Hermione watched the scenery fly past her as they rode the train back to school. For the first time since starting at Hogwarts, Hermione didn't want to return. She wanted to stay at Malfoy Manor with Morgana. She liked Malfoy Manor. She felt more at home there then in her own home.
"You okay Hermione?" Draco asked concerned.
She hadn't spoken a word since they left Malfoy Manor. Morgana had given her a letter and several books on top of the massive amount of Christmas presents she received before she left the Manor. She still hadn't opened the letter. She would wait until she was back in her dorm room. She wanted to be alone when she read it.
"Hermione," Draco said again, nudging the girl.
Hermione jerked away from the touch. She glanced at Draco, who was still staring at her. "What?"
"Are you okay?" Draco asked repeating his previous question.
"I'm fine," Hermione told him. He raised an eyebrow at her and she was surprised by how much like his mother he was. When most people looked at Draco they saw Lucius, but there was so much of Narcissa in him if they only knew where to look. "Really, I am. But… I miss your house. It was fun and I don't know… I felt so at home there."
"You can come back this summer," Draco promised.
"I know," Hermione said. "It's just not the same."
"Is this about M..Morgana?" Draco asked stumbling over the name. It was strange to refer to his aunt as Morgana. But he knew Hermione didn't know her real name. It was stupid in his opinion but he respected his aunt's decision.
"Yes," Hermione admitted with a blush. "I like being around her. I… I don't know how to explain it. It's almost as if my magic is reaching out to her." Draco's eyes widened as Hermione shook her head. "Forget it. That makes no sense. Maybe I'm just grateful she saved my life."
Draco needed to owl his aunt. It was obvious she was starting to feel the soul bond. But Hermione didn't know what it was. She didn't know it wasn't normal for her magic to reach out to others. It happened in soul bonds and traumatic situations. The magic of the person in danger would reach out to the person that they were close to, either parents for a child or a spouse. If they didn't have someone then their magic would reach out to their savior. His Aunt Bella needed to know so she could prepare. He also knew Hermione was still too young to fully form a bond.
"I don't know," Draco lied. He hated lying to his friend but he had no choice. It was not fair to her. "You could always ask her?" he suggested.
Hermione shook her head. "No, she won't tell me," she said confidently. "I'll have to figure it out on my own."
Hermione grabbed her two-way journal. I miss Malfoy Manor already, Hermione wrote. It wasn't much but she wanted to know if Morgana happened to miss her.
I miss you too, Morgana wrote. Hermione grinned. She had understood what she meant.
I never got to thank you for my presents, Hermione wrote. It was true. Morgana had been there when they opened their presents but she disappeared as soon as they were done. Hermione hadn't seen her for the rest of Christmas break.
I'm sorry about that. I had some things to take care of. Things that could not wait. Have you started reading the books?
Not yet. I've started the book Tom gave me. I want to finish that so I can make my decision about learning dark magic. Tom won't teach me until I finish the book.
"Hermione," Draco called. Hermione shut her journal. "Everything okay?"
"Oh, yes," Hermione told him. "I was… uh… I've been communicating with Morgana. She gave me this journal. We write to each other every day."
Draco nodded. That explained a lot. "Did you get all your homework done?" Hermione stared at him and he laughed. "Right. I forgot who I was talking to. What about that Potions essay? I had to go digging through the library to get the information I needed."
Hermione blushed. "Morgana helped me," she confessed. Draco mentally groaned. Of course, his aunt would help Hermione and not him. "She also gave me an advanced potions book. It's in my trunk. I'll show you later."
"Great," Draco said with a grin. Knowing Severus the material would only get harder. Having one his aunt's books could only help.
"Draco, if I ask you something… do you promise not to tell anyone? Especially Morgana?" Hermione asked hesitantly.
Draco studied his friend. His first instinct was to say yes. Protecting secrets was something he prided himself in. But keeping secrets from his aunt was something he was afraid to do. If Hermione got hurt and Aunt Bella learned he knew about it… he dreaded to know what she would do to him.
