I own nothing. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

Standing in the hallway of the house she had come to think of as her home waiting for the portkey sent by her family to activate, Hermione could not help but think it was all rather ironic. Ever since she had entered the wizarding world, she had been viewed as a second class citizen by many of its members, mainly those who believed in and followed the strict culture and rules of pureblood society. Now that she had fought for and won her right to be viewed as valuable as every other witch, she discovers that she isn't a muggle-born and didn't deserve the scorn their society had placed on her since she was eleven. Funny how things work out. And it seemed, if the letter Andromeda Pucey had received from her Father earlier in the day was anything to go by, that she was going to have to learn to play nice.

She'd been eating a filling breakfast of eggs and bacon in the kitchen after waking up surrounded by sweating boy, when the owl arrived. Hermione had been hoping against hope that the Pucey's would just not contact her, leaving her with a genuine excuse as to why she didn't show up to their Manor. She couldn't if she didn't know where it was now could she. Alas it was not to be. The owl carrying the letter addressed to her swooped in through the open window, landing gracefully on the back of her chair. After being relieved of its burden, it wasted no time and flew straight back the way it had came. Trying hard to ignore the fact that a letter address to Andromeda Pucey had found its way to her, she opened the expensive envelope finding a surprisingly lengthy letter inside.

Dear Andromeda,

With your sudden departure from the office of our family attorney yesterday I did not have time to provide you with a portkey to return you to your home. To rectify this problem, this letter shall provide that service and shall activate at precisely 2pm. I would not enjoy the worry both myself and your brother would feel if you did not arrive with the portkey.

I have had your rooms prepared for your arrival, giving you the suite of rooms adjacent to your brother at his request. House elves have also been dispatched to procure any and all things that you will need to make your reintroduction to our family lifestyle as smooth as possible.

I look forward to having you in your rightful place,

Your father, Aden Pucey

Head of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Pucey

After reading through the letter once, Hermione had been ever so slightly annoyed. During the second, third and forth read through, her annoyance had turned to rage, back to annoyance and then finally acceptance. The subtle threat of a reaction if she didn't show, and the references to 'our' family did not sit overly well with her but she supposed they were somewhat understandable. If she was going to go through with this then she had best get used to the way in which Aden Pucey acted. It also hadn't gone unnoticed by Hermione that there had been no mention of her mother, merely of her father and brother. The unpleasant thought that maybe her mother was dead popped into the young witch's head and refused to leave. That just led to more confusion and mixed feelings. How were you supposed to feel when you discover that a mother you have never met is possibly dead? Deciding that was just another thing that she needed to be put to the back of her mind, Hermione had settled down to her breakfast again.

The day had passed rather swiftly after that. She spent her time rechecking her bags and then spending time with Gin, Harry and Ron. Mrs Weasley was avoided at all costs after she had tried to give her a pureblood etiquette lesson she remembered from her youth. Although it would have surely been useful, it was a bit late to try to change her into the proper pureblooded witch her family seemed to expect. So now here she was, standing in the hall holding tightly to her pet cages and the letter while her bags sat touching her feet so as not to be left behind. She had said goodbye to everyone, finding it more difficult than expected to leave Remus and Kingsley behind. She had become closer than she had realised to both of them, relying on them to support her in all instances. Everyone had promised to write, and while Harry seemed to understand that she might not make it back for his birthday she had promised to do everything she could to be there. She hadn't wanted them all standing around waiting for her to be tugged away, so had insisted they all go about their usual business and pretend nothing was happening. That paid off, as no one was there to see as at exactly two o'clock she got a panicked look upon her face and was quickly spun away by the portkey.

