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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Well F&*k….
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McGonagall Cottage
July 19th, 1976
Harry and Hermione were both sitting at the breakfast table with their Aunt when their floo lit up and the Potters, Libby, Sirius, Remus and Peter all came through. The boys all holding their quidditch gear with grins on their faces.
Harry got excited and tried shoving the rest of his food into his mouth.
Clearing her throat, "Harry…."
Harry looked up sheepishly at his Aunt before wiping his face, "Sorry."
Turning to the others, "Would you like to join us for breakfast?"
Mrs. Potter smiled and walked over kissing Harry on the cheek, "A spot of tea would be nice. Thank you."
Turning to Hermione giving her a kiss on the cheek as well, "Good morning and Happy Birthday to you both! My grandbabies are sixteen!" She gave both of them a small box with a grin before sitting in front of them in expectation. "Now before you open these just know I understand that you won't be able to wear them openly. Fuel to the fire and all that, but you do deserve these."
Both Hermione and Harry flushed, even in their other life they hadn't had grandparents to dote on them.
Harry opened his to find a gold tie clasp with the Potter crest adorning it. While in Hermiones there was a long chained necklace with the Potter crest as well.
Mr. Potter smiled, "Although you could still wear them since you do have Potter blood. Through your mother's side of course." He winked at them before sitting next to Dorea kissing his wife on the cheek.
James grinned and held up two more presents, "So I guess it is gift time?"
Harry smiled as the others came forward.
About an hour later Harry went outside with James, Remus, and Peter while Sirius hung back with Hermione.
"Hermione sunk into the couch with Sirius sitting next to her as he fingered the small bracelet on her wrist, "Did you like your gift? I've never made something by hand before, without magic I mean."
Hermione just smiled and lifted her wrist as she looked at the braided gold twine with a small dog charm that was wrapped around her wrist twice because he'd braided it so long, "It is great thank you. Why did you decide to make me something?"
Sirius shrugged to hide his nerves, "You made me a sweater for Christmas. I just wanted to return the same thought. It might not be at your level, but it was my first. I did buy the charm though" He grinned a thousand watt smile at her.
She laughed and nodded with a smile, "Thank you." Looking at her bracelet, "Can I ask you something? Is there a hidden meaning if you receive a handmade gift from someone?"
"Ahh…" He flushed slightly as he rubbed the back of his neck, "I know you haven't really been a part of this world so I don't want you thinking that… Well that I am marking you in any way. I really was just returning that fact that you made me something. So please.."
Hermione put her hand over his mouth to stop him from talking, "What do you mean by 'marking me'?"
Sirius sighed as he wrapped his hand around her wrist pulling it away from his mouth, "Typically people only make things for their spouse, or someone that you love deeply."
Flushing she nodded her head, "Oh. Well that explains that." She looked up at him and smiled, "I'll still wear your bracelet though, thank you."
Sirius grinned and then tilted his head, "What explains what?"
Hermione just shrugged, "Oh Severus' reaction when I made him a scarf."
"YOU WHAT?!" His eyes nearly bugged out of his head, as the others ran into the room with worry on their faces.
Harry looked between Sirius who seemed to be recovering from shock and a not amused Hermione sitting with her arms crossed over her chest. "Um what happened?"
Hermione looked at her brother with a shrug getting up, as she held out her wrist showing the golden bracelet. "He told me what it meant to get a handmade gift. I only asked because when I gave Severus that scarf I made he acted oddly. I just figured out why."
James looked like he had swallowed a slug, "You gave Snivellus a homemade gift?"
Hermione smiled when Dorea whacked James upside the head, "I did. Actually he gave me one too, the lotion I have been wearing. Lily got homemade lotion too actually!"
Peter gagged slightly as Hermione rolled her eyes and got up to leave the room tired of their childish behavior.
As she was walking down the hall towards her room someone grabbed her wrist and yanked her gently to a stop, "I am sorry for my reaction. I just… I am trying… I will try harder. Even you know after the incident with Galen getting hexed at school I haven't done anything to him or Sn...Severus."
Hermione turned to look at Sirius, "He is my friend Sirius."
He sighed and nodded, "He is, and he hasn't hurt you. Gift giving though…. It means more. Severus is a half blood and he should know what that means."
