Chapter 2: The Two Fathers
DISCLAIMER: HP belongs to JKR. My intellectual property is the storyline, all new characters, new character development, new developments, and all outside the HP realm, are copyrighted. Glorioux Glorioux
Hermione's Fathers
Hermione's heart ached, thinking about Remus. She had loved him since she was a child, always hoping. No wonder that he looked so young; she had read a lot about mythical shifters. She remembered, at the DH battle when she was fighting curses coming from all ends. It seemed hopeless; Vince had already burned to cinders; Bella downed Tonks, and she hadn't seen Harry in a while. Suddenly, Lucius was fighting along her side.
"My dear child, my young witch, you are my daughter. Damn Bella; I won't let her kill you. Now, I know why." Lucius touched her, and a shock went thru her body. Where he had touched her, a chain made out of light connected her to Lucius. Lucius wasn't surprised. She had no time to react; Bella had seen them, and she turned her broom around.
Then everything changed; at first, she saw giant wolves, at least twice the size of a wolf, maybe, larger, glowing with magic, coming out of the forest, killing every enemy on their path. As Bella came down on her, a giant wolf, with a silver strip along his back, seemed to fly behind Bella. It must have. It went high up and snapped Bella's neck with its massive jaws.
She saw how the wolf ran to where Voldemort was about to kick Severus. Then all happened fast. The wolf that had killed Bella was there already with several wolves. Lucius stayed stuck to her, fighting by her side. Many were confused about his behavior. When the wolf felled Voldemort, and Lucius let his guard down, she ran to her friends. From then on, she hid from him as best she could.
Hermione went by her home and called her parents' phone number; when they heard her voice, the memory charm stopped. She talked to her father, who told her the story again. One of the women had blond hair, and the other had dark curly hair, her father said. She told her parents her birth father found her, a Muggle Hater and a Death Eater, the father of her worst enemy at Hogwarts, Lucius Malfoy. They were upset; her mother said to remember they loved her, making her cry.
She went to Grimmauld to urge Harry to go away with her to the unplotted beach. She told him Lucius was trying to contact her, but she did not want to talk to him. While they were in the hotel, one day Ron left and didn't come until the next day, but it wasn't the only time. Hermione suspected he lied, and she was right. They were at the seaside family hotel for several days until her luck ran out.
Harry was talking, but Hermionewasn't paying attention and onlyheard the tail end, "We already have the news that Remus is a Greyback." He made funny faces Hermione ignored.
Remus would hate her; he would; he already knew she was Bella's child. Remus and everyone she knew would no longer be her friends. It could not get any worse. It can, and I am going to live at Draco's home. Hermione thought.
"So Greyback is a wolf? I thought those were a myth." Hermione was surprised.
"He is one of the hidden. By the way, Remus told us you were his only one," Harry waggled his eyebrows, making Hermione blush. Lucius took note, time would tell.
Hermione hugged both Harry and Ron before saying goodbye. Lucius saw it, saying nothing. He didn't approve of their closeness, but Hermione didn't care; he shook his head. Ron whispered, "I am so very sorry; I was a fool."
Hermione did not say anything. She had known for days; she kept hoping Ron would come clean, but he never did. The two times Ron went out and stayed gone, he went to see someone else.
"I am still Hermione, your friend, don't forget that if you see Remus tell him the same. I am me. Nothing has changed, except my coloring." Hermione said goodbye with a heavy heart.
Before they were out, Lucius added, "Though she might the same inside, it is not quite true, something has changed, she is my child. Now she is under my protection; she is a Malfoy. She is welcome to her friends as long as they are just friends. Just don't count on her to fight any future battles, not unless we all have to. Mr. Potter, feel free to call. I will make sure the Floo is open for you. As for Mr. Wesley, let her know you are coming; and tell your family nothing has changed. I know she cares for all your family; tell Arthur I will be contacting him." With those words, he left with Hermione.
Outside the room, Lucius pulled out a handkerchief and gently dried her tears. He said nothing else.
Hermione looked at him and just noticed, he had cut his hair; he tied the much shorter hair. He saw her surprised expression. "Ah, my hair, yes, I had it cut; I knew what you called me, my moniker, and thought it best to show you how much I cared." He looked at her, grinning. He waited for her answer after he untied his hair. It was much shorter; it looked good on him. She was surprised it was a bit messy.
