I updated this to fix some small typos. Also, does anyone know why Spell Check is keep changing Zabini to Zambini? Anyone?
Chapter 3
Professor McGonagall greeted them at the gate. "I took the liberty of arranging a private dinner for you and Draco in my office. He is most eager to learn what transpired at the Grangers."
"Thank you, Professor. I dreaded going to dinner."
"Yes, I expect an evening edition any minute now."
"Professor, can I get a note to Harry. He should hear about the craziness from me."
"Give it some time, my treasure. Life will calm down."
"It hasn't in the last four years, but sure it could happen." She smiled to prevent any sting from her words. She hugged Lucius lightly, "Thank you for you patience."
He returned her embrace. "In the coming days you will surely be giving me yours."
Hermione pondered his words as she followed McGonagall to her office. Being the father of a teenage girl would be different from being the father of a son. Completely the other side of the fence on some issues. She wondered when he would question her on her relationship with Viktor. She wondered if her new family would affect things. Viktor's behavior bordered on formality at almost all times. They exchanged a few kisses, and often held hands while wandering the grounds. But both agreed to simple enjoy being together. She wondered if her birth parents would understand. Don't go borrowing troubles, Hermione. You have enough as it is.
Draco flipped through a magazine while he waited rather impatiently. He tossed it aside and leapt to his feet the moment she entered the room. "How did it go? Were they involved?"
Hermione blinked back tears. "I don't really want to go into everything right now. Long story short, they suspected things might not have been completely legal, but could never confirm anything. But they weren't overly surprised. To avoid a custody hearing Lucius offered them an obscene about of money. To protect them he made leaving the country a condition. They took it." She sat down at the table. McGonagall flicked her wand to uncover the plates. Hermione picked up her fork and began slowly moving the food about her plate. "I think the Ministry might obliviate them." She hated the thought. Just because she felt hurt by them, didn't mean she never wanted to speak to them again. A tear escaped to run down her cheek. "Sorry." she mumbled. Draco quickly changed the subject.
"Mother tried to get the Daily Prophet to hold off the big reveal until tomorrow, citing your privacy. They countered by pointing out the numerous international students who might receive their own publications."
"Oh, my note to Harry. Professor, he's acting like an idiot, but still, I should tell him first." McGonagall handed her stationary and a quill.
"Not Weasley?" Draco questioned.
"Ronald's current behavior is only acceptable if one is a primate from the Arabian area of Africa." She laughed at Draco's confused blinks. "He's behaving like a baboon. Do keep up, brother mine." McGonagall summoned Dobby to deliver the note to Harry.
Harry Potter entered the Great Hall behind Ron. The redhead finally seemed over his initial anger at Hermione's secret. He maintained that Hermione started the fight by keeping secrets, she needed to be the one to apologize. Harry caught his phrase 'she should apologize.' Not first, but like she was the only one behaving badly. Currently, Ron ranted about the Cannons chances of coming from
behind to take the Cup. Ron and the Cannons were the only ones who thought it could happen. Honestly, maybe only Ron. A glance at the table told him Hermione hadn't arrived yet. Given Ron's vicious comments lately it might be for the best. Dobby's pop of arrival caused Harry to jump. "Ah!"
"Apologies, Harry Potter. Dobby not meaning to frighten the great Harry Potter."
"Not frighten, Dobby, just surprised."
"Dobby told to deliver this to the great Harry Potter."
He took the note. "Thanks, Dobby." The elf popped away. Harry kept trying to get the elf to call him Harry, or at least just the great Harry, and leave off the Potter. So far he had failed miserably. He resumed walking while he opened the note. His steps faltered as he read.
Harry,
Not sure you care, but, I wanted to beat the reporters. I am the Eze Baby. Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy are my birth parents. We intend to get to know one another and become a family.
Hermione.
