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The Dare	By : Tassanaburrfoot Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 82898 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 11
Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter. Don't own any of the characters. Am not making a profit.

Chapter List
- 28
- 29
- 30
Hermione watched as Astoria walked towards the stand. This entire trial confused the Muggle born. With Muggle law, it was common place for a trial to start with the prosecution first. They would present their case, their evidence, and their witnesses and then the defense would come and try to rebuke their claims. This process made no sense to her. They let the defense speak first? Where was the evidence? How can someone defend themselves if they don’t know what they are defending themselves against?

She sighed as she leaned into Draco and continued to watch Astoria. When Astoria stumbled, Hermione sat up. Her brows raised, the Gryffindor in her wanted to rush to the girl to make sure she was alright, but the logical part of her knew better. Surely the girl wasn’t that stupid.

“It’s a trick,” Draco whispered.

The bushy haired witch looked at her betrothed. He nodded his head towards the stand and she turned her attention back to Astoria. Like magic, one of the guards rushed to the young Slytherin’s side and several of the Wizengamot stood up so they could look down and “check” on the girl. Hermione watched as Astoria blushed and thanked the guard and… What was she wearing? The way she was leaning on the guard, the guard could clearly see right down her… Hermione let out a scoff of disgust as she leaned back in her chair. Draco patted her hand and she rolled her eyes. “Cheap,” she breathed, causing him to chuckle.

Once the courtroom was settled down and Astoria was sworn in, Dumbledore looked down at the girl, his fingers threaded together. “Miss Greengrass, would you mind telling us about what happened shortly after your sister died? Mr. Malfoy claims he was tasked to find you a husband. Is this true?”

She looked so small and meek upon the stand, and again, she was leaning in such a way that, if Dumbledore wanted to, he could see straight down her cleavage. “Well, Professor, as you know, my parents and I were distraught from the loss of my elder sister,” she began. “She meant everything to us and she would have ensured our reputation among the nobility. It was… disheartening.” She glanced sympathetically at Lucius. “But I don’t know that anyone could have been as disheartened as Mr. Malfoy. See? I think he thought himself responsible. After all, it happened in his home, right under his nose.” She glanced back up at the headmaster. “It’s bad enough that he already wears the brand of the Dark Lord. To have a young lady, someone as beautiful and innocent and kind and sweet and smart as my own sister… to have her be murdered in his home and he not know about it?” She sighed as she leaned back, fanning herself with her fingers. She gave Dumbledore sad, doe-like eyes in an attempt to draw sympathy from him.

Hermione frowned and leaned closer to Draco to whisper in his ear, “Does she not know that Dumbledore is gay?”

He snorted. Loudly. Covering his mouth, he coughed as his mother glared at him. “Sorry,” he said.

Though she hadn’t heard what the couple had whispered to one another, Astoria did hear Draco’s snort and she looked at him with annoyance written on her face. Dumbledore glanced at the couple as well. “Are you alright, Mr. Malfoy?” he asked.

Draco nodded. “Yes, sir,” he said, patting his chest. “Something got caught in my throat is all.”

Astoria rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Well, anyway,” she continued, drawing the court’s attention again, “I suppose he felt himself responsible to ensuring that I had a proper husband since my sister was no longer around. Of course, I’m sure he also saw it as his own personal opportunity to get… well, closer to me.” She leaned forward again as if to make her point by showing off her cleavage.

“Mother,” Hermione whispered, trying to get Narcissa’s attention. The older witch looked at her, surprised to hear the term. “Is it only the Wizengamot who can ask questions, or can anyone do so? Or do you have to be a licensed solicitor?”

Suspicions were confirmed when the older witch informed her in hushed tones that only those who were licensed could ask questions. At least the Wizarding World had one thing right, Hermione thought to herself, though that was a bit problematic for her. She turned her attention back to the proceedings.

“What exactly do you mean by ‘get closer to you’, Miss Greengrass?” asked a woman with short blonde hair.

