The idea of Hermione being a spy, and a few ideas in the first chapter are taken from the French based on the French fanfic 'Au delà des apparences' , Most of the characterisation and story is mine.

A conflicted heart feeds on doubt, confusion. It will make you question your path. Your tactics. Your motives. When you stare ahead and darkness is all you see, only reason and determination can pull you back from the abyss.

Chapter 1

Hermione buried her head in her hands. Sitting cross-legged on the bare ground, the girl with chocolate eyes remembered the request of Minerva McGonagall. She knew it would be tough. She has been more than aware of that ever she has accepted the request.

The forest was quiet. The September sun gently filtered through the branches.

Suddenly, a branch fell to the ground next to her, breaking Hermione from her reverie. Blinking twice at the sun, she cast a silent Tempus* to figure out the time: noon. Minerva McGonagall was not late. Still, instead of feeling reassured by the oncoming presence of her mentor, Hermione was vexed by the approaching figure for being on time.

For once, Hermione Granger, the queen of punctuality, resented someone being on time.

"Are you ready?" asked Professor McGonagall.

The girl nodded, with a quiet show of confidence she most certainly did not feel. She tried to gather her Gryffindor courage, to squash the overpowering doubts racing her mind. Andif the planfails?IfMinervacould notturn her? No. No. She tried to calm down, but her pounding heart only emphasized the futility of her efforts.

"You're sure about this, Miss Granger? Professor McGonagall asked her one last time. "You know the risks you run, this change could be very destabilizing ... "

"I know what I'm doing Professor. Nothing will make me change my mind. "

"Very well."

McGonagall concentrated. She raised her hands above Hermione's head and whispered the spell. Verto*.

Hermione felt warmth flooding through her body. She felt the weight of her hair lighten. The whole thing only lasted a few seconds, and then she opened her eyes.

Minerva McGonagall handed her a small mirror. With trembling hands, the girl grabbed it. But she could not look into it. This would be the final acknowledgement of her decision; she knew that. And so, she could not dare. But finally duty overcame fear, and she looked at her reflection.

Her nose was shorter. Her skin was ivory. Her mouth was red and luscious. Her teeth whiter and aligned, perfect. The brown and matted mass which was once her hair was transformed into wavy black, silky and smooth, but the curls stayed. And her eyes, what about those doe eyes? Well, she was glad they stayed the same. Some similarity was reassuring. The girl, on the whole, however, was nothing like Hermione Granger. She looked at her hands, fingers so long and so thin.

I am Snow White... Or the wicked witch …. thought Hermione with a bitter, twisted smile.

Hermione Granger had to give up her identity. It was difficult. But necessary. She accepted it. She could not give up. New Hermione was beautiful, but more importantly, a formidable weapon.

"How long?" whispered Hermione.

"About two months. I cannot be more specific. You have chosen your story?"

"Yes, Professor. I'm Ally McBeal*. I am from Durmstrang, but was sent to Hogwarts to join Slytherin in order to improve my magic. I'm fairly reserved, slightly bossy, I like to make friends and think little about work, unless it has something to do with Dark Magic, of course."

"And your true mission, the one only you and me are aware of?" continued the professor.

"I'm at Hogwarts to make friends with the Slytherins. To deceive them into inviting me to Malfoy Manor, where Voldemort is located, so I can kill him. But Harry and Ron, what do they know? "

"They believe you are with your parents in Australia. They do not know the truth, because if they did, they would not let you do it.", answered Professor McGonagall.

Hermione looked one last time at her new face in the mirror and could not help but see the tear on her cheek.

Now, her days were numbered.

* The spell 'Tempus' is taken from the fanfic 'The Problem with Purity'

*Ally McBeal is a lawyer from the drama Ally McBeal. It's pretty old (my uncle introduced it to me!) She is truly brilliant.

*The spell Verto has been taken from Google Translate!

The first couple of chapters don't have much interaction between Draco and Hermione, but I promise, there will be a lot more scenes between Draco and Hermione.

R&R please!