A/N: Hello all. It's been a hot minute, with all that is going on, my muse is also in quarantine but not with me.

I'm intrigued with gray/dark-Hermione stories and have tried my hand at them. This is a grayish-Hermione story. Not too detailed, but I think it's enough to get the point across. Take the books as is with the exception of Draco, at some point & for some reason he sided with the light. Make up your own conclusions on that.

Stay safe

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The war ended with the death of Voldemort. His legions found themselves on their own again, most were thankful, some still believed the same things and found themselves wanting to continue their fight for the cause. Instead of death to those not part of their world view, as they found the populous really did look down on that sort of thing, the followers simply returned to their lives before the events at the World Cup and plotted their eventual success through more socially acceptable means. And for the most part, the wizarding world allowed it.

The first step was a strengthening of the wizarding world's borders. It seemed innocuous enough, muggles pose a danger to those with magic. Even muggleborns admitted, more to themselves, muggles seemed to find magic as this fantasy allowing them to do things easily. Muggles who possessed knowledge of the wizarding world were vetted intensely. At first the questions were why was the knowledge imparted and was it still necessary.

For the most part, it was decided muggles no longer needed to know and the solution was to alter memories. In reality, it was just a bunch of pretty words for obliviating people who had no way to protect themselves. While there may have been a few muggles who posed more of a risk with the knowledge; those few caused a panic. In the end only muggles with magical children not yet graduated or married to a magic wielder were allowed to keep the knowledge. These muggles were tracked relentlessly, to keep everyone 'safe'.

As a number of Voldemort's former followers were quite influential, it didn't take long for more government regulations to be implemented. Slowly muggleborns found themselves the target simply because of their birth. One particular muggleborn saw it coming and for years made plans to thwart those in power. She'd also taken personal precautions. Her closest ally remained in contact privately, but to keep themselves under the radar, their acquaintance remained a secret to everyone in their lives. Their relationship was everything they wanted and yet they couldn't share it with those closest to them.

By the time the fifteenth anniversary of the Final Battle had passed the majority of the population had forgotten who fought for what. They'd begun to blame muggleborns for everything. Tom Riddle had faded in the memory of those who fought and most people had forgotten him all together. Muggleborns and a few others would have laughed since all Riddle wanted was to be acknowledged for his superior magic, that was had the situation not been so dire.

Before the twentieth anniversary a new Minister was elected. The Minister claimed to be very conservative and only wanted to preserve the magical culture from being overtaken by muggle beliefs. At this point, there were very few adult muggleborns still in wizarding Britain. Most had fled, with their families to other countries and found a real home. One muggleborn witch refused to run, but would not argue until she was blue in the face. She knew what the next few years would look like, and the extremely small circle of trusted individuals she'd cultivated were more than ready to do their part.

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

Hermione woke to hear her phone ringing and loud bangs on her door. Looking to her phone, she saw a call from a number she never wanted to see. Grabbing her wand, she started waving it quickly and answered the phone at the same time, she never spoke a word as she watched everything in her apartment shrink and pack into one small messenger bag.

"It's time. The portkey already activated, you have ninety seconds. Their wards are already up, floo closed, they are working on your wards." The phone went dead and Hermione stood fully dressed, bag bag across her chest and wand at the ready. Her expression was quite determined. As she felt her final ward fall, the portkey glowed blue and she felt the pull at her navel. The last thing she saw was one person who she used to trust completely.

"Thank Merlin. I worried I was too late, my source was delayed in getting the information to me." Draco Malfoy stood in the middle of the safe house anxiously waiting for Hermione to gather herself after landing. Shaking Draco off for a moment, she took a deep breath and looked at the home they'd built together.

"We knew it was close. I had enough time, the final ward dropped just as the portkey was activating. As we suspected, Ron was there. He was leading the charge into the loft. He was pissed I'd been warned and the curse was half formed on his lips. It seems the theory on how individuals would be allocated was confirmed." The stress of the last few years had finally caught up with Hermione and she dropped to the couch just behind her.