Astoria shrugged. “Well, you know.” She leaned forward more and held her hand up to her mouth as though divulging a secret, though she did not lower her voice, “Everyone knows it’s the younger women Mr. Malfoy prefers, but,” she sat up straight, dropping her hand, “I never thought it would also mean young girls, too.”

“He propositioned you?”

The teenager looked solemn as she bowed her head. “I fear he’s done more than that, ma’am,” she admitted. She glanced up at the Wizengamot through her eyelashes. “He and his son are quite the dynamic duo.”

Both Draco and Hermione sat up straight at that. A look of outrage darkened Draco’s features and it took everything in him not to say anything. Hermione was furious. How dare she?! And apparently, the couple weren’t the only ones angered by the accusation. Both Lucius and Narcissa stood at her words and several people began talking at once. Dumbledore banged his mallet and, when that did not work, he cast a Sonorus charm on himself and demanded silence from everyone. “Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, please sit down,” he ordered sternly. As the couple sat, Dumbledore turned back to the girl. “That is a brazen accusation, Miss Greengrass. Draco Malfoy is not on trial here.”

She placed her hands on her knees and looked up at him. “And why not?” she asked. “Mr. Malfoy told me that he could get me any husband I wanted. I told him that what I wanted was Draco and he told me no. And then he said that he could find me another husband. One that was even better than Draco if I would just sleep with him. So, I agreed, because, I… well…” She glanced around the room and Hermione could see the fear in her eyes, like a deer gazing at a pack of wolves. Tears filled her eyes. “All I ever wanted was Draco. Ever since I was a little girl. When he said he could find me someone better than Draco, I thought he me… meant… well, I don’t know what I thought he meant. But I certainly didn’t think he would have me kneel before him and suck him off!”

Hermione looked at Lucius and could see the fury written in his face and body posture, though, like any proper aristocrat, he somehow managed to remain poised, even in his rage. People around them gasped in shock and Draco tightened his grip on Hermione’s hand.

“So, he forced you to perform oral sex on him?” the blonde woman from before asked.

Astoria nodded. “But that wasn’t the only time he has done anything with me. You all have seen the picture of us having sex,” she told the Wizengamot.

“All three Malfoys have testified that the picture was a fake,” the woman stated, but Astoria shook her head.

“No, no,” she insisted. “I had a friend hide by that window because I knew Mr. Malfoy was going to be there that night. We had it planned out. The day after Christmas, he called me to his office in Malfoy Manor. When I came to him, we decided to meet at the Three Broomsticks and, from there, he would take me to a private room where we would have sex. We’ve done it that way several times since.”

Draco raised an eyebrow. “Liar,” he muttered as he fell back into his seat. But he wasn’t the only one to catch what she had said.

The blonde witch stood up at that and tilted her head. “The day after Christmas?” she asked. She glanced at Lucius who looked back up at her with a raised eyebrow. She turned back to Astoria, her expression hardened. “It seems, Miss Greengrass, that if you plan on lying to the court, you should have your story spoken by someone who can keep it straight.”

Astoria gaped at the woman as the witch turned to Dumbledore. “I call for a mistrial, Warlock Dumbledore,” she announced. “Lucius Malfoy was in custody of Azkaban the day after Christmas, which was Boxing Day. He was released on the twenty-ninth of December, which means that he could not have met with her on Boxing Day to make plans to have sex with her.”

Hermione’s mouth clamped shut in awe. It seriously could not have been that easy, could it? The entire Wizengamot was in an uproar as Draco and Narcissa looked at one another in disbelief. Astoria shouted, protesting the call, begging to be heard, but, no one was listening. Dumbledore banged on the table again and called for silence with his amplifying charm.

When everyone quieted down, again, he leaned back. Hermione watched him, her eyes softening when she noticed how tired and… old he looked. Like the Malfoys, though, she held her breath, waiting for what he had to say.

