I'm incredibly sorry for the long wait. I just started a job that gives me insane hours that occupies most of my free time and I had a few story ideas that I had to write. I also figured out a chapter for this story that'll happen later on and now that it's figured out, I'm free to write the rest of it =]. This chapter is pretty much the real beginning of the story and the adoption won't play as big of a part for the time being. I'd love to hear so far what you think about this story.

Chapter Three – Welcome Back to Hogwarts, Is It All You Expected It To Be?

The rest of the summer seemed pass in a blur. She gave Harry his present on his birthday and he loved it. This was the first time he spent his birthday at the Burrow and she had never seen Harry happier, especially spending it with Ginny. Hermione knew that they were falling in love, it was just a matter of time before they admitted it to each other. Ron had been amazing to her and she couldn't ask for a better boyfriend. They hung out pretty much every day switching from hanging out at the Burrow to hanging out at her house. She knew when they arrived at Hogwarts that no one would be surprised, because according to the rumours it was only a matter of time before they went out. She had finally talked to her parents about the weirdness between them and they had apologized. They had told her that it was hard knowing that they weren't her parents anymore and that she wanted to find her biological family. Hermione told her parents that they were her parents, because they raised her to be who she was. After that conversation, everything had gone back to normal in the Granger household.

Hermione remembered when she had received her Head Girl badge with her letter, she actually squealed and jumped up and down. After 5 minutes, she remembered that Hermione Granger didn't squeal and quickly recomposed herself. It was everything she had worked for at Hogwarts and she was proud of herself. Even if everything was changing, something good came out of it. When she told Harry, Ron and Ginny, they weren't surprised at all and congratulated her. Mrs Weasley invited her to dinner that night and she accepted. It ended up being a congratulation feast for Harry who was the Quidditch Captain, Ron who was a prefect and Hermione for becoming Head Girl. Everyone was so happy, Percy even gave her a hug to congratulate her. It was only slightly creepy.

Now it was September 1st and she was on her way to platform 93/4 with her parents to return for her 7th Year. To say that Hermione was excited was a complete understatement. She almost squealed again this morning, but reminded herself once again it wasn't Hermione behaviour. After they crossed the wall, Hermione stopped before heading to the Weasleys.

"I'm going to miss you mum and dad," Hermione said sadly.

"We're going to miss you too honey," her mother said, "Don't worry about us though, everything will be fine. It always is."

"Alright, I can't help but worry about you guys sometimes. Just be careful and don't ever forget that I love you. Remember you guys are my parents," she said as she emphasized you guys.

"We know and we love you too. Make sure to write to us every once and a while and make sure Ron doesn't do any funny business with you," her dad said with a smile.

Finally, Hermione said goodbye to them, gave them each a hug and ran towards the Weasleys.

"Hey Hermione," Ron said before he kissed her.

"Hey," Hermione said after she pulled away.

"Save that for later," Fred laughed.

Hermione rolled her eyes at him and he winked at her.

"Fred, you're one to talk," she said laughing.

"Shut it, bookworm," he joked.

"Anyways, thank you for letting me come over this summer Mr and Mrs Weasley. I appreciate it," Hermione said and Mrs Weasley quickly gave her a big hug.

After saying goodbye to everyone and almost missing the train, the quartet grabbed an empty compartment and relaxed. It felt like it was ages ago that Hermione went to Hogwarts when it was actually only two months ago. Her whole world has changed since then and it was surprising to think that. Only one simple discovery can change your life. Ron pulled Hermione on him and let her sit on him and Harry and Ginny were in deep conversation because they knew that no matter how much Ron approved of their relationship, they shouldn't kiss in front of him. It caused a reaction that even Hermione couldn't control.

"I'm so happy we're back, I've really missed Hogwarts," Harry said after he finished his conversation with Ginny.

"I'm not, I don't care for school at all," Ron replied.

"Ron! How could you say that. We're at Hogwarts and we need this information for later in life!" Hermione exclaimed.

Ron laughed, "Well I'm sorry Miss Can't-Get-Enough-Of-School, but I prefer to be at home then here."

"Stop it you guys, anyways, Hermione, don't you have to go to a Head meeting?" Ginny asked curiously.

"Oh right, I totally forgot! Thanks Ginny," Hermione smiled as she quickly gathered her robes to change into before the meeting.

Hermione walked to the compartment nervously hoping that she was going to be good enough for the position. She knew that people would be surprised to hear her doubt herself, but she was a human being. Her biggest fear was to be alone and to fail which she refused to do. It was that fear of failing that pushed her to be better, to succeed. Hermione hoped that she got along with the Head Boy, because it would make life a lot easier and she wanted them to get along. You could never have too many friends.

As she slid open the door, she was surprised at who was sitting there lazily. The pale thin face of Draco Malfoy was sitting there with a Head Boy badge and she couldn't help but inwardly groan at the thought of Malfoy being the Head Boy. Deciding to keep the peace for right now, she sat down across from him and thought about Ron. This summer with him had been amazing and she would probably forever remember it. They had taken a million pictures together so they could finally say that they finally were dating. She knew that her classmates wouldn't be shocked at all. That part bugged her a little to be honest. She didn't want to be predictable, but dating Ron was exactly that. Shaking her head at the thought, she noticed Malfoy trying to get her attention.

