A/N- I love the support y'all are showing my story. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Not sure how long this story is going to be, but it will definitely be an interesting one. One more thing before we begin...I got a PM from someone complaining that I haven't been doing as many point of views from Harry and Draco. The summary is about Hermione and her struggle with the prophecy. Most of the story will be from her point of view. If you get point of view from anyone else, consider yourself lucky. Read on, friends.
*** I seriously just got the best news ever. Apparently, I've been nominated for the 2018 Hermione's Haven Awards under the category Best Epic. This has never happened to me so I'm pretty excited.
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Disclaimer: The characters belong to J.K.R. and the plot line has been done before I'm sure. Rent-to-own contracts go up on Draco, sign my ass up!
Chapter 22
December 17, 1995
Hermione couldn't help it. She was excited to be going home to Grimmauld Place even though she wouldn't see Draco for ten long days. She had missed both Remus and Sirius terribly. The Gryffindor was picking at her breakfast, both boys doing the same next to her.
Hermione knew that Draco was nervous about leaving her to go to Grimmauld Place with Ron and Molly. While she wasn't at all pleased with the situation, she knew that both would be forced to leave her alone when Sirius and Remus heard of their past history, let alone Severus.
Hermione also never thought that Harry would admit it, but he was going to miss having Draco around as well. Somehow, in a matter of three months or so, Harry had managed to leave Ron behind as a friend and move on to Draco. While Draco acted aloof to the whole situation, she knew that Harry was his best friend with the exception of perhaps Theo.
Draco couldn't keep his hands off of her and she found that she appreciated the reassurance that her mate would miss her. In return, she didn't remove her hand from his thigh underneath the table for the entirety of the meal. Breakfast was almost through when the post owl swooped down through the Great Hall and one carried a Daily Prophet straight to Hermione. After slipping a knut in the purse bag around the bird's leg, she opened the newspaper to one of the best headlines ever.
Sirius Black Exonerated! Albus Dumbledore
Tells All!
By: Rita Skeeter
Sirius Black, well known for handing James and Lily Potter's whereabouts to Lord Voldemort, killing twelve muggles, murdering his best friend Peter Pettigrew, and escaping Azkaban, has been exonerated.
Albus Dumbledore contacted the Ministry, stating that he suspected that he had been hit with a form of the obliviate spell, shadowing his version of the events. He claims that James Potter contacted him at the time that the fidelius spell was performed, informing him that the secret keeper had been changed from Black to Peter Pettigrew to throw the scent off of Black.
Dumbledore claimed that Pettigrew had made himself known to Harry Potter, told him the harsh truth of just how his parents met their end, and disappeared into the night. These events are what triggered Headmaster Dumbledore to begin searching through his mind for signs of a spell, signs of anything that would point to Potter's words being the truth.
"It took a very long time of centering myself and focusing on the events. I'm still not certain who cast the spell, but I've now retrieved my memory of the events and I can't bear for Sirius to suffer without reason." Albus Dumbledore was quoted after leaving the Ministry, speaking with Amelia Bones about the actions the D.M.L.E. would take in regards to the new information.
Amelia Bones was later quoted, "The Ministry of Magic is offering a full pardon to Sirius Orion Black. It is with our deepest regret that we offer him the sum of 500,000 galleons for the time served in Azkaban that was completely unnecessary. The Ministry humbly apologizes for any wrongs done to Mr. Black and hope that we may someday regain a positive standing in his eyes."
This reporter can only wonder just what is true. Is Black really innocent? Was Dumbledore bribed into lying for the convict? If Black is truly innocent, it's hard to believe that someone was able to curse the Headmaster. Has he been lying this whole time? Questions that I have no answer to, dear readers, but questions I endeavor to investigate.
Hermione threw down the paper in anger. She had told Dumbledore that she didn't care how he managed to get Sirius' name cleared, but she wanted him free to walk the streets. However, this being said, she had expected him to make the story believable. Nobody was going to believe that Dumbledore had been obliviated, especially with Skeeter casting doubts already.
