August 25th 1996

The sun shone through Hermione Grangers window. Sitting on her bed she looked at her clock which read 10 am. Slowly she pulled herself up and started to get changed. She put on a pair of denim shorts and a white strap tops along with white flip flops. She pulled her brown frizzy hair into a loose ponytail before heading downstairs to greet her parents. After greeting her parents she headed to the kitchen to make her usual breakfast. Eggs and bacon with a glass of orange juice. As she opened the fridge door to reach for the carton of orange juice her mother called her.

"Hermione dear. Could you come through for a moment please?"

"Yes mother, I'll be through in a second." Hermione called back closing the fridge door. Her breakfast could wait. She walked back into the living room to see her mother and father sitting side by side on the sofa awaiting her. Unusual she thought. She sat down in the armchair opposite her parents.

"You called?" Hermione asked politely. That was one thing that Hermione had learned growing up within the Granger residence. Showing respect for elders and being polite and well mannered. She observed her parents and noticed that her mother was clutching her fathers hand rather tightly with a shabby looking letter in the other hand. Also on the table was a packet of tissues. Whatever her mother had to say was definetly not going to be good news.

"You see Hermione." her mother started. "You know that your father and I will always love you much more than you could ever imagine. You know that darling don't you?"

Hermione nodded clearly confused. "Yes mother and I hope you both know that I love you both more than you'll ever know aswell." Her mother and father both nodded knowingly. Hermione by know was getting a little bit scared. Never before had her mother said anything like this to her.

"Well about 18 years ago I found out that I couldn't actually have children. I was devasted. All I had ever wanted was a little baby girl to call my own. The doctors said it wasn't possible." her mother continued solemnly. Hermione laughed nervously.

"Well that's ridiculous. Doctors these days."

Her mother shook her head sadly. Hermione's breathing started to quicken.

"The doctors were right Hermione. So almost 16 years ago we decided to adopt a child. It just so happens that we picked you. I'm so sorry darling. We are not your biological parents." her father said sadly. Hermione's eyes nearly popped out of her head. If she was expecting anything it WAS NOT that! She felt rather sick now.

"You do understand darling, don't you. We weren't going to tell you until your 16th but you will be 16 in 2 weeks so we thought now would be a good time." her mother explained. Hermione nodded. She was taking it rather well.

"Yes mother. I understand. I know you still love me."

"One more thing darling. We have a letter which your biological mother wrote and something she left for she for when you found out."

Her mother handed her the letter and a small box which looked as though it had never been opened. Hermione took it and began to read the letter.

Dear family,

I felt the need to write to you about my child. Please understand I am not giving her up for adoption because I want to. I have no other choice. This will be very hard to explain in a letter. When you decide to tell my daughter of her adoption please let her know that her family love her and that she is a pureblood. It is dark times for our people and we must keep her safe. I cannot give you any details about my child except that her birthday is September 9th. You may name her what you wish. You may not understand what on earth I am talking about but when my child turns eleven you will know what I am talking about. Please take good care of my lovely daughter and let her know that I will try and find her again one day. Please give her the box when you let her read this letter.

Your adopted daughters biological mother.

Hermione felt her eyes tearing up. She would do anything just to know who she was and who her family were. A tear fell down her face as she picked up the small box. When she opened it she gasped. It was a silver necklace with MCZ on it. It looked absolutely beautiful with the green encrusted emeralds on it. She slowly slipped it around her neck and admired it. She smiled to herself as she ran back upstairs to think things over.

Meanwhile in the Malfoy Manor

Blaise walked across his best friends room and looked out of the window sadly. He turned back around and flopped into a rather comfortable chair. Opposite him sat his best friend Draco Malfoy. He put his hand to his chest and pulled out a necklace which was around his neck. It had BWZ on it with encrusted emeralds. He finger it sadly.

"Cheer up Blaise. We got school in a week. Enjoy the rest of the holidays whilst you can." Draco said trying to lighten the mood. Blaise looked at him apologetically.

"Sorry, I just can't stop thinking about her." he said looked down at the floor again.

"Look Blaise, you'll find her. I'll help you if you want." Draco said.

"Would you?" Blaise asked hopefully. Draco nodded.

"I've known for as long as you that she was missing. I want to find her aswell."

Blaise smiled.

"Thanks Malfoy. We can start looking when we get to Hogwarts. All I know is that she has a similar necklace to this."

Draco nodded. Blaise smiled. He knew he was lucky to have such a good friend.