“Astoria Greengrass,” the old headmaster said tiredly, “I don’t know what you were attempting to do here. I do not know if what you spoke was true, any of it. However, the Ministry keeps track of their prisoners, when they are sentenced and when they are released. What Mrs. Babcock says is true. Lucius Malfoy was taken into custody on the morning of your sister’s murder. He was held in Azkaban for a week and then released. Therefore, your story does not check out. Furthermore, there is testimony from all three Malfoys who say that the picture you provided was a fake, and…” He picked the picture up and pointed his wand to it. “Revelio,” he whispers. His face turns to one of complete sadness as the person in the photo with Astoria changes. “Castillo Rookwood.” He shakes his head. “I’m sorry, Miss Greengrass.”

Hermione’s mouth drops as she stands with Narcissa and Draco. The three looked at one another, their mouths quivering in hope, though neither dared to become too excited.

“I declare this trial to be a mistrial,” Dumbledore said as he banged his mallet. “Lucius Malfoy, you are free to go. Guards, you may release him.”

Draco hugged Hermione, burying his face in her hair and kissing her on the neck, the cheeks, the ear, before turning to his mother and hugging her as well. As the guards released Lucius, he turned to his family and Narcissa vaulted over the stands to run to him. He caught her as she jumped into his arms and twirled her around.

“Oh, darling!” she cried in relief.

Tears of joy fell down her face as he pulled her into a deep kiss. When Draco and Hermione joined them, the older couple pulled them into a group hug, something that Hermione never thought she would be included in. Not with the Malfoys. But everyone was so happy and excited. It was almost as if dignity was forgotten. And then, Lucius seemed to remember himself, pulling himself together and straightening up.

“Narcissa, my dear, normally I would wait until we were home to have the elves cook us up something to eat, but I am awfully famished. How would you feel about dining out tonight? It is Draco’s birthday, after all,” Lucius stated.

Hermione grinned as she looked up at her betrothed to see his smile reach his ears. Narcissa clapped her hands together. “Oh, Lucius, darling. Shall we do supper in Paris?” she asked.

The eldest Malfoy glanced at his son. “Draco?”

The young Slytherin nodded. “Supper in Paris sounds perfect,” he said, grinning at Hermione. Her eyes lit up.

“NO!” came a loud shriek from across the way. The family turned in unison to see Astoria storming towards them. “I did not go through all this trouble to see you go scot free!” she snarled as her father chased after her. She pointed her finger at Lucius. “I worked too damn hard to see it all be for naught!”

“What did you do that was so hard?” Hermione wondered aloud, curious about the girl’s chosen words.

Astoria shot her an angry glare. “You know damn well what, you nasty little Mudblood,” she snapped, then she looked at Draco tauntingly. “That’s right. I called her a Mudblood, because that’s what she is. And you and your parents are a bunch of blood traitors for trying to make her a part of your family.”

Draco’s eyes narrowed, but it was Lucius who stepped up. “Miss Granger is the heiress of Merlin and she has more wealth and status in her pinky finger than you will ever have, Miss Greengrass. Muggle born or not, Miss Granger is set to marry Draco. Not you. Never you,” he said as Eugene finally caught up to his daughter. Lucius looked at the man. “I do wish you luck in finding your daughter a proper husband, old chap. Perhaps there’s a Weasley she could marry, though…” he tutted in disappointment, “I do believe they are all finally accounted for. Is that right, Miss Granger?” he asked, turning to Hermione.

She opened her mouth and then frowned. “Actually, no. I think Charlie is still available, but he lives in Romania now, working with dragons. I don’t know if he’s actually looking for anyone.”

Lucius waved a hand at Hermione and turned back to Eugene. “There you go. I do believe Astoria does like dragons, if I remember right.”

“Lucius, you have ruined my daughter,” Eugene accused angrily. “I know you did.”

Lucius pinched his lips together. “No, old friend,” he said, shaking his head. “She ruined herself the moment she showed the Aurors proof that she had opened her legs for a man, or, in this case, a boy.” He shook his head at Astoria, as though he was shameful. “A Rookwood, Miss Greengrass?”