Rushing to her side, Draco held her tightly rocking them until the deadly calm Hermione Granger was known for and that most people rightly feared overtook the witch. "Thankfully we were able to get everyone out. Dean Thomas left yesterday afternoon. I don't think his disappearance has been noticed yet. I still don't like you staying, but I'm too selfish to fight you on it. We both know this plan will work."

The slow and deadly smile spreading across her face signaled the end of what the racist bastards leading magical Britain had been doing. Draco had told Hermione when it first started, she was the reason everything would go so far. She refused to bow to them and they still believed themselves to be better. "It shall be interesting. Have you planted the seed on how I will come into your possession?" She hissed the last word in anger.

Draco had been appalled when he had been informed what the newest legislation the Minister would sign included. Anger quickly followed and his complete support of Hermione's master plan. She knew he would always agree but this decree pushed him to understand how much the current government system was flawed. "Of course. Father is very concerned to have someone so lowly in the house, it's probably why he was slow in confirming the decree had been signed. He was hoping someone else would find you first. More intriguing is my mother, she hasn't said anything and once everything is done, I'm interested to see where her loyalty lies."

"With you Draco, she will always pick you over him. Trust me." Draco was a highly intelligent man and he knew trusting Hermione Granger was the right decision. Emotionally he prayed she was correct.

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

Hermione and Draco remained holed up in their home for three weeks before they felt it was time to return and truly implement their plan. She was loathe to admit it, but the next few days would be the most difficult. She needed to appear broken in public and that upset her infinitely. "I know this was my plan but I may have underestimated my acting skills. I'm not really known for keeping my anger hidden."

Draco Malfoy chuckled as he pulled on the outfit the pair had determined was the best for his supposed tracking of Hermione for the last month. "This I know dear, which is why I've altered the plan a bit. You're not to be alone with anyone other than me and you will remain at the Manor unless we travel together. I don't see any reason for us to have to leave. I've already completed the necessary paperwork and it's been approved."

Hermione nodded in acceptance, she knew how it was going to look but she'd seen her reputation shredded and sew back together for years. This would be nothing new but yet entirely different. Her husband waited until her attention returned. "The Manor and her elves are loyal to me as head of the family. Lucius only believes he is still in charge. The family magic knows how he sacrificed everything important to a Malfoy and it sacrificed him as a result."

At this Hermione smiled knowing where the Malfoy magic resided and how it would destroy those who thought as Lucius did. "I know you believe my Mum to be on our side in this and I pray you are correct. You should know, when we return to the Manor, she will know something shifted. She will feel her role in the family changing and immediately know what it means. That will tick her off, she missed seeing us wed, but hopefully that can be addressed after everything is done."

Hermione nodded in understanding. Narcissa's role will have shifted significantly and the witch was neither stupid nor was she unaware of magic. "I know, let's hope she doesn't say anything to your father, it really would be too bad if I had to kill him this early in the game." Draco nodded before kissing his wife.

"Indeed it would be my dear wife."

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

It was a week after the pair returned to Malfoy Manor and Narcissa had said nothing. She watched the muggleborn witch carefully and found herself to be intrigued with whatever was occurring. Narcissa had long ago realized how petty her previous beliefs had been. In fact, she looked forward to the day she'd get to meet her grandchildren. They would be impressive and put the Malfoy name where it rightly belonged. If Narcissa was lucky and Draco had two sons, one of them would take the mantle of the Black family. Regardless of what Sirius willed to Harry Potter, the family magic was not transferred and he was not the head of the Black family. Plus Grimmauld Place was horrible, it'd be good to be rid of the place and establish a new family home.

Narcissa's other thoughts were on her husband. The man she'd loved and married died decades earlier. His tomb would reflect that date and not when his mortal body breathed its last. Her only concern was whether his final wishes would be fulfilled. She thought not, but would discuss with her son when the time was right.

