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.

I am so sorry this has taken so long, and I wanted to thank everyone that has commented or messaged me about this fic! A lot was going on at the time and I admit I did have a block, but I am trying to fully throw myself back into this story and I hope to give you all a great ending!

Also I know this has been a while, but please remember this is rated M and should not be read by ones under 18.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

You can spend minutes, hours, days, weeks, or even months over-analyzing a situation; trying to put the pieces together, justifying what could've, would've happened... or you can just leave the pieces on the floor and move the fuck on.

Tupac Shakur

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Potter Manor

June 11th, 1976

Night of the Summer Moon Gala

It was a rather warm night as Hermione looked at herself in the full length mirror, the emerald green color was smooth over her form. Smiling as she played with one of the lavender flowers adorning the bodice of the dress. Her shoulders were almost bare, as the flower wrapped around her shoulders holding the dress up.

Smiling as she swayed slightly as she messed with the extra satin material at her waist, before scrunching her nose at her hair.

Mrs. Potter had insisted on doing her hair for her tonight. While Hermione didn't mind her hair slightly being pulled back as her smooth curls flowed down her back dancing at her waist the flowers matching her dress were a bit much for her.

A knocking on her door pulled her from her thoughts. "Come in."

A smile graced her face as she turned to see Harry walking in the room, "Hey."

"Hey."

Tugging her lower lip between her teeth, "I don't want to go with him tonight."

Sighing Harry sat on her bed as he watched his sister turn back to the mirror with a frown on her face. "You look beautiful Hermione. I know you are still upset with Galen, but you were friends with him once. Right?"

Nodding her head as Mrs. Potter came in the room. "Galen has arrived dear. Are you ready?" Looking back to her brother, "I know. I just hope it wasn't all fake."

As she stepped out of the room she saw Sirius in the front room with James play a game of wizard if chess. Both looked up as she walked into the room. James came over and hugged her, "You look beautiful Hermione. I don't need to go have a word with your date as your father do I?"

She laughed shaking her head, "No I can handle him. Thank you though."

She glanced over to Sirius who was trying to smile, but kept frowning. "Sirius?"

He looked up and met her eyes giving her a genuine smile, "You look amazing. Have fun tonight, not too much fun though. What time will you be back?"

"Mr. Potter is going to inform Galen to have me back by two am. So I probably won't see you until tomorrow. Have a good night okay?"

He just nodded and leaned in placing a light kiss on her cheek before walking past her and out of the room.

-0-0-0-0-0-

At the Summer Moon Gala

She was dancing, she knew that she was dancing.

She couldn't feel her body though as Galen led her around the dance floor. The air around her felt wrong as Hermione tried to figure out what was wrong. Her eyes were glued to her hand that was being cradled by Galen's before his voice broke through the white noise buzzing in her head.

"Hermione?"

Snapping her head up staring into Galen's eyes she cringed knowing that she had been ignoring him.

"I am sorry. What was that Galen?"

He just gave her a half hearted smile and then averted his eyes from her too look around the room. "I was just asking if you were having a good time. I guess I know the answer though. Are you thinking of Sirius?"

Frowning she shook her head as her hair bounced slightly against her back. "No, actually I wasn't. I was actually thinking about how this feels strained. Things were easier before everything happened."

Galen clenched his jaw as he spun her around, "It was always like this, you just didn't know until recently."

Breaking away from him during the spin she stopped so quickly her dress continued to flow around her legs. "Obviously it was different for me Galen." Looking around she sighed before walking away from him, "Sorry I need a moment."

Finding her way off to the side she sat on a stone bench and finally found herself alone since arriving.

She'd been alone for a few moments letting her anger subside when a shadow fell across her blocking the moon light. Looking up she saw a very attractive young man looking down at her. Definitely older than her, but only by a few years perhaps. His dark brown hair and deep blue eyes seemed friendly enough.

The young man help his hand out to her as an offer, "Good evening Miss. Are you alright you look slightly upset."

Forcing a smile to her face, "I guess I am." Eyeing his hand slightly before placing her hand in his hand and getting to her feet, "Thank you for your concern, but please don't let this hold up your night. I am sure your date is waiting on you."

The young man turned and simply slipped Hermione's arm into the crook of his and escorted her out to the dance floor. "You worry too much dear. However to ease your conscience I did not come with a date. It was more business that brought me here tonight and a dance with you might make it better if you would oblige me Miss."

She could feel her cheeks heated up slightly, nodding her head slightly as his hand slid out taking hers. HIs other arm wrapped around her satin covered waist as he drew her in. They were still for only a moment before he led her instep with the slow music that was being played by the band.

"I must say the color of your dress really brings out the color of your eyes. Two bright emeralds to brighten this night." He grinned down at her as the color rose in her cheeks. He brought in his hand that held hers and lightly kissed the back of her hand before returning to there dance.

"Thank you Mr …. I am sorry I didn't catch your name." Hermione glanced up at her dance partner.

He just grinned down at her, "No, you didn't miss it Dear. I never gave it to you." He spun her around and cutting her off before she could speak again. "And I do not intend to. At least not tonight."

Frowning as they danced around the room, "Why not?" Were the only words that she could form at the moment. And while they were not eloquent as she would have hoped, they got her point across.

He stopped suddenly causing her to unsteadily bump into his tall chest as he held her tightly to him. "Where would the fun be in that?"

She felt a cold chill run up her spine being this close to him. Using her hand that was on his shoulder to try and push herself from him only caused him to grip her tighter. "I don't like games, please release me."

He leaned in placing his mouth next to her ear and whispered, "Well since you begged."

