Severus thought as he looked towards the fireplace where his friend had just disappeared. His plan was quite risky and still underdeveloped, but it could really be the most effective line of defense for his loved ones. If only Narcissa would notice it.

- Okay Snape. Time to deal with this bunch of brats. - he said to himself.

He knew that if he had not sworn Dumbledore, he would never have become a teacher. He was not fit for this. He just didn't have the patience.

xxx

Draco Malfoy was mentally absent in class for the first time in a long time. He loved Potions, but this time he couldn't concentrate on the subject. All the time he thought about Hermione Granger sitting two tables in front of him. He wondered if their relationship would have developed if she had been sorted to Slytherin.

- Where are you? - he heard Theodor Nott's voice. - Because it's definitely not here.

- In bed. I did not sleep well. I love potions but when I think I'll have to be here for almost two more hours …

xxx

Lucius Malfoy, confused, emerged from the fireplace at Malfoy Manor. He did not feel like talking, but he knew that he would have to tell his wife about his meeting with Severus. He felt it would be difficult, but he suspected that his Narcissa would agree with their friend.

- Honey, are you back already? - His beloved came up to him and to his surprise she kissed him on the cheek.

- Yes, I'm back, as you can see. Something happened? Not that I'm not happy, but the last time you kissed me on the cheek without meaning was during our wedding.

He looked at her and saw that a blush had appeared on her face.

- In your absence, I had two glasses of pear tincture. I was nervous about why Severus wanted to see you so early. I didn't want to taste the alcohol for you.

Lucius smiled and pulled his wife into his arms. After he placed a short kiss on her forehead, he said with a faint amusement in his voice. - Our friend gave me fire whiskey so you were not the only one drinking.

- Can you tell me what's going on? - the man felt that she stiffened in his embrace.

- Of course, honey. It applied to both of us. Or rather the three of us. Severus has a pretty crazy idea to discuss with you.

- Already in the morning I was wondering what he could mean and now you interested me even more. - An uncertain smile appeared on her face. - Do not use half-words, just get to the point.

- Severus Snape came up with the idea that we tie our son to Miss Granger. Lord Malfoy was prepared for his wife's outburst. However, this did not happen.

- The girl who's friends with Harry Potter? The girl who's always ahead of our Draco in the school rankings? The one our boy has been complaining about since the first Hogwarts letter? - Although her eyes widened in surprise, her voice showed no emotion.

- Yes. It was about her.

Narcissa looked at him and, sitting down on the couch, she said - At least he gave the arguments behind this idea, or is it his whim? Or maybe he was influenced by the madness of the school principal?

- He's thought it over, though he says it's only a rough outline of a concept. She believes that new blood would be useful in our family. She thinks with her intellect and magic she would be a good addition to us. - Lucius replied, sitting down next to her and putting his arm around her so that he pulled her into a brief hug.

- Probably that's not his only reason.

- Severus thinks the move might hurt Dumbledore. It is obvious that his small group of followers would love to see all of us in Azbakan. A relationship with a Muggle girl could remove any suspicions of bigotry from us and indicate a change in our family's attitude towards Muggle-borns.

- What about the Dark Lord?

- Then I would say that I sacrificed my own son to distract the Harry Potter "brain" from this boy. Her good situation in our family was to be explained by creating conditions for her in which she would not want to return to him.

The woman thought for a moment before, confused, replied. - How would our boy get close to her? After all, we both know how he treats her, despite his apparent fascination with her person?

- And here comes the best. Apparently, there has been a more or less permanent break-up between Miss Granger, Mr. Potter and Weasley. According to Severus, Draco used the situation and his remorse about the hippogriff to get closer to her. As he put it, the two now share an uncertain friendship. He proposed that if we agreed to his idea, he would create more opportunities for them to interact so that they could get to know each other better without having to hide in empty rooms.

- What do you mean and what will he get out of it? - she asked doubtfully.

