Chapter one

Hermione woke up with a startle. The war had ended a mere four months, ago and much had changed over the course of the summer, but her unease with sleep didn't falter. Many lives had been broken before Voldemort's fall and many more after that fateful May second. Long kept secrets and true loyalties had come to light, and with a sigh, before she stirred out of bed, Hermione hoped it was for the better.

It was September the 19th. Her birthday… her old birthday. The birthday of a girl, who, after taking a second look at the bathroom mirror, Hermione realized, didn't exist anymore. And, perhaps, never truly had.

With another sigh, images from those long summer months snowed down over her mind. A year ago, after her 17th birthday, her appearance had started to change. Slowly and subtly, going unnoticed by many in the midst of a war... But 'The brightest witch of her age' was painfully aware that she had been placed under a glamour charm that was now wearing off. Her hair was getting lighter and tamer, her skin glowing with a sun-kissed look, while her eyes brightened with a soft emerald sheen. She'd known back then that there were questions which needed answering, as well as she knew that it wasn't the time for such. So before obliviating her parents, adoptive parents that is, she'd taken and stored some of the Grangers' memories to later go through in search of the truth.

She'd hoped that with the support of her friends the journey to a better future would be much easier. However, after the war, her friends weren't the same people either.

To start with, there was the giant scandal after Molly Weasley had been found slipping love potion to both Harry and Ginny. After a full on investigation, she'd pleaded guilty to the charges as well as to having used the same love potion on her own husband.

This brought several secrets to light – for one, Ronald had been conceived after Molly's affair with a muggle; Ginny, albeit Arthur's daughter, had never actually been wanted. To Bill, Charlie, Percy and what remained of the twins, this hadn't been a too shocking of a revelation. They'd all sought to get as far from the burrow as possible, this inevitably rendering their family broken. Hermione did hear from them still, on occasion. Bill and Fleur were expecting, Charlie was expecting a promotion in the dragon reserve, Percy had got engaged, and George went on to expand his shop as a chain all the way to Ireland.
Ginny proudly came out of the closed by wearing nothing but bright rainbows for a week straight and her older brothers supported her, having had their suspicions for the Quidditch-loving witch, moreover, they were all beyond excited when she got accepted as a trainee for the Harpies' Quidditch team.
As for Ron, he refused to have anything to do with the Weasleys or anything to do with his old life and was last seen pissed drunk in a Welsh pub, over a month ago. Hermione and Harry had tried reaching out, but the short tempered redhead had been nothing but mean, and had cut them off completely.

As for Harry himself, shortly after the effects of the love potion wore off he'd pursued Luna Lovegood, and by now they had almost started their little family looking after Teddy Lupin together and living away from the public's eye. Harry had decided to pursue potion making, much like his grandfather, instead of trying to become an auror, having witnessed enough death over his mere 18 years. As for Luna, being the smart Ravenclaw she is, she had managed to prepare for her NEWTs over the summer and with no intention of returning to Hogwarts again, she had taken over as chief editor of her father's magazine.

Their happiness, however, had brought down poor Nevil even further, as after his turning of age, the grandmother he had known as the only family he has, stepped forth to tell him he is in fact adopted. Being muggleborn, during a time of war against them, his parents took him under from a squib second cousin married to a muggle. He wasn't going to be disinherited, as his grandmother graciously pointed, but she'd prefer if he didn't carry the family name anymore. Devastated by the rejection, he'd ventured into the muggle world, finding his real parents. Hermione had been concerned about him for a bit, but last that she had heard of him, he was in fact overjoyed to have found his real father and mother 'quite lovely' and had decided to finish his education as a muggle, while helping in his parents' flower shop.

Hermione had witnessed the wizarding community change so much over that summer; she'd attended every trial, red up on every law, dived further into magic lineage and the history of a magical core, all the while O'ing her NEWTs with Luna and helping Harry to get his 'Outstanding' in potions. This had led to many realizations, some of which she wasn't too ready to accept.

