An Unexpected Malfoy

by RiverWriter

Once upon a time Hermione Granger literally ran into Draco Malfoy in a bookshop. His mother sees a connection between her son and the muggleborn that she can't ignore and determines to get to know the girl. An imagining of how things could have gone if Hermione had been taken under the wing of the Malfoy family.

40. Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Interlude- Sirius

He was beginning to think that Black blood, along with carrying a propensity for transfigurative magic and insanity, might also grant one a touch of the sight. Because for the second time in his life he'd felt uneasy, to the point where he was absolutely convinced that something was catastrophically wrong. But his godson was sleeping in his bed, under his care, and there was no rat to chase, at least not one he had any idea how to locate. And even if there had been, he couldn't fail Harry like that twice.

This determination didn't mean that he got a wink of sleep.

Therefore, Narcissa's head in the floo early the next morning was no surprise, nor was it a relief, but it was at least a confirmation that his instincts were on point.

"We need to meet," she said, her voice flat, and she didn't appear to have gotten any more sleep than he had.

Normally, even with him, Narcissa was all about propriety, unless she was truly annoyed with him, she always saw to the pleasantries. Such a terse greeting was utterly out of character for her.

"What's going on?"

"I shouldn't say much through the floo, but suffice it to say, he's back."

Sirius would have sworn his heart stopped in his chest when he became aware that she was still talking.

"It's your decision if you'd like Harry to be involved in this discussion, but just so you know Draco and Hermione will both be present."

"I'll bring him," Sirius wheezed, barely able to catch his breath, "he has as much, if not more right than anybody to hear what happened. We'll be over in half an hour."

She nodded. "We'll have breakfast available," then chuckled bitterly at the inanity; he knew exactly how she felt. "The elves are trying to be helpful…" she concluded.

"I'll see you then Narcissa."

"I-" she hesitated and her face softened. "Give him a hug Sirius, it'll help, I know it helped me."

He just smiled tightly in return and her head disappeared from the flames.

Telling his godson that Voldemort had apparently been resurrected from his wraith state was just about the worst experience of Sirius' life, and that was saying something. Because Harry didn't fall to pieces, or ask a millions questions. Much worse than that, he just sat there and took it stoically. It was as if he'd come to expect that bad things were just bound to happen to him. It only took Sirius a few moments to understand that was exactly what his godson had done, and it felt like his heart was being crushed in his chest.

He certainly didn't begrudge Lucius his job in having to tell them all exactly what had happened, especially after the way Hermione let out this absolutely heartbreaking keening sound the moment she found out that her friend had been killed, and then bolted from the room. For the first time he almost even felt sorry for the man and what he was embroiled in.

When it was decided that they were going to meet with Dumbledore, Sirius almost relished in the idea of the ensuing confrontation. He had some serious issues with the things that had happened to Harry since he'd entered Hogwarts- and with things that had happened before that- most of which he held Dumbledore responsible for, but he had been attempting to divert attention away from Harry (which had proven futile) so he had held back in the past. It was petty, but he was quite certain they were about to catch the man flat footed and he had always enjoyed a good prank, even on days like today.

He sent the headmaster an owl and wasn't surprised when he replied right away, and for the first time Sirius was thankful for Dumbledore's intense interest in Harry. He was certain the quick response was due to him being Harry's guardian. That was something he would be discussing with Dumbledore today, he refused to allow his godson to become a weapon to be aimed at Voldemort.

After brunch at Malfoy Manor where they all picked over their food he flooed to Hogwarts, straight into Dumbledore's office. The man was seated behind his desk and if Sirius wasn't mistaken he looked graver than normal.

"Good afternoon, Sirius, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

Sirius had no intention of beating around the bush. "I'm afraid what I have to say you are not going to find to be a pleasure Albus, but I suspect you already know that. Voldemort-" Sirius was proud of the fact that he didn't stutter over the name as Harry absolutely insisted on using it and he didn't think Dumbledore would be particularly impressed if he appeared afraid- "has been resurrected."

