The story of the Dark Lord's daughter.
Hello everyone, this is the reworked/ edited version of the story that was called: 'Hermione, the dark lords daughter.'
As stated in the last chapter posted of that story, this will become the new version and only version of the story to be updated.
With help from my amazing new beta: Ydanae, this story has now been completely edited and is being rewritten chapter by chapter,
to hopefully make it the best it can be.
I own nothing, maybe a few plot points. Everything recognized belongs to J. K. Rowling and her universe.
Chapter 3:
The first day of classes.
My night wasn't the easiest. I tossed and turned, and I don't think I got any decent amount of sleep. My mind kept replaying the conversation I had with the boys the previous evening, wondering how today was going to go. I woke up to the sounds of the girls' voices. I drew the curtains back and saw all the other girls were still in bed as well. They were discussing hair styles and makeup styles, what colours suited each other and whether it looked natural enough to get passed Professor Snape.
"What colours do you normally wear Cali?" Millie asked interestedly as she noticed I had drawn back my curtains.
"I've never really bothered with makeup before. I'm not really sure what colours work for me." I answered her slightly on edge.
All of the girls obviously heard this comment because they quickly jumped out of their beds and crowded round mine holding various bags full of different types of makeup. The girls held up different colours of blusher and foundation. "Are you sure you don't mind?" Millie asked, before any of the girls touched me.
"I'd really appreciate the help guys. This is all really new to me." I told them as I got out of the bed and perched on a chair.
Pansy smiled and it actually looked like a friendly smile instead of a questioning one. "I think my skin tone is closest to Cali's so we let's try my foundation first." She announced.
Thirty minutes later, all four girls in my dorm had finally finished messing around with makeup, on me as well as themselves.
"Are you ready to see?" Tracy said as she hid a mirror behind her back. The others were all smiling and giggling.
"Yes please." I answered and Tracy brought the mirror in front of me. Taking it off of her, my hands were shaking slightly. I couldn't help feeling slightly nervous. As I looked into the mirror I realised I had no reason to be worried. They had done an amazing job enhancing the natural good looks that I had inherited from my genes without looking overly made up. "Thank you so much guys. I could never have done this by myself" I smiled at them. For once I didn't feel self conscious because my teeth were straight instead of the bucked ones I had been used to. I wondered if this is what it was like to have proper friends. I debated telling them all the truth at this moment, but decided to wait a little bit longer.
Millie headed over towards her own bed to sort her curls out. "Cali? How do you get your hair so smooth? Or is it natural?" She asked as she dragged a brush through them.
"It's natural actually, but I do like experimenting with it." I answered, fondly remembering some of the hairstyles me and Aunt Cissa had played with over the summer.
Once the five of us had finished playing around with our hair and make-up and finally got dressed for class, we made our way down to the common room, where we were joined by Drake and his friends. We decided, the night before, that we were all going to go to breakfast as a group. It had been suggested that it would show the rest of the school that we were a united front. I knew that it was bad that I felt this way, but I was actually proud and happy to have a group of friends that had my back, the way I was going to have theirs.
"Wow Cali you look amazing!" Draco stated, when he saw me come down the stairs with the rest of the girls. His jaw almost dropped.
I half smiled at Draco chuckling softly. "I've got Pansy and the rest of the girls to thank for that, they helped me"
"It wasn't a problem Cali." The girls said almost in unison as we made our way downstairs to breakfast.
The great hall was practically silent as we entered. I grabbed a seat in between Pansy and Millie. Draco sat opposite us. Professor Snape was walking up towards the head table, stopping to give out schedules to students. He gave out the schedules to our group. "See you all after breakfast. Do not be late!" He said as he continued walking. We all compared schedules and as predicted, near enough all of our classes were shared with the Gryffindors.
A short while later I was laughing with my new friends when I heard someone walking up behind me. I saw Draco's face change.
"Oi, Lestrange. We need to talk to you." I heard Ronald's voice behind me. I slowly turned round to see Ron stood with Harry. Harry looked really uncomfortable. I stood to face them.
"Please don't talk to me in that tone of voice Ron" I said quietly, hoping not to bring too much attention to myself.
Ron's eyes lit up as he was thinking. "Oh haven't you told you precious new friends who you are, you little traitor." He said chuckling with glee.
"Her name's Caitlyn, Weasley. Now leave us before you miss breakfast all together" Pansy said standing up next to me.
"Yeah, look at all the spare food on the Gryffindor table because you're standing here bugging our new student." Millie said laughing but also standing next to me.
I felt overwhelmed, I'd known these girls less than 24 hours, and already they had my back.
"Girls!" Ron said interrupting them. "This traitor is actually Miss Hermione Granger! Muggle-born and Gryffindor!" He said before walking off.
I felt myself pale, I turned to look at Pansy and Millie before sitting back down. I dropped my head into my hands. After a minute or two of silence within the group, I finally dared to look up at the faces of those sitting around me.
"Is it true?" Millie asked.
