Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't kill me. Here's your stinkin' chapter! ) Thank you, thank you, thank you goes to Rebecca for beta-ing this from its awful, awful state! (Only would you patiently correct my Locus and Slytherings.)

Disclaimer: All of it. Don't own it. All of it goes to JK, lucky witch. 1

Chapter 2
Detention

Severus waited in his office the following day for Miss Granger to show up. He had been genuinely surprised when she had spoken to him the way she did the day before. In the history of her education, she had never got detention or spoken to any teacher like that. Except for Professor Trelawney, perhaps.

Miss Granger was a student who worshiped teachers, as he had done when he was in school. Always the teacher's pet, always getting best marks in class.

Severus had always hid his opinion of Miss Granger well. She was one of his favorite students, but didn't dare show it for fear of Draco and Pansy telling their parents, and their parents reporting to the Dark Lord. If the Dark Lord knew Severus' favourite student was a Muggleborn, he would pay dearly for it.

He sighed and put the stack of hospital wing records down on a little side table where Miss Granger would be working. He looked at the clock that hung above the door. Four fifty-nine P.M.

'Don't be late,' he thought to himself, sitting down at his desk.

At exactly five o' clock, Miss Granger entered, looking utterly annoyed with the whole situation. He pointed wordlessly at the little side table; she sat, after giving him a Potter-like look, and began to sort.

Severus rolled his eyes. He knew he shouldn't insult Potter in front of the class, but he had to. He had to know what Potter would say under pressure. For the last three years, he had been doing just that, seeing what Potter would say if he pushed this button or that button.

Harry didn't seem to be as sensitive about Severus insulting his father anymore. After Potter went into Severus' Penseive in his fifth year, he had realized that James Potter could be absolutely cruel. Although he was a little more protective of Black's name, Severus could see why. Potter had known Black, talked to him, and spent time with him.

Severus pulled the first year essays toward him, stifling a sigh. He always hated grading first year papers. He wished they could learn to spell, that would make the process bearable.

He looked up as the sound of papers stopped. Miss Granger was staring at an old medical chart, frozen.

"What, Miss Granger," said Severus coolly, "could be so interesting that you have to stop sorting?"

She didn't reply, then suddenly she dropped the parchment and jumped out of her chair, shaking her head, still staring at the medical chart as she backed away from it.

"Miss Granger?" he said again watching her as she began to mumble under her breath. "Sit down, Miss Granger. You are in the middle of detention."

"No, no, no, no," she said softly, tears beginning to glisten in her eyes. "It can't be, no, no, no..."

Severus got up and fetched the paper. It was yellowed and a little torn around the edges.

He picked it up.

-

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Hogwarts Hospital Infirmary Wing


Matron: Madame Pomfrey


Child's Name: Baby Malfoy

Date: September 19th, 1988, 12:12 a.m.
Sex: Female

Hair color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown

Weight: 5 lbs. 6 oz.


Parents:

Mother: Bellatrix M. Black
Father: Lucius A. Malfoy

-

-

Severus read it again, and again. This couldn't be right. He glanced up at Miss Granger, who was shaking her head, tears threatening to fall. "No, no, no," she kept repeating softly.

"Miss Granger," said Severus, gripping the certificate tightly, trying to keep his hand from shaking. "I think it prudent that we end this detention and got to the Headmaster."

She didn't move, still staring at the certificate.

"Miss Granger," he said again, striding to the door. "We must go to the Headmaster's office, now."

Miss Granger, looking slightly dazed, followed him out of his office.

This can't be happening, Severus thought to himself. Miss Granger, related to one of the most pureblood of families?

He let his mind move over past events that would in some way connect Miss Granger to Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. If it's true, he thought, climbing up the marble staircase, and Miss Granger is related to Bella and Lucius, then that would explain the sparks that shot out of her wand yesterday. Only a pure Slytherin would be able to produce green and silver sparks when feeling pure hate or happiness.

But, she's in Gryffindor. He argued with himself. She can't be a pure Slytherin.

But another, more logical voice spoke in his head. Look at Black. He was in Gryffindor, and his family came from a long line of Slytherin.

But, said the other, stubborn voice, she looks nothing like Bella or Lucius.