Hermione looked at him inquisitively as he turned to walk away.

“You’re going to pay for this, Lucius Malfoy! Mark my words!” Eugene shouted, his fist thrown into the air.

Lucius continued walking away, his arm draped over his wife as he rubbed her nose with his own. “Put it on my bill,” he murmured, earning a giggle from Narcissa.

Hermione didn’t know what was more confusing: the farce of the trial they just endured, Lucius’s unnecessary time spent in Azkaban, or the exchange between Lucius and Eugene. What did concern her, though, were Astoria’s words. What had she meant by them? What did she do?

(II)(II)

Hermione tossed her book bag onto the bed before throwing herself upon it. “What a complete waste of time!” she snarled, running a hand through her hair.

Draco unbuttoned his shirt as he sat upon the bed next to her. “I wouldn’t worry about it, princess. Though, I daresay she’s completely ruined her chances of ever marrying. I doubt even Crabbe would take her now, even if he was ready to marry.”

“She tried to ruin the Malfoy name,” the brunette pointed out.

The Pureblood chuckled as he bent down to take off his shoes. “Fat chance of that happening,” he said. “Besides, our name’s already in the dirt thanks to the Dark Lord and everything my father did with the Death Eaters. I don’t think there is anything she could do to make our name worse than what it already is at this point.”

Hermione turned, propping herself up on one arm as Draco stood and undid his trousers. “I wonder what she meant when she said she had worked too hard for it all to be for naught? Do you think she was talking about the trial and framing your father, or something else?” she asked.

He reached down and grabbed her legs, sliding her to the edge of the bed. “Maybe you’re right,” he told her. “Maybe she is the one who’s been killing people? We would need evidence or a confession, though, and I doubt she’d give either to us willingly.”

The Gryffindor sighed and draped her arm across her face. Her mind was filing away what she had learned during the trial, connecting the dots and drawing conclusions. She closed her eyes as she felt Draco’s fingers slide along her slit. She wasn’t anywhere near wet, she knew, but she also knew that would change soon enough with his gentle teasing. Taking a deep breath, she let her hand fall to her side as she enjoyed his ministrations, forgetting, for the moment, what they were talking about.

(III)(III)

The evening after the trial, Lucius and his family had taken the promised trip to Paris. They had dined at a five star, top of the line, high classed wizarding restaurant. It had been a nice evening of wine, tender, juicy meats, and dancing.

Lucius stirred his brandy idly as he sat in his chair in his study, staring at the flames in the fireplace. His mind flashed back to the trial, to Astoria and the accusations she had thrown at him. But Lucius was far too cunning for the naïve little girl. As his wife had said during the trial, he would never put himself in a position of getting caught doing something as sordid as having sex with a minor.

Sipping his brandy, he closed his eyes and tilted his head back as he thought about the one girl he was currently obsessing over. She had been beautiful today. He had nearly smiled when he saw her indignant face after hearing the accusations Astoria had thrown at him. He recalled how her mane of hair had seemed to double in size during the trial and he wondered if she had been truly worried about him. How sweet if she was!

He wasn’t quite sure when his obsession with her had begun, but he assumed it must have been when he had discovered the link between her and Merlin. Or, quite possibly, when his son informed him that he would be dating her and to call off any supposed negotiations with Greengrass. Not that it mattered.

Hermione had shone like a rare diamond tonight in Paris. Had his son and wife not been there, he would have bathed the girl in jewels. He smirked as he looked at the fire. Yes. He would have bathed her in pearls as she reached the heights of ecstasy.

He felt his cock harden at the thought and sighed. He yearned for the girl, this much was true. She reminded him of Narcissa when she was younger, minus, of course, the wild mane of hair Hermione sported. His love of beauty and power really got the best of him and she fit the bill perfectly.

