Prompt:
patronus + veritaserum
Bonus trope; Mirror of Erised.
This story is a AU version, where there is no Voldemort. Hermione is adopted by Blacks and I have alternated timelines, she was born same year as Nymphadora.
Story contains four chapters (Pure, Blameless, Spoiled and Sinful).
Love to my beta - Ann, astrangefan 3
WEB OF LIES
CHAPTER ONE
PURE
1977
When she was little, she was told fairy tales about princesses. About dragons. About the fight between good and evil, and that, with strong evidence, good always won. Princesses were saved by knights on white steeds. And saviors were often princes, rich, handsome, selfless.
That princesses were supposed to be gentle, feminine, and innocent. Gentle, sometimes maybe naive. And that these are desirable qualities, that princesses should be ideal wives, take care of the home, care for their husbands.
And Hermione believed it as all the children sat in a circle in the orphanage and listened to the tutor's stories. She read them fairy tales and folk stories, did everything to make them feel better, less a stranger and not that alone.
There was a magic in these stories that was so lacking in her childhood. Warmth and hope that she had not experienced in the first years of her life.
Hermione was abandoned on the doorstep of the orphanage in a wicker basket with no note, only a black silk handkerchief embroidered with " Toujours pur ". Nobody knew where to look for her parents in the 1970s and the only thing they decided could be done was to place a newspaper ad.
During the first years, no one, absolutely no one, came to see her. Until one day, when a couple dressed in dark robes crossed the threshold of the orphanage. They emanated seriousness and a sense of superiority. Immediately they made Mrs. Waterford, the headmistress' eyes fearful and she knew she had to handle them very carefully.
She welcomed them in the office with tea and cookies that were never available to children. Hermione would not have believed it if it had not been for the fact that she was sitting politely in the chair, summoned by Mrs. Waterford.
She was terrified, she had never met such an elegant-looking couple who spoke with such sophisticated language before. Mrs. Waterford also looked intimidated and at the same time did her best to please the strange state.
At some point, the couple looked at the lost five-year-old who curled up instantly.
"Cygnus, it has to be her." A woman with blonde hair took a bony hand towards her and cupped her face. Hermione held her breath, knowing that if she wanted to be adopted, she couldn't say a word.
"Druella, that's impossible." The man pouted, and Hermione felt an unpleasant shiver run down her spine. Druella, this elegant lady he was referring to, said "Mrs. Waterford, please show the scarf to my husband."
The headmistress, with trembling hands, handed them a silk cloth, afraid of interfering with anything.
Cygnus ran his fingers over the text and exchanged a knowing glance with his wife.
"Mrs. Waterford, we wish to adopt this little girl."
1979
The day was hot and muggy without a sign of rain. Hermione licked her lips and searched for Dora, but the girl wasn't anywhere in sight. She got up from the bench as she carefully watched the preparations for tomorrow's wedding.
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a white peacock strolling proudly in a remote part of the gardens.
She narrowed her eyes and ran towards him, but when she tried to touch him, he disappeared. A grimace appeared on her child's face.
She heard a soft chuckle behind her, and as she turned around, she felt her cheeks flush.
Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa's fiancé, stared at her in amusement. His long blonde hair was blown by the wind, and he was standing shirtless, with his wand in hand.
Looking ostentatiously at her, he waved one more time and the white, albino peacock reappeared right in front of her nose.
She squealed in surprise and he tilted his head and laughed softly, adding in a silky voice,
"That's just my patronus, Hermione. You do not need to be afraid."
The peacock was gone, as Druella appeared next to Lucius and slapped him on the shoulder, frowning.
"Have you got no better job than mocking little girls? Go and see if everything is ready for your wedding. Judging by your appearance, your shirts have been lost."
Lucius didn't comment on her words, but he obeyed and disappeared into the dark room. Hermione felt her heart pound. She had rarely seen magic so close, and she was still afraid of it.
"Hermione, Andromeda is looking for you." Druella's voice was one of those intolerant of any objection.
Hermione curtsied and whispered, "Yes, Ma'am," then walked into the building with her head bowed.
Hermione didn't remember much about the wedding, as her stomach hurt throughout the ceremony and the party due to stress. Andromeda decided to escort her to the room so that she could lie down and rest.
Eventually the pain passed and she began to feel bored. So she left her chamber and began exploring the Malfoy Manor. The property was huge compared to Grimmauld Place. Hermione looked at the pictures and marveled at the wealth.
One of the doors was ajar, so she peeked inside and held her breath.
In front of her was the most beautiful mirror she had ever seen in her life. Heavy, golden frame, slightly tarnished. She stepped closer and touched it, feeling the rough surface under her fingers.
Finally she looked at them and suddenly stepped back, trembling all over her body. In the mirror, she saw a couple holding a baby in their arms. The lady was rocking the newborn, whispering something to the baby. The Lord stood beside her and hugged both of them.
Their faces were blurry, unfamiliar, but Hermione knew perfectly well that it had to be her parents.