Malfoy, Hermione was a Malfoy. Harry joined Ron at the table. He stared down at the table. Hermione was a Malfoy. They were going to work together to become a family. Soon she'd be sneering at everyone and calling others mudbloods. She'd look down on the Weasleys for being poor and Lupin for being a werewolf. Thank Merlin no one knew where Sirius was. That way she couldn't give him up as a way to curry favor.
The beating of owl wings broke him from his thoughts. The Daily Prophet special evening edition was about to tell the world.
Eze Baby Found- Hidden in Plain Sight It mocked him from across the table. Exclamations of surprise erupted throughout the Great Hall. Hermione Jean Granger, muggleborn know-it-all was actually pureblood Celeste Olivia Malfoy. The reporter praised the decision to honor both pasts by combining her two names. From now on she would be Hermione Celeste Malfoy.
Harry flinched at the pure rage on Ron's face. The redhead shredded a copy, ripping through Hermione's image with a vengeance. Neither said a word. Ron began angrily shoveling food into his mouth. Harry's appetite disappeared. He half listened the to gossip racing through the hall. Excited voices gushed about the fairy tale ending.
The missing princess found hidden amongst the peasants. The royal family weeping with joy, while no one mentions the peasants left behind. Selfishly, he wished the anonymous source had kept his damn mouth shut. Then his best friend would still be his best friend not the enemy. He picked at his plate until Ron finished eating. "Where's the princess then?" he sneered.
"I don't think she's back yet. Malfoy's still missing as well."
Thankfully Ron let the matter drop.
On Saturdays most students slept in. Hermione often got up early to enjoy the solitude. She enjoyed leisurely nibbling on breakfast while reading. No one interrupting with bookworm comments or last minute homework emergencies. Maybe Viktor could escape for a bit and they could go for a walk on the grounds. Grabbing her favorite book, she slipped down to breakfast. The silence of the castle made her feel free. A small smattering of students sat scattered across the tables. Surprisingly, Harry sat alone at the Gryffindor table. Cautiously, she sat nearby. Far enough that he could ignore her if desired, but close enough that no one would question them about it. She fixed a plate and immersed herself in exciting space travel. The colonists had just arrived at the new planet when owls swooped in to deliver the post.
Having learned her lesson, Hermione tested the letters for curses and used levitation to open them. After perusing them, most ended up vanished. She kept one of two from people claiming to be distance relatives, noting to ask Draco about them. She grinned at the thick envelope from Narcissa. She had just broken the Malfoy seal when a large horned owl deposited a package in front of Harry before
dropping off a letter for her. Harry opened his box, read the note and quickly grabbing the box departed. She shrugged and opened the envelope.
Cousin!
How amazing to discover the brilliant little witch that rescued me from a fate worse than death or marriage is my missing relative. Oh, Kitten, how horrifying this must seem. But, welcome to the family! I promise it will be okay. Lucius make act like a poncy git, but he adores your mother and worshiped you. Only redeeming quality he has, really. Keep an open mind.
And since you are the oldest of your generation of Blacks- tag, you're it. As of this morning YOU are my heir, with all rights therein. Have fun with it. Take some risks. Break some rules. Shake them up, kitten.
Cheers!
Snuffles.
Hermione shook her head laughing at his written antics. Maybe she would discuss the heir thing with Viktor later. Telling Draco felt like a betrayal of Sirius. He was still a wanted criminal. She wondered if she could use her new family ties to do something about getting him a fair hearing. She would have to write Lucius and Narcissa.
Harry raced outside, running to a secluded part of the grounds. His note from Sirius only said, Hold it up and say my name. The package contained a small mirror. He pulled it from the protective wrapping, "Padfoot." He grinned ear to ear.
Sirius's face appeared. "Hey, Pup!"
"These are brilliant, Pads."
"Yeah, they belonged to your dad and me. Used them to talk during detentions and school breaks.
"This is so much better than letters."
"I agree. So, how's training for the third task?"
"I'm trying to, have a lot of school work, you know."
