"Mister and Misses Malfoy, we weren't expecting you until later this week." McGonagall was the one to greet the Malfoys as they entered the school from the ongoing rain. "If you would like I could escort you to the Headmasters office to wait for him there; He is busy at the moment in the hospital wing."
"I do hope that everything is okay," Lucius said with mock concern.
"Oh, it will be, there was a bit of a dust up with a few of the seventh years." McGonagall answered as she led them up the stairs.
"I trust our Draco was not involved," Narcissa interjected.
"No, he wasn't." McGonagall replied, "Watch that step, it likes to be tricky on wet days."
Conversation lagged as they walked through the halls. Upon arrival to the headmasters office McGonagall asked them to step back while she said the password. She motioned them to follow her as she climbed onto the ascending stair.
"Well, here we are." McGonagall stated with a wave to the room. She then steered them to a set of comfortable chairs by the fire. "Would you like anything while you wait?" Narcissa looked to her husband who gave a small nod.
"Yes please," she said with a charming smile, her face smooth. "If it is no trouble we will take in some tea with warm biscuits."
"Warm biscuits," McGonagall repeated and returned 's smile, "Yes, I do suppose they would do nicely on a day as cold as wet as this one." McGonagall rang a bell that was sitting on a side table. When the ringing stopped the coffee table in front of them was steaming with warm delights. Conversation once again fell flat as they began to sample the savory offerings.
"Mmm," Narcissa began while sipping on her tea, "Hogwarts elves always knew how to make a decent darjeeling." The only response was the clinking of cups on saucers, McGonagal did not make the best hostess on a good day, and so far a good day it has not been. It was just as well that they did not have to wait as long as they expected. The fire grew high and flared green, and with a puff of smoke Dumbledore stepped out.
"Lucius, Narcissa," He called as he entered. "What a surprise! If I knew you were coming early I would have put a nicer set of robes on!" As it were he was wearing a bright purple and yellow set of robes, dotted in green glittery stars. From what they knew of the Headmaster they would be safe in assuming that the rest of his wardrobe was just as flamboyant.
"No need Dumbledore, after all, it was not you we came to see." Lucius' tone was dismissive, "If you could call our son up to meet us, we have things I would like to discuss before we have dinner with him and his new bride."
"Bride!" McGonagall yelped, clanking her cup onto its saucer violently, spilling tea on her robes.
"Yes," Narcissa smile, "I do find it is nice to learn that we are not the last to know."
"Ah," Dumbledore gave a sheepish grin as he stared into the flames, "We would call him up right away, but as it is the children's day off I must be honest when I say he could be anywhere in the castle. Perhaps you would like to wait for dinner after all?"
"I see," Lucius said coldly, leaning towards his wife to whisper, "This is a perfect example of why I wanted our son to attend Durmstrang. They would know where he was as they do not have as many days off." Narcissa placed her hand on her husband's arm, pointedly ignoring his remarks.
"That would be just fine, right dear?" She nodded as she spoke, silently soothing her spouse.
"Right as rain," He replied.
oOo
When Draco and Hermione entered the Great Hall the first thing they noticed was the lack of the long house tables. In their place were several round tables positioned about the room; the hall was otherwise greatly unchanged. Still, the transformation of the Great Hall was strange; there was no upcoming events this week, and even if there were the school normally made the alteration that very evening.
Draco led her through the room, aware of the eyes following them as he chose a table off to the side. After settling in Zabini was walking towards them, but stopped when Draco shook his head, and he sat down a few tables away instead. Hermione looked around for her own friends and spotted the Weasleys sitting together near the middle. She was not surprised when she didn't see Harry; Madam Pomfrey would probably want to keep him more than a day after earlier. The students eagerly watched the professors sit at their table, expecting an announcement in the way of explanation. However it was very apparent that they would not be receiving any enlightenment from the teachers as they simply sat and started their meal.
"What do you think is going on," Hermione asked, full of curiosity.
"I have an idea," Draco answered dryly, "But whether this helps us or puts us to a disadvantage is yet to be seen."
"You believe that Professor Dumbledore rearranged the Hall because of your parents visit?" Hermione's head whipped around the room as she questioned him, looking for the imminent arrival of his parents.
"With the way his eyes are twinkling, I am so sure I could put money on it." Draco said with a scowl. Seeing her discomfort he reached forward and took her hand, grabbing her attention. "Calm down," he ordered, "This is something that was going to happen sooner or later. The choice of when was taken from us, but the choice of how it will go is still ours. We can choose how to let them see us, we can choose how we let their words affect us, and we can choose to go through this together. They have dictated most of the events in my life, but this one is my choice. I would like it to be our choice." Draco's eyes were filled with determination, his mouth in a soft smile to give her confidence. Inwardly Hermione could have laughed at his words. Here he was talking about choices, something he did not rightly give her. Still, she understood this was not the time to be picking fights; that was between them, when his parents came in they would have to put on the face of a united front.