The uncomfortable sensation of spinning rapidly through the air didn't last as long as she had expected, though that didn't help the queasiness the witch always felt after using a portkey as a means of travel. It took her a few seconds to regain her bearings after she was deposited off at her destination, thankfully staying on her feat. Hermione could only imagine the amusement her family would gain from seeing their new member sprawled out on their entranceway hall. And what an impressive entranceway it was! She had never before been to a Manor house and had been unsure what to expect. This surpassed all off her estimations. The hall was almost the size of the quidditch pitch at Hogwarts, all marble flooring and high ceilings. Several tall doors led off of the hall, with a wide staircase at the end which branched off both left and right after going up half a flight. The walls were lined with portraits of men sitting in chairs or riding horseback, all looking very important and influential. Each time her gaze landed on one they seemed to quickly change the direction of their stare leading her to believe they were studying her just as closely as she wanted to study them. However that would have to wait, as she heard a voice call out from behind her.

"Welcome home, Andromeda. I am glad to see you have arrived safely," Aden Pucey called from behind her. She spun round quickly, reaching her fingers into her sleeve to grasp her wand which she kept attached to her wrist. It had been one of the first things Hermione had learnt in her training with Kingsley and Tonks. As was checking all around you when you arrive someplace. She couldn't believe she had been so reckless as to stare blindly ahead without checking there was no one behind her. "Are you alright?," the tall man asked, obviously reacting to the scowl on her face.

"Yes, yes. I'm sorry," she muttered, realising this was not the time to beat herself up over her carelessness. Looking up and trying to provide a small smile for her father, she saw that he was not they only one there. Adrian was standing beside the older man, in front of the imposing front door. It was much easier to conjure a smile for him. "Hello Adrian, Mr Pucey," Hermione answered finally.

"I see you have brought luggage with you," the elder man stated, looking back and forth between his son and daughter. Seeing he did not have the attention of either, he loudly cleared his throat. "I shall have the house elves take your luggage to your room. We had prepared tea in the study in acknowledgement of your arrival." Raising an eyebrow but deciding now was not the time for talk of her position on house elves, Hermione merely nodded and fell in behind her father as he headed for one of the doors leading off the hall. This was much more awkward than she had expected, although it was mostly her own fault. She had been prepared to greet both men civilly, but her own annoyance at being caught off guard and set the tone for the initial greetings. Deciding it would be up to her to change that tone Hermione, no Andromeda she reminded herself, pushed her shoulders back and focused on the present once again. They were just entering the study that had been spoken of and the young witch was pleasantly surprised. Faced with the stark coldness of the entranceway, Hermione had expected the rest of the house to be much the same. This room however was done in warm, comforting tones with large, overly stuffed sofa's and a blazing fireplace taking up almost the entire wall opposite the door. There was a desk in front of the fire and in front of that were the two green sofa's, placed facing each other over a long coffee table. While she stood studying the room, both Pucey men had seated themselves, one on each sofa. She wondered if that were intentional, effectively forcing her to sit with one of them, rather than appear as a separate entity. Smiling at the Slytherin tactics she moved forward and sat on the sofa already occupied by Adrian, giving him another smile as she did so.

"Your home is lovely," she said to go with her smile.

"Yes, the room is," he answered knowingly with a smile of his own. In reply she laughed softly and nodded her head. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad after all. "Would you like some tea?"

"Please," Hermione answered before telling him she liked it with a small drop of milk then watching him lean forward and collect a cup, adding the milk before handing it too her. He them repeated the process for himself. "How old are you?" Blushing slightly at having burst out the question, Hermione ducked her head and almost missed his soft chuckle.

"I'm nineteen, Andro-"Adrian answered before stopping abruptly before finishing the name.

"It's okay," she reassured. She knew if it had been the elder of the two men she would not have said the same thing, but looking at Adrian she couldn't help but allow the concession. "You can call me Andromeda if you'd like. I understand I'm not the only one struggling with this, and I'd rather we adjust now rather than draw the process out."

"If you are sure," he said and she quickly nodded. Smiling he continued, "Well then I am nineteen Andromeda. I was at Hogwarts up until two years ago."

"I don't remember seeing you around," she mused. "But then, I don't suppose we went in the same circles."

"Well no, but I do remember hearing an awful lot about you. You were certainly noticeable," her brother answered with a very Slytherin-esk smirk.

