Home Away From Home

Arriving to platform 9 ¾ , the Malfoy family readied themselves for Hogwarts. "Remember what we have taught you children." Lucius laid a firm hand on their shoulders.

"Yes Father." They said. They had been through this routine since the previous day. Their mother moved to embrace them as much was appropriate in a public setting. Hermione swore she may have felt a tear drip onto her purple robes.

"Make sure to write, even if it is a simple request for your favored sweets." Their mother pulled away, straightening her robes.

"I promise Mother." Hermione replied.

"If I have the time, I don't want the other heirs thinking I am a pansy Mother." Draco scoffed at the idea he could be seen as anything but important. Laughing lightly, Narcissa led them to a compartment, helping them put their trunks away.

"I will see you during Yule break."

"Of course Mother."

As the train pulled away from the station, both children relaxed just a little. "Hermione, you still havent told me why you and Father went to Gringotts." Draco sat on the bench opposite his sister.

"If it weren't for the fact that Father didn't seem surprised I wouldn't have believed the goblin. You musnt tell anyone Draco. Not even Pansy."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. She knew Draco had a hard time keeping secrets from their friend.

Draco sighed and gave his assurances that he wouldn't tell anyone unless given the green light.

Bracing herself for his reaction, Hermione started. "I am the Heir of Slytherin. This comes from the blood the Dark Lord bestowed upon me during my adoption ritual."

"Very funny sister. If you don't want to tell me then simply say so." Draco looked put out.

"I'm not lying Draco, if you don't believe me then write to father when we arrive at Hogwarts."

Just by this statement Draco knew his sister wasn't lying. Neither of them wanted to be caught in a lie like that by their Father.

At this their compartment door slid open to reveal a redhead.

"Do you mi… Oh never mind, I think I'd rather sit in the hallway than sit with two baby death eaters."

"Weasley, how uncouth. However I suppose I can't blame you, afterall your mother can hardly do anything other than household spells. It'd be remiss of me to think she could teach you proper manners." Draco sneered while Hermione watched quietly from her side of the compartment.

"As if I want to act the way some inbred dark wizard in training does!" Ron Weasley almost yelled, spittle flying from his mouth at the force of his words. "Besides, at least my mother could have her own children. Yours was left with you. Apparently you were such a disappointment she had to steal a baby from muggles."

"What right do you have to speak about our Mother? From what I remember, none of your family was ever invited to one of our balls." Hermione couldn't stand people who talked bad about her Mother. Her Father may have been roped into bad things when he was younger but their Mother was innocent.

"They allow you to speak huh? You know they'll never really accept you. You'll always be filth in their eyes. You really should find better friends."

At this Draco lost his temper. Brandishing his wand in Ronald Weasley's direction had the redhead fleeing the compartment with one last comment.

"Stupid death eater spawn."

The door slammed shut and Draco made sure to lock the door this time. Hermione sighed. Draco laid a hand on her shoulder in support. This wasn't the first time something like that was said about her or her family. Some people found it hard to believe that she was truly cared about by her parents. "Father always said nasty things about the Weasleys, now I understand where he is coming from if they all act like that." Hermione groaned. She wanted a quiet start to this year, after all she was only eleven and she wanted a firm foundation in magic before she tried any power plays.

"It's alright Hermione. You know we all love you." Draco admitted. It wasn't often they expressed their feelings. Emotions could be used against them and the easiest way to combat that was to ensure that no one could tell how they were feeling.

"Let's get dressed in our school robes, we are bound to be arriving soon."

Draco took his things to get changed in the bathroom while Hermione got ready in the compartment. She sat down with a book to read until they arrived at Hogwarts. It was Hogwarts a History, her favorite book. She was determined to know everything she could about where she would stay for the majority of the next seven years. Draco walked back into their compartment with a sneer on his face. Hermione gave a questioning look.

"Potter is on the train. He's sitting with that buffoon Weasley. Weasley sure did sink his hooks into the Potter fortune and fame."

"What else did you expect brother? It's not like he has any hope of making his own money."