"I would like that too," She said meekly, "If only to show them they aren't the biggest people in the room."
"If that's what you want then perhaps we should invite that oaf Hagrid to our table, he is easily the biggest bloke in the castle," Draco said this with an easy laugh, trying a joke to calm her nerves instead. It worked as she elbowed him in the side.
"Be nice," she chastised him, "Hagrid also has the biggest heart, and it would do you good to be polite to him too." Draco was satisfied that his jab put Hermione back in control of her emotions. That was good; he was going to need her if they were to stay on top of the upcoming confrontation.
The whole room noticed the moment the Malfoys entered the room. The two aristocratic figures seemed to glide through the room on even footing. They nodded to various students with notable parents. Mr. Malfoy paused at Astoria Greengrass' table. It was hard to hear everything they said from their distance, but Hermione was able to catch that they were giving her their condolences for something. Astoria gave them a small smile, thanking them before glaring at Draco and Hermione. A few tables away Pansy looked absolutely mortified. With a scowl she stood, lifting her wand.
"Don't make a bigger fool of yourself than you are." Lucius stated without even turning to look at her. Pansy sat with a sniff, simpering to her more sympathetic friends.
Their brief interlude with her over, the Malfoys continued their walk to Draco and Hermione's table. Draco continued to hold her hand under table, not wavering under his parents' icy glare.
"Draco," His father's cold greeting chilling the room just as much as his mother's stretched smile warmed it.
"Father, Mother," Draco returned the welcome with his own blend of glacial indifference.
"Draco, Dear," his mother admonished with her arms held out, "Will you not stand and give you mother a hug hello?" Letting go of Hermione's hand he stood and embraced his mother. "You could have warned us," She whispered in his ear.
"And said what?" He teased, "That she isn't from Slytherin?" His mother narrowed her eyes while his father's scowl deepened. Draco only smiled at them as he pulled out a chair for his mother. Hermione felt nervous again and had to remind herself not to fidget. Still, she felt like half the eyes in the Great Hall were on their table. After they were all seated Mr. Malfoy starting staring her down while the Missus seemed to be examining her dress.
"Pity," the blonde woman commented. Hermione wasn't sure if Mrs. Malfoy was judging herself or the dress Draco had given her.
"I agree." Mr. Malfoy stated, although it sounded more like he was agreeing with his own assumption of what his wife meant. "I presume there is no need for introductions here, so we shall skip all those niceties' and go straight to the reason we came here."
"Which was to congratulate us, right?" Hermione's snide comment flew from her mouth before she had time to stop it.
"It would appear that the girl's sense of humor is on par with your own my dear," Mrs. Malfoy commented.
"Do not insult me." Malfoy senior's eyes glinted dangerously without mirth.
"Stop," Draco interjected, his voice was tinged with warning, but for whom Hermione could not discern. "You came here to challenge our union, a right given to you by Wizengamont law."
"What do you mean challenge?" Hermione was not prepared for this, her eyes wide as she looked at Draco.
"I see our Draco has been keeping secrets from everyone. Just as well, I will explain." Mrs. Malfoy took a hold of the conversation. "Originally we were thrilled that our Draco had finally found the witch he was going to give this particular Malfoy heirloom to. Events such as this are once in a lifetime for those with only one heir. But I must digress, when we heard that it was none other than yourself, well, that changed the whole purpose of our visit. Originally we had planned to not only come and celebrate, but to solidify the union with our blessings. It would have been a grand event," Narcissa sighed dreamily. "Our approval of his choice would be the last step in what would be a grand and magical wedding, and providing it met all the requirements it would make the marriage very legal in today's view."
"Requirements?" Hermione repeated, remembering what Ginny had asked in the hospital wing. At this point she was wishing she had read further into this magical wedding business before storming out to confront Draco. At the time he had said something about it not being real, and at the time Hermione had her suspicions that there was more to it than she was being told. Between Ginny and Draco's mom she was finally putting the pieces together. If this had been any other family she might be one night away from being legally wed without her complete knowledge.
"Yes, the requirements," Lucius said, interrupting her thoughts. He gave a sharp look to Hermione, "This is where we are allowed to issue our challenge. We challenge that all the requirements have not been met as of yet, and we challenge the validity of this amalgamation. From the state of the Contegam Uxorem, I can deduce that there is yet another requirement other than our own that is yet to be filled. I am prepared to offer you a generous amount of money to see that not only it stays that way, but you take measures to undo what my son has begun and to walk away. I am not sure what you had planned to get out of this, but I can assure you that it will not be worth the trouble." Hermione spared a glance at the serpent wrapped around her wrist, looking nearly innocent as it lay dormant.
