Plotting and Schemes are hatched by a few of our favorite Slytherin’s.

The night of the Malfoy Ball had arrived, and Draco was waiting by the floo for Daphne to arrive.

He had spent the last several days going over every interaction he’d had with Granger and thinking about all he’d seen and witnessed. He’d mentioned to his father over dinner one evening, that he had seen the snake back at end of second year, when he had followed Granger out to the Black Lake. He had then realized that Granger had been out there consistently over the years, and when his father asked him if there had been a pattern?

Draco didn’t realize at first there had been.

But when he had thought about it, he concluded that the times he’d seen Granger at her usual spot, were during the full moon.

Lucius nodded, telling Draco to keep watch over the coming months to see if the pattern held.

Draco had to admit that his admiration for the little witch had increased exponentially over the last few days.

If she truly was the daughter of the Dark Lord, and she’d never used that fact to her advantage?

Spoke immeasurably of her strength and resilience.

She had a plan, of that Draco was sure.

Hermione was exceedingly cunning and clever and he was sure that she knew far more than she let on.

He wasn’t sure how he was going to approach her.

He thought about using the knowledge that she was truly the daughter of the Dark Lord, but what if she wasn’t?

It wasn’t something that one would go around claiming indiscriminately.

He was sure that she was—but he needed more proof.

Soon the floo flashed green and out stepped Daphne, looking lovely in pink formal dress robes. Draco went over to greet her and kissed the back of her hand causing her to smile at her friend.

“So why am I here early, Drake? Your letter made it seem that it was important.”

“It is Daph. My father is waiting for us, come.”

Draco took Daphne’s arm and together they made their way to his Father’s study. When they reached then door, Draco knocked politely and was told to ‘enter’ by his father, who was was sitting with his mother on the wing-backed chairs facing the leather couch.

Draco guided Daphne over to the couch to sit.

“It is lovely to see you again, Lord and Lady Malfoy.” Daphne curtsied before she sat down next to Draco.

Narcissa smiled warmly at the young witch, while Lucius went and poured himself a drink. When the four were finally all settled in their seats, Lucius addressed Daphne.

“Thank you for coming her this evening, Miss Greengrass. Draco tells us that you have been worried about Miss Granger this past year, and have made efforts to try and befriend her.”

Daphne glanced warily over at Draco in confusion, not sure where this line of questioning was going.

“Yes, Lord Malfoy. I have been trying to do just that, but Hermione is very reluctant to accept any offer of friendship from any in Slytherin House, and justifiably so. We haven’t been kind to her, Sir, and as a result? I’m sure Draco has told you, she no longer stays within our dorms. She has managed to find alternative living arrangements, although we have no idea where in the castle she’s staying.”

“Yes, Professor Snape came to me recently and expressed his concern over Miss Granger’s unwillingness to follow House rules. Before we go any further, Miss Greengrass? I must ask how well your Occlumency shields are?”

Daphne stared at Lord Malfoy in shock. “They are adequate, Lord Malfoy. My father Hyperion, has trained both my sister and myself in Occlumency since the summer before we started Hogwarts.”

Lucius nodded. “For what we wish to share with you today, Miss Greengrass, I must ask that you allow me to test your shields. If you do not wish to do so, then I would ask that you keep this meeting here private and we will go no further. Is that acceptable?”

Daphne looked again at her friend, who nodded back at her kindly.

She knew that Draco wouldn’t put her in harms way unnecessarily without good reason. Obviously this had something to do with Hermione. Daphne didn’t need to think long, she felt that she owed it to Draco and to Hermione to try and help the girl any way she could.

“I am willing, Lord Malfoy.” The man nodded and grabbed his wand not giving the girl any time to prepare before he made eye contact and muttered ‘Legilimens’.

Daphne’s shields were up in an instant and Lucius methodically probed her shields, looking for a way in. He applied a bit more force and could feel the shields flutter, but held. He applied a bit more force and the shields came down with Daphne muttering a gasp.

“Impressive, Miss Greengrass, you kept me out for a good five minutes.” Daphne was shaking a bit, and Draco grabbed her hand to give it a comforting squeeze.

