Hello, my lovely readers! I hadn't expected this story to get such a response so quickly! I was asked a question by a guest reviewer, and as such was unable to respond properly. I figured you all wouldn't mind, since the question was probably one you were wondering yourself. Hermione is a Warlock, and in this story Warlocks aren't human. They're essentially beings that are made up of magic, and because of this, they have a better understanding and control over magic as a whole. No need for wands, or spells in most cases, unless they need to channel large quantities of magic at once. Logic is a very big factor when it comes to using their magic, which explains why one of the key arguments for why women are the dominant of their race is that men are too controlled by their pride and don't think rationally when angered. In their world, you're only as powerful as your imagination.

As a side note, these first few chapters are just fillers and introductions to the story. The real meat and potatoes comes after Hermione begins to establish herself in the wizarding world. I don't see Hermione as evil, but she definitely has a wicked streak a mile long. *Laughs ominously in the background*


In the months leading up to their marriage ceremony, Hermione had reluctantly spent time with the Blacks. It wasn't that she disliked them, on the contrary, she actually learned to enjoy their company, but she also had a lot of work to do and spending time with them meant that she had less time for important business. After their rough start, Hermione decided that it was better to spend individual time with each sister, considering having a 19, 16 and 15 year old in the same place tended to cause trouble. It helped Bellatrix relax, and the two bonded over their love of dark magic. They often disappeared to cause havoc around Muggle London, and drink well into the night. The passion between them was chaotic and dangerous, but there were hints of genuine feelings hidden behind it.

The situation with Narcissa and Andromeda was significantly more difficult. Sneaking into Hogwarts was a lot easier than it sounded, for sure, but them slipping out of the castle at night was quite hard. When they did manage it, Narcissa enjoyed her pampering. She showered her in affection, and gifts making her feel like the queen she would one day be. It was the quickest way into her good graces, and Hermione had taken full advantage. However, when Hermione had done something to anger her, she spent at least a week trying to make it up. Needless to say, she was right about Narcissa having a hidden fierce side, if her singed eyebrows were anything to go by.

Now Andromeda, well, she didn't crack at all. Hermione knew she wouldn't, and recently she found out why. A mutt by the name Ted Tonks. The thought of her soon to be wife falling for such a lowborn, and a man at all was sickening to Hermione. Still, she didn't say anything. That was, until she saw them in the Forbidden Forrest together.

Andromeda had canceled their meeting, claiming to be sick. As a surprise, Hermione decided she would visit Narcissa instead. She stood on the edge of the forrest, about to signal Narcissa to let her know that she had arrived when she heard giggling. She instantly recognized the voice as Andromeda. Following the sound, she saw the brunette kissing another boy, with his hands holding her against a tree. Dropping from her perch on a branch, she cleared her throat, her eyes already fadded to black with the veins slowly becoming visible around them.

"Well well," she smirked,"if this isn't a fucking sight, I don't know what is!"

"Hermione, it's not-"

"What it looks like," Hermione finished for her, letting out a sarcastic chuckle.

Andromeda stepped in front of the boy, who was clearly terrified,"Hermione please don't hur-"

"Enough," Hermione hissed, pushing her aside, so she could grab the boy by his neck,"so you're the one that's been trying to take my betrothed from me. I have to say, I was expecting more."

He choked as she pinned to him to the nearest tree, clawing at her hands desperately. A smirk colored her features, as his eyes turned bloodshot. She heard Andromeda calling her, begging her to stop, but she ignored her. She wouldn't kill the boy. No, that would be far too easy. Besides, she had a feeling that would only make Andromeda even more angry with her. She had a feeling something wasn't quite right with the situation, and as she looked into his scared eyes, she searched his memory. Flashes of images passed into her mind, before something stood out. A conversation with Sirius Black. She couldn't quite hear what was being said, but the pouch of money and the smirks on their faces were enough to fill her in. As his eyes began to close, she released him and stepped away.

"I'm sparing your life because I know if I kill you, she will never forgive me," Hermione spoke lowly, her eyes slowly fading back to hazel,"you should count yourself lucky."

Ted choked, coughing as he held his throat. Andromeda moved to help him, only to be stopped by Hermione. She glared at the older woman, and pulled her arm from her grasp.

"He's not who you think he is," Hermione signed, glaring at Ted,"isn't that right Ted?"

"What is she talking about, Teddy?"

Ted looked down, his breathing slowly returning to normal,"I'm sorry, Andy. I didn't think it would go this far-I didn't expect to fall for you."

"What are you talking about," Andromeda looked between them, taking a step back.

Ted hesitated, causing Hermione to let out a warning growl,"Sirius...he paid me to pretend to like you. He said he wanted revenge for you telling his mother about him being around a muggle born."

"You lied to me? So this whole time, you were just pretending to love me," Andromeda said slowly, realization dawning on her.

"Not everything! I do love you, that wasn't a part of the plan," Ted insisted,"Andy please, I'm-"

"Just leave me alone, Ted," Andromeda demanded,"I don't ever want to see you again."

