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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Only the dead have seen the end of war. – Plato
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McGonagall Cottage
July 31th, 1976
Hermione had been up long before dawn making breakfast before sneaking into her brother's room before the sun came up.
"Morning Harry." She said as she shook him, "Time to wake up."
He groaned and rolled over seeing Hermione fully dressed for the day. "Why?"
She laughed softly, today is your real birthday. Remember?"
He smiled under his arm and sat up seeing a full english breakfast on the tray in front of him. "You don't have to do this you know."
She just smiled and patted his hand, "July 31st and September 19th are our days Harry. We should always remember them."
Harry nodded as he dug into the sausages, "Are you forgetting too?" He finally asked.
She stopped and nodded, "It is like I remember flashes, but it doesn't hurt anymore. I have to force myself to remember even big things. I can't remember my mother or father's names. Anything other than Robert seemed wrong. I know I lived in the muggle world, but I can't remember what my house looked like. I remember you though."
Harry nodded, "I confess I stopped trying to remember. I like it here. Yea we are still orphans, but we have family and friends. Secret Grandparents. I know it is different for you with the whole marriage issue, but it is nice. Right? I mean you were my sister back then too, even if the world didn't know."
She nodded, "I am trying not to stress out about the Marriage requests. I am enjoying my time here though, it feels right."
Looking at his sister who was fidgeting with her hands, "Mione? If you had to decide right now on who you would marry. Who would you choose? As things stand at this minute."
Looking down as she played with the lint on Harry's bedspread, "Sirius." She said slowly after debating in her head, she still wasn't completely sure but she knew without a doubt she could trust him.
Harry grinned at her, "Thought so. After his accident you are always asking about him or near him."
Blushing she shook her head, "No, I mean yes, I am worried about him. However that isn't the reason, Sirius is the only one I don't feel like I need to be on guard with. Even Lucius and I have grown a bit apart, things get strained at times. He isn't mean or rude to me, it just doesn't feel right to be dating him. I do enjoy our debates though, he went on for 3 inches during his last letter about how I wasn't thinking about all the effects of using Aconite with Moonstone." Looking down she sighed, "However I know whoever he marries will be posh and always proper in public, like Narcissa. I am just not that."
Harry bit into another sausage, "So why don't you save yourself the trouble and accept Sirius request? With Voldemort I mean. A date with him would be bad."
She sighed, "Sirius is not head of house yet. His father could demand I drop out of school, marry Sirius, and I could be pregnant in three months."
She looked over seeing Harry choking on the sausage after her blunt statement. "Harry are you okay?"
Shaking his head as he cleared his throat, "I'll talk to Malcolm, maybe there is a way to delay marriage while still making your decision. Besides Sirius is still in school too, why would he force his heir from school?"
She just smiled nervously, "I am not ready to get married Harry. I can hold out till I am 18 if I need too."
He tilted his head and looked at her curiously, "Have you heard from any of the others?"
Nodding, "Nott sent a request to meet me in Diagon Alley to do my shopping and I received a short letter from 'him', he said that he was unfortunately out of the country currently and he would be unable to escort me on dates in the near future. He hopes to see me when he returns in the winter, he is in hiding I guess."
Harry nodded, "At least we don't need to worry about him for now then. Have you told Dumbledore about that?
She nodded, "Yes. He is looking into it. He is worried that he might be getting new allies in other countries."
Harry grabbed another sausage and changed the topic to how he Sirius and James were going to change up the practice for Quidditch this year.
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Diagon Alley
August 20th, 1976
Hermione stiffly walked down the road with her mind on the list in her pocket. She'd been upset to learn that she would not be doing her supply shopping with Harry and the others this year when an owl arrived from Mr. Nott requesting that he accompany her while shopping for her supplies before Harry's birthday.
Chipy was at her side as she navigated the street next to Mr. Nott who occasionally would place his hand on the small of her back, to as he called it guide her.
It might not have been so bad if his son had not been shopping with them for his own school supplies. Hermione looked down at the pudgy third year who kept asking to go to the sweet shop or Zonkos.
"Thomas you will need to ask Miss McGonagall for permission." She would head Adrian say to the younger boy and every time she heard it she felt a mixture of being old and being the victim of a pedophile.
Clearing her throat she looked up at Adrian, "Please Mr. Nott, he really doesn't need to ask me. You are his father."