Before I had a chance to answer Pansy got into my face. "Are you here spying on us Granger? Trying to see what's happening in the snake pit?"
"That's not what's going on, I promise. Please let me explain." I told the girls quickly while getting up.
"Pansy, Chill. Let the girl talk." Draco said in my defense, seeing the anger in Pansy rising.
Pansy glared at Draco. "You knew! You knew and didn't tell us?! So much for being our friend." She snapped. "Explain then Granger." She said minutes later sitting down.
I sat back down again and explained the previous summer to them all quickly but in great detail. "So yes, I am Hermione Granger but I'm also Caitlyn now, that's the real me. I promise you. I wanted to tell you all this morning but I'm still trying to adapt to my new life."
Millie smiled and hugged me. "Thank you for telling us now. This must be really hard for you."
Pansy's eyes narrowed. "So you've cut ties with the muggles and Gryffindors?" She asked.
"I'm just trying to juggle my life right now. After Ron's action's it's obvious that we are no longer friends. I haven't decided what I'm doing yet, I'm guessing that all of my old friends hate me now after Ron's gone round spouting lies. I promise you, I'm grateful for you guys' friendship and I don't want to ruin that." I tell them. "Please give me a chance. You liked Caitlyn, please don't let the fact that I didn't know who I was until now affect that."
Suddenly Tracy looked up at me. "Pan… We've got the smartest witch of our generation, right here! Think of the benefits we're going to get!" She said, her eyes wide. "Pan, cut her some slack! Give her a chance."
At that minute, I was worried. I noticed that all the girls took their cues from Pansy. None of the boys spoke, but Draco caught my eyes and gave me a slight smile. I knew that he had my back.
"Fine." Pansy said, rolling her eyes. "Cali, since you never really were one, we will let the fact you were a mudblood slide. You're one of us now." She stated and I breathed a small sigh of relief, as did the rest of the girls.
The rest of breakfast was easy and calm. We all continued laughing and joking. I felt at ease now that they knew my secret. I was slightly worried at how many more people Ron was going to tell though.
xxx
Filing into the Potions classroom for our first class of the day all my friends took their seats, keeping the seating plan from the previous year. Stopping by the door, I wondered where I should sit. My old seat was with Harry and Ron. As far as I could remember there were no spare seats within this classroom. I felt the Gryffindors shove past me to get to their seats before Professor Snape entered. All the while I stood still by the door.
"Traitor!" I heard a voice in my ear as Ron pushed passed me roughly. Heading towards what should have been our table.
"Hi Harry, Hi Ron." I answered, trying to sound as normal as I could. I couldn't be asked for another fight, but I wasn't going to be out rightly rude to them.
"What do you want traitor?" Ron said, raising his voice to me. The whole class turned and looked over at us.
I saw Severus had entered the room out of the corner of my eye, silently asking if I was alright. I surreptitiously nodded to him. I quickly dropped my bag at the last remaining seat, which happened to be right next to Draco. Well it probably wasn't by accident the only available seat.
"I'm not a traitor, Ronald." I replied calmly, trying to make him understand. Didn't he care that I was happy? Didn't he understand how miserable all the thoughts about my biological family had made me over the years? Couldn't he be happy I now finally had answers?
Severus had started to write today's instructions on the board, so I began making notes and checking my supplies. As I grabbed my cauldron, and started setting up my station I heard Ron start again.
"Your name's Lestrange, your family is evil! You have joined them, you're one of them Hermione!" he said, looking hurt and angry.
I kept calm, getting angry would not help them understand. "I'm not just Hermione anymore." Harry looked at me. "I'm also Caitlyn now. Please can't you be respectful of that?" I asked them, as I began prepping my ingredients, taking some of my anger out while crushing my moonstone into a fine powder.
Severus was walking around the classroom and stopped by our table. "Five points each for talking in class Mr. Potter and Weasley. And another five for distracting a pupil working." He growled out as he walked away.
"Why's Malfoy so calm with it?" Harry asked once he thought Severus was far enough away that he wouldn't hear. "He hated you Hermione. He bullied you relentlessly for two years. He called you a mudblood, it's because of him you found out what that word means and now you're all close to him. That really hurts. I just don't understand."
As I continue working on my potion, the memory of Draco and I meeting for the first time as cousins washes over me.
"Thank you Aunt Cissa. I thought Uncle Lucius would throw me out, when he saw me in your beautiful home." I said to my Aunt, slightly embarrassed at saying such things about her husband. It was odd calling her that, even though she had taken it well. I think she had taken it the best out of all of us. She had been ready to have me home for years.
"He wanted to. Then Severus explained that you were our little Cali, and he calmed down a bit. It was really hard on him when you disappeared. I think he just had some trouble reconciling that little girl with you." She replied as Lucius walked in, and sat next to me.
He greeted his wife before turning to me. "Are you alright?" He asked me.
"I guess so. It's still a little hard to take in and I'm not looking forward to telling Draco. He hates me." I was telling the truth. It was unnerving to have everything turned so irrevocably upside down.