He downed the rest of his drink and placed the empty glass on the table beside him. As much as he desired her, he needed to put things back in perspective. She was engaged to his son. Yes, she was beautiful. Yes, she was the heiress of Merlin. But she was also his son’s future wife and as much as he wanted to taste her, he desired the union between Draco and Hermione even more, despite the Muggle blood in her veins. He needed this union to happen. The Malfoy family needed this union to happen.

For quite possibly the first time in the history of their proud, noble, and ancient history, the Malfoys would have a Merlin descendant on their tree. And they would gain it all. Every Knut, every slice of property owned by the Merlin bloodline, would belong to the Malfoys.

He had had the pleasure of gaining the first sight of the fortress with Lupin the day Hermione had verified her heritage. They hadn’t even gone very far into the castle, mostly just to the door, and Lucius had felt like a schoolboy on his first date with a virgin girl. He hadn’t been scared or nervous, but he could feel the power within the walls. The cobblestone, the trees, the… everything. He wasn’t sure there was anywhere within that entire fortress or the grounds surrounding it that was not streaming with magical energy.

He felt himself releasing his cock from his trousers and lazily looked down as he began pumping himself. He wasn’t really one to masturbate, preferring to find a woman, or man, to do it for him, but his mind was too clouded with lewd thoughts of a girl he needed to get out of his mind. And so, he allowed her body to dance before him in his mind’s eye, her face smiling up at him as he imagined her taking his dick into her hands and taking over his hand job. When he spilled his load, he imagined her drinking it, or perhaps rubbing it over her body.

He closed his eyes. He really needed to do something to erase her and these thoughts from his head. Priorities, Lucius, he thought to himself. There were two options. He could corner the girl, call her into his office and force himself upon her, taking her body and enjoying the savory juices of her femininity. Or, he could let Draco marry her, as planned, and bring her into the family properly, impregnate her, and their children could have Merlin’s blood combined with Malfoy blood, and the family would gain higher prestige and more money.

“Priorities,” he mumbled. Draco will wed Hermione. It will be the highlight of the century. He nodded to himself. Fantasies would remain in their proper place as reality would play out as it should.

(IV)(IV)
One week later…

“Oh my God,” Hermione breathed as the limousine rounded the corner.

They had taken a plane from Wiltshire to an airport in Wales, then they took the limousine the rest of the way to the castle. Draco had wanted to take carriages, and Hermione had almost agreed to it, until Pansy made it a point to inform everyone that carriages made her sick. So, they decided upon the limousine instead.

Sitting closest to the door, Hermione rolled down the window to get a better look, her jaw dropping in the process. “This can’t be right,” she muttered to herself.

Draco glanced over, looking above her bushy head to see what she was looking at. “The castle?” he questioned. Silently, he was impressed. The castle was much larger than he had imagined. Outwardly, however, he remained untouched by it, leaning back in his seat and nursing his drink.

Hermione shot him a shocked look before turning her attention back to the castle. “Harry, do you see this?”

“The windows are a bit tinted, Hermione,” the messy haired boy pointed out. “I see something, though, a shadow.”

The Muggle born leaned back and waved a hand to him to indicate that he look out her window. Draco gave a disgusted look as Harry did as much. Harry’s eyebrows rose. “Wow, Hermione,” he said, awe-struck.

“I want to see,” Ginny said, climbing over Blaise’s lap towards the window.

Draco’s lips curled as Blaise pushed the red head back. “I’m holding a drink here, Weasley,” he complained, trying to prevent his drink from spilling.

Draco rolled his eyes. “Merlin’s beard, Ginger, sit down,” he spat. “You, too, Potter. We’ll be there soon enough.”

“Sweet Salazar,” Theo breathed as he lazily draped an arm over Luna’s shoulders. Pulling his wand out with his free hand, he pointed it at the tinted windows and whispered an incantation. The windows suddenly turned clear, showing the castle sitting in the distance.