"Perhaps it is best we leave that discussion for another time," her father interrupted. Startled, both spun away from each other to face their father. Hermione had forgotten that he had even been there. She was seriously becoming concerned over her observation skills, just as well the war was over she thought ruefully. The look of the elder man's face told her clearly that he had not forgotten, and most definitely was not happy at discovering who exactly she had been for the past seventeen years. She nodding in answer to his comment, keen to continue to avoid that topic at the moment. Clearly that was not going to be allowed for long. "It will be discussed however, maybe tonight after dinner?"

Knowing it wasn't really a question, Hermione just continued to sit, every now and again sipping at her cup. What was it about Aden Pucey that seemed to intimidate her into silence so easily? Whatever it was, it was infuriating.

"Now that we have finished our tea," he began upon seeing Hermione place her cup back on the tray, "I think it best I explain the basic rules of the house to you. Breakfast is at 8am, Lunch at 1pm and Dinner at 7pm. Attendance at both breakfast and dinner is required unless I have advance knowledge of why you will not be in attendance. Lunch is more relaxed, with both Adrian and I out working during the day so there is no need for you to attend the dining room if you do not wish. Appropriate attire will be expected at dinner. You are free to leave the Manor and explore the grounds as much as you desire. If you desire to leave the property altogether, you are to ask permission. I shall not have you disappearing with no one aware of your destination or when you plan to return. There is much on our ground for you to explore so I not expect this to be a problem in the immediate future at least. I would also ask that you inform me before inviting anyone over to the Manor. I see you have an owl that, of course you are free to use at your leisure. I believe that is everything," he finished still holding the gaze of a rather gobsmacked Hermione. Never before had she been subjected to 'house rules' and she didn't think it was something she was going to enjoy at all. And what exactly was appropriate attire? "Oh how could I forget," he spoke again still staring at the young witch. "I am sure this goes without saying, but I shall say it to avoid any confusion, you will be respectful of any and all our guests."

"Who exactly are you expecting?" the young witch demanded.

"No one today," her father responded. "That was for future knowledge only." Before Hermione had a chance to tell him how utterly ridiculous his rules were, and that she had no intention of becoming the perfect obedient daughter, he clicked his right hand and a house elf appeared standing before him. "This is Jess, your personal house elf. She will show you to your rooms," he finished before standing, glaring at his son and stomping out of the room. Adrian, after sending her a pitying look, stood and followed. Hermione was left wondering just exactly when the conversation had turned into a list of orders. This wasn't going well at all.

"Miss, are you ready to be shown your rooms?" Looking up at the small voice, Hermione was brought face to face with Jess and nodded her acceptance receiving a vibrant smile in return. "If you will just follow me Miss Andromeda."

As seemed to be becoming a pattern for her, the young witch walked in a daze behind the little house elf, finding herself once again overwhelmed by what was happening to her. She couldn't understand why Mr Pucey had forced her to return here when it seemed glaringly obvious that he did not like her. This was exactly how she had imagined a pureblood household to be, parents who knew nothing of feelings and showed no warmth for their children. It was going to be a long five weeks until Hogwarts opened again if things continued on like this.

"Here we are Miss," Jess chirpily declared. Pulling herself from her thoughts Hermione found herself standing in the middle of a beautiful bedroom. The walls were painted a delicate white colour which was necessarily calm considering the rest of the furnishings. Everything that stood still was draped in the richest red fabric she had ever seen, everything seeming to drip with the colour. In the centre against the back wall was the largest four-poster bed, piled high with pillows and cushions and with a deep gold blanket draped against the footboard. Flanking the bed on either side were two long, slim windows which were each decorated with curtains of the same red which moved with the breeze coming through the open window.

"It's beautiful," she mumbled as she gazed at the bed. "Are you sure this is for me?"

"Of course Miss Andromeda," Jess answered. "It was finished just this morning. Young Master Adrian had us house elves add some more bookshelves over here," she said pointed to a wall Hermione had not yet inspected, "while Master Aden had us change the colour."

"That was very thoughtful of them," Hermione said not really sure what to make of that revelation. On either side of the bookshelves, which were mounted to the wall above a desk that already held what looked to be her quills and parchment sets, she spotted doors. "Where do they lead Jess?"