- I think this year, Potions would be based on projects in which you would work in pairs. I can already imagine how it would work. One weasel's reaction to a Granger-Malfoy pair. he chuckled. - Severus wants to protect those he loves. - He has promised to protect Harry Potter but will do it his own way. And since we are a family for him, he also wants us to be safe.

- We should be honored that Severus treats us like family. I know how secretive this man is. But is it all he wants to achieve?

- Not only. He also wants to wipe the nose of this "old fool."

xxx

He didn't know how he managed it, but he was free. Not officially, but still. He wasn't aware how much he missed the touch of rain against his skin. On his dog's hair, actually, but what's the difference if he could breathe fresh air. It's been days or weeks already. He did not know how many. However, who would be surprised by his confusion. Staying in Azbakan is not conducive to paying attention to the passing of time. The only thing you worry about is not losing yourself. Don't go crazy. He had a purpose. He had to save his puppy.

xxx

Severus smiled to himself. He didn't think he would get an answer that soon. Lucius and Narcissa tended to be more careful in their decisions. It was not different this time. The short note he received from them showed that although they were still somewhat unsure about his idea, they had agreed that their son could befriend this girl. The man knew they would accept her completely sooner or later.

xxx

Harry Potter kept wondering how to fix the situation with Hermione. Since Hagrid pointed out to them that they might lose her, he wondered what they could do to improve the situation. The voice of their stern professor, Severus Snape, broke him out of his thoughts.

- We are approaching the end of the class, so I have an announcement for you. I will divide all of you in pairs so that we will have no problems with changing during the future classes. The more efficiently we approach the matter, the better it will be. Please pack your things and make sure you get the staffing and thematic assignments before you go out. I will know if someone wants to change the brewing potion or the partner he is supposed to work with .. - he growled probably so that no one would have any doubts that he was serious.

Harry wanted to rush to talk to his friend but he realized she was gone.

xxx

Hermione Granger was anxious. She felt that she was being watched not only by Draco but also by her so-called best friends. And that was a problem for her. Ever since using the Time Turner, she was starting to freak out. Paradoxically, what she missed most now is time to rest. So she was glad about the secret that Mrs. Pince had revealed. She will be able to take a nap without fear that someone will notice her in the dormitory when she should be in class.

- Who do you have assigned? - the amused voice of the Slytherin woke her up.

- I haven't checked yet. After leaving the room, I came here. I sat down and fell asleep almost immediately. Who do you have that are so amused? And what potion will you brew? - she asked with genuine interest.

- I'm amused because I can't wait to see the reaction of a certain redhead Gryffindor.

- Professor Snape assigned you to Harry? - she asked surprised.

- Where did you get that from? I am assigned to you. And we will brew the Heritage Potion. Simplified formula. It shows the first magical generation in the family. In my case, it would show my parents. Your parchment should remain blank.

Hermione, her hands trembling, tore the wax off her envelope. She hoped that she would have a different potion and that they would be able to choose. Working with Draco may have been rewarding, but she can't brew this potion during class.

- Hermione, what's going on? You look scared.

The girl looked at him with tears in her eyes. - Nothing happens but it can happen after I return my results.

- Everyone knows you're a Muggle-born anyway. - the boy did not understand what was going on.

- I'm ALMOST a Muggle-born. It makes a slight difference, but after using the potion, it will become apparent.

- WHAT? Do you have a magic parent?

- Yeah. My father was half blood. My mom is a Muggle. It wasn't worth mentioning because my biological father doesn't even know about me. He left my mother before she found out she was pregnant. - she almost whispered the last sentence.

- Potter and Weasley knowledge? - he asked almost instinctively.

- Of course not. They hate him.

- That's not my father? Certainly not. He is purebred. So who? I'll find out anyway. It will be easier for me to hide the shock.

- Which half-blood will have automatic access to each of the results of the Heritange potion?

