A/N – Yay! It's up, it's up, it's up! Don't hurt me because it's been so long! Many eternal thanks go to Rebecca for helping keep this as canon as it can. :)

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Chapter 3

Lessons

Hermione rolled over and over in her bed, tossing and turning, not able to sleep. She had just found out that she was adopted. And her biological parents were Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. Hermione shivered under her covers, not from cold, but from fear and anxiety.

She was angry with her parents and Dumbledore for not telling her that she was adopted, and who her real parents were. But one thing kept her from being furious with them: She was going to be able to spy on her biological parents. Having to listen to Snape and get information about her family was a little bit of a downside, but she was still going to be able to work for the Order, and help Harry get closer to his goal to kill Voldemort.

Hermione finally went to sleep around two in the morning, after her head had stopped buzzing with this new information.

She woke and remembered what had happened. Oh God, she thought, throwing her legs off the edge of the bed. I am a Malfoy. She hadn't thought of that last night, and now it came to her, clear as day. She was a Malfoy.

This knowledge made her a little crabby with Ron and Harry through breakfast and the morning's lessons. She couldn't help looking at Draco Malfoy and thinking, He's my half brother.

After the end of Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall took her aside, looking rather disapproving. "I am to tell you that you will be taking lessons about your situation with Professor Snape, this evening after Potions." Hermione froze looking up at her favorite teacher. "I know this is surprising, but Professor Snape is tightly connected with your family and will be able to tell you all you need to know so that you will be able to meet them without you saying or doing something that would prove you're not on their side."

Hermione nodded, then said, "Why didn't Professor Snape tell me this?"

McGonagall looked slightly guilty. "I wasn't supposed to tell you, but I thought you might want to prepare yourself before you have to spend that much time at once with Severus. Severus might be a good wizard. But he's doesn't tolerate foolishness."

Hermione nodded again, completely understanding. She was glad McGonagall had warned her about the lessons, but this made Potions even less bearable, while she and her friends yet again had to take Snape's snide remarks and insults.

"Miss Granger," said Snape smoothly, as the bell rang. Harry and Ron looked at Hermione questioningly. She shrugged and dropped her bag back onto her chair.

Snape waited for all the other students were gone, which happened quickly since not many people enjoyed Snape's company.

Snape's eyes bored into hers, which he commonly did when he was either displeased or searching for a lie. "Miss Granger, as you remember, the Headmaster wants you to know as much as you can about the Malfoys and the Lestranges before I introduce them to you." Hermione nodded, looking straight back into those deep, black eyes. "The Headmaster therefore wants me to teach you weekly about your family. Since you are familiar with only people such as the Weasleys, this will be useful, since your family think and act much differently than you or I."

Hermione inwardly raised her eyebrows. She had always thought Snape was the kind of wizard who said "mudbloods" and thought that only pureblood wizards should get a wizarding education. Although, it was also known in the Order that Snape was a brilliant liar and actor.

"We will begin today, so get comfortable." He pointed at a chair in front of his desk. She sat watching him. "You have met your...father, have you not?" he asked looking at her over clasped hands.

"Yes, sir," said Hermione automatically, not forgetting that this was still a class.

Snape nodded, his eyes went distant and it felt like he was seeing through her. She was surprised. She only had felt like that when Dumbledore was trying to find the truth and was asking her a serious question. Dumbledore's gaze was kind but serious at the same time. Snape's gaze was penetrating and mask-like, almost as if he was trying to hide something, which her probably was.

"Then you therefore know his prejudice against Muggleborns?"

Hermione nodded again. She had a feeling this was going to be an interesting conversation, even if she felt rather uncomfortable in his presence.

Snape took in a long breath, as if it pained him to speak. "Your family is very...proud to be purebloods. You know that they are very self-oriented people. Very full of themselves. They treat people, even half-bloods like dirt, but, Miss Granger, you already know this." He paused. Hermione thought he was right here, but was surprised about his next statement. "Miss Granger, since I have so many unpleasant things to say about your kin, how about you tell me what you know of them."

Hermione kept herself from raising her eyebrows, just in time. Snape was listening to a student? And a Gryffindor at that? This was certainly unheard of.

"Like you said, Professor." she said, calmly, "I know that they are prejudiced against Muggleborns and half-bloods. I know that my father does not treat his servants humanely. I know that he bullies Draco, and isn't a very understanding father. He has been in Lord Voldemort's service for as long as I have been alive, that I know of, and considers himself Voldemort's right hand man.

"As for my mother, I don't know much about her other than she tortured Neville's parents into insanity, was sent to Azkaban for it for almost thirteen years, and killed Sirius Black over a year and a half ago." She watched Snape's eyes very carefully when she said Black's name. He didn't move; he was a hard man to read. "That is all I know, Professor."

Snape surveyed her closely for a moment, then said, "At least you know the basics. But you have much to learn about your mother, most of all..."

The lesson continued until past dinner and up to nine o' clock.

Hermione listened, entranced by what Snape was telling her about her family. He told her of her mother. How she was a Black and how she became a Death Eater. He told her what her mother thought about Dumbledore and the Ministry and many others organizations.

Hermione asked a few questions here and there when Snape took a sip of brandy, but other wise did not speak. She wanted to learn as much as she could about her family and was hanging on to every word he said, filing it away.

Finally, Snape stopped, looking at her intently, and draining the rest of his brandy. "Any other questions, Miss Granger?" he asked her, putting the glass down.

Hermione had been extra quiet as he told her about what he knew of Lucius and Bella's romance, and was now staring at the butterbeer bottle in between her hands.

"Does-does Narcissa know?" she asked quietly, after a slight pause. "About me? About Lucius and Bella's relationship?"

Snape continued to look at her carefully, then said, "I don't believe so, but I could be wrong. Your father told me nothing about him and Bella having a daughter, so there is a very slim chance that Narcissa knows. However, when you do meet her and she knows who you are, do not expect a warm welcome. She was Lucius' wife when he had an affair with your mother."

Hermione sighed, she had expected as much. She stood when he did not say more and inclined her head respectfully, realizing that Snape had to deal with people like her new family almost everyday. "I must take my leave, Professor," she said, not looking at him in fear of him seeing this new understanding that swam inside her for him. "When is the next lesson?"

"Next week, after class, my office," he said smoothly. "I think I should tell you about your father then."

Hermione nodded her silent thanks and left his presence, her head buzzing with all this new information.

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A/N – Okay, girls and boys, be polite and tell me what you think. :)

Eve