Dumbledore sat forward in his chair very quickly. "Did Harry tell you this?"

"Harry? No. How would Harry know?"

"Harry has been known to react to Voldemort's presence, I thought perhaps he felt his return."

"You mean through his scar," Sirius asked knowingly.

Dumbledore just stared at him and slowly inclined his head.

"Because you had a professor who was possessed by Voldemort teaching my godson for a full year?"

The elderly wizard didn't respond to this.

"Albus, you are far too old and far too shrewd not to have realized what was going on inside your own school. But I'm no fool either. As soon as I heard Harry's recollection of events I knew that Voldemort's presence, as well as that business with the Philosopher's Stone, was meant to test my godson. I don't know what you think you discovered, I don't care. His scar is clean, he is just like any other fourteen year old boy now."

"Sirius-"

He held up his hand. "No, that's my final word on the subject. Now, back to the reason for my visit. Voldemort's return, can I assume from your reaction, or lack thereof, that you already knew this."

He nodded.

"And that Neville Longbottom was killed in the process?"

Dumbledore's eyes became ineffably sad, he removed his spectacles and rubbed his forehead, suddenly looking every singIe one of his his hundred plus years; however much Sirius sometimes didn't trust his motives, the headmaster cared for his students.

"I won't ask you to reveal how you got your information, I don't need to know. I got mine from a source who was present at the resurrection, a source who would like to speak to you."

Dumbledore's head shot up. "You speak of somebody within Voldemort's ranks, a Death Eater?"

"He has the mark, yes, but even I can admit that I don't think he qualifies as a Death Eater any longer. He wishes to be an informant for the Light."

"And this person can be trusted?"

"Yes, I watched him and his family for awhile in my other form. They had no idea who I was at the time. What I witnessed convinced me. However, we realize that my word may not be enough. He is willing to come here now and take an unbreakable vow that he is no longer loyal to Voldemort."

"By all means then, ask him to come through," he said it casually but Sirius didn't miss the way he palmed his wand.

"He would like for his wife to accompany him, she has things to add to the discussion."

"Very well."

Sirius stuck his head back in the floo to tell the Malfoys they could come through and a minute later Lucius stepped into the office closely followed by Narcissa. Sirius cackled internally at the surprise the elderly wizard was unable to mask as he spotted them.

"Albus," Lucius greeted, offering his wife his arm.

"Hello Albus," Narcissa echoed, wrapping a deceptively delicate hand around her husband's forearm; Sirius actually felt sorry for anybody who was stupid enough to mess with her.

Dumbledore regarded them for a long moment. "I take it that things between the three of you are not as contentious as you led me to believe when you asked for my help securing Sirius' freedom then?"

Lucius just shrugged.

"Very well. Lucius, Narcissa, please have a seat, I believe we have much to discuss." He transfigured a chair into a loveseat and they sat. "You too, Sirius," and Sirius took the chair next to them which Dumbledore had indicated with his wand.

Dumbledore immediately turned his attention to the blond couple. "So you have had a change of heart, Lucius?"

It was stated so condescendingly that even Sirius took offense, even though he agreed with the sentiment. Did Dumbledore really think this was a way to gain allies?

But Lucius was a Slytherin, he barely blinked. "I did what I had to in order to survive the last war, I had already decided when I was barely into my twenties that I was done with the Dark Lord, there was simply no escaping him. But it is true that my feelings about blood purity have evolved since then."

If Dumbledore had been standing up Sirius was fairly certain you'd have been able to knock him over with a feather. "I see, and may I ask what brought this about?"

"A muggleborn witch," Lucius explained simply. "Draco has brought a muggleborn witch into our family. They were ritually betrothed at Easter."

"And you accept this?"

Sirius could practically feel both Malfoys fighting the urge to roll their eyes; he didn't bother to resist the urge. There was absolutely no reason they would be here, and with him of all people, if they didn't accept Draco's choice.

"I was dubious at first," Lucius responded, "when I met her years ago. But now I consider her to be my daughter. We," he looked at Narcissa and she took his hand, "always wanted a daughter. Now we have one, we will do whatever we must to protect our children."

