A/N Before we begin, remember that I'm not a native English speaker and it's only my second fanfic written in this language, hence you're welcome to point out any mistakes so I can improve.

The story begins mid-September of the characters' 6xth year. Everything that happen before is book-compatible with one small difference - Draco doesn't have the Dark Mark, but more on it later in the story!

I post as I write, because I find your intel helpful in moving the story forward, so I'm sorry for any future delays with updating, but my muse likes to go away for prolonged periods of time.

Hermione was staring at the letter she just read. Her hand started shaking and her knees gave up causing her to fall. She would probably crack her skull on the floor if it wasn't for Harry's Seeker reflexes. He caught her just in time and helped her sit in the Common Room couch before taking the piece of parchment from her and reading it. Any other time she would've scold him for breaching her privacy like that without even asking but right now she didn't find it in herself to care.

Harry read the letter, blinked, read it again, glanced at Hermione, who looked like a ghost, stood up and started pacing. It took him a couple of minutes before he collected his thoughts and spoke, his voice a mix of anger and shock.

"We have to talk to Dumbledore. He will know if it's true and what to do about this."

Hermione only nodded and tried to stand up as well. When she nearly face planted into the rug, Harry wrapped an arm around her waist and helped her up and out of the Common Room. It was few flights of stairs down that she managed to walk on her own, her whole body still clearly shaking. When they finally arrived in front of the gargoyles, Harry regretted not taking her into Hospital Wing first. He gave the gargoyles the password and the both of them stepped up the first step to let the staircase take them up.

"Harry? Is something wrong? Miss Granger looks like she could use Madam Pomfrey's help."

Harry helped Hermione to a chair while Dumbledore sent a patronus to someone.

"Hermione just got a disturbing letter and we were wondering if you'd be willing to take a look at it, sir."

"Of course, Harry."

While the Headmaster was reading the letter, Madam Pomfrey joined them in the office and started hustling around Hermione. Harry tried to focus on Dumbledore, while keeping an eye on his friend and the Mediwitch to make sure Hermione was okay. At last Dumbledore set the letter down and regarded the younger witch carefully.

"Poppy? If the letter that was brought to my attention is sincere, I believe I know why Miss Granger is as distraught as she is. May I?" The last question was asked while his wand was pointing at Hermione.

"Of course, Headmaster." Madam Pomfrey stepped aside, while Dumbledore mumbled quite a long spell under his breath.

They all looked as the pink light hit the witch in the chest. At first nothing seemed to happen and Harry was ready to let out the breath he was holding, but then suddenly Hermione's appearance started to change. Her hair grew longer and lost any sign of curls. She seemed to gain few inches in height while her body shape became more hourglass-like. Then her complexion and hair color started to change as well. She got a lot paler and her hair was getting lighter and lighter until it was white blonde. Lastly her facial features shifted. Her mouth got fuller, her eyes went grey, her cheekbones went higher. It wasn't a great change but it was there nonetheless.

Everything stopped as suddenly as it started. Hermione seemed to feel better and after few deep breaths the fire came back to her eyes. It was the kind of fire that said "I don't know what's happening but I'm determined to know". In the meantime the Mediwitch approached the girl again, cast few diagnostic spells and frowned at the results.

"How are you feeling, Miss Granger?"

"Better. Thank you Headmaster."

Harry, who finally regained his ability to speak, snorted and muttered "You might wanna take a look in the mirror before you thank anyone for anything". This time it was Hermione who frowned.

She conjured a hand mirror for herself and took a look. She blinked once, twice, looked at everyone in the room and back in the mirror and blinked again.

"So it's true then?"

Harry noticed that her voice changed a bit as well. It was a bit lower while still having that distinct Hermione sound.

"It would appear so, Miss Granger. Or rather, Miss Malfoy."

She knew that Dumbledore didn't mean any harm but it didn't stop her for squeking in surprise. Beside her, Harry hissed and Madam Pomfrey huffed.

