Once upon a time there was a pureblood family. This family whose name is not known was renowned for the beauty of its members. Even after intermarrying many others, the beauty of this particular family never died out, all - with even the slightest blood connection; were blessed with a beautiful face and body. This caused great jealousy amongst the others, for while these people were indeed beautiful, they were not always kind.

One day, a muggle-born boy who was struck with a great love for the eldest daughter of this family, a beautiful blonde by the name of Victoria. The muggle-born knew of her blood, and that her family would never support a union between the two. But even so, he loved the girl and so he requested her hand in marriage, offering a hefty dowry for her hand in the wizard world, and the muggle for he had worked very hard to become rich for her, to provide for the family they might have together.

But the pureblood daughter would hear not of it. He was below her in terms of status, and she would not ruin her family line for the sake of some silly thing of love that a toad felt for her. Would a swan lower its status to the level of a common minnow passing by beneath it? She refused the boy vehemently, and everyone in the town they lived in heard her scorn of him. Of how she, as perfect as she was would never marry a lowly muggle born.

She was not aware though, that this particular muggle born was well learned in the Dark Arts. Humiliated, he felt his love wilt away to hatred and so he placed a curse on Victoria's family. Though she was beautiful, and all of her offspring would be they would harbor a dark secret. They would know the pain of being denied their love. And so he tricked Victoria, and fathered a son by her; and from him would come all of her offspring.

Hermione yawned softly as she woke, feeling a warm body rested on her stomach she smiled as she glanced up at her loyal cat Crookshanks. "Good morning sweet heart," she cooed at the cat which glanced up at her with intelligent eyes and meowed. "Hungry, hungry, I know. No wonder mum was glad to see us move out! The poor woman must have been exhausted after being woken every day by the likes of you," she snorted as she clambered out of bed and made her way down the stairs.

The war was over now, and she was happy she'd been able to afford a flat of her own. After Ron had become an ass and left her for Lavender Brown, who funnily enough had then cheated on him with Seamus Finnigan - she'd become a wealthy healer, and praised hero of the wizarding war for her part in helping Harry defeat Voldemort.

Now twenty-three, the Gryffindor tower virgin still lived on her own, much to the chagrin of her friends. "Alright Crook, I've got your food," she sighed as she grabbed a cat bowl from the counter in her kitchen and sat it down, filling it with his favorite food. The cat meowed affectionately before rubbing against its owners leg and going to dig in making quite the mess.

While Crookshanks was distracted with his food, Hermione sighed and took a seat at her modest kitchen table, going through the mail that had been left at her window the night before. A few letters from Harry, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley as well as a shady looking calling card. Picking it up, the woman frowned. The last charity ball of the year had been held the previous month. So what could this be? She couldn't think of anything else she'd be invited to at the beginning of December.. Perhaps a Christmas party, but then they'd all agreed to spend the holidays with their families. So, what was it then?

"Crook," Hermione complained as the cat rubbed up against her legs. "What do you think this could be hmm?" she snorted as the cat purred up at her, obviously looking for a back rub. Going to get a file to open the mysterious piece of parchment, she sat down and stroked the orange fluff ball's back while opening the card.

Dear Hermione Granger,

Your presence is requested at the Committee for Care of Magical Creatures this December 2, 2002. A hearing is to be held, in concerns to the rights of Veela. We feel that with your experience in securing right for House Elves, you are just the bright young witch that could offer a fresh perspective in regards to the matter at hand. Please arrive promptly at 10:00 AM.

With Deepest Regards

Alexander Richards,

Head of Committee for Care of Magical Creatures.

"Shit," Hermione muttered as she glanced up at the clock. It was nine now, and her hair was a mess. There was no way she'd arrive in time. Casting a cleansing spell on herself, as well as her hair, she gently shoved Crookshanks away and ran back up to her bedroom. Grabbing what she hoped was a nice dress she pulled the tight green fabric over her head. A bit too short for a meeting of the sort.. But it would have to do, she didn't have time to search for a better option.

"Oh Merlin, why today," the woman muttered under her breath as she quickly applied her makeup. Though a few spells could do the same, she never really got out of doing some things the 'muggle' way. Old habits died hard she supposed. Once she'd found a pair of shoes and hose, she turned to glance at the clock wincing once more. 9:30.

Rushing down to the flew, she stepped within muttering a quick "Ministry of Magic" and then disappearing with a flash of green light. When she reappeared, she walked right of to the witch waiting at the greeting desk. "Welcome to the Ministry of -," the witch started to greet her, but Hermione had none of it going straight to the point. "Can you tell me where the Committee for Care of Magical Creatures is meeting? I believe the hearing is in regards to the rights of Veela?"

The small blonde witch seemed annoyed, but quickly gave Hermione directions and sent her on her way. When she arrived she was shocked to see the Committee having a rather civil conversation with a beautiful blonde man, that seemed slightly irate. "Ah, Hermione how nice to see you again," Alexander, a rather stout man whom she knew fairly well smiled at her, silencing the angry blonde. "Alexander, it's wonderful to see you again. Now shall we get to work, what seems to be the issue?" she questioned.

"Well you see, we have a Veela here who claims his mate should be released into his custody due to the laws we've made in regards to protecting certain species that have had a dramatic drop in population over the last few years. But his mate has never met him. We don't feel it fair to sign all of her rights away to him.. You yourself worked on the bill, what do you say?" Alexander asked, his eyes searching the young witch's.

"I..I say you should probably release his mate to him as he says, it is the law. And I'm sure as his mate the woman will come to love him in a short time," Hermione reasoned, though to be truthful it made her a bit uncomfortable to discuss such a thing. "I said she would come to make the logical decision," the blonde man turn to glance at Hermione, advancing toward her. Alexander frowned, watching on with a morose look. "Excuse me? What's going on here?" the witch asked softly, taking a few steps back.

"Well you see mon chere, you're my mate and I'm taking you home," Draco Malfoy said as he grabbed Hermione's wrist and suddenly the woman fainted in his arms.

Next update should be this weekend perhaps. I hope those that read this story enjoy it as I've enjoyed writing it.

BooksAreLonely.