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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"A goal without a plan is just a wish."

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Hogwarts - Gryffindor Quidditch Stands

October 23rd, 1976

The deafening roar of the crowd was exhilarating as the Slytherin Seeker Regulus Black barely escaped the bludger that Sirius had sent his way. Hermione rolled her eyes at their antics as Lily leaned over to her, "Those two will kill each other one day!"

Glancing at the score, Grffindor was leading twenty to ten.

Hermoine just nodded her head in agreement as she watched on, for all she knew they would this time around. She couldn't help but wonder if Regulus could be saved too. He was a right brat to everyone, but he was worse to his brother.

Remus leaned over looking a little peckish and she knew his time was drawing near. This was the second to last month with her original batch of the wolfsbane potion for him. Luckily her Aunt had come through for her and the new batch was already started and would take about a month to complete and then they would be set for another six months.

The morning they were leaving to board the train to come back to school a tall sandy haired man came to their door. She'd been wary of him until she'd hear him call out to her Aunt about 'eggs'. Meeting Mr. Scamander for the first time had been a rollercoaster of ups and downs and she'd grown fond of him in the short time they'd been there. He was going to be sending them supplies every five months to keep up with Remus potions and it was fantastic.

Hearing a whoosh she was brought back to the game. Looking up at the score apparently she'd been lost in thought for a bit as Gryffindor was up by sixty points.

Giving Lily side eye as she watched the red head eyes following James' every movement, "Come on Potter, you clearly are not paying attention!"

Hermione snorted drawing Lilys emerald eyes in her direction, "What?"

Taking her own eyes back to the match to look for her boys, "Oh nothing. Are you going to admit you like him yet?"

Huffing she crossed her arms over her chest, "I do not. He is the same toerag as he was last year."

Green eyes met green when Hermione caught her eye, "True, but he does like you. He hasn't tormented Severus anymore and he has been studying with you."

Scrunching her nose, "Only because Sirius is basically glued to your side this year. What changed? I mean I know you guys were good at the end of last year, but you are inseparable now. You don't even have a book right now, you are actually watching him play." She accused holding up her own book.

Hermione's cheeks flushed slightly, but it was concealed by the cool autumn air around them. "I don't know, I guess he just grew up a bit. I had fun with him this summer. It doesn't hurt he took a bludger for me and ended up in saint mungos."

Lily gave her a look, "And what about Lucius? You are still writing with him often enough. I see the letters. Galen never came back for his seventh year. No one has even heard from him."

Hermione looked down feeling at fault for what happened, "His father died Lily. He decided to take his Newts early and take care of his remaining family." Sighing she looked back at the game, "I am friends with Lucius, but I don't see his as more than that. I like talking to him, but I don't see him romantically. I am pretty sure he feels the same."

Lily just pursed her lips, "Are you sure about that? Because people who graduate don't typically come back for regular Quidditch games."

Hermione snapped her head over to the Slytherin stands and sure enough Lucius was sitting next to Slughorn with his eyes looking directly at her. Swallowing she startled as the crowd cheered again and she looked up seeing another 20 points to Gryffindor.

Glancing up at Sirius before looking to Lily, "I'll be right back." She got up as Lily shook her head before turning her attention back to Lucius seeing him leaving the stands as well.

As she walked down the steps and stopped on the grassy hill outside the stadium she look in a breath. Looking around she saw Lucius walking towards her and waited in her spot for him.

As he approached she gave him a smile, "Hello, I wasn't expecting to see you here."

He nodded, "Nor was it planned, I came on behalf of Slughorn's request. He is my mentor for my extended potions training so I may obtain the status of Potions Master. He needs to discuss a few items with me after the match and invited me to come early to watch."

Herione smiled at him, "Potion Master huh? That is amazing. I am happy for you. So will you be at the school more often?"

Lucius gave a small shrug of his shoulder, "Unfortunately I am not sure. I was not expecting this. I hope you do not take offense but I do not wish to be here now that I have finished my regular schooling."

She just laughed as she heard her friends roar and cheer, "It sounds like Slytherin is going to lose this one."

He stilled and nodded, "It is unfortunate, however it may be due to the loss of their beater."

She stilled and looked down knowing that Galen had been their best beater, "What happened to his father Lucius? There are a lot of rumors, but I know you knew his family."

Clearing his throat he looked around, "There was an incident."

He turned his gaze back to her, "Do you miss him here? Or are you relieved? You only have Black to worry about here now."

