A/N

Apologies about the short chapters. I write in spurts and instead of keeping people waiting I try to post what I have written because I know how much it sucks to have to re-read a story due to the length of time it takes to update some of them. I will eventually go through and consolidate everything into longer chapters. But for now, enjoy!

Hermione knew, she knew as soon as the counter-spell had changed her appearance, what the out come would be. But know did not make her any more prepared for the results.

As Hermione struggle to find the breath that had left her body during the spell work she glanced around the room. No one was moving. Even Kingsley stock like a statue staring at the table in disbelief.

It was one thing to have a suspension, or even a knowledge of something. It was something else all together to see the evidence sitting in front of you, staring you down, as if daring you to challenge its right to being.

While Kingsley's reaction was somewhat unexpected it was Dolohov's that threw her for a loop. He was crying. There on his face were tears that glistened in the light. A show of emotion that she would have never thought to see on the mans closed face. It was a stark reminder that, despite his crimes, he was indeed human.

Finally finding her breath again she finally broke the silence.

"Bloody hell!" The cry was reminiscent of Ron. So much so she burst out in a manic laugh. Fuck. Ron and Harry. How as she supposed to tell the boys about her new found heritage. How do you break to someone that everything you thought you knew about yourself was wrong.

The laughter quickly turned to sobs. Soon she was sitting with her back against the wall, head between her knees, trying to catch her breath again as the tears were pouring in rivulets down her cheeks.

Kingsley had finally broken from his shocked stance after being startled by Hermione's exclamation. He looked to her as he watched a rapid succession of realizations hit her before she crumpled to the ground.

Acting quickly he moved to sit next to her to provide as much comfort as he could. Glancing toward the convict he saw the struggle on his face as he tried to decide what to do.

Comforting distraught women was never one of Antonin's strong suits. So when he saw his newly discovered daughter fall to the ground in a wet mess he didn't quite know how to handle it. It was odd seeing another man act fatherly towards his daughter.

It made his heart ache for the lost time his actions had taken from them. It should have been him comforting her. Instead he was chained to the table in front of them, wearing the grey uniform of a criminal.

The loss of Alana had been hard. Almost impossible to bear. But, to sit there, as another tried to calm his weeping flesh and blood and realize that he was the cause for her anguish, it was humbling.

Hermione finally seemed to get herself under control. Breathing in deeply she gave Kingsley a weak smile. Gathering her strength she pulled herself back up and looked between the two men. And in a calm and unwavering voice.

She asked "What now?"

Both men looked slightly uncomfortable unsure on what to say.

"What do you mean Hermione?" Kingsley broke the silence.

"What does this change? How does the effect me, us?" Unsure of what to say everyone remained quiet.

It was Dolohov who spoke this time. His voice cracking slightly.

"I think, that for now, we keep this quiet. There are some things that we need to go over Ailia, but now is not the time to do so. It has been a dramatic day and I think we are all emotionally spent. You're 19 right now, correct?"

Her brows furrowed in confusion, but she still answered. "Just turned 20 a couple months ago, I had a time turned in my third year. It aged me slightly."

Nodding with an impressed look on his face he mumbled "Right, in September, we still have time then."

"What?" She was surprised that he remembered the day she was born. Every little piece of information that he should not know was a jab to her heart. As much as she hated what he was and what he had done, these bits of information were confirmation that once upon a time he had once been "daddy" to her. She had always been a daddy's girl and it hurt to think that, that was once Dolohov.

"Nothing to concern yourself with today. I think we have had enough revelations for the week." He stood with an air of authority, one Hermione didn't have the energy to fight. "You will come back next week. We have much to go over and not much time to do so."

With those final words he knocked twice on the wall next to the door he had entered from. A guard came to collect him. He turned to face her before leaving.

"There is much that I have to atone for, and I hope you will give me the opportunity to do so, Ailia." With that he quickly exited the room one guard in front and another behind him.

"Kingsley, he is right its been a long day and its only noon." The handsome man nodded, the lines on his face making him look as if he had aged years just from this conversation alone.

"I agree Hermione. We should adjourn for the day. You have a lot to decide from here on. And I have a feeling that whatever he has to tell you next week will just add to our stress." With a feeling of dread falling to the pits of their stomach from his last words they left the prison.

"I'll see you on Monday, Hermione. Go home. Get some rest. And if you need some time off just let me know. I will take care of it for you." After nodding her acknowledgment Kingsley gave her a long hug before grabbing the portkey.

Before grabbing the item Hermione looked back at the prison one last time where she saw a lone figure standing at the window of their cell.

With chills trembling down her spine she grabbed the portkey and felt it pull her back to the ministers office. Giving one last farewell to Kingsley she tossed the Floo powder into the fireplace and flooed directly home deciding that she needed a large glass of wine, some chocolates, and maybe a bath to calm her nerves. Maybe she would invite Ginny over, a little girl talk might help her take her mind off of everything.