Hermione could only shrug. According to the Prophet, Sirius had already been exonerated. They couldn't take that back even if they did discover that Dumbledore was lying. She supposed that she shouldn't worry so much about the how it happened, but the end result.
Hermione was so deep in thought she didn't even realize that Harry and Draco had read the article after she had slammed it down on the table. Harry flung his arms around her and kissed the top of her head before pulling away to grin at her.
"I can't believe you did it, 'Mi, he's free! I can live with him now!" Hermione smiled at her boyfriend, happy that he was so thrilled. Draco smirked Harry's way, but remained silent. She linked hands with him under the table while Harry reread the article.
"I'm going to miss you." Draco rubbed his thumb over her knuckles as he smiled back at her.
"I'll miss you too, just promise you'll be careful and you'll stick around Harry, Severus Remus, and Sirius. The Weasel makes me nervous." She leaned over and gave him a lingering kiss.
"I promise, now stop worrying. I want you to do your best to enjoy your holiday. I hope you like my gift." He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"I'm sure I'll love it." They were pulled from their conversation when the twins began dancing and cheering at seeing the news in the Prophet. Hermione still couldn't believe that they revered Sirius and Remus so for no other reason than their inclination towards pranks.
Draco was to leave on the Hogwarts' Express to be picked up by his family at King's Cross while Harry and Hermione were to leave almost directly after breakfast with her father to head towards Grimmauld Place. Dumbledore had tried to persuade Severus to bring the Weasleys via apparition as well so as to save Order members the trip, but he had flat out refused. Harry had told her later that he had been surprised he hadn't refused to bring him as well.
The Hall was full of chatter and laughter as the students ate their last meal at the school before leaving for the holidays. Neville came forward to make his farewells, surprising Draco. The clumsy Gryffindor had warmed up to Draco and Theo both during their lessons with the D.A. and had no problems showing that he considered them friends now.
The trio had just stood from their meal when Luna came forward and offered her well wishes for the holidays. Even though she would be attending Christmas holidays at Grimmauld Place on Boxing Day the same as Draco, she still wanted to wish her friends well. The Ravenclaw disappeared with Ginny and Hermione could only assume that it was so they could share a more personal goodbye.
Hermione knew she needed to say goodbye to her brother so she dragged the two boys over to the Slytherin table with her. Both had indulgent looks on their faces and Hermione could see the smirks gracing the faces of the snakes still seated at their table. Theo rose from the table and wrapoed his arms around her in a semi-relaxed hug. While he liked to show affection to her, he was still somewhat shy about doing so in front of a crowd.
"I'm going to miss you, Hermione. I won't have anyone to study with." She grinned as she pulled away so she could straighten his tie.
"I'm going to miss you too, but we both know you don't need to study. You already get good grades." He snorted.
"Yeah, I do now that I'm studying with you." She gave him a stern look, but ended up grinning before she could pull it off.
"You have a good holiday and stay away from your dad as much as you can. I don't want to hear about him hurting you." Theo blushed just a little bit.
"I'll do my best. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." She smiled at him one last time.
"Keep Draco company on the Express." Draco huffed behind her.
"Princess, I don't need you to baby me. I can find people to sit with." She shot him a dirty look. Harry intervened.
"Drake, Hermione takes care of people. You heard her telling Theo to stay away from his dad. She bosses people around when she cares about them." Hermione smirked when the blond rolled his eyes. She turned back to her brother.
"We have to go meet Severus. Have a good holiday, Teddy." Her brother raised an eyebrow.
"Teddy?" She smirked again.
"You need your own special name. I'm going to try that one out for a bit, see if it grows on me." Theo rolled his eyes, but seemed secretly pleased. With one last hug, Hermione turned and led her two boys away from the snake's table.