"So I'm really… I mean. I'm Cassiopeia Malfoy, the twin sister to Draco Malfoy? How is that possible? Were you aware of this, Headmaster?"

Dumbledore sighed and suddenly looked much older.

"I was aware that Mister Malfoy used to have a twin sister that disappeared not even a year after birth, yes. I had a feeling she wasn't really dead, but I had no idea what happened to her… well… to you and where you've been. To my knowledge neither do Lucius Malfoy or Narcissa Malfoy as they are still searching for their daughter."

"And that spell that you cast. What was that about… sir?"

"I assumed you were put under a strong glamour charm to make you look like the Grangers. When you learned who you really are, you went into identity crisis and those tend to disagree with glamour charms that are supposed to change someone's appearance and/or identity. Taking the glamour off was the only way to really help you calm down."

Hermione nodded, seemingly accepting the explanation. Harry on the other hand didn't know how to feel about this. His best friend was twin to his nemesis, daughter to known Death Eaters. He didn't hold it against her, of course, but he was still conflicted about what that would mean to all of them. He was also concerned about Ron's reaction when he finds out. He was prone to outbursts after all. Dumbledore stopped his musings when he spoke again.

"I'll send a Patronus to Professor Snape and ask him to come here with young Mister Malfoy. I'm sure he'd like to know his twin sister has been found."

Hermione nodded again looking resigned. They all waited in silence until the doors opened again to reveal Snape and Malfoy. The former looked bored as always while the latter regarded the room with curiosity until his eyes fell on Hermione and their eyes met. He looked at Dumbledore, at Hermione and back at Dumbledore.

"Is it?... Headmaster, is she?"

Harry's never seen Malfoy lost for words or confused before. While he tried not to show it, he took pleasure in witnessing it, while it lasted. As for Dumbledore, his eyes twinkled like they've never twinkled before.

"Mister Malfoy, allow me to introduce you to Cassiopeia Malfoy, your long lost twin sister, also known as Hermione Granger."

At the last words, Harry could see Malfoy's jaw drop and his eyes dart again in Hermione's direction. Even Snape looked intrigued now, but still hasn't spoken.

"Headmaster?" Madam Pomfrey turned everyone's attention away from the silent exchange that seemed to be going on between the twins. "Something occured to me. I've treated Miss Granger, well, Miss Malfoy before. Her blood test results always came back inconclusive which I always found odd but never really questioned. When I was testing her after you broke the glamour though, her blood results finally came through. I'm thinking that…"

Before she could finish, Hermione cut in "my blood has been tampered with, hasn't it?" and then she gasped and looked straight at the Dumbledore. "Is it possible to get sorted for the second time, sir?"

Dumbledore nodded. "It's rare but not unheard of."

Harry was at loss. "Hermione? Why would you…?"

"Harry, oh, Harry please don't think that I don't want to be a Gryffindor. I love Gryffindor dearly and that's why I wouldn't want to be there if the Sorting Hat deems me. This real me. More suitable for another house. If my blood has been tampered with, so was my sorting by default. If I stayed in Gryffindor knowing that I only got there as a result of foul play, I couldn't live with myself. Headmaster?"

"Of course." He was already holding the old Sorting Hat. He passed it to Hermione who looked at it anxiously for a second before putting it on.

Even after few years the Hat was still too big and slid down her head, covering her eyes. She immediately heard its musings.

"Cassiopeia Malfoy, I can't express how much I wished to meet you. I was most disappointed when I got to sort your twin but not you, dear girl."

"But you did sort me." She thought and pushed the memory of her sorting to the forefront of her mind.

"Oh? Well that explains quite a few things. For example why it was so hard for me to sort you the first time around. Quite a hat stall, weren't you?"

"So where would you sort me this time?"

"I can see that you grew attached to your Gryffindor friends but also that you want to be true with yourself. I shall let you have the latter in… SLYTHERIN!"