Harry returned to his seat as he and Ginny both stared at the fortress. Hermione adjusted her shirt and continued to gaze at the building as well. It looked as though it had come straight from a fairy-tale book. About as magnificent as Hogwarts, if not more so, the castle was surrounded by fields of green. As they approached the castle, they turned onto a country lane. On each side of the lane were flowering trees that were in full bloom and lead all the way to the castle’s cul-de-sac.

Hermione put a hand out, feeling the summer breeze slice through her fingers as the trees rushed past her. The limo pulled to a stop near the steps to the castle. Not bothering to wait for the driver, Hermione opened the door and hopped out.

“Princess!” Draco protested as he climbed out of the vehicle behind her. “You were supposed to wait…”

“Look at the place, Draco,” she said, awed and not really paying attention to his distress.

Another limousine pulled up behind them as the other students filed out of the one Hermione and Draco had been in. Blaise dusted off his sleeves as Padma and Pansy straightened their skirts. Luna twirled, spreading her arms wide as Theo watched her with amusement.

The second limo stopped, and the driver opened his door to rush to the other door, opening it and helping Narcissa Malfoy and Jean Granger out, followed by Nymphadora Tonks, and their respective husbands. “Miss Granger,” Lucius called out to the Muggle born who was beginning to walk up the steps. “There is a certain manner of decorum, my pet.”

She glanced over her shoulder at him. “It’s my castle, isn’t it?” she questioned.

Lucius gave a patient sigh that seemed anything but patient. The group followed Hermione up the stairs towards the entrance doors. She almost made it to them before Lucius caught up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “It is your castle,” he told her, making her pause for a moment. “However, you can’t just rush in, my pet. Have you learned nothing from being in the Manor? There are procedures before you can enter this castle and allow others to enter.”

She looked up at him. “Procedures?”

“You have to announce yourself, Hermione,” Remus told her as he panted.

“And then you have to give the castle proof of who you are,” added the Death Eater.

Uncertain, Hermione glanced at Draco, who shrugged. She looked back at the werewolf. “What sort of ‘proof’?” questioned the girl.

Lucius lowered his hand. “Give me your hand, my pet,” he said gently.

She should have questioned him more, but Hermione was so confused, and he was being so gentle, that she didn’t think twice of placing her hand into his. Closing his fingers around her hand, Lucius conjured a small silver dagger and put the blade against her palm. “What are you doing?!” she demanded.

“Blood,” he explained as he ran the blade across her palm. As beads of red blood formed in her palm, he continued, “Now, look at the door and tell it who you are. Announce yourself as Hermione Granger, Heiress of Merlin and then place your palm flat against the door. Don’t touch the handle just yet.”

“That’s barbaric!” Richard growled in repulsion.

Lucius kept his eyes upon Hermione and replied, “It’s ancient magic meant to protect the bloodline. Only a true descendent of Merlin can open the fortress.”

Hermione nodded in understanding as she took her hand out of Lucius’s and turned to the door. “I am Hermione Granger, Heiress of Merlin,” she announced to the door as she put her palm against the door.

The wood was perfectly polished and cool to the touch. As her blood touched it, the door glowed blue. One it took its payment, the light faded and the handle turned.

Hermione took a step back, willingly into Draco’s arms as the door opened. “You must enter first, Miss Granger,” Lucius told her, looking at the foyer beyond. “And you must invite us inside.”

She clutched her hand and glanced up at Draco. Kissing him lightly on his lips, Hermione walked out of his embrace and turned back to the entrance. Taking a deep breath, the Muggle born stepped across the threshold. She turned, looking at the people waiting. “Please, come in,” she said. “Welcome to my…” she looked hesitantly at Lucius who mouthed a single word to her. Her brow furrowed as she finished, “…home.”

The door and archway glowed green. Once it stopped glowing, Lucius stepped across the threshold as well and bowed to Hermione. “Thank you, Miss Granger,” he said.