Sighing as he mentioned the marriage issue, "I wouldn't want people to die Lucius. A lot of my friends from Slytherin finished or didn't return. Only Severus is remaining, Lily and I decided to have a few more study sessions every week so he isn't so alone."

Lucius nodded and smiled at her, "Thank you for watching out for him."

She just smiled, but then it dropped to a frown. "Galen rescinded his marriage request."

Lucius just nodded and looked at her expectantly, he wasn't sure what to say or where she was going with it. It was known by everyone that he had done it.

Green eyes met silver and he could see the strain she was under, "Lucius, can you…. Can you rescind yours? I don't want to hurt you, but I don't see you that way. I see you as a friend I can talk to, a friend I can have an intelligent conversation with and I don't know if I will be correct or not. I value that so much and I don't want to lose you with this whole marriage fiasco."

He looked down and she watched his jaw clenching, for a moment she thought he was angry with her. However, when he looked up she saw something unexpected in his eyes. Fear.

"Lucius?"

"I cannot Hermione. I am sorry, but it just is not possible." He turned and looked away from her, "You will choose Black won't you?"

Biting her lower lip she put a hand on his arm and was shocked that he was literally trembling. She spoke to him calmly, "Lucius, I know you don't see me like that. As your wife I mean. You are different from the others."

He kept his back turned, "It does not matter. I could keep you safe, even if you do not love me. You would be cared for and protected. I already gave you my word that I would keep you safe. Yes you are my friend, and that is a very good thing considering most marriages are built on less than that."

She stood there in shock remember the words from the night of the Moon Gala. Grabbing his hand she pulled him to the empty changing tent before turning on him, "What are you so afraid of Lucius? What aren't you telling me?"

He ignored her request and just stared at her for a moment, "It does not matter if you have already made up your mind."

Reeling her hand back she whacked him in the arm causing him to look at her in shock, "Lucius Malfoy tell me what is going on right now."

Clenching his jaw his silver eyes hardened, "If you do not choose me, my father will die. He may be a bastard, however he is my father."

Shock…. She sat down clumsy as she stared at him, "This is him isn't it? Voldemort is doing this."

Lucius rushed at her clamping a hand over her mouth, she could feel the breath from his nose on her cheek, "Never say his name."

Nodding her head he let her go. She blinked a few times as tears began to fall, "Galen and Rabastian sent their requests at the same time. You were before that though, by two weeks."

He crossed his arms over his chest and nodded, "I was interested in you, I will not lie. You are right however that we have a friendship that I do not want ruined. I would rescind, but I can't. Galen mistreated you and it was known you would not choose him. That was the incident." He gave her a look.

She stepped back in shock on shaky legs, "It is my fault? His father died because of me!"

Lucius grabbed her gently pulling her into his arms, "No. His father joined… I've said too much. No it isn't your fault for other people's choices Hermione. You did nothing wrong and only reacted how any other woman would act with his behavior."

Crying into his robes she stilled and pushed him away slightly her hands still on his chest but her eyes were trained on his left arm. Stepping back she took his hand in her left hand and slid his sleeve up with her right as she let out a sob of happiness seeing the unmarked skin.

She jumped back into his arms, "Don't do it. Please don't do it Lucius."

He was still as if he'd been petrified, his jaw tight and he spoke in a low tone. "It is not my choice."

She looked up at him with anger in her eyes as she stepped back, "That is bullshit!"

Taken aback he shook his head, "I beg your pardon!"

Crossing her arms, "You know I am not stupid Lucius! You haven't done it yet, this is your choice. Do you really want that? To be someone pawn for the remainder of your days? What happens when he is defeated? You would rot away in Azkaban, whatever family you have will suffer. You say you can protect me, but you won't be able to if you put yourself on a leash!"

Lucius was shaking as he grabbed a quaffle and chucked it across the room so hard it bent a post holding up the training board. "He knows there is something different about you and your brother. He wants you both. He thinks if he gets you your brother will follow. What is it that makes you so different Hermione?"

Hermione just stopped, "All the requests…"

Nodding he finally turned to look at her, "I put in my marriage request prior to the order. All the rest are orders from him."

Hermione nodded, "You and Sirius were the only two that actually cared. The others… it didn't make sense that they requested marriage from me. We can try to help you Lucius."

He turned and looked at her, "You can't."

She nodded, "Your right, but Dumbledore can. What if we worked together, came up with a plan?"

He just looked at her and growled, "What plan could you come up with where my father doesn't die and the mark put upon my arm as his replacement or the mark is placed upon my arm and you in my bed as my wife? There is no other option Hermione. I don't like either one, but at least with the second you will be safe! You don't want Rabastian or others, but how long do you really think Sirius will have if he doesn't turn to the Dark Lord himself? How long till there is a request to take him out of the picture?."

