Title: Little Spark of Madness

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in anyway, that belongs to JK Rowling's. 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.

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"I have lost control over everything, even the places in my head."

― Paula Hawkins, The Girl on the Train

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August 27th, 1975

As Minerva and Hermione stepped out of the house Minerva gripped Hermione's shaking hand and immediately apparated to the gates of Potter Manor instead of inside the greeting hall like the earlier that day.

Minerva immediately turned and took the panicking girl into her arms, "Dear we will figure this out. I do believe the three of us need to speak with my brother. I will write to him and see if we can schedule a visit this week alright?"

Hermione nodded her head as Mrs. Black's words kept running through her head, "And what about Mr. Potter? She is going to ruin him, because we messed up. Somehow we messed up the spell and your DNA isn't even present. I share Harry's blood sure, but that means I show that I am the direct daughter of a Potter too." Her eyes drifted over to the Potter Manor.

Minerva nodded her head, "I will speak with him tonight, we need them to know what is going on as well. They are probably going to be hearing about this in the streets, owls from their friends. Let's go inside dear."

Hermione nodded as she adjusted her traveling cloak as Minerva signalled that they were at the gate.

Libby the Potter family elf popped to the other side of the gate, "Oh Professor McGonagall and Miss Hermione! Welcome, Welcome! You know Lord and Lady Potter lets you floo inside the greeting room."

Minerva nodded her head, "We know Libby, I just needed a word with my niece in private before we went in."

Libby nodded as she opened the gate and skipped back to the house with Minerva and a still shocked Hermione following closely. It was just now hitting her that she just had tea with the same woman that had tortured her and left a horrible word engraved in her harm.

Reaching down she grabbed her arm that was now blemish free and held it tightly as they walked up to the Manor.

Once inside Dorea was waiting for them with a smile, "Welcome back. The boys are out in the back garden still playing quidditch. I do mean boys, my dear Charlus is playing as well. That man is going to end up in a hospital bed. It is a good thing that I have healer training" She chuckled slightly before her mood came down to a concerned level as she saw Hermione's demeanor, "How was tea?"

Minerva gave a nod while Hermione was looking at a portrait hanging in the hall. "It was informative. Would you be able to call Mr. Potter inside. I believe there is something that we should discuss."

Dorea's face lost its smile a bit more, "Would Hermione like to go play quidditch with the boys while we chat? Oh sorry I forgot you don't like to fly, how about the library? A good book always settles my nerves?"

Hermione nodded her head slightly, "The library would be wonderful, I don't think I would be good company to the boys right now. Unless you would like me there Aunt Minerva?"

Minerva shook her head no, "I think you have been through enough for one day dear, you are only fifteen. Go read and relax, I will come when we are done."

Dorea frowned and wanted to say something to help the young woman. However she didn't know what caused her current situation so she nodded and called out, "Libby?"

Libby appeared quickly, "Yes Lady Potter? How can Libby help?"

Dorea gave her a smile, "Please let my husband know his presence is requested. We will be showing Miss Hermione the Library. Thank you."

Libby nodded and popped back out off the room.

Dorea smiled and looked back to Minerva and the clearly shocked young Hermione. "Should I make tea? Or will something stronger be required?"

Minerva just chuckled with non amusment, "A splash of fire whiskey might be needed in the tea for this conversation."

Nodding in acceptance Dorea raised her arm gesturing towards the door, "This way ladies."

Hermione nodded and followed Lady Potter as she walked down a few halls before opening two large doors that lead into the most beautiful two story library that she'd ever seen. There were two spiraling staircases that led to the second floor. The railing where all made from a dark wood of sorts. The carpet was a soft cream, with matching sofa's that looked as if once you sat in them you would disappear into the soft cushions.

The distraught expression slipped off Hermione's face as she looked upon her nirvana. Turning to Lady Potter she smiled, "This is just beautiful, I could live in this room and be happy the rest of my days!"

Dorea laughed softly as she placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder, "I am just glad it made you better dear, your Aunt is right. You are too young for the amount of whatever stress my cousin inflicted upon you today. I do hope you can relax, and I apologize from the bottom of my heart for my cousin. I was a Black once upon a time, we are not all bad."

Hermione shook her head, "You have nothing to apologize for, I should apologize to you. The accusations that she made about your…"

Minerva cut off Hermione, "Dear I will talk about all those things with the Potter's. You have nothing to apologize for either."

