The Strength Of Our Roots

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and no money as been made out of this.

Chapter 3

Hermione had never felt so nervous. The outcome of the conversation she was about to have would be crucial. In front of her sat Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley. Both boys had an expectant expression.

They had been her friends since the incident with the Troll in their first year. She loved them with all her heart and only hoped they would understand. She didn't want to loose them, but she hopedn to have the chance of getting to know her familly. Or what was left of it. Surprisingly, she didn't felt repulsed by who her parents were, or scared. Hermione only hoped they would feel the same.

"So, what did you want to tell us?" Ronald stared her down from his place, as if he considered himself better than her or as if he knew already her litle secret. Maybe he does... He could have very well told his parents about the incident in class, and then her parents told him the rest of the story.

"I already know what is going on. Dumbledoor told me everything. Please let me finish." she could see in their eyes the many questions. "When I was one year old, I was taken from my familly. The Order is responsible for the all ordeal. They placed me in a muggle familly so that I could be raised diferently from my parents. In fact, I should have been raised by the Malfoys, since my parents are Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange, but I was thought to be dead. The reason I was speaking with Draco it's because he figured out I must be is lost cousin, and he was helping me understand all of this. I'm going to change my name from Hermione Jean Granger to Hermione Morgana Black-Lestrange and I have already claimed my heiritence." when Hermione finished, she was out of breath, both from ansieghty and fear. Also, she prefered not to tell them their families had been directly envolved in it.

The tension was palpable and the trio stayed silent for a long minut. Of course to Hermione it seemed much more time. She saw her friends' faces contorting into an expression of disgust. She felt a twig in her heart, but still hoped for the best outcome.

"A Lestrange. You. You are a Lestrange." Harry's voice was low but full of hate. "Do you know what they did?! They tortured Neville's parents to insanity! Bellatrix is the most loyal follower of Voldemort!" Ron flinched slithly at the name, more of habit than of fear.

"And what fault do I have? I didn't ask them to do it! I was just a baby." she tried to keep her voice calm, searching not to give fuel to the fire raising in their eyes.

"You're their daughter! I'm sure you have been sending messages to Draco all this time about us! That's why you knew what the Slytherin Monster was! You've been on ther side all along! It's obvious we can't trust you!" the ginger boy's face was almost as red as his hair.

"How can you say that?! If it wasn't for me you would be dead by now! After everything that I did for you two, this is all I get!? After everything we went throught together?! Hate for something I have no responsibility?" now Hermione was the one getting mad.

"Nobody asked you to help us! You're just a boring know-it-all! All this time you have been complaining about being a mudblood and now you suddendly discover you're the heir of two of the most powerful pureblood families? You're nothing but a Traitor!" How dare he?! After everything! And just to think it is all his stupid Godfather's fault! I should've known somegthing was wrong from the looks he sent me!

"I thought you would understand me better than anyone Harry. You lost you're parents, but I lost my all familly. And you know what, I'm very happy that I've found them." she passed them walking towards the the bedroom she shared with the other fifth year girls Gryfindors.

Her steps were so violent she accidently pushed Ron making him fall. Before leaving she turned around to face the boys once again.

"You know what?! If you hate me because of my parents, than I will hate you because of yours! It was your stupid godfather who had the idea of stealing his own cousin daughter! He would have donne it even if they hadn't been arrested! And your parents helped too Ronald!"

"I'm happy they did!" Hermione stomped upstairs and was already too far to understand who had spoke.

In the bedroom was Lavander reading a magazine. Not susprisingly, the book was upside down, wich meant the witch had heard the all conversation. That's great! Just great! Tomorrow everyone will know about this! Just what I needed...

That night Hermione went to bed without dinner. She had no desire to face the entire school. At least not yet. She closed her eyes and for just a few hours she forgot all her problems. She wouldn't shed a tear for people like them. She wouldn't shed a tear for the ones that betrayed her. No. She would instead get closer to the ones that had shown her love.

The next days weren't the easiests ones for the witch. She did the possible to avoid anyone from her house. Not everyone knew why, but she prefered to be carefull. Thankfully Lavander didn't tell anyone of what she heard, maybe because she wasn't sure about what she heard and Harry and Ron limited themselves to hateful glares.

Hermione woke up earlier than anyone and spent almost the all time in the library. The company of a certain Malfoy helped a lot. He was one of the few people who she talked to in those days. She didn't trust anyone, not after the disapointment that her friends had been.

