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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Things are changing.

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Transfiguration Class May 8th 1976

Setting her wand down at she looked at the bowl of water in front of her as she finished transforming it into a small fish while charming the water fish to swim around as if it was a real fish.

She sighed as she watched James, Harry and Sirius all talking and so far had their fishes chasing one another around the room. The three boys had even gone as far as adding coloring to their fish, they looked real.

Remus leaned down next to her ear and whispered, "Everything alright Hermione?"

Her head shot up as she nodded her head, "Oh yes. It has just been a weird day. OWLs start in three days, and I feel oddly out of sorts."

Remus nodded as he brushed a loose hair from his face, "Ya, and the fact that Sirius has for some reason decided to basically use a sticking charm to be at your side almost every second that you are out of class today. After nearly a year of him hexing you, ignoring you and worse. I am sure that can put you out of sorts."

Hermione was sure her face alone rose the temperature in the room as her face burned bright red at his words. "I uh. Sirius and I have come to a …. Truce." Biting her bottom lip remembering that they were planning on telling Remus and Peter over the summer hols once they were at the Potter's. No need to get everyone upset right before OWLs.

Turning in his seat to look at her with a brow raised, "Truce? I am guessing that Harry and James are both in the loop?"

Hermione frowned as she looked down at her hands, "I had a break down Remus. I was a mess and those three were just there." Hermione glanced to her side seeing Peter sitting up with his head down having fallen asleep when the Professor stepped from the room, "I don't want to bring it up again, I would be a crying mess. I will tell you about it, I promise. I guess Sirius just decided to give me pity on the matter." bumping his shoulder with her gently.

As her Aunt walked across the room nodding her head as she inspected each of the transfigured water fish, "Very good, I expect two feet of parchment on the benefits and consequences of using three different types of materials by next class. Class dismissed."

Hermione smirked as she flicked her wand down having her water fish swan dive into the top of her brother's head as if it was a water balloon.

Remus bust out laughing as he and Hermione ran from the room as Harry jumped up with a yelp at the cold water.

Still laughing as she walked next to Remus towards the great hall. As they turned a corner Hermione nearly fell to the floor as she walked into a hard chest. Looking at her waist seeing two arms around her as well as Remus' behind her.

Looking up she stalled for a moment before getting to her feet, "Galen? Sorry about that, I wasn't watching. How are you doing?"

Galen just smirked down at her as he released her, "I am doing very well thank you. You've been scarce lately, I wanted to continue our discussion from the infirmary. I shouldn't have blurted out what I did, I hope you can forgive me. I was a little out of it."

Shaking her head, "Oh, well you did hit your head. I am glad you are better, I've just been studying for OWLs. Remus and I were just heading to lunch, so I will see you later Galen."

Hermione gripped Remus' sleeve before tugging him along. Before she got too far Galen's hand wrapped around her upper arm tugging her back, "However since you are aware of my marriage request I wanted to invite you to Hogsmeade with me after OWLs. Would you please join me?"

Hermione's mind would have gone haywire if it hadn't been for Sirius already asking her. She knew Galen had tried to plan it now. Shaking her head gently as she stepped backwards toward Remus so he would release his grip on her. "I am sorry, but Sirius has already asked me to attend Hogsmeade with him. I am unavailable."

She saw Galen's face fall for a moment as he took in her words. Out of the corner of her eye she could see shock appearing on Remus' face at her admission.

Galen cleared his throat, "Well then, as I know the summer hols will be right after would you do me the honor of attending my father's summer moon gala. It is the weekend after school lets out."

Hermione internally cried knowing she would have to accept. Even though she'd made plans to go to James', those plans were generic and wouldn't count since they basically took up half their summer. "I am sure it will be a delight Galen. I am spending the first part of my summer with the Potter's, but I don't believe an evening away would be an issue. I will need to clear it with my Aunt however, you understand don't you?"

Galen grinned as he took her hand and placing a light kiss on the back of it. "Of course, I will owl you when I plan to pick you up so the Potter's have forewarning. Good luck on your OWLs."

With that he turned on his heel and left leaving Hermione and Remus alone. She turned to see a look of utter disbelief on his face, "I had a breakdown about a few things… One big one is that apparently Galen has given his own marriage request for me."

Remus shook his head and nodded, "I can see. I probably would have had one two if I found out that type of information. Why did you agree to go with Galen thought? Do you like him?"

Hermione sighed and bit her lip, "As a study partner, yes. I can't say no to him though. It is like a male tug o war, I am not allowed to deny him or Sirius without agreeing to marry the other. It is supposed to give both parties a chance to woo me until I make a decision. I can only say no if I have already agreed to plans with the other person."

Remus just looked horrified, "That it….. Just wrong."

Nodded as she kicked her shoe at the wall, "You're telling me, I feel like a toy that two dogs are going to be fighting over."

Remus snorted as the image of Sirius as Padfoot with a doll that looked like Hermione in his mouth. "Well, just hope they don't pee on your leg or something."

Crossing her arms she huffed, "They will be neutered if they try that!"

"Ouch! What is it with you and talking about neutering?" Remus and Hermione turned to see Sirius, James, Harry and Peter walking up behind them.

Remus cocked his head to the side, "Oh Avery just asked Hermione out. I guess he asked for her as well. She mentioned that she felt like a toy that two dogs are going to be fighting over soon, I just said I hope neither pee on her leg, and well you heard her response."

Sirius frowned and looked at Hermione, "Avery asked you out? When?"

