MUX: Hi! This is my second fan fiction wherein I am adding more than just one chapter. So please do not be too harsh but I will be doing my best and exert effort in making this fiction really good and interesting.
NOTE: First, I would like to thank AMARESS who helped me in editing and correcting my mistakes in this chapter. I would also like to thank the people who reviewed this chapter.
DISCLAIMER: I would like to get my hands and overpower them but not all wishes come true, I do not own Draco, Blaise or any Harry Potter characters.
Hermione woke up to the sound of a rounded green alarm clock. She looked at the irritating thing and saw that it was only 7:00 in the morning; she is not a morning person.
After what seemed like a few moments, she glanced at her clock and saw that it was almost quarter past 7 in the morning.
She stood up and went to take a shower. She dressed in a simple polo and jeans and put on some light make up.
Downstairs, Hermione saw her mom cooking pancakes and omelets for breakfast. She was surprised not to see her father drinking coffee from his favorite blue mug and browsing the broadsheets.
"Good morning sweetheart. I was just about to wake you up," Mrs. Granger said, kissing Hermione's cheek.
"Good morning, mom. I haven't seen dad, where is he?" Hermione inquired.
"Oh, he said he had some business to attend to. He was called in early in the morning. He had an emergency consultation if I am not mistaken. When is Ginny coming dear? Are you going to Diagon Alley or the Burrow?" Mrs. Granger questioned as she washed the dirty utensils.
"She'll be here any minute now. We are planning to go to Diagon Alley. spend the day there." Hermione said.
"That's okay dear. Do you have time to eat breakfast?" Mrs. Granger answered, smiling sweetly.
A thumping sound was then heard from the living room. Coughs were also heard and some inaudible muttering.
"I'm assuming that's Ginny?" Mrs. Granger asked.
Hermione nodded. They heard footsteps from the living room. A female redhead appeared in the doorway.
Ginny coughed a few times and cleared her throat before trying to speak. "Good morning Mrs. Granger," she greeted politely.
"Are you okay dear?" Mrs. Granger asked Ginny, worried about her coughing fit.
"I'm fine ma'am. Probably just from the floo powder."
"I see," Mrs. Granger replied. "Well, sweetheart you may go," she said to Hermione, "Just don't forget too come home by 5:00 in the afternoon. Your father and I have something important to tell you!" Mrs. Granger said.
"Don't worry mum. I promise to be back in time," Hermione added as she kissed her mother's cheek. She followed Ginny to the fireplace, threw the green flooing powder and said clearly, "Diagon Alley."
She felt the familiar green flames swallow her up and when she opened her eyes she was already in Leaky Cauldron's fireplace. She dusted herself off and wiped some soot off her skin. She saw Ginny waiting there patiently. They went out of the pub.
"Why would mom and dad want to talk to me? I haven't done anything wrong have I?" Hermione thought. She spent moments thinking over her mother's words. "I suppose that there's nothing to worry about but mom and dad only talk to me together when I've done something that disappointed them or got into some sort of trouble," she thought.
Ginny wondered at the sudden silence of her friend and nudged Hermione. "What's up?" she asked.
Hermione looked at Ginny and replied, "I was just thinking about what mom said. I hope I'm not in trouble."
"Don't worry too much. If you know you've done nothing wrong then don't be bothered." Those words somewhat eased Hermione's mind.
Ginny and Hermione trotted down the busy streets of Diagon Alley. First they headed to Gringotts Wizarding Bank to withdraw some galleons.
"So your parents thought that it'd be good to get you your own vault?" Ginny asked.
"Yes. Mom said that I should learn to be responsible enough to handle my own finances. I receive my monthly allowance in wizarding currency. It's up to me how I spend it." Hermione replied.
Hermione and Ginny entered the bank and Ginny hung back as Hermione went to speak with one of the goblins. Finally he asked her what her vault number was. Nodding to Ginny to come along, Hermione climbed into one of the carts, following the goblin.
The goblin halted the train cart in front of a vault.
"Key?" the goblin spoke.
Hermione handed the key to the goblin. The goblin opened the vault and waited for Hermione.
"Wow Hermione. This is all your own money?" Ginny said in awe of Hermione's vault contents.
"Yeah. I exchanged all the muggle money I saved up ever since I was young."
Hermione brought out a little coin bag and grabbed a handful of galleons. She went outside and locked her vault again. After exiting Gringgots, they decided to go to Flourish and Blotts to browse some new books.
