Author's Note: All disclaimers apply. I do not own the characters contained in this story. They belong to J.K. Rowling, her publishers, and Warner Bros. Inc. Also thanks for all of the reviews. They are very inspirational and appreciated! Edited to add credit to Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and her plot from Shanna. This entire disclaimer applies to her work as well.

I would also like to thank everyone for the amazing response to this story. I received an email last week that this story has been nominated at the "He Had it Coming" Dramione awards site. So to whoever nominated me THANK YOU many times over. I don't know what to say except I'm honored that you thought enough of the story to nominate it.

Chapter 23

Madness if Born of Necessity

"I'll explain everything when we get there, just hurry," Draco snapped, practically dragging her down the stairs, the small bag that Hermione had shrunk with their belongings tucked under his arm.

"You have to tell me something? Did the Du Marier's threaten the Ministry again or me?" Hermione asked in a rush, trying to pick her way carefully and keep up with his frantic pace.

"Not now," was all Draco would say, having to pause briefly when Auggy scurried out from the side of the banister at the bottom of the stairs.

"Master Draco should take Mistress Hermione back upstairs. Needs rest Mistress Hermione does for baby," the creature said softly, almost whispering as though he didn't want to be heard.

"We're going to be leaving for awhile. I'll be back tomorrow to close up the manor and make arrangements for you and the others I know are hiding here besides Franny," Draco informed him, and continued, glancing back once at Hermione as though he didn't expect to find her following him.

"Master Draco please," Auggy pleaded boldly, bouncing after them frantically. "Send Mistress back upstairs."

"Auggy, everything is all right. Don't worry," Hermione comforted the tiny thing with a soft smile, still minding that she had to keep moving swiftly to stay in step with her husband.

"No, not there!" Auggy cried, as Draco opened the door to the study, having ignored the elf.

Thinking the study would be dark, as he had left it, Draco noticed the numerous candles lit and the fireplace that crackled lively to his right. It was the figure standing in the center of the room that came into focus next that instinctively had him turning to push Hermione from the room, but the study door slammed shut trapping them both inside.

"Longbottom's letter arrived I see," the silky voice drifted through the air, aristocratic and lethal.

"Oh Gods," Hermione whispered, clutching Draco's hand so tightly she was sure she was breaking the skin with her nails.

"This isn't possible. There were too many witnesses. You died, Mother explained," Draco said disbelieving, but yet somehow not surprised to see the man that was pacing before them.

"Your mother isn't here and doesn't concern us anymore. We have what we need, and though ironic as it may be, your filthy blooded little wife will be what saves us in the end." Lucius Malfoy grinned evilly then, and cast a meaningful glance over Draco's shoulder to Hermione. His hair was pulled tightly back at his neck and hung down to the middle of his back. He was wearing dark green and black robes that were laced in silver trim, as though he was still the arrogant and pretentious lord of the manor.

The blood in Draco's veins ran cold and he suddenly wondered if his mother was still alive. The things she had written in the diary didn't matter at the moment as much as the possibility that his father had murdered her. Slowly, without glancing at the fireplace to give away his intent, Draco edged himself and Hermione closer to the mantle. "Mother's dead isn't she?"

"Yes, and yet no. It depends I suppose on what you consider 'death'. That isn't what I've come to discuss." Lucius' attention had never wavered from Hermione, and he softened his smile almost into a mad placating grin. "My dear your parents were surprisingly brave I must say when it came time for their sacrifice. They knew it was for their grandchild, and someday when your time comes you'll understand as well."

The meaning wasn't lost on Hermione and she kept herself pressed closely to Draco's back wondering if her time was now or later. There was the baby to consider now and if Lucius was intent on harming her it wasn't only her safety that was at stake. "You killed them?" she asked, already sick with the knowledge she had suspected at that moment.

"How else could the money be transferred to you?" Lucius shook his head as though she was a pupil who simply couldn't learn. "Then of course that troublesome barrister wouldn't change the codicil of the will, so now we must suffer with you for another few months. However, you must realize that your child will want for nothing, and despite its rather questionable blood, it will still be a Malfoy and well respected. It's unfortunate that eccentric aunt of yours has made this so difficult, but after the child is born your money will transfer to your living heirs and the Malfoy Estate will return to its former glory."

"Father, the Ministry will end this, whatever it is you're planning. You have to know that," Draco said finally, realizing that his father wasn't sane any longer. There was a strange glow in his eyes and he was so calm, frighteningly so. Still, Draco kept him talking, kept his focus on the conversation, and continued to ease Hermione toward the fireplace.

