The two appeared right outside the front gate of Hogwarts. It was a short walk from the gate to the castle itself but Hermione didn't mind. It gave her some time to think, especially now that the Dark Lord had returned her memories.
The Dark Lord had promised to give her the answers she sought. But only two words remained after he obliviated her: soul-bond and amulet. The amulet was her greatest clue as she knew it belonged to Bellatrix and the Black family. It was almost as if the Dark Lord wanted her to know who Bellatrix was.
Soul-bond, however, was something new. She remembered researching it briefly last year but she never found much about it. Why would the Dark Lord tell her that? She needed to get one of those catalogues so she could order books. The library was already searched and she found nothing. The next best thing was Diagon Alley.
"Ms. Granger, are you okay?" Lucius questioned.
The castle was in sight. It was strange approaching it now, without all the other students around.
"I'm okay Lucius," Hermione replied. "Just thinking. How do I explain you being my magical guardian?"
"That is entirely up to you," Lucius stated. In reality he wasn't her magical guardian, Bellatrix was, but he did put forth paperwork to hide that fact. As long as no one went digging, no one would know. "It could be as simple as you asking me after spending time at the Manor."
"Won't people ask questions?" Hermione asked as they approached the front. She was thinking of Dumbledore.
"Perhaps," Lucius said. He opened the door and they walked inside. "But even he knows I would never harm a child under my care, muggleborn or not. He can ask all he wants, you're not required to answer. Magical guardianship doesn't fall under a Headmaster's purview, unless the child gets hurt. Even then his only duty is to communicate." Hermione nodded.
The journey to the Headmaster's office was awkward to say the least. Several students had seen her walking with Lucius Malfoy. A few of the older Gryffindors were snickering because they thought she was in trouble. The only positive was that no one seemed to know what had happened with Lockhart.
"Father," Draco called. Hermione froze when she heard Draco's voice.
"Draco," Lucius greeted. He quickly scanned his son, making sure he was okay.
Draco glanced at Hermione before quickly focusing on his father. He was trying to follow through with Hermione's plan for public distance. "Potter and Weasley approached me earlier. They said Hermione hadn't come back after talking to Professor Lockhart. They seemed to think I had done something to her." He turned to speak directly to Hermione. "You promised you wouldn't be alone with him. What did he do?"
"I know," Hermione said looking down. "It was after class. I didn't think what it meant."
Lucius put a hand on her shoulder. "Draco, Ms. Granger can fill you in later. For now, we need to get to the Headmaster's office," he said.
"Tomorrow, after Transfiguration, meet me in the Room of Requirements," Hermione muttered to him before following Lucius.
It wasn't until they got to the Headmaster's office that they realized they didn't know the password to get in. Hermione was going to ask what they were supposed to do but before she could the door swung open.
"The Headmaster gets an alert when someone is outside the door," Lucius explained. "He then has the power to decide if he wants to let someone in. I'm sure he saw that I was with you and got curious."
They entered the Headmaster's office and found Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall talking about something that Hermione couldn't hear. They looked up when Hermione and Lucius entered the office.
"Ms. Granger," Professor McGonagall exclaimed. Anyone could see how relieved she was to see her student once again. "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley came to me saying you had disappeared. I wasn't sure at first but then no one had seen you for… where have you been?"
"Would you like me to explain?" Lucius questioned. Hermione nodded.
"Explain what, might I ask?" Professor Dumbledore questioned.
"I am Hermione's magical guardian," Lucius announced to the room. Both the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall looked stunned. "I have the paperwork here." He pulled out a copy of papers he filed with the Ministry. The papers weren't valid but as long as Lucius acted like they were, the two would have no reason to dig further. "This was done at the request of her parents, muggles who have no real rights to their magical child."
"This is… interesting," Professor Dumbledore said. His eyes twinkled which made Hermione curious. "When have you come into contact with the Granger's?"
"We met over the summer when Hermione was shopping for supplies," Lucius lied. "My wife and I had a long conversation with the Granger's over lunch and came to an agreement. As long as we kept them informed, my wife and I are Hermione's legal guardians, at least in the magical world."
"This is all very interesting, but what does that have to do with where Ms. Granger was for the last hour?" Professor McGonagall said impatiently.
"I take my role as magical guardian very seriously," Lucius continued. "I gifted Hermione a bracelet that acts as an emergency portkey should she be in any danger. Draco has one as well." He nudged Hermione and she held up her hand, showing the bracelet Bellatrix had given her. "The portkey activated when Gilderoy Lockhart attempted to curse her."
"What?" Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall exclaimed.
"What do you mean Professor Lockhart attempted to curse you?" Professor Dumbledore pressed. His eyes were no longer twinkling. Instead, he looked furious. For all the Headmaster's faults, he did care deeply about his students and the thought of any professor trying to hurt one his students made him angry.