Her cousin was slowly introducing his friends to her. Theodor Nott normally joined her in the library. Also, from time to time she saw Crabbe and Goyle walking behind her at a certain distance. Hermione suspected that had something to do with an overprotective relatieve.

It was Saturday when things started to go wrong. Last night she worked until late on an essay about the correct use of shields and when had been created. It was quite amazing how Umbridge could turn such an interesting subject as Defense Against the Dark Arts in a something even worst than Professor Bin classes.

As a result, it was later than usual (for her) when she walked to breackfast. On the way many students snarled at her and sent her hateful glares. Hermione was used to such a behaviour from the Slytherins, but not from the peaceful creature's that the Hufflepuff normally were, being allways ready to see the good in the others, or the logic Ravenclaws, who only judge after having all the facts.

Hermione became nervous and more nervous at each look or whisper. She had tried to be as silent in class as no one had ever seen her. That would prevent the teatchers from saying her name out loud. Her real name.

Entering the Sallon was quite scaring. Almost everyone turned to look at her. After some seconds it started to get awkward since Hermione could not move from the spot. Slowly, the sound of plates and chatter filled back the Sallon. The Gryfindor girl had no idea of what was going on, but something on the back of her mind said that it was all about her parents. Only that there was no way they could know about it, was there.

She walked to the Gryfindor table looking from one side to the other. She had taken to sit by herself in the last days, but it seemed that now there wasn't even a place for her to sit at all.

In that moment she saw something red on her right side. She turned her head right on time to catch whatever was thrown at her. In her hand was the edition of the Daily Prophet of that day. On the other side of the table stood a very furious Ronald Weasley. At his side was the famous Harry Potter. However, he only sat there with a smug look on his face.

Hermione turned to the paper. In the front page was an image of her. The following articule said:

A Traitor Among the Golden Trio?

Hermione Jean Granger is a known friend of the famous Lord Harry Potter and Lord Ronald Weasley. She as been part of their adventures for five years, a dear friend to those respectful Lords. However, is she really who she says?

Miss Granger is now a muggleborn in her fifth year at Hogwarts. However, that is not the truth. This very Wednesday Lord Malfoy was seen at a late our in the Wizard Bank of Gringots. After a lot of research, we were able of finding what drove him to such a place at such an hour.

It is common knowledge that Bellatrix Druella Black-Lestrange, Rodolphus Nostradamus Lestrange, Rabastan Gulias Lestrange and Bartimus Crounch Junior were senteced to a life time in Azkaban for:

-Serving the Dark Lord,

-Torture of magical and non-magical creatures;

-Murder of magical and non-magical creatures;

-Use of the Inforgivables: Imperius curse, Cruciatus Curse, Killing Curse;

It is also known that the daughter of Bellatrix Black and Rodolphus Lestrange died the same night her parents were arrested. However, not everything is what it seems. The daughter of Lord Lestrange and Lady Black had not died, no. It would seem that she escaped her fate and was placed under the care of a Muggle family with the intention of raising her to follow her parents steps. If young Lady Black-Lestrange had not run away, she would've had the guidance of Albus Dumbledoor. Unfortunatly, that was not the case, and no one is sure what her mission might be.

Lord Malfoy visited Gringots last Wednesday at seven o'clock for this reason. It would seem that somehow he discovered that is niece is still alive. His list of affairs was:

-A blood test to prove the identity of the person in question;

-The keys of the Vault One, belonging to the Most Ancient and Noble House Black, and Vault Number Six, belonging to the Le Plus Pur et le Plus Fort House of Lestrange;

-The Guardionship of the person in question;

-The Heinritence of the person in question;

(this points will be described later in the article)

Weren't we surprise to discover that the Heir to the Houses of Black and Lestrange in know one else but Miss Hermione Jean Granger. Or should it be: Hermione Morgana Black-Lestrange.

It has been proved that this young witch is indeed the daughter of the infamous Death Eaters Bellatrix Black and Rodolphus Lestrange.

Also, with both the keys of the Vaults One and Six, Lady Black / Lady Lestrange has became the richest witch in England, with a total of Nine Thousands Millions Galleons in money. She is also the owner of the Black Manor and Lestrange Manor, wich is localted in France, along with any other house, manor, mansion or place and magical object, magical creature and etc in the name of those Houses.

