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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The prettiest smile hide the deepest secrets. The prettiest eyes have cried the most tears. And the kindest hearts have felt the most pain.

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Potions

May 27th 1976

Hermione was sitting in her seat in potions next to Severus as she was finishing up the last six inches of her last OWLs question.

The week had been grueling, there had not been a single prank by the Marauders all week as even their noses had been in their books. While she as Sirius had been cordial since he and the Potter's had learned of their true origins the extent of their conversations had been about requesting a book or notes that the other had.

She had just finished hastily writing in her last sentence when her quill flew from her hand, "Quills down."

Watching as her paper vanished while a growing pile of papers appeared on her professor's desk. Trying to breath she couldn't help but think about all of the additional information that she could have put into her last answer.

Feeling a tuck on her robe she turned to see Harry and Sirius smiling at her, "It is over come on."

She shakily stood and briefly saw James and Remus helping Lily from her seat as well. Letting the boys lead her from the class and outside and down towards the whomping willow.

She was stunned when she saw that the boys had put together a picnic away from the trees reach, but close to it that people didn't venture out this far.

"When did you guys plan this?" She heard Lily asking as she sat next to her.

James just beamed proudly, "We thought about it yesterday actually, we figured you girls would need a easy lunch after being stressed all week. Oh and I promise there are no jinx, hexes, or curses on any of the food, drink, spoons, well on any of it."

Hermione smiled as she plucked a grape from the basket trusting James at his word. "Thank you."

Looking at Lily who was soaking up the sun while taking out a cucumber sandwich before someone sat down next to her. Looking over she saw Sirius smiling down at her while holding a cup of tea for her. "Figured you might like one?"

Nodding she took it, the cup warming her hands as she took a relaxing sip. "Thank you."

The group spend the rest of the day lounging about and relaxing. They only had next week and then they would all be on their way home.

Hermione and Lily ended up removing their socks and shoes as they dipped their feet into the lake while the boys had gotten their brooms and were flying overhead in a mock match.

Hermione couldn't help but notice that Lily's eyes were following James' movements fairly well, "So you like James?"

Sputtering as she looked to Hermione with wide eyes before she calmed down a bit, "He is different, besides it is not like you have room to talk. Ever since you came 'back' from your seclusion Sirius has been all over you. Not like snogging or anything but he trails after you like a puppy. You are totally soaking up his attention too!"

Blushing as she looked down fiddling with the hem of her skirt, "Things are a little different I'll admit. Like you said though, we aren't snogging or anything. We aren't together."

Lily nodded, "The two of you are dancing the dance. It seems as though he isn't the only one though, I thought for sure you were going to get with Galen a few times. What happened?"

Looking over at the boys before answering, "I don't know. I guess I just don't see him like that. He told me that he put in a marriage request you know? It just feels strange being around him now. He kept it from me. At least with Sirius I knew."

Lily nodded as she pulled her knees to her chest, "True, maybe you should ask your Aunt if she knew?"

Scrunching up her face Hermione rolled her shoulders, "I did ask, and she did know. She didn't tell me because if I knew, every time he asks me out, if I am not doing something with Sirius or specific plans with friends I can't say no. It is the same with Sirius, I can't reject either until I accept one of the marriage requests."

Picking up a rock, tossing it into the lake. "I am not required to be told until my sixteenth birthday, so I won't be presented with the requests until then. She was trying to protect me for a little bit longer."

Her redheaded friend frowned, "I see. Um. James has been asking me to marry him for years. Why didn't he do that with me?"

Hermione gave her a small smile, "Respect. It is archaic what they are doing to me. I guess I am okay with Sirius' request since I know he didn't want this either. It was forced on his as much as it was me. I really don't have a choice technically, my uncle told me the decision was my own. However ultimately if he wanted too he could sign acceptance on any of them without my input as the patriarch of my family. I also cannot chose anyone who doesn't send a marriage request."

Lily put a hand on her shoulder, "I am sorry you are in this. Well on the bright side Sirius and Galen are both good looking and smart. As much as it pains me to say about Sirius, he is really smart."

Giggling she nodded, "That he is. I don't have to answer until I am 18, but I will be basically dated them both until I decide. It is strange."

Lily's eyes widened as she leaned in close, "So the could both drag you into broom closets? Can you say no to that? I mean you don't seem like the type to just snog two guys."