- Snape. - Draco swallowed and in a low voice added. - It's not possible. My mom told me he was in love with Potter's mother.

- I don't know what it really was. However, he had to love my mother if he proposed to her. He disappeared a few weeks before the wedding. He was even wanted by the police. Eventually he was presumed dead. I grew up with his picture next to my bed. Can you imagine my shock when I saw him first at the welcome feast and then at the first Potions class? - Hermione looked straight into the boy's eyes.

- Shit. No wonder you were so nervous. Why don't you tell him? - Draco finally sat down in the armchair, placing the pillow comfortably under his back.

- Because I don't know how. Reggie, my stepfather, said something might have happened to him that prevented him from contacting me. I think he tried not to cheer him up. However, it could also be that he wanted to leave his mother but couldn't summon the courage. I don't want him to find out through a school assignment. And the result would be on my file. Do you know by any chance if it is possible to hide the heritage in the case of this elixir?

- I do not know. Maybe my father would know. Did you tell Reggie right now? is the diminutive of what name?

- Maybe your mom? I saw student achievement records. Your mom was high up in Professor Slugthorn's class. Reggie is short for Regulus. My stepfather is Richard Regulus Granger. He claims he doesn't like his first name and has been using the second one since boarding school.

- Regulus is a heavenly name. This is my family tradition.

- Oh, I know. Grandma is Polish and she wanted to commemorate Nicolaus Copernicus in this way. He gave that name to the brightest star in the constellation Leo. Did you know that this name comes from Latin and means "little king"? Probably yes. More interesting is that Ptolemy called this star "Basilisk". - She added with a smile.

- You know what? I'm going to have to get used to your compulsive reproach of random facts. What are your parents like? I know your dad, he is my godfather ... I mean your mom and Reggie.

- I'm almost a copy of my mom. Almost because she has prettier hair and brighter eyes. Fortunately, there is hope for me, because apparently her hair was also so frizzy in her youth. And Reggie? Tall, slim ... Most of the girls envied my dad. With his silvery eyes, he conquered half the population in my previous school. He loves green. In that regard, he could blend in between the Slytherins. They are both obligatory and hardworking. I miss them.

Draco was looking at the girl. His throat was dry. Regulus? Black hair? Silver eyes? Worship for green? Sorry. I won't tell your mom that you're Severus Snape's daughter, but I'll have to tell you about your stepfather. If that's him ... Mom has been looking for him for over a decade. She has a right to know.

- I'll ask mom. If I say that it will not hurt anyone, it is supposed to help someone, it will keep discretion even from the father. However, if we fail, we will have to give the result before leaving the room to allow you to talk to your uncle.

- I'm afraid. - She looked at him embarrassed.

- Come here, woman - he said with open arms - we dealt with the hippogriff, which will be in his new house in a few days, we will deal with it. Uncle always wanted a family and when he finds out he will complain that he didn't appreciate you before.

- You really think so? - She looked him straight in the eyes and a small smile appeared on her face.

- I just don't understand why you told me that. We've only recently got along. - he said clearly saddened.

There was a moment in silence before she answered him. - I do not know. I don't know why but I started to trust you.

He looked at her and after kissing her forehead, he said. - Your heart is too kind. However, I thank you for these words.

xxx

Narcissa Malfoy sat at the table, reflecting on her husband's words. She knew that the policy of chastity in marriages was declining due to the increasingly diminished fertility among witches and wizards, but she was unsure whether introducing this Muggle-born into the lineage was a good idea. And it wasn't because she had anything against Miss Granger. Any other Muggle-born might face her overwhelming opposition. She feared that when the so-called light side found out about their arrangement, they would judge them for a curse or elixir of obedience to her.

- Honey, the owl has come. - she heard her husband's tired voice.

- At this time? - she asked surprised.

A little dark owl flew silently towards her, avoiding Lucius and gently sat down on her shoulder. After handing over the letter, she moved closer to her face, lightly rubbing her cheek.

