A/N: Sorry this took so long. No excuses, just another chapter.
Thanks to Madame Dee, GambitGirl2008, MRSBriMarieMalfoy, Dramione-Fan 17, PhoebeColeTurnerHalliwell, and tyrani13 for reviewing. They mean the world to me. Hope you like the next chapter!
Draco's POV
Hermione rushed over to me the following day after breakfast. She looked to be in a better mood since the term had started back up. "Guess what?" she asked excitedly.
I could see the Slytherin table snickering behind my back so I led Hermione out of the Great Hall so that we couldn't be interrupted.
"What?" I asked.
"Harry, Ron, and I had a little chat last night with Hagrid, and everything is fine now between us!"
I was taken aback. Just yesterday they had been snapping at Hermione and accusing her of being a traitor. Now they were okay with her being my twin sister? Something wasn't adding up. But I didn't want to let her on to my suspicions just yet.
"That's great news, Hermione," I said and embraced her in a brotherly hug.
She returned it with great enthusiasm. It was good to see her so happy. I didn't want to spoil her mood.
"I know. Now maybe we all can finally get along!" she said.
That was a bit of a stretch, but I didn't have the heart to tell her that. She may be willing to forgive Potter and Weasley at the drop of a hat just because they fed her a few lines, but I wasn't.
"Who knows? Well, I need to get to Transfiguration. See you later?" I asked.
She nodded. "Definitely."
I gave her a small half-smile then walked away. Hermione may not see it yet, but I did. Something wasn't right, and I was determined to figure it out no matter what.
Harry's POV
Having Hermione back made everything feel as though everything was okay. And it did, despite her obvious likeness to the Malfoy family now. Especially Draco. Something felt strange about the whole scenario. Why did the truth behind Hermione's biological parentage come out now?
I considered that it had been the work of Voldemort, but didn't tell Ron or Hermione. They would only say that I was being paranoid, which I suppose it was. But I felt it was better to be safe than sorry.
I also considered telling Dumbledore my suspicions. I went so far as to stop by the entrance to his office, but he would just tell me the same thing. So I kept them to myself and vowed to be supportive. It would just take time.
Hermione was in better spirits during our morning classes. She was acting like her usual self, raising her hand whenever a professor asked a question.
At lunch I watched as Hermione walked over to the Slytherin table and motioned for Malfoy to go with her someplace. I watched, suspicious, as she led him over to our table.
Malfoy looked to be just as shocked as I was, for he eyed Ron and I, as well as the rest of the Gryffindors, with contempt.
"Please, guys. Just play nice for one lousy lunch period so that maybe I can bring my family and friends together for once," Hermione said as she watched Malfoy and I stare at each other, not wanting to be the first one to turn away.
"Can't we do it tomorrow? I just want to eat," Ron complained, stuffing some mashed potatoes into his mouth.
Looking disgusted, Draco turned to Hermione. "I think this is a bit too soon. But we'll get together later, okay?"
Hermione's face fell. "Okay."
I felt guilty for not complying with her request, but Malfoy was right for once. It was too soon. We weren't ready to become best friends yet, and I wasn't sure we ever would.
Hermione's POV
The day went by much smoother and quicker than the previous ones. It seemed I couldn't get rid of this high I felt. Draco was my brother, I finally knew who I was, and my friends accepted it.
That night at dinner I was sitting in my usual spot beside Harry and Ron when a rather large, spotted owl flew into the Great Hall, holding a small black envelope. The entire student body watched with curiosity as the owl flew closer and closer to the Gryffindor table.
The owl flew past me, and as he did, he dropped the envelope in my hands. I blinked at Harry and Ron, who were staring at the envelope along with everyone else.
I cast a quick glance at Draco, who wore a different expression on his face, one of recognition.
He stood up and motioned for me to do the same. Harry and Ron didn't see. A second later everyone else went back to their conversations.
"I think I'm going to go read this in private," I said, excusing myself from the table.
"Want us to go with you?" Harry asked.
I shook my head. "No, it's okay. I think I want to be alone now anyway."
I hurried out before they could come with me anyway and met Draco outside the Great Hall.
"What is it?" I asked once I was out.
"That's the family owl. Demison. I think my mother sent you a letter," he said.
"Your mother? Does that mean she knows about me?" I asked, my heart beat starting to quicken.
Draco shrugged. "Could be. Only one way to find out."
Together we went to the library, the one place we could be alone together. I was anxious to open the letter right away, but knew it was safer to wait.
Once we were inside we went to a table the farthest away from the door. We sat down and I immediately opened the black envelope. I took out a small piece of parchment and spread it out on the table so that Draco and I could read it together.
Dearest Hermione,
I can't tell you how excited I am to learn about you. When I went into labor with you and Draco, the doctors told me that you had died after you were born. I was consumed with grief for a long time. But that doesn't matter anymore. I don't even care how you're still alive, because I just know that it's a miracle. I'm dying to meet you. You have no idea how much I've wished this would happen. I've always wanted a daughter, Hermione, and now that I know you're alive, I want to start working on our relationship. After all, you deserve to know you're real mother. Write me back a letter as soon as you can and send it back with Demison. He's the family owl, and the one who gave you this. I love you.
Love,
Narcissa
I looked up at Draco, who was still bent over the letter, frowning.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I don't know. Something just seems odd about it. I've lived with her my entire life, and she has never been this loving towards anyone. We're a dark family, after all. Love really isn't in our nature."
"Our nature? Are you saying that I'm on the Dark Side now?" I asked sarcastically.
"No, of course not. But Mother is. I don't know. Something about this seems forced," he went on, picking up the letter and re-reading it.
"Well, she's probably trying to get me to join the Dark Side. And it's not going to happen," I said determinedly.
Draco nodded. "I know. But whatever her intentions may be, I still think it's a good idea for you to meet her. Just so that you can meet your real mother."
I nodded. "Okay. Do you have a piece of parchment?"
He grabbed the nearest library book and ripped out a blank sheet of parchment at the back.
I stared at him in horror, but he merely gave me a pointed glare. "If you want to do this, you need to do this as quickly as possible. That way, if there is an ulterior motive, we can find it soon."
I swallowed, knowing he was right. So I did the only thing I could do. I began writing.
A/N: Well, what do you think? Draco and Hermione are on to Narcissa. But is meeting her such a good idea?
Next chapter: Tensions between Draco and Harry rise as Harry discovers the letter.