Legal stuff: I own nothing here except the occasional minor background character. Also, in the next few weeks my area is getting high speed fiber optics internet. After nothing but satellite internet we are excited. This also means I could be without internet access for a week or two. So there could be a small break without chapters. And as always, thank you so much for reading.

Chapter 13

Over the next weeks, Hermione and Theo saw each other at least once a day. After exploring Sarum, the Iron Age fort, and Stourhead,a majestic garden on the Stour River, they explored a few wizarding sites. On the days Hermione's friends visited, Theo joined the boys playing quidditch.

Brushing her hair before an evening bath gave Hermione time to reflect on everything going on with Theo. Her gushing letter about him to Viktor suggested to her she liked him at least as much as she liked the older wizard. Just thinking about him had her lips curling into a smile. Even when they hung out with the others he treated her with consideration.

They discussed their mutual hesitancy to announce their burgeoning relationship. She wanted to protect him from the backlash from other wizards, he wanted to prevent his father from rushing her. She suspected Narcissa knew, or at least expected something to form soon. She felt positive Sirius knew. Had one of them paid any attention to her, she might have felt guilty about not telling Harry or Draco. Dudley knew, he walked in on them snogging one afternoon. He blushed as bright red as Hermione for the next few days.

Dudley continued to lose weight, and his bullying ways. Hermione joined him in his morning workout to help keep him motivated. Spending time with his cousin and friends showed him how similar they were. He hoped when they met for the temporary custody hearing the officials would let him stay with Black, since Marjorie Dursley did not seem to have no interest in her nephew. The similarities to Harry's situation and the differences in how they both had been treated didn't escape Dudley.

Detective Grant and Noel visited that day. Noel interviewed both the boys, Sirius, and Narcissa, for an outsider's perspectives. Grant updated them on the criminal case. "Mr and Mrs Dursley stand trial on September 9th. The prosecution and defense agree they will not need either of the boys to testify. They both have enough evidence."

Noel consulted her paperwork. "Since Ms Dursley cannot be reached, Petunia stated she would rather Dudley stay with Mr Black rather than enter the foster system, if that is acceptable. She signed the paperwork in anticipation of your acceptable." She looked at Sirius. He did not hesitate to agree. "This leads us to the next issue." She frowned. "The courts froze the Dursleys' bank account, meaning Dudley's care will be covered by the state. On that budget there isn't really money to pay for private schooling. I'm sorry." She handed Sirius several forms. "How long do you anticipate staying in Salisbury? We need to know which local school to enroll Dudley in."

"Why?" Sirius asked. "He has a school."

"Yes, but,"

Sirius interrupted, "If I'm taking him in, then he's my responsibility. And I have no problem investing in his future. Just have the bills forwarded to me." Dudley stared speechless. Sirius noticed. "You earned this. Had you been a git you'd be headed to local school. You put in the work and deserve the reward.

"Thank you so much."

"That said, I expect decent grades and good reports." Dudley nodded vigorously. Keeping his nose clean and applying himself seemed a small price to pay.

The granting of permanent guardianship inspired Sirius to declare Harry would have the biggest birthday party imaginable. "
A week long celebration. A small party for party for family, a day for all your friends, and another for family friends. What do you think?"

Sensing Harry about to refuse out of hand, Hermione stalled him. "Harry, I know what you're about to say. You think you don't need more than one party. So who aren't you going to invite?"

"Huh?"

"Who aren't you going to invite? If you invite too many Slytherins certain Gryffindors will be upset." Harry started to protest. She held up her hand. "Indulge Sirius and enjoy the best of everything. Invite those who won't get along to different parties, invite neutral people to both, and decide who you want at your family party."

"Why are you always right?"

"Why do you argue with me when you know this?"

Harry sighed, "You win, Sirius, three parties."

In his excitement Sirius erred by including Molly Weasley in his plans. She took over planning the immediate family gathering. She invited people without consulting Harry, or Sirius, having taken family to mean Weasleys and the handful of people she decided to invite. She changed the venue from Black Cottage to the Burrow. Her demands saw Sirius and Harry departing for the Burrow far before the scheduled party time on July 31st.

