After having been to both Diagon Alley and the French counterpart, she could honestly say she prefered France. Unlike the rest of Paris, La Rue de Épanoui was very clean, in fact it almost glittered. Well, at least the part she saw. She imagined that not all parts of the magical area were quite so well kept, but her current area was where all of the most affluent and wealthy wizarding families went to go shopping.

Nonetheless, while they shopped, Hermione got at least a few dozen new robes, dresses, shoes, and so much more. Why she needed the superfluous amount she got, she didn't know, but Irène seemed perfectly content to drop a fortune on Hermione, and the bookworm didn't even want to try and argue with her. Laurent had some business to do today, but when he finished they were all going to meet at the French Branch of Gringotts. While the two ladies waited for him, they did some other light shopping, including stopping by a massive bookstore, which Hermione insisted upon. They were able to waste a few hours in the bookstore, and by the time Hermione had gone through only a quarter of it, they were due to meet Laurent at the bank.

Hermione wondered the reason for a trip to the bank vaults. She couldn't fathom why they would want her to be there with them, unless they wanted to open a vault for her, which wasn't very likely. Most witches with pureblood parents usually have a vault for their dowry, but they would never be able to touch that, and even if the Lemerciers didn't think like that, it was likely they would have at least a pseudo-dowry open to keep up her appearance as their daughter. If they wanted to give her money, they would have just given her a pouch of it, not open an vault, so Hermione had absolutely no idea why she would be at the bank with them.

Laurent greeted them in the lobby, then proceeded to lead them to a cart that would take them into the depths of the bank. Down and down they went, they seemed to never stop going downwards, they passed through the waterfall that would make all enchantments wear off, and later they passed a dragon, then another, and one more. It was a good ten minutes before they made it to their destination. Hermione was freezing and anxious to get out of the cart, but when it rolled to a stop in front of vault seven, her mouth fell open in shock. She knew that they would be going deep into the banks but… vault number seven? It was practically unheard of. The Lestranges didn't even have one this deep and well guarded.

The Goblin opened the vault, and if Hermione was surprised before, nothing could compare to the utter consternation she felt when she saw exactly what was in the vault. Piles and piles of galleons glittered back at her as far as she could see. She wondered exactly what the family did to receive such wealth. Hopefully nothing too terrible. Her guardians walked into the vault, Hermione right behind them, intent on finding a particular area it seemed. They walked for a while between organized stacks and piles of money before reaching a series of more doors. Laurent opened one closer to the right with his wand, and beckoned Hermione to follow him. She did, and gasped at what she saw inside. It was a jewelry room, full of ancient and glittering heirlooms. Sapphire brooches, diamond earrings, emerald armlets, and so much more winked at her.

"Ma Fée, choose as many as you would like. As our daughter, this all belongs to you too." Laurent said, placing a hand on her back.

Hermione didn't know what to say. This was too much. They had already provided her with so much, and this- this was on an entirely new level than clothing.

Irène seemed to notice Hermione's hesitance and crouched down beside her to say, "You don't have to take anything. We don't want to overwhelm you, that wasn't our intention. In our excitement of finally having a child, we wanted to pamper you, make you a part of the family. Most pureblood girls your age already have several family heirlooms in their possession. It is a sign of endearment, and we wanted to do the same for you."

After knowing their intentions, Hermione was much less reluctant to take some. She was still shy about it, but much less afraid. She was still struggling with the idea of being a pureblood and this act, although touching, served as a reminder of that. She knew in her heart that she would always be a muggleborn, and the Grangers would always be her parents, but she was still hesitant to embrace her new blood. She didn't want to feel as though she was turning her back toward her muggle origins. Turning her back against the Grangers.

Yet at the same time, She knew that wasn't who she was anymore. Hermione Granger no longer existed in records, in life even, and she wouldn't for years to come. Right now, she was Hermione Lemercier, pureblood daughter of Laurent and Irène Lemercier. That is who she had to be, now and forever. There was no going back to the days where she could be proud of her muggleborn heritage, no going back to the days where she could remain in ignorance, no going back to the days she could be just Hermione Granger.

She thought of the Lemerciers then, and how they had been so kind to take her in, to even do a blood adoption. They were treating her like their own daughter. Her, a person in whom they had never met, her, a girl they found lying in the cold, her, a broken and damaged girl.

