Chapter 11
Hermione's POV
Hermione stood stiffly in front of Malfoy Sr. who was looking at her intently. Merlin this is so uncomfortable, she never anticipated that her second meeting with her "grandfather" would be this awkward.
"Welcome again to Malfoy Manor, Hermione."
The way he said her names seemed creepy even though he said it without his usual sneering voice, but in a casual and soft manner- but it still made her feel nervous and the serious expression on his features made him look like he was just welcoming a formal business partner rather than a family member. Though on second thought it would be really weird if he would welcome her like the way Mrs. Weasley welcomed her in the Burrow.
"I think that dinner is ready, Father. Why don't we continue this there?" Lucius said trying to break the tension radiating between the two.
Hermione didn't say anything when Lucius gently held her to guide her in the dining room. If she had a choice she would be out of this place as fast as she could but Lucius cunning ability to blackmail her left her no choice but to obey him.
While eating you can feel the tension, but no one seems to know what to say. For her part it was very uncomfortable feeling because not only Lucius eyes on her but especially Abraxas unwavering gaze that seems to penetrate even the deepest part of her soul.
Since she and Lucius arrived at the Malfoy Manor Abraxas' eyes never left her as if he is seeing something that she cannot explained what.
"You really look like her."
Hermione immediately stopped eating and looked at Abraxas to find him looking at her with so much emotion in his gray eyes. "Pardon?"
"Adrianna."
She remember him calling her that name when she first come in this Manor but she never knew who Adrianna really is.
"Adrianna, is my late wife and Lucius mother and in your case your grandmother."
"Oh." She said not really knowing what to say. She don't know what is weirder she being referred as a member of Malfoy family or Abraxas looking at her softly.
"As you know Dumbledore already told us everything and you can expect us to help you in any way."
"Even bearing the dark mark." She said boldy while looking at Lucius pointedly. She knows that in the future Lucius will eventually become part of the Death Eaters but she wanted to know if this time he will really become a full part of the Light.
Lucius POV
He knew what Hermione was trying to say. Before she arrived she knew that he was destined to become the Dark Lord's follower but not because he shared his dark opinion but rather he was finding a way to preserve the Malfoy Family, but now, Hermione's arrival changes everything.
If joining the Dark Lord will help his daughter then he would gladly taint his soul for her. "If it will help your mission then I will join him." He said with so much conviction and determination. He was not just saying this because of his duty as her father, but rather because for the first time in his life, he finally found someone to die for and he will do everything to protect Hermione. If he failed to do it in the future- this time he will made sure that he would never fail her again and in any way.
Hermione POV
She said that to test Lucius but seeing his conviction made her speechless. When she arrived in this time she already readied herself to face different danger in facing Voldemort, but she was never ready to find an ally in both Malfoys.
"If you are expecting anything from me then I cannot offer you anything. I came here in your time with only my wand and a promise to destroy Voldemort."
Both Malfoy cringed when they heard the dark lord's name but they immediately recovered making her smiled inwardly. "Fear of the name increases the fear itself." She said remembering that she also said this when she first met Lucius in the future.
"You're my granddaughter Hermione, and you're existence is enough to change our side."
Hermione looked at Abraxas again. "Why?" she couldn't help but asked.
"We Slytherin often scare everyone because of our dark side but we take care of our own and you are a part of Family, you might not understand it but you're existence is very important in our family, Hermione. We know that it will be hard for you to trust us, but we promised with our name that we will aid you in your mission."
Hermione didn't want to, but she found herself believing Abraxas' words.
Lucius POV
He guide Hermione to see the whole Manor and she has been quite since then and he can clearly see the internal turmoil inside her.
"Hermione." He said so gently that it made her stop walking to look at him with her face still devoid from any emotions.
Lucius could no longer stop from touching her. He gently caressed her face and he was so thankful when she just let him while looking at him questioningly. "Hermione." He said again with a smile tugging on his lips.
Now touching her, he could no longer deny the connection. His magic sang for her the way it sang for his father. And he swore again that he will do everything in his power to protect her; anything for her.
"I promise to protect you, Hermione Malfoy."
Hermione was speechless again, she could hear her heart beating so fast and uncontrollably. He called her in his last name and it brought her unexplainable warmness in her heart. And for the first time in her father's presence she allowed herself to feel something. She leaned at his hands and closed her eyes.
The two shared a quiet and peaceful moment as if not noticing their surrounding except the presence of each other. But it was ruined by a loud click followed by a quick flashed of light.
Hermione opened her eyes and quickly turned to see the source of it and her face immediately darkened when she recognized the familiar face of Rita Skeeter though the she was much younger.
