Chapter 13

Lucius POV

Lucius has been looking for Hermione all day. Ever since that night the Marauders had been treating Hermione differently. They kept on pranking her for two weeks, at first it was to make fun of her in front of the whole student body but when they saw how unaffected she was, their pranks turned into more vicious ones that hurt her physically.

Lucius tried his best to protect her but he cannot be around her all the time and he can't help the feeling of being powerless while watching Hermione's hidden sadness whenever she falls and stands on her own while everybody is laughing at her.

For the first time in his life he found himself feeling deep anger not only for the Gryffindors but also to the other houses for just watching her suffering and sometimes participating. It was a good thing that the Slytherins have a lot respect to him and do not join in this silly revenge of the Marauders'.

He hates them all for hurting her but he hates them more because they cannot realize and see how much she is suffering. Yes! They do not know how much she must sacrificed to redeem this world. How much she must give up in order for them to have a normal life. How many times she must die inside in order for them to live, but it never gave them any right to treat her like this.

Lucius can't wait for the time to come when everyone will realize the greatness in her.
He was outside still looking for his daughter until he reached the Whomping Willow but what he saw stopped him in his tracks and made his heart beats faster out of fear.

There she is, sitting near the Whomping Willow and he was so scared that at any moment the tree might hit her.

"Hermione?" He said almost in a soft and careful tone.

When she says nothing he call her name again and this time she look at him with a very soft expression but he can't help but curse silently when he saw small cut on her forehead and he was very sure that it was not because of the Whomping Willow.

Lucius walked faster and sat next to her not minding the dirt or the wetness of the ground."What are you doing here? It's cold here." he said in a very thoughtful voice.

"Do you know that Whomping Willow was rumored to be hunted in our time, but that didn't stop us from coming back here."

"Hermione?"

"In my time I was called a Bookworm/Know it all." Hermione smiled and briefly look at him with a very calm expression.

"You see, before I discovered that I am a witch I had difficulty in making friends then when I found out about magic it overwhelm me to the point that my desires to know everything blinded me, I had this constant fear of being rejected by everyone that made me question why the sorting hat put me in Gryffindor and Harry and Ron become my friends, the very first friends I ever had."

Hermione stood and with just a flick of her hand the Whoomping Willow stopped moving. "They taught me the value of true friendship, to stand for what I am and to never fear anything because as long as they are besides me I will never be alone."

"Hermione." Lucius whispered, he wanted to stand beside her and tell her that she is not alone that he will never leave her that all this time she only pretended to be okay! Why can't anyone see how much she needed someone to hold her and just be with her!

"This is the place where I first met Sirius Black and the place where I saw Harry's true smile." Hermione took a deep breath.

"This is the place where I promised myself that I will never leave Harry's side that I will stand with him… and in his decision no matter what it is…"

And suddenly the answer in his earlier question clicked to him, she's been lost and she is looking for any reason to continue.

"If you wish you can just live a normal life and stop fighting then go on. I can protect you Hermione." He told her, because no matter what she chooses he will stand beside her no matter what happens. If she wishes for world domination then he will be willing to destroy anyone that will stop her.

"Every day I wish that I can…but every time I tried to give up I can see Harry's and Ron's face and I-I'm afraid that if I give up I might…I-I might forget t-them…I c-can't do that…I c-can't live not r-remembering H-Harry and R-Ron. T-They are my number one s-source of danger but t-they are also the r-reason why I a-am fighting all this t-time."

Hermione took a deep breath and look at him with a very heartbreaking expression. "C-can you do me a f-favor p-please?"

Lucius stood immediately and held Hermione's hand tightly. He would do anything and give everything to her all she just needed to do is ask and he will give it to her without a second thought. "All you need is to ask and it's yours."

She bow her head but he didn't miss the tears that slowly falling in her eyes, Gently he held her chin and made her look at him but her expression broke his heart more. In that moment he managed to see again her vulnerability.

"Say it Hermione…and I promise in our clan's name that I will grant everything that you desires."

"Don't make me give up …p-please."

Lucius thought that nothing can break his heart more that her broken expression but hearing her words made him speechless. He didn't know what to say or do so he just hug her tightly and let her cried in his chest.

Oh Merlin he knows that he is not a good person, but he can be in exchange for her happiness. He cursed everything and everyone that let his daughter experienced everything. She is just a child…a child that should experience everything that he experienced. A child that should not bear the problem of the world but rather fool around, making mistakes and learning from that mistakes, but fate is cruel because he chose Hermione to face and carry this burden.

"I promise…I promise so please stop crying." When he felt her nod he gently held her face and wiped her tears. "I will never leave you Hermione. You are my daughter and I promise to you that as long as I live you will never be alone again… You just have to trust my words…Can you trust me?"