Narcissa placed a refreshing charm on the teenage witch, who smiled her thanks at the older woman.

Lucius sat back in his chair and looked to his wife, who gave him a small nod. “What we are about to share with you today, Miss Greengrass, I can’t express the importance of keeping this confidential. I would have you take an oath, but as you are still underage, such an oath is not possible.”

“Whatever It is you wish to confide in me, Lord Malfoy? I can give you my word that it will go no further.”

“Excellent.” The blonde wizard nodded. “I have a pensieve memory I wish to share with you. Once that is done, I will explain my rationale for requesting your presence today.”

Lucius waved his wand and the pensieve floated towards the young witch. When it had settled on the table before her, Lucius used his wand and pulled out a memory, placing it into the swirling urn and watched as the young Greengrass girl placed her head into the object and was transported into the memory of the night of the Yule Ball.

After several minutes, Daphne came out of the pensieve with a pale complexion and visibly shaking.

Draco went to her and sat her back onto the couch before grabbing a small glass of firewhiskey, having Daphne take a measured sip to gather her nerves.

Daphne thought about what she had just seen.

Hermione had gone head to head with Lord Malfoy and had clearly come out victorious. The fact that Lord Malfoy was trusting her with such a compromising piece of information meant that there was far more to this than Daphne realized.

“I am honored in the trust you are placing with me, Sir, but I can’t help but think that I am missing something vital. How did Hermione know the diary belonged to the Dark Lord? And where did the snake come from? I have only seen Hermione with her Kneazle familiar, not a snake.”

Lucius nodded at the girl solemnly. “That is what I want to share with you. Mind you, these are only suspicions at present, but based on the facts I believe them to be accurate.” Daphne nodded in understanding. “The gift of being a Parselmouth has only ever been present in the direct line of Slytherin. Now as you are aware, Harry Potter also possesses the gift, a fact I believe was gained when he had his altercation with the Dark Lord as a baby. Some of the Dark Lord’s powers may have possibly been transferred to the boy, which has given him among other things, the ability to converse with snakes. Miss Granger however, has been thought to be a mudblood, and as such would have no relation to Slytherin’s line that we know of.”

Daphne nodded, “I believe I heard her mention one time in class that her parents are Muggle teeth healers of some kind.”

She looked to Draco for confirmation and he nodded in agreement.

“I did some investigating after the Yule Ball and it would seem that Miss Granger was adopted by by her Muggle parents sometime in late 1979.”

Daphne gasped. “Adopted! But why wouldn’t she have said anything? I’d imagine the rest of Slytherin House might’ve been less hostile if they had known she was adopted.”

At this point Draco sighed sadly, as he too, had done quite a bit of thinking about this since his father had told him, and he felt that he might have an answer that made sense.

“I think Daph, that perhaps she didn’t know when she was first sorted into Slytherin. Maybe her adoptive parents didn’t tell her right away. This is speculation on my part obviously. But if she found out second year? Do you think if she had said something, that anyone in Slytherin would’ve believed her?”

Daphne scrunched her face in disgust. “No, no one would have thought she was telling the truth. Everyone would’ve assumed she was making it up to stop the torment, or desperately trying to fit in. It would’ve most likely made the taunting worse.”

Draco nodded, looking at his father who was deep in thought.

“Draco and I have discussed this, and we have come to suspect that Miss Granger was most likely aware of her birth status as early as late second year, and it may have been earlier—although we have nothing to confirm that yet. We also have come to suspect, and the main reason you are here, is that we believe that Miss Granger’s biological father is the Dark Lord Himself.”

Daphne just sat back in shock and stared unseeingly at Lord Malfoy.

If this was true, and Hermione was the Dark Lord’s daughter? Then Merlin help all of Slytherin House when the truth was revealed.

She had been alienated from her own house and by rights she was an heir to Slytherin as the Dark Lord was the last known surviving heir of the House of Gaunt.

“Are you sure of this, Sir. Is there any chance that she isn’t whom you think she is?” Daphne asked quietly.

“I’m afraid not, my dear,” Narcissa chimed in, “as all the signs point to Miss Granger being the Dark Lord’s daughter and heir. We believe the snake is the familiar of our Lord and that Miss Granger is under the protection of the snake. If this is true, Lucius believes that the Dark Lord will be returning soon and he is aware of his daughter. It would also appear he has made what arrangements he can for her protection, until he can return to do so himself.”

