It all belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling!

Hello everyone! Here is my next update out a lot sooner than I thought though it is shorter. I hope you don't mind this is Hermione's return to Hogwarts. I will get deeper into it in the next chapter I wanted to set the scene first. So wait for it please! Ummm...little Blaise Hermione there will be more never fear. I want to give a shout out to all me wonderful reviewers. You guys Rock! So keep it up and tell me what ya'll think of this. P.S. I hope no one is too upset about Hermione's house. I know it won't come as that much of a surprise sorry about that it;s the only place I think is sutable for my Hermione. Well here we go. Oh and I decided Blaise is gonna be Italian I've always had a thing for Italian boys. ;)

Chapter 14: In wich there is a Slytherin

"I'll write often."

"That is why I bought you an owl," Lucius' voice was sardonic as he raised his eyebrow at his daughter though a hidden smile could be found behind his grey eyes. They were all silent from a moment as people bustle around them on the platform. "I had Dilly bring your trunks earlier, they are in the ninth compartment." both of his children nodded at his words, "Accalia, I want you to stay close to your brother."

"I will." A shrill whistle warned the teenagers of the impending journey. 5 minutes left. "We better go Draco," she prompted tugging at his sleeve. He swatted her away.

"I'm coming." She seemed suddenly shy as she turned to bid her father goodbye.

"I love you." Hermione stood twiddling with her hands as she waited for his response. Lucius Malfoy was not a man of public gestures in fact he could not remember the last time he had, had any physical contact outside of a handshake or the annual New Years kiss, but his daughter was waiting and he did the only thing he deemed appropriate he pulled her into a short hug.

"As I love you." He let his long fingered hand run down the side of her face for a moment as if memorizing her. Sometimes Hermione simply amazed him. Father and daughter locked eyes. Every time he glanced at her he was awed by the two people reflected in the strong willed child. A mesh of two people who were passionately bound resulting in this perfect human. And she loved him. Despite knowing of his dark affiliations and some of his more dastardly deeds. The thought was staggering.

"You will write?" he repeated her earlier words unconsciously not releasing his hold on her chin.

"You will be seeing Apollo often dad," she did not bother to remind him that this had already been established.

"Stay out of trouble and keep your grades up." It seemed so odd for Lucius Malfoy deatheater extrordinar, favored of the Dark Lord to be chastising his daughter about such average mundane things as any other concerned father would. Hermione cast him a disbelieving look. As if she would allow her grades to slip.

"Yes sir."

"Go then," he said releasing the girl and giving her a small shove towards the steaming locomotive, "I wish to speak to your brother."

"Bye then."

"Farewell." He waited until she was safely on board and well away from hearing range before he spoke once more.

"Protect her," Draco nodded solemnly as if he had just been entrusted with a most sacred mission, "Watch after yourself as well my son. You are precious to me," Lucius swallowed as did Draco that was as much sentimentality as the two men could take, "If there are any problems I am only a floo call away." He finished briskly with a small tap of his silver tipped cane.

"Give mother my love," Draco shot his father a small grin as he boarded the train following in his sisters wake. Lucius heaved a sigh, it would certainly be much quieter at the Manor that was for sure. He would miss those two mischief makers and Narcissa would miss her reluctant shopping buddy and human doll. Lucius smirked at the thought as he made his way back through the barrier.

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Hermione had pretty much drawn her conclusions about all of Draco's Slytherin classmates she had been introduced to. Crabbe and Goyle were not a dumb as rocks, though they weren't the brightest crayons in the box either, but they were fiercely loyal to her brother and in extension to her as his sister. Then there was Daphne Greengrass was unofficially her brothers girl. That sounded so fiftyish, but that was the only way Hermione could think to describe her. Draco flirted with just about any girl that was breathing, but he always came back to Daphne and she was always waiting for him. She was infinitely patient and seemed immune to any other advances that might be made by any other guys. She was an attractive brunet with amber eyes that held an abundance of power and an even temperament. It bothered Hermione that she didn't know what was going on with the odd couple so she resigned herself to the task of discovering more.

Pansy, Hermione decided, was exactly as bad as she had always believed her to be. She was a selfish, whiney, churlish girl with bleach blonde hair who tried to sink her claws in everyone around her. She wasn't as thoroughly unattractive as people made her out to be. She had a nice figure and if you could get past that nose of hers and her voice that turned shrill at the drop of a hat you could see her as aesthetically pleasing. Despite this Hermione found that she still despised the girl. Theodore Nott had come next. There was obviously a deep set resentment between him and her brother though what it could be she had no idea. The boy had come in only for a moment made a rather suggestive comment about Accalia and was promptly hexed by Draco who calmly returned to his book without a second glance. Crabbe and Goyle then proceeded to shove the limp figure into the hall and shut the compartment door with an audible click.

