Twice in one week, look at me go.
This story has gotten more hits then I ever expected, so I must thank you all.
Please Review with where you might want this story to go, I have the general plot down but things can change.
JKR owns it all.
As they finished breakfast, Hermione bid Harry and Ron a good day. As expected they had minimal classes together due to her taking more academic classes then fluff classes. Her first class has introduction to warding, which was being taught surprisingly by non-other then Lucius Malfoy.
"Good morning students, I am pleased many of you took advantage of this class being offered. When I attended Hogwarts, it was still offered, and I believe firmly that the Headmasters choice of reinstating it will be well received. Warding is one of the most valuable and diverse branches of magic there is. Whether it be for the safety of your family or the know how to dismantle unwanted or old wards, you will find this class most intriguing."
Hermione looked at Draco who sat beside her, which was expected of the Head students to show a united front. She hadn't been aware that it was his father that was to teach this class, and by the look of Draco's face this came as a surprise to him as well. She leant over and whispered, "it's a family affair this year." Draco couldn't contain his laughter and let out a small chuckle which his father immediately noticed.
"Ah, Draco my son. As you have interrupted me, why don't you inform the class on the principal of ward casting?" Lucius smirked at his son. There was no way he'd allow his son to disrespect him in public. He was here as an extra set of eyes on the Dark Lord's daughter as well as to aid Severus in the many changes that were to come.
"The principal to warding is the weaving of the theoretical web. The tighter it's woven the stronger the ward." Draco stated confidently.
"I see your expensive tutors have paid off. Five points to Slytherin, as Draco has correctly identified wards must be intricately cast. Specific wand motions must be made, and intent of the caster must be clear." Lucius continued on lecturing for the remainder of the class. Surprisingly, he had all the student's attention as he did. Lucius lectured with as much passion for warding as Professor Sprout had for Herbology. It seemed like many of the students didn't know or perhaps chose to ignore his reputation as a dark wizard with questionable contacts. Whatever it may be Lucius quickly became respected, his mastery and passion of the subject was apparent.
As class ended and Hermione and Draco went to leave Lucius called them back. "The Headmaster wishes to speak to you both at your earliest convenience" With that he dismissed them.
After Ancient Ruins, Draco and Hermione made their way to the dinning hall. Severus expected them to only eat dinner at the head table so Draco lead Hermione to the Gryffindor table where they received many surprised looks and hostile glares in Draco's case.
"Have you never seen anyone act chivalrous before Weasley? Close your mouth, you're beginning to drool." With that quick remark Draco gave Hermione a quick bow and left for his own house table.
"What the hell was that about!" Ron shouted, clearly taken back by Malfoys presence.
"We have to spend most days together Ron. Obviously, we're going to try and get along. I have to share a dorm with him." She calmly replied. Ron's face turned red and he spluttered a bit but left it at that.
They continued to eat their lunch in silence as many of their other house members gave them looks. It was a rare sight to see the three friends argue in public. Ginny made it her job to distract Hermione from her brother's stupidity, which Hermione appreciated. If there were one person she hopped she could persuade to join her from this fake life she was living it'd be Ginny. The youngest Weasley had always been the most liberal of them, allowing for both sides of any argument to be heard before she reacted.
"You're sure he's been treating you okay Hermione. Just let us know if not I'm sure McGonagall could do something about it." Harry insisted as lunch was wrapping up.
"Harry, I'm sure I'll let you know if anything changes. I've got to run, double potions this afternoon with Professor Montgomery." As Hermione got up she noticed Draco doing the same, he went to meet her halfway and offered her his arm as they made their way to the dungeons.
"I don't like it Harry. Somethings up with Malfoy and Hermione." Harry watched them walk away and nodded his head in agreement.
"Welcome to NEWT potions. I am Lilith Montgomery, potions master and long-time graduate from this school. As I'm sure you've noticed I've also taken over the responsibilities of Head of Slytherin and will see many of you in Defense tomorrow. Now because this is such a small class I hope we can make quick progress through the assigned textbook and then move on to more advanced potions. Please begin reading chapter one, advanced healing potions." Professor Montgomery said from the front of the room. She made a point to catch the eye of each of the twelve students in the class.