Hermione's blush was obvious on her alabaster skin. She grimaced, "I like this new look," was all she said.
Lucius chuckled; Hermione had never seen Lucius smiling or chuckling. This was a first. "A political answer; you are a Malfoy; you are like the 'prettiest of them all.'" The smile transformed him; he looked even better. Her father was the prettiest of them all, indeed. But who had told Lucius how she called him?
Hermione had to smile at his face questioning her and shrugged her shoulders. Lucius grinned and winked at her; this was a Lucius unknown to her.
Remus and Andromeda waited outside the small hotel where Hermione and her friends stayed.
Hermione noticed other guests recognizing Lucius and her holding hands. They also recognized Andromeda since the Blacks were well known. They were wondering about Hermione's new looks. By later that day, reporters would be searching for answers.
Outside they said their goodbyes. Andy hugged Hermione again. Hermione bent and kissed sleeping, Teddy. "Bye darling, come to visit your godmother; the best baby ever," she looked up at Remus.
"You too, come to visit." She asked Remus.
Remus was still trying to digest the news. Isn't she a beauty? I love her new look. I hope you don't act like a fool. She likes you, so you best remember now there will be hordes of wizards after her. Moony reminded him. Remus was sure of that. He had agreed to meet Fenrir later that day.
"Teddy and I will come soon. I will wait to hear from you." Remus answered, and Lucius looked at him, wondering. Interesting, he knew about Remus's father. There would be time to find out. Afterward, Lucius and Hermione went to the beach house and Floo to Malfoy Manor. It could now offer something he always wanted, a daughter.
The Unhappy Brother
When they arrived at the Manor, Hermione looked around her. This place filled her with dread; at once, she started shaking. Lucius noticed, "Sorry, my dear daughter I will do my best to erase all traces. It pains me it happed in this home; I told you, thinking about it keeps me awake at night; it is unforgivable I allowed that nasty witch to hurt my precious child. Forgive me, my dearest." He squeezed her cold hand, reassuringly.
With his help, she stepped down from the Floo. Her legs were about to give in. The memories of the time here flashed in front of her. She knew to be traumatized, but Lucius's reassurance calmed her down some.
"My dear, all your things will be here," he said as they walked.
"I will get them," Hermione answered, seeing the chance to run away. Though she doubted she would have a chance.
"No, my dear, it is dangerous, you saw today." Lucius had changed with her; now, he was warm and caring; she could not deny that.
Lucius held on to her hand; Hermione was grateful for it. She leaned on him, walking as close to him as she could; it gave her comfort. He had explained the forced glamour created aversion for magical things; one was flying. He was sure they had tried to suppress her magic core.
Draco stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking angry. "My, my, Father couldn't wait to have his love child here. You still look the same but uglier and dressed like a pauper; look at you with your ugly shoes, showing colored toes." He spoke between clenched teeth.
Lucius interrupted him, "Son, I won't tolerate your nasty attitude. We have enough for everyone. This Manor has been home to several brothers and sisters. I had a brother, murdered when he was seven. You have a sister, having siblings is a blessing. Your sister is one of those blessings. Do not make me choose between you and my daughter; you might not like it. In my office, right now, and for the record, she looks lovely; not colored toes, lacquered nails, my mother was fond of them."
Hermione felt ill; Draco's hatred was obvious; he try to hide it.
"I doubt that she will be here for long, see what happened to your brother; history repeats itself. " He looked at Hermione straight on.
"Now," Lucius was furious, and Hermione wanted to run.
In the office, Lucius sat next to Hermione; her hand was cold. He held on to her. "I will say it once; whatever your mother told you was wrong. " He pulled out his wand to point at Draco, "What you learn today, you won't be able to repeat," Lucius murmured a Malfoy charm before telling him the truth.
Draco snorted, "Likely story, traitor, carrying on with a Muggle."
"No fool, so why is your mother at Lestrange's home?" Lucius tapped his cheek.
"Ah, your child's mother was your sister-in-law; I knew you raped her." Draco raised his voice.