Blood in magic did matter. Hell of a lot. A wizard or witch with both magical parents had a stable core, which could be nurtured and expanded. Half bloods, I.e. those with only one magical parent, had a more unstable core, prone to being explosive, and even if they could end up showing great talents in some areas of magic… other such were unfathomable to them. As for muggle born… it really didn't look too good, they would never fully excel at much more of wizardry than the theory, while magical creatures and charmed items would never fall under their control. If only Hermione had read up on this earlier she would have known that she was in fact no muggleborn. In truth, even if having a squib parent made your core half blood, she was too impressive in her skillset to be anything but pureblood.

And in that morning, this newfound knowledge and its affirmation was what she feared as she got ready to head to the Ministry or Magic, to settle the case of her parentage and review the Grangers' memories for the first time.

She had prepared, for better and for worse. Reviewed much of Europe's pureblood families, comprised lists of reasons why she could have been given away, thought about how she would proceed if it came to changing her name or family name, if she would have living parents or relatives, siblings even. She'd made amends with the thought that all the purebloods that had not been sent to Azkaban were in fact largely innocent. They were often purist in belief, prudish and entitled, as say Malfoy and his mother, however, they had acted out only in trying to protect what they cared for from the half blood maniac who wreaked havoc over the wizarding world.

Hermione now knew what exactly had went wrong with Tom Riddle. Half blood, but with a Slytherin core, conceived under love potion… he didn't have a single ounce of stability in him and was very much born to be a complete lunatic.

She was now only hoping that whoever she was related to, had not been a blind follower to the Slytherin heir in question.

Much she could forgive, but that kind of ignorance was not it.

With that thought, and many more buzzing in her mind, Hermione entered the ministry.

Up until a few weeks ago, she would have been swarmed by reporters. But miss soon-to-not-be- Granger now looked nothing like her previous self.

Her hair fell long and in honey golden waves, her skin now would be found under 'exotic' and not 'pale British', her eyes bore a shade that looked hazel until the sun would light them, at such moments they'd shine like emeralds. And what Hermione personally found to be the best advantage to the worn off glamour – the wretched scar on her arm, which once read "mudblood" was definitively gone. Her overall slender figure, had found a few curves that the witch had dressed smartly in a figure hugging dark purple robes.

Magical law enforcement sure would suit her… if she'd ever chosen to pursue it.

After reaching her destination, a small corner office under the name of deputy chief attorney Charles Bings, Hermione took a final breath before lightly tapping at the door with her wand and being admitted.

"Ah, good morning miss…" Mr. Bings greeted, knowingly not adding a name.

"Good morning to you too" Hermione smiled "I assume you have reviewed my case?" she enquired

"Yes, yes, do sit down" the middle aged man pointed to a chair opposite of his desk "Would you like to review the pensive now or do you have questions first?" he asked.

Hermione took another breath, "The Pensive, please." She said.

Mr. Bings brought out a pensive and three glass vials to pour in front of Hermione.

"You were very wise to take these before obliviating." The wizard commented. "They would have been inevitably lost." The witch sighed as a chip of guilt slipped away.

"As you by now should know," the man proceeded "you were adopted." Hermione nodded "You were placed by Dumbledore under your adoptive parents' care. Now, they weren't chosen at random, and what you're about to see is the reasoning behind that decision."

Hermione let out a small gulp as she submerged her head under the liquid of the pensive.

She saw a young girl, ten, maybe 11 years of age, distraught in the face of an elderly man's fury. He was shouting in Italian but Hermione, having studied the language alongside Latin and French in her free time, understood every word.

"If my wife hadn't witnessed the birth of you and your brother I would have sworn you're a muggle!" he raged "A squib! In my family! You never even looked like us, with this cheese skin of yours! A mutation! An abomination! My son should never have married that foul mother of yours! Out of my sight!" The girl cowered and was pulled away as her siblings – a boy her age and a younger looking girl - cried silently in the corner

The image flashed and turned quickly and Hermione saw the little girl grow up jumping from a foster home to a foster home, she bloomed into a beautiful young woman, settling her life in England and marrying a muggle. At this point, Hermione recognized her adoptive parents Jane and George Granger, or as it turned out – Jessabelle Zabini and George Granger.

Hermione pulled out of the first vial. It explained almost as much as many questions it arose.

