Disclaimer: My name isn't JK Rowling, these characters aren't mine. I just like to play around with them and make them do what I want

CHAPTER 1

It was the summer before sixth year and fifteen year old Hermione Granger ran downstairs to join her parents for breakfast before they went to work. When she reached the kitchen, breakfast hadn't been started and her parents were sitting in silence, a letter on the table between them.

"Mum? Dad? What's the matter?"
"Honey, we need to talk. I think you should sit down," said Jean Granger, tears filling her eyes as she spoke.

Hermione sat down, looking between the two. She had no idea what was going on and she wanted to know.

"Hermione, we have to tell you something and it's not easy for us."
"Just tell me Mum, whatever it is, it sounds like I need to know."
"This is difficult for us to say… Hermione, you're adopted."
"Wha-what? When? How?"
"You came to us just after your second birthday. We had found out we couldn't have children so we looked into other options. That's when you appeared."
"How could you keep this from me my entire life?"
"We wanted to tell you honey, we really did."
"Then you should have."

Hermione stood up and marched out of the room, her father shouting behind her.

"You come back in here Hermione, we aren't finished talking about this!"

Ignoring his words, she continued walking. Her feed led her out the door and to the park down the street from her house. She never imagined that adoption was the news they needed to share. She couldn't get her head around it. She looked like them! She had her mother's hair and her father's eyes.

Sitting down on a swing, she continued to think about the life-altering news. Giving it more thought, it made sense. There were no pictures in the house of her before two. She vaguely remembered asking her parents why as a child but they never really answered her questions, so she stopped asking them.

She stayed there for hours, just thinking. She debated about whether to tell Harry or Ron. She knew Harry would understand, but Ron wouldn't. He had always known who his family is, he wouldn't get wanting to find out who they were. She decided that her best option was to keep them in the dark about the revelation unless they absolutely had to be told. She wasn't a fan of lying to her best friends but this was something she wanted to keep to herself for awhile.

Finally deciding to head home, she saw her parents car in the driveway. Thinking it was around lunchtime, she went to the kitchen as soon as she walked in the door. When she saw them, she noticed they hadn't put on their work clothes.

"Didn't you two go to work today?"
"No honey, your father and I felt you need us more than our patients. They can wait until tomorrow."
"Oh, okay."
"Do you want to talk about any of this?"
"I guess my being adopted explains why there are no baby pictures of me around the house. I'm still unable to get my head around why you never told me."
"It was a difficult decision to make, but we didn't feel you were old enough to understand when you started asking questions."
"I think if I was asking question, I was old enough to be told. Do you know who my biological family is?"
"I'm sorry sweetie, that we don't know. We got you from an orphanage in London and they had no information either. You didn't even have a name when you were left there, so they gave you the name Hermione."
Their conversation was interrupted by a tapping on the kitchen window. Looking up, Hermione saw Hedwig and hurried to let the owl inside. Relieving the bird of its burden, she gave her a bowl of water as she read the letter from her friend.
"It's a letter from Harry and Ron inviting me to spend the summer with them at the Burrow."
"Are you going to go?"
"I think I will, but not until next month. If I go now, they'll know something's wrong with me."
"You aren't going to tell them? They're your best friends."
"I know this Mum, but this is nothing to do with them. They wouldn't understand."

Going to her bedroom, she wrote a reply back to her friends. She told them she was spending time with her parents before finishing the summer with them.

The month in the Granger household passed by in a blur. Tension was high with the three occupants but none of them spoke of it. On her final day with them, Hermione gave them half hearted hugs before flooing to the Burrow. Nearly falling out of the fireplace, George and Fred were there to greet her and help her to her feet.

"Where's Harry and Ron?"
"Where do you think, little Granger? Still in bed of course."
"Don't call me that. The two of you want to make yourselves useful and please help me with my trunk?"

Grumbling at her bossy tone, the twins carted her heavy trunk to Ginny's room while she went to see Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen.

"Oh Hermione dear, I thought I had heard you arrive! It's almost time for breakfast, would you mind terribly waking the boys?"
"Of course Mrs. Weasley."

Making the trek upstairs, she passed Ginny's room. She said hello to the Weasley daughter before continuing. Upon entering, she noticed the mess of the room. She never could understand how someone could live in such messy quarters, but boys will be boys.

