Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A/N: Once again, thanks so much for all the reviews, favorites, and follows! Another big thanks to my wonderful beta, Modges! Happy Valentine's Day!
Hermione was fuming by the time she got back to Grimmauld Place with Harry. As soon as they popped into their home, Hermione turned on Harry.
"I. Can't. Believe. You. Did. That!"
Each word was punctuated with a smack to Harry's person with each one getting progressively harder.
"Ouch, stop that! Do I need to remind you, yet again, that you told me I could?" At Harry's response, she let out a cry of frustration and threw herself on the nearest couch. Harry lifted at eyebrow at her. "Aren't you being a bit over-dramatic?" Hermione's face fell a little at Harry's question.
"Merlin, you are right. I am being ridiculous. It's just that I thought I would be okay with seeing him again, after all, I went to the party knowing he was going to be there. But then he interrupted my conversation with Blaise and looked at me with such loathing that I was transported right back to sixth year."
Harry sat down next to her and flung an arm over her shoulder to pull her close. She buried her face into his chest and sighed.
"You still love him, don't you?"
"I've tried to tell myself after all this time that I don't, that I couldn't possibly love him after what he did. But good Godric, I do. I still love him. What kind of weak witch am I that I still love someone who treated me like that?"
"You are not weak! You are an incredibly loyal and loving witch. It's hard to just turn those feelings off, you know that."
"It doesn't matter. I'll just have to get over it. He's one of Draco's best mates and I need to accept the fact that I might run into him from time to time. I'm sure Draco will run interference if I ask."
"I really wish you had just let me kill him when he broke up with you. What would they have done to me? Thrown me in Azkaban? Right, good luck with the evil wizard vanquishing if I wasn't around." Harry's words had the desired effect as Hermione cracked a small smile.
"Oh yes, no consequences for the great Chosen One. Enough about him, why don't you tell me about Parkinson and why you let her keep you company all night?" A bright red blush bloomed across Harry's face at the mention of Pansy Parkinson. He quickly stood up.
"You know, it's late and I'm very tired. I think I'll go to bed, good night." With what was obviously a contrived yawn, Harry quickly left the room. Hermione laughed softly. That was surely an interesting reaction. She'd have to question him some more on that at a later time.
The two Pureblood heirs looked at Lord Zabini suspiciously.
"Just what is this solution, Father?"
"Come now, Blaise, I'm quite surprised it hasn't come to you. It is, in fact, a common enough occurrence. In fact, I can think of at least two such situations just in the Zabini line." Enlightenment showed on Blaise's face when he realized what his father was talking about. Theo, still thoroughly confused, raised an eyebrow at him. Blaise drew in a deep breath, before turning to Theo, saying just one word.
"Triad."
Theo's eyebrows shot up and his mouth turned into an O as soon as Blaise uttered that word. He couldn't believe he hadn't thought of it as soon as Lord Zabini mentioned a solution. This would allow him to be with both the people he loved and not be forced to separate with Blaise. It was brilliant, it was perfect! It would...never work. His face fell as that last realization came to him. While a triad was the ideal solution, it would never work. He broke Hermione's heart and she hated him. With a sad sigh, he turned to Lord Zabini.
"Your idea is brilliant, sir, however I just can't see that working."
"Oh? And why is that, if I may ask?"
"While Hermione might have some warm feelings towards Blaise, she positively hates me. Not only would she not agree, but I'm pretty sure Lord Malfoy is just looking for a reason to kill me. This might actually give him one."
"Nonsense, my boy! Lucius is going to want his daughter secured in a powerful marriage, with a powerful husband. With this contract, she gets two powerful and well-connected husbands and the added bonus of at least one of her husband's being in love with her. A rare thing to be seen in a Pureblood marriage."
"I don't know, Father, I think Theo has a good point. And not only that, I don't think Draco would be too happy about this either."
"Are you boys Slytherins or not? I can deal with Lucius. I'll talk to your father, Theo, and we'll draw up a petition to present to Lucius. Don't you worry about anything. I want that girl as a part of my family and I would be honored to have you as another son, Theo. I'll let you know when we have something for the both of you to look over." Without letting them contest, he turned around and walked hastily away, presumably to go find Lord Nott. The two lovers just looked at each other, confused as to how they were just completely railroaded.
