A/N: Okay so I may have lied, we don't meet Finn again yet. I know, four chapters about one day seems excessive, but to be fair it was a big and crappy day for Hermione, it needed to happen. Just to let everyone know. Yes, I know her birth name is Lyra, but I don't plan on changing it to Lyra. I don't feel like she needs a name change to be a LeStrange. She has been Hermione since she was a tot, she doesn't need to change it now. Cheeks and possibly her parents and Finn may call her Lyra, but she will correct everyone (but Cheeks cus who can control that elf?). Also, those who are mad at Ron for leaving, he isn't running away, he's processing and sometimes you just need a bit of space. He will be back and he will be on Hermione's side. This is pre-beta (as always lol) so all errors, all me.

Peace, Love and Slyther,

Gimi

Ron left that evening to places unknown. He had gone home to tell his family that the wedding was off. Molly was thoroughly upset, she had been looking forward to the wedding, but Ron had explained what happened at the bonding. At the announcement of Hermione being Lyra, Molly stiffened and Ron turned his anger at the situation at his mother. Hermione was not her parents, she may look like Bella and have their blood, but she was still Hermione, the same girl that he had known and saved his life countless times over the years. By the end of his tirade, Molly had been ashamed at her reaction. She had promised to try and work through her issues with Hermione's parentage. With that, Ron left the Burrow, return date not known.

Hermione had left the ministry and landed on the foot of the Zabini home. Ginny and Blaise had decided to live in sin and were not planning a wedding to the dismay of Molly and his mother. Hermione forgot the niceties and walked in the door, sobbing for Ginny. Blaise ran down the stairs, he had been in his study going over some work when he felt the wards shiver. He made it half way down, and was just about to call out what was wrong when he realised he didn't recognise the witch in front of him.

Pulling out his wand he pointed it at the stranger, "Who are you?" He yelled down at the witch.

Hermione looked up, confused as to why Blaise was pointing his wand at her. She brought up her hands to show she was unarmed, "Blaise, it's me," she cried, "It's Hermione."

Blaise scoffed, "Nice try, but Hermione looks nothing like you, how did you get through my wards? What have you done with Hermione? She's the only witch that can apparate directly to the door."

Hermione stomped her foot, "Damnit Blaise, I've had a shit day and you are not making it better. I just found out I am not who I thought I was because of some damn elf magic and I was adopted by muggles, Ron and I broke up, the wedding I've been dreaming of is cancelled, I've just found out that I'm to be married to a man who has tried to kill me several times, and there is nothing I can do to get out of it or I will die on my birthday! Don't mess with me and get Ginny so I can get properly pissed or I swear to Merlin, I WILL FUCKING END YOU BLAISE ZABINI!"

Blaise lowered his wand, "Geeze, Hermione, is that really you," he asked, "You look like…"

"Don't say it!" Hermione yelled, tears falling again. She wiped her eyes in anger, damn it, she was tired of crying. It didn't help change anything. Tears were not going to give her her old life back. Looking up at Blaise's confused face, taking a deep breath, "Please, Blaise, just get Ginny."

Blaise nodded and walked back up the stairs to call for his girlfriend. Ginny came down a few minutes later and after the initial shock, she gave her friend a tight hug. Ginny sent a patronus to both Pansy and Daphne, and they both popped right over.

Kicking Blaise out of the house, the four girls got into pyjamas and Ginny's elf, Binks, brought in bottles of wine and firewhisky for the girls as per their tradition. Anytime the girls were comforting each other, this was their way.

"I'm a fucking LeStrange," Hermione winced as the harsh liquid hit the back of her throat, she laughed, "My life is completely in the shitter and Ron picks today to call the wedding off completely."

The girls all exchanged a worried look. Their friend was not wrong to be upset, but being that all three of Hermione's friends grew up in pureblood homes, they knew that Ron was not acting as rash as she seemed to think. Pansy, Daphne and Ginny all understood the seriousness of a blood bond, even the great Hermione Granger was not going to get out of it.

Pansy, having enough of drunken Hermione, pulled the tumbler of whisky away from her friend's lips. Staring the witch straight in the eye she said, " Okay, that's enough whisky for now." She turned and put the glass down on the table as Hermione sank on the sofa with her legs pulled up and arms wrapped around them.

Pansy sighed and sat next to her friend and Hermione's lip began to tremble with the effort not to cry. Pansy put an arm around her shoulders and felt the normally strong Gryffindor slump against her. Even the strongest women deserved to cry after a trying day and in that day, Hermione had lost her identity, her fiancé, and her freedom to choose all at the same time. The other two women surrounded their friend and guarded her as she mourned her life as it was. Tomorrow she could go back to being strong, but tonight… tonight she could crumble.

