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.
Author Note: Hi All. So I wanted to give you all a better visual of Hermione's dress. I couldn't get the link in here, but I was able to put in on my profile, so head on over there for the link, just take out the extra spaces. :) So I found this dress and fell in love with it. It is white in the picture, so please just imagine it in an emerald green.
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It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.
E.E. Cummings
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Malfoy Manor
Malfoy Yule Ball
Hermione hadn't spoken a word since arriving at Malfoy Manor, then again neither had Sirius. Hermione's eyes had darted around the room as her mind replayed the last time she'd walked down the entry hall. Although the room was light with holiday decor framing the walls, her mind only could see the barren dull grey walls that had lacked any life.
Before she knew what was happening she felt Sirius drop her arm slowly, "Are you thirsty? Would you like something to drink?"
She looked up seeing Sirius looking down at her, he looked very much like his stone father at the moment. Probably more than he ever wished. Swallowing she realised that her mouth was completely dry so she nodded her head slightly.
With a quick nod her brother's friend took off like a curse leaving her alone near an empty table. Looking around at all of the people talking to one another she just stepped back close to the wall and people moved around her.
She saw who she could only assume was Draco's grandfather. He was a very tall man, even taller than Lucius would be one day.
There were people here from all over that looked familiar, facial structures, physical features. Couples that would one day have the very children that she had gone to school with in her own time. Chuckling to herself in a moment of darkness as she wondered what would happen if someone were to drop a sterilization potion in the Malfoy Yule Ball punch. All their future worries would be gone.
She was startled out of her thoughts by Orion Black standing next to her, "You looked deep in plotting Miss Hermione."
Hermione's eyes didn't leave the people dancing in front of her as she straightened. "Don't you mean deep in thought Mr. Black?"
He let out a small huff of amusement at her wit, "No, Miss. I know the signs of a woman scorned. Are you planning something for my son that abandoned you here?"
Hermione flushed slightly as she turned to him finally wondering why he had come over, "No, Sirius just went for drinks. I am sure he will be back shortly."
Orion raised a well breed eyebrow at her, "Miss Hermione you have been standing here glaring at the dance floor for approximately 40 minutes. How long does it take one too get drinks?"
With that he walked off slowly with a quiet promise to locate his wayward son for her.
Sighing she stepped back her shoulders sank a bit realizing as she looked at a huge antique clock that it had been almost an hour since they had arrived. Glancing around she saw Mr. Black combing through the crowd people to his wife.
Looking around the room she realized that she couldn't see Sirius anywhere, there was no one she recognized at the drink table. Frowning she realized the table was only about twenty feet from where she was currently standing. Gritting her teeth as she realized that he truly had abandoned her at the first opportunity.
"Are you looking for someone? I am most pleased that you came tonight Miss Hermione." Hermione glanced a bit closer as she saw a grinning Lucius Malfoy standing in front of her holding a glass out to her. As he got her attention he took her hand placing a kiss on her knuckles gently.
Swallowing Hermione calmed herself and curtsied slightly before taking the glass, "Thank you Lucius, you are kind. I was actually waiting for Sirius to return with my drink. Thank you for this though, I was quite thirsty. How has your holiday been since I saw you? I believe Narcissa is around here."
Lucius just smiled at her clasping his hands elegantly behind his back as he stood with her, "Oh yes, I saw the Black girls arrive a bit ago. You found a beautiful dress Hermione, it very much suits you." Turning to her offering his hand, "How about you honor me with that dance while we wait for your date to arrive?"
Hermione smiled and glanced around once more for any sign of Sirius before nodding her head and placing her glass on a passing waiter tray and taking his offered hand. She knew that she couldn't be rude to the hosts of the entire ball. "Of course Lucius, but if Sirius arrives I will need to go with my date."
Lucius nodded his head in acceptance already leading her to the dance floor, "But of course Hermione. I wouldn't dream of keeping you from your escort. I only wish to ensure you have a wonderful time."
As they got to the center of the dance floor Lucius took her right hand with his left with placing his own right on her waist. Her left hand resting on his shoulder the music flared to life as she was gracefully led around the dance floor. She had never been more grateful for the Yule Ball in her fourth year since she was actually keeping pace with the young aristocrat.
Three songs later Hermione needed to take a breath. "Lucius thank you very much for the lovely dances, however I must take a rest now."
The tall blonde just smiled at her, "Flush is a beautiful color on you Miss Hermione." Her to blush even further as he held her hand bowing as he placed a final kiss on her hand before excusing himself.
Hermione turned and quickly made her was to a waiter that was carrying drinks around. Taking one with a nod as she made her way to a table to rest. She couldn't help but feel relieved at having a bit of adult time with out the pranks and childish behavior.
After an hour passed Orion Black returned to her side, "May I have this dance?"
Taking his offered hand she nodded her head, she would have a good time even if Sirius had decided to play yet another game. Once they were dancing she looked up at the silent man, "Were you able to find Sirius, Mr. Black? I haven't seen him."
Orion simply nodded his head, "His mother was speaking with him, so I came to keep you company."
She just simply nodded as she followed his lead across the dance floor. Hermione couldn't help but compare Sirius to his father. Sure they had similar features, but Sirius almost acted just like him, to her at least.
Harry always said he was wild, fun, full of life.
Hermione had only caught a small glimpse of that Sirius the two times she'd seen him before she went to tea. Not including the Sirius in their time of course.
Was she destined to become like Walburga? A stern silent husband who ignores her till she snaps?