She felt her stomach roll as he stood there for a moment before releasing her from the tight grip. Her hand and waist tingled a bit after his hands were removed from his grip. She just stared up at him before her hand moved towards the secret pocket in the side of her dress that held her wand.

She was about to pull her wand out when Lucius appeared next to her with a strange look on his face. He was staring at the mysterious man like he was going to address him. When the man nodded and quickly left.

Lucius placed a hand lightly on Hermione's back and led her quietly off the dance floor. "Are you alright Hermione?"

She swallowed and nodded, "Yes, he was just… Strange. I don't want to be left alone again." Glancing up at Lucius, "Would you mind staying? Galen and I… well it wasn't a good evening and I am sure he would like space from me."

Lucius nodded and offered his arm out for her to take, "Until your date arrives back I would be honored."

Hermione smiled up at him taking his offered arm. She knew he had sent in his own request. However at the moment she did not mind his company. He had never been rude or bitter towards her, Sirius could not even say that. He had tried to help her understand the traditions, he had talked to her about other things as well. He had even tried helping her understand Galen's point, which meant he had been helping out someone he was going up against for her hand. She was under no misunderstanding that it was serving his own purpose as well. She couldn't be upset with him if she was fully aware of how the process worked. She had a little over a month left before her birthday, she was curious if he would start pressuring her as well? Or if he would wait until her birthday.

Suddenly she was spinning around, she panicked for a moment until she realised that Lucius had full control and she was at no risk of falling. With a shamed smile she asked, "How long have you been dancing with a statue?"

He just smiled and tilted his head with elegance, "Only about three songs Hermione. Don't worry, I know you are processing a lot of information right now. Would you like to sit? It is two in the morning."

Her eyes widened, "Mrs. Potter requested I be home no later than two in the morning."

Frowning Lucius looked around them. She was about to ask who he was looking for when his eyes connected with hers again, "Galen was told you were requested home by two am?"

Hermione just nodded her head in confusion, "Yes, when he picked me up she told him herself. Why? With the argument he probably just lost track of time. I need to find him though."

Lucius still frowned, "He is not present. Also any man who is in a courtship with a young lady should always abide by her caretakers request. Any man who doesn't is not a man of his word and a disgrace. He has also broken now two traditions for the marriage requests that I am aware of."

Giving Hermione a small grin, "Come let us walk around as see if we can locate your wayward escort."

Nodding her head she linked her arm in Lucius' as they walked around for a few minutes, at half past two Hermione began to worry, "I don't want the Potter's worried. In these times….." She swallowed hard as she felt Lucius stiffen at her comment.

He patted her hand softly, "You are in no harm, you have my word as a Malfoy that I will protect you while you are in my company."

He glanced around for a second longer, "Please come with me Hermione. Let me escort you to Potter Manor and I will return to inform young Mr Avery of your departure. No need in worrying the Potter's."

Hermione worried her lip a moment as she looked around, but nodded her head when she still did not see Galen. "Alright, make sure he is okay though?"

Lucius nodded as he escorted her to the apparition point and appareted them to the outside gates around Potter Manor.

Hermione glanced around right as Libby appeared in front of them, "Miss Hermione, you are late. Messer Avery you…." Libby stopped short as she saw it clearly was not the same man that had picked up Hermione. "OH, You are not Messer Avery."

Lucius raised a brow at the elf, "Indeed I am not. Mr Avery was not available to escort Miss McGonagall back here, so I made sure she arrived safely."

He turned to Hermione and bowed slightly, removing her arm from his and lightly kissing the back of her hand. Hermione flushed slightly, "Thank you Lucius, I did have a lovely night once you came to my rescue. You seem to do that at events."

Lucius just smirked, "Well, maybe I will need to escort you in the future to an event. No rescuing will be required."

Flushing deeper knowing that he could probably see her red cheeks glowing in the darkness. "Thank you Lucius."

He nodded once more before stepping back and apparating away leaving her alone with Libby. The small elf took her hand and apparated her into Mr. Potters study where both of the elder Potters were apparently waiting on her. "Hermione! You are late. Where is young Avery?"

Hermione looked down, "I am sorry we had an argument and he must have left. Lucius escorted me here once he realized that I was late and we couldn't find Galen."

Mrs. Potter's face softened, "You don't need to be sorry Dear. I am however very upset about Mr Avery's behavior. I will be informing Malcom McGonagall about this." Hermione looked over at Mr. Potter and saw him nodding as well as he grabbed a clean sheet of parchment and began writing a letter.

Hermione clasped her hands, "I still should have found a way to get back sooner. I did lose track of time as well."

Mr. Potter nodded, "Yes you did. However if Galen Avery wants to keep reminding you about tradition we will be reminding him about it as well. Tonight was a slight against both the Potter and McGonagall line that he did not return you home at the promised time."

Mrs. Potter got up and hugged Hermione, "That is enough for tonight, off to bed you go."

Hermione nodded as she yawned, "I am pretty tired, thank you again for having us. I promise I won't be late again.

Mrs. Potter called out to Hermione once more before she got to the door, "Oh I almost forgot, your chaperone will begin tomorrow. She will be with you throughout the day and on all future dates."

Turning slightly, "Oh okay, what is her name?"

Mrs. Potter smiled, "Her name is Chipy dear. I believe you have already met."

Hermione's mouth dropped, "The elf from Hogwarts that helped us when we first got there?

Mr. Potter nodded, "Yes, She isn't needed at Hogwarts over summer, and when you are at school, she will be able to watch over you without disrupting your studies."

Nodding her head once more, "Okay, good night."

With that she turned and went up to her room while the Potter's stayed up and wrote letters to Minerva, Malcom, and Lord Avery about the events that had occurred.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Thank you all for reading! We are getting closer to Harry and Hermione's birthday.