Lady Black-Lestrange also owns 10% of the Dially Prophet, 50% of the Museum of Magic and Magical Creatures, 25% of the School of Magic and Witchcraft of Hogwarts, 33% of the Wizarding Bank of Gringots, 60% of the Magical Hospital St Mungus, 25% of the Magic Schools for Ladies Beauxbottom, and other small shares on many stores that can be found in Diagon Alley, with a minimum of 5% and a maximum of 15%.

As the only Heir of both Black House and Lestrange House, Hermione Morgana Black-Lestrange has been emamcipated, meaning she is now allowed practice magic freely and has no need for a Guardion in the Magical World. For the ones who haven't read our last edition, a Magical Guardion is a wizard or witch that volunteers to train and guid a muggleborn.

The big question is: what will the Head of House Black and Lestrange do with all this power? We have asked some questions.

Molly Weasley, née Prewett revealed us that Hermione has much of her mother in her and has revealed an interest in learning the Dark Arts.

Lord Potter and Lord Ronald Weasley revealed to us how Lady Black / Lady Lestrange has been trying to uncover their secrets in the last five years in a futile tentative of aiding her fallen Lord.

Now the question remains: who is Hermione Morgana Black-Lestrange, and what is her objective?

An Article by Rita Skeeter

When Hermione finally finished reading, her mouth was open wide. For one side, it was a good thing that her uncle had been able to help her and that at least now she didn't have to tell this to anyone anymore. For another, she couldn't believe all that that disguting beetle had written!

The part where her friends had completely lied about her didn't really bother her. She had gotten used to the idea over the last days. Besides, now that she looked over the years, she really didn't see how she could have called those idiots friends. The only thing they did was to take advantaje of her. At least that was she told herself.

No. Hermione was focused on the part where the money was concerned. She had just became the richest person on England from day to night! What would she do with all that money? Well, she wouldn't have to work, but she surely would like to. Of course that she should also worrie about how Skeeter had gotten her dirty hands on such an information, buuuuuuuuut... Besides, Dumbledore had said that nothing would get to the papers unless something he didn't like happen, wich meant this was all his fault! AGAIN! I can't blame a stupid cow for writing stupid stuff when that is the only thing she can do...

"You must be very happy, Granger! You can finally enjoy your family's money without worrieng yourself to be discovered!" Ron Weasley's voice was loud and clear. He was trying to make a show out of it.

"Yeah yeah Ronald. Whatever." Hermione limited herself to answer with desinterest.

"Don't you dae to speak to me like that, you... you... Death Eater!" Ok, that is just stupid. I don't even have the Dark Mark! Wait, do I wantto have it? I think I should stop believing in everything that is said and starting to make my on conclusions. Sarting on giving my family a chance. Of course killing people is a-"

"Are you listenning to me?!"

"Well Ronald, to be honest, I am very happy. I don't understand what you mean with being discovered, but I am happy that I now know who my family is. Even if the Granger's will allways be part of it." Hermione decided that the best way to adress this situation was to wait until she had the chance to make a gracefull exit.

"Shut up! You don't have to pretend anymore! We all know that you only hang out with us for information!" Harry had decided to join the conversation.

"I need information?" Hermione looked at them, forcing some pity in her stare. "Who were the two people that couldn't do their homework by themselves five days ago?" More and more people were starting to pay attention to the discussion.

"Yes! You ! You felt ashamed because you knew that no one would marry scum like you! You have allways have a crush on me, but you knew very well that I would never marry an annoying know-it-all. But you know, I think I'm going to be generous. I will allow you to become my servant." Hermione could not believe her ears. RONALD FUCKING WEASLEY WANTED HER TO BE HIS SLAVE!?

"You know Hermione, he is right." before she could say a word, Harry had started to talk again. "We all know that you not only hang out with us for the information, but also for the fame it would bring you. And I think I have an idea that will please you very much. It is the only way of cleaning your name. From now on, you will become official a slave of the House Potter and House Weasley." Harry smiled at her as if he had just given her all she could ever want.

A foreign pride started to ful her anger. Did they really think that she would be their slave?! As an oposite of her friends, Hermione had studied all there was to know about the Ancient families. Of course there wasn't a lot in books, and she couldn't just go around asking, but she knew that the Black Family went back to the time of Morgana, and the Lestrange Family to the time of Ceaser. And she would not ashame the name of her family because of two idiot teenagers.

"How dare you even sugesting something like that?! I used to be your friend! I can't believe I spent five years on my life with people like you! I-" Hermione had a lot to say. A LOT. She was seeing red in front of her, and that wasn't good.