The fat old man huffed as he wiped sweat from his brow. "And one day you may be his mother, the boy needs to learn."
She shivered and walked ahead of the two, he was sizing her up to be the child's mother and a bed warmer. She was not okay with either idea seeing as she was only three years older than Thomas. Calling over her shoulder, "Okay, go ahead and use your fathers gold to buy what you want then."
Adrian glared at her before pushing his son away with some gold before storming after her. "That is not how you handle children."
Hermione turned and looked at him trying to appear taller than she was, "Well I don't have children. I also have no idea how you want him raised, you may want to hire a nanny."
He glared and his large cheeks seemed to be turning red with anger, "So when we have children you will pawn them off to a nanny?"
Shaking she looked up at him not caring what he thought of her anymore, "Sure. I will need a nanny for the day and at night to make sure I get the sleep I need. Now please, I need to get my school supplies and books."
He glared at her, "Fine. I guess that is fine, as long as you are giving me more sons."
The rest of the trip was spent in silence between the two, she almost felt badly. However, she could see where his mind was headed and she was not going to be a silent wife who did whatever her husband told her to do.
After spending over an hour in Flourish and Blotts and only gathering half the books she needed for school Adrian got up, "Miss McGonagall I am afraid our time is up. Let us go and I will return you to your Uncle."
Frowning as she looked up at the man, "You have not bought your son a single supply yet. You are only hovering over me?"
He shrugged, "The house elf will stay and get his supplies. I am tired and this musty building is boring."
She glanced around at the book shop, she loved the smell and feel of being in here. "Okay, well I am not ready. Chipy will remain with me. Thank you and I suppose we will see each other again."
Adrian growled and looked as if he was going to grab her before changing his mind as Hermione waved to the shopkeeper. "Very well. Good luck with your shopping. Until next time." He turned and left the shop in a hurry.
Looking to her side she saw Chipy standing with her arms crossed glaring at the man as he walked away, "Chipy doesn't like him."
Hermione breathed in relief that he was gone, "Yes, I hope he doesn't ask me out again. Come on Chipy lets get my shopping done." She smiled at the elf who nodded back happily.
The two went about the rest of the afternoon making sure all her supplies were in order and even stopped and grabbed a few sugar quills and some items for Damara.
On their way back to the apparition point Hermione was stopped by a voice, "I believe my invitation was rejected do to you having another date today?"
Turning she saw Rabastian Lestrange getting ready to walk into Knockturn Alley. "Oh Good Afternoon Rabastian. I did, Mr. Nott left a little while ago to tend to some other matters. I was just finishing up."
He nodded and stepped forward, "No other plans then?"
Shaking her head, "No. He was my date for the day."
Nodding as he held an arm out for her, "Then allow me to escort you to an early supper. It shouldn't take too long."
Taking a breath before nodding her head, "Alright, thank you that would be nice." Placing her arm within his trying to shake her nerves as he led her into knockturn alley. She recognized Borgin and Burkes, but soon they walked deeper than she'd ever gone previously.
They turned a corner and he led her down a dark step of steps before knocking on a large wooden door that probably could have doubled as a cell door in Azkaban. When the door slid open they walked into what looked to be a nightclub. There was a stage to her left with a woman singing old jazz songs.
She looked up seeing they had stopped and he was offering her a seat. Nodding her head she sat down as he sat across from her. She was a little off put at his proper demeanor, "Thank you. I've never been her before. Do they always play jazz music in here?"
Rabastian just stared at her, "No, it is usually different everyday. I would assume that you are never here, you seemed quite nervous the whole way here."
She nodded, "I was advised to avoid this area."
He nodded as the waitress placed two goblets on their table and left again. He took a sip before speaking again, "You should heed that advice. Unless accompanied of course. There are many questionable people that frequent this area and you are young and inexperienced."
She bristled at the thought of her being young and inexperienced, while technically she should be older than him by a year she decided not to raise his suspicion about her. "Can I ask why you sent a marriage request for me? We've hardly ever spoken and when we did it was strained."
Raising a brow as he looked her over making her feel uncomfortable as his eyes lingered too long in certain areas. "I was doing my family duty. My father requested that I submit the marriage request for you. I would dishonor my father by ignoring his requests of me. My father's line may not be the heir line, but we are a proud house. We are raised to do as we are asked."