"Harry, Ron, breakfast's ready!"

With the promise of food, Ron hurried up and went downstairs, barely sparing Hermione a glance. Harry walked down with his friend and noticed the tension on her face.

"You okay Hermione?"
"Of course I am, why wouldn't I be?" She answered quickly."
"You would talk to me if something was wrong, wouldn't you?"
"Oh Harry, you know I would. I'm just worried about the school year is all."
"If you say so."

Breakfast went by without a hitch. Conversation between the Weasley clan was light, as always. None of them noticed Hermione barely eat her food, with the exception of Harry. When Hermione noticed she was caught, she started eating to erase the worry from her friend's face.

The summer months passed quickly for the occupants at the Burrow. Hermione forced them to finish all of their summer homework early so that they could play Quidditch to their heart's content. They had been to Diagon Alley weeks before and their trunks were packed and ready for the trip to King's Cross in the morning. Harry, Ron and Hermione were in Ron's room and while the boys played Exploding Snap, she was reading the final pages of a book for school.

"Don't you ever get tired of reading?"
"No Ron, I don't. Besides, it's required reading and I figured I'd get it done now instead of the day before class."
"Why don't you put the book down and play with us?"
"I don't want to Ron. You know what? I'm going to bed. Good night Harry."
"Night Hermione."

Ignoring Ron, she left the room.

"What's been up with her? She's been moodier than usual."
"You noticed too, huh? I take it she hasn't said anything to you then?"
"Come on Harry, you know she doesn't confide in me like she does you."
"I guess so. Come on Ron, let's get to bed. Early start in the morning."

The next morning, everyone with the exception of Hermione, was running around frantically to make sure everything was packed for the trip to King's Cross. She just sat by and snickered under her breath as Ron searched for one of his shoes and a jumper.

"You know, you could stop laughing and help me look!"
"Now Ron, where's the fun in that? You should've have your things packed like I told you days ago."
"Come on children or we'll be late!" Mrs. Weasley shouted up the stairs.

Finally, everything was ready and they were out the door.
They arrived at King's Cross station with plenty of time to spare and headed through the barrier to Platform 9 ¾. ON entering the platform, they saw the Malfoys nearby, as well as Neville and Seamus. Greeting their friends, they talked about what they did all summer until Neville brought up Hermione's birthday.

"Hey Hermione, isn't your birthday coming up soon?"
"Yeah, in a couple weeks, why do you ask?"
"Just curious, we should have a party for you in the common room."
"No Neville, no parties. It's only a birthday."
"But it's your 16th, isn't that supposed to be a big one for girls or something?"
"Who would want to celebrate a mudblood's birthday?"
"Bugger off Malfoy, weren't you ever taught that it's rude to eavesdrop?"
"How dare you talk back to me you filthy mudblood!"

Drawing her wand, Hermione trained it on the younger Malfoy, daring him to say something.

"Come along Draco, it's time to board the train."

Listening to his mother, he went up the steps, but not before first giving Hermione a dirty look. Her eyes flashed as she glared back and the only one to notice was Lucius. Whispering something to Narcissa, she also gave Hermione a look before walking away with her husband.

Sitting in a cabin with her friends, she tuned out the mindless chatter around her and stared out the window. Throughout the trip, they tried to get her attention but she ignored them. She wasn't in a talking mood.
Arriving at the school, they sat through the normal first year sorting and speeches before they could start eating. When the food appeared, Hermione seemed to come to life and piled her plate high. She ignored the looks she got and continued eating until she could eat no more.

When all the Gryffindors were in the common room, Hermione went straight to bed without a word to anyone.

"She still not said anything to you yet Harry?"
"No Ron, I would tell you if we had talked. Maybe she had a fight with her parents?"
"There's no telling with her."
"Boys, maybe you should just leave her alone until she talks to you?"
"Why should we listen to you?"
"Because Ron, I'm a girl and I know how our minds work."
"She should just stop being so stubborn and talk to her friends like a normal girl."
"There's no such things as a normal girl, Ron. You two go to bed, I'll see you in the morning."

Chorusing good night, they watched quietly as Ginny headed upstairs to her dorms. Going upstairs shortly afterwards, the boys succumbed to sleep quickly.