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

Hermione sat in the large library in Draco's wing, it wasn't as large as the one downstairs but it was linked so any book she needed would appear. She and Draco agreed it would be safer for her to remain in his wing as it was warded to only allow the pair of them entry. She didn't feel confined, the wing was larger than her childhood home and had all the luxuries of a castle. She'd spent her time tinkering with the timing of her plan. She began revising the plans, switching who, when and how. The books in the Manor's vast library were riddled with ideas. It gave her great joy.

Her life in the wing started her second day in the large home. She and Draco appeared for lunch and found the main area overrun with former death eaters. Draco escorted the witch to the safety of the his wing before having the Manor forcefully eject the visitors. Lucius couldn't understand what happened. He had hoped for the group to relive some of their old hobbies.

As Hermione sat, she thought of a few new plots as she reviewed the notes of what she'd recently learned. At the onset of her time in the Manor, she found an interesting history on the beliefs of early magical beings. They believed when they passed their earthly remains should be burned and returned to the dust. Her first thought was how muggle it was, dust to dust, from dust you were made and to dust you shall return. It turned out the reason wasn't some religious or philosophical belief, but they wanted to ensure their magic was released back to the earth and allow for them to reclaim it on the other side of the veil.

The witch wondered if the old beliefs were still believed. Draco informed her they were but it was more a tradition now than really understanding the purpose. All the old families performed the ritual, after ensuring the deceased was complete and whole before burning the body. He admitted his father, his before him, and so on, remembered and believed. That was why each man had explicit instructions for their remains, their complete corpse, to be burned and the ashes spread on the family grounds.

It made for an interesting twist to her plans.

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

Theo Nott stood at his family's chair on the dais. The Nott family was the traditional head of the Wizengamot, decided by magic they said. Really is was a power play executed more than a thousand years earlier and the vow was still in place. Most of the original families in the vow no longer existed, at least not with the same names. The blood from those original families still flowed and that was what kept the old vows alive. As 'tradition' and 'returning to the old ways' had been such a catch phrase as of late, it was easy for Theo to assume the role his father held.

No one could vote against him, it would be voting against the one tactic used to rule the masses. Our society was great before, before they arrived. Keep them out and all will be fine. Theodore wouldn't rock the boat, at least not visibly. There were many things he could do and would do to fix the broken institution.

His father's death had been a complete shock to the country, everyone was beginning to settle under the new regulations and looked to Nott and the rest of the Wizengamot for guidance. No one knew Thoros was sick, in fact the entirety of the Ministry was quarantined due to his perpetual presence in the building. Dragon Pox was easily communicable and the only known potion had to be taken a month before exposure. Needless to say the government was frantic with plans should others become infected.

Many worried for their health in general, but those who saw the remains of Thoros Nott feared a death like his. Based on what the healer concluded, the man died alone and before anyone realized there was a problem, his body began the natural process of decomposition. The build up of gas in the body and the intense state of rigor mortis did not give the gas an avenue of escape. The buildup became so intense an alternative exit was created, through the stomach and out his belly. The elf who found the man spent hours collecting all his parts before altering anyone. What could they do? Nothing and the man needed a complete body. It was due to the severity of the mangled flesh that no one noticed the body was not whole.

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

The first move in the game was the removal of a pawn, he was a powerful pawn, but a pawn none the less. Thoros Nott was in his country house waiting for his elf to return with his entertainment. Since the Ministry was unable to locate muggleborns besides the one the young Malfoy caught, muggle girls would have to do. He moved around the room slowly groaning at how stiff he was feeling.

As he took a step, his body seized and he fell to the wood floor with a thud. As his eyes moved around the room he saw the door open and the wizard relaxed knowing he was saved. As Theo, his son and heir, walked into the room pocketing a vial of liquid.

"Hello Father. It seems you've been poisoned. I'm sorry to say it is a fatal dose but before that occurs there are a few details that must be set. The scene will be quite important when questions are undoubtably asked." Removing his wand, Theo levitated the frozen form of his father to the large bed. "People might wonder if you're found on the ground."

"Just a few other things to do before the poison and nature take their course." With a severing spell Thoros's right thumb was removed and placed into a bag. "Father, it has been a distinct displeasure knowing you. Know when your remains are burned a part or two will be missing." As Theo neared the door he pulled one final vial from his pocket.

