Disclaimer: Not mine as you know.

A/N: please oh please review.

Chapter 12

The Serpent

Dinner was a lovely warm affair despite the presence of Lucius and Severus. The smells of the wonderful foods Mrs. Weasley cooked wafted through the air blending with the sounds of conversation and laughter. It felt like home. It felt so wonderful that when it was over Hermione almost didn't want to go to the drawing room and find out the list of families Harry had discovered. A foreboding feeling seemed to tingle up and through her body as she climbed the steps.

When she entered the drawing room, she found Harry and Ron playing chess and Draco working on a holiday essay. All eyes turned to Hermione when she walked in. Draco was the first to go back to what he was doing. As the sound of the quill filled the dead silence in the room, Harry stood up. Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out a scrap piece of parchment.

"Here." He held it out to Hermione. "These are the families who each originally commissioned for one of these necklaces. There are five like I said."

Hermione took the parchment feeling an overwhelming desire to run. Something told her things would never be the same if she looked at those who possibly sent her this necklace. Reaching up to touch the necklace, she looked down at the parchment and began to read.

"Medici…Black," Hermione stopped and looked up at Harry.

Harry held up his hands.

"No, Hermione. I already said I didn't send it. Besides, I never did find anything like that around here. My guess is Bellatrix has it."

Hermione nodded her head and continued to read.

"…Nott…Clarke…" the next name nearly took Hermione's breath. "Malfoy."

Hermione looked up hoping this was some sick joke of Harry's. The serious, disturbed look on Harry's face told her he was not joking. The sound of Draco packing up his books echoed in the room. His chuckle pulled their attention to him.

"I could have told you father sent that."

"What!" Harry looked ready to kill. "You knew I was trying to find out who sent it!"

Draco looked at Harry and smirked.

"Yes, but you didn't think to ask me did you?"

"Malfoy, I ought to…"

Hermione reached out and touched Harry's arm. Looking back at her and seeing her stern look, Harry looked down and backed off from Draco. Instead, he paced the room.

"It could be anyone on this list, Draco. Though, I wouldn't bet on Nott or Black."

Hermione knew she was grasping at straws. With a withering look, Draco spoke to her as if teaching her a classroom lesson.

"Each necklace has a symbol on the back. The symbol is like a calling card. It lets anyone who sees it know which family it belongs to." He walked up to her. "The Black family's has an Eagle imprinted, Medici had a phoenix—though that one is in a wizarding museum now, Clarke has a raven, Nott has a dragon, and Malfoy…" he reached over and flipped the necklace over to reveal the symbol. "…has a serpent."

Hermione looked down at the serpent. She wanted to run. Why would Lucius Malfoy give her something that is a family heirloom and could offer her a degree of protection? The room felt as if it were closing in on Hermione, shrinking into a little box that she just could not fit in. Abruptly, Hermione turned and ran from the drawing room. As she turned out of the drawing room at a run, she ran smack into a black clad chest hard enough that it sent her sprawling back onto her rear on the floor.

A pale hand reached out to help her up. Without looking, she accepted the hand. Once on her feet she noticed the owner of the hand and snatched hers away.

"Is everything…alright…Miss Granger?"

Hermione glared through teary eyes at Lucius. She noticed his eyes travel to the necklace momentarily. Moving around him, she ran to her room. Ginny stood at the bottom of the steps leading up to the third floor with a box in her arms watching the interaction. Shaking her head, Ginny took the small box containing the mistletoe to the drawing room.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Hermione couldn't sleep. For a couple hours, she dozed on and off before she finally gave up and tiptoed to the drawing room. The fireplace set the drawing room in an ambient orange glow. Hermione stood in front of the open curtains of the window and silently watched the snowfall. Her mind wandered to all directions. How had her life become what it was now? Only a year ago, she and Ron were trying to convince Harry that Draco was not a Death Eater, Lucius was still in Azkaban, and Dumbledore was alive. Everything changed so quickly. A year ago if someone had told Hermione that Lucius Malfoy would send her a necklace with protective properties she would have laughed. Now, she just didn't know what to think. Nothing and no one was what or who she thought they were. Watching the snowfall, lost in her own thoughts, she still heard his footsteps when he entered the room.

Lucius could see the glow of the fireplace from the hallway. He knew who was up. There was only one person in that house that had a habit of getting up at odd hours. Hermione. As he stepped through the doorway, he saw her. Hermione's back was to him as she looked out the window at the wonderful snow covered backdrop. Her satiny robe hung off one shoulder as she held it closed with her arms. In the late nights like this, when everyone was asleep in their own worlds Lucius and Hermione were simply Lucius and Hermione. The darkness blurred the lines separating them into Death Eater and Mudblood. But it would seem, Hermione could not forget that line separated them during the day light hours and thus they existed at night and she would remind him of such. Halfway across the room, he heard Hermione's voice.

"Why did you give it to me?"