"Hey mudblood, it's time to go to the meeting," Malfoy told her as he left quite suddenly.

Hermione had to walk fast to keep up to his long legs. In their letter they received this summer, it included their train duties. They had to set up the train patrols and announce their position pretty much. She was excited because Ron was going to be there and even though they wouldn't be able to talk during the meeting, she still knew she had his support.

"Hello everyone, my name is Hermione Granger and I'm your Head Girl. This is Draco Malfoy your Head Boy. Now I'm sure that you guys all know what your duties are. You guys are there to help with patrolling, keeping the peace at school, being a good example for the student body and helping the younger students out. You'll get your patrolling schedule in a week and until then the Head Boy and I will be in charge of it. For patrolling the train, the Slytherin and Ravenclaw prefects will patrol for the first half of the train ride and then the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff prefects will patrol the train. Do you have any questions?" Hermione asked everyone.

When everyone was silent, she dismissed them. After Ron squeezed her hand when he walked out, Hermione put the letter with directions away and was about to walk out when something stopped her. Malfoy had grabbed her and pushed her into the wall. To say she was not surprised or frightened would be a lie. There was something about Malfoy that scared her. After he lost his parents a few years ago, he had become quite unpredictable and now that she was a Head with him, it scared her a little.

"What is your problem," Hermione harshly said to cover up her fear.

Draco sneered, "My problem is that you took control of that meeting and didn't let me get a word in. Who told you to take the lead in there?"

"Look, I just assumed that you didn't want to do any work," she told him glaring at him.

"Don't undermine me again mudblood. I will do the work expected of me, so don't try that again," he said menacingly before he left.

It took Hermione a couple of seconds before she got over her shock. She was surprised that Malfoy wanted to do the work, but wasn't disappointed. It would give her more time to study and hang out with Harry, Ginny and Ron. The thing that bothered her was how she was scared of him. How could she be an equal to someone who scared her? Hermione pushed that thought out of her head to think about later. She refused to be afraid of Malfoy. Deciding that she had been gone for awhile, she decided to return to their compartment. When she walked in, she was surprised. There was a girl their age that had joined them that she had never seen before. She had long flowing blonde hair and piercing green eyes. The whole group was laughing at something that someone said. Finally deciding to announce her arrival, she sat next to Ron.

"Hey, how did the meeting go? Who's the Head Boy?" Harry asked her when he noticed her.

"Malfoy's the Head Boy," Ron growled.

Harry looked annoyed, "What? How did that happen?"

"He probably had his daddy pay for him," Ron said angrily.

Ron never said anything, but he dreamed of being Head Boy and knowing that Malfoy took the spot made him mad.

"There's nothing we can do now and I'm sure that you can't bribe Dumbledore, Ron. The meeting was good and short," Hermione finally cut in.

"If it was short, what took you so long to get back?" Harry asked curiously.

Hermione sighed, "Malfoy just wanted to talk about something Professor McGonagall wrote in the letter, don't worry about it."

After the guys were calmed down, Ginny introduced her to the new girl, "Hermione this is Emma Dumont, Emma this is Hermione Granger."

"Pleased to meet you," Hermione replied as she shook her hand.

"Likewise," Emma replied.

As soon as Emma spoke, there was something about Emma that she didn't trust. Maybe it was because she was reminded of Malfoy when she spoke or maybe it was because something about Emma was screaming at Hermione not to trust her. Whatever it was, Hermione knew that she couldn't trust her. The hard part was that Harry, Ginny and Ron seemed to think that she was fine and they seemed to trust her already. Hermione didn't understand why they couldn't see what she saw. She was practically oozing fakeness. Deciding that she was probably overreacting, she decided to let it go and was pulled into the conversation.

"I think you and Emma will get along great. You guys are both the studious type, she got Os on everything in her OWLs," Ron told her smiling.

"Yes, I hear you're the smart one around here. Maybe we should compare notes," Emma said with a hint of malice in her tone.

Everyone else seemed to be oblivious though and she couldn't help but wonder if she was imagining it.

"Maybe we should. So what school did you go to before?" Hermione asked politely.

"Beauxbatons," Emma replied indifferently.

Ginny smiled, "Hermione speaks french, another thing you guys have in common."

"C'est vrai? Tu parles français?" Emma asked her. (It's true? You speak french?)

Hermione looked uncomfortable, "Oui, c'est vrai. Pas tellement bien, mais assez pour être considerer française. J'espère que je ne vous insulte pas." (Yes, it's true. Not that well, but enough to be considered french. I hope I'm not insulting you.)

"That's wonderful," Emma said overenthusiastic.

"Yes it is," Hermione fake smiled.

It was an incredible start to her last year at Hogwarts. Malfoy was Head Boy and Emma Dumont looked like she would prefer if Hermione wasn't there so she could have Ron, Ginny and Harry to herself. If she didn't know better, she would have competition for the first time this year. All Outstandings on her OWLs had to be a complete lie. Only a select few had managed to achieve that feat at Hogwarts. Hermione felt an extremely strong determination. She was not going to let Emma or Malfoy walk all over her this year. Hermione was going to be in control. It was about time she controlled her life and didn't let other people control it for her.

Please Review =].