Hermione was exhausted after her long day of work at the Ministry. Contrary to their expectations, she was denied entry to many of the reputed government positions, until she finally ended up to the desk job at the Auror Department. She was disappointed, obviously, but for some reason, no one seemed to care. When she questioned the interim Minister, former Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt, he simply said that she was not qualified.

Ha! What a joke.

She had eight NEWTS with all Outstanding Grades, thank you very much.

But she was not qualified. Amazingly, Harry Potter with his one Outstanding, two Exceeding Expectations and two Acceptables, and Ronald Weasley, with one Outstanding, one Exceeding Expectations and three Acceptables, get to have field work. And the former ended up being the Head of the Auror Department.

But for the sake of their friendship, she kept her mouth shut. She thought that after the Second Wizarding War, after the defeat of Lord Voldemort, the discrimination toward the Muggle-borns would disappear. But she was wrong. It stayed as it ever did.

After the War, the people who fought alongside Voldemort, were granted pardon with a very large sum as fine, which wouldn't even have put a dent in their vaults, for they mostly were from wealthy pureblood families. The people who fought alongside Harry and the Order were given higher up positions.

House diversity could be seen in play as well. The Gryffindor Purebloods were given higher up positions in the Ministry, the Gryffindor Half-bloods were given job somewhere below the former. The Gryffindor Muggle-borns were given the lowest jobs possible. In fact she was the only Gryffindor Muggle-born to work in somewhat higher position.

The Slytherins were treated like they were the scum on the earth. They were mocked. Even Severus Snape, who risked his very life working as a spy for the Order, was ignored. He deserved an Order of Merlin, First Class, which the Ministry didn't even consider giving to him.

The Ravenclaws were given jobs only if they agree with every thing that the Ministry and the Gryffindors say and do.

The Hufflepuffs were ignored. Period.

Her then seventeen-year old self could not see that it was only a power play. A clean and clear Power play. But now, her twenty-one-year old self could see it. Even if she had any doubt, the now Minister and Deputy Minister of Magic of the Wizarding Britain, Mr. Albus Dumbledore and Mr. Aberforth Dumbledore, whose actions spoke volumes.

Is this the world she fought for? If so, she regretted it now.

She tried to tell her three best friends about her doubts, but the way they worshipped the Dumbledores made her shut up. Harry became his pet, with the leash in the Minister's hand. Ronald and Ginevra were too devoted to the Order to even think. So she bottled up her thoughts and sat quietly. This made her constantly drifting away from her best friends.

As of now, her only true friend was Luna Lovegood.

Speaking of which, Luna sent her an owl asking her to meet at the muggle coffee shop they preferred. The tone of the letter sounded urgent.

Releasing a sigh she went about getting ready.

Fifteen minutes later, Hermione was sitting in a secluded table of the coffee shop, waiting for Luna.

Three minutes later, a very frantic Luna came in to the shop. She looked around, obviously looking for her friend, who raised her hand to get her attention. Once in the seat, Luna cast a silent Silencio.

The moment Hermione took a closer look at the blonde girl across her, she knew something was troubling Luna. And she of all people knew that it takes a lot to make the girl worry. Though she dressed in muggle jeans and tops, the raddish earrings, bracelet with a butterbear cap were a dead give away that she was different. But what made Hermione worry was the lack of the dreamy look she had in her eyes and the fact that Luna might have cried for hours before she came.

Hermione asked tentatively, "What is it, Luna? What happened?"

Luna visibly tried to control her tears, "I-I-". Luna hiccupped as fresh tears rushed down her pale cheeks.

Hermione patted the girls hand that was resting on the table between them. "Shshsh... Its okay. Everything's going to be okay"

"No, it's not," Luna said furiously, which made Hermione lean back in her seat instinctly. "No, it is not at all okay" Luna's tears started afresh.

Hermione tentatively asked again, "What's the matter, Luna?"

Luna wiped the tears with the back of her hands and took a deep breath, which made Hermione worry even more. "Last night, Daddy was drinking. Yesterday was my Mom's death anniversary, you see. He was very upset and he drank much more than his limit. When Daddy drinks much, he says things that he was meant to."

Hermione had a very bad feeling about this for some reason.

"And yesterday, he said some things. He thought I retired to my room like I do every day. But I didn't. And he didn't make sure if I did. Then he started talking to my Mommy's photo. He said that the Order's fight with Voldemort was a farce."

"No," Hermione whispered.

Luna nodded, "I can't believe it as well. He said that the goal of the Dumbledore brothers has always been to rule the world. But Dumbledore's reputation was blackened in his younger years. So when he met Gallerd Grindlewald, he tried to get him to his side. But Grindlewald soon realised the darker side of Albus Dumbledore. So Dumbledore Imperiused Grindlewald and made him do his dirty work. Eventually, Grindlewald became the bad guy and Dumbledore defeated him and became the good guy. It was only the first step." Luna paused.

By then, Hermione was very much involved in what Luna was saying.

"Then Dumbledore met Tom Riddle Jr. He saw his next victim. He knew the moment the boy said he could talk to snakes, that he had make him the next bad guy. A well placed Imperius and some manipulations made him seem evil. And through him, the purebloods were manipulated. Did you know that Lily was really in love with Severus?"

Hermione's eyes widened.

"He Imperused Lily and pushed her into James Potter's arms. And as he planned, Severus became his lap dog. So everything was lie. A grand game of Albus Dumbledore and Aberforth Dumbledore." Luna finished.

Hermione sat frozen. "So we were played and used. God! I feel like I was violated."

Luna nodded, "That's not all. Daddy said that I am not his daughter. He said that I was stolen when I was born from a prominent pureblood family. So that when they learn the truth that they will have to do everything for me."

Hermione was shocked to say the least. She didn't even want to place herself in Luna's place. "Did he say who your real parents are?"

Luna nodded, "Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy."

Hope you guys liked it...

In case you were wondering what the hell happened to my other stories. Don't worry I shall update soon. A little problem in my laptop.

This story has been nagging me, distracting me from other things. So I wrote it down.

Please leave your reviews.

Until Next Time...