And last was Blaise and he, however; was a complete mystery. He and Draco also had a history though it had provided Draco with a strong friendship. He like Crabbe and Goyle was loyal, but he didn't agree blindly with what ever his best mate said. In fact Blaise loudly objected to her brothers open prejudice and discrimination against bloodlines. Not that he himself wasn't prejudice, but he simply believed that it wasn't very Slytherin showing it blatantly to others as Draco did. He kept a low profile and was a typical Slytherin, manipulative and sneaky. But there was something about him that she just couldn't put her finger on. Whatever it was it set him apart and she liked it.

"Did you hear about the mudblood Granger, Draco?" The blonde's eyes snapped away from his reading and over to his sister who was sitting unearthly still between Blaise and himself before answering.

"What would I possibly want to hear about her Pansy?"

"I can't believe you haven't heard," Pansy cooed with a lift in her voice, "It's been all over the Prophet. I'm surprised your father hasn't told you."

"Told me what Parkinson," Draco spat in a cold voice. Pansy looked up sharply.

"Now Dray don't get so snappy. I am just surprised you haven't been told." No one missed Draco's scowl at the shortening of his name.

"Pansy," he growled as a warning.

"She's dead!" Pansy announced point blankly, "Died in a muggle car accident over the Hols." She looked quite proud at herself for being the one to tell the compartment. Draco was frantically searching his head for something mild to say so as to not upset his sister who looked deathly pale as it was.

"One less mudblood in the world," his eyes flicked back to his book. Pansy looked shocked at his lack of response, but deciding she had already pushed him far enough on the subject she let it slide and the issue was dropped to the relief of Hermione. She really did not want to have to give her opinions on her own death.

"What house do you think you'll be in," Daphne directed her words to Hermione hoping to move to lighter topics.

"Obviously Slytherin," Goyle rumbled from his station at the sliding door, "look at her parents."

"Perhaps," Pansy mused and Hermione braced herself for something biting to be vaulted at her. Hermione had not been received warmly by the girl who seemed threatened by her mere presence, "though why would the noble house of Slytherin want a bastard?" Hermione jolted at the casual words Pansy had just thrown in her face. Draco sprang from his seat and caught Pansy by the arms bruisingly his face flushed with anger. He seemed to angry to form coherent speech.

"How can you even stand to look at her," Pansy hissed in her brothers enraged face ignoring his biting fingers. Hermione could feel her body trembling slightly, "That's the truth Draco. That's all she is. A lucky little bastard born to her whore of a mother!" Again Hermione lurched in her seat though not a word could escape her parted lips. What could she possibly say when secretly in her heart that is what she had thought of her mother. That is why she had yet to open those letters. What if they proved what she always believed. That Selena Snape was a selfish woman with no morals who cared more for money and a good shag than she did her own daughter. The world seemed to blur around her and she needed air. She had to get out of this tiny compartment and think. She stood slowly her knees shaking so bad she wasn't sure she would make it to the door. As she fumbled with the nob she felt a strong arm wrap abound her waist supporting her easily. He, for it could only be a guy, led her into the hall where two windows were open allowing a gush of cold air into the corridor.

She didn't hear her brothers angry bellow or the commotion Pansy's words had caused as she gripped the arms that were now encircling her body, her fingers convulsing around the thin black fabric twisting it into knots as she forced her breathing to even and her thoughts to slow. There was no way she would ever accept this until she read those letters, she realized. This couldn't be explained away by facts and figures because she didn't have any. Her mother was beautiful and loved to dance. That was all she knew. Hermione squeezed her eyes shut as her head began to pound insistently.

"Hey are you alright," Blaise she recognized the voice before she looked up through pain filled eyes. She felt his hands begin to rub her back in a soothing motion.

"No, not-not really could you get my uncle?" Her voice shook with the effort of speaking and she shut her mouth quickly hating the fact that he saw her so weak.

"I'm not leaving you here alone," his voice hard as his gaze roved around the hall.

"Longbottom!" he shouted causing the bumbling boy to drop his toad with a splat, "Get Professor Snape!" Neville paled considerably at the very thought his head shaking violently in a resounding 'no', "NOW!" Blaise roared causing Hermione's eyes to close in pain and her teeth to grit. The yell brought Neville to a jump as he fled to the teachers compartment as if Voldemort himself was at his heels. Hermione bit her lips causing blood to rush into them as she distracted herself from the affliction. Neville returned moments later a worried professor in tow. Seeing her pained expression Severus quickly forced that horrid purple potion down her throat and Hermione did not utter a word of complaint as it began taking affect. She released a breath of relief as her grip began to loosen and she smiled hesitantly at the boy still cradling her in his arms.