When she took the Hat of, she was greeted by utter silence. Harry looked gobsmacked, Draco seemed like he didn't know if he should be surprised, happy, proud or even more surprised, Snape still didn't show much of any emotion and Dumbledore looked pleased.

When nobody spoke, she decided to break the silence and lighten the mood.

"Seems like once a hat stall, always a hat stall, hmm?"

Harry actually chuckled and looked at her. She stood up and went to wrap her arms around him. He returned the embrace at once.

"I want you to know Harry that I love you and Ron no matter what. I don't want me being a Malfoy or a Slytherin to change anything between us, okay?"

Harry just nodded into her hair. She then untangled herself from him and went to stand in front of Draco.

"Look. I know we haven't exactly have the best relations for the past few years. You hate everything I represented and I despise your views on wizards and witches that are less than pureblood. But I've seen your face when you saw me. I could see that you wanted to find me, wanted to have a sister. I'm not cold-hearted so I will give you a chance if you want it."

Malfoy looked shocked to say the least, but there was something in his eyes. This warmth that she's never seen there before.

"If I want it? Cassiopeia, that's more than what I could ever ask for."

She gave him a small smile.

"Cassiopeia is quite a mouthful, isn't it? It seems that I'm doomed to have difficult names no matter what. Shall we shorten it to Cassi?"

He chuckled at first and then have her a quizzical look.

"So you're not sticking to Hermione?"

"I don't know yet, but I think that you'd rather swallow your tongue than call me that, so whatever I decide, you're allowed to use my real name, Draco."

He beamed and, surprising everyone, hugged Hermione tightly, whispering to her how sorry he was for everything that he's done to her through all those years. She just held him and told him it was okay and that they'll start fresh. After several minutes, Draco has calmed down, let go of his sister and cleared his throat.

"I think I should send an owl to my… to our parents."

Hermione nodded and watched her twin leave the office. She turned back to the rest of people gathered and sat back in her chair. When she started nodding of a bit, Dumbledore spoke again.

"I think you've been through enough for now, Miss Malfoy and some rest is in order. Professor Snape will escort you to Slytherin Common Room and show you to your dormitory. I believe your belongings have already been moved. You'll be excused from the rest of today's classes. Get some rest. Harry if you could explain everything that happened to the rest of your friend before tommorow so they don't bombard Miss Malfoy with questions first thing in the morning?"

"Yes, sir."

"Excellent. Now off you go."

xxxXXXxxx

She was right behind Snape as they entered the Common Room and went in the direction of the dormitory. He showed her to the right door and as she was about to entered, he cleared his throat and spoke.

"I thought you should know that I'm yours and Draco's Godfather. Now, please, go rest like the Headmaster said."

And without waiting for a reply, he left and Hermione was left alone. She entered the room and found her bed. The dormitory itself wasn't much different from the one she lived in in the Gryffindor Tower, save for the color scheme. While she wanted to take a good look around the dorm and Slytherin Common Room, the truth was her head was spinning and she felt like she might faint so instead, she lied down in her bed, hugged her pillow tightly and drifted to sleep. She would think about all this after she's woken up.

xxxXXXxxx

When she looked in the mirror the next day, she almost screamed in surprise. It was only the second time she's seen her new appearance and she was nowhere near getting used to it. Her newly Slytherin robes didn't help the matter. It looked completely wrong but at the same time she couldn't deny that it felt somewhat right. This whole situation was confusing as hell and she barely kept herself grounded.

She exited the bathroom and saw her roommates waking up so she decided to leave before they noticed her. She was not in the mood to talk to Daphne Greengrass, Tracy Davis or Pansy Parkinson. It was too early to go to breakfast, so she lounged herself on a couch in the Common Room and began reading one of the books she brought with herself. Soon she was so immersed in her book that she didn't hear it when someone approached her.

"You must be Cassiopeia, Draco's sister?"

She jumped in surprise and cursed when her book fell off her lap and onto the ground. She picked it up while her new company started to talk again.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to starttle you. My name is Blaise Zabini. I'm your brother's friend. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Malfoy."

