-1The carriage rolled smoothly across the gravel road, driving deeper into the estate's land. Vacant eyes stared out at the misty countryside, having lost the lust for life it once had. It was recently lost… only over a matter of a few days. These eyes were of Hermione Granger. Knowing that there was still some considerable distance to the manor, Hermione slipped back in her mind to replay the events that led her to this act of preservation.
Hermione was happy in her sixth year. She was once again a prefect, and maintained her excellent grades. She had started dating Harry Potter, the wizarding boy that the whole magical world worshipped (except for Voldemort's followers). Hermione was blissfully unaware for the seven months that she was dating, that everything had been calculated down to the tee by Dumbledore. He had wanted Hermione to take the role of girlfriend for the public so Harry could have a private and protected relationship with Ginny Weasley. Hermione didn't know what the Gryffindor House knew. She didn't know that it was Ginny who kept him late at Quidditch practice, or from detention. Hermione didn't know that Dumbledore thought a whole clan of Weasleys were more valuable to the Order of the Phoenix than one Hermione Granger. The act would have continued for longer if Hermione hadn't caught Harry and Ginny kissing after she came back from the bathroom on the train ride home. Then Harry, Ron and Ginny had the nerve to try to explain it to her, and how they still loved her and wanted her to come to the Burrow for the summer. Hermione had run out of the compartment and back to the bathroom where she cried and vomited for the rest of the ride.
Once in her parents arms, Hermione tried to relax but all she could do was cry. With her parents gone at work the next day, Hermione wanted to burn all her mementos that she shared with Ron and Harry and Ginny. Hermione went to find a lighter in her father's study. She had begun opening up some file cabinets when she saw a file labeled "Winchester Orphanage Adoption Services." Her curiosity got the better of her and Hermione opened it to find out that she was adopted! Not only that, Hermione was a pureblood! Hermione knew at once when she saw her biological father's name. Rage filled Hermione as she thought of how her parents lied to her, and had kept such important knowledge away from her. All the years of torment from the Slytherins and it all could have been prevented. Hermione immediately wrote to her real father, asking to live with him and become his daughter once again. A reply came late in the evening. It read:
Daughter,
Words can not express my happiness that you have decided to return to me. Here is a ring that was your mother's. It will be your key to enter the grounds. You know what must be done in order for us to be united. The all you must do is say the family manor to the ring and it will portkey you here. Much will be done when you get here.
-Father
Hermione had put on the sapphire ring and went up to her parent's bedroom where they were watching television. She cloned a copy of her self and the cast the unforgivable killing curse on all three of them. Hermione whispered the incantation for the Mark to be displayed over her house and then snapped her wand. She spoke of the family manor's name before she was whisked away, seconds before a team of aurors came barging in.
The carriage came to a halt and jerked Hermione out of her reverie. The carriage door opened and she took a deep breath before stepping out. Tonight Hermione Granger, muggleborn witch, and best friend of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, died. Tonight, Hermione would arise to a whole new person, a whole new identity. Hermione walked to the massive wooden front doors. It was opened by Lucius Malfoy.
"Welcome to the Slytherin manor, Ms. Riddle, your father is waiting."