Hermione sat in front of the mirror and calmed herself. Or tried to, at least. It was a bit nerve racking when you were going to your boyfriend's home to spend the Easter Break with his parents. Especially when those parents didn't like muggle-borns, despite their act of niceness at the Bulgarian Quidditch match. Draco had invited her to his home not long after they'd gotten together and she hadn't stopped being nervous since. She'd contacted all her students and told them she was not going to be able to tutor anyone over the break, she'd packed all her things, and now, the only thing left to do, was get on the train, ride to King's Cross, and be taken to the Malfoy Manor.

Hermione had very little experience with meeting parents. Sure, she could be charming and interesting to the people her parents associated with, making quick friends with them, but these people were different. They could accept the relationship, or they could make it worse by rejecting her and Draco being together. Then she'd have no one.

"Calm down," she said to her reflection. "They've been nice to you before, they can do it again."

"But they might not mean it," the reflections said. "For all you know, they might put on a nice front and show and hate you behind your back. Then your relationship with Draco would be worse off."

Hermione groaned and placed her forehead in her head. Why did her brothers have to give her a mirror that talked back? It was one of the more stupid gifts they'd given her. And why did it have to be right? Hermione had avoided that particular thought, but the mirror had picked up on it. Why did she have to be so suspicious over people?

A knock was heard on her door and she looked up as Ginny pushed the door open. "Hey," she said. "Your boyfriend is torturing us down there, demanding we come get you. Would you mind making him shut up?"

Hermione slightly and nodded. She stood up and collected her things. Ginny, Ron, and Harry hadn't turned their back on her, either, after her disownment had been announced to the magical world. A few letters had been sent to her from many of her well known and famous friends, telling her that they supported her and were there if she needed anything. The support was something that gave Hermione more confidence. She could get through this meeting. She just knew it.

She went down into the Gryffindor Common Room and saw Draco waiting by the portrait opening. He spotted her and the smirk he'd worn was replaced by a smiled. He took her bag from her and kissed her on the lips. She smiled. How she loved the taste of Draco in the morning. It tasted minty.

"Ready to go?" he asked, pulling back from the kiss.

Hermione took a breath. "As good as I'll ever be," she said.

They left the Gryffindor Common Room and headed out to the carriages. During the entire journey, from the carriages, to the train, to the station and finally in the town car, Hermione tried to unwind herself, but only succeeded in winding herself up tighter.

The car finally stopped in front of the Manor and Hermione took a breath. "It's now or never, right," she said, giving Draco a smile.

He returned it and said, "Don't worry. My parents will love you."

"But what if they just put up a nice front?" Hermione said. "I don't want them to hate me, even in private. It makes things harder."

Draco squeezed her hand. "Well, I can't promise you that, but I promise that I'll be in your corner."

Hermione chuckled and kissed him. "Just have the first aid kit handy," she said before opening the door and getting out. She looked up at the house and felt small. The place was huge, with stone gargoyles staring down at her and the manicured gardens stretched before the house.

Draco came around the car and took her hand, leading her to the front door. He opened it and pulled her in, calling out as he stepped into the foyer. "Mother, Father, I'm home!"

"We're in the parlor, Draco," came the voice of Narcissa.

Draco winked at Hermione before leading her into a comfy room with a roaring fire. Lucius was sitting in an armchair, scanning a book in his hands as Narcissa sat on the sofa with witch magazine on her lap. They both looked up as Draco came in and politely nodded to Hermione. "Welcome, Hermione," Lucius said. It was polite and calm, but Hermione still heard the disapproving tone to it.

"Hermione," Cissy said, standing up and actually giving her a hug. Hermione was surprised, but then returned the embrace, falling into her old role of a sweet girl.

"It's good to see you again, Cissy," she said, pulling away slightly. "And thank you for having me stay here over the break."

Narcissa nodded and turned to Draco. "Welcome home, Draco," she said, hugging him and kissing his cheek. Draco smiled and kissed his mother's cheek. "Now," Narcissa said. "Why don't you show Hermione to her room and then change for dinner?"

