Chapter One

Severus Snape hated All Hallows Eve. It's meaningless traditions of giving candy to dressed up, bratty, children was lost on him. However, this particular Halloween was going to change the unbeknownst potions master's life, and those around him, forever.

It started one cold night, on the week before Halloween, when all students and staff of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry were all seated in the Great Hall for breakfast. The war had taken a toll on the wizarding population and there were several empty seats in both the House and staff tables. A large black banner hanging on far wall in the Great Hall had several names in silver writing, those that had died at the hands of Lord Voldemort and his deatheaters. Albus Dumbledore, the aging headmaster of the school, stood up and turned to his students. All went quiet as the elderly man's blue eyes scanned the hall, the usual twinkle there extinguished.

" My children, we all have suffered losses during these terrible times, some more than others." He turned to the Gryffindor table, where the rest of the Weaslly children wore black, in mourning for their brothers George and Charlie. Ginny Weaslly started sobbing into her brother, Ron's, shoulder. Dumbledore smiled sadly.

" But we must not despair. We must look on these dark times with hope. Perhaps we can frighten away the spirits, with a little illumination. If you please Filius."

Professor Flitwick stood up on the books he sat on and waved his wand, extinguishing the torches in the Great Hall, and lowering a magnificent chandelier from the enchanted ceiling, then, with another swish of his wand, lit it with a thousand candles. The light was blinding for a moment, and many of the students, along with the staff, had to shade their eyes, but the light came through their hands.

"This chandelier was given as a gift to this school long ago, as a light of hope in times similar to these. May it serve us in the same way as it did others."

The aging headmaster turned to face the hall, a small smile on his wrinkled face.

" Now, many of you have heard rumors of a special event happening this All Hallows Eve at Hogwarts. Well, let me affirm that the rumors are indeed true. We will be hosting a Halloween costume ball."

There were great waves of murmured appreciation, several groups clapped loudly. The abandond twinkle in his blue eyes returned as Albus cleared his throat.

" However, there is a particular theme that you must follow."

There were several groans from the Slythrin table. The headmaster continued, " The theme is a 18th century masquerade. We have several references if you are curious for costume ideas."

"The ball will open at seven o'clock sharp. Sixth years and up are allowed. However," he said as more groans commenced through the hall, " they are allowed to take a date below their grade level. Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick may help you with your costumes. Thank you."

There was a great applause and then the chatter began once again. Hermione Granger looked up at the Head Table, curiosity written all over her face. Why would Dumbledore throw a costume ball, for Halloween for once, and in18th century dress at that! It was seemed suspicious to her.

" Hermione? Is everything all right?" Harry emerald eyes looked at his best friend with concern.

She had been silent throughout the Headmasters announcement and frankly he was worried about her. She seemed to have changed over the summer, more introverted and serious.

" Hermione?" he asked again.

She turned her head and smiled wanly. " I'm alright Harry. I just spaced out."

She smiled again and he was about to open his mouth to make sure but was interrupted by the arrival of the evening owl post.

Hermione was grateful for the interruption. She didn't want to speak to Harry about what happened over the summer. She knew she had changed, and she knew that her friends were greatly perturbed to the reason why she was so different. She shook her head and went back to her meal. Suddenly, there was a collective gasp in the great hall as a beautiful hawk swooped down into the hall, scaring the usual owls. " That's a red back hawk that is!" exclaimed Hagrid. " Ain't it a 'bute?" It seemed to scan the hall and then landed in front of Hermione.

The girl gawked at the magnificent bird. She never received owl post, or any post at that and was curious why anyone would send her something. The hawk looked at her and ruffled it's feathers in indignation.

" Oh, sorry." She reached for it's leg and untied the parcel tied to it. The bird ruffled it's feathers once again and flew off. Hermione stared at the package in disbelief. It was really heavy and there was a letter attached to it with a seal she did not recognize.

" Well Mione, aren't you going to open it?" Ron looked eagerly at the brown wrapping.

" Well?" Hermione started to tear off the brown paper dubiously. She was then greeted with more paper, this time red. It looked very expensive but she kept unwrapping.