"How dare we?! We show you our generosity! You are nothing! I am Lord Potter and he" Harry noded at Ron "is Lord Weasley! Yo-"

"Should be carefull with what you say next, Potter." the way the name Potter was said meant it could be only one person talking. "If I were you I showed some more respect to the Lady and Heir of the two most powerfull Families in all Europe."

"What do you want, Malfoy!? Do you want her to be your slave too!? I thought you hated muggleborns like her!" Ron was screaming louder and louder.

"She IS NOT a muggleborn! And do you know what's your problem? You are blind with so much light! I would never make my cousin a slave!" he sneered at the boys in front of him. "If it wasn't because of the blood we share, it would be out of respect! The Malfoys have allways been an ally of the Blacks, as well as the Lestranges. And that will not change!" Hermione looked Draco with other eyes.

One thing was for him to claim to be her cousin when they were only the two. Another very diferent was doing it in front of the all school. And it wasn't just that. Behind Draco stood Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, Zabini, Nott, Milicent and other students she had never met. They seemed to be one pack of wolfs ready to atack and protect eachother.

They were educated like this... To be a unity, all together against whoever wishes them harm... They were placed in Slytherin to establish the futures allies of each family... And I'm one of them now.

Hermione stood there looking in wonder as Draco stood besides her, the others forming a human wall behind them. It was clearly that they were ready to strick if either Harry or Ron made another coment.

However, the boys only stood there. Slowly and with a nood of Harry, Ron sat back down. It was a batle of wills, and the strongest had won. They were now going back to their table and Hermione didn't know what to do. Harry and Ron just kept sending her hatefull glares, and the others were just to shocked to do anything. Something that also surprised her was the way no teatcher intrefered, but she would have to think about it later.

A hand closed around her, pulling her towards the Slytherin table. As Hermione sat between Pansy and Milicent, she felt the questions boiling inside of her. Draco sat in front of her, slowly filling is plate with bacon.

They were all in silence, and it was getting a litle awkward. Some of the Slytherin students were whispering, while other had taken parchement and quills from their bags and started writing. And Hermione couldn't understand what was so important. Sure, she was fucking rich now, but still, it wasn't like the Slytherins needed money, right?

"So... What is all this attention for?" Hermione didn't know how to ask why they decided to stop bullieing her in any nicer way.

"You're one of us now." that was the simple answer she received from Crabbe.

"What does that mean?"

"You're a pureblood." Goyle and Crabbe looked like two body guards, but Hermione could see that they were like bears. Giant tedy bears.

"Yes. But what does that means!?" she was getting impatient because no one seemed able of explaining to her what was going on. And if there was one thing Hermione hated, it was to not know something.

"Guys, remember Hermione grew up in the muggle world. She knows almost nothing of our costumes. In fact, I'm surprised Potter and Weasley knew." as an oposite to the first impression Hermione had gotten from Milicent Bulstrood, she was in fact very nice. Maybe the nicest of the lot.

"Isn't it obvious!? It was that fucking old goat! Honestly, when I see him out of this school, it will be already late!" Zabini gestured with his fork while speaking.

"Why don't we insult our dear Headmaster later and instead we explain this situation to Hermione?"

The brunete had been so caught up watching the interaction between the friends that she forgot her questions. They were like a big family, all completing each other.

"When you say 'we', you mean me, right Draco?" the grin that graced Draco's face was the only answer Nott needed. "Very well then." Theodor then turned at Hermione. "The first thing you need to know is that most purebloods got back to the Medieval Age. For exemple, the Blacks, the Malfoys and the Rosiers. You saw back there the way Potter and Weasley called themselves Lords. That has an explanation.

You see, you can be a part of a Pureblood family in three ways: by name, by blood, and by politics. For example, if you are disowned, then you will keep your last name, but your other conections with the family will be cut. The name Lord is only used in politics terms. You can only be a Lord or a Lady if you descend from a ascient family, one that has power, money and influence. Normally they all go back to the time of Kings and Queens. That is why muggleborns can't be Lords and Ladies. Now, to be an heir, you only need to have the blood of one ascient House, and most important, don't be disowned.

