Disclaimer: not mine.

A/N: please review. Okay…I have written the rough draft of the first two chapters of my next Lucius/Hermione fic. I will post the first two chapters when I post the last chapter of this one! These are the possible titles: Two Sided Time, Closure, Evanescent Memory…tell me which sounds more appealing! Please?

Chapter 25

Poster Boy

She held her head high as her and Draco walked into the Great Hall. All sound seemed to stop and all eyes were on Hermione. Draco proceeded to walk Hermione toward the Gryffindor table. It was a most unusual sight to a majority of those still residing in Hogwarts: not only did Lucius Malfoy announce being in love with Hermione Granger, but now she walks into the Great Hall on Draco Malfoy's arm. Those who chose to prolong their staring quickly turned away as they found themselves the target of both Draco and Hermione's glares daring them to continue. Harry leaned over to Ron.

"Did you ever notice before how much like a Malfoy Hermione can be?"

Ron shook his head as Hermione took her seat at the table. Others at the table were simply starting from her to Draco. One in particular irritated him—McLaggen. Draco turned to him directly.

"Problem, McLaggen?"

With a quick glance toward Hermione, McLaggen turned around in his seat and refused to look in Hermione's direction the rest of the day.

The stares followed Hermione throughout the day, followed by whispers. She did just as Draco suggested what she always did to him—she held her head high and looked these people in the face daring them to continue. Severus watched her on occasion through the days and was quite amused at her progression from acting the part of a Malfoy to acting like the next Snape.

Some Hufflepuff had apparently not been frightened by her glaring looks, which Severus thought was pretty stupid on his part. Draco had been walking with her, the idiot boy had made some comment about Hermione walking with her "step-son" and as any Malfoy, she was a foul murderer. Hermione took the steps necessary toward the boy to ensure that he backed into the wall unable to move. In a deadly whisper, she looked down her nose at the boy.

"Do not forget that I am your Head Girl." She looked him up and down disdainfully. "Fifty points from Hufflepuff."

She heard whispering around her and quickly turned around to face the other Hufflepuffs.

"Do we need to make it fifty points each?"

All whispering stopped. She stormed off toward the Heads room with Draco, Harry, and Ron in her wake, wide-eyed. Draco let Harry and Ron into the Heads' common room where they found Hermione pacing back and forth, pure anger pouring from her every movement, ranting about imbeciles and mediocre students needing to mind their own business.

"Blimey Hermione! I confused you for Snape!"

She stopped pacing and her eyes narrowed on Ron, who rightfully cowered before her. Harry saw the danger of Ron not thinking before he spoke and the mood Hermione was already in.

"Hermione, I think Ron just means to calm down. You did so well today disregarding everyone."

She let out a breath as if she had been holding it all day. Her shoulders slumped forward a bit and her head hung down. When she looked back up at the three boys tears were shining in her eyes. Harry and Ron stepped forward, both wrapping an arm around her and doing their best to comfort her.

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Lucius' lips twitched slightly. He was quite amused by Severus' recount of Hermione's encounter with some of the Hufflepuffs.

"It would seem you have rubbed off on her, Severus."

Severus chuckled slightly.

"No, I am like that all the time. Miss Granger had to build up to that."

Lucius looked up at his friend.

"What do you mean? She was okay after I left?"

Severus shook his head.

"No, of course not. However she did walk into the Great Hall the following morning arm in arm with your son with her head held high daring anyone to say a word with nothing more than a look."

Lucius felt his heart swell only to have the feeling pulled from his being by the passing dementor.

"She behaved like a true Malfoy, Lucius. Though…Miss Granger has always behaved that way."

Severus was baiting Lucius and Lucius knew as much. He sat in silence.

"Why are you really here Severus?"

Severus sat back slightly in his chair.

"They will not release you, Scrimgeour would not hear of it, but you have been allowed a trial."

Lucius was silent for a moment before he asked.

"And what of Miss Granger's confession?"

Severus shrugged.

"Kingsley report of Miss Granger's statements under veritaserum is sufficient for the trial. She will not need to be there."

"And after? Will she be charged?"

Severus knew what Lucius was concerned about.

"I don't know, Lucius. That has not been discussed."

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Harry ran out of the castle. From the window in the Gryffindor tower, he saw Scrimgeour walking toward the lake talking with the Headmistress. Hermione was at her training session with Snape feeling a tad better that Lucius was granted a trial. The headmistress had walked away as Harry exited the castle. Scrimgeour turned to leave when he saw Harry running toward him.

"Well, if it isn't Dumbledore's boy!"

Harry was not stupid by any means and could hear the sarcasm in Scrimgeour voice. Harry would have liked nothing more than to throttle him.

"Yes, sir," Harry said with a barely controlled voice.

"Minister, will Hermione have to take Malfoy's place once he is released?"

Harry saw no reason to chat with the man—just get to the point and leave. Scrimgeour laughed.

"There is no guarantee of his release, Mister Potter. As you are aware, his past transgressions have prevented many respectable people from testifying on his behalf…"

"I am going to testify."

Scrimgeour laughed again.

"Oh Harry, Harry. You are at school and are not aloud to leave whenever the feeling strikes. I know you are aware of this?"

Harry looked at the man, hating everything about him.

"Then you will know, minister, that that has never stopped me before."

There was a silence, as they seemed to size the other up. The wind blew slightly before Scrimgeour smiled again.

"Dumbledore's boy still I see."

Harry raised an eyebrow at the man as if to say, "Do you really need to ask that?"

"Mister Malfoy will not remain in Azkaban, Minister. I will testify on his behalf whether anyone else does or not does not matter. There are too many people who were with Dumbledore on the Wizengamot and they will listen to what I have to say. You know that."

Harry walked over to stand next toScrimgeour and look out at the water of the lake. His hands in his pocket, he took a deep cleansing breath. Scrimgeour turned to a similar position before responding.

"Fine Mister Potter. It is a possibility that Miss Granger will take Mister Malfoy's place due to her confession."

There was a silence.

"No."

Harry's voice was very firm, causing Scrimgeour to look at him with slight amusement at the authority in this schoolboy's voice.

"You read the report I am sure, Minister, so you already know that self defense was a huge issue. Hermione has beat herself up daily every since."

Scrimgeour shook his head.

"And you are aware of the law, Mister Potter. An unforgiveable is an immediate trip to Azkaban."

Harry took a deep breath bracing himself for what he was about to say. Scrimgeour was surveying him cautiously when Harry turned to face him.

"If you want my cooperation…if you want your Ministry Poster Boy then nothing happens to Hermione. If anything does happen to Hermione then I expose everything I know about the ministry—everything."

Harry started to walk back toward the castle. Scrimgeour voice followed Harry though.

"Mister Potter, I do believe you were sorted into the wrong house."

Harry stopped walking and turned, looking down the slight incline at Scrimgeour.

"No I was not. I am a Gryffindor through and through."