She lowered her voice, "I don't think he intended it that way though. He wouldn't have given Lily and I almost the same thing. I think he just wanted to give us something as our friend." Looking down at her wrist, "I am not your spouse, nor do you love me. You wanted to do something nice for me. Why is that any different?"
Sirius swallowed hard running a nervous hand through his hair, "I was returning… I mean…"
Hermione just smiled before turning and heading to her room, "I am not mad Sirius, just pointing out the similarities."
Just before she opened her door she heard his strained voice, "I am not sure that I don't love you though."
She stiffened for a moment before turning to look at him, but he was already gone.
McGonagall Estate
July 19th, 1976
Hermine looked down at her meal and unfortunately it was untouched. He stomach felt like she would lose its contents if she took a single bite. She hadn't eaten since breakfast, but she could not bring herself to eat. After dinner she was going to officially know about Lucius, Zambini, and Lestrange. It was bad enough last year knowing about Sirius and Galen and while those were the only two she would be attending with this year she felt like the rest were closing in around her.
Fiddling with her fork she accidentally clinked it loudly against her plate and her eyes shot up looking at her uncle. "Sorry, I…"
He held a hand up and wiped his mouth, "Let's just get this over with shall we? We can take a break and continue after with dinner."
Putting her fork down and nodding her head, "What will happen?"
Sitting back in his chair, "We will go through each marriage request individually starting with the first request through the last. I have already prepared a letter for each request. You will need to sign below my signature acknowledging that you have received the request and know what will be expected of you." Taking a sip of his water, "To be exact that you will accept invitations unless you have already accepted another for that date and time. That you will have the right to deny a date setting you feel uncomfortable, they will be able to give a second option or third until you agree to the place. If they cannot come up with a setting it will default to be here under my watch. All dates will be expected to be proper, and no harm to become of you. I have the right to press charges if something happens, and finally you will be accompanied by Chipy on all dates as your legal chaperone. You are not required to make a decision until your eighteenth birthday, although you must not ignore any suitors until a decision has been made. All involved have agreed to these terms as well."
Hermione was pale and stiff before nodding her head, "So no one can take me to their house or anything?"
Malcolm nodded, "Unless you are accepting of it. Chipy will also be present at all times, even if you cannot see her."
Nodding her head again she jumped slightly as Harry took her hand and squeezed it. "We will be there for you too."
Taking a breath she smiled at him, "Okay." Looking from her brother to her Aunt, she tried giving the woman a smile, but her Aunt looked like she was considering transforming her own brother into a toad to prevent this from happening. Finally looking back to her Uncle. "Who is first?"
He nodded and with a wave of his hand the dinner plates cleared off the table and a neat stack of parchment appeared along with a quill and Ink, a candle and the McGonagall wax seal stamp.
Picking up the first letter, "From House Black. Your marriage request has been received from Young Lord Sirius Orion Black, Heir to House Black. If you were to accept, upon marriage you will be Lady Hermione Jean of House Black, first wife of Lord Sirius Orion Black."
Malcolm floated the letter of acknowledgement over to her along with the quill and ink.
With a shaking hand Hermione picked up the letter as she read through it.
Young Lord Sirius Orion Black,
We have received your marriage request for my niece Hermione Jean McGonagall, Daughter of Robert McGonagall Jr. and Adeline McGonagall (nee Bryne).
My niece has been formally informed of your request and has agreed to the marriage request terms. She has requested a chaperone and will be accompanied on all outings with suitors.
Hermione will accept invitations unless she has already accepted another for that date and time.
Hermione will have the right to deny a date setting, you will be able to give a second option or third until you agree to the place. If a setting can not be agreed upon it will default to be McGonagall Estates.
As Hermione's guardian I, Malcolm McGonagall have the right to press charges if any harm comes to my niece mentally or physically.
Hermione is not required to accept any marriage request until her eighteenth birthday, and will not ignore any suitors until a decision has been made. Any attempt at forceful acceptance by a suitor will result in charges against the suitor in question.
Her signature at the bottom of this letter indicates her understanding and acknowledgement of your marriage request.
Cordially,
Malcolm R. McGonagall
Hermione swallowed before looking up at her Uncle. Malcolm nodded to the quill in front of her, "Sign under my name."
With a shaking hand she picked up the quill for the first time and slowly signed her name at the bottom of the parchment.
The parchment magically rose, folded itself and floated back to Malcolm who dropped wax from the red candle and took his house crest stamp to seal the letter.