"I have heard enough." Draco interjected before Hermione could even contemplate such an offer. "I admit, there is one last thing that is between us, but I repeat, that is between us. As for the second half of your challenge, the part of attacking the 'validity', I easily rebuke it. You can easily see with your own eyes how the Contegam Uxorem accepts her, something that could not happen if there was nothing between us." The two men stared at each other for a moment, neither one wanting to give way to the other. Once again the senior Malfoy turned his attention to Hermione.
"I would like to let you know that my more than generous offer will stand for when you change your mind. Just see to it that this dalliance goes no further."
"I have no need for your blood money," Hermione's words were meant as a taunt, a jib to acknowledge that she knew that the Malfoys dealt in various underhand ways. In return the man gave a low chuckle, a sneer dominating his features.
"It is funny that you would mention blood," turning to Draco he continued, "That would be the second reason for our visit. Draco, I must say I am curious to know why you would show an interest in one who comes from such a lower lineage?" A look of surprise flashed across Draco's face before he schooled his features once again into a look of composure and control. Hermione was also interested in the answer, with everything that happened recently it wasn't a discussion they have had yet.
"To be honest? I had other things on my mind and I forgot that she was a mudblood." The word once out of his mouth had immediate reactions around the table. Draco grimaced, knowing instantly he had chosen the wrong thing to say. His father leaned back, a smug smile on his face. Narcissa seemed slightly aghast that her son would say such a word in front of so many, she may say it herself, but location and probable deniability were key. Hermione was torn between hurt and fascination. She was hurt to learn her still thought in those terms; but she was fascinated that he had, if momentarily, looked past that mind set and had seen her for who she was and not what she was.
Hermione could tell all three Malfoys at the table were waiting for her reaction, but she also remembered what Draco had said before his parents' arrival. She would choose not to give them the satisfaction of reacting in the way they thought she would. After all, she was not Pansy Parkinson, a girl who was pulled through life by her emotions. She was Hermione Granger, who loved to show her intelligence by getting a leg up in such situations. She smiled and looked at the waiting blondes before speaking.
"Yes, and I forgot that he was a spoiled prat raised by bigoted cretins. I suppose we will all have to look past each other's shortcomings," Hermione almost stopped there, but she felt like it wasn't enough, "After all, we are nearly family…is it too soon to call you Mum and Da?" Whether she chose to complete her semi-marriage to Draco was not the point. Seeing Lucius' eyes bug out and Narcissa turn completely white was.
"I see." Lucius sputtered. "Draco the fact that you planned to bring someone like her," He snarled, "into our family brings me great dishonor." Lucius stood swiftly and cleared his throat, speaking loudly for the room to hear.
"Draco Lucius Malfoy, you have brought shame to your family's name. Kneel and ask for forgiveness as a promise to change, or surrender to the consequences!"
All in the hall abandoned their attempts to be discreet in their observations and openly watched as Draco stood and walked towards his father. Instead of following his instructions, Draco smiled before spitting on his father's shoes.
"You may choose to snivel on your knees and beg, but this Malfoy is done with that way of life." Draco announced.
"Then you are done being a Malfoy." Lucius' tone was even as he spoke, no one doubted the sincerity of his words; no one that is other than Draco.
"You do realize if you disown me there are no others Malfoys in line to inherit and carry on the Family name and fortune."
"I am well aware of that Draco, but I would rather the Malfoy name die before letting it be given to those of lesser blood." Lucius looked pointedly at Hermione as he said this.
"Come," He summoned his wife and the swept out o the room as gracefully as they entered, albeit with a faster pace. The hall was silent as they exited; many of the students were still staring in their direction after they were gone.
Draco thought about telling them off, but thought better of it. That didn't mean he was looking forward to class with them tomorrow, just that for now he wanted to eat in peace. Besides, as cool as she was while his parents were there, he knew he was going to hear from Hermione later on his choice in words.
oOo
Severus Snape heard in advance that there may be a commotion in the Great Hall including his Godson. Normally Snape would put himself very near to ensure things turned out favorably. However when he heard said confrontation would be with the boys own parents he felt it was best if he removed himself. The Malfoys would look to Snape to see his full support, but then Draco would be seeking the same, and with Snapes prior knowledge of what might happen, he knew that one part would find themselves lacking.
No, Snape had to hold his cards close, not revealing his true motives until it was absolutely necessary. He had intended to linger about the halls on the pretense of patrolling during dinner times when a conversation stopped him in his tracts. Hugging the wall he blended into the shadows to listen in, a habit that came as easy to him as breathing.
"Nothing is going according to the plan. Draco was never supposed to get involved. I blame your side of the family for this Narcissa! The Blacks have once again broken good tradition and married into bad blood." The voice he heard was more than full of malice, and was unmistakably belonging to none other than Lucius Malfoy. These strong words were followed by a hushed and even tone, the sound betraying no words, only the silky promise of a voice. Snape strained to hear the full conversation as the Malfoys walked through the halls and down the stairs toward the exit of Hogwarts.