Hermione finally looked up at Blaise. She knew what he looked like, seeing him around the school every now and again, but she's never had a chance to look closer. He had those warm gold eyes that really caught her attention.

"You can just call me Cassi… Blaise?"

"Cassi. Okay. So what happened that you're suddenly here? Draco didn't tell us much, just that you've been found and you're here."

She honestly couldn't blame him for being curious. She imagined she would be if her best friend's long lost sibling would appear out of thin air.

"Oh. Right. Honestly I don't really know that much. Yesterday I was Hermione Granger, a muggleborn Gryffindor and next thing I know I get a letter saying I'm someone else, the glamour placed on me breaks, I discover that my blood has been tampered with and I get resorted. It's all quite confusing if I'm being honest."

He looked curious. He sat next to her on the couch, his eyes never leaving hers which made her blush a bit, but she didn't know why.

"So you're saying, you're Hermione Granger?"

She nodded and started gnawing at her lips nervously. She started wondering if she shouldn't have said it but then again, people would discover it sooner or later anyway.

"I imagine it must've been confusing. You must've been furious when you discovered you're Draco's twin!"

She glanced at him, surprised. "Furious?"

"I mean. You two used to hate each other's guts, didn't you?" He said it grinning, clearly amused by this development.

"That we did. But I'm willing to give him a chance, you know?"

She honestly didn't know why she was telling Blaise all of this after all, she didn't know him that well, but she was glad he wasn't judgemental about any of this.

"And I'm glad you are. You'll discover that Draco really is a great bloke. And that he always wanted to find you. He said he always felt like a part of him was missing. He was ecstatic when he told me that you've been found. I've never seen him this happy before. You mean a world to him and I'm glad you're giving him a chance."

It's not like she didn't expect it. She did notice it herself that Draco seemed to care deeply about the twin sister he didn't get to know. That was what led her to her decision after all. But it was still weird to hear it confirmed by someone close to Draco. Before she could answer however, another person joined them in the Common Room.

"Blaise, no flirting with my sister, you hear me?"

While Blaise just grinned and, probably to anger Draco, scooted closer to her, she turned her head to look at her twin. He smiled when he saw her looking at him.

"How was your first night as a Slytherin, Cassi?"

"Fine, I suppose. I slept most of the day and the night away. Which reminds me. Could I get your notes from yesterday's classes?"

As if he expected the question, he handed her copies of all the notes in question alongside her new class schedule.

"Blaise, could I get a minute with my sister? Alone?"

Blaise just nodded and left the Common Room.

"Before I forget I think I should give you heads up that our parents will visit after dinner. They want to meet you."

"Our… parents? Narcissa and Lucius?"

"Yup. That's them."

"I… I can't Draco. I don't… I'm not ready to meet them. They wanted me dead for years. I can't."

Draco took a seat that Blaise just vacated and scooped Hermione into his embrace. She didn't know why she let him but it felt right. Being in Draco's presence was like a balm for her nerves. She supposed it was a twin thing and decided not to question it. She had too many questions as it was.

"Cassiopeia Narcissa Malfoy until yesterday you were a Gryffindor and they're supposed to be brave. You are friends with Harry Chosen One Potter and faced bigger danger than your own parents while you helped keep the wanker alive. Regardless of your history our parents loved you from the moment we were born and they never stopped missing you. They're not the most affectionate parents, but they love both of us greatly even if they won't show it overly much. They've waited sixteen years for your return."

"My middle name is Narcissa?"

He cocked an eyebrow at her and smirked a little. "Is that all you took from my speech?"

"It was the part I found most curious." She smirked back at him and then she sighed. "I'll meet with them. You're right. I've done worse things."

They didn't speak more, just sitting there, still hugging each other until Hermione's stomach grumbled. Draco stood up and offered her his hand.

"Shall we go to breakfast, sister?"

She took his hand standing up and smiled at her twin.