"Do you really think your father can pull this off?"
"I'm not sure why anything my father does surprises me anymore. If anyone can pull this off, it's him. He may come off as an easy-going, un-subtle Hufflepuff, but he can out-con even the best Slytherin. I think the better question is, what do you think Hermione is going to do when she gets her hands on that petition?"
"If she's in a good mood? Tear it to pieces and set the thing on fire."
"Well then, it seems we have some work to do. We have a witch to convince."
The next morning found Hermione in the kitchen with a very nervous looking Harry Potter. She eyed him apprehensively, curious as to why he was nervous. They stared at each other, the seconds passing by slowly. Finally, Harry broke eye contact and anxiously ran a hand through his hair.
"You should probably sit down, Hermione."
"What is it? What happened?"
"I wasn't going to show you this, but decided that you were probably going to end up seeing it anyway." She sat down at the table as he extended his hand, which was holding a copy of the Daily Prophet, to her. She took it, her eyes flicking to his, already having an idea what she was going to see. She opened the paper and looked at the front page, reading the top headline.
New Malfoy Sibling Found! Does Draco Malfoy Have A Twin?
This reporter is rarely surprised anymore, my wonderful readers. However, when I heard this piece of news, I almost fell over from the shock of it. It has come to my attention that the Malfoys have a long-lost daughter who isn't quite so lost anymore! While the Malfoys have refused comment, I was able to obtain some very interesting information on this surprising development. Cassiopeia Malfoy was introduced during a party located at Malfoy Manor just last night. Her brother, one Draco Malfoy, was introducing her as his twin sister. This raises so many questions, readers! Where has Ms. Malfoy been all this time? Why is she just appearing now? However, this isn't even the most interesting part of the story, oh no! According to an eyewitness, who describes Ms. Malfoy as lovely and charming, her escort to the party is most intriguing indeed. Ms. Malfoy arrived to the party on the arm of none other than The-Boy-Who-Lived himself, Harry Potter! Since Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy are known to be bitter rivals, why was Mr. Potter escorting Mr. Malfoy's sister to a party held at Malfoy Manor? This reporter also wonders what Mr. Potter's live-in lover, Hermione Granger, has to say about this. Maybe The Chosen One is finally getting revenge for her constant heartbreak. So many questions, readers, so many questions. Stay tuned for answers!
Rita Skeeter
Hermione finished the rather short article and calmly placed the paper on the table. Harry looked at her warily, unsure of what her reaction was going to be. He was absolutely surprised when, instead of the anger he was expecting to see, she burst out into hysterics.
"This is hilarious! I bet it's just killing her that she has such limited information. I wonder if she ever gets tired of trying to pair us up."
"You aren't mad?"
"No, it's rather pathetic, don't you think? Besides, Narcissa warned me that the news might leak out. I was only concerned with the public finding out that Cassiopeia Malfoy is Hermione Granger. I'm sure it's going to happen eventually, but since it hasn't yet, I'm choosing to find this article funny instead. Really? Live-in lover?"
"Well, it's better than the "Galleon-grubbing trollop" that she called you last time."
"I don't know, at least "Galleon-grubbing trollop" has a bit more originality to it."
"You make a good point, live-in lover of mine."
Laughing, she threw a biscuit at his head.
"Shut it, heartbroken Potter."
Their banter turned into a rather childish, impromptu food fight when Harry launched a spoonful of eggs at her face. Her mouth fell open in shock. Harry, unsure as to whether he should start running or not, started inching towards the door.
Suddenly, Hermione smirked in a way that was far too much like her twin brother for Harry's comfort. She grabbed a handful of toast off the platter and began flinging the buttered slices at Harry's head with surprising accuracy.
Refusing to be outdone, Harry grabbed whatever food was nearest to throw back at her. This lasted for a couple of minutes before the two were interrupted by someone clearing their throat. There, standing in the doorway with eggs dripping down his robes, was Severus Snape and he did not look amused.
Harry and Hermione looked at Severus, then at each other and promptly burst into loud laughter.
"Yes, well, if you two are done acting like little children, you can clean up this mess."
"Aww, come on, Uncle Sev. We were just having a bit of fun. Did you eat? Obviously we need to remake breakfast."