Lucius took an immediate step in front of Hermione and growled at the intruder. He didn't know this person but her presence was not welcome in their Manor. "Who are you?" He asked so venomously that it made Skeeters' face go pale immediately and it brought Hermione satisfaction from seeing her so frightened.
"I-I'm R-Rita Skeeter M-Mr Malfoy, I am here for m-my interview w-with your father."
"Father is in the Malfoy Library." Lucius said still with so much venom in his voice that it made Skeeter flee from the scene immediately but Hermione couldn't really blame her because Malfoys' expression at that time promised danger.
Hermione sighed loudly while leaning against the wall and closing her eyes tightly. Seeing Skeeter made her want to kill that bug for writing loathsome words against the people she cared back then during the war.
"Hermione?"
Hermione slowly opened her eyes only to see Lucius worried face while looking at her. "I'm fine, I just really hate Skeeter."
Lucius nodded his head in understanding. "I think it's time to go back in Hogwarts."
Hermione silently agreed, it has been a long day and all she wants to do is lay in bed and sleep.
Hermione POV
They are again walking quietly at the Hogwarts hallway. Lucius insisted to accompany her to the Gryffindor Common Room. The silence might be deafening but it was very comfortable.
"Late rendezvous?"
Hermione couldn't help but sigh inwardly upon hearing the familiar taunting voice of Lily Evans. She calmly looked at her and chose to remain quiet because whatever she would say would only increase the chance of confrontation that Lily loved to create whenever they were facing each other.
"Evans." Lucius said sneering while looking at the muggleborn witch with a formal expression.
"Its late and already curfew." Lily said frowning while crossing her two arms and looking at the two disapprovingly.
"And…" Lucius said boredly while Hermione remained quite and just observing the two conversed.
Lily felt her blood boil, out of all the Slytherins' she disliked Malfoy the most because he always made her feel insignificant. "I can takes points from the two of you."
To Lily's annoyance, Lucius just smirked. "What's so funny, Malfoy!?"
"They said that you were smart Evans, but you are forgetting that I am also a prefect so you cannot deduct points from me."
Lily clenched her hands into fists out of anger, but she forced herself to calm down. "Yes you are a prefect and you are right I cannot deduct points from you but I can deduct points from her." she said while glancing at Granger who remained quiet while looking at her boredly which made her look at her co-Gryffindor with as much hate that she could master.
To Lily's surprise Lucius' smirk immediately vanished and replaced by a dangerous sneer while placing himself, once again, in front of Granger protectively. "Evan's if you have a problem with us, talk to Dumbledore."
Lucius didn't wait for the annoying Gryffindor to say anything he gently grab Hermione's arm and guide her to the Gryffindor's Common Room.
Lily's blood boil while looking at the two retreating figure but she could not help but wonder the obvious protectiveness in Lucius part for Granger. She might not know Lucius but he never know as someone that can care deeply for another human being and it made her question what Granger posses to get the attention of different wizards.
After entering their common room Hermione couldn't help but let out a sight. So much happened and honestly it tested her in way that she never thought. It seemed fate was challenging her because every time something unexpected happened it tested her emotions, which were quite broken by the future. It was never easy facing everything alone without anyone there to support her.
Letting the Malfoys' enter in her life was a big risk because by doing she is not only risking her mission in this time but especially she is risking her heart to be broken by the possible betrayal by them. She had so much darkness in her magic and times yield her to become a good soldier of light but despite of everything she is still human that could be easily shattered by the right person and although she knows that Malfoy doesn't hold a especial part in her heart she also knew that it would only take time before that happened she just wish that this time Merlin will make her decision right.
"Hermione."
Hermione closed her eyes briefly after stopping within her tracks when she heard the familiar voice of James. She slowly turn around to look at him, only then she noticed that him and the other Marauder quietly sitting near the fire place.
"Potter." She greeted him calmly and nodded to the other Marauder who only look at her cautiously and skeptically.
"I've been waiting for you." James said soft and almost nervously while looking at her intently.
Hermione massaged her temple shortly, this ordeal with Harry's father beginning to give her a headache. She remained quite not really knowing how to respond to that.
"Hermione about my pro—"
"Stop it, Potter." She said quietly but sharply. No matter how she looked at their situation it was so wrong in all level knowing who this guy is. She is near in losing her patience.
"Hermione."
When James stepped forward towards her, she immediately took a step backward that made James stop moving immediately.
"This is no longer funny Potter, so please stop this." Hermione saw the hurt in James face but she chose to ignore it, she needs to do this for Harry's existence.