The first week of classes sped by for everyone and the trio was looking forward to the weekend. Hermione still continued to be distant, spending all of her time in the library or her room when not in class. Harry had tried speaking to her on numerous occasions, but she started avoiding him each time she saw him. She wasn't speaking to anyone and was doing the bare minimum when it came to participating in class. All of her friends were unsure what to do or say to her.

Hermione was in her rooms, perched on the window seat, staring out the window. She wasn't taking in the beautiful surroundings of the Hogwarts grounds, merely lost in thought. She had contemplated writing to her parents but she wasn't exactly sure what to say to them. The last time she saw them, tension was running high in the household.

The dorm room door opened, tearing Hermione from her thoughts. Looking towards the doorway, she spotted Ginny standing there, staring at her.

"Hermione, are you alright? You've been awful quiet lately."
"I'm fine Ginny, no need to worry yourself."
"But I am worried, we all are! This isn't like you at all."

Moving her feet and resituating herself, she pat the spot next to her, which the younger girl accepted.

"Ginny, if I tell you something, can you promise not to tell anyone?"
"Even Ron and Harry?"
"Especially them."

Thinking for a moment, the younger girl nodded her head. At the affirmation, Hermione began telling her about her summer with her parents and of the revelation she learned.

"You're adopted?"
"Basically. They don't know who my biological parents are either."
"I'm so sorry Hermione, I'm sure this is very difficult for you."
"You have no idea."
"Have you thought about finding them?"
"I wouldn't even know where to start. Even the orphanage has no information. Apparently I didn't even have a name."

Beginning to cry, she let Ginny envelope her in her arms in comfort. They stayed that way for hours, Ginny comforting Hermione as she shed tears of pain and fear of the future.

Once her tears dried up, she wiped her face clean and apologized for crying all over her friend.

"Stop fussing 'Mione, that's what friends are for. Are you sure you don't want to tell them?"
"Yes, I'm sure. I'll tell them when I'm ready."
"Alright then. Hey, it's lunchtime, come join us?"
"Sure."

Leaving the room, the common room grew quiet at Hermione's entrance. Looking at her friends, she glanced away, ashamed that she had made them worry so much about her.

"You know Neville, if you want to throw me that party, I don't mind. I believe we need a change of pace around here."
"Good, good. Harry and Ron are helping me."
"We are?"

Ginny just gave them a look, stopping them from protesting too much.

"Well I'm starved. Let's go eat."

Agreeing with her, the small ground followed Hermione out of the common room, happy she was actually speaking to them. The walk to the Great Hall was livelier, with Hermione chatting with Seamus about his penchant for blowing things up. Halfway there, they were stopped by none other than Malfoy and his cronies.

"Well well, it appears the mudblood does speak after all."
"Move Malfoy."
"And why should I?"
"Because you won't like what I do to you if you don't."
"What could you do, spit on me and contaminate me?"
"There could always be a repeat of third year."

With the reminder implanted firmly in Draco's mind, he walked away without a word, only a glare. Shrugging her shoulders, Hermione continued towards the Great Hall, not letting Draco ruin her newly found good mood.
Reaching the grand room, the group sat down in their normal seats and dug in. Mid bite, and owl flew down in front of Hermione, holding out it's leg. Taking the letter, she read it silently.

"Well? What's it say?"
"Be patient Ronald, I only just finished reading. It's from my parents. They wanted to see how my first week has gone."
"Oh. Whatever then."

Rolling her eyes, she continued eating her lunch, ignoring Ron for the rest of it. Their weekend went by just as quickly as their first week of school. They spent their time finishing up homework and planning for Hermione's birthday. She actually dreaded the party but she figured if they wanted it, they could have it. She knew she'd have to make an appearance and pretend to enjoy herself so as to not hurt their feelings.

Before she knew it, it was Hermione's birthday. Waking up for classes that day, she glanced around and saw she was the first one awake, as usual. Heading to the bathroom, she hopped into the shower and bathed quickly. She wanted to leave herself plenty of time to review her homework during breakfast.

Glancing in the mirror, she had to do a double take. The face looking back at her wasn't her own. No matter how many times she poked and prodded her skin and hair, nothing changed. The reflection staring back at her was drastic change from her previous looks.

