A/N: I'm sorry this took so long…but I don't have internet for most of the year so I have to update during holidays, which, thankfully, have just started. I'll try and update a couple of times over the course of the holidays, but after that you'll have to wait till February I'm afraid. But I'll try to make them long chappies to make up for the wait. I've just about got this one finished, I just have to put some parts together and finish the battle scene (bcuz what would a 7th year fanfic be without one of those?) and then it'll be done and I can get it all up and you can be happy. I'm putting some other fanfics up too…one about Pansy Parkinson called…The Parkinson Family Secret…I think. I'm not entirely sure that's what it'll be called but if u wanna read it it'll be obvious from the summary which one it'll be. I'm putting up a LOTR fanfic called Leoli, if you want to read that…and of course I've updated Change of Character. Enjoy.
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The next morning, Hermione watched aghast as Amelie accepted a 'birthday present' from Snape.
You cant! she exclaimed, half in panic. Because it was clear what was in the envelope.
Watch me. Amelie shot back as she hugged Snape while Hermione tried hard not to scream.
Amelie! Amelie ignored her, and she and Lupin went shopping.
&
Amelie was having a great time, and Hermione was too, as she grudgingly admitted. Shopping took twice as long as normal, because Amelie and Hermione argued over everything. Lupin ended up trailing behind them as Amelie shopped her heart out
Amelie and Hermione had come to an arrangement: since Hermione would have to be in control most of the time at school, Amelie was in control now, before she ended up being reduced to a voice in the head which was bound to drive Hermione crazy. In this respect, Amelie could hardly wait. Suffice to say, Hermione was somewhat less excited.
Finally, at the end of the day, when shops in London were closing, Amelie packed her bags, said goodbye to Lupin, and shifted to a manor in Scotland.
This is not Hogwarts! Hermione hissed. Amelie shrugged.
I know. But there's something I want to pick up. Amelie did the whole invisible-and-formless thing, and walked through a wall straight into a garage filled with expensive looking cars. She returned to her normal form, and wrapped her hair around her head, and it immediately became short. She combed her fingers through it thoughfully, and it turned purple. She then got onto a slim black motorbike and put on a helmet, lost her form and ability to be seen, taking the bike with her in the process, and then proceeded to drive out the garage, through the wall.
It always made Hermione nervous when Amelie did that, she was always sure one day it would fail and they'd hit a wall.
You should have more faith in me. Amelie chided, making herself visible again and regaining her form.
Yeah. Hermione said weakly.
It took about three hours to get to Hogwarts on the bike, from where they were, anyway. And as time passed, Hermione got used to the scary feeling of riding a motorbike. Its not like she had a choice, as Amelie had no intention of stopping. They arrived around nine at night, as dark was beginning to spread across the landscape. Amelie left her bike in the broom shed and walked into the castle, Snape meeting her and walking alongside her.
"You're late." He said flatly.
"I arranged no time to arrive." She returned.
"We have been waiting."
"You set your own time, Severus." Amelie answered cooly. He shot her a surprised look, then said nothing. "I'm sorry. You did not deserve that."
"That's alright." He left her at the door to Dumbeldore's office, and she climbed the stairs, giving control to Hermione. It seemed so silly…the day before yesterday she and Hermione had been separate people, living separate lives. And now…they were two people in a mish-mash of their bodies, which they had to share. And one of them was Harry Potter's best friend and the other was Voldemort's daughter. Life was just too twisted.
"Come in." She let herself in, and sat down across the desk from Dumbledore. "Have a good shopping trip?"
"Amelie enjoyed herself immensely." Hermione said dryly.
"Good. Now, I'll tell you now, you've been granted the position of Head Girl," Hermione's eyes widened.
"Who's Head Boy?"
"Mr Malfoy."
I saw that coming from a mile off. Amelie commented.
Shut up. Hermione snapped.
"Miss Granger?"
"Sorry professor. Internal argument." Dumbledore smiled.
"Ah yes. I am very familiar with the concept. Though I don't have the excuse of sharing my body with someone else."
Eeeewwwww.
I thought I told you to shut up?
Dumbledore smiled as Hermione/Amelie looked dazed. Internal arguments again, then. He wondered how the two of them were getting on. Amelie had always struck him as a girl who needed a friend who wouldn't use her for her parentage. Speaking of parentage, he wondered if she knew who her mother was. Most of the staff knew, but they would have to be careful about who heard it. Especially if some people heard it the wrong way. It could easily spell disaster.
"Professor?" Hermione asked. Dumbledore brought himself out of his thoughts and smiled.
"Yes?"
"Am I still not allowed to tell Ron or Harry?"
"Tell them that you're…elsewhere. Don't give them any details that can intercepted." Hermione nodded. "Minerva's waiting for you downstairs, she'll show you to your new room."
Minerva? I haven't seen her in ages!
Do you know all my teachers?
Most of them. Dumbledore made a point of interfering with my childhood.
Stop you going all deatheater-ish
Probably.
