Title: Little Spark of Madness

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in anyway, that belongs to JK Rowlings. I don't make any money from this either. I just do it for fun :) All original characters are my own, those would be the ones that you don't recognize from the books.

Just when I think I have learned the way to live, life changes.

Hugh Prather

August 27th, 1975

McGonagall Home

Hermione was sitting at her vanity in her morning robe while brushing her hair as she continued getting ready. A nervous pit formed in her belly the day before when her Aunt received an invitation for the two of them to attend tea today.

The invitation was accompanied by a new tea hat that Mrs. Black had seen in Diagon alley and thought would look 'lovely' on Hermione. It was a white wide brimmed hat with periwinkle flowers decorating it. Hermione had personally thought it looked ridiculous, like a U.F.O. on her head.

Harry had been invited over to play Quidditch by James along with Sirius, Remus and Peter. Harry still wasn't sure how he was going to react to seeing Peter, but if Hermione was strong enough deal with Walburga Black, he could be strong enough to deal with Peter.

Looking over to her closet she saw a matching periwinkle mid calf length dress with flowing sleeves. Taking her hair she twisted it up in the back, pinning it in a loose french twist.

Walking over to her closet she slowly took the dress from the hanger and sliding it over her head, careful not to mess up her hair. Looking at Damara who was lounging lazily on her plush bed spread, "How do I look?"

Damara flicked her ears back and forth unimpressed before rolling over. Rolling her eyes she glanced back to the mirror, "Thanks. I guess this will do."

Scratching Damara behind the ears as she slid on her flats and walked downstairs, holding the hat from Mrs. Black in her hands. Seeing her Aunt she smiled holding the hat, "How do I get this to sit right?"

Minerva gave her an amused look before gesturing her to sit in the chair before her. "You want your hat to mainly sit on your crown." As she adjusted Hermione's hair slightly before settling the hat down. Getting her wand she cast a spell to keep the hat in place. "There you go. Are you all ready now?"

Hermione nodded her head, "Is Harry ready to go yet?"

As she spoke Harry came hurdling down the stairs with his new broom and quidditch gear that their Aunt had been more than happy to purchase. She tried buying some for Hermione who adamantly refused she may have gotten on a broom recently, but that didn't mean she would take it up..

Wearing a pair of thick slacks and a jumper she was fairly sure he hadn't even brushed his hair that morning, "At least comb your hair Harry."

Harry rolled his eyes, "Why? I am going to be flying in a bit! It is just going to get mussed anyway." He grinned running a hand through his hair combing it with his fingers, "Better?"

Hermione sighed as she slipped on her cream colored summer traveling cloak and white tea gloves, "You're hopeless."

Harry just grinned as he threw on his own haphazardly."Yeah well, I am 15 again and I plan on having fun this time around."

Hermione just smiled and nodded her head, "Just be careful."

He nodded as they both looked to their Aunt who was standing at the floo with a handful of floo powder. "Ready children? We must be going now since we need to drop Harry off at the Potter's first."

"Potter Manor!"

One by one the three stepped through the floo arriving in the entrance room at Potter Manor.

Charlus and Dorea were waiting calmly as they stepped though, "Welcome! James is very excited to have you come over today."

Almost as if listening in James, Remus, Sirius and a shorter slightly pudgy boy with dark blonde hair entered the room joking with each other. "Harry!" "Let's go!" "This is Peter" "Hi"

Turning politely to Minerva and Hermione, "Hermione is more than welcome to stay and play some quidditch as well if she'd like. The invitation was for the both of you."

Hermione smiled and shook her head, "Thank you, but Aunt Minerva and I have been invited for tea. Also, I am not a fan of flying…"

Sirius gasped as he jokingly put a hand over his heart as if it were breaking, stumbling over to her as if he was going to faint any second while wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Not a fan of flying? What is wrong with you?! In what world is going to tea better than flying?"

Lady Potter eyes widened as she saw how handsy he was being with the young girl and gasped, "Sirius Orion Black! Hands off Miss Hermione, I know I have instilled some manners in you!"