Holding onto her friend, Pansy couldn't help but giggle. The women all looked over at her and she just shook her head, "Sorry," she apologized, "I'm just realising you are Draco's cousin." She barked out another laugh, "You're Draco's cousin and he had the biggest crush on you in fourth year."

Hermione looked sick, "You must be joking," she shook her head in disbelief, "No, he most definitely did not have a crush on me."

Daphne began to giggle, "Oh my, I had forgotten!" Pansy's eyes shone with mirth, "He did! That Yule dress did him in."

Pansy's face was red with laughter, "Oh, I hated you that year. I finally got him to notice me and you walked in on the arm of Viktor Krum, looking beautiful and blasted Draco couldn't stop staring."

Ginny giggled too, she hadn't noticed at the ball all those years ago, but if anyone could make Hermione forget about her current troubles, leave it to Pansy.

Hermione shook her head, "I don't believe you, you both are such sneaky liars."

Pansy laughed out loud, "He did, he may have kept it from most everyone, but he couldn't hide it from me. He and I…" she smirked at her friends, "Well, let's just say, we had an anatomy lesson… and at the pinnacle of a mutual exploration, the wrong name graced his lips."

Ginny gasped as Daphne fell onto the floor laughing, "You're kidding?"

Pansy scoffed, "I was so angry, I think I hexed him blue… or well I left him blue. He didn't exactly get to finish as I… well, we all know my temper."

Hermione and Ginny both laughed at that thought, knowing that Pansy was a formidable witch and was very capable no matter what her father may have told her as a child. Hermione sighed and gave her friend a tight squeeze, whispering a thank you in her ear.

"So this is what you ladies do on your girl's night?" A voice floated in from the door. The girls all turn to see Harry, Blaise, and Draco walking through the door. Harry walked straight over to Hermione and gave her a tight hug. He began whispering in her ear how much he loved her, how it didn't matter who her birth parents were and that she was always his best friend.

A weight lifted off Hermione's shoulders that she hadn't realised was there. Realising that she wasn't losing Harry, she relaxed a bit. Draco came over to peer at her, "Gods, you look like my Aunt Andromeda." He looked at her new darker hair, "You couldn't have lost the frizz though huh? I guess that's a family trait, cousin."

Hermione chuckled, "Gods you're an asshole, Draco," She batted his hand away as he pulled at one of her curls, "What are you fourteen?" Ginny, Daphne and Pansy all began to howl at that as he pulled her from Harry's arms and gave her a hug.

"Whatever, Granger, my mother is requesting you come to brunch tomorrow morning," He said, ignoring the snickers around him, "And by request, I mean. Your name appeared in the Black family book as Hermione Lyra LeStrange." Hermione looked interested in the change of her name, "Well, I remember my mum telling me about my cousin Lyra dying as a child, but I only know of one person unfortunate to be named Hermione. Then Blaise came over to tell me that the one and only had a very interesting new look. Well, Mother told me to come and see for myself and to invite you to the Manor tomorrow."

Hermione opened her mouth to say no, but Draco put up his hand, "Hermione, if I come back with a no, she will hunt you down and drag you to tea by your bushy hair and if what I just heard is correct, she is your Godmother and will do it, too with little to no help to save you."

"Draco, I can't go back to the manor, I'm sure your father will kill me on spot, he really doesn't like me. Even now."

"My father can't do magic to tie his shoe, I don't think he would lift a finger to try and kill you, that would be too muggle." Draco said with his nose in the air. Lucius Malfoy was still on magical probation.

Hermione laughed at the thought of Lucius tying his 500 galleon dragonhide shoes and smirked, "I guess if he tried I could get Cheeks to maim him."

At the sound of her name, Cheeks popped into the room, "My missy called for Cheeks?"

Draco knelt down next to the elf, "I remember you, you use to come to the manor when I would cry as a baby."

Cheeks looked into Draco's grey eyes, "Master Draco! Oh, it's goods to see you sir! You is so big now! Yes sir, you used to cry for my missy Lyra and I is come to sing you her lullaby at night."

Hermione smiled, "You use to cry for me, huh Draco?"

Draco tinged pink, "Don't be ridiculous, I was a toddler. All toddlers cry."

Cheeks shook her head, "Oh no sir, you and my missy were like brother and sister. Always playing, always togethers. I use to care for both of yous and the fights you would get into! I once found my missy hanging from a tree outside in the garden cus you sir, threw a tantrum for your dragon she had turned into a golden unicorn." The room snickered again, "Then I founds you, sir, sitting inside one of the cooking pots full of water cus you threw all of my missy's colors in the fire and theys melt away. My Missy cried so much for those colors, saying her dragon was mean.

"You tried to make Malfoy soup," Harry chortled as he sat down next to his wife. Blaise laughed and sat down next to his own girlfriend while Pansy stood up and grabbed a bottle of water. She was on call at St. Mungo's, no alcohol for her. Just as she took a swig of her water, her wand vibrated. Taking it out, she flicked it and looked at the message that flew out of the tip. Frowning slightly, she put the water back down and walked over to Hermione.

