Criminal Ravishment

A/N: A big thank you to my beta, MadAboutHarry, for taking the time and patience with my story. Epigone also helped me beta this story with her knowledge of dark fiction - thank you! I would also like to thank SnapesFlower for her input too!

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters and I am making no money on them. I am only borrowing them for my plot ideas.

Hugs,
~Corazon

~*~*~*~*~

Criminal Ravishment

Chapter 1

It was Hermione, Harry, and Ron’s seventh year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Great Hall was filled with students and staff, as the sorting feast was about to commence. Albus Dumbledore stood up at the high table and raised his hands, signaling everyone’s attention. Hermione, being the Head Girl was seated at the high table, alongside Professor McGonagall and she could clearly see how tired Professor Dumbledore was as he slowly stood up. He looked old and fragile, but he still had the old twinkle in his eyes as he welcomed the students back from their summer break. On the other side of Hermione was an empty chair that was for the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, who was yet to be announced.

“Welcome back!” the Headmaster said with open arms. “It is my pleasure to welcome back such an extraordinary group of students as yourselves. Over the last six years, we have all felt the burden of Lord Voldemort’s reign of terror, but it is officially over since Voldemort was killed by the hand of our very own Professor Snape.” Albus extended a hand in Severus’ direction as the Great Hall erupted in cheers. Severus’ face was stoold old as his black, empty eyes looked past the students and off into the distance, cursing silently at the attention that was being given to him.

The final battle had taken place during that summer break and Harry, Hermione, and Ron, along with Snape, Dumbledore, the Minister of Magic and several dozen Aurors, eliminated the legacy to which Voldemort had dedicated his life. Snape had cast the final Unforgivable at Voldemort, but not before Lucius Malfoy turned sides and began to fight against the Dark Lord.

Almost every witch and wizard except for Snape, Dumbledore, Harry, and Ron welcomed this sudden and unexpected tur eve events. The Malfoy name carried a lot of respect and power because of their pureblood heritage and endless fortune. Lucius Malfoy made very generous contributions and donations to various charities and organizations and this allowed him to continue to maintain his high social status among the wizarding community.

With the sorting ceremony now complete, Albus stood again to make his beginning of the year announcements. This year, he had an announcement that received more shock than ever.

“As it is becoming a tradition here at Hogwarts, I would once again like to introduce a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Lucius Malfoy,” the Headmaster held his arm out to a side door of the Great Hall as Lucius walked in, holding his head with great pride. His blonde hair was pulled back and he donned a black set of teaching robes. There was a rush of murmuring among the tables miwithwith the sound of applause except for the students at the Slytherin table. They had erupted with the most great enthusiasm by cheering and shouting for their new DADA teacher and former Slytherin, not to mention the father of the current Head Boy, Draco Malfoy.

Harry and Ron looked at each other with shock and disapproval and then turned to gauge Hermione\'s reaction. With her usual impeccable manners, she was smiling and politely clapping. On the other side of the Headmaster, a few seats down, sat the Head Boy, Draco Malfoy, who was clapping and showing a proud smug look on his face.

“Do you think she knew about this?” whispered Ron.

“I don’t know,” said Harry, “Hermione knows how much we disapprove of the Malfoy’s, yet she always says that everyone deserves a second chance. She doesn’t look too surpd, sd, so maybe she did know.” Harry turned his attention to Snape and noticed the scowl and disapproving look he gave Lucius as he made his way to the high table.

Even though Harry was fully aware that Snape had wanted the DADA position, Harry sensed that there was more to Snape’s reaction than just not getting the position. The fact that Malfoy was an ex-Death Eater and now a teacher of DADA did not go over well at all with Harry and Ron, or apparently, with Snape.

It was during their sixth year, that Snape had been discovered by Voldemort to be a spy, but somehow he had managed toape ape death. He had proven his loyalties were with the Order of the Phoenix, and it was his continued work putting all of his energies and talents to building the Order’s defense that finally brought Voldemort down.

As the final battle commenced and it became clear that Voldemort was going to be defeated, only a handful of Death Eaters, including Lucius, remained at his side as they found themselves surrounded by Aurors. It was at this moment, however, that Lucius Malfoy, being the true coward he was, switched sides and quickly killed the two Death Eaters that stood closest to Voldemort, thus spared himself a life sentence in Azkaban.

Now, in Harry’s only safe haven, Lucius Malfoy was being welcomed to Hogwarts and placed in a trusted position as a professor.

When the feast was over and the first years were led back to their houses along with most of the other students, still some students stayed behind to visit with the professors. Hermione, being the Head Girl, felt it was her obligation to greet and welcome the new professor, even if it was Lucius Malfoy. When Dumbledore had announced his name, her stomach had turned, but she trusted Dumbledore enough to make the right decision when it came to hiring new staff members, so she forced herself to relax.