Finally, she came to the present itself. It was a music box and on top of it, was a monkey, wearing Persian robes, playing the cymbals. She stared at it, awed by the craftsmanship. Her hand went automatically to the handle and she started to wind it up. When she did this, the most beautiful music came from it and the monkey started to play the cymbals to the beat. It was hauntingly beautiful and Hermione just gazed at it with admiration. Harry was captivated by the music but then he noticed the letter, sealed with a picture of an intricate "C" and "D" with a lyre.

" Hermione, this came with the package."

Harry handed it to her, brushing her hands in the process. Hermione didn't notice the intimate gesture and took the envelope, glancing at the seal with puzzlement, before breaking it and reading the letter. It read:

My dear Hermione Granger,

With the arrival of this package, I am sure you have many questions about its nature. This music box has been in our family for many years. It has been handed down from generation to generation of women in our house. As you are the last young female of our line, it has been given to you. I will be arriving in the village of Hogsmeade in a few days time. If you wish for more answers, meet me at my lodgings, the Eagle and the Serpent at 6:00 sharp, on Saturday the 26th of October.

I will be sure to answer all I can.

Yours,

Adrienne J. Cendrillon

Countess De Chagney

Hermione stared at the parchment in her hand in disbelief. So many questions ran through her head at unimaginable speeds. What was the meaning of this appearance of this mysterious relative? Why appear now? Wasn't she supposed to be a muggleborn? Why send her this music box? And most important of all, What did this all have to do with her?

" Hermione! What's wrong? What does the letter say? Hermione!"

Harry took hold of her shoulder and looked at her exasperatedly. When the hawk had left the parcel with Hermione, he had become suspicious. When he saw the seal and music box, his suspicions grew. Now, when she started reading the letter, a mixture of emotions had flitted across her face.

First shock, then curiosity, then, her face became pale, the freckles she had acquired from the summer showing out in contrast on her white skin. She looked like she was about to pass out.

" Hermione!" Harry shook her and she was startled out of her reverie. " Oh, oh Harry, I'm sorry, I'm fine…just fine…" Harry looked at her closely. Blood seemed to be coming back to her cheeks but her eyes stilled held a glazed look.

" Hermione, may I see the letter?"

She gave it to him and he scanned the paper, his eyes growing in surprise. " Wow," That's all he could think of. The content had surprised him as well and similar thoughts were going through his head. He suddenly became wary.

Ron, waiting patiently as the whole exchange went on, had finally lost patience and said, " Well, what happened? What is it?" Harry then handed him the letter and Ron read it as well. His reaction was expected. " Wow! The Eagle and Serpent! That's a top notch inn!" and " Blimey! A countess!" When he finished he wore a look of surprise and imedialty asked his friend. " So, are you going to meet her?"

Hermione still looked dazed but Harry's face-hardened. " Of course she's not going! We don't know anything about this woman and Hogsmeade is dangerous during these times, with or without protection!"

Hermione's head snapped and her brown eyes turned icy. " You cannot decide what I can or cannot do, Harry James Potter! Who gave you the right to guide my decisions?" she snapped at the astonished boy, his eyes holding a hurt look. " But Hermione," " No! You have no right whatsoever! You are not my father!" She stopped, realizing she had stood up and the Hall had turned oddly silent. Tears started to roll down her face. " You are not my father." All of a sudden, she grabbed the music box and letter and ran out of the Great Hall.

Everything was silent and then a great buzz spread through the Hall, students gossiping about the great emotional change of their Head Girl and what had brought it about. Looks were sent to the Gryffindor table, some just stared at the Boy Who Lived and his friend.

Ron looked at the entrance of the Great Hall and then to his best friend, who just stared down at the table, his green eyes showing his emotions. " Harry," he didn't look up. " Harry!" The black-haired man looked up, meeting the concerned gaze of his friend. " You can't protect her forever, mate. She needs to live her own life and make her own decisions." Harry looked down at his hands again, tightening them into fists. " I know, Ron. I just worry about her."

Ron clapped his hand on his friend's shoulders, a small smile on his face. " I know mate, so do I." His smile widened into a mischievous Cheshire cat grin. " Besides, we best start to look for dates for the ball. They'll be flocking around us so much that we'll have to beat them a way with a stick."

Harry laughed at that and Ron started to strike up a conversation about Quidditch, which Harry went into with fervor, but still worrying about his friend, hoping that their

friendship had not been severed because of the arrival of the enigmatic gift.