To Save the Life of a Mudblood

A/N: Well, here is chapter three. From here on out the updates will probably be a little slower. I am in pain and my writing feels normal, but if it’s not, then my broken toe is to blame! Thanks Kady, again for betaing, I will find another beta, in fact I may have one, so be patient! I hope the you all fell Hermione is a little more normal now, give the girl a break, after everything she went through, she should be allowed to be a little off! Lol, please, tell me what you think, I thrive on reviews, plus they encourage me so much! I am going to continue with this, I have fallen in love with it and couldn’t bear to quit, but I still like to know if you are enjoying it! Thanks for reading so far and I hope you will continue. And I know the last chapter title was misspelled, lol, but I haven’t gone back to fix it yet, I will, eventually. Lol.

Part of the Family

Draco awoke to a loud banging on his bedroom door. Before he could answer, the door banged open. He blinked, trying to focus on the figure standing in the doorway. Hermione paused only for a moment before breezing into his room, coming to stop at the foot of his bed.

“Malfoy, wake up,” she commanded. He opened his eyes further to glare at the alert muggleborn.

“What time is it?” he mumbled.

“Nine a.m. Now get up and get dressed. We are going down to your library and we are going to search every book in that damned place until we figure out a way to reverse this.”

“Damn it, Granger. Nine a.m.? Can’t you let a guy get some sleep?”

“You can sleep once this is fixed. Now, up!”

Draco mumbled something incoherent before lazily rousing himself from his warm bed. He smirked when she blushed at his barely dressed form.

“Enjoying the view?”

“You wish,” she scowled at him before turning and heading back to the doorway. She turned just as she reached the exit. “I’ll be back in ten minutes and you had better be ready.”

Draco laughed silently at that. Her tone could rival his father’s when she was in one her “moods”. He made his way over to the elegant armoire that stood in the corner nearest the large window and retrieved a pair of casual trousers and a dark blue button up shirt. He took his clothes into his bathroom and prepared for a quick shower.

Once he was through with his shower, he threw on his clothes, used a drying spell on his hair, then made his way down the hall to the guest room. He knocked once and the door immediately opened.

“Ready?” she asked without preamble.

“Yes, let’s go.”

The couple made their way down stairs to the large library. The books that had littered the floor the night before were now in neat piles on the many tables littered throughout the large room.

“Where should we start?” he asked.

She seemed to think about that for a minute before finally answering, “I don’t know.”

“I have a suggestion. That spell, it borders on Dark Magic, most binding spells do, so I think our best bet would probably be with the older books in my father’s private study. We should start there and if we don’t find anything, then we can move to the larger collection here.”

“Alright. That makes sense, but, how will your father take to us invading his…private study?”

“If it means finding a way out of this? I think he will be accommodating.”

“Okay, lead the way then.”

Draco led her back out into the hallway, then down to the bottom floor of the Manor. He swept past the formal study that held the Family Tree to a room two doors down. He paused outside of the door, wondering if his father could possibly be up yet. Erring on the side of caution, he swiftly rapped his knuckles on the door.

“Enter.”

Draco frowned. He had hoped he wouldn’t have to face his father yet this morning. He opened the door, motioning for Granger to follow him.

“Father. How are you this morning?” he asked politely.

“How do you think? Maurice, Helena and Astoria will be coming for lunch. I expect both you and Miss Granger to attend.” He looked up then, noticing Hermione standing beside his son. He scowled.

“Of course, Father, we will be there. In the formal dining room?”

“No, the sitting room. Much more comfortable.”

“Father, could we possible go through some of your books. We are hoping to find some way to undo this spell. I thought some of your…older and more powerful books might have an answer.”

“You may look all you like, but don’t expect to find anything.”

“And how can you be sure? If it hasn’t been used in ages, then how do you know for sure that it can’t be undone?” Hermione bit out.

His father’s eyes narrowed at the young muggleborn. “Miss Granger, if it could be undone so easily, do you think it would have been replaced?”

“Well, just because it can’t be undone easily doesn’t mean it can’t be undone at all, it just may be a little difficult. I refuse to believe there isn’t some way to reverse this,” she huffed.

He smirked. “Well, I can point you to the book that has all the information I know of about the spell, which is sad to say, very little, but I doubt you will find what you are looking for. Tell me, Miss Granger, can you read Romanian?”

“Obviously not, or I would have known what the spell said,” she spat, anger growing.

“Do watch your tone, my dear.” He stood up from behind his desk. He was dressed in black trousers and a loose, button up black dress shirt. No robes were adorning his body this morning and Hermione found it very odd to see him so casually dressed.

He walked over to a large bookshelf to the right of the window. He took down an old, large dusty tome. He opened it and flicked through the pages, finally finding what he was searching for.

“Do you know a Translation Charm?”

“Yes.”

He handed her the book. She waved her wand, casting the correct charm then began to read.

“What does it mean, ‘If blood has not been spilt, then he that spilt it may challenge.’?”