"Mi," She called out to her friend, Hermione turned away from Draco and looked at Pansy, "I'm sorry Mi, but I have to go. They need an extra set of hands in the accidents and emergency, some potions explosion."

Hermione nodded at her friend and gave her a hug, thanking her for taking time out of her busy life to hold her hand. Pansy smiled and waved goodbye to everyone as she apparated away.

Hermione spent the rest of the evening in the company of her friends, who got drunk with her and never treated her any different than they had before. With the exception of Draco, who continued to pull on her curls, laughing as Cheeks would reprimand him like they were still two.

After a day like Hermione had had, a completely normal evening was exactly what she needed.

OoOoOoO

Hermione had gone to Malfoy Manor the next day. Narcissa had sent Draco a note late the evening, asking in no uncertain terms whether or not he would return without her niece. She had also inserted a short note and a picture for Hermione, asking her politely to brunch. Fingering the picture, Hermione couldn't help smile at the photo of two little toddlers running around the garden as Lucius and… it looked like Rodolphus… looked on with pride.

As soon as Hermione stepped out of the floo, she felt arms wrap around her neck and for a minute, Hermione began to hyperventilate, thinking she was once again at Malfoy Manor about to be tortured. It was only when she had heard sobbing and broken up words of, "I can't believe it! Lyra, you're alive! Missed you- cried- Draco-"

"Mother, you can let her go," Draco smirked as Hermione began to turn blue. Narcissa pulled away with tears running down her face in trails. A tight smile graced her wet face as her blue eyes took in Hermione's new appearance.

The floo activated behind Hermione and she was surprised to see Andromeda step out of the flames. Upon seeing Hermione, Andromeda Tonks threw herself onto Hermione crying as well. Teddy, who had been holding his grandmother's hand, was swept up by Draco before the two ladies could crush him as they both began to sob again.

Hermione was not expecting all the emotions from the aristocratic Narcissa Malfoy. She had seen Narcissa over the years, at functions and parties and Hermione was sure that she never had any look but the one that constantly smelled dung underfoot. This new development even had Draco mildly surprised. The woman had watched her son and husband tortured a few years ago and never batted an eye, but seeing her long, thought dead niece, brought the waterworks.

Hermione had also not been expecting Andromeda, she had no idea that the witch was on speaking terms with her sister. Hermione had known that the Black sisters did not speak because of the blood prejudices against Andromeda's choice of husband. It was interesting to find out that while Narcissa and Bellatrix never agreed with Andromeda's choice of a muggleborn husband, neither sister had really lost ties with Andromeda until their families became more involved in the first war. Bellatrix and Narcissa had decided to pull away from their beloved sister in order to keep her and her young daughter safe. Hermione was absolutely astounded to learn that Bellatrix had actually been Tonks' Godmother and a very loving one at that. Azkaban and Lyra's supposed death had taken away the kind woman Bellatrix once was.

The three women and Draco had a lovely tea. Draco, of course, had been bored stiff; as soon as tea was over, he excused himself and took Teddy flying over the gardens. While he and the young boy were out flying, Lucius Malfoy descended on the three women.

Taking one look at Hermione, Lucius had paled considerably since it really was like looking back in time. A simpler time, when the effects of a decade in Azkaban had not worn and withered Bellatrix. A time when the young woman had great hopes for her only daughter, the daughter that had been her beacon through the darkness, but thought to be snuffed out so early in life.

Hermione had to leave after that. Sitting with her aunts had been one thing, but to hear Lucius speaking fondly of the past, a past where Bellatrix wasn't the crazy person she had known during the second war, well that had become too much. Hermione couldn't wrap her head around this maternal image of the crazy witch she had known to loathe her.

Saying goodbye to her new family, she promised Narcissa that she would continue to come to the manor as well as Andromeda's cottage. She was one of the last remaining Blacks, she was family. Hermione nodded in agreement, mostly because Narcissa was scary. She openly defied the most evil wizard of their time, with a straight face. If that wasn't scary, Hermione did not know what was. With one last smile, she looked around Malfoy Manor and relished in the fact that she was no longer afraid of the giant manor. Narcissa had done an excellent job of redecorating it completely. She turned on the spot and disapparated away.

OoOoOoO

Landing at Grimmauld Place, she let herself in and walked into the sitting room where she knew she would find Daphne. Upon seeing her raven haired friend, Daphne smiled and stood for a hug. It was then Hermione noticed that Daphne was not alone, but having a cup of tea with her younger sister, Astoria.

Hermione sat as she let Daphne tell the tale of her discovery. Astoria was a very good audience for the story, oooing and awwing at all the right bits, even giving Hermione a look of sadness over Ron and the cancelled wedding.