Quietly, Hermione approached Professor Malfoy, who was visiting with Professor Snape. “I will be watching your every move,” hissed Snape as Hermione approached the two men.

“Professor Snape. Professor Malfoy. Good evening,” said a timid Hermione. Severus looked at the know-it-all and scowled at her before leaving. Lucius noticed Severus’ rude behavior and ignoring him, smiled as and extended his hand to Hermione.

Hermione was relieved by his warm welcome and she accepted his hand. “Miss Granger,” he said, “it is going to be a privilege, and a pleasure to teach the most talented witch Hogwarts has to offer,” and Lucius even went a step further, tilting her hand and placing a kiss on the back of it. Hermione blushed as she bit her bottom lip.

Having always had her talent ridiculed by both her peers and Professor Snape, she was speechless at Malfoy’s open appreciation of her talent.

“Professor Malfoy,” she said after finding her voice, “I look forward to your classes and, as Head Girl, I am offering to assist you anyway I can to help you feel welcome here at Hogwarts.”

“Miss Granger,” Malfoy was still holding her hand, “I cannot begin to tell you how generous your offer is, since I have already been feeling some hostility from the staff. The Ministry of Magic thought it would be fitting for me to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts since I was at the final battle, but the staff seem to be resisting my honest efforts to prove that my loyalties now lie with Hogwarts. It is reassuring to have the vote of confidence from a witch who is not only intelligent, but also so beautiful.\" Malfoy kissed Hermione’s hand again while maintaining eye contact. “Until tomorrow, Miss Granger,” he released her hand, bowed, and left.

Hermione was speechless. Never had anyone treated her with such deferential respect. Mr. Malfoy had admired her for her intelligence, even complimenting her on her beauty. She always had felt that she was unattractive since she had only been asked to one dance and that was in her fourth year, but for the compliments to have come from someone of Lucius’ status… Hermione was beside herself as she made her way to the Gryffindor common room.

When she entered the common room, Harry and Ron immediately cornered her.

“You knew about Lucius becoming a professor, didn’t you?” Ron asked as if she had betrayed them.

Defensively, Hermione stared at Ron in disbelief. “I didn’t know!” she hissed. “How dare you accuse me of something that you and I both knew nothing about!”

“Then why were you talking to him after the Sorting Feast?” asked Ron.

“I was welcoming him to Hogwarts, not that it is any of your business!”

“How could you welcome that… that piece of *slime* to Hogwarts?” Ron and Hermione were starting to attract attention from the other Gryffindors as Harry stepped in.

“Let’s go somewhere a little more private,” he said as he ushered Hermione and Ron into a private study room that was just off the Gryffindor common room.

Hermione and Ron both stomped into the room as Harry closed the door behind them. “Okay Ron,” Harry began, “Hermione said that she did not know about Lucius Malfoy becoming the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.” Hermione crossed her arms and glared at Ron. “And Hermione,” continued Harry, “just out of curiosity, why were you welcoming Malfoy when you know he is nothing but a two-faced coward?”

Hermione was furious as she uncrossed her arms and stepped directly in front of Harry so that she was only inches from his face. “I do not need to justify my actions to you or Ron, but if you must know, he is trying to rectify his past… actions with Voldemort, and the best way to do this was to become the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor! The Ministry of Magic has given their full support to having Professor Dumbledhirehire him.”

“So that’s how he did it!” Ron looked as if that provided all the evidence in the world. “He threatened the Ministry of Magic again and they coerced Dumbledore into hiring him!”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” said Hermione, “Lucius has proven himself to be a changed man!”

“Hermione, don’t you remember in our second year when he used his power and influence to force Dumbledore out of Hogwarts?” Harry asked in disbelief.

“I cannot believe that I am having this conversation with you two!” Hermione turned and stormed out of the study room and back to the common room.

Calming down, Hermione gave her Head Girl speech to the first years that were waiting for her in the Gryffindor common room and then retired to her private, Head Girl rooms. Still angered by Harry and Ron’s accusations, she opened up her required textbooks for her DADA class and began to read one for the fifth time. It helped her to take her mind off of the previous events. At least she was ready for Professor Malfoy’s class.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The next morning she entered the Great Hall, and spotting Ron and Harry she headed toward them, hoping they could forget about last night and start over.

“Good Morning,” she said as she stood next to Harry and across from Ron, who were both sitting at the table. Ron glared at her as Harry muttered a good morning. Hermione took the hint and made her way to her assigned seat at the high table. It was so much like a typical argument between them. Trying not to let it bother her that her two best friends were not speaking to her, she concentrated on eating her breakfast.