"Thank you Mr. Longbottom," Hermione saw Blaise's eyes fill with mirth as her uncle barley managed not to choke on his tongue. Neville looked absolutely terrified at the words and didn't reply simply picked up his feet and bolted.

"You know that's not true," Blaise whispered looking her over for injury. Severus stepped out of the picture to allow them a moment. They would need a lot of moments if Blaise was ever going to get through Hermione's thick head.

"I don't."

"You don't what?" He asked concerned.

"It is true Blaise. Technically that's all I am a lucky bastard born to the right parents," her voice was filled with scorn and a tad of self loathing. Blaise's hands resumed their light massage on her back as he seemed to hold her tighter at her proclamation.

"Who?" Severus asked sharply as he registered Hermione's words.

"Pansy. She said some awful stuff about her mother too, sir."

"I will take care of it," Severus' obsidian eyes filled with a murderous glint.

"I'm fine uncle," Hermione struggled against Blaise's hold and he loosened his arms allowing her to break free as she suddenly found herself a tad shy and upset about allowing him to hold her for so long. Snape braced himself as he felt the train begin to slow down as they entered the station.

"We will speak on this later." Hermione agreed reluctantly as Draco appeared from around the corner his gaze filled with worry as he approached. Hermione rolled her eyes good-naturedly how long would it be before she felt smothered by the protection of the many men in her life.

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"We have a very special student that will begin her schooling here having transferred from an academy in America to be near her relatives. I am sure you will treat her with the amount of respect that you show her uncle our own Professor Snape." Whispers erupted and Hermione scowled as she waited outside the entrance to the great hall. The Headmaster just had to throw that to the public. "If you would be so kind Professor McGonagall." The doors swung open to admit the small woman as the transfiguration professor called her to the front. Even more whispers were heard at her last name. Hermione forced her eyes to stay trained ahead not letting her gaze flicker to her former house table. As she sat on the stool and the hat placed on her head Hermione couldn't hide her smile as it slid over her eyes for the second time in her life. It did that on purpose she thought to herself.

If you want me to sort you then you are going to have to lower your shields. Hermione felt herself blush as she lowered her nearly permanent shields around her 'Gryfindor years' as she liked to call them.

Be careful please I had trouble last time someone looked in my head. She thought to the hat.

I can see that, the hat tsked as it hummed in her thoughts while it sifted through her mind. You are still blocking me from something. Hermione felt the hats presence bounce against the barriers associated with her meeting with the Dark Lord.

I'm sorry there is nothing I can do about that. I myself can not get into those specific memories. The hat was silent once more as it finished its job. So what's the verdict? The hat seemed to be thinking.

You are not the same girl I sorted six summers ago. Neither my first or second choice all those years ago will help you on your road now. You will join your family. Hermione wasn't that surprised at his words. She had noticed the change in her qualities. She was more suspicious of people, less trusting.

"SLYTHERIN!" The hat announced to the waiting hall. She hopped off the stool setting the hat back on its rightful place and made her way over to the far right table. She sat beside her brother who was still clapping loudly at the announcement and sent a wink to her uncle up at the high table. He was looking very satisfied at her sorting and raised his goblet to her in a sort of toast.

"Wait till father hears he'll be thrilled," Draco exclaimed thumping her on the back with glee. His excitement was infectious so even when Dumbeldore announced his sorrow in the death of Hermione Granger she was able to take it in stride. She was approached by no one with questions due in part to the glares Draco kept sending to anyone who made to approach her backed by Severus Snape whose gaze promised death to anyone who upset her. Though she did get plenty of suspicious glares and cautious looks. It would have been a good end to a rather tense day had she not caught sight of her Ron Weasley and Harry Potter whose eyes were glazed with a grief and pain that Hermione knew all to well. Catching the direction of his sisters focus Draco frowned while reaching under the table and squeezing her hand.

"I'll be fine," she assured him in a hushed voice squeezing his hand as an answer. Her lips trembling with a small smile. Draco pulled back looking haughty as he stood.

"Come, I'll show you the way to the Slytherin dorms." Hermione linked arms with him smothering the real smile blossomed on her face by his lordly front.

"I love you Draco," she laughed shaking her head at his antics, "I do believe you are my favorite brother as of yet." He simply sniffed disdainfully though his eyes sparkled with mischief.

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