"This one here," she answered moving to open the one closest to Hermione," is to your closet and changing room Miss." Standing in the doorway, Hermione could already see that the room was almost the same size as the room she and Ginny had been sharing at Grimmauld Place. Peering in the door, the young girl saw it was already filled with what appeared to be her clothes and a vast number of outfits she had never seen before. Clearly pre-empting the coming question Jess explain that all her things had been put away along with all the things Master Aden had had bought for her. While it had been mentioned in the letter that her father would provide the things he thought she needed, she hadn't thought that he would purchase quite so much. Really one person would need an awful lot of time to get through that amount of outfits. At least she didn't have to worry if she had the appropriate attire for dinner or not, she thought. Focusing her attention back on Jess, Hermione was quickly shown through the second door, which housed an equally lavish bathroom complete with both a claw-foot bathtub and shower.

"This is ridiculous! I don't need half of this stuff," she declared angrily.

"Miss Andromeda is not pleased with her room," Jess muttered in a devastated voice.

"Oh no, Jess of course I'm pleased with it. I'm just not used to such nice things," she answered as earnestly as she could manage.

"That will just have to change then young Miss," Jess determinedly answered nodding her large head. Brown eyes looked Hermione up and down and then the nodding became more frantic. "I have waited many years for young Mistress to be returned to us and now I will take proper care of you, Miss Andromeda. Yes, Jess will be taking good care of you now."

"That's lovely of you to offer Jess, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with having a house elf look after me. I can do things myself," Hermione replied.

"Now Miss just doesn't know the way things are to be. Jess knows she can take care of herself, of course Miss can, but Jess wants to do it. It makes house elves happy to be looking after their family properly and Miss Andromeda is Jess's to look after," the elf finished in a no nonsense voice.

Still against the idea but deciding that an ally in the house might not be the worst idea Hermione nodded her acceptance receiving a blinding smile in return. "I'd rather we be friends though if that is okay Jess?"

"Why yes of course," she stated as if it had been the most obvious thing. "Jess and young Miss will be the best of friends, Jess knew that already. The Pucey family takes very good care of their elves." Listening and looking at Jess, Hermione found that she would have to agree. Her speech must much clearer, only slipping when she tried to speak in the first person, and she was dressed in a clean outfit of small shorts and what appeared to be a tiny shirt. On the right breast of the shirt was a crest printed in black which was too small for Hermione to examine closely. "Now that is sorted, Miss must relax and then get ready for dinner. It is already after four!"

"If you say so," Hermione chuckled. "Will you come back and take me to the dining room? I don't really have any idea where I am and the Manor seems rather large. Oh, and do you know where my owl Sthenelus is? I promised my friends I would write to them as soon as I was able."

"Of course," Jess nodded before popping off and reappearing seconds later holding Sthenelus in his cage and a large bird stand. "If Miss would prefer the young owl could stay in here with her?" At her quick agreement, the stand was soon placed in a corner opposite one of the windows and Sthenelus was released and directed to his new perch. Water and treats appeared as soon the bird landed and he was soon content drinking and eating his fill. After other query from Hermione, Crookshanks was retrieved as well and Hermione was left to entertain herself. The end of the bed was claimed by him in no time and she felt herself relax slightly into the situation. Seeing her things around the room hadn't made it feel like hers, but having Crookshanks curled up at the end of her thick duvet did the trick. Knowing that she didn't have long before dinner if she planned on showering, Hermione quickly sat at her desk to write a small note to her friends and surrogate family letting them know she was okay, if not a little unsettled and sent it off with a jumpy Sthenelus.

After a long shower to sooth her nerves, the problem of what to wear presented itself. Ignoring all the clothes she had brought with her, Hermione quickly found that everything that her father had provided for her were wizarding robes. Summer robes, winter robes, casual robes and mountains upon mountains of dress robes. Each with matching shoes. Decided that the sheer volume of dress robes suggest that they were the correct choice, she grabbed the first set that came to hand and thanked her lucky stars that the female version of dress robes were rather similar to muggle dresses. If only one hundred times fancier, with the fabric to match. Her selection was largely dark purple, with silver detailing and stitching. Feeling rather stupid and wishing she was back at headquarters heading to dinner in her jeans and jumper, she flopped down on her bed. It all just felt so odd. She had no idea how to act around Aden Pucey, constantly feeling like a child as soon as she entered a room with him. Dressing up in fancy clothes which made her feel even more uncomfortable certainly wasn't going to help the situation.

