Hermione quickly wrapped up all remnants of her food into a napkin and placed it into the canvas bag. Her stomach was in knots and even though she hadn't eaten much food, just the thought of looking at it made her nauseous. She gazed out of the window. Against the darkness of night, her reflection interrupted by the passing lights.

She was once again leaving London, her world, and all that was familiar. Hermione saw the irony of returning to the muggle world. Only this time she wasn't learning of a world spoken only in myth, and on her way to discover some life-long friends. This time things were different, she wasn't a young girl on a journey to discover who she really was.

Lost in thought, she absentmindedly began to play with her hair. She felt its smoothness; she didn't have to look at the strands again to see the altered color. It was unsettling to have her hair changed. She knew how others viewed her hair, as something needing to be changed or unmanageable. To Hermione, however, she saw it as a representation of herself. Her hair was who she was, and having it changed was indeed fitting as she was no longer going to be Hermione.

Malfoy had been wrong to assume that she was in love with her new hair and appearance. Her constant examination of her hair was a reminder of the part she was going to play. She wasn't as vain as he was; her physical appearance wasn't a priority in her life.

The car stopped sooner then expected. Thoughts seemed to escape her mind, her body acting automatically. She took Malfoy's hand as she stepped out of the car, following him to the pavement.

"Martin, if you could escort the Lady De Lacy to the train, I will follow shortly," He turned to look at Hermione and placed his hand over the one she had resting on his arm. "I'll be there shortly love, just a few things to take care of."

With a quick squeeze of her hand, he left. Hermione stood with Martin and the bags. She watched Draco disappear into the crowd only to be brought back to her confused reality by the chauffer.

"Shall we go now milady?" Martin had placed the bags on a small cart with wheels.

Without a thought, she responded, "Of course."

As she walked through the grounds she once again thought of that day fourteen years ago. Walking through the crowd knowing those around her were unaware of her secret excited Hermione. The adrenaline still surged through her but this time for a different reason. She felt naked in front of all these people, her lie painted in her hair and on her face. With each measured and calm step she took, Hermione left the woman she had been farther and farther behind. When she reached the train, her manner felt natural, the lie no longer weighting on her shoulders. It frightened her knowing that she could change who she was so easily.

The bags were placed in the proper compartments and she stood waiting, with Martin standing silently at her side. A man made his way towards Hermione. She didn't realize that it was Malfoy until he was almost next to her.

"Thank you Martin, that will be all," Malfoy took his place at her side resting his hand on her shoulder. "Inform Anderson that we will be calling him as soon as we arrive."

"Thank you Martin," Hermione spoke for the first time since she had entered the station, she was surprised at the words her lips formed with out her conscious thought.

Martin nodded and they left him standing on the platform. Once inside they quickly made their way to their seats. Draco allowed her to take the window seat, Hermione wasn't sure if this was a chivalrous act or rather one of domination. Not wanting to make a fuss, she took the seat wordlessly. It wasn't until she was sitting that she noticed he was carrying a brown paper bag. After he settled into the chair, he passed her the bag.

"That's for you love," the smallest of smiles tugged at his lips. "I know how much you'll enjoy it."

"Thank you dear, I'm sure I will too." The words came out mechanically, she wasn't even sure when she had decided to refer to him as dear. Instead of contemplating the ease in which she had adopted a different persona, she focused on the bag. Inside she found a book chronicling the history of the under sea passage to France.