Everyone Has A Dark Side
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters, places, animals, or other things that you recognize from the Harry Potter books. Things that you do not recognize from the books are my own, as is the plot.
A/N: okay, my first fic, so I hope I do okay. Well, here goes
Chapter 1: Who I Really Am
Hermione Granger sat staring out of her bedroom window, watching fat raindrops squash themselves on the glass and slide down. Two days previously, she had received an owl from her school, Hogwarts, bring her OWL grades. She had gotten 12 OWLs, even managing O's in arithmancy and ancient runes, the hardest courses she took. Her parents were thrilled, of course, but Hermione, so used to her good grades, was just bored.
Tired of staring at her back yard, she gazed around her room for something to do. Her trunk; full of wizarding robes, spell-books, parchment, and most importantly, her wand, sat in the corner, and neat rolls of parchment covered her desk. Being a good student, she had finished all her homework within the first week of the holidays, and now she almost wished she hadn't. At least then, she'd have something to do.
Hermione spun around at a sudden rapping on the rain-streaked window. She opened it to admit the saturated screech owl bearing the Daily Prophet, which landed on her bookshelf. Luckily, the newspaper had been charmed to repel the water, so it was still dry.
Hermione spread it out on her desk and looked at the front cover. She gasped at the headline: Death Eaters Target Ministry Officials, 10 Dead. She had been expecting a large attack like this for over a month, but that did not mute the shock of it! Lord Voldemort's loyal supporters, the Death Eaters, had been suspiciously inactive since seven week ago, when Voldemort's appearance in the Ministry of Magic had finally convinced the wizarding community of his return.
Reading through the article, Hermione found she recognized some of the names of the dead and wounded Ministry of Magic workers. The parents of Lavender Brown, a Gryffindor 6th year, and Marietta Edgecome, a Ravenclaw 7th year, appeared to be among the victims. The people had been attacked at their homes the previous night, and the Death Eaters had killed many people before Ministry Aurors could arrive.
Hermione walked down stairs to the kitchen, carrying the newspaper and showed it to her parents, who were muggles, and although eagerly encouraged her to pursue life as a witch, knew very little of the magical world. Jane Granger was making sandwiches for lunch, while Herman read a muggle newspaper. Her parents, who had heard much about the war form Hermione, were none the less shocked by Voldemort and his follower's actions.
Hermione snatched a spare sandwich off of a nearby plate while her parents conversed quietly in the kitchen. Presently, Jane approached her and said, "Hermione, we hadn't planned on telling you this until you were older, but it might be best for your safety to tell you now," she sighted, " Hermione, we aren't your real parents."
at her mother in disbelief. "What! You mean I'm adopted?"
"Not exactly, 'Mionie. You were brought here about 15 years ago by people who we thought were, er, very strange. They wore cloaks and odd hats and appeared rather eccentric. They introduced themselves as working for the Management of Magic's or something like that. Naturally, we thought them mad. They gave us you and some letters and belongings and asked us to look after you. I had recently had a miscarriage, so I decided to bring you up as my own daughter, which of course your are." Said her mother gently.
"Did they say who my real parents were, or what my real name is or anything?" Hermione asked quickly. She was very pale.
"They told us your name was Julia Lavinier, but we decided to call you Hermione. There were some letters for use to give to you when we decided to tell you this. We wanted to wait t until you were out of school to tell you, but with this war, you could be in danger if you are actually related to wizards." Said Jane. She went down the hall to Hermione's parent's room to fetch, presumably, the letters.
She came back with a large envelope and a letter. Hermione recognized it as a wizard letter at once from the parchment and emerald ink.
Jane handed the envelope to Hermione, who read;
To Julia Lavinier, to be opened only once she is aware of her background.
She tore it open with shaking fingers, and read the parchment inside:
Dear Julia Lavinier,
By now, you are undoubtedly aware that your parents are not your true parents, but merely foster parents. Your true family died when you were about a year old. Your parents are Jennifer and Charles Lavinier, both well-known members of the magical community.
Oh my god, I'm a pureblood, thought Hermione
Few members of the Lavinier line are still alive, so it was best that you grew up with foster parents. Present this letter at the Ministry of Magic, London, and you will be given the key to your family's vault in Gringotts. The Laviniers were very well off and influential members of the community. We will be happy to answer any questions you have at that time.
Sincerely,
Gerald Rollick,
International Magic Office of Law, Ministry of Magic, London.
Hermione dropped the paper and looked at her parents in disbelief. "You never told me this! How could you keep this from me! Do you have any idea what this could mean? I'm a pure blood, not a dirty mud blood as certain people keep reminding me. How on earth could you do this to me?!" Hermione was really angry and didn't try to hide it.
After giving the worst glares she could manage to her parents she rushed to her room and slammed the door very loudly. She was furious with her parents.
A/N: Sorry it's a cliff hanger. My chapters will be pretty short, but I'll try to write lots. Next chapter: Hermione discovers her family wasn't golden good and shocks her enemy! Please R/R! I'm gonna need the criticism.
Alianne