AN: This chapter has been almost completely re-written from it's original state. From here on out all chapters will be edited to fix the new format and plot line of the story.

Chapter One: She learns the Secret

It was the middle of the summer and Hermione was sitting on the bench outside of her manor. Yes, Hermione Granger lived in a manor, but she didn't brag about it. No one knew about her family being wealthy, not even Ron and Harry. She was staring at the stars and thinking of what a wonderful day tomorrow would be. Tomorrow was the day that Hermione, Ron, and Harry would all be setting off to Diagon Alley to do their school shopping. Voldemort had mysteriously gone back in to hiding. There had been no recent muggle raids, no one had gone missing in weeks. As unsettling as this news was, no one was willing to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Hermione was lost in a dream world. She was hoping, beyond all reason, that Viktor would finally buck up the courage to go public with her. Without Voldemort currently looming over their heads, she was certain they would at least have time to focus on their blooming relationship of almost three years. That is, if Viktor was ever able to get away from quidditch long enough to visit her at Hogwarts. Around midnight Hermione decided it was time to head back in and head up to bed, grabbing the "light reading" she had brought outside with her.

As she walked back in through the large french style doors, Hermione noticed her parents were nowhere to be seen. Assuming they had already gone up to bed, she walked quietly through to corridors of the manor to her bed chambers. Without bothering to change her clothes, Hermione threw herself onto her plum colored king size bed and stared up at the cool gray walls that surrounded her. Taking in her surroundings for what would be one of the last times for many months to come, she was shocked to realize how much she would miss it. Hermione loved the Gryffindor red and gold color schemes, but sometimes that much bright color just got too overwhelming. Hermione's room was decorated in dark purples, light grays, and hints of silver and black throughout the entire room. Even her bathroom had light grey walls, plum colored towels, silver sconces and towels bars, and opalescent-lavender colored floor tiles. It was a very tranquil setting that was a perfect place to sit and read for hours at a time. An entire wall of her room was covered from floor to ceiling with books, which is an impressive feat with 15 foot ceilings.

If there was anything Hermione was really going to miss, it would be those books. Granted Hogwarts had a rather enormous library with an almost infinite amount of selections, but these were all books she loved, many had worn covers and broken spines from the sheer number of times she had read them.

As she laid in bed looking around, she thought of all the things to come this year. Just a few short weeks away in September, she would be turning 17. The ministry trace on her wand would finally be broken, and the "Golden Trio" would finally be able to start their long journey in retrieving and searching for Horcruxes over the winter break. Hermione would be serving this year as Head Girl of Hogwarts. Unfortunately, she would be splitting that duty with this years Head Boy, Draco Malfoy. Hermione did everything to push that vile thought from her brain, thinking about how everything she had been working so hard for had come to a culmination of the highest honor for a Hogwarts student. As the "Brightest Witch of Their Age" she couldn't deny that no one else deserved the position quite as much as she did. With that final thought, Hermione Granger fell fast asleep.

~~~~~~~ 3 Weeks Later~~~~~~~~~

(18 September)

Tomorrow was her 17th birthday. She couldn't wait, she was turning 17. Hermione was finally going to be considered an adult in the Wizarding World. Even though her position as Head Girl made her a role model for the students, Hermione was going to do something she knew was completely wrong. She was going to allow her fellow Gryffindors to host her a small party, with plenty of Firewhiskey. Of course, being Head Girl, Hermione couldn't condone too many rules being broken, and threatened her friends on pain of detention with Snape, that they wouldn't allow anyone under the age of 17 to join them at the party.

Excited about her birthday and her 7th year N.E.W.T. level classes, Hermione grabbed her books off her desk and skipped happily off to the library to finish up an Arithmancy project that wasn't due for another two months. On her way to the library, Hermione was so lost in thought that she didn't notice anyone walking towards her until she ran straight in to the hard body of another student. Opening her mouth to spout of the proper apologies, Hermione looked up only to see...

"Sor- Malfoy?" she asked, completely shocked.