Setting the letter aside he picked up the next letter in the pile, "From House Malfoy. Your marriage request has been received from Young Lord Lucius Abraxan Malfoy, Heir to House Malfoy. If you were to accept, upon marriage you will be Lady Hermione Jean of House Malfoy first wife of Lord Lucius Abraxan Malfoy."
Much like with the letter from Sirius he floated the letter over to her. She looked it over briefly, with the exception of Lucius' name it was the exact same letter. "Lucius was second?"
Her Uncle nodded, "Yes. It was a few weeks after the start of school when his arrived."
She just nodded and then signed her name, once it was sealed like Sirius' they continued to the next letter.
"From House Lestrange. Your marriage request has been received from Young Mr. Rabastion Battle Lestrange. If you were to accept, upon marriage you will be Mrs. Hermione Jean of House Lestrange first wife of Mr. Rabastian Battle Lestrange."
Hermione felt like she was going to throw up in her mouth seeing his name on the parchment, "with her hand shaking more than the last two she reluctantly signed. Hermione tried not to focus on Harry's clenched fists next to her.
Her head dropped as her uncle sealed the letter and moved on, "From House Avery. Your marriage request has been received from Young Lord Galen Brian Avery, Heir to House Avery. If you were to accept, upon marriage you will be Lady Hermione Jean of House Avery first wife of Lord Galen Brian Avery."
Instead of sending a parchment for Hermione to sign he picked up a second letter, "This letter however is formally recending the marriage request along with an apology to Hermione for his actions. This is no longer a valid request and will be removed. You are not required to entertain Young Galen at any time." He sent the sealed apology letter to Hermione, "You may read that in private if it suits you dear."
Biting her lip she nodded and tucked the letter into her robes, "When did Rabastan and Galens requests come?"
Malcom looked at her, "Within hours of each other, about two weeks after Young Lord Malfoy's request."
She just nodded as she watched him pick up another, "From House Zambini. Your marriage request has been received from Mr. Kosco Neilti Zambini. If you were to accept, upon marriage you will be Jean of House Zambini fifth wife of Mr. Kosco Neilti Zambini."
Hermione tried holding the bile rising in her throat as she signed before she lost her nerve. Taking a breath she mentally told herself it was only Sirius, Lucius, Rabastian and Zambini now. She could handle it.
She hadn't even noticed the paper leave when her Uncles voice rang out again, "From House Nott. Your marriage request has been received from Mr Adrian Nathanial Nott. If you were to accept, upon marriage you will be Mrs. Hermione Jean of House Nott second wife of Mr Adrian Nathanial Nott."
Her head shot up not expecting another name, "What? When?", but the voice was not hers.
Malcolm looked at his sister who had uncharastically called out at him. "At the beginning of this month actually. With you all coming and Hermione stressed, I felt it was best not to worry her more with the additional requests."
Minerva narrowed her eyes, "Requests? As in plural?"
His eyes locked with Hermione's as he nodded, "Unfortunately."
Hermione's eyes followed the paper as it landed in front of her, "I thought Nott was a third year?"
Her Aunt frowned at Malcolm before looking at Hermione, "Yes, Thomas Nott is a Third year at Hogwarts. Adrian Nott is his father."
With disgust she signed her name and glared at what looked to be the last piece of parchment. "Is that the last old man to ask? Or is that another old man?"
Malcolm gave her a stern look, "I may not agree with this young lady, but do not raise your voice to me. I am your Uncle and trying to help you as much as I can."
Hermione sank in her seat while her cheeks burned bright with embarrassment. "I am sorry… I just…"
He shook his head, "You are forgiven, I know it is hard. I will not handle disrespect though." Looking down at the parchment, "I am unsure how old this man is though. I recognize the surname, however it is a family I thought died out years ago. He must have been raised outside of the country."
Minerva frowned, "Who is it?"
"From House Gaunt. Your marriage request has been received from Young Lord Thomas Marvolo Gaunt, Heir to House Gaunt. If you were to accept, upon marriage you will be Lady Hermione Jean of House Gaunt first wife of Lord Thomas Marvolo Gaunt."
There was a thud as Minerva and Malcolm looked over to see Hermione passed out on the floor and an enraged Harry standing with his wand drawn looking as if his world just shattered.
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AN. And sorry for the sudden ending there. But let me know what you think.