“Oh Morgana! Slytherin House is doomed. She will never come to accept us after how we’ve treated her.”

At this Daphne turned to Draco, who had his head in his hands. Daphne then glanced over at Draco’s parents, who looked back at her grimly.

“We are aware of the issue at hand, Miss Greengrass and that is why we have asked you to come. Draco tells me you have been trying to make inroads with Miss Granger. We ask that you step up your efforts, for Draco seems to think she won’t be as suspicious of your intentions as she might another, since you’ve already expressed concern for her in the past.” Lucius stated calmly.

“I am happy to do what I can, Lord Malfoy, but I am not sure how much success I will have. Hermione barely speaks to anyone, but the fact is no one engages with her either. She has been shunned not just by our house, but all the houses avoid her because she is a Slytherin and a mudblood. If the Dark Lord returns and she is not welcomed within his House, I fear for what will happen to my friends, my own family.”

Merlin what a mess they had created.

How were they ever going to fix this?

“Daphne you are a bright witch, and I’m sure you will do just fine trying to befriend the girl. I would think there would be someway we could arrange it so that either you or Draco would have to work with her. Perhaps we could get Severus to help. Set up a Potions project with partners and assign Miss Granger with you, Daphne.”

Lucius looked at his wife in appreciation, he’d never ceased to be amazed by her Slytherin nature.

“That is an excellent suggestion, Cissy and one I will discuss with Severus this evening when he comes for the ball. Would you be willing to have such an arrangement, Miss Greengrass?”

Daphne side-eyed Draco, who seemed a bit put out at the suggestion and she knew why.

If an opportunity was to be presented in having contact with Hermione, Draco would want to be the one to benefit.

Daphne was no fool and she’d seen Draco’s attention wander towards Hermione in all their classes.

He was smitten, but would’ve never admitted to such a thing under the circumstances.

“I think perhaps Draco might be a better fit to be partnered with Hermione.”

Draco’s head whipped at his friend astonished that she would suggest such a thing, because he desperately wanted it to be him, but he wasn’t ready to admit it just yet.

“Why do you think Draco would be better suited, Miss Greengrass?” Lucius queried curiously.

“For a few reasons actually. First, Draco is a leader within Slytherin House and has made it known that Granger is off limits. If he is seen working with her openly, it may encourage more of our house to do the same. Secondly, I think it would be easier for me to insinuate myself into a study group with Draco and Hermione versus the other way around. I don’t think she would be as receptive to having Draco work with us, but if it was just her and Draco? I think she would be more welcoming having me there. I would maybe suggest that Professor Snape pair me with Blaise Zabini, as he’d be more open to befriending Granger than Theo or Pansy. Lastly, I think based on the end of your conversation, Lord Malfoy? That Hermione is smart enough to anticipate some sort of reaction on your part, and my best guess is she’d expect something exactly like this. So why not play into that? She would be more comfortable and confident in her assumptions, and it might work to our advantage to break down those barriers, plus Draco’s far better at Occlumency than I am.”

Lucius turned to his wife, who was thinking about Miss Greengrass’ suggestions. Narcissa then nodded at her husband and Lucius then turned his attention to his son, who was sitting back with a contemplative look on his face.

“What do you think, Draco?”

“I think it might work. If we are paired for the remainder of the year, I think that would be best. It may take awhile to break through her defenses.”

Lucius nodded at his son, realizing he was probably correct in his assumptions.

Miss Granger would be defensive and uncooperative at first, and Lucius could hardly blame the girl. Draco was his son, and inherently Slytherin. Lucius had every confidence this could work to their advantage.

“Very well, I will talk with Severus this evening and have him make the arrangements for when term resumes. In the meantime, please reiterate with your housemates that they are to leave Miss Granger be. I’m confident that subtlety will be adhered to?”

“Yes, Father.” Draco nodded.

Lucius excused the young adults and sat there for a moment with his wife deep in thought.

This had better work or there was no telling what wrath they would all face with the Dark Lord returned.