Dorea lookup concerned before softening her expression once more, "I'll have Libby bring you some tea and biscuits sweetie. I just ask that you do not read anything from the top floor, there are strong books up there and I wouldn't want you to get hurt."

Suddenly a slightly mud splattered Mr. Potter with wind tossed hair strolled into the room, arms wide open with a huge grin on his face. "Ladies, such a pleasure to see your beautiful faces. How may I be of service?"

Dorea giggled at her husband's antics as he came over and gently placed a kiss on her cheek. "Dear, my cousin seems to be up to something that has disturbed young Hermione here. So we are going to talk with Minerva while she relaxes."

Nodding his head with a tired smile, "I do enjoy dealing with your family's antics dear. Always something to do damage control on."

Rolling her eyes before smiling at Hermione, "This is not the first time she and others have tried something. It will all work out somehow, now relax and let us worry about my cousin and whatever she said."

Hermione nodded her head as she watched the adults leave the room. Walking over to a large window she smiled seeing Harry playing Quidditch with James, Remus, Sirius, and Peter. They were all laughing and had huge grins on their faces. Harry seemed to not be having any issues with Peter and she was glad he was having a good time as a kid for once.

Sighing as she pressed her forehead to the window when she saw Sirius' face as he laughed carefree. 'Am I really going to be required to marry him?' She knew from her short time with him in her own time that he was a self proclaimed bachelor and never wanted to marry. Remus had once joked that he had slept with all the girls in their year by 7th year, and while she was sure, or at least hoped that was a exaggeration she didn't know how she would feel about that as they got older.

Pressing away from the window Hermione walked back over to the books that lined the walls; she started browsing until she found a book on transfiguration. Settling into the couch she opened it and quickly got lost in the words on the page as she tried to forget about her future for the moment.

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Dorea poured three cups of tea before handing them to Minerva and her husband. Sitting down in an arm chair she smiled at Minerva, "So what will the damage control be for whatever scheme my dear cousin dreamed up?"

Minerva frowned for a moment as she tried to think of how she was going to say it. "I don't know how or why, but Walburga is insisting that Harry and Hermione's mother was unfaithful to my brother, their father. She is claiming that they are not McGonagall's after she somehow aquired hair samples from both children."

Charlus frowned as he sat his cup down, "That is a horrible accusation, and not something to take lightly. Why would she think she had anything to gain off of it though? Both Adeline and Robert Jr. are deceased now, she cannot blackmail them with that information. You had no part in it, and the children are innocent."

Dorea nodded in agreement slowly, however her mind was working hard on trying to find her cousin's angle. She was a slytherin herself after all, looking beneath all information came naturally to her. "Who is she claiming the 'true' father of the children? She would only gain anything by blackmailing him." Her mind was already remembering Walburga's words to her own husband in Diagon Alley. "You were unfaithful to Dorea, a Black! Admit it Charlus. You cannot expect me to believe that that child is anyone's but yours."

Minerva knew that Dorea was putting things together, "She is claiming that they are Charlus'. She said the hair's proved they were a direct line to a parent Potter, not a grandparent. Since their mother obviously birthed them and was not a Potter by birth, that would only leave the father. Since Charlus was the only living male Potter old enough to father children at the time of their birth…."

Charlus turned red with anger as he shot up from his chair, "I have NEVER been unfaithful to Dorea! Not once! How dare your cousin insinuate this lie! Not only is she attempting to drag my name through the streets, but their mother as well. This will not just affect us, the children will be affected as well upon their return to school by their peers. James, Harry and Hermione."

Dorea stood and walked over placing her hand on her husband's arm, "Calm down Charlus. I have a feeling there is more. You can't blackmail someone without wanting something."

Turning to face Minerva, Dorea frowned, "What does she want from us?"

Minerva shook her head, "Nothing. She told me she would leave your family alone, no one would need to know." Taking a sip on her tea, "If my brother, Malcolm as the patriarch of our family, agreed to a marriage between Hermione and Sirius."

Charlus' took a deep sip from his glass and Dorea's face set in a stern look before tilting her head, "Why? Hermione in the eyes of the wizarding world is a half blood. Even IF she truly believes that she is a pureblood, without the public acknowledging her true father it will look as if she is marrying the Pureblood Heir to House of Black to a Halfblood, the Pure line would be forever tarnished. The purity of her house is everything to her."