"Lead the way, brother."

While they were walking to the Great Hall, Hermione was anxious about how other people would react to her being a Malfoy. She could only hope for the best and as she was about to enter the Hall with her brother, she mentally kept her fingers crossed.

xxxXXXxxx

Draco was on the proverbial cloud nine ever since his visit in Dumbledore's office. His twin sister, part of himself he was always missing was here. Safe, sound, alive and here. The news that she used to be Hermione Granger didn't bother him as much as it was probably expected. He's grown out out of hating the girl long ago anyway and it gave him the sense that at least he already knew some things about her. When she told him she'd give him a chance after how he treated her all those years made him feel like the happiest man alive.

He knew his parents… their parents were happy as well. They didn't say it in their letter, obviously, but he knew. Just the simple fact that they would abandon whatever it was they were up to, to come to school and see her, was proof enough. That he got Cassi to agree to meet them felt like a great accomplishment to him.

And now he was escorting his twin to breakfast. He kept looking in her direction just to make sure he wasn't dreaming and he was seconds from pinching himself for the same reason. He knew she was getting more anxious the closer they were to the Great Hall. He didn't know how he knew, but he did. Right before they entered the Hall he stopped her, placed his hands on her arms and looked her straight in the eyes.

"There's nothing to be anxious about, Cassi. Take few deep breaths and let's face the rest of the school, shall we?"

"How did you know I was anxious?"

He just shook his head and let out an exasperated sigh. "Do you always take the least important parts out of everything people tell you?" He said teasingly. "And to answer your question - I don't know. Reckon it's the twin thing or something. Now let's show the world the great Malfoy twins."

He saw her roll her eyes at him before they entered the Great Hall and had to stiffle a laugh.

xxxXXXxxx

It was still early so there weren't that many people at breakfast yet, but she knew it was a matter of minutes. At first her legs started in the direction of Gryffindor table out of habit, but Draco's chuckle made her realise her mistake. She followed him to Slytherin table and had to roll her eyes again when he sat in the exact center. She sat next to him nonetheless and just started on her porridge when most of the student body hustled into the Hall.

Draco must've sensed that she felt nervous again because he took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze before he went back to his toasts. He didn't stop surprising her ever since he stepped into Headmaster's office yesterday and she found out that she actually liked this brother version of him. She knew that they still had things to talk about, but she wanted to actually get to know him a little first, before she went all "are you still going to support Dark Lord" on him.

As she expected, everyone went quiet when they noticed her and she really wished she could just tell them to bugger off but she knew it would just be adding fuel to the flame. When the entirety of the Hall seemed frozen, one person squeezed through the crowd, walked up to where they were and sat himself next to Hermione, seemingly unfazed unlike the rest of his peers.

Hermione felt grateful that it was Blaise who was sitting beside her. After their exchange this morning, she was relieved that she had at least one snake other than her brother, in her corner. She wasn't sure how the rest of them was gonna react to her.

"So Cassi, I see that you've managed to render everyone quite speechless? How is Potter going to forgive you for stealing his spotlight?"

Since everything was said in a teasing tone and with a grin, Hermione didn't take him seriously and just laughed at the boys antics. But she also grew annoyed with everyone staring at the three of them. As if on cue, both she and Draco said "Bugger off the lot of you." They looked at each other and laughed, all perfectly synchronized.

"Is that how's it gonna be now? One Draco Malfoy was a handful, thank you very much." Was the first thing Pansy said as she sat herself opposite them. She then turned to Hermione. "Pansy Parkinson, one of your roommates. I hoped to talk to you before but you were asleep yesterday and gone when I woke up in the morning."

Before Hermione had a chance to answer, Draco spoke, saying almost exactly what she planned to.

"You will find, Pansy, that you've already met my sister as she was known up until yesterday as Hermione Granger. Cassi here was through a lot since her true identity was revealed so don't bother her too much."

While she appreciated Draco standing up for her, she also felt like she didn't need a Knight in Shining Armor every time someone tried to talk to her.

