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.

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Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.

Omar N. Bradley

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24th of December 1975

McGonagall Cottage

Hermione was sitting in the small study when she heard the floo roar to life followed by the sounds of Harry's friends, "Ello? Harry?"

Sighing she placed her book down carefully as she stood and walked out to greet the arrivals. Tilting her head in confusion as she saw James, Remus and Peter looking at the pictures on the walls, "Hello?

James snapped his eyes away from a photo of her Aunt, Uncle and 'late father' as children, "Ah Hermione! You look relaxed, did we interrupt anything?"

Shaking her head as she wrapped her arms around her waist making sure that her house robe was secured around her, "No, I was just reading in the study. Harry isn't awake yet, have you lot had breakfast? I was going to be making some soon."

James just gave her a dashing grin before winking at her, "Oh you know we can always eat Hermione." Peter was grinning behind James bobbing his head up and down in agreement, excited at the prospect of food.

Remus silently whacked James and Peter upside the head as he glared at them, "We don't want to put you out Hermione."

Hermione just smiled thinking about how he was always the proper one, "It is alright Remus I don't mind. I know you three will appreciate it." Turning she walked to the kitchen with the three boys on her heel as they sat at the kitchen bar while she got out some eggs and sausages.

Biting her lower lip as she cracked a few eggs into a mixing bowl, "Sirius decide not to come over?"

James shook his head no while running a hand through his messy hair, "We haven't seen him since Kings Cross. His mother picked up him and Regulus. We guess she wanted him home to be sure he didn't miss the ball tonight." James hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Are you looking forward to it?"

Hermione stopped mixing the eggs and looked up at him, "I got new dress robes and shoes, I am looking forward to that. I am somewhat looking forward to having my hair and nails done today. As far as the ball itself I am not sure."

Remus just stayed silent along with James, although Peter didn't seem to get the hint as his small voice piped up, "Sirius is a good dancer, I am sure you'll have fun. It is not like he will step on your toes if you're worried about that."

Hermione just stared at Peter for a moment, he seemed so innocent and she couldn't fathom what caused him to betray his friend in her timeline. Maybe it already changed? Or maybe things would change. Clearing her throat softly she shook her head, "Thank you Peter for trying to reassure me, but I am not worried about Sirius stepping on my toes. I am certian he would rather go with someone else."

Peter snorted as he shook, "Oh, he doesn't want to go at all. He was grumbling about it all the way to Kings…. Urmpp."

Peter was cut off by both James and Remus elbowing him in the sides. "What?" His eyes watering as he tenderly rubbed his now bruised ribs.

The curly haired witch just shook her head as she poured the egg mixture into the hot frying pan. She was ignoring the boy bickering behind her as she thought about how the night would go. Sure in the future they weren't that close, but besides Remus and Harry he wasn't really close to anyone. He had been a haunted man after Azkaban and no one could blame him.

Looking down she realized the eggs were ready and quickly poured equal amounts onto four plates. Before pouring some tea as well.

Nodding her head to the boys, "Eat up now."

Peter grinned and grabbed his plate taking a large bite, "Thanks H-mi-ne." He mumbled through a full mouth followed by James and Remus voicing their thanks as well. Although theirs was clear and food free.

Smiling as she took her own bite, "Your welcome."

She noticed that James was poking at his food strangely before setting his fork aside, "Hermione can I ask you something? About Sirius?"

Swallowing as she quickly took a sip of her tea to clear her throat, "Sure. However you most likely know more about him than I do. I am not sure what I could tell you."

Taking a breath he looked her in the eyes, "He is acting this way around you because of his marriage request for you isn't he?"

Hermione bit her lower lip hard for a moment before slighting shrugging her shoulders. She knew he was most likely right, but that didn't mean she knew he was right. "I honestly don't know James. You would need to as him. All I know is that we spoke just fine before his mother forced him to send it. Even when he came into the room that day, he wanted to make sure I was alright. Once he learned what was going to happen though…. He left the room. He hasn't been warm to me since. It seems that was yes, but we don't know what his family told him."

James frowned and looked as if he was trying to see what his plate of eggs was thinking. "And you're alright with him treating you like that? Even your brother leaves now when Sirius starts being rude to you. We are all seeing it, he keeps getting… angrier at you."

Sighing she sat on a bar stool, "No, I am not okay with being treated like I have done something wrong. I didn't put that crazy thought in his mother's head. However, I know it isn't his fault either. He doesn't know how to handle it, he'll learn. Hopefully he will be nicer to me as we get older."

James' frown deepened while shaking his head, "I was thinking about talking to my father about something. It would fix Sirius' problem I think."

Her eyes widened slightly with curiosity as she nodded for him to go on with his idea, she was willing to try anything to make Sirius and her friends. She'd spent hours trying to come up with a solution, if James had found something she would be more than willing to try.

Taking a breath James stilled himself on the edge of the table, "I think I should put in a marriage request for you."

