Hermione thoughts – {}

Amelie thoughts -

Normal speech – ""

Any time I'm talking about them moving, if I say Amelie did something, then Amelie's in control. If I said Hermione did something, then she's in control. I'll try to make it fairly clear who's controlling what and doing what.

This is one of four stories that I'm trying out. Check out the other ones and tell me which one you like best, and that'll be the one I continue first (though I hope to complete them all at some point – your review just decides which one gets finished first). Hope you like this. Istalindar.

&

It started when Hermione decided to cut through the alley in the middle of the city. She was late to meet some friends, and the alley, though long, dark and spooky, was enough to cut five minutes off her journey. She quickly walked down it, her stillettos clicking on the brick floor. She saw another girl approaching her, dressed in black leather trousers and a red crochet top. She also saw the man approaching her from behind, and the flash of bared steel.

"Hey! You – ugh." Pain blossomed in her chest, and she fell to her knees, even as she watched the girl in red and black copy her movements like she was looking in a mirror. Then everything went blank.

&

Wake up! The voice dragged Hermione from slumber. She blinked groggily, or tried to. She had no control over her body. She blinked mentally, instead.

Finally! You take so long to wake up! We have to get out of here, people are coming.

{I can't move.} Hermione thought, as she found the fact true. She had no control over her body.

Let me try. The voice said, and suddenly Hermione was moving, moving quickly and quietly out of the alley and into the dark.

{How come you can move me and I cant? And who are you?} Hermione asked.

My name's Amelie. I don't know why I can move you. If I were to guess I'd say its because I'm stronger than you.

{What makes you think that?} Hermione snapped.

Can we just get to wherever you call home so we can sort this out? Amelie asked. Hermione grudgingly agreed.

&

Amelie, since Hermione still didn't have control over her body, let them in the house. They crept silently up the stairs and into Hermione's room, careful not to wake Hermione's parents. If nothing else, Hermione was seventeen and her parents were having a hard time grasping that she could go out on her own. They turned on the light, and Hermione saw herself in the mirror. And started screaming, long and silently in her head.

Shut up! For god's sakes! Amelie snapped. She inspected herself in the mirror. This was very strange.

Hermione had been beautiful. She had long curly hair that took hours to sort out and careful treatment after washing to stop it exploding in a ball of frizz. Her eyes were big and almond shaped, a soft gold-brown in colour. She had pale skin, a pert nose and a pointy chin. She was small and slender, with a small bust and tiny waist.

Amelie had been equally beautiful, though in a different way. She was tall and lean, compliments of hours of work with her father. She was an metamorphmagus, meaning she could easily change her looks, but generally she either had black hair or red hair (because those were the colours she preferred), dark blue or purple eyes (because they were interesting – who had natural navy eyes? Amelie liked being different). She had a medium bust, and small hips. She was not particularly curvy, although with the right outfit that could be remedied. She had lightly tanned skin, and an oval face with almond shaped eyes.

Now, it appeared that the woman standing in front of the mirror was a mix of the two. She was taller than she had been, with tanned skin. She had an oval face and almond shaped eyes, and brown hair with red streaks. She was long and lean, as Amelie had originally been, with Hermione's bust and waist. And at the moment she was wearing an awful mix of the clothes Amelie and Hermione had been wearing when they had both been stabbed.

{Oh god. Oh god.} Hermione kept sobbing.

What's your name? Amelie asked.

{Hermione.} Hermione answered.

Then calm down, Hermione. I don't know what's happened, but I need your help.

Hermione gradually calmed down. Amelie turned around, and looked back over her shoulder at the reflection. Hermione started screaming again. Amelie ignored her.

So it is still there. She mused. She held out her hand and bent her will upon it, and her skin was encased with flames. As is that. Then she retreated deep into her head, seeking for that hot, fiery presence that she had lived with. Then she found it, red-orange, powerful. And that. she combed her fingers through her brown hair, then locked her fingers and tugged, thinking a random colour. Her hair grew when she tugged it, bright pink spreading from the roots to the tips so her hair was not only longer but bright pink. So I'm still an metamorphmagus. Good.

{What is going on?} Hermione demanded, her hysteria giving way to rage.

Right. This is only a hypothesis, alright? Amelie asked. Hermione nodded.

I think, that when we were in that alley, we both died. But, because of...something, I don't know, we both practise magic, or something, our spirits linked and rebuilt a form for us, made out of a mix of our old bodies.

{Ew.} Was all that Hermione said.

Probably not literally. Amelie amended. I don't know how long this is going to last, so we need to find a way to work together.

