Chapter 7

Lucius and Hermione faced a house that basically screamed haunted mansion. The only thing that threw the mood off was the bright daylight that radiated behind the mansion. This place could only be occupied by the Black family.

"This is it," Lucius told Hermione, walking up the cobblestone steps leading to the door. Hermione followed him, she was more than ready to retrieve the prophecy and go back home. She watched as Lucius steadily knocked on the door, using the silver door knocker.

Each time the knocker hit the door it seemed to shake the entire house. After a heavy silence, Hermione heard footsteps from behind the door.

"Who are you, and why are you here?" A faint raspy voice asked, and almost immediately Hermione recognized the voice as Bellatrix Lestrange's. All at once, fear numbed Hermione's body. She was unable to open her mouth and respond, luckily she didn't need to.

"Lucius Malfoy, with a guest. We've come to see Narcissa Black," Lucius said in a demanding voice, that meant strictly business.

"And who is this guest with you?" Bellatrix responded.

"A Pureblood," Lucius responded with certainty. Hermione looked at him, and she saw his eyes on her. She couldn't quite figure out what the look he was giving her meant, either 'pretend that you are a Pureblood' or 'are you a Pureblood?'

There was a brief pause before Bellatrix spoke again, and when she did it shook the whole house. "Cissy! There's someone here to see you!" There was clear annoyance in Bellatrix's voice, most likely for the attention drawn to her sister other than herself.

There were footsteps coming down the stairs and subsequently, the door swung open.

Behind the door revealed a young Narcissa, she had the same features as she did presently aside from much more youthful skin. Her hair was worn in one singular braid down the back and was the same platinum blonde color, which strikingly contrasted with the long black gown she was wearing. The gown was covered with lace, and perfectly fit into the elegant lifestyle of the Purebloods.

"Lucius? Come to see me again and ask my hand in marriage?" Narcissa asked with a touch of agitation in her tone. Narcissa's eyes then drifted over to Hermione, and her jaw dropped. "You've done it, you've finally got yourself a girlfriend! Now your parents will stop trying to put us two together."

Hermione looked over to Lucius, confused with Narcissa's accusation. She was unsure whether he wanted her to go along with Narcissa or tell her that Lucius and herself were most definitely not dating. Her doubts were answered when Lucius put a finger to his lips, gesturing Hermione to be quiet.

"Yes, I've finally convinced my parents to consider other options," Lucius replied.

"Isn't that great? You won't need to be bothering me anymore," Narcissa said and started to close the door.

"There is one last thing I need from you," Lucius stuck his staff in the door before it could close all the way.

Narcissa locked eyes with him, obviously curious in what he had to say.

"I need the Black Family Curse prophecy back for the Department of Mysteries," Lucius explained. Narcissa's eyes widened as he said this, and she slammed the door immediately, kicking his staff out of the way.

Hermione looked to Lucius in confusion, but he didn't return the look and simply stared at the door in determination. He pounded on the door with the butt of his staff, but in response was silence.

"What bright idea do you have now?" Hermione asked, revealing her own frustration in the matter.

Lucius raised a finger to her lips and pointed his wand at the door. "You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling."

Using 'Alohomora' Lucius unlocked the door and walked in. Hermione looked at him incredulously, no way am I breaking into the most powerful family in the Wizarding World's house. Lucius ignored her look and dragged her into the house.

The lighting was dim and the air was stuffy, how could living human beings live here? Hermione thought.

"Lumos," Lucius said, lighting up the tip of his wand. The new light revealed the elegance of the house, with the chandelier and polished wood flooring. Hermione kept her hand on her own wand, suspicious of the silence that enveloped the house. Lucius was still leading Hermione through the house with his hand clamped onto her arm.

"They're not here," Lucius concluded after a swift search of the house, "and neither is the prophecy."

"How could they have left in such little time?" Hermione asked, curious about their quick disappearance.

"I don't know if you are familiar with a type of transportation called apparation," Lucius responded sarcastically.

"How can you be so sure they took the prophecy with them?" Hermione asked as she searched the room desperately.

"I think you need to remember exactly who is helping who. You would've gotten nowhere without me," Lucius snapped at Hermione. Lucius's change in behavior confounded Hermione, but without a doubt reminded her of Draco. They hide their own frustration and blame others for their situation.

"Well, pardon me. You didn't have to come back to the Leaky Cauldron this morning, it was by your own choice to help me," Hermione crossed her arms, "and if that's how you feel I'll be tracking down the prophecy by myself from now on."

Lucius sneered as Hermione marched toward the door, by the light of her own wand.

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Hermione kicked at the gravel beneath her shoes as she left the yard of the Black Family's house. She had no idea where to start on her hunt for the Black Family Prophecy, but she certainly knew that Lucius wouldn't be a part of it. That also meant he wouldn't be paying for her stay at the Leaky Cauldron.

Hermione faced the barren landscape that surrounded the Black Family Mansion. Without a better choice, Hermione apparated back to the Leaky Cauldron.

When she arrived, the place was desolate. Hermione was surprised to see the empty bar which had once been buzzing with such life.

On an empty table, Hermione found a newspaper and looked for the headline.

Muggle-Borns Tortured by Death Eaters

Hermione read through the article and was horrified by the actions committed by the Death Eaters. But coming upon this article raised some questions Hermione hadn't thought of before. When does Lucius become a Death Eater? Or is he already working for the Dark Lord? Does he know I'm a muggle-born? Am I being sought out for this fact?

Hermione wished she knew the answers to these various questions she had, but she hadn't exactly made sure that Lucius wasn't working with Voldemort. Hermione mentally kicked herself for her ignorance.

Rolling up the newspaper, Hermione placed it in her beaded purse. Even as these questions had come to mind, she couldn't ignore the nagging question that mattered most. What am I going to do next?