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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"Ultimately the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage or in friendship, is conversation."
– Oscar Wilde
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McGonagall Cottage
December 24th, 1976
Hermione stood in front of her full length mirror, her hands lightly ghosting over the material of the chiffon gown that she was wearing. The sleeves were sheer and her leckline was a deep v-neck to right above the center of her cleavage. Her bodice was smooth however at her wait the dress fell into loose pleats down to the floor. It wasn't overly tight which she was thankful for and moved around her nicely.
Her hair was down falling in soft curls down to her waist. Smirking as she poked her black heeled feet from under her dress.
Stepping over to her closet one more time as she checked to make sure the vials from her past life were still secure. She's taken a few of them back at Harry's insistence however there were a few still remaining in their vials. She knew what they were, their memories a dull and distant memory for her. Any time she'd been around Sirius or Remus was still on the shelf, she didn't want the feeling of being so much younger dull her feelings for her friends. Most of the times she was near them were harder times anyways. The strain of their first meeting in the shrieking shack, Aurthur Wealsy being attacked, thinking Sirius was in danger, Sirius dying, The Battle, Remus dead with Tonks.
Also up there were the memories of her scars, well the ones she got while Sirius and Remus weren't around. The night Dumbledore Died, Malfoy Manor. She didn't think she could go there tonight with that memory fresh in her head. It was hard enough remembering Draco, remembering Lucius sneering at her.
Picking up her black clutch as she walked out of her room slowly closing the door behind her. He heard her brother and their friends talking in the kitchen as she reached the bottom and turned to walk in when they all stopped to stare at her.
Her brother smiled, "You look beautiful Mione." Se glanced nervously as Sirius who was still not moving. "Thank you Harry. Are you all going to stay here for the night?"
James nodded his head, "Yes. We are going to play some quidditch out back and then crash here probably."
She nodded but looked at Sirius who was no longer looking at her, "Sirius can I talk with you for a minute?"
He just nodded and got up walking out of the room taking her hand with him as he went. Once they were standing in the front room and she heard the others leave the house to go out back she spoke, "Are you okay?"
He nodded, "I know we have a sort of agreement with Malfoy, but I still don't like you going with him. I know my parents are going tonight, I just have a funny feeling. It has been less than a month since they tried to kidnap you Hermione. You said Rabastian showed up right before the attack, you don't think Rabastian and Kosco will be there?"
She wasn't sure what to say so she just stepped forward and hugged him for a moment before stepping back. "I'll be okay Sirius, Lucius knows what happened that day, he was there too you know. He has all but given me his magically binding promise to not leave my side. Besides even without Lucius you know I will be okay. I was off that day. It won't happen again."
He hugged her tighter to him as he stopped and smelled berries from her hair, "I don't like that I am relying on Malfoy to keep you safe. I know he has been good to you, but he is not a saint." He gave her one last squeeze before pulling back, "He has been going to Voldemort's little get together's Love. Yes, he said he is on our side, but what if he asked him to give you over?"
She smiled up at him putting a hand on his cheek, "I will be okay, besides I am taking you with me."
When he looked at her confused she lifted her arm up in front of him. He grinned when he saw the golden thread bracelet on her wrist that he'd made her for her birthday. The little charm representing padfoot dangling down. "I don't think the bracelet quite matches what you are wearing. You might want to wear something a bit nicer."
Shaking her head she fingered the bracelet, before grinning up at him. "Not a chance, Padfoot is coming with me."
Sliding a hand around to rest on the base of her neck he pulled her to him and kissed her on the cheek. "Just be safe Love."
She nodded and gave him a small smile.
He sombered up, "I am worried about you, I wasn't there at Hogsmeade, and what if something happens tonight?"
She silenced him by placing her hand over his mouth, "I will be okay." She stepped back slightly, "You'll be here when I get back okay."
Chipy unknown to the couple in the room just smiled and swung her feet back and forth while sitting on top of the hutch next to the fireplace.
He pulled her into his arms hugging her tightly as if he didn't want to let her go. Suddenly the floo lit up and Lucius stepped out. He stopped short seeing Hermione and Sirius standing there, "Am I interrupting?"
Hermione gave him a smile and shook her head, as she pushed back from Sirius slightly whispering, "I'll be okay" before turning back to Lucius. "No, Sirius is just concerned about me since he isn't going. I think the incident at Hogsmeade has everyone on edge."