She stepped closer and touched the glass, feeling tears run down her cheeks.
She heard a grunt and the image vanished, and she shivered, fully aware of being caught red-handed. She was afraid to turn, but saw the reflection of the figure in the mirror.
Abraxas Malfoy, whom Hermione had met briefly, stood in the doorway. In his hands, he was holding a beautiful cane decorated with a snake's head, but the rest was blurred because of her tears.
She felt the heat of embarrassment creep up her cheeks, but he walked over to her and turned her around. He scanned her from head to toe and lifted her chin as he watched her closely. Finally he let go of her and said smoothly, "Miss Black, you shouldn't be here."
And then he simply left, leaving Hermione to take a deep, wheezing breath of air to fill her lungs.
1980
"Faster girls." Druella's impatient voice always made Hermione uneasy. She never relaxed with Druella, even though she had adopted her.. She was a Lady to her and that was what she always would be.
"Yes, ma'am." Hermione replied quickly, putting on a sweater. Nymphadora was much more courageous and not as submissive as she was.
"Grandma, I hate little children." Her fair hair turned red instantly. Druella glared at her and then Andromeda entered the room.
"Dora, please behave yourself." Andromeda asked her daughter and heard a huff in response, and the discussion was over.
They appeared at Malfoy Manor, where they were greeted by Lucius, Abraxas, and Cygnus. The girls stayed with them in the living room, while Druella and Andromeda greeted Narcissa.
"What do you plan to name your son?" Cygnus drank from a glass of whiskey in his hands, completely ignoring Hermione and Nymphadora.
"Draco Lucius." Lucius calmly replied and walked over to refill Cygnus' glass.
Abraxas eyed Hermione for a long moment, then decided to send both girls upstairs. Their presence here interfered with the men's discussion.
Hermione remembered the room with the mirror as she climbed the stairs. As they headed for Narcissa's wing, she made up an excuse to Dora so she could get away. It didn't matter to Dora; she just shrugged in response and left her.
Hermione, feeling her heart pounding like crazy, started to run towards that room.
When she found the correct doors, she pressed the handle, but they were locked. She was disappointed, but it made sense - it probably wasn't just a mirror. She never had the courage to ask anyone about it.
She tried again, but the door didn't budge, and a familiar shape appeared at the end of the corridor.
Hermione felt a cold sweat pour over her body - a white peacock was heading towards her, gliding along the soft carpets of Malfoy Manor.
She began to back away sharply and run towards Narcissa's wing. When she reached the stairs, she turned and saw that the peacock was gone.
But another figure caught her attention - Lucius was standing downstairs, with wand in his hand, pointing at the ceiling. He stared at her, his eyes were narrowing.
He shook his head, implying that she shouldn't be there.
1984
September 1984 was beautiful, although windy. Platform 9 and ¾ was crowded - you could hear raised voices, see students waving to each other, and parents greeting one another. Shuffling suitcases, hooting owls, excitement poured out of every corner.
Hermione stood and stared at it all in amazement - since she was adopted she hadn't seen anyone her age except Dora. And now she was to begin her studies at Hogwarts.
Nymphadora stepped beside her and squeezed her arm, a twinkle in her eye and a sly smile. Andromeda and Ted appeared right next to them, both of them very touched. Their only daughter was about to start the greatest adventure of her life. And on top of that, they had been taking care of Hermione over the last few years, who had also become quite close to them.
"Remember, these will be the most beautiful years of your life." Andromeda hugged both of them, then pushed them towards the train.
As the train started to move, Hermione felt sick. She was afraid of Hogwarts, because in the eyes of everyone she was an adopted orphan. And it didn't matter that she had been given the surname Black.
As Dora pulled her into an empty compartment, Hermione breathed out. They sat in silence and watched the changing landscape outside the window.
"We'regoing for a walk and meeting the other first years, aren't we?" Dora's hair turned bright pink, like bubblegum. It was her favorite hair color, but Druella always pecked her and told her to switch to something more subdued.
Hemiona swallowed loudly and walked through the train carriage, and at one point all of the new faces began to blend together for Hermione. She stopped at one compartment where a clearly bored red-haired wizard was sitting. When he saw her, he waved at her. He got up and opened the door, rolling his eyes.
"So boring, this whole trip." He said and chuckled, and Hermione smiled slightly. She didn't think it was boring at all. "I'm Charlie Weasley, and you?"
Hermione blinked a few times because she wasn't sure what to say.
"Hermione." Charlie raised an eyebrow, so she clarified, "Hermione Black."
During the Sorting Ceremony, Charlie was assigned to Gryffindor, Dora to Huffelpuff, and as Hermione sat down, the Hat thought about her for a long time.
"Black, a Noble family. But I sense potential in you, Gryffindor maybe? Although no, your soul is too dark. So… Slytherin! "
Dazed, Hermione got up and walked over to a table full of unfamiliar faces. She was alone again.
But that wasn't what struck her the most - was her soul dark? How?