The words the Lady spoke came back to her then, "You have had a hard life in your time. Seize this opportunity to try and have a more joyful childhood. Your happiness is just as important as the friends you hope to save, remember that…"

She was still trying to be the war heroine who had survived the bloodiest magical battle to date. And she was still that person, but she was also a child. She was only ten years old, and she needed to let herself act like a ten year old.

So she walked further into the room and chose her favorite pieces of jewelry. Bracelets, necklaces, earrings, armlets, brooches, rings, and even some tiaras were selected and put in appropriate boxes. When she had finished she turned to the Lemerciers who were still standing at the entrance to the room. She walked over to them and pulled them into a hug. They picked up her tiny body and hugged her back.

In their ears Hermione quietly whispered, "Merci Maman, Papa."

The couple pulled her even closer. Irène was crying, and even Laurent let a few drops fall.

Hermione would always be a Granger, there was no changing that. But, she was also a Lemercier, who had two parents that wanted to let them love her.

When they put her down, Laurent pulled a velvet box from the depths of his robe. Hermione to the proffered box from him, admiring it. She opened the box and pulled out an ornate signet ring. The Lemercier crest was engraved upon it, and was surrounded by several blue gemstones. She placed it on her middle finger and admired the way it glittered in the hazy light of the vault. She thanked her parents, and they all happily got back in the cart, intent to get home.

Hermione's lessons came more quickly to her after the day that she decided to accept her new identity. All of the etiquette she was so loath to learn came to her easily. She truely acted the part of the Pureblood Princess. Not a soul would ever be able to tell the difference between her and another pureblooded girl. Irène was very proud of Hermione; she had come far in her lessons.

Secretly, she was also proud that she accepted her new blood so quickly. After having heard her past, she figured it would be hard for the bibliophile to transition to the opulent life she would be given by her and Laurent. She was also happy that Hermione thought of her as a mother to her. She prepared herself for the girl to not take well to someone trying to be her mother, but when she called her Maman, Irène couldn't help but cry.

It was December thirtieth now, and Irène was certain that Hermione was ready to face the pureblood society at the Malfoy annual ball tomorrow. She walked the same inborn grace as Irène and had the same quiet confidence as Laurent. Hermione had even performed remarkably well in her dance lessons. Irène knew that she would impress even her brother, who was particularly cutting and judgemental.

{An Étoile in the Fabric of Society}

It was the day of the ball, and Hermione was nervous. Extremely so. It would be her first time in the eyes of the Purebloods. She had to impress them. So as she got dressed in one of her new silver dress robes, put on heirloom jewelry, and had her hair coiffed into perfection, she ran through proper social cues, and drilled her knowledge of every pureblood family she could think of. Even as they portkeyed to Malfoy Manor, she thought of everything she had learned.

Laurent and Irène looked at the Hermione amusedly, knowing exactly what she was doing in her mind. They had gotten to know her well the past few days, and they knew better than to even try and pull her out of what she was doing. So they merely guided her through Malfoy Manor and to the doors that led into the ballroom. When they were announced, all eyes turned to look at them as they glided down the stairs into the main area.

At the bottom they were greeted by the Malfoy Family.

The oldest one stepped forward and gave Laurent an incline of his head, and a brief handshake, then said, "Lord Lemercier, it is a pleasure to have you and your family at our humble get together."

Laurent replied with similar pleasantries.

The oldest Malfoy then turned to Irène and kissed her on her hand. She smiled at him, which he returned.

"My dearest sister, I am thrilled to see you again after these many years."

"I say the same dear brother."

His attention then turned to Hermione who stood on the other side of Laurent. Hermione held out her hand for him to kiss which he did politely.

"And you must be Lady Hermione. I am so pleased to meet you for the first time. I am Lord Abraxas Malfoy, your uncle." He smiled genuinely at her. Despite her knowing how cruel the Malfoy's could be, she knew that they stood by family before all else.

"Lord Malfoy, It is a pleasure." Hermione said, falling into a light curtsey, though stubling a bit over her english- she had to keep her appearance up of course.

Abraxas eyebrows raised slightly. He was impressed by her grace, especially for one as young as she. He turned back to Laurent and gestured toward his family.

