Hello, my dears! It's interesting to hear what you guys have to say about this story, honestly. Majority of you love it, and that's amazing! Then there's always that one person who just doesn't understand that this is Fanfiction and I can write my stories how I please. I'm all for constructive criticism, but nothing you said did anything to help me better my story. I was going to respond to their review in more detail, but it seems another awesome guest reviewer already did that for me. So, I don't really feel the need to say much else about it other than I agree wholeheartedly with what FC01 said.

On another note, I'm thankful to all those who favorite, follow and review this story! You guys are amazing readers and I hope you will continue to enjoy this story as much as I enjoy writing it.

Also, this chapter mentions that the Blacks know that Brian is Hermione's son. The reason I don't show them finding out is because it will be shown in a flashback later on since it's important for the plot, but it'll give away a few key details if I explain it now.


"Hermione," Narcissa called out to the older woman, who was reading a book while sitting near the window.

It was raining outside, and so their plans for a picnic were ruined. Instead they choose to stay inside and relax in the library. Looking up from her book, Hermione met Narcissa's blue gaze to show she was listening. It was the beginning of summer holiday, and with the wedding ceremony only a month away, she had made it a point to spend time with both Narcissa and Andromeda, now that they were out of school. Andromeda graduated several days ago, shortly after turning 17, and that meant that Hermione would see more of her now. Narcissa wasn't happy about being the only one still in school, but Hermione assured her that her education was more important than her feelings of being left out. The youngest Black had reluctantly agreed, and occupied her time reading next year's material, hoping that she could get a head start. Hermione had no doubt that if she wanted to graduate early like Andromeda did, she could.

"Yes, My Queen," Hermione smirked at her, sitting her book down.

"Will we be staying here, after the ceremony," Narcissa asked, her curiosity getting the best of her,"I haven't been told much about how any of this works."

"Until you finish school, yes," Hermione nodded,"this castle was built by my grandmother many years ago. Once you've finished school, only my father, Angela and Brian will remain here, with several guards."

"You would leave your son," Narcissa looked offended that she would do that to her own child.

"Brian is a bastard, Cissy," Hermione shrugged,"he has no place in my household. Perhaps when he's older, but for now the boy must remain with my father. That's the way it has always been."

"But he's your child," Narcissa pressed.

"And I love him, of course," Hermione signed,"but how would it look, allowing my bastard to live with me and my wives when they have yet to bare me children themselves? That's an insult not only to you, but to the Drake name. Brian will not remain here forever, and he is allowed to visit whenever he pleases."

Narcissa remained quiet, and Hermione mentally cursed. Getting up, she sat next to the teen, who refused to look at her. Cupping her pale cheek, Hermione lifted her gaze until their eyes locked again. She could see the conflicting emotions swirling in her icy blue eyes, and Hermione signed.

"I know this all must be very difficult for you, and for that I apologize," Hermione began,"your heart is kind, and that will serve you well when you have a small child of your own. Brian will be taken care of, and loved like he should be, I swear it."

Narcissa only nodded, and looked back at her book. Feeling out of her element, Hermione reluctantly got up and left Narcissa to her thoughts. She got the feeling that the younger girl just needed space, so she gave it to her. As she wandered the halls of the castle, her mind went to Brian. He was everything one could only hope for in a son, but despite all that, it didn't change what he was. Hermione toyed with the idea of legitimizing him before it could really be protested by her people, but quickly pushed the thought away. Perhaps in a year she would revisit the thought, but for now, it wasn't an option. Without a daughter, it wouldn't matter if he was legitimized anyway, as he would only be seen as useless.

"What is it," Andromeda's voice broke Hermione from her musings, and she looked up just in time to see the middle Black sister watching her with concern.

"Nothing," Hermione dismissed her thoughts,"what are you doing?"

"I've just come back from my lessons with Angela," Andromeda held up the small book in her hand.

"How did it go," Hermione questioned, smirking at her.

"I had no idea how cruel that woman could be," Andromeda groaned,"she forced me to copy 20 pages of this book simply because I got an answer wrong."

"Just 20 pages? I'd say you got off relatively easy," Hermione laughed, "she used to make me do 60 if it was a small mistake and 100 for large ones. I learned very quickly not to make mistakes."

"That's just cruel," Andromeda frowned.

"Perhaps, but I guarantee I know all my history," Hermione winked.

"Then I suppose there is a method to her madness," Andromeda reluctantly agreed, following Hermione down the hall.

Lunch was soon, and she was quite hungry. She had to skip breakfast because she slept in, something she was never allowed to do at home. The more she was with Hermione, the more she realized she was given more freedom to do things she would have otherwise never been allowed to do with anyone else. They never spoken about the Ted situation, and after that night, Andromeda never spoke to him again. She heard a rumor that he spent the last week of school in the medical wing, and she had a feeling that Hermione had something to do with that, but she never asked.


"You're not going," Hermione informed Bellatrix, as she prepared herself to go to a Death Eater meeting.

"Of course I am," Bellatrix smirked at her, trying to get around her.

