It was nearing Halloween and still things had not changed for the better for Hermione. Although Professor McGonagall did tell Hermione that she could come see her and talk, Hermione didn't feel comfortable being alone with the other witch, especially when she could not control what she felt. As for the other students, Pansy was still tormenting her while Draco Malfoy pretty much ignored her. Instead the blond haired boy was busy tormenting Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley. As for the Gryffindor boys, Weasley treated her like any other Slytherin while Potter, although not mean like his friend, was not friendly to her either and mostly left her alone. So naturally it came as a surprise when Transfiguration was over that Professor McGonagall asked Hermione, Draco, and Harry to follow her to the Headmaster's office.

"Ah yes," Dumbledore stated as they reached their destination and entered. "Welcome. I believe there are a few things we wanted to clear up. It has just recently come to our attention that there are some family ties that have not been recognized and we, Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall, and I, believe that they should." He nodded to each professor respectfully. "As you see we discovered that indeed Miss. Granger you are a pure-blood; both of your parents squibs."

"But how is that possible sir? Wouldn't they have told me if they were?"

"No both have no memory of their true births."

"Excuse me, sir, but what do I have to do with this," Draco asked.

"Patience boy," Severus snapped.

"As I was saying," Dumbledore said. "Neither of your parents knew their true births. Your father's birth name was Abraxas Malfoy Jr." Draco's eyes widened at this. He didn't know his father had a brother. "However when it became apparent that your father was a squib your grandfather, Abraxas Sr., disowned him and was going to kill him when your grandmother hid him away to a Muggle couple named Granger who raised him as their son Johnathan Granger. As for your mother she grew up knowing she was a squib, but when Voldemort came to power her parents blocked her memories and installed false ones, so if she had ever been discovered all would believe she was the daughter of Muggles. She also had a younger brother, James Potter." Harry looked shocked at this before looking at Hermione.

"You mean Hermione is my cousin and her mother is my aunt? I have family other than the Dursleys?"

"Yes Mr. Potter, it seems you do." Dumbledore confirmed. "That is why I have called both you, Mr. Malfoy, and you, Mr. Potter, to my office along with Miss Granger."

"Does my father know of this?" Draco asked.

"Yes, he has been informed and we have received a response, along with a letter for you." Dumbledore handed Draco a letter.

Draco,

Hermione Granger is indeed your cousin. It is your job that no harm is to come to your cousin. You will not acknowledge her as family, but you will make sure the other Slytherins leave her be.

Your father

Hermione's eyebrows furrowed. "Why can't we acknowledge each other as family?" She looked between Draco and Dumbledore.

"You and your family need to keep a low profile. When Voldemort returns, I am sure he will, and learns you and your family are alive and who you are related to, you all will be in danger. He won't hesitate to use yourself or your father as collateral against the Malfoy family, especially if he were to learn the Malfoys true allegiance. In pureblood society, especially now in the Malfoys, family is the most important thing. Threaten one member and you threaten them all. Thus the need for secrecy. It is the same for your family relationship with Mr. Potter. If Voldemort were to learn about your ties to him, he would use you to get to him." Dumbledore turned to Harry. "And I have a letter for you Mr. Potter."

Harry took the letter and opened it.

Harry,

My name is Jean Granger, your father's sister. Headmaster Dumbledore was able to restore my memories. The Headmaster informed us on your current living conditions. If you would like, you are more than welcome to stay with us on breaks. I would love to know my younger brother's only child.

Until we meet,

Jean Granger

Harry looked up. "Sir, would I actually be able to go and stay with the Grangers?"

Albus nodded. "As long as you stay at least a week at the Dursleys during summer break, you are able to stay with the Grangers for the rest."

Harry broke out into a grin before it dimmed slightly as he turned to look at Hermione. "Sorry for not being friendly with you."

Hermione shrugged. "You didn't know we're related and I'm a Slytherin. Gryffindors tend to not be that friendly with us… not that I can't say Slytherins are friendly back."

"Speaking of Slytherin and Gryffindor," Minerva spoke up, "The Potter family has always been in Gryffindor."

"And the Malfoy family has always been in Slytherin." Severus said, arms crossed.

"Then if anything she should have been put in a neutral house like Ravenclaw. She's most assuredly bright enough." Minerva stated, brows pinched together.

Dumbledore folded his hands in front of him, eyes twinkling. "I believe there is more to Miss Granger's placement than what we know."

Everyone turned to the blushing girl. "Hermione?" Harry questioned first.

Hermione took a deep breath. "I was given a choice as to which House I could join. I chose Slytherin." Severus smirked, looking at Minerva who looked slightly hurt. Hurriedly, Hermione explained. "It wasn't because I didn't want to be in your House, Professor, or in Slytherin, but because of the path each House could lead to. And I decided to take the path the Hat laid out if I joined Slytherin."

"And what path is that, if I may ask?"

Hermione bit down on her lip as she looked at her hands. "One that will be hard, but with a great reward. I'm sorry, but I won't go into more detail than that at this time."

"That is alright Miss Granger." Albus interrupted. "I'm sure you will explain more when the time comes." Albus clapped his hands together. "Well now, I believe it is time for the children to retire to the Great Hall as dinner is about to be served. Professor McGonagall, if you will," he motioned to Harry, Draco, and Hermione, "as I will be taking Professor Snape to accompany me to help ward the Granger home." Minerva nodded as Hermione, Draco, and Harry said goodbye to the professors.