Hermione went downstairs and met McGonagall, who looked at her strangely. "Miss Granger?"
"Did Professor Dumbledore or Snape explain?"
"Professor Snape, Miss Granger. They did briefly."
"Basically, Amelie and I were murdered at the same time at the same place, and our spirits and bodies joined. Hence, me looking completely different."
"And Amelie really is…"
"Voldemort's daughter."
Who's your mother? Hermione asked.
You don't want to know. Amelie answered quietly.
Why?
It would be a shock I'm not sure you'd take pleasure in experiencing.
Tell me.
Very well. Lily Evans.
But, that's-
Potter's mother too. Yes. Why do you think Voldemort had such a grudge over them? James stole Lily from under dad's nose.
Oh my god!
Is that all you ever say when you find our something shocking? Amelie asked.
You're Harry's half sister!
Yes, genius. Minerva's giving you a funny look.
Hermione immediately woke out of her daze. "Sorry Professor."
"Indeed. I'll show you to your common room, which you'll share with Mr Malfoy." Hermione suppressed a shudder, and Amelie took over.
"What's this Malfoy like then?" Amelie asked. McGonagall shot her a funny look.
"I was wondering when you'd turn up, Amy."
Why does everyone call you Amy?
"Yeah, well. Hermione gets control at school, we decided. She can pull it off better than me, if nothing else."
"Well, yes. I imagine she is rather expert at playing the part of Hermione Granger."
"One would hope so."
Did McGonagall just tell a joke? I think I'm gonna faint.
Shut up you wimp.
"I'll leave you to settle in. For the remainder of the summer, you'll simply have to amuse yourself, I'm afraid."
"I'm sure we'll manage." Amelie said dryly, and McGonagall left them.
The common room was much as Hermione expected, though it was, of course, strange to Amelie. It was quite large, with cream walls, and a dark wooden floor. There was a large black leather couch and two large armchairs, one in green and the other in red. There was a large fireplace framed in black marble, and the ceiling was enchanted like the ceiling in the Great Hall, to reflect the sky outside.
On either side of the massive fireplace were two doors. One of them said Head Boy and the other said Head Girl. When Amelie let herself into the Head Girl's room, Hermione smiled in delight. The room was big, and painted a sandy gold. There was a large cherry wood four poster bed with red satin sheets and blankets, with red velvet curtains. The bed stuck out into the room from the wall, and on either side of the bed were two large floor-to-ceiling windows, both of which opened onto a balcony, which overlooked the lake, where Hermione and Amelie could see the giant squid splashing about.
It's lovely. Hermione said with a happy sigh.
I'm not liking the walls. Amelie replied. She gestured, and the walls turned red.
Too much red.
Fair enough. Amelie replied, gesturing again. The satin sheets and pillowcases of the bed turned a deep dark purple-blue.
Too gothy.
Hermione, there isnt a bit of black in the entire room apart from what we're wearing! How is it gothy? Amelie demanded. But she gestured again, and the sheets lightened in colour, slightly. There. Be happy.
I want to write to Harry and Ron. They're probably worried for me.
Probably. Amelie gave Hermione control. There you go.
Hermione penned a brief letter explaining that she was alright, and that if they sent a return letter it'd find her. Then she took it down to the owlery and sent it off.
Time at Hogwarts passed, and both Hermione and Amelie acquianted themselves with the library, (although it was the seventh time for Hermione) and they taught each other things the other probably didn't want to know. Hermione babbled on about the history of Hogwarts until Amelie screamed at her to shut up, and Amelie explained a lot of the dark arts that were probably only recorded in the restricted section, those arts that werent so awful that they werent written down.
They were in the library, reading, when Hedwig tapped on the window. Hermione, who had control at the time, let it in and took the letter from her. She unrolled it and spread it out on the table.
Dear Hermione,
Where are you? We tried to get you at home, but your parents said you'd gone somewhere safe, because deatheaters had come after you! Lupin said you werent in London, and then he gave us that 'don't ask again' look. And mum's no good, and no-one's telling us anything! Hope you're well. Tell us what's happening.
Love Ron
PS Dear Hermione, I hope you're safe, don't do anything I wouldn't do. Have a good holiday, if you can. Love Harry.
Hermione laughed at Harry's comment, and Amelie rolled her eyes.
So? What are you going to tell them? Amelie asked.
Just that deatheaters are after me, and that I really cant tell them where I am, in case this gets intercepted.
That'll do.
Hermione replied to the letter as she had said she would, and then sent Hedwig off, apologising for not having any treats for her. Hedwig looked mildly offended, and took off again, heading south.
It's only a month till school starts. Amelie commented.
And?
Well, you're going to need books, arent you? Since you're already here you're not going to get the infamous 'hogwarts letter' that I keep hearing about, in any form. So you might want to remind your teachers. Especially if you need anything besides books.
Potions ingredients.
Well then. No time like now.
You're just bored, arent you? Hermione accused.