Hermione stepped in front of her when Ted tried to get closer, her eyes flashing black in warning. After a second, he slowly walked away, casting one last glance at Andromeda. Without a word, Hermione gathered her in her arms, gently shushing her as she cried. Despite her anger at the situation, she wasn't completely unfeeling.

"He's not worthy of your tears," she whispered soothing away the hurt.

"How long did you know," Andromeda questioned, refusing to look at Hermione,"about me being with Ted, I mean?"

"Since the beginning," Hermione admitted,"no one resents an arranged marriage that much unless their heart is with someone else-especially considering arranged marriage is common place in your world."

"Hermione-" she was cut off by the Warlock shaking her head.

"Don't apologize," Hermione shrugged, looking up towards the moon,"You made a mistake. Sometimes you have to make mistakes to learn from them."

Andromeda looked at Hermione with a totally new perspective. Moments ago, she saw her nearly kill the boy she thought she was in love with, and now she was trying to comfort her. Andromeda expected yelling, and a lot more threats before they could go back to being civil, but it seemed as though they were closer now than ever before. It wasn't saying much, but it was a start.

Hermione could feel Andromeda watching her, but ignored it. She was too busy thinking of ways to get rid of that Ted boy without suffering the consequences. It was a foreign process to her, as she was used to doing things and ignoring the backlash. Perhaps the Black sisters were rubbing off on her, but she hadn't determined if it was a bad thing yet.

Turning back to Andromeda, Hermione kissed her forehead,"you should get back inside. Tell your sister I won't be meeting her tonight. If that boy bothers you let me know, I'll deal with it."

"You can't kill him, Hermione," Andromeda insisted, frowning at her.

"I have no plans to end his life,"Hermione chuckled,"I will just remind him what happens when you're hurt or sad. Drakes are very protective, and this is no exception."

Andromeda watched Hermione for a moment, but couldn't detect any lies, so she reluctantly nodded. She started to make her way back, but stopped short and looked back at Hermione. Before the Warlock could say anything, she placed a small, chaste kiss on her surprised lips. With a small smile, she turned around again, and left without a word. As Hermione watched her go, she shook her head to herself.

"These women are going to drive me crazy," she sighed, disappearing in a red mist.


As it neared the 3 month mark till their wedding ceremony, Hermione decided to so some research on the ceremony it's. The more she read, the more she realized it sounded more like a weird fertility ritual with a fancy title. However, knowing how Warlock society works, it probably just that. Offspring were one of the most important aspects of life in her time. A strong ruler without any heirs was nothing more than a fool. She was expected to have many children, and if she wanted to set an example, would have to comply. With the way the ceremony was described, she wouldn't have much of a choice.

The first half sounded pretty routine, with the vows and and a few light binding spells that would not be taken out due to tradition. They weren't too bad, and were there to insure the couple would flourish. The first heightens sexual desire between the ones getting married. That particular strand of magic would be altered slightly on Narcissa, and gradually affect her more as she got older. The second established a true connection between them, allowing the others to know when one was hurt or upset. Hermione decided she quite liked that one, since she knows that what waited for them after their ceremony. And finally, the last was mainly for the sisters' benefit, as it enhanced their magic ability to put them all on more equal footing.

The second half of the ceremony was what Hermione had read was called the Blooding. Hermione and her new wives would be stripped of their clothes and someone, most likely Angela would perform The Offering, a ritual that involved using all their blood as offering to the goddess in exchange for a higher conception rate. 7 times out of 10 of the couple involved in the ritual will conceive a child. The tricky part was figuring out which one of them it would be.

In order for the Blooding to be successful, the Black sisters would all have to be a virgin. That meant Bellatrix would have to take a very strong potion to restore what she had recklessly given away. Hermione wasn't bother by the fact that she had been with others, but it did appeal to her that she would still be afforded the opportunity to experience her in an unsoiled state.

"Doing some research, I assume," Henry broke Hermione from her thoughts.

"I want to be prepared," Hermione admitted easily, looking out of the window to watch Brian play in the gardens.

"He's a lot like you were," Henry commented on the boy's actions as he tackled a guard playfully.

"He'll make an adequate guard one day," Hermione dismissed the comment.

"You have no intention of allowing him to join your army's ranks, do you," Henry frowned at her.

"Only the best survive, and I'll not have his blood on my hands because he wanted to play warrior," Hermione rolled her eyes, watching him closely.

"The boy is good, you should be proud of him," Henry insisted.

"He's a bastard, what is there to be proud of," Hermione hissed, turning away from the window to put her book away.

"He's your son, Hermione!"

"Which is why I must keep him safe," Hermione snapped, glaring at her father,"I'll not have him running off to his death, no matter how good he gets!"

Henry was taken aback by her outburst, and Hermione used that as an opportunity to leave the room. As he watched her storm from the room, his eyes traveled back to the little boy in the gardens. He could hear his laughter from where he was, and he watched as Hermione walked up to him, and handed him a wooden training sword. Despite Hermione being distant with the boy, she never mistreated him. He was given almost all the luxury of a legitimate child, but no matter what he did, he would always be a bastard. Unless Hermione decided for some reason to legitimize him. Until then, life would be difficult for his grandson.