DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter
After everyone had finished eating the fireplace flared green and Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape stepped through. Everyone was surprised to see that Madam Pomfrey followed quickly behind them before the fireplace turned off again.
I frowned before warily exchanging a glance with Tonks who looked just as confused and wary as I did. I noticed the slightly hardened look in her eyes as she looked at the Headmaster and briefly wondered what happened between them.
Professor Dumbledore didn't have the twinkle in his eye as the others took there seats and turned to look at him as he stood at the head of the table.
He glanced at me above his half mooned glasses and I stared back "it's good to see you Miss Granger, i'm afraid to say that the Minister and I could not stop any of the newspapers from publishing stories on yourself and your family" he looked at me knowingly and i nodded once before looking down at the table.
"It's okay Professor I expected them at the funeral so I knew that stories would be published and everything would come out".
He nodded once before sighing "it's not safe anymore-"
He was cut off as Ron decided to speak the confused thought on most peoples minds "why would the Prophet be intrested in 'Mione's families death? No offense 'Mione but they never took an interest in any other Muggle-born families who died".
All of the younger people in the room nodded and I looked up with a sigh and opened my mouth to speak when Professor Snape sneered at Ron. "Weasley if you would just be patient and wait for the Headmaster to finish and anyway Miss Granger is one third of the Golden Trio" he spat the name out like it was a disgusting bug on the bottom of his shoe "her family was also murdered by Death Eaters".
Professor Dumbledore glanced up at him sharply "So there has already been some talk?"
"Yes Albus, Miss Granger is wanted by many" I paled slightly "the Dark Lord has taken interest in her personally, she was lucky that she was not with her family because she would not have been killed . . . she would have been taken".
I took a deep breath before letting it out slowly "I think we are confusing some people in the room Professor, I believe it would be best if we first explained what is going on". Everyone who had been watching us talk now nodded with slightly worried looks.
I took a deep breath and spoke slowly and quietly whilst watching everyone for their reactions "do any of you know about the Muggle royal family?"
I glanced at them all noticing the Weasley families confusion, well the younger Weasley's confusion. Harry looked deep in thought whilst Tonks was shifting next to me.
"The Royal family was murdered over the summer" Harry said looking at me with slight understanding. I think he was starting to put the pieces together "but their daughter the Princess survived" he was looking at me with wide eyes "Mione?"
I flinched as I heard the hurt in his voice and looked at him pleadingly "I couldn't tell anyone . . . I wasn't allowed, I wanted to you have to believe me Harry" I closed my eyes as they began to burn with tears.
Professor Dumbledore seeing that I couldn't carry on continued speaking as I leant my elbows on the table and placed my head in to so that I didn't have to see anyone, or that anyone else didn't have to see my tears.
"Miss Granger was under an oath to not speak of her background until her Grandmother thought the time was right-"
"Wait! Wait! I don't understand, what does Hermione have to do with the Royal family?" interrupted a very confused Ginny.
Snape sneered at her "Miss Granger is the Royal family Miss Weasley now if you would just stop interrupting Albus would explain more".
Ginny glared at him but couldn't hide her shock in time for everyone in the room to not see it, when I looked up at Ron's splutter I noticed a dark look flash across his eyes before he stared at me in disbelief. The twins were whispering and Bill and Charlie were deep in thought.
"As I was saying Miss Granger's family was murdered by Death Eaters" there were gasps around the room and I felt Harry stiffen beside me "It has been told to be an accident to anyone but the order and of course Voldemort and his followers. Miss Granger's life is in danger but I do not think that Voldemort wishes to kill her . . . more like use her".
I glanced up at him confused "because of my royal status?"
Dumbledore looked at me gravely "if you were to marry one of his followers or him" I shuddered at the thought "then he would have rule over the muggle word, I know he plans on taking over the ministry".
I gasped "Malfoy?"
"Indeed Miss Granger" Professor Snape drawled from close behind me.
I pushed myself out of my seat with shaky legs and moved to look out of one of the dark windows near the fireplace.
"Who else?" I whispered but was sure he had heard me.
There was a slight pause and when I turned around I noticed him looking at the Headmaster with an unreadable expression. I scowled "who else?" I snapped shocking everyone including myself.
"Hermione?" Harry spoke calmly but I looked at him.
"You don't understand Harry" I shook my head and ran a hand through my curls as everyone watched me "I must marry before I turn seventeen".
Everyone spluttered and gasped at that. There were a few shouted responses but Dumbledore held up his hand for quiet.
"I do not think they needed to know that Miss Granger" he said looking at me with slightly hardened eyes.
"Do not need to know! With all due respect Professor Dumbledore this is my life that everyone suddenly has an interest in!" by the end I was shouting at him and shaking with anger.
I turned to look at everyone "If I do not find someone to marry with in that year then I have to marry someone of there choice" I sighed sadly and spoke so quietly that everyone had to strain to listen "they already have a list and most of them connect to Death Eaters".
Sirius and Remus let out disgusted snorts and said together "Malfoy!"
I smiled sadly at them and nodded before Harry said "you have to marry Malfoy? As in Ferret?"
I was about to nod before my eyes widened "well" I spluttered "I . . . I presumed it was him because his Father is already married but my Grandmother only said the surname". I turned to look at Snape as he made a strained noise.
Everyone turned as one to look at him "that's not true!"