Knowing Molly snubbed Dudley just like she snubbed her, Hermione arranged for Tracey and Theo to hang out at the Cottage with them. She suggested ordering pizza. Dudley suggested swimming and including Draco. Draco readily agreed and flooed over with his suit. Hermione took Tracey back to the Manor to change into suits.

"So, you and Theo." Tracey sing songed flopping onto the bed as Hermione hunted down the swimsuits.

"What about Theo and I?" she asked, shifting the contents of her drawers around.

"You seemed pretty cozy while we were deciding what to do before pizza." She bounced on the bed. "He keeps watching you."

"Do you have a point?"

"I think someone fancies you."

Hermione crossed the room to enter the closet. "As we have another three dates planned, I should hope so."

"YOU WHAT?" Tracey leapt to her feet. "How am I just learning this? Why haven't you told me?"

"I just did." Hermione shrugged. "We're taking things slowly. We took turns taking each other out over the last few weeks."

"How sweet."

"You have no idea." Tracey perked up. "I'll tell you later. We need to get back." She refocused on finding a spare swimsuit. "Damn. I have two suits, but you're not going to like the spare." She held up her old sky blue tankini and the new emerald green bikini. The one Harry convinced her to purchase months ago.

"The blue one." Tracey took the swimsuit and headed into the en suite, leaving Hermione to change in her room.

She studied the suit in her hands. As bikinis went the cut was rather modest. She could totally wear it. She was a Gryffindor after all. Quickly she shed her clothes and donned the suit. She stood admiring her reflection when Tracey emerged. "Wow, Hermione, you look amazing."

Hermione flushed, "Thanks. I do water aerobics with Dudley in the mornings." She posed in the mirror again. The top covered most of her decently amble breasts. The exercise in the mornings helped tone her flat stomach. The bottoms covered the cheeks of her bottom nicely.

"I might start joining you." Tracey examined her own reflection.

"You look great, but the more the merrier if you really want to." The girls flooed back to the Cottage.

Stepping out of the back door, music to her right distracted Hermione. She looked over at the stereo Dudley brought out. She smiled, "Genius." A loud splash startled them. Sputtering and coughing up water, Theo popped up from underwater. Draco began laughing hysterically.

"Oh, Merlin! Hahahahahaha. Oh Salazar, hahahahahaha. The idiot, the idiot, hahahaha." Draco forced himself to take several deep breaths. "The idiot walked into the pool because he wasn't watching where he was going."

Theo hoisted himself up out of the pool. He glared at Draco. "I was watching in front of me, just not where my feet went." He approached Hermione. "Merlin, Sweet, warn a wizard." He looked her up and down approvingly. "You do look lovely in green."

"Thank you." She shot Tracey a mischievous smile. "Hey, Draco?"

"What?"

"Warning." Hermione stepped forward, snaked her arms around Theo's neck and pulled him down for a kiss. His hands automatically went to her waist. When he encountered bare skin, Theo pulled them back like she was on fire. Hermione broke the kiss laughing. "Problems?"

"Yes!" Draco stomped around the pool. "When did this start? And why has no one told me?"

"I'm sorry, Draco. I didn't know you cared who Theo kissed." Hermione smirked at him.

"I don't. I mean, he's one of my best mates, so I do, but not like that. But I care more who my sister kisses. When did this happen?"

"Initially, or do you want to know about every instance?" she asked with fake innocence.

Simultaneously, Tracey and Draco both answered. "Every instance!" "Initially!"

Theo and Hermione burst into laughter. "I started taking Hermione out while you guys helped keep her prisoner for the purebloods. We kissed for the first time that first afternoon." Theo explained.

"Despite going on several dates, we're keeping things loose and undefined." Hermione added.

"We weren't keeping you prisoner for the purebloods." Draco defended.

"Not intentionally!" Hermione retorted. "But when they all know exactly where I'll be every day, because I never get to go anywhere else, it amounts to the same thing." Draco opened his mouth, but she cut him off. "Enough. Who I date is my concern, not yours. Leave it." She looked at the others. "Now, let's get this mini pool party started."

The five teens dove into the pool and began splashing about. Dudley taught them how to chicken fight. The girls' shrieks of laughter filled the afternoon air. They frolicked in the pool until dusk. The magical types watched in awe as Hermione used the phone to order pizza. When the delivery arrived, she wrapped a towel around her waist and answered the door. She returned to the kitchen carrying several boxes just as Narcissa and Lucius arrived.

