A/N: This is an extremely short chapter, and I'm sorry. I wanted to take a whole chapter to introduce her family, but there isn't much to say that won't be answered later. Hope you like it and happy reading:)

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter four: The Zabinis

Hermione sat stiffly in a chair in front of the mirror in her hospital bedroom. She was frustratingly trying to tame her bushy hair.

God Hermione, what is wrong with you? You've never cared about appearances before! Quit kidding yourself! She thought to herself.

To put it simply, Hermione was nervous- no, she was panicking. A new family. She wanted to make a good impression, but at the same time she wanted to be herself and hope they liked her for it.

She quickly pulled on a pair of jeans and a nice black sweater that Mrs. Weasley and Ginny had brought for her early that morning. Harry and Ron had come too, for moral support. It was an unscheduled stop apparently and they didn't stay long. They whispered encouraging words, but then left her to have time alone before the Zabinis came to get her.

Ginny had told her they would like her no matter what, but Hermione was skeptical. These were purebloods. The friends of the very people who hated her every fiber for being Muggleborn. Well, not anymore.

"I have wizard parents now," she thought aloud. But as soon as she said this she regretted it. She missed her other parents terribly. Sure, they weren't her biological parents, but they had taken care of her for 15 years. Surely that counted for something?

"No," Hermione told herself. "I will not think about my parents today." She had made a promise to herself, not to think about them today. Her eyes burned with tears, and she hastily brushed them away. She wanted to seem strong and secure on the outside, as much as the pain tore at her from the inside.

She pushed them from her mind and returned to struggling with her bushy hair. She brushed at it from every angle, but finally decided it wasn't going to improve anymore.

"This is as good as it's gonna get."

A few hours later found Hermione sitting on the edge of a chair as if it were on fire. This was the fifth place she had tried sitting. She had never been this nervous before. Reading, her favorite thing, was doing nothing to calm her down. If anything, the reports on Voldemort in the Daily Prophet made her more nervous and apprehensive.

Deep breaths, she thought.

An hour or two later, three very sharp knocks on the door threw her out of her thoughts. She jumped up and straightened her outfit. She tried to stride casually over to the door.

Here goes nothing.

Hermione pulled the knob and swung the door gently open. A tall woman with dark brown, almost black hair and bright blue eyes stood next to an even taller man with the same color hair. The woman had tears in her eyes, and she was surprised to see the man did too.

There was an awkward pause before the woman embraced her tightly. Hermione tried not to cry, she didn't even know these people and she was already tearing up. She pulled away and the man gave her a quick hug as well.

"Nice to meet you... Mrs. Zabini..." Hermione got out somewhat difficultly.

"Oh! No, please call us Mum and Dad, it may seem awkward now but it only makes sense." Her mother stated. Her father nodded. It was at this time that she noticed Blaise sulking with his arms crossed, in the doorway. His dark hair fell elegantly over his stunning blue eyes, just like his parents'. She offered him a small smile, which he seemed to accept, but he only looked at her suspiciously in return.

She turned back to her parents, her father had his arm around her mother, and they both had tears in their eyes.

"So, do you want to see your new home?" her father asked.

"Uh.. Sure, let me just pack my things..."

"Don't be silly," her mother said with a warm smile. With a flick of her wand, everything was packed in the suitcase.

"You've traveled by floo before, of course?" her father asked her.

"Yes."

"Okay then, we'll leave by the floo network downstairs." With that, they led her out of the room, with their arms around her, Blaise lagging behind. They finally reached a large room, several stories down, with fireplaces all along the walls.

"We'll go first, and you can follow. Blaise, dear, make sure she makes it through okay."

"Yes, mum." he drawled. Her parents shouted 'Zabini Manor!' and flickered out of sight. An awkward silence followed with just the two of them standing there. She went to step into the fireplace too, when she felt a hand grab her left arm.

"You better watch it Granger, I am not playing any stupid games. Draco is coming to stay for a couple days next week, and I don't want you around, he doesn't know about this yet. I don't think he'd take it well."

"My name isn't Granger, you can't call me that anymore." She responded strongly.

"You're right. Watch it, Hermione." With that he shoved her into the fireplace, and she hesitated before yelling 'Zabini Manor!'.