He looked up at her reflection. In the reflection of the darkened window, he could see Hermione looking at him waiting for a response. Their eyes locked in the window and he knew what she was referring to. He said nothing. Keeping his head held high he looked down his nose at her reflection. Hermione's gaze did not falter. It seemed to be a battle of the wills and Lucius had no intention of losing. He stood silent.

Removing her arms from around her waist, her robe fell open as she looked down at something in her hand. Her eyes looked back up into Lucius' reflection before she turned around. Lucius eyed her suspiciously as she walked toward the door stopping next to him halfway across the room. Reaching out, she took his hand and held his palm up as she gently placed the necklace in it.

Lucius just looked at the necklace in his hand. When he looked up Hermione was standing at the threshold of the door.

"Miss Granger."

She stopped and turned around to look at him expectantly. Lucius began to walk toward her.

"It was simply a birthday gift. Nothing more."

Hermione's breath caught in her throat as Lucius stopped under the threshold next to her. Looking down his nose at her he raised an eyebrow. She said nothing. Reaching down, he placed the necklace around her neck. His fingers caressed the back of her neck as he clasped it, sending chills down her spine. She couldn't move a muscle.

"Why would you give me a family heirloom as a simple birthday gift? A gift I might add that offers a degree of protection when all I've ever known from you is your desire to see me dead?"

Lucius felt a heat rising deep with in him. He reached out and grabbed her by her upper arms to keep her close as he leaned down and looked her face to face.

"Why do you, Miss Granger, fear me so for my past but when the sun goes down you come running to me ? Can you answer me that?" He shook her.

Hermione's eyes were wide at first. When he shook her slightly she closed her eyes as if she were expecting him to hit her next. When he didn't, she slowly opened her eyes to his old hateful glare coupled with he sneering look of disgust.

"You are the last person I would run to in this house," she spat back at him. His eyes rose to look above them. Hermione followed his gaze to see the mistletoe hanging above her.

"It would seem you are stuck right where you are Miss Granger…unless…" he started to move a bit closer to her to tease her. She understood how the mistletoe around here worked. She was literally stuck until she was kissed. Through gritted teeth, she spoke as she jerked her arms out of his grasp.

"I would rather stand here all night than have you release me."

He stood up and looked down at her, quirking an eyebrow as if to ask if she were positive. Her glare told him all he needed to know.

"Very well. Goodnight Miss Granger. Sweet dreams."

Lucius turned and left her trapped by the magic of the mistletoe.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

It was still quite early when Severus woke up. After dressing he found himself traveling down the stairs from his third floor room to the drawing room. The site that met him there was amusing. Lucius sat on the sofa reading. Draco sat at a table working on holiday homework. In the doorway, apparently trapped by the mistletoe enchantment was Hermione. She was not awake yet. She sat slumped against the doorframe with her head slightly to the side leaning against the doorframe. She held her robe wrapped around her as if for covers, but it had fallen off both shoulders by then. Severus stepped over the girl to get into the drawing room.

"Lucius?"

Severus gestured toward Hermione. Lucius looked up from his book and at the girl and shrugged his shoulders.

"She said she would rather sit there all night."

A smile broke out over Severus' face. He could only imagine what had happened during the night between those two to cause this situation. A slight rustling sound let them know Hermione was waking. She stood up looking slightly confused as she tried to walk into the room only to be knocked onto her arse by the mistletoe charm. It all came back to her as she stood herself back up. Lucius looked up at her as if he could care less she was stuck there.

"Are you ready to be released, Miss Granger?"

Severus watched in pure amusement as Hermione's lip turned up in a sneer of pure disgust as she spat out "never." Severus looked from Hermione to Lucius. Draco watched on reveling in all he was seeing.

"Lucius, since when do you ask permission to do anything you please?"

Lucius looked up from his book not liking the sound of his old friend. Severus walked back toward Hermione, without a word, and too fast for Hermione to process what he was about to do, Severus wrapped one arm around her waist and one hand reached up in her hair. In one swift movement, he pulled her fully against him and kissed her in such a way that left no room for argument. Hermione had to admit it was pleasant, but it was still no Lucius Malfoy. When Severus let go of her she stumbled slightly. Draco was still laughing.

When Severus walked over to a chair to sit down and read a bit before dinner he saw the look on Lucius' face...the look that he could not hide, but was so desperately trying to. Hermione made her way to the other end of the sofa and just sat down and looked at Severus as if he had lost his mind totally. Lucius' very controlled voice brought her attention to him.

"Are you having fun yet?"

Lucius stood up and stood in front of Severus. He looked down his nose at him, as Severus would not stand up.

"And you I will deal with later."

Lucius turned and left the room.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Breakfast was a horrifying event. Draco was following Hermione down the stairs still laughing about her release from the mistletoe. Before entering the kitchen she turned on him, fed up with his comments.

"One word, Malfoy, one word to anyone about what happened and you will wake up wishing you were in Hufflepuff."