"Not this time. Scrimgeour's soon on his way out and that Weasley spawn will take his place. Power and money, that's what that Weasley wants. It's actually refreshing to see one of Arthur's brood strive for something better than a dusty hovel in the ground I must say," Lucius laughed softly then, deadly and cold. "Besides, you knew that your friend Gregory had made himself useful after testifying so unerringly at your trial. He's been quietly working at the Ministry ever since. I've known for months now that you've been married to that Mudblood, suffering and hoping to escape your fate. How you came to agree to such a marriage I will never understand, but it will all be over soon."

"Goyle's been giving you information from the Ministry?" Draco inquired, incredulously. "The Minister's desperate to make peace with the purebloods, but not desperate enough to let a Death Eater openly near records and classified files."

"How do you suppose your execution was avoided? There were new orders written, files misplaced and erased altogether. Having a timid and eager to please boy at your disposal is always useful."

Hermione felt the heat of the flames behind her, and then Draco was thrusting the bag of powder into her free hand. Surely he meant to come with her? He hadn't kept any for himself that she could see and he kept shielding her with his body. "Draco, no," she whispered, not caring if Lucius heard or guessed his intent.

Twisting quickly Draco forced her to take the powder in her hand and then flung her arm out so the particles flew into the flames, which became green and translucent. "The Ministry, go!" he shouted, and Hermione was pushed into the fireplace and disappeared.

Hermione stumbled out into an open foyer and glanced around wildly at the office workers and Aurors that were staring at her gaping. "Weasley, I need to see Ronald Weasley and Neville Longbottom," she cried in a rush, hurrying over to the desk of a nervous looking girl.

Nodding quickly she stood and marched off to comply while Hermione glanced around anxiously, her eyes unfortunately falling on Percy Weasley who looked to be leaving for the night. Averting her gaze he was the last person she wanted to see hoping he would ignore her and keep walking.

"Mrs. Malfoy," came Percy's polite and curt greeting. Obviously the days of his calling her Hermione in that placating tone were over, thank Gods.

"Mr. Weasley," she inclined her head, and fully expected him to keep moving on by.

"Have you come to confess?" Percy asked, as though he was starting a casual conversation.

"I don't have to answer to you Percy. I believe the misunderstanding that you're thinking of was resolved." Though she wanted to give him a good tongue lashing that he deserved she didn't have the time. Hermione's frantic gaze scanned the offices around her until she saw Neville and Ron both hurrying in her direction. Harry was right behind them and she had a moment when she wished that he wasn't involved. He would rather see Draco pay for false crimes than raise a finger to help him in anyway.

"As evasive as your husband. I always thought better of you, but I suppose it is true that whatever evil touches it corrupts," Percy said, somewhat disdainfully, and with a hint of pity. Then, to her relief, he marched away robes billowing behind him haughtily.

"Hermione," Neville said worriedly. "I take it Malfoy received the owl."

"Lucius isn't dead Neville," she explained, without further preamble. "He's at the manor right now and I'm afraid…"

"Let them destroy each other," Harry sighed angrily, and straightened into a hostile stance. "Full circle Mione'. I'm sorry, but that's the nature of things. Malfoy destroyed lives now its time for…"
"Harry so help me if you say another word," Hermione snarled so harshly that Ron almost took an involuntary step back. "This isn't about the past anymore Harry. There's more at stake than the feud that you've had with Draco since you met all of those years ago."

"There has to me more than just the four us involved Hermione," Ron said thinking that Harry's idea wasn't such a terrible one, but knowing better than to admit that out loud at the moment. "Scrimgeour hasn't left. He won't care what happens to Malfoy but the idea of keeping Lucius' return quiet and out of the Prophet will appeal to him. There's going to be hell to pay for this I'm sure."

"You'll help me?" Hermione asked, reaching out and gripping Neville's hands desperately.

Neville remembered hearing those exact words nearly two years earlier. Then it had been to find a husband, and now it was to save the husband that by all counts she should despise. He hadn't refused her then, he couldn't now. If Ron and Harry chose to remain behind once he'd spoken with the Minister and Robards then that was their choice. He couldn't let her lose anyone else. "Of course, lets go speak to Scrimgeour."

"I'm coming with you," Hermione announced drawing her wand as they all walked in the direction of the Minster's office.

"You are not," Ron and Neville said simultaneously.

"But," Hermione was cut off instantly when even Harry started shaking his head.

"Hermione, Malfoy would hex me to Merlin's grave and back if I let you anywhere near this," Neville said firmly. "Frankly were I in the same situation I wouldn't blame him."