- Draco made this owl a pet. Something happened that he is writing at this time?

Narcissa ran her eyes over the leaves, and tears welled up in her eyes. - Honey, as Governor can you go and check the living conditions of wizards born into Muggle-born families?

- Yes, I can if there is a valid reason.

- Could you find one? - she asked determined.

- Of course. And what's going on?

- If what Draco thinks is true then ... I want to get to know Miss Granger's family before we take any further steps.

- Where did this change come from? We agreed to take this matter slowly. So that it would happen naturally between them.

- She has a stepfather. Richard Regulus to whom they call Reggie. He is a tall, slim, black-haired man. Its characteristic feature is rarely seen silver eyes. He was a patient at the clinic where her mother was practicing. He came there from an accident with damaged memory. If it's Regulus Black then we'll have to be even more careful. And discreet. If that's not him, we can just run a little public campaign called "The Malfoy Family Turns Side". However, if it IS him, we will have to find out what happened.

Lucius looked at his wife. She rarely lost her temper. However, in cases like this, she was again the girl he met at school. Nervous and unleashing a series of sometimes unrelated facts.

- Honey, let's not live with hope. But we can still invite all three for a Christmas dinner. To show that not only the Weasley family accepts their daughter.

- Just remember. We should be discreet. - Draco had betrayed her trust anyway by passing this information on to me. Narcissa said anxiously.

- I understand. Our son wrote something more?

- No. He just thought that this information would interest me, even if it turned out to be a false lead.

- He should be praised for that. As for the visit to the Granger house… If her stepfather wasn't your cousin, why not apply for an official parton? We could become her magical guardians and then no one would be surprised by our contacts with this girl. We would settle it officially after obtaining the consent of her parents. I don't trust Dumbledore. If he found out about our idea, he might try to find her another family.

- You're oversensitive about him, but you may be right.

- Who do you think might be her biological father?

xxx

Hermione, tired, entered the Gryffindor Common Room only after the curfew. She only dreamed of a dream, and therefore did not even pay attention to the boys waiting for her. Both Ron and Harry were shocked at the girl's condition. At that point it was decided that they had to try to come to terms with her, because this time Hermione wouldn't reach out to them first. This time they will have to apologize.

xxx

Albus Dumbledore felt the ground slide under his feet. Sirius Black has escaped. It may be revealed that he did not insist on his trial. A process that never came. A trial during which his innocence could be proved by mere veritaserum. However, he needed young Harry. He needed him to shape himself properly and follow him. With Sirius as his guardian, it wouldn't be possible.

xxx

- I have to make my parents never write an engagement contract with the Parkinsons. - Draco said throwing himself to bed.

Blaise looked at him and, judging how late he was, replied. - What happened this time?

- She made me a row about being late. She is not my mother, father or teacher. Even Snape, for the sake of peace, would just take my points or reprimand me.

Theodor Nott pulled back the curtains of his bed. - Are you surprised? You're her boyfriend. She is jealous. She wanted to know if you were cheating on her.

Draco was surprised. - Girlfriend? I've never had one. There's one I'm interested in, but that was never Pansy.

Theo sat up. - So who is this?

- Hermione Granger. Blaise said before Draco could reply. - Don't think I didn't notice your trysts. Were you with her now too?

xxx

Narcissa stuck in the library. She could not pass on to her husband every piece of information contained in the letter from their son. Searching the books for a spell hiding her inheritance in blood, she wondered what Miss Granger was trying to hide. Does he want to hide it from everyone or from some specific person? Why is he going to hide it? If she had been a Muggle-born after the Heritage Potion, the parchment would have been blank. This girl must have a magical ancestor. Only who?

xxx

This chapter was difficult to write. I have a decline in motivation and creative forces. In this chapter, I wanted to show you how Lucius and Draco behave in a similar way. I hope you will enjoy this chapter anyway. If not, tell me what I could improve. Regards, katie-krum