Hermione's jaw dropped along with Remus and Peters who's breakfast forks clanged to the table top.

There was nothing but silence in the room for a few seconds before Hermione blinked, "What did you say… Why would think that would help things? What about Lily?"

James held his hands up incase she tried hexing him for the suggestion, "Only so he wouldn't need to marry you! Besides everyone knows that while the Potter's are Purebloods they have never married cousins like the Blacks or other Pureblood lines, let alone brother and sister. If I asked for a marriage request Walburgas claim would be laughed out of the ministry. It doesn't mean we would need to marry, you could deny it."

Hermione felt as if her chest was going to cave in as she thought about what James was suggesting. As he continued she began to feel light headed, "We wouldn't really get married. Sirius would be off the hook and everyone would know you weren't my sister. I could still marry my Lily flower."

Putting her plate in the sink suddenly not hungry any longer. "James. I don't even know where to start. Thank you for trying to find a way to help, but I don't think that would work. Walburga doesn't seem like the type to just admit defeat. What if she forced you to go through with it as proof? What if the moment I rejected you she announced to everyone it was because we were half siblings? Yes it is a lie, but she would have everyone believe it. She would use it to her advantage, and she might take it out on Sirius."

James lowered his head, "I didn't think about it like that."

Hermione gave him a small smile before putting her hand on his, "It is okay James. We will figure this out. Maybe Sirius and I will have a good time tonight and we came become good friends. Yah?" Hermione tried to keep the smile on her face even though she really didn't hold high hope for it. Wrinkling her nose she looked at the three boys, "Even if we don't though, Sirius is under a lot of pressure about it. He is your friend, just support him when he needs it."

Remus sat back from his empty plate looking at Hermione, "No one deserves to be ignored as if they aren't there Hermione. I know that it hurts. I thought it was okay before…. My parents never… I didn't fit in with my family. I met James, Peter and Sirius on the train going to Hogwarts for the first time. I finally felt apart of something. Sirius may be upset, but he can't keep treating you like that."

Hermione just smiled and shrugged, "Well I need to go. Aunt Minerva set up an appointment for me to have my nails done this morning. So I best be off. Have a good day boys."

With that Hermione left the boys in the kitchen as she headed upstairs to get dressed for the day. She couldn't believe James had just thought to put in a marriage request for her, what did he think would happen? Stopping in the middle of her room as a realization hit her before slowly sitting on her bed. "He couldn't because he was only 15 and couldn't possibly understand what Walburga could do." She mumbled to herself.

Looking at her door as she heard the boys making their way to Harry's room she laid back on her bed, "They are all still 15. Still innocent."

Grabbing a dress from her closet Hermione shrugged off her house robe and then her night gown.

After dressing she headed down the kitchen once more only instead of the boys her Aunt was standing there. "Ready to go dear?"

Hermione just nodded before putting on her traveling cloak, "Yes Aunt Minerva."

The two ladies made their way over to the floo before heading to a private salon to get pampered for a few hours before they would head back to the house to get ready for the evening.

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Grimmauld Place

"SIRIUS ORION BLACK! GET DOWN HERE AT ONCE!"

Walburga stood at the base of the stairs before turning and walking back into the morning room where she had been having her tea. She told Kreature to have her eldest meet her there thirty minutes ago now and he hadn't appeared.

As she sat in her chair primly she heard a thump followed by a groan. Grimacing as she hear her eldest clumsily making his way down the stairs.

Finally he appeared in the doorway. HIs hair unkempt, his sleeping clothing wrinkled and out of sorts. "You are just now getting out of bed Sirius?"

"Eh I don't see why it matters." Sirius mumbled before slumping down in a chair across from his mother. One leg dangled over the arm of the chair.

Walburga gripped her wand tightly in irritation before flicking it in his direction forcing his body in a proper sitting position. "When will you start acting like a proper Pureblood Sirius?" Flicking her wand again and his night clothing adjusted themselves causing him to yelp in discomfort. "You are going to be a proper young man this evening to Miss Hermione."

Sirius rolled his eyes and scoffed at her, "Yes Mother."

Walburga let out a screech as she stood and stormed over to Sirius backhanding him across the face, "You will honor this family. You WILL win that girl over! Don't you dare think I haven't heard about how you have been treating her!"

Sirius ducked his head anger filling his eyes, "I will alright! I will be the perfect gentleman tonight! Father is stoic and holds your arm the whole evening. You get one, maybe two dances and then you mingle. If it is good enough you it will be good enough for her!"

She screamed at him as he stood hitting him again, "You are lucky we are EVEN GIVING THAT GIRL TO YOU I SHOULD JUST GIVE HER TO YOUR BROTHER!"

"She isn't something you GIVE!" Picking up one of his mothers expensive crystal vases and chucking it across the room.