"Have you received your list of supplies?" Ginny said, looking at some Potions books.
"Uhmm…no. Have you?" Hermione replied putting back the Transfiguration book she was browsing.
"Actually I haven't. I was just asking. I thought that maybe you received yours already. I was also wondering if maybe the school will require the same books that you used last year."
"I think they will. That is if they haven't changed the curriculum for your year."
They continued looking at some books for awhile. Ginny, who was not that interested in books, and getting bored, asked Hermione, "Have you decided on what books you are going to purchase?"
"Yeah, I am. I just have to pay for these," she said, referring to four books that mostly concerned Charms and transfiguration.
They went to the cashier and Hermione paid for her purchases. They were planning to go to the Owl's Emporium next when Hermione suggested that she wanted to go to the Quality Quidditch Supplies first.
"I thought you didn't like Quidditch. What are you going to do there?" Ginny asked, confused.
"Well, I am not that keen on the sport but I didn't get Harry a birthday gift yet," Hermione explained.
"Okay."
They went to the Quidditch store and started looking for a gift. Ginny said that a broom service kit would do well but Hermione said that she gave him a similar present last year. So they started to look for something unique yet reasonable in price. That is when Hermione caught sight of a flick of gold in the corner near the entrance door.
It was a golden Quidditch snitch that could be personalized by engraving a desired person's name. Hermione showed the snitch to Ginny and they both agreed that it was good. They told the shop keeper to engrave it with Harry's name, paid for it, and then they left.
After that Hermione hurried down to Madam Malkins.
"What are we doing here 'Mione?" Ginny asked.
"We are going to get you a new robe," Hermione said.
"But you know that we are not that rich. Mum said that I am suppose to take care of my money," Ginny reasoned.
"Who said you're paying?" asked Hermione cheekily.
"No Hermione. We are not going to spend your money for a dress that won't be even yours."
"Think of it this way. Today is the second day of August. Your birthday is on the eleventh. How about an early birthday present?"
Ginny looked thoughtful.
"Are you sure this is okay? I mean, it's not too much if you spend your money on me?"
"Yes, I'm sure. So go. Choose your robe," Hermione said, smiling at her friend.
Ginny smiled gratefully towards Hermione then hurried to the nearest rack. Hermione laughed at her friend's antics. Ginny grabbed a black dress robe, a yellow halter styled robe, a pink spaghetti strap gown, a red sequined robe and a white strapless gown. She started trying the robes and showed them to Hermione.
"So what do you think of this?" she asked as she modeled the red sequined robe.
"Uhmm…Ginny…The robe well…it fits you really well but don't you think that such color is too redundant? I mean with red hair…wouldn't it be better to at least try another color?" Hermione commented.
"You're right. Maybe the black one will be good." Ginny suggested
"Well try it on," Hermione urged.
Ginny nodded and went back to the dressing room. After an hour, Ginny narrowed her choices down to the white gown and the green gown. "So which one do you think is better?" inquired Ginny.
"Well, personally I'd go for white, choosing the green one looks like a Christmas theme to me. You know with the red and green combination," Hermione voiced.
"Okay then white it is. But what about you? Aren't you going to get something?"
"Ginevra Molly Weasley, you have known me since the first time you saw me scolding Ronald about his table manners and that was precisely during my second year. That is almost five years. And for such span of time, did I ever show an interest in fashion or anything that is not related to books?" Hermione said.
"Well, one when you went out with Viktor Krum on fourth year…"
"But he asked me in the library."
"Fine. You win."
Hermione beamed at her then grabbed her hand. They went to the cashier and paid for the robe.
"Where to next?" Hermione asked.
"Well, since we are here…want to visit a pair of mischievous redheads?" Ginny replied, grinning.
"I wouldn't pass up on that offer, Ginny," Hermione replied.
They made their way to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes which was about two blocks away. They were about to enter the shop when they heard a familiar voice.
"Mr. Weasley, I demand you to get this thing off me NOW!"
"Why should we ex-professor Snape? You know you look good when you're like that; wearing pink frilly robes and your head invisible. I mean many people wouldn't be bothered to see grease dripping from your hair when you are scolding them over some exploding cauldron, but this, everyone would want to see this," George said, emphasizing the word ex-professor.