"I thought that I had heard the younger Mr. Malfoy was betrothed to a pureblood from France."

Sirius felt his eyebrows climb his forehead. There it was again, the headmaster demonstrating a rather disturbing interest in the personal lives of his students. Then again, given where he believed the Malfoys sat on the political spectrum, perhaps he'd thought it prudent to keep a particularly close eye on them and their son. Draco would one day be the one setting their political agenda, after all.

"A smokescreen to disguise where his true interests lie, which is much closer to home," Lucius answered, voice cool.

"Are you insinuating that I know the young woman in question?"

"She is one of your students," Lucius nodded. "Hermione Granger."

Dumbledore's mouth actually fell open slightly and Sirius hid a smile behind his hand.

"Your son is betrothed to Harry Potter's best friend?" He turned to look at Sirius, his gaze penetrating, he only paused for a moment, he was far from stupid. "Ah, things are beginning to make sense now. You gave Miss Granger your protection at the request of the Malfoys as they were not in a position to offer it themselves?"

Sirius gave him a sharp nod.

"And is Harry aware of the situation?"

"Not until recently, but right now he's at Malfoy Manor waiting with Hermione and Draco as well as the Grangers."

Dumbledore sat back in his chair. "Extraordinary, muggles at Malfoy Manor. A Slytherin and a Gryffindor together. This could do extraordinary things for our world," he marveled.

"Yes, but we have to get rid of the dark bastard first, which is why we are here," Sirius reminded him.

Dumbledore's gaze returned to the Malfoys, his eyes calculating. "What do you want?"

"Want?" Lucius drawled but the way he fidgeted with his walking stick betrayed his annoyance.

"I have my own spy, perhaps I don't wish to utilize your services if I feel the price is too high."

Lucius shook his head. "You're referring to Severus?"

Dumbledore nodded.

"That is exactly why you need me, I knew exactly who you were talking about. If I knew he was your spy, the Dark Lord surely does too."

"Severus convinced him he was a double agent, I believe he trusted him completely."

"Perhaps, perhaps not," Lucius shrugged like it didn't matter. "But that was thirteen years ago. Thirteen years he's been in your hip pocket, under your protection. He avoided Azkaban on your word alone. And don't you think it's rather telling that the Dark Lord was here, possessing one of your professors for an entire school year and yet he never sought out Severus for assistance?"

That actually seemed to bring Dumbledore up short, he stroked his beard, obviously buying time. "I see your point, that is troubling," he eventually admitted.

"And even if the Dark Lord did trust Severus, and continues to do so, his access will still be limited," Lucius added.

"How can you know that?"

"Because I know how the Dark Lord runs his organization. Severus was very young when he was vanquished for the first time, he hadn't had time to work his way up in the ranks, and he would have had a slower time of it anyway, as he is a half-blood and doesn't come from an old family. And now, simply because of the sheer amount of time that he spends in your proximity, he will be kept out of most strategic planning. He will be considered useful for his potions knowledge and to keep an eye on you, that is all."

"I was under the impression he was inner circle."

"The Dark Lord is very good at making you feel exactly as important as he needs you to feel. And have you considered that it's possible that Severus exaggerated his access to the Dark Lord to you? He needed your protection, it would have been to his benefit to make himself sound important."

"I trust Severus completely."

Sirius rolled his eyes.

Lucius just shrugged again. "That is your prerogative, I am not here to convince you otherwise and frankly I don't care. I was merely asking a question. But was he able to tell you that Peter Pettigrew was the spy within your organization during the last war? Because I would have been. Furthermore, I don't need anything from you. I do have a few requests, but nothing that requires any sacrifices on your part. I simply want to see him gone so that my children are safe."

Dumbledore let out a long, slow breath. "Your requests?"

"I assume you are re-forming your Order?"

"Yes."

Lucius nodded. "Good. But my identity and my family's true loyalties will remain a secret from them until such time as I deem it necessary to inform them."

"And Severus?"