"Come Miss Andromeda! It is almost seven," Jess shouted startling her. Muttering under her breath she stood, smoothed the robes, accepted the compliment Jess directed at her and followed the elf through the complex maze that was her new home. In no time at all Jess stopped in front of a set of white double doors in the entrance hallway and pop-ed away without a word. Gathering her courage, Hermione pushed open the doors and entered what she assumed was the dining room. As soon as she entered she heard a sharp intake of breathe which drew her gaze towards a startled looking Aden Pucey.

"You look exactly like your mother," he mumbled softly before turning away and moving towards the lit fireplace at the other end of the room. Startled by the proclamation, and the rather emotional reaction from a man she had thought cold, Hermione turned to the only other person in the room hoping for an explanation. Adrian just shook his head, looking worriedly at his father. Completely unsure of what to do Hermione felt herself back tracing the few steps she had made into the room, desperate to reach the door and run back to her room. She had been curious about her mother but this was not how she wanted to broach the subject, with an uncomfortable comment that seemed to confirm that she was dead. Having no idea what she felt about that, it seemed just another reason to leave the two wizards alone and seek the relative safety of her bedroom. Her tentative steps seemed to catch the attention of the man standing by the fire, and he quickly spun to face her causing her to freeze on the stop. Visibly pulling his pureblood mask back to on, her father stalked towards her before taking her arm and leading her to a seat to the left of the head position. Pulling it out, he waited for her to seat herself before he sat in the head of the table, with Adrian seated on his left. "I do apologise. That was not the way in which I wanted our first family meal to begin," Mr Pucey spoke as he placed his napkin on his lap. Seeing Adrian copy his father's movements Hermione did the same and their dinner suddenly appeared on the plates before them, a starter of rich tasting soup with what smelt like fresh bread.

They ate in silence through the starter and main course. It wasn't until fruit and coffee appeared in the centre of their trio that conversation was once again instigated. Hermione had been looking down the table, wondering why on earth they were eating at a table that could easily seat twenty when her brother broke the silence.

"Andromeda, did you like your rooms?" Both of the other Puceys at the table turned to stare at Adrian as soon as he had opened his mouth, one with gratitude and the other with the startled look of a cornered animal.

"Yes they are lovely. Thank you," Hermione answered softly. Her brother nodded and then looked to the man sitting at the head of the table, asking him what he had planned for them over the weekend.

"I had hoped we would all stay here and get better acquainted," he responded. "Tomorrow I had thought you might give your sister a tour of the house while I deal with business matters. On Sunday we have some visitors who are anxious to meet Andromeda." At his sons' nod of understanding, he turned his attention to Hermione. "After dinner I was hoping we could adjourn to the study and have some much needed discussions." A mumbled 'sure' was the only response from the witch and silence again rained. It did not take long for the wizards at the table to tire of the resurgence of silence however, and they both stood ready to leave. Placing her napkin back onto the table and feeling someone behind her pulling out her seat, Hermione stood also and followed Adrian from the room, across the wide hallway and into the same study as before.

A different kind of Slytherin tactics came into play this time, namely intimidation, and both wizards sat on one of the sofas leaving Hermione with the other all to herself. While she would have been grateful for it earlier in the day, now a little backup would not have gone a miss.

"I'm sure you have questions you wish to ask me," Mr Pucey began, "and I will give you an opportunity to do so. Hopefully you will allow me to explain how we have come to be in this situation before you do so however."

"Sure," Hermione said startled that the man seemed to be being reasonable about the situation.