"Hermione Celeste! What are you wearing?" Lucius demanded. She set the boxes down and turned to face her father.

"A muggle swimsuit." She knew what he meant, but part of her still stung over the over protective double standards imposed upon her.

"Where is the rest of it?" He asked through clenched teeth. She whipped off the towel revealing the bottoms. "That is not what I meant."

"I promise you, by bikini standards, this one is rather modest."

"Running about in what amounts to underwear is unacceptable."

"By who's standards? The Grangers would have never dreamed of trapping me in the house and allowing drooling boys to hound me daily. On the other hand, Monica would be overjoyed I wore a bikini."

"I have not trapped you for boys."

"Haven't you? I'm not allowed to leave the Manor or the Cottage without a guard. You work all the time, Mum has her obligations. Sirius has things to do. Draco and Harry would rather play quidditch. The only people who noticed and seemed to care were Dudley and Theo." Hermione threw her hands up. "And Dudley can't help. It only took a week for every pureblood buck to realize the female Malfoy prize NEVER leaves the Manor for long, like a sitting duck."

Lucius looked at his son, who looked away embarrassed, then back to his daughter. "That was never my intention."

"Logically, I know that. I even understand why. But emotionally it infuriates me that I can take on a werewolf and dementors, and help Harry prepare of the Triwizard Tournament, but am not even allowed to run to the bookstore by myself. Especially since my little brother can."

"When you put it that way, perhaps we can discuss this later."

Hermione nodded, "Thank Godric for Theo. At least he remembered me."

Lucius looked at the young man, opening his mouth to ask a question when the floo activated several times. Arguing voices approached. "I just want to check your kitchen, Sirius." Lucius frowned at the sound of Molly Weasley's voice.

"Molly, while I appreciate the thought, I do have a house elf. This is unnecessary."

"Neither of you look like you eat enough." Molly bustled her way into the kitchen, stopping short when she found it occupied. "Oh." Her eyes widened at the sight of Hermione. "What in Merlin's name are you wearing, young lady? That is the height of scandalous. You should be ashamed parading about dressed like that."

"You will not speak to my daughter in that manner, you harridan." Narcissa snarled. "How she dresses in private, or public, is none of your concern."

Lucius pulled at his robes. "Your opinion on Hermione's wardrobe is neither requested or desired."

"Disgraceful behavior, if you ask me." Molly began again.

"No one did." Sirius snapped. "But since you want to barge in and discuss disgraceful behavior, let's discuss yours.

"The only time you don't actively snub or demean Hermione is when Narcissa can see you. Then you attempt to act like this loving surrogate mother. When I tell you my plans to throw Harry a party for family, you take over. Then you snub his family. That circus at the Burrow was for your benefit. Was his cousin the muggle there? You know the one he's working to build a relationship with? No. He didn't rate an invite. Then you malign the character of the girl he calls sister to him, and anyone else within hearing range. You know, the girl who stood by him when even your youngest son didn't. The one I named my heir. The only reason I haven't publicly called you on your behavior is the affection I feel for Arthur and some of your offspring. But this is the last time you barge your way into one of my houses and insult my family."

"I, uh, that is to say," Molly stood stunned by Sirius's verbal onslaught.

"The words you are looking for are I apologize. I should go." Sirius told her coldly.

"I, uh, apologize. I should go." Molly rushed from the room.

Once she left everyone stood in silence staring at one another. Lucius recovered first. "Mr Dursley, Miss Davis, Theo, I apologize you were forced to witness that. Theo, would you mind seeing Miss Davis home?"

"Certainly, sir. Tracey?" He offered her his arm. She took it waving farewell and promising Hermione she would return the suit during their shopping trip. Theo bid everyone a good night.

"Let's go into the living room. You owe Hermione and the boys the story, and no point keeping secrets from Dudley." Sirius held the door open. The rest filed out and found seats in the cozy room. Dudley sat in the armchair, while Hermione sat between Draco and Harry on one of the couches. Sirius stood by the fireplace, while Lucius and Narcissa sat on the other couch. Sirius handed Hermione a shirt he had discarded earlier. "It's clean, I swear." She shrugged and pulled it on.

"How much do you know?" asked Lucius.

"Enough to know there's more to the story."