"Watch where you're going Mudblood, I don't want your dirty Muggle germs all over my robes." He snapped angrily as he pushed past her, knocking her back flat on her ass as he stormed away.

Grumbling under her breath, Hermione was about ready to start hexing him in to oblivion before she realized it wouldn't look good for her as Head Girl to be stooping to such low actions. Instead, she angrily continued her walk to library, determined to pretend the rude git didn't exist once she walked through to grand library doors. After working for nearly six hours straight, Hermione finally had her Arithmancy project finished, plus seven feet written for a potions assignment that only required 3 feet. Feeling rather confident in her work, Hermione headed back to the heads common room. As she walked up to the door, Hermione prepared herself for battle. If Malfoy was in the room, there was sure to a fight of epic proportions. Speaking the password to the heads room, Lemon Drops, she quickly stepped in to the room and glanced around. Luckily, there were no signs of Malfoy anywhere in the common room. Breathing out a sigh of relief, she glanced at the clock and saw that it was already after 11:30 at night.

As she was heading up to her room to go to bed she started to develop a horrible migraine. She decided to take a few Tylenol and go to sleep. When she was finally able to gain access to the world of dreams it was 11:59. The next morning she awoke feeling completely out of sorts. She slowly rolled out of bed, grumbling the entire time. As she was walking towards her bathroom she started to notice the floor seemed quite a few inches farther away from her than usual. Not to mention, her center of gravity felt all off as she tried to walk across the room. Hermione felt like she had been drinking the night before, and had awoken with the worlds most awful hangover.

"Damn, do I feel taller, or is it just me?"

As Hermione was showering and getting ready for the day, she kept thinking her body felt different to her. Her hair didn't feel bushy at all. It didn't even seem to be curly. She brushed it off as her imagination.

When she was done she went to the mirror and looked at herself. She screamed. She had straight light-blonde hair that made it to her mid-back and icy-blue eyes. She was confused. The only thought in her head was, 'I must be dreaming'. When she got dressed she realized her clothes hardly fit her. Her white school blouse and jumper were too tight and her pleated Hogwarts skirt seemed to only reach her mid-thigh instead of just above her knees, and was entirely too loose around the waist. Hoping that it wasn't too noticable, Hermione transfigured the clothes as best as she could to fit her, only succeeding in making the skirt about 2 inches longer and the blouse and jumper just big enough where she could breathe. As she was gathering her books together, she checked the clock in her room to realize it was only 6:00 in the morning, no one else would be up this early, including her fellow head student. Thinking she could slip off to the Headmaster's office before classes Hermione grabbed all of her things for the day and bolted.

When she reached Dumbledore's office, it was almost as though he had expected to see her there. He was waiting by the door and upon seeing her held out a bowl of ginger snaps. Hermione politely declined his offer and entered the room as he stepped aside and waved her in. When she entered his office, Hermione was shocked to see her parents sitting in two large red armchairs across from his desk.

"Hello Hermione" Jane Granger said as Hermione stood there staring at her in shock.

"Mum? Dad? What are you doing here? What's going on? What's wrong with me?" Hermione fired off rapidly.

"Darling, I am not sure how to put this, but you're not our biological daughter. Your father and I... We can't have children. You were given to us by a man when you were two months old. He appeared outside the door one day and demanded that we let him in and listen to what he had to say. When we opened the door for him, he reached behind the door and grabbed the basked you were in as he sauntered through. It was almost like he owned the place. He was very charismatic and as he spoke, we couldn't help but to listen and to agree to everything he asked of us. He told us that you were a pureblooded witch. At the time, we really didn't understand what he was talking about. We never really did until you came home and told us about it all after your second year. He explained to us that he had a problem and was unable to take care of you. We were unable to refuse, there was something about him that made us want to say yes. We told him we would be able to help. He stressed the fact that when you turned 17 your appearance would alter drastically, but we didn't understand how that would be possible. He explained to us about something called glamour charms, that made you look like you were our daughter, instead of his. He said they would be disabled and you would see your true appearance." explained John Granger.

"How can this be? I am a muggle-born!" Hermione was angry. This wasn't information she wanted to hear. She was a muggle-born and she was bloody proud of it!

