Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own Harry Potter... (Although, like many here, I would gladly take it off of Rowling's hands if need be!)


Hi there!

Thank you so very much to everybody who has favourited/followed!

Thanks to lovinreading for your review. I'm getting there, but it's not going to be the cliché "Hermione is a pureblood with powerful parents"... It's a bit more complicated than that. Hopefully this A/N will smooth out your confusion...we'll get to the root of Hermione's power quite soon though so hold on!

Please do review! It just makes me feel that little bit better about writing these chapters! Also - it's great to hear what you're getting from a different perspective, so I know if I need to adjust my writing. Let me know what you think will happen next!

To those who don't quite understand, here's what we know so far:

1. Hermione has a mysterious power that is only known by Draco Malfoy, Professor McGonogall and herself. The causes/root of it, and its effects are yet unknown.

2. Details of that power are not entirely revealed, but it tend to manifest itself by making her body, predominantly her hands, glow.

3. Draco Malfoy is on a personal mission to manipulate, confuse and win over Hermione Granger, and is still set on it, despite slight doubts edging through. He is mixing insults with warnings and feigned concern, in order to confuse her into believing his loyalties are jaded.

4. Draco has sworn an oath of secrecy to Hermione in return for the truth about her power, but both found loopholes. Draco knows how to break the oath Hermione chose to use (pureblood thing), and Hermione refused to tell him everything as there was no time limit to the oath.

5. Hermione and Harry are blood-siblings, and have kept their connection a secret from Ron. Hermione feels obliged to protect Harry (who she fondly calls "Ray"), and therefore has not revealed her power.

6. During the Triwizard Tournament Third Task, Hermione broke into the maze after working out Moody's true identity, and managed to save Cedric, but not Harry.

6. Dumbledore is watching the blossoming of the slightly unhealthy friendship, and has a growing concern.

7. Draco is close friends with Pansy, who has shown signs that she likes him romantically.

8. Whilst not specifically stated, Voldemort did return, and the Ministry has turned lots of the Wizarding World against Harry.

Hope that's put things more clearly if you were confused!

Do review, lovelies! A little click will just make my day.

Again: parts of the story in bold are directly from the book (I still take no credit for that)! Sorry if this bothers you but as I mentioned, this is my first story and I find it hard to find a starting point! There is very little with Draco in it for this one, but he will be big in the next chapter I promise!

I am changing to do updates every two weeks - I have so much work that weekly is too frantic to get a good standard chapter. Will let you know in advance if it's longer, but if I'm honest I'm more likely to update early than late.

So far keeping updates regular, but they will potentially slow down a tiny bit as we get deeper into the story. Any ideas and thoughts are appreciated! Without further ado...

Signed off,

YourDiamondAngel


PAST - But he had, so he didn't.

Thank you, Headmaster,' Professor Umbridge simpered, 'for those kind words of welcome.'

Her voice was high-pitched, breathy and little-girlish and, again, Harry felt a powerful rush of dislike that he could not explain to himself; all he knew was that he loathed everything about her, from her stupid voice to her fluffy pink cardigan. She gave another little throat-clearing cough ('hem, hem') and continued.

'Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!' She smiled, revealing very pointed teeth. 'And to see such happy little faces looking up at me!'

Harry glanced around. None of the faces he could see looked happy. On the contrary, they all looked rather taken-aback at being addressed as though they were five years old.

'I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!'

Students exchanged looks at this; some of them were barely concealing grins.

'I'll be her friend as long as I don't have to borrow that cardigan,' Parvati whispered to Lavender, and both of them lapsed into silent giggles.

Professor Umbridge cleared her throat again ('hem, hem'), but when she continued, some of the breathiness had vanished from her voice. She sounded much more businesslike and now her words had a dull learned-by-heart sound to them.

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the wizarding community must be passed down the generations lest we lose them for ever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching.'

Professor Umbridge paused here and made a little bow to her fellow staff members, none of whom bowed back to her. Professor McGonagall's dark eyebrows had contracted so that she looked positively hawklike, and Harry distinctly saw her exchange a significant glance with Professor Sprout as Umbridge gave another little 'hem, hem' and went on with her speech.

Hermione willed her dagger sharp glare to pierce through the woman's skull, and sighed when she was unsuccessful. She had listened to every word of the toady-faced woman's "speech", if it could even be called that, and was well aware of what her future actions would entail. Damn the ministry's interference. She glanced absentmindedly around the room to see if any other students had picked up on Umbitch's harsher undertones.

She briefly looked over to the Hufflepuffs, and met Cedric's eyes. He nodded in assent to her unspoken question, his eyes dark with fury. She scanned the Ravenclaw table, noting that many of them seemed to grasp the meaning. She reluctantly turned to the Slytherin table, and was unsurprised to see that, not only did most of them understand the woman's aims, but they were also pleased with them.

"Despicable snakes." She muttered under her breath, and the Gryffindors around her looked up questioningly. "Don't look now," she emphasised, "but by the look on their faces, we can safely say that every single one of those snakes is going to take advantage of our dear, new Professor's biases this year."

Her housemates scowled. Despite the fact that many of them refused to believe Harry's claims, none of them liked the new regime.

