Full Summary: Hermione and Blaise Zabini are on opposite sides of the War. Technically. It wasn't Hermione's choice to be a spy, but there's nothing she can do about it now. When she turns 15, Hermione learns in the worst way possible that her soulmate is none other than Narcissa Malfoy. Due to ancient laws regarding Pureblood marriage, Hermione struggles to find a way to free Narcissa - and Draco - from Lucius. In the midst of it all, Voldemort has returned, and the War restarts with a vengeance. When another prophecy is discovered, Hermione becomes a threat in the eyes of the Order, and a weapon in the eyes of the Death Eaters. Hermione, along with her family and friends, turns the tide of the War unexpectedly by forming a new faction; one where the phrase 'neither can live while the other survives' takes on a whole new meaning.
This chapter does have references to domestic violence. I tried to be vague as possible with it. Also, I barely know Italian, so this is a wild shot at the language. I apologize. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know and feel free to ask questions in the comments. I have no qualms about answering them, but please be respectful.
Hermione was one of few people in the Great Hall that morning as she sat at the Gryffindor table. A plate of Maritozzi and a cup of coffee appeared in front of her.
"Thank you, Hogwarts," Hermione said, relieved she wouldn't have to pick at the food the elves usually served for breakfast.
Luna approached, and the blonde witch paused and smiled, gesturing at the table.
"May I?" she asked.
"Of course."
Luna sat down next to Hermione, and a plate of fruit appeared in front of her.
"Thank you, Hogwarts," she said happily.
"How are you?" Hermione asked.
"Someone stole my shoes again, but I quite like the way the stone feels on my feet."
"Do you want me to find them for you?"
"Will you promise not to hurt whoever stole them?"
"No."
Luna grinned and speared a strawberry with her fork.
"Then I will wait until they appear again. No need in drawing attention to yourself, Miss Zabini," she teased.
Hermione shrugged and took a sip of her coffee. Luna was among a handful of people at the school who knew the truth about Hermione's familial connections. Her brother liked to keep their relationship on a need-to-know basis. And in his words, many people did not need to know. The two sat in silence, Luna picking her way through her fruit while Hermione took her time in eating her food. As her mother said, food should be savored, not rushed. Luna sighed when the doors opened behind them, and Hermione slumped over slightly to break away from her Pureblood etiquette. Luna snickered, and Hermione ignored her as Harry and Ron entered with Ginny in tow.
"Hello, Luna. Hermione," Harry greeted.
"Morning to you, Harry," Luna said dreamily.
Harry sat down in front of Luna, Ron in front of Hermione, and Ginny beside Ron. Hermione propped her chin on the table as more and more students started to filter in, missing the sweet silence that came before dawn when the rest of the school was asleep. Slytherins were some of the last to enter, and Hermione automatically searched for her brother. Blaise's eyes lazily traveled over the room before he found hers. The moment, though brief, made Hermione smile. Hermione looked away before anyone other than Luna noticed, and Blaise followed his friends to the Slytherin table. As usual, Blaise sat facing Hermione with Draco on his right and Daphne on his left. Hermione tore her eyes away from her brother and made the mistake of looking at Ron. It took great effort not to scowl as he shoved pieces of sausage and toast into his mouth. Ron spotted the pastry in front of her.
"Oh! Mione, that looks – ow!"
Ron rubbed his hand where Hermione hit him.
"What was that for?"
"I have told you multiple times not to touch my food," she said.
"But you never eat stuff like that! It's always fruit and veggies."
Hermione cocked an eyebrow and said, "Am I not allowed to indulge once in a while?"
"Whatever. What is it, anyway?" Ron asked.
"Maritozzi."
"Mari-whatzi?" Ron repeated.
"Sounds Italian," Harry said.
"It is," Hermione replied.
"But why can't you share?" Ron asked, pouting.
"I doubt she wants to share with someone who has jam on their forehead," Ginny deadpanned.
