Hermione glanced around the busy muggle street. A smile pulled at her lips as she recognized some of the shop names, though others had changed in the years since her last visit.

Her parents had been with her then...but that was before. Before the war, before they were obliviated. Before she had been obliviated.

She huffed lightly and crossed her arms tightly around herself. The slip of a smile vanished.

Draco's eyes left the bookshop he had been studying to raise an eyebrow at her.

"Are you okay?"

Her frown deepened.

"Would you quit asking me that?"

His lips formed a tight thin line in response.

Draco lead the way from one shop to the next, but it did not seem to have the effect he had wanted. She just could not seem to find the same enjoyment in any of it as she had as a child.

Back then, all this had seemed so magical, if you'll pardon the expression. She had followed her parents from one wonderland to the next, purchasing quite a few novels and, to her surprised delight, a handful of sweets! Both of which she would have devoured by the end of the night. It had been perfect.

But, then, most of her family outings had been. Her parents made sure of that, dotting on her without spoiling. Always giving her the appropriate amount of attention and care while teaching her the lessons she would need in life...she missed that. More than she could put into words.

She dug her nails into her arms, needing the pain to block out the sudden wave of defeat.

If she could not fix their memories while she had her own, what luck did she have now?

She brushed wetness from her eyes. Draco, walking in front of her, did not seem to notice. In fact, he seemed very focused on the route they were taking.

She counted it as a blessing and kept her feelings to herself, following quietly behind.

"Do you remember anything?" Draco asked as they turned next to a music shop.

"No," she snapped. "Nothing new to report."

He nodded, looking away, but not before she noticed the lines crinkling up his forehead.

She sighed and brushed a bundle of hair behind her shoulder. She knew none of this was his fault. It was just so easy to target him for her anger.

"I'm sorry, okay?"

He turned to her in surprise. "You're sorry?"

Hermione quit walking, choosing to stand under a lamppost and allow the foot traffic to move around them. He moved in closer, shielding her from those walking past.

"Hermione, you have nothing to be sorry for."

She shrugged, not really believing him. "I know you keep hoping something will trigger a memory or spark a bit of familiarity into me. And I know this was originally my idea to begin with. It's just that nothing is seeming to pan out like we had hoped."

He took a step closer and she looked up. He looked like he wanted to reach out, to touch her, to pull her close. She wondered if she would let him, dare he try it. Part of her wanted him to. To be held in such a comforting way in this familiar place. She almost longed for it.

Instead, he moved away.

"Come on," he told her, looking over his shoulder. "There's still something I want to show you."

~*~*~*~

"No."

The word was out of her mouth before she finished reading the plaque.

Draco quirked an eyebrow. "You have to."

Her eyes widened dangerously. "I do not have to do anything," she retorted.

He simply shrugged.

"Sister Hilda is expecting us. We have never been late to an appointment before. You've made sure of it." He added the last little bit with a smirk.

Hermione fought the urge to shriek at him, to curse him, to run in the opposite direction.

"Sneaky slippery Slytherin!" She muttered under her breath as she moved past him up the walk.

"There's the Gryffindor passion I've come to love."

She gritted her teeth and ignored him as he followed behind.

The building was modest for its size. Grey trim, light blue exterior, a white door framed by small windows. A large, white privacy fence blocked the back from view (as well as a few warding spells, she speculated) but they could hear laughter and squeals of playing children.

Draco rang the doorbell when they reached the stoop.

"So this wizarding orphanage just happens to be off the street from a childhood holiday spot of mine?" Hermione asked as they waited for the door to open.

"Hmm." Draco peered at the window to their left, obviously avoiding looking at her.

Before he could say more, the door swung open to reveal a tall, plump witch dressed in dark purple robes with light pink designs. Her vivid red hair was piled on top of her head with loose colorful threads.

"Draco! Hermione! So wonderful to see you both!"

She swallowed Draco up in a hug. Hermione watched, stunned, as the woman released him and turned to her.

Thankfully, she only nodded, a soft smile adorning her lips.