"I'm serious about you." He may be Harry's dad but whatever he is doing is no longer funny. If its one their prank to satisfy their boredom then they must find another way to do that because
Hermione clenched her hand out of frustration due to his stubbornness. "Stop being stubborn Potter."
"I guess you need to be a lot more patient then, for this stubborn guy." James said nervousness finally gone while looking at Hermione with so much determination.
Hermione frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You're right, I am very stubborn and because of that I decided that I will never give you up so you need to bear with my stubbornness because I am not planning stopping until you finally see how serious I am to you."
Ok now she really didn't know how to respond to that. "Then good luck with that." She didn't wait for his answer knowing that whatever it is was would most likely only annoy her more.
Another nightmare, she couldn't help but sigh. . .again. Every morning she would wake up with the nightmare of the future and all she could remember was the dead body of Harry, but she refused to believe in that dream because she was still hoping that Harry survived and someday he and she will reunite again.
It was weird when Anica remained quiet while they were walking to the Great Hall for breakfast. She was used to her talking none stop about something but now she just shut her mouth while sneaking glance at her and if she is not too tired because of her nightmare she might questioned her.
When they entered the Great Hall Hermione felt the eyes of all the student and teachers present in there to her. She frowned out of confusion but she continued to walk, but even when she started eating she could still feel their eyes on her making her frown deepen.
"Is it me or are they really looking at me?" she whispered quietly at Anica who only gave her a copy of Daily Prophet.
Hermione glanced at Anica then silently read whatever was in this stupid newspaper and she didn't need to look any longer when she saw her and Lucius' picture. In any eyes they looked like lovers while Lucius was caressing her face with so much fondness in his features whilst she was leaning into his hand with her eyes closed.
Hermione frowned, Of course…Rita Skeeter was really a great pain even in the past….if only she could put her again in a jar she will ensure that Skeeter will forever regret the day she ever wrote her name. Hermione quietly returned the newspaper to Anica. Even in this time the animosity between Gryffindor and Slytherin are very obvious so it's really no wonder why some of her housemates are looking at her with dislike while the house of Snakes are looking at her as if they are sizing her up.
"Don't mind them…" Anica whispered softly.
Hermione look at Anica, she really remind her of Luna who despite of her oddness has a very pure heart that never falter even in the midst of war. And for the very first time she realized why she like this girl.
Hermione smile a little then look at the Slytherin table where Lucius is seating who is looking at her worriedly.
"He must really like you."
Hermione glanced at Anica who was looking at Lucius curiously before continuing her unfinished breakfast. Someday she wished to tell her the truth and when that time comes, she will be glad to be her real friend.
Hermione frowned while calming herself despite the great urge to curse someone into oblivion. It was like on her fourth year again when almost all the admirers of Harry and Victor turned up against her but now it seems that the whole school is against her and ironically thinking it is all once again Skeeter's fault.
After class Hermione decided to go to the astronomy tower, she might be used to gossip and different stories regarding her but sometimes it can be over bearing especially if her own house is starting to think of her as a traitor because of Skeeter's article.
Hermione close her eyes while leaning at the cold wall of the astronomy tower where she can see the Hogwarts ground clearly.
When she heard a familiar aura of Lucius she can't help but sighed deeply. When she opened her eyes she saw him looking at her worriedly.
"Your expression doesn't suit you well, Malfoy."
Instead of saying anything, Lucius just sat in front of her and whether she hated to admit it, she hates this attitude coming from him. He was so careful around her, so careful in everything that he did; as if he was afraid that with just one mistake he might break her.
"What?!" She couldn't help but asked finally when he just remained sitting and quietly waiting for her.
"What are you doing here?" He quietly asked.
Hermione shrugged her shoulder as answer but when she saw his pointed look she knows that he will not leave her alone without the answer that he wants.
"The noise of the other student can be over bearing sometimes." She answered without looking at him.
"Does it bother you?"
Hermione look at Lucius who is looking at her intently as if he is looking at the deepest part of her soul. "Pardon?"
"The news…does it bothers you?"
Hermione immediately shook her head as an answer.
"Are you lying to me?"
Hermione can't help but laugh at his question. He looks so uncertain and confused. "I thought one of your clan's talent is to determine if someone is lying or not."
Lucius sighed. "You're different, sometimes I thought I can read you then I will suddenly doubt myself if I can really read you… You're an enigma Hermione."
"You know…H-Harry often said to me that I am was an open book and I never doubted him, but right now I think I was only an open book to him because he knew me too well. I want to hate him for that sometimes…" Hermione close her eyes tightly in an attempt to control the pain that was starting to build in her heart.
"Hermione?" Hermione opened her eyes and Lucius' heart broke when he saw her heart breaking expression.
