A/N I discovered Grammarly around Chapter 7, so I have updated Chapters 1-6 to read more clearly. Whoever read the originals, I have to tell you, bless your hearts for sticking with me because they were rough. Hopefully, they now make a bit more sense.

Chapter 1

As Hermione listened to Harry tell Dumbledore's portrait his plans for the Deathly Hallows, she could not help but think that this is the day that they will forever say it all had changed. She was grateful the war was over, but she could not help but dread the thought that she had built the house of cards that was her life atop one lie that altered her entire life's trajectory. She knew at this moment she would have to confess, give her friends of seven years the chance to understand before the whole wizarding world discovered and speculated. Hermione knew Harry would understand, if not right away then sooner rather than later, but Ron was a different story, so volatile and rash, she just hoped he would understand. Ron had finally kissed her, finally seemed pushed enough to acknowledge what had been floating between them for years, and she did not want to ruin that.

"I'm putting the Elder Wand back where it came from. It can stay there," Hermione heard Harry say to Dumbledore, and she couldn't have been more proud of him. Over the course of his short life, he had already learned that power is not everything.

"Are you sure?" Ron asked, and she could hear the indignation and disbelief in his voice that anyone would want to pass on the opportunity to wield the Elder Wand. For all the love in his home growing up, Ron never did seem to be able to be happy with what he had. She desperately hoped that one day he would not be so envious of what others had.

Hermione knew as the conversation came to a close that she would need to speak up before they left the headmaster's office, as she was unsure of when she would have the chance to be alone with just the two of them again.

"Wait, there is something I need to tell you before we go to get some rest," Hermione stated quickly. When both Harry and Ron were looking at her with questions in their eyes, she continued. "I am just going to come right out and say it; I'm not Muggleborn."

Hermione held her breath in the silence. Unsure if she should continue or wait for a response enough to tell her that her closest friends would not explode before she got it all out. Ron spluttered, and Harry just gapped for a moment before finally speaking.

"What do you mean you are not a Muggleborn? My first thought is that this is a twisted joke, but right now isn't exactly the time for jokes." Harry stated, too tired from his trying day to truly swallow what she was saying.

"Slughorn was right last year; I am distantly related to Hector Dagsworth-Granger. My line of ancestors has been living in Australia for the last couple of generations, though, so my name wasn't noticeable when my parents moved us to Britain before Hogwarts." Hermione tried to explain.

"There is no way that can be true; the Hogwarts Acceptance Book would have known, you can't just be muggleborn, and then not, it's not possible." Scuffed Ron.

"We live in a magical world, Ron; there is almost always a way around the rules if you are willing to look hard enough. Hector was a renowned potioneer; he helped his nephew exit pureblood society decades ago before the rise of Grindelwald. I would be more than willing to sit down with you both to explain later after we have all rested and things have returned to some normalcy. I just wanted you to know before the papers caught wind and turned it into something it is not." Hermione sped through her explanation as fast as possible, hoping to get as much out before the possible explosion she was sure to come.

"EVEN IF IT IS TRUE, YOU LIED TO US. YOUR SUPPOSED BEST FRIENDS FOR YEARS, AND YOU KEPT THIS SECRET LIKE IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO US. DON'T YOU TRUST US." Yelled the upset redhead.

"Of course, I trust you, Ron, but this was about my family. I couldn't tell you." said a desperate Hermione.

"I thought we were your family Hermione," said a dejected Ron, and he left with the door shutting behind him and silence defending on the two friends left in the room.

"I had to Harry; please tell me you believe that I beg you. Your friendship means everything to me." Hermione let out a sob.

"I am sure this will make more sense when we have the time actually to talk about this; we are both just hurt and confused by this. More than anything, though, at this moment, I am exhausted and intend to find a bed. We can talk more when we have had time to process." Stated Harry before he left Hermione in the office, heartbroken and confused with little idea of when that would be.

Harry was right; they all needed sleep. Maybe tomorrow they could find a few minutes to talk and Hermione could make them understand. She didn't want to lose her friends, and her heart hurt to think of Ron being angry with her when there was so much potential.

Hermione stepped onto the staircase and exited at the gargoyle. Deciding to head back to the great hall searching for a cot to lay on, she made her way down the halls and towards the main entrance. As Hermione stepped down the last step, Draco Malfoy stepped out of the shadows and into her path.

"What is it, Malfoy?" Hermione asked tiredly

"What was the weasel's problem? Saw him storm into the Great Hall in a huff not 10 minutes ago." Draco asked.

"It's not your concern," Hermione said as she stepped around him. Hermione had only taken a step when she heard Draco's quiet words meant only for her.

"I'll be 18 next month if you weren't aware." Hermione spun on her heels and met his eyes. Draco was unflinching in his stare, and Hermione understood his meaning.

She entered the hall without another word, thinking that was one more thing that would have to be taken care of. The hall was still chaos but seemed to have found some order. A table had been returned so those who wanted to could eat. Cots lined the opposite wall where people were already trying to sleep. Hermione could see the Weasleys huddle together in grief and seeking comfort in what family they still had in the far corner. McGonagall was talking with the professors, if Hermione had to guess, most likely about repairs to come. However, Hermione wasn't up for more to do and took the open cot between Luna and Hannah and swiftly fell asleep despite the stress.