Closing her eyes she sat shaking on the bench as her head started to spin. "Lucius you are not your father and you do have a choice, just like he did. I know you are trying to protect not only me, but your family as well and I get it." Taking a breath, "But there is always a way, we just need to think. Is there anything else going on at the meetings? Other than talking about me, which is very disturbing might I add." Biting her lip hard enough she stopped before breaking the skin, "Have you heard of anything about Sirius?"

Lucius looked at her skeptically before raising a brow, "He has started in on Lord Black again about Sirius. He knows Sirius is probably your top choice. I am unsure what will happen if Sirius denies him again."

Looking down Hermione's brain was going a million miles a minute with her thoughts.

"Why doesn't young Mr. Black attend a meeting then. Not to accept of course, but to bide his time."

Both Hermione and Lucius jumped at the sound of the Headmasters voice behind them.

"Sir?" Hermione stared at her headmaster and then back to Lucius who looked like he'd just killed himself.

The Headmaster smiled, "Mr. Malfoy, Miss McGonagall please follow me to my office. I think a cup of tea is in order." He turned and headed towards the castle as both Hermione and Lucius fell instep behind him.

Once everyone was safely in the office Albus clasped his hands in front of him smiling, "Did you know that tents are not soundproof? As I was walking past admiring the sights I heard a very odd conversation about Voldemort and what has been happening lately."

Hermione saw Lucius cringe as the headmaster mentioned 'him' by name again. He was sitting so straight and still if she hadn't known better, she would have thought him petrified. Knowing he wouldn't be able to answer she spoke up, "I didn't think the conversation would be like that Sir."

He nodded and turned him gaze to Lucius, "Young man you seem to be at a crossroad in your life. The decision you make will shape the remainder of your life. I do not believe your two options are the only ones though. Miss McGonagall was right on one account though, if you follow him you will end up in Azkaban. Or worse, dead."

Lucius ground his teeth, "And what do you propose?"

Dumbledore nodded and smiled that Lucius was not fighting him as much as he was fighting his own internal battle. He could clearly see the young man was terrified. He glanced to Hermione seeing the girl looking at him as a concerned friend, he could tell that she had faith in him. Knowing what happened to the girl in the boy's future home, well one of his futures was enough for him. "You will go to his meetings, and you will help me to end his rule of terror."

Shaking his head Lucius glared at his arm, "If Hermione does not choose me as her husband my father will be killed and I will be forced into his place as Galen has replaced his father."

A rare sad expression crossed their Headmasters face, "The sins of the father are most often paid for by the son." He glanced to Hermione for a moment when a thought hit hit. "What if you could prove to corrupt her? As a friend? Luring not only Miss McGonagall, but young Mr Black as well?"

He stopped seeing the horror on Hermione face, "Hold on dear." Looking back to Lucius, "He would get what he wants. We would have three voices on the inside then. You could say swaying her with the relationship would not work, however play to her intelligence."

Lucius looked at him skeptically, "And when he asks them to do something for him?"

Albus nodded, "They are not permitted to do magic out of school. Were you ever requested to perform any tasks?"

Lucius thought for a moment, "No, but I have seen things. Things a lady should not see, Hermione would not be able to handle it without reacting."

Albus walked past them and patted him on the shoulder, "Are women typically involved?"

"No, but with this plan you would be subjecting Sirius to it."

Hermione frowned as she listened to the two go back and forth. "Does my option on this not matter? While we might not be given tasks do you really think he wouldn't question us? I am Aunt Minerva's niece, he will want to know what I do! So I would be responsible for giving away information. If I give false information he would find out pretty quickly." Giving the Headmaster a pointed look, "Plus my parents were killed by his group, how would that look if I was suddenly okay?"

Lucius looked over at her and she could see the wheels turning in his head, "It would need to be done slowly, I can't just go to him tomorrow with this change. A gathering at my house, Hermione would need to show her relationship growing with Sirius and only a friendship with myself. Maybe public disagreements or her visual disapproval when the Marriage request are brought up between us. Hermione's friendship with Narcissa would need to grow once more. Attend tea with the Blacks. Sirius would slowly start being okay being around Severus, myself, his family…"

Hermione grunted, "Me yes, I can play nice. The Blacks technically have not done anything to me and I do like Narcissa. Asking that of Sirius though, his family was horrible to him. I could see him being nice to you eventually especially if you are no longer courting me, and he has already stopped being mean to Sev as well." Frowning, she looked at Lucius, "Things are fine with us though, until the request is brought up already. So that won't be an issue."

