Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING!

Author's Note: In this story, the Ancient families are Wizarding Royalty. The Head is referred to as King or Queen in formal situations, while the heir is Prince or Princess. For instance. King Lucius Malfoy, Queen Narcissa Malfoy of Malfoy and Black, and Prince Draco Malfoy when at "Court," whether it's a "Sacred Twenty-Eight" meeting, or actual Court. Lestrange has been removed and re-replaced with Potter, while Crouch has been replaced by Weasley.
Also hoping to update at least once a week, at most 3 weeks.

July 28, 1999

Hermione sat in the front row of the Malfoy Family hearing. The accused sat, their backs to the crowd, and their heads bent as if they were staring at their knees. She dreaded their fate, worried Draco would be punished too severely. She feared they'd send him to the Reformatory at Azkaban, where all the Death Eaters and their family were sent.

"You've been accused of housing a known criminal, rape, murder, torture, and being a Death Eater. How do you plead, Master Lucius Abraxas Malfoy?" The Judge, an older woman with greying hair, asked in a monotone voice. The man in question, a once proud Death Eater, stood, and Hermione could see his hair was thinning badly from stress and malnutrition.

"I plead guilty, Your Honor. I ask you spare my innocent wife and son from this horrible fate." He sounded truly repentant. The Judge nodded as he sat back down.

"Court, take into consideration that he is asking for the blame put all on himself. Mistress Narcissa Druella Malfoy, formerly Black, you've been accused of allowing a known criminal into your home, murder and torture. How do you plead?" The Judge had turned to the emaciated woman who had once been beautiful. She stood her turn, her head still downcast, and Hermione could see the tears falling from the woman's eyes.

"I plead not guilty, Your Honor, on the charges I've been accused of. I am guilty of being a dutiful mother and devoted wife. Please, spare Draco from our fate, our punishment. Allow him to remain free." Narcissa said through soft sobs. Hermione's heart broke. For all their faults, these two parents truly cared for their only child. They loved him as her parents had loved her.

"Court, take into consideration that again, the mother is taking blame from the child. Master Draco Lucius Malfoy, you stand accused of attempted murder, and taking the brand of Death Eater, how do you plead?" The Judge had finally landed on Draco, and Hermione's mind was racing. She couldn't let them destroy what potential for good he might have buried deep inside.

"I plead not guilty, Your Honor. The mark was forced upon me at 16 by He-who-must-not-be-named, who threatened to kill my mother if I did not take it." Draco had stood, and had tears staining his pale cheeks. Slowly, he returned to sitting.

"Court will take a brief recess for the Jury to discuss." The Judge dismissed the group.

Yet, Hermione remained in her seat, as a few others had. She stared down at the threesome still in their seats below her. Draco briefly turned to his mother, and rubbed her shoulder softly. She laid her head against his own shoulder, and they sat together in silence. Hermione watched them for the next half hour before the Jury returned. Soon, the rest of the crowd filed back in.

"Court is in session." One of the Bailiffs called and the room went silent.

"Has the Jury reached a…" The Judge started.

"Wait!" Hermione cried out. Everyone, including the three Malfoys, turned to face her. She rushed down to a small podium in the center of the courtroom. "I, Hermione Jean Granger, would like to rehabilitate the accused myself. The Malfoys have enemies in the Reformatory that would take out their frustrations on them. Young Master Malfoy's own best friend blames him for their other best friend's death and has made it his own personal mission to kill him."

"And you will do this where? And with what assistance?" The Judge demanded, though the woman looked interested.

"Court visits monthly, and bi-weekly to weekly reports on how well the rehabilitation is going. Magickal wards to keep certain magicks restrained. And I would be more than willing to use my own home." Hermione pleaded. The woman took a few minutes before she replied.

"We will cast special restraining wards on Malfoy Manor. You may collect your items from your home, and an Auror will bring you to Malfoy Manor. Is this a deal?" The woman asked quietly. Hermione knew that the Golden Trio was still held in high esteem.

"Yes, Your Honor. I also wish for the Malfoy's whole estate be restored, including their vault in Gringotts." Hermione insisted. She hoped she was right about Draco, but she knew Narcissa would be the most changed, after all, the woman clearly loved her son.

"Deal."

The headlines in all the Wizarding papers were abuzz with the Malfoy trial. Hermione of the Golden Trio had saved the Malfoys from fates worse than death, and Hermione had suffered heart break in silence as Ron left her for saving them. Matters only worsened as she arrived at the Manor.

"Mudblood, you are to stay in your apartment. Weasley and Potter are not welcome in my home." Draco hissed as he carried her trunk to her apartment. Hermione followed silently for a few minutes.

"Ron left me for saving you." She whispered. Draco's spine stiffened slightly, but the door to her apartments were within site.

"Mother has supplied you with her own apartments, as well as an owl, muddy, so make sure to touch nothing. Sleep on the floor. Or else." Draco tossed her trunk into the room carelessly and slammed the door shut once she was inside. She waved her wand and Moonlight Sonata started playing from the air. She had to calm her nerves as she unpacked. She was startled from her work as a knock sounded on the door. Cautiously, she opened it.