Sirius chuckled, "Kitten got you on a tight schedule then?" Harry's smile faded. "How's she handling all this?"
"She seems okay."
"Harry, sometimes you have to push your friends to talk. Like she does for you. Don't accept her platitudes. Push until she breaks down and screams at you. She needs it. She needs someone safe to break down with."
"She has Viktor Krum."
"A boy she barely knows, no matter how close they seem, is no replacement for a best friend. Especially everything you three have been through."
"We, um, we aren't talking right now." Harry admitted in a quiet voice.
"Why?" Sirius's tone hardened.
"Ron blew up at her when she told us she was adopted, they argued, she told me just to pick his side like always, and now she's a Malfoy." The last part bitten off bitterly.
"And I'm a Black." Harry winced at Sirius's flinty tone. "People are more than their family names. She did not morph into a different person overnight."
"She said they are going to try to be a family."
"Good. They are a family. That doesn't mean she will change. Losing her took a lot of the brightness out of the Malfoy family. Her return might open closed off hearts."
"She doesn't want my help. She didn't ask for it."
"HARRY JAMES POTTER!" Sirius thundered, "Friends do not ever have to ask for help or support." He took a deep breath and continued, calmer. "Why did Ron yell at her to begin with?"
"Because Hermione told us she was adopted but never knew."
"That is when, not why."
"I don't know why then."
"What did you do?"
"I, uh, I just stood there. I told her I needed to think about it."
"What could you possibly need to think about in this situation?"
"I don't know. One of my best friends dropped a grenade, and the other one exploded it."
"It isn't your life being turned upside down, Harry. This would be like discovering your parents faked their deaths." Harry stared at him mulishly. "Don't give me that look. You march yourself back into that castle, you find Hermione, and you grovel like your life depends on it."
"Sirius." Harry whined.
"Don't you Sirius me. Friends do not abandon friends. Name me one time Hermione ever left you."
"She told McGonagall about the Firebolt last year. Nearly didn't get it back in time for the game against Ravenclaw."
"That was to protect you from your own stupidity. Try again."
"Well, that is, I can't. She hasn't." Harry hung his head guilty.
"You said she said you always side with Ron. Is that true?"
"Yeah, when he thought Crookshanks ate Scabbers we didn't talk to her for a month."
"Did you talk to her after the Firebolt incident?"
"No, and most of Gryffindor was mad at her because the quidditch team was."
"Has Ron always stood by your side unfailingly?"
"No," Harry said miserably, "he got angry at me when he thought I put my name in the Goblet without telling him how to."
"So, Hermione's been a better friend than either of you deserve? What does that tell you?"
"I need to be a better friend. I need to go apologize and get my best friend back."
"And, Harry?"
"Yeah, Padfoot."
"Right now is about Hermione. She can't support you through this, you have to support her. And, a real friend doesn't make you chose one over the other."
"Thanks, Pads."
"You're welcome. Tell her I said hello and hope she likes her homecoming present." Harry nodded and put down the mirror breaking the enchantment.
Hermione sought out Viktor once she finished eating. He quickly agreed to a walk about the grounds. Hermione wondered at how much this year changed her life. This time last year, hell, at the beginning of the year she would have been self conscious to be walking next to someone like Viktor. An older, good looking boy, one that saw her as more than a walking reference book, and famous to boot. Attending Yule Ball with him made her look at herself more closely. She would never admit it to Lavender or Pavarti, but a little make up went a long way. Her hair remained a lost cause, but jewelry and little touches of make up made her feel prettier than she ever had. Now, she simply walked next to him, no fidgeting, no need to fill the silence, just two friends enjoying each other's company. He allowed her to lead him towards an open area near the Forbidden Forest. A twisted tree root rose up from underground, forming a natural bench. Hermione settled herself on it. Viktor leaned against the tree trunk, bending his right knee, bracing his foot against it.