With that Sirius stormed from the room ignoring the sting in his cheek until he got into his room. Grabbing his pillow he started punching at it before throwing it as hard as he could at a shelf in his room knocking over a few things that he had on it.

Falling on his bed as he glared at the robes that Kreature had hung in his closet. He hated hurting her, she didn't deserve it. He couldn't help it though, he hated doing what his mother told him that he had too. It was second nature now.

Grabbing his blanket he pulled it up over his head as he closed his eyes fully intending on sleeping till he had to get up to leave.

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McGonagall Cottage

Hermione was officially panicking as she paced in front of her mirror as she tried not to mess up her hair or her nails.

Catching a glimpse in the mirror she stopped for a moment. She almost didn't recognize herself, her hair was long and stick straight with the top half of her hair pulled up into an intricate bun that looked like a large flower. A small bit of her hair creating a faux side bangs look so her hair wasn't just flat on her head in the front. The emerald and silver hair comb was tucked in at a slight angle finishing it off. It was a very sophisticated look, however it worked with her only being 15.

Rubbing her arms nervously with her well manicured hands as she paced in her room still in her house robe. There was only thirty minutes left until Mr. Black and Sirius arrived to pick her up.

Her hair, nails and light make-up was already done. All that was left was for her to put on her dress robes and shoes, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Her stomach felt as if she was going to be sick at any moment.

Leaving her room she walked down the hall to her brothers room knocking on the door lightly with a shaking hand.

After a moment the door opened with her brother frowning in concern at her, "What's wrong Mione?"

Hermione just shook her hands nervously as she started talking as if she were out of breath, "I don't know if I can do this Harry. Sirius… and then being surrounded by…"

Shaking her hands again nervous as Harry pulled her into a tight hug. "Mione, you can do this. You will be fine. I know Sirius has been a right prat to you lately, but he won't let anything happen to you. He is a good person, just remember that. Okay?"

Hermione nodded her head as she took a breath as she looked up at him and turned pink when she noticed for the first time that James, Remus and Peter were all sitting behind Harry in his room looking at her with concerned looks. "Oh… I forgot they were here. I'll be okay...I will. I just need to take a minute."

With that she grabbed the collar of her robe shutting it tightly as she turned hastily making her way back to her own room. She waved her hand dismissing Harry calling out to her, "I'll be fine I was being stupid. Have fun."

Getting back into her room she slammed her door and leaned up against the door willing the embarrassment in her cheeks to disappear. "Good going Hermione. All that show this morning about being fine and you bugger it up in front of them."

Closing her eyes as she pushed off the door towards her closest, as she pulled her dress from the closet. Getting dressed quickly, but carefully so she didn't mess up her hair. Grabbing her wand she placed it in her invisible arm sheath so she could have access to in if necessary. She would be in a large manor full of adult witches and wizards. The ministry wouldn't bat an eye if she did magic there.

Looking at herself in the mirror once more her breath hitched for a moment. Her dress, hair and heels all came together nicely. She didn't think she had ever looked this good before, even at Yule Ball she wasn't this put together. Shrugging her shoulders, "Well you did your own hair, makeup and nails the first time around."

Taking her black formal traveling cloak and putting it on, fastening the clasp that landed right below her chest, the rest of the buttons magically clasped themselves all the way down to the bottom.

There was a light knock on her door before her Aunt's voice traveled through to her. "Hermione are you ready? Orion and Sirius Black are downstairs in the floo room."

Opening her door she looked up to her Aunt trying to conceal her nerves, although the sympathetic smile that graced the older woman's lips told her that she wasn't fooling anyone.

Minerva took Hermione by the shoulders before walking them both back into her room, "Dear child, you look as if you are walking to your death. It surely won't be that horrible."

Hermione looked down at the carpet, "It feels like I am though. The last time I was at Malfoy Manor I was being torchered you know. The cursed dagger. How Lucius treated me in general. And now Sirius hating me. It hurts you know, that he hates me. I tell everyone it is fine, but only because I don't want them to worry."

Minerva sighed and nodded her head as she tucked a small dark grey handkerchief in her hand, "Take this dear. If your hands get too sweaty from nerves just use this. As far as the Malfoy Manor keep reminding yourself that while you have the memory, it hasn't happened yet. Hopefully it never will."

Nodding her head, "I know that. I will be brave. It shouldn't bother me."

Minerva shook her head, "You are very wrong my dear. I would be worried about you if it didn't bother you. Bravery doesn't mean you are unafraid dear girl, Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death."

Hermione nodded her head, "Who said that?"

Minerva raised her hand in a 'it is not important' gesture, "Some Muggle, I believe his name was Bradley something. The important part is that you acknowledge your fears my dear, and then you face them down. Maybe the nightmares that plague you will end with your return to the Manor?"

Nodding her head as she adjusted her traveling cloak for the hundredth time since their conversation began. "I am ready."

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So how are you liking the story? Sirius and Hermione see each other in the next chapter.