Draco pulled them into an alcove just outside of the Great Hall. It was already almost ten and she and Harry were due to leave with Severus from the Entrance Hall at straight up ten. Once the three of them were out of sight, Draco opened his arms and Hermione floated into them.
The Gryffindor reached up and fisted his hair in each one of her hands so she could tug him down to her level. He understood her intent instantly and captured her lips with his. He didn't ask for admittance, simply thrust his tongue into her mouth and took what he wanted.
His tongue stroked hers expertly and Hermione couldn't hold back the whimper that his ministrations brought forth. She was unsure how long the kiss lasted, but when he gentled the kiss and pulled back, Hermione was lightheaded. Draco brushed one of her curls back behind her ear.
"I'll see you in ten days time, Princess." She laid her hand on his chest.
"Ten days and not an hour longer." He brushed the back of his knuckles along her cheek before stepping away. Hermione watched as he turned to Harry and clapped him on the back.
"Keep her safe, Potter." Harry chuckled before he pulled Draco in for a quick man-hug.
"You can count on it."
Without a backward glance, Draco strode out of the alcove and disappeared down the corridor that led to the Slytherin dorms. Harry reached out and took her hand so he could lead her up to the Gryffindor common room, somewhere they hadn't been in quite awhile.
The corridors were full of chattering students, all of them excited that they were heading home. The Fat Lady seemed surprised to see them and even more surprised when they actually knew the password to enter.
They separated in the common room, everyone staring at the fact that they were actually in residence. Hermione climbed the stairs that led to her dorm, Lavender and Parvati both going silent when she appeared. She didn't let their stares bother her. She quickly gathered her things and loaded them in her trunk. Hermione was done in five minutes time and shrank her trunk so it would fit in her pocket. She had almost made it out of the dorm when Parvati spoke.
"Don't even bother coming back here, Granger. It's much better with you gone." She turned and smiled at the pair.
"In case you didn't notice, I havent been here for quite awhile. Why would I come back here to spend time with you two?" She didn't wait for either of them to answer, just continued back down the stairs to find Harry chatting quietly with Dean and Seamus.
When he saw that she had emerged from her dorm, Harry broke away from the other two boys so he could wrap an arm around her waist and lead her back out of the common room. They made their way through the corridors and staircases until they made it to the Entrance Hall where Severus was waiting impatiently for them.
"You two try my patience." Hermione frowned. They were almost five minutes early.
"We're sorry, Professor. We thought we were on time." He didn't say anything, just motioned for them to follow him.
They traversed the grounds, making their way towards the front gates. Hermione was perplexed by her father's behavior. They hadn't done anything wrong and he usually saved that level of irritability for the Gryffindors in Potions class. It was in that moment that she realized why he was irritated.
Sirius Black.
Not because the man had had his name cleared, but because he was going to spend his holidays with the man he hated most in the world. While Hermione didn't want to get in the middle of whatever their problems were, she also didn't want Sirius to torment her father for the whole of their holiday break.
They reached the front gates at the same time that Hermione vowed to stay out of her father's affairs with Sirius. She wouldn't act like she knew anything of their troubles unless it was absolutely necessary. Severus grabbed hold of Harry just above his elbow and held out his hand to Hermione. She took it happily and took a deep breath as her father apparated.
The three of them landed just inside the front door of Grimmauld Place. Hermione instantly felt like she was going to be sick. Harry seemed to be coping better than she was. She hunched over slightly and before she could empty her stomach, Severus thrust a vial into her hand.
Without a second thought, she tipped it into her mouth and instantly felt better. Hermione gave her father a smile and a nod, thanking him silently with her eyes. Nobody had a chance to speak again before two other Gryffindors appeared, wands at the ready. Sirius rushed forward and pulled Harry into a bear hug while Remus came forward and gave her a puzzled look.
"Mina?" She grinned and nodded and without another word, Remus opened his arms. She rushed into them and threw her arms around his neck.
