watched with a frown.
"During the war, Voldemort had many research projects. He was a strategist, first and foremost, and well he wanted the best fighters, the best healers, the best plans for the future. His future." Draco sighed.
"Theo, Pansy, and I didn't stand a chance; the minute our parents decided to be on his side again, so were we," he paused, searching Theo and Pansy's faces for any sign of misstep. Pansy refused to look at him but Theo nodded.
"Most of our work was done researching bits and pieces to be sent back to various potion masters, charm experts, whoever he brought in to do his bidding. That way we couldn't ever really learn what they were working on. But there was a particular one…" he paused again.
Theo seemed to tense, his face breaking out into regret. Pansy was fidgeting with her hands in her lap. "It was called The Clarity Project. It wasn't much at first, or at least we thought. It's aims were basic, looking into magic in relation to blood status and if there was a true connection between magical strength and lineage. But that was only the beginning. After a while it was clear the goal was to see if... if a person's magical purity could be calculated."
"Excuse me?" Ginny asked skeptically, "Magic purity? How is that different from blood status?" Harry looked from her to Malfoy, his chin in his hand. Pansy looked like she may be sick.
Theo was the one who answered, his voice grave. "Your blood status is just based on your parents' lineages. The death eaters figured out that each person has a magical trace of how powerful their magic is. The purity of your magic, as they called it, is more complex than blood status. It can be based on your lineage but more importantly on how skilled you are at magic and your potential; the physical amount of magical ability flowing in your body. Voldemort was curious to see if it was a more complete way to look at a person's… worth."
Hermione's mouth hung open and Draco watched her. She remembered when Harry had figured out Tom Riddle was a half-blood and how crazy it was that he was so obsessed with blood purity. Now the fact he had been researching an alternative made her blood chill.
"And he was going to use this information to do what exactly?" Harry spoke, his voice tense.
Draco took a deep breath. "He wanted to see if it was possible to track, first off, in order to see which ones of his loyal servants actually had high magical ability, in addition to the rest of society. He wanted to see if it lined up with blood status in the traditional way."
"Did they actually figure out how to track someone's magic?" Ron asked and Draco frowned. Theo answered again.
"They had been working on a prototype spell that would give the diagnostic," Theo stated. "But we could never confirm if they finalized it." Hermione shivered.
"How did you get so much information then, if none of you worked on it exclusively?" she asked, passing from Theo to Pansy and then to Draco. "There's only so much you could have pieced together," she said, watching him.
Draco shifted his feet before speaking. "My father was… very interested in the operations of the Clarity Project, to say the least. He constantly assisted the researchers and I was able to eavesdrop enough, steal a look at papers in his study," Draco gave her a small smirk, but it vanished quickly. "And…" he eyed Pansy out of the corner of his eye before continuing, "Pansy's mother was one of the researchers."
Pansy let her head drop to the back of the sofa and stared at the ceiling as if in denial. Luna watched her, her eyes searching for a way to console her new partner. Cormac tensed while Harry and Ginny exchanged wide eyes.
"Unfortunately that means we know the next steps too," Draco continued swiftly, "The researchers were looking at what affected one's purity and if it could be increased. They were particularly curious about relationships, if joining those with the same purities produced anything of consequence." He paused. "Specifically their intentions were focused for battling during the war and then, after the war… for breeding." Hermione gulped. Ginny's hand flew over her mouth.
"To make a race of magically superior individuals," Theo said with disgust. "Honestly I had pushed that project out of my mind for so long it didn't come to the surface until tonight," he sighed, rubbing his forehead. Cormac put a hand on his shoulder.
Everyone was still so quiet. Hermione's mind was working a hundred miles a minute. She was thinking about all the possibilities of what this Marriage Law could mean if it was truly sabotaged into an old death eater project. She was considering the effects of purity magic mixed with all the compatibility charms…
Theo eyed Draco nervously. "Could you father be..." Theo let his voice trail, realizing what he was saying too late.
Daphne looked pale and Ron put his arm around her. Ginny took Harry's hand in hers as he raked the other through his hair again. Luna appeared lost in her own thoughts, but she was holding Pansy's hand with both of hers. Hermione felt his magic creep in slowly this time as Draco tensed his hand around his glass.
"Living out a fantasy? It is very possible," he said, his voice low. The room was silent. "And I'm sorry it took until now for me to realize it," he said holding up the empty glass to examine before tossing it into the fire.