"Okay," Draco agreed, praying to Merlin himself that he wouldn't end up regretting his decision.
"Do you remember when I told you Lockhart wanted me to join his fan club?" Hermione questioned. Draco nodded. "Ever since then he's been acting strange. It's almost like he's following me around and waiting for something. But what I have no idea."
Draco closed his eyes. He shouldn't have promised. If Aunt Bella found out Lockhart was paying too much attention to Hermione, she would murder Lockhart and probably him for not telling her. That's not counting the people she would murder in an attempt to get to Lockhart.
"Hermione," Draco said slowly. "You need to tell her." He swallowed hard. "If not her… you need to tell someone."
Hermione shook her head. "I can't tell her. Besides there's nothing really to tell. He hasn't done anything… if he tries something then I'll tell," Hermione decided.
Draco sighed. He couldn't force her to tell and he couldn't tell anyone himself or Hermione may never trust him again. He hated this. "Just promise me you won't be alone with him," Draco requested. It was the best he could do at the moment. He planned on owling his father as soon as they got back to Hogwarts. His father would know what to do.
"I promise," Hermione said, pleased to see Draco was letting it go. She tucked her journal into her bag. She grabbed her Occlumency book from her bag and settled in to start reading. Draco grabbed his own book, a book on Ancient Runes he received from Aunt Bella for Christmas, and made himself comfortable.
The next few hours of the train ride were rather quiet. Both students lost themselves in their own books. Hermione was practicing her mediation, making sure her Occlumency shields were always up. Both Tom and Morgana had made it very clear that Occlumency was important. Hermione's hope was that if she was able to perfect Occlumency then maybe Morgana would answer her questions.
The trolley came by about halfway through their trip. "Anything off the trolley dears?" the kindly old woman asked.
Draco stood. "Hermione, you want your usual?" he questioned.
"Sure," Hermione answered, not looking up from her book.
Draco pulled out his money pouch. "Two cauldron cakes, one licorice wand, four chocolate frogs and… one pumpkin pasty," Draco requested politely. He handed over the correct change and took his snacks. "Thank you." The trolley lady rolled away and stopped at the next compartment.
Draco walked back to the seats. He separated the snacks and put one cauldron cake, the licorice wand and two chocolate frogs on the seat beside her. "Hermione," he said getting her attention. She was so focused on her book she didn't notice him.
Hermione looked up. Draco pointed to the seat where her snacks were. "Oh, thanks Draco," she said grabbing the licorice wand. She frowned. "When did you get these?"
"A few minutes ago…I asked you about it," Draco said shaking his head. She was way too focused on her book. Why she didn't go to Ravenclaw he would never know.
"Sorry Draco," Hermione said setting down her book. She felt guilty for ignoring her friend. "I was practicing my Occlumency and wasn't paying attention."
"It's fine," Draco said waving away the apology. Hermione bit into the licorice wand. It was one of her favorite snacks. "How is Occlumency coming along?"
"Morgana and Tom said my shields are impressive considering how long I've been practicing. But they're not good enough to keep out Snape or Dumbledore," Hermione told him. "That's what I'm aiming for. Not necessarily to compete in their skill but enough to block them."
Draco nodded as he chewed his cauldron cake. "My father made sure I was adequately trained before going to Hogwarts," he said. "Actually, all purebloods learn Occlumency before coming to Hogwarts." He frowned. "Well almost all. The Slytherins do. I doubt the Weasley's or Longbottom learned it."
Hermione expected some comment about blood traitors but surprisingly there was none. Hermione wondered if he was trying harder not to insult the Gryffindors for her sake. "All the students should be learning Occlumency," Hermione said thoughtfully.
They went back to their reading until it was time to change back into their robes. Hermione stepped in the hallway while Draco quickly changed and then they switched. Hermione opened the door once she was dressed and Draco stepped back in.