"Right. Sorry Cassi."

"No problem whatsoever, brother dearest."

Everyone around them looked puzzled and the twins shared a laugh before going back to their respective breakfasts. Hermione finished before Draco or Blaise. She noticed her friends were still sitting at a Gryffindor table so she excused herself and made her way to them. As soon as she was close, Ginny launched herself at her and hugged her.

"And fine morning to you too, Ginny." Hermione chuckled, but held her friend close and patted her on the back.

"Oh, Hermione, Harry told us everything and I'm just glad to see you're alright. I don't know how I would cope having something like this just dumped on me out of the blue. I was scared you would be pulling your hair out. Not to mention you have to sit with the snakes."

"Ginny, really, I'm fine, it's fine." The redhead finally detached herself from her and Hermione could see the rest of her friends. Harry looked as he always did but Ron. Ron was angry. She was about to say something but he was faster.

"What is a bloody Malfoy doing here?"

The venom in his voice caused her to take a step back, while Harry kicked his friend in the shin and Ginny took her wand out.

"Ronald Billius Weasley" Ginny started "is that how you talk to a friend?"

By now Room was positively frothing out his mouth. "I don't remember myself ever being friends with a Slytherin princess. Or a traitor."

Hermione didn't reply to that. She simply fled the Great Hall, ignoring Ginny who was calling after her. She run down to the dungeons and entered Slytherin Common Room, planning to go to bed and never re-emerge. Her plans were blown into vapor however, when a strong hand gripped her arm from behind and stopped her.

She looked back to see who decided to risk losing an arm and was once again lost in Blaise's golden eyes.

"Care to tell me what the Weasel King said that warranted such a reaction?"

She sighed and let Blaise lead her to the couch they were occupying few hours back. They sat close to each other and Blaise was stroking her hand absentmindedly.

"He… he called me a traitor. Said he can't remember being friends with a Slytherin princess and that as a Malfoy I had no right to be at Gryffindor table. I know it doesn't sound like much but. He was my friend for the last five years. I expected him to understand."

She sniffled and hung her head low but Blaise put a finger under her chin and forced her to look at him.

"If Weasel is stupid enough to stop being your friend because your name changed, then I say, let him. You don't need people who will make you feel worse right now, Cassi. You had this bizzare thing happen to you and what you need right now is support."

She sniffled again and broke the eye contact with Blaise before she spoke.

"Why are you being so nice to me? You barely know me and up until yesterday you probably hated me like the rest of Slytherin."

"Oh baby, I've never hated you, you know? I could care less about this whole pureblood supremacy thing. I always admired your brilliance actually. When we talked earlier today, at first I just wanted to make small talk because you're my best friend's sister. But when you said you are Granger, I kept talking to you because, well, I finally got the chance. While I never hated you, my Father is still very much a supremacist and I didn't want to risk disownment for a conversation that may or may not have evolved into more."

She blushed when he called her "baby" and the blush only deepened as he was speaking.

"Are you saying what I think you are saying?"

"That I've had a crush on you for some time? That's exactly what I'm saying, Miss Malfoy."

He took her hand in his and brought it up to his lips to kiss get knuckles. One thing she had to admit was that Blaise Zabini was a charmer. She didn't know if she completely believed him, but after the events of the last twenty hours or so, she was ready to believe that black was white and up was down.

"Now, come Cassi or your brother will castrate me. I promised him I'd make sure you're okay and bring you to class as soon as possible and we've already took our sweet time talking."

xxxXXXxxx

The first week as Cassiopeia Malfoy has been a blur to her. Between getting to know her brother, resisting Blaise's attempts to flirt with her and trying to make peace with Ron, she had hardly any time to really think about all this.

The meeting with her parents was a bit chaotic to say the least. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were thrilled to have their daughter back and in spite what Draco told her about them not being affectionate, Narcissa tried to smother her with embrace and was utterly shocked when Hermione flinched away. It wasn't until she reminded them of who she was that they understood.

