Hello, darlings. This chapter is posted early as I have a full Saturday. The celebration of life for my uncle in the morning, and my sister's bachelorette party in the afternoon. I have little interest in chasing drunk high school teachers around a casino, so I am leaving after the live band portion of the evening. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, enjoy this next chapter.

Chapter 30

Growing up with the philosophy ten minutes early is on time, and on time is ten minutes late, Marcus arrived at Lestrange Hall twenty minutes before they were due to leave for lunch at Malfoy Manor. Bellatrix greeted him with a tight smile. "I'll have the elves deliver your clothes with ours." She called for an elf to collect his garment bag. "Now, before Hermione or Roddy know you're here, Pavel Greyback."

"All I know is he is Fenrir's nephew and heir, he's obsessed with Hermione, and follows the older traditions."

She nodded, "Same, but you asking after him won't garner the same attention my asking would," she replied.

"Fair enough, what do you want to know?"

"If he works, where he spends his time, is he stalking any other young woman, and who his friends are."

"I'll ask around."

"Good lad. I knew I liked you."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Oh, and, Flint? Let's keep this between us, shall we? Roddy and Rabastan might feel like they have to keep the peace, I don't share those sentiments."

He nodded, "Yes, ma'am."

Tonks waited until they had been seated at the table and the elves served the first course before sharing her news. A chance encounter with Charlie Weasley revealed he and Bill shared the Lupins' concerns about the future and the stalemate of the war. "He indicated they would be interested in talking about moving forward with peace talks."

Lucius nodded, "Do you think Hermione, or someone else?"

Remus spoke up, "Not Hermione, in their minds she's their youngest brother's friend, not the brilliant powerful witch you know."

"Adrian or Peregrine? Younger than them, but not someone they would associate with bad family stories?" suggested Rabastan.

"I'll discuss it with the others. Now, at the risk of Cissa's wrath for shop talk at the table, what of Shacklebolt?

"The violence has stopped, if the worst of the corruption and abuses of power were to be cleared up, he would be happy. I think he'd be open to talks."

"Excellent, now what's new with you, Master Edward?" he addressed Baby Teddy who babbled at him in response. "Hmm, I see, that good? I shall take it under advisement."

"What have you been up to, Remus?" asked Hermione innocently. Marcus glanced at her, he had started to learn that tone meant she had something up her sleeve.

"Mostly being a stay home parent with the little man here."

"Any trends of personal research?"

"Causality of baby mood swing trends. Not a lot of time for anything else."

If onsite child care could be arranged would you be interested in helping me catalog my new estates?"

"What kind of child care?" asked Tonks. Hermione tilted her head towards Narcissa. "We couldn't impose like that."

"Who is imposing?" protested Narcissa. "I accompany Hermione and her team to the estates. Teddy assists me with looking over the housekeeping while Remus keeps Hermione from vanishing into the stacks."

"Cissy, are you sure?" Andromeda asked.

"This will give me the chance to help both of my nieces and have a small child to cherish. Which will decrease my pressure on Draco to hurry up and get married so he can give me grandchildren."

Draco saluted Tonks with his glass, "I second this plan."
Bellatrix regarded Hermione and Marcus, "I'm in no hurry to be a grandmother, take your time."

"Narcissa will just borrow yours, too," Ted joked causing Narcissa to clap her hands in delight, much to everyone's amusement.

"Sounds good to me," Bellatrix shrugged.

"Can we get married first?" asked Hermione.

"If you insist," Narcissa pretended to pout.

Rodolphus looked at them, "You can take your time with that part, too."

"It'll happen when it happens," shrugged Hermione.

Teddy whimpered when Hermione tried to leave to dress for the evening. She invited Tonks to come with her and bring the baby. Teddy lunged for her and chattered cheerfully as they went upstairs. "I don't know why he likes me so much."

"No idea, I just roll with it. He's always been like that, little man likes who he likes. You'll be amused to know he likes Harry, but not Molly, Ron, or Ginny." Tonks chuckled while slipping into her dress. "He adores the twins."

"He has very good taste in people," she complimented kissing his cheek.

Tonks finished fastening her dress, "His clinging will make this process difficult."

"That is easily fixed. Bee, Maisie?" The small creatures popped in.

"How can Bee and Maisie be of service, mistress?" asked Maisie.

"Miss Dora and I need to prepare for tonight and Mr. Teddy here needs attention, too," she bounced the baby who giggled. Maisie quickly took charge of him, playing with him on the bed.

Tonks closed her eyes and grew her hair three feet. The color lightened to the signature Malfoy platinum blonde. Teddy clapped his hands. "I just need this put up. I could mimic it already styled, but that takes concentration to maintain and can be rather tiring." Happily, Bee coiffed her hair and applied makeup.

Teddy allowed Maisie to distract him with brightly colored illusions. He seemed completely fascinated with the house elf. He cheerfully left with them when Hermione and his mother were finished getting ready.