{If we both died, doesn't that mean this is permanent? After all, neither of us have a body to go back to.} Hermione said. Amelie sighed in relief.

I'm glad your logical side is back. she said with a smile.

{How would you know of my logical side?} Hermione snapped.

My father was interested in you and your friends. He told me often of you. Or rather, he complained often. But with him, it often amounts to the same thing. Unless of course he's ordering people around. Or killing them. Amelie answered simply.

{Your father killed people?} Hermione asked, aghast. Amelie laughed.

Many hundreds of people, before he was forced into hiding for over a decade.

{That's awful.} Hermione whispered.

That's life. Amelie answered blandly. I'm eighteen now, I'm used to it. He neither scares me nor loves me. He lost the ability to love when he lost my mother.

{I'm sorry.} Hermione said.

Don't be. I had a good childhood, for all that. I was two when my father had to disappear, and I was cared for well enough by a wizarding family. They were wealthy...and they feared my father's return, and what would happen if he found I had been maltreated. I was alone often, but I do not often get lonely. When he returned six years ago, he called me back to him and he began my tutelage, as he calls it. Hermione, while listening to Amelie, was putting pieces of information together as fast as she could. And the conclusion she kept getting could not be right.

The interest in Hermione and her friends. The dates of disappearances and appearances, calculated from Amelie's age. His murderous, ordering, frightening nature. There was only one person Hermione could think of that would fit the bill.

Have you guessed? You have, havent you? Amelie asked with a grin.

{Voldemort.} Hermione said weakly.

Lord Voldemort. I'm his only daughter, after the woman he loved, namely my mother, went and married someone else, and had their child instead.

{Oh my god.} Hermione said in shock. What was she meant to say, lovely to meet you?

However, he made the mistake of leaving me. Amelie preened in front of the mirror, changing lengths and colours of her hair by shaking her head. In leaving me so abruptly, he made the mistake of not preparing somewhere for me in case of his immediate demise. she laughed. Consequently, the family I was sent to was rather...pro-mudblood, you might say. No offense. She added. It was the ultimate joke, of course. The complete irony of it. Because I spent ten years of my life with a family not my own, Lord Voldemort's daughter became rather fond of Muggles. Amelie shook her head and curling black hair tumbled over her shoulders. Consequently, when daddy dearest got me back, I wasn't quite the dark muggle-hater he had planned. Oh, I can act it. If I have to. But then, even you could do that. It isnt particularly hard.

{Ok.} Hermione said slowly. This was a bit much to handle. Voldemort's daughter liked muggles? What was the world coming to? {What's with the tattoo?} she asked. Amelie turned again, pulling up her hair so the top of the black pheonix tattoo was clear. The main body of the firebird extended under her red crochet top, down her spine, with tail feathers that curled around her hips. The wings entended across her shoulder blades and enroached slightly onto the back of her upper arms. The head, beak wide open in a soundless shriek, was upturned so the beak extended up her neck. It was all meticulously detailed, and painfully accurate.

As if being Voldemort's daughter, stuck in a mish-mash body of my own and a muggle-born witch's was not enough, this body harbours a third presence. Hermione was silent for a moment.

{You mean I'm sharing this body with a pheonix as well?} Hermione asked.

Yep. But it's okay. Apart from the occasional urge to set things on fire, and some seriously hot temper tantrums and...other activities, it doesn't show up too much. Apart from the huge tattoo, anyway.

{I'm not going to ask.} Hermione said.

Are you a virgin? Amelie asked suddenly.

{What?}Hermione asked incredulously.

I only asked. Just wondering what, exactly, bedroom arrangements were going to be, if there are any.

{There arent any.} Hermione said shortly. {Can I have a go controlling myself now?}

You can try. Amelie answered. She released control completely, but then snatched it back before Hermione had a chance. Wait. We'll have to do this gradually, because if I let go completely, we'll stop breathing. Plus we'll fall over. Amelie walked over to the bed and lay down, before gradually feeding control into Hermione's hands, leaving breathing until last. Then, Hermione had full control, and she got off the bed.

{Does this mean that we share all of each other's qualities?} she asked. Amelie shrugged.

Try. Gently run your hands through your hair and think of you hair being a certain colour. Hermione did so, but no change occurred.

{Damn.} Hermione complained, and Amelie laughed.

Don't worry. I can still do it, so we will share the form, so to speak. We can work together. Hermione was silent.

{What about school?}

What about it?

{Well, I'm not sure how well they're going to react to you being here.}

Dumbledore will understand. Severus will help.

{Snape?} Hermione asked incredulously.