They took the carriage back to castle with two Ravenclaws. Hermione couldn't remember who they were. "So, do you want to meet in the library on Wednesday?" Draco asked.
It was currently Sunday and classes would resume the next day. By Wednesday they would have been at all of their classes. It was the perfect time to go to the library and start their homework. "Yeah, that sounds good," Hermione agreed. With DADA and History being useless that made more work for her.
"Excellent," Draco said. He glanced at the Ravenclaws. It was obvious they were paying attention to their conversation even though they tried to act like they weren't. He knew why. Gryffindors and Slytherins were rarely friends with each other. In fact, the last time a Slytherin and Gryffindor were friends was Severus and Lily Evans. "How about after dinner?"
"Sure thing," Hermione said. That would give them three to four hours before curfew. Enough time to get at least one assignment done, possible more depending on the amount of research needed for their essays.
The carriages rolled to a stop. Hermione and Draco left, not bothering to look at the two Ravenclaw students. They walked together to the castle, ignoring the few whispers from a couple of Gryffindors. Most of the Gryffindors knew they were friends but didn't like it. They left her alone only because she was friends with Harry and Ron.
Once they were inside the castle, they went their separate ways. Hermione held her book bag close to her chest. There were several items in the bag that she could not let others see. It was the reason she kept it with her.
"Hey Hermione," Harry greeted when she sat down. "How was your holiday?"
"It was good," Hermione said. "Hello Ron."
"Hermione," he greeted. His attention immediately went back to his food. A few months ago, Hermione would have been upset and insulted. But now it didn't even bother her. Now she simply didn't care. She liked Harry and that was enough.
"How was your holiday?" Hermione asked Harry.
"It was good," Harry replied. "Christmas at Hogwarts is amazing. Professor Flitwick charms the Christmas tree. You should see it sometime."
"Maybe," Hermione said, though she wasn't sure. She doubted anything could beat Malfoy Manor. Especially this Christmas when she got to officially meet Morgana. She mentally winced. She forgot to check her notebook. She hoped Morgana wasn't too worried about her.
Tonight's dinner was just like any other night, even though most of the students had just gotten back from the holidays. She shouldn't have been surprised. There was nothing special about the feast last year either.
She glanced at the Head Table and found, once again, that Lockhart was watching her. He looked…almost concerned but she knew it wasn't about her. He wasn't concerned for her, but about something to do with her. She simply had no idea what.
She thought about her conversation with Draco. Perhaps she should tell someone. But the one person she wanted to tell, Morgana, was the one-person Hermione knew she shouldn't tell. Somehow, she just knew something bad would happen if she told Morgana. Images of Morgana killing that troll in her defense flooded her mind which morphed to Lockhart being the victim of Morgana's curse. She pushed away her half-eaten plate, no longer hungry after those mental images.
"You okay Hermione?" Harry asked concerned.
"Yeah," Hermione said. "I'm not too hungry." Harry nodded and continued to eat.
After dinner Hermione followed her fellow Gryffindor's up to the tower. She said goodnight to Harry and Ron before making her way to her dorm room. It was still fairly early so her dormmates weren't there yet. They needed extra time to gossip about the holidays. But that didn't bother her in the slightest. She wanted some extra time to talk to Morgana and look at the letter she left for her.
She sat her bookbag on the bed and dug her pajamas and toiletry bag out of her trunk. She quickly went through her nightly routine before heading back to her bed. She spelled the curtains shut and pulled the Occlumency book, her journal along with her quill and ink, and the letter from Morgana from her bag.
She opened the letter first, wanting to know what Morgana said.
Hermione,
I apologize for not spending as much time with you toward the end of the holidays. I know you won't believe me, but I was not intentionally avoiding you. There were things I needed to take care of.
There are many answers I owe you. I care about you, more than I thought possible. But as Narcissa and Tom have pointed out, keeping secrets is only going to hurt us both. So, I will tell you what I can. I'm not a good person Hermione. I don't know if I have ever been, though Narcissa may disagree. I've done a lot of terrible things and quite honestly, I will probably do more terrible things in the future.