"If he didn't know me I might not be here, right now, safe and unharmed because there is no way he can outsmart me in sending me here."
Lucius grasped Hermione's hand. He didn't know this Harry well but he will be forever grateful to him for ensuring Hermione's safety, because now that he knows her existence there's no way that he will let anyone take her away from him.
"Well, well. What do we have here?"
They both looked at the entrance of Astronomy tower to see the Marauders standing at the entrance.
Hermione didn't like their expression. It's like seeing them in Harry's memory when they were bullying Snape. She looked at James to see his painful and rebellious expression while looking at her and Lucius intertwined hands, but what she didn't like the most was the malicious smirk on Sirius's face while looking at them with so much hatred that was usually only reserved for the Slytherin.
"Back off Black!" Lucius snapped angrily. They can talk to him whatever way they want but they can never treat Hermione this way, because they did not know how much she sacrificed in order for them to live.
"You back off Malfoy!"
Hermione couldn't help but furrow her eyebrows, she might be a transfer student and she might not know James that well but she was almost positive that James was never this harsh, even to a Slytherin.
"Hermione, you better stop hanging out with Malfoy he is not on our side." James said again almost softly, but no one can deny the seriousness on his face.
"You don't have any right to tell her what she will and will not do Potter, you don't own her." As if to prove a point, Lucius held Hermione's hand possessively which earned him another death glare from Potter.
"You pathetic little death eater! You are really as tainted as your clan's blood! Your a garbage!"
Lucius felt Hermione stiffen besides him and he knew that even though she didn't show anything she is very much affected on what Potter is saying and it made his blood boil. They might not know anything about Hermione but they hurt Hermione and for Lucius that is unforgivable.
"Furnunculus!" Lucius shouted with the real intention of hurting Potter but Black managed to push Potter away causing his spell to hit the wall.
"Incendio!" Lucius managed to avoid Black's spell without a problem after gently pushing Hermione away but he didn't see another slicing spell that Potter aimed at him that immediately cause a large cut on his shoulder.
Before he could fight again his wand already flew into Lupin's hand.
"Not so brave now, aren't we Malfoy!"
Lucius gritted his teeth. Lucius wanted to hiss from the pain but he would never give the Marauder the satisfaction by showing them that they managed to inflict pain on him.
Hermione POV
She didn't know how to react. What James said cut her heart in a way that James will never know. When she found out about her true heritage he hated it so much but Harry and Ron never changed and by their help she learned to live with that new knowledge, but when hearing those words from James brought back the disgusting feelings inside her, making her immobile for a while.
But when she saw James raised his wand again towards Malfoy she couldn't believe it, Malfoy already lost his wand and it was pretty obvious that the Marauders already done enough but it seems that they were not yet satisfied by just seeing Malfoy's blood.
For the first time in her stay here in the past Hermione found herself feeling disgusted on how the Marauders were behaving. They act without mercy…just like the death eater that they always despite And it anger her so much to know that these people are Harry's most treasured family.
"Conjunc-"
Hermione didn't let James finish the spell. She cannot let him do that because if he did she might hate him for real this time. "Expelliarmus!" And soon as she finish her spell James wand flew into her other hand.
The Marauders are looking at her as if she betrayed them but she no longer care about that. She felt so numb with different emotions that she cannot identify but all she knows is that she didn't like this kind of feeling.
Silently she walked towards Malfoy and gently wrapped him with her own hanky.
"Hermio-"
"Shut up Potter you done enough!" She said quietly but with full of venom that made James heart freeze.
Without a word James ran as fast as he could away from them, but Hermione couldn't bring herself to care anymore, what she saw today was not something that she would ever like Harry to see because she knew that her bestfriend would be very hurt if he saw how his father acted.
Sirius didn't know how to react, but when he saw the extreme pain in James eyes before his bestfriend ran away made his blood boils.
"So you finally take your side Granger."
When Hermione remained silent and continue tending to Malfoy Sirius anger escalated. "Fine then Granger, enjoy your days here in Hogwarts while you still can." And without another word he followed James.
Remus and Peter didn't know what to do but after a while they decided to follow their friends. When Remus glanced at Hermione he saw her sad expression while looking at their retreating figures and Remus can't help but wonder if he is really doing the right thing by turning his back on her.
Lucius POV
"I will not be mad at you if you decide to follow them." Lucius knew that he can be a very selfish person but he couldn't do that if Hermione is involved.
Hermione smiled sadly. "They are wrong and I will not tolerate them."
"But because of that you are sad."
"I'm always sad and nothing can ever change that."
Lucius didn't say anything but he knew that because of what happen Hermione is much more upset than before and he found again, another reason to hate the Marauders.