“It’s speaking of your virginity. If my son was not the first to lie with you, then whoever was may challenge the bond.”

“Oh.” So much for that, she thought as a blush crept up her cheeks.

Draco came up behind her to read over her shoulder. This time he asked a question.

“What does it mean by, ‘The lunar’s pull shall initiate the bond.’?”

“That doesn’t sound right. Some Old Romanian words are not translatable into English. Remove the spell,” he ordered.

Hermione waved her wand as the oldest Malfoy came to stand behind her and his son. He read through the passage in the original language. He seemed to be thinking deeply for a moment before finally speaking.

“I believe the ‘lunar’s pull’ speaks of the full moon. And initiate isn’t the right word. I believe it is saying that your…feelings and desires, caused by the bond, will be strengthened by the full moon.”

“Feelings and desires? But I have no feelings or desires, at least not where your son is concerned.”

“Oh, I am sure you have feelings and desires, just not the ones the book refers to.”

Hermione looked unsure at those words.

“He’s right Granger. You have feelings…feelings of hate. And I’m sure you have desires, like the desire to throttle me,” Draco spoke up, amused at the blush that crept up her cheeks.

“Very funny, Malfoy. Seriously, what does it mean?”

“Your guess is as good as mine, Miss Granger. Tonight is the full moon, perhaps we shall find out.”

Hermione huffed. She closed the book with a sigh.

“That was a whole lot of help,” she said sarcastically.

“Well, help yourself to the other books; I am going to take my leave now. I think I need a strong drink before the Greengrasses arrive.”

“When will they be here, Father?”

“Noon. As I said, I expect both of you in the sitting room at ten till twelve.”

“Of course, Father. We will be there.”

Lucius Malfoy nodded at his son then turned his gaze on Hermione. He gave her a devilish smile.

“I will see you at lunch, Lady Malfoy.”

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the Malfoy patriarch and opened her mouth to retaliate. Draco grabbed her shoulder, stopping her before she could say anything.

“He’s just trying to get a rise out of you, don’t give him the satisfaction,” whispered to her as his father swept out of the room. “Now, let’s see what else we can find.”

Lucius made his way down to the library, musing on his son’s latest mishap. He had been reading in the study last night when the glowing tapestry had caught his eye. To say the least, he was shocked to find his daughter-in-law’s name slowly unraveling from the old fabric. He was even more shocked when the stitching reformed into the name “Hermione Granger.” He had been furious. He didn’t know what his son had done to dissolve his marriage, much less to form a second one so quickly, but he knew it couldn’t have been anything good.

After learning the truth, his anger had diminished somewhat. He was still angry and unsure what they would tell Astoria and her family, but he couldn’t really fault his son for his actions. He might be a Malfoy and a former Death Eater, but he was a changed man and he was still human. He understood his son’s inability to allow an innocent person to die while in his power to stop it.

And in truth, he had never really cared for Astoria Greengrass. She was a dull girl with shit for brains. She was eye-candy and good for very little else. Hermione Granger on the other hand, was a whole other story. While it was unfortunate that her blood was…tainted, he was rather pleased with her intelligence. Granted, reading that spell had been rather stupid, but he could understand the pull of a Dark spell on such an innocent soul. Also, from a political standpoint, who better to be associated with than Harry Potter’s best friend and heroine of the Second War?

Even socially, this could be a good thing. His family would be looked upon with awe, the idealistic Pureblood family, paving the way, bridging the gap between the Wizarding world and the Muggle one. Yes, this could be a good thing. If his son’s ex-wife didn’t kill Miss Granger that is.

Hermione and Draco searched through every book they could find that had anything to do with marriage and binding spells, but found nothing that would help them. Draco glanced at his watch. He leaned over to tap Hermione on the shoulder. Her eyes were closed and he wondered if she had fallen asleep.

“Wha…” she mumbled, slowly opening her eyes.

“We need to get ready for lunch.”

“Get ready? What’s wrong with the way I’m dressed now?” she asked groggily.

“Well for starters, your clothes are glaringly Muggle. If you are going to face the Greengrass family, I suggest you at least give the appearance of a proper witch.”

“I don’t have any robes. And why should I care what they think of me?”

“Kipsy can transfigure some for you, and you should care because…well…Astoria is going to be pissed enough, why upset her more? I think she’s less likely to attack you in a nice set of robes, than if you parade around in those…clothes, announcing your heritage so loudly.”

Hermione scowled, but decided not to argue. It really wasn’t worth it.

“Fine, let’s go.”

Thirty minutes later, Hermione and Draco entered the lavish sitting room to find Narcissa and Lucius sitting at a small, cozy round table near the open window. Lucius’s eyes roamed over her body, taking in her appearance. She was surprised to see a pleased expression on his face as he nodded to her.

“Miss Granger, I don’t believe you have met my wife. Narcissa, Hermione Granger.” Narcissa stood up from the table and approached the young muggleborn.

“Miss Granger, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” she spoke in rather clipped tones, but did extend her hand without hesitation. Hermione shook the proffered hand.