"This is quite potent and will have a very nasty effect. Hermione swore it would be painful. She's not been wrong in my estimation." The extremely fragile vial was floated toward the prone wizard, once it made its way across the room and was directly over the nose and mouth of the man, a small blasting spell destroyed the glass. The contents of the vial, a very fine liquid was inhaled.

Theo quickly shut and sealed the door before the mist had a chance to be inhaled. He wanted to enjoy the show but Hermione warned him the particular strain dragon pox was incredibly potent and there was a chance of exposure. The poison used to the petrify the body would continue to tighten the muscles into very strong walls, in a bit of a twist, Hermione ensured it would keep the victim alive until his body could no longer remain together. Thoros loved to torture and Theo felt it was only right to give a little back to the man.

When the Nott elf was summoned, it was told to return to the family manor and prepare it for his return. "Oh and Minnon,—" the elf turned and looked to the young man, "— return here in two days and check on him. If the door opens you are safe to enter. If the door remains closed, try again two days after that." The elf nodded and returned to the large manor without a second thought about the old master.

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

Hermione placed a thumb in a box on the shelf. It was branded with a small 'TN' to denote whose it was. A dark chuckle escaped her lips. Theo Nott leaned against the mantle in his friend's personal library. "Father was the first." Theo bowed deeply to the witch who shrugged. All who would meet her retribution were vile and those with innocents were even more so.

"Yes, he was. Is your sister ok?" Theo nodded and thought of the young girl who'd been born shortly after the war. She was the result of his father's favorite past time. The girl was shielded from the man who'd sired her, he'd have abused the girl solely because she was born of a muggle girl the man then murdered. Theo had been sure to protect the girl and made sure she was more than aware of his failings as a human.

"She's better now. I saw the fear leave her as soon as the aurors arrived to inform us. Quite the actress." Melanie Nott was unaware of the details surrounding her father's death, her reaction was wholly authentic surprise and masked glee.

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

Another six months passed after Thoros Nott's death before anything was noticed by the lemming-like readers of The Prophet. Over that time a number of powerful individuals had died. It wasn't unexpected, not really, these were the people who fought in a long war in order to save the wizarding world. Their bodies weren't as strong and they were susceptible to after-effects of what they had suffered. They were old and it was only natural for them to pass.

This seemed to ignore the fact not all those dying were old. The Prophet rarely put fact ahead of sales. Their newest writer, Pavarti Patel, was a true master at spinning tales to meet her goals. Years of gossiping with her best friend at Hogwarts allowed her to tell the tale that needed to be told. It wasn't the truth, no one told the truth, Pavarti was of the belief her point of view was just as valid as anyone else. She happened to have a vehicle to spread the story as she wished it to be told.

After the horrible circumstances of Thoros Nott's death, Vincent Crabbe, Sr was rushed to St. Mungo's with what was thought to be indigestion, but turned out to be sudden cardiac arrest. 'It was a shame CPR wasn't taught in the magical world' the half-blood healer who was in charge of Crabbe's survival thought to herself.

Her next thought was there was no need in reminding others her mother was a muggleborn by using those un-magical medical methods. The healer stood over the bed and watched the man's blue lips shake as he tried to breath. The healer was silent as the life drained from his eyes. She looked to the clock and noted the time of death, with a flick of her wrist the death certificate was complete. While the paperwork made its way to the Ministry, a quick snip with shears removed a toe. Since the family was now dead, the hospital was responsible for burial. Covering the remains, incomplete as they were, the healer sent it for immediate cremation.

The story in Prophet quoted the healer as saying there was nothing that could do for him. Age and hard living took their toil on his body. With no need of a toxicology review, he'd died from natural causes after all, the minor trace of deadly poison in his blood went undetected.