"Whose side are you exactly on Neville," Harry couldn't resist the small jab at his past schoolmate, even if he himself had begun to see in small instances that Malfoy was different as far as Hermione was concerned.

"I'm on Hermione's side Harry, and if you choose to come with us tonight then that's the side you will be on as well. Lucius Malfoy deserves to be brought to justice. Think about that instead of Malfoy's role in this," Neville stated harshly, not wanting to take the time to rehash the past and the present hate that lay between the two men. After this was over Harry and Malfoy could return to being at odds, but for now it seemed that they shared the same goal.

"You fool! You've let her go. I know you can't stand the sight of her, have only kept her in hopes that the money could someday be yours, but no wonder you were always such a disappointment," Lucius raged, staring angrily into the flames that were returning to a normal golden and orange hue.

Drawing in a deep breath Draco decided to play to his father's madness. "I have to keep up the pretense," he drawled low in his throat. "If she thought I was going to agree to any of your plans she would have cursed one or both of us. She has to believe that I'm still on her side so to speak."

Lucius' eyes gleamed with what might have been enthusiastic approval. "Well perhaps you've learned more than I thought. Prison might have been a good lesson."

That comment sent a full tremor of rage through Draco but he shuttered his gaze and forced a smirk. "I suppose you had something to do with making certain they were sure it was me from the attack in London? Since you managed to pull off such an elaborate escape attempt you couldn't very well let yourself be sent back. I suppose I should thank you for making certain I never met the executioner." Merlin, this would probably kill him if he had to keep praising the maniacal bastard.

"Yes you should. Your mother would never have forgiven me," Lucius whispered, and his eyes became clouded with deep thought. A moment of lucidity appeared in the silver orbs, but vanished as though it was never there. "Now, you're certain your soiled little wife will believe you're still infatuated. That can be the only reason the tainted trollop would ever let you so close to her."

"I have her exactly where I, excuse me, where we want her," Draco falsely assured his father, feeling a painful knot growing in his stomach.

There was no easy way to extricate himself from this situation and he was fairly certain that Hermione had already spent the last few minutes amassing the support of the Ministry. They would come if for no other reason than to cover their mistake in letting Lucius Malfoy roam free for so long, but for that reason alone. Draco only hoped Longbottom was intelligent and stern enough to convince her to stay behind. Hermione had never been good at keeping her mouth shut when it counted as far as taunting an adversary and his father would forget that she carried the child, which he saw as the key to everything he wanted. Lucius Malfoy had already careened over the cliff with his last shreds of sanity, and would murder her in a fit of mad rage if provoked.

"Out of curiosity, you wouldn't have had anything to do with the Du Marier's and their hounding of the Ministry and," Draco had to take a small breath before continuing as he was, "the Mudblood did you?"

"At first I was certain I could tie her murder to that family. They've always been on the ruthless, but reckless side. Murdering her by Muggle means, with poison or a broken ladder, honestly, very common if you ask me, but I was more than happy to oblige and help them with their endeavor. However when I learned that she was set to inherit quite a sizable fortune should anything unforeseen happen to those dirty Muggles who raised her, well then I of course had to step in, and against my better judgment save her that day in her shop." Lucius sighed heavily, as though even remembering lowering himself to such an act was difficult to bear.

"Then I take it you were also behind their sudden change of heart?" Draco inquired, deciding to gather as much information as he could. The more his father said, the more incriminating it would be for the dark wizard in the end.

"As I said, they're reckless. That elder Du Marier, Amaury is it? Never truly a follower but took the Dark Mark I remember. He didn't participate in a raid, not once, but his money was what kept the cause alive for so long," Lucius trailed off, lost in a sweet and enticing memory. "Those days were the best, right before you were initiated. You didn't try to remove it did you? The Mudblood I'm sure would have objected to a marked traitor touching her."

"Of course not? I'm proud of what I chose and I went to Azkaban proud to have fallen for a worthy cause." How Draco had managed not to choke on those words even he wasn't aware. The ugly mark haunted him everyday, and it was only by a sheer miracle that Hermione had continuously overlooked the hideously scarred flesh that proclaimed what he had been in the past.

"Finally, after all of these years you've proven worthy," Lucius smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

His eyes, were they changing again? Almost aquamarine, not the silvery blue Draco remembered. Draco shook his head to clear it. He obviously was having difficulty focusing on anything feasible with his mind racing. There was a sinking feeling in his chest, that made him as sick as listening to his father's plans for Hermione and himself. He was going to have to kill the man before him or die himself.