They had a lengthy talk about their past encounters and what was going to happen now. Malfoys were sorry for the way they treated her but didn't seem too keen on changing their views on muggleborns. They all agreed to try and work out their differences. Hermione also agreed to come to Malfoy Manor for Christmas. Lucius and Narcissa were glad to see that Hermione and Draco really hit it off and were getting along fine. All in all she supposed the meeting went as good as it could.

Her new and old classmates as well as some teachers were another issue. Some of the Gryffindors apparently shared Ron's views on the matter, which hurt her greatly. When Dean Thomas sneered at her when passing her in the corridor one day, she felt her heart break. She might be a snake now, but she still loved her former housemates. And while most of the teachers didn't treat her any differently, they were classes where you could feel the difference. Snape, who was currently a DADA Professor, for example, finally started noticing her hand, let her answer the questions and awarded Slytherin house points. Since they shared DADA lessons with Gryffindors, every time that happened, Ron would hiss at her.

Slytherins were clearly conflicted about how to treat her. She went from their most hated Mudblood to a twin to their prince in a blink of an eye and it wasn't sitting right with them at all. Some of them tried to apologize for their past behavior, hoping to befriend the newest asset to their house, but Hermione told them that if they are only sorry because she's a pureblood now and not because they feel bad about looking down at someone for being muggleborn, they could shove their apologies up their arses. Her brother and Blaise laughed every time she did that and congratulated her on putting the snakes in their place and knocking them off of their high hippogriffs.

Now she was sitting at Slytherin table for breakfast with her brother and Blaise, when Ron approached her, followed by Ginny and Harry. He didn't speak though, just stood there looking at her with a smirk he tried to hide without success.

"Ron?"

"Look. I don't know if I can be friends with you any longer, but I still wanted to apologize for being a dick to you this past week."

She could see it in his eyes that he didn't really mean it and assumed it was Molly and Ginny who made him say it. It hurt but after this last week she guessed this was the best she would get. She nodded her head and Ron felt excused and free to leave and that's exactly what he did. Ginny and Harry stayed behind and waited till redhead was out of earshot before speaking.

"Sorry about him, 'Mione" said Ginny "mom and I tried to talk some sense into him, but he won't listen."

"Even Dumbledore tried to talk to him when he learned about the way he treats you but he just ignored it."

Hermione sighed. "It's alright you guys. I didn't expect him to change his mind anyway. We all know how he feels about the Malfoy family."

At that Draco, who's been listening to the whole exchange, joined their conversation.

"Look, I will try to stand your company because you're Cassi's friends, but I want Weasel away from her. Is that clear?"

In the past week she and Draco had a discussion about her friends and his friends and they agreed to put in some effort and be civil with them. Draco even joined them when they had a picnic at the Black Lake and Hermione in turn let herself be dragged into Slytherin Quidditch practice.

"Clear as day, Malfoy. We were going to keep him away anyway." Ginny winked at the blonde and she and Harry went back to Gryffindor table.

Out of all her friends, Ginny was the first to warm up to Draco. They weren't friends by any means, but they were as friendly as members of families with a long lasting feud could be. Hermione was glad that her friends were giving Malfoy a chance. She couldn't stand it if they tried to make her choose. And she feared they wouldn't understand her choice. She discovered that she loved Draco dearly. She wasn't sure where that came from, but she supposed it had something to do with them being twins and what not.

Blaise was another surprise. She still didn't know if she believed him when he told her she had a crush on her while she was still Hermione Granger or if he was just flirting with her because she was a pureblood princess now, but he was being a perfect gentleman and even carried her satchel for her, which annoyed Draco who was being overprotective about his twin.

This time wasn't any different. When the three of them stood up to go to their classes, Blaise took her bag before she could even protest and just winked at her when he saw her disapproving look. She rolled her eyes at him and watched as Draco was trying to mask his irritation at his friends behavior.