I turned my head to the side confused so he carried on "Narcissa died over the summer, Lord Malfoy is now a single man".
"So which Malfoy is it then?" Mr Weasley finally spoke up.
Snape hesitated as he looked at me before his shoulders slumped slightly "Lucius" he stated before glaring at Dumbledore and sitting down in the chair that I had left. Harry seemed shocked that he was now sitting next to Snape but he didn't look any where but at me.
My mouth dropped open as my eyes widened "what? How do you know this" I glared slightly missing Snape flinch.
"The Dark Lord has a spy on the council" I bit my lip at this information.
"Is my Grandmother safe going to see the council then?" I asked hesitantly not sure if I wanted the truth or not.
Dumbledore who had been quiet until now spoke up "of course she is, why wouldn't she be".
Everyone looked at him as if he had two heads and I noticed Sirius glaring at him and Remus's hand gripping his arm and whispering something in his ear until he calmed down.
"Why wouldn't she be?" I repeated his statement in disgust "because the only way for Voldemort to take over the Muggle world is for my Grandmother to pass the crown to me which would most likely be death at the moment" I hissed angrily at him before turning to Snape "is she safe?"
"Yes, for now but I think it best if she be on her guard and you keep an unknown wizard close to her".
I glanced at Tonks as Snape finished speaking, we had an unspoken conversation with our eyes before she nodded.
I nodded back gratefully before saying to Snape "it will be done".
"Now Miss Granger I do not believe that this is your choice".
"Albus!" Molly, Madame Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall spoke at the same time in shock.
I shook my head at the headmaster "really Professor, Grammy is all I have left and I intend to make she she's still there after this godforsaken war is over. I don't care what you say but she will stay safe".
I sat down this time next to Sirius who patted my knee under the table. I smiled thankfully at him before pinching the bridge of my nose.
Ginny who was now on my other side turned to look at me "are you really a Princess Hermione?" there was an undertone in her voice that I didn't like to hear.
I frowned slightly but nodded "yeah, Princess Hermione Granger who would have thought the Mudblood has more power then the Purebloods". I shook my head sadly.
Ginny's face darkened and she turned away with narrowed eyes. I watched her confused as everyone else started their own conversations.
"Don't mind her Hermione she's jealous I can smell it" I turned to Remus who was leaning over Sirius and whispered to me.
I nodded slowly "I was hoping no one would ever find out" I spoke quietly "I never wanted people to be jealous of me" I frowned sadly "there's nothing to be jealous of". I shook my head and was about to lie it on the table sleepily when I noticed Madam Pomfrey talking to Professor McGonagall.
I narrowed my eyes confused and furrowed my brow "madam Pomfrey, I've never seen you come to any of the Order meetings before never mind Sirius's house".
I was hoping that my voice didn't convey how suspicious I felt. Something just wasn't right.
Professor Dumbledore glanced towards Madam Pomfrey sharply and she winced slightly whilst sending him a quick glare.
"She is here because I thought it best to give you a quick check over Miss Granger".
My eyes narrowed as I turned to look at him "why?"
He stared at me and when I didn't back down he sighed "just to be sure that you are fine".
One of my eyebrows rose as I stared at him "why wouldn't I be?"
"You lost your family Miss Granger it is just best to be sure" he spoke in his best Grandfatherly tone but I noticed the two Marauders, Tonks, Snape and surprisingly the twins glaring at him. Harry looked confused whilst Professor McGonagall and Molly Weasley looked deep in thought.
I stared at him for a moment in dismay before looking at Madam Pomfrey "what is it exactly that you want to do?"
She smiled at me after a quick nervous glance at Dumbledore "just a quick check to see how everything is, we can do it in your room".
I sighed feeling too tired to argue "fine". I stood up and walked out of the room before anyone could say anything.
Once in my room with Madam Pomfrey I sat on my bed and stared at her as she pulled out her wand. "Madam Pomfrey, tell me the truth what are you going to do?"
She looked at me sadly "I wish I could tell you Miss Granger but I can not, my job depends on it" she sounded slightly bitter and frustrated so I smiled sadly back.
"It's okay".
She bit her lip before she came over and ran her wand all the way down my body it glowed white which seemed to please her before she pointed it at my chest and muttered a spell. The wand then glowed white again before she muttered another spell and out her wand back.
We stayed silent for a moment whilst my mind was running through all the medical books that I had read. I was trying to work out what the spell she had said meant. I jumped when she cleared her throat.
"I bet you can't wait to get to the Hogwarts library" I looked up at her confused but she nodded to me with wide eyes.
I decided to play along "oh yes, I can't wait".
"I heard that you wanted to become a healer when you're older, you can find most of the healing books in the restricted section" she made her tone sadden slightly "it's a shame you couldn't go in there until your final year". She kept looking in my eyes as though she was trying to give me a message.
I smiled brightly after figuring out what she was telling me "of course but at least I can study for my career then".
She nodded and made a noise of agreement before moving to the door, just as she opened in she turned back "good luck".
I nodded and smiled before going back to my thoughts as soon as the door was closed. So Madam Pomfrey wants to help me but can not and Dumbledore is not to be trusted from the sounds of things. Snape, Remus and Sirius didn't seem to like Dumbledore. Everyone now knows who I am and soon everyone else will if my picture is in the Daily Prophet. Ginny's Jealous, Ron keeps looking at me strangely and Harry hasn't even looked at me.
So yeah … so far not going great.
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