Of course. It was his sister that raised me. We know each other well. He visited often. It seems that Dumbledore did not want me to turn out like my father, so he arranged for me to stay with Severus's sister, and had Severus visit often.

{Oh my god.} Hermione said. Amelie shrugged. {He teaches me potions.}

I know. Or rather, I know that he is the potions master at Hogwarts, so I assumed taught you.

{I'm tired.} Hermione changed the subject.

You're in control. Amelie pointed out. Hermione rolled her eyes. But she guided the body they shared to the bed, climbing in. You're also fully dressed. Amelie added. Hermione cringed. Come on, Hermione! We share a body. You cannot go for the rest of our time together without relieving yourself or bathing or undressing. And anyway. Part of this body is mine too. Are you ashamed to look at your own body?

{No.} Hermione answered.

I'm not ashamed to look at mine, either. I think it's rather lovely. But that's not the point. The point is, Neither of us are ashamed to look at our own bodies, and since this is a shared body, there is no need nor no point in modesty. Hermione sighed, a clear sign that she'd given in.

Trust me, I'm always right.

{I'll be the judge of that.} Hermione retorted, undressing. Amelie just laughed.

&

Hermione, wake up! Amelie grabbed control over their body from Hermione's slumbering form, and the body that held both girls rose from the bed. Well, if there was ever a way of proving that the mind and body are in no way linked...this would be it! Amelie muttered to herself.

She had taken their body through the shower and was dressed and putting makeup on when Hermione finally woke up.

{Oh my god! You cannot cover our face in black makeup!} Was the first thing she said.

Morning to you, too. And why cant I?

{Because I don't like it.}

Yeah, and you have so much control. Amelie added. Hermione groaned in annoyance.

{Please?} Amelie sighed. She hated it when people were polite. She just felt compelled to oblige.

Right. Let's make some compromises right here, right now. I happen to like startling makeup. I also like revealing clothes, loud rock music, and high heels. I like flirting, and I love sex, it's the greatest thing invented. Specially if a really fit guy is involved and neither of you are interested in a long relationship.

{And I like conservative clothes and makeup, reading, normal music, looking nice, being nice and succeeding.}

Dear God. Could you be more of a prude? Amelie sighed.

{Could you be more of a slut?} Hermione shot back.

Yes, actually, I could!

{Oh dear god. No. this is not happening.}

Don't be ridiculous. Of course it's happening. Amelie returned.

{We are total opposites. We're never going to get on!} Hermione cried.

We will, because we have to. We cant storm off if we have an argument, we cant hide. We cant even hit each other to relieve stress! So we'll get on. I'm ready to compromise, are you?

{If someone told me that Voldemort's daughter was the kind of person who would compromise, I would tell them they are insane.}

Would you judge me by my insane meglomaniac father? Amelie enquired.

{For goodness sakes!} This was seriously frustrating to Hermione. {Fine. I'll compromise.}

Good.

{Scrap the eyeshadow.}

Only if I can keep the eyeliner and mascara. Amelie bargained.

{Fine.}

Amelie waved her hand negligently towards her face and the black that covered her eyelids faded, thought the eyeliner remained.

{And the lipstick is too dark.}

Paler colour. Enough to tell but not so it stands out so much. Hermione said nothing, so Amelie took her silence for assent. The colour of her lipstick faded until it just looked like her lips had been seriously kissed. That alright for you?

{Better.}

Clotheswise, we need to go shopping. That way, Amelie overrode Hermione's protests, We can get clothes we both like. And we can compromise. Because I'm not entirely fond of your clothes.

{Your arent too great, either.} Hermione snapped.

Guess what I'm going to say now? Amelie drawled.

{I guess we should compromise!} Hermione said, imitating Amelie.

Correct, now- shh. Amelie moved to the window, where she stared out. Oh no. Oh god. Hermione, are you parents home?

{No, they should be at work.}

Let's check, shall we? Amelie said grimly. Hermione directed her to her parents room, and saw it was empty. And their was no sound from downstairs. Please say I'm correct in believing you have a broom. Amelie pleaded.

{I do. It's not anything fancy...I don't fly much-}

What do you need? No details, just tell me. Hermione didn't argue. They gathered Hermione's purse, phone, clean underwear, shoved it in a bag, then Amelie grabbed the broom, and perched on the window.

{What's going on?} Hermione hissed.

Deatheaters are here. Amelie mounted the broom, and flew to the nearest tree, where she crouched on a branch, broom at the ready, watching deatheaters move through the house.

{Why?}

They're looking for me.