Blushing she shook her head, "My aunt is arranging a few things, one is a chaperone for dates so I am not put in an awkward position. I don't have to snog them, a snog is not a date. Is it? Oh merlin….. They could ask me to meet them…"

Hermione stood quickly as she looked at the boys in the air. "Harry! James! I need to talk to the two of you." Looking back to Lily, "Be right back."

She walked quickly to where they were at as they landed, "Lily was talking to be about the whole Sirius and Galen thing. She asked if I could say no to them dragging me into a broom closet. I mean what if they ask me to me them there… I am not someone who just snogs multiple guys in…"

James gripped her upper arms in his hands, "Breathe, first off. Second, Sirius would never do that to you. Third, he can't. Neither can Galen. They have no rights to you like that. You can say your not comfortable meeting them somewhere or going somewhere with them, you just need to offer up an alternate place. That would be something to tarnish your reputation and it isn't allowed, the chaperone will help as well."

Hermione breathed in and out nodding her head, "Alright."

Looking up she saw the others had landed behind James and Harry all with looks of worry on their faces.

She could see Sirius looking her up and down like he did the day at the Potter's, as if he was looking for an injury. His eyes lingering on her wet bare feet as she remembered her socks and flats were by the lake with Lily still. "What's wrong?"

Shaking her head, "James just clarified something for me." Looking back to James mouthing 'Thank you', before walking back to Lily.

Sirius just looked at James once Hermione was out of hearing range, "What did you clarify? She looked panicked."

James just frowned, "Lily basically asked if you and Galen could take advantage of her now. Since she can't say no to a date. More specifically if you two could ask her to meet you in a broom closet."

His arms reaching out as if exposing anything that could be hidden, "I would never do that! Hell I asked her to Hogsmeade, you can't get more public than that. I wouldn't take advantage like that, you know me. Now if she really wanted it..."

Harry just looked between the two of them, after smacking Sirius upside the head. "I don't think she is worried about you Sirius. Hermione isn't one to kiss and leave, she isn't the quick snog type."

Remus cleared his throat giving a slightly disturbed look to Harry, "Well I haven't seen her do anything, but you guys have only been here this year. Who would she have snogged before that… at home school?"

Harry ducked his head realizing that Remus and Peter still thought they had been home schooled, "That is what I mean, she won't just snog both of them."

"Um guys?" The boys all turned to see Peter staring at the lake's edge. Hermione and Lily were both standing, socks and flats on, talking to Lucius and Severus.

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Almost the moment Hermione had reached Lily and the girls put back on their socks and flats they both turned to see Lucius and Severus, "Ladies."

Lucius turned to Hermione, "I was wondering if I might have a word Hermione?"

Looking to Lily before nodding her head, "Of course Lucius. Here or did you want to walk?"

Lucius turned slightly and looked around, "How about we take a small walk? Just to the docks?"

Nodding she looked at Lily, "Let the boys know where I have gone?"

Lily nodded as Hermione fell in step beside the seventh year, "How did you fare on your Newts so far Lucius? I know seventh years have another week until they are completed right?"

Lucius tilted his head in confirmation, "Most are done, they were aligned with your OWLs. However extra items are next week that is correct, apparition and apprenticeships are being tested next week."

Hermione smiled, "I still haven't decided what I want to apprentice in my seventh year. I was thinking Runes or Potions. Or maybe Charms? Oh and then there is transfiguration of course. You have an apprenticeship in Potions with Professor Slughorn correct?"

Nodding his head gracefully, "That I do. Not that I require the work, but my family owns an apothecary. I have grown up knowing the different ingredients and how to grow them, knowing how to make the perfect bottle of wine can be quite relaxing. I daresay it is the best wine."

Hermione nodded, "Not biased at all are you?"

Lucius just raised a brow completely missing the sarcasm in her voice, "Not at all. Tell me how did you fare with your OWLs?"

Taking a breath as she looked around, "The best I could I assume, I've been studying like mad all year basically. Of course I feel I should have been able to get a few more inches in on the different effect of gillyweed if I'd had another few minutes. I only managed six inches."

Letting out a chuckle, "I do believe six inches on gillyweed will be more than enough for an 'O', most people can only manage two or three on the topic. I am impressed Miss McGonagall. I do hope you will continue to pursue potions. That however is not what I wished to discuss with you today."

