Hello. I would just like to say that this chapter has been Betaed by the wonderful Kikistone, so enjoy.

PeppermintIce

Chapter One: Alla Ricerca di Mia

It was a nice summer morning, few clouds were in the sky and everyone was out enjoying the sun. Everyone except me, that is. I was sitting in the Ministry's Family Services office, running on only half a cup of coffee and absolutely no sleep, as I read the blasted file that Mr. Johnson had handed to me. With father on his deathbed in Azkaban, and mother six feet under, I was alone. Or so had I thought until this very moment. Looking back at the paper in my hand I reread the name. Hermione Olivia Nott. Keep reading Theo, just keep reading.

Name: Hermione Olivia Nott.

Birthday: July 23, 1980

Place of birth: Home birth, Nott Manor

Blood Status: Pureblood

Background: Italian

Relatives: Theodore Lucas Nott (twin brother), Rose Ava Nott (mother), Travis Mark Nott (father)

Notes: Missing since September 19, 1981

Hermione, I mused to myself time and time again, Hermione... Why does this name sound so familiar?

"Is this all there is?" I asked the man. I was eager to leave the office, finish running the few errands I still had left in Diagon Alley and go back to the relative peace of Nott Manor.

"Afraid so, Mr. Nott. You may keep the file if you would like since it is a copy." Mr. Johnson replied, pity showing in his eyes.

"Thank you." I said, utter astonishment ringing clearly in my voice. "Have a nice day," I added as an afterthought while I quickly I gathered the file and started heading towards the door. Just then a ludicrous thought came to my mind and I felt compelled to share it with the man that had just shook my world to its very core,"Do you think that my missing sister might be Hermione Granger?"

"The war heroine?" The man asked, perplexed.

I rolled my eyes, "Is there any other Hermione Granger?"

"Right well, ummm, I'm not sure, it never hurts to ask." He replied with an uncomfortable shrug.

"Ok, thank you, sir." With that I left and didn't look back.

-S-O-N-

Walking around Diagon alley was tiring enough before the war; with all the people pushing past you to get around, the small children running around, the tired parents calling for their offspring, and not to mention all the Hogwarts students gawking at the newest brooms, navigating the Alley had always been difficult. But now? Now that seems like child's play compared to what happens these days. Wherever I walk people are staring, they come up and thank me, take pictures either with me or of me, try to get my autograph… and I want none of the fame, fortune or recognition. Is it too much to ask to be able to go about my life like any other witch?

With Harry's birthday coming up, I decided I would get him a new pair of seeker gloves and a new broom care kit, since the one I had gotten him before had been burnt by the Dursleys the moment he left a year ago. Once I made it to the quidditch store I caught a glimpse of a head I seemed to recognize; the dark chocolate curls were cut short in a way I had seen before. Why does he look so familiar? Maybe we've met before. Walking to the Seeker section I saw a pair of limited edition seeker gloves. The material was black with many thin strips of green running along the outer sides of the glove. This type of glove doesn't come out often and is sold at a ridiculous price. Why, you may ask, the answer is simple: because Viktor Krum, the famous seeker, wears the exact same ones. Every year before school begins, and when the quidditch season opens, this sole store on Diagon Alley sells twenty five of the kind; not twenty six, not twenty four, they sell exactly twenty five units. I was lucky to find this one pair hidden behind practice snitches. 50 gallons? Well, I guess I don't really need to buy the new Hogwarts: a history.

As I brought my lucky find to the register I felt a small tap on my back. Turning to face whoever was calling for me, I found myself meeting Theodore Nott's enthralling blue gaze.

"Hermione Granger, right?"

"Umm, ya." What could Theodore Nott possibly want from me? "Why?" I asked curiously.

He looked really nervous now. "I was… umm… wondering if you could… uh… come get some lunch with me." I must have looked unsure, because he felt compelled to add, "On me, of course."

"Is this your way of asking me on a date?" I ask out loud as I wondered whether the wizard had lost his mind.

"No, no, Merlin no!" the heat in his cheeks was noticeable "I just want to talk to you." He was speaking so fast now that his words were trampling each other.

"Well then, Okay; but I will need to finish my shopping before I go anywhere."

A giant smile crept up his face "Great!" he seemed strangely relieved and incredibly excited, "Meet me at the Leaky in half an hour, yeah?"

"Sure."

That was very strange, I thought as I watched his back walk out the door.

-S-O-N-

Walking into the Leaky Cauldron, I saw the mass of dark curls belonging to the subject of my thoughts for the past half hour.

"Hello, Theodore." I said sitting down after smiling at the barkeep, Tom, who placed a butterbeer in front of me"How have you been in the past thirty minutes?".

"Oh, I've been okay. How about you?"

"I've been fine, thank you." Could this be any more awkward?

"Um, there is something I need to, uh, ask you." He said nervously.

"Alright..." I replied giving him a confused look.

"Okay, well... are you adopted?" He looked like he didn't want to be there anymore than I did.

What does this have to do with anything? "I'm… yes, I'm adopted," and then, because I simply couldn't hold it in, I added "Why? What does that have to do with anything?" the suspicion rang clear in my voice.

"I'd rather have you just read something before I explain. Here," he said fishing out a black folder from his bag. "Read this."

/

/

If you enjoyed please leave a review, it would mean the world to me :)