Hermione, Amelie sighed tiredly. There are only so many times any person besides yourself can read Hogwarts: A History. Now, since I've come here with you, we have read it three times. This is the fourth. I really, really, don't want to read it again. Can we get some new study books, please? So you can immerse yourself in some equally tedious volume, with the advantage that I've not read it before? Please?
Fine, fine. Hermione gave in, and got up in search of McGonagall.
She knocked on McGonagall's door, letting herself in after McGonagall told her to. She accepted the cup of tea and biscuit, and settled herself in the chair. McGonagall regarded her over the desk.
"What can I do for you, Miss Granger?"
"Amelie reminded me that I still need to get the books for seventh year, and I need some potions ingredients. I was wondering when I could do that." McGonagall pursed her lips for a moment.
"It would probably be safer for one of the teachers to do it for you. With He-who-must-not-be-named at large, and deatheaters looking for you, going to Diagon alley, with its proximity to Knockturn alley, would not be wise." She paused for a moment. "If you could write me a list of all the things you need, plus additional ingredients that are reserved for seventh year, but I know those already…yes. I can get them for you on Thursday."
"Thanks professor."
"That's quite alright, Miss Granger. After all, there would hardly be any point in having you spend your summer here only for you to go to Diagon alley and get caught, would there?" Hermione shook her head with a smile. "Well then. Is that all?"
"Yes thanks." Hermione placed her empty tea cup on the desk and stood. "I appreciate it."
"Nonsense, Miss Granger. There is no reason why I shouldn't do this. After all, you are confined to Hogwarts and I am your Head of House. Off you go then." Hermione left, and Amelie took over.
Thank god. It's so my turn to have control.
What are you gonna do when school starts, then? Hermione asked.
Scream. Amelie answered shortly. So who's this Malfoy? I mean, obviously I know his dad, but I've never met Draco.
He's an insufferable git. Hermione said shortly. He never, ever resists a chance to goad us, or call me mudblood, or to curse us or wreak our work.
Just like his father then. Wonderful. Amelie said dryly.
Where are we going? Hermione asked. Amelie had brought them outside, and they were heading towards the Quidditch pitch.
Broom shed. I think, though I might be mistaken, that Snape's brought my broom here. She let herself in the shed, and immediately walked to where a broom wrapped in black fabric leaned against the wall. Amelie unwrapped it, and Hermione rolled her eyes at the way Amelie handled it.
Not another quidditch fanatic.
I love playing almost as much as I love sex. But it doesn't matter who wins or loses to me. It's the playing that I enjoy. And someone has to lose. Why not me? As long as I play well, who cares?
I wish Harry and Ron saw it that way. Hermione groused.
They're guys. They have too much testosterone to think like that. Hermione laughed. Then she gasped as Amelie took off, soaring quickly into the sky.
I was never much of a flyer. Hermione commented.
Dad was a brilliant flyer before he…and mom wasn't too bad herself. Not like James, obviously.
Are you going to tell Harry? Hermione asked.
With any luck, he wont know I exist, let alone who my mother is, Hermione. You have to remember that only the teachers are allowed to know I'm here.
I forgot. Hermione said sulkily. How am I meant to keep an alter-ego who easily controls this body a secret?
Well, I'll have to exercise some restraint on my part, of course. Amelie amended. Some people are going to find out. If nothing else, Hermione Granger looks as though she's had serious plastic surgery.
Oh god. Hermione groaned.
And since I assume this school isnt filled with idiots, some people are bound to work it out. Maybe Malfoy.
WHAT?
You share quarters with him. He's meant to be second in the school to you. He's smart, he's devious, and he's in close contact with you. I think he'll work it out, especially if I set him on fire by accident.
Well, don't.
You don't want me to hurt him? That's a surprise.
That's your dad coming through. I don't want him hurt, or dead, or anything like that. I just wish he'd stop goading us.
Good bit of pain'll do that, you know.
I bet it would. Don't even think it.
If you say so.
&
McGonagall returned Thursday evening with Hermione's shopping, which she brought straight to Hermione's room where she was reading.
"Miss Granger." Hermione looked up and bounced out of the seat, smiling as she looked at all the new books and little containers of potions ingredients.
"Oh, thanks." She smiled at her professor.
"Of course. It was only logical that I bought you everything you needed, after all, you cant leave."
"True, but I still appreciate it."
"Well, you're welcome. Now, will you be alright?"
"Of course."
"Well, then I'll leave you to acquaint yourself with your new materials." McGonagall smiled and left. Amelie took control.
Let's check out those books we're meant to be reading. Flicking through them, she rolled her eyes as Hermione smiled in relief.
I know most of these. Good.
Because wouldn't it be terrible if you actually learnt something in class? Amelie said scathingly.
No. but I prefer to learn at home and practise at class. Hermione said primly.
That and the fact you've got such a reputation for knowing everything that if you didn't half the pupils and teaching staff would drop dead from shock.
That too.