"I hope you aren't sad about Weasley's behavior, Princess" said Blaise while they were walking down the halls. She tried to tell him time and time again not to call her Princess, but he would only stick his tongue out at her with a grin and continue, dismissing her words. "He's a prat, he doesn't deserve your friendship. You're better than that."

Hermione sighed and massaged her temples trying to stop a headache she felt was coming. Ever since her identity has been revealed, she constantly got headaches. He planned to go to Madam Pomfrey if the trend continued. "I know. But we've been friends for years."

"If he turned against you just because your name changed, he wasn't a really good friend, now was he?"

She slapped her twin's arm and sighed again. He was right of course, she knew it but she still had a hard time admitting it to herself.

xxxXXXxxx

After she was done with the classes for the day, she decided to pay Madam Pomfrey a visit. The headache she got was the worst so far and she felt it might be more sinister than a simple migraine, especially with everything that happened recently. Draco, being overprotective as he's been all week, wouldn't hear of not going with her, so now the two of them were on their way to Hospital Wing.

Luckily for them it was almost empty, save for a first year sleeping in one of the beds. Hermione didn't like to talk about herself when there were other people listening.

"Mister and Miss Malfoy, is something wrong?" Hermione winced slightly. The Matron had a loud voice that really didn't help her state.

Draco seeing and sensing her discomfort decided to take the wheel. Not that he knew what the wheel was. "Cassi has been having headaches ever since that day her identity was revealed and the glamour broken. At first we thought it was due to all the stress, but she's been feeling considerably worse today. We fear it might be something more."

"I see…" the Mediwitch said slowly, already calculating the possibilities in her head. "Help her to the bed here, Mister Malfoy, if you would please."

When Hermione was settled down and given a bit of Dreamless Sleep, Draco was shoved aside to make room for the older witch to poke and prod and cast diagnostic spells at his twin from every angle. Draco just watched and hoped it was nothing serious but Matron's furrowed brows did nothing to soothe his anxiety.

After what felt like hours but must've been no longer than thirty minutes, Madam Pomfrey huffed and waved her wand above Hermione. There was a flash of white light that the blonde witch seemed to absorb, before it disappeared completely and in turn something resembling a dark cloud started leaving her body. The Mediwitch caught a bit of the weird substance in a vial and corked it before hiding it in one of her apron pockets.

When everything seemed to calm down, Hermione's color started to return a bit to her cheeks but with Malfoy paleness it was easy to miss. Finally Madam Pomfrey woke Hermione up.

"Your magic was bound, but started fighting the bounds when the glamour placed on you was broken which caused your headaches. My best guess is that both were placed by the same wizard or witch and when one was broken, the other was weakened. I managed to free your magic but I'm afraid I'll have to keep you in Hospital Wing for few days while your magical core gets used to this new amount of powers."

Hermione seemed shocked but Draco was furious. Binding someone's magic was not only illegal but dangerous and vile. It could even make someone a Squib if you weren't careful. To think someone would do this to his sister. He wanted to scream, kick things and curse someone, but he had to keep his mask in place. His sister sensed his anger though and took his hand in his, looking him straight in the eye. She didn't have to say anything, they hardly had to use words between them, he just knew that she appreciated him being angry on her behalf but that she wanted him to calm down. He could almost hear her voice in his head telling him everything was alright.

"I think I'll go owl our parents. They have right to know something like this has happened to Cassi."

And without another word he left the Hospital Wing jinxing everyone who crossed his way to vent his frustration.

A/N I'm anxious to know what you think about all this. Second chapter should be here soon, as my muse currently doesn't even let me sleep and causes me to write non-stop. So you will know who stole Hermione as a kid and what she's gonna do about it. One thing for sure - my Hermione might be a bit sensitive at the moment, but she's still very much Hermione Granger and she will not sit idly and let someone who hurt her walk the Earth without paying for his wrongs. So if you think my Hermione is a bit too mushy right now, give her time to heal from the shock of all this ;)