"I'm quite fine, thank you. Some tea, however, would not go amiss. I just came over to see how you were doing."
"Read the paper, did you?"
"Preposterous, the whole article. Rita Skeeter always was a dunderhead. But I was actually referring to your confrontation with Mr. Nott."
Hermione huffed impatiently at this.
"Uncle Sev, really. I'm not sure how many different ways I need to make it clear that I do not want to talk about him."
Severus made an noncommittal sound as he reached for the cup of tea Hermione had just placed in front of him.
Hermione looked closely at his face. She could tell he had something that he really wanted to tell her. With a sigh, she sat down next to him in the now clean chair.
"Just spit it out, Uncle Sev. I promise to listen."
"I think this is something that you need to see rather than being told. Harry, do you still have a Pensieve?"
"Sure, Severus. I'll run up and grab it."
They watched as Severus removed a thin, silvery strand from his head and placed it into the swirling liquid. Severus gestured to Hermione to go ahead.
She looked at Harry, silently asking him to accompany her. He took her hand and they both stuck their heads in. Within seconds, they found themselves in Severus's memory of what happened last night after they both left Malfoy Manor. They watched and listened as Theo confessed all. Harry couldn't contain his laugh as he watched Draco punch Theo in the face.
A quick elbow to the ribs from Hermione shut him up right quick.
The memory ended there, as Severus had followed Draco, and they found themselves back in Grimmauld's kitchen.
Hermione sank into the nearest chair, trying process what she had just seen.
Harry put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. Severus watched the range of emotions pass over Hermione's face, finally settling on anger.
She suddenly shot out of her chair. "I'm going to kill her!"
Harry gently pushed her back down into the chair.
"You can't. She's already in Azkaban, along with her father."
"I don't care. I'll break into Azkaban and then kill her!"
"You will do no such thing. Stop acting like such a Gryffindor. This is the exact type of behavior that gets innocent people thrown in Azkaban for twelve years."
Harry growled at Severus's clear insult to Sirius. Hermione just glared at him.
"That was uncalled for, Uncle."
"Maybe so, but you need to calm down. There is nothing you can do about her now."
"Fine. I just don't understand why. Why didn't Theo just talk to me? I'm sure we could have figured something out."
"Trust me when I say it was safer this way. He was trying his best to protect you."
"This could be a good thing, Hermione. Maybe you two can work something out. A blind man could see he still loves you," Harry interjected. Hermione looked at him sadly.
"It's too late for that, Harry. Yes, I still love him, but even if I was able to get past this to forgive him, he's with someone else now."
"What? How do you know that?"
"It was clear from their behavior last night. Theo's with Blaise." Harry seemed surprised by this revelation and looked to Severus for confirmation, who gave him a nod. Severus took her hand in his and looked at her, silently asking if she was going to be okay. She smiled at him and stood to give him a hug. "Thanks for coming by to show this to me, Uncle Sev. It does make me feel better that Theo didn't say those things because he meant them."
"You're welcome. I must take my leave, I have some potions that need to be finished."
Knowing that Severus had a laboratory in Malfoy Manor, she asked him to deliver Narcissa a letter she had written earlier that morning.
Grumbling that he was not to be mistaken for an owl, he promised to see it safely to its intended recipient. With his robes billowing around him, he turned and leave the kitchen, leaving Hermione and Harry to the rest of their breakfast.
Hermione decided she'd had enough of all the drama lately. Determined to have some fun this afternoon, her attention turned back to the paper still laying on the table. Slowly, a smirk appeared on her face.
"Harry? What do you say to causing some mischief?"
"Why, dear sister of mine, what did you have in mind?"
"How do you feel about a trip to Diagon Alley?"
Harry grimaced. Going out into the wizarding was usually a huge hassle. He was never left in peace to do what he needed, which was a large part of why neither of them ventured into that world anymore.
Hermione, seeing the look on his face, rushed to explain her idea.
"Just think of the fun we can have, the Potter heir escorting a Malfoy around Diagon Alley. It would cause a ruckus, the ultimate prank. We can make a production out of it, people won't know what to think."
"Aren't you worried someone might recognize you?"
"Not really. It seems the only people who can see Hermione Granger in Cassiopeia Malfoy are those that knew me extremely well. And honestly, there aren't that many of those people out there."