"Do you really think I'm going to let you go there? To serve that...man? I'll kill him before I do that," Hermione glared at her,"I know what tonight is. I won't let you go so you can take his mark."

"And what are you going to do to stop me, hmm? I'm a grown woman, and I'll not have you telling me what to do!"

"Bellatrix, I don't want to hurt you," Hermione warned,"please don't make me."

Bellatrix glared at her, and pulled her hand from Hermione's grasp. She stormed from the room without another word, and as she walked, she heard Hermione calling out to her. Ignoring it, she continued on as Narcissa and Andromeda peeked out from the library to watch the scene uunfold. Hermione signed, and accepted that she tried to get Bellatrix to see reason and failed.

"Guards," Hermione called out to the two men that stood in the hallway,"would you be so kind as to grab my stubborn betrothed."

The tall men didn't hesitate, and gripped one of Bellatrix's arms each. The witch tried to get away, wiggling and digging her nails into their hands, but nothing she did worked. Most guards weren't full blooded Warlocks, but still had Warlock blood, which enhanced their strength and healing. No matter what Bellatrix did, she wouldn't be freed until Hermione gave the order. Bellatrix screamed at them, threatening their lives if they didn't release her. Hermione just watched her in mild irritation, and rolled her eyes.

"Take her to her room until she's calmed down. Don't let her out of your sight," Hermione commanded, ignoring the fact that the threats were now aimed at her.

"I've never seen her that worked up," Andromeda admitted, watching her sister be dragged away.

"I believe she's more upset that I'm telling her what to do," Hermione said dryly, as the crazed screams died down.

Narcissa giggled, looking far too amused by the situation..

Hermione smiled at the sound, and offered both her hands to the sisters,"now, would you care to join me for dinner in my room? I don't really feel up to sitting at that table tonight."


"This boy, Tom Riddle, is getting out of hand," Henry informed Hermione," he's gathered too many Houses that descend from noble families. The LeStrange, The Goyles, even the Malfoy!"

Hermione signed as she listened to her father,"to be fair, I've never cared for the Malfoy."

"This is serious! He's making a fool of us and-"

"Father! Calm down," Hermione commanded,"this situation is easily solved. Besides, he is nowhere near the top of my list of priorities."

"Then what is?"

Hermione smirked at the question, looking at him with a devious glint in her hazel eyes,"why, the giants, of course."

"Giants? That's your answer to this," Henry looked at her in disbelief.

"As you well know, Warlocks have always had a great relationship with giants. We provide them land and stay out of their business, and in return they are loyal to us and only us. Giants have always come in handy when fighting a war. That is what we're about to do, isn't it? Fight a war?"

Henry nodded, his anger simmering down as he sat in his chair. He now understood what Hermione was doing. They had plenty of land to give, and there was no doubt that the giants would be willing to fight against the same people who forced them into hiding. There was likely not many giants left, but it would still be enough to make a difference. When the war was over, they could start over in peace, without worrying about their children being murdered in fear of their numbers growing too large.

"I'll look into it," Henry promised,"perhaps Mortaar is still alive."

Hermione gave him a slight nod, as she took stock of their land. As a Drake, she already had plenty to begin with, but being the last Warlock automatically made her the owner of all noble land. As she gathered more power, she would slowly start restoring the villages and towns that were abandoned and destroyed. They would also serve as the perfect hideouts. She also got the feeling that somewhere in theses places, Warlocks were still alive, preserved through the years in the same way she was. Only time would tell, but she would still hope. Logically, her mother couldn't be the only one who thought to seal their family away, so the odds were in her favor.

"We will need actual soldiers soon," Henry spoke up, looking at her,"we can only win so many battles with nothing more that 20 guards and a handful of giants."

"Then I suppose it's time to start gathering our resources in Greece," Hermione signed," the Drakos have plenty of good men to fight, since that's all they mange to reproduce since they broke of from the Drake bloodline. They may have changed their name, but they still answer to me."

"But they're wizards," Henry protested.

"Magic is magic," Hermione reminded him,"when it comes to warriors, where it comes from matters little as long as it works. I'm not going to give them a seat on the council, if that's what you're thinking."

Hermione stood from her seat, putting her paperwork away, as Henry watched her silently. Sometimes she reminded him of her mother so much it was uncanny. The way she spoke, and the way she she carried herself were nearly identical to Amelia. He knew she would be an amazing leader, just like her mother was. What he feared was that that would one day get her killed, just like it had her mother. He tried not to think about it, but it always nagged him in the back of his mind.

"If you'll excuse me, I promised Narcissa I would take her shopping," Hermione grumbled, glaring at him when he laughed.

"She's already got you wrapped around her finger, hasn't she?"

Hermione signed,"unfortunately, yes. But it's only a matter if time before I have her wrapped around several of mine."

With that, Hermione left the room, laughing at the horrified face Henry made when the meaning of her words dawned on him. Shaking his head to rid himself of the thought, Henry huffed.

"Goddess help me, that child will drive me to an early grave," he grumbled.