“It is nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Malfoy.”

“Please, call me Narcissa. Considering the…circumstances, I don’t believe we should worry about propriety.”

“Alright…Narcissa,” she said, trying out the unfamiliar name. It sounded odd on her tongue and to her ears.

“Miss Granger, it is refreshing to see that you do actually wear something besides those awful things Muggles call clothes,” Lucius drawled, not moving from his seat by the window.

Hermione glared at him, noticing that his words, while aggravating, held no malice to them, rather as if he was teasing her. It was an odd sensation.

Draco and Hermione took their seats at the table, surprisingly between the elder Malfoys. Lucius sat to Draco’s right and Narcissa to Hermione’s left. She figured it was for protection. She had a feeling Draco’s wife…ex-wife…was not going to take this well at all.

A tiny house-elf popped into the room. It bowed low and addressed Lucius.

“Master Malfoy, Mistress Astoria and her family is here. Should Basey shows them in?”

“Yes, Basey, please escort our guests into the sitting room.”

The elf popped out and soon returned, leading three figures into the room.

Lucius stood and made his way over to the stiff figures.

“Maurice, Helena, thank you for coming, please be seated, lunch is about to be served.”

“Lucius. Narcissa,” Maurice greeted the Malfoys, no pleasure gracing his words.

The Greengrasses sat at the table, Astoria directly across from Draco, glaring at him the entire time.

No sooner had the family sat down when the youngest Greengrass burst out at her husband.

“Draco, what the hell is going on? What is she doing here? Why did my ring burn the life out of my finger?”

“Astoria, please, calm yourself. We would all like answers to those questions, but we must be calm about it,” her father spoke, his icy glare landing on Hermione.

“I apologize for the ring, Astoria. As for the problem? Well, I daresay it is a rather long story,” Lucius spoke calmly, his gaze moving from one member of the family to another.

“Miss Granger has been helping in our library here at the Manor, preparing for the donation I am giving to the Ministry. You know this and you also know that I requested Draco’s help with this, since he knows that library so well, he would also know which books were unsafe for her to touch, for…unfortunate reasons.

“Last night, the two stumbled upon and old spell with…unforeseen consequences. It was an old Romanian Marriage Binding spell, forcing…consummation within a set time or they would face death.

“Neither was aware that by saving themselves from the spell they would negate Draco’s previous marriage,” Lucius explained. Hermione noticed how he worded it, making it appear that Draco was under the spell as well. He made it seem as if Draco himself would have perished if he had not performed the desired act. How very Slytherin of him.

Astoria and her parents sat still in shock. Finally she found her voice.

“So…we can just go before the Ministry and have them nullify the bond, then we can reform our own and we’ll just forget this every happened.”

“It’s not that easy. That spell was old and powerful. I’m afraid there is no known way to reverse it.”

Astoria’s fists clenched. She turned her angry gaze on Hermione.

“You filthy Mudblood! You did this on purpose!”

“Astoria!” her mother cried out at her language.

Hermione jumped to her feet.

“How dare you! As if I would choose this!”

“Why wouldn’t you? You are now a member of one of the most powerful families in all of England, you are richer than you could possibly imagine and you have Draco, why wouldn’t you choose this?” Astoria stood up as well.

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe because Malfoy and I spent seven years hating each other while at school. His family despises everything I am, everything I stand for, could that possibly be a reason?”

Astoria narrowed her eyes, her hand flashing out, pointing her wand at Hermione. She shouted a stinging hex, purple light flew from her wand.

Too late, Hermione tried to grab her own wand. A hand snaked out and grasped her arm, hauling her back. She was surprised to hear Lucius hiss in pain as the hex landed on his arm rather than her chest where it was aimed. He released her arm and pulled out his own wand, pointing it at Astoria.

“I understand you are upset, I will let that one go, but if you ever raise your wand in my home again, I will not hesitate to curse you, and I assure you, I don’t use juvenile hexes like that.

“Now, I believe you have worn out your welcome. Maurice, Helena, I shall see you later.”

Hermione watched in shock as Lucius turned his back on his guests, secretly massaging his stung arm. The Greengrasses rose from their seats, shooting angry glances at their daughter before pulling her from the room.

“Lucius,” Narcissa spoke softly, unsure of his reaction. She carefully reached out for his arm. He jerked away from her.

“I find I have lost my appetite. I will see you at dinner.” With that he swept out of the sitting room, never looking at Hermione.

Basey appeared with trays of food floating before him. “Basey is brining Masters and Mistresses their lunch,” he told them.

“Set it on the table, then you may go.”

Basey bowed low to the remaining diners then popped out.

“Well, don’t just sit there, eat.”

Hermione and Draco glanced at each other, unsure of what to say. Deciding silence was easier to deal with, they tucked into their lunch, each with their own thoughts.

A/N: Thanks again for reading and I hope you will all review. They make my toe feel so much better! Yes, I’ll take pity reviews! Lol. So, tell me what you think! 