Uncle Lucius smiled. "Don't worry about that. I've already spoken to Draco. He understands that you are not the Mudblood he was led to believe. He's already promised me that he won't cause you any intentional harm. He understands how special you are to this family."
"Thank you, what did you say to him?" I asked, wondering what could have persuaded the usually obstinate Draco.
"I told him that you were a very special girl, that you were his aunts and the Dark Lord's daughter. He would not accept it, so I got Severus to tell him. He believes us now. He wants to talk to you, I think he may even apologize for past behaviour." Uncle Lucius said.
"Thank you. If you don't mind, I'll go find him now." I got up and walked to the room identified to me as Draco's. I knocked and walked in.
"Hi," I said carefully watching for his reaction.
"Morning Granger." He spat, narrowing his eyes, but watching me carefully.
"I'm not Granger anymore Malfoy!" I snapped back giving as good as he did.
"Sorry. What's your new name then?" He asked offering me a chair, keeping his eyes on me, still suspicious.
I sat down. "Caitlyn, Caitlynl Lestrange. I'll call you Draco if you call me Cali?" I propositioned.
He nodded. "Alright. I always knew you couldn't have been a Mudblood. You were way too powerful."
I laughed.
"What?" Draco asked.
"I always knew you felt threatened by me!" I said as he scowled at me, however after a minute he laughed as well. I could tell that Draco and I were going to get on great.
Over the following weeks we really bonded, he taught me how to place wizards chess and I showed him my study plans and how to maximise his potential in school. Quite often over the course of the summer, Draco and I could be found hanging out.
"Harry, see, she really is a traitor! She's friends with Malfoy." Ron said with spite in his tone that I'd never heard before.
I kept my eyes focused on the board, reading the next step to the potion I was preparing.
Severus was prowling round the potions classroom; he heard what Ron was saying and raised his eyebrows at me.
"For once in your godforsaken life Ronald, will you shut up?" I hissed at him.
I sprinkled the powered moonstone into my potion and stirred it for the recommended ten minutes before it was done. I put some in a flask and took it up to Severus after I labelled it. I passed it to him, with a scowl upon my face. He smirked as he took the, near perfect, potion from me.
"Are you ok?" He asked.
"I'm fine." I replied short and tempered.
"You don't look like it" He responded, sounding calm.
"It's Ron's fault!" I replied, snapping.
"Why now?" He looked unimpressed with Ron, as usual when he heard his name.
I felt the tears threaten to drip off of my cheeks. "He's calling me a traitor, because apparently I've turned to the dark side."
Severus chuckled. I looked up at him to see him smiling slightly.
"Let him think that, Cali. This is the time that you'll see who your real friends are." He said wisely.
"You are so annoying Professor." I gave him my best sassy face.
"I believe I told you to call me Severus, no-one can hear us." He replied equally annoyed.
"Severus, Thank you." I told him sincerely.
Looking at me quizzically he asked "What for?"
I looked at him with a blush creeping on my face. "For being there."
Once I again I could hear and see the smirk on his face. "Not a problem. I need to stop talking now; I have a class to teach."
"Yeah, full of dunderheads, well bar me and Drake." I replied.
"You said it, not me." He had the audacity to wink at me, right here in front of my old Gryffindor friends, as he said it.
"You stupid boy!" Severus yelled at Neville when a small explosion sounded through the classroom. "You added the wrong ingredients didn't you?"
The Gryffindor nodded pitifully, looking as though he was about to cry.
I shook my head at Severus to let it go when he looked at me. I began to tidy up my part of the desk, ignoring the daggers being stared into my back by the ginger behind me.
Next class was Defense of the Dark Arts, with another new teacher this year. Professor R.J Lupin. I hoped he was going to be better than the last teacher we had, although that wouldn't be difficult. So when the bell rang I was first on the way, hardly containing my curiosity.
I was on one of the staircases when someone came up behind me and pushed me down. With a muffled shriek, I felt myself toppling. Thankfully, I only fell a few steps, but my skin was sure to bruise and my leg really hurt.
Angrily, I tried to run on my bad leg as I didn't want to miss the start of the lesson.
When I finally got up to the classroom I was beyond late. I opened the door carefully.
The Professor stared at me, evidently puzzled.
"I'm sorry I'm late, professor. I was" I began
"You can tell me after class, Miss Lestrange." He interrupted.
I nodded, relieved I hadn't gotten detention.
After a rather uneventful class of reviewing previous years information, I lingered while my classmates packed up and left.
"Why were you late Miss Lestrange?" Professor Lupin asked.
"I was shoved down one of the moving staircases." I replied, my brow creasing into a scowl.
He looked surprised at my declaration and I detected a faint pity in his eyes. It confused me, few other people in this castle cared, why should he?
"You're free to go, please try not to make it a habit to be late, accidents or not." He said softly.
I smiled at him and quickly made my way over to charms, hoping not to be late again.
I wondered who hated me enough to push me, I didn't really feel like an accident. I sighed, wondering if people really hated me enough that this was going to be my life now.