Lucius nodded and looked to Sirius, "I will not let her out of my sight Sirius."
Sirius let a grunt and then walked out of the room leaving Hermione and Lucius alone. He glanced at her and a smirk crossed his face, "You know, emerald green looks fantastic on you."
Her face flushed and her hands fidgeted at her sides unsure what to do with them. "Thank you Lucius."
He nodded with a grace she figured was born into him, "How are you feeling? We haven't spoken in person since you were attacked."
She reached up and touched the back of her head, "Oh I am alright now. I had a headache for a few days though." She stopped, "Did you ever find out who actually hit me?"
He stiffened uncomfortably, "Unfortunately I did. Do you want to know? If you reveal that you know what happened they will know the information was leaked by myself."
Nodding, "I am pretty good at keeping secrets Lucius, I just want to know so I can keep my guard up in the future. Besides, I am pretty sure I know the one who did it."
Raising a brown Lucius nodded, "Well who is guilty in your thoughts?"
"Rabastian. He showed up right before everything happened and whispered to Kosco right in front of me, however I couldn't hear what was being said." She stopped for a moment, "The fighting was in front of me, whoever hit me came from behind. Rabastian and Kosco where the only two that direction. And well I briefly saw the cloaked figure, Kosco is a little too large in the mid section for that to have been him."
He nodded, "You are correct on the identity of your assailant. Your reasoning is sound even if you were to slip up and say something or act wary around him. Unfortunately it is only enough for that. There is no proof of it, therefore nothing to be done."
She turned her head and rolled her eyes, "Why did he attack me like that?"
Lucius walked over, "They were trying to round up the students who transferred in last year. Your brother was with his friends. However, you were supposed to be easy to pick up. Kosco picked a location away from the main street and Rabastian was supposed to grab you." He tilted his head, "I don't think Kosco or Rabastian will be bothering you for a while. Voldemort was most displeased with them. First failing to obtain you. Secondly you were harmed quite extensively. That was not supposed to happen."
Leaning up against the wall she rested her head against it, "I feared it was something like that, the other two were the 3rd year and 7th year that started when we did. They showed up a few days after I woke up though, they had no memories of what happened. What did happen?"
"Grooming." Was the only word Lucius said before he fell silent for a moment, "They still remember what happened. They are choosing not to mention it. They will be at the Yule Ball tonight actually. Miss Tobbs is being escorted by Julien Crabb who graduated the year before I. Young Miss Morsen is being escorted by young Mr. Regulus Black." He gave her a knowing look, "They are quite content."
Hermione felt as if she might vomit in her mouth, "and pray tell who was I going to end up with? Since this was all some plan!"
Lucius looked at her for a moment, "Me." He stepped closer to her, "You were always to be mine or Galen's per his order. After Galen's failure the pressure fell to me. Since you were already attending with me it is not a complete loose, however he knows you were hurt and now will most likely be wary."
Clenching she could feel her blood boil, "I am not some-thing that he can pass around as a consolation prize Lucius! I am a person, those girls are people too!"
Raising his hands to calm her, "Hermione, you know I do not feel that way. Unfortunately no one is breaking the law regarding your marriage requests."
Taking a breath she nodded upset, "I know you don't." Looking at him for a moment, "Do you know who I immobilized in Hogsmede The cloaked individual, they really didn't duel very well."
He gave her a look of exasperation, "Well I wasn't going to hurt you when you decided to involve yourself. Although I thought you might pick up on that and move on, but of course you felt the need to stun and bind me. For your information I wasn't going to hurt the boy, it was a stunner. I was doing it to most of the students that I came across. The others ignored them since they were no longer any fun to toy with." Taking a breath, "And you know very well I am an excellent dueler."
She bit her lip trying not to laugh at the thought of him throwing baby spells at her, "Okay. Let's just go then. However I would like to request an actual duel with you one day."
He nodded and offered her his arm. Picking up a handful of floo powder he called out, "It is a deal. Malfoy Manor." before stepping through.
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Malfoy Manor
Hermione walked into the ballroom much differently this time. Walking in on Lucius' arm made her stomach clench with anxiety. It seemed like they had announced her entrance at Lucius' side by screaming it for all to hear. It didn't help that right after her came the announcement of his parents. It was almost as if it was done specifically to sound like a family.