Crabbe's death was publicly followed by the tragic demise of most of the Flint family. It wasn't until Hogwarts released for the summer holidays anything was noticed. Eventually it was determine the family was on holiday at one of their remote estates when it caught fire. As the home was in the middle of a vast wilderness, including old family wards only allowing blood relatives to pass, it wasn't until the youngest Flint, a boy still at Hogwarts, returned to London the call was raised.

Marius Flint stepped off the Express and did not see his family. He wasn't worried as it wouldn't be the first time he'd been forgotten. In response to the tendency of the Flints to forget their youngest, the Hogwarts Board of Regents began to assign trusted individuals to patrol the platform. Marius rushed to the first trusted adult he saw, and was brought to Malfoy Manor until his family was located.

As the boy was a minor, Draco Malfoy was given temporary custody of the boy. Marius found himself ensconced in the same wing as Draco's personal chambers. After spending time with the witch also residing in the old Manor's walls, he learned more of the old traditions than he learned during the last few years of school.

When the Ministry's search finally reached the most remote of the Flint properties, Marius was needed to lead the group through the wards. He claimed he didn't feel safe given the unknown state of his family and how long it took the Ministry to even get to this point. As the story played out in the papers, the Ministry found themselves caught up in their own propaganda. The Flints were an old family and the ministry failed them, what would that mean for those not as storied? To ensure his safety, the young boy requested the accompaniment of his advocate and the friend he'd made while staying at Malfoy Manor.

Hermione and Draco traveled with Marius and found the home was a now pile of ash with bluebell flames still burning. The Ministry was never able to determine when or how the fire started but based on Marius discussing how his father loved to use bluebell flames to light the home, they concluded it was a tragic accident.

The Flint seat on the Wizengamot would remain open until Marius came into his majority and his votes would be made by proxy. His advocate, Draco Malfoy, took guardianship and gave the boy a room in his wing. Marius needed a place to stay during the holidays and it would be cruel to send him to the home he shared with his now dead family.

The ears of the deceased Flints were placed in the box sitting in the Malfoy heir's library. "How long do those bluebells burn?" Hermione shrugged. "You are one powerful witch. I'd like to experiment one day. Maybe light one somewhere and check on it every so often. I think I have the place for it as well." A dark glint flickered in his eye and Hermione simply nodded in agreement. Those bluebells had been burning since January so the experiment would need to go at least that long.

As the shock of the Flint family started to ebb news broke on the disappearance of Greg Goyle. After the war he found a place in the Ministry and worked to ensure muggleborns followed the laws as written. There was no deviation, no gray area. It made him a feared enforcer and he enjoyed his notoriety. For too long he'd been known as Draco's lackey and nothing more.

He had taken the responsibility of hunting down the muggleborns who left the country, as citizens of magical Britain they were required to follow the laws of the land. He hadn't had much luck in that regard but had heard a rumor a few of the muggleborns from Gryffindor holed up in some cave in Germany. They weren't, but the animals that were there didn't give the wizard much of a chance to do more than release a half scream before his throat was ripped open. The litter of European Lynx fed on the body until it was time for the kittens to move on.

After the kittens had fed and feel asleep, Draco Malfoy dropped the containment wards covering the cave's entrance. Finding the first bit of flesh, it and Draco returned to the comfort of the English countryside.

The Prophet had no idea what happened beyond the Ministry receiving confirmation of death through the Goyle family tree. The story was light on details but lamented his loss as he was a good loyal boy. And detailed how he fought for the salvation of his country and hoped his remains would be located in order to receive the burial he deserved.

The death of Travers made headlines in the Prophet and the inhabitants of Malfoy Manor chuckle. He'd been guilty of all the crimes he'd been convicted of committing, he admitted it during his trial. It didn't seem to matter much when the new Minister moved him into the cabinet after being elected.

It seemed almost poetic when parts, and only parts, of his body were found in the graveyard where the McKinnon family was traditionally buried. The Minister called for an all out manhunt to find the murders and started an effort to immortalize the man in the history of Britain. He would be remembered that was assured, but only as a psychopath and a killer. The Minster eventually dropped the campaign and quietly ended the investigation when absolutely no leads were uncovered.