"I'm in. Let's rock the wizarding world's boat."
Hermione gave him a big smile and went up to choose their outfits. Since Narcissa had taken it upon herself to constantly shop for the both of them, they had a much bigger (and more expensive) wardrobe than before. Hermione selected some of the most expensive pieces of clothing they had. If they wanted to make a statement, might as well go all out.
Two hours later found the two friends about to enter the Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley for the first time in ages. Harry looked every inch a Pureblood Prince with her looking the Pureblood Princess that would be expected of a Malfoy. They passed through a mostly empty Leaky to stand before the brick wall that was the entrance to Diagon Alley.
"Ready?" Hermione asked as she tapped her wand on the correct pattern of bricks. In answer, Harry just smirked and took her arm. The Alley wasn't overly crowded so they did not garner an overabundance of attention. They spent some time in a few shops here and there, actually enjoying the fact that they were shopping in wizarding London once again. Hermione was surprised to find they were there for almost an hour before the whispers made their way to her ears.
"...Harry Potter..."
"...did you see..."
"...Malfoy..."
Hermione looked at Harry and smirked. She led him to a new cafe that had an outdoor seating area so they could eat lunch, laughing the whole way. It was amusing to see the looks they received as people passed by. After what was a very tasty and quite entertaining lunch, they decided to do some more shopping. Hermione was having so much fun just being out and about with her best friend that she forgot her original intentions. It was when they came out of Flourish and Blotts, their last stop for the trip, that she noticed the crowd in Diagon Alley had grown exponentially. Word must have gotten out.
"Are you ready to go, Harry dear?"
"Whatever you wish, love."
Hermione had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at the expressions on the faces of the people within earshot when he said that. It wasn't unusual for Harry to call her that or vice versa. It was just another term of endearment to them. They walked back to the Leaky Cauldron and Apparated home. As soon as they arrived, they both burst out laughing.
"Did you see their faces? I haven't had that much fun in a long time. Good idea, Hermione. People were so surprised to see me out with a Malfoy, they actually left me alone!"
"I can't wait to read the evening edition of the paper. I know we had a photographer following us for some time. I wonder what that beetle will call me this time."
Just as she thought, the evening edition did prove to be entertaining. There were many photos of them coming in and out of stores, a few with them at lunch. All came off as playful, possibly flirtatious. The speculation in the article was high since the beetle had no real information to go on and it read like a fiction story to Hermione. She smiled.
The two wizards were sitting around the fire when the owl arrived with the evening paper. Blaise got up to give the owl a piece of bacon as Theo took the paper. His eyes grew wide as he opened it up and saw what was contained on the front page. Blaise, curious as to what would cause such a reaction, snatched the paper away from him. Looking at the pictures, he muttered one word, "Shit." He looked at Theo, who now looked like he was going to lose it.
"Calm down, Theo. You know how the Prophet is. I'm sure this is nothing."
"It certainly doesn't look like 'nothing'. It looks like Potter is trying to steal our witch."
"She's not ours, Theo."
"I know, I know that. I just got my hopes up, that's all. But look, that picture right here, she looks so happy to be with him."
"I think you are jumping to conclusions. Pictures can be misleading. Besides, I think Draco would have mentioned this development. Or at least complained about it constantly."
Theo chuckled at that. Blaise certainly had a point there.
"Good point. Now get your arse over here and help me with this letter. Do you think there's enough groveling?"
Blaise took the letter from him and read it over. After he declared it perfect, Theo sent it off with his owl. Awaiting a reply was going to be torture, but he could only hope Hermione would hear him out.
AN2: Hope you enjoyed this. We'll be getting some interaction between the Trio coming up!
AN3: I just wanted to briefly reply to a Guest review I received on this chapter. Since I can't PM them, I have to do that here. Of course Hermione does not need a man. And, in most cases, parents do not own their children. However, those comments were from a Pureblood father about another Pureblood father. It's a different world. Lucius, being Lord Malfoy and Head of House, could force Hermione to accept a petition if he wanted to. Will he? We'll have to see (doubt it though since he's already in hot water). What Lord Zabini said has no bearing on Hermione's opinion of this or even Theo and Blaise's opinions. Theo just wants to be with the people he loves.