Thirty minutes into the Yule Ball and they had barely gotten half-way across the hall. Lucius seemed to be greeting everyone they came across. A quick glance confirmed that his parents were doing the same thing, only they were on the other side of the room.
She turned her attention back to the older woman that they were currently in front of and smiled at her before moving on. Gripping his arm slightly to capture his attention before she spoke to him in a hushed tone, "Will this be all night?"
She felt him chuckle as he shook his head, "No we will dance second after my parents once the music begins. It will only be until seven o'clock."
She glanced up to the massive grandfather clock against the wall, it was only a minute until seven and she internally rejoiced and smiled at the next couple with much more happiness than the last few.
Dong… Dong… Dong… Dong… Dong… Dong… Dong…
She quickly squashed the need to do a happy dance as everyone halted their movements and the band began to play.
Sure enough Abraxas and Mildred Malfoy took to the dance floor twirling around to music so smoothly as if they were on the ice. Lucius smirked and held his hand to her, "Don't worry you will be fine.
She just nodded and faced him. One hand on his shoulder, the other in his offered hand. He slid his free hand to her waist and on their beat he swooped her away into their dance. She smiled at him realizing that they were actually in sync with one another.
On a slower song she smiled up at him before resting her head on his shoulder and let him lead her around the floor with ease.
Four more dances and Lucius slowed to a stop near the edge and took her arm before walking her towards the edge of the ballroom.
Looking up at him curiously as they quietly slipped out of the room through a hidden door behind a large tapestry. Once they were out in the hall and the door shut he looked down at her with a serious look. "I need to show you something."
She nodded and allowed him to escort her down the hall her arm still tucked under his.
After a moment he opened a set of large mahogany doors and she felt her heart lurch in her chest as she stopped dead in the hall. Her body unwilling to enter as she saw the drawing room before her. She let a whimper escape her as he tugged her into the room quickly shutting the doors behind him. "Hermione what is wrong?"
Memory or not the experience was still with her. Feeling as if her mouth was stuffed with cotton as she looked up seeing the same chandler that she had looked up at while Bellatrix had been torturing her. She swallowed hard before forcing her eyes to his worried ones as she tried forcing her mind out of her past and to the present.
"This room…." She swallowed and he only nodded which confused her. Why would he think it be acceptable for her to be on edge about the room.
Suddenly he dropped her arm and walked across the room to a large desk. "You are aware that I have been having meetings with Dumbledore yes?"
She nodded but stay rooted to her location by the door. She was having issues getting enough air so she just stared at him, waiting for him to continue.
He raised a brown before waving his wand and unlocking a drawer in my desk. He told me that he has been collecting objects that are close to Voldemort, items that put off horrible auras of dark magic. He instructed if I ever came across an item that I should show it to you. In case it is what he is searching for. I am unsure why you would be aware of the objects, but here." He held up a cloth covered object. "You are unsure to powerful dark items, it probably has your hair on end."
She blinked and crossed the room as she looked at the object. She couldn't stop her hands from shaking as she took it from him. Setting in on the desk before her as if were a bomb. Slowly she unwrapped it to reveal Tom Riddle's diary. She'd only seen it once before and it that was after Harry had plunged a basilisk fang through it. Without touching it she wrapped it back up knowing exactly what it was.
Looking up at Lucius words finally found her, "How did you get this?"
He frowned, "He gave it to me after realizing I was the first to request you. A reward for doing my task without hesitation along with honoring my family who has been loyal to him. He still does not know I actually did it prior." He glanced at it, "I didn't think more of it, until Dumbledore mentioned it to me a few days ago. Voldemort told me to keep it safe. Is this what you are needing?"
Hermione nodded, "Will he ask to see it? If I take it you won't have access to it anymore."
With a swish of his wand he locked the cabinet again, "No, I have had this for over a year and he has not mentioned it again. Why is an old diary with nothing written so important?"
She just looked up at him before picking the covered diary up for the first time, memories of the dairy from her time running through her mind. Ginny. Harry. The basilisk. "It is not just an old diary Lucius. I will need to get this too Hogwarts though, it won't be able to wait until classes resume." She glanced around briefly, "I don't have a bag to stow this in."
He nodded and walked over to a painting on the wall. Moving it he opened a hidden lock box behind it. "I think I might have an idea." He turned and in his hands was a red and gold wrapped present. "I wished to give this to you later, however I think now might be appropriate."