Look closer, Severus, said the voice that resembled Dumbledore's. Severus closed his eyes and pictured Miss Granger, with Lucius and Bella. Miss Granger, now that he thought about it, had Bella's dark, chocolate brown eyes, and of course the same Black qualities that had been passed from generation to generation. But, unlike Bella who was dark, with black hair and darker features than her sister Narcissa, who was fair haired and skinned, Miss Granger was brown.

Miss Granger had tan skin and bushy brown hair. She also had the Black body: poised, but also commanding and powerful.

Look at the Malfoys' side of the family now, Severus, said the voice. Miss Granger had the Malfoys' strong will and leadership skills. She liked to take charge of things. She also had Lucius' power of persuasion, she was very good at convincing people what was right and wrong, but, unlike Lucius, she let other people have their say before the final decision was made. And on both side there was talent, talent in her studies and with people. She had good grades and was quick to stop quarrels in the halls now that she was Head Girl.

Maybe there is a possibility, said his other voice, sounding less tense in his head. Maybe she could be related to Lucius and Bella.

Severus found himself walking up the moving marble staircase that led him, Miss Granger on his heels, to Dumbledore's office. As they reached the very top of the staircase, Severus noticed two voices coming from the door. One was Dumbledore's, the other Minerva's. Severus paused a moment and then knocked, watching the griffin knocker in the dim light.

The voice's ceased immediately in their conversation and Dumbledore's deep, powerful voice came through the door. "Enter."

Severus entered, Miss Granger close behind him. Minerva turned at her place at the hearth, and both she and Dumbledore looked surprised to see Severus and Miss Granger coming in the Headmaster's office.

"Explain," said Dumbledore, putting the tips of his fingers together, and watching Severus over his half-moon spectacles.

Severus approached Dumbledore's desk and placed the parchment in front of him.

"Miss Granger, was serving a detention with me this evening, sorting hospital wing records, when she found this," Severus said, and motioned to the old piece of parchment. "I thought you might find it interesting."

Dumbledore leaned forward, read the certificate, and froze, staring.

"What is it, Albus?" asked Minerva, coming up next to Dumbledore and reading the certificate over his shoulder. Minerva turned white. "Do you think this is true, Albus?" she said, blanching.

Dumbledore looked at Miss Granger, who had sat down in front of Dumbledore's desk staring at the floor. "Oh, Minerva," said Dumbledore sad. "It's true," Severus looked at Dumbledore sharply. "For I was present when Bella and Lucius came to Hogwarts. Bella was in labor. They didn't have time to go to St. Mungo's and Hogwarts was the closest at the time. Lucius and Bella requested adoptive parents for Miss Granger here, Poppy found the Grangers, and that was the last I saw of Miss Granger until seven years ago."

There was a pause in which everyone stared at Dumbledore.

"You knew?" Hermione choked. "You knew all along and you never told me?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "It was not my place to tell, Miss Granger," he said gravely. "I knew you didn't know you were adopted, so I said nothing about your real parentage. That is your adoptive parent's job."

"Did-did Bella and Lucius know which family I went to?"

"No," said Dumbledore, a slight look of disgust on his face. "They left as soon as Bella had rested. All they know is that they have a daughter out there who's eighteen named Hermione."

Severus kept silent, trying to find another piece of information that would link Miss Granger to Lucius and Bella. Then he found it. "Headmaster," said Severus, calmly and collectedly even though he didn't feel it. "If you don't mind me saying, Lucius has trusted me for a long time now, and seven years ago he asked me to look into finding a first year student who was named Hermione. I didn't look into it much further because I thought Miss Granger here was a Muggleborn, so I told Lucius there was no hope in finding a pureblood girl named Hermione here at this time. He seemed upset when I told him this; now I know why."

Miss Granger looked up at him as he spoke, as if awed Lucius would care for anybody but Draco and Narcissa.

"What are we going to do with this information, Albus?" asked Minerva, coming around Dumbledore's desk and placing a stern hand on Miss Granger's shoulder.

"No one has guessed her family connections, not even you, Severus, and you are close to the Malfoys--"

"We must keep quiet about this," said Minerva, curtly. "Nothing good will come of it being known."

"Minerva," said Severus, smoothly. "We all know keeping quiet would be the best thing."

Minerva glared at him and turned back to Dumbledore. "We must look at all our options about this matter, Minerva," said Dumbledore, sadly.

