Yes, I know it's not Monday...I'll stop making promises!

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Chapter 5

Questions

Hermione was only out of bed for less than fifteen minutes when a summons from Dumbledore called her to his office.

Hermione was surprised at the summons, for she had just seen the Headmaster two days ago, and Snape the previous day. What more could they want? she asked herself, grabbing her wand and running down the girls stairway and into the empty common room. And so early. Why so early? I'm usually the only one up this time of day, at least in Gryffindor House.

She walked as fast and as quietly as she could to Dumbledore's office; out of breath, she whispered, "Fizzing Whizzbies," to the stone gargoyle.

She let herself catch her breath as she mounted the moving marble staircase, her heart still pounding fast as she reached the top, her breathing back to normal. She knocked.

"Enter," said Dumbledore's clear, but tired voice behind the door.

The door entered of it's own accord and Hermione stepped inside Dumbledore's office, not surprised to see Snape and McGonagall also in the room.

She chose to stand in front of Dumbledore's desk, seeing that McGonagall and Snape were too standing, and found it only proper.

"I am glad you wake at such an early hour, Miss Granger," said Professor Dumbledore with a slight smile, encouraging her to be comfortable in his and her other two teachers presence. "I hadn't remembered that most people like to sleep in on Saturdays, unlike myself. But it was to late to take back the message until I had already sent it."

Hermione smiled slightly, and turned her focus on Snape and Dumbledore. "You told my father, didn't you?" Dumbledore nodded in approval, at her quick realization of what was happening.

"Yes, Severus told your father last night,"

Hermione took a quick look a Snape, then asked, giving him a searching look, "What did he say?"

"He said he wants Severus to tell you of your parentage and ask you to write him," said

Dumbledore, Hermione turned to him. Hermione raised her eyebrows. "This is your first test as an Order member," said Dumbledore in a deadly serious voice. "You must succeed in acting like you are interested in getting to know him."

"But I do want to get to know him, Professor," she said, humor in her eyes.

"I know you do," said Dumbledore, smiling slightly. "But you must do it with extreme care. Shall I relay the events of last night, Miss Granger?" Hermione nodded.

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, surveying Hermione with the usual intensity. "Your father called upon Professor Snape last night after you had gone, inquiring over his letter about him finding you, his daughter," he said. "When Professor Snape told Lucius what house you were in and who your friends were, your father almost lost control. However, Professor Snape came up with a story that you will have to finish yourself when you write and meet him during the holiday season. He told your father that he thought you didn't have any compassion for your friends, and only kept them around so they would protect you from others." Hermione's anger threatened to boil over at the point of revealing, but a bare thread of self-control saved her. "I know this is not so, and that you, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Weasley are close friends, but Severus had to come up with something quickly."

Hermione nodded, realizing that Snape had had to do what he did, or give up their plan.

"Good, now that this whole business with Mr. Malfoy is done," said McGonagall, sniffing with disapproval. "I think we should figure out how Miss Granger is to protect herself when she does meet her...family."

"She does need to be trained in Occlumency, Headmaster," said Snape. "In able to insure her safety in her family and perhaps, the Dark Lords presence." Hermione hid a grin; she had secretly learned the basics of blocking others from reading her emotions without going into deep meditation. "I could teach her during our other...private sessions."

"Good," said McGonagall, looking somewhat relieved. "That settles it."

"Professor," Hermione said, turning to Snape. "I have only read in books what Occlumency is, could you show me how, now?"

He asked for Dumbledore's permission to break into Hermione's mind. I just love giving surprises, she thought to herself, this will be fun, I'll say.

"Just clear you mind, Miss Granger," said McGonagall as they turned to face each other, wands out. "Try to disarm him, and you will be fine."

I'll be more than fine, she thought, clearing her mind, focusing on Snape's face as he hissed. "Legilimens!"

A memory of Harry, Ron and herself on McGonagall's giant chessboard came into view, the white queen approaching Ron. She could see Harry's face trembling with fear and anger. But almost as soon as the memory had come into view, it vanished, replaced with a picture Snape in front of her, muttering under his breath. She could feel him trying to enter her mind, but she had already blocked the memory. They struggled for a moment; Hermione felt a muscle in her neck twitch. "Expelliarmus!" she cried.

Snape was blasted off his feet; he crashed into Dumbledore's bookshelf, moaning.

"Professor!" To her own surprise, she was the first one to reach Snape. Blood was dripping down his forehead from his hairline. He pushed them away, healed his wound, and stood.

He turned to Hermione eyebrow raised. She averted her eyes, missing a brief impressed glint that flashed across his eyes.