"Remus!" He held her tight for several seconds before relinquishing her to Sirius, who was waiting impatiently at the werewolf's side.
"Poppet!" Where Remus' hug had been sedate and controlled, Sirius' was exuberant. He swung her into his arms and twirled her around in a circle, finally setting her down after three spins. She couldn't help but to giggle at the sheer childlike glee on his face.
"Did you hear, Poppet? Dumbledore got me off with the Ministry!" She wanted to puke on his shoes because he was giving all the credit to Dumbledore, but she plastered a smile on her face.
"It's wonderful news. Now you can be a proper guardian for Harry." Sirius whooped as if he hadn't considered that thought.
"Harry, you can move in here with Remus Hermione, and I. It'll be great." Hermione stepped closer to her father and let Sirius and Harry have their moment. Remus was studying her carefully and Hermione had a feeling that her secret wouldn't be a secret for much longer.
The five of them made their way through the gloomy house until they reached the kitchen. Remus began making tea while Harry and Sirius chatted happily. Hermione took the seat on the opposite side of Severus and noticed that he was very stiff. As if sensing that her thoughts were on her father, Sirius spoke.
"Why are you spending the holiday here with us, Snivellous? Don't you have dungeons to haunt?" Hermione stiffened next to her father. His voice drawled perfectly which irritated Sirius to no end.
"I have no urge to spend the holidays with you, Black. I'm here because the illustrious Headmaster has decided that I am to spend the holidays here." Sirius snorted.
"That would be because you don't have anyone to spend the holidays with. That's why he forced your presence on us." Hermione reached over and clenched her father's hand under the table. She felt him relax a tiny bit so she took the opening.
"Sirius, Professor Snape has done so much for us this year, please don't be mean to him." Sirius snorted, but obviously didn't want to disappoint her.
"That's why we love you, Poppet, you see the best in everyone even when it isn't deserved." Severus remained silent and thankfully Sirius turned back to Remus and Harry.
Kreacher appeared after their third cup of tea and began making them lunch. Hermione knew that they needed to broach the subject of Ron, neither Harry not Severus would rest until it had been. Even though she knew her father hated Sirius with his entire being, he would want more people looking after her than just himself since there would be occasions that he would have to leave.
They took lunch in the library, her father reading quietly while the rest of them caught up. It was when they had finished everything but their tea that Remus addressed the elephant in the room.
"Why do you look so different, Mina?" She sighed and raked a hand through her ebony curls. She decided that she was only going to tell them what they needed to know.
"I was attacked at school and my magic took over and defended me. When I woke up, this was how I looked. The Headmaster said it was a glamour placed on me when I was just a baby." This brought a screeching halt to the conversation in the room. Sirius broke the silence.
"Who hurt you, Poppet?" She glanced down at her hands in her lap and started slightly when Harry reached out and took one of her hands in his. He answered for her and she was most grateful.
"Ron beat her up real bad and tried to rape her when she wouldn't date him. Her magic attacked him and Draco found her and took her to the Hospital Wing. He sent Ginny after me and I went and found Ron and showed him what happens when someone hurts my girl." Sirius grinned despite the content of the conversation.
"You two are an item now?" Hermione hadn't planned on making this much public so soon, but there was nothing for it now.
"Yes, Harry and I are in a relationship. However, Draco Malfoy is in it with us. We're a triad." There was no laughter or joking around now. Hermione watched Severus shift his gaze between the other two men, probably making sure that they weren't going to cause any problems. When Remus spoke, he was hesitant.
"Are you sure that's wise, Hermione? His father is well-known Death Eater, he's been groomed since birth to serve Voldemort." Hermione's eyes grew cold and she met the gaze of her ex-professor.
"I could say the same thing about Sirius. He had been groomed to served Voldemort since birth, he was taught that blood purity is life. He was pressured by his family to follow tradition. He did none of the above. Let me remind you that Draco has Black blood in his veins just the same as Harry and Sirius." Remus held his hands up in surrender, backing off from the situation completely. Harry spoke now.
