I wanted to edit Chapter 3, but didn't want to dash anyone's hopes of new stuff to read, so I uploaded a short chapter. Also this weekend I go on vacation, and then start a new job, so I may miss updating next week. I hope you enjoy. I still own nothing but a Luminess Airbrush.
To the lovely guest who wanted Vikmione, so does CJRed (and me), and I have a plot bunny for one when this story is finished.
Chapter Four
Hermione anticipated more hesitancy from Draco about hanging out with Harry, but he instantly agreed. He only asked to invite Theo as well. When she said as much he chuckled. "Hermione, Potter is your best friend, part of the package. Trying to cut him out will only serve to push you away." Viktor readily agreed to join them as well. She suspected she would subjected to another quidditch filled outing. She wondered if anyone would object if she brought a book.
Two weeks after the big reveal they finally found the time. To avoid outside scrutiny and gate crashing, the group returned to the tree roots near the Forbidden Forest. "Our special spot, Mione? You brought them to our special spot?"
"Correction, I brought Viktor to our spot. Draco and the others followed us."
Predictably, the conversation quickly fell into playful bickering about team standings and Cup chances. "Why is this the only thing guys can talk about?" Hermione whispered to Tracy.
"We also talk about girls." Harry joked. "But that seems rude in mixed company." The boys snickered.
Hermione looked at Tracy, raising a questioning eyebrow. Looking back to Harry she gave him an evil little grin. "Don't let us stop you. By all means."
Tracy gave a low chuckle, "Proceed. Just pretend we aren't here."
"Nope, no, not happening." Draco cut in.
"Why ever not?" asked Hermione.
"Because my sister is a girl. And she will not be discussed."
"Who said I would be the topic?"
Draco gave her an exasperated look. "Gee, Viktor, who did you take to Yule Ball? That's right you took Hermione."
"Okay, point made."
Harry grinned at him, "We can still talk about Hermione, you know. I have four years worth of stories you don't know about."
"Harry, no!" Hermione protested.
"Harry, yes!" Draco insisted.
"She fixed my glasses fifteen seconds after meeting me on the Express."
"Right, Ron failed to make Scabbers yellow. Idiot."
"I never thanked you for that."
"We could stop telling Hermione stories. That would show your gratitude nicely."
"Not happening."
"I hate you all."
"You love us, well, you love me, you might just like the rest of them." He gestured to the others.
Hermione stuck out her tongue. "Someday I will get you back for this."
"Undoubtedly, but until then," he looked over to Draco. "She likes to baby talk to her cat. Evil thing, hates everyone but her."
"Crooksie likes Viktor."
Harry looked at the Bulgarian who shrugged. "I feed bacon."
Tracy smiled, "Daphne baby talks to her cat. It's a girl thing."
"When she gets distracted studying she starts sticking quills in her hair. Then she forgets where she put it and gets a new one. Only to repeat the cycle. The record is nine."
"Ten." Viktor remarked. "Before second task had ten."
"Nice. Second year when we thought Malfoy here was the Heir of Slytherin she brewed polyjuice potion in Myrtle's bathroom."
"Really?" Theo looked her up and down clearly impressed.
"Yep. Ron and I disguised ourselves as Crabbe and Goyle to question you."
Hermione looked down shyly, letting her hair fall forward to hide behind. She knew the next question. She hated the next question. Two years later the next question still mortified her.
"Who did Hermione masquerade as?"
"She didn't." Through her hair she looked at Harry. He squeezed her knee. "We didn't know which female student wouldn't be suspicious so we made her sit that one out." Hermione smiled at him gratefully. "She made up for it the next year helping me run through the forest from dementors and werewolves." They both laughed while the others stared at them horrified.
"How is that funny?" Theo exclaimed. "You could have been killed, or bitten, or kissed!"
"As school years go for us, that one was rather mild." Hermione remarked thoughtfully.
"Yeah. The crazy murderer wasn't a murderer at all. The real danger was the rat that had always been there." Harry shrugged.
"And we weren't out there alone. Before you ask, we can't divulge that information without jeopardizing his safety and freedom, so he will remain nameless."
"You still think Black is innocent?"
"We know Black is innocent. We saw Peter Pettigrew. We heard his confession."
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Tracy asked.
"We did. The minister refused to listen to a werewolf and three teenagers."
"You have inform Mother." Draco told Hermione.
"I intend to. Fudge might not have wanted to listen to Hermione Granger, but I bet he'll listen to Hermione Malfoy."
"There you go throwing your new family name around." Harry joked.
"Why not? Everyone else does. No matter how much I hate it, the right name opens all kinds of doors. The words are the same, but change the music and it's a whole new song."
"A moment of silence for the wizarding world." Viktor chuckled at Harry's joke, while the Slytherins looked confused. "She's going to burn it down so she can replace it."
"Now, Harry, I have to finish school first, and with the might of two noble houses behind me. I may be able to stage a bloodless coup."
"Aw, I was looking forward to being your solider for once."
