I am not sure on who the pairing will be for Hermione yet; I can't choose between my fave ships; it's going to be either Draco, Snape or Kingsley in this one, as Sirius isn't in this story. - if you like Ron or Ginny, you're not going to like this story as I am not nice to them, let alone Molly.

Enjoy the story, guys, and don't forget to comment, like and follow :)


A young woman with curly brown hair and warm chocolate brown eyes that looked tired and warn looked around the hall she was walking along and let out a sigh. She looked at every inch she could with a sad air around her remembering her times in these halls.

Times when school should have been the best time of her life. And yet, from the moment she started school with no friends, only to gain two of the best friends she could have asked for. Did this mean she would have the life she wanted or should have? No.

Because as someone once said to her best friend, "life isn't fair", and boy, he was right. As she and her two best friends were plunged into a battle and were fighting from the age of 11, battling to stay alive, they were forced to grow up before they were ready. And make decisions and sacrifices far beyond their years or beyond what anyone should be expected to do.

She was so distracted with her thoughts and memories of war, blood, death and misery that she didn't hear a voice clearing behind her. Nor did she register her name being called until she felt a hand on her shoulder. Immediately she crouched and pulled her wand out, pointing it at the face of the person who startled her ''Professor! You scared me.'' she said, lowering her wand with a slight blush at the thought of holding her wand on her headmaster.

''Do not worry, Hermione. I should have remembered not to sneak up on a war hero,'' he said with a twinkle in his blue eyes. ''Alas, could you forgive this old man.''

Hermione chuckled and smiled ''of course I can, and I'm sorry, I guess I'm still unsettled.'' she said, frowning a little, wondering if she'd ever be able to have an everyday life where she didn't jump or pull her wand at the slightest movement.

Albus looked at the girl in front of him and was sad she had suffered more than most; in his opinion, she also lost a fair bit in this war. Not only a piece of herself but a part of her soul, the young woman in front of him was no longer the innocent, happy child he once saw. She was broken, but hopefully, she could heal and be fixed in time. ''That is to be expected. It will take time before anyone, let alone you, Mr potter and Weasley, can truly relax.''

Hermione smiled slightly "yeah, although I have to wonder who thought of the saying time is a great healer because, in my opinion, I don't think I believe that. How could any of us truly heal?'' she sighed. ''We will forever be surrounded by memories that can never heal."

She shook her head. "No matter, sorry, headmaster, did you want me for something? I was a little lost in my own world." she chuckled.

Albus sighed, and the twinkle dimmed a little "Not particularly. I was wandering along to go back to my office. I was going to write and ask you to meet me in my office after the feast."

Hermione finally looked up to see where she had wandered. She realised she was in the hallway leading to the headmaster's office. "Didn't realise I walked this far. Is everything okay, headmaster?''

"Albus, please, my dear, you are an adult now, even if you are returning to resit your year. Since you are here early, if you feel up to it, you could come with me to my office instead of later.

Hermione smiled and nodded. "It'll take a little bit getting used to." she said, grinning. "of course I'm free. I may as well apparate here before the others. As id been to my parent's house sorting through their things and meeting solicitors," she said, the pain and hurt showing in her eyes.

"I trust everything went okay," he said softly.

Hermione gave a tight smile. "As well as it could, I suppose. I found a buyer for my parent's practice and sold the house they lived in for a while in Australia. I've yet to decide on the house here. I haven't had a buyer yet." she shook her head, "my parents were buried by our neighbour. I'd left her as an emergency contact just in case. I didn't think It would be needed." she shook her head. "I spoke to my neighbour, gave an excuse to her and went and visited their graves. They had a nice service, from what I was told."

Albus nodded gently. ''come, let us go and have a warm cup of tea before we have that chat.'' he said calmly, leading her away with him to his office. ''Lemon Drop.''

