Hermione and Lucius go head to head. Whom will come out victorious?

Viktor led Hermione outside to a secluded part of the courtyard, where the two sat down on a stone bench and quietly talked about Viktor’s family in Bulgaria and his hopes of a professional Quidditch career after finishing school.

It wasn’t more than 10 minutes when one of his classmates came out and told Viktor that their Headmaster wished to speak with him urgently. Excusing himself, kissing the back of Hermione’s hand, and assuring himself that Hermione would wait for him outside, the Bulgarian followed his classmate back towards the castle.

Hermione sat rooted in her spot demurely, but she was no fool. She had seen Lucius Malfoy talking with Headmaster Karkaroff, the two obviously familiar with each well.

There was no doubt in her mind this was a carefully elaborate set up, to get her alone.

When she heard the sound of someone approaching behind her, she recognized the sound of Lord Malfoy’s cane tapping on the pavement—so she decided to throw out the first volley and let the wizard know she wouldn’t be playing this game by his rules tonight.

“Nice evening for a stroll, is it not, Lord Malfoy?”

Lucius stopped suddenly, looking down at the little witch seated with her back to him. He didn’t respond immediately, but methodically walked over and around the bench, gesturing to the seat beside her, “It is at that, Miss Granger. Your escort has left you, might I sit and keep you company for a moment?”

Hermione nodded her head regally and gestured next to her, “Of course, please do be seated.”

Lucius sat down elegantly and placed his cane on his left, side-eyeing the diminutive witch from the corner of his eye.

She sat there elegantly, not giving anything away.

He thought it was quite disappointing that the girl’s heritage was so unsavory. She’d make a fine bride for his son if her heritage wasn’t such an abomination.

Smart, beautiful, confident and powerful.

And if Severus was to be believed?

Ruthlessly cunning and clever.

“Have you enjoyed yourself this evening, Miss Granger?”

Hermione looked down demurely, the picture of feminine restraint and elegance. “Yes, Lord Malfoy. I have had a lovely time at the ball.”

“Hhmmm.” Lucius then noticed a movement behind and to the right of them, and saw a flash of pale blonde hair.

So it would seem that Draco was intent on eavesdropping on his conversation with the mudblood.

Interesting.

“It would seem that Mister Krum has taken a keen interest in you, and does not seem to be bothered by your, shall we say, unusual habits in regards to your abandonment of your house here at Hogwarts.”

Hermione smiled inwardly, the first move had now been played in their little game of chess, and she was determined to come out the winner.

“I’m not quite sure what you are implying, Sir. I attend all my classes with my fellow Slytherins and even on occasion, earn house points. Perhaps it would be helpful to cut to the chase and share with me what exactly is on your mind.”

Lucius smiled evilly at the little witch. “Very well, Miss Granger. Your Head of House has informed me, as the Head of the Board of Governors, that you are no longer staying within the Slytherin Dorms and haven’t since the start of term. I believe this is in clear violation of several school rules and regulations—a fact I’m aware he shared with you. I also believe he shared the consequences should such behavior continue, did he not?”

“I do believe Professor Snape and I did have a discussion about my lack of attendance in the Slytherin Dormitories. But as far as I was aware? We came to a mutually beneficial understanding. So I am understandably confused as to why the need for intervention several weeks after the fact.”

Lucius considered the witch who was now watching him with a completely guileless expression on her face. He tried to probe her thoughts, but was firmly shut out.

The girl knew Occlumency, how interesting.

“He did make me aware of the entirety of your conversation, and has deferred action to myself. I’m afraid if you do not return to Slytherin House when the new term resumes after Yule? I will have no choice but to recommend your expulsion from Hogwarts. It would not be difficult to get the other Governors on Board, and while there might be some backlash on Severus, once it has been discovered your attempt to blackmail him? I doubt you will find much sympathy with the Headmaster or the other Professors, despite your academic standing.”

Hermione smiled genuinely at the regal blonde man sitting before her.

How utterly predictable he was.

She chuckled lightly, causing Lord Malfoy to glower and raise an eyebrow condescendingly in her direction.