Ginny and Hermione were getting amused at the yelping sound that their usually cold, composed, and harsh Potions master was making. They entered the joke shop just in time to see a frowning Potions master his feet tied to a chair and trying to grab the hat covering his dark eyes.
Despite her amusement, Hermione still respected her professor so she yelled, "Fred and George Prewett Weasley! Release Professor Snape, from whatever that is, now!"
Fred and George, who are too busy laughing, were startled by Hermione's voice.
"Hermione…" Fred trailed off.
"Don't 'Hermione' me. Release him," she ordered.
"So much for a fun Snivelly prank day," Fred pouted. After reluctantly releasing the potions master Fred asked the girls, "So what brought two of the prettiest ladies Hogwarts here?"
Ginny snorted, "Fred you are a prankster not some mushy boy."
"You hurt me too deep my beloved sister."
"But really, what brought you here?" George asked trying to help a struggling Snape out of the rope wrapped around his feet that tied him to the chair.
"Nothing. Ginny and I were visiting Diagon Alley and decided to pass by," Hermione said.
"We see," Fred and George said in unison.
Hermione started looking around. She saw the usual items stacked in the shelves.
"So any new inventions?" she asked.
"We thought you'd never ask!" George said.
Before Fred and George went back to the storage room, Snape bared a slightly hostile farewell to Fred and George before turning on Ginny and Hermione, "Not a word from you Miss Granger, Miss Weasley, on what you have seen today or else both of you will be having a month worth of detention," Snape threatened. Ginny rolled her eyes at her teacher's threat while Hermione nodded. With that, Snape exited the shop.
Hermione watched him leave, thinking of the events that had transpired after Dumbledore's death. After fleeing from the castle that night, Severus had stuck with Voldemort for quite awhile and then surprised the order by flooing in and spilling all the war tactics the Death Eaters had planned. At first, many members didn't believe him. But a letter was found, personally signed from Dumbledore, that indeed asked Severus to kill him instead of Draco doing the task.
Despite the letter, many were still uncomfortable in his presence. They worked with him only when needed. After a month, the Dark attacked the order. With Severus' help, they were able to succeed and Harry Potter went from being the Boy Who Lived became the Man Who Survived.
After the victory, Harry made a public speech regarding Severus's and the Malfoy's state in war, and how they helped by being spies for the Light, risking their lives if they ever got caught. It was not easy for those like Severus or Lucius to clear their tarnished names and prove they had turned their backs on the Dark Lord. Many were doubtful at first. But as time passes by, they were making good progress and the world was starting to forgive them.
The Malfoy's donated some of their estates to charity. They held fundraising events for the unfortunate.
Severus on the other hand remained the same and continued to uphold the reputation he had in Potions class. The Potions Master was still the hardest teacher and he still made other house, aside from Slytherin, suffer.
George and Fred, who were in the storage room, came back out.
"What is this?" Hermione asked, picking five multicolored candies.
"They're ES candies. We haven't tried them yet," George said.
"ES?" Ginny inquiringly said.
"Yep, ES. As in enlarging sense. Not too original we know but it's the best we could make. Anyway why don't you try one?" Fred insisted.
"What does it do?" Hermione asked eyeing the twins suspiciously.
"Well it depends. Come on try one! Please?" Fred said batting his eyelashes.
Hermione hesitated but then she saw the puppy dog face that both twins were pulling and sighed.
"Fine," she said, then swallowed a red candy.
At first nothing happened until her tongue started to feel funny. Then she felt as if she was being suffocated. She opened her mouth only for inches of pink flesh to roll out. Hermione's eyes widen in shock.
"lelmaahve bvivis." She said.
"What?" the trio asked.
Hermione looked around then saw a quill and parchment on the table. She grabbed it and wrote in capital letters 'REMOVE THIS'. The trio laughed and then Fred handed her a black pill. She instantly swallowed it then her tongue went back to its normal size.
"This will never happen again!" she glared.
"Thanks for trying it Mione," George said.
"Fine. Anyway, we have to get going," Ginny replied.
"Okay. We'll see you at home," Fred said.
"Okay. Bye Fred! Bye George!" both girls bided.
After heading out they went to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream parlor to cool off the heat. They entered and saw Susan Bones and Ernie Macmillan. They greeted then and then went to the cashier to order.
"Cookies and Cream with Nuts please," Hermione said.
"Uhmm…Vanilla with chocolate syrup will do well," Ginny added.