"He asked me to stay after class," Hermione said softly. "Harry and Ron wanted to stay but he told them to go. Once we were alone he pointed his wand at me. He started yelling at me, asking me how I figured out he was a fraud. He was talking about obliviations and how great at it he was. That's when I realized all of his books were lies. He took credit for others success and then hid the evidence. He tried to obliviate me but the portkey activated."
"Minerva," Professor Dumbledore said. "Find him and have him brought here." Professor McGonagall nodded and left the office. "Ms. Granger, I cannot begin to express how sorry I am. I do not condone what Professor Lockhart did to you or to the others and when Professor McGonagall finds him he will be tried in front of the Wizengamot." He looked at Lucius. "I'm assuming you have no objections?"
Lucius shook his head. "He attacked the ward for the Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy," Lucius said. "I will see him punished for this."
Professor Dumbledore nodded. "I understand. When this goes to trial, it will help to have your memory of the incident," he said leaning back in his chair. "It isn't needed just yet, but it's best to be prepared."
"When the time comes you will come to me before approaching my ward," Lucius said firmly.
"Yes, of course," Professor Dumbledore agreed. Hermione eyed the bird that was seated a perch beside the Headmaster. "Ah, I see you've taken notice of my familiar, Fawkes."
"What kind of bird is he?" Hermione asked curious. She was certain she'd seen a picture of it before couldn't remember.
"He's a Phoenix," Professor Dumbledore answered. "They're faithful companions that can heal with their tears and carry heavy loads. Should you take Care of Magical Creatures in the future you will learn all about them. Fawkes shows up every year for the lesson on Phoenixes."
Hermione gasped. She had almost forgotten about the electives they were supposed to choose. "Sir," she said. "When will we be choosing our electives for next year?"
Professor Dumbledore laughed. "I believe it is next week," he said thoughtfully. "Professor McGonagall will have a better answer for you."
"Thank you sir," she said gratefully.
It took almost an hour for Professor McGonagall to return. Lucius narrowed his eyes when he saw she was alone. "I've searched the castle with the help of the elves and ghosts. Gilderoy is no longer on the grounds," she announced.
"What?" Lucius exclaimed angrily. He rounded on the Headmaster. "How could you let this happen?"
Professor Dumbledore held up his hands. "I do not keep my staff from leaving the grounds when they are not teaching," he said. "Gilderoy must have left when Ms. Granger disappeared."
"He knew we would have him arrested for attacking a student," Professor McGonagall muttered angrily. Like Lucius, she was equally angered by the fact that the man had escaped. He needed to be punished for what he had done and now they lost their chance.
Lucius and Hermione exchanged looks. Hermione was less upset about his escape than the professors were because Hermione knew he wasn't getting away with anything. Now that Lockhart wasn't safe behind the wards of Hogwarts, or rotting in Azkaban, it would be much easier for Bellatrix to get ahold of him. Hermione already knew Bellatrix was going to kill him and she didn't care.
"I'll let the Ministry know to keep a lookout for him," Professor Dumbledore said. "Unfortunately, we cannot do much until he is found. Ms. Granger, perhaps you should find your friends and reassure them that you're okay?"
"Yes sir," Hermione agreed. "Thank you Mr. Malfoy." Lucius nodded and she left the office.
As Hermione walked along the corridor she thought about where she wanted to go. She really wanted to find Draco and tell him about what happened. She needed to apologize to him before being stupid anyway.
When she got to the staircase she paused. She could either head toward the dungeons in hopes of finding Draco or she could head to Gryffindor Tower and look for Harry and Ron. She looked back and forth between both sets of stairs and sighed. She took the stairs going up, toward Gryffindor Tower.
This was a defining moment for her. She chose Harry and Ron over Draco. Well that wasn't completely true. She was choosing revenge against Ron and Harry by extension, over Draco. At least Draco knew and understood what she was doing. It made her feel a little less guilty.
She took a deep breath as she stood outside the Fat Lady's portrait. She needed to prepare herself for the show she needed to put on, which included a little bit of fear at having the Malfoy's as her magical guardian.
"Godric Gryffindor," Hermione told the portrait, trying not to roll her eyes at such an obvious password.
The portrait swung open and Hermione stepped inside. She scanned the common room. It was mostly empty which made sense because classes didn't end for the day for another two hours. There were a few first years gathered at one of the tables playing chess and what looked like Exploding Snaps. Hermione ignored them and continued looking around the room. She spotted Harry and Ron at the table closest to the fire. It was her favorite spot to sit.
She walked over to them. They didn't notice her, until she cleared her throat right beside Ron and said, "that's wrong."
Both boys looked up. "Hermione," they exclaimed.
"What in Merlin's name happened to you?" Ron asked. "We stood outside the classroom waiting and ten minutes later Lockhart ran out of the room screaming about you disappearing."
Hermione sat in the seat beside Harry. "Emergency portkey," Hermione responded. She showed them the bracelet. "It seems my parents have made the Malfoy's my magical guardians. The bracelet my mother sent me wasn't actually from her, it was from Lucius Malfoy and it had a portkey in it."
