A/N: IM SO SORRY ABOUT THE LATE POST! I really don't have an excuse, but all I can say is that real life got in the way.

A special thank you to taking flight, renowned-warrior, Royan Granger-Nott, viola1701e, Stephanie MRV, CocaColaFanGirl and the two Guests who commented on the last chapter.

Im also happy (and kinda shocked) to announce that Granddaughter of the Dark has reached over 100 reveiws and 300 followers. I honestly this is insane and I'm so, so thankful for each and everyone of you!

As always, enjoy! (And thank you again!)

Chapter 12

Mid August 1997— Present

Hermione ran up to her room once the Aurors left. She slammed her door and warded it against everyone and everyone. She silently prayed to Merlin that those she left downstairs assumed that she was upset and to leave her alone.

The brunette pulled the letters out from under her robes. She fiddled with the delicate red string, closing her eyes before she pulled it free. Hermione spread the letters on her duvet, and at that moment, her future was looking up at her.

The bright pink letter was the first Hermione reached out for, the delicate, smooth writing so familiar to her.

Dear Hermione,

It read.

If you're reading this then I've left the war. With father gone, I cant stay and watch others die. The others might not agree with my choice, but I know that you will, after all, its what's lead you to where you are now.

These letters have been coming since you left, and I don't doubt that they are part of your plan. Whatever it might be… Just promise to be safe.

If you need me, I'll be where the red wind never sleeps. Please don't tell the others where I am and only send for me during emergencies.

I hope you and those you love stay safe. Even if you haven't met them yet, I know that they also wish the same for you.

Best of everything,

Luna

A group picture was attached to the letter. Hermione smiled at the looping picture, watching the innocence play out on the faces of Harry, Ron, Neville, Ginny, Luna and herself. The back read my friends and Hermione felt her heart sink.

Hermione sighed, folding the letter carefully before tucking it back into it's envelope. She slipped the picture under her pillow. She gathered the other letters once by on, opening them and reading them carefully, only a few words from each letter sticking out to Hermione in her desperation to know the content.

We are here— MACUSA

Krum has spoken of you. We wait for your call.— Bolivia

Our boarders are safe. Our wands await you— Spain

Hermione's lips quirked up. She was ready, and soon, they all would be. Hermione quickly penned letter to the leaders of the Wizarding World, thanking them for their support, ensuring them that they would reap the fruits of their loyalty.

Hermione read and reread the letters before sealing them in envelopes. She unwarded the doors and quietly pulled it open. Nagini, who was curled by the door raised her head, flicking her tongue out to taste the air.

"Nagini," Hermione whispered, "Can you take me to the owlrey?"

Nagini nodded, her long, muscular body slowly uncoiling to slither down the hall, looking back to ensure Hermione followed, uncaring that her bare feet slapped along the cold floor.

The manor was quite, the moon light filtering through the windows adding an eerie glow to the already unsettling mansion. Hermione tugged her robes tighter around her, walking faster behind Nagini.

She was thankful when they had finally reached the owlrey. The brick walls of the tower were almost closing in on her, the darkness of the night consuming everything around her. Nagini hissed, bringing Hermione back into the present. She smiled gratefully down at the large snake, and turned to face the dozens of owls that were peering down at her curiously. Hermione called a beautiful Eagle Owl to the wooden perch, tracking it's feathers gently.

"Hi there, pretty boy," Hermione whispered, "Can you please take these to the ministers of Spain, Bolivia, and MACUSA? It's urgent."

The owl gave Hermione an affectionate nip before allowing Hermione to tie on the letters. Once done, the owl hopped off the perch and glided out of the large window.

"You can take me back now," Hermione said to Nagini. And just like that, the two made their way back down.

Nagini stopped almost half way to Hermione's room, turning her head down the perpendicular hallway.

"What is it?" Hermione asked, and when Nagini began to change directions, deciding to go with the yet-to-be explored hallway, the young witch followed.

Hermione cast a soft lumos to guide her path. The glow of torches began to warm the halls, and when Hermione saw Narcissa ad Lucius rush into a bedroom, their eyes manic with concern. Hermione took the opportunity to peer in though the crack in the doorway, but what she saw was something she had never wished to see.

There on the four poster bed laid Draco, limp, pale, and covered in blood. Hermione started to panic, and had she not seen the rise and fall of his chest, she would have rushed in demanding answers. Instead, she watched Narcissa sob over her son, Lucius stroking the hair off of Draco's head.

Hermione leaned in closer, desperate to see more. She was stopped by a strong hand on her shoulder. Hermione whipped her head back, pulling out her wand and jamming it under the perpetrator's throat.

It was Tom Riddle who looked down at her with interest.

"Come with me," He said simply.

Hermione nodded dumbly, following Riddle when he walked down the hall. She only turned back for a moment only catching a glance of Draco before she turned back.

Hermione noted that Nagini didnt follow.

Riddle showed Hermione to his office, opening the door for the young witch gesturing her to go inside. Hermione did exactly that, rushing in with her head bowed. The first thing she noticed, however, was that the room had been destroyed, obvious burn marks of a blasting spell scattered throughout the room. The precious artifacts around the room had been broken, their remains laid slain on the floor.

"What—" Hermione began, her eyes wide.

Riddle shut the door, clearing his throat. "I— was upset at the news of the Malfoy boy's failure," he responded, spitting out Draco's last name.

Hermione froze and when she did speak, her

Hermione's voice came to her strained, "Did you do that?"

Riddle snorted. He crossed the room and rounded his desk, sitting elegantly in his chair, "He would be in worse condition if I had. He arrived like that."

Hermione rushed over to sit on the other side of her grandfather, "why do you hate then so much?"

Riddle's eyes darkened, "they are traitors, Hermione, cowardice traitors."

Hermione cocked her head to the side, her eyebrows drawn together, "I dont understan—"

"Their the reason why I lost your grandmother— Why I lost your mother." Riddle whispered.

Hermione's mouth fell open, closing it only to let it open again. She leaned in closer, but before she could speak, Riddle began, his eyes looking past the young witch.

"I trusted Lucius to guard my wife and daughter, but he believed it was below him to watch over them and because of his pettiness he abandoned them. Jasmin was found a day after he left, dismembered beyond recognition. Your mother was out months later." Riddle's eyes misted over but his mask quickly fell into place, "If I had to pay for degrading a Malfoy with the live of my daughter, Lucius will pay with the life of his son. The Malfoy line will never continue, they end with the son."

Hermione griped the arms of her chair, her knuckles turning white.

"Never trust a Malfoy," Riddle warned, "they will always ruin you."

March 1st 1996,— 6th year

Hermione tried to hold back tears while she walked away from the infirmary. Ron had been poisoned. He was safe and he would be okay, but he was poisoned.

Hermione ran to the Room of Requirement, and when she had been let in, she went on her search for Draco. The brunette found the blond by a large wardrobe, and before she could say anything Draco's head snapped in her direction.

He walked up to her, and she threw her arms around his neck, sobbing into his shoulder.

"Ron was poisoned!" Hermione cried, "He could have been killed if Slughorn hadn't given him the antidote."

Hermione felt Draco's arms wrap around her, his grip tightened when she mentioned poison. "He'll be okay, love," he whispered into her hair, "he lived."

Hermione nodded into Draco's shirt, "who would do something like this?"

Draco stiffened in Hermione's arms, "I don't know,"he rasped.