Chapter Text
“Mr. Malfoy? Mr. Malfoy. What? What happened?” Hermione looked around to see herself lying on a feinting chaise in a emerald brocade enchanted with shimmering dragons.
“You landed in an undignified heap outside the gates of the Manor. Tilly?” said Lucius.
“Yes, Master?” said Tilly.
“Bring tea and accompaniments for Ms. Granger.”
As soon as Tilly apparated a lovely tea service and cake stand appeared.
“Eating is not optional, Ms. Granger. Eat.”
“Why” grumbled Hermione as she grabbed a delicate finger sandwich.
“You have been unconscious for five hours. You have missed meals.” Lucius calmly stated.
“Why do you care?” Hermione said aggressively.
“Blame my manners. One must feed their guests, even ones who drop in uninvited.”
“Maybe this is a nightmare.” Hermione thought aloud.
“If one is dreaming one doesn’t know how the dream began, how they got to the dream location. How did you get here?” Lucius queried.
“I... I was walking home from the bookstore and I...” Hermione stopped.
“Well.”
“I just wished on a knut to throw into the fountain.” Hermione finally said.
“One should never throw money away.” Lucius scolded.
“It’s a muggle thing.”
“Obviously.” Lucius drawled.
“It’s an exchange: your coin for your wish.” Hermione relayed in her classic know-it-all fashion.
“I am not interested in Muggle customs. Have you decided on your waking state?”
“I’m........I’m awake.” Hermione decided hesitantly.
“Now for the after tea games then.” Lucius announced and preformed a nonverbal spell. Hermione threw up a shield charm too late. Hermione felt overwhelming warm. She pulled at her collar.
“Malfoy, stop this right now.” Hermione demanded.
“Not yet. Are you here on behalf of the Ministry?” Lucius asked.
“No!”
“Are you here to harm my family?”
“No!”
“Were you born in this body and named Hermione Granger?”
“Yes!” Hermione exclaimed feeling as if she was in the midday desert sun.
He ended the charm. The food may have been spiked with Veristiserum. The distracting charm may have helped to provide honest answers.
“Come.” Lucius called from the doorway. She followed him, curious.
“Where are you leading me?” Hermione demanded.
“You wished for someone to take care of you. My library and genteel charm brought you to me.” Lucius stated as they finally reached two double doors two stories high.
“How did you decide that? What makes you believe you are what I wished for?” Hermione said crossing her arms and standing in the middle of the hallway.
“It was foretold.” Lucius replied.
“Foretold? Bloody divination.” Hermione scoffed.
“You may remember our outing to the Hall of Prophecies. I only had time to study prophecies relevant to my family and the Dark Lord, of course.”
“Of course.” Hermione sarcastically huffed.
“Yes. Now it is time. You shall go through the door first so I may assist you should you faint.”
“First the chaise....I am not weak!” Hermione exclaimed.
“We shall see. After you.”
Hermione huffed, again.
Lucius tapped the doors with his wand. The doors slowly opened to reveal five story stain glass windows with the longest window bench seat Hermione had ever seen. As she stepped into the library and turned back towards the door all she saw were books. Books to the ceiling. Books charmed together to imitate flying magical creatures. She watched a book dragon circle the layers and layers of one of the book chandeliers.
Hermione strained her neck to follow the dragon, and then her world faded to black.
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She woke to find herself in front of the fireplace on a leather couch.
“Is the weak witch now back to the conscious world?” Lucius mockingly inquired.
Hermione huffed. “You used a spell. I didn’t actually faint.”
“Would you like to see my memory in a pensive?” Lucius challenged.
“No.”
“Well, then shall I explain how to call the books you would like to read?”
“Yes!” Hermione exclaimed then catching herself “yes” in a more restrained voice.