Hermione stopped as she stepped onto the dock with Lucius, "Oh? What is on your mind?"

Lucius looked at her for a moment, "It has come to my attention that Galen informed you of his marriage request?"

Hermione nodded suddenly uncomfortable.

Lucius watched her carefully, "And that you were unamused by it. Why is that?"

Hermione swallowed remembering that Lucius had given her a marriage request as well. It dawned on her that he may be testing her about his own. "Well he lied to me about it Lucius. I spent nearly every day in his presence this year only to find out in the infirmary with his asking if I'd chosen him. It was a shock to say the least. Omission is lying in my mind, I don't like games when it comes to serious topics."

She turned and leaned against a post, "My uncle is waiting until I turn 16 to tell me about them. He was trying to let me get through my first year here without that added to things. I had to get through my OWLs with that clearly on my mind. Honestly I'd be lying if I said I didn't hold some level of contempt against him for it."

Softening her face knowing that she was probably looking upset, "I know you're just trying to help your friend by talking to me Lucius. I understand, but I am still upset with him. This is all not even mentioning that the first time he saw me after, he asked me out to some Gala after I couldn't go with him to Hogsmeade since Sirius asked me, knowing I can't say no now. He isn't giving me space."

Lucius tilted his head to the side as his hair fell silky off his shoulder, "He shouldn't have told you when he did. He wasn't supposed to mention it until your Uncle notified him that you had been told or after your sixteenth birthday. However you cannot be mad that he did not inform you before, there is a tradition in place."

Frowning Lucius had her there and now she knew why this conversation was taking place. He was reminding her about the tradition, so that when she was informed about his own she wouldn't be mad at him. "It just doesn't feel right Lucius, I mean any male around me could have requested marriage to me and I wouldn't know it. I am at a complete disadvantage. I am not that great, hopefully it is just Sirius and Galen. Less complication."

Tapping his finger on the wood railing she knew she'd been convincing enough about her not knowing about his request. "No, I guess it is not fair to you completely. However it is tradition. Galen broke it and tried giving himself the advantage. Would you be happy if those were your only two choices? Could you choose?"

Feeling a blush rise on her cheeks she knew she would pick Sirius, but she couldn't let it get out that she'd made up her mind between the two. "Between Sirius and Galen? I have no idea who I would pick, however there is a long time til I need to decide. I've only know them a year, hardly enough time considering Galen and my conversations have been studying oriented. While Sirius and my experience have been a tad hostile until recently."

Lucius nodded his head, "That is what the dates are for. To get to know each other. I will be at the Gala myself if you would like an escape at any point."

Nodding her head, if she hadn't know about his request she would almost consider him to be caring about her feelings. This however was a way to her without breaking tradition. "Thank you Lucius, but won't your date mind?"

Shaking his head, "I think not considering I will not have one. My father and I will be there discussing business with a few people."

She watched him as he flipped his hair over his shoulder, "Your family wine?"

Nodding he smiled slightly, "Yes. We will be bringing a few bottles for the investors to take home, father's way of wooing them with 100 year vintage. I will have to come ask for a dance once we are done, I rather enjoyed our dances at Yule."

She looked up at the castle seeing her brother waiting for her, "Yes, it was nice to not have to worry about my feet being stepped on or being dragged around the dance floor. Lord Zambini acted as if I was a rag doll." Rolling her eyes a bit.

Lucius laughed and she had to make sure her eyes didn't pop from her head. She could have handled chuckling or a grin, but he had full on laughed. "I am glad you found the thought of my poor feet being trampled funny Mr. Malfoy."

Fixing himself he shook his head, "Please forgive me. That man hardly has proper manners, I still remember him flinging you around. Had I not danced with you earlier I might have thought it was you both, but he was just horrible."

Giving him a smile she was about to excuse herself back to the castle when he spoke up again, "This is my last year here Hermione, I do hope I will hear from you." He pressed a piece of parchment into her hand before leaning forward and placing a light kiss to the back of her hand and then righting himself.

Nodding her head, "Thank you Lucius. I will see you at the Gala, good luck on your last exams next week!"

He nodded in thanks before stepping off the dock and up towards the castle, leaving her to her thoughts.

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