"Family visit went well?" He asked.
"I suppose. You knew the Malfoys were my birth parents, didn't you?"
"I did. Story very famous, well known in Europe, perhaps even across the world."
"That's why you said keep an open mind. You know how Draco treated me."
"Da, and they are family now. Have to make roads."
Hermione scrunched her face in confusion. "Make roads? Do you mean build bridges?"
"Da." He laughed self consciously.
She smiled, "English is complicated. I'm sure I would make the same mistakes if I learned Bulgarian. I am trying to keep an open mind with them. I'm sure there will be disagreements, and out and out fights." Hermione sighed. She wanted some calm before the coming storm. So, she changed the subject. "Have you given any more thought to which team offer you will accept after this year?"
Viktor's face brightened. "Am thinking Vrasta. Vultures is closest to home. Mama will like best. Though Puddlemere offers more money." He frowned.
"Happiness trumps wealth in my book every time. And just talking about the Vultures makes you happy. I can see it."
"I agree." They conversed about the future, both careful to avoid mentioning the elephant in the bushes. Approaching voices drew them out of their bubble. Draco, several Slytherins in tow, moved in their direction.
"Mila?" questioned Viktor. If she wanted to avoid them he would make sure the younger students stayed away. He wanted her to know she had his complete support.
"Just my brother and a small support team, the least objectionable Slytherins as it were."
"Da, but what do you want?"
"I have to face them eventually, better in a small friendly group than en masse." She shrugged, "Draco will ensure they behave."
Accompanying Draco, were Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, and Tracy Davis. They advanced warily until Hermione beckoned them over, patting the root next to her. Tracy surged forward beating Blaise to the spot. He pouted until Draco elbowed him hard in the stomach. Nott glared at him. Viktor chuckled, shaking his head. Hermione flicked her wand, conjuring a bench for the boys.
"Thanks, sis."
"No."
"No?" Draco scrunched his face confused.
"You may not call me sis."
"Tch, fine. Now, what are we talking about?"
"The socioeconomic principles employed to entreat professional migration from central Europe." Hermione replied primly, fighting to keep from laughing at the horror on Zabini's face. Viktor laughed out loud, a huge grin lighting up his face. Tracy sighed softly at Viktor. Nott smirked at Hermione, while she watched Draco worriedly working out what she said. Laughter bubbled out of her. "Relax, we were talking about Viktor's team offers."
The Slytherins looked eagerly at him, "Deciding which offer better." Zabini opened his mouth, "I have not decided." He steered the conversation onto safer topics, like quidditch standings.
Hermione let such conversation flow past her. She heard so much quidditch shop talk she could follow with little effort. Now might be the perfect time to ask about house heirs. As both Malfoy and Nott were noble houses, surely they knew. For the hundredth time in four years, Hermione lamented the lack of wizard culture classes. "You disagree the Ochoa Maneuver is dangerous?" The question from Nott broke through her thoughts.
"Huh?" Hermione turned to look at him.
"You frowned suddenly and started shaking your head."
Oh, no, just thinking about something I read." Nott cocked his head to the side. "Something about House heirs, like it a was an official position. But there was no explanation or context."
"It is an official position. The heir to a noble house is exactly what it sounds like- the heir, next in line to lead their house. It doesn't have be the eldest son, or even the current head's child. If the head is indisposed they can step in to fulfill the head's duties. Why? Hoping to overthrow Draco?"
Draco smacked Theo upside the head. Everyone laughed. "No, he can keep the job. I don't need it."
"Thank you, sister dear."
"You are welcome, brother mine." The conversation shifted to the upcoming Easter holidays, then the third task. Hermione contemplated Sirius's instructions. Demanding a trial for him and clearing his name would shake things up, and could be fun for her and Harry. She would definitely need to write Lucius.
"I expect over the break Mother will have a welcome home party." He grinned excitedly.