Hermione opened her textbook to the appropriate page. Her brother had ensured that she knew the entire NEWT potions curriculum well in advanced, so she didn't bother reading. She took this time to observe her aunt. Lilith had always been a sticking woman with long jet-black hair and icy blue eyes. She could tell that she had aged quite a bit in the last few years though. Hermione sneered to herself, the witch deserved to have her beauty stripped away after how she's treated her mother and the rest of the family.
"Miss Granger? Are you done reading?" Montgomery interrupted her thoughts using a nauseatingly sweet tone.
"Yes mam, I had advanced potion lesson with the headmaster last year and these were some of the potions that were covered." Hermione smirked.
"I see, well I'll excuse you from lessons today considering this will just be theory. I expect perfection from you next class, Severus was my own apprentice and I know the level he'd expect from his own apprentice." Her aunt dismissed her with a calculated look.
Hermione was thankful to cut this lesson short. As she packed her things up she let Draco know that she was going to go see what Severus wanted and that she'd see him at dinner.
On the way to the headmaster's office she'd been stopped by several first years who were lost. She conjured a school map for each of those students and marked out their classes. Others that she'd run into had called her a traitor for hanging around Malfoy, to those students she took off points and insulted their intelligence. Which she was sure probably wasn't a good idea as Head Girl, but she hated being questioned.
Finally, she arrived at the gargoyle that stood as guard to the Headmasters office. "Elaina." She whispered. The gargoyle jumped to the side and Hermione began the ascent. She knocked on the door to the office and let herself in, she knew her brother well enough to know that if he were in a meeting the door would be warded.
"Brother." She called out. Hermione took a seat and waited for Severus to come down from his personal chambers. She took inventory of the office; many things had changed since Dumbledore was here. Many of the various artifacts that cluttered the office were gone and in their place were books of several different topics. The most notable change was that no longer was the phoenix cage in the corner of the room. It was replaced by a large reptile tank which she immediately jumped up to go see.
"Thana?" She hissed to the tank.
"Mia? Oh Mia? Get me out of this blasted tank. I am going to eat your brother this time. I know I always threaten that. But I swear this is it." Thana threatened as Hermione giggled.
Thana had been a gift from her father many years ago, when Nagini her father's king cobra, had laid eggs she had been insistent on having one as well. Severus had his own that was given to him many years ago, it had become something the three of them bonded over. Considering they were the only parselmouths in Great Britain. Unless you included Potter, who had accidently received the gift.
"Is Lysander with you?" Hermione asked when Thana had happily wrapped herself around Hermione imprinting her scent on her owner.
"He's out with that brother of yours." Thana replied still huffing about having to stay contained. Hermione smiled at her beloved pet, Thana had become her dearest friend over the years, someone who she didn't have to hid from and who understood her.
"Ah, my dear sister. I see you have found that foul snake of yours." Severus hissed as he entered the room.
"Hey! I'll have you know you vile man that I am larger then Lysander and Nagini prefers me." Thana began to hiss out again. Hermione giggled, knowing full well her brother couldn't care less.
"Alright you two that's enough." Their father cut in as he entered the room after Severus, Nagini dutifully in his tracks. Hermione let out an undignified squeal as she jumped up to give her father a hug.
"Father, what are you doing here? It's dangerous for you to be out in the open like this. What if one of the older professors recognized you!"
"My dear, these rooms are as tightly warded as our own home in the black forest. Can I not visit my family?" The Dark Lord smirked.
"Of course." Hermione rushed out not wanting to upset him. She always cherished the time she spent with her father. Having to live a false life had taken her away from her family for so long.
"Severus, please request the presence of the Malfoys and my dear sister-in-law. I believe it's time for a family meeting." Severus dutifully agreed and went to floo them.
Nagini was slithering around smelling her children, Lysander and Thana were adult snakes in their own rights but no where near the size of their mother. When Severus returned to the office he called Lysander back to him who slithered into his sleeve and popped his head out the other sleeve, which quickly Thana copied with Hermione.
Narcissa Malfoy was the first to floo in. Hermione had been told that Narcissa had taken the information of her existence incredibly well. She decided to introduce herself properly to the Malfoy matriarch. "Hello, I'm Hermione Elaina Slytherin. A pleasure to finally make your official acquaintance Mrs. Malfoy." Hermione dipped her head in respect. Narcissa had been considered one of her fathers closest advisors along with her husband.