"I do not know why," Narcissa started, "you saved my Family, nor do I care. While you are under my roof, you are under my protection in the Black name. You knew of my whole families prejudices to those of your birth, but you obviously see something redeemable in at least Draco. Give him time, Miss Granger, and it may be a lot of hard work, but I agree, he can change." Narcissa has found her way into the closet, curious as to what Hermione would wear. Narcissa shook her head sadly. "My dear girl, tomorrow we shall go shopping as a family. You have nothing to wear befitting your new rank in the Wizarding world."

"My… Rank?" Hermione was thoroughly confused now. Narcissa grinned and silently left the room. Narcissa welcome was as warm as Draco's was cold, Hermione was only too curious when the Patriarch would arrive.

When the House elf arrived to let Hermione know it was time for dinner, she was thoroughly surprised that it had a silk pillowcase as a dress, and two silk baby socks that had probably belong to Draco covered its feet.

"I's Lissie, the Black house elf." The creature introduced itself, bobbing. "I's Mistress Black-Granger's elf. And is time for Mistress to be to dinner."

Hermione followed Lissie, a million questions forming in her mind. Then she saw the doors to the room where she was tortured, and panic rose in her throat. A sigh of relief came as Lissie lead her away from the room. Instead, she was lead into an opulent family dining room with a small table set for the four of them. Narcissa had an empty seat next to her, which sat her across from Draco. As Hermione sat, Lucius looked up.

"Welcome to the… Family. Thank you for saving my son." Lucius was calm, and there was no malice in his eyes. Instead, there was only pain from being under nourished.

"Mr. Malfoy, please allow me to make you some nutrition potions." Hermione pleaded in little above a whisper.

"Why would my father take potions from a Mudblood?" Draco hissed.

"I would be very grateful, Miss Granger, if you brew me some nutrition potions. And you may call me Lucius." Lucius ignored his son's outburst. But he had left Hermione speechless. "So I hear we are going shopping tomorrow."

"Y-yes, Mr. Mal- Lucius. Mrs. Malfoy feels my wardrobe is inadequate for my new… My new rank?" Hermione turned to Narcissa.

"Oh, you see, when Narcissa and I accepted you into our home, you became a Black, as Narcissa is the last head of the Black Family. As Draco is the future Head of Malfoy, she has picked you as her heir to carry on the Black family. As Heir, you have automatically been bumped to pureblood, no matter who your parents are, and as such, you've gained the title, it's a courtesy title in a way, Heiress Black, and as such, you have a substantial amount of money in Gringotts. Once you sign the papers." Lucius smiled softly. Draco's mouth opened and closed like a fish.

"You're making her Princess Black?" Draco burst out, his face turning an angry red color.

"I'm making the brilliant witch who saved our family a real Pureblooded Witch in an Ancient Family, yes. Just as Potter is now King Harry Potter of Potter. And call me Narcissa, Dear." Narcissa replied primly. It was Hermione's turn to gape like a fish. "Don't do that dear, it's unladylike. Speaking of. Culture lessons start next week. I will be buying ample items for our… Classes tomorrow."

"You don't have to! I-I just wanted to ensure Draco wasn't sent to that horrid reformatory." Hermione said, shock evident in her voice even as the food appeared.

"Nonsense. You protected my family, making you family. It is the least we can do." Narcissa patted her hand. "Now, my dear, we eat."

Hermione watched in silence as the food magically proportioned itself onto her plate, a dish almost three times the normal size, giving her a bit of everything to try. The two meats on the plate were crown roast lamb which was served with a lemon-apple stuffing, whereas the other was a medium-rare steak with a gorgonzola-butter on top. There were butter and dill fingerling potatoes, maple glazed carrots, parmesan broccoli, curried rice, a miniature vegetable pasty, buttered pease pudding, and three small dishes of different gravies.

"I know you're a growing girl, and Lissie is always able to get you food, should you find yourself hungry at any time of day. You'll also notice Lissie is dressed nicely, she is to be considered a chaperone should we have any male guests." Lucius said as he had his plate magically refilled. Some color already returned to his pale features.

"Thank you, Lucius, Narcissa." Hermione mumbled while her plate refilled itself a little. She ate in silence until dessert was served. Miniature bakewell tarts, Eccles cake, syllabub, trifle, and different flavored cheesecakes replaced the other foods. A piece of each appeared on her plate, and she started with the cheesecakes.

"That's Lucius' favorite, too. This one is lemon, almond, blueberry, apple, and currant." Narcissa pointed each out. Hermione had never had so much food, and she had never realized how hungry she had been. "I am so delighted you aren't a picky eater, and you have an appetite!"

"My parents wish I'd lay off the sugar, but I just can't." Hermione smiled.

"Good. Sugar is meant to be enjoyed." Lucius chuckled.

Day 1

The older Malfoys have accepted me graciously into their home. Neither have held any prejudices against me, although Draco is bitter. Tomorrow, we have planned an outing.

Hermione laid the paper on the desk and smiled. Two people who had been her enemies were now treating her like family. She was spoiled for dinner and dessert, and she was excited for what tomorrow would bring. She realized that she would probably be put out once they were considered rehabilitated, but she was going to enjoy it while it lasted.

"I like her, Lucius." Narcissa said from her side of the shared bed.

"Your son is going to scare her off and be our undoing." Lucius' curt reply came. He rolled over to face her. "The madman is gone for good. We can rebuild the Malfoy name into something good. Fix the apothecary, leave a legacy to be proud of… For our grandchildren."

"Good night, my love." Narcissa whispered.