Hermione paused. She was surprised Morgana was finally starting to open up to her but this is not what she expected. Hermione thought about what Morgana said. She was a bad person. Hermione knew she wasn't innocent. She could sense some type of danger over the holidays. But Hermione didn't believe she was bad. She could never believe a woman that risked her life to save her is actually bad. She turned her attention back to the letter.
Years ago, I joined a group that supported the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord was, and still is, brilliant. He wants to change the wizarding world. Sure, his methods aren't considered proper but he will do great things. I know your interest in the Dark Arts, if the light learned about it, they would ostracize you. You must know that. But the Dark…the Dark is where you belong. Don't worry. I won't pressure you to join but the option is always there should you wish it.
I know you want to know my name…my real name. Each time I tell you your Occlumency isn't strong enough. That's a lie… or mostly a lie. Your Occlumency has improved greatly and it won't be long before it's good enough. No, the real reason is because I'm afraid. My name is well known in the wizarding world. Most would regard me with fear, or hatred. I wouldn't survive if you looked at me in the same way everyone else does. Not very Slytherin of me, eh?
One day I will tell you everything. I promise you that. Just please…give me time to find my inner Gryffindor. It may take a while, but it will happen.
Please be careful at Hogwarts. I'm here for you, if you ever need me. I hope to see you during the summer holidays.
Morgana
Tears dripped onto the bottom of the parchment. It all made so much sense. She was afraid. Afraid of what Hermione would think of her. She grabbed her journal. She ignored the last message Morgana wrote when she was on the train.
I read your letter. I respect your decision to wait. But I want you to know… I will never hate or fear you. You saved my life. I will never see you as anything other than good, no matter what you do.
It didn't take Morgana long to respond.
That's a relief to hear, however I won't hold my breath. Once you learn the truth… then we will decide if you still feel the same. Do you plan on returning home for the summer?
Yes, for a brief visit. I believe it's time I discussed not returning home anymore. We're just… too different. They don't undrstand and I don't think they really want to try. It's just better for everyone.
It pained Hermione to write it but it was true. Everything changed when she got her Hogwarts letter. Her parents didn't know how to react to her magic. They started working more and more. They still made sure she had everything she needed but it wasn't the same. It was best that she stopped coming home and she was sure they would agree.
If that is what you decide, you will always be welcome at Malfoy Manor. If this is what you truly want, I will ask Lucius to pick up the paperwork needed to transfer your magical guardianship over to the Malfoy's, unless there is someone else you wish to have guardianship. What this means is that, in the magical world, your parents will have no authority over you. Nor will they receive updates from Hogwarts.
Hermione thought about whether or not she really wanted the Malfoy's to be her new guardians. She really wanted Morgana to do it but she doubted that she would do it. The Malfoy's seemed like a good alternative. From what she could tell, Morgana was close to them.
I'm okay with the Malfoy's being my guardians.
Good. I'll have Lucius get the paperwork started. How are your friends, Potter and Weasley?
Hermione stared at that last sentence. Why would Morgana care about Harry and Ron?
Are you asking as a supporter of the Dark Lord? She was worried it came out too much like an accusation.
No. Morgana wrote. I was showing interest in your life. I believe that's normal for… friends.
Hermione's face turned red. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to accuse you. They're fine. They stayed at the castle during the holidays. From what I know, Harry's family isn't the best. And for the record, Ron isn't my friend. He's the reason that troll almost killed me.
There was a pause. I see. Then he is no friend of mine. As for Potter, I have no feelings toward him one way or another. And I promise not to use anything you tell me against him or any of your other friends.
Thank you. Hermione checked the magical alarm clock and saw it was starting to get late. I have to go. I want to practice my Occlumency before bed.
Goodnight Hermione, was the last thing Hermione saw before closing the journal and tucking it away. She cleared off her bed and settled in so she could practice meditating before bed. It didn't take long before she was fast asleep.
