Chapter 4

Harry and Draco glared each other down as Ginny quickly came up with an excuse. "We were on our way to the kitchens when we heard someone coming." Hopefully that was a valid enough excuse. Draco seemed to accept the answer, but Hermione quickly interjected, "The kitchen is on the other side of the castle and yet you are here with a poor excuse. Surely that map of yours should have told you the route to take anyways." At that statement, Harry started to splutter whilst Ginny turned pale. How in the name of Merlin's saggy bags did she know about the map?

Hermione however knew about the map ever since Harry unknowingly left the map for who knows whom to see. Luckily, she asked the map how to wipe the ink off, which gave her the passcode. Should she tell Harry about his recklessness? No, because she promised herself the next time he leaves the map unguarded she'll take it herself and show it to Dumbledore.

Harry grimaced when he noticed Draco frown in confusion and suspicion. "What map?" he asked.

Hermione gave a deep sigh in exhaustion and knew that Harry wouldn't want Draco to know about the map. Instead she turned changed the subject and said, "Never mind, I want to know the real reason, right now." Her authority-tone came across as bossy to Draco's ears that it made him smirk behind her back, worried that if she were to see him, she would nag him instead.

Harry remained silent despite Ginny signaling him to go ahead. At his silence, she rolled her eyes and decided to give him a shove rather than a push. "We were coming to see you at your Head Dorm." Harry panicked and tried to cover the situation but Hermione quickly interjected, "Why? You could have come any time in the morning." Hermione was suspicious of Harry's behavior ever since the term started. Not once has he tried to prank her or humiliate her. At first, she thought is was because she was Head Girl; however, she realized that he had stopped pranking altogether and was becoming a more studious person. Normally that would always make Hermione smile when a student is becoming a more civilized person, however where Harry Potter is involved, she couldn't help but think that perhaps it will be some elaborate joke in the end. She couldn't help but be paranoid in his situation. It made her feel like Mad-Eye Moody when she met him last year at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. They interviewed Hermione and asked her about her feelings on the subject of wanting to work as an Auror.

She couldn't quite figure out the problem with Harry however, as she was still trying to figure out Draco Malfoy's strange behavior as well and Ronald Weasley's behavior. For some reason, Ronald's stares at her were making her uncomfortable and anxious to get away. She had no idea what was wrong with the boys this year. Perhaps it was more coming of age hormones that they were processing. Whatever it was, she gets paranoid with Harry, she wants to run when she sees Ronald staring at her, and with Draco… her stomach does little flops. All these emotions were exhausting in her part.

Ginny could sense that Hermione was on her edge. She understood that Harry and Hermione's relationship has never been a smooth line, especially during the two years they were both prefects. Ginny could remember the times that whenever Harry and Hermione were paired up to patrol the halls, Hermione would somehow end up with a migraine or would be seen checking into the hospital wing for a swollen limb.

"Ok listen. You have to promise that you need to be non-judgmental on this if I tell you." Said Ginny. Hermione nodded but Harry quickly said, "Not with him around." He pointed at Draco, who was listening with rapt attention at the conversation.

"No, as Head Boy I have every reason to be here, Pothead. Especially with the extensive history you and Hermione share." Sneered Draco. Harry flinched at the implication. He had gone too far with his pranks and jokes where Hermione was concerned, but he was putting it all behind him now.

"And considering your history with Harry, perhaps you should not be here." Sniped Hermione. Draco looked shocked for a moment before he did the most surprising thing Ginny and Harry ever witnessed. He listened to Hermione and walked away. Hermione looked at the two strangely before asking, "What?"

"Draco Malfoy listened to you? The Draco Malfoy?" inquired Ginny. Hermione slowly nodded, not fully understanding what was the fascination for it. "Yeah? So?" asked Hermione. Harry quickly came out of his stupor and said, "Well, it's Malfoy for one and he never listens to anyone, even if it's a teacher." Hermione merely shrugged at the news before snapping back to her question, "Why do you wish to see me?" Harry grimaced before he quietly said, "What do you know about your family?"