"We trust Draco with our life. He would never sell us out. To prove it to you, he's coming to spend the rest of the holidays here on Boxing Day. Dumbledore has already agreed it's a wonderful idea." Remus turned to Harry now.
"Dumbledore approves because he wants you to have triad magic behind you when you face Voldemort." Harry's gaze turned frosty now.
"No, Dumbledore knows that he would lose both Hermione and I if he didn't give Draco a chance. Trust me, he doesn't like him anymore than you do." Remus shook his head.
"It's not that I don't like him, I actually found him to be a very talented wizard, I'm just worried that you will both end up hurt." Hermione could feel anger rising up in her and she noticed that Severus was now leaned back in his chair with a smirk on his face. Sirius seemed to realize that both teens were about to turn on the werewolf and it would get ugly.
"Don't mind Moony, he's just being overprotective because he considers you both pack. Instincts and such. I think you giving my cousin a chance like Moony and Prongs gave me is great." Remus seemed to realize that he had just averted disaster.
"Are the Weasleys still coming here after what Ron did to you? How was he not expelled?" Hermione knew her gaze turned dark.
"Yes, the Headmaster said that since they had been invited here over summer, it would be rude to rescind the invitation. He wasn't expelled because of some ancient law about pureblood on muggleborn crimes ending in no punishment or some such rot. Antiquated fucking notion if you ask me." While both men looked surprised at her language, they were smart enough to realize that it would be folly to bring it up. Sirius broke the silence.
"I can't believe that the Headmaster is still letting him come here. This is my house, I'll tell them they aren't welcome. This is your home." Hermione shook her head.
"Please don't. The whole family knows what he's done and everyone but Molly has taken my side. She sent me a howler telling me that I had asked for what I'd gotten." Both men looked mutinous, but remained silent.
Harry quickly changed the subject back to what Sirius' plans were now that he was free to do as he pleased. Hermione leaned against Harry, paying attention as best she could. She had just started to drift off to sleep against Harry's shoulder when the popping sounds of apparition were heard.
The Weasleys had arrived.
Everyone bustled past the library and Hermione could hear Molly yelling at everyone to take their old rooms. At this point, Sirius stood and went to the door to interrupt.
"Actually, Ron will have to find another room. Harry lives here now so he's entitled to his own room the same as Hermione. It's my house and I won't begrudge them their privacy." Hermione wasn't sure exactly what Molly had said, but she had quieted. When Sirius took his seat before the fire again, Harry grinned his way.
"Thanks, Sirius. It would have gotten bad if he was to share a room with Draco and I." Sirius smirked his way.
"You two are truly happy with him?" Harry began toying with one of her curls, pulling it down so he could watch it spring back up.
"Yeah, I mean he's still a snarky, sarcastic prat, but he's our snarky, sarcastic prat. He isn't too bad. Even Neville likes him now." Hermione nodded her agreement.
"I've had a crush on him since second year. It was very confusing since I was in love with Harry too. They brought the idea of a triad to my attention and I haven't regretted a second." The older Gryffindor smiled softly.
"I'm happy for you, Poppet. Keep 'em both in line, boys can get jealous." Hermione wanted to snort and assure him that that most certainly didn't happen, that they loved to watch each other with her, but she simply nodded.
"Thank you, Sirius."
There was no more quiet conversation once the Weasley twins joined them in the library, eager to make conversation with the two Marauders. Hermione was surprised that Severus remained quiet and didn't complain that they were getting loud and rowdy. She flashed him a smile when he made eye contact with her. Sirius noticed the interaction, however, and made snide a comment.
"Sorry you aren't part of their triad, Snivellous? I always knew you were sick." Hermione could tell that Severus wasn't remaining silent any longer.