"I don't think she needs any Occlumency training, Headmaster," he said, looking at Hermione with ill temper. "But Legilimency training may do her good."

She looked up at him, but didn't recognize the pleased sound in his voice, as the two older professors did. He's rewarding me? she asked herself. Why would he give me something else to learn? Everyone knows that the more I have to learn under my nose the happier I will be. Unless he doesn't know I want to learn Legilimency. She shrugged mentally, then said in a small voice, "I apologize for my actions, Professor. I should've said I had learned the practical theory of Occlumency."

Both Hermione and Snape missed the curious, mischievous glance Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall gave each other.

Snape did not answer, but nodded curtly.

Hermione turned back to Professor Dumbledore. There was something in his eyes she could not identify. Was it curiosity? Or maybe it was an idea? Or something else, but Hermione found herself wondering what the headmaster was thinking.

"Even under the circumstances," said Dumbledore, looking back at Hermione. "You did well, Miss Granger." Hermione said nothing, but inclined her head in thanks. "I suggest you write your letter today. Send it to me tomorrow evening."

"Yes, Professor."

"You may go."

Nodding to her professors, Hermione left the office, trying to examine the events of the past five minutes. I'm sorry that I did it now, she thought, confused. Why did you do it, Hermione, why?

No one was in the Gryffindor Common Room when she reached it, all of the students were still in bed, but Hermione was not annoyed by this like she had been in the past.

Locking her private Head Girl quarters' door, Hermione pulled out a long piece of parchment and a quill. Sitting down at her desk, she lit a small candle -- not really for light but for comfort, since candles had always been a source of comfort for her. She stared at the flame for a couple of minutes, and began rather gingerly to write

After hours of trying to put the letter together, she didn't expect it to take such hard work and careful words to put down a one-page letter. But eventually she finished.

Dear Lucius Malfoy,

I was asked to write you by Professor Snape on account of what he told me last Saturday. I was very surprised when he told me that I was adopted and showed me that medical chart. I am still in relative shock, but I think it will pass soon.

I have one pressing question on my mind at this moment however. Is it true? Are you really my father? I had always hoped of finding someone in the wizarding world that was of relation to me, and to have the chance to get away from the wretched Muggle world forever. I always thought that was wishful thinking, until Professor Snape told me about you and Mrs. Lestrange on Saturday.

At first I thought he was playing some evil trick on me. But then he showed me the certificate, and I had not choice but to believe his word. But I need to see the proof in your writing, Mr. Malfoy. I have to be absolutely sure that you are my father. Please reply soon.

Sincerely,

Hermione Granger

Hermione smiled at her handy work and got up from her chair, stiff in the back and neck. She was about to walk out of her room when there was a knock on her door.

She cursed under her breath and hid the letter up her sleeve.

"Hermione," came Ginny's voice from behind the door, "come on, I know you're awake; you're always up earlier than this. Come on, we've been awake for almost three hours."

Hermione sighed under her breath. "Come on in, Ginny," she said, adapting a tired expression. "You might as well." She had to come up with something that would keep her friends off her back, at least until Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape told them everything.

"Hey," said Ginny, smiling brightly. "Come on, we're going to Hogsmeade, you want to come?"

Hermione's mind, thinking fast came up with a plan. "I don't think I will, Ginny, honestly," she said, sitting on the edge of her bed. "It's just, I haven't been feeling well lately; you remember that curse Avery hit me with in the Department of Ministries? Well, that injury is acting up again."

"That was two year ago," Ginny looked worried, "and it still bothers you?"

"Hasn't stopped," said Hermione.

"I'm sorry, Hermione," replied Ginny. "Should I stay with you?"

"No," said Hermione, keeping her voice even. "I just need some rest. Go with Harry and Ron, and make sure they don't make any trouble."

Ginny grinned. "I will. You feel better, yeah?"

Hermione smiled weakly back and her friend left, closing the door softly behind her. She fell back onto the bed, exhaling loudly. She didn't want to lie to her friends. She hated doing it, but she had to for the moment.

She waited for ten minutes thinking about her family.

Draco's my half-brother, she thought. Lucius Malfoy is my father, Bella Lestrange is my mother, and Narcissa Malfoy is my aunt. Hermione shook her head to clear it, wishing she could've been a part of a better family. I'm doing this for the Order, she reminded herself. Not from me. I have to do this. And you'd never know, I might learn something of great importance from my family. And maybe about myself. She scowled up at the ceiling.

Getting up quickly, she went back to Dumbledore's office to deliver her letter.

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