Ron reached up to his forehead, and Hermione was saved by the arrival of the mail. She glanced up as the owls flew into the room. She spotted a familiar bird making its way through the chaos and caught the letter as it fell from the sky. The bird made a sharp turn and exited the room without stopping for snacks like the others.
"That didn't look like your normal owl," Ron said.
"You know what her owl looks like?" Harry asked.
"Don't you?"
"No, mate. Hedwig is the only owl I pay attention to."
Ron blushed and went back to his food. Hermione noticed the seal on the back of the letter and opened the envelope. She unfolded the parchment inside. Hermione recognized her mother's handwriting.
Mia,
Riceverai un libro dalla tua madrina. Spiegherà di più sulla tua situazione. Stiamo ancora lavorando a un modo per liberarli.
Ti amo più della vita stessa.
Hermione had little time to ponder the words as Luna reached over and caught a book before it hit the table. Hermione crumpled the note, shoving it into her pockets.
"Thank you, Luna," she said absentmindedly.
"Of course, Hermione. You should really be mindful of the wrackspurts."
Knowing that was Luna's way of saying she needed to be more aware of her surroundings, Hermione nodded and said, "I will get rid of them soon."
Hermione was about to undo the twine wrapped around the parcel when she felt her brother nudge her mind. Hermione paused and cocked her head to show she was listening.
What did Mamma send you?
A book to explain more about my…situation. You?
Nothing. You are obviously the favored child.
As well it should be.
Blaise ended the connection. Hermione went back to unwrapping the book and blinked at the title.
"An In-Depth Study of Soul Bonds?" Harry read. "Wow. That's heavier than normal for you."
"I was curious about different types of marriage bonds in the Wizarding world," Hermione lied.
"What for?" Ron asked.
"Social reading," Hermione said dismissively.
Put it away. Kitty is coming.
Hermione re-wrapped the book and placed it in her bag moments before she spotted Professor McGonagall passing out schedules. Luna kissed Hermione on the head before she went over to the Ravenclaw table. Hermione was grateful Luna stopped kissing her on the cheek without asking too much into it. Professor McGonagall reached their end of the table, and Hermione smiled at her schedule. She had a free period after lunch, thankfully.
Meet me in our spot.
Hermione nodded at her brother as she looked over the parchment, and she placed her schedule in her bag. Blaise got up from the Slytherin table and made his way out of the Great Hall. Hermione counted down from thirty before she excused herself as well, promising to see the others in class. Hermione kept her pace steady as she walked down the hallway, and she glanced around to make sure she wasn't followed before she ducked off into a familiar alcove. Hermione cast a privacy spell and leaned against the wall opposite her brother.
"Sister," he greeted.
"Brother."
"What was the book?" he asked.
"More information on Soul Bonds I told you that."
"Have they figured out how to free them yet?" he asked.
"No, unfortunately." Hermione yawned and added, "Though I wish they would hurry. I doubt she can take much more of this."
"What do you mean?"
"She is afraid to sleep, which prevents me from sleeping."
Blaise studied her for a moment before he slipped down the wall and held out his arms.
"Come," he ordered.
"What? No."
"I will not have you passing out in the middle of the hallways," Blaise huffed. "Now come. Let me take care of my sister for once."
"Fine."
Hermione got down and curled against her brother. He wrapped his arms around her, and Hermione allowed herself a quick nap. It would be such a surprising sight for two Purebloods to be on the floor in such a manner. But only a select few knew the Zabini twins were not normal Purebloods.
Courtesy of their parents.
Hermione stalked down the hallway with her head down. She had two essays, nearly a thousand pages worth of reading, and three different translations for homework. Her lunch and free period were spent in the library, so she could get a head start on all of it. Still, Hermione couldn't concentrate due to what happened in Potions earlier that afternoon. It felt silly in hindsight, but Hermione cared about her grades, and one fool wasn't going to ruin that for her.
"Slytherins, you are to work with Gryffindors or Ravenclaws," Professor Snape ordered. "You will be working on Polyjuice."