"Especially from him as he is the only one of them who will be spending any significant time with the Dark Lord, and while you may trust him completely, I do not. And even if I did trust him not to voluntarily reveal my identity to protect himself, you must know that the Dark Lord has ways of making you tell him things against your will. Severus is a mighty wizard, but he is not mightier than the Dark Lord. No, Albus, the less people who know, the safer I am, and more importantly, the safer my family is. This will stay between those currently in this room, and those waiting at Malfoy Manor. If I can't report to you directly, Sirius can act as a go-between."

"You expect the Order to trust the word of an unknown entity?"

"I expect them to trust your word."

Dumbledore sighed. "Very well, I suppose that is not unreasonable."

Sirius narrowed his eyes in the Headmaster's direction, suspicious that he had given in so quickly. Then again, Dumbledore wasn't only a shrewd politician, but the equivalent of a general. He had to know what a boon the Malfoys were for the cause. The Order hadn't actually defeated Voldemort last time. In fact, they had been on the brink of defeat themselves. They needed more weapons in their arsenal this time, they couldn't depend on the tragedy/miracle that had occurred in Godric's Hollow on Halloween 1981 to repeat itself.

There would certainly be some internal griping when the Order learned there was an anonymous source inside Death Eater ranks providing them information. Moody would be apoplectic. But they trusted Albus completely, and he would be able to talk them around.

"Anything else?" Dumbledore asked.

"Either a secure facility within the school where we," Lucius gestured between the three visitors, "can continue to train our children after they return for the year, or permission for them to leave several nights a week."

"Do you think that's wise? They're only children."

"Right," spat Sirius. "Because Voldemort never targets children."

"Furthermore," continued Lucius, "in case you've lost track, all three of them are entering their fifth year. They will not be children much longer. In fact, due to various life circumstances, I feel hard pressed to continue to call them children even now. The Dark Lord has already targeted Mr. Potter on multiple occasions, there is no reason to believe he will stop. And Draco and Hermione, as a Malfoy and a muggleborn respectively, are both in direct danger. It would be the height of foolishness not to offer them extra tuition."

"And why is that Albus?" Sirius took over. "Why does he seem determined to come after my godson? It cannot be a coincidence that when he couldn't get to Harry for his ritual he went after Neville Longbottom, the son of the other family you sent into hiding in '81."

Dumbledore was practically squirming in his chair at this point and Sirius knew that he knew something about Voldemort's interest in the Potters. He'd confessed as much to Harry after the incident with the Philosopher's Stone, he'd simply refused to tell him what it was. And perhaps he had been right, perhaps that was not a burden to be born by an eleven year old. But Sirius was a different matter.

"Is there a prophecy about my godson?" Sirius insisted.

"I'd rather not say."

"There were rumours of one, amongst the Dark Lord's followers," Lucius interejected.

"It's best, safest, for Harry if it was kept quiet."

"Says who, you?" Sirius reared forward in his chair. "I am his guardian! And frankly, Lucius and Narcissa have done far more to protect Harry than you have," he sighed and looked at Lucius. "I really didn't want to expose Harry like this."

It was Narcissa who answered though, sounding both worried and sympathetic. "I thought we decided it was best to know for certain."

"I still think so, I just don't like it. "

"Expose Harry!" Dumbledore looked most alarmed. "What does that mean?"

Lucius tapped his cane against the stone floor and made a 'tssking' sound, shaking his head.

"There is a Hall of Prophecies in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry. It is every citizen's right to see if there are any prophecies pertaining to them and, if so, to come and collect them if they so choose. What?" Lucius smirked at the frantic look on Dumbledore's face. "You didn't think I would know about that? I have a seat on the Wizengamot, Albus, some members may choose to keep their activity within the Ministry largely symbolic, but surely you know I'm not one of them. Now, most people would prefer not to know if they have a prophecy, so the place and the process has been largely forgotten about, but it still exists."

"You mustn't!" Dumbledore exclaimed, "word of Harry Potter visiting the Ministry, to the Hall of Prophecies no less would never be kept quiet."