"I understand you don't recognize me anymore, Hermione. That is all well. Memory spells are a nasty business after all."

The woman bowed deeply, reminding Hermione of an actress after a performance.

"I am Sister Hilda!" She uprighted herself with ease. "A pleasure to meet you again, dear."

"The pleasure is mine," Hermione answered automatically. She threw Draco an astonished look.

He simply smirked and raised an eyebrow, daring her to challenge this place. She turned back to...Sister Hilda.

"This -" Hermione gestured to the building. "- is an orphanage?"

Sister Hilda nodded solemnly.

"The muggles think it's a daycare for unruly children," she explained calmly. "Anytime they try to approach us, they suddenly realize it would not work for their child and move on."

A crooked smile stretched onto her face. "I find that a loud, obnoxious woman at the front door sends many scurrying away also."

Hermione's eyes widened.

Hilda merely laughed.

"My dear, I am very much aware what a sight I am. You, yourself has told me such, stating that this spell or that enchantment would work much better."

She lowered her voice in a mock whisper. "But between the two of us, I enjoy setting people off a bit, hmm?" She winked.

"Now then, come along inside." Sister Hilda moved aside to usher them through the door. "Agatha has been informed of your visit, but I thought it would be nice for us to speak as she finishes her studies."

Hermione glanced around as she followed the older witch.

The inside was decorated in dark brown trim with light baby blue walls. Many photos of different children waved at them from their frames. Some were racing broomsticks, others playing wizarding chess, and others sitting around a radio. One little girl, alone in her frame, simply smiled, looking up at the camera with a shy smile.

Hermione stopped and watched the girl. Her smile grew at the sight of Hermione but, like all pictures do, remained silent.

Draco and Hilda paused, glancing back with equally curious faces.

"That, my dear, is your little Agatha," Sister Hilda informed her softly.

Hermione stared. Slowly, she raised a hand and touched the glass. The girl beamed. A fuzzy warmth tugged at the back of Hermione's mind. Her breathing caught in her throat.

Then it was gone, replaced by an empty coldness that left her shivering. She turned from the picture.

Draco and Hilda shared a look before walking down the hall again.

"Draco," Hilda called behind her shoulder. "Why don't you finish telling Hermione how you found us, hmm?"

Hermione was taken aback. The witch had been listening to them on the stoop!

Hilda glanced at her. "Security spells, my dear. One can never be too careful when caring for a houseful of children."

Hermione supposed that was true, but she still felt a bit irked at being eavesdropped on.

Draco cleared his throat and shook his head silently. A conversation for another time, perhaps.

"You showed me this place shortly after we began looking around at agencies," he began, as instructed. "We were vacationing nearby in Picaknees, the magical community of this area, when you realized where we were. You insisted we come to your muggle holiday location, despite my lack of interest."

At this, Hilda giggled. Draco ignored her interruption.

"We walked the streets and went through the shops -much like today, only happier- but you said we had to keep going." His brows drew together. "It almost seemed as though you were drawn to this place."

He glanced at Hilda as if this were his first time coming to that conclusion. Maybe it was.

"Is that possible?"

Hilda turned at an archway leading into some sort of dining room. Unlimited knowledge seemed to twinkle in the woman's eye as a patient smile pulled at her lips.

"A mother always knows the path to her child," she answered solemnly.

Hermione was not sure what to say. She was not a mother yet. And, besides, if that were true, wouldn't her own mother find her way back fo her?

Hilda met her eyes and held her gaze.

"Your magic recognized Agatha as your's. You shared the same thirst for knowledge, hunger for life, longing for companionship. But, also, the same love that gives you strength. By all accounts, other than blood, this girl is your child."

Draco stared in wonder at Hermione but she did not notice. Her thoughts were all over the place, filling her head like maniactic pixies.

Hilda waved them forward.

"We can discuss more later. Right now, let us speak about the situation keeping your family apart."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hi, guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. There is more drama waiting in the next one. Please, let me know what you think!

Author's Note:

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Harry Potter series. Those rights belong to JK Rowling. I am only borrowing her beautiful creations.