No wonder Jane didn't want to have children, other children, of her own. She was smart enough to not want to risk having a muggle born. But did this all mean that Hermione was a Zabini? Why wasn't she with them then? She knew Blaise's parents were alive and well, even if they had moved back to Italy at the end of the war. They'd always wanted to stay neutral. And Blaise had never been as mean to Hermione as many other purebloods had. Despite this, another curious thought pressed in the witch's mind. Who was the younger girl? But before Hermione could ask any of those questions aloud she had be guided by Mr. Bings to the second vial.

It showed Jane with a young expecting woman, the two had very similar features even if Jane did seem much lighter. The women were smiling, and laughing, and embracing, overjoyed at something. This answered some. At the next flash, Jane was cooing over a very small baby Hermione, with her blonde soft curls and bright green eyes. The other woman was there as well, accompanied by a man, tall blonde and handsome. The two beamed as any proud parents would.

"She's darling, Aurelia!" Jane gushed

"Takes after her dad," The woman named Aurelia (neé Zabini as Hermione noted) said gazing lovingly at the man.
The next flash was from a small church and it looked like Hermione's christening.

"I, Jessabelle Eleonora Granger vow to protect and guide Hermione Lya-Marie Marquise as her godmother from this day onward." said her adoptive mother as she picked little Hermione from the font, before giving her back to her parents.

With a quiet sob, Hermione pulled from the pensive again.

Having heard her real name and seen the fond relationship between the two sisters, she now knew as both of her mothers, she was almost certain what would be in the last vial.

Mr. Bings put a reassuring hand on the witch's shoulder as she dived in for the third time.

It was Aurelia holding the bundle of Hermione and handing it to her sister urgently, tears streaming from her eyes.

"He's monster, Jay! Massacred so many! It's only Henry and I that remain from his family, and I know that he'd be coming for us. Take her, she needs to be away from this, she's too precious!"

"But Lya, I've no magic, surely she'd be better off with Bernard or our Parents." Jane pleaded

Aurelia shook her head "He won't look for her here, too proud, that half blood menace. You have more magic in your little finger than he in his whole core even if you don't know how to tap it."
At this Jane seemed to agree.

"But what if.." she trailed "What if something happens and you don't come back?"

"I'll make sure it's taken care of" Aurelia gave her sister a solemn but certain look before she disapparated away.

Jane and George dotted over their little niece, their goddaughter, waiting for her parents' return. But the next time a knock came to the door it was an old man with a long white beard and half moon spectacles who introduced himself as the Headmaster of Hogwarts.

He gave them the grave news. Hermione's parents were gone. Half of Europe had fallen.

Then he gave them the good news. The monster was gone. Peace was rising.

And then he spoke of a choice. To keep Hermione, or to give her over to the Zabinis.

The Grangers seemed reluctant, uncertain of what to do.

Then Jane spoke, asking a question.

"How sure are you that he's gone? Can you promise me that no one else will die in his name?"

The man by the name of Dumbledore just shook his head sadly.

"And if she's raised by the Zabinis can you promise that she'd be kept away from that bastard Vicii?"

Another shake of the bearded wizard's head

"Then she stays with us." Jane said certainly "My sister would have wanted her daughter to grow kind and accepting, not prideful over her blood status only. She wouldn't want her to be married off or disowned over who and what she chooses to be. We want this little girl to be as loved and protected as her own parents would have had her" she looked over at her husband, a bit doubtful if she should continue but he just smiled at her approvingly.

"I would also suggest a glamour charm to be put on her." Jane said "I know how it feels to grow up not looking like your family, not feeling like you belong, I wouldn't want her to have to experience that"

This time Dumbledore nodded.

Here George spoke.

"But please, nothing too grand. I wouldn't want to wake up one day and not look like myself. I imagine no child raised by me would disagree with that"

His wife and the headmaster smiled, for a muggle George was indeed exceptional.

Dumbledore cast the charm, and the Grangers now held a little girl who looked as much theirs as any child they could have had.

He bid them good bye, saying that in a decade he'd love to welcome the little miss to his school. And there the third vial ended, and Hermione's story began.

