The Secrets of Hermione Granger

by KaytiSarai

Life is a game, and in the end the better player is still alive. Horcruxes are a cheat code to survival, but what happens when the enemy discovers they exist? A tale of horcruxes, betrothals, and longkept secrets.

1. House of Kowal

Title: The Secrets of Hermione Granger

Chapter: (1-?)
Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling, nor do I ever intend to be.
Author's Note: I have rewritten this chapter again. So please reread this chapter if you have already read it, it's very important. I have changed small things, names and dialogue mostly.

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Chapter 1
The Noble and Most Ancient House of Kowal
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Every once in a while, a child is born that will change the course of history. In the span of two months three children were born who would not only change the world for the better, but would rid the world of an evil so bad that even the name is never spoken except by those brave enough. On July 31, Harry James Potter was born, and on the following day, Draco Lucius Malfoy was born. Both fulfill the prophecy hidden in the vaults in the Department of Mysteries. But which child would it be who will kill Voldemort? And the third child, well I'm coming to that.

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The Kowal family stems from a very old and ancient pureblood line, able to trace their line all the way back to the founders. Their ancestral home has housed many wizards of great renown, George Vincent Kowal who came up with the WWN; Zacharias Mumps who first suggested deserted marshes for the Quidditch games and whose is the only surviving manuscript of the game from so long ago, Gladys Boothby was also an ancestor of this clan. They are also the sole owners of the Nimbus Broom Company, anyone born into this family had power, wealth, and privilege, and they hold esteemed company. Not every child born into the family made it to adulthood though. Many were kidnapped in hopes to get a part of the Kowal fortune, and many of these children were never found again. So this is what leads to the beginning of this story and the reason for the hiding of Amelia Hermione Kowal.

Until Amelia was born, every Kowal had been in the House of Slytherin. This does not mean that they are the fanatical supporters of blood purity like the Death Eaters, are evil through and through, and all that hogwash. It just happens that the Kowal's are a very ambitious family, with high hopes and dreams. Ambition is their drive. Amelia was different. Oh sure, she had more than her share of ambition, but she was brave too, very brave. Her childhood had ensured that. She was very cunning and very brave. The Sorting Hat decided that Amelia was a Gryffindor.

It is also apparent that to understand the Kowal family you must know what they do and who they are. Apart from their claim to a sizeable chuck of Wizarding history; they are very wealthy, have a Manor on the Riviera and in the Loire Valley; and they are the proud owners of an Unplottable Manor in England. The Kowals are strong advocates of mudblood-pureblood relations. They have even formed a society to help them. What this organization does is it takes in muggleborn witches or wizards and helps to acclimate them to the wizarding lifestyle prior to attending Hogwarts. They will learn the customs and traditions of the wizarding culture, when to use magic and when not to, they will know what is expected from them as a husband or wife, and how to tell if it is a magical person or a muggle that you meet on the street. (The secret is the in the nose and chin, sometimes the eyes tend to twinkle when the witch or wizard is extremely powerful, or simply mischievous.)

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The story begins on September 19, a very joyous day for the Kowal family. Today is the day of the birth of their second daughter. It is a beautiful day, the birds are singing, the sun is shinning and the air smells positively sweet. The perfect day for this little angel to enter the world and greet her parents, finally to attach faces to the voices she had heard around her for the nine months she had been forming in her mother's womb. The spirit of that day offered no warning to the happy parents that soon this happy day would turn scary and that only by a stroke of luck would all family members leave St. Mungo's alive.

September 19th, while a cause of celebration for the Kowals was not such a happy day of the nurses in the Infancy Ward, many innocent lives where ended on this day when Death Eaters stormed the hospital and blew apart the room of babies and nurses alike, few were spared, and even fewer saved. The Kowals and their daughter survived by the mere fact that the older sister, Airell, was brought into the room by the Kowal's groundskeepers, the Grangers, to see her newborn baby sister. Airell sat on the chair and the nurse instructed her how to hold the head and neck and to lean back slowly. It was at that moment the Infancy Ward was torn apart by Death Eater curses.

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Dumbledore was sitting in his office with a few of his most loyal followers in order to come up with a solution to the problem at hand. Voldemort wanted Amelia Kowal, but what could they do to protect this child.

"Lucius, Taliesin, Narcissa, and Rassia, I believe that I have come up with a plan that will suffice for the moment. You must understand that something more permanent must be thought of for the Kowal family. If it is alright with you, I suggest the betrothal of young Master Malfoy and Miss Kowal. It will keep her safe for the moment until we can come up with a more lasting solution."

"Professor, I understand where you are coming from with this," Said Rassia Kowal, "but how will that keep Amelia safe?"

"By betrothing her to an Inner Circle Death Eater, Voldemort may believe that Lucius is trying to get the child himself. I have complete faith in Lucius' acting abilities, the difficulty will be explaining how you convinced Taliesin to join," explained Dumbledore.