Looking down with a pink blush on his cheeks, he stood back releasing her from his arm with a wink. "Apologies Miss Hermione. That was not proper of me, please forgive me?" He followed up with a puppy look, wide eyes and all.

Hermione just smiled a bit uneasily as he kept grinning at her, "No harm done. Besides it would be rude not to attend tea when invited."

All the boys including Charlus Potter groaned at the thought of a tea party. Hermione almost chuckled at the sight of Harry's grandfather forcing himself to remain proper under his wife's gaze.

Dorea silently glared at the boys before looking back to Hermione, "I think it is wonderful dear, maybe you can make a few friends as well before school begins. Who invited you to tea? Anyone your age Dear?"

Hermione hesitated biting her lower bit, "Actually Mrs. Black from Diagon Alley invited Aunt Minerva and I to tea. She said she would have her nieces there. Andromeda, Bellatrix, and Narcissa I believe were their names. I believe she said Narcissa was attending Hogwarts, but a year older I understand."

Sirius started choking on the air in the room hearing that his mother invited her, his entire demeanor changed from fun and light heated to cold and serious. "Run as far away as you can! My mother is horrid! Those cousins of mine are no better! Evil witches. If my mother invited you over, she wants something from you. If you deny her, you will become her enemy and she will destroy you."

The room went silent and Hermione noticed Lady Potter fought back scolding Sirius again. She actually looked like she agreed with his words.

Hermione looked up at her Aunt worried, she'd known it was a bad idea. Her Aunt had even told her to be on guard. Remembering the woman from the portrait at Grimmauld Place she shivered, but forced herself to remain naive about Walburga Black's true nature. "Well, we couldn't not accept. That would have been a slight against your mother as well."

Minerva nodded tersely, she did not like the idea of going either. "I won't be letting Hermione from my sight. After tea we will pick up Harry. We do need to return to Diagon Alley in the morning since Harry forgot to pick up some items."

Sirius just frowned as he leaned back on the arm of the couch crossing his arms defensively over his chest. "Think about every question that she asks like she is trying to conceal something before you answer. She probably is, or she will be searching for something." Clearing his throat he suddenly looked like a small child, "Just be careful. Have fun I guess."

The last bit was said dripping sarcasm and with that he hopped on the broom in his hands and flew from the room. James grabbed Harry's hand and tugged him along as the rest of the boys ran from the room.

Hermione looked to Lady Potter, "Is she really that bad? Mrs. Black was pleasant for the most part, although a bit off when we spoke in Diagon Alley."

Dorea frowned at Charlus before she spoke up, "Walburga Black is a Slytherin through and through. She is never nice unless she wants something and thinks you can give it to her. Sirius was correct in saying for you to be careful. She wants something from you, right now she has the upper hand since we don't know what that is. Sirius has lived here the majority of the time, because he hates going home."

Hermione nodded silently and barely heard Minerva bidding farewell to the Potters. She knew this was a bad idea, but there was no way around it without throwing suspension about her knowledge of the future. Mrs. Black had been nothing but kind to her so far. Hermione knew the first moment that the woman showed her true colors she would take that as an out.

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Grimmauld Place

Minerva and Hermione apparated to the hidden front steps of Grimmauld Place.

Minerva looked down at Hermione while she adjusted Hermione's hand slightly, "You remember everything we went over dear?"

Nodding her head as she tried to calm her nerves, "Yes Aunt Minerva."

Hermione felt her wand in her robes once more as she calmed herself. She watched her Aunt ring the bell to the house. As the door opened she tried to hide her shock as she saw Kreature. He had always hated her due to her blood status and wondered what he was going to say about her.

However, to her utter surprise he only bowed deeply, "Welcome to the Great and Noble House of Black. Mistress Black is out in the gardens. Kreacher will show you." He turned and limped along down the hall as Minerva followed with her head high as if she was not bothered by anything.