Sirius huffed and resisted the urge to stomp his feet. "You're forcing my hand, Albus. If you can't or simply won't tell me what you know, because I need to know what I'm dealing with. I need all the available information."

Dumbledore just sat there looking between the three of them for the longest time. "I'll tell you, though I really do advise against it."

"I really must insist," Sirius didn't waver.

"Very well," he sighed, standing and walking over to a cabinet in the corner. He opened it, removed a stone basin which he then walked back over and placed on his desk.

Sirius exchanged a pointed look with Narcissa and Lucius. Dumbledore had a pensieve? Those things were so rare they were practically myths. But the artefact in question would certainly come in handy and the fact that Dumbledore had allowed them to see it spoke volumes. The Headmaster raised his wand to his temple and pulled what looked like a chain of white mist from his head, and then directed it into the pensieve.

"This is my memory of hearing the prophecy in the spring of 1980. Once I discovered that Voldemort had learned the contents of the first half of it, I knew which families to send into hiding." He pressed a series of runes carved into the top of the bowl and the ghostly figure of the woman Sirius recognized as Harry's divination teacher, rose from within and began to speak.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies… and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not… and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives… the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…"

There were a few beats of silence and then Lucius actually snorted. "And that gentlemen and my lady, is why only fools chase prophecies. What a load of codswallop, and a vague load of codswallop at that."

"What do you mean, Lucius?" Narcissa asked.

"For instance, it said 'the seventh month,' well the seventh month in what calendar: Chinese, Coptic, Julian, Ptolemaic? Shall I continue? And of what year? It's entirely unclear on that point, we could be talking hundreds, even thousands of years in the future."

"Prophecies are usually made when the event is imminent," Dumbledore interrupted.

"Usually, not always," Lucius snapped. "But that's not even the most troubling part. What does vanquish mean in this context? How can one die at the hand of the other if neither can live while the other survives? Because both would have to be alive at the same time, at some point, in order for one to kill the other. Though, perhaps that is more a metaphor than anything else," he sucked in a long breath through his nose, and for the first time Sirius was willing to admit that he was very happy Lucius was on their side. "I could go on and on. And if you accept that this refers to Mr. Potter, I could make a case that it was fulfilled that night in 1981."

"You're right," Narcissa gasped, "the Dark Lord's body died that night and by all accounts Harry caused that. And with the deliberate act of targeting Harry, he was acknowledging that this referred to him, therefore marking him as his equal."

"You're being optimistic," Dumbledore responded, he looked aggrieved but Sirius wasn't sure he believed it. "I'm afraid Harry will have to be the one to face him."

"Absolutely not!" Sirius shouted. "I know that because of this Voldemort will continue to come after my godson, but we're not going to act like this whole war rests on his shoulders. I won't allow it!"

"Sirius-"

"No, I don't care about your opinions on this matter. I'm beginning to find that I care very little about your opinion on most matters! I do recognize, though, that most of the witches and wizards in this country view you as the Leader of the Light, therefore I do think you're an important ally, but that is all! Although I do have a question for you. If you believe that Harry is fated to fight Voldemort, why are you opposed to him being trained? Why hasn't he been in training all along? As his headmaster it was well within your purview to offer him extra tuition the moment he entered this castle! Extra tuition you are singularly qualified to provide!"

"I'd hoped we had time. I wanted to spare him the burden."

"Well we obviously don't," Sirius barked. "And if you call what has been happening to him in this school for the past four years 'sparing him the burden' then you are delusional!" He struggled to catch his breath but plowed on. "And another thing, how did Voldemort find out about this prophecy? I doubt you told him, and a seer never remembers giving a true prophecy."

Dumbledore had the good grace to look...like something at least approaching guilt. "Unfortunately we were in a public place and were overheard."

Sirius just blinked at the man and tried to figure out what still wasn't adding up. It only took a moment before it clicked; as much as Dumbledore liked to give the impression of being omniscient, he wasn't. "How did you discover Voldemort had learned of the prophecy? You obviously didn't know right away, it was more than a year before you sent the Potters and Longbottoms into hiding. And more than that, how did you get such specific information that he was only aware of the first half?"