"Let me remind you, dog, that it was you who led me into the Shrieking Shack when we were sixteen so Lupin would murder me in his werewolf form. You were the definition of sick. I look at my student and that makes me sick because I'm lusting after her? Do you even know how stupid you sound?" Sirius stood and pulled his wand, menacing look on his face.
"Hermione is living in my home, it's my job to protect her from scum like you." Severus stood as well, wand sliding out of his sleeve and into his hand. The rest of the Weasleys were now gathered just inside the door to the library, watching with trepidation in their eyes. Hermione stood as well and tried to intervene.
"Sirius, Professor Snape has never been inappropriate with me, I admire him. Please don't say such things about him." Sirius never looked at her, but his words were directed her way.
"Poppet, you don't know what this man is capable of. I love that you see everyone's good qualities, but you have to be a realist too. The reality of the matter is that he's just bad blood, he'll never be more than a filthy Death Eater." Hermiome couldn't take it any longer. They would just continue to tear each other down and it was only the first day.
"Stop it, both of you! It's the first day of holidays and you're already ruining it. You both need to grow the fuck up in regards to each other. You don't have to like each, but for Merlin's sake, can we try for civility?" Molly finally stepped forward, hands planted firmly on her hips, spatula sticking out of her hand.
"Listen here, young lady, you don't get to scream at adults and demand your way because you don't like them handling their business. Sit down and be quiet." Severus turned his obsidian eyes to the frumpy redhead facing down his daughter.
"Do not speak to her as if you have a right to. I warned you what would happen if I heard you speak to Hermione like that again." Now Remus stood and stepped forward, hands out but wand still sheathed.
"Since when do you call her Hermione? I didn't want to believe Sirius' accusations, but you aren't helping your case, Severus." Severus gaze darkened again, his frown etching deeply into his features. Finally, Hermione could take it no longer.
Her magic exploded from her even though her wand was still slid up her sleeve. Everyone aside from Harry flew backwards and landed on their arses. Harry instantly stood and went behind her, his hands rubbing up and down her arms reassuringly. He didn't say anything, but just his presence calmed her slightly. When Hermione finally spoke, her voice was hard and cold.
"Professor Snape has not done anything to me, nor will he ever. He's my father. I was kidnapped from his care when I was an infant, had glamours placed on me, and given to muggles. The next person to accuse him of being indecent with me is going to suffer more than being knocked on their arse." Hermione could feel herself detaching from the situation. When Remus spoke, it was with awe.
"How did you do that Hermione, with no wand to boot?" Sirius broke in.
"Fuck, what she did? She can't belong to Snivellous. Somebody has lied to her and she's believed it." Hermione eyed both men and kept an eye on everyone else out of the corner. The twins and Ginny were still on their arses, shocked looks on their faces. Ron and Molly looked disgusted. She wasn't sure what Arthur, Bill, and Charlie's reactions would have been if they had been there.
"Oh, I was lied to, but not about my paternity. I am the missing child of Alexandra Nott, I'm sure you remember the scandal my disappearance created. Severus is most assuredly my father, confirmed through a paternity potion. As for the magic, according to prophecy, nobody has seen my power in well over a century. Heed my warning. One more accusation with no evidence against my father will see us all at odds." Harry was now kneading her shoulders. Molly stepped forward, finally pulling herself up off the floor.
"You will do no such thing, Hermione. You're going to go up to your room without supper and you'll adjust your attitude before you present yourself in the morning." Hermione blew her back on her arse as she turned to face her.
"You do not order me around, Molly Weasley. The Dark Lord doesn't get to order me around, what the fuck makes you think you're special? You keep yourself and your useless son away from me." Sirius took a cautious step forward. Severus raised his eyebrow at the animagus.
"I wouldn't, Black. I've seen her almost kill Thoros Nott and Thorfinn Rowle with only a thought." Sirius stopped and met her eyes. As angry as he had made her, she could only see worry reflecting back in his gaze.
"Poppet, please tell us what's going on. Nobody seems to know what's going on except you and Snape." Her eyes softened a tiny bit.
