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 did want to thank the "Guest" that let me know about the spelling for Zabini, I will try and not slip on that one again :)

Just so everyone knows I will try and update as often as I can, however weekend updates are the best timing to be honest. I work all week and then have my family life as well. I will strive for weekends though :) Thank you for your patience.

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Love is when two people who care for each other get confused. - Bob Schneider

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McGonagall Cottage

July 19th, 1976

When Hermione woke it was dark out and she was in her own room. She could feel arms wrapped around her and she calmed down when she recognized Harry's scent.

He must have just been laying there with his eyes closed because her slight movement caused his eyes to open. "Hey."

She rubbed a hand over her face as she tried to remember everything, "I think I had a bad dream."

Harry looked down, nervously ran a hand through her hair as if trying to calm her before they talk. "It wasn't a bad dream 'Mione. I wish I could just take you away and keep you safe somewhere, but…"

She followed his line of site and saw the parchment and quill set next to her bed. "But you need to sign apparently. I told Malcolm all dates would be at McGonagall Estates and myself, Our Aunt and the Potters would be present. Also all requests from him, need to go directly to our Uncle. He is not permitted to contact you directly."

Hermione sat up defiantly, "I am not going to sign that Harry! He would use me and you know it!"

He sat up next to her and wrapped and arm around her, "He doesn't know that we know. So he couldn't use that. Right away at least. I don't like this, but it may become useful. We don't know. He did this for a reason, maybe we will finally know why everyone is requesting you."

She squeezed her eyes shut shaking her head, "If this goes badly I will need to choose fast."

Harry just shook his head, "I know I am not as bright as you are, but I know you like Lucius and Sirius. You can't decide between them, not yet at least. I will protect you for as long as you need, but if you don't sign before midnight you will be in breech."

Hermione looked up at him, "How long?"

He sighed, "About five minutes."

She groaned as she kicked her legs stubbornly off the bed glaring at the parchment, finally she picked up the quill and hastily scrawled her name below her uncles after looking over the amendments. "You know I never thought I would live through the war… I thought I would die. I never said it out loud before, but we all thought it. Technically we are still in the war. Maybe I really won't make it through this."

Putting the quill down after it folded itself and few out the window, presumably to her Uncle she looked to Harry, "Promise me that if it becomes too dangerous that you will save yourself Harry. Not me. No matter what I go through, you are still the chosen one."

Harry shook his head as he glared at her, "You are my sister, I will die to protect you. I am certainly not going to let him get you." Grabbing her arm and pulling her back to bed, "Come on, let's get some sleep. I have a feeling you will probably have a few visitors tomorrow."

"Grrr…" She yawned out while curling up next to Harry as she fell asleep crying.

Running his hand through her hair watching her sleep he couldn't help but wonder if things were going to end up better, or worse.

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McGonagall Cottage

July 20th, 1976

Hermione was sitting out in the front garden drinking her tea. She knew the Potters, Sirius, Remus and Peter were coming over later so she wanted some quite before they arrived.

Hearing a slight pop she looked up to the apparition point beyond the gate and she felt an odd mixture of anxiety and relief flow over her.

Lucius Malfoy stood there holding a small wrapped box, his shoulder length hair wrapped in tie at the base of his neck. This was the first she'd seen him since the Moon Gala, they'd exchanged letters and conversation but now he was aware that she knew.

Nodding her head as he glanced at the gate and then back to her as if asking permission. It struck her as odd that Lucius Malfoy actually seemed nervous.

He moved quietly as he approached her, their eyes remained locked on each other as he slowly approached. Finally standing before her one hand on the back of the other chair, "Hermione."

"You can sit if you would like." She nodded to the chair that he was standing behind. "I have a feeling this is not going to be a short conversation."

He nodded and sat down quietly, "Thank you. Hermione, I just wanted to.."

"You didn't tell me Lucius. I confided in you how I felt about Galen, I know now that you were trying to make me see tradition. How he broke tradition by saying something to me. How he wasn't allowed to tell me… Now I know you were only alluding to how you weren't allowed to tell me." At the last part she looked up meeting him in the eye, "How very Slytherin of you Lucius."

Sighing she looked away again, this time her gaze landed on a tree. "I understand, even if I don't like it. I guess you completed your goal, because I am not mad at you Lucius. Merely disappointed and full of self doubt over where I thought you and I stood."