"Sorry." She glanced at her watch. "Ugh, we need to head in for dinner. What are the chances Ron will skip a meal?"
"Weasley? Yeah, right." Tracy snorted. "Where does he put all that food?"
"No clue." Hermione laughed.
"We could raid the kitchens." suggested Harry.
"Yes!" Hermione jumped up clapping her hands.
"You know how to get into the kitchen?" asked Draco.
"You don't?" replied Harry.
"Weasley twins for the win." Hermione cheered.
"I must eat with schoolmates." Viktor told them. He kissed Hermione's fingertips in farewell and bowed to Tracy. He nodded to the boys.
Linking arms with Hermione, Tracy led her towards the castle. "So what exactly IS going on between you and Krum?"
"Tracy!" Draco yelled. "I don't need to know this."
"I could stand to know a little more." Theo grinned. Draco glared at him.
"We aren't defining anything. He graduates this year and plans to play professional sports. I have three more years of school." Hermione shrugged. "If we were closer in age, or closer geographically it might be different. For now, we're good friends enjoying each other's company."
"Kissing friends?" teased Tracy.
"Once or twice." The girls giggled.
"Oi! Do not want to hear these things."
Hermione playfully scowled at him, "Then don't listen."
The group made their way across the Entrance Hall. Paying attention to Hermione tease her brother, they missed the boy standing frozen on the stairs. He watched horrified as the person he thought was his best friend fraternized with the enemy. Everyone knew Slytherins were evil, vile monsters; and the Malfoys the worst of them. Liars and cheats to a one. He knew she had duped Harry into thinking she wouldn't change, but she would turn on him and soon. And when she did Ron would be waiting to tell Harry he warned him, he tried to tell him, but Harry refused to listen. Once he groveled sufficiently, and publicly admitted Hermione was the devil, Ron would, of course, forgive him and they could go back to the way things has been minus one conniving traitor.
Harry stopped at the kitchen tapestry and tickled the pear. Hermione rolled her eyes when it giggled. Inside the kitchen house elves bustled back and forth, cleaning up from cooking dinner and preparing to serve dessert. Harry watched Hermione warily as four house elves swarmed them. She smiled and politely requested dinner. Catching her eye, he raised a questioning eyebrow. "I researched house elves more after last year. I understand them better now. They live to serve, though there does need to be laws protecting them."
Dobby approached the group cautiously. "Harry Potter knows old young master?"
Draco sadly nodded to the elf. "Hello, Dobby. How are you?"
"Dobby is very happys at Hogwarts."
"I'm glad. Abraxas is dead. You should visit your mother when you can."
Dobby's face brightened, then fell. "Dobby should not be happy old master is dead."
"Yes, you should. He was a horrible man, and you deserved better. Your mother misses you." He turned to Harry. "Thank you for freeing him. Dobby was my Grandfather Malfoy's personal elf. He was not kind to anyone." He turned to Hermione. "I promise you none of our elves are treated like Dobby was." Hermione nodded.
"How is Winky?" Harry asked to change the subject.
"Winky is not being wells. Dobby worries." He beckoned them to follow. The tiny female elf sat in a pink frock crying into an apron. Several butterbeer bottles littered the floor.
"Winky is a bad elf." she sobbed.
"Hermione rushed forward, "No, Winky. Your old master asked too much of you."
"Winky should have done as she was told"
"Oh, Winky, I wish I could help you somehow."
"Miss is kind. Winky is wanting a family agains." She patted Hermione's cheek kindly.
Hermione looked to Draco pleadingly. He groaned. "At this moment I doubt Father would refuse you anything. Write him."
"I will." She patted the weeping elf. "Be strong, Winky."
After eating the tiny feast the elves pressed on then, the group left the kitchens. They broke into two smaller groups at one of the landings. They bid each other a good night. "Thank you for making an effort." She told Harry and Draco, kissing both on the cheek.
"Where's my kiss? I made an effort, too." pouted Theo.
Draco cuffed him upside the dead. "Knock it off, Romeo." He warned his friend. "Good night, Hermione."
The Gryffindors made their way back to the common room in comfortable silence. Every couple of steps one of them would bump the other's shoulder, making a game of it. Neither paid much attention as they entered the portrait door. Each made their way up the stairs to the dorms, completely missing the envious eyes watching their progress across the room.
Narcissa,
I wish I could write that things are settling down, but that just doesn't seem possible this year. I continue to cope. Draco advised I should write you about the events of last June. The night Harry Potter, Remus Lupin, Ronald Weasley, and I learned Peter Pettigrew betrayed the Potters, and murdered those muggles. Sirius is innocent. I would like to have him cleared of all charges, please. If you inquire at Gringotts he indicated he made me his Heir.
See you soon,
Hermione
She contemplated signing it with love, but decided it was too soon. She quickly addressed the envelope and set it aside. She wrote her letter to Narcissa using a cheerful purple ink, hoping it would seem less formal than black. For her letter to Lucius, she chose a bright blue, similar to the color of the Malfoy coat of arms.