Taking a breath before continuing, "Their house motto is, 'Toujours Pur' for goodness sake, it means Always Pure!"

Minerva nodded in agreement, "Along with the marriage proposal and threat about exposing Charlus Potter's supposed secret, She is including another offer. To make the McGonagall House a Pureblood house in the eyes of the wizarding world. My father would be declared a squib from another country perhaps, from a pure line. You know I don't care about pure lines, and I know you don't either. As far as I know my brother cares not about it. However, if we said no. She would reveal her findings to the ministry about Charlus. True or not, you know the rumor alone would plague your house honor."

Sipping her tea as she poured a bit of firewhiskey as well into hers and the others cups. "I know know why Hermione was so distraught when you arrived. That poor girl had to sit through tea being told her entire world was a lie, and that her future was being planned for her with a boy she hardly knows. How is she really?"

Minerva shook her head despondently before looking to Mr. Potter, "She is honestly more worried about you Charlus. She is blaming herself for this. I am not sure that the forced marriage proposal has even hit her yet."

Charlus shook his head, "She isn't to blame, please make her see that. She seems like such a sweet girl, I will hate myself if that woman destroys her. You should decline the marriage offer, she would be protected."

Dorea shook her head no as the wheels in her head turned, "No she wouldn't be. Walburga will win either way. Either she gets her way. Hermione marries Sirius and the McGonagall's become purebloods. Or she spreads her rumors and Harry and Hermione become your bastard children. Still purebloods, they would be taken from Minerva and placed here. The McGonagall's would look slighted by our family. You would be given marriage proposals to marry her off to a pure blood family to save face. She would find a way for you to accept a request for Sirius somehow."

Charlus sat back amazed once again about how his wife could see plots before they were exposed. "So Checkmate then, even though it is all a lie." Putting his tea down as he stood and picked up a empty glass and poured straight fire whiskey before downing the glass.

Dorea stared at her empty cup lost in thought, "What if we don't do anything?"

Charlus looked up confused as he walked over to his wife filling her empty tea cup with fire whiskey. "What do you mean Dear?"

Minerva looked up as well, curious at what she came up with, "Yes let's hear your idea."

Dorea set her cup down after taking a sip, "Well young ladies do not have to consider any marriage requests until they are sixteen years of age, that is when they must be presented with them by their patriarch. They do not have to accept any marriage requests until they complete their schooling at Hogwarts. We have time to stall, none of this needs to come out just yet, when does Hermione turn 16 Minerva?"

Minerva's mind was still racing when she answered the Potter's, "The twins birthday is on July 19th."

Dorea started nodded frantically, "Good, almost a year. All that is required is for your brother to acknowledge that he received the marriage request and that he will present it to his niece upon her sixteenth birthday. My cousin will HAVE to accept that. You cannot force a decision until they finish schooling. The ministry would have our side about that."

Charlus took another sip as he looked at the floor, "I think we should speak with the children. James, Hermione, Harry, and Sirius at the least. I know they will probably tell Remus and Peter too, but that will be their choice. They should know what is going on."

Minerva nodded her head, "I concure. When are Peter and Remus going home?"

Dorea leaned back in her chair, "Peter will be going home this evening, however Remus will be here for the rest of the summer. We are taking him to the train station along with James and Sirius this year."

Clearing her throat Minerva stood, "As we were leaving tea, Walburga told Hermione to inform Sirius that he needed to come home tonight to discuss things. She is going to probably force his signature on the request."

Dorea closed her eyes as the hopeless feeling arose in her knowing she wouldn't be able to help Sirius this time. "I hate my cousin."

Charlus frowned, "Libby."

The small elf appeared with a pop. "Yes Lord Potter? How can Libby help?"

Swirling the firewhiskey in his glass before deciding he had enough and dumping the rest out in the sink, "Can you please have Sirius join us? Miss Hermione as well, but please don't mention Hermione's requested attendance to the boys. That will just fuel their curiosity. Thank you Libby."

Nodding her head she left with a pop, only a few moments later there was a quiet knock on the door. Charlus opened it and found him staring into the bright green eyes of Hermione. "Hello Darling, please come in and sit."

He shut the door before walking over to Hermione where she sat on the empty love seat and knelt in front of her. Placing a hand on top of her small clasped hands, "Please know that neither myself or Dorea blame you for any of this."