Silent tears were now full on streaming down from her eyes. After all the fears she'd had about her parents falling to the hands of Voldemort, her real ones seemingly had.

She was a Marquise, closely related to the Zabinis. French and Italian and so much not who she had believed to be.

In truth, she didn't know much of either family. Maybe a few names in passing but she'd certainly need to do her research.

Wiping a last stranded tear off, she looked up with determination at Mr. Bings who was patiently waiting for her to come to terms with what she had seen.

"What do we do now?" Hermione asked.

"Well. First, we have to reaffirm your parentage" the attorney started "Then if we have a confirmation and you choose to accept it, I will lead you over your family's vaults, stocks, property and such. You will be reacquainted with your relatives and eventually, you will have to be introduced to proper society as the Marquise heiress."

Hermione took his every word bravely, hiding a small wince at the idea of pureblood society.

This meant a lot to her, such as having responsibilities she would never have dreamed of. But she wisely pushed all that aside and nodded in agreement, which prompted the attorney to start the parentage charm.

He waved his wand in a complex star figure and a ball of light emerged from Hermione's chest.

It was bright and golden and both of them knew it meant a stable pureblooded magical core. A strong one at that.

"As you no doubt know, Hermione, copper shows the weak magic of a muggleborn, silver – half blood, and gold…" he trailed

"Pureblood…" Hermione finished. And Mr. Bings nodded.

"And such a wide light spectrum would represent?" He asked

"Length of lineage and strength on magic" Hermione recited like the know-it-all she had been ever since school "Meaning my family had been pureblood for a long time and I had went under proper formal training to expand my stable flow of magic."

The attorney nodded again smiling at the young witch.

"A true rarity indeed." He said approvingly. Hermione knew he was a half blood himself, his mother once a pureblood and his father a muggleborn, this was part of the reason she had chosen him to represent her. The man had enough understanding of pureblood society to be of help, but no glaring pridefulness that would make him sell her story out to the press, whatever it turned out to be.

"Now," he continued "as for which pureblood family you belong this might prove a bit more difficult. Seeing as if you are a Marquise you will be the sole heir to the name, there simply is no one to compare to…"

"Is there anything that can be done?" The witched enquired

"As you probably know, old pureblood families have protective wards tied to their lands."

Hermione nodded

"In the Marquises' case, the wards shut off after their demise. No one could cross them, it was said, safe from the rightful heir. And trust me, many did try to make that claim over the years. The wards, however, have a very painful repentance. It is said to feel like the cruciatus curse upon anyone who isn't rightful."

Up until his last words, Hermione felt confident but now that certainty faltered… If either of her parents had been unfaithful, or if for whatever reason she wasn't the heir, the pain wasn't really worth it.

"And if I don't attempt crossing the wards, I cannot be sure of which family I come from?" She raised a worrying point.

"And you will not be able to claim a name, heritage or reach out to relatives." The wizard said.

Hermione sighed.

"Can I think about it?"

"Of course miss." Mr. Bings said. "But a word of advice, do not prolong knowing, for your own sake, people will soon start prodding about your looks, and as you know any job interview requires a magical core statement, this is not something that could be faked, and being a muggleborn with a pureblood core is certainly out of the question."

Hermione gulped at the prospect of someone like Rita Skeeter getting the scoop on a story like that. And she didn't much want to ruin her prospects of a good career by pretending to be a muggleborn or dimming her magic to a lower quality. She sighed again and thanked the man as she exited his office, promising to send a patronus with her decision as soon as she made one.

On her way out, thoughts ran through her mind like crazy… she needed to speak to someone. No sooner had she gotten to her home, The Grangers' small suburban house, she crashed onto the couch and send her patronus off with a message.

While she waited for the reply, she couldn't help but feel how empty the place had been without Jane and George. They were now the Wilkins, living happily in Australia with a little adopted girl named Aurelia. Hermione smiled to herself as a tear ran down her cheek. She should have known, it was so obvious now, in hindsight. There were no photos of her mum ever being pregnant, no photos of her being just born, no siblings, despite how in love her parents were.

At that thought, the silver mist of a patronus returned, not the one of her otter but that of Luna's hare.

