The super high speed internet goes in next Wed! You have no idea people! But my lovely friend has informed me I can either use her internet and post a small chapter or she will steal all my notebooks and my video games. (Every first draft is hand written and I write a lot during cut scenes I've seen before.) So a little chapter to tied you over. :) (L-put the controller down and nobody gets hurt.)

Chapter 15

To further prevent Narcissa's friend being used against her, and herself being used against her daughter, Lucius invited Corwin Selwyn to join him for evening drinks. If the presence of Sirius Black surprised the man, he hid it well. "Gentlemen," he nodded in greeting. "to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Our concern over your wife's drinking habits."

"Well, allow me to relieve your fears, gentlemen. Morwen hasn't had more than a glass of wine at a party in years."

Lucius handed him a tumbler of firewhiskey. "That's where you're mistaken, my friend. Morwen merely hides it from you. Goes on drinking binges in Knockturn Alley. Then the barkeep summons my tender hearted wife. She, in turn, collects Morwen, takes her home, and sobers her up before you return home. That ends today. Thieves, aware of this pattern, waited to ambush my wife when Joachim summoned her.

Selwyn nodded. "I understand why you're angry, Lucius, but what's Black's problem?"

"Narcissa's daughter, my Heir, was with her today. While Lucius and I differ in the reasons to be protective, we both agree we will kill to protect Hermione. I will never fault helping a friend. And thank Merlin Hermione accompanied Cissy. But like Lucius said, this danger ends today."

"You don't have to embarrass her, just keep her from drinking in Knockturn. She likely has no memory of the attack. They knocked her out fairly quickly."

Selwyn finished his drink. "I'll see to it that she drinks at home from now on. Convey my thanks and apologies to Narcissa." Selwyn left with a final nod of farewell. Sirius followed soon after. Lucius finished his drink before he, too, retired for the night.

Taking pity on her father's nerves, Hermione ensconced herself in the library the next day. She began working her way through her bookcase. She wanted to know how Riddle survived, And how he managed to return. The Daily Prophet printed articles toeing the Ministry line, of course. Riddle had not returned. Dumbledore was senile and Harry lied for the attention. Idiots. Just stick your head in the sand, the monsters will go away on their own. This wait and see attitude made it time for research. The monsters would be at the gates before she knew it. So, she needed to be ready.

Theo found her in the back of library, three different books opened about her. He chuckled fondly at the sight of the three quills tucked into her ponytail. "Hello, sweet, forget something?"

"Hi, yourself. Um, I don't think so, did we have plans?"

"No, but you did skip lunch. Your mother sent me with a sandwich."

She laughed, "You know me, once I'm in research mode I forget everything else."

Theo plucked the book out of her hand and gave her the plate. "Food now, books later." He marked her place in all three books before placing them on a nearby table. He sat besides her as she ate. Once she finished Theo took the plate and put it on the floor beside the couch. "Now, my turn for research."

"Oh? And what do you intend to study?"

He pulled her onto his lap, arranging her legs on either side of his so she straddled him. "Which side of your neck tastes better."

She giggled, "I'll save you the trouble, the left." She let him draw her down for a kiss.

"I think you should let me be the judge of that." Theo kissed both corners of her mouth gently. He slowly brushed his lips back and forth against hers. Her mouth curved into smile. With each pass he applied more pressure, until his lips pressed firmly against hers. Hermione kissed him back fervently. He ran his tongue across her bottom lip, seeking entry. Hermione granted his request with a sigh. As the kiss deepened, Hermione ran her finger through his hair. She lightly brushed the shell of his ears, causing Theo to groan and buck his hips upward. In response Hermione ground her hips down in a circle against his groin, earning her a low moan. Theo broke the kiss gasping. He moved to kiss down one side of the neck and back up the other before reclaiming her lips. Tentatively, his hands caressed down her back, coming to rest just above the curve of her bottom. Hermione raised up, moving his hands to rest on her arse. Theo accepted the unspoken invitation and kneaded the soft flesh under his hands. This time, Hermione moaned.

The opening of the heavy library doors and quick footsteps echoing across the hardwood floors alerted Hermione they were not alone anymore. She threw herself onto the couch next to Theo. He blinked at her still lost in a haze of lust. The sound of
Lucius's voice helped chase it away. "Hermione? Did Theo find you?"

"Yes, Daddy." She called out.

'Daddy?' Theo mouthed. Hermione swatted at him, glaring.

Lucius came around the bookcase and stopped at the sight in front of him. Young Nott's disheveled hair stood out in several directions. His eyes appeared slightly unfocused. His daughter's skirt twisted around her legs. Both teens' had red, swollen lips. Lucius completely forgot why he entered the library to begin with. His eyes narrowed, "Just how long has this been going on?"