There was some disagreement until Snape silenced them all with a look. Hermione didn't particularly care one way or another. Somehow, she ended up with Nott Jr. It would've been fine had Nott attempted to work with her instead of trying to prove he was better than the "know-it-all, mudblood." Hermione seethed in her seat as the potion turned purple. Professor Snape walked over and scowled once he saw it.
"I dare say this is the first time you earned a D for an assignment, Miss Granger," he drawled. "Pity."
Hermione heard Pansy and Tracey snicker under their breath. Nott Jr. complained it was her fault to whoever would listen, and Hermione humored herself by imagining the different ways she could hurt Nott Jr. until class was dismissed.
Unfortunately, Hermione looked up just in time to remember her next class was taught by the one person she wanted nothing to do with. As soon as she saw Umbridge, Hermione's temper flared once more. Blaise bumped into her as he and Draco entered the room. Hermione was tempted to hex her brother for the hell of it. Instead, she sat next to Ron and Harry as Umbridge made her way to the front of the room.
"Hello, class. My name is Professor Umbridge. I am here on behalf of the Ministry to teach you Defense Against the Dark Arts. For your first assignment, you are all to read the first four chapters of your textbook. At the end of class, you will turn in a four-inch essay on what you learned. Understood?"
"Hold on, we're going to be writing all day?" Harry exclaimed. "What about Voldemort? We need to learn how to protect ourselves!"
"Mister Potter, your fabricated claims of the return of-
"I wasn't lying! Voldemort is back!"
Umbridge's smile faltered as she said, "Detention. Tonight at 7 p.m."
"But I'm telling the truth!"
"Ten points from Gryffindor and another night of Detention. Would you care to add on to it?"
Hermione slapped her hand over Harry's mouth to avoid losing more points. Umbridge flicked her wrist. All of their books magically opened to the first page, and the hint was taken. Hermione dropped her hand and stared blankly at the pages of a book she'd already read twice over. There was nothing in there that would remotely help in a war.
It was clear the Ministry wanted to make it known they were not on Harry's side.
Luna slipped her hand into the crook of Hermione's elbow as they walked to dinner.
"Did she truly make you all read?"
"Yes. While I have no issue with reading, I would rather it be something useful."
"The Ministry does not want to give life to Harry's words. Unlike the Order."
"I would ask how you know about that…."
"You know I know all," Luna teased.
Hermione laughed, but suddenly her head snapped to the right as if someone slapped her. She shook off the sensation, but Luna was already leading her to the second-floor bathroom. Halfway there, Hermione stopped when her sharp crack echoed in the hallway. Hermione grabbed her nose, and blood dripped onto her hand. Luna's eyes widened as Hermione's vision started to blur. Luna disappeared for a moment, and Hermione was afraid she would pass out alone in the corridor. Instead, she felt strong arms lift her off the ground and carry her into an empty classroom. Hermione was placed on the floor. Before she could see who grabbed her, Hermione arched upward and let out a silent scream.
"I am here, Miss Zabini," Snape said softly, a hint of sadness to his tone. "And I shall be here when you return."
Hermione's eyes glazed over, and her head lolled to the side as she found herself in the Malfoy bedroom. Lucius stood over her, and the red light from his wand was the brightest thing in the room. Hermione bit through her tongue to keep from screaming. Blood dripped down her face, pooled in her mouth, and Hermione was embarrassed as she relieved herself on the floor. When Lucius finally released the spell, Hermione curled in on herself and trembled from the aftershocks. Lucius swept his hair back in place and adjusted his clothes before he exited the room. Hermione's eyes slipped closed, and when she opened them again, she was back in Hogwarts. Snape hovered over her, potions prepared, and Hermione pushed them away.
"Give th-them to h-her," she stammered.
Snape sighed and brushed hair from her face.
"I cannot go to her unless requested," he whispered sadly. "You know that."
Hermione cried as Snape gave her the potions that should be going to Narcissa. Snape put the empty vials in his pockets and picked up Hermione once more. The last thing she saw before she passed out was Narcissa lying on the floor as an elf worked to keep her alive.