Of course later, we can discusse this matter further, but right now, I bet you are wondering about the all slave thing." he leaned closer to the table and lowered his voice. "The thing is: having slaves is very, but very ancient costumes. Of course parents of the oldest houses teatch their children about all of this, but many houses who are not from the Medieval time or who don't have an Ally to help them in our traditions wouldn't know about this. And lets face it: the Potters are from the ancient times, but not nearly old enough to know about this. Besides Potter has been living in the muggle world. And the Weasleys are ancient, but totally disrespectful to our traditions, so no, someone told those idiots about this." Nott starting cleanning his glasses in the end of the speech.

"But can they really do that?" even after all that information, and it was a LOT of information, Hermione felt quite unconfortable with the all thing.

"Yes, they do. But only if they follow certain rules. Shut up Theo." the dark haired boy had opened his mouth to speak again, but it seemed that Pansy would do the talkng from now. "The first thing you need to know is that a slave is a slave. The person has to do whatever her Master wants. If her Master or Mistress wants to make her a sex slave then there is nothing she can do against it. However, if a slave is a sex slave from the beginning and on paper, then the person will only be a slave on that front." before she could continue, Zabini shoved a pumpkin cake in her mouth.

"My turn." he smirked playfully as Pansy tried to eat the cake in the most Lady like way possible. "Now, to answer another of your questions. We all know you have a lot, just like Theo here."

"Is it a crime to seek knowledge out of the boundaries imposed to us by society!?" Theodore turned his nose up.

"Calm yourself down, Romeo. C'mon Zabini, we have Charms in fifteen minuts."

"Yeah yeah, whatever Draco." he turned back to Hermione. "As someone has already said, there are many ways to have a slave. First, you can offer the position: that's exacly what Potter did. In war times, prisioners also became slaves, like a reward. Some people claim that by saving someone's life you can make them your slave, but that is just a rumour. If you save someone's life, than that person owns you a favor that you can ask at any time. It's called a 'Blood Debt', and you must do it, or pay a certain quantaty of money. The last way of having someone become your slave, is to win it on a duel." Zabini smiled proudly at her.

"That's the only costum you know about purebloods?" Hermione asked in a playfull way.

"No... Maybe... No!" Zabini pouted at her before his face light up. "I also know what they used to do to in their wedding nights."

"There are traditions for that!?" Hermione felt her cheeks getting red and hoped no one had heard Zabini's coment.

"Not really. But there are many stories. For example, there was this wizard that had three nipples an-"

"To much information Theo!" Pansy pretended to faint dramaticly, while Theodor pushed his glasses up his nose.

"Ok ok, before we go into some weird story about nipples, I have just one more question." Hermione looked at the group very serious. "Why would they want me as their slave?"

"Well, assides from you being ho- ?" Zabini wasn't able of finishing his sentence because Goyle and Draco hit him in the head. "Hey! What was that for?"

"That's my cousin you're talking to." Hermione had the feeling that Draco had learned that face from his mother.

"And the Lady and Heir of the Houses Black and Lestrange! Show some respect." as the group laugthed at Goyle's words, Hermione wondered how could it be possible to become friends with someone so quickly as she had with these guys. She really didn't know them yet, but it felt right to be with them.

"To answer your question, as soon as a person becomes a slave, all that she owns becomes their Master's possession."

Hermione's eyes opened wide when she understood what those words meant. They want the money... But for what? It might help the Weasleys, but they could have just asked... Unless it was for something that the Ministry is against! Like the Order! So that's why Dumbledoor wanted to be the one to go to Gringots!

"By the way, thank you for helping me with all of this. And give my thanks to your father."

"No problem. And I'm sorry that we couldn't keep it quiet. I would love to see Dumbledorks face after this. Oh, and before I forget, my father has the keys to your vaults, but he prefers to give them in person. He is afraid someone might try and still them." Draco sent a hateful glare to the teatcher's table.

"The point is, "Milicent placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder "that there is no way Potter would be able of having you as a slave, unless he wins a duel against you. He has no experience in dueling, doesn't pay attention in the classes, and the spels he knows are harmless."
"Yeah. Right Hermione?" Crabbe looked at her. She said nothing.

"Hermione, he can't duel, can he?" Pansy seemed worried. Hermione said nothing.

"Hermione, for Merlin's balls, he actually doesn't stand a chance against you." Zabini was in shock. She said nothing.

"Ok, it was you, wasn't it? You were worried he wouldn'tbe able of defeating the Dark Lord and decided to teatch him." when Draco spoke, he knew he was right. "C'mon, what did you do?" He wasn't really mad at her. He found that he could never be mad at his cousin no matter what.

"Weeeeeeeeelllll..."

To be continued...