"Please allow me to introduce my family. This," he said taking the woman who stood next to him by the the hand, "is my wife, Lady Arabelle Malfoy."

All three of the Lemerciers greeted her formally, and she stepped back to her husband's side.

"And my son, Lord Lucius Malfoy."

The blonde haired boy standing next to him stepped forward and greeted the elder Lemerciers with ease, then turned to Hermione, whom he kissed her and and bowed. Hermione returned his gesture, curtsying just as low.

"Lady Lemercier, I am glad to become acquainted with you. I regret we have not met previous to now," He said in perfect french, noting Hermione's enease earlier.

"I share your sentiments, Lord Malfoy, it is a shame we have met just now. We must catch up for lost time, yes?" Hermione responded with a quirk of her lips.

"Of course, my Lady."

Abraxas seemed to be quite pleased with their interaction and put a hand on his son's shoulder. "Why don't you escort Hermione tonight. I'm sure she could use someone to introduce her to everyone."

"Of course, father, I would be more than pleased to escourt the lovely Lady Lemercier tonight." Lucius said, proffering an arm for her to take.

She did and they walked away from their parents, who began talking, filling each other in on the past few years, the pair supposed. Lucius was a perfect gentleman and escort. It is no wonder Hermione was getting jealous glared from many of the ladies in the ballroom. It made her laugh internally. Apparently, they needed to do more research on her family. She was certain their faces would say something else if they knew Lucius and her were cousins.

The pair decided to dance. While dancing Hermione learned that Lucius was thirteen and in his second year at Hogwarts. When he asked Hermione about schooling she said that she was wanting to attend Beauxbatons, like her father and mother. He agreed that she would do well there. Lucius was delighted to find out Hermione was rather intelligent, and could carry on a rather impressive conversation about magic. After they danced three songs, a break was in order, and Lucius decided to introduce her to some of the influential families of the UK.

The first stop was with the Blacks, specifically Orion's branch of the family. He was intrigued by Hermione, Lucius could tell. She was knowledgeable in magic, and as graceful as a fully grown pureblood witch. Walburga too, found that Hermione was quite graceful, and looked at her with approval. Hermione on the other hand, was fascinated with Orion's sons, Sirius and Regulus Black. Sirius was quite the troublemaker, if the rumors were true, and Regulus, as if to be the complete opposite of his brother, was charming, and never caused a ruckus.

They were both quite young, Regulus being nine and Sirius being eleven. Sirius seemed to dislike Hermione for some reason, though that reason was unclear. Regulus though, he was enchanted by Hermione, immediately asking Hermione for a dance. She accepted and Lucius was left in the presence of the elder Blacks and their estranged son. When the nine and ten year olds came back, Lucius swept Hermione to the next family. A few covert glances back though, Lucius saw Orion and Walburga observing Hermione and searching for her parents.

They visited many influential families: the Lestranges, the Averys, the Yaxleys, the Rosiers, the Crouches, the Notts, the Parkinsons- were interested in her in the same manner as the Blacks. Lucius was impressed she managed to charm every family of the sacred twenty-eight she had been introduced to, a feat not many would be able to say. Although Lucius loathed to do it, he had to introduce her to as many people as he could- it was his job as her escort. He plastered on a fake, charming smile, and directed her toward the Potter family. They and their son James were talking with the Shaklebolts. Lucius seriously considered turning around, but propriety pushed him forward. Introductions went as smoothly as they could have gone. Hermione seemed to have a natural charm about her- even the people who detested Malfoys and their blood seemed to get along with Hermione.

When the ball was over, and all the guests returned home, Lucius privately decided that Hermione was an enigma that he would possibly never understand.

{An Étoile in the Fabric of Society}

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the Harry Potter Universe, they belong to the Lovely JK Rowling.

Unlike last chapter, I do have a lot to say in this chapter. First thing, I have been seriously been considering making my chapters longer. So far the average number of words per chapter is roughly 2,500. I would be increasing that to about 7,000. If you think this length is good, please let me know! I have also been thinking about putting a recap of the previous chapter at the beginning of every chapter. Would that help with the flow of the story? Please let me know. I have made the decision to make Lucius Malfoy a bit younger in this fic. There are some parts later in the story that would benefit from this, that is why he is younger. Other than that, thank you for reading, and I will try to update soon!

Sincerely,

Miss of the Manor