Her hair was longer, black and curlier, but not the usual bushiness. Her usual brown eyes were now a cold and steely grey, her skin was now an alabaster white and her face lost its baby fat. The angles in her face were sharper and pronounced, aristocratic.

Getting dressed, she headed to the Great Hall with her books in tow. Before she sat down, she made a detour towards the teacher's table.

"Headmaster, it's Hermione Granger. I just thought I would notify you and the teachers to my apparent changes."
"What happened my dear girl?"
"I've no idea. I woke up like this."

Making sure the teachers were notified, Dumbledore took in the stricken look upon Severus's face.

"Are you alright Severus?"
"Of course Headmaster. Miss Granger, your new appearance is duly noted. Don't be late to my class."

With a sweep of his robes, Severus left the table. Waving to the teachers, Hermione sat at her normal spot and waited on her friends. When Harry, Ron and Ginny walked into the Great Hall and didn't see Hermione, they looked around for her.

"Who are you and why are you in Hermione's seat?"
"Honestly Ronald, we don't have assigned seats."
"Hermione? What the bloody hell happened to you?"
"No idea Ginny, I woke up like this."

As she took a bite of her porridge, she noticed the looks Harry was giving her.

"Is something the matter Harry?"
"No, it's just that this new look is a big familiar is all."
"Oh? How so?"
"I'm not sure, but I feel like I've seen it before."
"Well, I can't help you. Come on boys, we have double potions. See you later Ginny."

The first hour of potions was the most unusual potions class the Gryffindors and Slytherins had ever witnessed. Each time Hermione raised her hand, Snape called on her. She never received any house points for them but Snape was lacking in his usual snark when it came to Hermione Granger. The other Gryffindors, on the other hand, received the same treatment as always.

The second hour of class was dedicated to brewing a potion. Snape prowled the aisles, sneering at certain students' work and offered snide comments on how they needed to use their brains to correct it. When Hermione finished hers, she bottled and labeled it. Placing it on Snape's desk, he stopped her from leaving.

"Stay after class Miss Granger."
"Yes Professor."

With the last flask on the desk, Snape dismissed class. Sending Ron and Harry on, she waited for him to speak.

"Care to share why you look like that, Miss Granger?"
"I told you this morning Professor, I woke up and this is how I looked. I already tried magic, nothing worked."
"A secret, then?"
"No secrets, Professor."
"Don't lie to me. One's looks don't change overnight for no reason."
"Look Professor, all I know is I'm adopted. The Grangers took me in when I was two. They know nothing, which means I know nothing. May I go now?"
"Yes."

Gaining a rare pass, Hermione ran to the other side of the school for Transfiguration. Giving McGonagall the pass, the Transfiguration professor's eyebrows rose at the name on it. Everyone knew Snape only gave late passes to the Slytherins, so it was with shock that she accepted one from her Gryffindor student.

For the class period, McGonagall had them practice transfiguring whistles into pocket watches. Hermione, being the first done, of course, practiced making hers play different music as it told the time. Smiling proudly, McGonagall awarded 15 points to Gryffindor. Ron glared at her and continued to batter his whistle with his wand.

After Transfiguration, Hermione left her friends to go to Arithmancy while they went to Divination. They met up in the Great Hall for lunch and before any of them could speak about their last class, an eagle owl swooped in and dripped a letter on Hermione's empty plate before flying off again. Seeing that the letter was, in fact, meant for her, she opened it.

Dear Miss Granger
This letter has been sent on your 16th birthday to inform you of news that was decided since your infancy. The news I must inform you of is that you are betrothed. I am not at liberty to give a name, you are to find that information from your parents. By pureblood law, as well as magical law, it states that you must be properly engaged to your betrothed by your 17th birthday. If that does not happen, you will still be able to marry whomever you wish, but you shall not be able to produce children for anyone. Wear the ring or your betrothed, or become infertile.
Hope you have a wonderful day.
Sincerely,
Artemis Crowley
Crowley Law

After reading the letter, Hermione became white as a ghost. It fell from her stiff fingers and floated to the table. The only word she could comprehend was betrothed.

"Hermione? What's it say?" Harry asked forcefully.
"I'm—I'm betrothed."