Taliesin jumped at his name, "You want me to what? Join the Death Eaters?" he spluttered, "But isn't that putting Amelia in more danger?"

"Voldemort will not hurt her if he thinks she will be of value to him, which she undoubtedly will be."

Rassia and Taliesin exchanged glances, they were troubled, Dumbledore's plan seemed foolhardy to them. They were prepared to leave England and head for Russia if need be, but staying in England and joining the Death Eaters was not their cup of tea so to speak. Besides, their family had a history of mudblood-pureblood relationship what would become of that? How could they welcome new muggle-borns to the wizarding world if they joined Voldemort?

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"Are you sure this will work?"

"It has to, you have no choice."

"But...what if it doesn't?" Taliesin whispered to Lucius as they approached the manor where Voldemort was residing for that month. It was considered an honor when Voldemort stayed at your residence. Currently he was living with the Lestranges, at their unplottable manor.

Lucius turned to Taliesin, "Look, you have to be prepared. Voldemort is skilled at occlumency. You must be prepared for him to try to probe your mind, he knows how and he will. He wants to make sure he gets only loyal followers, and you are perfectly placed for him to rid the world of more mudbloods. He wants you as a Death Eater," Lucius looked around, and checked a map, "Ah, yes," He walked three steps to the left. Studied the tree in front of him, poked it once with his wand and the wall of ivy opened up to an empty meadow with a Manor sitting in the middle, on top of the hill, "Let's go."

Lucius and Taliesin tramped up the hill to the front door of the manor. With each step, Taliesin appeared to become stronger, more ready to take on Voldemort. His back straightened and his face hardened. Lucius could only think it was a good thing he loved his family so much, he was about to sacrifice much for them.

Finally, they reached the front door, when they stepped on the porch, the door swung open, seemingly of its own accord, but any wizard worth his salt could recognize a Trust Charm. Surprisingly, all pureblood wizard Manors have them. Only those they trust can enter the house, or if they are accompanied by someone the family trusts. They entered the house and were greeted by Bellatrix Lestrange, who welcomed them in, offered the two of them drinks, and showed them the way to the Drawing Room.

They entered the room, and immediately noticed the drop in temperature, Taliesin shivered, but then bulked up. Lucius seemed unaffected. In the middle of the dark room sat a throne, and upon it sat the Dark Lord himself who was staring at Taliesin.

"Who is this, Lucius?" Voldemort questioned. Lucius knelt before Voldemort and kissed the hem of his robes.

"Forgive me, my Lord," he murmured, "I have brought before you Taliesin Kowal who wished to join the ranks of the Death Eaters. He expressed his wishes to me in the strictest confidence, and I felt he was safe enough to bring before you, my Lord."

"Is this true, Lucius?" Voldemort stood up and began to circle the upright Taliesin Kowal, "You wish to become one of my Death Eaters? Why have you left the ranks of Dumbledore?"

"He is not providing me with the power I want. I wish to be powerful. I've heard it said, 'There is no good and evil. There is only power and those to weak to seek it.' I have realized the truth to this and I have decided that I am not weak, if you pardon me, my Lord."

"I am not yet your Lord. But, I have seen the truth to these words and will allow you to become a Death Eater. You have quoted the Lord Voldemort," Voldemort looked carefully as Taliesin, "They are true you know?" Taliesin nodded, and Voldemort continued, "Well then, I see no problem with your immediate initiation. Next month I will stay with your family at the Kowal Manor."

"You will be welcomed there," Taliesin swallowed thickly, not wanting to imagine the response of his wife to this 'joyous' news.

"Good, Good. Then your initiation will take place tonight," He placed a finger over his Dark Mark, and spoke in Parseltongue, then turned back toward Taliesin and Lucius, "The Death Eaters will be here shortly." Within moments, they began walking into the room, usually behind the gracious Bellatrix, who was the last to join them, as she was the hostess. "It has recently come to my attention that we have a new member to initiate. This is Taliesin Kowal, and he will be initiated on this night."

With these words, the Death Eaters began to form their circles according to their ranks, the smallest circle was the Inner Circle, it included some of the more famous Dark Wizarding family members: Lucius Malfoy, Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange, the Nott brothers, a young Severus Snape and Mr. Parkinson. The next circle out was larger and had fifteen members, these were the power-hungry fame-searching youngsters, sometimes sons or daughters of Inner Circle members who aspired to be like their parents, when their parents died or if they proved themselves they would join the Inner Circle. In the center of these circles stood Taliesin and Voldemort.

"Taliesin Kowal, you have requested to be allowed to join the ranks of the Death Eaters, my own personal army. What say you? Is this the truth?" The Death had all raised their wand arms, and were standing still, awaiting his answer.

"Yes, it is true. I want to serve the Dark Lord."