It seemed he left work one day and after exiting the Ministry nothing could be found. Shame it took so long to identify the body, maybe if the Ministry used more modern tactics they'd have been able to pick up the traces of portkeys, apparition and curses in his flat. Yes, such a pity the DMLE had difficulty breaking the undocumented wards surrounding the property.

"We are going to need a larger box soon Draco." Hermione's nose was scrunched as she placed some portion of Travers in the box. It wasn't as if the rest of him was going to be found anyway.

"We are almost finished, just two more. Right?" Draco gazed at the list on the wall and nodded at each name that had been marked off. Hermione hummed in agreement and looked at the over full box.

"The last two will take a bit longer. Let's dispose of these now." The couple exited the home and were met by a friend. The trio moved toward the Malfoy mausoleum and a recently dug hole at the edge of the forest. The box was sealed shut and unceremoniously dropped into the hole. Using a bit of magic the hole almost covered before a small sapling was gently placed in the hole and was covered with the remaining dirt.

"Thank you Neville, this will be a lovely addition to the gardens soon." The tall man nodded and set up a spell to ensure the young silver birch would thrive.

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

A new head of the Longbottom family was named after the death of Augusta Longbottom. Augusta lived a long life and remained stoic in her role until she felt she could hand the responsibility to the next in line. She'd wondered for years if her grandson could handle it, after the war and years of instruction, she believed now was the time. In the quiet of her room, she breathed her last and left a note for the boy, now man, she'd raised. The post script told the wizard to continue on the path of right and to believe in those who put their trust in him.

Neville, the quiet hero of the second wizarding war, was now in charge of the family seat on the Wizengamot and most others on the committee saw no reason for concern. Augusta remained neutral on the topic of muggleborns, but never sided against the Minister. The family was pure and seemed to find comfort in the traditions of their world. The boy would be easy to manipulate, to control. This was what Neville wanted to project.

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

When Draco stepped into the Wizengamot chamber and made his way toward the Malfoy seat, a mysterious smile was shared between the young Malfoy and a few others. The glimmer in their eyes was enough for them to know the plan was still on track. There were only a couple of pieces remaining.

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

Lucius had been getting nervous. Ever since the decree on mudbloods being nothing more than property, those who'd been marked by Riddle were mysteriously dying. There was nothing to connect the deaths except for the fact they were marked. Lucius was now the only marked death eater remaining alive. Even a few of the more zealous, but unmarked individuals, had met their fate. Most of the deaths had been put to natural causes or tragic acts as there was no physical evidence of nefarious activity. But Lucius knew better, the only question was who could do it…who was smart enough to …

A dark chuckle sounded from a corner of the study and Lucius spun toward the sound. "Hello Lucius, seems you've finally figured it out, yeah?" Hermione stepped from the shadows holding a vinewood wand, wearing a large sapphire pendent and the emerald and diamond encrusted family ring. Lucius moved to attack but was stunned to find himself unable to move. "Ah, you've discovered one of my personal favorite spells. You see, having such a brilliant mind I've been creating spells and potions here and there to aid me in this endeavor. This is one for the protection of my family and only triggers if someone wishes to harm me or mine. And Lucius, you are not mine."

Hermione flicked her wrist and Lucius felt his cane and therefore his wand ripped from his person. He tried to yell, to argue this thing had no right but found himself unable to voice anything. The witch only chuckled and advanced on the man.

"I've wondered if you'd put it together but apparently you only realized why certain individuals were dying when you were the last wizard standing. No worries there Lucius, you won't be standing for long." With an overly dramatic and somewhat Draco like flourish, Hermione's spell forced Lucius's mouth open and a potion was poured into his mouth. With a second snap of her wrist, Lucius felt his jaw snap shut and the sensation of fingers on his neck. As if a reflex he swallowed the liquid. "Now I'll tell you the rest."

Lucius knew his time was up, but his changes to law would remain, there were no muggleborns left so the populous would continue on as it should have always been. "That potion isn't fatal, well not in and of itself, what will kill you is either starvation or if your will requires your body to be burned and returned to the soil." Her dark eyes glinted more when the fire behind her roared to life. Lucius knew what his will contained and shuddered at knowing how his life would end. Draco released a deadly chuckle and garnered his father's attention.