"You'll have to be more specific. I rearranged the library three weeks ago. I started researching a new topic yesterday. Eating lunch in the library is new." she replied lightly. Hermione attempted to subtly adjust her skirt. She met her father's stare evenly, as if daring him to react.

Switching his attention to Theo, Lucius's glare darkened, "May I ask when you began corrupting my baby?" Theo paled.

Hermione snorted, bringing her father's attention back to herself. "Corrupting? Please. Theo and I began going on actual dates during my exile. He rescued me from the throngs of fortune hunters intent on bagging themselves an heiress." She rolled her eyes, "And before you even start, Theo has been a perfect gentleman. We're going at our own pace, no pressure from anyone." She stressed the last word. "And really you only have yourself to blame."

"Indeed," Lucius raised an eyebrow.

"If you had made Draco go places with me, or took me yourself, Theo and I would still be dancing around one another. We wouldn't have gotten to snogging until at least September/October."

"I see. Regardless, Black is looking for you. He called a family meeting at the Cottage." Hermione nodded, she kissed Theo's cheek in farewell, then stood. She straightened her skirt. She stopped to kiss Lucius's cheek on her way past.

Lucius watched her walk out, watching long after she disappeared behind a bookcase. Once he heard the library doors open and close he returned his attention to the young man before him. "At some point did you intend to make your relationship known? Perhaps even ask permission?"

Theo grimaced, "Mr Malfoy, I have fancied your daughter since I was fourteen and she punched Draco in the face. I want her to feel comfortable. So, I talked to Harry about muggle courtship and am approaching it in that manner. Lord Black is aware. And granted his approval, so long as I never mention to Hermione he even gave an opinion. If the time ever comes for something formal, I will ask both of you for permission."

"If?"

"I don't want to jinx anything."

Lucius frowned, "But your intentions are to court Hermione?"

"Yes, but muggles remain rather informal, dating, until a proposal is made and the engagement begins. The whole process can take years. At least that's how Harry made it sound. I have no desire to go on romantic outings with anyone else. Hermione is my sole interest."

"Even if I wanted to object, my daughter would only ignore me, before creating a masterful plan to get her way." Lucius tried to sound annoyed, but Theo could hear the pride sneaking in.

"Thank you, sir, I think, anyway."

"Just know, if you hurt my baby girl, there is no place on this earth that you can hide from me."

"I understand."

Sirius, Dudley, and Harry waited for Hermione at the kitchen table. Sirius handed her a butterbeer as she joined them. Dudley and Harry sipped at theirs. "Now that we're all here, I wanted to ask your opinions. Kreacher, would you join us?" Kreacher popped into the kitchen. "With the inclusion of Dudley to our family, Grimmauld Place is not longer a viable option for a home as it is. Do we want to stay here, or explore other Black properties? Or say sod them all and build something all our own?"

Harry and Dudley stared at one another in shock. Hermione nibbled her lower lip. "Where are the other properties?"

"The tropical island is out as it isn't really set up for long term habitation. Black Manor is in Leeds, my grandfather lived there as Head of the Black family. My uncle, Cyrus, resided in the Estates near Plymouth. And my great-aunt, Cassiopeia, lived near Derby."

"Hmmm, all pureblood supremacists, so one could infer none of the estates would be any safer for a muggle." Sirius nodded his agreement of her assessment. "That said, we should start cleansing the other properties. It would give Kreacher and Winky a project."

Kreacher's head perked up, "What is young miss suggest?"

"Banishing the pests and having dark artifacts cleansed of their taint."

Kreacher's eyes glowed adoringly, "Young mistress will be returning the glory to House Black."

"The short term goal is to make all the properties safe for Dudley."

"Kreacher will begin at once, master." The old elf popped off immediately.

"Yeah, sure, let's do it, Kreacher." Sirius said lamely. "Who am I kidding? That elf worships the ground you walk on, kitten. If you mentioned wanting the moon he'd have the ladder half built in an instant."

Hermione smiled at Sirius, "I'll send Winky to help during the day and over the school term. We don't want to overwork him."

"So, for now, we stay here?" Harry asked.

"Makes the most sense, really." Dudley said. "While the police know you're rich, it would still look strange for us to be able to move about like that. And this house is set up for them to see and come into without having to hide stuff. Even has a telephone for me."

"I agree with Dudley." said Harry.

"Very well, then. I think I'll ask Moony to help with the libraries." Hermione's eyes lit up. "Yes, kitten, you can come, too." Everyone laughed.

While smaller than the Malfoy library, the Black library fulfilled many a bibliophile's fantasies. The breadth of topics covered amazed Hermione. Some of the magics described therein were as dark as the family's name. Most she set aside in disgust, but a few contained information she wanted to look into. Instead of keeping the books themselves, she used a spell to copy the pertinent chapters into a journal. She would do the same with other books she found about the topics of immortality and the undead. None of the topics she found seemed pleasant. Vampires, inferni, and rituals to extend your life or strengthen life forces. Each required a sacrifice of something's life force. Hermione shuddered to think of doing any of those things. It made her wonder if the philosopher's stone came with such prices. The foulest rituals described items designed to kill, maim, or enslave. One required murder and a vessel. Just touching the book had made Hermione feel dirty.