Hermione sat with the sisters as she tried to figure out what she was to do next when Harry came through the green flames of the floo. Hermione could see her old friend was thoroughly irritated over something. Seeing Hermione sitting there, he just handed her the paper he was holding.

Hermione took one glance at the paper and groaned. "Merlin, I thought Kingsley stopped this yesterday." She handed the paper to Daphne who looked it over with wide eyes. She began to read the article in the Afternoon Prophet outloud:

War Heroine, Hermione Granger Really Lyra LeStrange?

By: Rita Skeeter

Yesterday, all the wizarding world was looking forward to the marriage between the Golden Couple. Two thirds of the Golden Trio, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley. Rumoured to be the highlight of wizarding society's social events this year, the wedding of these two heros was to take place next week Friday, a feat that is five years in the making. In an unlikely turn of events, this reporter was able to uncover that not all is copacetic in this union. During a ritual bonding ceremony, it was found out that our lovely Golden Girl is harboring a massive secret. She is not Hermione Granger, Muggleborn Witch, but rather Lyra Capri LeStrange, the thought to be dead daughter of Rodolphus LeStrange and Bellatrix LeStrange, convicted Death Eaters serving sentences in Azkaban for crimes against the wizarding world.

What is to happen to the couple? Where was Ronald Weasley seen to be going late yesterday evening as he left the ministry? Where has the Golden Girl run off to? Is she hiding from her past?

"I'll skin that beatle until there is nothing left but antennae!" Hermione shouted, effectively drowning out Daphne who was reading the article out loud. "Harry, what is this rubbish? It just happened yesterday and there was no one there but the bonder and the reporter from Witch Weekly. Kingsley threatened them with jail time for releasing this story. How did bloody Rita get her claws on this?"

Harry sighed, sitting in an armchair, elbows on his knees and hands in his hair. "I don't know, Kingsley is going mad, he wants to send Aurors to be your guard in case someone gets any bright ideas. The MLE has been going through countless howlers that were sent to your home. Kingsley pulled all your mail to be sorted just as a precaution."

Hermione sunk into her chair and groaned, "They don't even know about the bonding yet, I'm sure that cow is just waiting for tomorrow's edition to let that one loose."

Harry smirked, "Doubtful, I arrested her this morning for being an illegal animagi and for publishing this story. Ron told me what Kings said yesterday, he strictly forbid this from getting out until a time when it could be sorted out and verified. This isn't like the muggle world, Kingsley's word is absolute, besides, I hate that fucking beatle."

Hermione, Daphne and Astoria all stared at Harry for a moment then the giggling began. Hermione laughed so hard, she fell out of her chair. Not just at the situation in front of her, but because her life had, overnight, become a comedy play. She was still waiting for the clown to jump out and say, "Gotcha!" Unfortunately she knew it would not come.

Laying on the rug, she sighed. Harry laid down next to her and grabbed her hand, rubbing gently and she smiled, her nerves calming automatically. "Mione, you need to get out of here," Harry told her. She looked over at him confused and he just gave her a small smile, "You need a chance to relax and wrap your head around this new life of yours. Take a few days to do that without the angry mob."

Daphne sat next to her friend on the floor and grabbed her other hand, "Yes Mi! Let's go away, have a girl's getaway." Her blue eyes began to twinkle and Astoria began to Ooo again, this time in excitement, "I know Pansy can't get away on short notice, but Ginny can. Let's go somewhere for the week. You need time to say goodbye to your old life and get a hold of your new one."

Hermione began to say no, but Harry told his wife to go ahead and plan it for the following day. He sent a patronus to Ginny and within an hour Hermione was swept up in planning a getaway with her friends.

OoOoOoO

The girls were gone for a total of four days, Pansy was able to make it, but four days was as long as the hospital could allow her to be away. Ginny, Pansy, Astoria and Daphne did all they could to keep the real world away from Hermione for those days, not allowing mail or news to invade their space. On the fourth day, they couldn't keep the world out any longer. Harry arrived at the Zabini Italian home where they were staying and the girls headed home.

Hermione walked into the Ministry later that day, Harry had come to them because Kingsley had called for her. Walking up to his office after his assistant gave her a dirty look, Hermione narrowed her grey eyes and the woman swallowed hard and began to organise her desk. Hermione assumed she must have looked like a young Bellatrix, scaring the witch. Hermione would feel sorry for the woman if she hadn't acted like Hermione didn't deserve to breathe.

Foregoing the good grace of knocking, Harry and Hermione walked into the mInister's space and sat down in front of a bent over Kingsley. Sitting quietly for a moment, Hermione lost patience, "What is going on Kingsley?" The wizard looked up from his papers, "Why did I have to come back?"

"Hermione, your mother is in the medical ward at Azkaban," Kingsley said, looking at his young friend.