She smiled taking the gift from him, "Thank you Lucius." She bit her lip nervously, "I am afraid I don't have your gift with me. It is to be delivered tomorrow morning. I didn't know I should bring it tonight."
He just smiled, "Don't worry, I figured it would be difficult to bring anything to a ball. I saw this and thought you might like it though."
She smiled the horcrux momentarily forgotten on the desk as she opened the gift before her. Inside laid a pair of fashionable gloves that would go halfway up her forearm. They looked thin enough to where she wouldn't fumble with holding onto items. "Thank you Lucius, they are beautiful."
He nodded, "They are rather thin, however they are charmed to always keep your hands at a perfect temperature."
She beamed at him, "Thank you."
He nodded and held out his hands to take the gloves from her. She silently handed them over and one by one he placed the gloves on her hands. She smiled at the softness of them before looking at the now large empty box.
Lucius walked over and picked up the diary and placing it in the box under the decor papers and shutting the lid on the gift box. With a flick of his want the box wrapped itself once more, "There, if anyone asked your gift is still in the box awaiting Christmas morning for you to unwrap it."
She nodded picking up the box, "Will you escort me home now then?"
He nodded before closing the hidden lox box and putting his own gloves on, "If you will accompany for a walk in the garden first? There is something I wished to discuss with you."
She nodded her head, "It is dark and snowing though?"
He just smiled, "Well you do have new gloves on to keep your hands warm. It won't be long."
With a nod he led her out of the room through the doors to the front where her cloak was. She had nervously set the gift box down to put her cloak on briefly and internally sighed when if was back in her hands.
She looked to Lucius as they walked and he seemed more distant that normal, but she kept silent knowing he probably wanted to get away from the house to speak with her freely.
Once they were a distance from the manor Lucius began to speak, "I know we have agreed to a ruse regarding our relationship Hermione. However if you would permit me, I would like to find out that it is merely a friendship that we have."
She looked at him confused for a minute, she had not been expecting this conversation. "How do you propose to know that Lucius? I mean I know we have agreed to do this, but are you having doubts?
He tilted his head avoiding her gaze, "I honestly do not know. I do know that you have feelings for Sirius that are stronger than your feelings for myself which is understandable. I guess I never really tried letting the idea sink in before this tradition took hold of our lives. I did admit to you I requested your hand on my own. I will say that I am not in love with you, but I do have feelings for you and I am unsure of their meaning. I guess I would like full closure on this matter. I know that this is not usually permitted, however I was wondering if you would permit me one kiss."
His eyes found hers and stared into her green eyes for an awkward moment before he continued, "To see what I feel about you."
Chipy still unseen crossed her arms, but Hermione wasn't fighting with him so she let it go.
Hermione was taken aback for a moment before she understood what was happening, he wanted to see if there was a spark. Nodding her head a bit shakily, "Alright. Only one."
He nodded before stepping forward and placing a hand behind her head the other around her waist pulling her close to him. His lips met hers slowly before he added pressure behind them. They kissed slowly as he started kissing her with more intensity. It was different from the kiss she shared with Sirius, sure there was an intense feeling, but she wasn't sure what she was feeling. He was her friend, she knew she cared about him, loved him even. In love with him though?
As he pulled from the kiss he sighed unsure what to say to her.
"Well?" she looked up at him with confusion in her eyes.
He only shook his head in response. "I am sorry." Seeing her shiver in the night he rubbed his hands up and down her arms to try and warm her.
She frowned but gave gave him a small smile, "You are one of my closest friends Lucius. I love you, and I worry about you. I care a lot about you and you do mean a lot to me. I am just not sure about this. It is all confusing. Do you want to take back the plan?"
He got a stern look and shook his head, "No, the plan will keep you safe Hermione. I am sorry for asking this of you tonight. I don't know what I am feeling. I..."
She could see the hesitation and confusion running clearly over his face. She knew he hadn't been raised to express himself emotionally so she pulled him close to her and hugged him tightly. "We will figure it out Lucius. I am sorry this marriage request has been such a burden on everyone."
"Soon enough it won't be one way or another. You just need to be safe and I will be okay. Sirius will be good to you. Come let me escort you home dear. Your lips are turning blue."
Wrapping his arm around her he apparated them off the grounds with a soft pop not looking at her directly.
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What do you think?