“I fail to see the humor in this situation, Miss Granger. Perhaps you might enlighten me as to what you find so humorous?”

Hermione stood up elegantly and walked a few paces ahead, keeping her back straight and eyes fixed ahead.

“Tell me, Lord Malfoy? Do you often take such an active interest in the students here at Hogwarts?”

“I take my responsibilities as Governor very seriously, Miss Granger. I would never do anything to compromise the integrity of this fine establishment, nor the House I was sorted into.”

Hermione turned around and faced the man with a triumphant smirk on her face. “Well, that is very interesting indeed. I would imagine that if you were to find out that someone had purposefully tried to put any student here in harms way, they would be dealt with swiftly and harshly.”

“Indeed.” The pompous man agreed readily. “As a Governor, I have a duty to ensure the safety and well-being of all the students here.”

“Well, that is intriguing to say the least. Tell me, Lord Malfoy? Do you make it a habit then, to place Dark Artifacts in the cauldrons of all the eleven-year-old children you meet in bookstores, or was Miss Weasley a special case?”

Lucius couldn’t hide the shock on his face and felt his cheeks flame in anger.

So this is what happened to the Dark Lord’s journal!

He had worried incessantly two years ago when the chamber failed to open and the monster wasn’t unleashed on the mudbloods within the school.

Lucius stood angrily and approached the little witch, who lifted her chin in challenge and stared him down.

Who was this chit to think she could question him?

“I am certain I have no idea what you are talking about, Miss Granger—but you best be careful in what kind of accusations you make. I am not a man to be trifled with.”

She just giggled lightly, catching a movement from behind the wizard in the shadows. Her smile deepened triumphantly. “No, I’d imagine you aren’t used to anyone questioning your authority. But perhaps in this instance it would be in both of our best interests to act as if this conversation hadn’t happened. I have no intention of returning to Slytherin House where I am clearly not wanted, and you won’t have to face uncomfortable questions as to how you came in possession of the Dark Lord’s Diary?”

Lucius Malfoy gaped in horror and then he made to go after the witch, who just stood her ground smiling. As he reached for her, he heard a strange hissing sound coming from behind him.

“I would step back if I were you, Lord Malfoy. I am afraid my familiar isn’t too keen on wizards who make to threaten me.”

“Your familiar? What kind of rubbish is this, Miss Granger?”

“Turn around, Sir and see for yourself.”

Lucius slowly turned and his eyes widened at the giant snake before him who was hissing at him in anger. He turned back to Miss Granger, who had a small smile on her face—watching the reptile slither towards her protectively.

“What kind of magic is this?” Lucius snarled.

He had never seen a snake this large before, but it seemed the witch was telling the truth, that thing was protecting her. The snake hissed at the wizard again and Hermione laughed.

Then addressing the snake in Parseltongue, she hissed back, “No, Nagini. You may not eat him. Let me handle the wizard, I will be fine.”

They both watched Nagini melt back into the shadows.

Lucius Malfoy had seen many things throughout his life, but of all the things he’d seen and done, the reality of the little witch standing before him speaking Parseltongue was almost too much for him to process.

After a few moments he spoke lowly and dangerously.

“You are a Parselmouth? How is that possible?”

Hermione smirked at the wizard and tilted her head as she considered the man before her.

However, after a moment she’d decided that she’d had enough for one evening. “I’m tired, Lord Malfoy and it looks as if my date has returned to fetch me. Perhaps it would do us both well to practice discretion and consider tonight a draw?”

The blonde wizard just stared at the witch in fury.

“This is not over, Miss Granger.”

“Trust me, Lord Malfoy? I would be highly disappointed if it were.”

At that precise moment Viktor came back to Hermione and kissed her hand, tucking her arm in his and leading her away. After a few steps Hermione turned back to address the blonde wizard.

“Thank you for your time, Lord Malfoy, it has been most instructive.”

She then turned around while Lucius stood there in shock as he watched the witch walk back into the castle with her date.

He was so stunned he didn’t notice his son approach him until Draco cleared his throat.

“Are you alright, Father?”

“No, my Son! I am most definitely not alright.”