Hermione swallowed trying not to cry, but her eyes began to glisten nonetheless as the guilt ate away at her. "She wouldn't have done this if we hadn't come here."

Shaking his head, "Walburga Black is always up to something, if it wasn't this, it would have been something else. It may have been worse or may have been better, we have no way of knowing. However, it is very important for you to know that this is not your doing. We do not blame you at all. We think we might have a way to postpone things, to have time to find another solution…"

He was cut off by the sound of another louder knock on the door followed by the unmistakable voice of Sirius Black. "I was summoned Dad?"

Charlus gave a smile hearing Sirius calling him dad as he whispered a small joke to Hermione, "See I take in other kids all the time who call me Dad."

Hermione let out a small laugh though her eyes were still glossy with unshed tears.

Getting up Charlus opened the door and let in Sirius. "Welcome, please have a seat Son." With that he looked to Hermione giving her another small smile.

Sirius looked confused as he sat next to Hermione on the loveseat. As he looked at her he noticed her pale cheeks and red glossy eyes. Frowning he looked at her neck and arms trying to find any marks. After finding nothing obvious he clenched his jaw and looked back up to meet her eyes. "What did that woman do to you?"

Minerva sighed knowing parts of what happened to Sirius at home, "She didn't touch Hermione."

Sirius shook his head, "Doesn't mean she didn't hurt her. I said it was a bad idea."

Hermione was confused as she looked at Sirius, he was so young and yet he already had the anger she saw when he was an adult. She'd assumed that it mostly came from his time in Azkaban, but now she didn't know. Clearing her throat, "She wants me to do something in exchange for something."

Sirius whipped his head back to her, his hair whipping across his face slightly. "Just say no. You don't want anything from her."

Dorea placed her hand on his back trying to calm her adopted son, "You know it is never that simple with your mother dear."

Sirius shook his head as he crossed his arms defiantly, "Don't call her that, she isn't my mother. You are."

Dorea smiled as she pulled him into a hug, "As you are my second son Sirius, but still. As far as what she is up too, she is pulling blackmail into the situation. She is claiming that she has proof that Charlus fathered Harry and Hermione. Which is completely untrue, however you know as well as anyone that lies can destroy anything quickly. For her silence she wants Hermione's uncle to accept a marriage offer from you. In return, she won't say anything about Charlus, and will claim Professor McGonagall's father was a squib, which would make them purebloods. Free for you to marry her. Someone not already related to the Blacks by blood."

Minerva spoke up next, "If Hermione refuses, she will release her 'proof' against Charlus. Harry and Hermione would be declared bastards and removed from my care. Placed with Charlus, and odds are he would be forced to arrange a marriage for hermione to a pureblood, which would most likely still be you."

Hermione looked down at her hands, "My mother was loyal to my father. We have Potter blood because my mother's mother was Charlus's late aunt, but that won't matter. Harry looks too much like James."

She sighed before looking up at Sirius who was now avoiding looking at or touching her, "Your… Mrs. Black asked me to tell you to come home tonight to discuss things. I am so sorry Sirius."

Charlus shook his head and looked at Hermione, "I told you this is not your fault Hermione and I meant it." Looking to Sirius, "She will need you to sign the marriage request for Hermione so she can send it out. Save yourself the hassle of denying her and just sign it. Maybe argue a bit to seem like you normally do, but don't mention we told you anything though. We have a plan to stall so we can find a way around her."

Sirius finally looked at Hermione with a blank face instead of his earlier concern, "I don't like doing anything my mother wants."

Hermione nodded and she clasped her hands in her lap, "After meeting her I understand why."

Sirius grunted and averted his eyes from Hermione, "I guess I better get home. Can you let James know? I will just leave my trunk here, can you bring it if I don't make it back before school?"

Dorea nodded, "Of course dear. I'll make sure it is ready to go."

Nodding his head he looked at Hermione one more time, careful to not touch her before leaving the room in a hurry.

Minerva looked at Hermione who was not moving, "Dear?"

Hermione just stared at the open door, her internal fight against crying lost as a single tear ran down her cheek. "You may not blame me, but he does."

Getting up Hermione left the room and headed to the lavatory quietly.

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Thank you for reading everyone! Next chapter we are off to Hogwarts!