"If I may, professors," said Miss Granger in a small voice. They all turned to her. There was a fire in her eyes that Severus had never seen before. Dumbledore motioned for Miss Granger to continue. "I think we can use my newly found identity for the Order's benefit--"

"Absolutely not," said Minerva quickly, seeing where this suggestion was going. "Albus, she's still in school, it's to dangerous--"

She stopped talking as Dumbledore raised a hand for silence. "Continue, Miss Granger,"

Miss Granger nodded. "The Malfoys and the Lestranges are two known families that are in Voldemort's inner circle--" Severus and Minerva flinched, "—and I could be of some use if I was a part of the family."
Dumbledore continued to survey Miss Granger, clearly seeing the same thing Severus was: determination. "You're saying, Miss Granger," said Dumbledore slowly, but clearly, "you are willing to spy on the Malfoys for the Order?"
"Yes, sir."

"Risk your life to get information from Voldemort and the Malfoys' plans?"

"Anything that will help Harry and you, Professor, to destroy Voldemort, I will do," said Miss Granger, looking at Dumbledore with the same fire in her eyes.

Dumbledore regarded the young woman closely.

"Surely you're not thinking about this, Headmaster?" warned Severus. "She is...young..."

"Miss Granger is nineteen years old, Severus," said Dumbledore, turning to him.

"Of course," said McGonagall quietly. "The Time-Turner."

"I beg your pardon?" said Severus, confused.

"Miss Granger was given a Time-Turner in her third year so she could get to all her classes," said Dumbledore, leaning back in his chair. "I personally saw that she got the chance. Miss Granger is by birth eighteen years old, but by how many days she has lived, she is nineteen." Dumbledore turned back to Hermione, who still looked determined. "Are you positive that you are ready to do this, Miss Granger?" he asked.

"I am, sir," she said, looking directly into Dumbledore's piercingly serious gaze.

"Then that is settled," said Dumbledore. "You are granted permission to spy on your biological parents. But on one condition. You must listen to everything Professor Snape will eventually tell you, about your parents and the world they live in." Miss Granger glanced at Severus, then nodded. Severus could see a twinkle of approval in Dumbledore's eyes. Then he turned to Minerva. "Minerva, could you see that Miss Granger gets back to bed, the shock of tonight's events would rattle anyone. Severus--"

That was the cue. Severus had heard it many times. When Dumbledore said someone's name that way, that meant everyone else present was to leave. And also that tone meant either you were going to get chewed out, or he was about to give you very serious orders.

"Headmaster," said Severus quietly, sitting in front of Dumbledore's desk. "Is this wise? She is a well-known friend of Potter's--" He stopped as Dumbledore raised a hand for silence.

"I knew this would happen eventually, Severus." said Dumbledore gravely. "Miss Granger would find out, and would ask me if she could help the Order in some way. And yes, I think it is the best thing for Miss Granger. She needs a place in the Order, and I'm giving it to her now. As for being Harry's friend, I think she will be able to come up with a logical explanation for her actions with out my help. She is an intelligent woman, Severus. You of all people should see that."

Trust me, thought Severus, coldly. I know. "What do you want me to do?" he asked, instinctively knowing that was the next question he should ask.

"I want you to help her get acquainted with her family. Write to Lucius Malfoy, tell him you have found his daughter, and that you are trying to talk her into coming with you for a visit. And suggest to him that you should explain to her who her parents are, because you are more familiar with her.

"Also I want you to teach Miss Granger all that you know about her family. Their views, their tastes, everything you can think of that will prepare her to face them." Dumbledore gazed at Severus for a moment, and then said, "You don't like my choice?"

"I don't think Miss Granger should be put in this danger at such a young age," said Severus, choosing his words very carefully.

"I trust Miss Granger," said Dumbledore. "She would do anything to help her friends, and she is connected with the Malfoys. You have told me yourself that they are one of the closest families to Voldemort." Severus flinched, then nodded.

"You may go, I suggest that you start telling Miss Granger about her family soon, Severus. The Christmas holidays are in two weeks, which will be the time for her to be introduced to her family."

Severus nodded again, and left, leaving all memory of the previous day out of his mind, and feeling, for the first time in a long while, worried for his student.

A/N – Oh well. Do leave a review!