Lucius,
It has come to my attention that the former house elf of Barty Crouch is not doing well here at Hogwarts. She is slowly declining into addiction and seems very depressed. I am hoping that the Malfoy family could extend the same level of generosity to this lovely being as we extend to our fellow wizards. Yes, I want to adopt, or whatever the process is, Winky the house elf. Please say yes.
Home soon,
Hermione.
Lucius snorted back his laughter after reading his daughter's letter. He looked to his wife. Narcissa sat smiling, teary eyed, holding her own letter. "I must assume by your reaction that your letter differs from mine. Hermione wants us to take in Crouch's former elf."
"That certainly isn't a problem. Given everything that has happened in her life, the thought of the undying loyalty of a rescued elf would relieve some of my fears."
"I agree. I will send her instructions. The bond will be stronger if Hermione forges it herself."
"Excellent suggestion."
"What has you tearing up, pet?"
"She wrote to ask for my help. She, and others, have evidence that Sirius is innocent."
"I long suspected Pettigrew of treachery. I never begrudged Black his revenge, personally."
"No, my love, Pettigrew betrayed the Potters AND killed those muggles. He framed Sirius, and is still alive. She wants to clear his name."
"Hmmm, it will take some doing. I suppose as Draco is the presumed heir..."
"No," Narcissa interrupted, "Sirius named her heir. She is Scion Black."
"A trip to Gringotts, then a trip to the Ministry, and she's nearly there."
"Yes. Oh, Lucius, from all reports she's brilliant and well read. Ten minutes in the library and she would have her solution. But, she asked for our help. She included us." She hugged him, Lucius returning the embrace.
"Perhaps we could extend an invitation to Potter over the break. We could reach out to some of James and Lily's school friends. Having her friend nearby might help Hermione feel secure. All of this is overwhelming to me, Merlin knows how it must feel to a teenage girl."
Hermione happily read her owl post the next morning. "Good news?" asked Neville.
"Yes, Lucius and Narcissa agreed to help with some special projects." Ron scowled.
"Winky?" Harry asked.
"One of them, yes." She reached for the juice, pouring herself a glass. "Lucius wants me to bond with Winky, instead of him."
"Doesn't want the disgrace of a freed elf besmirching the Malfoy name." sneered Ron.
"Actually," Hermione replied primly, "he says the bond will be healthier for Winky if I do it, since I am the one desiring it. If Winky wants to that is. I would never force her." Neville nodded his agreement.
Hermione quickly finished eating. Gathering her bag she hurried down to the kitchens. Winky sat on her little stool in front of the fireplace. She stared vacantly into the flames. Empty butterbeer bottles lie on the floor at her feet. "Winky?" Hermione called softly. Winky looked up at her, her big eyes slightly glazed. "Winky, I asked my parents about adding you to the family." Winky's face brightened with joy. "And my father said it would be better," the elf's face began to crumple, "if I did the bonding since you had one so recently broken. I don't have any other elves bonded to me, so it will be rather strong."
"Oh, Mistress. Winky is beings so happy."
"To be clear, you want to bond with me?"
"Yes, yes. Winky wants a family. Winky wants to bes a proper elf agains. Thank you, sweetest mistress." In a matter of minutes the ritual was complete. Hermione promised to speak to McGonagall about where Winky should go for now. Winky went in search of proper house elf attire, while Hermione headed to her first class. Both grinned ear to ear.
Used to the stares, Hermione ignored her schoolmates. She filed out of Professor Vector's classroom, following Hufflepuff Hannah Abbott. At the stairs Hannah waved goodbye as she ascended to the Divination tower. Hermione continued down to Transfiguration. She nodded to the few people who had been friendly towards her when she was still Hermione Granger.
One of the first students to arrive, she took advantage of this time to speak with McGonagall. "Professor, could I have a moment, please?"
"Of course. What can I do for you, Miss Malfoy."
"With Lucius's permission, I bonded the house elf called Winky to House Malfoy. I stood as the bonder. Now that she's not a Hogwarts elf should she go to the Manor, or could she stay for a bit? I want her to make a good first impression. This is so important to her."
"How thoughtful of you. Winky should probably stay here with you. Easter break starts Friday, that's in three days. It should give her enough time to pull herself together."
"Thank you, professor."
"You are most welcome, Miss Malfoy. And twenty points to Gryffindor for thinking of others in their time of need."
Winky, ultimately, decided on a neatly ironed cornflower blue pillowcase for her uniform. Hermione encouraged her to select as many different colors as she wanted. After presenting her new uniform, Winky insisted on cleaning up Hermione's things and taking her letter to the owlery for her, as well as Harry's. Hermione had demanded he ask the Dursleys to let him come stay with her for Easter break. "You need out of the castle."
"I don't want to intrude on family time." protested Harry.
"You won't, Lucius arranged for you to meet a few of your parents' friends over the break. And the Malfoys agree we both need to spend some time with them away from the public, get to know them on a more personal level." That nipped any argument in the bud. Harry dutifully wrote to his aunt and uncle.