"Mione, Harry and I will be with you shortly, we just need to drop of Teddy with Andromeda. "

Hermione smiled as the hare disappeared and got up to make some tea. Yes, she was a witch, a pureblooded witch, but she still often forgot that, and found the beauty in small mundane tasks such as putting a kettle on, or hand picking the herbs and leaves you want.

There was a whistle and two pops, as Hermione took the boiling tea of the stove and Harry and Luna walked in her kitchen holding hands and beaming lovingly at each other.

The witch smiled at her friends before pulling them in a hug.

"So, brightest witch, care to tell us what is the big secret?" Harry teased "Is it that you're dying your hair!"

Hermione and Luna laughed and the former swatted him playfully on the arm. "Why Mr. Potter, you're just jealous that my eyes are now greener than yours!"

They all shared another laugh after Harry's pretend offence at the witch's words.

"The real reason for my change of looks is that I'm actually adopted." Hermione said simply

Harry let out a small gasp while Luna nodded almost unsurprised.

"A glamour charm." She stated

"Yes." Hermione retorted. "The other shocking news is that…" at this the witch repeated the magic core spell that her attorney had done.

The bright golden ball shone again, and Harry just looked confused while Luna remained unfazed, but now bore a small reassuring smile.

"You also learned how to make a tiny sun?" Harry asked

"No, silly, she's a pureblood!"

"I don't get it…" he ruffled his hair in confusion.

Luna repeated the charm on them both and revealed a smaller golden core for herself and a bright white silver core for Harry, which was golden around the edges.

"I'm also a pureblood, but my family isn't as old, or pure." Luna said, nothing but honesty in her voice, "And you're a half blood, but because both your parents were technically magical, and you worked so much on your core, it is starting to stabilize."

"If you marry a pureblooded witch your children will be golden" Hermione teased and Luna and Harry reddened.

"So, Mione" Harry started, changing the subject "Who are the lucky snobs and why did they give you away?"

Hermione looked down and Harry bit his lips half regretting his choice of words

"Well, they had to give me away, because Voldemort was after them. Aurelia and Henry Marquise… or so it is thought"

At the mention of the name Luna's eyes slightly widened, but Harry continued with his next question not noticing.

"Why thought? Are you not certain?"

"Well, see, they are gone, and there are no known direct descendants, so it is very hard to be certain."

"The family wards…" Luna paled

"Yes." Hermione nodded "Only the heir can cross them. Anyone else is hit with…"

"The Cruciatus…" Luna mumbled

Harry looked outraged

"Surely there is another way!" he protested.

Hermione shook her head.

"Luna, how did you know of the wards?"

"My mother was half Marquise. The attorneys came to look for her, having ruled out many other possible heirs. She didn't want to do it. But her father, a muggleborn, wanted her to come into something more than the Lovegood heritage. Dad said she was recovering for weeks. Apparently, the wards were extra mean to her for her mother having betrayed the family by marrying a lower core.."

Harry hugged Luna over the shoulders protectively while looking over Hermione with determination.

"You're not really thinking about it, are you Mione? You can't be!"

"I can't not think about it Harry. I've no other family, and there is going to be so much speculation once it is found out I am a pureblood."

Having seen his best friend, his sister, suffer the cruciatus curse under the hands of that crazy Black witch, he couldn't even imagine allowing her to go through it again.

Luna however seemed to have another idea.

"What was your mother's maiden name? Did you know?" She asked Hermione.

"Zabini. Why?"

"Well… If you are Marquise, you will have a faint bond with me. Second cousin once removed or something. And if you carry a Zabini, you'll be able to have familial bond with some of them. It isn't 100% certain. But it will be a step in the right direction and it will help you decide whether you want to attempt the wards"

Hermione looked shocked, sometimes forgetting how smart the younger witch really was. A true Ravenclaw!

"We can do it?"

Luna nodded and Harry followed suit, albeit reluctantly.

"How do we find a Zabini, though?" Hermione asked

"Blaise should be at Hogwarts." Luna pointed. "He got an A in History of Magic and he needs at least an E to pursue Magic politics, so he's returned to re- do his seventh year."