That wasn't a selfish solution, it was the only one most likely. Hermione and the baby were worth living for and Lucius was determined to destroy what small hope he had managed to nurture in his heart recently. Draco couldn't falter now and if his father forced his hand he wouldn't hesitate to hurl the Killing Curse. He only hoped the venom and darkness needed for such a spell to work properly was within him. Lucius was his father after all, and to be the cause of a parent's death was a heavy burden, a life altering decision.

"That's all I've ever wanted Father, your approval," Draco said evenly, and sadly that was still the truth. There was a small withered part of him that hoped someday even his mother would have accepted Hermione and his new outlook on life in general. There was a hope that had always been waiting to spring to life that his father would one day look at him as something other than a possession and failure. He was as sick as his mother, seeking approval and acceptance from a man who must have hated himself as much as everyone around him. No one could enjoy misery so much if they weren't suffering themselves.

"I'm waiting for her little band of Aurors to come chasing at our heels," Lucius remarked, casually walking behind his desk and reaching into the cabinet at the side of the chair. "Still kept everything as I remembered. You knew didn't you?" he asked, with a gleam in his eyes that had once again returned to a silvery hue of glee and lunacy.

"Yes, Father. I knew you were alive and that we would have to rebuild the family fortune together. The Ministry betrayed us when they auctioned off the majority of the contents of the manor and confiscated all of the funds from the estate, except my inheritance." That was probably true as well. He'd sensed it since the day he'd looked at the chocolates Hermione received in secret. Somewhere inside Draco knew Lucius had returned, and he had put it from his mind. That was his mistake he decided, letting himself forget that there was always the darkness, always the inescapable truth that you're never free from that which controls you.

"Clever boy. Such a pity you could never make the professors at that school of yours see it. They thought they were promoting more house unity and working against prejudice I'm thinking by letting that Mudblood post higher marks. Always was so disappointing hearing that you were never good enough wasn't it? I had often hoped that would urge you to try harder," Lucius mused, turning to gaze out the window into the night.

"I've bested her now though haven't I?" Draco said, watching the fireplace cautiously. Hermione must stay put at the Ministry. Even there she was safer than to openly challenge Lucius.

"We shall see," Lucius murmured, cryptically. "When she arrives with her brood from the Ministry, which we both know she will, the depth of her affections will depend on how convincing you've been these past months."

"Oh, I can be quite convincing when I want to be," Draco confidently informed him. Am I not convincing you how utterly obedient and loyal I am to you, he sneered to himself and with much difficulty kept a dark scowl from forming on his face.

"I'm sure you can be son, but women are quite intuitive. They know when you are set to betray them and hell hath no fury, or so that Muggle saying goes," Lucius whispered, and there was distinct tone of wrath and an edge of violence in his words. "Some say you should never betray a woman, that they will most likely exact their revenge at any and all costs. That Mudblood must not suspect you in any way Draco. When she returns you must be properly soothing and charming. Lies work wonders dear," Lucius explained, as though beginning a lecture.

Draco frowned then, wondering at his father's choice of words? Dear? Only his mother had ever called him by that endearment, and very few times. Basically, when he had been small and she was still capable of smiling and looking beautiful. Was Lucius trying to play his own game and make Draco question his mother's whereabouts or was there something else?

Turning back to face his son Lucius' visage was a mask of serenity and acceptance. "Let's sit and wait patiently shall we?" Pulling the chair out from behind the desk Lucius lounged with lazy grace. Truly, everything was solved, the manor would be returned to its once resplendent state and he and Draco would work side by side to establish the Malfoy name once again.

His father was lost to more than madness, Draco decided, almost watching in fascinated horror at the man lolling carelessly before him. Lucius was actually welcoming the Ministry into his home? What could he hope to gain? They would either kill him or take him into custody. Did he actually believe he could walk away from his many crimes and receive nothing in return for his conduct?

Then the fascination turned to outright confusion and shock. The aquamarine shade had returned to Lucius' gaze, and his hair wasn't the light, almost white blond, it had always been. There were flecks of gold in the strands and he seemed to be shifting uncomfortably. This time Draco knew he hadn't imagined it, and took many cautious steps backward when Lucius' clothing became many sizes too large and started to hang on his frame. He was withering before Draco's eyes, and when the transformation was complete, Draco couldn't find any words to explain what he had seen or the image staring back at him now. Even the loud and distinct pop signaling that another wizard had Apparated into the study went unheeded.

"Ah, Snape, still as bothersome as always," Draco heard the figure behind the desk whisper, the voice most definitely feminine, but possessing Lucius' dark edge.