It feels like million lifetime waiting for her answers but when she nod, Lucius can't help but smile wider.

"Now I believe that tomorrow there will be a grand ball…"

"I don't know Lu-"

"Ah… Ah… Hermione, you are a Gryffindor it's time for them to see it in you…Tomorrow you will attend that ball with your face held high to show everyone that you are a bigger person than any of them combined."

When he can still see doubt in her beautiful face Lucius kneeled in front of her "Ms. Hermione Granger…no Ms. Hermione Malfoy will you do me the honor to escort you on tomorrow's ball."

"Well that's a very difficult question." When she saw him frown she can't help but giggle, "Yes…and it will be my honor."

Lucius' smile widened hearing her answer and giggle and when he stood he hugged her tightly and lifted her while laughing out of joy which made her laugh too.
Unbeknownst to them one pair of eyes are watching them from afar.

Sirius POV

James heart has been broken many times by Lily but it was nothing compared to what he felt when Hermione took Lucius' side. He felt so betrayed and hurt. So he stayed in their room after class not doing but just looking at their ceiling.
Sirius took a deep breath while looking at his best friend immobile figure. Right now he hates Granger and Malfoy more than anyone because he never take it lightly when someone hurts his friends especially if it is James.

So these past two weeks he's been tormenting Hermione he knows that he is doing too much but every time he saw James his anger broadens. Remus and even Peter had been trying to stop him but he saw no reasons all he knows is that he is doing everything for James who became his family when his own family turned their back on him.

So he made sure that whatever James' feeling is, she will feel it too. And he will make sure that she will regret taking that snake's side.

Hermione POV

Hermione kept on blinking while looking at the large box in her bed who was delivered by a house elf who looks like Dobby.

"Why don't you open it?"

Hemione look at Anica when she saw her friend's expression.
After a few seconds Hermione decide to follow Anica's advised by slowly opening the box and when she saw a very beautiful white gown she couldn't help but gasp and so did Anica.

"It's very beautiful!" Anica gasped and she only nodded to agree. It was very beautiful, she took the card beside the box and silently read it.

For the angel that Merlin brought to me…
Lucius…

Hermione can't help but be humbled on what she read.

"Lucius is very sweet."

She look at Anica to find her reading besides her.

"Sorry, curiosity caught me." Her friend said with a sheepish smile which she returned with a soft one.

"It's too beautiful for me." She said almost quietly.

Anica frowned at that, it was clear the Hermione didn't see herself well. Merlin when she walked all eyes followed her, and even though almost all the student body are against her right now because of her conflict with the Marauders. Anica bet that it would never change the fact that Hermione is still the hottest girl in Hogwarts.

Anica took the gown and gently laid it in Hermione's hand. "Tomorrow at the ball when you wear this I assure you that you will make Lucius the luckiest wizard in Hogwarts."

She has her doubts but she must do this. Lucius is right she must face everyone with her head held high. She is the Gryffindor princess and she will never bow down to anyone, she didn't before while facing Voldemort or his minions and she will not do that in front of immature witches and wizards who take life lightly.

Hermione's POV

Something is not right she can feel it. The silence in their muggle studies' room cannot comfort her. She can feel pairs of eyes on her back especially since she is sitting in front.
It was their last class before the ball and everyone is busy talking not really minding Professor Smith their muggle studies' teacher.

"Alright everyone I know that you are very excited on your upcoming ball but can you all please pay attention to me and identify what is in the pictures."
When no one pays attention to her, Mrs. Smith sighed irritatedly. "Come on guys, I know that most of you came from magical upbringing but I expected many of you to pay attention to my class since it is easy."

"Professor why don't you just let the muggleborn answer you it's much easier."

Hermione frowned when she heard the maliciousness in Sirius tone. She can't help but turn around to look at him only to catch him looking at her with so much malice.

"Like Ms. Granger, for example Professor Smith." He said with a smirk that she didn't like.

Different whisper rung surrounded the area. Hermione took a deep breath and just look at the front not wanting to see Sirius' foul expression. Since Lucius affection to her everybody assume that she is a pureblood because a Malfoy even this time is known for their hatred towards muggles.

To be honest she didn't really care whether they know her as muggle, half blood or pureblood but base on Sirius' hatred toward her she know… no she is very sure that he is planning something by spreading her muggle status.

"Well Ms. Granger why don't you identify one of the picture?" Professor Smith said kindly not noticing Sirius' malicious smile.

"That's a piano professor."

"See professor she can answer your question, a real tough one. I have a question professor."

"What it is Mr. Black?"

"Is it true that most muggles use music to seduce a rich and powerful man?"