Narcissa sighed, "Just tell them, Lucius. No sense hiding it any longer."

He sighed, "Before I begin, let me say this, looking back I am not proud of my behavior. In my defense I was young and selfish.

"When I turned fifteen Abraxas began talking of engagements. He let others know he was looking for the next Mrs Malfoy. Sublet was not his forte. Beautiful girls, both younger and older, began throwing themselves at me. I will not lie, that kind of attention goes to your head rather quickly.

Some of the older girls were rather bold, Molly Prewett amongst them."

Hermione gasped, "She's always made it sound like Arthur was her only serious love."

Lucius smiled, "I'm sure that is what she tells him and their children. In her youth Molly was a vivacious, beautiful girl, and she knew it. She plied her wiles on me, and I followed happily."

"Are you saying Mrs Weasley seduced you?" Draco sounded pained.

"I'll spare you the details. What little you need to know is I

happily accepted what she offered. She assumed my acceptance meant my father would soon be sending hers a betrothal offer."

"Meanwhile, Abraxas actually pursued an alliance with the Black family, which was his intention all along. He just wanted the attention of other families throwing their daughters at Lucius."

"Molly's hatred to the Malfoys began then. She feels I lied to her and lead her on, trading false promises for her favors. Rather than hatred, I think she is jealous of Narcissa.

"I almost feel sorry for Mrs Weasley." Hermione said quietly. Harry gave her an incredulous look. "She played with fire and got burned. On the other hand, she didn't lose Arthur, so I'm betting he doesn't know."

"I don't believe he knows everything. He knows I encouraged her attentions and it seemed serious. His animosity for the Malfoy family comes from her being rejected and having her feelings hurt." Lucius agreed.

Harry frowned, "That doesn't excuse her behavior towards Hermione."

"Actually, her behavior isn't exactly new. She's always been somewhat standoffish to me. I think she and Ginny see me as competition for Harry."

"Huh?" Harry looked confused. Draco snorted and rolled his eyes.

"I told you, Ginny Weasley intends to be Mrs Harry Potter, or Lady Potter."

"Shouldn't be part of that decision?"

"You would think. I can teach you a charm to test for love potions."

"Why do you need to test for love potions?" asked Lucius.

"Cedric warned me some Hufflepuffs overheard plans to potion me."

"What?" Hermione jumped at Sirius's bellow. She flinched at the dark glare on Sirius's face.

"He didn't think they were serious, just talking. Tracey taught me a charm to check."

"Have you encountered any?" His anger surprised her, she expected Lucius to be the most upset.

"No, then again I haven't been out of the house except with Theo. And we stayed mostly in the muggle world."

"Yes, about that," Lucius began. He have Hermione a stern look, which she returned. She figured he intended to wait her out, trying to make her uncomfortable so she ended up on the defensive. Silently, she started listing potion ingredients. She finished Calming Draughts and started Babbling Beverages before Lucius broke. "I don't recall giving you permission to go about with Theodore Nott."

"I don't recall asking. My orders are not to leave the Manor or Cottage without someone you trusted. Theo has full access to the Manor, stays with you for long stretches, and you insist he's like a second son. Are you saying you don't trust him?"

Aware she him backed into a corner, Lucius admitted defeat. "I do trust him."

"And I let Mum know whenever we went anywhere."

Lucius looked at his wife. "You knew about this?"

"Of course. I agreed with Hermione's assessment of Theo. And I'm very disappointed neither Draco nor Harry took Hermione's dilemma into consideration."

"We could do something tomorrow," Harry offered.

"Mum is taking the girls shopping tomorrow. And the day after that Theo and I have plans."

"We've deviated from the original topic here." Sirius drummed his fingers on the mantel.

"No, Sirius, to the best of my knowledge no one has tried to drug me."

"Good." He relaxed slightly.

"Is this a big problem? I mean, do lots of people slip others love potions?"

"Some think slipping someone a mild love potion to be a fun prank, or a way to gain the attention of a crush." Narcissa told her. "Sometimes a witch or wizard thinks to trap another by giving them a more powerful potion. Marriage bonds are permanent regardless of any coercion."

"That's disgusting." Harry exclaimed.

"Agreed." Hermione felt violated and nothing had happened to her. "I'm glad Tracey taught me that charm." Sirius nodded solemnly and let the matter drop.