Hermione flinched as she stepped past the area that Lady Black's portrait hung in her time half expecting to be yelled at again. However, looking up the wall was clean with no portrait at all.

As they made their way outside Hermione could see Walburga with three young ladies, all with black hair.

The first was unmistakably the future Lady Malfoy without white streaks in her hair. She was in a dark blue dress with a white tea hat on.

The second woman she saw was a bit shorter with slightly curly hair and wearing a yellow dress. Her face reminded her of Tonks and she assumed that it was Andromeda.

The third girl scared her since she knew it was Bellatrix. Her black curly hair was tamed and pulled up nicely off her neck. A grey and silver dress that went to her knees flowed around her as she stood in the wind. Hermione was shocked at how normal the woman seems. She was actually beautiful. All of them were.

As Minerva and Hermione approached Walburga stood and opened her arms, "You've made it, how wonderful. Please let me introduce my nieces Andromeda, Bellatrix, and Narcissa." Each of the girls curtsied and gave a small smile.

Minerva smiled, "Lovely to see you again girls, I would like to introduce my niece Hermione. She will be starting her 5th year at Hogwarts this year."

Hermione curtsied at her own introduction before they were each shown to a chair. Once sitting Hermione couldn't help but notice that she was sitting at Walburga's right with her Aunt on her left. Smiling up at Walburga, "Thank you for inviting us to tea Mrs. Black. It was very kind."

Walburga sat a bit straighter at the praise as the tea was passed out by a house elf. To which Hermione had to bit her tongue, "Oh it was no problem Hermione, I am just glad you can meet some other girls before school starts, although you'll only be attending with Narcissa here. Andromeda and Bellatrix have already finished their schooling. Tell me, have you read up on Hogwarts?"

Hermione nodded her head as she accepted her cup of tea, "Thank you. Oh yes, my Aunt has given me a few books. Plus I was able to stay there for a few week when I first arrived. I found all the classrooms so I will not look like a lost first year."

Narcissa smiled, "I am only a year above you, but I am more than will to help you catch up on your classes. My dearest Aunt said you have been taught privately? You poor thing, who did you socialize with?"

Hermione crossed her hands in her lap, "Oh it has only been my brother Harry and I. Our house was fairly secluded."

Bellatrix scrunched up her face in distaste as if a horrid odor wafted under her nose, "Only your brother? How are you sane?"

Hermione looked at her confused for a moment wondering how this woman who was literally insane in her time questioning her sanity. Shaking it off, "Oh well I guess I just prefer my studies. We had tudors as well, and a few visitors that were friends with my father. Not to mention Father and Mother."

Andromeda was leaning back in her chair looking as if she wished she were anywhere but there at the moment. Hermione couldn't help but agree with the thought.

Apparently she'd been quiet for too long and Walburga spoke up, "Bellatrix, not everyone in raised in town dear." Turning her head to Hermione, "A woman must rely on her own intelligence at times. Men go off hot too many times, it is a woman's duty to guide them. Reign them in subtly when they go too far. Hermione will do well with managing her husband when she is older."

Hermione just stared at the woman wide eyed before calming her feature and taking a sip of her tea.

Minerva placed her own tea cup down after taking a sip, "Lovely tea Walburga. I don't think Hermione has given much thought to marriage yet. She is only 15 years old."

Walburga nodded and spoke to Hermione, "You always need to keep an eye out for a potential husband. You don't want to marry someone without potential to succeed." Turning her attention to Minerva, "You should keep an eye out too. As Hermione's guardian you will be the one receiving marriage requests for her. Make sure you get the best ones. Andromeda received her first marriage request at twelve. And Bellatrix and Narcissa have both received a few as well."

Walburga took a sip of her drink before continuing as a thought obviously came to her causing her mouth to pinch, "Don't you have another brother Minerva?"

Minerva nodded her head, "Yes, Malcolm. My other younger brother, Robert was the youngest. Why do you ask?"

Walburga shook her head, "Oh I was just curious, Since you do have a brother he will be the one receiving her requests. My mistake." Turning her attention back to Hermione, "So Hermione your father never received any marriage requests for you?"

