Edited 6/19/23: Minor Grammar/Spelling

Make sure to read chapters 47 & 48 as these are posted in a chunk!

Friday, June 19, 1998

"I think this is a good plan," Regulus said, as he sat across the table from the Triad. "I think if we bring up the idea of having a 'Neutral Ally' to the Dark Lord, he can be convinced."

"I'm worried that he's too far gone to see the logic of the idea," Draco said, rubbing his jaw.

Regulus nodded, "It's quite fascinating to see just how far he's fallen since I was alive. He was always a bit unhinged, but most of his charisma has gone. The stories the older set used to tell about him…"

"Are you better off asking for permission or forgiveness?" Hermione asked softly.

"Forgiveness," the two Marked men said in tandem.

"I think we should bring Theo," Regulus said, looking between the three of them. Draco looked ready to protest, but Hermione felt resigned.

"I think that's a good idea," Theo said firmly, "I want to show my commitment to him, but I think having me there will help sell the story even further."

"I don't want him to use us against each other," Draco sighed.

"We'll just have to up our timeline on the Triadic Rituals as well," Hermione said, gripping his hand. Draco just nodded sharply and sat in silence.

After the three men had left, Hermione sat in the library listing the rituals that seemed most beneficial on a piece of parchment. She was definitely interested in the one that would allow them to speak across distances, another allowed them to share magic across their bond, the final one that she felt would be most useful was the apparition and location ritual.

December 1997 (Sixth Year)

"Rituals aren't necessarily Dark Magic, Granger," Draco said again, resting his head on the library table in frustration. The three of them were in the Room of Requirement, working through their Defence Against the Dark Arts Homework.

"He's right, love," Theo chuckled, finally looking up, he'd been studiously ignoring them in favour of the book in front of him. "Rituals have a reputation of being Dark, because there is often a bit of morally grey-ness to them. As long as all parties are consenting, they're just that, grey."

Hermione chewed her lip thoughtfully, and finally looked up at Draco who's eyes were zeroed in on her mouth. "I suppose I could see how these could be useful," she said, gesturing to the book in front of her.

"They tend to be something that the Old Families guard jealously," Draco said carefully.

"Hmmm, so I might be the first Muggleborn to read this?" she said, glancing down at the worn edges again.

"The whole Blood Supremacy Thing is pretty new in the grand scheme," Theo said nonchalantly "and it's pretty isolated to Britain. Most other places could care less. My great grandma was a Muggleborn, but they don't talk about that when my Father is around."

Draco smirked at him, "Even the Malfoy's have some less than Pure blood, we're just quite good at hiding it."

Hermione looked between the two of them. "Then why?"

"Because people always want to come up with a reason to be 'better than?'" Theo said with a shrug.

"And you have tossers like Voldemort come around and stir up the crazed incestious Purebloods into a frenzy."

Hermione looked down at the book in her hands again. "What are some of the rituals you've performed?"

"Purebloods do a Magical Core test to see the Magical Potential of their newborns. Well maybe not the Potters or Weasleys," Draco added thoughtfully. "There is a ritual to solidify the Heir into the family line, so we've both done that one. There are usually some Family Specific ones, but our Family Magics prevent us from talking about them with someone who isn't Blood or Marriage Related to the family."

"The Marking ceremony is a ritual," Theo said quietly, "that one is Dark."

The three of them sat quietly and stared at each other all lost in their own thoughts.

Present Day (6/19/1998)

Hermione looked up as the three men burst into the library. "How did it go?" she asked breathlessly.

Theo raised the sleeve of his left arm and she saw unblemished skin. "It took some convincing, some torture, and Legilimency, but we're in. He wants to meet you of course and see the baby. We told him how it was Draco's all along, but hope to continue both the Malfoy and Nott lines for his glory."

Hermione looked at Regulus and Draco who looked less excited than Theo did. "I don't want you to have to go to him," Draco said dejectedly. "He's so dangerous and with the baby…"

"I can handle myself, Draco Lucius Malfoy!" she said angrily.

"Plus the three of us will be there, Drake," Regulus said, turning to him. "We won't let anything happen to her or Scorpius." Draco looked mollified by that and collapsed into a chair next to her. "I know you're worried, but it's for the best so that Scorp can grow up in a world without Him."

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think or if you have any thoughts about what might happen next!