Harry and Ron had equal looks of horror on their face. Hermione worked hard not to roll her eyes at them. "The Malfoy's are your magical guardian," Ron repeated in horror. "There must be something you can do."
Hermione shrugged. "I really don't know," Hermione said. "I can look into it later but Mr. Malfoy did say something about never hurting a child in his care."
"Until he hands you over to You-Know-Who," Ron said darkly.
"I don't know Ron," Harry said slowly. "Word would have gotten out that the Malfoy's are Hermione's guardians. If Hermione got killed then fingers would automatically point to them. They're smarter than that."
Hermione sighed in relief. She was glad Harry thought it through. "Maybe," Ron reluctantly agreed. "Why did a portkey need to activate in the first place?"
Hermione pulled out her homework. "Turns out Lockhart is a fraud," she said as she set out her ink and quill. "He thought I figured it out and that's why I wasn't fawning over him like the others. I didn't know but thanks to him I figured it out. He was going to obliviate me so I didn't tell anyone."
"Figures he was a bloody fraud," Ron muttered.
"Who is going to teach Defense now that he fled?" Harry asked.
Hermione shrugged. "I have no idea," she replied. "Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall didn't even know he was gone until she went looking for him. Maybe the Headmaster will cover the class until they can hire someone?"
Hermione pulled out her journal and scribbled a quick note.
Lockhart has disappeared. Professor McGonagall said he wasn't anywhere in the castle when she looked. Harry and Ron confirmed. They said Lockhart ran for it when I disappeared. With him gone, who do you think will cover the class?
Hermione would check for Bellatrix's response later. As of now, Harry and Ron didn't know about her journal, or that she was communicating with someone, and Hermione really wanted to keep it that way. It would ruin everything if they found out and while she would always choose Bellatrix, she wasn't ready to make that decision yet.
"Hey Hermione," Neville greeted. He stood at the end of the table beside Ron and Harry and shifted uncomfortably.
"Neville," the three greeted.
Hermione felt a small amount of guilt while staring at Neville. Bellatrix's husband and brother in law were responsible for the attack that incapacitated Neville's parents. While Bellatrix hadn't be arrested, Hermione wasn't entirely certain if she had been a part of that attack. In the end, it didn't matter. Hermione would still choose Bellatrix.
"You guys are working on homework right?" They nodded. "Do you mind if I join? I could use some help with Potions. I can help you with Herbology if you need it," Neville offered, not wanting to sound like he was completely useless.
Ron gestured to the seat beside him and Neville sat down. He pulled out his Potions homework. Hermione held out her hand for it. She would never write an essay for any of the Gryffindors but she didn't point helping them by proof reading, or giving notes.
Neville handed over his essay and the notes he had. While he waited, he got to work on his Herbology essay. Every once in a while he eyes would flicker over to Hermione. He could see her stroking the amulet around her neck. He wasn't even sure she realized she was doing it. It seemed strange for her to be so attached to a piece of jewelry. She wasn't really the materialistic type.
Hermione dug through her notes until she found what she was looking for. She handed it to Neville along with his essay and a scrap bit of parchment with some notes on it. "You have a good start," she told him. "Use my notes to get the rest of what you need. That should get you the two feet required as well."
"Thanks Hermione," he said gratefully. He sat aside his Herbology essay and worked on finishing his potions homework. It was due tomorrow after all.
"Do you have essay's you want me to look over?" Hermione asked Harry and Ron. They both handed over their potion's essays. After a quick scan, Hermione realized they had the same problem that Neville did. "Neville, do you mind handing me the notes? I'm going to make some copies."
"Sure," Neville said handing back the notes.
Hermione duplicated them and passed them back to the boys. "Use this to finish," she instructed.
While the three worked to finish their essay, Hermione pulled out her journal.
One of the professors will most likely cover the class until the end of the year. Did Weasley and Potter happen to hear Lockhart say anything about where he was going?
No, only that he was in a hurry. The Headmaster and Professor McGonagall were looking for him. The Headmaster said something about alerting the Ministry.
Don't worry about Lockhart Hermione. I will find him and he will never try to hurt you again.
Hermione's hand hovered over the book. She wanted to ask Bellatrix exactly what she planned to do to Lockhart but thought better of it. She really was curious and she already knew Bellatrix was going to kill him. Would she torture him too? It was exciting to think about.
Did you figure out how we can practice?
I've found a place. I need to make sure it is secure and properly ward it. If all goes well, we will begin practicing this weekend. Only once a week.
So, I get to see you again? In Hermione's mind, that was all that mattered.
Yes, you will get to see me again. Do not tell anyone, not even Draco about these meetings. It is extremely dangerous for the both of us if we are caught.
Hermione put her journal away. Now that she knew she would see Bellatrix again and soon she could get through dealing with Harry and Ron. She would make Bellatrix proud, no matter what it took.