"Right you are sister." Draco laughed.

They felt the train slowing and soon were disembarking onto the station at Hogsmeade. Hermione tried to look around before a booming voice startled her. "Firs' years! Firs' years with me!" Standing a few yards away was the biggest man Hermione had seen in her life. Following the man with Draco behind her led them to the shore of a lake. "Four to a boat." Said the large man. Draco helped her into the nearest boat and they were soon joined by their friends Pansy Parkinson and Theodore Nott.

"Draco, we didn't see you on the train. You said you'd find us." Pouted Pansy.

Theo gave a small smile to Hermione. They were used to the way Pansy fawned over Draco.

"Weasley decided he needed to say a few things. No worries though, we put him in his place."

"Oh Draco, I can't believe that blood-traitor thought he could talk to you. He disgusts me. That whole family gives a bad name to wizards."

Suddenly there were "Oohs" and "Awes" resonating through the boats as they rounded the cliffs and got their first view of the castle. Hermione knew this castle belonged to her as the heir of Slytherin. She felt as though she was coming home. She couldn't wait to step foot into the castle.

Docking the boats, they followed the man up to the castle. He banged harshly on a door that was answered by a stern looking witch in green robes. "Thank you Hagrid. I'll take them from here."

"Of course professor Mcgonagall." Came the half giant's reply.

Professor Mcgonagall led them to an antechamber. Hermione could hear what sounded like over 100 people in the adjoining room. Professor Mcgonagall cleared her throat to get their attention. She told them about the houses and house points, what she expected out of them as first years. She soon led them into the Great Hall. Hermione enjoyed telling Draco "The ceiling is bewitched to look like the sky. Do you think Mother or Father could do that to my bedroom ceiling?"

Draco chortled at her but was interrupted by the hall going absolutely silent as the entire hall stared at the old hat Mcgonagall placed in front of everyone. Suddenly the hat ripped open at the brim and sang one of the silliest songs Hermione had ever heard. Gryffindor bravery and Huffulpuff loyalty. Bravery in the face of nothing equated to foolishness and loyalty was useless without a goal or cause to determine where that loyalty lay.

She watched as Susan Bones and Hannah Abott were sorted into Hufflepuff before Draco was called forth. The hat had barely graced his head when it shouted "Slytherin!" Hermione clapped lightly and walked to the stool when her name was called. The hat was placed on her head, blocking her view of the hall.

"Ah, another Malfoy. Oh but look here. You're different. Would you prefer Heiress Slytherin?"

"As long as it stays between us." Hermione thought at him.

"Yes, yes of course. I see your plan here. Only one place to put someone planning to achieve this." It seemed as if the hat took a deep breath before he bellowed "Slytherin!"

Hermione smirked and made her way to her brother's side. Sitting primply next to him she tuned out the rest of the sorting and almost Dumbledore's speech when something he said seemed to strike her.

"The third floor corridor is forbidden to all those who do not wish a very painful death."

Hermione would have been quick to dismiss this as the doddering of an old fool however she knew what her Father always said about the Headmaster. It was never wise to underestimate your opponent. She decided she would keep an ear out for any information regarding the third floor but would stay away unless she felt wisely informed about what lay there. As the Headmaster clapped his hands the plates and platters filled with all kinds of food. Unlike the red haired menace at the Gryffindor table, Hermione made sure to eat with the manners her Mother and Father expected. She listened to the rabble about the table, learning that Mcgonagall was fair and strict yet Professor Snape, her and Draco's Godfather and head of Slytherin always favored his house. Hermione was sure she could use the privileges that came with a Godfather head of house in her later years.

The prefects soon led them to the dungeons and their dormitories. Hermione would be rooming with two other girls, Pansy Parkinson and Daphne Greengrass. Both girls she was well acquainted with due to her Father so she was quite pleased with the arrangement. She got ready for bed saying goodnight to her roommates before closing her bed curtains and lying down for a restful sleep. She would need her energy tomorrow to ensure she did everything to the best of her abilities. She would take no less and did not care for how her parents would react if she was found lacking.