Lucius frowned as he sat tall, "Self Doubt? Why would you feel that? I don't feel I treated you with anything other than respect."

She sighed, "Because I like you Lucius, at least I thought I did. Now that I know you had a marriage request for me the entire time, I doubt if I do like the real you. Or if I like the you that you wanted me to see. Will you change now? Will you become the cold man I was told you were when I first got to Hogwarts? Everyone told me who to avoid and you were among the top of their lists, icy demeanor, cruel at times, ignoring those who are worth nothing to you? I defended you to my friends."

Biting her lower lip, "You listened to me, You helped me, You were kind to me. Tell me Lucius was that all a lie? Why did you submit a marriage request for me? I was a nobody, you shouldn't have cared."

Clearing his throat as he sat tall as if reminding himself that he needed to act a certain way. "I will admit that you were a nobody in the beginning. However, you smiled at me one day in passing and I became curious. So I began watching you, you were kind to Severus when few were. You were brave, but not reckless. You were smart and cunning, you were new to the school and while most would allow the pressure of new friends pull them in one direction you never did. Even Lily Evans who befriended Severus doesn't always stand up for him. You never let someone force to to fit into one house. You have top marks, one thing I admire in a woman is intelligence. I will not have a stupid wife, or one that become complacent with time. That is something unacceptable. I spoke with my father about you and I will admit he looked into you and your family. My mother told him that Lady Black mentioned you were a pureblood in hiding, apparently there are rumours about your parentage."

Hermione's eyes lit up with fire as she glared at him, "Which are false accusations I would like to add."

Lucius pursed his lips and tilted his head as if studying her, "You caught my eye before I knew of your supposed bloodlines. My father looked into you, not I. Hermione how much do you know about pureblood lines?"

Sitting up straight, "That they are mostly inbred…" Biding her lip, "Sorry, I know you are one, but well you are. Aren't you?"

Lucius nodded his head in acceptance at her comment , "I will admit, my line has had close relations in darker times. Nothing ever closer than third cousins. However, the Malfoy family line does have a speckle of new blood occasionally."

Hermione looked at him confused with the new information. In her time she couldn't recall Draco ever acting like this was the case. Things were definitely getting fuzzy for her from her original time, but major things still stood out. Like the first time she was called a mudblood. "What does that mean?" What could he have possibly meant by that.

Lucius raised a hand in explanation, "Well, we sometimes marry a witch or wizard into the family line that has a more questionable linage. You are from a McGonagall Line and a Bryne Line yes? Prior to Bryne was a Potter line, and Prior to McGonagall was a Ross line. Both extremely powerful bloodlines. That is of course not including the rumored bloodline that you have confirmed as false." Taking a risk he placed a hand over her smaller one, "I will not lie, blood lines do mean a great deal to my family, but for myself I do hold intelligence in very high esteem. For myself personally, I desire someone I can converse with on an intelligence level and talk to without feeling as if my every movement was judged."

Sighing she tilted her head back looking up before looking directly into Lucius' eyes to gauge him, "Lucius, it is not really a secret that your family line has a taste for… let's just say the 'dark' side of things. Mine prefers the 'light' side, how would that even work?"

The intensity in Lucius' eyes sparked and Hermione couldn't help but feel like she was playing with icy fire, "Hermione, it is not all dark and light as you say. Yes, I do understand your point, however, please try and see mine. We were not all raised away from the world, I want someone to stand by me. I do not want to become my father Hermione. There are things…"

Lucius stopped himself as if realizing that he was saying too much. Sliding the box over to her, "I need you to be careful Hermione. Things are going to be very different for you now that you are sixteen. Be wary of any dates you have with Rabastian, I am glad you chose to have a chaperone. You will need them on dates with him."

Frowning she felt the hair on the back of her neck rise, "Why?"

Lucius leaned forward cupped her chin in his hand lightly as a ran a soft thumb on her jaw, "He doesn't know how to play nicely, and to put it bluntly he likes to break his toys. You should be protected when with him. Promise me?"

Hermione nodded, "Chipy is always nearby. Thank you Lucius."

He nodded and patted the top of the box, "I know this may seem a bit rushed, but I would like to formally invite you to the Malfoy Yule Ball this year. As my date, I promise you won't need to be rescued this time. You will have me at your side the entire time." He gave her a smile which she returned.