Hermione chuckled ''one-day someone is going to guess your password. They have to mention sweets till they come across the right one.'' she told him ''what about changing it to sugar mice or Marshmallows? You could use some muggle sweet names.''

Albus chuckled. ''I think that is a splendid password; I shall be using that from now on,'' he told her, smiling before he led her up to his office and let her take a comfy seat while he settled himself behind his desk.

Hermione relaxed a little, although she still felt like something was going to happen, and she wouldn't like it. She just had this feeling, so she tried to prepare herself for whatever was coming her way as she watched the headmaster make her a cup of tea and hand it over. ''Thank you.''

Albus chatted to Hermione a little whilst they drank their hot drinks. He wasn't looking forward to telling her what he had to, he wished he could put it off longer, but he knew it was impossible. He had to say to her she had the right to know. He'd promised he just hoped she'd forgive him and allow him and others to help her on this long, tedious, painful journey she was going to be on. ''Miss Granger, Hermione. I have something to tell you, I know it's going to be hard, but I want you to wait till I have finished before you ask me any questions, please, dear, as I'd like to be able to tell you everything and not forget anything.''

Hermione tensed. She knew it. She knew she wasn't going to like it. ''I'm not going to like this, am I.''

Albus sighed. ''No, but I believe in time you'll come to understand if anyone can, it would be you; you're a smart woman Hermione, and you are not alone. Just remember that.''

Hermione raised a brow but nodded ''Okay, hit me.'' she saw the headmaster look confused and shook her head ''Muggle saying, means give me the news. I'm ready.''

Albus nodded ''There's no easy way to say this, Hermione. But you were adopted.'' he stopped and watched her, but she showed no emotion. '

'Your parents were strong people, they were so in love with you, but they knew you couldn't stay with them. You weren't safe. Voldemort was on the rise and becoming powerful. He hated your parents probably more than Harry's parents. He feared your parents, for they were remarkable and powerful people. He tried to kill them many times but failed, and then, the prophecy happened. He went after Harry. He planned on getting rid of you, but your parents hid the fact they were pregnant, and they sadly killed your father, tried to protect your mother and your mother with him, and when they realised they couldn't do anything, they accepted death.''

Hermione was stunned. This was not what she expected, to be honest, she wasn't sure what she expected, but this...this was insane ''I'm adopted, and my parents are dead.'' she repeated, shaking her head, and a crease appeared between her forehead ''Okay, then what happened. I mean, how did I end up with my parents, and who even named me?'' she said, confused. She was in so much pain. She was still recovering from the coma she had been in due to the final battle. She was on many different potions and was supposed to take things easy.

Albus paused for a moment ''Are you okay.''

''I'm in some discomfort, but I'm okay for now. There's nothing I can do yet; I'm not due a pain potion yet,'' she told him, taking a deep breath.

''I helped your mother and father find the Grangers. They approved. They didn't want to place you with just anyone, so they hunted for the perfect couple who they knew would love you until things were safe and they could be with you, but they didn't get to make their wish come true, but they were proud of you. They knew you were going to do great things and were going to be powerful. You were one when they put you into hiding, and then a year later, he killed the Potters, and they died shortly after in a crossfire of death eaters.'' he smiled slightly. ''Your first name is Hermione, but your middle and surname are different. You also have a glamour on you. Not much of one, mind you, but a small one.'' he told her calmly.

''So, what is my full name,'' she said, nervous.

Albus looked at her carefully ''your name is Hermione Anabelle O'Donnel.''

Hermione's eyes widened in shock. Of course, she'd heard of that surname when she had researched the half-blood prince at the time. They were a powerful pureblooded family, direct descendants of Merlin. ''I... I don't feel so good.'' all she could see was darkness followed by silence.

''Hermione.'' came the headmaster's rushed voice as he raced to catch her from falling to the floor and calling for Poppy.


I hope you enjoy the first chapter, I am creating more, but I got a bug for writing again. I've been away long enough. I will be completing the others at some point, but I'm focussing on this one.