“Well, well, well,” said a deep voice and Hermione looked up to see Professor Malfoy taking a seat next to her. “I can’t believe my luck at having the pleasure of eating breakfast in your company, Miss Granger.” Hermione smiled as she blushed.

“Good morning Professor Malfoy, how are you this morning?” she asked.

“I am wonderful, now that I am in your presence, Miss Granger,” and he took her hand and kissed it again. Hermione’s eyes quickly glanced at her friends\' table. She barely suppressed a sigh as Ron started glaring again. This time Harry had joined in. She looked back at Professor Malfoy, who also noticed them glaring. “Is it okay that I kiss your hand, Miss Granger? I mean, that is what a gentleman does in the presence of a lady.”

Hermione was flattered at being called a lady. “Oh, yes sir, it is okay,” she squeaked, embarrassed that her voice was wavering. Malfoy winked at her as he released her hand and served himself some breakfast. Hermione hastily finished her breakfast and made her way to her first class, Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall, her Head of House.

Her morning classes went well since she took a seat next to Neville Longbottom and avoided Harry and Ron. During lunch, Malfoy again sat next to Hermione and they chatted while eating. She never realized how pleasant he really was. The rest of the staff did not pay any attention to them except for Professor Snape, who continued to scowl at the pair.

Her last class of the day was Defense Against the Dark Arts. Upon entering the class, she took a seat in the front, feeling confident that Professor Malfoy would appreciate her willingness to participate and answer questions.

After welcoming them all to his class, the seventh year Gryffindors hesitantly smiled at their new professor and class began.

“We will starth thh the Chimaera. Who can tell me about the origin of the Chimaera?” Professor Malfoy asked. His eyes searched the room as all the students avoided looking at him except for Hermione who held her hand up.

“Miss Granger,” he said her name with such satisfaction, “please, enlighten us.”

“Yes sir,” she said as she stood up next to her desk, “The Chimaera or Chimera is made out of three different creatures: the lion, the goat, and the serpent. It is a savage beast that sprouts fire from its mouth, causing devastation on those who fall in its path. Originally it was believed to have been defeated by Bellerophon, but later discovered to have only hidden itself until it made its appearance later in history. Once it was to have been only a part of mythology until it was seen twice. Within the last two hundred years, the Chimaera has destroyed three villages, killing hundreds of people.”

“Excellent job Miss Granger,” beamed Professor Malfoy, “and 50 points to Gryffindor.” The class murmured their approval and immediately warmed up to their new professor as he began to teach them how to defend themselves against a Chimaera. Harry and Ron, who were sitting in the back, were still hesitant at accepting him, but they did like receiving the house points.

After class, Harry and Ron decided to wait for Hermione and walk back to the Gryffindor common room together, but Malfoy noticed the two young men waiting for her and was quick to speak, “Miss Granger, may I have a word with you?”

“Yes sir,” said Hermione who had not noticed her friends waiting for her. She put her books back down, and walked to his desk where he stood.

Ron rolled his eyes in disgust and pulled on Harry’s arm, “Let\'s go,” he muttered as they both left.

“Miss Granger, you are extraordinary! I cannot believe that Professor Snape has not told me about your talents,” Malfoy spoke in a smooth voice as his gray eyes admired her.

“Professor Snape does not like me, sir. Actually, he hates me,” Hermione looked at the ground, not wanting Malfoy to see her shame.

“Hermione. May I call you Hermione?”

“Yes sir.”

“Hermione, you are brilliant and it is a shame that Professor Snape is too ignorant to appreciate your brilliance.” Hermione lifted her head and smiled.

“I see that Mister Potter and Mister Weasley did not wait for you, my dear.”

“Oh, I think they needed to - uh, go to the library,” she lied, knowing full well why they left without her.

“Hermione,” and he reached for her hand, pulling her closer to him as he lowered his mouth to her ear and brushed his lips against her ear lobe as he whispered, “Even if your friends don’t appreciate you, I always will.”

Hermione closed her eyes and gasped as she felt his lips brush against her. Feeling an unfamiliar and uncomfortable feeling spread across her body, she stepped back. “Thank you sir,” she stammered as she turned to retrieve her books.

As she walked toward the door of the classroom, Malfoy spoke again, “Hermione,” she turned to face him, “your friends don’t think that you are beautiful, but I do,” and he winked at her. Hermione blushed as she turned back toward the door and left.

Lucius Malfoy sat back down at his desk and smirked, “Oh yes,” he murmured, “I am going to have fun with this Mudblood.”