Nodding her head, "Thank you Lucius, and yes I will attend with you. What is in the box?"

Lucius just grinned and leaned forward with an almost sympathetic smile, "Something I thought you might like, You are like me where you always have a lot on your mind. I thought this might help especially with everything going on."

He stood up and took her hand, "Till we meet again Hermione." He leaned down and kissed the back of her hand before turning and walking back to the apparition point.

She watched as he disappeared before opening the box. Inside was a small pensive, large enough for a few memories at a time, but small enough to fit on her dresser. Smiling as she picked up her gift and looked over the antique design on the silver bowl before making her way into the house.

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Potter Manor

July 25th, 1976

Whoosh

The bludger was flying around the back area of Potter manor as Sirius wracked it hard with his bat. Sirius, James, Remus and Harry were up playing a mock game of Quidditch while Hermione sat on the grass half watching and half reading one of her books that she hadn't had time to read yet.

It was a warm day out and she had decided on a white short sleeve shirt and a pale yellow cotton skirt that landed right above her knees. It had been too hot for stocking so she had only put on a pair of flats.

As soon as she sat down with her book on the lawn she'd taken off her flats and let her bare feet and legs bask in the rare England sun..

Snapping her head up as she heard Harry's panicked yell, "Watch out!"

She looked in horror seeing the bludger coming right at her. Right before the bludger she clenched up and slammed her eyes shut.

A second later there was the sound of loud thud as the bludger slamming into a body that echoed around the property.

Opening her eyes stunned Hermione looked and saw Sirius lying a few feet in front of her. Blinking she realized that he wasn't moving. Throwing her book to the side not caring that she lost her page as she crawled frantically over to Sirius, "Sirius! Sirius! Wake up!"

Gently pulling his head onto her lap as she tried to pat him on the cheek to wake up. "Sirius?"

Looking for injury she saw the beginning of a large bruise peeking out from beneath his collar. She pulled his shirt back slightly and saw most of his right peck was red and quickly swelling. Looking up seeing the other arriving, "Help! He needs help!"

Remus hopped back on his broom and flew into the house to get the Potters.

James and Harry flanked around Hermione pulling his gear off without moving his head from her lap.

Her eyes started to blur as they filled with tears, "What happened?"

Harry hugged her softly not to disturb Sirius, "It was going to hit you, the bludger I mean. Sirius looked like he was trying to get to it but there was no way it was gonna work at the angle. So he just flew in front of you. He must have known it wasn't going to work."

Running her hand through his hair ignoring that is was damp from sweat, "He is going to be okay right?"

Suddenly Charlus and Dorea were at their side. Dorea was already waving her wand over Sirius checking his injuries, "We need to get him to Saint Mungos. His injuries are too much for my care here. Charlus please levitate him let's get to the floo."

As he lifted off her lap Hermione pushed her skirt down covering her legs after realizing when she pulled him on her lap she must have slid her skirt up.

Looking up she saw James holding his hand out to help her up while Harry was picking up her shoes, "Pads will be okay Hermione, we've had worse injuries in quidditch before."

Wiping away the tears on her cheek, she smacked him on the chest. "He could have died! What if the bludger hit him higher? In his neck or head? I shouldn't have been out here, it is my fault he is hurt. I really don't like this sport."

James pulled her into a hug, "Hermione stop. Yes we get hurt sometimes, but don't blame yourself. Sirius would jump in front of the Hogwarts Express for you, but it isn't your fault. He cares about you, we all do but he…"

"Kids lets go!" Both their heads snapped seeing Mr. Potter was waving them in.

James grabbed her hand after she put on her flats and pulled her behind him as they ran inside and to the floo.

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Staint Mungos

July 26th, 1976

Sirius opened his eyes and looked around the darkened room, his eyes stopping on Hermione's sleeping form in the armchair next to his bed. Watching her steady breathing for a moment before focusing on her face.

Her face seemed so much younger when she was sleeping. He could see the light freckles on her pale face. He almost smiled until he saw the dried tear tracks running down her cheeks.

"She hasn't left your side." Came a whisper from his other side causing him to jump slightly. It was painful to turn his head, but he relaxed when he saw James looking at him.

"She should go get some rest." He whispered back, "Take her home ya?"