Tonks wore a white wolf mask paired with a white dress. Hermione giggled, "Please tell me Remus is dressed in red."

"Sorry, I tried, he refused. He considered it until he realized why I suggested the color. Should have led him there slower. We're both wolves."

"Bummer," sighed Hermione.

"Do you and Marcus match?"

"No, he's just another black domino."

"Remus will be so jealous," Tonks laughed.

Glittering silver snowflakes danced across the room. Taking Marcus's arm, Hermione smiled as they began moving around the room. Once she confirmed Percy and Esme found one another, she relaxed and pulled Marcus to the dance floor. After several songs, she forced him to accompany her to check on his sister.

"Won't this accidentally give away her identity?" he complained.
"Percy knows she's my friend. He is smart enough to assume she will be friendly with my known boyfriend. Come on."

The two had secluded themselves at a table on the edge of the room near the balcony doors. "Are you two just going to talk the night away?" she greeted them.

"Uh," was all Percy could get out.

"Darlings," cried Esme, jumping up to hug both Hermione and Marcus, "we've been discussing the newest regulations in cauldron bottoms. Rather impressive, really," she smiled at Percy as she gushed.

"It is?" he asked confused.

"On the whole, not really, but all the work that goes into the decision is."

"Not many people think of it that way," admitted Percy.

"I may not understand all of it, but I like that you're invested in your work, even if you'd like to do something different someday."

"Wow, thank you," he blushed.

"That said, Hermione is right, we shouldn't just sit here all night. We can talk more tomorrow." Percy's face fell at Esme's words. "Let's dance." She took his hand and lead the bewildered young man away.

"Already wrapped around her little finger," laughed Marcus.

"Because you aren't in the same state?" she quirked an eyebrow.

"I'm not wrapped around my sister's finger."

"No, but you're wrapped around mine," she teased.

Marcus pulled her close to him. "True," he leaned closer to whisper in her ear, "and tonight I'll have you wrapped around some part of me." He grinned as she fought to keep from blushing. "Want to get something to drink?"

"Yes." They joined several of their friends for champagne and hors d'oeuvres near the edge of the dance floor. Knowing the costumes of your friends made it easier to locate them in the throng. She people watched with Luna as they ate, pointing out the more fantastical outfits as the revelers moved past them. Cassius drew their attention to Thorfinn Rowle. A lithe blonde in a stunning red dress and ruby studded mask simpered up at him. She dripped with jewels. "Wonder if she knows she's just the flavor of the month? Did I use that right?" he asked Hermione.

"You did," she praised.

Adrian shrugged, "Do you think she knows she's one of five girls he's been parading around?"

"Is she really?" asked Vanessa.

"Possibly, hard to tell really. You only get a glimpse of the girl most of the time."

Blaise studied the girl, "Good chance she's not Sacred Twenty-eight. Her manners show." He caught sight of Hermione's glare. "Oi, I'm not one either. But I was taught how to act. So were you, just not amongst wizards. Not saying it is a bad thing, just that it shows. She doesn't move gracefully through the crowds as you do. I doubt she could command the crowds like you can, either. At a formal dinner that girl would be mocked mercilessly and eaten alive."

"As much as I hate the snobbery, I can admit you are correct. She's missing the refinement. Doesn't mean she couldn't learn," Hermione replied.

"Certainly, but I wouldn't bring someone I cared about around until she was ready and had been vetted by someone like Mrs. Malfoy."

The girl in question giggled at Thorfinn, her eyes sparkling with emotions. "Maybe he doesn't care. She might not be a fling." Luna said wistfully.

"She's a fling," Cassius told her. At her annoyed look, "Pay attention next time someone approaches them." Seconds later an older couple approached them. Thorfinn greeted them as did the young woman. They conversed a few minutes before the older couple moved on, approaching Hermione and her group.

"Well, hello there," the man said in a jovial voice.

"Good evening, Mr. Burke, Mrs. Burke," Marcus shook the man's hand and kissed the back of his wife's hand, making her swat at

him. "Have you met Hermione Lestrange? Hermione, this is Balthazar and Hortenisa Burke. Their son now runs their old shop on Knockturn."

"A pleasure to make you acquaintance, my dear. We've heard such lovely things." Burke smiled at her in a grandfatherly manner.
"Likewise," Hermione demurred.

Cassius then introduced Vanessa and Alexandria. Graham took Luna's hand and gave her a warm smile, "And this is my fiance, Luna Lovegood."

"Xeno and Pandora's little girl!" exclaimed Hortensia. "You look just like your mother, sweet girl. I was devastated when she passed. Please forgive me for forgetting you in my pain. Pandora was a dear friend. And when I came out of it so much time had passed it seemed impossible to make contact."

Luna gave her a shy smile, "There is nothing to forgive. We can connect now. It would be nice to hear things Daddy might not know."

"I insist, darling. I will owl you."

"I look forward to it."

When the Burkes departed Cassius turned to Luna, "Did you see the difference?"

"He didn't introduce her," Luna looked confused, "Why?"