Hermione finished her tea and shook her head, "Not that I was aware of no."

Walburga reminded Hermione at that moment of a cat who got the cream.

Minerva set her teacup down as her face took on a stern look. "Why are you so curious about Hermione's marriage requests? You know asking about such things are not common talk outside of the family this early on."

Walburga smiled, "Just wondering about the competition Minerva." Turning her attention back to Hermione, "My husband is planning on sending a marriage request for you on behalf of our eldest, Sirius. He is the Heir to the Great and Noble House Black. It will be sent to your uncle my dear as he is now the male patriarch of the family."

Hermione would have dropped her cup had it been in her hands. "I don't think I understand Mrs. Black." Thinking of how she was going to word her next sentence carefully, "From what I understand your family is Pureblood. Are you trying to make your line a half blood line?"

Walburga's face scrunched up as the woman's nieces sat up straight in their chairs, "I would never let anyone other than a Pureblood marry either of my son's. The Great and Noble House Black has always been and will always be Pure."

Hermoine looked up to her Aunt before fingering her wand, "I believe you have been misinformed about my parentage then Mrs. Black. I do apologize for wasting your time. I am a half blood, my grandfather on my father's side was a muggle."

Minerva stood and motioned for Hermione to stand as well, "Walburga it is no secret that I am a half blood, like my brothers. Hermione and I will be taking our leave now. Thank you for the tea it was lovely."

Walburga tapped her fingers on the chair, "I had not only Hermione's hair tested with a parentage potion, but Harry's as well. Do you know what it said? That one of their parents was a Potter. Charlus may go around claiming his difference between himself and the other Pureblood men. But they are all the same. You are a Potter, Dear. Your late mother slept with Charlus and pawned you both off as the late Robert McGonagall Jr.'s to save face."

Walburga smiled as she took another sip of her tea, "I do commend your mother dear, she raised you with manners as a proper lady. She did right by you there, but raising you as a half blood. That is unforgivable. I am proposing a marriage contract for you with my house, it will serve you well. Your son would be an heir to a great house. Don't you want that? The proposal is also going with an offer to declare the House of McGonagall a Pureblood line if your uncle agrees to the marriage since he had no children of his own. Only yourself and Harry will continue the line, and you are both Pure."

Minerva stood with anger clearly on her cheeks, "That is untrue Walburga. There is Potter blood in both the children from their mother's side, that was never unkown. Their Grandmother was a Potter by birth! You cannot go about destroying Charlus Potter because you believe something that is not true."

Walburga set her tea down and crossed her hands delicately, as if Minerva had asked about the weather. "I had the test ran twice Minerva, at the ministry no less. If Hermione and Harry take their proper places as a purebloods, Charlus won't suffer for his indiscretions. I am not making this up Minerva, I am simply trying to make the best of a bad situation. Hermione would be a Black giving Sirius pureblood heirs from a new blood line, Harry would carry on the McGonagall name as a Pureblood, take a Pureblood wife and all will be well."

Hermione was still in shock as Narcissa stood and walked over to Hermione linking her arm with her own, "We would be cousins Hermione. Wouldn't that be amazing."

Hermione looked up at Narcissa since she was a few inches taller than her. Trying to think of something to say, but nothing was coming to her. All she could think about was that their plan was falling apart, they had done the spell to share Harry's blood line while they were still at Hogwarts. They must have done the spell wrong, not enough of Minerva's blood transferred into the two of them. Hermione's gut clenched as she realized they might have single handedly destroyed Mr. Potter's honor."I guess that's my Uncle's decision now."

Walburga nodding in approval as she stood, "Good girl, let the men decide those things. Now Kreature will see you out. I do hope we will see you both again soon. Oh and Hermione I know you're planning on picking up your brother from the Potter's, please be a dear and let Sirius know I wish him to come home tonight. We need to discuss some things."

Hermione nodded her head and without a word followed her Aunt out of their home.

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