"Harry knows everything, so does Draco and Dumbledore. The truth that you need to know is that I am Severus' daughter and Voldemort's granddaughter. There was a prophecy made about me decades ago, me and my two mates, who happen to be Harry and Draco. Dumbledore stole me from my mother and placed me with muggles. He's lied to everyone about many things, but the most important one to you, Sirius, is that he knew you were innocent and he still let you rot in Azkaban. If I hadn't threatened him, he would never have cleared your name." Sirius stood there, dazed look on his face, while Remus began to sputter.
"That, that isn't possible! He would never..." Hermione crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"You can smell lies, Remus. Tell them all, am I lying to you right now?" Hermione knew she should stop, she shouldn't be saying these things to people that could leak the information, but it was liberating. She was so tired of keeping secrets. The room waited in bated silence until Remus shook his head.
"No, you aren't lying." The Weasleys gasped, almost as one, and she was sure that she had just lost the support of the twins and Ginny. Therefore, she felt no qualms about issuing a warning.
"Consider this your warning. If any of you harm Harry or Draco, Severus wasn't kidding when he said I almost killed Nott and Rowle. Nott cursed Draco and Rowle threatened Harry." Sirius gave her a worried look.
"What about Harry? Voldemort still wants him dead." She shook her head.
"No, in exchange for me supporting him, he's sworn to leave Harry alone. All three of us have already been before the Dark Lord. Dumbledore approves of this ruse, it was his idea." Remus shook his head.
"The old man is off his rocker. What the fuck is he thinking?" The rest of the room was silent until Ginny stood and stepped forward. She threw her arms around Hermione and held her in a close hug.
"I don't care who you're related to, 'Mi. You're still one of my best friends." This prompted the twins to join in and make inappropriate jokes about her relation to the no-nosed lord. She appreciated it, their laughter broke the tension. When the Weasleys relinquished their hold on her, Sirius and Remus both stepped forward. Sirius seemed truly regretful.
"I'm sorry, Poppet. I don't want to make this any harder for you. I look forward to meeting my cousin." Remus nodded his head in agreement.
"I'm sorry, Mina." Both men hugged her close for several seconds before releasing her. To her complete and utter surprise, Sirius turned to Severus and stuck out his hand.
"My apologies, Severus. I won't cause any problems with you, even though I'll never like you. Hermione doesn't deserve to be around us fighting constantly." Severus stared at the offered hand for a long time before he reached out and took it, shaking it firmly. They had just broke apart when Ron broke the silence.
"Are we really going to ignore the fact that she is Voldemort's spawn?" Harry stepped forward and spoke for the first time in awhile.
"Yes, you are, because Hermione is the same person she was before. Now she's just working undercover to bring down her grandfather. She's always protected those she cared about, now it's just with consequences." Sirius spoke again.
"We have no reason to mistrust Hermione so things will continue as they always have. This is my house so if you don't like being here with her, feel free to go home. That goes for anyone who feels that way." The animagus glared knowingly at Molly and both Weasleys remained silent.
Ron stalked out of the library and Molly headed back to the kitchen. The rest of them all settled around the library and continued their conversations from before. Instead of taking the arm chair he had been in before, Severus settled on the couch next to her. She didn't think that he would appreciate any affection, but she would have been wrong.
Severus lifted his arm, inviting her to snuggle into his side. The room was chilly, despite the blazing fire in the hearth, and she settled against his warmth. Hermione laid her head on his chest and she felt him press a kiss to the top of her head. The Gryffindor could feel the stares from everyone else around the room and shrugged them off.
The conversation picked back up when they realized that Hermione wasn't going to move. She dropped off to sleep against her father to the sounds of laughter in a very dark and gloomy house.
-O-
Draco dreaded speaking with his father. He hadn't said a word to him at King's Cross, had merely reached out and grasped his arm, apparating them straight into the library at Malfoy Manor. He hadn't said a word to anyone, but the Slytherin dreaded being in residence with the Dark Lord.