Messing with the corner of her book she looked around not wanting to meet his eye, "The Summer Moon Gala, the weekend after school is out. He tried for Hogsmeade, but I am already going with you."

Peter's head popped up, "Why are you going with Sirius?"

James and Sirius both saw Hermione flinch ever so slightly at Peter's voice before she smiled at him, "Because he asked me. How is your Charms essay coming along Peter? Did you still need help before tomorrow?"

It was obvious to James and Sirius now that they knew about the future that Hermione was overcompensating for her flinch by being extra nice to the boy. Sharing a look as Peter nodded, excitedly, "Oh would you Hermione? The guys just tell me to figure it out."

She smiled as her ink stained finger messed absentmindedly with her bag, "I'll meet you in the common room tonight at 6, I'll review it and give you the notes. Sound good?"

Nodding he fidgeted a bit, "I'll be there at 6."

Sirius just stepped forward gently putting his hand on the small witch's back as Peter started talking excitedly to Harry about possibly trying out for Quidditch next year. "Can I talk to you Hermione?"

She nodded and told the boys goodbye as she walked away leaving Sirius to catch up to her. Only a moment later his form was next to hers as she glanced at him curiously, "Yes? Did you need help as well?"

Clearing his throat, "No, I am good. It is about Pete. You are always nice to him. It that your way of…. "

"Coping. He isn't the person I knew. It is really hard sometimes, but I just have to remind myself that maybe he can change. If people were nice to him, maybe that alone would change everything. Sometimes you boys forget he has a hard time in class, I don't want him feeling left behind."

Nodding his head, "I'll do better, I promise. You have to remember though that you're not alone in this. We can all save him. Last night though, we didn't really talk about your time at Hogwarts. When can we do that?"

Blushing she tucked a wayward curl behind her ear, "Well maybe after OWLs we can talk. But it is a long story, I thought you guys wanted to wait until Remus and Peter knew?"

Sirius bounced on the balls of his feet, "Ya, we did. But Harry mentioned a troll, so…"

Rolling her eyes as she shook her head realizing that she should have known they would get something out of her brother. "It was first year. One of the teachers let it in the castle. That in itself is a really long story. We really should wait."

Groaning his head fell back as if she'd told him they were postponing Christmas, "Not fair, I am not giving up though." Sirius looked around for a moment realizing that they were alone before clearing his throat, "I wanted to know if I could ask you out the day after we all get to the Potters. I wanted to take you out to the back gardens, they are really pretty."

Biting her lower lip as she nodded as her cheeks turned a light pink, "Yes. But, you don't need to ask me out all the time. I am sure you have more exciting things you want to do on your own or with the boys. Please don't feel like you need to protect me from Avery all the time."

It was Sirius' turn to look sheepish as he shook his head shoving his hands into his pockets. "I just wanted to show you."

He gave her a grin while spreading his arms out and giving her a formal bow before taking her hand and rushing them off towards class so that they wouldn't be late.

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Malfoy Manor

The room was stiffer than normal as Lord Malfoy sat along with his Dark Lord, "My Lord things are progressing as you have wished."

The Dark Lord nodded his head, "Ssso i've been told. Your ssson has sssent a marriage requessst for the girl asss well ass the Lesssgranges, Avery'ss, and Zambini. They have all assssured me that the girl hasss no interessst in Black?"

Sipping his wine before tapping his fingers on the stem of his glass, "None that we are aware my Lord. The boy treats her horribly typically, however…"

A low hiss sounded, "However what Luciusss?"

Swallowing, "Something happened this past week, Galen Avery was attacked by young Mr. Potter. She appeared to have taken Avery side at the incident, however my son saw her fleeing the infirmary. She was absent outside of class all week, Galen said he informed her of his marriage request. She denied him for Hogsmeade on the grounds of already going with Sirius Black. Their relationship seems to have changed as of yesterday my lord."

Voldemort's red eyes flashed in warning, "I told you I wanted her with Avery's ssson or yoursss. If Young Avery has mucked up his chance, your ssson had better charm her."

Clearing his throat, "She agreed to attend the Summer Moon Gala with Galen Avery…"

Red eyes flared, "Only becausse ssshe knows ssshe has too. That is not how you get her. Ssshe won't say yesss to him when the time comesss."

The blond man leaned back sure of himself and his son, "Lucius will of course be at the Gala to woo the girl my Lord. We will not fail, Malfoys will only succeed. My Lord if it is your desire for her to be the next Lady Malfoy, then she will be."

The pale man calmed as he looked thoughtfully into the flames if the fire, "We will sssee. I do think I will attend the Gala asss well, I wish to sssee for myself this girl. Sssomething doesn't ssseem to add up about her. All my loyal ssservants have become enthralled with a mear girl. Why? I might need to bring her in myssself."

Abraxas looked at the man, his serpent like features glowing in the dark room. "My Lord?"

With a wave of his wand rich brown locks of hair covered his head, skin tanned over his pale skin, a nose appeared from his flattened face, and red eyes changing from red to a dark blue. "Sssimple glamor charmss to look ass I once did, I know I was attractive. Maybe I can lured this little gryffindor myssself."

As he stood the charms fell away, he knew that when the McGonagall twins arrived his plans began to unwind. The other two had already graced him and were on their way to being loyal followers. They knew nothing. Mear children.

The twins however… that was something he would figure out. Avery on more than once occasion mention his son remarking on the girl's powerful aurora. He would have them as well.

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So we will be seeing a meeting soon, how will Harry and Hermione react?