Hermione Granger had always felt different. Not just because she was a witch, or the brightest in her year, but because something always felt off about her - something she could never quite put her finger on.

Going through her attic one day, retrieving old momentos of her childhood before she set out on her own (having just turned eighteen), she came across a box that was labelled "school memories". It was written by her mother's hand, the delicate swirls and slanted writing that she could have recognized anywhere. Opening the box, she first saw muggle photographs of her mum and her schoolmates. Digging deeper, she saw an old text book. Blowing away the dust, she saw it was Hogwarts, A History by Bathilda Bagshot. She thought for a moment that it was her old textbook, but upon opening it, she saw the owner's name was Hélène Fournier. She thought for a moment, and realized that her mother's maiden name was Helen Foster. Could this have been her mum's?

"That doesn't make sense," she thought. "Mum's one hundred percent Muggle."

Tilting the book a bit, a letter fell out. Not wanting to invade her mum's privacy, but curious all the same, she read the letter.

My dear Hélène,

I've just gotten your owl, and I must say that I'm shocked to learn of your condition. The affects of pregnancy and the de-aging potion we both took upon our thirthieth birthday could be detrimental. If I were not an unlicensed potions master, I would urge you to carry the fetus to term. However, I am a master in all but title, so I must warn you that the effects could kill you. My dear Hélène, I know, however that you will keep the child and raise it as any mother would. My only request is if it's a girl, please name her Hermione.

All my love,

T. M. Riddle

Hermione shook as the letter fell from her hands. "Mum's a witch," she thought. "And she took a de-aging potion then got pregnant with me. And my real father's name is T. M. Riddle...no, not...oh, Godric...Tom Riddle is my father!"

She bounded downstairs to confront her mother, thankfully, her father was at work that day.

"Mum, explain this!" she shrieked as she lay the letter on the table. "Why didn't you tell me you were a witch and your real name is Hélène Fournier!"

Helen took a deep breath and began her tale. "I didn't want you to get a big head like your true father did about being a Pureblood. I thought raising you as a Muggle would do you a world of good. Yes, my true name is Hélène, and your true father is Tom Riddle."

Hermione couldn't take it. She screamed, "It would have been nice to know that my father is the man responsible for the death of my best friend's parents! The man who wants to kill everyone I love! Do you know what he's become, Mum? He's a maniac who wants Harry dead, and he'd be more than happy to take a few Blood-Traitors, which, by the way, my boyfriend comes from a family of the biggest Blood-Traitors in England, and a few Mudbloods, which he thinks I am! You've ruined my life, and I hope you're happy!"

She stormed off to finish packing and Flooed to Grimmauld Place, where Harry was staying. When she stepped through the Floo, Harry was there, arms open to his distraught friend.

"What's wrong, Mione?" he asked against her hair.

"Oh, Harry! My mum...she's a Pureblood, and my...my real father is...he's...Voldemort!" she cried. "I...I'm so scared Harry, but I have to do what's right. I...I need to meet with my father. As soon as possible."

Harry stood, stunned. "Mione, Voldemort is your father? But...he's at least thirty years older than Helen."

"They took a de-aging potion when they were thirty," she deadpanned.

Suddenly, a tawny barm owl, the one Hermione had bought for her parents so they could correspond during the school year came swooping into the room with a letter. Harry picked it up and offered it a treat he kept in his pocket. He handed the letter to Hermione, who read it aloud.

Dearest Hermione,

I understand your anger at me, but I have to say one thing before I lose my daughter all together. I placed a permanent glamour on you, one that's designed to stay in place until your death. The charm for removing it is a simple Finite, but it must be done on a full moon. The full moon is tonight if you wish to see your true self.

I'm sorry, Hermione.

"Harry, I want you to do it, tonight," she said. "If I go see my...father...like this, he'll kill me."

Harry nodded and motioned for her to sit while they wait for the moon to rise.