"Draco, go," Snape said, sharply. "Take that troublesome wife of yours and leave now."

Draco turned wide eyes to his old professor actually glad to see the gangly brooding man. "What's the meaning of this? I don't understand."

"Give me your mother's diary and go!" Snape snarled impatiently, but turned a very calm and soft gaze to the person sitting in front of them. "This is over now, we can finally end it."

"Now, Severus really," the dark voice chided, "Do you expect me to walk away now? This isn't over until I'm ready to end it. I always held the power and you never could. Everything that you wanted I managed to acquire, everything that you had I took. Don't you remember how it's supposed to end?"
If Draco hadn't seen the exchange he never would have believed it. "Hermione's gone to the Ministry," he said absently, and heard the professor's sharp intake of breath.

"Merlin, but I wanted to avoid that possibility most of all," Snape sighed heavily, with defeat. "Its truly over now," he whispered.

"This is ridiculous," Ron muttered harshly under his breath. "The cellar Neville? It smells worse down here than some of your rotten potions in fourth year!"

"Would you have preferred to simply waltz through the fireplace in Malfoy's study and not have the element of surprise?" Neville snapped back, impatiently. He had thought Harry would be the most difficult, but Ron had already started complaining and they hadn't even met their adversary yet.

"Ron, Robards sent Wood and your father with the others to Apparate outside the gates to make certain Malfoy doesn't escape on foot," Harry hissed into the darkness. "You're welcome to join them. That's actually where I'd prefer to be."

"Both of you shut up," Neville barked, as they all lit the tips of their wands with the simple spell.

There was another group that was supposed to Apparate somewhere in the foyer and, so to speak, Lucius was surrounded. That didn't guarantee his capture, and Neville wanted Harry and Ron to be focused on their purpose, to apprehend the Death Eater at all costs. Peering through the darkness with only the minimal light to help them Neville wasn't surprised when they ran into a tiny creature that squeaked and scurried from them.

"Who's there?" Ron called out quietly, hearing the scraping of nails on the stone floor.

"Probably one of those elves hiding, or maybe Malfoy's punishing it by locking it down here," Harry suggested, with a sneer.

"Mipsy," something in the darkness cried. "Master hurt Mipsy if he think Mipsy let Harry Potter in his home."

"Yup, Malfoy's got the fear of Merlin in her," Ron agreed with Harry, derisively.

"We're here to help your master and Mistress Hermione," Neville said, soothingly.

"Mistress Hermione?" Mipsy asked, confused and more frightened than ever. "No Mistress Hermione. Mistress Narcissa and Master Lucius hate Hermione Granger."

All three men frowned at that statement and eased closer to the vicinity of the frightened elf. "What about Master Lucius. Where is he now? We promise we don't want to hurt you." Neville coaxed.

"Master Lucius right here he is," Mipsy cried fearfully as the men drew closer, their wands finally illuminating the area where the tiny thing was crouching.

"Master Lucius wake up soon and be very mad at Mipsy. Must go now!" the elf screeched, jumping up and down.

"Mipsy, Master Lucius isn't going to wake up," Neville assured her. "Mipsy you have to tell us how to get upstairs."

"But Master Lucius, Mistress Narcissa," Mipsy worried, biting her bottom lip and wringing her small hands.

"Master Draco is in danger if you don't help us," Neville said, hoping to jar the elf into thinking about something else. "Please, you have to lead us to the study."

"Master Draco came back, but we can't help him. He married the dirty-blooded Muggle. Mustn't help Master Draco until he knows better again," Mipsy said, pacing now and trembling.

This was getting nowhere, and so Neville straightened and exchanged a look with Harry, but noticed that Ron was eyeing the area behind the elf curiously.

"Merlin, Mab, and Morgana," Ron muttered, with disgust and horror, as Harry and Neville drew closer to him.

"I told you, Master Lucius here, wake up soon!" Mipsy was even more uncontrollable now.

Neville was right, Lucius wouldn't be waking up and the proof was right in front of them. Lying neatly inside the wall on the long cellar shelf was a fully intact skeleton with only a few wisps of long and straggly hair still attached to the skull. On the left ring finger was a gold and silver encrusted ring, a strange emblem with a snake encircling a dragon's breath of fire. "If that's Lucius, then who's upstairs with Malfoy?" Harry was the first to wonder out loud what all were thinking.

"Gods only know," Neville said with a shudder, and started off again hoping to find his way to the study before whatever was happening got any worse, if it wasn't out of control already.