As the feast finished I leaned towards Draco."Let me go alone, I need to deal with something." I stood and left the hall, Harry followed. I'd only gone a short distance when I felt him grab my shoulder, and my wand was out quickly.
"Hello Harry."
"Hello Hermione."
"Been a while, funny what changes in so short a time." I smirked.
"You know I thought I'd been making progress on the whole steer thee from evil thing. Guess I was wrong. You can't fight destiny."
"If you hadn't lied then maybe I'd have chosen differently. I was so hurt by your betrayal, Harry. After four years of friendship I didn't think that you could be like that. Why didn't you tell me?"
"And risk the world when you chose blood over the past? Hell no. Sorry 'Mione. But your little life of horrors won't last when I tell the whole world that Thaana Riddle is really-" He gasped. "That she's-"
"Give up Potter. Watch, three, two, one." His face went still.
"You know it, but you can't even think it, can you? Face it Harry, my identity is safe. Enjoy it while it lasts, Golden Boy, because the Silver Queen has come to Hogwarts." I pushed him back and left the closet.
Entering the Slytherin Common rooms was easy. Draco walked her into a room of assembled fifth, sixth, and seventh years.
"These are the children of your father's followers. Each has been tested and their loyalty is sure."
"Very of the deatheaters. You know who I am; you know who my father is. I hope we will not have many issues this year."
"The daughter of the dark lord. Shouldn't you be ashamed for abandoning you father all those years ago? Where have you been, Heir of Slytherin?" asked one burly looking boy.
"With all due respect Mr….?"
"Hathaway, Davis Hathaway, heir of the Blood House of Hathaway."
"Hathaway, with all due respect, think about it. I'm a fifth year, fifteen. I was barely a year when my parents vanished. You know of his return, but how much do you know of its cause? Nothing. And that will continue until someone with a bit more weight to their title decides otherwise. I will not have you questioning my authority, here or elsewhere. Now, we need to be smart this year. With the return of my father we will be under more speculation that in our generation. We all know this. To prevent further complications I am placing a few regulations. We all enjoy a good prank on gryffindorks and their kind, but in the past some of you were a little… sloppy."
"How do you know so much?" Goyle asked.
"Simple. I've had eyes in Hogwarts for years. I know more than you'd think. No more. The minister is trying extremely hard to bring our identities and true allegiances to light. Many of our Houses have claimed neutrality. I won't say no folling around, but I will say don't leave a trail. No more of it. And if you could refrain from blatant anti-mudblood actions then it would help. I've painted a picture of impartiality to the Wizengamot. In fact I've actually appeared to have taken actions against my father. Appeared being the operative word. A new order is beginning, friends. You may be underage, but you are deatheaters by right. I have been tasked with the Junior Circles. Those who choose will be instated. Our actions will not be the prison breaks or raids. They will be the investigations of known Light Supporters. We will monitor the next generation of our enemies. This is not a fake mission or a joke job. It is crucial. Who has a better view over the boy who won't die? Some Inner Circle member who only comes to Hogwarts once in a blue moon and barely knows what house he's in? Or a fifth year who is in half his classes and knows where he is? We do. We are the eyes and ears on the headmaster and within this school. You will report directly to either my sister, Draco, or I. We will take your reports to the Dark Lord and he will know who has said what. I am not taking credit. You are future of our power. We will uphold our rightful place and continue it long after our parents have joined our noble ancestors in the realms of Elysium." There were cheers. Draco linked an arm with me and I looked around. When I'd entered they had been unorganized, restless, and wary of my presence. Some looked ready to rebel, some to fight or flee. Now they had a gleam of determination in their eye. Watch out Harry. You'll soon wish that I'd never been Hermione Granger. Maybe then I wouldn't be so ready to gaze upon your lifeless corpse.
I wrapped myself in my cloak and streaked though the corridors silently. Soon I reached the potions door. Severus opened the doors. Four others were assembled. Lily, disguised of course, and the three I'd been watching the whole feast. Bill, Charlie, and Remus.
"Hello Thaana. How are you?"
"Good. Everything is proceeding as planned."
"Good. Let me introduce to you three of our most trusted spies."
"How?"
"After a human is bitten, their loyalty is commanded by their sire or their sire's mate. It's true that James and I were friends, but when the war hit full swing my sire summoned me. Fenrir is a loyal servant of your Father, and so am I." It made sense.
"As for us, it's more complicated. My allegiance was decided when I saw the way that Goblins were treated by the muggleborns. They don't understand the power of the ancient creatures, of their knowledge. I looked closer after that. Many traditions of the old ways are vanishing. Our religions, our cultures, our past is fading with their growth. I do not want that. Your father is bringing a new age of the old age."
"It was similar with me. I've worked with dragons. For centuries our race was in tune with our creature companions. True familiars, bound in magic and came in and the races were hunted, persecuted, segregated. No more." I smiled.
"Then I welcome your aid. You always were my favorite Weasleys." They gaped.
"You know of us?" Severus laughed.
"You may tell them, darling. They have been well tested and proven their worth. They are inner circle."
"Very well. I'm trusting you Severus." I glanced between the older Weasleys and my former defense teacher.
"I've been in hiding at this school since I was eleven by the name Hermione Granger." Jaws dropped. I swear I heard one hit the floor. Remus was trying to form the words.
"Hermione?"
"I was, yes. Not that I knew, partially thanks to Potter, and entirely thanks to Potter."
"Harry?"
"And his father, yes." I filled in the details.
"And there you have it, the great tale of how the age's most brilliant mudblood became the Lady Slytherin."
"Impressive, Miss RIddle."
"Please, Thaana. We've known each other for years."
"So we have, so we have." I smiled at the twinkle in my professor's eye.
"Here for your potions?"
"I am."
"Make sure you aren't getting dependent on these."
"I know. I"m still just having problems with the nightmares and the separations. I can't risk it now."
"I know. It is not good that you have to be so cautious. But it is important that you are protected. Here you are: Dreamless Sleep, Inner Privacy and the Wrath Restraint. Keep Morgana relaxed tonight. She has a big day."
"Tomorrow will be hard. It's not often a student walks in with a soul bonded Wraith."
"Keep you emotions in check."
"I will."
"Go on to bed. I'm sure a certain blond is waiting up."
"I'm sure he is."
"Just know that if you get pregnant before you're married then your mother will have your back, but your father will have the flesh from Draco's."
"Charming." I gave a little laugh, knowing it was true.
"Sleep well. I'll see you in potions."
"See you tomorrow, Remus, Charlie, Severus." I closed the door and left the men to their pondering.
Gen. PoV.
Indeed Draco was waiting for her when she returned. Myst and Oculos flew around side by side with glee.
"I want to go home, Draco." He placed his chin on her head, rubbing her back.
"What brought thiis on, love?"
"I'm not sure. I guess I've grown used to having my room at the manor and it feels strange to be back here as someone new."
"I understand. It is different. But you'll pull through, I know it. I'll be here."
"And that my dragon is the reason I'm willing to through with everything that I've been facing already." THey smiled and let their lips touch, not in the fiery passions of the previous week but in the subtle, gentle joy that they were together for it all.
Far off in Gryffindor Tower a dark haired boy stared at the Maurauders' Map, looking at the Thaana Riddle Slytherin and the Draconis Lucien Malfoy practically overlapped in the Slytheirn Dorms.
"I'll find a way to rat you out. Just you wait. You'll regret every moment of friendship I gave,. You'll burn in hell, THaana Riddle. You'll always be scum." He did not see the beatle on his windowsill. And though a beatle cannot msile, this one almost did as it flew off into the night.