Not long after Harry's birthday, Dumbledore came calling at the Cottage. "Harry, my boy, took a bit to track you down. I thought you intended to stay with your aunt and uncle this summer? To keep the blood wards active, very important you know."

"The abuse got to be too much, especially after knowing how much you paid them every year. With my money, no less."

Dumbledore paled for a moment, but his facial expression never changed. "Those wards have helped save your life numerous times over the years."

"And Riddle using my blood invalidated all of that. No reason to stay and deal with it. And it is all moot anyway."

"Moot?" Dumbledore asked, clearly confused.

"Here, I mean of little or no practical meaning or relevance. Hermione got me a word a day calendar for my birthday." Harry grinned.

"I know what the word means, my boy. I don't understand why the subject is moot. And why you are staying here instead of Grimmauld Place?"

"We're here because Grimmauld wasn't safe for a muggle." Harry told him. "And Riddle using my blood in his ritual rendered the wards pointless. And there are no adults at Privet Drive."

Dumbledore paused, Harry's answer puzzled him, "Why does it matter if Grimmauld Place is or isn't safe for muggles?"

"Sirius is Dudley's guardian, too." Harry agreed with Hermione, answering without answering questions was fun. Stunned, Dumbledore could only sit and stare at him. Finally, Harry took pity on the elderly wizard and filled in the blanks. "The authorities arrested the Dursleys for abuse, neglect, and tax evasion. Aunt Marge never came to collect Dudley. Sirius offered to take him in rather than let him go into the foster system. Aunt Petunia agreed, especially since Duds wanted to stay with us." He grinned towards the kitchen where Dudley waited with Sirius and Hermione.

"I'm sure if you offered to drop the charges your aunt and uncle could be released. This could all be forgotten."

"Even if I wanted to, I can't."

Dumbledore began to feel annoyed with the boy. His eyes lost that grandfatherly twinkle. "Can't or won't? No one is beyond redemption or forgiveness, my boy."

"Can't. At this point the Crown would never drop the charges. They took the money you stole from me and never paid taxes on it. Even worse, they then applied for aid to cover my care. They stole money from the government. This isn't going away regardless of anything I do or don't do."

Dumbledore sighed. A downtrodden, lonely Harry fit his plans better than a confident one, but he had time to work on it. "That's a shame."

Harry shrugged, "If you say so. Did you want anything, professor?"

"Merely a social call, my boy."

"Ah, well, we're late for a social engagement ourselves." At the code phrase the rest of them flooded into the room.

"Off to the Burrow, then? Tell the Weasleys I said hello." Any warmth or friendliness in the group vanished instantly. When the temperature in the room dropped ten degrees, Dumbledore failed to keep the shock from his face.

"After Mrs Weasley's behavior on my birthday we haven't seen them." Harry informed the headmaster. "Now, please excuse us, Professor, it is rude to be late." Harry stalked over to the fireplace. He threw a handful of powder into the fire, "Malfoy Manor." He disappeared into the green flames.

Hermione grabbed Dudley's hand. "Malfoy Manor." They vanished into the flames together.

Sirius nodded to Dumbledore. "Kreacher, please see our guest out. Good evening, professor." Grabbing a handful of powder, he followed the teenagers. They left behind a bewildered wizard and a cranky house elf. The house elf shoved the wizard towards the door.

"Did a muggle just floo to Malfoy Manor?"

"Yes. Young master Dudley is most welcomes at Manor. Off you go, now, Kreacher has works to be doing." The elf shut the door in Albus's face.

Harry burst from the floo, pacing about the room angrily while waiting for the others. The sight of Dudley emerging from the fireplace with Hermione twisted Harry's stomach with guilt. His anger at Dumbledore caused him to backslide. He only focused on how events affected him, forgetting there were others involved. "I'm sorry, Dudley."

"For what? That was awesome."

"I left you behind. And some of the things I said were harsh."

"But true. And you told off your headmaster before storming off. Glorious if you ask me."

"Still," Harry started to protest."

"Harry," Dudley interrupted, "I forgive you. Drop it."

"Okay."

"Since we're here, can we go flying?"

"Yeah, let's go find Draco and Theo." The boys ran off.

Hermione smiled at Sirius. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to call in reinforcements."

"Reinforcements?"

"Tracey doesn't play quidditch or like flying much either. I need someone to help balance out the insanity."

"I see. Well, I'm off to dinner with Moony. Give your mother my love if she asks after me."

"Will do."