Draco nodded and lead Hermione away to a large staircase. They started up and had almost reached the landing when Hermione groaned. "I forgot my purse. I must have dropped it in the foyer. I'll be right back," she said and rushed down the stairs, the sound of her footsteps muffled by the plush carpeting. She turned the corner and saw her purse by the door. She reached out for it and slid it onto her shoulder. She was about to return to Draco when she hear her name. It was coming from the parlor. Hermione crept forward and listened to Narcissa and Lucius.

"I don't even know why we have that mudblood in our house," Lucius said, his voice sounding angry. "And why did you insist I be polite to it?"

Narcissa gave an exasperated sigh. "Honestly, Lucius," she said. "She's Draco's girlfriend. She may not have pure blood, but Draco likes her. We have to at least try to accept her."

"I'll never accept a mudblood," Lucius snapped. "I let her in this house because you said it would be better if Draco could see that I accepted her. It's bloody hard to do that when I don't want the filth in my house."

Hermione felt herself flinch. Harsh.

"I'm not too keen on the idea of a muggle born in my house, either, dear," Narcissa said. Hermione winced at that, though she slightly knew that she was acting. "But I'm putting an effort into it for Draco's sake. You should, too."

"Merlin, Cissy," Lucius said. "You're asking a dragon to change it's scales."

"It'll only be until she leaves, dear," Narcissa said.

Hermione turned and leaned against the door frame, staring at the two, Narcissa sitting on Lucius' lap. "Can we help you, Hermione?" Narcissa asked.

"Yes," Hermione said. "No masks."

"Excuse me?" Narcissa said, raising a questioning eyebrow as if she didn't know what Hermione as asking.

"No masks, please, and no games," Hermioen said. "I know you don't approve of me, and I know you're trying to put up a good front for Draco. But you're only going to make things awkward wether you treat me nicely or if you hate my blood. I'd rather you show your true feelings instead of hiding them away."

The two stared at her for a moment. "I can deal with that, mudblood," Lucius said. Narcissa shot him a look, but he stared back at her. "She wants truth. I'm giving her truth." He looked back at Hermione. "Admirable, actually. Not many would face the Malfoy hate so openly."

Hermione gave a small smile. "I disowned my own father," she said. "I'm sick of playing. Face me or go home." She turned and walked back Draco, who was leaning against the bannister.

"What took so long?" Draco asked.

"Oh, I just had a quick word with your parents," she said.

He frowned. "They didn't say anything to you did they?" he said, a bit concerned.

Hermione kissed his cheek. "I just told them that I don't want to play any games of politeness," she said. "They're going to be brutally honest about how they feel about me."

Draco paled. "Are you sure about that?" he asked.

Hermione nodded. "Perfectly," she said. "I played the obedient daughter for so long, I had a mask. My brothers knew and would ask me to not wear it, but I wore for my father. And I hated that, for I couldn't assure my brothers that I was fine. They never believed me. How would I know if your family ever accepted me if they used that same mask? Trust would be impossible." She reached out and cupped his cheek. "I know what I'm doing."

Draco sighed and nodded. "Alright," he said. "I'm still in your corner."

Hermione nodded and they continued down the hall way. "You know," she said. "When I said I was talking to your parents, you had a look in your eyes that said you were thinking about something other than them yelling at me. What was it?"

"Oh," Draco said, blushing a bit. "I was worried they'd pull out the baby photo albums and show you."

Hermione laughed. "They do that in the wizarding world?" she said.

"Hey, embarrassment is embarrassment, no matter where you are," he said.

Hermione laughed as he pushed the door open to her room of purple and blue.

So, how about that? And, because I posted so soon, there really weren't many votes. But here is the poll of the people that did review:

Andrew-1

Barcus-1

Colin-0

Darwin-1

the triplets-0

But, should, during any part of the story, you want to vote for your favorite brother, I'll post the tally at the beginning of the chapters. Thanks for the reviews and comments. Happy reading.