Lucius nodded, "Like I said it would need to be slow. Everyone knows Sirius past with his family. It would not be believable if he just popped over for tea." He looked down for the first time she could see hope in his eyes, it was barely there though. "Your relationship would be the catalyst."

Biting her lip she shook her head, "Sirius needs to be here."

The Headmaster nodded as there was a knock on the door. Hermione turned around and saw her Aunt along with a sweaty and muddy Sirius who was still in his quidditch gear from the match and holding his broom. Getting up she rushed over and hugged him ignoring his confused expression at seeing her sitting next to Lucius. "Um, what is happening?"

The next half hour passed as the Headmaster caught her Aunt and Sirius up to their point in the conversation. Hermione kept glancing between Sirius and Lucius noticing that Lucius was getting paler and paler with every minute. Suddenly it hit her, was this what happened with Severus from her time? Lucius was going to become a spy for the order, her and Sirius too if he accepted.

"You are bloody kidding me right?" Snapping out of her thoughts as Dumbledore finished his recount of the conversation. "I nearly died a few times escaping my family and you want me to go back! What's worse is that you want me to take Hermione there!"

Lucius looked over at Sirius and she expected a look of disdain on his face from the outburst, however she saw what would only be sympathy, "She would be in your care though Black. It is not like you would just begin acting friendly. It would be slow, over time. Beginning with her and my friendship. You coming with her, and you not blowing up at everything your family does just to spite them. You do have the ability to be slytherin, and I know she does."

Hermione blushed at the comment but kept her eyes on Sirius. "It would be easier than you might think Sirius. Especially if your mother thinks she is getting her way."

Sirius looked at her skeptically, "About what?"

Worrying her lip, "Me."

Sirius blushed slightly before clearing his throat, "I already have told you I don't want you near my family Mione. Damn it, that is the whole reason I was such a bastard to you last year, I didn't want you getting involved with them!"

She nodded and bit her lip, "The difference is that people are dying now. Lives are being threatened. We both knew this might happen one day, I did at least. The day your mother first had her brilliant idea and you stopped being nice to me. Dorea said she usually got what she wanted. I can't keep my head in the ground any longer."

Lucius looked at Sirius with a dark look, "You were an ass to her on purpose?" Looking to Hermione, "Did you know that?"

Hermione had to choke back a laugh when Lucius said 'ass'. Shaking her head, "No he really did hurt me. I learned later after the Malfoy Yule Ball, on the way back to school he cornered me." She gave a hurt look to Sirius, "but it wasn't better knowing why. Especially when he treated me the same for a while after. Even if it was better."

Lucius nodded, "So when you ranted to me about him at Hogsmeade."

Blushing scarlet red, "Oh, ya that was real. Sorry about that."

He smirked as Sirius growled, "Okay, as long as my ear was talked off for the right reason. I must say though your vindictive side was amusing to see."

Hermione figured she would die from embarrassment soon so she just avoided eye contact with both boys. "Well that was then."

She looked up seeing her Aunt with a pinched expression on her face, "Sirius and Lucius, if this is done; I don't care who does it, but you will protect my niece. You will make sure she stays safe."

Both nodded as Hermione looked on wide eyed as the plan began to form. Lucius would eventually go to Voldemort with a promise to lure in them both in exchange for dropping his marriage request. How long would it take though?

After Lucius left the room, Hermione and Sirius stayed behind. There headmaster looking at them, "Thank you for staying I really only had a question for you Miss McGonagall. How are you faring with the return of your memories? Any more nightmares?"

Hermione shifted in her seat slightly, "No Sir, they do give me headaches though occasionally."

He only nodded, "If you experience anything worse please go to Madam Pomfrey, she will know of your head pains. Harry has been having them as well."

She nodded and thanked him before they left his office. Sirius grabbed her arm stopping her before she could head into their common room, "You haven't been having headaches Hermione."

She stopped and shook her head, "I couldn't do it Sirius. I know Harry took his and he has been having headaches, but I can't. I see you dying over and over in my nightmares. Why would I want to make it worse?"

He wrapped his arms around her, "You need to. You know I will be there for you."

Pushing him away slightly, the knot in her stomach growing. "I know you would Sirius. It isn't that."

He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her, "I will be there no matter what."

She just nodded and buried her head in his chest.

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AN- The times are turning guys! Leave me feedback please:)