Hermione felt eyes on her, and looked up to see Malfoy burning holes in her flesh. He gestured briefly towards the head table, and sneered at her. Her eyes narrowed to slits, and she ground her jaw together. The corner of his lips turned up in a smirk when he registered her irritation and, goal accomplished, he turned back to his friends.

"Malfoy especially." Hermione added, turning to Harry. He nodded sombrely. The events in the graveyard had mellowed his personality, no doubt, and if his nightmares were any indication, he still had not recovered. Hermione squeezed his hand under the table in comfort, and he smiled gratefully, before continuing to eat.

Half an hour later, Hermione saw Malfoy leave the Hall, and excused herself to follow.


Draco heard footsteps behind him, and turned expectantly, only to see the mudblood behind him, eyes alight with fury.

"What do you know?" She spat.

"Now, Granger," he said, patting her head condescendingly. She flinched away, clenching her fists. "Let's not forget who's in whose debt now...hmm?"

She began trembling with rage, and Draco raised an eyebrow at her control. No glowing at all. Impressive.

"When did Little Miss Know-it-all learn how to control her glow?"

"That's irrelevant." She huffed. "Don't insult my intelligence by trying to change the subject - what do you know?"

"Not that easy."

"Please...it's important." There was a slight whine to her tone, and for some reason it angered him.

"Don't you think I know it's important, Granger? Though, I didn't think you'd be ready to beg so quickly. Learning your place, are you?"

"I know my place, Malfoy." She hissed, her voice acidic and cutting. "My place is miles above you." Her words were intended to hurt, but they missed the mark.

"Are you trying to convince me to share information, or are you trying to insult me? You can't have both, and either way, you're going to have try a lot harder than that." He could see his words' effect on her, and he smirked in satisfaction. It was nice to know that, despite all their differences, he could still jinx her very last nerve.


Hermione wanted to cry. He was being deliberately obtuse, and she didn't have time for it. She knew he knew something. She could tell from his not-so-subtle glances at her in the Great Hall, each holding that same gloating triumph, that he thought he was winning their war of wits and struggle of power. She had to know. From his glances next to her, his information clearly had an impact on Harry, and she wasn't about to risk his safety.

"Are you trying to convince me to share information, or are you trying to insult me? You can't have both, and either way, you're going to have try a lot harder than that." He was infuratingly correct, and Hermione braced herself for the impact her next words would have.

"Tell me right now, or you will see exactly how much control over my power I have." She ground out.

"That's more like it, firecracker! Give me a bit of attitude!" His voice rang with triumph, and she just prevented her shoulders from slumping in shame. He could see right through her bravado, but she wasn't about to give him the satisfaction. She lifted her hands up, and willed them to glow. It was a skill she'd been working on with McGonogall during the summer, and when she had the control over her emotions, she could will them to glow and dim at will. She slammed him against a wall, before lifting one hand up in preparation.

"Go on, firecracker. Attack a poor, defenceless and wandless peer. Prove you're no better than I am." Hermione knew it was weak, but she took the bait and stepped back. "Aww...poor little Granger couldn't do it. Too much integrity? Or are you so attracted to me that you couldn't bear to hurt me?" Hermione looked up at him in shock.


'Really Draco?' His subconscious criticised. "I know we're trying to confuse her, but what were you thinking?" He'd have to just go with it. Her reaction shocked him.

"But of course, Malfoy." She deadpanned, voice completely emotionless. "There is nothing I would like more than to become the future Mrs Draco Malfoy and have lots of little blond and frizzy-haired babies with little grey eyes." Draco snorted, and she let a small snicker of her own escape. For a moment of peace they simply laughed. Then it dawned on them who they were with. He flinched away from her, and she raised an eyebrow at him.

Yes, he knew why Umbridge was here. His father had warned him to get on her good side straight away, especially if he wanted real training for his O.W.L.s. Apparently the woman had orders to torture Potter, diminish his support, give no real training in active defensive magic, and eventually replace Dumbledore. And Draco was ready to take full advantage of Potter's fall. Granger, however, could be easily manipulated by this.

"If you really want to know, come to the Astronomy Tower at 11pm."

"Is this becoming a habit when you have information to tell me, Malfoy?" She asked, cockily. He rolled his eyes.

"Leave." She recoiled at his harsh tone, but surprisingly obeyed. He waited for her to vanish out of sight before pausing in thought. Who would've known Granger had a sense of humour?

If he hadn't despised her before that moment, he probably would have started liking her. But he had, so he didn't.


Hope you enjoyed!

That's Umbridge then - she gets worse. Another Dramione confrontation, and we're only a few chapters away from getting to present day.

Draco has quite errant mood swings right? I always thought he seemed like the type to do so - anyone else?

If anyone can guess what series my last sentence/chapter title was based on, I will give you a metaphorical hug, and then favourite one of your stories.

Please press that big button saying Review! Even if you don't have an account feel free to post Anonymously/as a Guest. I got more reviews than last time, but can always use more! ;) so please REVIEW! I'm not going to give up on you if I don't get a certain number, it just makes me that little bit more happy every time I go to write a chapter, and it really does make my day! Only so can get some feedback as to my writing style and where to go, be it negative or positive! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!
Thank you!

Signed off,

YourDiamondAngel