"She isn't important, or rather, she won't be a permanent figure in his life. It is a subtle clue that you are not courting or dating the person. Unless you are part of the group or she's unattached and you refer to her as your good friend."

At her distressed face, Graham caressed her cheek, "You don't have to worry, that will never be you, angel."

"Can I still feel bad for her?"

"If that's what you want to do."

The notes of a waltz wafted overhead, Marcus turned to Hermione, offering his hand, "Shall we dance, little dove?"

"Trying to make the rest of us look bad, Flint?" asked Cassius.

"You don't need my help with that. But I'm taking advantage of the fact that none of them know who she is and keep coming over to steal her."

"Spoke too soon," Remus held out his hand to Hermione, "May I steal you for a dance? Ted stole my wife."

She patted Marcus's shoulder, "I'll be right back. If I can find you, that is."

"I'll find you, love," he promised.

Remus escorted her to the dance floor. "Enjoying the evening?"

"I am, are you?"

"More than I thought I ever would. The Malfoys are gracious hosts."

"They are. You know Narcissa meant what she said about watching Teddy while we work."

"Hermione, intellectuals the world over will be fighting to join you," Remus protested.

"And? I owe them nothing. I have a very short list of people I want to work with."

"Who else?"

"Peregrine Bole, that way he can keep Corbin Yaxley updated. Orene MacGregor, and Thorfinn Rowle. He'll be a help with the Ministries. He works for International Cooperation."

"No historians of note, then?"

"Why should I make their careers? What have they done for me?" Remus stopped dancing for a moment in shock. "I didn't create their world, but they will live in it until I finish changing it. I might not be killing people in the streets, but the adults allowed the abuses of power that controlled and traumatized me. They get nothing from me for free."

"Mione, by that logic you shouldn't be paying me to help you."

"Remus," she interrupted, "when I was fourteen and burning the candle at both ends you were kind and understanding. You taught me to defend myself. After that year, you answered every swotty question with references and information, without the attitude every other adult in my life took at some point. Looking back, those attitudes hurt even worse than they did at the time. I will always wonder how much was my own desire to understand, and how much was the spell's control. Furthermore, at the time even if you had known you could have done nothing about it. The Great Albus Dumbledore was worshiped for stopping his former best friend and lover from destroying the world. He never should have been granted that much power, but he was. They made this world, they don't get to cry foul because they didn't get their way. Now, this is a party, start acting like it."

"I like it better before when you only bossed around Harry and Ron."

"I am sure Molly Weasley shares your feelings."

"Low blow." She simply blew him a kiss.

Closer to midnight Luna asked Hermione about the muggle tradition of kissing someone at midnight. "Well, some people kiss friends for good luck, while couples do it because of the idea that whatever you're doing at midnight is what you'll spend the next year doing."

"I have some ideas there," Adrian smirked.

"Continue to be pathetically alone?" quipped Cassius.

"I have plenty of company thank you."

"Just none you can bring to these events," sassed Vanessa.

Adrian recoiled like she had slapped him, "Merlin, no! Could you imagine?"

Hermione chuckled, "Adrian, no one can see how gorgeous I am with this mask on," she whined in a falsetto voice.

Alexandria jumped onboard, "Adrian, the decor clashes with my dress, make them change it."

"I know the worst," Graham laughed, "Adrian, the hostess is getting all the attention, kill her," he demanded in a fake voice.

"You all think you're joking. I can see it all so clearly. I need a drink." He clapped Marcus on the shoulder and wandered off in search of said drink.

At ten minutes to midnight, house elves circulated with champagne flutes. Lucius toasted to a bright new year. Marcus hugged Hermione tightly. "May this new year end as it began, you and me, here, together." She nodded, clinking her glass with his and drinking to both toasts. She met his lips in a chaste midnight kiss. She happily noted Esme and Percy removing the masks and making plans to meet the next day after they introduced themselves.

"Be sure to let your sister know we're willing to go on double dates."

Marcus frowned, "We are?"

"We are." she asserted firmly.

On New Year's Day, the Ministry hosted a late morning event to pat themselves on the back about the last year and make promises for the new. Minister Pius Thicknesse spoke of healing and reunification of the wizarding world. Yaxley whispered to Rodolphus, "He makes a good puppet, don't you think?"

"At least until someone in the ranks is ready for leadership." They both looked over towards the tight group of the next generation who were pretending to pay attention to the speeches. "He has his eye on several possibilities."

"Indeed, who doesn't?

Hermione amused herself by watching Esme and Percy making eyes at one another. He wasn't even pretending to listen to the minister. They were so adorable. She hung on his every word. Marcus reported Esme had summoned Percy around nine and the two had been attached at the hip since. "He's Sacred Twenty-eight, so Father's pleased. Esme clearly adores him, so Mother's seething. All in all good work." Marcus laughed.

Hermione swatted him, "Be nice to your mother."

"Why? She's not nice to anyone." Hermione shot him a look. "What? She's not."