"Very well then," Voldemort said and raised both arms; "Will Taliesin Kowal's sponsor step forward," Lucius walked forward and placed his hand on Taliesin's shoulder, Voldemort looked at him, "Are you speaking for Taliesin Kowal?"

"I am, I have brought him here, and I will speak for him."

"Fine. Are you here of your own free will?"

"I am," Taliesin spoke, feeling Lucius' hand descend on his shoulder.

"Are you willing to sacrifice for the Ranks?"

"I am."

"Will you comply with the wishes of the Dark Lord?"

"I will."

"Lucius, will you make sure to report to me the progress of Initiate Kowal?"

"I will," Lucius responded firmly, tightening his grip on his friend's shoulder.

"Then, Ranks, welcome Taliesin Kowal to the Inner Circle!" Voldemort grinned at that moment, an evil sort of grin. The grin one saw when a person achieves their innermost dreams, and when they reach the stars. Voldemort now had what he wanted; he had the Kowals under his thumb. He'd give Taliesin the power that he craved, but it would come at a price.

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When Taliesin returned to his manor that night Rassia and Dumbledore greeted him. They were sitting in the Drawing Room, despite the late hour, in complete silence. When he walked in, Rassia ran to him and gave him a kiss, which he gratefully returned; they then sat down on the sofa and Taliesin began to talk. He told of his welcome at the Lestrange Manor, and of the initiation. But when he began to speak of next month, Rassia sprang to her feet.

"NO! Absolutely not! I will not have him in our house for a full month!"

"Rassia, there is no choice. He must stay here or he will think I am not loyal to him."

"And are you?"

"No, but I can't let him know that. He must think that I am so that we can protect our daughters. With the status of Death Eater, Amelia will be safe until she is through with her schooling, and Airell will earn a husband with a good bloodline and endless Gringott's vaults. These things are important for the continuation of the Kowal bloodline because as of yet we have no son."

"Taliesin, I wish to speak with you of a matter of great importance," Dumbledore said breaking the silence, "I believe that I have come up with another solution, but it will have to wait now. Amelia will be safe for the moment, especially with Voldemort believing that you are a loyal Death Eater. In three years time, we will make it seem as though Amelia Kowal has died," Dumbledore held up a hand at their spluttering, "By that time Draco will be too old to be betrothed to anyone, so that your betrothal will stay intact. Voldemort will meet Amelia when he comes to visit in October, and he will see that she is a beautiful child, and he will agree to the betrothal.

"The Grangers are childless are they not?" without waiting for an answer he continued on, "I am aware that Mr. Granger is a squib and have spoken with him, and he has agreed that Amelia will be allowed to take on the Granger name until after Hogwarts. By losing the Kowal name after she has 'died', she will doubly protected and Voldemort will pay no mind to the daughter of a squib and a muggle."

"But that is so preposterous! How will that ever work! We will not be able to raise our daughter!" Rassia argued.

"Rassia, I understand how shocking this for you at the moment. However, it is very clear to me that Voldemort will stop for nothing, but the death of Amelia. It is not clear to us why at the moment, but I do know that we must protect you and your children. This is the only solution that seems feasible. In addition to losing her surname, Amelia will become accustomed to being called by her second name—Hermione. Hermione was Mr. Granger's mother's name, as well as your mother's name," Dumbledore said nodding toward Rassia. His eyes gleamed, "This will work. We have to make it work. We will explain this all to Amelia, but she must always know."

Rassia eventually agreed though many tears were shed and many promises made. Amelia Hermione Kowal will become Hermione Granger, for her safety and the safety of the wizarding world

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3 years later
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The cover of The Daily Prophet on June 17 showed a picture of the Kowal family all dressed in mourning as they proceeded to enter the carriage that waited to take them all to the family cemetary. A funeral carriage that carried a small child-sized coffin preceded the carriage; inside the coffin reportedly lay the body of a one Amelia Hermione Kowal. The young child prodigy was to be remembered as brilliant, amusing, and ready for anything. She was to be mourned, for she had been loved. Dumbledore's plan had taken off without a hitch. The Grangers had gladly consented to help raise this adorable child and the Kowals reluctantly allowed Amelia to become acquainted with them. Amelia was "dead" and Hermione was born. At Hogwarts and in public that was who she was, Hermione Granger. But when she arrived home from school she became Amelia and once again she was one of Daddy's Little Girls.

In accordance to pureblood tradition, the betrothal must be terminated when one of the betrothed has died. In years later, when Draco and Amelia spoke of the odd moments they would have at school or how Hermione would be jealous when Pansy would try to seduce him. But in the end they would laugh at the silliness of it all, especially when they were out from under the shadow of Voldemort.

Please Read and Review!

I'm not so sure that this chapter was very well done, I know there was some confusion with the original version and looking back there was (a lot) so I've altered the way the story goes, so please tell me if this is any better. If you read the original and then this I hope it sounds better.

KaytiSarai