The cashier nodded and told them that their orders will be delivered at their table. Minutes later, their order arrived. They ate silently, making casual talk once in a while. Half an hour later, they finished their ice cream and were making their way out. Hermione, who was busy looking for her cellphone, ran into someone.
"I am so sorry," she said, getting some tissue to wipe the drink that spilled on the shirt of the person she bumped into.
"It's okay. Neither of us were paying attention to where we were going," the person said.
Hermione looked up and saw Pansy Parkinson smiling kindly to her. Hermione looked to see if Ginny was just as confused at Pansy smiling as she was.
"Oh. But I am so sorry. I really wasn't looking and..." Hermione babbled.
"It's okay Granger. We both weren't looking. It's an accident," Pansy interrupted.
Hermione nodded.
"Okay, well, see you on September," Hermione said trying to be polite.
"I'll see you there, Granger. Weasley," Pansy said then walked off.
"Weird?" Ginny said after seeing that Pansy was out of earshot.
"Very." Hermione replied.
"Since when has Parkinson called you Granger and not mudblood? Since when has she called me Weasley and not muggle loving filth or weaselette?" Ginny said.
"I don't know Gin. But one thing is for sure it is so…" Hermione said.
"Unusual. Weird," Ginny added.
"Yeah. It was unusual. I thought I was hallucinating or perhaps dreaming," Hermione said.
They pretend to ignore the incident with Pansy and wandered around Diagon alley peering into shops. After an hour of just walking around, Hermione saw that it was almost five to five. "Ginny I have to go. It's almost five," she said, grabbing Ginny. They ran to the nearest floo network.
"Don't you want to stay the night in the Burrow? Mum misses you and I'm sure Harry and Ron will be glad to see you," Ginny said.
"I thought Harry is in Godric's Hollow with Remus?" Hermione asked.
"Well, Harry came to visit for three days."
Hermione smiled apologetically. "I am so sorry Ginny. I would love to stay in the Burrow but my parents wanted to talk to me."
"What is it about anyway?"
"Mom didn't mention anything but if they are both going to talk to me, it must be important."
"I see. But if you have time just floo, okay?"
"Okay. Anyway, it's already 10 past 5. I should be there ten minutes ago."
They said their farewells and went home by floo. Hermione dusted herself off and went straight to the kitchen where she heard voices.
She opened the door and saw her mother and father talking to a couple she was not familiar with. Hermione smiled and greeted them just like her parents had taught her to greet strangers. The woman pulled her into a very tight hug. Hermione was caught off guard but returned the gesture. Hermione kissed her parents cheek and excused herself. She went upstairs and set down the bags from the bookstore that she was carrying.
Hermione went downstairs and sat beside her mother. She was about to ask who the guests were but was interrupted by a male voice coming from the fireplace.
She saw two figures walking out but wasn't able to see their faces clearly due to the smoke. The first figure was quite taller than the other. When the smoke was no longer present, Hermione was surprised. There, standing in the middle of their living room, were Slytherin princes, Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini.
Shocked by the sudden appearance, Hermione turned to her parents and questioned them. "Mom, Dad, I do not want to be disrespectful but who are our guests? What are those two young men doing in our house?" Hermione asked, raising her tone with the latter statement.
"Hermione, this is Gregory James Zabini and his wife Maria Isabella Zabini. Draco and Blaise you know. The Zabini's and Malfoy's have been good friends of your father's and mine for years, since before you were born," Mrs. Granger explained.
Hermione stared at her parents in shock. She looked at everyone, trying to let the information soak in. Mr. Zabini is obviously of Italian heritage. He was tall and tanned. Mrs. Zabini, on the other hand, was quite shorter than Mr. Zabini. She has a very good figure and a very sweet smile. Blaise was quite a replica of his father, but instead his eyes are blue like his mother. Draco was still same from the last year, except few inches taller.
Obviously, she was trying to sink in her mother's words when she exclaimed,
"Mom did I hear you correctly? Did you just say that you are friends with the Malfoys? You still haven't told me what the Zabini family and Draco Malfoy are doing here!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Hermione, sweetie, it's time that we tell you the truth. This is very hard to tell you since you have been like a true daughter to us but we have no choice," her mother replied.
"Hermione, you are not our real daughter, you were given to us by the Zabinis a week after your birth. The Zabinis are your biological parents and Blaise here is your twin brother," Mr. Granger said in one breath.
"WHAT?!?" Hermione shouted.