"Now Father I believe it would be practical to have a bit more of a discussion with you before we announce your untimely death. Can't have too many unexplained deaths but Hermione and I couldn't wait any longer. You'll live long enough to see all the evil you tried to continue will be ended. It really will be quite simple. Do you know how many new muggleborns there are?" If Lucius could have moved anything his eyes would have popped from his head.

"Oh yes Lucius, there are hundreds now, all are safe from your silly little laws and detector spells. Whoever created them seems to have built-in some very obvious loopholes we could exploit. Or maybe Blaise just didn't believe in anything you were trying to do. That is probably the more reasonable explanation." Hermione moved to stand next to Draco and his son had the nerve to smile at the thing and wrap his arm around her.

"No, no Father, you must listen to the rest, you were the reason this went so far. You see Hermione and I have been together since our last year at Hogwarts and the family magic has accepted her. As you can tell, the family ring proudly sits on her finger. When you and your cronies attempted to destroy what magic had mandated we started to plot your downfall. It was easy enough to remove those most vulnerable to your attacks. I wonder if you ever realized the decrease in adult muggleborns wasn't because of you. Nope, most of them are our friends and took our offer to protect them. Those too young were whisked away long before your crackpot Minister was sworn in. Of course, she has already met her end."

Hermione's dark laugh rang out in the room. "Not quite Love, she was checked on today and I was told she's breathing. Barely, but would be considered alive and could potentially be saved, if she was found. Her death has been more painful than yours will be Lucius. I had thought about making you suffer in agony but realized physical pain was meaningless, it would hurt more to watch what you desire crumble. Delores; however, deserved what she suffered. Well, what she's suffering. I felt a quick death wasn't in her future. Would you like to see?"

Hermione poured a previously obtained memory into the pensive and using her wand lifted Lucius toward the bowl. With little finesse she dropped the wizard to the ground and forced his head into the bowl.

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

Delores Umbridge finally attained her dream, she was the Minister of Magic and the one responsible for removing the unworthy from her world. Her thoughts were now on how to handle half-bloods, maybe she'd include them in the next session. She had a majority in the Wizengamot with her pureblood followers. It would be easy to force any half-blood from their seat and strengthen her position even more. After that, much like she'd done with mudbloods, the half-bloods would lose their rights and finally be at the mercy of the purebloods. Delores took special pride in how she'd manipulated those around her to believe she was a pureblood. Much like Tom Riddle, Delores had altered her history to make it appear as if she was as pure as Lucius Malfoy.

A quiet noise to her right made the Minister look up and she was surprised to see the only mudblood who'd been captured standing in the room. "What are you…"? Before another word could be said, another movement could be made, or to trigger the panic alarm, Delores found herself slammed against her desk and blacked out from the pain.

"Where am I?" Delores looked around to find herself in what appeared to be a replica of the office she had at Hogwarts. The school wasn't used any longer, it was found to be inadequate to prepare the pureblood wizards and witches for their expected lives. If it weren't for the three years of dust on the desk, Delores would have thought it was a dream. But she never dreamed of dirty things.

"Ah, it seems you're finally awake. Now for your punishment, I think you'll recognize the items in front of you." Delores looked and saw some parchment and a quill. Her eyes widened a fraction at the quill. "Yes, you do remember, good good. Imperio." The spell hit with force and Delores was shocked at the order.

A sentence appeared on the board and Delores was forced to pick up the pen and start to write. "You'll find it in your best interest to use your best penmanship Miss Umbridge. If not, you'll be required to start over." With a second flick of her wand, Hermione forced the older witch to begin writing.

"You know 'Mione, I'd always wanted to do this." Harry Potter walked from another corner and sat next to his best friend. "But watching will do as well. Lunch?" Harry pulled a wicker hamper forward and the pair happily started to eat while the older witch began to whine. Two hours into writing Harry inspected what had been completed. "Seems a bit sloppy. Hermione, I believe she needs to start over. Maybe just the resignation letter for now. We'll get the rest later?"