Hermione understood his reasoning even if she didn't like it or agree with it. "Do you even like me?"
She watched as his jaw clenched slightly, "I don't believe that is a requirement for marriage. I don't know you, why would I like you?"
Frowning Hermione bit her lip, but she shrugged it off since he was only being truthful. "That is true I guess, but don't you want to marry someone that you get along with? Share similar interests with? Life would be boring otherwise."
He sat there staring at her, "It isn't a requirement. I will do my husbandly duties. I will provide for you and when the time comes, plant a child within your womb to carry on my line."
She couldn't help the blush that appeared on her cheeks, "Why does everyone keep bringing up children?"
Rabastian looked taken aback briefly, "Why would they not? As a wife you would be expected to provide children, raise those children and care for the household. You can bare children correct?"
Clenching her hands since she was uncomfortable with the topic, "I have never been told I was unable too. I am however a bit young to be considering children right now. I am sixteen and still have two more years of schooling."
Nodding his head as he glanced at her chest again. She was regretting the tight jumper that she wore and wished for her looser robes, "Unless you fall pregnant. Then schooling would end and you would be expected to live under your husband's roof and raise his child. Having you and the child outside the home would be an unnecessary risk. If you were mine and fell pregnant I would demand you be home and not at school, it would be too difficult to protect you and the child otherwise."
She didn't know what to say as the waitress came over and sat down plates of meat and potatoes in front of them, "Oh I didn't order."
Rabastian cleared his throat, "They only serve one dish." Picking up his fork waiting for her to do the same.
"Oh." Silently she picked up hers and slowly began eating with him in silence.
After dinner was over he quietly escorted her from the underground establishment and back to Diagon Alley. As he stood there looking down at her it seemed as if he was having an internal evaluation of her, "Until next time them Miss McGonagall."
Taking her hand and kissing the back side before turning and heading back to Knockturn Alley.
Looking around she sighed seeing the sun almost completely set. "Come on Chipy let's head home."
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Hidden Location
August 20th 1976
Dumbledore stood in front of the room looking around that the members of the room.
"I have been informed about a leek in our Ministry of Magic. It is unfortunately a grave one. We are going to need some preparation on this one. We need to find some crucial clues without it being known that we are looking into certain individuals."
A red headed lanky young man peeped up, "Is this information from your not quite seer Professor?" He grinned slightly as the headmaster nodded.
"Yes Gideon, it is." The headmaster glanced around the room seeing the Potters shift ever so slightly in their chairs now that they knew the source of the information, "It is imperative my contacts are kept secret. Only a handful of people know their identities and it unfortunately will need to remain that way."
Fabian nodded, "We meant no disrespect. We know that the information has been good so far." He nodded over to where the Bones family members were sitting. If your source was fowl we wouldn't have saved other families like the Bones. We will listen."
Dumbldore nodded, "I won't give specifics because I don't want to narrow anyones search too quickly, but we will need to look into the Crouch family. I have heard the ministry will begin to fall with them. Leave no member unchecked, no matter their age."
Turning he looked to Alastor Moody, "Also we need to keep a closer eye on the Blacks and Lestranges. Well active members, Sirius Black has already been vetted quite extensively. Please tell me your findings at the next meeting. I need to know where everyone stands."
The group nodded and broke up going their separate ways.
Dorea got up and made her way over to the old Headmaster, "Albus. How much longer do we have until it all falls apart? We know about where they are from, but we still don't know what happened to them. Little pieces come out every so often, but not enough to make a whole picture."
He nodded and looked up at the couple, "I am not sure if it truly matters anymore. Things have already begun to change from the memories I pulled from the children. They are starting their sixth year and Sirius should be blasted off his family tree by now. I believe Peter should already be working with the Slytherins, but as of yet there is no move of the sort. The things I am preparing are things that were already in motion before they arrived."
Pulling a vial from his robes, "This one I keep with me as a reminder of why we need to fix our world."
He stood up and walked over to a basin and tipped the vial into the bowl. He watched the silver swirl before looking to the Potter's, "Take a look, you will only see a portion of the horror those children went through. It is unfortunately enough to scare even me."
He stood back as the Potters took each other's hand and dove into the memory.
They landed in a small cottage. A blonde young woman had her hair wrapped in a messy bun as she rushed around the small kitchen gathering bandages before moving into another room.