When only the children and Minerva remained, the Head of Gryffindor ushered them out. "Now remember you three, no one is to learn you are related in any way. I suggest if you want to meet up you do it in private or do something else that will allow your newly founded 'friendship' more obvious as why it came to be."

A chorus of 'yes Professor' was her response to her claim as she led them down the halls to the Great Hall. Before the young girl entered behind Harry and Draco, Minerva held her back. "If I may have a word, Miss Granger?"

Hermione felt her heart begin to race as she stayed back with her professor. "Yes Professor?" she asked in a small voice.

Minerva sighed inside. It seemed the girl thought she was upset at her. "My offer still stands if you ever need to talk to someone though I'm sure Professor Snape may be more approachable for you now that he knows which family you come from as he has always been close to the Malfoys. I also wish you the best of luck in the path you have chosen and hope you succeed."

Hermione felt herself blush at the older woman's last words as she turned around and entered the Great Hall, striding up to the Head table as Hermione walked to Slytherin table. Considering the reward for the path was said woman's love, Hermione found it ironic that the woman said this and wondered if she would have wished Hermione luck if she knew she was the prize.

So lost in her thoughts she never noticed the foot that was stuck out until she tripped over it. Instead of falling like normal, an arm stopped her from falling fully. She looked up to see it was Draco who kept her from face planting and she gave him a small smile, but his bored one didn't change. She stood back up and glared at Pansy who was glaring at Draco. "Draco! Why did you save the mudblood?"

Draco rolled his eyes. "Really Pansy. Are you that thick? A mudblood has never been accepted into Slytherin. Why would it change?"

"But she was raised by Muggles."

"She could have been adopted or a child of foreign squib purebloods. Either way she has to at least be a halfblood or pureblood to be a Slytherin. Besides, it isn't seemingly for one Slytherin to pick on another in plain sight. We aren't Gryffindor brutes." He said as if it were the most obvious thing ever. Pansy grumbled under her breath.

"Sorry Granger," she mumbled.

Instead of replying Hermione nodded her head and went to sit in her regular seat, close to the Head table and far from the other Slytherins. Although Draco stood up for her, Hermione still didn't feel welcomed. Then again, squibs were looked down upon just as much as Muggles. She quickly finished her meal and left for the library. It was her favorite place as she had discovered this one spot that was secluded from the others thus leaving her to study in peace and quiet.

Sitting her book bag down, Hermione pulled out her Transfiguration homework and started on it. She was halfway through when she realized that she wasn't alone anymore and looked up to find Draco studying her. Her eyebrow rose, "Can I help you, Draco?"

He just shrugged his shoulders. "Not really."

Hermione put her quill down and sat back. "Then why are you here?"

"What am I not allowed to visit with my cousin?" he looked at her with mock hurt.

Hermione whipped her head around, looking to see if anyone was around. "Draco…" she hissed.

He waved her off. "Silence charm and notice-me-not." He looked around with a raised eyebrow, "Not that anyone would probably come back here anyways."

Hermione just shook her head. "Then what do you want to talk about?"

Draco shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. I just figured I'd keep you company since you're never around anyone."

"More like no one wants to be around me."

"Well being a know-it-all doesn't help."

"Nor does being a Slytherin."

"Touché. Guess you're double screwed. Well since your nose is buried in a book I may as well bury mine." His response was an eye roll as he pulled out his books and they got started on their work.

After some time they were interrupted by a parchment airplane that landed itself in front of Draco. Hermione looked up from her essay to watch him unfold and read it. "It's from Uncle Severus. He wants me to find you and bring you to him." His eyebrows scrunched up. "But he doesn't say why." He looked at an equally confused Hermione who sighed.

"I guess we'll have to finish our work later." She waved her wand, all of her things packing themselves in her bag. She had been ecstatic when she had learned that charm, it was now her most used.

Both 1st years stood up and walked out of the library and headed down to the dungeons to the Potion Master's office. Once at the dark wood door, Draco knocked and both entered at the snapped enter.

"Close the door Draco," Severus said as he looked up from grading essays. "Then both of you take a seat." Once both students were before him, Severus looked at Hermione intently. "As you are a Malfoy and I consider their family as mine, you may also call me Uncle Severus in private but don't expect me to treat you differently in class." At Hermione's nod he continued. "I called you both to my office because it is imperative that both of you master Occlumency. I know you know the basics Draco and I want you to fill your cousin in. On Saturdays, the both of you will meet with me and I will work with you to learn and strengthen your skills."

"But why?" Hermione and Draco asked.

"You are related to both the Malfoys and Potter. One reason is enough to make you a target for the Dark Lord, but both ensures it. Although I highly doubt it, if there were some reason another witch or wizard used Legilimency on you, it is important that you can defend yourself, lest your secret will be discovered, and you and your family become a target." Hermione nodded as Severus pulled out two books. "This is some reading for the both of you about Occlumency and Legilimency." They took the books handed to them. "That is all for now. You are dismissed." The two 1st years nodded their heads and left.

AN: I found my notebook containing this chapter so I ended up typing this up instead of the next chapter for LKNB. :) Hope you enjoyed and I'll try to get on top of the other story. :) Review and tell me what you think.