The rest of the group followed suit as they entered the castle, though her parents neither bowed nor curtsied at Hermione, simply looking at her strangely. Once everyone was inside, they began to fan out, though Remus cautioned them from going beyond the foyer just yet. The doors slammed shut, causing Jean to jump and stare at them in fright.

“Well, that was dramatic,” Harry said dryly as he looked at the doors.

“Will we be able to open them again?” questioned Jean as she gazed at the doors dubiously.

Draco shrugged as a house elf appeared before them with a crack. “Mistress Granger,” the little elf asked glancing at the different people.

Hermione stepped forward. “You don’t have to call me that,” she said. “Just Hermione is fine.”

The elf looked at her for a moment, its large blue eyes blinking up at her in curiosity. “Miss Hermione Granger,” it greeted, bowing. “I is Skippy, ma’am. I is the head elf here. Skippy and the other elves been working hard, miss. Skippy hopes the grounds are to your liking and the fortress, too, miss.”

“Oh, uh,” Hermione glanced at Draco hesitantly. “It’s nice to meet you, Skippy…” she began.

“There’s luggage in the trunks of the limos that need taken care of,” Draco said, placing a hand upon the Muggle born’s waist. “And, since this is our first time here, we will need a tour.”

Skippy stared wide-eyed at Draco. “You is?” the elf asked.

Draco’s own eyes narrowed in annoyance, but Hermione cut him off. “He’s my betrothed, Skippy. Draco Malfoy,” she told the elf. She introduced the rest of the group, naming each of them to the little elf and ending with, “These are my friends and family. I will ask that you please show them the same respect and courtesy as you do me?”

Skippy nodded vigorously. “Yes. Miss Hermione Granger,” the elf said. “Mister Draco Malfoy will be our Master soon? When do you marry?”

“Not soon enough,” Draco told the elf. “But that shouldn’t matter to you at the moment. Our luggage still needs attending to and we are waiting for that tour.”

“Yes, sir, Mister Draco Malfoy, sir,” Skippy acquiesced as… she?... Apparated away with a loud pop.

“Good Lord!” Jean gasped, clutching her chest. “Are they always that loud?”

Theo smirked at her. “You get used to it,” he assured her as the elf reappeared on the other side of the foyer.

“Miss Hermione Granger, ma’am, Skippy will show you the fortress if you like,” the elf said, coaxing the group with a wave of her hand. “Right this way, please.”

(V)(V)

The tour was… interesting, to say the least. For her part, Hermione was attentive, soaking in every word that came out of the house elf’s mouth. She had even conjured a notepad and a pen to sketch an outline of the castle and labeling each room.

After supper, the adults and students separated to their own wings, with the adults taking the East Wing and the students taking the West. Hermione seemed to blossom and truly come alive within the castle, as though she truly belonged. Her energy was both unsettling and invigorating.

“Why do you call her ‘pet’?” Richard asked Lucius as they sat by the fire in the East Wing’s drawing room, nursing a goblet of brandy.

Lucius took his time with the answer, taking a deep pull of his own brandy as he mulled the question over in his mind. Licking his lips, he considered the fire for a moment before glancing at the Muggle. “She’ll be my daughter soon,” he finally settled on. “Or, rather, my daughter-in-law, if you will. It’s a term of endearment.”

Richard glared at the man. They were roughly about the same age, he wagered, though Lucius seemed a bit more athletic. Richard tucked that into the back of his mind, he would need to work out more before he stood a chance against the man before him. Even still, “I’ve seen the way you look at her, Lucius,” he said bravely. “I suppose I can call you ‘Lucius’ now, given that we will be family soon.”

“Indeed,” Lucius answered gruffly while swallowing the bile in his throat with another mouthful of brandy. The thought of being related to a bunch of Muggles disgusted the former Death Eater, but he would have to make do with the hand he was being dealt, especially if he wanted Hermione Granger in his lineage.

Richard leaned forward. “So, you won’t even deny it?” he challenged.