"Alright. I think it best to begin with explaining the reasons we concocted the Adoption Contract in the first place. It was intended to keep you away from the notice of the Dark Lord and his followers, essentially ensuring your safety. It was an extreme option of course but one that we felt necessary considering the legacy of the Pucey family. We have never been capable of producing female children, not as far as our history is recorded. This has kept us as a rather small ,though still influential family and resulted in the fact that as a family we prize female births above all else. That is not to say your mother and I did not celebrate the birth of your brother. He is my Heir and is my treasured son. You however were so extremely rare and precious to us. If word of your existence had gotten out, every pureblood family would have been vying for a contract binding you to their Heir. With those we associated with at the time, this would most likely have resulted in you being removed from us and put into the care of another family. An Inner Circle family," he emphasised. "I could never wish that life for you and so, when all other options proved fruitless, the Contract was decided upon. We never expected the war to last as long as it did, foolishly thinking you would be returned to us within a matter of months, a year at the most. The glamour placed upon you was part of the contract and so, even when Adrian did see you at Hogwarts, there was no family resemblance and we knew now who you were, only your age and the year you were in at school."

He gave a rather long pause then, giving the girl time to digest the information she had been given. It was close to what Remus and the Headmistress had explained to her as likely reasons for her being given away, and she even grudgingly admitted they did make sense. Giving a small nod to the two men in front of her, her family began speaking again.

"As I am sure you have already deduced, your mother is no longer in this world. She became ill a few short months after we had lost you and succumbed to the illness quickly. Since then it has just been Adrian and myself, waiting until the final end of the war or your majority in order for you to return to your family once again," he finished looking thoroughly depressed after having spoke of his wife and her death. None of this was hitting her too harshly, having all been at least a little expected apart from the lack of girls in the family, despite Mrs Weasley trying to prepare her of that fact. It just seemed rather farfetched.

"How many females are there in the family? Surely I'm not the only one," she asked.

Both men just smiled before the elder answered. "You are only the three ever Pucey female by birth recorded in the family records Andromeda. The records go back many, many generations, further than almost all other British pureblood families."

"That's ludicrous," Hermione cried. She refused to believe that, it made no logical sense.

"I had thought you might react that way," Adrian laughed. "It is true though. Legend has it that a curse was placed on the family by a rival that we wronged and that it won't be lifted until a true blood Pucey gives themselves willingly to the Heir of the wronged family. We don't know who they are, which presents a problem though," he finished smirking.

"Yes I'd imagine it would," she responded distractedly.

"Was that your only question?"

"No Mr Pucey, just my first. I've learnt that you supported Voldemort," she stated ignoring the wince of both men, the fact that people still struggled with it even though he has dead and gone infuriated her. "I want to know if either of you were Death Eaters?" She saw no need to be tactful over the question, thinking that they must surely expect it.

"Ah, now I see we are getting to the interesting topics. Namely our roles in the war, in which I can assure you you were the most active family member," her father spoke angrily.

"You didn't answer the question," she reminded him deciding to ignore the anger until she had her response. Bending her right wrist back as she spoke she felt for both her wand and the charm bracelet her boys had given her, ensuring they were both close at hand while hoping she would have no use for them.

"I am no Death Eater," Adrian declared as he pulled up his left sleeve and exposed his unmarked forearm to his sister's gaze. She gave him an apologetic look in response before turning back to her father awaiting his response. "Just show her father," Adrian urged causing the elder man to sigh and repeat the gesture of his son. His forearm however was not unmarked but bore the Dark Mark causing Hermione to gasp and draw further into the sofa. While she had asked, she had not been expecting either of the men to have the Mark, merely viewing it as a precaution and a way in which to make clear her views to them. "It's okay Andromeda," Adrian called standing and moving towards her. Unlike earlier in the day however her instincts and training were fully functioning and she quickly stood, darting away from both men but sadly also away from the door. "This is stupid father, just explain to her you aren't going to hurt her," Adrian shouted at the other man, shifting his attention between him and Hermione who now had her wand out and pointed in their direction.

Giving another sigh the older man stood also and faced his daughter. "I had thought I would have trouble explaining this unfortunate Mark to my daughter when she finally returned, but I had not thought she would draw her wand on me," he drawled.

