I just can't help myself can I? Once a plot bunny starts attacking me, I just give in. It's as if I want to be under piles and piles of work…

Oh well.

This is a thing that popped into my head last night, and I just had to get it down… at two in the morning.

The pairings are a lil different this time- I am just going tell you ONE of the pairings in this first chapter.

Enjoy, and drop a review on your way out.

Chels

The Bonds of Blood

Chapter One A Favour

Hermione Granger made her way alone to the Headmaster's office, bringing her robes tighter around her. It was a cold night, snow falling gently around the castle, hinting at Christmas, not more than three weeks away now.

And despite this, Harry had scheduled a Quidditch practise, although she had been glad to note that it was just a theory session, the Head Girl had been saddened by the thought that her boyfriend would not be available that night. Then, a note had appeared from Dumbledore, asking for Hermione- he knew his Head Boy had a meeting, it seemed- and she had hurried to see what exactly was so urgent that the Headmaster needed her assistance at quarter to eight on a Friday evening.

Hermione checked her watch- she still had a good five minutes, and the gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office was in sight. She didn't slow her pace as she gave the password. She was accustomed to visiting her Headmaster; either to discuss how the school's students were fairing, running extra errands- she was glad to help the man she so respected- or even just for a chat about the latest book she had read and a cup of tea (minus the sherbet lemon Professor Dumbledore always offered her.)

Hermione climbed up the spiralling staircase, and knocked at the grand oak door before her. A 'come in' was heard, and she opened the door and slipped inside.

She noticed instantly that it was much warmer in the round office, and she hastened to loosen her cloak.

Dumbledore looked up from his desk, reading what appeared to be a letter.

"Please sit, Miss Granger. Sherbet lemon?"

Hermione politely declined.

Dumbledore smiled, popping one of the sweets into his mouth.

"Thank you very much for coming immediately Miss Granger. I am afraid I am need of asking you a favour."

"Ask away sir." Hermione answered, sitting a little straighter.

"You see Miss Granger; we have a new student arriving tonight. She is from Paris, although she is English, and attended Beauxbatons. Her adoptive parents have recently been killed in a Death Eater attack."

"Oh, how terrible." Hermione said in sympathy. She was not surprised- attacks were becoming more frequent by the day- but she was empathetic. The Dark Lord's followers had murdered her Father not more than a month before her final year at Hogwarts, and her Mother was now living under the care of Molly Weasley.

"She is coming to Hogwarts to be closer to her real father. Her birth mother is also deceased."

Hermione nodded, wondering silently why the girl had not grown up with her real father, but put it out of her mind.

"What year is she Professor?"

"She will be in her Seventh Year, although she is only sixteen. I believe that she will be turning seventeen sometime in May."

Hermione nodded- it was unusual, but not unheard of. She, after all, was technically nineteen, what with her birthday being the 19th September 1979 and all her meddling with the time turner in her third year.

Dumbledore was speaking again.

"I was hoping that you could take her under your wing Miss Granger, show her around the castle and to classes and such."

"Of course sir!" Hermione agreed readily, and the elderly wizard smiled.

"Thank you my dear- you've saved me some worry. I don't doubt that she will be quite safe with you- not to mention Messrs. Potter and Weasley!" he chuckled.

Hermione was about to ask for the girls' name when a knock came at the door.

"Ah- this must be her now."

Dumbledore and Hermione both stood and the Headmaster went to open the door. Hermione tried to look around him, but could only see some emerald green robes- she soon figured belonged to Professor McGonagall, as Dumbledore said 'Thank you- good evening Minerva."

Dumbledore moved out of the way, inviting in someone. They stepped into the room, and Hermione tried to conceal her gasp.

The new girl was wearing dusty grey skinny jeans, and a slim black t-shirt that said in silver writing-

'This England never did, nor never shall,

Lie at the proud feet of a conqueror.'

Hermione noted the Shakespearean quote, thought it strangely appropriate, and moved on in her silent observation.

The girl had pale -almost white- skin, and shiny jet-black hair that fell just above her shoulders in uneven bangs, her fringe falling across her eyes slightly.

She had only a little makeup on, consisting of black eyeliner, mascara, and a clear lip-gloss. No way near so many cosmetics as Lavender usually wore.

This girl had a natural beauty, the little make-up she wore only enhanced it.

However, this was not what had made Hermione gasp.

Hermione glanced at Dumbledore- surely, he realized…? But the blue eyes of her Headmaster did not seek out her own, and she turned back to the girl before her as Dumbledore spoke.

"Miss Granger- might I introduce to you… Miss Sofia Snape."

Hermione gazed into the new girls' familiar; almond shaped emerald green eyes, and smiled slightly, hiding her shock.

Snape?