"He did have a spy in the Dark Lord's ranks," Lucius interjected calmly.

"Yes, one that you just made a very good case for not having access to this kind of information. Lucius, you said that you didn't even know for sure that there was a prophecy, much less its contents. What are the chances that Snape would have known about this?"

"I do find it difficult to believe."

"Unless he was the one who overheard it in the first place and went running to tell his master, but when he found out Voldemort was targeting the Potters, he started to feel guilty."

"Why would he care about that?" Lucius questioned.

He pinned his stare on Lucius. "As you said, a muggleborn witch. He wanted Lily, he always wanted Lily, and he couldn't have her if she was dead." He turned back to Dumbledore. "So, he came to you and warned you that she was in danger. And you manipulated him into spying for you. Am I right?"

Dumbledore's silence spoke volumes.

Sirius scoffed. "It's so fucking ironic. Lily begged him for years to take a step back from his friends who thought of her as filth, she told him they were dangerous, that no good would come from being associated with them. She was a loyal friend to him even when he would barely acknowledge her. She stood up for him against us more times than I can possibly tell you. She took him back time and time again until one day she just couldn't take it anymore! But even after that she felt terrible, like she'd let him down. And he waited until the most powerful Dark Lord Britain has ever seen is hunting her family, her baby, to listen to her." He leapt up. "Is he here? I'm going to fucking kill him."

He turned and strode towards the door, but all of a sudden Narcissa was standing in front of him, blocking his path. She actually took his face in her hands. "You can't Sirius and you know it! Think of Harry. This is a time to tread lightly."

He slumped and put his arms around her, wondering when his cool cousin had become a source of comfort. "She was the best of all of us, Cissy," he choked out. "So ridiculously, naively kind. She should be here. I'm a poor replacement for James, much less her. And she deserved better than this."

She turned her face to speak directly into his ear. "If this is true, I'll help you kill him myself when this is all over."

He pulled back, startled.

She shrugged. "It's a bad idea to mess with a Black."

He let out a startled chuckle but then another thing occurred to him, and he spun on his heel and walked up to Dumbledore's desk, pounding one fist on top of it. "You have this man teaching Harry! How sick is that! And he treats him like dirt!"

Dumbledore opened his mouth, ostensibly to object.

"Don't tell me he's exaggerating. I have Hermione and even Draco's independent assertions as to his behavior. I thought that it was because of me and James, but now I'm betting it's at least partially because he resents the fact that James Potter's son lived while Lily died."

Dumbledore ignored that accusation while he looked pointedly at Lucius. "You don't seem to have any problem with the boy being exposed to Death Eaters."

Sirius resisted the urge to growl, his inner grim was right at the surface at the moment. "Lucius and I don't see eye to eye on more issues than I can count, but he's been honest with Harry and it is completely within Harry's control how much he has to be around him. You, on the other hand, have basically locked him in a room twice a week with a man who was, at least in part, responsible for his parents deaths. Should I be worried that you'll be hiring Peter to teach Defense next year?"

His raging was once again interrupted by a gentle hand on his back. "Go back to Harry, Sirius," Narcissa murmured. "Lucius and I will finish getting things squared away with the Headmaster. He probably wants to hear about last night and I doubt you want to sit through that again."

Sirius knew he was being handled. He just didn't care. He strode towards the fireplace, scooped up a handful of floo powder, and tossed it in, but before he stepped into the flames he turned back to Dumbledore.

"I'll be hiring Harry and Hermione a private potions tutor. And you tell that man to stay away from my godson, I don't care what excuse you give him. It would be in his best interests if he stayed away from me too. Don't mess with me on this, Albus."

He spilled out of the fireplace at Malfoy Manor and came face to face with his godson, Hermione, and Draco who just stared at him. He could only assume he looked as agitated as he felt.

"Well that was interesting."

Author's note: Thanks to weestarmeggie for beta reading this. Thanks to you all for reading!