"Father! That is not helping," Adrian shouted once again. Turning back to look at the panicked girl he quietened his voice and raised his hands in a submissive gesture. "He wasn't a real Death Eater, I promise. He never went on any of the raids or killed anyone! He was just forced to take it so the Dark Lord could contact him whenever he needed him for financial advice or information on the other ancient families. I promise Andromeda, I wouldn't have let you come here if I though there was even a chance you would be hurt," he cried.

Hermione was so confused. Her brain was screaming at her to runrunrun, that her father was a threat and not safe but part of her was desperate for her to believe her brother, to trust him when he said that he wouldn't have let her come if she would be hurt. Her magic seemed to agree with the part of her that wasn't her brain, seeming to want her to stay and resisting her desire to pull her magic to her wand that was still pointed at Aden Pucey. "You promise?"

"I promise," Adrian vehemently agreed, responding to the quiet but forceful words from the witch. "I won't let anyone hurt you Andromeda, you are my sister," he finished as if that explained everything. To Hermione who had two surrogate brothers in the shape of Harry and Ron it did and she lowered her wand slowly.

When she finally had her arm back at her side Adrian surged forward, wrapping her in the safest hug she had even experienced. It was nice and tight, without being the bone-crushing tightness that the Weasley women seemed to prefer and it wasn't swallowing her like the hugs from most of the men in her life did. Instead Adrian seemed to be coiling himself around her, squeezing her just the right amount and making her feel as safe and as loved as she ever had. It was several minutes before she finally pulled back, and both siblings turned to face their father who was staring at them with an intense gaze. "Come on," Adrian muttered pulling her to sit again on the sofa but this time plopping down beside her and giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Well it seems life will definitely be more exciting with you around Andromeda," Aden stated as ran a hand along the arm of the sofa he was once again seated on. "I had hoped to delay that particular discovery until you knew a little more about me, and were less likely to believe me to be an evil Death Eater. Probably best to have it out in the open however. What Adrian told you is true, I was never a true Death Eater but a mere consultant if you will. Being who I am it was impossible to stay completely away for the Dark Lord if I wished to keep my family safe. He needed my reputation, hence the compromise."

"You could have fought on the side of the Light, the right side," Hermione spat in her anger. Compromise with Voldemort did not mean that the man was innocent, only had no one had died from his wand. Instead it had been his money used to kill.

"Ah I know what your so-called light side does with those ancient pureblood families it has," he answered quickly. "Do not forget that those families who housed spies have now been shown as who they truly are, and not many of them survived if I recall the reports correctly. All I did was to protect this family and I will not have you criticise that daughter! I have faced questioning on my actions by the government of this country and my actions have been proved legitimate. If anyone bearing the name of Pucey should be questioned on their actions in this war it should be you, or have you forgotten the fact that you were the Great Heroine Hermione Granger, one third of the Conquering Trio?"

"I haven't forgotten," she answered sitting up straight and holding her father's gaze defiantly. "You won't make me ashamed of who I am and what I have done. I helped my friends, my family and the people who couldn't stand up for themselves. I fought to have the right be in this world!"

"You should never have put yourself in such danger! You were a child throughout all of your noble acts, you are still a child! Fighting wars is the work of adults, not of children was self-sacrificing ideas of grandeur."

"Adults like you? I'd advise you to not forget who I am Mr Pucey," Hermione responded in an icy tone.

"Who you were," he responded. "You will do well to remember that Hermione Granger, the muggle-born is no more. You are Andromeda Pucey and you will act and be treated as such."

"Act as the perfect pureblood princess you mean? Have tea and scones while sitting around with the other proper ladies? If that is what you want then I'm sorry but you are going to be severely disappointed," she raged as she removed herself from her brother's hold and stood up. "For all intents and purposes I am a muggle-born. I know nothing of your culture or etiquette and while I am willing to put in the effort and learn these things so we can get along, I won't forget who I am or where I come from. I think we have spoken of this enough for tonight and am going to return to my bedroom. Hopefully tomorrow we can get along better," she finished striding towards the door and leaving the room before either man responded.