{Because you're Voldemort's daughter?}

Precisely. Amelie answered shortly. I'm giving you enough control to call your parents. Tell them not to come back tonight, or any time soon.

{But where will they go?}

Pick a hotel. Pay for three nights, which gives us time to go to Dumbledore.

{But I havent got that much money!}

It doesn't have to be the Hilton, Hermione. Pick a nice one, relatively cheap. Say it's a surprise. That's all they need to know.

{I don't know...} Hermione was hesitant.

Hermione. Listen to me. Your parents will get home tonight and they will be promptly murdered, because they don't know where you are. So you make the choice. Lose your savings or lose your parents. Amelie said harshly.

{Alright, alright!} Hermione exclaimed in alarm. {But...I don't know what to do.}

I'll do it. Amelie took back control, mounted the broom, and flew down out of the tree. She shrunk it quickly, muttering a spell and gesturing.

{Don't you have to use a wand?} Hermione asked. Amelie took off running, without answering. She ran across neighbours back gardens without hesitating, vaulting the fences that bordered them easily.

When Amelie paused to catch her breath, many houses down the road, she shook her head.

No. Not only am I Voldemort's daughter, which in itself makes me very powerful, I have the pheonix magic as well. I don't need a wand. And fortunately for us, the Ministry only picks up underage wand magic. Though...I wonder if it would matter. I am of age, and you are nearly of age. Which one would they pick?

{I don't want to take the chance to find out.} Hermione said darkly.

Nor me. Amelie hurried on, reaching the bus stop quickly.

{Let's go.}

&

They caught the bus into town, and from there went to a nice hotel on the outskirts, where Amelie took over, being as she was eighteen, and booked a room for two. It didn't take all of Hermione's savings, especially as Amelie slightly tampered with the computer, taking a zero off the end of the total.

{That's stealing!} Hermione reprimanded.

It's saving money we're going to need, Hermione. Amelie said flatly. We've left home without clothes, passport, any means of getting back without being killed or captured. We're going to need the money. Hermione was suddenly intensely grateful that of all the people she could be joined with, it had been Amelie, who knew what she was doing in both worlds, despite her parentage. Amelie, who wasn't afraid to make big decisions, or to steal in order that the rest of her plan could be carried out, as wrong as that was.

I knew you'd warm to me. Amelie said with a smile. Now. Call your parents. Tell them of their surprise.

{But what about clothes?} Amelie frowned. She hadnt thought of that.

We'll have to go back. Trust me. But you'll have to give me absolute control, and not say a word unless I ask. I need all the concentration I can get. Can you do that?

{I can do my best.}

Which is all any of us can do. Good.

Instead of catching the bus back, as both Amelie and Hermione were aware of the passing of time, Amelie simply shifted herself. The closest most could manage was apparating, but this was different. It was silent, for one, and it was just the simple shifting of one from one place to another. Hermione found herself gasping in shock. Then even more so when Amelie murmured something and became invisible.

Amelie slipped through, literally through, the front door. She navigated the house unnaturally, moving through walls and rising through floors. And every item of clothing she touched became so, as well. So soon she had packed a small bag with items of clothing for both Mr and Mrs Granger, as chosen by Hermione at Amelie's request. Then she slipped out of the house as quietly and insubstantially as she had arrived. She made herself visible again, then moved herself to the hotel, where she left the suitcase at the room reserved for the Grangers.

Call them, now. Tell them not to return home, under any circumstances. Amelie ordered.

{And how do you propose I do that without making them suspicious?} Hermione retorted.

They're your parents. Amelie said pointedly. Tell them...tell them that it is a surprise and that they are to enjoy themselves completely, and not to return because you spent good money on them remaining. And that you are seventeen and quite able to care for yourself for three days.

{Alright.} Hermione agreed, but it did not sound as though she thought it would work. Amelie gave her control, and Hermione noticed in passing that they were getting better at it, passing control back and forth. She dialed her parents and told them what Amelie had told her to say, and joy of joys, they believed her. When she hung up, Amelie immediately took control.

We have to move. I think they've found me. Us. Amelie started shifting, moving them from county to county, without a set destination.

{Where are we going?} Hermione asked.

I havent a clue. But they cant shift the way I can. No one can. They can only apparate. Do you know a place where we can go?

{London.} Hermione answered promptly. {Go there and I'll tell you what to do.}

&

Amelie obligingly shifted to London. Hermione guided her to Grimmauld Place, and concentrated hard on number 12, which appeared as expected.

Sweet. Amelie smiled, and ran up the steps, knocking on the door and staring in distaste at the silver snake knocker. Dark family?