James just gave a grin, "Oh no. I am not risking my life. They tried, "he said nodding to the Potter's and Harry, "and they failed. She keeps questioning everything the healers do, she isn't leaving until she knows you are okay. She went from confused, to concerned, to terrified you were going to die at the house. She blames herself."

Frowning Sirius looked back over to Hermione's sleeping form, "It is not her fault. I just didn't want her getting hurt, besides I've had worse."

James grinned, "I told her that too and I got hit." He pointed to his chest. "Oh and Hermione has declared this as time with you by the way. She has refused dates with Nott and Zabini on accounts that you are in the hospital and calling it an emergency extended date."

Sirius flushed slightly trying to sit up, he groaned in pain, "Well not that I mind, but I kinda wish I was awake for it."

"Awake for what?" Came a sleepy response. Sirius and James both looked over seeing Hermione awake and looking at Sirius.

Clearing his throat, "Our emergency extended date?"

Flushing she nodded, "Oh yea, I didn't know what to say. I just knew I was not leaving." Sitting up she stretched slightly causing Sirius to look away for a moment. She got up and sat on the edge of his bed, "How are you feeling? Pain? Soreness? Is anything other than your chest hurting?"

She leaned over and pulled his hospital shirt back a bit assessing the fading mark on his chest as she ran her fingers gently over his bruised skin before flushing as it hit her that he was awake while she was looking him over this time. "I am sorry, I just.."

Sirius just grinned, putting his hand over hers that was still on his chest to stop her from moving it, "You don't need to apologize for caring about me Love."

She was fairly sure she was glowing bright red in the darkened room, "I um." She stuttered and began worrying her lip.

James cleared his throat, "I am going to go get a cup of tea. Just remember you are not alone here." Nodding his head in the direction of their sleeping family before getting up and leaving out the door quietly.

When they were alone again she took a breath and relaxed letting her hand remain gently on his chest for a moment before pulling it back only to take his hand in hers. "You scared me yesterday. I thought you were dead when you were laying there. Why would you do that?"

He was watching her face as tears started to fall onto her cheeks, "Hey Love don't cry." He reached up and wiped her cheek with the pad of his thumb. "I didn't die okay. As far as why I did it, I would rather be in this bed than you. I didn't want you getting hurt and I knew there wasn't time to redirect that bludger." He looked at her, "It would have hit you directly in the head."

She sat there quietly for a moment unsure what to say when he decided to change the topic. "Can I ask you a question that may make things uncomfortable?"

Nodding her head she looked up into his eyes. She didn't say anything but her grip on his hand remained.

"Are you considering Malfoy still?"

Biting her lip as she absentmindedly played with the back of his hand, "Honestly I don't know. He never told me about his request and honestly when we spoke the day after my birthday it felt as if he wasn't saying something. Like he was still holding something back. I do think he is different from the Lucius I knew, but I don't know how different. I have seen him once since I officially found out about his request, we are still exchanging letters though. Mostly about his potions, he is attempting to create something and was running ideas by me."

Frowning he looked at her trying to to draw her attention to what she was doing with his hand, "So he hasn't asked you out yet? On a date?"

Making an embarrassed face she sighed, "I didn't say that. He asked me to be his official date to the Malfoy Yule Ball this year." She gave him an apologetic smile, "The Potters and I have received our official invitations this morning. Unfortunately it says 'Young Lord Lucius Malfoy to escort Young Miss Hermione McGonagall on it. So everyone knows, including your mother if she got hers yet."

He shrugged and then winced in pain, "She had to know that this would happen after you turned sixteen. It is his family's ball, I am not too surprised that they would postpone inviting everyone until after his date with you was secured." Breathing in to control the pain, "Don't be surprised if you receive a request on my behalf soon for some Black family event that she will likely make up. She will do whatever she can to win."

She nodded and flushed wondering if it would be the worst thing in the world if he actually did what his mother wanted in this case and she chose to marry him, but kept her mouth shut causing Sirius to look at her, "What are you not saying?"

Flushing deeper she shook her head, "Nothing. Just a thought."

He nodded and dropped it for the moment as she curled up next to him on the bed. Resting her head on his shoulder as she closed her eyes. He laid there in shock briefly before deciding to just go with it and fell into a sleep as well.

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AN - and that is a wrap for here :) Let me know what you think!