At this, Hermione had to laugh. Ginny and Harry looked at her in alarm. Hermione could tell that her sudden burst of giggles had greatly alarmed the two Gryffindors, then again it would alarm anyone as Hermione was never actually seen laughing.

"I'm sorry for interrupting, but you must know that I am an orphan. I have tried to trace my parentage, but without a birth certificate I cannot move. I am Hermione and that is it. Why this sudden interest anyways? If I can recall, you and Parkinson were the leading two people that hated my guts." Said Hermione. Harry blushed and to Hermione's surprise he looked ashamed. She curiously looked at him before Ginny said, "What if we were to tell you that we can help you find your parentage?" Hermione didn't want to feel the hope that was bubbling up inside her. She didn't want to feel excited that perhaps maybe they knew who her parents were. Hermione was quite content on being on her own. She didn't want to face her parents who abandoned her, yet she wanted to know if she looked like her mother or father. Seeing Hermione's inner struggle, Ginny continued, "Harry recently discovered proof of your parents."

Hermione's eyes snapped to Harry who was fidgeting and glancing at the floor. Hermione looked at him and said, "Well?" Harry looked in her eyes and saw his father's eyes, but with a distinct depth that was so Hermione. He knew his parents were wrong in their assumptions with Hermione.

"Hermione," began Harry, "You are a month younger than me and you were raised in a muggle orphanage. You don't have a birth certificate because you were left on the doorstep of the orphanage with no note whatsoever and with no one present on the street for the wardens to look for." Hermione paled slightly after Harry talked. How did he know? Surely no one in this school was interested enough in her to dig into her life. Harry saw the panic in her eyes and felt a bit guilty. He honestly didn't want to break it to her this way, but there was no turning back now.

"How did you know?" whispered Hermione. Ginny felt a bit sad when she saw the far off look in Hermione's face. It must have been hard to be raised with no family. Guilt rose up when she realized that Hermione was possibly alone the entire time she as at Hogwarts. "What would you say if I knew who your parents are, but that you won't like it?" asked Harry. Hermione felt annoyance bubbling up in her, of course she wanted to know. She sniped, "Well? If you're going to bring the subject up then tell me." Harry felt angry at her tone. Didn't she realize that this was a delicate subject? "Listen, I'll tell you if you stop using that tone maybe I'll tell you." Said Harry. At that, Ginny face-palmed herself; however no one noticed. Hermione felt pure fury rise in her. How dare he tell her what not to do. He brought it up anyways. "How dare you!" yelled Hermione. Her limit was finally breached and she didn't care if she was to show example of her Head Girl status, "You come up hear telling me something that I have always wondered about all my life and then you withhold it? And why should I listen to you? You have never given me any excuse to be respectful to you!"

"I'm trying to make amends!" yelled Harry back. "WHY NOW? WHY AT THE VERY LAST YEAR DID YOU DECIDE TO BE A CIVIL PERSON AND MAKE AMENDS! WHY ARE YOU BRINGING UP MY LIFE? WHAT DO YOU KNOW!?" exploded Hermione, she was at her boiling point already and Ginny was horrified when Harry yelled, "BECAUSE MY FATHER IS YOU FATHER, YOU DAMN DAUGHTER OF A DEATH EATER!"

Harry paled as he watched shock, confusion, and horror cross Hermione's face.

What? There was no way in hell Harry would be her half-brother. This had to be the elaborate joke Harry was saving up. No brother would do that to his own sister, even if they might get in each other's nerves. The many times Harry had made fun of her teeth and hair, the many times he would hex her so she was lifted up in the air by her ankle as she desperately covered herself when her skirt was sliding down. All the horrible memories of the jeering and taunts he threw at her were rushing back into her mind. The daughter of a Death Eater is what he shouted? She shared blood with a thoughtless monster? It was making her feel light-headed. She could feel the tears in her eyes. Ginny wanted to smack him upside the head for his tactless answer. However any hits Harry might have endured by his fiancé was gone as Hermione slumped to the floor, passed out.

Hey there readers, first off thanks for taking the time to reading my fanfic and second thank you French inconnu for pointing out my mistake. I'm open to suggestions so thanks again :)