A much louder whisper erupted and Hermione's eyes widen for a second when she catch what is Sirius trying to do. It was stupid of her to hope that the other Marauder will stop Sirius because as seconds pass when no one say anything she knows that no one will help her.

"Well is it true professor? Because I am a very willing victim for them."

"That is enough Mr. Black!"

"Yes professor." Sirius' said with a very smug voice.

Hermione needed to grab her pen tightly to stop herself from grabbing her wand. Merlin! Sirius needed to stop…he needed to stop before she completely lost her respect that Harry's godfather embedded in her.

"Hermione did you received my present?" Lucius asked excitedly when she saw Hermione walking in the hallway but he immediately frowned with he saw the different stares that the other student giving Hermione and him.

"What's wrong?" he asked worriedly.

"Don't worry about it." Hermione said with a smile that didn't even reassure him even slightly but he decide to let it pass and just help his daughter carry her things which earned more whispers.

Random POV

Everybody is happy, all wear beautiful gowns and suits. The committee in decorations did well because the place was so enchanting and magical.

Hermione felt as if she was in her fourth year again but this time she cannot see the excitement that she had in her eyes before. That white dress that reach each above her legs made her look like an angel.

She looks like an angel according to Anica but she can't see it, all she can see is an empty doll…a very wounded angel.

When Lucius saw her she can see fondness and admiration in his eyes. "You look very beautiful Hermione."

She smiles despite the different emotion that she has been feeling since Muggle study. She is very sure that whatever happened during their class was only the beginning.

"Hermione?

When she look at his face she saw how concerned he was and she like to ensure him that she is just fine but for an unknown reason she cannot lie instead she look at the empty hallway while taking a deep breath to calm her fast heartbeat.

"I don't know Lucius…I felt different…as if something will happen…"

"If you don't want to go I will understand." And she can see honesty in his eyes but she knows that she cannot back down this is something she must do in order to live normally as normal as she can.

Summoning all courage she needs she gently hold Lucius hand and tightly held it which surprise Lucius greatly it was probably the first time that Hermione initiate something like this because it was always him who do the first move.

"Promise me Lucius something."

"Anything…"

"Just hold my hand."

"I will never let you go."

And for the first time she found herself believing him not as just her comrade but as her friend.

When they enter the ball Hermione felt knots in her stomach. This kind of feeling is the kind of feeling that stirred her war instinct up making her hold Lucius' hand so tightly that it made Lucius look at her discreetly.

She may be calm and collected inside but she felt exactly the opposite. Something will happen

.
When they enter the Hogwarts hall she can feel all eyes on them which she ignore greatly. She also saw the Marauders at the other side of the Hall. James is looking at her with so much adoration that she cannot bear to look at his eyes longer, but when she saw so much maliciousness in his eyes she suddenly felt cold.

"Ignore them."

She heard Lucius whisper in her ears.

Signing deeply she followed Lucius movements and she thank him silent when he guided them to an isolated place that was away from prying eyes but they can still see everything.
Time is running out and whether she admits it or not she enjoyed talking to Lucius he is intelligent and held himself in everything they are talking about, making her momentarily forget the negative vibes that she has been carrying.

But when she saw Sirius walk in the center stage she can't help but feel it again.

"Silence please!" Sirius said in a very smooth yet commanding tone and just like that everybody listened even the Slytherin who glared at him but made no comment.

"Thank you… thank you my Ladies and gentlemen." He said while winking flirtatiously at some random girls who giggled rather loudly which brought up smirk in Sirius' lips. "Ok… It not every day that our professor gave us liberty to let as enjoyed this grandiose party so let's thank them."

A loud roar erupted from the students.\

"So I think all of you will agree if I said that we must present to them something to thank them properly even though they are not here."

A loud shout came from the students. "I guess all of you heard what happen in our Muggle Studies?"

Hemione frowned, she closed her fist to calm herself because right now Sirius' is her least favorite person especially that almost everyone are whispering while looking at her as if they are above me.

"What happened during Muggle Studies?" Lucius asked quietly while looking at the students who are looking at Hermione with expression that made Lucius clinches his fist.
Instead of answering Hermione just look at Sirius who are looking at her with a very smug expression. If only he knows how easy it is so easy for her to wipe that smile.

"Hermione?"

"If Sirius will not stop I will make him." Hermione said in a quite yet very dangerous voice that made him shiver.

"So ladies and gentlemen let's welcome our transferee student Ms. Hermione Granger!"

Boo's and shout of disgust can be heard all over the place, and though he didn't know what is happening Lucius stand in front of Hermione to hide her against those eyes. He gritted his teeth and close his fist tightly while looking at Sirius' with so much anger that and right now he didn't have any problem imagining Black's demise.