"Do you thing Headmistress McGonagall, would let us borrow him on such a short notice?" Hermione asked

"Mione, please, you took seven O grade NEWTs without completing your seventh year AND you won a bloody war, I think she'll at least consider it."

They all laughed finishing their cups of tea, and catching up a bit more before apparating to Hogsmeade and making the short stroll to the castle.

The headmistress was sat in her office sorting through papers, when the three of her undoubtedly favorite students walked in. She greeted them, a smile on her face, much similar to those on the two portraits behind her - those of Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape.

"What brings you back? You surely haven't reconsidered doing your seventh year." The witch asked with a motherly flash in her eyes.

They shook heads and she gave them a small chuckle.

Hermione decided to be the Gryffindor she knew herself to be and started.

"Well, professor, it came to my knowledge recently that I'm adopted." McGonagall nodded at the information, much like Luna – not surprised. "And that I am pureblood." Yet another nod, but still no surprise. "So-I-need-to-borrow-Blaise-Zabini-to-attempt-a-familial-charm-before-I-decide-if-it-is-worth-me-being-blasted-off-by-family-wards" Hermione's anxiousness had taken over and she had spilled her last sentence in one gulp.

Here the headmistress seemed a bit at a loss. But Luna picked off where her friend had ended.

"What Mione tried to ask is if we could seek out Mr. Zabini's assistance in performing a familial charm"

The older witch adjusted her spectacles slightly and said "Very well. I'll have Professor Slughorn bring him to my office after class, there is another half an hour or so until then. In the meantime, you children could tell me how your summer has gone?"

The teenagers smiled at their old professor and now much more at ease, told her how they had been doing.

Harry spoke of Teddy, and the renovations at Grimmauld place, and a more potent type of wolf's bane potion that he'd been working on. Luna updated her on a new article about the preservation on Thestralls that she had been working on. After the war, the poor creatures were suddenly getting too much attention and some of the younger students were shocked at seeing them pull their carriages to school. Hermione briefly said that she hadn't as of yet decided what to do with her skillset, but that she was keeping Magical Law as her back up, or healing, or potions making, and they all laughed, reassuring her that she'd excel in whatever her pursuit turned out to be, just at that moment Blaise Zabini, walked into the room.

The young man froze uncertain in his step, seeing the headmistress, two of the golden trio, and one small pureblooded witch all in a room, waiting for him, was rather confusing.

"Come, have a seat Mr. Zabini." McGonagall greeted him "You are not in any trouble I assure you."

At this, the tall dark skinned boy seemingly relaxed and took a seat next to Harry.

The headmistress, nodded towards Hermione as if to say "It will be best if you explain" and the girl took a deep breath.

"Blaise, I know we've not spoken much… but… " Luna placed a comforting hand on her arm "We might be related, cousins, and I'm here to ask if you're willing to do a familial charm with me?"

The boy seemed taken aback. Obviously, the most well known muggleborn can't be related to him. Could she? Then he remembered a hidden portrait of his father and his two sisters from when they were little.

"If you are born out of my squib aunt I assure you you'd better count us as good as not related." he said carefully, although no real emotion could be read in his eyes.

Hermione shook her head.

"She did raise me. But she was just my adoptive mother." Following her statement, she shone her magical core in all his brightness and Zabini just nodded in agreement.

It was a complex charm. But the three of them, Hermione, Luna, and Blaise, were all very capable wizards. Even if the latter didn't like history books too much.

Still, Harry and McGonagall were glad to make certain everything went without a hitch.

Hermione had to start first, making a circle with her wand to signify herself, then, Blaise and Luna repeated with their wands. Hermione followed with a motion tying the three circles together, while Blaise and Luna just tied theirs to hers. Then the three performed the magical core charm, and a lineage charm, and following drew a big ward like circle while repeating "Familia au Figlia, Pateria er Proteria"

There was nothing for a moment and they wondered if they'd done the charm correctly, but then colourfull lines sprang from Hermione's chest flying up and down and dispersing quickly, until the air cleared and there was a bright purple tie between her and Blaise and a lighter periwinkle one between her and Luna.

A collective gasp was heard in the room before much to everyone's surprise Blaise cut the distance between him and Hermione and enveloped her in a hug.