"Oh, joy of joys." Hermione muttered, instantly regretting her snark when his face fell. "Sorry, I just hate all the attention. Like Harry and his 'fame.' Who wants to be famous for getting kidnapped or your parents dying? It would be different if I had done something, or invented something." They all stared at her. "Great, now I've depressed you all."
"Not depressed, more like shamed." Tracy spoke up. "We all see this as amazing, a real life fairy tale. The villain stole the infant princess. Years later after toil and strife she returns to her family and the kingdom rejoices. We got so caught up in the excitement we forget you might not be as excited as we are."
Hermione stared past her pensively, before shifting her focus back. "I think that is a brilliant way to describe this. Thank you. I'm going to steal it for future use."
"Of course, what are friendly acquaintances for?"
"I hope someday we can be real friends."
Tracy looked shocked for a second, but recovered quickly. "I'd like that."
The group enjoyed the morning relaxing in the shadow of the forest. Hermione found herself liking the Slytherins Draco brought with him. With the sun directly overhead, Draco offered Hermione his arm as they moved to head back to the castle. Happily, she took it and allowed him to escort her into the Great Hall. They separated just inside the doors. Impulsively, she kissed his cheek before heading over to the Gryffindor table.
She sat next to Neville, ignoring Ron's glare. She began serving herself while the redhead began spewing his venom. Several students shifted away from him. A few glanced nervously between Ron and Hermione, waiting for her to explode. He exhausted the topic of her deceit and treachery and had started in on her being a Malfoy when Harry snapped.
Harry sat listening to the boy he thought one of his best friends. His face contorted in hate. "Stop! Just stop. Hermione hasn't done anything wrong. She never told us she was adopted- because she didn't know! She can't help who her parents are. And none of this has anything to do with you." Harry looked at Hermione. Her mouth hung open shocked. He smiled hopefully, after a moment she returned it. 'Talk later' he mouthed. She nodded. He turned back to Ron. "She is our friend. For the last four years, she has stood by our sides through all the craziness. She deserves no less from us right now." Harry glared Ron down. The ginger growled and threw his fork onto his plate. Dramatically, he jumped to his feet and stormed from the Great Hall. Hermione watched him sadly, feeling bad for both Harry and Ron.
"Ah, Miss Malfoy."
Bracing herself, Hermione looked across the table at the Weasley twins. "Yes?"
"We want to."
"Make sure you know."
"Not all of us feel like Ronniekins."
"We fear."
"He may have been."
"Dropped on his head too much."
"As a baby."
Hermione laughed at their antics, shrugging. "Sadly, I figured this would be his reaction from the beginning. Really does have the emotional range of a teaspoon, doesn't he?"
Fred frowned, "Still, we're not sure where all this is coming from. The hate, I mean."
"Lucius did slip Ginny Riddle's diary."
"Sure." George replied. "But afterwards he insisted on paying the hospital bills and for her to see the best mind healers. We reckon Ginny was suppose to get caught with a dark artifact and embarrass Dad, not get possessed and almost die." Hermione nodded thoughtfully.
"And the Malfoy hate has been there for as long as I can remember. But it's just Mum and Dad, really more just Mum." Fred looked pensive. "We just don't know why."
"Who knows? Could be some long festering blood feud, dating back so far no one really remembers what started it." Hermione snatched a biscuit off the plate in front of her.
"You'd think, but none of our grandparents or aunt and uncles feel this way."
"Auntie Muriel would sell our souls for an invite to dinner at Malfoy Manor."
"Not her own?"
"Hasn't got one." Fred laughed.
"You know, at this point, nothing surprises me anymore." The twins saluted and left her to finish her dessert in peace.
Assuming Harry's request to talk later meant days later, Hermione headed for the library. She wanted to avoid the possibility of running into Ron in the Common room, but needed to finish next week's essays. She needed to free up time to get Harry back on schedule for training. This close to June he couldn't afford to get sidetracked by her drama or Ron's tantrums. Concentrating, she failed to notice someone slip into the chair across from her, causing her to jump when she noticed him. "Godric's pants, Harry!" she hissed. "Don't do that." She clutched her chest.