"No sweetheart. I'm completely sterile from a genetic disorder that I've had from birth. Your father and I couldn't have had you on our own. That is part of why we accepted this strange mans offer. We couldn't refuse the chance to have the child that we always wanted, but were resigned never to have. He owled us this morning stating that he would be coming to the manor to take you home with him. He will be there at 6:00 tonight so you best pack a few things after classes today and prepare to return to our house tonight. You'll be gone for the entirety of the weekend. Remember we will always love you and you will always be our little 'Mione."

"Professor, Do you think it wise for me to leave the castle grounds?"

"This is a matter that is not mine to decide on, Miss Granger. This is purely up to you and your family. However, I will suggest that you do not wait until after classes are over today to do your packing. If you are willing, I will have you excused from your classes for the rest of today. At least this way we can keep the rest of the students from commenting on your appearance until you fully understand the situation you are in." Dumbledore answered, looking down fondly at Hermione. His eyes, however, had lost their usual twinkle. Hermione noted this and decided to tuck it away for analysis later on.

6:00 came way to soon for Hermione. She had just finished a grueling day of packing and informing her friends, via owl for Godric's sake!, that she wouldn't be able to attend her own birthday party. Right at six o'clock sharp a man with dark, almost black hair, apparated into the Granger's manor. He had striking blue-green eyes and looked the spitting image of an older Tom Riddle. Understandably so, that being exactly who he was. But that must mean Lord Voldemort was her father?! She was shocked, she knew she broke the rules occasionally, and made some bad choices here and there, but she did nothing that would have karma throwing her THIS punishment. Right?

"Hello Hermione, or shall I say Lana Amore Riddle. I know you must have some rather... interesting thoughts going through your mind. First, you will listen to me. I gave you up for a reason. I left you with these... Muggles for a reason. When you were born it was after I had lost my powers to that little Potter brat. By this point I was already trying to sustain my body on unicorn's blood. However, my body wouldn't have lasted for much longer. Your mother, Amore Phoenix, regrettably died during the childbirth. I would not allow the world to find out about you and portray me as a weak 'family' man with the same needs and feelings as those around me. You were to be my secret weapon, you were to be my right hand. You were to be my most loyal of followers, for blood would never betray blood. When I became weak, I hid you here in the muggle world. It was even a small reward that you were put in Gryffindor because no one would suspect you, Hermione Granger, to be the heir of Salazar Slytherin. The one to carry on my name, my heritage. The one to overcome that Potter scum. Together we can rule, and with you as my ultimate spy, we can win."

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Hermione screamed, her face a mixture of rage, grief, sadness, and utter self-loathing. Hermione pulled out her wand, and had it trained on Riddle, unable to even blink in case he may try to attack her. "I don't believe a word you're saying. YOU'RE LYING! YOU'RE TRYING TO USE ME TO GET TO HARRY AND I WILL NEVER BETRAY HIM, I WILL NEVER JOIN WITH THE LIKES OF YOU!"

"You don't have a choice little girl, you honestly think you could stand up to me? That you could defeat me on your own? You may be my heir, but you are not capable of destroying me. You will go with me, and you WILL behave." His eyes briefly flashed red as he argued with Hermione, and she lost some of her bravado. Apparently, that "Gryffindor Courage" was quickly disappearing.

"I will not be the cause of my best friends demise." She said growled angrily, glad that her fear wasn't evident in her voice.

"How about I offer you a deal. Come with me this weekend, and I'll lay off the Potter brat for a little while." Hermione mulled this statement over in her head. She quickly realized the significance of this opportunity. Even if she was *shudder* Voldemort's daughter, she could use the time spent with him to her advantage. She could act as a double agent, as a spy. If she could make Voldemort trust her, or even leave her alone long enough to explore, she may be able to obtain information to help Harry in ultimately succeeding to bring the Dark Lord to an end.

She pretended to ponder on the idea for little while before agreeing to give him a "chance".