Lucius glanced at the man and raised a perfect eyebrow. “Contrary to what many Muggles, including you, may believe, I may be a wizard, but that does not make me a mind-reader, Richard,” he pointed out. “You’ll have to be more specific. What exactly am I being accused of?”

The dentist curled his lips and he could feel himself grinding his teeth. He didn’t care at that moment. “You look at my daughter as if she is some morsel you can’t wait to taste. Is that specific enough?” he asked, trying to hold his temper in check. “I also have reason to believe that you inappropriately fantasize about her. I’ve caught that look as well.”

Lucius did not laugh. He was not even amused. “I am married to the most beautiful woman in the Wizarding World, or have you forgotten?” he shot back coolly. “And, unless they decide to change their minds, which I doubt will happen, your daughter intends to marry my son.”

“You didn’t answer the question,” Richard argued.

“Yes, I did,” the Death Eater said. “You asked why I call her my pet. I told you that it was a term of endearment, which is quite common among Wizarding families. In fact, one would think you’d be pleased at the notion as it means that I have accepted your daughter into my family, something that is extremely rare within ancient Wizarding bloodlines. You have not asked another question, but simply thrown unfounded accusations to me. Despite the lack of question, I have given you facts as to my relationship with your daughter. She will be my daughter soon, as well.”

Richard glared at Lucius. Maybe he felt some sort of bravery since he was Hermione’s father, Lucius wasn’t certain. “You think you’re so smart,” he growled. “But I can see through you, Lucius Malfoy, and I swear to you that if I find out you so much as lay a hair on my daughter inappropriately, you will wish you weren’t born.”

That time, Lucius did feel amusement wash over him. He did not like the idea of a Muggle threatening him, but Richard Granger posed little threat to the seasoned Death Eater. “Your laws do not apply to me, Granger,” he said, still calm. “I am a wizard.”

“You like to remind me of that consistently as if I didn’t know all ready,” Richard snapped. He downed the rest of his drink and stood up. “Somehow, I doubt your magic will stop a bullet to your brain, though, if you touch Hermione.”

Lucius placed his glass upon the side table and stood as well. Richard did not move as Lucius approached him, refusing to be intimidated by the wizard although Lucius was taller and far more fit than the dentist. The Death Eater looked down at the chubby Muggle. “Your idle threats mean nothing to me, Muggle,” he sneered.

“It’s not a threat, Wizard,” Richard hissed. “It’s a promise.”

Richard turned to leave then. Were he a Wizard and knew about Death Eaters, he would not have done that. As it was, Richard wasn’t a Wizard. So, he did not notice that Lucius had drawn his wand. Because he turned his back, he did not see Lucius point the wand at him, preparing to curse him. Were it not for Narcissa walking in at that moment, Richard would have been dead.

Narcissa walked into the sitting room and saw her husband point his wand at the Muggle. She quickly rushed to his side and slapped his arm upward so that the spell intended for Richard hit the wall instead, knocking a painting off it. “I’m going to have to let Hermione know that some of these ornaments aren’t set right,” he said more to himself than the couple. “Good night, Narcissa.”

The witch gave him a small smile. “Good night, Richard. We will see you in the morning.”

Once he was gone, Narcissa glared at Lucius. “What in Merlin’s name did you think you were doing?” she demanded.

He didn’t answer her. He just returned her glare and stormed out of the room towards their bedroom. Narcissa’s expression fell into one of worry. She did not know what had happened between the Muggle and Wizard, but if Hermione got wind of it, she knew that Draco could lose the girl.

She would need to remind Lucius of such and soon. Draco was too close to his happily ever after.
Author's Note: Dun, dun, duuuunnnn! Richard, what are you doing?! He's a viper! A Death Eater!
I'm sorry I took so long to update. Honestly, it struck me after I posted Chapter 28 that I had done the trial wrong. You'd think I would know how to do a proper trial with all the Law & Order: SVU I've watched, but, eh. Anyway. I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! And thank you for your reviews! I love hearing from you all.
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The Dare