Hermione stand abruptly and turn her back to live ignoring those sounds that almost break her eardrums but when she saw Sirius' smug smile on her thought she stop immediately and walk faster to where a shock Sirius is standing.

She was fool to think that this is the same Sirius that she respected so much. This time is not her time this is not her world were all good sides are united to protect each other and this is not her place where everyone is done from being childish and were everyone is joined to grow up in order to face the many cruelties of war! She is very foolish!

She stopped in front of Sirius and look at him closely. "Congratulation Black…you must feel so great about yourself now."

Hermione said softly but it feels like she slapped him with her words especially when he saw the disappointment in her eyes. When she move towards the piano which he reserved to humiliate her more he cannot do anything but watch her.

Hermione can feel every bits of heart breaking. This was nothing compares to any pain that she felt during her stay in this time. Sirius didn't say anything but it was so clear to everybody who heard what happened to Muggle studies what he think of her…a muggle whore…a muggle s*** who seduced Lucius for her own benefits but also she knows that if you are smart enough he branded her as a Death eaters w***.

She was called a different names before but she never minded it, but now his words are nothing compared to whatever names given to her before.

Taking a deep breath she force herself to remind Harry…to remind herself her promise towards him…but everything is fading…every memories that she shared with all Sirius was slowly replaced by all the young Sirius did to her and scared her so much especially when the urge to protect them was slowing fading.

Taking a deep breath she started to play the key of piano with so much anger that created an unrecognized tone and noise making those near the stage flinch and to cover their ears.
She didn't know how long she created those noises all she knows is that she was so mad right at that moment. Then she heard it making her stop abruptly she listened again but nothing…she suddenly felt empty and before she knows it her finger start moving but this time in a very gentle move.

Back in Time

(Lyric English Translation)

The light that is fading in the clouds

Falling at the window is too noisy
The cooling memory is just like the sound of the rainwater
Capture my heart, refuse to leave

That increasingly strong
Lock in the nostalgia
Couldn't I step back in time
Back to the time when you give me a hug
Everything now doesn't matter

She was in the bleachers at the top of quidditch field waiting for her friends who busy practicing for their upcoming game against Slytherin and as usual she is busy reading Hogwarts history.
To her surprise somebody snatch her book making her look the culprit sharply only to see a large grin in her friend's face.

"Harry give me back my book!" She said sternly who just grin at her seemingly unaffected by her anger.

"Hermione lets fly."

She roll her eyeball and look at his friend. "In your dreams Potter."

"Well this might be my lucky day."

Before she can ask him what he is talking about he suddenly hold her and put her in front of him in his broom then flew them up high making her scream at the top of her lungs which only made her scream louder.
"Geesh Hermione calm down…don't worry I will never let you go…"

I follow the tortuous path that is wet
Look back at our memories together
In the rain that obscures the vision, I think of you
In my tears, you emerge in my mind

That increasingly strong
Lock in the nostalgia
Can I step back in time
Back to the time when you give me a hug
Everything now doesn't matter

"What is that Harry?" She asked looking his friend who is busy doing something and to her suspicious he just grin at her and quickly hide whatever he is doing making her frown more.

"Nothing"

Before she can say anything he quickly ran to his dorm.

She sighed sadly while looking at her friend's retreating figure, it seems that Harry really forgot about her birthday.

With another sad sigh she walks towards her room.

In was very early in the morning when she woke up only to see a beautiful box. She quickly opened it and she can't help but smiled softly seeing a handmade bracelet. It was not expertly done but you can see that whoever made it put so much effort to finish it. Her smile grew bigger when she read a card beside it with Harry's name.

All dissipated, whether it's the time we spent together,
or the look of you and me at the time
She will give everything just to go back in her future to be with him again. To the only person that will never hurt her in any way. To her best friend who gave everything to ensure her safety. To Harry who is her brother in every way except blood.
She promised him that she will redeem their future but how can she do that if she is beginning to question everything.

Let's back to the time when I am in your embrace
Couldn't I step back in time
Even if this is the only chance, or the last chance
It doesn't matter.

When she stop she almost gasp when she finally noticed tears on her face. She immediately stopped and walked away from that place. Lucius immediately went to her side holding her hand tightly with a very hard expression.

But she was not yet done, they need to hear this. With so much energy that she still has she face Sirius along with Marauder and look at him softly.

"I never thought that I would be ashamed to call myself a Gryffindor, not until now." She said with a very heartbreaking expression. With that she walked away and this time not turning her back to look at anyone.

Her walking become jog until she is running so fast until her feet brought her at the black lake. Seeing the darkness of the lake made her brought up her tears.

"Merlin I wanna go back home…please I just want to go back!" she mourned without inhibition.