"Do what?" He asked smirking mischievously.
"You know what you did."
"Sorry. What are you working on?"
"McGonagall's essay. Have you started it?" Harry looked away sheepishly. "I thought as much."
"Are you almost finished?"
"Only about halfway through."
"Okay, I'll work on mine, and when you finish yours we can go talk."
Hermione's eyes widened in shock, "When I finish? What about yours?"
"I'll finish it tomorrow, or Monday. It isn't due until Friday. You have enough going on without having to do my homework."
"Okay then." Hermione refocused on her essay, wondering what new dimension she had unknowingly entered, and did she want to go home. Occasionally, Harry asked a reference question, otherwise they worked in companionable silence. She proofread her essay three times trying to prolong Harry's productivity. Eventually, though, she set hers aside. "Where did you want to go?"
"Somewhere more private."
"Empty classroom?"
"Won't shut down the rumors of our torrid affair."
Hermione sniffed and threw her hair over her shoulder, "Those are my father's problems now." They both laughed. Together, arms linked at the elbows the two friends made their way out of the library. They settled on the floor in the back of an empty classroom, hidden from view of the door by desks. Hermione cleared the dust with a flick of her wand and conjured cushions to sit on. "All right, what did you want to discuss?"
"First, I'm sorry. You needed support and understanding, instead Ron and I gave you anger and indecision."
"Look at you using big words."
"Ha, ha, ha. Second, how are you? Really?"
"I'm fine, Harry. Don't worry about it. We need to focus on the third task."
"No, you don't. No avoiding this. You don't have to be strong for me. There is no way you're okay with all of this. I mean, the day before he knew anything Parkinson implied you magically altered your chest and Malfoy stuck fruit in his shirt to mock you."
"Yeah, none of them have ever treated me great. But they apologized. What am I suppose to do? Ignore them? Be cold and horrible back? Refuse to meet them halfway? Lucius said we will talk more over Easter break about it."
"No, I get it. They are your family, you need to find common ground. How did the Grangers react?"
The mention of her adopted parents broke the walls Hermione erected against her emotions. Harry wrapped his arms around his crying friend as she sobbed out her anger and pain. The more she tried to stop, the harder she cried. The entire story tumbled from her. "They lied to me! They lied to everyone! My entire life was a lie created so they could network and social climb. Then when I wasn't the social butterfly they wanted I got shunted to the side, ignored in favor of exciting trips and glamorous people. They don't even want a daughter anymore. They wanted to send me to a boarding school for the prestige and to get rid of me! They bought me and once I no longer had value they sold me!"
Harry hugged her harder to his chest, gently rubbing circles on her back. "Hey now, you wanted to keep them from safe from mob justice, and Lucius wanted to spare you the circus of a hearing, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then offering them enough money to drop everything and leave was the best way. And you know the Malfoys only accept the best." Hermione giggled despite herself.
"They probably don't even remember me. Lucius and one of the aurors discussed removing their memories of the magical world to preserve the Statue of Secrecy."
"They don't deserve to remember you." Harry whispered fiercely. Hermione returned his hug. "I'm sorry I was a git, and I'm sorrier Ron is an arse. I am going to be a better friend."
"Thanks, Harry."
He pulled back from the hug. "You're welcome. And," Harry cringed, all ready regretting what he was about to say. "When you're ready to, I want to hangout with you and Malfoy. He's your brother, and I'm not going anywhere. We have to learn to coexist somehow."
"Oh, Harry!" Hermione threw her arms around him. "Thank you, thank you. I can ask Viktor to come as a social buffer, and maybe Tracy Davis. She hung out with us this morning and seems nice."
"Just no Parkinson, please."
"Yeah, that's not going to happen, ever."