{The Blacks.}

Lovely. The sound of bolts being drawn back and a chain rattling broke into their conversation.

{Let me talk. Lupin is the only one here.} Amelie nodded. The door drew back, and Lupin appeared, his hair unruly and in need of a cut.

"Professor, it's Hermione." She said. He looked sceptical.

Hurry. They're coming. Amelie murmured.

"Professor...look, to prove it, you took the Marauders Map off us in third year, but you gave it back at the end because you left because it got out you were a werewolf. Please, at least let me in. Deatheaters are after me."

Lupin hastily stepped aside, and Hermione walked in. The portrait of Mrs Black immediately started screeching.

"Be silent! Hold your tongue!" Amelie snapped, taking control almost without noticing. The portrait shut up.

"I beg your pardon, my lady. Never had I hoped my house would be honoured..." she trailed off under Amelie's glare.

{Now you've done it.} Hermione muttered.

"Turn around very slowly." Lupin said clearly. Amelie raised her hands and did so. Lupin had a set, determined look on her face. "Now who are you and what the fuck do you think you're doing here?"

"Such language. My name is Amelie. Hermione and I share a body." Lupin's eyes widened slightly. "I don't know why and I don't know how. But we do. And Deatheaters are after me, or rather, us, because-"

"Amelie Voldemort. His lost daughter."

"I was not lost to those that knew where to look. And put your wand away. You could not hurt me if you wanted to, and I intend no harm." Lupin looked dubious.

{Let me try.} Hermione said. Amelie let her.

"Professor, it's true. But she's right. You couldn't hurt us...well, her, if you tried, but she could easily kill you, but she wont. Please professor." Lupin put his wand away. "Call Dumbledore, he needs to know what's going on, if he doesn't already." There was a loud 'pop' and Dumbledore appeared before them.

Speak of the devil. Amelie smirked.

{Or saint.}

Please. Your hero-worship of him is disgusting.

{He's an amazing wizard.}

He is. That doesn't make him a saint. He is, after all, only human.

"Welcome to both of you." Dumbledore said. "I'm glad to see you're both in one piece."

I'm not. I'd rather be in two pieces. Amelie complained. Hermione giggled.

"Professor...my parents...there's deatheaters at my house. My parents are in a hotel for now...but when their stay finishes, and they go home...Amelie has told me what will happen." Dumbledore sighed.

"Yes, I shall make arrangements to clear your house. In the meantime, you need a place to stay. Your house is no longer safe. Not for you."

And my presence will only draw them there. Amelie finished.

"You are, of course, welcome to stay at Hogwarts for the remainder of the summer." Dumbledore said.

Let me. Amelie said softly. Hermione relinquished control.

"At Hogwarts, the teachers will see that Hermione is not what she was." Amelie said. "Will they be able to understand? To accept me? To accept this?" Amelie gestured and a flaming pheonix appeared before them, suspended in the air by Amelie's will. But then she held out her hand, and the orange fire was sucked into it, disappearing without a trace.

"They don't need to understand, Amy." Snape stood in the doorway, looking composed as ever, the only thing betraying him was the concern in his eyes, and the nickname he used.

"Hello, Severus." Amelie replied. He inclined his head in greeting, and she did the same.

"You know each other?" Lupin asked, sounding shocked.

"My sister brought her up."

"You have a sister?" Lupin sounded even more shocked, and Amelie started laughing, ignoring the dour look Snape sent in her direction.

"She's a squib." Snape said shortly. Amelie kept laughing. "Enough, Amy." He snapped. Amelie stopped laughing immediately. She couldn't help it. He'd always been the only one who could control her, especially when she was younger.

Dumbledore smiled, as if witnessing an ongoing joke. Amelie turned to him, one eyebrow raised, and he hastily shrugged. She grinned.

"I'd love to come stay at Hogwarts...however, I need to go shopping. And this time, Severus,"she stressed the name, glaring at him, "I do actually need to go shopping." Snape smirked.

"Of course. I'm sure we can arrange something...Lupin, could you accompany her tomorrow?" Dumbledore cut in.

"Muggle shopping." Amelie added. Lupin nodded.

"Wont that look a bit suspicious? It'd certainly draw attention to her." Snape pointed out.

"We don't have much of a choice. If you go shopping with him tomorrow in Muggle London, then come directly to Hogwarts." She nodded. It will probably be better if you don't tell Mr Potter or Mr Weasley where you're going." She nodded again.

&

Long first chapter...tell me if you like it. (Review, in other words!) The other stories are Change of Character, The Party and The Order of Tears. Review!