"You were always too soft on the boy and look where it got us? As far as I am concerned we have no son now." Luscious continued his tirade as they passed by Snape's hiding place.
"You surely do not mean this? He is our son, he may have made a very bad choice, but you cannot change blood!" Narcissa took a hold of Lucius' arm, halting their progress down the stairs.
"That is exactly the problem, you cannot change blood! If only he were gay, I could explain that to our lord much easier. But claiming to love a mudblood? That is unnatural!" Lucious stood, staring at the head of his cane, his eyes dark and contemplating. "The original plan has failed, instead of separating Potter from his friends we lost one of our own. It cannot be helped; we will have to kill the girl."
"Petrificus Totalus," Snape had heard plenty, and it was time to take action. The body-bind curse might be a low level wizarding duel spell, but worked effectively on both of the Malfoys. Snape abandoned his cover and walked up to Lucious, looking the man directly in his eyes. "Legilimens," The word came out of Snape like the whisper of a whip.
A meeting was being held in a dark place, and a plan was hatched to weaken the Potter boy. Over the summer he was being watched by a death eater in animagus form, a beetle that Snape recognized with ease. Even as a double agent he had not known of this particular member outright, but now his suspicions were confirmed. The beetle gathered all sorts of information that was returned to Voldamort, and the plan was hatched.
It was swiftly put into place, waiting for the right moment. The whole idea hinged on Voldamort exercising his control of Potters mind, slipping in and out without a trace. Unlike the previous times he had done this, he did not leave images to haunt and hurt the boy. No, this was all about gaining influence and control; overlapping the very soul to take over his actions. During these times Voldamorts body was left vulnerable to the point that he needed someone to stand guard. Nagini was there to watch the man left in charge of tending to the Dark Lords body. The man who held this task was none other than Lucius Malfoy, giving him nearly full knowledge of this nefarious plot.
The time came and the serpentine man struck. Using the knowledge of the Weasley boy's growing attraction, he slipped in control of Potter and initiated a kiss; a kiss that was to lead to so much heart ache and confusion that it would ultimately end their friendship and sever several of the emotional supports that give Potter such strength. He did so under the guise of the Weasley twins new product to throw off any suspicion from Potter. More and more frequent Voldamort would take over or influence Potters actions that the boy was beginning to believe they were his own. As time passed Voldamort took more steps to lead Potter to his destruction. The next step was to alienate the brains of their group, ridding them of the dirty Granger girl.
And that is where the plan took a wrong turn. Voldamort stopped bragging about his progress when he fully returned to his body. Then one day a new caretaker was appointed. Not long after an owl came with a letter from Pancratius Parkinson. The letter held news of Lucius son, a rumor that the Contegam Uxorem Draco had requested recently was bestowed upon none other than Potters mudblood friend.
Snape removed himself from Lucius' mind, took a swift breath to contemplate his next actions. He acted with the knowledge that it was his word against them, and that Legilimency without the ministry's permission was viewed negatively.
"Obliviate." His words as soft as leaves rustling in the grass. Taking his place back near the landing he issued the counter curse to the body bind. The Malfoys continued their walk, slightly dazed, but were able to pick up where they left off.
"Not so loud dear, you know how this castle has eyes and ears all over the place." Narcissa hushed her husband.
"Careful Lucius." Snape said loudly, announcing his presence. The couple looked startled, afraid of what Snape might have heard. "That stair likes to be tricky on wet days." With those words of parting Snape stalked away in a swirl of black robes. He had to inform the Headmaster of what he had learned and to form a full counter plan.
oOo
AN:
So Lucius wasn't as hard to write as I feared, I hope I got him right. I wanted him to be confrontational, but not crazy. I do admit I was tempted to write, "When he saw his potential daughter-in-law was none other than Hermione Granger; He died right then and there of a heart attack. His ghost is sometimes heard cursing through the halls," But I decided not to take the easy way out this time.
This chapter was slightly shorter than the previous few, but is consistent with some of the earlier chapters. I thought to add more details of the actual meal, but I felt it took away from the action, and I am against adding words just for the sake of making a chapter drag out longer. But hey, looks like the Twins are off the hook this time! Originally I wanted to wrap things up in this chapter, but there are still a few more scenes that I felt needed more time, so there could be one to two more chapters. I don't know if I mentioned this before, but this story was only supposed to be ten chapters long. Technically the last line is already written, I just need all the ones between here and there. But I am constantly closing the gap!
A side note, this chapter would have been out yesterday, but one of our classroom guinea pigs was unjustly put to sleep by upper management, and they want me to lie to the children about where he went. So it is safe to say I was doubly mad and was not in the mind to edit.
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