"Oh, my child, none of that. Please call me Cissa. Your father and I are old friends. It's I who should bowing to you Lady Slytherin." Hermione chuckled and told her to call her Mia. There was a soft knock at the door and Draco, Lucius and Lilith entered. They immediately gave deep bows to her father and then the Malfoys gave herself a bow, but her aunt just stood there.
"I suggest you bow." Hermione simply stated to her aunt, her eyes flashing blood red. Her aunt continued to stare at her, whether it was in defiance or surprise of her coldness, Hermione didn't care. She quickly snapped out her wand.
"Imperious! Now I believe I told you to bow." She sneered as she forced her estranged aunt into a low bow. Hermione held her there for a few moments, enjoying the look of surprise and pain in her aunt's eyes. "I expect the same respect from you as you show my father. Do you understand Lilith?" She spat as she dropped the curse. The room had gone incredibly silent as her aunt collapsed onto the floor.
"Well done, my daughter. I see my lessons have paid off." Her father praised. "It wouldn't be a family meeting without some cursing now would it." He laughed. Hermione glowed under the praise of her father.
"Now my family and closest friends, we shall begin our business. Severus has informed me that the first day of classes has gone well and that the other professors have been quite receptive of the changes we have enforced. From you, I expect your best in continuing this trend. Many more changes will be made in coming months, changes that the students and professors might rebel against. Mia and the Malfoy heir will be our eyes and ears with the students, we must keep a united front. I will begin to stop my attacks and create a false sense of security for the light. This should make them more malleable to the changes that are to come" They all nodded in their understanding. "Lucius how has Hogwarts reacted to you?"
"Quite well my lord, better then anticipated. This could be due to who I have been teaching. My first two classes had been made up of mainly Slytherins and Ravenclaws. The other professors have been civil to me, however what I believe to be of most interest is McGonagall's reaction. When she showed me to my housing arrangements, we made small talk that seemed genuine." Lucius explained. Voldemort took a moment to consider that.
"Minerva and I attended Hogwarts together. She was head girl when I was head boy. I'm not sure of her true intentions, however, that is a relation I wish you all to begin cultivating. She is an exceptional witch in her own right and would be a great asset to our cause." He finally said. "Any more comments?"
"My lord, I wish to speak with you privately." Lilith asked.
"My dear Lilith, now why must it be private when we are surrounded by family? You may speak freely here." He asked.
With a quick glance at Hermione, Lilith said "I'm unsure of how I'm expected to treat the students."
"Ah, what you mean to say, is you're unsure of how to treat my daughter. I expect the both of you to be civil towards each other in public. My daughter is a bright student, especially in potions. From you I expect that you treat her with the same respect as any other bright student. In private, you will bow as she has asked, and you will treat her as you would treat myself. Am I understood?" The Dark Lord's crimson eyes stayed focused on his sister in law. "Yes, my lord." She agreed with a low bow avoiding his eyes.
"Excellent, if that is all my friends. I'll ask you to leave, my children and I must speak." As everyone began to leave, Draco informed Hermione that he'd wait in the Hall for her. The Dark Lord gave a pleased nod at his actions and waited for the rest to leave.
"My children, I wish to inform you that your mother and I have began corresponding again." He stated. "We have maintained civilised conversation, she has yet to lift the ban she has on myself on the Prince estates, but I believe it will come in time. What is most important she has accepted my help in finding her a cure."
Immediately Hermione went to hug her father, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you, Daddy." She said while be gently stroked her back, wearing a rare smile.
"Furthermore, she has accepted the help of our dear friend Nicolas. He will create small doses for your mother to extend her life. She has made it clear that she does not want to use it for immortality, but she will use it until we find a cure and if no cure is found we then will say our goodbyes." It was clearly evident in the way her father spoke that this had been on his mind for a long time. Hermione just hoped that a cure would be found, she was sure that her mother's death would cause him to lose all sense of morality and the war would rage on indefinitely.
"Thank you, Father. Please inform me if there is anything I could do to help." Severus stated. "I will my son. I expect that your mother will come home by yule."
With that Hermione wished her father and brother a good day and made sure Thana was tightly wrapped around her body before going to meet with Draco. They had missed dinner due to the meeting and was famished, they quickly made their way back to their house hidden under the stairs.