"Now I would say you are lost in thought."
Hermione's eyes shot open towards Mr. Black before she started apologizing, "Oh I didn't mean too. I apologize for that, I guess I am just a little out of it. It is near midnight, and I am not used to being out so late."
He simply nodded his head in acceptance of her answer even though she couldn't tell if cared or not.
A few songs later an older man approached them, "May I cut in?"
Orion nodded as he gave her hand to the other man before stepping back without asking her, "I need to check on my wife any how. I will see you soon Hermione."
Hermione watched him leave before she was pulled into the man's arms. He began pulling rather than leading her around the floor causing her to trip slightly on occasion. "I am sorry I didn't catch your name Sir?"
The man was only about two inches taller than her, his dark tanned skin was slightly weathered, and his hair looked to show the beginnings of a receding hairline. He just grinned at her, "Kosco Zambini my love. Tell me little angel, are you betrothed yet to anyone?"
Hermione was fighting the urge to vomit as Blaize Zambini's father hit on her. He wasn't young now and Blaize hadn't even been conceived yet. She smiled politely before shaking her head, "I am only 15, my Uncle has not stopped receive marriage requests on my behalf yet."
The man's grin widened as he leered at her, "Good, you look like you have strong hips for bearing boys!"
Hermione had been too focused on trying to avoid the man's feet that kept abusing her toes and gaze that made her skin crawl that she hasn't noticed he had led them to a more unoccupied corner. They continued to dance as his hand left her waist and traveled up towards her chest.
Just as she went to reach for her wand Lucius appeared, "Lord Zambini how wonderful to see you. I believe my Father wished to discuss something with you." The man pretty much dropped her and walked off without so much as a glance back.
Hermione looked up at Lucius, "Thank you. He was…"
Lucius nodded not requiring further explanation as he offered her his arm as he escorted her to the tables once more, "Every year Lord Zambini seems to be looking for a new wife, he has 4 daughters you know, all different mother's, unfortunately they have all passed away it seems. The man is desperate for a son. It is distasteful how he acts though in civilized society. I do hope you are alright?"
Hermione grimaced as she looked around the room, "Thank you for rescuing me from being wife number 5. I really must find Sirius though..."
"Malfoy. Thank you for escorting Hermione, but she is looking for me after all." Hermione looked to her left seeing Sirius walking towards them with strange look on his face and a drink in his hand.
Lucius kissed the back of her hand once more before leaving the two of them alone. Looking up at Sirius she tried not to show the hurt or anger on her face as he held a drink out for her. "Thank you."
Looking up at Sirius after taking a sip and glancing at the clock. "May I ask where you went? I was looking for you. It is almost one in the morning."
Sirius shoved his hands in his pockets, "There was some… business I needed to do. I am sorry that I left for a bit. Would you… did you want to dance?"
Hermione bit her lip, all she really wanted to do was go home and forget about this horrid date. "I suppose we should, I am your date after all."
She could feel her anger rising as she tried to figure out which business he was referring too. The blonde girl or the redheaded girl that seemed to keep him in their gaze.
Sirius was surprisingly a really good dancer, but after four more songs without speaking to one another she was done. "Sirius, I would like to go home."
Sirius just nodded without argument and left to fetch their cloaks after leading her off the dance floor.
Hermione once again was alone as she watched people still dancing and talking the night away. She was exhausted though as she watched the clock for the next twenty minutes. Mumbling under her breath as her irritation in Sirius grew. Had he ditched her again? "Where is the cloak closet? China?"
Finally after another five minutes Sirius appeared once more a final glance at the clock showed two am was only ten minutes away now. Rounding to get angry with him she paused and couldn't help notice that his collar and hair were both mussed up. His cheeks pink slighted and he was breathing somewhat harder that normal.
Feeling her stomach drop she gave up. At least he had a good time tonight with whatever girl that had caught his attentions. Seeing her cloak in his raised hands she just just turned and held her arms straight so he could place it on her.
As soon as her clasp was done he held his arm out for her, and while she would love nothing more than to walk off leaving him with there, but she linked her arm with his keeping her head tall.
As they made it to the floo he looked at her curiously. She knew he could see her jaw clenched, but she refused to look at him as he took a handful of floo powder as they stepped into the floo.
Hermione's stomach plummeted as he didn't called out her home, "Grimmauld Place."
Stepping out of the floo into their darkened entry hall Hermione rounded on Sirius, "Why are we here Sirius? I just wanted to go home."
He raised his hands at her, "I just wanted to apologize about tonight Hermione. I shouldn't have left you alone for so long. I should have took you with me to get the drinks, maybe…"
Hermione's stood as tall as she could as she clasped her hands in front of her, her face steeled as she controlled her voice so that she wouldn't scream at him. "Sirius, stop. I get that you hate me. I've had many discussions about it with Harry. I don't know what I did to personally offend you so greatly. However I will not apologize for something that was not my own doing. I didn't ask for any of this. Get that in your head and use a sticking charm to make sure it stays! All I ask in the future is that if you insist on taking me to events that you don't leave me for other girls. Hopefully we will find a way to avoid marriage, but if not you will have a chastity clause in our marriage contract. I won't have a husband who sleeps around on me. Good Night."
She turned on her heel leaving a stunned Sirius in her wake as she took a handful of floo powder and called out, "McGonagall Cottage." Before stepping through and disappearing from in front of Sirius.
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So that didn't go so well…. But onto the next chapter.
I hope you enjoined it!