"Sounds like a good idea. Delores start over and do it right this time." After starting over again, the wounds on her hand, arms and torso began to bleed more and more. Each time she was forced to start over, the cuts grew deeper and bled more. Hermione's dark eyes held no reaction as Dolores Umbridge began to cry. Hermione was easily able to pull more and more of the demented plans from the mind of the other witch and wrote what would amount to her suicide note. Hermione only chuckled as the letter wrote itself.

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

As Lucius fell out of the memory he was faced with a wizard who'd been raised to be ruthless and a witch who proved herself cunning enough to outsmart her betters. Lucius was frustrated at his failure. He should have just killed the witch as soon as she stepped into the Manor.

"You see Lucius, apparently you can only use a blood quill for three days until there just isn't any blood left. Dolores will be found, eventually, however by then the evidence of how she died will no longer exist, if you get my meaning." The dark chuckle he'd heard in the memory started again and made the soul of the dark wizard quake.

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

Draco stretched in his bed and found Hermione cuddled to his chest. "Morning Love, what is the plan for today?" Hermione smiled the kissed her husband.

"I think it's time we inform Narcissa her suspicions were correct and plan a ceremony to celebrate our marriage. Our anniversary is coming up in a few months." Draco nodded slowly before gripping his wife's hands.

"After lunch, now I have more pressing matters to attend." Draco hungrily kissed Hermione and her morning plans were shifted to the afternoon.

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

"Hello dears, is Lucius still alive? If he is, I'd like a moment a moment with him. There are a few things for him to understand and it's best I do it." Draco and Hermione hadn't even entered the dining room when Narcissa addressed the pair.

"Good day Mother, yes he still lives and is whole. I believe we'll keep him around for a bit. I've asked one of the elves to make sure he gets enough nutrients to keep him alive. Maybe six or so months after they finally locate the sad remains of the former Minister." Narcissa simply nodded and retook her seat.

"Hermione, please sit next to me. There are a few secrets I have but couldn't pass to the new Lady Malfoy until now. Then I have some ideas about the wedding. Nothing is in stone, but I'd only like to share them and allow you to use, or not use, them at your leisure." The dark haired witch smiled widely and pulled Draco with her.

"Of course Mrs. Malfoy, but I'd like Draco to hear as well. He has a better idea of what is expected and how they'd play with the populous. Need to keep them happy after all." With a wink and a nod, the table and place settings adjusted to something more reasonable for a family of three.

/*\\*/ /*\\*/ /*\\*/

It took about a year after the discovery of the Minister before the couple were officially married. Part of the delay was in overturning the numerous laws established in the prior years, giving the public time to digest the manifesto written by their former Minister detailing all her plans to enslave the wizarding world under her rule, and finally to bring muggleborns back into the fold.

What shocked those who remained in Britain was the majority of the relocated muggleborns simply ignored the pleas to return. Magic was on the side of the muggleborns and those who'd supported the pureblood doctrine found themselves in the most unlucky of situations. That seemed to be the turning point, no one wanted magic to turn on them. At least that was what the perception was after the acclaimed seer Lavender Brown and her visions became public knowledge. It seemed she'd foretold the unfortunate deaths of all those who'd supported the prior Minister's doctrine and they had ignored her.

Change was difficult but when the heir of the Malfoy House announced plans to marry the muggleborn the shift was escalated. Lucius Malfoy was not at the wedding nor was he acknowledged. When questioned by The Prophet, Draco simply said the family magic had turned and he was no longer considered worthy of the Malfoy name. After that, Lucius Malfoy faded from the collective memory and the only ones who remembered him were those in the house.

The last thing Lucius consciously saw was when a small branch emerged between his son and Hermione Jean Granger on the family tapestry. His death was quiet, since he couldn't scream, and quite warm when the pyre was lit by Hermione with the bluebell flame that had constantly burned during his confinement.