Mrs. Potter let out a gasp seeing Hermione laying on the bed bloody, pale and bruised, Harry sitting next to her along with a red headed boy that looked quite a bit like Arthur Weasley. All of them dirty and too skinny to be healthy.
Hermione was covered in bandages, her arm looked like it was bleeding through although no one seemed to change the bandage as if they knew it wouldn't stop. There were cuts on her arms and neck from what she could see.
They were older than the children she'd just seen, but not by much.
"Hermione, please wake up." Her heart broke hearing Harry's scratched voice calling out softly to her.
Suddenly the room changes and they were in Hogwarts. She looked around confused for a moment, "Charlus?"
He only responded by holding her hand tightly.
Suddenly she saw the three children running through the castle. The bruises and cuts on the children still present and only slightly healed over. Maybe a few days had passed since the last vision. "Why is she up and out of bed?"
Suddenly the castle around them shook as the visions came at them rapidly.
First years being tortured and killed as horrified screams filled the air.
Students being mauled by werewolves and other creatures.
Trolls breaking down walls around them. Smoke rising up all around them.
Students fighting against death eaters.
Teachers trying to protect the students but failing.
Suddenly she saw a flash of straw colored hair with steaks of grey and recognized an older Remus. A son to her, fighting next to a woman with teal hair. Suddenly he collapsed after being hit, hearing the woman scream for him Dorea sobbed as Charuls wrapped an arm around her.
The scene spun again and suddenly they were outside…
Hermione was injured and trying to stand, they could clearly see blood soaking through the denim jacket that she wore. They saw her see the wound seeping through her clothing before brushing it off and making her way towards Harry who was trying to get through another battle.
"Protego!" She cried out as she blocked another curse flung her way. They could see the pain she was in, but she kept pushing herself. It was clear to them that she figured she was going to die and didn't care.
When she reached him the Potters heard them talking about fallen friends as if it was normal. When she slipped she groaned in pain and Harry looked her over. Telling her that he couldn't lose her too and it broke their hearts.
Charlus even choked up when Hermione was heard acknowledging that she would do everything including dying to have him survive. That he needed to survive and not her. She pulled him up despite her own injuries to keep him moving through the bodies that surrounded them.
Suddenly there was a manic laughter and the Potter's saw a sight that horrified them. Voldemort himself along with Bellatrix standing behind them, glancing at Harry as Hermione pushed Harry behind her as Voldemort spoke, "Ssso the Mudblood sssurvived, did ssshe?" Turning his head slightly in Bellatrix's direction, "Make ssure sshe doessn't ssssurvived again…."
At that moment Bellatrix raised a wand at her grinning maniacally as if this was the best day of her life. "Crucio!"
They stood there helplessly as they watched Hermione scream till she stopped being able to make a sound. Only twitching around silently in the bloody mud.
Harry cast a spell at the woman and thrown back as Harry grabbed Hermione and comforted her as best he could in her state as they watched him ignore Voldemort and cry over her twitching body.
"Go ahead and keep your Mudblood clossse Potter. One last ssspell and it will all be over! Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort grinned as he outstretched his wand to the pair on the ground in front of him.
As the Potters pulled out of the memory both their faces were wet with tears as they looked up to Dumbledore. Charlus was finally the one to speak, "They only had each other in the end. Even the school was in ruins. How did we fail so horribly?"
Dumbledore had a rare grave look upon his face, "This is why I am so careful with the information." After a moment he continued, "I assume you both heard Voldemort call Hermione a mud-blood?"
Dorea bristled at the term but nodded, "They are still brother and sister Albus, they share the same blood do they not? You saw them, they were the only family one another had. She has clearly been adopted by Harry as his sister, their relationship has magically bounded them as sibilings"
He nodded and looked at them, "They do. From a spell not birth though."
Dorea held up a hand to stop him, "They came into this world, our world together, what else would they be! She is my granddaughter Albus, I just watched my grandchildren die horribly with only each other to hold onto. They left that world together and they came into this world together as twins would. They share blood. They share my blood. I see no difference. They were born into this world together, that horrible other world has not happened" She pointed to the basin, "That will not happen here."
Charlus just nodded his head in stern agreement as Dumbledore nodded, "Very well. It will not be brought up again."
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