Lucius laughed, derisively, "Sit and wait." He brought a Pensive and placed a vial in the reader. They saw the day he confronted Narcissa.
Draco looked down, "It doesn't matter. You are choosing her over me; you choose the ugly little Mudblood made Princess. Okay, my mother is nasty, and you are choosing the Mud one over me. Now, I have no father or mother, pissing poor life."
Unlikely alliances
"Sir," Axel the elf knocked, "you has a visitor; he be pushing his way in."
The door opened, Rodolphus stood there. His eyes zeroed on Hermione, "Good, this saves time since I came for my daughter. My parents are anxious to meet her; we are preparing a great ball to announce her." He moved towards Hermione.
"No, she stays; Bella conceived pretending to be my wife. The experts will tell you my daughter is less than a 1/2 yours." Lucius held Hermiione closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"Darling, come with me," Rodolphus called Hermione.
Hermione held on tighter, with her hand on his back, "No, though I don't know what I want; I am not going anywhere. " She held on to Lucius..
"Why? We are as rich as the Malfoy, and we have Muggle titles. Why stay around that nothing," Rodolphus pointed at Draco, "he hates you. I heard him say it more than once."
Hermione said nothing, her heart aching; she did not want Draco's hate.
"Leave," Lucius ordered. "She is protected here. Narcissa, who lives at your home sent assassins earlier. She would be dead, but for Fenrir's heir, who saved her." Lucius told him about the poisoned dart, adding that he saved it for evidence.
Hermione noticed how pale Draco turned; Lucius looked at Draco, distrusting him.
At this, Rodolphus growled, "This little shit knew. I will say it once, whatever happens, she is still my heir. Because she is my daughter, I will kill without remorse anyone who hurts her in any way, and that includes you." He pointed at Draco. "As for Narcissa, she is no longer welcome. For respect to my friendship with the Black, I will warn her. And you, Mr. Nothing, carrying the Black sickness watch it. I had years of torture under Bella, and I will be dammed if another Black kills our last chance for heirs. You are as good as dead if you join your mother. "
Draco turned even paler.
Hermione looked confused; the evil Death Eaters bewildered her.
"Lucius I am reasonable; we can come to an arrangement." Rodolphus backed down knowing his friend, besides he had an idea to get the witch of his dreams, but it would require cooperation with Lucius.
Lucius was thinking.
Hermione was upset, "But then everyone would know who my mother is. Bella, the one who left me inside a bin full of contaminated needles and other dangerous medical waste, in a cold night with nothing but an old thin blanket. I was newly born, a couple hours; my parents said it was freezing and raining; they believe is a miracle I am alive." She couldn't help it, but tears rolled down her face,
She was scared to see Rodolphus; dark magic poured out of him. "I didn't know, my dear please tell me." Dark sparks went around him, creating a cold wind; it was a scary sight.
Lucius told him what he knew. Hermione added, "I knew, I saw the pictures, my parents took them, in case they might needed to report a murder. They took a picture of the sisters. It is blurry, but now I recognize them, it was them; the Black sisters, a younger version. He thought they were leftover hipp…never, mind. "
"What are you going to do about it, Lucius? I know what, you must come with me, my dear; Lucius cannot give you the protection you need. Besides, he has a legal child; and, now, I do as well." Rodolphus grinned.
She felt like a bone, with two dogs fighting for her. She did not know how to feel; all she could think was of Bella wanting her dead, her eyes kept filling with tears.
Draco was pale, chewing his lip. Hermione agreed, Draco had known where his father would be; moreover, she was certain that Draco had followed him.
"Draco, did you know what your," Lucius didn't finish, Draco knew; Lucius recognized his nervous habit of pulling his sleeve. Lucius was conflicted; maybe, Draco shared the Black sickness. What should he do if Draco had helped Narcissa?
As for Rodolphus, he wanted to make a deal, but not one to give her up; he could not; looking at her, he knew she was his child. He loved her; it was the Lestrange magic. He knew why Bella made him wear gloves. As for Draco, if he were on Narcissa's side, he couldn't be around his heir. He would kill him, if he needed to.
a/n For those who wanted to know more explanations are coming, slowly.