Draco said nothing. He walked into the kitchen ahead of Hermione. Two seats were empty: one in between Severus and Lucius and one in between Ginny and Remus. The empty seats were straight across from each other. Draco rushed to get the seat he wanted. To Hermione's dismay that left the seat between Severus and Lucius. As she sat down, she noticed the smirk playing on Draco's face. She knew that before breakfast was over Draco smirks and sniggers would push her over the edge.

Lucius wanted nothing more than to flog his own child at that moment. He knew Draco and knew Draco took the seat he had to force Hermione between himself and Severus. He was still fuming about Severus kissing Hermione so boldly.

Merlin, why should I care!

His mind raced, his heart pounded, and his anger with himself rose. Hermione Granger, muggle-born friend of Harry Potter should not be making him feel this twisted and mixed up. He was an adult after all. Besides, with his new position there was only one thing she would be to him besides a little Mudblood.

Remus spoke up toward the end of dinner.

"I have an announcement."

Everyone looked toward Remus waiting.

"Harry, Ron, Ginny, Draco and Hermione. When you return to Hogwarts I will not be continuing to teach the DADA class." An uproar at the table started immediately. He held up his hand to silence them. "I have business for the Order that will take much of my time. Lucius will be taking over as your professor."

Silence hung in the air of the breakfast table. Would he be another Snape? Would he try to kill them all? Hermione felt as if all the blood had just left her body. As the talking returned, Hermione saw Draco looking at his father, Severus, and then her and laugh again. Overwhelming feelings were going to consume her. She really needed to duel. Slamming her hands on the table, she stood up and leaned over to look Draco in the eye.

"Dueling room, Draco. I need to vent."

A predatory smile overcame Draco as he stood to follow Hermione out of the kitchen. A small door in the drawing room led into the room they used for dueling. A couple minutes into dueling Draco smiled as he commented.

"Ah, father has been working with you on your dueling I see."

With a quirked eye brow, Hermione smiled in a way that made Draco most uncomfortable.

"Of course."

After breakfast Harry, Ron, Ginny, Lucius, and Severus were in the drawing room each at their own tasks. They could hear the dueling going on in the room next to them. A few minutes after they were all settled into their own activities the noises coming from the dueling room started to raise eyebrows. Lucius and Severus looked at each other when they actually heard Draco scream. Standing up they rushed for the door. For Harry it was the sound of a similar maniacal laughter that haunted his memories. When they entered the room, the sight before them froze them in their tracks.

Hermione was all over the room as if chasing after Draco who ran as if trying to get away. Curses flew as Draco yelled out about fairness in friendly dueling. Hermione was laughing and taunting him as if he were a small child.

"Aww…and what is the itty bitty Draky Waky going to do?"

She fired a curse and several explicatives escaped Draco's mouth followed by a shout of Hermione's name.

"Aww…does the wittle baby not know how to pway?"

She laughed again a laugh that sent a haunting memory through Harry's bones.

"Hermione!" Draco yelled out again. Where the hell was the little Gryffindor he loved to torment. Her laughter drowned him out. Curse after curse flew from her wand.

"What are you going to do Draco? Run to daddy?"

There was no baby talk that time…only pure anger. Lucius was stunned at the sight before him. Lucius and Severus looked at each other and nodded their heads. They were in agreement. It was like watching a little Bellatrix in action. She sent another string of curses that sent Draco diving as he yelled out.

"I'M NOT MY FATHER!"

Hermione stopped suddenly and let her wand drop as she ran to Draco.

"Oh Merlin! I am so sorry! I…I…"

Draco held up a hand.

"It's okay. Just remind me never to duel with you again."

As he stood up, Harry walked over to Hermione and knelt down next to her. He placed a hand on her shoulder and she turned into his arms burying her face into his chest releasing the tears she had been holding in. As Draco walked passed his father he smiled at him.

"Well, you trained her well father."

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

That evening, Remus, Severus, and Lucius stood in a room with the four teens. They were about to begin their lessons on throwing off the Imperius Curse. They all agreed to first check to make sure all the teens were up to par in regards to performing non-verbal spells.

"You may find this silly of us, but just indulge us. Think of it as a pop quiz," Remus said.

Hermione watched the others and waited her turn as she stood at the end of the little line they had formed. They were to perform the patronus charm. Ron went first and all went fine. Then Harry sent his stag running around and then Draco. When it came to Hermione's turn, she was not expecting what happened. Yes, she fully expected to be able to perform the charm non-verbally…to actually conjure a corporeal patronus. She remembered Harry talking about Tonk's patronus having changed, but she never expected hers to. She held out her wand fully expecting the otter she always conjures to erupt from her wand and circle the room. That's not what happened. She held out her wand and without a word her patronus, her corporeal patronus erupted from her wand. To her horror and shock, it was not an otter that came from her wand. It was something much more disturbing for everyone in the room especially for two specific people.

The serpent shot from her wand and slithered around the room before disappearing into a wisp of whiteness.