Lucius gestured for Draco to take one of the chairs by the fire while he took the one opposite of him. For the first time ever, Lucius summoned two glasses and a decanter of firewhiskey. He watched with trepidation as his father poured him three fingers of whiskey and handed him the glass.
"How are your grades this term, Draco?" He sipped his whiskey and fought the strong urge to cough. His father smirked knowingly at him.
"My grades are very good. Hermione is a very good study partner. I failed my Defense exam." Lucius raised an eyebrow at his son.
"Why did you fail your exam?" Draco couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his mouth.
"Everyone failed it except Hermione. Umbridge expected us to memorize the text. We haven't used our wands a single time since the beginning of term." To his surprise, Lucius didn't say anything further about his Defense exam.
"How long have you wanted Miss Granger?" Draco didn't see any reason to lie.
"Since second year." Lucius nodded and took a drink of his whiskey. Draco was unsure of where the conversation was leading, but decided he should probably play it safe. Several minutes passed and Draco had drank half his whiskey when his father spoke again.
"Do you think she's truthful in her support of the Dark Lord?" Draco narrowed his eyes at his father.
"Just where are you taking this conversation, Father? You know if you take doubts to the Dark Lord in regards to his heir, he'll likely kill you." Lucius raked his hand through his hair, an extremely rare show of emotion. When his father spoke, his voice was almost shaky.
"I've made mistakes in my life, I should have been a better father. I regret that. This is me trying to support you in the way that a father should." He sighed and continued.
"It's quite clear that she loves you and if you've wanted her since second year, you probably love her as well. She talks a good game, but I just don't buy that she's going to turn her back on the rest of the world. I want you to know that I will follow you and your mates. I won't lie and say it's for the good of the wizarding world because it's not. I don't regret the lives I've taken or the girls I've raped. This being said, those things also aren't important enough to me to lose my son if he follows the most powerful witch since the founders. Malfoys hold family above all else and if you love her and see yourself with her after this is over, that makes her family. When the times comes, and it most assuredly will, the Malfoy family will follow you, son."
Draco was shocked ailent. Never is a million years did he think his father would ever turn his back on the Dark Lord, Draco had grown up hearing stories of how wonderful the Dark Lord was. For him to turn his back on all that was momentous. Suddenly, something occured to him.
"You'd just accept Hermione? She's a half-blood, after all. Our blood line would never be pure again." Lucius smirked at his son.
"I would treat your wife as the queen she is. While I abhor losing our Sacred 28 status, I welcome with open arms the power that would come with such a union. We would still be tied to the Dark Lord through Miss Granger and Severus and would also gain the connection to Harry Potter, savior of the wizarding world. Your children have been foretold through prophecy that they will thrust greatness into our world. Your mate is a smarter move for the continuation of the Malfoy line." Draco nodded slowly and waited a few moments before speaking.
"I'll keep your words in mind if we take that route." He didn't dare say more. While he didn't believe that his father would endanger his life in any way, he still didn't trust him with Hermione or Harry's. As if realizing that the conversation was over, Lucius finished off his whiskey indicating for Draco to do the same.
"Go find your mother and entertain her with stories from school. She misses you when you're gone. The Dark Lord isn't in residence at the moment. I will send word when he returns. Stay as far away from him as you can unless he demands your presence." Draco threw back his whiskey and nodded his understanding. He set the glass next to the armchair he had been seated in and strode out of the library without a backwards glance in search for his mother.
It seems as if he had a lot to consider.
A/N- Alright y'all, I've been having a few problems with getting reviews and responding to them again. If you didn't get a response to your review, I apologize. I hope the chapter lived up to your expectations! Thanks again for reading. Leave me a message after the beep.
Next chapter, Dumbledore's reaction to having their mission outed to the Order and Severus is summoned to participate in something that will make the Dark Lord very happy.
Love,
Alicia