Hermione grabbed her trunk and they went to the backyard to apparate to Riddle Manor. Once at the gruesome old building they went inside. On the inside it was a beautifully decorated place, not at all reflecting its dismayed state on the outside. The Entry Hall was decorated in red and silver while the rooms of it were decorated in green and gold. Once upstairs the color scheme was yellow and bronze. On the next floor it was blue and copper. Then it alternated between them as you went up. When they got to Lana's room it was a double door with a golden plaque that read Lana Amore Riddle. After a few moments they stepped inside. The room was decorated in lavenders and baby blues. The silk bed sheets were pale lavender and the duvet was a dark purple. The walls were painted baby blue and matched the accessories placed around the room. Off to the right was another door. It led to a giant bathroom about the size of her bedroom. The huge in-ground bathtub, twice the size of the one in the prefects' bathroom, was made of solid gold. The walls were white with gold flecks with a matching white heated-tile floor. The accessories in the room were all gold.

Once back in her bedroom she noticed a door on the other side of the room and found it to be a walk-in closet. It was half the size of her bedroom and three walls were lined with rows and rows of clothing. On the fourth wall were racks of shoes. The ceiling was a giant mirror along with the back of the door, she paused her survey of the room when she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her once pretty, but rather plain looks had been drastically changed and she knew it would be awhile before she was custom to the face staring back at her. When she was finished looking around her room her father, who had left a while ago, came back into the room and brought her down to dinner. There, in the dining room, at the table sat none other than the families she had hated the most, the Zabinis' and the Malfoys'. Both boys were ogling her. She was disgusted by this fact though it did seem to make her confidence rise. Whose wouldn't if the two Slytherin Sex Gods were ogling them?

When she had completely walked into the room with her father the men all stood, the patriarchs immediately introducing their families to her.

"Hello Miss Riddle it is a pleasure to meet you at last. I am Lucius Malfoy and this is my wife Narcissa and our son Draco."

"I am Stephan Zabini this is my wife Opal, and our son Blaise."

"I believe we have already met Mr. Malfoy." Hermione spat out the last word as though it were poison in her mouth. "But I do believe this is a first Mr. Zabini." She replied as politely as she was able to. Hermione had to choke down her negative comments and thoughts to keep from ruining her developing plan.

"Granger?" both boys asked in unison.

"It is so kind of you to recognize me Malfoy and you too Zabini." She replied snottily.

"Sit and let us eat." Tom stepped in to stop the predictable spat that was bound to happen.

So they all sat down to dinner. Once everyone had finished their meal they retired to the parlor where Tom told the others the story he had told to Hermione earlier that day. After a few hours of questions from the two families the parents left the three kids to themselves to try and form a friendship of sorts. Once alone, Hermione was bombarded with questions.

"So Granger how do you like being a pureblood?" Draco asked.

"It's not too bad I guess." She answered, hoping they didn't see the disgust she truly felt. If she is to follow through with her plans she will have to try convincing even Malfoy of her loyalty. She didn't want them to grow suspicious though, so she stuck to playing it coy.

"I sort of feel bad for you." Blaise said.

"And why is that?" Hermione asked, her curiosity forcing it's way to the front.

"Now that the Dark Lord is a part of your life, things are probably going to get extremely complicated." He answered, as though he and Hermione hadn't hated each other for years.

"I wonder what that's going to mean for Viktor and I." She mumbled under her breath, not realizing the other two occupants of the room could hear her.

"WHAT! You and Viktor Krum are dating?!" Both boys shouted with jealousy and anger evident in their voices, but it went unnoticed by Hermione. She was too lost in her thoughts to really acknowledge them.

"We've been dating since Fourth Year." She stated with arrogance, assuming both boys were implying there was no way a girl like her could ever land a guy like Viktor Krum.

With that Hermione got up and stormed out of the room. Neither Hermione, Blaise nor Draco noticed the dark figure lurking in the corner of the room. This very same dark figure had a murderous glint in his glowing blood red eyes.

TBC...

A/N Please review. It's a bit different than it was before. Let me know what you think!

Draco's Dark Lady